A Day in the Life

College friends get-together

I ended my 2011 with a get together with my high school buddies. I thought it was also a great idea to start the new year with a get together with my college buddies hahaha It's not often that we get around to just having dinner and drinks and enjoy each other's company because, let's face it, work gets in the way and we all lead busy lives. But when a friend or two comes home for the holidays, you really do need to make a point to have a reunion for old times' sake.

This year, Marlon was home and that was the reason why we all met at Congo Grille in El, Pueblo, Ortigas. If I remember correctly, the last time we met like this was when Marlon also came home in 2004?? Who has pictures of those?? hmm.. must remember to ask :)

Anyway, the first to arrive at Congo Grille was George, here sporting his very long hair (although I guess you can't see from the picture haha).

Marlon, Cathy and I met up at the SM Megamall and just walked to the venue where we met up with George.

Pepe arrived soon after, obviously coming from work too. :) Idy arrived a little later because he came from Shopwise after a round of grocery shopping. He said he can't miss the double points rewards every Wednesdays! haha spoken like a true family man! LOL

There was a lot of reminiscing from college days about classmates, professors, crushes, embarrassing moments and catching up with what we've basically been doing after college :) We ordered crispy pata, sisig and grilled squid. The boys had beer, of course!

It's too bad that some of our classmates weren't able to make it because of prior engagements but I'm hoping that there'll be more get-togethers in the coming months :)

New Year at the Mall

Happy New Year!! It's 2012 and I'm not going to be the first one to say that time really flies... When I look back at 2011, I hope that it isn't going to be the same for 2012 hahaha So here's me hoping that 2012 brings better tidings for my family :)

We didn't go anywhere for the first day of New Year. The smog was just too thick and so "chokingly" bad that you'd risk your health just to go out. We did head for the mall on January 2 just to get out of the house :)

There was a Christmas set in the atrium of SM San Lazaro where these pictures where taken.

Dana's shirt caption fits her to a tee!

Would've been a great shot
if the "extra" hadn't gotten in and messed it up

All three sporting new shoes for the new year ;)

HS Get Together

When there are talks of get-togethers and/or reunions, I mostly shy away from them. It's because my closest friends aren't going to be there and I think that it'd be awkward getting to know other people. But then, I started thinking...Why should that stop me from going. At this point in my life, I don't think I'll ever get to see my closest friends anyway, not in this fashion, so I may as well make new friends or even just get in touch with older ones... who knows what the day will bring, right? :)

So when there was an announcement on Facebook (gotta love FB!) that there'll be a get together on December 30, I made up my mind to go. It was a good way to end the year, I thought.

The meet-up was at Seattle's Best Coffee at the Mall of Asia at 4:30PM. I got there around 7pm (late, I know) because there was so much to do at the house. Here we are! Thanks to Rains for the pictures :)

(L-R) Me, Gicel, Jun, Webster & Aries' friend

(L-R)Webster, Aries' friend, Aries, me, Gicel, Jun

More People: (L-R) Webster, Aries' friend, Jojo and wife,
Aries, Jesse, Me, Gicel, Rains, Jun, Nelson

Nelson and me

From Seattle's Best, we all decided to have dinner and drinks at Gerry's Grill. It was at this point that we were joined by Cecille and Pamela.

Gicel, me, Cecille, Pam

Pam, Cecille, Me

serious chika!

Over the course of dinner, the guys just naturally grouped together but still took the time to smile for the camera :)

Ike arrived around 11pm from a wedding in Intramuros.
Got the chance to see his god-daughter, Dana too :)

All in all, it was a great night! I'm sure some of us didn't want it to end seeing as it was only like almost 12MN when we parted ways. It was an enjoyable night - great conversations with equally cool friends :) Happy New Year! :)

2011 Christmas

Merry Christmas to one and all!

Christmas is such a great holiday because of all the wonderful things that happen during this time. Yes, you may spend an enormous amount of money buying gifts for all the people you love but you kinda forget about it once you see that the gifts you bought really brought happiness and actual tears to the people who are receiving them.

Patrick and I are fortunate that our kids are understanding about our financial situation and don't complain that they only have less gifts this year compared to last year. They still were very happy about the gifts that they received this year and couldn't wait to play with them.

We're also very fortunate that though we have lost people we love like my mom and Patrick's parents, we still have a lot of people in our lives that care about us and love us just the same. Special shout outs to Tita Gigi Escalante and Tito Nino who have really welcomed us in their lives and love us and our kids with equal fervor like their own. It was such a pleasure spending Christmas eve with you guys and we owe you a debt of gratitude for making our holiday so special because of the warmth that you envelop us in.

I miss my mom so much and I miss my brother just as much that sometimes it seems pathetic that I have to seek out people from whom to get the love and comfort and that feeling of security that you have a place in this world that you belong to and with. It's still very fortunate that there are people in my life like those - Lan, my brother, you may be far away in geography but you are never far from my mind and heart. I always wish the best for you and I'm proud that you're doing well on your own. Kat you are still the bestest friend anyone can have and I'm proud to have you in our lives. Sharon, my sister, you are such a crazy girl but I'm still glad that you've matured enough to handle yourself in the way you see fit.

We have had such a hard year this time and as much as we will never forget the people who have helped us get through it - Chie Cosay and Rey Maribao special thanks to both of you for you know what - we will also never forget the people who have brought us such pain and suffering. It is because of you that we have become stronger. It is because of you that we have faced much hardship and yet we're still surviving. Though we no longer want you in our lives, you have been a major part of it and for that we can't and we won't forget.

May the New Year bring us better circumstances....

In the meantime, I'm sharing my kids' and our own happiness this Christmas and hope that you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making the movie.

Ruth and JV's wedding

Another special event that we were lucky enough to be invited to was the wedding of my cousin, Ruth, to her longtime boyfriend JV Royo. It was held at the Most Holy Trinity Parish in Sampaloc and reception was at Betty's Sansrival and Catering Services in Quezon City.

What I love about weddings is that it gives people a chance to catch up with relatives and friends whom you haven't seen in a long time. Plus, there's always free food hahaha Another plus is getting a chance to dress up in fancy clothes too :)

Nandy and Ronnie in
this Once-in-A-Lifetime Dressing Up Moment

Zeny and Ella

Jeng looking lovely as the Maid of Honor

Ces and Zeny

Den and myself

Dana looking lovely in her dress

The food was delicious especially the sansrival (of course!) and the baked goodies :) Dana kept going back to the dessert table (by herself even!). Dylan loved the lechon (roasted pig)!

There was a photo booth from Clickart Photo Booth where you can have your pictures taken as a souvenir. We had fun taking our photos! :)

Congratulations to Ruth and JV! Thanks for inviting us and having us share in your wonderful ceremony :)

Dylan's 2011 Christmas Party

This year, the Little Sofie Learning and Development Center held their Christmas Party at Shakey's Espana. It's quite a bittersweet moment for us because we remember Teacher Dory and her presence from last year's Christmas party which was also held in the same venue.

Anyway, the party was filled with gifts, prizes and activities which the kids loved. There were prizes for the parents who did such an amazing job with their Christmas parol. There were also appreciation prizes for all parents for their support of their kids and of the school. The kids also had their exchange gift as well as gift giving from their teachers. There was also a "Bring Me" game which Dylan participated in but was not fortunate enough to win in hahaha Parents also participated in the games which were a lot of fun.

Pictures with his teachers: