Update
I wanted to post a little bit about the whirl of events this past weekend and haven't gotten to it yet. The biggest event was my sister's wedding. I stayed sober through them all, although it wasn't always easy.
First there was the rehearsal dinner. It was actually easy not to drink at this one at least at first because service was so bad that no one could get a drink. However, after the dinner, everyone hung out at the bar. I was okay with that for the most part, until I found out some of my family members were betting on having me drinking at the reception. I'm actually glad I found out about that as it steeled my resolve at a point where I was feeling a bit glum--I was ready to leave the restaurant but had to wait for my ride. Lesson #1--take your own car.
Then there was the wedding. I was in the bridal party and we started the day with salon treatments (pedicure, manicure, makeup, hair--I deserve it!!) One of the bridesmaids brought champagne and oj, but I was able to avoid any temptation at that point since I like to drink coffee in the AM. At my mother's house, there was a luncheon and bar setup. I confess I was starting to feel antsy. I concentrated on drinking lots of water ( it was in the 90s) and helping the nervous bride. She looked amazing when she was ready!!
The ceremony was beautiful and went without a hitch although being a Catholic ceremony, it was a long one. I passed on the holy wine, lol. (Is there no place that is safe for the determinedly sober at a wedding???)
The reception was a bit of a struggle. There was wine on the table, champagne in front of me. I had the waiter take it away after I raised the glass to the happy couple.I mingled with guests but found that my chit chat skills were a bit lacking without the lubrication of wine, so I sat with my mother quite a bit. However, I did discover much to my happiness that I CAN dance sober. I was a little worried about that as I love to dance. Once I figured that out, the remainder of the reception was a breeze. I just stayed on the dance floor and danced with anyone who would have me. I suspect there were a few people there who thought I must be drinking.
The next day, we had another family party to attend. This one was also a bit boozey. I couldn't believe the amount of wine and beer there was for a luncheon event. Fortunately, my husband's cousin was there with her new baby and was happy to have me tend the baby and give her an hour or so to mingle. There was a lot of commentary about my not drinking at this event (it was my husband's family). One of the cousins pulled me aside several times to voice her own concerns about her drinking (health effects) and ask me how I find sober life. She told me her uncle had quit drinking and found everything to be boring and no one to be interesting anymore and she's afraid that would happen to her if she quit. I observed that it can be like that at times but it gets better the more you get used to it. I'm not sure she believed me as she proceeded to make a nice dent in the wine supply.

Christmas time is here, 2 days to go. Right now, i'm thawing my toes because it is immensley cold, and my upper extremities have lost their sense of touch. There's morning mist now, i can tell because i can see it through the light the streetlamps give off. The only thing that wrecked the mood was some bad mouthed punk carollers who vandalized our front sidewalk, but it's okay. It's Christmas time, and i'm too lazy to argue or badmouth anyone or anything.
Except EJ and my hair. Bahala ka, di pang boy band buhok ko, gago ka hahaha! at least pareho na tayo, Pomada at si Emoboy!
Just came from Yeni's house. Her house is really far, kabilang bahagi ng mundo pare.
And now, for a Year-Ending-Survey.
1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?Went to Thailand with friends for a program thing. Mga walang katapusang roadtrip sa Roxas, Paranaque, Alabang, kung saan saan. Had that band thing (emphasize on HAD), at least the other one is more fruiful.
As Jorel said (I can't find a better way to put it) I've been satisfied with my musical output. I can actually survive improvised jams, connect with people, learned some music stuff, all that jazz.
I learned to tolerate people. To turn the other cheek. To not let small things hurt you, or even the big things. Awww yeaaaah!
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?Nope, i promised to be more productive and less procrastination; which is exactly what I promise to do next year, which I will most probably not be able to do. I also promised to see good things in everything and everyone, and yeah, I kept that. I will be more open to more things next year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?Aycs, my sister.
4. Did anyone close to you die?This year? nope.
5. What countries did you visit?Thailand. That's it.
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?More confidence. Friends. A car. An Iceman. More money, chicks chicks chicks chicks.More friends friends friends. Ang loser ko sobra hahahaha
7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?In April, or May I think. The time I went to Thailand and met tons of great, beautiful people. For a time, like this month and last, gig every weekend. Yahoo!
Plus, the Incubus concert. awww yeahhh
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?Doing that band thing, getting gigs, performing... I don't really have any. :P Learning. Seriously.
9. What was your biggest failure?Compromising myself? And ewan. Sus. I don't fail at things. NAX!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?Nothing serious. Lagnat, ubo, sipon, kati ng tuhod pero yun lang naman.
11. What was the best thing you bought?A Chicosci and Incognito CD. That's if toll doesn't count.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?My bandmates, for being super ewan. Mahal ko kayong mga gago kayo. EJ and EZ, but Ej mostly, for putting up with my perpetual ranting, drama, bitching and all that jazz (drama in ateneo? haha!). My magulangs and sisters, kasi ewan ko. Marami akong natuto sa kanila.
13. Whose behaviour appalled you and made you depressed?Hay nako. Myself because of my mentality towards my school, my classmates because of who they are, my bandmates for being annoying sometimes too. Myself, kasi ang proud ko talaga shet.
14. Where did most of your money go?Gimmicks. Dammit.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?Gigs! Coffeeshop, AC, MC, YFC, etc etc! Incubus concert.
16. What song will always remind you of 2004?Not sure yet.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? sadder.ii. thinner or fatter? thinner, takte di na nga ako tataba eh.iii. richer or poorer? richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?Work, so i couldn've been more productive. Studying, of course, I could've done better.Jamming sessions. Oh yeah.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?Procrastinating. Tangina ang dami kong di nagawa dahil dun.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?With family and friends. I want to go to boracay, but we don't have a place.I wanna go somewhere noisy, where we can party and be loud and boisterous.
22. Did you fall in love in 2004?Tsch. No way. Love is stupid.
23. How many one-night stands?None.
24. What was your favourite TV program?Invader Zim hahahaha.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?Not hate. displeased is more like it.
26. What was the best book you read?20,000 leagues under the sea. some Neil Gaiman stuff. Of course, Sophie's World and SOlotaire Mystery.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?I explored some bands, and the talents of my friends. Ang saya. Myself. Di ko sinasabing magaling ako, pero marami akong nalaman at nadiskubre kapag tumutugtog.
Aerosmith, Beatles, local things, Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment, Symphony X, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Yngwie, Jamiroquai, Stevie, dami eh. Not exactly great, but i discovered them this year.
28. What did you want and get?Gigs. That trip to Thailand.
29. What did you want and not get?Chicks chicks chicks and more chicks. Gigs. More musical self discovery (what the hell)
30. Favorite film of this year?Wala eh. I didn't keep track.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?I turned 16. Boring, some Eastwood thing lang. Tsss.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?Kung marami akong chicks, tipong hinahabol ka na at ginagapangan na. HAHAHAHA i wish.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?Ha? ukay ukay.
34. What kept you sane?EJ and EZ. Late night drives, Antipolo sunrise, bandido escapades, musics.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?Cindy Kurleto.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?I'm not sure. Ewan ko.
37. Who did you miss?CISV people na international, my friends in reedley last year. Hmph.
38. Who was the best new person you met?Hmmm... WALA! BAHALA KAYO! Mwahahaha... Depende sa time of year. Summer, Mike, David and Franz. Nung school year, wala na. Sila EJ ulit. I didn't exactly meet them this year, pero I rediscovered them.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004.Don't steal. The government hates competition.
:D
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your yearBandido Escapades Hanggang Magdamag.

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