A new month, a new blog life. (Well, not really... just sort of reviving it)

January 2005 just whizzed by, I hardly felt it. And so, for the posterity, I'm going to recount recent events that happened the past month. After all, my "Replay of 2005" in 11 months time would look horrible if my January slot was empty!

So, this month, I...

... Had to organize our company's Christmas Party, along with our HRD Head and VP of Operations.

... Emcee-d part of our company's Christmas Party, drove to the party at 10PM (as the party started at 12mn, after Sunday operations) and went home at 6am the following day, fell asleep at 8am and didn't bother to go to work anymore.

... Came out in a Japanese cable channel, which is shown here in the Philippines and Japan. Being the marketing manager of our chain of bar and restaurants, I am tasked to be the spokesperson in interviews on paper and on camera.

... Had a shoot for a technology magazine for their movers and shakers feature story. Since the bar I worked for offered free Wi-fi, we were considered a 'mover and shaker' in the industry. It helped also that the associate editor was a good friend of mine. I thought that the shoot was just an ordinary shoot so I came to the shoot wearing makeup already. Apparently, they had a makeup artist/ hair stylist! I totally enjoyed the shoot and missed being in front of the camera. I was shy and felt awkward at first. But eventually, the 'model' in me came out and the photographer was pleased that he had so much fun taking my pictures! (Uhm, yes, I know a little about modelling but not enough to be actually called one. Can you imagine if I pushed through with modelling? There would be two of us and agencies and photographers would get confused because we have the same name! I'd probably have to change my name to avoid confusion!)

... Had to make a comparative report between two event proposals from competing brands. I submitted the 7 page report the next day! I was challenged and motivated! After all, it's not everyday that my boss asks me to submit a report! Time to show him what I learned in IMC and remind him why I was worth hiring in the first place! (Thanks, dezphaire, for refreshing my memory on the contents of a comparative report!)

... Had to book artists/ acoustic groups at the last minute as my boss decided to put acoustic groups on weekdays in all our outlets. It couldn't wait another week. It had to be ASAP. So most of my time was spent negotiating, fixing the schedules and informing the sound system, the managers, the artists of the schedule. Trust me, it's not as easy as it sounds.

... Had to brainstorm for ideas for giveaways for Valentine's Day. One idea was sooo good and somewhat original but unfortunately, cost us to break copyright laws and so that wasn't a good one. So I had to go back to the drawing board.

... Organize the mechanics and materials of a promo we're relaunching which gives the winner a free trip to Boracay with 3 of his friends. Just buy a bucket of beer, fill the stub completely and cross your fingers that your ticket gets chosen during the grand draw!

... Went on a dinner with my college friends. It's a good thing that we set every second Thursday of the month as our night out and we took turns to organize the dinner.

... Said goodbye to a good friend and co- worker. She was an asset to our company. She helped us improved our system. Unfortunately, she became the subject of a scandal that cost her her job, and the trust of the employees on the management team and so, instead of being terminated, she decided to resign. She definitely left big shoes to fill.

... Had constant fights with A. Yes, we've come to the point in the relationship where all we seem to do is fight and argue over the pettiest and in- depth of things. Sometimes, we feel that we've reached the edge but deep inside, we both know that we are not really on the edge. Most of the time, it's just the emotions talking and at the end of it all, we both know that we're still the right one for each other. No matter how much we drive each other crazy. I'm happy right now because for the past few days, A and I are back to normal. Let's just hope that by posting this, I'm not jinxing it. I'm somewhat superstitious.

... Became hugely addicted to The OC, causing me to sleep at 5am. And because I'm so addicted, I started downloading Season 2 episodes on Limewire. I'm starting to run out of shows to download. So far, I'm updated with The OC, Desperate Housewives and Joey. Anymore recommendations?

... Finally went to Market Market to scout for potential Valentine's Day giveaways. I found 3 items that 'could do' and are extremely inexpensive. I was so excited about them that I went to the branch where my boss was hanging out just to show it to him and ask for his opinion, only to have him ask me which I liked best.

So what's in store for me in the upcoming months?

... Well, first off, A is going on a 4 days/ 3 nights business trip to Indonesia. He's leaving on Wednesday and coming back on Saturday evening. I'm trying to keep my weeknights packed with dinner dates with girlfriends.
... More work as Holy Week draws closer.
... A trip to Boracay with my college friends and our significant others during Holy Week! (Please allow me to bask in my happiness that I never shelled out a single centavo for the trip as I'm there on business as well so my airfare and accomodations were shouldered by the company!)
... A shoot for an early morning tv show in one of the country's leading channels, featuring our bar.