2007 in Review: Highlights of 2007

2007. Last January, Keysi and I had the Mezzaluna pact, where we predicted that this year (2007 back then) will be our year. In retrospect, and on this first day of 2008, I ask myself if it was. Hmm. Well, 2006 was a better year. 2007 is the year of "steady". A year of change (sort of), reconnecting with friends, taking steps forward (very small ones), and drinking!

Gimiks
I'm no party animal, but my Mom often tells me, "Anak, bilib ako sa energy mo!" Some people have also told me that I like going out a lot. To some extent, I think that's true. The mole on my right foot kinda says I can't stay put. 2007 brought a lot of great gimiks. Mostly in the Taguig and Paranaque vicinities.

There's Embassy with Nikki, the Geocanigas, and Tanquiluts. Dinner at Jaipur, drinks at Cuisine, then dancing to house music in Embassy. We rarely get to see our very down-to-earth half Pinay, half American niece. She rocks!

Discovering Serendra and BF Homes - Oh my. I've crossed off several restos from my list. I heart Serendra and BF Paranaque. Serendra with the Mirriam Girls, where Olga, Joyce, April, Lery, and Meg told us the funniest anecdotes. BF's the place to be. Central, Laiya, LA Armada (you've got to try it... to appreciate how awesome the other places in BF are!) and our favorite, Tides! The Tanqs have become regulars at this Aguirre hotspot. We can't get enough of Red Tide!

Condo Girls Reunion @ April's - Jeanina, April, and Lery all met up at April's to reminisce about our golden days at Xavierville Royale. A million laughs at Jan's thousand peso fine for a VHS tape she failed to return, her noteworthy crushies, and drunken condo stories. Of course, there's April's very showbiz love life and Lery's intense love affairs. Maan! You should have been there!

The best holy week inuman EVER - Out of town. Fontana. Post-procession fatigue combined with cheap mixed drinks and the funniest Questions drinking game. I always say this. I practically peed in my pants laughing my ass off. Everyone finally discovered the clown in Gelo.

Liquor Ban Geocaniga inuman - Spontaneity and the thrill of being caught. Hehe. The Geocanigas in Manila (Daks me, Mark, Rommel, Issang, and Tonton) took a bottle of Alize and a can of four seasons for a ride. Conversations about families, love, and practically everything under the sun. Sound tripping!

Nanay's 85th Birthday and the Balikbayans
I have to say this Nanay's 85th birthday is one of our best parties. Family effort talaga ito. Everyone pitched in and participated. It wasn't always easy or stress-free. But it was all worth it. Tito Boy dancing to the Papaya tune. The soon-to-be-legendary 26 gays. We also had our balikbayans over and they were a lot of fun!
We took Chris out, who was sick at that time. When Noel and Aileen visited, it was more trips to our favorite tambayan in BF. Milet and Aileen were "the hulk", and we never made them forget!

Work Changes and Work Steady

2006 saw several Focus project struggles. While we were discovering how huge the application was, we had to prove to the client that we were capable. 2007 I think was a better year for our project (overall). Most of us grew in our roles. We had hell months of course, when my inbox would get 200 emails a day and my phone would be ringing off the hook from 8AM till 8PM. Then there's the birth of the "I would appreciate it" tone. Towards the latter part of the year, twas more "steady sailing". We saw several people leave our project, namely Nelson, Tammy, Junel, Sonny, Jaime, Allan... All part of the original transition team.

Outside the project, I'd say I made a couple of notable accomplishments. Passing my CSTE. Thank you review sessions and that evening at Starbucks when I put my short term memory to good use. This year, I was asked to be a panelist for the International Women's Day. I was quite honored to be invited, and it was a pretty good experience. Then there's that talk I gave about Stewardship at the New Joiners Orientation.

MTS is still very close to my heart. The MTS Luau was a huge success! Thanks to my very able and hard working organizing committee. Despite the uncooperative weather, the party was a success! Towards the end of the year, we had the Christmas Party at Bagaberde. I almost blew a fuse (which I later concluded was a side effect of an empty stomach and a glass of red wine), but overall was a fun party.


Focus Team Buildings
There were a few, but all of them were a blast. Everyone in the project works hard and plays hard. Hehe. I've been blessed to be part of a project with the funniest and most interesting people in The Firm.

ESS/Testing Team Building - Last summer, the ESS/Testing team went to Enchanted Kingdom. I tried carting for the first time! Silk Thai dinner a few months after. I grilled the DBA newbie about an old flame. Heehee.

We sang our hearts out at Balay ni Juan for Nelson's despidida. Angelo and Ceasar kept us entertained with their antics and their champion hirits. Bossanovavilla was born in Balay ni Juan.

I was "saling-kit" at the Production Support dinner at Pier One. Crazy Middleware pictures. A very red Angelo. Seeing Bebet and my old Asti crushie. Hehe.

Bowling - Garsh. Hanapin ang pinaka-bano sa bowling. Schmenten is no athlete. I was the lowest scorer! We all needed to unwind, and this activity also encouraged a lot of team spirit.

Christmas Party at Cravings - Nice way to cap off the year. We made the right decision to choose Angelo, Pasqui, and Ceasar (Tito, Vic, and Jimmy) to host the partey at Cravings Shangri-La. The games were uber fun, and the hosts' hirits classic. We will not let Ceasar forget his booboo with "Palpatoc". The days leading up to the party (where we devoured "USB", "Thumbler", and "shoulder bag") were laughter filled days.

Changes
Schmenten had to face certain realities in 2007. Major changes and other people's lives. Karina moved out of Paranaque. That meant the end of those sporadic weekend meetings at Alabang Town Center or Cafe Francais.

I also sported a new hairdo this year! I've had my long hair for about five years, and I decided to go short last summer. Mala-Mariel! It was a nice change. I want to grow it though. My siopao face is not in agreement with the shorter hairstyle.

The biggest change of them all though was Keysi leaving for the US. Broke my heart. I had to say goodbye to YBs, Friday night outs, chikahans, shopping sprees, and so many other things. I am happy for my friend, don't get me wrong (coz I sounded pretty selfish from the beginning of the paragraph, hehe). It's just that we've had this routine for several years, and nothing beats being togther. Haaay.

Bonding Moments
Lotsa bonding moments with old friends and family this year!

I think I set a record high in 2007 for the number of trips to Casa Maria, visiting my girls Camille, Ina, and Ate Love. We discovered the love of beading and just hanging out, listening to the tunes on my iPod. Argh. I love these girls!

Irene and I sort of reconnected this year. Hehe. She's been away for about four years, and although we keep close contact via emails and the occasional phone calls, we were more together this year than the previous years combined. Hehe.

And finally, how can I forget long Yahoo chats and Skype conversations with Ate Gret? I miss her terribly!

Weddings
Syempre. Mawawala ba ang weddings?

First CafPPl wedding - Jason and Cathy's wedding! Everyone all dressed up!

Paolo and Suzie's Proposal and Wedding - My oh my. I must say. The sweetest moment of 2007 goes to Paolo proposing to Suzie. In Kitaro, Robinson's Pioneer Mall. Mwahaha. They're one of my favorite couples.

Rosan and Darlo's Wedding - Also on Tenten's favorite couple list. Hehe. This wedding had the longest "To Bring List" in the history of Tenten's weddings. It was a real pleasure working with these two. Their wedding was intimate and touching. Bibay hearts the Central boys. I heart the kalbo guys who came!

Winston and Ave's Wedding - Second D Gang wedding. Beautiful couple. Elegant set-up at the reception,yummy Gloria Maris dinner, and a kick-ass AVP.

Kuya Lan and Monina's Wedding - I think this was this year's sole Tanquilut family wedding. Lotsa booboos with the outfits, tiring wedding prep, but fun reception. Saw the birth of Lencx the Production Assistant. Hehe.

Travels
I had two trips this year. Jakarta with Irene and Bangkok with Mama. I'm happy I went to Jakarta because I got to meet Irene's beau and her friends. Food trip and a little shopping. First time in Bangkok without Miss Maliwat, but Mama and I had a lot of bonding time, so it was good! I heart shopping.

MBA
Finally took my GMAT. After hours of review, several cups of coffee, and a four-hour nail biting exam session, I got my GMAT score. Darnit.

My 28th
Highlights of my birthday include: Receiving flowers from Keyce (they were lovely!);
Dinner with Karina at Clawdaddy (my perennial birthday evening date); Dinner with Mike at Serye (kahit sa 'Serye lang to ha', the boneless chicken barbecue is always awesome); Lunch at Spiral with the family (l.a.m.o.n f.e.s.t); and the best inuman session thus far with the Titas, cousins, and nephews at Tides (Drunken Artetas, tipsy Schmenten, overflowing drinks and food, tawanan galore). Pucha. Two years to go and I'll be the big 3-0. Not exactly a happy thought.

Christmas oh seven
I'm no Scrooge when it comes to the holidays, and Christmas is always my favorite time of the year. Bullet points for the Christmas that was:

** St. James Bazaar - Although no selling of Meldita earrings took place, Mike and I had fun sampling the free pastries and longanissa. Kinda made me miss the bazaar scene.

** Accenture Christmas party at SMX - Once Dow, always Dow. It was nice to hang out with peeps from my old project. My old teammates have left the Firm, unfortunately. The drive going to SMX was a lot of laughs too (Mike pretending to be Schmenten while talking to Karina). Mocha left all of the attendees with mouths agape.

** JB Dinners at Serendra and GB5 - Kars and I dressed up for the occasion! Hehe!

** CafPPl Christmas dinner - 10 years from now talk was such a laugh trip. Out came everyone's deepest desires and their imagination.

** Being the official Focus caterer, serving the peeps their lunch on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

** Sonya's garden with Middleware and Staffware teams - The lunch was awesome. And I had the best massage ever. Four hand massage from now on and nothing less.

** GVS christmas partey at Mariless' - Carl never fails to crack us up with his potty remarks. Schmenten's pesto cream pasta made a second appearance at a Villamar party.

** D Gang Christmas Get together - Jan announced her engagement!

** Tanquilut Christmas party - A fun party as always. Which ended with two worried parents after seeing what excessive drinking can do to their usually perfectly sane and sober daughter.