Happiest 29th Birthday to my dearest Sunshine, B1A4's Sandeul.🎂🎉
Wishing you a Cake-A-Licious Happy 45th Birthday, Maria Rachelle!
It was a very draining Saturday in class as always but my energy level was still very high at 5 in the afternoon. Class was good; I behaved as I should even though deep inside I want to strangle the neck of somebody within my reach. Good thing, I have friends in class who were texting me to put a smile on my face and to cheer up.
As the class wraps up for the day, I was giddily counting the minutes to dinnertime. I was to meet my former officemates and to celebrate the birthdays of Sheryl and Jannice.
Since class was dismissed early, I had time to chat with some of my classmates while waiting for their friends as well. It was nice to talk to Cat and Sheyan and even with the students from the other class.
As I wait for my friends’ arrival, they kept me company. Iyra was the first to arrive and then we fetched Sheryl who got a little bit disoriented in Diliman's campus and then Jannice infront of the Kapuso compound.
So that we don’t have to travel far away, I decided to have dinner within the area. It is good since it will be near for the three beautiful ladies. We had dinner at Chili’s Bar and Grill in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
It was Sheryl who I haven’t seen for a long time. Four years! During the absence, we stay connected through chats, sms, and emails and of course, letter writing. Oh yes, I still believe in the power of the postal services. Sheryl changed a lot. She’s now blooming with longer locks and with confidence. She’s no probinsiya anymore. Iyra, the “Cutie”, was there and the last time I saw her was in 2007 with Jeremy during a side trip to Diliman from The Medical City. She is now wearing braces and we all agreed that she’s skinnier than before and warned her that she should eat more since she’s too slim. We missed her chubby cheeks and long hair. She’s now sporting a shorter do and takes a few years off from her age. Same with Sheryl, we never failed to update ourselves with the use of modern communication. Jannice or Ja, was very tired coming from her work in Las Pinas and was just so happy to see the two ladies as well.
We were calling Jeremy but he was not answering his calls and he was supposed to join us. Mike had to go to another planned gig while Marvin was out of town and Norman was out of the country.
Much as we want to spend time with the rest of our group, some of our officemates are already in various parts of the world. Abbie and Jean are in Sharjah and Dubai respectively while Raphael is in Bahrain. The significant others of some are also out of reach during dinner. Ka Roger is in Jeddah while Carlos was in Cagayan De Oro.
The night was purely just for the four of us. Four “single” ladies with tons of smiles, laughter and of course, good food to top the night.
We talked about almost everything. Work, school, entertainment, current events, love life, sex life and most of all the lives that we lead since the time we left our Concorde address and the people we met during those short but memorable times.
Dinner was not enough for all our stories. Since Roger’s coming home for a month’s vacation, Iyra suggested for another round, this time longer and more intimate. Iyra will organize the get-together and will try to have more of these good times. Sheryl suggested for karaoke and barbeque night, while Jannice suggested some swimming and I was thinking of doing all of it.
We almost forgot that it was a birthday celebration when we were about to dig in with our dessert. We informed our server about it and we got a freebie Birthday Sundae.
Much as we want to talk on and on it was getting too late for us and decided to call it a night. I distributed my birthday presents to She and Ja; and of course gave a present to Iyra as well.
As we were going out of Chili’s, we promised for a much sooner get-together. The dinner was really “bitin” and we missed our boys.
We parted with smiles in our faces and I was cruising on my way home, I can’t help it but reminisce the times we were together as officemates. It seems too long ago and a very short time for us, but the experience and the friendship that was developed was definitely for keeps.
One question lingering in my mind as I reach home, in Ja’s words – can we ever be complete as before? My answer – I really don’t know.
1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
She got an earlier surprise of a home-cooked meal of pasta and pork from her two adorable kids and lovable mom but she never thought of receiving another surprise.
For a fraction of time, they kept on guessing. Rachelle was saying she’s not yet dead and yet somebody sent her flowers. The kids thought it was from Lola Charing. Rachelle on the other hand was very excited to go home from work.
It was Axel who saw the card enclosed in the bouquet:
On your birthday, Rachelle, and every day...
…we are wishing you moments that delight you, special times and laughter, happiness that grows, and wonderful memories to keep.
Have a Great Birthday!
love,
Ralline Jean and Family
I was waiting for Kyla’s report and glad she was able to send me pictures. Thanks, Kyla for the feed.
Again, happy belated birthday, Rachelle! Hugs and kisses!
Pancakes. Electronics. Phad Thai. Phantom. Entertainment. Rachelle.
Today is Rachelle’s 39th birthday. Much as we want to have a Sistahud gathering to celebrate her birthday, we simply cannot. She lives thousand miles away from the rest of the girls and not to mention, it would cost us lots just to see physically her smiling face.
Yet, even before she turned 39, I already surprised her with several birthday presents when she visited us in Las Vegas during the holidays. I was really happy to see her again even for just 25 hours. It is time (and money!) well spent with one of my dearest friends. Lucky us!
After driving for almost four hours from Alhambra to the City of Lights, we shared breakfast at I.H.O.P. wherein they are known for famous American breakfast foods such as pancakes, waffles and omelettes. We shared a hearty meal with my sister and brother. Filling up our tummies with coffee and good food, we started our day in Las Vegas.
We got lost several times but we did reach our destination and we even saw the Welcome to Las Vegas Signage. We just could not resist so we took pictures. Then we went around the shopping district of WalMart, Office Depot, Ross, Best Buy, Circuit City and the like. Wow in 3 hours that is like a year’s worth of salary! He! He! He! It was fun updating each other with tons of stories and laughing out loud while waiting in line in the retail stores.
After shopping for the much needed stuff, we got tired and hungry. Finding a good place to eat, Rachelle saw one of my “memorable” restaurants in Las Vegas. I won’t tell the whole story about the said restaurant because I keep on laughing just remembering our faces. We had Thai food for late lunch and Rachelle got her dose of Thai Iced Tea and we had Phad Thai, Chicken and Pork BBQ, Tom Yum Goong and of course a big bowl of Steamed White Rice. Yum!!
Unfortunately, time is upon us and we had to get ready for our ultimate entertainment experience for the night. We treated Rachelle for an evening of music and opera, Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. It is one of my absolute favorites ever and really anticipating this event the whole time. Rachelle loved the show and the state of the art technology and effects, even the custom-built theater made us feel that we were in the Opera Garnier in Paris. To complete the Phantom experience, Chloe and Reyboy bought her a Phantom souvenir coffee mug while I got the famous music box. Fantastic!
No trip to The Venetian would be complete without dining to one of its fine dining restaurants. Where else?! We made reservations prior to our Vegas trip at Mario Batali’s B&B Ristorante. It features Batali and his partner, Joseph Bastianich’s acclaimed blend of exquisite Italian food. We enjoyed our selection of appetizers and main courses and though Rachelle didn’t order dessert, I shared with her my chocolate gelato. Pure heaven! I can still remember the taste and am craving for more right now. That gelato is worth the trip and the wait!
Before heading back to our hotel after the late dinner, we strolled around the Venetian, had a picture taken with Humpty Dumpty, played a few slots and eventually drove throughout the Strip to see the lights.
It was already morning when we head back to the hotel but we had fun and enjoyed the trip! Then Rachelle gave me a Christmas present that was so cute. Thanks a lot my friend! I had sleep before heading back to Alhambra while I pack some stuff for her to bring home. I have gifts as well for dearest Nanay Charing, the uber tall Axel and of course, Kikay Kyla. Hope they enjoyed them!
Although it was just 25 hours, the time spent with Rachelle will certainly last for several months. I asked her prior to her leaving as I was hugging her if she enjoyed the day, she said she did and was so happy with all of her presents.
One thing that she just mentioned as she was pulling off the hotel driveway, “come back soon and stay longer”! Well, we certainly will now!
Rachelle, happy 39th birthday! Hope your day is filled with surprises and dreams come true.
It was an advance birthday celebration (December 22 is the exact date) and a Christmas get-together rolled into one. I was leaving the next day for a Winter Holiday with my siblings and I cannot afford NOT to party with my Sistahud.
If you’ve been following our dates, you’ll know our side remark regarding the birthday girl, Mary Ann aka Marianna. She walks a lot. If the meeting place is in the Makati area and it’s a work day, she’ll definitely walk her way to the venue. Given the proximity, yes, it is good to walk but guess what, she always comes in late. So, for this date, I applaud Marianna. She came first to the venue. Hooray! December 17, 2008, a sure date to remember!
Yes, she still walked going to Tony Roma’s. I, on the other hand, was the tardy Sistahud. I got caught in terrible traffic coming from work and they were already eating appetizers when I reached TRG4. I cannot blame myself entirely for my tardiness, it’s the holiday season and everybody’s out for last minute shopping finds.
Once settled, we immediately got busy eating our ribs, seafood and steak dinner. Yum! Yum! Since we love the freebie bread with herb butter from TRG4, we asked another serving and just munched them away. While we are having dinner, we talked about updates regarding career, family and of course, love life. This is always a necessity! Tsismis Sa Gitna Ng Tsibog!
You bet we do have our colorful love stories especially the birthday girl’s love life. All along she didn’t know that we’ve been talking about her in her sister’s blog. Even her Mom was part of the conversation. See, Marianna, you’re very famous! Charing!
