But first.. Let me just give you a bird's eye-view of the significant things that happened to me last year.
Muscles! Muscles! Muscles!
Around January of 2005 (last year) My High School Friend together with my sister planned to join this fitness gym near SM centerpoint called Mariner's Gym. The gym was cool.. the equipment, just enough to accommodate it's members and for only PHP 1500 a month.. not bad. The first month was like hell.. It is my first time to lift some weights and I can't literally walk properly the first few days.
My sister and my friend did not continue working out after their first month.. but me.. I was hooked into the fitness habit. It seems my day would never be complete without visiting the gym.. so after a few months of hard work.. here goes.. some development.. This picture was taken around May.. during Xavier Outing 2005.
Now.. I continue working out.. not at Mariner's gym but at Fitness First.. Currently I am into personal training, with some boxing sessions.
A Lovapalooza Valentine!
Last year's Valentine's Day was very special. It's me and my girlfriend's first valentine! We joined this valentine event dubbed as "Lovapalooza" and it was really really fun! check the full story here [Lovapalooza 2005]
Joan's Surprise Birthday Party!
Last year, I decided to give Joan a surprise birthday party.. planning was easy.. considering that I really am good at lying (white lies only). I was able to convince her that I was on an outing that day! Hahahahah! Of course I have to text her the whole day things like "I am having so much fun", "The place is so cool", " I ate too much" etc.. I also rallied into the offices who had Joan added up to their messenger account and told them to appear as offline so Joan would not suspect that there really is no such outing.
Around 5 pm.. I was ready with my plan.. I bought a cake from red ribbon, Tiramisu cake at SM centerpoint.. I ran from 1st to 4th floor of the mall and found no balloons.. Bought a teddy bear from gift gate and decided to buy the balloons on the way to her office (GMA NMI). Good thing.. the taxi driver was kind enough to drop me to a party favor shop and wait for me while I ordered 10 pink balloons..
Ended up in front of the GMA NMI gate looking like a balloon vendor! Then the surprise.. I told Iris (her officemate) to gather some of Joan's closest friends outside the office area and hold a balloons each.. while I stay at the back holding the cake.
Wow.. All the hard work of pulling this thing off paid off cause she really was surprised! What she don't know is that i still have one more surprise that day. I called up her College, high school and Level-up friends, told them to wait for us at don henricos west avenue for a surprise party part II. Joan's Mom was also present. Everybody had fun, specially the birthday girl.. my one and only love.. Joan (walang makokornihan ah! babatukan ko kayo!)
Enchanted Day!
Never really thought I'd still have so much fun at Enchanted Kingdom even if it's already my 30 something visit to that magical place which never fail to always bring out the kid in me. With friends from Level-up and ofcourse Joan.
Ofcourse the usual "Logan a.k.a. Tour guide" kept the group's itenirary.. We got into almost all the rides.. Except of course for some who can't seem to stomach the "Space Shuttle" and we also failed to ride the "Jungle Log Jam" because of a scary situation (long story). The highlight of that day was our Rio Grande ride! We had three consecutive servings of this wet and wild ride and are we really wet! That is why we rushed to Walter Mart, bought some clothes.. some even changed their underwear.. Oooops I'm guilty.. and I ended up looking like this! hahahah!
That visit to enchanted kingdom was really of the most memorable visits I had.
Wedding of the Year!
The most anticipated event of the year 2005! The Wedding of Laurence Lau and Cindy Homo (My aunt). After months and months of preparation.. finally the wedding was a success! The ceremony was held at the Jubilee Evangelical Church and reception at the Sheraton Hotel. Here's a sample of the unique souvineer from the wedding which was printed in plates and mugs.
Picture here, picture there, picture picture almost everywhere.. Everybody, specially the family members went home very tired but fulfilled and happy for the newly weds.
El Madero!
Every year, the Central Administration Unit of Xavier School saves a day where the whole unit can unwind and relax. The year 2005 was of course not an excemption! as early as 6 in the morning.. Each and every member of the Central Admin Unit was in high spirits and ready to climb up the bus going to the resort "El Madero" in Batanggas.
At first I was hesitant to enjoy.. Nagpapaka-KJ.. but in the end.. because of the fun games and the warm Central Admin crowd.. I was able to enjoy the outing. Good thing, Miss Fats of the TRC brought her camera! Picture picture the whole day everywhere.. just like the past outings!
Children's Party at 26!
It's never too late! Who would have thought my dream of a children's birthday party.. with mascot.. games and all will actually happen at age 26! hahahahah! It was actually my girlfriends idea. In fairness, it was a successful surprise party.. I almost sobbed seeing all my friends and closest relatives present that day! Friends from High School, Friends from Xavier, Cousins, My Lola, and my future mom in law (kasabwat sa surprise party with my sister).
The games were cool! everybody participated. And the gifts! Sa tanda kong ito may mag-bibigay pa pala ng gift sakin! Hahahaha!
Duets INXS!
Then again.. after long hours of convincing by people from the personnel office.. it happened! We became part of the Duets INXS! A duet singing contest in Xavier School as part of the Apprecatiation Day celebration (commonly known as teachers day).
I was paired with Rowena Martinez "Weng" probably my closest friend in Xavier! It was harassing! Nerve wracking! But in the end.. fun! We sang We Could be In Love (by Lea Salonga) and could we have been part of the finalist Ikaw Lamang (by Jaya and Janno). Thanks Weng for giving your all for this! Miss ko na yung mga practice practice! Di naman natin masyadong kinareer!
Sem Break! Destination.. Tagaytay!
Sem break won't be complete without going somewhere far.. At least not in Metro Manila! That's what my sister! Nagging everyday since November 1, 2005! Well.. sure enough.. as always.. Her nagging paid off! Without any plans.. and with a budget of on PHP3000.. Off we go to tagaytay! First stop.. Break fast at Mcdo.. Next.. Nurture Spa, very relaxing.. The food was super yummy and affordable. But everything else.. expensive! After Nurture Spa.. We went to Picnic grove! and as usual.. too many people.. too crowded!
We landed next to the newly renovated Taal Vista. I was wrong.. it was not newly renovated! the renovation actually happened 3 years ago.. that's how long I have never been to this place.. better than the old one.. It looked more like a hotel now than before! Picture taking to the max then off to starbucks! See how far can your PHP3000 go! 4 heads.. gas.. driver's allowance.. not bad right?
Casper! The friendly cat!
Meet Casper! Our cute and friendly half perisan-half siamese cat (tama ba spelling ng siamese?). My dad bought him I think October of last year.. alam niyo ba kung bakit Casper name niya? When he first arrived at our house.. he was very dirty.. skinny.. and his eyes were bloody.. scary.. kaya casper.. but now! anong masasabi niyo! ganda na niya diba!
A not so Happy New Year..
The last few days of the year 2005 was probably the saddest days of my life.. My lola past away just as we are starting to get busy for the New Year. Until now.. I still can't believe my lola can't be with us anymore.. laughing with us.. eating out with us.. watching movie with us..
My lola is really really close to most of the family members specially her apos.. And me, a living example of how my lola loved us.. She would always make this special appointment to go out with all of her apos.. Her treat! And I can always see her unusual happiness whenever we go out.. considering she's already our grandmother.. she can really jive with us.. My tito Michael even said during the funeral "If she can use the computer, she would have a friendster account!" That's how cool my lola is.
But sadly.. full of hesitation.. I must let her go and be with our creator.. Her outburst happiness when she came back from the States until that day in the E.R. will always be remembered. She even celebrated her 70th birthday with the whole family at Red Box Karaoke in Greenbelt 3.. She danced, she sang.. Game na game siya! And during the Christmas rush sa Ham Store.. she was hands on, manning the store, carrying 5 kilos of ham from the production area.. smiling, giggling, face very radiant seeing how popular her Ham is!
This picture was taken during my lola's wake. All the apos gathered in front of lola for a vigil to celebrate the life lola has shared with all of us.. It was very emotional.. enlightening.. and heart warming experience.. Probably, a factor for us to accept her passing. We will terribly miss you lola.. we love you so much! You will always be a special part of our lives.
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