Recently, I’ve been having weirdly vivid dreams of certain, um, people in my life. I guess what they say about dreams is true… your subconscious desires are more cognitively realized when deep in slumber. … My latest obsession, it seems, involves “the could have been’s”… those that at one point or another, have gotten away…
I think Jonjon was the one who pulled this particular trigger.. discovering that he himself has moved on and found his own “puffin” brought out mixed emotions for me. I know that in this lifetime, things might be difficult for the two of us, and that another person will be able to make him truly happy. I sincerely do wish him happiness.. walang showbiz. But I wasn’t ready to hear that he has moved on so fast. And to hear from his own words that she was the best girl he ever met… um, leaves me exactly where? :-(
Backtrack to memory lane, leaves me with painful memories of ER, whom I just dreamed of last night. Yep, even if my dreams he was still egotistical and controlling, but underneath was the sweet malambing person I fell in love with. Of everyone, he was the only person I like willing to take the risk with me. Only I was too damn scared. So the guy isn’t perfect, I’m not either. Too late for that realization. Up to thi day, I still wonder what ifs… would my life have been different had I taken that road? Should I just have defended him to my friends? *sigh* He’s still with hig girlfriend, good to know that like he promised, he is indeed capable of long-term relationships. Only wishful thinking can tell if the same fates would have befallen us if I had said yes in that now nonexistent parking lot…
Maybe I’m just being melancholic. Or sentimental. Sometimes I hate this feeling of the month when all I can do is daydream and sigh and wish for some other life… wish for a different past. But, like all things I’ve learned the hard way, life has way of making you stronger for future things to come. Maybe, like I’ve always believed (to keep me sane), things that don’t happen are not always meant to be… well, maybe not right now… :-)
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
5 Questions from Eda :-)
1. So how come wala pa rin boyfriend?
Because I don't want to settle...and because I haven't met anyone who was willing to take me seriously. And because I'm still waiting for a certain person.. (yeah, yeah I know... battered wife syndrome...hehe)
2. Bakit ka ganyan?
Bakit ako ANO? Bangag? Dahil sa trabaho. Martyr? Dahil matigas ulo ko tlga... hanggang ngayon, mahilig pa rin ako sa "malalansa". Magastos? Kse collections ang hobby ko.. kaya nga ngpapakalunod ako sa starbucks ngayon para makuha yng npkamahal na "backpack".
3. Are you happy with your job?
It's a love-hate relationship. Most of the time I feel soooo tired of thinking about everything all the time.. suppliers, inventory, med reps and sales reps... headache tlga! I have to keep up with the fast-paced work environment or else the business goes down with me.
But I'm loving the challenge... I learn something new everyday, like being more professional for instance. The pharma industry has opened my eyes to how certain businesses operate in the Philippines, and I wouldn't trade that for any corporate experience. The intrapinoys are my new fam as well.. so in the midst of all the paperwork, at least we can still laugh it off and just head to a food trip afterwards.. the perks of having flexi time as well ;-)
4. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
Um, I wish I had stronger knees... para mkpg diving ako sa Anilao :-) Other than that, everything's good!
5. So sinong mauuna satin ikasal?
With the rate things are going....... hard to tell! Haha! Feeling ko IKAW :-) Mas adventurous ka sa akin eh... at least you get to fulfill your part of the dares!
So you people know the drill...
1. Leave me a comment in the tagboard, saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
Because I don't want to settle...and because I haven't met anyone who was willing to take me seriously. And because I'm still waiting for a certain person.. (yeah, yeah I know... battered wife syndrome...hehe)
2. Bakit ka ganyan?
Bakit ako ANO? Bangag? Dahil sa trabaho. Martyr? Dahil matigas ulo ko tlga... hanggang ngayon, mahilig pa rin ako sa "malalansa". Magastos? Kse collections ang hobby ko.. kaya nga ngpapakalunod ako sa starbucks ngayon para makuha yng npkamahal na "backpack".
3. Are you happy with your job?
It's a love-hate relationship. Most of the time I feel soooo tired of thinking about everything all the time.. suppliers, inventory, med reps and sales reps... headache tlga! I have to keep up with the fast-paced work environment or else the business goes down with me.
But I'm loving the challenge... I learn something new everyday, like being more professional for instance. The pharma industry has opened my eyes to how certain businesses operate in the Philippines, and I wouldn't trade that for any corporate experience. The intrapinoys are my new fam as well.. so in the midst of all the paperwork, at least we can still laugh it off and just head to a food trip afterwards.. the perks of having flexi time as well ;-)
4. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
Um, I wish I had stronger knees... para mkpg diving ako sa Anilao :-) Other than that, everything's good!
5. So sinong mauuna satin ikasal?
With the rate things are going....... hard to tell! Haha! Feeling ko IKAW :-) Mas adventurous ka sa akin eh... at least you get to fulfill your part of the dares!
So you people know the drill...
1. Leave me a comment in the tagboard, saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
Monday, July 11, 2005
New Friends, Old Habits
Last weekend at MJ's Batch was my first time to staff in DAYS totally alone... no sisters, no Mommy Rach to keep my company and sort of be my "safety net". I went back because it was my personal commitment to Him--to continue staffing and serve others who are continuously searching for their own paths to Him, regardless of friends who may or may not staff with me.
It was a little difficult this time, because I was forced out of my "comfort zone". Admittedly, I am still quite the introvert... I can keep silent the whole time, merely being the observer or a listener in the background. Which was mostly what happened this weekend. Surprisingly though, the situation provided me the opportunity to get to know other staffers din... spent a lot of time with Jhoolz, Milo, Roda, even Sam and Mac during our all nighter adventures at 7-11... went to Ababu (yep, my first time) with Pat, Amy, Carla, and Allan... croaked my lungs out at the choir with Jun and Trix (super tiring yng three hour's worth of finishing the entire song book! but it was fun nonetheless :-)
God really works in mysterious ways.. and I'm always happy to go back because I can spend real, quality time with Him... I always feel overwhelmed with all the blessings, and this is one of the times I can truly thank Him for everything that is good in my life. The prayers and reflections give me so much strength to face the challenges ahead, especially in work. I may not go to Mass everyday nor do my vigils regularly, but I'm grateful for this opportunity to grow spiritually with Him. In a way, it's my pledge to go back again to help others feel the same way. I hope I can bring more friends to experience Days as well, we stopped after October last year... For the meantime, will go back and support my friends' weekends next September... Till then! To all my sisters and Mommy Rach, whom I miss very much... to all my new friends as well: bimmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmk! :-)
It was a little difficult this time, because I was forced out of my "comfort zone". Admittedly, I am still quite the introvert... I can keep silent the whole time, merely being the observer or a listener in the background. Which was mostly what happened this weekend. Surprisingly though, the situation provided me the opportunity to get to know other staffers din... spent a lot of time with Jhoolz, Milo, Roda, even Sam and Mac during our all nighter adventures at 7-11... went to Ababu (yep, my first time) with Pat, Amy, Carla, and Allan... croaked my lungs out at the choir with Jun and Trix (super tiring yng three hour's worth of finishing the entire song book! but it was fun nonetheless :-)
God really works in mysterious ways.. and I'm always happy to go back because I can spend real, quality time with Him... I always feel overwhelmed with all the blessings, and this is one of the times I can truly thank Him for everything that is good in my life. The prayers and reflections give me so much strength to face the challenges ahead, especially in work. I may not go to Mass everyday nor do my vigils regularly, but I'm grateful for this opportunity to grow spiritually with Him. In a way, it's my pledge to go back again to help others feel the same way. I hope I can bring more friends to experience Days as well, we stopped after October last year... For the meantime, will go back and support my friends' weekends next September... Till then! To all my sisters and Mommy Rach, whom I miss very much... to all my new friends as well: bimmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmk! :-)
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Franchising Fiesta
Went to Megatrade today for the Franchising Fiesta Expo... most of the participants were in the food business (which I hope to get into someday). Franchise Fees ranged from 150K for food the carts to 350/450K for the small to medium-sized restos. Total investment ranges from 500K to 2M. Though I was still saving up for a potential franchise, it was a good learning experience to scout for potential franchise owners that can accommodate my budget and has workable requirements.
Primary consideration, besides financial capacity of course, would be the location for the franchise. This I have to still check out, but with the onset of Malls, I think that is most likely where I will be venturing in. Rent will be another major factor to consider, however. But knowing these rates and how basically the franchising system works, what I can do now is to save up for the investment and learn the tricks of the trade from Halfmoon, Bossing and Hotshots :-)
Hopefully I'll get my own franchise food store by the time I'm 30... Time to get out of the "rate race"!
Primary consideration, besides financial capacity of course, would be the location for the franchise. This I have to still check out, but with the onset of Malls, I think that is most likely where I will be venturing in. Rent will be another major factor to consider, however. But knowing these rates and how basically the franchising system works, what I can do now is to save up for the investment and learn the tricks of the trade from Halfmoon, Bossing and Hotshots :-)
Hopefully I'll get my own franchise food store by the time I'm 30... Time to get out of the "rate race"!
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Upside and Downside
Today's definitely one of the weirdest days... was feeling giddy, melancholic, frustrated... all in just a span of 24 hours...
Went to get Julius' college app form at DLSU. As agreed on months before, Allan went also to accompany me on the trip, not just to get the documents (that was both our excuse for meeting anyway) but to give me the grand tour of LaSalle, and to treat me out to lunch.. both of which were long-overdue promises...
The grand tour was really what it was: a grand tour! We literally went in every building, I learned all the acronyms there is to know (CC, SJ, LS, Z2...), but it was definitely fun. We laughed a lot, hysterical even. I've never seen him joke around that much, and I really had a great time. He was such a gentleman, treating me to a wonderful lunch at La Pacita (might probably get them for catering in the future) always opening doors for me, introducing me to his old frinds whom we met during the tour.... even rescuing me from an old man on the street who had didn't have the best (nor cleanest) intentions--speaking from a girl's perspective....
Was really happy to see him (even if I forgot his gift from vietnam and my hair clips... super hot day!), but deep inside, like I've always known... I'm now totally convinced of the truth: we're really not meant to be. Though he's really nice and friendly and accommodating, and while I truly appreciate his effort to spend the whole day in DLSU for me... there were no sparks. All it was were two old friends catching up and hanging out. Which may not be so bad after all. Still many many many thanks to Allan for an unforgettable day at DLSU! Time will only tell when I can really let go though, but at least I'm getting there... ;-)
Scheduled dinner with Tina tonight after ten million years of not seeing each other! After a few minutes of stories and catching up, Dad calls me and tells me we have to go earlier than expected. Bummer! And he calls again telling me that he'll just pick me up, which he did, but since we were still getting the bill, we were late in getting outside the door.... triggering again his notorious temper. I can't believe he was so pissed off and cursing me with my "insensitiveness" and "stupidity" within Tina's presence! I was so embarrassed and humiliated and angry at the same time!
It was so unfair! why do I feel like such a brat whenever my parents are around? It's like I can't even get off their shadow... even if I say I'll jsut commute home, they won't let me because it's too late. And they blame me for making my dad stay out late also because of my evening commitments. It fells like a trap... I can't work at night nor have night socials with colleagues (which is semi-required.. pakikisama sa office) because of my Dad! I wish I could just grow up and be independent for once...
And I've enver felt so unappreciated as last night.. when I came home with GO Nuts, Shawarma, Chinese food takeout, Halfmoon for pasalubong (my salary day blow-out)... nobody even bothered to say thanks.. they just continued being pissed off at me! I couldn't do anything about it. I was so mad and frustrated at the same time, I just slept it all off... hence, I was already asleep by 9pm...
Maybe what they really say is true.. sometimes, you can experience being on the upside and downside all at the same time. I sure felt both yesterday... and though I'm typing relentlessly to cool off and try to explain what just happened, I feel I can't. All I know is that life still goes on, and that's just the way things are... better for me to just accept it and move on to more pressing matters (like my reports due! my new sunblock project!) than dwell on it further...
Went to get Julius' college app form at DLSU. As agreed on months before, Allan went also to accompany me on the trip, not just to get the documents (that was both our excuse for meeting anyway) but to give me the grand tour of LaSalle, and to treat me out to lunch.. both of which were long-overdue promises...
The grand tour was really what it was: a grand tour! We literally went in every building, I learned all the acronyms there is to know (CC, SJ, LS, Z2...), but it was definitely fun. We laughed a lot, hysterical even. I've never seen him joke around that much, and I really had a great time. He was such a gentleman, treating me to a wonderful lunch at La Pacita (might probably get them for catering in the future) always opening doors for me, introducing me to his old frinds whom we met during the tour.... even rescuing me from an old man on the street who had didn't have the best (nor cleanest) intentions--speaking from a girl's perspective....
Was really happy to see him (even if I forgot his gift from vietnam and my hair clips... super hot day!), but deep inside, like I've always known... I'm now totally convinced of the truth: we're really not meant to be. Though he's really nice and friendly and accommodating, and while I truly appreciate his effort to spend the whole day in DLSU for me... there were no sparks. All it was were two old friends catching up and hanging out. Which may not be so bad after all. Still many many many thanks to Allan for an unforgettable day at DLSU! Time will only tell when I can really let go though, but at least I'm getting there... ;-)
-----------------------
Scheduled dinner with Tina tonight after ten million years of not seeing each other! After a few minutes of stories and catching up, Dad calls me and tells me we have to go earlier than expected. Bummer! And he calls again telling me that he'll just pick me up, which he did, but since we were still getting the bill, we were late in getting outside the door.... triggering again his notorious temper. I can't believe he was so pissed off and cursing me with my "insensitiveness" and "stupidity" within Tina's presence! I was so embarrassed and humiliated and angry at the same time!
It was so unfair! why do I feel like such a brat whenever my parents are around? It's like I can't even get off their shadow... even if I say I'll jsut commute home, they won't let me because it's too late. And they blame me for making my dad stay out late also because of my evening commitments. It fells like a trap... I can't work at night nor have night socials with colleagues (which is semi-required.. pakikisama sa office) because of my Dad! I wish I could just grow up and be independent for once...
And I've enver felt so unappreciated as last night.. when I came home with GO Nuts, Shawarma, Chinese food takeout, Halfmoon for pasalubong (my salary day blow-out)... nobody even bothered to say thanks.. they just continued being pissed off at me! I couldn't do anything about it. I was so mad and frustrated at the same time, I just slept it all off... hence, I was already asleep by 9pm...
----------------------------
Maybe what they really say is true.. sometimes, you can experience being on the upside and downside all at the same time. I sure felt both yesterday... and though I'm typing relentlessly to cool off and try to explain what just happened, I feel I can't. All I know is that life still goes on, and that's just the way things are... better for me to just accept it and move on to more pressing matters (like my reports due! my new sunblock project!) than dwell on it further...
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Flipped!
Totally "Flipped"! 
LOVE THIS BOOK! Haven't adored something so much in a long time, and a Children's Book no less! It's no Harry Potter, but it surely got a charm all its own (not to mention a really cute cover! )
"Flipped" reminds me so much of my grade school years, when I was so much like Juli Baker, who had her own mishaps and adventures as well. In every childhood girl's dream, they each had their own "Bryce Loski" to which they fell really hard for--enough to make them bold and commit stupid acts just to get their attention. The boys, in turn, would realize in the end that they feel the same way, only to find out too late that the girls have already matured on moved on to, erm, greener pastures and bigger oceans with bigger fishes. Kids are like that... all of us have been like that.
True enough, I had my own "Bryce". I didn't exactly climb any sycamore trees nor gave away eggs from my own chickens... but I did "network" hard to people really close to him jsut to get real-time tidbits about his personal life. Well, that certainly backfired on me... I did get close to the family (yes, until now), but never really close to him. All I have left is some childhood fantasy... that lasted ten loooong years!
Looking back, though I did a lot of other crazy antics just to catch his eye... some of which I'd just cringe and wished I wasn't too weird and forward. But hey, at least I can smile and laugh now with funny anecdotes to narrate at dinner parties: "One time... at band camp..."
Many many thanks to Eda for lending me this piece, and for always listening to all my childhood brouhahas... Got to get my own copy soon! :-D
Summer Movie Marathon!
Lots of good summer movies out this time of the year. Went ahead and saw almost two every week at the cinemas:
A Lot Like Love, which I have seen alone at Sta. Lucia because Coni forgot our moviedate! Loved this feel-good piece.. makes you think if you really have an "Ashton / Oliver" in your life.. sure sure, I know I was being melodramatic alone inside the theater! Was all alone anyway right?
Sin City, skipped this one because of not-so-great reviews from friends. I wasn't up to seeing it myself anyway
Star Wars 3, Revenge of the Sith, which I finally saw with Marc and Cris at Mega. Allan was my original movie partner for this, but since he watched it already on DVD, went ahead and caught it with two of my oldest friends... bonding time galore with Marc as well, haven't seen and talked to this guy for the loooooooooongest time!
Mr. and Mrs. Smith, saw it with Eda (G4, first showing! yep, we were that excited!) and Mom (StaLucia).... not the world's best script, but the two leads were soooo hot anyway it was a visually stimulating treat! That's Hot :-P
Batman Begins, saw it with Mom(sta. Lucia) and Eda (Powerplant, my first time there... love seats galore! harhar!... my two eternal movie dates! The only film from the franchise that I sincerely appreciated. Very philosophical, not too much action, didn't like Katie too much (her smile is just way too crooked), but totally digged Christian Bale! That's really HOT :-P
Still waiting for Narnia (sources say this will still be up and running by December, kinda like Polar Express with its really early trailers!) , and War of the Worlds (though I'm not too keen to watch the latter either)....
Wonder if they have DVDs of all these... miss Virra Mall already! :-D
A Lot Like Love, which I have seen alone at Sta. Lucia because Coni forgot our moviedate! Loved this feel-good piece.. makes you think if you really have an "Ashton / Oliver" in your life.. sure sure, I know I was being melodramatic alone inside the theater! Was all alone anyway right?
Sin City, skipped this one because of not-so-great reviews from friends. I wasn't up to seeing it myself anyway
Star Wars 3, Revenge of the Sith, which I finally saw with Marc and Cris at Mega. Allan was my original movie partner for this, but since he watched it already on DVD, went ahead and caught it with two of my oldest friends... bonding time galore with Marc as well, haven't seen and talked to this guy for the loooooooooongest time!
Mr. and Mrs. Smith, saw it with Eda (G4, first showing! yep, we were that excited!) and Mom (StaLucia).... not the world's best script, but the two leads were soooo hot anyway it was a visually stimulating treat! That's Hot :-P
Batman Begins, saw it with Mom(sta. Lucia) and Eda (Powerplant, my first time there... love seats galore! harhar!... my two eternal movie dates! The only film from the franchise that I sincerely appreciated. Very philosophical, not too much action, didn't like Katie too much (her smile is just way too crooked), but totally digged Christian Bale! That's really HOT :-P
Still waiting for Narnia (sources say this will still be up and running by December, kinda like Polar Express with its really early trailers!) , and War of the Worlds (though I'm not too keen to watch the latter either)....
Wonder if they have DVDs of all these... miss Virra Mall already! :-D
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Housekeeping with DAYS
Was assigned housekeeping for DAYS this weekend! That was super challenging for me because I rarely did sweep and take out the garbage at home (I was more kitchen duty!), but I welcomed the opportunity to do something new. Even though I became sick the next day (probably because of the stress at work--had deadlines to pass every night during that weekend!-- and of the ehavy downpour), I felt really fulfilled that I was able to accomplish something outside my comfort zone. It was scary though when I was the only one left to clean and close the place up!
Just like every weekend when I staff, I'm glad that I was able to still go on DAYS. I always feel renewed when I staff, as if I'm a participant for the first time... I still get teary eyed and emotional. Jess really works in mysterious and wonderful ways...
Was glad to also meet again with friends I've made within the community, with my sisters and in aiesec... Till next batch, when I'll be a sponsor again... :-)
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Trip to Vietnam!
"Disneyland" in Vietnam
(Nah... it's their Cultural Center, just a block away from our hotel at HCMC)
Right after Bora, just went home to pack and came back again to the airport next day for my business trip to Vietnam (was also my first trip abroad so was doubly excited!)
It was a rainy flight, but we quickly got settled at Rex Hotel with Dennis, Tita Nida, Tito Jun, Tito Eddie, and Joyce--who was also my batchmate from St.Paul (talk about small world)!
For the first few days, all we had were meetings with distributors, importers, lawyers, advertisers... my mind was going crazy with all the meetings! Good thing we did go at night to do some "sight-seeing". Admittedly, I wasn't really able to divulge much of the tourist spots because of the fully-booked agenda, but what I learned from the culture is something really valuable and life-changing for me.... I was not totally culturally shocked from the trip, because everything looks like Manila, only 10 years behind and non-English.
Some things I loved in Vietnam:
1. No traffic! Everyone rode in scooters! In a highway, three lanes were full of motorcycles, one lane would only be occupied by other vehicles (read: luxury cars). Rode one through the market side streets (10,000 dong for public transport)... super fun!
2. Safe streets. I can walk until 2 am and I need not worry about someone mugging me or snatching my bag. There are VietCongs everywhere. ;-)
3. Beautiful girls! Nope, i'm still straight... they're just really nice to look at. I get envious sometimes... everywhere I look, there are those slim, straight/long-haired, fair Vietnamese women... it's like Temptation Island but in the city!
4. Being a millionaire! 1 USD = 15,000 dong (approx)... I had about 2M worth of shopping receipts in Ho Chi Minh! Felt good to have all those money.. hehehe :-)
5. Soup and spicy noodles.. their specialty!
Some things I missed in Manila:
1. English. No need to sign language with the taxi driver!
2. Jollibee, and all food restos! Filipinos love to eat definitely... I love our taste! And jollibbee there was depressing (was like twilight zone from the 80's). Lotteria was good though, have to go back for their chicken burger!
3. Smart AND beautiful girls! Nuff said... :-)
4. Starbucks (with no beer! haha)
5. Bars (with real happenings! Felt like I was in Havana back there... uh-oh!)
6. CUTE GUYS! All the men there looked like Manny Pacquiao! :-(
7. San Miguel Beer!!! Heineken was good, but there's nothin like good 'ol SMB pa rin ;-)
7. My family and friends (of course :-)
Definitely missed Manila and all its chaos, but HCMC and Vietnam will definitely have a special place in my heart. Will have to go back soon there anyway, for business (and a little bit of pleasure!) I'm grateful for the opportunity and the experience to have gone to a foreign land, it indeed open up my eyes a bit to the world and its possibilities. There's so much out there to learn and grow from, both personally and professionally. At least I'm one step closer to my dream of travelling all over Asia before I'm 30... Europe after, of course.
I'll visit Indonesia soon before the end of the year, and China in 2006 (cross my fingers! Hope I'll push through!) For the meantime... Tiger Airways, here I come :-)
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Friday, May 20, 2005
B O R A !!!
Paraw Beach Front :-)
After ten looooooooooong years (not kidding!) finally made my way back to Bora. DEVCON was going to be hosted by UPD there, and this time I'm finally looking forward to being an alumni and enjoying the beach all day all night! mwahahhahahahaha :-P
Friday, May 20
After being stuck at the terminal for what seemed like hours and only Pringles Cheese as lunch, our delayed Asian Spirit flight finally made its boarding call. One turbulent, sleepless hour later, I finally can see the white sandy beaches of Caticlan! :-)
We rode a trike to the port where Cris and I met again with Kristine Largo, got to the boat and rode to station 1. Hannah Hotel, where we were staying, was a cozy place just behind the beach front hotels, but we got a good room (all 7 of us squeezed in it!) where we met with Ding, Chouie, Anne and Rowel... the seven of us partying as the "oldies" in aiesec... :-) miss all my beach buds!
After a cutie handed us a flyer, we quickly headed to the Pearl of the Pacific beachfront where Kevyn Lettau was giving a free concert! Jonah's milkshakes in hand, we crooned away to "Sun Light... oh sunlight" songs until sunset, walking away with one of our memorables quotes from the show: "If you're thirsty, that means you're already dehydrated"! Harhar! I changed my top and had early drinks at Paraw (our unofficial hangout for the rest of our stay at Bora) with the trainees... dancing with Brazilian guys on ledges, then finally bringing the house down with all aiesecers delegates... all 97 of us! Parteeeeh Time!
Saturday, May 21
Trainees and alumni joint forces for island-hopping and snorkeling along crocodile island... my time to sunbathe and get that tan line finally! My defective snorkeling gear took out all the fun of feeding the fishies, so I chose to watch them from the boat instead... It's ok, took lots of cute pictures anyway...
Last dip with the girls before heading out to Station 2 for South Border Concert, an attempt to have a spa massage, then party away again at Paraw where I had heart-to-heart bonding sesh with Drew :-) Drunken Cris and I had to take Ding to "authentic" Forest Hills (with authentic pre-ordered animal sounds!) before snoozing away ourselves...
Sunday, May 22
Had the best breakfast ever! My choice of 2 scrambled eggs, sausages, pancakes, hash brown, and garlic rice with fresh juice! Jsut the way I like it... Yumyum!
Walked along the beach with stroll master Rowel before we finalized our discharge reports to deliver to the plenary that evening. Legislation took about five hours, while Rowel, Anne and I drowned our waiting time on that mysterious blue drink and more yosi. At three am, finally, "may beer na!".. like kids we shouted in glee! Ding, Cris and I judged Bb. Devcon, as tradition, and got ourselves tipsy again until sunrise where we took loads of pictures again by the shore... :-)
Sunday, May 23
My last attempt at a complete stroll with Rowel and last-minute shopping never pulled through coz we slept until lunchtime! By then, we had to check out and plug APXLDS at closing plenary...
Said last goodbyes and rode the boat back with Monna and JP to Seair where our plane awaited to take us back to Manila...
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Admittedly, I feel like the four days were such a blast but there were things I wished I did: (1) get visible tan lines! (mine disappeared after only a day! aaaargh!); (2) go shopping for P10 beads! (3) ride the banana boat or the flying fish; (4) get a henna tattoo (even just the cutesy little butterfly one... naaah, was too scared kse); (5) go night swimming; and (6) walk from station 1 to station 3 (do 10 laps like Rowel! Harhar!)
Oh well, I guess that means I just have to go back SOON to get those things done then! I miss the beach, spent more time by the sand than the water this time, because of the algae also... Promised Nate I'll go with him this time... Oh yeah, saw JC also, that was one of the things that made the trip really worthwhile :-)
Reunion trip with Cris, Ding, Anne, Kristine, Rowel, Chouie and me already in the works... can't wait to see Bora again....
Life's a Beach :-)
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Instant Blog
Was staring out in(to) space this morning, trying to mentally tick off my to-do agenda while obviously envying my whole fam preparing for the beach today...
And i thought that maybe I should just get myself a voice recorder, and my own transcriptionist... *hint hint*i think i know someone like that.. para instant blog na and I dont have to go online just to type in random weird stuff like these...
Hmm....just a thought... :)
And i thought that maybe I should just get myself a voice recorder, and my own transcriptionist... *hint hint*i think i know someone like that.. para instant blog na and I dont have to go online just to type in random weird stuff like these...
Hmm....just a thought... :)
Happy Birthday ER!
It's ER's birthday today... too bad I can't greet him coz I dont have his number anymore...
Not that I didnt try finding it, contacted Noel, one of our common friends but he doesn't have it either...
Maybe it's really meant to be that I wont be able to really get in touch with him anymore.. some things should remain in the past where they belong... even "that damn parking lot" has been renovated now....all I have to remember him by are mere memories...and a twinge of regret...
Still, thinking about him makes me smile, albeit wistfully... I hope he's doing ok, wherever he is... :)
Not that I didnt try finding it, contacted Noel, one of our common friends but he doesn't have it either...
Maybe it's really meant to be that I wont be able to really get in touch with him anymore.. some things should remain in the past where they belong... even "that damn parking lot" has been renovated now....all I have to remember him by are mere memories...and a twinge of regret...
Still, thinking about him makes me smile, albeit wistfully... I hope he's doing ok, wherever he is... :)
On Javi
Met with Javi yesterday in halfmoon (like I've been trying to meet all my friends there, promotions tlga :), and the guy is glowing. He smiles more often... it suits him well. He really seems happier than the last time I met him. I'm envious actually.. he's happy because he has all the time now to do what he wants before settling down to work...learn Chinese and go to China (which is both what we dreamed of doing before, go to an AIESEC traineeship there, but learn the basics first here), read all those branding and business books lined up in the to-do list, join seminars, lose weight! All those things I really really want to do right now but can't because of work obviously....
I missed talking to Javi. He's the one who keeps me up my toes, especially when we were still LCPs. There was pressure for me to do exceptionally well, because it seems he always watches what I do. When we did Coaching for ateneo, I was mostly coaching just him, not the whole team. Our talks would go from purely AIESEC, to business, to what we both wanted to beyond our AIESEC careers... He was one who was so principled that he was always able to see beyond the operational requirements, but the vision and the big picture--why we do what we do and what values we should emulate to the members as well. I miss his idealism and zest, often misunderstood by many because he often keeps to himself. But to the rest of us who are lucky enough to know the real him, Javi sure is a one-of-a-kind individual...
In a way, I owe him thanks... He was able to inspire me, even in the briefest moment, to indulge and enjoy life more... Not to be drowned totally in work and in the harsh cynics and bureacuracy we encounter everyday, but to actually pursue those dreams we made back when we still had that youthful idealism...
Cheers, Javi! See you at our AIESEC dinner soon... :-)
I missed talking to Javi. He's the one who keeps me up my toes, especially when we were still LCPs. There was pressure for me to do exceptionally well, because it seems he always watches what I do. When we did Coaching for ateneo, I was mostly coaching just him, not the whole team. Our talks would go from purely AIESEC, to business, to what we both wanted to beyond our AIESEC careers... He was one who was so principled that he was always able to see beyond the operational requirements, but the vision and the big picture--why we do what we do and what values we should emulate to the members as well. I miss his idealism and zest, often misunderstood by many because he often keeps to himself. But to the rest of us who are lucky enough to know the real him, Javi sure is a one-of-a-kind individual...
In a way, I owe him thanks... He was able to inspire me, even in the briefest moment, to indulge and enjoy life more... Not to be drowned totally in work and in the harsh cynics and bureacuracy we encounter everyday, but to actually pursue those dreams we made back when we still had that youthful idealism...
Cheers, Javi! See you at our AIESEC dinner soon... :-)
Friendster Blog
Weird... weird... weird...
Kept mumbling that for several seconds while I tried to configure my friendster blog. Yep, finally joined the bandwagon and tried to create another one (as if I can't manage three enough db?) It's settings are not too user-friendly. And I actually find it stupid to "announce" the blog to all your first degree friends when there's nothing in there yet anyway... wala lang.
If I tried to link about everyone who created a blog through friendster, I'd have about 100++ links in this blog now. But that's useless anyway, all I get are empty pages of people who wanted to try something new but failed to follow through with it...
Oh well... no harm in trying I guess... I hope my own "announcement" was cancelled before I clicked "send"...
Oh yeah, if you're curious... the link is http://gladaxjudai.blogs.friendster.com/my_blog. For those who might be bored and want to see it... don't say I didn't warn you....wala tlga laman, pramis!!!!
Kept mumbling that for several seconds while I tried to configure my friendster blog. Yep, finally joined the bandwagon and tried to create another one (as if I can't manage three enough db?) It's settings are not too user-friendly. And I actually find it stupid to "announce" the blog to all your first degree friends when there's nothing in there yet anyway... wala lang.
If I tried to link about everyone who created a blog through friendster, I'd have about 100++ links in this blog now. But that's useless anyway, all I get are empty pages of people who wanted to try something new but failed to follow through with it...
Oh well... no harm in trying I guess... I hope my own "announcement" was cancelled before I clicked "send"...
Oh yeah, if you're curious... the link is http://gladaxjudai.blogs.friendster.com/my_blog. For those who might be bored and want to see it... don't say I didn't warn you....wala tlga laman, pramis!!!!
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Animal Farm: Trip to Avilon Zoo
My Pet Eagle... Field Trip to Avilon Zoo :)
Early morning, my Dad had his "bright idea": let's bring the whole fam to Avilon Zoo!
No one among us was a navigator, because we didn't really have the faintest clue where it was! So we asked random people for directions, looked for "this way" signs, and at last we found the gates to the 7.5 hectare zoo... Felt like twilight zone for a minute there.. the gates looked like Jurassic Park's!
The zoo was well-kept, very clean... similar to a park or even Enchanted Kingdom. Our tour guide Mark was cutie!!! Haha.. flirting with parental guidance nman eh ;-) After a really really quick picnic lunch, we walked on foot with the tour for two hours at 1 pm! Scorching heat I know!... I enjoyed mostly the birds which they had the most number of (Hence the name "Avilon Zoo"). Got even really close to a bird of prey! My dad's favorite was couple of mating tigers... inspired by Felina I guess! Haha :-)
It was really hot trip, but I learned a lot of scientific names and animal trivia for the day. I'm glad I went, can't wait to see the aquariums they'll be building soon though... Maybe we can bring AIESEC trainees there one of these days ;-)
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Intrapinoys Punta Fuego-Sonya's Trippin!
Intrapinoy Beach Babes.. Haha :P
Went to Punta Fuego today with Intrapinoys... mega fun! The infinity pool was sooo soothing, and the water was lukewarm, just as I like it. Got sunburned though, my face was all red from all that frisbee at the beach, and i didn't even get my tan lines! Grrrr! Ish okay i guess, all that beach and sun was still a welcome break from the usual office work...
Ate dinner at sonya's in "yatyagat", as Kiko calls it, my first time as well to frequent the place! It was soooo nice! Proposal place tlga. I believe "organic" was the word of the day--everywhere bloomed wild flowers, and they had little beds with canopies on hidden snooks and corners, super romantic Ü We ate buffet of salad and pasta (their only menu for three years!) and true to their nature, everything was organic food! Super memorable, would probably take Eda there on her birthday for our usual pasta-and-salad diet! (If only I can remember how to get there db?) Ü
After dinner snacks at hotshots again, my brother's loving the crispy burger so much he wants to eat it everyday! Haha Ü Food Galore tlga, pero really fun. Hope we can do this again next time... unles it's really Intrapreneur's Extreme Adventure Sports next summer... Haha Ü
Azurris and Anton Adventures at Ponti!
Anton, Eda and Me at Ponti :-)
One night of Eastwood trippin' and psychic readings (which was NOT even close to my expectations) ended up in a surprise spree at our fave hangout: Il Ponticello at Salcedo Village in Makati. Road trip to the max, even Eda said that we crossed 4 cities just to satisfy our momentary spontaneous mood....
Ponti's sooo very homey. Rene, our favorite homie, greeted us (that person is truly the place's asset! He knows everyone by name and by their drink!) and seated us at the smoking section (yep, had a few sticks here and there)... while Eda splurged some more and called one of our fave guys as well. Anton came in a few minutes earlier, still looking for his "kanin", and both of them immediately launched into those animated conversations. I, for the meantime, covered up and enjoyed my sunburn drink and their Über expensive yosi... Minutes later, high from alcohol and nicotine, Anton offered to escort us back to my place (because my driver was beginning to giggle a wee bit too much!) ... What a sweetie!!! Ten Thousand Brownie Points from me!... but we lost him en route to a creepy beerhouse for a quick trip to the loo! Too much azzurris kse! Haha Ü
Was tipsy and tired to pack for punta fuego trip, but had a great great time! Ponti ulit!!! Gotta get my blue card soon :-)
Friday, April 22, 2005
Davao Memories :)
It’s been how many days since I last came from Davao… and what an experience it was! Admittedly, it’s my first time to travel alone anywhere… even if my boss and his wife was there, they left earlier and they were in a separate room. My first time to also enjoy hotel life without a roommate, and while I lavished in the freedom… it was an eye-opener as well…
I would always be grateful to ADDU for making me feel welcome in Davao, I would have been a lost, confused foreigner if it weren’t for them… I’m doubly blessed that my distributors also extended their hospitality to me (it pays to really know a local when you travel!), and I’m certain that I will return the favor to them once they visit us in Manila as well…
In more ways than one, I think I left my heart in Davao City... I've never felt more at home anywhere than I did at that place. My hotel was not the best, but the people were most accommodating... the food was cheap and bottomless! The mall had a food court in every floor, and I once ate four dinners at one seating! Hehe :) And I found someone special there as well...
Sadly though, that part of my trip I have to really leave behind... my heart still feels that longing for him, but my eyes were opened to the truth that he and I will truly never be... no matter how much you feel for the person, sometimes you know in your gut that the relationship will go nowhere, and the guy is out of your league...it hurts to face the truth, but at least for a few moments, he was mine... and the memories are all I have to savor what we had that night...
For now, I still have this stupid punto as proof of my stay in Davao... kapoy gyud! Life goes on I guess. I don't know when I'll be back... when work or life would permit me to fly there again (hopefully my flight won't be delayed anymore!) hopefully sooner than later. By then I would have learned my Bisaya well, and I'll be happier, or more at peace, to face him again... =)
I would always be grateful to ADDU for making me feel welcome in Davao, I would have been a lost, confused foreigner if it weren’t for them… I’m doubly blessed that my distributors also extended their hospitality to me (it pays to really know a local when you travel!), and I’m certain that I will return the favor to them once they visit us in Manila as well…
In more ways than one, I think I left my heart in Davao City... I've never felt more at home anywhere than I did at that place. My hotel was not the best, but the people were most accommodating... the food was cheap and bottomless! The mall had a food court in every floor, and I once ate four dinners at one seating! Hehe :) And I found someone special there as well...
Sadly though, that part of my trip I have to really leave behind... my heart still feels that longing for him, but my eyes were opened to the truth that he and I will truly never be... no matter how much you feel for the person, sometimes you know in your gut that the relationship will go nowhere, and the guy is out of your league...it hurts to face the truth, but at least for a few moments, he was mine... and the memories are all I have to savor what we had that night...
For now, I still have this stupid punto as proof of my stay in Davao... kapoy gyud! Life goes on I guess. I don't know when I'll be back... when work or life would permit me to fly there again (hopefully my flight won't be delayed anymore!) hopefully sooner than later. By then I would have learned my Bisaya well, and I'll be happier, or more at peace, to face him again... =)
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