Happy Birthday Carla

It was Carla’s 23rd birthday on October 1. As usual, I was busy with the birthday preparations. I’ve been the “surprise committee” for the last three years. I now wonder why she is still surprised everytime.

This year, mama and I decided to bring some food for Carla and her family. Last year, we had our feast in my apartment. Mama felt that it would be a better idea to have it in their home so that her loved ones would be there.

And so after work, I went to the florist for her bouquet. I’ve been going to the same place for three years. I got something nice for her, but this time, I did not order white Stargazers. In the past, the Stargazer has been the stellar of her bouqet, but this time I decided to ditch it. Its too expensive and I still needed to buy her some chocolates, and lunch for everyone.

Mama bought pancit for long life, I got some Toto's lechon manok, Strawberries and Cream and Cookies and Cream ice cream. This year's food was really simple, unlike last year. But just like every year, nothing makes Carla happier.

AfterBurn Christmas Party 2007

After all the planning, we finally had our team Christmas party on December 1. We first thought of having it at the Linden Suites but most of the team members wanted to have a swimming party. We ended up renting a nice old house with a pool in Sumulong Highway.

Not everyone made it but we all had a blast. I had fears about not having enough to eat but it turns out we had too much food.

Lyn wasn’t there because she had to see a doctor for her abdominal pains (they turned out to be kidney stones), but her Lumpiang Shanghai made it to our party. Rusty’s dynamite (his version of Jalapeño Poppers) was a big hit. Jover was so pleased with them that he bought more ingredients when we ran out of dynamite. Rusty also prepared tons of tokwa. Aside from pots, pans and kitchenware, Jack brought his mom’s specialty, homemade Pancit Malabon. JP who had also been sick for days managed to join us in the evening and also bought some Pancit Malabon on the way. Paula got us loads of barbecue and I brought some marinated liempo for grilling, fried chicken and some “itlog na pula” to be mixed with chopped tomatoes. I forgot all about the hotdogs sitting in the freezer at home, so Denver offered to run out for hotdogs for our ihaw-ihaw.

Everyone else had assignments. There were people assigned to bring rice, water, noodles, bread, cheese and peanut butter, even garbage bags and toilet paper. Everyone had something to share. I was so glad to see that all of us were really working as a team to make this year’s Christmas party fun! I saw a lot of initiative those two days we were together. People were just doing the work without being told. We didn’t have to form committees for grill duty, dishwashing or clean-up. It’s nice to see our team like that.

Jason brought his Magic Sing, and as Jack and Mapi were belting their showband songs, the ASF dancers strut their stuff. For one night, I also got to be a part of the ASF dancers, haha. It was a lot of fun. Even the boys were trying to match the girls’ performance level but it was the girls (and Jack) who ruled the night!

I came home the next afternoon very tired and sleepy, but this is something I don’t mind doing again. I can’t wait for next year’s Christmas party!

Kapag Walang Manok At Naiinip

It’s Saturday morning. At this time, I should be making fried chicken for today’s Christmas Party. I went to two different groceries in Antipolo last night, and both didn’t have chicken drumstick. What kind of grocery is that? I’m patiently working on this dial up connection while I’m waiting for my chicken to arrive from the market.

This is a good way to kill time.

I was doing my regular stalking in Friendster earlier and I discovered a few interesting things (to me at least). I saw that my male friend has already broken up with his girlfriend. It wasn’t announced in their shout outs but I’m keen on testimonials and profile status. Let’s name them for my convenience, shall we?

Tyra and Deacon weren’t together that long, but they were quite a popular couple. Tyra broke up with a long time boyfriend to be with Deacon. Deacon has gorgeous kids from a previous marriage. Tyra still has pictures in Friendster with Deacon’s kids. She quite looks like an overdressed Inday next to Deacon’s kids (their fair and cute, and she’s… got a great body). Anyway, as of this time, they are wishing each other the best and remain friends. According to Tyra, if they are meant to be, than it shall be.

Tyra is not my favorite person in the world, but it must be hard for her to be with Deacon. In this country, there is still a stigma attached to being the girlfriend of a married man (even if he and his wife have parted ways). To Tyra, you have a beautiful body, lots of single guys would surely want to be with you. Choose wisely.

Pepper and Popoy had been going out since college. Popoy is the kind of boyfriend who picks up his girlfriend every single day so she could safely get home. In her blog, Pepper said that she will love her luvy until hell freezes. After years of being together, they did what most couples would envy. They tried their luck and flew to the Middle East thinking that this would be a new chapter in their lives. After less than a year, Pepper is "in a relationship," and Popoy is "single." Before this, they were both “married” in Friendster. Their old pictures together have been removed from Pepper’s account. Pepper is now the Queen of her new Egyptian King. Poor Popoy.

Pepper must be tired of being an independent woman. She seems to be very happy with her new regal lifestyle. I pity Popoy, but you go girl! I didn’t imagine someone with your looks would snag royalty. Obviously you’re smart.

Chicken’s here.

The Party Planners

My team is planning this year's Christmas party. I know it's not that big of a deal to other teams, but this is one team activity that excites me. Last year, we had our little party at the The Heritage Hotel. We haven't finalized anything yet but Paula proposed to have it at the Linden suites. She may be able to get us a discount. I just hope we can afford it.

The highlight of the party is the exchange gift (what else?). It’s already become a team tradition. I've just posted a wish list in our team folder, and were using superhero and villain names. Last year's theme was cartoon characters and I was Patrasche (Dog of Flanders). Our themes may be a little lame, but it's still fun. Other suggestions for codenames were colors, anything pambansa (like pambansang hayop - kalabaw, pambansang bulaklak - sampaguita, pambansang isda - bangus), countries or state capitals.

For food, I suggested that we go for potluck. I just hope the boys don't just bring alcohol and chips. Oh well, somebody already volunteered to bring rice. Is that good or bad? I'm not sure what to bring either. I’ve only thought about easy to prepare appetizers like fried chicken lollipops or lumpiang shanghai, or something heavy like spaghetti. My mom told me to just order food from our neighbor. Their caterers and can take small orders. I might just do that.

This is making me hungry.

Carla's Birthday

I would make a good sister-in-law.

Very recently, my brother’s girlfriend had her 22nd birthday. I was busy all day getting her flowers, chocolates and running errands for her surprise dinner at home. It was chaotic for me during her 21st birthday as well.

You might be wondering why I’m slaving yearly for her birthday. My brother is stationed in an Airforce Base in Louisiana, so he depends on his one and only reliable sister to take care of his girlfriend in his absence. He’s been very generous to me, my son and Denver. Birthday planning for his girlfriend is the only favor I can do for him and it’s only once a year.

Anyway, it was a small birthday dinner but it was a hit.

In the morning, I dragged my uncle and aunt to Farmer’s Market so they could pick out the seafood and meat. I’m a real dummy when it comes to choosing fresh stuff. A few times, I went home with “smelly” meat, or really tough beef. I’m glad they enjoyed the market. My uncle wants to go back for my birthday.

It was raining so we got home drenched. We had Baked Tahong, Steamed Alimasag, Hilabos na Sugpo and Mechado. We were all serious eating dinner. Carla (my brother’s girlfriend) had some food on her hair while we were eating. Ganun ba talaga kasarap Carla?

I think everyone was happy with how everything turned out. I’m looking forward to next year’s birthday preparations.

The G.R.O. Party

eTel had its annual Christmas party on December 17 at the PICC Forum. I’ve been meaning to post a picture from this event but it took a while for me to get rid of the ugly usiseras in the background.

Like most people I know, my main motivation for attending the Christmas party was the raffle. The company was giving out P50,000, trips to Hong Kong, and gadgets I can’t afford. I won a rice cooker in the 2003 Christmas party, and since then I always have this feeling that I’m going to win in any raffle. I never won again but the feeling just won’t go away.

Anyway, the party sucked. First off, there weren’t enough seats. Did they expect us to have dinner standing up? We managed to sit on one of the stairs near the buffet. The food wasn’t all that great too. As for the program, I stopped paying attention shortly after getting to the venue. I could hear the host speaking but I couldn’t understand a word coming out of his mouth. Must be a problem with the sound system.

The event really was a G.R.O. party of sorts (heavy make-up, short skirts, scarred legs, dark knees, just a bunch of wannabes in every corner).

The only good thing that happened on that night was seeing old friends. This picture is a mix of my old and new teams… Groove Armada, Alpha Trion and my very own AfterBurn. I wish more of the old and new members were in this picture.