ramblings

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T01:45:00.000-08:00

April is Gadget Month

2008-04-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

Week 1:

Adidas 'dive' watch. Emphasis on WATCH. I got this just so I know what time it is when I'm underwater.

Week 2:

= perfect combination

The Olympus SW 770...Shockproof and most importantly, waterproof. Perfect for my active lifestyle. Haha! Seriously, I can now take pictures ANYWHERE...the boat, while snorkeling, and soon, even when diving. Just have to save for an underwater housing.

Week 3:

Still learning, a bit frustrating, but WOW!

Week 4:

Double WOW! The Scubapro T-One. My partner for the next 10 or so years. I will have to rely on this buddy for my life. Super excited to try it out. After a month and a couple of visits to several dive shops, I finally got it...

It's been an amazing month, what with all the new toys. I think dressing these up and buying accessories will be waaaay more expensive. I just have to find a way to fund for my babies!

PS: I already started yesterday. My mission at the mall was for my Mac: get a keyboard shield, iKlear, a case for accessories, a traveler pad, and a trackpad film. Mission almost accomplished. Wasn't able to find a film =(

OMG OMG OMG

2008-04-26T07:56:00.000-07:00

This blog is being composed with the help of my new baby....

After years of aspiring for a MacBook, the opportunity for me to own one has finally arrived! What can I say about the MB being a (and still is) a PC user for a couple of million years? Well, the only thing I can say for now is it's a bit frustrating learning and looking for the shortcuts that I'm so used to using. The first command I searched for? Alt-Tab for changing windows! The keys that I just found out that I can't live without? Home, End, Page Down, Page Up! As of this writing, I still can't imagine the time when I'll become a full follower of the Mac. I'm not one of the people who fell in love with the OS at first use. Well, I still have a lot to learn so patience!

I only got MB last night but my to-buy list of accessories is pretty long already. Another addition to my growing family of gadgets to dress up. I think I need to find a high-paying job to support my babies!

2007 theme: Active lifestyle

2008-01-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

I think I pretty much accomplished what I set out to do in 2007. I defined last year's theme to be active lifestyle meaning:

1. I promised myself I will travel locally and see as much of the Philippines as possible
2. Do anything but lounge around and be a mall rat

My 2007 travel log

Jan 4-7: Baguio City
Feb 2-4: Baguio City (again)
May 1-6: Batanes
Aug : Bolinao, Pangasinan
Sept: Zambales
Oct 6-7: Anilao to get certified in diving
Oct 11-14: Bohol
Nov 30-Dec 2: Puerto Galera
Dec 7-9: Baguio - La Union

More Anilao, Lemery, Clark, and Subic trips in-between for diving, surfing, and just some impromptu get-aways with friends. I pretty much covered a lot of Philippine ground.

My major accomplishments this year:

Diving: Most surprising
Learning how to dive was my most surprising achievement. Aside from not being a water baby and not knowing how to swim, this was NOT part of my overall life plan so I was just literaly dragged into joining the class...The true essence of 'kaladkarin'. From a reluctant student, now I'm a certified dive addict.

Surfing: Most unbelievable
I mentioned above that the water doesn't really agree with me and I with it. Now throw into that the need for coordination, balance, and agility, all of which I don't have, then you have a recipe for disaster. I never imagined I can be one of those Roxy babes...well I'm far from being one...but anyways, who would have thought I would even TRY this sport.

Touring Itbayat: Greatest achievement
Batanes is the vacation to beat. It's very hard to top in terms of sights and activities. Who would have thought that this couch potato would be able to keep up with runners, bikers, and locals? I'm proud to say I survived a 5-hr island crossing without hurling, climbing a steep, slippery, and muddy mountain wearing only Havaianas, going down and climbing back up slippery rocks to go spelunking, and finally biking for the first time in a public road. I'm really proudest of my Batanes trip. It's a testament that inactive people still have hope after all.

Getting my SPL (Student Pilot's License): Need I say more...

***
I'm starting my travel early this year...first stop was Cebu last week (Jan 10-13) and then on to Palawan tomorrow until Sunday. How's that for a self-professed couch potato!

18 days til Christmas

2006-12-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

2006-10-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

Have withdrawal symptoms....need...my...dose...of.....Veronica Mars....

Mars: an unhealthy obsession

2006-10-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

The obsession started Saturday, Oct 14 at approximately 930pm. It ended at 3am the following day but only because my eyes were already bloodshot and my head was hurting. It began again at 1230pm, Sunday and ended at 12am...temporarily.

I've sworn off DVD series marathons about a month or two ago. I realized then that I "lost" time...I begin watching in the morning and then suddenly night has crept up on me. I didn't like the feeling because to me it was a day wasted that left me with headaches and sore, teary eyes. I was actually supposed to blog about the hazards of pirated DVD series but good thing I didn't because I would have had to recant that post.

BECAUSE...

I <3 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6033/454/320/veronicamars.1.jpg" border="0">

Make that 4 things

2006-10-04T20:57:00.000-07:00

I need to add to my earlier post. There's a fourth event that happened that's sooooooo tragic!

ATENEO LOST IN THE CHAMPIONSHIPS!

After the Hail Mary shot of Doug in the first game of the best-of-3 series, it seemed that everything went downhill for us. Game 2 was the worst. Good thing that at least it was a very close and tight 3rd game (running into overtime) and I didn't feel as bad as I would have felt if I think we had a lousy run. But still!!!!! All the sacrifices I made!!!!! I was able to get a ticket at the very last minute last Saturday for Game 2. I thought my co-workers saved me a seat only to find out that they saved me a step...as in on the steps where people were constantly passing. It wouldn't have been so bad but I was wearing a really short skirt. And then because we lost the 2nd game there was a do-or-die match. I had to sneak out of a meeting (the game was at 3pm), ride the MRT, and walk from the station to the coliseum in heels. I was really sweating when I got there.

But it was super a lot of fun. I realized that I missed cheering for the alma mater and that I missed college. Before I used to be inspired to watch the games because my crush was on the team for a couple of years. Hahahaha! I felt really sorry for the seniors of the team who are graduating this year. I know that we were really so close to the championship, only to have it snatched away. Oh well. Even if we didn't win, I believe that we always have the cutest players! Haha!

Here's the video of the miracle shot by Doug Kramer/Norman Black's unbelievable play (makes the loss more painful for us :( )

One big fight!

I'M BAAAACK

2006-10-04T19:58:00.000-07:00

...well, just for now. I haven't blogged in ages and I haven't been visiting the blogs I frequent. Work has been crazy, as always, but never been as hectic as today in the past 2 weeks. There was a constant stream of people coming and going, sitting in my visitor's chair and consulting. I felt like a doctor today with a lot of scheduled and walk-in patients. I want to buy those signs that say: The doctor is IN and stick it in my cube.

Anyways, I haven't really felt like writing because as usual, I have nothing interesting to write about. Well, there was the typhoon last Thursday and for the first time in corporate history, work was called off for two straight days. Thursday of course since it was really stormy and Friday as well since power wasn't restored in about 80% of the Northern region.

Generally I've been happy these past months except for 2 things: I've been gaining weight (AGAIN!!!) and I haven't accomplished my goal of taking the GMAT last September. So sad.... I'm planning to start reviewing again and hopefully by end October or early November I'll be able to schedule and take the test.

Oh make that 3 things...my brother once again is the bane of my existence. I don't plan on talking to him EVER. EVER EVER EVER.

To end on a good note, here's a picture of Sophie

I've had it with these motherfkin' snakes on this motherfkin' plane!

2006-08-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

SoaP exceeded my expectations as a reeeeally baaaaad movie. Because of that it rates as the best B-movie ever! What's so great about it is that it never pretends to be anything but awful (the title, the so 1980's poster) unlike some movies. I can name one recent film that really wasted my money and nobody can pay me to watch it again EVER - The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. EEEEWWW!!

I'm reading some reviews on the web and there are actually comments about how they liked the film...not because it sucked but because of the action sequences and the acting of Samuel Jackson! BWAHAHAHAHA!!

Samuel L. Jackson was a really brave man to take this on. I guess after all the Academy Award nominated films he's been in, this one has it's own appeal. And I'm even wondering myself why this film has pulled me in as well. It was really great fun watching this at the theatre with the crowd laughing. Definitely worth my (vince's) P160-ticket. Might even watch it again...hehehe!

'I've had it with these motherf**kin' snakes on this motherf**kin' plane!' CLASSIC!

Applause! Applause!

Big surprise

2006-08-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

I'm sure my friends will just have one reaction: yeah, what a big shocker :p

You Are Most Like Charlotte!

You are the ultimate romantic idealistYou've been hurt before, but that hasn't caused you to give up on love.If anything, your resolve to fall in love is stronger than ever.And it's this feminine optimism that men find most appealing about you.
Romantic prediction: That guy you are seeing (or crushing on)?
Could be very serious - if you play your cards right!

45 entries ago

2006-06-15T22:40:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it's the eve of my birthday again and it's time for that annual self reflection! I feel this excitement but at the same time sadness and fear. Gone are the birthdays where I felt real happiness and anticipation. Now it seems that I dread it. I'm so much older plus I don't get that much gifts anymore.

Another year has gone by and looking back, it seems that the first memorable day that comes tom mind is the day HR released an email to the company listing all new promotees and I was one of the names. Pathetic in a way, isn't it? It's another work-related milestone. AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!! I'm 27 and I don't have anything to show for the year that has gone by. 3 years from now I'll be 30...and I can't imagine myself that OLD! At work I want to breeze through the day so that I can go home and relax but what comes with that desire is another day wasted. Work -- home to sleep -- work.

'Carmela, it's time to get your butt off the floor!' I need to do something bold, something crazy -- like live in another country or shift careers or do what I've wanted to do for half of my life -- fly. Panic is beginning to set in and I'm really wishing that this year will be THE year.

The difference between sleeping and waking..

2006-04-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

None. There's no difference at all...well at least not for me these past 4 weeks. I leave the office 730pm at the earliest but most often I pack up at 830-9. I drive thru McDonald's, get home at around 930-10, read around 5 pages of a book or play with Sophie for 2 mins, sleep, and then 5mins later I'm awake getting ready for work --- well it seems like 5 mins :p I just trudge through the day hoping that I won't forget a requirement, a deadline. Even after writing everything down something more important or something that has been buried under all my trash on the desk crops up. Geez, the 8 to 5 workday goes by so fast. So little time, so much to do. I feel like I'm swimming through work and problems that never seem to end. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

You know what's worse? I think I have 2 kinds of stress-related tummyaches! Anyway, I'm supposed to be finishing a user interface design but I just can't bring myself to work. I'm gonna go home in a while to, guess what...work. Haaaaaaayyyyyy!!!

Is she real or not?

2006-03-23T19:11:00.000-08:00

Up next...

2006-03-16T19:31:00.000-08:00

"As addictive as Vicodin"

2006-03-15T19:55:00.000-08:00

He has the worst bedside manner but if you're not his patient and you're just watching in the sidelines, he is really funny, witty, sharp, and very effective. In the absence of new episodes of Grey's, I finished 9 episodes of House season 2. Grey's glamorizes the job and makes me want to become a doctor, House does the opposite. Even if Grey's creator says that Meredith is a flawed individual, House is more human. But if you ask me to decide which show I favor more, can't answer that :)

I love you McDreamy!

2006-03-14T19:32:00.000-08:00

Guess what I'm obssessed with right now, that I stayed up until 230am the whole of last week to finish?

EDSA

2006-02-25T21:26:00.000-08:00

You know when you keep repeating a word over and over again it loses its meaning? For me, this is what's happening to the spirit of EDSA People Power. Worse, it not only loses its meaning it is being twisted and made to justify the opposite of its essence.

The politicians have cried "wolf!" so many times that people just raise their heads for a while, look, and then return to their business. This practice of coups and rallies and calls for resignation has pushed us into a mode miscontrued as apathy when in fact we're just tired. The EDSA that my parents joined is so different from the EDSA that these groups want to recreate today. I can still recall the days when my parents went to join people power wearing bright yellow shirts. They only came home for about an hour or two in the night to change clothes. Back then it only took 1 call for the people to flock to EDSA and stay there for four days.

The coup and the palace proclamation yesterday diverted the attention from other important matters. The landslide in Leyte is overshadowed by these. Instead of the troops helping to recover a thousand missing bodies and rebuild the shattered community, they are here in Manila dispersing violent mobs.

The picture above is a view of the Shrine. While riding to work yesterday, I took a photo of it. Too bad I wasn't able to take a picture of the ground teeming with policemen.

Announcement: Coup is cancelled

2006-02-24T17:25:00.000-08:00

It's funny how a coup today was quelled because everyone knew it was coming. The news of the coup spread yesterday afternoon through text and it was even stated as matter of fact: "Coup tomorrow, Feb 24. Please pass." It's weird and extremely funny at the same time, in a twisted way. A military officer who was part of the group who planned it even went on national television to say that he won't be joining the coup because everyone knew about it so what's the point. This only happens in the Philippines.

Vince has a visitor from Malaysia and yesterday they met with a client. I think the schedule of the coup (hahaha!) came up during the meeting and the visitor said that he doesn't think it's true..that it was just a rumor. He didn't expect to wake up this morning with the masses gathered in front of his hotel (his hotel is beside the EDSA shrine, the symbol of people power). That got him packing and wanting to rush to the airport. Hahaha! But the citizens remain oddly calm. The myGlobe team is still complete, working here at the office even after management announced a half-day because of the declaration of the state of national emergency. The announcement for us (myGlobe) was taken as permission to have a long and hearty lunch. Bwahaha! Well, it just goes to show that we've had so many coup attempts and so many destablilization plots over the last 20 years, that it has become as normal as breathing. Being president of the Philippines means being on your toes 24/7. Day in, day out, the president has to deal with all these moves to unseat him/her.

The power of text and technology has helped people to remain cool in a way. Gone are the days you wake up surprised that militants have stormed the palace and tanks are all over the place. Now we're warned a day earlier. Hahaha! But seriously, after the EDSA revolution in 1986 and during Cory Aquino's rule, my family moved to a new place in Quezon City. Cory's time was really the height of uncertainty and record-breaking number of coups. Since we lived near a military camp, I grew up waking to the sound of helicopters hovering over our house. For me until today helicopters = coup and I still find my heart beat faster whenever I see military copters in the sky.

So the day still continues normally, except that we have a rare early dismissal.

In front of Vince's office: a few hundred start walking towards EDSA.

*I posted some articles of interest taken from online newspapers in this entry's comments page
**To follow a running account visit the Inquirer's special report

Dizzy

2006-02-01T19:28:00.000-08:00

I noticed that for the past couple of months I've felt slightly dizzy during the day. Some days I would even lose my balance a bit. I'm scared. My mom has vertigo and for her it's the worst sickness. On really bad days she can't get out of bed for fear of losing her balance and cracking her head on the floor. I've been feeling the dizziness more often these past few days. I'm not sure if it's because of the stress, computer overload, or *gulp* the start of vertigo.

Anyways, it's been a loooong time since I've posted pictures. I'll post pics from a couple of months back and it's not going to be in any particular order or date :)

This was taken on my dad's bday celeb in Westgrove. The candles were supposed to sparkle..hmph! This is the YUMMIEST cake EVER. It's one big block of pure chocolate. NO EXAGGERATION!

We have the weirdest koi in the planet. They actually eat out of my hand and they let me pet them! As in pet them like I pet my dogs!

2006-01-30T20:02:00.000-08:00

Not sure if this is good or bad. We submitted our first timesheet today at work. We were supposed to log all the hours we've put into projects, admin work, meetings, etc to get a good idea of how much time we actually spend on critical tasks. As usual, as with my other company, I don't really log my hours daily. I do my time report on the submission date, relying on my Outlook calendar, Inbox, and Sent items. I had the hardest time entering the stuff that I did last week. All I know was that I logged more than 8 hours a day but looking at my report now, I can't even complete the mandatory 8 hours!! I don't know if it was because I got caught up in unexpected meetings last week that I wasn't able to log.

Anyway, enough about work. Actually I don't have anything more to say. Geez, I can't even think of a title for this post! It's sad how my updates have been reduced to unimaginative work-related stuff. Nothing exciting or "bloggable" has happened to me for quite a while :p HELP!

Drop dead

2006-01-06T21:15:00.000-08:00

The title is meant for me. I'm going to drop dead in a couple of days due to the workload that came with the first day of the year. I've been juggling so many tasks and wearing so many "hats" -- PM, support, admin -- but I'm actually a bit proud that I've kept myself sane and collected. Although at times I think I looked harassed, enough for people to notice :p It's 9pm and I'm still at the office, overly hungry and with a headache.

There are about 20 items on my list this week. I completed about 6 of that. Great. Next week I'm going to be presenting, drafting presentations, meeting, and launching stuff. I haven't responded to tons of email and accepted meeting invitations that I need to attend. Wish me luck!

Out with the old

2005-12-31T19:53:00.000-08:00

New Year is the holiday that I dislike the most. I think it's just symbolic (Chinese have a different new year) and nothing really drastically changes during this day but somehow the sunset is different today. The feeling I associate with this day is that of getting used to something/someone/some place and then suddenly relocating and leaving everyone and everything you know. I'm particularly terrified of 2006.

2006 means a lot of changes AND challenges at work especially given the re-org that has happened at the office plus some other stuff.. And this year will also be witness to the big decisions that I really have to make. Major decision to be made: MBA. Can't put this off any longer.

I wanted to take a picture of the sunset today so I walked to the park and lagoon in front of our house. It was completely devoid of people unlike other days when I used to meet kids with dogs or couples jogging. Everyone's busy preparing for Medya Noche which will be in a couple of hours from now. I wanted to go to the bridge to take a photo so I was walking along the path, alone with the silence and my thoughts. I felt afraid and it was the first time that I've really acknowledged this fear. I've kept this thoughts at the back of my mind, but in the past couple of weeks they've been nudging me wanting to come out. You may say that I'm overacting or being overly dramatic but as someone who's reluctant, even resistant to change and a bit insecure, the gravity of what may and is to happen these coming days is a heavy weight on the mind.

I was just walking and thinking and walking and thinking, and I noticed the phenomenon travelers experience: The journey towards the destination is longer than the trek back. I guess because of the unknowns that you encounter and are anticipating it seems longer. You're not exactly sure when your walk will end, where it will end, and what you'll see there. Sometimes the excited anticipation also adds to that since you want to get there at once and just skip everything. You may also want to stop and savour the scenery and wonderful discovery of what's on your path. Now the way back on the other hand may be easier because you know what landmarks or signs to look for that signals that you're near or that you're finally back home.

Most often than not, it's hard for me to take that first step. I usually anticipate things that may happen that sometimes border on the ridiculous, but I've come to know myself better over the years. That step may be the most difficult for me, but once I throw myself in the middle of things and not give myself time to think I manage. And recluctant as I may seem at first, I always do enjoy the ride.

So yeah, I think I'll be OK.

7:53PM

2005-12-30T22:11:00.000-08:00

If God asked me what I wanted for Christmas I would have said the gift of writing. I would have loved for just the right words to come easily and to flow from my mind to paper or blog for that matter. I wish I could share my thoughts in an organized and cohesive manner when writing. Oh and I also wish I could use big words as easily as others do :p One of the writers I admire most is my kuya, the eldest cousin in my mom's side. He's the most intelligent, talented, and gifted person I know and he doesn't come across as condescending or stuck-up unlike some of the smart people I've met. He has this long list of accomplishments plus being the eldest elevates him in a younger cousin's eyes.

I used to be with the school paper back in grade school and high school, at the insistence of my mom. I think she thought that I could write really well given that I loved reading. And being a mom of course, blinded her into believing that her daughter can do just about anything and be good at it :p What I discovered during my stints as a writer was that I can churn out good articles as the deadline approaches but I hated, absoultely HATED deadlines. I swore then that I would never ever get a job that involved timelines and look where I am now. I'm a Project Manager and this is synonymous with the words timeline and launch.

Anyways I've digressed. What am I driving at with my wish. I would really really really want to get into a good business school in the States. I'm going to start with my applications soon and from what I've researched on the Net and from the small gatherings that I've attended sponsored by some schools, essays are a big part not only of their reviews and evaluations but also of the GMAT. So expect more entries in this blog as I "practice" and hone my writing skills. Hahaha!

2005-12-25T19:27:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2 more days til Christmas

2005-12-22T03:34:00.000-08:00

Still at the office. Vince got stuck in traffic so I'm just here waiting. We're supposed to go to Shangri-La to buy my last minute gifts...as usual :p At least it's not as bad as last year when I had to go to the mall on the 24th to find more gifts :p

Everyone here at the office is on vacation mode for almost 2 weeks already. Haha! Our foreign partners are having a difficult time getting anything from us. First of all it's network freeze (can't do anything with the systems anymore until next year) and everyone's busy going from one department to another distributing gifts. Lunch is now an hour hour longer -- meaning it used to be 2 hours now it's 3.

I'm really excited this year. It's like I'm back to being a kid again...first time in AGES since I've felt the Christmas spirit and felt really excited. Not sure if it's because I've been buying new decors and decorating our new house or I've just been so caught up with work these "ber" months that I haven't had time to dwell and soak in the Christmas season. My theory why in the past years I haven't experienced that great spirit is because I started to get excited in September so that by December all my reserves have been used up. Hahaha!

Christmas this year is both happy and sad. My 2 dogs went to heaven 2 weeks ago - Muffy and Maggie. Maggie died on a Saturday while Muffy passed away Monday at 730am as I was on my way out of the house. I cried all the way to the office so my eyes were all red and puffy. I held back my tears as I went in our area but April got so alarmed that she asked me what was wrong. I ran all the way to my area and cried on April's shoulder. Wow, the drama! Hahaha! Got really so affected with Muffy's death, so much so that when Vince and I watched King Kong the other day, I cried my eyes out only 1 hour through the movie until the end (the film was 3 hours long) because Kong's eyes reminded me so much of Muffy :(

Next update: I've finally booked ourselves in Shanghai for March next year. We're going to stay in a resort about an hour away from the city. I'm really really hoping that I can fix Papo's (my ever faithful and very much loved yaya) passport and visa so I can bring Papo with us. Sooo excited.

Since I'm so into the holidays right now, let me list some of my Christmas pet peeves:

1. replacing Christ with X thus making the greeting Merry Xmas instead of Merry Christmas the way that it's supposed to be. People are effectively removing Christ in the season when in fact it is HIS birthday.

2. related to number 1 - I saw one of my company's content partners' gift card. They used the name of their company to replace the X in Merry Xmas (as their intials sounds like X)! The gall! Committing 2 sins in a single greeting!

3. being greeted with Happy Holidays. Is that what the season is reduced to? A holiday?!

One of them things

2005-11-25T23:15:00.000-08:00

It's like I'm walking through quicksand...I take one step and then I sink. This one project of mine has extended for like 7 months and I just couldn't see the end of it!! This past week I was finally able to see the homestretch, taste the success when BOOM! Life just handed me another lemon this afternoon :-<

This is bad. Really bad.

There's this ad in the radio for a contest: "Nominate the most stressed person you know." The winner can either swim with the dolphins and stay in Panglao Island, go to Subic Bay with the family, or go kayaking and whitewater rafting in Cagayan. Can I nominate myself?! I can honestly feel my hair graying and thinning :-(

I've been talking everyday with the developer of this application for 7 months. Once, or maybe IF is a better term, this project is over I'll be so used to chatting with him that my day won't be complete without this :-p Actually I'm able to update my blog tonight because I had to go online to talk to him again. Waaaaah!!

Anyways, it's another long weekend since Monday is a holiday. I really thought that I was gonna be able to enjoy this in our house in Cavite (this thought floated through my mind during my false sense of accomplishment). But nevertheless I'm excited to decorate our new tree in Cavite! I just bought red Christmas decors this evening. I want to hang the HUMONGOUS Christmas balls I got. Yipee! Gotta sleep now. Have to leave at 6:20am tomorrow and I haven't packed my stuff yet!

Over and out.

No Title

2005-10-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

I'm a lot more confident now at 26. I used to be this very shy kid who refused to be separated from the 'rents. When my parents brought me to school, my dad used to stop at the same spot so I can throw up. When they dropped me off at the gate, a nun waited for me to drag me inside, comfort me and dry my tears and then bring me to the classroom. It's embarrassing, I know. The crying-during-first-week-of-school thing continued until 4th grade. 5th and 6th grade saw me as the quiet girl who hid behind a classmate's back to avoid being called to recite in class. My parents wondered what was wrong with me. Well now I can name a few:

1. being one of the quieter and shy kids, I was the favorite subject of bullies (believe it or not)
2. I didn't have any friends
3. now that I reflect on it, I didn't feel I had enough talent, brains, and looks to be liked by anybody -- in short, I had no confidence
4. I was CLUMSY and ACCIDENT PRONE!! I wasn't good enough to join any sport, I made mortal enemies because of my clumsiness (I spilled the lunch of a classmate accidentally and being kids, that was an unforgivable offense)

1991 - my parents wanted me to transfer during my last year in elementary (7th grade). We just moved to Quezon City and my school was in far away Manila. I used to be sickly and they determined that it was because of the traveling I had to do to and from school. I think this move was the best decision ever made. Being the new girl in school, a lot of attention was directed toward me. My new classmates were curious about everything - what school I came from and the like. My homeroom adviser then volunteered me to represent the class in a program during the first week of school. I had to go up on stage, say something, and show something (I forget what it was). This event elevated me to a different level...in my new school I was SOMEONE.

So what is the whole point of the story...I don't know. Haha! Well, I was reading an article earlier today with which I can totally relate to. All the big issues I had when I was a kid seems like nothing now. It's amazing where the confidence I have now comes from because to tell you the truth, I'm still mostly all that I've enumerated above: I didn't grow up to be a swan, unfortunately (haha!), I haven't discovered any hiddent talent (yet!), and worse, I'm clumsier than ever. But as I grew older I learned to let things go...I don't care much about my image as I was when I was younger. I realized that there are much more important things than being pretty or dressing well and that other people outgrow that stage as well! As a teen some of the criteria you have for choosing a friend or boyfriend/girlfriend are looks, popularity. But that doesn't matter as much anymore once you join the real world outside of school...intelligence matters, personality, and even clumsiness is seen as cute..imagine that! Haha!

Anyways, this fact was actually shared to me by my parents but I was too young to understand and believe. I guess there are some lessons that you really need to learn yourself. I imagine that I'll be sharing the same with my own kids and who knows, they might be brighter than I am and learn this lesson well and early. Hehe.

Theory of left to right

2005-10-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

What's the theory of left to right:

"it is when there is more than 1 line in the counter and the line which you're NOT in moves faster"

to support this: if you transfer to the faster line, you'll notice that the line you just left moves faster than the one you're now in.

This theory only works when you transfer to the other line. If you're like me who just stays in line afraid of being laughed at by the person standing behind you because you just stayed in line twice the length of time, nothing will happen - status quo. You'll feel like such a loser.

This is a dumb theory. Wait hold on...this is not a theory, but a fact :p

My future home

2005-10-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

This is where I'll live someday. Whenever I look at pictures of this country my heart stops and I can't breathe...

The last photo should tell you where it is :)

view more photos from http://www.geraldbrimacombe.com/. the photographer's so talented

Scary...looks as if God's calling me :p

2005-10-02T14:18:00.000-07:00

Westgrove at night..

2005-10-01T21:43:00.000-07:00

courtesy of Vince

In which we mostly talk about names...

2005-09-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

I've been asked 'who named you' and 'what does Carmela mean' but never 'WHERE does Carmela come from?' One of our content partners (CP) in India came over yesterday. We were in the middle of testing an application and troubleshooting when he suddenly asked that question. I guess I had this blank look on my face because he repeated the question and then I guess to clarify the question he asked 'what is Carmela'? That even made it more malabo for me. There are a lot of answers to that...I'm a Carmela, Carmela is a person, blah blah. We maybe spent about 10mins discussing this and from that 10mins I learned something new about a culture.

This Indian CP (let's call him R) of ours has another partner whom I've also met a couple of times. This other partner is Canadian (lets call him S). It seems that my name has been the cause of confusion and discussion also between them. Apparently S has been asking and arguing with R as to why he calls me Carmela. R countered and asked him why he was calling me Ana. For the benefit of those who don't know me, my full name is Ana Carmela C. Gomez. Anyway, R answered that that is my name. S said that no, that's her middle name. Aaaahhh...therein the confusion lies.

The confusion is in the terminology. In the Philippines when we say middle name we mean our mothers' maiden names. So my middle name is Co since that's my mom's last name before. Apparently in India (I don't know if this is also applicable in other parts of the world) the middle name is optional. A middle name can be Stephen or John or Albert, R explained. R's middle name is his father's first name. So I was nodding my head because it made sense but then get this - in some groups in India a wife's middle name is her husband's first name!!!! So if you're name is Stephanie and you decide to marry a guy named Edwin Santos your name will be Stephanie Edwin Santos. That's weird!

Anyways, this is what I like about my job the most. Working and conversing with people from different cultures and different countries. So far I've met with Americans, Israelis, Indians, Singaporeans, Japanese, Chinese. It would be better though if I get sent to those countries also. Hehehe!

busy 'til the end of time

2005-09-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

That's my ym status. I think it should be 'busy forever and a day.' I cannot believe how expectations can change and increase a thousand fold overnight! Small mistakes are magnified and I'm living in a perpetual state of stress. To quote Uncle Ben: 'with great power comes great responsibility.'

Can I give it back? :(

Pride & Joy

2005-09-25T00:23:00.000-07:00

I love this playset! Vince asked me if I ever had a dollhouse when I was little. I said nope and he commented 'ahh..that's why'. I was really super excited and engrossed in arranging the kitchen :p I waited for a year for our house to be completed so I can open and display this :D

Cousins' night out

2005-09-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

almost all cousins and "friends"

me and ate nins

malen & ryan

tito eric & the boys

chicco and meggy

2005-09-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

We're staying the night at our new house in Laguna. We haven't finished furnishing it yet but at least we have dozens of couches to sleep on tonight :p It's so "steady" here - super since we're the only ones here on our street, I think. Feels like we're on the beach..Cafe del Mar songs playing from the iPod and beer flowing in the lanai :D

Sooo funny. After returning home from dinner, Vince saw a cat run across the living room!! Eeek! My mom was ranting on and on and on since my dad left one of the sliding doors open. My brother was teasing my mom..."thank you daw sabi nung pusa" and "ang ganda daw ng bahay." Bwahaha! And then my mom suddenly noticed that the KFC meal she was saving for tomorrow got eaten by the cat! :P Told my mom that the cat rushed to his friends and told them of the open house on our street serving chicken :p

!

2005-09-22T01:36:00.000-07:00

GREAT!! I published a post, saw the confirmation page but NO POST!! AARRRGGHH!!

2005-09-22T01:34:00.000-07:00

Testing again. I'm super overly hungry! Just had popcorn and raspberry tea tonight during the movie. We watched The Constant Gardener. At the start of the movie I was really irritated with Rachel Weisz's character - she was getting in the bad guys' nerves but she was also getting into mine :p Other comment on the movie is I'm not really sure what type of movie it was. Was it drama, thriller, mystery, art? The cinematography was a little weird for me because it was like great on an artsy film but not for a mystery/drama/thriller/whatever.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO hungry!!!!

Anyways, reading through blogs again. For the past couple of days I found really quality blogs which made me an instant regular reader. Mostly these are models' blogs and we know how they lead exciting AND normal lives :) They constantly blog about going to this country or moving wherever and I find myself trying to imagine being in their shoes. Not modeling but traveling. Some are really so young but so very lucky to have opportunities to live on their own in a different country. I'm also thinking if their parents know their boyfriends are staying in their pads :p Anyways, this is starting to sound non-sensical. I just wanted to blog about the feelings evoked while reading through these online journals. I miss Europe! How I would love to travel and see the world...alone. Want to experience everything on my own and try to see if I survive 3 mins out there. Haha!

I think this entry is somehow connected to my last entry :) Anyways, I'll try to sleep off my hunger. I want to go back to my diet but the past couple of days have been really hectic so I've been stress-eating. EEK!

2005-09-21T00:24:00.002-07:00

3 reasons why I'm still awake at 11:44pm when my usual bedtime is at 10-1030:

1. I have indigestion, uughh...
2. to cure my indigestion I drank tea. Problem is I'm already out of jasmine tea and I only have Tazo English Breakfast tea. I think they call this the "Awake" tea at Starbucks. Bad choice
3. I'm testing an application which was supposed to be due for testing last week. The content provider and I only got it to work late this afternoon. Gosh...

So here I am, typing away in the middle of the night. Good news is I think the tea cured me. Anyway the content provider I'm coordinating with is out for his jog. He lives in another continent so I kinda have to adjust to his time to get things done and working. I'm just waiting for him to return so we can get started on the new bugs I encountered. Earlier today at work I couldn't wait to get home - to do what? Work?! I've been surfing while waiting and I encountered this tagline:

"Overime pays you more because of what you miss"

How true is that?! So now I've adopted that line as my guiding principle (even though I don't get paid overtime anymore). I even went as far as making it my status message on YM. Hahaha! I've experienced working on family memebers' birthdays, Holy Week (bad!), and other special occasions. I don't know how to change my priorities and learn how to de-stress. On one hand it's "trabaho lang yan" but on the other it's personal. My work and the results I produce reflect who I am so I can't just leave it be. And it's like, in every organization I join I feel this urge to defend and protect it...I become really attached so it's never only work for me. Hard to explain.

Anyway, where else has my surfing taken me tonight...well, I decided to visit my profile in the United Nations website. I've been wanting to try to find a job there. I know that eventually I'll be following a humanitarian track so I decided to try my luck. I never imagined how hard it is to join an organization to help mankind :P Reading through the qualifications, they're really after brilliant people and not just idealistic eager beavers that are willing to be thrown to wherever far flung place :p Going through the qualifications made me feel as if my 5 years of experience are worthless. Oh well. Maybe I just need to put in good references. Haha! :p

Earlier at lunch today Anne and I were discussing the future. Anne's husband accepted a job in Austria and it's just a matter of time before Anne joins him. Boo hoo! It got us discussing her/their plans and my plans. I do plan to study and work abroad for a while but Philippines is where my heart is...despite all the negative things happening now.

Being single and having the time and the world at the palm of your hand is positive and exciting, but at the same time it's stressful, it comes bundled with a lot of pressure and a few disadvantages. Just having to think and worry about yourself (where to study, what to study, what country you can apply as immigrant -- you literally have hundreds of nations to choose from) is advantageous because that's basically it -- you don't have to worry or think about anyone else.

Some pressure is taken off your shoulders because you need not worry about feeding or clothing someone -- just watch Cinderella Man and you'll understand.
If you choose to study and work in Africa, you don't have to uproot other individuals to go with you
You don't need to discuss or explain your choice to anyone (this is not applicable to parents..)

That's why the advice usually given to me is to start and do all the things I want to do while I'm still single. Disadvantage for me: I think too hard and I get overwhelmed by all the choices I have.

Now being married and having decisions dependent on another is a good thing too. It pushes you to do things and then you just will yourself to succeed wherever that takes you. So, I do envy Anne. Sometimes the decision just has to be made for you to get your butt off the floor and drive you to places or things you only dreamed of visiting and doing.

The world is not such a nice place after all

2005-09-01T22:19:00.000-07:00

26 and still completely clueless. A wonderful life-changing event happened to me yesterday and for the first 5 mins I was: 1. overwhelmed 2. full of disbelief 3. really really excited. My hands were clammy, my heart was beating fast and I was tremendously happy. What could have gone wrong? In a span of a few hours, the feeling drastically shifted. Instead of being 100% happy, there was the introduction of an element of sadness :-<

Does being the minority make you wrong? It seems like I'm the only one who doesn't get it and it's getting to a point that I'm really embarrassed with myself. Is there something wrong with me? Releasing me to the world is like throwing me to a pack of wolves. Can I survive?

And then there's this "other" thing. Giving people the benefit of a doubt and always looking for something good in them may be the wrong approach. I'm not expecting everybody to like me or like my style but I think I deserve respect and the benefit of a doubt that I'm, and it seems like so generously, giving. All my life I've refrained from saying something, always thinking twice and even thrice and most often than not I don't get to say what's on my mind just so I don't get to hurt others.

I understand our differences but I hope "he" also understands these. Why do we have to be the ones to adjust? This is a totally nonsensical paragraph. All I want to get out of my chest is: I was embarrassed. And I hate myself for believing what was said for a moment and doubting myself. And I'm angry for pretending to take everything in stride when in reality I wasn't ok.

But then there are those people who at the onset you felt an affinity with despite everything you've heard, and it turns out you were right all along. And that's what makes the difference.

These past 2 days have been eye-openers for me. Let's see if the effects are lasting.

To stay naive or to become jaded...

(From the bottom of my heart I am really thankful to a few people who I've been lucky to have crossed paths with. These relationships have gone 4 years back when I was still that lost, young yuppie and my heart is just bursting with gratitude and at the same time fear should I let these people down)

New toy

2005-08-20T00:47:00.000-07:00

Finally synched my Treo to my laptop..*joy* This is my first experience at synching and I'm quite embarrassed to say that I wasn't successful the first time :p Now let me start discovering the pros AND cons of having a PDA

Age is nothing but a number

2005-08-20T00:38:00.000-07:00

You Are 20 Years Old

20

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.
13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.
20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.
30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!
40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

What if...

2005-08-07T22:56:00.000-07:00

From the Boston Herald: "Kidman cautiously committed to Bewitched, not wanting to have another big-budget flop like last summer's Stepford Wives. She turned down playing Mrs. Smith in Mr. and Mrs. Smith to play Samantha and credits Nora Ephron (``Sleepless in Seattle'') with persuading her to get aboard Samantha's broomstick. (http://theedge.bostonherald.com/movieNews/...&format=&page=1)

What if she accepted the role of Mrs. Smith? Would Brad and Jen have split up?!?! :-o One of those scary thoughts...

Btw, I'm suuuuper excited to watch Bewitched!!! I really really really love the original series, and from what I've seen from the trailers, I think I'm going to fall in love with Samantha's clothes :p I have always wanted to wear 50's/60's-style dresses and I actually have some pieces. I think after they show the movie it's going to be a fad again. I absolutely ADORE Nicole (I 100% loved Tom Cruise before but after the split with Nicole.....hehehe)! She's too beautiful and too perfect. She always looks great in whatever designer or style she wears. She's classy, sophisticated, statuesque, a fashion icon (she love Chanel a brand which I also love because of Karl Lagerfeld). I could go on and on and on and on. Guess who my idol is? Hahaha!

LOVE the hat !

Sampler

2005-07-24T09:44:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo of my breakfast success. The hot chocolate was ultra delicious too...hehe!!

Random thought

2005-07-23T20:36:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed (or is it just me) that filipinos who grow/grew up outside the Philippines don't look like filipinos?

Case in point: MiG Ayesa (that's how he spells his name). He's one of the finalist in the INXS ala American Idol contest. Anyways, I'm not really into rock but I got curious. He's filipino and he's supposed to be really good and one of the top finalists. Well, I got shocked at how he looks. Doesn't look very pinoy at all! He was born to filipino parents here in Manila, stayed here until he was 2, then grew up in Australia and now lives in London.

Blogging in the kitchen

2005-07-23T19:57:00.000-07:00

I just finished my 2nd cooking lesson. The first thing that I learned was adobo...which I have forgotten already since I lost my notebook. My yaya taught me how to cook bopis for dinner tonight. Yum! I absolutely love bopis! What are the main ingredients of bopis: 1 baga and puso of a baboy (hahaha!) Anyways, while the bopis was simmering on the stove I typed the ingredients and instructions as I remembered them. I'm bad at composing the steps! I can't ever release a cookbook (step 11: add salt if kulang) :p

Anyways, I'm just waiting for the arrival of the hungry troops -- my mom and my dad. Vince is sleeping on the couch. Some help he is.

My next lesson is scheduled at 530am tomorrow. I'm going to make hot chocolate, turon, and tapa for breakfast.

My cooking fears:
1. frying a fish
2. frying an egg
3. frying in general

My yaya has remained slim (she has been cooking and taking care of us for more than 20 years) because she spoils her appetite after taste-testing everything that she cooks :P

Sinful

2005-07-15T22:27:00.000-07:00

I've died and gone straight to chocolate heaven! For P550.00 I indulged in my guiltiest pleasure...CHOCOLATE! This was the first time I've ever seen a chocolate buffet. It's not a dessert bar but a buffet of purely chocolate. YUMMY! I'm now 20lbs heavier! Vince was super funny. He's not really a chocolate FAN so after 2 rounds, he almost puked. Hahahaha!

I had hot chocolate (you can choose from around 6 different kinds of chocolate from around the world), chocolate-covered strawberries, coffee-filled chocolate hearts, banana strudel with chocolate chips, chocolate pana cotta.....you get what I mean.

Posting some pictures to make your mouth water with envy..

Kate was really lovely and gracious and helpful :)

Gotta go back!!!

Edit: It's 2:54am and I'm still wide awake!! This is what I call the ultimate sugar rush. Hahahaha!

Road less travelled

2005-07-12T22:15:00.000-07:00

What should I do with my life? I am both just and already 26. Just 26 means that I still have that teeny little window of time where I can drop whatever I am doing and move on to the next. Already 26 however stops me in my tracks...a quarter of a century and a year later, what can I list as my accomplishments?! I heard one of my "younger" friends (younger meaning 25 years old) say that it's still pardonable if you don't know what to do with your life at 25, but if at 26 you're still lost, then goodluck to you! I could have strangled her right there and then at the bar but I just smiled politely and counted from 1 to 10.

Why am I ranting again about the state of my life - career-wise? These past few days had been really bad for me at work. I can really truly say that I feel my hair turning gray. Is it all worth it? Am I really for a corporate job? The past few months had me thinking of shifting careers. Scary thought!

I can honestly say that I'm selfish and materialistic (but not extreme). I'd like a nice house to live in, beautiful luxury cars, a vacation home in Italy, send my future kids to great schools and be able to give them anything they want (foreign trips, laptops, ipods, the works!). Continuing on the corporate track may guarantee me these things and don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying what I'm doing. But my heart is also leaning towards a humanitarian direction. This type of career means probably living out of a suitcase, expecting less monetary compensation, and maybe receiving less recognition. How can I balance the 2 dreams I have? :(

Night after night I've been praying that God will guide me to the right direction. I hope that when that time comes, I'll be ready to take a step in that direction and follow.

#266

2005-07-11T21:41:00.000-07:00

You would not believe what I went through just to get a few of my Sandman comics and a book signed by Neil last Saturday!

To be able to get 2 books signed, you have to at least purchase 1 Neil Gaiman book or comic from Fully Booked, the bookstore that sponsored Neil's stay here. So since I had 3 items signed, that meant that I bought 2 items. 2 items worth = Php2,198.

I was at Rockwell at 930am to line up and get a number. According to the guidelines, they will be handing out 500 numbers to 500 early birds who can get to meet and have their items signed. They were going to open the doors at 1030 for the numbers so Vince and I planned to be there early. As I said I was there at 930. My number...266. It said in the guidelines that usually it takes about 15seconds per person so if the scheduled signing was going to start at 3pm, I didn't mind being #266.

Jump to 7pm...chatting with my friends outside the tent. Number being called...91-110. Geez!

To cut the very long night short, I was able to have everything signed by 10pm. But I didn't mind at all and that's what so surprising. It was hot, humid, it rained for a while but I was still in high spirts. 99% of the reason was Neil. To think that he started signing at 5pm and knowing that 700 people were lined up, he was still game, upbeat, and even concerned about the little kids waiting for their turn (and to think he will have to do everything all over again Sunday and Monday!). I admired him for his works, especially American Gods, but my admiration upped by 100 times more because of his personality.

Cheers to Mr. Gaiman!

What's the latest...

2005-07-08T18:02:00.000-07:00

Here at the office the only thing you'll hear are the sound of computer keyboards and the hum of the aircon. A meeting is going on in the other room. You'd think everything was ok and normal. Cory Aquino has asked Arroyo to step down and outside on the streets rallies are starting. But for us here, life goes on. One of my officemates is worried about her product launch next week, the other one is concerned about service testing, while I'm processing a request for a new PC. I wonder, if we all stopped working, what will happen to those corrupt officials.

I want to write down everything that I'm feeling and thinking. Thoughts are zooming inside my head and my fingers are not fast enough to type these. First of all, I don't want GMA to resign. S/he who is without sin, cast the first stone. Majority of the people in power anyway are corrupt. Why don't we all ask the voices in the controversial tape to resign? Is that why a lot of the politicians are also quiet...because they know they too are guilty?

I'm going to watch Beauty and the Beast the musical tonight. I hope they won't cancel it because of what's happening tonight. I also hope that KC will portray Belle in this show...I'm curious about her singing and acting talent.

Not another one....PLEASE!

2005-07-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

As I was going to work today, I saw a lot of policemen standing guard at the EDSA shrine. The shrine has long been the symbol of People Power and democracy for the country. Now because of the scandal that GMA is facing, they are on alert for any possible gathering there. It seems that there's a perception that the shrine has its own power...that the wishes of the thousands who may gather there will come true. Perfect examples: the ousters of our dictator Marcos and of Estrada.

Anyway, I'm tired and I think a lot of Filipinos are tired too.

Another farewell

2005-06-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Jamie Cardinal Sin died early morning of June 21 (around 6am), a few months after Pope John Paul II passed away. I'd like to think that they were good friends. For one, during the conclave when JP II was elected, they were room mates. They also have a big thing in common...they have both been instrumental, if not led, entire countries to topple a dictatorship and a communist regime.

Cardinal Sin called for People Power I back in 1986. I can still remember the yellow t-shirts my parents' wore during the rallies that signified their support for a democratic movement and for the election of Cory Aquino. People Power I inspired other countries to take action against their own oppression.

People Power II was the ouster of the actor, Joseph Estrada, on grounds of corruption. And being a Catholic country, Cardinal Sin not only called attention to the millions of pesos that Estrada has amassed and cheated from the country, but also the immoral acts that he committed, and continues to commit, in the face of the people. He has countless of mistresses and children, and these people even have the gall to run for office, be proud of these indiscretions.

Yesterday, they held his funeral. He was buried in Manila Cathedral's crypt, beside other bishops and cardinals who passed away before him. I wish I could have attended the funeral rites, as much as I wished I was in Rome when they bid farewell to Pope John Paul II. Cardinal Sin was given a gun salute and they released 76 white doves, a number corresponding to his age.

Now, at the wake of his passing, there's another scandal in the government. I'm not sure if he's lucky he isn't here to witness this, how bad it is for the country that we lost a good moral adviser

Almost finished

2005-06-19T23:25:00.000-07:00

View from Sampaloc St.

house-side

Sunset

2005-06-19T23:22:00.000-07:00

Witnessed a magnificent sunset today. This was our view from the loft in our house in Laguna. Reminded me so much of Italy. I really love it there

WOW

2005-06-17T22:46:00.000-07:00

DVD Marathon

2005-06-17T14:30:00.000-07:00

Just got back from lunch. Bought the season 1 boxed set of Desperate Housewives. I'm sooooo excited to watch it!

Just saw an ad for Batman Begins in the Yahoo! homepage. Sooooo excited to watch that also! Going to see the film tonight! Yey!

A quarter of a century plus one...

2005-06-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

It's my birthday! I'm gonna party!

EEK! I'm 26! Here I am at the office. Have lots to do. Hopefully since it's my birthday, things will go my way today :) I'm wearing red to bring luck. Hehe! Everytime I wear red in the office they greet me a happy birthday (this has something to do with a Chinese tradition. Red means you're celebrating and people normally wear this color during birthdays and the New Year). At least today when they tease me and greet me, I can surprise them with a 'thank you' since it really is my birthday.

My mom continues her streak of weirdness and eccentricity. My birthday gift: fox fur...complete with head. Ayayay! I asked her if I can wear it. Hahaha!

AAACK! I'M OLD!

2005-06-14T16:25:00.000-07:00

I'm turning 26 in 2 days. During the week of my birthday it is customary for me to look at where I am at that moment: "I'm ___ years old. What have I got to show?" Unfortunately until now I don't have the best answer for that.

Last week our beloved boss announced his resignation. That same week was his last week. He's moving to another telco in Indonesia as their new director. I think he's in his late thirties or very early forties. He has been with our company for 7 years, serving as head of our division (Service Creation) for the last 3 years while the early part of his stint here, he was AVP of Marketing. His leaving will have an impact on our group and the company. Imagine that! I wish I would also have the same stature and impact while still young. I think it's not really the position that gives you prestige, but the age which you have reached that point. The younger the better.

Nicky and the myGlobe team during his despedida (our boss is in the middle
while I'm hiding at the back with a beer. Don't know why...)

I'm 26 and I still don't know what to do with my life!! But I am thankful for the year and years that have passed. I'm lucky to have reached this age and living my life comfortably and how I want it.

SICK

2005-05-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

I hate Vince...he passed on his virus to me. I haven't been sick since late last year and I hate him for breaking my record. Worse, it's sore throat!!! AAARRRGGGHH!!

I'm browsing the net for jobs. I'm currently answering the profile in the UN website. I want to apply for a humanitarian position but I'm not qualified :( Gonna try anyway. Won't hurt.

I'll be 26 in 18 days and I still don't know what to do with my life :( That's scary. Well I do know that I want to help people and get rich. Now how to do that...

I don't like being sick!! Waaaahhh!!

TGIF

2005-05-20T23:37:00.000-07:00

Ever since the most stressful 2 weeks of my life happened last month, I've learned to appreciate and LOVE Fridays. I always look forward to the moment the hand strikes 5. It only means the night is mine to plan as I please, no worries. It's 1134 tonight, Friday and:

1. I'm lying on my tummy while surfing and blogging
2. airconditioner is on (summer is at its hottest!)
3. I'm watching the NBA semi-finals (Reggie's last game and they lost :( )
4. my phones are beside me and I'm texting Vince who is in Hong Kong
5. and my newly updated Ipod is also beside me

What more can I ask for?

I try to prolong the day that's why I sleep so late on Friday nights. Saturdays seem to go by so fast, don't you think?

Random thought: I want to go back to Rome!

Much needed break

2005-05-20T22:20:00.000-07:00

Went to Singapore last May 6 and stayed there until May 9. We took Jetstar Asia since it was the cheapest flight from Manila. The departure times from Manila and from Singapore weren't so hot. We left Manila at 1220 noon and then the flight from Singapore back was 750 am. What the heck. For Php 14,000- roundtrip tickets, the 2 full days we spent there were worth it (roughly $250. Tickets for bigger commercial flights such as Sing Air cost twich as much). I was even able to pay for my brother's tix :) We stayed at the Marriott in Orchard Road. How can I afford a 3-night stay there, you ask. I used my parents' Marriott Vacation Club points. Hehe!

It was a very much welcome short vacation for me. The past 2 weeks were really stressful. It came to a point where the moment I woke up, I'll have butterflies in my stomach, wondering what new problem will arise at work. I think I a few more days of stress would have triggered my ulcer again. Actually I was beginning to feel the tummyaches. Anyways, I really enjoyed the trip. It was the first time that my brother and I travelled without the 'rents! Woohoo! We had to really push ourselves though to maximize the days.

TO DO LIST
1. Visit kuya and Lou. My cousin has been staying with his family in Singapore for the past 8 years. Had dinner with them Friday and Saturday nights. It was cool that Ninang and Tito Tony (kuya's parents) were there too! Too bad though we didn't get to see Ally :(

2. Scour the country for toys. Haha! My bro Chicco wanted to get toys he can sell while Vince, who by the way went with us, wanted to get toys for himself.

3. Tour. Went to Sentosa for a 2-hour tour Saturday. Rode the cable car and man, was it scary! We were about 700 meters above ground! I wanted to take the night safari at the zoo but our bodies couldn't take it anymore. We were paralyzed from the waist down! Legs couldn't move at all and we had to walk around until 1230am :p

4. SHOP, SHOP, SHOP. No explanations needed! Taka is the plaaace to beeee...

Aside from being a bonding session between my bro and me and between bro and bf, it was also a bonding experience between boss and me... And of course, being Gomezes, my brother and I had our share of embarrassing experiences on foreign soil :p

Posting some pix..

Chicco and me in Suntec

Seaweed or Seahorse?

God help us

2005-04-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

I just read an article about a girl sueing a hospital because they failed to kill...I think "abort" is the politically correct term...one of the twins she was carrying. I wonder if she even feels a tiny bit of "mother's love" toward her daughter.

To quote: "I have got a child now that I wasn't planning to have and I believe the hospital should take some responsibility for that," she said.

Why didn't she take responsibility herself? Is she totally washing her hands of any wrongdoing? Isn't she the root of the problem?

How twisted can our world get?

Oh it just got worse. At the end of the article they mentioned a similar case wherein the mother won compensation from a doctor because one of her twin babies lived. Imagine the law allowing this to happen. Like what I said before...is legal the opposite of moral?

The Good Shepherd

2005-04-24T23:52:00.000-07:00

I'm glad I went to mass at 10am today instead of 6pm. Father Steve was the celebrant and I was amazed at how he simply put in perspective what my family has been discussing for a month now.

He opened his homily by mentioning the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI today. He said that we ought to reflect on how this affects us as Catholics and ultimately the world. Since the death of John Paul II and the speculations started on who the next pope will be, issues such as same sex marriages, women priests, and abortion have again taken center stage. The same time that these were being discussed, the name of Cardinal Ratzinger has come up as the frontrunner in the list of could-be pope. The cardinal has been known to be a hardliner when it came to doctrines, and rightly so since he was the "keeper" of the doctrines. He made sure that there was only one interpretation of these and that this was followed. But in the past month, the word "conservative" and the cardinal's name have come up in the same sentence more than a hundred times on TV and newspapers. According to Father Steve as a bishop it is his duty to conserve the faith. Father Steve quoted a line from a letter of Paul to the Corinthians: "I am passing on to you what has been passed on to me.." We can never select what doctrine or teaching we want to follow. We cannot take one part and then alter another to serve our own purpose, our own ego. There can never be a half truth when it comes to our faith. The truth is never based on what is popular or on statistics.

We live in a world where the ego or "I" is more important. How can one justify abortion? Is it right because "I" am not ready for a baby? Why should society legalize ways to "correct" these mistakes when in the first place "I" should have been able to understand the consequences of what "I" am doing with my life? There are alternatives such as adoption. Maybe this isn't acceptble because "I" again do not want to be burdened for 9 months. "I" don't want to face other people because "I" am embarrassed. Always the easy way out. The world has been accustomed to instant gratification and we are now seeing and feeling the evils of it.

Interesting and very clear views:

Why Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is the new pope
Dictatorship of relativism

Habemus Papam!

2005-04-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

The bell that carried the message of Pope John Paul II's passing signalled the election of a new pope yesterday. Cardinal Ratzinger was chosen to lead the billion-strong Catholic church. At 1230am today my brother woke me up to excitedly say the news. I rushed to my parents' bedroom still sleepy-eyed but determined to watch. I thought I missed everything that happened but at that time the only fact was that a new pope has been elected as symbolized by the smoke. When they announced Cardinal Ratzinger's name and he came out from behind the red curtains, I got teary-eyed again.

I stayed up until around 230am to watch CNN. While I was watching I was also texting friends. One friend observed that I was really "into" this event and how strongly I felt about it. I said yes. As part of the church I should be affected by what is happening and that as a member I should do my part to defend it. I feel bad and disappointed whenever I hear interviews about Pope Benedict and his being ultra conservative. I especially feel strongly against one sister who is a member of the "We are church" movement. Coming from a sister, a nun...someone who has made it her life to defend and spread the teachings of Christ, it is disheartening and scary to hear her say how "her heart sank" when she heard Cardinal Ratzinger's name announced. How she felt pessimistic. I think girl, you're in the wrong place. How can she fulfill her duties if she does not believe in the highest member of her church?!

I have therefore vowed to defend my faith. I am now more actively questioning, reading, and listening to the religious and to my mom who is a member of Opus Dei. For the past month this has been the topic in the dinner table. I cannot standby anymore and just nod my head, avoiding debates with my friends about religion.

Whatda?!

2005-04-13T23:06:00.000-07:00

What's the difference between strategy and objectives, key drivers and features? :p I'm at home working on my presentation. It's good that we have a template but I'm still having trouble filling up all these sections. My brain is refusing to work! Go brain, go!

I saw a full episode of American Idol. Anwar is still my favorite but Constantine was amazing tonight! I'm not exactly a fan of the Bohemian Rhapsody (actually, I usually make fun of the lyrics) but the energy of I dunno, Constantine or the song really pulled me into the performance. Simon said "Astonishing!" Well, that's high praise indeed!

I really believe that Simon is the only credible judge in the competition. Although he is most of the time abrasive, at least when he feels that a contestant has done a fabulous job, he says so. Unlike Paula, who I think was just included in the panel to balance things out, who doesn't like hurting anyone's feelings. To her all contestants gave fabulous performances. Her usual line: "I think you're the best in this competition!" I applaud Simon for saying to her earlier tonight "So you changed your mind?" Paula said that same line twice! Sheesh!

Anyways, Anwar has my vote. His looks and voice are so versatile. My impression of him is that he can easily shift from Peabo Bryson to Usher to Bob Marley. Crossing my fingers for him...

:(

2005-04-03T23:52:00.000-07:00

It seems that in the past few days I have nothing happy to write about. At 530am this morning I was awakened by a call from Vince. As soon as I saw who was calling, I had a feeling that this was it...the pope has left us. Vince called because he knew that I was really following the updates, even downloading the CNN application on my mobile that updates the headlines every 4mins. I actually set my alarm the night before to 430am so I can check the state of the pope's health. I had the feeling that he won't pass away during the night, Philippine time. I woke up at 430 but no update. I slept again. And then the call came. I rushed to my parents' room to turn on the TV. At first the breaking news was still about the health of the pope. But then it changed to the pope has died at 937pm, Rome time.

I couldn't help but cry again. It was like losing a really close friend. I felt bad that I wasn't "there" when it happened. They said in the news that the bell began to toll in St. Peter's Square which signalled the sad event. People were crying and knowing myself, I also began to cry.
It's still surreal. It's as if life is normal but isn't. A big change happened and I felt that change inside me too. I'll let you in on this once I understand it myself.

MSN
CNN

On this rock I willl build my church...

2005-04-01T23:11:00.000-08:00

I never fail to get teary-eyed whenever I see Pope John Paul II. Even on the TV, he has this strong effect not only on me, but on millions of people too. Today I awoke to a text message saying to pray for the pope since his condition has turned for the worse and he was already given the last rites. The lastest news on his health: his condition is very serious but he is lucid, fully conscious, and very serene.

I can't help but be amazed and humbled by his strength. Although crippled by a debilitating disease which saps his energy and gives him pain, he still has unbelievable strength to go and bless the people, and frustrating as it is to him, the "Great Communicator", not to be able to speak he still tried to during the Holy Week celebrations. He has continued with his mission. His illness is simply another cross for him to bear. A cross that does not hinder him but drives him in his work and that enables him to connect with the people. I for one have trouble getting out of bed because of a bad case of sore throat. I turn into this grouchy, self-pitying person because I cannot eat, speak, or drink. Let this be a lesson to me.

It makes me think of the Terri Schiavo whose death just comes a day before the news on the pope's condition. I don't think that her life though "unproductive" as it may seem in the years following her collapse, was useless. We identify and describe productivity by listing all the physical activities we can do. As we see in the pope's case now, it is not entirely true. Just seeing him makes the people in his surroundings admire him and in turn reflect on their own lives. Here is a sick person who continues to inspire us. I believe Terri also had that effect on her family. It is not only how one bears the illness that inspires us but the life that was lived before that.

As I watched CNN tonight I couldn't help but cry whenever I see his image or even think about the last time I saw him. I really am thankful that I was able to be in his presence during the canonization of St. Escriva in Rome last 2002. Again during that moment when he spoke and the time he went around to bless the congregation, there were tears in my eyes. Here is a person who has devoted his life to God. Here is a person who deserves to live forever to continue his work. He has lived a full life. Viva il Papa!

CNN
Catholics united in prayer

It is finished...

2005-03-31T00:53:00.000-08:00

It is a sad day when an adulterer is given the right to kill his wife. What made the matter worse was having this adulterer deny his wife's family, access to their own daughter. What is this world coming to? Is the law really the opposite of morality? Do we really have to choose between what is "constitutional" and what is right? Is it right to give the adulterer all this power over his victim?

Terri Schiavo dies of thirst
Free Republic - interesting comments and views

Cockadoodledoo!

2005-03-29T04:25:00.000-08:00

4:07am - time to wake up people! Gosh, can't believe I'm still at the office! We finally were able to finish the functionalities of the new website an hour ago. Hopefully we haven't missed anything due to sleep deprivation and starvation. I'm crossing my fingers that testing tomorrow will go somewhat smoothly. Based on experience that NEVER happens but I'm not praying for 0 defects. Just for noted defects to be minor in nature.

Anyways, I'm just passing the time until around 5am maybe. Vince is sleeping and I don't want to text him. He has an interview in about 6 hours so he has to be fresh. Goodluck honey! My mom will be up in a little while so I'll just text her. Hopefully she won't get mad that it's 4am and her only daughter is alone in the office. Boohoo! This is one of the few times that I'm almost, ALMOST, regretting not being able to drive.

Hope to be able to catch a few hours of sleep when I get home because I need to be back by lunch. Since launch is still on Thursday, I expect to keep up this schedule in the next two days. I wish lack of sleep = weight loss :p

Ooooh that reminds me! I ordered the Core Secrets kit from the Shopping network last Saturday. I'm excited! Hope it works just as they showed on the infomercial. Pathetic! Haha!

I'm one of the few people which advertising has a tremendous effect on. When I say few I'm counting my mom, my uncle, my cousin, my brother, my dad. When we watch the home tv shopping channel it's like we're being hypnotized..."buy, buy, buy!" Crazeee! We end up buying all sorts of exercise equipment, books, crafts stuff (you guys know the make-all-sorts-of-ribbons thing?!) , and the best purchase of all: Mom wins hands down - she bought a fishing rod! My dad would have taken the ultimate prize if he bought the shades where you can change the lens. What's it called? Mojave glasses! Hahaha!! Good thing I still have a bit of control and convinced him to forget about it (almost bought them myself a few years back :P). I think the people taking the orders already have our number saved in their caller ID :P

Anyways, while I was watching the Core Secrets plug, I noticed Vince laughing at me. It appears that I have this dumb, fascinated, awestruck look on my face whenever I watch those kinds of things especially when I hear the line: "but wait! there's more! order now and get a free.." Grr. Stupid :p Well anyhow, I'm still excited to go home and see if it was delivered today as promised.

Easter

2005-03-27T23:01:00.000-08:00

I feel so bad. Actually I'm pathetic. I'm here at the office while my family is having Easter lunch and Vince is with his family for their own get-together. What's even worse is my Easter lunch - a cold Sausage & Egg McMuffin. For my drink, I'm having water in a recycled juice cup. *Sniff* To top it all off, I don't think I'll be able to finish the project today...and the launch is on Thursday!

Skip to dinner....

It's 630pm and I feel so sleepy, hot, sticky, tired. Looks like I'm going to have dinner at the office instead of at home. Just had a fight with Vince...Great.

After dinner...

Walked to the shopping center beside the office. The street was dark and honestly I was a bit scared. Ate at KFC. Alone. Still mad at Vince...

It's 1100pm...Mom, Dad, do you know where your kid is? Waaaaaahhhh!!!

'til death do us part

2005-03-25T11:14:00.000-08:00

It's so frustrating not to be able to join the protests against the ongoing "murder" of Terri Schiavo. Actually this is worse than murder!! She's being killed little by little and who says that just because she can't talk or signal to the people around her, she can't think and feel. Who knows that at this moment she's scared to death of dying and she wants to live to see her family? It's really so frustrating.

America prides itself of giving equal opportunity to life and protecting it...even animals have their own police force. A neighbor calls and reports that she saw a thin dog in your home and suspects that you haven't been feeding it. The authorities goes to your home and arrests you. What the..?! Or, a neighbor knows that you're not at home but notices that there's a dog tied in your backyard. The authorities come and see that the dog has not water. They call you and warn you that if you do it again, there are consequences.

And here we are, fighting for a HUMAN's life. There shouldn't be any question because for one, is there an explicit wish from Terri that she wants to die? Plus, she's a Roman Catholic. Part of a Catholic's belief is to fight for life. For once, I agree with President Bush...when in doubt always, ALWAYS side with life. One of the protester's who was interviewed shared that she had a very good friend who was slowly dying of an illness. When he was still strong he left word that should the time come when he couldn't feed himself, they shouldn't give him food through a tube. But when that time came, they asked him if he wanted to eat and he signalled YES. At death's door, people's minds and feelings can change. Who's to say that Terri has been fighting to send a signal to the people who are SUPPOSED to care for her that she wants to live! That she can in fact still understand what they are saying, that she still wants to see her parents, be hugged, and be kissed? One doctor said "Nobody can enter a patient's mind and discover what that person is experiencing.."

Maybe she did share to her husband before that should she be in that situation, they should pull the plug. But maybe she was thinking that pulling the plug means instant death, not a slow and painful one. That's what's getting to me. You are starving a human being! If her husband (I can't even type his name!) does not want anything to do with her, well her parent's and millions of people want to help! He can even choose not to see her anymore. And now this self-righteous person is saying that he made a promise, a committment to Terri even if he has moved on with a part of his life. Promise? A promise to what, kill her when the time comes? Maybe he wants to move on completely and he doesn't want other people to think ill of him -- "oh he left his invalid wife..", "how can he divorce her..". Well I just want to say to him that, couples divorce left and right in the US for petty reasons such as "irreconcilable differences", incompatibility, or one party cannot provide what the other needs. Why doesn't he just let her be? If he really knows "what she wants" then I'm sure that he knows that Terri doesn't want infidelty. Isn't that what he's doing right now? Having relationships and kids while still married to her? What a committment, huh?

Nobody can fault him if he can't handle taking care of Terri anymore. People have different reactions to different situations. I want to share the story of Wawel. We used to work for the same company but I wasn't able to meet him because he left before my first day on the job. A lot of people love to share his story because his story is nothing short of amazing. Kindly read this article from Inquirer

Sorry for the long post but this is the only way I can think of to share my thoughts and maybe convince whoever is reading this know that what is happening now is wrong. And I also want to let the family or close to the family of Terri know that I am praying for their cause.

Graduation

2005-03-19T06:44:00.000-08:00

I stepped into the ADMU campus again yesterday to witness my brother graduate from university. Wow, time really flies by so fast!

Chicco toast

CONNECTED

2005-03-10T21:29:00.000-08:00

Woohoo! Finally, I'm back in cyberspace! One of Amazon's top 10 shoppers is online again! After 5 years of squatting at my bro's PC where I'm usually permitted to just stay online for 5mins to check mail, I can surf on my own time. My dad finally, FINALLY bought me my own laptop. Thanks Dad! Words fail me...I can't describe the feeling of leaning back on the bed, laptop on my lap, typing the night away. Hmm, let's see. What site to visit first... No more excuses on having an outdated blog. Another advantage is finally being able to ym my honey :P

So tired....

2005-03-09T19:43:00.000-08:00

My neck and back are aching...my eyes hurt...i feel a cold coming...and my throat is itchy. I want to go hoooommmeeee!!

I'm stuck here at the office because the problems just keep on coming and coming and coming. Although it's just Wednesday, the middle of the week, I have to finish all the tasks that I have for this week since I'm going to attend a seminar Thurs-Friday. I can't afford to not go to the office for 2 days!! Arrgh!! I have a launch on Easter Sunday (Sunday week after next) but Wed, Thurs, Friday of that week are considered "dead" days since these are declared holidays. Waaaaahhh!!!

Wish me luck! :p

BRRR

2005-02-21T12:49:00.000-08:00

We moved back to the newer office tower last Friday. I'm situated at the very end of the 3rd floor. I'm beside the following: cabinet where the aircon controls are, the sink of the pantry, the waste disposal. Directly above me are the shafts where the cold air comes out.

I plan to wear my winter clothes tomorrow. At last! I'll have use for them...hehe. I just hope that I wont get sick given that it's 40 degrees outside while inside it's -40 degrees :p

Close Call

2005-02-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

Instead of turning the day red with roses and hearts, this year's Valentine's day color was literally blood red.

Vince and I had really nice plans for Valentine's. He reserved a table at Pepato's (I was craving for the foie gras pasta) in Greenbelt for dinner. It was convenient because they were to play at Temple at around 1030 that night. It was supposed to be a good gig since it was Valentine's day and even if it was a Monday, we were expecting lots of people to watch and celebrate. Anyways, he fetched me from the office at around 530. Since we got to Greenbelt early, we went to look around...actually we went straight to our favorite toy shops at Glorietta. When we couldn't find anything nice there, our next stop was Toy Kingdom at SM.

It was around 7pm but we still had lots of time since our reservation was still at 830. We crossed to SM and went to look at Disney stuff, which were at the back of the Toy Kingdom store. I couldn't find anything I wanted to get either so we were on our way out when we heard an explosion. I looked around wondering what it was and I saw 2 ladies who stopped in their tracks also. One employee said not to worry explaining that it was just the air conditioning. So we were reassured and we started walking towards the entrance. We were almost in front of the store when I saw through the store's glass windows that people were running and shouting. I asked the lady at the baggage claim what it was and she said that a bomb exploded in the MRT station. I looked out again and saw more and more people running, looking back over their shoulders. Smoke was also coming out (Toy Kingdom is the store beside the MRT station entrance). I didn't want to panic since the lady might be mistaken and that a generator or the air conditioning exploded. But I couldn't help starting to panic because I saw the people running and looking over their shoulders. I thought a terrorist or a gunman was chasing them and my first thought was we were trapped inside the store since it was the first store beside the station's entrance. Vince said that we just stay inside (well, I didn't have plans of rushing out anyway) but as soon as I saw all the people rushing inside the store, I said to myself we had to get out. First, I didn't want to be there when a gunman storms in plus I didn't want to get trampled. Vince and I went to the back of the store again and I CALMLY (no matter what Vince says and thinks :p ) asked a female employee if they had any other exit or a fire exit. She said that there was only the employee exit. We were still contemplating if it was safer to go out the stairwell or if there was a bigger chance of being trapped there, when the decision was made for us. I saw everybody rushing to our direction so I pulled Vince to the exit. We went down at least 4 flights of stairs. It was a little difficult because I was wearing heels and I was being careful not to stumble and fall. I was also being pushed from behind by other employees. I was telling them not to push (I think I was the only one talking at that time...actually Vince said that I talked nonstop from the the start of the incident until we got back to the car an hour later).

We stopped at the what I think was the ground floor (other people were still continuing down the stairs). There were 2 doors on both sides. I began asking what door lead to what location. The employee was saying that it we were in front of the Dusit Hotel. I thought that some of the guards were blocking the doors to prevent people from going out...it was either because it was safer inside or to prevent people from shoplifting. Anyways, I didn't care and we pushed our way out one of the doors. Finally, fresh air! The air smelled a little bad and there was smoke everywhere. Everybody, from all the different establishments around the area, was outside. I wanted to call my brother to ask if he could listen to the radio and see if it was really a bomb or nothing but I couldn't get through. The network was congested due to a everybody trying to call somebody to find out what was happening. What cemented in my mind that it was a terrorist act was the heavy police presence and the sirens. Police wouldn't rush to the area for air conditioning. Finally, we walked back to Greenbelt and I was asking Vince if they could cancel their gig. He began calling and texting everybody. I was still a bit shaky. I know that we were a little far from the exact area of bombing but when you're in the situation and you don't know exactly what is happening, you begin to think that maybe this is it, you're in the middle of the disaster.

We still went to Pepato and we were seated at the 2nd floor. I began looking around and seeing big groups of people in a celebratory mood - eating, laughing, talking. As I looked at the menu I felt guilty. I thought about those injured and those who died and I can sympathize with them because I also felt the fear. My mom called asking where I was and I told her I was in the area and heard about the incident. I didn't want her to worry so I didn't tell her I was near the site when it happened. Anyways, Vince and I just cancelled the reservation, stood up and went home.

YAWN

2005-01-26T08:35:00.000-08:00

At the office checking my mail. No scary email this morning. Goody! I'm sooo sleepy...well, I'm always sleepy unless I wake up at 10am. We had our cousins' get together last night at Ted's house. We had lots to celebrate! Malen and Ryan's birthday, Malen and Ryan's engagement, Jan and Sands engagement. Imagine that! Not 1 but 2 engagements! Finally I won't be known as the 'dark horse' anymore. Hehe! I told myself I wasn't going to eat or drink too much but then I thought, what the heck! :p Got home at 1230 and had to get up at exactly 6am. SLEEPY!!

Sweet Tooth

2005-01-20T16:36:00.000-08:00

My latest discovery - Skittles Bubblegum! I can't stop chewing these things! When you first bite into one you'll think that it's the Skittles candy and you'll want to swallow it. The crunchy shell and the flavor is the same as the candy's. It's deceiving. I have to stock this at home because I wouldn't want to run out and then have to go look for it. I just wish they'd take out the orange flavor and replace it with the green ones. Yummy!

I've also found my favorite See's Chocolate flavor...Butterchew. Hmmm...heaven! I don't know how else to explain it. You really have to experience chewing into this chocolate. This is the best description I could find and I quote...'The vanilla brown sugar caramel is an ideal firmness relative to the chocolate. Start chewing and the coating comes off, filling your mouth with one rich flavor; as that subsides, the buttery goodness of the caramel kicks in. It's like a fireworks display where just as you think the embers are dying, they explode into something new.'

Anyone going to Hong Kong? :)

Batangas

2005-01-08T21:02:00.000-08:00

We went to Batangas yesterday. The contractor who's doing our house in Laguna, together with his wife, invited us to their farm. They also invited Malen to join. ANyways, I didn't know about the plan until Mom woke me up at 430am. Sheesh! The first thought that came to my mind was that she was waking me up for midnight mass (the traditional midnight mass during the Christmas season) but I suddenly remembered that Christmas is over. Then I realized that it was Saturday. So you understand my confusion at that early in the morning. It was a good thing though that I got up and decided to go with my folks. My grandmother was leaving at 5am and I had a chance to say goodbye. I had breakfast (a lot for someone who's on a semi-diet) and then got ready.

Taal Lake at 8am	We left at 630am for Alabang where we fetched Malen. We were to meet the Pinedas (the contractor and his wife) at 8am at Josephines. When we arrived at the restaurant we saw that they were offering a breakfast buffet. The food was different from any other buffet that I've been to. Everything was sooo good! So, as you might have guessed, I had my second breakfast. I ate a lot too.
Following the leader	After breakfast no. 2 we proceeded to the lot in Tagatay. We stayed there for about an hour since my parents consulted the contractor what can be done with the lot. Anyways, we got the farm at around 1030am. The main attraction at the farm were the 6 ostriches! My cousin and I have never seen that animal up close and in person. Hehe! Anyways, they were really big birds and when disturbed they were scary! I think they almost killed one of the farmhands in the place when he went inside their enclosure. Only one person can go in and feed them. We toured the 5-hectare farm -- the house, the animal pens, the fields where different fruits and vegetables were planted. At the farm I had another "snack" of corn, cinnamon sticks, and diet Pepsi. We had lunch at around 2pm at the Punta Baluarte resort.
Cable Skiing	On the way to the resort we passed by a Cable Ski place. It was sooooo cool!! I want to try it! At first I just saw a lake and then people skiing. I pointed it out to my parents and cousin but I didn't notice what was pulling them. Apparently this was somewhat a "tourist" site. Our convoy stopped by the outer wall to watch about 6 men skiing. They were being pulled by cables around the lake.

Anyways, we at our lunch and then went back to the farm. We shot some hoops (I joined the boys) while the girls collected the fruit and produce that will be brough home. Malen and I said our goodbyes to the group of ostrich (actually we tried to scare them into attacking. We were curious :P) and then headed home ---- but not before stopping about an hour later in Tagaytay for a bite to eat. One word to describe this trip = FULL

Food for thought

2005-01-04T16:34:00.000-08:00

They say that not a single animal (well except for the fish that were left on the shore when the water receded) perished in the earthquake/tsunami disaster. As we have learned in school animals, especially pigs, can sense an earthquake or danger. They can swim, they have good sense of hearing and sight, they also have defense mechanisms such as spines and thick hides to boot. Man is said to be the more advanced animal. But if we were thrown in a jungle, I think that there's a bigger chance that we'll most likely die from hunger, predators, loneliness, fright. Hehe! Anyways, shouldn't the latest "models" have all the features?

During the early days of the laptop, this "portable" machine was bulky, heavy, most had external drives which you also had to lug around, and had 2GB worth of memory. But laptops today have improved in terms of capacity, functions, and size. Since man is an advanced animal (I liken him to the improved laptops), he should also have all the "features". He should at least know how to swim without being taught. I mean, a baby is inside the womb floating in water for 9months but you can't throw him

in a pool when he's 3-years old and expect him to float (I'm ranting about this since I don't know how to swim :p). I forgot where I learned this next interesting fact about defense mechanisms. A cat, for example, when he gets surprised or frightened his fur stands on end to make him look bigger to a potential enemy or to warm themselves when they're cold. When we get scared or cold we get goosebumps. The hair on our arms also stand. Question: does it serve the same purpose? :p

I know that there are theories about this. One small explanation being the theory of evolution. Hehe! I was just wondering why we couldn't have kept some of really cool features :)

Bork, bork, bork!

2005-01-03T22:48:00.000-08:00

I'll share with you our new toys. I just won't share how much we had to shell out in a single night :p Can't wait for our new house to be finished. That's where I plan to assemble and display all the toys

Vince & I got really REALLY excited
when we saw this earlier tonight.
We thought we had to order this
from the US :p

These are really cute

Family Get-togethers

2005-01-03T10:42:00.000-08:00

These are what makes the holidays special. Although we see my cousins/aunts/uncles from my father's side often (during weekends from the day we were born until my grandmother died last January), the holiday get-togethers are somewhat different and more fun. New Year 2005 was no different. The beer started flowing at around 1230pm, just before lunch. Hehe!

The older Gomez girls

My mom and dad (first two people
on the left), my dad's brothers and
sisters, and their significant others :)

8 hours and 3 cases of beer later...

New Year's Eve: My family from my
mom's side. We were almost
complete here...

Happy New Year!

2005-01-01T02:30:00.000-08:00

Although the country and our continent has been bombarded by disasters and tragedies in 2004, we are still looking forward to 2005 filled with hope that this year will be better for everyone. Happy New Year!

Fieldtrip

2004-12-31T17:48:00.000-08:00

We just came back from Tagaytay where my parents bought a lot yesterday. My brother and I were surprised because they were just supposed to have lunch at the Highlands but they came back as owners of a newly purchased lot :p Anyways, we left at 830am and arrived at the lot at around 1015. Traffic was still a bit bad, considering that people should have been at home preparing for Medya Noche (New Year's feast) or at their respective provinces since this is a long holiday (Dec 30-Jan 2).

The lot wasn't what I was really expecting. I thought that we had an unobstructed view of Taal Volcano but instead our lot was covered by a canopy of trees. To digress a bit, Taal Volcano is said to be the smallest smoking volcano in the world. It is also described as a crater within an island within a lake. Kind of confusing. Basically, Taal is within a lake and in its crater is another lake, or something to that effect.

The temperature in the area was a little cold, with gray clouds hovering. The lot was inside a compound and the compound had an area of about 50 hectares. Only 30 houses will be built so it is quite exclusive.

On the way home we passed by Ayala Westgrove in Laguna. We're building a house there which is going to be finished by April '05. I'm excited about my room. My brother and I will each have a loft on top of our rooms. My plan is to have my bedroom on the loft and then I'll have my "activity area" below. I'll have beanbags and a desk where I will put my future laptop. There will be bookshelves and maybe a low sofa and a TV. My cousin Malen is the interior designer. I told her I wanted my room to have that cabana or island feel. I'm sooo excited!

Lot in Tagaytay

View of Taal. It's that blur in the
middle of the picture. It's not
because it's the smallest in the world
that you can't see it, but because
the fog is kind of heavy

My room in Westgrove

My loft -- where the gray beams are

Best Supporting Actor: Dennis Trillo

2004-12-31T01:48:00.000-08:00

After Disney on Ice, Vince and I headed to the Gateway Mall. This mall is being pushed as one of the "high-end" malls, with stores/restos like Enzo Angiolini (one of my favorites), Fornarina's flagship store in Asia, Wolfgang Puck --- you get the picture. Anyways, we didn't plan on watching a movie but I saw that Aishte Imasu was showing at 9:15pm. I've wanted to watch this movie (even if I'm not a Juday fan) because for one, I think it's the most interesting film among the Film Fest's entries, and two, it was my dad's godson Marco's debut movie (wanted to see how he did). We ate first at Taco Bell since I've been craving for its burrito for like, forever.

The film was set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. I thought it was going to be similar to other movies made about that period that told the stories of guerillas fighting for freedom and the comfort/abused women. But one of the biggest surprises of the film was Dennis Trillo's character. He played a gay lover of a Japanese commander. A lot of people have been saying he's a shoo in for the best supporting actor award but I thought that maybe it was just because he dressed like a girl. I was wrong! I felt he even had more scenes and lines than Judy Anne who was the main character.

Anyways, Dennis has my vote. Hand-down he's going to win the award since he's the best among the nominees. I don't even know who the nominees are and I've just watched 1 film fest entry, but I don't care! I just know he's going to win :p

Update: 01-03-2005
Dennis won! Hahaha!

Disney On Ice

2004-12-31T01:23:00.000-08:00

Just came back from the Araneta Coliseum where we watched Disney On Ice. Disney Princesses was the theme this year (last year it was Beauty and the Beast). I LOVED IT! The set and the costumes get better and better every year! I'm not sure which one is my favorite this year: the flourescent fish and underwater scene of The Little Mermaid or the glow-in-the-dark horses of Cinderella!

You wouldn't be able to catch the faster-than-the-eye transformations of the sets and the characters and the costumes since your attention is somewhere else. It's like magic! The changing of Sleeping Beauty's gown (Merriweather and Flora couldn't agree on the color) from pink to blue to pink to blue was ingenious! The changing of the Beast to the prince was also reminiscent of the Beauty and the Beast musical in Broadway. Until now I can't figure out how the Beast disappeared.

My only regret and frustration is running out of battery for my cam! ARRRGGGHH!! I just had 1 picture of Cinderella! Bad trip!

Aladdin and Genie

Some of the Seven Dwarves

The Disney Princesses

My favorite princess: Cinderella

One little candle

2004-12-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

We discovered photography last night. This is one of our early attempts at artistic shots :p

Release

2004-12-30T11:35:00.000-08:00

Release (formerly known as Reverse) is the name of Vince's band. They are an acoustic RnB band and they play Monday nights at Temple, Greenbelt 2. Last Monday was one of the rare nights that I watched them again.

Last minute practice

I think they were singing "Senorita"

With former bandmate, Patrick

Christmas '04

2004-12-30T09:41:00.000-08:00

Opening of gifts, Christmas day 2004

We celebrate Christmas with my dad's family every 25th. The celebration was quite different this year. For one, this is our first Christmas without Mama, our grandmother :( When we got to Alabang, Chicco (my brother), Vince, and I just dropped off the food first at Tito Quitoy's house so we could visit the crypt of Papa and Mama and greet them. When we got to the house we saw them watching home videos of past Christmases and birthdays (my tito loved taking videos and when my cousins and I got older, we were surprised that he had a collection starting when we were babies!). Almost everyone was emotional when Mama came on the screen. *Sigh*

The other thing that was different was my mom and dad couldn't come with us. My mom had this terrible tummyache so o my dad decided to just stay with her at home.

The last difference is that all the cousins, with the exception of Jodee who's 5 years old, are a lot more "older" (there are 16 of us). When Jodee began insisting to her mom that we start opening the gifts, it started me thinking. Is Christmas really just for the kids? Is it because of the presents that as we grow older we get less of them and then together with that we feel Christmas less? This was the first time that all the cousins weren't that excited to all troop to the living room, sit on the floor under the tree and then just rip open all the wrapping paper off the gifts. I don't feel bad about getting less presents but it's more of missing the excitement of the kids and seeing the parents' going up the stairs to get the best angle for pictures. I also miss Tita Beth's OC-ness because she picks up the torn wrapping paper before they even hit the floor.

Our celebrations evolve every year. When my Papa was alive and we were all younger, we used to go to Tito Quitoy's house early in the day to have lunch, merienda, and dinner. We literally were together whole Christmas day. We used to have games and Papa always gives the cash prizes :) Game were more fun because all the parents joined!! We have these really funny videos of that. And then when Papa left us, we stopped having the games. And then when Mama died January of this year, everything was different again. Now we just met for Christmas dinner.

In our Christmas eve celebration here at home I try to let everyone feel the spirit. Christmas mass is important and you feel that the mass is really special that night. After noche buena, I'm the one shepherding everyone to the lanai to have everyone's pictures taken under the tree. I'm also quite strict in making sure that we open our gifts at exactly 12 midnight. It feels like I'm the only one excited about this special night but like all grown-ups I guess, I'm finding it hard to let the season sink in because of all the work and the rushing and the deadlines. I'm also feeling the season less every year but I'm not letting go of Christmas without a fight!

What Flavour Am I?

2004-12-29T15:26:00.000-08:00

Haha! Buzz buzz! I got this from anneanne's blog

I taste like Peanut Butter.

I am one of the most blendable flavours; I go with sweet, I go with sour, I go with bland, I go with anything. I am practical and good company, but have something of a tendency to hang around when I'm not wanted, unaware that my presence is not welcome.

(If you were not Peanut Butter you would be Coffee.)

Buzz buzz, I am Coffee flavoured.

I am popular in the workplace, even though I am often bitter. I am energetic to the point of being frenetic; buzz buzz, out of my way. I tend to overwork myself and need periods of recovery time. What Flavour Are You?

Mobile Wallet

2004-12-29T14:55:00.000-08:00

I forgot my wallet today. I was lucky I had a hundred bucks in my bag. Anyways, I just had enough money for lunch but after eating we went to the bookstore. I always find it very hard to leave the bookstore without any purchase but not having any physical money is not a reason not to buy anymore. Good thing there's G-Cash (I sound like an advertisement)! I just saw the book I've been searching for -- the title that has been in my Amazon wishlist for so long. Got my cellphone out and paid for my book. It was a little embarrassing though when I gave the salesperson the wrong cellphone number the first time. Hihi! :)

December Disasters

2004-12-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

Unbelievable. The devastation that the different Asian countries experienced this holiday season has been really unbelievable. Here in the Philippines, we had 4 strong storms in a span of 2 weeks (26 storms had already passed through the country in 2004) in the early part of this month. The people in the north didn't even have time to let their losses (family and livelihood) sink in when a stronger storm, Nanmadol, claimed another thousand lives. Sad how the country gets featured in the international news because of the disasters. And now to hear that millions of people from 10 different countries share the same tragedy a day after Christmas has been heartbreaking. Death toll is now around 22,000 with a lot more people missing and unaccounted for.

I can't help but also marvel, a feeling that goes hand in hand with the fear, at the strength and awesome power of nature. Imagine the earth having it's own natural explosions and "bombs" that surpass man's creations. That's why it's stupid of man to think he has control and ownership over nature and its resources, and that he can discover and harness all its secrets.

Christmas parties

2004-12-28T07:29:00.000-08:00

As you know, I went on a 2-week diet end of November in preparation for the holiday binge. Well, I think I gained all the 10lbs that I lost after 2 parties. I've been quite the party animal transferring from one get-together to another in one night and going to another the very next night. Just some of the themes we've had this year: a Videoke party, all about television (the different groups in the company had to present different types of shows -- cartoons, music video, teleserye, etc.) and the Great NPD-VAS Race (spin-off of the Amazing Race. Hehehe).

PS...My team was the Amazing Race champion! Yeah!

Posting some party pix...

Melange opening at Eastwood

myGlobe Christmas party

Company party

Data Products Development

TOYS TOYS TOYS

2004-12-27T20:32:00.000-08:00

I'm really mad about toys right now. And it's all Vince's fault! Bad Vince! Very baaaaad Vince! Now we can't stop looking and buying all the collectible stuff. Up until yesterday morning I didn't know what a gashapon was. But a few hours later I went home with another set of Disney stuff. Waaaaah!!

And now the latest news from the toy world is that one of the biggest toy stores here will not be selling the Disney stuff anymore soon. Makes me want to go out NOW and buy everything. I visited the Disney toy listing in the net and I'm happy to announce that there's a total of 120+ figures. Yeesss, 100 more to go. I already have Steamboat Willie, Ariel, Lilo, the set of all the Pixar characters, and a set containing Cinderella, Aladdin and Genie, Captain Hook and Peter, and Lady and the Tramp.

And then last night we discovered the Muppets! That's another 50,000,000,000 characters. Why can't we just be interested in Tom and Jerry? :P

Toy Story

Bug's Life

Monsters, Inc.

Finding Nemo

Models and Mortals

2004-12-27T14:30:00.000-08:00

Today was declared a holiday but I've been in front of the PC since 9am, as if I'm at the office :-p Anyways, I wanted to check the DVDs that Vince gave me for Christmas. The complete season of SATC!!! YEAH! Well, I was just supposed to check the DVDs if they skipped or something but after seeing the first few mins. of the first episode, I was hooked. I love the dialogues and characters of the series. They're so witty, funny, and at times thought-provoking :-D

One particular episode stood out - "Models and Mortals". It was funny how Carrie theorized that models usually went out with ordinary people because beautiful people repelled each other. I remember during my high school and college days, we used to boy watch. It was a hobby, a sport. Hehe! Some of my friends in college went as far as to follow and memorize the schedules of their crushes. I used to tag along...just in case I also get to spot my crushes. Bwahahaha! Anyways, it mattered before if your boyfriend was the most gorgeous guy in school and if he was an athlete (these 2 usually went together). Or if the most gorgeous and athletic guy knew your name. I think we all go through that stage where we want to be with and be seen with a popular and gorgeous girl/guy. But after a while, as Mr. Big put it, you want to be with someone you can laugh with.

Beached Whale Diet

2004-11-26T19:22:00.000-08:00

I'm on my last 2 days of the South Beach Diet...Phase 1. Before I started I heard lots of testimonials that this diet really works. I haven't gone on a diet EVER but I thought, what the heck. I'll still be eating 5 times a day ;)

So I had Vince call the establishment who delivers the food for the duration of Phase 1 (I was afraid that if I was the one who will call, I'll chicken out). It was reeeallly expensive but if it'll help me lose at least 5lbs it was gonna be worth it. Anyways, the real reason why I did it was so I can eat during the holiday season. Hehehe!

I thought it was going to be fairly easy and I promised myself that I wouldn't cheat. But after depriving myself of good food (my tastebuds were numb already) I felt sorry for myself and ate a piece of butterscotch. But that wasn't without a fight! And I would say it was a good fight....I gave in after 6hrs of torture :p

Anyways...hope I'll reach my goal of 10lbs in 2 weeks. After that it's the Try diet....try without rice, try without bread, try to eat small portions during the holidays. Yeah right!

ramblings

Happy New Year!

April is Gadget Month

OMG OMG OMG

2007 theme: Active lifestyle

18 days til Christmas

Mars: an unhealthy obsession

Make that 4 things

I'M BAAAACK

I've had it with these motherf**kin' snakes on this motherf**kin' plane!

Big surprise

45 entries ago

The difference between sleeping and waking..

Is she real or not?

Up next...

"As addictive as Vicodin"

I love you McDreamy!

EDSA

Announcement: Coup is cancelled

Dizzy

Drop dead

Out with the old

2 more days til Christmas

One of them things

No Title

Theory of left to right

My future home

Scary...looks as if God's calling me :p

Westgrove at night..

In which we mostly talk about names...

busy 'til the end of time

Pride & Joy

Cousins' night out

!

The world is not such a nice place after all

New toy

Age is nothing but a number

What if...

Sampler

Random thought

Blogging in the kitchen

Sinful

Road less travelled

#266

What's the latest...

Not another one....PLEASE!

Another farewell

Almost finished

Sunset

WOW

DVD Marathon

A quarter of a century plus one...

AAACK! I'M OLD!

SICK

TGIF

Much needed break

God help us

The Good Shepherd

Habemus Papam!

Whatda?!

:(

On this rock I willl build my church...

It is finished...

Cockadoodledoo!

Easter

'til death do us part

Graduation

CONNECTED

So tired....

BRRR

Close Call

*YAWN*

Sweet Tooth

Batangas

Food for thought

Bork, bork, bork!

Family Get-togethers

Happy New Year!

Fieldtrip

Best Supporting Actor: Dennis Trillo

I've had it with these motherfkin' snakes on this motherfkin' plane!

YAWN