I am Mae German. 34 years old. Born in Mangatarem, province of Pangasinan. I was taught and trained by 
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Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop C3's Day Out (Part Deux)
Some-Kinda-Blog-Stop C3's Day Out (Part Deux) | C3's Day Out (Part Deux) |
| Thursday, 06 March 2008 | |
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The continuation... There was no night-out today. I just tested the waters. I wanted to know how she'd react with an out-of-the-blue invitation from a couple and a "friend", as C3's friend has put it. She's certified "kaladkarin". Now that has been proved. She'll go if she's free and if she wants to, no questions asked. But if you could only see her panic when she realized that her friend could be trying to match her to some guy (hence, the phrase, "... and with a friend"), you'll laugh at her big time! She's Cool with anything but... You haven't seen her freaked out, have you? She's a tough gal, but she's funny at times. She can handle awkward moments, she can entertain herself when bored, but if she finds some way to sneak out from such scenario, she'll grab her chance and do it. Anyway, that was just it for her supposed-to-be night out. There was nothing else to say. Oh! except that she was asked if she's available tomorrow night. She is not available on Friday night. She's missing a lot of her friends and she's agreed to join them for dinner probably at the new Amici branch in Timog. So she was asked if she's free on Saturday. Again, she is not available on Saturday. Either she's on a funeral/wake or she'll be having a late dinner with her friends, or both. It's not that she doesn't want to. It's just that she's not really available. She feels like a celebrity with her sched,eh?! If that is so, I am her manager then. Need an appointment? LOL-- yeah, I can use "LOL", too, can I? And I can ride on her trip as well. LOL. Oh well, where am I with my story on C3's Day Out? Right. The hotel. The Intercontinental (Hotel) in Makati City. So she saw C2, said warm hello(s) and how are 'yah(s). Went to the same place where they had breakfast buffet the last time, the Filipino-themed Cafe Jeepney (at the ground floor). Waited to be seated. The waiter guided them to the same table they were seated before, but this time, C3 chose the seat facing the door. "So I could see every one coming in," she said, laughing as usual, "And I'll rate them, too," she continued. "Have you seen any celebrity yet?" C2 asked. "Me, I'm a celebrity." she almost said. See what I mean now? A celebrity. Of course we know she's joking. And I am glad she kept it to herself this time. *phew* There are no celebrities around. At least no one they both knew. The waiter asked them if they'd have coffee or tea. They both opted for the brewed coffee. Milk and 3 sugar packets for C3. Off they went to the buffet area and both came back with a full-plate. There were lots of food to choose from. Of course the scrambled egg was the first one she got, 2 whole grilled tomatoes, corned beef over 2 different bread, miso soup and, oh! she tried Japanese rice this time. I don't think she liked it though. Well, she's not a rice-person anyway. After the main course, C2 got puto-bumbong and bibingka while C3 got some green grapes, red grapes, melon (cantalope, C2 said), and honey dew. "You know, I can't see myself wearing such smart-casual attire and attending on some meeting in a hotel or in any other corporate meetings at that, just like what they're doing", pointing discreetly to a group of people. "If you have your own company and you have to meet a lot of your clients, you should wear like that. You, er... the way you look would represent your company." C2 patiently replied. "Alright, I can't see myself wearing that," she repeated. What she meant was, she doesn't want to wear those kind of clothes nor the kind of shoes that goes with such attire. Knowing her, if she could wear her fave chucks or her rubber shoes at work, she'd wear those. "And what's with that guy's trolley?" referring to the guy in a suit who took off pulling his trolley. "Laptop. Files, Presentation materials, etc.," C2 replied, "and I used to carry such bag, by the way, but now I use a backpack." If I am going to share to you the rest of their conversation, we won't get to the end of it. They have practically talked about everything under the sun. Some with sense. Some, well... take it from the trolley conversation. The Bibingka and Puto-bumbong were like Christmas in March (as C2 would have said). It's the best puto-bumbong C3 has ever tasted. This time there were no left-overs (they spared one puto-bumbong's life last time because they were sssso full). Even the fruits were all gone and their second cup of brewed coffee was to the last drop today. "I have to brag about this though. I always get at least a Junior Suite in every hotel. But today, the hotel's fully-booked except for one suite," C2 started and went on, "I am at the top floor. 12th floor actually. They have upgraded me to the Presidential Suite here and it's not just for one night but for my entire stay here!!!" C2 blurted out. "Huwowwww!!!!!" C3 was surprised. She has no idea how huge a Presidential Suite really is. She might have seen one in movies but she has never seen a real one. "Yeah. So bad I can't maximize my stay. You know how crazy my work sched is," C2 added with a sigh. "Still... Huwoowww!!!!" C3 repeated. That made them both beaming again. "Huge! I could lose my stuff in there! It's huge! I didn't even get to the bed yet. I just sat on the couch. I was in shock to see the rooms. I have my own sauna, a jacuzzi, my own formal dining room, a receiving area, a separate room for entertainment--- and oh! I have a grand piano in there!" C2 was trying to enumerate every detail of the suite that he remembers, while C3 was trying to digest every bit of detail she's getting but she couldn't really imagine exactly how big or huge a Presidential Suite is. "Uhh.. Can I see the room, please?" she finally said, grinning. She got her wish and more... C2 gave her a tour of the hotel. She loves doing that-- checking every facility of the hotel. They checked some menu at Prince Albert (fine dining) and both of them stared aghast at the rates of the steak meals (how's Php1800++ for a 400g steak?). They checked out the pool, passed by a bar, straight to the elevator, and pressed #12 for the floor. "The Presidential Suite", C3 was getting ecstatic, she was reading the panel. Excited. I don't think she's noticed the other people inside the elevator. When they got to the 12th floor, she got out. Walked the hallway. I don't think she remembers a word C2 was saying but he's saying something about the suites. The rooms. And a lot more. But she's too excited to take it all in (pardon the little girl, C2). C2 took out his access card and swiped it in. They both ran inside. C2 was as happy as a clam. Like a little boy showing every piece of his new toy to his friend. C3 was like a little girl, awed to see what C2 was telling her about--- "The Presidential Suite", they, both, kept saying. First stop, the formal dining area. "It's so much bigger than my own room," C3 said as she was laughing already. It's 2 or 3 times bigger than her room actually. "This table won't even fit in my room," she continued. Both of them were laughing so hard at the thought. "And hey! Imagine yourself having your breakfast here. ALONE!" she's unstoppable sometimes, I know. Then C2 showed her the kitchen. "If I have some guests, they could fill-in the chinaware," he explains. Then they ran to the receiving area, the room with a huge couch, a lot of cushioned chair, stereo, TV, and THE grand piano. "Do you now how to play the piano?" C2 asked. "Uhh... a little. I knew how to play Blue Moon before. Let me try," and she sat and tried to play Blue Moon. She failed. It's either she forgot the notes already or she's just too excited to really concentrate on the keys. More of the latter I am sure. She stopped. Went to the window and enjoyed the view of The Fort, Forbes Park, and EDSA. They watched a plane pass by and the buses and motorcycles speed up along EDSA and Ayala. They both stared and enjoyed the view for awhile. Then C2 showed her the bedroom. The room C2 won't probably enjoy because his schedule says so. He won't probably enjoy the whole suite-- again, make that "The Presidential Suite." He should be in a meeting/training today at the client's site, and tonight he's having dinner with his best friend, and probably stay out late. Tomorrow will be another hectic day for him. And on Saturday he'll drive up North-- to Baguio, to be with his wife and kid, who are having a grand vacation as well (as they are all base in the U.S.). Then he handed C3 a box and 2 canisters of chocolates. "One for you and one for D," he said, "and the box, that's for your back up." "Wow! Thank you!" was all she can say. She was actually staring at the box. She couldn't believe what was inside the box. A Maxtor OneTouch 4 External HD with 250GB capacity. More than enough for her old files. "Thank you," she repeated. "No problem. I got it in a discounted price." C2 said. Then he called C3 so she could see the best room in the suite. At least I know it's the best for C3. One, she loves taking a bath. The shower room has a full-rainshower showerhead, shower on both corners and back. Before she could check inside, C2 opened a door beside the shower room. It's the Sauna! She closed the door. Then she opened. C2 showed her how it works. Then she turned it off. Then the jacuzzi caught her attention. Speechless. C3 was speechless for the first time since the day started. "And they have a His and Her bathroom sink, too." C2 pointed at the separate sinks, "and there's of course the comfort room", he pointed to the separate door that leads to the comfort room. Then they went back to the formal dining area. Then back to the huge sala. Enjoyed the view by the window. Sat. Talked. They're both amazed actually. It's not everyday that they get to set their foot on a Presidential Suite (well at least for C3. C2 on the other hand is a regular on hotel bookings. But it's his first time on a Presidential Suite). I was entertained by the way they describe the feeling. I felt proud. I was pleased. They were both grateful for the opportunity. C2 appreciated having such a blessed life and C3 felt so blessed too having seen such blessed life in a friend. "Did you ever day-dream when you were a kid?" C3 asked. Oh-uhh she's getting serious. "Yes. I remember that. Everytime a see a plane, a 747 before, I told myself that someday I'm going to ride on one." C2 started, "Look at me now. I travel a lot. Like I said, be careful what you wish for, it might come true and it could be more." He said laughing. "Right. True." C2 agreed. Then she turned her attention to the wall. "This is sssso nice. The design. The decors," she continues, "uhh... except for that decor on the wall, what's that? Who wore that costume? It's creepy!" The word! This time I did not stop her from using it. They were both laughing. "Right! It's a costume. Probably of some tribe," C2 added, "... right, they shouldn't put it there." "Creepy!" C3 meant it. Peeking at her imagination, she was imagining a child wearing that. The child died. No. The child has lost his head then his clothes were taken and some hotel used it as their wall decor. She's even imagining the face of the kid on the film, the Grudge. "Yeah. Someone could walk around this suite at night. Some ghosts," that was C2 adding up some spice to the topic. I had to grab both of their attention out of that wall so they'd stop. Then they went back to enjoy the view at the other part of the room. It's a building besides Rustan's. They wonder if it's another mall or just for parking. "It could be a mall, it's a mall structure." C2 said, "look at the workers," pointing to the men with blue shirts, a pair of jeans, and yellow (some white) hard hats, "... Filipinos, wherever you go, are hardworking," he said. C3 agreed, "...and look, they look like the little people on Lego blocks!" That was my queue. C3's imagination is running weirder the more she stays in that suite. I had to take them out of the room then. Let them breathe fresh air again. "Ok. I know you haven't slept yet. I should get going now. Thank you ssssso much for showing me the suite." C3 to C2. She said it was as if she's out of the country. She said it was like a dream. She's having a lot of that wonderful dreams lately. I am happy watching her embrace every positive energy that she's getting from each dream. "It is always my pleasure to have the chance to share whatever blessing I have to my friends. I just know you'd appreciate this." C2 said. He's right. C3 loved the experience. "oh wait. I have to take a pee..." that was C3 as usual. Yup! She's been into every room at The Presidential Suite. "Uhh... Where are you?!", she asked loudly, coming out from the comfort room. She didn't see C2 anywhere. "Here!" C2 was laughing. He was looking for something at the other room, "... see?! I told you I'd lose something here. But I found it. Let's go." They were both laughing when they went out. Back to the hallway and to the elevator that led them to The Presidential Suite. It was a little past 9. C2 pressed the #1 on the panel. C3, as usual, was reading the panel. "Bahia," C3 read it to herself. And just before the door closes, "What's with Bahia?", she asked C2. And with a shock on C2's face, he tried to press the Open button at the panel. It was as if he couldn't believe that he's forgetting something. "I have got to show you the Club Lounge," he said, with an excited tone again, "and Bahia," he added, "it is a function room." So they hopped out of the elevator. Pressed the Up button and waited. Bahia's located at the 14th floor. Same with the Club Lounge. And at Club Lounge (C2 explained these things to C3), only limited members are allowed. If you are on a club-member-only floor then obviously, you could enjoy the privileges, like buffet, wine in the morning, variety of coffee mixes, etc. etc. "If you are on the Presidential Suite, of course that's automatic." And he showed the card to C3. They passed by a small table with two ladies dressed up like some stewardess. "Usually they would ask who you are, so they can check if you are allowed to be there," C2 said. C2 just told them what room he's in, and the two ladies never asked again. "They're probably wondering who we are. We look like Dodong and Inday on the loose," they were starting again. "Let's have another cup of coffee," C2 offered. Cappuccino. Both of them had a cup in their hand. I wonder, haven't they realized that it's their 3rd cup of coffee in less than 3 hours? C3 chose the couch. Where new stories were told. Questions were thrown and answered. About life. Family. Some journeys. Plans. Dreams. And a lot more. They were having a good and fun conversation. C2 showed a photo of his wife and his son, too. "Personal question," C2 asked C3, "don't you really have any suitor right now? Not even one?" C3 wasn't really surprised to hear such question, she's used to it, "No. Zero. I don't go out and if I'm out, look at the crowd I am with. Taken and married people. Some I wasn't even born yet. I adore these people. It's just in our batch, it's just R and me." "How about online, long-distance, or any ka-chat?", he asked. "Naah. The only people I chat with lately are those I really know. I don't know. There's really no one that interests me. Probably because I've been locked up inside my world, eh?!" she explains. "You really have to go out and be seen..." topic closed. "Hey! How bright is the sun when you're up on a plane? How does the sea look like? How does it feels like when you're inside a plane? Can you walk the normal walk? or was it like in a bus?" C3 asked while demonstrating how she'd walk inside the bus-- like a drunk man! They talked some more. They laughed some more. Then upon realizing that it's past 10am and that C2 had to grab some sleep, they left the Club Lounge, both feeling light and grateful for the blessings I just poured them in. "You have seen how plain and simple my life is," C2 was joking. "Yup. As simple as hotel-hopping and country-hopping," C3 said, "you're so lucky. you're so blessed. I felt like in some way, I have been blessed too." Then they both said their goodbyes. C2 to get some nap at the Presidential Suite then back to his busy work sched again. And C3, to her what she describes "her jaded life". She's happy though. I know she feels a little scared. I can't blame her, she's living a life one day at a time not knowing where the next day would bring her. "Come to think of it. You could be showing all these beautiful things to me now for two possible reasons: One, it could be because soon, they will all be gone, I can never experience the real thing, these are just dreams. Or two, it could be because soon, you will be showing me more wonderful things, and that it will get better." she was talking to Me while we were walking. I asked her to stick with the latter reason. And she obliged. We walked. She walked with her habit of asking herself, "what's this person thinking about?" or "where are these people going?"... and more. If I could put a bubble over her head, it could all be garbage, I say. Not because her thoughts are non-sense but because it would never be understood by any normal person. The words will be overlapping one another. Jumbled. She could even exceed the line limit. But I know her. I know how deep her knowledge about Me is. I know how strong her faith in Me is. I do not have to hear her say that. I already know. But she did it anyway. She passed by My chapel, knelt, thanked Me as if she wasn't thanking Me all the time that she's walking, then she said: "I know You know me even before I was conceived. I have faith that You know where my life is heading to... something good. Someday. Soon." She got home safe and excited to share you her story. Her day out. But she cried when she opened an email from a dear friend who just went through a depressing situation. She felt she needed to say something but she couldn't say a word. A few friends had to rescue her until she's back to her normal self again. But I've taken the floor from her. As a Friend, and being the Sole Witness to her life, I feel like doing this for her. At least she'll have something to remind her of how fun life could be and how people's lifestyle could change and how it could change one's personality. It could be for worse. It could be for better. I know she will remember. I know she will remember. Someday, some things will be revealed. Some prayers will be answered. Some will not. Some people will cry and some will lift-up their spirits. Some will rejoice for a newborn, some will mourn for a loss of a loved one. Some people could lose their faith, and there will always be someone to bring it back for them. C3's Day Out is over. At least just for today. Readers have left 3 comments. 1. Untitled Tin, Unregistered wow. i liked that prayer. thanks very much for sharing! it's as if i was also there, checking the hotel  your work inspires me. Posted 2008-03-07 11:07:07 2. Untitled mae, Unregistered hi tin, THANK YOU sa pagtangkilik.  Posted 2008-03-07 17:51:13 3. Untitled C3, Unregistered UPDATE: C2 was able to enjoy pala THE Presidential Suite plus an experience of a Prince Albert fine dining! kewl!  Posted 2008-03-10 18:30:37 |
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