I think I have another "thing-to-do" while I'm here: to get someone to say that San Mateo, Rizal isn't really far. I'm up to the challenge! HeHe.
I'm currently with my cousins in Antipolo for the weekend. In addition to Montalban, Antipolo is much farther than San Mateo. See? At least sa San Mateo lang ako kailangan ihatid at hindi sa tuktok ng Antipolo! I suddenly sense my ganda points rising. HaHa!
I watched a whopping two movies in theatres yesterday. I couldn't believe it either. I know I'm in Manila when I actually pay to see a movie AND I actually go into Starbucks. HeHe. Two theatres that I love so far: Eastwood and Rockwell. I always have to bring a jacket, though. It's always freezing like Antarctica inside these Manila theatres (not like I've been to Antarctica to know, but...).
Anyway, celebrity sightings for the week: Mac Cardona, Vicky Belo, and Carlos Agassi. I'm still waiting for the day I see BJ Manalo in the flesh. LoL.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
To Be
I spent another day in U.P. today. I don’t know what it is, but whenever I’m hanging out at Quezon Hall, I’m loud and obnoxious – maybe I just feel at home in the company of Belle and the rest of her officemates. HaHa!
True to her words, Belle and I ate at Chocolate Kiss for lunch. I could’ve done without the soup and entrée; the mocha butter crème cake for dessert was all I needed. Heaven! Later on, I was also able to eat fishballs after 15 long years! Ang mga likes and dislikes ko talaga, o! HaHa!
Just like in 2002, Belle made me ride the Ikot/Toki going to/from our destinations. She never allows me to take a taxi whenever I’m inside the U.P. campus. Gusto yata akong magka-asthma talaga nito.
Anyway, U.P. is probably the closest thing to attending college in the U.S. for the simple fact that you can wear whatever and be whoever you want to be in U.P. Screw name-branded clothes and expensive cars. I’m sure there are even people in U.P. who wear their pajamas to class -- the attire of choice by classmates during a 7:30 a.m. Philosophy class at Seattle University freshman year. Man, those were the days!
You know, I just realized that it’s weird that I came to Manila to find myself. It’s weird because being an individual isn’t really the norm around here. People are more concerned with what people think about them rather than being the person that they want to be.
True to her words, Belle and I ate at Chocolate Kiss for lunch. I could’ve done without the soup and entrée; the mocha butter crème cake for dessert was all I needed. Heaven! Later on, I was also able to eat fishballs after 15 long years! Ang mga likes and dislikes ko talaga, o! HaHa!
Just like in 2002, Belle made me ride the Ikot/Toki going to/from our destinations. She never allows me to take a taxi whenever I’m inside the U.P. campus. Gusto yata akong magka-asthma talaga nito.
Anyway, U.P. is probably the closest thing to attending college in the U.S. for the simple fact that you can wear whatever and be whoever you want to be in U.P. Screw name-branded clothes and expensive cars. I’m sure there are even people in U.P. who wear their pajamas to class -- the attire of choice by classmates during a 7:30 a.m. Philosophy class at Seattle University freshman year. Man, those were the days!
You know, I just realized that it’s weird that I came to Manila to find myself. It’s weird because being an individual isn’t really the norm around here. People are more concerned with what people think about them rather than being the person that they want to be.
Monday, August 8, 2005
This Is Me...Now
Who needs Friendster when you have Kuya Heinz? Check out his latest entry regarding the best topic of all time. HaHa!
Anyway, I don't have any plans today so I have time to finally emote and think about things. Yes, I'm here in Manila to find myself. However, these days, it has a different meaning. Judging by the events of last week, mukhang nawawala nga ako sa sarili. Let me enumerate:
1. Gimik everyday
I spent two months spending my days having Krung Krung marathons and chatting with Pen from May to July. During the past week, you would have been extremely lucky to find me at home between the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
2. Texting
It is common knowledge that I hate cellphones. I hate it so much that my "Seattle cellphone" looks brand spanking new even after some eight months simply because I don't use it in Seattle. In the past week in Manila, I used my “Manila cellphone” more than Papa. The horror! HaHa! And, get this, I even want a new cellphone for my birthday! I can’t believe it either. LoL.
3. Networking
I'm not "ma-PR" by nature. I hate schmoozing and seeking attention from other people that I don’t want attention from. Well, in the last week, I had to be the ice breaker and carry conversations throughout lunch while mingling with the TV people at Westin. I had to dispatch my antipatika side everyday and I lived through it! LoL.
4. Hanging out with the cousins/friends
Eventhough my cousins in Seattle and I live about two minutes away from eachother, we could go on for years not seeing one another. In Manila, I seek constant attention from my cousins. Nagtatampo talaga ako kapag hindi ako pinapansin at nilalabas. LoL.
5. Dating and all its sub-elements
During her long-distance phone call on Saturday morning, Pen made sure to say, "Sis, ang haba ng hair mo!" My cousin even had to explain to me the dos and don'ts of dating in Manila. Trust me, it's quite different from what we do in Seattle. For one, you have to pay attention to what kind of shoes you wear. In a land full of guys averaging 5'6" in height, it turns out that your heels can be a weapon of intimidation. HeHe.
6. Hatid-Sundo
I'm not used to it whether it's performed by a driver or a significant other. I've been driving myself to places with my own car ever since I turned 16. Nowadays, I have to let people know when and where I should be picked up. I'm even at the mercy of the family driver's curfew now!
7. Asking for permission
"Who are you going with?", "How did you meet him/her?", "How old is he/she?", "How long have you known him/her?", "Where are you guys going?", "What time will you be home?" are only a few questions that I have to answer before (or after) I could actually venture out to the outside world. I feel like I’m on my first date every single time I’m going out. Finally, my 16-year-old-looking face can act like one! HaHa!
8. Being the center of attention
Eventhough I’m a Leo and the youngest child, I hate being the center of attention unless I’m performing on stage. Now that I’m a balikbayan and even looking for work in Manila, the spotlight is always on me and I have to deal with it. Puwede na ninyo akong iupo sa tabi ni Boy Abunda at ipa-interview! LoL.
9. Looking for companionship
Ever since I swore off dating during the first year of college, I learned to watch movies alone, eat out alone, go shopping alone, etc. These days, I find it “corny” to be alone and always have check to see if someone could accompany me to wherever I’m going. ::enter mental image of MiNA, taking a banana boat ride alone in Boracay:: LoL. I don’t want to be alone anymore! HaHa!
10. DSL-seeker
I’m now a dial-up snob! HaHa! Although, right now, I am using a prepaid internet card and unlike in 2002, the speed is quite decent! It can now rival dial-up in the States! Yahoo! I mean, Yehey! (Okay, that was corny. HeHe!)
So yes, I’m not my usual self these days. Maybe it’s for the better, but who knows, right? Pen, baka mamaya, hindi na kita twin! Oh no! LoL.
Anyway, I don't have any plans today so I have time to finally emote and think about things. Yes, I'm here in Manila to find myself. However, these days, it has a different meaning. Judging by the events of last week, mukhang nawawala nga ako sa sarili. Let me enumerate:
1. Gimik everyday
I spent two months spending my days having Krung Krung marathons and chatting with Pen from May to July. During the past week, you would have been extremely lucky to find me at home between the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
2. Texting
It is common knowledge that I hate cellphones. I hate it so much that my "Seattle cellphone" looks brand spanking new even after some eight months simply because I don't use it in Seattle. In the past week in Manila, I used my “Manila cellphone” more than Papa. The horror! HaHa! And, get this, I even want a new cellphone for my birthday! I can’t believe it either. LoL.
3. Networking
I'm not "ma-PR" by nature. I hate schmoozing and seeking attention from other people that I don’t want attention from. Well, in the last week, I had to be the ice breaker and carry conversations throughout lunch while mingling with the TV people at Westin. I had to dispatch my antipatika side everyday and I lived through it! LoL.
4. Hanging out with the cousins/friends
Eventhough my cousins in Seattle and I live about two minutes away from eachother, we could go on for years not seeing one another. In Manila, I seek constant attention from my cousins. Nagtatampo talaga ako kapag hindi ako pinapansin at nilalabas. LoL.
5. Dating and all its sub-elements
During her long-distance phone call on Saturday morning, Pen made sure to say, "Sis, ang haba ng hair mo!" My cousin even had to explain to me the dos and don'ts of dating in Manila. Trust me, it's quite different from what we do in Seattle. For one, you have to pay attention to what kind of shoes you wear. In a land full of guys averaging 5'6" in height, it turns out that your heels can be a weapon of intimidation. HeHe.
6. Hatid-Sundo
I'm not used to it whether it's performed by a driver or a significant other. I've been driving myself to places with my own car ever since I turned 16. Nowadays, I have to let people know when and where I should be picked up. I'm even at the mercy of the family driver's curfew now!
7. Asking for permission
"Who are you going with?", "How did you meet him/her?", "How old is he/she?", "How long have you known him/her?", "Where are you guys going?", "What time will you be home?" are only a few questions that I have to answer before (or after) I could actually venture out to the outside world. I feel like I’m on my first date every single time I’m going out. Finally, my 16-year-old-looking face can act like one! HaHa!
8. Being the center of attention
Eventhough I’m a Leo and the youngest child, I hate being the center of attention unless I’m performing on stage. Now that I’m a balikbayan and even looking for work in Manila, the spotlight is always on me and I have to deal with it. Puwede na ninyo akong iupo sa tabi ni Boy Abunda at ipa-interview! LoL.
9. Looking for companionship
Ever since I swore off dating during the first year of college, I learned to watch movies alone, eat out alone, go shopping alone, etc. These days, I find it “corny” to be alone and always have check to see if someone could accompany me to wherever I’m going. ::enter mental image of MiNA, taking a banana boat ride alone in Boracay:: LoL. I don’t want to be alone anymore! HaHa!
10. DSL-seeker
I’m now a dial-up snob! HaHa! Although, right now, I am using a prepaid internet card and unlike in 2002, the speed is quite decent! It can now rival dial-up in the States! Yahoo! I mean, Yehey! (Okay, that was corny. HeHe!)
So yes, I’m not my usual self these days. Maybe it’s for the better, but who knows, right? Pen, baka mamaya, hindi na kita twin! Oh no! LoL.
Sunday, August 7, 2005
We're Just Friends
Agenda #1: Trip around S.E. Asia and the Philippines alone
Comment: "If it were my sister, I wouldn't let her go."
Solution: Get a boyfriend so you have someone to go with.
Agenda #2: Lose weight
Comment: "Hindi dumadaan yung driver sa may Robinson's. Sa likod sila dumadaan."
Solution: Get a boyfriend so he can drive you to the gym and back.
Agenda #3: Find a job in advertising or media
Comment: "Ang layo kung magcocommute ka to Makati!"
Solution: Get a boyfriend so sabay kayong uuwi.
The independent woman facade is slowly crashing down, people. Yan ang nangyayari kapag naiwan mo ang kotse mo sa isang bansa at hindi mo mabitbit! LoL. Pero seriously, bakit bumabalik lahat sa lovelife yung solusyon ng mga problema ko? I don't like! (Kunwari pa! HaHa!)
On Friday, Kuya Heinz and I finally met after two (or three?) years. Naks, hindi na sa e-mail ang counseling sessions ngayon, in real life na! LoL. Galing ko naman, akin yung problema, pero ibang tao ang nagsosolve! Kuya, you're simply the best! ::dodging lightning:: LoL.
Ikukuwento ko pa ba kung anong nangyari nung hinatid ako sa bahay? HaHa! I was thinking, by the time I got home, the gate would be closed and Kuya H and I would spend some 10 minutes honking the horn para may magbukas sa akin. Well, when we pulled up, the gate was open and there were some 10 cars in the driveway. Sabi tuloy ni Kuya H, "O, madami naman palang kotse dito, humingi ka na lang!" Then, I looked over to the garage: there were the titos and titas plus some family friends, having dinner al fresco. Sabi ko, "Kuya! Huwag ka nang bumaba! Please lang! Okay lang ako." Well, maybe I was not in touch with how things are done in this country dahil bumaba pa rin si Kuya H (who doesn't know how to listen ha! LoL). When we approached the garage, silent ang lahat so of course, I had to make introductions. Buti na lang, defensive si Kuya and he said, "I have to go. I still have to pick up my wife." But did that keyword stop the relatives from firing questions at me after Kuya left? Of course not! That's what relatives are for! Tsk. Tsk.
Then, yesterday, Tet, Pogs, Donald, and Doris and I ate dinner at Shangri-La. I swear, bentang-benta ngayon ang Shangri-La sa akin: three times in one week! So really, how the heck am I going to lose weight while I'm here when eating seems to be the usual activity kapag lumalabas ng bahay?! And don't even ask me kung ilang beses na akong nakapunta ng Starbucks since I arrived here last Thursday. LoL.
Comment: "If it were my sister, I wouldn't let her go."
Solution: Get a boyfriend so you have someone to go with.
Agenda #2: Lose weight
Comment: "Hindi dumadaan yung driver sa may Robinson's. Sa likod sila dumadaan."
Solution: Get a boyfriend so he can drive you to the gym and back.
Agenda #3: Find a job in advertising or media
Comment: "Ang layo kung magcocommute ka to Makati!"
Solution: Get a boyfriend so sabay kayong uuwi.
The independent woman facade is slowly crashing down, people. Yan ang nangyayari kapag naiwan mo ang kotse mo sa isang bansa at hindi mo mabitbit! LoL. Pero seriously, bakit bumabalik lahat sa lovelife yung solusyon ng mga problema ko? I don't like! (Kunwari pa! HaHa!)
On Friday, Kuya Heinz and I finally met after two (or three?) years. Naks, hindi na sa e-mail ang counseling sessions ngayon, in real life na! LoL. Galing ko naman, akin yung problema, pero ibang tao ang nagsosolve! Kuya, you're simply the best! ::dodging lightning:: LoL.
Ikukuwento ko pa ba kung anong nangyari nung hinatid ako sa bahay? HaHa! I was thinking, by the time I got home, the gate would be closed and Kuya H and I would spend some 10 minutes honking the horn para may magbukas sa akin. Well, when we pulled up, the gate was open and there were some 10 cars in the driveway. Sabi tuloy ni Kuya H, "O, madami naman palang kotse dito, humingi ka na lang!" Then, I looked over to the garage: there were the titos and titas plus some family friends, having dinner al fresco. Sabi ko, "Kuya! Huwag ka nang bumaba! Please lang! Okay lang ako." Well, maybe I was not in touch with how things are done in this country dahil bumaba pa rin si Kuya H (who doesn't know how to listen ha! LoL). When we approached the garage, silent ang lahat so of course, I had to make introductions. Buti na lang, defensive si Kuya and he said, "I have to go. I still have to pick up my wife." But did that keyword stop the relatives from firing questions at me after Kuya left? Of course not! That's what relatives are for! Tsk. Tsk.
Then, yesterday, Tet, Pogs, Donald, and Doris and I ate dinner at Shangri-La. I swear, bentang-benta ngayon ang Shangri-La sa akin: three times in one week! So really, how the heck am I going to lose weight while I'm here when eating seems to be the usual activity kapag lumalabas ng bahay?! And don't even ask me kung ilang beses na akong nakapunta ng Starbucks since I arrived here last Thursday. LoL.
Friday, August 5, 2005
U.P., Ang DSL ng Bayan
Now coming to you live from U.P.! Kung saan-saan ako nakakapunta para lang magka-internet. HaHa!
I'm in the loving arms of Belle ngayon; yesterday si Tet; mamaya naman si Kuya Heinz. Sino next? Wala yatang nakalinya ha. HeHe!
While taking advantage of U.P.'s DSL connection, I met Marc, a Fil-Am from UC-Berkeley. Nagyayayang mag-Embassy sa The Fort mamaya. Sorry, may curfew na po ako. Actually, curfew ng driver, pero damay na ako doon. LoL. Marc also told me that a bunch of Fil-Ams from U.P. are going to Boracay next week so I'm debating now kung sasama ako. Medyo hindi ako effective kapag masyadong madaming strangers ang kasama ko. Plus, I'd rather spend my birthday with family and close friends than strangers. But this is my one shot at going to Boracay with a group! Decisions, decisions!
I'm in the loving arms of Belle ngayon; yesterday si Tet; mamaya naman si Kuya Heinz. Sino next? Wala yatang nakalinya ha. HeHe!
While taking advantage of U.P.'s DSL connection, I met Marc, a Fil-Am from UC-Berkeley. Nagyayayang mag-Embassy sa The Fort mamaya. Sorry, may curfew na po ako. Actually, curfew ng driver, pero damay na ako doon. LoL. Marc also told me that a bunch of Fil-Ams from U.P. are going to Boracay next week so I'm debating now kung sasama ako. Medyo hindi ako effective kapag masyadong madaming strangers ang kasama ko. Plus, I'd rather spend my birthday with family and close friends than strangers. But this is my one shot at going to Boracay with a group! Decisions, decisions!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)