[peek-a-booh]

2006-04-16T04:07:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged for more than 6 months now. Funny thing is, I've got a gazillion things to write about. A lot has happened kasi in just the 6 months that I have been inactive. Well, reality hits me that I can, and will never be able to consistently maintain this blog site. So I'll just have to write whenever I feel like, just right now.

So here's a brief rundown of what has happened to me for the past 8 months.

September - November 2005
~ Went to Australia for 2 months as part of the development team.
~ Suffice to say, this has been one of the best things that ever happend to me. Let's just say, it's LIBERATING. To perfect a fried chicken on my 3rd try...to get in the subway/train and get lost in the middle of nowhere with only a tourist map on one hand...to walk in my apartment with grocery bags...*I'm missing this sooo much!!**
~ Well this separation had brought me to a conclusion, that I can now manage a long distance relationship. I'm proud of my relationship -- that it has grown mature over the years. =)

December 2005
~ My first biggest purchase (credits to my parents with their *ambag*) -- a new car!
~ Blue Honda Jazz

January 2006
~ Started the new year with a new job. Everything seems so uncertain and uncomfortable - knowing that you've had to go through a lot of sacrifices.
~ What made me decide on this is, in the end I don't want to have regrets (I avoid it as much as possible). If this is not a thing for me, then I'd gladly accept it but at least I won't be whining of what could have's.

2005-10-06T05:55:00.000-07:00

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Ewan ko talaga bakit ganito paminsan ang buhay. Hindi ako makatulong, I feel so useless. I am just awed by the fact that people, despite all of the crap that has been going on, can still see positive things. The difference probably is faith. I don't want to go into any details but I would just like to write my heart out.

Lord, tulungan niyo po sila sa problemang kinakaharap nila. I know life has been tough for years now and it's not getting any better either. I pray that paths would lead them to an answer for all these things. I know they've been very good people. These shall pass...probably not in a few months...but it will, certainly...definitely...

Hay. Hindi lang eto problema ko, pati sa office. Grabe, I just wish I could help out the developers more. Dipping your hand in boiling water maybe an exaggeration, but it is close to that. They are working on tough developments. Nagui2lty tuloy ako pag naiinis na ako, I just have to be more patient. Ken tells me I am, but if it's that the case, then I need more of that. It's hard that I am unable to actually sit down with them and explain it in the screens on what they should do.

Miss na miss ko na si JJ. *sigh* Kung ang buhay ay para isang laro lamang, mas masaya siguro lahat ng tao. Life's tough and it will be the same a year after this and the year after that...And so what do we do if life's not getting any better no matter how much gazillion effort you put on? Just BELIEVE. God may not give the answers to my questions now, but He has His own reasons and a time for everything. Probably it's not yet your time but it's nice to know that God has figured it all out.

Last na to...I love this song from Gary Valenciano. Eto ung nararamdaman ko ngayon.
Teach meto trust in You with all of my heart
To lean not on my own understanding
I just forget, you won't give me what I can't bear
Take em out of the dark my Lord I don't want to be there....

2005-08-24T20:32:00.000-07:00

20 minutes `til Lunch time...

I have been teaching for the past 3 days in GT. And this is actually a good thing for me. I get to wake up late without having to worry about the commute to to the office. This is how convenient Makati is for a lot of people...sa lahat ng sulok makakakita kayo ng biyaheng Makati. Hay, enough about my rants...nothing will ever change anyway.

In the past 3 days that I have been teaching, I just realized how hard it is for people who work in call centers. I mean, gahd...sumasakit na lalamunan with just 3 hours of talking...pano pa kaya ang 8 hours! It's like everytime I have to drink water or else I'll sound like a chipmunk. Naaawa tuloy ako kay JJ, it must have been hard for him to talk and talk with his throat all red and inflammed. Konting tiis na lang talaga...I'm sure he'll be able to pass the officership exam. Diba Lord? :)

I'll be going to the gym today. Hay, I was on the verge of regret...I should have spent my money somewhere else rather than paying 2400 a month for a membership I hardly ever use. By hardly I mean, not more than 2 times a week on the average. And when I go to Australia, I'm not even sure if there is a Fitness First within the vicinity. Hay talaga...sayang ang pera...if only I've known earlier about the change of plans.

Oh yeah...the reason why I'm blogging instead of teaching is because I finished early. Hay, is it just my pace? Do I really talk that fast?

3 minutes to go and I'm off!

2005-08-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

Downloading YM with voice 30% more...

Grabe talagang nakakapagod yesterday pati pa ngayon! I got home late yesterday because I went to the gym late. Hay, it was a bad idea to ride the bus in Boni station. And realizing that I've made the wrong decision of taking the bus, I went up again only to find out that the MRT line just got longer. I had fallen in line for about 10 minutes and bought the SVT (Stored Value Ticket). Having a SVT is so much convenient for those regular MRT-ers.

I had to wake up early today to come with Papa and Mama to do so many things. Basta kadalasan sa condo yun. We bought a sofa bed at Play and Display, Quezon Avenue. Hopefully, meron paring stock nung beige, otherwise we'll be getting the red one. I don't mind it actually, but mama does. Sobrang like niya ung sofa bed na beige.

The three of us (Mama, Kat, and moi) went to Glorietta. Actually, JJ just told me yesterday that TOP SHOP will be on sale starting yesterday and the whole weekend. Buti na lang talaga during the time that Kat saw a cute top sa TOP SHOP hindi niya binili. 50% off lang naman siya ngayon, saya super galing! Hehe...pero I still find it expensive. Hehe...

Oo nga pla, just talked to my manager yesterday. I got promoted and I got an A+, which was really in one of my targets for this year. Regarding my career change plans, hay I don't feel encouraged by what has been happening around me. I feel that the situations I am in right now are pointing me to stay on this field, but anything can change naman. I'm not entirely closing my doors to that idea, but I'd love to still try and work it out in the Finance area. God help me with this tough decision I am in right now. Alam ko naman kasi na He'll answer all your prayers at the right time.

Antok na ako and I think we'll be going to mass in the morning so I better sleep na. I just finished downloading the new YM messenger..."Download Complete"...yipeey!!!. I had to download this kasi kakapagpa-reformat lang ng PC dito sa house and I'll be going out of the country weekds from now...if ever tuloy ang Australia trip ko.

Hay, 2 months is long! I feel mixed emotions. Parang oks lang na hindi matuloy kasi nalulungkot ako umalis. Pano pa kaya pag nagmigrate ako or si JJ? Grabe, I'm not very fond of the cliche "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Ewan talaga...hay...*sigh*

2005-07-22T01:39:00.000-07:00

Paalam na Makati...paalam na sa paborito kong building...

Today is officially our last day in 6750, Makati. Since I've whined about this issue so many times, let me, for the umpeenth time, whine again.

mailto:Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!@#$%$#^%$%%*^ I've decided about my route going home. I'll take the MRT until Ayala station everyday (as much as I can) so I could get to see JJ and spend just about 15-30 minutes together before I go home. Shempre, quality time eh! Har har har!

Well, we decided not to enroll in the gym muna. There's a lot of reasons why and just to name a few, my new office location, time, and of course...money. I don't think JJ and I can handle the monthly membership fees. I have other fees to take care of, something more important than gym fees like telephone, mobile, rice, transportation expenses and the list just goes on.

I have been thinking for quite some time now about the life I have. I feel bad at times having to whine everyday about getting up ang going to work and just ignoring all the blessings God has given me. I've been blessed with so many things that I whine on simple issues. But I still feel positive that God will give me the answers at the right time. Just have faith Tin.

I am putting my hopes on the idea that "when a door closes, a window opens". Probably it's just a matter of attitude, well I better buy myself one...san ba nabibili yun? Haha....

Sige na, 5:10pm...it's Friday...people go home early! Ooops, I forgot to mention...nanlibre na naman si Angel! Wooohhooo! The best things in life are free (well, pagksama mo si Angel)!!

Thank God it's FRIDAY!!! And really, it is a nice and long weekend. President Arroyo just announced that Monday will be a special non-working holiday to make way for Filipinos to listen to the S.O.N.A.

Yipeeeey!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-07-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

Macau and Hong Kong...

I am writing this entry just now but this happened 2 weeks ago (July 8-11). Alam mo na, tamad lang ako.
I was asked by my manager to go to the client's office in Macau to help with the cut over. I haven't been to Macau but I had already been to Hong Kong 2 years ago with my family for a vacation. The only thing I could say that time was that if not for a day at Ocean Park, I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. Alam mo naman ako, I love amusement parks...I love the exhilarating rides...I love the bright colors...BUT I hate clowns. The reason why I don't like clowns is self expalanatory. Sino ba naman ang macucute-an sa pagkaputing mukha at lagpas lagpas na bright red lipstick? I find it just irritating as I talk about it. Anyway, back to the topic. We stayed in Holiday Inn Macau and had a good stroll around the vicinity late in the evening. I must say, I was shocked to see so many Russian prostitutes there. They all look like they could pass for the Elite Model Search. They have sharp eyes and killer long legs. Their legs are just comparable to our Barbie dolls. You may wonder a little, how unfair life is! Hehe...pero oks lang there's more to life than having long legs, porcelain skin, white complexion, yada yada, hindi ako sour graping ha but it's true naman talaga. ;)

What I liked most in my Macau experience is the Sands Hotel and Casino. It was just like going to Las Vegas, only Asian version. Sad to say, I wasn't able to take any pictures inside since it is prohibited and I dare not break the rule. I wouldn't want my picture on the headlines the next day plus I'll just be adding up to the wrong notion of Filipinos. Balik tayo sa pagkain. I love the buffet in Sands. The buffet table is so long that is possible to get lost. Meron pa, the ice cream they serve is Haagen Daz (tama ba spelling)? I never really tried buying this in Manila since for a price of 1 scoop, I can already buy the 'Buy 1 Take 1' ice cream of Selecta which is about 15 scoops more. Tama talaga, you buy it sometimes for the quality and gawd ang sarap ng Haagen Daz ice cream. I love the coffee flavor sprinkled with almonds, chocolates, nuts, vanilla chips. Grabe, I just wish bottomless ang stomach ko...hehe.

As for my Hong Kong trip, everything was just the same. I've been to Mongkok already when we went there 2 years ago. Gosh, 90% of my per diem just went to my pasalubong. I bought clothes for my dad, mom, Vaugh, and Kat...perfumes for mama, JJ, and me...and almond cakes for Kuya Derick and Ate Marie. Actually, I forgot to buy something for JJ's parents. I will just make it up to them the next time I go out of town. I like it better in Hong Kong but the food in Macau...the Portuguese restaurant and Sands buffet...was better. A new experience I had in Hong Kong was taking the subway and the airport train. But the most unforgettable experience I had was almost missing the plane.

We arrived at the airport around 3:45pm and our flight is at 4:30pm. To start it of, we were falling in line at the wrong flight. Our supposed flight had closed already for booking and if not for me looking like a fool strolling around the booths, siguro hindi na kami nakaabot. Luckily, one lady from Cathay Pacific was kind enough to assist "lost" passengers and she even asked one booth to open up so we could check-in. Boarding time starts at 4:10 and by the time we got in the immigration, it was already 4:05pm. I remembered the booth guy saying "Better run very fast to the gate, they're already boarding." Kung pwede lang ano! We had a preggy officemate and I couldn't bare in my thoughts of her running to meet the finish line. So without a word, I ran as fast as I could, thinking that there should be at least 1 person to inform the crew that there are still people on their way. Hay, nakakahiya sobrang late lang naman kami. But it's okay, the point is nakasakay parin kami. I just wouldn't detail how the hell we got in the airport late. Ayaw ko balikan ang kinababanasan kong araw na yun. This is also the reason why we weren't able to shop in the Duty Free stores in Hong Kong.

All in all, the trip was fun. It sure is another experience to keep! :)

2005-07-04T23:14:00.000-07:00

Hopelessness kills

Main Entry: hope·less
Pronunciation: 'hO-pl&sFunction: adjective
1 a : having no expectation of good or success : DESPAIRING b : not susceptible to remedy or cure c : incapable of redemption or improvement
2 a : giving no ground for hope : DESPERATE b : incapable of solution, management, or accomplishment : IMPOSSIBLE
Synonym see DESPONDENT- hope·less·ness noun

With the turmoil our economy is facing, hope is the last best thing to hold on to. Fate hasn't decided its last judgement yet but the outcome of all this chaos will all but lead to a series of webbed problems that recreates and never ends. Let's just say Gloria will step down from Presidency and Noli will take her place for the most coveted position in our country. Truth is that Noli will not be taking any gold or treasure from the transition but rather, as any president who gets elected, he will have to bear opening a treasure chest and finding out that another smaller chest needs to be opened. Our economic problems have gone too deep for complete reformation and rebuilding but it is never too late to start. Certainly, it's better to received a month-overdue birthday gift than to not receive anything at all. It takes time to actually see direction in all the economic platforms being bombarded to us during election camapaigns and SONA's. What we can probably see is a temporary resolution but the drive to actually improve on the "now" condition is a step forward to reformation and betterment.

I believe that the implementation of the EVAT is the most efficient and effective way we can recover from the growing deficits of our economy that dates back to I can't even remember. How do you explain this to the people...to the masses? That this is the only way our economy can veer away from eternal damnation? The reality to this is that the middle class will all the more be affected by this, oo...sino pa eh di ako, tatay ko, nanay ko, kuya ko, and the list goes on! I read an email relating similar sentiments on this one. Even I as a taxpayer would want the EVAT implementation to push through because little sacrifices we make amounts to little sacrifices put together and in the end, we are making a difference. This difference puts me in a slight tinge of hope. My trust to this country may have faltered over the years but I am trying my best to hold on to this remaining hope. We all live and act upon a premise that better things await us and all we need to do is build up from our little sacrifices...constituting hope in every Filipino's hearts that will be enough to withstand anything.

2005-07-03T19:01:00.000-07:00

PRE-buh bye Makati ramblings [9:28AM]

I don't know what I should do. It will just be months, actually days, before I'm off to the plight of every commuter - MRT ala sardines. Actually, it's not just the MRT ride that I've been ranting about but every bit of the place. It's far from home, from Makati, from a good mall, and from JJ. One reason I agreed to work here is because of convenience. With almost 1 hour and 30 minutes to go home, I feel most comfortable when riding the FX's in Landmark. Why? Because I've almost memorized the faces of the people riding the BFRV FX there. Hay. Although there are FX's in the MRT Taft station, I think I'm still scared and apprehensive of making that as part my going home routine. Hindi naman ako maarte, I'm just more concerned on my safety, but it will be a good plus to have a smooth sailing ride on my way home.

This sudden news of moving to Boni had solicited advices from my parents, JJ, and some friends. To sum it up, my resignation might take a step forward from my plans. Anyway, I've been thinking really hard about resigning now and being a bum for a month or two while finding better jobs. My decision to shift career has been getting clearer and clearer each day. I plan to venture a career in Finance or Marketing and between the two, I'm still indifferent over which weigh more in terms of my personality and preference. I'd be so happy to either land a job on those 2 fields. Well my mom had suggested otherwise, that I should, instead of resign, stick to my job while looking for better prospects. After all, the job market is getting tougher and tougher but I'm confident enough I can get a job, not just too confident of landing on something I have dreamt for. And that thought makes me crumble on interviews and hampers me to put on my best foot forward. I wish I can overcome these things because I feel that I can contribute so much given the right opportunities.

July 4th is a public holiday in the States so that means a happy smile, worry-less, and ticket-free day tomorrow.

2005-06-26T17:32:00.000-07:00

Late and wet

I get to go online mostly when I'm at work. Why? Because the computer at home usually gets a virus every after re-format plus the fact that I don't have to pay a cent for my internet at the office - so I rarely buy prepaid internet cards. Anyway, my Saturday was great except for the fact that we arrived in late and wet. Rain was pouring really hard and floods begin to haunt the streets of Manila, good thing I was driving the Revo instead of the Lancer.

As usual, Jill's party had caused the whole barangay tanods to be in full alert. When we arrived in the gates of the compoud, the guard asked our names and looked through the list. I was surprised when the guard didn't see our names on it. But hey, no worries, it was just a list of guests whose cars are allowed inside. I looked into the list and found some of the La Sallian brothers and some famous names I have been hearing in La Salle.

Buffet was great. I love the crabs and the fish fillet with tofu. But what I really liked was the iced tea. Gawd, it was the same iced tea in CPK that I really really love!! I had 5 glasses of iced tea. I think the brand was Global A Iced Tea or something with the word 'Global' in it. I better remind myself to ask Jill about the iced tea. *Noted*

Ohh, I think I forgot to tell everyone, JJ and I are okay again. Hehe. As usual. :)

2005-06-24T02:42:00.000-07:00

welcome to me...

Yes, I finally finished registering to this blog thing. I do hope this will be a lot easier than Xanga which I willfully abandoned. Anyway, I'll just blog about what happened yesterday - June 24, 2005. I will never forget this day ever to the moon and back. I'll be adding this up to a truck load of my stupid days.
JJ and I had a big fight which is so unlikely. This is the first time in 1 year and a half that this had happened. Blame it to me for planning this as a surprise-turned-nightmare. Indeed, good intentions are never enough, this coming from a lecture on one of my Economics class back in college. Damn credit cards! Well, it was my mistake and I'm taking full responsibility. I should have been more keen on details. What was I thinking anyway? Giving out your credit card number, expiry date, and the last 3-digit at the back of your card? I'm just friggin stupid and dumb.

Good thing tomorrow will be a good day, should I say, better because I'll be meeting up with my college friends I so miss! Hay, I really miss college days. Let's just say, I spent too short of my time in college (imagine 3 years!) that's why I haven't gotten over the idea that I am already working and looking more 'manang'. Bagay na talaga ako sa Stresstabs commercial. Har har har!

I'm enjoying days like this, where I can relax and not work. Hehe. Yes, today I haven't done anything work related but I am reading through the SDN - ABAP forums finding posts that I can actually reply to and be of help. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything that I can give answers to, maybe in a few more years of ABAP experience then I'll get to that level - not! Hell I'm not even sure if I'll be staying on this career path! Thoughts about career and work will proabably be on my upcoming posts. :)