Saturdays are usually slow and uneventful for me. They mean the beginning of another workweek for us in the Middle East. Another day at the office. But yesterday was eventful. But before that I had friends from Riyadh come for a visit last Wednesday night, I had no time to cook so I just ordered a Super Large Sweet & Sour Lapu Lapu from the nearest Restaurant in my house and cooked rice. Thursday lunch in Phuket Restaurant was also a treat since I brought Friendship Rob and his schoolmates Emir and Randy together. Friday Lunch Despedida was also fun but a little tiring since I was up till 12 midnight the night before boiling the meat for the sinigang. They enjoyed the sinigang but reviews of my chicken adobo kept on coming.

And now that the weekend was over, lets move on to Saturday. Well early morning Saturday, I was already trying avoid an argument with an agent on the phone. I gave him the necessary information he needed for some hotels but he kept asking silly questions that I did not have time for. I told him to do his homework and not rely on me alone since our Department was closing and he needed to prepare himself for that. I sensed that he was gearing up for an argument as most Indians enjoy debates, so I told him I don’t have time for silly arguments, if he needed to know more, he should check himself. And besides my Access was already limited since I was doing clearance already as preparation for my vacation. And I cut the line. Oh what a way to start the day.

I had Banking Problems as well. I sent money through a remittance center here a week ago and have been checking my account through the Internet every day since then but the money hasn’t arrived in my account yet? Crap! I checked with the Bank here and they said there was a Name Discrepancy. What name discrepancy? I’ve used the same name as before and I send money to the same account every month? Well anyway, they said they were going to follow up but it would start only on Monday since Saturday and Sunday was not a Banking Day in Manila. And that I would know on Tuesday. But my flight is on Wednesday !!! And I need to solve the problem sooner. But I had no choice.  So walkout ako sa bank.

While I was on the bank, M was calling. I said I would call back since I was trying to sort out the bank issue. So I called back. M asked if I would like to come to their house. The idea was a welcome ending to a stressful day. So I bought pizza and brought it to their house. When I arrived, M, Roommate and a colleague was there. I offered them all pizzas. We ate and watched TV. I was a little bit silent and awkward and M was gave me the eye, nudged me and asked why I was quiet. After the pizza was consumed, colleague finally left. Jeez, finally! Well the truth was I was already felt at home with Roommate, but colleague was a stranger to me. So now I can move freely and less guarded.

We had drinks, and watched One More Chance. Afterwards they put on Videoke. M sang beautifully – off key. M said that I should just sleep over. But I didn’t want to since I had to wake up early the next day and I wanted to sleep in my bed. I declined his offer and went home.

I slept with a smile plastered on my face.