Coming Soon: 2009

And I am so excited because...

I have a 3-day break from work because I need to use up all my remaining Vacation/Annual Leave -> unlike in Manila, only the 25Dec and 01Jan are declared as public holdays here. So, I'll spend the last 3days of the year cleaning up our place, running errands and catching up on things I had no time to do before.

I am entitled to a new wishlist. :) ---->

I'll be home for a week (Yey!)!!! I'm already preparing my list of things to do and food to eat (as well as things to buy hehehe) while I'm there. Oh yeah, and people to see.

Konting tulog na lang... :D

Merry Christmas!!!

It's been a wonderful and happy Christmas despite our being away from our parents. I was able too complete the nine-day Novena-Simbang Gabi (Yey!) and was singing one Christmas song over and over again. We got the things we wished for and more. Spent the day with my sister and friends and had a fun time singing our hearts out. I wish next year we'll be able to celebrate it with our family and have a crowded and sumptuous noche buena...

Again, a Blessed Christmas to all!

Misa de Galo

It's been a while since my last blog, it's not that I'm too busy, though a lot of things did happen - I went to Malaysia!!! Yey! - It's just that I'm getting a bit lazy... So, I will start my December blog with the appropriate topic of Misa de Galo.

Unlike in Manila, Simbang Gabi here is a bit more fun, that is, it sometimes becomes an adventure...



See how challenging it is to complete the 9-day novena... Moving from church to church isn't that easy especially if it is your first time in that area, but the Parish makes sure it'll be worth the challenge as they will serve free meals for all after each mass. Oh, if you're wondering, the 10th day is actually the anticipated Mass Celebration for Christmas.

So I guess I'll spend my next few nights church hunting. :)

funny funny funny

A couple of really really funny clips i found on youtube.
Enjoy!

This one is from the (hilarious) series "How I met your Mother".



"Step on the break sometime in the next 20 minutes." - Ted Mosby


The next is from one of Jeff Dunham's (a ventriloquist) show.



"Silence! I kill you" - Achmed

60 more to go

It has been a busy, very fun and quite tiring weekend for me. My friends from Manila was here on vacation and I got to spend a lot of time with them... happy happy happy... they made my next 60 days here bearable.

A day in high heels... literally

Yes, I barely wear one, I think the last was a year ago when I was in Manila. It was much convenient there because of the less walk, unlike here wherein you have to walk a lot to get where you are going. But I did wore one today. 

Hmmm, it was fun, at first. Me in the 3-inch heels was liberating. It's like stepping out of my box for a while. I felt tall and more confident than usual. At the end of the day though, it became quite uncomfortable. I guess I still have to get used to it. 

So, I'm back to my comfy flat shoes tomorrow. Pretty pretty high heels I'll see you again next week. Hopefully it'll get more comfortable if I get used to it. :)

Elephant's memory

We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered - Tom Stoppard

There are days when you wish you'd forget, these are the days wherein you wake up and realize things are not right. You try to make a conversation but all you can see is your reflection in their eyes. You wanted to run, but you won't because you can't, because it'll hurt and you'll end up where you left off. And nothing, no one can make you feel alright. And as the night comes to an end, you wish tomorrow will not be as futile as today.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... Nah!

I took a day off work today (Yey!). Still have a couple of leaves left and I intend to use them all before the year ends. I ended up cleaning the house and pampering myself (cut myself in the process though). I then decided to go to Orchard to get a haircut and see if any Christmas decorations are already on display. The only decorations I saw was the lampposts on Orchard road decorated as candy canes. It's less than two months before Christmas and I don't feel anything remotely resembling what one should feel when Christmas is approaching.

So, after getting a haircut I went to Border's even after telling myself to not buy any books yet 'cause I have plenty more to read but, since I have a 30% off coupon (thanks to Sara), I decided to purchase just one book.

On my way home, I almost bought a blouse (good thing their size small is still a little too big for me, hmmm, may be it's because I'm not well endowed) and bought a pair of flat shoes. The latter I feel guilty about since I have plenty of flat shoes and I was planning to buy something I still don't have such as a pair with stiletto heels or boots. But I still managed to think of an excuse - I still don't have a pair of black flat shoes (hehehe).

A haircut, a pair of shoes and not feeling excited about Christmas... Hmmm... Kinda reflects my current mood huh.

Not me

Sweet voice in the morning sun

lovely smile to face your frown

Gentle hands with the long black hair

That's her

Who makes your eyes shine in the light

And leaves me forlorn every night

Who holds you with just a whisper

That's her

Maybe not in this moment nor lifetime

Not in my world nor yours

Tonight you'll dream of a song as beautiful

Not of me, but of her

walang justice!

Whenever my sister and I go out, we have this habit of checking out the different couples we see. If both are reasonably good looking, then we would say 'may justice'. If the guy is way too good looking for the girl, then we would say 'walang justice!' and we would start ranting on how incompatible they are. - Bitter us!

While having dinner, we noticed the 2 guys on the other table and realized how weird it looks whenever 2 guys (just 2) go out. - Hehehe.

I told Anne last night that I'll only need (1) Magic Sing concert, (2) a good meal and (3) shopping to feel better. So, I've had my my mini-concert last night - check, I've had a good meal today (well, I only had one meal for the day) - check, and also bought a few things earlier - small check. 

I'll live... He'll live... It'll all be better.

it's kind of over...

No!

Today I learned how to say NO. I am entitled to saying NO. 'Cause there are certain things that I must say NO to. And sometimes, it's just so exhausting to keep saying YES...

** I witnessed Sara got hypnotized!!! No tricks! - coolness

At first it was amusing...

Coming from a different culture and a country which speaks American English, Singapore English was refreshing... at first. The initial difference would be that, Singapore English was influenced by the British, elevator vs lift, pants and trousers, truck and lorry, Gas and petrol, take-outs and take aways and so on... But, like most places, they have developed their own linguistic system that is now known as (tantananantadaa!) Singlish.

Most encountered Singlish phrases/words:

Can lah?

So how?

Ayo! - An expression which conveys disappointment, frustration and the likes

What to do? - this (along with the tone usually associated with it) kind of annoys me

Is it? - Means 'Really?'

Since I really really don't want to sound and talk like them, I am now consious of how I speak (don't want to scare my nieces and nephews when I'm on vacation in Manila with a 'How are you, lah?'). It reminds me of the days when I was in Laguna where I temporarily adapted the southern Tagalog intonation, hence, my proneness to adapting theirs.

So, for those planning a trip here, I suggest you brush up on your Singlish, can lah?

On a different note, someone I know here always use the phrase 'Can I have the...' when what he really means is 'Can I borrow the...', sometimes I just wanna ask him 'Why? Is it yours?'. Hehehe...

just a little happy...

Some of the lines I picked up from several TV series...

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. - William Shakespeare

: I wish people would do wrong to none. It wouldn't cost much to treat others as you want to be treated.

Smooth rides make boring stories, a little calamity, well that's worth talking about.

: Everybody wants colorful stories and we all have at least one...

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

: Easier said than done.

Life is a hell of a thing to happen to a person.

: Yes, sometimes it is.

Nothing is permanent in this wicked world, not even our troubles. - Charles Chaplin

: Yep!

I don't need that fairy tale thing right now, i just need a little happy.

: Just a little happy, please... 

calm down

This weekend I became...

Happy

Annoyed

Cranky

Excited

Sad

Thrilled

Pathetic

Irritated

Tired

And I need to calm down...

My Deepavali weekend

24 Oct:

Left my cellphone at the ofc - had to go back

After having dinner, I drooled over the new macbook, then drooled some more.

Tropic Thunder was really really funny... great movie!

Got a bit cranky on the way home - due to headache and lack of sleep coupled with unnecessary rudeness of the people around me (aarghh)

25 Oct:

Still have the headaches, so I stayed home and rest and eat.

- Happy Birthday Momsie! -

26 Oct:

All hell broke loose, good thing I was asleep the whole time, don't want to be caught in the middle. hehehe

My Pepper Lunch day - Chicken and Salmon, yumyum

Parokya ni Edgar na!!! wooohooo... We really enjoyed it! They're so great and nice and funny and really one of the best. They sung Harana (with Harana 2), Halaga, Gitara and a lot lot more.

27 Oct:

Finally, after a year of separation, we're finally together - me and my magic sing. hehehe.

Plus my very very nice cousin sent me the cd's I requested with Max's merengue. Yey!

Weekend's almost over... back to work tomorrow...

If you stop caring you're jaded, if you care too much it'll ruin you... 

♪ I fell right through the cracks... ♪

It's been raining all week (not heavy rains though, just showers most of the time) and such weather on a Friday morning is just plain mocking after a week of insufficient sleep! But when I realized that tonight will be the start of the long weekend (Yey!), with Tropic Thunder, Pepper Lunch and PnE on my list, then it isn't so bad... Oh, and just listening to this guy's version of I'm Yours makes me feel a lot better (Thanks Anton for the showing me the video).

When a woman tells a man what she's feeling, she doesn't want him to fix her, she just wants him to shut up and listen!

My LSS song for the day

"Here is the church and here is the steeple, we sure are cute for 2 ugly people..."

Thoughtfulness won't cost much

When my sister and I realized that aside from my parents birthday this October, Pau, our lovely niece also celebrated her 10th birthday this month. And so, we decided to buy them a greeting card, but, my sister being the artistic one in our family decided to make the card instead. She created a birthday card for Pau, another for Kurt and miss you cards each for Enteng and Sean. My contribution to the creation of the greeting cards? Well, the decision on which character/item she'll draw based on each kids' interest...

And my final task is to go to the post office, buy the stamps and send them. Hehehe.

All in all the total cost of the 4 cards = 4SGD + a few hours of our time

95 days to go

My countdown officially starts now. Yey!

Gym?

My original plan was to go jogging every after work or at least 3 times a week.  But yesterday I tried going to the Gym. I was given a 2 week free pass at CF so we went there and tried the facilities. I was not really interested but since I've been eating a lot lately, I thought it's not a bad idea to try and burn some of the calories. Saturday was not a very busy day at the gym so we got to move around and tried most of the equipment that was there, except of course the really heavy and complicated ones. 

What I like - sauna, treadmill, the rowing thing and the one for crunches

What I hate - hmmm... may be just the thought of it taking away an hour of my day and yes, of course, the big hole it'll put on my pocket

Still have 2 weeks to decide...

Wishful thinking on a rainy Sunday afternoon

Chicken Congee with tofu from Chowking

Fried Bangus and kangkong with bagoong also from Chowking

Chocolate Sprinkle from Krispy Kreme

Pork Siew Mai from Hen Lin

Bavarian munchkins from Dunkin Donuts

yum yum yum...

I'm counting down the days...

I want a personal jukebox... Sige na, haranahin mo naman ako.

Most of those who knew are still hung up about us as I am hung up about you...

chagrin...

It's the choices we make that defines us

Living with the consequences and stares

Desperately avoiding to err

It's futile but we barely care

Hiding in the starless sky

Wishing for a dreamless sleep

Staring at roads and headlights

On this evening while my reality bites 

akin ka na lang

28Sep2008

To the person we saw at the MRT train who possibly arrived from Thailand (we saw the luggage, hehehe) 

To the guy who we saw standing at Pedro - which made us walk the same hall 4 times

To the twins who were on their way to NS

01Oct2008

To the boy we saw at borders

To the man in my dreams

frustrated

I should be better than this. I used to be better than this. I was doing well until now, until you showed up and made me daft yet again. Made everything around me revolve around you. And so here I am, playing a game that has been decided a long time ago, singing a song that has been out of tune for so long, longing for something that was never meant to be mine. 

And for the nth time, I am going to be frustrated...

same effect

Bigyan na lang kita ng kutsilyo, saksakin mo na lang ako...

Eto bato pakipukpok sa ulo ko...

Asan yung pala, hukayin ko na lang yung libingan ko...

same effect lang e...

On heartaches and toothaches

Something has to be removed/extracted or patched before the pain subsides. But nothing will ever be the same again, what was once there is gone or different. You will always be reminded of what used to be but will somehow be grateful that the pain is already over, and proud that it was audaciously dealt with…

i don't have commitment issues

I honestly don't think I have one... or do I?

This was brought about by the conversation that I had with someone over YM. I just, well it's not really as simple, and it's just me being a realist, well, I'm so miles away... Oh crap! Need to collect my thoughts on this one... I really don't agree, but then again...

Maybe I do...

Damien's music

After watching 'Closer' a couple of weeks ago, I told myself that I have to find the title of the song that was playing at the beginning (and at the end) of the movie. But the always forgetful me, I was only able to do it only now. It was entitled 'The Blower's Daughter' by Damien Rice (the same guy who sung Cannonball). After checking out some of his songs in youtube, I became a fan of his music and poetry. I personally liked 'The Blower's Daughter' and '9 Crimes' (Cannonball was already a given) because of the soul and emotions it gives when you listen to these songs. I felt that if I was a musician, my music would most likely resemble his. I have yet to listen to the whole album (oddly named 'O') which I definitely would once I got a copy, and I can't wait to grab one. Hopefully I'll find time to drop by a music store this week...

Kwarto

I miss my OPM CDs!!! My Sugarfree, Hale, Eraserheads, etc. I could listen to them online but it's just not the same without looking at the cover or singing along with the lyrics on hand. I should've rip a copy before I left but didn't had the chance (technically, the time) to do so... Well, it should be part of my 'to do' list when I go on vacation (hopefully soon).

...Maglilinis ako ng aking kwarto, na punong-puno ng galit at tamis... - Kwarto by Sugarfree

Me and September

I'm home and I'm sick. The doctor I saw yesterday told me I have the flu... Sad sad sad... So I'm home, alone and bored. I'm feeling a little better now (with all the meds the doctor gave me, I'd better be), I just hope I get well soon... and I mean like tonight so I can start enjoying my weekend.

I remembered that I also got sick September last year (weird huh!) and I was really upset at that time because 5 days of my 2 week mandatory leave was spent at home. So I guess, me and September doesn't really work well together... Maybe I have a September sickness... hehehe...

Don't spoil what you have
by desiring what you don't
and will never have...

Yeah, sure!

'ber months

It's going to be September very soon - the 1st ber month of the year. To celebrate such occasion, I bought myself a very nice gift...

Okay, I admit I'm just justifying my actions. But I really think it's about time for me to buy something for myself, and so, I did! Happy me!

Opossums

I noticed that my penmanship is no longer as neat as it once was. I guess years of using the keyboard instead of pen and paper has its own drawbacks. Well, they will just have to appreciate the thought, effort and time it took me to write all these nice postcards...

Did you know that Opossums don't "play dead" - they pass out from sheer fright.
I didn't. I didn't even know there's such a thing (animal in this case) as Opossum. Well, now I do, and so will the person I'll send this postcard to. =)

my soulmate... for now

Can't seem to get over my 'soulmate'.

All I can talk about the whole day is my ardent admiration and insatiable desire for it. But knowing me, it'll take me a couple more weeks to really decide if I will indeed purchase one so soon...
Hmm... I won't even be surprised if I dream about it tonight - a very sweet (and taunting) dream it will be.

weight scare

I think I'm gaining weight, well, actually I feel fat. My pants which are quite loose before now perfectly fits while those that fits fine are now a little tight. I know it shouldn’t bother me since I really should gain a few lbs, and some of my friends don’t even agree that I’m fat. My sister just thinks that I have reached my ideal weight and therefore should simply maintain it. I guess I’m just being paranoid… But I’ll start watching what I eat, just in case.

I can’t have what I want and I can’t want what I have… so sad...

tidbits

When I told myself that I will not buy any books momentarily, I should’ve also mentioned not to buy any shoes (and a bag) in place of a book… hehehe…

Now have 7 unread books on my shelf, should finish them first before buying new ones (needs to practice self-control!)

My cousin just told me that Powerbooks is giving 20% off on all fiction books… darn! It would’ve been my heaven here on earth…

Just finished reading the Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer and I find it quite good. Good thing I was able to purchase all four with a discount. (Borders’ 3for2 for the first 3 books and 20% off from MPH for the Breaking Dawn)

Well, that's all for now, I guess... back to work...

I miss my College friends. I was checking my old emails and deleting the unnecessary items when I came across an email from joyce dated 24Jan2005 (a long long time ago). The email contains the pictures taken from our previous Friday's escapade (I think this was my birthday dinner)… I just miss the old days. I wish we’d all see each other soon.

again...

Why am I so daft to pretend that I can when I clearly can’t… Well, I guess I’ll have to try again…

sigh…

To: JM

This entry is dedicated to a very special lady who…
…has utmost faith in love
…wears her heart on her sleeves
…would give anything and forget everything for the love of…
…gets her heart broken so many times by so few guys

I miss you! Happy Birthday! =)

salt and pepper

It was an ordinary school day for me, cramming for exams, borrowing notes and anxiously trying to obtain copies of old exams (we get through each semester because of these!). Amidst all these mayhem in our tambayan I noticed you. By that time I already knew who you are, it just surprises me that you’re there. But then I realized that all the members hanging around are your friends, so I guess you’re there because of their invitation. I don’t actually recall if we’re formally introduced. All I can remember was that we started talking and exchanging notes and mobile numbers. And I guess everything started that day…

I find you eccentric even before we started hanging around. I thought there would be no harm if we became friends. It would be nice to be around someone who doesn’t actually look at me like I would break down any minute given the circumstances surrounding me that time. I’d say we know so little about each other that it felt comfortable to just be ourselves and laugh at silly things. It has been so refreshing to be around you that I didn’t realize I’m plunging into a trap I’ve unconsciously woven and the worst part of it all is, I let myself fall…

I remembered one sunny day you saw me walking towards my next class, entranced in my own thoughts that I hadn’t realized that you were suddenly standing under my umbrella. It was such a nice feeling to be walking beside you but it was short lived when you suddenly asked if I was going out with one of my good friends. I was so surprised that I might have sounded excessively defensive. I don’t want you to think I’m unavailable because I’m hoping for something more than just friends. But I guess I’m so out of luck because before the semester ends you saw me holding his arm. I wanted to explain that we were just both eager to see the results of our final exams that I have to hold his arm to keep him from leaving me behind but I don’t think you would’ve cared.

And so, our story remains unchanged. I, barely knowing you, you hardly knew me. We remain in touch though, occasional hi’s and hello’s. But we infrequently see each other, I think every 2 years on the average (after my leaving college). I’m sure you’ve had your share of relationships as I had mine. But I still think about you, always wondering, praying, wanting and waiting.

I know writing will just be another futile attempt to reach you and let you know these things. But nevertheless, I owe myself this, before I can let everything go I have to admit that I fell for you, fell so hard it took me years to recover. But I am recovering, moving on and letting go. I’m now giving myself a chance to love and be loved.

And as always, for you, I’m just another nice girl, a thoughtful and caring friend. Always was, and always will be…

where are the stars?

When I initially arrived here in Singapore one of the things I noticed is the evening sky without the stars. At first I thought may be it’s going to rain, hence the lack of it. But days passed and still none. I guess we’re located in an area where the clouds are too thick and always covered them.

This saddens me because I like looking at them. And I know this is going to sound peculiar but I like talking to them – I tell them when I’m happy and frustrated, when I feel proud or insignificant. I tell them the secrets I dare not share with a living soul. I always believe they’re our loved ones who are no longer with us but will always look after us (sounds like Simba and Mustafa huh?), hence, my comfort and relief in their existence.

Their absence, especially on this night, distresses me...

where to?

Feels like I’m going through my life with no definite idea of where I’m headed.

This is so unlike me…

cold and rainy day

6:50 AM - My 1st alarm goes off
Hmm… So cold… So dark… Is it really time to wake up?

7:00 AM – My 2nd alarm goes off
… alarms every 10 minutes
Just a few more minutes… Please…
At this point I decided to drop the 10 minutes I have to allot for doing my make up and just use it to get some more sleep.

7:40 AM – Time to get a hot shower
But it’s still so dark outside and it’s raining and it’s the best weather to just stay in bed and sleep...

8:15 AM – Doing my make up
Well, I don’t want to look like I just got out of bed.

8:25 AM – Still raining while I’m on my way to work
Why can’t this type of weather fall on a weekend??? Yawn…

9:20 AM – All set up and ready to work
Yey! The scripts I left ran successfully.
Work work work

11:35 AM – Writing this Blog
The script I triggered is still running and I think will still stay that way for another 3 hrs. Hmmm... What else do I need to do (instead of writing a blog)???



I know, quite uneventful… so far.

i love books!!!

Yes, I am one of those people who could spend all day reading a book. I am not a nerd (I admit, at some point in my life I was) but I just love to be engaged in a really good book. I’ve had my Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings (yes, I did manage to read through the old English language of the book) phases. My dream home includes a library (I would also settle for plenty of bookshelves) to house the books I bought and I intend to buy (and I have a few more on my mind). I am now on my 7th Jodi Picoult novel and I’m still enjoying her works.

I listed down a few of my favorite reads (highly recommended by me!)

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
The 5 people you meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (if you’re not fan of classic novels then you can pass on this one)

I still have 4 unread books on my shelf which I hope will last until I my next trip to Powerbooks (Manila). Books here in Singapore are more expensive, but good thing I still have my Border’s S$50 voucher, hmmm, makes me think of my next book to purchase. =)

P.S.
If you’re a book enthusiast, you may want to check out the Time Magazine’s All Time 100 Novels.

manic monday

Monday... The day I hated when I was still in school and dreaded when I started working - but this Monday is an exception. I'm not so sure why, but I guess having a good weekend rest and knowing I did a good job last week made me feel that this week will not be so bad (I'm beginning to be an optimist but I don't think it'll last very long).

But like all other workdays, I want today to end already... =)

weekend plans

I'm so glad it's finally Friday!!! I have to list down my itinerary for the weekend so I won't forget a thing and I can keep my mind away from things that are actually bothering me (sob... sob…)

11Jul08
Anne wants to go to Takashimaya (I have to go home early though)

12Jul08
Watch Hellboy 2 (Yey!!!!) in AMK with Bona and Anne
Buy a birthday gift for Cait
Caitlin's birthday celebration
Help Bona pack for Sunday

13Jul08
Drop off Bona at the Airport (I wanna go home too...)
Try to finish 'The Other Boleyn Girl' book
Attend mass

Hmmm.... maybe that'll keep me busy for a while... Gosh I miss my friends!

Something to look forward to: temporary assignment to another project! Goodbye (for now) project room… I’ll see you again 04Aug (hopefully) hehehe.

lunch at munch

“When you’re 24, innocence is not an excuse – it is called ignorance! Hahaha” (Yes, all 3 of us were laughing while she was saying that)
- Sara commenting on Anne’s alleged innocence (over lunch at munch)

hopes and dreams

07Jul2008 10pm

I just don't want to forget that date and time and some important points of that night...

>nieces and nephews
>Tagaytay
>Makati
>2-4
>twins

There, I think that would be enough to keep that in my head, and oh yeah, 2010...

sigh....

postcards anyone?!!

Just got a dozen free postcards (and half of them with free postage)!!! Yay!!! After a few minutes of figuring out how I can discreetly obtain my friends' addresses, I ended up just asking them... so much for the surprise...

Friends, BF and Ex-GF

** a friend scrutinizing BF with ex-GF's photo **

SV: so...

Wen: so?

Wen: any thoughts?

SV: girlfriend niya yung naka-blue?

SV: ex-gf! sorry sorry

Wen: yep, pareho silang naka-blue

SV: ok, mas maganda ka sa ex niya ng 100000 times na paligo

SV: even kung wala kang makeup

Wen: hahaha... napako na yata ang smile sa face ko... hehehe

Wen: salamat ha...

SV: oo naman noh

** and that I say is a suuuuuper nice friend **

my very first blog

I've always wanted to sign up for a BlogSpot account but I've put it off several times because I thought “Who would be interested enough to read my blogs?" Probably someone, or maybe, no one. Nevertheless, here’s my attempt at writing bits and pieces of my life…