everything but the girl

So it has been weeks since my last post here.  But don’t worry; I have enough stories to make up for my absence.

Last week, I got sick.  I was on leave for 3 non consecutive days.  I actually promised my customers to have my deadlines submitted before the end of that week but unfortunately, missed one of them.  But I managed to present my work the next working day (Monday).  I am just waiting for their approval on the timeline I sent them. 

Saturday, we had our official Christmas Party at a 3-star hotel near the office building.  Buffet dinner, few raffles, funny awarding, crazy games and a lot, I mean A LOT, of picture-taking were the main events that night.  It was an intimate and enjoyable night for all the attendees. 

Buffet menu includes salad, soup, vegetable, pork, and chicken dishes.  My boss decided not to include beef cuisines since there are current issues on cow’s meat safety.  Wine and beers were also available that night.

My boss gave away some gift certificates to some famous restaurants and coffee shop in the metro, flash drives, and chocolates as raffle and game prizes. 

Two of our games were taken from noon time shows and the popular, newspaper dance!  It was really fun seeing your officemates vying for the winner title.

We also paid recognition to the people with some unusual habits, personalities or characters.  For instance, ‘CEREAL KILLER’ award goes to Mr. 80, who is a big fan of cereals, specifically Koko Krunch!  These presentation was from 3 creative minds (ahem! ahem!) whose goal was just to bring fun to everyone, and not to insult or mock our office friends. 

The next working day, when everyone is excited to have a glimpse of the photos (638 of those were from my camera and can I just say that it takes amazing pictures?! J) from the party, one of the awardees was reportedly not happy with the recognition we had for him.  He thinks that it was ridiculous and the organizers were making fun of his unique characteristic.  God!  Of all the recipients, he was the only one who responded badly.  And part of his drama, is not talking to us, the organizers.  Hell!  How childish can he get?!  Oh well, maybe we all have the right to act the way we wanted!

Come Sunday, it was a reunion for me and 2 of my best friends – Alouh and Karen.  We had a sumptuous meal in a Japanese restaurant in one of the biggest malls in the city of
Manila.  Picture-taking, gift-giving and a bunch of chit-chat to catch up on each other’s lives were the main activities.  It has been months since we last saw each other.  It was when Karen gave birth to her second child, Ethan David.  Now, his newest angel is one big baby!  He looks exactly his mother – chubby cheeks and sweet smile!  Other topics include careers, families, gained weight and of course, love life!  It was really a fun bonding to the people you practically grew up with. 

How often can you have a quality and candid time with the people you consider your second family?  Thank God someone invented the still camera!