j a n s e n. i. s. m.

The annual Christmas party with my college friends was celebrated at Rodel’s place again last Sunday night. Having learned from last year’s party, Rodel and I had this agreement for this year: (1)the early hours will be exclusive dinner with friends, (2)we will have a voice chat with Sheena straight from Dubai after, (3) then he can invite anyone else to the party later in the night.

I was quite satisfied that the night went on as planned even if more friends have absent marks in the attendance sheet this year: Jhing wasn’t feeling well, Anne has some familial issues, Jhoy is back from her vacation in Pangasinan but has to look after their bar business in GST, Jess is from an out of town and  is perhaps too tired to get his ass to the party, while the rest are miles away abroad.

(L-R) Jayson, Ryan(Glads

We didn’t do home cook meals this year and instead ordered sumptuous take out food from Red Ribbon for a simple potluck dinner. As a tradition now, we brought Christmas gifts for everyone, I got a book from Rodel, mug from Jane, hanky from Anne, book again from Judie, mug again from Glads, and the most surprising gift I received that evening– a corn yellow-colored teddy bear from Jayson (even if I told him two weeks ago that I’d be happy with just socks). The last gift seems to be the most thoughtful but I realize only Gladys and orphaned kids would really appreciate this kind.

Around 9pm, we started a video/voice chat with our most-missed friend Sheena. We never had this multimedia chat with her before and some of my friends have not heard her voice in a long time so it was such a thrilling experience. It was also a chance for Sheen to introduce Mark, (who’s celebrating his birthday then) to the rest of our friends. Later on, Jhing (who’s resting at their house) joined us in the chat.

Glads, his younger brother Ryan, Jayson, and Mrs. Montreal (Jane) had to leave the party early then after ending the chat with Sheena, Marky and Jhing, Rodel’s friends were almost in full attendance. This was composed of his usual drinking buddies (Mimi, Ever, Che-che), his close friend Mike who’s here on vacation from the US, Rodel’s returning “just friend” Dan and then some familiar friends from college namely, Jener, Rondee Mark, Mark Jeff and his wife Anna.

(L-R) Rodel (the party host), Mike, Rondee, Mark Jeff and partner Anna, me

After several beer gulps, a shot of vodka, Mudslide, Bailey’s cream and even a couple of Fundador, surprisingly I didn’t go home drunk nor did I suffer diarrhea. Yay! I came home with a bunch of Christmas presents from my dearest life friends with memoirs of a fun night including the misbehavior of many who called themselves “too drunk” and the overwhelming manners of one who can be called “too diva”.

12.13.08.

Married. Earlier this week, my college friend Mary Jane announced that she is getting married this Saturday. The short notice automatically raised both eyebrows and the question of “are you pregnant?” and she quickly confirmed… that she is NOT. It’s quite disappointing to realize that in our society now, when someone young announces that she’s getting married, the first thing that comes to our mind is unexpected pregnancy rather than one’s mature decision to spend the rest of their lives with someone. Jane is the most reserved and conservative friend I’ve known in college and I have nothing but admiration for her, for having decided with Albert to get married at this point of their lives.

Interestingly, the first time I met Albert, he was just Jane’s new boyfriend and the next time, he’s her husband already. But the again, I guess I am luckier than some of my friends who are meeting him for the first time.

Reunited. Rodel, Judie and I skipped the Montreal-Porcioncula civil wedding rites and instead just went to the reception at the bride’s new family residence in Gen. Trias (our first time in the place). Concurrently, we reunited with Jhing who is on a month-long vacation from her work in Dubai. We have not seen her for about a year I think but chatting and laughing with her seems like no days, weeks or months have passed in between.

We left the place around 3:30pm, and decided to take a long walk going to the exit gate of the huge and serene subdivision. I wish to live in a subdivision soon but living in a suburbia lifestyle will definitely take some getting used to. Along the way, we took turns in picture-taking and poked fun of each other. The photos look quite serious but what happened in between the shots was a laughing trip.

Watched. Afterwards, Judie came with me to the mall to watch “Twilight”, finally after three weeks of procrastinating and wishful thinking. The movie did not exactly disappoint me and did not wow me either. I enjoyed that what I have read in the book finally got a visual representation but there were just some awkward scenes in the movie like: (a) flashback on how Carlisle bit Edward to make him a vampire; (b) Bella on Edward’s back climbing the trees a la Spiderman (which he did not do with Mary Jane); (c) the baseball game in the forest which somehow reminded me of Harry’s Quidditch match.

Chatted. I came home past 9pm, quickly went online after dinner to chat with my cousin/superfriend Sheena all the way in Dubai. I felt closer with her even if she is miles away and I am confident that she is one person that I can talk to about everything and always the good listener. Then later in the night, I surprisingly found myself chatting with an old ‘friend’ also now based abroad. I stayed up late and went to bed almost 1am, a smile glowing within the darkness of my room with rediscovered lessons from my long lost friend.