Pondering Lifetimes

2012-01-30T22:45:00.002+08:00

I tweeted today that I needed to get through the first quarter of this year. It's a tough one until March - financially, work-wise, personally, emotionally. This quarter is sort of like my new year: I posted something on Twitter regarding how new year's resolutions might work better if you start in February. January is for getting over and detaching from the past year, as well as preparing oneself for the goals for the year ahead. Makes sense for me because it can be overwhelming during the holidays then trying to force new habits all of a sudden in January. It's a transition month, so to speak.

So this January has been pretty steady, but still strangely tiring. It looks the same for the next two months, which requires me to stretch a bit, especially financially. It seems that I have been adjusting for the past six months already to a different quality of life and I can never get used to the changes just yet. For once, so many changes in my life - I still can't seem to recover from each blow, but maybe that's what makes life interesting now and I'll try to roll with the punches.

January will be ending already and I'm already prepping for the new year resos to implement in February. It's not easy and I have to say this, I have a lot for food-related resolutions! And I have continuing plans for the second quarter. I just need to pull through February and March. In Tagalog, kailangan ko lang itawid ang first quarter. Very challenging, but holding on to the hope that this year will finally be so much better! Hey, it's supposed to be better for the Monkeys! But aside from that, I sincerely believe it is so. We really deserve this year for all the good things to carry forward. :)

2012-01-05T23:25:00.007+08:00

Finally, 2011 in review.

What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Moved to a new industry, new company. From banking to telco. Most interesting and challenging.
Fly out internationally. I haven’t done that before because I always travelled with my family or friends. This time, I had to go out on my own. I hate the fact that being a single girl flying alone is such a flight risk! But I loved the feeling that I was alone and had to find my way around on my own. Travelling alone is still taboo with my parents but we shall see how we can work that out!
Since I was new at work, I had no leaves yet so I went straight from my flight to work. So that’s about 48 hours with only four hours sleep. Good thing I was able to pull through with lots of coffee!
Failed in my life. As in.
Opened up to the universe and let it take its course (carefully).
Learned to say no albeit I was so stressed.
Veil sponsor fail! Haha it was my first time to be a veil sponsor and at my first destination wedding --- my cousin’s.
Mastered driving in Quezon City to get my brother’s immobilizer.
Attend project management and process/quality improvement workshops.
Swim at 3am.
Act like a rock star and “performed” in front of people during the Christmas party. I can’t act to save my life. Goodness.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Well. Okay. I said last year I would pray regularly. I did try to keep that up, it's a work in progress especially what happened last year. So that reso will still carry over to this year. Praying, trusting.
For this year, let’s see. I plan to detox and visit the derma every quarter. Have a hair cut every one month and a half. Buy new clothes!
Be able to go on retreat or at least a recollection and confession once a year.
Check out the life coaching thingy (will see if I can budget that within the year).
Have an exercise plan beginning second q of the year. Being sedentary is not a good thing. Cut down on snacking and McDonald's breakfasts.
Be more responsible with my finances --- achieve the 1st q goal.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
My Mommy Pam (to Isaiah Zachary) and Ate Ina to twin girls! These girls are my "family" and I couldn't be happier for them.

Did anyone close to you die?
Not very close, but in the family.

What countries did you visit?
Singapore.

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Ahahaha, I will say this again, TRUE LOVE! Wahaha! But yes, true love and more travel (not opportunities na kase dapat travel talaga. As in actualized). Every year talaga!

What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I sealed my fate (work wise) on August 1, 2011! Even if it was the beginning of the Ghost Month and Mercury Retrograde. Also, I opened to the universe then. Heehee!

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I will have to say my being able to move from one industry to another. Very different industries and slightly different function too. So far, I like to think I am surviving! I also came up with a different, newer vision of myself already. Let's see if I can get there (I know I will!).

What was your biggest failure?
That I was not able to have good closure for something. That's it.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes, a lot of colds and cough. I was such a sickly clam in the latter part of the year. It must be exhaustion or adjustment, I don't know lang.

What was the best thing you bought?
I always like to say anything to do with travelling is the best thing! Travel is really the most worthy investment for me. So even if it was a budgeted trip to SG (hostel, promo ticket to Universal, trains, bus, lots of walking), it’s still the nicest.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mine! My friends!

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I think I want to celebrate the good stuff now.

Where did most of your money go?
Coffee, milk tea, gas, parking, SG trip with friends.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to SG with my friends! Second time with Karina, first with Soul and Crissy.
Beginning a new job in an industry I knew I wanted to get into, but I didn't know how to. Especially in the social media field --- I was super, super excited.

What song(s) will always remind you of 2011?
Adele’s Someone Like You, Rollin’ in the Deep
Any The Script song, especially after their concert!
Love You like a Love Song by Selena Gomez. Really like this song! Guilty pleasure!
The World as I see it, I’m Yours by Jason Mraz
We Fell in Love in a Hopeless Place by Rihanna
Firework (again), Last Friday Night, The One That Got Away by Katy Perry
Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5
Super Bass by Nicki Minaj
Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
Give Me Everything by Pitbull

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Hmm. Tricky. Decisions I made this year were double-edged.
ii. thinner or fatter? The same --- neither here or there. (But I honestly think fatter.)
iii. richer or poorer? Financially poorer because I was in transition for two months and a half.

What do you wish you'd done more?
Enjoy and let loose. Chill.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Complain! Rant! Bitterness!

How many one-night stands?
None.

Did you fall in love in 2011?
No! (Violent reaction! Bitterness! Ahaha!)

What was your favorite TV program?
Since there was a time the past year that I had a lot of TV time on my hands, it became a habit to watch any season available on TV of ANTM, Junior MasterChef, MasterChef and Pretty Little Liars.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not anymore. Changes equate a lot of forgetting and consequently, forgiving.

What was the best book you read?
Still very much into Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy earlier this year. I also liked Ken Follett’s World Without End. It was an epic set in the Middle Ages, but I didn’t feel it was a chore to read through around 1,000 pages in tiny font.

Other than that, I haven’t read all that much this year. Boo. On the other hand, I was so disappointed with Jeffrey Archer’s latest offering Only Time Will Tell. I know it’s the first of a trilogy, so I will suspend further judgment until we get the next books. Haha okay I could not resist ranting, he’s my favorite author so I felt so bad hating his book.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hmm none really? I just learned to appreciate Jason Mraz more after watching him live.

What did you want and get?
A new... life(style). Knowing how much I was addicted to working, being in a new job and company changed much of my lifestyle. I am still adjusting, but I am learning now to appreciate "work life balance."

What was your favorite film of this year?
I was going to say Crazy Stupid Love, X-Men: First Class (James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender FTW) and/or Harry Potter 7.2 (it’s an end of an era!), but then I saw The Adventures of Tintin last November! I looooved it!! Growing up with those books/comics/classified-as-graphic-novels, it was a treat to watch it on the big screen. Intro pa lang, winner na. At first, I thought it was weird to have it as cartoons, but now I can't imagine it being a live action film. I love how Spielberg et al paid tribute to Herge by having a cameo in the movie.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
It was a Saturday. OH GOD I don't remember --- I think we had lunch and dinner as a family out. Lunch at Burgoo. I don’t remember the dinner. Haha! Nothing wild.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Lotsa travel sana, having a good closure and *coughTRUELOVEcough* (yes, Tea-tas, this is me trying not to be bitter).

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Boring! Corny! Ano ba.

What kept you sane?
My friends. Super super kept me sane in the insanity I cause myself.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Strangely, none.

What political issue stirred you the most?
It's not really an issue... I just hated the whole NBI clearance system. So pathetic. The fact that the previous service provider wasn't able to turn over easily caused much trouble for everyone having their clearance done. For someone like me who had the luxury of time, it was very inconvenient already, what more the OFWs who have limited time here in the country.

Who did you miss?
I immensely missed my friends from my old job. I still do!

Who was the best new person you met?
My new officemates!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
It takes patience, a lot of verbalizing to the universe, believing and praying very hard to get through a lot of things.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
If I could remember what my friends told me last May... it was all good and left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling that I was a good person, after all.

The most touching experience you've had this year?
My send off.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
I took a leap into the unknown.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
My quick temper.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
The dog days are over, the dog days are done.

Was 2011 a good year for you?
It was an interesting year. Very surprising --- I'm still reeling from it.

What was your favorite moment of the year?
I know this isn’t much for a lot of jetsetters, but it’s a big deal to me. :) After passing through Immigration and security in NAIA, I was supposed to go to the waiting area already. At that moment, I was alone in that hallway. It was already 10pm plus and there was no one around. I felt a burst of independence, fear, excitement, nervousness and amusement all at once that I had to stop and smile at myself.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
January to August. A bit of a low point there. (A bit lang? Ang tagal ah.)

Where were you when 2011 began?
Home.

Who were you with?
Immediate family.

Where will you be when 2011 ends?
Home.

Who will you be with when 2011 ends?
Immediate family.

How many concerts did you see in 2011?
Two: The Script and Jason Mraz. Filipino audiences rock! The Script had so much fun with the sing along of the Pinoys. So did Jason who was overwhelmed with the crowd. We have the best crowds in concerts!

Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2011?
No, not really. Just during my send off.

Do a lot of drugs in 2011?
Nope.

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Yeah well.

How much money did you spend in 2011?
I don't exactly know --- not as much as last 2010, though.

What was your proudest moment of 2011?
That I had a choice, I made a choice, I stood by it.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2011?
Wahaha! I do not have a rock star or acting bone in my body! Our department's Christmas party. I had to "be" David Bowie. Sadly, I did not pull it off. I hope there are no existing videos of that performance!

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2011 and change something, what would it be?
This is a funny question. There are plenty of moments, especially in the earlier part of the year that I wanted to change so many things! Things I regret I did.

What are your plans for 2011?
Wahaha buy new clothes! And per the Tea-tas' suggestion, dresses because I am always in jeans. Wahaha! Aside from that, travel a lot this year. Maybe shape my career more.

How are you different now that the year has ended?
I must have said this over and over --- I am still reeling from the past year. I thought I was content and settled at the end of 2010, but then things started to change in 2011. Now I'm still in awe at how things are turning out. If anything, I am believing even more so now in better things and possibilities ahead.

What are your wishes for the new year?
I hope that 2012 will be the start of better years full of love, laughter, friendship, happiness, contentment, travel and just all the good things! :)

2012-01-02T21:55:00.001+08:00

Oh my! I have not given up this blog for Twitter -- no way will I give up this blog, it's almost 10 years old -- but I've been having a hard time reviewing 2011.

I had been hemming and hawing over how to do my usual year-in-review. The past year was pretty much... surprising. At the end of 2010, I thought I was settled and ready to continue where I was; after all, I had learned to accept plenty of things. All of a sudden, and I mean that, I made a big decision (without really thinking it through, I will admit that now) and then, boom! My life was... not really in shambles, but I was in the middle of big changes that I was caught off-guard. And I thought I was already set where I was! It's crazy. Now I'm still marvelling where I am and maybe I am heading to be where I am supposed to be (let's see about that). That is my fervent wish. I sincerely believe now that things are beginning to change for the better and I will do my best to be a better person too.

2011-10-25T22:19:00.003+08:00

My hand today (the other hand is holding the camera, but it's the same, all red too!):

Okay, I realize it's quite the freaky picture, what with the doll's feet in red caught in the photo. Well... Happy Halloween! Yup, that's part of our office's decor for Halloween. Decorating has been in full swing since last week! Our bay got the famous zombie baby aka "tiyanak," and we've been dressing up our work area like a nursery with a freaky, scary baby. That's the surprise because our nursery looks very cheery and sweet, but when you peek into the crib, surprise! Haha! We'll be setting it up tomorrow.

As for the bloody "footprints" of the zombie baby on the pseudo wall, we used red poster paint on my fists (for the sole) and fingers (for the toes). Haven't done that footprint thing since, I don't know, high school? I didn't think it would look like footprints, but hey it did! Being artsy was so long ago! Good thing the paint's water-based so I was easily able to get it off. Paint was also splattered to give the effect of the baby after it's bloody, murderous rampage. I have not seen the movie where it's based on, but I imagine that's how it happened. This project has exhausted our creative juices --- really, you don't do much arts-and-crafts when you're a grown up, but happily, there's a lot of good ideas going around in turning an office into a nursery!

2011-10-08T23:17:00.005+08:00

Yay, this week's 5 is all about books! I love books. I do not mind buying books, even if I do need clothes, shoes and the like more. *guilty smile*

1. What book did you struggle to get through but is something you’re glad you’ve read?
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. It was very hard to get through for me. For some reason, I would get scared reading it! But I was happy to get through it, it's a pretty good story.

2. What’s a book whose popularity has baffled you?
Not really a specific book, but Danielle Steele books. Granted, I have never read any of her books (when I was about 11 years old, my parents told me, "You can start reading Sweet Valley High, Danielle Steele and Sidney Sheldon only when you're 12!" When I turned 12, I only got SVH and a Sheldon book. Never got around to Danielle Steele), but what makes her an enduring author? I see her books all around, but have never been compelled to buy (maybe because it's only her photograph at the back of the book and not a synopsis).

3. If you could make everyone you know read one book, what would it be?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It's one of the most moving books I have ever read. It's for young adults, but I think it has very universal and grown-up theme. I cannot read it without crying and the experience is always very emotional for me that's why I don't read it very often. I love the characters very much and it's one book I believe I will never stop recommending to anyone and will pass on to my future kids!

4. What book have you liked less and less as time has gone by?
Ahhh... well. It's the Shopaholic series. I bought the first three books six years ago and I thought Becky's adventures were amusing and I liked Luke. But as the popularity of the characters spawned so many other stories (having a sister and then baby), I got bored. Becky still hadn't gotten a grip on her spending and generally still ditzy. Gah. I think I outgrew her already as she never seemed to grow up (although I still love Luke and I want to have that inky purple dress Becky had in Shopaholic Takes Manhattan).

5. What book have you loved more and more as time has gone by?
I am biased to Jeffrey Archer --- definitely one of my favorite authors. So I really, really disliked his last book Only Time Will Tell (it's the first of a trilogy), but I am still a big fan of most of his work. If anything, I always say, the books that I love more and more are of his: Kane and Abel, The Fourth Estate, The Prodigal Daughter and of course, As the Crow Flies.

2011-10-06T21:13:00.002+08:00

Not an Apple user, but I am a fan of Steve Jobs. iSad. :(

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. ~Steve Jobs

Image from Things We Forget.

2011-08-29T00:25:00.002+08:00

My 30-day blog project for August is a failure! I was aiming to blog at least once for 30 days --- sort of like a habit again to flex my writing muscles, but I couldn't keep it up, what with all the stuff that happened during the month. I should think about doing that again; it was a good exercise for me, trying to do writing regularly once more.

Can I just share though, August was just plain cray cray! In a fun, engaging, unexpected, hurtful, wild, exhausting, overwhelming way. So many different things happened in August, I was pretty bewildered. Rundown:

Something new!
Immersion experience, something I have not done in a while
Weekend getaway in SG
Flying out alone experience (haha big thing for me)
Almost 48 hours sleepless, including day at work (survived thanks to coffee)
Feeling my way around a new place
Hard lessons in life and friendship

I am all surprised, tired, amused and grateful. But what can I say, I am happy to be busy and back on track (not in the way I expected though). August turned out to be pretty interesting and am looking forward how September (oh my the -ber months already!) and the rest of the year will turn out (even better, I hope!).

2011-08-26T23:57:00.006+08:00

Steve Jobs' resignation from Apple as its CEO unexpectedly touched me. Strangely.

Steve Jobs is a belated discovery/inspiration for me. When I was leading huddles in the office before, I refused to use the huddle material sent everyday because I wanted to inject something fresh to my teammates' day. The value I wanted most to do was "Display Passion and Optimism" which I never seemed to get (I eventually did, on my last huddle lead), so I would look for articles relating to passion and optimism and the value that I happened to land on for that day. I was planning to use Conan O'Brien for a later huddle, so I decided to search for other good reads.

I came across the text of Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement address in 2005 and I loved how it spoke to me about failure and passion. I was in a very distressing time already in my life and this was a good aid in reflecting how things such a failure can change your life in a good way if you let it. I loved how Jobs related how he looked back on life and could see how everything fell into place. This is one of my favorites:

Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

I also appreciated how he failed (was fired publicly from Apple) and this led to so much grief, and yet he still pursued what he loved. He found that the worst thing that could happen was actually the best thing that could happen. I cried at this point (as I said, I was in a bad place). And finally, this part, I kept:

Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.

Isn't it nice? Holding on, not losing faith and just love what you do. And not settling. How true. I hate how I discover these things at ~~this~~ that point in my life, but it's never too late to still keep discovering, believing and trusting that everything will fall into place.

A lot of things shook me soon after that huddle. But I kept the text of the speech and kept on re-reading it. Sort of like a mantra on how to keep it together and just holding on to what you love to do. It served (and still does) as my inspiration as I try to make it with my various passions. As long as I know what I want to do and be, I know it can and will happen.

Full text of Steve Jobs' speech can be found here.

2011-08-13T23:44:00.000+08:00

Steady Saturdays are good Saturdays! ♥

New discovery is Hazelnut Mocha Frappuccino from Starbucks. After months of avoiding coffee in favor of milk tea (be it Serenitea, Happy Lemon, Moonleaf, Chatime), it's a treat to go back to coffee! :) When I was trawling through my Flickr account (which I have not visited/updated for the longest time), I realized I was a huge fan of White Chocolate Mocha Frap. Then I went back to regular Mocha. Expensive kase. :)

A really random entry... just a good way to cap off a stressful week. :)

2011-08-12T22:19:00.002+08:00

From another Friday 5 site.

1. Bully, teacher's pet, geek, shy kid in the corner, or something else?
Shy kid in the corner or saling pusa. Hmm I think I have that aura about me! I don't know if that's good or not though.

2. What did/do you usually eat during lunch time at school?
Ooh lots of good food memories all of a sudden!
If Grade School to High School, I always brought food from the house for recess and lunch periods. But oh! I remember buying ZigZag ice cream everyday before. And also green mango slices with salt whenever they were in season. Yum! I loved my school's homemade spaghetti, pizza, arroz caldo and sago! I miss that!!
College, I finally had a regular allowance to buy food from the caf (strangely it was usually a tuna sandwich on wheat or ham-egg-cheese sandwich) or from the nearby mall or eateries around school.

3. What did/do you normally wear to school? Thinking back to what you wore (if you've already graduated), do you like it?
Grade School to High School: our very nice plaid uniform. We always thought we had one of the better all-girls' school uniforms. Obviously, we liked it!
College: First to Second Year, I was usually in jeans. Then Third to Fifth, we were required to wear smart casual/business attire. Boringggg.

4. Any sports/activities/clubs you participate(d) in?
Only Bowling in college aside from Comelec. High School was all about the school paper.

5. Any worthwhile friends you (would) still keep up with after graduation? (sic)
Of course! ♥ my friends from my school days.

I know it's supposed to be last week's 5 on the LJ, but they might post the next 5 later today (or tomorrow here). In any case, for fun! Nice trip down memory lane.

2011-08-11T23:06:00.001+08:00

Today was a semi-rough day - from a snippy conversation with someone to a long wait for a meeting and then traffic going home. Super nothing went my way! (Retrograde?) Bad day! Days like these, I don't like. Gets me really down and hard to snap out of it. The good things that happened today? Oh my, completely forgot about due to the stress.

But let's hope things will change for the better. *cross fingers* We live to fight another day tomorrow.

2011-08-10T21:33:00.000+08:00

On a noontime variety show, one of the hosts/correspondents was talking about the various events he was sent to cover. This prompted my brother to comment, "Does he still go to college?" I said I would think so, considering the boy goes to a good university and generally seems to have that good-boy image. "Iba na mga bata ngayon!" I said.

Which is so true! Students are not just students but students slash superstar bloggers slash celebrities slash anything with a raket! In this age of social media, it's very hard to remain anonymous, it's something to be unique. When I was in second year college, I considered working part-time by looking up want ads, but never mustered enough courage to go to the office where the interview was being held. It was so intimidating! My friends and I eventually became interns for a short-lived magazine. That was a short-lived job too.

In the end, I didn't get any other part-time jobs in college and instead concentrated on the Masters Degree and orgs. I figured, I will concentrate and enjoy being a student and will work when I graduate! Although extra funds aside from allowance would help, it was very hard to manage graduate school-level work, org commitments and commuting home (I emphasize that because the travel time was a big factor for me).

These days, I'm amazed to see how students can accommodate so many commitments and still keep up with school work. I guess there are more opportunities open and not just limited to being physically "in an office" (as what part-time jobs were open to before). More writing jobs, photography jobs, teaching jobs and so on -- all done online. So easy! I like to think that if I were a student now, I would be using writing or teaching skills to earn a little. It's so interesting how much technology creates plenty of breaks for people to connect, earn and learn, no matter how young (or old) one may be!

2011-08-09T23:18:00.001+08:00

My TV Guilty Pleasures

It's awful, but yes the TV is my constant source of amusement these days. The TV is also my background when I blog and surf. I used to watch a lot of series -- Glee, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, HIMYM -- but I tend to get emotionally invested and when it comes to that, I don't have the patience to wait a week for the next episode. So with the availability of whole series online and elsewhere, I don't watch series on TV anymore.

I eventually have to update the series I need to catch up on (and add new ones, like Pretty Little Liars which I chanced upon on TV) so now what I watch on TV are the reality shows. Hehe. And these are really guilty pleasures.

For example, America's Next Top Model. I can and will watch the reruns of whatever season is showing on TV! Right now it's Cycle 9 (again, for the nth time) and 16 on two different channels. The photo shoots are fun to watch and I guess it's not easy as models make it seem to look pretty and to sell the garment or image. I always wait for the "best shot" presented at panel and try to guess who gets it. :) Looking forward to the All Stars Cycle 17 to see if the favorites and the so-called villains are there! It's airing next month! I hope Star picks it up!

Another TV show I have been watching lately is MasterChef Australia 2, showing on Star World. I think it's the last week this week, as they are airing all the previous Master Classes. I missed the finale last Sunday although I did look up who won. Love this because (1) I like food and eating out (gosh watching the judges taste makes me want to be there to just try the food!). Nice to watch the cooking process and conceptualization as well and (2) I like that the contestants are nice. They are competitive, but no evil stuff that most reality shows have to be "real." Same goes for Junior MasterChef. Now that was an adorable series!

Belatedly, I checked out Hell's Kitchen 6. Wasn't initially attracted to watch with all the screaming and bleeping during the trailers, but now that it's almost ending, I started watching. Ah, so here we get to see the restaurant service. With a lot of pressure. Well, it's interesting to watch. I guess the contestants have to be an aggressive lot. I just look at the food when it gets too much. Hehe.

Other shows I have seen once or twice are Top Chef and MasterChef US, but once I figure out their skeds, I will be watching. Except for ANTM, it's all about food! Yummy!

2011-08-08T21:12:00.003+08:00

I wish I could stand up to an impending bad decision.

From PostSecret.

2011-08-07T18:14:00.000+08:00

Friday 5 on a Sunday.

1. What’s something you recently learned how to do on a computer?
Aggh. Some HTML to adjust posts.

2. What’s something you recently learned in the kitchen?
Pesto and tuna make for a quick pasta sauce. Haha. My mom did that but I sort of moseyed around the kitchen while she was doing that.

3. What’s something you recently learned about the town where you live?
There are plenty of interesting places to go to and it's bigger than I expected. The other day, while riding in the FX going home, the people in the back were telling this man about a certain parish in this city and how to get there. I never realized it was part of where I lived.

4. What’s something you recently learned from television?
I super enjoy watching cooking shows and I have learned to appreciate how chefs conceptualize dishes and prepare them for the customers.

5. What’s something you recently learned the hard way?
That I had it so good and easy already and yet I gave it up just like that. (Although maybe this means I am up for a challenge that might change me. Just an errant thought.)

2011-08-06T23:50:00.001+08:00

One of my favorite inspirational websites: Things We Forget. Always gives me something to chew on. I hope to pick up one of these Post-Its one of these days! ;)

2011-08-05T21:58:00.003+08:00

I really found this recent Twitter meme #BooksWithALetterMissing super funny! I was laughing when I was reading the entries. People can be so creative.

The complete (and running?) list complied by the guy who started it can be found here. Here are some samples:

The Lion, 'Wich and the Wardrobe - 2 children find a lion in their closet eating a sandwich.
Lice In Wonderland - a book that will have you scratching your head at the end.
The Prince and the Paper - William's battle for headlines.
The Art of Ar - Sun Tzu's guide to International Speak Like A Pirate Day.
Goodnight Moo - A child falls asleep to the sounds of his friends in the pasture.
Reams from My Father - A story of really old printer paper.
Kane and Abe - Archer's account of the mysterious murder of Abraham Lincoln's brother.
Oh, The Place You'll Go - Dr. Seuss explains what happens to bad boys and girls after they die.

Huffington Post weighs in here as well.

2011-08-04T20:09:00.012+08:00

The Do Project (pronounced "doe")

Do is the nickname I call one of my friends at work. CD calls him "Earthdome." Either way, Do responds to both. I can't believe I haven't blogged about this yet -- what CD and I did for his birthday two years ago! To think I took pictures to document it.

CD and I had this idea to surprise him with unexpected stuff on his birthday. She brought Jungle Juice and something else I forgot, while I volunteered to buy the Doraemon balloon (beyond me why I suggested this). Then we would set it up on his work station on his birthday.

Come the day, I went early to the town proper near the church where I knew the balloon vendors converged. I hoped that there were balloon vendors on a weekday morning! Good thing there was. I approached the first vendor I saw and was surprised that balloons like that cost P50.00! And that was two years ago. Wonder how much it costs now.

I failed to consider how to transport a helium balloon from the car in the parking, walk along busy C5 to get to the office building and bring it up to our floor and unit (which was in the far side of the floor) without getting it popped or drawing unwarranted attention! Good thing I had some paper bags big enough stored in the car and stuffed it in like this:

Don't ask about the baby Mickey and Minnie on Doraemon's tummy. I don't know, either!
Good thing I was able to get to the office unscathed! Haha!

We set it up -- the juice, gift and balloon -- in Do's workstation so that he could see it once he came in (Doraemon bobbing amidst the cubicles and the stuff on beside his phone). Haha I like to think he appreciated our efforts! :) Funny things we did come up with! (Nothing as grand the next year, though.) :)

Final product!

2011-08-03T23:06:00.003+08:00

Got this from some blogs. :) Answered for fun!

1. What do you order at Starbucks?
Tall Mocha Frappuccino with soy milk and a honey glazed doughnut.

2. What's one thing in your closet that you cannot live without?
Err... none in particular?

3. What's one thing that most people probably wouldn't know about you?
I secretly wish to dress everyday very girly in dresses and skirts but my legs aren't all that nice.

4. Name one thing that you want to do before you die.
Visit France and Rome. See The Birth of Venus and Mona Lisa in real life.

5. What's one food that you cannot live without?
Anything chocolate and cake.

6. What quote/phrase do you live your life by?
Live and let live. Patience is virtue.

7. What do you like and dislike about the Blogger community?
I like reading good writers, finding out about secret places only people know of and the general sense of community. Not a fan of not so good writers with bad grammar.

8. What's your number one most listened to song on iTunes?
Oh dear, I have not accessed/updated this for the longest time. I would say I always play some Avenue Q.

9. What kind of style would you define yourself as having?
Conservative. Haha!

10. Favorite number?
12.

11. Two hobbies:
Reading and writing.

12. Two pet peeves:
Wrong grammar and diction (would love to edit). Impatient people (guilty sometimes of being such).

13. Guilty pleasures:
Watching America's Next Top Model (any season showing on TV and all reruns!), MasterChef Australia. Buying taho whenever I am out. :) I hate grocery shopping, but sometimes I like wandering around them by myself.

2011-08-02T23:11:00.003+08:00

This is my wish-for hair: a bob like Katie Holmes'. I used to really want to have hair in that length and then little longer later on, skimming the shoulders. So pretty, but my regular hair stylist and I (the latter, reluctantly) agreed that my hair will be extra limp with a bob because the texture is fine. :( Although I finally have long hair after so many years of defying my mom (haha) and I like having my hair long, I think it would be nice to try to change my look once in a while with a bob. :)

Photo from this website.

2011-08-01T22:10:00.003+08:00

It's August! I haven't really heard of the significance of Ghost Month or what Mercury Retrograde is, but after looking them up recently, I am slightly concerned because this is supposed to be a month of changes for me. And I mean changes that are sort of charting where I want to go in life. I sincerely hope, Universe, this month will be a good one. This month and the rest of the year!

Started the month rather slowly: dropped off some government files and documents before 9am in Makati, killed time with breakfast at McDo and a new found friend, went home and spent the rest of the day reading Before Ever After. Today's weather, albeit a hassle when I was commuting home (almost got drenched getting off the jeep!), is perfect book-reading weather. ♥

Slow start. I wonder if this is the calm before the storm.

2011-07-30T19:58:00.006+08:00

no eq at nbi, a photo by monchers on Flickr.

This picture was taken four years ago when I was lining up at the NBI Satellite Office in Taytay. When I uploaded in Flickr, I captioned it as "No EQ in NBI." Little did I know, four years later, that experience was heaven compared to the NBI process now!

Of all the government requirements I needed to fulfill, I intentionally set NBI for last. Everything else - Philhealth, SSS, BIR - were all a breeze! I was half expecting them all to be a bit iffy considering they were government offices (I honestly do not have a high regard for these offices. Sorry, but it's true. Based on experience). I was pleasantly surprised they were all easy. SSS? Just download off the Internet. Philhealth - there's an information desk person who helps you out and then just line up. Done in five minutes. BIR - ahhh special case. I was rushing from Landmark to Atrium at 11:15am, thinking they had a lunch break and hoped to make it before. Surprisingly, they didn't have any lunch break and when I came in, they were serving number 84. I was 86! Done in five minutes!

But NBI clearance. Oh my gosh. I had heard of horror stories that made me completely defeated by the process. When I reconnoitered in Robinsons, I was told people camp out as early as 11pm! Reading tweets also was also pretty discouraging - people lining up for seven to 13 hours to get their NBI clearance. Completely discouraging!! But NBI clearance was something I had to do and get done soonest, so I just went for it!

I got up at 2:30am last Thursday to line up by 3:30am at Robinsons Metro East. It was quite the experience lining up with so many people who were just as stressed (oh boy, they really were stressed and agitated and ready to fight!) as I was with the process. In fairness, queueing up as early as that paid off -- I was able to finish by 9am... after lining up for 5 hours. Not bad, considering the line was waaaay longer when I got out and I think the wait time would double and go beyond past lunch time.

The wait is long and the process is fairly quick. What makes it long is the volume of the people and the limited number of stations/steps (there are four steps to go through). It's kind of sad because so many people lining up for the clearance are those who are OFWs and people who have jobs to go to and need the whole day off to do this. Maybe if there were more accessible clearance centers out there, then this process shouldn't have to take all day!

Now that NBI (my worst fear) is done, I think I can do more government-related stuff (haha!), but this time on my own time. Such as:

1. Copy of my birth certificate. I only have a photocopy. But everyone tells me this is easy, just call a hotline.
2. Update my driver's license. My name is not complete. :P
3. SSS ID card. Another valid ID!

But yes... these will be done next time. Had enough of going around government offices the past week!

2011-06-29T23:18:00.004+08:00

I have been having the strangest dreams lately, they sort of scare me and have got me thinking, but I do not know what they mean. Maybe it's the state of my life? Then how come I have no answers? Wah! Drama aside, here's a rundown of the memorable dreams in the past weeks:

The reason why I haven't visited
I have not gone to visit my friends in the office because... well, I dreamt that when I arrived, they gave me a case to work on, but not system access or my PC!! So stressed!! When I woke up, I was freaking out! Slight nightmarish. I told this story to my friends and they were so amused. Varied reactions: "Uy, we're not that mean naman..." to "Pwede! Gusto mo?" (latter was in jest... I hope. Haha!).

Real Nightmare!
Oh gosh. I visited a friend in her office a few weeks ago and, well, I was told of ghost stories in that building. I dreamt of it that night! It was my first nightmare ever, comprised of horror movie levels of ghouls and ghosts! Although I didn't wake up screaming or crying (thank goodness!), I did get up quite unsettled and not sure if that was a good thing, listening to those ghost stories. I am normally unfazed by those...

Dream guy!
This I like. :) I dreamt this really *perfect* guy (who literally does not know I exist. I mean this!) became my boyfriend! Haha!! It was really a dream! But he was not speaking! Maybe because I have not heard him speak yet, just photos. Oh well. Can't hurt to dream! And dream more of him! ♥ Haha! :)

Hope for a good future
Last night's dream was that I saw some former officemates in this place that was pretty much like my high school (the lawn between the LRC and Cluster 4). It was our former head J and friends A and P. It was nice --- they ~~were~~ are happy. I think this bodes well for me, too.

2011-06-06T23:40:00.005+08:00

I am honestly looking forward to this! Currently re-reading the Millennium trilogy and I am enjoying it all over again. Looking forward to this in ~~December~~ January 2012! (Because of the MMFF, no doubt.)

Skipped the Breaking Dawn trailer on IMDB to check out how Dragon Tattoo would be like! :) I think Daniel Craig is perfect as Mikael Blomkvist.

2011-06-06T19:24:00.002+08:00

Just like that, it's June. But it's still very hot, like in the middle of summer. I can hear rumbles of thunder somewhere far off, but it never seems to rain. Sometimes, it rains in the evenings, but the air gets humid and muggy after. However, on my birthday, it rained cats and dogs! After a long week of sunny days, it poured. Yes, it always rain on my birthday (strange because I always consider my birthday as summer. Hehe because it's in the last few days of May and have never had classes on that day). Let's hope the torrents of rain mean a whole new year of blessings! But for now, last Friday's 5 in honor of summer.

1. What was your best summer vacation like?
I'll define "summer vacation" as April and May, those months after the last school year and before the beginning of the next. Not so much as the "best," but definitely, the most memorable would be the summer before college, after fourth year high school. It was fun! Always going out with high school friends, sort of like a last hurrah as a group. My first late night gimmick, too! Went home at 2:30am, much to my mom's chagrin. Haha!

2. What was your worst summer vacation like?
Not really a specific summer, but I hate it when there's nothing to do or read and it's very warm and boring.

3. What food or drink reminds you of a particular summer?
Mangoes! They can get very sweet in the summer. Oh, wait, a particular summer? Oh, none really. Mangoes just really reminds me of summer.

4. What summer-only activity do you now look most forward to every year?
Beach? I am not a beach person at heart - I don't long to go to the beach as much as other people - but it's nice to go to the beach in the summer. One of my birthdays was spent at the beach and it was cold, gray, rainy and windy! I always remember the sand getting in my eyes. Not an ideal time at the seaside.

5. What summer movie or summer reading are you most looking forward to this year?
Summer movie, as in the US opening period, then the movie would be Harry Potter! It's the end of an era.

2011-05-18T18:45:00.002+08:00

When I begin quoting Grey's Anatomy (and guess what, I'm still stuck in Season 5. Incomplete at that!)... you can sort of figure out the state of my life.

Just when we think we’ve figured things out, the Universe throws us a curve ball. So we have to improvise. We find happiness in unexpected places; we find our way back to the things that matter the most. The Universe is funny that way. Sometimes, it just has a way of making sure we wind up exactly where we belong.

-White Wedding, 7x20

2011-05-17T21:39:00.005+08:00

I wasn't super looking forward to this movie adaptation because (1) the book is always better than the movie and; (2) I wasn't too keen on Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin being Darcy and Rachel, respectively. I guess I imagined someone more vapid and cosmopolitan as Darcy (Kate Hudson's so sunny!) and for Rachel, someone more... homely? Not really since Rachel is supposed to be "nice" and not necessarily mousy, but I can't think of another Rachel though. But knowing myself, I couldn't resist watching this for the sake of.

Just like the book, the general story is of nice-and-not-so-sparkling best friend Rachel likes the really perfect guy Dex who is her gorgeous best friend Darcy's fiance. Rachel introduced Dex to Darcy which adds to their history together. So it goes: does Rachel stand up for her feelings or will she let Darcy have her way?

Since I've read the book numerous times, I couldn't help make comparisons (my bad). To make the story more movie-friendly, they changed Ethan to be a more central character, Claire to be goofy versus her pedigreed self in the books and removed other characters such as Annalise, Les and Hilary.

Was it just me or was the movie's storytelling sort of choppy? It might be because they tried to build the complex relationships and history between Rachel, Ethan, Dex and Darcy that it seemed fleeting. Unfortunately, I felt it failed to build a concrete reason why Rachel would go with Dex, Darcy to make her choices and justify it. (I think no one would have appreciated the Notre Dame references too.) It would seem no one would root for them! Too bad because they are all likable characters in their own way (Darcy gets better in the next book, in my opinion) and we can sort of empathize with their motivations.

The movie has some funny portions (badminton game, Ethan lines especially in the airport) and I got emotional at some parts (haha), but overall, so-so adaptation of the book. Looks like there will be a sequel (Something Blue!) where we will see Darcy get her just desserts.

Bonus for me: a cameo by Emily Giffin! In the scene where Marcus and Rachel were talking in the park, Emily was in the other bench, reading Something Blue (with an LV bag, if I'm not mistaken). Cute touch.

2011-03-21T22:01:00.000+08:00

My first time to feel a bouncy, up-and-down earthquake. :(

The floor got really quiet --- we're at the 15th --- because it was so unusual to feel that kind of earthquake. After the bouncy quake, it was the sway kind and ugh, that got me kind of dizzy. Awful these quakes, causing us to be so paranoid after all that's been going on. And now the news is showing what would happen if there would ever be a magnitude 7 earthquake. So not encouraging. Please, praying that nothing like that will happen. :(

2011-02-28T23:48:00.003+08:00

MY WORST BOWLING GAME EVERRR.

Had team bowling as a de-stressing activity last Friday. Our team won, thanks to the regular bowlers, Gummy, MarkG and Do and the amazing first timers Soul and Falsetto Jen. And me? Loser score. Haha!

Gahd. I have not bowled in... has it been that long? More than five years. Anyway, yuck. Since I began bowling, this is like my lowest score everrr. So embarrassing. I even did worse than the first timers! To think when I was in college, I was bowling every week. Oh yes, I was part of the bowling club in college. That was when we were still required to have one "arts" and "sports" org each. And bowling was the only sport I could tolerate (I am so not athletic!). Even my family got into it.

We had lots of fun! It was the perfect way to unwind --- throw all your stress on the bowling ball and the pins, cheer for everyone and just have a good laugh with all the bloopers and booboos! I am sure this will not be the last of the CS Super Bowl Tourney! The other team is sure to ask for a rematch and yes, I have to avenge my score and redeem myself. Haha!

And since I have not had exercise in the longest time, my body ached over the weekend. I had forgotten that bowling can be quite tiring! My body was painful in the left side (I didn't take pain killers beforehand, unlike some of my officemates) and I was complaining all throughout the weekend, which prompted my dad and my friends to suggest I better take up some sort of activity that gets me to move. Haha. Yes, I am a sedentary one. No physical sport or activity or anything! Yuck. I better do something, I can feel my posture getting bad and my tummy and arms getting flabby!

Winning Team B!
*Photo credit: Sol's FB. Thanks!

2011-02-28T23:02:00.002+08:00

I ♥ watching the Oscars (even if it tends to drag sometimes). I always get goosebumps when they play the score of the movies - Star Wars, Titanic, Indiana Jones and music I can't identify, but make up the movies. :)

My mom says I know so much trivia when it comes to books and movies... well, I like it. Stuff I read in the papers and online, I keep in mind for whatever reason, I don't know. Things I enjoy, really (but doesn't really have much value no? Or does it?).

2011-02-22T23:02:00.003+08:00

So. According to the experts (and plenty of links online), Tuesday is the most productive day of the week. Next is Monday which is quite obvious. Friday is generally not one, considering everyone wants to leave early (or not, like my friends! We like to stay late on Fridays for some reason, but that's another story).

But Tuesday?? Really??

I super, super hate Tuesdays. Mondays are a given, to be a difficult day after a weekend and Wednesday is the hump day for the week. Every Wednesday, I whine, "It's only Wednesday! The week is so looong!" To which Ms Amor will always reply, "Di bale, pagdating ng Thursday mabilis na 'to." Hehe, but I digress.

Why do I hate Tuesdays? It probably begun in Grade School or High School. Anyway, in my school, Tuesdays were the longest days. Classes would end at 3:20 for Grade School and 4:10 (!) for High School. For a student, I found that pretty long! 4:10!! On Tuesdays! I don't even know what made Tuesday special when club time was on Fridays, which I considered worthy of longer hours (I think club time, in retrospect, was only about two hours or less). But Tuesdays had double periods in the afternoon and midday/after lunch singing practices - then back to class because we had until 4:10! Sigh.

Somehow, my least favorite subject was also on Tuesdays - Math! I think all my Math subjects were scheduled on Tuesdays and in the morning. That would guarantee me to be in a bad mood all day already. That's how much I hated Math. It also had PE, although that wasn't so bad. The hassle there was bringing extra bag to school. I think we had Science too but that's a subject I could get by with...

In college, Tuesdays were the lighter days. That was when I had the fewest subjects - only PE, German and AIS. That was fun (albeit bringing the extra clothes again and carrying it around) - but I still disliked it because it was a useless day.

I mean, really, between Monday and hump day, what is the value added?! You can't have a birthday leave (or even a leave for that matter!) in the middle of the week because the day before is spent at work and the next day is back to work... it's just not really a useful day for me. Haha. I just felt like writing about it - not a fun day for me ever since and yeah, today was busy (spillover from Monday). Online reactions agree Tuesdays are the most productive day because it's a catch up day from Monday and getting ready/clearing the work for Wednesday. Funny. It's not a very special day, really, but I guess it has to have its use!

2011-02-11T23:35:00.003+08:00

Cannot resist this Friday 5!

1. What’s the best thing about being awake when the rest of the world seems to be sleeping?
Faster internet? Hehe during the days of the dial up and prepaid. But seriously, the best thing about being awake when the world seems to be sleeping is the quiet. I used to do my papers in the wee hours of the morning or read late into the night. Sometimes the alone-ness is nice.

2. Where can you go when you get a case of the late-night munchies?
Plenty of establishments are open 24/7 already! McDonald's, definitely. Or Mini Stop. When we used to pull all-nighters at work, it was all about McDonald's and quick runs to the convenience stores for chips, cola, etc.

3. What open-all-night establishment has saved you from catastrophe, and what were the circumstances?
Oh gosh... no major catastrophes for me! I'm sure just convenience stores. Or maybe when people are sick, I think it helps there are 24/7 drugstores around too.

4. What’s the worst thing about being awake when the rest of the world seems to be sleeping?
No one to talk to! There are times when you want to tell someone, "Check this out!!" or "I need help!" Felt that on my last day before VL last, last year. It was so weird going through all my stuff in the office with all the silence... good thing no scary stuff going on!

5. When you are up all night at home for whatever reason, what’s most likely to be on the television to keep you company?
Star World or ETC for a variety of shows (Master Chef! ANTM! Will & Grace!) or the music video channel. Especially for the latter, that's when I get updated with pop songs!

2011-01-11T22:52:00.002+08:00

It's 01/11/11! Nothing super exciting today --- my seatmate CD just had a "kick in a stick" (that's Great Taste instant coffee) and whoaaa, it's a kick alright! CD so hyper, but that was okay. Good buzz because we were pretty much on our toes. We had much fun on a very ordinary day. Really, just another ordinary day!

P.S. Well, except for that one awkward moment CD and I had today with this officemate --- etiquette about talking to an acquaintance about exes! Haha. I think funny, but so strange.
P.P.S. And all these personal questions! I don't mind, but I get sort of alarmed when people ask me out of the blue, "Can I ask you a personal question?" I instantly know what that's about! :)

2011-01-06T21:58:00.000+08:00

Last Friday's 5 (last year's!):

1. When dining out, do you usually save room for dessert?

YES. I am a big dessert person. In fact, that's the first thing my dad and I look at when we get menus in the restaurant. I love dessert and if the meal does not end on a good dessert note, I feel incomplete. :(

2. How do you feel about saving places in line or saving seats in theaters?

On occasion, it's okay. I don't mind --- like when I am standing in line for something and then complete strangers ask me to hold their place while they look at something. But not when people cut in the lines or abuse the place held and bring in about twelve people! As for saving seats in theaters, I think theaters are more organized now with reserved seating upon purchase of tickets. I prefer places like that.

3. What’s one thing you did to save money this past year?

I can think of two I did on various levels: cut down on coffee runs to Starbucks (expensive!) and stopped bringing a car to work everyday unless necessary (saving gas money).

4. Besides money, what’s something you’re saving for later?

Some books! I buy books I like, but I don't read them immediately because I want to enjoy reading them at a leisurely pace and time.

5. In what way did you recently save the best for last?

Funnily enough, it's the year-end survey. Not really the "best" but it's a good way to reflect the year and I always use that to close the past year.

2011-01-03T20:12:00.001+08:00

What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Wear glasses. I finally gave in and got myself eyeglasses! I have forever been denial about my eyesight, but I had to give in for the renewal of my driver's license. I found out I am near sighted.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Nope, even if I said last year I would, I didn't make any. Oh, alright, something I really should remind myself to do is to pray regularly and in a good way. Instead of just the usual prayers, but learn to listen and talk to Him. And thank Him too! I know I have always been asking a very frustrated "why" for all the things that have happened in my life instead of accepting and having more faith.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
One of my teammates at work, Falsetto Jen.

Did anyone close to you die?
Yes.

What countries did you visit?
Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
TRUE LOVE!!! As my really good friends and travel buddies Tessa and Jen say and wish and hope for, the new year should bring us (romantic, true) love! More travel and better opportunities as well!

What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 30, 2010. This was our second and only full day in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The day started with our guide and driver picking us up early at the hotel and going to so many temples (Angkor Wat was only one of the many!). It was a very exhausting day, but we didn't feel it because the temples were just so breath taking and the experience was just amazing. Loved that day and we can still never get over it.

We hope to see you again real soon, Siem Reap!
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
No, I don't think I have conquered any big fear that would merit an achievement.

What was your biggest failure?
A lot. I could do worse pala than the previous year. In all aspects of my life, I think.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes. I was sick for five days in February due to an infection. I had to take loads of antibiotics and stayed in bed with fever. It was not fun. But no major cough and cold! Good job, me! Berocca is my new found friend.

What was the best thing you bought?
The trip to Indochina!
I also invested in my travelling carry-on bag too. I think it's worth it! Going to be my pang harabas travelling bag (literally dragged it up and down the temple steps in Bahkeng [sp?] Hill). Claiming it that I'll be travelling out of the country more! ;)

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Lot of my friends'.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mine. So I keep paying for the consequences until now.

Where did most of your money go?
Indochina trip and car maintenance. Aside from that, books and coffee.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Visiting Cambodia! We really built our excitement for Cambodia from Vietnam. Haha!

What song(s) will always remind you of 2010?
Firework by Katy Perry
Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars
OMG by Usher
Taking Chances, True Colors by Glee cast

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Sadder.
ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner daw! People (mom, hair stylist, etc) have commented I am so thin, but I think I look the same.
iii. richer or poorer? Financially poorer. Started the year with car expenses and it held through the year. I will never forget that week I paid for my trip and bought four new tires! On the same day! Stress. Let's hope the new year will be better financially!

What do you wish you'd done more?
Less manang.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Stressing myself unnecessarily.

How many one-night stands?
None.

Did you fall in love in 2010?
With someone, no. With the world after travelling, yes. :)

What was your favorite TV program?
Glee kept me sane when I was at home, sick. I couldn't keep up, though, when it came to the following season because of my schedule. Waiting for the season to end so that I can watch it straight. I also enjoyed How I Met Your Mother --- I do not know what season is in the house. So I keep watching that over and over. Hehe.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Yes. I said it last year. Still the same nagging feeling, this time multiplied by three. It's just exhausting being angry at these people and yourself because you're letting yourself being affected. Yes, it still brings out the worst in me: petty, jealous, bratty --- things I don't like about myself.

What was the best book you read?
I was going to say The Hunger Games Trilogy which I only began reading this year. It was good although the last book was confuzzling for me. This was usurped by the Millennium Trilogy which I got for Christmas from P! Oh my gosh, it's unputdownable but I seriously needed a light book after going through the second book. I discovered Emily Giffin this year too and I really like the way she writes.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Katy Perry! I love her, I think she is absolutely gorgeous.

What did you want and get?
Travel this year. :) Justin Timberlake, live last March.

What was your favorite film of this year?
The Social Network! I also liked Toy Story 3 very much.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My closest friends know I am was super frightened of my birthday. I was not where I was supposed to be at that age and it was fast approaching! I planned it to be a no-fuss day --- anything not to remind me it was a birthday. Work then dinner with family. But everyone (especially my brother!) seemed to have a different plan! After dinner with family at Cyma, I thought my brother was just taking me out for drinks at Cafe Mondial. Heehee my college and work friends were there to surprise me! It was a fun night! Thanks again to everyone, especially my brother! I don't think I have thanked people enough! ♥

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Love? Ahaha! But even more so, some opprtunities I missed.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Errr boring? Hehe. I need a revamp (yes I have been saying this for two years!). This time, it's serious! So shabby already!

What kept you sane?
My friends, coffee breaks.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I have a crush on Ryan Reynolds, Matthew Morrison. :)))))

What political issue stirred you the most?
It was the National Elections! Not that it stirred me so much, but interesting candidates and I did vote for someone I really felt could make a difference. Too bad he didn't win and I don't know what he's up to now.

Who did you miss?
My college friends! I hardly saw them all year.

Who was the best new person you met?
My LD friends and group! Our Thai hosts! They are love. ♥

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
To quote from my LD experience, being strong means letting go to God. Every time I remember this from Sunday morning, I can't help but cry.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
Not just a "nicest thing," but the love and support of my friends.

The most touching experience you've had this year?
I can think of two. One, the afore-mentioned moment of support from my friends. I still keep their SMS to me and it's super touching to remember. Two, my LD experience. Even if I don't see my group as much as I want to, I had the nicest time sharing myself and learning from them.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
Ahhh the effort to be happier?

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
I still get so jealous and angry easily and my patience wore out to the wrong people.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
This question never fails to stump me every year! Why do I even include it? Haha!

Was 2010 a good year for you?
50-50, not so good.

What was your favorite moment of the year?
Indochina trip days --- super fun bonding moments. Last night in BKK at the Cafe. :)
LD and the fire. ;)
My birthday!

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
When I became my petty self, getting jealous and getting frustrated with my own struggles. :(

Where were you when 2010 began?
Home.

Who were you with?
Immediate family.

Where will you be when 2010 ends?
Home.

Who will you be with when 2010 ends?
Home.

How many concerts did you see in 2010?
I think one only? Timbaland featuring Justin Timberlake! Of course, cannot pass up the chance of seeing JT and hearing Sexyback live! :) Hehe I wished for it ages ago somewhere on this blog and it happened! Must declare more things to the universe! ;)

Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2010?
Yes, more than my usual! Funny no? There was time, before and after my birthday, I'd be out every Friday night! Malor was kidding me, just because of my birthday, I've become a drinker! Haha! Not to mention the "raging" Welcome Dinner, etc.! Fun.

Do a lot of drugs in 2010?
Nope.

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Yep.

How much money did you spend in 2010?
Rather not say and remember, but it was a lot. Time to save! Or at least be more conscious of what I spend on.

What was your proudest moment of 2010?
Gahhh... another stumping question. I think when I decided to let go of the things I couldn't change, albeit slowly.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2010?
Something about certain stuff I did... basta, it's a wah.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2010 and change something, what would it be?
Can we start the year over? :P So many things --- little things that I should have done differently.

What are your plans for 2011?
Do my work well, travel more, have more fun, let go, buy new clothes. :P

How are you different now that the year has ended?
A little more settled and accepting of where I am now.

What are your wishes for the new year?
I wish that the new year would bring us lots of love, friendship, travel, contentment and happiness.

2010-12-30T21:02:00.001+08:00

So what did I do during my unexpected break?

1. Had my hair done. Yes finally! Haha long, long overdue thing for my hair! Finally. Let's hope no more frizzy (in the literal sense) days.
2. Sort of cleaned my room (but when you look at it, it's like I didn't clean it out at all. Hehe). Found out that I am adik pala sa Christmas gift tags. I have so many unused ones - I guess I keep buying every year and keep forgetting that I have! Set them aside for next year, let's hope I remember!
3. P gave me the Millennium Trilogy and I really have to tear myself away from Lisbeth Salander and her adventures. I went through 1 and 2 in three days, but will not move on to 3 for now. I need a break! Which reminds me, I should have bought Never Let Me Go last week. :( Must look out for it next time I mosey over to a bookstore.
4. Working on my annual review of the past year. It was a so-so year. Read my daily and journal from last year. So-so year talaga.

Still have to accomplish my vision board and goals for the new year! Hard to reflect when there's a tempting good book to read. The weather too. Nice and rainy!

I love this from Paulo Coelho's Twitter: 2011: don't feel guilty. You deserve all good things that will happen to you.

Claiming this for the new year. :)

2010-12-27T22:48:00.001+08:00

My red nails! Only on the hands --- should do the feet too for a Fight! Fight! Fight! New year, yes? ;)

I would like the next year to be a Fight! year indeed. The past two years have been quite a struggle. It's been a challenge to appreciate myself and all the things that have happened to me. So now, I am taking this unexpected time off from work to rid of the plenty of literal and figurative clutter in my life and create a vision for myself for the coming year. I need to focus and plan to what I want to be, where I need to go. So fight it is for the new year! No need to be frightened of where I am and how I am because, well, that's it. These are the choices I have made, will live with it and learn from it. :)

2010-12-01T00:10:00.000+08:00

Painted my nails red for the first time today (well, it was Amor who did it actually) and the look of chagrin on my mom's face was unmistakable. She was all, "What's that on your hand..." *trails off* Hahaha! Obviously she's not a fan and it's so un-me. Well, this will go off tomorrow once I buy polish remover, but I have a picture for posterity. It's just really funny to see people's reactions! I'm not a red nail polish kind of girl, but this one instance? I realize it's pretty fun! ;)

2010-11-20T22:18:00.005+08:00

I elected to switch on my lola mode tonight and just spend it at home --- even if I knew I probably needed to unwind and be with some people and just chillax over food and drinks. The past week just rode me roughshod and I badly needed a break, but I guess I wasn't really in the mood to get out and mingle tonight. Just one of those anti social days, I guess.

Gaaahhh the past week was just too much, I think, even with the mid-week holiday (it didn't do much). Firstly, the traffic was just horrible! Going to work every morning was (and still is!!) a challenge, a test in patience! No traffic-free route, I swear. At one point I thought I was going to snap and go berserk. Coding doesn't help either! Stress. So when I get to work, I'm already a frazzled clam. Sigh. Going home is also another story. Gaah.

Lately also, I have not been conscious of time (except when I have a deadline, which is usually 10:30am or 4:00pm) in the sense that I am too busy and involved that when someone (usually my seatmate) exclaims, "It's 8:30pm na!" I am properly shocked because I feel like it's only 7pm or earlier. The day really speeds by. Last Thursday, I left the house at 6am and got home 11:30pm. Talk about busy! Really exhausted, from battling the traffic early in the morning until unruly vehicles while trudging home. Gah.

My goal for the next week --- yes, it's going to be my first full week for November since my leave --- is to go home early at least once. Early, meaning 8pm (haha!). How will I do this? Riding with my parents! At least knowing they will be waiting for me will make me work more efficiently and effectively! I know my dad hates waiting because he gets tired easily and they like to go home early. So yeah, that's what I will do next week! At least once a week then I can make it a habit so go home early. Hehe let's hope we can do this! :)

2010-11-09T22:49:00.003+08:00

October just zoomed by! I can't quite get over it, but now that it's November (and the last day of my leave), I think it will be pretty steady until... the next big thing that happens. Really! I'm looking forward to just sitting back and relaxing until the end of the year --- well, save for the Christmas rush. But that's always a good rush!

October Highlights:

Team Building in Bataan
My officemates and I made the trip to Bataan to have our official team building and to unwind, too! From our house in the hills in the East, we left at 545am and made it to Bataan way out North at about 9a plus? It's a gorgeous farm of one of our supers' family. It has an infinity pool and another pool but we didn't get to go there. It was a good team building activity which was fun and productive and I hope, solidified our team more. :)

Tessa's 21st!
Jen (coordinating with Tessa's friends and family) prepared a nail sparty to celebrate Tessa's *ahem* 21st at Nailaholics in Megamall. Fun that she was suprised! Got to catch up with old friends from college! And it was a treat to relax after the very busy days at work. So funny that it was like a bridal shower too that we had to explain our gifts, but I'm glad the staff (and other clients!) accommodated us with that! (Even the piped-in music!)

CS does GK
As part of our community day, our team elected to help in one of Gawad Kalinga's communities in Tanay, Rizal. I think this was the first time for most to go and participate in GK's activities. Our team was assigned a house to paint (my first time to paint a house too!) and afterwards, we had a session with one of the GK residents. It was a very interesting and enlightening experience for all. :)

Looking at the FB pics reminds me --- there are good Samaritans out there! Aside from people volunteering, little things such as a complete stranger offering us a ride to the GK site and everyone pitching in to help. Really GMH. Restores faith in people. :)

During and After! That's our lovely Citrus and Blue House!
Indochina Trip!
Deserves a separate entry on its own. I loved our trip --- going to Cambodia was definitely the highlight (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Phrom), although Vietnam and Thailand were pretty memorable and interesting too.

Bayon and Angkor Wat.
Pictures from FB and cameras of Karina, Anna, Jen and Tessa. Thank you! :)

P.S. Hmph. On the night before trip to Indochina, while I was packing, I fell down the stairs at home for the first time! I hit my lower back and right elbow pretty bad. Good thing nothing really acted up while on the trip, but my back hurts on occasion. I sincerely hope it will go away!
P.P.S. I missed Halloween at work! Always my favorite time at work. :(
P.P.P.S. Semi started Christmas shopping! Hooray for sudden efficiency and sheer luck!

2010-10-19T23:58:00.003+08:00

Waaah have not updated because I am super tired and busy! Super pressured to finish so many things this week as I am finally going on leave next week! Squee!! I knooow, I really take my leaves late in the year when I am super ragged...

On a frizzy note, I think I really should invest in travel stuff. I don't have my own luggage (borrow from parents or brother), travel hand carry bag (the one I use gave up on me, badly need a new one), walking shoes (acck flipflops apparently do not count), dresses (boo I have legs issues), shorts (leg issues), travel essentials (adaptors and the like) and so on. Isn't that the saddest?? I am always cramming before a trip, be it buying or borrowing. Stressful. Hmph. I should really, really believe that I will always be travelling all over the world -- yes I am claiming this -- so I better invest in these things! That includes a basic camera, travel towel, a better phone and to continue my revamp which should not be limited to office/weekend clothes only. Yes, I have to believe this, to attract more travels. ;) Teehee. Wanderlust is indeed something I love and hate at the same time, but when the opportunity comes along to indulge in it, why not. :)

2010-08-21T00:12:00.002+08:00

Friday 5!

1. How picky are you about toothpaste?
I prefer gels now to regular toothpaste! We always get the red gel with cooling crystals of Colgate. :) Or the green one.

2. What’s the best cooked dish you’ve had that included mint?
Never been a fan of mint in cooked dishes or chocolate. Ugh especially on the latter.

3. How far would you have to go from where you are right now to get a breath mint?
Hmmm not really far... just at home and can brush my teeth.

4. Got any gum?
Unfortunately, none, not even in my bag. Boo! Will stock up again.

5. What’s something you keep in mint condition?
I try to keep my books in mint condition. I really, really take care of them, especially the ones I love so much. But reading them so many times wears them out. I also try to keep my notebooks and journals in good shape. :)

2010-08-10T23:30:00.003+08:00

Oooh just looking through my blog posts and I posted (began posting, actually) yesterday, 08-09-10! Hehe it can happen next month again, 08-09-10 September 8, 2010, right?

I haven't been exactly ~~avoiding~~ neglecting my blog (no way am I abandoning this blog, been in this space for almost eight years!)... it's just that I haven't gotten around to sit down and write. I haven't been writing. I don't know why - there's a dearth of words? Of feelings? Even my paper journal which I have religiously kept since I was eight has been blank for so many months. But I have resolved to go back to writing and expressing myself. This is usually the best way for me to destress and unwind and let go. :)

I don't want to implode on myself. :(

2010-08-09T23:37:00.000+08:00

Ayyy! Bad move to look up Something Borrowed movie at IMDB! Now I have an idea of how the producers see/saw Darcy and Rachel! Agggh I don't know how to feel because I am Team Rachel (but I have yet to read Something Blue - just bought it last weekend after much hemming and hawing!). I don't know how to feel about Dex - really apathetic about him - but Team Rachel so far! I super enjoyed Something Borrowed. Maybe because I can identify with Rachel being on the straight and narrow...

2010-04-12T23:50:00.002+08:00

Wahhh I can't find myself in the Comelec Precinct Finder here, but maybe you can (must be the "Maria" in my name. Or not). But I know I am a registered voter! So yes, in the website or not, I will still be at the polls with my family! Oh yes, they are all registered and found. While I am not. :P

Itchy nose and eyes - uh oh I feel bad. This looks like a cold-to-be for this workaholic (must stop benig so!).

2010-04-04T22:17:00.006+08:00

Happy Easter!

I happily was able to accomplish my Lenten sacrifice (save for the Tiramisu sprinklings on top last February - that doesn't really count does it? And a donut, but then I rationalized, I started three days before Lent). I was not able to abstain from meat on Fridays, but then again, I think I was able to mortify on the other aspect. :)

My brother suggested no Internet (access only email) or Facebook for the whole Lent. The latter I can do - I'm not really active, I just like seeing how people are - but I cannot be without the Internet! That's how I keep updated! Gaaah. But anyway. I love logging, blogging, trawling online! It's fun and therapeutic for me.

I should stop online (window) shopping though. I love the store Accessorize although I have yet to buy anything, but hmmmm, here are things I will channel The Secret for (perfect excuse: birthday in a few months! Hee!):

1. Yasmina Bag - Pretty! But I haven't seen it here yet. Oh gosh what if it was already on sale? Wah!

2. This Necklace - I saw this before, but didn't buy. Now I can't stop thinking about it!

Argh, knowing myself... resist, resist, resist. :)

*photos from the Accessorize website

2010-03-29T23:34:00.000+08:00

So exhausted from the weekend, but all I can say is, JT is love!!! ♥ All worth it! ;)

Oh yes, after how many years, Justin Timberlake in Manila (yes I blogged about it somewhere here) and I did make it to the Timbaland/Jojo/JT concert. Love it!

Had so much fun, what with all the popular songs from his last album - oh yes, doing that circular hand motion during What Comes Around and finally hearing Sexy Back live! :D

2010-03-25T22:58:00.002+08:00

Earthquake today. We could really feel it, being at the 15th floor. I thought I was just dizzy because at 130p, Crissy and I had yet to have lunch (long story, cranky us). Standing by the photocopier, I held on thinking I was going to crash to the floor (and the photocopier would support me? Meh), then I saw Crissy all of a sudden holding onto her desk. Then I saw the other people on our floor stand up and look at the rolling shelves in front of us. Scary! It was longer than usual too. Good thing no major destruction!

Crissy and I had also planned to go to the nearby National since she wanted to buy a puzzle book for her weekend getaway. When we went downstairs after our (very late) lunch, we had to detour across the parking lot because there was a fire drill in the building next to ours! As in, complete with the fire truck, ambulance, "victims" and firefighters in full gear. It was fun to watch the firefighters/rescue rappel down the side of the building, among other styles of rescuing people. Hehe our little trip to Natio took a bit longer because of the detour and of the fire drill. We hoped for a pseudo SWAT team and K9 unit (only the dogs would be Golden Retrievers, Labs - all cheery dogs)...

Stopped by Natio - ooh, they have Hunger Games and Catching Fire already, but in hardbound. Why oh why don't they ever have paperback of those books? Crissy got her books and we skipped over to Krispy Kreme for coffee. Jam packed wth people! But new discovery would be the Kaffee Kreme (sp?), it's good (I got my usual Mocha, but Crissy swears by the hot coffee). Will try that next time!

We got back to work - yes the 30 minute stroll outside perked us up. It was quite the woozy kind of day, what with the earthquake and work. Nice how small things make the day a bit better.

2010-03-15T22:52:00.006+08:00

today in my life
Yes, it's the Ides of March! Haha I think I'm the only one who celebrates this day. :) So funny. But when I was in first year high school and we were introduced to our very first Shakespeare play, Julius Caesar, for some strange reason, my classmates decided to celebrate this day!

English was our first (or was it second?) class and we told our teacher not to come in until we told her to. When she entered the classroom, she saw one classmate playing a stabbed Julius Caesar lying down in front, while two others were Mark Antony and Brutus, doing their soliloquys. The lights were out, there were candles, we were all kneeling and a mock grave was in front! Imagine that, we even rehearsed that the day before. Our teacher was surprised and touched with our effort! Who knew we could come up with something like that? I guess we were pretty excited over Shakespeare - a much anticipated English class lesson (it's usually in the Fourth Quarter, if I remember correctly?) wherein we really feel like "high school." Haha I wonder if my high school classmates remember that... Yeah, Year I Section 2! ;)

But fast forward to now... boo, today was not a good day! :( It's a very frizzy day today. Sigh. Let us see what happened today:

Woke up with a very heavy and depressed feeling. Uh-oh, not a good way to start the week despite it being one of my "favorite" days (Ides of March).
Got into the car and saw the last person who used it did not switch off some things. Grr.
Super, exag traffic on the way to work! As in I was only ten minutes out of the house. I had to turn around and go the trafficky route I avoid at all costs (I later learned it was a huge accident).
Parking was almost full! Good thing found a spot.
Almost tripped walking to the office. How embarrassing.
Almost late for work :( Got in just time, but delayed with my admin functions.
Stressful case that ate up my morning.
Lots of calls and emails to follow up something!
Loser with no program in my PC. Gaaah.
Someone posed a tricky work-related question to me. No answer from me to date.
I said I would go home early today, but not possible at all. :(
Non work-related, but sometimes I wish I knew what I was doing...

Hay this day! What a distressing, frizzy day! It's that kind of day wherein I wish I could just curl up in bed and hide under the sheets until the world is kinder (even if it's warm). Sigh. I hope tomorrow will be better. Today had some highlights too (KK with Bes!), but I feel so blah after everything else. :( Here's to a better tomorrow - will sleep on it. :)

2010-03-08T23:17:00.003+08:00

I am much, much better and up and about already... trying to catch up at work as one week down was a lot! :( So yes, I am much better and learning to take care of myself more (no more overexerting or pushing myself! Going home earlier too... well, not last week. Let's try this week). Have to keep healthy so hmm let's see how I can get rid of my sedentary lifestyle. Hehe.

The heat right now is unbearable and I feel so bad for the farmlands. Always praying for rain where it's needed. So strange how we hated the rain especially last September, but now we need it so badly! :( Weather is so much extremes right now, makes you really conscious on how to more responsible with the planet and its resources. :(

It's March! I have a lot of personal challenges this month. One is work-related, with my seatmate, Crissy. Week 1 was generally a success - although I lagged a bit at the end of the week. Have to pick up. Day 1 of Week 2? Hmmm a bit fuzzy today. My bad. Should catch up tomorrow (even if I will go home early). Focus. I can do this. Other personal challenge is swimmingly coming along... we shall see. Happy March, this is going to be an interesting month, I hope!

I missed the Academy Awards today. :( I hope to catch replays this weekend.

2010-02-20T22:55:00.003+08:00

Since I was at home for a full week without anything to do, I had the TV to amuse me. I think I ~~read~~ skimmed most of the magazines at home and I wasn't quite up to reading my books (still not done with Elegance) because of my headache, throat and fever, so I had the TV to amuse me. Had it on during lunch time - something to get me through to eating (no appetite) and medicines - oh wow, these noontime variety shows are quite something. Not a fan of Willie on Wowowee, but Poky never fails to humor me. Or the contestants, for that matter. In the afternoon, there are reruns of Desperate Housewives, Private Practice, America's Next Top Model and an assortment of sitcoms. There's American Idol, too! I like the judges this year, especially with Ellen! But definitely, if there's one show that I got hooked on and am proud to say I am...

a Gleek!

(credit)

Ugh, yes I am a Gleek. Better late than never, I know. I had been singing "Defying Gravity" on the radio for the longest time already, but it's only now I was able to watch the 13 episodes. And now I am waiting for the next episodes! Which will be in April yet! Argh should not have started!

But I can't help it. The show is fun and light and gratifying. I enjoy the songs and dancing - who knew Glee Club is show choir-esque (really, Glee in school before was very different. Just singing, no dancing)? :P I heart Mr Schuester! Finn, too. ♥ And I love Kurt. I don't know why, he is just too cute and I think I would want him for a friend.

I've been listening to the music also online. The music are generally fresh takes on old songs, which is great because it gives a new appreciation for these songs. I never liked "True Colors" until I heard their cover. And being online means I'm also looking up spoilers, updates or whatever for the upcoming episodes! Something to look forward to. :) Happy to have finally watched Glee and become a Gleek, it was a very good distraction from being sick the past week.

2010-02-19T14:35:00.002+08:00

I am at home for the fifth day in a row because I am a sick clam - well, have been sick since Sunday and today was the only day that the fever has gone down. Imagine, fever for five days? :( I was just so out of it. Went to the nearby hospital Monday night for a check up that included a blood test and a whole bunch of meds to alleviate the fever and pain. But the fever still didn't go down until today. I went to get a second blood test today and got an x-ray too. I cannot look at the crooks of my arms because the left one (where the first blood test was done) is a yellowish-greenish bruisey color - the vein collapsed or something and the right one feels, well, strange. :P I have a strange diagnosis from the doctors - I really don't get it, but based on what the doctors said, it's an infection, etc. I am just relieved it's not dengue fever. So much for my resolution not to go on sick leave the whole year this year. How come I could do it during school and most of my CTP days but not now? :( I hate being so sickly all of a sudden.

2010-01-28T23:26:00.003+08:00

I love this - from Conan O'Brien's farewell speech on "The Tonight Show":

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen.

Sigh. I needed that. I've been weepy and tired all week and it's not a really good time. Sigh. Isn't it inspiring? Right now, I just need a lot of good vibes and happy thoughts.

2010-01-09T23:51:00.003+08:00

I barely survived the first week of the year. Gah. What a very frizzy and tiring week. I spent today at work - I thought my seatmate JR was the one coming in today, it turned out MarkG and Amorga popped in (but not JR). We all had the same idea, although didn't tell each other. :P Obviously, we had a lot of pending left over from the very busy past week. :(

I may have been ranty and cross the past week, but I only realized today for one thing I was super grateful for: I didn't have any bad headaches the past week! Okay that sounded a bit scary, but I do get stress headaches sometimes and I hate it because I can't do anything at all. :( Thank goodness the past week I was pretty okay and kept up with the pace - no sleepy and lazy days too! Hope I'll pull through with that - the next few weeks are bound to be busier, still. Oh gosh, I realized, I hope I am not running on pure adrenaline? Eep.

Today was a tad productive. Got to do most of the admin stuff to get out of the way on Monday, tried Krispy Kreme's coffee and couldn't resist a donut (heehee!), snacked with Amorga at KFC - can I just say I am so addicted the Twister? I swear! :) To reward myself for coming in on a weekend (and coming home late everyday!), I tried looking for The Elegance of the Hedgehog in Fully Booked, but they were unfortunately out of stock. :( I hope I can still pick up a copy this weekend.

I was thinking though I hope not to make Saturdays at work a habit! It's a new year and I feel like I need something different to divert my attention from the stress of work. I kind of miss going to school - it was a distraction and a different kind of stress - but somehow I'm not sure if that's feasible at this point. Just thinking out loud, but I definitely will figure out something for this year.

2010-01-09T01:10:00.006+08:00

I really like this picture from our Christmas party! It was when I - coincidentally, the last of the Far Far Away Girls - won the last coffee maker. Amorga was laughing over something - so her in this picture! :)

*The Far Far Away Girls are the coffee addicts in the office! All four of us (Crissy, Amorga, Pau and me) won coffee makers, how funny is that? To think, we like our coffee ready and instant - either via vending machine, convenience store 3-in-1 blend or green straws. We haven't tried brewing, but with this, but why not? Once we figure out the coffee maker, anyway.

Thanks to Do for the picture! Grabbed from his FB.

2010-01-07T23:48:00.004+08:00

Let's try this New Year's Resolution Generator (hey, she has a nice name!).

This Year, I will:
1. Use my phone to call instead of text - Hmmm. Let's give this a shot. Although I'm a texter by nature talaga.
2. Become an expert on something - Why not? The thing is, I wonder what is that something.
3. Start a business - Scary! I am very risk phobic, as what I learned from school. But you know what, it sounds exciting. I just don't know if I'm up for that this year.
4. Be a better person - Yes, baby steps to be better. First up, the 80% challenge of Crissy and me at work! And also, to stop being fretful over things I can't change. And stop being mean and lazy.
5. Make my bed - Okay. :)
6. Hold the door open for others - I do this!
7. Travel - Yes, please, please, Universe, this is a sign.
8. Enjoy the outdoors - Aiee... maybe when I travel. Haha yes Universe, they are connected! :) So please let it happen.
9. Be me - This is good. Yes, I will be me and love me and forgive me.
10. Listen to my heart - Hmmm. Yes I should. But will also use my mind. ;)

2010-01-05T23:04:00.003+08:00

So. Five days into the new year and I have already cried, almost broke down, become slightly hysterical and just became a plain unhappy clam. :( Fail with myself and my resolutions for this year! Sadness.

My new project: stop being so emotional, there is more to this. Detach! And move on from this messy, frustrating set up. Really. I have to. Sigh.

2010-01-03T20:25:00.004+08:00

What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Wear heels (stilettos at that!) on regular basis! If you saw my wardrobe from last year, that definitely is a change! Haha maybe I should try dresses or skirts this year. Girly is the way to go. Other than that, nothing super special. Okay, maybe make full use of my work planner? Gee 2009 was really boring.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make resolutions, just wish to worry less and live more and somehow, somehow... I don't know. For this year, I think, I want to.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, Gwennie.

Did anyone close to you die?
No.

What countries did you visit?
Sadness talaga, none at all the past year. But only because there's going to be a big trip this year. This is me bringing this out to the Universe! Please let E2010 happen!!!

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More travel, love (!!!), friendship, happiness!

What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 1, 2009. Crying buckets, but forget it.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Eeep. Hmm. I can't think of one! This is so sad!

What was your biggest failure?
Now this... is a lot. And I knoooow I am in a mood right now, rueing (sp?) 2009. Maybe disappointing myself and other people who believed in me.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had cough and colds almost every freaking month of the past year. From someone who was hardly sick in school and even my first four years at work. As in I was never absent from Grade 2 to Year 3 - and only because of a dengue scare. Then in college, I was sick only for a day in First Year (I missed the movie date of my friends) and then that was it. Last year, every month I was hacking and sneezing. :( I should get myself to a pulmo this year.

What was the best thing you bought?
Shoes! Hahaha!

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Most people around me! Especially those who put up with me. ;)

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Meeee... :(

Where did most of your money go?
The car I'm using - car maintenance is expensive!, coffee, shoes (and I'm not even a shoe person).

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Hmmm. Not even my vacation leave excited me. Ah, weddings of my friends and a getaway weekday with a good friend. ;)

What song(s) will always remind you of 2009?
I Gotta Feeling - BEP. Super perk up song! As in always, always makes me happy when I hear it! :D
This Time - John Legend. Ahem.
Knock You Down - Keri Hilson, Kanye West, Neyo. Love this! :)
Halo - Beyonce
Jai Ho. Because it reminds me of, well, "Jai Ho."
Poker Face & Bad Romance by Lady Gaga. Love her! Too bad I missed her concert.
Waking Up in Vegas by Katy Perry. Another concert I missed. :(
Break Even, Talk You Down and any other The Script song. Ahem again.
Defying Gravity. I burst into song when this plays on the radio!
Good Girls Go Bad (or whatever the title is) by Cobra Starship and Leighton Meester.
Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus. Hahaha sorry guilty pleasure! ;)

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Sadder, but more full of hope. ;)
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter.
iii. richer or poorer? Poorer. Car maintenance is no joke.

What do you wish you'd done more?
Go out, have fun, learn more, laugh, love, forgive, understand, pray, live.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Bum around, sleep, worry, whine, be negative.

How many one-night stands?
None.

Did you fall in love in 2009?
No.

What was your favorite TV program?
I still love Grey's even if I made it to S5 only. I made it to Gossip Girl's second season. When I was on leave, I became addicted to reruns of ANTM, Whose Line is it Anyway? and my ultimate favorite show, Friends.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Yes. Odd no? I'm not supposed to hate, but this person brings out the worst version of me. She really rubs me the wrong way and I super, super do not like this person. I can rant for the longest time about this person I hate. Because of her the worst me comes out and yes I know the worst me and I HATE it. So now I am working on forgiving myself and this person.

What was the best book you read?
For someone who really loves her books, I could not find one book that really struck me this year the way the books in the past years have had. I did read/pick up the following: Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger, Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern (it was okay), World Without End by Ken Follett (this book I was unprepared for! I wasn't super compelled, but for lack of books at home, I picked it up from my dad's collection. It's a thousand pages long in small font set in 1300s, but I was actually gripped by the story. Strange), The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown (errr) and The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashares (have yet to read).

What was your greatest musical discovery?
A greater appreciation for R&B, just by being Pau's seatmate.

What did you want and get?
Not much - mostly books.

What was your favorite film of this year?
Up!!! I love love love that movie. Yes, I cried at the very beginning of the movie! And I was cheering for Carl, Russell and Dug to the very end. I love love love Dug because he reminds me of Dogdog!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was at work. It was a normal day. I think I even went home late, as usual. Yes I cried. I will not cry this year. Promise.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A trip out of the country. Wah!

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Hahaha getting better! I don't wear the shoes with socks so much anymore, heels and sandals are the way to go! Baby steps. I rid of a lot of clothes too.

What kept you sane?
My friends!

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ngek, no one.

What political issue stirred you the most?
Oh how the president of the country was being all... weird when the democracy icon passed away this year. And the clamor for change.

Who did you miss?
My college friends.

Who was the best new person you met?
Always people I encounter in my line of work.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Oh gosh. Life lesson? That I am my worst enemy, I think.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
The July 19, 2009 workshop where in my teammates told me about how they saw me. I tried to remember everything, but I couldn't! It was a very nice experience.

The most touching experience you've had this year?
Same as the afore-mentioned workshop when we sort of had to bare ourselves to everyone! I cried over some of my friends' stories.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
I learned to accept a lot of things, career-wise. It helped because when that happened, I felt better about what I was doing and where I was heading.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
I had a lot of self-pity this year. As in. My issues about myself surfaced too. :(

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I could stand by the side and watch this life pass me by
So unhappy but safe as could be.
So what if it hurts me?
So what if I break down?
So what if this world just throws me off the edge, my feet run out of ground
I gotta find my place, I wanna hear my sound
Don't care about other pain in front of me
'Cause I'm just trying to be happy, just wanna be happy, yeah
-Happy, Leona Lewis

Was 2009 a good year for you?
No it was not. :(

What was your favorite moment of the year?
There were a lot of good moments - team building, recharging the weary soul, etc.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
I always think... my birthday but then that's my day and how sad naman to think of it that way. Okay - when I am in my low, self-pitying stage? I hate that. As in I feel bad, petty, jealous and small.

Where were you when 2009 began?
Home.

Who were you with?
Family.

Where will you be when 2009 ends?
Home.

Who will you be with when 2009 ends?
Home.

How many concerts did you see in 2009?
Only Sitti's album launch in Eastwood. The weather was vacillating between rain or not so it was weird. How about musicals, I hope they count? I did get to see quite a few the past year: Spelling Bee, Spring Awakening and Sweeney Todd.

Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2009?
Ehe, no.

Do a lot of drugs in 2009?
Nope.

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Nah.

How much money did you spend in 2009?
A lot on the car and medicines. I never knew I could spend that much. :( Sigh. It's just financially draining. So traumatized going to the service center, but I know it's a need and a responsibility.

What was your proudest moment of 2009?
Haha being part of the winning T2 Team in Boso Boso! ;)

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2009?
June 4, 2009. The day I fell down in the office - as in blag! - because my pointy shoes got caught in a chair and I was rushing. Everyone heard me! Although I admit, it was funny also.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2009 and change something, what would it be?
None, really, in retrospect I accepted things as they were. :

What are your plans for 2010?
I want to travel - saving that for a big trip in the latter part of the year. I also have to confirm what I figured out what I want out of life and move towards that.

How are you different now that the year has ended?
I'm not sure, but I like to think I am more aware of myself and what I want out of life. And I am slowly changing my perspective on the worst version of me and the concept of life.

What are your wishes for the new year?
That 2010 will be a kinder and amazing year full of blessings for everyone.

2010-01-01T15:04:00.003+08:00

Dear 2009,

You will receive a long, scathing letter from me once I feel better. It's been a tough year... well, I like to think I got stronger? Sure hope so. Thanks for all the lessons, though. :)

xoxo,
me :)

Dear 2010,

Please be kind to all of us. Thank you.

xoxo,
me :)

2009-12-30T00:15:00.003+08:00

I love doing those year end reviews/surveys - it's sort of my study of the past year, my reflection of the year. I'll be doing that once I find that post, but I can already point out the obvious: health was a major issue. I was sick majority of the year - as I am now - and it's not a good sign. :( Getting me to a pulmonologist is one of the things I will do next year.

2009-12-22T00:48:00.003+08:00

Super duper extra busy day, but nevertheless fun and fulfilling! I was a very frazzled girl today, toting around a bright pink to-do notebook - I was so afraid I would forget to do all the things due for today, but good job me! I was able to do everything on my list. :) Work, personal errands, Christmas party, email, blog! Fun!

But also soupy today as evidenced by my conversation with Do this morning about civil weddings:
Do: Gaano ba katagal ang civil?
Me: Di ba forever?

Duhhh he meant, how long is the ceremony, not the validity! Soupy! We had a good laugh over that. :)

Almost 1am and still up - I wonder if the FB photos will be up already? :) It was a long day and I am tired but restless since I took coffee after dinner. I was so full! The food was good and filling, so yes I badly needed coffee since I felt my energy winding down already. Good thing I got my second wind to further enjoy our unit's Christmas get together. :) Now I wonder how I can be bright and early tomorrow - rather, later today. Haha! I can do this, there's the holidays coming up anyway. ;)

2009-12-17T23:26:00.004+08:00

Agh can I just hibernate in bed and get out when the world is a little kinder? I swear! I think all the "rest" I accumulated over my three week leave was over in... oh, a few days? But I can't really complain, it's the holidays, people need things and it's a season of goodwill - extending a helping hand however way, may help. :)

Hee, that's the positive side of me, trying to come out, after all it's almost Christmas! I'm trying not to be so Scroogey anymore (trust me, I've been so sungit to so many people already the past few days. Have been apologizing for the mood. Must stop that. The bad mood, I mean. Not the apologizing! Hehe). So tomorrow, even if I know I have a lot - and I mean a lot - of things to do, I'll try to be a happy clam. :)

And I should stop stress eating too!!! It's not good!!! :( Today: three cups of coffee, two KK Original Glazed Donuts (gift!), butterscotch, Chef Tony popcorn. Yesterday: two ensaymadas with chocolate, Red Mango (well not really), brownies and cheesecake. The other day: chocolate cupcake with a lot of fudge (mmmm), iced coffee with cream, a whole chocolate bar. Not good. I already told myself today I will stop - but the KK came... :) Haha I have to remind myself that stress is not an excuse to indulge! :)

2009-11-30T19:46:00.002+08:00

Today is technically the last day of my leave, but it officially ended last Friday. :( I'm not sure how to feel about going back to work... It's kind of strange to get back in the working mode again! I'll ease into my day tomorrow...

Let's see about my To Do list:

1. GET WELL - yes, I think I am well enough. I do not have cough anymore, although sometimes, I still hack. I have my voice back, though! I hope I don't go back to that dazed state. It was so bad.
2. Rest - Done! A lot! Lots of naps and lazing around to get well.
3. Declutter - I took out a lot of old shoes and clothes. My shoe rack has been cleaned out, lots of clothes gone. I could have kept on going, but I realized I wouldn't have anything to wear tomorrow (yes, my clothes are that shabby). I threw out a lot of shoes! Threw away lots of papers, bills, etc. But you know what, it's still not enough.
4. Get a massage - yes! I loved the hilot to remove the lamigs from my back.
5. Blog - err, not so much. But I have a lot of drafts. :)
6. Hang out with friends - yes! yayayayayay! :) Happy clam. Lots of catching up, feeling how it is to be... me.
7. Start Christmas shopping - teehee. I was in a fretful mood of being unable to shop online and considered being impersonal and giving unromantic gifts, but my brother brought me to St. James bazaar and I've pretty done most of my shopping. I just need a few more gifts. :)
8. Revamp ze wardrobe - ngek. I think I only bought shoes. I still need jeans! :(
9. Dentist - done! My cleaning was so quick in Megamall. As in 20 minutes. Anyway, I am so relieved it's done and convenient for me to go to.

Other things, I picked up a habit of watching America's Next Top Model Cycle 6 on TV (even if I followed it before already), as with reruns of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Friends. Gah, couch potato much. I also saw 2012 (that's one tiring movie) and New Moon (Jacob to Bella: "It's just blood, Bella" then removes his shirt. What is up with that! Snickers all around the theater. Hahaha!). :)

Overall, it was... a long leave. I don't really like very looong leaves like that, but the year is ending so I really had to use it all up already - was saving my leaves for Christmas shopping. Anyhow, back to reality already - I was enjoying this life a little too much. Well, not really because I know how it feels, but yeah back to reality. Eeee.

2009-11-26T23:31:00.004+08:00

Isn't it gorgeous? It's the Estates Theater in Prague.

I have taken to watching The Amazing Race 15 and in the latest episode, they're in Prague! Love, love it. It looks gorgeous and I would love to go there one day (channeling The Secret). When the challenge was in the Estates Theater, my jaw literally dropped when they showed the interior of the theater. So beautiful.

Not sure if I blogged this before or was it in my journal? Anyway, ever since college, my friends and I have been wishing and hoping to join The Amazing Race. They did come up with an Asia version, but I haven't been able to follow that so I don't quite know how it compares to the original version. Funny, we used to think of the different team combinations among us friends - Ate Ina and me cannot be a team because we like to eat, Tessa and I can't either, we're both unfit and unbalanced and so on. The Amazing Race can make you hop from one country to the next, but I wonder how much of that country can you see and enjoy? It's pretty after being edited for TV, but ugh I can imagine the stress and hassle of jumping in and out of planes, carrying that huge rucksack everywhere, doing extreme challenges and having a camera constantly in your face. No chance to wander around leisurely and be suprised with little hidden discoveries. Still, I imagine it would be quite the trip.

Oh, to travel. It's definitely one of the things I will do in my life and I want to see the world! It's always a very interesting and inspiring experience to visit another country and experience their culture, even for a very short time. I am also happy to have friends (and a brother, too) who share this wanderlust and I am hoping the ~~next few years~~ rest of my life will be full of travel highs (let's start with 2010!)!

I felt bad at first writing this because I thought it was quite funny to blog about travel - this year was a travel-less year - not even locally. I was pretty frustrated, especially with my very long leave. Had more travels last year, but I believe (and hope) that being travel-less this year is a sign for a huge, fabulous trip in the works next year. This is me sending this out to the universe. ;)

Photo from here

2009-11-18T09:48:00.002+08:00

*mentally kicking self*
I can't do number 7!!! Shop online for my Christmas gifts. Because there is no more stock. So I have to drag myself out of the house (and the office, within the next two weeks) to look for gifts! Waaah I had it all planned out already. :(

2009-11-11T23:31:00.002+08:00

Things to do while I am on break:
1. GET WELL. Oh my gosh. Flu for the nth time this year! :(
2. Rest. Need my friends (ahaha so many sermons from them to do so) say more?
3. Declutter. I have to clean out my closets and desks. Boo, too many accumulated and unused things.
4. Get a massage - my guilty pleasure.
5. Blog, write - oh how I missed you so.
6. Hang out with friends - check!!! Excited. Even just planning to go out with them is enough - well okay it would be nice to have it materialize. But at least communication is the first step!
7. Start Christmas shopping - ahhh. And I think I will shop online this year. :)
8. Revamp ze wardrobe - I know, my clothes are achingly shabby and old already. :( Have to seriously do something.
9. Dentist - ahhh!!! I don't have the numbers!

My dad said my brother is going on retreat this weekend. So envious. Last time I went on a silent retreat was in college yet and it was pretty okay. None this year. Was thinking of hieing off by myself for Art of Doing Nothing again, but I figured I need to bring the car first to the service center for maintenance before taking it on a long drive. Need to do something for the restless and weary soul! Hmmm...

2009-11-10T21:54:00.002+08:00

Gaahhh I would totally love a Toffee Nut Frappuccino right now. :( Yes, it's the sticker-planner season, but since I am sick without voice again (for the nth time this year), I have not had it yet. Sigh. I am sick. Again. I have no idea why I am so sickly this year, I have been hitting myself up with Vitamin C twice a day (I didn't do that before!) and trying to keep healthy and all, yet is still am sick. Gah. I missed the marathon last Saturday, missed seeing Crissy run 5k, missed a lot of stuff. Gosh. I hate being sick and unproductive. :(

On a weirder note, I woke after a strange dream today. Like my parents had a choir serenade me when I woke up because I was getting married! But when I asked who I was marrying, they were looking through this planner and couldn't answer! Haha wah one of my strangest dreams ever! The other most recent, weird one had something to do with a hospital, someone I was mixed up with before, the brother. the mom and my brother! What is up with my dreams, I swear. Must be all the medicines. ;)

2009-11-07T00:17:00.005+08:00

My body is rebelling badly (traitor!!!) to - I suppose - the pressure I am placing on myself the past few weeks. I've been with flu-like symptoms that, I think, will go away if I could spend a day resting. But nooo the very obstinate me is still pushing my body to its limits, after all, I will be taking a break for almost three weeks. Sigh. If I could just take it for a few more days...

On a stranger note, what would it mean if a semi-acquaintance who does not know I know something about her and someone (with whom I was sort of mixed up with) deletes me from her friends list in FB? Haha just wondering about etiquette on social networking sites. Oh well, little things.

2009-10-27T23:44:00.002+08:00

Today:
Got the most interesting work-related e-mail... mostly in Korean! Wah! Actually, there was an English part directed to me and then when I scrolled down, it was all in Korean. Okay. I hope they gave me all the info.

I realized - I still love to write and teach. I did my training (what I call "Module 1") with Jen for my turnovers at work before my leave. I honestly enjoyed teaching! I even asked Jen her learning style (yes, as if I know all that), which is a visual learner, so I had to do side by side with her. Hehe I'm not sure if Jen will agree about our session today, but I hope I was able to impart a lot of stuff to her and learnings too.

Gosh. It just really dawned on me what I feel comfy doing. I still so want to train, write and manage people. How do I get to do that? *cross fingers*

2009-10-26T23:30:00.001+08:00

Quick weekend sum up:

(500) Days of Summer - it was a different kind of love story, but nice. I love the soundtrack.
Haircut - must stop! Have to grow out my hair again. :) Wala lang, I realized I miss having long hair.
Jack and the Beanstalk - Watched Rep's play with my relatives. It reminded me of Dr. Seuss' Whoville.
Shopping for Halloween - Lots of chocolates for the annual trick-or-treat at work! :)

2009-10-14T23:19:00.003+08:00

Meet Cyclops, my stress ball.

Now I am not wont to name my things or gadgets (ie, iPod, car, phone, etc), but I couldn't help naming my stress ball. This is because ever since Do gave each of us a stress ball - in different kinds such as happy face, tennis ball, golf ball and so on - it hasn't left my side. I use it so much and you can obviously see the effects of the stress by the gouged out eyes of, err, Cyclops. It's supposed to be a happy face, but I've been so strssed I've been scraping and scratching it out (oddly, I don't throw it around) so there you go, no more eyes or just one eye. :P Crissy and I also use Cyclops to gauge moods of ourselves and people around when we don't want to speak. Hehe, it's more than a stress ball, I guess, it's our mood indicator... as long the smile is there. :P

2009-10-08T22:43:00.002+08:00

Sigh. It's a personal Dark Ages now, in certain aspects of my life. I'm doing things so as not to aggravate the Dark Ages! Anyway, I hope Renaissance will be coming real, real soon! Wah I can only take so much...

2009-09-22T23:39:00.003+08:00

Just got home and while driving home, I was mulling over this thought to send out to the universe: when I was growing up, my parents were (are still, in fact) working in Makati (which is very far from the mountains where we live). Everyday, my dad would call us at home to ask if I needed anything - his words, "Is there anything you need to beg, borrow or steal?" In other words, if my brother or I needed supplies such a pad, ballpen, books and the like. It's usually things like that we would wait for at night. Okay I am digressing, but they came home reasonably early enough for us to get the stuff we need, catch up on our day and help out with homework as well. There were days, though, my dad or mom would tell us, "we're coming home late tonight" - meaning they had a dinner, business meeting, etc. And even if they would "come home late," that was around 10pm or so. And now that I am probably close to the age they used to say that to us, my normal coming home time is 10pm and "come home late" - this means work and not gimmick - is about, oh, 12 midnight to 1am? Goodness, if I have kids, I think my definition of "come home late" should change. :P Or will it? Sometimes I can't just leave work alone (heehee addict)... I don't know, I guess it's just a matter of priorities (especially if one has a family) and perspective... and at this point in my life, it's pretty much focused on work. :) Just a thought.

2009-09-12T22:53:00.005+08:00

random
Liking Katy Perry's songs, especially Waking Up in Vegas and of course, Hot and Cold (count on Crissy and me to be dancing to that song). Seriously considering watching her concert here next month... I missed Lady Gaga already, so what about Katy Perry? *thinks who can be dragged along*

"Kanin Club" last night - not the restaurant, but how Crissy and described what happened to us at the antiburnout party. Our team came fashionably late (because of work, Day 3!!!) and there was no more food left, plus it was already the party scene. We ordered food - as in rice and ulam - while everyone was already in club/party mode. Hehe, it's funny when you think about it.

Last night's music was fun because it was Pau's music list: BEP, Katy Perry, some Lady Gaga, Craig David. Later on the night, it was meh already being a bit too trance for our liking. Oh well, we had fun with that, still.

I am looking forward to reading Dan Brown's new book, The Lost Symbol - it will be available by Tuesday! Yay! My dad reserved a copy already and I'll pick it up next week - hah, I get to read it first! :) I badly need a new book to read, I think I read too fast for my liking. The last one I read was Nicholas Sparks' The Lucky One. For once, I didn't cry over a Nicholas Sparks book - cried buckets over The Notebook and A Walk to Remember and so so over The Rescue. I have a book "on reserve" or when I'm really desperate for something to read (it sounds funny, but true) which is The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashares.

A short walk in the rain with Do and Crissy along Katipunan last night was funny, I swear. It will probably be one of those moments, the little things, that I enjoy and oddly, treasure.

Not a techie person, I leave that to my friends, but haha I am always going to Speedtest ever since I found that website. Haha I just keep checking our ISP's speed and what have you. Just like looking at stats like that. :)

Ugh since it's September already, I heard a Christmas song already. Yikes almost the end of the year and Christmas! Haha I have decided to be organized this year about my Christmas presents. So yes, this is me being responsible and thoughtful and everything I wasn't last year! Wah!

2009-09-10T23:21:00.001+08:00

Today was probably one of the most stressful days I've had in a long time. Sigh. It's not really the big things like screaming fights or outbursts - just a lot of little things that compound and become this one big thing. My head aches because I want to cry - that's the best way for me now to release the stress - but I can't seem to muster the tears just yet. The tears are all there, but can't just come out. Goodness.

And eeew I realized I am emotional eater. I eat away the stress. I noticed I picked up that habit quite recently - eating food I like to cushions the pain and frustration. Yikes. Crissy and I noted that today when, at around 7pm, she asked me if I wanted anything from Watson's since she was off to buy Coke.

"Umm..." I began, thinking of a choco roll and an ice cold Coke too. "Wait, nothing for me! I realized I ate the day away!"

"Haha, yes you did!" Crissy said, laughing and then she gestured to my trash can (we have one each between our work areas). "Yours is full!"

And it was full of what I ate today: butong pakwan, squash seeds (more of Crissy's, though), empty fro yo container, peanuts, Nagaraya, chicharon... Wah I ate the day and stress away indeed! :P Without really realizing it too. Yuck I should find productive ways to do away with the stress. I'm not an emotional or stress eater, but apparently, that's what I am becoming. So no way as well did I have myself measured for a new pair of pants even if this really nice tailor was in the office today. Sigh. What a day.

Okay I got that out... rant mode over. But can't I just stay in bed until the world is kinder...? Sigh. I guess not. So many things to do. Hopefully tomorrow will be much, much better! :)

2009-08-19T21:35:00.002+08:00

Thank goodness for holidays this month!

Today was a non-working holiday but I still went to work to get some things out of the way. What do you know, I was able to zone and finish quite enough! I was so proud of myself - I haven't zoned for a long time because of so many other distractions, so today was a good day to work, even for just a few hours. This Friday is another holiday, but hmmm I don't think I'm up for working this time. We shall see.

I am making the most of August and trying to salvage it to be a good month. I have always said July was just... the worst. I don't know, I just wanted to rid of July. There were fun times - Mommy Pam's wedding, The Art of Doing Nothing, bonding with our team, etc., but I guess some things just went so wrong in July. August is coming along swimmingly, I'm trying to make it a better month (hehe have really no where to go but up with that).

2009-08-11T23:03:00.003+08:00

Oh gosh, it's the first time in a long time I went home late from work... yes, it's a lot of work, but you know what? I'm very grateful for being busy and the workload. I have not complained and I seem to be enjoying it. It's a good venue for me to pour all my energies to, I don't want to think about certain things (not anything big, something lang that I should have nipped in the bud a long time ago) in life and I'm directing my energies to work. :) So far, so good. I'm holding up and I think everything will be okay.

2009-07-24T22:06:00.002+08:00

I honestly need good vibes... It's only July 24, but I feel like it's the looongest month ever and so many things have gone wrong -- although lots of good stuff too. Right now the bad stuff's bogging me down and testing my resolve to take things in stride. Sigh. This is such a tough, tough time, but I can do this! Hehe I swear, everything seems to go wrong right now, but I don't know. I'll pull through. Promise, the world will be kinder tomorrow. I hope. :)

2009-07-01T23:31:00.002+08:00

Huh. I wasn't supposed to let June pass without an entry - I really was supposed to blog about the busy (and quick!) month of June, but... well, with the PC at home acting up (it's a siiiiiiign, time to invest in a laptop - is this the kuripot me talking?) and just plain zonked out me, wala. Will have to make up for it! The year is halfway done and I have not kept my promise to self: write more. I haven't been writing in my paper journal, my daily and here. The only thing I keep updated in my work planner of stuff to do -- but never do. Hehe, my bad. I actually want to keep the creative side of me working again! After years of writing industry papers and formal letters, I miss writing creatively. It's a change from business writing and I forget how to do so already.

2009-05-19T22:15:00.000+08:00

perfect timing

From PostSecret

2009-05-12T23:18:00.003+08:00

Goodness. I was sick again just last week. It's probably the weather or something (warm and sunny and then cold and wet), but I was so out of it and unproductive again. The second time in three months! Now I am generally a healthy girl, but being sick twice in such a short span of time and unwell enough to take more sick leaves than I have ever taken really means something is wrong with me (or my diet, lifestyle, etc). Grrr. I switched vitamins already (yay, go Ultimacy!) and I eat veggies and fruits, but hmm... I think I need exercise - have I not been saying this for ages? I really don't know where to start except by walking (running around the building for work and being frazzled, I guess, is not really exercise). :( Wah, help.

2009-05-02T23:02:00.002+08:00

It's May and... it's rainy. Summer seems to have ended early. It usually doesn't rain until the end of May, around my birthday. Because of the strange weather and how I do not seem to carry around my umbrella anymore, I am down with a bad cough. Wah.

Today, due to a system problem, KV and I gave up working and headed off for some bonding over retail therapy (for her) and coffee. I haven't spoken to her in ages - due to work and our busy schedules. I was very glad to have this time to chat. A lot of things happened the past ~~days~~ month that caught us off guard. All I can say is, I'm glad she came through April unscathed and will be looking forward to a bigger and better May and beyond! Goodness, all we can do is to be positive and do our best. Strange how everything is just so weird for the two of us lately, but at least we're learning and hopefully, this is also character-building.

2009-04-29T22:15:00.002+08:00

Unlike The Da Vinci Code, I am seriously looking forward to the Angels & Demons movie. I honestly liked that book better than DVC - even if I read DVC first. And I think Ewan McGregor is perfect for the role of the camerlengo. ♥ (But why is his character's name different from the book?)

2009-04-27T22:58:00.003+08:00

Patty Watty and I were texting how stressful life is lately and she was like, "baduy kase ang life pag walang stress." Wahhh can I just say to life to slow down a bit? I need to pause and catch up on things, thank you very much! Being busy is one thing, but constant stresses are a bit too much... Anyway, pulling through, pulling through. I can do this, you can't defeat me. ;)

* * *
I don't use my nickname - Monch - when dealing with clients. I would rather use my real name because it sounds more professional. But when I was speaking to a client (who I've spoken with quite a number of times due to his various concerns) today, I got so shocked when he said, "Wait lang, Monch," then he put me on hold. Oh my goodness, how did he know my nickname is beyond me! Goodness.

Speaking of names, last Friday, we were talking about real names and how nurses have a big impact on names of kids as they fill out the birth certificates. Like how some people have misspelled names because the nurse in the hospital wrote the name in such a way. Amor mentioned her niece's "Maria" was only "Ma." in her birth certificate, so it was sayang daw that she has to spend to have it in full. I didn't know that was important! They turned to me, knowing I had a "Maria" in my name and asked me, "Buo ba Maria mo?"

"Uh... yeah," I said (although not sure... have to check my birth cert).

They told me I was fortunate that it was spelled it out, but I realized it had that much bearing pala? I always write "Ma." only. Anyway, when I got home, I made sure my birth certificate had my name in full. Thank goodness it did. :) Now my main concern (and next segue to my friends) is if that "Maria" is not on my driver's license (but I think I have to go to the LTO Main for that! Wah!).

2009-03-28T20:59:00.002+08:00

Sitting in the dark for Earth Hour. :)

I wish I was out there! It looks like fun.

2009-03-20T22:56:00.003+08:00

Gaaah I hate being under the weather with a bug that doesn't seem to go away!!! I swear. I missed a lot of things - cupcakes yesterday, work and most especially the CS Team gimmick tonight. Siiigh. I'm at home because I still need to rest as I tire easily. I've been on sick leave for two days and had three terribly unproductive days at work. I hate this bug and I think it's been going around. I really hope I'll get better this weekend. Resting up and catching up with everyone via Facebook (huhuhu they're updating via mobile from the gimmick *envy*), blogs and e-mails na lang. Although this bug is good for me, according to my parents - I go home early and I sleep early! So they don't worry about me. Too much, anyway. :)

After this, I really have to exercise (overdue promise to self), eat healthier (well, that's sort of done via the food at home, thanks to my dad's diet) and drink more juice and water! And not get so stressed with work too. I think viruses like stressed out and sedentary people - very descriptive of me. :P

2009-03-19T09:41:00.003+08:00

Gaaah whatever bug I have right now, I wish it would go away! It has rendered me useless the past week: Monday I couldn't work at all due to my headache and aching eyes, Tuesday I stayed home to ride out the fever, Wednesday I went to work thinking I was okay and then today I am back home! In bed (okay right now also in front of the PC), feeling really run down and tired. My parents say it's the flu so I just need a lot of bed rest and fluids. Wah but I need to go back to work! Have so many things to doooo... Of course my parents and friends didn't listen and were pretty much against me going to work on Wednesday. Sigh. Oh well. I'll just tuck in today and hope I'll be well enough tomorrow (so many things to do!!!).

2009-02-28T12:34:00.002+08:00

I miss going online (that means I really have to fix up the PC at home! Grr). :(

Wah it's been a very slow but busy (weird, but true) February. I couldn't quite comprehend that it was already month end today and yesterday until someone mentioned it! Goodness. It's been busy and tiring, but otherwise pulling through. Hehe despite the busy stuff, I did manage squeeze in having my hair straightened, something which I badly needed to do since... oh, four years ago? Anyway, my hair is straight and surprisingly manageable! Haha no more frizz or spirals! And everyone is prevailing on me not to go back to the frizzy days. Hehe ok. :)

And yes, I also did manage to catch "You Changed My Life" on the opening day! Hahaha! I swear. It was an office thing so the whole team went to watch JLC and Sarah (I still have to get over that). It was fun and light and something to get our minds off work. But I swear. Sarah's character's wig was distracting. Oh well. We all still maintain the first movie was lighter. And that "One More Chance" is still a favorite Tagalog movie of all time (for me, anyway).

2009-01-21T23:17:00.002+08:00

For me, it seems January is always, always the most stressful month. Is it the pressure of change for the new year? I feel like I'm being pounded from all sides, all aspects of life.

I'm surprised I'm still holding myself together.

* * *
I woke up at 1am this morning with all intention to catch the Obama inauguration, but I was just too exhausted to get up and switch on the TV. I was watching the countdown on CNN at about 11pm -- the excitement and hope of the people was touching and inspiring! Just like last November, when Obama won, all the channels were just talking about him and how exciting it was that change had finally come. :)

2009-01-02T14:15:00.008+08:00

This is a really looong survey, I realize! I think my answers towards the end were just useless already! Anyway, in keeping with my annual review, recap whatever, here goes:

What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Finance a trip abroad with my office mates, went out of the country for the first time with friends, went to Hong Kong and Disneyland (hahaha so many childhood wishes to go to one and finally did!), watched a movie alone, changed a routine for some girly stuff, wall climbing, hmmm what else? I guess that's it! Boring year, I think, in terms of braving things.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Ehe. To worry less? I think it got even worse! Will I make more? I'm listing down life goals na talaga. And I have a vision board and I think it helps. So more of that!

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes - my friends Mims and Sol and cousin Abb.

Did anyone close to you die?
No.

What countries did you visit?
Singapore and China (Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen).

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Same as last year, more, more, more travel and friends to travel with!

What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July because it was interesting and smiley, but other than that, none really.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting to travel and being to realize I can do things alone too. And that I like my company! ;)

What was your biggest failure?
Hmm. :P I have a lot of lessons learned though, especially during the tail end of the year. Sigh.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, nothing major this year! Happy and grateful for that.

What was the best thing you bought?
A trip to Singapore with my friends.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Oh... never mine! I have to give special mention to very good friends who are the best people to have around, will tell me the truth when I am just so hard headed sometimes and still love me for my silliness. In turn, I try to be better as well.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mine. :(

Where did most of your money go?
Concerts, coffee, food, massages (stressed out much?).

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My trips this year, going out with my friends.

What song(s) will always remind you of 2008?
Chasing Pavements - Adele
Almost Lovers - A Fine Frenzy
Forget about Me - Little Bit
Migraine - Moonstar 88 (hahahaha!)
Won't Go Home without You - Maroon 5 (only because singing this with the whole Araneta and then later on with my office mates in videoke is just so fun!)
Under Repair - Imago
Say It Again - Marie Digby
Take A Bow - Rihanna
Mad - Ne-yo
Forever - Chris Brown (hahaha Malor and I always sing this to "Chris Tiu and me..." but we don't crush Chris Tiu or anything, we just heard it on RX!)
She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
If I Were A Boy - Beyonce
T-Shirt - Shontelle
Teenage Love Affair - Alicia Keys
Lucky - Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
A whole lot of other songs from my seatmate Pau's iPod too!

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Normal. A lot of things happened this tail end of the year and I'm not sure how to feel. Dry and unemo?
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatterrrrr.
iii. richer or poorer? Steady. I'm getting by.

What do you wish you'd done more?
Appreciate things in life more.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worry and complain.

How many one-night stands?
None.

Did you fall in love in 2008?
No.

What was your favorite TV program?
Gossip Girl, still Grey's (I can never get past season three!). I haven't watched TV so much this year and if ever, it's on to the news or MTV.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I've learned to be dry and unemo when it comes to things like that. I don't want to be that sad anymore.

What was the best book you read?
Hands down, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak! I love, love this book and will recommend it to anyone. It's very touching and moving. I cry everytime I read it. Runner up would be Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan. The Twilight series was my light reading and slight obsession this year.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Since Pau has been my seatmate this year, I've learned to enjoy her taste in music - started to appreciate RnB more, as well as Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz.

What did you want and get?
To travel this year and I did. :)

What was your favorite film of this year?
I liked Iron Man, The Dark Knight, 27 Dresses and Juno.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My birthday was memorable... I was at work and we had to log! It was the first day of log and Crissy and I were first pick! Then my unit had food for me, but I had to go home late to my birthday dinner because I had so many things to do. Sigh. I did cry again!

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I exerted a little more in life and my goals. And if a certain someone was not so weird.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Eep. Let's just say my friends are gearing up for me to revamp my closet in 2009.

What kept you sane?
Friends, family, books, writing, wah live.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Oooh... none? Well when we watched Maroon 5, I shrieked all over Adam!

What political issue stirred you the most?
In local politics, none - apathy ever. I did follow the US presidential elections.

Who did you miss?
College friends.

Who was the best new person you met?
Some people at work. ;)

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
The value of appearances and hard work. And that anything is possible!

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
Being told that they were proud of me for some lessons I've learned, for being strong, for walking away. And that I didn't deserve certain things that were being done to me.

The most touching experience you've had this year?
Touching experience? Mostly with my friends about this certain thing.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
I did things! I tried not be so boring and all.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
Too many complaints and worries.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I'm too fly to be depressed! from Go On Girl ;P

Was 2008 a good year for you?
It was ok.

What was your favorite moment of the year?
A lot of nice moments, like seeing the Merlion and watching the view of Sing from Esplanade at night, hanging out with my bro in Starbucks and listening to "Sweet Face" flirt, coffee runs with P and Crissy (especially when we need to talk), me time - as in time alone, especially on my birthday.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Crying on the way home on my birthday. :P

Where were you when 2009 began?
Home.

Who were you with?
My family.

Where will you be when 2008 ends?
At home.

Who will you be with when 2008 ends?
My family pa rin.

How many concerts did you see in 2008?
Three: Neyo, Maroon 5 and Chris Brown-Rihanna. They were all fun!!!

Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2008?
Hardly. :P

Do a lot of drugs in 2008?
Nope.

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Nah.

How much money did you spend in 2008?
Not as much as 2007 - I took a break from school to concentrate first on my job and to work my finances first so I saved a lot in terms of tuition, books, parking, etc. I also tried to save for some things I need (and want) for school and my trips (although Sing was a very budget trip).

What was your proudest moment of 2008?
Proudest moment. Hmm when people thank me?

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008?
Gaah none really.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2008 and change something, what would it be?
Something work related (nothing bad! Just wish I did better). But oh well, I learned and will just move on.

What are your plans for 2009?
Revamp my wardrobe. Straighten my hair (shallow stuff, I know, but I do need a change already, as in seriously). Sort out my work. Allow myself to be happy. Push a little more in life and goals.

How are you different now that the year has ended?
I think I'm getting a better sense of self and a lot more optimism.

What are your wishes for the new year?
That the new year will bring everyone the best of blessings! :)

2008-12-30T20:36:00.004+08:00

I'm supposed to declutter my room, but... next time maybe. Just clearing out my phone right now. I have 3,569 messages in my Inbox! Not counting the others in my folders, Drafts and Sent Items. No wonder it's so slow. :)

From P today only:
There are things in life that never last,
but the truth is...
you never lost them until you let them go.
Life is about choices--hanging on, holding back, letting go.
Some things do last.
If you just let them...
and if they let you.

How apt. :P

2008-12-08T21:45:00.002+08:00

Got the first two of my planners for 2009! One is the office planner I ordered ages ago (and completely forgot about!) and the other is the Starbucks planner in red. I love love love planners, I always wax romantic about them and the possibilities they present and getting these today posed the question of how I was going to organize things. I mean, I still want other planners too, such as the Belle de Jour Planner and GoNuts too (really kooky and funny)! But do I really need that much planners, I wonder.

And it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Picture's in Eastwood with my officemates walking waaay ahead of Crissy and me. :) The decorations look even better at night, when it's all lit up. I swear, it's Christmasy everywhere, but I'm still grinchy. I don't feel it at all, being awfully busy and all. Sigh. Anyway, it's the long weekends/holiday I'm looking forward to in the end of December. Almost two weeks of holidays! It's like another vacation leave! Haha!

2008-11-17T23:30:00.002+08:00

My vacation leave is over! :( Huhu. It was very busy and I was able to do pretty much a lot of things. Now have to get back to work...

VL Highlights:

Hong Kong with the family! My first vacation with them after two years, I think? Destination: Hong Kong/China (which included Macau, Shenzhen [sp?] and Disneyland! Would we ever pass that up?)! I enjoyed it thoroughly - I found the Hong Kong skyline also pretty amazing, especially at night. Would love to go back. :)

Bundi and I goofing around on our last night in Hong Kong

Bentosa with P - when I got back, P and I went on our much-awaited Bentosa! Well, we wanted to try the Bentosa cupping (not sure how it's called) for our backs. Ooh it was very nice although we did go around with round bruises on our backs.
Meeting up with Gwennie - I had not seen her and Mike for the longest time! Nice to catch up and talk about things. Gwennie, especially, knows me well, too.
Me time. :)
Chris Brown-Rihanna concert. Went with P, Chris, Pau and Malor. Ran into Karina and her siblings there too. Fun show but it was so tiring!

Stuff I wasn't able to do:

Christmas shop - oh my I feel really grinchy...
Declutter - I do want to clean out my room and closet but somehow I never got around to doing so...

2008-11-14T23:22:00.000+08:00

Okay I feel extremely inefficient and unproductive. How is it that my friends P and MKV have done their Christmas shopping already?! I swear, we're all only on leave for a few days and they're all done with their shopping. I have yet to scout for gifts for everyone, I've only considered gifts for a few people and that's it.

But that's okay, I think I like shopping during the Christmas rush. For some reason, that's what gets me started on the Christmas excitement and all. But right now... well, I'm not up for the season just yet. It's like, wait, not yet! Christmas follows through to New Year (duh) and then 2008's over! It's just so soon. And looking back on the year so far... yikes. I can't quite say I made any significant changes or decisions with myself. Oh dear, I didn't quite mean to rant about this now, but I've had a lot of time to myself and to think lately, it's been creeping into my mind lately.

Sigh. I really shouldn't be thinking about these things now. Happy thoughts, come on now (Gwennie, Chris Brown-Rihanna this weekend!!! My leave's last hurrahs!!!).

2008-10-31T00:22:00.001+08:00

As opposed to last year's AloHalloween, the mood this year was Scrooge-y (well, if there was a Scrooge for Halloween, that is. Honestly, I did hear someone say that about our unit). Check out the signs on our unit's door:

Yup, no kids zone.

We didn't take part this year--I think we really had a lot of work to do. I know I did; I didn't budge from my chair the whole afternoon of Halloween festivities all over the building. I missed Halloween again, sort of. But it's okay, seriously needed to work hard this season. Maybe next year. :)

2008-10-16T22:36:00.003+08:00

Quick Post
- Our secret ambush interview actually appeared on TV! I didn't really think of it until one of our officemates jokingly asked for our autographs. I swear... we (Karina, Pau, Malor and me) looked so exhausted that night, I wonder how we came across on TV. Hehe. Can't find it in YouTube!
- Another Friday Madness last week: Ruby Tuesday, Time Zone and joy ride (1am in the middle of Q Ave)! Now that was fun. It's been so busy lately; time out like that really helps.
- Connecting with old friends. :)
- Huge lunch with the whole team yesterday to celebrate Mommy Donnah's birthday. Our scrapbook gift was so cute, I think I want to buy one and make my scrapbook! Finally, if ever.
- West Side Story last weekend; oh my I've seen the movie and now the play. *sniff*
- Round 4 of reading the Twilight saga! Haha I know, I really should stop but I'm appreciating it more now. Anyway, P has introduced me to other books such as Jane Eyre and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, so yes, it's a break from Edward. :)
- Argh why is the Rihanna-Chris Brown concert at the Fort... but still no JT. :(

2008-09-03T22:22:00.002+08:00

When I think of August, it pretty much comes to this: long weekends, Sing and Twilight! Those were definitely highlights of the past month. Now it's September already! The -ber months are here and this signals that the year is about to end already! Oh wow. Goodness.

I'm still on a Twilight saga high, reading different parts of all four books at the same time! Plus, I'm also reading the draft Midnight Sun which is from Stephenie Meyer's website. I like reading it even if it's just a draft, 264 pages and in PDF format because it's Edward's point of view this time. It's nice to get into his head for a change since we hear two different voices in the course of the saga - not even Edward's - and I think Edward's a pretty interesting character (grr those Edward lines we keep reciting over and over throughout the day! Malor and I raised our standards again. Wahahaha!), not to mention his power.

Being on this Twilight high has completely stopped me from reading other books lately. My dad was asking me if I wanted this book and I was like, "Huh?" Still stuck on ~~Edward~~ Twilight! But I think I have to move on already... after I finish Midnight Sun.

Oh, before I forget, another highlight (and surprise!) was receiving a call from my old teammates last last week - the walang malisya team, Team F! I miss them. Hadn't heard from any of them in ages and it was so nice to hear from (some of) them recently. Those were interesting times with them and I know I learned a lot and changed a lot. :)

Oh wow. I wonder what's in store for September.

2008-08-19T22:25:00.014+08:00

Notes from a backpacking trip:

Thank goodness for long weekends!
...And budget flights!
630a flight - stress all over as coming from a looong day at work + dad's birthday + rainy day traffic.
Terminal 3 is... empty of shops but full of people. And the idea of going back and forth to pay for the travel tax and what have you is annoying.
Waiting for the flight was not that long...
Sleeping through the flight... zzzzz...
Wow budget terminal, feel the difference :P
Hostel (pensionne as my dad calls it) life with shared bathrooms, surprising things you find in the hallway every morning, clean as you go, different cultures all under one roof
Zoo with the poor polar bear, penguins, meerkats, gee-ra-fees, underwater ballerinas!
Night Safari - ooh :)
Super walking all over the city to see it! I loved walking behind The Fullerton Hotel. :)
The toy store with all the Lego pieces you can buy! Wah!
Food trip! Hawker's Centres for stingray and noodles.
Luge and skybench (is that what it was called?), cable cars, Underwater World.
Merlion! I don't know why I am so fascinated with saying that!
Dhoby Ghaut interchange (in my most modulated, pang IVRS voice) - love the public transpo - very efficient.
No time for ~~Edward~~ Twilight saga as we leave the hostel early and crash in by 1am every night.
Ikea! Lots of stuff to buy but how to bring home...
Rushing to buy chocolate!
Beef Turkey, Chicken Coin - mmmm...
Chinatown!
Fashown! :)
I think we brought the rain to Sing...
Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Dough is love ♥
Plack plack plack with Malor the Local.
Street ice cream! :)
Chicken foldovers in McDonalds.
Bonding with old and new friends.
Kopi :) - which I didn't try but still.
Making it happen :)

Jump shot in front of Esplanade

photo credit Karina

2008-08-08T23:33:00.002+08:00

I couldn't resist blogging today - it's 080808! Unintentionally keeping up with the date and "8" theme, my parking ticket registered my entry at 8:00 am and my log in at the office was at 8:08. Auspicious much? :)

Of course when I told my dad about all the 8s today, he said he wished I was home by 8:08 pm too. Hehe well, di talaga kinaya because I had nine (not eight!) cases due today!

Still up watching the Olympics Opening Ceremonies. Always a spectacular event, but oh my, the commercials. Goodness it's a lot, but I always enjoy seeing the parade of nations and whatever gimmick each host country cooks up to make each opening ceremony unique.

2008-08-07T23:19:00.005+08:00

I finally gave in - thanks to my officemates and National Bookstore - and bought the Twilight Saga. All four books at once! Hehe I am OC like that.

I used to see the first three books regularly in National, with its own display. The black covers were always intriguing, but since they were sealed in plastic, I never got to flip through them (the back of the book doesn't say much). I always saw people buying and reading them and yes, it was a curiosity, but I had never met anyone who had read them, so I let the curiosity pass.

Enter my friends at work who had read the books and were waiting for the fourth book, Breaking Dawn, which was released only last Monday. Their excitement was (and still is) catching, so we reserved with National for a copy of Twilight. They said two weeks to wait, which was an exercise in patience, but then Natio texted last night to say our copies were available! Yay!

So now I have the four books and I'm excited to start reading. Everyone, even our super, has been raving about it so I'm very curious. It's about vampires - I never was into the vampire thing (never got into Anne Rice's Interview the Vampire and the like, and got scared with The Historian - I did like it though some parts were long winding) although I think I will enjoy this saga. :)

photo from twilight saga