Diva-ine Life

Dipolog Photo Gallery

2010-03-12T00:50:00.000-08:00

Fireflight - Forever (Acoustic Version)

2010-03-12T00:40:00.000-08:00

A new discovered band (for me). The voice and the words help me relax. Hope you guys enjoy this one!

Traversing Mt. Maculot to the Rockies

2010-03-12T00:11:00.000-08:00

This is the 2nd time I went out with friends for a mountain trek. This time, it's in Batangas. Very near. As far as experienced mountaineers are concerned, this is a very light trek up and down again. But NO! By GOD, NO! That wasn't the case. We spent the night at the Grotto and by daytime, we were on our way up to the peak. This trek took me by surprise. We had to climb an almost vertical set of rocks yet again with a singular blue rope to help us up. We apparently had no plans for lunch so we went straight ahead to the ROCKIES. (That by the way is Ces, cool as ever, waiting for her turn for a solo shot by the ridge.)

And may I now introduce you to the Anbu series. You will be seeing this jacket profiled many times in FB. As per Anbu (Zarah to most of us), we were not even cool until Sky came along. The easy slopes became tougher. Know why? Sky has a habit of looking for new trails and redefining the mountaineer's experience. This new trail for Maculot, we had to grasp grass left and right. Mind you, we were on our way down and it was very steep. The soil was so dry it was dusty. When we started the trek, my feet looked normal. Halfway down, with several falls on my behind, my feet and my new Tribu sandals looked like it was several treks old. I could smell myself. That was bad!

And there was a point where there was nothing we could hold on to. Super steep land with inch thick trees several feet apart was the scenario. I was super pissed when Sky announced that we had to go back up because the trail was proving to be hard on all of us. I had the honor of taking a couple of black bruises home. On the rest stop at the bottom of the mountain, Sky explained that there should have been more blue ropes to help us rappel down the cliff. When I learned that, I was ashamed for being pissed at Sky in the first place. He would have to report it to the Airforce for replacement. The airforce has been using the area for military training so they have to be informed.

A new friend also came along in the person of Annalyn Aguila. Cousin to my childhood friend, Joy and colleague Leo. Ministry acquaintance under Media. Office jokes are wafting at the Charlie-Annalyn love team! Good thing, Charlie is a great sport at this sort of jokes. And inside secret, Jonah has this excessive "laugh trip" when she has a bit too much of soju. She was laughing uncontrollably with absolutely nothing. Kakaiba. I had to be the Tough Ate to make her stop.

So there. I tried to sum up our trip. We had merienda at Annalyn's lola's house along the highway. We were served boiled corn and mango shake, not the combination you might order from the mall but we were grateful. It was free after all and we were in the company of fellow believers.

Next stop would be Melkas Ridge. By God, I have to find a job to finance the next trip. (A little help here, God!) It's gonna be a bone-breaker!

Jobless and Desperate

2010-03-11T23:59:00.000-08:00

It's now officially 1 month since I left CANS...

Since then, I have been looking for the right job... Something that would be perfect with God's schedule... Ministry and church life...

There have been times when I totally regret leaving TP...

But then again, I realize that the emotional roller coaster is not worth the succeeding days I will spend there.

Same reason I left CANS, another set of emotional roller coaster.. That hit me and I had no idea what I was getting into...

I also got my JLPT results this morning.. Sadly I didn't pass... Had to inform Papa Bear about that. Kampai, he replied back.

But I still have hope... Envisioning light at the end of this desperate tunnel. A pinpoint, an almost impossible-to-see spark of hope... I just got 2 calls from prospective companies. I wasn't expecting anything. (But I was closely watching my mailbox for any replies from Jobstreet). I was actually waiting for Sunday. Buy the newspaper and get some more possible employment sites. But I got those calls and actually interviewed at the comfort of my own home.

Hope! He sees and He hears.... Truly there is nothing impossible with God!

Chapter Over

2010-01-21T23:53:00.000-08:00

My recent post was highlighting a new job, a new career in my life. Most of you are asking, why did I leave the call center industry anyway? Doesn't it pay much better? They have a rigid system in hiring to begin with. Why, after 6 month, decide to leave?

ANG DAMING REASON!

Reason # 1: 6 Months na ko nasa NIGHT SHIFT!

Our account has a 24 hour a day operation. I just don't get it why they ask you if you are OK with "SHIFTING SCHEDULES" then give you the night shift for life. I have never been a night person. Ever since I was little, I remember Christmas eves and New Year's eves that I am always the first person to sleep. I remember I sleep before midnight thinking I'd wake up by midnight but really end up waking up as the sun rises. I don't care about the night differential. The schedule is not working well for me.

Reason # 2: Within 6 months, I almost lost my voice thrice.

I find myself coughing, sniffling, sneezing for days on end. I'd be feverish, but I'd still report because of the pay. Then I'd lose my voice. Then I'd get a bad QA. Then the supervisor will blame me. What the heck!

Reason # 3: I miss my SOCIAL NIGHT LIFE

Night time has always been time for my friends to meet. It was for movies, coffee, sleepovers, Arashi marathons, caregroups, nail care at the spa, the works! I wasn't able to do all these while I was in there. The only 2 movies I had was New Moon and Avatar. It wasn't so bad. my officemate watched it in the afternoon by schedule. We can't just go on a random, "Tara, watch tayo movie!" kinda thing. We finish the shift in the morning. What do we expect?! Malls are still closed at that time, especially if our shift ends at 430AM.

Reason # 4: I miss my CHURCH FRIENDS

Godly friends give Godly advise. They emanate with the Spirit of God! I just missed them a lot!

Reason # 5 (And probably the heavy weigh champion of all my reasons): I HATE MY SUPERVISOR

Let's hide her under the name JUNISIA MALAYKO. This is the team's 2nd supervisor while I was still in the call center industry. This girl, 27 years old, almost my age, does not have the tiniest bit of profesionalism in her system. Why?

*She only does her job when her manager is around.
*She take 45 minute yosi breaks 4 times during the shift.
*She has her ident logged IN even if she's out on a party night.
*She doesn't know how to motivate her team, workwise and life-wise.
*She doesn't even know what she's supposed to do.
*Whenever she's present, she makes the most out of her time flirting with her girl friends and boyfriends on the floor.
*She does not coach properly.
*I hate her friggin' guts!
*If there was ever a candidate worth terminating, It was her!!!

I hated going to work just because I am going to see her, interact with her, hear her irritating voice. Thank GOD I AM OUT!

Nevertheless, I am going to miss my friends there. The pay of course, but in all these, MY GOD SHALL PROVIDE!

Time for a BIG BREAK!

2010-01-21T23:39:00.000-08:00

2010

A year for some serious blogging. I was up last night just thinking about this year, about plans, where to go, what to buy, what to prioritize. I filled a whole page of a steno sheet just randomly thinking out these things.

But priority one for the year is to have a DAY JOB. I was praying last night (along with my year planning session) for God to give me a particular job. The pay isn't so great, but the environment!!! To be surrounded by Christians again who pray and aim for the best of the company!

This morning, I got a call from the company (I sound like the narrator of HEROES) and asked me to go for a secondary interview. The interview went well and thus the initial orientation for my schedule. I love how God honors your desires! I love Him so much!

So there, the Day Job is there. I would label my designation just yet. But I know that he has a big surprise for me, INCREASE and PROMOTION for me!

Glory be to GOD!

Panikian Trail to Tarak

2009-11-11T07:26:00.000-08:00

Again, another milestone has been added to my 2009.
My first mountain climb ever... and a major one at that.. traversing Mariveles Mountain Range in Bataan.

My initial purpose in going was to add photos to my already overflowing collection. I was really, really, really excited just because of that.

It was a blessed trip. My sister, Zarah, invited me to go with a budget of Php1500. I told her I couldn't. Budget-wise, it was too expensive for me. Considering the fact also that I have to buy my own supplies for the trip. I haggled the price over and she said she'll take care of the rest. So I really have no idea how much we all spent per person. Zarah was officially the team purser. (And she does a great job at that.)

We started agreed to leave at 4am from Alabang. But as you Pinoys, 4am became 5am. We met our team tour guide Sky Biscocho in Pasay at around 7am. Sky was stuck in traffic coming from Batangas. We left Manila at 8am, reached Bataan at around 11am. We had lunch at the jump off site with "Manong", Sky's adoptive father in that area.

Manong collects Php30 from every mountaineer who wishes to conquer the land form. Sky says Manong does a better job than the Barangay, who collects Php 20 but absolutely keeps the money for themselves. Manong collects for the maintenance of the area. He keeps a ledger that he presents to the Municipal office for whatever reason. Bataan is a growing province and it's tourism is one of it's main attractions. Maybe the city government is keeping tabs on their hotspots. Money in, yet again.

Then we started the real trek. Sky was actually gauging our pace. If we were able to reach The Gate before 2pm, we would take the Traverse route to Tarak. If not, It would be the Papaya River Trail for us. Surprisingly enough, we reached The Gate before 2pm and headed for the Panikian Trail. Most seasoned mountaineers would love to take this particular path to Tarak. One reason they don't is because they think Sky (our tour guide and discoverer of the Panikian Trail) is not sharing the trail. It is true. That path is super challenging. Once you hit the river, it's river trekking for mountaineers and there is not turning back. Skip over boulders, small and big, and you'll eventually find yourself hugging to the nearest rock you could find. (I found myself crying over pain and exhaustion when I could barely haul myself up a huge one). And that was the last of my stunts for the day.

We then held camp near the river. It was nearly 6pm and too dark for my eyes if we continued to go upstream. Sky found us a cozy area good for 3 tents. He had dinner of Zarah's marinated pork and some pork and bean from Charlie. Soju was then served after dinner. I was so tired by that time, I passed the Soju offer and headed straight to sleep. I really wish Sky would name that campsite Soju.

We woke up at 430 am to freshen up and have some breakfast. Trekking time started again before 7am. We reached the Sladge (I don't know if I'm spelling it right)around 10am. We were a bunch of newbies to major climbs. Laugh if you want but for me, it was already an accomplishment to reach that part of the mountain. We had a 15 minute break, pictorial and headed again to the Peak! And when I say that we are going up at almost 30 degrees from vertical. That is steep!

we conquered the boulder part of the climb hanging on to thick roots and small trees and then WE LOST THE TRAIL!. Sky couldn't find the easier trail so we had to go HARD CORE! More steeper grounds and loose soil. We are thankful it wasn't as muddy or else, we would have taken the Papaya Trail from the start.

Almost there. time to go pass the Japanese garden. Even if we wanted to take picture from every point of the trail, it would be really difficult. You need both hand to climb up the summit. We climbed almost vertical now and was over grey boulders. First grasslands appear in a distance. a few more minutes and we were at the Joshua tree at the peak.

I t felt great to actually accomplish what you came for. The view compensated for the physical pain we all felt that time. We then had lunch. No more rice. We had oatmeal and corned beef and then we began to trek down to Tarak Ridge. It was 3pm when we got there. What a view! Sky says that most mountaineers are satisfied to camp out at the trek and not really reach the peak. The trail is harder than usual is they want to go up the peak.

Going down to the Papaya River was much more difficult than we realized. It took us 2 hours to reach it. We lost the trail once and Sky was a few minutes ahead of us. Fear was subtly creeping in but since the sun was still out, we pursued Papaya and eventually reaching it after 30 minutes after Sky. That experience is freaky!

I had no psyche left when we reached the river. A few minutes of rest and some chocolates did not improve anything. Remember, we were trekking since 7am and the beauty of Papaya I didn't really enjoy. I hated the view I saw. Snippets of trash from previous campers. Vandalizing trees with names they think is cool. (KUNG IKAW YUNG NAG VANDAL DUN, MATANONG KO LANG: Kung ikaw ang puno, gusto mo bang maging papel na ginawang scratch? Cheap niyo naman!) Sorry, guys. Nakakaasar lang talaga.

We headed uphill again, we are on our way out. It was almost 6pm and the sun is sinking fast. We had no choice but to do a night trek. Charlie lent me one of his flashlights. I was hyperventilating and almost at the point of crying and didn't want to move one more muscle from my body. If it wasn't scary enough to walk on foot in the middle of a jungle like place in the night, you had to cross a landslided area around 14 feet deep. Not much during the day but at NIGHT! Grrr...

So there, we were eventually at the resort by 10pm. Hungry and tired, we all did our bath there and decided to eat at Burger Machine. Dinner at Midnight. Ironic eh? We then headed home for Manila catching the 2am bus of Bataan Liner.

Trip was tiring but super awesome. Sky says that they will be considering opening the Panikian to people, BUT by invitation only and would be charging a sizeable fee. This is the best mountaineering trip, ever!

Nihongo no Gakusei

2009-09-26T18:58:00.000-07:00

Finals is just 2 days away... Tuesday and I want to pass the curriculum.

I have learned so much but I must admit, it needs more time for retention.

I am simultaneously doing my Kanji writings. complicated characters they truly are...

These entries may seem so random, babbling in a way. A lot has happened... doko e hajimemasu ka?

I am still a little bit confused about the particles... there are so many!!! ka, ga, ni, te, de, to... the list goes on... I really have to read back on my manual then...

The batch is also going to Tanabe-san's resutoran. I won't go... It is so expensive!!! I'd rather save my money for the review this Saturday!

If the storm did not break yesterday, I might have missed one of the review classes... God truly has a purpose in allowing all these thing to happen....

Poor population in the northern part of Metro Manila... I hope they recover soon.

Just finished JDrama "Engine"... all I can say is it was worth the watch!

How Do I Measure?

2009-09-26T18:48:00.000-07:00

This has not been the best month for QA for me. I wasn't even able to get a 95% QA score. I am so frustrated. I even had to cry in the office just because of the effin' score of 55 the internal analyst gave me. I am starting to hate call centers and its industry. The pay may be high.. but oh.. the stress and the pressure of living that career...

That day when I got the 55, I realized something. I didn't like to be measured. It made me feel like a tiny spec in their gigantic measuring stick. I feel like I am a failure. And agree with me or not, this is what most people fear. FAILING!

And if this continues, I don't care about the pay! Nobody will ever be good enough to pass this friggin' QA list! I might as well leave and not look back...

Life is so unfair! I am full of heartaches. I am miserable in this industry. I want to get out...

Demo.. ima ja nai... (But... not yet...)

Shock

2009-09-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

It's been a month...

And this will be my first entry for September...

I just truly deeply wish it's already Christmas!

Horcruxes Not Hallows

2009-08-25T03:48:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter... the Boy Who Lived... the Master of Death...

I am amazed at the twist Rowling has brewed for the Harry Potter series. I think no other author can do what she did with this international reading sensation. The plot gets richer and richer with every page that you turn. Enemies turned allies, allies turned enemies. Useless object becoming things of value. I am just so happy that in it's epilogue, Harry and Ginny finally found a nook in each other's person. And children... Loads of children!

I need to get a copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Whatever is written on it is a must read. Hoping to get my copy by next week.

I spent today enjoying a full day off without TESDA! Lucky enough, there was no new lessons today. They had to endure another day at the Main Hall watching the finale of TESDA Idol... Copycats we Pinoys truly are.

Lucky that I have rest today and finishing off the book lent to me by the kindest Team Lead around. (God bless his heart!) Looking forward to new lessons tomorrow! Life is so GOOD!

GOD IS SOOOOO GOOD!

Lost for Words

2009-08-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

Milestones versus dreams... Stepping stones versus life at the peak... One TESDA classmate said that I don't give time for myself... That gave me such a pause, for me to think about life as it is right now. It might be true that I don't give myself as much "entertainment" as the world would gauge it BUT...

and again I say BUT!

Life right now is a roller coaster right. I am pursuing the dreams that I thought died in the busy routine of life. You are right. Being in a call center is routinary. But it is really up to your person, yourself what you are going to do with that routine. Are you going to make it rule your life? Are you going to be comfortable with it that you won't accept any challenge that would come your way?

Even if I am 1 month on the floor and let me say 1 month of taking calls, I still come to a point where I am flabbergasted by one or two of the customer's concern. I will NOT say that I know it all in 1 month. I still have the butterflies in the pit of my stomach. I will not allow routine to get back at me again.

Last Sunday, I attended the 8 am service. (Saw some of my friends and for some reason they disappeared before I could get to talk to them. YES Pau! I saw you and Hanna with Mommy!) Anyway, I saw the worship team. The dream of being in that team is still there. The dream that the Lord show what I am going to there IS THERE! There, burning in my heart.

BUT! I know it is not yet my season to be back. It is not yet the season for me to step in. I am following my dreams. And along with those dreams, IS THAT DREAM! Nihonggo classes is my stepping stone. After that JLPT. After that I am looking into parttime studentship (if there is such a word) And finish up 2 years of Business Admin. Masteral, maybe. But all I know is that my Father in heaven is orchestrating something bigger than me. Something bigger than all of us.

I missed blogging!

Living the Dream

2009-08-11T00:02:00.000-07:00

Wow! First entry for August! Hope it's not the last.

I am enjoying my life as a call center agent. I am confident to say that I have adjusted to the lifestyle, the late hours and the team I am now with. I told my mom one time, "It seems like my faith in God is being built stronger outside of the church, than the time I was within the walls." No offense. But I feel like I am getting more dependent on my God factor every time I set-up my tools for a work day.

It's my DAY OFF! Feels like heaven. I am so pre-occupied with a number of things that would not have happened if THE BIG MOVE did not happen. First, I am enrolled in a Nihongo culture and language class under TESDA. I am GMA scholar! At least before Madam President steps down from her position I am able to benefit from one of her projects for the Filipino youth (I still belong in that category! Hahaha! Believe it or not, 3 people in the same week told me that I don't look my age. I look younger! Wahaha! Victory!)

Secondly, after finishing this TESDA class, I will also be reviewing for a LEVEL 4 Japanese Language Proficiency Exam in December. I want that accreditation for the longest time that I've been wanting to study Nihongo.

Believe it or not, our class is tackling Hiragana and Katakana now. A bit overwhelming really and it's gonna take me some time to get used to the writing of their country. I know I am making progress. (Pau, I need to borrow some Arashi and L'Arc music materials.)

Well, that's all I have to say for now. Til this wretched internet connection gets restored.

Pray for me... CONTINUALLY!

I

It's Been A While

2009-07-14T20:12:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since my last entry. Just want to let you guys know that I am still alive, surviving a world full of phone calls and smokers and normal people as the world would describe it.

I am going to make another entry about a creepy encounter. Just hold on to that thought! :-) Ciao!

Buhay Call Center

2009-06-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

Ayun. Mga boys namin sa batch malalandi at maniac. Katabi ko pa naman sila, madalas usapan ni sex and girls and life in line with that topic. Secondary na siguro ang cars. Kasalanan ko ba na may tenga ako at nakakarinig? Dedma na lang, kunyari seryoso ang aral. Pero HOY! may tenga ako noh! Keep your buzzing to yourselves please!

Tapos dami dami dami dami nagyoyosi. Tuwing break. Ewan ko ba. Ang baho baho naman!

First training week is boring! Gorgeous teacher but in between it's really boring!

Sana sweldo na. Para kahit boring ang buhay, may pang McDo man lang kame. Haaaay! Sweldo, come now!

Argh!

2009-06-24T08:19:00.000-07:00

1. When you are really excited about a particular text rally and the other person doesn't really seem to be as interested in it. And he has the guts to sleep off your follow-up question, IT IS SERIOUSLY SO IRRITATING!

2. When people promise to do one thing with you, and suddenly something came up and reschedules your date the following day, it's fine. I understand. The following day, ANOTHER something comes up again and reschedules it THE FOLLOWING DAY yet again, I get it. You are busy and you are JUST trying to fit me in your toxic world. I won't let you know but I'll say it's okay. THE FOLLOWING DAY finally arrives and REALLY, another so and so reason comes along. Whenever you may want to schedule your date with me, I will POLITELY decline and say I am not available. Even if you ask me about the same subject another time of the day, I will not answer. I will not be available for any comment. I AM INFURIATED! GET A CLUE!

New Chance at Life

2009-06-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

I told myself that I would never be a call center agent. But look where I am now... training to become one. So that survival may be a possibility.

I told my friends last Sunday a partial reason of leaving my old job. It's one of the major reasons. (Sorry, girls! I'll just have to take you for coffee sometime soon). It's hard to unburden yourself to people. I am REALLY afraid they won't really get me, or they might tag me differently from then on. I am protecting my interests. And my privacy. Some people, when they get a hold of valuable information, they have no other option but to leak it out.

Tuesday, as I sat during training, I was getting ready to give up. Quit and look for another niche in this wide world we live in. But then again, I thought, "If I leave, and I feel this exact same feeling in the next workplace, where will I be in 3 years? A bouncing bum?" I didn't like the picture it painted so I decide to stay and dream big.

With that, if the opportunity comes along, I would apply as the fresh hire (or new blood) trainer. Big pay, little effort! Not bad. If I finish my 4 year course, a managerial position is not too far away.

So there. Blabbering my mind out. I have a big exam tomorrow for US 101. I'm crossing fingers!

Jimmy and Rakel's Wedding (from my point of view)

2009-06-05T22:22:00.000-07:00

It is finished! And I am thankful to God for seeing me through this without the couple getting on my back for every single little thing. Let me back track a bit and replay this day in my head.

12:00 am, June 1.

I still wasn't sleeping. Rakel just got home from a late dinner and saw me ironing my event outfit (You see? I don't usually iron clothes for anything at all). Jimmy brought her home along with some wedding paraphernalias that need to be with me during the day. As Jimmy went home and my roomie got ready for bed, I wasn't finished collating all the stuff I needed for the morrow. It was almost 1:30 pm when Rakel finally gave up talking and giving last minute reminders for the wedding. Rakel is one OC bride, that's a fact!

1:30 am

Just as we were getting ready to sleep, this burp attack came out of nowhere. I was releasing air like a construction guy who just finished eating his big meal for the day. On and on it went until Rakel was finally asleep. And the I saw on my clock it was 2:00 am. And I still wasn't asleep. And I had to wake up at 3:15 to get ready to pick up the flowers from Dang-wa. I finally hit the sack at 2:30 and then the alarm rang for the next assignment.

3:15 am

The alarm went off and I was like a zombie prematurely awoken by some sort of irritating thing. I washed up. And when I got back from the bathroom, I got a text from Kuya Toks (Ms. Susanne's driver) that he's already in McDonald's ATC. And he was 30 minutes ahead of schedule. With that, I rushed to the meeting place.

3:45 am

We were supposed to meet at 4:00 am but Kuya Toks got the best of time this time. When I arrived in McDo, IT WAS SO DARK! The branch was doing their weekly over-all maintenance and all the lights are out. Hanna arrived after 30 minutes. Thank God there was a one-eyed cat who kept me company during the long wait. When Hanna arrived, we left right away and on the road to Dangwa.

5:15 am

We finally arrived in Dangwa after several wrong roads and a cup of hot chocolate, e bought the flowers on Rakel's list. It was my first time to buy stuff from that area. And I thank God for Hanna being a heaven sent angel to help me through that errand. For that, I am indebted forever. We finished our assignment in around 30 minutes. I really wanted to sleep on our way back to New Life but Kuya Toks, again, the best driver that he is, reached New Life in 25 minutes... (imagine that!) Sleep, though it was knovking on consciousness' door didn't have the chance to come in at all. I had to wait til much much much later!

6:30 am

Ha!!! New Life lobby is under my muddied and soiled feet. We left the flowers and went straight to TS Crus to grab Uncle Dan and MORE wedding knick knacks. We started on the flowers, a proper breakfast and got Hanna's overnight night bag. When we came back to New Life by 9 am, OMG!!! the caterers haven't arrived yet. This got me back to life. Other than the heavey porkchop breakfast of course. Hahaha!

9:20 am

Still no caterer. So I decided to call our coordinator from their office. She said she's going to check on the status. Another 20 minutes and still no caterer, nor any feedback from the coord, I sent another text. That's when she texted that the truck gave a short pitstop at a vulcanizing shop. All in all, I sent a total of 4 messages to the catering coord before they finally arrived at 10:20 am. That's unacceptable for me!

10:30 am

The caterer went ahead and got their stuff in the sanctuary by this time. And what was I doing, minding all the other details and waiting for my other angels to come in. I also had a little episode with the bridal boquet florist. I called at around 10 am to follow-up on the delivery status of the flowers. The first guy, Leo said that the items still weren't started. I told him that I called last week to have the flowers delivered at 12 noon. And it was 2 hours before my requested call time. Leo in turn assured me to let his supervisor know about this. Anyhow, I called them again and then this Reggie guy answers the phone. I ask them again if the flowers can be delivered by 12. And I asked if he has seen the designs the bride had picked. He rudefully replied that the designs are very easy to make. (Ang simple simple pala ng pinagagawa ninyo e, banat ng Reggie). I didn't give any more side comment and firmly instructed that I needed the flowers by 12. I said goodbye. Gusto kong sabihin sa kanya na, "Hello? Hindi ko tinatanong kung simple o madali ung design. I wanted the flowers by my time!"

12:00 pm

At this point, this is already 12 hours from my initial time line. WOW! And I am still awake.

1:30 pm

We were having a peaceful lunch break when Bekah called confirming the wedding details for sounds. I told her, "Meron na. Matagal na. We gave it to Patch"

Things I Don't Miss from the Office

2009-05-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

Just thinking these over the top of my head.

1. Incessant whining of Big Mama from the Wanna Care? Office. Dami niyang reklamo everyday!

2. All the paperwork which seem to multiply every minute I am gone from my desk.

3. The "CLUELESS" looks and Dumb answers of Ballerina girl from the corporate school.

4. The feeling of being wrong ALL the time.

5. The endless planning meetings that takes up ultra precious time in my paperwork.

6. The stupidity of a security personnel I know.

7. The pressure of being Multi-tasking me.

8. The late-night phone calls of things to do, and things I did not do, and things I am reprimanded because I forgot to them when it wasn't my responsibility.

9. Days Off not being respected as REST DAYS

10. The ultra low financial compensation.

NSO is Getting ON MY NERVES

2009-05-26T05:51:00.000-07:00

This morning has been scheduled for me to get the NSO copy of my birth certificate. It has been planned for a week now and I had asked Cez to accompany me to the municipal office.

But!!!! When we got there 10 minutes before 8 AM, the officer releasing the forms cordially announced that "THEY DONT HAVE FORMS" available for filling up. There was about a thousand people in line at that time, waiting for their names to be verified.

I am at the edge of my financial bankrupcy and if I don't get my birth certificate soon, heaven knows what will happen next.

Another try tomorrow at 6:30 am. If they run out yet again of forms, I'm going to the next NSO office where there are less people. What is with Muntinlupa that people flock there for their copies? Pisses me off big time!

David Cook Manila Concert EPIC

2009-05-18T11:33:00.000-07:00

I have waited for months for May 16, 2009 to happen... And it came and surprised me in a way I would never have expected! The Lord is good!

I bought a SILVER section ticket. This is the first standing section in the Mall of Asia Open Grounds. Out of 40 thousand people, you'd have guessed that this section is relatively far away from the stage. LCD screen were the only way to keep track of ant sized artists moving onstage. Nevertheless, I didn't watch the concert from the SILVER section. I watched it from the side line of the PLATINUM, the 2nd most expensive section FOR FREE! (Com'n people.. Let me hear a WOW!)

At 3:00 pm I asked a friend if he was going to continue on the volunteering stint for the David Cook concert. He said not. Too bad, I replied. It's a once in a lifetime event. David Cook, in the Philippines, in his FIRST international gig! And it's with David Archuleta! No wonder fans from Asia and the Middle east flew all the way to our country just to SEE him in the flesh!

So me and four other friends travelled to the venue, enduring the temperature of the van we rode in. The MOA cooperative van was airier even though it didn't have an aircon unit. (My make up was starting to melt off even before the concert started. Arrrg!)

When we reached MOA, I opened my phone and saw that the friend I was telling about was trying to call me. So I called him back. And amazing is the news he told me, the organizer gave him not one but TWO all access passes for the concert. In my excitement, I said take me instead of Zarah. She's not a fan. Hahaha! It was settled then! I went with him to the area near the stage.

Okay concert proper mode. Archuleta started of with TOUCH MY HAND. In all fairness, I like his song list that night. Back when I visited Singapore I bought both Cookie and Archie's album. So I relatively was in the know of the songs he sang. I loed his rendition of Zero Gravity. Whew! That song was so full of energy@! The crowd was with him all throughout. BUT...

Even before Archie's last song ended, David Cook appeared in the sidelines. I saw him grabbing the post with his two hands... I guess releasing some pre-concert butterflies. Darn my mobile phone died on me during Archie 3rd song. So I wasn't able to get much of Cookie's appearance and actual performance. Good thing my friend had a digital camera, and he was able to get shots of the performances.

So they had a 20 minute break where the sound check re-did the stage set-up and the tech guys were line-checking all the guitars and other equipment that will be used by the band. After which Skibby was up and was playing a slow instrumental intro for THE WORLD I KNOW while Cookie was under the platform, entering the stage via an elevator floor panel. With guitar in hand, he started singing, and the crowds were cheering and howling and hooting for his grand entrance.. I wasn't expecting anything like this at all.

Just the sight of Cook was taking my breath away. I was practically drooling over every song especially when he sang off-album tracks like MAKE ME, ALWAYS BE MY BABY, LITTLE LIES, STRAIGHT AHEAD... I mean, I know all these songs. Craziest thing David did for me was his guitar dance for the extro of KISS ON THE NECK! I mean, those were some hot moves! I said, "David Cook, ang landi mo! Bumababa ka nga dito at umuwi na tayo!" Hot hot hot!

I couldn't remember which part that was but there was a portion where Joey and Neal were flying onstage with their guitars! I mean, lead vocals was already a hot item on the menu but add on 4 guys equally hot as the first one, Jalapeño special is what you get!

It was all after the concert where i felt all energy drain from me. We met up with my friends and had dinner at Carlos Pizza, the last shop open in the Mall. It was an enchanted night for me. Sad that it ended with me having no picture of David or any of the band. When I get to the States next year, I'll go see him everyday! But really, thank you OEDIE for sharing your passes with me! You are one blessed guy!

Midnight Revelations (entry # 2)

2009-05-18T05:38:00.000-07:00

The David Cook concert was a blast for me! Especially when I could see him at a distance and see him perform live. But as a follow up to MR#1, sila talaga ang dikit eh. Napansin ko lang. Thank you's overflowing from me, mega bonding na sila agad ni ***. For me ayos lang kasi I am officially over him. The concert was a great was to be friends again with someone I felt uncomfy for sometime. :-D Makikilala ko din si David Cook soon!

Blogging Resumes

2009-05-18T05:26:00.000-07:00

My blogging time is now back on track... More time to think, more time to post, no more stuff to worry about (like events, et al.)! No more work in the morning! Will keep you up to date on the latest development on my job hunt. Ha life is GOOD! God is GOOD!

Officially FREE

2009-05-18T05:22:00.000-07:00

Shocking news! As of May 18, 2009, I, Rachel Mercado, has rendered her resignation and was given a graceful exit to a better life! Job hunt here I come!

Lost World of Batad

2009-04-22T04:09:00.001-07:00

When I prepared for this trip, I read a blog, assuming that what they wrote there was accurate. I planned according to that blog and alas, my expectations did a double dive! The blog said nothing about certain aspects of the trip. So, here is my share in helping you reader plan a better trip for Batad.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BATAD

1. Book your trip to Banaue in advance. You can book via Auto Bus or Florida Bus Lines. They have their terminals in Quezon City. It is a 12-hour drive from Manila to Banaue.

2. When you get to Banaue, contact Jun Binalit for an advance booking to Ramon's Homestay. They will coordinate a vehicle for your 1-hour drive to Saddle Point. They will make sure that you safely get to your destination. 09082554657

If you decide to go to Saddle point via commute, you have to catch the daily Batad jeepney at 2:00 pm at the town proper. Fare is 150 pesos per person. If you come in a group of 6 to 8 persons, it is easier to hire an van at 2500 pesos. Of course the public transport will always be cheaper. The only positive thing to look forward to a hired van is that you are not time constricted to meet transport schedules.

3. Saddle Point is where all the vehicle stop and the visitors trek down to Batad. When you contact Jun Binalit, he will also coordinate a guide for your trek to and from Batad. A guide will cost you from 300 to 500 pesos for inexperienced ones. 800 to 1200 pesos for experienced guides. DON'T GET GUIDES FROM BANAUE. They will greet you when you get off the bus and tail you until you see your contacts. They will have triple the amount of the guide fee from Batad. And they don't guide you in Batad. They guide you until Saddle Point only.

4. Get your knees and legs ready for a 1-hour plus trek down to Batad. The trail is very a bit narrow. but it's of a comfortable width with the cliff on the other side, the mountain face on the other. Always get the most out of the huts on the side of the road. They are there so that you can catch your breath and wipe away all the sweat you may have produced. Take advantage of them.

5. When you get to Ramon's homestay, rest until the following day before you decide to go to Tapiya Falls. Tapiya Falls is another hour trek down the mountain side. It's good to start early the following day like around 8 am. Order something from Irene (the Binalit House cook) for your lunch and enjoy the water until 2:00 pm so you can start your trek back to base before rainfall or sundown. (Keep in mind that IT ALWAYS RAINS IN BATAD) It's okay to bring an umbrella.

6. Rest another night in Ramon's Homestay and rest your limbs. You have to have prime energy when you start your trek up to Saddle Point again in the morning. If you want public transport back to Banaue, you have to be at Saddle Point by 9 am. The jeepney leaves when it is full or if not, leaves at 9:30 am.

7. Upon reaching Banaue, you can have several options:
a. Have lunch in one of the local stores or CHOWKING - Banaue
b. Go up to ViewPoint and get photos of the 1000-peso bill shot of the Rice Terraces
c. Whatever else you may think of doing

Batad is a wonderful place, a magical place you can say. It never grows old, it leaves an everlasting imprint in your mind. The people are so gentle and accommodating. I think the legendary Filipino hospitality was preserved in Banaue and Batad. I want to go back

Midnight Revelations (entry #1)

2009-04-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

What will you do if your long time "love" loves somebody else? Ironically, it's one of your closest friends.

I thought it's going to be okay with me. Pero parang hindi...

But I'm not going to alienate myself from my friend just because.. of that...

I'm gonna wait and see.. I have a word from the Lord.. Patience, it will come.

Lindsy and Me O_o part 2

2009-04-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

We arrived in the Banaue scene at 7:00 am. Our bus had 2 major flat tire episodes during our trip. But I was so sleepy to care about it all. I think Lindsy heard me say' "I don't care," and continued to doze off to sleep. But it was one scary drive. The bus conductor at one point informed all the passengers that they'll be closing down all the bus lights and close shut all the curtains. (I think we passed through an NPA infested area and are just doing measures to avoid unnecessary stopovers and checkpoints. I had to admit I was praying in tongues for 30 minutes straight before I felt some peace run through my system).

But the day when we were to leave Baguio, I was already texting my Batad contact. He didn;t reply the whole day so I gave him a break. I just said, "He might just be busy with stuff" or "Maybe he slept early that's why he didn't reply". So when we arrived at Banaue, I was a bit worried about this whole thing. So having gone down the bus, we followed a local guy who was supposedly offering his services as a guide. We had to use the comfort room above all else. (I had this wee wee episode from the foot of the mountainous region until we reached Banaue). No pitstop for the past 4 hours. All the water in my systems are nearly leaking... ewwww!!!

We had breakfast at the local cafeteria. I was amazed they were offering brown rice to the customers. (For Manileñas, Brown rice is a tad expensive...) We were having a cup of my hot chocolate when I noticed that I have several missed calls from an unknown number. I immediately called the number and ALAS! It was Annalisa, the niece of our Batad contact. We agreed to meet her at her house in a certain district in Banaue. She told me over the phone that her aunt recently arrived and was on her way to Batad that same day. She just had to confirm it.

So we exchanged text messages during breakfast. Yes. Her aunt will go to Batad. We will have to share the cost of the hired van. As we arrived at her house, we were greeted by Rose, Annalisa's sister. She ushered us in their receiving area and there waited for Annalisa to come back with the hired van. We were also waiting for the aunties (Malou and Aida) to finish up their packing.

The van arrived, we loaded and off we went on an hour drive of smooth versus rough roads to Saddle point. We paid 700 for our share and we proceeded to our hike DOWN to Batad. We had to rent walking sticks to support our walk since we had no prior knowledge about the place. We didn't have to pay for a guide because the aunties were locals of Batad. They knew the place like the back of their hand.

Talking about God connections, we found out that Auntie Aida was a Christian and is married to a foreign national. We had an easy climb down to Batad. We would have stopped for photos if we were with a regular guide. But the aunties were trudging down the mountain with an aim to reach the Binalit house before lunch time. We didn't have enough photos of our Batad trek.

Nevertheless, we arrived safely in the Binalit house, more known to tourists as Ramon's Homestay. We had lunch and a bath and immediately went down to Tapiya Falls. Clad in our bathing apparel, we walked yet again another hour just to reach the beautiful and icy waters of Tapiya. We didn't bring any food with us because we had to head back to the house before the rain fell again on the mountains.

I had a short frightening experience on our trek to Batad. My slippers weren't able to grasp the loose rocks of a sloping trail and I was almost on my way down to the bottom of the cliff, the rock river from Tapiya. If not for the guide referred to us, I would be down the cliff and no blog that you'll be reading. Thank God for angels! (Auntie Aida prayed for us before we left the house. I praise God for her wisdom.)

Lindsy and I sat on the edge of the pool. The water was soooooooo cold, it was so unreal! We experienced the waves of the waterfall. I was kinda irked that all the stronger waves were lashing at me and not at Lindsy. She was the one excited for the waves. (Nakaka-relax daw, sabi niya). I tried varying my position but still, the waves seem to look for ME and not Lindsy! talk about freaky!

And then... it got cloudy! Lakas ng faith ni Lindsy para hindi umitim!!!!

A few minutes later, it started RAINING!

A moment or so after that, LINDSY had cramps.

We had to go back to a shed nearby and have the cramps go away before we made it up the mountains. Our guide left us for a moment to assist a bigger group of tourists (or so we thought, we found out that he hiked a bit upward to join some locals in their PICNIC!) and the rain kept on pouring! And pouring! And pouring!

(Rainy Batad)

Discoveries (Part 2?!)

2009-04-16T08:51:00.001-07:00

In my Holy Week escapade with Lindsy, I discovered a lot of things about this particular friend. Let me share what I remember...

* Lindsy said she is fond of going to the beach because of the waves that is continuously hitting her on shore... Masochist no? Pero ayaw umitim. Sabi ng mga officemates niya she got a bit of a tan... (HUwhattt?!!)

* Lindsy doesn't know how to sleep in a moving bus. Her head keeps going left and right like a drunken old man. When I tried to sit her by the window, hoping that the window may become a better cushion for her head, she said that she bumped her head numerous times on it. And still, I kept waking up to find her forehead only an inch above my shoulder. talk about Likot!

* Lindsy, when we slept in Batad, kept on inching her way on my side of the bed until I was on 1/2 an inch away from the edge. I had to "CALMLY" tell her to move over kasi malalaglag na ko.

* Lindsy left her mom's umbrelly in Batad. We last used it during our hike up from the Tapiya Falls. (Lagot siya kay Mommy!)

* Lindsy LOVES buttered and salted corn on cobs. (We had this for dinner for 2 consecutive nights!)

* Lindsy and I agreed to bring the caregroup to Baguio late this year. (Kanya Kanya gastos pa rin my friends!)

* Lindsy is fond of knitted sleeveless blouses. Notice the colors one of these days.

* Lindsy didn't seem to break a sweat during our hike from Batad. (All the while I was breathing heavily and sweating buckets after 15 to 20 minutes of hike up to Saddle Point) She said she found going up easier that going down.

* Having gone down from the bus in Cubao on our way home, Lindsy needed to use the bathroom. So we went to a nearby Jollibee store. The CR door was locked so she asked the clerk if it was free or if it is used. The clerk said if it's closed, somebody must be inside. I think she waited by the door a good 10-minutes when an elderly lady came out of it. As the lady walked past her, Lindsy gave the lola another one of her classic "murderous looks" and said afterwards, "Ang tagal niya kasi e"

Bump Bump Bump

2009-04-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Another DC DA concert update!

Didn't I tell you that there are better ways of attending this concert?

I was quite in shock to run into Oedie yesterday... Yes the One and Only 2 year thingie Oedie!

My boss had me run some errands at the Smart and Globe centers. When Jonah and I reached Globe, he was right there, waiting for his turn to come up. SO, I waved hi and got my number from the front desk. And then we started chatting with Oedie.

Sufficely to say, he posted a status message in facebook that he will be having an ALL ACCESS PASS! Initially, he didn't say where it was going to be, but when we ran into him yesterday, he said that it was for the DC DA concert...

I was glad that he moved into that arena by himself, knowing that he isn't really a big fan of either of the artists. (So again, why?) Pero sabi nga ni Rakel, don't make a big deal out of something small...

So there, sabi niya, kakapalan daw niya ang kanyang face to the organizer if he can bring in another "Volunteer". Hope it turns out well. But in case that it doesn't, I still have my fail safe plan, my SILVER concert ticket!

DC DA concert tickets

2009-04-16T08:12:00.000-07:00

after some thinking through and a major recuperation from the concert ticket prices, I decided to get the Silver tickets still. At least I could still go with some of my friends... Plus my baby brother ALL OF A SUDDEN invited us all for dinner before the concert. Great deal isn't it?

So I reserved some tickets last Monday, got them Tuesday and posted the news right away.

There are better ways to be in this concert... I know there is!

Summer

2009-04-15T10:35:00.000-07:00

ang init!

share ko lang...

:-)

Lindsy and Me (lol) O_o

2009-04-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

I've been gone for almost a week, peaked with excitement before I left and bone-tired when I arrived. I could barely walk down any flight of stairs.

Lindsy and I took a road trip of sorts to Baguio - Banuae - Batad, Philippines. We had this planned from February, originally going to Sagada. But as time drew nigh, the girls whom i have invited declined the invitation to go. Finance related problems if you know what I mean. So, the lonely road challenge was faced by just Lindsy and me.

Let me recall this trip...

I just came from my department summer escapade in Laiya, Batangas (Palm Beach Resort). I arrived at home at 9:20 pm, with Lindsy already waiting for me at my house. I hurriedly finished packing my bag in 10 minutes flat and off we go to Victory Bus Terminal in Pasay. having booked out ticket a week bag, the bus ride was less of a hassle for us both. All we had to do was ride the scheduled bus and wait until we arrived in the cooler land of Baguio.

BAGUIO!

We arrived in Baguio at 5:00 am. It was still dark and the bus ride was as chilly as it was outside. As we stepped off the bus, Lindsy and I were taken aback on how "cold" it was. considering that I was just wearing my jeans "puruntong" style, and Lindsy wearing her leggings and some cotton top. (By the way, surprising enough, Lindsy just brought one bag. She said she really thought over the stuff that she'll bring.)

It seemed like it was our first time touring Baguio City. Lindsy's previous trip was at least a decade ago. Mine was much more recent, 3 years back, but it was a very social trip. Visiting ang touring the more expensive part of the city. Of course I am thankful for the blessing, but it is always good to know any place starting from down up.

As we stepped off the bus, men were waiting in front of the door to shove up our noses even more pamphlets and flyers of different transients and hotels in Baguio. Who am I to blame them? It's tourist season for Baguio... Business must boom more than usual.

To stretch out crumpled butts and chilled legs, we looked for a nearby CR to change clothes and refresh ourselves. We asked for directions for a nearby breakfast place (we learned that it was Jollibee still) and walked for like 15 minutes to the said branch. We got lost 2 times at least in that 15 minute walk. (Pero syempre, kampante si Lindsy kasi ako ang kasama. Matapang kasi ako kahit di ko alam yung lugar.)

We breakfasted and looked for the transient my friend supposedly booked for us. When we got to the place, we were ripped off by 1000 pesos for a room. We decided to still get it. We were so tired and so dirty, we didn't really care how much we spent on it. We were finally able to relax a bit and finally, see Baguio by 10 am after a fitful nap and a refreshing shower.

We took pictures at Burnham which was a blessed 5 minutes away from our transient. Headed next to Good Shepherd for their famous Ube Jam. Shopped a bit at some road stalls near Minesview. Then squeezed ourselves in a mound full of people IN Minesview. We then waited for my elementary school bestfriend Jenny at one of the nearby restos. Hallelujah! She finally came at around 11:30 am. (Ang dami na namin nagawa in 1.5 hours... Adik!)

We went to The Mansion, Wright Park, Camp John Hay and all its intricacies. Ang laki pala ng John Hay! More than 700 hectares... No wonder ang dami niyang hot spots. Jenny was an instant tour guide for the day.

We had lunch in one of the lesser known tourist spots. Locals are fond of this area for its affordable food and good taste. Jenny had work at 2:00 pm so she had say an abrupt goodbye and see us all over the following day. We decided to go to Tam-awan Village after lunch. It is one of the Native Villages preserved as a museum of sorts. Dyan namin kinuha ung picture ni Lindsy na may sungay. galing ko talagang direktor!

This is just day 1. We got tickets for our Banaue trip in the afternoon. Then I was missing Facebook a lot by then so I dragged Lindsy with me to a nearby computer cafe, surfed for an hour and went to sleep right away at 8:00 pm. I personally needed to catch up on sleep for the next day's drive to Banaue.

Day 2 was a bit more relaxed than the first one. We breakfasted at around 9 am at McDonald's Session Road, met with Jenny and again toured us in the Wag-Wagan section of the City. (The fondly called Ukay-Ukay by Manileñas). Jenny just got off from a very successful job interview and was in a dressed-to-kill outfit. We looked for suitable slippers for her before we headed to MaryKnoll Eco-Park. This was preparation for the Banaue trek we were facing.

Again, a quick goodbye from Jenny so we checked out from the transient at 12 noon. Where we stuffed our bags is a secret. We then went to see Pastor Benny in La Trinidad. He shared on his church, their upcoming Bauko outreach, life in general. And finally I asked if he can pray for us for our Banaue trek. He did and we went on our way back to see Centermall, dinner of mais yet again and got halohalo in the local cafeteria.

We got our bags and went straight to the bus terminal. 10 hour drive to Banaue. What a butt crumpling experience!

- - - to be continued - - -

(bitin ba? look for Part 2)

Depression

2009-04-01T23:08:00.001-07:00

i got this off David-Cook.org

*sad world*

QUOTE (Poliam564 @ Apr 1 2009, 04:15 PM)

THIS IS IT! ticketnet and ticketworld:
Titanium - Php 12,425.00
Platinum - Php 8,285.00
VIP - Php 4,145.00
Gold - Php 2,075.00
Silver - Php 625.00
Bronze - Php 315.00

Sa youtube ko nakuha yan. May nag post eh. Pero nung pinuntuhan ko yung ticketnet site, wala naman. DI KO ALAM KUNG SURE NA YAN!DAVID COOK & DAVID ARCHULETA Live in Manila! @ the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds • May 16, 2009 • 8PMTickets are available at TicketWorld outlets! Call TicketWorld 891.9999 for details! *nakuha ko yan sa site ng ticketworld. DALII

This is way over my budget!!! Magroroadie na talaga ako!

YUMMY!!!!

2009-03-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

David Cook is finally landing here... in Manila....

at sinagot pa siya ni Archie...

exciting days ahead... i am definitely saving up for this... still waiting for my researcher to find out when the tickets will be available... *drooling*

(Pau, sasamahan mo ko dito ha.. front seat tayo.. you promised!!! Hanna, ihanda ang mga ouchiwa -did I spell that right?-)

LJ Mania

2009-03-20T22:55:00.000-07:00

Rakel arrived last night and shortly described her night to me. Then she said, "Can I join you?" (meaning the net surfing) When she saw LJ tabs open, she commented dryly, "AY. Naka-David Cook mode... Baka di ako maka-singit"

I finally had the chance to bond with the PC last night.. With Zarah and Jonah up in the mountains, *how fun it is* for them and for me. I get the PC all to myself.. Plus Ysrael doesn't bother me when I sit on the throne of the ultimate PC...

As Paula said it, I may need a year before I can go all exclusive to LJ. I sign-up just because of the fun communites.. I saw something last night "Blame David Cook" and something like "American Idol but Gay". I can't wait to explore all the niches of LJ... But of course, blogging updates will still be with blogger.

I can't believe that I could stand Manila Summer and still not take my bath JUST BECAUSE there are new David Infos all over the web... (And I am starting to smell myself.. Sorry guys for being so blunt)

Well, gtg and my bath is waiting for me.. Add my 3 week long laundry to the list as well...

Ciao

Summer Summer Summer

2009-03-20T22:39:00.000-07:00

It is sooooooo hot!!! Blistering hot!!!

I must plan something for the caregroup... a summer getaway.. were we can all spend sometime at the beach... batangas would be a good place to start.... or even an over nighter at a hot spring...

I wonder how much would it all cost?

I am so excited for the upcoming Banaue trip... Glory to God.. It's really coming to pass... All I need to do is book bus tickets to Banaue... I just can't seem to get through to Autobus... line is always busy...

Pawdough, I wish you'd sent hanna with us... Pretty please....?

Let's see... This is still a draft but the schedule might work...

April 3 - 4 Batangas Beach Swimming for Lindsy's birthday
April 6 - 11 Banaue - Batangas Trip with Lindsy
April 17 - 18 Alternate Sched Beach Swimming for Lindsy's
May 15 - 16 Rent a resort at Pansol for Babes' birthday

Anybody up for Splash Island?

***I bought a new bottle of Sunscreen... last time Lindsy brought one, it was already expired.. Lol****

LIE

2009-03-13T10:48:00.000-07:00

Lie
Sung by David Cook, 2008
(I want to especially dedicate this song to #8: I used to imagine he's the one singing this)

You whisper that that you were getting tired (Yes, I am tired of waiting)
Got a look in your eye, looks a lot like goodbye (I finally did my goodbyes)
Hold on to your secrets tonight (He actually told me that's it's okay for me not to reveal who #8 is)
I don’t want to know
I’m okay with this silence
It’s truth that I don’t want to end

You’re hiding regret in your smile (I regret na hindi naging kami)
There’s a storm in your eyes
I’ve seen coming for a while (Guess I got too tired of waiting for the wrong guy)
Hang onto the past tense tonight (Past tense kasi we're just friends para sa kanya)
Don’t say a word
I’m okay with the quiet
The truth is going to change everything (Eventually, if I did tell him, it's gonna jumble up all the foundations we had as FRIENDS)

So lie to me and tell me that it’s going to be all right. (Yes, Pau, it's true. I lied about removing him from it all)
So lie to me and tell me we’re going to make it through the night.
I don’t mind if you wait before you tear me apart (If I were his NL Girl, I won't tear him up. He doesn't have to undergo another heart ache... But NL Girl is NOT me... Sayang.. He'll have to endure the pain of being rejected..)
Look me in the eye
Lie, lie, lie
Lie, lie, lie

I know that there’s no turning back (Now that he knows, there's no backing out)
If we put too much light on this we’ll see through all the cracks
Let’s stay in the dark one more night (Meaning continue believing the lie that we're friends when all along I felt something more for him)
Don’t want to know
I’m okay with the silence
It’s truth that I don’t want to end

Don’t want to believe in this ending
Let the cameras roll on
Keep pretending
Tomorrow’s all wrong if you walk away
Just stay. (I really wish he'd tell me this... But season has come. It has gone. I have said too many goodbyes. Hit my head on walls to hard. Had my heart broken to ashes, it cannot be revived and glued back in place. I am tired to waiting... Waiting long.. Waiting for the wrong one.. Waiting for answers to prayers I know I am pushing on God. Sana hindi na lang kami naging magkaibigan. Letting go might be a lot easier to do. But then again, partly, I am still living part of that lie... I don't want to lie anymore!)

David Cook as "The Archuleta Fan"

2009-03-13T10:07:00.001-07:00

Just want to share a funny vid I came across a few days back... Enjoy a good laugh!

Makin' Memories

2009-03-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

Just want to back track on a particular friend, someone close by heart.

Naka-emote mode ako ngayon, so I want to go back to our "exclusive" times together...

1. Dinner and movie date. We watched "Batanes"... we were bored to death after the movie.
2. Hillsong concert escort. After the concert we had some late dinner at Taco Bell in Araneta.
3. Lunch Date (very post birthday date) where I handed to him his David Cook album copy, bought all the way from Singapore.
4. Invited him to attend one RU meeting. He came and I had the privilege to walking with him to the stoplight of Alabang Hills.
5. Invited him to be my guest of honor for my WON graduation. He came.. Nag exert ng effort in fairness!!!
6. Had lunch with him at Sbarro in Insular Building, Makati.
7. We have exclusive "email" tracks... Kakatuwa nga.. he takes time to read and answer them one by one.
8. I'm not really counting but he's always there in a jiffy when I need some good talk

I am done... (Pau, the name of this person rests solely with you.... )

First Date Deal Breakers

2009-03-11T02:52:00.000-07:00

>>> something I found at yahoo... So interesting...

First Date Deal-Breakers
Posted Wed, Mar 04, 2009, 4:34 pm PST

Whether you're fifteen or fifty, there's nothing quite like a first date. The excitement. The jitters. The potential for romance... And the potential for some big mistakes. If you're hoping date #1 might lead to date #2, here are a few things Foxy thinks you should avoid...

Fakin' It... Why invite a guy to a ball game if you hate it? Or ask a girl to a Bergman festival, when you love bad brutes and big guns? It's great to try new things, but it's most important to be yourself. Faking it can backfire by making you seem false, flighty, or even desperate -- and no one wants to date that.

Your Junk-Ridden Chariot Awaits... Unless she's a diva extraordinaire, your date won't expect a limo or sports car to pick her up. But she also may not dig your car's "lived-in" interior, filled with old soda cans, banana peels, sweaty gym clothes, and matted newspapers. Clean out your car, make it presentable, and get gas -- otherwise your date may end up running on empty.

Some Like It Loud... Screamin', smashin' rock concerts have their own charm, but not for a first date. You'll spend the evening nodding nervously at one another and trying to keep good rhythm, while the deafening music rages on. The same goes for loud bars or restaurants -- who wants to shout all night long while you're trying to get to know each other?

Primpin' Like the Prom... Getting dolled up in a stiff suit-and-tie or frilly dress isn't the way to go on a first date. It's likely to make your date feel like they're seventeen again and headed to the gymnasium for some pink punch and slow-dancing. There are plenty of ways to look nice without looking overdone. Guys, opt for a crisp pair of khakis or cords and a button-down shirt. Gals, slip on some wide-leg slacks and a feminine blouse... or a casual skirt and sweater. No corsage required!

Friends ‘n' Family... There is much to be said for the power of pairs. In the beginning, it's best to keep it to the two of you. Bringing over-zealous friends and over-protective relatives into the mix is a lot to hit a person with on the first date. Start slow and get to know one another first.

Five-Star Fancy or Carelessly Casual... Avoid either. Fancy first dates can be a huge mistake. Pricey restaurants often feel fussy and put undue pressure on your wallet and your evening. If your date does treat you to dinner at a pricier place, don't order the most expensive thing on the menu -- that lobster with truffle champagne sauce is definitely a deal-breaker! If you end up going low-key, you should still steer clear of cheap chain restaurants and other overly casual joints. Be thoughtful! Try a fun picnic in the park or even an evening of bowling? Good, cheap fun is oh so romantic!

Bed-Lam... If you both like each other, there will be plenty of time for canoodling, caressing, and luxurious mornings lounging in bed. Don't rush it. Let the first date be informal and comfortable, by setting aside the stress of, you know... (S-E-X). (With ths one, I totally disagree.. wait til you get married, you horny peeps!)

Getting Snippy... A first date isn't the time to give your locks a major snip, change your hair color, or do anything else drastic (like try out a pair of ultra high heels you can't walk in). You want to feel your most relaxed and comfortable, so save the experimentation for another time.

Now, Back to Me... Info-swapping is one of the centerpieces of your date. What music you like, how much you hate eggplant, whether you're a cat or dog person, and so on. But if you spend the whole time blabbing about yourself without giving your date equal talking time, you're nothing but a buzzkill.

Smells Like Desperation... People can smell a desperate singleton a mile away, so avoid punctuating dinner with not-so-subtle comments like, "My mother would love you!" Or ending the evening with, "So, do you want to go out again? Maybe on Wednesday? At six?"

Return to Sender... Texting, whether you love it or hate it, don't do it! Even if your date is in the restroom. Even if you think you can sneak it under the table where no one will notice. Your date will not LOL, so put that thing away -- G2G!

Contingency Plans... There's no telling how a first date will go. Sometimes, smooth sailing. Sometimes, painful from beginning to end. Which is why humans invented emergency "outs." The problem is, contingency plans are way too obvious and offensive to your date. If you're concerned about how the date will go, don't have your "friend" call you with an "emergency" halfway through dinner, stick with something quick like coffee, snacks, or ice cream.

And Now for the Big Goodbye... If all goes well on a first date, you may end the outing with a little kiss. If you find yourself freaking out about it way before the date is even over, know that a hearty hug can send the same message. If you do go for the lips, make sure your mouth is minty fresh. (Even a quick peck on the lips would be fine by me. :-)

Oh no!!! I'm so in TROUBLE!!!

2009-03-10T05:52:00.000-07:00

I am a self-acclaimed extremist!!!

The moment that I have finally, finally, finally decided to let go, I erased all my connections to #8 from my entire life.

Facebook.
Mobile Phone.
Yahoo Messenger.
Friendster.
The works....

I tell myself that it's for me not be entangled anymore with the nitty gritty details of falling in and out of love again with this guy. Hello people?!! Two years is not easy to forget... Let alone memories that bug you once in a while... *whew*

Then I got a message from an unlisted number around 5 pm this afternoon.

"Y?" It said...

I got no clue as to who might have sent it.. But I had a gut feeling it was him...

Ignoring the initial message, I went on the afternoon doing my assignments.

Then I got another SMS.

"Anong problema? May ginawa ba akong mali?"

The contents confirmed the sender's identity. So I gave him a call.

Basically, I denied removing him from my list. But in a very friendly voice, I chatted with him over the phone, asking him for updates. But every answer he gave me just went over my head... (Oh Lord! I'm so sorry! This one's unintentional...) There were people milling around me at the moment and it was so hard to focus on my phone call. *sigh*

Anyway, I will add him up again. But I know I will have to be more careful of my postings. I can't do my random everyday girly thoughts on FB. And I will have to not comment on anything that might be even slightly interesting for me...

Goodbyes are always hard.

10 Things I Need to Do (According to Google)

2009-03-05T23:32:00.000-08:00

Since I was surfing the net yesterday, I found this at Matt Lindquist's site.

These are what I found out... Scared me, really... It was so to the moment real!!!

Rules for this one...
a. Go to Google
b. Type your name and the words "needs to" all in quotation marks. (e.g. "Kathy needs to")
c. Report back on the first ten things that come up for your name

1. Rachel needs to watch teevee more
2. Rachel needs to snap out of this
3. Rachel needs to travel more
4. Rachel needs to focus
5. Rachel needs to get her wisdom tooth pulled out
6. Rachel needs to advertise her Podcasts
7. Rachel needs to pee
8. Rachel needs to go now
9. Rachel needs to eat
10. Rachel needs to walk away with a dress today

As I browsed Google again today, I saw something new... "Rachel needs to refer to Websites, Manuals, and a variety of Documentation" (Talk about work reminders...) And this has been circulating since 2005... where were we?

It's The Season for Graduations

2009-03-05T08:45:00.001-08:00

Women of the Nations will be having their batch graduation on Saturday, March 7, 2009, 2:00 pm at the New Life Christian Center Alabang Sanctuary.

(Does this sound like an ad?)

The office seems to teem with so much activity this past week... Just because the graduation is getting nearer and the preparations being done seem to pile up more every day. How I wish we would be over it and just enjoy a relaxing session with a masseuse. (Did I spell it right?)

Stress upon stress and fluttering activities day by day.... I wish Saturday was here...

I also paid for 2 seats. One for Ysrael, my brother. And Cito, my best friend.

There's a reason for bringing Cito to this event. (My underground reasons: Of course, It's great to be seen wth a good looking guy. Secondly, I think they are assigning #8 to be the activity's video director... Payback!!!)

But honestly, I want him to be more involved with church life. And secondly, so that the girl who likes him so much can get a chance to chat with him... I can't imagine the riot that will happen in the event! I'm such a plotter... *evil laugh*

But then again, Ysrael can't make it, so I asked Paula to be my guest. Cito on the other hand, will try to catch up... Men!!! Sometimes I opt to think like one... But when you're on the spot with one, I can never be too sure of how their brains really works... Am I the only who notices?!

Venus versus Mars

What Does Cito Like In A Girl

2009-03-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

Wow! It's Thursday!

I had a wonderful lunch date with a great friend - - -> CITO.

During the course of our lunch, I asked him, what are you looking for in a girl? So I can help him find "The Right One"

And so the interview results were:

1. The girl must not be too demanding for time.
2. Must be independent
3. He recently found out that he likes "TISAY"
4. Must be opinionated
5. Cowboy but can also be "SOSYAL"

That's as far I could remember... If I remember more, I'll edit this entry...

A few minutes back, I went to his friendster account. I looked up MIB girl. As I was browsing through pictures, all the details I just mentioned were all in the girl. She's pretty, opinionated, cowboy but Sosyal in most her pics. But she's sooooo young... a fresh grad as I recall.

I guess he is still hung up over this girl... Some things just need time to be flushed out of one's system... being in love is one of them...

Looking for the right girl for him will just an awful lot if I was the one doing all the looking for him... God can take better care of this situation than I can... But it never hurts to be on the look out just the same.

Bless this guy!

LIFE ON THE MOON

2009-03-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

"Life on the Moon"
(Sung by David Cook, 2008)

Here in this crowd, I'm feeling all alone
Turn me around, and point me back to home
I'm getting lost more everyday
and I can't tear myself away
From the stars in my eyes with no light

Here are my terms, have some faith in me
And I'll let you be who you need to be

Life on the moon
Couldn't be any stranger
Life on the moon
Wouldn't feel as far away
The life that I knew, it's through
And I'm gonna need you more than ever
I'm alone in this crowded room
It's like life on the moon

Float off the ground, my hands up in the air
Self conscious to a fault, with all them people everywhere
It's getting harder every night,
to take the punches left and right
Just to know that you're here by my side

Here are my terms, have some faith in me
And I'll let you be who you need to be

Life on the moon
Couldn't be any stranger
Life on the moon
Wouldn't feel as far away
The life that I knew, it's through
And I'm gonna need you more than ever
I'm alone in this crowded room
It's like life on the moon

Getting lost in my own atmosphere
Stars in the sky are the stars in my eyes
It's the cost of getting out of here alone

Life on the moon
Couldn't be any stranger
Life on the moon
Wouldn't feel as far away
The life that I knew, it's through
And I'm gonna need you more than ever
I'm alone in this crowded room
Life on the moon
The life that I knew, it's through
And I'm gonna need you more than ever
I'm alone in this crowded room
It's like life on the moon

- - - - - - -

This song has been ringing in my ears for the past 2 weeks... I guess I'm just hearing a lot of David Cook music. But beside that, I guess I am relating myself to the song, with everything I've been going through in work, in ministry, in love life, in health... I really believe I relate..

A mass of people mill around you everyday and yet you feel alone. You have no definite person to run to and just pour out your frustrations. Then your boss at work doesn't believe in what you're capable of. They don't see the innate talents that you have. All passion that you want done are discredited just because people around you does not believe you are good enough.

That's life.. On the moon as the song has sung... Craters all around.... Some too deep for you to even think of navigating... Frustrating like the surface of the moon...

Found this next picture in one of the DC sites... I liked it so I got it...

Books Calling..

2009-03-04T09:03:00.000-08:00

I had my birthday celebrated this year with Paula giving me a gift. It was a novel by Mary Higgins Clark, "Where Are You Now?". I have finished this book. It's an okay read for people who like mystery and suspense. The plot is the same as most of MHC's books. But since then, every time I would pass by any National Bookstore or Booksale or Diplomat kiosk, I would really take time to look for good books.

Pau, This is your fault really. *good fault* Hahaha!

I think that from then til now I have purchase 12 books total. I'm still finishing the first book I bought from NBS. This one is by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, "Sullivan's Evidence". It's a mixture of legal stories, suspense, crime and passion. It's kinda exciting... But I don't suggest teens under 16 read this. It's to sensual to describe... (Nagmamaasim!!!)

So there, another 20 pounds to lose in 3 months. Still waiting for the WON graduation to finish so I can read them all. Good books set my pace... :-)

Pasok Bisor

2009-03-03T17:24:00.000-08:00

Hahaha...

This term was coined just recently between me and Rakel.

Pasok Bisor means you go to work like a supervisor. You own your time. You can over sleep if you want to... Just like today...

After this entry, I'll be going to take my bath and proceed to Town Center. I have been so tired the previous days I've been really wanting to get a massage...

I guess this entry is just as random as my brain could be this morning...

I opened my Facebook profile and *tada* cez left a message that my boyfriend David Cook will be in town in May 16.... Hallelujah!!! I'll get tickets for us... How exciting!

I also had a late night at the final wake service of Honey's grandmother yesterday. I missed her so much that I opted to stay and chat and bond with her even if I have errands to do this morning. Losing someone is truly sad, especially if you have fond memories of them.

Got to go now... ATC is waiting and I need to be back in church at 1 pm.

Ciao!

Dream Sequence

2009-02-23T09:07:00.001-08:00

I woke up this morning to the sound of my wake up call... "I love you, baby! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!" But that exact same sound disrupted a wonderfully nice dream I was having.

In my dream, I had a visitor at home. It was Cito. With this guy, it is so comfortable to be with him everytime. I can tell him everything. We can talk about anything under the sun. I can tell him my frustrations, my career life, my family life, David Cook fantasies, anything. That's why it is such a comfort zone to be around him.

So he was waiting for me in the living room. He was sitting in one of the single seater couches that sat beside each other. When I got there, I sat beside him on the other couch. Talked a bit. I took his hand. I noticed his hand was a several shades redder than normal. So I asked him, "Why is your hand so red?" He just said, "Don't you like it? Do you want me to have Marvin remove it?" I was about to say no when I realized he was already out of the house, coming out of his car. Outside the window, I noticed that it was our house in Cavite, tall shrubs planted in front of the house, thus allowing me to see through them and notice Cito coming out from his car.

Then I saw Marvin running to the house's direction. When he was at the living room window, he pulled himself up one of the bars and enter the window like a folded gymnast, coming through the bars, butt first, toes last.

Then the alarm went off....

I was so annoyed...

I wanted to see the end of the dream... What was Cito doing in my house? I could hold his hand now, but as I held his hand in the dream, it felt different... it's as if we moved on to another phase... It felt so real.

It's no good to make assumptions out of a dream.

I promise to take everyday one step at a time, especially when it comes to love.

Cito is my best friend! He is blessed!

#8

2009-02-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Ironic... In most of my email addresses, usernames and even birthday, 8 has been an integral part of my online life... And now, I placed L in #8... How ironic can that be?

I just want to list down the things I liked about #8... So that when I look back and remember the days I was head over heels attracted to him, I can compare and thank God for giving me the best man as my spouse... Ready? Here we go... I like him because:

1. I liked him first for his honesty about his heart
2. He is funny.
3. He is sensible to talk to.
4. He is tall enough for my taste.
5. His color matches my preference.
6. HIs facial features may not be perfect but he definitely has something.
7. Charisma flows out from him naturally
8. He likes chocolates.
9. He is so shy.
10. He makes me smile a lot.

I wasn't able to go out with him or anything. But in his own words, #8 is blessed because he is loved. He truly was... until now... that I am firmly decided... No more turning back, I'm glad he made a move for his 4 year running crush. Now that I'm looking at the list, I realize I'm only infatuated.. not really ready to take this friendship into something else.

What if we came together? I don't know what will happen. I just hope he finds love at the end of his rope as I find mind at the end of mine...

Good bye #8! It was great knowing you...

Long Term But Still Undone

2009-02-20T09:50:00.000-08:00

I had a grand realization of my ex-love life a few minutes back. and I thought, why not share the 2 years I spent crazy head-over-heels with this guy. But this time, I'm writing, as my last sayonara to him and to a love unrequited despite all means.

As for my facebook announcement about him, I'm going to fondly call him #8.

I started liking #8, when I met him through my friend, his sister. We started chatting and I learned from there that he had this heart ailment making his heart beat slower than the regular pace. I decided that moment, "I wanted to take care of this guy my entire life."

So, the blossoming girl I was back then, I made efforts to talk to him on Sundays, send text messages, send emails. I always make it a point to make him laugh whenever I was with him. I wanted him to see my good points. (Of course, best foot forward every time). I desperately wanted him to notice me more than just a friend, more than a confidant, but someone he could share his life today and the days to come. Crazy no?

(I am a bit teary eyed by now). When he had this concert thing he was promoting, I was 10 steps ahead in promoting him in front of my bosses. I even bought one VIP seat for that one so he can have some more income (or freebies maybe. I can't remember if he told me he did get some). I spent money on this guy!!!

Then he would do stuff that most girls would find intriguing thus leading us to fall deeper into a trap we made out for ourselves. He did invite me personally to a meet and greet session with the band. Then one particular christmas, my girlfriends were secretly squealing with delight as #8 came over to me, took photographs together with him, just being as heavenly nice as he could be. My friend Rakel exactly said, "He's sending the wrong signals girl if that's the case."

And as usual, your crazy friend went overboard that same year by being the first to greet him on his birthday. I gave him expensive chocolate as a gift. I repeated that again during Christmas. After their performance in a prominent mall, I went up to him and gave him chocolates as my gift to him.

Worst part of this love story, he forgot all about my birthday. I was so ASAR (irked), that the memory of my birthday didn't come up to his memory until after a month after I celebrated it. KAKAINIS TALAGA! For weeks I didn't talk to him, I intentionally ignored him. I went from extremely hot to ludicrously cold towards him. I had to give him the cold shoulder for what he did. It may seem childish but it was a big deal for me. I was a BIG deal. And he forgot. What a friend he was!!!

So after my birthday event, he just said to me, "Oh, nagbirthday ka pala ng January?" AND NO GREETING kahit late? UUUGH! Sobra na talaga!! That's when I decided, "Stop it, Rachel!" This is going nowhere. Give him up and be happy."

I did that but I spent at least a year forgetting and burying the feelings that died the day I was born. I believe I am totally free....

UNTIL...

I posted this thing called "25 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME" in Facebook. How dense could he be? How blinded was he? 3 clues and yet he still didn't get it. I even tagged him in that list...

So now, he is back, bugging me about who #8 is. He wants to know this Sunday.... But I can't tell him, not face to face if I still want him to be my friend. I don't want to risk him knowing and then ignore me all Sundays of my life with one stupid mistake of telling him.

Believe me, I really wanted to. I imagined a hundred different scenarios of how it would be if I told him. But the idea didn't rest well in my heart. So then I won't.

Far as I know, I just discovered the name of the girl that has been the object of his affections for the past 4 years. I was a bit jealous every time he would sit beside her. Or the fact that we were talking and this other girl would wave hello, and he'd immediately drop me as if there was a VIP who just came in. Darn!!! I should have noticed it before.

I wouldn't even touch the idea of him liking the girl because the girl was like 6 years older than him. But when he gave me several clues to work on, and I saw the name in one of my social utilities, TRUTH struck me hard between the eyes. It was there all along but I was blinded by my own selfish desire to have him for myself.

So I end this by saying, I wish him happiness. But far as I am concerned, I am done. I am finished. This chapter is closed. Case closed. No more #8 names coming out of my lips. I am just gracefully waiting for the right one my God has designed for me. THE ONE.

Sweet Mocha Cake . . . A Tribute to Gaudencia

2009-02-13T07:37:00.000-08:00

It was my Lola Gaudi's 8nth birthday yesterday (she's not tracking years and so will I).

Anyway, I was supposed to see her yesterday but my lazy body was stuck at home (resting and reading and sleeping).

So I did visit her earlier today. I bought her a mocha caramel cake from the pastry area of SM Bacoor. When we were sharing the cake, I knew I made the right decision. I gave her a big hug when I arrived and helped in manning her store.

My granny Gaudi is partially blind in one eye and is a bit deaf at her age. She used to wear a hearing aide but decided to discontinue using it. It's a nuisance, she says. But this afternoon was one of the best bonding days I had with her.

While we were enjoying our cake slices, I asked her, "How are you?" And knowing all grannies, they would take you all the way back their memories would take them. She started out by saying she would love to have another birthday like she had this year. But looking at the day-to-day journey she takes, she then said that it would be painful to go through another year. Her body isn't as young as it was. It gives her a different feel, a different ailment, a different confusing signal every day. I got a bit sad about this. She has been wanting to be with the Lord Jesus for the last 5 years she has been in living in Bacoor. But I know the Lord has a plan for it all.

Then she remembers her own grandmother, who lived a ripe, full life of 115. She loved her grandmother so much and vice versa. She's the favorite granddaughter as well. The grandmother vowed that she will not leave the earth until her great-granddaughter is born. She would just sit all day, in her corner, praying all the time.

Being the favorite grandchild, some of her grandmother's children became jealous of the attention showered to her. The children would take their mother to their own homes in her chair, but she would resist all the way. She would scream and shout, indignant to be returned to her grandchild. (The grandma was living with my Lola Gaudi back then). So when she found out her lola was gone, she would run out and look for her. Of course, all the neighbors has heard the ruckus. They would point the way where Lola was brought. How powerful jealousy could be!

Then she jumped on, remembering the day she was about to give birth to her eldest daughter. She was brought to the hospital in the morning and gave birth to my Mommy Ana (this is my aunt's pet name in the family) Unbeknownst to her, the moment she delivered the baby was the exact same moment her grandmother gave her last breath.

Many came and visited the hospital. The first question she asked of them was, "How is my Lola?" And they would lie saying, "She still the same as you left her." Nightfall came, Gaudi was insisted that she be brought back home. She told the nurse. She told the doctor. But they replied saying they had no means of bringing her back that night. She had to wait till morning.

Morning came and she bugged the hospital staff with her urgency to go home. She was free to go, they said and she travelled home using the hospital vehicle. She got off the vehicle, and the rain was pouring hard. She scurried home knowing that the urgency she felt needs to be obeyed.

The moment she arrived, still drenched from the rain, she saw the coffin where her lola lay. She ran, she screamed, she hugged the coffin tight and cried for the loss of her loved one. People were trying to wrench her away from the coffin but she would stick to the coffin as if she were part of it. Then came her husband.

The husband was a bit cruel. He hit her so hard that she fell unconscious. When she woke up, she was in their home in Quiapo, a very long way from the wake of her grandmother. She says it was a miracle she lived through it without "Binat".

I wrote this as a tribute to her. I have only known my lola for, let's say, 21 years out of my 25. But she has lived for almost a century now. I don't know who her favorite apo is. She definitely has great-grand-children now. All I know is that I love her. I honor the fact that she is in my family tree, her blood in my veins. I cannot deny the fact that as I am writing, I am overwhelmed with great emotion.

Dying is where we all go. We will have to face it one way or another. But before that day comes, may the Lord permit that I may be able to spend a bit more time with her, listen to her stories, and chronicle them in my heart.

Her legacy is my life.

BOB ONG on VALENTINE'S DAY

2009-02-13T07:13:00.000-08:00

Para sa lahat ng Pinoy!!!

Enjoy reading and share to your friends! (Ang mga sumusunod ay hindi maaaring i-translate. Mawawalan ng saysay ang mga katotohanang hatid ni Bob Ong) The following may not be translated. The truths Bob Ong has given us will be of no avail.

1. “Kung hindi mo mahal ang isang tao, wag ka nang magpakita ng motibo para mahalin ka nya…”

2. “Huwag mong bitawan ang bagay na hindi mo kayang makitang hawak ng iba.”

3. “Huwag mong hawakan kung alam mong bibitawan mo lang.”

4. “Huwag na huwag kang hahawak kapag alam mong may hawak ka na.” (Totoo naman... Paano mo nga naman bibitbitin yon?)

5. “Parang elevator lang yan eh, bakit mo pagsisiksikan ang sarili mo kung walang pwesto para sayo. Eh meron naman hagdan, ayaw mo lang pansinin.” (Meron naman talagang hagdan... Huwag maging tamad!)

6. “Kung maghihintay ka lang nang lalandi sayo, walang magyayari sa buhay mo… dapat lumandi ka din.” astig

7. “Pag may mahal ka at ayaw sayo, hayaan mo. Malay mo sa mga susunod na araw ayaw mo na din sa kanya, naunahan ka lang.”

8. “Hiwalayan na kung di ka na masaya. Walang gamot sa tanga kundi pagkukusa.”

9. “Pag hindi ka mahal ng mahal mo wag ka magreklamo. Kasi may mga tao rin na di mo mahal pero mahal ka… kaya quits lang.”

10. “Kung dalawa ang mahal mo, piliin mo yung pangalawa. Kasi hindi ka naman mgmamahal ng iba kung mahal mo talaga yung una.”

11. “Hindi porke’t madalas mong ka-chat, kausap sa telepono, kasama sa mga lakad o ka-text ng wantusawa eh may gusto sayo at magkakatuluyan kayo. Meron lang talagang mga taong sadyang friendly, sweet, flirt, malandi, pa-fall o paasa.”

12. “Huwag magmadali sa lalaki o babae. Tatlo, lima, sampung taon, mag-iiba ang pamantayan mo at maiisip mong hindi pala tamang pumili ng kapareha dahil lang sa maganda o nakakalibog ito (excuse the term). Totoong mas maganda ang kalooban ng tao higit sa anuman. Sa paglipas ng panahon, maging ang mga crush ng bayan nagmumukha ding pandesal, maniwala ka.”

13. “Minsan kahit ikaw ang nakaschedule, kailangan mo pa ring maghintay, kasi hindi ikaw ang priority.”

14. “Mahirap pumapel sa buhay ng tao. Lalo na kung hindi ikaw ang yung bida sa script na pinili nya.”

15. “Alam mo ba kung gaano kalayo ang pagitan ng dalawang tao pag nagtalikuran na sila? Kailangan mong libutin ang buong mundo para lang makaharap muli ang taong tinalikuran mo.”
(How sweet naman!)

16. “Mas mabuting mabigo sa paggawa sa isang bagay kesa magtagumpay sa paggawa ng wala.”

17. “Hindi lahat ng kaya mong intindihin ay katotohanan, at hindi lahat ng hindi mo kayang intindihin ay kasinungalingan.”

18. “Kung nagmahal ka ng taong hindi dapat at nasaktan ka, wag mong sisihin ang puso mo. Tumitibok lang yan para mag-supply ng dugo sa katawan mo. Ngayon kung magaling ka sa anatomy at ang sisisihin mo naman ay ang hypothalamus mo na kumokontrol ng emotions mo, mali ka pa rin! Bakit? Utang na loob! Wag mong isisi sa body organ mo ang mga sama ng loob mo sa buhay. Tandaan mo: magiging masaya ka lang kung matututo kang tanggapin na hindi ang puso, utak, atay o bituka mo ang may kasalanan sa lahat ng nangyari sayo, kundi IKAW mismo!.”

19. “Ang pag-ibig parang imburnal… nakakatakot mahulog… at pag nahulog ka, it’s either by accident or talagang tanga ka…”

Transitions

2009-02-11T07:03:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine resigned from one of his previous jobs. I asked for his reason. "It's not my season anymore," he says.

There are some things that has been in a corner of my mind since the beginning of the year:

Number 1: WORK (is my season really coming to an end? If yes, where is my next assignment?)

Number 2: MY SPOUSE (I truly know that this is my year, no doubt about it!)

Number 3: MINISTRY

The reason I said number 2 is that when my friend resigned and he moved on to a different location, he found his wife-to-be. (I can say that he is so led and so keen to God's seasons. He found the one!) Am I to talk the same direction? Still, I don't want to miss out on God's best for me... Where is that guy?! (I promised God I'd be more patient on this one! *lol*)

Talking about ministry, I really don't get it why people can't seem to learn from the old stuff they went through before. (Some people will get this, some people won't). What I'm trying to say is that one group suddenly took over a small group February of last year. But it didn't work out well. People were already noticing that the "atmosphere" wasn't the same with this invasion. So finally, they gave it back. My team worked hard together, even if there were just a handful of us every Wednesday night. But the "atmosphere" returned to normal, or was even better this time I believe.

Then January of this year, it's not an another invasion, they called it a merge. So okay. I am a humble servant following my leaders. I do what I am told and I never ask questions. We went throuh a crazy week # 1 of merging... I notice loopholes in the first meeting. As the eyes and ears of the previous group, I brought them to the attention of my supervisor. He basically told me in my own rendition, "Stop talking to me about these things. Go to the new leader. He will deal with it."

My mind goes "WHAT?!" Wasn't it even enough for me to cry my eyes out for this group? Not to enlarge my part in all of this, but aren't we good enough to support this group? Another lingering notion in my head was, "Why is it that we are not kept in the loop for this MERGE?" Everybody was just too one sided about this. Not asking about our opinions, details on what works for the team. It's NOW always about who the better talent than all the rest. If your talent does not reach their "TALENTADO" meter, your opinion doesn't count!!! Your talent DOES NOT COUNT!!! So for everybody who was doing one thing before is doing absolutely nothing now. BECAUSE THEY AREN'T GOOD ENOUGH AND THE LEADERS ARE NOT TAPPING THEIR OTHER SKILLS TO HELP INCREASE THE MINISTRY.

Are these people blind? Are these people deaf? Are these people more that human beings that they can do everything themselves? *sigh*

What can I do? I am just a mere volunteer. MY OPINION DOESN'T COUNT.

I haven't been attending the meetings for the past 2 weeks now. I don't want to be USED, thankless after your services. Far as I know, they may even be talking about me behind my back. But I don't care. Let them talk their brains out if they even have one.

I once asked that supervisor,"Why is it that this group always makes me cry?" My heart hurts to embrace the team that has now been scattered all over.

I know that they will notice. They will notice, I promise you, the thinning of the attendance of the group they merged. For no apparent reason, other things have suddenly become more important than the merge, the transition that isn't really a transition, but an INVASION.

Kinda random, isn't it. Life is so random. But only our God knows that this thing we call random is actually part of His bigger plan and purpose for our lives. (Forgive this blabbering lady. The guts need to be spilled.)

* * * valentine's day * * *

2009-02-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

a nice little greeting to all my dearest friends...

Free Myspace Comments

love y'all!!!

Care Group, etc...

2009-01-31T06:37:00.000-08:00

I was reviewing my friendster account a little while back and I realized... "Wow! We've gone through a lot!" So I am now here to share some photos, flashback of the joys and excitement of handling my Care Girls!!! (Parang Care Bears.. Hahaha!)

I think, we took this pic after a New Life event, a Sunday where there was an abundance of flowers all around. In this pic are Honey (standing in the middle), (from left to right) me, Cez, Hanna, Paula, and Lindsy. The FLOWER BUNNIES!

I am not in the pic. This is where we visited MV Doulos last year. In this pic (from left to right) Cez, Hanna, Paula, MV Doulos staff, and Honey. They were trying to match up their height to his.

I tool this photo. Our first Mall of Asia trip. (From left to right) Zah, Pau, Linds, Hanna, Ysrael, Jonah, Cez, and Honey.

This one is from our trip to Kuya Leo's private resort in San Pablo, Laguna. In photo is TOUR GUIDE Rakel, hand on red bag is Lindsy, Hanna, Cez, Honey, my mom, and the protruding finger is Me. Lol!

This is one of those private moments where we are just chillin' at home. Watching movies or sharing stories. Paula, Cez, Hanna and Honey. We do this kind of meetings most of the time. Especially when most of the girls were still studying.

This is from Ysrael's first real treat from having a job. Yellow Cab at SM Southmall.

Sumabit ang care girls sa Enchanted Kingdom trip ng admin team. My sis Jonah, Hanna, Cez, Marielle and Babes (in red)

Last but not the least, one of our memorable garden meetings (before the tent was purchase and left us to fend for ourselves in the mall). In this one, I was actually crying my eyes out in great humiliation (having found out that my zipper was open when we just had a surprise visit from my crush). How mean can life be?

Hope you had fun refreshing moments. I might update this post. I have to look for more pics..

Ja matta! (see you in Nihonggo)

David Cook files

2009-01-30T22:04:00.000-08:00

HAPPY WATCHING!

David Cook: Thank You from David Cook, American Idol 7

David Cook - Making of "LIGHT ON"

David Cook and Band in Saturday Night Live
"Declaration"

My Life with David Cook

2009-01-30T20:43:00.000-08:00

...charos...

So much has changed ever since I heard David sing "Always Be My Baby" in the American Idol Season 7. I heard myself say "Wow" as he sang it passionately. I rarely have those moments when I fall head over heels over a voice that carries the life that the song depicts. I was awestruck the first time.

That was when I decided to follow him closely as the season nears it end. During the finals, my house was divided in 2 tribes: the Archuleta fans and the Cook fans. But all in, the finals was so potent and compacted with pure talent it was really hard to focus on the other guy alone. I mean, this must be the best season ever.

Cheers were heard for blocks away from our place when Cook won. Our tribe won!!! Hahaha (Sorry, Babes. This is my blog. I can say whatever!) Rejoicing upon rejoicing for all David Cook fans around the globe.

From there, I did these:

1. Ask Hanna for downloads of DC music (I was actually thinking more of the audio files. But she gave me VIDEOS! What more can I ask?)

2. Download his pre-Idol music at www.david-cook.org (Travis, you're the greatest fan Cook has!)

3. Promised a friend that we would buy his album together

4. Ended up buying 2 copies of his album in Singapore

5. Receiving a David Cook 2009 calendar from Ryan and Ricci for my birthday (which I plan to frame any time this week)

6. Browsing Youtube for more fan videos and the rest of the net for info, info, info, info

7. Watching his Walmart Soundcheck with the band (I swear. When I go to the US, I will get an autograph from everyone from the band)

8. Repeatedly watching his Walmart Soundcheck videos from early this morning til now (This is what I call a cookie fix)

9. Writing a blog on David Cook that I have been planning for quite some time

10. Wishing it was now that I am in the USA so I can watch him start his Declaration tour

11. He is on top of my USA to do check list. All caps, bold fonts, size 125, font in red and underlined. Hahaha!!!

Paula said I have become a fan girl as well. (Like she is to Laruku and Hanna to Arashi). Pau and I shared some music of David that she finds interesting. Idol-wise, it was Music of the Night and album-wise, it was Come Back To Me. I am a fan girl now. I follow every bit of info I can. I am not a stalker though. Just avidly appreciating the music world with David Cook now in EXISTENCE. Where was I before then?

But for me, everything about David is perfect. (But I must admit, the guy is just as human as I am. Not yet musically perfect, but still worthy to be given fame and the opportunity to show the world WHAT GREAT MUSIC IS ALL ABOUT) It is more than the face and the voice and the band that is with him. It is the heart that is delivered with a passion with every song. Music is the universal language of the heart. SO to connect to a heart, an artist must have the heart to connect. And THAT IS DAVID COOK!

I AM SO HOOKED!!!

A Day with an OFW

2009-01-29T00:24:00.001-08:00

This is my friend Olive. She is a public school teacher in San Mateo, San Francisco, US. I am so honored to have spent one entire day with her before she left for the States again.

She called me one Thursday afternoon to ask a very huge and urgent favor. She needed me for some paperwork required for her to fly back to US. So I told her, "I don't have all the requirements now." But from what we were able to obtain that day with mistrials with the office fax machine and the urgency of her request, her brother Levi picking me up from the office in a huffle, arriving in that office in the nick of time, we were able to have the documents partially processed. (Which is good considering we were only there for like an hour). She asked me if I could go with her again the next day. Again I say yes but half the day only. I had a meeting waiting for me at 3 pm.

The following day, we met at McDonald's ATC (such a famous meeting place for most people) had some hot chocolate and went to go to Ortigas to finalize the documents. That finalization took us ALL DAY!!! Signatures weren't required until about 2:30 in the afternoon. I was in a spot where I ask myself "To the meeting or Stay with Olive?" The latter question won. I realized that if I left my friend now and all the hassles of paperwork were left to her, cuffing her in this country for the next month, then I would be left at fault here. And besides, I wouldn't be able to see her for the entire year and a half. So I decided to stay and HELL to the meeting. This is my friend we are talking about!!!

So at that point, Olive also wanted to throw all the lounge chairs. She needed to meet with her flight agent to get her ticket. The office closes at 5:30 pm and at 5:25 pm, we were still in that office, waiting for the final documents to be released. But favor of God upon all of us, the agent waited for us.

To cut the flight of adventures short, Olive met with her agent, paid for the tickets, relaxed and went to US the following evening. She was so grateful for all the help I gave that she said, "Don't buy the glam bag. I'll send you one through Kuya Levi." But then again, this is my last opportunity to speak up. I said, "Never mind the bag. When I visit you next year, I want us to have front seats in a David Cook performance"

So til this day, even if David Cook doesn't come to the Philippines for a concert, I will see him and Olive next year. (David will be so busy with his Declaration Tour until Apil 2009. The concert will have to be in May or June.) I am excited!!!

HAPPY THOUGHTS

2009-01-29T00:04:00.000-08:00

Hello!!!

It has been a while since I last posted something in my blogger.

2 things has been keeping me busy for the past few days: MYSPACE and ONLINE MONEY MAKING

Am I seeing ??? in your thought bubble?

Hahaha. I think I do see ???

Let me share my online life with you....

MYSPACE is a site that for me has been so full of exciting activities, interesting people, talented people. Some may say that most of them are actually eccentric, weird, out-of-this-world, crazy, but much to their defense, myspace members are actually reflecting back to us human nature.

We are just human after all. Regardless of where we are or what we do or what we like, people in Myspace are actually connecting in more ways than one. We find something or someone to connect us to one another.

I guess that's the basic point of all social networks but so far, i believe that MYSPACE has individualized its networking so that people can really be themselves in THEIR SPACE in MYSPACE. It is a place, for me, that I can call my own.

I admit that there are some more areas that I need to work on my profile, but each time is so exciting that it will take a minimun of 1 hour for me just browsing at pictures, people, music. It supercedes boundaries of country, culture, life stature, etc. Once you enter a page, you get sucked into a warp hole that allows you to know more about that person's page.

(No offense to other networks) MYSPACE works for me best!

ONLINE MONEY MAKING

These are just some of the sites I have been frequently visiting. Very easy. If you have a PC, an internet connection and loads of time, then maybe this is one of the things you could consider for money making. The first one in particular is a huge payer. In a month, I maybe able to cash out the minimum earnings... I am so excited.. I am doing this at my own free time. No conflict with work whatsoever. They are 2 separate entities.

If I succeed in this journey, I believe fervently that my US trip is going to be a huge succcess for 2010. Who knows, I may be able to squeeze in a little Japan trip on the side... I am excited!!!

Finally...

2009-01-28T23:33:00.000-08:00

It has been days of swimming in the mudpool... the blood bath has been so... blinding, weakening, assuming that everything is normal...

But the past couple of weeks hasn't been that well though...

Work is kinda blah...

Home is more or less arrgh... (but not all the time)

Social life has reached a plateau...

I think I am at my lowest point at the moment...

But I still feel that something bigger than I am is coming...

very soon!

Streamline 2

2009-01-12T06:39:00.000-08:00

I just want to share and update on the "23" issue.... I heard that 23 is lower than somebody else!!! Makes me want to say "DARN!!!" My workplace just makes it so unfair to work any further...

Sand timer is me. I feel like the top half is the place where I work now. And the bottom haf is the next season, the next phase, the next drop off point for me. MY NEXT ASSIGNMENT.

I recently got an offer to work in UK. Pays a lot, and the work isn't too complicated. Very tempting if I may say. But I haven't taken it yet. I'm still waiting on God, waitng for a confirmation answer to fly out or not. I am MAJORLY frustrated. God knows. I'll keep you in the loop.

*grrrr*

It's okay to stop now

2009-01-09T08:28:00.000-08:00

What in the world did I mean about my blog title?

Have you ever endured your birthday for like a week, listening to every one singing out of tune versions of the "Happy Birthday Song"? That IS what I meant!!!

The first few singers would be very much okay. The next ones are like so-so. On the day itself, it's like raining hail and brimstone of the same song. (No offense, people!) And on and on it goes until you wised you brought earmuffs with you in the office. (Guys, please spare the celebrant. Grant them some peace...)

But all in all, I ENJOYED MY BIRTHDAY!!!

I found out that I had several people celebrating their birthdays on the same day... (Duh?! What do I expect? There's only 365 days in a year..)

LEIGH FORMILLEZA

REAN FARAON

DAUGHTER OF PASTORS REY AND JOYCE

BABY GIRL OF KUYA RAIN AND ATE IRENE

Small world!!! And these people are directly connected to me.. So I feel much better that I'm sharing the endless musical greeting with them...

I don't have any pictures to show you how I spent my day. All my plans ALMOST happened. Wished it hadn't rained so much yesterday and caused so much traffic, not to mention so much "PUTIK" in the sidewalks and main thoroughfares after the rain shower. I was wearing shorts and every 4 minutes I had to wipe off the streaks and drops and scandal of having mud on my legs. It was horribly disgusting (the mud I am talking about is from BACLARAN... ewww!)

This is also the first time I shared ice cream with the office peeps. In days of old, the company would prepare something for the month's celebrants. Nowadays, SARILING SIKAP NA LANG KUNG GUSTO MO MAGHANDA. (Meaning, If you want to treat others, you have to get it from your own pocket...)

My lola and I have to go to Divisoria tomorrow to buy the cloth that I need. Baclaran turned to be an insufficient place to look.

Just a while ago, some people from my Yuppy Band prayed for me. The guy who was leading prayer mentioned "that You may grant her patience in Your dealings with her". Unbelieveable, but that was the Holy Ghost talking! It was only God and me who knows what the real score is in THAT special arena...

To close, I am thankful and happy that I am 26. It only comes once. So why not enjoy it. I have 364 days left before I turn myself over to the next level! Enjoy your birthday (in peace and solitude, if you now know what I mean)!!!

Birthday Wishlist

2009-01-06T06:10:00.000-08:00

I am two days away from my birthday...

Hope you don't mind me sharing some things that I selfishly would want to be indulged with. It's only one day a year that I can do that. So fire away I say... (Pau, I know you're reading. Hahahaha!)

Any book from my shelfari.com

A complete Japanese-English dictionary (the nice one from Randomhouse)

A red glam bag

At least 2 new pairs of footwear (Poor me didn't have any new apparel from Christmas!)

A new set of eyewear (I want to get something from StarFinder, Festival Mall Alabang)

A Message Bible (small edition)
A dream date with ____________ at Vivere Rooftop

A big bunch of flowers from --- somebody I like (still dreaming about this one!!!)

On my birthday, I will be picking up my grandma from Cavite and together, we will be going to Mall of Asia to buy the nicest pair of shoes I've seen from December 10. (Shoe Mart really has a way of marketing their products. The nicest one in the International Branch!!! Argh!!!) Afterwhich (or maybe before we go there), we will travel to the world of Divisoria for materials for my Filipiniana costume.

When I get back by 5 pm, I will meet my friends, Rakel and Olive in Gallerie Franchesca then proceed to the 4th floor for the new Brad Pitt movie.

Ice cream awaits for my family who stays awake...

Love you guys!

Will I ever be found?!

2009-01-06T05:29:00.000-08:00

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD. "

This is what Proverbs 18 verse 22 says. That a wife is a good thing. I know I am a good thing. But when will i be found? Where is this man who is supposed to find me? Who is he and is he looking for me?

Ahhh... just a little trickle of frustration... My birthday is coming up soon and I am turning twenty six years old. Darn it! I feel so old and left out.

It's not a seldom issue for ladies like me who get to a point where we ask ourselves "Will I ever be found?" Factors like age, and friends from all over already in a serious relationship. They have already built a family, taking care of little babies and fun stuff married people do... (Hahaha.. seriously!!!)

I firmly believe that what I desire, the longing to be found is embedded to my core by God Himself. It is for a purpose that He wants me to be in His perfect will. This man will be a strength to me like Jesus is. He will a source of peace and serenity like Jesus is. He is fun loving. He is smart. He thoughtful. And he loves God even before he met me.

And my future husband will love me like Jesus loves His bride. (What an awesome place to be in!)

I told my friend one time that finally I have 3 characteristics I would like my man to have.

He must be a lover and a follower of God
He must be financially ok
He must be pleasing to my eyes (crazy to say, but point number 3 means that finding him attractive even if others do not is an entirely personally preference and a genetic code deep within my soul. A certain "type" would probably be too much for you readers if I put all of mine in.)

Nevertheless, despite the stamp I placed at the start, the eye crying for her beloved would surely wait no longer. The tears will be wiped gently and the heart that has called out for so long, hoarse as it may be, will whisper, "I am found!"

Streamline...

2009-01-06T04:47:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was the first time I heard this word...

I really didn't understand at first but there was a certain ring to it that I was waiting for quite some time.

STREAMLINE

So just before I started this blog, I looked it up in the net. And this is what I found:

(v) streamline (contour economically or efficiently)

I heard this word in our year-opening meeting. That the company would be streamlining... Far as I'm concerned, this is a good thing. The company (.. sounds like a Heroes episode) is in fact over staffed. And for one, I see that there are people hired to do jobs that volunteers can easily do. And some people are OVERLY PAID (by twice the salary i make in a month) doing nothing but smile and wave and be cute and be present on big company days. What the heck!!! I think everybody else was shocked at the direction the lady boss was going. They looked like the cat in the pic who was sitting ever so peacefully and was shocked eyes wide open... Hahahaha...(Except me, while she was explaining the word, there came a slugging kind of a grin on my face. One of my eyebrows was actually enthusiastically higher than its partner.)

So streamline. Contouring economically. Lets face it. Some people placed in managerial positions don't think enough to know the outcome of people they hire. Like this one friend I know. She got hired last year to be a techie assistant. Just this week, they retracted her hired status and returned her to become a parttimer. People expect that this person can learn the job in a month when in truth the person isn't really TECHNICALLY prepared. I feel sad for my friend though. But I know that becoming a parttime in a different arena is really this person's element. Not being a techie. (For all you know, my friend is already 60 years old.... Whatdya expect?! Hello?!!)

I really wish that the person who functions by being cute be streamlined. I would laugh my heart out if their salary were deducted even by a quarter. There are people working their asses to the bone and yet their efforts seem to be lost in the jungle of paperwork and management debates and socialization. Some employees just make good by sucking other people's behind to get what they want. (Sorry, guys! I know I labeled this blog Diva-ine Life. But hey. Even a diva gets cross sometimes)

Coming soon is a protest t-shirt 23. I just pray that management see behind the self-promotions and look at the real issue: WHO ARE THE REAL ONES WHO SERVE THE COMPANY?

Anxious? Yes, I am!!!

2009-01-04T08:28:00.000-08:00

(i promise this will the last entry for tonight) hahahaha!!!

Today is the last day of my so-called "VACATION MODE". Darnit! I really wish i could be a bum for a week more. It's back to work again tomorrow. Sad to say though that priorities have a greater voice than what we really want to do.

I absolutely loved it when I spent A LOT of time home, watching tv, DVDs, playing online games, reading my infintely forgotten books. I felt like I was a battery given meaning to its existence. (From days preceeding, I was moving around like a robot) And, I've been getting a lot of pressure from upstairs (if you know what I mean)

So, I'm not entirely too excited to be back tomorrow. I'm taking things one thing at a time and who knows.. The battery might just be able to help the flashlight... or the charging time still wasn't enough...

* * * sigh* * *

Discoveries (part 1)

2009-01-04T08:05:00.000-08:00

i discovered something this morning...

the amazing, relaxing, and calming singing voice of JONATHAN CLAY!

here's a sample video that may call your attention...

what a voice!!!

for more material on JC, go to www.jonathanclay.com.

Welcome 2009!!!

2009-01-04T07:47:00.000-08:00

hmmm... what a generic way to start my blog...

it's definitely a new year, and i believe it calls for new things to start, new things to enjoy, new things to prioritize...

so here i am... (pau >>> thanks for influencing me to start this one) pouring out my blog-juices on this initial entry...

what can i say? i believe i have a lifetime more of sharing stuff with you..

i'll keep you posted!!! (i'm keeping this one as short as possible)

happy new year!!!