I hate planning barkada get-togethers. It's a losing deal.

I don't know how it works with other barkadas but in my 13-member high school/college barkada it all starts with an idea: "Let's have dinner on the last Friday of this month, just to catch up" or "Let's celebrate Person A's birthday," worse "Let's go out of town!" Initially everyone's excited, always a chorus of affirmatives. Then weeks pass and a few people start following up on the plan and suddenly everyone's busy or has a prior appointment or is saving up for something or is not feeling well or simply, refuses to reply to text messages and emails. Of those who do reply, the yes becomes contingent on whether Person B is coming or Person C is going to be there. Before you know it, it's just three of the original thirteen going off to Pagudpod to enjoy the sun and the waves. Meanwhile, the poor dupes who took on the burden of planning and making an itinerary are out of load and out of patience.

Obviously, I never learn from these experiences.

Currently listening to: KISS' Psycho Circus
Currently reading: Diane Duane's Book of Night With Moon
Currently watching: Syndromes and a Century
Currently feeling: disappointed

Back from a convention held in Isabela. T'was a great experience. I especially had fun seeing old teachers and hanging out with my co-workers.

When I started working, getting along with my co-workers was of minimal priority to me. The first three jobs I had were pretty solitary in nature: focusing on getting labwork, multimedia filing, and clerk odd jobs done. In contrast, my last two jobs were extremely social jobs that continually challenged my somewhat-avoidant personality. Teamwork and collaborative efforts are especially valuable tools in education. Getting along with, and liking, my co-workers suddenly rocketed to the top of my work-requirements list (along with personal fulfillment and challenge). I'm blessed to have a good team of extremely talented, inspiring, and dedicated people in my unit. I'm glad for the summer break because it gives me an opportunity to joke around with, and learn from, such cool people.

* * *

Just a few things on my to-do list this summer (so I won't forget) --

1. Apr 25-28 - Pagudpod with the barkada
2. May 7-10 - Unit planning in Batangas
3. May 12-17 - System planning in Tagaytay
4. NSO for marriage certificate
5. Car full-body check-up
6. LTO for car reg and license
7. Finish all teaching guides
8. Update activities and presentations for next year
9. Finish clearance

I had hoped to go home to Roxas City but it doesn't seem like we'll have the time or the funds.

And so ends Holy Week '08.

Leo and I had originally planned to spend the holy week going around the metro (no traffic!) and catching up on house chores and end-of-schoolyear requirements. Defeated by the heat, the afternoon drizzles, and sheer inertia (a body at rest stays at rest...) we actually spent it:

1. playing computer games -- yes, Fallout 2 and HoMM3 are the black holes of our household, eating up time we cannot spare and turning us to spaghetti, and
   
2. reading books -- I was able to finish 4 sappy fluffy books and 1 good one, and
   
3. sleeping.

Good thing Yay, my sister-in-law, dropped by for an overnight stay yesterday so we were forced to clean the house, do the groceries, and finish schoolwork.

Although this holy week was not as austere and contemplative as the ones I grew up with (I grew up with Catholic sensibilities and people singing the Pasyon next door), I am happy and grateful for the chance to cement our bond with each other and with God.

Happy Easter, everyone! 

Today is my dad's birthday. He would have turned 56 this year. I still miss him.

Currently feeling: sad