Mimento Vivere

One Down

2011-11-25T12:44:00.000+08:00

And so one of the countdowns happened this week!

My brother with the whole family arrived last Monday, Nov 21. We didn't immediately see each other as there were plans blah, blah. And yes, the mother did not know anything about it and it was supposed to be her biggest surprise to date.

So Tuesday, I did my usually morning routine (so the mother will not suspect anything) but instead of going to the office, i went straight to where the brother and fam were checked in. I knew that i got the right room when I head Aussie-English speaking kids behind closed doors! lol! Are those my pamangkins, really?

Anyway, and so my sis also arrived and then we trooped back home. As it was a Tuesday, which is the mother's movie day, we expected that she will not be home when we arrive. I sent her sms when we were near and told her i went home from the office as im not feeling well.

Lo and behold, she was in for a great surprise alright, but mainly because of her doing. haha. She thought my sms was an emergency and she was scared to find out what was it about. When she saw an unfamiliar car parked outside our gate, her fear heightened. And then as she entered the house, the first face she saw was that of the driver (my brother commissioned). She was scared alright!

But then the Aussie-English kids came running and then boom, it finally dawned on her that it was a good surprise. It took a few minutes of calming her down though. AND she was blaming me the whole time. Lol!

It was a happy sight that gives such warm feeling to be together again. Family is precious. Nothing can top that.

Countdowns

2011-11-11T17:36:00.002+08:00

Countdown Nr. 1:
At the moment I'm writing this, there are exactly 43days, 20hours and 47minutes until Christmas! Wow. Christmas is just around the corner. And, for this year, I am proud to say that I have finished my gift-shopping early *pats own back*.
I have been buying stuff here and there since middle of this year. About a month ago, I made a final list and matched the persons with my loots. So there. I can welcome December relaxed and calm. =)

Countdown Nr. 2:
29days til a friend's wedding! We have been waiting for this to happen since forever (lol!) so now that it's finally happening, the days seem to stretch even further yet hours in a day seem to go by so fast. What an odd thing. Oh and i still have to fit my gown. My red gown. Seriously, this is the first and perhaps only red dress I will ever own.

Countdown Nr. 3:
16days and hello again, Paris! After 6years we meet again. Hopefully you'd be friendlier to me so as I'll have nice photos this time. The first time, i was a real noob, I don't have anything to show for the all the sights and sounds that is uniquely Parisian. So, for this trip, I am going to plan everything, down to the day to day outfit. Lol!

Countdown Nr. 4 and 5:
I have always wanted to go to Palawan and finally, I only have to wait for 55days until I step on its land. And for the first time, too, I am celebrating my birthday out of town. Oh and by the way, the birthday is 58days to go.

Countdown Nr. 6:
It's actually a surprise to the mother, but since she has no way of finding about it from here, then i'm going to spill that my brother and family will be visiting for a month! It's only 10days to go, and I'm really excited to see the nephews and niece again. I will be out of the country for atleast a week that they are here, but hey, it's quality time that matters. =)

So there. It seems I'm doing a lot of countdowns in my head. Oh, and by the way, one important countdown which I shouldn't forget is...

28days to go before Christmas bonus!!! Lol!!

Just don't

2011-11-08T14:15:00.002+08:00

I hate being addressed as one of the "guys".

As in reading emails addressing everybody with "Hi guys," or "hello guys".

Puhleeeeeeeaaaze!

In an office-setting, never ever start your emails like that. Ever. period.

for the nth time beginner

2011-11-08T13:10:00.002+08:00

I'm an on and off blogger. If this blog is a baby, I have already been scorned by society for being such a lousy mother. hahaha. Thank goodness, this is not, and I am not. :P

And so, I'm back. And as usual, so many things happened since my last entry that I don't know where to begin. But I have limited capacity for words now so I will start with last weekend. haha

Got an extra day this weekend due to Eid al-Adha which is Feast of Sacrifice for our Islamic brothers. It was a holiday spent wisely.

For weeks now, friends and I are all agog for the upcoming wedding of another friend. Though most of the girls in our circle are married, this is the first time, if I remember correctly, that we're doing it the works. As in serious, all-traditional Church wedding! And so we are all like getting crazy (even the married ones. haha) trying to make it perfect. So far, so good. Though i think we are not really helping any (panay lang kami satsat at yaya ng kita kita pero nauuwi lang sa daldalan lol!).

As tradition demands, we should throw a shower for the friend, right? Well we kinda did, but its far from traditional "despedida de soltera", no siree! What we did will be just between us girls and the 'special guest' but i can tell that it was 'held' in Richmonde Eastwood, sometime between 2-4pm *wink, wink*. We had dinner after (love Cyma!) and for the first time too, if i remember correctly, we all went to a nearby church (Padre Pio).

It was a lovely Monday. Spent with loveliest girls I know. I am happy that finally, I can see true happiness in my friends' eyes. Love is a drug. A wonderful, wonderful cure-all drug.

The Past and the Present

2011-02-03T13:08:00.004+08:00

This is the ex:

We've had a jolly good time travelling together since 2007. That would count the most memorable trips I've had so far. However, like in any other relationships, it can't always be 100% working all the time. And sadly, at this point, it's failing to deliver to my demands (and artes in life. lol).

So now, meet the new love:

I haven't had any experience with Panasonic before but i was lured into buying this one due to very good reviews from friends and online alike. So far, so good---it's light, it delivers good photos, and it has a thousand and one features which are interesting enough to explore.

I'm not giving up the ex though as I know that it has its good points which the new one cannot deliver.

Won't work that way on human relationships though, will it? lol.

Holding Hands

2011-02-02T15:05:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, out of the blue, I suddenly longed to hold my father's hand.

I guess it's one of those moments when no matter how long a parent's passing has been, no matter how you say you have lived your life since then, there will always be a part of you missing because they are no longer around. I will forever be a daughter who no longer has her father around.

So to those who still have their parents, hold them. Hold their hands. Those are the hands that cradled us as a child, guided us as a teener and patted our backs as an adult. Treasure the wrinkly hands, for they will not forever be there for you to hold on to.

Going home!

2010-05-27T13:23:00.002+08:00

Yay!

I've been absent for a time due that I was travelling. I could say I had limited net access but truth is I had net in my room and I was not posting since there are just waaaaaay too many things to rant/rave about.

Now I'm on my last hour of travel and will be boarding train going to where I will fly back home. This is a 14-hr flight, my dears, but I haven't been this anxious to go home for a long time. When all else are complaining of summer heat that side of earth, here I am wishing I'm basking in that warmth.

So, will be posting again soon...as soon as I have internalized the whole trip and edited post-worthy photos. haha.

Ciao!

Techie for the Non-Techie

2010-04-19T13:53:00.001+08:00

Lately I got myself a new toy. An entry-level (this term I only got to be familiar with through endless browsing haha) blackberry which has a little of everything. Friends, let me introduce you to Sunshine (and yes I name my stuff too ;) )

Like any spanking brand new techie item, this new member of my techie for the non-techie collection still needs to be explored. In order to maximize the blackberry features, I had my service provider upgrade my mobile plan. So far, everything's been a ...mess! hahaha

Fine, so I was able to download twitter, facebook, yahoo messenger, gmail...but the main purpose of this acquisition, which is to download corporate emails, is totally lost on me. I believe I'm pretty good with reading comprehension, but for the life of me, I cannot understand a thing with setting up the email! All I was able to do was flood our inbox with noncomprehensible RIM messages which got my boss worried if a virus attacked our system. Embarrassing. And all I was trying to do was to download mails.

Tsk. Sometimes I wonder why we have to make our lives complicated. I sure can whip a batch of chocolate cookies in a flash, but this... I terribly, terribly need some upgrading.

Help!

Territorial

2010-03-19T19:05:00.000+08:00

It's really so funny how some people would slack and refuse what they're supposed to do and go dip their fingers at someone else's business.

Well truth to tell, it. is. not. funny. I have learned how to let things just slide whenever I can. But when it comes to work (AND my precious work desk! haha), mehn, call me territorial. Crossing the line a big no-no. Protocol, my dears, is not invented for nothing.

Aaaargh.

New Favorite Ü

2010-03-15T12:46:00.009+08:00

A couple of years ago, I stumbled upon a blog featuring Rachel Yamagata. And I fell in love. She didn't really go mainstream but up until now, I still play her Meet Me By the Water when I feel like it.

So this accidental discovery of new artist (atleast for me) happened again last week. I was browsing for TikTok ( ;P ) and instead I found Robin Thicke's Sweetest Love. It was...sweet.

Browsing some more, I found out that he was also the one who sang Lost Without You.

Admittedly, his songs are a bit on the sensual side (why the album title is Sex Therapy!). But it's real wonderful. Some of his more upbeat songs (in corroboration with Pharell Williams, Snoop dog, etc) are nice, nice, NICE!

I'm so glad I discovered this guy. Still not in the same level as my "love" for John Legend and Maxwell but it's getting pretty close.

Feel good Friday

2010-03-12T16:50:00.010+08:00

Sometimes the sweetest things that can make your day are those that come from strangers. Perhaps it's because it's totally unexpected and unnecessary. No ulterior motives to speak of.

So this morning, the oldie cab driver told me "Ma'am, palagay ko swertehin ako ngayon, kayo una kong pasahero. Maganda ang bukas ng aura nyo (I think I'm going to be lucky as you are my first passenger of the day. You have a beautiful aura)". And then he smiled that old, wrinkly, toothy smile. I was touched and smiled in return.

He just doesn't know how much that made my day too.

Have a good weekend (to whoever can read this!)!!

That moment of solitude

2010-03-11T17:58:00.004+08:00

This morning I woke up feeling more tired than before I went to sleep last night. It took full 15mins before I've decided to go up and prepare for work. But ofcourse by that time I was already running late. So I thought of hitting the gym first instead and report to work reaaaal late. However, even that thought made me tired. So I end up curling back to bed with a book in hand, and coffee on the other.

And boy was I in heaven! Amidst the pillows, with sunshine pouring in the bedroom window yet temperature still a bit cold due to morning mist, the aroma of hot coffee, and toasty sheets, I felt I could just stay there forever. The book was amazing but I had to put it down a while, look up to the ceiling and just stare at it and let my mind wander. I thought of the things I would rather do if I have the luxury of time (and money). And then I thought of going back to old hobbies I've long forgotten, of my wanting to go back to school and learn entirely different field than my undergrad, of sending mails to friends, of coloring my hair, of the guy who I still have an unsettled score with (haha). And then I'm suddenly off the roof and raring to conquer the world!

But then courtesy dictates that I atleast send an sms to inform the people at the office that I might not be coming in. And before I knew it, I was sending sms left and right. My moment has ended. I have to go back to reality.

At the moment, I am writing this entry in between schedules. But I've tucked that little me-time on my mind and promise to go get that feeling again soon. =)

Pauline

2010-03-08T14:45:00.008+08:00

Saturday afternoon while at my sister's, I got a sms from a college friend. Word got around that another friend from the university passed away due to vehicular accident. No other details were sent. Amidst my noisy family, all I can send back was a shocked "OMG!"

I haven't even seen this friend for about 5 years now. The last time we saw each other was an accidental meeting while I was having dinner with my officemates and she was at the other table with her girlfriends. It was a short albeit nice meeting. We promised to get in touch and catch up some other time. And though we did manage to drop hi and hello through chat every now and then, the promise to meet up never actually happened.

Until last Saturday, I haven't heard any news about her.

And I am touched with deep sadness. For not being able to continue the bond and friendship we've had when we were still both crying over failing grades, gushing over cute campus guys, lobbying for the same university leaders...and all those girly things we did before. I even stayed with her family in their hometown in Baguio during one of our semestral breaks. We both had separate organizations and group of friends but deep in our hearts we are friends.

But what do I know about her now? Was she married? Where was she working? Was she happy? What has she been doing? Where was she before that unfortunate event? Who was she with? Don't I suppose to know these things because we were friends?

I'm sad. But I guess it's a wake up call to renew friendships with long ago friends. It's a reminder that no matter how busy life can be, we should take time and celebrate knowing each other.

I'm sorry, Pauline, for not being there. I love you. May you rest in peace.

Do over

2010-02-17T11:41:00.002+08:00

I wish life is as simple as playing spider on my pc. When I'm left with no moves, I click "restart" and I'm back to square one...with no trace of how many moves or attempts have been done.

But life isn't like that. There are no do overs. You move, you pay or gain the price. You lose time. Hopefully you learn and do better the next time.

But more than time and lessons learned, moving costs a lot of decisions which entails emotions. And that, one cannot get right every time. No sir, almost always, going up or down, forward or backward, leaves us feeling torn, anxious, dubious on whether we made the right choice. And we are not the same person as before we have to choose. There is no square one.

If only we can stand still and just be. But even this is a decision.

The new 20

2010-02-09T18:33:00.006+08:00

I was trying on a different style with my hair this morning and what did i see? White hairs! Aaaack!

I never really thought I'd get to the point where I'd be bothered with something as natural and simple as white hairs. Why, I used to even think it's cool to have one or two. It was a sign of intelligence daw e (yeah right). Well maybe it was cool when you know that there are other reasons (like genes) for having one other than *drum rolls* old age.

Shucks. To think it was only this weekend when my brother-in-law's lola asked how old am I and when I kiddingly told her to guess, she said 25. Yehessss. I was like, "lola naman!" (sabay plik plik ng pilik mata). Seriously. Twenty five? Nah. I would say 28, but 25? That's pushing it too far. Haha.

Speaking of 28, I was having dinner with our company president a few weeks short of my 32nd birthday and he was honestly surprised when I told him my real age.

Ay. The mababaw things that flatter me lately. Shallow Alex. That's me alright.

Who would've thought something as simple (and maybe even an empty flattery--uy fishing! haha) like that could make me feel good? I always thought only old, wrinkly, vain ladies care about their age and if they look like it. The type who can't accept old age with grace. The Cher type.

But it does. It makes me feel good. And it makes me love myself more. And take care of myself more. But the thing is, the intent to look younger is not there. In fact, its in the acceptance that I am gaining years (and hope that I gain wisdom too) that I started to live more freely and with less worries, thinking that the NOW is the life that I have been working on for the longest time.

I soooo love being in my 30s. I'm old enough to be independent, but young enough to enjoy life at its fullest. I'm not keeping my real age a secret, but it's fun having people guess. Ofcourse being polite Pinoys that we are, we almost always guess very conservatively. But a 7yr gap? That is something I can be really happy about. :)

See I even write about it. Who gives a heck with white hairs!

formspring.me

2010-02-01T17:31:00.001+08:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/alex96c

Hyped but (usually) unutilized

2010-01-19T11:38:00.002+08:00

I'm talking about planners and datebooks.

Eversince that popular coffeeshop started its promo, owning and carrying a planner is the coolest thing next to black nail polish. Unfortunately, for two years now, my attempt falls short. This year, I was one sticker away. I easily filled up the regular drinks part (and more) but the Christmas drinks? Bleh. Obviously I'm not a fan.

Anyway, last year a found a good friend in my Cosmopolitan planner. I realized how a very good tool planners really are. I religiously noted down my period sched (and they have period plotter too!), salon day, meetings, gym visits, trips, bills payment, even my mood for that day! For a time I also listed down my food intake to help monitor my *ehem* diet. Lugging my planner whenever I go was also very convenient whenever I want to write down quotes I heard, or just plainly write down thoughts while sipping my coffee or stuck in traffic. The thoughts are no biggie (I swear! haha) but I am proud to say that I completed the planner's cosmic purpose. And that is for my life to have have a semblance of order and for me to have something to write on whenever I want to pretend I'm busy while waiting for friends to show up.

As I am not blessed with sharp memory, the old planner shall remain as a reference for the things that I have to recall from last year. I was browsing through it the other day and I was half amused, half icky with the things I did/thought of last year. It really is like your old school "dear diary" but this time without the "dear diary" part just the "carlo sat beside me today". haha.

This year, I got two---one executive (for work. NAKS!) and one Cosmopolitan (again) for personal. Oh yes, I feel that so much are in store for me this year that I have to have separate notebooks just to keep track. (Well actually it's just a tad embarrassing if I open my planner during a meeting and an entry like "need to buy eyebrow shaver" or "very bad PMS" will pop out.) History (or atleast that which concerns me) will be on these sheets of papers. This year will be captured by stickers and colored pens and highlighters giving way to my penchant for doodling and writing nonsense.

Let 2010 roll in. Let the sheets get inked.

Fraudulent sms

2010-01-07T14:32:00.005+08:00

Yesterday, I received this message from an unlisted number:

"Kamusta n kyo jan? i2 bgo roaming number ko, n block ang dting simcard ko, malapit n akong mgpadala nextweek n, gus2 ko sna tumawag ngaun pro ala ako load, loadan nyo muna ako tawag ako s agency, mhirap lng mgpaload d2, ingat kyo jan."

Yeah right.

The message was soooo wrong in so many ways. And amongst all of them, nanggigigil lang ako sa "i2" at "gus2". Wala akong kaibigan/kamag anak na ganyang magtext! (I hope!)

Okay so form aside, I really hope these lowly cheating creatures will get what they deserve. Kung wala kang pera wag kang mandugas para lang makatext! Anubah.

And for all those poor victims who indeed are expecting this type of sms from anybody they know, may they be blessed with smarts as to ask and confirm before they send out help. I know of a couple of people who've fallen prey out of awa. Don't please. Walang manloloko kung walang magpapaloko.

Anyway, just so you know, I replied:

Your number has been reported to NTC (actually matagal ko din inisip ano nga ba ang appropriate department to indicate hehe). You are presently being tracked for investigation regarding the messages that you are sending out re asking for help.

Ayan. Then around midnight, I sent another message:

You are being tracked and investigated. Send further fraudulent message and due action will be taken.

Well, I hope it rattled them some. Owell.

In Retrospect

2010-01-04T13:47:00.003+08:00

After the holiday frenzy has died down come the realization that indeed, another year has gone by and a new glorious year is here. I will be celebrating another birthday in the next couple of days, and there lies the question of "what have I got to show for 3X years?".

Well the past year has been soooo good to me. It may not seem like that, with the Ondoy thing which really upstaged the other events of 2009, but in truth was really not the biggest thing that ever happened to me, personal life-wise. I however have to acknowledge that that September disaster opened my eyes to a lot of things I never knew about me before and helped me heaps in "cleansing" my phonebook, my "friends list", stuff which hasn't been used for almost ten years but we don't have the heart to throw away, ugly baby pictures (haha), and a whole lot of stuff I don't have a use of but is still keeping for "future use" (which never came).

Did you just notice how positive that paragraph is? Ah that lesson I learned big time too. Always, always see the positive in everything. There must be something good in there somewhere. If we'll only be patient and acknowledging enough to see it.

I haven't turned to one perky-chirpy-positive-lala girl though. I still have the biatch in me, but it's reserved for "you deserve it! *slap, slap*" moments. And that happens ever so rarely now. With age comes patience. Slide, slide, slide. But use baby talk and mehn, you're going to get an earful. Haha

Anyway, in retrospect, here are the highlights of my 2009:

Best Lessons learned:

- I am much more than what I thought I am.

- Keeping just a few friends is OK. I don't need lots of them if they're not around anyway.

- Gamble only what you can afford to lose.

Biggest achievement:

- Losing 16 lbs! Call me vain, but really, it was one achievement for me! Sadly, I think I gained back about half of it over the Holidays. haha

- got back to reading books!!!!

Biggest change:

- Haircut (September) of minimum 10inches off. Can I just sing "ang gaan gaan ng feeling!"

Places I've been:

- Bangkok, Thailand (September)

- Brugge, Belgium (November)

- Frankfurt, Germany (November)

- Moscow, Russia (November)

Thing/s I said I wouldn't do but did so in 2009:

- go to the gym.

- break my word

- got suspended due to tardiness (eeeew!)

New gadget/s:

- ipod

- blackberry

Best events I've been:

- Pangasinan trip (February)

- Thess' wedding (Tagaytay, May 03)

- Coffee thingie with a friend (May)

- Lucia's Wedding/after party (Sofitel, June 27)

- QC day

- After party (December)

Low moments:

- Kuya and family moving to Aus (March)

- Ondoy

- going broke (hahaha!)

Mantra for 2009:
- the way she acts is the way she will likely be treated

Most played song:

- Kiwi and infatuation by Maroon 5

Biggest purchase/s:

- house repair stuff (haha)

- make up (kill me!)

- leather satchel (love, love, love this!)

Biggest stressor:

- heavy TRAAAAAAAAFFIC along Mindanao Ave.

Favorite pieces of clothing/accessory:

- black leggings

- oversized shirts/tops

- dual time watch

Acquired new habit:

- using bath oils

- applying primer after moisturizer before foundation. haha!

- religiously referred and used my planner!

Regrets /Disappointments (?)

- leaving my eye glasses which eventually got lost in the gym.

- living the life a little too late

- messing with a messy person. haha

There. I know there are a couple more which helped made my year but at the moment I can't think of them. I sure would mention it in the next entries if and when it arises. Meantime, can I just stress my 'tagline' for 2010? here:

"mabuhay ang mga Laida Magtalas!"

*wink, wink*

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-23T16:06:00.004+08:00

It's been one heck of a roller coaster year, personal and otherwise, but come December everything just shifts to Holiday mode.

Have a very Merry Christmas to whoever gets to read this post. Rest assured that I mean it from the heart and there's atleast one person who's greeted you with all its meaning entailed.

Cheers!

xoxo

Alive

2009-12-14T10:47:00.003+08:00

I have actually thought of deleting this blog, until someone anonymous commented on one of the posts from way back. So it's like telling me that this blog still exist and must be given attention soon.

Like any individual who rode the wave of social networking sites, I left this blog untouched for a loooong time. I just realized that I never really imparted anything meaningful lately except for a few witty shout outs and pleasant-enough-photos-worthy-of-a-profile-pic. So I come back to where I can really express the real me. I blog.

I cannot begin to describe this year. It was (is, since it still is 2009). . . different in more ways than one. I did things even I wouldn't believe I'd do. Good and bad, that is. It was one hell of a ride. And the stories will be told in the next posts I guess since I do not know where to start telling them now.

But the point is, here I am, and I'm still alive.

An attempt to get organized

2009-08-12T14:13:00.001+08:00

Question: Just how do you organize your ipod music?

I have about 2000++ songs and they're just there, as is how I downloaded/ripped/copied it. I did make the effort to check the titles and artists though. But still, it's a mess.

As I am on a voluntary Facebook rehab (for reasons I prefer not to disclose), I decided to organize the ipod instead. In vain. A total failure. I created playlists according to. . . oh I don't know. I just feel like making this list.

perk me up - my morning songs. something to inspire me. top choice, Right said fred. ahahahhahaha!

mellow yellow - white noise actually. something i could listen to without being bothered. (Tamia, Blaque, Jennifer Love Hewitt, some Sting, Braxtons hehe)

traffic music - Maroon 5, Alanis, Macy Gray, Mike Francis, John legend. I dont know if there's anything common with these artists, but for some reasons traffic isn't as bad when they sing next to my eardrums.

old school - Dave Matthews, U2, Gin Blosssoms, Green day, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Live, STP. yes. when I was still in school. thus, the name. haha

timeless classics - yung mga corny but you just can't help but. Peabo Bryson, Patti Austin, England Dan and John Ford Coley, EWF, Barry M, Al Jarreu, Sergio Mendes and the rest of the gang. Ah Bee Gees siempre.

Run!!! - yes, with exclamation point talaga. Nina Sky, lotsa hip hop. ngahahaha!

Light and easy - Joshua Radin, Justin Nozuka, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, James Morisson. Aba, panay J. I usually listen to this while doing crossword during breaktime. for some reasons.

I know I still have a looooong way to go before I finally finally get satisfied with how the songs are classified. IF I even have the time and energy to try again that is.

Oh, and you won't find any Madonna in any of the playlists. When I listen to Madonna, sya lang at wala nang iba. haha!

Reality check

2009-07-21T10:49:00.002+08:00

Last night's dream must be the weirdest I've had. I don't usually remember dreams, but this one scared the sh*t out of me that I woke up wondering if it was true.

There I was taking a photo of someone I dont remember who, and then as I look at the cam's LCD, I am saw this girl instead. She has frizzy hair and kohl-lined eyes (which I would call smokey eyes, if it wasnt such a scary dream. haha). Then she looked at me and then turned and looked at me again with her eyes full of emotions I can't understand.

This happened fast. Blink-of-an-eye fast. But the image is so vivid I can still picture it out while typing this. I can see her face, but I know that I haven't met her. Ever. And I hope I won't. Ever.

And so being the occult fanatic that I am, I checked out the possible meaning of this dream under "ghost" and found this:

A ghost may represent something that is gone but not forgotten, or something that is almost forgotten but that you simply cannot release.

Oh. Okay. I think that is more scary.

An adult conversation

2009-04-07T09:35:00.001+08:00

I've had the most adult conversation with my sister last Sunday. This, while both of us were sitting on the grassiest part of that blair-witch-project-like path to the beach of Puerto Azul. She had another of her fainting episodes and I was there trying to keep her company and making light of the situation.

Me: Sigurado ka bang di ka buntis?

Sis: Hindi nga, nagtest ako nung Friday.

Me: e bakit ka ganyan? di mo na na outgrow yang pagkamahimatayin mo *evil laugh*

Sis: gagu ka. si bob nga (bro-in-law) masakit din daw batok.

Me: anubayan, mga injured!

Sis: yabang neto. kaya ikaw mag asawa ka na nang magkaanak ka ng malakas ka pa.

That. Isn't it sweet? If that comment was thrown at me by another person, say my Mom, I either would have (a) rolled my eyes, (b) delivered my "ay nako, walang pakialaman" spiel, (c) snarled, or all of the above. But hey it was from my sis. My sis who received exact, same comments (and more) before she got hitched.

She only means well. It wasnt to mock me or to push me to be part of the cutesy-wootsey coupledom as if I'm living in hell and she's living in dreamland. No, she just wanted for me to enjoy to the fullest should that time comes. And i think I appreciate it that way. Waaaaaay better than being nagged and being the object of ovarian jokes (which are definitely not funny).

So there. At high noon, amidst the fainting bout(s) and the terrible heat, I've had the most adult conversation with my sis. And all I can reply to what she said was "ngeh".

Decorum

2009-03-31T07:58:00.001+08:00

A friend pointed it out to me. I get into laughing fit whenever I get nervous. Really. I didn't notice it before as what usually gets me into that state are funny incidents, or could pass as one. Except for that time when my friend pointed that out and I could only feel bad I reacted that way. And I really can't do anything about it.

See, I think that that incident could have put me in a different place than where I am today. Not saying that it's bad or good (depending on whose PoV we're looking at anyway) but I believe, everything would just be. . .different. I am just sorry I could have offended feelings with this sick impulse.

So it almost happened again recently. Heaven forbid that I crack in the most unusual circumstance. No. Please.

Pondering

2009-03-12T13:57:00.001+08:00

Now that I think about it, maybe there is something I can do aside from my day job. I want to be a professional make up artist

Well, I've been watching a lot of youtube videos the past days (check out EnKore, the vids are great), and I was just thinking that that is something I can do and maybe, just maybe, will be good at.

How much does having your make up done cost anyway? And with the wedding season coming, I can just imagine how in-demand artists can be. You get paid, you enjoy, plus you are earning karma points for making people feel good about themselves. Nice?

Plus! You get to shake the guilt for having bought all those make ups which you never get to use anyway...and a valid reason for hoarding more.

And that my friends is what I call hidden agenda.

Progression

2009-03-06T11:02:00.001+08:00

Bad: Me belting out "I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without you..." while plucking my brows in front of the mirror.

Worse: the song is from MY ipod which I connected to full blast speakers.

Worst: I downloaded the song from Limewire.

tawagin na lang natin syang guilty pleasure. haha.

The man for her

2009-03-04T05:59:00.001+08:00

For Every Woman

by Nancy Smith

For every woman who is tired of acting weak
when she knows she is strong,
There is a man who is tired of appearing strong
when he feels vulnerable.

For every woman who is tired of acting dumb,
There is a man who is burdened with the constant
expectation of knowing everything

For every woman who is tired of being called
emotional female, There is a man who is denied
the full right to weep and be gentle.

For every woman who feels tied down by her children,
There is a man who is denied the full pleasure
of shared parenthood.

For every woman who is denied meaningful
employment and equal pay,
There is a man who must bear full financial
responsibility for another human being.

For every woman who was not taught the
intricacies of an automobile,
There is a man who was not taught
the satisfaction of cooking.

For every woman who takes a step towards
her own liberation, There is a man who
finds that the way to freedom has
been made a little easier.

_________________________________________

I've learned of this piece years ago in the Sorority's celebration of Women's Month. This is such a beautiful piece which speaks of the brand of feminism we, regardless of gender, should strive for.

Further schedule of activities this March can be found here.

Let's celebrate womanhood! Happy Women's month!

The battle is on!

2009-01-27T08:29:00.002+08:00

I haven't been blogging lately due that I don't really have anything to write about. Januarys are usually like this albeit its my birthday month. And birthdays are getting to be less and less fun as one's age inches away and away from the calendar. lol!

Anyway, as what I have also been doing every start of the year for the past ten million years, I make promises to myself. Some call it resolutions, but I'd rather call them promises. Resolutions dont really solve anything. But with promises, I tend to be more driven. No compromise! A promise is a promise!

So since a couple of my friends are getting married (it's like that, kung may age na lahat nagdedebut, there is a stage when everyone seems to be getting married naman. and I am there somewhere. at the background.), I, the sisig-eating, san mig-lover sedentary singleton all of a sudden had to be the prim and physically fit member of a wedding entourage. Well it's no requirement, but unless I want to be remembered as the girl who looked like longganisa in her tube dress, then I must act on it. FAST.

And so the promise to be more fit and healthy is born.

Fitness test revealed that I am like eight hundred light years away from my ideal weight of...tadaaahh...112-124lbs. I was mortified. Not at my present weight, mind you, but with the ideal weight for my height. Just how could that be?!?! Anyway can I just say that I once was at my ideal weight...when I was a college freshie? Why oh why did God give fat cells the ability to multiply instead of braincells? WHY???

But so I'm back to walking and jogging and yoga-at-home. Goodbye Saturday afternoons in front of the tellie while munching chippy (yung pula!) and sipping coke. Goodbye elevators. At semi goodbye lang to san mig light (light naman e! haha). I have three months to work on. If not for the wedding, then I am doing this for the upcoming Bora trip. Yeah, vanity sure is a great motivator. But more importantly I am putting my heart on this for health reasons. How could I go to the places I want to go to, do the things I want to do if I am so unhealthy I can't even make it to the top step of the pink footbridge without gasping for air?

With that, I am waging war against these pesky fat cells until they have significantly decreased. Payt!

My year-ender

2008-12-31T20:40:00.001+08:00

To all those I've hurt, in one way or another, I am sorry. Truly. *Tina*, I am not sure if you get around to reading this, but whatever happened between us this year, for whatever things I've said or haven't said but should have, I am sorry. Sometimes self preservation gets the better of me. I may not regret making my point, but I sincerely apologize for the hurt I may have caused you.

To all those people whom I've had a misunderstanding with, please forgive my being stubborn. I am a work in progress and having more patience and broadening my perspective are surely part of my further training.

To all those who made me laugh, thank you. The gift of laughter is something I could not live without and having you around me is one thing I treasure dearly.

To all those who shared my fears and in the process helped me conquer them, I appreciate it so much. Knowing that there are people supporting me encourages me to dare much, risk much and in turn live my life fuller.

To all those who let me in in their lives and accepted me for the person I am, thank you. I can not promise to stay forever, but I can promise that our time spent together will be worth every minute of it.

And

To all those who caused me pain, how dare you! Life is full of shit and may yours be full of it. Har har har!

Bye 2008! The year has been full of revelations, transitions, new beginnings, endings but I wouldn't have changed a single thing.

May 2009 bring me all of these again and then some more.

Poker night not

2008-12-30T16:13:00.001+08:00

I've been reading this book, Girls Poker Night by Jill Davis, and I realized I cant relate much due that I dont know how to play poker.

Tssssss....

I know and I'm good at pusoy dos though I havent played in a while. My highschool guy friends taught me how to play while we were waiting for my friend as she gets permission to go to Antipolo with us. Antipolo was the place to be then. Shet, this was ten years ago and then some. We played pusoy dos every chance we get. Even aboard a bus on a field trip. such fun...

Anyway, this penchant for pusoy dos I later discovered was shared by a couple of sorority sisters. We used to play cards at the AS "hill" til we can't see a thing. Which we later remedied with what else, candles! We played cards on those stone tables and benches until someone hits the pot. Big deal. It was just worth P12 max. At 25cents per taya, what do you expect. Just imagine how long have we been playing to have a pot worth P12. But again, its not about the money. It's about the F-U-N.

But I digress. I've had enough of pusoy dos. Somebody teach me how to play poker. I think it's much cooler to say "can't go out tonight, i'm playing poker with the girls." than "magpupusoy kame eh". Like it has some kick-ass ring to it no? I dont want Mahjong. I have this funny notion that Mahjong is for, errrr...the elderly. hahaha.

I once told this friend, who claims to be good at poker, that I dont have an iota of idea how it is done. She made this sorta maldita comment "hindi ka marunong???" as if I have been cheating people my whole life. And when I told her to teach me, she had a gazillion things to do. Riiiiiiight. Atleast I know what I dont know. Unlike some pretentious bitch I sometimes call my friend. hmph.

So there. My 2009 "must learn" list includes poker. Be a friend and teach me. I promise to be a good student.

Holiday blues

2008-12-29T17:08:00.001+08:00

So many things to do, so little time.

Yeah right.

Twelve days holiday and on the third day I am getting bored.

Missing the rush.

On the fourth day, I find myself working from home.

And then malling as if I havent seen the mall for years.

Sending sms to friends for meet ups.

And now browsing the net.

Eight more days.

Gahd.

Eight.more.days.

Sickness

2008-12-16T05:44:00.001+08:00

May sakit ang wallet ko.

Diarrhea.

Labas ng labas ng pera.
E di ba masakit yun lalo na pag wala naman talagang ilalabas?

7 realizations

2008-12-10T14:02:00.001+08:00

1. Hitting malls' kids section during the weekends (perfect time arnd 12nn - 4pm) is like having my annual physical exam. I dont exactly like it, but I have to do it. Sure, I like kids but in their caterwauling-mommy-i-want-this-mommy-i-want-that mode, please, i need my space.

2. I have spent twice as much as my Christmas gifts budget. Pano ba naman I always buy in pair---one for the person whom the gift is intended, and one for ME. self-love at its finest!

3. Malls close later! Happiness! I leave the office at 9pm and I still manage to inhale simoy ng hanging SM! On ordinary days, metal shutters na lang naabutan ko.

4. Kids section (ayun na naman. haha) is way more orderly and peaceful on a weeknight. Try nyo!

5. Fruitcake has been replaced with cheesecake. For which I am thankful for. I never liked fruitcakes. Even if it is spiked with liquor. I prefer my liquor straight up, thank you.

6. The long holidays is a perfect time to schedule cauterization. hahaha!

7. In a few weeks I'll be 31. Dang.

December frenzy

2008-12-03T14:17:00.001+08:00

Be careful what you wish for cause you just might get it

The past days, weeks even, have been busy to the hilt. But with the onset of December, the nature of the frenzy took a different turn. Now I have my hands full of reunions to organize (which started as a simple get together and now it's like a major event with min. 60pax attendees!), mails to reply, lists to make, parties to attend, shopping (!), out of town plans to book, blah, blah, blah...krazeeee but FUN. Oh and there certainly is something wrong going on with the world as I have been hit on lately. Hahaha! See, magugunaw na ata ang mundo.

Anyways, speaking of lists, I have several to make. BUT, ofcourse I would start with the most fun to make, MY CHRISTMAS WISHLIST anupah?!

- black satchel. well preferably black, but I'd take any color Coach comes up with.

- wall clock. I need a new wall clock for my room. bold colors. funky. fun. anything that will make me happy checking it out nevermind the worry that Im almost always running late.

- Spa gift cert. lovely.

- LCD tv. not even I would give this to myself. or maybe i will. or maybe not. or maybe I will. . .

- shadow picture boxes. all sizes are welcome, but frames should be dark colored. I have been too lazy to update my scrapbook. It would be easier to put my mementos in shadow boxes instead. I think.

- SIMS 2 double deluxe. okay din kung may expansion packs ng apartment life, nightlife, open for business, or stuff like mansion and garden, Ikea homestuff, H&M fashion stuff, kitchen and bath interior...

- Boston Legal season 4 and 5

- The Practice

- Coffee blend

. . . ayan pa lang naman so far.

J moments

2008-11-24T11:59:00.002+08:00

I was in "tanda mode" this morning. Tanda mode meaning I was tuned in to Anthony Taberna. My good old walkman came in handy with its AM/FM mode. I almost fell asleep listening to JDV's speech. For a Monday morning, it's just not what I need. Given that I am already so not in the mood for work.

So I shifted to FM. Ang saya lang. Unlike with ipod, listening to FM gives you the element of surprise as to what song will come in next. Ang mas masaya, i tuned in to errr...kailangan pa bang imemorize yan? hahaha! The joy of earphones. Nobody knows what I'm listening to.

Anyway, what I really want to share is that I heard Rodel Naval's Muli (in case you dont know the song, which i highly doubt since it was a hit, below is a vid).It was revived by PDA season 2 scholar Bugoy. Not a bad interpretation, but ofcourse nothing beats the original. Rodel Naval is one of those singers whose songs you find yourself singing along with without really knowing why and how you got to memorize it. Muli is a nice song. Better than Lumayo Ka man sa akin. hehe.

Further on my j moments, I downloaded Bugoy's Paano na Kaya. Ang saya lang talaga.

Ayun lang. J moments. Kacheapan at its finest.

We need your help

2008-11-17T04:55:00.001+08:00

My sorority sister, Sheryl Tienzo, is confined at the ICU of Makati Medical Center. She has been bleeding since Saturday after giving birth to her son. Aside from the bleeding, her blood is also coagulating therefore blocking her veins which eventually raptures due to the blockage. The doctors said that she has only 20% chance of living. In fact, she just got revived for 3 times. She continuously needs to have a blood transfusion in order for her to survive.

Right now, we are very much in need of blood donors. She has O+ blood type but any blood type can be donated. Whoever is interested, please text 09266677739 or drop by Makati Medical Center Annex blood bank at the ground floor. When filling up the form please put my sis' name, Sheryl Tienzo, on the patient's name.

Please also forward this message to your circle of friends and please also pray for her speedy recovery. Thanks.

Designing frenzy

2008-11-13T07:10:00.003+08:00

Eversince Randee posted photos of his uberly organized room, the itch to redecorate mine kept nagging at me. I know that for the past weeks, even months, all I ever did in that room is to sleep. I haven't had the time nor the initiative to put some semblance of order. Parang boxing match lang: "in one corner books all in one heap, in the other all my bags!". Royal rumble na! And the dresser top? Ngyay, merry mix of accessories. haha. Anyway, I promise to do something about it soon. Like this weekend. I want to rearrange and buy some stuff to inspire me to really really have myself DO it. (yeah right, gastos lang naman ang gusto kong gawin ayoko naman talagang magayos. hehe)

So there I was last night, drooling over the nicest furniture and softest cushions at SM Homeworld. Ang saya lang talaga tumambay dito! I love this part of SM! Imagination portion. Think la-Z-boy, plush carpet, soft ambient light...*sigh*. I even saw some new sofa bed styles which made me think if I need a new bed. Hay, even the sheets and the sheer curtains spell looooove. Happiness is here.

Anyway, I was inspired alright. And I picked up some bright ideas too. I scrapped my plan to buy a work desk, I dont need any more drawers anyway (tatambakan ko na naman yun ng kung anu ano) instead, I will go buy a Bistro high table and high stool. Parang parati lang akong nasa coffee shop/bar while surfing. Bright idea much? hahaha

Further, I wanna kick this rearranging thing a notch higher (nasobrahan sa inspiration amp!). I realized how boring my plain soft beige wall is. Soft brown seems to be cool. It would also go well with my boracay-feel-shell-curtain. Hmmm. And how about some bold colors stripes for sheets? And chic floor lamp? Ayos. Gastos! hahaha.

So good luck to me. May I be able to live up to my imagination.

PS. Meantime ibubuhos ko muna ang aking creative juices sa SIMS.

Why I'm looking forward to Christmas:

2008-11-12T10:58:00.001+08:00

1. Show me the money. It's that time of the year na feel na feel kong shet, sulit ang ipinasok at ikinastress ko ng isang taon! though as always I dont really realize how much money i've had til it's all gone at nagcocompute na ko't walang nang natira, still, knowing that atleast once a year e yumaman ako ng slight makes me happy.

2. Gifts. Siempre naman! Loser na lang ang walang natatanggap na regalo kahit isa! haha. I like receiving gifts. Kahit yung pathetic at non-sense na bagay katulad ng jell candles na pumuputok naman pag sinindihan. o kaya ng panabit sa cell phone na hindi ko din ginagamit. hehe. nakakatuwa lang isipin na may nakaisip na bigyan ka. at sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, kahit maliit na bagay dapat ipagpasalamat.

3. Shopping. Dahil hindi naman ako scrooge, I give gifts in return. I actually have mixed feelings with shopping. Hassle na enjoy. Excited na hindi (dahil sa GASTOS! lol). Pressured na relaxed. At kahit ilang daang taon kong sinasabi sa sarili kong maaga ko mamimili ng Christmas gifts e siempre hindi ko pa din magawa. Sarap kaya makipagsiksikan at maharass! hahaha. At siempre, hello Bazaar at tiangge! yey!

4. Generally happy spirit. Notice how people change when Christmas is in the offing? Masaya. Mas patient. Patawa tawa. Generous. I'd like to think that it's because of the true spirit of Christmas, pero feeling ko dahil lang talaga yun sa bonus at sa mas malamig na weather. But who cares? Enjoy while it last. Maximize!! =)

5. Christmas lights. Nafafascinate ako sa Christmas lights. Ang ganda! Tsaka parang ansaya tignan. Though minsan parang may senti note ang dating lalo na pag outdoors, may drizzle, mainit na kape at tumutugtog ang "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...."

6. Christmas songs. Sappy. Mushy. Tunog lata. Paulit ulit. Whatever, just bring it on! I especially love Tony Bennett's The Christmas song, Andy Williams' The most wonderful time, and Frank Sinatra's Let it Snow. O sige na nga, isama na natin yung Sana Ngayong Pasko ni Ariel Rivera!

7. The food! At may exclamation point talaga. haha. Actually ang gusto ko lang talaga yung queso de bola. Since ako lang ata ang nageenjoy sa pait nito, ginagawa ko syang pimiento. Haha. Puto Bumbong!!! yung madaming nyog at star margarine! yum!

8. Parties/Reunions. Not a favorite, dahil may pagod-ako-suplada-ako moments pa din kahit December. PERO, ansaya pa din makita ang mga taong minsan isang taon ko lang makita...or minsan isang taon ko lang makitang marunong pala tumawa. hahaha!

9. The Weather. ang lamiiiiiiig!!!! Though for some weird reasons umuulan na ang December ngayon. Pero happy pa din. Nakakatamad bumangon, ansarap matulog, nakakatamad kumilos, nakakatamad maligo..hahaha!

10. Less workload. DA BEST! holiday ng matagal tagal.

Escapist

2008-11-06T04:52:00.001+08:00

I'm presently addicted with escape games. As in.
Escape games are fun. Makes you a virtual prisoner of a crimson room, a closet, a phone booth and many more.
It makes you think. Be creative. And for a couple of minutes, depending on how fast can you do it, literally escape your worries and paperworks.

Truffles...pwede?

2008-11-03T05:38:00.001+08:00

I've been searching for something to experiment on.
Nauwi ako sa truffles
bathed in cocoa powder and cookie crumbs:

shaved almond sitting happily on top

So far it's been a hit and hit thing. I've tried it with coffee and with peanut butter, with walnuts and almonds, with candy and choco sprinkles. So far patok ang coffee. Oh and I've also tried cookies and cream.
Next would be to spike it with rhum, or Frangelico. Or maybe vodka. hmmm...let's see.

Johari Window

2008-10-27T07:35:00.000+08:00

Remember this?

Well I was browsing my old blogsite and found the link again. Please visit my Johari Window and make yours too. It'd be fun to know what your friends think of you *wink*

MY JOHARI WINDOW

Marking the 8th

2008-10-20T07:07:00.001+08:00

Eight years ago today, in my blue tops and gray pants (the only decent pieces of clothing I own then), I walked in on this very same grounds. I was a little scared, a little excited, a little anxious and a little irritated that I had to cancel the lunch date which I have been looking forward to after a toxic final exam in Accounting 1.

It's like a whirlwind. Everything happened too fast; as if I closed my eyes and upon opening them again, I was teleported to another dimension. Gone are the trees, the noise, the bluebooks, the higad scare. Instead I had this airconditioned corner with a view of Quezon Ave, a pc, soft murmur of voices, and an assertive yet im-not-speaking-unless-necessary German boss. Oh yes, that day eight years ago I officially graduated from being a government subsidized student to a measly earning taxpayer.

I am employed.

A lot of things have happened since. Eight years is almost one forth of my life. And those years were the best years! My youth (haha)! But unlike many people I know, my job is one of the things that remains steady. I can drink and be merry after office, go out of town on weekends, engage in beadworks, baking or whatever hobby catches my fancy, but at 8am from Monday to Friday, I punch my time card and assume the role which my job calls for.

I wasn't immune to the job-hopping itch, no. I did entertain an offer or two. But just like your one great love, I turned them down for I already have what I want. And no regrets. Headaches, intriga, stress and all, I love what I do. I guess I'm lucky to get it right the first time.

Eight years and the end isn't near yet.

I know.

What the widgets are saying

2008-10-03T10:20:00.001+08:00

Num	Perc.	Country Name
	248	51.67%	Philippines
	56	11.67%	United States
	39	8.13%	Palau
	30	6.25%	Malaysia
	28	5.83%	Australia
	16	3.33%	Canada
	10	2.08%	United Kingdom
	7	1.46%	Singapore
	5	1.04%	United Arab Emirates
	3	0.63%	Japan
	3	0.63%	China
	2	0.42%	Finland
	2	0.42%	Turkey
	2	0.42%	Germany
	2	0.42%	Kuwait
	2	0.42%	New Zealand
	2	0.42%	Portugal
	2	0.42%	Denmark
	2	0.42%	Thailand
	2	0.42%	Sweden
	2	0.42%	Qatar
	2	0.42%	Romania
	2	0.42%	Italy
	1	0.21%	Ireland
	1	0.21%	Netherlands
	1	0.21%	Panama
	1	0.21%	Switzerland
	1	0.21%	Costa Rica
	1	0.21%	Poland
	1	0.21%	Saudi Arabia
	1	0.21%	Aruba
	1	0.21%	Guam
	1	0.21%	Spain
	1	0.21%	Malta

At may nagbabasa na from other countries ha! lol! I checked the visit lengths at returning visits, at may bumabalik talaga.

kung sino man kayo, thank you. walang mag sstalk ha!

The Bangkok story

2008-10-02T14:44:00.002+08:00

All pink-lovers out there would sure get a kick out of seeing all those hot pink cabs in the streets of Bangkok. The above photo was taken while I was caught in traffic inside a bus. Yes, I took the bus and the MRT and those colored cabs. Everything except the tuktuk which I was fiercely warned against trying. Anyway, it's nothing compared to our Saraos and MalagueÑas. Mas hataw pa ang jeep naten at may sounds! haha

Traffic is baaaad. But drivers are more patient; they are not a horn-honking lot. There were a couple of overpricing cab drivers but namaaaan, Manila girls ito! One driver was inis when he was forced to use his meter after we told him that we are getting off if he wont use his meter. I dont know if its good, but he asked us where are we from and when we said Philippines, he didnt talk to us at all during our almost an hour ride.

On my first day, naghimala ang 3500Bht from my pocket. I felt bad but charged it to the Universe na lang. Sana pagbalik Euro na. Haha. Anyway, this inspired me to haggle to death. Para quits lang. And haggle it is! Sometimes even if I know that im getting a good price, I still haggle and do my "im-walking-away-now-so-lower-your-price" drama just for the kick. And it works. Ha ha! Tantyahan din kung ang tindero/tindera madadaan sa pasweet o sa patigasan. The first word I learned and will forever remember: "kennnnnnot!" .

Food. Food is great. But hot. Always hot. And I still dont know what's this distinct taste in their Tom yang. Yung parang kinikiliti ang ilong mo na nakakahatsing? I swear. But the tom yang goom (shrimp) is the best! Plus siempre the pad thai. And because I loved it so much I brought home with me boxes of Instant Pad thai and instant creamy tom yang goom.

Since this is not an all pleasure trip (in fact, it IS a business trip), I had to work and do serious stuff during the day and all the fun stuff only at night. And fun stuff, other than shopping means sight seeing. Where else to go but PatPong, the red light district! I wasnt brave enough to go inside one of the bars though. Unlike Ams' red light district, medyo mas wild ang crowd dito. Walang babaeng nakaestante, pero alive sila at sumasayaw sayaw. ha ha. Well, how can I even be sure that they are indeed females no?

Siempre, bilang feeling turista temple visit is a must. It's just funny though that one business contact from Thailand hasnt been to any of the popular temples. Would you believe? Anyway, so temples it is. What can I say, they are lavish. Huge. Maarte. Ginto. Everything that you see in the pictures and more. dahil mainit sobra sa lugar ng mga templo. Sooooobra. Nakakadehydrate at nakaka negra. At kahit saan talaga may ungas. There were a couple men who directed us to a gate which is obviously not the entrance and told us that the palace/temple is closed. They were shouting in their pawis and paos itsura. Namaaaan. For a sec medyo we were intimidated, but when we gathered our guts and wit, we walked past them and yes, found the entrance. Me in my capri and my friend who was in leggings were made to rent sarong for 100Bht. No showing of legs inside the revered grounds. One girl we met at the changing room was in long white skirt and when we asked why does she need to change, she turned and showed that her pantyline is obvious. Strict talaga.

I dont have that much photos due that most of the time I feel malagkit at madumi. I dont have to document that noh.

Anyway, all in all Bangkok is a unique and fun city. Of all the places I've been (well there hasnt been that much), this is the most cross/multi cultural. Food is great, people are warm, and most importantly, beer is cold.

EDIT: I also experienced an authentic Thai massage. For 300Bht, it was great to discover that I had an orchestra within me. What a sweet symphony my bones and joints made! Bale-balentong is the word. The following morning I lay catatonic in bed thinking why did I ever subject myself to that experience. But anyway, all drama. I would do it again and again given the chance ;D

Sa pula, sa puti

2008-10-01T15:28:00.001+08:00

Staying home on a rainy weekday doesnt necessarily translate to good home cooking. Sometimes this is the best time to check out how thoes instant whatever tastes like. Or so I tell my tamad self. hehe

The object of evaluation: Instant Spaghetti and Instant Carbonara

Yessss, they have these instant pasta! I was surprised myself as the market is pretty much saturated with Pancit Canton and its thousand and one variation. How smart to come up with these two.

Anway, yes I am trying both at the same time. Brunch at 3pm.

Cook the noodle

Prepare the sauce. The white sauce comes i powder form and must be dissolved in hot water. The spaghetti sauce is packed as is and ready to be added to the noodle

After about ten minutes,

Evaluation: Well, I pretty much know what to expect. Any packaging declaring Pinoy style must be sweet. And I got that. Exactly just like that. The sauce is too bloody red for my liking, but hey ang tamad walang karapatang mamili.

As for the carbonara, the packaging stated that it uses Nido, so what else can I expect. It tastes like Nido soup. Not that nido the bird, but Nido the one that kids drink til they realize that coffee tastes much better. Yun.

Not bad for a ca P25 pesos meal (caP12/pack x 2). But I say nothing can still beat Lucky me Pancit Canton with calamansi.

. . .

2008-09-10T15:26:00.001+08:00

Kailangan ko ng Stresstabs.
Mga isang box.
Now na!

Search is on

2008-09-04T07:53:00.001+08:00

After "the search for the perfect camera" (approximately 3weeks madness; i ended up settling for Canon Asomething something) and the "search for the perfect laptop" (mga two weeks din to, then i finally settled for Toshiba satellite), here comes the "search for the perfect laptop bag".

When I say perfect, i mean the best quality/style/design and value for my not so plenty money. Affordable and chic and yet serves its purpose, in other words. Ofcourse I got the typical stuffy black heavy-duty and yes indeed heavy bag that comes with the unit. But that is one freebie that i can't really uh, appreciate. Hehe. Gusto ko yung hindi halatang laptop ang dala mo. And lightweight please.

Anyway, multiply is such a great site! Bratty Bonita and Sacs N packs so far have the best I have seen. Now I'm all confused. Ha ha. Knowing myself, lunchbreaks and any free time in the next weeks (or until I give in and make up my mind) will be spent ooohing and ahhhhhing online over their bags. Check it out and know what I mean.

The travelmate series from BB looks good. All I need to know now is the price and the right dimension for Shiva...Shiva toshiba. Hahahaha!!

*photo above is from ev-said.com, priced at USD47.99

Cannot be reached

2008-08-29T07:32:00.001+08:00

Yesterday I was mobile phone-free for one whole day. I forgot my phone at home as it was buried under the pillows (I did so when it alarmed. haha) and I left home in haste.

The funny thing is that I only realized I dont have it, when in the afternoon Mama called to tell me that they are hearing something from my room.

This has happened before and is happening more frequently lately. Two things: (1) Im getting forgetful; (2) im not as mobile phone-dependent as some people I know.

I survived the day without getting stressed out "because all I have to do, all the people I have to contact are on my phone!". In fact it was a rather happy day, spent in oblivion and anticipation on who could have sent me the most annoying message. Haha.

Sometimes I am amazed at how the advent of technology altered our lifestyle and thus our values. I consider myself lucky to belong to the pre-mobile phone/sms generation wherein meet-ups are set way ahead of time (saan at anung eksaktong oras ng pagkikita). It developed in me punctuality and planning I think. Otherwise maiiwan ako ng lakad. Now we can just say "Sige, text text na lang" or "im on the way na, give me 10mins" or even the most irritating "d2 na poh me, wer na u?" (gwaaark!). And the instant palusot na "walang signal di ko nareceive message mo." whenever you are expected to be somewhere and the message was just relayed via sms.

Ofcourse I am thankful that we have these tools now. But every now and then it would be good to detox from technology. Just try and see. Do you control them or do they control you?

Just Ask

2008-08-15T16:31:00.003+08:00

I've been wanting something for a couple of weeks now. Been driving myself crazy thinking just how could I afford having it.

Left with no other option, I decided to humble myself and seek help. And in less than 24hrs, I was given what I wanted.

Sometimes, all we really have to do is ask.

Nakigaya lang din

2008-08-13T16:08:00.001+08:00

What Alexis Means

http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/name.gif" height="100" width="100">

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.

You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.

You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.

You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.

Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are incredibly sexy and sensual. You have a naughty vibe that no one can ignore.

You have an unquenchable desire. And you are unrestrained in your passions.

You have a tendency to be unfaithful. Whether you fight it or give in to it is up to you.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.

You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.

You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong.

You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know.

You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do.

What's">http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/">What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Now I know why...

2008-08-11T06:15:00.002+08:00

Preparing my lunch last Saturday, I was faced with a dilemma. I want something curried, but I only have ground beefand carrots and some button mushrooms available. What the heck, I was home alone anyway, so some cooking experiment wouldn't be so bad.

After ten minutes of chopping, mixing, and simmering, I came to realize why Chicken curry is the most common. . .

Ang sagwa ng itsura ng curried ground beef!!! Kadiri lang. Though the taste is good, I dont think it would be a hit with the family.

Aesthetics, Alex. Aesthetics.

Planetarium, Luneta, Museum atbp.

2008-08-08T08:03:00.001+08:00

Sayang ang long weekend next week. At may extra free day kami dahil Quezon City day ang August 19 at ang office ay nasa boundary ng Manila at kyusi. Since wala din naman kaming gana mag out of town, naisipan kong i-suggest na mag Museum hopping na lang kami!

Sooooobrang tagal ko nang hindi nakapasok ng museum dito. At field trip pa yata nung grade 5 ako huling nakapasok sa planetarium. Yung isang officemate ko, hindi pa nya naeexperience ang planetarium, kaya it is a MUST na puntahan namin to.

At Luneta, heller, parang huling punta ko dito nung nilinis pa ni Ronnie Lazaro yung mini mapa ng Pilipinas dun. E hindi ko nga alam asan na si Ronnie Lazaro.

Gusto ko makita ulit yung mga dayorama (sang Museum nga ba yun?), yung mga sinaunang anik anik. Gusto ko irefresh ang aking sense of history. Gusto kong mamangha ulit sa payak pero marangal na pamumuhay noon. At gusto kong makita ulit ang lahat ng yon ngayong, okay i admit, ngayong mas matanda na ko.

Anyway, so eto ngayon ang tanong ko:

1. May planetarium pa ba sa Luneta? kung wala, saan meron?

2. Anong museum yung may dayorama ng Galleon trade?

3. Anong museum ang maganda puntahan?

Yan lang muna. Salamat sa sasagot. =)

Scrapbooking

2008-08-05T07:55:00.001+08:00

I have started my travel scrapbook months ago. As expected, I havent been able to update it since 5 trips back. So far, here are what I was able to do:

Last weekend, I felt like digging up my scrapbook and update, or atleast try to update it. After three hours, I havent really done anything. I was trying to summon all the creative juices in me so that I can create something artsy fartsy. But no. I ended up looking and just marvelling at my scrapbooking materials collection! Ang dami nya! And truth be told, nanghihinayang akong gupit gupitin sila only to change my mind afterwards.

Admit it, we girls at one point went gaga with collecting stationeries. Yung scented, at yung may envelope. Swap swap pa with classmates. The joy of saving and collecting and just preserving it for future use. Which never came. I have a pretty good collection then. And I dont really know what happened with it. Parang Figurine panini/sticker book which is another story.

Anyway, I guess I havent really outgrown this penchant for papers and decorative scissors. Malakas pa din ang hatak sakin sa bookstore ng iba't ibang kulay na papel at yung mga may design. I hoard them and most often don't use them. Just seeing them somewhere safe makes me happy. Though I also love tracing, cutting, folding and getting all my fingers sticky with glue.

Scrapbooking is just my excuse. Really.

Wedding ring explained

2008-07-31T14:36:00.001+08:00

I received this mail via yahoogroups. Worth reading.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

EVER WONDERED WHY WEDDING RINGS SHOULD BE ON YOUR FOURTH FINGER AND NO WHERE ELSE?

READ AND TRY THIS, YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT

Why should the wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger?

There is a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese .....

The thumb represents your Parents.

The second (index) finger represents your Siblings.

The middle finger represents you.

The fourth (ring) finger represents your Life Partner.

The last (little) finger represents your children.

First, open your palms (face to face),bend the middle fingers and hold them together,back to back.

Second, open and hold the remaining three fingersand the thumb - tip to tip.
(As shown in the figure below):

Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents). They will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later.

Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings). They will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their separate lives.

Now rejoin the index fingers and separate your little fingers (representing your children). They will open too, because the children also will get married and settle down on their own some day.

Finally, rejoin your little fingers, and try to separate your ring fingers (representing your spouse). You'll be surprised to see that you just CANNOT, because husband & wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!!

Onli in the Pilipins...

2008-07-31T05:57:00.002+08:00

..will you find the cost of SMS sending as a focus in a State of the Nation Address.

Three days after SONA, and what among the many issues we are facing now have we focused on? Texting. Promos and validity of prepaid load. Namaaaaaan. What have we become?

Oh, and for a while we were distracted with who wore what by whom. So Hollywood. Red carpet, big budget, celebrities. No wonder we often confuse politics with showbiz.

-----------

Have you been to West Avenue lately? Notice the diggings on both sides? I thought it was a road widening project. Though that side of QC is not really bad-traffic zone, road widening is a welcome idea.

Yeah, so it was just an idea.

It was only after seeing the big yellow tarpaulin with our Mayor's cutesy face on it did I realized that the diggings were about beautification of sidewalk---good bye plain old concrete, hello red bricks!

Dont get me wrong. I'm all for beautification. Vanity is one of my sins. I dream of Parisian-like sidewalk for the whole of Philippines. Wide, vendor-free plus walking on red bricked sidewalk with shoes atleast two-inches high is great . BUT! Do we really need this now? That money could have bought books and other what-have-yous for our schoolkids.

Isn't it prettier to see schoolkids walking on plain concrete sidewalk than seeing out-of-school kids on red bricked sidewalk? Just a thought.

May kurot lang

2008-07-28T07:52:00.001+08:00

There is nothing more that could touch the deep recesses of my otherwise apathetic heart than the sight of an undernourished child.

It's bad enough that we don't seem to have a concrete action plan in order to address it. Worse is that we have gotten so used to it that we have just surrendered to the thought that we cannot do anything about it.

Meantime, hundreds of kids die everyday. And they dont die easy. They die in pain. And for those who still manage to fight their way to live, they suffer not only physically but also emotionally and psychologically.

If I would be given one wish, I wouldnt ask for world peace. Let the armed adults risk their lives to war, but let us give the kids a chance to live by giving them their most basic necessity. Feed them. And feed them well.

photo credits to Alan Dejecacions flicker account

Kwentong Peyups

2008-07-21T13:35:00.001+08:00

Got this from SJ:

[ ] Worried about getting bullied by fratmen or getting killed in a riot.

[ ] Got bullied by fratmen or was killed in a riot.

[x] Witnessed a riot.

[x] Watched the Oblation Run.

[x] Made friends with a teacher.

[ ] Was tricked as a freshman into attending a rally/prayer meeting.

[x] Wore red or black on one of those wear red or wear black days.

[ ] Wore red on Valentine’s Day.

[ ] Wore black on Valentine's Day.

[ ] Celebrated a birthday at Mang Jimmy's. ---good idea!

[x] Learned UP Naming Mahal.

[x] Was an RA (registration assistant) or SA. --- SA sa pinaka unang Food tech ng Pinas!

[ ] Lied or begged to an RA for a slot in class.

[x] Participated in a there's-only-one-more-slot-are you-feeling-lucky? ---and won the slot too!!! parang lotto!

[x] Jogged around the campus.

[x] Visited the Vargas Museum.

[x] Knew at least one xerox lady, manong, or technician by name.

[ ] Attended university level graduation.

[x] Got an activist for a teacher.

[ ] Watched a La Salle vs. Ateneo UAAP game.

[ ] Watched a UP vs. any school basketball game.

[x] Studied in CASAA.

[ ] Studied in McDonald's or Jollibee Philcoa for one full night and bought just one regular-sized drink.

[ ] Studied along Katipunan.--inom lang ata ginawa ko sa Katipunan. haha

[ ] Studied along Katipunan and affected by the mannerisms of a stereotypical Atenean.

[x] Watched a play that's not required for Comm III.

[ ] Went stargazing. (Collegian and Sunken Garden days)

[x] Ate in Chocolate Kiss, Tea Room (in CHE), or Chateau Verde. ---I miss grilled cheese!!!

[x] Slept in the lib. ---fave ko ang second floor. Andaming magandan books dun. sabay tulog. haha

[x] Struck up a conversation with a taong grasa.---meron akong klasmeyt na mukang grasa, does that count?

[ ] Wrote to/for the Collegian.

[x] Seriously pondered about the identity/ies of the people described in Eksenang Peyups.

[x] Went to the chapel.

[x] Got a pebble stuck in your shoe/slippers while walking in Sunken Garden.

[x] Cut class with your block to watch a movie. ---Math 53 o SM?? namaaan.

[x] Had a Voltes V for a teacher.

[ ] Took a class under Joseph Palis.

[ ] Lied to the transcript lady to get a transcript earlier than the standard 3 months.

[ ] Went to a Freshman-only concert.

[x] Subsisted on just streetfood (fishballs, half footlongs, kwekwek, squidballs/rolls, mais, dirty ice cream for a day. ---always!

[x] Learned how to smoke. ---sa lagoon kasama ang Eng'g classmates na si Tata at si Czarin

[x] Went on an out-of-town trip with blockmates or orgmates.

[x] Fell in love.---anak ng...!! hahaha

[x] Actually read the book you keep borrowing from the library.

[x] Played cards during your free time. --hanggang magalit si manong guard, kahit nakakandila sa hill!

[x] Dressed in business attire.

[ ] Sumabit sa jeep.

[ ] Got sung to or sung to someone in class during Valentine's day.

[x] Watched the Lantern Parade.

[x] Helped out a total stranger.

[ ] Helped out a total stranger because he/she was hot.

[ ] Learned to stay awake for more than 24 or 48 hours straight. ---CAN'T

[ ] Got bullied by fratmen and feeling cool wannabe people who were actually losers.

[X] Took Wednesday and/or Sat classes WILLINGLY.--ALWAYS!!!

[ ] Volunteered for the Pahinungod.

[x] Ate "tasteless white sauce" pasta from cock-a-noodle-doo.--gwapo lang nung tindero, kamuka ni Matthew Mendoza. hahahha

[x] Took time to read the vandalism in the CR. ---lalo na sa main lib at sa AS ground flr washroom!

[x] Watched a sexy art film for any GE class.

[ ] Got held up or pickpocketed.

[ ] Felt depressed because you were not as good academically as you were in high school.

[x] Did a last minute paper. (Photofinish lagi)

[x] Had spent a lot for 1x1 ID pictures.

[x] Got exempted from final exams.

[ ] Got exempted from a final exam but still took it.

[ ] Attended a varsity pep rally.

[x] Watched LIVE AIDS, Androgyny, Maskipaps, or any well-known variety show.

[ ] Promised to quit smoking.

[ ] Got into at least one (org- or council-sponsored) adventure race.

[x] Knew where the best restrooms are on campus. (Bahay ng Alumni, NISMED)

[x] Joined an org.

[x] Allowed yourself to make mistakes.

[ ] Went to the gym in spite of having no PE class just to ogle varsity players/cute girls.

[x] Took summer classes.

[x] Admired the Oblation.

[x] Made a video for a project.

[x] Had a crush on a teacher.

[ ] Had a teacher who had a crush on/tried to court you.

[] Attended your ROTC Bivouac.

[x] Faked sickness to get an absence excused.

[ ] Got your car scratched by one of those "Kuya bantayan ko kotse niyo" kids.

[ ] Took a PE class where you had to pay for tuition (i.e. sportsclimbing, ten pin bowling, scuba diving, etc).

[x] Went to school in your crappiest yet most comfy clothes. --lalo na pag Sunday morning exams, usually Chem. walang tulog yun, parang pambahay na lang.

[x] Learned how to use the Bayantel pay phones.

[x] Participated in school activities.

[ ] Caught the UP Pep Tryouts.

[x] Rode an IKOT and TOKI.

[x] Found a tambayan.

[x] Went drinking at Sarah's.

[x] Learned how to beg for a higher grade.--begged to pass the Physics 71 and 72. hahaha

[x] Used your 6 allowable absences wisely.

[ ] Lived in a dorm.

[ ] Volunteered to be beadle or go-to guy for your group / class.

[x] Had the worst schedule.--overlapping lab classes. hanep.

[x] Realized that there really is just one coconut tree on the sunken garden.

[ ] Not used up all 6 allowable absences.

[x] Ate in ISSI, Treehouse, Mama Thai's and other more obscure cafeterias. (I love Mama Thai’s, sarap ng tom yum)

[x] Ate food Aristocart-style. ---yung sa Sampa at sa Vinzon's

[x] Is active in your org.

[x] Attended an ACLE.

[ ] Got as many app forms as you can during the job fair.

[x] Learned how to cram.

[x] Sold tickets for (or watch) an org-sponsored movie premiere.

[ ] Saved money to Xerox all of your seatmate's notes.

[x] Saved money to Xerox readings in your subjects.

[x] Had accidentally seen a make-out session.

[x] Slept in class.

[x] Finished a homework/assignment/paper in the Shopping center or Philcoa.

[x] Had mountains of "unused" sample exams and/or old testaments.

[x] Resolved to be "better this semester".

[x] Slept during a test.--almost always. haha! nahuhulog pa ballpen ko kaya ako nagigising!

[x] Had groupmates from hell.

[x] Learned how to work with groupmates from hell.

[ ] Perfected the art of parking on campus.

[ ] Had a bad encounter with one of the guards on campus.

[x] Developed a love for sisig. ----Pasta house!

[x] Practiced those UP cheers in the first meeting for PE class.

[x] Looked at microfilms in the library or poked through archives.

[x] Reserved a classroom, AVR, etc. for a class or org function.

[x] Attended the UP Fair.

[x] Went to a library other than your own college's to research.--suki ako sa MassCom. ganda ng mga reading materials nila dun

[x] Lost a perfectly functioning umbrella.---hundred times

[x] Used consultation hours properly.

[ ] Went to the Guidance Office for real, heart-to-heart guidance.

[ ] Went to the infirmary.

[x] Attended class with a hangover. ---actually right after a session in Sara's

[x] Drink beer or alcohol while inside UP grounds.---naman!

[x] Walked all the way to Philcoa or Katipunan from UP. (The walks felt really good)

[x] Buy frogs from NSRI or a Bio department.--at kanya kanyang huli pa!

[x] Maxed out on the 6 allowed unexcused absences but DID NOT drop.

[x] Got invited or pursued by a sorority or fraternity.

[x] Wore slippers to school.

[x] Had a professor who smoked in class. ---had one who likes to eat ice cream too. si Sir de vera (+)

[ ] Got diagnosed by the Infirmary as pregnant or infected with STD.

Simplified Journey

2008-07-21T09:43:00.001+08:00

If there's anything I aim to do on my 30th year, that is to simplify my life. The past years I have accumulated so many things, met so many people, acquired knowledge, and gained access to things which in retrospect may afterall not be useful nor necessary in my journey. We were all told to travel light, and I have decided to take this advice by heart.

How do I go about this? Here are some things I did:

- I stopped reading the newspaper. I'm sorry I know this sounds apathetic. But I just cannot not be affected with what I read---I almost always end up being mad, sad, disappointed and all other negative feelings you can name upon reading the papers. Total waste of energy. And much worse than having bad hair day. What I have to know will come to me. What I don't, well I won't know. Ignorance is bliss. haha.

- The Buzz is not a Sunday must-see anymore. It's the same old tsismis anyway. Same old artistas. Well, the new ones I am not really familiar with. What do I care with whose movie earned more? BUT! Sometimes its still fun watching. I especially love Annabel Rama interviews. That is simply irresistible.

- I refrain from buying things which I can use in the future. I live in the here and now. I will not buy summer clothes just because it is on sale. I will not buy beads when I know I dont have the time to make accessories. I am not buying anything I won't have the time to use in the next two weeks. Unless ofcourse if it's a new luggage which I've been wanting since early this year. In that case, I will find the time to use it.

- Let go of the old. Dispose, dispose, dispose. No more old Food Biochem notes (hello, anung balak kong gawin dun???), no more old jeans which doesnt fit me as well as it did then anyway, no more clothes, bags and shoes which I haven't used in a loooong time, no more mobile numbers of people I havent heard from since I saved their number. . . most are not working anymore anyway.

- Learn how to let things slide. I can't be affected with everything that come my way. If I can let it slide, then I will. I have to channel my energy into other more useful things.

- Stick with what works. Routine is good. It saves a lot of time.

- I stay away from emotional vampires. I can hear you out, but I cannot allow you to zap out all the energy in me. I dont want to get too involved. I can only live one life, and that is mine. I cannot live yours for you, sorry.

- Be consistent. Whoever I am at home, is the same person I am at work, online...wherever. Honesty is the best policy! Hehe. But really, its such a small world. Lies and pretensions will come full circle sooner or later.

- Yoga. Breathe in, breathe out. Stretch. Dead pose. Ahhhhhhh....

Friday MADNESS

2008-06-23T10:50:00.002+08:00

Caught in heavy traffic on the way home last Friday, I decided to forward sms message to random people in my phonebook. The message was neither a joke, nor informative. It's one of those messages which you pass around just for the heck of it. And yes, I keep those kinds in my inbox in cases just like last Friday---when I neither want a textbuddy but i just want the rest of the population to know that i still exist.

Anyhoo, I got an unexpected reply from Topet's number. He is an ex-officemate:

Topet's number: Who's this?
Me: Alex. been texting you still you cant remember my number?

after 10mins

Topet's number: Pde wag kn magtext? Ayaw ko n ng gulo.
Me: (at this point my blood was like 98degrees and rising. haha, sorry boyband) Ah okay, I dont mean to cause anything Topet. I just thought it'd be nice to get in touch with an old friend. Apparently, im mistaken.

I know that there are more to come after that message. I was just so glad there's something to keep me entertained while the rest of my FXmates are snoring away. After a few minutes..

Topet's number: Yeah, u did that a fw months ago and here u go again. it's disRespectful to my fiancee.

HUWWWAAAAATTTT????? I can't even begin to describe how I felt at that time. Napikon ako!!! Pakshet! Pakshet talaga! At this point I was very definite that it is not Topet I'm texting with. It's the disrespected fiancee. Gusto kong patulan pero nagiipon ako ng good karma. So I replied with a cheery

Me: Have a good marriage then! Cheers!

After that I deleted Topet's number. I would never text that guy again. Ever.

And then I thought, how could one pathetic message cause disrespect and gulo to a couple who's engaged to be married? What kind of foundation does the relationship have that one unclassified sms could shake it? Further, for the record, I don't have any interest or designs whatsoever in Topet. Hello?!?

If I can only afford it, I would give them tickets to Pluto as a wedding gift. There, nobody can be disrespectful of their space. Magtitigan sila maghapon magdamag at magtext sila dun, wapakels na! Sabi nga ni Jamiro, nakaka aberya!

The following morning, I got an unread message in my inbox:

Topet's number: Hi, alex. sori abt d misunderstanding. my gf mistook u 4 a diff persn. hope u understand. tnx.

Oh I understand alright. I know insecurity when I see one.

Help! Search for the perfect office uniform

2008-06-19T15:12:00.001+08:00

This morning I was called in a meeting with the HR. It's that time of the year again when we are searching for the *perfect office uniform.

Yeah, I know...planning the office uniform when its already midyear? And here I was actually hoping they were too busy with other things and totally forgot that we havent worn uniform since early this year.

In my 8yrs, I dont remember having actually, really liked any of our uniforms. One time we had a set combination of peach-y tops and chocobrown pants. Wow, kamusta naman ang chokies look? Along with that set is a pangteacher set of light blue tops and dark blue skirt. The former was worn on THursdays, the latter on Mondays. Bad trip ako from M-Th of that year. I know I was very careful with having my photo taken wearing that horrid sets. Ayoko syang madocument on me. Hahaha.

Atleast this time, I have already earned the right to have a say on the design. However, it is not easy! Ang hirap kausap ng mga babae! Andaming concerns. I swear, one time may nagkasagutan talaga. Hahaha!

Anyway, kindly holler if you know of a good design/website with corporate catalogue/stylish and good mananahi who accepts corporate uniforms. Gusto ko naman medyo fashyon ang uniform namen. Otherwise, bad trip na naman ako nito.

Thanks in advance people!

Lafftrip

2008-06-19T13:15:00.001+08:00

I was laughing silly in front of my pc. As in hindi ko mapigilan ang tawa ko.

Asked what are the signs that you are watching Pinoy action movie (peyups thread) and one poster listed:

"may pansit scene yung bida. lam nyo yun.. yung uuwi halimbawa, si bong revilla tapos parang:

"Inay, nandito na ako may dala kong pansit.. Inay.. Inay.. Innnay.... INAY!! (naabutan niya sa kwarto yung nanay niya, patay na pala. bubulong sa sarili) Hayop ka (insert name ng kontrabida), babawian kita!" Tapos tatakbo siya palabas ng bahay, sasakay siya sa bulok niyang sasakyan tapos diretso sa lugar ng bakbakan. "

HA HA HA!!! This really made my day!

Time of the year...again!

2008-06-19T11:08:00.000+08:00

Beta Sigma

2008-06-16T11:14:00.003+08:00

Long before I knew of the greek alphabet and of Greek mythology, I already knew two greek letters---beta sigma. its not beta sigma of the greek letter society either; Beta Sigma is an old man who’e like a sentry to a small plot of land in our neighborhood in Balic balic. He was feared by most of the kids and was used as panakot along with the neighborhood bumbay ("sige papakuha kita kay beta sigma/bumbay!").

I cannot exactly remember how he looked like but when I think about him, my memory would always present me with the picture of Kenkoy (maybe because I used to read a lot of komiks wheni was a kid. hehe). I thought Beta was his real name and Sigma his surname. it was only many years later that I realized the joke.

He was an old, angry man (or atleast to my young mind). I remember the teenage boys in our neighborhood, my cousins included, would often be the object of his ire and him, the object of their mischief. He sat sun up to sun down in a nearby empty lot which he planted with different kinds of vegetables. And how he guarded this fiercely! Any of the tinggang sipa, goma, tex or bonbon shuttlecock that unfortunately fell or went inside his lot is considered gone...unless you want to risk your life and sneak in which is often the case with the teenage boys. They would stealthily try to retrieve their item while the old man sometimes pitifully falls asleep sitting down guarding the lot. One time there was a big commotion as one the boys was caught by beta sigma and he threatened to use his itak on him. Im not sure what happened with the poor kid, but what I knew was that we never ever attempted to go anywhere near his lot again. not even when he got the biggest gumamela plant which we are always looking for for a good TIde bubbles.

I used to ask mama who the old man was, where does he live and why was he like that. All I got were vague answers and after we transferred to Nova, I never heard again of the old man. The boys who used to pester him grew up and became busy with other stuff. An apartment was also built in his parcel of lot. And then nobody remembers him anymore.

If the old man ever laughed or even smiled, nobody knows. If anybody ever loved him, nobody could answer.

‘Tis a sad fact to live and be gone without anybody knowing who you really are other than your anger.

The Sweetest Things

2008-06-12T10:11:00.001+08:00

I was busy visiting nurseries of two different hospitals last week.

Juan Carlos Alfonso was born on June 04. The mom, my college friend/soro sis Lynn, was worried for a while since he had to stay in the ICU for 5 days due to sepsis. Thank God everything is okay now =)

Deanne Christen on the other hand is the healtiest baby i've ever seen!! She was born on June 08 at 8.37lbs. No wonder Diane, the mom, had a hard time carrying her around in her womb.

Awwww. aren't they the sweetest?

Can anybody confirm if this is true?

2008-06-02T07:21:00.001+08:00

Got this message in friendster:

FYI: If you are ever forced by a thief or someone to take money out of an ATM machine, enter your pin number reversed. So if your number is 1254 mark 4521. The ATM machine will give you your money, but will automatically recognize this as a plea for help and will alert the police unknown to the thief. This option is in all ATM machines, but not many people know this. Please pass this information on to others. No harm in keeping this in mind!!

Is this true? And if so, do you honestly think the alert will help at all?

Why I'm in a good mood today

2008-05-30T07:43:00.001+08:00

1. It's payday Friday (and 13th month payday Friday at that )

I could stop there but here are a few more reasons

2. I love Friday Magic Madness!!! I'm listening to George Michael's Faith now. Earlier they were playing Rico Mambo and New York, Rio, Tokyo. Im looking forward to new wave later in the afternoon. Meantime let me practice my running man and Footloose dance steps. Hahaha

3. There's free breakfast courtesy of an officemate who's celebrating her 25th birthday (Happy birthday Thei!). Spaghetti, brownies, even suman and broas---yey!

4. My hair is unusually tame today. Good. I spent an eeensy weensy fortune buying hair products a couple of days ago. I can't be at Watson's and spend nothing. But atleast im getting my money's worth.

5. Mababaw ako. Natuwa na kong sinabihan akong maganda ng guard kanina. lol!

6. My inbox has only about 20messages today. I can sit back and play Ciao Bella T-mobile edition. Haha.

7. I received a sms from a good friend and he's finally made up his mind about something that he's been bugging me about. Finally I can have peace.

8. Someone visited my friendster profile. Nyahahha!!!

9. This plant on my table (which I bought from a bus vendor last weekend) is still alive!!! I haven't managed to cause its death...just yet.
10. I got an invitation to a wedding! I love weddings. Makes me feel how luck am i to be single. JOKE!!!

I'm really feeling good and it's not even noon yet. Hope you're having a great Friday too!

The password crisis

2008-05-27T10:21:00.003+08:00

I am totally, totally hating myself at the moment. I started with tapping my fingers and will end up, maybe banging my head on the wall til enlightenment comes over me.

See, I badly need to check out an old ofoto account and I can not remember the password I used. Leche.

Actually, I was able to open it using my yahoo account, BUT...BUT!!!! there are no albums on that account (and I have like over 10 albums stored). So I figured the old one I need is the one using hotmail. And I have not opened my hotmail since only Batman knows when. So there. I'm stuck.

I have tried all possible passwords that I could've used (yeah, crushie names at the time the account was opened lol!) But none worked. I swear I will not, never, ever use another person's name as password again! Grrr...

Shet. this is really bothering me. Kung sino ka mang pangalang nagamit ko, magparamdam kahhhh!!!!!!

Of stars and me

2008-05-21T07:08:00.001+08:00

Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 -- Your current emphasis isn't on the outer world of people, places and things. There's a lot happening within the invisible boundaries of your own mind. It could, however, be very challenging, for you may be afraid to indulge your own fantasies. Don't let old fears stand in the way of your present happiness.
----

I get this kind of mail everyday courtesy of my subscription to Tarot.com. Yes, I subscribe to these things and take time to read it every single day. I even mailed (which was posted on the website for a couple of weeks) an online psychic before. Several times actually. And for some reasons, I find her insights helpful.

Sometimes when I can no longer find logical reasons and empirical explanations, I resort to astrology or even paranormal. Do I believe in it? I can't say. But it gives me peace of mind knowing that stars and planets and all the other what-have-yous can actually justify the things going on around me.

Call it a quirk in my personality. But as long as no harm is being done, I would continue being fascinated in this pseudo science. There is a bigger world and a much bigger universe out there. If others can believe that the universe conspires in order for you to get what you want, then why not give the stars a chance to show you how to get it?

*Disclaimer: Religion is totally out of the topic. I wouldn't argue on that. I believe in the Supreme Being. period. =)

Take the Challenge!!

2008-05-16T14:00:00.001+08:00

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 10/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

Eto na sya...

2008-05-16T11:11:00.001+08:00

Here comes the rain again

Falling on my head like a memory

Falling on my head like a new emotion

I want to fall in the open wind

I want to talk like lovers do

I want to dive into your ocean

Is it raining with you?

-Here Comes the Rain Again/ The Eurythmics

It came too soon. I know the others are wishing for the rainy days to come, but I just cant help but feel that.it.came.too.soon.

I haven’t been to the beach yet!!! Not just yet as I am scheduled to be somewhere in Batangas next weekend. I am looking forward to it as I haven’t been to that side of Batangas yet…but no, what a spoiler it will be kung uulan!! Pakshet.

I am looking outside my office window now as the howling wind swoosh the trees outside. Sigh. Its that time of the year again. There’s something with rainy season that kinda depresses me. Maybe because I associate it with heavy traffic and baha(!) and the feeling of being left with no choice but to stay at home. Don’t get me wrong, I love staying at home. But, the feeling that I have no other choice sort of pisses me off. Haha.

I will have to remember to visit my suking dibidi and suking booksale soon. Maybe I can get House season 3 and finish Ally McBeal..and/or get another Mario Puzo. Or, learn and internalize Rich Dad, Poor Dad by heart and hone my financial skills (if I have one to start with. haha).

Or maybe not. Masarap kase tumunganga lang sa kawalan pag tag ulan e ;-P

Free English Assessment: sino gusto?

2008-05-09T13:23:00.001+08:00

Tingin nyo lang sino kaya ang nangangailan ng English Assessment?

Mandamay ba?

2008-04-29T09:04:00.001+08:00

Ahahaha!!!! May bitterness ka kuya. At parang antanda na yata ni junior?
;-P

Forrest Gump mode

2008-04-22T10:40:00.002+08:00

A couple of weeks ago, I received this email:

Just so you would understand better what the mail is about, here it is:
_________________________________________________
YOUR EMAIL I.D.HAS WON.
Attn Winner,
Contact: Dr.F.Drenthe,
Tel/Fax no:+31 847 362 704.
Email: nedstaatlotto@netscape.net
For your prize fund of €2.5m EURO(Your e-mail ID won in a
computer ballot drawn from the worldwide web for Internet users)
Your Winning Info.
Ref. No:LSLUK/2031/8161/08,
Batch No:14/011/IPD,
!Congratualtions! from the mgt & staff of
Alliance members of Inter.Net Award & Netherlands games b.v
_______________________________________________________

Whoa! Medyo nandilat ang mata ko sa Euro2.5M at mabilis pa sa kidlat (kahit di ako magaling sa Math) nacompute ko that it would roughly be Php150M. The mail was supposed to be from Netherlands. Have been there, check. But that was some 3yrs ago. Did I spend my precious Euro on lotto? Nada. I splurged on cab fare though. haha.

Anyway I realized that, heller, YOUR E MAIL ID WON nga e. So it's like a techie raffle (which nobody understood). But all the same I felt good and lucky for a sec. Hey, there's nothing wrong in wishful thinking naman di bah??? So the optimist (and the fairy who lives in tralalaland) in me wrote back and asked them to clarify the matter (eklat pa, pero in truth, half of me is wishing its true! hahaha). It was a Friday. And as a general rule, I dont log in on weekdays. Tamad mode lang. Rest from pc.

For two days, I have to admit that i was anxious to check my mail and just see if I have a verification mail from them. It's just so nice to think about it. That's moolah. And lots of it. Just think of what and how much can you do with it. Happiness!

Monday came and I dont have anything worthy on my inbox.

Tuesday.

Wednesday.

Thursday.

Friday. On a Friday, exactly a week after, I received this:

CLAIM FORM???? Nakakaloka. Naloka ako.

----------------------------------

Though I know that it is a scam, the feeling it generated even for a second was a welcome relief. While all the others are threatened by either price hikes, poverty, traffic, drought, heat stroke, annulment, retrenchment...here I am thinking of what I am going to do with a million Euros.

Hay life indeed is like a box of chocolates, you'll never know what you're going to get.

Ha ha

Ultimate my ar$e!

2008-04-11T05:49:00.002+08:00

On the way home the other night, I saw this real big tarpaulin of this food store embodied by a man with the big red hair and the big red shoes announcing to the world their latest item, the ultimate cheeseburger.

The picture of the sumptuous American food (with tons of cholesterol, I know) crossed my mind and I thought I'd try it sometime soon. Once in a while I indulge in a no-rice meal which is not to say that I am on a diet, but simply just that I like variety every now and then.

And so yesterday I persuaded and sweet talked my officemates into delivery meryenda of this ultimate cheeseburger.

X: " Hello, how much yung ultimate Cheeseburger?"

Y: " Yung deluxe po P45, yung double cheese P75"

**P75 pesos para sa isang sandwich??? at P30 difference para sa additional slice na eeny weeny slice ng cheese???**

X: "ah okay, sige apat na order nung deluxe at blah...."

An hour later, (OO, one hour! Poor service. Buti pa sa bubuyog may P200 gift cheque pag later than 30mins ang delivery. Hmph) the much awaited burgers arrive. We were all starving by then. I was a bit doubtful when I saw the bag the delivery man handed my officemate. It looks so...small. And true enough, the promising ultimate cheeseburger is faaaaaaar from being ultimate.

Ultimate my ass. The only difference it has on the regular cheeseburger we know is that it has lantang maliliit na slice ng lettuce! Sooooo disappointing. Totoo. Tsk.

hindi sulit na presyo + Bad service + undelivered promise = Jollibee

;-P

Inlababo si Shirley! ;-P

2008-04-03T09:07:00.001+08:00

Hay nako, tumibok na naman ang puso ko! I've been singing Eagle Eye Cherry's Falling in love again since yesterday.

I fell in love at one look (and it's all it took, and i know somewhere we'd get together... Jaime Garchitorena mode! lol). Grabe. And then fell in love some more when I got to read about you and the things you do. Aylabyu na talaga!

I'm so giddy the whole of yesterday that I can't even concentrate on work. I've been staring into space, smiling, thinking of having you...soon! Ooooh, I can't wait. My hands are itching to hold you and to know what makes you tick. I promise we'll share good times together. I'll take you places you've never been. I'll take care of you and be proud to have you. Soon, soon, soon!!!!

Friends, ladies and gentlemen, my new love:

*wink*

Tagged!!!

2008-03-31T10:57:00.002+08:00

From pretty Abby aka gerry_girl

10 Random Things About Me:

1. I've been mugged once by a cab driver who took my whole bag. The first thing I worried about was my kikay kit.

2. I don't drive.

3. I hate and don't eat rootcrops.

4. I sew, cross stitch, crochet and do all the Home Economics stuff we were taught in gradeschool until now.

5. Text lingo is a BIG TIME, MAJOR turn off for me.

6. I have scar on both knees. I was in kindergarten when I tripped on newly cemented road while rushing to go home since I dont like peeing in public restrooms. Even in school.

7. Gradeschool and highschool friends call me Lesis; college friends and officemates, Alex; a couple of good friends, Lexis; an officemate, Lexie; and my mom, bunso ;P

8. I always sleep with the bed or that side of the bed against the wall.

9. I rarely eat breakfast. A cup or two of coffee can tide me over til lunchtime.

10. The only subject I got a flat 1 was in Social Dance II ;-D

****

Tagged: Cecille, Thess, Des, Roycie, Diane

Mabuhay ang mga bagong Abogado!

2008-03-31T05:27:00.001+08:00

HAIL TO THE NEW A-T-T-Ys...

Congrats, sis! We're so proud of you!!!
*****
Sa mga nagkokomento na madami na'ng pumasa dahil binabaan ang passing rate...SO WHAT! Nakapasa pa din sila out of the at abogado na sila, kayo hindi. ;P

Oh lotto!!!!

2008-03-28T06:36:00.000+08:00

Winning numbers: 42 43 27 24 21 07
Pot Money: P 216,452,088.00

Oh mehn!!!! Wala pa ring tumama!!! Oh lotto, para kang isang mirage sa aming dukhang mga tiga disyerto!

Well, inarts lang. Hindi naman ako tumaya e. Actually, never pa kong nakataya ever. Try ko kaya? Anu ba namana ng ca. P217M for beginner's luck? Ahehehe...

Imagination portion. With that much moolah, what would I do? Here are some top of the head answers:

- buy mom a resthouse somewhere probinsya but with comforts of a city dwelling.

- give sibs money for whatever purpose it may serve.

- two words: Europe tour

- Donate to a kids charity. or charity for abused women. or both.

- Share to less fortunate relatives.

- Go on a shopping frenzy with girl friends.

- get a nose job. Hahhaha! JOKE! maybe a lipo. Hahahaha!!!

- buy myself a house and a car

- invest in the company i work for now. I would not stop working anyway, and I love what i do now. so might as well optimize my interest.

- Go back to school. Not really the academe, but something interesting like photography, cooking, painting, language----yeah right as if I CAN'T do this now. Weh.

Haaaaayyy, there's a lot that can be done with that much dinero. Sarap mangarap.

Need to snap out of dreamland now. Have to find my lamp and ask genie the winning combi for the next draw.

But can they walk the talk?

2008-03-27T12:33:00.000+08:00

Highschool friend is here for a month visit. She's been living in Qatar for a couple of years now and save for her balikbayan trip two years ago and short ym now and then, we havent really caught up on each other's buzz.

I called her up last night and the first thing that she said to me was, "O ano virgin ka pa?".

Whatever happened to "hello! kamusta ka na?".

*****

Anyway, this also leads me to share my thoughts on this forum I frequent (as if not naming it would help! ha ha). There's a thread there titled "Hot Seat" where one gets to grill another with whatever question they want to throw the other.

The recent posts amazes me what with the degree and the intensity of questioning the person on the hot seat gets. Mostly its about preferred sexual position, sexual fantasies, sexual preferences, etc. Anything and everything about sex. Doesnt anybody know anybody nowadays by asking the person's interest, sports, hobbies, motto...the autograph-y type of questioning?

I'm not being prude. But I will not dwell on this subject on an online forum for everybody to read. The first times this kind of questions were thrown, I was amused by the audacity of it all. It was even funny. However, as the novelty becomes the trend, I was getting more and more...bothered and uninterested. Who cares about those things anyway? Why ask a stranger, hiding behind an online nick at that, those things...unless one is interested in actually doing those things with the person, hmmm?

Ofcourse some are banking on their anonymity. Who would know if they can walk the talk anyway. But still. Someone's bound to know you somehow. Maliit ang mundo. At bilog.

I can just imagine meeting some of them in person for the first time and the thought that he/she is into S&M will flash in my mind. Ang panget. My whole impression of the person will stop there. Unfair, right? Sad but true.

So there. I know more than a couple of the people who post there would get to read this. And so again, this is not to spoil your fun. Just thinking aloud, is all. :peace:

Morbid thoughts...some

2008-03-26T15:47:00.000+08:00

I've been thinking about death lately. Well, I came up "clean" from our recent APE, so it's not really because I was diagnosed with something terminal. But recently, with the news of Mrs. Aquino's cancer, a friend's friend sudden death after a trip to Batanes, a friend's dad stage IV cancer, and watching a lot of House MD (haha), I just thought that this is something inevitable so might as well think on how to go with elan.

I don't want to die old. As in wrinkly, i-have-all-the-diseases-you-can-name old. I can just imagine how grouchy and grumpy I would be if ever and most probably would not die of old age but of poisoning instead. I don't want to die due to accident either. It's so wa-poise. If I can have it my way (and in due time, not so soon I hope. haha), I want it quick, pain-free and with my not so perfect body still intact, thank you. Atleast up to the last minute, I still care about how i look. Vanity is my sin. Ngyahahaha!

On a serious note, all these news really made me realize how quickly life can be taken away from us. These news define moments in our lives. It is not a question of are you ready or not. Rather, have you done (your purpose) or not.

House in the house

2008-03-24T07:57:00.000+08:00

I would love this guy to be my next door neighbor. He's sarcastic, he's a smart and kick ass doctor, loves music, pain killer dependent, full of hang ups....ahhh, perfect!

My head is swimming with medical terms after marathoning the first two seasons (hey, im not a tv person. i catch up on series by marathoning complete seasons in one sitting...well more on lying down and eating tons of frozen singkamas. haha). It's a good thing the dvd i bought has good subtitle. SOmetimes they threw the lines too fast that I can't understand one bit.

House... he's the man! I love his brand of sarcasm!

I am BOLD

2008-03-13T16:53:00.001+08:00

What Does Your Hair Say About You?

My Result: Bold

Wild colors, crazy styles – you love to play with your look and your hair, and it shows. You've got a distinct personality, so it only makes sense that your hair follows suit. After all, why blend in when you can make a statement with bright red hair or a cool and intricate updo? You adore being bold, so why not try chunky, bright highlights or an adventurous new cut that will look as daring as you do? Sassy!

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=hairpersonalityogt&c=50652

Chinese for lunch?

2008-02-27T11:03:00.000+08:00

Have you heard the latest Knorr Chinese soup ad? The one where the girls were saying that "magsama ng Chinese sa lunch..."? and something like "mayaman ang Chinese.."? Have you heard it?

I heard it over the radio a couple of times and every time, I can't help but listen. Really listen.

I'm bothered with that ad. Seriously. There is something wrong there. I just dont know what.

I wish they'd just stick with cute and catchy jingles.

"...there are Chinese soup
and there are Chinese soup
but there is nothing like, Knorr real Chinese soup..."

So who's your Oliver?

2008-02-20T07:44:00.001+08:00

I refer to Ashton Kutcher's character to Amanda Peet's Emily in A Lot Like Love.

Your Oliver.

You know, the guy whom you always go back to amidst, despite and inspite of all the other whatever relationships you've had.

The guy you meet over coffee albeit discreetly lest the present SO thinks something's going on between you two. And there's none. Really. But meeting up with him always leaves you refreshed and grounded.

The guy whose mere memory can make your heart smile.

The guy who's been there for almost all your life (or when you start living it) and whose company you seek in times of trouble. And most of the time you don't really make an effort to seek him but he just, by some cosmic intervention, appears out of nowhere. As if sensing your need. As if being there is his business.

The guy you unconsciously compare other guys with.

The guy whose plans you are not included but somehow finds himself entangled in yours.

The guy whom you know perfectly matches you but by some deep instinct you know can and will never be. Just because. And you are honestly okay with that.

I believe everybody has an Oliver. I would suppose I know mine.

Who's yours?

Prayer

2008-02-13T09:18:00.000+08:00

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Sabi ko nga..

2008-02-11T07:47:00.000+08:00

HMO, marriage, and oppression

2008-02-06T11:01:00.000+08:00

We recently had in our office an orientation for the new HMO provider. I said to a friend that it was a perfect timing for her as she is 5 months pregnant and pre/postnatal check ups are covered. She could save on the P500 per check up fee and maybe buy Anmum instead.

However, there's a hitch. She is not married and the coverage does not include pregnant unmarried women.

How weird is that? How...discriminating? Are the needs of a pregnant unmarried woman different from the needs of a pregnant married one? If anything she needs more of whatever support and help she can get. She is rearing the baby alone for Pete's sake!

We were taught three types of oppression in the sorority---oppression by race, oppression by gender and oppression by class. The first two I can easily imagine. The third one, I only really fully understood now.

I have never thought that a woman can discriminate another woman, albeit unknowingly, by just being married. Look how that piece of paper can make a difference.

I see RED

2008-02-05T03:37:00.000+08:00

How can anyone not remember that it is already February, the month of looooove?

Naman. With all the heart cut-outs and the cupid's silhouette you can see anywhere, you must really, really just be stupid not to remember.

I am, and never was for that matter, a big fan of, ugh, Valentine's Day. Maybe my fondest memory would be when my gradeschool art teacher taught us how to make that 'heart-embossed effect' (yung lalagyan mo ng craypass yung gilid ng heart cut out tapos ikakalat mo on top of a clean sheet of paper. shet. lahat ata ng papel na nakita ko nilagyan ko nun..in all sizes! ;P ). That, and this Valentine's day some 7years ago na happy hour pa lang, nasa Decade's na ko. But I dont want to think about that now. Haha.

And so, fine, you want to see red? Then let me give you red

Tawagin nyo na lang akong....Strawberry Shortcake ;p

**Don't worry, this will wash off in two, three weeks or so. Anuba, color for March? :D

mimento-vivere

2008-01-31T16:15:00.001+08:00

What Kind of Coffee Drink Are You?

My Result: Scrumptious

Mmm, mmm! Like your luscious counterpart, you know just how to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment. You know that life is too short, so it's important to spoil yourself and those you love from time to time. Luckily, that's something you're practically an expert at, whether you're indulging in a shopping spree, a day at the spa, or an elegant dinner.

Sophisticated and stylish, you notice the small things...and you know they can sometimes be the most important things of all. You've got a great grasp on who you are and what you want and that's what makes you such a unique and enchanting blend. What a delight!

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/rd/50651/tests/coffeedrink/index.jsp?testname=coffeedrinkogt&resultid=D

Di ko lang talaga gets.

2008-01-31T11:48:00.002+08:00

I honestly don't get the hype over A.I.

What the zit do I care about them? Watching somebody make fun of himself/herself is not my idea of fun. Plus, knowing that they are doing it on purpose just to gain atleast two minutes of fame is major turn off.

I was listening to this radio station earlier and the DJs with all the slangy accent were debating/discussing AI for the entire show. Nagpapayabangan pa sa mga napanood nila.

Pleeaaaase!!!!

:rolling eyes:

Guilty Pleasure

2008-01-31T05:04:00.000+08:00

I'm getting weird lately. That, or it's really just now that I discovered the pleasure of listening to....tadddah...hip hop / RnB type of music!!!

Darn Akon and his I Wanna love you. I first heard it sometime early last year (or was it late last last year?) which actually started this growing appreciation of upbeat reggaeton thingie. It's a slow burn I know. That's more dangerous. Slow burns tend to inculcate themselves into your system more. Aye?

Check out my Limewire library and you'd think some 16 year old owns it. Lol! But hey, I'm proud of my downloads. Check this out:

Hate that I love you - Rihanna ft Neyo
No Sunshine - Akon
I'm in love with a stripper - T Pain ft Akon, R.Kelly
Take you There - Sean Kingston
How Do I breathe - Mario
Do you - Neyo ft Mary J Blidge
Good Nite - Kanye West ft Mos Def
Do you wanna ride - Jay-Z ft John Legend
Break it off - Sean Paul ft Rihanna
We be Burning - Sean Paul (love this! ;P )
Wanna be starting something - Michael Jackson ft Akon (loooooooove this song!!!! I grew up hearing and not knowing what "ma ma ce ma ma sa ma ma coo sa" is all about. But I love it. How can you not dance or atleast tap your feet to this one??)
Go On girl - Neyo
Heard em say - Kanye West ft Adam Lavine
Can we chill - Neyo
Please dont stop the music - Rihanna (again that "ma ma ce ma ma sa ma ma coo sa thing)

So now you get the idea. I know you want them too, riiiiighhhhtt???? Fine, I'll share some on my music page.

C'mon, let's go hip hop!! lol!

Curls no more

2008-01-29T04:33:00.000+08:00

I had my curls removed last Saturday.

Note that I said 'curls removed' and not 'had my hair straightened out'. Because it's never gonna be that way. Now I have my old natural wave back.

But man, my hair is long! I'm amazed! This is the first time ever and probably the only time I will have it this long. It's past my bra line already.

I was actually thinking to have a short bob after the curly 'do, like how it used to be way back college. But hmmmm, I'm having second thoughts now. Maybe I'll give this long hair a shot. I just need to make an appointment with the salon over the weekend to give my hair some much needed spa treat.

By the way, I found this interesting site on hairstyles (click HERE ). I wish the photo could be changed so that I can actually picture out how the hairstyle would look on me...or maybe I can mess up (atleast virtual lang!) this certain vile person's hair. *evil grin*

****

You know that thing they say about what brings about changes in a woman's hairstyle? Yes. I am sorta kinda undergoing that right now.

Kwik Kwestion

2008-01-23T10:36:00.000+08:00

Diane and I were making our usual chika and she teased me as "nagmamaang maangan ka pa.."

I know this word, okay. But would anybody reading this know what's the root word of nagmamaang maangan? (maang? anga? haha)

Also, while you're at it, can you also let me know of the root word of naalimpungatan? (alimpungat ba tama?)

Thank you!

Wonder years

2008-01-18T10:35:00.000+08:00

My five year old nephew recently discovered this stuff which amazed me no end as a kid.

Remember those sorta-jelly robots which when immersed in water for a loooooong time promised to "grow" to over 300x its original size? I believed that then. I remember even keeping an eye on it fearing that it will turn incredible-hulkish and grow into a monster and eat me and my family alive.

I was a gullible kid. I realize that now. Or I watched too much Ghost Busters. I dont know.

Anyway, so Arvi was oh-so proud in showing this to me last night. The slob is a monkey-looking brown thing which I swear I would not touch if only Arvi didn't say it was his favorite "pet". We searched for one of his lola's empty palanggana, fill it up half way with water and ceremoniously dropped His Royal Monkeyness. Actually, it looked like a big booger in a sea of tap water. The water was way, way in excess and the palanggana is an exaggeration, but Arvi insisted that Monkeyness should have enough space and water to grow in. Payn.

He refused to sleep as he wanted to completely monitor the amazing little brown booger este thing. My bro just managed to get him to bed by uhrrmmm, using his booming voice. haha. Poor kid.

Anyway, as I was to take a bath early this morning, I checked on the monkey. Shet, it grew bigger okay...but it was....yucky! Hahaha!!! Kadiri ng itsura!!!! Parang ewan talaga.

I wonder what will Arvi say of that. Either he'll be terribly disappointed since he afterall can't play with a slobby pet, or his overactive young mind will kick in and see His Royal Monkeyness as some sort of great discovery.

Either way, I just wish he wouldnt ask me to hold it in my hand. Eeeeewwww...

Boredom strikes

2008-01-15T10:24:00.000+08:00

Got this from Aian.

1. Student number? 94-18190

2. College? College of Home Economics, DIliman

3. Ano ang course mo [What did you major in]? Food Technology

4. Nag-shift ka ba o na-kick out [Did you shift majors/courses or were you a kicked out of your College]? muntil ma kick out. hahaha. joke

5. Saan ka kumuha ng UPCAT [Where did you take your entrance examination]? Chem Pav I

6. Favorite GE subject [General Education classes]? Comm III, STS---hahaha!

7. Favorite PE? social dance. ehehe

8. Saan ka nag-aabang ng hot guys/girls sa UP [Where do you hang out to check out the hot babes/dudes]? sa...teka. sa AS? ahhh...sa CHK!!! hahaha

9. Favorite prof(s) [Favorite Professors]? kahit hindi ko fave ang subject, on of the coolest profs i had was Ms. Flores (Analytic Chem).

10. Pinaka-ayaw na GE subject [Least favorite General Education class]? Soc sci II. ang kups kase ng prof. biset.

11. Kumuha ka ba ng Saturday classes [Did you sign up for Saturday classes]? i did. ganado ko pumasok e!

12. Nakapag-field trip ka ba [Did you join any field trips]? parang hindi.

13. Naging CS ka na ba or US sa UP [Were you ever a College Scholar and or a University Scholar]? aysus, never. haha

14. Ano ang org, frat/soro mo [What organization, fraternity/sorority did you join]? - UP Sigma Alpha Nu Sorority, Phil Assoc of FOod tech - alpha chap.

15. Dorm, boarding house, o bahay [Did you stay at a dorm, boarding house, or did you live at home during college]? bahay.

16. Kung walang UPCAT test at malaya kang nakapili ng kurso mo sa UP, ano yun [If you had your way, what was your dream course/major]? - Agriculture sa LB

17. Sino ang pinaka-una mong nakilala sa UP [Who did you first meet in UP]? blockmates na HRA.

18. First play na napanood mo sa UP? This play na may naghubad...may rose yung title e. with Eugene domingo. watched it sa FC.

19. Saan ka madalas mag-lunch? Casaa pag nakatambay, kay mang Mon pag may lab, at sa Tea room pag nasa CHE.

20. Masaya ba sa UP? tatagal ba naman ako dun kundi masaya? :-P

21 . Nakasama ka na ba sa rally? yes. grabe. grabe talaga. ilang SONA din yun. plus yung sa Mediola kasama pati si UP Pres nung naslice ang UP budget. wala na ko sa UP nung Edsa 2 but I was there and it was like a coming home party! andun din lahat ng mga kasama sa rally nung university days!

22. Ilang beses ka bumoto sa Student Council? yearly. :-D

23. Pinangarap mo rin bang mag-laude nung freshman ka? pangarap na walang katuparan. haha

24. Kung di ka UP, anong school ka? i dont know. UPCAT lang ang ata ang entrance exam na tinake ko.

Conspiracy

2008-01-14T15:46:00.000+08:00

This freaked me out:

"You're fed up and move on. Finally you came to your senses and made a choice to leave for a brighter future somewhere else, with someone else. You may be rejecting things for the sake of feeling good emotionally. You see a higher purpose in life and may even reject success. The focus in this card is on emotional relationships and ties that you may break and leave because you're disappointed and feel like moving on."

here

****

How. . . apt.

Even the stars, or the online tarot reading at that, are conspiring in making me realize things.

Okay, okay. I will stop. the weekend was the last straw. I promise.

untitled

2008-01-09T06:08:00.000+08:00

Ampowtah, ganito pala mag trenta!

Well not that may masamang pangyayari o may malaking pagbabago in a snap, pero parang iba lang. For one, halos makalimutan ko na na birthday ko dahil mas naiisip ko ang 200+ mails na nakatambay sa inbox ko...at ang mga sulat na to e walang kakonek konek sa birthday ko. At all.

Actually, the mere fact na naramdaman nila ko sa office, e sign na nang pagtanda. Being matured in English, and not just getting old. Dati kase nagdedeclare ako ng birthday leave-- church, tambay sa mall, lunch with friends, kape, inom, happy happy...but now, mehn, I dont have the luxury and yes even the interest to do that. Atleast not on a weekday. My friends are all cooped up and in front of their office PCs too anyway while some are miles away. So who's to celebrate it with?

Happy part is that the older you get, the more people and friends are there to remember and greet you. Ilang beses nagblink ng "memory full" ang phone ko kahapon. Sabayan pa ng friendster birthday alert para sa mga naguulyanin kong 'friends'. Ay, at yung todo crush ko nung college, paksyet, nagmessage! Okay na sana kaso binanatan ako ng "mag asawa ka na, tumatanda ka na." Amp. Salamat naman...matapos ko pa namang sabihin cute ng mga anak nya. Payn.

Ahhh, at sa office...feel na feel ko na birthday ko. Ultimo DHL, na ginagamit naming courier e nagbigay ng cake at palabok. Sipsip. Haha. Pero naappreciate ko naman...at ng mga tao sa office dahil sila naman ang kumain kasabay ng pameryenda kong hindi ko tinikman. At ang cake? Tirikan ba ng trentang sperma??? Ayun sa tagal kong pumunta sa pantry para sa pagpipilit nilang "magblow" ako, nangitim na daw mga ilong nila sa usok. E sino ba naman kaseng nagsabing sperma ang gamitin? Brown out ba? Medyo lumaban ang baga ko sa pag ihip non ha! Pero masaya. Natuwa ako. Natouch. Nagagawa nga naman ng bilao ng pancit. Haha.

Ang boss ko tuwang tuwa na pagtawag nya e ako ang sumagot. Kunwari pang nagtanong kung saan ang party ko, nung sinabi kong sa Sabado na lang, sabihin bang "good! it's better to celebrate on a weekend anyway" sabay "so how about this shipment blah, blah..". At nakalimutan ko ulet na birthday ko. Work mode hanggang alas sais ng gabi.

Naalala ko lang ulit na 'syet birthday ko' nung naalala kong hindi pa ko ginreet ng _____(fill in adjective here) taong iniisip kong dapat e nag greet na saken umaga pa lang. AMPFFFFF...talaga. Mag eemote na sana ko, kase hello, matutulog na ko't matatapos na ang araw noh, nang biglang may message sa mobile ko. OHHHHHH...nakaalala pa! Parang natuwa ako't naalala nya, at nainis dahil sana nakalimutan nya na nga lang para itotodo ko na emote ko. But no, as usual, everything with this guy is twisted. He has a way of getting to your most pikon nerves and yet, and yet (!) hindi mo pa din talaga matratong basahan. May angking galing ang taong to.

So that's about it. Nothing special and yet, everything felt special. I felt special. From the sms, YM, email, skype, friendster messages, phonecalls, hirit ng painom, to my very own birthday thread in peyups, nafeel ko na worthy naman pala ang thirty years of existence ko. I have these many people in my life who knows that I exist.

So to all of you*, THANK YOU.

*marose, joy, des, audie, lyn, lisa, thes, sharon, avy, angie, ryan, erwynn, jasper, razcel, say, hera, donna, gerome, wong, rafa, orland, imma, topet, kai, kathy, bong, jeff, marinelle, christian, angelito, ate cathy, arcybelle, kaye, patnubay, peyups friends, MTC officemates

2007

2007-12-27T09:18:00.000+08:00

Ahoy!

Wow, it's been a while since I've last blogged about something concrete. And this being most probably the last entry for the year would have to be a tad retrospective for the year that was.

Low points

Well these events don't necessarily weighed me down, but at one point these instances made me think and doubt humanity in general. Haha

:: T - we met on the plane both going home from a business trip. we exchanged numbers; the first time i actually gave my number to a stranger. We texted and somewhere along those exchanges of sms I learned that he is married with two kids.

Lesson learned: Married guys are great flirts. And very, very persistent.

:: J - online buddy. case of great, as in HUGE, misinterpretation. Cost me a couple of thousand pesos just to get this 'mis-whatever' sorted out.

Lesson learned: Never trust someone you haven't personally met.

:: M - bad habit. cyclic. must stop. now.

Lesson learned: none. oh okay...here: routine is not necessarily good.

High Points

Now these are the roller coaster highs which made my insides churn, my cheeks flushed and my mouth....ah, grin from ear to ear.

:: Birthday celebration (01.08.07) - everybody special was there. very good night. happy. just thinking about it still makes my heart smile.

:: Bohol trip (02.07.07) - got to meet a very nice girl (hi Ivy!) who helped me and my friends organize the trip. Real tight budget, but real good time with friends. Met Aling Cita who owns a store and lives in this island near Panglao. She gave us nice bracelets she's selling. Kind people nowadays are rare and I am lucky enough to have met one of them.

:: Vietnam trip (06.10.07)- my very first solo business trip. was (quite) successful. very enriching. you know the cliche you wouldn't know what you dont know until you know you don't know it? I understood that very well. Ang dami ko naman palang alam. At madami naman pala kong kayang gawin mag isa. *pats my back* haha

:: Birth of my two inaanak/pamankins (06.12.07 and 11.04.07) - my sis and my sis-in-law gave birth to two bouncing baby girls this year. Both are my godchild. Two baby girls are fun. I went gaga shopping for Christmas gifts for them. Cute ng mga damit ng bata!!!

:: Permanent perm (07.14.07) - Oh this is like a turning point this year. I came to the office one Thursday with my hair colored and curly. It gave me a rejuvenated feeling actually. Like "if I can do this, then I can have red nail polish too". And I did have that pussy red nail polish. The "unusual of Alex" thingies radiated to my disposition on certain things. Doing unusal stuff is not bad. It's liberating. Really.

Oh and the perm got me sweet comments from people I didnt think were observing me.

:: Cebu trip (09.08.07) - Again a very relaxing trip with the same girls I always go out of town with. Cebu is great. Must check out the other islands next time.

:: London trip (11.29.07) - Ahhhh...Europe, I'm back! Travelling is always good for the soul...bad for the wallet. Haha. Seriously, going out of the country always makes me love the Philippines more. That is not to say that Manila is more beautiful than London or any other parts of the world but those places no matter how orderly and peaceful are not home. I'm glad to have had the chance to visit the Queen's land but Manila is Manila.

:: Vivere skyline (06.30.07 / novemberish) - Love this place. period.

Maybe it's maturity, but I haven't appreciated life in general more than I do now. Sure it has been crazy, a bit emotional, sometimes unlucky, at times surprisingly fun, oftentimes wacky year. But then again, for all they're worth, I embrace and enjoy the experience with all my heart.

Thank you 2007.

Welcome 2008!

Questions

2007-12-18T09:31:00.000+08:00

How come we talk least about the things we think about the most?

Why do words don't come when they're needed most?

When is the right time to cry foul?

How do you confirm something without hurting either yourself when its confirmed, and the other party, when its not true and they feel theyve been doubted?

Why am I asking these questions?