it's all about free food...
yesterday we had our hospital holiday lunch party, which they throw for all the employees of the hospital in the cafeteria. since our institute is affiliated with the hospital, we're invited, too...they usually have someone dressed up as santa to take pictures with, and lotsa food (kinda cafeteria style, but pretty okay). the best part is the dessert...they usually have trays loaded with gourmet-type chocolate and fruit cakes and pastries. yesterday was no exception...i gorged myself and was regretting it all afternoon - major food coma, which became the joke of the office....i looked and felt pretty sleepy as the blood rushed to gi system, leaving my brain without any whatsoever...but i somehow managed to stay awake and get some work done. after lunch, maria, kristiane (her baby girl), vickie and i took a picture with santa, and looking at it on my desk makes me feel almost nostalgic...it's probably the last one i'll have...i can't believe i've been to three holiday parties now.
today is our institute's holiday party, which goes from lunch into the afternon. they have it at this pretty fancy restaurant on the beach - we usually rent out a banquet room, have a dj and open bar (for an hour), a raffle where everyone gets something (at least a gift certificate - one of the main reasons why i go), and last year, we had a caricaturist. they hand out awards and recognitions, and the food's pretty good...so i'm anticipating another gorging session, though thankfully, i don't have to go back to work afterwards.
on monday, we have our clinic holiday lunch with the nurses. there's a secret santa gift exchange, and i got one of our fellows...hard to shop for. usually we have pretty good food, so i'm anticipating another afternoon spent fighting sleep.
food, food, everywhere...