Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The Un-CANCELLED: Cinq's 2010 Cancelled-Uncancelled-Cancelled-Uncancelled-Again Christmas Reunion




- December 28, 2010, Tuesday (Yay, David Archuleta's Birthday!!)

- How this day came to be has had a long history. Dwight the great, our awesome events organizer, wanted to organize another reunion this year. Earlier this December, he realized that the people's schedules couldn't work out on the supposed date of the reunion. On Christmas morning, he suddenly sent out a memo that our reunion would push through -- in a highly expensive restaurant. Due to lack of prospective attendees, he cancelled the event again, only to re-uncancel the event yesterday. Finally, we ended up, again, in Dwight's roof deck, beside the unforgettable Eiffel-tower-esque PLDT tower, and had fun.

- I was assigned in the program committee (by committee they meant me, myself, and I,) and was tasked to organize games for the night. Although it is one of my fortes to host events or whatever, I am the last person to go to when it comes to organizing games. First, I rarely played games, and second, I can only think of corny, risk-free games. Thanks to Adrian and some people around me, I was able to come up with three games: Star Genius (aka Pinoy Henyo, but the words to be guessed are related to the whole class, or a particular person in class,) Let's Get Physical (a sheet of paper would be picked, and the pairs should touch the body part corresponding to the one written on the paper,) and of course, the ever-so-mysterious werewolf game. Oh yeah, since I was the one in charge of the prizes, I just decided to buy candies. Winners get more candies, and "losers" would get fewer candies. Haha.

- This evening, I went to Dwight's house with Bless and Nathalie via 2 jeepney rides.Upon arrival, the three of us went to the wrong house. It was a good thing that both houses were Dwight's. However, only one of the houses had the stairs to the roof deck.

- This year's record of attendees beat last year's record. A total of 23 people attended this year, more than than half of the class, as compared to last year's mere 18 people. Kim Hybee also showed up tonigh; I haven't seen her since prom!!

- As for the food, instead of Dwight catering again, the food committee bought food, and all of us had to pay our share. I guess the food committee did a job-well-done with the food. Simple, delicious, and inexpensive.

- After everyone had eaten, the games started. I was glad that people participated in my games even if they weren't really the most exciting ones. At least everyone got candy. HAHA. Before I started the second game, some people had to leave already. We decided to have a "class picture" (minus the ones who came later on,) and had the "raffle." Kim Hybee won the raffle, and took home a jar of Stick-O like sticks. (I hope she enjoys them!!)

- The werewolf game was the most exciting game, I suppose. It was a game proposed by Kimberly last year; I just reused it because I knew people enjoyed it so much last year, and honestly, it's an addicting game. I had a bit of difficulty explaining the mechanics because I really expected Kimberly to explain the mechanics again. Gladly, Jean was able to save my butt, and facilitated the game, together with Kimberly. As expected, people liked the game so much, that they even created some twists to the game, like adding a new character to the game (Cupid.) Well, the mysterious vibe we had last year was a bit disrupted by Dwight fixing the karaoke machine (prepared especially to those who had heaven-sent singing voices. Haha.) -- Come to think of it, the werewolf game reminded me of the up-coming "Red Riding Hood" movie. I really look forward to watching that. Hope it'll be a great movie.

- After the last round of the werewolf game ended, most of the group decided to have drinking games, which us, the non-drinkers, just hogged the karaoke microphone, or talked amongst ourselves. Of course, as expected, I was kicked out of the karaoke booth because of the weird songs I chose to sing (and because I don't have a heaven-sent singing voice.)

- A light drizzle visited us towards the end of the gathering. Most people prepared to leave, while some of us stayed behind to wait for Erlyn's car, and/or helped Dwight bring some things downstairs so they won't soak in the drizzle.

- Although most of us had many awkward moments during the night, I guess this is so much better than what we were during high school as a section. I do hope that many more yearly reunions would follow. It's also possible to hold it in a(n inexpensive) restaurant for a change, I suppose, although it won't be as fun as if it were held in a private location.

- I am also thankful that Dwight has once again opened his heart and home to all of us, for going the extra mile to gather everyone together, and enjoy another night of wackiness, silliness, corniness, and most of all, happiness. Maybe soon, we'd be able to have a perfect attendance of 41 people, with their own special fields, professions, (maybe families in the maybe-almost-near-future??,) talents, skills, and uniqueness. Many people might have forgotten much about the past, or some pieces of seemingly useless information about people, but one thing is clear: there is hope for happiness and unity from a group of extremely diverse people.

- Happy Orange Christmas Cinq, and Have a Rocking New Year!! :D:D:D:D ♥♥♥♥

Monday, December 27, 2010

Who Said Christmas Was Cold? - Trinoma With Friends. :D:D:D:D




- December 27, 2010, Monday

- We finally found time, again, to meet up during this Christmas break. Well, we really needed a venue to conduct our exchange gift thing. Today was also a special day, because we were joined by Eleazar, former kinder classmate, transferred schools, and now, Jessica's suitor. *OMG I STILL CAN'T GET OVER THISSSSSSS*

- Anyhoo, before going to Trinoma, we helped Oliver find Nathalie's gift. Nathalie wanted a pair of closed shoes. We went to Farmer's Market, the mall where the MRT is connected, to find hopefully-cheaper shoes. Instead of Oliver buying a pair of shoes, Bless was the one who fulfilled her sandal-needs. Hahahaha!!

- We were able to arrive at Trinoma half an hour before our 3:45 movie. However, we were a few minutes late for the movie because some people had to do some errands (including finding a gift for Nathalie) in Trinoma. All of us watched "Father Jejemon," starring Dolphy. We wanted to watch Tanging Ina, but the tickets were sold out. Father Jejemon was OK, I suppose (in terms of the humor and punchlines,) but the climax (anticlimax perhaps??) went too quickly. I nearly died laughing and being confused. I also noticed that Eleazar can pass as a really Chinese version of EJ Falcon (who is French-Pinoy.)

- After the movie, Eleazar told us that he needed to meet up with his cousins and other family members, and left Jessica "to our care." We, or rather, I, decided to eat at Cyma's since we can't really decide on a decent place to eat (and exchange gifts.)

- After ordering, we started exchanging gifts. To my surprise, or not so surprise (for some reason I had this feeling that she was the one who picked me,) Jessica picked me. Jessica wasn't able to find my Josh Groban CD, and the books that I listed on my wish list were too expensive too. Instead, Jessica gave me a nice beanie!! Seriously, I not the beanie type, but I always wanted to wear a beanie - I haven't found the perfect beanie, but Jessica (and Eleazar) picked one with a nice color. :D:D:D:D On the other hand, I picked Bless, and I gave her a 2011 planner for yuppies. Hahahaha. (Dang, graduation's around the corner....)

- After dinner, which I treated, Genevieve claimed her two boxes of free donuts from Krispy Kreme. Since Nathalie needed to buy something from the nearby SM North EDSA (ahh, David Archuleta memories,) we left one box of donuts to Bless, Karel, Oliver, and Jessica, while the four of us accompanied Nathalie -- and took pictures while we're at it.

- Going home was supposedly a regular thing. We knew it was late, but we were able to ride the MRT to Cubao. However, we missed the last train to Recto. Instead of riding the train, like we had any choice, we rode the jeep to Recto. It was a long ride, but full of chatter and sharing. Thankfully, Erlyn's dad was able to give most of us a ride home. (Erlyn was our saviorrrrrr~~~~~~~)

- Next agenda?? Tomorrow's Cinq Reunion!! WOOHOOOOO~~~~~ :D:D:D:D

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Sawatdee Khrap, Christmas Break And Thai Food!!




- Decemver 23, 2010, Thursday

- Sang and everyone else planned to eat out today at Som's. I was almost reluctant to go because I still have my semi-epic "flullergy." Since I was supposed to get my Korean scrapbook from Sang (although he ended up not bringing it haha,) and I wanted to try Som's since forever, I decided to go today.

- Charmaine and I arrived at Som's a few minutes past 11am, after a long train+train+jeep ride, and a short stroll in Powerplant. Since everyone was still far away, and we were a bit (ok, VERY) hungry, we decided to order a plate of Pad Thai for ourselves.

- As everyone started to arrive, Charmaine and I were 3/4 full. I guess we should've ordered an appetizer or two instead of the big Pad Thai platter, because we all ended up ordering a lot of dishes.

- Ordering the dishes was as much fun as eating the dishes later on. Bea (well most of us) had a hard time deciphering the dishes, aside from the famous ones that we knew (eg. Pad Thai, Tom Yum, etc.) Bea said that we should order a weird-sounding dish to have that "exotic" vibe - and thus, Bea's infamous "Nam Jem" joke. She saw the name "Nam Jem" on the menu and wanted to order it (so badly,) but we didn't order it; it wasn't on the best-sellers list. However, based on my a-few-minutes-ago research, Nam Jem was a sotanghon-based noodle dish. (Dang, maybe we should've ordered that too. HAHA. Oh well, there's still a next time.)

- Before leaving, we found out that Willy and Sang paid for our lunch (which was a bit expensive since there were seven of us.) They said it was their "Christmas gift" for us. ♥♥♥♥ (Korp khun mahk mahk!! - Thank you very much!!)

** Btw, I wore my minimalist Thai outfit to match the ambiance of Som's. True enough, the place was authentically Thai, especially because of the portraits and statues of Buddha, King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit of Thailand.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Japanese Night With Some CKSC People. :) :) :) :)




- December 21, 2010, Tuesday

- I finally finished my classes for 2010, and I'm headed towards the heaven I call "REST." Well, maybe I can't rest that much since I have Christmas homework to do.

- Honestly, I could've rested at home since I am half-sick right now. (My cough and nasal allergies are making it hard to breathe walking around my big school.) I also wanted to attend the Korean dinner for my Korean class, but I am too sick to go, and my friend who I was supposed to be my ride home also wouldn't be able to go. She's also sick. Because of this, I think the heavens were giving me a sign to not go to Korean night. Don't get me wrong, I would really have gone to the Korean dinner; I even packed my hanbok in my school bag.

- Since I decided not to go, I pushed myself to go with Lala and company for our Japanese night in Omakase, again, even if I'm ill and coughing like crazy. :|:|:|:| After I arrived home, I had a quick change to my Chinese attire earlier today, into my Japanese attire. I went to Marnie's house, waited for her to finish preparing, and off we went to Omakase in Il Terrazzo.

- I am glad that I had the chance to see these people again this (almost) Christmas. However, many nuances made the night more interesting. First, I saw Jes and DA at the other table. Haha. Second, a group of children and early teens from a foundation (forgot which one,) went inside the restaurant and sang Christmas carols. The elder members played instruments (3 bandurias, 1 guitar, 1 box-thing that acts like drums, 1 violin,) while the younger ones were in the front line, dancing. After their performance, the kids would go around from table to table and ask for donations. They would also kiss random people, maybe as a "cute" tactic to get donations. The children were cute anyway, and the whole group added a bit more light to my Christmas.

- One of the things that made our night a nose-bleeding experience was counting and re-counting who pays how much, and wondering why there was an extra amount of money. After some more tabulations and whatnot by Lala, we realized 15 minutes later that the extra money belonged to Joanna, since she used her own money to change all of us first. Haha.

- After eating, we tried our luck at Banapple for dessert. As expected, the place was overcrowded with people. I really think the place should add more chairs/tables, or better yet, make the place bigger (if possible, which I highly doubt,) so they could accommodate more people. Many people would like to eat there anyway, and they lose customers because not everyone has the luxury of time. Instead of waiting (for eternity,) we just decided to go to Banawe's Dezaato Pan, beside Tempura. coincidentally, the dessert-place was also Japanese. (I guess I was able to maximize my Japanese attire for the night.)

- While finishing our cake slices, we all had really random jokes. Marnie's jokes were the most "sabaw." (Speaking of "sabaw," I really can't find an acceptable translation for "sabaw," aside from "soup," of course.) We also had a bit of planning on the very ambitious abroad trip this summer. If ever this pushes through, I really hope my parents would allow me to go. :|:|:|:|

- I am glad that I was able to enjoy my night even if I'm having a bit of difficulty breathing, and controlling my coughs and sneezes. I know I would also enjoy Korean night with my Korean class, had it not been for this silly little flullgery (flu + [nasal] allergy,) and of course, if my friend weren't sick as well.

- I just want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas. I also wish everyone who's sick, and I know there are a lot (souce: recent experiences in school and the LRT,) to get well ASAP. Christmas ain't the perfect time for flus, allergies, or flullergies. :|:|:|:| I hope I get well soon too. I have to much to do during this Christmas break - and I'm talking about homework. :|:|:|:|

Friday, December 10, 2010

A Day In Media Law Class. Teehee.




- December 10, 2010, Friday

- I decided to bring my camera today to school because I wanted to take pictures of the Christmas Card exhibit by the Modern Languages Department (my Korean Christmas Card is there!!) and the logo of the male CR in Kostka's ground floor. (The picture will show why.)

- Since I wanted to maximize my camera, I also decided to take pictures of a regular day in Media Law class. Well, our prof wasn't around today, but her son substituted for her; he also teaches one of the other media classes too.

- Since our class starts at the crack of dawn (a.k.a. 7:30 classes,) we come to school with our minds that seem to stay in dreamland. This means that we all act drunk and lost, without actually being drunk and lost, and we also say random things. However, most of us head back to dreamland within the three-hour class, for our sanity. It's also great the we get to have 10 to 15-minute breaks around 9am - again, for our sanity, and also for our tummies.

- Our class ended early, and I went straight home. Now, I want to sleep. *SLEEEEEEEEEEEEEP*