Keeping the spirit of friendship rolling beyond years and corporate walls

These wonderful people were my team mates at work when I was working in HP and we were supporting the Shell Business Service Centre. Back then, we were running on 24x7 IT operation so we were scattered on three different shifts. Having a team meeting with everyone around was not possible while we have the operation running so we had to do it during weekend.

When we bond outside the office, we make the most out of it even with a very limited time. From bowling to spending the evening chatting over drinks up to when the date changes.

I left HP in June 2010 while first two photos were taken in December 2011. Yes, I was no longer part of the team but they still have been counting me in their gimmicks.

I posted the photos from my camera on Facebook in February 2012 and these among the other photos came out few weeks ago as a memory reminder. One of those who were tagged re-shared it with a note that she misses our team, those moments when even if she's been into 24-hour shift yet still energetic because people surrounding her got nothing to do but laugh.

Over the span of years since I left them, we all had our own paths. The team we used to have no longer exists because the client has taken a different direction. In spite of that, we kept in contact through social media. We attempted several times to schedule another gimmick. To keep the story short, common availability of majority has been elusive.

Fast forward to 2nd March 2019. We finally met! Out of the original eight members on the first two photos, only four of us made it. In spite of that, every moment of our meeting was worth it.

Rona and I first arrived at the meeting place. Her first words were: "I missed you. How are you? Why, you did not change a bit. You did not grow old, you did not get fat."

Get fat, of all things! Ahh, I like the humor! She's so cheerful as always! She is this jolly person who does not seem to run out of witty jokes to crack. I laughed and looked at her. She has grown to full woman, unlike the fresh-graduate looking team member I had years ago.

We started with buffet lunch.

I was not thinking about it but one of the crew approached our table and asked if anyone is having a birthday on that day or within the month. They asked about celebrators because the restaurant will waive the meal cost of the birthday celebrator on that day. Birthday celebrator for the month but not on that day gets a free mini-cake. And this is what I got. 😋

The guys finally arrived after getting stuck on traffic. Then we chatted here and there over our foods. We did not notice the time passing by until one of the crews did his round and reminded us to have our last take if we still want more.

Alright, all full. Time to bowl! We were hoping to get a lane soon because most are usually taken during weekends. As we anticipated, we needed to wait. We were third in line. And when they gave our lane number, we got that birthday blowout blast! It is not yet my birthday but thank you! 😂

None of us is really a bowler. We just play as amateurs as we are, cheer like children every time the bowl hits even just one pin and tease each other when the ball goes to the canal. It was a good practice for everyone of us after eight years. Somehow I had two strikes and a spare on the first game. I did not totally lose my pulse and grip after all. That's a pat on my back. 😂

Professional bowlers can score up to 300 in one game. For us, reaching a hundred is already very good. I was teasing Rona that I will have this scoreboard photo be laminated. She asked to pass that for now and do it when she has a better score. Okay... 😊

The second game was a reverse for the three of us as we obviously lost track. Our wrists were tired. On the other hand, John gained his momentum and led the game to the end.

I had cough and was coughing all the more after our two games because of scream cheering. 😃 Of course, the game will not be complete without our group photo.

And the "now" group photo will not be complete without putting it beside the "then" version. I did not realize that Rona and I had the same position. These photos will always bring smile to my face.

After the game, Rona met her former colleagues from her other employer while the guys and I went to pick Je and her fiance. I was already out of HP when Je was hired so we did not work together. However, that has not been a hindrance for them to keep inviting me with their gimmicks and out of town trips. Once, I joined their team going to Quezon province and never did I feel like an outsider to them even with more new members whom I haven't worked with.

We went back to meet Rona and the chatting continued over dinner until the date has changed. It was past midnight when we parted ways. It was a very long day from before noon to past midnight, and seem not enough, but it was very heart warming to meet them again and know how they have been after all those years.

One of the best things to keep when I move from one company to another is the friendship that we establish even if we are no longer in the same team, regardless of employers we have and regardless of the time that passes by. I just love it!

Before we parted, one of our topics was our next trip. Out of town this time. Whoah! I can't wait for that!

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