the legend of ultraelectromagneticsupercuracha

madness!

2006-07-26T00:20:00.000+08:00

have a two-day business conference (see calendar) that i have to pull myself together through. haven't had the time to do a run through of tomorrow, este, today's activities and i'm really really un-tired. i'm using my laptop in the middle of the night while one of my bosses is asleep and the other is helping a client rack their brains out.

i hate this kind of lifestyle. i don't see my Bear often. i don't develop my inner camwhore with my friends, and it's sincerely very depressing. considering it's a month and a half before i leave. i hope i could most of the days i have left in Manila before i leave on the 20th of September. i won't even be here for Moykel's birthday--and he's promised us that Flute gimik for years now. i dunno even if the place is still open.

time and time again, i keep telling myself to make the people in my life feel they're really special--because they are. to take time off from my daily routine to spend quality time with the people in my life who really matter--friends, especially the TLS parechongtoldudes, family, and the Bear. my checklist for the next month is already filled with bank appoinments, visa processing priorities, flight schedule bookings, etc.

seeing djong's pictures of the rest of the gang is bittersweet--because i wasn't able to make myself available during that time, and because it's so nice to see almost everybody in one place like old times. i really, sincerely, and painfully miss that.

goodness, how the hell will i deal with this when i finally board my flight?
basta, parechongtoldudes-- alam nyo na yun. =)

- - AP Top Headlines At 2:29 a.m. EDT http://hosted.ap.org/ AP Top Headlines At 2:29 a.m. EDT © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy. - Hurricane Dennis Blows Through Ala., Fla. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/H/HURRICANE_DENNIS?SITE=APWEB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- Hurricane Dennis roared quickly through the Florida Panhandle and Alabama coast Sunday with a 120-mph bluster of blinding squalls and crashing waves, but shellshocked residents emerged to find far less damage than when Ivan took nearly the same path 10 months ago.... - London Police Release 3 Nabbed at Airport http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BRITAIN_BOMBINGS?SITE=APWEB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT LONDON (AP) -- Britons gathered in churches Sunday and piled bouquets of flowers at an Underground station to mourn victims of last week's bomb attacks on London's transport system as police sorted through hundreds of tips from the public.... - Wave of Attacks Kill 48 People in Iraq http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ?SITE=APWEB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- A man strapped with explosives blew himself up Sunday at an Iraqi military recruiting center in Baghdad, one of a series of suicide attacks that killed at least 48 people and ended a relative lull in violence in recent days.... - U.S., U.K. Said to Have Iraq Pullout Plan http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BRITAIN_IRAQ?SITE=APWEB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT LONDON (AP) -- Britain and the U.S. are trying to build a new strategy to exit Iraq that could see British troops leaving the country by Christmas, a newspaper reported citing a government memo written by the defense secretary.... - Body of U.S. Commando Found in Afghanistan http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AFGHAN_COMMANDO?SITE=APWEB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- The body of a missing U.S. commando has been located in eastern Afghanistan, the military said Monday, bringing an end to the desperate search for the last member of an ill-fated, four-man special forces unit that disappeared last month.... - Wildfire Forces Evacuation in Colorado http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WILDFIRES?SITE=APWEB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT BEULAH, Colo. (AP) -- Authorities urged about 1,000 people to evacuate their homes Sunday ahead of a fast-moving wildfire fueled by tinder-dry brush in southern Colorado.... - Two Planes Collide in Del.; Pilot Killed http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PLANES_COLLIDE?SITE=APWEB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT LEWES, Del. (AP) -- Two small planes practicing for an air show collided Sunday above Delaware Bay, killing at least one of the pilots, state police said.... - Gas Prices Surge to Record $2.33 a Gallon http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/G/GAS_PRICES?SITE=APWEB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) -- Gas prices have hit a record high of $2.33 a gallon, pushed up by the climbing cost of oil and strong demand in the midst of the summer vacation season, an industry analyst said Sunday.... - 'Fantastic Four' Snaps Hollywood Slump http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BOX_OFFICE?SITE=APWEB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The latest superhero movie may have been just fantastic enough to snap Hollywood's longest modern losing streak at the box office.... - Suppan Jack of All Trades As Cardinals Win http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BBN_CARDINALS_GIANTS?SITE=APWEB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Jeff Suppan pitched into the seventh inning, had two hits and drove in a run to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Francisco Giants 4-3 on Sunday night....

celebrity gets a degree

2006-07-10T16:39:00.000+08:00

This is interesting.

Based on a report by the Guardian Unlimited, an increasing number of celebrities are being thrown honorary degrees for their contributions to their respective areas of expertise. Although it's one thing being recognized for a job well done, methinks its unfair to some degree to bestow educational honors and a great deal of importance on the celebrity of being educated.

Apparently the rich, famous and not that highly-educated can earn the degrees with a simple deposit.

Lookie-loo, examples are below:

Barry Gibb Doctor in Music, University of Manchester
Eddie Izzard Doctor of Letters, University of East Anglia
Ronald Reagan Doctor of Laws, St John's University, New York
Annie Lennox Doctor of Music, Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
Mother Teresa Doctor in Medicine, Sacred Heart University
Margaret Thatcher University of Oklahoma
Robert Carlyle Doctor of Arts, Napier University
President JF Kennedy Doctor of Laws, University of California, Berkeley
Kenneth Branagh Doctor of Letters, University of Birmingham
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother Doctor of Music, Royal College of Music
JK Rowling Doctor of Letters, University of Exeter
Nelson Mandela Doctor of Laws, Trinity College, Dublin
Helen Mirren Doctor of Letters, University of St Andrews
President George W Bush Doctor of Laws, Yale University
Joni Mitchell Doctor of Music, Faculty of Music, McGill University
Pierce Brosnan Doctor of Laws, University College Cork, Ireland
David Hockney Doctor of Letters, Leeds University
Robert Alan Zimmerman (aka Bob Dylan) Doctor of Music, University of St. Andrews
Mike Tyson Doctor in Humane Letters, Central Ohio State University

so much for customer service

2006-06-27T11:44:00.000+08:00

now this is just sad. whatever happened to service with a smile?

most of you may have probably heard telemarketing/customer service phone call nightmares, especially the recent report filed by a Vincent Ferrari against America Online's (AOL) customer service.

if you haven't, you can see Ferrari's interview with Matt Lauer of The Today Show here. long story short, Ferrari called up AOL to cancel his long-standing account with the Internet company. the simple phone call turned sour as the customer service representative turns the tables on Ferrari and urges him to calm down and listen to what the rep had to say. Ferrari apparently made a couple of phone calls, which he then recorded and transcribed.

although the video's nothing short of funny, it's a real horror story for most of us who have been hounded by telemarketers day in and day out regarding services that we aren't even interested in. i've made it a point not to apply for credit cards and the like, and only make those long operator/PABX-directed calls in times of urgent necessity.

AOL has issued an apology letter to Ferrari and has informed him that the rep you hear on the video has been duly penalized and is no longer with the company. more and more people in the States and around the world have started posting their own phone call terror stories on the Internet--much to the shagrin of leading service providers ranging from telecommunication companies to small-time phone-based peddlers.

i surely hope Pinoys who are in the customer service hub/call center industries don't get into this type of hassle. then again, most of the horror stories i've heard concern foreigners screaming at our talented and patient reps. maybe it's not best to retaliate through screaming at the customer, but by screwing up their records.

just kidding.

guilty as charged

2006-06-22T16:56:00.000+08:00

Greed:	High
Gluttony:	Low
Wrath:	High
Sloth:	Low
Envy:	Medium
Lust:	Medium
Pride:	High

Take the Seven Deadly Sins Quiz

sick of it

2006-06-21T10:05:00.000+08:00

what's your measure of success?

does it involve how many friends you have? how much you earn every month? a simple pat on the back from your boss for a 'job well done'?

i've noticed that after every event or major undertaking i've done at work, i always ask my super "is happy? did i do good today?" i was asking for validation in my work--the profession i really, really love. nobody should affect how i should gauge how good i do my work except for myself.

i'm so tired of explaining myself and the things i do to other people when they're crystal clear to me. i hate repeating myself a million times. can't i just type down my "speech" and pass them out to people who ask me the same questions? sometimes people don't understand what others are doing and they instantly want in on the action even if they're not directly affected.

i'm tired of kissing asses day in and day out. i'm tired of giving up what i want for the sake of compromise. i'm sick of sucking up to people i don't even like. and i'm not just talking about work.

enough of being a passive drone. i want my no-holds-barred guts back. i want to become the taklesa my friends were drawn to. i'm sick of making everybody happy.

time to take care of me now.

22 things

2006-06-01T18:24:00.000+08:00

June is here and in 17 days, I’ll be turning a year older (and hopefully, wiser). This year, I plan to cut down on my personal spending and turn my focus toward things that are more utilitarian in nature.

1. Two pairs of classic black slacks that can go with anything
2. A flat iron
3. Three universal power adaptors
4. Either a 512 MB or a 1 GB thumbdrive
5. Three wool sweaters
6. An ergonomic pillow
7. Ergonomic back support for seats
8. Travel pillow
9. A Samsonite laptop backpack (large, please)
10. A Sony DSC-W30 Digital Camera or similar models with necessary memory card/s please.
11. An iPod mini case
12. iPod mini stereo dock
13. Tape recorder
14. One-way ticket to Wales.
15. Shoe Rack
16. Wooden Hangers
17. Waterproof Jacket
18. Windbreaker
19. Key Organizer
20. Anne Klein wallet
21. Rustan’s gift certificates
22. Thermal wear (i.e., the works—knickers, tees, etc.)

Yun lang naman. You have 17 days left.
*evil laugh here*

I'm pretty hesitant...

2006-05-26T14:34:00.000+08:00

i saw this article from a newsgroup i subscribe to. i know i should be gung-ho and all... but... eh:

Bad: Residence management. The fire alarms go off at four in the morning and the night wardens take over 10 minutes to come and switch them off. The student wardens arrive to turn off music at 10.30 on a Friday night, the local shop sells 'cheese flavoured' pizza and I have lost three important letters in the post. Not good, although I'm sure the same goes for most universities. Where Cardiff could improve is room allocation. When choosing accommodation, why not fill in a questionnaire, stating our main interests, so that we can be matched to people who we are likely to have something in common with? Doesn't sound too hard to me. Superficial maybe, but at least conversation could be kicked up over dinner.

Nye! and the residences don't look so attractive pa... well here goes...

geez, try writing via mousestroke

2006-05-25T15:20:00.000+08:00

What does your handwriting say about YOU?

change

2006-05-23T17:44:00.000+08:00

I saw this article on Woopidoo, one of my favorite alternative business-related sites. Thought it would be helpful if I sent posted this just in case anybody would need it.

Perhaps because I feel exactly the same:

Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish; we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish; we can start a new activity. Any day we wish; we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.

We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, "The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves." We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today. Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions. They need the truth. They need the whole truth. And they need nothing but the truth.

We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path. We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out. And then we must make the very choices that will bring life, happiness and joy into our daily lives.

And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeking and needing to make changes in their life - If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life - and it all begins with your very own power of choice.

Hope this brings a glimmer of hope, albeit small, to those who need it the most.

Not much of Da Vinci, but lots of complicated codes

2006-05-22T14:01:00.000+08:00

I came out of the theater with a headache.

I should have read the book when I had the chance, and now I regret not doing so. It seriously feels like it takes longer to read a novel (well at my reading pace anyway) than to watch this film--similar to Ron Howard's directorial style in "The Grinch" starring Jim Carrey (di ba?!). The arguments about the movie and the book that inspired it have not been going on for millennia — it only feels that way — but part of Columbia Pictures' ingenious marketing strategy has been to encourage months of debate and speculation while not allowing anyone to see the picture until the very last minute. Thus we have had a flood of think pieces on everything from Jesus and Mary Magdalene's prenuptial agreement to the secret recipes of Opus Dei, and vexed, urgent questions have been raised: Is Christianity a conspiracy? Is "The Da Vinci Code" a dangerous, anti-Christian hoax? What's up with Tom Hanks's hair? Is he deliberately trying to look his age?

I know what I did wrong--I was thinking too much again. Just like when I watched Blair Witch Project. Ugh. That sucked big time. Overall, it's an okay movie. It is just too DAMN long with too complicated of a plot. It was definitely over hyped and all who got involved did a very succesful job in putting more money in Dan Brown's bank account.

The film has all the good elements of fiction. Although the central theme was very simple and the hypothesis on which the book and the film were based on had been established way early, the unfolding of the conflicts present in the story were on top of one another--therefore creating a really distorted and confusing picture. It's a good suspense and investigative thriller that'll give any curious chap a good deal of brainfuck.

The Da Vinci Code captured my attention the first 45 minutes, and had difficulty keeping up with me afterwards. The "Whodunnit?" Question was passed back and forth. Seriously, I thought the ending was going to be like those of Scooby Doo episodes, where the monster's mask would be peeled off again and again to uncover the real villain ("And the Ghost of Spooky Manor is no less than....).

As for the cinematography factor, I'd have to say I was not very impressed. Ron Howard is a great story-teller, but he has to listen to one voice in his head to get a solid hold on the camera. He was probably caught in fascination with flashbacks and color scheme shifts.

In terms of casting, I couldn't think of anyone else fit to play Langdon than Tom Hanks. Audrey Tautou wouldn't be my first choice for Sophie Neveu's role, however her bright, round, innocent and wide-eyed look which carried Amelié most of the way, was probably the deciding factor. Ian McKellen is on a roll. He has two films coming out on consecutive weeks (X3's showing this Wednesday). Jolly ol' English chap can't seem to get a break, eh? Paul Bettany is nothing short of brilliant in this movie. He makes "sick and painful" look very simple. I would have wanted to see more of Alfred Molina, then again, perhaps my theater chair would have to be replaced by a La-Z-Boy.

I love the brainfuck I got and I still have a hangover. If only I could get this in installments, I'd see it another time.

sinfully honest.

2006-05-15T12:22:00.000+08:00

Djong told me to. Mahirap nang manabla.
I think I’m going to get somebody upset with this… but here goes:

ANGER
1. Who did you last get angry with?
R. Tinulugan niya kasi ako ulit.

2. What is your weapon of choice?
A Hattori Hanzo sword, nunchucks and stiletto heels.

3. Would you hit a member of the opposite sex?
Yes. If the occasion calls for it.

4. How about of the same sex?
Why not, chocnut?

5. Who was the last person who got really angry at you?
R. Kasi ang kulit kulit ko.

6. What is your pet peeve?
People who love doing things at the last minute.

7. Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily?
I keep ‘em really well.

SLOTH
1. What is one thing you're supposed to do daily that you haven't done in a while?
Read my bible.

2. What is the latest you've ever woken up?

1 PM.

3. Name a person you've been meaning to contact, but haven't.
my tita Rosanne.

4. What is the last lame excuse you made?
”Manonood po ng concert.”

5. Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through (one of the long ones...)?
yes. Unfortunately.

7. How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock today?
twice.

GLUTTONY
1. What is your overpriced yuppie beverage of choice?
Starbucks’ Green Tea Frappuccino Venti.

2. Meat eaters: white meat or dark?
Pork fat rules!

3. What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in one sitting?
25 shots of tequila in one sitting. Then I stopped sitting and chose to go swimming. BAD IDEA!

4. Have you ever used a professional diet company?
Just Atkins.

5. Do you have an issue with your weight?
Yes, always have and always will.

6. Do you prefer sweets, salty, or spicy foods?
None of the above. I like meals that are sautéed.

7. Have you ever looked at a small housepet or child and thought, "LUNCH"?
never. I only said “Mine!”

LUST
1. How many people have you seen naked (not counting movies/family)
Three. I think.

2. How many people have seen YOU naked (not counting physicians/family)?
Two plus Menage 2000. Hehehehe.

3. Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of a member of your gender of choice during a normal conversation?
Nope. Other people notice before I do.

4. Have you "done it"?
Done what?

5. What is your favorite body part on a person of your gender of choice?
aside from the cliché “eyes” answer, I’d have to say haircut and the nose.

6. Have you ever been propositioned by a prostitute?
no.

7. Have you ever had to get tested for an STD or pregnancy?
not in the last….*counts*…er… NO.

GREED
1. How many credit cards do you own?
just one—extension pa.

2. What's your guilty pleasure store?
eBay.

3. If you had $1 million, what would you do with it?
Put one half on US Dollar Time Deposit, while the other half will be used to (in no particular order): 1. Travel around the world with mom, 2. Buy ourselves a new house, 3. Give Lola a van with a driver, 4. Invest in stocks, and 5. Persuade my mom to retire. The rest will have to go to the bank so I can save for my own family.

4. Would you rather be rich or famous?
Rich, definitely.

5. Would you accept a boring job if it meant you would make megabucks?
No.

6. Have you ever stolen anything?
Yes. Three signs from college, a bowl from Chowking-Taft, and utensils from various restos around the dorm.

7. How many MP3s are on your hard drive?
around 3, 000.

PRIDE
1. What's one thing you have done that you're most proud of?
Got accepted in two leading universities in the U.K.

2. What's one thing you have done that your parents are most proud of?
Graduating from college and making a living for myself.

3. What's one thing you would like to accomplish in your life?
Be a multi-tasking business executive who’s also a wife and a mom.

4. Do you get annoyed by coming in second place?
Always.

5. Have you ever entered a contest of skill, knowing you were of much higher skill than all the other competitors?
Yes—hey, I got the qualifications!

6. Have you ever cheated on something to get a higher score?
High School days, definitely.

7. What did you do today that you're proud of?
Was able to make up with R without being too much of a nag.

ENVY
1. What item of your friends' would you most want to have for your own?
A lot. Christian’s camera, Djong’s travel experience, Tik’s rainmaker, Nym’s set of Seven for All Mankind Jeans…. I could go on all day.

2. If you could be anyone else in the world, who would you be?
My mom, the first ever Curacha.

3. Have you ever been cheated on?
Yup.

4. Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different from your own?
Longer legs.

5. What inborn trait do you see in others that you wish you had for yourself?
Patience, most definitely.

6. Finally, what is your favorite deadly sin?
Pride makes the world go round and separates the humans from the saints.

You Dawg!

2006-05-05T18:10:00.000+08:00

Yorkshire Terrier

No bones about it, you're a social, bustling Yorkshire Terrier. Active and enthusiastic, Yorkies like you have a ton of energy — which means you're probably always running around like a mad dog. You're never without a project to work on, an errand to run, or a party to catch. (Where do you find the time?) You're a chatty little pup, too — talking is one of your favorite pastimes. That's why all your friends and acquaintances see you as their own personal Entertainment Tonight and rely on you for the latest gossip and social bulletins. You always liven up a dinner party or cocktail gathering, and people simply adore your affectionate nature and get-up-and-go eagerness. Woof!

the thing you want the most

2006-05-03T09:28:00.000+08:00

...has the biggest catch.

that was the deal I got upon discussion with my relatives. to be able to study for a year, i'd have to milk the opportunity of being there for what it's worth. that means i'll have to look for work and stay there for around two to three years minimum. sad thing is, I won't be going back home for that duration--not for my mother's birthday, Christmas, New Year's... at least not until I get my own money.

my dream has a huge trade-off. and that means having to give up seeing my family, friends and beloved R for a year. now i'm having second thoughts about leaving. a voice in my head tells me that this catch will just be further motivation for me to work hard and study harder. another voice tells me that for the next couple of years, i'll be one of the loneliest souls in the world.

and so it begins.

here we go...

2006-05-02T15:15:00.000+08:00

so we got back from iloilo last sunday on the last flight via Philippine Airlines. tired, burnt and hungry, the mother and i barely got on our feet once we stepped into the condo. some thoughts about my recent trip to Iloilo:

1. I am getting old. While I take pride in the fact that I am relatively younger than my counterparts in business, I learned that I am now the eldest of 25 second-cousins and with that comes the pressure of being able to set high standards within the family. I don't know if this is also the case with other families, but I somehow think they want all of us to be competitive. I know it is somewhat silly, however, I do understand that even within a loving family, people are naturally inclined to compare what they have/don't have with what others do/don't. And if you've been paying attention to my Calendar and my immediate plans, you know what's racking my brains right now.

2. Even though you have you're own beach, you're bound to end up in a swimming pool. This happened to me on our second day in Iloilo. We checked up the family beaches in Guimaras and Guimbal, Iloilo and found that our katiwalas were not maintaining the places at all. My disappointed cousins and I then had to go to Racso's in Guimbal just to get some much-needed lublob. Did several laps in their adult pool, while the kids were watched over by the elders by the smaller pool. Needless to say, they were all nognog when they got out of the pool. As for me, well I think my face had the most damage, however, I'm not the type who would turn down a good tan.

3. Not being able to take the heat doesn't mean you're a coward. That's one of the more familiar lines from the show Rescue Me on AXN. Being part of the family business now that I'm of legal age, I got a crash course on how to manage a business ala The Apprentice (with my tita-lola as The Donald). At least for the next few months, I'll be managing part of her lending/investments firm and the maintenance of the two family beach properties. As exciting as that may sound, it really isn't.

couldn't even play the game

2006-04-25T09:12:00.000+08:00

... but i'm sure as hell i wanna watch the movie.

good thing Silent Hill's big screen version is finally coming to local cinemas tomorrow. it's currently at the top of the movie charts, knocking off Scary Movie 4. based on the reviews i've read so far and its cinematic trailer, methinks the film is worth seeing before I leave for a three-day vacation to Iloilo.

this is quite interesting: The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisenberger has a movie version coming out in worldwide screens by end of June 2006. Leading the cast are: Meryl Streep as THE Miranda Priestly and Anne Hathaway as little ms. innocent Andrea Sachs. i know most of my very gorgeous friends (ahem ahem) will be watching out for that.

break muna!

2006-04-24T17:28:00.000+08:00

You Are 42% Evil

You are evil, but you haven't yet mastered the dark side.
Fear not though - you are on your way to world domination.

How Evil Are You?

People Envy Your Confidence

You have the attitude and self esteem to take on anything. Failure is beyond not an option for you - it doesn't even cross your mind.
People envy your ability to take on any challenge ... and they're secretly afraid you think you're better than them. You don't. You're just sure of yourself.

What Do People Envy About You?

what if

2006-04-21T08:37:00.000+08:00

... after 16 years of having a really BIG crush on someone, he appears in front of you and looks you in the eye (as if you're the only one there)?

... after 16 years of being teased by your mother of how big your crush was on this person, you tell her that he's still as energetic and as cute as you thought he was back then?

... after 16 years of longing to meet this person, your client's partner company decides to enlist his services for a major event--which you will have to attend?

... after seeing your long-time crush/idol, you faint and had to be rushed home because of anemia and dehydration?

the price we have to pay. i'm seeing a doctor tomorrow.

How my Dad became human again

2006-04-19T13:47:00.000+08:00

my dad's younger brother died of lung cancer this past Easter Sunday.

my dad was the "all-responsible" one being the first-born child. This brother came after him. my dad was quiet and very calm about it being the person that he is. he was very straightforward when he told us the sad news via phone call last Sunday after Mom and I came from mass. He told us that they [the whole family] was ready for whatever the Lord had in store for my tito.

Coming back from the Easter break last Monday, I was so busy running around in the office like a headless chicken until my dad called. His voice sounded somber and his tone lower than usual. I could tell he was sad, but I didn't know to which extent. Mom told me later in the day that after almost a year of knowing his brother was on the brink of being with the Lord again, my Dad cried it all out. It finally struck him that ANYONE--regardless of age, gender, status, etc., could be returned to the Lord in an instant. My dad's in his 70's, if any of you might wonder.

That was both a spectacle and a miracle for me--because he wasn't the perfect father to me. I was never open to the possibility that he would get hurt, because in my head, he is what we Filipinos call "tuod," meaning stiff. He's been a father only once and of course, he's trying to make up for the past two decades trying to prove himself to me. But I never gave him the chance. Well, there was one opportunity where I found myself being a daughter and having a REAL father--but he somehow became too comfortable and messed things up. For as long as I could remember, my grandfather was the only father figure I have known. Needless to say, I didn't recognize the fact that my biological father was knocking hard on my door. I was and, to some point, still am not the world's most perfect daughter.

Though I didn't know my uncle at all, all I know is he opened up that well of sadness inside my father. And having to have poured all that out makes me happy for my dad. Now I know he gets hurt when I don't talk to him, when I don't return his calls, or if I insist on passing the phone to my mother when he calls home.

That's how my dad, the other R in my life, became human again.

new outlet

2006-04-17T12:04:00.000+08:00

Happy Easter everyone!

with a new Eucharistic year ahead, I decided to revive my other outlet. make that link a-clicky.

money, money, money (money!)

2006-04-05T11:13:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: Pretty Baby by Vanessa Carlton
mood: no rest for the restless

i've been on an eBay shopping spree for the last two weeks and now tht i'm looking at my receipts, I actually spent close to 9K in my transactions. I know this is so unbecoming of me, being one of a saver more of a spender, but hey, can't a girl have a little fun? and by the way, all of the items I bought are RELEVANT and NEEDS for me.

but i swear that'd be the last slew of eBay purchases for me. Have to save up for my studies in Cardiff, you know. And I'll have to apply for an International Student Account at HSBC--which is so convenient because there's a branch inside the campus itself, loads of student discounts and high savings interest rates. All I have to do now is wait for Mr. Postman to give me the hard copies of the documents I need to fill up.

sometimes when things get rough here in the office, I often think of getting out since I'll be leaving anyway. but that's not cool at all. I wanna do so much more, not to mention the fact that I need some more cash to save for my studies abroad.

and this is all possible because of The Big Boss. mom always said that when things are meant for you, He makes things hassle-free and relatively easy. So call me a Pharisee, but Thank You Lord for this chance. This is for YOU.

palangging-ging

2006-03-30T17:25:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
mood: alright, but the coughing is driving me nuts!

Palangga is the Ilonggo word for "mahal". It's a term of endearment for people who are already sweet (i'm serious, you wouldn't know Ilonggos are cursing unless you understand the dialect). i'm just happy to share some pictures of my palangging-ging, which is a cuter version of palangga. I also call her my pangging, my palangga-kulot, and my Ayonic palangga.

here are some pictures from my cousin's recognition day yesterday. unfortunately, i was down with the colds and on the brink of a fever--not to mention some last minute client meetings--so i begged off. she graduated Top 4 in her Kindergarten Class, with an award for being the Most Diligent. I would've given her more than those awards, but hey, I'm biased.

she's so pretty and all grown up in her pictures. i'm feeling pretty proud that she's growing up to be a smart young girl and a looker too! felt as though she was only born a couple of years ago and my uncle was rushing to the Cabanatuan Hospital because his wife gave birth already.

i mean, isn't she just adorable?

i wonder how big she'll be when i come back from Wales next year. Goodness!

Love this little adorable monster. She reminds me of myself. Only with more spunk and attitude. She's gonna be a heartbreaker. I know it.

a third of the way there

2006-03-27T08:28:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: Ocean Drive by Lighthouse Family
mood: alright... for a monday

Dear Kristine,

Here is your horoscope for Monday, March 27:

You have so much enthusiasm; take advantage of it. A part of you may want to suppress this energy as being ridiculous or unrealistic, but that's far from the case. Acknowledge your gifts; use them.

Went to the concert of the Philippine Madrigal Singers last night with R. Although I admit the program was quite short and a bit different from what we were both expecting, we still had a good time. After a dinner of McD Chicken Nuggets and some sodas, we rushed off to the concert because traffic was just...argh. Nevertheless, I feel great now that I've spent time with R after two months of not being able to see each other.

I'm a third of the way of my going to Cardiff. I'm in, I'm in. We can borrow some money from some relatives and my dad said he'd help out. But sometimes I can't help but think that everything's going too fast. Like I'm living a mile a minute. I know I have to slow down sooner or later, but I know that the Lord wouldn't give me so much if He knew I couldn't do it. I'm doing and achieving a lot for someone my age, and it just blows me away when I stop and think about it. But I am nonetheless grateful and very happy I've been given this opportunity to learn more. For those of you who are very dear to me, and those who continue to pray with me, thank you very much for your faith. Words cannot express how happy I am. Although I will be missing out on our periodic meets, coffee breaks and dinners--especially your birthday parties--, I promise I won't really be that far. My heart, my family, my friends and my darling R are here. There's no reason for me to stay away long.

To my parents and my whole immediate family, thank you for giving me hope to make my dreams come true. I do this for all of us.

things you didn't know

2006-03-24T09:41:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: Save Me by Remy Zero
mood: feelin' like Chuck Norris

taken with my trusty Nokia 3230 phone camera during my trip last week to Cebu

Ten Things You Didn't Know About Me:

1. All my wristwatches are 10 minutes ahead of the real Manila time.
2. I've been nailbiting since I was in nursery. I stopped the bad habit last November.
3. Once I find a great pair of shoes, I wear them until they wear out.
4. I am a die-hard fan of Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Star Trek.
5. I only use my glasses when I'm reading or in front of a computer. I think I'm 75:75 now or higher.
6. I stopped drinking sodas/carbonated drinks last August.
7. I can never get enough of Mentos Mints or Biscocho Haus Barquillos.
8. I am half-Ilongga, half-Ibanag. But I don't speak the dialect of the latter.
9. I have only been to Baguio, La Union, Pangasinan, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Iloilo, Guimaras, Antique, Boracay (Aklan), Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro among the thousands of wonderful provinces in the country.
10. I have two birth certificates--one with my seven initial first names, the other with my first two names.

Ayos!

2006-03-23T08:41:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: Nessun Dorma by Luciano Pavarotti
mood: meeting na naman

Dear Kristine,

Here is your horoscope for Thursday, March 23:

You've now come full circle, and you can finally see why you had to experience everything that you did. You wouldn't be able to be so compassionate and wise if you hadn't. Thank your lucky stars.

Plugging: The Philippine Madrigal Singers will be having a concert at the CCP Little Theater this Saturday and Sunday. Please send me a message for more details and for ticket reservations.

what could be in store?

2006-03-22T08:54:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: Let Me Fall from Cirque Du Soleil
mood: Wednesday pa lang?!

March 22, 2006

You're always game to meet someone new and unusual -- as long as they're interesting, and, more importantly, fun. The universe has decided to afford you with all that and more right now, so prepare yourself for some wonderful diversions. Different, interesting people are due to come your way, not just today, when the fun will officially start, but for the next several weeks. Better take your vitamins faithfully. You'll need to keep up any way you can -- and you know you feel like you're missing something if you sleep for more than a few hours.

oh yes

2006-03-20T16:58:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: The Great Pretender by The Platters
mood: okay, for a monday.

Back from my "lunch" in Cebu with one of my clients. Was so tired when we landed last Friday afternoon, I slept like a baby the moment I got home.

Since summer's here, I'm scheduling a shopping spree for myself this coming Friday or Thursday afternoon. Figured I deserve to reward myself every so often. And, since my figure is nearing it's past state (read: back to being voluptuous, not svelte), I want to take advantage of the time when I can fit into a bikini and not be afraid of anything jiggling out of place.

The Usual Suspects and I are already planning our summer getaways. We're down to Tagaytay (hiking along Taal Volcano), Batangas (wakeboarding), and Pampanga (hiking at Mt. Pinatubo). If it were up to me, I'd want to go to Palawan, Bohol and Iloilo (where more than half of my relatives are).

I recently got a bonus from my 2005 year-end evaluation. Yehey! Money to burn--kidding! It feels really good to be compensated every so often because of the quality and the value of your work. It's additional motivation too. Well, the only area I need to improve on is a physical area--my desk. It's a mess. It's been a habit of mine to work in a cluttered atmosphere, although that doesn't shouldn't be the case since I'm a mngr now. I've been a mngr since November and it would've been really nice if there was someone for me to manage. Yup, it's possible, the mngr with no one to manage.

budgets, schmudgets. if this company relies on me too much, i might leave them hanging when i go to school in September.

*sigh* all this summer talk is making me sleepy...

still charmed

2006-03-16T16:45:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: Later by Fra Lippo Lippi
mood: hmmmm.... lemme get back to you on that.

I've seen the first episode of Charmed and haven't missed an episode to this very day. It's now up there beside Star Trek: Voyager and CSI as one of the hardly-ever missed shows in my life so far.

So it was pretty tough when the show had to say goodbye to one of their own:

Leo Wyatt (1999-2005)

He started off in the show as the neighborhood plumber Leo who falls in love with middle sister Piper. Little did they know he was their guardian (in Charmed speak, a whitelighter.) When he became human again last season, it practically spelled the end for his character. But I must admit that I was teary-eyed with all their speeches last night. *iyak!*

Anyway, it's interesting to note that last night's episode was directed by LeVar Burton, otherwise known as:

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge of the Starship Enterprise

Once a trekkie, always a trekkie.

forecasts on last night's Idol

2006-03-16T11:56:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: The Winner Takes It All by ABBA
mood: neutral

I think she was really brilliant last night. She mixed up the song to suit her voice better. Witty girl. Further to Mike's past comments, I am getting disturbed with Taylor Hicks' dancing style. Although i agree with what Randy said last night that all his experience singing at night clubs and bars finally paid off. That guy can really perform. I would have wanted Taylor to sing either Superstition (I didn't understand a word Bucky sang--and I hate the Jessica Simpson hairstyle last night. One word: Ponytail.) or Signed, Sealed, Delivered (although Lisa did a pretty good job).

my bottom three for tonight:

Chicken Little, Ace, and Melissa.

but i'm feeling Kevin will survive tonight. Just because he has the "likeability factor" that would attract grandmas and grandpas all over the U.S.

kaput

2006-03-15T09:28:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: Quando, Quando, Quando by Michael Bublé and Nelly Furtado
mood: somber and still asleep in the head

goodness, i've been up since 6:00 AM and i think my battery's gonna go kaput by 2 PM today. oh Lord, give me the strength to stay up today.

i'm supposed to go to Cebu this Friday for a media interface of one of our Clients. Weird, really. I don't have a ticket yet, I was only informed yesterday that I was going--alone, and my supers don't have a paper trail that we're even required to join them. of course, it's SOP that one of us in the PR Agency come along because we're the bantay, but still. Some people must be really satisfied by whatever "rush" they get out of doing this at the very last minute. It's just not how i work.

*voice in my head says "Be patient, learn and just do what you do best."*

Ugh.

Oh come on, I wanted to wear jeans this Friday....

doh[pe]!

2006-03-14T18:38:00.000+08:00

You Are Homer Simpson

You're just an ordinary, all-American working Joe... With a special fondness for pork rinds and donuts.
You will be remembered for: your little "isms" and philosophies on life
Your life philosophy: "Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals ... except the weasel."

The Simpsons Personality Test

she said it first

2006-03-14T09:39:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: Tonns with Rain by Stomp
mood: upbeat inside but lazy outside

the great wise Z said it first:

Of course, everything ends well. Homer says that without Marge, he feels like David Spade without Chris Farley. Meanwhile, Marge says "you aren't perfect, Homey. But you have a good side, and that's what i see most of the time."

ditto. much much ditto.

(right arm reaches for roll of tissue)
dammit.

nothing less

2006-03-13T16:02:00.000+08:00

song in my head: Not For Sale by Tina Arena
mood: in limbo but in love

thank you, R. you gave me the most valuable wake-up call of my life.
you just reminded me of a very important thing today. i really appreciate your way of doing so.
one of the many reasons why i love you.
trust that.

Even if all my dreams should come true
Or even if I should fail
I gave you a promise, so don't you worry
This soul is not for sale.

I'll be home soon, R. promise. love you.
you are special always and loved for all time.

so?

2006-03-10T19:22:00.000+08:00

The Movie Of Your Life Is An Indie Flick

You do things your own way - and it's made for colorful times.
Your life hasn't turned out how anyone expected, thank goodness!

Your best movie matches: Clerks, Garden State, Napoleon Dynamite

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

Your Love Element Is Metal

In love, you inspire and respect your partner.
For you, love is all about fusing together for one incredible life experience.

You attract others with wit and a bit of flash.
Your flirting style is defined by making others want and value you.

Greatness and optimism are the cornerstones of your love life.
You may let go too easily, but you never get weighed down by your past.

You connect best with: Earth

Avoid: Fire

You and another Metal element: will control and smother each other

What Element Is Your Love?

these too shall pass...

2006-03-09T09:11:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: The Space Between by Dave Matthews Band
mood: good vibes all around

nobody will ruin my day today. i won't let them. if i feel bad, it's because i let them make me feel that way.

for now, special thanks to Ejay for sending over these pictures yesterday:

love my gurls. and this is just half of us.

oh shush, i'm gaining weight already, okay?!

You Are The Chariot

You represent a difficult battle, and a well-deserved victory.
You tend to struggle to get what you want, both internally and externally.
You excel at controlling opposing forces, getting down the same path.
In the end, you bring glory and success - using pure will to move forward.

Your fortune:

There is great conflict in your life right now, either with yourself or others.
You must find a solution to this conflict, which is likely to be a "middle road" between the two forces.
You posses the skills to triumph over these struggles, as long as your will is strong.
You are transforming your inner self, building a better foundation for future successes.

What Tarot Card Are You?

gotta put it out

2006-03-08T18:23:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: Firewoman by Hungry Young Poets (or were they already Barbie's Cradle?)
mood: ready to go home

I knew it was going to happen. the moment i confirmed it i shed a couple of tears and ran to my immediate for help. ah... the power of email and how it serves as legal documents. =) love the way it spites you at the back of your head. that's why I try to be formal in my emails to clients as much as possible. and turn on your spell-check before sending emails out. you may never know what happens....

event i was ranting about was moved to Friday. one day breathing time, well i have another meeting tomorrow so it's not much. but it's better this way, methinks so.

so I'm good, I'm fine. For now. All this stress might just move my period a week or two. shucks. yes people, I do have the monthly period like all other females. speaking of which, today's International Women's Day--and March is International Women's Month.

hmmmm... no wonder Fire Prevention month here in the PH is dated March as well.

Your Element is Fire

Your power color: red

Your energy: hot

Your season: spring

Like a fire, you are full of power and light.
A born leader, you easily draw people toward you.

You are full of courage and usually up for anything dangerous.

You have a huge ego and love to be the center of attention.

What Element Are You?

sending out an SOS

2006-03-08T08:36:00.000+08:00

song on my iPod: Windmills of Your Mind by Sting
mood: fine but could be better

talked to my mother last night on our way home concerning the finances to be incurred and our (rather my) options for studying in the UK. for the two or three of you who read this blog, you may have known by now that I've been accepted by the two universities I'm eyeing for my Master's.

we've discussed our options and we hope you could join us in praying for other ways.

now it's my mother's voice in my head: "If it's really for you, the Lord will make it easy no matter the number of challenges you face. If it's yours, He'll give it to you. If you want it, pray and work for it."

Yup, I'm betting my lucky numbers at the Lotto starting today. No Joke.

when to give a rat's @$$

2006-03-07T18:43:00.000+08:00

songs on my iPod: Autobiography by Ashlee Simpson and Do You Sleep by Lisa Loeb
mood: sedated. for now.

i have an event on Thursday that has been completely screwed up. no money, press release is still pending. briefing document is still pending and it's driving me nuts.

Great. One workday to go.

But sometimes it's easier to just let things be, inasmuch as you want things done your way. there are just sometimes that perhaps fate or a stronger power taps you in the back to say, "You can't control everything. Nobody wins them all."

That's just it. I want to win IT all. I want to get things done. But the bottomline is, this is completely out of my hands. The best thing to do now is to keep my eyes peeled, pray for something miraculous to happen, and just to what I do best in my line of work.

It's not surrender, it's acceptance. Wonder why it seems so hard for people who are so Type A (like me) to let things go.

Oh well, here goes...

Oh, and before I forget, I now have an effective and fool-proof remedy for my sleepless nights. Believe it or not, I take my vitamins at night. After around 30 minutes of finding my sleeping position, plakda ako on my bed and I wake up the morning after--no interruptions! I'm so loving Revicon Forte right now. =)

in need of sleep

2006-03-06T16:55:00.000+08:00

haven't been sleeping well lately, i wonder why.

today's gonna be the first day of LOST, and it'll have a two-hour season premiere. dang it. I wanted to sleep pa naman sana.

what's up in my world? nothing much, really. my life now is me treading the line between living the life in the office, and thinking of what my life would be come September. All the visa requirements, and other important stuff are running through my head. And I have a deadline to confirm with the university of my choice.

i wish things were easier. I wish people were better to deal with. i wish I had a break because i'm so tired of work, it's not even a burn out. I'm currently being burned to a crisp--not well done, but overcooked.

somebody give me a sleeping pill quick!

Your Aura is Purple

Your Personality: You're a dreamer and visionary. You believe you were put on this earth to do something great.

You in Love: You're very passionate but often too busy for love. You need a man who sees your vision and adopts it as his own.

Your Career: You need a job that helps you make a difference. You have a bright future as a guru, politician, teacher, or musician.

What Color Is Your Aura?

mababaliw na naman ako!

2006-03-03T19:38:00.000+08:00

Lunes na, Lunes na....

Oh. And thank you for your prayers because I also got an unconditional offer from this university.

fill 'er up

2006-03-01T13:49:00.000+08:00

I've been sincerely hooked on this since one of my officemates introduced me to it. My green iPod mini is literally scraps away from being kaput/full.

hope you get addicted too. =) just be safe in terms of your firewall settings and securing your anti-virus/anri-malware apps.

this one is pretty trivial, really. but i'd appreciate it if you can just put in your comments and contribute. just asking for your PhP 0.02, really. =)

Presenting... Political Podcast

2006-02-28T16:22:00.000+08:00

He was my professor at DLSU in the only three-hour subject (6-9 PM) I had throughout my academic experience, and one of my favorite subjects--International Law.

In his subject, I spent quite an amount of money photocopying legal documents and cases for review during class, as well as long hours of reading and note-taking in preparation for recitation and reporting. His final exam, I would like to say, was the longest two and a half hours I've spent sitting down in a Miguel Building classroom.

My perception of him was a cool and steady person inside the classroom, more of a professor who is more in favor of collaborating with his students in terms of ideas and concepts in class rather than the traditional lecture.

Looking back, I feel proud and honored to be one of his many students.

He is notably one of the most brilliant minds in the country, since his days in college as a student leader, and now a constant figure in opposing corruption in the government.

Listen to Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism's Yvonne T. Chua interview Jose Luis Martin "Chito" Gascon.

regal!

2006-02-28T15:26:00.000+08:00

Your Candy Heart Says "First Kiss"

You're a true romantic who brings an innocent hope to each new relationship.
You see the good in every person you date, and you relish each step of falling in love.

Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a romantic dinner your sweetie cooks for you

Your flirting style: friendly and sweet

What turns you off: cynics who don't believe in romance

Why you're hot: you always keep the romance alive

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

-----

this is so cute. she sent me this via email and here's what I got.

i'm regal, baby! the women are so pretty, and witty--the men are somewhat so, so... but it's fun!

ok.... less than expected but hey...

2006-02-27T18:04:00.000+08:00

Congratulations, Kristine!Your IQ score is 124!

This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others. Your Intellectual Type is Word Warrior. This means you have exceptional verbal skills. You can easily make sense of complex issues and take an unusually creative approach to solving problems. Your strengths also make you a visionary. Even without trying you're able to come up with lots of new and creative ideas. And that's just a small part of what we know about you from your test results.

Click here to see if you're subject to online judgment (as most of us really are).

Nobody ruin my Mother's birthday!

2006-02-24T11:12:00.000+08:00

yeah, she was born on Feb. 25. she had always celebrated her birthday with the family, meaning ME, and she usually celebrates it in peace.

this year, she will be working on her birthday at one of her many sidelines. she'll be out the whole day and will probably be back by nighttime and fall asleep on the couch. i'm gonna treat her to the spa for a much-needed massage session. That's my gift to her, at least, one of the many gifts I plan to give her anyway.

yup. 22 years later, she now celebrates her birthday with a daughter, who's now able to help her out with the expenses at home, but still the same government.

but still. i will not let anyone ruin my mother's birthday.

BZ's birthday party

2006-02-20T17:49:00.000+08:00

*photos courtesy of Brian S. and Sarahwarah

stick a fork in me, i'm done

2006-02-16T18:38:00.000+08:00

i have an event on Tuesday and i am officially TIRED.

finally bought a gift for the Bubble Zipper... without leaving my seat at the office (no wonder tha ass is gettin huge...)

due to the continued stress, lack of food and sleep, i continue to lose weight. this is supposedly good for me, but when my immediate super told me that "the people in the office are talking" about my weight loss, i brushed it aside. instead, i reasoned out a heavy dinner (which I do eat EVERYDAY). i've never been this "flat" since college. as in wow...

my body's catching up with me and the fatigue keeps on whacking me in the head every 10 minutes. dang it, i might get tipsy the first shot of tequila I take on BZ's birthday party on Saturday. i can almost see The S. O. raising his eyebrows.....

found a new clique in the office. we call them the Thundercats because they're supposedly the "older ones." They're my "Dial the Intercom for Comfort" group nowadays. They are, as well as the other people in the office, blessings--even though most of us disagree with one another. at least that's a sign of a semi-healthy working environment.

i am grateful that despite all the challenges here at work, I get to go home to a wonderful mother, a comforting bed, a loving S. O., and a warm meal--all of which, the Lord provides. so this little, although very meaningful, paragraph is dedicated to Him.

even though my body is screaming for rest, I somehow have the weight of the world on my shoulders (don't ask, por favor) and I cannot let it go, but I'm starting to learn. Effective task delegation and efficient time management--that's what sets me apart from the other former employees in this company, according to my super's recommendation-- are my key skills. they come natural to me somehow.

However, I am relieved of some of my paranoia-anxiety-and-panic attacks I've gone through so far in my career. My bosses would calm me down saying that the matters I think of aren't that important nor urgent. Lesson learned, lesson completed.

more blogthings...

2006-02-13T11:24:00.000+08:00

Your Celebrity Style Twin is Paris Hilton

Sassy, sexy, and totally hot!

Who's Your Celebrity Style Twin?

---

You Are Artemis!

Brave, and a natural born leader.
You're willing to fight for what you believe in...
And willing to make tough decisions.
Don't forget - the people around you have ideas too!

What Goddess Are You?

---

Your Perfume is Glow

Fresh, sexy, and clean.

You're real, intimate, and exciting.

Your lush sensuality appeals to men...

And you're as sexy as Jennifer Lopez.

Power scents: Orange flower, grapefruit, and citrus.

What Perfume Are You?

what is it with valentine's day?

2006-02-13T09:28:00.000+08:00

i dunno if this is just the cynic in me that's talking, but I'd like to know what the hey is up with Valentine's Day? what's with the Lovapaloozas, the flowers, chocolates and the otherlovey-lovey treats a person have to give another whom he/she admires to the extent of loving him/her? i dunno, i never understood it.

most of the time, I saw it as a bunch of people celebrating the feast of St. Valentine, who was killed because of his love for the Lord. oftentimes, i saw it as an excuse for most people to either get laid, get flowers, be given chocolates and gifts, and all of that yucky-love stuff.

i guess, in one way, this is a challenge for all the men who are, in and will be in my life. i honestly am brave enough to say I still have to be swept off my feet and spend the rest of the day/week/month swooning about it. Yes, I've received flowers before, and special gifts, but none of them really say "I Love You" to me the way I want them to. I appreciate the thoughts and the efforts that were put into giving me those presents, for Valentine's, my birthday, anniversaries, and wala lang moments, don't get me wrong. I just think there's something missing...

and i don't know what the heck it is.

from the grammys (with captions!)

2006-02-10T18:05:00.000+08:00

i do not know how she does it.

there's a Beatle in the house!

trumpin' Golddiggers in marching band outfits!

she sure packs a lot... OF AWARDS! Mimi has been emancipated!

here's a classic example of how dreams DO come true.

and here's U2, teaching the crowd to "Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," while Bono fights against poverty and for world peace. Love 'em Irish lads, eh?

*all photos courtesy of New York Times' gallery.

random thoughts on a Tuesday afternoon

2006-02-07T15:31:00.000+08:00

am booooored.

2006-02-06T09:55:00.000+08:00

10 FAVORITES:
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Food: Paksiw na pata
Favorite Month: June
Favorite Song: "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong
Favorite Sport: Soccer forever.
Favorite Season: summer.
Favorite Day Of the Week: Wednesday
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Fruits-In-Ice Cream's Sugar-Free Mixed Berries
Favorite Time of Day: 4 PM.
Favorite Feature on the Opposite Sex: Eyes

9 CURRENTS:
Current Mood: Busy
Current Taste: Water tastes good, and I'm on the lookout for the perfect pair of skinny jeans!
Current Clothes: Orange woven jersey-style sleeveless top, denim pants, Janylin stilletos and undies, of course.
Current Desktop: a Fire-eater
Current Toenail Color: I just clean them. I don't like putting color on my toenails.
Current Time: 10:58 am
Current Surroundings: My office cubicle (that needs major feng shui)
Current Thoughts: "Must lose more weight."
Current Hair: Shoulder-length, back to my original curls. And I love it!

8 FIRSTS:
First Best Friend: Erin Molly (forgot her last name)
First Screen Name: (online) kyllah_18, (nickname) Pek
First Pet: Dog, her name was Vanilla Ice.
First Piercing: one on each ear.
First Crush: Gary Valenciano. promise! I was 4 years old.
First Car: a white Honda Civic 1998.
First Job: intern for the British Council's Arts and PR Unit
First Date: Forgot na...

7 LASTS:
Last Kiss: Jan. 19.
Last Drink: Water
Last Movie Seen: Underworld: Evolution
Last Phone Call: Air21 (for passport renewal)
Last CD Played: West Side Story--DVD version with Natalie Wood
Last TV show watched: Magandang Umaga Pilipinas
Last Person you talked to: Donna N., my temp.

6 HAVE YOU EVERS:
Have You Ever Dated One Of Your Best Guy/Girl Friends: No, that's freaking taboo!
Have You Ever Broken the Law: In my own sneaky way, yes.
Have You Ever Been Arrested: Nope. Don't plan to either.
Have You Ever Skinny Dipped: Yup.
Have You Ever Been on TV: Yup.
Have You Ever Kissed Someone: Of course, yes!

5 THINGS:
Things You're Wearing: Shirt, pants, stilletos, watch and ring
Things You've Done Today: reports, bug Clients, bosses and media, tried not to smoke
Things You Can Hear Right Now: People on the telephone.
Things You Can't Live Without: God, family, friends, music, Rob
Things You Do When You're Bored: Watch my VCDs, sleep, bother Rob, call my Lola and my cousin, work.

4 PLACES YOU'VE BEEN TODAY:
Home, Office, ATM machine nearby, MiniStop Aguirre

3 PEOPLE YOU CAN TELL ANYTHING TO:
The Lord, Mom, Macri

2 CHOICES:
Westminster or Cardiff?

1 THING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
Live my life without regrets.

thank you for reminding me

2006-02-06T09:27:00.000+08:00

Last Saturday, the other university I applied to finally responded to my emails. They told me to wait until the end of this month for news on my application. I went like, "It's only February 4!" But I remembered what my good friend (whom I haven't seen for a long time), Penny Lane, placed on her mantle as her mantra a few years back:

Patience is a virtue. Good things happen to those who wait.

And then I calmed down. The first university already replied to me twice via my emails. And my heart goes out to the Lord for giving me what I want. My mother always said, "If you want something, raise it up to the Lord. Ask for the specific things that you want." So I did. And thankfully, I'm at the starting line of making a new beginning.

Special thanks also go out to Bubble Surf-Zipper, Jungle Queen, Showroom Manager, and Bookworm for their prayers and support. You continue to cheer me on and push me towards what I want. Thank you.

for love of money

2006-02-04T10:42:00.000+08:00

i'm currently at a nearby Internet café writing this, as I listen to ABS-CBN journalist Julius Babao and Joey Villarama cover the horrifying turn of events during today's celebration of one of their top shows, Wowowee, which is celebrating its anniversaary. As of press time, there have been 61 casualties, mostly those who have been camping out the ULTRA complex since Wednesday, in the hopes of winning loads of money. This was the result of someone belligerently screaming "BOMBA!" ABS-CBN will be covering all medical and funeral expenses, according to the broadcast.

It's sad, but in a developing country such as ours, (let's face it) shows that give away money instantly are tantmount to carrots being dangled in front of a hungry group of rabbits, neigh, HARES! I feel pity, yet I wanna whack them people at the back of their heads--especially the person who yelled that scary word--and tell them, "What the hell were you thinking?" Then again, what would I have done given this opportunity?

What would you have done?

ground-hog day

2006-02-02T16:36:00.000+08:00

today's my 2nd anniversary in this PR Agency. i celebrated it with a media briefing at the Peninsula. Yes, I ate but took a dump later in the comfort room. I weighed myself this morning and i got a "voltage" value weight. very happy.

i happy.

that other university better answer soon...

a confession

2006-02-01T15:31:00.000+08:00

i weighed myself this morning. it read 113 lbs. darn it, i want to lose more. but i'm killing myself trying...

i can't seem to stop. and the thought of an intervention just blows me away. when they say, "are you ready to accept the help that is being offered to you today?" i will simply say, NO.

over the past two months, i've lost close to 10 lbs. and i can wear whatever i want. i'm a size S now at most stores. my waistline hasn't been this small (two days ago, i measured in at 33-25-35) since college.

i want more, i want more.

maybe this is one of my flaws--my insecurity about myself. I was raised thinking that my brains and demeanor would get me anywhere, but quoting Joan Rivers in one of her interviews with CNN's Richard Quest: "Beauty? Skin deep? No way. All you need is make-up, weight loss and a doctor." Or at least i think she said something like that.

before, i was just the "friend" in the group. i was the nice and brainy one. now, people actually turn their heads to get a second look at me. and every comment on my weight loss just adds to my self-esteem. i want to consult my mom, but it's complicated.

The S. O. already scolded me about this problem. And I just want to share it through my blog because i know that I have a problem. I acknowledge that fully. And I am serious when I say that I do not want to stop just yet. Somewhere, someone in the other or same side of the world is experiencing what I feel.

Now i know how you feel, Oprah. But don't send Dr. Phil at my door anytime soon.

the adventures of supercuracha in HKG (part deux)

2006-01-30T10:22:00.000+08:00

this was after the mile-long walk from the parking lot.

the family.

mom and moi at the railway station

feeling at home?

mahangin ba sa labas?

mom, Minnie Mouse and moi= malandi!

my childhood favorites!

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!!!

of course, i love the Princess Float. i was just overwhelmed when i saw this!

i actually cried when i saw this float. No joke.