Melodies of Life

2011...The Year When...

2012-01-01T20:14:00.003+08:00

A yearly tradition. Patterned after my 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 posts...

...I had a new boss at work
...I celebrated my third-year-anniversary at my current job
...I took up Wushu lessons(Oh yeah!)
...I explored Mindoro
...I explored Biri Island
...I climbed Mount Pulag
...I explored Dumaguete
...I explored Siquijor
...I explored General Santos City
...I applied for a Visa
...I bawled by eyes out to my best friends
...I traveled alone
...I CONQUERED MY ULTIMATE DREAM DESTINATION: EUROPE
...I paid the highest credit card bill in my entire life
...We got two new "breeded" dogs - Polly and Moshi
...Got TBI 789
...I completed the Simbang Gabi - the madaling araw edition - again!

2011 has been a superb year! I am welcoming 2012 with uber enthusiasm! ROCK ON! More dreams to conquer!

2010...The Year When...

2011-01-01T14:28:00.004+08:00

A yearly tradition. Patterned after my 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 posts...

...I bought an Ipod Docking Station with CD player. Hard to find in the Philippines. I had to order via Amazon.
...I bought an LCD TV - Samsung Series 3. 22"
...I celebrated my second-year-anniversary at my current job
...I had a technically new position/role at work
...I explored Anawangin
...I explored Singapore
...I explored Corregidor
...I explored Caramoan
...I explored Calaguas
...I explored Palaui
...I explored El Nido (dream destination)
...I explored Ilocos
...I conquered Sagada
...I conquered CDO and Camiguin - I tried white-water rafting!
...I joined a travel group as a solo traveller - and repeated that
...I got myself travel buddies for my ultimate dream destination - Europe
...I stopped going to the gym (blame it on the office benefits). Hence I gained weight. This is my fattest phase ever. I am hating myself in pictures. My ultimate goal this 2011 is weight loss!
...I got more interested in make-up.
...I attended weddings. I learned how stressful it can be
...I got an unwanted Inaanak. I hate it how people disregard the essence of being a Ninang and limits it to the "ability to give gifts" criteria.
...Tophermic died. A tragedy.
...Our cat, Moshi, died. Heartbreaking.
...I completed the Simbang Gabi - the madaling araw edition
...I started my 30 before 30 list (still stuck with #15)
...I started my travel blog.

Overall, 2010 has been a year of surprise challenges but everything turned out well. Cheers to 2011!

Credit Card Spending for 2010 Review

2010-12-31T20:24:00.011+08:00

Patterned after my 2009 post.

As I sat and waited for 2011, I had this nerdy edge to do this CC Analysis again.

Credit Card: BPI Edge with E-Credit
Penalties Paid: Php 0
Annual Fee: 0. Easily reversed, no need to fight for it.
Period: January 2010 and December 2010 (12 months)

Percentage of Expenses swiped in CC: 37%. (Expenses is defined as Net Income less Savings/Investments).

Lowest amount swiped - Php 90++ for junk food
Hight amount swiped - Php 4,000+ only. My biggest purchase of the year - an LCD TV - was paid for in cash.

The 2010 CC Pie Chart

Necessary Stuff, 11%
Halved from 2009 - since I didn't buy a laptop this year. Still includes my eyewear, really-must-have books and magazines, haircut and music-related purchases.

Clothes, Shoes and Accessories, 21%
Up from 19% in 2009.I bought less shoes this year because I lack space and I diverted the fund to travelling. I got more interested in using make-up because of the four weddings I attended this 2010. Not bad. I am not out of control here.

Food- 27%
Up from 20% in 2009. Lots of family meals, friends meals and my office snacks. So that's where the pounds came from. (Grrrrrr)

Naki-Swipe - 13%
Almost the same rate as last year. I still volunteer my CC for swiping purposes. .

Gifts - 7%
Did I become more kuripot this 2010? Down from 9% in 2009.

Travel - 6%
Online ticket purchases, travel gears, travel stuff (sublock, food, etc.).Same rate as at year. And I thought I travelled more this year.

Donations - 7%
My sponsorships billed thru my credit card. I also signed up as a sponsor in WWF. Less hassle in paying. Nakatulong ka na,may points pa!

Whatever stuff - 6%
Doubled from last year. Looking at the breakdown, it really comprises of the "whatevers" - slippers, random stuff from National Bookstore, random stuff from Landmark. Gotta keep an eye on this on 2011.

Entertainment - 2%
Movie and concert tickets. Same rate as last year. A measly 2% for my share. I so love Ayala malls for accepting BPI CCs to buy movie ticketts.

Amount of Monthly CC Swiping:

Spikes:
Less spikes for 2010 compared to 2009.
May - bought CDO tix, Swiped for others more than usual.

That's it! No spikes even for December 2010. And all my gift purchases are already in my December billing statement.

Freebies analysis:
BPI promos sucked this year. Sucked big time. There were gap periods with their promos. They had this Timezone promo I completely ignored. I just claimed a total of 11 free items - with a retail price equivalent to approximately 1,000? Or less. I hated the Goldilocks promo too. I hope they offer better deals this 2011.

So all in all, my CC usage looks pretty good and almost boring for 2010. No major cc swipings done. No interests and penalties paid. Let's hope I can keep this up this 2011!

Hair History

2010-11-28T21:54:00.007+08:00

Pretty much all my life, I have this fizzy unruly curly hair. I had my hair straightened at the neighborhood parlor when I was in high school; but it lasted for a week - I kept on tying my hair so the straight-ness did not last long. I never tried permanently straightening it again. Even when cellophane was big in high school and rebonding was a huge hit during college, it did not interest me. I always had this feeling that my hair would turn out like a walis-tambo when straightened. Eeeeeek.

I decided to lose the bangs when I entered college but the ponytail stayed. there was not much to do with it so I had always had it trimmed in the neighborhood parlor - Php 50 back then, now 70. Then came the era of Reyes Haircutters where I could have a shampoo + haircut + blowdry for Php 50.

I decided to do something during my 4th year in college - I cut my hair short. I had long hair since the 4th grade so it was a serious decision. Since it was a big step, I decided I would do this right and I would have my hair cut in Ricky Reyes in SM North. The price of a haircut was steep for a student's budget - Php 180. I braved to go inside the salon and had my hair cut short. I planned to go back to the Reyes Haircutters when I had to trim it but my mom really liked my haircut - so she offered to sponsor my quarterly haircuts in Ricky Reyes.

The hairdressers/haircutters just love upselling stuff to me. They always suggest that I SHOULD color my hair and I SHOULD have my hair rebonded. Then they move to suggesting that I SHOULD let them trim my eyebrows. I never took any of their suggestions. First, it was an unnecessary expense. Second, I actually like my curly hair. The white streaked curly hair is a family trait that I actually like. So back off. There were times that I found their upselling so darn irritating and borderline rude that I start to ignore them and pray they don't do anything weird during the haircut.

I soon outgrew my short hair and returned to having a long hair in a ponytail when I started working.I decided to try out David's Salon with Sarah. I paid Php 295 for a haircut. It was okay - well, that's because you can't really do anything with my hair. When I changed employers, I learned that there were expensive haircuts *gulp*. You could say that some of my officemates had a taste for the salon of expensive haircuts and I was swayed to try some of them out.

I tried Regine's in The Link - Php 300. The salon was the most upscale I've been in so I felt so VIP during my two haircuts there. Cuts were nice but of course, my hair was blah as usual.

I decided to bring the bangs back and I wanted to do it big time. I saved up for a Tony and Guy haircut. The women's haircut of a senior stylist there costs a raging Php 750. Of course I did my research and learned that the customers still tip the hairstylist and the assistants (but I didn't do that because I am just kuripot). I printed out pics of haircuts with side-swept bangs and requested for such. But the hairstylist did not agree with me - he said my hair is not amendable with that type of hairstyle. I was given bangs of some kind but not the kind that I want. But *ding ding ding*, I liked the layered cut he did to my hair. My curls looked...soft yet still curled.

But I had not given up my desire to have bangs again. So I frequently read forums and learned about Piandre. I had my hair cut for Php 380 - still pricey but it was relatively inexpensive. Still no bangs. I decided to try out Park Jun - which cost Php 800/ haircut from a senior stylist. The stylist said that if he gives me bangs, i had to blow dry everyday. I lied and I said yes, I can do that. teeee heeee. He cut me side-swept bangs but it was still not the style I wanted. *sigh*

Yesterday, after five months of no haircut, I just felt the need to get my locks trimmed. I decided to go back to Tony & Guy but I opted for a junior hairstylist this time - Php 650/haircut. I reiterated my want for bangs - she said okay - but she did not do it. MEH. I kinda gave up on it on the end and I didn't bother reminding her. But I like the waves of my curls now.

Maybe there is this placebo effect ongoing when I get an expensive haircut. It provides this boost of self-confidence. I feel like my locks are more manageable and the curls are well-defined. I get compliments and I've been asked many times where I had my perm done. :P I feel like it moves more nicely. My sisters still tell me that is really no difference but I feel otherwise. Also, the upscale salons do not hardsell any of their services. All of them still offered to rebond my hair at the start. But when I decline, they leave it at that. No more pangungulit. It makes the salon experience more enjoyable.

Nope, I don't remember all the names of the hairdressers. But getting a haircut has become quite an adventure over the years. I just feel like writing about it tonight.

And I still love my white-hair streaked curly hair!

What To Do With Old Starbucks Planners

2010-11-16T20:45:00.010+08:00

'Tis the season to be jolly...Falalalala-lala-lala....

It is the season of Christmas Carols, midnight sales, empty envelopes and sticker collection. I collected every Starbucks Planner ever since I joined the working force (2007-2010).

I only used the 2007 planner for 3 or 4 months. Then I found it too bulky to carry around.

2007 planner still in use. I didn't use it as a planner. I used it to list all my expenses. Each peso was crucial to an auditor with a measly salary. :P

So I didn't want to throw them away and no one would use an old planner right? So I just used them as a ...scrapbook of sorts.

I pasted Movie Tickets in the pages of the 2007 Planner.

I pasted movie presskits and memorabilia in the 2008 planner.

I need upcoming projects for the Starbucks 2009 and 2010 Planner, the This Journal Will Actually Change Your Life Planner, and the 2008 UP Centennial Planner.

So I'm off to spend and gulp down more calories for the 2011 Planner.

Credit Card Spending for 2009 Review

2010-01-10T12:08:00.012+08:00

Why am doing this? Blame it on being an accountant coupled with my fear of being wrongly billed or overspending. But I do want to check how having a CC affected my spending habits.I got my credit card last December 2008.

Credit Card: BPI Edge with E-Credit
Penalties Paid: Php 0
Annual Fee: Free for the first year, reversed for the next 6 months
Period: December 2008 - December 2009 (13 months)

Percentage of Expenses swiped in CC: 38%. (Expenses is defined as Net Income less Savings/Investments)

Lowest amount swiped - Php 70++ for toiletries
Hight amount swiped - Php XX,XXX for laptop

100% Pie = CC usage.

Necessary Stuff, 22%
This one is quite misleading. It is 22% because I bought a laptop this year. So huge chunk of the 22% pertains to that purchase. This also includes my eyewear, really-must-have books and magazines, haircut and music-related purchases.

Clothes and Shoes, 19%
I buy cheap clothes. Thanks to Trinoma Landmark. Tutuban and 168 clothes are sold in Trinoma landmark anyway.I bought more expensive shoes this year. And this chunk excludes all of those I purchased online (which requires bank deposit).

Food- 20%
Comprises of my food intake paid thru CC, birthday meals, family treats, groceries and pasalubong. Groceries also include some bathroom items but that is very minimal so I didn't bother taking that out of this slice.

Naki-Swipe - 14%
When the group eats, I volunteer my credit card. For points of course. And I get freebies for the 1K above purchases. This slice comprises of those who pay me their share. So that's a win for me! Includes plane tickets bought online for others as well. I'm quite surprised it comprised 14% of my total CC amount.

Gifts - 9%
Gifts for family, friends, Christmas gifts, exchange gifts

Travel - 6%
Online ticket purchases, travel gears, travel stuff (sublock, food, etc.).Excludes the cash outlays related to travel. Now that's another story, and another project.

Donations - 5%
My sponsorship to World Vision is billed thru my credit card. Less hassle in paying. Nakatulong ka na,may points pa!

Whatever stuff - 3%
I'm so happy this is 3%! This comprises of my impulse buys of stuff. Prior to having a CC, I already have a impulse buying limit of Php 20/day. This means that my I can't purchase unplanned items above Php 20 - like CDs, books and stuff on sale. Since I had a CC, I was worried that this may balloon my purchases. Apparently, it did increase my impulse buying but the amount is just minimal. Really! I hope I can continue this level of spending in this category.

Entertainment - 2%
Ticket concerts. A measly 2% for my share. Those swiped for others are included in the "Naki-swipe" category.

Amount of Monthly CC Swiping:

I've also decided to make an analysis on the amount I swipe in my cc. Results are shown in the line graph below:

Spikes:
June - bought my laptop
August - birthmonth, lots of purchases and treats
October - SM Megamall Sale. Bought shoes for my Dad. Gosh, men's shoes are costly.
December - the Holidays of course

Overall, I think I've got my swiping under control.

Benefits of Using a Credit Card
- No need to carry cash all the time
- I get "praning" with overswiping that can lead me to financial ruin. Hence, I can still keep my spending at a minimum.
- Freebies!The table below reflects the number of freebies I claimed during this past year. BPI has really cool CC freebies!

That's a total of 44 free meal items! Assuming each items costs Php 50, that's a total of Php 2,200 free items. Of course, one should consider just to buy the item itself rather always try to spend Php 1,000 in one sitting.

So that's my credit card spending for 2009. I'm hoping for better CC deals this 2010. Cheers!

2009...The Year When...

2010-01-04T21:32:00.004+08:00

Patterned after my 2008, 2007 and 2006 posts.

========================

...I bought a new laptop (after four years)
...I bought an underwater camera
...I celebrated my one-year-anniversary at my current job
...I started to sponsor a child
...I explored Coron, Palawan
...I explored Bolinao, Pangasinan
...I explored Batad, Ifugao
...I explored Bohol
...I explored Cebu (from Bantayan Island to Kawasan Falls)
...I explored Mount Pinatubo
...I got really interested in Traveling
...I spent more time (and more money) with my family
...I became proud again to be a FIlipino
...I became active in investing
...I took stock trading classes
...I started to go to the gym
...I started to relearn badminton
...I discovered that YouTube is a music haven (not just a video haven)
...I discovered the beauty of shopping online (Ebay, Multiply)
...I started to use my credit card for online transactions
...I got addicted with Plants vs. Zombies.
...I watched movies. Lots of movies.
...I started musing more seriously about the future (talk about quarter-life crisis)

Amen to 2009. I am very thankful to be alive. We had lots of deaths and tragedies last year (local and international).

I am uber-excited to explore 2010! Welcome 2010!

The Queen

2009-11-26T18:35:00.005+08:00

Nine years

The worst thieves are not found in the streets.

I wonder how the history books will describe our country during her nine years of reign. What's the greatest achievement of this so-called government during all this time.

I wonder how her Wikipedia page will list all the scandals during her time.
I wonder how will the elementary history books describe her.
I wonder if her grandkids would be proud to have her as a Lola.
I wonder what will be written under 2001-2010 Philippine History. No, Pacman is not her achievement.

I bet all those so-called achievement will be blurred compared to all the scandals and shame that was brought to this country.I do hope those 57 lives won't be forgotten.

I wonder how she sleeps at night.
Probably because we let her sleep anyway.

Nine freaking years.

The worst thieves are not found in the streets.
They can steal all they want.
But that will not buy that entrance ticket to heaven.

An Open Letter to Philippine Skies,

2009-09-22T14:56:00.002+08:00

Dear Skies of the Philippines,

This week, you may rain all you want. Anytime and anywhere. Kahit mabasa pa ang shoes ko. Kahit dyahe na mabasa ang outfit ko. Kahit pa mawalan ako ng poise. Oo, kahit pa naiwan ko ang payong ko. You can rain all you want this week.

Yes, I understand, the farmers need the raindrops for their crops (it rhymes!). I love to sleep in this weather (kaya nakaktamad eh). Tumataas ang benta ng mga payong at paracetamol. The kids are happy naman kung suspended ang classes.

Pero next week, can you please hold your raindrops muna? Dear Mr. Clouds, can you not make those raindrops fall down muna ha? Mr. Sun, please shine very brightly. Please shine. Please outshine Mr. Clouds. I will be on vacation kasi. Dyahe naman kung umuulan di ba? Ang KJ naman ng Skies of the Philippipnes sa lakad ko. Panget mag-picture taking. Wag naman kayo pasaway.

I love Mother Earth naman. So please consider my request.

Lovelots,
Melodymaker

Prayer for a Lost Pet

2009-09-20T20:46:00.012+08:00

This is Moshi, our family cat.

With red eyes:

We got him in 2005. He was given to us by a neighbor. He was already named "Moshi" back then. Neighbor says someone gave his daughter a cat, but they have a lot of dogs in their house (but so did we) that a cat will just cause trouble. My youngest sister, being an animal lover, immediately loooooved him.

Moshi and his offering to his masters. Our house became mice-free ever since.

He is absolutely an amusing and charming pet. I realized that cats are pets that you have to serve - unlike dogs, who will serve you. Moshi will meow and meow to annoy you when you continuously ignore him. You have to pet and cuddle him. He is someone who doesn't like to be ignored - unless he is sleeping. Being a cat, he sleeps most of the time.

Sleeping on our sofa. Lagot kay Mama!

A little visitor of ours got too amused:

Initally, we fed him catfood. But then he started not eating it. So we had to feed him fish and milk. The cheapest fish of course, is tuyo and tinapa. We always have a stock of those in our ref. In those days that we do not, Moshi is luckily fed with sardines. Eventually, he started disliking tuyo and tinapa too. Maarteng pusa. So we had to feed him something else.

Moshi na nagbibinata.
Oh yeah.
He is doing "it" with a stuffed bear.

When he is not sleeping, eating or making lambing to us to pet him, he wanders around. I don't know how far he ventures out. But somethimes, it takes him days to comeback. Once, he was gone for four days and we were all worried about him.

Today, he has been gone for a week. We are all worried.
I know I shouldn't be expecting that he will still come back. But of course, the optimist in me wants to believe he will come back.

His disappearance has no closure. We don't know what happened to him. Was he killed because a neighbor was annoyed? (Sumpain ang walang pusong nilalang!) Was he stuck somewhere? Where does he stay when it has been raining nowadays? Was he cat-napped by a intrigued kid and then decided to keep Moshi in a cage? Did he eat something rotten and he died on the way back? These are the questions that will never be answered.

Dead or alive?

Somehow, I think it would be better if Moshi would die in our own house because of something. At least we know what happened and what is the cause. Unlike now, I don't know when to stop hoping. In 10 days? Two weeks? One month? Where is he?

With our dogs. The brown puppy in the picture is now a dog.The white dog already died =(

I hope you find your way home. Soon.
===========================

Prayer for a Lost Pet

Father
We ask you to help us find MOSHI,
our dear pet who is now lost.
We know that you placed animals on the earth
for many reasons, including companionship for man.
We therefore ask you to help us find our lost companion,
and pray that You will keep him (her) safe
and protect him (her) from harm until he (she) is found.
We join our prayers with St. Francis,
St. Anthony of Padua, and all the saints,
and pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Parking Woes No More

2009-09-13T20:24:00.008+08:00

I bet you all experienced that weekend/holiday parking woe wherein you drive round and round in circles to find an available parking slot. And that was what we were encountering when we went to SM North Edsa today. But alas! They installed this "Parking-Availability-Lighting-System" in their parking area in Cyberzone. I don't think the Ayala malls have this yet.

Each parking slot is installed with a sensor-lighting system. The light is green when available, and red with the parking slot is already taken. You can easily see from afar which parking slots are vacant - if any.

Now you just have to check where is the nearest parking slot with green light instead of driving round and round. Extreme COOLNESS!!! I find it so darn cool it totally made my day!

My sister (graduating Industrial Engineering this October) said that instead of using Green-Red lights, they could've opted to use Green-Lights-off. Mas tipid di ba? Oo nga naman.

Parking fee still remains at Php 40.00 flat rate.

Edsamail Eulogy

2009-08-29T20:29:00.015+08:00

Long weekend.
A rainy night.

Gmail is loading unusually slow tonight. It made me think about my other non-Gmail email addys.
I remebered: Edsamail!

Remember those 56 kbps dial-up days? When the cheapest internet card was Rebel? It was Php 100 for 4 hours, and you can get a free email add with Rebel. Then Pacific offered Php 100 for 10 hours. Then came ISP Bonanza with Php 100 for 20 hours. I remember patting and talking to our dial-up modem to please please please connect to the internet during these days.

Enter DSL age. We got Bayantel's DSL package and kissed the 40-minute-per-mp3-download world goodbye. Hello YouTube!

During those dial up days, Edsamail was the savior of the students who wants to check their email for free. The edsamail CD installers were passed around class. There are these special email addys: ___@mariaclara.ph, ___@climbers.ph, etc. Lotsa jokes and videos were forwarded. I joined a lot of yahoogroups back then. However, there was just a 1MB limit on the size of the email attachments hence you could not forward an mp3. Everyone who had a computer and a dial-up modem had a free access to the email world.

Come my freshie days in 2001, Edsamail announced that their service is not for free anymore. One would have to pay Php 365 a year if you'll continue using their service (Add Php 100 to maintain your special email add). They marketed it in a way that the rate is still cheaper than a cellphone load. I fell for it. So I paid that Php 365. Then next year, they raised their fees to Php 500. I still paid that. And paid another Php 500 the next year. I maintained my Edsamail email till around my OJT days. Then I discovered Gmail with its Gigabyte capacity. I bid farewell to lorainefg@edsamail.com.ph.

Consumed by my Edsamail memories, I unearthed the free CD they gave out in malls back then.

I googled up on Edsamail, this is what I found:

That is the same URL of Edsamail during the days I accessed its web-based platform. Now it has a "Pinay Scandal" menu!!! What is Edsamail up to these days? It is scary to click on anything on their website now.

Good thing we are now in the Broadband era. Dial-up era is a scary time to remember.

Di Caprio iz Alive!

2009-08-26T18:42:00.004+08:00

I wonder if this will be a cool but unforgettable action movie or be one of those in the likes of Iron Man, Spiderman and The Dark Knight.

===========================================================

Warner Bros. Pictures presents the teaser trailer for INCEPTION. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy, Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The film started its principal photography in July and will hit theaters July, 2010. Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film is a contemporary sci-fi actioner set within the architecture of the mind.

Cheers for Credit Cards

2009-08-15T19:43:00.008+08:00

I finally got my own personal credit card last year and whispered a prayer that I may use it wisely. So far, I am. Not to brag, but I haven't paid any penalty so far for late payments (okay, so maybe a little bragging). In fact, I just realized that I am spending less (really) when I got it. Not because of paranoia, but because it affected my budgeting habit.

See, for example, I budget my total weekly expenses to be Php 1,500 for food, transpo, entertainment, mini expenses. I allocate Php 500 of that for CC purchases. So I only withdraw Php 1,000 for my weekly cash. Then by Friday that week, I would realize that I haven't swiped my CC for the week, and there's still leftover from my Php 1,000. Then I would miraculously survive a weekend gimik with that leftover. Now there's that excess Php 500 budgeted left unspent. Around Php 300 unspent if I swipe for coffee. With that set-up, I was saving unconsciously.

A sign in Bench Trinoma:

Moreover, I've been swiping petty expenses lately. Swiping earns you points. I recently bought toothpaste and tissue paper amounting to Php 70+-ish and presented my CC - just to test if they would accept. Hoorah! They accepted it! I am more confident now in using my CC even for cheap purchases. Who cares anyway if they think I don't have the cash? Bwaharhar.

And the freebies are simply love. With BPI, you can enjoy a multitude of snacks from using your BPI CC. Jollibee, Chowking, Goldilocks and back to Jollibee again. I even save more money since my merienda is also free. I do hope I can continue my no-late-payment record til eternity. Teeeheeehee.

Shop! Spend! Wisely.
Cheers!

Tying a Yellow Ribbon

2009-08-05T20:56:00.013+08:00

This will be just one of the many blog entries in the internet paying tribute to Tita Cory Aquino.

We are not related, we are not close. But I call her "Tita Cory". And she also allows the rest of the world to call her such.

I was 19 months when the EDSA revolution took place in 1986. I was too young to recall any memories. I appreciate the freedom of speech in this country. But I cannot compare the difference between living during and after Martial Law. I can only rely on the stories of those who lived and appreciated the EDSA 1986. I remember Cory in the history textbooks. I remember that she revised the law where the default is a marriage of absolute instead of conjugal property. That's it.

I did not know she was a housewife before she became president. I did not know she majored in French. I did not know she has five kids. I did not know she was featured in TIME three times. I did not know that the 1986 EDSA Revolution inspired countries like China, Germany and East Timor. And I did not know that she helped and touched a lot of people. That much. A LOT. That crowd in her funeral speaks for itself.

Cory also speaks good English. Classy English. Unlike all the other presidents.

Some random thoughts on the Cory events:
-I got goosebumps watching that Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo. I got tears watching APO singing the Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo during the final service.
- Bong Bong Marcos looks like his dad. Should he run for president, people will remember his dad.
- Imee Marcos looks like she feels she can be shot anytime when she was at Manila Cathedral.
- Manila Cathedral is a very pretty church. Parang nasa ibang bansa yung ibang shots.
- Marcos children paying their respect to Cory was chilling, in a good way.
- I never saw James give Kris a hug or comforting pat during the entire time.
- That ABS-CBS thanks Cory commercial was overcooked. Bad acting involved.
- Semi-stalked the profiles of the Cory Apos in Facebook and Friendster (Yes, I opened my Friendster account)
- Kaloka: Ted Failon asked Jiggy Cruz: Napakilala mo ba sa Lola mo girlfriend mo? Answer: Yes po, yung una kong girlfriend
- Kaloka ulet: asked Jiggy Cruz: So, Jiggy, do you have any plans of having your own family na? Answer: No, not soon. Personal questions to the grandkids ha.
- Watch those YouTube videos on 1986 EDSA. Feel the passion. Appreciate the freedom. And laugh at the hairstyles.
- The Kris Aquino interviews made me cry. Really. And I wasn't expecting to shed tears.
- Lea Salonga singing Bayan Ko was eerie, in a good way.

GMA cut short her USA trip and hopped into a plane to go back in time for Cory's funeral. She spent 10 minutes in Manila Cathedral. She went out of her way to go somewhere where clearly, she was not welcome. And she can't even brag her accomplishments in USA.

The internet world is also grieving: Find the yellow ribbons.

With too much ugly politics in our country, it is good to be reminded that there were people who believed in our country. I hope something good and progressive comes out of this. I never thought that our country could grieve so much for a president.

Thanks to Tita Cory, we can blog freely.
I never felt more prouder being a Filipino.

Citiseconline

2009-07-23T20:27:00.006+08:00

Since I started working, I've been self-educating myself about finances - earning, saving and growing money. I've basically gotten tips online: Blogs like Millionaire Acts and Ready to be Rich. proceeded to read on Pex's forums on Personal Investing and Money Management, and bought myself one of Colayco's books. So after three years of earning and saving (and spending of course), I finally got the time and courage to grow my savings.

For the past month, I spent a considerable amount of time online reading about the stock market and Citiseconline.

I've decided to take a moderate-aggressive risk strategy in growing my savings - time is on myside anyway. Goal is semi-long term in nature anyway. I've decided to take the risk and open an account with Citisec. They do free seminars to educate people regarding the stock market. I attended their half-day seminar last Tuesday and spent three amazing hours being educated on the topics I did study in college. But they make more sense now. A lot of sense. Even if you have no plans of playing the stock market, your time will be well spent. I love it coz it does not sell hard-core to open an account with them - unlike when thinking of getting an insurance.

Will be depositing my initial investment tomorrow. I'm ready to play!

100th Melody

2009-07-18T00:54:00.005+08:00

I'm back. In Blogger. And this is my 100th post.

Looks at last post's date: January 1, 2009. Yikes.

The culprits:

1) Work. I soon realized that January is the peak time of the year in my new job. (Oh yeah, I'm a regular now). Added that I was doing the work of 2 positions at that time. Well, that era is over. And here I am.

2) Multiply. It is easier for me to update my life using my Multiply account. Let the pictures tell the story. It has its own limitations though.

3) Katamaran. This has various causes and has no definite cure. So it is cured now.

4) Laptop Failure. My 4-year-old Ultraelectromagnetic laptop failed me. It was so darn slow for youtube. Well that's my ex-laptop now. I'm using a new one. :P

No, I did not disappear from cyberspace.
I do have a Facebook account. I'm not a fan of the games though. No, I won't you add in *insert name of application here*
I wrote movie reviews in my Multiply account.
I uploaded outing pics in my Multiply account.
I'm plurking and twittering.
Yes, I am alive.

I've noted that since 2005, my blog posts per year decreased. And this is only my second post this 2009. Harharhar! I hope my fresh layout will keep me from the Katamaran attack. I am still to add a tagboard and recheck my links.

I'm back. I hope I remember that.

2008... The Year When...

2009-01-01T15:38:00.001+08:00

Patterned after 2007 and 2006 posts.

===========================================================
... I passed the Certified Internal Auditor's exam (February 2008)
... I decided to look for another job
... I got the official letter from DOST that I am NOT their scholar
... I renewed my passport
... I bought a new camera (Canon Ixus 75)
... I queued for 3 freakin hours in line for 48 donuts
... I toured Macau
... I Skywalked in Macau Tower
... I toured Hongkong
... I went to HK Disneyland
... I went to job interviews
... I got promoted - the day after my final interview in my current company
... I tried the zip-for-life in Ecopark
... I resigned from SGV
... I have a new job
... I like my new job
... I toured Boracay
... I tried parasailing and helmet diving
... I got credit cards
... I started to update my Multiply account more often than my blog
... I went out more often with my amiga/s
... I was provided a Smart number
... I turned 24

Cheers to all my 2008 memories. Welcome 20098!

Silver Lining

2008-12-31T12:36:00.001+08:00

Happy 25th Anniversary to my everdearest parents. Thanks for being an example of what a marriage should be.

BTW, Hallmark doesn't make Happy-Anniversary-to-my-parents-cards. They make Happy-Anniversary-my-spouse-from-spouse cards.

May we all find the love that you guys have. Cheers!

Credit Card Prayer

2008-12-07T12:21:00.006+08:00

After 2 years of working. I got one.
Actually, I now have two. I was already provided with a corporate card. I decided to get a personal card for personal uses, of course.

I am quite proud being 24 without any debt nor have been in any serious debt in my lifetime. I don't buy what I currently can't afford. I'm quite used to the delayed-gratification practice and I always tell myself what emergencies could arise when a credit card would be a lifesaver. BPI's EPS works wonderfully for me. However, a cc would allow me to pay in installment - contrary to my delayed-gratification principle. Any-any-anyway, after all my arguments of not getting one, I got one - quite easily: BPI Edge Mastercard. Yeah yeah I know the BPI Blue card is a more sensible choice for earning points yada yada. But I'm a sucker for the Edge's design. Bleh.

And I pray that:

Let there not be any fortuitous event that would arise to prevent me from paying my cc debt on time.
Let my billing statement accurately reflect the purchases I made with my cc.
Give me the guidance to use the card wisely.
Give the the guidance that I may not be a victim of cc scams.
Give me the strength to say "no" to buying too may tempting gadgets since they can be paid in installment.
Let me still practice the value of delayed-gratification.
Let me not abuse this powerful plastic tool.

Wish me luck in managing this plastic gadget. I hope my next post won't consist of any credit card woes.

Bora Bonanza in November

2008-11-23T12:49:00.002+08:00

Para-sailing, Helmet Diving and Island Hopping.

Got tanned in one the the most beautiful beaches in the world... Oo... the world! Hahahaha!

Babalik ako dito definitely! Gotta hit the gym before then.

Pics here.

Wassup

2008-09-27T23:46:00.006+08:00

1. I'm 24. I didn't have a birthday post.
I consider the acceptance of my resignation letter as the best birthday present. Although it wasn't intended as a birthday present.

2. I have a new job. Thank you Lord!
Walk-ins do work. I passed my resume to company 1 early May. Got the call for an exam when we got back from our HK-Macau trip (first week of June). Got scheduled for a final interview the day before promotion. I got the job offer after the promotion. I got another call from company 2 for another JO (crappy crappy offer). Accepted the JO of Company 1. Went through the medical exams. Tendered my resignation letter. Had my birthday. Passed the med exam. My RL was finally signed.

3. Went to Baguio during one of the 3-day-weekends. Had a blast at the shooting range. Quite disappointed coz it was not sunflower season.

4. I need new clothes. Since business-casual is our standard attire.... no more blazers. Yipeeeee!

5. With great gross pay, comes great taxes. Now I'm waiting my last pay from SGV for a happy happy Christmas.

6. After 3 years, my ever beloved Ultraelectromagnetic laptop failed me. I think its registry went rogue. Gaaaaaaahhhh... still fixin the problem.

Till the next time I feel the urge to update!

2008 Outing: Day 5 (Back to Reality)

2008-09-01T13:11:00.002+08:00

The final chapter.

Lessons/ Tips/ Realizations:
1. Set a time for searching the money changer offering the best forex rate... especially if you're traveling with accountants.
2. Bring a pocket calculator. Uber-convenience strategy.
3. Utilize the group-check-in. Make sure there are guys in the group. Their baggage is less less less heavy.
4. Buy a luggage bag. With wheels. Wheels are the ultimate anti-shoulder pain support.
5. Bring water... especially in countries where water is like gold... like HK.

Whew! It was a really tiring trip (and a really tiring post). I declared a self-declared holiday the next day (hahahahaha). And I got the call that presented an opportunity.

I'm cutting this post short. Neway, expired na yung event. Nyahahaha.

2008 Outing: Day 4

2008-09-01T10:34:00.003+08:00

Day 4 outing started with pain in my legs and feet, followed by a painkiller, followed by a shower.No time to feel sick.

The excitement gradually blocked my leg pain. Our agenda/itinerary that day includes Ocean Park and Victoria's Peak with Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. Well, Victoria's Peak is now called simply The Peak.

Group picture entrance

The rides consists of relatively ancient versions of the EK rides: smaller versions of Flying Fiesta, Space Shuttle, Log Jam. It's fairly excusable since EK is a younger theme park. So, nangyopya sila malamang sa Ocean Park.

Nevertheless, Ocean park had lovable creatures:

Since this is a super-delayed entry na, tinatamad na ako maglagay ng mga pics (So hard to format the layout in blogger) Just check out the Day 4 pics at my Multiply account.

Due to time constraint, we did not ride all the rides. Around 4pm, we then proceeded to Victoria's Peak - The Peak na lang sya ngayon. I've been there when I was a kid, and, Whoa, did things change.

1) A tram is now in place. The train ride takes only a few minutes of inclined position adventure to reach your destination. We took a bus way back then.
2) There's a mall up there. As in a mall with Starbucks. We cannot hinder civilization, I guess.
3) Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum! Camwhore all you want! Pose a creative pose! Too bad my cambatt was low. Kelangan maki-picture sa iba. Honestly, this was the peak of my day. Ang saya pag-tripan ng mga wax statues. If we had more time and if my cam's batt did not fail me, we would've stayed longer.

Since it was the last night of our stay, we HAD to shop. We were too busy busy with touring the places that we had no time to simply shop. We raced back to our hotel, ate cup noodles, and proceeded to conquer the streets of HK. It was past 8pm then, and shops were only up to 10 or 11pm so we had to move really fast. I ended up buying Elizabeth Arden's green tea stuff: bath gel, lotion, body cream and perfume. I wanted to buy an mp3 player (I've been wanting to buy one for three years now), but...no player was asking me to buy it. So... I just bought those yummy Milo Energy Bars (hindi tulad nung andito, mas masarap). And being the accountants that we are, we toured the place to search for the store offering the cheapest price for this. Actually, we searched the place for an open store that time. Period.

After being slightly lost, we dragged ourselves back to the hotel. Though I wanted to collapse in the sofabed, I had to pack. Now my beloved luggage was really bulging with all the pasalubongs and souvenirs.

Collapsed to sleep around 3am.

2008 Outing: Day 3

2008-06-19T15:37:00.001+08:00

It's like the busy season. You have a lot to do. You have little time to sleep. And you have limited funds.
Readmore
And the day began with another earlier-than-work shower, and a no-rice buffet breakfast. Squeezed some time to change currencies (where the CPA in me is already tired of computing forex gains/losses effects). We, Skywalkers, quickly made our way to Macau tower. The weather was cooperating so far.

The Skywalkers (see Day 2 entry) spent the morning Skywalking while the rest toured the rest of Macau. We were scheduled to ride the ferry crossing to HongKong at 1:15pm. We arrived in HK around 3pm, I think. Slept on the ferry to recharge my already tired body.

We kids proceeded to Disneyland while our seniors were very nice that they took our luggage to the hotel. Since Disneyland closes at 8pm, we had to Amazing-Race-run in HK's MTR (Mass transit Railway, a.k.a. HK's super more high-tech version of MRT)to get to Disneyland. Observation: The structures in Macau were more cool and sophisticated compared to HK. And Macau is also cleaner.

Despite getting slightly lost, still found time to take pics:
Observation: HK people are not that friendly. Or just not that friendly to tourists. They seem to be always in a hurry, it's hard to ask for directions. And their English is not that good too.

Found the Disneyland Line! The Disney line had its own Disney train with the Mickey Window. Kawaii!

Disneyland was really really MAGICAL. Growing up with Disney cartoons and singing Disney songs all my childhood, this is really the most magical/amazing/fantastic/spectacular part of our outing. They were playing Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid which was nakakatindig-balahibo-sa-kilabot. I became a kid again.

We made the most of what we time we had left. Surprisingly, Disneyland was quite small (but still magical) , we were able to tour it that time. We opted not to ride some rides because of them are actually kiddie rides. There was a Mickey Mouse (and Minnie Mouse I think) mascots available for picture-taking purposes. But the line was quite long, and given the limited time, we opted not to queue. I'll do that next time. hehehehehe. =)

With 3D Glasses:
Be sure to watch the 3D when you go to Disneyland. Walang sinabi Rialto ng EK. Not really comparable pala.

Narnia pic. BTW, Narnia - Prince Caspian - was great! Watch it!

Sleeping Beauty Castle: Day and Night version. There's always a fireworks show at 8pm. Amazing amazing fireworks!
Castle + Fireworks + Disney Songs = Disney Magic

Shopping at Disneyland. Though I think I should've bought more and more. Party as a kid. Pay as an adult. Some of the items were quite pricey. Really pricey. Lesson: Budget a lot for Disney shopping. Their mickey mouse cookies look cute, but they do not taste the way they are priced.

I WILL DEFINITELY GO BACK TO DISNEYLAND! More pictures in my Multiply account.

2008 Outing: Day 2

2008-06-18T14:21:00.008+08:00

After 4 hours of sleep, my second day begins with an early-early-early-earlier than-an-officeday shower. Followed by a no-rice breakfast buffet. Lots of fruit, bread, cereal, potato and bacon, but no rice available.

Readmore

We began our tour by walking walking walking to Senado Square. Here, we found the Macau branches of Starbucks and Mcdo... where prices are a bit pricey.

Senado Square boasts plenty of shops to shop. The shop-owners have limited English vocabulary so it is quite hard to ask for more information about their products. E.g.Question: "Do you have any other colors of this product?", Answer:"--blank stare--, thenthy pahtahcas" - that's twenty patacas. And I remember our somewhat-deteriorating English-speaking country. Even though the Philippine's English is deteriorating , we can understand the question. We just provide a barok answer.

After touring the place, we made tambay at the fountain... and eventually found... a flag...THE FLAG

And we saw a team... And although this is the peak, the height and the moment of all moments in Macau, I couldn't put into words what we witnessed. I might accidentally spill spoilers of the future Amazing Race Season. Hahahaha.

After Senado Square, we Amazing-Race-quickly ran to the bus stop. Our next stop: Macau Tower. And guess what we found:

No close up shots allowed. Pinagbawalan kami. Too bad. =(

The majestic Macau Tower. We climbed up the 61 floors or 338 m/ 1109 ft (passing a yellow and red flag along the way) of the Macau Tower. This is the highest building height I've climbed to date.

Viewing Deck shots:

The scene was breathtaking. It was quite cloudy that day so some of the view was quite...blurry. It must be quite amazing when its a sunny day, or at night.

What to do in Macau Tower:

A. Bungy Jump - jump freely with a harness - expensive and scary

B. Mast Climb - climb the tower - tiring and expensive

C. SkyJump - jump not-so-freely with a harness - relatvely inexpensive but still expensive
D. SkyWalk - walk around the top of the tower - for me

We opted to do for the Skywalk! These pictures were actually taken in Day 3 since our walk was postponed due to the uncooperative weather.

Our next stop was Fisherman's Wharf.

It was raining when we walked/dragged our feet to the place. Our partner treated us at a restaurant there. Yay! Ambait! Swerte namin!=) The restaurant was actually staffed by Filipinos: chef, waiters, and the manager. Then to burn of the calories of the meal, we walked, walked and walked around:

Before going back to the hotel, we watched and watched the Wynn fountain shows again. Then I collapsed in my bed with uber-sore feet.

2008 Outing: Day 1

2008-06-16T16:34:00.001+08:00

After the journey of passport processing, places to visit research, rechecking of things to bring and saving like crazy... Here we come Macau and Hongkong!

What is so special with this outing?

First, the international outing planred pushed through. We travelled two Asian countries: Macau and Hongkong.

Second, this is a vacation... WITH ACCOUNTANTS. Since this is a overseas outing, this entails changing of currencies used. Which means there are four currencies involved in this outing: the Philippine Peso (PHP), US Dollar (USD), Macau Pataca (MOP) and HongKong Dollar (HKD). Although the HKD is accepted in Macau, it will save you more since the equivalent of 1 USD is greated when converted to MOP than HKD. So why did we convert our PHP to USD in the first place? Waaaaah. Pagod na ako. Ayoko na ikwento. My point is, considering that this outing involves all these currencies, the accountants in us yields us to compute, convert and hedge. It's not just our work anymore, it has become a part of out life.

Third, I really bonded with my batchmates. From the CR-scheduling to the Amazing-Race-line itinerary, we really got to know each other more. Wheeee!
Readmore

Our flight was 12:30 pm. THe recommended boarding time is 3.5 hours before the flight, which means 9:00am. I got there 10:00am. Hehehehe. Good thing my lovable officemates did not check in yet - as I wanted a group check-in to dissipate the weight of my i-think-was-overweight-according-to-our-weighing-scale luggage.
Airport pa lang, picture taking na!

It was a 1hour and 45 min flight. Picture-taking pa rin upon arrival! In the right picture, the one not smiling was not my officemate.

After about an hour of resting in the hotel (where we didn't really rest because we were under schedule), we proceeded to the Venetian... by walking and taking the free shuttle...Hehehehe.

The Venetian is where the "West meets the East"... or something to that effect.

I dunno if this is an imitation of The Thinker . But this is not a statue, it is really a person, which moves and moves when go give money. hahaha!

Nice ceilings of art.

No picture taking in the casinos though. The casino is currently the largest in the world at 500,000 sq ft (46,000 m²). Madaming pinoy ang nagtatrabaho dun. We even got to chat with one, and asked for free drinks... coke, orange juice, coffee and milk tea. Hahahahaha. I played the slot machine. Minimum bet was MOP 20. Won MOP 4, but I did not cash it. Played again. And lost. There goes my MOP 20 X 6 = Php 120.

After the Venetian, we then proceeded to the Wynn Hotel. (There's also a Wynn Hotel in Vegas. Watch the movie 21.)
Picture taking at a fountain on the way there.

We arrived just in time for the fountain show.The most amazing and coolest fountain show ever!

More pictures in my Multiply .

Ma'am/Sir

2008-05-04T14:50:00.003+08:00

Did it ever happen to you?
You walk inside a restaurant/shop/store alone and the greeting person greets you enthusiastically with:

Good morning Ma'am/Sir!

Hey,pal... are you confused? Can't you see? I'm a girl. And it also happens even if you are with a bunch of friends and you are all girls. The "Sir" is still there in the greeting. I can understand being greeted "Good morning" in the afternoon. How come they dont say "Good morning/afternoon ma'am/sir".

No. I'm not angry. I'm just... amused. ^___^

Overnights, 48 doughnuts, 9600 calories

2008-04-20T19:21:00.007+08:00

March 27, 2008
Around 9 or 10 pm at the office...

Officemate 1 talking to Officemate 2: ON tayo ngayon di pa? Para dun sa *whisper whisper* (ON means overnight, next level ng OT for Overtime)
Me the curious: Huh? Ano yun?
Officemate 1: Ah... secret...
Me the curious: Hmmmm.... owks...

*some time later*
Officemate 1 asking Officemate 2: May dala ka bang shirt and rubber shoes?
Me the usisera: Aha! Magja-jogging kayo!
Officemate 1: Uhmmmm... hindi.. pero.. ask ko baka pwede namin sabihin sayo...

*a few minutes later*
Officemate 1: Sige, ganito kasi yun, opening ng Krispy Kreme Ayala bukas ng 6am. So ON kami para maabutan yung opening.
Me the usisera: Ah, yung sa may PBComm! Bakit, ano meron?
Officemate 1: Yung first customer kasi, may 1 year free supply of donuts. And 1 month free supply of donuts kapag nasa first 300 customers ka! Sama ka!
Me the feeling-maaga-uuwi: Ah, hindi na. Uuwi na lang ako at matutulog. Hindi naman ata kami uumagahin.(I proceeded to continue my work)

March 28,2008
Around 12 midnight

Officemate 3: Uy! Pipila din kaming Krispy Kreme! Sama ka?
Me the feeling-matatapos-na-ang-ginagawa: Hindi, baka makauwi na kami mayamaya na...

1 am, 2am, 3am, 4am passed... at hindi pa rin kami tapos sa ginagawa namin....

4:30 am
Me the naloloka na: Shet naman to...(buwisit sa buwisit sa excel at working papersna ginagawa)
My Senior Associate: Tara na nga, mag-Krispy Kreme na lang din tayo.
Me: Sige, sama na rin tayo..

5:00am
Arrived in Krispy Kreme Ayala. There was already a loooooooooooong line.
My Officemates: Andami na, aabot pa ba tayo?
Me the pagod na: Andami, hindi na tayo aabot, uwi na lang ako.
My Officemates: Dito muna tayo sandali. Malay mo...

At 5:30 am, the KK people started giving out numbers.
Before 6am... I got my number! YAY! #223!!!

6:00am Krispy Kreme Ayala opened!

But it was around 7:30 when we could finally order. We could not claim the free doughnuts yet. We could start claiming them the day after (Saturday March29,2008).

It was 9am when I got home and got some sleep. Woke up at 12 nn. Proceeded to work.
And since it was the busy season, I still worked during that Saturday. So I was able to claim my first box

And now, I'm down to the last box. I'm gonna claim it this week.

If it weren't for the busy season, I wouldn't have 4 free boxes of Krispy Kremes! Look at the bright side!

Yumyumyum...

In my opinion, the Original Glazed donuts were the best. The other KK doughnuts were too sweet for me. Although I do like Hershey's Cookies and Creme and New York Cheesecake.

Yumyumyum... they taste better because they are free... Harharhar!

This is the busy season

2008-03-28T21:21:00.003+08:00

Forwarded to me. Dunno the author. I can relate. =)

======================

Ladies and Gentlemen:
I would like to take a brief moment to explain to you what is known, in some circles, as "busy season". Here’s a hint before I get started though – it’s a season and it is very, very busy. Shocking, I know. If you’re an auditor (i.e. the last legal form of indentured servitude) or you have friends who are, you know this term well. Between January and mid-March, your ass belongs to whichever public accounting firm you have been fool enough to sell it to for the tuppence that you have agreed to accept as biweekly pay. You get to work at the butt-crack of dawn and routinely watch the sun rise from your desk. You see the cleaners so often, you now know the names of their children in ascending order of age and the name of their favorite pop group. You work through what used to be your lunch-break and is now just the ten minutes (usually around 3:45pm) during which you run to the bathroom, check your voicemail, check your email and/or catch your breath. You deal with bitchy clients, bitchy managers, bitchy receptionists, co-workers who used to be congenial but who are now just bitchy because they can’t stand busy season either. You get fat because of all the other things that your firm has denied you (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness), it will provide you with the equivalent of your body weight in food with the highest caloric content possible. Here’s a snapshot into the snack-drawer (more like snack-closet) at my most recent busy season client – KitKat, Cheez-it, Cheetos, Doritos, Lays, Twix, Hershey bar, Ferrero Rocher (we’re classy, y’know!), Twix, Twizzlers, Reese’s Cups, Pringles, cupcakes, fruit snacks, yaki soba? -- all in bags weighing about a hundred pounds each. And what happens when you get frustrated, irritated and all-round aggravated? You reach for the snack drawer and pretty soon, your sizeable arse can no longer fit in your pathetic Office Depot swivel chair.

Of course, because of all the snacks you’ve been eating, you begin to break out, so you’re not just fat, you’re pimply and ugly too. This brings with it a wave of self-consciousness and low self-esteem comparable only, perhaps, to your ‘awkward teen years’. Perhaps. Your teeth begin to degenerate because you’ve basically been surviving on pure sugar and where do you think you’re going to find the time to visit a licensed dental professional? Not this busy season! You better pray your teeth hang in there till April.

When you notice the sun setting, you realize the second part of your day is just beginning! Your shoes start coming off under your little desk and you start getting real comfy – maybe you’re even sitting Buddha-style with your firm-issued laptop sitting beside your fifth cup of coffee of the day. The air-conditioning goes off, the client is long gone, the fatigue and the depression set in because you realize you’ve still got a full day’s work ahead of you and the partner’s just shown up. When you eventually get to leave work, your friends (remember those people? No? I didn’t think so) are practically already in bed. Oh, let’s talk about that – personal relationships. They’re shot. Just forget it. They’re shot because not only do you not really have any time to commit to nurturing these relationships, you’re so burned out from the day that the little time you do find to converse, you’re irritated, wired and snappish. So let’s recap; your formerly fabulous self has become an over-worked, under-paid, burned-out, pissed off, fat, pimply, love-less, friendless, sleep-deprived, caffeine-dependent mess, ticking and tying from here to eternity.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is busy season

Another 100%

2008-02-12T12:56:00.001+08:00

Thanks to the One up there who made all of this happen
Thanks to all of those who prayed for me and for the batch
Thanks to my everdearest family for their unending support
Thanks to our in-charges and seniors who still supported us, kahit na andaming trabahong na-tengga dahil sa naka-leave kami, sinuportahan at inintindi nyo pa rin kami. =)
Thanks sa aking batchmates na sobrang bait na nagpahiram at naghirap na ipa-photocopy ang kanilang mga materials. At hindi nagdamot na mag-share ng kanilang knowledge and tips: Belle, Gilda, Tin, Jan, France, Crystle, Mei, Aimee
Thanks to our senior associates who inspired and encouraged us to take this challenge... and they cheered us all the way to the finish line. =)

Txt ni Janrich! (na hindi pa rin nag-a-update):
>congrats sa mga bagong imbestigador ng bayan, mga bagong CIA!! Jan, Charlie, France, Crystle, Tin, Lyzet Elay, Mei, grace, Gilda, Loraine, Aimee, Jaemi. Go 100%!

Well, another bunch of letters is now added to my name: CIA. So anobayun? CIA stands for Certified Internal Auditor (and not Central Intelligence Agency). So anoparinyun? Napapagod na ako mag-explain eh. More about that here.

Yay! Pipyirs 100% CPA! 100% CIA! (Hindi naman kami masyado mayabang, proud lang XP)

At sa mga naghihingi ng libre, hindi po tumaas ang sweldo ko. Wala akong perang panlibre. Harharhar!

Last Trip

2008-01-17T13:13:00.001+08:00

Last trip sa MRT (January 16,2008):

Wala akong katabi the whole time. Spooky.

A quote

2008-01-15T23:42:00.001+08:00

"It's the maturity in the job that you gain not the title."
- from Peyups

2007... The Year When...

2008-01-01T13:58:00.001+08:00

...I bought a new phone
...I moved back to my house
...I took the Certified Internal Auditor's Exam
...I stayed awake for 34 hours straight...working
...I went to PALAWAN! (Yay!)
...I discovered the beauty and enjoyment of Zuma, Bookworm Adventures, and Mystery Case
...both my parents turned 50
...started to really like my work
...started to really hate my work
...my dog died
...turned 23

There goes 2007. Welcome 2008!

A Not-so Merry Christmas

2007-12-20T12:41:00.001+08:00

Powder died. Powder is... was our Chow-chow-JapSpitz puppy given by Beth (please refer to a previous entry). He was bitten by our other dog (actually, bitch), Pebbles. Three days later, he died.

We lost three dogs this year. Jet, Piper and Powder.

Give me a dog and make my Christmas happier...

Philippines, Oh Philippines

2007-11-30T16:12:00.001+08:00

Madness.

The uprising in Manila Penn caused a 12am to 5am curfew in Metro Manila. So much for Marco's despedida.

The Makati Malls were once again plunged ito darkness. Just like the G2 bombing day.

Philippines, oh my dearest Philippines.

“Tiisin na lang natin si Noli dahil sa tingin ko naman Noli cannot be worse than Gloria to begin with,” - Pimentel

I wonder what could Noli do that could be worse done what Gloria has done. Erap walked out of Malacanang at the height of the Jose Pidal scandal. Gloria merely apologized when she cheated the 2004 elections.

Filipinos are just holding their breath, what crap would Gloria do next? Martial Law? Would Filipinos fight again when she declares a Martial Law? Filipinos are tired. We fought in Edsa 2001, just to be betrayed. GMA freed Erap. I guess she owed him her position. But she feels like she doesn't owe the Filipinos anything.

It's Christmas season, and 2008 will be here soon. 2010 will be here soon. Or her resignation I hope.

Snipped Gums, Expensive Medicine

2007-11-05T15:29:00.001+08:00

I begged to delay the procedure for a year. So this year, I rounded up the courage to let my dentist aunt snip/cut my gums to let my last hiding wisdom tooth erupt. Half the wisdom tooth is already out, but the other half is blocked by my gums, so the gums have to give way for the tooth.

Despite the procedure being considered a "minor operation", it didn't hurt. I just heard the snipping of my gums but I didn't feel it. After the anaesthesia wore off, now that's when it hurt.

My aunt said I have to take Mefanamic Acid for a few days, 'til the pain subsides. Each 500g capsule costs Php 26.75. To be taken 4 times a day for about 3 days: 4 x 26.75 x 3=321 Okay. So there are more expensive medicines. But this is just a pain-reliever. The pain relief costs Php 0.074305 per second (Php26.75/ 6 hours/ 60 seconds). It's like campaign costs. You spend millions for your campaign, but it's really only Php 3 per Filipino.So maybe it's not that expensive.But relative to other medicines, this is expensive.To think that a Paracetamol/Loperamide really cures something, a pain reliever does not particulary cure something. Yet, the pain reliever is more expensive.

Maybe, I'm just being the kuripot me. Or given my pay grade level, a pain reliever is really expensive for me.

G2

2007-10-22T13:07:00.001+08:00

October 19, 2007

11:45 - 12:30 pm: Lunch at KFC Greenbelt 1

12:45 - 2:00 pm: Office office office

2:00pm onwards: non-stop sounds of ambulance/police car sirens. Istorbo sa trabaho. Checked abs-cbn news every 30 minutes. The first few versions mentioned LPG was the cause of the explosion. Number of casualties increased. News escalated. By Sunday, a bomb was said to have caused the explosion.

Glorietta that night:

Lights out. No gimikeras, no party people. Even though Glorietta was closed, SM Makati was open. Harhar. Amigas gimik was cancelled. Had to walk outside the wall on my way to MRT.

We all have our own "the-day-Glorietta-2-was-bombed" story. I'm glad I have my own story. And I'm alive to share it with you.

Depreciation

2007-10-17T12:03:00.001+08:00

Sister: Ate, pwede bang pahiram ng bagong phone mo?
Me: (stares) Hmmmmm....
Sister: Pwede pa-picture?
Me: Sige. Ingat ha.
*Sister takes pictures.*
Sister: Pano mag-video? Pwede pa-txt? At anu-ano mga games dito?
Me: (slightly irritated) Wag mo masyado galawin. Mabilis magde-depreciate yan.
Sister: Ano yung depreciate?
Me: ...
Me:Uhmmm..
Me: ...
Me: May Snake 3 na jan.

=============================================
From Wikipedia:
Depreciation is a term used in accounting, economics and finance with reference to the fact that assets with finite lives lose value over time. (There is also a separate use in international finance to refer to a reduction in the exchange rate of a currency - see Depreciation (currency)).
In accounting, depreciation is a term used to describe any method of attributing the historical or purchase cost of an asset across its useful life, roughly corresponding to normal wear and tear.[1] It is of most use when dealing with assets of a short, fixed service life, and which lose value over that life.

Harharhar!

2007-10-13T10:34:00.001+08:00

You Scored an A

You got 10/10 questions correct.

It's pretty obvious that you don't make basic grammatical errors.

If anything, you're annoyed when people make simple mistakes on their blogs.

As far as people with bad grammar go, you know they're only human.

And it's humanity and its current condition that truly disturb you sometimes.

The It's Its There Their They're Quiz

Tambay sa Office

2007-10-06T15:48:00.001+08:00

Ang office kapag may tao:

Ang office kapag walang tao:

Bakit walang tao? Kasi, Sabado. Ang sarap kasi mag-work eh. =)

Bakit ako nagtatagalog ngayon? Wala. Mas safe, para hindi ma-correct yung grammar ko. Hehehehe. =)

6288

2007-10-03T10:20:00.001+08:00

It's about time that I move forward to the colored-cellphone era.

Say hello to my new Nokia 6288 phone:

This is not my actual phone. But this is the model. Bought it yesterday. Gave my Nokia 1100 as birthday gift to my sister. She now has 2 Nokia 1100 phones. Hihihihi. Oo, phase-out na sabi sa mga department stores; pero wala akong gusto sa N-series at sobra sa budget ko yung Nokia E65.

Salamat sa mga tumulong sa akin maghanap ng stock ng model na to. Hehehehe! ;)

I'm still reading the manual. Lots of "relatively new" features to learn.

I'm googling the term for "fear of losing a cellphone" - ________phobia. Can't find any. If you do know what it is, please tell me.

Pathetic Presidents

2007-09-27T17:05:00.002+08:00

At least Erap really won his presidency.
GMA cheated.
So how come Erap's the only one in jail?

=======================
The circus is in session again.

Or more like, another telenovela starring our elected officials.
Only, this telenovela has no heroes.

Screen Staring

2007-09-25T07:38:00.001+08:00

It is a syndrome that occurs when:

1. You are bored at work and you'd like to pretend you're doing something.
2. You have to type something but you can't put it into words.
3. You are staring at a optical illusion picture in an email.
4. You would like to update your blog but you don't know what to blog about.

I stare.
And stare.
And stare.

Busy vs. Slack

2007-09-10T12:56:00.002+08:00

Slack
1. There's people in the office.
2. By the time you arrive at the office, all the seats are taken.
3. The Internet is the primary source of entertainment.
4. No ovetime nor reimbursements in your payslip.
5. You can still see the sun when you go home after work. At least, sunset, hindi na sunrise.
6. You have time to watch the movies, but you don't have the money to watch them.
7. It only takes you one minute to make your time report.
8. There's nothing to do.

Busy
1. You don't see your officemates during the day.
2. At daytime, there's a lot of free seats. By nighttime, all the seats are taken.
3. There's no time for entertainment.
4. Your pay almost doubles because of overtime pay and reimbursements.
5. You can see the sun coming up when you go home after work. Hello sunrise.
6. You don't know thw movies. You don't know the TV. You just know your deadline.
7. You have a complicated time report. You don't have time to do it. You ask others to do it for you.
8. There's no one to do it.

The Three Day Weekend

2007-08-28T10:15:00.001+08:00

Saturday

Dragged...or more like sorta bribed my sisters to watch Hairspray in Trinoma. The bribe was worth it. Splendid! Spectacular! It took me a while to figure out who was John Travolta and who was Zac Efron. Watch it! Watch it! You'll be humming the tunes on your way out of the cinema.

Sunday

Dine and Jam! It's been a while since I've attended one. First time to attend one in the new venue.

The Waitress Script:

Hi Good evening welcome to Regali Kitchen, are you ready to order?

Take the order.

Put the order on the board, main dishes on the left, desserts on the right.

Prepare the iced tea/coffee/taragon tea and get the canned drinks.

Smile and serve the yummy meal.

The fantastic crew (kunyari kasama yung nag-picture):

How to make a yummy yummy crepe... the Regali Kitchen way...

Grab a copy of Bagesafonik's Travelogue. Aside from their great sound, they have these cool postcards included in the album. Each song has a postcard designed by an artist. The lyrics of the song is written at the back of the postcard. Now that's something a pirated CD can't give you.

Monday:

Slept till 12 noon. Watched Rachael Ray on Lifestyle. Studied for my CIA (Certified Internal Auditor Exam). Ate. Ate again. Ate more. Watched TV. Played some music. Dreaded the workweek again. Slept.

Congrats Lessa and Levs!

2007-08-21T13:35:00.001+08:00

Welcome Home Powder

2007-08-14T14:01:00.001+08:00

Former Name: Kulit

Current Name: Powder

Beth gave us a puppy. Yay! I think my youngest sister was the happiest. We love dogs. We named him Powder... because he's white... and smelled of powder when given to us. Our cat (Moshi) does not mind the new dog. Piper and Periwinkle does not mind either (they are the timid ones). Pebbles and PaoPao, well... they are what they are.

Welcome home.

One Dreamplace Down...

2007-06-14T12:24:00.001+08:00

I voted for an international outing (Macau). But it was too expensive for a 3D2N summer outing. So the cluster opted for a 3D2N local outing. It was relatively less expensive... And to my greatest joy, the local outing was in Palawan! Yay!

My first airplane ride was 15 years ago. And I didn't remember how it actually felt back then. Sosyal, naka-plane pa kami. =)

With the OC2 cluster new staff... the babies. The young, fresh and vibrant.

Boat ride to Pandan Island. May epal na boatman (naka-shades).

Tambay sa beach at kalimutan ang trabaho.

Sabang beach for Underground River.

Oooohhh... clear blue waters.....

Palabas ng cave...este... Underground River nga pala

The young, fresh and vibrant new staff... looking towards beyond and after....blah blah

Had a blast in Palawan! I hope I can go to Coron and El Nido too. Someday... *sighs* *daydreams*

San kaya outing next year?

San na kaya ako next year?

Maybe here. Maybe there. Maybe nowhere.

Another sister will take the UPCAT

2007-06-12T10:33:00.001+08:00

Sister: Ate, ano ba OK na course sa UP?
Me: Ewan. Lahat. Kaw, kung ano gusto mo.
Sister: Ung Psychology, ano difference ng BA sa BS?
Me: Yung isa pre-law, yung isa pre-med.
Sister: Meron bang criminology na course, yung parang sa CSI?
Me: Wala.
Sister: Parang type ko kasi mag-Applied Physics eh.
Me: Ikaw bahala.
-----------------the next day---------------
Sister: Eh mag-Business Administration and Accountancy kaya ako?
Me: Bawal ang gaya-gaya!
Sister: Eh kung Business Administration lang?
Me: Bawal nga gaya-gaya eh!
-----------------few days later-------------------
Sister: Parang gusto ko ng Broadcasting Communications... ano ba yun?
Me: Yung course ni Ros, yung classmate ko nung high school..
Sister: Eh ano yung pharmacy?
Me: Yung sa pharmacist. Basta lam ko may board exam yun.
Sister: Ano yung difference ng Geodetic Engineering sa Industrial Engineering?
Me: Yung isa sa lupa, yung isa.... course ni Kristine (my other sister)
Sister: Ano yung Organizational Communications?
Me: Hindi ko alam.
Sister: Eh yung Behavioral Studies?
Me: Hindi ko pa rin alam.
Sister: Ba't hindi mo alam!?
Me: Wala akong kilalang ganun eh!
Sister: Eh yung Physical Therapy, OK ba yun?
Me: Basta alam ko course yun ni Miriam Quiambao.

=======================
I am such a great adviser. Harharharh!

March na pala

2007-03-04T21:26:00.001+08:00

Huwaaaaaaaat!!!!??? March na pala!

Pano nangyari yun?

Time. Sometimes so fast. Sometimes so slow.

Talong swelduhan na lang, April 15 na...

The Green Green Grass of Home

2007-01-27T17:47:00.002+08:00

I'm home. Home sweet home. I love Home!

Masaya sa tunay na bahay. Ngayon ko lang na-a-appreciate ng lubusan.

May pagkain na pag-gising.
May pagkain pag-uwi mo.
May ulam na hindi palagi delata at pinirito.
May aso na sumasalubong sayo.
May pusa kang malalaro.
May mga instrumento kang matutugtog.
May telepono na pang-internet.
May damo sa likod ng bahay.

Hindi ikaw ang naglilinis ng CR.
Hindi ikaw ang naglalabas ng basura.
Hindi ikaw ang nagbabayad ng kuryente at tubig.
Hindi mo gastos ang pagkain mo.

Okay lang mag-ingay magpasawalang-hanggan.
May cable at malinaw ang TV.
At iyong-iyo ang buong kwarto mo.

I love Home!

I survived the first month of the year without asking for any allowance! Hahahaha! Paid for my rent, my expenses, and of course... saved some. Wala nga lang pang-shopping. Pwede naman pala ako mabuhay sa sweldo ko lamang. Hihihihihi.

2006 The year when

2007-01-01T21:30:00.001+08:00

...I graduated
...I got my CPA license
...moved out of the house (well, not entirely)
...started real work
...spent half of my non-expendable savings
...my gadgets had their first birthdays
...our dog had its first birthday
...cooked to feed myself...daily
...bathed in cold water...daily
...I renewed my driver's license which I don't use
...turned 22

You realize that you have a new chapter in your life when you create a new folder in

your "My Pictures" folder.

I just created a new folder under "My Pictures" named SGV.

A big year. Cheers to 2006, welcome 2007!

Moving

2006-12-03T22:16:00.002+08:00

Due to the forthcoming late hours required by my work, I've decided to "join the bandwagon" and rent a place in Makati; 5/7 days a week for the next six months. The Ayala-Tandang Sora taxi fare costs too much, and I am scared to ride the bus late at night. So the logical step, is to rent a place nearby.

The apartment reminded me of the one we lived in Pandacan when I was a kid. But our rent back then was only Php1,500 per month. Now that Php 1,500 is less than my share our rent expense for one month.

And the adjustments I'll have make...I guess I'll have to learn to how to cook. I mean really cook. I don't think I can live with fried stuff and itlog na maalat for six months. Then I'll have to adjust to the fact that I will have roomates. There will be no food when I wake up and there won't be food when I get home.

Well, that's growing up. That's life. I'll start growing up tomorrow.

Yuppie

2006-11-18T20:59:00.001+08:00

According to my econ prof, the term yuppie came from the acronym YUP :Young Urban Professional.

Work. Work. Work.

The commute. It is not much different from my commute when I was an intern. I ride the MRT, then walk approximately the same distance. Only this time, I get off Ayala Station. Walking is no problem. I like walking. Walking with heels.. now that's a problem. Who invented the heels anyway? They are pleasing to the eye, but torture to your feet.

The people. So far, our cluster has 9 new hires. Only 2/9 are guys. 7/9 of those hires came from UP Diliman. And a lot of the other not-so-new staff are from UP Diliman.

The attire. Well, I've told you about the shoes and the heels. Let's add the stockings to the problem. And there's the blazer - the ultimate touch to a formal business attire. It is fun to dress up for work. Only, my wardrobe has limited office-attire-looking pieces. I need to save more funds for that.

The salary. Let's not talk about this. This is depressing.

The job. The first day was spent placing 3,000 letters in envelopes. I am now a master of folding and sealing letters in envelopes. The next day, I went to my first fieldwork. I was deployed without training, so I did the no-brainer tasks. My ears pop when we ride the elevator. Imagine being plunged to the ground floor from the 49th floor. Watching my in-charge, I think that the job is not difficult, but it is extremely stressful. I feel guilty when they make me go home at 7:00pm when they work up to 2:00am. Well, after the training, those days will come.

Our formal training starts next week. That means we are excused from doing fieldwork and we can go home at 5:30. And after the training, no more excuses from 16 hours of work per day. I'm both anticipating and dreading that.

Weeks of my Bumness

2006-11-08T22:56:00.001+08:00

That week that I passed the boards...

Monday: Floating in the clouds after I got the results (Go 100%)
TUesday: Slept until 2pm. Went to mass with my family at 6pm.
Wednesday: Company X Orientation
Thursday:bummed around the house
Friday: morning - interview at Company Y, afternoon - signed contract with Company X

That contract-signing was unplanned.

That next week after passing the boards:
Monday: Had my medical exam (na feeling ko barbs na med exam)
Tuesday: Got my TIN.
Wednesday: All Saint's Day. Went home to both provinces. Road trip all day.
Thursday: Secured my bank account.
Friday: Bummed around the house.
Weekend: Shopping. Shopping. Shopping.

Today: November 8, 2006
Shopped again. Today, SM had a 10% discount promo to all SMAC holders. More additions to my corporate wardrobe.
Had my first ever facial/body-scrub/massage spa experience at BioEssence Megamall. They had this 50%off "promo". Well, let's just say... I expected more for my money. Maybe I'll try a real real spa next time. I just thought a spa experience would be my gift to myself after everything, and before everything.

I'll be busy the rest of this week. I have four more days of bumming around to do. Then I'll have eyebags again. Hahahaha!

All those books....

Whattabatch 100%

2006-11-04T20:01:00.001+08:00

Thanks to the One up there who made all of this happen
Thanks to all of those who prayed for me and for the batch
Thanks to my everdearest family for their unending support
Thanks to our professors for imparting their knowledge, and their endless patience
Thanks to our reviewers for...reviewing us
Thanks to the Alumni Relations Ad HOc of UP JPIA for providing us our envelopes, pencils and erasers

We did it! Yay!

Yeah. I know this is an entry long overdue. I was too busy celebrating and being happy... and then I got busy with completing the work requirements. Yeah. WORK. Now that's another entry.

Wala ako sa picture kasi ako yung kumuha.

Vodka Vibes

2006-09-25T12:41:00.002+08:00

Vodka Ice. Ang masarap kasama matapos ang Final Pre-board.

(As if naman nakakalasing sya talaga no.)

Now that counter is reallly counting down the days.

Mukhang magka-camping na ako sa lib.

Sabi ko kahapon hindi ako kinakabahan. Natauhan na ako. Kinakabahan pala ako.

Well this will be over in a few weeks. Or my life will be over. Blech. >_<>

Millionaire

2006-09-09T19:08:00.001+08:00

Your Chances of Being a Multimillionaire: 68%

You have a good chance of being a multimillionaire. Better than most people.
You simply have a natural knack for money and the personality for success.

Will You Be a Multimillionaire?

How I wish...

UltraElectroMagneticLaptop

2006-08-30T14:11:00.001+08:00

August 29.
Happy First Birthday my everdearest Laptop!

BenQ Joybook 2100

History:
Feasib needs. I had to find a quality buy with a tight budget. Although I would be happier with an HP Pavillion model or Compaq V2000 series, I am still happy with my purchase.

We bought my UltraElectroMagneticLappy in Greehills because its price was cheaper there- like Php 10,000 cheaper than SM Cyberzone's price for the same model. But two weeks later, pareho na sila ng price.

Wi-fi rocks! Free Wi-fi, that is...buti na lang asenso UP at pwede free Wi-fi.:D

I guess the warranty expires today.
I hope I can buy a new one in 24 months.
Or someone will buy one for me in 24 months.
Or I will win one in 24 months.

And I remember, the same season I bought this laptop, I was already planning to buy an Mp3 player.
Antagal ng Creative V Plus na dumating sa Pilipinas eh. Sayang. Mukhang hindi ko pa mabibili. Masaya pa anamn sana kung puro August birthdays ng mga gadgets ko.

Camera Clicks

2006-08-11T19:17:00.001+08:00

August 11.
Happy First Birthday my everdearest Digital Camera!

Canon POwerShot A520.

This is the fruit of 80% of my OJT Money and my 2005 January-August 11 savings.

History: My parents were doubtful when I told them I was gonna spend my OJT money on a digital camera. But of course, I convinced then eventually. Plus I told them it would be a birthday gift for myself. It took me almost 5 months researching about digicam models, brands, specs, accessories and where the cheap buys are.

My mother accompanied me to Quiapo to find Henry's (the shop where I bought it). Nakakapraning mag-ikot sa Quiapo na may dalang 1X,XXX.

My digicam also became my constant accessory, along with its spare batteries. Hindi na nga lang ngayong review. Madaming magnanakaw sa Maynila eh.

Lessons Learned:
1. Since you own the camera, you are apprehensive to the people handling your camera. Hence, you end up taking the pictures to avoid mishandlers of your camera.
2. If you took good pictures, you will asked to upload those pictures.
3. If you took bad pictures, you will be asked to take another shot- or worse, be blamed for the bad shot.
4. You learn to appreciate inanimate objects. 5. Your "My Pictures" folder occupies a space almost as large as your "My Music" folder. Almost 5GB for me.

Good or bad, I'm still having fun with it!
I guess the warranty expires today.
I hope I can buy a new one in 24 months.
Or someone will buy one for me in 24 months.
Or I will win one in 24 months.

Birthday Beats

2006-08-06T20:17:00.002+08:00

Salamat sa lahat ng bumati sa aking nakarrang 16th birthday! Hahahahahaha!

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Kung totoo lang ito, then it would have been the perfect birthday gift for me:

D'AUDITOR's of PHIL.CHARITY FOUNDATION nfrom u dat ur Celfon no. Won Php950,000.00 2nd prize Winner draw last: Aug.01,2006 Pls Call Me Now I'm Mrs. Hany Olarte +639152138030

I googled up "D'AUDITOR's of PHIL.CHARITY FOUNDATION" and found out that this is a txt scam that's been going on since February. So I txtd the number with "PI! PI! Mahuli ka sana!" blah blahs. So kung ikaw ay walang magawa at ikaw ay naka-Globe Unlimited, itxt mo yung number ng mga mura, or magpanggap ka na pulis at huhulihin mo na sya. Nagri-ring pa yung number.

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The results of my past pre-board sucks. Oh well, bawi next time.

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Currently enjoying one of my presents: Dong Abay's album: FLIPINO. Bumili kayo. Suleeeeet!!!! Hay, nakakamiss ang mga performances ng Pan. At syempre, lalong hindi na ako makakanood ng mga performances ni Dong Abay dahli wala na ako sa UP naming mahal. =(

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Malapit na October 14... ~.~

Prelude to Pre-Week

2006-07-23T18:38:00.001+08:00

Pre-week's comin' up.
(Evil twin conscience:Pre-week? Ano yun?)

Pre-week=First Simulated CPA Board Exams

I hope I can stick with my study schedule. Yes. I made a schedule. A schedule to be followed.

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Look what I dug up from my accounting junk...I mean, stuff:

This is the first BA 114 (Intermediate Accounting) Quiz. It's a crossword puzzle. Score: 10/11. Sana sa Board Exams ganun din no? XD

Sana Maulit Muli...

2006-07-10T16:45:00.001+08:00

Fete de la Musique 2005: (pics not from my camera)

Fete de la Musique 2006:
Over 100 groups and close to 600 artists/musicians will perform in this years' Fete Dela Musique 2006 to be held at the newest and biggest mall, Mall Of Asia in Pasay City on June 30, 2006.
JUNE 30????? TAPOS NA!!!!???

Gaawwwrrrrrrr.... I wasn't aware... Now how was that posibble????
How did they have fun? I wasn't there... Hahahaha :P
Bohooooooo.... ;_;

So galing na rin kami ng SMall of Asia. Walang Fete. Pero masaya pa rin! :D

Babai and Backlog Blues

2006-07-01T17:22:00.001+08:00

I can't believe that one month has already passed since Sab came back to visit the Philippines. She's back in the US right now. Mamimiss ka namin Sab. Hanggang sa muling pagkikita. Penge nga palang kopya ng mga pics. Wala tuloy akong maipost na pic dito. Hehehe.

Byebye Sab. Welcome back Zy!

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And I can't believe it's been more than a month since review school started. Ayayayayay. One month before the first pre-boards.

My backlogs....

Whenever I see this pile of junk - I mean, review materials - I feel guilty about my backlogs. But instead, I choose to exercise my selective-vision power.

Random Rants

2006-06-18T13:45:00.000+08:00

There's nothing exciting being a reviewee for the CPA board exam. It has only been three weeks (Yes, i'm counting) and I'm already fed up with all the review materials. And they are piling up. Blech. I still hate Manila. I get paranoid whenever pass the Welcome Rotonda. Parang "Oh-no-nasa-Manila-na-ako-madaming-snatcher" psycho effect.

I got my NBI clearance - for board exam purposes. A very frustrating experience. Malay ko ba naman na oh-so-powerful pala ang DOST na haharangin nya NBI clearance ko dahil hindi ako nagsend ng letter declining the scholarship. Kinailangan ko pa bumiyahe papuntang Taguig para lang makuha yung clearance letter ko. Hassle Extreme.

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Our dog died. He's an old dog. He's even older than my youngest sister (she's 11 years old). Siguro may lason yung skin ni Momon. Dinilaan (sayang hindi kagat!) kasi sya ni Jet (the dog) and then a few days later, namatay na si Jet. :( Ang lungkot talaga. Kahit sya pinakamatanda, mabaho at panget sa mga aso namin, sobrang bagsik naman nya at loyal talaga. Huhuhuhuhu. Mga 5 years pa lang yung ibang aso namin ehh. Nakaka-miss rin pala yung panget na aso na yun.

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Career career. I've come to the conclusion na walang future sa banking. Sabi ng tatay ko, wala daw nandun. He worked for banks his entire life - well, except for one consulting firm. So sabi ko, ayoko na talaga mag-bank. Wala pang masyadong training dun. So sabi ko sa kanya eh di okay lang na huwag na ako pumunta sa second interview sa Metrobank. Aba eh binaligtad nya lahat ng sinabi nya. Ok na rin daw training sa banks, may future din. Anlabo no? Labo talaga.

Kokomo

2006-05-29T16:55:00.001+08:00

Visited government agencies
Since I have ample time to waste, why not waste it queueing in government agencies? These include the NBI, City Hall, LTO and NSO. During this past week, I dragged myself out of bed to arrive at these agencies at 7am to avoid the long long long queues. A good exercise in preparation for the review school days. Kudos to the National Statistics Office for their speedy service and fixer-free environment. Boos to the National Bureau of Investigation (Quezon City Hall) for their snail-paced service and fixers-tambayan environment. Always bring a book when going to these agencies.

Conquered cross-stitching
After 7 years, I finally finished the 11" X 14" image of Yusuke from YuYu Hakusho. I've been stitching this since third year high school - on and off. Back then, the price of a DMC thread is P7.00; today, its P12.75. Tsktsk. Thanks to Ame for sponsoring the DMC threads. Thanks to Beth for donating the stitch cloth. Now I need a frame. Any donors? Hehehehehe.

Went to Galera!
Yay! Read previous entry.

Spent more time with my instruments
Finally nailed some pieces I've been dying to perfect. And yes, it is really possible to be unable to play a previous piece you've perfected.

Rabbit vs.Cat
My little sister has been bugging my mom for the past months to get a rabbit. My mom says no. Come Mother's Day and my sister bought my mom a rabbit as a gift. The rabbit was a gift FOR my mother. So couldn't exactly say no because it was a gift for her. The rabbit was named Scarlet. But Moshi (the cat) was not exactly happy to have another pet inside the house. He bit Scarlet. Two days later, Scarlet died. No more rabbit in the house.

Wabbit Wabbit.

Galera Adventure

2006-05-17T00:27:00.001+08:00

A toast...

Para sa "Pano po pumunta sa Pier?"
Para sa couple of the decade
Para sa foreigner na phedophile
Para sa lesbian lovers
Para sa Starbucks, Mini-Stop, 7-11 at freshwater area
Para sa EK sa Bayan
Para sa utopia ng Bayan
Para kay Ate Vanessa na sumira sa utopia ng Bayan
Para sa paghihintay ng isang oras sa pagkain
Para sa Php60 na 1.5L ng softdrinks
Para sa tumatawad na lang ng P120 from P125
Para sa mga nawalan ng tsinelas
Para sa concept ng "ilabas ang timba" para magbanlaw ng paa
Para kina Manang na masahista na may cel# na 0920blablah
Para sa "Shet! Sobrang Inet!"
Para sa banana boat na mukhang pencil boat naman
Para sa pag-swimming ng 12nn
Para sa life vest na gumagana kahit hindi ka mag-kick
Para dun sa flavor ng pizza
Para sa paglalagay ng Sunblock
Para sa Puerto Galera Scandal
Para dun kay Manong na pumayag na tawaran ng mababa yung bracelet
Para sa sunset na pinagtaguan ako
Para sa toilet na ayaw na mag-flush
Para sa natutunan kong concept ng flipping stones
Para sa Chowking Halo-Halo na P55
Para sa anim na pitchers ng drinks
Para sa tinake-home na tira ng Mindoro's Sling
Para sa mga nagsabing maaalala nila ang mga sinabi nila kinabukasan
Para sa mga bagay na pinag-usapan pero hindi na maalala
At para sa namuo na rin na samahan

Mabuhay... Puerto Galera! Babalik ako!
At buti na lang at hindi na kami inabutan ni Caloy.

The beautiful beach. Clean. Clear. Deep.

The fearless banana boaters... yung iba. Hulaan nyo kung sino hindi nag-bananaboat...

The colors of sunset. The sunset bago dumating si Caloy.

One of the few shots na kumpleto kami. Yung isa laging kumukuha ng pics. Hehehe.

Summer Schedule

2006-05-04T20:02:00.001+08:00

Bedtime: 2:00am
Wake-up time: 12:00 nn
Bangon time: Past 1:00pm

1:00-2:00pm Rise. Brush my teeth. Eat.
2:00-3:00pm Anything goes
3:00-4:00pm Anything goes... maiisip kung mag-rereview ba ako ng accounting stuff. Sasabihin sa sarili "bukas na lang ako magsa-start". Snack 1.
4:00-5:00pm Anything goes until feel ko maligo
5:00-6:00pm Ligo until anything goes. Snack 2.
6:00-7:00pm Anything goes
7:00-8:00pm Anything goes until Dinner.
8:00-9:00pm Anything goes + TV + Snack 3.
9:00-10:00pm Anything goes + TV
10:00-11:00pm Anything goes + TV
11:00-12:00am Anything goes + TV
12:00-1:00am Anything goes
1:00-2:00am Anything goes until I fall asleep

The Anything Goes Activies:
Playing my instruments
Reading
Internet Internet Internet
Cross-stitching (Opo mga kapatid. Pinatulan ko ang pag-cross-stitch. Third year high school ko pa kasi sinimulan. Balak ko na tapusin ngayong May - hopefully).

This is my typical summer sked. REALLY. Unless there's some activity that involves going out of the house. But I'm not complaining. It's good to catch up on reading stuff I wanted to read but I was busy with school.

Last Tuesday, out of guilt and sheer boredom, I started reading Suarez (reviwer on Law blah). I stopped with page 18. Haven't started reading it again. Bwahahahaha!

It's 7pm. So updating my blog is my "anything goes" activity.

Oh yeah.... Gradpic XD

A Picture Story

2006-04-13T14:55:00.001+08:00

A senseless picture story.
Some pics of my favorite moments/scenery/accomplishments/yada-yadahs in college.

In short, wala lang. I have drafts and drafts of entries, but none of which I would like to post here. So.. pictures na lang.

Hair Changes.

UP's Kapok tree. Yung source ng mga bulak na nakakalat tuwing summer.

A pre-accounting-exam scenery. Those worried faces...

Yung aso sa Lutong Kapitbhay na madungis nga lang...

Yes... Inuman moments... gamit ang mga plastic cups... na may pangalan pa para di magkapalit.

Ang aking ultimate snack discovery... Boy Bawang... Hehehe. At may competitor pa na di naman kasing sarap. Huwag maliitin ang cornick na ito dahil may billboard na sya sa EDSA at sa North Expressway!

Our Feasib Baby...

Balance sheet ng feasib output.

The Giant Kiss ang my inanimate-object-best-friend, my calculator. I should probably give my calculator a name.

At work sa SSS. (Shet, Super Stressful)

Sunset shot from CBA 3rd floor. Wala nga lang yung sun. Siguro mas appropriate yung "rays of sunset" shot from CBA 3rd floor.

Tignan ang time. So appropriate. Normal ang abutin ng ganitong oras sa kaaaral sa ganyang subject.

Genocide in the pool. Harharhar...

Yay to the graduating PIP Years! Go for 100% Ibuhos ang isandaang porsyento!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

2006-04-03T20:50:00.001+08:00

The picture depicting the ultimate "Peace on Earth"

After weeks.... no make that months, of sleep shortage, I can now sleep for 8 straight hours without feeling guilty.

Ay, may audit project pa pala no....

Fine, I'm postponing the "Graduation Entry".

UP MEME

2006-03-11T08:37:00.001+08:00

Got this from Dyan....Ako rin!

( ) worried about getting bullied by fratmen or getting killed in a riot
( ) got bullied by fratmen or was killed in a riot
(X) witnessed a riot
(X) watched the oblation run
( ) made friends with a teacher
( ) was tricked as a freshman into attending a rally / prayer meeting
(X) wore red or black on one of those wear red or wear black days
( ) wore red on Valentines Day
(X ) wore black on Valentine's Day
(X) celebrated a birthday at Mang Jimmy's
( ) learned UP Naming Mahal ----- Oh nooooooo.... di ko pa rin alam
(X) got on the dean’s list (CS or US)
( ) slept on a bench
( ) was an RA (registration assistant) or SA
( ) lied or begged to an RA for a slot in class
(X) participated in a there's-only-one-more-slot-are you-feeling-lucky? ---during registration
(X) jogged around the campus
(X) visited the Vargas Museum
(X) knew at least one xerox lady, manong, or technician by name
( ) attended university level graduation
( ) got an activist for a teacher
( ) itched from higad bites
( ) had gotten a 5.0 in something ---- 4.0 ....hehehehehe
(X) had taken a crap in school
(X) watched a La Salle vs. Ateneo UAAP game ------ sa TV
(X) watched a UP vs. any school basketball game ------ sa TV
(X) gave a powerpoint presentation
(X) studied in CASAA
(x) studied in McDonald's or Jollibee Philcoa for one full night and bought just one regular-sized drink ---- hindi naman one full night
( ) studied along Katipunan
( ) studied along Katipunan and affected the mannerisms of a stereotypical Atenean
( )) watch a play that's not required for CommIII
(X) went stargazing
(X) ate in Chocolate Kiss, Tea Room (in CHE) or Chateau Verde
(X) slept in the lib
( ) struck up a conversation with a taong grasa
( ) wrote to / for the collegian
( ) seriously pondered about the identity/ies of the people described in Eksenang Peyups
(X) went to the chapel (either of the two)
(X) got a pebble stuck in your shoe/slippers while walking in Sunken Garden
( ) cut class with your block to watch a movie (not with my block though)
( ) had a voltes V for a teacher
( ) took a class under Joseph Palis
( ) lied to the transcript lady to get a transcript earlier than the standard 3 months
(X) went to a Freshman-only concert (where you had to show your form 5 to prove freshmanhood)
(X) subsisted on just streetfood (fishballs, half footlongs, kwekwek, squidballs/rolls, mais, dirty ice cream) for a day
( ) learned how to smoke ----- tried to smoke
(X) went on an out-of-town trip during a break with blockmates or orgmates
( ) fell in love ------- . . .
(X ) actually read the book you keep borrowing from the lib
(X) played cards during your free time
(X) dress in business attire ----- OF COURSE!!!! ^_^
( ) sumabit sa jeep
( ) got sung to or sung to someone in class during Valentine's day
(X) watched the lantern parade
(X) helped out a total stranger
( ) helped out a total stranger because he/she was hot
(X) learned to stay awake for more than 24-48 hours straight
( ) got bullied by fratmen and feeling cool wannabe people who were actually losers
( ) took Wednesday and/or Sat classes WILLINGLY
( ) volunteered for the pahinungod
(X) ate "tasteless white sauce" pasta from cock-a-noodle-doo
( ) got a boyfriend/girlfriend
(X) took time to read the vandalism in the CR
( ) watched a sexy art film for any GE class
(X ) got held up or pickpocketed
( ) felt depressed because you were not as good academically (or popular) as you were in high school
(X) did a last minute paper
(X) had spent a lot for 1x1 ID pictures (for index cards and teachers’ seat plans)
(X) got exempted from final exams ---- only appplicable to GE subjects
( ) got exempted from a final exam but still took it
( ) attended a varsity pep rally
( ) watched LIVE AIDS, Androgyny, Maskipaps or any well-known variety show
( ) promised to quit smoking
(X) got into at least one (org- or council-sponsored) adventure race
(X) knew where the best restrooms are on campus ----- sa Econ
(X) joined an org
(X) allowed yourself to make mistakes
( ) went to the gym in spite of having no PE class just to ogle varsity players / cute boys
(X) took summer classes
(X) admired the oblation
( ) made a video for a project
( ) had a crush on a teacher
( ) had a teacher who had a crush on / tried to court you
( ) attended your ROTC Bivouac
( ) faked sickness to get an absence excused
( ) got your car scratched by one of those "kuya bantayan ko kotse niyo" kids
( ) took a PE class where you had to pay for tuition (i.e. sportsclimbing, ten pin bowling, scuba diving, etC)
(X) went to school in your crappiest yet most comfy clothes
(X) learned how to use the Bayantel pay phones
(X) participated in school activities
( ) caught the UP Pep Tryouts
( ) dated someone from UP
(X) rode an IKOT and TOKI
(X) found a tambayan
( ) went drinking at Sarah's
( ) learned how to beg for a higher grade
( ) used your 6 allowable absences wisely
( ) lived in a dorm
( ) volunteered to be beadle or go-to guy for your group / class
(X) had the worst schedule
(X) realized that there really is just one coconut tree on the sunken garden
(X ) not used up all 6 allowable absences
(X) ate in ISSI, Treehouse, Mama Thai's and other more obscure cafeterias
(X) ate food Aristocart-style
(X) was active in your org
(X) attended an ACLE
(X) got as many app forms as you can during the job fair ----- didn't fill them all out though.....
(X) learned how to cram ---- learned the art of cramming....
(X) sold tickets for (or watch) an org-sponsored movie premiere
( ) saved money to Xerox all of your seatmate’s notes
( ) had accidentally seen a make-out session
(X) slept in class
( ) finished a homework / assignment / paper in the shopping center or philcoa
(X) had mountains of unused sample exams and/or old testaments
(X) resolved to be "better this semester"
( ) slept during a test
(X) had groupmates from hell (ie no-shows, babblers, dependents, airheads, dreamers, idea stealers, plagiarists)
(X) learned how to work with groupmates from hell
( ) perfected the art of parking on campus
(X) had a bad encounter with one of the guards on campus
(X) developed a love for sisig
(X) practiced those UP cheers in the first meeting for PE class
( ) looked at microfilms in the library or poked through archives
(X) reserved a classroom, AVR, etc. for a class or org function
(X) attended UP Fair ---- SYEMPREEEEEE!!!!
(X) went to a library other than your own college's to research
(X) lost a perfectly functioning umbrella
(X) used consultation hours properly
( ) went to the Guidance Office for real,heart-to-heart guidance
( ) went to the infirmatay
( ) Attend class with a hangover...
( ) Drink beer or alcohol while inside UP grounds..
(X) Walked all the way to Philcoa or Katipunan from UP (or a 2km radius from campus grounds)
( ) Buy frogs from NSRI or a Bio department...
( ) Maxed out on the 6 allowed unexcused absences but DID NOT drop
( ) Got invited or pursued by a sorority or fraternity
(X) Wore slippers to school
(X) Had a professor who smoked in class.
( ) Got diagnosed by the Infirmary as pregnant or infected with STD
(X) Got all the subjects you enlisted in CRS
( ) Got an INC or DROP in one of your subjects
( ) Shifted to another course
(X) Lost your cellphone inside the campus ---- sa UP-SM na jeep
(X) Attended a boring seminar
(X) Manipulated data ---- doctorate degree in data manipulation ^_^
(X) got pissed at your professors
(X) hanged out at one of the benches along the acad oval (alone or otherwise)

Snapshots

2006-02-24T21:55:00.001+08:00

180+ pages
Four members
One group
Infinite learnings

I was surprised that we finished it relatively early; considering that we had no compiled market or technical study last Monday. We camped out in our house this week to finish it. Good thing the professors were cooperative.

Though classes were already suspended, the deadline remained. We would have passed before lunch time had there not been a rally in Quezon Avenue and QC Circle. We were the third group that passed the study. Amazing!(applause)

A heartfelt thanks to all my groupmates. Thanks for your strength, wits, momentary keserness and humor
Thank you to all the groups that shared information
And thank You Lord all Your guidance and support.

Yay! Go feasib 11! We did it! Defense na lang. ^_^

(Blogger could not upload photos as of this time)

Diminuendo

2006-02-19T21:16:00.001+08:00

Exhausted. I'm exhausted.

The past weeks have been exhausting.

Schedule in my calendar:
February 17 - Super compiled and edited version of the three studies
Actual status - no compiled study

I thought high school was stressful.
Now in college, I really really know what stress is.
I wonder what will the definition of stress will be once I'm really out there.

That's all I can share. Things are just too boring, bland and stressful recently.

Belated Happeh Happeh Birthday to Roel! KUYA Roel na pala....

Belated Happeh Happeh Birthday to Crystle! My gift to you is a compiled Market Study ASAP. XD

Cheers to all those who are also under stress! This will soon be over ^_________^

Fine

2006-02-01T21:11:00.001+08:00

They say that you should enjoy your last sem in school. Well, I do not enjoy Auditing, Feasib and the darn SSS project. And although there's plenty of other things to enjoy, I don't have the time to enjoy them.

I need to sleep. Not the normal required 8 hours of sleep. But I need a loooooooong zzzzzzzzz.

And how I wish I could wake up in April... when it's all over. And the only problem left will be what will I wear during the grad ceremony.

This is Stress Week Number 3... and counting...

Bochog

2006-01-21T14:38:00.001+08:00

Our cute cuddly puppy...

The cat is jealous of the puppy... really!

Prelude Number 13 in BAminor

2006-01-13T14:55:00.001+08:00

Friday the 13th strikes.

Got a crappy grade in my Business Law and Taxation quiz. Passing, but crappy nevertheless.

Just as I was going home, rain came down. Hard rain. I just realized I didn't bring my umbrella today. I brought it last Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and yesterday. And the clouds decided that it should rain today. So now, I'm stuck here in BA, waiting for the rain to stop.

I know it's not really that bad. But when you've got a two-week old cold, every feeling/sentiment about everything just intensifies. I just hope nothing goes too wrong on my way home.

So there's my update for the week.

Oh yeah, Happy Birthday Dyan B. :D :)

2005 and 2006

2006-01-07T23:34:00.001+08:00

2005 lessons/ realizations/ insights:
Zuma Tip: Just because nobody understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.Hehehehehe..

Ang hindi tumaba nung bakasyon, hindi masaya ang bakasyon.

I'd rather be busy than do nothing.

No man is an island. At some point, no matter how independent we are, we will need someone for something.

Ayoko ng mga paputok. Mausok tuwing New Year. Mahirap huminga. Hazard pa sa mga daliri.

It is hard to really change the world.

Sure, hope is always alive. But sometimes, we have to stop fighting it, or fighting for it, and just let go. Let Hope rest, and let Time work. And it may just happen, with the help of Luck, Chance, or Fate.

2006 goals:
Buy the CD editions of my Eheads and Parokya cassette tapes.
Buy that Creative Zen Nano. Kung hindi lang nawala 3310 ko...
More control in my impulse-buying-syndrome
Avoid taray moments and taray sumpongs
Practice my instruments more often
Graduate in April
Pass the CPA Board exam in October

It's starting to hit me. I may have a degree-required job before this year ends. In time, I shall say hello to the real world. Or the real corporate world. It's exciting. It's scary. We'll see.

I'm thinking when is really the best time to start working. I'm thinking of taking some time off after passing the board in October (Yes, I will pass!). Most of my workmates in my OJT recommended a vacation after graduation (passing the board in my case). Maybe I'll just do that. Maybe I'll start working in 2007. I'm really contemplating about this thought. I'll see. We'll see.

I can't really create an in-depth entry about 2005. I wanted to, but well, maybe the most valuable lessons cannot be written in words. Bottom line is, 2005 was an awesomely-great-amazing year. I wonder what 2006 brings.

We'll see.

Survey Sings...

2005-12-21T16:40:00.001+08:00

If you want to...

Fight your fears
Overcome rejection
Deal with disappointment

Mag-survey ka. Mauubos ang hiya mo.

Hindi kaya ng powers ko. Good thing two of my feasibmates have those powers to accomplish our task. I thought we'd be done in one day. But no no no no no. We had to spend two whole freakin days for our survey. And for what? To get and project the demand curve of our feasibility project.

Opening line: "Ah, excuse me po. Good morning/afternoon. Pwede po ba magpa-survey?"

Best answers/ replies:
"Ha? Ano ba yan? Di ko alam sagot jan!"
"May bayad ba to?"
"Ay miss, pwede abng dagdagan mo na lang? Di ko alam sagot sa iba eh"
"Ay, nagsagot na po ako kahapon eh"

And someone actually placed her name on the survey although it was not required.

Hayayayayayay.
This experience is an example of the saying: Some things are easier said than done.

Chorale Chorus

2005-12-16T18:08:00.001+08:00

Despite the stress, pressure and craziness brought by the event, I could still honestly say that it was a fun-filled and very fulfilling experience. I had the chance to conduct once again (sadly, hindi pa rin ako nakakanta).

Thanks to the choir who were willing to practice, despite the numerous tasks.
Sopranos: Rich, Ange, Jihan, Kaye, KC, Abby Wu
Altos: Crystle, Mela, Nhey, Rach, Milcah, Hazel
Tenors: Kitch, Aldrin, Ruel, Janno, Lawrence, Stan
Basses (tama ba plural?):Russ, Brian, Miguel, Jon, Baj, Roger

And of course, sa matindi naming pianist na si Kat Caalim na nung lunch lang nakita yung piece at may less than 3 hours na practice lamang! Thank you for sharing your talent!

Up to now, kinakanta ko pa rin yung Kumukutikutitap. Problema, alto part yung kabisado ko. So in alto tune ko sya kinakanta. Wish ko lang pagdating ng January makalimutan ko na sya.

Kudos to the SAG team for all their hard work!
And thank you God for giving us those talents! Para po sa Inyo yun!

And yeap, Springplum is right. We were definitely the happiest losers that night! Harharhar! XD

Ultraelectromagneeticjaaaaaaaaaam

2005-11-30T14:47:00.001+08:00

Blah blah blah.
First Row. Center seats.
Basta. We ended up there.

This is going to be a sane entry. For hyper entries, read Fuyu and Ame's blogs...

The Event: Ultraelectromagneticjam Album Launching Concert. 29 Nov 2005. UP Theater. A tribute to the Music of Eraserheads.

The Performers:

Alapaap - 6 cycle mind
I loved 6cyclemind. Yeah, loved. They gave a good rendition of Alapaap. Well, maybe that's because Alapaap is a really good song. I have mixed feelings about their japorm...or rather, that they are now a japorms alternative band.

Magasin - Paolo Santos
Dilaw ang kanyang bukok at suot nya'y green. Too bad, I don't have a picture. I would say that I liked his performance because Marcus Adoro jammed with him.His yellow hair is a bit...weird...pero...sige lang.

Spoliarium - Imago
Bravo! Bravo! This is one of my favorite performances, and one of my favorite tracks in the CD. Imago Rocks! Bagay na bagay ang kanta for the band.

Overdrive - Barbie Almalbis
It's probably her. I never really liked Barbie or Barbie's Cradle in hthe first place. Ummmm, Overdrive is supposed to tell a story. Barbie's rendition did not tell a story - again, in my opinion. Naging pacutesy yung song. basta, hindi nya kaya yung part na "Gusto mo ng Labong, Tahong....Pinatuyong Itlog ng Kabayo".

With a Smile - South Border
Not my type. Beth liked it though.

Tikman - Sugarfree
Bravo again! Ebe's voice...Wow...

Ligaya - Kitchie Nadal
When she started singing, I didn't recognize her. Nothing spectacular about it. Ligaya was simply sang by Kitchie.

Torpedo - Isha
The first time I've heard Isha perform was during Fete de la Musique way back in June. An interesting version of the song. Mellow, but now pa-cute mellow. A change in the lyrics: "Pwede bang umalis na ka nagri-ring na ang cellphone ko!"

Huwag Kang Matakot - Orange and Lemons
Though surrounded with the Pinoy Ako rip-off intrigue, I do not hate the band. I do not exactly love them either. But I do love love love their version of Huwag Kang Matakot. Ang kulet! Mixed up with the Julie Tearjerky intro and Tikman chorus as second voice. I truly enjoyed their performance.

Pare Ko - Sponge Cola
Again, it's simply Pare Ko performed by Sponge Cola. It was the first time I saw them perform, and... it was just ok. Ok lang.

Huwag Mo Nang Itanong - MYMP
MYMP is not really my type. I don't know why they were included in the album. Maybe they are Sony Artists? Dunno.

Hard to Believe - Cueshe
Bad song choice for the band. For me, Hard to Believe is the song that best resembles the Eraserheads with the Beatles. But, well, sang by Cueshe... Errrrr... they turned it into rock. Maybe it would have been better if the vocalist (dunno his name) did not drag and eat the lyrics... and if he had memorized the lyrics... Very frustrating.

Alcohol - Radioactive Sago Project
I love Sago! (Insert vocalist name) bought a bottle onstage. Thought it was for props. But no, kodigo palaaaaa! Hilariously ingenious! Cueshe should have asked for advice from them.Di rin kabisado lyrics - but that's understandable (ako rin di ko kabisado eh).

Non-performers:

Superproxy 2K6 - Francis M
Too bad he wasn't there to perform. He could have spiced up the event. And maybe, the audience would finally start jumping up and down.

Maling Akala - Brownman Revival
I really liked their version of this song. However, i just hope that listeners would be informed that it is a song originally by Eheads.

Ang Huling El Bimbo - Rico J Puno
Aaaaaaaarggghhhh! I was looking forward to this. But he wasn't there.

Para sa Masa - Various Artists
I wished that the finale would be an all-star cast singing this song. But then, I was disappointed. No all-star cast performance. :(

Overall, the event was great. But not so GREAT! It was really, anti-climactic. I was really looking to that all-star cast performance. But...well. Good thing I was with my Amigas. :)

And thanks to Sarah for winning those front-row tickets! XD for Beth's patience, and Sara's camera for all those pics.

Well, once again, the batteries of my camera failed me. So I'm just gonna wait for the Sara/hs to upload their pics.

Elegy to my 3310

2005-11-22T19:56:00.001+08:00

Boooooooooooo.
It was a bad week last week.
After losing Php500 last Monday, I lost my fone that Saturday. That was my fone and cel number for 5 years.

Boooooooooooo.
I left BA around 5:30 pm. I still had my fone then. Rode the UP-SM jeepney I've been riding for more tham 5 years. Before 6 pm, I started to look for my fone.

Hindi ko makapa.
Checked my jacket's pocket. Wala.
Tingin sa paligid ko. Wala
So I thought it's probably hidden somewhere deep in my backpack.
I thought wrong.

May Php 300 load pa yung fone at 5 free txts.

Booooooooooooo.

So I have a new number. An ugly number beginning with 0906. I'm trying to love it.

Tinext ng nanay ko fone. nag-reply yung nakakuha. Papunta na raw sya ng Baguio kaya di na nya maibabalik. Nagreply nanay ko na meron kaming kamag-anak sa Baguio. Ibalik na lang sa kanya, willing naman kaming bayaran (Yes, para sa isang 3310).

Nung Sunday ng gabi, nagreply ulit (Grabe, gamit pa rin yun SIMcard). Papunta naman daw syang Surigao.
Baguio: North
Surigao: South

Crap. If I know, sumakay lang yung ng UP-SM na jeep kanina.

Kaya itxt nyo yung lumang number ko: 09179931592...
"MERRY CHRISTMAS! PERO MALASIN KA SANA BUONG 2006! AT MALASIN KA BUONG BUHAY MO!"

At ang pinakamalupet, ay nagrereply pa sya sa ibang txt ng mga tao. Enjoy siguro sya sa dami ng load ko. So kung tinetxt kayo ng number ko na luma, ginagago kayo nung may hawak.

Kaya ngayon, promoted ako sa Nokia 1100. Pareho na kami ng fone ng kapatid ko.
Wuhuhuhuhuhuhu... andun nga lang yung picture messages ng logo ko sa 3310 ko.

Ay buwiset.
Sana wala na akong mawalang ibang mga bagay ko.

Elegy to my P500

2005-11-15T16:37:00.001+08:00

I lost my wallet...
I found it eventually.I left it in the lib.

Contents:
Before Losing:
UP ID
Laking National Card
Expired Driver's License
Medical Insurance Card
Old Receipts, Calendar, Draw lots paper and other stuff
P2,100 plus coins

After Finding:
UP ID
Laking National Card
Expired Driver's License
Medical Insurance Card
Old Receipts, Calendar, Draw lots paper and other stuff
P1,600 plus coins

That P2,000 was my payment for my grad pic chosen package. Initally, I decided to avail for the P1,000 package. But, well... Bwahaha.

I'm stil thankful though na hindi nilimas yung laman ng wallet. Tinira pa yung barya, pamasahe rin yun. May kelangan siguro bayaran talaga. Sana hindi naman mauwi sa bisyo yung P500 na nawala. Or automatic nya siguro kinuha yung reward nya for finding my wallet. Anyway, salamat pa rin sa kung sinuman yun.

Chants in Enchanted Kingdom

2005-11-08T21:00:00.001+08:00

Wohooooo!
My 7th trip to Enchanted Kingdom!
An enchanted day for all of us.....

It was raining yesterday. But when I woke up today... no rain at all. Yeah! Perfect weather to enjoy the park.

This time, I went with some of my blockmates.
Mr. EK Wizard was there to welcome us.

The favorite pambata ride. Hehehehe. The Grand Carousel. Cute during the day. And grand with all its lights at night.

My funniest EK trip ever! ;)

Well, that's all for now. More on this soon ;P. I'm too tired to think, and my hands are exhausted to even type.

8th EK trip, anyone? ^_____^

Hymn to Halloween

2005-10-29T23:04:00.001+08:00

More than four wonderful years into our college lives and we still do this.

Avo2001 Sembreak Get-together.
Theme: Horrific Halloween.

Mirror Mirror on the wall, who's the scariest of them all?

Me? With the inflatible sungay ang Quesci Bow. The bow... Now that's scary...

Ito ang mga nanga-reer ng costume: Sina Kamatayan (guess who), Ghost (guess who ulit) at ang Kampanyerang Kuba (Go Ros! Karir!)

Ito ang scariest of them all... Yikes!
Wag nyo sana mapanaginipan. Hehehe, maalala nyo kaya si Mam Ramirez kapag nakita nyo si Angel Locsin?

Magic Sing. Buti na lang indoors kaya walang KJ na kapit bahay.
Yet, with no extra chips, we lasted until 2am singing...

I love these guys. =)

more pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/avo2001/

Birthday Beats

2005-10-26T09:04:00.001+08:00

Happy Happy First Birthday to my everdearest kit!
I've been a drummer for one year. Not an expert. But I'll be one. In time. XD

The History:

I had the vision of playing drums during high school.

I hinted to my parents that a drumset would be a nice furniture. Of course, they didn't agree with me initially. Hindi bagay sa babae ang nag-da-drums. Blah blah blah. I have three other sisters -.-

But that vision in me remained.

During college, I was a fan of concerts and band performances. The UP Fair is my yearly tradition and I would drag Beth to accompany me in other concerts. From time to time I"d tell my parents stories of how cool the drummers were. And bit by bit, my sisters started thinking that they also would like to learn the drums. But my parents were not too convinced. And it was not feasible for me to save enough to buy my own drumset.

So comes BA 118 (take 1). They promised that they're finally going to buy a drumset when i pass the BA 118. I didn't. I was depressed - I sulked, and sulked, and sulked at home. But JPIA's Planning Sem took my mind of the issue for a few days. When my mom picked me up after the planning sem, she told me we were going to SM tob wait for my dad, because we were going to buy a drumset.

HUWAAAAAATTTT???? YIPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Sorry na lang sa kapitbahay namin. Hehehehe.

[Makes me think: What would they have given me to get me out of my depression if I didn't pass 118 again this year. Oooops. Bad thought. Erase thought.]

It is a product of my depression, and the joint powers of me and my sisters. =)

Another blessing in disguise.

Scales in BAA Major

2005-10-23T13:43:00.001+08:00

What's harder than more than 5 hours of accounting exam?

Waiting for the results.
Dreading the results.
It's just sheer torture.

Masakit sa ulo.
Malamig sa kamay.
Mabigat sa puso.

Ayoko na maramdaman yun ulit.

Friday Very Evening. I got really anxious when I got home last Friday. The results will be released, Saturday noon. So I had twelve hours to torture myself with what-ifs. I had no fall-back plan. I had no plans what to do if I fail again. Hindi talaga ako mapakali. My mind was in such a hyper mode, and my heart was palpitating. I stressed myself more by making a list of “Sure”, “Not-so-Sure” and “Barbs” exam answers. At first, I thought I had 20, 100% sure correct answers (I needed 27). But further analysis led me to realize that I only had 15 correct answers. That was when the tears started coming. I ended up crying for 2 hours worrying about the outcome. It was then that I started accepting that I would have to take the removals – if there was going to be one. Those tears were my lullaby so that I could sleep.

Saturday. Woke up around 7am with heavy eyelids. I knew it would be futile to try to sleep more. I needed to do something. To calm myself, I played my drums for an hour. After eating breakfast, I banged the piano for 20 minutes. That sick feeling in my heart and stomach made me avoid eating anything more. 12:00 was nearing so I prepared myself, and went to school.

Our prof said he’d release the results around 2pm. Two more hours of worrying.
After more than two hours of waiting in torture, we got the results.

3.0

When I saw the grade, I felt…. I couldn’t completely be happy because I was so ready to cry and beg for a removal exam. Anxiety could block your ability to feel the joy I guess. To celebrate, I ended up spending a lot before my piano lessons. When I got home that night, I finally relaxed.

My sembreak has begun. :)

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Moral Lessons:

Pensions - Kung magiging Pension accountant ka, wish mo lang Defined Contribution Plan yung company. Stay away from Defined Benefit Plan Pensions.

Taxes - There are two inevitable things is life: Death and taxes (from a BA 101 book). I realized how creative the government can be with tax rules for companies so that they would pay earlier. And how these companies have more creative legal ways of abiding these tax rules so that they could pay later.

Leases - The possibilities are endless.

Error Corrections - To err is human. To correct the error is difficult.

Partnerships - is important in studying Math. Coz Partnerships will make it easier, in solving problems in our everyday life. You know you never felt like this before, you’ll be so happy you’ll be wanting more… Ay, wag na nga. Hindi pala appropriate yung Math Jingle.

Home and Branch Accounting – Reciprocal fractions are easy. Reciprocal accounts are not.

Business Combinations - Surprisingly, this is the topic I enjoyed the most. Pramis! Unfortunately, the exam scores do not reflect my enthusiasm in this topic.

Intercompany Transactions – To share or not to share profits with the subsidiary.

Trading Securities, Available for Sale Securities, Held to Maturity, Loans and Receivables – there are more than two sides of the same coin.

Intercompany Tax - FBS

Foreign Currency Translation – sana puro ganito na lang accounting XD

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What’s harder than waiting for the results?
Losing faith in yourself while waiting for the results.

Thanks to all those who remembered and prayed for our 118 class. And thanks to all those people who believed that I could do it. It’s a good feeling that some people still believe in you when you don’t believe in yourself.

A friend’s thought (not the exact words):
“Notice how the lights become brighter because of your tears.”
A very refreshing thought to remember when I cry again.

I think I shall never see
A grade as lovely as a three
A three that's earned in blood and sweat
When failing again is a serious threat
A three I've asked from God all day
Knowing praying is the way
Exams are taken by fools like me
But only God can make a three

Thank You Lord! :) This is for You!

Barbies

2005-10-17T13:51:00.001+08:00

The theme of the blogs I just read: Barbs. It is an academic craft perfected over time.

Marketing Plan. 10 pages of truth. 73 pages of lies.
Form over substance.

Tuwang-tuwa siguro si Satanas tuwing finals weeks sa dami ng papers na puno ng kasinungalingan ng mga estudyante.

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One subject to go...
The Ultimate Exam
BA 118 Finals

My final, and I do mean FINAL, exam in BA 118.

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Death is inevitable. It is a part of life.
But that thought doesn't make it easier for those who were left.

Unharmony II

2005-10-13T22:58:00.001+08:00

Absolute? No.
Sad? Not really.
Scared? Not exactly
Guilty? Absolutely not.
Revocable? Completely irrevocable.
Judgemental? Probably.
Hurtful? Possibly.
Firm? Absolutely.
Harsh? Slightly.
Honest? Not quite enough.
Exhausted? Fair enough.
Excited? Yes.

Meowing Sounds

2005-10-07T09:19:00.001+08:00

Meet Moshi. Our family cat. When he's craving for attention, he claws our legs. I think he has more fun clawing our legs than clawing our furniture. Good thing he's scratching the furniture. He hasn't begun scratching the piano...yet.

I despise our cat right now. I'm swamped with 3 exams, 3 reaction papers, a final paper and a marketing plan. And he's just sleeping around the house. He just sleeps, eats and claws. I envy him. I take pictures of him when I catch him sleeping. He's a good practice subject for the camera anyway.

I just hope this semester ends well. Then just like him, I can sleep the day away.

Notes in Finex

2005-09-28T12:49:00.001+08:00

The theory was proven right.
Winning the FINEX is inversely proportional to winning the UAAP Cheering Competition.
Ok, so this is the only the second time this happened.
So it's not really a theory.
A semi-theory maybe, or a theory in the making.

Anyway.

The Highlights:

Round 1:

UP's Answer: B, Ateneo's Answer: C

Mak: *insert his point here*
Board of Judges: yes, yes (nod, nod)
Mak: *expounds his point more*
Judge: Hmmmm
Atenean Guy (arrogantly): But , so C is an incorrect answer!
Mak (Cool and Humble): But , isn't that right sir?
-----moments of tense silence------

Board of Judges: The question is voided.

YAY!!!!

Round 2:

Question: Something about ROE and Leases, True-or-False question type
UP and Ateneo's Answer: B, UST and DLSU's answer: C
Atenean Guy (same as above): According to the Financial ...Book by ...., chapter something, the *blah blah*
Judge: But blah blah
Atenean Guy: *reiterates his point*
Judge: blah blah
Mak makes his presence known again.
Mak: Yes, I agree with him.
Laughter
Mak: We read the same book. I think that was in Chapter 11, right?
Hands the text to the Board of Judges. BOD reads the text.
Judge: The chapter you read only deals with blah blah. Thus, the answer is still C.

UP professors challenges the decision.
Sir Peds reasons out.

Sir Peds and Sir Jude Doliente in action.

Sir Peds:
Judge: Yes, I agree that we can prove that arithmetically, but blah blah.
Sir Peds: *explains explains*
Judge: However, that is in theory, bsaed from the text you read. The decision of
the BOJ still remains.
Crowd questions the reason for the decision of the BOD.
JUdge: Because in practice....

Ay, CHE! -.-

Timer: 5,4,3,2,1....raise your answers.
UP's Answer: B (LIFO), Ateneo, DLSU-Manila, and UST's Answer: D (No Effect)
Mam Dani Salazar: *covers her face*
Sir Peds: *stiff with tension*
Quizmaster: And the answer is...B
UP: WAHOOOOO!!!! (a warm of applause ---yes, a warm of applause :P)

Ending round 2 with three questions ahead of UST.

Announcer: We'll now take a Lunchbreak. According to my Patek Phillip watch, it is now 1:50.

PATEK PHILLIP! Go Sir Clemente!

Round 3 Quizmaster:

I just noticed that the judges defended their answer, twice, by reasoning: "But
in practice..." Ohcomeon. As said by Quizmaster 3: "We have 50 theoretical Questions." It's a contest in Finance.
Theoretical questions have theoretical answers.

Mak, da poste. Four rounds! Wohooooo! Ang tindeeeeee! Naks, proud si Germee. XD
Gillianne, insert all subjects here Goddess. Naks, proud si..... sina Sir Peds, Mam Dani, Sir Dave,etc. XP

Happy Birthday Sir Dave! (Sept 27)
Happy Birthday Jubal (Sept 28),akalain mo, abot ni Jubal yung bar sa MRT! :)

Side Scenes:

Emergecy Sandals. P60. Aside from soaking us wet, the rain ruined may shoes.
	Crystle eating...
Free Starbucks...supposedly. Sayang, naubusan kami. -.- Free Tall Coffe Jelly sana.

Ah, after all th drama, the day ended with UP as the champion! YEHEY! For the 4th time! UP won 4 out of all 7 FINEX Competitions.
Scores:(tama ba?)
UP: 780
UST: 660
DLSU: 640
ADMU:?
Lasalle-Dasma:?

CONGRATS TO THE UP FINEX TEAM 2005!

After the announcement of winners, we started to cheer the UP Cheer: U-nibersidad, ng Pilipinas, which ended up being cheered as:
U-nibersidad ng Pilipinas (everybody cheers)
U-nibersidad ng Pilipinas (some cheer)
U-nibersidad ng Pilipinas (fades out)

Hindi kinaya. It was not a cheering competition anyway.

Pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/melodymedley/
===============================================================================
I just realized that if you own the camera, chances are, you will be taking the
pictures, moderately being in the pictures, and you will upload those pictures. Hehehehe.

Wake Me Up When September Ends

2005-09-13T13:30:00.001+08:00

Three more weeks, then this semester is over. Schoolwork is piling up: Marketing Proposal, Reaction papers, Outsourcing paper. I need my barbs powers again.

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What's the answer to this question in an interview: What is your greatest achievement? It took me about seven long agonizing seconds to think aboout this, realize that there is none, then come up with a nambobola answer. I need to come up with a more specific answer.

I'm proud I've gone this far (without using drugs, killing people, getting pregnant, bribing teachers, resorting to suicide, harhar XD). That's it. There's no particular event I consider as my greatest achievement. But of course, that's not what the interviewer wants to hear. My greatest achievement should be something about my leadership or intellectual skills. I need to come up with a specific answer to that question. And I have one semester (hopefully one semester) to come up with an answer.

Griffin

2005-09-01T21:43:00.001+08:00

A formidable creature half lion and half eagle, the griffin is said to be one thousand times stronger than any lion and five thousand times as farsighted as an eagle. Humans find themselves unable to lie while in a Griffin's presence. The griffin is also said to be fierce and untamed. It was a protector against evil and people often wore talismans of a griffin's claw to protect them from demons. Griffins were often used as transport for the gods. They were also reputed to swoop down from the mountains on occasion and pick up goats and small horses and bring them back to their nests for their young.

What mythical beast best represents you?Take the quiz!

Unable to lie in my presence? Really now.

A half lion. Well, after all, my zodiac sign's Leo.

Unharmony

2005-08-28T14:51:00.001+08:00

I asked for something
Something that should not happen

I wished for something
Something that I'd like to happen

I prayed for something.
Something that I wished.
Something that I asked.

It was answered.
The answer came.
Something was missing.
Something was broken.

The answer I wanted.
Something happened.
Something will not happen.

And I pray once again.

The Flash

2005-08-15T20:11:00.001+08:00

Flash,dictionary definition: a very short time, an instant: It all happened in a flash.
Flash of lightning. A scary sight. The heavens are angry.
Flash. That kid in The Incredibles.
Flash is the program developed by Macromedia used to create movies. You can spend one week in creating just three minutes of flash presentation.
Flash. What you do after using the toilet. Este, flush pala yun.
“Ma’am, penge pong flash points sa exam!” Ok. Pinilit na.

But these are not the Flashes I am referring to. I meant….

The FLASH of a DIGICAM! YEHEEEEEEEEEEEY!!!

Still working on the proper settings...

Canon Powershot A520. The fruit of my OJT allowance and my own savings since this summer. I finally bought it. I must say it’s hard to part with the money I really earned/ saved. A great birthday gift for myself.

Thanks to all the people who gave me advice on choosing a model and educating me on digicams: Sarah, Sara, Mervin, Crystle and Anna Flores.

I remember that no group pictures were taken during my debut because our camera’s batteries died (it needs a special battery and we were not able to purchase one then). And no pics were taken during my birthday celebration this year. I hope my new toy will be able to capture “Canon Moments”.

Click on!

Thanks to You

2005-08-10T10:53:00.001+08:00

*After two weeks of hibernation from the blog community......*

First of all, a big belated THANK YOU to all those people who greeted me - on time or delayed. Thanks for remembering (or listening to someone who reminded you) my special day.

My deep heartfelt thanks to best friends: Beth, Sarah and Sara. Had a great time with you guys! Well, we always have great times together.

Thank you at Maraming Salamat sa madlang Avogadro 2001. Salamat sa samahan. Marami kayong naituro sa akin. Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Kasalanan nyo kung ano ako ngayon! :P

At salamat din sa Block Y Peeps. Salamat sa lahat ng kalokohan, katuwaan at kasiyahan na ibinigay nyo sa akin.

At salamat sa oras mo sa pagbabasa ng entry kong ito.

21. Twenty-one. I'm now twenty one.
I can now legally drink.
I am really not a tennager anymore. Unlike when I was twenteen. XD

Again, my thanks to all of you.

Lullabies

2005-07-26T21:19:00.001+08:00

I am starting to hate Brahms. I thought his Hungarian Rhapsody was a somewhat average piece. I was wrong. Dead wrong. I've been practicing the first two pages for two weeks and so far, no material improvement. I should have chosen Leybach's Nocturne instead. Too late to change now. My teacher and I were excited at first to nail that piece. Now, she's excited, I'm frustrated.

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Finally, we finished our report in BA 164 (Negotiable Instruments Law, Insurance Law). Tanggal ang isang tinik sa lalamunan. It seems that our professor is not that interested in our report. I think he opts to discuss GMA's SONA and his law school adventures with us. We were supposed to have a quiz but we overruled him. The power of saying "NO".

Two cases to go this week. I am multi-tasking again. I am blogging and also doing my part for Marketing. At TAJA pa pala bukas. I have to be in school by 8:30am. Rawr.

TAJA= Total Approach to JOb Application. An event by UP Career Assistance Program CBA-SE

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Due to blogging, my "leisure online time", has doubled. Before, I used to check Friendster, email et al under 30 minutes. Now, my online leisure time is more than an hour. Blogsurfing can really take time, and blogging, takes even more time. I find myself staring at Blogger's compose page for quite some time. Ah, fruitless internet hours.

Majors and Minors

2005-07-17T19:06:00.001+08:00

Maroons Winning Streak. Hoorah! Hoorah! 3-0. Finally, I could really cheer for the Maroons. They are real contenders this time. Though we owe those points to the ex-DLSU players. Nyehehe.

UP vs. UST. 69-66
UP vs. DLSU. 61-56
UP vs. NU. 81-59

Maybe its time to purchase a UP Jacket. In my five years in the university, I have never watched a game LIVE. Hopefully, time and opportunity will allow me to watch one game this season. The championship maybe? ^_^

Pinoy Blonde. A funny, pointless movie. For Php80, I didn't get my money's worth. It was worse than Madagascar's plot. Cool soundtrack though. And good animation. Read Fuyu's review on this.

TaraRun. My dad and I ran in my org's Fund Run Project: JPIA's TaraRun, Year 3. The 6Km category. Of course, we didn't win. It felt good running in UP's grounds again. I told him that we should join the 12Km category next year. Hehehehe. Time to train for that. I think it was a super revenue generator judging from the number of participants. However, JPIA had to outsource some marshalls since the sophies and juniors had their exams (Sunday is exam day in BA -_-). I felt kinda guilty since I was running instead of helping out. But, it was my dad's idea to run. And I was excited to participate too. ^_^

We were just finishing our first round while the 21Km runners were already in their third round. And there was this young girl (I think as young as my youngest sister), who ran in the 12Km category. Amazing.

It's still July. It's only July. I had my internship just 2 months ago, and it feels like that happened a long looooong time ago. Time is passing slowly. Good. I'm going to be 20 for a little while longer...

Broken Chords

2005-07-02T13:04:00.001+08:00

It's been a while since my last post. No, I'm not busy. I'm just wondering what to post that would be worth your reading time. No accounting jargon. No stop-and-smell-the-roses ponderings. No acads stuff.

So what shall I tell you?

I'm sick. This is the third day (and hopefully the last) that my body is invaded by viruses.
Been watching some shows on MTV. I'm amused with Meet the Barkers (Fridays at 8:30). Travis and Shanna. They are an unusual couple. Sweet, affectionate, loving, and unusual. Hehehehe. Also watched 'Til Death Do Us Part -just the gothic wedding episode. The bridesmaids' black dresses are ...amusingly cool. :D

Beat my record in Bookworm! Longest Word: Accounted (mere coincidence). Top Action Score: 3,940,730. My sister got the Top Classic Score: 1,351,020.

Wishing ZYRA a Happy Happy Birthday! 21 ka na! ATE! :D

Cheers to the new bloggers! Welcome to the blogging world! I guess we all had the same apprehensions about blogging at first. But we're all here in the blogging world now! Yeay!

Fete de la Musique

2005-06-19T15:47:00.001+08:00

150 bands, 8 stages, 1 event

And I almost missed it.

I didn't consider going because I have piano lessons every Saturday. But then, on Thursday evening, Sara invited me to come. My excuse was my piano lessons. I did some research Friday evening, and I saw the band line up. I cancelled my piano lessons. I am definitely going to Ortigas.

And we managed to invite some ever good friends along. Ahehehehehe... =P

I passed along El Pueblo and Podium every day during summer, on my way to Tektite. I was intrigued how were they going to fit 8 stages in that area, without closing the road.

Past 4pm. Bands were already performing in the Main-Alternative Stage. We briefly (and I mean really briefly) strolled around Podium. We were starving, deciding where to eat, deciding no restaurant in Podium fits our budgets. We got out of the posh mall, and went to the ever-beloved fast food restaurant - McDo. Dyan printed the gig guide and we marked the performances we wanted to watch. Great, Radioactive Sago Project was scheduled to perform around 2:30am. -_- At 11:00pm Imago (Rock), Wolfmann (Electronic) and Hale (Alternative) were all scheduled to perform. I wish I had Prue Haliwell’s power to move the body (what’s the name of that power?).

Past 5pm. We started touring the stages in El Pueblo. They were handing out gig guides, with the sked of performances. We decided to hang out at the Electronic Stage (it was right inside Pasto). We were bored with the performer but we decided to wait because the band of Kuya Ace (brother of best friend Sarah) was performing next - Bagetsofonix. Bravo! I enjoyed their performance. Ang daya, nasa Baguio si Sarah tapos andito si Kuya Ace.

Past 7:30pm. We went to Podium to see Familia Villavicencio, buy bottled water and use the toilets.

Past 8pm, we left to go back to the Reggae/World/Ska Stage to watch Cynthia Alexander’s performance. We saw a performance of Capoiera (martial arts from Brazil as Farley said). And luckily, we got an OK view of the reggae stage. Miss Cynthia Alexander’s talent is unparalleled.

We proceeded to the Rock Stage for the performance of Sandwich, Cambio, Imago etc. But then, the Rock Stage was…quiet. No band was performing, no band was setting up. Bummer. Later, we learned that they were waiting for additional security to control the crowd. We pushed, literally pushed our way inside Sidebar to watch Jazz stage. It was suffocating. Too bad, I wanted to hear more. So we went out.

As Lou said, di na mahulugang-karayom ang lugar. The venue was really packed. Rock Stage was still down. We resigned to going to the Alternative stage, at least there were bands performing there. By 10:30, I was exhausted. I said I was just going to wait for the FOPC concert of some other concert to watch Hale. We then heard that Hale was about to way. So Dyan and I pushed our way to get the closest view possible of the band. They just played 2 songs. And though Hale was more of a melodrama band, the Kurims started a moshpiting right beside us. Buwiset.

Past 11:30 pm, we left Ortigas. Maybe we could just watch the FOPC concert to see the other bands. Or just watch the UP Fair…. Ooops, that’s still in Feb next year.

Darn those Kurims for spoiling the event. But somehow, I can’t help but pity them.

Long long sleep….

Woke up at 2:30 pm today. My legs hurt.

Fete de la Musique next year? Maybe. But I definitely enjoyed the UP Fair concerts more although I have to P70 to get in. Kurims there are more…tamed.

Mabuhay and Musikang Pilipino.