It’s another new week!!! I am so elated! Finally, the BIG NIGHT event is ovah. I have a few pending projects that still need to be tackled ASAP but at least I can put this event behind me now. It’s been a long and stressful month or so of event planning and preparation. I was mentally and physically tired especially the past 2 weeks –overworked and overwork-out. Wednesday, my boxing trainer was looking at me funny because I didn’t throw any solid punches. I didn’t even have the strength to lift weights. Too bad I wasn’t able to work out the past three days though.
Not that organizing an event is not fun but when you’re basically a one-man team, it sometimes takes its toll on you. Besides tons of pressure on your shoulder to make the event a blast, coordinating with dozens of people can be quite exhausting. That’s the downside, and a gazillion of other things. But why concentrate on that, when there are also quite a few perks to relish. One is the food-tasting portion. I got to be invited by certain restaurants to sample their dishes. I simply love eating –especially when it’s free. Since I was on a diet, I had to restrain myself from eating plenty. But oh my YUM, all the food I tasted were delish! You get to extend your network of friends and business contacts. Sometimes, I try to be all business when dealing with biz contacts but you meet some who are nice and fancy befriending you. For instance, a 24-er from one of the game distributors invited me for lunch and despite my protest, she paid for it. Just last week, I met this person who kinda had a fam-financial situation similar to mine and we shared a good conversation. Last week, I’ve been feeling a little depressed –thinking about life, my path and purpose [yuck, would you like bread to go with that cheese?] You ever have those moments when you want to have a feeling of fulfillment? I’ve had my share of achievements but the sense of fulfillment I’m referring to is something that stays with you for the rest of your life even if you’re stripped of everything you achieved or physically owned. I guess having a child is a fulfillment, no doubts about that. Having a child is like having an extension of you. How about marriage? Is marriage a fulfillment? Some people separate these two. Some think that as long as you’re a good father or a good provider, dissolution of marriage is not such a big deal and sometimes it seems to be the “best” thing for the family. However, my POV is, it shouldn’t be considered as a suitable option. It shouldn’t even be an option at all. One worthy point I heard this weekend –that “a solid and good marriage” is the greatest gift you could ever give your kid. Friday night:
I’d rate myself only an 80% in execution of the event. I’m my worst critic but there are a lot of areas I could have done better. A lot of guests commented on how good the food was. Ayan, the event host, was the highlight of the party. He jelled all my plans together. I felt vindicated when Ayan asked how many prepped the whole event (Ayan is part of FabTrix Promotions and has been into events organizing for a few years already so he knows how hectic and crazy it can get). I told Ayan I was the only one who organized the whole thing. The respect and little approbation I got from him made me feel better. He asked how long I prepped for this thing and it kinda startled him that it only took less than a month. The guests participated in the corporate games and I kept on hearing people roar in laughter –which is a good indication that they enjoyed the party. I wished there were more dancing though but the party packed up early –to my advantage too since I was yearning for a break/rest. The crew was commendable. I wish I was able to designate someone to take the pictures from the get go. I only remembered to ask someone halfway through the program. Special thanks to khel for assisting me throughout the event. He was literally beside me readily offering assistance. One of my biggest problems that night that I was so agitated about was seating capacity. During a meeting, our CEO, General Manager and me finalized that it would be 100 pax, but 6 days prior to the event, the CEO told me to adjust it to 130-150. I have signed the contract and settled the arrangements 3 weeks prior to the event and all of a sudden he changed his mind like everything was doable. In the contract, it is stipulated that changes to event details should be made 2 weeks prior, so how does he expect me to add 30-50 more people? There were a lot of other concerns that kept my mind all boggled down. Since Wednesday night, I’ve been high-strung and people had a hard time talking to me coz I’m always spaced out with so many things going through my mind. Thursday night, I felt a vein throbbed in my head (seriously). Good thing, it all sorted out during the event itself. Saturday night: I attended a family dinner at Emerald Garden in lieu of Father’s Day.
Although it’s the second Father’s Day that Tito Ted wasn’t around, I got sentimental this weekend. I missed Tito Ted terribly that my heart literally ached as much as it did last year. He was like a second father to me. Although I used to get tense whenever he was around, I valued every moment I spent with him. I’ve always enjoyed listening to his stories and political views. I wish he can see his son now and how much he has progressed and has slowly realized his dreams. Back to the dinner -my lolo, dad’s side, was there. As usual, there wasn’t much said during dinner except under-the-table teasing with Joyce. I totally regret not enjoying my Chinese-conversation classes back in HS. I would have started a conversation with my grand-daddy-o during the few times we meet for dinner. During dinner, I felt really tired. I couldn’t figure out if it was my body or mind that was worn out but I reckoned that a massage would ease both. I suddenly asked my dad (it took a lot of guts to ask him directly since I rarely ask him for anything) if he still had massage certificates from Clark and Hatch. I remember he gave me a couple of MCs a year ago. I expected him to say none since it’s been a year when he reached for his wallet and took out one. How fresh is that! I am such a lucky bee (Thank goodness, I don’t have to spend for a massage. I’m saving up for a few trips in the coming weeks. I promised God I would haul my b*tt to church Sunday as a sign of gratitude). After dinner, my dad dropped us off Manila Hotel to have a few drinks while enjoying the music of Music Unlimited combo. I was deciding on whether I would get a liqueur or not (I was tempted so badly to get Bailey’s but I remembered my “detoxify” program) when I drifted to sleep. I was asleep for almost two hours –aftermath of Friday’s event I guess. When I woke up, I saw my dad and mom slow-dancing. Sigh, what a beautiful sight to wake up to. I was watching them still a little dazed from sleep and I couldn’t help but feel sentimental again. It was so romantic –I guess one of the most romantic moments I’ve had (although I wasn’t really a part of it) in quite a while. It made me want to dance too. The music shifted to swing/boogie sounds and everyone was suddenly on the floor. Gosh, I missed ballroom dancing. My parents used to take me to one back in HS. I remembered Japan too coz a very special friend surprised me when he led me to dance. Can this weekend get any more nostalgic for me??? My dad doesn’t dance that well (he’s a cum laude in UP, one of the very few smart people that has impressed me. If he danced well, I’d say he’s a favored child of SOMEONE up there) but my heart was delighted to see my dad danced his heart out that night. I can’t figure out if Saturday night was a celebration of Dad’s day or Janey’s day because aside from the massage certificate, I also got a Gucci wallet from my dad when we got home. And I didn’t buy him any Father’s Day gift this year (since I was too busy to shop!) It couldn’t have come at a better time coz I considered replacing my wallet of 7 years (hahahaha, how pathetic.) last week. There’s an outside force conspired to help me not spend a single dime (which is helping my “detoxify” plan immensely!)
Hot off the grill –I just learned a few seconds ago that I’m going to Baguio on the 7th of July! Yay! BV, my ops manager actually requested me 2 weeks ago to go on the 30th (June) since it was supposed to be the Opening target date for our Baguio branch. He called me up to ask me if I can go. There was dead air for a few seconds until finally he told me he was kidding. He asked if I had anything planned and I said yes, I already booked a flight to Davao on that day. It’s work but I really wanted to go to Baguio. I think it has been a decade since I last went there. But I knew I could not compromise this trip that me and my good friend Rhoda were set to take. We booked the flight two months ago! Anyway, Jonard just informed me that we’re going to Baguio!!! Uh-oh… I was planning an out-of-town trip with JICA friends on the 8th. Tsk-tsk. I have to work out something here. Sunday- I wasn’t able to go to mass even after I promised to make an effort to. I know I’ll get punished soon. I was supposed to go to mass after swimming with family but my mom changed her mind.
I enjoyed my one and only Ace Water Spa experience last month. It’s a huge water spa complex near Araneta Ave, QC where there are 16 therapeutic water showers that massage your neck, back and feet. They also have herbal pools. I’m really looking forward to going back. Besides, swimming burns a lot of calories. I love Sundays. It is the day I dedicate totally to myself. I usually spend my Sundays locked up in my room. I lounge in my room, lay on the crisp white linen of my bed, watch tv, rearrange my clothes in the closet, trying to mix and match a new number/outfit from my wardrobe, fantasize, think about my life, think about the people I cherish, play dress-up or have a mini-fashion show, rap, draw, paint and dance to my heart’s content. For some weird reason, I enjoy cleaning my room or arranging papers, CDs, clothes neatly. It’s very therapeutic. It sometimes turns out to be a scavenger hunt coz you find items you haven’t used in years.
Monday- I went to work with such a cheery mood! I got to work around 640am. On the way to work, Narda played on the radio and I was daydreaming of an out-of-town trip. I love long drives to the countryside. As I was singing to Narda and quietly thanking my mom that she wasn’t driving like a madman this morning, I realized how happy I am. I mean, I am blessed by God with struggles that make me a stronger but not a hateful person. He blessed me with struggles to truly appreciate the moments I am happy. He blessed me with struggles for me to know that I can lean on my family and friends. He blessed me with struggles to teach me how to be content with the little I have. I am so blessed. Content contributes greatly to my happiness. I may not have everything I desire. Events may not go according to plan. I am yet to discover which path I am going to take (I’ve been kicking myself on the head since the start of the year coz I planned to get my own place this year. However, my plans got blocked by a couple of things. But I realized I shouldn’t berate myself. Some plans are better off delayed). I am enjoying the ride. By next year, I hope to get a place of my own and work on something I’ve been meaning to do. I can’t believe I’ve written this much already. I have to stop or else this will become a tell-all book (haha). By the by, I can’t wait for Prince Charles’ secretary’s book to come out. It must contain a lot of juicy stuff.
Shout outs
Acey: Thank you for your text message after the party. I know you aren’t that emotionally expressive but I really appreciate the message! I kept laughing after reading the last part though, “pahinga ka na para di ka na desserts!” hahaha. mwah!
Kennykins and Gina Lizertiguez: See you amigas soon. Au re·voir!
Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/121/16_June_2006-_Station_168_5th_Anniversary_Event
