People we can smile about

I love it when people do their job right. I remember one of the things Mr. Jim Lafferty taught us. 

If you accept a job, do it properly. You have no right to complain because no one forced you to accept it.

Today I was at the mall again. I planned this day to be the second leg of my shopping 'spree' as well as a salon day. I googled for salons in Trinoma and found one with so much rave so I got excited to try it. (more of this later)

It was a normal day except for 4 people who made an impression.

Landmark Lady

It was a windy morning and the sun was shining. I got off the FX and crossed the street from McDonalds to the entrance of TriNoMa. I was beside this lady in uniform. Being the mall rat that I am, I recognized she works in Landmark because of her uniform.  While we crossed the street, she looked at me and said 'maki payong ka, mainit eh.' I smiled and said 'ay, sige okay lang. (I meant it's fine, I can deal with the sun) She stood beside me and shared her umbrella. A few steps later the wind blew the umbrella and it flipped. So she had to close it. It was fine coz we were really near the entrance so we wouldn't need it anyway. I said thank you and then she walked briskly to Landmark.

WWF Volunteer

I walked around and checked different stores when I passed by the booth of the World Wildlife Fund. This bubbly girl approached me and said 'Hi, Sorry to bother you but don't worry, I'm not selling anything. I just need two minutes of your time to save the Earth.' I smiled and said 'Meron na ako nyan.' She replied 'Oh, you signed up already. Great!' Tapos nag high five pa siya. hahaha Well, I feel bad coz really I didn't sign up for WWF. I confused it kasi with Green Peace so I blurted out I already have that. Not that I have Green Peace also but my mom and brother has so I think it's transitive. haha Sorry! next time I'll sign up na. hehe What amazed me was she was so enthusiastic about the job. Kita mo talaga na she has this will to really help save the Earth.

No Curfew Man

I visited No Curfew also because I have been eyeing their Lego watches for a very long time. I decided to check it out. Sakto naman, this guy was fixing the Lego shelf so I asked him how much, if they have the connectable watches, etc. He was very generous with his time. I really appreciated it. I hate it when the store people treat you depending if you look like you're a buyer or just someone looking around. To add to that, he was also cute! yehey!

The Cut Master

I was originally scheduled to get my haircut done by Mr. Narry of  Acqua Salon in Trinoma. The receptionist told me to come back after 30 minutes. Well, I came back at a latter time so there was a client who was scheduled next for Mr. Narry already. I signed up anyway since I really wanna try the salon. A lady entered and was greeted by the receptionist. Turns out she was another senior stylist in the salon. I was told she was gonna do my hair. It was fine with me but it made me just a little sad because in the blog I read while searching for a salon, the writer was all praises for Narry. Anyhooo, I still went with the haircut. Ms. Tessa was very nice, she assessed my haircut and said the layers were to high for my wavy hair. She even asked where I got my haircut. So ayun she sort of critiqued the cut, gave me tips to keep it tamed but still low maintenance. While cutting my hair, I felt she really knows what she's doing. She was very careful with the cuts, she even demonstrated how the layers should look. Her assistant, the one who shampooed and blow dried my hair was also very nice to me. She's ma-chika in a good way. Basta, kakatuwa. hehe I think I'll bring my mom there in July.

Wrap up! Here's what I think about these people. They all did their jobs pretty well and I am so glad there are people who really do what they're supposed to- and they do it gladly. Service beyond expectation- literally. 

Soul Searching

Maybe I'll leave for a few weeks. Just to find myself. Just to see what I really want to do. I have too many dreams that I hope to fulfill. I know some would say I am still young and still have a lot of time to achieve my dreams. Yeah, I think so too. My problem is where do I start?

I want to help now. I want to touch lives now. But I want to work on my own life too. i want to be stable so that I can focus all my efforts in helping others. I want to teach in super poor areas. Be an inspiration to poor kids. I'll share a secret with you. I am secretly hoping that one day there will be a teaching program for non-education graduates. I believe non-Educ graduates like me can very well teach kids in pre-school and elementary. Not just some org outreach event or a college immersion thingy. I want something that involves people who share the same passion for teaching and giving back. Accoridng to the law, you can't teach (except in the college level) unless you are a graduate (and board passer) in Education. (Not the exact words of the law but gets?) There is so much scarcity of teachers- why not give others a chance to teach? I feel this way every time I watch documentaries about poor communities in the barrios. Sometimes they don't even have books. And there was one barrio which had only one teacher. I envision the program as something like a one year volunteer work where young people like me would be sent to chosen provinces to teach for a year. Every year, delegates are sent to these barrios. Each volunteer has the option to stay in the place to continue teaching (and be a mentor to everyone), move to a different assignment, or come back to the city and pursue his profession. 

My heart breaks to see people who want to study but are unable to do so. Haaay. 

When I was a kid, I was so sure I wanted to become a teacher. Then I changed my mind coz I knew I won't be rich by becoming a teacher. I have to admit I still cannot imagine living a non-lavish life. Maarte pa rin ako. I want my own car (with a driver pa nga sana), my dream house in a prime lot in Manila, a farm or beach house, pretty shoes and bags. I still dream of traveling around the world whenever I please. I still imagine being very rich. But I believe the very reason for wanting to be rich is not the dream house, nor the car, nor the pretty shoes. I believe it's about being able to help more people. Oh well, maybe childhood dreams are the most genuine dreams after all. 

P.S.

If God has WiFi and can read this right now, I hope he sends me answers. I hope he sends me opportunities that will lead me in achieving all these. And if you're close to God, please tell him about me.

THE Louis Vuitton

I was scouring shoe stores in TriNoMa yesterday when I chanced upon a woman probably in her golden years in the store Dumond. She looked really sosyal, complete with a casual preppy get up (probably a normal shopping day outfit for her), make up and well groomed hair. She had her Louis Vuitton Speedy on her arm and was looking at some pairs on the rack. As I moved around I heard her say to the saleslady 'Ang luwag. Meron bang size 6? Ang ganda (sa paa) oh.' Then she glanced at me. I smiled at her, sort of saying I agree that the shoes look lovely on her. She continued 'Napaka sosyal. Sigurado ka bang eight thousand toh? Baka naman six lang?' Then  we laughed again. I left the store as she continued to appreciate the shoe on her foot. I was so happy to actually see her shop. I'm glad not all LV owners are matapobre. This lady actually qualifies as the real LV lady for me. Defined as: a person who has earned the years and status of a Louis Vuitton. I hate to see just anyone carrying an LV around- que fake or real- basta LV. Meron kasing mga taong hindi talaga bagay mag LV.

Like me...Aside from the money, I recognize that I do not have the right to lug around an LV because I do not live the LV lifestyle yet. AYOKONG MAGING POSER. I will wear the brands I can afford simply because it won't look fake on me. Kawawa naman yung mga tunay na LV kung mapagkakamalan na fake sakin diba. hehehe

So in summary... I think it's all about humility. Wag kang mayabang porke may Louis Vuitton ka na. Alalahanin mo, hindi lahat ng mayaman naka Louis Vuitton. At hindi lahat ng naka Louis Vuitton ay mayaman. I love that lady talaga- she's such a funny, sosyal, down-to-earth lady. I will make my mother a cool lola like her. YAHOOO!

Hayun lang...just another 'thinking aloud' thingy for me.

Survey from Friendster

GHAD YES, I have a Friendster account. hahaha Once again I am bored. I actually have a few kwentos but that'd be for the next posts nalang.

* * *

Don`t you hate waking up to a phone ringing?

- It depends on who's calling or if the call interrupts a really good dream. haha

Who`s better: Luigi or Mario?

- Mario...coz the game's named after him. haha

Are you scared of flying?

- Nope! I love traveling and flying's part of that. 

Do you get bored easily?

- It super depends.

What colour is the computer you`re using?

- black and silver

Do you spend money too often or are you really stingy?

- I spend it wisely.

What was the last thing you ate / drank?

- Chukie chocolate drink and Burger Machine from Jom

Does it bug you when people go 'Mhm' all the time when you`re talking?

- Not really. It depends on how often he goes mmm...

Who was the last person you hugged?

- Julian, my cute pamangkin

Do you know anybody who you secretly hate but pretend to like?

- maybe...yeah, i think we all have people we love/hate/love. hahaha

What`s a book that you strongly recommend?

- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

What can you hear right now?

- SNN on TV

Do you always go 'What happened to your hair?' to people who`ve had it cut?

- Nope. I usually say 'Naks, new hair! Bagay!'

How many people do you have on your MSN / AIM contact list?

- I don't have an msn/aim account.

Did you ever have to make beanbag frogs in Home Economics?

- Nope.

Don`t you just hate visitors who won`t leave?

- Yeah, if they are disturbing me. hehe

Do you prefer taking surveys or making them?

- Taking!

What`re you really looking forward to right now?

- dinner tomorrow with some friends. Going home to Iloilo (sana). And then Lola's arrival next month.

What did the last text you received say?

- from mom..."ok"

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

- Batanes and New York. GHAD SWINE FLU. WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GET IN THE WAY?

Have you ever camped out in your garden?

- unintentionally...at the garage. I left my keys inside the house.

If you see bats, do you think they`ll get stuck in your hair?

- ANO DAW?

What do you do when you get really worried?

- I pray to Bro. hehe

Do you have a messy bedroom?

- Yah. But I really try to keep it neat and livable. 

How long does it take for you to get to sleep at night?

- A few minutes.

What was the last thing you bought?

- A super cute bronze colored skirt.

What colour is the bin in your room?

- White

What`s a song that can always make you happy no matter what?

- Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton is always a good choice. You give me something by James Morrison makes me giddy and kilig all the time. <3

What expression do you have on your face the most?

- Erm, I dunno.

Do you like stickers or stamps more?

- Stickers

Is it your birthday soon?

- just finished.

Do you like fireworks and sparklers?

- YES! I love them!

Find me

Ever felt like you're changing into someone you don't know? I just did. I found myself wanting to change how I dress up, how I look, everything I can imagine to change - I wanted to change. I don't know why. Maybe I wanted to change because of someone. Hoping I'd be a better candidate. Unfortunately there are no slots available right now. So I told myself to give it two years. I hope it pays off. For now, I think I'll continue this change. Maybe it's exactly what I need.

And oh! I failed to find something similar to the shoes I wanted. Haaaaay. I shall find other ways to get one though. It's part of THE Change. HAHA