Christmas! :)

It's been a great holiday so far-- presents and greetings everywhere. It's also the first holiday I'm spending with Dennis, and that makes it even more special. We went out on a special date last night, reminescent of when we were first going out, and I looooooved it! :) After all the parties with friends and relatives, having some alone time, just talking, joking and laughing, with the one person I love most in the world was a welcome gift.

Oh, and the holiday season seems to be filled with wedding thoughts for some people. On the eve of Christmas, our family got very exciting news! My cousin Mary got engaged! She called us all excited, all the way from Toronto, and gave us a detailed rundown (mostly for my benefit) of how it happened-- from Richie's proposal, to the reaction of people they've told, to the pre-wedding plans. How exciting! The wedding is slated for spring 2007-- hooray, family trip, family trip! :)

Dennis' close friend is also getting hitched. He asked his longtime girlfriend for her hand right in front of all her relatives and friends. Totally taken by surprise, she managed to say "yes" in the middle of her gasps and tears. Awww... :) Of course, it's inevitable too that in all the parties we went to, people would ask "kelan kayo susunod??" Without fail, my unfazed beau always replies, "It's in the works. Don't worry." Hahahaha! :)

Merry Christmas to you all and hope you're having a restful, peaceful and blissful season! :)

A very wise person told me before...

when you love someone, love him so much that you'll do everything you can to make his everyday a little lighter, a little easier, a little better.

If you do that, even in a small way, you know you've loved enough.

That's all I'm doing. No need to say thanks or to make apologies. I'm just loving you.

the giant ape and the championships

My dear boyfriend during our movie date today (KingKong): "Ayan, don't go na to tropical or primitive islands ah. A gorilla might fall in love with you and steal you from me."

Grabe, ano beh!

In other news, my dear boyfriend's basketball team won the Ateneo basketball tournament today! Yay! Cheers to the world's best coach and the best world's best boyfriend! =)

What is it?

It is the private joke, the secret glance, that sends a shiver down your spine. It reminds you that he's reserved. Reserved especially and only for you.

It is the knowledge that he's there to hold you steady so you don't fall. When all other ears turn away, his will always be there to catch even your most unspoken words.

It's the active participation in your life, that tells you he will always care. It's the promise of a constant companion through life's ups and downs. Someone who'll bear witness to your every triumph and failure--- and celebrate you all throughout the adventure.

It's the openness of his arms that embrace you at the end of a cold, long day. It's an understanding and an acceptance for the bad, the worse and the worst of you.

It's the healing balm his touch seems to have, that soothes your tired muscles.. or your tired heart. It's the warm comfort of his tone, of his smile, of his eyes, that takes away every scar, every pain, every ache. When it's just you and him, you can never hurt again.

It's the richness of the memories he is building with you, and the possibilities of the future.. that sends you waking every morning, and lets you rest your head peacefully at night. If he's the last person you'll ever love, that's only right. For you're loving your best love now that you have him in your life.

First Day

Today was the perfect way to start off a new job.

Today, I came to understand the big business that is international telecommunications. I also got a detailed look at what my role will be in the group. I was able to pinpoint the demands of the job where I'm weak at (must revisit those old notes and books)... as well as the parts of it that I know I'm strong in (must hone those skills more). It was exciting to meet new people, new faces.. hear of new challenges and new adventures.

Today also, I saw pressure in an almost tangible form. It was bigger and larger than life... looming far larger than I've ever known it to be. Though scary enough to make me palpitate despite the fact that I hadn't had a drop of caffeine today, it was also very exciting. The dynamism of it all was just too enticing to ignore. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come.

Hopefully, it all goes to prove that I made the right choice. That I jumped ship only to land on an even bigger, even better one.

I don't need a lot of it, but a little validation would certainly do wonders on my anxious heart =)

(crossing my fingers...) Wish me luck!

so long, so long, so long...

You know you've made an impression when your colleagues surprise you with a going-away party complete with cake and ice cream. You know you've made an impression when they gift you with a doll that looks remarkably like you. You know you've made an impression when they wrote you notecards proclaiming how much they will miss you. You know you've made an impression when they sing happy birthday at the top of their lungs instead of saying goodbye.

Hay... I never thought I'd say it but I think I'll actually miss Citi. Not for anything other than the people in it. Citibankers have had a lot said about them in the past (workaholics and chronic usurers among the many) but one thing they certainly aren't is cold. Citibankers are one of the warmest creatures I've ever come across. A stellar example of this is the despedida they threw for me today.

I was too focused scrambling to finish last-minute errands this afternoon that I didn't notice the bulk of people gathering in our floor at about 5pm. As I was frantically composing an email in my cubicle, I suddenly heard a very loud Happy Birthday song being sung. So I jumped up and sang along with them...

Only to realize...

Wait a minute...

Why are they all looking at me?!

Is this party for me?!

But it's not my birthday...

Huh?

Oh!

Wow!

How nice!

Awww......

Not wanting to say goodbye, my officemates instead sang happy birthday! How cute. Hehe ;p After the singing, there were some speeches, some tears... then the gift was presented. They gave me a doll -- a fair-skinned, long-haired and very very long-legged doll dressed in pink! Aww! :)

We took some pictures after that, and then the eating started. So many people wished me good luck, that I will rock 'em at Smart, that they know I can do it, etc etc. Hay, it reminded me of the part of my Citi stint that I will never forget. The people. Citibankers are just a great people-- there's no forgetting them. Ever.

So long, so long, so long, my friends. We'll see each other again :)

1 day left

Today's the day! The last time I'll ever walk through those halls, ride that elevator, sit at that desk, work on that computer, answer that phone, report to that boss...

This lady's Citibanker days are over.

And she never thought this day could ever come =P

Hallelujah!

tick tock tick tock

My pseudo-banker days are numbered--- 3 days to go! I can't wait! :)

Turnover is a pain-in-the-ass, but it's a necessary evil to get past this period of limbo in my life and finally move on to bigger, better things!

3 days-- I wish time will just flash by.