The Deprived Kid from the South

MOVING AGAIN

2008-07-14T16:50:00.001+08:00

Yup, you read it right. I'll save the explanation for later. I'm still fixing it up but my new online home will be here.

TWO NEW HOMES

2008-05-17T18:44:00.001+08:00

As I've mentioned in my previous post, I'll be moving. You'll find my mommy stories here and all my random ramblings and whatnots here.

See you there :D

MOVING ON AND MOVING OUT

2008-05-08T10:19:00.005+08:00

Sometime last week, I was supposed to finally post an update when the computer went bonkers and froze. So my entire post was gone. And then I got lazy to do it all over again because it wouldn't sound the same anymore. (Oh, the post was saved pala :P)

So anyway, since I got pregnant, I've been planning on doing a baby blog. But for some reason, I never really got around to doing it.

But now that I'm mostly at home, I think it's the perfect time to catch up and post regularly. And I also decided to try a different host for a change. So just in case there are pretty personal posts, I can limit those to my friends :)

Watch out for me here: http://mom-oirs.livejournal.com :)

I won't take credit for that link. Saw that in BabyCenter.com :) Cute, no?

I might not post here anymore, but I'll keep this blog for the links. I've been here for four years already. I sometimes cringe when I read my really old posts. But everything that's written here has been part of my life. So it'll be good to look back now and then :)

To those who have been reading this blog, it's been great, though some of you I may not know :)

Now, I move on :)

CHANGES

2008-04-20T10:21:00.004+08:00

It's been AGES since I last wrote on this blog. I mean, really wrote. I used to post updates quite regularly. But I guess that was because I was glued to the computer for most of my waking hours and at least five times a week.

Things are different now, though. Very different.

I used to tell myself before that when I have my first child, if we could handle it financially, then I'd rather stay at home with him or her so I could be more hands on and our baby wouldn't grow up closer to the yaya compared to us. Well, at least I got that :) Though God knows that I would rather have a totally different situation. But then again, maybe it was His way of making me stay at home.

So now, I'm basically a full-time mommy (with the help of a yaya) and a part-time racketeer, doing freelance features writing and a couple other projects. Both to keep me busy and so we have supplemental income.

One of the things I really, really miss though is just being able to go out and be with my friends. I love my Matthew to bits; I really, really do :) But when you read all those books and sites, they'll tell you that you need time for yourself. Lest you want to slip into post-partum depression, which I thought I was going through several weeks back.

Having a baby changes absolutely everything.

You're now completely responsible for a life other than your own. Your patience is stretched to the absolute limit. If you think you're patient enough, try putting yourself in the shoes of someone who has to wake up several times during the night for feedings and then having a baby who's unable to go back to sleep. You'll seriously end up crying with the lack of sleep that you're getting as well. Add to that the other million things that you worry about constantly. In my case, a couple of things would have to be the finances (wait, who doesn't worry about that anyway?), which we have to be seriously managing because with Matthew's present condition, we always have to be ready; and the family not being together because Mark has to work abroad for now and we can't really be with him as much as we want to because Matthew's just not ready.

But what they say is true. Despite all the billion and one things that you worry about, day in and day out, one little smile from your baby washes all of those away, even for just a moment :) They don't care about money and other material things. Their lives are fairly simple. They eat, burp, pee/poop, sleep, and play. All they really need is someone who will love them unconditionally and who will take care of them.

And that is the most fulfilling job anyone will ever have :)

P.S.
If this post didn't make any sense or if my thoughts are jumpy, bear with me. It's my blog anyway :P

I'M BELLE!

2008-03-30T07:19:00.001+08:00

Nicked from Lynn, Kat, and Macy :)

Find Out Which Disney Girl You Are!
created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Belle

Dancing furniture, singing spoons, and a man who needs a serious haircut - sound familiar? Well it should! Belle was a very independent spirit with alot on her mind, much like you are! But in life, there is a needed balance - learn when to speak your mind, and when to hold it back. Sometimes offending someone isn't the best way to go!

Belle

83%

Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

75%

Snow White

71%

Tinkerbell

67%

Jane

63%

Esmerelda

63%

Pocahontas

63%

Jasmine

50%

Alice

46%

Cinderella

42%

Mulan

33%

Ariel

33%

Violet

29%

Megara

25%

THE YEAR THAT WAS

2008-02-23T12:35:00.000+08:00

I did this survey last year and the year before and I'm still doing it even if I'm a couple of months late :p Pictures to follow :)

==========

What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
[2007] Get pregnant, get married, and gave birth! :) Oh, and I've never had to be in a long-distance relationship before. It's tough, I tell you. It's really no joke. It takes a whole lot of trust and open lines of communication. You gotta learn to be creative with regard to expressing how you feel since you can't be physically together. Oh, and I got hospitalized too. Not that I did it on purpose, of course. I was admitted in the first week of May, if I remember correctly. Diagnosis: acute drug-induced gastritis. No, not that kind of drug! And yes, finally being able to go to Bora! Went with my family to celebrate my parents' 25th wedding anniversary :)

[2006] Resigned and said goodbye to dear friends from that office, did freelance writing for a couple of months, finally totally cut myself off from my past, learned how to completely and truly trusting someone, and went on my first out-of-town trip :)

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
[2007] Uh, I don't think I made any resolutions for the year...

[2006] Hmmm, let's see. I really didn't make a list of resolutions last year. But I remember that one of my goals is to finally travel...and I did! For my birthday :) And I also said that I'd figure out what I wanted to do career-wise...and I did too! Because come early next year, I'll be starting a new phase and taking on bigger responsibilities :)

Did anyone close to you give birth?
[2007] ME! And one of my good friends, Criselda, who gave birth in Dubai last October 13 to Noah. And EJ also, who gave birth to Preston Elijah. And Monica who gave birth to Santiago Andres last May 9. And my cousin, Marge, who gave birth to Nikki in October. BABY BOOM!

[2006] Nope, none.

Did anyone close to you die?
[2007] Nope, no one.
[2006] None too.

What countries did you visit?
[2007] None. I wasn't really allowed to travel anyway. And I won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Perhaps in a couple of years, I'll have a different answer to this question :p

[2006] None. I'm hoping that I'd get to go out of the country next year ;) That's one of our plans.

What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
[2007] Financial stability, lots of work opportunities (especially since I just recently resigned and now officially a WAHM or work-at-home mom), time managements skills so I can spend as much time as possible with our growing little boy and at the same time work on projects and spend time for myself :)

[2006] Still everything on my gadget wish list and more opportunities to travel! And I'd love to have a kick-ass magazine ;)

What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
[2007] May 16, when I found out I was pregnant. July 10, when I found out we were having a baby boy, which is what we really wanted :) December 5, when Mark and I got legally married. December 19, when I finally gave birth to our little angel, Matthew Benjamin :)

[2006] Oh, a specific date? LOTS! But off the top of my head, it would have to be the December 24. I had Christmas lunch with his family, then went home to hear Mass with mine, and then waited for Noche Buena. I just had my best Christmas EVER this year :)

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
[2007] Being able to go through that devastating time when my promotion was actually cancelled, still staying smoke-free (almost a year and a half already!), being in a long-distance relationship, and carrying my son for 40 weeks! :)

[2006] My promotion!!! :) Oh, and I finally, FINALLY quit smoking. It's been four months already! Yaaay! :)

What was your biggest failure?
[2007] Gaining TONS of weight while I was pregnant! I have to lose all of this baby weight this year...

[2006] Hmmm. Letting my emotions get the best of me. I can be really impatient and short-tempered, and those do nothing for any relationship.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
[2007] During my first trimester, when I didn't know I was pregnant already, I had allergic reactions to the summer heat, slight urinary tract infection, and acute drug-induced gastritis! No, not because of that kind of drug, silly. Because of all the meds that were given to me previously. Then, I almost had gestational diabetes in my second trimester. And after I finally gave birth, I had post-pregnancy eclampsia.

[2006] I got sick sometime in September. But thanks to that, I got started on quitting smoking :)

What was the best thing you bought?
[2007] A home pregnancy test :)
[2006] Not really a tangible thing. But our mini vacations were just the best :)

Whose behavior merited celebration?
[2007] Mark, for the way he handled being away from his family and friends, being away from me while I was pregnant with his son. My parents, his parents...basically both our families, for taking good care of me while I was with their first grandchild and nephew :)

[2006] No answer.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
[2007] A certain someone, who need not be mentioned. I can't believe how scheming some people can get. Well, I do. And I know how people can lie to your face. Because I used to do both. But did she really thing I wouldn't find out? Did she think that I would just accept whatever what was thrown to me and not get to the bottom of everything? She clearly underestimated me.

[2006] No answer.

Where did most of your money go?
[2007] Pre-natal check-ups and examinations, pre-natal vitamins, maternity clothes, baby items, and the delivery itself!

[2006] Gas, toll, parking, and a few mini vacations :D

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
[2007] Giving birth to our baby boy and finally seeing Mark after eight long months! :) Oh, and finally going to Bora!

[2006] Both our birthdays! :) And our first Christmas together. And New Year's!

What song(s) will always remind you of 2007?
[2007] Anything from the Baby Einstein albums :)

[2006] Brighter Than Sunshine by Aqualung and Safe by Bonnie Bailey.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
[2007]
i. happier or sadder? HAPPIER most definitely! :)
ii. thinner or fatter? Definitely FATTER! :( But just wait 'til I get my pre-pregnancy body back...
iii. richer or poorer? Uh, poorer financially because of a few hospitalizations we had to go through. But definitely richer in terms of everything else :)

[2006]
i. happier or sadder? HAPPIER!!! :)
ii. thinner or fatter? I'd like to believe thinner, even by just a tiny bit :p
iii. richer or poorer? Ummm, richer?

What do you wish you'd done more?
[2007] I wish I controlled myself more so I didn't gain so much weight! But you know what's really ironic? I was actually watching what I was eating, and would just give in to cravings once in a while!

[2006] I wish I'd saved up some more so we could've gone on more trips! :)

What do you wish you'd done less of?
[2007] Same answer as last year: less eating!
[2006] Uh, less pigging out? Hehehe :p

What was your favorite TV program?
[2007] Still Amazing Race Asia, CSI, Tyra, Oprah, Grey's Anatomy, The OC, One Tree Hill, Gilmore Girls (reruns on Studio 23!)

[2006] Amazing Race Asia! And CSI, Tyra, The OC, One Tree Hill...

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
[2007] There's one particular person. But I try not to hate. I still don't talk to her though.

[2006] A handful of people come to mind. But honestly, I'd rather not waste my time on hating them. I've got my own life to live :)

What was the best book you read?
[2007] Oh, hmmm. The 7th in the Harry Potter series! :)
[2006] Still reading it. Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps :)

What was your greatest musical discovery?
[2007] Baby Einstein :p
[2006] More house music? ;)

What did you want and not get?
[2007] I wanted to give birth the natural way...vaginal delivery with no anesthesia. But because I was oligohydramnios (had low amniotic fluid levels), I had to undergo a cesarean operation.

[2006] Still the stuff on my gadget wish list :p And yes, I've got 2007 to make up for it. And at least I got to go on my first out-of-town trip! I wouldn't trade any gadget for that :)

What was your favorite film of this year?
[2007] The entire time that Mark wasn't here, I only watched TWO movies! Norbit with Mau and Tris, on the day that we brought Mark to the airport. And Harry Potter 5 with my siblings.

[2006] Happy Feet! Need I say more?

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
[2007] Turned 25, and spent the day at the hospital! :p Mark surprised me with flowers and balloons at midnight, then we had cake that was left over from the hospital dinner. We spent the day trying to get me discharged, so I could at least be at home for the remainder of the day.

[2006] I went on an early birthday leave and spent my time on the beach :) I'll save my kwento. I haven't had the chance to do my birthday-at-the-beach post :p Then I had dinner with the family at Red Crab in Alabang.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
[2007] Nothing could be more satisfying than giving birth to your first child :)

[2006] More time! This year, I seriously felt that I can never have enough time on my hands, both for work and for myself.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
[2007] Maternal! Still comfort before style.
[2006] Still the same as last year's :p

What kept you sane?
[2007] My growing little angel inside my tummy :)

[2006] Or rather WHO kept me sane. Our late-afternoon merienda breaks with long relaxed walks around the busy Ortigas area really helps us unwind and de-stress, especially when we're having one of those days at work :)

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
[2007] Oh gosh, I don't think I paid attention to any celebrity that much.
[2006] Oh, hmmm. None really.

What political issue stirred you the most?
[2007] None again. I think it's safe to say that I'm quite apathetic.
[2006] None.

Who did you miss?
[2007] Who else?! Mark, of course! After seeing each other at least five days a week, having lunch and late-afternoon merienda together, going out on weekends, it's tough having to be in a long-distance relationship, especially when you find out you're pregnant and all you want is for both of you to experience everything together.

[2006] My girls. I haven't been able to spend as much time with them as I would've wanted.

Who was the best new person you met?
[2007] Matthew Benjamin Villareal Caidic :)
[2006] Do I even have to say who? ;)

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
[2007] You're never really ready to become a parent. You'll only truly understand your mother when you become one yourself. And most importantly, the love you'll feel for your child is the most consuming. You'd want the world to be a whole lot better of a place to live in. You want to make sure they're okay. And you'd do everything you can to protect them.

[2006] We're human and we make mistakes. But what's important is that you learn from them.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself?
[2007] That I'm going to be a great mom :)
[2006] You're my inspiration, babe :)

The most touching experience you've had this year?
[2007] There was one night in February when I was being my psychotic self and just got angry at him for something really petty. But we ended up patching things up and talking it out. We had to be ready to take that pretty big step of being apart from each other.

[2006] That night when we poured our heart out to each other. We promised we'd be completely honest. And because we wanted to let it all out, we did, despite how much it really hurt both of us.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
[2007] I've taken a few more big steps, and I learned to become more selfless, putting the needs of my husband and my child before me. And I've also learned how to handle money more wisely :)

[2006] I took a few really big steps this year, and I'm more honest and more trusting than ever.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
[2007] Hmmm. Hate's such a strong word. I guess I didn't like that I gained a whole lot of weight? I'll add to this when something else comes to mind :p
[2006] No answer.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
[2007] "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are grey. You'll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away." :)

[2006] "My heart was broke, my head was sore, what a feeling. Tied up in ancient history, I didn't believe in destiny, I look up you're standing next to me, what a feeling. What a feeling in my soul, love burns brighter than sunshine, brighter than sunshine. Let the rain fall, I don't care. I'm yours and suddenly you're mine, suddenly you're mine. And it's brighter than sunshine. I never saw it happening. I'd given up and given in. I just couldn't take the hurt again, what a feeling. I didn't have the strength to fight. But suddenly you seemed so right. Me and you, what a feeling." --Aqualung's Brighter Than Sunshine

Was 2007 a good year for you?
[2007] The best year by far :)
[2006] HELL YES!!! :)

What was your favorite moment of the year?
[2007] Just one? When I finally heard my son cry while I was lying down in the Operating Room :)
[2006] No answer.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
[2007] When my ob-gyne told me that I had to undergo a cesarean operation. I think my heart rate doubled!
[2006] No answer.

Where were you when 2007 began?
[2007] Again, at home :)
[2006] At home still.

Who were you with?
[2007] My family.
[2006] My family.

Where will you be when 2007 ends?
[2007] Supposed to be at home. But I ended up at the Emergency Room of Makati Medical Center with my parents, Kri, and my Matthew.

[2006] At home. We always spend New Year's at home :)

Who will you be with when 2007 ends?
[2007] I'm usually with my whole family. But this time, we had to "celebrate" New Year's separately.

[2006] My family. It was our craziest New Year's celebration to date! :p

Do you have a New Year's Resolution for 2008?
[2007] I'll definitely do my best to be more money-wise, especially since I'm a wife and mother now. And I'll spend as much of my time with my baby as possible :)
[2006] To travel some more! :)

What was your favorite month of 2007?
[2007] December!!! :D
[2006] December :D November comes a close second ;)

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2007?
[2007] Nope.

[2006] I finally let go of certain people from my past. I'm done. I had my fun already, and now it's time to move on.

Did you miss anybody in the past year?
[2007] I missed Mark terribly. It's amazing how we were able to go through most of the year apart :)

[2006] My girls! Last time I saw them was in May when three of them celebrated their birthdays. And my girls from my old office. I'm most definitely gonna spend more time with them this coming year.

What was your favorite record from 2007?
[2007] Hed Kandi and Baby Einstein :)
[2006] Still Hed Kandi :)

How many concerts did you see in 2007?
[2007] None. It wouldn't be fair to bombard my son in my tummy with really loud music :)

[2006] Are house parties considered as concerts? If then, there's Hed Kandi in March, Kaskade in April, and Defected in the House at the start of December :)

Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2007?
[2007] Nope, nope, nope! Can't have even just a drop when you're pregnant :)

[2006] Surprisingly, not that much. Maybe that's why I got really hit at Defected when I only had two Vodka 7s. TWO!

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
[2007] None :)
[2006] No answer.

How much money did you spend in 2007?
[2007] Oh my, I don't even want to know! I'd just rather not say.

[2006] I don't really compute what I spend. I think I should start doing that next year. But even if I spent way more than last year, it was most definitely well spent :)

What was your proudest moment of 2007?
[2007] I was proud of being a mom! :)

[2006] September 1 when I had my last stick of yosi and December 12 when I found out about my promotion :D

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2007?
[2007] Hmmm, can't recall one...
[2006] No answer.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2007 and change something, what would it be?
[2007] None at all :) Of course, I'd prefer that Mark and I were together. But I wouldn't change anything else or we might not have our dear little angel with us now :)

[2006] Nothing still! :) I wouldn't be here, we wouldn't be where we are right now, if it weren't for all the decisions we made. So I would change absolutely NOTHING :D

What are your plans for 2008?
[2007] Well, I've recently taken step one, which was to resign from work so that I can focus more on my baby. It's different when you're at home. A yaya can never, ever, ever replace you. Then, I plan to have as much small projects and rackets as I can manage, so that we can be relieved of our financial burden. I can't just let Mark take all the pressure of working. Also, I want to be able to be with my son as much as possible, so I can be there for all of his firsts, and be the one to teach him everything :)

[2006] Prove to myself, to my superiors, and to the people around me that I deserve the promotion. It's a HUGE step for me and a REALLY great opportunity. I wouldn't want to let my Editor-in-chief down right? And I want to be able to visit more new places this coming year. Do I hear an out-of-the-country trip? Hehe :)

How are you different now that the year has ended?
[2007] I'm a whole lot different. I'm a wife and a mother. I've started to understand my parents and where they're coming from. I've become more patient. I've learned to get by during the day on a few hours of interrupted sleep. I'm more money-wise, which is a must! I'm different and I love it :)

[2006] I've taken more steps now. I've turned my back on my past so I can finally truly say that I'm starting with a clean slate. Though my emotions can still take the best of me, I've improved a whole lot. I'm not that hot-tempered on the road anymore, and I try not to be so impatient. I'm more in touch with my emotions and more honest about them. I've finally moved forward career-wise, and I can't wait to begin with my new tasks and assume my new responsibilities. More importantly, I'm more at peace, finally contented, and extremely happier than I have ever been. I'm actually looking forward to the future now, and not so afraid of it anymore :)

What are your wishes for the new year?
[2007] I pray that my son's health will be in tip-top shape. I pray that he outgrows everything. And I pray that God will provide and guide us always, as we raise his child :)

[2006] We're both about to begin a new stage in each other's lives. I just wish for both of us to completely trust each other, because we'll need that more than anything. I wish that we both have an even greater year ahead of us :)

WATCH ME GROW!

2008-02-08T20:06:00.003+08:00

MY FAMILY

2008-01-12T20:00:00.002+08:00

I've had my hands quite full since the start of December, as soon as I went on maternity leave. My husband, Mark, arrived on the afternoon of the 1st. Endless reunions, errands, check-ups, and walking around. Then, our little angel, Matthew Benjamin, arrived on the 19th. Since then, I said goodbye to uninterrupted sleep and eating on time :p Mark left again for Riyadh on the 30th. It was actually much more difficult this time, since there was a little one he had to leave behind. But we're not worried, because we know that we'll be seeing each other again soon. Nothing definite as to when or where, but we promised each other we'd do everything we can. The earliest anyway would be around late June, when Matthew's about 6 months already. I'm not so sure as to the minimum age requirement of airlines, but I don't want him to fly out too young.

Loads of stories and TONS of pictures to be posted! But I'll leave you with the gist up there first, and a couple of my favorite photos. More when I finally get to have more time to go online :) For now, I must go back to mommy duties. My precious angel's waiting :)

Mommy and Daddy watching Matthew sleep :)

One of his favorite sleeping positions! I love it when he curls up like that. It's like he's making lambing :)

COUNTING THE DAYS 'TIL D-DAY

2007-11-23T13:45:00.002+08:00

Delivery day, that is.

I'm already 36 weeks and 2 days pregnant. And in just a few days, I'll be considered full term and therefore ready to give birth :)

The most common question thrown at me these days: Hindi ka ba natatakot?

Of course, I'm scared. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.

I know that giving birth the normal way will hurt, and that labor will be much worse, especially since I gave strict orders to Mark, my Mom, and my ob-gyne NOT to give me any kind of anesthesia. I have no idea how long I'll be in labor. I could be in pain for 24 hours straight, or I could be like one of the lucky few who only have to labor for a few hours. I don't know how big my baby will be by the time I give birth. I don't know if I'll have the strength I'll need for both labor and delivery. Heck, I know that I've got a low threshold for pain, yet I insisted and will continue to insist that absolutely no anesthesia be given to me, no matter how many times I ask.

Am I trying to torture myself? No, of course not, I'm not a masochist. I just want to be able to experience giving birth in the most natural way possible. So Mark and my Mom will just have to bear with all my screaming :P

I just don't stress myself out on those things. It wouldn't help anyway, because no matter how much I think about it, I'll never imagine how exactly labor and delivery will be like. It's different with every woman, even with every pregnancy. I just finished my childbirthing classes with Rome Kanapi a few weeks ago, and I could say that I'm more prepared now. No, those classes will not teach you how to have a "painless" delivery because there's no such thing. But it will help you learn more about pregnancy, labor, and delivery. You'll learn a few exercises that'll help prepare your body for the rigorous task of delivery. You'll practice breathing techniques and different moves you can do to ease the pain of labor.

I've entered the much dreaded part of the third trimester starting a couple of weeks ago. I've become manas already. My hands and feet are swollen, and my face looks different. I've always been proud of my feet, but now all I wanna do is hide them! I believe my baby has started descending, preparing himself for going out into the world as well, because I've been feeling a different kind of pain and pressure in my pelvic area. And every time I'm having one of those contractions, I can feel it all around my back as well. It's much more difficult for me to move around now. Switching positions in bed takes me much longer than before. Just the simple tasks of getting out of bed (short of rolling out of it), getting up from my office chair, and just walking around are already more difficult than before.

But on a much, much, MUCH lighter note... Mark's coming home!!! He'll be arriving late afternoon next Saturday. And I absolutely can't wait to see him! :) It's been... *stops and counts* about 8 months already since he left. I can't believe it's been that long already! We've been praying and hoping that our baby waits for him to come home, but also that he decides to come out early enough to spend lots of time with both of us :) I'll be working only 'til next Thursday so I can be with Mark the whole time he's here. And if I don't update this blog for like a month or something, it's either I'm stuck on my bed or have given birth already :P I'm going to work on a separate baby blog though :)

Please pray for the health and safety of me and my baby :D

AS ROUND AS CAN BE

2007-11-16T14:29:00.001+08:00

This is how big I am now! Taken last Wednesday, November 7, at 34 weeks :) Incidentally, that's the day of Mark's birthday as well. Belated happy birthday, babe! Look, I swallowed a watermelon! Hehehe :)

I purposely cropped out the rest of my body. Let's just say I'm not too camwhore-ish now that I'm in the home stretch of my pregnancy. Only women who are pregnant and have been pregnant will understand the insecurities that another preggy goes through. Some people can be quite insensitive. It's like they weren't taught that if they've got nothing good to say, it's best not to say anything at all.

Just a little over a week and I'll be ready to pop anytime! We can't wait to see our little boy :)

4D

2007-10-15T16:30:00.001+08:00

I was crazy busy last Saturday. I had child-birthing class in the morning at the Forbes Parish Center from 9-11am, but finished at around 11:45am I think. Then my Mom and I had to rush home, have lunch, then leave again for Asian Hospital for my scheduled 4D Congenital Anomalies Scan. Then we had to rush back home to meet with the rest of the family, and then leave again for Makati to celebrate my sister's 23rd birthday. Finally plopped down dead tired on the bed at around 11pm.

While waiting in the lobby of Asian Hospital's Center for Women's Health, I kept on fidgeting in my seat, not only because the chairs weren't really meant for pregnant women with aching lower backs, but also because I couldn't wait to see how our baby looked like :)

Hehehe, isn't he the cutest thing? :) More than half the time though, he had his arm covering the lower half of his face. Shy daw siya eh. And then a couple of times, we caught him pouting, so we decided that we'd have that printed out. Our baby showed really full and pouty smackers, ala Angelina Jolie ;) We also saw him yawn and open his mouth as if he were trying to eat, or rather drink, the fluid surrounding him. Crazy boy :P

The package included a couple of printouts and a CD with images and videos of the entire ultrasound. What really sucked is that the sonologist made a mistake and didn't get to read my doctor's request form properly, so she only performed a regular 4D Ultrasound. Bummer. So I'm going back this Saturday to have the 4D CAS done. The major plus is that I'll get to see my baby again. YAY! :)

Then, I'll FINALLY be able to finally get the CD with the videos and pictures. They better not mess up the CD that was made last Saturday and accidentally overwrite the previous files.

Tsk tsk tsk. That's why you never mess with a pregnant woman with her hormones all over the place.

UPDATE: For more pictures of the charming little boy, check out this link.

LOOK!

2007-10-05T11:40:00.002+08:00

Just recently found out from my officemate, Mark, that Yahoo! has a couple of preggy avatars. So I got one for myself :p

IN MEMORY OF 9-11

2007-09-11T17:14:00.002+08:00

A blog post about a Filipino who served in Iraq, written by Genie Ranada: The Boy Who Lived

HIATUS

2007-05-20T18:51:00.001+08:00

I'm not really in the mood to post anything worth reading right now. It's been about a month since I last posted. A lot of things have been going on, both good and not-so-good. And I don't think I'll be posting again anytime soon. So this will be like my "official announcement" that I'll be taking a blog break from now until I-don't-know-when.

Enjoy the rest of the crazy hot summer! I, for one, absolutely hate the heat.

WE'RE PREGNANT!

2007-05-16T13:00:00.001+08:00

I actually just posted this yesterday, September 26, but I changed the date and time to reflect when exactly we found out :)

CONGRATULATIONS!

2007-04-19T20:50:00.001+08:00

Roughly about a month ago, we celebrated one of the happiest moments in our lives :) Mau and Tris tied the knot after being engaged for about ten months, and being together for like six years. Correct me if I'm wrong, guys! :p

In the picture are Che, Mau's and Mark's sister; Ab, Tris' sister; Nicky, Ab's husband; and me with Mark :)

I absolutely LOVE being part of this family! :) In just a matter of months, they all made me feel so welcome and so comfortable with each of them. And even now that Mark's not around, not for one second did I feel that I'm not part of them still :) I'm really lucky to have an extended family in them, this said after just meeting everyone last December. And I'm super looking forward to more happy moments like this :)

RANDOM RAMBLINGS

2007-04-12T20:33:00.001+08:00

I just realized that it's been a whole week since my last post. Not that it's really surprising, because I haven't really been updating my blog that often. But I've been busy with A LOT of things at work.

Oh, we attended the Starbucks Media Launch earlier this afternoon, and we got to try the Banana Java Chip Frappuccino :) YUM! I like it because the banana isn't overpowering, unlike other drinks that have banana in them. Plus they got new pastries to go with their new drinks. Try them, try them! :)

My brain's been on overdrive for over a month now. One of the worst parts about it is that the other night, I ended up tossing and turning on my bed for two hours. Fell asleep at 1am, had to wake up at around 6:30am, then worked for like 10 hours straight. My body hasn't recovered yet.

On a much, much lighter note, it's been like two weeks and a half already and we're doing great! :) Don't want to jinx it or anything. But we're really doing well :) Though I miss him terribly still.

Come home na, babe :) Or fine, I'll go there nalang :P Hehehe :)

ONE WEEK DOWN! :)

2007-04-05T13:41:00.001+08:00

I can't believe it's been a week already. I don't know if time's slower or faster than usual. But I believe we've been doing great :)

I still text him as often as I used to do when he was still here, even if he doesn't get to reply that much, lest we want to significantly contribute to the telco's riches. We talk a couple of times a day, before he leaves his room to have breakfast and head to the office and when he gets back to the hotel. Last night, we even had one of our longest conversations in a long time. Thirty whole minutes. Okay, I rounded it off. It was actually 28 minutes and 57 seconds, according to my phone's counter :P

It's so great hearing his voice :) And last night, even if I was just obviously making up stuff to talk about, it felt so good just having him on the other line. He's not really a phone person, so the fact that he stayed on the line with me was really big :)

I think it's better to count in weeks and months, not days, which might seriously make time move absolutely slower. So before we know it, we'll both be planning for that ultimate vacation when he gets back :)

WHAT'S YOUR TRUE NATIONALITY?

2007-04-04T18:55:00.001+08:00

Got this off a Friendster post by Bunny :)

British
[ ] You drink a lot of tea
[ ] You know what a brolly is
[ ] Deal or No Deal has taken over your life
[ ] You wanted Ben to win X Factor
[ ] You use the word "bugger" or the phrase "bloody hell"
[x] Fish and Chips are yummy
[x] You can eat a Full English Breakfast
[ ] You dislike EMOS! Almost as much as you dislike chavs
[ ] It's football... not soccer

Total = 2

Australian
[x] You wear flip flops all year
[ ] You call flip flops thongs not flip flops
[x] You love a backyard barbie
[x] You know a barbie is not just a doll
[x] You love the beach
[x] Sometimes you swear without realizing
[ ] You're a sports fanatic
[ ] You are tanned
[ ] You're a bit of a bogan
[x] You have an australian something (shirt, phone sock, etc.)

Total = 6

Italian
[ ] The Sopranos is a great show
[ ] Your last name ends in a vowel
[ ] Your grandmother makes her own sauces
[ ] You know how a real meatball tastes like
[ ] You know Italian songs
[x] You have dark hair and dark eye color
[ ] You speak some italian
[x] You are under 5'10"
[x] Pizza/spaghetti is the best food in the world
[x] You talk with your hands

Total = 4

Mexican
[ ] You say "member" instead of "remember"
[x] You speak Spanish or know some
[ ] You like tacos
[ ] yoU TyPe lIkE ThIs On Da CoMpUtEr
[ ] You are dark skinned
[x] You know what a Puta is
[x] You talk fast occasionally
[ ] You have had highlights or dyed your hair
[ ] You know what platanos are

Total = 3

Russian
[ ] You say villian as (Uh, I think this part got cut...)
[x] You get short tempered
[ ] You know of somebody named Natasha
[x] You get cold easily
[ ] Rain is fun for you
[ ] You get into contests all the time
[ ] You can easily make do with the cold weather

Total = 2

Irish
[ ] You love to drink
[x] You have a bad temper
[ ] Your last name starts with a Mc OR Murph or O' or Fitz or ends with a ley, on, un, an, ins, ry, ly, y
[ ] You have blue or green eyes
[ ] You like the color green
[ ] You have been to a St. Patty's day party
[ ] You have a family member from Ireland
[ ] You have blonde hair
[ ] You have/had freckles
[ ] Your family get togethers always include drinking and/or singing

Total = 1

African American
[ ] You say nigga/nukka casually
[ ] You have nappy hair
[x] You like rap
[ ] You know how to shoot a gun
[ ] You think President George Walker Bush is racist
[x] You like chicken
[x] You like watermelon
[x] You can dance (I'd like to think I can...)
[x] You can sing gospel

Total = 5

Asian
[x] You have slanty/small eyes
[x] You like rice a lot
[x] You are good at Math
[x] You have played the piano
[x] You have family from Asia
[x] You laugh sometimes covering your mouth
[x] Most people think you're chinese
[x] You call hurricanes, typhoons
[ ] You go to Baulko

Total = 8

German
[x] You like bread
[x] You think American chocolate is good
[ ] You speak some German
[ ] You know what Schnitzel is
[ ] You hate it when stupid people call you a Nazi
[x] You went to pre-school
[x] You're over or more than a 5'2"

Total = 4

OUR LAST KISS

2007-03-30T20:55:00.001+08:00

This was our last moment together. It's been three and a half days already. And I'm missing him a whole lot.

But we're honestly taking it much better than I thought we would :) Not that I doubted us or our relationship, don't get me wrong.

It's funny how we're doing the same "technique" of just thinking that while one is at work, the other's at home. And even if it's more expensive now for him to keep on texting me, I really appreciate how he'd just send me a message out of nowhere :)

I still keep on texting him, just like how I would when he was still back here. I think that helps us too, makes us feel closer to each other, like we're not really miles apart :)

I don't really care about my phone bill now. Whenever I find out that he's at his hotel, I give him a call and we talk for like around ten minutes. I still don't go crazy and call him like every half hour or something. I know that we both miss each other, but I don't want to smother him. Even just twice a day is more than enough to keep us going, despite the physical separation :)

We can do this, babe! I have faith in both of us and our relationship :) Just concentrate on your work there. Show 'em what you got! ;)

PLEASE DON'T LET IT BE TUESDAY JUST YET...

2007-03-23T14:44:00.001+08:00

I'm a ball of mixed emotions right now. I don't even think I'm functioning well. I'm trying to do somewhat "brainless" things at work (like dropping out a gazillion photos) and drowning myself in my music so I wouldn't think too much. This is the one time that I'm dreading the weekend, because I know that the inevitable will be that much nearer.

I just wish that we could just be together right this moment, until the time that he'd have to board the plane.

Please make time move slower...

BLENDED FLOAT

2007-03-21T10:45:00.001+08:00

It sounds funny, but that's exactly how I feel. Since around 10:30 yesterday morning. Mixed emotions that I couldn't really make out, which I think caused that floating feeling.

His flight just got confirmed yesterday. Don't get me wrong. I'm really happy for him and this great opportunity :) And I'm also excited that he's finally leaving. Hey, I didn't mean it that way, okay? It's not like I want him to leave already. But he's been looking forward to starting in this new company, working and living in a new environment, and just everything else that comes with this new experience.

I guess just like any other person, I'm afraid of the unknown. This is the first time I'll be in a long-distance relationship. I trust him, I trust myself, and I trust US. I have faith in our relationship. But really, no matter what you do, you can never really prepare yourself.

We've already had "the talk" way back, and we're doing our best to somehow prepare ourselves for how things will be in the next months. Especially since our communication will be limited to texts, calls, e-mails, chats, and the webcam.

I just try as hard as I can not to think about the little things. Like how we won't be able to celebrate our first anniversary together. Or how there's a big chance that our birthdays this year won't be spent in each other's company. How Christmas and New Year will be different, and how maybe we'll be spending our first Valentine's day apart next year. How we won't be able to watch the big movies together, and then go have coffee afterwards. How going out will never be the same without him, and food tripping won't be as fun anymore.

*sigh* I think my mind's been on overdrive. I had a really difficult time sleeping last night that I spent more than two hours tossing and turning on my bed. Maybe I'm just looking too far ahead.

We'll take it a day at a time. We both know that this is for us, so that's one major happy thought :)

HOUSE PARTY GIRLS DOWN TO TWO...FOR NOW :)

2007-03-16T10:35:00.001+08:00

These two girls right here, Nins and Chik, are my house party buddies. We've shared a whole lot, what with the countless yosi breaks we've had. We've been to a few house parties. And even if it was just us three, we sure had a lot of fun :)

In a few days, one of the girls closest to my heart will be leaving the country. Chikki will be doing her best to make it in the Big Apple. And you know what, I honestly think she will :) I've got a lot of confidence in her, and I truly believe that she's got what it takes.

So go get 'em, Chik! And don't worry too much okay? :)

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS

2007-03-10T12:12:00.001+08:00

The Pursuit of Happyness - Trailer

"Chris Gardner was doing his best for his family. But his best wasn't enough."

This movie right here is a real tearjerker. I was extremely moved (to tears, I might add) the first time I saw the trailer. But the movie was just something else. Props to Will Smith and to his son, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, who made his showbiz debut :)

Other than the endless quest for one's happiness, the movie also shows the value of determination.

"You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they wanna tell you, you can't do it. You want something, go get it. Period."
-- Will Smith as Chris Gardner

Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Not even the people who are closest to you. If you don't believe in yourself, then who will? Dream big. And when you know deep down in your heart that your dream is something that you really want, then do your very damn best to get there. To those people who have nothing good to say, who have nothing else to do but to bring you down, don't give them the luxury of your time. More than proving to them that you can do it, prove that what really matters is you and your dream, and not so much what they think of you.

It's pretty straightforward, the story of the movie, I mean. The pursuit of happiness. Everyone wants it. But for some reason, not everyone can get it. And you might even end up asking yourself if there's really such a thing as happiness, or if it's just something that you constantly pursue, endlessly trying to attain.

Happiness holds a million and one definitions.

To the street kid who constantly knocks on car windows to ask for a few pesos, happiness could be in the form of a P20 bill or half of the meal you just had for dinner that you weren't able to finish.

To the security guard at your office who tirelessly opens the door and holds it for each person who goes in and out, happiness could be in the form of a simple smile and a "Good morning, kuya!" or perhaps even just bothering to find out what his name is instead of just referring to him as Manong Guard.

To the saleslady in the fashion store that you frequent, happiness could be in the form of small talk and a warm smile, or the mere considerate gesture of trying your best to fold and put back in place the numerous tops that you held up to yourself but didn't buy.

To the customer service agent that helped you out with your inquiries, happiness could be in the form of your patience despite having to wait for a few minutes to be attended to, or even just thanking him or her at the end of your call, and remembering his or her name.

To the officemate whom you see five times a day and regularly get to talk with about work, happiness could be in the form of trying to get to know him or her, more as a friend than just a co-worker.

To the friend that you haven't seen in ages, happiness could be in the form of a simple "How are you doing?" text, despite not being able to commit yet as to when you can finally hook up for that long-overdue coffee date.

To the people in your family that are closest to your heart and more often the most taken for granted, happiness could be in the form of simply spending some time together, like watching a few TV shows or perhaps having a DVD marathon, having lunch or dinner together, or maybe an out-of-nowhere dessert treat.

To that special someone, the one person closest to your heart, happiness could be in the form of simple surprises, like turning the tables around and picking HIM up for a change, inviting him to watch a movie and saying it's your treat, being gentlemanly and holding her hand while you cross the street, whispering sweet nothings to each other.

What happiness means to you could be a totally different thing to someone else. But wouldn't it be nice if we could all just go out of our way once in a while to make someone else happy? :)

OH NO, NOT AGAIN?!

2007-03-04T18:32:00.001+08:00

I fucked up my template again. And I couldn't figure out how to fix it. So I decided to use one of Blogger's templates first, until I find the time to look for one that I like.

So I need your help, guys. Can you please, please, please send me your blog links? Either leave a comment here with your blog addie, or message me on YM. I'm still trying to recall all of the links that I had in my blog. Please don't take it personally if you're not in my blog list over there :)

REMINISCING

2007-03-04T17:03:00.001+08:00

It's been three weeks since his last day at work. So for the past fifteen workdays, I've been missing a whole lot of things.

I miss getting his first e-mail of the day, saying, "Just got here. Kuha lang ako ng water."

I miss surprising him in the morning, with either a Cookies and Cream frappe from Gloria Jeans, some pastry or sandwich for breakfast, or just filling up his water bottle with cold water.

I miss calling him up as soon as I got to the office, to wake him up and make sure that he gets ready for work already :)

I miss e-mailing him about anything and everything, and passing by his place to make him kwento in person if the topic's too sensitive for e-mail. And when either of us is having one of those days, I miss being able to have coffee with him, so whoever is feeling bothered can just let it all out.

I miss passing by his place at around 11:55 am, so that we can all heat our lunch. Rounding up everyone isn't the same anymore. Nothing against our lunch group, but it's just not the same having him around. I miss all our kulitans and hiritans during our lunch breaks, and how we would almost always sit beside each other. I'm so mababaw that just sitting beside him at the office makes me kilig :P

I miss passing by his place mid-afternoon, and just say, "Busy ka? Tara, samahan mo ako mag-yosi." This was even before we got together ;)

I really miss our merienda breaks. After getting sick of all the places in Galleria, we started going out and somehow discovered other places around Ortigas, which started our late-afternoon/early-evening routine. The farthest we've gone, on foot ha, trying to look for a place to eat, was St. Francis Square. Now THIS is the break that I always looked forward to, because it was really a break from all the stress at work, and we get to spend time with each other :)

I miss going home with him. Despite the twelve-hour day at work and the hassle of having to take the MRT when you're already dead tired, to meet with my Dad so I can ride with him going home, that walk from the office to the station makes it all worth it. Cheezy as it may sound, he really makes me feel all better :) And those last few minutes before we go home, before physically parting ways, when we'd stand across each other on the opposite platforms of the station... It's just such a good feeling having him there, seeing him mouth the words, "Ingat ka ha? Check your back! I love you!" just as my train pulls off the station.

Going to work will never be the same again. But that doesn't change anything :) He's still the first person I run to, most especially when I've got something big to say, good or bad. He's still the one person who can make me feel better after a long and tiring day at work. And he'll always be the best merienda partner, lunch seatmate, coffee buddy, and confidante :)

I'm missing you terribly, babe! But one really good thing about not seeing you every day at work is that it makes me super look forward to the next time I'll be seeing you and spending time with you again :)

THREE

2007-03-04T15:00:00.001+08:00

It's my blog's third anniversary today! Wow, I can't believe it's been that long ago since I started this thing. I cringe whenever I read my old posts though. I dunno if it's because of the way I wrote or the stuff I talked about, or BOTH! Hehehe :P

2007-02-27T21:50:00.000+08:00

YOU'RE MY ULTIMATE HAPPY THOUGHT :)

Yes you are, babe ;) Seriously. I was feeling so much negative emotions last Friday, and just a simple text from him that says, "Think happy thoughts, babe!" is enough to make me smile, despite everything :) And the fact that he surprised me late afternoon with a call saying that he'll pick me up at work was more than enough to make me a giddy little kid who couldn't keep still :P

On the same day, one of my officemates, Macy, shared this song from Grey's Anatomy, Everyday is a Holiday by Esthero. You guys have to listen to this song. It's SO nice! It'll seriously make you sway in your seat :P But please try not to, lest you want people to think you're weird. Hehehe :)

Met him on Sunday
Loved him by Tuesday afternoon
Woke up on Friday
And changed my whole life to make some room
Around a quarter to two, I have remembered all my lines
I'll say, "When I think of you, you're like my favorite song... Or that melody, that melody I love"
And it goes: La da da da da da da da

Hopped on the metro and I make my way home
But I can't get him out of my mind
No matter just how hard I try
And if the rumors are true
Then I can look forward to some better days and getaways... So nice
Cause when I am with you
You're the crescendo to that melody that melody I love

We'll have better days and getaways
Cause everyday is a holiday with you

You've gotta let me know
I gotta know for sure
Don't leave me out in the cold
I've gotta know for sure
Lalalalalalalala...

When I think of you
I see better days and getaways
Cause everyday is a holiday with you

It's such a feel-good song! :) It'll instantly make you feel better. Okay, maybe after a few minutes, you'll be back on the real world. But at least while you're listening to the song, it'll help you lift your feet off the ground and put you on your cloud nine, even if just for a while :)

*sigh* Thank you for being my ultimate happy thought, babe :)

NOW I KNOW WHY THEY CALL IT BRAINSTORMING

2007-02-26T18:23:00.001+08:00

Because it makes your brain hurt! I think my brain has reached its limit, for today at least. I need to relax and recharge. Tomorrow's a new day.

How I wish I can clone myself. I need like two more of me so I can function properly.

MY ABCs

2007-02-13T11:23:00.001+08:00

Got this off a friend's Friendster Bulletin Board post. Just something to take my mind off certain things before I go back to work.

Available: NOPE!
Age: 24
Annoyance: This certain issue that's been going on for a couple of weeks now...

Best Feature: My YM feature. Hahaha, ang corny ko! Hmmm, seriously? Dunno. My feet?
Beer: I'm not a big beer fan. But, San Mig Light.
Birthday: December

Crush: Mark and I were just talking about this over the weekend. Hmmm. Ryan Phillippe I guess.
Car: Our white Safari! Let's go PSG car!
Candy: Pop rocks

Day or Night: Definitely night. I'm so not a morning person.
Dream Car: A baby blue BMW convertible with a white top
Dogs or Cats: Dogs, though I'm crazy terrified of them!

Eggnog: Haven't tried it yet.
E-mail: I check it like fifty times a day! I'm online like 80% of my waking hours.

Favorite color/s: BLUE!
Favorite Band: Uh, dunno. Basta I'm still in my Hed Kandi phase :)

Gummy Bears or Worms: Worms
Giver or Taker: Both :)

Hair Color: Dark brown
Height: 5'5"
Happy: YES YES YES! :)

Ice Cream: Chocolate with chocolate chips! YUM!
Instrument: I wanna learn how to play the drums. I used to play the piano, but I stopped :P I made takas and quite just before I had to do my recital. Hahaha! Stage fright!

Job: Web Editor
Jail: I hope I never ever have to be anywhere near this place.

Kids: I most definitely want some in the future! The more, the merrier actually, but only if my husband and I can handle taking care of them in all aspects :) God, please give me twins, a boy and a girl :)
Kickboxing or Karate: Kickboxing

Longest Car Ride: 12 hours, all the way from Ortigas to Pagudpud!

Milk Flavor: Uh, regular? I don't really like flavored milk. It's...weird. It doesn't feel like drinking milk to me.
Most Missed Person: Mark. It's so weird not seeing him at the office anymore. *sniff*
Movie Last Watched: Babel. Such a S-L-O-W and dragging movie.

Number of Siblings: 7
Number of Tattoos: NONE!
Name: KV

One wish: Right now, clarity!
I have more than one: Sibling!

Part of Your Appearance You Like Best: Uh, I can actually be quite transparent. You can easily tell when something's bothering me.

Quick or Slow: Quick on the road, slow in the morning.

Reason to Smile: Family (that includes Mark and his family, of course) and really good friends :)
Reality TV Show: The Amazing Race! I can't wait for the All-Stars season!

Song Last Heard: Chicane's Daylight
Season: Summer!
Shoes Your Wearing: Havies

Time You Woke Up: 7:20 am
Time Now: 11:50 am
Time for Bed: 11:00 pm

Unpredictable: Uh, I'd like to think not.

Vegetable You Hate: Almost all :P
Vegetable You Love: Broccoli
Vacation Spot: A secluded white-sand beach :)

Worst Habits: Hmmm. Biting my lips?
Where are You Going to Travel Next: Hopefully some really nice and quiet beach in some Asian country :)
Weather: I only like the summer weather when I'm at the beach! Otherwise, give me cold anytime.

X-tra Special Someone: Mark :)

Year It is Now: 2007

Zoo Animal: Lion!

FALSE ALARM

2007-02-07T20:01:00.001+08:00

Disregard everything I said about a transfer and a promotion. They're not happening anymore.

This is actually around a week late already. I couldn't bring myself to really talk about it last week, when all of it happened. Just the slightest thought of it brought me to tears.

But blogging about it now doesn't mean that I'm already okay. It still stings. A lot, to be honest. And I can't even look at anything related to the magazine. Not yet. It's still too painful.

I still don't understand why it happened. Maybe I never will.

Friends and family have been trying to cheer me up. I've been doing my best to look at the good side of what has just happened. Who knows? Maybe this is a blessing in disguise.

I've always trusted Him. I know that He has a plan for me. I may not be able to see it now, but I'm sure He has something greater in store for me. Something which I might not be able to achieve had my transfer and promotion pushed through.

I'm just praying for Him to remove all of the anger and hate in my heart. I've been asking for clarity of mind and for guidance, so I can make the right decisions.

Despite all of these, I'm really grateful for having friends, family, and the one man closest to my heart :) They've been my happy thoughts, more than enough for me to get through this.

PRAYING TO THE HIGH HEAVENS

2007-01-30T18:40:00.001+08:00

Is this 2006 all over again? Will I have to go through hell again for the first few months of the year, just to have an amazingly great end to it? If that's the case, then by God, I better have a smashing great fourth quarter.

But trust me. I will not take this sitting down. I will do every little thing that I can to swing things around, back to the way they were initially supposed to be.

I just need clarity of mind now. And some time away from all of this.

I need the beach. And my babe. Talking about anything and everything, EXCEPT this.

I wanna go home and just curl up on my bed.

I need a hug. A real tight hug =T

HOW DO YOU MEASURE A YEAR?

2007-01-25T15:55:00.001+08:00

The first month of the year is almost over, and I haven't done my monthly recap of 2006 :p A year ago, other than the year-end survey, I did this, mostly for myself so I could see how much had happened in just twelve months. Let's see if last year was just as real, messy, beautiful, and twisted.

JANUARY Possibly the worst month of my year. It was great at first. During the second week, I took over Swing for a little over a week while Niña was gone. I did a fashion shoot, my first food review, and my first product shoot with Rikky, the in-house photographer. I was having a blast despite ending the day super stressed and dead tired. However, it all went downhill from there. At the end of the month, I handed in my resignation letter, which was effective end of February. That one particular day, I felt all sorts of emotions coursing through me, rushing in and out of my system. I cried buckets while talking with Niña over the phone, who was unfortunately at a shoot that time. Smoking never felt so great. Yosi breaks were my escape. The entire month was absolutely ironic. At the beginning of the year, I kept on saying, "For some weird reason, I feel that this is gonna be a good year." But come month's end, I felt like I was just about to eat those words.

FEBRUARY I took an indefinite blog leave. Writing on my blog has always been my escape from the real world. I've always enjoyed letting all my thoughts out, however so mundane. But after what happened, I was just so speechless. And I didn't want to say something I'd regret. So I just opted for silence, and sort of retreated from it all. Even at work, actually. I'd sit on my desk, borrow an officemate's headphones, crank up the volume, and drown myself in house music while working. Yosi breaks, both with smoking and non-smoking buddies, were definitely my most cherished moments :)

MARCH In a word: FREEDOM. Finally, the emotional roller coaster ride has ended. Well, at least one of my rides. Like some people, I've had a love-hate relationship with my job. After a year and eight and a half months, that has come to an end. I'm back on my feet, with a decision to make. Should I try out this freelance thing that I'm enjoying, despite the erratic projects and the seeming instability? Should I try out for the big fish and see if I've got what it takes, what they need? Or should I start from scratch and go for a career related to what I took up in college? Before the month ended, despite all the mental acrobatics, I decided to have one night all to myself and two of my best girls, Chik and Nins :)

APRIL Mid-month, I made my decision and went with choice number two :) Prior to our annual family beach trip, I was faced with another decision. Should I go for a somewhat higher position in a different company? Or should I start from below, doing something somewhat different, but with a chance of moving up, especially after having my foot in the door? I went with the latter, but not without the dreaded waiting period. Good things come to those who wait though, because after roasting myself under the Batangas sun, I got an offer :) AND! Us three house girls got reunited again, this time for Kaskade ;) I was enjoying the rest of my vacation, because I was about to start work soon. I'm so lucky to have gotten a two-month break :D

MAY I'm back to being an Ortigas girl! Still getting the hang of my new job. I've never really done web before. But I'm learning, I'm learning :) I got to hook up with my best girls for dinner and one of the best editorial teams I've worked with :) Career highlight of the month: We've just launched ShopCrazy! Yay!

JUNE My roller coaster probably took the most gut-wrenching turns this month. Okay, that sounded so morbid. But seriously. A LOT happened. And yes, I'd rather not talk about them here. Let's just say that I've finally made up my mind and stuck to my decisions. I FINALLY got off that ride! Side note to my yosi bud, Nins: Still wanna make me batok? Hehehe ;) I got to hang out with my college friends THRICE in one week! Mommy Len got married on the 26th, Tono had his birthday dinner on the 28th, and Gel had her welcome-back-home dinner on the 30th :)

JULY I've been crazy, crazy, crazy busy that I only got TWO blog posts this month! Sad. Well, for my blog at least. But I was happy :)

AUGUST Career highlight #2: We finally re-launched Female Network :) I made quite a comprehensive two-month late mid-year assessment so I guess that post can pretty much speak for this month, and the months before. One of my really good friends, Pnut, got married this month :) And another good friend, Felix, was one of the 100 Candy Cuties! Which reminds me, he still owes me... Coffee? :)

SEPTEMBER One of the best months of the year, with one of the most life-changing moments. I FINALLY QUIT SMOKING :) It wasn't really by choice at first, because I got sick and had to really stop smoking, which I thought was going to be for just a few days...a week at the most. But then more than a week after, I guess I decided to just continue with the habit of not smoking. And I guess it worked, because I haven't smoked a stick since, not even a puff :) I had the chance to quit earlier in the year, around January when I got sick for two weeks in December. But the first thing I did when I hung out with my friends from my old office was, yes, go down to smoke :P

OCTOBER Quite an interesting start to my month. But I chose not to let it bug me longer than it should :) Celebrate is this month's theme! My sister, Chec, just celebrated her 22nd birthday; my Dad's company, Filmex, won the coveted Production House of the Year award; someone gave me my first pair of Havaianas (Hehehe); and Candy Cutie Felix is at it again!

NOVEMBER The year's about to end, and everything just keeps getting better! :) We had a mini vacation to celebrate his birthday. Though we were crazy busy before and after, even if we only took TWO DAYS off work, everything was just worth it :D And then the day after his birthday, he received good news, which was topped a week after by even better news! On the other hand, I was preparing myself for something big. Which would also make my birthday month :) And finally, finally, Happy Feet! By end of the month though, we had to say goodbye to a dear officemate, Corinne. But I'm sure—or rather, I KNOW—she's doing much better now :) Hurray for everyone who's moving up!

DECEMBER One of the best months! :) The first weekend was spent with my house party girls, Nins and Chik. And for the first time, with our boys! Hahaha! It has always been just us three, but the new company was very much welcome, of course :) Too bad someone had an incident and had to leave early :P The weekend after that, I finally got to meet his family :) And then I had Christmas lunch with them on the 24th. It just felt so good to be somewhat part of his family, as well as having him part of mine :) And to top that all off, I had my first out of town trip EVER! We went to the beach for my birthday, and completely enjoyed ourselves the entire time :) And of course, my early birthday and Christmas gifts. My baby gave me the cutest pair of sneaks, which I pointed out earlier :P But I wasn't hinting at all, ha? Swear :) And then I got another gift. I still say it's not official, because I haven't signed any papers yet. But come mid-February, I'll be transferring to the Editorial department, and I'll be handling one of Summit's new magazines :) Heehee, still vague? I don't wanna jinx everything. I think that nothing is really a hundred percent sure without the papers to back them up. So I'd rather not write anything on my blog yet :)

Aaah, quite a year. I wasn't wrong when I said that I felt it was going to be a great year for me. And it was, it really was! The year that just passed was even greater than I expected. The ups most definitely outweighed the downs. And save for a few things, I wouldn't have things any other way :)

I know this year will be great. Even greater! But I also know that it'll be full of challenges, most definitely. Not only career-wise, but in the relationship arena as well. But I know we'll do just fine. We just have to take things a step at a time. Right, babe? :)

DOWN AND OUT

2007-01-25T14:51:00.001+08:00

I'm not feeling my best today. Call it PMS. Call it over-sensitivity. All I really need right now is just to be away from it all...and a nice, tight hug =T

AND THE COUNTDOWNS BEGIN...

2007-01-15T08:15:00.001+08:00

Yup, you read it right. Countdowns. With an S. Several things have been going on lately, all at the same time.

In a few weeks, I'll be transferring to another department, handling a totally different baby...and will officially be promoted! :) Woohoo! Hmmm, I just realized that I haven't totally said anything about this yet. Soon, when I get the papers :)

In a few weeks, HE will be leaving. Ever since we started going out, I knew that working outside the country was really part of his plans. But we both didn't realize that everything would happen so soon. It's a really good break for him :) And one of the nicest things about this? The first thing he said to me when he found out about this great opportunity was, "We can finally start saving up for the future, babe!" Awww :)

Late last year, we promised ourselves that we wouldn't think about it too much. Instead of feeling sad about the time we have left, we said that we'd enjoy every single moment and make each day count :)

We both know that what we're about to enter isn't really something we can prepare ourselves for. We'll take it a day at a time, and promise each other that we'll do everything we can to make things work, to make things easier.

A long-distance relationship is never a walk in the park. More than anything, we'll be needing each other's complete trust. Everything else will follow :)

I know we can do this. We know we can make it. Before we know it, he'll be on his way back home again ;)

MANEATER

2007-01-10T08:20:00.001+08:00

You think you know girl power? Listen to this song, which I got off a friend's Multiply album ;)

Everybody look at me, me
I walk in the door, you start screaming
Come on, everybody, what you here for?
Move your body around like a nympho
Everybody, get your necks to crack around
All you crazy people, come on, jump around
I want to see you all on your knees, knees
You either want to be with me, or be me

Maneater, make you work hard
Make you spend hard
Make you want all of her love
She's a maneater
Make you buy cars
Make you cut cords
Make you fall with, fall in love
She's a maneater
Make you work hard
Make you spend hard
Make you want all of her love
She's a maneater
Make you buy cars
Make you cut cords
Wish you never ever met her at all

And when she walks, she walks with passion
When she talks, she talks like she can handle it
When she asks for something, boy, she means it
Even if you never ever seen it
Everybody, get your necks to crack around
All you crazy people, come on, jump around
You doing anything to keep her by your side
Because she said she love you, love you long time

Maneater, make you work hard
Make you spend hard
Make you want all of her love
She's a maneater
Make you buy cars
Make you cut cords
Make you fall with, fall in love
She's a maneater
Make you work hard
Make you spend hard
Make you want all of her love
She's a maneater
Make you buy cars
Make you cut cords
Wish you never ever met her at all

DATING PERSONA

2007-01-08T08:19:00.001+08:00

According to some online quiz at least. Got the link to this test from Iya's blog :)

Read My Result
Take the Test

PRIMERA

2007-01-01T08:50:00.001+08:00

It's the first day of the year. I woke up to my phone ringing and just had the sweetest conversation ever :) I'm very much optimistic and excited about this year ahead of me, ahead of us. Soon, both of us we'll be taking a very big step, something that we can never really be completely ready for. But we've been preparing, and we know that we can make it :)

We've had so many blessings the past year, and we're both absolutely grateful for each and every one of them. Here's to an even greater year ahead of us! :D

We're just getting started ;)

LOOKING BACK

2006-12-31T15:35:00.001+08:00

I did this survey last year and thought that I might as well do it again :) Posted are my answers from last year and for this year, for comparison's sake. Some of my answers may be revised this coming week, especially if I think of something I'd like to add :p Some questions will be filled out as soon as I think of my answer :)

==========

What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
[2006] Resigned and said goodbye to dear friends from that office, did freelance writing for a couple of months, finally totally cut myself off from my past, learned how to completely and truly trusting someone, and went on my first out-of-town trip :)

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
[2006] Hmmm, let's see. I really didn't make a list of resolutions last year. But I remember that one of my goals is to finally travel...and I did! For my birthday :) And I also said that I'd figure out what I wanted to do career-wise...and I did too! Because come early next year, I'll be starting a new phase and taking on bigger responsibilities :)

[2005] I don't think I made any resolutions last year. Because it's either I forget I made some or I don't do them at all...but it's more of the former. I think I'll set some goals for myself for the year to come :)

Did anyone close to you give birth?
[2006] Nope, none.

[2005] Hmmm, I don't think so... Oh, wait! My cousin and his wife, who are both in Canada, just had a baby boy this year! :) Cutest little thing!

Did anyone close to you die?
[2006] None too.

[2005] None. But I was just thinking about that last night, while I was watching "Seconds from Disaster" on TV. That I've never really experienced losing someone close to my heart because of death. Okay, I'm gonna stop thinking about it now. I don't want bad thoughts in my head as the year ends...

What countries did you visit?
[2006] None. I'm hoping that I'd get to go out of the country next year ;) That's one of our plans.

[2005] I wasn't even able to go outside Metro Manila except for Tagaytay! =T With my girls, at least :)

What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
[2006] Still everything on my gadget wish list and more opportunities to travel! And I'd love to have a kick-ass magazine ;)

[2005] More time for myself, the opportunity to travel, and everything on my gadget wish list (which I'll post when I get the time and energy) :)

What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
[2006] Oh, a specific date? LOTS! But off the top of my head, it would have to be the December 24. I had Christmas lunch with his family, then went home to hear Mass with mine, and then waited for Noche Buena. I just had my best Christmas EVER this year :)

[2005] December 21 to 22 *sigh* Happy happy HAPPY! :) It was our office Christmas party and my birthday. I've blogged about this already, maybe not that detailed though. But those two days were the happiest ever :)

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
[2006] My promotion!!! :) Oh, and I finally, FINALLY quit smoking. It's been four months already! Yaaay! :)

[2005] First thing that comes to mind is the third issue of LIFESTYLE by SONY. That was a product of our sweat, blood, and tears...figuratively and literally.

What was your biggest failure?
[2006] Hmmm. Letting my emotions get the best of me. I can be really impatient and short-tempered, and those do nothing for any relationship.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
[2006] I got sick sometime in September. But thanks to that, I got started on quitting smoking :)

[2005] Several times, since I spread myself too thinly this year. I don't think my body has ever recovered from all the sleepless nights I've had. The year's about to end and I'm still sick! =T

What was the best thing you bought?
[2006] Not really a tangible thing. But our mini vacations were just the best :)

[2005] My flip-flops! They should be closet staples ;) Or better yet, they should be the rule instead of the exception!

Whose behavior merited celebration?
[2006] [NO ANSWER YET]

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
[2006] [NO ANSWER YET]
[2005] [NO ANSWER]

Where did most of your money go?
[2006] Gas, toll, parking, and a few mini vacations :D
[2005] Gas, toll, and parking! >=T

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
[2006] Both our birthdays! :) And our first Christmas together. And New Year's!
[2005] Our office Christmas party and my birthday :)

What song(s) will always remind you of 2006?
[2006] Brighter Than Sunshine by Aqualung and Safe by Bonnie Bailey.

[2005] LOTS! Everything (Big Room Mix) by Kaskade, Ever After (Beach House Mix) by Bonnie Bailey, Saltwater by Chicane, Daylight by Chicane, Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day, and It's You, It's Me by Kaskade.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
[2006]
i. happier or sadder? HAPPIER!!! :)
ii. thinner or fatter? I'd like to believe thinner, even by just a tiny bit :p
iii. richer or poorer? Ummm, richer?

[2005]
i. happier or sadder? HAPPIER :)
ii. thinner or fatter? Definitely fatter! =T
iii. richer or poorer? Richer but not really

What do you wish you'd done more?
[2006] I wish I'd saved up some more so we could've gone on more trips! :)

[2005] I wish I took care of myself more. I can be quite selfless to a fault =T

What do you wish you'd done less of?
[2006] Uh, less pigging out? Hehehe :p

[2005] I wish I didn't spend that much time at the office! Seriously. Don't get me wrong. I love my job, I really do. But this year, I think I pushed myself close to my burning-out point. I don't wanna reach that. It's too soon.

What was your favorite TV program?
[2006] Amazing Race Asia! And CSI, Tyra, The OC, One Tree Hill...

[2005] Reality TV rocks! :p The Amazing Race, Survivor, Fear Factor, Pinoy Big Brother... Hahaha!!! :) But seriously. I don't care if people think I'm jologs or whatever. Ask my friends. I'm a self-confessed Pinoy Big Brother addict ;)

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
[2006] A handful of people come to mind. But honestly, I'd rather not waste my time on hating them. I've got my own life to live :)

[2005] Hmmm, come to think of it, I don't think I hate anyone now! :)

What was the best book you read?
[2006] Still reading it. Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps :)

[2005] Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince! OMG, I can't WAIT for the last book! :)

What was your greatest musical discovery?
[2006] More house music? ;)
[2005] House! Hahaha!!! :)

What did you want and not get?
[2006] Still the stuff on my gadget wish list :p And yes, I've got 2007 to make up for it. And at least I got to go on my first out-of-town trip! I wouldn't trade any gadget for that :)

[2005] My Nokia 7270, an iPod, an iBook, a digital camera (Hmmm, I think I'm starting my gadget wish list already :p) My fault though, 'coz I spent my money on other things. Oh well, I've got 2006 to make up for it :)

What was your favorite film of this year?
[2006] Happy Feet! Need I say more?
[2005] Just one? Hmmm. Think think think. Probably the most recent one I saw, King Kong :) I swear, he is THE alpha male!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
[2006] I went on an early birthday leave and spent my time on the beach :) I'll save my kwento. I haven't had the chance to do my birthday-at-the-beach post :p Then I had dinner with the family at Red Crab in Alabang.

[2005] I turned 23 this year. I made salubong my birthday with some of my officemates, since we had our office Christmas party the day before my birthday. Stayed for a few more hours after midnight and then went home to sleep. I went to work the following day after lunch :) I left the office half an hour earlier than usual so I could get home early. My family and I then went to Poquito Mas in Alabang for the usual family dinner :)

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
[2006] More time! This year, I seriously felt that I can never have enough time on my hands, both for work and for myself.

[2005] Clarity! I don't think I've ever had a more confusing year than this!

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
[2006] Still the same as last year's :p

[2005] I've always went for comfort before style. So practically the entire year, my outfits revolved around my flip-flops! I'd almost always be in a baby tee, jeans, and my trusty tsinelas. When you see me in a skirt, I'm dressed up already :p But that's gonna change. I'm gonna be more adventurous with my clothes this coming year ;) That's one of my goals.

What kept you sane?
[2006] Or rather WHO kept me sane. Our late-afternoon merienda breaks with long relaxed walks around the busy Ortigas area really helps us unwind and de-stress, especially when we're having one of those days at work :)

[2005] Cigarettes! Lots and lots! And Starbucks coffee.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
[2006] Oh, hmmm. None really.
[2005] OMG, Sam Milby! Hahaha!!! I still fancy him ;)

What political issue stirred you the most?
[2006] None.
[2005] That Garci thing that's been going on since forever!

Who did you miss?
[2006] My girls. I haven't been able to spend as much time with them as I would've wanted.

[2005] My family, because I wasn't able to spend as much time as I wanted to with them this year. I've missed several important occasions because of work. *sigh* I'm just glad that they understand and they support me a hundred percent. But it makes me feel guilty though, not being there all the time.

Who was the best new person you met?
[2006] Do I even have to say who? ;)

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
[2006] We're human and we make mistakes. But what's important is that you learn from them.
[2005] You can't have your cake and eat it, too.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself?
[2006] You're my inspiration, babe :)

[2005] From a really good friend of mine, Pnut, through YM, at one of my lowest points: u have so much going for you. but u love to read. u have a sense of humor. ur organized. u work hard. ur taller than most. u have friends who love you. seriously, ur a catch.

The most touching experience you've had this year?
[2006] That night when we poured our heart out to each other. We promised we'd be completely honest. And because we wanted to let it all out, we did, despite how much it really hurt both of us.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
[2006] I took a few really big steps this year, and I'm more honest and more trusting than ever.

[2005] I'm finally starting to realize things, owing up to my responsibilities, and growing up :)

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
[2006] [NO ANSWER YET]

[2005] I did some things without even thinking at all. No regrets because I've learned from them, but I could've spared myself and the people around me all the hurt and all the complications.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
[2006] "My heart was broke, my head was sore, what a feeling. Tied up in ancient history, I didn't believe in destiny, I look up you're standing next to me, what a feeling. What a feeling in my soul, love burns brighter than sunshine, brighter than sunshine. Let the rain fall, I don't care. I'm yours and suddenly you're mine, suddenly you're mine. And it's brighter than sunshine. I never saw it happening. I'd given up and given in. I just couldn't take the hurt again, what a feeling. I didn't have the strength to fight. But suddenly you seemed so right. Me and you, what a feeling." --Aqualung's Brighter Than Sunshine

Was 2006 a good year for you?
[2006] HELL YES!!! :)

[2005] It was an extreme emotional roller coaster that I'd rather not be on anymore.

What was your favorite moment of the year?
[2006] [NO ANSWER YET]

[2005] When the clock struck twelve on my birthday :) Of course I would've wanted ALL of my really good friends to be there, to make it salubong with me. But just the fact that they remembered to greet me, that they made me feel really special that day, was more than enough :) But then again, a trip to Bora or Amanpulo wouldn't hurt ;) Hahaha!!!

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
[2006] [NO ANSWER YET]

Where were you when 2006 began?
[2006] At home still.
[2005] At home.

Who were you with?
[2006] My family.
[2005] My family.

Where will you be when 2006 ends?
[2006] At home. We always spend New Year's at home :)
[2005] At home.

Who will you be with when 2006 ends?
[2006] My family. It was our craziest New Year's celebration to date! :p
[2005] My family.

Do you have a New Year's Resolution for 2007?
[2006] To travel some more! :)
[2005] I've yet to make my list.

What was your favorite month of 2006?
[2006] December :D November comes a close second ;)
[2005] Hmmm, just one? December! :)

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2006?
[2006] I finally let go of certain people from my past. I'm done. I had my fun already, and now it's time to move on.
[2005] Nope, not really.

Did you miss anybody in the past year?
[2006] My girls! Last time I saw them was in May when three of them celebrated their birthdays. And my girls from my old office. I'm most definitely gonna spend more time with them this coming year.

[2005] My family. I haven't really been able to spend time with them because of work. I think being sick for over a week is a blessing in disguise. It's my body's way of recovering from all the sleepless nights and from the way I've battered it, plus I get to spend time with my family since I've been at home since I don't know when :)

What was your favorite record from 2006?
[2006] Still Hed Kandi :)
[2005] Hed Kandi! I told you, this year was the year I learned to appreciate and love house ;)

How many concerts did you see in 2006?
[2006] Are house parties considered as concerts? If then, there's Hed Kandi in March, Kaskade in April, and Defected in the House at the start of December :)

[2005] None =T Hmmm, now that I think about it, I don't think I've EVER been to a concert! Sad.

Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2006?
[2006] Surprisingly, not that much. Maybe that's why I got really hit at Defected when I only had two Vodka 7s. TWO!

[2005] More than usual. I'm not a big drinker. But this year, I've pushed my limits ;) I used to be out of it after a bottle of Vodka Ice, my favorite poison. But now that I've learned how to pace myself, I could drink more and enjoy myself some more! :) AND drive myself home in one piece...in three minutes flat ;) Hahaha!!!

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
[2006] [NO ANSWER YET]

How much money did you spend in 2006?
[2006] I don't really compute what I spend. I think I should start doing that next year. But even if I spent way more than last year, it was most definitely well spent :)

[2005] I don't even want to know for sure. A LOT!

What was your proudest moment of 2006?
[2006] September 1 when I had my last stick of yosi and December 12 when I found out about my promotion :D

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2006?
[2006] [NO ANSWER YET]

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2006 and change something, what would it be?
[2006] Nothing still! :) I wouldn't be here, we wouldn't be where we are right now, if it weren't for all the decisions we made. So I would change absolutely NOTHING :D

[2005] NOTHING :) As corny as it sounds, I wouldn't trade anything for anything.

What are your plans for 2007?
[2006] Prove to myself, to my superiors, and to the people around me that I deserve the promotion. It's a HUGE step for me and a REALLY great opportunity. I wouldn't want to let my Editor-in-chief down right? And I want to be able to visit more new places this coming year. Do I hear an out-of-the-country trip? Hehe :)

[2005] Figure out where I'm headed career-wise, spend more time with my family and my friends, take good care of myself, and enjoy enjoy ENJOY! :)

How are you different now that the year has ended?
[2006] I've taken more steps now. I've turned my back on my past so I can finally truly say that I'm starting with a clean slate. Though my emotions can still take the best of me, I've improved a whole lot. I'm not that hot-tempered on the road anymore, and I try not to be so impatient. I'm more in touch with my emotions and more honest about them. I've finally moved forward career-wise, and I can't wait to begin with my new tasks and assume my new responsibilities. More importantly, I'm more at peace, finally contented, and extremely happier than I have ever been. I'm actually looking forward to the future now, and not so afraid of it anymore :)

[2005] I'm definitely more mature now, in the fullest sense of the word. Though I wouldn't say that I've made a giant leap this year, I'm taking baby steps and I'll get there eventually. Someone told me that more often than not, I let my emotions take control of myself. And that I don't know how to say NO, even when I really want to. Those are just a couple of things I realized as the year ends. Some things that I will definitely think about as the new year is about to start.

What are your wishes for the new year?
[2006] We're both about to begin a new stage in each other's lives. I just wish for both of us to completely trust each other, because we'll need that more than anything. I wish that we both have an even greater year ahead of us :)

[2005] World peace ;) But seriously, I just wish that people can be honest with themselves and with other people. That will save us a lot of confusion and complication.

SUGAR HIGH

2006-12-28T18:53:00.001+08:00

Blaming it on my hormones again. After lunch today, I found myself craving for something chocolate-y. So I decided to get myself a grande Java Chip frappuccino from Starbucks. God, I've got a long way to go before I get myself that planner! But this time, it'll surely be something I worked for. And then just before merienda break, I found myself craving for cake. But we ended up going to a place where they didn't have any kind of dessert. Must stop self from eating too much. I don't want to gain ten million pounds after the holidays.

So anyway, since I can't have the sweets I've been craving for, let me leave you with these Blogthings thingies. Weird segue, I know. It's my blog, so who cares? :)

You Are a Powdered Devil's Food Donut

A total sweetheart on the outside, you love to fool people with your innocent image.
On the inside you're a little darker, richer, and more complex.
You're a hedonist who demands more than one pleasure at a time.
Decadent and daring, you test the limits of human indulgence.

What Donut Are You?

You Are a Gingerbread House

A little spicy and a little sweet, anyone would like to be lost in the woods with you.

What Holiday Food Are You?

BLAME IT ON THE HORMONES

2006-12-27T11:15:00.001+08:00

I was totally PMSing during my birthday vacation week, save for the emotional roller coaster. I was eating more than my usual, and I was yuckily bloated, which didn't help at all because I was at the beach for crying out loud and the last thing you want is feeling bloated and totally fat in your bikini.

Crazy hormones kicked in yesterday, when I overreacted to something and made it into something else. I'm trying not to be a kid anymore, trying to act more maturely. And this is just one of the things I'm working on. I'm doing my best to control my temper. I think that should be at the top of my New Year's Resolutions list.

And then my hormones went into overdrive last night, when my emotions dipped and I found myself curled up on my bed, hugging my pillow, and crying myself to sleep. Crazy girl. Now I've got swollen eyes.

I hope today's better. And the next few days. I hate having my man experience the effects of my craziness.

Oh, since we're on the topic anyway, let me share this post I got off a friend's Multiply journal:

How Bad is Your Temper

ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 20)
Nothing seems to ruffle you more than a lack of discipline, disloyalty, and decorum. But Arians are also known to go into a rage very easily when challenged. Those of you who have been on the receiving end of the Aries temper know that if not calmed down, they can even get violent. But one thing is certain: if the opponent remains calm and does not react to their outburst, Arians cool down very fast. They are also the first to apologize, which makes them easier to forgive.

TAURUS (APRIL 21 - MAY 20)
You are generally quiet and have control over your emotions. It is difficult to predict what will upset you, so when you do lose your cool, people don't know how to react. Your temper is like that of a raging bull, and anyone trying to pacify you will be the first one to get a verbal bashing. You generally get upset when you are concerned or when people accuse you of doing something wrong. You also hate being reminded about mistakes you've made in the past. You also have the potential to be terribly vindictive if rubbed the wrong way.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 29)
You are recognized by your cheerful disposition and your jovial nature is easily susceptible to anger. In fact, you are the best person to have around when there is an ugly scene at a party you can bring the warring factions together quite diplomatically. But when you lose your cool, you yell and scream and will not listen to reason. You must have the last word in a wordy duel. Your capacity to argue aggressively is matched only by your seductive charm.

CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 21)
Considering how charming, caring, and kind you are, you dislike unpleasant scenes, much less creating one yourself. You have great tolerance and rarely get provoked into losing your temper. If someone is unreasonable or trying to create trouble, you are more likely to walk away quietly. But that does not mean you do not have a temper. When angry, in your effort to control your emotions, you tremble, your hands get sweaty, and sometimes you fumble for words. Tears roll down your eyes easily and the opponent is touched by your innocence and will seek an apology immediately.

LEO (JULY 22 - AUGUST 21)
If anyone has total control over their emotions, it is you. But then, you can be described as stiff, cold, and uncaring. You are known to lack spontaneity but you really don't care about opinions. You don't like to create scenes and will never accept invitations to a party where you suspect the presence of an unruly lot. But your very presence seems challenging to some and they take vicarious pleasure in your disquiet. When angry you can use critical language. A dressing down can humiliate your opponent, causing a strain between both of you forever.

VIRGO (AUGUST 22 - SEPTEMBER 21)
Most of you are gentle and have full control over your emotions but those of you given to temper tantrums can certainly get violent. When see things with rage, you yell and shout and tend to break things lying close at hand. You can even harm yourself by banging your hands on a glass top table or wall. You should never get into any argument, for you are a sore loser. You feel that others are trying to persecute you and don't quite respect your opinions. When hurt, you can also hold grudges forever.

LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 22 - OCTOBER 22)
Did someone say that you are the charmers of the zodiac? Well, it's true. Few have ever seen you ruffled or angry. You are very conscious of your image, and you believe that anger distorts your face and personality. You also think you are above things like anger. But wait before you get into self-congratulatory mood. Your family or those very close to you know you better. You have an unmatched temper amongst all the zodiac signs, and what makes it worse is your capacity to justify it.

SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21)
Of course you don't lose your cool. But your very demeanor projects haughtiness, pride, and grand disdain for lesser mortals. Others are often found saying that anger sits on your nose and you are raring to give your piece mind to the first person who try to be funny with you. You are selective in the choice of your friends, and have a low tolerance for the superfluous types. Your tongue-lashing is generally in a soft hissing tone for when you scream, your voice tends to get shrill and loud and you do hate drawing attention to yourself! When upset, you are angrier with yourself for having shown weakness, for the last thing that Scorpio wants to show is being out of control.

SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 20)
You are insensible and generally have no complete control over your emotions. You do get angry quickly and others marvel at your anger levels even when provoked. Actually, you get tongue-tied when angry and you will remove your anger waiting for the other person to calm down. Then you will reason with your opponent and convince the other person in a very gentle manner that the whole thing was just his mistake. You're also likely to totally sever ties with someone when you're upset with them.

CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 21 - JANUARY 19)
Few will believe that a hardcore practical and materialistic person like you is capable of sensitivity and genuine emotions. You project a hard exterior but are actually very sensitive, a trait you successfully hide from others. You can see things with anger but will not betray your feelings. But then, there are times that even you cannot control your temper. Under such circumstances you can shout and scream, more with frustration at the situation than with anger at any particular person. Your outbursts can shock others and can make them feel guilty too.

AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18)
You are noble and kind and dislike losing control over your emotions. It is very rare for you to get angry. You are also the pacifier in situations that involve arguments. It is always your endeavor to be perfect and socially correct in your behavior and attitude, but if misunderstood and slighted you can give in to an angry outburst. You will shout and scream and then walk out from the scene. You cannot easily forget the situation and will be bitter about it for a long time.

PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20)
The only thing that can be said about you dreamers is that you appear even more attractive when angry. You are very sensitive to others' feelings, so you rarely hurt them. But when others tend to hurt you, then things take a nasty turn. You will yell and use harsh words and feel inclined to shake everything and everyone up. Your creative imagination is at its best when angry, and you tend to get pretty dramatic. When upset, you refuse to listen to reason and wish to be left alone. But once you calm down, you repent your tantrums and seek forgiveness. So nobody can be upset with you for too long.

BACK FROM THE BEACH

2006-12-23T19:35:00.001+08:00

This is where I spent the past few days...

More pictures and my kwento to follow :)

BIRTHDAY VACATION

2006-12-17T18:49:00.001+08:00

This four-day break was planned about a month ago and it's finally a mere couple of days away :) I can't wait to be away from it all again! ;)

I've been having quite a stressful and tiring time at work. Don't even make me begin to tell you why. Actually, we both have been pretty stressed at work lately. And there are times when it gets too much that, ummm, someone's patience runs much shorter than usual. Guilty as charged. But I'm really going to work on that. I know I can be quite a handful sometimes. And it really won't help if I keep on losing my temper over the smallest things.

Okay, enough of that drama. On to much happier thoughts :D

I haven't really explained my previous post. Soon, when everything's, uh, more official ;) All that matters now is that we're both finally moving forward :) I can't wait to see what 2007 has in store. I'm really excited for both of us to enter that new stage in our lives :)

ON A HIGH

2006-12-14T08:25:00.001+08:00

I'm just so absolutely, crazily happy right now :D

When this year started, I honestly felt that for some weird reason, it was going to be a good year (check out this post). But never in my wildest dreams did I think that it would turn out to be wonderfully great :)

More details next time ;) I just wanted to share my happiness with everyone :D

To my family and friends, thanks so much for all the prayers and the support! I'll most definitely be celebrating with all of you! :)

MEET THE PARENTS

2006-12-11T09:48:00.001+08:00

I finally got to meet the family yesterday :)

Save for his eldest sister, Mau, who was in Makati at the time. But I was able to enjoy a nice family lunch with his other sister, Che, and both his parents.

I was so nervous about yesterday, it was so funny :p I fixed my clothes as early as Saturday morning, to make sure that I wouldn't look, uh, weird. I left at around 9:30am to go straight to Conti's in BF Homes, Parañaque (they've got another branch in Greenhills, but I'm sure I'd get lost if I even attempt to look for the place). I got them a Turtle Pie (REALLY yummy!) and started heading North. I purposely left early so that I wouldn't be so stressed from driving when I got to their place. But despite the rain and the traffic build-up in some areas, by 10-ish, I already got past GMA. Shoot, I was going to be early.

I tried slowing down and deliberately drove under 80kph, which is weird for me because I usually drive as fast as I can, even if I'm not rushing. At the North Expressway toll plaza, I even intentionally picked the longest line. Hahaha! Not that I was trying to delay the inevitable. I just didn't want to arrive too early.

I arrived at their house just in time though, at around 11:00am :) Early enough to have a nice chat with his Mom and meet his Dad, while Che was getting ready.

Lunch was great :) I felt comfortable with all of them, especially since they were all so makulit. And I was so glad they enjoyed the dessert I brought :D Next time, I think I'll bring something that I made ;)

We were all going to leave afterwards. Mark and I were going to Glorietta to watch Borat and all three of them were going to bring Che to somewhere in Merville. While everyone else was getting ready, his Mom and I were at the living room, just talking and making kwento while watching CSI :)

We left before everyone else, as they were still getting ready and they were gonna lock up. While we were on the road, I texted his parents (through his Mom) and Che, thanking them again for a nice lunch and glad that I was able to meet them :)

He went home to his sisters' apartment in Makati last night. And yes, naturally, they were making him asar :p When I got home, he called me up and I got to talk with Mau. He also told me that Mau wants all four of us to go out :)

Yesterday was just great :D His family and I FINALLY got to meet (looking forward to meeting Mau next) and we got to spend much-needed quality time with each other. Just what we need after a tiring and stressful workweek that has just passed.

I can't wait for next week! :) Birthday week ahead and a four-day celebration to look forward to ;)

GADGET LUST

2006-12-08T11:15:00.001+08:00

I've mentioned my gadget wish list a number of times already. And yes, until now, I haven't ticked anything off. I have my reasons.

My Gadget Wish List: Nokia 5300, Sony Ericsson Z610i, Nokia 7370, Nokia N73, Sony DSC-T50B, Horizon Perfekt, Fisheye, Oktomat, Cybersampler, Colorsplash, iPod Video, iPod nano, MacBook.

I'm not much of a techie (or maybe I'm just too lazy today to actually compare their specs here), so I'll leave you guys with this link to the Nokia 5300 and this other link to the Sony Ericsson Z610i. Mobile Exchange, an online magazine with daily gadget updates, is published by Gabe Mercado, and is one of my most recent discoveries online.

Can I be really mababaw here? They're both just so equally cute! :) And it doesn't hurt that they've got megapixel cameras already and they both go for less than P20,000. I'm not so sure if they're 3G already, and other features they have. It's too early in the day to delve into specs and to compare and contrast. Spare my brain.

I've been lusting over the Nokia 7270 since the fashion series came out more than a year ago. And then the next series came out, and I've been wanting its upgrade ever since the L'Amour Collection came out. The N73 made its way into my list after I saw Niña's phone last Saturday.

The rest, well, I've always been a trigger-happy kid. So I might as well have my own stash of toys right? And the lomos? Well, I've always been interested anyway, so might as well get a whole bunch of toy cams :)

And the iPod and the MacBook. Need I explain myself? And I only want the nano because it's just absolutely gorgeous in red :D

I want, I want, I want! :)

*sigh* It just feels so good to write a somewhat senseless and pointless post to clear the brain :p

DEFECTED

2006-12-05T08:56:00.001+08:00

I finally, finally got to hook up with two of my best girls last Saturday! :) We would've wanted to stay longer but I had too much too soon! So Mark and I had to leave early. *sigh* Bad bad bad. Someone doesn't know how to pace herself anymore. We still had fun though :D

'Til the next party!

SEND-OFF

2006-12-03T17:15:00.001+08:00

Corinne, one of my friends at the office, just left. Her official last day was November 30 but we gave her a small send-off surprise a couple of days before that :)

Not in the photos: Jerex, who was at a Cosmo shoot,
and Mark, who was our photographer :)

Our lunch group will miss you, Corky! And I owe you that cheezy e-mail :p Hahaha!

BRRR-LESS "BER" MONTHS

2006-12-01T20:47:00.001+08:00

I can't believe it's December already. It doesn't feel like Christmas is just around the corner. Sure, there are decors everywhere and carols being played inside the malls. But I miss that chilly breeze that comes during the Christmas season. You don't feel that anymore. I remember not being able to go out without a thick sweater. And how a mug of hot chocolate is just absolutely perfect.

Not that Christmas is that much different for me now. I still get totally excited and super look forward to everything about the season--the gift-giving, the reunions, THE FOOD... But I'll save that for another post :)

I just remembered early this afternoon that I totally forgot to do my pre-birthday post. I wrote one last year, titled TURNING 23 IN 23 (which I already deleted, but that's a totally different story altogether). I was thinking of doing a TURNING 24 IN 24 but since I missed my deadline already (that post was supposed to be published last November 28) then I think I'll just sum everything up and do my year-end post early this year. And I think I'll just save that birthday post for my 25th :D

Just a few random thoughts before I head off to dreamland. It's only around 9pm on a Friday night and I'm sleepy already. I need my rest anyway. I got a LOOOOONG day ahead of me tomorrow. Oh, but you won't hear me complaining. I've got a great Saturday ahead of me :D

HAPPY FEET!

2006-11-25T14:30:00.001+08:00

Finally! After being advertised for about a year :)

We watched Happy Feet last night. Super funny movie! We were laughing like ticklish little kids :P Okay, that sounded a little to cutesy. But...you get my drift :)

The baby penguins were just SOOO adorably cuuuuute! And the amigos. They were just the funniest bunch of characters ever!

However, I wasn't too impressed with the ending. I think the way they tried to inject a moral lesson was just too pilit. But overall, it was a good movie :)

I had a pretty tough start to my week. No need to go into detail as to how my Monday went. I'm just glad that my work week ended on a high note. A really high note :) One of our quickest dinners ever (because, yes, I can eat fast when I'm really hungry) + a funny movie (with someone being possessive in a really cute and super kilig way) + a yummy dessert (sweets will be the end of us!) + quality time with each other (most importantly) = a happy, happy, HAPPY day :)

The Making

Creating the Tap

Somebody to Love

SEND ME A SONG

2006-11-21T07:50:00.001+08:00

...by Celtic Woman. Being the super emotional kid that I am, I was teary eyed halfway through. You absolutely HAVE to download this song. One of my colleagues sent this to me. Check out the vid on YouTube.

Take the wave now and know that you're free
Turn your back on the land, face the sea
Face the wind now so wild and so strong
When you think of me, wave to me and send me a song

Don't look back when you reach the new shore
Don't forget what you're leaving before
Don't forget when you're missing me so
Love must never hold, never hold tight but let go

All the nights will be long when I'm not in your arms
But I'll be in the song that you sing to me
Across the sea
Somehow, someday....

You will be far away, so far from me
And maybe one day
I will follow you and all you do
Till then, send me a song

When the sun sets the water on fire
When the wind swells the sails of your hire
Let the call of the bird on the wing
Calm your sadness and loneliness
And then start to sing to me...
I will sing to you
If you promise to send me a song

I walk by the shore and I hear
Hear your song come so faint and so clear
And I catch it, a breath on the wind
And I smile and I sing you a song

I will send you a song
I will sing you a song
I will sing to you
If you promise to send me a song

God, don't get me started. A day at a time. That's how things should be handled.

Sorry for being too weirdly emotional so early in the morning. I had a really rough Monday. I hope today's better.

BETTER DAYS

2006-11-18T11:35:00.001+08:00

I'm feeling better now. Much, much better :) I guess all I really needed, all we really needed, was some quality time. We knew it was going to happen. What we didn't realize is that we weren't ready for it to happen so soon. But we said we'll take it a step at a time. No need to rush things. Because despite the looming distance, we both know that we'll make it. This is just one of those challenges that we'll have to go through together, to make us stronger. We just have to trust each other completely, and believe in us :)

Better days ahead. I think that's the overall theme for most people. Nothing specific yet. But as always, I have to be prepared for anything that's going to happen. Gotta be ready for anything that should be thrown my way :)

I've got a relaxing and productive weekend ahead of me. Not really planning to go out. I'll just be staying at home, curling up on the couch in front of the TV, letting thoughts swirl around in my head, having my trust notebook and pen with me wherever I go so I can write whatever comes to mind, checking out certain bookmarked sites, leafing through a few magazines... I've never really wanted anything THIS MUCH and so I'll do everything I can to make sure I'm ready for that day. Wish me luck. I've got a little over two weeks to prepare.

ANXIOUS

2006-11-16T17:52:00.001+08:00

I wanna blog but I don't know what to say. My mind's been floating since this morning. Several thoughts in my head. I think it's just too much to take in. We'll take it slow. One step at a time. No need to rush things. I know we'll make it :)

*sigh* I need my girls...

DAILY DOSE OF CHEESE

2006-11-11T19:45:00.001+08:00

I'm a lisping little girl, thanks to my retainer. I think this is karma for us (me and my friends from my old office) who made fun of a certain person before. Tsk tsk tsk. Bad. I'm sure my bud will be laughing her ass off when she finds out that I'm lisping for real :P

So anyway, having said that...

I had coffee with my little sis yesterday!!! :) And she gave me this really cute pink bracelet/anklet. For two hours straight, we did nothing but talk and talk and talk and talk. I haven't seen her for months. It was like we were trying so hard to catch up with the little time that we had. But we knew that it wasn't going to be the last time. We know that we're gonna see each other soon. Right sis? Come visit me again? :)

And, I just remembered something that Dar told me on YM the other day. Yup, that's it up there, daily dose of cheese. Apparently, he had lunch with some of our old officemates earlier in the week. And yes, because I wasn't there, I was one of their topics of discussion. Particularly my über-cheezy YM status messages. Hahaha!

They can't blame me though. I really AM happy :D Crazily, cheezily, contentedly, completely happy :)

So sue me, friends :P Those status messages don't even graze the tip of my happiness iceberg ;) Haha!

SAY CHEESE!

2006-11-10T19:27:00.001+08:00

Just like what I said yesterday, I had the top half of my braces removed already. It feels so weird. I catch myself running my tongue all over my teeth because I can finally feel them again. And I look weird. The moment they were removed this morning, my dentist handed me a mirror and I just smiled and looked at myself. I'm gonna be vain and take a pic of myself tonight and do a spot the difference :D

PEARLY WHITES

2006-11-09T18:55:00.001+08:00

Finally, finally, finally. I'm having my braces removed tomorrow!!! Yaaaaay! :) But not completely though, just the top row. My bottom-row teeth haven't stabilized still, because I grind my teeth every single night, moreso when I'm tired or stressing about something. Yup yup, sadness. So my dentist had to put a semi-permanent retainer on the other side of my teeth. So weird. And it makes me lisp! Waaah!

I'll be getting my retainer Saturday afternoon. So the whole day tomorrow, I'll be able to see my upper teeth again. I wonder how that's gonna feel...and look! It's gonna be so weird, after being a metal mouth for almost 2.5 years.

Well, we'll see :D

Who would've thought that the pictures from my mini-break would be the last taken of me with my braces?

BACK IN THE REAL WORLD

2006-11-08T19:18:00.001+08:00

I'm still floating from my mini-vacation :)

Being able to just relax and do nothing and anything for a few days was just absolutely wonderful. I can't even begin to describe how happy I am right now :) It was a much-needed and much-awaited break. And we weren't disappointed at all. Absolute bliss :)

I think this is one of the really rare times that I'm absolutely at a loss for words. And my closest friends know that this is so not me :p

WHAT A FEELING IN MY SOUL :)

2006-11-05T06:30:00.001+08:00

I've never been so happy, so content, and so at peace in my entire life. I've always wanted something like this, always dreamed about it, but never thought it was possible to have in this life. Yes, as cheezy as it may sound, I've almost given up on that, after having gone through everything that I have. I've changed in a number of ways, gotten rid of things in my life that are only bringing me down, changes that have only made me a better person than I was before. We've had our share of rough patches already, the downs of an emotional rollercoaster, but we've managed to fix things and make things right. Nothing can compare to the overwhelming emotions in my heart right now :)

I'm off to a mini-vacation, a badly-needed break since I started working again. It's a celebration of milestones, albeit small ones. But I love doing that, celebrating even the smallest things in life :) So goodbye world! See you in a few days ;)

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

GIDDY GIDDY GIDDY!!!

I've been waiting for this weekend for about a month already. And here it is, two nights away. I can't wait!

So for the next few days, expect that I might not answer any texts or calls. Hehehe ;)

P.S. The sweetest thing ANYONE has said to me...EVER?

"I may be busy, but I'm always thinking of you."

The sweetest line from a movie that I've encountered so far?

"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

*sigh* :) I swear, I'm a sucker for cheezy lines! :p But I don't care how baduy I may seem to some people. I've never been this crazy cheezy happy in my entire life :)

Enjoy your weekend, my dear friends! I know I will :D

2006-10-31T07:47:00.000+08:00

BREAKFAST CUTIE

Hey guys, Candy Cutie Felix needs our help ;)

He's nominated for Breakfast Crush ng Tambayan! To support my theatrical, gym addict of a kuya, text POLL BFAST A and send to 2366. You can text as many times as you want :p

Voting period's until this Thursday, and results will be in by Friday. So vote away, girls! :)

P.S. Speaking of theater, I believe his musical, Joseph the Dreamer is still ongoing at SM Megamall Cinema 4. Be ready for an unusual take, though. Hehehe :)

2006-10-25T09:20:00.000+08:00

IS THIS REALLY ME?

Continuing from my previous post... Here's what I think:

Basic self: Cheerful and optimistic. Likes to travel and to seek knowledge and new challenges. Does not like routine or tasks she has mastered.

I think I'd have to agree. I've always been an optimistic person, trying to see the good in every situation, every person. And I'd seriously love to travel. I've been dying to let that side of me out. If only I had the means to travel as I please. But I'm sure I'd be able to do that in the future, with the right company as well :) When it comes to routine, I only like that when I'm working out. I'm not really fond of aero-type classes wherein you have different routines practically every single time. I'd rather do the same program for a long time and then just vary it a bit when I've reached a plateau. But when it comes to other things, I'd get bored if I get stuck in a routine. I have to continually challenge myself and keep on learning. I don't want my brain to turn into mush :p

Love: Down to earth, sensual, physical, but also formal and status conscious. Does not easily let go of emotional attachments.

I think I'm quite sensual and physical. I love making lambing. Hugging and cuddling are just the absolute best :) I honestly think that physical intimacy is an important aspect of any relationship. But I'm not so sure about the status conscious part. Unless I don't really just see that now. If I become something like that, then I'm taking after my dad :p And about emotional attachments, does that mean I can't get over someone easily? Hmmm, probably. But I can honestly tell you now that I am SO over my past. Good riddance!

Work: An independent and innovative worker. Likes to experiment with new ideas, technologies, and methods in her work. Inventive.

I think this shows why I don't like routine, because I always like learning new things, so there always has to be something new. I think that's why I really enjoyed doing shoots before, no matter how tiring and stressful. It's just really fun :)

Of all the people who know me, friends and family combined, only more or less a handful know who I really am.

There are people I can have a really great time with. There are people I can just chill with. There are people I can totally be myself with, without caring if I look stupid or crazy already.

And then there are people who know the inner workings of my heart and my mind. Those who can seriously blackmail me with the things that they know about me. These people are those friends I can pour my heart out to, without me worrying about being judged. This handful of friends are those who can seriously give me advice when I need someone to talk with, because they know who I am through and through. They are those people who I know will always be there for me, who I'll always stay connected with, despite the distance and the infrequency of seeing each other.

These people who will always be closest to my heart are those who I'll be keeping for life :) You all know who you are.

So thank you, for being a part of my life, and for letting me be a part of yours :)

The kid in the picture isn't really me. That's my youngest sister, around 10 years ago :) We just got that picture from somewhere last night. She just looks sooo cute there! Majorly nakakagigil!

2006-10-23T14:44:00.000+08:00

MY PROFILE

Here's my Cosmo Personality Profile:

Basic self: Cheerful and optimistic. Likes to travel and to seek knowledge and new challenges. Does not like routine or tasks she has mastered.

Love: Down to earth, sensual, physical, but also formal and status conscious. Does not easily let go of emotional attachments.

Work: An independent and innovative worker. Likes to experiment with new ideas, technologies, and methods in her work. Inventive.

I think I'll analyze this later. What do you think? Is this really me?

2006-10-18T08:30:00.000+08:00

SOMEDAY

I was just browsing through my contacts' most recent posts in Multiply, and Leah's caught my attention that I just HAD to download the song.

Day to day and each night I pray
That there's someone out there that's gonna melt my heart away
And take me to another place
From the loneliness that's driving me insane

I get so cold, summer feels like the winter
When I'm at home, all alone, I just cry
I wish that I could just lie like I'm happy
But I can't hide this hurt inside

But I'll tell you someday I'm gonna find
A guy that's gonna change my life
And I'll tell you one day, just wait and see
True love is waiting out there for me

I'm like an open book just trying to turn the page
Feels like I'm trapped in a maze, trying to find my way
Oh, my heart's yearning for someone to call my own
And I don't wanna sing another sad love song again

I get so cold, summer feels like the winter
When I'm at home, all alone, I just cry
I wish that I could just lie like I'm happy
But I can't hide this hurt inside

But I'll tell you someday I'm gonna find
A guy that's gonna change my life
And I'll tell you one day, just wait and see
True love is waiting out there for me

Take me away, away
So far away, away
Take me away, away
So far away, away
Take me away, so far away, away
Away, so far away

But I'll tell you someday I'm gonna find
A guy that's gonna change my life
And I'll tell you one day, just wait and see
True love is waiting out there for me

Someday...

Someday One Day, by Christina Milian

It's this song's turn to be played over and over. Really, really nice song :) Let me be. It's not every day that I'm cheezy like this :p

*sigh* :)

2006-10-15T09:45:00.000+08:00

MY FIRST

Someone just got me my first pair of Havaianas ;)

Yay! :)

Those who know me well know why the hell a flip-flop addict like me has NEVER gotten herself a pair. It's not that I didn't want to. I wanted to, BADLY. And I wanted A WHOLE LOT. Seriously.

I've always said that if I could, I'd live in flip-flops every single day for the rest of my life. And that more often than not, my outfit depends on what pair I'm gonna wear. And just like what I told him yesterday, I've always had this debate with myself, whether I should get myself a pair or not. Because I knew that I wouldn't stop at one. I knew, that no matter how hard I control myself, that I'd be getting myself a pair every so often. But I know he's gonna keep on trying to help me discipline myself :p

Hehe, I sound like I become a crazed maniac when you let me loose inside an All Flip-Flops store. Well, I think I am :p Hahaha! Those who don't really know me don't know how giddy (and sometimes gushy) I get when I see a cute pair of flip-flops, or how I can be likened to a kid in a candy store when I'm inside a store filled with rows and rows of flip-flops. The way I'm addicted to them is the way some women are addicted to shoes and bags. Yup yup, I'm a flip-flop addict :)

It may mean nothing to some people. Some might even think, "Why the hell is she making a big deal out of this?!" or "Uh, does this girl live under a rock?" or "Havaianas are so last season!" But I don't care. What matters to me is that the people who matter to me the most know what I'm talking about :)

Thanks again ;)

2006-10-14T09:26:00.000+08:00

CELEBRATE!

First off, congratulations to Filmex for being named Production House of the Year! Yay to my dad and to everyone else! :)

Note: Sorry for the quality of the pic. I just scanned that from the paper.

Happy birthday to our Achec! She just turned 22 yesterday :)

This weekend really is a cause for celebration. Time to just chill and unwind. Can't wait! ;)

2006-10-07T12:08:00.000+08:00

NUNINUNINU

Two weeks since my last post. Two crazy weeks.

Game 2 of the Ateneo-UST UAAP Finals was postponed due to bad weather. Really, really, REALLY bad weather. It was crazy outside due to Milenyo. I would never want to experience being out of the house again in that storm. Add to that the lack of electricity, water, and phone lines for several days. Crazy scary.

Game 3 was moved to the following Monday. So most of us had to settle for front-row TV seats yet again. Too bad I didn't get to watch the entire game. Only caught the last 43 seconds of the fourth quarter, and the entire overtime. But I heard it was a really good game all in all :)

Not really in the mood to blog. Well, not as detailed as before. I'd rather make kwento in person to my closest friends :)

It's noon already and I still feel like a walking zombie. I gotta catch up on my sleep tonight.

*yawn* One of your typical slow and boring Saturdays...

EDIT: Oh, a yosi update, or whatever you call it... I've been smoke-free for five weeks already! Yaaaaay! :) But I still crave though. Seriously. But I was already able to go with my friend a couple of times when she went out for a smoke. So I'm doing better ;)

2006-09-25T16:14:00.000+08:00

DE-FENSE!

Game 1 between the Blue Eagles and the Tigers was probably the most exciting basketball game I've ever watched.

Too bad I had to settle for front-row living room seats.

I've never watched a UAAP game in my entire life. Not one. Our lovable UA&P isn't part of the league and I was never really "attached" to any of the schools through family. I've always been partial to Ateneo for some weird reason. (My dad was an alumni, but that wasn't really enough reason for me to root for their team.)

I've always said that I was a frustrated Atenean. Not because I didn't pass the test. I just chose my school over theirs. But I have always wondered what my life would've been had I gone to Ateneo.

I've always enjoyed watching basketball, and you could say that I'm an in-between spectator. I don't just sit there and clap my hands, nor do I scream my heart out. But I can always feel my heart pumping every time I watch a game. And, fine, you'd hear me curse once or twice. With a little bit of trash talk.

Game 1 was exciting all throughout. I wasn't really familiar with the players of both teams. And this time around, I was rooting for UST :)

That last-second play by Coach Normal Black was just something else. I was crazy excited when UST made the basket, thinking that they got one over Ateneo already. But I was still keeping my fingers crossed because there was still a second left on the clock and as we all know, absolutely ANYTHING can happen. And it did. It was a pass-and-shoot play, which I really thought was close to impossible already. But they made it happen. And the way the game ended just left me with my jaw hanging.

This is what I missed in college. I wish our school was qualified for the UAAP. Even if we had a really lousy basketball team (I'm sorry to whoever might read this. But at the time, they were saying that our women's team played even better than our men's team. Yup, seriously.) I would've loved to brave the crowds, the heat, and the traffic just so we could cheer for our boys. Seeing how the Ateneans and the Thomasians cheered for their teams just really made me envious.

Looking forward to Game 2! :)

P.S. I've been smoke-free for 24 days now! Yaaaaay! Oh, and earlier today, I went with Corinne, one of my friends at the office, for the usual after-lunch yosi break. The first time after I quit :D

2006-09-14T08:07:00.000+08:00

WITHDRAWAL

I'm baaaaack!!! For real this time :)

This just in: I finally quit smoking :D

Yup, you read it right. KV, the smoker who just absolutely REFUSED to quit, who kept on using the "Quitters never win" mantra even if it didn't make any sense at all, who would "quit" but then get back to the habit after a few weeks or a few months, has finally decided to kick the habit :)

My friends can attest to what I've just said. I've quit (or should I say, TRIED quitting) a few times already. It never works when someone else (a.k.a. boyfriend) makes me quit. I'll only end up sneaking and having yosi breaks behind that person's back.

Late last year, when I got sick for like two weeks in December, I had no choice but to stop smoking for the duration. When I got back to work though, I couldn't resist having a yosi break with Mike and Nins. And as soon as I got a few puffs and my body slowly got used to having what-nots back in its system, I was back to the old habit.

Just last week, I got sick again, for a week this time. Last time I smoked was over coffee the Friday before last; that was the first of September. I remember saying after having my last stick that it was going to be my last for the night. Little did I know that it was gonna be my last.

Last weekend, I was already starting to feel the cravings. It was easier last week because I was still sick and my body was weak, so I didn't really feel like smoking. But as soon as I've recovered, I've been DYING for a smoke! Especially when I started work this week. No more morning yosi breaks, no more yosi after lunch, no more afternoon yosi breaks, no more yosi while smoking. NO MORE YOSI. PERIOD.

I'm not gonna be a hypocrite and say that I don't miss it. I do. A LOT. But I don't know if my body's looking for the nicotine that was once coursing through regularly, or if I just miss the habit of lighting up. Corinne, my yosi buddy, has been smoking with other people. We both know that I still can't fully control myself, so it's best to stay away from temptation. So until then, I'll have to make sure to go back to my desk after lunch, to try and control my urges when having coffee, most especially when I'm stressed or sleepy, and just do everything I can to not go back to the habit anymore.

I just wish I could've had that ceremonial last stick ;) Hehehe. Seriously. I've always planned on having that. But because I didn't plan on quitting so soon, I didn't get to have that. Oh well :p

Good luck to me. I'm planning to do this quitting thing for good :)

Smoke-free for 13 days. Yaaaaay!

2006-09-08T17:58:00.000+08:00

SLOWNESS

I'm back! Well, sort of.

I got back to work yesterday, thinking that because my fever was gone the whole day last Wednesday, I can go back to work. But the entire day, literally from morning until night, I felt like I was floating. My head just felt so weird. It was like there was air inside my brain. And everything was just slow. My brain was already kinda back at normal speed, and was willing to do ten million things at the same time. But my body just couldn't keep up. It was still adjusting. But then again, can't blame it because I've been stuck at home since the weekend. I tried working yesterday. But after almost twelve hours at the office (I know, I know. I shouldn't have pushed myself too hard on my first day back), I decided to call it a day. I left at around 7pm I think, as soon as my mom picked me up. Twenty minutes into the ride and I was dizzy as hell. From C5 until Parañaque, I tried not to move as much because I knew that the slightest movement might make me puke. Eeew. So last night, I decided to go to bed early and just decide in the morning whether I can go to work or not.

So that's what I did. I woke up relatively early, but decided to have a slow start to my day so my body won't go into shock again. Pretty normal day for me, except that I'm still pretty slow. I guess I still need a few more days of rest before everything goes back to normal. I'm not floating as much today, feeling better already. But I don't want to speak too soon.

2006-09-03T08:43:00.000+08:00

SNIFFLES TO SINUSITIS

I'm so not feeling well.

Starting late afternoon last Friday, I already had the sniffles. And my throat was itching already from the cake that I just had. So I got Strepsils and a pack of Kleenex. That night I was still okay, just the occasional sniffing, which I thought was just my body's usual reaction to the change in temperature. (This used to be a no-fail. Every single day, at dawn and at dusk, you'd here me sniffing and sneezing like there was no tomorrow.)

On my way home, though, I started feeling worse. At first I thought it was just the lights in the Buendia MRT tunnel, which ALWAYS make me dizzy like hell. In the car, I was just thinking that a good shower will do the trick...and perhaps some food in my system. I was already done with both but I still wasn't feeling better. So I decided to sleep early. Before midnight on a Friday. That was RARE, trust me.

I just felt worse when I woke up Saturday morning.

My nose was clogged, my head was REALLY heavy, and my body was just so weak. I was practically in bed the whole day, doing nothing but resting and sleeping. When I'd feel a bit better, I'd get up and stay in the living room, parking my weak self in front of the TV or trying to get some stuff done on the computer. But my sickly body could only take so much. So yesterday afternoon, I took a nap from 3-7pm and then slept again at like 10pm.

This morning, when I woke up, I was honestly feeling better. My nose wasn't as stuffy anymore and my head wasn't heavy. So after getting out of bed at 6am, I ate my breakfast and then drank medicine. And tried working in front of the computer again.

I guess I spoke too soon. Because I'm feeling worse again.

Not as bad as yesterday. But certain things, such as talking and walking and even just thinking, takes up so much of my energy. And I've decided to just stop working today and rest again. I don't want to call in sick tomorrow. Actually, I can't because of the stuff that I have to do.

*sigh* I'm off to hit the sack again. Please pray I feel better soon. It sucks being sick. I hate it.

2006-08-30T22:30:00.000+08:00

CERTIFIED CANDY CUTIE!

Guess who made the cut? ;)

Just visit Candy's site to vote. You have to register first though, which will only take a couple of minutes :)

We've got 'til the 28th of July to make sure that my kuya/twin brother/fellow bunsoy gets in the final 100! :p

Help me here, guys. He's treating me to dinner when he wins ;) Hahaha!

Edit:

Check out this month's issue of Candy to find out who else made it ;)

2006-08-29T21:48:00.000+08:00

EFFED UP

Waaah, my blog's fucked up again! The template's messed up. For some weird reason, the dates are all bunched up on the upper right. Even some of my REALLY old posts are fucked up. Waaah!!! Why can't I have something that works on both IE and Firefox?! Or is it me and my HTML codes? HELP! =T Please? Anyone? The OC in me can't stand a messed up blog. This just happened yesterday though, after I posted the CERTIFIED CANDY CUTIE post. *sigh* Frustration.

Edit: The OC in me couldn't take the fucked up layout of my posts. So I just had to temporarily remove the Candy Cutie post. Sorry kuya.

Edit: For some weird reason, I just moved up an old post and edited it, but it didn't fuck everything up. Not that I'm complaining :D

2006-08-27T13:00:00.001+08:00

BRIGHTER THAN SUNSHINE

I can't really remember where and when I first heard this song. But the last time I really listened to it was last Saturday, at Ben and Inat's wedding. They were playing this song while showing their AVP. And it hit me. For some unexplainable reason, it hit me hard. And I felt like crying because of extreme and overwhelming happiness :)

So the first day back at work, I overplayed this on my iTunes. And really listened to the words.

I never understood before
I never knew what love was for
My heart was broke, my head was sore
What a feeling

Tied up in ancient history
I didn't believe in destiny
I look up, you're standing next to me
What a feeling

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
Brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, I don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine
And it's brighter than sunshine

I never saw it happening
I'd given up and given in
I just couldn't take the hurt again
What a feeling

I didn't have the strength to fight
Suddenly you seemed so right
Me and you
What a feeling

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
It's brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, I don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine

And it's brighter than the sun
It's brighter than the sun
It's brighter than the sun, sun, shine

Love will remain a mystery
But give me your hand and you will see
Your heart is keeping time with me

What a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine
It's brighter than sunshine
Let the rain fall, I don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine (I've never been in love before)
Suddenly you're mine (I never knew what love was for)
Got a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine (I've never been in love before)
Brighter than sunshine (I never knew what love was for)
Let the rain fall, I don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine (I've never been in love before)
Suddenly you're mine (I never knew what love was for)
I've got a feeling in my soul
Love burns brighter than sunshine (I've never been in love before)
It's brighter than sunshine (I never knew what love was for)
Let the rain fall, I don't care
I'm yours and suddenly you're mine
Suddenly you're mine
And it's brighter than sunshine

Yes, it's brighter than sunshine :)

2006-08-25T15:21:00.000+08:00

MY CELEBRITY COLLAGE

Okay, I've seen this done on several blogs already, so I'm like, "Hmmm, I wonder which celebrities will be on mine..." So I gave it a go :)

More than half of my "look-alikes" are Asian! And, according to Maan, our resident expert on Asian telenovelas and stars and everything else (Let me verify that with her again...), some of these girls are like the hottest and most popular in their country. Woohoo! Hot and popular by look-alike association! Hahaha!!!

Let me be. It's a Friday. I'm tired. And I just can't wait for the weekend to begin :) And it's my blog anyway. So I can be vain once in a while if I want to :p

2006-08-20T20:00:00.000+08:00

TWO-MONTH-OLD MID-YEAR ASSESSMENT

I've been planning to do this since I-don't-know-when, but I couldn't seem to find time to just sit down in front of our home computer and just do my thing. Probably because my eyes are glued to the computer for an average of 12 hours a day during the week that my mind subconsciously refuses to even go near a computer...save for the usual checking of Friendster and Multiply since these sites have been recently blocked at the office. (Oops, now they know that I'm one of those who visit those sites. Yes yes, just to keep me sane and clear my mind a bit :p)

Anyway, before going waaaaay back to the start of this year, quick kwento about what had just happened. Yesterday, another one of my really good friends just got hitched :) Yup yup, Inat—who I always describe as one of my crazy friends and one of the girls I'd go crazy without—just got married yesterday to Ben, her long-time boyfriend of five and a half years :) We all know that women are the most radiant during their wedding day, but Inat was just more beautiful than usual. (I'll post pictures from her day as soon as I get my hands on a few)

These two have an interesting "rule"—they can never be apart for more than six months straight. That's why they got married yesterday, and not mid-February, which is closer to their anniversary. They're both leaving soon, as they're settling down in the US. I remember telling her through YM that she better be here for my own wedding! No excuses! Hehe :) That won't be anytime soon though.

It was interesting last night, because I was most touched by the messages to the couple from both their fathers and Ben's best man, his brother. Yes, there was the usual profession of their love and support for the couple, and words of wisdom imparted by these important men in their lives. You should've been there to understand what I'm trying to say. I was just so moved by their messages :)

And then earlier today, we had a lunch family reunion in my tita's house in Alabang, our usual venue. One of my mom's sisters and her husband is here on vacation. Their family moved to Canada more than ten years ago, and as far as I can remember, this is the first time I'm seeing them again. I swear, our reunions are just crazy! Two of my cousins brought their girlfriends. And one of them, who I just met today, was just grilled for what seemed like forever! But it's cool, though, because my titos are just crazy like that :) They were asking us why we (me and my sibs) never brought any of our boyfriends or girlfriends to our reunions. My mom explained this to us before, why we can't (or shouldn't?) bring our significant other. But personally, I think you should wait until things are really serious. I've never brought anyone myself, and I wouldn't until my guy is really comfortable with my family already, and until things are really serious between us. So yes, you could say that in my past three relationships, I never felt ready to introduce them to my extended family. If everything were up to me, I'd only introduce one guy to them—the man I'm planning to spend the rest of my life with :)

Speaking of, one of my titas brought this up again earlier. In one of our December vacations (I think it was in 2004) with them, we were talking about relationships. I was single then, and had just come from a really complicated and messy relationship. So naturally, I had a different point of view. Then, I didn't want to take things seriously anymore. Not for a long time at least. I didn't mean that I was going to just play around. You could say I got tired. But I've always believed that you should always take your relationships seriously.

I remember that we also talked about my checklist for the man that I want to marry. I've never gotten to write down the "qualifications" that the guy must have. They're just all in my head. Yes, until now. But I think I'll save this for another post :)

Oh, and a couple of week's back, I got to watch Click :) OMG, I almost cried several times! I just stopped myself because I didn't want anyone going home with soggy sleeves :p What almost made me cry my eyes out?

"Will you still love me in the morning?"
"Forever and ever, babe"

One of the sweetest scenes ever, and the sweetest "conversation" I've ever witnessed. *sigh* :) What they said reminded me of several conversations I've had. The promise of forever can actually be both scary and exciting. Some people take the word "forever" lightly. But for those who take it seriously, especially for those who promise their lives to you, it's something else. Definitely life changing :)

So anyway, here I am, home alone (save for our helpers) on a Sunday night. My parents left a couple of hours ago to attend the birthday celebration of one of my lolos. All of my sibs went to my one of cousin's house to play pool and just chill. I chose to stay at home and catch up on my reading...and, obviously, blogging :p

On to the topic at hand...
At the start of this year, I had this strange unexplainable feeling that this was going to be a good year for me. And almost eight months into the year, I believe that it IS a good year, and will only get better :)

Here's something I got from the January 2006 issue of Marie Claire Philippines, by Joanna Martine Woolfolk. I'm not really a big horoscope fan. Yes, I check mine whenever I get my hands on a magazine. And I think I almost always go, "Hmmm, interesting..." but that's about it. It's only this time that I decided to look back and check if what was written came true for me :p

YOUR LIFE IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS: Turmoil is ending, and you'll soon feel like your old self again! In recent weeks, you've been pondering where your future is headed, wondering if you'll ever find lasting happiness. These insights will guide you in making an enormous change, most likely involving a different setting (a new home address, family role, or job). In 2006, you'll become more disciplined about taking care of yourself and looking after your own interests, including your health and earning power. You will confide a private passion to someone who encourages you to devote more time to it. Your forecast also indicates that you'll be introduced to new people whose support will give you great confidence.

Quite interesting and very much applicable. If any of you can remember, the first two months of this year was crazy for me. I had to make a major decision, which will involve a major turning point in my life. I left my old company, after having been with them for over a year and a half. Then for a month, while I was doing some freelance writing, I was pondering on what my next move will be. I was thinking if I should stay in the industry I was in, or make a slight adjustment, or go in a different direction altogether. But almost two months after I left, I got my answer. I joined Summit Media's Interactive group, and was set to handle Female Network. Besides this change of setting, there are other major changes in my life as well. As mentioned about taking care of myself, I've just actually made two major decisions, which I'm working on already: I'm going to finally quit smoking this year (my deadline is on my birthday, which, (un?)fortunately, is super near the end of the year) and I've just recently started to fix my finances. Some people don't agree with the cutting down part when it comes to quitting smoking; they think that you should just do it cold turkey. But I've tried that a few years ago and I just can't. So now, I'm cutting down on my intake until I totally don't crave for it anymore. With regard to my finances, it's weird that I only started really taking responsibility for it recently. Funny that I'm an Eco graduate, who got to look at the national budget like ten million times, but can't even make her own personal budget! Yes, I'm a crazy girl. About the private passion, I think I know what this is but I'm not quite sure if I'm thinking the right thing or just trying to make it fit. I'll just get back on this when I've figured it out :p

YOUR LOVE LIFE: You've been dealing with conflicting urges—stay safe or seek freedom? Oddly enough, you'll be able to satisfy both this year, while also learning to negotiate for the kind of romance you deserve. Jupiter will bring you luck, protecting you from heartache while enabling you to proceed, step-by-deliberate-step (in Capricorn fashion). Don't be caught off guard when the dynamic between you and someone special shifts unexpectedly. You'll retain control, thanks to your recent resolution never again to repress your feelings. Your new mantra: self-expression, at all costs! By year's end, Venus will help you make your way into a relationship with an empathic lover who promises steadfast support.

Haaay, where do I begin? 2005 was just CRAAAAAZY for me. Conflicting, confusing, and complicated emotions in more ways than one! Sleepless nights, neverending conversations, countless cigs... But honestly, I think that this part's true for me. Finally, my heart will be saved from heartache. Of course, just like in any kind of relationship, there will always be those little fights and arguments. But as much as possible, I won't let that happen. If you're totally honest with each other, if you promise not to keep any secrets at all, if you promise to talk about things until you both understand or reach a compromise, if you abide by each other's "rules of engagement," then there won't be any problem :) For me, trust and communication are two of the most important factors in a relationship. Screw one and you might as well just get the hell out of my life. Harsh words, but they're true. Not just in my case, but most people's as well. And yes, I think this merits its own post :)

WHAT TO CHANGE IN 2006: Judging yourself by someone else's standards isn't doing you any good when quandaries arise, look within yourself for the support. You'll find that a sense of power replaces your old anxieties.

I've always believed that you should NEVER compare yourself to someone else in whatever aspect. Because there will ALWAYS be someone better than you. And you will always be better than someone. So it really doesn't make sense to keep on comparing yourself, and making other people your standards for certain things, most especially if it screws up how you view yourself and lowers your self-worth.

YOUR JANUARY 2006 FOCUS: Love-This birthday month, you possess an abundance of erotic power. Unleash it! When it comes to questions of commitment, you're in the driver's seat. Make a tough decision now. Work-Wrap up a current project the right way, even if it's not the easy way. Your conscientious follow-through will impress an important group of people and set the stage for an exciting offer.

Hmmm, I can't quite remember how my January went, with regard to love at least. Oh, yeah, I remember now. I had to make a tough decision. And I really had to stick by it. My bud knows about this, and several other friends. I vowed to seriously go down the path of (FINALLY!) getting over someone. Because this someone is nothing but T-R-O-U-B-L-E. My bud and I have likened this person to some kind of drug—makes you feel high and so up there when you're in the moment, but so low and crushed and down in the dumps in more ways than one after. And I have to say that I've finally succeeded :) With work, I can't remember a major project I wrapped up before I finally left my old company. But I was definitely given an exciting offer, which brought me to where I am right now, career-wise :)

I just remembered that I made a related post at the start of the year, this time with regard the 2006 Bedside Astrologer from Cosmo Philippines. I won't give a recap of the past eight months anymore, but to quote a couple:

February: Save your sanity. You're an incredibly hard worker, but this month, you max out. As tough Saturn piles up projects, you'll need help to muscle through the mess. Ask your guy to pick up dinner, or enlist the aid of a coworker to meet a deadline.

I don't think I really maxed myself out last Feb. It was my last month at my old company and I was expecting to be really swamped with work. But the contrary happened. Not that I'm complaining. I had a crazy last day. I had my computer files all organized and ready for burning onto CDs but at the last minute, my computer refused to cooperate and I couldn't access my files through the Macs! Crazy crazy crazy. I ended up leaving the office at 10pm and to top it off, I got a flat on the way home! Good thing it was already halfway through South Superhighway, so my dad and two of my brothers got to where I was, help me change my tire, and make sure I got home safe. Yes, I'm spoiled :D

May: Quit freaking out. Mid-month, worrywart Pluto makes you paranoid that your guy's losing interest in you or that you'll never find a boyfriend. Realizing that it's all in your head quickly revives both your strong self-image and your erotic optimism.

I've thought about this several times. When you've been attached for seven straight years, two years of singlehood actually seems like forever. Or maybe it's just me. But when you see your coupled-up friends, you can't help but feel jealous. And with what has happened to me last year, I couldn't really help but feel pessimistic and think negative thoughts. But that's over now :)

I think I've made quite an in-depth mid-year analysis. In a nutshell, I just wanted to say that I was right. This IS a good year for me. And as far as I know, it'll only get better ;)

Enjoy the three-day weekend everyone! I'm off to hit one of my books :) I need some brain nourishment. I just wish I could say that I was off to the beach instead. But no, I have to save that trip for later in the year! Oh, but can I just say that that pic up there has been a favorite for the past few months? I just look (and feel!) so happy and relaxed! I can't wait to hit the beach again. Or anywhere chill for that matter!

"I wouldn't wanna be anywhere else but here. I wouldn't wanna change anything at all." --All Saints' Black Coffee

For some weird reason, these lines just popped into my head. And I don't even have an mp3 of this song. And I'm listening to beach house right now. But it says EXACTLY what I'm feeling :)

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

FEMALE NETWORK

Let me just brag a bit :) The product of our sweat, blood, and tears. This is what I've been busy with for the past weeks.

Do check it out! Let us know what you think by participating in the poll. E-mail us your comments and suggestions as well :)

I still don't have enough energy to really sit down and blog. It's too early in the morning. Well, for me, at least. Maybe later in the day :p

2006-07-24T08:45:00.000+08:00

IT'S OFFICIAL

Just wanted to share :)

I just got a stack of cards on my desk this morning. For some weird reason, I only feel that a move is official once a small card says so :p

I realized that I haven't really blogged in a while. My updates haven't really been updates. I think I'm gonna sit down for like a couple of hours this weekend for a proper update. It's just A LOT has been going on in both the professional and personal aspects of my life. It's all good though. Because regardless, I'm still HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY :)

Hope you all have a great start to your week! Despite the rain and all. I just wish I could stay in bed the whole day, with a warm cup of coffee, my yosi, and lots of pillows to keep me warm. Another warm body wouldn't hurt though ;)

2006-07-02T12:38:00.000+08:00

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY BEE

I just realized that it's been a month since my last real update. It's been CRAZY busy. Still fun though, but it can get really tiring at the end of the day.

I also got to hook up with yosi bud Nins a few times this month. Yay! :) Once, we had breakfast in Pancake House, Magallanes (because she was craving for pancakes, but we both had waffles instead) and got to catch up on our professional and personal lives. She wanted to make me batok then but I don't think she'd still want to do that now :p Hooked up with her a couple more times and got to have lunch and also share a couple of sticks with her. I seriously miss seeing that girl everyday =T

I haven't seen my girls since we had dinner in Greenbelt last May. It's cool, we'll see each other in August when Mara comes home to visit :) Yaaay!

I got to hang out with my college barkada again, several times last week :) Mommy Len just got married last June 26! Too bad I wasn't able to go to the wedding itself. I was so busy with work that I just went to the reception, and then had to go back to the office after a couple of hours. But she was really beautiful that night :)

Then last Wednesday, we had dinner Tono's place to celebrate and make salubong his birthday. Fun fun night :) We were all CRAAAAAZY full by the time we went home! Still gotta get the recipes from Tono though ;)

I spent the night at Gel's place, so we had Felix drop us off. We both got to sleep at like 5am, after like three hours of nonstop girl talk. And to think that the entire year she was gone, we've been e-mailing each other constantly, updating each other of what's been happening. Girls will be girls :p

Friday night was dinner at Gel's, this time with the rest of her friends. It was fun, being able to catch up with the others :) Didn't really stay long, because we had a tiring day at work.

Finally got to watch Superman yesterday!!! :)

Hassle though, because I had tickets reserved early in the week. I told the girl I spoke with that I wanted tickets to the IMAX theater, and she gave me reservations for the Directors Club. And all the while, stupid me thought it was the same thing. Just realized after, when we finally paid for the tickets and were just waiting to get in, that it was different. It was cool though, at least we got comfy chairs and all :) We'll just have to wait for a really good movie so we can try IMAX next time.

Can I just state the obvious? SM Mall of Asia is effin' huge! And it's really tiring if you're walking aimlessly, not really knowing where you wanna go to eat or hang out :p But it's cool, I like the place :) There's a good mix of stores. And if you don't mind the mix of people as well, then everything's cool. Haven't tried having coffee at one of those places where you can watch the sunset. But will do next time :)

I'll be spending another one of those chillax Sundays at home. Gotta get back to watching CSI now ;)

2006-06-23T08:05:00.000+08:00

SHUFFLE

One of 'em random posts. I still haven't found enough free time to update my blog. Since I've got my headphones glued on most of the time anyway, might as well do this :)

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn't make sense.

NO CHEATING!

How are you feeling today? Empty Streets by Late Night Alumni
Will you get far in life? Slowly by Max Sledgly
How do your friends see you? Laika Memories by Pheek
Will you get married? Rumba (Pirates of the Carribean) by Armand Van Helden
What is your best friend's theme song? Be Without You by Mary J. Blige
What is the story of your life? Crazy Girls by True Stories
What was high school like? Let's Get Away by T.I.
How can you get ahead in life? Confession Part I by Usher
What is the best thing about your friends? Saltwater (Original) by Chicane
What is today going to be like? Sunset by Aonan featuring C. Shaw
What is in store for this weekend? Marijuana by Manu Chao
What song describes you? Alone by Tennishero
To describe your grandparents? U Got Me (Artful Dodger Soulful House Remix) by Para Beats featuring Carmen Reece
How is your life going? Offshore (Radio Edit) by Chicane
What song will they play at your funeral? Free Now by Soulmessengers
How does the world see you? Fire Wire (DJ Da Violator Remix) by Cosmic Gate vs. Aquagen
Will you have a happy life? If I Can't by 50 Cent
What do your friends really think of you? Nowhere (Gabriels Drop 4 Original) by Aquanote
Do people secretly lust after you? Put 'Em High (Radio Edit) by StoneBridge featuring Therese
How can I make myself happy? Stoned In Love by Chicane featuring Tom Jones
What should you do with your life? Hello There by Cagedbaby
Will you ever have children? Bebot by Black Eyed Peas

Pretty interesting answers. Though the others are like, "Whaaaaat?!"

2006-06-06T18:58:00.000+08:00

TENTH

It's been like half a week since my last post but it seriously feels longer than that.

After my sister's graduation last Saturday, off we went to Circles for dinner. OMG, can you spell YUMMY?! I sweeeaaar, the food was just absolutely GREAT! We were all so stuffed by the time we finished eating. And yes, being the dessert addict and chocoholic that I am, I went to the dessert table right after my first round. Hahaha!

I was crazy tired by the end of the night. My feet, which are used to tsinelas practically every single day, had to endure almost twelve hours in heels. Not that my sandals were crazy high. I just wasn't used to it. And the sad part was, the balls of my feet were still aching two days after. Sad sad sad.

Come Sunday, I was just so tired and lazy to go out...even if I really wanted to. After hearing Mass with the family, I just chillaxed at home 'til late afternoon. Then I hooked up with a family friend, watched X-Men III (FINALLY!) in Town, had coffee at Starbucks after, then headed home.

Can I just say that I loved X-Men? I'm not really a fan of those kinds of movies. Before the first came out, X-Men for me was the cartoon series, so I only knew the characters there (Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, Jean Grey, Professor X, The Beast, etc.) and that's it. I remember watching the first movie with my then-boyfriend during its premiere in Megamall, but I totally forgot the story, or if I even bothered to pay attention during the movie. The second one, until now, I can't remember if I did watch it or not. And then the third. It was just WOW.

Yesterday was the first day of the week and was also one of the longest days I've ever had. I arrived early because the carpool I rode with wanted to leave earlier, wanting to avoid the traffic. So I got in at 7:15am, at the time when some people are just about to get out of bed. I was busy the entire day, basically with Photoshop and HTML-ing. My ass was parked in front of my computer, with the occasional yosi breaks to clear my mind and keep me sane. I got to finally leave at 8:45pm, thirteen and a half hours after. Shiyeeeeet. But I'm a proud kid :) I just designed and coded (Is that the right term? Or should I just say HTML-ed?) my first ever newsletter! Yaaay! *insert victory dance here*

I had a similar day today. Arrived early again, at around 7:20am I think. Then I had to have breakfast while checking my e-mail, because I already found out in the first 10 minutes that I was at work, that it would be a long day. I was doing Photoshop practically the entire day, save for the break early in the afternoon because we had to meet with the Cosmo team. I was sort of rushing things and multitasking as far as my hands, eyes, and brain can take, also because I had to leave early.

IT'S OUR BABY'S BIRTHDAY TODAY!!! Our youngest, Francine, is celebrating her tenth :) OMG, I can't believe she's already ten! I still recall when we went home from the hospital—we were outside, about to enter the car, and then the nurse handed her to me, while I was wearing that face mask thing because I had a slight cold and didn't want her to catch it. She was so tiny. *sigh* I'm gonna have to write an entirely different post just for her :)

I think I'm gonna sleep early today. Since after breakfast, my head's been aching. You know that feeling, when it's floating but you feel like there's something heavy on top of your head? There, exactly how I feel. Most probably because of my morning yosi break, when I had three sticks in one session and stayed somewhere near the basement parking. Yes, smoking combined with the stuffy surroundings and carbon monoxide. Haaay. Good job! But I gotta have some of that cake and ice cream first ;)

2006-06-03T12:30:00.000+08:00

TWO DOWN

At around this time two years ago, I was all jittery and excited. After four and a half years in college, four years in high school, six years in elementary, and two years in pre-school, I was going to march down the aisle one last time. I was finally going to leave my academic life once and for all and enter the real world, which wasn't really what I thought it would be.

Looking back at what has happened since then, all I can say is "WOW..." and just shake my head from side to side. I never expected half of what happened, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. An entire night of coffee and cigs won't be enough for me to tell you what has happened. But in the two years since I graduated, I have most definitely grown and matured. And though I may let out the kid in me in times—whether I'm being childlike or simply being childish, or just plain making lambing or making pa-cute—those who really know me can really say that I've been through a lot in those couple of years and that I've definitely learned more than a thing or two.

Later this afternoon, my sister will be going through the same thing. She has gone through five years in college (which gives her an M.S. in Industrial Economics!), four years in high school, six years in elementary, and three years in pre-school. She'll be walking down the aisle one last time, bidding goodbye to her academic life, and on the brink of saying hello to the real world.

I've always been proud of her. Though it's funny how she told me before that she looks up to me. I've never really regarded myself as a person that someone else would look up to. But she really made me smile when she said that before :)

Today, she'll be making proud ten people who are closest to her heart, our family and her Patrick, together with her closest friends and people who can't really celebrate this day with her physically but definitely in spirit. She was THIS CLOSE to graduating with honors. I'm still poking around as to why it didn't happen. Though she may feel disappointed, she has never disappointed us. Not one single bit. With or without honors, we're damn proud of her.

My sister, my constant roommate, my polar opposite at times, my childhood enemy, one of the persons I'd die and kill for...seriously. Chec, congratulations! This is YOUR day and you've made everyone proud :)

2006-05-28T09:48:00.000+08:00

BIRTHDAYS!

I had a really good Friday :) Crazy tiring, but definitely lots of fun :)

My day started early. I had to be in Makati by 8:30 in the morning to get some papers from Inquirer's office. Then I had to go to Security Bank along Dela Rosa. Then I had to RUSH (well, as fast as EDSA traffic could take it) to Ortigas. I didn't want to get my first late ever, and just because of post-employment papers that took forever.

After driving around Basement 2, desperate for a parking spot near the stairs, I finally found one and rushed inside the office. Got to swipe in with ten minutes to spare :p

The entire day whizzed by. BUT, oh my gosh. I'm just waiting for additional (if any) comments and their approval. I just designed my first newsletter EVER. Yes, using Photoshop. I'm slowly starting to re-learn things. No more of those resizing for my blog. But I know how to use the pen tool again :) Yaaay!

Before I knew it, I had to leave. Started getting ready so I can could be off by 6:30pm. It was a Friday, I was going all the way to Greenbelt, so I'm sure traffic will be BAAAD. I decided to take EDSA, instead of my usual route of passing through Fort. Surprisingly, it only took me an hour, including parking! I was early though, because my girls and I were supposed to meet at 8pm. But knowing them, that could be anytime between 8 and 9 :p So I just hung out first and waited for them.

Dinner was just great :) We all headed to Masas because Debby was craving for Pinoy food for some reason. Karla and Bjoy were still on their way so we started with dinner already. But I swear, crispy pata + sinigang na sugpo + rice + lemonade = KV's HEAVEN :)

We all decided to get a table outside, so we could drink and smoke. Unfortunately, the table we got was right beside one of the speakers, so we really weren't able to talk that much :p It was cool though, because we each had our own poison (I had my Kurrant 7, Rina got her Strong Ice, Karls got a Mango Margarita, and Beej got his San Mig Light) after we all shared a pitcher of Dalandan Margarita :) Yum yum yum!

Ended the night pretty early, as Karla and Beej had to go back to work, Phanie had training early the next morning, Mark was on his way to pick up Rina and the other girls, and we all came from work so we were pretty pooped.

Thanks to the birthday girls (Phanie: 19th, Debby: 22nd, Rina: 27th) for treating us to dinner and drinks! AND happy birthday, Papa Beej! :)

2006-05-19T15:40:00.000+08:00

SHOPAHOLICS UNITE!

ShopCrazy is the Philippines' first shopping weblog. It is a sister site of FemaleNetwork.com and CandyMag.com, and is supported by Cosmopolitan, Preview, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, Real Living, and T3 magazine.

With the help of our friends in fashion, lifestyle, PR, and media, we bring you inside info on the latest fashion and beauty products, gadgets, movies, home accessories, stores, restaurants, and other hot, hot deals in town.

Looking for a hard-to-find product or service? Want to tell us about the products and services that changed your life? Write us at webmaster@shopcrazy.com.ph. We'd love to see your pic and photos of your favorite things, too!

2006-05-19T08:40:00.000+08:00

APPLE'S CALLING ME!!!

At around the same time that people started to get addicted to iPods, I myself wanted one. I told myself that I would most definitely have to get myself one of those as soon as Apple comes out with an all black one. They came out with the U2 version but I didn't want the red part. Then they came out with the nano, but it was too small for me, both the dimensions and the capacity. Then the iPod video came out, with the 60GB version. Shiyeeet! Enough for me to store ALL of my songs and download new ones! :) So there right?

And then even before that, I wanted an iBook. In one of my old posts, I even mentioned that if I was going to get an iBook, I'll be getting an iPod; if I get a PowerBook, I'll be getting a silver iPod mini. Because they have to match ;) Now after the black iPod video came out, I had a "dilemma" because it wouldn't really match the iBook. I actually thought of having the iBook spraypainted black. Yes, I was THAT obsessed with getting those two gadgets off my wish list and THAT crazy to prioritize aesthetics over the specs and stuff.

Just yesterday, I found out that the MacBook has been officially launched. And it comes in black! Though it comes $200 more expensive than its white counterpart. I haven't really checked the specs, so I don't know how different the two are. I was just drooling over the black MacBook since I found out last night :p~

Waaah!!! SOMEONE please get me this!!! I'll be indebted to you forever ;)

2006-05-17T20:33:00.000+08:00

MOOD SWINGS

I've been crazy busy lately. Add to that almost getting sick last weekend. I'll post again this Saturday most probably. For now, I'll leave you with this :)

MOODS OF A WOMAN: An angel of truth and a dream of fiction, she's afraid of a wasp, will scream at a mouse; but will tackle a stranger alone in the house. Sour as vinegar, sweet as a rose; she'll kiss you one minute, then turn up her nose. She'll win you in rage, enchant you in silk; she'll be stronger than brandy, milder than milk. At times she'll be vengeful, merry, and sad; she'll hate you like poison and love you like mad.

MOODS OF A MAN: Hungry, horny, sleepy.

Hehehe... Interesting, huh?

2006-05-11T08:54:00.000+08:00

STAR OLYMPICS

Just one of 'em regular days at the office :D

2006-05-06T13:38:00.000+08:00

NEWBIE

I'm back to being an Ortigas girl :)

After a two-month vacation, I'm once again part of the employed :p

Since the first day of March until the first day of May, I've done nothing and everything—stayed at home and watched TV the entire day, stayed at home and parked my ass in front of the computer surfing anything and everything, stayed at home and parked my ass in front of the computer to do some writing projects, went out to have coffee with friends, went out to have dinner with friends... I've been busy with both nothing and a lot of things :)

And then towards the end of April, I was finalizing my application and then fixing all of my pre-employment requirements, to prepare me for work come first week of May.

You are know looking at the new Web Editorial Content Assistant for Female Network, which is under the umbrella of Summit Interactive ;)

My first week has been relatively light. On my first day, Gami of HR introduced me to my immediate superior, and then to the rest of my team. Lucky me because there were two other new people in my team, Corinne and Chaps, so at least I'm not so alone :)

Then there were several briefings and turnovers, and most definitely a lot of new things to learn. And yes, I can feel that I'm pressuring and stressing myself, which is understandable, of course.

So there, that's basically what I've been up to this week...career-wise, that is :)

Just last night, as soon as I got off from work, I went straight to Makati to hook up with Niña. The others couldn't come, so it was me and her, plus RJ and Mike. We were all crazy hungry and tired, so instead of going all the way to Greenbelt or wherever, we just decided to eat at this place called Sango, which was a minute away from Mile Long.

Cool place, you guys should try it if ever you're in the area :) I think it's a Japanese place that serves burgers. I got a chicken burger with nothing but mayo, and then a big glass of green iced tea. Be careful with the latter, though, because when they say it's sugarless, they mean it. But it's good to have after having a hearty meal :)

My yosi bud and I only got to spend a couple of hours together, but every single minute of it was just FUN FUN FUN! :) We were laughing our asses off, didn't care that the waiters at Sango were laughing at the two of us and our antics, didn't mind that Mike and RJ decided to ignore us because of our craziness... It made me realize how much I missed that girl :)

I was a Cinderella again last night, but by choice because I was seriously dead tired. I got home at midnight, got ready for bed, then just plopped down and got ready for dreamland.

It's past lunchtime already and I still feel like my mind's blank. It's like I'm so dazed and tired. Oh well, my body's still adjusting to having to go to work every day again. So it's cool :)

Alright, time for a yosi break, in the hopes of revving up my brain :p

2006-04-29T00:49:00.000+08:00

BABY MONTHS

Yes yes yes, another one of those Friendster Bulletin Board posts. But when you're semi-bored like me, then you'd find it interesting to look up your birth month and see if the description fits you ;)

JANUARY BABY: Pretty/handsome. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Sensitive. Down-to-earth. Stubborn.

FEBRUARY BABY: Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexiest out of everyone. Temperamental. Quiet, shy, and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Horny. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizing dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

MARCH BABY: Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate. Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous, and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Great kisser. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Observant and assesses others.

APRIL BABY: Suave and compromising. Funny and humorous. Stubborn. Very talkative. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Does work well with others. Very confident. Sensitive. Positive attitude. Thinking generous. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Able to cheer everyone up and make them laugh. Able to motivate oneself and others. Understanding. Fun to be around. Outgoing. Hyper. Bubbly personality. Secretive. Boy/girl crazy. Loves sports, music, leisure, and traveling. Systematic. Hot but has brains.

MAY BABY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm standpoint. Needs no motivation. Shy towards opposite sex. Easily consoled. Systematic. Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislikes being at home. Restless. Hardworking. High-spirited.

JUNE BABY: Best personality. Absolute pleasure to be around. Loves to make new friends and be outgoing. Great flirt. More than likely has a very attractive partner. A wicked hottie. More than likely that you have a massive record collection. Great choice in films and may one day become a famous actor/actress.

JULY BABY: Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people's feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional, temperamental, and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Spazzy at times. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

AUGUST BABY: Outgoing personality. Takes risks. Feeds on attention. No self control. Kind hearted. Self confident. Loud and boisterous. VERY revengeful. Easy to get along with and talk to. Has an "everything's peachy" attitude. Likes talking and singing. Loves music. Daydreamer. Easily distracted. Hates not being trusted. BIG imagination. Loves to be loved. Hates studying. In need of that "someone." Longs for freedom. Rebellious when withheld or restricted. Lives by the "no pain, no gain" caring. Always a suspect. Playful. Mysterious. "Charming" or "beautiful" to everyone. Stubborn. Curious. Independent. Strong willed. A fighter.

SEPTEMBER BABY: Active and dynamic. Decisive and haste but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly, and solves people's problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Usually you have many friends. Enjoys to make love. Emotional. Stubborn. Hasty. Good memory. Moving, motivates oneself and others. Loves to travel and explore. Sometimes sexy in a way that only their lover can understand.

OCTOBER BABY: Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to takes things at the centre. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn't pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Brave and fearless. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care to control emotions. Unpredictable. Extremely smart, but definitely the hottest AND sexiest of them all.

NOVEMBER BABY: Trustworthy and loyal. Very passionate and dangerous. Wild at times. Knows how to have fun. Sexy and mysterious. Everyone is drawn towards your inner and outer beauty and independent personality. Playful, but secretive. Very emotional and temperamental sometimes. Meets new people easily and very social in a group. Fearless and independent. Can hold their own. Stands out in a crowd. Essentially very smart. Usually, the greatest men are born in this month. If you ever begin a relationship with someone from this month, hold on to them because they're one of a kind.

DECEMBER BABY: The most good-looking person possible... better than all of these other months! Loyal and generous. Patriotic. Competitive in everything. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Easy to talk to, though hard to understand. Thinks far with vision, yet complicated to know. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having lots of ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Has that someone always on his/her mind. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Abiding. Able to show character. One guy/girl kind of person. Loveable. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves music.

It's just really interesting how practically half of this description is so me! I'll just elaborate next time. My bed's calling me already :) I just realized that I haven't really updated my blog properly since mid-April. I've been quite busy the past two weeks with several different things. I'll just let you guys know about them (of course only those that can be disclosed) soon :)

2006-04-20T23:29:00.000+08:00

L-O-V-E

I ought to make a more in-depth and comprehensive post on this topic, no matter how gasgas it is already. Meantime, let me leave you with this forwarded message I got from one of my old officemates, little sister Mitchikoo :)

"Love isn't when you can't sleep; it's when you want to keep your eyes open. Love isn't when you keep holding on; it's when you learn to let go. Love isn't when you kill yourself with jealousy; it's when you understand. Love isn't when you fall for someone; it's when you catch that person when he falls. Love isn't when you see him everywhere; it's when you close your eyes and he's still there. Love isn't when you tell him what you feel; it's when you give everything for his sake. And love isn't that you think you're blind; it's when you know it's wrong but didn't mind."

2006-04-14T05:02:00.000+08:00

UP AND DOWN AND UP AND DOWN AND UP AND DOWN

I just officially fucked up my body clock again.

I wasn't really meant to go to bed early. But anyone who's cried his or her eyes and hearts out will understand. I was only planning to sleep for a couple of hours, just to give my body and mind some time to rest. But before I knew it, I was sleeping like a baby. I only got up a couple of hours ago, around 2:30 am I think.

I've had an eventful week so far. It started with an emotional Saturday and me not wanting to go anywhere nor talk to anyone. Then I got over myself and the "drama" and decided to go to Batangas with my family.

We left Manila Sunday morning and arrived San Juan before lunch. It was a fun three-day vacation, as I got to just chill and bond with my family. And I finally, FINALLY got to get away from Manila and just bake under the sun! I went overboard, though. You should see me know, especially certain parts of my body. I'm SO red! (I'll post our pictures in my Multiply when I get them from my Dad) Our last day there, one of my sisters and I were in so much pain because of our burns. Yes, we're the smartest kids alive. No regrets though, because I absolutely LOVE my color now :)

So when we got back home, all we really did was just lie down in bed in an air-conditioned room. The summer heat didn't really help our burns. We simply took turns rubbing Burn Relief Gel on our bodies. What a way to spend the rest of our Tuesday. But I'm telling you, it really hurt like hell. I had a difficult time moving around because my stomach, my thighs, and part of my legs really hurt, like they were bruised or something. But I'd rather spend the rest of my Tuesday and the whole of Wednesday doing everything I can to make me feel better, so I can fully enjoy Kaskade Wednesday night ;)

Come Wednesday, I just stayed at home and bonded with my youngest sister, Francine, in the afternoon. I started getting ready to leave early, at around 7pm I think. But I got to leave at around 9pm already. I headed straight to Niña's house, since we both decided that we'd hang out there while waiting for Chikki. Then, off we went to Greenbelt to have dinner, since Chik will be coming all the way from Quezon City. We had some tipsy smoothies at Fuzion (I didn't know they had those! All I've been getting were the healthy stuff :p) and a potato platter. I told Nins that I didn't really wanna eat, especially rice, because I didn't want to feel so full and didn't want to have a bulging tummy at Kaskade. But we ended up carbo loading! Shiyeeet. We weren't able to finish the platter but we were sooo full by the time we had to leave.

So we picked up Chikki at Mile Long, then off we went to Coconut Palace. I haven't been there before so I was surprised at how huge the place was. When we finally got inside, half the people were just hanging out by the pool, and the other half were scattered around the floor, either by the bars or at their VIP tables. The three of us decided to just get our drinks and smoke by the bar first (Oh, we got free smokes from Dunhill! Yay! Never say "NO" to free yosi!), since it was obviously going to be a slow start.

Slowly picked up from there. Chik got super excited when Pinikpikan was playing, first with the DJ, then solo. They were so good! :) That was what made us go to the floor :p

And when Kaskade was up, naturally, everyone's energy soared! It was SOOO much fun! :) The three of us were waiting for different songs. Chik was waiting for Maybe, which we didn't get to hear. Niña and I were waiting for Everything, which we absolutely love and fortunately got to hear! I was also waiting for Gonna Make It, which I didn't get to hear either. Good thing we got to dance to Steppin' Out and It's You, It's Me :)

We left pretty early, like around 3:30am, because the yosi buds had curfews. It's cool, though, we still had fun :) And, just like last time, I dropped off Niña and Chikki, before heading home.

2006-04-13T05:14:00.000+08:00

I'M FEELING EVERYTHING!

Just got home from Kaskade!!! :) Haaay, happy happy HAPPY! Bumped into a few friends, but I spent the night with Chik and Nins :)

I'm too tired to really post anything. I'll just get back to you guys on this in the morning, when I've had enough rest :p

Next gimik: Chicane ;)

2006-04-12T09:55:00.000+08:00

BACK IN MANILA

My family and I just got back from Batangas yesterday. And all I can really say now is...IT'S SO FRIGGIN' HOT HERE!!! Not that it was really any different where we came from. But again, it's different when you're just lazing around by the shore.

I'm still too lazy to post anything coherent. But as soon as I've gathered my thoughts and have the photos uploaded, I'll tell you all about our quick getaway :)

Signed,
The Walking Lobster

2006-04-08T12:05:00.000+08:00

TAKE ME TO THE BEACH!

Sick sick sick of the city. It's SO friggin' hot =T It's okay if you're at the beach, since you can just bake in the sun first then take a shower, or jump into the pool or whatever. But if you're at home, or out somewhere? It's inhuman!!!

That's why I can't wait, because I'm going out of town with my family tomorrow! Yaaay!!! Beeeaaach!!! :)

One short post, as my brain isn't working yet...

2006-04-05T19:36:00.000+08:00

I WISH I KNEW HOW TO QUIT YOU...

This is actually a semi-long overdue post. It's been several weeks since I watched Brokeback Mountain. Smart little me knew the ending even before watching the movie...and to think no one ever told me because every time someone would start talking about it, I'd tell them immediately to NOT tell me about it! But then, one boring night, while blog-hopping, I chanced upon someone's blog and didn't know it had a spoiler at the ending. So there, I knew what happened. I just wanted to bonk myself after reading it.

But then again, that didn't really change how I felt about the movie.

I knew about the famous (or infamous) tent scene. And, at first, I was actually just waiting for it so I could get over it. But when it started, I was like, "Oh... Oh... Oh!" and was half-covering my face and half-trying to watch it properly.

But as the movie progressed, I actually got over the fact that it was two guys kissing and holding each other and all. Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against homosexuals, and I'm so not a homophobe. But I guess I've never really seen a gay couple being intimate and all. And, again, nothing against gay guys, but I'm one of those people who could take watching two girls go at it than two guys. Anyway, moving along...

As I finished watching the film, however, I realized that it really doesn't matter who the two people in the relationship are. It didn't matter anymore that I was watching a story about two guys, married with kids, but totally in love with and attracted to each other. The latter part was exactly what I felt: how much Enis and Jack felt for each other.

2006-04-01T22:14:00.000+08:00

I WANT KANDI...ALL NIGHT LONG!

I had one of the funnest gimiks ever last night :)

I was crazy busy the entire week. Every single day, except last Tuesday, I had to be in Ortigas by 8am to prepare for a class that I was teaching. I got a part-time, one-week gig teaching basic Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to three different batches of employees. It was okay, a good experience for me. Though I have to admit that it was really tiring, especially the first day. Class usually starts at 9am. And last Monday, my throat started hurting two and a half hours into the session. When we finally finished at 6pm, my throat was scratchy and my legs hurt like hell.

I didn't teach on Tuesday because I had two interviews and a coffee date with a friend. Though that day wasn't as taxing, I went home pretty tired because I drove from Parañaque to Quezon City, then to Ortigas, then back home.

The last three days of my teaching stint were practically the same as the first, just less tiring. Maybe it's because I just got used to what I was doing. It was funny because Thursday afternoon, I was being offered either a full-time job or another part-time teaching thing in May. I'm still waiting for them to e-mail me the details, so we'll see.

Yesterday was the most different, as I was giddy practically the entire day! Yosi bud Niña and I already made plans to go out that night, but we still weren't sure if we're going to Hed Kandi or just hang out in Makati or Fort or wherever. Later on though, we decided we'd just go to Hed even if we can't really stay out 'til morning—as in, after breakfast. And then at the last minute, before I went off to Megamall to get tickets, Chikki decided to join us.

So after going through a two-hour payday traffic from Ortigas to Makati, I finally got to Mile Long and just hung out with them before we all left for World Trade. Too bad I couldn't stay long at our old office. I really wanted to have yosi with each one of them at the office so we could just catch up. I was really glad I got to talk with little sis Mitch though :) And got to play around with Cleo's Mac's iSight :p

Then at like 8:30pm, the three of us decided to leave Makati and just have dinner somewhere near World Trade so we wouldn't have to deal with some freak traffic or whatever. So off we went to Marina and just had dinner and a bottle of beer each. At around midnight, we left for Hed ;)

The tent, if you squish everyone together, was like half full. Which worked for us :) But it was CRAZY hot! We went out for a breather like three times, I think. And every time we'd go back inside, we'd look for a spot where the blower (not the airconditioner, since it was just pretty much like a giant electric fan) was so we could still dance and not sweat to death.

I saw a few groups of people that I knew from school. Oh, and saw this guy early on at Marina, who's from my college that I was crushing on before ;) Chik, Nins, and I were just moving around the place, tripping with the lights, dancing, smoking, drinking, people-watching... Super fun! :) It was my first Hed Kandi, and my first time to go to a party like that. The first time I saw someone in the bathroom who was like REALLY wasted. And the first time someone bought me a drink! Hahaha! :p

We all should've worn just a top and hot pants though, not only because there were people there whose porma were like that but because it was really hot and we were all crazy sweating! It was so funny when we were just outside after having gone from the bathroom, and then we heard the intro of Kaskade's Everything, the Big Room Mix. We semi-literally rushed inside and towards the front and were just singing (or screaming?) while walking (or speed walking?) to a spot in front! And then the three of us just started singing as loud as we can and just dancing and jumping and letting the song just move us! :) Haaay, super fun :)

We stayed there for like three hours and then while we were just chilling and smoking at the sidewalk, we decided to hang out in the car. We left when the mosquitoes started having the three of us for breakfast :p I brought Niña home, then Chikki to her car in Makati, then off I went back south.

It was a really, really, REALLY fun night! :) At first I was kinda having second thoughts about going since I couldn't really stay out 'til past breakfast, which was our original plan. But I'm glad we pushed through :) Next gimik: Kaskade! Yaaay!!! :)

2006-03-31T14:20:00.000+08:00

INSPIRING QUOTES

From the author of It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken and He's Just Not That Into You, Greg Behrendt. It's quite a long read, but definitely worth it. Take your time and contemplate on each point, girls!

1. If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away. If he doesn’t want you, nothing can make him stay.
2. Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.
3. If you have ANY doubt in your mind about a man's character, leave him alone.
4. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.
5. Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant to be.
6. Don't force an attraction.
7. Slower is better.
8. Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.
9. If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck, no, you can't "be friends." A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend.
10. Have faith in God regarding your relationship, but don't let faith make you stupid. God does things decent and in order.
11. Don't settle.
12. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.
13. If he keeps changing his mind about the relationship, take that as a BIG sign that he is unstable. Do you really want to be with a man like that?
14. Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.
15. Honorable men take care of their business and aren't involved in a whole lot of mess.
16. The only person you can control in a relationship is you.
17. There's only one "reason" a man dumps you; he doesn't want you.
18. Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently?
19. You really do have to kiss a few frogs before finding the prince.
20. Always put yourself and your happiness first.
21. Always have your own set of friends separate from his.
22. Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If something bothers you, speak up.
23. If he doesn't call, he just isn't that interested.
24. Be honest and upfront.
25. Know when to cut the cord, don't be strung along.
26. Don't fall for the "I'm confused" role. Remove yourself from the situation to let him figure things out. But don't wait for him; move on.
27. If you want to have a clue as to how he will treat you, watch how he treats the WOMEN in his family, not just Mom.
28. There's more than physical abuse—there's emotional and mental abuse. If he causes any of them, flee.
29. You cannot change a man's behaviors. Change comes from within.
30. Don't let him place rules on you that he is not willing to follow himself—double-standard.
31. Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are, even if he has more education or in a better job.
32. Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less.
33. Demand respect and if he can't give it, he can't have you!
34. Don't compete with other women, but be aware that men are attracted to what they see.
35. If you think he is cheating, he probably is. Confront him right away and if you feel he's lying, let him go.
36. Actions speak louder than words.
37. Never let a man define who you are.
38. Never rely on a man for compliments, look to yourself for that.
39. Never borrow someone else's man.
40. If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you.
41. Just because he says he loves you, doesn't mean that he won't hurt you and it doesn't mean that you are meant to be with him.
42. To use painful hard-won wisdom, "get it right" the next time.
43. Know that you deserve to be the #1 person in the life of the #1 person in your life.
44. Love is a verb.
45. Learn to give up your life-long task of trying to make someone unavailable—available, someone ungiving—giving, and someone unloving—loving.
46. A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.
47. All men are NOT dogs.
48. You should not be the one doing all the bending. Compromise is a two way street.
49. If you don't love yourself, you can't love anyone else.
50. You cannot mend someone else's broken heart.
51. You need time to heal between relationships. There is nothing cute about baggage. Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship.
52. You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you. A relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals. Look for someone complementary, not supplementary.
53. Dating is fun...even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right.
54. NEVER give more in a relationship than you are getting out of it.
55. Never become your man's "therapist."
56. When actions and words conflict, believe the actions. Respond to the actions.
57. A real healthy relationship requires two people. One person can end it, but it takes two to make it work.
58. Don't fall for the "I'm not the loving type" of man. When a man loves you, there is nothing in this world (within reason) that he wouldn't do for you.
59. Make him miss you sometimes. When a man always know where you are and you're always readily available to him, he takes it for granted.
60. Give him his space. Let him go out with his boys. Don't pressure him to spend time with you. You can't force a man to hang out with you.
61. If you wouldn't allow your daughter to be with him, you shouldn't.
62. Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later.
63. Never move into his mother's house.
64. Provide financially for yourself and don't depend on anyone.
65. Never co-sign for a man.
66. Never believe you have the perfect guy and he is so innocent.
67. Never spoil your man; let him spoil you.
68. Never let a man mess up your credit.
69. When it's time to let go, let go.
70. Good men should be treated like good men.
71. Don't play games.
72. Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need.
73. Keep him in your radar but get to know others.
74. Compatibility in terms of educational attainment, values, beliefs, personal and career goals, and socioeconomic status, are important.
75. Never date a guy who wears colored contacts.

2006-03-28T21:42:00.000+08:00

JUST A THOUGHT

I chanced upon this quote from the Lorem Ipsum Generator and just thought I'd share it with you guys :)

"Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit..."

"There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."

Quite interesting, huh?

I don't really have that much energy left in me to blog and give an update as to what's been happening the past few weeks. I'll make time this weekend :) Now, I have to start getting ready for bed and head to la-la land, because I have to be up by 6am tomorrow. Shiyet.

2006-03-12T03:30:00.000+08:00

CRAZY EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER RIDE

It's been a really long time since I last blogged. Which is so not me since half the time, I just blog either about my day or really mundane things. It's just that the past month has been very emotional for me, in the fullest sense of the word.

Late January, I filed my resignation as Editorial Assistant at Hinge Inquirer Publications, which was effective February 28. It was weird at first. When I finally got my letter back, with the signatures of approval, it was so surreal. It was like, this is it, it's really happening. I won't get into detail anymore as to why and how I came up with that decision. Let's just say that it's for the best.

During the first half of the month, time was actually slower than usual. It could also be because I wasn't crazy busy with something. But it was a good thing for me then, because that meant more time with my friends from the office.

But when the second half rolled in, that's when it slowly started sinking in. These people I hang out with, talk with, have lunch with, smoke with... These people whom I spend most of my waking hours with... I won't be seeing every day anymore. I've had several talks with a few of them—about me leaving, about my plans after, about how it's going to be weird when I leave. And half the time, we would end up changing the topic, because it really hurt to talk about it.

Before I knew it, it was my last day at HIP. I was busy as soon as I got to the office. I bought a stack of CDs, started clearing my desk and drawers, burning all of my files. I remember Adel asking me how I was doing. I said I was okay, busying myself so I wouldn't think about it. It was really hard for me.

Late afternoon, Poch and Doris had food delivered for my despedida. It wasn't actually just for me. It was also for Joel who's leaving at the end of the month, and in celebration as well of the first two months of the year. I reminded Dar the night before to bring his camera, so we could take tons of pictures. While having our late merienda/early dinner, I was going around, having my picture taken with people. Feeling debutante :p

I ended up leaving the office late, at around 10pm I think? And it was so weird because right before I left, I surrendered my proximity card. That was it. I was officially out of HIP.

On the way home, it hasn't really sunk in yet. I was thinking, maybe in the morning, when I wake up, when I realize that I don't have to be up early anymore because I was officially unemployed.

The first day of my vacation was okay. I thought I was going to be really emotional, like bawling and crying my eyes out. In the back of my head, I was just trying to think that I'm on leave, so I could let the fact sink in slowly.

I know, I know, some of you are probably rolling your eyes now. But leaving the company I've been with for the past year and eight months, leaving my FIRST job, leaving the people I've worked with, the really good friends I've made... It's not as if we won't keep in touch. But it's going to be really different.

It was hard for me before when some of my officemates left the company, when we were still Hinge Media. But it's so much more different when it's you who's leaving. I just can't put it into words.

These people, in no particular order (Except the sequence as to when they were taken. I wouldn't want to play favorites now, would I?), who have seen me at my best and worst, are the reason why I held on during the really tough times, and why it's so hard for me to say goodbye:

Art Ilano, one of my Editors-in-Chief. He's one of the best I’ve worked with! And it doesn't hurt that he's really adorable, and just charms you and sweeps you off your feet. He's made all those sleepless nights working on the November-December 2005 issue of PC Magazine so much more bearable. Thanks Artsypooh :)

Mon Erta, one of the funniest people I know! I swear, just listening to him and watching all of his antics... More than enough to brighten up your day :) Pardon the eye patch. He's just had some rough days and nights :p

Charito "Manong Chats" Ciriaco and Rosito "Baby Balong" Subang, my two most favorite messengers in the whole wide world! :) They're both just so sweet, so accommodating, and so happy-happy-joy-joy! Both their smiles are really infectious, I'm telling you. THE ultimate heartthrobs of the company ;)

Poch and Doris Bermudez, thank you for taking a chance on an un-experienced fresh grad whose course was WAY off track. I wouldn't have learned the things I know now if you hadn't. I've always believed in the potentials of all of the magazines. How I wish I could still be part of the growth of the company. But maybe God just has a different plan for me :)

Adel Gabot, the sweetest and most huggable editor I know! He's one of the really few people who's so sincere when they ask, "How are you doing?" I also love the way he goes, "Yes, dear?" when you knock on his door saying, "Adel...?" Such a sweet, affectionate, and genuine man :)

Chikki Agbayani, one of the first friends I made, and one of my closest :) I would seriously get lost without this girl. It wasn't really until the second half of last year that I started confiding in her about more personal stuff. And I'm glad I did, or I probably would've burst. The perfect road trip partner! Well, for me, at least. Because I'm sure we'll end up discovering TONS of new places, with our amazing sense of direction :p I'm really glad I have you as a friend, Chik! We still owe each other ;) Here's to more FUN FUN FUN! :)

Niña Chua, yosi bud and fellow repressed girl. It's funny how we never really talked before. You could count how many words we spoke to each other the first half of last year. We only started really talking when she was turning over Swing to me temporarily June of last year, and when I was turning over everything back to her when she got back from her leave. It sort of just happened. Starting late last year, I was telling her all of my stories and adventures; before I knew it, we were both confiding in each other, with yosi as our constant companion. I've yet to go to Bora with this girl, and just party our asses off :) Here's to more yosi breaks, drinking sessions, and house music, bud! "You are the star in my night, shining for me, baby, love is so right, come on, I’m feeling everything..." We've only just begun! ;)

Mitch Baylosis, our ex-intern turned Hinge employee and my little sister and ate rolled into one. When I entered the company, they were finishing their internship already. Then less than a year later, she was back for good. It's so refreshing talking to her. People almost always just see her as this perky twelve-year-old little girl. But you'd be surprised at how much insight she can give you on things. Not that I'm underestimating her; don't get me wrong, guys. It's just really nice talking with her, because she gives you a new perspective on things. She's one of my yosi buddies, though she doesn't smoke (I'd like to make that clear. Mitch DOESN'T smoke, okay?). She just goes down with me whenever I have one of my kilig stories, or when I'm bothered about something, or when one of us is sleepy, or when we're just stressed and really need a break, or when our brains just refuse to cooperate, or when we need some psychoanalysis. I'm her official beta reader and she's my personal copy editor ;)

Dario Tibay, my ultimate lamay partner and fellow mountain goat. When we got to finally work with each other early last year on the third issue of LIFESTYLE by SONY, We've talked about practically EVERYTHING—from the most trivial to the more complicated and personal. We've gotten so close that we had hirits that only the two of us could understand. He's my official Photoshop, FreeHand, and photography teacher. No matter how tiring and stressing those months were for both of us, I wouldn't trade them for anything. This is our year, Dar, I can feel it :)

Eva Gubat, my original Custom group and e-book reading partner. I've seen this girl literally transform into a woman. I remember how much I missed her when she was transferred to our commercial magazines. We all say how much time we spend working and how little we spend at home. You should see this girl work. She takes the term workaholic to a whole new level. Take a break, Evs! You most definitely deserve one :)

Darwin Sardez, our very own Steve Buscemi ;) It was so much fun having worked with him for the very first magazine I've handled ever. One of my favorite graphic artists. And one of the most mahirit I know! You know what (or who?) I'm talking about, Darwin ;) I'm iffy about posting this picture though. I don't want his wife knocking on my door. But don't worry; I'm harmless. Oops, I think there are some that might disagree with me on that. Seriously though, we all love making kulit Darwin, like how I am in the pic ;)

Kat von Einsiedel, another of the first friends I made in the office. It was with her and Chikki that Volts and I had our first lunch with, at Bento Box. Same with Nins, I only got to really bond with her during my last few months, when I was finally transferred to the Lifestyle group. We almost always have lunch together, with the other people in the office, but we don't really get to talk about our personal lives. We slowly (was it?) opened up to each other during our yosi breaks. But it wasn't 'til two weeks ago that I realized how much we had in common. We spent four hours at a friend's dinner and then another three and a half in Starbucks, just talking and talking and talking and talking. I had so much fun that night, Kat. We still owe you! :p

*sigh* These pictures don't even begin to describe the emotions that I'm feeling right now... I just love how crazy we get when there's a camera pointing in our direction ;)

Pardon the quality of the pic. But I just HAD to have my picture taken, with me doing my traditional JapEn employee-of-the-month pose. I'm gonna miss this place (not literally because we've transferred offices twice already), which has been my second home (literally and figuratively) ever since.

So to all of the people who've been part of my life at Hinge Media and Hinge Inquirer, even to those who have long been gone, thank you. Thank you for making my first job a totally unforgettable experience.

KV Villareal
Editorial Assistant
Hinge Inquirer Publications
(Formerly Hinge Media, Inc.)
June 15, 2004 – February 28, 2006

2006-02-02T20:13:00.000+08:00

MISSING IN ACTION

I just realized that it's been over a week since I last updated. And to think it wasn't really that much of a post. It's just that...a lot of things came up recently. Well, not really a lot, but...

I have to collect my thoughts first before I post anything. So, 'til then, the deprived kid from the south will be lost in her own little world.

2006-01-23T12:50:00.000+08:00

COSMO CHICK

It's been a week since my last post. But I'm not in the mood to post anything personal, so to speak. So I'll just share this with you :)

I got myself the January issue of Cosmo Philippines a couple of weeks ago and, naturally, it came with the 2006 Bedside Astrologer. Here's what's in store for a Cap girl this year:

January: Feel cozy. Invest in plush pillows and a snuggly comforter when the homebody Moon amps your need to nest on the 20th. Sensualizing your boudoir décor will keep you in a ready-for-randy-action state of mind.

February: Save your sanity. You're an incredibly hard worker, but this month, you max out. As tough Saturn piles up projects, you'll need help to muscle through the mess. Ask your guy to pick up dinner, or enlist the aid of a coworker to meet a deadline.

March: Splurge on your urge. Go against your responsible grain and don't deny yourself a single guilty pleasure until the 15th. Whether you crave fancy cappuccinos or going clubbing until the wee hours, extravagant Venus encourages you to give in to a few of your pet passions.

April: Get physical. You're so antsy around the 21st that even extra workouts can't relieve the pressure. Deep kissing or a pumped-up passion session works like a charm to dispel Mercury's edgy energy.

May: Quit freaking out. Mid-month, worrywart Pluto makes you paranoid that your guy's losing interest in you or that you'll never find a boyfriend. Realizing that it's all in your head quickly revives both your strong self-image and your erotic optimism.

June: Bend a bit. Under friendly Venus, don't fire off a snippy remark when a pal disagrees about which soirée to attend around the 6th. She may be hoping to meet up with a crush, and you know how that feels. Push aside your headstrong nature, and go with the flow.

July: Shift into high gear. When the killer combo of fun-loving Jupiter and rowdy Mars puts you in social mode, it's nonstop jumping between bashes. Slip some nookie essentials in your bag, because things might get wild.

August: Take control. Straight-forward Saturn has you dishing out carnal orders when your dominant side rules near the 14th. Demand south-of-the-border pleasure from your man, or make a move on a crush. Your go-for-it gusto will turn him on.

September: Kick off the season. Hit the parking lot with pals for a potluck blowout at a tailgate party. Competitive Mars inspires a girls-versus-guys bet on which team will win—the losers have to buy everyone drinks at your local sports bar.

October: Power up. Lazy Jupiter zaps your energy after the 19th, so get plenty of beauty sleep to keep you looking and feeling fresh, even if it means passing up a fun girls' night out. You'll want to be in tip-top shape for a surprisingly sexy Halloween costume party.

November: Enjoy the ride. You won't have to ask twice to get action when naughty Mars preps you for wild antics near the 14th. Whether it's strip name-that-tune with your guy or dancing with a hottie at a fete, men will pick up on your amorous appeal the second you lock eyes.

December: Express yourself. Capricorns aren't usually into sappy stuff, but tapping your seldom-seen mushy side strengthens a romantic connection. Express this Venus-sent affection with a sweet card or naughty night planned just for him.

Your year ahead: luxe out. Capricorns are known for being admirably practical, but easygoing Venus helps you let loose and indulge yourself more. Buy semiprecious bling that you'd ordinarily desire but not spend for, or schedule a spa day.

Single? Smarty-pants that you are, you may know who your secret admirer is in April, but let him make the first move. A devilish dude you meet in June is fling material.

Attached? When job pressures get you down in May, he'll save your sanity with a mini celebration on a Friday evening, complete with champagne and an insanely hot hookup. A vacation in October makes you both realize your bond is moving to a deeper level.

Why you blow guys' minds in bed: You believe that practice makes perfect, ensuring sex-cellent stimulation. Your direct approach during randy romps leaves no doubt in your man's mind about what you want him to do. Amazing erotic stamina guarantees he'll never be starved for affection (that goes for morning-after nookie too).

Hmmm, sounds like I've got an interesting year ahead of me, according to Cosmo. We'll see what happens. I'll get back to you on this mid-year, most probably :)