Goodbye, '07!

This is my last post for 2007.

I have lots of things to thank for. Lots of blessings were given to me this year:
- 365 daily opportunities
- 52 weekly lessons
- 12 months of loving
- 1 year of life

I may have missed some good stuffs this year, but maybe it happened so I won't miss the much-better stuffs next year.

2008 will be a very exciting year for sure (for me, at least). Wedding, married life, new house, (new car???). Entirely new life.

Goodluck to all of us!

Bangungot

It's almost 4am. An hour ago I just had my very first nightmare. It was so vivid I can retell everything in full detail. But I don't want to share it here because it involved some very close friends and the scenario is pretty personal (though I didn't really care how gory it was). Now I know how hard and darn freaky it was to be trapped in a bad dream. I knew that I was screaming to death and jerking every muscle of my body in a hopeless attempt to escape from oblivion. I felt that all my effort to get off from that nightmare was non-existent in the real world. Luckily, I was still able to wake up and goosebumps greeted me in all their glory. Now I lost my sleep and feel so hungry.

Coming closer

Galing kami sa magiging venue ng wedding reception namin ni mahal. It's a nice place and fits within our budget of ?00K. The venue manager also presented (almost) complete wedding packages na sa tingin namin ay ok na ok na. In short, siya na halos lahat ang bahala, ikakasal na lang kami. =)

We also looked at some sample wedding photo albums at hindi na pala uso yung 15x15 na ang kakapal at puting puti na style. Mas hi-tech na ang layout at packaging.

Sa food naman, mukhang mabubusog naman ang mga magiging bisita namin.

Excited na ako!

Lotus Feet

My vertically challenged attribute justifies my small feet for a male homo at 7 (US size). Unfortunately, Nike has no male size for moi pieds. Bye Airmax 360. Bye Nike Free. Welcome Adidas (my second choice).

***

Sarap ng feeling ng nag-iipon na ng gamit. Bumili kami ni mahal ng Airbed at Steam Iron. Tumingin na rin kami ng dining set at ref pero magagalaw budget namin sa kasal. Baka microwave na muna.

"I'm sorry... for your face."

*Title c/o an American Boulevard tee print

***

Natutuwa ako sa youngest sister ko. She's just 6 years old but she has her diary na. I'm not reading it but my mother told me about it. Actually she showed me the diary notebook but I didn't want to open it, though I wonder what stuffs are written in there.

***

Mahal pa rin yung Nike Airmax 360, kahit 3thou na ang ibinaba (from 8 to 5thou sa Nike park-Fairveiw). Gusto ko na bumili kaso kelangan na magtipid, malapit na ang March.

***

So far maganda naman ang katatapusang ng taon ko. Tinupad ng bossing ko yung usapan namin about my "value" in our company. Sa January magkakaalaman talaga kung deadma na sa mga offers sa labas.

Go Pinay!

Another YouTube Hit Wonder, this time Pinay naman:

Charice Pempengo Live on Ellen Degeneres Show

Salamat part 2

Salamat sa alarm ng aking cellphone at nagising ako sa oras na dapat akong magising.

Salamat sa lahat ng tumulong sa bid ko at umabot ako sa 2pm deadline, kahit photo finish, abot pa rin.

Salamat at napirmahan na ang Final Acceptance ng project ko matapos ang dalawang taon.

Salamat at huling pasok na namin bukas, at may libreng lunch pa.

At sa nag-comment sa post ko noong Martes at binura rin agad kaya hindi ko na nabasa, salamat na rin.

Salamat. Salamat.

Salamat

Salamat sa Amoxicillin, Neozep at Enervon-C dahil hindi nagtuloy ang sipon ko sa trangkaso at ubo.

Salamat sa mga taong nagpasaya sa ginawang Yearend Company Party namin kagabi.

Salamat sa byaheng mabilis ngayong umaga.

Salamat sa nanay ko na gumawa ng peanut butter sandwich na baon ko ngayon.

Salamat sa Mahal ko at sa nanay niya para sa baon ko namang pananghalian.

Salamat sa banyo at sa lahat ng mga gamit sa loob nito para sa maginhawang pakiramdam.

Salamat. Salamat.

Feeling Fotografer

Using my 1 year-old Kodak V603 camera:

May reklamo ka ba sa trabaho mo ngayon?


MoA bay area yesterday afternoon


San Isidro, Bulacan: Quick escape from Manila's pollution and traffic congestion. Only 40 minutes away from Quezon City.


A San Isidro oldie plays his harmonica while returning to the city.

Late night Sunday delight

Hindi pa raw pala bukas ang Manila Ocean Park? Sabi kasi sa balita Dec.15 ang opening e, pero i need to verify pa.

Last punta ko a MoA during the Pyro Olympics pa last January at kanina lang ulit ako nakabalik:








Hindi na gaano masama ang amoy ng hangin sa bay area at maayos na ang lakaran.

The Return of Introboy

After a busy week, sa wakas mabibigyan ko na ng panahon ang aking bagong gitara. At sa tagal ko na hindi pagtipa, dadaan ulit ang mga daliri sa parusa.

College days nung kasagsagan ng jamming namin sa AS lobby at minsan sa CMC lobby. Nakaka-miss rin yung mga panahon na wala kang iniisip na mga monthly charges sa kung anu-anong kautangan, mga pagpapasensya sa mga kliyente, at iba pa. Pero ok na rin ngayon lalo na tuwing December dahil bukod sa parang school ang office namin sa haba ng holiday vacation, nandyan pa ang kadatungan. =)

Teka, gitara muna ako.

Haw deys play so past

Isang tulog na lang, open na ang Manila Ocean Park. Bad trip naman yung website nila, wala man lang preparation for its historic opening. Ni countdown, wala. Makapunta nga d'un sa Linggo.

***

In 7 years, ngayon lang napaaga ang 13th month pay namin. Dati kasi sinasabay ng boss namin sa bonus at ibibigay niya in cash via "ang-pao" (tama ba?) sa last working day before the long vacation. Buti pa yung iba, may 14th, 15th, 16th month pay. Pero ok lang naman, baka sumpungin ng pagiging galante si bossing para sa bonus namin.

***

Update sa SEAG: Bumalik na tayo sa ika-5 na pwesto sa medal standings; pangalawa naman sa total number of medals. Sa nangyaring protest ng RP Boxing team, okay na sana yung 1 bout na hindi paglaban to stress a point then they could have given all they got. Totoo na may mga obvious na dayaan sa scoring system, pero kailan ba hindi nawalan ng controversy dyan? Nabastos lang natin ang mas magagaling nilang boxers. Hindi tayo sports.

Blah blah

Iniisip ko pa lang ang mga pending ko sa trabaho, nahihilo na ako. Sa halip na medyo magrelak-relak na e, sangkaterba pa ang aasikasuhin. On the brighter side, mas ok na ito kesa sa iba na walang projects. May patutunguhan naman ang pagiging busy ko. Sana.

Pang-anim na lang ang Pilipinas sa SEAG. May balita na ibo-boycott natin ang natitira nating laban sa boxing dahil hindi na nila masikmura ang pandaraya ng Thailand. Isa lang kasi sa anim na lady boxers natin ang nanalo. Last time n'ung tayo ang host, pinaratangan din nila tayo ng malawakang pandaraya para maging overall champion tayo. Yun naman pala eh, they are just returning the favor to us. Weather-weather lang.

Lahat ng klase, sampung piso lang!

Heto na ang kinakatakot ko, ang pag atake ng shop-a-holism namin ng mahal ko kapag may dumating na konting biyaya (katas ng sideline). Katuwa mamili at mamasyal ngayon sa Robinsons Fairview dahil anlaki ng tiangge sa tapat ng mall, at parang Greenhills na rin sa presyo. Mas accessible pa dahil may FX na direcho sa tapat ng subdivision nila mahal at less than 30 minutes ang byahe. Sana mag-extend pa sila ng oras hanggang 12MN, ngayon kasi hanggang 10:30pm lang e.

Nakabili na ako ng gitara. Si bats kaya, nakabili na rin?

Cellphone, Cellphone Wallet

As of this blogging, panlima na lang ang Pilipinas sa SEA Games. 26 golds against 78 sa Thailand. Sabi nila maraming tinanggal na sports na kung saan tayo ang naghahari. Excuses.

***

Nakakatuwa naman ang act of generosity ng RP men's basketball team sa national team ng Cambodia. Ang balita raw e ipinamigay nila halos lahat ng kanilang gamit (bola, practice jerseys, sapatos, etc.) sa Cambodian team kasi napagalaman na nung nilabanan nila ito, e yung mga players nanghiram pa ng gamit sa volleyball team nila. Sabi rin daw ini-sponsor ng Sports Authority of Thailand ang pagpunta nila sa SEA Games.

***

Lapit na ng deadline ng bid namin sa Globe, halos wala pa akong nasisimulan. Kawawa naman ako. Mukhang masusunod ang bid schedule na binigay sa 'min, which means (almost) no vacation this December.

***

Okay ang bagong album ng Parokya ni Edgar. Hindi nawala ang tatak PnE sa mga bago nilang kanta. Walang bahid ng paglaki ng ulo at hindi jologs ang pagiging novelty. "Solid" ang pangalan ng bagong album nila, bagay sa karakter ng kanilang barkadahan (o banda) na sa loob ng maraming taon eh buo pa rin, hindi gaya ng mga kasabayan nila na nagkawatak-watak na. Hindi sila ang paborito ko pero masasabi ko na sa ngayon e sila ang dabest.

TransPOORtation

As I was watching Mike E.'s Imbestigador last Saturday, my despise meter shoots up towards the people who are responsible in putting our transportation infrastructure in total mess. I couldn't help my self. These guys are so disgusting to their bone marrows.

The most memorable part of the program for me is when Mike compares the inter-country train of Singapore and Malaysia to our very own MetroTren. Their train has clean toilets while ours is, well, a toilet itself (the video even shows plastic bags full of human &h!+ being thrown on passing train cars by railroad squatters). I laughed upon seeing it while my Pinoy blood wanted to freeze in shame.

Lack of planning, lack of budget, lack of discipline and corruption are Mike's conclusion to our transport demise. Letting these eat up our conscience and will is the scariest thing that could happen. I'm pretty sure that in other countries they do have these problems, too. But I agree on the program's further assessment that we Pinoys are far better in terms of ingenuity, resourcefulness and hardwork. These are our inherent qualities. Discipline can be taught. We already laws. All of these plus a little patriotism can bring us back to where we should be.

biyernes busyness

Kahapon pa maraming trabaho (that's why absent ko dito kahapon). 4pm na ako nag-lunch kahapon:


Then I went to Church around 7pm. Pati ang homily e tungkol sa work, particularly about not accepting bribes. And sobrang timing naman sa nabasa ko sa Inquirer.net this morning:

RP on top 10 list of petty bribery

BERLIN -- One in every four people has been asked to pay a bribe to the police, and political parties and parliaments are the most tainted by corruption, a Transparency International study released on Thursday shows.

The poor are targeted for bribes in both developed and developing countries, according to the watchdog’s Global Corruption Barometer 2007.

The study found that the countries with the highest level of petty bribery, with 30 percent of respondents reporting paying bribes, were Albania, Cambodia, Cameroon, Macedonia, Kosovo, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Romania and Senegal.

By region, Africa experiences the most demands for bribes, the study found. Transparency polled more than 63,000 people in 60 countries between June and September 2007.

The Berlin-based organization also produces an annual ranking of countries perceived to be the most corrupt.


Read the full article here.

Friday na, dami pa rin work. Hay.

Makatang Tren

Natutuwa ako at maraming nakaka-appreciate sa naging pakulo ng Instituto Cervantes de Manila dahil pinalamutian nila ng mga tula sa wikang Kastila at Tagalog ang mga tren ng LRT. Tawag nila sa proyektong ito ay Berso sa Metro. Tama yung sinabi ng isang blogger na hindi na matutulala sa kawalan at puting pintura ng tren ang mga pasahero.

Mas ikinatuwa ko nang makita ko ang isang tula ni Pablo Neruda (paborito kong makata sa paglikha ng makekesong tula). Pero snippet lang ng tula niya ang kinuha:

Tu Risa

Ríete de la noche,
del día, de la luna,
ríete de las calles
torcidas de la isla,
ríete de este torpe
muchacho que te quiere,
pero cuando you abro
los ljos y los cierro,
cuando mis pasos van,
cuando vuelven mis pasos,
niégame el pan, el aire,
la luz, la primavera,
pero tu risa nunca
porpue me moriría.

(Laugh at the night,
at the day, at the moon,
laugh at the twisted
streets of the island,
laugh at this clumsy
boy who loves you,
but when I open
my eyes and close them,
when my steps go,
when my steps return,
deny me bread, air,
light, spring,
but never your laughter
for I would die.)

Heto ang mga ilang larawan na nakita ko sa Internet:
c/o imogen_ph


c/o manila cat

Nasa ilalim ng panahon

Hay grabe, tindi ng sipon ko! Hindi kinaya ng Enervon C at Neozep. Siguro pahinga lang ang kailangan ko. Aabsent sana ako para hindi na makahawa, kaso me problema pa sa client. Heto ang hirap sa isang SI (system integrator) company, hindi ka makagagalaw kung walang ginagawa ang partner mo who owns the product. Kaya heto, manghahawa na lang ako.

***

Nakabili na ako ng isusuot ko sa racing-inspired party namin, hehe. Kulang na lang sasakyan. Di bale, 2009 meron na ako for sure! Sige, libre ang mangarap!!!

Enter December

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..." Cool weather, mall sales, bonus, long vacation, and opkors, food, food, food! Kung sa mga nagdaang December e lustayan to the max, ngayon e tipid tipid muna ako (hmmm, parang na-post ko na ito ah). Pero I still hope to get these stuffs if my budget permits:
1. external DVD writer
2. SE T650i
3. Acoustic Guitar
4. Desktop PC for my younger sis

Konti lang yan, ha. =P

***

Buti naman at walang masamang nangyari nung Friday at Saturday na national ang scope. Kahit na sandamakmak ang mga pasaway nitong anak, mahal na mahal ko pa rin ang Inang Pilipins. Sa kabilang banda, meron pang good news dahil 3 pinoy ang muling nagpakitang gilas sa larangan ng boxing: Nonito "Filipino Flash" Donaire, AJ "Bazooka" Banal at Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista.

Speaking of sports pa, medyo hindi maganda ang pinakita ng Filipino shooters natin sa pre-opening ng SEA Games sa Thailand. Sana no excuses na lang tayo, it's just that other teams are way too better than us.

Wowoweek!

This has been a helluva week for us noypis, especially for the manileños...

Lunes = Transport Strike
Martes = Lindol
Miyerkules = Bagyo (Storm surge sa ilang probinsya)
Huwebes = Coup de'tat
Friday = ???
Saturday = ???
Sunday = ???

Susmaryosep, may tatlong araw pa!

Bending, blogs and bubble bags

Lumindol kahapon. Pangalawang beses na akong nata-taymingan ng lintek na ito habang nasa mataas na lugar ako (dati sa 24th, ngayon sa 32nd floor naman). Yung una abut-abot ang panalangin ko dahil pakiramdam ko ay mamamatay na ako dahil sobrang lakas ng ugoy. Hindi ko akalain na pwedeng "mag-bend" nang ganun ang mga building na parang ruler na kinukumpas mo nang kaliwa't kanan. Tensile property yata ang tawag 'dun.

Yung lindol kahapon, medyo relak na ako. Nagbibiruan pa nga kami, "Ang agang yugyugan naman 'nun, at dito pa sa office ginawa," sabi ng officemate ko. Yung isa naman tahimik lang sa upuan niya at nanginginig sa takot.

Buti na lang walang nasaktan at nasirang mga ari-arian, sabi sa balita.

***

Naubos ang panahon na ipinasok ko sa opisina kaninang umaga dahil sa kababasa ng kung kani-kaninong blogs. Simula kaninang 7:50 at hindi koa na halos namalayan ang oras. Hindi ko pa masabi yung mga napuntahan ko kasi ipinagpapaalam ko pa lang sa mga may-ari. Lalabas na lang sa links ko 'tong mga ito kapag aprub na.

***


Whoah, ano'ng ginagawa ng sangkaterbang bubblebags dito sa opisina? Totoo ba 'tong nakikita ko? Malapitan nga...


Bubblebags nga! At ang dami! Ang mga daliri, ko nanginginig...

gustong mamutok...

kelangan pigilan...

adik ako dati sa pagpapaputok nyan...

arghh...

kahit isang beses lang...


Hayyy, what a relief...

Pwede isa pa?

Die, you destructive sons of darkness, die!

It's a vicious cycle every morning, alright. Palagi na lang akong may nakakasalubong na mga walang kwentang nilalang na basta na lang nagtatapon ng basura sa daan. Hindi ko pa siguro mapapansin kung balat ng kendi ang itinapon niya sa madamong bangketa, e kaso hindi e, isang styro cup ang inihagis na lang basta sa sementadong lakaran along Julia Vargas ave. dito sa Ortigas. Ang linis linis ng bangeta kaya kitang kita yung puting basura. Yung naghagis e mukhang call center agent na pauwi na. Pero wala akong pakelam kung kulang siya sa tulog. Huminto ako at tinitigan ko yung mokong. Kaso hindi ako pinansin, tuluy-tuloy lang siya sa paglakad.

Hindi naman sa nagmamalinis ako, pero hindi ko maintindihan kung saan nila nakukuha ang kakapalan ng mukha at ang lakas ng loob na magtapon ng mga ganung bagay sa lugar na malinis at habang marami ang nakakakita sa kanila. Sa susunod na magkasalubong kami at gawin niya ulit 'yun, iniisip ko if I should let my reaction be a bit more precise, like picking up his grabage and slamming it to his face. I'm capable of doing that, no joke. Pero after pagsabihan siya at saka lang hahantong 'dun kung mauna siyang maging pisikal.

Petty stuff, huh? E kaya nga nagkaroon ng Smokey Mountain...

ID Master

This is weird: Nobody told me that I will be in-charge of issuing company IDs. It's totally out of my job description and I wonder how did it ever become my responsibility. The effort is really no big deal but I know this is not right.

But then again, who cares.

May nagpagawa kasi sa akin ng ID, though hindi naman siya talaga employee nung sister company namin at 2 buwan pa lang siya sa office. Pero kinailangan ko pa rin siyang gawan dahil isang mataas na kapangyarihan ang nag-utos kaya wala nang tanong-tanong pa. Wow, kabago-bago niya, pwede na siyang mag-car loan. Salary deduction kaya? Pwede, malaki naman sweldo niya eh. Isa pa, kapamilya nya yung mataas na kapangyarihan. Pangalawa, malabong walang komisyon dun si mataas na kapangyarihan. Kumusta naman yun!

1488 - E06

**Previously on 1488**

** This Episode**

1272:47
Dan goes to the West unit where the FAG head holds office. After doing his business there, he walks into the FAG's office and asks if she needs some documents to be sent to the East unit so he can carry them along, out of courtesy and practical considerations (Dan works at the East unit).

FAG: Pakidala ito, Dan.
Dan: Kay *beep* ko po ibibigay?
FAG: Oo, ay teka, nagmamadali ka bang bumalik sa East? Baka pwedeng ikaw na ang magdala nito sa Basement 1 (the building's admin office), pakitanong na rin kung kelan natin ma-blah-blah-blah.
Dan: Ah sige po, uhm (remembers what he heard about their messenger guy who's not in good terms with her).

At the basement office:
Dan: Hi. Ah, may ipapa-receive lang ako.
Admin staff: (Looks at the letter). Ay, sa 20th floor yan. Dun mo dalhin.
Dan: ('Yan kase, nagtanong-tanong pa!) Ah, ganun ba? Sabi kasi sa 'kin (ni FAG, ngrrr) dito ko raw dalhin e. Thanks, anyway.

Dan arrives at the 20th floor office:
Dan: Good morning, dito ba yung office ni *beep*?
Receptionist: Yes.
Dan: May ipapa-receive lang ako.
Receptionist: (Looks at the letter) Dapat kay *beep* ito naka-address, nasa basement yung office nila.
Dan: (Nalintikan na! Dan appeals his case...) Sorry miss, galing akong basement pero dito ako pinapunta. Baka pwedeng paki-endorse na lang sa tamang tao?
Receptionist: Sige na nga (puge ka naman eh).
Dan: Thank you!

** to be continued **

Weekend wishy-washy

Sa wakas, naunahan ko ang mahal ko sa pagpasok! I arrived in the office at 6:58am, 15 minutes earlier. And my prize for beating her: 2 pieces of fried galungggong and 1 serving of rice. Awesome.

***

Yearend is fast approaching. Unlike the last two Decembers, my spending power this time shall be controlled to the minimum. Saving for the wedding shall be my top priority. March is just a few weeks away.

Here's something that you can throw in some comments:
They say that nice guys are either dead, already committed, or gay. I think this isn't as hopeless at it seems. Of the three cases, the committed guys can be done with some sort of marital amendments. So, how about a law to give them the privilege to fall in love twice at the same time to compensate their numbers in proportion to deserving women?

***

My fave videos this week. Magka-relate so panoorin n'yo pareho.

Cats Talking


Cats Talking (Translated)

Finally paying off

We are trying to close all our projects with our big clients before the end of the month so we could get laid, er, paid. This week seems pretty well for my team because we're gonna receive two project acceptance certificates, woohoo!

My December will have less vacation, thanks to a new project bid. If ever this pushes through, January will be a lot busier. But I'm ready... I think so.

Speaking of next year, I'm really looking forward to our company as a more mature corporate family. The "elders" (patay ako kay Sally) are doing a great job in making "should-be" stuffs happen. I just hope everybody will be cooperative and help out, whether solicited or voluntary. It is not really on how policies are strictly followed; I think it's a matter of realizing things that the company is expected of you to do. Rules will always be rules but you can think of these as plain reminders to your self, if you get what I mean. Internal politics is a sad fact as the majority's payslip and could affect you sometimes, but as long as you are minding your own job and doing it well, it won't cause you any harm. And try this tip: Kung pinupulitika ka, plastikin mo.

Name secrets

Before I fell in love (ooops, crush lang pala) with Marié (pronounced Mar-ee-ay), I've been enjoying the songs of Colbie Calliat (pronounced Cah-lay naman) for a couple of weeks na. Bubbly is already a hit and her other singles like Oxygen, Little Things and Realize are very radio-friendly and seem to get the same level of popularity as well if to be played.


Kamukha niya si Jennifer Aniston, agree? (hehe, bading ang dating) =P

Hmmm... is it something on the pronounciation that these sweet ladies got their musical talents? Baka applicable din sa 'ming mga guys.

Try ko nga magpakilala as Dannié (Dah-nih-yheyhh), and then baka paghawak ko ng gitara eh makagawa ako ng malufet na kanta. Wahpak!

REALIZE (Live)
Colbie Calliat

More on Marié

Umbrella


Makes Me Wonder


You Give Me Something (Original)


Unfold (Original)

Mezmerizing Marié

I was searching Mandy Moore's version of Umbrella by Rihanna when I found a seemingly better rendition c/o Marié Digby. Darn, this gurl's so pretty. Crush ko na siya. Don't worry my mahal, crush lang naman and I'll decline politely if she asks me to date her...**kawing-kawing**

Umbrella (Acoustic)
Marié Digby

Bump!

Apparently, mapapadpad pala ako sa office today.

Kahapon nabisita ko na yung future bahay namin, as in na-inspect ko na kung may defect (wala naman except for a not-so-clean kitchen sink). Yung katabi naming unit, pulis ang nakabili. May ibang homeowners na nandun so naki-chika chika na rin. We've asked also for a rough estimate kapag ipapagawa yung 3 kwarto. Gusto ko sana ayos na before we move in by March.

Fine Friday... at last!

A few things why:

1. Sunshine is back! Nag farewell na yung ulan kaninang madaling araw, sana yung lamig maiwan.

2. This afternoon, mahal and I will get the turn over permit at ang susi ng aming future house.

3. I have no pending work na urgent.

4. Got a news from my sideline contact na approved na yung request ko for a rate increase (actually, ito ang nagpagising sa akin kaninang 4am dahil ti-next ako).

5. Maaga akong nakarating sa MRT kanina kaya walang sumakit sa katawan ko.

6. Walang pasok bukas. =)

Another torturous travel

6am traffic just outside our house. Mukhang giyera na naman ito, tsk tsk tsk...

Ang lakas pa ng ulan kanina. No choice but to take an alternate route. 8 pesos na pamasahe naging P15.50 para lang makarating sa bayan.

Pagdating naman sa MRT, halos mabali ang kamay ko sa tulakan at siksikan. Yung driver ng FX na sinakyan ko ang may kasalanan eh. Tinanong ko kung magbababa siya sa northbound side ng North station, oo raw. Eh pagbaba niya ng mga pasahero sa southbound, hindi na nag-U turn ang mokong. Tinanong pa ako kung direcho ako Ortigas, 30 pesos lang daw. Engot pala 'to eh, pagagastusin pa ako ng malaki, eh may SV ticket naman ako. Akala niya makakaisa siya, huh. Kaya hayun, sa Quezon Ave. station ako sumakay ng tren na punung-puno na sa North station pa lang.

Kahapon naman nasiko ako sa dibdib. Hindi naman sinasadya kaya hindi ko na pinatulan. Pero ramdam naman niya yun, hindi man lang nag-sorry. Ay sana pala pinatulan ko. Ano naman kaya ang sasakit sa 'kin bukas?

Sa kabila ng lahat, masaya naman ako kasi magaling na ang mahal ko. =)

Bawal magkasakit

Nalulungkot ako kasi may sakit ang mahal ko. Absent siya ngayon sa work. Kahapon pa siya nilalagnat. Sana bukas magaling na siya.

Nalulungkot ako kasi hindi ako nakahabol sa pagdu-donate ng dugo para sa relatives ng boss ko. Masaya na rin kasi hindi na nila kailangan ng donors, meaning, nag-improve na yung conditions nila. Dalawa kasi yung na-dengue.

Kanina naman sobrang sakit ng tiyan ko sa FX pa lang. Yun yung pinaka ayokong maranasan. Eh bago ako umalis ng bahay, nagawa ko naman yung dapat kong gawin (pasintabi sa kumakain).

Trap-ik!

It's official: I should leave our house not later than 6am or I'll:

1. get stuck in traffic bottlenecks from trike terminal to Nova bayan (approx. 30-45 minutes).
2. get stuck in traffic bottlenecks from Sauyo to MRT North station (approx. 1 hour).
3. wrestle it out with hundreds of fellow MRT riders; or shell out extra bucks to get stuck in traffic bottlenecks from Kamuning to Santolan via FX (approx. 30-45 minutes).

That's 2 hours or more of hellish commute every morning. Dig it.

Lunes tunes

Lagi na akong maagang dumarating sa opisina simula nang makasama ko sa trabaho ang mahal ko. Madalas kami ang unang pasahero na dumarating sa FX terminal (kagaya kanina). Pero ok na rin dahil kahit papaano nakakaiwas sa trapik.

Sobrang dami na talaga ng tao sa Maynila. 6am pa lang, hindi na halos umuusad sa dami ng tao ang pag akyat sa MRT. Mas mabilis pa kung mag-bus ka na lang nang ganung oras dahil hindi pa masyadong masikip sa EDSA.

***

Wala nga pala ang boss ko today, may pre-nuptial shoot sila sa Subic ng labidabs niya. 600K ang wedding budget nila, sosyalin. Kami kaya ng mahal ko? hmmm...

***

Bad trip wala na akong makitang ring na katulad nung nawala ko na sukat sa 'kin. Patay tayo dyan.

Keeping it cool

Papunta ako sa Monumento galing Novaliches. Pagdating ko sa SM North, hindi ako ibinaba ng driver sa malapit sa Annex dahil may mga MMDA raw. Hindi ko alam kung bawal na bumaba sa dating kong binababaan, o may problema siya sa batas trapiko. Ang init pa naman at halos 300 meters pa ang lalakarin ko kainitan ng umaga para makarating sa pinakamalapit na bus stop. Pagbaba ko, nakita ko yung ibang FX na nagbababa ng pasahero halos sa harap ng mga taga-MMDA. So, yung sinakyan ko pala ang may problema, at ako ang naperwisyo.

Ano kaya kung pinatulan ko at hinabol ko ng @#&$% yung driver ng FX? Hihinto kaya siya? Magpapang-abot kaya kami?

Pagsakay ko naman sa bus (aircon na Cher), inangasan ako ng konduktor dahil ayoko umupo sa nag-iisang bakanteng upuan sa dulo. Eh nagpaliwanag naman ako nang maayos na baka may bababa naman sa muñoz, eh ilang metro na lang naman, nandun na kami. Sabi ba naman sa akin, "Umupo ka nga muna at tayo ka na lang ulit kapag may bumaba, huwag mong harangan ang dadaan!" Anak ng tokwa ako lang naman ang nakatayo at halos nasa gitna na ako ng bus (at maluwag ang gitna kasi bagong modelo at malaki yung bus). Sumunod na lang ako para matahimik na siya.

Ano kaya kung sinagot ko yung kunduktor at sinabi kong, "Huwag ka masyadong maangas sa pasahero mo, baka bukas wala ka nang trabaho! Ano, isumbong kita kay Tito ***** (yung may-ari ng Cher, tito ng Mahal ko yun eh, so nakiki-tito na rin ako, syempre), pili ka kung saan ako tatawag, sa cel niya o sa bahay nila? Ano! &%@$ ka ah!!!"

Hay, buti na lang pinalampas ko na lang ang mga ito. Baka hindi ko na 'to naisulat kung nagkataon.

Happy weekend?

Friday na ulit, grabe, bilis ng araw. Makakabawi na ako sa mahal ko, salamat ng marami sa sideline ko.

Makakabili na rin ako ng pamalit sa nawala kong engagement ring (buti na lang hindi kamahalan yun).

***

Minsan kailangan mo rin munang isipin kung anu-anong pwedeng maging implikasyon sa pagtulong mo sa tao.

May kaibigan akong nagpahanap ng makukuhanan ng PC at tutulong sa pagtatayo ng internet shop. Canvass naman ako sa mga online contacts ko. Sa umpisa nakikisama ako sa usapan nila syempre, pero sa kinalaunan hindi na ako sumawsaw.

Hindi ko na-anticipate yung mga problema na pwedeng lumitaw (pricing agreement, schedule ng paggawa ng shop, delivery ng mga PC, etc.). Eh medyo hindi sila magkaayos sa mga bagay bagay kaya ako ang naging sumbungan nila. Ang nakakalito, hindi ko alam kung sino ang nagsasabi ng pawang katotohanan. Kung alam ko lang na ganito ang mangyayari, hindi na lang sana ako umepal.

Ang gusto ko lang naman eh makatipid yung kaibigan ko, at makatulong na rin pandagdag kita sa isang naghahanap buhay. NI SINGKONG CROSS-EYED EH HINDI AKO TUMANGGAP AT WALA AKONG BALAK NA MAGKA-KUMISYON DITO. Eh ang siste, puro kunsumisyon pa ang nakuha ko.

So kinausap ko silang dalawa na magkaharap sa Linggo (kasama ako) para plantsahin ang mga dapat plantsahin. Kaya abangan!

my minute monologue moment

Birthday ng mahal ko today + yung pera na inaasahan ko hindi dumating = binati ko siya at nangakong babawi ako sa Friday. Kahiya.

Yung boss ko namimigay ng 2 concert tickets ni Beyonce, eh kaso may nauna na akong lakad. Sayang.

Anlaki pala ng miscellaneous fee na babayaran ko sa future haus ko: 10,300 pesoses! Buwiset.

0-3 ang Ginebra sa mga huling games nila. Sana totoong dahil sa injury kaya hindi pa makapaglaro si Caguioa, at hindi lang nagpapakasarap pa sa bakasyon. Manalo matalo, BGK pa rin!

Sound trip na lang muna ako:


Apologize
Timbaland Presents One Republic

I'm holding on your rope
Got me ten feet off the ground
And I'm hearing what you say
But I just can't make a sound
You tell me that you need me
Then you go and cut me down
But wait...
You tell me that you're sorry
Didn't think I'd turn around and say..

That it's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late

I'd take another chance, take a fall, take a shot for you
And I need you like a heart needs a beat
(But that's nothing new)
Yeah yeah

I loved you with a fire red, now it's turning blue
And you say
Sorry like the Angel Heaven let me think was you,
But I'm afraid

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late
Woahooo woah

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, yeah yeah
I said it's too late to apologize, a yeah

I'm holding your rope
Got me ten feet off the ground...

Utang na loob naman!

I think nothing is more humiliating than keeping you reminded by someone of the act of kindness that he or she once offered to you, no matter how long it has been and how much effort you are giving in an attempt to reciprocate or return the favor.

I scratched your back so how dare you not to scratch mine?

Maybe because I have grown my nails so strong and sharp and scratching your back would be fatal.

Yes, you should be grateful because she helped you get a job nine years ago. But then you have worked hard all these years which made you establish your name and value in the company. You should owe your success to your self by this time. And if I'm the person that gave you the employment opportunity, I would feel somehow repaid by just seeing you advancing in your career.

Unfortunately, the actual grantor doesn't feel nor see it that way. She's too numb to notice it. Too bad, my friend.

Friday Foodfest

Mahal and I were invited as judges in a cooking competition by our fellow churchmates. Eight pasta-based dishes were tested, er, tasted and most of them were really good! Here are two of the entries, with matching presentation. =)

November na!

Yan na nga ba ang sinasabi ko eh... May masusunugan at masusunugan dahil sa pagtitirik ng kandila. Dikit dikit na nga ang mga bahay na gawa sa plywood at karton, magsisindi pa ng sandamakmak na kandila para raw gunitain ang mga yumaong mahal sa buhay.

Heto ang tanong... Kailangan pa ba silang alalahanin, kung hindi naman sila umaalis sa tabi natin? (awooooo!!!).

Bunga lamang ng malilikot na pag-iisip dala ng mahabang bakasyon. Wow, Friday pa lang pala. Excited na akong mag-work... *kawing-kawing*

Flight

The blind sings all his heart out
a celebration of freedom
no shades of color but solid darkness
tamed and justified.

Someone speaks of happiness and true love
only for a moment
the truth seems so far
never to be acquainted nor seen.

Time is the key keeper
for hearts filled with loving
dreams so vivid
only second-thoughts in reality.

One day we'll get what we deserve
no bleeding shall occur
a simple wish granted
no evidence of memory, not even a trace.

Busy bee and Jollibee

Sunday na, wala pa akong napapanood sa mga nilista ko... Me pahabol pa nga, nakahiram ako ng Kyle XY DVD pero di ko sure kung matatapos ko, or kung masisimulan ko man. Hay.

Kahapon galing ako sa birthday party ng kapitbahay, sa Jollibee ginanap. Andun si Jollibee, syempre. Dama ko yung genuine happiness ng mga bata nung pumasok sa room yung mascot, na nakita ko kung sino talaga bago pa siya magsuot ng costume.

Parang masarap maging mascot, na ang trabaho mo ay magpasaya lang ng mga bata maghapon.

Hindi ko matandaan kung si direk R.A. Rivera or prof. Ramon Bautista na parehong naging matagumpay sa kanilang karera, ang nagkwento sa akin nung college days namin tungkol sa isang mascot. May isang mascot raw na bago makarating sa isang children's party ah napagtripan ito ng mga tambay at matapos bugbugin eh iniwan na lang sa isang eskinita.

Madilim.

Tahimik.

Di siya makagalaw, habang nakakulong sa kanyang mabigat na uniporme. Maghapon siyang nakahiga dun kasama ng mga basura at mga pusang gala. Wala siyang magawa. D'un nagsimulang maglakbay ang kanyang diwa.

Di ko alam kung paano matatapos yung istorya eh. Di na sa akin nai-kwento nang kumpleto.

Parang masarap maging mascot. Sana masubukan ko minsan. Pero hindi ako magpapabugbog.

Movie Marathon

Oh no, ang haba ng bakasyon, hindi pa kami pina-sweldo! =((((

At dahil sa walang pera, buong weekend na manonood na lang ng pelikula, thanks to P2P sharing:
1. Bridge to Terabithia
2. 1408
3. I Know Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
4. Wrong Turn 2
5. Reign Over Me
6. The Last King of Scotland
7. Knocked Up
8. The Prestige
9. The Illusionist
10. Pathfinder
11. License to Wed
12. Pan's Labyrinth
13. Bionic Woman Episodes 1-5

Baka hindi ako makapag blog this Saturday and Sunday, so vote wisely na lang sa Lunes! =)

Wireless. Sleepless.

Thanks sir Alex for a one-night use of your Bayan wireless account. Pero instead na magawa ko yung take home work ko eh, nag-surf lang ako nang nag-surf, hehe.

Ok din itong Bayantel, after it's so-so offers, mukhang naka-score sila bigtime over giant PLDT. Balita ko naunahan lang nila ang PLDT eh, at sa panahon naman ngayon, una una lang. Akalain mo pwede mo nang dalhin yung landline phone nyo kahit saan sa Metro Manila at hanggang sa Quezon ay pwede. Oops, salestalk na ba 'to? Bayaran n'yo 'ko, hoy!

Glorietta o Gloria?

Grabe talaga, garapalan na 'to!!!

Why did the League of Governors wait for 2 weeks before they went out and explained that the money given to some governors came from them? They should have responded in an instant or within the day these very simple questions of who and why popped out. And now they are wondering what's all the fuzz? Worse, they sound like whiners, crying "unfair and baseless conjectures" of their "noble deeds." Pwe!

2 weeks, tsk tsk. Masyadong matagal para makagawa ng alibi, next time naman pakibilisan para hindi gaanong obvious!

But I digress.

Baka nagkamali ng pakinig yung teroristang (kung ito man ang dahilan) nagpapasabog sa Glorietta. Baka sabi ng boss niya, "Gloria" hindi "Glorietta."

Speaking of the unfortunate "accident" which happened in Makati a few days ago, naka-receive ako ng e-mail na ang content ay isang e-group message coming from the husband of one of the victims of the incident. Maybe this e-mail has been spreading out like California wildfires, but I'll post it here nonetheless. Sabi nga ng boss ko na nagforward sa akin, "I do hope this letter would give us realization to cherish more our relationship with our loved ones and value each moment we have with them."


-----Original Message-----

Good day everyone,

I wish I were writing under different circumstances.

I would like to inform you that my wife Leslie Cruz

was part of the casualties in the Glorietta 2 Mall

bombing in Makati City, Philippines. She was supposed

to have a minor out patient surgery at Makati Medical

Center at 230pm.

I had taken a leave from work to accompany her there.

We dropped off our daughter, Amber, at my parents

place in QC to babysit at around 10am. We then

proceeded to Makati and was there at 1230pm. Since she

had been fasting in preparation for her procedure, she

wanted to move ar ound and listen to some music while I

grabbed a bite to eat. We parked at the basement of

Park Square 2, and headed for the Glorietta 2

entrance. We parted at the top of the escalator, she

turned right towards Filbar's while I went left

towards the restaurants. That was the last time I

would see her.

Around 120pm, she had called me so that we can meet at

the Glorietta 2 exit just in time to make her

appointment. As I made my way there from Glorietta 1

through the connecting hallways, and was about to turn

the corner, I heard 2 deep thumps and the shock-wave

from the blast hit me. At that moment my heart dropped

as I knew that the origin of the blast came from the

same place where we were supposed to meet. I tried

getting to where my wife was, but the dust was too

much and it was as if I was staring at a white wall.

I still tried to convince myself that she was able to

make it out, and that after ringing her mobile without

a response only meant that she dropped it in the

confusion. After 6 hours of searching from Makati Med.

to Ospital ng Makati, the blast site, and back again

to MMC - with the help of all the people I could get

hold of, that I was able to get confirmation in what

the state of my wife was.

My Dad and Uncle signaled me in from the ER of MMC. My

Uncle (who's a doctor) asked me to describe Leslie's

appearance to another group of doctors. I saw in the

eyes of one that the description made sense. Instead

of confirming it to me, they huddled together, then

brought me to a small examination room. It was only

through a digital camera that I was able to confirm

(and deny) that she was indeed gone.

I have so many regrets. I should have met her sooner.

I should have ran instead of a brisk walk. I should

have not chose to park where I did. I should have

braved the dust and went in the blast site. I should

have ...

Today's the 4th day. It is still terribly difficult to

breathe, let alone wake up realizing that your source

of strength, your best friend doesn't lie beside you

on your bed. That my deepest worry is when Amber

starts asking for her Mama.

I am glad that Amber's too young to understand the

loss and pain. In time I would like to tell her the

details of how her mother died, but more importantly I

would like to raise her as how her mother lived - a

loving person, strong willed, decisive, caring, and

nurturing. She has always cared for her family and

friends, and sacrfied her career for being a full time

mom and home maker.

As with all couples we had our ups and downs - none of

which I regret not going through. The sweet is never

as sweet without the sour. For almost 4 years of

marriage, we've finally hit our balance in life only

to be taken away in an instant. I have no regrets

about our marriage. She has loved me and Amber beyond

her capacity. I will always love her.

It is my first time to write to egroup as I've lurked

and watched emails being sent to and fro. All I want

now is that for each of the couples here is to cherish

each moment that we spend with our loved ones. Pretty

simple to say, very easy to take for granted.

Thank you all for the prayers. I would still like to

ask you to please include Leslie in them until her

40th day so that the path to God's kingdom is well lit

and she is no longer in the dark.

Sincerely,

Carlo Cruz

Unforgivable Me

Last night nawala ko yung engagement ring ko. Kasama ko ang mahal ko nang mawala at hindi ko maisip kung paano nangyari yun. Sinabi ko agad sa kanya. Pareho kaming nalungkot. "Ano kaya'ng ibig sabihin 'nun?" sabi ng mahal ko. "Simpleng pagkawala lang yun mahal, huwag mo na isipin na may koneksyon yun sa mga plano natin," kontra ko naman.

Sama ko.

Monday mayhem

Monday, 7:30 in the morning. Viewing the Manila skyline 32 floors high is not so envigorating as dark-grayish layer of smog covers the entire metropolis. I just can't imagine that it's the air that we're breathing. We're like infectious agents whose lives depend on a deadly reservoir.

A more mentally mutilating fact: A new employee in our office with sub-normal modern office intelligence is making 18K, way above the salaries of some well-deserving people in our Tech Support Unit. I have nothing against this person, but 18K as starting for someone who doesn't know how to e-mail and access a USB drive? C'mon, these are basic computing tasks!

Well, she happens to be a relative of our company FAG head (what's this? please read my blog's 1488 "entry-serye").

Manila Ocean Park to open very soon!

Ako na lang yata sa mga kaibigan ako ang hindi pa nakatutungtong sa banyagang lupain. Next year plano ko sana pumunta sa Sentosa and visit it's famous oceanarium. Pero kababasa ko lang kahapon na this coming December, magbubukas na pala ang
Manila Ocean Park. Read the news here.


**photo courtesy of inquirer.net, akin yung caption**

TDP: Risen from digital ashes

Welcome back TDP (The Digial Pinoy)! Ito lang ang online community na naging active ako, and after a few weeks in limbo, it came back on the websphere like a new born baby again, thanks to a ruthless web hosting company. To know more what had happened, I invite you to click here and read along because this could save your time, hardwork and contacts to online friends someday.

Kudos to sir bloodredxxx for his resiliency, patience and faith after that very unfortunate experience. We believe in you sir and you didn't fail us at all because we understand that you did your best to recover the stuffs essential to you and to all the TDP members. Pero sabi nga ng ilan sa amin, shit happens. More power to you!

Marami na rin palang nabiktima itong company na ito:
Victim 1
Victim 2

Kuwentong Elevator

Bad trip kanina pagsakay ko ng elevator.

May isa akong nakasabay from ground floor, then may pumasok from level 2 parking na isang babaeng in her 40's siguro at sa itsura pa lang eh medyo sosyalin. Sabi nung babae, "27 please." Pucha, sino'ng kausap niya sa aming dalawa? Nagkatinginan kami pero out of pagbibigay galang sa nakatatanda siguro, yung katabi ko na lang ang pumindot. "Thank you." sabi nung babae na never tumingin sa amin dahil busy siya sa pag-aayos ng buhok niya sa tatlong pader na salamin ng elevator. Nasa mall ba siya para mang-utos ng pipindot, ha? Kung big time boss siya at sanay mang-utos, bakit wala siyang executive key para dun siya sa hi-speed elevator sumakay at manalamin? hay naku.

Bakit ba ako masyadong effected? Kaliit-liit na bagay eh.

Wala lang, just ranting out the heat. Sira kasi aircon ng office namin. Kahapon nawalan naman kami ng kuryente (as in kami lang ang wala, mga katabi naming opisina meron). Hay naku ulit.

Susi na lang!

Got a letter from Pag-ibig fund, saying that they have already approved my housing loan! It's just a matter of attending our developer's orientation and claiming a Permit to Occupy certificate before I get my brand new property, Woohoo!!!

Grabe, ito na talaga. Kasalan na lang. Pangkasal na lang. Ipon rin ng gamit muna, tapos ipapa-renovate yung loft para magkaroon ng 3 kwarto sa itaas. Pwede na "32 LCD TV (Eden, pahiram ulit ng credit card mo, hehe). Saka na kotse. *Isip-isip-isip*

1488 - E05

**Previously on 1488**

** This Episode**

0416:45
Dan receives a call from the Company President (CP)...
CP: Dan, I'll wait you here in Starbucks.
DB: Okay sir, I'll just get my notepad and pen (i-mention pa ba yun?).

Dan arrives at the famed Cafe...
CP: Hi Dan, please get something to eat or drink.
DB: Okay (pansin ko laging "okay" lang ang linya nito, ah.)

After a few sips on his hot milky choco...
CP: Well, are you busy?
DB: Busy enough, sir... *smiles* I've been doing some blah blah blah...
CP: Anyway, I like you to prepare a documentation for this and that, etc. etc.

Discussion continues until the CP invites him to go to his office.

This is where the boss opens up Dan's career issues...
CP: How much are you getting with us, Dan?
DB: *beep* sir. (hehe, kala n'yo, ha!)
CP: And how much is the offer of *beep*
DB: 11 grand higher plus bonus package for every project milestone reached plus opporunity to go to canada.
CP: I'll tell you this... I'll review your compensation thoroughly. You might not get the needed increase effective next month but I'll add the assumed adjustment to your yearend bonus. So, how's that?
DB: It's fine with me sir, as long as you think it is fair to the company as well.
CP: So, we're ok with it na. Unforunately, I cannot promise you an opportunity to go in Canada *smiles*. Thank you Dan. By the way, please tell *beep* (one of the finance officer, not the FAG head) to come here.
DB: Okay, sir. Thank you for discussing with me my concerns.
CP: I-thank you mo mukha mo! Yari ka sa akin, marami akong ibibigay na mabibigat na projects sa 'yo, yari ka!
(Nasa isip-isip lang ni Dan yung last line, hehe).

**to be continued**

We just can't do it all alone.

Feeling a bit melodramatic this morning about how everyday life is likely being survived na lang, instead of enjoyed by most of us nowadays.

The author of the following song says, "I wrote this song while overwhelmed by the suffering and pain felt in this world where death acts undefeated. I know we can offer the much-needed peace, hope and love-- but we can't do it alone."



I hope Imeem.com keeps this full track in couple of days more.

Love Alone
Caedmon's Call

No one would love me
If they knew all the things I hide
My words fall to the floor
As tears drip through the telephone line

And the hands I've seen raised to the sky
Not waving but drowning all this time
I'll try to build the ark that they need
To float to you upon the crystal sea

Give me your hand to hold
'Cause I can't stand to love alone
And love alone is not enough to hold us up
We've got to touch your robe
So swing your robe down low
Swing your robe down low

The prince of despair's been beaten
But the loser still fights
Death's on a long leash
Stealing my friends to the night

And everyone cries for the innocent
You say to love the guilty, too
And I'm surrounded by suffering and sickness
So I'm working tearing back the roof

And the pain of the world is a burden and it's my cross to bear
And I stumble under all the weight
I know you're Simon standing there
And I know you're standing there

1488 - E04

**Previously on 1488**

**This Episode**

0394:30
Dan's Immediate Superior (IS) talks to him...
IS: Dan, tell me if there is no development on your salary this coming payday, so I can remind our boss about it.
DB: Sure, sir. Thanks.

The Company President (CP) steps inside the conference room where the two are having a chat...
CP: Dan, I have something to discuss with you tomorrow. Go to my office around 8am.
DB: Okay, sir.

**to be continued**

It's the beat.

ONE LOOK
Kjwan

woh woh woh
i know you hate it
when i say these things
right in your face, yeah
but i can't lie
you know me better
'cause the words inside
just speak the truth, yeah

one look
and i'm mesmerized by your eyes
you're coming like a hurricane
blowing down on me yeah
'cause it's a mystery
that captures me
i'm falling in
drawing closer and now
oh now yeah yeah

pardon me
i'm being honest
'cause i don't hide
i speak my mind, yeah
things get wierd
but we know better
'cause i know you know
that i love you so, yeah

one look
and i'm mesmerized by your eyes
you're coming like a hurricane
blowing down on me yeah
'cause it's a mystery
that captures me
i'm falling in
drawing closer and now
oh now yeah yeah

blowing down on me
blowing down on me
blowing down on me
blowing down on me

one look
and i'm mesmerized by your eyes
you're coming like a hurricane
blowing down on me yeah
'cause it's a mystery
that captures me
i'm falling in
drawing closer and now
oh now yeah yeah
yeah yeah eh eh eh
yeah yeah

1488 - E03

**Previously on 1488**

**This episode**
0242:01
Dan Bowel dreams of an old conversation with the Finance and Admin Group Head (FAG Head - pun highly intended) of their company...
FAG Head: Dan, I told our President to give you a big yearend bonus because you are so kind naman! And for your annual increase, just be patient and don't expect too much. Hayaan mo na silang mas mataas ang sweldo sa 'yo, hindi ka naman programmer eh.
DB: (snake bitten look) Ah ok, thank you po.
**dream scene repeats for about 10x before Dan wakes up abruptly**
DB: Whoa, why did I let that stupid explanation about my compensation get a score in my face at maximum point blank range!? Didn't the FAG head realize that it's my performance that should dictate my company perks, and not because I'm "kind" or because my job description does not include writing codes for applications of mass destruction?! Where did she come up with that silly assessment? Where was my defensive reaction artillery that time? Darn, I should have reacted immediately. What a nightmare!

**to be continued**

Road Rage

A few seconds of unpleasant traffic experience could lead to a lifetime of regrets.

A news came up a few days ago about a public lawyer who shot and killed two fellow motorists after a heated road confrontation. The murderer was able to post bail in a haste and continues to enjoy normal, unremorseful life, allegedly with the help of his friends who somewhat took care of the case. It's just hard to imagine how justice works this way nowadays. On the brighter side (as far as I'm concerned), this event made me think of my driving behavior, and perhaps one possible reason God won't let me have my own car is my short temper while driving. So, He makes sure that I won't get enough money to buy one, tsk tsk. =P

Some tips below might come in handy courtesy of Roadragers.com:

1488 - E02

**Previously on 1488**

**This episode**
0002:01
In the conference room (wala akong cubicle, pathetic me)...
DB: I think I gave him my decision too early.
Executive Secretary of the President (ESP, o di ba!): And he didn't even make a sweat in convincing you to stay.
DB: Yeah. Is it good or bad?
ESP: Can't say. Better to wait na lang. But others who have left seem to be in a better situation now.
DB: Okay, I'll give myself 3 months. Rather, I'll give him 3 months. If nothing happens, then I'll do what has to be done.

**to be continued**

Pinoy bashing 2

Ganito naman talaga tayo minsan, este, madalas pala...

Sarcastically funny but true. I'll try to find out who the author is.

Pinoy Haircut
There was this good old barber in a city in the United States . One day a florist went to him for a haircut. After the cut, he wanted to pay the barber but the barber replied, "I don't accept money from you. I'm doing community service." The florist was happy and left the barbershop.

The next morning when the barber opened his shop, there was a "thank you" card and a dozen roses waiting at his door.

The following day, a policeman went for a haircut and he also wanted to pay the barber after the cut. But the barber replied, "I don't accept money from you. I'm doing community service." The cop was happy and left the barbershop.

The next morning when the barber opened his shop, there is a "thank you" card and a dozen freshly baked donuts waiting at his door.

On the third day, a Filipino software engineer went for a haircut. He also wanted to pay the barber. But the barber also replied," I'm sorry. I don't accept
money from you. I'm doing community service." The Filipino software engineer was happy and left.

The following morning when the barber opened his shop, he had a big surprise! Guess what he found!

Can you guess?....



Come on, think like a Filipino....



O, sirit ka na ba?



There were a dozen FILIPINOS waiting for free haircuts!!!

Funny vid clips

Some videos which made me smile today:

Train Drives Through A Bangkok Market by Mindil


Extreme Bad Luck Mercedes by kenlonzh


Duck Feeding Fish in Pond by Anarion524

Kuwentong FX

Chika ng mahal ko:

Last week napasakay siya sa FX na malakas ang aircon. Iniba niya yung direction ng lamig papunta sa katabi niyang lalaki. Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto, ibinalik ng pobreng mama ang pagkakatutok ng aircon sa kanya. Hindi muna niya agad pinansin. After ilang minutes ulit dahil sa hindi na siya makatiis sa lamig, kelangan nang gumawa ng aksyon. Pero nung gagalawin na nya yung aircon, umakma din yung katabi niya na para bang makikipagunahan sa pag-adjust. Dito nagsimula ang kanilang pag-uusap...

Mahal: Gusto nyo po ng aircon?
Mama: Ok lang... ayaw mo ba?
Mahal: *tango*
Mama: Nilalamig ka ba?
Mahal: *tango*
Mama: Gusto mo ng jacket? Heto o... (WATDAF?%$@!!!)
Mahal: Ay 'wag na po, okay lang ako!
Mama sa FX driver: Pakihinaan naman yung aircon, nilalamig siya eh.
Mahal (sobrang gulat): Ay hindi kuya (driver), huwag nyo nang hinaan!

Hininaan pa rin ng driver.

Ilang sandali pa ay kinausap niya yung driver dahil sa hiya niya sa mga pasahero sa bandang likod. Hindi na siya pinakinggan.

Moral of the story: Sakay na lang sa jeep para walang aircon. =)

Time to put things in proper order

After I informed my bosses about my desire to resign, I got a news that there will be a board meeting on Monday (today) to check the organization's admin policies. It's not that I initiated the meeting, but it's one of the managers who requested to talk things over. I knew from the start that it's not only me who is seeing the problems plaguing our company. While projects are pouring in, the workforce seems to be less taken care of. Worse, others, particularly the new ones, have taken this situation to their personal, mean advantages.

As I recall, we used to have monthly, sometimes quarterly status meetings with our company boss. As the company grows, we now get the chance to see everybody and talk only during special ocassions. And since December of last year, we haven't made any effort to check how the company is doing. This is where shit started to happen.

The meeting is actually taking place as of this writing. I know it's not too late.

Pinoy bashing

Sometimes I feel like shaming the Pinoys of my generation. Parang gusto kong isigaw na "Ikinahihiya ko kayo, mga leche kayo!" Where is the sense of doing small good things like throwing used styropacks in trash cans, waiting others to alight the train before getting inside, slowing down to let commuters walk accross the road, and thanking someone who just passed your fare to the driver? Kung ang mga simpleng bagay na ito eh hindi natin magawa, paano pa kaya yung mga bagay na huhugot sa atin ng panahon at lakas? I am so pissed off! Bumalik na lang kayo sa mga pinanggalingan nyo!!!

1488 - pilot episode

Kung si Jack Bauer may 24, ako may 1488. Walang pakelaman (o pakialamanan, haba eh pero sinulat ko pa rin, ah basta). Starring Dan Bowel (DB).

Timeline: 0000:01
After 7 years of working in a Telecom System Integration company, Dan courageously (what a choice of adverb1!) informed his boss about his plan to resign.
DB: I'll try other opportunities outside of the company.
Company President: I'll look at your current compensation. Please stay.
DB: Ok, I'll go back to work.

**To be continued**

Thanks for the lovely memories, Lola.

My grandma died this morning after a week-long battle against stroke. She lived a very simple, quiet life which we rarely experience nowadays. She was also one of the few lucky souls who managed to witness and live along with their sons and daughters' senior citizen years.

Memories with my lola:
I used to sneek behind then jumped over her for a kilitan session. I would always surrender after her series of counter attacks na halos malaglag na yung pustiso niya.

First time I ate mushroom called "tenga ng daga" which sprouted at the back of our old house. She cooked it deep fried and it tasted better than porkchop.

Our family Bingo sessions. Despite her deteriorating hearing powers, we couldn't match her rapid Bingo card scanning ability. Aba eh kung maglatag ng cards, kasing laki ng banig sa dami!

Never did I see her get mad at her mga apo. Maybe she respected that much the authority of our parents when it comes to handling our misbehaviors.

Thank you lola. We will definitely miss you.

Hiatus

I was lost again. May blogsite pala ako, nakalimutan ko na.

Super busy kasi sa mga bagay-bagay, pero tinapos ko na. Though I'm starting to get myself loaded again, I like what I will be busy about (huh???).

I'm being offered by Mike's company with a tech writing position to the tune of 28K/month plus project commissions (per reached milestone, take note) plus opportunity to go to Canada. Feels tempting. Pinag-iisipan ko pa.

Ngayon pala, ka-opisina ko na si mahal. Saya, no?

Wisdom tooth a.k.a. tooth from hell

Yesterday mahal texted me that she was about to undergo dental operation after a very agonizing pain because of her wisdom tooth. Sobrang lambot na raw siya nung umaga kaya nagpadala na siya sa Center. I went to their house last night and bought an instant crab and corn soup. Kawawa naman ang mahal ko.

P2,500 daw yung cost ng operation and another 2 grands pa for the medicines. Patay ang budget namin. Okay lang, um-okey lang siya. :-)

Btw, just got an airborne access account... FOR FREE!!! WOO-HOO!!! Thank you sir! I'm using it for publishing this post, nyehehehe.

Self-imposed leave

I have the right to my own silence. I was not in the mood to type, that's all.

I watched Transformers the movie last week and darn, tama si Arnold Clavio na babalik ka sa pagkabata mo (duh)! I miss my old playmates. We would form 2 groups then coming from the opposite sides of a 4-door apartment, we would crash and bump into each other with matching sound effects, just like the cartoon's opening part where the autobots and decepticons would meet behind a mountain.

Change topic.

Anlaki na pala ng anak ni Nadia, my highschool mate and very good friend. I didn't think na mauunahan pa ako ni "crush."

TGIF!

July 4 - Wala masyadong ginawa. Hohum.
July 5 - May sweldo na kami (yahay!) at syempre 82nd monthsary namin ni mahal. Panalo ang RP over Korea sa basketball.
July 6 - Dinalaw si Lola Onyang sa NEU Hospital. Thank God she is ok now.

Ang tagal ng sweldo!

June 30 - Tumambay kina mahal. nag-drive ng L300 closed aluminum van na binili ng Papa niya para i-tour si Bec at Momer sa kanilang future house.
July 1 - Pumunta sa kiddie party kina ate Jen for Jiro's 1 b-day.
July 2 - Pasig Day. Tumambay sa bahay at pumunta sa Monumento sa gabi
July 3 - Got stuck in super duper heavy traffic going to work
Today - Meeting sa Globe

Refreshing Escape

Me and my mahal had a very nice road trip yesterday courtesy of ka Ben. After participating in a livelihood seminar in Pansol, Laguna, we went straight to his bought piece of land in Tiaong, Quezon. Sisilipin lang daw niya yung "bahay kubo" niya dun.

ka Ben owns Salem Bed company (remember the tv ad showing a dumbo on a bed? nevermind if you're not an 80's child...). He bought the 2.4 hectare-land for his "Bunotan" plant or gawaan ng kutson out of coconut's outer "nutshell" (darn I'm sooo bad in describing things!). Mahal has found a new job there, and I guess she's happy with it. :-)


We stayed in his "bahay kubo" the rest of the day while eating nicely cooked foods. We ate ginataang suso and pato in the evening. Hanggang dalawang suso lang ako, kahit anong sarap ng pagsipsip nila (my friend had almost filled his plate with emptied shells), hindi ako natakam. Lasang lupa talaga eh. Pero hindi matatawaran yung sabaw niya. =)


Yung "bahay kubo" nga pala ni ka Ben eh may 3 A/C rooms, a hot and cold shower, and an entertainment system.

But the most special thing yesterday was ka Ben's words of fatherly advice about getting married and raising a family, based on his personal experiences that were indeed very inspiring. I fully realized how blessed this gentleman is not only on the material aspect.

Enough!

From now on, I'll stop illusioning
From now on, I'll stop hoping
From now on, I'll stop dreaming
From now on, I'll stop pretending
From now on, I'll draw the line very clearly
From now on, I'll take it as it is: nothing more, nothing less
From now on, I'll stop fooling myself

Magnet therapy products

Yesterday I checked out some products that suppose to cure lots of diseases as well as give the body additional strength and extraordinary self-healing ability. I tried the magnetic wrist band, and it seems effective. I was able to lift 5-gallons of water using only my middle finger, which I could not do before wearing the product. Ewan ko pero it could just be a placebo effect. I'm not yet fully convinced.

The other "healing" product is called alkaline water. I'll try to bring home a bottle.

Blessed and thankful

I do not have my laptop for 2 days now. Pinahiram ko muna kay Allan, our IT head, kawawa naman eh, hindi makapag-DOTA, hehe. Peace sir!

This week I was called up pala by a senior officer from Globe, and she told me that I am one of her potential candidates to fill up a good position in her department. Obviously, it's quite flattering. That might be the break that I need, instead of trying my luck in Canada. Aside from this, inaawitan din ako ng former officemate ko to join their company, and he is promising a very competitive offer. I'm yet to get the details of the position from both. I feel thankful because some people see me as a potential asset to their company.

It's Friday again, salamat kay Eden for letting me use her PC. Nothing much to do so i'm just continue to self train on Dreamweaver CS3.

New hard disk coming!

My laptop crashed yesterday and did not allow me to say goodbye to my post-backup files in the data drive. Our IT guy recommended buying a new (and bigger-capacity) HDD. And guess what, while I was thinking of buying an external disk drive to supplement my 40G ibm disk space, it was suddenly granted - company paid. =) He called our officemate who's in Singapore right now (since it is much cheaper daw getting one over there), so I expect having the hardware by next week.

For now, I reformatted my old disk which I did for the second time in only 2 months. So far, nothing wierd has happened, and all I need to install are Windowa, Outlook, Anti-virus and a Web browser in order to survive until the weekend.

But you're not trying!

This is what my Tita Mel has told me last week about my effort in trying my luck in Canada. Sinabi ko na lang sa kanya na I'm afraid na maging pabigat lang ako sa kanila if I did not get a job there immediately. But that is just an excuse. I really want to go there and look for greener pastures for my family and my future's sake. Maybe a nice opportunity is waiting for me just around the corner.

I visited migration expert website and took their visa eligibility assessment exams. I did not pass their skilled worker visa test but I was congratulated for passing the temporary work permit visa (yipee!). I didn't go through the rest of the screening process because kasi may bayad na, hekhek.

But I have decided that after I get married in February next year, I'll gonna start preparing the needed documents that will make me arrive in Vancouver. And if things get very well, might as well apply for permanent residency together with mahal. =)

Gloomy Monday

Nothing much to write about Saturday. Maghapon kina mahal natulog. =)
Yesterday pumunta kami sa Responsible Parenthood Seminar sa Caloocan High School, alma mater ng mahal ko. But the seminar was sponsored by Buklod (samahan ng hindi na mga "singgol").

Nakakabwiset yung laro ng Ginebra, buti nga natalo sila! 16 points nabawi agad sa kanila in just 4 minutes! Nealy did not deserve to lose, but the rest of the SMB players did not deserve either considering the heart, guts and passion that they had shown last night. Pero manalo-matalo, Ginebra pa rin.

Para maibsan ang inis ko, hanap ako ng feel good movie and I ended up watching "The Holiday." Well, marami akong naalalang mga taong makaka-relate sa situation ni Amanda and Iris, but I don't think they could have the same happy ending like these two characters. Sad.

5 Days Later

Hirap talaga kapag walang internet sa bahay, hindi ako makapag update ng blog ko. Now I need to recall the important and not so important things that affected my very existence since last Sunday.

Sunday - Went to Church, watched boxing on TV (bugbog sarado si Bobby Pacquiao)
Monday - First time to go to Trinoma. It's like a hypertrophied Glorietta in QC. On the afternoon, my left big toe got crushed after a stupid PUJ stopped abruptly while I was at its rear, in a motorbike.
Tuesday - Paid the total equity of my future brand new townhouse unit in full. Spend the rest of the day with my mahal.
Wednesday - Went to my old highschool pal's despedida. Punta siyang Dubai.
TODAY - Sobrang boring and I'm planning to leave the office early.

Long weekend ahead

It was quite a busy day today: went to quiapo in the morning for a Church activity, then to NEU hospital to visit my future Ninong. He's to undergo minor surgery.

Again I had a dream of this girl. The fourth time in at least a month. This time masyadong intimate na, and what made it wierd was that my boss was beside me when I was making love with this girl.

Time flies so fast

Friday na naman, parang kailan lang kami nagkausap-usap na magsuot ng itim sa office, hindi ako makapaniwalang isang linggo na pala yun.



Today's good stuffs:
1. Had my 3K run
2. Get to meet my mahal this morning and played around with his puppy "Bogart"
3. Anticipating a 3-day break, wohoo!
4. Ivy YMed me after yesterday's grumpiness. Very unpredictable talaga itong friend kong 'to.

The not-so good stuffs:
1. Mahal told me of what had happened yesterday while protecting her sister from from baaaad people (mahabang story). She got some small but pretty deep scratches in her left arm.
2. Spurs took Game 1!
3. Super traffic pauwi, as usual.

Thank God lamang ang good stuffs. =) Happy weekend!

All about being bad

Last Tuesday (June 5), I committed a crime - hindi ko nabati ang mahal ko ng monthsary namin. First time in 81 months that this happened. I'm sooo bad having missed it. Worse, she had waited for me to greet her until a few minutes before the next day. Di siya nakatiis so siya na lang ang bumati sa akin. Sobrang bad ko talaga. I'm sorry my mahal! Hindi na po mauulit.

Speaking of bad moments, mukhang na-bad trip si ivy sa akin. Bahala siya, nangangamusta lang naman eh... ke aga aga ang grumpy grumpy niya. Or baka naman in a bad mood na itong maganda kong kaibigan before I chatted with her (is there such a word?) =) Anyway, alam naman niya na anytime she needs a guy to absorb her rantings and/or share her problems with, she can count on me.

Imeem - create your music, photo and video playlist

Just trying Imeem's blog interfacing functionality. It's a nice site where I use to listen to and download mp3s. Hope this works (I think it does!).

Why narudani?

It was near summer of 1999 when I had my first Yahoo mail account. Medyo excited ako sa pag-type ko ng username ko so instead of nerudani, which was supposed to be a portmanteau of "neruda" (of my fave poet pablo neruda) and "danny" or "dani," i mistyped it to narudani. Why didn't I edit it? Ewan ko.

8 years old na yung e-mail account ko so I'm not surprised na sobrang dami na ng mga spam e-mails sa inbox ko. I realized too that going back to my old mails is like traveling back in time. I get to recall past events, remember old friends, and read revelations that were so BIG DEAL during that time.

Wedding, marriage and near breakup stories

Last night my churchmate Beng gave our district caucus group her wedding invite. It was elegantly done and obviously expensive. It's like a small flat box which you would thought to contain a photo album, but what's actually inside is a nicely printed 3-page invitation. The wedding is on June 25 at "half an hour past four" (as written in the invitation). One of their Godparents is Gen. Hermogenes Esperon (Beng is a friend of the general's son). Reception will be held in the posh Oasis in San Juan. What's buuging me now is where to borrow a black tie dress.

Here's a nice story. I'll try to search for name of the author.

MARRIAGE

When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes. Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly.

She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why? I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Dew. I didn't love her
anymore. I just pitied her!

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was
actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me
for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again. In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage. This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day.
She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Dew about my wife's divorce conditions. She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.

My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mummy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me.

On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily. Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness
in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head. Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mum out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms,
walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy.

I drove to office... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind... I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore.

She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other any more. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.

At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart. The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank, blah..blah..blah. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!