Today

Since I arrived home, I usually sleep at 12:00 midnight and wake up at 10:00AM. In effect, my first meal is brunch (combination of breakfast and lunch). Same thing happened today, with some reflections from what transpired in last night's high school friends reunion.

I missed my friends so much. One of them I was able to talk to after almost 5 years but things have not changed drastically. All of them are still the closest friends of mine I once knew. And since we have come of age, we could now talk about our ex-crushes and lovers without bitterness. We just laughed at every thing, making our house the noisiest in the neighborhood due to loud laughing as always.

Our food was great with all the bring and share stuffs. Marami ngang natira, so marami kaming pagkain ngayon. hehe.

However, because four of them were not able to attend and in time for one of my friends' birthday, we have scheduled another get-together before I go back to the jungle of Manila. This time, not in our house, but in a yet to be disclosed restaurant. Hmmm.

I really miss the bonding we had in high school, specially that we went to different colleges and universities and that my former love life did not permit me to see them that often without my then boyfriend as chaperon.

Oh well, 2010 is coming. One day na lang. One of my wishes for next year is that whenever I get home, I could give whatever my family asks from me. I will work out for it. I must!

Almost The End

It is so amazing how time passes by so fast, as in really fast. It's almost the end of the year, which gave my life so much color, both bright and gloomy ones.

Last week, I participated in the Kumpisalang Bayan in our Parish -- the first time I had the sacrament of confession in Manila. While I was talking to God to prepare myself for my conversation with the priest, I realized it has been so long since I last talked to God that serious. I promised Him I'll do everything to meet him in church every Sunday. But I was not able to do that last Sunday, kasi ang daming tao, I knew mahihilo na naman ako. I felt so ashamed to Him, which urged me to have my eyes checked when I get home para hindi na ma-compromise ang participation ko sa church pagmaraming tao. So I will welcome 2010 with eyeglasses.

Other than new eyeglasses, I will also welcome 2010 will less worries, better career (promise na talaga), and more love and grace despite pressure.

Well, this post is supposed to be a recap of what transpired in my life in 2009, though the year has not ended yet. Kasi naman ngayon lang ako nagka-time to blog again. Partida nga, ang dami kong ka-chat while writing this down. I also don't know if we already have Internet connection when I arrive home.

In 2009...

I had lots of career opportunities both from the private and government sectors -- better ones, really. I was about to give in to their piracy on me. But things were not on the right places then, so I stayed with my DTI family, which leveled the pirates' offers. Honestly, the DTI had the lowest offer. Hehe. But I realized things will be better in due time and I am learning a lot here.

Yhen "The Fashionista Kitty" and Aye "The Ex-Sem Horsy" entered the DTI-CMO family. With their arrival, our office became the noisiest of all (I think). Yhen initiated the clearing of the DTI Website, which attracted me to be in direct touch with the site. Haha. Aye, on the other hand, is the real epitome of a true seminarian. He added more kahalayan, I mean kabutihan, in the office, especially when it comes to photo enhancements and other audio visual stuffs.

I was diagnosed with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) -- a disease characterized by the overflowing of acids from the stomach lining to the throat. So I had to give up eating (or just seldom eat/drink) chocolates, coffee, tea, and tomato-based food -- my favorites.

My sister made it to their College Student Council's (CSC) presidential post. In spite of all my discouragement, she still took the risk. Hard-headed Lally talaga. So far, all their projects were successful but she is still suffering the burden, syempre, Presidente eh. Pero masaya sya sa ginagawa n'ya to be of service to her schoolmates.

Suan graduated in high school. I accompanied him in his college campus hopping for him to decide were to spend his tertiary education.

I had my Manila Hotel experience. Nakakatakot but fun experience huh.

We all (if not most of us) experienced the many typhoons' hagupit. For my part, I had my Ondoy, Pepeng, and Santi experiences, which I already wrote in my previous posts. Because of these typhoons, I discovered I have the tendency to panic whenever I get nervous.

My officemates and I went to Sofitel for an international gathering of top business process outsourcing (BPO) company executives. So sosi but so sad we were not able to get good pictures. Nevertheless, Jam's digicam did its best. Haha.

My officemates and I went to Divisoria -- my first and last for this year.

My long-time boyfriend and I broke up. The event made our lives became so open even to those who are not that close to us. "A very controversial break up," as my ex says.

I did not make it again to the DTI-System on Performance Rewards and Incentives (SPRInts) for the second straight year. This is an award given to excellent DTI employees. Well, it just goes to show I am not excellent, di ba? I really am not, I know. I am happy for those who made it because in the government sector, people seldom acknowledge monetarily or through other benefits an employee's excellent performance. Madalas, dapat tumanda, maaksidente, o mamatay muna ang isang empleyado bago parangalan o makatanggap ng anumang incentive.

There.

So colorful 2009. I wish for a better 2010 and even better years ahead.

What now?

While I was walking along the street of Gil Puyat this morning, I realized I need to blog again. But of course questions came into my mind before I finally decided to do this again after two weeks. Would it hurt still? Would I cry? How would my readers react? But no, I am free, so I can write anything.

Yes, it still hurts. Sometimes I still catch myself tulala but I didn't cry anymore after the confrontation we had last week.

We decided to be friends. We still see each other once a week but are not committed; ergo, no promises, no expectations, no demands. This thing is kinda hard because I was so used to his always being present and ready whenever I need him. I miss his daily text messages, his cuisine, and the rules he had set for our relationship.

But looking back, in the past six months of always seeing each other and having "our daily routine", we realized we are happier now with this situation. We communicate better now, understand each other, don't fight, and don't disagree on anything. Everything is so light, no rush. Things are much better indeed.

Having him in the future is so blurry now. But life is beautiful and doesn't revolve around boys. 'Di ba? Asus!

With what happened, I learned a lot of people love me and there is more of life. For now, I am focusing on my career (so showbiz), family, and lots of friends.

To the people who were hurt because of this, Law and I are sorry. We need this for our maturity and our own families. We still love each other, but things are much better this way.

When best comes to worst

Some of my best moments in life happened when we were still together. The worst so far happened yesterday, after we decided to finally break up. This worst thing is still happening now as I can feel the pain and sadness, of course as aftermath of what recently happened.

When I told my closest officemates about it, they didn't believe me at first because they were used to our one-day break ups or simple misunderstandings. But things were really different prior to it, that's why we both agreed on our relationship's death.

The past days, a lot of misunderstandings that led to fights happened. Until we both became cold toward our relationship. We still saw each other but very few conversions took place and he was so quiet -- a thing so unusual of him. I kept on asking him to say something like how his day was, housemates, family, travel, etc., but he just replied, "I have nothing to tell you." -- as short as that. I couldn't get the catch. It's hard to explain a person's point when only few and abstract words or reaction come from his mouth or face.

Uh, I'll keep this post short for now. I'm not yet ready to write every thing. I need to take care of my health, so I need to be strong, right? Oh, by the way, he knows that whenever I cry, I couldn't breathe well. There.

He gave up already. So I let him go.

The many changes

The only thing constant in this world is change. I do not need to enumerate samples of universal changes because this page would not be enough if I do so. But I do have my list of changes I see and experience in a micro way (oah! that's so Economics huh!). Check these out:

• Before, we do things in sweet ways. Now, we do not do things in sweet ways. We, the young ones, really need to listen to our elders. They often say only the early part of a boy-girl relationship is sweet, the rest is not so, until it becomes bitter. This is so true. Promise!
• Before, I am skinny. Now, I am soo fat.
  
• Before, I receive my salary on-time or day before the pay-day. Now, I am not getting the definition of a pay-day, since it is now called pay-late. This is true to me only.
• Before, I can live with just prawn crackers as my meal. Now, I need to eat heavy at day time and only fruits at night.
• Before, I love seeing him everyday. Now, I wish we seldom see each other so that we would miss each other and also seldom fight.
• Before, I can upload photos in my Friendster account. Now, I can't do it anymore. It must be the Internet system.
• Before, I wanted to be rich. Now, I just want to live a simple life.
• Before, I thought all college deans are reputable. Now, I realized it is not the Doctorate nor whatever post graduate degree that determines a person's value. Knowledge and certificates can be easily grabbed, but character takes a lifetime to be formed.
• Before, I wanted just a small digicam. Now, even if time comes when I already have money to buy one, I think I will wait for the time when I can already purchase a professional cam.

Those are all for now.

Princess Diana is back!

Last night, upon arriving at the dorm, roommate Renzy, who sells imported perfumes and cameras online, told me a certain Princess is looking for me and that she is again staying in the house. I asked her who that Princess was. Then a few seconds after, I remembered only one princess knows me -- my ex-roommate Princess Diana.

I was surprised by what Renzy told me because I thought Ces, nickname of my ex-roommate and now a present roommate again, is in the US now for the last thing I learned about her was that she was preparing for the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination - an examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States) and a relative is processing her papers in the States.

Ces is the 2nd loudest housemate I have so far, next to Love the Atenian. She is my closest roommate that even when she left the house last year, we still continued our communication. She rented her space only for a month because she is still under training for a new job where she is the would-be Operations Manager. Huwow!

She is so kikay, maarte, and very true to herself. I think we both missed each other that when she arrived while I was watching Dahil May Isang Ikaw (oh, the Echo-Tintin tandem is always a hit, and the way they kiss each other feels like their very much used to the activity, nakaka-inlove, sobra!), we had tilian to the highest pitch and beso-beso to the max.

We slept at around 11PM, the time when I am usually dreaming already during a regular day since my second batch of roommates left the house. We told each other latest stories of ourlives and at the same time I oriented her to the new policies in the house and the new housemates she'll be meeting.

She thought I was still the conservative type she first knew, but I told her things have change, not drastically though. Haha.

I know she is moving to a new place soon and I'll miss her again. But I hope the bond will still be there despite distance.

Test post; blogger is still dizzy.

I am still dizzy, sleepy, and want to eat more lutong bahay still, but I want to do this post. I'll try my very best to articulate and observe writing rules, but if you think I didn't, well, it must be the supposed-to-be-long-weekend hangover.

It goes...

My officemates and I were hesitant if we still had to pursue the trip to Bicol since typhoon Santi was set to landfall Friday midnight in Infanta, Quezon. Though we would not pass the place of the typhoon's eye, our relatives, friends, and officemates were nervous on our decision to still pursue the trip because the landfall time was the time when we were supposed to be in Quezon Province and the typhoon was so strong and big.

When I was still in the office, every hour starting 2PM, I kept on calling Peñafrancia Tours to ask if travel would still be pursued and to book a ticket for Lawrence on the same bus Yhen and I would be riding on. The bus line was consistent in saying they would proceed with the scheduled travels.

We arrived at Araneta Center at 6:15PM. There were so many people, as expected, who were all rushing. I think everybody knew about the typhoon but no bus line announced postponement of travel, so business as usual. We bought many food and water in preparation for a stranded travel.

The bus left the terminal at 8:30PM. There was no traffic, very minimal rain drops, but noticable wind. After the first stop over in Lucena City, we were stranded in a forest-like area. All the buses stopped for a reason we were not sure about. All of us just noticed the wind was intense that we were like on a boat in the ocean and the rain was really heavy. Our bus, along with the others bound to Bicol, stopped for an hour while chilling due to extreme coldness.

After that halt was another halt, but this time was for five hours. There was no rain nor wind. But we found out water about 50 meters away from us was at chest level. All the bored passengers went down the bus to take pictures of the flood, smoke, eat, drink, and urinate on the road. (The three of us were among those road urinaters. ahahaha.)

At about past 9AM, the driver decided that the bus dive into the water and brave the flood. The pieces of lugguage in the compartment were placed inside the bus. The Atimonan (Quezon) residence where saying bad words at us for they did not want us to smash with the water because some houses would be affected by the water current the bus would be making. The most frightening part was when we reached the chest-level water. All eyes were on us. Whew! But after doing in slow motion the "This is it challenge" made by Santi, all passengers applauded the driver for his idea and initiative. All the buses did it, but Peñafrancia did it first and all others followed. I salute Kuya Driver for doing such. Thanks much Kuya!

I was teary eyed after crossing the flood because I do not know how to swim and I get soffucated easily that I might die in that moment.

The bus arrived at Legazpi City at 5PM and I arrived home at 6PM. So it was more than one whole day spent for travel, how was that? My hips were aching and I didn't deficate that day. Good thing I ate papaya after breakfast last Sunday so my tummy activities went to its normal routine after finally deficating.

Oh by the way, the Legazpi City Central Terminal is oh so, beautiful. It isn't fully done yet but it really is beautiful. Applause!

Fresh Air

I am so so excited for my travel to Bicol tonight. This time, my bus seatmate is Yhenny! (Yes, that's how I spell her name.) We were not able to book early reservations at Cagasawa Travel and Tours nor at RSL Transport, so we'll take Peñafrancia Tours instead. And I am wishing Malacañang would not announce a half-day work today because our travel is at 8:00PM (how was that?), which had the only available slot for today when I took got our reservation a month ago. (This is actually one of the effects of being choosy when it comes to bus lines. Haha. Peace!) We already brought our so many, very heavy pieces of luggage here in the office so it would be best if we go out at 5:00PM and wait for the DTI shuttle bus, which passes by the Araneta Bus Terminal where we will board.

It has been two months ago when I last went home and I am really so excited to breathe fresh air again (meeting my family of course, and having my face cleaned). My sinusitis has been attacking me for weeks now, which means I'm breathing in too much polluted air. Ergo, I super need fresh air. So upon going down the bus at the new, clean, and kinda classy Legazpi City Bus Terminal, I should do the act I did the last time I went home: close my eyes and then breathe in and breathe out calmly. Oh, nice!

But Typhoon Santi has entered our country since last night I guess, and its eye is in Quezon Province -- the very long-road-province land travellers need to take if route is Bicol-Metro Manila. Guys, kindly help me again in praying that we may be spared from this disaster again.

I hope I won't be feeling dizzy tonight and bus log will leave my body tomorrow after lunch as I will attend the 1st birthday party of my college friend's baby.

I hope my pasalubongs will be presentable still when it reaches our house.

I hope not to chill during the travel as I didn't bring with me blanket. I think I will just hug Yhenny. Haha.

But above all, I hope my travel will be safe and enjoyable.

Paranoia or something

Have you ever experienced the state of decision making wherein you have decided option A long long time ago that you have been preparing for it but it seems the preparation is still not enough? Option A is oah, so hot and risky but once you get it's meat, oh, paradise. And then, here comes options B and C, wherein option B is still, safe but not much; while option C was never-in-your-life expected yet also seemed to be OK and safer.

Have you ever experienced setting your mind to be in 'that' state a few months from now, yet some very minor things are hindering you and those very minor things were never expected to be a hindrance at all?

Well, as for me, I am guilty in that state that I do not know if this is a paranoia or something. I just want to be busy and jolly to forget this stressful thinking. When things get so slow and my environment becomes silent, this thinking strikes my mind that it catches me tuliro at 'di malaman ang gagawin, naks, that's from Sponge Cola's song Tuliro, one of my favorites. Oh, I miss Yael, I seldom see him in TV now.

Last night I told Lawrence I'm so stressed that I wanted to puff a stick of cigar to release this. Haha. He got mad at me. We were like father-and-daughter; he being the father explaining to me the effects of smoking, and I being the daughter reasoning out that I need to release the stress.

Oh Lord, I don't know if I am just overwhelmed by the influx of options, which came all at the same time. But I am definitely sure I am lucky on this. I thank You a lot for lending me talents and patience (and beauty?). Help me to repay You in the proper way. Help me to decide properly for the good of the majority.

The workout that was

I went to the gym last Saturday. My initial workout was intense. It felt good after a few hours. But when I was about to sleep, gosh, I couldn't breathe well. My body was like so active still but my mind and eyes wanted to rest. In effect, I didn't have enough sleep. How was that?

Until now, my body is aching. I must say one really has to work hard to achieve his goal, right? I decided not to go back and just do my simple workout and diet instead. Whew!

On a brighter side, I was able to buy ukay-ukay stuffs sold just very near the gym. Grabe, purchasing those stuffs is so addicting, I swear. Good thing I was able to buy some in preparation for our Sofitel official business on Wednesday, which I hope is a good one -- to include nice and overflowing food, drinks, and coffee. Yahoo!

Oh, that reminded me of our Manila Hotel travel experience last month, which I really do not want to experience again. I repeat, it is the travel, not the hotel.

Just keeping my fingers moving on the keyboard

Broken. I broke my diet last night. Grrr. It is because I realized I did not eat miryenda before going home due to the urgent tasks I needed to accomplish. So I just had coffee instead. But when I was nearing Cubao, my tummy kept on shouting that it needed to be fed up and thus, a break from my how-i-wish-an-effective-diet. I went to Sbarro in Ali Mall and ordered Chicago Pasta Sausage. Oah! That was good huh. But I was feeling nervous while eating because I thought that could be the start of my fast-food-dinner again, which I must be avoiding to meet my budget and target weight.

My target body by year 2010. echos! No editing done here. This was supposed to be my glamour picture for our college yearbook, which, until now, remains unpublished.

New bag. Forgetful me, I was not able to wash my all-time-favorite pink Lacoste bag, which was a college graduation gift from my so opulent Ninang, during the weekend so I had no choice but to be patient with the already so-torn-out-bag. But I became impatient with it because it destroys the fabric of my shirt, so I accidentally bought a new bag last Monday before going home. Unfortunately, I do not have a photo of it, so you will just imagine the bag. It's a black Belladonna on a 50-% sale at SM Cubao. It costed me just 150 pesos as additional payment because I used a Sodexho gift check.

Very often, when I am in the office, I stare at it because I really like it, I love it, but I hope snatchers won't. You look for non-criminal jobs guys. OK? This was the first time I bought a branded office bag. And I am really happy about it. Can you feel it too? Hehe.

Banana Peel. Bananapeel Store is now open at the 3rd floor of Farmers Plaza, yahoo! I think it's the company's second store within Araneta Center, the other one in Ali Mall.

Korina-Mar Wedding. On the 27th of this month will be the most awaited wedding event of the year. The reception will be at the Roxas family's white house in P. Tuazon Ave., Cubao. And I will take a peek there. Haha, I wish I can. If Mar have pursued his presidential plans, I would actually support him.

Christmas at DTI. The Bureau of Domestic Trade (BDT) is sponsoring the Pasko Na! -- a showcase of various Christmas items, food, accessories, and houseware. We went there and I didn't leave the area until I was able to buy dried mangoes from Leyte worth only 25 pesos. Imagine! Well, actually, the hidden agenda there is that I liked the plastic bag of purchased items. It's green and classy! I love it!

Gym. Tomorrow is my scheduled first round of workout in the gym. Wish me luck guys.

Rebond. My sister wants her hair rebonded and wants me to shoulder the expenses. Duh! I didn't even had my hair rebonded more than a month ago because it's too costly to have a really nice result. Oh well, she just doesn't know what she is talking about. Right? But hey, I'll have my hair rebonded next year, um, February, I think, if my plans prosper. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

So stressed

I'm missing Bicol, our home, my family.

OK, the truth is I'm so stressed because I'm set to make a huge decision before the year ends. I have been thinking about it for about six months now. Only a few knows about it and I'm not ready to reveal it now in this post nor to the people who will be directly affected. I have been praying about it every night that He grants me that prayer because it is for the good of many.

Anyhow, I'm going home for Undas and I hope to regain strength when I get back to face the traffic, too many strangers, and the solo life.

I hope my mind could focus on my work since I'm feeling dizzy, sleepy, and ... I don't know how to explain it.

This is so hard.

Oh, by the way, I'm doing a diet regimen for the Biggest Looser Contest in our office. But I'm not doing it just for the contest. I'm also doing it for health and fashion reasons. Fashion? Yes, why not? Today is my third day of the 'After 6 Diet' and it feels good, though every morning on my way to the office, I crave for so many tasty food, I swear; this is agony. I wish to continue it until at least the last week of November. I will be doing this every weekdays and am going to the gym every weekends. I hope this would prosper and my laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) won't get its way.

Weekend review

• Had enough sleep.
• Washed my bedding covers.
• Watched Fashionistas by Heart, finally.
  
• Visited Tita Epin and her family after the typhoon's devastation. My cousin, Paola, loved the mocha roll I brought for them.
  
• Had a very delicious lunch with Tita Epin and her family. We had ginataang hipon na may sitaw, sinabawang tahong, fried fish, and pineapple. Yummy!
• Cleaned our room, which included a change of curtain, yey!
• Discovered something about my man.
• Budgeted to the max, which resulted to an-always-a-realization that my income isn't enough for my living -- cellphone load for my family + for one of my favorite uncles; monthly padala to Bicol; my food, fare, rent, and miscellaneous expenses (trade fair products purchase, medicines, extra curricular events).
  

Oh weekends!

I love weekends, so much.

Hmm...

• Do my laundry, which includes bedding covers, towel, blanket, and mosquito net.
  
• Buy a pair of Paddocks pants.
• Clean our room.
• Sew my slocks.
  

Those are all, I guess. I want to have enough sleep over the weekend anyway.

58th

Lawrence and I at Serendra, the place of the opulent few

Today is our 58th monsary (monthsary? whatever!). I don't plan to write him a letter because I find it too awkward, I don't know why. Yeah, I am a writer, but that does not mean I'll do everything in written format. Haha. Actually, even when I was still studying, I prefer activities involving public speaking and oral graded recitation because I feel that I could still rebut my statements whenever I think they are wrong or I could say better than those. I remember during our school days, Lawrence would tell me to write him a letter once in a while because he found it sweet. Eew?! Ahahaha. I'm sorry Men, but I really find it baduy.

I never thought then that there would come a time so soon that we would be neighbors and see each other everyday. Now, a day isn't complete without seeing each other. I also never thought I would be mentioning his name often in my blog. I thought only Jam, my officemate, does it. Ahahaha.

Lawrence cooks well, I swear, and gets mad if I don't eat every thing served on my plate or if I don't eat all the food he has prepared. So basically, he is one of the reasons for my non-decreasing-weight.

He chooses nice clothes for me. He texts me every afternoon, "Are we gona meet later?", as if it still needs to be asked. Haha. He fetches me whenever I feel dizzy or weak from office. But he always puts his heavy arm around my shoulder whenever we walk, so a day is always ended up with my complain on that burden. Haha.

I usually tell him we are so happy these days that we are now too much dependent on each other. What if time comes when we need to part ways due to career demands or family decisions? Oh well, by then we just have to be prepared.

Wedding Bells and Long Table
Definitely not soon. Unless otherwise he becomes a millionaire or either of us is already a regular employee of a real estate company. A car is also a requirement for my soon-to-be-husband because I always tell him, "When I get pregnant, never allow me to ride the MRT or tricycle."

I also tell him we must enjoy to the fullest the unmarried life. Yes, it is also a must.

Men, I wish us good health and security always, so as our families. I love you. Naks! Ang cheesy!

Lessons

I hope the person/s who initiated the "9:00-PM power shutdown/typhoon Pepeng landfall in Metro Manila" gossip are happy now with the panic he/she/they caused to the public, including me.

Below are the lessons/realizations I had after my panic attack last Friday:

• First and foremost, never ever panic, specially when the news you got did not come from a reliable source (e.g. forwarded text, e-mail, instant messages by people from a non-disaster prevention-related agency).
• If ever panic attacks you, keep motivated to fight for your life. In my case, though my family is in Albay, experiencing the typhoon's wrath, I told myself I needed to walk and walk and keep breathing (despite my continuous palpitations due to my clautrophobia attack also) because my family was waiting for me to get home in Cubao. I mutually transfered Albay to Quezon City for about an hour. Ahahaha. In effect, I arrived home safe but still catching my breath. I even already thought of fainting because I can hardly breath and I was really feeling so dizzy. But I realized the streets of Makati and Pasay Cities were too dirty for me to lay down there. I so continued walking from RCBC Plaza to LRT 1 Gil Puyat to LRT 2 Recto until I reached the Gateway Mall. Whew! Motivation at work, right?
• The house where I have been staying in for a year and a half is flood free and typhoon proof. Lucky me! So I think I'm staying there until my sister, Laly, gets a job here.
• Always stock food. Always.
  
• Keep your cellphones fully charged all the time. Also make sure you load it up always and you can still make at least two outgoing calls.
• Keep coins and bills in your bag and jeans.
• It is also wise to always have stored value tickets for both MRT and LRT to avoid the queing at the ticketing booth.
  
• Always bring along with you plastic bags, where you could place your cellphones and other important stuffs if worse come to worst. You know what I mean.
• Keep at least one person updated on your situation.
  
• Pray.

Though I was so pissed off by the not so good people who spread the gossip, I thank them on a positive note because I have proven I could survive during panic moments. Nevertheless, I would never wish for a worse moment than that. Duh?!

Do something good people!

Experiencing it without them

I'm living on my own for two years now, which means I do and experience almost every thing by myself.

If super typhoon Pepeng will landfall in Metro Manila or in Albay, this would be my first super typhoon experience without them or my siblings' first without me -- yes, because when super typhoons Milenyo and Reming devastated our province, it was only the three of us in the house while our parents were elsewhere earning a living. We stocked junk foods and prayed the rosary. Among us, I was the most nervous because I needed to take care of them while also making sure that all our things/appliances remain in their places. I also made sure our photo albums were in good condition still. Haha.

I am aware of my mentioning in my previous post that I wouldn't blog on the typhoon. But I changed my mind after reading my boss' blog on his family's experience with tropical storm Ondoy.

I feel so nervous now because I will be alone in the room over the weekend. Oooh! Scary! I asked Lawrence where I would stay if water reaches our house. He said I could stay in their dorm, which is at the second floor, with all the other boys. Haha.

Major supermarkets in Cubao -- SM, Shopwise, and Isetann -- do not anymore have enough stocked foods. They also do not have candles anymore when I was about to buy some last Wednesday. My roommate also told me stock of ready-to-eat and instant foods at Greenhills Shopping Center are out-of-stock (OK, redundant, fine). OMG! So I think I have to pursue my plan to go to Megamall later this afternoon, if weather permits.

Oh Lord, spare us from the typhoon, please, have mercy.

I'm encouraging all the Catholics to pray the rosary, specially that October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. Nothing is impossible with God, right?

Lazy-feeling me

I feel so lazy today. I think this is due to aftermath of typhoon Ondoy, which Mom said is tantamount to supertyphoon Reming back in 2006, when Bicolanos were really in quirk.

Well, I don't want to blog on neither of these typhoons. Let us all move on. We can do it again guys, com'on!

Wider

I need a wider space so that I could think well and decide appropriately on my actions, breathe well, and escape life's pressure even just for a while.

Ergo, I need a break, which reminded me of my senses yesterday when I was in the train going home. The printed ad of Kit Kat [with tagline "Have a break, have a Kit Kat"] almost wanted me to indulge and give in to temptation. When I was about to grab some and pay at the cashier, I was reminded of my LPR [laryngopharyngeal reflux], which includes chocolates as a "no, no". So I decided to eat a Jollibee meal instead. Pity me.

I also need more and more space in my heart and brain to forgive the delay of my salary. But I guess it can't give enough space for it. On the brighter side, it worsens the wound in me and the more I am hurt, the more I am challenged. So thank you still, always delayed salary, you are one of the major reasons why I am aiming to be in better financial standing the soonest possible time. Bhe!

Nth long weekend review

Oh well, my nth long weekend was not that OK but it ended up well with Lawrence and I being OK again. Yes, we quarreled again.

• Gabbie's birthday celebration was fun. We, the "Arte Girls"--Ate Kat, Melissa, and I--had our individual gift for her and surprisingly, each gift is so kikay, so Arte Girls. We were there at 3PM and the eating time started at 5PM. The gathering was really fun except that Mom texted me not to eat because I'm too "big" already. Duh! It was so nakakapikon. I need not be reminded on this for I am big enough to know it and FYI, I don't each much, specially at night.
• I feel discomfort in the dorm. Before, I was just skeptic on this that's why I wrote the "Bedspacing" post. But during the nth long weekend, the discomfort was confirmed. I only feel comfort there whenever I sleep. So you get now what I mean, yes? I really wish I can swallow all the things happening there until December this year or early January next year.
  
• I did my 2nd round of laundry yesterday in 30 minutes because I thought a housemate would be doing her laundry right after I do mine. In effect, the smell of my bed cover is not so good, I mean bad.
  
• Last night, Lawrence and I had a past 8PM-dinner at Gateway Mall where we ordered McDonald's Twister Fries, Chicken Nuggets, and, after three months I was able to taste again, Dairy Queen's Oreo Ice Cream. So healthy, right? Haha. For a change.
• On the brighter side, I was able to do my exercise.

'Til here for now. I'm the only employee present in the Web Team so I'm the only one manning the ship again. Wish me luck. Oh, I want December to come ASAP.

Nth long week-end

Tomorrow is the start of another long week-end. I am now thinking of my itinerary for those three days.

I don't have a schedule yet but I do have my list to do:

• Do my laundry.
• Stock foods for the whole week.
  
• Buy a pair of pants. --> I'm not sure on this though.
• Have some exercise. --> This one I need to be sure of doing.
• Attend my cousin's birthday party. Belated happy 5th birthday Joanna Gabrielle Chavez Palima.
  
• Watch Fashionistas by Heart on QTV.
• Clean my/our room.
  
• Canvass prices of some of our office supplies because I was not able to find some of the items' prices on the Net.
• Sleep.
• Think, think, and think about my future/2010 plans.

Well, I hope to do all these stuffs. Happy long week-end guys! I love y'all!

Only my family can understand this post.

Suan, Laly, Me, Mom, and Dad. I'm keeping my promise guys, hold on, I'm doing it now. I love you. Happy birthday, Dad!

Daughter, sister, tutor, playmate, critic, adviser -- These are the words associated to me in our family.

As much as possible, I don't want a dramatic post; I don't want sadness. But I realized this is reality; this is inevitable. Just like before, whenever I'm writing about my family, I'm in tears and full of emotions. I hate this part.

I did a move this year, which I thought "that was it" without consulting you, Mom and Dad. We were all happy with it at first because we thought "that was really it". But I did a wrong move. I am so sorry (again). I really feel so ashamed.

But instead of giving up, the things that are happening to us make me even more determined to pursue what I planned and what you planned for me. I will be "there" guys, the soonest. I am tired of being "here" much as you are tired of being "there still". Help me God.

Weight problem

Sooo skinny Kia in her 2nd month in DTI.

Sooo chubby Kia in her 2nd year in DTI with officemates Jam ang Yhen. What a difference! Shocks!

Since I started getting used to the Metropolitan life, my weight got heavier and heavier. I'm also finding it hard to look for an outfit that I wish I could wear whenever I want. Mom is reminding me now that I'm not yet married so I must make my body look like unmarried. Ahahaha, get it?

Anyways, I started exercising yesterday. I took advantage of the space in our room since I was alone for four consecutive days. I did a little bit of everything: Taebo, crunches, hula hoop, and dumbbell (let me just butt in that I bought them at Gateway Mall and I was so happy that finally I was able to buy from one of its stores, except Rustan's of course).

How I wish I will be able to achieve the body I want within a month. Whew! Good luck to me.

Imprudent spenders I hate!

I super hate imprudent spenders -- those who spend extravagantly whenever money is on their hands and then rush to borrow or steal money from their acquaintances.

Duh! I really super duper hate them! Why don't they spend wisely instead kasi? In effect, the people whom they borrow money from are also on a rush to find money from their pockets or wallets but these people worked hard for their money.

I am not perfect in budgeting, but I can say I know how to. I would like to voice out that all of us should spend wisely. Economic resources are so scarce, I tell you people. We need to maximize the use of these for us to still have something for the future. We will always be needing these resources but not all the time they are available.

If all of us are prudent spenders, poverty will be lessen, if not eradicated. This is a call. I am so pissed off by the black sheep of the economy. This is one of the reasons why we could not achieve the economic satisfaction we have long been aiming.

Make a change pipz! Do it now!

Bedspacing

I'm so proud of my roomates, basta. In the photo are Ate lor, Verns, me, and Ems.

For exactly a year and a half now (yes, today is my due date, but I can't pay for my rent due to sooo many factors), I have been a bedspacer. During my first month, I was kinda excited because that was what I wished for when I was still a kid/student.

My grandparents (Maluz and Paji) used to own a house, which was intended for bedspacers, and I really wandered how the bedspacers were able to manage their lives without their families beside them. Even then I knew their lives were tough, but I really wanted to experience the thrill.

Then came my college years when most all my closest friends where bedspacing. I envied them for their independence and strength amid being away from their family. But I realized their distances were too short as compared to the distance between my family and I. Yes, I have relatives here in Manila, but as long as I can finance myself, I will.

Ah...reminiscing February 2008, when in just a blink of an eye, I decided to live on my own. I was so brave then and excited, of course, because finally, one of my very shallow dreams would come true.

And so days, weeks, months, and a year have passed. I was able to survive the initial phase of being a bedspacer, but I'm always in constant pressure in avoiding snatchers and strangers everytime I go to office and get back to my abode. Whew! Intense pressure that is!

Lots of things changed in our dorm: new rental fee; new faces I minggle with always; new rules were set; new streetmates (to include Lawrence); new beautiful infrastructures along our street; and a whole new classy SM Cubao (my favorite SM branch, I swear).

This morning I was left alone in the room. My roommate left very early. I realized I already want my very own place. I want it always clean, safe, and tranquil. A place where no one will tell me what to and not to do. This is one of the motivating factors to upscale my career to have better returns. Oh, how I wish this will happen soon, very soon.

For the meantime, I am enjoying where I live now--a very accessible and cost-efficient abode with wonderful housemates. I hope these things will last until I finally have the resources to look for an apartment or room for my sister and I.