'08 going '09

7:29pm... dance music blaring outside and some people are starting to light up some fireworks... and here I am typing away what would seem like my last entry for this year (not that I have that many entries in here... hehe).

This year has been a blast for me. I learned a lot of new things and met a lot of friends in the process. I was able to devote much of my time with my family and in singing with the choir. I must admit that I also experienced doubts but then I pushed it aside so that I can make room for my goals in my head.

For me, 2008 is the year when I was able to layout some my plans... from voicing out my dreams, goals, and what I would like to do in the upcoming years. Of course, I also thought that it won't be an easy ride for me. But then again, I have God, my family and friends beside me... I know I will do just fine.

In a couple of hours, at the stroke of midnight, it's gonna be year 2009. I wonder what the year has in store of me... I think I'll just have to say 'surprise me'.

Tiring Weekend

December 13: Saturday

Call Time: 11:00am

We had an impromptu practice for a Wedding at Fort Bonifacio for two hours. The traffic was uneventful, but I am glad that I had good company and we spent time laughing and telling stories along the way.

When we arrived at the venue, I was quite amazed at the structure of the Church and its surroundings. The church is situated in Fort Bonifacio which is basically a military camp here in Manila.

Basically, we attended a Silver Wedding Anniversary, and as expected, the one who invited us is a member of the Philippine Marines. So it didnt shock us that much to see that many Marine officers in their full, crisp, white formal uniforms.

We sang our usual repertiore for wedding ceremonies and sang "Umagang kay Ganda" as our final song as the couple walked their way out of the church. Me and my friends in the choir all agree that the song fits as the final song for the couple. After the mass, we headed back to Reyes residence while eating pancit and chicken sandwich that were provided to us.

Our singing did not end at Fort Bonifacio. We celebrated Therese's birthday and sang to our hearts' content using Ian Girl's mediacom until midnight.

Well, my tiring weekend is just beginning...

December 14: Sunday

Call Time: 2:00pm

Ate Leah, one of my choirmates informed us that we will be singing Christmas Carols to her cousin's Christmas party and to a friend's house. But there was a problem, there seemed to be a conflict in our schedule because we also have a Mass service at Pope Pius Church c/o Kuya Mardie.

As usual, we met at the Reyes residence for our game plan. Our conductor divided us into two groups so that we can cover both bases at once. I went with Ate Leah's group and went our way to Ferndale subdivision. We were to join the other half of our choir to Pope Pius after singing.

Kuya Maui, told us that traffic in Commonwealth is uneventful since it was a Sunday so we went out early. On the contrary, we didn't encounter that much traffic and we arrived at the venue 30 mins too early.

I wasn't surprised that the party didn't start on time. Filipino time nga naman... I hate to admit it though. I was used to being on time especially when I was still working. But then again, it is something that I myself can't change in the society.

We finally sang our first song when one of the MC's asked us to sing our next songs after a program. To my frustration, the program was all about introducing ALL the residents that attended the Home Owner's xmas party. I was gritting my teeth the whole time and prayed that they keep it short so that we can sing and leave. We sang our songs during the food was served. It was kind of them to ask us to join them for dinner too :P

Much to our dismay, we were not able to sing at Pope Pius. We regrouped at Burger King and headed our way to Banawe for our next caroling.

We sang for the family of Ate Leah's friend. I was happy that they were clapping after we sang our songs... though I was disappointed at the same time because I know I was offkey in one of the songs. They invited us to a hearty dinner and headed home.

Who said my weekend ended that day? We were just getting started!

December 15: Monday

Call Time: 5:00pm

Since most of us are working, we decided to meet up in 3 different places: Reyes Residence, Magallanes MRT station, and LRT Edsa Station. Being a professional bum that I am, I met up with the group at Reyes residence. We eventually regrouped at Shell Magallanes and headed our way to Cavite.

I know Cavite is far from Manila but dang! I didn't know that our venue for our xmas caroling will be THAT far in Cavite. We left Manila at 6:00pm, and we arrived at 9:00pm.

It was so cold! I have never been to Baguio all my life, but when I was experiencing the blast of the cold December wind, I swear I could compare the cold to Baguio.

We had dinner and eventually sang for the family and guests. By the time we finished, it was almost 11:00pm.

We were wondering if we are still gonna be able to attend the Simbang Gabi at 4:30am. I was pretty much confident that I will be attending the mass that time. I was still wide awake and my usual sleep time is at 2:00am. I thought that I could just past time and wait for Simbang Gabi.

Our journey back home is a silent one. We arrived at 12:30am. As for Simbang Gabi? I wasn't able to attend it (^_^)

Now I am dreading my weekends this December. If this keeps up, I'll surely write it down.

Starbucks Memories

I wasn't able to sleep last night... my internet connection has been pretty messed up since yesterday and was driving me nuts unti now. I decided to hit the gym and went directly to my favorite hangout: Starbucks Tomas Morato branch.

I've always loved this place... not just because of the coffee (duh...) but because of the memories that I have in this establishment since I first stepped in the door when I was in college.

Whenever I am here with friends, I would always say "Feeling ko may makikita akong kakilala ko ngayon dito." I have a feeling that I'll be seeing someone I know today. So far, my instinct proved me right all the time.

This is where I hanged out with my best friend 4 years ago after she came back home from America. After that, it has been awhile since we met at a chance encounter where our choir sang in a Mass and she and her violin ensemble played as an intermission number in a program. She hugged me and we exchanged "How have you been? I missed you..." during that time. That was the last time I saw her and haven't heard from her except through emails which I admit, is not frequent. All I can do is look at our picture taken while having coffee, which reflects our smiling faces and all I can do is just smile at the memory.

This has been my sanctuary after work. A friend of mine works in a pre-school two blocks away from this coffee shop.

"Ate (term of endearment for older sisters/friends) Nins, andito ako sa Starbucks... coffee tayo. :)" Ate Nins, I'm here at Starbucks, let's have coffee together. This is my usual text message to my friend, Nins. She would indulge herself with the idea and hang out with me. We would go to her pre-school and I would meet her afternoon class students. That has been a routine which I gladly took before she resigned.

Here is a picture of me with the kids in pre-school. I miss them and I bet that my friend misses them more. I hope that they are doing great in kindergarten or in the "big school".

This is where me and my choir friends hanged out when I got my first Christmas bonus and got promoted at the same time...

I met a barista who happened to be one of my classmates back in college...

Here I am with a cup of Dark Cherry Mocha (extra hot mind you :P), I look around where I am sitting. Nothing has changed since then, and in the back of my mind, I am glad. Yes, change is inevitable but then again, it doesn't mean that a place full of memories will.

Blogging...

A friend suggested that I should have a blogsite...

"But I am not a writer!" I wailed while sending the text message to my friend, Lei.

My cellphone beeped signaling that she just replied, "Just as long as people can follow through the story that you wrote, you are a writer. :)"

I must admit that I have several journals hidden in my room. Whenever i had a chance to read those, I smile... and sometimes cry. Reading my entries was like watching an old movie that faded in time.

A lot has happened to be and I want to share it to the world. I just hope that you will realize and/or learn something from my experiences. :)

Now, I am opening my File Cabinet to the world.