December to Remember #3: Let's Celebrate Life

On the last day of 2009, I once again recount the many occasions that happened this December. These were the ones that truly made this month a December to remember.

December 15 & 16, 2009

In my previous posts, I have highlighted the first and second parts of my Red & Green themed 22^nd birthday. Allow me this time to write about the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th parts.

On the day of my actual birthday, I had a sumptuous meal with one of my best buds Mickey at Omakase, Il Terrazo. I’m usually a punctual person when it comes to appointments, but this time, I was about 15 minutes late. Shame on me! When I arrived, lo and behold he was there waiting for me with his gifts contained in also red and green paper bags. We looked really funny, but who cares… it’s my birthday! Time went so fast that it was time for him to go back to work and for me to get ready for my next celebration.

By 3PM: Wearing my red-checkered Dean and Trent long sleeves, black H&M trousers and white loafers, I rode the jeepney and MRT just to reach TriNoma before the rush hour starts. Franz surprised me with a gift while waiting at Starbucks; Johanna and Mark Lim came in a few minutes after. It was super traffic that day that some people even rode the MRT just to make it to my birthday – thank you Nikki, Mayk, Richard Dee, Jojo, Clarence, AJ. After strolling around, alas it was already 7pm – time for my 22^nd birthday celebration at Red Box. Hours flew and people arrived one after the other. I am so glad that they did wear Red or Green tops! The microphone veterans Dict, Pam, Maryka and Lea sang their hearts out together with Ace, who said it was his first time to sing in public. Marc Ong, Ria, Magsy, Jackie and Mimai were also there to cheer the singers. We all had fun and in fact even transferred to Starbucks to continue the celebration – this time, the birthday of Pam. Super fun! Thanks guys!

The celebration isn’t over as I had my last lunch treat the next day with a very close friend Mike at Heaven & Eggs, Glorietta. I received a Dementia cake from him that tasted really good; I almost forgot I was eating a cake instead of chocolates. A few hours later, we separated ways as I had to go to work again.

There you have it… my 22^nd birthday with Red & Green as the theme for 2009! Thank you to everyone who remembered me through whatever medium.

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December 22, 2009

The annual GMG Christmas Party was again held at the Asia Towers Condo in Makati. It was not that well-attended as last year, but the party wasn’t that bad. Thanks to Natz who really made sure every person in the party was smiling just by hearing her very loud and energetic voice!

December 24, 2009

It’s the time of the year when the huge family of my mom’s side gathers and celebrates our grandma’s birthday, as well as Christmas. This year was different because all the kids are already grownups, thus no more games and activities to prolong the night. The usual lechon, tempura, and noodles were present at the buffet table, while everyone wore read tops as a sign of respect for a person who has birthday and as a symbolism of good will and fortune. My grandpa got emotional thinking that it’s their last year to celebrate yuletide season with us due to old age. The usual round table composing all the 11 siblings took place, this time with the elder cousins, which included me and my sister. A few words of wisdom and reminders from our grandparents were said before we all decided to leave the place, even before the clock ticks 12AM of December 25.

December 25, 2009

It has long been a celebration of Filipino films during Christmas Day in the Philippines, with the Metro Manila Film Festival taking all the slots in the cinemas nationwide. We haven’t watched a movie nor have gone to SM Sta. Mesa for a very long time already, so we decided to watch a movie there. We ended the mall visit with a little shopping before heading home.

December 29, 2009

Thanks to the Buenafe sisters who were my companions in registering to vote for the May 2010 elections. We were hesitant that we’d be able to successfully register when we saw the very long line. Luckily, we’re residing in a district that had the shortest line. Just before lunch break and after about 2.5 hours, we finally made it!

 

The night was spent with friends in Greenhills, as we scout for the cheapest PSP and Wii Consoles. Unfortunately, all stores weren’t offering installment for credit card, so we ended buying neither of the two. We decided to get something to eat for dinner and chitchatted for a couple of hours before calling it a night. “Spontaneity is the key to having fun” (Dar Santos, 2009)

December 31, 2009

As Janice, a friend already studying in Canada, didn’t want to leave the Philippines without seeing some friends, we had breakfast at UCC and watched Ang Darling Kong Aswang at Greenhills. Funny that there were only 8 of us who watched the movie, we left the movie house with various thoughts on how the film faired.