SINGAPORE!!!

The first FILC trip was to Boracay 4 years ago. We had a lot of fun and we always said we should take more trips together, ideally once per year, but obviously, since we're only about to take our second one, that "ideal plan" didn't really pan out. Hehe. But nonetheless, I'm so excited!!! FILC's 2nd trip will be this Friday, to the land of the merlion, the hawker stalls, Orchard Road and the EZLink card, aka Singapore!

This trip is especially special to me, because it's most likely the last trip I'll go on with friends, as a single woman. True, Dennis has never stopped me from taking trips with friends, and I don't foresee him doing so when he's already my husband, but I feel strangely nostalgic, as I have been these past few days, for this time in my life. It's the last time I'll go on a trip with no other responsibility but myself. And that's something to acknowledge, I think.

Which is why I'm especially happy that this trip will be to Singapore, my most favorite and most loved city in the whole wide planet. I love love love love Singapura (its original name) ever since my parents sent me there to study when I was 10 years old. I love how the city is actually a country but feels totally like a city, like a home. You can walk around and get to everywhere you need to, without depending on cars or enduring through traffic jams. You have no fear of criminals, snatchers, rapists, etc, as it is one of the safest place in the world. You can find cheap, CLEAN and fantabulously delicious food in the humblest of places (aka my lovely hawker stalls). You can go there 4 times a year and it'll still look different somehow.

It's where my naive 10-year-old self learned what it meant to be independent, to be responsible, to know how it is to stand on my two feet and take care of myself. I believe it's where my 10-year-old self discovered her strengths. I remember having my first ever growth spurt there, but more than the physical, bodily growth, I really grew up, in the real sense of the phrase, and I credit so much of who I am now to that chapter of my life.

Singapore will always be my most favorite place on earth. I know it's been making a lot of changes lately, architectually and even in terms of regulation, but I don't care. Singapore will always hold a special place in my life.

With that said, it'll be made even more special by the fact that I'll visit it again, this time with my bestest friends. Can't wait! :)

overwhelm

These past few days, I've definitely been feeling the strain... that weighty, overwhelming feeling that I've been bracing for ever since I realized the multiple balls I'll be juggle throughout late 2009 to early and mid 2010. I am on the bridal gown stage of wedding preps, which probably is the most attention and thought requiring part of the process, apart from the main items otherwise known as date, time, church and venue. Met with some designers, the experience of which I realize can be both confusing, tiring yet fun, exciting and very giddyness-inducing. It's also finals time for my darling students, so I have to finish grading all the papers and prepare for my final day in class, as well as do the prep work to compute for their grades. I also launched a new product recently, one that requires a lot of attention given the sales/trade work it needs. It was also budget season a while back. The stress it causes needs no explanation. MBA is also still ongoing, with some of my classmates being a bit "difficult" to work with, esp with regards to our often conflicting work schedules.

So many things, so little time. In fact, the only other "ball" I have that I do not need to "juggle" yet right now is house decorating. It's a task for early 2010, when we have to start (and finish) the repair work at the condo, and design ideas and decorating concepts will be angling for space in my brain, versus all the other things I listed above. I am super excited for that stage of my "fiancee"-ness, but I also know I want enough time to enjoy the process.

I remember telling Dennis recently that, for the first time since we got engaged, I am truly, truly, truly grateful to have this much leadtime before our big day. I am not the type to cut corners, or to close my eyes and do eenee-meenee-minee-mo with my choices. I am soooo the type to think it over, consider different angles of the decision, before settling down with my choice. I also dislike the feeling of being rushed. So, with all these other things going on in my life, I definitely love the fact that I have time. Enough time. To breathe. To relax. To take things one at a time. To enjoy and have fun. To be. Just be.

I've been thinking of and doing so many things that time seemed to fly by and before I know it, my 27th birthday is upon me. Tomorrow, I turn a year older. And I realize that my 27th year on this planet is perhaps the most exciting and life-changing year of my existence just yet. It's a year full of firsts- of the start of my official life as the wife of my beloved and the start of my full-fledged independence. By this time next year, I would've been a wife for a little over a month. Hopefully I'll also be doing wifely things such as cooking for my husband, preparing things for him, talking about expenses, trips together, wedding gifts unopened, etc. I'll also be entering the third and final stage of my MBA life. And hopefully something good at work is also in store for me, God-willing..

There's so much growing up to do next year... I can't help but feel nostalgic... The next 12 months are definitely something to savor and to cherish. To enjoy and to remember. This sort of thing only happens once.

OK, I don't feel so overwhelmed anymore. I feel so much better :p Which is a good thing. My birthday is in a few hours :) Can't be in a funk on my day. :p

little details here & there...

but at the end of the day, it's me and you. Me and you. Me and you.

Handle With Care

I love this book. I love the story, the characters and the twists and turns. Jodi Picoult does it again. She writes about life, about love, in such a poignant, sensitive way. I'd read this book over and over again.

:-)

2009, what's wrong????

Is it just me or is 2009 probably the toughest year we've had in a long long time? I've personally never seen a year more filled with challenges... so many deaths, mishaps, accidents, disappointments.. a year more riddled by would-have-been-but-never-was... It's just so strange.

Well, that is, except for the fact I got engaged (super high "high"), my overseas trips and the salary adjustment I got mid-year...

Gotta mention those, in case I begin to sound ungrateful. I'm still very thankful for my blessings, universe. It's just that I can't help but think 2009 seems to be a year people would rather forget once it's over.

Strange.

one random day...

He was just being himself...

Chattering on about something at work...

Feeding himself in between sentences...

Being all animated, using all the intonations and hand gestures in the world...

And I thought to myself...

I want to be with you forever.

:D

ok so new date 09/19/2010

OK, so now we have a new date, which the MIL seems to like a lot better, plus it gives way to an evening reception. Everybody happy, perhaps? Well, not just yet. We've already landed a church, but we have yet to get a reception space that fits all the requirements. Gosh, if you want to know what stress feels like, try planning a Chinese wedding.

Abangan....

:-p

spoke to soon

Apparently, churches do not allow Sunday morning weddings anymore, to make way for back-to-back masses and encourage parishoners to attend mass. Well, good for them but bad for us. With the rule, we have one of 2 choices: Get married in a garden or anywhere except a church; or, Change the date.

I guess we're changing the date.

I'm kinda tempted with the first option though.

:p

Trying to keep positive and avoid the control freak in me from..... well, freaking out.

Wooooooozaaaaaaaaahhhhh.....

10-10-10 at 10am!

We have our date!!! :P

When Dennis first told me the date that was found to the best schedule for us to be married, I was initially excited by the 10-10-10 proposition, but found the 10am a bit too early... I had always imagined our wedding reception to happen at night... So all the way home that evening, I tried to adjust the way I looked at this new development..

Then, I remembered something! When I was freshly out of college and one of our college friends got married (Cia), the rest of us were talking about how only one to two of us should get married per year, because at that time, we felt it was expensive to buy wedding gifts, so this expense should be spaced apart :p (haha, I know... when you earn minimum wage, you count your pennies very ver well)... Since there's quite a number of us in the digdipper group, we took turns "claiming" years and/or dates. I remember saying 10-10-10 will be mine, because it's a Sunday and it seems auspicious. This was back when: (1) I was just 21 years old and didn't know any better about anything in life ; and (2) I was super single and wasn't even really dating anybody. Wala lang. I think it's interesting and quite a story for it to turn out that I will indeed get married on this date. At may extra 10 pa for the time :p hehehe..

So, next year, 10-10-10 at 10am! :D

house hunting

One of my favorite things to do on a weekend these days is to go house hunting with my fiance. It's such an adventure. We'd choose a certain spot, drive around and look for possibilities. Today, we found the best one we've seen so far. It's so spacious and well designed, and it's in a really good neighborhood. I could practically imagine us living there when we were being taken for a tour this afternoon. I love it!

I wish money grew on trees so we can buy it on the spot.

tick tock.... tinghun!!!

We have an official tinghun (Chinese engagement) date! December 19, 2009 :D

Action items for the next few months:
- Finalize the details (venue, etc) of the tinghun
- Plan my attire (always a happy thing for any girl... and her mom.. Hehehe, my mom is already planning to visit designers in the next few weeks)
- Choose the gifts we want (at least the ones we can have a hand at deciding :p)

I'm excited!!!!! :D

WED TV

Hehehe, must be because of my current life stage of being a bride, but I've really taken to watching Wed TV episodes. They're like capsule features of the considerations of a bride-to-be, from dresses to videographers to pamamanhikan rituals, etc. It's a lot of fun! :p

tick tock!

This Sunday is our pamanhikan, the official day that our parents (plus my lola) will first meet each other. By then, it'll already be August 2, which means one month to go til September, when we'll have a wedding date, and the whole wedding prep frenzy begins. In more than one occasion, I've been told that my engagement seems anti-climactic since it wasn't followed immediately by a dizzying schedule of meetings with suppliers and a crazy lineup of wedding errands. Strange, because while that kinda makes sense, I really don't feel that it's anything bad. I like how we've been able to really enjoy being engaged, to regale in the fact that we've just made a 'tender reservation' on each other, to spend forever together, and just "be engaged." I'm grateful that we've had this time to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime crossroad. Not everyone has the same experience. I've also had the pleasure of slowly going through supplier options, without the pressure of the deadlines, and find out slowly what I really want. Now that I realize I only have 1 month of full, unadulterated peace, until the frenzy begins, I suddenly feel nostalgic.. and a bit like I wanna turn back the hands of time and go back to the moment when I had just said yes to his offer of forever-ever-after. I want to carry that image, the memory of that moment, from the starting line of the process all the way to the starting point of our life together :)

teacher teacher

Darling Beau and I are both part-time professors, on top of everything else happening in our lives. In fact, he's more of one than me, because he teaches in all the semesters of law school, and more importantly, at least for this term, he teaches 3 loads (meaning 3 classes) of students versus my lone class on Saturday mornings. His classes are all on weeknights, which to me are even more tiring, because not only will you have traffic to contend with at rush hour, you also tend to be low-batt already and talking for hours on end to a group of youngsters may not be the ideal way to end the day. And let's not even talk about compensation. This is not one of those jobs that slap your face with moolah to shut your gripes up. Indeed, teaching is more a calling than a profession. In fact, Dennis and I have come to see it more like charity work or volunteer work rather than a sideline or a job. Let me explain why.

Granted, teaching does bring in some dough, though not earth-shattering, that can offset some expenses. For instance, we computed that, from our teaching, we can likely pay off basic utilities like electricity and water every month. That's something, right? Or if we save it in a fund, it can buy a nice appliance after 4-5 months. But if you're one to put a value to your hours, then teaching may feel like a rip-off. Then again, if you think about it, when your company asks you to do overtime, it doesn't always pay you accordingly. At least this does. If you while away your time at the mall or surfing lazily at home, that doesn't pay either (in fact, it may even cost ya!) At least with this, your time goes to a good use.

On the flip side, teaching does take a lot out of you in the ff sense:
1. The hours you spend in class are about 80% you talking and 20% your students reciting. This means a stretched voice, lower back and legs a bit sore from standing and walking in the classroom, and the risk of wrinkles from the grief and undue stress if your students frustrate you. Multiply this by 4 for weekly classes to get a sense of the toll it takes on you per month. Multiply it by 3 then by 4 to get a sense of what Dennis goes through.

2. More than the hours spent in the classroom, the pre-work takes a longer toll on your time and energy. It's not just the research, mind you. It's the planning of the lesson plan, the syllabus and the actual teaching material. It's also making sure there's a healthy balance of theory and practice in the material, then also incorporating some time for free discussion. The good news is once you get one sem's worth of material done, all you have to do in succeeding semesters is to update it a bit. Then you're off. So it's more worth it when you intend to teach over a long period of time. If you only plan to do it in one semester, then the pre-work will definitely be a bitch.

3. There is a value to added sleep hours that you just can't put a number on :p And of course, if you're one to relish taking beach trips on the weekends, going on quick and unplanned excursions out-of-town or hibernating at home when there's no work, then teaching will feel like punishment. Don't even think of getting into it.

So, why do we do this? Again, as I said, we've come to see this as volunteer work, as a way of giving back to the world, to God and to the institution of education, for the blessings we've received in our lives. Just like other volunteer work, it is very rewarding, especially when you realize you're getting through to the kids and that they actually emerge better people as a result of your class. There is an immense satisfaction in seeing that, even if you don't have kids yet, you've helped somehow in the raising of someone else's child-- in the molding of his or her mind for the eventual pursuit of a meaningful profession. There's a palpable sense of fulfillment and a great pride in seeing your efforts bear fruit. Sometimes, I even think of it as a rehearsal for parenthood. Last night, I bumped into some students while walking to Greenbelt. They're working now, either as 5th year residents or as fresh graduates, and I felt some strange mix of pride and nostalgia as though they were my own kids. In fact, I still find myself interested in what they're doing and how they're doing. And I told my class earlier that if they need help on anything, they know how to reach me. And I meant it.

Also, there are other selfish motivations. For instance, working as a marketer and being immersed in a materialistic, overly commercialized world, I find a unique sense of sanity in the classroom-- it reminds me that not everything is about making revenues or increasing sales. There are better and more noble jobs out there. And since teaching is one of them, it gives me a sense of purpose and a different sense of calm to top off the week. I feel better, in other words. Less stressed. More balanced out. Another motivation is it's a reminder to me that meritocracy still exists in this world. That in the sanctity of the four walls of a classroom, if you put in the work and the effort, it will pay off. It doesn't matter who you know, how rich you are, or if you can suck up really well. A level-playing field is not extinct after all. A third motivation is sometimes, your students actually end up teaching you. They let you in on what the new generations are about, what they are into, how they think and how they feel. They also force you to go back to basics and lose all the complications that adult life can sometimes push you to take on. Life can be and should be easy. And fun.

So all in all, it's not a bad gig. It's destressing, it's calming, it's fun, and it's fulfilling. Sure, it means waking up at 7:30 on a Saturday morning or getting home at 9 on a weeknight. It can also mean a few hours every week updating notes or a powerpoint file. But all in all, the fruits come weightier than the costs. And the teaching part makes the working part of life much more bearable. It's not for everyone, of that I am very sure, but it's definitely for us.

Teacher, teacher! :)


P.S. I'm just on my 2nd sem as a teacher, but I realize I've come to really "own" this thing. In fact, when considering getting married around Sept next year, one of the things Dennis & I immediately considered were our classes, i.e. Oh no, we won't be able to teach... Hahaha! Intense! :p

There are 5 people in my life to whom this will forever and ever apply:

You are what home means to me. You're my heaven.

Today really reminded me of that.

if you want suffering, enroll yourself in MBA

This is really one of those days when I curse myself for enrolling in an MBA program. It takes up so much energy, so much time and so much brain cells-- added on top of work, teaching and my personal life. During these days, I have to revisit all my reasons for doing post-grad studies, plus consider all the resources used up to get this far in the program. Which will go down the drain if I bow out. Plus, I have never quit on anything. At least not yet. (there's always a first time, hek hek hek...)

I have to consciously and deliberately remind myself that I'm doing this for the future- meaning, for career advancement (because some positions just give an extra boost for an MBA-degree holder; plus, it's easier to justify a pay increase or other benefits) and, more importantly, to guide myself and lessen mistakes when I put up my own business. I have to remind myself that I'm going through this "torture" with an end goal in mind. That I'm not just doing this for the heck of it or just to fill up idle energy (which I really do not have anyway). That someday, I will say the words "thank God I did my MBA"......

OK, let's think of why this whining happens... It's usually triggered when I have an unbelievably tough quantitative class, like this one I'm taking now called Management Science, and all the numbers, figures and formulas are driving me nuts!!!! It's also strange to me why such quantitative classes have such lengthily written books and references, full of texts and paragraphs! I thought numbers were supposed to replace words, eh how come my quanti books usually outweigh my quali ones?! :(

This also usually happens when I don't like my blockmates. And this is applicable this term. I hate catty girls who are overly competitive and super suplada. Please. If you don't have anything else going on in your life, and that's why you're acting out, please get away from me because I do not give a rat's ass about your problems.

This also happens when work gets unbelievably hectic at the same time that my classes get demanding and challenging. I guess I prefer having only one master at a time-- so it's either it's work or it's school. Can't be both.

Ok, time to stop whining and prepare for my online class.

Oh, that's another thing. Despite the 10-day quarantine that DLSU voluntarily subjected itself into, I just have to be in one of those classes that do online sessions :(

Hay...

Okay, why am I doing this again???

hmmmmm

Is opportunity knocking on the door??? :p

new beginning

OK, I've been negligent in terms of updating this lately. So much has happened. I got engaged. My best friend's wedding got called off. School started again. Work got strangely hectic. Oh, and did I mention I got engaged? :p

Since the engagement, I've received bridal prep stuff from Kaye, as well as some tips and files from other friends. I've also read more bridal magazines than I ever want to (Weird, it gets old after a while...) and I've changed my mind more times than I can remember over aspects of the wedding like my dress, our venue, the color motif, etc. I didn't know being a bride was more than just blushing and smiling and looking really happy.

I know they often say being engaged is the best time of a girl's life. I realize now that I tend to disagree. It may be a unique time of your life, because it only happens once. It may be the time when everyone's focus is on you, but I tend to see the negative side of that coin as well. While it can be many good things, I don't agree it's the best, nor the happiest.

To be quite truthful, while I do look forward to the wedding, I must admit I am more excited about the life after. Sometimes to the point of entertaining thoughts of eloping or getting civilly married, only because what I truly cannot wait for is starting our life together. Our favorite topics of conversation are not about wedding suppliers or catering.. It's about our honeymoon, how we'll fix our first place, how our everyday schedule will be, how we'll set travel goals every other year, etc. And I love it. I love the fact that I want to be his wife more than his bride. Because "bride", for all intents and purposes, is really just a stopover towards something more meaningful.

This doesn't mean I don't care about the wedding at all. I do. I just carry a perspective that, while you only get married once, it's only 1 day out of the many days you two will have. It does deserve to be special, because it marks the beginning of a life together. But the focus shouldn't be on the party, on the band, on the clothes, on the frills and on the superficiality of a wedding. It should be about a love being celebrated and a love being sealed officially. And you should be just as excited (or more excited, in my case) about the morning after... and the morning after that, and the morning after that and the morning after that....

Being a bride is fun. But I think being a wife kicks being a bride's ass.

Hahahaha! :p

Lord, please look after Mia and guide her towards a full recovery.

LV Bloomsbury

Interesting--

maybe i'm not meant to ever enjoy thailand..

The same conditions that marked my first trip there are the same as this second trip tomorrow, i.e. time of the month + hot weather.... Tsk tsk tsk... At least the hotel looks nice.. I'll just bring my laptop and ipod and hope that I won't get too scared sleeping alone...

On the other hand, I can't wait to come home from Thailand (on Friday) because that means....

I can watch JL's new movie! YEAH!

(walang kokontra)

tang ina!!!! i can't wait!!!!

2010 na ba?!?!

Is it normal to wish that this year passes by already and we move on to the next?!?!

:(

bead-style earrings....

After buying myself this--I find myself wanting this--
I'm soooo stressed lately that I am soooo tempted to buy something to cheer myself up!!! Tsk tsk tsk...... :(

STATISTICS

is the new bane of my existence.... WAAAAHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

all i want to do...

is spend every waking moment with you....

resolution

Ok, I don't really make resolutions, but this looks as good a time as any to make one--

Control spending. Curb consumerism and get more moolah in the bank.

Bow.

:)

Happy New Year!!! Time to face reality today!! :p

holiday over....

I feel like a kid again right now, but not in a good way... You know how when you were little and you have a 2-week long holiday break... You enjoy it so much you forget how school, homework and exams feel like....

And then, the Sunday right before school starts again comes along and you wish you have the power to stretch time to the point that the following Monday never ever comes.

That's how I feel now.

This is GMA's fault, for spoiling people :p

Arg! I don't want Monday to ever come!!!!!!!!

Zara Mania...

What is it about sales that make girls go so crazy? Dennis got so shell-shocked observing the girls over at the Zara sale; he said the boys side was much less violent and aggressive, plus the fitting rooms are never full and the place is much quieter. Hahaha!

Fitting Room Funny Moment:
Background: Zara imposed a 6-item limit for people who want to fit clothes, so it's easier if you have a companion outside who can grab stuff for you, like an additional shirt or a change of size or color, instead of stepping out and lining up again. I was already inside, fitting, when I suddenly heard:

Fitting room girl: Ma'am, pila po kayo sa likod please.

Random mom: Hindi, hindi para sa akin ito, para ito sa anak ko, iaabot ko lang. Yung anak ko nasa loob eh... yung mataba. Yung matabang mataba.

WOW! I would have broken down in tears if I was her daughter...

Second Funny Moment in Zara:
Two girls arguing:
Girl 1: I told you to grab that grey shirt already. It was the last one. Tuloy, that woman got it na. You're so slow kasi.

Girl 2: If you wanted it, you should've gotten it yourself noh...

Girl 1: But you were closer to it! Hello? Arg! You're so kakaasar..

Hehehehe :p

Also, the woman in front of me in the cashier spent almost 23k in that sale... buying mostly shirts and cottony tops... My gosh... Made my purchase of 4 pairs of slacks look like buying mints. Dennis hugged me after seeing how much that girl spent. He was so glad daw I'm practical.. Hello, me?!

In other news, I accidentally dropped a hanger while inside the fitting room and it landed smack on the top of my foot. Hence, a big bad purple bruise emerged from my skin about 30 minutes afterwards. My dad said, jokingly, I should sue Zara, for using "dangerous" hangers. My brother replied that I was the dangerous one. My clumsiness is... legen... wait for it, wait for it... dary. Hahahaha! :p

Ok, enough Zara for now. I shall stay away from that place until the sale is over. :p

new money advice

Never heard these before til today, but they ring so true:

"Remember that money's power is not in what you can buy with it now, but in the freedom and choices it can provide you tomorrow."

and

"While it's true that life is only one time, you will have many years to live it. So while you shouldn't fall in love with your money, you should also learn how to save a buck or two for a rainy day. Because rainy days will come, and you won't want to be caught without."

Herve Leger

His signature "bandage" dresses are actually kinda nice.... They're growing on me.... At first, when I saw them on InStyle, I thought, those are weird dresses and must be hard to get in and out of.. now that I see them more and more, they're actually not that bad and are kinda (or rather, really) sexy...

BONUS BONUS BONUS!!!!

Merry ang Christmas!!!!! :D

impending liberation....

One more final exam on Monday and I'm done for the year!!! YEAH!!! 2008 has been such a tiring year, in large part because of this MBA... so at this point, I can only be so short-sighted as to be ecstatic to be study-free for the next 2-3 weeks :p

iffy...

Christmas is just 2.5 weeks away, but I'm barely feeling the holiday spirit. Must be the fact that I have finals coming up, that I have 5 more days of training (intellectual training, not physical exercise, in case you're wondering) to go with a lot of work to do, and "bonus uncertainty" is definitely in the air. Hay.. Maybe I'll feel better (or at least more certain) after the 19th... (the company Christmas party) :p

Hay... I've been "secreting" things (you know.. The Secret) so hard and so much these past few days that I'm thinking maybe the universe is getting sick of me already... hehehehe... So I'll try my best not to overdo it... :p

talk about taking action....

In relation to my previous post, I've decided to take action towards remedying my problem (of not having enough photos with Darling Beau... not much of a "real" problem, if you think about it, but a problem nonetheless :p ), and went on a canvassing trip today with Darling Beau all over the Ayala triumvirate malls, searching and comparing different models, brands and features. And finally, I've decided, after everything, I'm gonna get the Sony Cybershot T77! World's slimmest camera, with 10 mega pixels and 15mb memory! It has a special technology that detects smiles and takes photos accordingly... which I must say will come out pretty handy in the future (think babies whose smiling faces are hard to capture if your hands aren't quick on the clicking).... Hehehehe.. I know, too much into the future... but still.... It helps me justify this purchase. This model also allows editing on-screen and can even detect if the image is blurry (if your hands are shaking) or if a subject blinked (and can even be set to automatically replace the shot with another one without the blinking)... Ain't that neat??!! I love it!

Hopefully I get my hands on my new black T77 within the week. Hope the delivery comes already!!! :D

Oh, on a last note, I decided to get the camera in black, in consideration of Darling Beau's ego. Hahaha!

ting! pochette is done!

My new epi pochette is finally done! Hehehe... I got it about two weeks ago, pre-loved, and since its strap needed some repairing, I left it to be repaired... and I just got a text yesterday that my precious new-to-me bag is finished and ready for pickup! Yay! I'll get it on Saturday! Can't wait :D

pichurs!

I realized tonight that Darling Beau and I do not have a lot of pictures together!! What a shocker! This is brought about by the ff reasons:
1. Both of us are not "ma-picture" kind of people. Nor are our families. So in general, we do not have a lot of pictures that document different parts of our lives. It may sound odd, but that's just how we're (not) wired.
2. We do not travel outside of Manila. This is because both our families do not believe in couples traveling and spending nights together (even innocently!) when they're not yet engaged. Hence, no traveling photos.
3. Neither of us own a camera. This may be a symptom for #1 above, but really, we do not own a camera between the two of us. Sure, our families both have a token camera (which largely remain unused, by the way, for the reason, see #1), but to take photos often, we'll need our own. Which we do not have.

So what to do... I realize if I don't act now, we'll end up with our wedding on-site video being composed of nothing more than a few baby pics, some pics with friends, some pics in Manila, and nothing else. We'll look so boring!

So, should I buy a camera now??!!? I figure this may be a small step towards a state of picture-dom. I can at least document our time together more often... or rather, I'll be equipped to (doesn't mean I'll do it, haha!).. but hey, a small step for mankind but a huge step for not-pala-picture me...

So, what should I do?!

great weekend

I'm so happy I declined the work trip to Macau (or rather, got myself out of it creatively)... this weekend was definitely one of the best... Simple.. we didn't really do anything extraordinary, granted, but it was just full of fun, laughter and love love love! :D

I say this to him a lot, but really, there are just those special moments when my heart feels so much love for him that it just wants to... burst! Hehehe :p He always groans and says why do I have to choose such graphic language, but really, that's how it feels! And I think graphic is better than mushy / gushy :p hehehe...

Happy happy happy :D

early christmas gift!

After a lot of deliberation, I decided to get this bag! Not only is the price such a great steal, considering it's LV and is in good condition, the bag is the perfect thing to bring on nights out and lazy Sunday shopping trips. :p

And perfection tops perfection as Darling Beau offered to fund this purchase so it's gonna be his Christmas gift for me! Win-win situation, believe me, as this relieves him of the task of coming up with a gift for me, which, I don't really know why, proves quite challenging for him.. Am I hard to please?!?! I think not! :p



My new baby! Sure, I couldn't quite take her home yet, as she needed some "repair work" on the straps, but hopefully, in 3 weeks, just in time for holiday party season, she'll be all mine!! :D

Thanks to Tresorie! :)

My Man: Dennis Chan :)

Got this from Kayers :p Here goes...

1. He's sitting in front of the TV: what is on the screen?
Basketball or wrestling or CSI

2. You are out to eat: What kind of dressing does he put on his salad?
Anything. This guy will chow down on anything except for #3 …

3. What is the one food he doesn't like?
Lychees

4. You go out to the bar: what does he order?
Beer beer beer..

5. Where did he go to high school?
Xavier School

6. What size shoe does he wear?
10.5 or 11.. .sometimes 12 for rubber shoes

7. If he were to collect anything, what would it be?
Money. Hahaha!

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Anything with beef, chicken or ham

9. What would he eat every day if he could?
Dimsum!!

10. What is his favorite cereal?
Quaker oats count??

11. What would he never wear?
Spandex? Hahaha!

12. What is his favorite sports team?
Lakers

13. Who will he vote for?
Obama

14. Who is his best friend?
Me :)

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
Nag, hehehe….

16. How many states has he lived in?
one

17. What is his heritage?
Chinese

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday: what kind?
Frozen brazo, his favorite

19. Did he play sports in high school?
Yup.

20. What could he spend hours doing?
Talking to me :) ... oh and playing Xbox :p

Everything by Lifehouse

I love this song--

Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I Want To Feel You
I Need To Hear You

You Are The Light
That's Leading Me
To The Place
Where I Find Peace Again

You Are The Strength
That Keeps Me Walking
You Are The Hope
That Keeps Me Trusting

You Are The Life
To My Soul
You Are My Purpose
You Are Everything

And How Can I
Stand Here With You
And Not Be Moved By You
Would You Tell Me
How Could It Be
Any Better Than This

You Calm The Storms
You Give Me Rest
You Hold Me In Your Hands
You Won't Let Me Fall

You Still My Heart
And You Take My Breath Away
Would You Take Me In
Would You Take Me Deeper Now

And How Can I
Stand Here With You
And Not Be Moved By You
Would You Tell Me
How Could It Be
Any Better Than This

'cause You're All I Want
You Are All I Need
You Are Everything
Everything

early birthday gifts!!!

I got my presents early this year!!!

My parents gave me Tyler tops, my brothers got a checkbook holder and my really good Citi friend gave me this:



I love this book! Well, she knows I love Lucky and she knows I love shopping... so tadaaaa! Yay! And I love the clothes too. Hehehe..... :) Yay! If you can't shop in real life, Lucky really gives you a good alternative. Just flip through fashion-filled pages and feel just as energized!! :D

I really love the gifts, though I must also admit that for some reason, my birthday this year seems a tad less "eventful"... nothing external really caused it.. It's not that something bad happened... It's more internal... like I don't feel much up for celebrating. Must be the less-than-ideal life situations of some of my friends that's going on now, or must be the global crisis, or the stress of work + school + teaching that kinda burned me out recently.... Or maybe a combination of all those things... Well.... Makes me feel less in a cheery mood... Also, for some reason, turning 26 doesn't seem like an "event" to me right now... (shrug)...... Oh well....

Crappy people...

make places crappy too.

I really hate this day...

:(

a few days to go......

before I turn 26! :p

super touched teacher

I ended my first teaching stint today, wrapped up by the students' final presentations on their respective brands. At the end of the class, I sorta gave a short wrap-up talk then dismissed them for the semester for good... when suddenly, the class surprised me with a gift (long story on what the gift is about... Suffice it to say that the gift is a reminder of an important lesson I taught them), saying that they will never forget me and that they had a really great time in my class. Awwww... I really didn't know what to say except thank you. They also asked if I could take a class pic with them, as well as individual pics with each presenting group. So cute! I don't remember ever giving such treatment to any of my previous professors, so I felt really honored to be so... well, honored. Hehehe. It was a nice way of concluding this series of 15 consecutive Saturdays that found me in a college classroom from 9am to 12nn.... :)

Now let's see if I can muster the energy to go through it again next year... but for now, given the great day I had today, I might just be up for it again.... :p Let's see...

singapore...

hmmmmmm......................

Singapore = isa kang malaking possibility.......


EXCITING!

nice dinner last night...

which reminded me that:
1. There's life outside of the place I work in right now
2. There's really no need for unnecessary crap that causes unnecessary stress
3. There are better places and better options out there in the world.

AMEN!

holiday!!!

Spent the whole day vegging out at home.. woke up at 11:30, had a lazy lunch, spent the entire afternoon in bed watching my tv series-- Greek Season 1, Gossip Girl and Privileged... now I'm about to start on the 2nd season of Greek, then on to Project Runway Philippines later at ETC. I love this day! This kinda day does prop up few and far in between, but when it does come around, I just love love love it! I actually thought of correcting the papers for the class I'm teaching, or doing some advance reading for my MBA class, but decided, nah! Today is veg-out, rot-my-brain day, complete with dvds, my computer, my chips and chocolate bars! Yay for holidays! :p

please...

give me some good news.. anything! I hate this feeling of doom, gloom and more doom.... So sad....

I can't wait for the weekend, to purge all these negativity and to refocus my perspective on the blessings I have and the good things I have going on in my life... to be thankful again for what I've been given...

Hay....

save save save save save!!!

My family was discussing the recent financial meltdown in the States, and my dad believes we haven't seen the worst of it.. and despite what the government says, the Philippines will be affected one way or the other.. Hence, he has this edict laid down for us: Save save save save save!

As in, do not buy him Christmas gifts daw. Knowing that his "gift" is sitting safely in our bank accounts, tucked in for a rainy day, is enough satisfaction for him, maybe even more than an actual material gift. Holidays are not supposed to be about material things anyway, he says. People just get carried away...

Oh..

Okay..

Though I may not agree with the moratorium on presents, I do think that my generation seems incapable of saving... I don't know if it's technology that's at fault, or the emergence of credit facilities, consumerism, or just the culture.... but my generation does seem to live for the "now" more than ever before. Unlike our predecessors who's main purpose for toiling is to save, save and save, to forego immediate gratification in the pursuit of a secure, worry-free future. There's definitely some wisdom there.. maybe it just all got lost in translation when passed on to the young..... :p

Watching CNN and BBC feature the US financial system is scary, though... maybe it's what finally does the trick in making me trim down the expense fat... :p

work trip again!

This time to Taipei. Let's see if I enjoy it better than I did Bangkok :p

Rushing everything now, my gosh.. Rushing to finish my presentation for my boss, my packing for tomorrow's 8am flight, rushing my MBA homework.... aaaaahhhh!!! I haven't even started on my lecture for this Saturday.... Too many things on the plate, tsk tsk tsk....

new bag!!!

It may not be the Neverfull I wanted, but it's also a bag I've always liked.. At the risk of sounding like a total LV-holic, I am so so so thrilled to have this bag!



My mom was the one who bought it in HK, after much prodding from my dad. She actually liked a different kind of bag- the Amarente Bellevue-- but my dad told her it doesn't suit her.. So, she went against her gut and got this Alma instead. Though I tend to agree with my dad, I think she should've listened to herself and got what she wanted...

In any case, I'm the lucky beneficiary of the buyer's remorse, so I should just shut up and enjoy the new bag :-)

*P.S. Another work trip coming up! This time to Taiwan... My first time in the land of Republic of China! (The real China is called People's Republic of China, while Taiwan is formally called Republic of China.. Not a lot of non-Chinese people know this.. :p hehehe)

damier neverfull

Mommy, I want one.....!!!!!!!!!!



BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love love love love love love it!!!!!!

PF

It was pretty funny how our office janitor shyly handed me this month's PF magazine yesterday, and I had to stop and wonder why he was doing that.. Then it occurred to me! He's handing it to me to show me.... because it's the issue that included my feature....!!! Nye!!

That was my first reaction. Nye!! Then I thanked him and flipped the magazine over to my section. My second reaction was.... Hahahahahahahaha! I found it so strange to see my image stare back at me, then another image, and another image! Hahahaha! True, I did the photo shoot and interview, and all, but those things never felt real..... but here is the evidence staring at my face! Hahahahahaha!

Showed it to some friends at the office and finally took the copy home to show my family last night. My cutey father said he'll go out today and buy copies for everyone he knows. True enough, he bought himself 10 copies today. Shocker for me on the part where he plans to show it to everybody in his contact list, but a really good, appreciative feeling for his being proud of my little shot at fame. Hahaha! I still can't believe it.. Even Dennis is looking all smitten and proud.. :p

Oh well... in fairness, the feature is actually not bad... The writing was pretty decent, although I think I looked really pale in my photos :p Hehehehe...

new book!

Got this book today, with Darling Hub in tow because he wanted to buy comic books... Told him I didn't really get the allure of comic books, to which he replied, well, I don't quite see the point of that book either... Hehehe... sa bagay....

Presenting--



Based on real accounts, this book chronicles the adventure of one fashionista in the constant pursuit of the famous yet unattainable Hermes Birkin :p Should be a fun fun read :) Hopefully I get to start reading it tomorrow, after I finish grading the marketing papers I assigned to my class... :)

immune shots...

Finally, I completed the 3-installment anti-cervical cancer vaccine shots... Hurts like hell, but at least it's finished :-)

medical exam....

Had my annual physical exam the other day. I'm feeling a little nervous about the breast exams, as the doctor not only reacted with mild concern over my ultrasound results, she also requested that I take a digital mammo and an actual mammogram. I'm scared. I've never even considered the possibility of having something wrong in that area... at this age. I mean, I'm barely 26. It just can't be.

Darling Beau is also in denial, insisting I'm perfectly healthy and it's impossible that they'll find anything. Hay..

I'm tempted to research online about this, but I'm scared of scaring myself to death. So I've decided to just wait for the results to come out and worry about things when they're actually written down on paper for me.

Please pray nothing is wrong.

8/8/08!!!

I came home early tonight to catch the 2008 Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing, China. At 8:08pm, I sat down with my family to watch....

And it was nothing short of amazing!!! I'm so proud, at this very moment, to be Chinese. Many have considered this to be China's coming-out party, and it definitely didn't disappoint. After so many years of seclusion and isolation, China finally came out, and came out with a bang, it did!!! I love it! We even sang the national anthem along with the people watching live... :)

Happy 8/8/08!!!! :)

bkk....

I'm on my third work trip of the year.. this time to Bangkok. I've never been, and I hope it's as good as people make it out to be :p

The only trouble is I've missed my MBA class for the second time so far, because of work trips.. Tsk tsk... Hope this is the last one...

updates!

Haven't updated this blog for the longest time. Been sooooo busy with:

1. MBA: Even if I only have 1 class this sem (in an effort to manage my time better given #2 item below), my economics class is super challenging! As in, it's the toughest class I've had so far in my fledging career as an MBA student, that it's almost like taking a full load.. Hay..

2. Teaching: I started teaching about three weeks ago, and so far, I'm proud to say that it's been going well. Partly because I've had the chance to really sit down and plan my lectures ahead of time. My problem now is that the next few weeks is gonna be quite hectic for me, so I don't know how my next few classes will go. Wish me luck. Hay, and oh, I almost forgot to mention that... it's true what they say about nobody ever becoming rich from teaching :p Hehehe... So, if you're in it for the money, don't even bother, man...

3. Work work work: For some reason, just when my school work started and my teaching load commenced, my work load also started intensifying. Totally unexpectedly! My bosses just started paying intense attention at my business and started demanding more and more of my time and efforts... gosh! :p Though it's a good thing, really, as Dennis keeps reminding me, that at least they keep on appreciating my worth in the organization, it's also incredibly tiring. Plus the fact that I have a work trip this week, which I wanted to avoid and was desperately hoping will be cancelled, in light of #4 below... But, oh well, it's pushing through. So, hello, Bangkok, here I come....

4. Kaye's wedding! Yay! : Kaye's wedding is coming up in 6 days. MY GOSH! It seems only yesterday when we were saying Kaye's wedding was still 1 year and a half away and she has all the time in the world to get it all together... and now, ilang tulog na lang, it's here! Guia is picking up my dress for me since I'll be abroad when it's ready... My plane from BKK arrives on Friday afternoon, which gives me just enough time to fit a nail spa appointment in before a family thing in the evening, and before I'm supposed to take my beauty rest for the early wakeup call on Saturday morning. I'm so excited! :) Beyond excited, actually :p

Boy, time really flies when you're having fun.. or when you're really busy :p hehehe. Before I know it, one of my bestest friends in the planet will be married and get swept off her feet for her honeymoon... then, it's Darling Beau's 29th birthday, then it'll be finals season (for both MBA and my teaching classes.... OH MAN!) and then before I can get a wink in, it'll be my birthday, then Christmas, then 2008 will be over, then 2009 will be here and it'll be my best friend's wedding by May. Woah, time, please stop for a bit! You're going way too fast for me :p

i can't wait!!!!!

Go to www.powerbooks.com.ph to make an online reservation :)

new slippies! :)

Yay! I love it! :D

i can't wait!

http://www.sexandthecitymovie.com/

dress in the making...

So, we had our second fitting yesterday for our bridesmaids' dress, to be worn to the First FILC wedding.. I'm so excited, you can totally see how the dress will more or less look... it's so beautiful! I love it! Can't wait to see the finished product :)

wife fund

So, for some strange reason, my mom sat me down tonight to give me a talk about saving more and spending less, as I'm approaching marrying age, and therefore, I need to prioritize increasing my assets... and no, bags and clothes are not "fixed assets" :p

She told me that, while it is true that this is the one time in my life (now that I'm not married yet) where I can spend my money in whatever way I want, without regard for what anyone else thinks, it is also the one time in my life where I can (and should) save my money as much as I can. Once the husband and the kids enter the picture, I will find myself spending at a rate that's so much less controllable than it is now. While I can think of this time in my life as a carefree time where I should enjoy my money, she says it's wiser to think of it as the time in my life where I can accumulate as much wealth.. (aka the wife fund)... as I can, because I will never be able to save as much as I hypothetically can right now. Now that, in her words, kargo ko lang ang sarili ko.

Well, in light of my previous post, that's going to be challenging.

But she's right. I have approached this single life thing all wrong. Instead of appropriating my money in "life-enjoying" manners, I should be saving substantially so as to cushion myself for married life, where costs will inevitably balloon, given the ff reasons:
- I currently do not pay for utilities like electricity and water, which when I get married, would not be the case anymore
- I also currently do not pay for maids, groceries, etc. Again, such won't be applicable in married life
- Should darling beau not able to buy me a home and I refuse to live with his folks, we'll need to rent our first home.. (Though thank God I managed to have a car already for us...)
- Baby = haaaaa?!?!?!?????

There you go. So, now, my wallet will be on a strict diet.

Or at least I'll try...

Good thing darling beau and I managed to land teaching gigs recently. Hopefully they pay a decent amount and hopefully they are not just one-offs, so the money generated can go towards the new save-money plan...

:p

at the rate i'm going, i'll have no savings when i turn middle-aged...

'nuf said..

turn your trash into treasure...

happy 3rd anniversary!

So, I was in Cebu last April 28, which marked the third anniversary of my relationship with Attorney. Good thing he's so understanding, and he didn't give me a hard time about it. We just celebrated on April 26th to make up for the lost time together.

As agreed, we presented each other with our less-than-two-thousand-bucks gifts. I gave him a black leather Fino wallet to replace the dillapidated one he's using, and he gave me---



He gave me the entire trilogy of Twilight, which amounts to roughly 2k! Sakto! Hehehe. So, admittedly, using a criteria of judging by the degree by which the gift reflects the recipient and the happiness level it is expected to bring to the recipient, he is the runaway winner.

However, seeing as how I was such a sore loser, we decided the final decision is a draw and that we split our anniv dinner date. Hahaha! I love this guy! He makes me pag-bigyan even if I don't deserve it. Hahahaha!

Happy Anniversary!

little surprises

I was pleasantly surprised last Saturday when the former dean of my college course, who now serves as Communications Director of the school, invited me to join the faculty as a part-time professor. He offered me to teach 1 block on the subject of Marketing Management. Coolness! I was flattered and surprised, so all I could initially say in response was "Sure!" Then I followed it with a standard line "as long as it's on a Saturday, preferably afternoon", to which he gladly responded, "of course!" He said it's for first sem, so it should start in June, when I'm well on the way through my 2nd sem in my MBA course. My gosh. This year is going to be one busy year!

I'm excited. I've been thinking of the possibility of teaching for quite some time, and I'm happy it will be at my alma mater, and it's about a subject matter so close to my heart and to my everyday job / life. Plus, the added income would be very much welcome, though money is definitely not my main motivation. I am just really excited to teach. :) Hopefully, everything goes well.

Apart from that, this weekend was full of other little surprises, like my darling beau's mom gifting me with really nice pasalubongs from her cruise trip, and my grand-tita who's fresh from overseas just met Dennis for the 1st time, and despite my earlier estimations, she really liked him! As in, two thumbs up si Attorney! Naks! :)

Happy, happy, happy... :)

jetting off...

to Cebu tomorrow... Actually, in about 6 hours nalang, since my flight is at 4am tomorrow :p First business trip of the year... :)

WWE and boys

As soon as we step into the restaurant yesterday to have dinner with my family, my brothers immediately signaled to darling beau to sit next to them. They looked so excited, I found myself intrigued to know what's up. Turns out WWE Wrestlemania is being shown live in Glorietta tomorrow night, and they were inviting Dennis to join them in watching.. Shelling out P320 per person to watch a bunch of sweaty, over-muscled men jump on each other while wearing neon colored tights with paint on their faces.

My darling beau, on the other hand, the ever-so-graceful and dignified attorney, didn't waste a single breath before he agreed whole-heartedly and asked what time he had to be in Glorietta, since he had a full day packed with hearings. Then the three boys proceeded to spend the good first quarter of the dinner chatting and debating over wrestling news and trivia. Hay, boys and wrestling....

Though I have to admit a big part of me was kilig to see how my brothers have embraced Dennis as practically their new older brother. I love it! :)

a good partner

I feel so bad for my friend, who married a good man who is turning out to be not as good a husband. Not that he's abusive or anything like that. He's the perfect gentleman, giving her everything she needs materially and allowing her to relish in the returns of her materially fulfilling job. He indulges her whims and lets her do whatever she likes. At first, I thought things got better when they got married. After all, you're supposed to imbibe those very vows you spoke at the altar, when you promised to give all of yourself to another. Turns out a good wedding doesn't always make a good marriage.

I worry for her. Worry that she walks her path separately from her husband's, which is precisely what marriage is not supposed to be about. I worry that, as much as he does genuinely love her, he isn't capable of giving her what she truly, desperately wants-- a true partner. Someone who's totally devoted to you, someone who actually hurts more than you do whenever the world hurts you, someone who's your biggest fan and your staunchest ally, someone who doesn't only support your dreams but owns them as his own as well, someone who lives and breathes you, someone who's dedicated to live his life to make yours easier, someone who is with you 100%, truly, madly, deeply, someone who will marry you over and over and over...

Because if you don't have that, you don't have a marriage. You don't have a partner. All you have is a ring on your hand and the memory of a grand party. All you have is a roommate, a housemate.. All you have is a sounding board, not a soul mate. All you have is a companion, not a kindred spirit. All you have is a life you settled for, not the life you dreamed about... Happiness shouldn't be something you have to convince yourself you have.

I don't know how to help her..

HK money meltdown

The HK trip proved very costly for me... very costly... hahaha! But I love my purchases. Beautiful beautiful beautiful :)

In fairness to this company, despite all its flaws, it has allowed me to afford all the things I want. So in fairness... pwede na rin... hahahaha!

HK, baby!

Off to HK tomorrow... Can't wait! Need a vacation... BIGTIME!

.. The only thing that bums me out about this is that I'll be leaving Dennis behind. I really can't wait til the day I get to bring him with me everytime I go abroad...

Other than that, I'm excited :) See yah!

i love friendly competition

Attorney's and my 3rd year anniversary is coming up in about a month, and to make gift-giving a little more interesting, we decided to have a little contest. Whoever gives the best gift under 2,000 bucks wins! The loser treats the winner to anniversary dinner at our annual haunt-- Lolo Dad's... :)

Not only have we managed to give the occasion an extra exciting punch, we've also saved each other lots of money by opting to cap the value of our gifts this year. I love it! Total win-win situation :p

Ready, set, lovers, go! :)

a numbed life

Through various discussions today, I realized that there really are some deeply unhappy, deeply unsatisfied people in the world-- people who go through life settling for diluted versions of happiness often found through overdrinking, abuse of substances, materialism and superficial conversations full of air, air and more air. These are people who, whenever they talk about their "happy" lives, attempt to convince themselves more than the ones they're actually speaking with-- convince themselves that the path they have chosen is one they have actively selected and designed for themselves, instead of the empty, pathetic excuse of a life where injuries and insecurities are bandaged haphazardly by alcohol, drugs, money and fluffy talk. They think they have people fooled but really, the fakeness is so, ironically, real. They fail to realize that the relationships they forge are very fake and superficial, because they are not offering their true selves in the relationships and instead keep up this pretense of always showing a happy, content, and often carelessly carefree face. No one in the world has a perfect life. I don't know why these people seem to think they can get away with projecting that they're an exception to that rule. Don't they know that the greatest equalizer in this world is that no one's life is absolutely, completely perfect? It's okay to have flaws, it's okay not to have or be certain things, it's okay to just be yourself.

More than disturbing, it's actually really sad. It's so sad to see people with so much potential and promise fall into a vicious cycle of pretentiousness, just to fit in, just to put on an act and just to feel temporarily better about themselves. Aren't they scared that one day, they look in the mirror and cannot recognize themselves anymore? Aren't they frightened that, at the end of the day, when it truly, truly counts, they do not have people in their lives to depend on? Aren't they terrified that, when stripped of all their lies and deceit, the people they choose to surround themselves with will leave them like a bag of garbage? It's so sad.

Life doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be real.

the best thing with fighting with the one you love...

is making up after.

:-)

twilight!

Most of my Feb 25 holiday was spent in bed, devouring this book--


I love it, I love it, I love it! Once I was knee-deep in the story, I couldn't let the book go without knowing how it ends. Only to find out that the book is part of a trilogy! I have to get my hands on the 2nd book and know what happens in this uncanny, unlikely yet totally believable love story!!

shocker!

Opened my four credit card statements tonight and got my biggest credit-card shock ever! As in! I've never seen bills rake up this high. My god! First time in my life that I spent more than I earned. Tsk tsk tsk. Some remnants of holiday shopping was still there, hence excusable to a certain degree, but I have to admit a lot of things there weren't supposed to be there anymore. Tsk tsk tsk. Should really tighten the purse strings now. Shocker, shocker, shocker!

Another total shocker of the day is when I watched ARA2 this evening and disappointedly discovered that Marc and Rovilson didn't win the race after all. I was sooooo rooting for them, but sadly they lost to the Singaporean boys. It all boiled down to the last roadblock, and unfortunately for the Pinoy boys, they were out-flagged. :( Oh well...

I sure hope to be shocked by good news in the next few days. To counter-act all these rugs being pulled from under me lately... Tsk tsk tsk....

new target acquisition..

While lazily browsing through Greenbelt 4 with Darling Beau last weekend, I chanced upon this beautiful bag... It's not only lighter than the Griet, it's also cheaper and much more versatile. It can be used everyday for work, for school or for play :)

Presenting.. the Monogram Montorguiel---



Isn't it nice? Love it! Finally, a more reasonably priced target acquisition... Now if only I get my bonus already..... :p

love love love love love

In the spirit of window shopping---

Presenting, the new LV Damier Griet.. Beautiful beautiful beautiful bag.. I'm so in love...

happy slip!

Pinoys are really something else. First there was Rex Navarete, and now there's Happy Slip...

Spent a good part of tonight just going through the vlogs at www.happyslip.com. I just love love love Christine Gambito, aka Pinoy internet queen. I love her humor and I love her silly antics. My favorite are the soap operas and "French Fries". Laugh trip, man!

epiphany time!

This week has been a time of realizations.. of epiphanies. I feel like I've been conked in the side of my head and was made to realize that I've been in denial over some things lately. And that I have to learn to accept the added responsibility that came with added perks, and that I now have to learn to develop a higher tolerance level for shit and a thicker outer skin so that I can better serve my new role.

Admittedly, I've been spoiled in lots of ways lately and now is the time to roll up my sleeves and seriously embrace this new role with all that I have. I owe it to my mentors and to myself to give this my best shot. I've been cowering against the added pressure, admittedly, and I've only been relishing the rewards without being prepared to take the accompanying flak. I've realized that to really grow into this new skin of mine and to really flourish in this new environment, I have to suit up as necessary and face things head-on.

I'm maturing. Hahaha!

God's responses...

Darling beau shared something very nice with me this weekend. He told me about this thing he read recently.

When you pray to God for something, He responds only with 1 of the following answers:
1. YES!
2. Not yet.
3. No, I have something better planned for you.

Makes so much sense, and makes you feel better about seemingly unanswered or seemingly belatedly fulfilled prayers. I love it. :)

what's in a name...

I don't agree with some parts. Whatcha think????

What Gladys Jane Means

You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life. You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone. Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are fair, honest, and logical. You are a natural leader, and people respect you. You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries. You are rational enough to see every part of a problem. You are great at giving other people advice. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

great start...

This is going to be good, I can just feel it in my bones. Just got home from my first MBA class an hour ago and I had such a great time. I was just telling my darling beau how excited I am about this MBA stint. It's going to be a good thing, I just know it.

In other news, just heard today that JT is coming over for sure. In March. Though sponsored by the competition, I'm excited to watch. Also, U2 is under nego to visit Manila too. What great news to kick off the year with :)

resolution

I never make resolutions because they never ever worked for me in the past, but there's always a first time. My 2008 resolutions are:
1. Pray more. And be more thankful.
2. Spend less. Stop spending on unnecessary things. Revisit definition of "necessary". Decide on what's priority and allocate some room for indulges, and STICK TO IT!
3. Work harder and be more forward-thinking.
4. Be more patient. Good things come to those who wait.

Here goes nothing...

big day tomorrow...

Tomorrow officially marks the day when my MBA starts. I have my first class tomorrow evening at 6pm-- Business Law. To commemorate the occasion and to jumpstart a hopefully smooth-sailing MBA career, my dad gave me a leather-bound notebook and Dennis bought me a black and a blue ballpen, to use in my new life as a part-time student. Hehehe. The nerd in me is really excited. Wish me luck! :-)

.....

Not having it because you choose not to have it and not having it because you're not given a choice are definitely two separate matters.

Two very separate matters.

But it really shouldn't matter that much. I should always keep my eyes on the goal. Always have the right perspective on things. What matters is what's at the heart of it all, not the trappings and perks that surround it (or supposed to surround it).

Tsk tsk.

2008, baby!!!!

Thank God the mood changed drastically after Christmas (see depressing post below). Now, I can't even remember what kind of funk all that was about. New Year's rocked!

Since our family isn't Catholic, New Year's celebration tends to be more meaningful than Christmas. In the sense that we have a lot more traditions to uphold on the New Year holiday. For instance, Dec 30 is the staple family reunion date, where all our relatives from all ends of the country come down to our little place in Paranaque to greet my lola happy birthday and to ring in the New Year together. As a result, the house is crammed to the fullest with people sleeping over, crammed to the fullest with food, food and more good food, and crammed to the brim with laughter and chatter. Love it! And my personal favorite is when the clock strikes twelve, my dad and uncle start the "money rain" tradition where coins are tossed from outside into the house, then all over the house... for all of us to pick up (and therefore pick up the good fortune in 2008). And media noche is capped off with a classic Co-family breakfast! Happy New Year!

Darling beau and I were having holiday dinner together at Diamond Hotel and we got to discussing traditions. We decided what traditions we're going to start once we're officially together (if you know what I mean :p ) Even the ones we'll have once we have tots were also discussed. It was such a great topic we talked about it for over 2 hours. Hahaha! We also got to talk about 2007 and how it was such a great year for us both. For me, as I said in the digdipper party, it's really a year of rewards (woohoo, 22 months!) and awakenings. Travel peppered my 2007 from start to finish, and it was also when I concretized my intentions for further studies. It's also the year where I feel I got to know my family the most (lots of stories behind this) and where I feel I got even more comfy in my own skin (again, lots of stories behind this). It's such a great feeling. As 2008 rolls in, I'm so optimistic that an even better year is in store for me. And I thank God more than anything for being so so so so good to me every year of my life.

As for darling beau, this is the year where he made major career realizations and hopefully jumpstarted the one career move that will take him where he wants his lawyering to go. It's also a year of challenges for him and his family, but as I pointed out to him, they still survive and they do it together, and that's something to be grateful for.

I'm excited for 2008. It's gonna be such a rockin' year. Kayers is getting married. Li will be preparing for her wedding. I'll be starting my MBA, and hopefully, more traveling is also in store for me. For darling beau, hopefully, more career wins will go his way, and I pray that he continues to be as optimistic.

2008 is here! :)

christmas 2007

I'm not sure if it's just me (or darling beau since we were just discussing this earlier and he agrees with my sentiments) that this Christmas seems to be not as festive / not as celebration-worthy as previous years. We're hoping it's just a temporary bump in the I-love-Christmas choo choo trains we've been on since we were tots, and not because this is a sign of old age. This Christmas season just seems a little more commercialized than usual, a little less festive, a little bit depressing...

I actually have some trouble analyzing why. Most of the factors are the same as in previous Christmases. We both spent the holiday with family and with each other (me and darling beau, I mean)... We both got to rest and relax and really catch up on things we've let pass in the past 12 months of the year (i.e. catch up with old friends, sleep, etc). We also got some really nice pressies and got to go to our fair share of parties. But, despite all of that, there's just less of a Yuletide spirit this year. I couldn't quite put my finger on why, exactly, that is. It's just how I feel... and apparently, darling beau felt the same way. Weirdness.

Hope this doesn't become a habit. And I sure wish that New Year's will be a whole lot better, because this feeling isn't a good one to welcome a new set of 12 months with.

This feeling notwithstanding, I'm still very very thankful for 2007. It's been full of priceless blessings and pleasant surprises, new and old friendships, cool adventures and golden life lessons. The Lord has continued to bless me, my family and all my relationships this year and for that, I am eternally grateful. He's kept all my loved ones safe and sound. He's also helped me achieve some of my dreams and preserve my hopes for the ones still to be realized. He's given me the courage to go for the things I've been wanting and has guided me against those I should be fighting against. I am so thankful for 2007. And this strange feeling I have towards the end of it is by no means an indication to the contrary. Thank you, Lord, for 2007.

please please Lord!!!

Dear God,

I know that rumors are bad and you shouldn't count your chickens 'til they're hatched (something like that, hehehehe). But I really really pray that this particular rumor is TRUE. Honest-to-goodness, 100% purely true! Lord, please! I feel that it's the ultimate reward to people who've struggled and pushed, through hell and high water, to get things done despite numerous setbacks from all corners. Please please please.

Plus, I really really need it :p hehehehe. I promise I'll continue to do good and give back to society and be a responsible responsible citizen of the world.

PLEASE!!!!!

:-)

weekend recap

I got a call the other day while I was at work. It's right in those rare moments at work when I'm deeply concentrating on the task at hand. I was on a roll-- words were coming out of (or typing out) of my hands straight from my brain-- and the last thing I wanted was to get distracted.

Ring!

Oh man! Who's this? I answered it with a snooty "Yes?", not-so-mildly irritable at being interrupted.

"This is M---k from De La Salle Graduate School of Business."

Nyek!

To hide my surprise and to make up for my less-than-friendly hello, I replied with an enthusiastic good-afternoon greeting and asked what I can do to help this nice gentleman from DLSU.

He then informed me that I had passed the exam (thank God there's no test for politeness at inopportune times!) and I had to come in for an interview on Tuesday. I quickly thanked him and hung up, embarrassed at my behavior yet ecstatic for passing! YAY!

That totally jumpstarted my weekend! Spent this weekend with my beloved and my family, happily finishing up my Christmas shopping. Yes, yes, it's technically not finished yet but I sort of already know what else to get for the rest whom I haven't purchased anything for yet.... which sort of counts as halfway done. I also got to buy wedding-registry items for some friends getting married. So accomplished-- that's how I felt this weekend :) Hehehe...

Was a really good girl this weekend too. Didn't buy anything for myself except some magazines and some books. That's it! Hehehe, though this definitely caught my eye... I think I'd want this in patent blue, if I had the moolah to spare---



Nice no? Hehehe.. Twas a happy weekend all in all. Makes me feel not up for working tomorrow.. :p

heroes season 2

Just saw the concluding episode of Heroes season 2, thanks to the wonders of the Internet. I know that the season length was cut short (only 11 episodes!) due to the ongoing writers strike in the US, but nonetheless, the series totally did not disappoint. WOW! Fantastic work :) Love it!

insatiable, fallible...

It's true what they say: Man is truly an insatiable beast. Whatever we have, we want more of it. Or we want better. No matter what sort of blessings we may already have in life, we always seek to have more and do more and get more and enjoy more. It's a dangerous, dangerous slope.

I mean, I'm not one to talk. I also have my own little luxuries, little leisures, little cravings for material and worldly things. God knows how many times I've wanted to buy a certain item, obsessed over something I can't afford or endlessly plot and rationalize in my head how I can cough up enough moolah to buy something my current means cannot satisfy. It's a sin everyone is guilty of commiting.

That's why it's good when God bonks you on the side of the head from time to time, to remind you that possessions and blessings are not one and the same. That you're wealthy because of the people who love you and the quality of relationships you have with these people. It's good to realize that once in a while and take the time to realign your perspective on the world and on life.

Only then will your material possessions be relegated to their rightful place as mere adornments. Adornments to this beautifully charmed life you lead, by virtue of the family you have, the friends you choose to keep and the love you choose to nurture and care for year after year. :)

silver lining amidst the hassles of today....

Today was indeed a sad day for Philippine politics. I seriously don't know what Trillanes was trying to accomplish by doing what he did. I mean, I get it, he wants her out of office. He wants her to account for all the anomalies she's been involved in so far. He wants things to change in this country and he wants change to start asap as he (and the people, allegedly) "have had enough." I get it, really. But I don't understand how he could've thought what he tried to do today would result to the things he wanted to happen. I don't see how taking a private business hostage, inconveniencing guests and diners, inconveniencing office people and scaring the shit out of this investor-courting economy would make things better. I really don't get it. If you're one of the few who actually sees the logic in all this, please explain it to me. How disappointing. He's a senator, for heaven's sake. And to think he's supposed to be this smart military man set to effect change. E, judging from today, he's just as clueless as the rest of them.

In any case, given the hoolabaloo of today, we were sent home early by our employer. Good thing, since if you add the rain and the little puddles of flood across the city, it would've been a nightmare going through Manila's roads if we didn't leave Makati before 2pm. And since I couldn't very well go out with friends and kick off this long weekend, I had no choice but to sit at home so early in the afternoon and aimlessly eat junk food while watching the news with my two just-as-helpless siblings. Then, I realized, I can make good use of this unexpected gift of free time by starting my Christmas gift-wrapping! So, I took out all the presents I've bought thus far and wrapped them in pretty paper and ribbon. Such joy! I loooooove gift wrapping!

And so, tadaaa, the 60% of my gift list has been prettily and neatly wrapped! Now tucked in a corner of my room, the presents happily await the upcoming holiday month 'til they fulfill their reasons for being by landing on the arms of their intended recipients. Such a great use of time. So there, at least there was a benefit to today's dramatics.

Wow, it'll be December already on Saturday. How time flies. Which reminds me, I should finish my list (the remaining 40%) within the next few days to avoid the holiday rush and panic purchases. :)

Have a good long weekend, guys! :)

that's love...

You know someone really loves you when they do something they otherwise wouldn't do just because they know how much it means to you and how happy it makes you. You know someone really loves you when they sit through this while listening to you oooh and aaah---



I love you, darling beau! Thanks for watching this with me :-p

skype heaven!

Tried out Skype-to-Skype for the first time last night with my good friend Baby Bay. I've used Skype a couple of times before to call friends on their mobiles, but have never used it for Skype-to-Skype calls since my friends abroad and I usually find it hard to be in front of the computer at the same time (hehe, blame the time zone diff plus semi-active social lives). But last night, by some stroke of luck, Baby Bay and I found ourselves logged on to Skype at the same time. And so she called me, and the rest, they say, is.... a 5-hour FREE conversation over internet protocol (sorry, my job entails me to refer to this technology in the real scientific term.. I can't seem to shake it...)

I loved it! I loved how, since my macbook has built in microphone and speakers, I could just lounge around, fix stuff around my room and even put on moisturizer and brush my hair while talking to my friend. It's the coolest! Technology really makes distance disappear and can even enable you to stay closer to someone abroad than someone in the same town/city/country as you. We're really a global village and with things like Skype, a difference in location is just that, a difference in location. There's no excuse not to stay in touch now :)

yay!

My best friend is engaged! :)

Congrats, Lianne & Sterling!!

weekend to weekend update

Haven't blogged a bit because I've been saving up all the tidbits of update til this very minute--

My birthday weekend last week went so well. Had a little celebration with my best girls (and our boys) on Friday at TRIO at the Fort and then at PIEDRA afterwards for some drinks. Then, had a separate celebration with my darling beau on Saturday night at Chef Laudico's. Yum yum yum. Just remembering what we ate is enough to make my mouth water. On Sunday, not only did Lianne and Sterling arrive in Manila, I had my own little celebration with my family.

Glad this past week was a really short work week because I really really loved the rest days. On Monday, Dennis and I hiked off to Tagaytay to show Lianne and Sterling around in Sonya's Garden. Oh, and we used my new car, which was super cool. I loved seeing him drive my car and get all awed by the transmission, suspension, whatever you call those car things :p Hehehe, spoken like a true girly girl :p

We had a lovely little lunch in Sonya's... actually, it wasn't exactly little, as we had mega tons of food for the P560 per person I paid. We had all you can eat salad, pasta and drinks. My gosh.

Then the boys had a little casino fun, where they won more than 3k bucks between the two of them.. Not a bad haul, for a 40-minute stay in Casino Filipino Tagaytay :p Then we checked out some real estate stuff on Sterling's behalf, bought some classic buko pies and then came back to Manila where we had dinner with our high school barkada. 'Twas a great day. It was nice to relax and unwind, and see old friends :) Dennis really made an impression with Sterling, who later on kept raving about what a darn decent guy my boyfriend is and asking when we're gonna meet up again. Hahaha!

Then Tuesday and Wednesday were really really really light work days. Took half of Wednesday off to take Li and Sterling shopping at, where else, SM! Sterling loved SM's prices, hahahahaha, he bought like 24 items for 5k! Not bad! We also took them to McDo for a snack and it was a riot hearing his reactions to "Wow, they have Chicken with rice here... Eeeew... and Chicken Nuggets with rice... why?!?"

Then Thursday was a total rest day where I did nothing but lounge around and pigged out with my brothers. Friday was me and Dennis having a really lazy day (read: WIFI and Youtube day) with coffee sessions at Coffee Bean and a really long dinner date at Bubba Gump. I love lazy days!

Then today, my parents came home from Germany and Paris, so we all stayed home... and tadaaa... presenting my two new babies, aka the reasons why I'll be destitute for the next few months----


It's my much anticipated LV Epi Speedy in black and Goyard Fidgi in black. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM! I got them both at bargain prices (again, a very relative term, as "bargain" just means cheaper, not cheap) and they are beautiful beautiful beautiful! The leather of the speedy is just exquisite and the Goyard is, as promised, light as a feather. I love the handpainted little chevrons too, and I love love love the texture of it. Such a steal! I love love love love my new babies!

My mom had a pretty good haul too. Esp considering she has way more money than me, hehehe. Note to self: Only buy luxury goods in Europe. Anywhere else is just a ripoff, plain and simple.

Hahahahaha, well, that's to hoping that there will be a next time. It sure won't happening in the near near future... :p

So that pretty much wraps up the past week. Sunday (tomorrow) is the usual family day, then another (full) work week starts yet again. But it's okay. This past week has been so awesome, that the thrill of it will last way until December. Which is when my favorite holiday comes along.

:)