inspire

I’d like to refocus myself and to think things over. I’ve been slacking off for a week now and I am not quite happy about it. But then that’s the way it is. I can never have it all. I can’t do everything I want. There are things that are beyond my control. What I can do is to live each day the best way I can. 

Supposedly I should be looking for another job already but we’ve got something coming up so I’ve decided to put it on hold. I deemed that its gonna be best for me. As a result I have to bum around for a week or so as I wait for the day of our departure.

Anyway I should just think about it as a privilege. There are many people wanting to have a long period of vacation but they cant because of a lot and varied circumstances.

When I arrived here in Manila from Aurora I immediately purchased our tickets. I am really excited for this upcoming trip. Just three days to go and we’ll be off there.

I promise myself that when we come back I would get back to work with renewed and energized enthusiasm.

I’ve been home alone this week. The silence feels strange sometimes but generally everything’s bearable. Although it’s happier and more alive when the kids are around.

I suddenly remember when I came home from the province. It was like three in the afternoon. When I entered the gate I saw Ron and Nyah outside the house. I thought they wouldn’t really mind my arrival. The two could be snobbish sometimes. But when I stepped nearer to the house the two came jumping over me, their faces suddenly flared with joy and they were all smiles while exclaiming “tita pam!”. Then they embraced me together. Oh wow, my heart really felt happy. It was not only happiness it was joy.

Every time I remember the expression of their faces then my world lights up instantly. I may not say a word or I might just give a shy smile but really a moment like that makes me feel happy and lucky. It also makes painful happenings in the past disappear instantly.

 ***  

Anything becomes good or bad depending on how we use it. When it comes with the internet I say that it is good as a whole. Everything becomes within our reach. We can explore and widen our horizons through the internet in our own terms.

I like Facebook a lot now. I signed up for an account there like over a year now but its only recently that I really got into it. It’s interactive and up to date. I feel reconnected with my old friends and get to know new ones.

I am happy for the fact that my friends are doing great as I’ve seen there. I am glad that they are succeeding in life. It’s great that they have changed a lot for the better. 

In these past few days I also get to know more myself by discovering the things that really interest me. I don’t force myself to like something because many people like it. I have interests that may seem not cool but I still like it. I have interests that some people may raise an eyebrow with. But then, this is me. I am my own person. Anyone is free to be who he or she wants to be as long as they are not causing harm to the humanity. Wo, I sound so serious in there huh?

I like Larry King. I like Tyra Banks. I like Oprah. I like CNN. I like fashion. I like health and wellness.

I like Larry because he seems so grandfatherly. I wish he’d have more years to live. I’d like to see him longer with his signature suspenders, eyeglasses and microphone.

I like Tyra because she embodies the essence of a modern woman. She’s very comfortable in her own skin and she showed that anyone could rise from the downside. From her simple beginnings she has become a mogul. She has her own show, website, and the America’s Next Top Model.

My early impression of Oprah, like when I was still in elementary was that she was a fat black woman. Period. As I got older I got to know her more and to like her. From her harsh childhood she rose to her stature today – the queen of media in the US. She shows that anything is possible. She is really an inspiration.

I like fresh, new and diverse topics. When I watch TV I always flip through the channels I am not the kind of couch potato who turns on the tv, select a channel and let it sit there the whole time. CNN presents diversity and it’s also a great learning tool. I like observing how different kind of people of different backgrounds express and presents themselves. 

Traveling is also one of my passions. I see the world as a wonderful gift from the Lord. There are so many beautiful things He’s given us and I would be more than obliged to see it, to savor it and be thankful about it. When I watch CNN or channels like Travel and Living it feels like I’ve also been there. I content myself with it as I wait for the opportunity to get to see it with my own eyes. 

I also like fashion though it may not seem so apparent with me. I am very plain and simple looking. But the truth is, I am a fashionista at heart.  I appreciate beauty. I appreciate well put together outfits. I love being a woman. I am a keen observer of the latest trends in fashion. I have my own observations on who among the celebrities are good at it. 

It might be one of the influences in me of the media. Media is a very powerful tool in shaping our interests.

By the way, my last topic in this post – Manny Pacquiao. He has cemented his name in history with his victory against Cotto. We are all in debt with him. We owe him a lot for bringing honor to our country. He’s our saving grace.

On the side there are many other interesting side stories. Aling Dionisia, his alleged infidelity, and his another congressional bid in Saranggani. I find some text jokes, comments and spoofs about Aling Dionisia offensive. People could be very judgmental sometimes. The old woman is having fun, let her be. No need to say too many insults or word assaults about how she looks like.

Pacquiao’s rumors about infidelity made me sigh, “Boys are boys.” Women would never ever completely understand men. I think men think a whole lot different than the way we do but then if a man has a family already, not only Manny for this matter he should be strong and brave enough to comply with the responsibilities that go along with it. When a man or a woman decides to have a family it is the time that he or she put back his/her own interests for the benefit of the marriage and of the children as a whole.

If it is true, it is detestable.

When it comes to his bid for the Congress I’d say “bakit hindi pagbigyan.” Anyway he’s not gonna be going against Darlene Custodio this time.

That’s all for now. I’m happy that I can still come up with my own ideas and opinions. I thought my mind was stalled already. I want to keep on learning. I don’t want to stand still… 

Ciao!

dabarkadz in the city

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Salamat sa masasayang sandali tulad nito

Salamat sa pagkakaibigan, sa pagbibigayan

Na walang hinihintay na kapalit

Dahil sa mga sandaling tulad nito pakiramdam ko

Wala ng kulang pa…

Saanman tayo dalhin ng buhay, at kahit na sobrang keso ko na

Sasabihin ko na, Salamat.. Sa pagkakaibigang pangmatagalan.

Di kailangang palagiang magkasama, magkausap o kahit ano pa

Dahil sa puso nating lahat walang magbabago, walang iwanan.

 

 Cheers!:))

wadi: my Casiguran chronicles :)

Absolutely, there’s no place like home. We may go to farthest, fancy places but we will feel at peace the most in the place where we had our fondest memories, our childhood especially.

Barely half a year that I’ve been away then I would suddenly feel like eating the recipes my mother prepare back home. I saw in my mind how they look, smell and tasted like.

When I got home I had it all. Ate Mir was also home so my vacation was really great. Kain tulog lang ako most of the time. hehe

 

Our diet at home is pretty healthy, fish and veggies most of the time. Every morning Tatay go to Lagpan to buy newly caught fishes. In this picture, the fish came all the way from San Ildefonso, brought home by Mama. It was huge! Though we prefer smaller ones than to something like this Mama bought it because we thought our brothers we’re coming home too. Unfortunately there was a typhoon again.

The big fish became inihaw at sinigang. Sa sobrang laki ng isda para nang pork o beef. There were still some at the freezer when I left.

Tatay concoct his own vegetable recipe and it is simply divine! I can eat it each meal by itself. He gathers vegetables from our backyard and other veggies from the market. Camote tops, okra, eggplant, green pepper and any other available vegetable are rinsed well then drained. Afterwards the veggies are put in a casserole and set into a very low fire. They are cooked without any additional water. When the veggies cook through their own liquids the fire is increased. Lastly a dressing of fish sauce, calamansi and thinly sliced onions are added. My mouth starts to water just thinking about it. hehe

Any trip to Casiguran will not be complete without swimming. There’s a lot of nice beaches in our town but the most accessible for us is the Lagpan Beach. The feeling while swimming was like nostalgic. There are so many wonderful childhood memories made in that beach. When we were young we often went there for picnics together with our cousins in our paternal side but as time went by times like those barely happen again. How I wish we can swim together again just like before. I miss my cousins especially Joy Ann and Aira. They were my playmates then though I am older than them by two years. I was their Ate Pam but now they are already bigger than me.

Another thing I am proud abut my father is his willingness to learn. He is always open to new things for as long as it will help us improve and uplift our living. When Ate acquired a motorcycle, a Suzuki Raider from Kuya Rene Tatay learned how to operate it almost by himself. Every morning he drives Ate to school. Tatay sent and fetched us when we went to the beach.

One time I told Tatay he should start learning how to use the computer so we can chat when I am gone. He replied cheerfully, said that he already know how to play songs in Ate’s laptop. Tatay is really one cool dude! haha. He noticed that I don’t use my iPod shuffle that much. He asked if he can have it because he has sleeping problems sometimes. The moment he wakes up at night even if its only ten in the evening he can hardly get back to sleep. Maybe because the problems sneak through his mind. Music would surely take his thoughts away from those. I gave my iPod and he enjoys it. One time I checked out what was he listening into and it was Beyonce’s Single Ladies! I, Mama, Ate and Ate Mir burst into one huge laughter. Later on I changed the playlist into Engelbert Humperdinck’s, Nat King Cole, Apo hiking Society and the like. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find his special request, Larawang Kupas.

One time Ate Mir  asked me to join her in going to church. I didn’t know what to wear.I thought I wouldn’t be staying long so I brought only a couple of t shirts. While she was suggesting me some clothes from her own Ate Ophel told me why don’t I just wear the Giordano long sleeves which was also given by Ate Mir. Mukha naman akong mayor nito! I joked. But I wore it just the same. The funny thing was, I was mistaken three times to be the older one between me and Ate Mir. The mother of her high school classmate took me to be her twice! Di din ako pina bless ni Father pero si Ate pina bless nya! Ang tuwa naman ni Ate Mir. haha

 

Simple lang ang buhay sa amin pero masaya dahil magkakasama kami. They asked me to stay for good but I just can’t yet. i still want to explore. Maybe because I am still young I want to experience the fast life. I would like the sedentary life back home once in a while. Later on they stopped convincing me. Gave me reminders instead especially on financial matters. They reminded me to be frugal. Do not spend all you earn, be sure that there are still some left from your pay out. Life is not all about good time, shopping or party they say. I really like to follow their advice. So help me God.

Kapamilya na din namin sina Hunks, Nestea at Brownie. They guard us and our house. Being a half breed Brownie is the biggest and loudest barker among the three. Hunks is in his retiring age already. His body is starting to weaken, his skin to sag and his hair to grey. I hope that when I go home again he’s still there.

Magkasundo kami ni Ate Mir sa madaming bagay especially in taking pictures. We celebrated Halloween through jump pics.

In Nov. 1 the Casiguran Brass Band paraded. 

Me and Mama.

I may not be home for Christmas so immediately after Nov. 1 we set up the Christmas tree. The cold stormy weather gave holiday ambience. Our favorite past time at home is watching tv together. They like watching Wowowee so I ended up watching it too almost everyday. I also like videoke kahit sintunado ako. At first lagi nila ako pinipigilan but later on wala na din sila nagawa so there, I belted out the Kenny Rogers and other mushy old love songs.

Tatay is also a Pacquiao fan. In the picture above we were watching a dvd of all manny’s fights. For sure the world will stop on Nov.15 when he fights again.

 

Mangoes and Dragon fruit can be found in our backyard. Aside from that there are also guavas and cacao. Tatay and Mama keeps our yard vegetated while Ate plants and takes care of ornamental plants. Her current favorite is the money tree. She is so happy that they keep on producing those pebble like pieces or “money”. Its a good sign they say. Hope so. hehe

  

I also consider my friends as my treasures. Every time there is a chance I see to it that i get to meet them. I feel so happy being with them, talking about our ideas, our past and our hopes for the future. Being a friend to them is one thing I will never ever be tired of.

I never felt having a big family a liability. I give credit to it to my parents. They raised us well no matter how hard it was. As a result I have many places to stay at. Here in Manila I live at Kuya Ronie’s while I live at Ate Chit’s when I am in San Luis.

Its a wonderful feeling when my sibling’s children greet me excitedly every time I arrive. Ate Chit’s kids AC and Cedric have grown a lot since I last saw them. I gave Cedric a yellow race car and a Ben10 watch for AC. I thought if singlehood is God’s plan for me I wouldn’t mind it. I will be a doting aunt to my nieces and nephews.

So there, that was my hearty vacation. Where ever I am home will be in my heart. Just wait for me, Beary.

Technorati Tags: family,vacation,casiguran

chill…

october 26

Happy Birthday to Aimie, Annie Vi and Yorick. Birthday celebrants this month. I absolutely miss y’all.

I am still here in our family home in Casiguran, been here since Oct. 13. Supposedly I would come back to manila immediately but the family advised me otherwie, made other plans.

I’ve decided not to continue to process the endorsement I got to be a regular employee in BDO.

So currently my career halts. But its okay atleast I am spending some quality time with my parents and two sisters here.

Whatever the circumstances maybe I would choose to be happy. I believe the strength of one’s character is also defined on how well she rides the waves of life. I would always be thankful in everything.

I will be back in Manila after Nov. 1. I and Ate Mir are going to General Santos City to have a vacation and visit Kuya Rod there on November 26, might hunt Aling Dionesia on the side,hehe. 

Kuya Rod told us that we’ll get off to Cagayan de Oro until we reach Camiguin Island for a couple of days of vacation.

I really hope these plans happen.  Buying plane tickets is the first thing I will do the moment I reach Manila to be sure, hehe.

Ngayon pa lang excited na ako. I, Ate Mir and Kuya Rod belong to the same younger generation in the family so I think we can really have some awesome childlike fun.

overflow

Its been a long while since I was able to write.  Along with it so many things have happened. The last weeks have been fateful. If it’s a novel it was the time that the crises of the plot are being laid out.

Ondoy

Saturday. September 26 2009.

I woke up late that day because I was very tired the night before. I had a hard time going home. Makati Avenue was full pack. Aside from the usual Friday night build up there was a heavy downpour to make the traffic worse. The tricycle ride I had from Kalayaan Ave. to the Mandaluyong bridge was more than enough to give me a heart attack. The driver would make sudden turns as it searched for alternate routes. Aside from that there were several times that it seemed like the tricycle would collide to another vehicle or the driver would pick a fight with another driver or a security guard.

After several hours I got home that night, so thankful I was well and intact and could greet my father well who’s been waiting and worrying  for me.

Saturday morning came. Never had I imagined that it would be immensely disastrous for my countrymen, especially. I was having a late breakfast. The weather was still no any better. Its raining really hard. I, Tatay and our househelp were the only ones at home. Kuya and the family went off because the kids were having a family day as an activity in their school.

I haven’t finished my meal when we have noticed that the water started to get in the living room.  Slowly at first. I continued eating, didn’t panic. But after a while the water got in faster. In minutes the water in the living room got ankle deep. Ate started to panic and to talk in her extra high pitched voice. We started to bring up the things. We put the couches on top of the chairs. We disassembled the tv and the computer and brought upstairs.

Then I saw the water came in stronger, with a current. The driveway seemed like a river whose current flowed heavily upon our living room window.

If I was not mistaken it took only 10 minutes for our house to be submerged in a waist deep flood. When the water got extra high I already went upstairs and wouldn’t like to wade through the murky water. I let my father to take care of the rest. Ate panicked a lot. I told her there’s nothing we can do about it,we may panic to the max but it won’t make the flood come down, instead we must be alert.

She somehow listened. She kept on staring outside the window and watched the situation get worse. Tatay was silent but in deep thought. He listened for the weather reports on my flanking radio whose batteries were almost dead. After a while the electricity was cut down, the radio was dead and the cellphone signal was failing. But still I remained calm. I thought this is just one of the nature’s wrath. It will pass real soon.

The day became night but the situation were still the same or should I say worse. Our living room, kitchen and bathroom were in complete disarray. I refrained to think of what my kuya and his wife’s reaction would be when they see what happened.

We ate the food left from our breakfast. Fortunately there were still bread, coffee and ample drinking water.

Before the darkness completely covered our view I saw the children in the apartments in front of us being put in a banca. Many of our neighbors were already evacuating. The cars were already afloat.

Despite the terrible situation I slept well, didn’t let anything get me down.

The next morning the flood in the first floor was still the same. When the water subsided in the driveway by 11 am we told Kuya that they may come home already.

When they arrived they were glad that the car was spared from swimming in flood. When they saw what happened to the things reached by the water they could do nothing but sigh. Only then that we, the ones left home knew how immense and how serious the flood was in the other areas.

Kuya  said the flood claimed many lives and that we were still lucky. By that time the the electricity was already restored. We watched the news and confirmed how awful things happened. We were terribly saddened with what happened to the others especially to those residing in Marikina.

Many said that the flood was an equalizer. Rich and poor, exclusive village residents and slum dwellers alike tasted the fury. It was simply awful. We certainly hope nothing like these ever happen again.

We started to clean up and to restore what we can. The couches were drenced in very dirty water. The furnitures which were made from coated soft wood has expanded and disintegrated. The kitchen appliances like turbo broiler and sandwich maker can’t function anymore. Same with the washing machine. Fortunately the refrigerator was ok.

On Monday I didn’t report to work. There was still so much thing to do at home. When I went to work on Tuesday I gathered that many of the other office personnel were severely damaged. Muddy flood washed out their houses.

On Wednesday our assistant manager inquired on me further what exactly happened. I told her how things went. In a little while she asked for my guy office mate to hand me a basketful of groceries and new blankets. I was totally overwhelmed. I felt that there were many others who suffered much than we did but I thought it would be inappropriate if I would refuse their good deed. I was absolutely thankful. In that instance once again the BDO superiors showed me a very good example. They were compassionate. I saw that they genuinely felt for those who were strucked by a rather sad event.

October 7, 2009

Andami kong kwento, di ko alam kung saan magsisimula. Saka na lang siguro pag malinaw na ang lahat. Masyadong nakakastress ang mga pangyayari sumasakit tuloy ang puso ko, literally.

Sana tama ang desisyon ko.

Gusto ko pumunta sa Sabang, dun sa beach at isigaw sa tubig lahat ng laman ng dibdib ko. Ewan ko, basta ang sakit ng puso ko.

what made my weekend

22

September 13, 2009 10:24 pm

“Ay! itu nga din pala suot ko last year!” I suddenly remembered while munching on some pizza earlier this afternoon as a simple celebration of the 22nd year of (dis)gracing this universe. Looking at my own picture (narcism at work again) I could see some differences. In my photo last year I am wearing a Genevieve Gozum jeans while I am wearing Zara (courtesy of Kuya Rod) today. I was holding a letter given by my block mates then while I am holding a cake now. My hair today is longer and considerably less disheveled. I am wearing the same watch, my favorite watch (‘coz it’s only one.haha! a Diesel watch given by Ate Mir in 2004(?), so its about 5 years old now. I have its strapped changed into a yellow one after its original leather strap have given up some time last year. The Tricky Tv guy of Cartoon network has this kind of watch too. And I am also wearing this brown Converse tee. I like this tee a lot because its very comfortable. The fabric runs smoothly and softly through my body. So that’s what we call sustainable fashion I think.haha!

My choices in things I wear is pretty much the same with my choices in life. Since I am no rich girl I’ve learned and I’ve been thought by my parents and siblings that I have to be careful. In choosing items its better to choose those that would serve well in a long period of time. Quality is important. But if I can have quantity quality items why not diba. But it might not be so soon yet. I’ve got to perspire a lot, hunch my back longer and be savvier with money matters.

Though I don’t have quantity quality items  I am quite lucky, oh, not only lucky but blessed that I have quality parents, siblings (quantity also for we are a lot, seriously.) and of course friends and acquaintances. Since I’ve been here in Manila I haven’t made a conscious effort to go to church, and I am not proud of that. But today I felt it in my heart that I wanted to go there. I went. Inside the church while hearing the mass all I kept on saying in silence was “Thank you Lord.Thank you.”

Thank you Lord that I am still alive. Thank you that I am still up and running. Thank you that I have my parents who never grow tired of watching over us their children though all of us are grown up. Thank you for giving me my siblings who I know even they don’t say that they are always behind me, always ready to catch me when I fall. Thank you that I have my friends who are also my sources of inspirations not only companies in fun and good times.

Along with that I pray that I may be able to continue doing the good things but I also pray that I would be given wisdom to know what I am doing wrong.

I am 22 years old now, an age that I thought to be so mature when I was 12. If I would rate myself I would say that I am mature. But of course it may not be the same when subjected to someone else’s grid or when compared with other people.

One year is pretty fast. Cliche as it may sound my 21st birthday was like only yesterday. I can still clearly picture the things that happened. I can also feel again the same emotions I had then if I want to. But one thing’s certain I was very happy then. My college friends and classmates were with me. The simple bounty seemed a lot and so good with their company. I miss them. I miss the simplicity of our intertwined simple lives then.

But life must be lived forward. Putting a quotation in my own words, always, we should never be sad or regret that things ended, instead we must be glad that it happened. Whenever I miss those bubbly guys I just think that they are okay, that they are doing great and are being good in finding and fulfilling their destinies and most of all that somehow, someday we will meet again wearing older faces but with the same affinity that we had way back then.

Like in Miley Cyrus song, The Climb, I am sure that in my life there will be another mountain, there will be another storm. But like her I will want to make it move by keeping on pushing on. It’s not how fast I get there. Its the climb.

On September 12 I went out with Cress and Limwell. I labeled it my pre-birthday bash. We watched Eugene Domingo’s Kimmy Dora. Yeah, the film is downright funny. We had constant bouts of laughter. But beyond the comedy I also noted the message that the film wants to convey. Success is not everything. Attitude and character are more important, even more important than the shares of stocks of a top multi-million dollar corporation. One may aim, and burn herself out in quest of that much coveted position and property but at the end of the day it is not the thing that will  matter most.

flickers

The week that was

The last couple of days was all about food and some pleasant surprises.

Tatay was here in the metro. Kuya Roger visited with a bunch of Krispy Kremes

He gave me such a nice present too! Thanks a lot. I was so delighted,didn’t expect I’d have it real soon.

One Year

Woohoo! I didn’t notice I have been blogging for a year already. My first entry was dated Aug. 11. Oh wow, I just can’t describe well enough how this stuff helped me through this one year. It benefited me in more ways than one.

Foremost it helped me figure myself out. By writing out my thoughts I got to sort out the things I should keep from those I should just throw away.

As I blogged I learned that I should never focus on the things I lack. I shouldn’t wallow on distress but rather celebrate every victories no matter how minute they were.

The past year was a mesh of unexpected events. Some were tragic, some were hurtful but nonetheless there were the good times. Whenever I was in pain I would simply write it out, feel the pain until it hurts no more.

As i write out what was in my mind I was reminded that tomorrow was another day. It would be different than how it was. I chose to be strong. I never wanted to sound like a bitter soul. I must be my own hero. Nobody would pick me up unless I choose to help myself.

In this one year old blog I tried to be bold by saying my thoughts in raw. I know there are many people who might get to read this but it was fine with me. I believe that I am not doing anything wrong by being honest most importantly with myself. One can never put a good man down.

Whenever there were happy moments that happened I would blog it the soonest time possible. I never wanted to let it just pass because those were the memories from where I will gather strength when another blow comes into my life. I made them as a reminder for myself that no matter what happens life is still beautiful. There will be storms coupled with lightning and thunderstorm but before long it will subside to give way to a fresh and new beginning.

August 31

It’s 12:06 midnight now. It’s my second night alone here at home. Last night I thought I couldn’t stand it but I actually did. I tried to sleep at the other bedroom first because it seemed more enclosed than any other part of the house. But later on I still can’t sleep maybe because I wasn’t really that sleepy. I slept for hours that afternoon. I declared Saturday as my lazy day since there will be no work until Monday.

Again I went down turned on the television. I brought some pillows and a sheet. Hours later but I still can’t sleep. I can hear everything, even the sounds of the cockroaches.

Then I went back upstairs. From my bed I could hear the conversations of the neighbors nearby. I somehow found company. I got to sleep.

Afterward, the sun shone all over the room. The long night was over. I tried to be productive today by cleaning up the house and doing the laundry.

Facebooking kept me away from boredom.

my choice, my picks

In every season of our lives there are things that stand out from the others. They get our attention and capture our fancy. In these past few days and months I raved about these:

Lady Gaga

She’s outrageous, avant garde, out of this world. She wears outfits that seem to take forever to put together in a daily basis. I like her edgy attitude, that “i don’t care, i’ll do my thing” sense. Gaga’s so pop. Her music makes me pop too, makes me wanna get up and party all night. For quite a while her track Poker face was in constant replay in my mind. Her music’s about the glamorous life. She’s giving her listeners the vibe of the rich and famous. “Paparrazzi” does it exactly. Just Dance is also another lively track.

McDonalds Burger Meal

I had a struggle resisting the burger in the previous months. I ate those at least three times each week before I go home. It’s unhealthy, i know, fat laden and makes me feel bloated but at the same time it’s yummy. It was a guilty pleasure. I was a regular at Mc Donalds Jupiter St. I think the store is very strategically laid out. Its directly located proportional to the direction where I am going. Sometimes I just find myself inside the store ordering another meal although I have promised the day before that I will not anymore because it’s really bloating. One time I saw Dr. Paul Watts there. (Canadian volunteer in ASCOT before). Too bad he was already leaving when I spotted him, I would’ve greeted him. Before we used to greet him “Good Morning sir” and he would cheerfully reply “Magandang umaga!”

Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt

Now I’ve made a healthy switch. I am currently hooked on Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt. It is simply delicious and of course healthy. Every morning I buy some to take to the office. Its my effort to somehow compensate with the fried meats I usually consume.

philstar.com

This website keeps me in the loop of the latest in everything while in the office. Among the limited sites that we can browse through in our workstations it is my favorite. The next one is forbes.com followed by inquirer.net.  I like this site the most because it has the most updated contents and covers a wide range of topics. When there are not much official thing to do I read through the articles.

I check out Jessica Zafra’s column entitled Emotional Weather Report regularly. Ang galing nya! She’s so witty and clever. I am also fond of Tingting Cojuangco’s and Barbara Gonzales’s. From reading Tingting’s column I somehow get to know her better. She seems so down to earth and enlightening. She’s not a woman who is  consumed with the wealth we all now she has. Barbara Gonzales is also another favorite. From her articles I get an idea what getting old might be. She is a person who’s gone through a lot and therefore has so much wisdom to share. In one of her write ups she mentioned that whenever we fall we should just get up, dust up ourselves and go on again. So true.

double treat

Ron and Nyah had their Linggo ng Wika celebration at school today. As usual Nyah did the deed. She danced, sang and all to our delight upon watching their video tonight. Ron was nowhere to be seen. Again, he slept it through.

drenched

Today was a toxic day at work. But I loved it. I like the feeling of having a challenge to conquer. I need not compete with anyone but only with myself. I love testing my limits. I am simply delighted when I meet the goals I set for myself.

Randomly, while an officemate of mine was sort of complaining that she has to stay longer at the office because she still has an unfinished task I joked, “Oh, that’s what we call efficiency.”  We should be able to do all the things we need to accomplish within the time frame given. Anyway, it was just a remark. There are many factors that affect one’s performance.

Personally I prefer finishing the tasks given to me on time. It gives me a sense of fulfillment. Nonetheless I see to it that the quality of the output is not sacrificed.

I could say that I work hard. Therefore I make sure that I enjoy. I eat what I want. I do what I want. I could say that this is one of the best years of my life.

Definitely this is just the beginning, I am still a neophyte, and I am a newbie. But who cares? I love it. I am enjoying the ride. Now I know how to work and how to have responsibilities. There are times that it seems so hard to get up in the morning. But when I think that I am a part of a whole, that there will be a domino effect when I laze about my work I will instantly jolt up my bed.

Now I know that it is not all about oneself. It’s about standing up and fulfilling the responsibilities that I chose to take.

My typical day starts at 6:30 in the morning. I open my eyes. See to it that I have fully regained my consciousness. Reach for the towel. Head for the bath room and take a bath. Dress up, eat and fix myself.

At 8:10 I am heading my way into the office. I ride a jeepney that would take me at the foot of the Makati-Mandaluyong bridge. I ride a tricycle that stops at Kalayaan Ave., a red light district. I walk through those pubs and hotels that seemed so innocent and asleep during the day.

I walk through Jupiter Street. Cross through two main avenues. Then at 8:30 I will be at the lobby. Wear my ID. Ride the elevator.

I never got late again. I got late just once. I promised that it will not happen again and up to this time I have not yet broken it.

At exactly 9:00 to 12:00 I am in the Auto-in mode. I get up just for the bathroom breaks. At 12:00 to 1:00 I take a hearty lunch. But I prefer not too eat too much carbs and fatty viands because I don’t want the fat ass. I observed that office girls are prone to it due to long hours of sitting down. At 1:00 to 6:00 I am in the Auto-in Mode again.

Afterwards I go home. The same streets I passed through look a whole lot different by then. Kalayaan Ave. dances in colors and glittering lights.

Then I eat, clean up and do other things that my left strength still allows before I fall into a dead sleep.

The rain fell terribly hard this afternoon. Regular employees and top executives alike got stucked in the lobby. I silently observed and looked around. The lady execs were so glam. I thought if getting old means looking that great, I would surely love to get old!

My eyes locked into a particular woman. She looks very dignified. Her hair was perfect. Her crisp tailored suit still looked fresh even its already the end of the day. I hope I wasn’t staring. I know she noticed that I was looking at her because when she went out she gave me a brief sideway glance. The moment she walked past through me I exclaimed to my officemate i exclaimed “I know her! On tv”

I was certain that i know her but i didn’t immediately remember who she was. But I felt that I must know her. I followed my gut. I googled.

Then, yeah! gotcha! She was Ms. Clarissa Ocampo! The witness then of the late Pres. Estrada’s case.

Whew! I was relieved!

Shucks, I am sleepy now. The clock reads 10:20 now. I didn’t notice it’s already a Friday tomorrow, the last day of the work week. I am looking forward to a blazingly awesome weekend ahead.

SUMO!

SUMO

Shut Up Move On

Have you ever been stucked in a certain situation? You perfectly know what the solution is and yet you stayed? You get hurt you forgive you forget. Then you get hurt again. It’s like you are running in circles. You know the rational thing to do but each time the lure comes you see yourself succumbing to exactly the same situation once more. You lay your cards again hoping that it will be a different story.

Was it love? Was it obsession? Or was it’s just about being challenged? Whatever the case I must do what my title says SUMO! Shut up and move on. It’s long overdue. It’s a useless case. No need for dramatic arguments the facts are clear.

Having said so I shall focus on things that matter. That is getting a life, a fulfilled life. I need not people or circumstances that deliberately put me into unnecessary pain.

selfcentrism…vanity…

highlights

Sunday. August 23. They were going to a children’s party.

I love Ynah! Love her pink dress, too.

Saturday, 5am. Murky waters flooded the driveway.

Friday, Aug. 21, Ninoy Aquino Day. Thanks for the Holiday!

Chillax at home with the kids. Kuya Ronie wears Ninoy shirt.

refresh

night out with awesome buddies Cres and Limwell at Guilly’s, Glorietta 5

scrambled

Why there are certain things in life that we simply can’t throw away altogether. Just when we thought that we are over it, that we have moved on something will happen to prove us wrong. Our principles will be tested. Suddenly we feel the ice we’ve built melts. The order is shaken once again.

Then we’ll find ourselves mustering all the courage to walk away before history repeats itself.

Commit

Everything comes at a price. Most of the time we have to sacrifice to get a reward. We have to  choose. We can never have it all. But sometimes we want a piece of everything. Our appetites become much harder to satisfy.

Life really comes around. There are emotions that transcend age. We thought then when we reach a certain year in our life we will not experience the same feelings that we used to have. But then we’ll be proven wrong. Those feelings may change in form and manifestation but in essence they are still the same.

To improve our lives there are measures that we have to take. Prevention is better than cure. Its better to be proactive than to be reactive.

Obstacles are part of life. There are factors that seem to draw us back just when we thought we have inched two notches.

Okay, fine. I’ve done so much talking when in fact all i want to communicate is that i am not in my best me because of some rather stupidity. I did fall again fortunately I got to swim before I drowned. Now I am trying to bring back my life the way it has been for quite sometime – orderly, quiet, predictable.

I was about to risk too much for that little piece of happiness. I still have a lifetime to live there is no need to get stuck.

“Grow up, move on.”