A Memorable Week

There are some days that you want to erase in your memory, there are just some that you want to go back to forever. The last week may have been booboo-filled, among others, but it's part of why I want to immortalize them in this blog:

MONDAY
After so long, Zy was able to attend KG. And since she was gone for so long, she made up for it with a proportionally lengthy sharing :p (love 'ya dichie!) The rest of the day was ok, with drafts finally coming in and the pressure of finishing everything by Friday. Oh yeah, I also discovered the wonders of a warm, fluffy shawl that my grandma gave my mom, which she gave me in return. I may have looked like a lola then, but I didn't care - it was warm and comfy and I love it!

It was also here that I finalized the teamn that will join the Tribu A-Mall-Zing race that Saturday. Team A&F was composed of Crystal Rebucas, Retzel Orquiza and me :)

TUESDAY
Inja and I went to a meeting for the sponsors and participants of the Chris Sports event in Megamall. Us, plus Sir Andy, originally planned to go wall climbing that afternoon to prepare me for my very first adventure race. Sadly, the meeting went a bit overtime, plus I was needed back in the office for there were a lot of production questions that only I can answer. Plus the proofs also came flooding in so I was forced to stay overtime in the office and miss TR.

WEDNESDAY
Lunch time, Marvi and I went to Katipunan coz I need to meet up with Marielle to give her her writer's cheques plus compli mags. We also did some minor marketing work by leaving mag copies in Starbucks and Seattle's Best. How I missed Katipunan! When we got back I once again faced the pile of proofs on my desk; my beloved editor didn't go to the office that day for he had a slew of meetings.

That night, Lyka, Yukee and I went to Gweilo's in Eastwood City to watch Naima's gig. My friends Mikel and Pipes were there with their other friends when we got in the bar. The last time I went to a bar was back in college. I missed my Tapika days with Yam and Kimmy and the others... That day was full of college retrospects. Naima was the first band to play, and the three of us got to see their whole set (although I was a bit sad that they didn't perform "Di Bale Na Nga" :p) It was sooo good to finally see Mikel and Pipes after sooo long. I admit, I missed these guys. And I am happy that after everything, we're still friends. Hey, please support them in their gigs! The band's NAIMA, hokie? :)

Oh, Lyka also had a surprise birthday plan for Yukee, the final version of which was to wait for Yukee to get home at around 2 in the morning (coz he had to have his clearance signed where he used to work). We got home from Gweilo's at around past midnight so we had more than two hours to wait, which was worth it for Yukee appreciated what we did.

Another thing, this was the last day of my contract at work! Time passed by so quickly that I didn't realize that I was already in the magazine for six months! Hehe... I think I'm on regular status already...

Wait, this is Thursday morning already, I better move on...

THURSDAY
We slept at around three in themorning, but I had to wake up at 5:30 coz I have to meet up with Sir Andy, Aaron the photog and Patrick, Andy's friend, for a photoshoot in the hills of Antipolo. Each of us had our roles to play; mine was to drive the Nissan Frontier T3 (haha! product placement!) that Sir borrowed. The last time I drove was two years ago, and it was just a sedan.

Up in the hills of Antipolo, I was 'driving' the truck while Aaron was beside me or behind me taking photos of Andy and Patrick. I am sooo grateful that Aaron was a really patient person, for he also acted as my driving instructor that day. As we were approching the really steep part of the hill, I was shifting between primera and segunda (dunno how to call them in English); when we parked somewhere to wait for the two bikers, the rear side of the truck was smoking, and there was a strong smell of burnt rubber. Apparently I overworked the clutch mechanism of the vehicle. Also I had a lot of stalls and dying engine moments, for I have a really hard time making timpla the clutch and the gas.

Bottomline is I survived the day, driving uphill with only less than three hours of sleep. And even though I almost hit a trike full of students when I overtook it, downhill, I got to bring us to where we needed to go. To add insult to the injury, the three guys with me were making fun of my "driving," with my boss imitating how I "drove." Well, I wasn't insulted nor offended; I admit it was really horrible! I am very grateful to the Lord that I am still here, being able to recount that experience.

FRIDAY
After a horrific experience, I decided that I will leave the office early so I can go have at least a 30-minute tutorial for ice skating, since it was one of the tasks. But the proofs prevented me from doing so, so I just lifted it all up to Him.

Since Inja took a birthday leave the day before (it was her birthday also), she and Sir James treated us to lunch this day. It was good, with yummy Pansit Malabon and Lechon Manok and Sansrival ice cream :)

In the afternoon Sir Andy discussed with me his evaluation of me for my 6-month stay so far in the office. I was surprised that he rated me higher than I rated myself, but of course he still pointed out my booboos. Even though it hurts, I accepeted all the observations and his suggestions, for it's all for my betterment din naman. It's always been said that "those who love corrections are blessed" or something to that effect. And I do, coz it shows me the areas that I need to improve on. It also helped that Sir Andy did that in the most "caring" way, na hindi offensive. I am really grateful and blessed to have him for my superior. I couldn't ask for a better boss (Naks naman!)

That night was GenRev Night. I met up with the SS in ECR na coz I needed to finish some more stuff in the office. When I got there there weren't mush people yet but praise God they slowly trickled in and the night was great! Remember the shiny-five-peso-bet I did in one of my previous entries? Well, let's just say I owe Lani four shiny 5-peso coins :p

SATURDAY
Since Lani and Zy slept over the apartment again after GenRev Night, we slept in the early morning once again. Which was not good for this day was the day of my very first adventure race. So sleeping for only three hours (again!) I went to McDo St. Francis to meet up with Crystal and Retzel. I am really grateful that at first meeting we gelled really fast; it helped us during the race. It also helped that Retzel's friends with the organizers, mas fun yung experience.

My failure to train for wallclimbing and ice skating got back to me; the two CPs where those are the challenges required all the team members to do the task. And, unfortunately, I had to skate and wall climb. My ass was really sore the whole weekend for I fell on the ice innumerable times! It was so embarrasing as I was doing those stupid acrobatic stunts just trying to balance myself on the ice that the kids while the kids watching me were gliding gracefully. It was sweet though as they cheer "Go Ate, you can do it," in their adorable high-pitched voices and giving me tips on how to stand up.

Same with wallclimbing. Since my upper body was stronger than my lower body (which is a bad thing) my body gave up just when I was nearing the last stone. Although I was surprised how my legs were able to puch me up to that point I still had to scream and squeal as I try to reach that friggin' last stone. I was also grateful that Crystal and Retzel was ever so patient during those two challenges, for I believe I was the cause of our delay. They were there cheering me to go on. It was also nice of Pe, one of the organizers, to go up the wall and cheered me on from the top. Haha!

After the race Team A&F placed 5th overall. Not bad for a team composed of a pro (Retzel) and well-prepared newbie (Crystal) and a newbie klutz (me). The night before a friend taught about reaching, and overcoming, thresholds. And I believe I overcame mine big time, the physical part that is. The whole afternoon was non-stop running and strategizing, falling flat on my butt, then run again, but it was really fun! I also loved my teammates, and we wish that we get to join another race as a team again :)

SUNDAY
With my body sore and hurting, I once again had to wake up early to take my Law Aptitude Exams (LAE) in UP. I was really nervous a bit coz I haven't studied AT ALL for this, when most others spend a lot in LAE review classes.

So inside Malcolm Theatre I sat and took the exam, which was easier than what I had expected. But I give FULL CREDIT to the Holy Spirit for my confidence in taking the exam. I would have not done it on my own; it was all God's grace, as with all of what I "achieved" this week. It was all Him, and I praise and thank the Lord for his Wisdom and Grace.

After the exam I met up with my family in SM North for our annual Christmas shopping. But since we need to go back before four (and I arrived there at almost one), I just helped my brother do his shopping (who was also waiting for me to, well, do the exact thing). But I was happy with the items my brother and I were able to buy for him; he sooo needed an image change :) After shopping, we heard mass in Barasoian Church, to the delight of Monsignor Flint, and had dinner in our favorite place.

MONDAY
Nothing much happened the whole day, although around 2 PM there was a brownout. We called up Meralco every now and then to ask for the status of the repairwork, and shut us up by explaining the status with whatever jargons the guy on the other end can think of. Anyway, the highlight was a few hours later, when, at 6:30 in the evening there were still no electricity. So we jsut decided to dine out, for it's such a hassle to prepare dinner in the dark. So my dad, my brother and I dressed up while we wait for my mom (who decided to go to the salon for she was bored :p). Just when the three of us were dressed already, the electricity came back. But we were set to eat outside. When the lights were turned, all I saw was orange: while fumbling for something to wear in the dark we didn't notice that all three of us pulled out ORANGE SHIRTS! All we could do was laugh so hard, and my mom was laughing hard as well when she arrived and saw us; thank goodness she was wearing brown, but we were urging her to join us and be our "ka-kosa" :p My dad's explanation for our get-up: it's our way of thanking Meralco for bringing back the electricity in our town :D

So that's my week folks. I'm sorry for the lengthy entry, for so much happened; I only tried to put here the highlights. But of course, if you had an experience such as mine, wouldn't you want to remember it always? Even if it's just for laughs? :D