Watch up?

Do you remember your first watch? What's the story behind it?

I still remember my first watch. If I remember it correctly, my parents got it for me while we were on a vacation in Cebu when I was a kid. I got to pick the design. Because I was a kid back then, I picked Mickey Mouse. It had a round gold case with Mickey on the dial and a thin tan leather stap. I remember wearing it even at home because it I love it so much! hahaha

something like this

I got another watch from my Ninang. Also Mickey. It was silver rectangular dial with dark plum leather strap.

something like this

Then my parents got me another watch. This time it's digital. It was a Winnie the Pooh necklace watch where you swing the pot of 'hunny' to show the digital screen. It was a reward for being a good student.

They discouraged me to get digital watches because they wanted me to learn reading the analog properly. Glad I obeyed! Ever since then I looove analog watches. So classic and 'intelligent'. haha

After that I had a yellow Swatch watch which can double as a stopwatch too! Looove it! It's from Auntie Beng, my mom's sister. Then Lola also gave me my first metal watch. I think it was Citizen but I lost it in school some years later.

Dad's brother Tito Gerry made me love watches even more. He always brings us (my cousins and I) Swatch watches! I really get excited when he tells me he's coming home for a visit because I know I'll be getting a new watch.

Because my brother Jom is picky with watches, he didn't like the leather Fossil watch Tito Gerry gave him. It was oversized and not bagay so my brother gave it to me. What he wants is an average sized metal watch. So Two Christmases ago I bought him a watch because Timex had a promo. I got the same watch too, only mine had a white dial, his was black. It's our default watch now.

And then my brother Joop was given a Lego watch by Auntie Beng and didn't like it also. (He was young that time. Wala pa siyang taste haha) So I 'borrowed' it indefinitely. Now he claims it's his but never really took it from me. It's one of my favorite watches!!! Lots of people said 'Cute, mukhang Lego' and then I'd surprise them by saying "It's Lego!" Then I start disintegrating the pieces. hahaha

My actual Lego Traveler Watch

My latest watch was a graduation gift from Lola. I love it but haven't really worn it much. Once palang yata, during Chloe's debut.

I guess I'll never get tired of watches. It reminds me of how valuable time is. Ika nga ni Kris Allen 'live like we're dying'.

Mental note to self: find all watches (incuding Mickey mouse!) when I go home next month. And replace straps of all old Swatch watches. Will start my serious collecting of watches. :) Not bags and shoes because they wear out easily. Watches. :)

Tawa ka nalang :)

I woke up to the sound of raindrops. LOVE! It's actually the first time I didn't complain about the rain. I was scheduled to buy groceries so on a normal day, I would have been pissed that it's raining but we need rain and I prayed that it rains soon so yey! Not just me. As a matter of fact when I heard mass at Quiapo last Wednesday, the priest led a prayer for rain. So glad it was answered!

Anyway, so I went to SM to get some groceries because dad is arriving on Sunday. On my way home, I dropped by Starbucks because I've been craving for caramel frappuccino for two weeks and I knew I just need to get one. While waiting in line I decided to do something just for kicks. When it was my turn to order, the male barista asked for my name. I said 'Ruffa'. Yes as in Ruffa Gutierrez because of the recent award winning news of her walk out. hahaha

The barista smiled as he scribbled my name on the cup. The other guy who was on the counter said to me 'Your bill is 135 Ruffa'. I couldn't stop grinning THE WHOOOLE TIME. Barista 1 obviously noticed and said 'Parang ang saya saya mo ngayon Ruffa ah'. In my mind I wanted to say 'Shempre noh bati na kami ni Kris. love love love!' But I was alone so wala akong lakas ng loob to do it. I just said 'haha wala lang' (still smiling but trying hard not to. haha)

The girl who prepared my frap called out 'One grande caramel prappuccino for Ru...Ruffa' hahahaha natigilan? nakakaloka! HAHAHA So there, I had fun! Next time I'll do a Sam and Piolo with some friends. I heard that story before. Some guys used Sam and Piolo for their drinks and then the other people inside Starbucks went looking for Sam and Piolo. HAHAHA LOOOOVE! Or maybe Juday-Gladys, or MARA- CLARA, or AGUA-BENDITA.

Flashback: In the spirit of Ruffa-Kris eksena, I remember doing a Kris in Starbucks Intramuros. It was a spur of the moment road trip after ABAM induction. Went there with Caloi, Tim, Ace, Jam, Aldren and Elai.

That time the McDo 'deal or no deal' ad of Kris just launched. The barista suggested a lot of drinks to us and when we finally placed our orders, he asked me something (I can't recall) basta I replied 'DEAAAAAL' with matching 'damoves' (in picture). Tawa kami ng tawa pati mga barista. hahahaha

Hope you had a good laugh today! :)

Because they need us

I am happy to announce the second project: BACK TO SCHOOL! (no official title yet but we don't really make titles. But if we're doing this every year, we should make one. And maybe a Yahoo group haha)

I've started asking for support from friends for this one. It'll be bigger and better! We're reaching out farther- this time to our Aeta fellowmen. So happy more people are interested this time. I really hope we're more prepared this time- in logistics and donations.

photo from hometownboy.files.wordpress.com

Friends who are graduating and have no plans of working immediately also pledged support to the project. YEHEY! I know these projects are all 'cash outflow' but really, there's nothing more fulfilling than giving hope to others.

And like they say, share your blessings to receive more blessings. Good karma diba? If you're interested, in cash or in kind, let me know! Thanks!

Where: Most probably in Pampanga

When: May 2010, after elections para iwas gulo

What: BACK TO SCHOOL! Let's paint their rooms, chat with the kids and inspire them, and give them school kits!

3 P's TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT:

PERA. Donate cash in any amount. Cash donations will be pooled to purchase paints, paint rollers, mechanical pencil sharpeners, and canvass bags for the kids.

PANAHON. Be a volunteer! If you have a car and you're willing to drive, we will be forever grateful! Or if you wanna join us, be with the kids, or paint the rooms, GAME NA! Remember, in the absence of private transpo, you must be willing to take the bus, the jeep, or even ride the carabao. Fun noh?

PANGANGAILANGAN. Donate in kind! You can donate old but still usable school books, kids encyclopedias, flash cards. You may also give pencils, erasers, art materials, pads, pens, products from your company (yes! shampoos, toothpaste, soaps, milk, crackers, juice drinks, chips, cupcakes, etc!)

INTERESTED? email me or leave a comment here! Let's go Team Friends! hahaha tumi-team? kalowka. Will email this after I've confirmed with the school. :)

Re previous post

Yesterday I spent the whole day being with friends. Lunch with Dianne, checked out ABAM's event and then dinner with my groupie loves. It was amazing!

* * *

Sometime this afternoon I had a conversation with a friend and this person made a comment comparing me to one of our friends too. (Won't use he or she coz it'll be pretty easy to figure out haha)

Anyway, friend said "Ikaw, anong ginagawa mo? Nagso-soul searching ka ba? Para kang si *insert common friend's name*"

It came as nega to me (mamatay na lahat ng nega hahaha) because this friend was sort of implying na wala akong ginagawa in my life. Dude kung alam mo lang. Ang saya ko. Una-una lang yan. Kung busy ka ngayon at ako hindi, pasensyahan tayo. Dadating rin ako sa point na busy ako. But one thing's for sure I am busy.

Busy enjoying the benefits of my job. Imagine spending time with your family, friends and with yourself? Imagine taking a break if you want to. Imagine doing everything else that you like because your work allows you to do so.

This friend even said 'Wala ka bang balak ipractice yung inaral mong field?' Definitely I have plans to be in the field of business. I am in the field of business. Just not the same industry as yours.

OKAY ENOUGH SAID.

That's the 'problem' with the way our school reared us. Everyone expects that after school, you'd enter law school or the corporate world- banking, finance, consumer goods. Anything outside that, outlier ka, wala kang plano sa buhay. BS. And for that alone, I appreciate Ateneo's way of rearing business students to have an entrepreneurial mindset. Ateneo entrep mindset+ UP CBA culture + UP campus = perfect. Maybe in the future.

YUNG TOTOO?

Me.

Dude, it's not that I'm doing nothing. You're just doing too much.

You

Tried explaining above statement but am too tired from an amazing Saturday so will kwento when I wake up. Or maybe, I'll just kwento in person. haha

*photos from Google search