"48"

Sorry if I've been remiss in keeping an update here, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed last Friday and for some reason I was feeling so down I was not in the mood to go online. Don't ask me any specifics on why because I can't answer it myself. But looking back maybe it was just a premonition that a dear friend is going through a lot.

But back to what I really want to blog about... some of you may have been aware that Rizza came back Friday night after 3 months of stay in Korea. We missed each other so much that we arranged to check-in at a hotel for the entire week-end to catch up on stories. She made prior request on the food she's been craving so master chef "Charity" went ahead of us to do the shopping and cooking.
After dinner we started to watch clips of korean boyband Shinhwa and got so engrossed that we forgot about the time and panicked when Rizza called asking our whereabouts. She's already outside the airport waiting for us while we are still at the hotel. We felt so guilty we rushed out of the hotel still wearing shorts, old tees and sleepers and reeking from the smell of Charity's adobo. Good thing traffic was light so we were at the airport in less than 30 mins. We packed her luggage at the trunk and had our picture taken before heading back to the hotel.

On the way we did sing our welcome song to her and did a mini concert singing old (70 & 80's) Filipino songs. Not to be outdone Rizza started a" name that song game" by singing a line from a song that we can't remember ever hearing before. It was really a surprise because our combined memory bank of both local and international songs dating back to the early 70's is very, very extensive. We can even go on long drives without a radio on because we do an impromtu concert from ballad to disco to rap with vocal harmory to boost!

We arrived at the hotel past midnight and after Rizza distributed all the items we've requested a marathon story telling followed. It was no surprise therefore that it was already 4:30 am before we called it a night. Poor Charity, she has to wake-up 7:00 and make a presentation and briefing for a conference she will attend today (Monday). Breakfast and preparation for lunch was done in a hurry because we were scheduled to move-out of the room we occupied and transfer to the biggest room the hotel has to accomodate the rest of our friends who will stay until the following day.

what's for lunch

Being couped inside the hotel was too much for Flor that she decided to take a walk without telling us of her plans. Not wanting to be left behind we followed her example so we all went out of the hotel to walk but not together mind you. I guess we needed a break from seeing each other faces that we headed in different directions but 30 mins later we all ended up meeting at a nearby McDonalds panting and out of breath. Gosh, I really need to get back in shape. And Flor, why do you have to follow Papa Smurf's love for the outdoors. The only thing keeping my mind sane on the way back to the hotel was that liter of icy Sarsi I've kept hidden from the others.

Shortly after our return the rest of the gals came and more stories were shared. Dinner was served and a marathon video watching followed after. Only three ladies decided to sleep early but the rest still continued with our endless chatter about what life was in korea for Rizza and what's going on with our lives here that was not included in our combined blog entries.

ok people strike your best pose

Later that night I felt the need to go out so Lai and I went to get some soju and ramyon from a nearby korean store. I was hoping the alcohol will make us sleep but I was wrong ~ it was already 3:00 but Lai and I are still busy discussing a fictional story I've saved in my pc that I asked her to read while Rizza and Pau were planning for their October korean trip. Flor was making ramyon and our poor baby Lou has no choice but stay awake because her noona's are too noisy. Charity was the only one spaced out but provided us with more laughs by concocting stories on her possible dream basing on her actions while sleeping. It was almost 5am when sleep finally caught up with me.

more food

Not soon after the sunlight was beating on the window near me, it's already 8:00 am. Tita Remy came out and started preparing our breakfast. I stood up to help her and after an hour the rest of the ladies woke up. Only a few hours left before finally bidding each other goodbye but we were reluctant to do so. With just a look, or a song we ended up embracing each other and assuring one another that she is loved. The entire 48 hours that we stayed together was the most emotional one. It was filled with laughter and tears, of prayers coming from the heart and spiced with hugs, kisses and assurances of how much we care for each other. We came in as good friends and came out more like a family that will be there for each other in good and bad. Love you gals keep that in mind....


photos are taken by paulette and rizza