beauty inside and out.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Excited over 2008

There's something about the media noche that makes me happy and nostalgic. It's the one occasion my family and I look forward to. When I was a kid, I'd spend my time watching television, praying (yes, I used to say my prayers about not getting killed by stray bullets) and eating. I would also sometimes sleep so I would have the energy to jump as high as I could when the clock strikes 12. The elders say it would add inches to my height. What a joke! My brothers tower over me now. I can't even be a flight attendant because I'm petite.

Since working in a call center would mean being in the office during the holidays, I filed for vacation leaves as early as June 10. I was at home for the noche buena, December 30 and January 1. I was irked when I saw that they signed me up to work on December 31 from 4:30 to 11:00 PM. Fortunately, my dad had some things to finish in the office until 7:00 so he agreed to pick me up after my shift. I was supposed to ask them to drive from Cavite to Makati like three years ago. The agents from Dell E-care had work on the 31st until about 8:00 PM. Vayie and I walked to Starmall to wait for my parents who dropped off a sack of rice and fruits in my aunt's house in Montalban, Rizal.

I was so excited about celebrating with my family that I failed to get some sleep the whole day. I felt dizzy but I didn't feel sleepy. I had to take Advil when I got to work so I could function properly. I need to get some sleep before working because I would have palpitations if I don't. Only Owen, Chris, Arcie, Brian, Zack, Majo and Joni went to work. Our other teammates were either on leave or absent. I wore a yellow coverup over a white camisole and a pair of shoes with stripes in different colors. I always buy new outfits with stripes for the New Year. It's one tradition I follow. I don't know if it's true that wearing shirts with stripes and polka dots would bring one lots of money. I always manage to make myself broke after anyway.

The night went by in a blur. I remember taking calls and answering emails, eating crackers, nuggets and fries in McDonald's for lunch. People were scampering to buy food before the fastfood closes at 8:00 PM. I sent my dad a message at 9:00 PM asking him to wait for me in front of Mini Stop in Pasong Tamo. A few minutes before 11:00, I had my stuff packed and my headset and mug tucked inside my locker. At exactly 11:00, I picked up my huge bag and made a run for it. I passed by Gi's station to wait for her so we could take the elevator together. Her boyfriend, Karl was waiting outside. When we got to the street between our building and the condominium beside it, we saw Karl and his family who were packed in a red car. He greeted me as I dialed my dad's number because I couldn't see our car parked anywhere in Mini Stop. He parked pala on the other side of the street with Milbert, a guy who used to work for my parents in Mindoro. I sat in the passenger's seat, tried to fasten my seatbelt but found it stuck so I gave up trying. My dad told me that we would be passing by Villamor and not EDSA like I thought. I didn't recognize Pasong Tamo Extension anymore. The last time I went there was when I was in second year high school and I visited my friends in Makati Hope. My dad slowed the car down a little when we got in front of my old school. I looked at it longingly while thinking of the wonderful memories. I gazed at the sidewalk going to my mom's office building and I was happy to see that it was still covered with dry leaves from a tree that was there since I was in kindergarten. Same scene as before. I saw Karrivin Plaza formerly Sarmiento Building II. There's a Starbucks in the ground floor and I was brought back to the old times when I used to roam around the building going on errands for my mom. People used to know me there because of her. When I went back wearing my high school uniform, they all oohed and aahed over how big I've grown. They probably remember me as the kid who wore headbands and was always hanging around to wait for her mom to go home. My dad was as excited as I was. Maybe because he was always proud of me for surviving in a Chinese school when nobody speaks Chinese at home. Haha!

After dropping off Milbert in Villamor, my dad and I went straight to Baclaran to get to Roxas Boulevard. I was fidgeting in my seat looking out the car window for fireworks being placed in the street. Some people have this bad habit of hurling firecrackers at passing vehicles so we drove carefully. We saw some people waiting for public utility vehicles in MIA road. I was surprised to see that there were other people stuck outside their homes on an occasion like that. When we got to Coastal Road, we found an empty expressway. Our car was the only one that passed through the toll plaza. I felt bad for the people who had to stay working there. It reminded me of the Jollibee commercial.

driving by Coastal Road on New Year's eve

the Christmas tree in Bacoor

By the time we entered the vicinity of Bacoor, fireworks were already going off in the dark sky. My dad kept asking me for the time fearing that we won't make it home in time. I gave my wristwatch nervous glances when we got to Imus. He wanted to pass by Tito Arnel's house but decided not to when he found out that we had less than 20 minutes. When we were nearing Malagasang in Imus, beautiful fireworks just appeared right on top of Dasma. I realized how beautiful it was to be out in the open because I had a clear view of the sky. Kit asked me to buy firecrackers in stalls near the highway to add to the ones my mom bought earlier but nobody was selling firecrackers anymore. I texted Gladz to greet her and she asked me where I was. I told her we were near the village and she told me that I would make it home to be with my family. True enough, when my dad maneuvered our car into our street, I saw my neighbors celebrating outside. It was already 12. I got out of the car and ran towards our gate where my brothers were standing. Gem told me he liked my shoes as I handed him my bag so I could take pictures using my phone.

the fountain Kit lit when I got home

It was a beautiful media noche. After we finished lighting all our firecrackers and fountains, we went inside to eat. We had carbonara, chicken macaroni salad, mocha cake, chocolate mousse, halayang ube, valenciana, crispy pata, fruits and chocolates. I ate my fill and went inside my room to change into my pajamas. I dozed off and woke up at 5:00 AM.

***

To-do list

I am excited about the year of the rat. I started scribbling important things on my planner and I had an agreement with my college buddies and Augy to save money this year and travel. I have a lot of things to look forward to this year and I know this one is going to be a lot better than 2007. Far better than any year I've spent as an adult. Cheers!

my mom's small hoard of chocolates from Makro

a gift for my mom that she decided to give to me. Definitely one of my favorite bags due to the size.

feistylittle bitch
3:30 AM