Life is good.

I had a pretty rough Friday afternoon (more details soon) that really made me feel bad the whole Friday evening.  Someone was being harsh over something that is supposedly not a “BIG” deal to her.  In fact, another person (AP) initiated this BD (big deal) even if I raised a concern about it.  My bad was I still went with AP’s idea despite my uneasiness (having to always be the “taong bahay,” I thought this one time wouldn’t hurt).  To make matters worse, I found out that AP didn’t relay a message that was supposed to be relayed to her early this week that somehow confirms her theory that I don’t give “advise.”

Anyway, I’ll “advise” readers on that soon… maybe during the weekend.  I’m hesitant to expose my personal feelings on this (since negative vibes are not welcome on this site), but I owe it to my online journal (and my health) to have a release… and writing has always been my stress buster.

I digress.  As my offline plurk announced last weekend, God always finds a way to turn things around for me, without me having to ask.  First was the blast I had bonding with CW fam (particularly lil’ sister) during a late night dinner at Bellini’s,  I wish I get to spend more time with them.  2^nd was my friend and ex-officemate Martin telling me that he’s bringing me to Armiin on November 21.  In the Sabi group, I’m the least who appreciates house music (heef haf all the way baby, hippity hippity hop! ) but being on this guest list means being able to spend time with my friends at the event they enjoy –and that makes me happy.  3^rd, I also had a great Saturday with the berks, tagging my first LazerXtreme Laser Tag experience, a successful hole-in-the-wall recommendation at Soms, and winning poker night @ Eric’s house (or hotel whichever is more appropriate.  Goodness, I soooo love ERT’s house!  I dub that my dream house! –with only a few minor adjustments). 

Sunday, I had another Laser Tag schedule (yes, two days in a row –only because I cannot turn down any of the two groups.  Plus it’s loads of fun!).  This time it was with the Sabi group and supposedly some from the Photoholic group (shout-out to Madz!).  Bubba’s sister, Jem, and Fidel joined too.  Fidel got his hands on 2 free Platinum passes for the Chris Brown Rihanna concert  that day so Jem bestowed us their Gold tickets –an instant upgrade from our Silver tickets.  Monday night, a small investment quadrupled!

God protects my choice to be happy.  Keep the faith!

Life is good. 

*These items are available at the biggest Bratpack store in Greenbelt 5.  I’m eyeing the beach football and a new Frisbee!

(Image source www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4917464/)

[Ross coming back from bathroom, getting ready to play poker with Rachel]  

Ross: Your money is mine, Green.  

Rachel: Your fly is open, Geller.”

After handing me tickets for the Premiere of Narnia, Yssah informed me about the get-together plan of our friends that Friday night.  Bubba, even when he was already in Makati for BJJ training at Punch-out Gym, went to SJ to pick me up.  We arrived in Masas past 11pm and met with Carlo, Camille, Yssah and Polo.

I haven’t hung out in Greenbelt for drinks in a long time.  There were spurts of getting invited to several events and get-togethers that we’ve attended but since Greenbelt 2 has changed 2 years ago, we’d rather take our drinks some place else.  Places where the objective is not SBS.  See and Be Seen.  Now, you see young broods on a Friday night feeling proud of polluting the environment and their lungs (Ok, I know the Sabi Marlboro Team all smokes…  Please don’t wring my neck…) entirely blocking the whole walkway! 

Anyway, it is the company that really makes a difference to where you are.  What a fun night bonding with my sabi friends!!! Mon, May, Shiela, Mike, NA were missing in action.

Since we can’t talk much in the noise, we decided to transfer to Tiananmen (after checking Ziggurat).  Good thing it wasn’t as full as it used to be and we got a good area on a Friday night (or Saturday morning) at around 1am.  Thanks to Tiananmen and Yssah’s plea power for not charging a corkage fee for the pasta I brought for them.  

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/466

Don’t you love it when your birthday falls on a Friday?  I had a birthday lunch at Mom and Tina’s then dinner at Sugi with my family and Christian. Fast forward to Sunday. 

I spent Sunday morning eating Astoria breakfast with Chris, Carlo and Shiela.  Meanwhile, I treated CW’s family to a dinner in Choi Garden.  We ate Shabu-Shabu (which should always be fun right?  But we were all hungry that it kind of ruined the mood esp. since the place was so jammed packed!) and also tried a few other dishes like Curry Beef, Salted Fried Rice, Yang Chow Fried Rice (we were supposed to order the Baked Seafood Rice but they ran out of it.  Most of their dishes were almost out!), Sweet and Sour Pork (by forced since these are the only ones left), and Salted Garlic Squid.    

Saturday, I spent the morning with a doctor’s check-up since I’ve been sick for weeks.  The rest of the day was spent resting since Chris was supposed to be at their farm in Bulacan.  Little did I know, he was already preparing a surprise party for me. 

830 PM.  The idea was to drop by Gelo’s place in Astoria before heading to Vivere for our dinner date.  I wasn’t in the best mood since I was extremely hungry and he was really late. The door opened to a dark room.  I don’t remember if they said Surprise or Happy Birthday or F* You!  But I’m sure they did say something because all of a sudden it was really noisy.  I planted a kiss on everyone –and two on Shiela’s.  I was that dazed. 

Most of the guests were former officemates from Sabiclub.  Mark and Ezra from PIQC were there but stayed only shortly.  I missed a few groups close to me, JICA, PIQC (Sean, Grace, Brenda and Ann), St. Peter, PS… King wasn’t able to attend either.  Kenny too.  Even if it was a busy weekend for most of my friends, I’m so glad that Sabi group and CW’s siblings were there.  Too bad I don’t have photos of all of them.  I was too stunned to do anything.

We played games which Carlo took charge of.  He went grocery and brought stacks of chocolates and chips that I love as prizes.  He made the games “jane-centric” as he coined it.  There was a game, “who knows Jane best” with questions like how many pairs of shoes do I own?  How many are pink?  The player has to get three straight correct answers.  Then there was the Jane v. 100 game.  Lastly, there was charades, which he programmed in his mobile phone.  What a techy genius eh?  Chai, on the other hand, with the help of Lorenz, made this beautiful AVP for me.  Chris was all over the place taking care of everyone, the food, music, refreshments, liquor…

In the middle of it, the lights went out again and Chris appeared with a round cake with illuminated candles.  Everyone sang Happy Birthday and I blew the candles.   Chris got a 2-bedroom suite with all the works.  The bigger bedroom had a “Shoe Stop” sign (designed with the help of Mon) similar to the one I had before.  Details are really everything.

At the end of the night, Chris handed me a box, which was his last gift of the night.  In the box were letters from my family, which brought another stream of tears. I’ve had bigger parties several times before.  But this has to be the best one of all –simply because I celebrated it with Chris.  He makes everything to me more meaningful.  And even without this surprise party, I’m always overwhelmed by his love for me, my family and his family –by the greatness of his heart.   

He inspires me to be my best in all things and still loves me at my worst.  

Album (Sugi): http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/354/08_0201-_Sugi_Birthday_Dinner

Album (Choi Garden): http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/358/08_0203-_Choi_Garden_CW_Fam

Album (Surprise Party): http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/356/08_0202-_Surprise_Birthday_Party               

Album (bday ‘05 we were only friends): http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/28/Cushees_Birthday_Bash  

Related Entry: http://cushee.multiply.com/journal/item/44/Cushee_Partee