Bring it on!

Here's my game plan for 2013.

This year, I'll invest more. In the beginning of 2012, I started building my stock portfolio. I am happy to report that my money grew by 20% at the end of 2012. That's bigger than ANY savings account bank can offer. Of course, in actual value, I still won't be able to buy a house or a car if I cash out my portfolio. Besides, there's no way I'm cashing out. The PH economy is on a roll!

I will travel more. Last year, I visited Siem Reap and I had a blast! I booked Beijing too but had to skip the trip because of the stricter visa requirements. This year, I'm skipping countries with visas to recover from the horror of China visa requirements. I'll stick to our friendly South East Asian neighbors. I'll also welcome local trips. Roadtrips will also count! I think I have Baguio in February. I hope it pushes through because the first and only time I was in Baguio was for a wedding back when my age was still a single digit. I hear Baguio is sooo different now.

I will make this house brighter and more homey. For most of the year each year since college, I live alone here in Lola's house. It's not huge but it's still difficult to keep everything neat when you have to do everything. When my mom and dad are here, that's easy because they love cleaning. (I think it's a parent thing?) Anyway, I plan on upgrading some stuff and adding a few DIY upcycle projects here and there to prettify the place.

Quality over quantity. It has been said over and over but I gotta put it into action. You see, I love trying new products. I have literally hundreds of different products on my dresser and in my bathroom. My gosh, sometimes it's a nightmare! To give you an idea, I have 5 different bottles of body washes in the shower, four different soaps, four kinds of toners, three different face masks, three facial washes, and a ton of lotions. That's not all. Don't make me count the makeup I have. Safe to say I have at least three brands of any product. Grabe. This year I'll try very hard not to buy new stuff unless I finish the old ones. I should do a 'hit the pan' or 'finish a tube' project. Yes, I think I should.

Also this year, I will continue doing crafts. The year 2012 felt like a craft revolution for me. I'd like to think I was crafty as a kid. I got it from Mom. She'd make handmade Christmas tree ornaments, home decors, headbands and hair clips that I would wear to school. But she got older, she had to tend to her (demanding) kids. As for me, I guess Internet and adolescence happened and I stopped. haha But some years later, thanks to the Internet (ha!), I found a bunch of local blogs by people who are into handmade things and DIYs. Little by little, I tried their tutorials and I started buying craft materials whenever I could. And I'm so happy! I can spend a day away from my laptop and make a mess on my bedroom floor with all the paper and paint I have. It's like when others lose themselves in a good book. That's me and crafting.

I will learn more about my job. Working in a business your father started isn't easy. It's hard to have your dad as one of your bosses, and live up to the expectations of everyone. But in the past year, I just started not caring about their expectations. What I did was I took advantage of my age- I'm the youngest in the office- and and just started learning everything. Being the youngest allows more room for mistakes, and buys you extra patience when you can't understand what your bosses are telling you. I am just thankful to have my other boss, "Tito E". He answers my questions patiently, even if it's the third time I asked in a week. This year I just wanna be like a sponge and learn what I can. Most of the time I feel like it's a routine, what I'm doing. I get bored every so often that I have actually considered resigning a hell lot of times. HAHA Then again, I'm still here. It's all a matter of perspective. I mean, who goes to the office twice or thrice a week and get paid for a five day work week, right? That's a lot of extra time in my hands. Which brings me to my next plan.

Find something or someone to keep busy with. Hahaha I love having free time but I hate not having something to do! Farrah tells me I should date a haciendero because hacienderos have a lot of time in their hands (aka maraming oras mag date). Sucks that I don't know a lot of hacienderos. HAHAWhile destiny is working on the 'someone' part, I can focus on the 'something'. I'll learn and hopefully master a new dish each month. That and my craft projects should keep me happy during my free time.

One last but important thing. CARE LESS (about what others will think)AND LOVE MORE. I really love people who at the risk of getting hurt, still keep giving love. (Okay, that's a lot of love in once sentence. haha) I kinda see myself in them. I think I'm like that. I have this theory that if I keep giving love to everyone in my life, it'll bounce back ng bonggang bongga. I have yet to prove that theory but I will let you know once I have proof. For now, let the love overflow and I'm sure one day, we'll get the love we really deserve.

Anyhoo, this is me talking to myself. Right now I just really wanna have an awesome, crazy year with my friends and my family. I want to laugh as much as I can, live life as amazing as I can afford (not literally), see more places, meet lots of people, create lasting memories, and just enjoy each day. I have been a grumpy bitch to my family most of the time but I have my moments too. I hope I'll have less grumpy days and more fun days with the folks. They're getting older. I should make each day count.

I'll review this before 2013 ends. I hope the first two days of 2013 has been good to you guys. All my love!

I wish :)

Mother Oprah (lakas maka mother! haha) once said that the biggest adventure you can take it to live the life of your dreams. So let me share mine.

1. I wanna wrap gifts all year! If Santa Claus's branch here in the Philippines has a vacancy, I'd definitely take it. Seriously, I'd take 'taga wrap ng gifts' for a job. If you hate wrapping gifts, I promise, you can afford me! hehe

2. I'd like to put up a cute cafe. Think afternoon coffee and a book. And before you know it, the sun has set, it's time for dinner and I'll serve you a bowl of my mom's awesome mushroom soup and a plate of cheesy gooey meaty lasagna.

3. I also want a multi-use gallery. Something like Mag.Net. I know how hard it is to make music and, it's harder to share it. My brother was part of a band in high school. I have artist friends (painters, photogs, musicians) and I really believe they need all the support they can get especially when they're just starting out. There's too much crap in the mainstream so we, in the "purist/ quality over money" crowd should stick together. Plus I get to hang out with creative people. They're a different crowd, in a good way. :)

4. I love comfortable shoes. And it doesn't hurt that the shoes are pretty too. So let me put them together and produce my own brand of shoes! I want my shoe makers to be like family. I also want to build a school where the kids of my employees would attend. Pretty much like a social enterprise. This won't be happening soon though as I do not have enough money to quit my job and start my brand yet.

5. I want to travel! I dream of frolicking around Europe. Taking the train to different countries, and meeting awesome people along the way. Oha, lakas maka Eat, Pray, Love noh? Basta ganun! But I still need to learn and experience a lot of things because for one, I am not comfortable at the thought of traveling alone, let alone traveling to a foreign country. My biggest (travel) fear is not to be able to communicate properly. May nalalaman pa akong frolicking in Europe, eh Bonjour lang ang kaya kong sabihin. Jusme! haha

So here are my dreams! Help me out, will ya?

*all plans are subject to change. Everything's a work in progress. :)

A funeral

Last Thursday, I watched the latest episode of Vampire Diaries (s03e11). It was Caroline's birthday. However, she wasn't in the mood to celebrate it because it reminds her that she's already dead (she became a vampire last season so technically she's stuck at 17). Instead of a surprise party, they gave her a 'funeral' so she can say goodbye to her old self and start living a new life.

It was, what I'd call a coincidence that Farrah and I were talking yesterday (Saturday) about how it took us two years in the corporate world to finally start making mature life decisions this 2012 (aka start investing).

Our conversation went something like this:

Me: Katawa naman. In fairness two years naman na tayong pabanjing banjing diba.

Fa: Onga eh pero at least umabot tayo sa point na toh. haha

Then I realized that maybe it's time to say goodbye to college. At some point, we'll all be too old to pass as college kids. Even those who call you 'ate' in college have now graduated. Of course, there will be days that you will miss it. But you cannot hold on to your college life. I'm sure you would not want to.

Admit it, you're smarter, richer (hehe), and in general, a much better version of yourself right now. Why would you want to go back to your 'nene' / 'totoy' version, right?

If there's anything I'd like you to take with you, there are three:

Hold on to good memories. It will make you smile.

Hold on to valuable lessons. Remember, you are better because of these.

And finally but most importantly, hold on to your fun self. It will keep you young.

So bury everything else and start celebrating the new you. Cheers!

Thank you, 2011

"I will make 2011 unforgettable. I will make it awesome. I'll make it count. "

I wrote that in 2010. Looking back, I can say I actually achieved it. There's so much I am thankful for and I will try to enumerate them here.

New friends. :) I've met so many new people this year! Really.

Kitty, Nano, Ayi, Bebs, Lei, Jobelle - I 've never known this much H.E. (Home Economics) people back in my college days! We're pretty much contemporaries in UP but I only met them this year, through my friend Mau.

Then there's the athletes crowd - Anto, Franco, Casey, Cis, Goy, Jed, Step, Enzo, Pon.

Football classmates - Kuya Jam and Ate Jeng. I love these two so much! They brought me along during the Diliman FC vs Stallions match in Makati. Felt like a spoiled little sister. hihi

Delish people - Bambi, Babes, and Gil. I spent so much time (and money) at Delish during the summer that I actually know the names of their servers. Too bad Babes isn't there anymore. I hope she's doing well.

Moonleaf friends - Adrian, Thysz, Ate Jam, Ate Juvie, Ate Rose, Kuya Moy, Kuya Nick. I have yet to ask the names of the other awesome people in Moonleaf but promise, I'll ask! (Ang bilis kasi nila dumami!)

Friends of friends, now my friends - Berns and Jojo from the Fine Arts group. Dave and Jeff from my Yesterday club loves.

Old friends. :) I love how we've matured but managed to stay crazy together.

Non-BA college friends: Mau, Ana,Carms, and Kara. Kara is in med school and I only got to see her once this year but the three, I see them pretty much each week since they moved to Maginhawa. I have a strong feeling we'll be seeing Kara more often this 2012 though. Her brother, Joel might start playing for UP this football season so yay!

GNO - Jen, Ja, Fa. I love these girls so much. We all dream of our respective The One's. And we're excited for each other. Right now we're just enjoying the journey. I don't know how GNO started but I'm sure it was pretty random. :)

Yesterday club - my 'young' crowd. 96% of this group is from the batch one year younger than mine. The remaining 4% represents me and Emm. HAHA! I love them. They're so wholesome but not really. They're hilarious and jologs! They're mature and immature at the same time. HAHA

Wonder Girls - we haven't met up this 2011 because we're never complete. We stay in touch through twitter though. We should make up for it this 2012.

BA blockmates - glad I saw some of them at Pat's annual bash before I left for Iloilo. We had too little time to catch up but it was great seeing them. I love my BA blockmates.

Football games - against Mongolia in Bacolod; versus Sri Lanka and Kuwait, and of course, THE Beckham game all in Rizal Memorial. Who would have thought I'd see Beckham in ze flesh?!

4. Concerts! I've seen just two this year. The Script and Maroon 5. I LOVED THE MAROON 5 CONCERT! It felt so surreal singing to She Will Be Loved, conducted by Adam Levine.

Twenty-five years of Mom & Dad. My parents just celebrated their silver anniversary. Thank you for making me part of this family, Lord. We're not a perfect bunch. Then again, perfect is boring. :))

Travel.

Hong Kong trip. First time I traveled out of the country with Fa. It was sooo tiring but fun! Ubusan ng tapang at pera!!! I really enjoyed the trip to Disney and Ocean Park. I'd love to go back to Disney. Not so enthusiastic about Ocean Park because the rides I tried were soooo scary, I don't wanna do it again! HAHA Once is enough.

Bacolod was crazy. My favorite part was the trip to Mambukal.It was a tiring hike but I enjoyed laughing and climbing the rocks.

Visitors! Some relatives came to visit this year. My Lola, Auntie Beng, Uncle John and my cousin, James were here last summer. And then Tito Gerry, Dad's brother, visited in June. It's always nice to have them around. Especially Auntie Beng and her family- she's fun and 'bagets' pa rin. I hope next year Kuya Totoy and his family can come over. I miss them. Last time they were here, I was a college freshman. I cut PE class to go to the mall with them. HAHA

Thank you for the patience so I can stick to my job. Had I quit when I failed the first time, I wouldn't have reached the point where I'd start to appreciate it. This 2012, I'll focus and work harder to understand my job so I can keep sharing my blessings with others. My dad always tells his people 'We have to help each other. Because if the business grows, you will grow with the business. It's not just your bosses who will benefit.'

This year was also the first time I played in the rain. I was at home one boring afternoon when it suddenly rained so strong so I just went to the garden and stood under the rain. I was shivering when I went back inside but I was so happy! hehe Yes, wala akong 'ligo sa ulan' moment nung kabataan ko.

And oh! One last first time memory. I sang in front of a crowd that I do not know! I am a 'suki' in videoke sessions but I've never sang in front of a crowd of 'strangers' until my 22nd birthday. I was at Delish with Nano and Mau, when they made me sing! I decided to go for it since the place wasn't so packed yet. In the middle of my second song (oh diba talagang kumanta ako ng isang set! hahaha), people started arriving- including some football friends. Embarrassing as it was, that night turned out amazing.By far the best birthday I've had!

I know my 2011 sounds boring in writing. This is also the reason why I didn't write as often. Words just fail me! haha

Here's to a 2012 filled with more awesome firsts, crazier repeats, and epic surprises!

For every BV, you get 5 times GVs!

Today's bad vibe: I really hate it when people don't value my time. Especially when they need something from me and think that they can have it anytime! Excuse me, So today I ditched a meeting because this person did not schedule it properly. He can't expect me to be the first one to text. I know he needs something from me. So if this meeting was important like he says so, he would have arranged it properly. Hello, hindi ako atat sa free lunch.

Five good vibes! :)

One.

Today I went to the bank. I hate going to this branch because the tellers are super mataray. But today, there wasn't much people so that made me relax. On my way out, the guard said 'Thanks, Ma'am!' with this huge smile.

Two.

There's an old, half-paralyzed man who lived in the village across ours. Every time I see him, he'd be waiting for an FX to SM.

Once there was a traffic policeman who helped him get in the car. Another time, there was a male nurse who assisted him too. I thought he was the old man's personal nurse but he did not ride with the old man so I figured he was just passing by.

While waiting for an FX after going to the bank across our village, I saw the old man again. He was alone. So I walked fast to get to where he is. He hailed a cab just as I reached his spot. Glad I was able to help him get in the car today. His right hand was shaking involuntarily and had to pull his right leg up to be able to sit properly. I closed the door for him. He gave me a nod and a thumb up as thanks.

Everything just felt better after.

Three.

When I got to the mall, I thought I'd get some criss-cut fries as 'baon' to the movie. The lady was busy frying my criss-cuts when this girl tried to call her attention because she wanted to buy fries too. Because I had a direct line of sight to the lady, I called her attention. When the girl finally placed her order, she looked at me and said thank you.

Four.

Tower Heist. Funny and good movie.

Five.

The skin care clinic I frequent just texted me their promos and oh my gosh I love it! Will grab some prepaid sessions to last me until January. :))

THANK YOU LORD. :)

HAPPY! Part 1

I tried to delay deciding on wether I should show up at my masters program interview or not because it's an office day (Wednesday). I had to learn a new software, input some data to get things started, and really focus on finishing whatever needs to be done at the office. During the bus ride on my way home however, I realized I need to think about it already. Because I am such a girl, I changed my mind around 27 times during that bus ride. (No, I didn't count. I just feel like putting a figure out there. hehe)

I take the MRT from Magallanes to Trinoma every Wednesday. I'd rather be squished for 40 minutes (yes I timed it) than sit comfortably in a bus for 2 hours. If I'm lucky and arrive at the station before 4 pm, I am able to sit in the train. EDSA traffic is just horrible. Plus, the MRT is much more interesting than the bus. There are different people to observe, so much involuntary eavesdropping (and throwing thought bubbles about my take on the topic) haha. I'd take that over a boring, ass-flattening, classic FPJ or Vic Sotto-film viewing EDSA bus ride. (Provincial buses show pretty good movies though. I once rode a bus that showed Fast and the Furious 5 so I didn't have to watch it in the cinema.)

Sorry I have so much sub-kwentos. :) Aaaanyway! During the train ride, I didn't give the interview much thought because it was cramped, I was standing, and I was in a non-female coach. (The first four coaches of the train are exclusive for women, senior citizens and people with little kids. I hopped in a regular coach because I was rushing and didn't have time to run to the front.) When I got to the mall, I tried to distract myself by shopping. I ended up not buying anything even if I liked one shirt at Zara because I wasn't in the mood to spend. I mind was elsewhere.

I gave up and decided 'In case I change my mind at the last minute, I need to be pretty! (I know, I know, walang konek.) So I rushed to the FX terminal for a ride to SM Fairview where I can redeem my prepaid diamond peel session. I finished just in time for the mall's closing. When I got home, I picked two outfits just in case I want to go. I even washed my jeans.

Before I slept, I prayed to God to help me decide. I begged for an IN YOUR FACE sign. But anything will do, really. Told myself kung ano nararamdaman ko bukas ng umaga, yun ang desisyon ko. And then I went to sleep.

When I woke up, I delayed checking the time because if it was before or around 11 am, it means I have enough time to go to my interview. Anything past that, I'll end up haggard coz I'd be rushing. I gave up trying to go back to sleep. When I checked my watch, it was just 10:48. Ohgaaad. But I didn't take that as the sign. The big sign was how I felt and at that point, I felt heavy (okay, please don't take that literally!), I felt lazy. So I said 'okay I'm not going. If I need to drag my ass to leave this room, then my heart isn't totally into this.'

I assembled baked macaroni for lunch. (Yes, assembled because all I had to cook was the pasta.) I decided I'd eat in front of the TV. I checked the time, it was only 11:20- still enough time to change my mind. Just when I was about to take my first bite, it started to rain. It was a strong downpour. I instantly knew it was the in your face sign I begged for. If you know me, I hate the rain. It dirties my shoes, it causes traffic, and if super strong, my roof would leak. So I don't leave the house when it's raining.

Thank you Lord. :)

Little Miss Undecided

Last August 18 I took an exam as part of the application process for the masters program in Art Studies. For the longest time I wanted to study the arts so I can be its 'ambassador'. But it took them so long to inform applicants about the exam. And when they did, it was just three days before the date. The long wait and short notice made me rethink about going.

Well, I showed up anyway.

But after that exam, I knew instantly I was doomed. It was so difficult, I was clueless, and I could not fulfill the requirements of the essay (such as a 300 to 600 word essay for each question). My essays were at the average, 190 words. I was that clueless. I ranted to friends and even on twitter how I wanted to excuse myself and never come back to the exam room because I had nothing to write on my test paper!

Almost all my plans were based on the assumption that I was going back to school next semester. But that difficult exam made me shift priorities. Days after the exam, I started focusing real hard on work. I really exerted extra effort to understand the system and fix the inefficiencies. I want to have a smooth work system so I can look forward to working and earning and then investing and spending my money! I told myself I can always be an advocate of the arts. Since I'm not enrolling, I'll just focus on work, travel, and good shoes. I was personifying my new mantra 'ALWAYS MOVE FORWARD' to the letter.

Fast forward: Imagine my surprise when last Friday I received an email that I passed the exam and am up for interview.

My tweet right after reading the email.

Thing is, I DID NOT FEEL EXCITED AT ALL! I am happy, yes! Coz at least I'm not so dumb after all. But all I had was that 'Uy, seryoso pumasa ako? Nice!' - feeling. And then I knew I was in trouble.

I hate to admit this but I had other motivations for going back to school. One, at the time I was so into the idea, I just wanted to escape work. I wanted to rebel and tell my bosses 'you can't keep me here!' Two, I thought that whatever it is that I was afraid of doing back in college, I can do now. The third one, I'll keep to myself. I had the perfect reason why I wanted to study the arts- to push for arts and culture. I had the wrong motivation. Pushing for the arts was not enough. All all these is against 'moving forward'. It's like I'm buying time to 'extend' college.

But I came to realize that what I did not do in college, I cannot do now as 'pang bawi'. That I cannot keep making decisions based on temporary things and temporary people. I don't want to escape work anymore.

As of this writing, I feel like if I show up at the interview, it's only because I'd like to finish what I started with no intention to enroll. If I don't show up, wala lang. Maybe I'll line up for a cheer dance ticket or get a massage.

I don't want to let down the people who believe in me. Then again I cannot decide based on how others will think of me.

I'm disappointed. I feel like I never wanted anything so bad that I'd kill for it. Love, maybe. Can't really tell coz I have never been madly in love.

Yesterday Bianca Gonzales wrote 'my name is bianca, traveler, and i collect tumbling shots. i dream to tumble in many, many more places. :)

what is your passion, and what is your dream? :)'

Guess what? I can't answer it. Can you help me? Can you tell me what I'm good at? Coz I feel like I'm that girl who can do a little bit of everything, and have no expert skill to trade for if my life was on the line.

l

I wish I had more time to discover myself. You know, the kind of time where you're not just delaying the things you're supposed to do like papers, read things for work, run errands. That kind of time when you're not worried about having to pay your credit card and house bills, or what to cook for lunch and then dinner, or the mountain of soiled clothes waiting to be washed.

(Segue: You see when you're tasked to take care of meals, you're making lunch while thinking what to cook for dinner. Your brain is never really 'present'. Anyway...)

I wish I had more time to go to places and take pictures. I miss taking pictures. Never really got to sharpen my skills because I haven't got the time and the subject.

More time to hangout with friends who have good taste in music. I personally just get my music from whatever's playing on the radio when I commute, from tweets of friends or from youtube links people post on Facebook. Probably half the songs on my iTunes have not been played. This is why I do not own an iPod. It's never gonna be updated. I don't scour the Internet for new sounds, I don't know a lot musicians. That's why I like it when friends share 'underrated music'. (So please keep sharing!) Wish I had 'indie music' friends. HAHA

More time to watch movies. I'm not really into old movies. It makes me sleepy. I like the action-packed (Hollywood) films, a little drama and films in foreign languages. I have a few waiting to be viewed. If only I'm in the mood to read subtitles. :))

Okay I must end here. This is pointless ranting. I just want to post this so I can document my thoughts and have something to look back. :)

All iz well.

So far I have three trips booked this year.

First is the Batac-Banaue-Sagada adeventure in mid-May. Second is a spur of the moment booking for Hong Kong with Farrah because last night Cebu Pacific announced a seat sale. And third is a trip to Bacolod with the BA girls for Masskara in October.

That, and the upcoming Maroon 5 and Incubus concerts - I wonder how I'll get by. I definitely have to increase the amount I allot for my secret account. You see my secret account funds my travels, gadget purchases and big expenses that aren't part of my day to day necessities (aka bags and shoes).

I should be worried but surprisingly I'm not worried at all. I just have this feeling that everything will be provided for at the right time. Of course there's my salary. I just have to stop buying clothes, lessen my cab rides and avoid pricey restaurants. And then my birthday! I'm used to not getting gifts for my birthday but I hope my parents give me a some dough. Lokohin ko nga pandagdag sa Sagada funds ko. haha! Them being here allow me save so much money too! Lola is also coming sometime June. Maybe she has some dollars for me. HAHAHA KAPAL KO!

I guess I just have to make do with whatever funds I can come up with. This will test the 'money can't buy happiness' shizz. We'll see!

Just because.

So much has happend since I last posted but it's too much that I cannot even find the energy to write about it. It's basically just me spending so much time out with different groups of friends, meeting new people, and hanging out a little too much in Maginhawa Street. It's practically my second home in the last two weeks.

Anyway, earlier this evening I was blog-hopping and had a random thought. I cannot wait for the day that I'm so rich that my only must do in life is wake up and breathe. Hahaha Ang labo. And when that day comes, I'd love to send my friends little gifts on random days just because.

I like and miss doing things just because I feel like doing it. The I-don't-care-what-people-think sort of randomness. It makes me feel more human. More alive. But I hate to say that I'm such a chicken when it comes to randomness. Ever since work got serious, I've been more serious, more calculative, more careful with the things I do. I'd have to think and rethink decisions, even the minor ones. I just miss living life the way I think it should be lived.

I remember telling myself after the Japan quake that in this day and age, nothing is certain and I should start living my life as I envisioned it. Where'd all my guts go now?

*Photo from tumblr.com

Less than four weeks in Manila

I'll be in Manila for less than a month and then I'm flying back to Iloilo for Dad's birthday and THE match.

Let me just share that I'm having the time of my life! Since I got back, I have been going out with different friends- just catching up and doing things JUST BECAUSE. Today is my 9th day here and five of those nine days I was out of the house. LOVE IT!

Just to refresh your memory, part of my 2011 goal is to just do more things- go out more, just make the most of my free time. And so far it's working great! It's too early to tell of course but if it's always this fun (and the weather cooperates) I wouldn't have any trouble keeping it up.

Some photos:

ABAM Homecoming

With ABAM execore members 2008-2011. :)

(Yikes, it seems like the photos are auto-compressed when it doesn't fit the column. If you're interested, just check the photos on Facebook.hehe )

Watched UAAP football (UP vs Ateneo) with my friend Mau and new 'friends' Kitty and Ayi. (Yay, part of my 2011 goal is to meet new people) This is the second day I watched. Didn't bring my camera on the first day. Spot my crush! hahaha

Yesterday I also watched The Tourist. The movie's good! Quite short though.

*photo from Google

I'm still waiting for my confirmation mail from the PFF for the grandstand tickets for the match next month. I'm quite positive I'll get a reply next week.

And tomorrow, my January birthday friends are hosting a videoke/pool/stripper party in a resort in Antipolo! I'm excited!

Will post more photos soon!

2011

Read MY 2011 here. :)

2011 and beyond

Told my mom I'm getting bored. Now, I've reviewed some crazy plans and cooked up new ones that I'd like to do.

1. Take up a class. Never really zeroed in on a single topic. I'm taking dance classes but this time I want it in a room, with notes and class recitations and field trips. (College 2.0?!) Maybe something about our culture, or plants (for work). Ghad I didn't have any idea oranges are colored green when they're not yet ripe for picking until my brother mentioned it. Then again, we do not have Orange trees here so yeah, I think I'm excused.

2. Live somewhere for a year. I first wanted New York. Spent a whole night talking with Raish about taking odd jobs for fun. Like being a waitress or a pet 'baby sitter'. Even selling our eggs for research to finance the NYC life. (They pay really well! hahaha) But now I'm looking at Boracay- where the good things and bad exist harmoniously. I'm thinking it's cheaper to live. It's easier to find a job (I speak Ilonggo, Filipino, and English) so I have a good change right?

3. I've also shifted my dream of building a house in Manila to building a beach front vacation house. Maybe here in the province, or in Batangas. Land prices in Batangas aren't cheap anymore though. Lola's house (where I currently live) is empty anyway so I'm free to stay! haha

4. I'm thinking of volunteering at the tutorial program in our parish. I hope Diane comes with me. I don't wanna go alone! But I'd like to teach. It's the closest I get to being a real teacher.

5. And because I hate ending in even numbers, I need to think of a fifth crazy idea. Oh yeah I remembered one plan I have with my friend Mau. She's like a major football fan and she's dragging me (okay I sort of volunteered) to Bacolod in February for the AFC cup kickoffs against Mongolia. That's IF the game pushes through in Bacolod. It's originally planned to be played in Mongolia but since it's still winter there in February, Azkals offered to host in here.

I'll make 2011 a year of adventures.

So help me God.

*photos searched on Goggle. :)

The inspiring Bacolod weekend

I spent the weekend in Bacolod with my family. The main purpose was to visit an account that we have there and the rest of the weekend was for going around and just spending time away from home.

Upon checking in our hotel, dad and I walked to the building next door to the office of our account. Dad introduced me to some of the employees. One thing about being in sales is you really really have to remember people. It helps you get to the priority lane when doing transactions or making appointments with the boss.

After a little chit chat, Lolo D* arrived. It was the first time we met but he and dad knew each other ever since my dad was a patpatin employee of Shell some decades ago. Dad calls him Mang D. Shortly after our quick introduction, Lolo D began asking me about UP and CBA. Thing is, his late wife which they call Inang, is also from CBA. A few minutes of exchanging UP stories later, Tita R*, Lolo D's daughter arrives and greets us.

Tita R is also from CBA. Upon graduation, she got shortlisted in SGV and P&G among others. She, however, opted to work in the family business. The Agro side of their business was left on her hands while her sister handles their hotels (including that where we're staying). She was COO (child of owner), yes. But she was not treated as such. She went with their field personnels everyday for training. She even joked 'mas mabilis pa nga ako maligo sa mga ahente namin!' And 20 years later, their company, under her leadership, would then be the 'Mercury Drug' of Agro products in Negros and Davao.

Here are a few things I got from no less than a CBA graduate who made it big. Some of it may sound like a cliche to you (to us, actually) but coming from her, I'm taking it!

You have to find what motivates you.

You have to love what you do or learn to love what you do. In her case, she learned to love it.

"I cannot work with an ill motive at the end of the line." - never let go of your principles

"Loyalty, respect and self-worth. Madali lang yan itapon ng iba" she says.

You have to want to learn.

Always be a step ahead. - VISION is very essential in any business.

You have to work with a heart.

Speaking of heart...she's not all about making money. She tells me she never puts money in her head. It was never something they were greedy about. "Lumaki ako na ang pera ay pang kain lang namin, pambili ng kailangan. Nothing more." And the biggest proof of their heart is the foundation of their late mom. Around 10% of the company's profit goes to the foundation. They've already built a school (which is very nice ha!) on a portion of one of their rice fields. It was the last project of their mom before she passed away in December 2009. The school is open and free to preschool kids but will eventually expand to higher levels as the kids 'graduate'. Along with enrolling is a feeding program to ensure that the kids get to focus on school and not be distracted by a hungry tummy. Tita R tells us the vision of their mom was a university. And she mentioned it with much certainty that it will happen.

We also visited their farm/resort. It was Lolo D's birthday and he invited to his party. It wasn't just any farm. It's a resort- rooms, pool, function halls. And THEY HAVE RICE TERRACES OKAY?

Photo taken by my brother Joop.

As if Tita R wasn't busy enough, she also handles another business- this time it was something she and her husband Tito P put up. Tito P is the scientist and Tita R is the marketeer in their business. They took us to a tour of the laboratory. I WAS AT A LOST FOR WORDS. Photos not allowed so I can't prove I was there but I swear, it was wild. State of the art equipment, GMP standards - the works.

The trip was inspiring- career wise and life in general. Now I have a new found 'struggle' to live simple. I guess not super simple but it wouldn't hurt to lessen material wants. Pretty ironic though that I had to see it through the eyes the rich. Can't wait to work with Tita R in the near future!

*initials only. baka i-Google niyo! hahaha

Teachers and teaching

When I was a kid, I wanted to become a cashier. I thought they get all the money we give when we buy stuff. Of course it didn't take long to realize it's not too cool a job to be a cashier.

When I was in grade 6, I wanted to become a teacher. I had the best teachers so I wanted to become like them.

When I got into high school, I got turned off with my student teachers so I lost interest in becoming a teacher. Don't get me wrong though. My teachers were good- but you see I attended high school in a state university where senior college students taking up Education are 'trained' to teach in the grade school and high school departments. Many times I get impatient with ineffective student teachers. Or overly strict ones. Or those who simply lack common sense. I'd get into 'diplomatic' arguments with them whenever I couldn't understand what they were explaining. Quite a few times in Physics class I kept 'arguing', not because I didn't understand but because I felt she's the one who's confused. We have books so it was pretty easy to sense if she was telling us the right stuff. I wanted our argument to become an 'AAAAH GETS!' moment for my other classmates. Until our real teacher (her supervisor) noticed I was asking too much. He intervened and ask what's up. So I explained my question and my answer to that question to my teacher. Bottom line: I was right, so he let our student teacher sit at the back of the room and took over the lesson and explained the problem the same way I explained it to him and my student teacher. EEEK, I'M SO MEAN! hahaha Until now I remember that scene. It's one of those times I was hungry for answers- not for myself but for the whole class. I wanted all of us to understand it, not just me.

Obviously I graduated high school NOT wanting to be a teacher. Actually, I still want to teach but I wasn't willing to take Education as a course. Based on my experience in high school, I've concluded that not everyone who finished Education can teach. And not all who didn't take up Education as a course cannot teach. I actually hope that in the future, people who pass a certain standard will be allowed to teach- regardless if they own an Education degree or not. With the poor standards of education and teachers right now ( no offense to teachers but let's face it, all the good ones are in private schools, top universities, or abroad), we really need help from those who can share knowledge.

It takes skills and passion to be a teacher. Students can feel passion. And passion is contagious. How would you like to wake up early in the morning to attend the most boring, monotone, bookish class evaaar? NOT NICE RIGHT? But you'd definitely want to get up for school if you're in for another exciting exchange of knowledge.

Today I find myself back to wanting to be a teacher. But that'd mean I'll be a student first. I've actually drafted my short-term plan for 2011. And yes, it includes going back to school. I just have to give it a shot to stop all the what-ifs on my mind.

Wish me luuuuck!

Can't read my, can't read my...

Ever had that blah feeling- one where you're not happy in the purest sense of it but you're not sad either? Yung parang "Saktong ewan lang".

It's like you're looking for that rush, hungry for new knowledge, excited to experience new things. I miss talking to friends everyday. I just want to lounge in an aircon room (because you can learn things within the four corners of a room), watch Living Asia, NatGeo, Star World, Star Movies, and read my books (I've got four waiting) all day.

If I'm to leave house, I'd like to ride the zipline (done this twice), go snorkeling and spelunking. Maybe go hike and immerse myself in some new culture.

OH DEAR, how's this possible?

Edit: Thought about this 5 7 seconds after 'finishing' my post... I'd also like to ride that ferry from Guadalupe to Chinatown and then direcho sa Binondo Food Wok ni Ivan Man Dy. hehe

The essence of life

You'll never really know the essence of life until you've lived it. This is my takeaway after seeing the ad of National Geographic.

If you are, you breath.
If you breath, you talk.
If you talk, you ask.
If you ask, you think.
If you think, you search.
If you search, you experience.
If you experience, you learn.
If you learn, you grow.
If you grow, you wish.
If you wish, you find.
If you find, you doubt.
If you doubt, you question.
If you question, you understand.
If you understand, you know.
If you know, you want to know more...
And if you want to know more, you are alive.

Let's all live curious!

Baz Luhrmann

Maybe you've read this but in case you haven't, I'd like to share this speech. I stumbled upon this article when I was a freshman. I found it on a blog of a CBA student who was three or four years my senior, if I'm not mistaken. Of course that time I was naive and I didn't give much attention to the piece. But in college, I came across this a few times. Apparently it's quite popular. Anyway, here goes!

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97:

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine. Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.

The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blind side you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't know.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave it before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess around too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, buy be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Random Thoughts Part 1

I sat at Starbucks while Dad went to a meeting this afternoon. I brought along my doodle notebook and a Bob Ong book Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ng Libro ang Pilipino?. It's the same book I brought with me during my flight to Singapore but I never got to finish it so I figured this was the day.

I couldn't help but stop and write on my notebook after every few flips of the page. This book is funny, at the same time sends a serious message to all the Filipinos- that we all have to love our country first before other nations love it. You can argue and say 'Love ko naman ang Pinas ah' yeah but how much? To what extent? Do you love it enough to obey traffic rules? To not cross the road, instead use the overpass? To declare you're Filipino when you're in other countries? Like what Sir Jim Lafferty always tells our class "A principle is not a principle until it costs you something." You will never prove your love for this country until you are placed in a sticky situation involving your nationality. This is not a book review so let me just end this paragraph by saying PLEASE READ THIS BOOK.

I'm thinking Noynoy should grab this book too. It's insightful. He doesn't have much insight about the lives of typical Filipinos. Not the poor-who-lives-in-the-slums type of people ok? I'm talking about Broad C class. Those who have 9-5 jobs, blue collar jobs, legal jobs. Not those who live on dole outs. He's been stuck with his mom all his life. He hates traveling (he says he's like a fish out of the water when he's out of the country) and if at all he goes out of the country, he gets VIP treatment so he never had the chance to experience what regular Filipinos have to go through to survive abroad. My point it, he has to see the country's problems through the eyes of regular people. (Not through the eyes of Kris Aquino. Sorry I had to say it.)

BACK TO MY RANDOM THOUGHTS...

Random Thought # 1

I wonder...Do Starbucks security guards get to drink Starbucks coffee too? I know for a fact that baristas are entitled to one drink per day (if I remember it right) but are security guards entitled also? Please let me know and take away the heaviness that I felt in my heart earlier when I drank my frap and ate my cinnamon swirl on the table in front of the guard. This is the same feeling I get when I'm in expensive stores. Like the ONLY time I was at Adora I thought 'DO THESE PEOPLE EVEN WEAR THE BRANDS THEY SELL?'

RT # 2

Grabe my handwriting is so chaka. It's only a liiiitle bit more decent than a doctor's prescription. I realized I haven't written on paper (except my signatures in office documents) for the longest time! My college notes are nicely written. Not this kind of handwriting. I have different kinds of handwriting. There's 'Sinisipag' handwriting. That one when you write your notes and homeworks. There's the 'random scribbles' - legible but obviously written without much caution. And then there's 'hinahabol ang thoughts kasi baka makalimutan bago pa maisulat' kind of handwriting where the end of each word is almost just a wave, a line or a dot-dot-dot. HAHA Do you have different handwritings too?

RT # 3

The girl who was in line behind me ordered her drink with a twang. I thought she was the typical Pinay who grew up in the States kind of girl so I really didn't mind. And then when I sat, she and her girlfriend (yes, you read that right) were just a table away from me. I was able to hear some of their conversation. SUS GINOO, TAGALOG NAMAN PALA. Ang arte arte pa. KAINIS. And because they were talking in audible levels, I found out they're varsities in UP. HAY IMBYERNA.

RT #3.5 Labeled as such because I didn't really write this on my notebook. Related lang sa number 3.

Anyway I was sitting by the window so I could see the people who were sitting at the outdoor seats of Starbucks. There's this girl who kept glancing at me- I caught her twice. But I really didn't mind. It wasn't elevator looks naman. I figured she was trying to see what book I was reading. But later on, you know the feeling na wala naman ginagawa sa iyo pero nayayabangan ka sa aura niya (and madalas tama ka sa kutob mo? Na niyayabangan ka nga niya?) So yeah I kinda felt that toward her but didn't bother and just kept reading. APPARENTLY SHE'S FROM UP. (Over dinner her group passed by the resto where dad and I were eating and she was with some guy who was my classmate in PE before.) Conclusion: MAYABANG PALA ANG TAGA UP WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT FROM AN OUTSIDER'S PERSPECTIVE. I mean at this point I'm not a student anymore so I totally look normal and not so UP-ish. Maybe she thought I'm a call center agent on coffee break at Starbucks Technohub. SORRY YOUNG LADY, NAUNA PA AKONG MAGING TAGA UP SA IYO. DI MO AKO MAIINTIMIDATE. AND I'M SO SURE, HINDI KA TAGA COLLEGE KO. (hahahaha *evil laugh* I love CBA! Best college ever. We're the hope of this country. hahaha)

RT #4 - This thought was brought about by an entry in the book of Bob Ong. Page 136

I would never deny I'm Filipino. Maybe there are times I'm embarrassed like when our politicians do something stupid and gets broadcasted all over the world. But never to deny it. There is so much beauty in this country. So many good memories. Denying I'm Filipino is likr turning your back to the country that molded you. Turning your back to everyone who's part of your life. It's like not having any roots at all. And once one is not rooted to a heritage, he becomes a homeless wanderer with no one to run to. I quote: "...I can say with confidence that no other race around the world could be as generous, dignified and as noble as we are."-Bob Ong

Part 2 pag sinipag ulit ako. ;)

LITTLE THOUGHTS SCREAMING IN MY HEAD

What I really want to do is to travel, *** and make people happy. I can't bring myself to say the second one because I do not have the guts to declare to the world it's what I'd like to do.

An alternative to that would be have successful businesses, help other people better their lives, support up and coming artists in their craft and travel the world.

I guess traveling is the common denominator here. Never mind if I have to sit in the plane for 18 hours, skip a bath or something like that. Nothing compares to seeing the big and beautiful world out there.

London

Sometimes I wish my grandparents were suuuper rich that my family and even my grandkids could live on inheritance and did not need to work. That way we can just be busy planning our next destination. These people do exist! But I'm not one of them. I know people who never had to work to afford the luxe life. I have a classmate whose mom lived on inheritance. And most probably she will too. What I like about her is she's nice to me. She's nice to everybody. She never bragged a about it. I just, well, heard through the grapevine.

India (photo of the Taj Mahal from Jego Bolinao)

Anyway, so what I really want to do... I guess I'm waiting for a door to open. It's not that I'm not running after my dreams. I just don't know where to start. I don't know which one I'll do first. So I sit and wait. I let plans for me unfold while I figure out my own plans. Besides, I have no means. I cannot afford to leave and come back when I want to. We don't grow money trees. But once I have the means and the plan, maybe when they're clear enough, I can muster enough guts to ask for a break and do what I want to do.

Paris

In hindsight, maybe I'm busy making other people's dreams come true? UGH. I need social contact! Silence is driving me crazy!!!

London and Paris photos from Google.