Friday energy

It hits the heart differently when it is almost the weekend. Most people from work dress up their best. Some appear to have a dinner to catch after 5 PM. In our office today, the vibe is also extra. Since November, our department has started a sports festival among employees. So for two weeks, some of us head to the motor pool in the afternoon to witness the games, our warmest break from hours of screentime.

This Friday, four workmates assigned to our provincial satellite office visited the office to participate in the games. After purposely completing our day’s worth task in the morning, we spent the afternoon supporting them and laughing extra.

As if the afternoon bonding was not enough, we dined and brought our jokes and stories to one of the tables at Choobi-choobi, SM Butuan. The witnesses to our overflowing laughter, the people working there, and those surrounding us, lobbied no complaints. I bet they understood how much we enjoyed each other’s company and related to a time in their life they experienced the same.

We bought chips and snacks after and headed straight to Ate Gra and Niña’s place. Before hitting the bed, we played Uno cards and asked random questions until 2 AM. We mixed Soju with Yakult to serve as the group drink. But it was not the driving force. The stories, as always, steered us to know each other more.

I have a handful of lessons, experiences, and people to thank since joining the team of diverse and equipped young people for a program under the DA. On the list is the friendship I gained over the years. There is no other work-related connection to me that is tantamount to what I share with my SAAD workmates.

It is during the hard times when the connection reinforces, but more apparent on the lighter days is how much sustaining it warms the heart.

It won’t be long until some of us start jumping places to seek development. But for now, we enjoy everyone's energy. This bond, for sure, will last beyond this Friday.