0125D: A Lovely Lunch At Pasig

Tobie and I just got back from a great brunch with the Marketing team that I work with just over an hour ago. Beyond the usual December traffic pretty much everywhere in the metro right now, it was a long, enjoyable session that involved all of our families together in a single venue. And how often does that happen, right?

This is my second Christmas with the Marketing group and we marked the holiday season last year with a brunch out at Conti's. This year Anna was generous enough to offer to host not just the department, but also our "+1's" should we feel so inclined. So I made sure to bring Tobie along (or was it the other way around since he was driving) and the others brought along their spouses and even their children.

Anna and her family had arranged for a full set meal from starters like bread, soup and salad and of course two entree options, wine and some dessert to boot! It was a most impressive spread (complete with an actual menu!) and I think I speak for all of us when I say that we were all more than just satisfied. It feels like a small miracle that we had the strength to get out of our seats after.

The kids were all over the place almost the entire time - I can't remember the last time that I had been around so many young children at one time. It was part work-related lunch function, part children's party. It was certainly an adorable scene to watch - all of them playing, interacting and even arguing with one another as children are bound to do in such social situations. But overall I'd like to think they all had fun with one another, but I totally imagine all of then needing nice long naps right around now - much to the relief of their parents (I kid).

This had me giving Tobie quite a number of knowing looks and a few verbal barbs as well. While I do see the possibility of us considering adopting children in the future, I definitely don't think I'm at a point in my life when I'm truly ready for it in the patience department. Maybe we'll need to get a dog first or something. Or a virtual pet that exists solely as a screensaver.

And we also exchanged gifts, just like what we had started as a tradition last year. Somehow Anna managed to become my Secret Santa again this year and she managed to find exactly what I had asked for - Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Crankcase. Yes, I actually asked for a toy. It was either this or one of those modest LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets. But this was still better since it means that I won't get overly tempted to start of building a LEGO branch of my toy collection. So, so tempting.

On the whole, it was nice to be at a work-related function together with Tobie. There are so few opportunities for him to interact with my work peers and other friends of mine and so I've learned to look forward to such events with a certain amount of zeal and gusto. I guess I just love showing Tobie off or something, hehe.

Now I lack sleep and will have to try to find the energy to drop by a friend's birthday celebration over at Big Sky Mind. As much as I want to go, I know that not having slept for almost 24 hours is going to be a major barrier to that sort of thing. Boo me.