Home vs Social Life

Here's a subject that I've been trying to deal with for a while. With having three kids, it's a lot more one sided than you would think. haha. The reason for this random blog is because of a conversation at work, not just tonight but on numerous occasions with different people. That conversation had to do with social gathering with co-workers outside of work.

I've always believed in social gatherings outside of work to be fun and beneficial. For one, sometimes it's easier to coordinate social time with coworkers since you have the same schedule.  It's a good way to relax with your co-workers in non-work, non-serious atmosphere and get to know them on a personal level. In turn this leads to a better work environment, well in most cases.

The other side of the argument is that why would you want to spend time with outside of work when you already spend over 40 hours a week with. Why would they spend time away from their family to be with people they see all the time. Fair enough. It makes sense because ya, depending on what the social event is, you could be.

I guess this is where the whole friends and co-worker line is drawn and how sometimes you blends both of them together when really they are separate. A co-worker is someone that you are forced to work with because you have similar/same job and that relationship in strictly within work. A friend is someone that you have a relationship beyond work. Someone that you are willing to make time to have a relationship outside of work with. Hearing statements like "all people do outside of work together is talk about work" or "it's pretty sad when your wedding consists of a lot of your co-workers"kind of irks me. Because for someone like me who did not grow up in this area, most of my friends are people that I do or have worked with. And I don't see anything wrong with this since you do have something in common, work, and it is easy to get to know the other person because you have time to do it.

It's an on-going discussion that I have with myself. The more I talk to people at my work the more it seems like they side with the "I spend enough time with everyone at work" mentality. I also think that it may be the situation that we're in compared to my last job.

1) current job - mostly people with families and who all live in different cities.

2) last job - mainly people without families (ie. kids) and who live within in the same city.

I did think to myself with the last conversation I had with a co-worker is that maybe I'm thinking of it wrong. Maybe I'm a bad husband and father for wanting to partake in social gatherings. Do people that do spend time away from their family outside of work love their family less?

I guess it all comes down to the person and what they believe. Sorry for wasting your time with this silly non-sense. I don't even know who still reads anymore. Feel free to comment with your thoughts.

Tis the Season Part 2

This Christmas was particularly special to me because of a couple reasons.

 One, this was the last Christmas that my family was a family of four. Next year, actually this year, we, we will be a family of five. Jett Reynen Catacutan will be added under the tree and cuteness in our photos.

Secondly, this was the first year since 2009 that I was able to spend Christmas day with family. My mom and brother were able to make this trip this year. And hopefully it is not the last.

Christmas morning was spent with just the family, my mom and Mitch. Didn't go as planned since our visitors were still on central time and woke up late. So the present opening and breakfast was a tad delayed. Next time we're going to send the kids up to wake everyone in the house. haha. The kdis had a blast opening presents, and a lot of them, thanks Mitchell.

In the evening time, Eva's family came to join us along with some strays. haha. We had a big dinner, tons of food, took pictures, open more presents, and a little poker. This Christmas was a first for my mother-in-law as well, it's the first Christmas she was able to spend with her family since 2004. she was either in living in New Brunswick or traveled there during the holidays to help out with her brother's restaurant. It was nice that she could spend it with her family, especially with her grandchildren .

Beside mostly everyone being sick during the holidays,  they were exactly needed, time to relax and time spent with family. My kids, especially Teo, really bonded with Mitch this time down. Even after Mitch and my mom went home, which Teo knew, but still asked where his tito was and when we said he's home now, he insisted we facetime with him. It was cute, never seen him like that, but I'm glad to see it. I always had a fear that my kids wouldn't get to know my family as well as Eva's since they lived so far away, but it amazes me every time how affectionate they are with my family. It makes me happy :)

Tis the Season Part 1

As per usual, every year the Catacutan's host the Cousin's Christmas party that includes my lovely wife's sisters and cousins. It's a themed party that includes a potluck, gift exchange (secret or dirty Santa), drinks, games, pictures, and a lot of good laughs.

This year we got to welcome the additions of three new people to the party.

First - The star of the party Kayden Everly, the daughter of Rob and Edselyn.

Secondly - the St. Clairs, Kris and Christine. My closest cousin and his wife moved down to southern Ontario in July. It was nice to have them take part in the cousin's Christmas especially since I don't have much family around this area. Not really a surprise that they were able to mesh well with the everyone.

Like every year, the party was a blast. Lots of wine drinking this year, dirty Santa was a lot of fun with some strategizing to obtain a picture, congrats Rob and Ed on successfully pulling that off. Plus I'm happy that my present was actually stolen!  One of the reasons I look forward to this party every year is the fact that it reminds me of the party back home, loaded with fun and laughter. Here's a few pictures from the evening.