Of Typhoons, Projects, and a Party

Since my last post, strong typhoons had hit the Philippines. Much devastation in many places. People, including, children have died. No electricity. Makes me sad. I pray for those who have suffered and are still suffering because of storms.

On a happier note, the reason I haven't been able to blog is that I have been busy. With what?

- I applied for WriterBay. I had to take a grammar and citation style test (I got 27 out of 30) questions. I was asked to upload my college diploma (I asked my son to scan it for me) and I proudly uploaded it. And I was tasked to write a sample essay. So, at first, I researched and came up with an essay which was mostly second-hand information. But when I inquired, I was supposed to express my personal views on the topic which is: What are the reasons behind the success of long-running TV series like M.A.S.H. So, I watched a total of 8 episodes online and enjoyed it thoroughly. Soooh funny. I was able to revise my essay and got accepted! So far, I applied for three cases and finished one, which was immediately approved by client. Yey. Now I have another sideline!

- I revised the questionnaire for an online survey that has been approved. Later at 11am, I will meet with Clients in Makati.

- I came up with categories on the answers to open-ended questions for one of my ongoing projects.

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For today and tomorrow, aside from my meeting, I will revise a report, attend to my writing assignment/s, and if I still have time, prepare a discussion guide for an FGD.

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Yesterday, a friend came to visit but he couldn't stay long since he had an appointment with his dietitian. He underestimated traffic. I had to remind him it was Friday and payday. He was sweet enough to bring food from Red Ribbon - spaghetti and ensaymada.

Then in the evening, I attended a party in Makati. A friend based abroad is in town so members of our college gang got together. What fun! There were jokes, "alaskahan" (ridiculing of one another and even of friends who were not around) and light talk. Occasionally, we discussed serious matters like the government and taxes.

Food was great - pasta, salad, longganisa flakes, and roasted chicken. We also had two kinds of cake for dessert. Drinks were plentiful - softdrinks, water, beer and wine.

Of course, there was a lot of picture-taking.

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Hope I would be able to post again soon. See ya!

50 Celebrating 50

Last night, I was fetched and heard mass in the nearby church.

Then we prayed the rosary going to Dasmariñas Village.

We attended a party of Maryknollers who have turned 50 or are turning 50. It was a great success. There were almost 50 who attended.

Someone led the prayer. Food was by Vicky Pimentel. I had fettucine carbonara, fish fillet, beef, chicken, salad, potatoes, and fruits. I didn't touch the sweet desserts.

We each had a cupcake and blew our candle.

We had a trivia game prepared by Min Quimson. Questions include:

1) Who was the president in 1960? (answer: Garcia)
2) Who are the members of the Apat na Sikat?
3) Name at least 2 love teams in D Sensation.
4) What was invented in 1974 that we use everyday at work. (answer: Post-It)
5) Who was the original chop-chop lady? (Lucila Lalu, everybody got the answer)
6) What was the most successful Filipino composition? (Anak)
7) What was the hometown of Ms. Jimenea?
8) What was the favorite expression of Sr. Miriam Jose?

And of course, lots of picture-taking!



Thanks to Chris Salinas-Manzano for hosting the party. Funny, she told her parents that we will hold the celebration in their house only the night before.

There were no dinner fees. But a collection was done to help one of us who has cancer which has spread to different parts of her body.

God bless us all!

Mid-Life Crisis and More

I was cleaning up my inbox when I saw the following food for thought from a friend regarding mid-life crisis:

"I think it becomes a crisis only when one loses direction. At midlife, one get's slapped with the reality of one's mortality and you become aware of a gnawing ache in the heart that will keep you searching for something you can not explain... the restlessness becomes overpowering.. and then you realize that what you are looking for is the peace that only God can give."

Beautiful and profound, don't you think?

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I started doing my FGD report. I'm excited about it because I love coming up with diagrams.

The last two groups were rescheduled for next Friday. Yehey. That means I don't have to hurry from Batangas to Dasmariñas Village tomorrow. I have a ride already to and from the party which is the 50th birthday celebration of Maryknollers in my batch. As of last count, there will be 45 attendees. It would be fun!

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I had lunch with my friend-client. It's her birthday treat for me. Almost a month late. We ate at Tong Yang along Quezon Avenue. It was eat and drink all you can, shabu-shabu. I enjoyed the food. But we couldn't finish it all.

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I watched "I Love You, Goodbye" starring Angelica Panganiban, Gabby Concepcion and Derek Ramsay. Not bad. Good enough for me to watch till the end, even when mom was calling to dinner already.
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Here's a beautiful picture:

Hangover

I didn't drink beer last Saturday but I still have a "hangover".

More pictures have come in.

Here are some of them...

Celebrating 50

Last night, I attended my friend's 50th birthday party.

It was a lot of fun! I saw old friends from way back college.

The food was delicious - fettucine carbonara, pastel de lengua, callos, fish fillet, two kinds of rice. Drinks were plentiful but I stuck to iced tea and water.

There was a funny video presentation of Felix through the years. It was prepared by his children.

Then, there was dancing for hours! Most of it, swing as in the 70's - 80's. I danced a little but I had to stop.

Have you ever experienced not being able to breathe? That's exactly how I felt after dancing for just a while. It's a good thing I didn't faint.

Here are some pictures from the party: