Bonding – end

2:18pm (12th Feb) – last day at work before Tet arrives

I have long stopped the pleasure of attending karaoke session. I dont know why.  But I attended anyway and it was great fun. I met my ‘match’ of ‘bitchiness’ (well not exactly more like…mouth war).

It was a he-she  ‘Thím Hồng’ and I immediately considered myself on the other gender ‘Cậu An’, whom I had the pleasure of giving the award of Best Ladies Man of the entire office the next day. We had great fun talking bullshit and non-sense on that day. The next following occasions…we were chatting on Yahoo passed mid night while he was sneakingly watching the teli. He was probably one of the most relaxed, straightforward but quirky Northern guys I have ever met. Thím Hồng is happily married with a 3 years old baby girl. How cute.

Then comes  ”Casanova’ Mr. Phuc Nguyen…quite a character, I could dare to say that Phuc is a womanizer….perhaps we could blame it on his artistic makeup (not cosmetic), but friendly enough to be around…

The TAO GOES HOLLYWOOD Party was a great opp to meet new people, new colleagues from the Ha Noi office. New faces, old, young, single, married, enjoying life.

(Ogilvy PR team)

And…..a new friend may I call him such

(Credit: Phuc Nguyen)

In preparation for the BIG NIGHT, all the ladies went to get their hair do, their nails polished while I was strolling the Old Quarter shopping with the guys….It was a memorable night. It was perhaps one of the most anticipated nights of the entire year, celebration, reunion, and a night fulled of stars. Each of us took turn to shine at the event. I was among all enjoyed mostly the companionship of all my workmates who have been with me for the period of 2 years at the agency. We partied hard out. Hit ‘Next’ night club for some crowd crunching, beers, girls, and techno. Then off to hear our own voices and sang for each other….

As if the night was done….I wanted more…I had to have more, to take it all in….Off to the lake we went, on the street, rice wine, roasted chicken feet, sausages, and an early morning fully of laughter.

The next day on the way to airport……

I put my headphone on, listened to my fav play list while all of my colleagues were laughing their heads off and chatting over the weekend – the good the bad and the funniest moments. I made a note to myself as I was purposely trying to block out all the noises. I needed to reflect…taking the time to take it all in.

Perhaps I did not want it to end. In some state of denial.

My disjointed note reads: ‘ 45min ride to airport, recap on the days…I’m rude yes to block out all the laughter, noises, the promised connection that all were eagerly made to one and another..emotional yes it was. There were some regrets discussion, then all drifted into a quick nap….exhausted perhaps…..while I was looking out of the bus window seeing the scenes passing by. I closed my eyes and saw the flashes of images, moments alive….all captured click click click by a. Phuc’s Nikon cam…my wound finally healed…’almost’.