2007

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Went to Singapore for the first time.
Not have lunch for five straight days! Pero lunch lang. I think I had bfast and dinner haha.
Went drinking for more than 7 consecutive nights. bad, bad, bad for the liver.
Took a cab alone on the way home close to midnight (I know, ang sheltered ng dating but I've never done that before).
Tried boxing... healthy sana but I was bored!

2. Where did you study/ work?
Same same.

3. Did anyone in your circle give birth?
Yes. There are about 3 new babies - Andre, Diego, and Lucia (in order of appearance).

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yeah. My Lola.

5. Did you go out of town or out of the country?
Hmmm... Batangas, Tagaytay, Cebu, Singapore, Boracay, Boracay, Bohol, Singapore, Clark, Boracay, Tagaytay... and I've been to Quezon for the first time, too, but that's involuntary. We were supposed to go to Laiya, Batangas, but the driver missed a turn. Next thing I knew we were in Quezon.

6. Did you move anywhere?
No. Still steady down south.

7. What sporting events did you go to?
UAAP - only one I go to every year! I want to see F1 someday...

8. What concerts did you go to?
Didn't go to any this year. Looking forward to Incubus in March 2008!

9. Who was your Valentine in 2007?
Eeeeeeew. Haha. My Lola was my Valentine in 2007... picked her up and we ate out.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
My ego was bruised! Ek. No...

11. What was your best month?
March. Just because.

12. Where did most of your money go?
shopping, nights out... and other miscellaneous stuff.

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
F1! I was super happy on the night Kimi Raikkonen won. That final race was one for the books. I was also excited about the Windows Vista launch early 2007. Sobrang excited akong matapos sha. Haha. I was also excited about Bohol because we're going out of town as a big family again after so many years.

14. What songs will always remind you of 2007?
UMBRELLA by Rihanna for sure.
Beautiful Girls by Sean Kingston
The Prayer by Bloc Party,
Before It's Too Late by the Goo Goo Dolls... and so on.

Local: Seven Black Roses by Chicosci

15. What did you do on the 4th of July?
I don't remember.

16. What were the best...

* books you read?
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon. It's nice to have a glimpse of what it's like to be autistic through the eyes of a child and kind of have an understanding of what goes through their minds.
Time Traveller's Wife. Galing.
Tuesdays with Morrie. Really touching book. I want to have a mentor like Morrie :-)

* movies you saw?
Eastern Promises
Transformers
Die Hard 4
300
Stardust
Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest
Hitman (Timothy Olyphant!!!)

* CDs you listened to?
A Weekend in the City, Bloc Party
In Rainbows by Radiohead (it really wasn't a CD, though)
Echo, Silence, Patience & Grace, Foo Fighters
It Won't Be Soon Before Long, Maroon 5
Chicosci (Self-titled)

17. What do you wish you'd done more of?
uhm... sports?

18. What do you wish you'd done less of?
worrying. haha. less of the 'bad' stuff, of course.

19. How did you spend Christmas?
With the family. Every year, we spend the eve with my father's side of the family and this year is our first Christmas without our Lola... kind of different but it's all good because the family stayed together (and ________ together).

20. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Fall in love? Does fall in love with work count? Eeeeek.

21. How many one-night stands?
HELLO

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Grey's Anatomy, Entourage, The Office

23. Compared to this time last year, are you:

* happier or sadder?
Happier!!!

* thinner or fatter?
Shet.

* richer or poorer?
Richer. Kind of... and then poorer because I spend so much walang natitira!

24. What was your favorite summer memory of 2007?
Going to the beach. I'm happiest when I'm at the beach. The trip to Bohol with the family was really memorable because we haven't done that for a while (go far out of town).

25. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 24. Celebrated with my family on the day itself. With my colleagues the day after, and with my friends the day after the day after.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
IMEEM! haha

27. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most in 2007?
Matthew Bellamy (from Muse), Adam Levine, David Beckham, Kimi Raikkonen, Jude Law.

28. Who was the best new person you met?
Best person I met? Can't remember who's the best but I met a lot of people this year. Wait wait wait... Best person I met? Penn Badgely. I met him but he hasn't met me.

29. Where were you when 2007 began and who were you with?
New Year's Eve with the family -- I was with the people I loved most in the whole wide world.

30. What are your plans for 2008?
Explore. Go somewhere I've never gone before.

Evil Eye Babies

Parents are teaching their kids all sorts of things and then they post it on YouTube. Well, actually the first one below was captured from AFV and then posted on YouTube. The kid knows how to do the 'omen' look. Hahahah he's sooooo cute!

And then the next one, Dr. Evil. Ang saya grabe. Nakakaloko. Kabarkada nung whatever baby in one of my previous posts. I want a baby na hindi tatanda, ever!






Watch this baby's hands!!!

Because I'm not yet sleepy...

You Are a Witch (or Warlock)

You are deviously brilliant and a perfect manipulator. You somehow always end up getting what you want - without anyone knowing you're working behind the scenes. Crafty and cunning, you can work your way out of any jam. And it's easy for you to get people to do what you want, whether you're working for good or evil. Your greatest power: Mind control Your greatest weakness: Making people your puppets You play well with: Ghosts

What Kind of Monster Are You?

Your Psyche is Yellow

You have a ton of energy - both physical and mental endurance. You are rational and logical, and you can help almost anyone think clearly. Optimistic and bright, you also have a secret side that's a little darker. When you are too yellow: You will do anything to get your way, and no one will be the wiser When you don't have enough yellow: you lack confidence, drive, and humor

What Color Is Your Psyche?

You are a PC

You're practical, thrifty, and able to do almost anything. Appearances and trends aren't important to you. You just like to get the job done.

Are You a Mac or a PC?

TRUE BLUE!

Your Brain is Blue

Of all the brain types, yours is the most mellow. You tend to be in a meditative state most of the time. You don't try to think away your troubles. Your thoughts are realistic, fresh, and honest. You truly see things as how they are. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about your friends, your surroundings, and your life.

What Color Is Your Brain?

Your Dominant Thinking Style: Experimenting

You're all about looking at the facts, and you could always use more of them. You see life as your lab - and you're always trying out new things, people, and ideas. The master of mix and match, you're always coming up with unique combinations. You are good at getting a group to reach consensus.

What's Your Thinking Style?

Your Leprechaun Name Is:

Weebit Cabbageleaf

What's Your Leprechaun Name?

Umbrella, you're way too beautiful

This was done by Chicosci in a rock da riles event... okay sana they made a rock rendition of Umbrella ella ella ey ey but you realize, they probably got the idea from My Chemical Romance who did it during one of their concerts in the U.S.. Then again, Chicosci really does pop songs during their gigs, whatever's NOW and they really get people to groove. I've never been to a lackluster Chicosci gig... and they've proven that you can make it big in this country as long as you make good music, even though the vocalist doesn't really sing all too well. haha

Disclaimer: I didn't take any of these videos so I'm not the screaming fan. haha just making it clear.

pure shores

I like surprises. I like being uncertain. And that's probably the reason why I don't have a definite answer when people ask me how I see myself in the future. The future is as soon as tomorrow and I like not knowing what's gonna happen. Maybe tomorrow, my day would go like it did today... or maybe not. Maybe tomorrow I'll do a good job like I did today or not. Maybe I'll meet a few interesting people or maybe I won't.

I guess I'm at a phase where I don't really want to think about things. I don't want to make plans... I just wanna go where life takes me. I don't worry too much about fame or fortune, I know I can excel in whatever I want to do given that I commit myself to it. When I think about it, I realize that it's not really about getting rich or gaining recognition... it's probably just about being steady and feeling happy.

A few months ago (or years - there really isn't much difference), I would've been able describe how I want my future quite concretely... what I'm doing, where I live. I just seem to forget now. All I can come up with are general terms - success, happiness, fulfillment. How to achieve those, I don't really know. Success can be so many things in so many ways. Success in what exactly? I don't know. Probably success in life - collective of everything else that makes me happy.

Don't wonder why I'm getting all too sentimental about this. Whaddya know? I just came from the beach.

Walk Slowly

In my 24 years of existence, I've observed two kinds of grandparents: those who are passive - the type that you kiss or bless when you arrive at their house and kiss goodbye when you leave their house; and those who are really active - the kind of granparents who strive to develop a personal relationship with their grandchildren. My grandparents were the active ones. There are 21 of us grandchildren and yet, our grandparents made it a point to connect with each of us. Our grandparents held us together. They kept the family so close that I feel like I have 7 sets of parents and 21 siblings.

We recently mourned the passing of my dear grandmother (yes, the one pictured playing Wii in a previous post), and instead of dwelling too much on the loss, we all resolved to celebrate her life. We remembered the fun times we had with her and how we felt so blessed to have had her in our lives. On the last night of the funeral, we paid her a tribute. For me, this tribute was more for those of us who were left behind. This was our chance to say out loud how we really felt, how thankful and how grateful we all are. There was not a dry eye that night.

For our part, the grandchildren, we wrote a letter which was delivered by my eldest cousin.

Dear Mamang,

We will always remember you as the grandmother who never failed to make her love for her grandchildren felt. We will always remember the times when asked all of us to sleep in your house in Mandaluyong. Waking up next morning to wait for the Taho vendor, we spent the entire day running around, creating chaos in the house. By mid afternoon, we were in the streets waiting for the Yakult vendor. When night time came, we all ate dinner when our Titas and Titos had come home from work, and happily shared stories of how our day went.

Even when you moved to Bicutan and when Papang passed away, you continued to shower us with your love by asking us to come visit you on weekends. You also took the task of watching over us when our parents were away. We may not have made it obvious to you, but we surely enjoyed your company. Not everyone would have had the opportunity to have a lola as cool as you!

We’d never forget our trips to Baguio, Matabungkay, Puerto Azul, Zambales, Boracay and all over. You and Papang had created a wonderful environment for my sister, cousins and I to have a happy childhood together. Now that we’re all grown up and some of us have kids of our own, we’ve maintained the closeness and values that you and Papang had helped instill on us, bound by all the happy memories of our childhood with both of you.

Even if you’re not here with us anymore, know that we will continue to remember you everyday, especially during our birthdays – we will miss your greetings, the little notes you leave us, and of course the meaty envelope haha.

During Easter Sunday as we go egg-hunting, we’ll remember you excitedly asking the kids how many eggs they gathered.

It would be especially difficult for us not to remember you during Christmas and New Year this year. We will miss our steady supply of underwear, sleepwear, and the little things you gave us. On New Year’s Eve, we will light the fireworks in sweet remembrance, knowing that you, Papang and Andrew are looking down lovingly on us with a smile on your faces.

Lastly, we’d like to thank you and Papang for the gift of life. We all probably wouldn’t have seen the light of day had it not been for the two of you. Thank you for our parents and for raising them well. We all are living a life so blessed. We have the best parents and the best family.

Even without your and Papang’s physical presence, together with our parents, we will continue to keep the family close – just like how you and Papang had always wanted.

Rest assured that your great grandchildren and future great grandchildren will hear all our wonderful stories about you, some of these immortalized by the photos which we now hold dearly in our hearts.

As Wolfmann once wrote in a song:

Walk slowly

And dare to realize

The mark you’ve made in other people’s lives

And then gently

Turn and walk away

We’ll live to share your story another day

i want to be 17 again.

I made this widget at MyFlashFetish.com.

Question

Came across this question today:

Who would be blamed if a leaf fell from a tree?

Is it the wind that blew it away? Or the tree that let it go? Or
is it the leaf itself which never held tight?

Don't tell me it's the process of abscission...

So that the world may be a better place...

*Andy Warhol

Raikkonen the Playboy King

He's so cool!!! :-)

"Taking part in an endurance snowmobile race on the other side of the world a week before the first race of a season in which you have joined a new team and are the favourite for the world title would be dismissed as madness by most in F1.

Most drivers would - and did - go out to Australia early, the better to get over jet lag and acclimatise.

But not only did Raikkonen do it, win the snowmobile race, and get away with it, but he then went out and won the Australian Grand Prix as well. "

The rest of the story here.

Help Support a Cause

SAVE WATER, DRINK BEER.

Whoever created this cause on Facebook is nuts. And I'm nuts. I joined. haha!

Jumper

Everyone's got to face down the demons
Maybe today, you could put the past away
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend
I would understand

Finally!!!

Kimi has arrived! Amazing, I love it! At last, Kimi Raikkonen is F1 Champion. It's been a long wait. Grabe. Eversince I started to watch Formula 1 back in 2002 or 2003, back when the world's eyes was fixed on Schumi (or Juan Pablo Montoya, David Coulthard or who knows who), I already took notice of Kimi Raikkonen. The rookie, Ice Man from Finland. Nobody ever thought that THIS was HIS year.

I like him not for his looks. Well. Okay, not JUST for his looks. You see, I can relate a lot to him. Kimi used to be the champion that never was, if you know what I mean. He had a series of muntik na, sayang, almost reaching but never there races. There's no doubt that he's a good driver. He just happens to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time, or driving the wrong car or using the wrong tires. He's always been runner-up - number two or number three. I thought the frustration would never end. Man. There was this one race (I don't remember where it was, but I know it was some two years ago cos I remember talking about this with my cousin) when Kimi led all the way, like 70 laps. Konti nalang eh, sobrang konti nalang... He was probably on the second to the last lap, if not the last, when the tire of his McLaren burst!!! Aaaaaargh. I remember the feeling, haha. Mygod. Bwiset talaga.

I've also encountered frustrations like this in my life (but of course, it's not sports-related! Hellow). I was kinda always behind by a slim margin - second best director, third place in comedy scriptwriting (I've always believed naman that the funniest things are spontaneous)... there was this time I ran for a top position in a college org. I've been in that org since Freshman year and every year, I'd get promoted. So in senior year, I had to run for that VP position just for the sake of. No one wanted to compete with me, but FOR THE SAKE OF (para fun, I guessed), they got someone to run against me. So okay... I was so relaxed, I focused on other things. Thesis time din eh. Didn't even bother to campaign, well, maybe a little. I just knew that I had a strong group in there. What I didn't anticipate was the number of people who were new to the org. I never thought they'd be enough to make my opponent win! What the hell. Mejo natulala ako after the counting... parang hello. Ano nangyayari, wake me up na. So after three years, member nalang ako?? I'm part of the commonfolk nalang haha! Tapos the winner was so shocked, she wanted to get me as co-VP or something. HELLO. I'd like to say, however, that I handle defeat well. I sourgraped, I had a lot of regrets, but at the end of the day, I had to accept it. That was a learning lesson for me. Now, I always remember to prepare... just prepare for anything that might come and to always have a battle plan.

So now, I realize the value of patience. Everyone of us has a purpose for being here, and at one point or another, we will have the opportunity to fulfill what it is that we're set out to do. Kimi is a good driver and when Michael Schumacher retired, Ferrari immediately sought to sign him. Back then, I was a bit anti-Ferrari for various reasons. I thought that the team was so full of itself and its owners kinda monopolized F1. They wanted to rule it and I'm all for fair play. I wanted to see the McLarens and the Renaults to prosper as well. So when Kimi decided to move to Ferrari, I was somewhat disillusioned. But then, it was all for the better. Kimi had driven for McLaren for quite a while already. He was McLaren's top guy. And while he had done all he could to get them a championship, there just comes a point in a driver's life when he's got to make decisions for his career. I'm sure McLaren did all it could to match the Ferrari offer but they just couldn't afford it... and it just didn't seem to work anymore. Obviously, the move to Ferrari was a good one. Now we have the world's best F1 driver racing for F1's best team.

Things will happen when they're meant to happen. Ateneo waited 14 years for a UAAP Championship. Couples wait for more than 5 or even 10 years before they could have a baby. You know the feeling when you're not looking for something anymore... then it just comes to find you.

For Kimi, he waited long enough for this. No one would have thought he'd emerge victorious, snatching the title from favorites Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. The best thing is, after all the years of frustration, hardwork, disappointments, he never stopped trying. He never gave up his dream even when everyone else seemed to have lost hope in him.

Wilf, if you only saw this!

Facebook

I'm hooked on another social networking site... again. It's becoming a habit now. I'm on MySpace, Friendster, Tagged, Multiply, etc.. The newest culprit is Facebook. One of my clients invited me to be his friend on Facebook and eversince I got started, I hadn't stopped. Facebook + Multiply - 90% of my life is definitely online.

As it is, Multiply is already a breakthrough networking site which allows users to share photos, videos and blogs across a network. Perhaps what makes Multiply successful is the comment function. You can post all your stuff and your friends would be able to comment and let you know what they think. You can create your own world. If you have all the people you know in your network, sharing your life is much more easy.

In the past, when interesting things happen to me, I'd text my friends, meet up with them for coffee or beer and all that... Now, I can just post and they react. Real time.

And now, there's Facebook. Facebook is just like Multiply but with more things to do. It details your relationship with a person, like how you know each other ("Joy and XXX went to college together" or "Joy and XXX lived together"). People can poke each other, play poker, give gifts, choose a pet, share a drink, write on each other's super wall, post big photos, toss firecrackers and a lot more. I also think Facebook is more widely used than Mutliply. Heck I even found some clients from a nearby country in Facebook! But I won't befriend them yet... until they discover me, that is.

Okay enough.

Mary For You...

Ateneo bowed out of this year's UAAP Men's Basketball Tourney last Sunday and I was fortunate enough to have witnessed their last game this season. Just like most Ateneans, my heart bled for the Blue and White and it wasn't even because we lost to La Salle. Perhaps it was more because I felt that the Eagles had a good chance this season and I thought this was our year. Going into the semis, I was almost sure that Ateneo would go to the finals.

The Ateneans made a great gesture by wholeheartedly applauding the DLSU crowd while they sang their school hymn after the buzzer signaled a victory for La Salle. The Green Archers played really well that night. Maybe they wanted to be in the finals more than Ateneo did. Maybe not...

And when it was Ateneo's turn to sing the alma mater song for one last time, the team faced the Ateneo crowd and we all sang Mary For You with so much pride. We were so proud of the Hail Mary Squad that played fair and fought hard.

Ateneo may not have won but the very fact that the team fought unwaveringly and never gave up until the last second was reason enough for me to believe. I still believe. Just to know that the team had the heart, courage, passion and determination to win - sometimes, that's all you can ever ask for.

There's always a next year and many more years to come. My kids will definitely go to Ateneo! (if they study in the Philippines. Baka kasi Cambodian, feeling Brangelina)

All in all, I must say the team had a good run... like an old stocking. Hehe

Update! Update!

I FOUND IT! I FOUND IT!!!


WAAAAAAAAAAAH

i am missing something

I am missing something IMPORTANT!!! Geddemmit and I don't know why. All I remember was that it was supposed to be kept safe and sound at home but the thing is... I looked at every nook and cranny already and I couldn't find it. I looked at even the most unusual places (kitchen, kuya's room, bathroom).

How could I have misplaced it??? Fuck talaga urrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrngh. I'm not even sure if I AM the one who misplaced it. I've been looking for it non-stop for the past five days, di ko parin makita. It would've been easier for me to back out if I had a more valid reason, like expired or something. Pero hinde. HINDE!!! Nawawala lang talaga sha!

And I hate the feeling that you know it's just there. I feel it. I feel I'll find it. I just don't know when. If I can only ring it as if it were a cellphone. I don't know how to tell people... It's just plain stupidity. For the life of me, I cannot remember.

I need my PASSPORT! I've prayed to the lord, to the angels and the saints... I don't know what to do anymore. If I don't find it by tomorrow... myGod. Goodbye!

But I remain optimistic. I look forward to updating this blog with really good news. Like when I found it na. tssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

striking out

nah. I'm not gonna write this here. Wrote it elsewhere.

I have the coolest lola!

My grandma is the coolest in the world. She's over 85 years old (I was the one who lost count of her age) yet here she is playing Wii with us! Haha super fun! She's not fast enough though. I think she's playing bowling when this photo was taken. Look at my cousin (extreme right), sobrang tawang tawa sha pinipigilan niya lang. Baka ma-pressure si Lola mahiya na maglaro. haha

when the 'undo' function is not available

It just seems that I have a knack for learning things the hard way. I just don't know which is better - to be the person who often commits small, common errors, or the person who doesn't commit errors as much, but when error is committed, the impact is bigger. Obviously I am the latter. Or not. There's only silence from the other side of the world...

Then there's the pH level from negative seven. I blame that on the sound waves that must have transformed somewhat from the sender to the (un)intended receiver, and it was blown out of proportion. Thanks to a kind soul (who has a three-letter name) who enlightened me. I really felt a lot better after the talk. Name starts with M.

So this morning, another good, good mentor lifted my spirits up. I don't know if it's ignorance, stupidity or lack of judgment on my part but it certainly was a learning experience. If I ever shed a tear, it was when this person (whom I truly look up to) told me I shouldn't worry about it and that eveRything will bE fiNe.

There's no CTRL+Z. That's fo shiz.

doin' that thing you do

I just have to say that right now, it sucks to be me. There are things that I don't want to do but must do to keep things in order. I've spoken with several people and they all said the same thing. If you want change, you have to instigate change. And for certain people, there are certain degrees of responsibility. I know that I have to step up and own it, to play the role. It's just so freakin' hard to let it out. At one point, I want to be truthful... but I also don't want to hurt. I know what I should do, I just don't know how to do it. I also don't want it to feel like a task that's imposed on me.

How do you cite the cold facts, call out underperformance, and in the same way try to lift a soul that you know is unhappy? It's not easy to go down on someone and afterwards, say everything will be alright. Life is unfair and sometimes, when you make mistakes, you need someone to point it out to you just so you know. It's for your own improvement and I hope that after this you come out a better person.

It's like when you squeeze a calamansi over a wounded nipple, sprinkle a little salt and cover it with band aid. Then when you think the nipple has healed, yank off the band aid.

Jeeeeezaz! The last two sentences aren't totally connected to the whole thought of this post.

can't stop

The world I love
The tears I drop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Ever wonder if it's all for you
The world I love
The trains I hop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Come and tell me when it's time to

Whutevah!!!

This one made my day. haha! I don't know this kid at all but she's soooooo cute and really funny! Talk about literally playing with a kid.

TMI syndrome

I was a bit more inhibited when I was younger. I wasn’t the type who’d easily open up to other people; even to the school’s peer counselors and my close relatives. It was hard to get to me… there was a certain level of friendship and trust to establish before I’d be comfortable to share my personal life with anyone.

Back then, I joined social networking sites for fun. The primary reason was just to be there. While some of my friends endeavored to grow their friends list, I used the accounts I created to view other people’s profiles. I wanted to see what they were doing, how they spent their time, who their friends were, and how cool they presented themselves (truthful or not). I wasn’t really concerned with growing my network (I won’t add you if I don’t know you).

It took me a while to be comfortable with the whole social networking thing, but eventually, I opened up and started posting photos, filling up my profile, writing testimonials, and blogging. Of all these, blogging is most effective to me because it’s therapeutic. I get to write about anything, rave or rant. I get to keep my thoughts and be reminded of them. When I read my previous posts, especially those that are years old, I still remember where I was when I wrote them, why I was feeling what I was feeling.

My mom asked me, if it’s something personal, why do I need to keep it online for the world to see? Why not the old school journal? The answer (vs. old school journal) is simple. Typing is much more painless than doing it longhand, and it also doesn’t take up physical space. So mom (if one day you get to read this), I’ll just blog so you wouldn’t have to nag me all the time to throw away stuff and manage the clutter in my room. You know I have a problem with letting go of sentimental stuff, even my Sweet Valley collection.

The increased usage of (or access to) the Internet and the proliferation of social networking sites such as Friendster, MySpace, Multiply, Live Journal, and what not have all contributed to the openness that we’re experiencing today. Increased individualism, they say. These sites encourage us to share our lives, reach out to other people, and look into their lives as well.

The openness in cyber world can sometimes be carried out in actual verbal conversations. At one point, most of us are probably guilty of sharing too much information (TMI). Some people can take their blogs so seriously they’re oversharing already.

Wikipedia defines TMI as "a slang expression indicating that someone has divulged too much personal information and made the listener uncomfortable." This happens to me sometimes when I go drinking with friends, I hear things I don’t want to hear (haha).

On my part, oversharing happens but not in a way that whoever I’m talking to becomes uncomfortable. More often than not, I overshare in a sense that I become too transparent with my thoughts and feelings, allowing people to see right through me. Especially in professional environments, I do recognize that people should be more careful not to overshare so as not to make themselves vulnerable or expose their vulnerability. One time, while reading the papers, I heard someone say, "Crush ko talaga si Kirk Long! Pangalan pa lang, crush ko na siya... Kirk LONG." Tssss... Revealing to much (yea yea!).

There’s an exception to the rule, though: when we’ve established that level of friendship and trust, oversharing could even be healthy.

Crush ko rin si Kirk Long! Haha

Random Photos

Tiffy posted a few photos from elementary and highschool in her multiply site. Haha... brings back the memories! PM recesses, highschool plays and rehearsals (I directed Florante at Laura and Fili - while I was afflicted with hepatitis! they failed to bed rest me), tambay after school, intrams (could've played volleyball or softball but i chose tug-o-war. less jabar, shorter completion time), canteen (that caught fire and was resurrected), spelling bee (and my famous "avalunge" - was asked to spell 'avalanche' e shempre mali yung dinig ko. what's new? tie-breaker pa naman yun), teachers' birthdays, christmas parties, swimming parties, sleepovers, Baguio/Batangas/Tagaytay trips, after school movies, ATC and SM (SM???), Hard Rock/ Fat Tuesday/Cable Car/Pep's nights... the question is: what did we not do?


This photo was taken during Family Day in Nursery. Can you spot me? I'm in the background, rightmost. Aminin niyo na. Cute.

This one was taken during Intramurals in 3rd year highschool. Oh.my.gawd. I look like a dork (na walang poise). As in totally! (Laguna Beach accent, please)

And finally, this last photo doesn't really have anything to do with elementary or highschool. I just took this on the way to work this morning. Wala lang. Jabar. hehe

Saging lang ang may puso!

This will go down as one of the most ridiculous lines ever delivered in a Filipino action movie... Even my 10-year old cousins can do better!

Love-driven leadership

A few months ago, a friend sent this quote to me about leadership just when I was beginning to learn to be one. And I agree with everything the author said. When you become a leader, what you do is not as important as who you are.

A person can grow two ways: horizontally and vertically. Horizontal growth is when you broaden your horizons, meet new people, learn new things and widen your network. Vertical growth is when you advance spiritually and this is where happiness and contentment play a big part. When you learn to appreciate the good things in life, the blessings you have, you tend to move to a higher level of existence. And this vertical growth is further amplified in leaders because when you become a leader, you are exposed to the opportunity to allow others to advance through you. And when they do, you'll feel a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that transcends all rewards and recognition.

What distinguishes love-driven leaders from tyrants? Great affection coupled with the passion to see others run at full speed towards perfection. Love-driven leadership is not urging others forward without concern for their aspirations, well-being, or personal needs. Nor is it being the nice guy manager who overlooks underperformance that could damage a subordinate's long-term prospects.

Instead, love-driven leaders hunger to see latent potential blossom and to help it happen. In more prosaic terms, how do children, students, athletes, or employees achieve their full potential? When they're parented, taught, coached or managed by those who engender trust, provide support and encouragement, uncover potential, and set high standards.

-Chris Lowney
HEROIC LEADERSHIP
(Best practices from a 450-year old company that changed the world: The Society of Jesus)

And I'm still learning to be one.

caught in the undertow

Sometimes, some people just don't understand. There are certain situations in life where you just have to learn to RESPOND, not REACT.





It's happening all over again, but this, too, shall pass.

I, (no) stupid driver

Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I’m a stupid driver. Last Thursday night I was driving home from Gweilos and for the first time ever, I met a car accident. I was nearly completing my turn to the gas station when... bam. Another car bumped us at the rear. The driver was probably going so fast I thought my sister, who was on the passenger’s side, almost broke her neck. The vibration was just too strong, good thing we have quite a sturdy car. He clearly didn’t see me as I was making the turn. And I also admit I didn’t notice him because his headlights were off. It wasn’t so bad. Actually, I just got a dent on the bumper and some scratches on the right tail light. What irked me was the reaction of the man driving the other car. He totally lost it! He got out of his car and shouted curses at me.

I was so shocked (it was the first time that this happened with me behind the wheel). I forgot all the things that my dad had told me to do when I encounter this situation. I wasn’t supposed to move the car from the scene even when there was already a line of stalled cars behind us and park it properly in the gas station. I was supposed to wait for an investigator to arrive and take photos or make a sketch, and I wasn’t supposed to get out of the car and listen to the man, who looked like he was in his late 20s, shouting at me and telling me how foolish I was for taking the turn too soon while he was trying to coerce the gas boys and the security guards into believing that it was my fault. The thought of my parents getting all mad and upset about the whole incident was the least of my worries. I knew they wouldn’t take it against me and that we had a comprehensive insurance. What worried me was that people might actually believe that he was right and I was wrong.

Because I moved the car from where it happened, the man accused me of trying to cover up my mistake; that I didn’t want it to be proven that I was speeding and I cut him. The whole time he was yelling and wailing at how stupid I was (babae kasi) and how hassle it was (his headlight was broken), I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t think about what to do, what to say or how to rebut because: a) I super badly needed to go to the loo for number one, and b) I needed to beat closing time since I need to get stuff from Shopwise to bring to my trip to Boracay the next day. So I just leaned on my car, my back on the left window, stared at the light post until his ramblings became ambient noise, and waited for someone to come and get the details and assess the situation. I kinda zoned out. And on impulse, I ran to the washroom. He must’ve thought I was insane standing there unaffected; not speaking to him or even looking at him and then dashing to the restroom.

I came back calm and collected even though the guy was so furious to the point of profanity. The fact that he had a big body and was really angry didn’t scare me. I just found it so low to even retaliate. I thought the security guards had already called an investigator or the police but apparently, the nearest station was under renovation and the phone lines were busted. So I asked the irate man to calm down and offered to settle. I said we should just take care of having our own cars repaired and spare us both the hassle and inconvenience (magsasarado yung Shopwise!). But he continued cursing and didn’t want to listen to me. He wanted me to give him money for the repair of his old, beaten car (!). Fortunately, my sister had the presence of mind to call my dad who was in a driving range in Filinvest, just some five minutes away from the gas station. In a few minutes, my dad arrived with a couple of his friends. I was so relieved because I knew my dad would handle it for me. He was always the peacemaker. Upon seeing my dad and his friends though, the man seemed to calm down. It’s either he was happy to be finally talking to men and not the stupid girl driver or he was intimidated by my dad and his crew.

My dad took the same line: to have the cars repaired on our own. But the man didn’t agree. At some point, my dad was already willing to pay just to end it but I didn’t allow him. Why should we pay the price of something that wasn’t even my doing? No fucking way. Money wasn’t the issue. Pride was. I needed to hold my ground. Eventually, we saw that it was useless to stay there trying to compromise when the other party was obviously not willing. So we just stopped talking, got in the car and left the man standing there. He didn’t chase us.

And I made it to Shopwise.

Celebrity look-alikes

Picked this up from someone else's blog. Good thing they just need headshots. Otherwise...

Obviously, I used an old photo. (heheh)

http://www.myheritage.com

I'm not really bored

I think I just can't keep still for longer periods of time. When I do this, it doesn't really mean that I've drifted. I'm still listening to the conversation, mindful of what's happening. I just need an outlet. It's therapeutic for me, actually. And it's not ADHD. ADHD is worse.

Exhibit A shows my doodles on a tissue paper while on a meeting with some clients. Someone asked what I'll do with this piece of trash (or work of art) when I'm done. Nothing. It will go to the waste bin. But for it to have a purpose, I posted it on this blog so I could show people how restless I am. Haha

Looking back

Reunions are always the perfect time to reconnect with your past and remember the good times. Recently, I went to a college block reunion (one of the few ones I willingly attended) and am amazed to find out that not much has changed. It's just like yesterday when we graduated. Everyone looked quite the same, save for the goody goodies who have acquired vices (so now they understand the reasons for frequent restroom breaks and meetings in the pocket gardens).

It's great to find out that most of us are quite happy where we are now - pursuing the same path we thought we'd take in college. We're all in the same industry, though differing in fields. Two of my blockmates are DJs, two are helping out with their family businesses, one is finishing her masteral degree, one is in film production, and another in TV prod. Most are in advertising and I'm the only one in PR. They were surprised. They always thought I'd become a clown or comedian. I couldn't remember what the rest did... (sorry, short term memory loss!)

College was fun (x 10 million times). It was when I felt most free and at the same time responsible. Imagine living in a condo with five highschool friends (the eliazo dorm wasn't an option- we didn't want to deal with curfews and guardians; bedspacing wasn't an option either - it's not really fun to live with people you don't know). The freedom was overwhelming. Suddenly, nobody told me what to do, when to eat, what to eat, that I should sleep, take a bath... on the downside, though, nobody cooked. Breakfast wasn't ready when I awoke and there was no dinner when I went home. During the first few months, we'd clean our 'home' religiously. We swept the floor every other night, defrosted the fridge every other week, washed the dishes as used (among other things) but eventually, we found more things to do and had not much time for housekeeping. So our house helpers took turns every weekend to do the cleaning (especially the bathroom because this is one of my pet peeves). For the first time in our lives, we were managing our household. We bought furniture, scheduled the 'servicing' of the airconditioner, stocked up on groceries, hired plumbers to fix the clogs, cooked (and got burns), changed light bulbs, and endured black outs (condo's generators only serviced the main halls and common areas). My housemates and I, although we've known each other for more than 8 years having attended primary and secondary school together, had developed an even deeper relationship because in our little household, we only had each other. When I'd go home late or leave early, when I'm not eating dinner at 'home', I'd have to send a message to four other people.

I was sleep-deprived, especially throughout the last two college years. A typical day for me started around 8:30 am (I joined the reg committee so I can control my schedule). I lazed around, watched TV, looked for something to eat, reviewed my notes. I went to school around 10. Classes ended around 5. I hung out in school some more, went home around 6 p.m., slept, woke up around 9. Then the comm duo picked me up (and whoever wanted to join) and we either saw a movie in Rockwell or had some drinks along Katipunan. Home around 2, opened my notes and studied a bit... go to sleep by 4 or 5... but it was all good. I had to justify the costs of living in a condo by studying hard. This motivated me to excel more and to learn to balance my school and social life.

We had a penchant for unconventional gifts back then. When someone turned 18, we didn't want to give her something we bought from the mall or wherever. It had to be something totally unique. So for the first debutant, I got her a cone. Not an ice cream cone or just any other cone. It was one of those orange cones they use to line up the roads or as markers in parking areas. I snatched one of them one evening in the Meralco offices along Ortigas avenue and spray painted my message. For some reason, it ended up like an 'exclusive' gift, something like a coat of arms for elite families. If you get one on your debut, you're automatically initiated in an exclusive circle of friendship (now, that's really silly!). So, my friends and I got cones (got - in tagalog, nenok) from Greenbelt (the parking lots were new then, and so the cones were bright and shiny), Skyway, and the most expensive one I got from Mandarin Hotel when my friend dared me in my drunken stupor (unlike the others which are made of plastic, this one is rubberized). But that was several years ago. If you dare me to take one now, I'd probably chicken out.

Looking back, I know I had so much fun. And I may never ever have the chance to do all the crazy things I did so I'm glad I made the most out of my time in college.

As an entertainment columnist puts it: The best things in life are not things. :-)

What I want...

The long road trip to Nueva Ecija last Saturday got me thinking about the things I want in life. At that moment, it's pretty simple. I want...

chorizo wraps and poor man's bread soup at Gaudi
ceasar salad and smoked ox tounge at Mezze
lamb gyros and flaming cheese at Cyma
spicy pumpkin curry soup and creme brulee trio (not taken together) at M Cafe
onion rings and victorian style steak at Outback
Tom Yam and Go Pad Thai from Som's
Pork Brothers at Gram's Diner
pinaputok na kesong puti and tawilis at Masas
baked salmon from Conti's
chai latte at Coffee Bean
caramelized chicken and pomelo salad from Pho Hoa
sisig rice at Gweilos
mom's kare - kare
mom's spaghetti
lola's callos
tita patti's lengua
tita patti's apple pie (killer)
chicken McNuggets
Wendy's Shrimp Salad burger
Jr. Whopper (junior lang talaga)
Taters bbq popcorn and sour cream dip


I could go on and on.... that was a long trip.

You like music? I give you music.

It has come to my attention that an anonymous reader has been lurking around my blog.

Dear Lurker, I admire your resourcefulness although it was probably my alias that gave me away. hehe. Congratulations, you have the markings of an online stalker! And now, as you mentioned, you'll be able to get to know me more outside of the workplace (and the drinking places). This will certainly give you a glimpse of who I really am, and hopefully, you wouldn't find anything that you don't like. :-) hello, evaluation!

By the way, since you're reading this post, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you for my new Bloc Party CD, I love it! I really really appreciate the gesture and I never expected to have such a cool kOya! (clue right there).

'till the next briefing session. ;-)

I'm baaaaack!

It's been exactly 7 months and 8 days since my last post. It's been really hectic for me lately, with a supermassive product launch (not just in Manila, but also in Cebu), and a spanking new and surprisingly demanding account :-) But here I am, updating this thing for the less than five people who visit and take an interest in my life (dogpaws, you're one).

Honestly, you could say that I'm a pretty outspoken person. The people close to me would always hear about how I feel and what I think so there's really nothing left to ponder on and thresh out in writing. And when I do speak out, more often than not, I am not really seeking for advice. I just want someone to listen.

I'm going through this phase they call quarter life crisis periodically. I could be on it this week and out of it next week. It's when you feel like you've not done enough or are not doing enough to make your life meaningful. It's that feeling when you think time is flying fast, you're getting old and running out of time to make a difference. It's like when you're sleeping and you can't seem to find the right position in bed. You see other people about your age become so successful and pursue their own passions, and you become a bit envious. How come other people get to do what they enjoy and become successful? I guess I'm getting a bit restless (but definitely not bored). I don't know what I want but I know what I don't want. Thank you, SML, and my buddies, for helping me get through this.

I was just recently on a vacation in Boracay and on our last day, during one of those 'alone' times when I lied on a wooden beach bed staring at the breathtakingly crystal clear seawater, I realized one simple thing: I am okay. A lot of people go through worse in life. A lot of them have bigger problems than what I have but they still manage to be happy. I was watching a group of young boys who stayed by the seashore, frolicking under the sun and suddenly, everything seemed so simple. It's not bad to aspire for something greater and bigger, but we should not forget where we are now and all the blessings that we received. After all, everything happens for a reason. If we just learn to appreciate even the simplest things, then we'll come to realize that life is good. Soooooo good.

Funny, after I made this realization, my boss, who sat beside me, suddenly asked: Na-relax ka ba, Joy? It took me 2 seconds to say: Yes. Super.

And then I made another realization: after all the work, stress, and pressure, all I needed was a moment at the beach, with nature, and I'm ready for the world again.