you and me

What day is it
and in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up
and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time

~Lifehouse


I got to hang out with a bunch of TPTS peeps yesterday and it was fun being with familiar faces. It's been a while since I've been to a real moot (a gathering of ents... ermm... a gathering of TPTS members). I wished I could have stayed longer (and got to eat ice cream for dessert)! Oh well, it's tough having only a day of rest and leisure. I wish I could be more rebellious when it comes to having fun. I won't be young forever.


P.S.
Currently watching SAG Awards. I think Jake Gyllenhaal is really cute. Looking forward to watch Brokeback Mountain.



Jake Gyllenhaal

how to make a baby panda

Do you want to know how this...




can turn to this...





and turn to this...





then turn to this...





and eventually turn to this?





Click here to know how.

monkey

The spunky Monkey is the original party animal! Charming and energetic, Monkeys crave fun, activity and stimulation. They truly know how to have a good time and can often be seen swinging from one group of friends to another, attracting a motley crew in the process. Always upbeat, they are considered minor celebrities in their circle thanks to their sparkling wit and that rapier-sharp mind. Perhaps surprisingly, Monkeys are also good listeners and tackle complicated situations with ease. This Sign's natural curiosity lends it the desire to become knowledgeable on a broad range of topics. Monkeys have a show-off side that loves nothing more than to dazzle their pals with all they know.

The Monkey tends to be rather accident-prone due to a certain lack of very high morals. This Sign's first interest is pursuing its own pleasure; this is not a malicious interest, it's just the way the Monkey is. However, this kind of carefree self-involvement can lead to all kinds of scrapes. In love, the Monkey makes a fun, exciting lover -- but one that may have the potential to stray romantically. The good news is, the Monkey?s glib manner and witty repartee can often get this Sign out of a scrape. Perhaps not everyone will be won over by the Monkey -- but do you think the Monkey really cares? The Monkey's world, full of devil-may-care energy and revelry, isn't for everyone. Remember, though, it's not that this Sign is mean; it might just be a bit too curious for its own good. Monkeys often feel the need to try everything at least once, which can make for a merry-go-round of relationships.

The Monkey's love of self-indulgence can also lead to other types of trouble. This Sign may have limited self-control concerning food, alcohol and other pleasurable activities. It's party time all the time for the Monkey, yet when it leads to a monster hangover or a shattered heart (generally someone else's, not theirs), this Sign might actually show a touch of remorse. They won't flat-out admit the error of their ways, but at least they'll pull back and try to tone things down -- for a while.

Monkeys must try to learn to think of others ahead of themselves, at least some of the time. This Sign's world will be more complete once it realizes the world doesn't revolve around it.

The most compatible match for a Monkey is the Rat or the Dragon.

Check yours here.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!!!

for Papa

Happy 64th Birthday PAPA!!!



I'm feeling better now. The weather is still gloomy. But then again, it's my father's birthday, so I'm feeling a bit giddy. Just a bit though. I still have one more shift to go tonight. But then again, I finally bought this as a gift for myself. I know, I know. it's my Papa's birthday. I did give him a crisp Van Heusen shirt, but I really wanted to take advantage of the 20% off. Yay! Yay! Got lots of books read to last me probably a month. Whoopee! Alright, food galore today. Hehe! Love you, Papa! :)

stepped on

scribbled on 26 January 2006, 3:15PM in our bedroom


It's way past my bed time. But what's new? Today, I realized, as much as I would want to mind my own business and keep a low, "silent worker" profile in the office, karma strikes me back when I least expect it. What I plan is just do the job I'm being paid for and that's it. I don't want people minding my business. I don't see myself as an adventurous person. I am afraid to take risks and as much as possible, I prefer to stay in my comfort zone. Weird how life would sometimes push me to the limit. Some people just want to make an issue when they notice a speck on a clean sheet of paper. Tsk tsk.


Is this getting too vague? I don't want to get into details lest I break the "confidentiality" rule of the company (Ek-ek!) and I get terminated. Though I don't plan to get promoted, I still need the money. I don't think I want to spend the rest of my life in the call center industry. This is just a step. Hmm... step towards what? I don't know. I have to work on that. Sheesh.

odds and ends

Been feeling a bit headachy and sick the past few days. Thanks to medications, I can still go to work and continue with my daily (boring) routine. The weather has been agreeing with me, it has been cloudy and drizzling since yesterday. Excess baggage in my mind plus lack of sleep have finally started to take their toll. I also have to admit work has also been less enjoyable lately. Thank God for friends in the office I can still hang out with. I realized having friends who are in their 20's are cool. We can talk about anything and everything under the sun, even the usually-taboo topics like sex. Haha! Makes life more interesting somehow.


After a long while, I also got to write a letter. Yes, write one, not type it. So, you should check your mail box soon. I'll be going to the post office after this. My hand hurts after finishing 4 pages, but what the heck, it's worth it! :)

necklaces

Got nothing to do yesterday so we bought 2 silver-plaited pendants from Silverworks and Ibay's, a black sort-of string and hooks from The Bead Shop, and my sister and I made 2 cool necklaces! That kinda-Charmed logo pendant is for me and the lightning, of course, is for my sister, the Harry Potter fanatic.



we made these!

lose some, win some

That's what happened to my sister. You think she's be devastated that she wasn't able to watch the BSB concert last Friday. Well, she was but then she got this news that she won (again? Sheesh...) in a Harry Potter contest in Fudge Magazine. That's 3 more Harry Potter stuff to her ever-growing collection! Nice!


Speaking of winning, CONGRATULATIONS to our very own boxing athlete Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao for winning against Erik "El Terible" Morales!!! You make us proud to be Filipinos!


Thought for the day:
As you grow up, you learn that even the first person who wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder everytime. You break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your bestfriend. You'll blame a new love for things and old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So smile, laugh too much and love like you've never been hurt before coz every second you'll spend upset is a minute of happines you can't get back. Enjoy life!

change of plans

scribbled on 21 Jan 2006, 8:47 PM, in our bedroom


It felt like the day just zoomed past me. I had planned my day ahead and like most plans, they didn't push through. Due to some unexpected circumstances, I found myself in an emergency room of a hospital near our office this morning after my shift. Last night at work, I was planning to rent a PC with fast ISP connection to cope with a few days of online absence. I ended up hanging out with some of my officemates in the ER to accompany a friend. Not that I minded, I actually even liked it! I kinda miss staying and working in a health care facility. I just hope my friend gets better soon. It was a relief that my friend wasn't confined.


I also planned on just having coffee instead of the usual heavy Saturday brunch, but I decided to stay with my friend until her bf could keep her company. It was cool coz not only did I end up eating a whole lotta stuff in an Italian resto we both haven't gone to before, we also ended up sharing "more intimate details" about our lives. LOL!


Aside from that, I also planned to watch a movie alone. I kinda miss being with myself for a change, I mean, you know strolling in the mall and watching a movie alone. Oh well, I'll just say that I ended up having company. I hope what I felt in the end was not regret. But if it wasn't, I don't know what I'd call it. Disappointment maybe. I just wish I was alone.


On the other hand, it was a nice movie, "Little Manhattan". It was really funny. You won't need philosophical thinking to unmask any underlying meanings from the plot. It's simple, entertaining and a bit true. The kids in the movie are pretty cute and I like the narrating bit. It reminded me of "Bridget Jones's Diary". [SPOILERS] [SPOILERS] [SPOILERS] I also appreciate the fact that the girl, Rosemary, did not confess or confirm a reciprocation of love for the protagonist, Gabe. The young couple didn't have a they-lived-happily-ever-after ending. Yeah, the ending was still expected, but I like the way it was made open-ended. It was up to the viewer to believe if they even got together when they get older. But then again as they say, first love never dies, but too young love seldom succeeds.



Little Manhattan


The movie lesson? Love sucks! Why? Watch it and you'll know why. Hehe! Ok well, let me just say that after all that wonderful, butterflies-in-the-stomach (or as J.K. Rowling puts it-- monsters-in-the-chest), buttermelting, fingerlicking goodness called love, oh yeah, it can suck! It may suck to to the deepest hell hole until you're nothing but a void. Too cynical? Maybe.


Pardon my being a prat. Lack of sleep makes me cranky. I better go get one now. Been awake for 24 hours already.

drifting apart

scribbled on 20 Jan 2006, 2:07 PM, in our bedroom


I read somewhere that there are varying degrees of friendship, probably as many as the names we call those people we call our friends-- buddy, pal, friend, mate, etc. If the bonding is not yet developed by time, communication and commonality, we even call them acquiantances.


Based on my personal experience, I can proudly add to my "friends" category those people whom I haven't even met vis-a-vis, but got to "bond" with online. These are my virtual friends. Most of the time, they are those I have something in common with.


In order to maintain the so-called relationship, there should be communication. It may not always be constant, but the fact that there's still a connection keeps people together. Even if it's only through simple ways like SMS (forwarded texts?), emails, chat or a phone call (this one I seldom get).


I am grateful that the world wide web has given me the chance to find people I know, even those from the distant past like my grade school days. It's also wonderful how I am able to keep in touch with those who are far away from me that even different time zones don't matter.


With all the people I got to know in my life, there comes a time when there is "drifting apart". It may be because we don't get to hang out often or we grew up and realized we're totally different from the persons we were before. Or maybe life's journey brings us to different paths and physically hanging out together is impossible for the time being.


It's sad that as much as I try to keep things the same, change always happens. It's the only thing that's constant, right? Even if we're working in the same zip code, we haven't seen each other for months because of different schedules. Even though communication lines are open, a "hang-out together" date is improbable. Trying to make an effort can be tiring sometimes, especially when multiple attempts don't work. Sometimes, I have to give in to change. After all, friendship, like any relationship, is a 2-way street.

boyband blues

I remember the time when the Backstreet Boys first came here in Manila. We were in Iloilo then coz my grandma died, and I was a huge fan at that time that I wished my grandma died a little later so I could have attended the concert. Hahaha! I was 16 then, so that's about 9 years ago. As the years passed by, I got to listen to more bands and I can say I got "out of touch". The person who took over my fanatic throne was my sister, who is, until now, a through-thick-and-thin fanatic of the BSB.



BSB: Never Gone


After a hiatus in the music industry, they made a comeback with an album and now they're touring again. This Friday, they will have a concert in the Araneta Coliseum. I got another chance. I am in Manila now (so no excuse) and I have a job and can buy the tickets but consequences (still) won't permit me to watch them live. For one, I won't watch it without my sis. I haven't filed for leave and my sister has exams the next day. I don't think my mother would approve of that, even if she wins a free ticket again through a radio station. Haha!


So, for those of you who have been texting me about the concert, NO, I won't be watching it. *sniff*

Sir Anthony

The HFPA (Hollywood Foriegn Press Association) chose Sir Anthony Hopkins as the 2006 recipient of their Cecil B. de Mille awards in the Golden Globe Awards today. (I still am watching it as I write this down. John Williams won best musical score for "Memoirs of a Geisha" and Ang Lee just won best director for "Brokeback Mountain" ).




I just want to offer this blog space to one of the best actors of our time:






Sir Anthony Hopkins




Bravo!!!

Narnia

Finally watched "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". Alas, I cannot compare it to the books because I haven't read the books yet. I promise myself I will as soon as I can afford this:



Narnia boxed set


Yes, I want a boxed set. Not the one combined in just one book. So, it's kinda expensive.


Oh, I love the special effects! After watching the 1988 BBC version, I appreciated what technology brought to the movie. I can actually imagine myself touching Aslan's majestic mane. I have to say that as first-time actors, Georgie Henley (played Lucy Pevensie) and Skandar Keynes (played Edmund Pevensie) are my fave. They did well and the characters are very convincing. I think Skandar is so darn cute I hope my date didn't mind me gushing over him! LOL! I wonder, is there any ship for Lucy and Mr. Tumnus? Hahaha! Just kidding, Narnia fans. I was just curious coz I never thought Mr. Tumnus (James McAvoy) would look young. Tilda Swinton is amazing as the White Witch. I love, love, love her costumes too! The Beavers are cuter than the 1988 BBC version, of course. Seriously, this movie has a heart I didn't expect. It was touching. Even the beginning (the train ride) made me sniffle a bit. Also expect action during the fight scenes and suspense that will, as they say, keep you on the edge of your seats. Remember, this is derived from a kiddie book. Let your imaginations soar and you'll have a great experience watching it. This movie made me want to read all the books.



Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson)


I won't go in long reviews or narration of the movie coz I'm sure a lot have watched it and/or read the books. I've read reviews that "Chronicles of Narnia" does not disappoint the books or the movies but I read somewhere that C.S. Lewis did not want Narnia to become a movie, but then I wonder, if he were alive today, would he have approved of the movie? Even if it's Walt Disney?

eerie

Being in a strange place always creates strange stories as well. After all the fun this weekend, some "scary" stories were shared last night at the office. There were unusual camera smoke-like captures from one of my friends' cameras and eerie sensations, but we ignored those when we were there. You see, we stayed in a newly-constructed villa that is seldom occupied by people, especially noisy people like us. I am glad I don't have that ability to "see" certain unusual things, but when I uploaded my pics, I had goosebumps when I saw this:





click for a larger image




This is the best attempt I did to make this pic clearer. We were on our way out of People's Park in the Sky. It was really foggy and at this time, it was also raining. The 3 girls (in the pic) were left behind. I didn't know why I had to look back, had to zoom my camera and had to take a pic. Sightseers traveled in groups and at that moment, people did not walk to the top of the park but rode a jeepney because it was raining. As far as we all can remember, there was no one on the sidewalk but us. Well, that's what we thought...




More pictures here.

Haller, Gracia!

I just wanted to share this. A friend sent it to me via SMS. I read it after I woke up last night and I laughed so hard, it made my day. Warning: you should be familiar with these "gay terms" in order to appreciate the "joke".

Kung nag-gay speak sila GMA at Garci di sana walang gulo ngayon.


GMA: Haller, Gracia!


GARCI: Yes, mother! Nachukchak ko na po yung mga chuva ek-ek!


GMA: Bonggacious! Eh yung mga tienes tienes, carry na ba?


GARCI: Winnie santos mama, wiz na worry! Eclavou na ever!


GMA: Ang tarush! babush!

P.S.
Happy 34th monthsary, Lisse!

kikay kit

Tagged by Jennie.


What do I have inside my bag?


In this case, I define "bag" as the shoulder bag I usually carry to work. So, here goes:


Wallet - also should have money, ATM cards, a credit card, discount cards, membership cards, PRC license, SSS ID, TIN ID, community tax certificate, company ID


Mobile phone (with earphones) - I never leave the house without it. Never. Even if it means I have to go back home and be late for work. Oh yeah, that happened to me already. :)


Chapstick - really cold work environment, must have this, preferably in mint. :)


Clinique shimmer lip gloss - for shimmering, luscious lips! Mwah!


Clinique dual (pink and brown) eyeshadow with blush - just the small, handy one


Body Shop eye shimmer - shining, shimmering, splendid eyes to match the lips


Avon oil control pressed powder - it's all in the name! No to oily face!


Kleenex - the handy pack one


Hair Doctor - I always need an untangler to tame my tresses.


House keys - just in case they lock me out of the house. Haha!


Extra pantyliners and/or sanitary napkins - for emergency purposes of course


Medicines - oh yeah, just the common ones like diatabs, tuseran, biogesic and something for fever and colds coz I often get sick


Salonpas - the one I stick on when I have stiff neck or when my shoulders ache


Hand Guard - I always clean my hands and if there's no water, I use this. This is because of my OC nature.


Cologne/Perfume - depends on my mood. Right now it's Victoria's Secret Amber Rose. I transferred it to a smaller bottle so it can fit in my bag.


Oh yes, my bag is a medium-sized one despite all it's contents. Hahaha! Now, I tag anyone who wants to answer!

8

Your Life Path Number is 8

Your purpose in life is to help others succeed You are both a natural leader and a natural success. You are also a great judge of character. You have a head for business and finance. You know how to make money. A great visionary, you can see gold where other people see nothing. In love, you are very generous - with gifts, time, and guidance. You love to inspire people, but it can be frustrating when they don't understand your vision. Great success comes easily for you. But so does great failure, as you are very reckless. You are confident, and sometimes this confidence borders on arrogance.

What Is Your Life Path Number?

out of town

I'm back!!! It was a tiring but fun, fun, fun weekend for me! After my Friday shift, we went straight to Pansol, Laguna. We stayed in the same village like the previous team bonding, but in a different house. It was a pretty nice one.






view of the house




We had lunch and after that I had to catch some sleep, but slept only for 3 hours. I woke up and it was dark. We cooked dinner, sang some songs and shared stories (mostly about work and people in the office *evil grin*). Despite my monthly you-know-what, I still swam a little after midnight. We took some pics before I closed me eyes again for about an hour.






girls by the pool




We had to wake up before 6AM and prepared to go to Tagaytay to catch cooler air, so to speak. Hahaha! It was cold indeed. We passed by People's Park in the Sky again and people with acrophobia won't have to worry since there was no view to see. Everything was covered in fog and it was zero visibility about 5 meters away.






shed pose






windy and foggy




We then went to Tagaytay Zoo. It was a few kilometers below so it was sunny and the weather was great there!






great view!




going up the walkway




Again, I had my moment with a snake, this time it's the albino one instead of a python.






me and the albino snake




We went to get our mushroom burgers, buko pie and some other pasalubong, grabbed lunch and went to Manila. Oh I wish weekends have 3 days instead of 2. I'm just glad I filed for leave today. At least I get to rest one more day before going back to work. More pictures here.

tick tock

One of my college friends got married last weekend. A couple of my friends told me. She has changed her surname. I told Lau there's no surprise there. We're in the age where people are settling down and having a family and kids of their own. Before this year ends, I'll be adding more names to the "married friends" list. Makes me wonder why I still feel the same. I mean, I still feel like a kid at heart. No, I am not pressured to find a husband and get married. I still have a lot of things I wanna do in life before settling down. It's just that I am approaching the age of 30 and I am a bit anxious of disappearing from the calendar. Yaiks!


Oh well, I gotta think positive. Gotta think like Jenna in the movie "13 Going On 30": Thirty, flirty and thriving! But that's about 5 years more to go, so I still have time.

dilly-dally

My head felt a few grams lighter after I had my hair cut. It's not shorty short. I just had about 2 inches snipped on the end. I don't experiment with my hairstyles. I am a coward when it comes to that. I just stick to the basic-- shoulder length and that's it. I also got my toes cleaned and toenails colored peach (hehe!) and I passed by the nearby dry cleaners and brought 2 Lord of the Rings pillows, 1 Harry Potter pillow and 1 Spongebob Squarepants pillow. Might as well have them smelling clean and fresh since the year's just begun.


Two more work nights and it's the first Saturday of the year. Looking forward to a fun weekend out of town with friends from work. I am excited to use the cam. I filed for leave on Monday and I told myself I'm gonna spend that with family instead.

a prayer

I wrote a prayer today and it's been a while since I did that. I gave that written prayer to an officemate of mine is on leave today to go to the shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag with her mom. (Check out the site, you can send them emails as prayer requests.) I haven't been there personally, but since I love the thought of traveling, I'd like to go there one of these days. Filipinos are very religious people but I don't consider myself as very religious. Yes, I was born and raised a Catholic but I am, most of the time, non-practicing. Oh well, I still believe in the power of faith.


I am not a fan of memorized prayers. I've always believed that they are more effective if they are meant and are said from the heart. I read a prayer written on a paperweight once and I have always loved it:

Grant me the Serenity to accept
The things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And Wisdom to know the difference.

Song of the day:


So no one told you life was going to be this way.
Your job's a joke, you're broke, you're love life's DOA.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear,
Well, it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.
But, I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.
I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.
I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too.
~"I'll Be There For You" by the Rembrandts

The Professor!

Prof. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
(3 January 1892 - 2 September 1973)


click here to make a toast to "The Professor"


Life will not be a fantastic journey without your stories.
Thank you, dear Professor!





Since we are discussing birthdays, I just wanna say:




Happy Birthday, Lifey!

3rd day thoughts

This is not a good working day to start my year. Calls were not that pleasant despite fewer numbers and what made it worse was the fact that I am sick. Oh yes, since New Year's Day, I have had the sniffles. I just hope I don't get the fever. I am bombarding myself with Vitamin C every evening before I go to work. I felt sleepy and lazy last night, probably because of the meds I took for my runny nose. It was awful. I just hope I don't experience that 1-year syndrome wherein I get bored of a job when I reach my first year in a company. It's gonna be our batch's first anniversary in March. I am not planning to leave (yet) until there is a better opportuniity for me or until my sister graduates, passes the board exams and gets a job (whichever comes first).


Oh well, enough of that, I'm getting a headache. I think I ought to cut my hair, my head feels heavy now.


On the brighter side, remember this entry? I demanded for a supervisor yesterday and it worked as expected. I got my Php120 load back before the day ended. Sheesh. Sometimes, we have to resort to an alternative in order to get things right.

Welcome 2006!

January 1st 2006. It's raining today. Glad it didn't rain last 12 midnight. I hope that is a sign of more blessings to come for this year. I spent the early minutes of 2006 with my family and I couldn't ask for more. I don't make new year's resolutions coz I don't want to make promises I can't keep. I just want to think that this year is another chance to make things better, right Lau? :)


A friend sent me this and I wanna share this with you all:


My 12 wishes for you and your family:


1. Happiness, deep down inside.
2. Serenity, at every sunrise (or sunset).
3. Success, in every facet of your life.
4. Family beside you.
5. Caring friends around you.
6. A love that never ends.
7. Good health within you.
8. Beautiful memories of yesteryears.
9. A bright today, with so much to be thankful for.
10. A pathway leading to better tomorrows.
11. Dreams that manage to come true.
and
12. A great appreciation for whatever you do.


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!


Pictures taken on New Year's Eve:



fireworks light up the night sky



(L to R) my bro, Ma, me and my Pa



(L to R) my bro, Ma, Pa and my sis


More pictures in Multiply and Photobucket.