the weekend that was...

Pares

I woke up by the sound of my phone buzzing crazily and I checked who it was "B calling..." it read. I grumpily answered, asking why he called and he said he was gonna make plans for the both of us to have breakfast at Banapple and he was picking me up at the office in half an hour but I fibbed saying I was sick. I smiled thinking of J, I really wanted to meet up with the gang!

So I texted J asking what the plans were gonna be for that morning and I hope Charles tags along he-he, after half an hour, I sat comfortably at a stool in Pares, a favorite hangout and got excited that morning for our Angono trip. One order of siomai later, a box type car pulled up on the resto's driveway and I squinted to see J waving frantically at the backseat with Pechay, Myke, and Meg in tow. J gave me a long hug and said he was really happy to see me. I feel loved! Just a really good saturday fix to see all my closest friends there gave me a natural high. Everybody gathered on the U-bar and noisily ordered breakfast while Cher arrived which made the gang even more crazy.

Left or Right?

Meg was driving and J was navigating where we were supposed to go. But after Meg and her boyfriend had a spat, Meg was too upset to drive that J had to say if we were going left or right at the very last minute. The gang was really noisy that morning, talking about work, the car was literally on prozac with all the 'estrogen' coming out of the group.

Hello,Nanay

I whispered, "Good morning, Nanay" when we got to Angono. J's place is the bomb! Three bedrooms on the second floor, a homey kitchen, a comfy couch on the living room with all the christmas decors made my place looked like a shoebox or a rat house. We all headed to J's room where the little baby dogs greeted us lovingly. Jacko, the shih-tzu, Osis, the black dachshund and Molly, the streetdog who looked more human than Cher followed Myke and J everywhere. So J and discussed what we were going to eat for the whole day and I told him grilled food would be nice to have around the table during drinking spree

Let the pig-out day begin!

Okay, so I went to the kitchen to find J busy cooking pinsec frito dumplings and I helped a little by chopping the onions and tomatoes, he was really busy in the kitchen and Myke had been a sweetheart just asking me what he could get for me. A few minutes later, J gathered everyone on the table and had everyone impressed by the bountiful spread: Roasted Chicken, sodas, sizzling pork teriyaki and pinsec frito. We all had a great time talking about stuff around the table.

As we pat our tummies full, we all went out to have some air and while some of us smoked away, J was dragging out the grill and charcoal, so we could start on the barbecue. This bestfriend of mine never waste time! Being the wonderful host that he already is, he go ask everybody if they were having a good time and he kept saying how he appreciates the bonding moment. Here's the spread of the spree: 8 pitchers of beer, a platter full of fries, liempo, fish and barbecue. Myke keeps checking back with my glass full of soda and ice, yum! I can see J, animatedly telling his stories and happily sipping all the beer that he could muster.

One for the road

By the time night fall, we found Tetay sleeping happily over the couch while Molly barks on his favorite victim, Cher. Myke shared pictures of dogs and tells me how much maintenance they had to go through and it was worth it. Suddenly, Myke tells J that they should be getting on with dinner before everybody goes home. They really made sure the party was all out! So dinner was as splendid as our other eating sessions so, we hurried it up and had Meg hit the gas. We went home finding ourselves horseback riding instead of riding the car because of all the humps we had to go through. Angono was more than worth it. I had a great time and was telling Mama all about it. J and Myke, thanks for hosting a fab party! It was the best. You make good friends and because of your friendship, you make parties like these reach wonderful heights of bonding!

for Meg..

Everyday is a struggle, a work-in-progress. I know that this is hard for you but like I said, it takes baby steps to teach yourself that you can persevere. You have a strong support system, your kids foremost, but no one in this world will get you through your personal battle except yourself.

I see myself in you before..the very person who was weak and breaks everytime there is defeat. We may have lead different lives with a unique line of pattern. But the heartbreak you go through may have been the same pain I went through.

For you, Meg, my dear, a prayer. To teach your heart to be strong and courageous. Know that respect from someone who loves you is rewarding, however, giving due respect to you because you are a woman, is the ultimate gift from a person who values your beauty and sacredness.

Find sacrifice in love..that every tear you shed is a tear that will make you strong and no one will ever pull you down because you have loved so much. You are beautiful and may no person tell you any different.

Forgive what is left of your past and learn that there is no road leading back but moving forward.

Meg, if any guy have wronged you, just think that these are trials to help you know what you're capable of becoming for the future. A good man will treat you right and put you in a pedestal because he knows that you deserve to be there. Be in a happy place where nothing will doubt the love you give and the respect you have earned.

Be strong and hold your head up high, there is a lifetime ahead of you, a life filled with trials and tribulations but remember this is your life, you create memories, you decide on what needs to be done and the only boss of it, is you...