Someone's Back Home: With a Twang, With the Gang (And the Photoshoot After)

- April 13, 2013, Saturday.

- After three long years since migrating to the USA, my friend Katherine was finally able to visit us here in (extremely) sunny Philippines. She came back just this Monday, and I know how her jet lag and the sheer number of people wanting to meet her makes it difficult for her to meet everyone up.

- My neighbor Charmaine alerted many friends about a plan to meet up with Katherine today at Robinson's Magnolia. Without hestitating, I knew I had to meet Katherine, since I didn't know when else I will be able to see her.

- I went to RP Magnolia with Charmaine, Riezeryl, and Anabelle. We met Zachary at Starbucks, and soon settled in the Magnolia Ice Cream House, and waited for Katherine and her boyfriend Jourdan to arrive.

Food!!

- Katherine arrived all giggly and excited, and I "buried" myself in Zachary's arms, pretending to hide from Katherine. She did not know I was coming today, so I wanted to "surprise" her. Katherine liked Indian stuff like I did, and I wore something Indian today to make her happier (I hope it did.) True enough, Katherine did not need to see my face just to know who I was. Haha.

- Abigail came to meet us later in the afternoon, and friends Dianne, Dianne's sister Demiee, Vicson, and Bryce later came the latest.

I don't really know why we did this photo, but I'm glad I did. Haha.

- The most of the afternoon was spent literally walking around the mall after Zachary went ahead, and randomly playing tag (yes we played tag inside the mall.) We later settled at the Food Court, though we ate nothing, before the others decided to have dinner.

Together with Dianne and company.

- As for Charmaine, Riezeryl, Anabelle, Abigail, and I, we headed home despite wanting to spend more time with Katherine. We just justified by saying that we had our quality time with Katherine before Dianne and company came. At least dinnertime will be Dianne and company's quality time with Katherine and Jourdan.

- Anabelle and Abigail parted with Charmaine, Riezeryl and I at the train station. The three of us went to my place to do a very last-minute photoshoot for the Thai, Khmer/Cambodian, Lao, and Burmese new years. For those who know me well, it's been my some sort of trend for the past 3 years to have my photos taken during certain special celebrations/events, wearing the traditional outfits of the countries involved.

Experimenting with lighting.

Cambodian New Year (Chnam Thmey)

Riezeryl.

It became her photoshoot while it took me a long time to prepare for the next country.

Lao New Year (Songkan/Peemai)

Thai New Year (Songkran/Peemai)

Burmese New Year (Thingyan)

- Tonight's photoshoot was done more quickly and more easily, since I had prepared my costumes and accessories last night, in an attempt to photograph myself, to no avail. Well, at least having my photos taken today was more fun since I had two amazing neighbors to help me out.

My amazing photoshoot-crew-slash-neighbors