misis_life

PLANNING 2012

2012-01-23T21:24:00.005+08:00

It has been a week now since i got back from Cebu for the Sinulog. I think my very first sinulog experience deserves a separate entry. Oh wow, that is really one hell of a story. The Sinulog experience or should I say the Sinulog "non-experience".

Anyway, What I wanted to write about is planning.

I started the year (as in Jan 1, 2012) by downloading Evernote for my ipod, blackberry and my laptop. I love how i only need to update 1 device and everything else will sync. I even downloaded this for my office PC just in case i'm in the office and thought of something.

So far, im loving it and been using it for the last 23 days of 2012.

My first few entries involved a bucket list. My top 5's of must do and haves. Places to go to in the Philippines, in Asia and the rest of the world and my Must haves for the house (including a new house, that is).

Then it dawned to me, that way back when i was young, as in 10-11 years of age, and even before the word "bucketlist" was even coined (Thanks to Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson's movie) i have been bucket-listing! I still have to find my old organizer but here are some that i can remember:

- own an electronic microscope
- study mechanical engineering
- learn to operate a crane
- name my daughter "ysabel"
- name my son "miguel enrico"
- own a supermarket
- own a landrover
- design my own birkenstock
- own a spa

I ought to look for that old organizer. There was even an entry there in the Notes where my then boyfriend "Direk", wrote a possible name for a future kid. I think it was "Gus" or "Diesel" or "Saj". Direk is now the husband a.k.a Mr. PB :)

As this year continues to roll, and as i attempt to plan not only for my personal goals but that of my work, I cannot help but be bothered by 2012, being supposedly the end of the world year.

And I have been banging my head and squeezing out my brain for a summer campaign which needs to be the best one ever since it'll be the last one anyway. And since the 2 concepts i initially mentioned in small talk to the boss last week was shut off, its been a week of constant brainstorming and googling for that perfect inspiration for a campaign.

It should be here somewhere... wish me luck!

Oh and by the way, Happy Dragon Year to all!

Sheeps for 2012

2012-01-22T19:24:00.002+08:00

The lunar years of the Sheep are 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, and 2015. Those who were born in these years are often the most sympathetic and sincere, always allowing for honesty and an open flow of optimism. You are confident, perseverant, protective and non-judgemental. However, because they normally focus on the material goods around them and solid comforts, those with the Sheep Zodiac tend to complain a lot, leading to disorganization, vulnerability, and sometimes even depression. While the Sheep can overcome an obstacle when given the necessary time, they are not able to work efficiently under pressure. The suggested professions for those born in the years of the Sheep are gardener, musician or actor.

A better and more meaningful year for you this year than last year and it will show in career and financial luck. Your economic situation will have greater stability and improvement. Many of you will enjoy good health luck. Not a good year to make big decisions based purely on instincts. Let your head rule your heart. You enjoy good recognition luck too, so your hard work will pay off well and a promotion is likely. Strategize carefully and be prepared to work hard and you will see quite spectacular achievements to your effort. Projects will get completed and what you strive to achieve will get actualized. However, the Sheep is flanked by the 3 killings and quarellsome stars. 3 Killings brings deadly disasters, such as accidents, sickness, etc. The cures to be placed in the South are 6 Rods 3 Chi Lin Windchime with Mystic Knot orFeng Shui Three Divine Guardians. Also, you are advised to carry this amulet at all times: 3 Celestial Guardians with Implements Keychain.

As for the quarrelsome energy which brings arguments at home between family members, and backstabbing at work among colleagues, carry a Flaming Magic Wheel Keychain or a Ksitigarbha Keychain. Feng Shui cures to place in the Southwest sector includes Two-Sided Flaming Magic Wheel Plaque,Bejeweled Red Dragon with Flaming Sword or Manjushri Flaming Sword. Control your temper and keep your cool is your main concern this year or you will spoil everything for yourself. Do make an extra effort to keep hostility energy at bay and be patience otherwise people will find you difficult to satisfy and you will make it hard to deal with you.

Carry a Yellow Jasper Pi Yao Lucky Charm because you are indirectly conflicted with Tai Sui as well. It's a good thing to treat the year 2012 as one of building and growing.

Your zodiac allies are the Rabbit and Boar while your horoscope secret friend is Horse. Your horoscope allies are friends whom you are connected and enjoy their company. A secret friend is someone you can always depend on, and will stand by you during tough times.

Three Horoscope Allies Amulet - Rabbit, Sheep & Boar is a must-have good luck charm for Sheep people.

Wanna know yours? Click here.

Snapshot of my 2011

2012-01-02T18:21:00.003+08:00

I can't help but look back at what another crazy year it was!

Taal's patok songs include Price Tag :-)

August is "Oh Ghost" month

Mercury Retrograde in RETROspect.

Assistants come and go...

Store Promo means bargain for shoppers, getting promoted at work means more work and less time to find great bargains...

I <3 Cebu. Cebu is LOVE.

Maturity in life means having to live each and every day, good or bad, with a smile and big hopes to make today better than yesterday. Maturity at work is getting a hold of one's self despite the hyped up emotion of hate. It is accepting the facts of life- never can please everybody. And that the workplace is a monster in itself that if you let it eat you, it will swallow you whole and lose yourself.

Back seat drivers don't help. At all. Unless they get off the car and help you park

Business and Pleasure will only work if ratio is 60-40. 50-50 is a no-no!

I <3 Cebu. Cebu is love

Will always love travelling. Note to self: Always bring a bigger luggage with enough room space for "great finds".

Now to do my list for 2012 must-haves and must-do...

Diversity in Waiting

2011-11-27T22:46:00.003+08:00

I have been to and from the airport for the past 3 weeks. From early morning flight departure to midnight arrivals. From NAIA terminal 1 to terminal 3. Domestic and International. I have "deposited" almost thousand pesos worth of fee in the Skyway toll counter and have collected loads of paper receipts from them in return.

I have always liked being part of that group that goes to the airport to pick up or bring someone to her or his flight. In the past this is almost always lead by my Dad plus 2 more from the clan.

And now, I am once again on the lookout for the arrival of the husband's plane to land here in Terminal 1. The difference now, is that im waiting all by myself.

I find the diversity really amazing: from all walks of life, commuters to long distance drivers, from BMWs to tamaraw fx to Sarao jeeps, are all here for the same reason: to wait for someone's arrival.

Everyone is on the lookout for text messages, or PA announcement.

I love that fact that each one has their own stories; Kuya arriving from Saudi or Ate arriving from a short trip to Singapore or Dad from a business trip in Europe, or a cousin based in the US and will be spending time to meet the kins.

As for me, I'm here on my own. Just got a text that the husband's plane just landed. And that will take another 30 minutes before he gets out of the airport from baggage claiming to immigration arrival stamping.

I guess its time to get out and start walking to the arrival hall....

Who knows how we do it?

2011-11-06T10:05:00.003+08:00

I was lucky to have a fast internet (at least for the past days) and was able to finish downloading a R5 file of the movie "I dont know how she Does it".

Its a movie that illustrates quite well, what goes on in a working mom's life. And as a working mom myself, at the end of the day, those crazy elements are what makes us and wont be complete without it. Its never about choosing to drop one off, between family and work, but is more on priorities and time management. :-)

It works, like magic for me, or so i think. hehe

I guess im just not the home-maker or house wife type.

Wandering Mind with Guilt

2011-11-03T10:28:00.003+08:00

Im at work but my head is somewhere else. We have this internal campaign for our company's value-building efforts and i should be happy that its working on me. One of the 3k employees of this company is living, or atleast trying to live her working day to meet up to the company's core values, or atleast one - malasakit. I come to the office with my mind somewhere else and i feel freakin' guilty about it.

One of the people under me had it from the Boss yesterday during our staff meeting. And i actually felt bad that i had to tell the truth even if it meant for her to be in trouble. She said Yes to a question i asked when the truth was it was a "no". And the "no" is such a big deal that people started calling about it and it was a mess that could have been avoided. I felt bad, i did. But somehow, it was a lesson for her to learn.

Anyway, i just to write it down.

And by the way, i had this weird dream this morning. It was so eventful that its confusing me. I can't seem to remember the details of the series of events that was in the dream. But i know it was a lot...

November by tomorrow...

2011-10-31T13:55:00.002+08:00

Its the last day of October today. Another year has passed... it'll be that month of the year again, ada's birthday, my Lola's and mine too. And it'll be again a reminder of that faithful day that my dad passed away...

I"m not sure until when will i feel this way every November. But so far, its the second year since then and i still fear that i'd feel the same. I kinda feel my hands shaking now... Well, its Halloween anyway..

Mystery like L-O-V-E

2011-08-09T23:22:00.002+08:00

The world is a universe of questions and more questions. Everyone of us, throws a question more than make a statement in a day. Today, i encountered a gargantuan book of question. Some with answers, most without. And what can be more bugging than a list of questions without answers. Some because its too soon to tell but most are really unanswerable.

After spending time with some friends (real ones, not fake friends), i can proudly say, that I do have some. I mean real friends who i know will stand by me and have accepted me for who I am without the pretenses and the malice.

I then started to think of that being that's been throwing questions at me without it even knowing, Then I thought how much i should be thankful and how lucky i have been to have been blessed with a sound mind (sometimes), a healthy body (at least i think so), an attentive and absorbent brain (medyo), and a clear and clean soul to top it all.

I dont have to pretend to be happy or nice. I have every reason to be. I am what I am.

cant.just.find.the.words.

2011-08-01T21:55:00.004+08:00

i want to write. but i just can seem to find it, that inspiration. those words i wanna share. those words i wanna say. Its just not coming to me now.

Gen X and Gen Y Managers

2011-07-25T22:34:00.004+08:00

I have recently been given the opportunity to take more responsibilites in the office. And it seems that things may be moving faster than i have planned but the good thing about it is that it is moving.

Given the supposedly wider range in terms of work coverage, and since i am admitting to the fact that i have yet to learn, i cannot help but give my own opinion on how bosses and managers from my past and present lead their own work forces. At my age, i must say im quite younger than the rest of the managers currently holding the same position as I am in the different departments of our company. They are mostly Gen X. Im more Gen Y.

I would come home each night, when my remaining energy still permits, with stories on the bits and pieces of how my day work as I relay it to the husband. He would always give his own thoughts on things and share his own experiences in his work place. It was just the other day when he said something about how he thinks that our generation may be a different breed of managers compared to the older ones. That we are more of a team player than suckers for power. It sounded logical. It seemed, at the time, the most logical explanation to my hundred and one questions on why bosses are how they are.

I wonder if you guys would agree?

I finally found time to google it up. Gen X vs. X vs. Baby Boomers. And from the results that came out, it seems like it is indeed a universal occurrence. Here are some excerpts from the articles I read:

Generation X, born between l960 and l980, grew up with pet rocks, platform shoes and watched The Simpsons. They question authority, seek bigger meaning in life and work, are technologically savvy, live in the present, are skeptical, see career as a key to happiness, are open to multi-careers, consider challenge and variety as being more important than job security and constantly aim to achieve work-life balance.Studies show that Generation X managers is typically mature beyond their years, very adaptable and flexible, and team oriented. They have high expectations of employees and don't buy into power structures, rather they prefer the project-based approach to work. Generation X managers need positive validation for their work or they will not hesitate to quit their jobs. They hate being micro-managed and want independence in their work, which may explain why so many of this generation have turned to entrepreneurship. source

Today's Generation X employees (born between 1960 and 1975) have higher expectations of what managers should do to support them than the Baby Boomer generation had before them. Generation Y (1976-2001) workers have even greater needs for feedback and development. Baby boomers grew up in a time when having a job was considered thanks enough. Gen-Y workers and, to a lesser extent, Gen-X workers, are accustomed to praise, reinforcement and time to develop their interests and skills. source

Generations X and Y: What They Care About
The new generations of leaders often have a completely different way of working from their older counterparts. (Keep in mind that we can't discuss all of the characteristics of these new groups in such a short space. Also, not everyone in these generations fits these characteristics: we're going to make some huge generalizations here, however hopefully these generalizations will be useful!)
For example, while boomers usually view long hours as evidence of loyalty and hard work, Gen X and Y tend to try to have more work/life balance. They've seen their parents' lack of quality of life, and the lack of loyalty companies showed to these hard-working parents in the 1990s, and they're not impressed.
They want flexible hours, more vacation time, continuous training, and telecommuting options. They expect to leverage technology to work efficiently instead of staying late in the office to get it all done.
Boomers have traditionally felt that you have to "pay your dues" to your company – and if you hate your job, that's just part of life. Generations X and Y typically don't accept this; they want rewarding, intellectually stimulating work – and they don't want someone watching them too closely to check on their progress. These new groups are independent, creative, and forward thinking. They celebrate cultural diversity, technology, and feedback, and they prefer more of a "lattice" or individualized approach to management (as opposed to the traditional "corporate ladder").
The new generations also tend to like teamwork. Studies have shown that colleague relationships rank very high on Gen X and Y's list of priorities. Things like salary and prestige can often rank lower than boomers might expect, or might want for themselves. source

The conclusion? the answer is AGE GAP. :P

Being Pro on Life

2011-07-25T22:23:00.003+08:00

We all use the word "professional". But does it only mean getting paid for a job one does? Like in the case of a pro photographer or a pro model. No matter how much number of zeros are associated with our supposedly professional life, can we really call ourselves one? This is a question I posted to myself a couple of times already. Suddenly, I became unsure of myself and was surprised by the fact that my daily routine, the work I attend to everyday, the desk I work on and the almost 12hours I dedicate to this so-called"work" is indeed a career. My career.

Google lead me to this article.

Are You a Professional?

How you look, talk, write, act and work determines whether you are a professional or an amateur. Society does not emphasize the importance of professionalism, so people tend to believe that amateur work is normal. Many businesses accept less-than-good results.

Schools graduate students who cannot read. You can miss 15% of the driving-test answers and still get a driver license. "Just getting by" is an attitude many people accept. But it is the attitude of amateurs.

"Don't ever do anything as though you were an amateur.

"Anything you do, do it as a Professional to Professional standards.

"If you have the idea about anything you do that you just dabble in it, you will wind up with a dabble life. There'll be no satisfaction in it because there will be no real production you can be proud of.

"Develop the frame of mind that whatever you do, you are doing it as a professional and move up to professional standards in it.

"Never let it be said of you that you lived an amateur life.

"Professionals see situations and they handle what they see. They are not amateur dabblers.

"So learn this as a first lesson about life. The only successful beings in any field, including living itself, are those who have a professional viewpoint and make themselves and ARE professionals" — L. Ron Hubbard

A professional learns every aspect of the job. An amateur skips the learning process whenever possible.

A professional carefully discovers what is needed and wanted. An amateur assumes what others need and want.

A professional looks, speaks and dresses like a professional. An amateur is sloppy in appearance and speech.

A professional keeps his or her work area clean and orderly. An amateur has a messy, confused or dirty work area.

A professional is focused and clear-headed. An amateur is confused and distracted.

A professional does not let mistakes slide by. An amateur ignores or hides mistakes.

A professional jumps into difficult assignments. An amateur tries to get out of difficult work.

A professional completes projects as soon as possible. An amateur is surrounded by unfinished work piled on top of unfinished work.

A professional remains level-headed and optimistic. An amateur gets upset and assumes the worst.

A professional handles money and accounts very carefully. An amateur is sloppy with money or accounts.

A professional faces up to other people’s upsets and problems. An amateur avoids others’ problems.

A professional uses higher emotional tones: Enthusiasm, cheerfulness, interest, contentment. An amateur uses lower emotional tones: anger, hostility, resentment, fear, victim.

A professional persists until the objective is achieved. An amateur gives up at the first opportunity.

A professional produces more than expected. An amateur produces just enough to get by.

A professional produces a high-quality product or service. An amateur produces a medium-to-low quality product or service.

A professional earns high pay. An amateur earns low pay and feels it’s unfair.

A professional has a promising future. An amateur has an uncertain future.

The first step to making yourself a professional is to decide you ARE a professional.

Are you a professional?

Source: http://www.tipsforsuccess.org/professionalism.htm

Rain Coat gang

2011-05-28T09:31:00.001+08:00

Rain Coat gang, a photo by jojomamangun on Flickr.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to travel with my office friends. We went from Manila to HongKong to Macau to Hongkong to Shezhen then Hongkong and back to Manila.

I must say the trip was very tiring but the everyday laugh and change in scenery made it all worth it.

I would do this again anytime.

Thanks to my brother Jojo for this photo.

Cool concepts!

2011-05-14T22:06:00.003+08:00

Bumped into these cool designs from this site: http://www.dumpaday.com/

Its quite amazing how people thing of ways to make our daily lives more convenient and our times spent more efficient and our spaces well managed...

royal and real smiles

2011-04-30T00:03:00.004+08:00

They seem to be genuinely happy. I have a good feeling about this. Seems like we have here a great love, royal or not.

Camp Kasal ni W+K recap

2011-04-17T09:19:00.007+08:00

It has been over a week since we had my sister's wedding "Camp Kasal" in Lunao. Aside from having been with the couple on their special day, the family also hada short refreshing break from the busy and stressful city life.

Im still hung-over. The wedding, the fun, the pool, the mountain, the sun, everything!

Let me take you on a tour on the overall mood during my 1 week in the mountains...

LUNAO in Mt Kanlaon

I had an entry last Sept 2010 on the weekend spent in Lunao. Let

me narrate the experience using photos...

The resthouse in Lunao.

Here's us fooling around...

Here's us 2 days before the wedding, waiting for the pool to be filled.

Here are the boards we had to make. patok!

Here are by boys chillin' out.

And finally, the pool is filled!

More photos of the "behind the scenes" here...

CAMP KASAL

Chucks and Cords. Here's something to start the mood. The Save the Date:

W+K Save the Date from ray bonifacio on Vimeo.

Wedding details...

The only thing i can think of while running around all morning is why, why in the world did we have a breakfast wedding?? I was in and out of the place i did not even have time to wear make

(pink straps). Then everyone started calling me "Dora".

White top from ZAra, Orange scarf from Zara, 5yr old Corduroy shorts from Surplus shop, chucks bought from HK, Socks from SM Bacolod, Shades from Ruth Magpoc

Here's my little boy with the groom...

And my little princess walking right before the bride...

More camp kasal photos here...

And here's a little something to help you get the idea.. :-)

W+K Camp Kasal SDE from Leo Vision on Vimeo.

If there's anything I am proud about this whole event, its that for sure, everyone present had one hell of a great time and that its something they will never forget. I sure did.. :-)

When waiting for change is enlightening...

2011-03-28T21:48:00.004+08:00

Change is once again on its way.

But there's a bigger change that's happening to me.

Having to face this situation that will be coming my way soon, and being calm about it, too calm actually, is surprising me in so many ways.

Back in one of my subjects in college, there was one exam when we were ask to come up with our very own theory. With the one thousand and one things that filled up my notebooks and yellow pads in those 5 years of schooling, "my theory" is on top of the list of those i never forgot.

I wrote a paragraph or two on how powerful the human brain is. That it controls our whole being and that of others as well. That brains of different people talk and communicate even without the individuals uttering any word. That the brain is so powerful it can control the future.

Yes I know this sounds vague and these are ideas we already know. But during that time, some 15 years ago, i never came across "The Secret" or knew anyone from the landmark education center. Although i owe a few from these 2 great ideas my optimistic view in life, i must say i have always had it in me to control and be able to separate the good from bad thoughts.

I know my strength. I went through a lot as a child. I've always thought i was weird and that i had out-of-this-world thoughts and even considered myself crazy! But hey, this is the real deal. I get my strength and will-power to live from this "weird" brain.

Or maybe this is all because im getting old. Who knows?!

photo source

P.S. I miss my Dad so much.

Camp Kasal

2011-03-27T15:00:00.004+08:00

My sister's getting married in 13 days. Yes, that's 2 weeks from now and somehow, it just started to dawn on me how much i still need to prepare for the trip. They have decided to get married in Ma-ao, Bago City, Negros Occidental.

"Chucks and Cords" being the motif, had me all wind up on our get up. It was only last week that I got to buy chucks for the kids, white for Taal and dark pink hi-cut for Ada.

As for me, Im using an old pair of chucks bought by my sisters in HK some 4 years ago. Its a hi-cut purple weave with green lace and accents. And this is kinda why im having a hard time to come up with a get up.

I'm just glad my friend dragged me to visit the Nullah shop along Jupiter last friday after lunch where i found ada's dress.

(This is not what he's actually wearing. Its just the suspenders that he's using for his get up.)

Taal i think was the first one to complete his get up, we bought his corduroy last Aug in H&M in HK and the polo was a gift, the last accent, which is the suspenders was purchased yesterday in Shopwise San Pedro.

The husband, fell in love with a checkered polo in Muji yesterday. My husband is very keen on the quality of the clothes he buys for himself, from the fabric to the intricacy of the embroidery up to how the buttons were sewn. And something that passed his standards for less than a regular-priced Zara polo is very very surprising. Plus the fact that they have super small sizes that fits him perfectly. :-)

As for me, i think im not buying anything for this event. Im using my old corduroy shorts, as in only like maybe 6 or 7 years old already and a nice white top i got from the Zara employee's sale for almost 80% discount.

Now, i have one less worry before the Camp Kasal. I still have to plan on the staglorette party and the chaotic list i have to work on and finish before leaving for the wedding.

Let's do this!

Respect and integrity

2011-03-22T07:10:00.001+08:00

If everyone in this world would keep in mind how important these 2 words are, the world will be too boring to live in. But just think about it, how honest will the society be?

Happy Place

2011-03-16T10:33:00.004+08:00

happy place. The mental state achieved when one wants to avoid the unpleasant or uncomfortble. Everyone's happy place is different, and usually consists of the things that make them joyous.

In this world that I'm in. There are certain aspects of my life that sometimes gets too much of my energy. There is a need to have this "happy place" or should i say "places"...

Life is unfair they say. And they are right. It will never be fair. NEVER. You wake up early only to be caught in traffic and will cause you that tardiness deduction. You wait for that perfect partner only to find out the evil side of him after you get married. Or you save up on something only to realize that you never needed it anyway.

But what keeps you going during times like when you feel the world is ganging up on you? I always have my jars filled with "happy places"...

...palm drive in UPLB...

...basketball sa trancoville....

...rose garden and kubo in asin rd house...

..."jogging...jogging..." as 2-year old gykgyk goes around the lawn...

...ma-ddy, ada used to call me this...

...fantaluli...

...my dad and his Marcos stories...

...my OVPSO family...

...happy hour around metro manila...

...shutterbugs...

...Beach 81 in Palawan...

...Raising the mammoth...

...MCA and alabang days...

...swimming sa malamig na tubig ng antipolo...

...boracay at bagyo...

...road trip to tagaytay at mais...

...boses ni Papa...

...Unity is the best policy...

...4-diamond 4-ever...

...life and the box of chocolate...

...twister and waterworld...

...JRC and 1-14-94...

the list will go on... so is the smile in my face every time i look back and remember all these...

Shopping-high

2011-02-24T08:14:00.000+08:00

They say patience is a virtue. "Kapag may tyaga, may nilaga."

And indeed it is! Spent my Saturday afternoon scanning through Shopwise Sucat's plate shelves to find one, if not my best, shopping find yet.

A Vera Wang Wedgwood earth plate.

My husband went wild when he saw me pushing the cart with 8 sets of 9inch and 11 inch white plates. Then I turned the plate over for him to see the label. My daughter excitingly blurted out "Vera Wang, is that the same as in that movie Bridal Wars?" Too bad the husband had no idea what we were talking about.

And greater than the great find, is the cost! At P45 and P65 each, how can one go wrong?

I haven't had this shopping high in a while. Or maybe not. Just last week, I got to buy this italian black jeans from Linea Italia at 70% off :-)

Hooray for affordable quality!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Feng Shui and Goat's 2011 Metal Rabbit year

2011-02-15T00:21:00.003+08:00

My gulay! This Chinese horoscope forecast is addictive! I dont understand why my horoscope (sagittarius) forecast contradicts my chinese year predictions. But nevertheless, i dont think anything would go too bad if i spent a few pesos on the anti-"malas" charms from the chinese fengshui store.

Here's a summary of the SHeep's "2011" from maritessallen.com.ph:

And I tell you, i have read more than 5 different sources and all had negative predictions on people relationship, more specifically on office politics. I just had to go to that chines store soon and buy this:

And then there was this golden card that the lady from the shop advised to put it in our wallets in a certain way that a particular side should be seen first. I cant seem to find a picture of it over the net because i dont exactly know what its called and im too lazy to grab my wallet to take a picture.

Im actually scared and the mere fact that i am scares me more. I shouldn't be and should just focus on the positive. FOCUS P!

Heart-related

2011-02-11T00:39:00.001+08:00

Last night, I had a short conversation with a colleague. While we sneaked by the window near the emergency exit for a smoke, he saw the "ex" of his "present" while looking out the parking lot.
We've been teasing him about this girl from the other department for quite a while now. Their love affair, as it turns out, has been going on for quite sometime while they are both involved with other people. I knew the girl and her long-time boyfriend. And I am also aware the He is living in with someone.

As he shakingly narrate the gist of their story, I caught his declaration of fighting for her and is willing to give up anything to push what they have farther. But what really caught my attention is that it seems to me they both think they can keep secrets especially on their involvement with other people.

I dunno how their story will turn out. What I know is that I'm all hyped up to find out what will happen next. Parang teleserye lang :-)

Tonight, I finally saw glee's valentine episode. And just like everybody else who saw it, I felt the L-O-V-E kinda thing.

I never liked valentines day. And this was brought about by several sad and depressing incidents in the past. That I will change this year. The bad news is, I only have a few days left to convince myself.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Target: Loop!

2011-01-16T09:25:00.003+08:00

This is it. I finally found the perfect target.

More info on this bag here

I saw it in Digital Walker in park square.

62nd

2011-01-11T07:31:00.001+08:00

so you must be celebrating up there with your Dad and your buddies.

We miss you here. Always.

so long 2010, hugging 2011

2010-12-31T11:16:00.004+08:00

Its the last day of 2010 and as I sit down and think of all the 2010 happenings and the 2011 to dos, i cant help but get a bit excited. Not a bit but a lot!

2010 was tough but fun.

-JK Wedding
-Fake friends to real ones

-Davao getaway
-HK with Ada
-The big leap back to SW
-Mt. Kanlaon renewal
-Mr Jones discovery
-Taal and his Trains
-Ada and Harry Potter

While i feel than 2011 will be tougher, im all ready to get it on! :-)

WK Wedding on April and as it is already 2011 today, we gotta work double time already on the preps. Mission: Find that perfect ALL-STAR WEDDING outfit.

Go South this weekend!

2010-11-13T10:05:00.006+08:00

Sharing with you some great great reason why we should all head south this weekend.

Buy your groceries and some christmas shopping in Shopwise Alabang to get that x10 in points for your wisecard.

Cross over to Bellevue for their Four Seasons Bazaar on art, fashion and wellness. Then drive further more to ATC for the Big Toy Sale in Toys 'R Us.

Fearfully sad me :-(

2010-11-08T11:09:00.005+08:00

I have to let this out. Its going to be almost 1 year since my father passed away. Same day as I turn another year older. And I cant help but feel teary eyed every time I realize that that day is coming closer and closer.

Just like this very moment as I right this, I am having a hard time breathing and my hands are shaking. Maybe its because of the accumulated dust on my desk over the weekend. Or maybe of the grande Caramel Macchiato i just finished drinking. Or maybe not. I have been having this uneasiness since last week, without the dust and without coffee.

I am scared.

My father knows (or knew) i celebrate my birthday with a personal recollection. A review of the year that was, and plans for another year ahead. His birthday greeting, may it be a text message, a letter or a birthday card, will never fail to make me cry. Because its always full of emotions, real feelings and sapul parati.

I still continue to ask the universe the same question ever since that Nov 22 event last year. Why did it have to be my birthday?

I knew that Nov 22 will never be just the 22nd day of November. It will never be just that. And I can feel that it'll take me my whole life to get over this "uneasiness". Every year, every time i do my personal recollection.

I need strength to get through this.

Shopwise Spells C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

2010-11-05T11:10:00.003+08:00

Having spent almost 2 months now back in arms of my first love, Shopwise, I am both happy and exhausted. Marketing for a retail and service oriented business is not easy as A-B-C.

Sharing with everybody our Christmas Ad this year. And I must say, one of my first hands-on project. I'm quite proud to be part of a group, a team that not only work great together but manages to still laugh and keep a smile despite the pressures that come with the work.

:-)

Follow/Like us here:

What can be more dangerous?!

2010-10-21T18:29:00.001+08:00

Renewed by the mountains

2010-09-28T21:51:00.006+08:00

The best gifts are those you never expected you've always wanted...

Like the weekend that I had. Started with an early morning flight that only left me one hour to sleep before leaving the house for the airport. But it ended with a blissful feeling of hope. Of love. And of clean and fresh starts...

Just like these photos...

Mother Nature spoke to me in a language i never thought i would understand so well.

Now my life, seema like its finally just beginning...

Thank you Mt. Kanlaon, for the weekend that was...

Rustan's Traditions: A 40 Carat Christmas

2010-09-23T16:12:00.001+08:00

Open publication - Free publishing

Crazy Shopping with Shopwise' Crazy deals!

2010-09-13T16:04:00.003+08:00

Are you all ready for this??

B1T1 deals plus Free Rice for all to grab!

Open publication - Free publishing - More shopwise

Not crazy enough? Watch out for the next promo theme on Sept 22. :-)

Back to the past...

2010-09-08T10:59:00.003+08:00

I am back! and with a Bang!!

How many times have I said this in the past weeks? Haha!

Anyway, grabbing the chance to use the space of this post for my newly discovered trick. Facebook boxes!!!

I did not even know this can be done until today. Wow, where have I been?? Skipping on blogging is like being delayed in a lot of cyber news! But I am back. And to stay for good! :-)

All of you friends out there! Visit the Shopwise Facebook page and press that like button :-)

Remembering the Dream

2010-08-11T17:15:00.003+08:00

3rd post for the day. Excited much?

Haha!

Anyway, I have been here in this chair, of this room, in this building for exactly 9 hours and 17 minutes. And I think I only spent more than 1 hour for official work-related matters.

I spent my morning travelling. In my mind I was in Italy. Strolling along the green fields in Dublin or aboard one of those gondolas in Venice... Europe!!!

So I googled "europe backpacking" and it lead me to one of the best sites I have ever chanced upon. Click Here Not that I have been to a lot of Euro tour websites... haha...

And yes, I should have included this in my earlier entry as part of my "major dream list".

And track record says, my major dreams are coming close to reality. Europe here I come!!!

Dreams coming true

2010-08-11T16:23:00.002+08:00

For a 30-year old gal, I can say that i have dreams that already became reality. or at least close to it. I tell my friends that maybe, Im destined to die soon, since my dreams (or almost close to it) is one by one coming true:

As a kid I clearly remember dreaming of 2 major things:

1. to own a supermarket of my own; and

2. to own a Range Rover

Flashback to 2003 after I graduated, imagine my excitement to be interviewed for a position as an assistant to the VP for Store Operations of one of the biggest supermarkets in Metro Manila. And to top it all of, I get to go to the supermarket everyday since the office is in the supermarket! 6 years I served for him. I guess that's long enough?

When the President of a Motoring company interviewed me and only took 1 sit-down conversation for him to like me and hire me, I was more than excited to embrace the change and to hold office inside a car showroom and not just any other car showroom, but a Jaguar and Land Rover showroom!! The mere knowledge of why these cars are premiumly priced is already enough to make me say how much i appreciate this job. And I may not have bought myself a range rover, but i get to see it and sit on it as long as I want.. :-) that's good enough...

Now I am again faced to hold a position I have always dreamed of dreaming. Which is part of the dreams I had not as a kid but as a grown up and already working.

The big challenge is scary and stressful, I am sure, but the good thing despite all the fears, is that I am ready to face it and that I know that I can do it!

Now the more pressing challenge, is to get out of here and making the Boss understand my case and without him throwing me out of the office with curses.

I know I can do this!!

Blogger's block?

2010-08-11T16:11:00.002+08:00

Been a while since i last posted anything.

So what made me post today? And why just now?

1. Im bored. I usually find time to write when I'm bored or when i'm over-excited about something. Why am I bored. My mind is already somewhere else. Not here where Im sitting now.

2. I realized how twitter works like magic. And I was just tweeting instead of writing long posts for this blog.

3. I traveled to a place where most of the websites go to is blocked, The Great "wall" of China, they call it. And I was there for more than a month combined (1st and second trip)

4. I was too depressed the past few months that i would not be able to write anything but how sad I was, and somehow, the depression was too deep that I did not want the world to know about it and that maybe i just couldn't...

5. Maybe too many stuffs to say blocked my brains off?

Oh well, I can go on and list all my reasons but the more pressing issue is why I decided to write again...

Because a big CHANGE is on my way...

Some spectacular force in the universe brought me to this path. And I am excited about it.

Big challenge, yes, but im up for it. super up for it.

And i get to get out of this frustrating world I'm in.

The "ghost month" may have started, but my blogging is definitely back again and not just for a month.

Car lighter inside expo, outside any car

2010-04-29T11:47:00.000+08:00

If there's anything the expo security is overloaded of, aside from people, its the lighters that they confiscate upon passing through the thorough "kapkap" upon entering. And when I say, thorough, it really is.

Anyway, the lighters. It's so funny how smokers smoking inside would look around for someone just so they can have a light of the cigarette that has been sitting on their mouths for a while already. I hide my lighter under my bag and luckily, the security haven't found it.

Yesterday, the expo installed these lighter poles. Its like a fire hydrant only with 4 car lighters in it. I actually found it amazing. Our chinese friend here said, he finally can use his car charger out of his car :-)
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Puma boots in the world expo shanghai

2010-04-29T11:24:00.000+08:00

Day No. 13 in shanghai.

Mr Sun shared some of his powers in our part of town :-).

Here's a photo of my sister Kei's boots, yes I took it off to take this shot, and walked around in my socks. The background is our country's pavilion.

With goosebumps, I must say, this is making me really proud to be part of all these shenanigans.

Another sunny day in the expo site today.

From shanghai with love,
P
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Cold in Shanghai

2010-04-19T12:34:00.000+08:00

Its day number 4 now in Shanghai. 18 more days to go. I knew from the weather forecast sites that its going to be cold here. But the other night, I had to emergency buy a winter jacket (winter for me) from one of the stores we passed as we were hunting for a dinner place. I think the temperature that time was close to 6degrees celsius plus the strong cold winds we were fighting while walking the streets. I was already shaking and having a hard time using my hands.

So I bought this red fluffy jacket for Y88. Roughly around 600pesos. Was glad it was on sale and was so happy a store was still open around our area, that was already almost 10pm.

Yesterday, we walked the busy Nanjing Road and saw an outlet of the same shop where I bough fluffy. The same jacket was for Y99! Haha! I guess that was a good buy? :-)

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Family's summer trips 2010

2010-04-13T21:01:00.002+08:00

The husband is leaving for a 3-day trip to Leyte tomorrow.

Im leaving for a 26-day trip to Shanghai on the 16th.

And Ada is leaving for a 2-week vacation in Bacolod on the 17th.

We're all riding a plane. Taal will be staying at home.

I feel that we need to have a trip together soon. San kaya?

Project: Eradicate my misery

2010-04-12T15:54:00.003+08:00

I believe there is always a lesson to every story. There is always something to learn. And the universe will keep giving us the same "stories" until we finally learn the real lesson.

Last Friday, 9 April 2010, i have made the decision to give up. I'm just fed up with the attitude of the people around me. I don't think they will ever understand the importance of some "risks" that needs to be taken. Its either they're just too "righteous" or they have something against me personally. Support is what I need. Constructive not Destructive criticism. Instead of second guessing every decision I make, why not help in coming up with a grand plan?!

The hypocracy level in this shithole has reached up to the too-high-to-bear level. And I'm just being dragged down. Life is too f*cking short to be miserable. So i'm ending this misery before it eats me alive.

But for now, I have the China project to worry about. And im so gonna make it work like hell that would make them all bend on their knees and bow to me. (ahaha! sobra naman na ata!)

So Shanghai, hug me in your Chinese arms and please make our projectors work :-)

QL-C

2010-03-17T13:22:00.007+08:00

I'm not sure if i'm still in that "quarter life" at my age to even say i may be having a "quarter life crisis".

There are certain aspects of my life that I'm sure and a hundred percent for it, but there are also parts t has question marks all over it.

This morning, my 2-year old boy was up when i was about to leave for work. While I was brushing my teeth, he also got his toothbrush and brushed away with me. Then he held my my hand and brought me to the door as if he was coming with me. He walked with me to our gate and before i opened the gate to get out, i called the Yaya to get him. For the past days that we was up before i head out, he would just say bye and give me a kiss, but this morning, when Yaya was bringing him in the house as I walk out, i saw the sadness in his eyes. And those small pouts as i get farther away. This broke my heart. Big time. That sad look in his eyes kept playing in my head all the way to work. :-(

A friend of mine from work is contemplating on some major decisions for her career. And as the "fake friend" that i am, I told her to choose and go for what she really wants/loves. And if the universe is bringing her to that direction, she should grab that chance cause God knows when it will come again. Even if it means her leaving our company, and again leaving me with no more "fake friend", I would rather that she go now than make her stay and hear her regret it and listen to her "what ifs" everyday. So fake friend, its now of never!

They say the healthiest way of spending one's twenty-four hour day cycles is simple:
8 hours - work
8 hours - sleep
8 hours - recreation
But in reality, how many hours does one spend time at work? Or for sleep? And any recreation at all? I spend 10 hours of my day for work. 7 hours of sleep, 3 hours in recreation and 4 hours travelling. Not healthy, not at all. Work is 41% of my day. And this 41% of my day, is this really what i really wanna do? Is this really the way I want to spend my 41%?

I know I'll forever be a mom to my kids, and a wife to my husband. Now, for the nth time, i am again in question mark on what I really want to do in life.

So P, anu ba talagang trip mo sa buhay?

Real life dragon??

2010-03-07T09:44:00.001+08:00

Check this out! Life's litytle surprises that would leave you in awe... :-)

link

Funny Ads

2010-03-04T15:57:00.001+08:00

I think the Filipinos can do ads as witty as these ads. More ads in this site.

Work is work

2010-03-04T15:24:00.003+08:00

I have to constantly remind myself that work is work.

Its hard enough to meet people's expectations, but to cover up for all your "friends" is even harder. This afternoon, i spend my time thinking and re-thinking of the limits of all relationships i get myself into. To the lowest level of just jeep-mates to the high of getting into my intimate zone.

Oh this crazy world we call "life".

Really really cool stuffs

2010-03-03T17:06:00.004+08:00

Due to some idle time in the office, (Boss got off earlier than usual). I got to do a little online searching and stumbled upon this website. I believe i already saw this site before and even blogged about some of the cool stuff i found then.

Today, the technology even moved forward, and the last post was barely 2 years ago! Got it all from this site

Here's something Shopwise and all other retail outlets there would be interested in.

World’s Lightest Cash Register

The EPOS-lite was inspired by the Apple MacBook Air and iPhone. Meant to be installed on a restaurant table, the portable cash register features programmable menu choices, wireless charging, and various payment options. Stephen Allport, the designer, notes on his page that enough interest has been shown in the device that it may be produced.

And I posted a recent Uboat watch photo. But this Incredible LED watch is definitely something else.

Incredible LED Watch

This watch was created by Hironao Tsuboi and developed by the studio found here. The watch looks like it’s all wristband until the digital display lights up.

How about this USBEE? May sound all ridiculous, but read on what its all about!

The USBee

The USBee was designed to prevent the damage to USB drives seen so often with conventional USB use. The elastic neck will bend when pushed in any axis. This also means that it can fit into tight spaces where other USB drives dare not go. The lines at the end keep USBee cool and ergonomically pleasing. Designed by Serbian designer Damjan Stankovic.

Last but definitely not the least. Who would not dream of having something like this baby? All you sales agents out there would drool over this. Imagine walking to a client with this gadget?

Portable PC with Projector

The Portable PC is an amazing concept by Jinwoo Han. If you are a little sick of having to arrange in advance for a digital projector at a meeting or tradeshow, you’ll love the Portable PC concept. Computer, keyboard, and projector all in one device. Use the back of the airline seat in front of you as your digital display. The laptop without the lap.

WATCHamacallit

2010-02-23T08:44:00.000+08:00

This is a 90k pesos watch.. I would love to have this and call it mine. But even if I had the money for this, I may just not be that kind of person who would buy such an expensive body decor. For a watch, my max is maybe 20k. That is if I had like a million pesos in my account. Minimum. Good morning everyone!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Passport Renewal: DONE

2010-02-22T16:10:00.004+08:00

Almost 6 hours in line. That's not very efficient at all.
Good thing this is what I last saw in the last waiting area where we again waited for almost an hour. Taken using my Nokia 6303's 3.2 megapixel camera.

The passport renewal steps:
1. Initial verification - it took us 1 and 1/2 hours to even get to this step. And what happened during this step? Two guys stamping, one, a number to each application forms, and the other, a "DFA received" mark with date. If you ask me, this does not at all make any matter. And the stamping guys seems like they have been practicing, they stamp so fast! Yet, we had to wait so long for that less than 30 second moment on this table...

2. Second Verification - it took us another hour to get to this step. Where everyone will choose a line from the 4 or more windows open. A personnel reviews the docs, type something in the computer, signs the docs, then done. The whole thing took only less than a minute, but getting there is like forever.

3. Personal Appearance - this is when the line started to crumple. I think this is where we lost our "real" line. We were in line for more than an hour, but this step is the real thing. When the personnel will check every attached requirement and will even pop some questions from the docs you submitted. The personnel who handled my application, JOHNE, asked me when we got married.

4. Payment - this was the shortest line in all the steps. 500 pesos for those not very in a hurry, they get the passport 14 days later, or to make it get to your in 7 days, you pay addtional 250pesos.

5. Computerization - the maze going to the "Auditorium", I found it fun. Inside my head, I was trying on how the directional signages installed will accurately bring me to my destination. And after several lefts and rights, I finally got to the auditorium where Jay saved me a seat. One hour in line and I was finally called to my last station. Sadly, the lady rejected my photo and I had to have my picture taken. Another 150 pesos damage for that 6pcs of new passport pictures taken and printed right on the spot. But if this will finish the job, then I would even pay even double that.

5. Fingerprinting - the last freaking step. And the dirtiest of all.

We went out of DFA by 1220pm. Whew!

Bonus: Jay left the headlights on, so after almost 6 hours of waiting in line, no food at all, and in the middle of the day with the sun so up, I had to help push the discharged van.

Passpor renewal: time check no. 1

2010-02-22T09:51:00.000+08:00

2 and 1/2 hours after, and we're still in line for step 3. How many steps is this again? 4 or 5? This may actually take longer than I thought. My being just late to filing a half day leave instead. Not good.

I'm not yet hungry though. Just a bit thirsty. My gum's been in my mouth for 3 and 1/2 hours already.

My inspiration to keep that positive attitude: my dad went thru this same process, so I this should not be that hard. I can do this!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Passport renewal

2010-02-22T07:38:00.000+08:00

After months of planning on renewing my passport, I finally had the chance to do it today. An officemate of mine, Jay, needed to have his passport renewed for a scheduled business trip sometime early March. I dragged along, why?1) convenience of having picked up, since he also lived in the south, 2) it really way past due and (fingers crossed) any emergency business trip would just be a bliss with a ready passport. 3) the super early morning trip would save me from filing a full day leave, that is, if things go as planned, we'll be in the office latest 10am.

I could have opted to do the online application, which I have been recommending to everyone I know who needed a passport, but this time, I wanted to see how efficient is the "efficiency" that DFA has been bragging about in the passport issuance department. So together with Jay, we patiently waited, and still waiting, in line to get this thing done. So far, we have been here for 36mins now and so far, we are still outside the processing area, with almost 300 people in front of us. If we get this done within 2 hours, I guess that would be acceptable. Let's wait and see

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

An Education

2010-02-20T22:19:00.005+08:00

After some months of ultra-depressing entries, i think i should rather focus on the nice things i experience in this world.

Like this move, "AN EDUCATION". Thanks to Mo Twister for the suggestion and for saving me time from waiting for it to download, he gave me a copy. No we are not really close friends, just friends. We dropped by their station the other day to promote on some of our products. I must say, he's really nice. Very far from what kind of person thought he was.

Anyway, the movie. Here are some fun stuffs i gathered from IMDB.

Made Variety's 2007 list of best unproduced British screenplays.
Director Lone Scherfig says she experimented with giving the actors options during scenes. For instance, she told Peter Sarsgaard that if he felt like it he could start a conversation with an extra playing a doorman in one scene despite there not being any written dialogue.
Carey Mulligan mentioned in an interview at the Sundance Film Festival that some of the most enjoyable moments of filming where when there were actors who only came in for a day or so, like Sally Hawkins and Emma Thompson, and she particularly enjoyed the four scenes she shot with the latter, whom she described as being "amazing", and called her acting "brilliant".
The author of the original account, Lynn Barber stipulated in her contract that she would be allowed to see and comment (but not alter) every draft written by the screenwriter, Nick Hornby. She mentioned that she was happy with most of the changes, but her one regret was that Hornby changed the name of her lover, Simon, to David, which was her real husband's name. She stated that "I wish in retrospect I'd put up a fight".
Whilst the screenplay was being written, the producers were looking for directors; Beeban Kidron was on board for a year and half, and helped develop the script. She was forced to pull out because of a commitment to Hippi Hippie Shake.
The creative team were initially worried about casting the 22 year old Carey Mulligan in the role of a 16 year old, but were convinced by her screen test. Rosamund Pike reportedly really wanted the small part of Helen, because "no one ever lets me be funny".
Orlando Bloom dropped out a week before filming began; Dominic Cooper, who had previously been in talks, replaced him.

Reminded me of the stupid things we do or did for love.

Expressing something else

2010-01-18T22:17:00.002+08:00

I should really start going back to writing. I don't even know if someone out there really reads my blog but I know it frees me. From stress, from the everyday pressures of life. It frees my soul every time I express my mind. And I should start again soon.

It has been almost 2 months since my Dad died. And somehow that part of him in me, is still in sadness. He was the one who inspired me to write. He who criticized everything I did so I would aim to be better. Because it was him, who I always wanted to please. In the world I'm in, in this life I have been living, he's that silent guiding star. Everything I am now, I somehow owe it to him. He was a friend, and what's great about it is that he's my father. He's the toughee but really a softee. He may sometimes sound unreasonable, but in the end, it sucks because he's right!
As I scanned through the books on sale in Powerbooks just before I boarded the shuttle going home, I was silently conversing with him. And how much his "tail" would have waved with the bins-full of books on 70% off.
As I try hard to keep myself from melting down into tears inside this van, I remember him and how much he really made us the Family that we are now. And I thank the good Lord above, for giving us, the coolest and most loving father one could ever have.

Happy happy birthday Papa. I know I'm a week late in posting this. His birthday was last Jan 11. Together with this post is a photo of what we did last Jan 11, at 12 midnight in Laiya beach.

Moment of weakness

2010-01-07T08:10:00.001+08:00

3 days before my brother's wedding and again, sadness engulfs me more than the excitement. Well at least for this moment. I'll be fine again maybe after a few hours. But for now, I'd let myself be. What ifs and what could have beens can really bring one to the abyss of depression.

Now on my way to the office, aboard a shuttle from sucat to makati, and trying hard to keep myself from crying...

I miss you so much Pa.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Part of the puzzle missing

2009-12-29T12:03:00.003+08:00

I can laugh, I can smile. But somehow, it just feels incomplete. Like a part of big puzzle missing. There's a certain numbness in my heart that i try so much to re-activate but it just wont cooperate.

I am missing my Dad so much. Its almost 40 days but it feels like 40 years. I cannot help but still shed a tear every time i think of him being gone. My husband said i should focus on the bright side, but for now, its just too dark...

I live. And still love. But somehow, that part meant for my Dad still bleeds.

I know i should be ok someday. I know i will be fine soon. But for now, I will just let it bleed, until it drains to leave me with happy thought and fun memories.

Its still pain for now.

The Poem that changed us all

2009-11-28T07:54:00.003+08:00

A day before my Dad's cremation, we found this poem he wrote in his journal. What made all of us shiver is that the poem was written same day as we found it, only 15 years earlier, 25 November 1994. Even after life, ang galing pa din nya. I guess he found a way to lead my mom to read this particular journal out of the dozens of other notebooks.

Here goes...

November 25, 1994

Some days ago, I ceased to be. . . And today…

Let the bands play
Let the music fill the air!
Shout to the sky.
Be happy, be aware.

That I shall now
Be leaving earth
To fulfill the
Promises of my birth.

Stop the crying
Start the laughter
Some lives sans me
Will now be better.

Scatter my dust
Along with the wind
Let it afloat.
My life rescind.

Let every speck
Strike out a tune,
So birds, bees, plants, trees
Will know – it’s Jun.

To those whose lives
I’ve deeply touched, somehow
Keep my few words
For I’ll be gone for now.

To those whose lives
I’ve brought deep sorrow,
Apololgies, please.
Here comes tomorrow.

To all my kids,
Wherever you are,
With pride pursue
That guiding star.

The vow I leave
Behind today…
Even beyond
For you I pray.

Always do good…
Be ever selfless…
With care and love
Your Ma caress.

Adhere to the truth,
You’ll never go wrong.
Keep God in your heart
You’ll always be strong.

With these I depart…
I do not want to cry,
I am dust remember,
So this is not goodbye.

So long… till then…
To one and all please smile,
I have to go. I will be back
But it will be a while.

It is my wish that this be read before my loved ones before I am cremated. They are sincere words which I want to impart. They contain my apologies, my feelings and my desires.

Goodbye Papa...

2009-11-25T05:05:00.004+08:00

I never really thought i would ever write a post from a memorial chapel. Using free wi-fi and while everyone else is trying to get a quick charge of sleep...

I turned 30 last sunday, and my Dad, turned to Him, also that same morning.

I tried asking him why it had to be on my birthday. And a lot of assumptions and theories came up. But this morning, as i spent time talking to him in my mind, the answer came, maybe there is no reason after all. It was just because he was bound to leave.

My dad is a friend. I love the fact that I can talk to him about anything under the sun. That he was a brother more than a dad. He was a barkada, more than a father. He was my life coach, my mentor.

I thank God for having to share my life with him. And as i said, the lesson is simple, Love Life. We had a great one together...

Although i think i had let go and accepted the fact that he's gone. Im bracing myself for the worse yet to come. The emotions will continue to pour out, and im sure tears will still roll down my cheeks every now on then for the next few years.

I love you pa. And im happy that i got to thank you and say this to you before you went. I am happy for your new journey.

Breakdown

2009-11-05T20:38:00.001+08:00

I did. Today. In front of my boss.

I just couldn't help anymore. Been carrying this baggage for months now and today, it just broke.

Im ok now. Just making myself understand what it means when one says "you can't please everybody"

Hay, the boss won't be around for a week, I may be the only one in the office who's not happy about it. If there's anybody who trusts me in the building, it may be just the Boss.

Gonna move on. And be stronger. And always remind myself of that saying... You can't please everybody... :-(
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Para sa LP: Amuy pasko!

2009-10-29T08:43:00.001+08:00

foods for gods
Originally uploaded by pizzi_pi3

Ewan ko ha, pero tueing makikita ko ang litratong ito, naamuy ko ang pasko.. kayo ba? Anu sa palagay nyo? Di ba parang amuy pasko na?

Medyo matagal tagal na rin akong di nakakasali sa lingguhang palahok, susubukin ko nang makibahagi uli linggo linggo. Pero sa Disyembre na pala ulit magbabalik ang LP? Hay, Maghihitay ako :-)

12 hours: half a day: one whole paid day

2009-10-29T07:55:00.003+08:00

We finally had our thumbs stained with the blue ink by exactly 10 minutes past 7 pm. With 2 phones battery drained, a red nose due to the vitamin d supply from the sun, a super dirty pair of jeans from sitting on gutters to dirty stair steps, I could only say thanks for a very eventful day. Let me enumerate the reasons:

1. The main objective of registering was actually met.

2. I got to absorb a bit of the morning sun

3. Finally got to eat at the Kenji Tei Ramen House along president's ave

4. Discovered a possible printer for my brother's wedding invites, also along president's ave

5. Finally got to check out and try Perk's coffee, also along president's ave

6. I got to spend a whole day with my husband.

7. After weeks and days of coming home late, we finally got to eat dinner together, with both kids sitting and enjoying the fried chicken wings. :-)

If I would focus on the exhaustion I felt during the whole day's event, I would complain and complain about the whole ordeal, but on the brighter side, there were other happier and more fulfilling side events, which maybe, I can focus on and just transform as THE MAiN EVENTs. Ü .

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9 hours later...

2009-10-29T07:27:00.000+08:00

Nine hours later and still waiting. I'd like to think this hell of a day is all worth the wait. New set of elected officials better do what they're suppose to do.

Its my first time to vote ever, yes I missed 5 elections already and somehow, I just enjoy those election holidays without really caring for what the elected politicians do. I did not vote anyway. But now, I fully understand why the masa reacts the way they do upon hearing corruptions and other panlolokos that these "powerful" people do. And since I decided to be that good citizen and practice my right to vote for the 2010 election, and I had to sacrifice a day under the sun, then maybe, I can finally say, I have a "say".
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On being responsible citizens

2009-10-28T09:25:00.000+08:00

In the interest of being a good citizen and the want to practice our right to vote, me and the husband woke up early and headed to register for the election. 2 hours later, we are still here, under the scorching hot sun, together with hundreds others who actually believe one vote can make a difference. I'd like to think this chaos is because everyone else here are crammers like us but really, there should have been a system in place.

Getting the form from the fourth floor while the long accumulating line is outside the municipal hall complex is not anything like a system to me. But let's see.

On hour no. 2, the line is barely moving. I wonder if we should sleep over or something.

Then again, the bright side is having another government issued ID card. And we had to scorched ourselves for it. Honestly though, I like the heat. I wish I wore a 2-pc or something to maximize on the vitamin d from the morning sun. :-)
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For Immediate Hiring!

2009-10-26T11:42:00.001+08:00

1 SENIOR GRAPHICS DESIGNER

Software

High level of Skill in

Photoshop

Illustrator

Freehand

Familiar with

Powerpoint and / or Keynote

Word and / or Pages

Comfortable working with

Video editing software

3D Software (for making mockup of event setup)

Web design software (understands web standards and html)

Work Attitude

Comfortable making timelines, setting deadlines both for himself and subordinate (a junior graphics artist will be working under him / her)

Work Schedule

9:30AM to 6:00PM

Seldom do overtime work but if the need arises there is overtime pay.

Compensation: 20-25k / month (depends on level of skill)

1 JUNIOR GRAPHICS DESIGNER

The Junior Graphics Designer will work under the Senior Graphics Designer

Software
High level of Skill in

Web Design Software

Photoshop

Illustrator

Freehand

Familiar with

Powerpoint and / or Keynote

Word and / or Pages

Work Attitude

Comfortable working with timelines and tight deadlines.

Work Schedule

9:30AM to 6:00PM

Seldom do overtime work but if the need arises there is overtime pay.

Compensation: 12-15k / month (depends on level of skill)

Note:

All other details and job descriptions will be discussed when they come for their interview. There will be a 3 Step hiring process and from there 2 people will be hired. Please note that this is for IMMEDIATE HIRING.

(1) Initial interview (please bring your portfolio, most recent CV, PROPER 1x1 ID Picture)
(2) First Exam (short list will be generated)
(3) Final Interview

Please send your resume to misispb@gmail.com :-)

Best Chocolate Cake

2009-10-20T21:33:00.001+08:00

This, my friends, maybe one of the best chocolate cake I have tasted so far! Karen's Kitchen's Choco Ganache.

The 8-inch round cake is at 700 pesos. They don't do deliveries and you have to order in advance and pick it up. But Its all worth the trouble.

One cake down, 2 more to go! I'm on a mission to find the best metro manila cake for choco, carrot, and mango. Any bets?

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Tee up!

2009-10-20T19:49:00.000+08:00

Have you guys tried this? Its so small and light you would feel like taking and chewing on flavored air :-) but I like it. At 9.50 pesos a box, its not so bad. Especially after a very heavy and flavorful meal. Takes away those unwanted after tastes....
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Drop-proofing

2009-10-18T19:00:00.004+08:00

My newest baby... :-) I love its ruggedness.

I got a 250g so i can finally organize my displaced files since i had to return the hard drive of my previous company. Good thing i waited 4 months before getting a new one

MOre info here: transcend website

For those of you who also wants to buy, i have a contact who i get it from for a lower price.

Just send me a message: misispb@gmail.com :-)

Dont Ask me to kiss you cause I will

2009-10-01T11:42:00.003+08:00

I had the privilege of attending the opening night of the Spanish Film fest of Instituto Cervantes de Manila. The opening night featured a comedy film titled "No me pidas que te bese porque te besaré" in English "Don't ask me to kiss you, cause I will"

The story revolves around Albert, who's about to get married in 5 days. He feels like his life is incomplete and thinks it maybe because he's not ready to get married. Read the summary here.

Personally, I found the movie very entertaining. I was laughing almost the whole time. The movie felt light but there was depth.

A bit of trivia, for those who will watch this movie, One of the characters is also the director of the movie.

Schedule of the film showing here.

Green Wedding Shoes

2009-09-28T19:04:00.004+08:00

There is a huge turn-around re the wedding i'm planning. The venue might be moved to the other side of the region. From Nasugbu to Laiya. For some reason the move made it more exciting to plan.

I have again, been spending vacant hours scanning over sites and searching the net for many many inspirations.

I am very thankful for finding this website.

I wish i had this source when i was planning our wedding. This whole discovery made me want to get married again, of course, to the same person :-D

Here are some of the inspirations i gathered. Lovely. All lovely. I got all these photos from the green wedding shoes website

Newcomer complex?

2009-09-23T09:19:00.003+08:00

Being a newbie may bring some advantages and disadvantages.

Right now, the disadvantages are more than the good ones. I guess not everyone trusts me as much as the Boss does. I spent my long ride home last night thinking and rethinking and i end up in front of our house being sad of what is and at the same time just glad to be home.

My last words before sleeping, aside from humming a lullaby for Taal, is that, I am lost in the outer world and that the only place i can call my own and where i feel i really belong is Home. Sabay sabi na, "kaya Ga, please wag ka masyado makalat ha?" :-)

Like all great people say, "this too shall pass..."

Photo Credit to Mr Hugo (via google search of "green apple")

Shoe Addict? No of course not.

2009-09-15T17:11:00.003+08:00

I look forward to that day when I can start displaying all my shoes just like this without having to worry about Taal trying them all out. Im just worried that he might trip!

Now with the additional 3 new shoes from Zara's bargain employee sale, I ffel more compelled to fix my shoe rack. , How I wish the Husband can actually help me make one.

Another Great Idea from Apartment Therapy!

On Wedding planning

2009-09-07T16:40:00.005+08:00

Weddings excite me so! And with another wedding coming soon, I feel like I need to exhaust all those wedding creativity juices i have left after the KAsalan 2007.

I have been working on this next family wedding for quite a while now. For weeks now, i have again been on wedding websites and last weekend, i attended a bridal fair. To my surprise though, i have learned to say "NO" to all those flyer givers during the fair. I just took flyers from those we need. My goal was the invites and TY card printers and the caterers. I did drop by Blow Up Babies' booth though for one studio shot. MY sister works there as an apprentice photographer so i dropped by and said hello.

Being assigned as the over-all coordinator for this upcoming wedding kind of a challenge. I realized how much time and effort is needed to make it all happen. The planning, the details, the finalization, the inspiration. I wonder how i got to work on mine!?

With almost only 4 months to plan this wedding, i feel the pressure's slowly kicking in. The bride is somewhere on the other side of the planet and so is the groom. The distance thus makes coordination a challenge. So far we have only the wedding date, church and reception venue finalized. The entourage (which is mostly members of our family) will take care of their own outfits with just a general design and color assignments.

The seminars and all other paper works will be done abroad. Thanks to the Philippine embassy and their local catholic church who offers such services. I only need to get some documental requirement here such as the CENOMAR, baptismal and confirmation certificates to take care of. And all of it I am just waiting to arrive. The waiting though is just killing me!

I finally got to work on a design for their souvenir and somehow worked on the invites. I still don't have the details though with regards to the church and reception address and what to actually include in the invites. Maybe asked someone to make a poem or get one of the groom's poems from his highschool days??

Last night, 27 Dresses was on in Star Movies. I noticed how the bridesmaid dresses she owned sucked. (side comment lang :-))

Indecent Proposal et al

2009-09-03T08:41:00.001+08:00

Its sad to realize that people actually think of you as someone only after the peso sign.
I am happy to tell the world that my world does not revolve on money. Great to have a lot but not having it will not kill me.
After watching Indecent Proposal twice in HBO during the weekend, I can actually say, I am really who I think I am. When it comes to being happy and being rich, I'd rather be happy. I would rather be poor and dream of having money, than be rich and dream of being happy.
Call it cliche, but money really can't buy everything.

Although, that mac book pro I've been eying on would really make me happier :-)

Or that Jaguar XF I see everyday...

A Range Rover sport could bring me to places...

Nice to dream, and since its free, why not dream BIG!!
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my upgrade...

2009-08-24T14:14:00.001+08:00

So what if the husband has this as his latest gadget....

I have this.

And loving every minute of using it. Even if its just worth 1% of the mac's price. :-)

The Sandwich Guy - A must try!

2009-08-19T09:54:00.001+08:00

I have always been a big fan of sandwiches. If i had time, i'd make one everyday for baon! And my love for delis also made my mind create super sandwiches of different hams and sausages in my head.

Last week i dropped by Chowking in Pacific Star for my usual breakfast take out every morning. I saw this booth in the far end corner "the Sandwich Guy" but was hesitant to try because it looked like they just opened and no one was really buying. You know what they say, when its being mugged, it must be good. So i just ordered congee from Chowking and headed to the office.Jollibee is my normal breakfast buddy, that say I bought Chowking, can be called a special day. :-)

This morning, I was thinking of trying something different again. Was actually considering Pancake House in Petron, then that 45minute traffic in Sucat Road made me crave for Sandwich and the only thing in my mind is "the sandwich guy" in Pacific Star. When I got there, there were around 6 people in line waiting for ntheir sandwiches. But i patiently waited for my turn. I watched the crew make the sandwich and this time i was already so hungry i wanted to get a taste of all their sandwiches.

When it was my turn to order, I blurted the HBLT (Ham, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and cheese), because the guy crew was making 5 HBLTs and each overflowing with shredded bacons! I also wanted their crab stick and mango but it was not available so I settled for their English Egg Salad.

I ate that this morning.... and no regrets at all...

I already had to have a bite before taking a picture! See that chunky slices of eggs? It was really good. And the contents were in generous amounts! Unlike other sandwiches for sale.

For P60.00 this is definitely a must-try.

My lunch sandwich awaits....

Website: http://www.thesandwichguy.com/

Gossip Girl mania

2009-08-07T09:17:00.004+08:00

I know i'm pretty late already but i have been spending my alone time with seasons 1 and 2 of gossip girl for the past week now. In the shuttle, in a cab, during lunch breaks and after taal falls asleep at night. My husband asked me why i watch it. I answered by telling him im just glad I have a copy of all the episodes for both seasons. Its like a crazy telenovela addiction, only in english and in better taste and i did not have to wait another day to find out what happens next. Plus no commercials! My concern for now, is im almost done with season 2.

What happens next? What will i do now during my long trips to work and at night on my way home? This time, my tele-novela of a life will be on season-break :-)

XOXO, I know you love me :-)

The Sales Process

2009-08-03T15:26:00.002+08:00

After college, when I spent sunday after sunday scanning the classified ads hunting for jobs, I asked myself more than enough times which field will I pursue. Service? Sales? Administrative? I took out the sales from the option, i did not think i was that convincing to sell something.

And 7 years later, here I am trying to study the Sales Process, its steps/stages, and the details with each step. I never knew something so simple can actually be this complicated!

After one month in my new job, i have realized that being OLDER, does not always mean being WISER. It's not really that bad. Its just that the "system" is not yet part of everyones system. I am working right now in making things better and I think this is the time i can finally use what I have learned in my previous work. I just hope i do remember the basics. My brains' been extra forgetful lately. Memory gap?

Taal in Taal

2009-07-28T18:15:00.004+08:00

Taal finally made it to Tagaytay. :-)

Surprisingly, when I asked Taal where Taal is, he pointed to the lake area. :-)

Neuro-related

2009-07-27T09:20:00.002+08:00

I am experiencing already the signs of old age as early as now.

My lower back's been draining my energy with the pain. I had a short chat with a doctor friend and he said I might have to take in Neurobion. I initially reacted violently and did not accept the fact that i will take in some medicine same as my parents are taking it. Well before he could reply back with his explanation to what this medicine is made off, i already did some googling and found out it was just vitamins. Here are some facts about it:

"A group of water-soluble substances including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin (nicotinic acid), niacinamide (nicotinamide), the vitamin B6 group (including pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine), biotin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, possibly para-aminobenzoic acid, inositol, vitamin B12, and possibly choline." Source

My doctor friend said there are no side effects to it. But upon searching again, I ran across this site. According to the writer, the medicine caused her scary mood swings. I am already naturally moody, what more with the medicine? I think its worth a try, this pain in my back already caused me enough bad moods already anyway.

Rent control law signed

2009-07-15T13:33:00.001+08:00

THis is indeed great news!

Rent control law signed
Manila Bulletin - Tuesday, July 14
Seeking to provide a financial security blanket to about 1.55 million low income tenants, President Arroyo Tuesday signed the Rent Control Act of 2009 or Republic Act 9653 that puts caps on rental hikes.

In a simple ceremony at Malacañang's Rizal Hall, President signed the new rent control law that effectively extended the old law that expired last Dec. 31.

Among those who witnessed the signing were Vice President Noli de Castro, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Prospero Nograles, who co-authored the law.

"The significance of the rent control (bill) that was just signed by the President into law is somehow help to our lesser privileged citizens so that they will not bear the burden of uncontrollable increases in rentals," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita Rent control law signed said in an interview.

A consolidation of Senate Bill 3163 and House Bill 6098, RA 9341 sets a one-year moratorium on rent increases in houses, apartments and other residential units including boarding houses, dormitories, rooms and bed space covered by the law.

After the one-year moratorium, the law sets a cap of seven percent in rent increases per year until the end of December 2013.

R.A. 9653, or "An Act Establishing Reforms in the Regulation of Rent of Certain Residential Units, Providing the Mechanisms Therefore and For Other Purposes," retains many of the salient provisions of the previous Rent Control Law which expired last Dec. 31, 2008.

These include the rent units from P1 to P10,000 for Metro Manila and other highly-urbanized cities, and P1 to P5,000 for all other areas.

However, rented units which are used as motels, motel rooms, hotels and hotel rooms are not covered.

De Castro said the new law brings "much-needed relief" to housing tenants "and this is very much in the same vein as our recent reforms in the housing sector, especially in the Home development Mutual Fund (HDMF), to lower housing loans interest rates in order to bring down the monthly amortizations."

According to De Castro the new law "complements the government's efforts to ensure affordable housing, especially for those who are earning less."

"This brings much-needed relief to housing tenants during this time of crisis. The bottomline is to keep families' monthly expenses for housing low, so that they still have money for other needs," the Vice President said in a statement.

"This is very much in the same vein as our recent reforms in the housing sector, especially in the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), to lower housing loans interest rates in order to bring down the monthly amortizations," he added.

Zubiri, principal author of measure in the Senate, said the new law would protect over 1.5 million households, as well as those renting rooms and bed spaces in dormitories and are exposed to possible abuse by property owners.

He said, "We have enacted into laws the Socialized and Low-Cost Housing Loan Restructuring Program; the Cheaper Medicines Act; Amendment to PSIC Charter or increasing the insurance on deposits by P500,000. The new Salary Standardization law and other similar laws which would help alleviate the sufferings and difficulties of our people in these hard and tying times," he said,

"That is why in the new Rent Control law, we even reduced the annual rate of increase of rent from the previous 10 percent to only seven percent," he said.

Zubiri, however, expressed disappointment that up to this day, "housing projects by private housing developers and even by the government housing agencies are not affordable to many Filipinos."
"It is imperative that we take steps to protect the interest of our fellow citizens who are forced by circumstances to rent, by one again enacting the Rent Control law," he said.

Last May, the Congress ratified the bill amending the Rent Control Act of 2005, which established reforms in the regulation of rent of certain residential units.

Violators of the newly-signed law risk to be slapped with stiffer fines ranging from P25,000 to P50,000 and face imprisonment of not less than one month and one day to not more than six months, or both.

The law will lapse in four years and the HUDCC is tasked to continuously regulate the rental of certain residential units, conduct review of its implementation, and formulate and implement a two-year transition program to cushion the impact in the event of a regulation-free rental housing market.

Prohibited under the new law is the advance rent payment of more than one month and a deposit of more than two month; and the sub-leasing of the rented property by the renters.

Under the law, the lessor has the right to eject the lessee on the following grounds: the renter assigns the lease or sub-leases the unit, the renter has arrears in rental payment for three months; the owner has legitimate needs to repossess his or her property and needs to make necessary repairs on the leased premises and the lease contract has expired.

Aside from Zubiri and Nograles, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon; Reps. Rodolfo Valencia, Teodoro Casiño and Amado Bagatsing espoused the newly-signed law.

"Congress did as much for the renting public. The rent increases of covered units will only be at 7 percent annually, as long as the unit is occupied by the same lessee. This is a big decrease on the cap which used to be 10 percent. Clearly, this is in favor of those who rent. The limit on rent increase will be effective until Dec. 31, 2013," Zubiri said.

"Until every Filipino family can afford to buy or build their own homes and until we can assure that our busiest districts are readily accessible by convenient and faster means of transportation even to those who do not live close by or in the rural areas or outside the urban centers, it is imperative that we support those who opted to rent for convenience and forced by circumstances, and to stretch the amount of their pay checks," he said.

Based on the new law, when the residential unit becomes vacant, the owner may set the initial rent for the next tenant.

However, in case of boarding houses, dormitories, rooms and bed spaces offered for rent to students, increase in rental should be allowed only once a year.

Under the new law, owners of residential units are allowed to impose not more than one month advance rent and not more than two months deposit.

Day 15 in the Cat's cradle

2009-07-15T11:18:00.002+08:00

First week on the new job - realized why the universe placed me where I am. With the new boss, new friends (and foes) .

Second week - after writing that exit essay for our HR, I now feel like this new stint is just temporary and that I will still come back "home". I don't get as hyped up here with the cars as much as I do inside the store selling area.

Yesterday, I spent a good 2 hours in Shopwise Sucat, and it was heaven!

Right now, I just need to take it by the day...

My Boss, My Friend

2009-07-01T10:25:00.004+08:00

Its quite hard to put all of what's in my mind right now to writing. yesterday was such a big devastation that I wished it was all a dream. That I'd wake up this morning and realize it was all part of a dream. But the reality that is, this is life and life MUST go on.

Its funny how much this whole resignation feels like a break up. And I'm quite sure the moving on will be more or less the same. So I guess I' can quite say, I will get over this. The pain, the sadness, the adjustment.

My Boss, my friend.

If there's anything I'm proud of during my Shopwise stay, it is that my Boss, the VP for store operations, the head of the biggest dept in the whole company is not only my Boss, but a good friend as well. I'm proud of how we treat each other and how we relate to one another. And I guess, in this "break-up", he's the "boyfriend". And if there's anyone most affected by my leaving, it is him. Because after all, it was his life that I managed, for that long 6 years and 5 months. I will never learn the things I have learned from him from anyone else. I don't know if he realizes it but he made me who I am right now. His being difficult made me tougher.

It became a game, of who would think of what first. And it has reached that point that he did not even have to say it, things were already done before he can give the instructions. That, I think, was how I made his life easier. By me, going through the complications for him. This made me more analytical in a lot of ways. Yes he made me do things I've never done before.

I remember the newsletter we had started way back 2003. I had to learn Corel Draw and Photoshop because he volunteered me as the layout artist! And who would have thought, we would release the very first and last issue of Shopsy News :-)

The reports he made me do, which at first seemed impossible and time consuming given the number of stores and the parameters of which he wants the analysis based on, made me learn Excel and maximize its functions and features. And I think, I even exceeded his "knowledge level" in all MS office applications....

I would also like to give full credit to him for my Facebook account, because had he not asked about it, I would never have explored and update my own facebook account. I remember that day when he asked me what Facebook was, I said its a social network. With question marks still all over his face I said, "just like friendster", hoping he would then be enlightened but instead answered back saying " what's friendster". And that was the time, I went back to my computer and made him an account.

His love for media arts, made him aim for quality audio visual presentations, which then made me learn video editing. At first it was just home-video editing, now I'm using Adobe premier.

A travel agent, a liaison officer, a graphic artist, a computer technician, a software supervisor and even a fashion consultant at times. This all made me realize how much in the world there is to learn. And my Boss, my friend, made me realize this.

And if he's wondering if he taught me a thing or 2, I'd tell him NO. He is instrumental to what I am now. Not just one or two, but the whole package. I

I'll forever be thankful Manuel. (I hope I can get used to just the name without the "sir").

And If before I use to track the time for him, Now I will always remember him when I check on the time. He gave me my Mickey Mouse watch. :-)

Meet Ada, yup, my daughter...

2009-06-24T15:26:00.000+08:00

Finally...

2009-06-19T21:36:00.001+08:00

a new phone... :-)

As real as it can get

2009-06-16T11:33:00.002+08:00

The reality that is life, now is sinking in.

As the day goes by, it gets more and more true.

I'm breaking up my 6-year relationship.

I've got to move on though. Grow up.

But pls, don't stop me from being sad about it.

Even for a short moment.

Its nice to feel pain once in a while.

The countdown begins. 10 more days after today.

Gotta make the best of it. :-) I should work on a bucket list for this.

Looking forward though to another relationship to take care of...

Quality Deli in Sucat

2009-06-16T08:40:00.003+08:00

I'm a big fan of hams and sausages and cheeses. I remember lunch breaks spent running to Santi's deli in Festival Mall, buying 50 grams of Farmer's ham worth P30.00 and buying 2 pcs pandesal in the Shopwise bakery and its yummy lunch for me! But I don't go to Alabang anymore as much as before so deli fix for me is a rare occasion now.

But not anymore, Shopwise Sucat recently added another value-added service in their store. They already have a Le Gourmet counter! With almost the same exciting assortment as there is in their main branch in Rustan's Makati. Im saying "almost the same" so expect some items available in Makati and not in Sucat.

They also have tables and chairs for a quick deli fix while shopping! Coffee is also served.

My all time favorite is their honey ham, my husband goes for their beef pastrami.

Try out their Breakfast Bangers sausage. Either have it fried or grilled. I prefer it grilled.

Another shot of their ham assortment.

I've always loved soft cheeses and i could finish a hundred grams of gorgonzola. But last saturday, it wasn't available yet so we had this Grueyere instead. Not a soft cheese at all but it was good i might add it as my next favorite. Next to Caprice de Dieux, that is.. :-)

Drama

2009-06-15T09:50:00.002+08:00

It felt like a hidden treasure discovery. Found this while cleaning up my hard drive.

Love the dramatic effect. Even our facial expressions. Taken by Aris during our wedding last March 2007.

Test Shot

2009-06-10T08:54:00.003+08:00

And so the trip yesterday to Hidalgo was a success. Went there to buy a camera and extra lens with my Boss. Yup, my boss and I went to Hidalgo. Amidst the flooddy gutters, and the palengke-like atmosphere. I'm hoping he feels it all worth it. We got his camera almost 8k lower than mall price. Then we also got him a telephoto lens. One of our managers also asked me to buy him a lens and the curious cat in me just had to try it out myself.

When I got home, Kyan attached the Sigma 70-300 lens to his camera and we did a little shooting. Here is my favorite photo from the set.

This is another new target. By Nov 2009, I will have a new camera and a new lens. I will really work on this goal.

The life changing week

2009-06-07T15:29:00.002+08:00

I am going out of my comfort zone.

The theatrical supermarket life that i have been living on for 6 years will be ending in a few more weeks. I filed my resignation last wednesday.

You see, it was not that easy for me. Being backstage in this "theatre" is like a dream come-true for me. I've always wanted to have my own supermarket since grade school. But for now, in the immediate future, I need the change soon or I explode.

I said the exact same thing to the Boss of my boss who talked me into staying. He said I was making the wrong move moving to another industry which is very unstable as of this time. I told him I've already made up my mind. My Boss who I have served for 6 years didn't stop me, he said he will be selfish if he does. I am assuming he saw in my eye, the strong determination to leave. I really need the big time change.

I feel like breaking up with a long time boyfriend. And it may sound cliche-ish but i should have told my boss this line - "it was not you, it's ME".

Misyon para sa LP

2009-06-04T09:49:00.002+08:00

Ang Misyon: kunan ng litrato ang mga bagong tinapay ng tindahan.

Kaya isang sabado ng umaga, kinailangan kong guming ng maaga upang makarating sa tindahan bago ito magbukas para sa madla. Bitbit ang hiram na kamera (oo humuhiram lang ako ng camera, sira kasi si canon ni mister), dinayo namin ang Shopwise Alabang upang subukan at litratuhan ang kanilang bagong tinapay.

Sa halos limampung litrato, mangilan-ngilan ang masasabi kong magandang kuha. At sa aking palagay, isa ang litrato sa itaas.. :-)

The Challenge

2009-06-02T08:31:00.002+08:00

I haven't been writing lately.

For some reason, can't seem to find the words to describe what I'm currently going through. The "universal challenge" is really doing its job! I've been having sleepless nights and I even stopped reading my book during my morning trips and dedicated the entire one hour ride to just thinking.

And no matter how much i weigh things, no matter how much i know one side wins, my heart still shouts the same thing. "Go!"

As much as I'd like to share the details of this whole issue at hand, I'd rather not yet. Maybe soon. But to make it simpler, the story goes something like this...

I'm on the road, driving my way towards life, then i come to a fork.

Two options, the smooth, cemented road. The road I've known for so long that i can drive by with my eyes closed. Straight-no curve road.

The other road is rough, unknown. Never been set foot on. Unsure. But the bright red glow at the end of it can be seen from where i am. Blurry though, but visible. I don't know if this will be a straight path or not. I just don't know.

Both roads seems promising. The easy-way out could be an obvious choice, But my innards are shouting at me to take the rougher path.

You see? I am torn but I know deep inside that I'm not. I feel the want to take the challenge. I just know there's something good in that rough path. Something which may also be in the easier path but may take me longer to achieve.

My heart says go face the unknown.

My brain shouts at me to be practical and make the wiser choice.

All the other parts of my body are confused .

And as closing, I'd like to sing Miley Cyrus" "The Climb".

Listen to it, it's makes a lot of sense!

Universal Challenge

2009-05-26T16:57:00.003+08:00

The universe is currently posing a challenge for me. I may have to make a decision sooner than I thought. The question now, is can I do it?

Ellen's Commen-cement

2009-05-25T10:03:00.000+08:00

This made my morning. So funny.

the sex scandal

2009-05-21T13:38:00.002+08:00

I just saw the video.

They say its the real one but i think its too dark to even tell if it was hayden and katrina! Nevertheless, i feel that both of them somehow knew what they did would come this far. If it was really a "love-making" they were doing, then why record it? Does it add to the fun? Maybe...

But for those of you who wanna see the controversial video. Just click this link. I dunno where the blogger got a copy but he claims its the real deal. For you to judge though...

Jumped for Joy for Kris Allen

2009-05-21T11:17:00.003+08:00

Once again, the universe conspired with my wish! Kris Allen won!!

Twitter's currently being filled with criticism re the results and some are actually's starting a campaign for a recount. What the heck?? Go on ahead and recount. Kris Allen's still my guy :-)

Once

2009-05-20T08:38:00.003+08:00

"ONCE"

I regret having to watch this just now. I've heard about it 2 years ago but just totally forgot. Thanks to my Kris Allen, who sang the award winning song "Falling Slowly" during the movie song week in American Idol a few weeks ago.

The movine being the "modern musical" that they're claiming really did well becasue of the beautiful songs. I've been listening to the soundtrack on day 3 now. And "Falling Slowly" is the most played song in my Itunes. The song is really lovely. Lyrics below.. :-)

And Glen Hansard really sang it well...

Lyrics | Glen Hansard - Falling Slowly lyrics

American Idol Season 8

2009-05-18T09:03:00.004+08:00

Bonding moment with the husband this weekend was watching the American Idol marathon in Star. And if I was to vote between the two finalists, its Kris Allen for me... I have nothing against Adam lambert, I mean he's one great performer. Everytime he sings, not only does he shouT "Rock " but he also knows how to rock the stage and bring everyone to their feet and rock with it.

Kris, on the other hand, got my vote because of his charm :-P. His songs are mostly perfectly sang. And anyone watching or hearing him sing can feel the emotions attached to every song he interprets. No lost notes, always at his best no matter what song. I especially like "Falling Slowly".

Plus he's devilishly handsome.

:-D

Freshly Baked breads in Shopwise Alabang

2009-05-16T16:37:00.006+08:00

And so I had to wake up early on a Saturday morning.

Today, Shopwise Alabang just opened its new Bakery section. I must say I was really impressed on how fast it all happened. It was just being planned a few days ago. But they made it happen today.

Not only did it make the whole first level look delightful and clean, Alabang customers can now enjoy freshly baked breads and cakes at very affordable prices.

I kept singing the song "My favorite things" of Sound of Music because of this P24.00 Crisp Apple Strudel!! I bought a whole tray before heading home!!

More photos here.

My internet connection at home...

2009-05-16T14:10:00.002+08:00

We just recently signed up with Globe/Innove for their phone and dsl package of P1295.

Took them 5 days to have the application processed and finally had it installed.

Its not so bad. not bad at all. Atleast so far.

But I was hoping for the modem/wireless router so we wont need to purchase a router.

They installed a modem wired router instead. Wonder if i can have it changed....

Here's the speedtest results of our connection...

My OFfice PC Speed test results

2009-05-15T15:00:00.001+08:00

not so bad...

Mangatyanan -

2009-05-11T09:04:00.000+08:00

Suportahan natin si Che!!!!

My Wishlist

2009-05-07T11:25:00.002+08:00

1. I wish I know how to sew...

So i can make my own dresses,

sew my own curtains,

repair my husband's torn pants,

make a blanket for my kids...

2. I wish I knew basic carpentry

So I can work on whatever needs to repaired at home

And make my own tables

Put up the shelves for Mr PB's books

Maybe make a bed for taal

And make my own frames for my photos...

And have a legit reason to buy power tools :-)

3. I wish I had the hand of a painter

So I can paint the beauty that my eyes can see

So I can fill up our house walls with beautiful colors...

And express the overwhelming feeling thru a canvass..