family night = game night

So far, every night spent in zamboanga this vacation is alloted for family night... which means, every night is game night. :)

Board games such as life, monopoly, uno are top picks. If we are too lazy to set up or play, nights are reserved for story telling. hehehehe

How I wish life is as simple as this all the time.

Thanks 2006

The count down officially starts today, December 23! In a few days, we will be saying good bye and thank you to 2006 and welcome to 2007.

2006 can be considered my breakthrough year. It is the year when i said good bye to old friends, and to the "relaxed" office atmosphere. It is the year when i tackled new challenges, made new friends, found some kindred spirits and pushed myself more.

2006 is the year when i said "it's time to get out of my comfort zone!" A time when i took on more challenges, applied myself more and started to give myself a pat on the back. It is the year when i rewarded myself with shoes, and that trip abroad with friends.

What do i have to look forward for in 2007?

• A planned visit to Canada and the US. (i really do have to take care of the visa requirements soon).
• The turnover of our (aka the 3 marias) unit in pioneer.
• My sister's wedding
• A family vacation to Hong Kong
• A great family reunion
• A better life, career and love
• Knowing myself and my religion better
• Challenging myself more
  
• A diamond ring (?) -- kung walang mag bibigay, eh di bibili ako ng sarili kong ring! bwhahahaha.
• More shoes!

tired but happy

Never again! Never again will i attempt to travel just a couple of days before Christmas. Never again will i arrive in the airport with just over an hour to spare before boarding. Never again will i take the early morning flight going home. Never again!!!!

Famous last words?? Well, yes!

Today has been toxic for me. Imagine starting the day with stress level so high you could snap at anytime.

My flight home is scheduled December 23, 530am. Which means that i need to be checked in 45 minutes before the flight (445am). Well, being me, i arrived at centennial airport at 410am with lines so long, that it would take at least 30 minutes to go through the first luggage check. Stupid me, forgetting my first rule of thumb... never fly 2 days before Christmas!

At around 430am, i was still no where near the entrance and started to panic... so i have to work my (ehem) "charms" and ask the guard if there was an express lane for passengers whose flights were leaving in less than an hour.

He pointed me to the guard near the entrance and told me to tell him that my flight was leaving at 5! Cut the line, he said... hmmm... pwede rin! bwhahaha. Good thing that the airport personnel were calling out for passengers whose flight are leaving in less than an hour or i would really would follow the advice of cutting in line. :)

Good thing that i had no check-in baggage (all i have is one knapsack) that i breezed through airport security (just 1 item to check and xray) and check in. As luck would have it, i was able to get the seat that i wanted - a window seat a seat away from the rear exit. :) and the first to board the plane. Looks like lady luck was smiling at me today!

Or was she? :)

Although we were able to board on time, the flight was a few minutes delayed due to the volume of luggage. I mean, hello, we have to wait for at least 10 or 15 minutes para lang matapos ang pag load ng bagahe! tsk tsk. Buti na lang at hand carried item lang ang dala ko... no more need to wait for the bags! bwhahahaha.

********

Since first day in the province today, dapat make the most out of the vacation.

Upon arrival (ETA 730am), i proceed home to drop off my bag, change into beach wear and then head for the beach immediately! Oks lang even if i only had 3 or 4 hours of sleep, i could make up for it tonight. I can hear my name being called by the waters of the south. :)

happy holidays

I admit, i have been a bad, bad girl this year... i have been negligent on my duties to post my thoughts, to update my blog and to continually check on what is happening in this side of the world. But even then, i hope santa would bring me a gift. :)

Happy holidays!

BOO PLDT! BOOO!!!!

I hate the PLDT service!

Last June, our PLDT phone line went dead. So naturally i called up the "customer service" hot-line of the company to complain and ask if there was any problem with the line. The one who answered the phone told me that there was no advice from the "technical people" about any trouble but would send out a team to our house to fix the problem. Expect DAW the team to arrive within the next 48 hours.

After a week, still no dial tone and still no technical support team to check on the problem. So i called them again. This time, their answer was the problem was caused by cable / copper wires being stolen in our area and that it would take a while for them to fix the problem.

Naturally, I told them that I will NOT PAY for the time of NO SERVICE (ie no dial tone). All they could tell me was: "Cge po ma'am, pag may dial tone na, itawag ninyo sa number na ito at bibigyan kayo ng rebate". ... That was what i wanted to hear, that i will NOT be billed for the period when there was no service. CLOSED BOOK... or Is it?

After more than 3 weeks of no dial tone, I finally got a dial tone, so i then called the PLDT hot-line to report that I now have a dial tone and that they should start processing the rebate. I got irritated when I got this answer "Sorry po ma'am di pa namin ma close yung ticket kc di pa tumatawag ang technical team to say na ok ang line ninyo"... WHAT??? I was using the line to tell them that it was already fixed, but they said its not? ano ba yan????

SO anyway, i called back in a couple of days to find out if the rebate has already been process... Still i got the same answer: "we cannot process the rebate until technical tells us its ok". After several attempts, i finally got the answer i wanted... REBATE under process.

Imagine my anger when i got a billing (last August) for the period that there was no dial tone. So AGAIN I called up the "customer service" line and got a confirmation that indeed there was a rebate and that i should wait for my next billing since it will be reflected there.

So what i did was just pay for the period (july) where there is a dial tone and NOT for the privious month's (june) billing thinking that the rebate will be given in september. Well, i was wrong. Not only was i billed again for the june period, but i was given a disconnection notice on top of the billing for august.

Hay naku ano ba yan! Padisconnect ko n lang kaya? All i really wanted with PLDT was that 10 php per call thing to any part of the Philippines. Parang gusto ko na igive up yung service na yun.

Bayantel has better service. I should know, also subscribe to it. It offers a quick turn around on issues (a 48 hour guaranteed service); an immediate rebate and lower international call. Besides, i dont think i need 2 lines. We only got the second line (PLDT) just in case calls cant get through the primary number (Bayantel) for reasons such as : telebabad, or when the bayantel line goes dead during typhoons. Since these reasons are no longer applicable due to celphones, texts, and better bayantel service, I might just give up the PLDT line.

The only thing stopping me from disconnecting it is that the line is under my sister's name. And only she could request for the discontinuation of service. Somehow, after several months, we still have the PLDT line as she is busy with work and other stuff.

Meanwhile, all i could do is rant and AGAIN call the service line to complain. BOO PLDT!

busy daw

Been busy with work lately that i cant seem to find time to blog... that and the fact that i was down with the flu for a week. :(

The up-side to being down with the flu was being able to watch the complete season of my favorite shows (house - season 1&2; grey's anatomy - season 1&2, CSI, and desperate housewives). Bwhahaha. The only problem i have with this is that i have to wait for the new season to start in the US... Hay, can't wait to find out what will happen to Dr. House, the doctors in grey's anatomy.

Hmmm... ano pa ba ang latest?? Ah end of season sale pala... kaya nga dapat di ako dumadaan or pumupunta sa mall. Grabe, bought 3 pairs of shoes in just a matter of days! buti na lang at mga 50 to 70% off ang mga ito. Great buys naman, kaya ok lang. Now, if only i could resist the "sale" signs. bwhahaha.

superman rocks

my fave superhero rocks!

my disney holiday

All our bags are packed and ready to go...standing beside the disney train, eagerly waiting for departure.

Can't wait for my date with donald and mickey. :) (with my good friend christine at the disney train station in sunny bay... dont you just love the mickey windows?)






One could feel the excitement and anticipation in the air, after all when does a 30 year old get to be a child for one day? Here we are at the gateway of the magical realm

As Sharon qued for tickets, christine and i can't pass off another photo op. hehehe



Another photo op in adventure land... on our way to see the lion king show, take the jungle cruise and visit tarzan's treehouse.



After watching the Lion King show / musical.






Us trying to move the stranded jeepney. hehehe (as if we could!)



Sleeping beauty's castle

With Donald duck... Leo, me, donald, christine and sharon... now we all know why he has such quick temper... pano palaging may kabag dahil walang salawal. bwhahahah








The world on our shoulders in tomorrow land. Had a blast riding space mountain (rode 2x) hehehe








Sleeping beauty's castle at night. taken just before the fireworks show.

My day in disney? Tired feet, sore back, empty wallet, happy heart... a magical weekend!

Excited

After a weekend in verde island, I am looking forward to a weekend of fun, shopping, bonding and Disneyland!

Not only am I looking forward to spending the weekend with Mickey and Donald, but i am even more excited to spend the weekend bonding with friends and enjoying my much deserved break. This will be my birthday gift to myself. Hey, even without a boyfriend, i could still enjoy right? (hmm. anyone there interested to apply? hehehe)

Kidding aside, the long weekend will be a chance for me to reflect (i hope) and look back at what i have done with (and in) my life for the past 31 years. (yes, i am not afraid to reveal my age). I am thankful to have such loving and supportive family and friends, a satisfying job (such an answered prayer this year) and a seemingly healthy life (pano kc tumataba na, hehehe... sarap kumain eh). What else can I ask for? Well, a loving relationship would be nice. hehehe

I am just counting the days till Hong Kong (9 days) and my birthday (17 days). You could just send all your gifts to *******. hehehe.

my summer holiday

My summer holiday in Verde Island...

Just arrived in Verde Island with officemates... Too tired after a long journey, but couldnt help smiling (and posing) hehehe













Mga feeling models..

Rest muna dito, pagod sa byahe.














the water's too inviting. Don't you just want to take a dip?













getting ready for the climb of our lives








After a long, long climb (250 steps going up) we took a much needed rest... but couldnt pass the opportunity to ham it up to the cameras. hehehe

Parang di napagod sa climb ano?









The "models" taking another shot. (hmmm that's me with the blue hat).











A much needed rest. Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who is the _____???

more pics soon

my new housemates

meet my new housemates... they will be dropping in on saturday.

How cute can these kittens be???

making room for the new housemates

My sister is so excited to bring home her new babies (ie kittens) that she worked like a madman to clean the living room and make it a better place for the kittens.

I have never seen her as excited about something, grabe, she even bought some toys and pillows for the kittens, even buying a "tree" for them. (see image below)

So for the first time in weeks, my living space is a great place for entertainment. hehehe. Buti n lang darating ang bago kong housemates


if there is anyone out there who is a cat lover, we welcome any tips to make their lives (as well as ours) easier.

The good thing is, we won't be coming home to an empty house anymore. Can't wait till the weekend to see my "pamangkins". hehehehe

I'm back!

After weeks of being busy with work, am i back and in charge of my life! The weeks of preparation for the audit has left us all tired but fulfilled as it seems we are going to pass the audit (which was conducted last week).

In the weeks preparing for the audit, meant sleeples nights (aka OT) and early days at the office... it was a good thing that we (my office mates and I) went to verde island in batangas for much needed R&R.

Needless to say, the trip to batangas was still part of the job but it was really a welcome break from the daily grin that is office work. I will be posting the pictures as soon as i can.

Meanwhile, i am looking forward to the company outing, my vacation in hong kong and my approaching birthday. I am also looking forward to movie nights (the da vinci code, over the hedge, x-men III, etc).

I am also looking forward to meeting new friends, conversations over coffee and lots of good places to have dinner.

Till then, Be Happy all!!

goodbye

First lonely night
What will I do
I feel my heart breaking in two
I'm such a fool
When will I learn
I fell so deep
Then I got burned

If you gave just one reason why
My heart just might let go
Maybe one day I will fall in love again
But for now I'll just leave my heart in two

If I never fall in love again
If I never touch your skin again
If I never feel again this way
If I never see another day
Remember me
Remember this
'Cause one thing that will never change
Is the feeling in my heart
So broken by you

Love still remains
After you're gone
please explain where did I go wrong

*********

Thanks to kat, this truly reflects how i feel.

summer na!

It's the official start of summer. Time to go to the beach, time to relax, and time to diet. hehehe

Summer na! Sobrang init na. Time for ice cold cokes, iced teas and halo-halo.

Summer na! Time for barkada summer outings. Time for Baguio, Tagaytay, and the Beach. Time for food and road trips with the barkadas.

La, lang... wala lang akong maisip na post. :) enjoy the season

hello and goodbyes

Saying good-bye
Saying good-bye is not the easiest thing in the world but sometimes you just have to do it. It may be for a variety of reasons such as opportunity (such as a new job, better lifestyle, a new home, travel, etc) or circumstance (death, migration, exile, break-up, etc). But whatever the reason(s) might be, it is doubly hard when you don’t know when you will get to see / be with them again and extremely hard (and devastating) when you know that you will never see them again in this lifetime.

In the past two years, I have said my hardest goodbyes. I said good-bye to my grandma, to siblings and close friends who went abroad for greener pastures, to officemates and to a close personal friend.

Each of those good-byes was difficult at different levels. One of those last forever, others are only temporary, while others have no define timeframe (i.e. when I get to meet them again). Whatever it might me, I just have to learn to deal with it.

Making things easier
While the separation is hard for both parties (as in the case of love ones moving / migrating to another country), technology has made it easier for us to communicate.

My siblings and I touch base through phone calls (at least once a month), the frequent emails and sms. My college friends and I have YM and the weekly (and sometimes daily) email. There is also the occasional get-together when they are in town.

Emails, text / sms and phone calls (albeit expensive) are just some of the tools we use to find out how each one is doing (and letting them know how much they are loved and missed). Although these tools bridge the distance, by no means does it make up for human contact.

I do miss the the things my friends and I used to do.l.. The get togethers every wednesday and sundays. The late night talks, the spur of the moment out of towns, the laughter and what have yous. These days, i just have to contend myself to emails and texts. I just hope that the distance between us will never be a hindrance to what we have gone through.

Hello
I am looking forward to two asean travels this year. Hopefully, come June, I will have saved enough to visit my friends in China and HongKong. This will be my first travel abroad in 6 years! As such, I am really hoping for a grand vacation and birthday.

I am also planning to go to singapore by November and hopefully save just enough for a tour / travel to Canada and the US. I just hope that friends i have in these countries will welcome me with open arms as it will also be a chance to touch base with them.

So many plans, I just hope that I get the time to do them. Sana rin, payagan ako ng office to take a few days off.

ironic

isn't it ironic, that on the 20th anniversary of EDSA, on the day where the Filipino people gained back their freedom, that freedom is once again in danger as GMA issues a state of emergency?

*********
People who have voiced their opposition to GMA have been arrested.

Some without warrants (as in the case of UP Prof Randy David) and others with warrants issued 21 years ago (Rep. Crispin Beltran). Cases have been filed against former Sen. Gringo Honnasan regarding the failed Oakwood coup 3 years ago.

*********
The right to an assembly has been curtailed. All rally permits revoked.

The Tribune newspaper's printing press searched by the police. Items sized. Media has been told that the government can and will take over their operations if they broadcast or publish news that would be against the government.

If this does not smell like martial law, i don't know what it is.

It is constitutionally illegal. The proclamation title and the body speaks of 2 different things. .. This president really wants to hold on to the position no matter what. Is she Marcos in the making? or is she more dangerous than him?

busy busy

Been so busy with work lately that I dont have time to post... that and the fact that I have no access to blogger in my new environment. Blogger is blocked. :(

Anyways, will be trying to post soon! I have meant to react on that controversial cartoon. Might have time this sat.

Meanwhile, I still have some "alone time" ... Might as well watch TV and chill

oil and garlic pasta

oil and garlic pasta.

Ingredients
5-6 cloves garlic, chopped;
2 tomatoes, diced;
1 bell pepper, diced;
half cube beef cube;
half cup olive oil;
a pat of butter;
chili flakes;
cayanne pepper;
black pepper;
italian spices

this is it

my first day at work and it seems that i have data overload! This environment is different from what i am used to, but i have to make the most of the situation if i want to succeed right?

No more 2-3 hour lunches... no more waking up at 7am... no more constant snacking... and most of all No vacation leaves!!!

I do miss my officemates and the constant chatter they have, I even miss the times of doing nothing but playing yahoo games on line. But there comes to a point in someone's life that one has to get out of the comfort zone and experience something new. This is what i am doing.

I may delay some of my plans (travel and a long vacation in bora) for next year but then only Allah knows what is in store of all of us. I just hope and pray that this will be one memorable adventure.

getting ready

A week before my new adventure and I am almost set.

Bought some new outfits last saturday (shoes, skirts and all. after 6 years, ngayon n lang uli ako mag corporate outfit.) Ang sakit sa bulsa! Grabe hindi pa nga sumusweldo, gastos na. And to think I still have to buy an extra pair of black pumps, a "cute" black skirt, some slacks and a couple more blouses). Hay, give up na ako sa shopping.

Hmm, on second thought, I was able to get a good deal on shoes (nine west na 45% off) and some of blouses because it was the year-end sale in most shops. Makabalik nga this weekend kung sale pa. :)

*********
Checked all my requirements. So far ok na, resignation letter na lang at ang clearance. Hopefully, I will be all set by Friday.

Note to self: Must not forget to submit the year-end productivity report to personnel.

On my last day at the office: My office mates are prompting me to treat them to a "despedida" on Friday. Merienda would be ok. I would surely miss my office mates, the afternoon snacks and all the chatter. I would also miss the "updates" on the latest soap on TV. hehehe

*********
Insha Allah, I will be starting next week. Hay, time to get up real early this time -- malayo na kc. I would miss my 7am wake-up time. hehehe. Time to prepare "baon" para makatipid. Bwhahaha

I am excited and nervous at the same time. Syempre, I am getting out of my comfort zone. (But one has to in order to grow, right?) Hope everything will work out for me sa bago kong papasukan.

*********
Time to draw up my new "financial" plan / budget for the year. Since mag iiba ang dynamics this year, last year's financial budget, just won't do. Just hope that I could still stick to my original plan of have "N" savings and stick to the budget once i get it done.

*********
That's it. Mukhang all systems go na. Insha Allah, I will start on Monday. Wish me luck!

a new adventure

I never thought that I would be starting the new year with a new job. The week started out just like any week until that fateful call Wednesday night. The call had me in quite a spin that I only have yesterday to actually analyze the situation and take everything in.

After consulting with my family and computing expenses (savings, etc), I decided to accept the project offer and delay my some of my plans til the 4th Q of the year.

So in two weeks, I am off to a new adventure in my life. Good bye stress-free life! Good bye waking up late and numerous vacation leaves. Hello stress, traffic and no-work no-pay days! In two weeks, I will be venturing into the urban and corporate jungle.

be a csi

start the new year by playing detective / csi and putting your grey cells to the test with the Crimson Room and the Viridian Room.

find the clues hidden in the room(s) to escape / get out.

Have fun!

happy new year

Happy 2006! may this year bring us all more love, joy and happiness. May God guide us all always in what ever we do.

Here's to a more positive 2006!