My colleagues at the office decided to celebrate our Christmas Party very early because of the impending office re-org that will see us being transferred to different units. It became our farewell party as well.
The party was held at my boss’ house (or should I say, mansion?) somewhere in Quezon City. It was a sight to behold! The Christmas lights adorning his house made me feel that indeed, the happiest time of the year is here!
I was very happy to find this oriental garden stool right at the entrance of the house’s doorway. You know how much I want one like this.
We were treated with the best of Ilocos’ cuisine like Bagnet, Vigan Longganisa and grilled prawns (our boss is a true-blue Ilokano). There were also lots of fresh fruits!
Our tables were adorned with impressive flower arrangements:
Aside from enjoying the sumptuous dinner, there were free-for-all videoke sessions, raffle draws and a charade game that our team won (yehey!). We capped the night with our super early “exchange gift” and I was a very happy “baby” or “monita” that night when I got these books from my “daddy” (no less than our boss, WPC):
As with our previous “exchange gifts”, we have to write on the office whiteboard the gift we prefer to receive from our daddy/mommy. I wrote in the book “The Housekeeper and the Professor” by Yoko Ogawa, as it is something that I’ve been searching for since last year and would be happy to receive from my daddy / mommy.
(Random book cover photo from Google).
I would learn from my daddy during the revelation that he searched for this book for days, but found none. He inquired from Powerbooks, Fully Booked and National Bookstore but the title was not available boo-hoo!
So he gifted me instead with another book from Yoko Ogawa (“The Diving Pool”) plus two others that he thought I would like. And to think that our budget for the gift was only P500.00!
It’s the first time I came across George Martin’s works but I am excited just as well with the book “A Dance with Dragons”, seeing that it’s an epic fantasy story molded in the likes of the “Lord of the Rings”. “One Day” by David Nicholls, on the other hand, is a story about relationships and it’s now made into a movie that stars Anne Hathaway.
Our September Christmas Party is, no doubt, the most memorable Christmas Party for me because not only are we having a double celebration, but because these activities affirmed that we are a family through and through. Our group is an extremely close-knit one, that’s why the move to accept posts outside it was a very difficult decision indeed.
And of course, the fact that I got the most wonderful gift (or gifts) that night is more than enough reason for it to be memorable hehe! A million thanks to my boss for giving me wonderful books! They’re truly, deeply, and madly appreciated!
Now excuse me, friends, as I start on my 1st Yoko Ogawa book.
Hi Leah, just a comment on George RR Martin since you wrote that it’s your first time to come across his work. The book in the picture, A Dance with Dragons, is the 5th in the series (of 7) already, so be sure to get the 1st 4. It’s my favorite fantasy series, even better than LotR, imho. 😀 Happy reads and “merry Christmas”! 🙂
Hi Tala! Yay, thanks for correcting the error! Yes, we’ve added the George RR Martin fantasy series in our book list, hopefully by October we will be able to use our GCs then. I’ve started on Yoko Ogawa’s “The Diving Pool” and I’m loving it very much.
Hi Leah, correct si Tala. It’s the l5th book from the series A Song of Ice and Fire. The first book, A Game of Thrones, was already turned into a 10-part mini-series by HBO. I’m halfway through book 4 now. I’d also recommend it.
My fiance bought each one in hardcover. He says it’s never too early to start building a library 🙂
Sorry, typo error: it’s the 5th, not 15th.
Hehe, I’m excited to read the series na =)