A Whole Year of Updates (1/5)

Five days to go and it would be a year since I've posted in my blog. Yes, I've been THAT busy with work, myself and everything that goes along with being 24 years old in Manila.

A lot of things happened since then. I moved to a new job, new apartment, worried over the Sendong calamity in my hometown, spent Christmas on the streets of CDO with the typhoon victims, celebrated fifth anniversary with the boyfriend, travelled with friends and alone.

This is going to be a looooooong post.

September 2011. By this time, I've been busy with completing my pre-employment requirements and turning over responsibilities. It felt very easy to leave Bayantrade. My friends have left before me and there have been a lot of unsettled issues I couldn't stand any longer. The company has changed radically - from the management, its name to ABM Global Solutions, even company emails, office transferred to Jupiter, Makati, work and relationships.

October 2011. Sir Jojo, my boss, was very happy I was moving. We both deemed it a career move. Something I wouldn't have a chance on in Bayantrade. It was a graceful exit, I must say. I didn't answer anything rash (but actually had to fill out another exit form) to HR. My last week was spent over a whole lot of despedidas. Dinners here and there. What I enjoyed most was the game night the boss organized. He brought his Guitar Hero and another colleague brought Kinect Adventures. Layers of pizza and bilaos of pancit abound. I felt very important and happy to leave.

Eight o'clock in the morning, at the 14th floor lounge, I sat alone in the coffee table enjoying my morning coffee. Despite feeling nervous and sick, I was very excited to start my new job. An hour later, my new boss arrived and welcomed me in. Then two guys went to get coffee and were introduced to me as my new colleagues. (Although right now I'm sure they went there to see and "rate" me.) I received my temporary ID, new set of office supplies, handshakes and warm welcome from everyone in the 17th floor. I had a good feeling I'll stay for long. (Still feel the same way right now too.)

November 2011. My first out-of-the-country trip. Malaysia, truly Asia. When my Malaysian Airlines flight landed, I was so excited to meet Marjanie, my super close friend whom I shared college problems with. He was with his wife, Nimsy, at the waiting area. I hugged the friend I haven't seen for five years. I missed him very badly and I missed the days we'd spent driving around the city, stopping over for milkshake and tempura. By the way, I was sent to Malaysia for a training. Honestly, I didn't get anything but experience. :P

The Petronas seemed like two lovers holding hands

I missed this guy. This was taken at One World Hotel in Selangor.

Malaysia was quite like the Philippines, except for the much improved infrastructure. The Petronas Towers and the park below it was overwhelming. The expressways and transportation system were amazing. Perhaps the only downside was the food. I was never fond of curry, coconut milk and all other foreign dishes. I resorted to McDonalds and KFC. At one dinner, which was hosted by our Malaysian colleagues, I ordered for carbonara. I couldn't eat anything else.

I wish McDonalds here has McBites. More tasty than nuggets.

December 2011. Sendong woke up each Kagay-anon with the sound of rushing water. Father recalled it was dark as electricity had been cut off the night before. Manila's weather was bad, but it was way worse in Cagayan de Oro. Morning came and dead bodies were sprawled on the streets. Houses were filled with mud, murky water and stinking smell. For two days, all I did was stare at my phone waiting for a single text message from my family back home. No electricity, water and telecom.

My flight for my annual leave was on the eve of Christmas. Usually, I would see fireworks and dancing lights from up in the airplane when approaching the City of Golden Friendship. That time, it was very different. Silence blanketed the air. When I arrived, I could see my sister, niece and uncle's faces lit up to see me. Oh yes, I still couldn't forget when they saw me in my new pixie haircut. From the airport, it felt nothing like Christmas. I went with Papa to the Misa de Gallo. Usually, the Cathedral would be filled with church-goers and merry songs of the Child.

We had our usual family get together but we made it simple and offered prayer and candles.

We had the usual feast on the table but left more than half to be brought to the evacuation center nearby. Long-distance relatives, neighbors and friends had nothing but each other's families to celebrate Christmas with.

Christmas morning, my sister and I prepared for the "Christmas on the Streets" organized by a lot of groups from the private sector, barkadas and families who had more to share. I went with my sister's company (of which I used to be connected with as well). Toys, clothes, food and other essentials were wrapped in Christmas wrappers, to be given to those affected. On board an Elf truck, we went to Balulang, Macasandig, Kauswagan and Carmen. It was a tearfully sad scene. Cars, houses and other properties were destroyed. Dreams were shattered.

Alvin and the Chipmunks

February 4 was declared as the University President's Day. And boy, I enjoyed the movie marathon at home. That day was such a relief from school, work, school, work and more of them.

My most favorite then was Alvin and the Chipmunks. There went Dave's career adventure with the three cute little "we're-not-squirrels" whose voices tickled me, my niece, nephew and little cousin to death. Miko was holding his tummy whenever he laughed. One-year old Chico was shouting everytime the trio sang their Christmas songs. Banana tried to hold her mouth to keep saliva from showering down.

My whole family enjoyed the film. I would watch it as often as I could. I always even ask Ryan to say my favorite lines from Theodore, "Dave, I had a nightmare. Can I sleep beside you?" Everytime I feel sad, I just ask him to throw those lines. The movie really washed away all my worries and weariness.

it rained one tuesday evening

the stars shone like fireflies dancing in the velvet sky. i sat in a long wooden bench with my cousin, gazing up and talking with one another. it had been centuries since our last serious and corny talk. it had been about me and my mishaps in life. this time, he was the one who needed a listening ear.

our neighbor's red Elantra passed by.

my cousin Charlie and I had always been open with our loves and lives. he challenged me to do things the nasty and naughty way, while i restricted him and made him behave in the proper manner. we liked and hated the same relatives of ours. we loved one another and hated the rest of our nosy clan.

a green Starex van passed by.

Charlie opened up something to me-a topic he hesitated to talk over with other people. this problem had been bugging him for ages already. he did not want solutions though. what he was seeking was understanding and a heart that's open and indiscriminatory.

an electric blue Honda City passed by.

from then on, i had become both a friend and cousin to him. we went out together, invaded the mall arcades and ruled our way up in dance revo. he was such an expert in following those arrows and even modifying steps to make it more of a hiphop dance and not cha-cha. the two of us can dance to any beat. at times, we danced the night away and did videoke singing until our throats gave up.

an elegant silver Ford Lynx passed by, then the rain started showering down.

i can see the magnificent cadence of the golden raindrops from the light of the lamp post at the corner. the cold wind rushed past my direction and made me quiver. yet, the smell of the fume of the road irritated my nose. my eyes mechanically seemed to shut itself and i somewhat heard my comfy bed calling me. i didn't know i had been outside the house until 12:30 mn. i didn't notice the length of time my cousin and i had been talking. i waited then for a minute for another car to pass by.

nothing came.

Melon, when are you getting married?

Ryan, are we getting married sooner? It seems like the folks are asking for it! Yeah...when am I getting married? They hear wedding bells!
Just this evening, Uncle Milo asked me when will be my big day. My relatives were talking about my cousin's wedding. Manang Che will be tying the knot with Carlos (aka Dao Ming Su) on July. Then suddenly they wondered who will be next! And they thought of me! Oh my...what were they thinking of?! Well, and I realized that the eldest single next to Manang Che would be ME!!!! I couldn't help laughing...They're asking for it! Uncle Milo laughed saying that they would wait until I finish college. It's in March already! There's Manang Cathy, but she's six months pregnant. Secondly there's Marlou, but to hell if he would want to marry or not. Who else would be next?
Damn, it's me alright.
I will get married to Ryan, but not yet. I'm still 19, he's 21. Maybe some few years later, we'll talk seriously about that.
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As I opened my inbox in multiply, I found two photo updates from girl friends. Bibit posted her pictures with her boyfriend. Haven't met him yet, but for sure I will. I can't help but laugh at their pictures. They're so sweet. How I wish I always have a camera at hand and take pictures of me and Ryan! Then I navigated to Adeline's site. Her "La Lang" posts were with Mark, just sweet moments.
With my salary, I'm planning to purchase a new cam by Feb. I can't wait to capture moments with Ryan and share it to all! =)
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So, what will be my dream wedding? I don't want to be realistic here, just in my dreams ok? I would want it to be in the most beautiful church I think is, the Roman Catholic Basilica of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. It would be enough to have the dinner in nearby hotels, or maybe everyone could fly to Mauritius and have a Carribean mode of celebrating the union! Then our honeymoon would be in Europe. Ryan and I have dreamt of touring around the continent, and enjoy the wonderful places.
And what will be my realistic dream wedding? I'll just keep it to myself. I don't want to spoil the event.