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.

When I'm not working...

As in my last post, I'm so addicted to blogthings nowadays and it's amazing how some of these quizzes could actually be mirroring MY truth. I agree with most of the results. Yes, I am Courtney Love. And I do LOVE The Cure.

The Cure Shares Your Taste in Music

See their whole playlist here (iTunes required)

Which Musician (or Group) Shares Your Taste in Music?

Addicted to blogthings

You Should Be a Musician

You have a rare combination of talents: an ear for music, nimble fingers, and the willpower to practice.You could master almost any instrument you choose to play (if you haven't already!)

What Sort of Artist Should You Be?

You're An Alcoholic

Time to go back to step one.

What Kind of Drunk Are You?

Your Heart Is Purple

For you, love is about establishing and developing a deep connection.If it's true love, it brings you more wisdom and inner strength. Your flirting style: Sincere Your lucky first date: An afternoon at a tea house Your dream lover: Is both thoughtful and expressive What you bring to relationships: Understanding

What Color Of Heart Do You Have?

I am Courtney Love

Which Rock Chick Are You?

It's been two years!

It's been two years since I started working, and honestly, I never thought I'd last this long... in one company. Time flies so fast, or so they say. Two years ago, I was ready to job hop, just like my other friends, in a personal quest to find the right place for me. But fortunately, I landed in a very good company. This has saved me all the time and effort of re-applying and looking for a nice job. This is not to say that I've gotten my dream job. I have not. But this is nice.

I look at my work now as more of a stepping stone, a breeding ground of sorts where great people are made. I am learning so much here, and surprisingly, having fun. I love it that I learn new things everyday.... some of them from my mistakes, and some of them I just stumbled upon.

Perhaps it's only now that I have adjusted to everything. I love my friends at work - they are really great. If there was one factor that I think was detrimental to how I stand to work now, it would be my friends - the same people who have liven up my days in the corporate world. I'm also very fortunate to have such good mentors whom I also consider my friends. I think they're doing a very good job in educating me and training me to become good in my craft. At this point, my mentors are being able to bring out the best in me - I am so motivated to prove my worth.

Tomorrow is another day.

What type of weather are you?

You Are Rain

You can be warm and sexy. Or cold and unwelcoming.Either way, you slowly bring out the beauty around you. You are best known for: your touch Your dominant state: changing

What Type of Weather Are You?

Contemplating the future

My uncle and I had this conversation a while ago at a cousin's party. Didn't know how, but we ended up talking about career. We're looking at the successful people around us and admired at how these people were able to overcome adversity, conquer themselves and consequently succeed in whatever they chose to do. My uncle's message of the day was: never be a slave for somebody else.

I've been working for quite a while in a 9-6 job (though it really isn't just 9-6... more like 8-8 + weekends)... and for what? I don't even have savings... I can't even afford to go places with it. To stress his point, my uncle used another uncle, this time a doctor, as an example. This doctor can see 10 patients an hour. If he works for another hour, he gets to see 20 patients a day. If he works for three hours, he gets to see 30 patients... and his income grows exponentially by the hour. As for me, whether I work 8 or 12 hours a day doesn't really make a difference. What I earn will always be the same. It goes nowhere. Yes, you get a raise when you're promoted but it's only an addition. Your salary increases and that's it. It doesn't MULTIPLY.

My uncle told me that if I really wanted to be successful, I should get on my toes and start to really plan for the future. Nothing is easy. Nothing is offered on a silver platter. It's not everyday that one of us wins the lottery. And life isn't getting any simpler as you get older. It's important to learn how to secure the future and to be prepared with whatever life throws our way. He told me that it's important to take risks and face the things that you fear because only then will you be able to test your limits.

Seeing the people around me, I did realize that the ones who are successful are the ones who went through really tough challenges in life. Here's this doctor from a poor family who strived so hard to become good in his craft. Here's this young actress from a province who worked her way up the showbiz ladder.

I just had a renewed perspective on my future. I just want to get serious and start creating a niche for myself... my very own place in the grand scheme of things.