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

TIME BOUND

What is one thing you'd like to buy in the future?

Me, I'd like to buy time. I want to be rich so I can enjoy each day without having to worry about what my family will eat, or where I'll sleep or how I'll afford to pay the bills.

Most of today was spent pseudo-planning my Eurotrip in the future. I checked Eurotrail, their train system. I also checked couch surfing which I first learned from Miggy. Couch surfing is basically living with a host in the country you pick instead of booking a hotel room. I'm not sure how much it costs though but I'm positive it's cheaper than a hotel (otherwise no one would sign up for it).

Later in the planning I realized I should first learn how to bike. Biking is uso in certain countries in Europe. Also, I told myself I should do this trip by the time I'm 25. At least I hope so. I'm still considering if I should do it alone or bring my mom with me, or friends. My friend Claude did her Eurotrip just this summer, right after graduation. haha She recommend that I try traveling alone though. Maybe I should noh? (She didn't exactly travel alone though. She met up with her sister there.)

Oh well, bike or not, couch surfing or hotel, I'm definitely going to Europe. And my take-home list includes photos, memories, and a hot Frenchman. teehee! Okay, that's (just!) half meant. haha ♥

Oh, for motivation I placed a photo of Paris (with the iconic Eifell tower somewhere in the photo) as my desktop wallpaper.

Bicolandia

Tomorrow morning I'm off to Bicol to spend the week there. My Tito Gerry, dad's brother who's based in Australia arrived last Wednesday and immediately flew to Bicol the next day. I was too happy (he's my favorite uncle because he's so kalog) so I said if I find cheap tickets I'd book and fly to Bicol. Thanks to my favorite airline PAL, I got a roundtrip ticket to Legaspi for 3600+. Not bad for a 'spur of the moment' trip.

Anyway, I'm excited. But because it'll be me and my two little girl cousins most of the time, I decided to bring them pasalubong. I got them Disney Princesses and Barbie coloring books with matching Crayola 64-color set. I find myself laughing because I never bought myself a 64-color crayon box. I remember having a huge box of crayons but I can't remember if it was 64 or the bigger one. And I remember refusing to use a broken crayon when I was a kid. HAHAHA I also remember being inggit of the pages my mom colored. They were too pretty and then I try to copy it but I fail miserably all the time.

I'm excited to spend afternoons coloring the books with the girls! They're like the little sisters I never had.

Sidetrip to Malaysia

Malaysia is minutes away from Singapore. But Kuala Lumpur is 6 hours away.

Tita Belen (Ana's mom), Ana and I scoured their version of Cubao on Wednesday, Day 2. It was the night before we plan to leave for KL. It so happened it was a holiday in Singapore on Friday, which means long weekend aka out of town ang buong Singapore to Malaysia. It was sooo hard for us to find 5 tickets to Malaysia.

We hopped from one bus line to another in the hopes of getting tickets. When we finally gave up, the lady office we visited earlier said "HALLO HALLO!" while we walked outside their door. She magically had five tickets (she originally had four only so we walked away). LUCKY US!

Thursday evening we left for Malaysia. We had to go through immigration twice- one at the Singapore exit, second at the entrance to Malaysia. You'd really see the difference in the progress of the two countries. Singapore immigration was huuuge and clean. Malaysia immigration was old, third world and primitive. (Please don't judge immediately- read til the end. haha) No immigration photos pala coz it's not allowed. You don't want to violate Singapore laws- they're damn serious about it. I got so tense when an immigration officer escorted me from the counter and asked a few questions.

Officer: First time in Singapore?

Me: Yes

O: Where are you going?

M: Kuala Lumpur

O: What will you do there?

M: Oh, sightseeing!

Then he let me go. HAHA Kaloka!

On board the SUPER VIP Coach, we had our own televisions, reclining seats with leg rests, and a towel/blanket and free bottled water. I planned on sleeping but Ana picked a super good movie Ip Man 1. It's Chinese but has subtitles naman. Super good movie- it's the story of Master Ip, Bruce Lee's mentor in real life. Calculating that, I think I only had less than 2 hours of sleep.

We also had a stop over in some Malaysian bus station like that stops of carinderias in provinces. Ana and I had to pee so we got off the bus. GRABE KADIRE YUNG BANYO. It was all squat rooms. (We should have peed in the cubicle in the bus.)

Not the actual photo- but it did look something like this. This one's a cleaner version.

Good thing we found two 'normal' cubicles. But it was still icky. FEELING NAMIN MAGKAKASAKIT KAMI. When we got back to the bus, we slathered sanitizer! haha Ana said 'I hope KL is worth that banyo trip.' I couldn't agree more. It's enough for me to not go back to Malaysia because of that banyo.

Anyway, we arrived at Bukit Bintang station at 5 AM. I was so groggy when Tita Belen said we have to get off the coach already. Indian teksi (taxi) drivers immediately approached us to offer a ride. DON'T RIDE TAXIS IMMEDIATELY. On the car they post 'THIS IS A METERED TAXI' but the truth is, you have to negotiate with them before you hop in. THEY CHARGE PER HEAD! hellooooo??? Sana jeep or bus ka nalang diba?

Good thing there was a Malaysian guy who was in the same trip as ours. Tita Belen asked him how we can get to Petronas. He said we can take the train. We waited til 5:30 or 6 for the station to open. Their train is so small!

Shot of their train station. I'm standing at the other end. See how small it is?

Petronas is three stations away from Bukit Bintang. Hop off at Bukit Nanas and you'll see Petronas. You can walk from Bukit Nanas.

Shot from Bukit Nanas train station

Tita Belen led us to Petronas. I initially thought she was super in a hurry (hello it's 6-ish in the morning only) but when we got to the sky bridge lobby, WOAH, the line was THISLOOOONG. I thought we were early. NOT.

We sat because only one representative was allowed to line up for a group- that's Tita Belen. A lot of Caucasian backpackers, Indians and Filipinos were there too. We were so lucky because only a few people away from Tita Belen and then the line was cut off already! They limit the number of visitors per day. Something like 20 people per batch and then 10 minutes per batch in the sky bridge.

Grand lobby of Petronas.

We were scheduled to view at 4:15 which gave us 7 hours to go around KLCC mall which inside the Petronas Complex. By the way, it's PEtronas and not peTROnas like Bea Alonzo pronounced in Miss You Like Crazy.

Anyhoo, KLCC mall is big! the second floor is entirely dedicated to designer brands such as Tod's, Prada, Etienne Aigner, Karen Miller, Gucci, Bvlgari etc! The rest of the mall houses brands we can afford naman so we weren't entirely losers. haha

Lots of tourists there too. I guess we were all just waiting for our time to go up the sky bridge. hehe

Come 4 pm we made our way to the sky bridge lobby. There was a video presentation for everyone in the 4:15 group. Basically about what Petronas is, how they built the tower, the programs of Petronas are, etc.

Then, off to the 41st floor to view! In the elevator, you'd feel your ears pop due to the change in pressure. The tourists use the 1st floor of the bridge, the second floor is for employees of the building.

After 10 minutes, we were asked to go to make way for the next group. When we were about to go, it started raining so we stayed at the lobby to wait for the rain to stop. We sat on the stairs, beside two Korean girls. Then this two Puerto Rican guys or (Israelis?) to have a photo taken with us. WIIILD! Akala namin manyak. Pero harmless naman. Naaliw lang ata sa amin- seven of us, six girls and Nonoy (Ana's teen brother) all looking haggard, sitting on the steps. HAHA PARANG TANGA LANG. Anyway, Tita Belen said to the other guy 'you join the photo and my daughter will take the picture'. One guy had his arms around the Koreans pa! Buti I was sitting on the topmost step, so the guy was stuck at the lower steps with the Koreans to his left and Tita Belen on his right. hahaha The bald guy (who had his arms extended to the shoulder of the Koreans sat in front of me. I wanted to make a funny 'sungay' but was afraid maybe he'd find me and stalk me and take revenge so I smiled the normal 'WTF-am-I-doing-having-photos-with-strangers' kind of smile. They thanked us before leaving but I saw through the glass doors they showed the photo to another guy. Pabida lang. haha I dunno, maybe I'm still adjusting to being more open-minded to other tourists. Mejo takot pa ako to mingle with them.

It was only drizzling so we made our way back to Bukit Nanas station and back to where we were dropped off by the bus. THIS IS WHERE THE STRESSFUL PART OF THE TRIP STARTED. We went into Times Square mall to grab a snack before looking for the pick-up point of the bus. After finishing our Auntie Anne's pretzels, we left to find the pick up point. It was raining again. UGHHHH! We had to brave the rain (or else we'd miss the bus) only to find out the pick up point is the same as the drop off point earlier that day. The lady who gave us our tickets market the wrong building on the map she gave us. UGH I WANTED TO GO BACK AND KILL HER. We were all wet when we got back to Times Square mall. We invaded the restroom to clean up, change clothes (I almost changed into the dress that I bought but I didn't want to wear a dress in the bus so I just had a hanky placed on my back to absorb the rainwater.

We had a quick dinner- I had laksa which I failed to take a photo of because I was so tired. haha We left to be at the pick up point again but our coach was chaka! It was small and it was shared TV. They showed Ip Man 2 but it had no subtitles coz it was a new movie. (I'm guessing it's pirated coz Ip Man 2 is still showing in theaters haha) I was so tired I fell asleep in a matter of minutes. It was a shaky sleep but it was a sleep nonetheless.

We had to go through SG and Malaysia immigrations again. This time Malaysia immigration was big and nice! I think they constructed the 'Exit to Malaysia' immigration building first. The 'Entry to Malaysia' immigration was really primitive compared to this one.

We arrived at Singapore at 4:30 AM. We originally planned to wait for the train but the first trip is at 6:05. I guess Tita Belen pitied us- we lacked sleep so gora na, taxi na!

Grabe, first thing I did was take a bath. grabehan. Kuskos three times. Then breakfast, and then sleep.

P.S. If you're planning to go, our bus ticket cost $93 per head, round trip. That's expensive because we bought tickets late. It can go as low as $65 if you book earlier. Take the Super VIP types of coaches. The lower categories of seats aren't quite comfortable. hehe

Singapore Day 0 and 1

I'm back from lah-lah-land Singapura! It was an amazing week! Super major Alay Lakad everyday but the disciplined people, the organized buses and trains and the aircon malls and underpasses made it quite enjoyable.

Merlion in Sentosa

Ana picked me up from the airport and lent me an ezlink card (like the prepaid card in our MRT). We took bus 53 to get home. My flight was in the evening so Day 0 was basically just me arriving, meeting her parents and sibs and planning where to go.

Day 1 was Sentosa Day. The train to Sentosa starts at the topmost floor of Vivo City Mall so it was super convenient. We had ben&Jerry's A Cookie Love Affair at Vivo before riding the train to Sentosa. It was tempting to forego Sentosa and just shop and shop but we went anyway. haha

Ben&Jerry's. We tried their latest flavor- A Cookie Love Affair. YUM!

Ana and I didn't buy the activity packages because they didn't fit the choices we wanted. We opted to buy per ride so we can pick. We tried the sky ride, luge and the zipline. The skyride reminded me of Aga Muhlach and Kristine Hermosa in All My Life. The first ride, we freaked out like crazy coz the only thing that keeps passengers safe is a metal bar with a plastic thingy that sits in between your legs. Get this- the seats don't stop as you ride. What you do is you stand on the yellow circle, the seat will scoop you, the metal bar comes down and viola! You're riding it!

READ: The Skyride does not stop when boarding AKA good luck, habulin mo. hahaha

The second time we were quiet and calm already. Apparently we made the wrong move of finishing all the skyrides first and then continuing to the luge. It's supposed to be skyride-luge-skyride-luge because while you are on the skyride, your luge car is fastened under your seat. (Do a mental note if you're planning to go!) The solution? We got a free skyride! This third skyride we were already bored. haha

We didn't visit Universal Studios because Battlestar Galactica was still closed due to suspicion of glitches in the ride. It was the only thing I wanted to ride so I thought it wasn't gonna be worth it. It was so hot the whole day and I feel bad for not bringing sunscreen. I thought SPF 15 in the morning would suffice. NOT.

For dinner we had minced pork noodles at White Sands mall at Pasir Ris train station. We weren't able to take a shot coz we were so hungry we ate immediately!

I didn't bring my camera to our shopping trips because it was too heavy and will affect my shopping momentum. Next post is Malaysia! :)

DINAGYANG 2010

Hello! Just posted Dinagyang photos on my other blog and on flickr! Click Click here!

First Post!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

I've been enjoying my stay here in Iloilo so much that I'm so lazy to post. But I'm sinisipag now so game!

Here are my 2010 goals:

1. Read more books.

2. Buy less bags.

3. Eat more greens and tomatoes (anti-cancer!)

4. Jog more often OR take more walks.

5. SAVE SAVE SAVE!

6. WERQ WERQ WERQ!

7. Love love love.

8. Keep your friends.

So I wrote them in three words- short, and precise. I hope I get to incorporate them in my lifestyle so that it won't be such a task. I want my default self be workaholic, thrifty and health conscious. Of course it's not gonna happen overnight. My default self will be a work-in-progress. haha

I also have a few business rakets (nope, not illegal, promise!) that I wanna execute. But maybe in the latter half of the year because I'll be busy when I get back to Manila. Boss says I'll fix the papers we need for *something*. I'm excited but afraid too. Basta, can't elaborate. hihi!

I'm kinda missing Manila but I still like it here. I love going with my mom to the shop, being with my whole family when we eat. Like exage kung magkwentuhan. Even in the car, we tell jokes. I typed my kwento about one joke but I deleted it to protect my ego. HAHAHA Swerte nalang ang kukwentuhan ko.

Anyway, if there's anything I'm missing about Manila, it's the malls, hanging out with my friends until sunrise, dinners and movie dates, and occasional visits from Julian. But being with my family is a refreshing change. I spent 4 years away from them during college. We only see each other during Christmas and summer vacations.

Plus, it's so affordable to live here! In Manila, a meal would cost at least P120 at the mall- on tipid mode! Here you can have a meal for 70 pesos- as in busog meal. And there's not much need to travel in a cab or fx here. It's very easy to navigate via jeepneys (6.50-10 pesos per ride!). And if at all you take a cab, super mura coz there's no traffic.

My stay here in Iloilo is perfect for my goal to save up for the Singapore trip I'm planning for my 21st birthday. I've already achieved half of my target budget but I'm sure I'll deplete it when I get to Manila. But I will try to deplete it gently. (Yey, sort of achieving goal#5!)

Anyway, I hope 2010's start was great for you. Stay inspired and make your 2010 count!

Back!

After weeks of not blogging, and four days without internet (crappy smartbro), I'm sooo ready to start posting again. It's been pretty crazy lately. Photoblog nalang para mas masaya! haha

Got back from Iloilo last Thursday. Grabe while everyone was preparing to disembark from the plane, there was this lady why kept screaming 'mother*eff*'. We thought she was giving birth but the flight attendants thought she was 'possessed'. Haha Funny really but it was freaky at that moment.

Check out the new Iloilo International Airport

From the airport, I went home to change my clothes and leave my luggage then off to UP for the ABAM Acle. It made me miss college!

After ACLE, I had dinner with Mau, Ana and Carms. They're my friends waaay back freshman year. They're still in school but in their new courses- Mau in CHE and Ana and Carms in FA. Since it was a loong weekend, we decided to do some photo shoot session so I can sharpen my skills. We decided to go to Intramuros.

Arc in Fort Santiago

Roxas Bridge (I think! haha) shot from the dungeons of Fort Santiago

Shot inside Rizal's chamber

Sunday I had coffee with Fa, Emm and Sherry at Rockwell. I'm so happy to catch up with them after a looong time. Sherry left early. The rest of us were together until 11 pm. We even saw Juday and Ryan.

Monday was my me time. I watched Up. SUPER NICE MOVIE! You should watch it! I was crying in a lot of parts. hahaha

And finally, it's just me and my camera most of the time so I try to experiment on a lot of things. Here I tried the bokeh style. Not as pretty as Sandra Dans' photo but I'll get there in time.

My bokeh hearts... Achieved using two candles and cutouts from a Nescafe box. 

*from Sandra Dans' flickr account

(Hello Sandee, I love your photos!)

Btw, Sandra is one of the VP's of AdCore during our senior year. I met her through Fa. haha But I heard about her great photos from my friend Ana from Fine Arts. 

And oh, check out my Iloilo vacation in my new blog. CLICK CLICK!

*edit* Raish said she couldn't comment daw so here... It's located at the upper right part of the blog post. Not at the bottom part like we're used to. hehe

YAY! 

P.S.

Twitter doesn't seem to be working for me so Emm shared an idea. To make my blogspot account my own version of twitter. Haha I like it. I'll probably post short musings here in the future.

Learnings

It's my second day in Iloilo and it's been a good stay so far. Last night I was reading old Kerygma magazines my mom piled in my room. Since I have claimed this trip as a 'soul searching' vacation, I have decided to write down my daily learnings in my handy dandy notebook. At least I can keep track of my thoughts and reassess myself once I have completed my vacation. Let me share one learning.

God won't do for you what you can do for yourself. 

On top of that learning is a blessing. Company A called me for an interview tomorrow and thought I'm doomed to lose the chance because HELLO I'm here in the province? hahaha But they were very gracious and kind to schedule me on my date of availability. So I immediately said I'll be back July 12. She scheduled me for an interview on the 13th. I'm super happy they're very understanding.

And lastly, I am working on a new blog. I have yet to post anything but I already signed up the blog URL under my account para reserved na diba? hahaha I will launch it (charing) at the right time. hehe

Hodgepodge of Whatnots

Yesterday was a crazy day for me. I needed sometime to make things sink in so I didn't blog about it. I'm okay now. haha Here's a brief lowdown of my Monday (June 15).

1. Timmy's Birthday- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2. Went to the mall to buy my plane ticket and the tote bag I was telling you about in MFG. The ticket system was down so I was requested to come back at a latter time. I went around and dropped by MFG. When I got there, lo and behold the bag was sold out. There was one piece of the white version left but I had my heart on the black one. The only branch with the black tote was in the outskirts of Lucena. GOOD LUCK. I was super sad so I went to National Bookstore to buy a book to keep my mind preoccupied. I got this...

and this...

I officially love Sidetrip Magazine. I plan to subscribe or well, I can just buy in National Bookstore. haha

3. I got a text from (codename) Company A, a huge food company that I bet all of us has tried at least thrice hahaha. They were asking if I'm interested to know about their training program. How can I say no? So yeah, I said yes but waited for their reply. I decided to wait until 5 pm, after office hours for the reply before I buy my ticket just in case I need to move my flight.

4. I decided to kill time by reading Sidetrip at Starbucks. Got my caramel frap and sat in a corner table and began reading. I occasionally looked around just to see what types of people hang out in this branch of Starbucks. Well, this is not the laid back-book reading- laptop toting students that I am used to in the Katipunan branch. These are from all walks of life- nursing people, 'pa-cool' teenagers, med students reviewing, foreigners with their Filipina partners, and  couples having 'coffee' for a date. As a matter of fact there are only two tables with occupants who are reading- that's the two med students on the couch area and myself. It was also a noisy Starbucks. Probably because it was small so the churning of the blenders is audible even from the far corner of the area. The music was loud. In general it was just really far from the Katipunan ambience which I really love.

5. I was very much entertained with my new magazine, straining my eyes and forcing my ears to shut off the buzzes and loud music.  I decided to rest my eyes for a few seconds so I did one of those occasional looking around and there it was. THE BIGGEST HELLO IN MY FACE- A NURSING STUDENT WAS TOTING THE EXACT BAG WHICH WAS SOLD OUT. She even sat on the table in front of me. I was cursing the whole time especially when I saw how pretty the bag is when it's outside the store (you know, eliminate store ambience to see the aesthetics of the bag). Well, I knew I was never gonna the bag so I went back to reading. I left minutes later and decided to go back to MFG.

6. Back in MFG I somehow wished another stock of the bag would appear and forced the sales lady to check again. hahahaha that was how far I'd go. She wouldn't remember me anyway. haha I thought I'd but the white version but it was the last piece and the stitches were worn out- probably a lot of people held it already. So I decided to drop it and forget about the bag.

7. Five pm came and I went to purchase my ticket. After that I bought take home dinner because I was too drained to cook. While waiting for the sisig from Gerry's, I got another text for an interview on Tuesday- that's later this afternoon by the way. hahaha I confirmed anyway even if it meant risking a cut-short vacation. I just said to myself 'Mahaba pa ang week. Bahala na si Lord.'

8. When I got home my brother told me he saw a multo (ghost) outside my room walking toward the sala. He saw it twice taht afternoon daw. The other time was while he was feeding Raffy, the shi tzu. I'M LIKE WTF DON'T SCARE THE HELL OUT OF ME. I was having goosebumps the whole time. My imagination was running wild.

9. Because of the multo, I prayed so hard before I went to sleep. I was curled up in one side of the big bed. I was so scared to spread my limbs (like I usually do) because I was so afraid to feel something. HAHAHA Slept at 1 am. I kept twisting and turning in that side of the bed. By 5 AM my eyes were wide open and I couldn't sleep. Literally gising na gising na ako. It was still dark so I decided to spend my time online in my room. I told myself I'd go out of the room when it's already daylight. I was even able to chat with my brother (who was at the other room lang haha). 

10. Now it's 9:30 AM, I already had breakfast and coffee. I am already sleepy. But I can't coz I have an interview this afternoon. I hope tonight I'll have a better sleep. Nothing happened last night. Maybe my prayers worked. I was busy praying I barely had time to sleep.

Whattaday diba? Just when I decided to take a vacation, these calls happen. Sabi nga ni Cheska 'Parang boys lang yan. You'll never know when the'll call.' hahaha I still consider them as blessings. Sino ba naman ako to not appreciate it diba? I just know things will work the way it has been planned for me. But I am sticking to the decision of pushing thru with my vacation- even if that meant letting opportunities pass. Because I think I really need this time to rethink things, reassess my goals and have some 'me' time first. Maybe it's just not for me. hehe

Yehey!

Lots of things I'm looking forward to! Here's a lowdown!

1. Vacation in Iloilo. I have always planned this and finally I'm pushing though with it. haha

2. Working on Ma'am Gamo's book. She's writing a new book and a few classmates and friends are helping her with it. I'm excited coz I'm pretty sure I'll learn a lot of things in the process.

3. New habit I'll be doing with Mom hehe

4. Plans with my mares.  Punky and I chatted earlier and we super wanna go out again with Oracle and friends. hehe Weng mentioned she'll be in QC for two weeks so we'll probably have dinner soon. yahooo!

5. I'm starting on my new collection- art and photog books. I'm excited to get my first one. They're quite pricey though- like at least 2000 each. So I guess it's gonna be a slow growing collection but I love it. haha

Another episode of...ANG TANONG!

Ahahaha natatawa naman ako sa title ko. Anyhooo, this time it's on a more serious note.

After reading a post from a college friend and fellow blogger Javidoods, I thought to myself talaga...WHY? So ang tanong ay...

Why do I want to get a great, high-paying and enjoyable job? Take note ha, not just high-paying...ENJOYABLE DAPAT. 

My reasons (superficial or otherwise) are as follows:

1. To finance my lifestyle. haha 

I like to describe my spending habit this way- I don't spend a lot all the time. I choose what to spend for. I'm more of a quality over quantity person when it comes to my things. But I have learned in my long shopping days to find cheap thrills and good buys as well. Most of my money goes to my family, friends and myself. I use my funds to 'build and strengthen relationships'.

I've been saving up for a DLSR since my Cybershot died months ago. Thank God I found sponsors for it. My mom's siblings in the States will be getting it for me since I won't be availing of their grad treat (trip to the USA haha parang raffle). It's coming in July. Mejo matagal pa pero kebs. Now my savings will be in tact. Hopefully it'll be enough to keep me afloat while I wait for THE job.

2. To be able to travel to the many places I want to visit. My top destination goals are Batanes (ang mahaaaal ng airfare via SEAIR haha), Villa Milagros in Cebu, and Hundred Islands in Pangasinan. Actually I want to visit a lot of places in the Philippines but these three are my top of mind destinations. Out of the country destinations include Paris, New York and Burobudur in Indonesia. hehe

3. To be able to give back more. 'Nuff said.

4. To retire early. hahaha How I wish I could 'live on interest' by age **. hahaha secreeeet! Baka ma jinx! 

5. To not feel like working at all. I want every working day something to look forward to. As many successful people say, do what you love and you won't be working at all.

Haaay, what's a girl to do? I just want to enjoy life. Can I get paid to do that? Please let me know. haha

Oh, which reminds me...someone already won the BEST JOB IN THE WORLD. Good for you Mister Ben Southall sir. YAY! Ako rin sana ganyan, kahit somewhere in the Philippines lang. hehe

Happy rainy vacation, y'all!

Crazy Topic Dump

ON SOME CRAZY ENCOUNTER...

Can I just say:

Ako'y naloka

Hinanap kita

Ngunit siya ang nakita

Kaloka diba?

AYAN, I'M SUPER SABAW. AHAHAHA 

ON THE UPCOMING VACATION (for real)...

Take me to Baguio friends! And I'll take you to Bicol. Yehey!

ON THIS RAINY DAY...

I've never been appreciative of the rain. Coz it's muddy. It ruins my shoes. And it's such a hassle to commute when it's raining. Today I SORT OF appreciate it kasi gosh ang init kaya ng summer na toh! Pero sort of lang kasi naman...I was wearing my new Hush Puppies Bayside driving shoes. I have been eyeing this pair for months but since I'm saving up for a camera, I never really entertained the thought of getting one. My dad got me these pair one random day at the mall. Niloko ko lang talaga siya saying 'Daddy, halika. Ganda oh, bagay sakin.' HAHA

Forgive the photo. It's nicer in real life haha

Anyhooo, back to my rainy kwento...I was wearing it today when I went to Shang with Mom and guess what, pauwi, mega ulan. nakakaloka. Natawa nalang daddy ko kasi inis na inis ako kasi nabasa. haha

ON GRADUATION PREPS...

Ang hirap maghanap ng grad outfit. hahaha Unlike the boys who have to wear a barong and then the usual slacks and black shoes, we girls have to find the perfect dress and the shoes to go with it. May guidelines pa na prescribed length, color and all that shizz. Bahala kayo. HAHAHA

I have a dress na. I had it made. Yun talaga inuna namin dati pa pero the shoes jusme. It took mom and I three days to find one. Kasi una ang hirap mag match ng color. Second, lahat ata ng babaeng bumili ay size 9, naubos na. Wala na for me. Third, hindi comfortable yung ibang shoes. Basta, hindi ko feel eh. Pero ayun okay naman today. Thank God.

Natatawa ako. I don't usually post a journal-ish blog. Pero nahawa ata ako kay Erielle. HAHAHA

Snippity snappity boom!

Snippets of my recent thoughts and encounters:

1. According to showbiz talk shows, you either have a booming career or a blooming love life. Mahirap bang mamili? hahaha What would you pick?

2. A few days ago, I had this conversation with an orgmate.

 J.B. (4/10/2009 1:53:09 AM): ate may tanong ako.... masama bang magsabi sa crush (or ex-crush) na crush (or naging crush) mo siya? 

O diba? How intriguing? haha Katawa talaga. SI J.B. nga pala ay hindi si JB de Hoya. Initials lang yung JB.

Anyhoo, try mo ngang sagutin!

3. Got this quote from Ate Carms' multiply blog. (fyi: Ate Carms is an ABAM alumni. She was the HR VP during my trans process hehe)

"I believe in happy endings...if it's not happy now, then it's not yet the end..."

True true. 

4. Ghad di pa ako nakaka bakasyon as in for real. I wanna get away from it all! haha I'm ecxited for the Bicol trip with Isadora and other friends. Who wants to come? 6k- airfare, butanding dive and pocket money. Food and place is on me yo! 

5. Graduation...16 days! Gotta find the perfect grad shoes. hehe

How are things goin on your side of the world?

Say Goodbye Now

It may be broken but it keeps beating just the same.
hahaha What a way to end the year, noh?

Anyhooo,

Happy New Year Loves! New year, new start!

Fixation

Lately I've been fixated on a couple of things. Some brought about by stress, the others by sheer love for shopping.

1. Boracay - I am dying to go back to this place. huhuhu I'm so sick of Metro Manila, I need a quick escape. Do you need a quick escape too?

Photo from Flickr by Oliver Tam. Location: Discovery Shores, Boracay

2. Louis Vuitton- This brand is a killer. It's been heavily discussed last week in my Global Marketing class and even before that, my professor would mention it as an example from time to time.

These are my personal favorites.

The LV Mahina XXL in Grey which goes around $4,210 or Php 190 000.
And the Monogram Mini Lin Croisette which is at $1,680 , roughly Php 76,000.


Nakakaloka. Maybe in 10 years,I'll have one. HAHA

3. New round toe pumps. Or shoes in general. - I've always been in love with shoes.
These two pairs are from Missoni, each costs about Php 15, 000.
Of course I'm not spending 15k on a pair of shoes (for now?). Maybe something close to the designs will do. Seeing pretty shoes remind me of Ms. Chin. She always wears pretty shoes. That's what I look forward to every time we have class. Well, she failed to wear something nice once. It was a pair of black thick-strapped sandals that looked below 'nice'. I was sad that day coz her shoes were bad. HAHA (Ms. Chin, I know you 'google' yourself sometimes. Sorry but you don't deserve that hideous pair.)

And finally, fourth: Love. Always have, always will.

yeeeeeech, senti. hahaha

I'll bring you to Ilocos Ü

As I got to my bus seat, Bee and I caught glances and I just had to say

"Weekend's over."

* * *

The trip was really fun but it could have been folds better if the people I miss were there with me. As I looked through the window while the bus made its way to the NLEX, I kept on 'dreaming' what it'd be like if Fa was with us. If Migs tagged along or if Raish came. Or if Andy surprised me at the terminal. But nonetheless, it was a superb trip with Bee, Emm, Ram, Jewel, Olga, Cancan, Panx, Marianne, and Ali! :D

Here's a lowdown on my Ilocos trip. :)

Finding my heart inside the huge kiln and among the clouds

Shopping in Calle CrisologoBeing one with art

Rocking Juan Luna's house with my 171 friendsclimbing all the climb-ablesfulfilling my (light house) dreamcelebrating freedom and happiness

and of course, remembering people who are truly missed.

(on the wall of the huge kiln)

So I guess my missed people are in perfect attendance afterall. ;)

Hurray Hurray

PIECES

I think it's amazing when we find ourselves facing someone without feeling anything AT ALL. They're the people who make us go jell-O when we see them even from afar. I think the feeling is still there but this time i knew very well that it is better this way, that it isn't working for me and for the other party as well. Yay, I'm happier, I guess.

HAVE YOU HEARD?
The ultimate fashyon series comes back with an uber bongga episode! Now that B and S are totally back, it is indeed going to be a great summer. And welcome the new bitch y'all. Watch Episode 14 to get the latest buzz in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. xoxo.

SPOTTED
Might as well make use of the GG hormones. Richard Gomez was in school today. He is enrolled in the UP Open University and is currently taking his CWTS units in the College of Arts and Letters. I am not a big fan but howell, we ran into him one too many times today and in the coming days, fo sho. Some kolehiyalas mustered courage and talked to him, asked for photos (Anabee and I saw them while walking to grab food at KATAG). Our classes end at the same time so as we were walking out of the building, a bunch of students kept sticking with him wherever he went. I mean, hello? I really think they just want to be affiliated with Richard. It's funny, how they follow him around. HAHAHAHA He walked to the faculty parking and hopped into his light blue Jaguar. ohkamown! foyn foyn foyn, nangaasar ka ba? try mo mag limousine minsan ok? Anabee, Emm, Arlo and I walked past his car, in the middle of the road. He didn't blow his horn, thank God. First, because he is a public figure. Second, because he is in a school zone. And third, because naka Jaguar siya at nakakahiyang magbusina sa UP when you are in a Jaguar. Tomorrow we'll see him again. Oh, did i tell you he can be seen from our classroom window? hahaha choz!

EXCITEMENT
I am excited about
(1) my Art Studies trip to Ilocos. I've never been there so I am so thrilled. And of course, authentic ilocos empanada and BAGNET! I swear I'll bring home bagnet. Lots of it.haha Also, we're allowed to bring friends! Mareng FA showed great interest in it. Also Andy. If every BA classmate brings a BA friend, it's gonna be a happy trip. yey!

(2) My summer vacation when summer term ends. Most probably in Bicol. First would be a 10 hour trip by land to the beautiful city of Naga. A great thing about Naga's 'bayan' is that it's small so you won't really need to ride jeeps or tricycles.
From the hotel, we'd always walk to the restaurants to eat our meals. And on our way back, we never fail to drop by the plaza to buy balut for my brother Joop. He loves balut and gets to eat it only when he's 'on vacation'. I am also gonna get to eat at my favorite resto in Naga, The Red Platter. It's tradition- when in Naga, must eat at least once at the Red Platter. It's sort of a finer version of Gerry's here in Manila.
Plus we just might go wake boarding which I am dying to try. Then off to a three hour road trip to Sorsogon where endless beach trips and eating will happen. (Oh no.) I think I want a tan. Actually, not a tan. Just a pretty golden tint and some pink 'burnt' cheeks before I get back to school.

I used to hate it when I get dark because of swimming. But when I got older, I realized after a few weeks, you actually go back to your original color so whatthehell. Enjoy the beach. When not satisfied, buy papaya soap. hahahaha

(3) My birthday, which I have no idea what's gonna happen because I still do not know where I'll spend it.

(4) And of course, my last year in college. Ought to be the best.


Cheers to today's happy thoughts! ♥

* * *

This is technically my 100th post. Woopeeeedooo! If you take a closer look at the sidebar, there are actually 97 posts. The 'missing' entries are entries I just wrote for myself, just so I have some place to keep it.

Back from PlanSem

March 27-31, 2008
Things I will not forget about PlanSem:
1. The beautiful place

2. The bathrooms na ibang style ang pag flush. haha

3. The long arguments (hanggang 2 AM)

4. Agawan sa PSP

5. Caloi and Ace tandem

6. The hot weather kaya outdoor breakfast and lunch (and sometimes outdoor discussions)

7. "Tim" day

8. Adventure with Weng and Elai in search of a Sunday mass

9. Night swimming on the last day

10. Shooting star while swimming! with Weng, Faith, Elai, Jeni, Emm.

11. Weng's birthday

12. RHETT'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE NA SUUUUPER KILIG, DI KO KINAYA! He drove all the way to Laguna alone to surprise Weng for her birthday at 12 midnight by the pool. Weng was waiting for his phone call thinking Rhett was in Manila studying for accouting. He called tapos when Weng asked where he is, he wasn't answering. Weng's back was facing us so di niya nakita na si Rhett nasa poolside na with us then he greeted Happy Birthday from behind. OMG nakakalokaaaa kinilig kami sa moment. We love you, Weng! I bet yun wish mo sa shooting star. weee!

13. 'rock climbing' before we go home.

14. Ganda ng van namin pauwi. hahahahaha and Kuya is super bait. Boracay na next time! wooot!

15. syempre, si GIZMO.♥ ♥ ♥ And Ex-Senator Serge Osmeña who dropped by to visit the ABAM plansem. big time noh? weeeeh!

Plans, plans and plans

I super want to go out of Luzon with my friends this summer. And being the excited person that I am, I started searching for the best deals for air fares, accommodations and fun activities. YAY! I think it is natural for any BA student to do this. Least cost, same fun activities, winning destination, diba? (cough*Pineda*cough)

Top destinations in our list would be:
1. Dumaguete
2. Bohol
3. Puerto Princesa, Palawan


I have actually started saving up already. And I have also started to lightly mention this to my friends so that they can start saving up as well. Maybe around Php 7- 10,000 will do? I think it's enough for at least a 3 day vacation.

Oh well, if all else fails, *crosses fingers; hopes that everything works out right*, we can just hop on a bus to Sorsogon and visit the butadings.

P.S.
Nica Yan and Raisia, sama kayo. :)