The Whirlwind That's December

It's the last day of sweet November, and already I'm beginning to feel that pleasant jolt of anticipation for what will always be the merriest month of 'em all - December.

Some things am gonna be writing about soon:
1. A long-overdue reunion with my college 'kada
2. SAQM-QPM Workshop and Planning Session
3. An upcoming double-birthday celebration
4. SAQM-QPM Mini Christmas Party and Kris Kringle galore
5. SMART PSG Christmas Party 2008 (Theme: Hollywood Awards Night)
6. SMART Christmas Party 2008
7. Last-minute Christmas shopping and splurges
8. Christmas lunch, and
9. Everything and anything else in between - planned or otherwise.

Wow, it's really gonna be a busy month but am looking forward to it. Besides, making the most of the last month of the year is a good closure before the New Year sets in. Oh, and speaking of the new year, I can't wait to start using my Belle de Jour 2009 Power Planner (Which I just got last Wednesday via courier, by the way.) It's my first time to actually buy a BDJ Planner, and it's true what they say that it is LOADED with freebies, discount coupons, and everything else that's of great help to today's modern chic (Like me? Haha!) I am sooo loving it! ^_^

Oohh, it's a long weekend by the way. My Christmas gift for my parents will be coming in in a few hours. It's gonna be one unconventional gift but I’m pretty sure they'll love it. Maybe I'll blog about it next time.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend y'all! ^_^

The Heart Of The Matter

Tonight felt as if it was the longest night of my life...

Though the details are very personal, still admitting how much I've hurt my parents tonight seemed like a first step towards my humbling and the road back to forgiveness - from myself and, most especially, from my parents.

For a while, seating there all guilty and shameful with my eyes drilling holes on the floor, I was prepared to accept their punishment - physical or otherwise. In fact, in the midst of that heavy and dreadful silence, my mind was already madly wondering where I'd run to, should I face disownment from my dad. I tried to keep my resolve, and for a while I was successful. That is, until I looked up to them and then my fragile resolve crumbled. I neither saw condemnation nor hate in their tearful eyes; there was only explicit sadness brought by the realization that I wasn't exactly the person they'd hoped for me to be. There were no words of hate nor physical assault. There were just my parents' eyes full of pained sadness, especially my dad's. But at the end of it all, they were still willing to give me a shot. One last chance. As for forgiveness and healing, I know it'll take some time but I love my parents and am willing to do anything just to help my family move on and recover from this entire ordeal. I know it's way stupid of me, but tonight I've never been more thankful to God for the loving parents He has blessed my life with.

Santa Baby...

Think of all the fun I’ve missed,
Think of all the fellows I haven’t kissed
Next year I could be just as good
If you check off my Christmas list

(Marilyn Monroe)

This is that particular time of the year when people start coming up with their very own Christmas wish list. I’ve read more than a dozen blogs about the stuff that they would want to receive for the holidays, ranging from cool electronic gadgets and expensive hobby and sporting goods to the latest fashion trends and vacation sprees down to something as basic as world peace.

This time, I’m gonna do something that’s a little different than the usual Christmas lists of most people; I’m writing down my Christmas wish list – not for me nor my family (Since mine is gonna be something that’s a little too personal to share) – but for my dear friends and colleagues with whom I’ve had the privilege to share the colorful year that was.

Cassey - A Mango shopping spree. Not that she needed any more clothes in her closet, though; but with her current dating status, an entire new wardrobe may just come in extra handy.

Mike - 3 mobile phones with all 3 network providers. With the way this dude's been MIA-ing on me and Cassey, he needs some serious strategy on keeping in-touch. Hahaha! Miss you Mike! ^_^

Christian - Now what could I possibly wish for a dude who's got practically everything??? Well, he's about to venture into business and attend graduate school at the same time so I guess my wish for him would be to come out with flying colors in both fields.

Sam - Oh seriously! This dude's gotta have some serious hobby on top of work, blogging, and you-know-who; something he's as passionate and enthusiastic about besides the three things I’ve mentioned.

Gail - I miss hanging out with this bratinella and kikay classmate of mine in graduate school. I wish for her a healthy and bouncing first-born that's a little less pasaway as its pretty young momma.

Ryh - A panther black car with a sleek black tint and hefty tons of fuel to hit the road and go places baby!

Jen - A house and lot with ample garden space for her nephews and nieces to play and rumble about. Oh, and a decade's supply of fish tofu! ^_^

Sab - a shiny shiny diamond ring for Pocaw!

Jackie - A culinary arts diploma and to be the author of her very own cookbook. Oh, and I’m a VERY willing taste tester!

Irene - A wedding in Vegas! But who's going to play groom? Hmm... Last time I check it's gonna be Allan, but now I’m not so sure. Tsk! Tsk!

Cristy - Am I really allowed to post it here?!?

Tintoots - For the shutterbug in you, a Nikon D700 complete wit lens kit is the sweetest gift this Christmas.

Romina - Minapye, go give yourself some piece of mind. THAT FREAKIN' LOUIS VUITTON BAG IS JUST DEFINITELY FOR YOU!

Mela - Her knight-in-shining-whatever, period.

Teng - Uhh... My boss seemed to have everything quite literally. But now that I think about it, it would be nice for Baby Johann to have a playmate, say, a new baby girl?

Cathy - A weight gain program that ACTUALLY works!

Lily - I know how she loves to strut and groove to RnB, so I thought it would be nice to have teacher Jorcel as her very own personal dance instructor.

Yang - I want nothing more for this hott young momma but to see her name in broadsheet one morning and finally get to address her as Attorney Diana Yague.

Rhyza - Hey, I’m still waiting for that scented white envelope with the artsy cardboard that has my name written on it as one of your secondary sponsors. Miss you lab!

Bodjie - A month-long vacay to Japan. That should tame his, err, inner ninja. (Ano daw?!)

Richmond - A dinner date with Nicole Linkletter. Awww!

Eric – This dude is in bad need of a videoke set!

Vic – An understanding and thoughtful girlfriend who will love the DLSU Green Archers (Go La Salle!) and Boston Celtics as much as this dude does. (Uhmm... Any Sporty Spice in the house?!?)

Kim - A girlfriend who's gotta love dogs, by the way, ‘coz this dude's planning on giving his future gf one to take care of. (Calling all single ladies out there!)

Well, there you have it – one unconventional Christmas wish list. It’s all for fun, but it would be extra sweet if everything I’ve hoped for for my friends would come true. As for my own wish list, well… I do have a few things in mind that I’d love to receive this Christmas. After all, I’ve been nice (And just a bit of naughty) this year so I do hope Santa will bring me my wish on Christmas Day.

Happy Holidays y'all! ^_^

In The 'Twilight' Zone

I was originally supposedly on Sick Leave due to an almost intolerable attack of cramps and low sugar brought about by my monthly period this morning, so mom said that it would be wise to just stay at home and give my system some rest. Some time after lunch I learned that my parents will be going to SM Mall of Asia to go on a 'date' (Yes, after 26 years of marriage my parents are still at it!) so they asked what I wanted for pasalubong. I innocently asked whatever they'll be watching a flick on the big screen (I was 101% sure a date to the movies it's gonna be.) and they said they’ll see if anything good’s showing at the box office.

Me: Twilight!!!
Mom: Maganda ba talaga?
Me: Well, top grosser siya on its opening week, $170M ‘ata, second yung James Bond.
Mom: Ah so gusto mo sumama? Oh eh pano dysmenorrhea mo? Baka pag sumumpong yan ma-low sugar ka na naman?
Me: Ehhh.. That's what mefenamic acid is for naman eh.
Dad: Isama na natin. At tsaka uupo lang naman siya sa sinehan. Parang di mo kilala anak mo - Shoe Mart lang pang-alis ng sakit nyan...

End of discussion.

And so I get to score another free movie, playing third wheel on my parents' supposed movie date! Woohoo!

So what's the verdict on what could be the last and one of the most anticipated movie of 2008? Well, let me put it this way - at least there were moments in the movie that made me laugh (Mostly Edward Cullen's scenes, of course.), unlike the book that nearly bored me to death. As for the characters, Edward's was given justice plus Robert Pattinson’s acting holds a lot of promise for a newbie (Well, not exactly a newbie since we've all seen him do his stint as the tragic Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.). As for Kristen Stewart who plays the role of Bella Swan, hers was just okay I guess. On a more technical aspect, it was my mom who commented on the lack of artistic cinematography of the movie, that which is most prominent in the ranks of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. But on a more positive note, I'd prefer watching the motion picture adaptation of Stephanie Meyer’s bestseller over the paperback ANYTIME. Overall, I guess the movie did, well… just okay. (No questions asked in terms of profit because last time I checked, the flick’s doing REALLY good in tinseltown.)

If I were you, don't take my word for it and experience the movie for yourself. After all, in the end it all boils down to expectations, personal taste and a bit of fanaticism when it comes to enjoying movies like this - movie buff or otherwise.

Go get 'em a bucketful of popcorn and enjoy!

^_^

Indulgences On A Saturday

(This is actually a catch-up post.)

I was sorely craving for Kapampangan food AGAIN last weekend, so I decided to treat my folks at Cabalen in SM Mall of Asia. Food galore it was, considering the buffet setup (Which left very little room for my usual food photo ops, by the way.) that got the rest of my family going through a variety of authentic Pampanga foods - the likes of Beringhe (Pampanga’s version of Paella) and Ginataang Kuhol (Snails cooked in coconut milk.) – plus a bit of Asian food that’s been a recent addition to the menu (They now serve Jap and Thai dishes like Crabstick/Shrimp Tempura, California Maki, and Pad Thai, among others.) I was already half-full by the end of my first plate. Come my second turn, I had Crispy Kangkong, a mix of green mangoes and tomatoes, Boiled Okra and Native Vinegar with Labuyo, plus lots of Crabstick Tempura with matching tempura sauce. (Hehe, I know I shouldn’t be dwelling too much on the seafood but allow me just a bit of indulgence even for just a day.) But the best part of the meal was dessert – Minatamisang Saging, Leche Flan, Pineapple Gelatin, Pichi-Pichi, and – now this is the best part – concocting my own version of Halo-halo! Sarap!!! My mom, who hails from Concepcion, Tarlac, was explaining to my dad that this is how it would be like to visit a fiesta in Pampanga. Like I said earlier, it was food galore!

After lunch, a back-to-back movie was in tow – Madagascar II: Escape to Africa and Quantum of Solace. Don’t even ask me about Madagascar II because all I can say is that it was a fun movie (Which was just as I expected.) Yet somehow I realized that I kinda outgrew those kinds of flick. Movies like that is good therapy for stress once in a while, though. As for Quantum of Solace, well, I admit that I kinda underestimated the movie since I’m still getting over the fact that Pierce Brosnan won’t be playing the sexy J. Bond on the big screen. Still, Daniel Craig wasn’t so bad; in fact, he’s also kinda sexy – in a very serious way, that is. As for the rest of the movie, it was a TWO-THUMBS-UP!!! Oh and did I mention that I’m just drooling for that Black Alfa Romeo 159 during the opening of the flick? Gosh!

Black Alfa Romeo 159

Well, so goes movies with my parents on a Saturday. Next week, I'm looking forward to finally see how the movie adaptation of Twilight goes. I'll probably have a double take on this one - one with my parents (Who wanted to see it as well.) and one with my girls from the office. Am I gonna catch it on its opening day? That's a secret I'll never tell. Hahaha! Ala-Gossip Girl noh? Hehehe... Goodie! ^_^

On Being Cheesy...

They say that if you want something so badly and wishes hard enough for it to come true, the universe and all its forces will conspire to make it happen. If that's the case, then I'm gonna have to believe in love - that even someone like me deserves a bit of that feeling like heaven on this earth. I'm keeping my faith, even if it's a blind one, that there must be someone out there meant for me (As cheesy as that sounds!). I don't know how nor when, but I do hope I play my cards right for it to happen. ^_^

The Chris Brown - Rihanna Experience

Admittedly, "many" is an understatement when you come to terms with the fact that almost 70,000 people flocked to Bonifacio Open Field for the Chris Brown/Rihanna Live in Manila concert held last night.

I've been to The Fort countless times already, but i didn't expect that much people streaming along High Street and Serendra when I got there around 5 p.m. to meet up with Kim. We decided to scout around for some nice spot to have early dinner before the concert. All the food spots seemed to be swarming with people, and eventually we decided on Clawdaddy's along High Street. It was a good choice, since we both haven't tried the place and I’ve been meaning to try it out based on positive reviews. As expected, took us what seemed to be 20-30 minutes of waiting time before we were seated, but the good news was that our order came in pretty fast. We ordered Clammy Spaghetti and Bountiful Beef Ribs (The ribs came with our choice side dishes of coleslaw, fries, and mashed sweet potato.), both with ample serving size for 2-3 persons. We were originally planning on ordering Lamb Shank but unfortunately they ran out of stock for the day. As for the food, it was pretty ok but nothing too extraordinary in my opinion. They did a pretty good job on the ribs, but the pasta we ordered could use a little more taste. Friendly crew, by the way, plus it's got a warm ambiance and reasonable price. Maybe next time I’ll try their lobster or octopus salad.

When we got off Clawdaddy's, it was a little over 7 p.m., and we had to follow the looong queue towards the Silver entrance. It took us more than an hour to get through the line, and by 8:37, when we were just within arm's reach to the entrance gate, we heard Chris Brown officially starting up his act with Wall to Wall. Darn! People started to push their way in, and eventually we got in on one piece, thank heavens! Of course, with our Silver tix you really can't expect us to get a bird's eye view of the happenings on the main stage so we just had to make do with the widescreen provided. Nevertheless it didn't stop me from screaming, jumping, gushing over, and singing along with Chris Brown. My faves: Kiss Kiss, No Air and With You (Although it would've been perfect if he performed Glow in the Dark, Superhuman, and You as well.) He wrapped up his act around 9:30, followed by a 10-minute fireworks display and another 30-minute break. And then, enter Rihanna with Disturbia (Damn that killer body and awesome legs!), Pon de Replay, S.O.S, Shut Up and Drive, Please Don't Stop The Music, Hate That I Love You, Good Girl Gone Bad, Unfaithful, and Take A Bow. But the bestest part of the evening was when she did a duet of Umbrella (Ellah, ellah... Eh, eh...) with, none other than, boyfie Chris Brown! At this point the crowd went wild, and if I had known better, I would say Rihanna was kilig while performing with Chris Brown. Move over, Branjelina! Hahaha!

Ok, so we made it through the concert. The next hurdle would be to get out of an obviously VERY non-moving traffic going home. We were able to get out of Bonifacio Global City by past 1 a.m., and I was able to reach home around 2 a.m. My legs and feet were dead tired from standing for more than 4 hours, my system was shouting for sleep, but it was worth it - Silver tix and all! ^_^

The FX Tales (Part 2)

As promised, here is the continuation of the FX Tales which I've posted in my previous entry.


FX Commuter Type 5: The Muncher

You just got on the FX, you’ve handed your fare to the driver, and now you’re set to relax and just enjoy the ride – could be sleeping or listening to some random mp3 – then a weird smell creeps it’s way into the congested interior of the FX. Fish? Vinegar? Ahhh… Jollibee Regular Yum. Looks like the Muncher is at it again!

Basically, the Muncher is that FX passenger who just can’t stop eating from the moment he lines up for the next ride until that few moments before he gets off. From hamburger-and-french-fries to junk foods-and-soda, the Muncher gets away with it and ends his commanding performance with a “Burp!”, silent or otherwise.


FX Commuter Type 6: The Prima Donna

Another type of an annoying FX commuter are those that I so-call the Prima Donnas – those women who can’t seem to get it in their thick skull that they’re riding a PUV instead of their respective private cars. Geez! They just can’t seem to stop complaining – from the lousy air conditioning to the smell of the FX interiors. I get it, everybody just wanna get the most of their fare’s worth; but when you look around you and you realize that everybody else is being tolerant given the circumstance, some less ranting would be nice.


FX Commuter Type 7: The Chatterbox

They usually come in pairs or more – two people or a group of friends, young or otherwise, who have the tenacious energy of indulging themselves to non-stop chatter from the moment they line up for the next ride until they reach their destination. They talk about anything and everything under the sun – cheating neighbors, thankless jobs, lovelife, celebrity gossips, and anything else that comes up. In other words, they are the more-energy-mas-happy type of people.

Well, there you have it. I originally composed this blog on my mobile phone on a humid Wednesday night, right after I got off my Risk Management class in Taft. I wasn't able to finish it because I dozed off, and everytime I try to come up with a decent ending I either doze off while listening to some mp3 or I prefer surfing the mobile internet - the two top things I do when I'm on my way to work or homeward bound. Besides that, I guess observing fellow passengers and finding humor (LOTS of it!) when I least expect inside the confines of the so-called FX would be third.

^_^

The FX Tales (Part 1)

While waiting in queue for the next FX going to Cavite after class on a Wednesday night, I could think of a hundred topics to blog about. Yet there's one that seemed befitting given the situation I'm in, and thus begin the FX Tales...

Being a commuter for as long as I can remember (Except on those REALLY RARE days when I’d drive the family car or when my dad takes over the wheels.), I’ve had quite a fair share of pleasant, not-so-pleasant, and albeit comical experiences when it comes to riding FX services when going to places outside Cavite. Blame it on my fellow commuters who add color and humor to the entire riding experience. And so I'm sharing with you how I've classified the diverse commuters I've come across with, given the fair length of time I've been travelling from the South going to Manila and back. Read on and see if you can relate based on your own personal experience, recent or otherwise. I know I did.

FX Commuter Type 1: The Good Samaritan

It's those fellow passengers that take it upon themselves to reach out (literally) and act as conductors who pass the fare/change from one fellow passenger to the driver and vice versa. On some cases, they could be those people who voluntarily collect fares from others and get to perform the complicated job of figuring whoever gets how much as change for their respective fares. Bibo, noh? But you've got to admit that these people make life for fellow passengers a little easier.


FX Commuter Type 2: The Cellphone Boombox

This type of FX passengers are those kinda annoying ones who answer their mobile phones and talk in such manner as if the person they're talking to on the other end of the line is either deaf or has got some serious earwax issue. Really! It's as if they have an inborn boombox rather than a voice box within their anatomy.


FX Commuter Type 3: The Sleepbangers (Now this one I can relate to the most!)

You usually encounter the sleepbangers when you ride the FX during the so-called rush hours in the mornings and late afternoons. They're the ones who either bang their heads sideward to the window or pa-simple to that other person's shoulder. What's amazing about these people is how they manage to maintain their sleep despite some loud banging on the FX window. For some, they can't help but keep their mouths open or, on a more unsightly note, drool on themselves or the not-so-lucky ones beside them. Of course, there are still a rare few who snore quite loudly as if they're in the comfort of their own bedroom.


FX Commuter Type 4: The Wa-Paki’s

The wa-paki’s are those people who never seem to give a damn about anyone and anything else besides themselves, even when they’re aboard a PUV. They don’t do anything – they’re just there. Never mind that your butt is barely touching the seat or if you strain your arms in fervent hope that someone would be kind enough to pass your fare to the driver when you’re seated the very end of the PUV, the wa-paki’s will simply do NOTHING. In short, wala talaga silang pakialam.

Whoa! Never thought it would be this long. I still have some three more types in mind but I guess I’ll have to make a part 2 of this post lest I want to bore my readers to death. It will be up in a while so do watch out for it. For the meantime, I’m gonna grab some chilled milk from our fridge and some banana as well; simultaneous blogging and web surfing is making me hungry.

^_^

Weekend Rant

Waaahhhh!!!

I just decided to make that big leap and do the biggest purchase of my life, so far. For now I’m keeping mum about it, but let me just take a moment to mourn the loss of some of the smallest luxuries I enjoy in this world just to give way to that new “stuff” – frequent dining out, concerts, out-of-town trips (Except the one that’s gonna be on February next year since it’s booked and confirmed already), bags – to name a few. It’ll start next year, just when I vowed to myself that I’ll be coming up with a more decent savings account come 2009. Well, good thing I’m on my last academic term for graduate school this year, meaning that I can rest for another term or two before I undertake all the nitty-gritty of thesis writing. I’ve come a long way but the hardest ordeal is yet to come – graduate thesis defense. Good Lord, help me out!

So there… just another rant bursting out on a Friday afternoon. But honestly, I’m really (as in REALLY) excited for my new “stuff”. Looking at the long-term perspective of it, all the belt-tightening and sacrifices I’m going to make will all be oh SO worth it.

Oh and by the way, happy weekend everybody!

^_^

More Than Just An L.S.S.

For some reason, there’s this song that’s been playing in my head for the past week. I’d play it over and over (And over and over…) on my laptop and even on my mobile phone at random times of the day. I guess this song reminds me of a LOT of things – people, places, events that have come and gone recently; the meaning’s not that relevant in my life, though. Am not sure how long I’m gonna keep up like this, but just for a couple of days more, I’ll indulge myself to this song.

The Man Who Can’t Be Moved (The Script)

Going back to the corner where I first saw you,

Gonna camp in my sleeping bag I'm not gonna move,

Got some words on cardboard got your picture in my hand,

Saying if you see this girl can you tell her where I am,

Some try to hand me money they don't understand,

I'm not broke I'm just a broken hearted man,

I know it makes no sense, but what else can I do,

How can I move on when I'm still in love with you...

Coz if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me,

And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I can be,

Thinking maybe you'll come back here to the place that we'd meet,

And you'd see me waiting for you on the corner of the street.

So I'm not moving...

I'm not moving.

Policeman says son you can't stay here,

I said there's someone I'm waiting for if it's a day, a month, a year,

Gotta stand my ground even if it rains or snows,

If she changes her mind this is the first place she will go.

Coz if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me,

And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I can be,

Thinking maybe you'll come back here to the place that we'd meet,

And you'd see me waiting for you on the corner of the street.

So I'm not moving...

I'm not moving.

I'm not moving...

I'm not moving.

People talk about the guy

Who's waiting on a girl...

Oohoohwoo

There are no holes in his shoes

But a big hole in his world...

Hmmmm

And maybe I'll get famous as man who can't be moved,

And maybe you won't mean to but you'll see me on the news,

And you'll come running to the corner...

Coz you'll know it's just for you

I'm the man who can't be moved

I'm the man who can't be moved...

Coz if one day you wake up and find that you're missing me,

And your heart starts to wonder where on this earth I can be,

Thinking maybe you'll come back here to the place that we'd meet,

And you'd see me waiting for you on the corner of the street.

So I'm not moving...

I'm not moving.

An Early Rave

I know it's way too early to rave, but I just can't help it...

We're going to Coron, Palawan this coming February 2009! Woohoo! We just finished booking our 2-way flight - me and Ryh - and we're tagging along with Jen and the rest of her crew.

It was such a rushed booking - Jen casually told me that she and a couple of friends are flying over Coron sometime mid-February next year, the next day we told Ryh about it, and that same afternoon we confirmed our booking via Cebu Pacific. Talk about express! (We owe you big time, Jen!)

Can't wait for that one. But first, I'm thinking of some roadtrip with a couple of friends or some Anawangin escapade - kinda like our huling hirit for the year.

^_^

I Need...

Someone to keep it real;
Who wouldn’t mind my lousy mood swings
And my tendency to bring up petty quarrels;
Someone who can meet me halfway
When I feel as if the road to his end seems longer than I’d expected;
He will understand my need for space
During times when I have to overcome internal battles on my own;
And though we’re apart, there is peace in my heart
Because I know that I am loved for who and what I am;
Never mind that he’s not the flowers-and-chocolates kind of guy
Just as long as he gives me his heart, for it’s all I’ll ever ask for;
He’ll forgive me for the little mischief that I’ve always been
And then I will want to be a better person;
I don’t need to be spoiled to my heart’s content
But he has to know me well enough to make me smile
Even with the simplest joys that life could offer;
Someone who can put up with my childish nature
And wouldn’t mind watching me cry over sappy movies and love songs;
I need someone who will let me into his world, his life
As I am willing to open up mine for him;
Someone who’s not afraid to let me see his vulnerable side
Even if he’s got his male ego to take care of;
And when everything else in this world turns its back on me
He’s there with his waiting arms for me
He will be that one person I can call my pillar
To lean on when the weight of the world seems too heavy to bear
As I shall be the light that never gives out
Even in the darkest hour of his life.