Dear A,

I just had my first weekend without you this year. Right now, you're probably asleep already on your hotel bed, or you're probably shooting a scene at the airport for a deodorant brand, or just maybe, you're checking out the Malaysian night life. 11 days, you will be away but I am not worried because I know the days will just breeze by as we will both be busy for work. I worry, however, about the weekends because as you know, my Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are for you. I know it will be in these days I would miss you the most.

I decided to take the opportunity to fill my schedule with things I haven't done in awhile. See Glady and Jeane, my high school bestfriends. Go on a shopping spree with Cel andRizzie, and hopefully, hang out by having dinner and dessert after. Unfortunately, only one plan fell through and so this is how my weekend went...

Last Friday, I was thinking of having dinner and dessert with Jeane and Glady but that didn't push through. I thought of hanging out in our Ortigas branch with my officemates- Seph, the graphic designer, the accountants and Roby the HR assistant. In the end, only Seph and I could go because every one else was so busy. We eventually lost the mood to hang out but then, I thought about going to Megamall to go shopping but the traffic was just horrendous. It was actually frustrating because I didn't know what I wanted or not wanted to do. In the end, I decided to go to the bar and talk to my uncle. You see, the past few days, gossip has been going around the office. Roby, the HR assistant couldn't take anymore her boss's attitude. Her boss can get quite moody and when she's in a bad mood, she shouts at Roby over the littlest of things. Roby said that even though she loves her work and there is no pressure at all, she can't take her boss's attitude and wants to resign. I felt sorry for Roby because I know she is an efficient and hard worker and I knew I can't let her just go without doing anything. If something was wrong, it had to be righted. And so, I went to talk to my uncle, who is also our boss, to tell him what's been going around the office. I told him that I'm not telling him this to destroy our HR manager's reputation but because I am concerned and so that he knows what's going on in the office when he's not around. Uncle is in the process of finding out the problem and working out a solution. To this day, Roby doesn't know that I told Uncle. After talking to him, I went home and watched videos on my laptop.

On Saturday, I met up with Cel at Net One, where her boyfriend TJ's office is, in The Fort at 2:15 pm, an hour and 15 mins after our meeting time. We headed to Market Market to do some shopping. I bought two pastel colored tube tops to go with my long sleeved knit baby pink bolero, 2 magic wallets, and a light blue halter which I call my "Marissa" top in honor of Mischa Barton's character Marissa Cooper in The OC because it is a top that she would wear. Cel and I also bought a pair of sequined ballet shoes as a gift to Cristy. After shopping, Cel accompanied me at the food court where I ordered barbecue from Inengs. Remember that stall where the barbecue was just sooo good?! Shortly, after eating and catching up, we left. I dropped off Cel at Mcdonald's where her friend picked her up as they had to prepare for a party. I, on the otherhand, drove to the office to prepare the checks-- you know, my weekend ritual. I decided that since I'm near anyway and the day was meant for shopping, I'd go to Megamall.

In Megamall, I bought 2 mini skirts, 5 new pairs of underwear and black high heeled shoes for the office. I spent an awfully lot of time looking for black high heeled shoes that I liked but to no avail. All of them had straps around the ankle. In the end, I decided to buy a pair in the department store and just cut off the straps by the ankle. As I was fitting the shoes, I stepped on the straps and explained to the saleslady that I was planning to cut them off anyway and then she said, "Mas maganda nga siya (na walang straps)! (They look prettier (without the straps)!"

After shopping, I went to the bar in Ortigas to eat dinner. The HR manager was there and she accompanied me while I ate and we talked about work. I feel bad that we talk about her because she is also my friend. I did think about talking to her about her attitude towards her assistant but I felt it wasn't my place to do so. Plus, the last time someone confronted her, she took it out on her assistant! It was better that my uncle handle the situation because I knew he would do a different approach. After dinner, I went home and immersed myself in more videos. I could have stayed on but I had a family luncheon the next day.

Ah, Sunday. I woke up at around 10:15am and rushed to the shower. Camille, who woke up like 2 minutes earlier, found out that my dad and brothers were in the car already! I thought we were leaving at around 11:00 am but it was earlier than I expected. We made the semi- long drive to my uncle's house in Alabang and I was excited to eat! His household help cooked Nilagang Baka and Inihaw na Liempo. My uncle bought crabs and oysters from Seaside and I think he had it cooked there. The oysters were soaked in vinegar and spices. He also had Oriental Prawns from the bar (actually, he bought prawns from Seaside, had it cooked at home and the special garlic mayo with parsley sauce was made in the commissary). He also bought Mechadong Pusit from Rosie's, a resto that my lolo, uncles and dad patronize ever since. There was eggplant salad and green mango salad! For dessert, they bought Dulce De Leche from Conti's. Lunch was soooo good that I wanted to eat even if I was full already.

After lunch, I played with my little cousin, Sophia, who is just the most adorable little two year old girl. I was surprised that she warmed up to me faster than usual. She's usually shy and sometimes I have to bribe her with a glass of Coke. Nobody would think we're cousins because she's so mestiza, thanks to her mom's half German blood and my Uncle Fritz's mestizo looks. We chased after my Uncle's seven month old poodle, Brent, and my Aunt Eileen's two month old Golden Retriever Elektra, who is much bigger than the poodle by the way. I got tired carrying Sophia while chasing the dogs. My favorite moment was when we were in the TV room and I had to go out and Sophia chased after me and grabbed my hand and said, "Stay here." Awww...

I eventually fell asleep on their couch but woke up when we were going to view pictures from their recent US trip on their TV. At around 5PM, we headed home because we still had to go to church. While hearing mass, it rained so hard. People standing outside rushed inside and even after the mass was finished, nobody left. It was that strong. Despite the strong rains, Dad ran to the car and picked us up at the entrance. We ran to the car. Camille was first and I just knew she would step into a huge puddle that's why I didn't stay close behind her. I kept laughing and laughing because her hot pink Chuck Taylors were drenched! After mass, we made a quick trip to Mercury Drug. I stayed in the car to make calls and text people as we had an event that night at our Ortigas branch. It was the culminating party of the Asian 9 Ball Tournament.

When I got home, I got dressed, had dinner and made a mad dash to the bar. The band was already there but not a single soul from San Miguel were there yet. Considering that it was a Sunday, only a few tables were occupied. Lito, the VP Logistics, Tito Henry, the VP Food and Beverage, Froilan, the manager and I, plus the band were hanging out. Some of our regular guests were there with us: Chito, Louie, Chloe and Bally.

People started pouring in at 11pm and that's when the event started. Apparently, they came from the championships at Galleria which explained why they looked so tired and not in the mood to party. The only people partying were us! We were dancing to 80's music. 80's music, could you believe?! We were kidding around and partying like it was a Friday night and not a Sunday night. It was as if we didn't have work the next day! Oh, I meant that day since it was past midnight already. I went home at 2am while the rest stayed on.

And that's my first weekend without you. See? I was a good girl! =p

Now when you come home, promise me that we'll catch up on the latest movies? We have yet to see Sin City, A Lot Like Love, Coach Carter, Mr and Mrs Smith and A Very Long Engagement on DVD.

Come home safe and sound. Hopefully, you're not tired from your travel.

I miss you!



Love,



Your Baby