Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

I'm catching up with the girls! I made it to Dodit's birthday lunch with Dulce, Zita, and Jeanette who is visiting from MNL.

I tell you, we'll make up any excuse, anything, to see one another.


Girls really wanna have fun!

Respite

Yesterday, I went to see Dr. John Hagelin speak at a science conference up north. I've been meditating for nearly 30 years now doing transcendental meditation (TM), but with my job right now, I'm so stressed out I decided to give myself a break from work and see him along with other TMers.

At My Thai Restaurant having dinner and fun! Just what I needed!

Dimsum Lunch

It was another girl-bonding with high school classmates, some since grade school, today! Two classmates, Jeanette and Mel, from Manila are in town so we treated them to a great view of the city from BofA Building, from Craig's office. Thanks, Craig! Then lunch at City View Dimsum. Viveca joined us, too. So good to see her 'cause she can't always join us for gatherings. We weren't able to join the rest for the walk through Chinatown, cable car ride, Fisherman Wharf, and the Crown and Crumpets Tea Salon, due to work. Darn! But it was just great to spend time with everybody. Getting together with childhood friends is a gift that "... never ever gets old... just like us!" as Mila says.

Luv ya'll, ladies!

http://supernanniesdayoff.shutterfly.com/5

... And Cathy, too!

Wow, what a special day today, celebrating different occasions! It's one of my closest friend's birthday.

Beauteous like a goddess

Lovely human being

Beautiful soul 

Pure spirit and

Transcendence 

That's Cathy -

The epitome of beauty.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY DEAR FRIEND... LOVE YOU!

Thanks for a beautiful friendship.

Girl-Bonding!

Last week was our usual get-together with my high school classmates, and it was a blast, always a blast! Especially with Jeanette visiting from Manila, she's hilarious! Most spouses were there but they left us girls alone, and we left them alone, too.

Nothing beats girl-bonding! It's simply precious. So special... there's nothing like it! Our host Dodit, the food, the company - superb! Laughter and picture taking - non-stop! And gosh, there must be at least 3 topics of conversations going on simultaneously, either one-on-one, or with a few, or with everyone! God, were we loud and noisy, as if we had not seen one another for ages, and we get together almost every other month! Anyway, every once in a while, "an angel would pass," meaning, total silence - a split second, whenever we were looking at the photos... Then all of a sudden, "WOW!", "BEAUTIFUL!", "NO, not that!", "Yea, this one... that one, put that on facebook!"... and more boisterous laughing!

Didn't I just say, "Laughter is the best medicine," a few posts down?

Oh, love you, guys... oops, girls!

Girl Talk!

Good girls chatting at work! Mainly about guys, what else? Then it's bad girls chatting! Nope, on the contrary, it's classy ladies talking about men!

And it wasn't so much the topic, but the camaraderie we had while sharing bits and pieces of our lives, the laughter, the fun - it was great! Really, I should say it's one of those moments when I realized that it's not all work - at work. As Donna always reminds us when we sometimes get overworked and stressed out, "It's only work."

So true. Many times we forget and we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by our jobs. Not worth it!

And it's also one of those moments when I value more the sweetness of every person I work with - it's simply grand!

It started when we were questioning what men are all about, why they are what they are, and Janice remarked, "Bakit why??"... and Yesa answered, "Dahil because!!"... and the laughing and chatting just kept going!

Oh, men!... Omen!... Ah, men!... Amen.

Lazy Day

Taking it easy today. It's been a little stressful at work. Went to a street fair. Didn't stay long, about an hour. Then went to a movie.

Back home now. Just finished talking to a dear friend on the phone.

"Try not to let anything stress you out." - I needed to hear that!

Thanks, Brenda.

Janice

Janice is my colleague at work. Tall, exotic, intelligent, witty, articulate, she's drop-dead gorgeous! She can be a model. Teasingly, (I think), she said she wanted to be one and I asked her why she hadn't applied to agencies. She quipped, "Aren't you supposed to be discovered?"

(Hmm, I also wanted to be a model. Right... and I thought that the only reason why I haven't been discovered was because I haven't applied. Oh, well...)

A true fashionista, Janice is one woman who knows how to enjoy life! Exuding poise and confidence, she flows unaffected. She's just herself - the very embodiment of beauty!

You. Go. Girl!!

Inspiring... and Inspired!

"You're the most peaceful person I've ever met." - from a friend and colleague.

Thanks, Donna. How sweet!

On My Birthday

First of all, I took a day off. I told my boss I didn't want to have a boss on my birthday. She laughed. I was going downtown to shop but I did my TM program first, about 10 a.m. and then fell into a deep sleep till almost 2 p.m. (Whoa! my body surely needed that!) It was too late to go downtown as I had a 4 o'clock appointment with my hairdresser, so I thought I'd go to the gym. But I was fussing around the house and before I knew it, it was too late to go to the gym. So I went to Starbucks instead, hung around, read from Howard Schultz' (the founder of Starbucks) book, ONWARD, till it was time for my hair. I told my hairdresser it was my birthday. Putting me under the dryer for about 20 minutes, she whispered, "Birthday dreams!" (I like that!)

I accomplished nothing that I wanted to do on my bithday, but I did what my body and soul needed - beauty rest, beauty treat and little extra things I did to make my day special. First, when I was at Starbucks, I asked a young guy seating on a sofa if someone was sitting on the other side. He completely ignored me. Or perhaps, he was too focused on his computer that he didn't hear me. I took the other seat. Later, he spilled his drink and I completely ignored him... then I decided to help him clean up his mess. Just thought I'd do something good on my birthday. And while I was sitting, I saw a homeless guy right outside the door standing and begging. I don't normally give to beggars/homeless, (read my post, Awakening!, 2/8/10), but watching him while I was enjoying my drink somehow didn't feel right to me. If I didn't see him while I was eating, that's different. Anyway, I decided to give him a few bucks so he could treat himself on my birthday. I also tipped my hairdresser more than usual so she could enjoy herself. I just wanted to feel extra good on my birthday by giving! Later I went to church for a little spiritual connection.

Norman treated me to a fancy Asian restaurant down the hill and a fancy dessert up the hill!

The following day, back at work, I decided to treat my colleagues for dinner. I didn't want to tell them it was my birthday but at the spur of the moment, I thought of giving something back as everybody has been so nice to me. So we had a take-out dinner from a Thai restaurant. On our next break, they called me to the lounge, and to my surprise, there was a birthday cake for me! God, I can never thank them enough! How can I? Everyone's so good to me!

Cost of dinner - $80.00!

Birthday cake - priceless!!

Thank you, guys! You're wonderful!

A Tourist In My Own Country

Every year since 2000, I go home to visit friends and family, especially my mother. I always time my trip around her birthday in March. I go home to be with her 24/7. This time, on her 95th birthday, a milestone, Norman and I decided to go together. We stayed at my aunt's beautiful condo in Eastwood City, a world-class city in itself, for a week. I tell you, going places was a treat, I felt like a tourist in my own country!

First, the condo was so close to the shopping mall, restaurants, theatres and and more, Norman and I were simply entertained. Norman especially enjoyed going back and forth to the cafes and restaurants, and, man, I tell you, Manila's got some Good Eats! San Francisco and New York cannot brag of their best foods in town anymore. Manila can compete with them and the rest of the world for its stunningly superb cuisine - Filipino, Asian, international, and all fusion! Great dining everywhere we went! Quite impressive, I tell you that!

The condo was also right in front of a chapel that took care of my religious obligations, especially this Lenten season. Mindful of our Catholic tradition, land developers, architects, et al, have included in their blue prints to build chapels inside or around shopping malls. And that is nice! Knowing how Filipinos or Pinoys love to eat and shop, yet still not forgetting their Sunday obligations, having chapels inside or close to shopping malls are convenient. However, I must confess that although, yes, there is nothing above and beyond God, when you're at Shangrila chapel at the atrium on Sundays, for example, it's very difficult to focus on the altar alone. With so many floors of shops, restaurants and people all over, yes, there's definitely everything and anything above and beyond the altar... Oh, well.

We went to Makati Greenbelt, the Ayala Museum where we performed as guest artists for the JAM FOR JAPAN CONCERT, drove by Bonifacio Street High at the Fort, all part of the Ayalaland, and what awesome architecture! And simply world-class shopping and dining! Filipinos have such appetite for food and life the city doesn't sleep anymore. Norman says, " It's like NY!" And with all the high-rise buildings, commercial, residential, especially condominiums, which seem to be the style of living for city dwellers nowadays, I don't see poverty anymore! Of course, there is, and a classic distinction between the rich and the poor, at that, but it seems to be hidden by all the newly-built skyscrapers and infrastructure everywhere! Unbelievable!

I got a chance to revisit Tagaytay Highlands. This was Norman's first visit. Nestled in a beautiful high-level countryside overlooking the world's smallest volcano, Taal Volcano, this resort and country club brings leisure and luxury to the next level. Philippines now abound in so many beautifully-developed resorts for balikbayans and foreigners from all over the world, tourism has become a popular global leisure activity here in the country.

My CHS high school classmates treated me to a superbly delicious lunch at Kanin Club at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati. It was a row of different restaurants and every bit was full to capacity and then some outside. Don't Filipinos cook at home anymore??

And as an alumna of the University of Sto. Tomas, I am glad I had a chance to revisit my alma mater on its 400th year celebration! I went to see our church, the museum and bought some souvenirs from the kiosks.

And of course, music is ALIVE in Manila! I got to jam at Scarlet Jazz Kitchen with one of the city's famous big bands on Timog in Quezon City. Timog Street is happening ("gimmicking"as they say)!

"Filipinos are EXPLODING with talents!!" as Cameron Macintosh once said when he was in Manila many years ago to audition talents for the musical Miss Saigon. There's Lea Salonga, Miss Saigon herself, Charice, Arnel Pineda, Cheryl Burke, and so many you see everywhere, on American Idol, You Think You can Dance, and so on! You will always see a Filipino in arts and entertainment!

Philippines is a beautiful country and the Filipinos are a beautiful people! I'm very proud!

To All My Wonderful Sisters In Life!!!

Every now and then I get something on my email that I like sharing here 'cause it's so true! It's about being a woman and being "with the girls!!" Yes, we have our families. We have our friends. And that's beautiful! But there's something about womanhood - our girlfriends, be it our Mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, all the women in our lives who create a bond, the Sisterhood! It's special! The love and support are extraordinary! It's fun! It's pure! It's such a joy! No one can take that away from us! This is a keeper. Here's an excerpt -

This says it all...

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,

drinking iced tea and visiting with her mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.

'Don't forget your sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.'

'Remember that 'sisters' means ALL the women...your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women always do.'

What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup!

Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'

But she listened to her mother. She kept contact with her sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her mother really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:

THIS SAYS IT ALL: 

Time passes.

Life happens.

Distance separates.

Children grow up.

Jobs come and go.

Love waxes and wanes.

Men don't do what they're supposed to do.

Hearts break.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget favors.

Careers end.

BUT.........

Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how

many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away

than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you

have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life

will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,

praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on

your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the

valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk

beside you....Or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,

daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,

Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended

family: all bless our life!

The world wouldn't be the same without women, and

neither would I. When we began this adventure called

womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or

sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we

would need each other.

Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on

to all the women who help make your life meaningful.

I just did. Short and very sweet:

There are more than twenty angels in this world.

Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds. Nine are

playing. And one is reading her email at this

moment...

Happy days!

Don't break this; it's working.

HAPPINESS

I was having lunch with a friend the other day at a Japanese restaurant in the neighborhood. While I was proposing a toast, saying "Cheers" to life, to health, to so many things, she said 2 words, and it said it all, "To Happiness!"

Right on! And just what I need the most at the moment!

Thanks, Brenda.

Inspiring... and Inspired!

Notes I got from friends on their Xmas cards -

BELIEVE!

"I shall prevail..."

Thanks, ladies, they keep me going...

Dolci

Dolci joined us, Joel, Sarah, Norman & me, for dinner at a great Italian restaurant and she was cursing how slow it was coming to the city, "It's traffic with a capital F!"

I like Dolci. I met her several years ago through the famous bluegrass group, THE KRUEGER BROTHERS, and there's just something about her. She's a genuine person, very sincere, very funny, and she has that childlike innocence, so pure, in her! She's beautiful!

And one thing we do in common, we discovered, is we both do TM. Nice!

You sure live up to your name, Dolci! Luv ya...

One Year Ago Today

Last year, on this exact day, I wrote a post, 29 de Agosto, (August 29, 2009), because of its significance, its influence, personal and social, and so much more, in my life. I invite you to revisit. You'll get to know me more. It's like introducing myself again today. Hope you like it.

Happy Birthday, again, Richel!

Mmmm...

Hot water with fresh mint and lemon - delicious! At a fancy Italian restaurant -great food, great company, great birthday!

Images of CHS Alumnae Grand Reunion

http://gallery.me.com/adorjun/100057

http://gallery.me.com/adorjun/100057

CHS ALUMNAE GRAND REUNION

The CHS GRAND ALUMNAE REUNION - The Gala Night, the Gala Show, the whole weekend, was a huge success!! Gracielu Rebullida, who did a fantastic job as host and emcee for the Gala night and show, sums it all up -

"The CHS Grand Reunion was a smash. When you have talent, passion and commitment...when you can't keep 50 somethings from the dance floor until the party ends and you raise over 225K in less than 16 hours, that's a success! Way to go CHS sisters!"

Unbelievable how we were able to raise so much money in such a short time and more coming in! Thanks, Dodit and Medy, on making a commitment on behalf of our class. Kudos to Dodit on becoming the next president of the chapter. We're very proud of you!

And as Adel initiates on her sweet note to our class to heed the call to give back to our alma mater - This is your invitation to please consider to “Be an opener of doors for such as come after thee.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal." -Albert Pines

And as proud as I was being the musical director of the gala show, that was just the tip of the iceberg. The real gratification came from the commitment from the alumnae to give back to our beloved school, College of the Holy Spirit! What pride we all have in our alma mater!

Thanks, Adel, for the reminders.

http://gallerychsaf.multiply.com/photos/album/12

Great Song Line

Walking home from the gym, I turned my i-Pod on and Mon David's Coming True jazz cd was on. 

Mon David is a very good friend of mine. We used to have a jazz group in Manila called Fourplay in the 80's with 4 vocals ala MANHATTAN TRANSFER. He was the leader of the band and I, the musical director. One of the highlights of our group's career, the apex, I'd say, was when Manhattan Transfer came to Manila for a concert, heard about our group, went to our show and they were thrilled, so "flattered" because we adored and emulated them that they joined us onstage and sang a couple of their songs! What a high that was!! They also complimented my piano playing. My manager, in fact, told me later that they "want" me. To play with 'em?! Whoa! That could have been my passport to fame, huh!

Back to Mon, an incredible singer, world-class, he won the FIRST INT'L JAZZ VOCALS COMPETITION in London in 2006 representing the Philippines! Another Filipino, huh! In fact, just recently, I met John Calloway, flutist, percussionist, one of the most sought after Bay Area musicians, another Filipino, and I told him about last year's SF FIL/AM JAZZ FESTIVAL where we played together but at different stages and I mentioned that Mon is my friend and he says, "Oh, Mon, he's a 'killer' (musician)!"

Back to Mon's cd - great album, great band, great production! The music playing then had particularly great lyrics. One line got me hooked - 

You can never lose a thing if it belongs to you. 

Love it! When I reached home, I immediately looked for his album to see the title of the song and it's "Throw It Away". It looked ironic until I read the whole lyrics. Great song, great line!

http://www.mondavid.com