Iloilo, here I am... wooohooo

What is it with my out of town trips and late nights? Hehe! The last time I flew to Iloilo, I went home from work at 2AM only to pack my stuff quickly and then leave at 3AM to make it to my flight.

Last night was sort of a repeat. Tey hosted a dinner at Cyma in Greenbelt. The dinner turned out to be a reunion of sorts since the guests were college friends Ella and Gino, Tey's good friends from former workplace Ryse and Dessa. It was a good post-birthday dinner party for Tey (and for Ryse who also recently celebrated her birthday). Got home at 1AM, packed my stuff, took a nap for an hour, woke up a surprised mom when I told her that I'm flying to Iloilo, and then headed to the airport.

I love early morning flights. I don't know why. Maybe because I feel like I'm making a secret escape, while the entire city sleeps. Haha! Not that anyone would care that I'll be away for the weekend. Hehehe!

Anyway, as soon as the captain announced that we were approaching Iloilo, I got excited. I was really looking happy to be in Iloilo again. Hehe! From the airport, I didn't feel like a big tourist anymore. I was more confident, and I knew where to go and what to tell the cab driver. Hehe!

It was good to be back at Grand Dame Hotel, too. I love the hotel. And I would recommend it as a good choice for accommodation to anyone who's going to Iloilo.

What I also love about the hotel is free Wifi. Hehe! Okay, this is it for now. Will post again tomorrow.

Heading to the Sooc barangay for work.

Lenly, Albert says HBD...

It was the birthday of friend/former officemate Lenly yesterday, and the above were my gifts to her. Hehe!

I think it was last year when she saw my photo with Albert Martinez at another event when Lenly told me that she has a major crush on the guy. (Crush?! Who the heck still uses that term these days? Haha!)

Anyway, I remembered that so when I found out that I needed to help organize a press conference for one of Albert's projects, I thought of asking for his autograph and a photo op for Lenly. I was a bit hesitant though. And it wasn't because I was shy to ask for a photo (haha! I think the celebrity wall project would show that I could be shameless when it comes to fan pic). It was because it felt weird at one moment to be in a business meeting with him, and then to suddenly just ask for an autograph. Hehe!

But opportunity came during the press con itself. While waiting for the press to arrive, I took out the birthday greeting printout and approached Albert to ask for his autograph and photo. Hehe! I told him it was for a friend who's been in love with him for the longest time. Thanks, Mr. Martinez for being so accommodating.

The biggest joy, however, came from hearing Lenly's reaction over the phone when I emailed her the photos. Hehe! And I'm glad because all the "minor" hassle was worth it.

Happy birthday, Lenly.

I wonder if someone would do the same for me. Hahaha! Celebrity of choice: Gisele Bundchen, Madonna, Angelina Jolie. Okay, okay. I'll be happy with Sharon Cuneta. Seriously. Hehe!

Wednesday with friends...

Wednesday was a special day because of two friends. It was the birthday of colleague Nick. She is like a way, way young Grace Coddington who loves two Fs - Fashion and Feline. Hehe! And then my friend Jean who's leaving for Singapore this Saturday had her despedida in the evening. Since the venue for the despedida was near my former place of work, I ran into two good friends from Magsaysay-Rose and Mina. It was a good Wednesday.

Started on Changing Tides...

Started reading again. Finally took the new Michael Thomas Ford novel - Changing Tides - out of its plastic wrapping and turned to page one. Of course, before that, I just had to feel the crisp pages of the book and I just had to intoxicate myself with the scent of a newly opened book. Hahaha! Is that weird?

Michael Thomas Ford is one of my favorite authors of all time. I have all his novels and I love, love, love them all. Among his essay collections, the only one I got to read was Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me. Completely hilarious. Haha! And I've got "an old friend" to thank for introducing me to Michael Thomas Ford.

So thank you, XLM, for lending me ABDLM. One of the many things I really loved about you and me is the love for good books.

Aside from Michael Thomas Ford, I think there are 10 more other books waiting to be read. Eeeep! Including Armistead Maupin, Mariane Pearl, among others. I really should get back on track with my reading.

Lastly, one of the books I've been wanting to get my hands on is Alek written by Sudanese supermodel Alek Wek. Unfortunately, it's out of stock in the bookstores where I usually buy my books. Sigh. If you know where I can get a copy, please let me know.