Abbey rounded up the group the other day.  She set for all of us to meet at Star City the next day.  When I saw the message, I thought why not, and sent an affirmative reply to the invitation.  So, 5 minutes before 5pm yesterday I was standing in front of the ticketbooth area of the Themepark, waiting for them.  Gosh, I almost didn’t come, good thing I didn’t succumb to procrastination.  I would have missed this very fun day. 

The photos can be found through this link.

Tiring but fun nonetheless.  We went in line to most of the death-defying rides (Vikings, Magic Carpet, Star Flyer, Surf Dance, Zyklon Loop).  We also did the very campy Gabi ng Lagim and Kilabot ng Mummy, which I actually dread hehe.  I don’t like horror houses, I’m not built for deliberate scaring strategy.  Or I dread the act of getting into one, but it turns out alright and comedic even.

I find that I always push my limits, in a good way, when with this group of people.  Remember my Sagada Spelunking Post?  From that time of abundant realizations and changes up to this day, it has just been an awesome case of Attraversiamo (Crossing Over) indeed.  All throughout the journey I was blessed with their company.

We ended the night with a very late dinner at Shrimp Ahoy by the bay.  I greeted everyone a Happy New Year, since we parted ways on the early hours of the New Year’s eve.

I and my SiL brought my nephew to Bonifacio High Street the other day.  Being a former architecture student (he’s now in his sophomore year in International Studies), he was really in awe with the structures there.

He was particularly impressed with Serendra and the lifestyle it promotes to its prospective occupants.  Well, that’s that.  It’s really nice there, I admit.

Whatever yaya, I just wanted to show the pictures. Lol

This year has been a crazy smorgasbord of memories.  It’s filled with good memories, some of which turned out bad.  There were also bad memories that turned out essential to personal growth.  You get the picture.  I heard once (in Ally Mcbeal actually hehe) that if you look back at a year in your life, if it does not bring you tears of either joy or sadness then consider the year wasted.  Well this year does not really bring me to tears, but I do smile with utter appreciation for everyone who has been part of it.  Yes, everyone, both friends and foes.

The first most important thing I learned this year is moderation. Sometime this year, my drinking and partying became so bad that it started to affect my career.  Worse, it started to worry my family.  Today, about 7 months later, I think I’m out of the woods.  I fell into the bonds of a group of people who worked hard and played hard as well.  They loved to travel as I did, and actually did travel.  I have also started to lead a more active and healthy life.  Wholely, I’ve become a more well-rounded individual getting out of that personal slump.

Second chances, I learned that you should grab those when they come.   My career was going on a downward spiral at some point this year.  I couldn’t have continued living what turned out to be a very fulfilling year here at The Firm without the lifeline thrown to me by my dear managers-friends.  They’re the ones who relentlessly pushed me to be at my best.

I rekindled my love of travel this year.  It’s true what they say: “If the world was a book and you didn’t travel, it would be like you only saw one page.” Now by the law of attraction, my travel plans to go far and wide will come true very soon - and I’m just getting started.

All in all, I think this is what I learned about this rollercoaster they call 2008…

The past is the truth; The present, a gift; and the future is exciting anticipation - an opportunity to dream to existence a beautiful world.

I think for the first time ever, I decided to work on December 24.  Well I had plans to go out that day in the immediate area anyway, why not get paid that day as well, no?  Anyway, had a nice lunch with my fellow Scrooges hehe

Losers (according to Ivan) having lunch heehee.  We went to Brothers Burger.  Yet again, the onion rings were sold out.  Calling BB people, please stock enough of that hmpf… hehehe

Some of these guys are working support over the holidays a.k.a. on-call.  Unlucky them…

Anyway at around 4o’clock I decided to go home.  In the streets of Manila, most everyone seemed to be hurrying home.  It was quite dreadful, really.  I’m never gonna work on Christmas eve again.  Ever.

BTW, we’re going back to work on the 5th of January.  Yipee!

Major holidays like Christmas is always something that you compare from year to year.  I’m just glad that in my case it has gotten better over the years.

The gallery can be found here.

This year is filled with happiness, clarity and truth.  True happiness in every sense.

I feel genuine contentment.

Update:  I realize I have to write more about this, considering that this is my Christmas post, no?  Anyway here it is…

Well there’s a part of that Christmas celebration that came to me as surreal.  I felt like I was anticipating something greater.  What it is exactly, I cannot tell.  Perhaps if my stars align, it will come to me before the end of this year.  :-)  But I like anticipation… waiting for something and knowing that it will transpire around the bend.

In the end, at the strike of midnight, I was thankful of the bounty that I brought home, taking that road less-traveled.  That path of regarding high quality versus quantity.  To focus on the quality of life, the quality of friendships, just the right kind of bonds and the right kind of companions in the journey.  I thanked God at that moment, that as my friend told me, the happiness I was feeling was true happiness and are indeed based on truths.

We spent the day at ATC last Sunday and met up with one of my dearest cousins - Elma.  She can’t spend the holidays with us because her cool job is taking her to Boracay that time.  Kainggit!

I love this time of the year because there’ a lot family around.

I think this will be the last time that I’ll be going to Redbox, the KTV at Greenbelt 3, for the year.  Went there with the gang last night.

Click on this link or the collage to view the gallery.

We really sang to our hearts content, not to mention we ate way too much - I’m still full.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Courtesy of my newly bought monopod.

Click on this link or the photo to view the gallery.

Now there’s no reason not to be in every picture.  Adik!!! 

Hiram and I met up with Carlo last Friday.  He is our good friend from the previous firm who is now residing in Canada.

It’s catching up time, of course.  Anyway, we’re meeting up again once the Singapore guys get here in January.

I posted before that I was leaving my beloved team of almost a year and have become part of a new team of consultants.  Anyway, we just finished our 3-week training and planned on having a nice dinner at Dad’s in Glorietta.

Morten, our Danish trainor and imminent counterpart for projects, was all too thrilled to try out the different dishes.  I took it upon myself to describe the food in front of us.  But still, we were all surprised that he ended up eating dinuguan (pig’s blood soup).  Good thing he loved it.

Next stop - Sweden!

So my sister-in-law, nephew and niece have arrived for the holidays.

So dear friends, I have a pack of Durian Yema for you. 

But the herbal tabs we ordered aren’t here yet

It was fun at The Firm last Friday since it was bring your kids to work day.

That’s Nathan, steph’s kid in the middle.

I had dinner with some old friends (another post on that later), and then met up with the guys at Greenbelt 2.  People were pretty quiet, everyone preoccupied with different things on their minds.  Anyway, this Sunday morning, I just hope everyone’s doing fine and back to their old selves on Monday.

We had the third Christmas party, or Christmas KEG a couple of days ago.  It was such fun!

Afterwards, the birthday celebrants continued the party at Center Stage in Makati.  It’s the first time I got drunk in months.  Bad timing because I had a 9 o’clock meeting the next day.  But NEWSFLASH!  I got to the office on time!

Click on this link to get to the gallery.

Now I think this is The Secret working for me because my name was drawn for the Grand mystery price.  So for the third time, I won AGAIN!  This time though, the crowd pleaded that I don’t accept it, having won all the time hehehe.  So I let them drew someone else and they drew my teammates name hehehe.

I decided on a theme for my gifts this season - Green.  This really jumpstarted the shopping for gifts process, such that suddenly my empty pile became this:

Bag not included.

The theme is for the wrapping btw, not the gifts.  Anyway, got myself some green wrapping, abaca tassle, and green gift cards.  I’m loving it.

I’m not done yet though…

We went to our second Christmas party, this time with The Firm’s department.  This was an early night for me, but I heard it was quite wild and went on until the wee hours.

What I love about this party?  The output hehehe.  Franco took this great photo of Joanne and me.

Fun fun fun

Post script:  I won AGAIN!  Gift cheques!