Second Date

I haven't granted a second date to anyone here in Manila...until last night.

I could've gone to Tagaytay. I could've gone to the salon with Zara for some kumare bonding. I could've stayed at the condo and enjoyed having the place all to myself. But I didn't. Afterall, promises aren't made to be broken. And if your date is that pogi, how could you not go? HeHe.

Out of all the younger cousins, Joaqui is probably the most like me: he's quiet (huwag na kayong humirit! HaHa!), a man of a few words, hopeless romantic, movie-watcher, tambay sa bahay, internet addict, simple (Ninang called him promdi last night much to my amusement!), low-key, smart (*ahem), and...single? Single ba yan? HeHe. He always seeks my opinions regarding love and I'm happy to mold him into a great guy by virtue of my kadiring love advice. HeHe! The only thing I couldn't help him with last night was his hair.

J: Ate, marunong ka bang mag-style ng hair?
Me: Ha?

HeHe. Shoot, I can't even blowdry my own hair, no! LoL.

I thought "cousin" was the only title I held around here. Nope. Add to that "chaperone" and "date"...all positions Joaqui imposed on me in the last month. I'm really scared what my next role will be. Prom date? Naku po! I swear, it's been feeling like I'm re-living all of my teenage years. Take two daw para mawala ang mga angsts ko sa buhay. HeHe!

- - - -

While at Starbucks at 1 a.m. this morning,

Ninang: Yun na lang sa iyo (referring to a tall, sporty guy sitting all alone).
Me: Kanina ko pa nga yan tinitingnan.
Ninang: Kanina pa din nakatingin yan dito. Hindi ko lang alam kung ako tinitingnan or ikaw.

I think "age-defying" really runs in this family. HaHa!

Halfway Point

Three months down; three to go.

To Ate Ria:
Me on the otherhand is just plain confused about what I'm good at and what I actually like. So I figured, I just need to keep trying on shoes until I find the one that fits. Call me Cinderella.

Ate Ria's reply:
You are too smart to not be able to get a job there...or anywhere. You've got great insight and are a terrific writer. Maybe a job offer will come at midnight. Very Cinderella.

Ate had asked me if I was living the sweet life of leisure, no job, no school, and no worries. How I wish. How I wish that I have nothing to think about everyday. How I wish that being a bum means having the mentality, too. But, I don't. I'm a bum who's worrying about the very day that she's not a bum anymore.

As each day passes by, I keep thinking, "Man, that's another day closer to a trip back to Seattle." Pessimistic? Why yes, yes I am. HaHa. I know November and December will fly by and the next thing I know, it's going to be January. As much as I want to just be "steady" and keep it cool, I can't help but play scenarios in my head. Very sad...with tears and stuff. *SIGH.

I just find it so frustrating that I'm THIS close to getting a job, yet I can't seal the deal, you know? That's what pisses me off the most. It's like, I go to these interviews, do well, but then I don't end up with anything. Hmm, sounds like my lovelife. Kidding! LoL.

Dear God, it has always been career or lovelife. In case You haven't noticed, I don't have a lovelife! So please, pretty please, may I have a career? Like next month. Wait, next month after my Cebu/Bohol/Camiguin trip. HaHa! No seriously, yo quiero un trabajo ahora, por favor. But if You want to procrastinate (tawagin ba si God na procrastinator!), then I'll take a job before the end of January, too...just please let me know now that that's your plan for me. Stressed na ako eh.

I'm Adopted

Almost a year ago, I was in Florida with Pen, her two sisters, and her sisters' significant others. In other words, I was the stranger in the bunch, but not once did I feel like I wasn't part of their family. Ate Len took a day off to take me around, Jen cooked me breakfast and allowed me to use her Gap discount, and Pen went home after her classes to see me. Itay even invited me to come back for Christmas.

In Seattle, my supervisors always invite me over for dinner or get-togethers during special occasions. While on my flight from Seoul to Manila, I met Tita Rosalyn who made sure to give me her contact information and told me that I'm more than welcome to stay at their "humble" home in Cebu once I've made my way into the Visayas region. After telling her via text that I was enjoying my probinsya lifestyle in Tacloban, she told me that I should consider staying at their house a little bit longer in November. At Zara's wedding, I was the one riding with her in the bridal car. Whenever I'm at their house and both of her nephews are there, I get slobbery kisses reserved for those only in the family. With Kuya Heinz, need I say more? HeHe. Then, there's Ninang who hasn't kicked me out of this house three months into my overstaying. HeHe.

To that list, I can now add the Villasins of Tacloban. Raissa told her dad and sister that I was coming. Tito provided a car and driver during my entire stay in Tacloban while Camille tagged along and became my tourguide. Last night, I was even at their relatives' house for a family party. Take note that I have not met Raissa at all, yet I've taken a nap at her house and seen all the new additions to her house that even she has not seen after all these years. Crazy, eh?

All I can say is thanks. I feel that whereever I am in the world, I'll always have a family and that is such a good feeling. I just hope that not everyone visits Seattle all at the same time...we only have one spare bedroom at our house, you know. HeHe.

Every Little Bit

I've always wanted a little sister ever since I could remember. I'm glad that my being here in Manila has given me a chance to be an Ate. And I know that I shouldn't be the one giving advice to kids since I'm as confused as they are eventhough I'm so many years older than them, but I hope that I at least give them enough encouragement to believe that life is truly a journey worth taking. Naks! Yeah, binasa ko lang yan somewhere. HaHa!

Last night (this morning), I woke up at around 3:30 to find out that pinakyaw na naman ako ng lamok. Instead of smelling like a Fil-Am, these promdi mosquitoes must've smelled a Manila Girl and took full advantage. When I killed one, I saw all the evidence that I needed: it was all bloody. Eww!

I left the hotel at 10 and took a tricycle to McDo for my brunch. I just wore my green capris, a shirt, and my P50 Sponge Bob tsinelas that I bought with Zara before having our spontaneous salon trip a few weeks back. Gusgusin look ito kung tutuusin. If I wore the same outfit to Podium, I probably wouldn't be let in at all, but here, it was all good. How can you not fall in love with the probinsya lifestyle? HeHe.

After getting a kick out of my chicken nuggets with rice combo, I decided to ignore the convenience of P5 tricycle rides and walked around town. Yes, for the first time in three months, I was able to walk around a neighborhood because the air pollution wasn't a problem! Since it's tanghaling tapat, I was sweating buckets, but I didn't mind. I also turned red in the process: naarawan na si Casper! ;P

After seeing Douglas MacArthur's house and Rizal Park (yes, there's a Luneta in Tacloban!), I ended up hearing mass at Sto. Nino Church. I thought na magmumuni-muni ako sa tabing dagat dito pero I found the church to be the best place for some reflection. It was also cool to hear the mass in Waray-English. I'm looking forward to doing the same when I travel to other regions of this country.

At two, Camille picked me up and we went to San Juanico Bridge (longest bridge in SE Asia!), MacArthur Park, and the Villasin's house. I find it amusing that virtual friends are entering real life territory already (Raissa, kita ko na ang grad pic mo! HaHa!).

For an Ate-Little Sister Bonding, Camille and I had coffee and dinner together. Counseling session to the max! Since we're both the youngest in the family, we definitely have a lot of things in common and can relate to one another. It's just funny that we traveled so far to do such a thing when we could've done the same in Katipunan! Though it seems that it's much easier to get together here in Tacloban than in Manila. Yes, yet another example that "baliktad ang mundo."

I had a good time and I'm glad that I'm not really alone around here. =)

Love At First Sight

It was a quick romance. We said hi. We hugged. We kissed. We said goodbye. All in a span of one hour. Why do all good things come to an end?

I gotta say that Ethan puts all the torpe boys of Manila to shame. How old is Ethan? Oh, he's 2. HeHe. He sat in the same row as me on my Manila-Tacloban flight and charmed his way into my heart.

Yes, I'm in Tacloban. Why? Because Wow Philippines na! I need time to think about things and thought it's the perfect time to get away from chaotic Manila. Hence, here I am.

The good thing about traveling alone is that you're forced to talk to people you otherwise wouldn't have. I arrived at the domestic airport way too early for my 1 p.m. flight. Not content with my Kulay the iPod, I ended up talking to Aling Nene, who's on her way to Kalibo, Aklan to visit her mother in the hospital. Aling Nene is actually from Parang, Marikina which is just a few minutes away from San Mateo. Hay ang sarap makinig ng personal stories ng mga tao! Usi, ba? HeHe.

Then, I met Ethan on the plane and you know what happened from there. HeHe.

The downside of traveling alone? No one to take pictures of you, no one to say "Uy, may papa!" to, and here I am occupying one of two beds in my room.

And being the praning girl that I am, I'm still waiting for my lakas ng loob to arrive so that I could ride the tricycle to McDo. I haven't eaten a meal since breakfast ha!

Wish any of you guys was here!

Praise the Lord

Thirty minutes. In thirty minutes, Rachael can whip up a whole dinner in her show on The Food Network. In thirty minutes, you can get your car's oil changed. In thirty minutes, you can take me from Ortigas all the way home to San Mateo. Only thirty minutes! And with me in the car, it only seems like five minutes! (Tumahimik ka, Homer! LoL)

Me: Father, may gimik ka tonight?
Homer: Oo, sa church namin. Wala akong masyadong kilala doon. Sama ka?
Me: (after explaining *my* gimik that I was hoping to find someone to go with) Sige, game.

While sitting in Galleria, I thought to myself, "Teka lang, ako nagyaya pero bakit gimik niya ang nasunod?!" Mga magaganda talaga o, palaging naapi. Tsk. Tsk.

Last Friday, my gimik was at a school (don't even ask. HeHe!). This Friday's gimik was at GCF. Bagay na bagay sa wholesome image ko! Sa convent talaga ang bagsak ko nito pagdating ng panahon. HaHa! While being a "triangle" during the games, I met Genny with a G. Age? 7! Yes, hindi na ako nagtataka kung bakit ako single. Puro little kids ang kumakausap sa akin palagi! HeHe.

Genny: Do you watch "Cupids"?
Me: Yes, I've seen an episode. (That's such a lie and Pen knows it. LoL)
Genny: Do you know Gab Drilon?
Me: Yes.
Genny: He's my brother.

I told you guys, ako ang nilalapitan ng mga artista! It just comes naturally. HeHe. Afterwards, tambay sa Cafe Breton (naks, si MiNA may mga kasama sa coffeeshop! Himala! HaHa!). Pero sad ako kasi everywhere I go, when people introduce me to other people, palaging niyayaya ako sa future gimiks nila pero parang not realistic that I would actually make it to any of them kasi nga I live in San Mateo. Wala lang, nanghihinayang lang ako dun sa potential friendships. Asus, feeling sorry na naman si San Mateo Girl. HaHa!

So there, Kuya Heinz has introduced me to their whole angkan. Homer has introduced me to their church. Hmm. Sino next? Iko? Iko will introduce me to the whole subdivision kaya? HeHe!

Kapamilya

I've been upset the last few days because it sounds like I'm still frontpage news in the family chismis circle. With some 24 direct titos and titas and some 40 first cousins in two countries and five states, no one wants to be the subject of everyone's attention especially if he/she has never been in the headlines before. Well, I felt better today when I read a forwarded e-mail:

E-mail from Tito to L.A. Girl Cousin
i heard you're getting married. is that true?

Cousin's reply to Tito
no way! i'm not getting married!

Cousin's e-mail to her sisters and me
oh my gosh! why was i not in on this plan!? all of a sudden one day i hear I'M getting married!

FYI, it's not L.A. Girl Cousin who's getting married, but her younger brother. Reading the e-mail (and laughing out loud about it) made me realize that the facts about my being here in Manila may have been twisted and turned more than once before they reached the recipients. Hence, I shouldn't really take all the strong opinions and violent reactions to heart.

Let me just say that I'm here for myself, to find myself, and to be a better person altogether. I didn't make this move to hurt anyone nor am I rebelling. I did this to be happy according to my own personal definition.

I've always done what was right in all of my life so trust me when I say that what I'm doing is "right" at this point in time. Yes, it may sound crazy, but I trust you that no mental hospital will admit me in case you feel the need to bring me to one. I'm not here to do anything wrong, but to do something good...for myself. For once in my life, I'd like to be selfish and take care of my needs. Let me have the six months if that's the maximum time I can have in this country. Let me have the six months with some peace of mind from being understood and supported.

Donde Esta?

What do you do when your #1 tambay buddy is having a party of her own? Who the heck do you bring to that when your tambay buddy is usually the one you would ask to go to such an event? Tsk. Tsk.

And where have all my usual tambay buddies gone?! Kuya Heinz is in NYC. Ale is busy with projects. Tet is slaving away at work. Zara is "Ni hao"ing her way around Hong Kong Disneyland right this very minute.

Bakit ninyo ako iniwanan? Hindi na kayo naawa sa The Sawi and Unemployed! HeHe. Shoot. No wonder my mind is the noisiest it has ever been.

- - - -

Raissa: text nicco na lang
Me: ano naman itetext ko doon, "wish you were here"??? hahaha
Raissa: sira! ask for info kasi mas alam niya

Linawin kasi, people. Alam naman ninyo na iba ang takbo ng isip ko! HeHe.

Game Ka Na Ba?

Option #1: Travel alone this week to Cebu, Tagbilaran/Panglao Island, and Camiguin while yours truly is still waiting for my job offer

Option #2: Travel with The Fusers (ang ganda ng nickname!) in November to Cebu for Ad Congress

Yes, Option #2 makes the most sense. Afterall, haven't I been whining about not having travel buddies? Wasn't it super duper lonely when I traveled to Belgium and Hong Kong/China earlier this year because I was all alone? Didn't people tell me that I shouldn't travel alone in this country?

However, I'm really thinking that I'm going to get a job soon (wishing, hoping, and praying!). If I get a job, I won't get time off for Ad Congress. It will be another failed attempt to set foot in the Visayas! Blasphemy! Tragic even!

*SIGH. What to do, what to do.

Clueless

While watching women at Rustan’s yearly Frequent Shopper sale, I realized that I will never, ever, ever understand why women would spend so much money buying a designer bag for the purpose of holding their money when buying such a bag would leave them with no money at all.

Celebrity sightings of the last weeks (backlog!): Luis Alandi and this other ABS-CBN chick, Mico Aytono, JB Magsaysay, Alice Dixson, and President GMA

Wow Na!

It always comes up during my job interviews: Filipinos need to have faith in the Philippines more. My theory is if Filipinos would just venture out of Manila more often, then they'll realize how beautiful and precious this country really is. Didn't I say I was idealistic? I mean, if you battle crazy traffic everyday, get sick from all the pollution from PUVs, and everything else that comes with living in the city, then hell, yes, you'll hate this country with a quickness. That's why you need to see what the rest of this country has to offer (aside from Boracay and Palawan, okay?).

I was waiting for a big fiesta to jumpstart my Wow Philippines agenda and alas, the MassKara Festival is coming up. Imagine all the photo-ops with all the colorful costumes! I can think of a few crazy poses to show to Pen already. Imagine all the people you will get to meet! Imagine all the chicken inasal your stomach can take! Imagine seeing a balikbayan all giddy and stuff from finally setting foot in the Visayas region!

I found a travel buddy (who deserves a birthday celebration in Bacolod), and she found another travel buddy, but we need male travel buddies only because our loved ones would feel much better about letting us go if we had some. And please, don't flatter yourselves: I'm all about finding the promdi of my dreams in Bacolod. ;P

Once I start working, I can't venture out of town anymore so I got to do this now (Ale, do you hear me?). I've been here for two months already and my travel destinations have only been to uber exotic places like umm...uhh...The Podium, Shang, Galle, and Gateway (Tagaytay doesn't count since hello, it's only 1.5 hours away plus I was sick pa!). Come on, people! The Philippine DOT needs your pesoses! Promise, if you go, I won't bug you about Ad Congress in Cebu next month! Sige na! :: making sad puppy dog faces ::

Bloody Hell

I swear, I think God put me on this Earth to be an example to other humans of what is not normal. Oh be quiet, this is a serious entry. ;P

I just want things to normalize again. It's been two years for crying out loud. Two years too long. Although I've been told there's nothing to worry about, I know for a fact that this is not normal. Dealing with it is not fun. And yes, I've considered this as God's way of mocking me yet again. Why else would the cure to this ailment be so closely related to having a lovelife? Of all things! God is truly funny and I'm His favorite daughter to pick on. Hmph!

So, I've known it all along: I'm special. Even I got Tet to say, "Kakaiba ka!" Yes, and don't anyone dare forget it. HeHe!

Pump It Up

Last night, Tito refilled the gas tank while we were in Libis. Yes, we filled up at the gas station with the hanging pumps. How high tech is that! HeHe. Anyway, he started talking about how expensive the gas is nowadays and that a full tank now would cost P2,000! Holy moley!

Yes, last night, the little light bulb in my head finally lit up. I completely understand now. P2,000/week is just crazy. "I told you so" would be the right phrase to throw at me. I don't harbor any more ill will towards those who keep telling me that San Mateo is "too far." I have accepted the truth! Hallelujah! LoL.

But of course, much love and respect still go out to those who have made the trek to the boonies to see me, pick me up, and/or drop me off at home. You guys are still the coolest people in my book. If I ever get a pad in Ortigas, you guys get first visiting rights. The softies can wait. ;P

Speaking of the boonies, we didn't have internet connection for the past five days. Apparently, someone had stolen PLDT's copper phone cables (to sell). I didn't think I would ever use this phrase in the Philippines, but dang, that's just plain ghetto. Tsk. Tsk. I hope it doesn't happen again because I seriously had major withdrawals this past week and lugging Papa around the metropolis is just too stressful (says the praning girl). Me and my big problems strike again. HeHe!

Sign Here

Funny how the world works.

Kuya H was right: comments add more information about a topic. It has always been my wish that Haloscan would archive all of my website comments rather than deleting them after a few weeks. Sayang eh. Hence, it made me realize that I need to put back my guestbook on here. Yes, as old school as that may sound, guestbooks are great because they keep a good track of who has been on your site (you're such a geek, MiNA!) and entries never get deleted. Proof?

Here's an entry from November 5, 2003:

it's fun reading your blog mina. hope you find the right job AND guy for you :)

Those words were from none other than Kuya H himself. Who knew that two years later, he would be working on both issues! HaHa! Lesson learned? Be careful what kinds of words you tell someone whether in person, e-mail, or guestbook! You never know when your words will haunt you. ;P

But yes, the laughter should be aimed at me dahil two years later, I still have the same problems. Kaya nga "walang kamatayang career and lovelife" ang tawag, di ba? HeHe. But if Kuya H's predictions are correct from our de-briefing session on Tuesday (yes, nagsama na naman ang mga taong walang social life! LoL), the career problem should be solved soon. At least that's what we're hoping for dahil pagod na ako sa kaka-answer ng mga parehong interview questions and Kuya H is tired of counseling me about my job-hunting woes. Or, baka mas tired yan about being a default driver...but that's related to Project #2 and not Project #1, Kuya. HaHa!

Anywho, sign the guestbook if you've never done so. And if you got the time, become an usi and check out the past entries. The entries from various torpes, Pen, and lost surfers are quite entertaining. Enjoy!

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I saw Dubai on Monday night. Yes, on a Monday night, I was actually out and even watched a movie. Yihee! It's so unusual that it was worth noting. HeHe. Anyway, I should've known better than to listen to all the hype: the movie wasn't all that. Sure, I cried at a couple of scenes, but ho hum, ho hum nonetheless. Plus, contrary to popular belief, it's not a romantic movie. But in case you find yourself in the theatre, pay attention to Claudine's character: who does she remind you of? =) She made me realize na OFW pala ako...sa Pinas lang nga. LoL.