partyline?

I was informed last night that our ops manager sent me a text message yesterday and apparently I replied with a "Who u?" and "How did u get my number?" For one, I know her number, so why would I ask that? I know I can be rude, but I do know how to choose when to be and not to be rude. Trust me, my manager is someone I don't have the guts to be blatantly rude to. And unless I am schizophrenic, I did not receive (nor answer) a text message from her yesterday. The last message I got from her was last Saturday. So, I wonder why this happened and how someone could possibly receive and answer text messages intended for me. Is it because, as far as I can remember, I bought the SIM card somewhere in a mall and not from the actual service provider? Is it possible that there are 2 of us using the same number?


I wonder if my manager double-checked to verify if the person was really me. Maybe she didn't because I sent her another message informing her that it was not me, but I didn't get a response. Now, we'll see if she's gonna take it against me or not. At least I know I blogged it today and my conscience is clear.

a day wasted

No classes again today. I can't help but think everything is just sensationalized news and over-reaction. But then, what if this happens everyday? Just goes to show how unstable the government is. Everyone has his/her own selfish agenda. I don't want to discuss serious politics here, but it's frustrating!

The Art That is Geisha

Hey that's not in the book! But it's nice.


That's the first time I heard my purist mother say those. She never really appreciated book-adapted movies that have a lot of deviations. She reread the book "Memoirs of A Geisha" a few days ago and we watched the movie yesterday. She said that during the Sayuri's solo dance and when Hatsumomo tried to burn down the okiya. I, myself, kinda forgot the story 'coz I read it some years ago, but I love the movie! Maybe that's one good thing of not remembering all the nitty-gritty details in the book, at least I don't get distracted when I see a scene that didn't happen in the books.


They say a geisha is a walking art. I think the movie was art itself. From the beginning until the end, I was just awed by the beauty of the surroundings and they way the narration was made. Sayuri's solo dance wasn't even discussed in detail in the book (as far as I can remember) but it was amazing. Kudos to Mr. Rob Marshall! I also love those bamboo poles lined-up on the sides of a pathway where young Chiyo was running when she first saw The Chairman (also shown in the end of the movie), the same way the bamboo poles lined up the way to Mameha's front door (when Chiyo was returning the ruined kimono). There was also a moment when they just focused on the water with cloth and red ink flowing through it during war times and it was symbolic. I like that too. (Edited) John Williams did not make the music for "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" in order to do "Memoirs of a Geisha" and he earned a Golden Globe (so far). I think he made a good decision.





It was a long movie, but I didn't mind. I think those who haven't read the book would still love the movie. Oh well, thumbs-up to Ms. Zhang for giving justice to the role (even if she isn't Japanese. Hehe!) Ms. Yeoh didn't even need make-up to show what a beauty she is. I guess Ms. Li, who played Hatsumomo, should have been more sinister but that's ok. Or I wished Mr. Watanabe didn't mumble on his lines that much so I could have understood everything he's saying (Heehee) or was more dashing as he was a gentleman. But that's fine. I like the way they focused on the childhood. It reminded me of "A Series of Unfortunate Events" when she learned her parents died. The young (and pretty) actress who played Chiyo, Suzuka Ohgo, was really good. I wish they also made more screen time to show what happened to Sayuri's sister, but maybe they didn't think it was important enough. The movie just proves Asians can stand out in Hollywood. The ending was predictable, kinda "they lived happily ever after" and "age does not matter" moment, but it made me teary-eyed. I never expected that! Some critics may say it's hollow or mediocre but for me it was heart-breaking and beautiful. That's what counts.

I am evil Marge.

Making things lighter...

You Are Marge Simpson

You're a devoted family member who loves unconditionally. Sometimes, though, you dream about living a wild secret life! You will be remembered for: your good cooking and evading the police Your life philosophy: "You should listen to your heart, and not the voices in your head."

The Simpsons Personality Test

You Are 38% Evil

A bit of evil lurks in your heart, but you hide it well. In some ways, you are the most dangerous kind of evil.

How Evil Are You?

Test Post

This is a test post. I hope this works. I'm using my mobile phone. Nothing to blog about. I mean, after the stampede in Ultra, landslide in Leyte, now classes suspended 'coz of a coup d' etat threat. Geez. We can't get away from violence and corruption coz there's always politics! Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared State of Emergency today. Oh man.

sulong!

Awful day at work again. Had to extend my work hours because of a good-for-nothing prank call. I got home and was glad my mother was channel surfing. I was able to see Rivermaya perform "Posible" in S.I.S. Whee! I just realized, I miss watching concerts. I didn't go to the UP Fair a few days ago. *sigh*


Got a few of movies I want to watch this week. I think I'm gonna watch "Memoirs of a Geisha" with my Ma and sis. I don't know who would accompany me to watch "Final Destination 3". I also am interested in watching "Syriana" and "Aeon Flux". Geez. So little time, so many movies, so little money! Haha!


Oh and I got a 76 WPM on my typing last night. What an improvement from my 69 WPM six months ago. :)


Sulong! Laban! Wag uurong! Posible!

gaga over tea

One tuna pan de sal and a cup of milk tea help make my mornings complete. I end my shift tired and sleepy and whenever I arrive home, I don't feel tired and sleepy at all. That's why I still have time to blog (like what I'm doing now!) My brother started this tea thingie at home. He used to mix tea with powdered lemonade and put some ice in it. It's delicious actually. I first got a taste of milk tea when I bought one plastic bottle in 7-11. I can't even read the label because it was in Chinese, but I love it! Then I tasted one in Easy Way. Then a few weeks ago, I tasted Chowking's new milk tea, Nai Cha (iced drink with tea extract, milk, caramel syrup and tea-flavored jelly cubes in it) and I love it! Orgasmic!!! Now, I include a box of Lipton teabags every time I buy groceries. Been drinking brisk (so I won't have trouble sleeping) tea with milk every morning now and I can feel my body cleansing itself, which means more trips to the comfort room for me. Haha! But that's fine. What I lack in exercise I can *try* to make up for the food I eat. I know exercise is very important, as a physical therapist (albeit non-practicing) I should know that. But hey, I have a sedentary lifestyle and I don't know when I will change that (yet). Oh yeah, I'd still be a junkie (junk-food lover), but I'll be more careful now with what I eat.


Sleep-- now that's one thing I need but lack every work day. I just oversleep during the weekends. I'd rather stay up after work than sleep the whole day and wake up and go back to work again. I don't want that routine. Yaiks! I have to remind myself to sleep at least 30 minutes earlier than usual today because I have my typing certification tonight. I have to type at least 60 net words per minute with at least 90% accuracy. Wish me luck! *cross fingers*

Tuesday thoughts

Had a bad night at work caused by not-so-good calls again. Glad Monday shit's shift's over. One of my batchmates involuntarily left work. Now, there are only 5 of us from the original 15. I just realized that the company does not really value their employees. To think that that person is a hardworking one and is planning to stay in the company and explore more options there. I don't want to get into details. Although a lot of things could have been done, the reasoning "our hands are tied" crap prevails. I wonder what if what happened to her happened to another employee with a higher position? Is the outcome going to be the same? I doubt it. Makes me wanna have second thoughts about staying.

of friends and gay lovers

There were supposed to be 4 of us. One was not able to make it. One brought a boyfriend along. Oh yeah, there was actually 4 of us. Not planned though. We heard 80% of the stories from the lovelife woes of one of us. Probably that's what happens when friends sort of drift apart and find fewer and fewer things in common to talk about. It sucks but that's the way life goes. After late lunch, only 2 of us ended up watching "Brokeback Mountain". Sheesh. That's fine. At least I got to see them after some time, I got to watch the movie, and I got my "Memoirs of a Geisha" book back. We're planning to meet again and go to Eurostar, this new theme-park in The Fort. I'm not a theme-park person. I'm boring, I know, but my stomach and brain can't take the loopy rides. But hopefully, we'll get to do that soon, not after some months. Hopefully, we'll take some pics too.





The movie was simple. It's true that, as far as I can remember, it's the only love story with no "I love you" in the script. I guess the line "I don't know how to quit you" is a romatic enough replacement. It's the movie with the most homosexual couples I've ever seen in the audience. Not that I minded. It was quite interesting really. Ok, back to the movie. I love the direction or cinematography or whatever it is you call the strategic placement of cameras to catch picturesque angles. The sceneries were very beautiful. That plus Jake Gyllenhaal's cute mole on the upper part, near the corner of his lip. I love watching those moments! Hahaha!


Seriously, I think it's more of a lust story than a love story. But then again, I am not a homosexual so I can't see it in their point of view. I guess once the hormones rage nobody can stop it. But near the end it's probably indeed love. They were just too scared of the scorn of society that's why they still married and had kids and did all those secret "fishing trips". It was bittersweet for both Jack Twist (Jake G.) and Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger). I ache more for the role of Michelle Williams (Ennis's wife). I can't imagine seeing my husband and the father of my two kids torridly kissing another man! Another gorgeous man for than matter! Geez! I have had my own heartaches since I have the tendency to fall for men who turned out to be gay and I know how rotten that made me feel. I also could not believe Ang Lee directed the movie. It was good directing though and good acting too! Sometimes I just don't understand the dialogues. There's too much Western twang in it. I've heard a LOT of accents in my line of work, but I would have appreciated it if there were subtitles or something. It was also a bit slow-paced for me. I wish to see it with NO cuts and with my gay friend with me (to answer my questions and clarify some things). That would be something I can look forward to.

What do you think of me?

Nicked this from Hec's Multiply blog:


I made my own Johari window and you are all welcome to click some adjectives. You can choose to be anonymous but it would be cool if you place your name. Hehe! Ok, so you can try it out and fill my Johari window. Thanks!


NOTE TO SELF:Click here for my updated Johari window.

whew!

Despite the lack of sleep, I am still happy and quite relieved. First is because I finally finished re-installing Windows and I am currently blogging now using my home PC! Yay! I would just need to update my Internet Explorer to a higher version so it's downloading time once again. After 3 hours in front of the PC, I sacrificed sleep yesterday despite my work shift last night. It was worth it! Second is because we finally had a post-Valentines date. Better late than never! Then I gave him my gift and his expression was priceless... Utterly priceless. I wish I had a videocam then so I can replay it not just in my mind. Love it to bits! Last reason is because (finally!) after all the effort I put in making our schedules meet, I am seeing 4 of my closest college buddies tomorrow! After months and months of not seeing each other, we agreed to have a "Brokeback Mountain" date. That's gonna be fabulous! Looking forward to that. :)

so far...

I'm still at work. Well, I'm not doing overtime (they wish!). I have to take advantage of the free internet in the cafe (plus free cappuccino too!) Nearly the weekend but I know I won't get the rest I need. I have to restart everything I did with our friggin' PC so far coz I can't seem to install the correct video card driver. Argh!


Looking at the silver lining, at least I'm nearly finished with my annual medical exam requirements and I aced (again! Yay!) my annual written certification exam last night. Next week will be my typing exam. So, we'll see if I make another 69 net words per minute speed with that. I can't believe I'm nearly one year in this company.


I met six familiar faces (yes, SIX!) this week. All of them were from the previous call centers I've worked in. I've always thought call center industry is such a small world. Now, we're working in the same company. Weird, but it's nice reminiscing those days. Two of those are even crushable types so... Hahaha! I'm stopping this thought right now.

V-day 2006

This isn't exactly my favorite holiday. It's too commercialized. Besides, who says if you got a partner or if you're in a relationship on Valentine's Day everything's gonna be fine and dandy? Nah. Wrong notion. This is one of the most depressing days this month and to think I am technically "taken". Sheesh. I think I'm gonna sleep this day off.





Cyncism aside, I still would want to say to my family and all my friends out there, I love you all! Thank you for being a part of my life and, unlike me, I hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!

since it's nearly Valentines....

Your Five Variable Love Profile

Propensity for Monogamy: Your propensity for monogamy is high. You find it easy to be devoted and loyal to one person. And in return, you expect the same from who you love. Any sign of straying, and you'll end things. Experience Level: Your experience level is high. You've loved, lost, and loved again. You have had a wide range of love experiences. And when the real thing comes along, you know it! Dominance: Your dominance is medium. You tend to be the one with more power. You aren't a total control freak in relationships.. But of course you don't mind getting you way! Cynicism: Your cynicism is medium. You'd like to believe in true and everlasting love... But you've definitely been burned enough to know better. You're still an optimist, but you also are a realist. Independence: Your independence is medium. In relationships, you need both "me time" and "we time." You usually find it easy to be part of a couple. But occasionally you start to feel a little smothered.

The Five Variable Love Test

another crash!

Last night, I had a bad dream. A tooth fell off. They say it's a bad omen. I woke up and got the news that our home PC is at it again. Probably another virus attack. Damn it. This is really bad timing. My parents need the PC now. Argh! Gotta have to delete everything and re-install Windows. I'm renting PC now. Sometimes I wish I have Apple Mac instead. Geez. I can't afford that. I can't even afford to buy a new and updated desktop, not even a real nice laptop. It's really frustrating!

too tired...

...to even make a decent post. Just finished "breakfast" with some officemates and the notorious "mother of them all" whom they all love to hate (read: ops manager). I learned a lot, in fairness. I got to meet a priest, who is a certified interpreter for the deaf and hard of hearing, a mother/teacher, who learned and is now teaching sign language because of her deaf daughter and another teacher, who lost part of hear hearing at age 7. It was cool! I even learned a few signs myself (shy, hello, good morning, goodbye, thank you, welcome...) I just wish it would make me appreciate my job more. I just hate it when people abuse services that are not really for them (read: hearing people should not use deaf services for prank and scams. Dimwits!) Aaah... but then ignorance is bliss!


The timing was awful. It clashed with the annual physical exam, so I'm here with a tiny dot on my right cubital fossa and a radiation from the x-ray. I wasn't able to pass a urine and stool sample because of "wrong timing". Hehe! Maybe next week. I have to go home and sleep. I still have work shift tonight. Zzzz....

should I?

I know I should not base decisions on quizzes. That would be stupid. But I was so tempted to take this quiz and the result was what I expected. But, nah... I will pretend I'm ok. I can still wake up and face the music.

Your Job Dissatisfaction Level is 62%

Your job is a total bummer, and probably the worst job you've ever had. Your co-workers stink. Your boss is a jerk. And your company is probably in trouble. Think about finding a new job quickly, even if it's just a not-so-great transition job. You've got to get out of there as quickly as you can!

Should You Quit Your Job?

cuatro

Meme tagged by Rob:

4 jobs I had in my life



• medical research assistant
  
• travel customer service rep
  
• mortgage customer service rep
  
• human phone wire
  
  
  4 movies I could watch over and over again
  
  
  
• any of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy
  
• any "Harry Potter" movie
  
• Riding in Cars with Boys
  
• Beaches
  
  
  4 places I've lived
  
  
  
• Bacolod City
  
• Iloilo
  
• Pasay City
  
• Manila
  
  
  4 TV Shows/Channels I love to watch
  
  
  
• AXN (CSI)
  
• Star World (Oprah)
  
• HBO/Star Movies/Cinemax
  
• ETC (Queer Eye, Jeopardy)
  
  
  4 places I've been on vacation
  
  
  
• Batangas
  
• Iloilo
  
• Puerto Galera
  
• Negros Occidental
  
  
  4 of my favorite foods
  
  
  
• white chocolate
  
• cookies and cream flavored ice cream
  
• ripe mango
  
• home-made menudo
  
  
  4 places I'd rather be by now
  
  
  
• at home or anywhere except the office
  
• New Zealand
  
• London
  
• Paris
  
  
  4 bloggers I'm tagging
  
  
  
• loryces
  
• starshuffler
  
• lei
  
• mark
  

hummm...

I had to rush off work so I can catch the Grammy's. It's still showing now, but as expected, I missed the first hour of the show. Darn schedule. Oh well, nothing new at work. I felt like a zombie since start of shift and I just count the hours until I log out. Good thing music really soothes me. Thank God for music-- that plus the comfort of home. I wish it's the weekend already.

Venting

vent
n.
A means of escape or release from confinement; an outlet: give vent to one's anger.
venting, vented, vents
v. tr.
To express (one's thoughts or feelings, for example), especially forcefully.
v. intr.
To vent one's feelings or opinions.
from dictionary.com

11:23 AM, 8 February 2006, in a mall


This is one of the bad days at work. I tried several times to vent today-- cried in the comfort room, punched the cement wall twice (that hurt!), texted rants to someone, talked about it to those willing to listen. What I just did is the best I can think of to help me release some tension. I splurged in the mall. My money can only cover cheap things, but it's splurging nonetheless. I'm a few pesos poorer now since I bought some things, which are not really necessities. Before I go home, I thought I'd write this first.


I have worked in this God-forsaken industry with money as my number one goal. The work is easy-- mentally un-challenging to the point of brain cell atrophy (a word here which means "dying a natural and painless death") BUT emotionally stressful. The pay is good, maybe better than most jobs in the city. I'd just be prone to carpal tunnel syndrome from all that typing and also prone to urinary tract infection from all that call-of-nature prevention and also hemorrhoids from all that sitting. I know now why the pay is a bit higher. Of course there is politics. Where in the world can we escape politics? Payday makes me a one-day millionaire, but money is temporary. The happiness it brings is temporary too.


I don't want to take fucking calls anymore! I'm burning out. This usually happens when I'm nearing a year in a company. A couple of days ago, our batch officially turned 11 months. That means we can now resign without paying a training bond.


Lately, I've thought about my sacrifices responsibilities as a breadwinner. It's tough when money plays a major role in the lives of middle-class families like ours. It makes or breaks a relationship. When I think of this, I just swallow the lump in my throat and just continue slaving working. It's just hard coz I don't like the job I'm doing. I wonder if there will ever come a time when I earn enough to provide a comfortable home to my family and at the same time, enjoy what I'm doing. I just hope I'll get to experience that.

day with the pricks

It's been months since I last saw the other notorious 3. We've known each other since 2003. We went through almost-hell of politics for at least a year in, let me just call it Company 1, and thought about seeking greener pastures. We were batchmates in Company 2 and stayed again for another year. Two of then remained there, while I transferred to another company and another one is in a different company as well. Different schedules and distance make maintaining a relationship tough, but I have always believed that even a few hours of talk and laughs and fun together is essential to keeping friends.



Mama Gene, DJ and me



Sarah, DJ and me



More pictures in my Multiply album.


P.S.
The same day when I met with my friends, a tragedy happened. I want to offer this blog space and express my condolences to the families of the victims of the "Wowowee" stampede at the Ultra yesterday morning. 79 people died, hundreds injured and others still missing. They died hoping for a better life and let us all say a little prayer for their souls.


Don't you think that location is going to be a creepy one?

Luna Lovegood!

Warner Brothers released a picture of that lucky Potter fan who is going to play one of my fave characters in the Harry Potter books! Fourteen-year-old Evanna Lynch will play Luna Lovegood. She beat 15,000 Luna hopefuls at an open casting. More news at The Leaky Cauldron and Mugglenet.



Evanna Lynch

More pics in my sister's album.

what's in my name?

Got this from Hec's Multiply Blog:


Your name of Karen:

• it gives you the desire for responsibility and takes you into practical pursuits
  
• you excel in work of a technical nature where concentration and attention to detail are important
  
• whatever you undertake, you have the patience and determination to do well
  
• you feel a sense of security in positions of responsibility where progress is made through systematic, step-by-step procedures
  
• however, you lack vision and you could become too involved in technical details, system, and routine
  
• you do not readily adjust to changes in your routine
  

Although the name Karen creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it limits your versatility and scope, tuning you to technical details. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the elimination system, and through worry and mental tension.


Your name of Kristie:

• the influence makes you positive, self-assertive, and independent
  
• you can be creative, inventive, and ingenious in practical matters, such as handicrafts
  
• when you have the opportunity to pursue your own goals and interests free from interference, you can feel very agreeable and express a buoyant optimism
  
• on the other hand, you can be impulsive and forceful when opposed, and act without due forethought and discretion
  
• hence you have many bitter experiences and generally rather unsettled conditions in your life, with little progress and financial accumulation
  
• you cannot tolerate any domination by others, or circumstances that restrict your freedom and independence
  
• you are inclined to make changes abruptly in your life as an escape from such conditions
  

Although the name Kristie creates an active mind and a restless urge to explore new ideas, we emphasize that it causes a blunt expression that alienates others. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the solar plexus, and tension or accidents to the head.


Check yours here.

love month

Notice red colors around? How about cupids, hearts, flowers and lovers doing the PDA? I know, It's February! Not that my life is full of love as of the moment... Geez. Don't get me wrong, I do have someone special, but we rarely see each other it feels like I'm single again. No, and it's not a long-distance relationship either. Probably a bad case of clashing work schedules. *sigh*


Edit:


I guess I shall call it Singles' Awareness Month instead. Hehe! Oh and we might watch the play on March 4. Yay!

Zsazsa Zaturnnah ze Muzikal

I read this comic book last week and thought it was funny. It has also been a while since I watched a play in CCP. My officemates and I decided to watch this play one of the weekends of February. No definite date yet 'coz as usual, our anti-social work schedules are making things more difficult, but most likely it's gonna be a Saturday, an 8 PM show. One of my officemates knows someone working in CCP so she will get 2 free tickets. We are also free to watch their rehearsals. Cool huh?


So, anyone who would love a laugh (and who's not homophobic? Hehe!), let's all watch this. More info in Miao's Multiply Blog too!


Nicked this info from Jonas's blog entry:





The Cultural Center of the Philippines presents a Tanghalang Pilipino production:
Carlo Vergara's Zsazsa Zaturnnah: Ze Muzikal


February 10 | 11 | 17 | 18 | 24 | 25 March 3 | 4 | 2006 8:00PM
February 11 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 25 | 26 March 4 | 5 | 2006 3:00PM


Tanghalang Huseng Batute (CCP Studio Theater)


Tanghalang Pilipino
Tel. nos.: 832-3661/832-1125 locals 1620/1621/
Mobile: (0920)953-5381/(0920)953-5419
E-mail: ccptanghalan@yahoo.com
TicketWorld: 891-9999