Tina and Gladys' Adventures in San Pablo

Tina and I went to San Pablo today to visit her friend's dad's wake in Laguna. We didn't exactly know the way going there but hey, we've always had these adventures anyway. Decided to bring the car na lang so we can catch up more and it would seem like a faster travel rather than taking a bus. So with phone calls and many kwentos abound, we were on our way.

We got lost... a lot! Took a "scenic" route to Batangas so we had about 4 hours of travel time... passing by ghost town of STAR toll, all the malls of Lipa, and then the neverending search for Max's (or "mac", as Paul would say it) to look for Paul's house. Thanks to Marty and Jayson for all the directions! Left at 5pm na though, so sinalubong na namin rush hour traffic... which meant another 4 hours back to manila! Sheesh! Kapoy mag-drive, pero all in the spirit of adventure. It was my first loooong drive anyway, so was glad to do it with Tins :-) Paul is hereby inducted though to our Bringer of Cheers circle. hehe. Till the next long drive... north nman tayo ha ;-)

On Andrew Gordon Mier

This past year, i've been hanging out a lot with old friends from AIESEC ADMU.. it's been quite the tradition to watch tagalog films with them... even the big summer flicks this june were weekly dates with these people. Movies, videoke, inuman, gimik. I never realized that we could all maintain this bond even after our org days are over, but I'm happy nevertheless because I know them much better now, not just as colleagues but as dear friends. I'm grateful too that they've "adopted" me somewhat, as I came from UPD and they're all Genuine Blue Alumni (as Drew would put it. Haha!).. good thing ADMU has always been nice to me :-)

With changes in work and school though, we haven't had the luxury of hanging out as often as we used to. But we've had our YM chats and constant texts to keep each other updated, especially in the love department. There's even an ongoing bet, that whoever "finds true love" first gets to treat the others at the buffet of our choice. For a while, everyone was assuming that I'd be the first to introduce someone to the gang, but it looks like Drew will be beating me to the finish line: he'll be bringing the girl over this weekend to meet us. 'Be nice', he warned us. Haha... we'll see Drew ;)

Part of me is really happy for him. He's been looking for the perfect girl for so long, and after so many false starts, I think this is it. I hope that this is it. Then again, a teensy weensy part is also wistful because I know that things won't be the same between us. The two of us became close anyway because we were both single this past year and we didn't have significant others to keep us "busy". Now, I feel like we won't be able to talk and watch movies and hang out as often as we used to because of course, his first priority will be the girlfriend. I've sort of "lost" an old friend already before because of a relationship, and this seems to be the same thing all over again. Of course we'd still be friends... yada yada... but we both know how things will be from now on. Oh well, that's life I guess. It's just sad saying goodbye to things you got used to, but change is always part of life and that's one thing we have to always keep adjusting to. Anyway, Drew's used to me being all dramatic on him at wee hours of the night... so nothing really new. Except he's the one praning now about his new relationship, keeping me updated with his midnight rendezvous at 3am. Haha!

So sans the senti mode... I still raise my glass to Drew: may this girl finally make all your dreams come true... and may we all have a grand time at Spiral! Cheers!

Real Friends

Through the years, it's been fun meeting new people, making new friends and catching up with old ones from all circles: from high school, college, orgs, office. It's been interesting proving time and again how small the world really is, because no matter where I go, I always meet someone I know. Even my fam and friends are keeping tabs already on how many people I'd get to greet in the malls, even in far-flung places... already assuming that I'd really see a familiar face. Officemates even ask about my "chapters", because even in out-of-town conventions, I'd always manage to meet up with friends from that locale, thanks to AIESEC, friendster, multiply, etc.

In retrospect, it's been great having many many friends and acquaintances. Coz I have big barkadas everywhere, different groups, different cliques. Parang social butterfly, kse I can adjust anywhere nman. There's even a brief feeling of fulfillment if I reach my self-imposed quota on number of contacts added in those friendster-esque sites. But then again, when it really matters, when I'm in the middle of some life-changing, earth-shaking moment and I need a friend to call or talk to... I feel so alone. Apparently, I don't have a steady group of friends I can really rely on when it matters, or when I really need a friend. A true friend who can understand what I'm going through. A listening ear and a crying shoulder.

In fairness, I do have real friends naman... but they're not really all from the same group: a couple from St. Paul, one from UP, a few from AIESEC and DAYS, a girl from LRI, etc. All in all, I can maybe fit them all in my mobile's speed dial. Then again, maybe that's all that counts: a handful of real people who can stick with you through thick and thin.. who can celebrate life's momentous occasions with you, and not just party with you when there's free booze... who can be truly concerned on your well-being and ask how you really are, not just for politeness' sake... who can tell you when you're wrong without being cruel or judgmental... who can listen to stories you've told on and on because they understand how important these are to you... who can be there for you at the drop of a hat when you need a hug or company or a drive home, no questions asked. I'm grateful to these people because even if our lives have changed, they're still there for me, time and time again, much as I have also tried my utmost to be there for them.

For you, my dear friends, you know who you are :-) May our friendship still stand the test of time. Thank you thank you thank you.

On Blogging and Nostalgia Trips

In a certain personality test, there’s a question which somehow goes: if you are currently panic-stricken, tired and stressed out, your favorite therapy would be: (a) retail therapy, (b) food tripping, (c) a hot bubble bath (or a good massage), (d) night out with girl friends. Personally I would have answered all of the above, but recently I realize that I would have added another option to the list: (e) writing in a blog or journal.

I’ve kept so many journals since my elementary days, as requirement for class, but it’s only now that I’m able to maintain an online blog, just for the heck of it. It’s been three years running so far, and though there are writers’ blocks, I’m glad I’m still able to update it at least once a month. Of course, my obsession with multiply came and heightened even more, which lessened my updating of the blogspot for a while (I’ve migrated all my reviews and albums and general blog entries there already), and I’ve just started this spiritual/prayer blog, so it’s getting quite interesting to juggle all three altogether (minus friendster and all those similar friends-friends accounts! Phew!).

Sometimes though, especially in defining moments, I suddenly drop all things to fulfill the sudden urge to write all these feelings off not just for therapy’s sake but for posterity as well. Just like today, when I’m so overcome and overwhelmed to post multiple entries in all blogs! Haha!

It all started with a recently posted blog entry which reminded me of a similar entry I posted many years ago. Because I was trying to find which “era” in the archives I saved it too, the search for the missing entry became a full-blown trip down memory lane. I read and read many entries I’ve written over the years—my love-hate relationship with my career, crazy girl bondings, my growth in DAYS, and of course, the love entries which I think occupied about 80% of my archive space! I smiled as I read some of the good memories, and I winced at the forgettable ones. How fast time flies talaga! It’s nice and haunting at the same time to be nostalgic—to see how much you’ve realized and how many lessons you’ve learned and actually applied. How many mistakes you’ve now avoided. How much you’ve sacrificed. How much you’ve celebrated. How much you’ve Loved.

So to me, and all the bloggers out there… Cheers to more and more years of whining, rejoicing, learning, sharing, writing and blog-hopping!

Missing Sparks

Met up with an old friend yesterday, after about two years of no contact with each other. And I couldn’t help myself being overcome with excitement and anxiety both for the “reunion date”, that I started calling up friends, planned my wardrobe and primped even days before. I knew that I was only setting myself up for disappointment with all these expectations I was starting to build for the date, but I’ve always been stubborn so my friends (and my inner logic) just let me be.

Monday came and went, and it was really a very nice reunion. He looked good, happy and worry-free, evidently because he just resigned from his work and is now looking forward to greener pastures. He was the perfect gentleman and we had the most animated conversations. He even brought me a small gift… a sign answered from a prayer I asked from Him before our meeting. He was even the first one to text me that he had a great time—a habit I usually initiated first with all my friends (and dates included).

Though I admit I had a wonderful time catching up and hanging out with him, the “afternoon delight” would have been perfect… save for one thing: sparks. It’s the one thing I’ve always hoped for, and never really received. He will always be a great friend, but even long-lasting friendship that looms in the horizon pales in comparison to the promise of something grander—yes, that thing that makes the world go round.

I guess I’m at a standstill because I tend to overanalyze things, which eventually complicates matters even worse. But the simple truth is this—I don’t think I will ever completely forget nor get over this affliction (or addiction) of him, even if clearly there’s nothing else he can give me but what we have right now. So, it comes down to two (2) options—Option 1: I take the high road and accept us being friends, nothing more nothing less. Which means I stop hoping for something that I know will never happen. And I can really be more at ease and more open with him, not the guarded nor conservative nor proper girl that i'm projecting to be (assuming that is his idea of the perfect girl). Or, Option 2: Stop being friends with him altogether. Because sometimes it really is hard to smile like everything’s ok. Out of sight, out of mind, out of heart.

I’m still deciding. But I think I’m leaning towards Option 1. Because I’d rather have him here, right now, and enjoy the friendship that we have, as it truly is a relationship that I treasure, than not have him in my life at all. For now, I just have to put up a brave front and smile and cheer him on in his dreams, as if nothing is wrong. For now, I’m glad to have good friends around me who gives me comforting hugs, sound advice, distracting stories, listening ears and shoulders to cry on. Thank you thank you thank you. I’m so blessed to have friends like you.

Like everything else, this too shall pass. And everything will be happy happy joy joy again. Till the next date then.

That's Life

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

Lately I've been really really tired. No matter how many hours I sleep it off or how many massages I get to try to rejuvenate, I still feel this inexplainable exhaustion. Good thing I'm hoarding off all the vitamins I can get from the office. Haha!

I've been feeling this way for about two months already. But with the workload and the events happening one on top of the other, the stress is finally taking its toll on me. This is not just merely feeling physically tired... i think I'm emotionally, spiritually fatigued as well.

It's not that I don't love my job. Well, it's a love-and-hate relationship on most days. Sometimes, I do think about "greener pastures", but I know deep inside that what I've got is something worth keeping already. It's just that sometimes, the work keeps piling up. The image you see on commercials, with employees drowning in mountains of paperwork, apparently that's so true in real life! I'm amazed at the speed at which papers and documents and tasks to do pile up, especially if we're gone from our cubes for two weeks because of conventions. And it takes me until midnight sometimes just to get to half of those papers! Aaaaaaargh!!!

The question that people ask (and seem to assume) is if we're compensated enough for this crazy, hectic life. I would've answered, ok lang. It's enough to pay the bills and something a little extra but I still need to work my ass more to get those incentives so I can really plan for my future. The benefits are better though, especially for those extending to my family, so I can't complain on that aspect. Plus, the people are really really nice... it's almost impossible to find co-workers and bosses who do trust in your ability, sincerely mentor and coach you, and treat you like a normal human being.

Bottom line though, am I happy? Is this the kind of life that I want? Because no matter what we say, whatever happens, the level of stress we tolerate is exactly the same level that we accept to tolerate. It's a conscious decision to be happy.

It's a question I've been asking myself each and every day. So far, I think I'll take it a few more months, even years, to finally answer that question. For now, I'll learn everything I could, and enjoy the company of my office friends as much as I can... one day at a time ;)

Paloozaheads!

hahaha! laugh trip! buti na lang bored ang mga tao. thanks to tina for this paloozahead!

Create Your Own PaloozaHead - Visit Lollapalooza.com

A Woman of Strength

[grabbed from Anna's site: http://lavidadulce.multiply.com]

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape.

But a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything.

But a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her.

But a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.

A strong woman walks sure footedly.

But a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face.

But a woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey.

But a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.

The road to becoming a better person, a better Catholic, a better woman and sister in Jess, is a continuing process, but with Days and with God's grace, I hope someday to truly live by and become a woman of strength... :)

On Choosing Well

For my friends who are married, planning to get married, and for those still searching and making that choice.. ;-)

Eduardo Calasanz was a student at the Ateneo de Manila where he had Father Ferriols as a professior. Father Ferriols, at that time, was the Philosophy department head. Currently he still teaches Philosophy for graduating college students in Ateneo. Father Ferriols has been very popular for his mind-opening and enriching classes but is also notorious for the grades he gives. Still people took his classes for the learning and deep insight they take home with them every day (if only they could do something about the grades...)

Come grade-giving time, Father Ferriols had a long discussion with the registrar people because he wanted to give Calasanz an A+, which the student eventually received.

Read the article below to find out why.

“Partners and Marriage”
by Eduardo Jose E. Calasanz

I have never met a man who didn’t want to be loved. But I have seldom met a man who didn’t fear marriage. Something about the closure seems constricting, not enabling. Marriage seems easier to understand for what it cuts out of our lives than for what it makes possible within our lives.

When I was younger this fear immobilized me. I did not want to make a mistake. I saw my friends get married for reasons of social acceptability, or sexual fever, or just because they thought it was the logical thing to do. Then I watched, as they and their partners became embittered and petty in their dealings with each others. I looked at older couples and saw, at best, mutual tolerance of each other. I imagined a lifetime of loveless nights and bickering and could not imagine subjecting myself or someone else to such a fate.

And yet, on rare occasions, I would see old couples who somehow seemed to glow in each other’s presence. They seemed really in love, not just dependent upon each other and tolerant of each others’ foibles. It was an astounding sight, and it seemed impossible.

How, I asked myself, can they have survived so many years of sameness, so much irritation at the other’s habits? What keeps love alive in them, when most of us seem unable to even stay together, much less love each other?

The central secret seems to be in choosing well. There is something to the claim of fundamental compatibility. Good people can create a bad relationship, even though they both dearly want the relationship to succeed. It is important to find someone with whom you can create a good relationship from the outset. Unfortunately, it is hard to see clearly in the early stages.

Sexual hunger draws you to each other and colors the way you see yourselves together. It blinds you to the thousands of little things by which relationships eventually survive or fail. You need to find a way to see beyond this initial overwhelming sexual fascination. Some people choose to involve themselves sexually and ride out the most heated period of sexual attraction in order to see what is on the other side. This can work, but it can also leave a trail of wounded hearts. Others deny the sexual side altogether in an attempt to get to know each other apart from their sexuality. But they cannot see clearly, because the presence of unfulfilled sexual desire looms so large that it keeps them from having any normal perception of what life would be like together.

The truly lucky people are the ones who manage to become long-time friends before they realize they are attracted to each other. They get to know each other’s laughs, passions, sadness, and fears. They see each other at their worst and at their best. They share time together before they get swept into the entangling intimacy of their sexuality.

This is the ideal, but not often possible. If you fall under the spell of your sexual attraction immediately, you need to look beyond it for other keys to compatibility.
One of these is laughter. Laughter tells you how much you will enjoy each other’s company over the long term. If your laughter together is good and healthy, and not at the expense of others, then you have a healthy relationship to the world. Laughter is the child of surprise. If you can make each other laugh, you can always surprise each other. And if you can always surprise each other, you can always keep the world around you new. Beware of a relationship in which there is no laughter. Even the most intimate relationships based only on seriousness have a tendency to turn sour. Over time, sharing a common serious viewpoint on the world tends to turn you against those who do not share the same viewpoint, and your relationship can become on being critical together.

After laughter, look for a partner who deals with the world in a way you respect. When two people first get together, they tend to see the relationship as existing only in the space between the two of them. They find each other endlessly fascinating, and the overwhelming power of the emotions they are sharing obscures the outside world. As the relationship ages and grows, the outside world becomes important again. If your partner treats people or circumstances in a way you can’t accept, you will inevitably come to grief. Look at the way she cares for others and deals with the daily affairs of life. If that makes you love her more, your love will grow. If it does not, be careful. If you do not respect the way you each deal with the world around you, eventually the two of you will not respect each other.

Look also at how your partner confronts the mysteries of life. We live on the cusp of poetry and practicality, and the real life of the heart resides in the poetic. If one of you is deeply affected by the mystery of the unseen in life and relationships, while the other is drawn only to the literal and the practical, you must take care that the distance doesn’t become an unbridgeable gap that leaves you each feeling isolated and misunderstood.

There are many other keys, but you must find them by yourself. We all have unchangeable parts of our hearts that we will not betray and private commitments to a vision of life that we will not deny. If you fall in love with someone who cannot nourish those inviolable parts of you, or if you cannot nourish them in her, you will find where you share the business of life, but never touch each other where the heart lives and dreams. From there it is only a small leap to the cataloging of petty hurts and daily failures that leaves so many couples bitter and unsatisfied with their mates.

So choose carefully and well. If you do, you will have chosen a partner with whom you can grow, and then the real miracle of marriage can take place in your hearts. I pick my words carefully when I speak of a miracle. But I think it is not too strong a word. There is a miracle in marriage. It is called transformation. Transformation is one of the most common events of nature. The seed becomes the flower. The cocoon becomes the butterfly. Winter becomes spring and love becomes a child. We never question these, because we see them around us everyday. To us, they are not miracles, though if we did not know them they would be impossible to believe. Marriage is a transformation we choose to make.

Our love is planted like a seed, and in time it begins to flower. We cannot know the flower that will blossom, but we can be sure that a bloom will come. If you have chosen carefully and wisely, the bloom will be good. If you have chosen poorly or for the wrong reason, the bloom will be flawed. We are quite willing to accept the reality of negative transformation in a marriage. It was negative transformation that always had me terrified of the bitter marriages that I feared when I was younger.

It never occurred to me to question the dark miracle that transformed love into harshness and bitterness. Yet I was unable to accept the possibility that the first heat of love could be transformed into something positive that was actually deeper and more meaningful than the heat of fresh passion. All I could believe in was the power of this passion and the fear that when it cooled I would be left with something lesser and bitter. But there is positive transformation as well. Like negative transformation, it results from a slow accretion of little things. But instead of death by a thousand blows, it is growth by a thousand touches of love. Two histories intermingle. Two separate beings, two separate presence, two separate consciousness come together and share a view of life that passes before them. They remain separate, but they also become one.

There is an expansion of awareness, not a closure and a constriction, as I had once feared. This is not to say that there is not tension and there are not traps. Tension and traps are part of every choice of life, from celibate to monogamous to having multiple lovers. Each choice contains within it the lingering doubt that the road not taken somehow more fruitful and exciting, and each becomes dulled to the richness that it alone contains.

But only marriage allows life to deepen and expand and be leavened by the knowledge that two have chosen, against all odds, to become one. Those who live together without marriage can know the pleasure of shared company, but there is a specific gravity in the marriage commitment that deepens that experience into something richer and more complex. So do not fear marriage, just as you should not rush into it for the wrong reasons. It is an act of faith and it contains within it the power of transformation.

If you believe in your heart that you have found someone with whom you are able to grow, if you have sufficient faith that you can resist the endless attraction of the road not taken and the partner not chosen, if you have the strength of heart to embrace the cycles and seasons that your love will experience, then you may be ready to seek the miracle that marriage offers. If not, then wait. The easy grace of marriage well made is worth your patience. When the time comes, a thousand flowers will bloom… endlessly.

The UP Quiz

[ ] worried about getting bullied by fratmen or getting killed in a riot
[ ] got bullied by fratmen or was killed in a riot
[/] witnessed a riot
[/] watched the Oblation Run - present for 4 years! hahaha!
[/] made friends with a teacher
[/] was tricked as a freshman into attending a rally/prayer meeting
[/] wore red or black on one of those wear red or wear black days
[ ] wore red on Valentine’s Day
[ ] wore black on Valentine's Day
[/] celebrated a birthday at Mang Jimmy's
[/] learned UP Naming Mahal (and forgot it immediately after)
[/] got on the dean's list as CS or US
[ ] slept on a bench
[ ] was an RA or SA
[/] lied or begged to an RA for a slot in class
[/] participated in a there's-only-one-more-slot-are you-feeling-lucky?
[/] jogged around the campus
[/] visited the Vargas Museum
[/] knew at least one xerox lady, manong, or technician by name
[/] attended university level graduation
[/] got an activist for a teacher
[ ] watched a La Salle vs. Ateneo UAAP game
[ ] watched a UP vs. any school basketball game - cheering lang napanood ko :P
[/] studied in CASAA
[/] studied in McDonald's or Jollibee Philcoa for one full night and bought just one regular-sized drink
[/] studied along Katipunan cramming in Mcdo/Starbucks
[ ] studied along Katipunan and affected the mannerisms of a stereotypical Atenean
[/] watch a play that's not required for Comm III
[ ] went stargazing
[/] ate in Chocolate Kiss, Tea Room or Chateau Verde
[/] slept in the lib
[ ] struck up a conversation with a taong grasa
[ ] wrote to/for the collegian.
[/] seriously pondered about the identity/ies of the people described in Eksenang Peyups
[/] went to the chapel
[/] got a pebble stuck in your shoe/slippers while walking in Sunken Garden
[/] cut class with your block to watch a movie - cut class for many other reasons also! haha!
[ ] had a voltes V for a teacher
[ ] took a class under Joseph Palis
[ ] lied to the transcript lady to get a transcript earlier than the standard 3 months
[ ] went to a Freshman-only concert where you had to show your form 5 to prove freshmanhood
[/] subsisted on just streetfood (ex. fishballs, half footlongs, kwekwek, squidballs/rolls, mais, dirty ice cream) for a day
[/] learned how to smoke - but quit after a few weeks
[/] went on an out-of-town trip with blockmates or orgmates - AIESEC conferences! :-)
[/] fell in love
[/] actually read the book you keep borrowing from the lib
[/] played cards during your free time - memories of Philo I class at MIS! Hulaan blues and pusoy dos!
[/] dress in business attire
[ ] sumabit sa jeep - bawal ang sabit sa jeep sa UP ah.
[ ] got sung to or sung to someone in class during Valentine's day
[/] watched the lantern parade -- BA'sTindahan ni Aling Nena :)
[/] helped out a total stranger
[ ] helped out a total stranger because he/she was hot
[/] learned to stay awake for more than 24 or 48 hours straight - BA 99.2, feasib, and almost all of my subjects on my last sem!
[ ] got bullied by fratmen and feeling cool wannabe people who were actually losers
[/] took Wednesday and/or Sat classes WILLINGLY - yep, still accounting class
[ ] volunteered for the pahinungod
[ ] ate "tasteless white sauce" pasta from cock-a-noodle-doo
[ ] got a boyfriend/girlfriend - hmmm... gray area :P
[/] took time to read the vandalism in the CR
[ ] watched a sexy art film for any GE class - Phone Sex starring Ara Mina. Winner tlga ang Pop Culture 101!
[/] got held up or pickpocketed - On the way home from UP, right after Sta.Clara visit. Scary!
[ ] felt depressed because you were not as good academically as you were in high school - Math 17 and BA 99.2 will forever be memorable. Sigh.
[/] did a last minute paper - gawain sa 3rd floor Computer Center
[/] had spent a lot for 1x1 ID pictures - buti na lang may colored xerox ng ID sa SC
[/] got exempted from final exams
[ ] got exempted from a final exam but still took it
[/] attended a varsity pep rally
[ ] watched LIVE AIDS, Androgyny, Maskipaps or any well-known variety show
[/] promised to quit smoking - but went back after grad. trying to quit now. :)
[ ] got into at least one (org- or council-sponsored) adventure race -
[ ] knew where the best restrooms are on campus -
[/] joined an org - AIESEC and UPCE :-)
[/] allowed yourself to make mistakes
[ ] went to the gym in spite of having no PE class just to ogle varsity players
[/] took summer classes - all three summers! haha, nerdoks :P
[/] admired the oblation - semi-admired and took pictures with AIESEC trainees. hehe
[/] made a video for a project
[ ] had a crush on a teacher
[/] had a teacher who had a crush on/tried to court you - well, teacher na sha ngayon. hehehe
[ ] attended your ROTC Bivouac
[/] faked sickness to get an absence excused
[ ] got your car scratched by one of those "kuya bantayan ko kotse niyo" kids
[ ] took a PE class where you had to pay for tuition (i.e. sportsclimbing, ten pin bowling, etc)
[/] went to school in your crappiest yet most comfy clothes
[ ] learned how to use the Bayantel pay phones
[/] participated in school activities
[ ] caught the UP Pep Tryouts
[/] dated someone from UP
[/] rode an IKOT and TOKI
[/] found a tambayan
[ ] went drinking at Sarah's
[/] learned how to beg for a higher grade
[/] used your 6 allowable absences wisely
[ ] lived in a dorm
[/] volunteered to be beadle or go-to guy for your group/class - BA 105 field trip class
[/] had the worst schedule - 2nd year, 1st sem: 7am-7pm! Yikes!
[/] realized that there really is just one coconut tree on the sunken garden
[/] not used up all 6 allowable absences
[/] ate in ISSI, Treehouse, Mama Thai's and other more obscure cafeterias
[/] ate food Aristocart-style
[/] was active in your org - go AIESEC :-)
[/] attended an ACLE - how to open your third eye. never did open mine! hehe
[/] got as many app forms as you can during the job fair
[/] learned how to cram
[/] sold tickets for (or watch) an org-sponsored movie premiere - CE's Punch Drunk Love
[ ] saved money to Xerox all of your seatmate's notes
[/] had accidentally seen a make-out session - kakaiba tlga lagoon pag gabi! haha
[/] slept in class - STS :P
[/] finished a homework/assignment/paper in the shopping center or philcoa
[/] had mountains of unused sample exams and/or old testaments - STS and Natsci Sample Exams!
[/] resolved to be "better this semester"
[ ] slept during a test
[/] had groupmates from hell (ie no-shows, babblers, dependents, airheads, dreamers, idea stealers, plagiarists)
[/] learned how to work with groupmates from hell
[ ] perfected the art of parking on campus
[ ] had a bad encounter with one of the guards on campus
[/] developed a love for sisig
[/] practiced those UP cheers in the first meeting for PE class
[/] looked at microfilms in the library or poked through archives - for Research class and Kas I
[/] reserved a classroom, AVR, etc. for a class or org function - Genmeets every Wed
[/] attended UP Fair - at ngkarumble pa. ang saya saya!
[/] went to a library other than your own college's to research - Educ, UP Main, Law, CSSP
[/] lost a perfectly functioning umbrella
[/] used consultation hours properly
[ ] went to the Guidance Office for real, heart-to-heart guidance
[/] went to the infirmary - for freshie exam lang... first and last time
[ ] attend class with a hangover or tipsy
[ ] drink beer or alcohol while inside UP grounds
[/] walked all the way to Philcoa or Katipunan
[/] bought frogs from NSRI or a Bio department - for my brother :)
[/] maxed out on the 6 allowed unexcused absences but DID NOT drop - walang attendance e
[/] got invited or pursued by a sorority or fraternity - APO Soro, AEC. muntik na tlga...
[/] wore slippers to school
[ ] had a professor who smoked in class
[ ] got diagnosed by the Infirmary as pregnant or infected with STD

My Visual DNA

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Those 3 Little Words

Amidst all the chaos in the office and with impending deadlines catapulting me into stress modes for the gazillionth time... all it took were three words from him:

"I miss you"

Three Days in a row.

It won't be that L-word, i know for sure. But still, everything suddenly is sunny and in a happy place...

Hmmm-hmmmm-lalalalala... now where was I? :-)

Another Career Test

In the advent of so-called "quarter life crisis"... I guess I'm in the right industry, just veered my career path a little off course ...


Gladys, among the characteristics of your profile, here are examples of your dominant traits:
Here is your main profile (from the perspective of the Holland typology).

IS (SI) (Investigative / Social)
Doctor, psychologist, speech therapist, teacher, instructor, head of clientele...

You enjoy human contact but not competition. You like areas where you can put your optimism and skill to serve others. For you, human behaviour is more interesting than theories, thus you do not waste time in huge discussions. You do well in areas where human relations play a role such as in medicine, research in social sciences, or even education.

Appropriate trades include:
- Medical and paramedical fields: generalist or specialist, pharmacist, psychologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, etc.
- Education: teacher, professor (in social sciences,) instructor, etc.
- Research in human sciences: archaeologist, anthropologist, historian, sociologist, etc.
- Information/research-related fields: librarian, research assistant, bookseller
- Customer consulting: customer account representative, insurance consultant, sales engineer, etc.
- Customer support, customer services, etc.

A "Holy" Holy Week

It's almost the end of my Holy Week break, and though the heart stil longs for that vacation trip out-of-town, I admit that this week had still been quite eventful for me, especially on the spiritual side. Palm Sunday was celebrated at St.Francis, as is customary every year, and surprisingly met up with Earlene and Carlo's families, both of whom also celebrate Palaspas at the Church.

Holy Tuesday was spent on a pilgrimage to Quiapo, my first time inside the Church in years. After fixing my civil service papers, Mom and I trekked that long street to the Church to pray the novena and go to confession. I have always been wary of priests after a quite scary confession rites I've been initiated to when I was younger, so I've always sought solace in DAYS confessions instead. But this year has been quite good, the priest I have (at the last minute) queued for was very loving and understanding, and I felt light and peaceful afterwards.

Holy Wednesday was conveniently first Wednesday of the month, so I begged Mom to wake up earlier for my usual Baclaran visit. En route via two LRTs, we made our way amidst the bustling crowd (my first morning visit to the Church) to offer candles of petition and pray the Novena to the Perpetual Help. Even though the rides to and fro was longer than the actual visit, I'm glad I was able to visit and again offer my thanks in Baclaran.

Holy Thursday was our family's annual Visita Iglesia. We made our way to our usual churches in QC, Pasig and San Juan (many of which have sentimental value to us) onwards to our last destinations in Manila. Met up with some yuppie dazers who also reflected on the Holy Week with their own activities. I'm happy and blessed to have continued this tradition with my family. Prayers truly bring us closer, as I've felt during this year's Visita.

Holy Friday was another family tradition--this time to Bulacan where we prepared the carroz and the Nazareno santo for the town procession. Being the eldest in our generation of cousins, I was told that eventually I would be in-charge of preserving the Nazareno's participation in the prusisyon, so I tried to learn everything I could already. Was great catching up with my lolo and tita, meeting up with my second cousins... lots of kids growing up so fast!... and with Milo who lived just a few minutes away from our ancestral house! Galing tlga. After Ling passed the "meet the angkan" test, we looked for an open Starbucks, which took us out to NLEX's Petron Station in the end. It was nice catching up with him, and he made me realize how much I missed our usual talks and DAYS most especially. Thanks to Ling for bringing me home safely, amidst the dogs and the jueteng boys! Haha!

Easter Sunday was at Christ the King. Though I was not able to wake up earlier for Salubong, I did learn a lot from the Mass.. that it's not just celebrating Christ's resurrection but also renewing your faith and renewing youself to become a better person and a better Christian.

I'm glad and grateful for this long extended vacation to be able to fix things, personal errands that I've put off for so long (like fixing my Civil Service Eligibility papers, reading books that have been gathering dust in my shelves, and reconnecting with family and friends). I admit that I've prayed and reflected the longest these past few days--I truly have a lot to be thankful for, not just for myself but for my loved ones. And I know that with the opportunity taken to strengthen my faith, I can now look forward to the next days and months with a renewed spirit and more hope for good things to come.

Myers-Briggs Test: I'm an ESFJ!

ESFJ - "Seller". Most sociable of all types. Nurturer of harmony. Outstanding host or hostesses. 12.3% of total population.

Free Jung Word Test (similar to Myers-Briggs)
personality tests by similarminds.com

ESFJ - The Helper

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Profile by Sandra Krebs Hirsch and Jean Kummerow

ESFJs are helpful people who place a high value on harmony. Paying close attention to people's needs and wants, they work well with others to complete tasks in a timely and accurate way. ESFJs follow through on their commitments. They like closure and prefer structured, organized situations in which warmth and compassion are shown. They contribute to others by anticipating their day-to-day concerns and handling them with warmth and efficiency. ESFJs are at their best in organizing people to get a job done.



Living

ESFJ children want life to be uncomplicated, secure, harmonious and structured. They are usually responsible, reliable, and cooperative. They thrive in situations in which there is consistency and personal attention. They enjoy the acceptance of others and will work hard to gain that acceptance. ESFJ children are concerned about doing the right things and pleasing their elders.

ESFJs follow the rules and tend to accept them as fair and reasonable. They admire people and teachers who are warm, friendly, and concerned. They are concerned about the feelings of others and like to help out when possible. They begin early to assume responsibility for the welfare of others. They believe it is necessary to give as well as to receive and will often volunteer their time and talents in service organizations.

ESFJs radiate warmth and fellowship, and generally fit in well with their classmates. They value the traditional things that teenagers do and may be involved in various clubs and teams. Their friends often turn to them because of their listening ear and helpful nature.

Often the lives of ESFJs follow a traditional pattern. In adult life, ESFJs take their parent, spouse, employee, or community volunteer roles seriously and are committed to them. They are sensitive to the needs to those around them, sometimes more attuned to others' needs than their own. They gain the respect of others because of their helpfulness, pleasantness, and ability to get things done. They carry out their commitments and are often in charge of events. Mature ESFJs often structure both their work and personal lives so that they can meet the needs of others.



Learning and Working

ESFJs learn best in structured situations where they know what they can expect. They like to schedule their learning projects so that they can plan ahead to complete their lessons. They become uncomfortable with continuous interruptions and changes when they are trying to finish what they have started. Even more importantly, however, they want to like the person who teaches them. The teacher-student relationship is helpful to them in doing their best. When there is disharmony in the classroom, it interrupts their learning process. When their work is criticised, even constructively, ESFJs may feel demoralized until they get it right and the teacher acknowledges this. Because they tend to personalize the feedback of their teachers, it is important for them to know teachers' expectations so that they can work to meet them.

Learning tends to be a personal experience for ESFJs. This attitue, combined with their ability to follow through and meet deadlines, results in a conscientious and effective student. ESFJs often enjoy studies about people and their well-being, and are usually less interested in theoretical and abstract subject matters. They like active learning activities such as field trips, experiments and group projects that get them personally involved with others.

At work, ESFJs contribute their ability to cooperate with others and to complete tasks in a timely and accurate way. They respect rules and authority, and handle daily operations efficiently. They tend to be well informed and up-to-date on organizational actions that matter to people. They do what they can to make sure that personal relationships are running smoothly. Because they pay close attention to people's needs and wants, they are often involved in work activities that meet people's practical, day-to-day desires.

ESFJs prefer occupations that allow them to provide direct and personal, yet practical, help to others. Occupations that call for organization and goal direction appeal to them. They are especially careful not to waste time or resources; to do so would go against their nature.

Some occupations are particularly appealing to ESFJs: childcare worker, dental assistant, elementary school teacher, home economist, nurse, office manager, radiological technologist, receptionist and secretary, religious educator, speech pathologist, and other occupations that allow them to help others and serve their values directly.



Loving

For the ESFJ, love means warmth and commitment. When ESFJs first fall in love, they show this warmth and concern for their partner in many tangible ways. They will send cards, notes, flowers, special gifts, and other mementos of their affection. If the partner casually mentions a desire for a specific thing, they will try to find just that thing. Once committed in a relationship, ESFJs tend to stay with it even when there is inconvenience to them and perhaps longer than may be healthy. They are able to bring out the best in their partners, even though it may mean putting their own needs second.

Because ESFJs are caring individuals, they expect to give and receive in their relationships. Because others may not be as thoughtful as the ESFJ, it is a possible source of disappointment to them if they expect the same awareness and caring on the part of the partner. Being practical and realistic, they may not always like effusive shows of affection and prefer moderation instead. ESFJs may be more loyal to the relationship or to the institution of marriage than to the person. ESFJs may take the end of the relationship as a personal failure.

ESFJs, when scorned, hurt all over and may need to take time to get over the relationship before pursuing a new one. They may too easily and incorrectly blame themselves for the unfavourable outcome and recall instances when perhaps they were not as giving as they might have been. However, ESFJs' standards for giving in a relationship are likely to be above those of some other types. At their worst when scorned, ESFJs can become spiteful and critical of the partner. Because ESFJs are keenly sensitive to others and are tuned in to emotional needs, they really know how to hurt a person in the rare instances when they choose to do so.


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Profile by David Keirsey

ESFJs, the most sociable of all types, are energized by interactions with people, tending to idealize whatever or whoever they admire. Harmony is a key to this type, which is represented in about 13 percent of the general population.

ESFJs are the great nurturers of established institutions such as the home, the school, the church, and civic groups. Wherever they go, they promote harmony and harmonious relationships. They are outstanding hosts or hostesses, able to call people by name, usually after one introduction. At a social gathering they can be observed attending to the needs of others, trying to insure that all are comfortable and involved.

Social ties matter to the ESFJs, and their conversations often drift to nostalgic recounting of past memories. Traditions are developed, supported, and carefully observed by the ESFJ.

ESFJs are hurt by indifference and need to be appreciated both for themselves and for the abundance, typically in the form of services, they give to others. They are conscious of appearances and take the opinions of others regarding social standards very seriously. Values in an ESFJ may take the form of shoulds and should nots and may be freely expressed. Conscientious and orderly, ESFJs may become restless when isolated from people.



Career

Career selection by ESFJs may lean toward service occupations. They have such outgoing personalities that they are outstanding at selling, being an invariable winner in sales contests. They are apt to have seniority in any sales group within an organization. Observation of ESFJs at work in a sales transaction will demonstrate how this type personalizes the sale: The customer is not buying the product; he or she is buying personally from the ESFJ. This same characteristic causes ESFJs to be good in teaching, preaching, supervision, administration, coaching, and, in general, people to people jobs. They seldom become a source of irritation to their superiors, for they respect and obey the rules and regulations, are duty-and service-oriented. They are loyal to their bosses. ESFJs are likely to be aware of and enjoy discussing events and problems in the lives of their colleagues; but when conversations turn to abstractions of philosophy or science, the ESFJ may become restive. Analysis of the complex-for example, an attempt to find an explanation of events through an analysis of principles-does not excite their interest, as it does the NTs'.



Home

ESFJ mates have a set of values which contain clear should and should-nots, and they expect their family to abide by these. They are conscientious about home responsibilities, are orderly about the home, and prefer that other occupants be the same. They enjoy socializing and entertaining. ESFJs want family decisions settled efficiently and quickly and want family living routinized, scheduled, and correctly executed. They do not rebel against routine operations, are devoted to the traditional values of home and hearth, respect their marriage vows, and are the most sympathetic of all types. They tend to be dependent on their mates and may marry to insure that they have a proper place in the social strata. They enjoy the rituals connected with serving of good food and beverages, thrive on festive occasions, respect and accumulate a goodly store of material possessions. They take their role in the community seriously and are sensitive to the acknowledged, official decision-makers and identify with them. They are aware of status, and often depend on higher authority as the source of opinions and attitudes.

ESFJs wear their hearts on their sleeves and are outgoing in their emotional reactions. They need to be needed, loved, and appreciated and may spend much energy reassuring themselves that this is the case.

ESFJs usually respect and revere their parents, and as children were responsive and obedient pupils. They seem able to express the right feeling for a given situation. They are soft hearted, sentimental, and usually observe with gusto and a flourish birthdays, anniversaries, and the like, making of the event a delightful, important occasion. At the same time, however, ESFJs can cause others undue tension by expressing anticipations of gloom and doom, exhibiting a bent toward the pessimistic that can be contagious. They need to control their fears that the worst is sure to happen and suppress their tendency toward crepe-hanging and anticipating disasters.

The children of an ESFJ are seen as an extension of the family, and all they do reflects on the ESFJ. If things do not go well, the ESFJ may be critical, even carping toward his or her mate and children. This type may marry alcoholics or others who are particularly needy. If a female ESFJ is married to a mate who is not a good provider, she can become nagging and brood over a comparison of her possessions and status with that of others. ESFJs, male or female, live in terms of people and things rather than in terms of ideas and principles. They enjoy the process of decision-making, particularly when focus is on the usefulness of things and people.



Midlife

At midlife ESFJs may want to get involved in activities that spark their imagination and creativity, for example, work with art media. They should find it useful to sort out priorities in their values and force themselves to give more attention to their own wishes and needs. They could begin to practice the art of being kind to oneself and each day attempt to do at least one self-indulgent deed. Travel should be something ESFJs particularly enjoy; at midlife they should allocate time to this activity. Also, the reading of "serious" technical books in a professional field might interest and expand the horizons of ESFJs at this time of life. Planning for retirement so that a sufficient number of interpersonal activities are available is vital for the ESFJ, who would very quickly become bored and restless if cut off from contact with a variety of people.



Mates

There is a mutual attraction of ESFJ and INTP. The ESFJ, wanting to serve as an anchorage for the INTP's flights to the higher levels of abstraction, finds in the ISTP an even more likely target for anchorage. The ISTP's flights are often literal, not figurative: He really does fly. Look in the cockpit of almost any aircraft and you'll find an ISTP. Of course, most ISTPs do not fly in the literal sense; but the hankering for adventure and exploration symbolized by flight is there, and it is this, the hankering, that draws the ESFJ like a moth to a flame. How does this serve the giving, caring, comforting nature of ESFJ? Why, when the adventurer returns, of course; the giver of comfort is there to provide rest and recreation.

What Ifs

I had a surprise visit from an old ghost recently. At first I was hesitant to answer the rather vague SMS, lest I open again old wounds. But then again, past is past, and so are we, so no harm in engaging in a friendly chat. I was actually sincerely curious to know how he is and what he has been up to all this time.

Turns out he found a job at last. I'm truly proud and happy for him, that he's finding direction and something productive to do finally. It was one of the reasons why our ways parted before, and I'm grateful he at least told me about his new life. For a brief while we were back to our old selves, and I'm reminded of the reasons why he has the uncanny ability to make me smile amidst the stress of my everyday world. For those brief exchanges I'm left to wonder what our lives would have been had our decision been swayed otherwise. For that brief slip of sanity I almost willingly forgot what happened, and flooded my memories with all that was good between us instead. Come to think of it, I still remember vividly what I felt that D-day, but not how I felt anymore. And though the dreams and the hopes remain sweet, I know in my heart and in my mind that despite the occasional longing, he and I are truly in a better place.

Life is funny that way. It makes you think of other possible worlds, other lives you could have led. And you realize that what you have, right now, is not just the result of choices you made but also the fulfillment of a greater purpose. And if given the choice, you still would not have had it otherwise. I know I wouldn't ;-)

Just Like My Tyipcal Day

.... excerpts from "Of Balance & Choices" by Rene M. Samaniego, M.D....

Two o'clock in the morning. Post midnight-snack stretch. Eyes intently fixed on your laptop screen.

For a moment, you pretend to pause for possible last-minute add-ons and alterations on the final Powerpoint page. It is, after all, a presentation for a very notable corporate client due the following day.

So you finally get ready to hit the sack for a surely challenging shuteye, maybe three hours if you're lucky enough not to have one of your stress-induced insomnia spells. You swiftly play out in your head how the previous day at work turned out, an exceptionally productive one no doubt. But you might as well have spent the whole day at home, at this time suffering a hangover from a B-movie marathon on cable, hastily waning into a subterranean funk.

Just a few hours back, you were euphoric with workplace adrenaline, and now as you lay yourself down to sleep, all that is imminent is the smell of melancholy and gloom, as though the sheets themselves herald the onset of a downcast stretch in your so-called life.

And despite the recognition that you are again about to up the benchmark with your carefully crafted production; despite the awareness of having a scaled and settled in an enviable position in the corporate ladder, you cannot help but feel uncertain about your own verve and chutzpah.

You then have an earnest glimpse of your life as it actually is. You come to a disconcerting conclusion that, in the face of having gone full steam ahead with your career, your personal life is in a downward spiral.

Inconspicuously, you admit that you belong to the career-oriented lot: those who are full of zip, conscientious and competent in their preferred domains, and yet immensely struggling as they edgily keep their equilibrium on a tightrope and prevent themselves from plummeting to the ground...

My Johari Window

It's been a while since I updated this, but I figured it's about time I posted this in my blog already, for posterity purposes.. Thanks to everyone who contributed! :-)

Gladys' Johari Window

Arena (known to self and others) dependable, friendly, helpful, organised, religious, sentimental	Blind Spot (known only to others) able, accepting, adaptable, caring, cheerful, clever, confident, dignified, energetic, extroverted, giving, happy, idealistic, independent, intelligent, kind, knowledgeable, loving, mature, patient, reflective, responsive, spontaneous, sympathetic, tense, trustworthy, warm, wise, witty
Façade (known only to self)	Unknown (known to nobody) bold, brave, calm, complex, ingenious, introverted, logical, modest, nervous, observant, powerful, proud, quiet, relaxed, searching, self-assertive, self-conscious, sensible, shy, silly

Dominant Traits

63% of people agree that gladys_judan is friendly

All Percentages

able (9%) accepting (4%) adaptable (27%) bold (0%) brave (0%) calm (0%) caring (27%) cheerful (22%) clever (4%) complex (0%) confident (9%) dependable (36%) dignified (4%) energetic (27%) extroverted (13%) friendly (63%) giving (13%) happy (13%) helpful (13%) idealistic (9%) independent (9%) ingenious (0%) intelligent (36%) introverted (0%) kind (9%) knowledgeable (18%) logical (0%) loving (31%) mature (9%) modest (0%) nervous (0%) observant (0%) organised (18%) patient (18%) powerful (0%) proud (0%) quiet (0%) reflective (4%) relaxed (0%) religious (22%) responsive (13%) searching (0%) self-assertive (0%) self-conscious (0%) sensible (0%) sentimental (9%) shy (0%) silly (0%) spontaneous (13%) sympathetic (13%) tense (4%) trustworthy (22%) warm (9%) wise (4%) witty (9%)

Created by the Interactive Johari Window on 9.3.2007, using data from 22 respondents.
You can make your own Johari Window, or view gladys_judan's full data.

Feeling So-so.. So Far...

Feeling ho-hum... Some random things I've been up to:

Stuck here on the office when I know that I could sneak off for a vacation, because good girl that I am I know that I should try to finish work before the bosses and everyone else come back from their trip. And I should really work my ass off so I can make it to the incentive trip next year... no matter how impossible and daunting the tasks seem...

Being on the recovery from my latest flu attack doesn't seem to brighten my spirits so much though.. although the last road trip to Tagaytay did seem to work wonders. I guess the emotional and mental stress finally took on a toll on me physically.. but as they say here in Unilab nga... "bawal magkasakit".. so off to the office I still go despite the cough&colds and the boiling temperature *sigh*

Besides, I have to work so I can earn more to save enough for my trip this October. Better get around to finishing that VISA application! Can't wait to see Nikki and Uncle Sam!

Been reading a lot of Our Daily Bread and Purpose-Driven Life lately.. I know it seems late, but it's only now that I have a real appreciation for the Word. Growing up I wasn't too keen on reading the Bible on a daily basis, even if ironically I'm always the lector in school and in our local parish. But now, it's something I look forward to everyday.. it keeps me in perspective and more hopeful and optimistic. I'm glad for this change. I hope I can make this more of a habit :-)

Still trying to book those one-peso flights to Bangkok with Anna. I hope we can really go.. I'd want to travel to an Asian country at least once every year... there goes my ten-year life plan :-P

Random BlogThings

PERSONALITY and BIRTH

Your Personality Is

Idealist (NF) You are a passionate, caring, and unique person. You are good at expressing yourself and sharing your ideals. You are the most compassionate of all types and connect with others easily. Your heart tends to rule you. You can't make decisions without considering feelings. You seek out other empathetic people to befriend. Truth and authenticity matters in your friendships. In love, you give everything you have to relationships. You fall in love easily. At work, you crave personal expression and meaning in your career. With others, you communicate well. You can spend all night talking with someone. As far as your looks go, you've likely taken the time to develop your own personal style. On weekends, you like to be with others. Charity work is also a favorite pastime of yours.

The Three Question Personality Test

Your Birthdate: January 25

You excel at anything difficult or high tech. In other words, you're a total (brilliant) geek. It's difficult for you to find people worth spending time with. Which is probably why you'll take over the world with your evil robots! Your strength: Your unfailing logic Your weakness: Loving machines more than people Your power color: Tan Your power symbol: Pi Your power month: July

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Your Birth Month is January

You are a natural leader who is able to stand up when no one else can. Strong and powerful, you tend to overshadow those around you. Your soul reflects: deep love, fascination with life, and a distinctive persona Your gemstone: Garnet Your flower: Snowdrop Your colors: Black, dark red, and dark blue

What Does Your Birth Month Mean?

Your Birthdate: January 25

Calm and understated, you struggle to express your love with words. Over time, your partner learns to recognize your passion by the actions you take. You're good at wooing someone slowly, without them even realizing it! Number of True Loves You'll Have: 2 Number of Times You'll Have Your Heart Broken: 2 You are most compatible with people born on the 7th, 16th, and 25th of the month.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean For Your Love Life?

In 1983 (the year you were born)

Ronald Reagan is president of the US Sally Ride becomes the first American woman to travel in space Marines are killed when a TNT laden suicide terrorists blows up Marine headquarters at Beirut International Airport US Marines and Rangers invade the island of Grenada and evacuate hundreds of US citizens The Soviets shoot down Korean Airlines flight 007 The Internet Domain Name System was invented by Paul Mockapetris Ronald Wilson Reagan signs a bill creating Martin Luther King Day Baltimore Orioles win the World Series Washington Redskins win Superbowl XVII New York Islanders win the Stanley Cup Return of the Jedi is the top grossing film "Every Breath You Take" by The Police spends the most time at the top of US charts The A-Team and Webster premiere

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

Your Personality Profile

You are pure, moral, and adaptable. You tend to blend into your surroundings. Shy on the outside, you're outspoken to your friends. You believe that you live a virtuous life... And you tend to judge others with a harsh eye. As a result, people tend to crave your approval.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

You Are 3: The Achiever

You're confident and competent - with a lot of energy. Eager to reach your goals, you are ambitious and competitive. You are good at motivating yourself and motivating others. You're also a charmer, with a great sense of humor.

What Number Are You?

INTELLIGENCES

Your Dominant Intelligence is Musical Intelligence

Every part of your life has a beat, and you're often tapping your fingers or toes. You enjoy sounds of all types, but you also find sound can distract you at the wrong time. You are probably a gifted musician of some sort - even if you haven't realized it. Also a music lover, you tend to appreciate artists of all kinds. You would make a great musician, disc jockey, singer, or composer.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

You Are a Auditory Learner

You tend to remember what you hear, and you have a knack for speaking well. You excel at debating, foreign languages, and music. You would be an excellent diplomat - or rock star!

What's Your Learning Style?

You Are 60% Left Brained, 40% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

FOOD and DRINKS

You Are Mexican Food

Spicy yet dependable. You pull punches, but people still love you.

What Kind of Food Are You?

You Are Beer!

You don't need to get totally wasted when you hit the bars. More of a social drinker, you just like to have fun with your friends. And as long as the beer keeps flowing, you're a happy camper. But don't mix things up: "Beer Before Liquor, Never Been Sicker!"

What Alcoholic Drink Are You?

You Are a Frappucino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

You Are an Appletini

Most of the time, you're a typical party girl / guy. But when you get super sauced, you really up your sex appeal.

What Mixed Drink Are You?

FOREIGN TRAVEL

You Belong in the Upper East Side

You're an aspiring blue blood, and you want the best of New York high society. And while some may think you're conservative, you still appreciate good art and culture.

Where Should Your Inner New Yorker Live?

You Should Learn Chinese

Surprised? You shouldn't be - Chinese is perfect for an ambitious person like you. You're a natural entrepreneur, and a billion people are waiting to do business with you!

What Language Should You Learn?

You Should Travel to Thailand

You may enjoy getting spiritual at a Buddhist retreat... Or just feasting on a ton of cheap and amazing Thai food.

What Asian Country Should You Visit?

Your Italian Name Is...

Giulietta Conti

What's Your Italian Name?

You Belong in London

You belong in London, but you belong in many cities... Hong Kong, San Francisco, Sidney. You fit in almost anywhere. And London is diverse and international enough to satisfy many of your tastes. From curry to Shakespeare, London (almost) has it all!

What European City Do You Belong In?

You Should Spend Your Summer at the Beach

You're a free spirit who is always thinking of new ways to have fun. And you don't just love summer... you live for it. So, you really should blow off your responsibilities and head to the beach!

Where Should You Spend Your Summer?

LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved. You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change. You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as something you don't need. You just feel like flirting around and playing right now.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Your Love Number is 2

Of all the numbers, you are the most caring and empathetic lover. Unselfish and humble, you find it easy to forgive your sweetie's mistakes. At times, your need to please can be come a bit too needy. As long as you remain somewhat independent, your relationships are perfectly balanced.

What Is Your Love Number?

CAREERS

Your Career Type: Enterprising

You are engertic, ambitious, and sociable. Your talents lie in politics, leading people, and selling things or ideas. You would make an excellent: Auctioneer - Bank President - Camp Director City Manager - Judge - Lawyer Recreation Leader - Real Estate Agent - Sales Person School Principal - Travel Agent - TV Newscaster The worst career options for your are investigative careers, like mathematician or architect.

What's Your Ideal Career?

MISCELLANEOUS TYPES

You Are The Emperor

You are an authority figure, and other people look to you for what to do. You are strong and powerful. Crossing you is not a good idea. You have worked hard to get to your position, and you're not about to give it up to anyone. Though you have a warrior heart, you are gentle to those who treat you well. Your fortune: In the near future, you need to be willing and able to defend those you love. This may be the time for you to step up and be the authority figure to those around you. It is time for you to be independent, to become your own person. You may need to look at your relationship with your father, or your relationships as a father.

What Tarot Card Are You?

You are Temperance

Time. Ages. Transformation. Involuntary change

Temperance is another card of aspiration, but also of much change. It often
represents complex situations. Positively, you can harmonize contrary
forces.

Temperance is, on a surface level, about "tempering." The original pouring from cup to cup might have been about cutting wine with water. So this is a card about moderation. There is, however, another angle to the card, that of merging seemingly impossible opposites. Sagittarius, the centaur, merges beast and man into a unique creature. And then there is the bow and arrow, one moving, one stationary, working together to point the way. Temperance may be, at first glance, a warning for you to "temper" your behavior, to cut your wine with water. But it may also be a reminder to that seemingly irreconcilable opposites may not be irreconcilable at all. Belief that fiery red and watery blue cannot be merged may be the only thing standing in the way of blending the two. Change the belief, measure out each with care, and you can create otherworldly violet.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Your Personality Is Like Ecstasy

You're usually feeling the love for the world around you - you want to hug everyone. And while you're usually content to sit back and view the world with wonder... Sometimes you're world becomes very overwhelming and a little scary.

What Drug Is Your Personality Like?

You Are Iris

You are an interesting blend of fun and wisdom. You definitely make people think about themselves and their place in the world. But they'll have fun doing it. You definitely epitomize laughter therapy. You are a very enriching and entertaining friend!

What Color Purple Are You?

Your Theme Song is Beautiful Day by U2

"Sky falls, you feel like It's a beautiful day Don't let it get away" You see the beauty in life, especially in ordinary everyday moments. And if you're feeling down, even that seems a little beautiful too.

What's Your Theme Song?

You Should Try Skydiving

Don't look before you leap And you'll become a hardcore extreme sports addict

What Extreme Sport Should You Try?

You Are Best Described By...

Impression, Sunrise By Claude Monet

What Famous Work of Art Are You?

You Should Drive a Porsche

Flashy and a bit of a show off, you can't help but love a car that shouts your high status.

What Sports Car Should You Drive?