Here is the first batch of pictures from a trip I had yesterday.

Enjoy the pictures first. Text and another set of pics to follow.

Published Sunday, October 29, 2006 by Clayman. |

After a tiring day at work, I found something when I got home that just took away all the fatigue and stress.

I was about to go to my room, when I saw this medium-sized FedEx box sitting by our old piano. Hmmm, to be honest I wasn't expecting any packages or gifts since my birthday was over. But as I've said earlier, the seeing FedEx box was such a pleasant surprise.

Somehow, I didn't have to guess who sent the package. And I just want to say, "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

Uhm, so excited boy that I was, I brought the package to my room and placed it on my bed. I took a cutter and carefully opened one of the flaps.

When I saw the contents of the box, I forgot that it was already close to midnight. I just had to bring out all the contents and look at them. Hehehe!

My favorite was the pink birthday card.

You know that was more than enough. But still, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Published Friday, October 27, 2006 by Clayman. |

Last Sunday, I had celebration #2 all by myself. That's how I wanted it. I wanted to spend time alone on my special day.

Though I've been lately spending much of my time by myself, the Sunday thing was special because it was my birthday.

I went to Mass, I watched this performance, I went to the spa, I had a good dinner, and then I bought some stuff for celebration #3.

After the YWCA party and celeb #2, yesterday I had birthday celebration #3 at work.

Uhm, I just served lunch to close friends at work. It was extra special because the whole thing was a family effort. My Mom was the chief cook. My two brothers assisted her and brought the food to the office. My Dad was the runner for last minute missing ingredients. I took care of the groceries, the giveaways and the lootbags, the decors of the office (yes! I decorated our office. That's what you get when you're Kapampangan and homo. Hahaha!).

Whew! I didn't expect my 27th birthday to be this tiring. But I have no one else to blame but myself for all these "toxicities." Hehehe!

It's all fun though and very memorable. Hearing my friends praise the cooking of my Mom just made me happy. And then seeing my colleagues look like excited kids at a kiddie birthday party when I brought out the lootbags was also really enjoyable and memorable.

So that's basically how my birthday went. (Hmm, for my birthday next year, I'll just go and get a vacation. Hehe!)

Thank you Lord for another year!!! Thank you to all the well-wishers!!! Thank you to all who helped make the YWCA party a success!!! Thank you for the gifts!!!

Published Tuesday, October 24, 2006 by Clayman. |

Yesterday we had our party with the kids of YWCA in Manila.

Friends from Pahinungod and from work came so it was all good. I thought only a few people would be able to go because the party was scehduled at 10AM (the kids had an activity in the afternoon), but I was surprised when all the people who came came.

The program was very simple. We had a getting-to-know-you activity for the kids to know their new Ates and Kuyas. For our game, we had a modified version of the classic Charade. And then the kids had two performances, which we all enjoyed watching.

It was really fun.

The kids also surprised me when I saw the backdrop they prepared for the party. I was also touched by the handmade card the kids made and signed.

I'm really glad that this party pushed through.

Will write about what I did today in another entry. That's Birthday Celebration 2...

Published Sunday, October 22, 2006 by Clayman. |

Went to Divisioria this afternoon together with Karen.

I needed to go there to buy some stuff for a party this Saturday, and since Karen knows where I could buy a lot of good stuff at a very low price, I asked her to join me.

We met up at 5.30PM near the Pahinungod office, and took a jeep to Divisoria. It's good that it's already sem break because there was no traffic at all.

By the time we got to Divisoria, stores were starting to close. Yaiks!!! We had to move fast. Thankfully, we found one store that was still open and had a lot of really good stuff - pens, papers, pencil cases, wallets, coin purses, scarves, hankies, badges, pins, hair accessories, and so on and so forth. It was perfect.

In a way, it was also good that Karen and I got there when the store was near its closing time. Otherwise, I would have been tempted to buy more than what was on my list. Hehehe!

From Divisoria, we brought the stuff to the office. Tomorrow, need to make gift bags and assemble goodie bags.

Whew! Toxic. Hay birthdays! Hehehe!

Published Wednesday, October 18, 2006 by Clayman. |

Here's how the invitation read...

Hi everyone,

It's my 27th birthday.

I'm celebrating with the kids of Young Women's Christian Association on October 21, Saturday, 10AM - 1PM.

Venue is at the YWCA compound (beside Emilio Aguinaldo College), UN Ave. cor. Taft Ave. (Parking available at The Pearl Manila Hotel or at Times Plaza along UN Ave.)

I hope you can join us for a morning of fun and games.

Thanks much!

Cheers,
Angelo 0:-)

Published Tuesday, October 17, 2006 by Clayman. |

Is this for real?!

Marc Jacobs sent these out on the recent Spring 2007 collection for Louis Vuitton.

Uhm, I'm still not sure how I feel about these creations.

One part of me is saying, "Leave it to Marc Jacobs to glamorize our Lola's bayong."

Another part of me wants to say, "What was he thinking???"

I wonder if it would have helped if Mr. Jacobs visited Divisoria or Nepa-Q Mart to see these bayongs being used by tinderas, Lolas, yayas, and Nanays.

Published Sunday, October 15, 2006 by Clayman. |

The entire was spent at the Company's school in Cavite.

We had a First Aid Competition, and I sort of acted as emcee/photographer/videographer. Hehehe! Talk about multi-tasking.

It was fun though.

Events like this are one reason why I enjoy the corporate world.

Published Friday, October 13, 2006 by Clayman. |

I attended the Pahinungod anniversary a couple of weeks ago.

It was great. I got to see a lot of the volunteers and student assistants I used to work with.

It didn't matter that there were only a few people who showed up, and that I sometimes get scared that the administration will soon pull the plug on the program.

At least, for a couple of hours, I got to enjoy the company of people who mean a lot to me.

Happy anniversary, Pahinungod.

Published Monday, October 09, 2006 by Clayman. |