Sunday, December 30, 2007
Week Past 12/24-12/30/07
Mon 12/24 is Christmas Eve. Spent most of my day at work painting our Dr's office. Finally, I got to practice painting a room. Now I have an idea on how to go about painting rooms in our home. Tedious as it was, there is that feeling of accomplishment when I got it done. I was apprehensive at first if I could finish it with the alloted time I have to work that day. But it's done finally.
When I got home I had enough time to rest and prepare our "noche buena" before attending the Christmas eve mass. There was a church choir Christmas presentation or carol. It started a bit late from the scheduled 10:00 pm. We were able to get home around almost 12:00 am to celebrate Christmas eve. Pics below shows moi and my brother having a toast of red wine. Merry Christmas.
Tue 12/25 Christmas Day I took my brother for a drive in Minneapolis. The day is cloudy, cold and freezing and the streets in the city were empty. Minneapolis is like Makati. Busy during weekdays and empty on weekends except at night when restaurants, theaters and clubs are open.I was trying to find the St Mary's Basilica but I took the wrong turn. So we just 'toured" the city. Then snow started to fall as forecasted so we headed home.
Thu 12/27 W arrived from her sojourn in Manila after almost three weeks. Picked her up at the airport and proceeded home. Tired from her travel, we decided to just stay at home for dinner so she can recover from her jet lag. Then ate out on Fri 12/28 at Old Country Buffet and Sat 12/29 at Mystic Lake Casino since my brother would be going home on Sun 12/30. It's the last hurrah to enjoy each other's company with W now present.
Finally Sun 12/30 we took my brother to the airport for his 11:00 am flight to Manila. There is always this feeling of nostalgia when you send off somebody after spending time with you. Brief as it may it's always there. But life goes on...
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Week Past 12/17-12/23/07
"Winter Begins" is written on the calendar dated Sat 12/22. Very apt. Snow and spinouts greeted the day. A reminder of what to expect in the coming 90 days before spring officially begins. Nonetheless my brother and I decided to take the anticipated mass when I got back from work. It is expected that there'll be more snow the following day Sun 12/23. We were not disappointed. I had to shovel snow in our driveway. The day did not only bring snow but also strong winds causing snow drifts. I was thinking of taking my brother out but caution took the better of us. Still, you wouldn't believe how many people are still out doing their last minute shopping. Here's my take on what they're trying to make:
Neither rain, sleet or snow
Will prevent people to go
Will prevent people to go
To shop 'til they drop
And buy 'til they die
And buy 'til they die
Just to make sure presents are bought
For people precious in their thoughts
For people precious in their thoughts
Christmas is near
And everybody's astir
And everybody's astir
Busy in preparation
For the coming family celebration
For the coming family celebration
Joyful in anticipation
For the coming reunion
For the coming reunion
Gifts must be had
Regardless if the weather is bad
Regardless if the weather is bad
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Week Past 12/10-12/16/07
Mon 12/10 from the gym I went to the airport to pick up my brother Ric who flew in (11:00 am) from Manila to spend Christmas with me. I was a bit late as he was already waiting for me. We went straight to Apple Valley to drop something in our store located there. So I had him window shopping immediately. We are really getting old. Last time I saw him, maybe two or three years ago, he didn't have that much whites in his hair. When you're part of the Golden Boys Club and the
Wed 12/12 the weatherman on the radio was exuberant in describing the
Thu 12/13 was my day off so I took my brother to the
Thu 12/13 was my day off so I took my brother to the
Fri 12/14 we went out for dinner at Hong Kong Buffet. In this kind of weather with snow and temps below freezing your choice of places to visit are limited. It's either you go to a mall or eat out where you are warm and protected from the environment. Going to work on Sat 12/15 morning the temp was -5 and my hands were freezing even with gloves on. The windchill was about -15. And it's still one week away from the official winter season.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Week Past 12/03-12/09/07
Thu 12/06 drove W to the airport for her 9 am flight to Manila. She won't be back until after Christmas on Thu 12/27. I told her it's not a problem to spend Christmas with her family as my in-laws are not getting any younger. Lucky for me my parents have visa so they come by and visit us every year.
Like an individual about to go on solitary confinement (an exaggeration) I have conditioned myself to spend a quiet Christmas alone. I was looking forward to it. A change in the usual hectic holiday celebration. A time to really reflect on the meaning of Christmas. Nothing cerebral for that's way over me. Just contemplate and hopefully not fall asleep doing so. That's what usually happens when your mind is so blank. Duh.
I have long recognized that my link to our circle of "friends" is W. The people we hang around with are either W's co-workers, have worked with, or doing business with. Without her I don't think I'll be getting any invitations for any Christmas get together. I prefer it that way. I feel very uncomfortable mingling with people and doing small talk and then nothing. I'm not a good guest or host for I don't talk much but I try to be a good listener.
Anyways, my brother Ric called from Manila and said he was able to book a flight Mon 12/10 going to MN. So he'll be spending Christmas with me. There goes my contemplation:) I told him it'll just be the two of us. So he'll have the quiet time he longs for but has to contend with whatever food I'll prepare during his stay. But W would have none of it. God bless her soul. Day before her flight she prepared and cooked some of our meals so we'll just reheat it. I told her I can manage. I assured her it'll be edible. Delectable? That'll be another matter.
With temperatures below normal like 10 and below I advised my brother to brace himself for the freezing temps. Sat 12/08 on my way to work the temp was a -5 and winter is not even here yet. Not until 12/22 Sat. What in the world am I doing in MN???
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Week Past 11/26-12/02/07
Sat 12/01 W's company Pointwest had their 2007 Christmas party at Junbo restaurant. The theme was "Oscar Awards Night" so they had everybody dressed to the nines. It's the first time it was held in a restaurant. It also coincided with the first snowstorm for 2007 in MN. My closing co worker called in as it was difficult for her to drive in such a nasty weather and road condition. My other co worker requested if she could leave early. I can't refuse. I had to close shop early (7 pm) with my District Manager's approval. Traffic in our store slowed down beginning 5 pm and I had to be at W's affair by 7 pm.
I'd say their party was a success in spite of the storm. It was also the first time that they invited their clients' executives. Majority came in spite of the weather. Former Pointwest staff also attended even if they have to shell out a minimal fee. Pics shows some of the activities beginning at the bottom: food being served and the kids enjoying themselves; guests acting as judges watching the presentations of Pointwest staff who were divided into groups; awarding ceremonies; dancing the night away like there was no snowstorm.
The drive home (I left around 11 pm) took me almost an hour not including the time I spent scraping the ice on my windshield before I could drive off the parking lot. Snow were still falling and the roads slick and covered with snow. The snowplowers can't keep up.
At home I tried to drive over the snow that accumulated in our driveway. No success. No traction. It was thick and slippery. I had to shovel snow to get the car inside the garage. My front door neighbors saw my car stuck as they were walking out their guest to her vehicle and offered help to push. I thanked them but told them I'm good. A workout at 12 am. It's good that I'm off the following day.
