Get A Move On It

I'm proud to say that yours truly is finally getting a move on it. I have begun working on my "job portfolio:" a small compilation of what I have achieved and done in the last four years. I am hoping that after this is done, I'll finally be inspired to declare war on this horrible economy.

Bumming around the house ain't as fun as it used to be. Well, it was never fun, but I found escape through my daily doses of Morning Girls, Balikbayan Trail, In Fitness & Health, and Breakfast. Sadly though, all good things must come to an end: Kris isn't as kalog anymore, I can't find Jinno Rufino on Balikbayan Trail episodes anymore, it sucks waiting for In Fitness... to come on only to pay attention to the first 5 minutes when Tina Juan answers those wonderful fitness/health inquiries, and Bam Aquino is still great, but I can't stand seeing Ryan Agoncillo on Breakfast (Please bring back JC Gonzales na lang!). Reading books and watching all those movies I never watched in the last four years are still fun things to do, but the librarians might be tired of seeing me na sa library since I'm there almost every other day ata. Yes, my ganda points are slowly decreasing by my "tambay sa bahay" antics so I really need to do something about it.

For those who know a thing or two about page layouts/designs, care to help me out? I just need suggestions on how to make words on a paper look interesting to anyone who cares to read it.

Damage

My Tito and Tita left for Chicago today. Balik drama na naman dito sa bahay. Anyway, let's see how much damage was done in the last 10 days:

- Sansrival from Goldilocks-Vancouver
- Manicotti and Tiramisu from The Olive Garden
- Filet Mignon from The Keg
- 2 trips to 2 Chinese restaurants
- 1 Caramel JavaKula, 1 Javanilla Shake from Seattle's Best Coffee
- 2 bags of roasted chestnuts
- Cinnabon eaten at home
- White Chocolate & Macadamia Nut cookies from Mrs. Fields
- Shakey's Pizza
- various Filipino foods eaten at others' houses

*Sniff, *Sniff. My two weeks' worth of walking/jogging everyday went down the drain. Sayang talaga, but then again, I had fun tagging along. Since it was a male blood-relative of my dad's (versus his sisters), walang pintasan na nangyari about my weight. Wala ding pintas about my lovelife, but the subject did come up numerous times.

"Madaming foreigner sa Boracay kapag Pasko."
"Eh, ayoko naman po ng foreigners."
"Gusto mo talaga Pinoy, no?"
"Opo."
"Ano mas gusto mo, mga Pinoy laking Pilipinas or Pinoy laking dito?"
"Sa Pilipinas po."
"Dapat yung self-made man."
"Oo nga po, kaso mga ka-age ko, puro umaasa lang sa mga allowances from their parents."
"Ay, hindi ka na hahanap ng mga estudyante. Yung mga graduate na sa college, no!"

May point si Tita. Medyo natahimik ako pagkatapos kasi naisip ko si Atenista. Siguradong hindi pasado siya sa criteria. HeHe. So maybe, I should wait some 5-7 years to go back to the Philippines para yung mga med students ngayon eh mga doktor na at that time, and the less ambitious men among the rest will be easier to detect. {;P

FYI, the Christmas trip is still up in the air. Pero I mentioned to my mom the alternative plan: if I don't go to the Philippines this Christmas, will she let me go next summer to find a job there. Medyo mas okay ata sa kanya to do that because she mentioned how much cheaper the ticket will be then, and that I should get a ticket in March if that's what my plan is going to be. Trust me, that's a lot coming from my mom.

I've personally harassed asked a few people about their opinions regarding this topic. By all means, if you want to sway me one way or the other, please sign the guestbook or send me an e-mail. I would love to hear people's pros and cons about working in the Philippines. If you want to call me tanga in the process, okay fine whatever sa akin din.

Shutting Up Is So Hard To Do

I need to learn how to shut up.

For the past twenty-something years, I have been keeping things to myself and solving my problems on my own. Suddenly, in a year's time, I have been opening my mouth to anyone who is willing to listen, never thinking twice about what things should not be said around certain people. And I blame all of this to Belle and Jio and our little all-out drama session inside Sbarro in Megamall last year. Who knew that an Italian fast-food place can bring out all the drama?! HaHa!

The perfect time to get the latest scoop about family members is to listen in when all the women are sitting together, talking. Just sit your butt down, act like you're an innocent little kid, don't say anything, and just listen. At least, that's what I used to do. Nowadays, I tend to join in and give my two cents about things. For crying out loud, that's what I learned in my Interpersonal Communication class! Starting today though, no more talking. No more participation points for me. I'm only going to listen from now on. At least, that's my plan for now.

What do I learn during these chismisan sessions? Lots. Unfortunately, they all don't help me paint a pretty picture of being married. I now believe that my DVDs contain endangered species and should be treasured for life. *SIGH. But before I start making plans to join the Good Shepard Convent in Baguio (ube and peanut brittle, what incentives!), can I just say that Coyote Ugly *is* a chick flick? I never listened to people when they told me this; I was thinking that they were just trying to get me to watch the movie, but dang, it is a chick flick and I loved it! Someone remind me to get myself a copy once funds are present again...or get myself a Mr. O'Donnell...whichever is easier to obtain. Just kidding, just kidding! HeHe.

Five Weeks

I should've known better than to be melodramatic again on here kasi palaging the opposite happens. I went out of my way to drive to work today to speak to my boss face-to-face. I got my 5-week vacation request without even batting an eyelash. In fact, she was even relieved to find out the reason for my visit to her office. She initially thought I was quitting by how I approached her (you know the sad puppy eyes look). Quit the only job I have right now?! Never!

Anyway, I got the 5 weeks, but, do I even want the 5 weeks now? Yes, my mom's words penetrate my conscience all the time without mercy. Kainis! She even promised an all-expense paid trip to Europe in the spring if I don't go to the Philippines. Ugh! Bribery at its finest! But on the other hand, this won't be a backpacking trip plus kasama pa si mommy dearest. It can't be THAT fun compared to the Christmas in the Philippines, di ba? But certainly, a trip to the Philippines isn't helping me with my "around the world" goal. But then again, that's frequent flier miles right there. Ay nako, another day, another thing to stress about! Tomorrow is my final decision. Abangan ang susunod na kabanata...

Decisions Again

Being the #1 contrabida in my life, my mom does not approve of my going to the Philippines this Christmas. I thought a college degree would allow me to make decisions for myself, but apparently it's not that easy. Although she does have a point: with so many cousins, it's going to be very expensive (Normally, I wouldn't mind forking over the dough, but this time around, talagang wala akong pera!). My solution is to spend Christmas in Boracay alone. I just don't want to end up crying alone in my hotel room if loneliness does creep up on me.

Tomorrow, I'm going to drive to work to ask my boss if I can make it a 5-week vacation instead of the 4-week approved one. I finally got around to calling travel agencies yesterday and the cheapest ticket I found would make me miss another weekend of work. If I get the 5 weeks approved, I'm off to the Philippines this December. If I don't, I'll postpone my trip until next July. At that time, it won't be a vacation, though. I'll be including copies of my resume in my luggage and I won't be packing lightly. Since I never "rebelled" during my teenage years, I guess I'm making up for it now.

Who knew being happy requires so much effort and thinking these days?! *SIGH.