I haven't traveled in eight months! Imagine, last year, my schedule went something like this:
April - Belgium
May - Hong Kong; China
July - Philippines
October - Tacloban City
November - Bohol; Cebu
No wonder I'm itching to go somewhere! I finally got my I-Card last week from the Bureau of Immigration so I'm free to roam the world again. Wasting no time whatsoever, I will get on a plane tomorrow and jumpstart my WOW SE Asia agenda. It will be my first SE Asia to SE Asia flight and I'm excited! Whoo hoo! (Actually, I'm just excited to get some time off from work. HeHe.)
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Monday, August 7, 2006
Seattle Sighting
I'm late.
And I just realized what I wrote. No, I'm not late in that way, silly gooses.
When Grey's Anatomy debuted last year, I wanted to watch it, but didn't get to. I think I was still in my depression stage and was probably still hiding under the covers.
During one Saturday this past December, I hung out with Jimbo at Medical City while he did his internship. Before leaving, he gave me a copy of the first six episodes of Grey's Anatomy. Since they were all in VCD format, I never watched them...until tonight.
I so did not know that the show is set in Seattle. The Space Needle. The skyline. The skyline with fog. The ferries. Oh my. And of course, there's gotta be scenes with rain pouring outside. The last one is such a stereotype. Seeing all those made me miss that boring city. I miss the fresh air. I miss the clear blue skies. I miss the evergreen trees. Since I used to volunteer and work at a hospital, seeing people in blue scrubs on TV made me miss my old job, too.
*SIGH. If I could just bring some "Seattle" here in Manila, the world would be just perfect. For me, that is. =)
And I just realized what I wrote. No, I'm not late in that way, silly gooses.
When Grey's Anatomy debuted last year, I wanted to watch it, but didn't get to. I think I was still in my depression stage and was probably still hiding under the covers.
During one Saturday this past December, I hung out with Jimbo at Medical City while he did his internship. Before leaving, he gave me a copy of the first six episodes of Grey's Anatomy. Since they were all in VCD format, I never watched them...until tonight.
I so did not know that the show is set in Seattle. The Space Needle. The skyline. The skyline with fog. The ferries. Oh my. And of course, there's gotta be scenes with rain pouring outside. The last one is such a stereotype. Seeing all those made me miss that boring city. I miss the fresh air. I miss the clear blue skies. I miss the evergreen trees. Since I used to volunteer and work at a hospital, seeing people in blue scrubs on TV made me miss my old job, too.
*SIGH. If I could just bring some "Seattle" here in Manila, the world would be just perfect. For me, that is. =)
Friday, July 7, 2006
Thou Shall Not Steal...Often?
It was bound to happen: I bought a pirated DVD!
I know there are no excuses for it, but let me make some anyway. First, I went and saw it in the movie theatre when it came out, so hey, I'm a real paying customer. Two, there was no DVD version of it in the stores; VCD lang (Papa the Powerbook does not play VCDs). Three, all the legit DVDs here in Manila are Region 3; I'm a Region 1 kind of gal. When I bought a legit Before Sunrise DVD last month and played it on Papa, I had to switch regions and I was warned that I was allowed to switch regions only three more times. Well, what happens if I move around the world? Hence, I got to preserve my region-switching abilities. Fourth, umm, I'm bored out of my mind in the condo and I figured if I buy one DVD that I can watch over and over again, I won't be thinking too much about not having a lovelife. Good excuses, yeah? ;P
So what DVD did I spend my precious P60 on? Little Manhattan (Hey, at least it wasn't Over the Hedge, okay? HaHa!). I swear, that movie makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. When I first saw that movie, I was too focused on the very funny "Two and a half weeks!" scene, but now, I'm more into the "Eventually, the many little things left unsaid piled up until we never said anything at all." O, ibaba ang mga kilay. HaHa!
Anyway, I hope this the first and last buy...unless I find a DVD copy of Rain's concert. Then you'll all just have to find it in your hearts to forgive me (and tell God that I did it out of love. HaHa!).
I know there are no excuses for it, but let me make some anyway. First, I went and saw it in the movie theatre when it came out, so hey, I'm a real paying customer. Two, there was no DVD version of it in the stores; VCD lang (Papa the Powerbook does not play VCDs). Three, all the legit DVDs here in Manila are Region 3; I'm a Region 1 kind of gal. When I bought a legit Before Sunrise DVD last month and played it on Papa, I had to switch regions and I was warned that I was allowed to switch regions only three more times. Well, what happens if I move around the world? Hence, I got to preserve my region-switching abilities. Fourth, umm, I'm bored out of my mind in the condo and I figured if I buy one DVD that I can watch over and over again, I won't be thinking too much about not having a lovelife. Good excuses, yeah? ;P
So what DVD did I spend my precious P60 on? Little Manhattan (Hey, at least it wasn't Over the Hedge, okay? HaHa!). I swear, that movie makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. When I first saw that movie, I was too focused on the very funny "Two and a half weeks!" scene, but now, I'm more into the "Eventually, the many little things left unsaid piled up until we never said anything at all." O, ibaba ang mga kilay. HaHa!
Anyway, I hope this the first and last buy...unless I find a DVD copy of Rain's concert. Then you'll all just have to find it in your hearts to forgive me (and tell God that I did it out of love. HaHa!).
Wednesday, July 5, 2006
A step Up
I just got home after spending the entire day at the W0rld Visi0n Philippine National Office. The program that I handle was implemented in Nicaragua last month; this month, it is the Philippines' turn. After this, 52 more countries all over the world will have their own individual implementations.
After three months on the job, I'm finally seeing the fruits of my labor. I'm seeing where all my hours went. I'm realizing what you can get from a person's blood, sweat, and tears. I'm realizing the impact it has in the organization, in the ministry, in the world.
How many people can actually say that they're making an impact in the world, like the whole ENTIRE world? That what they're making/organizing will be distributed globally? That their program will change the organization that they work for? That millions of children will have a chance at a better future because of what you did? As one of the staff members said, "You're creating a legacy." Naks! HeHe.
I had a couple of interviews at P&G before and even they don't implement such big things. Their marketing strategies are created in Singapore and are meant for regional reach only. Me? Worldwide, baby.
On Friday, Homer reminded me the ironic things about this position. I remember him telling me back in November about a project he was bidding for and how he got the lead. I remember him e-mailing me the samples that he created for the project. I remember him texting me back in December when he didn't get the project. What were all the creative requirements for? They were all for this project: my project. The project name that he tried to create a brand for is now part of my job title. The guy from church who gave him the lead is now my boss. The samples he created and showed me before via e-mail are now accessible in the database that I manage. Freaky, right? Si God talaga, o.
Anyway, remember last year when I said I wanted to make a difference in the world? I guess this is it; God gave me what I wanted again. I actually found a personal mission far greater than my quest for a lovelife. HaHa!
And that's why I can't seem to let go eventhough the temptation is so great. As the months progress, I pray for strength to continue. I pray for my parents' continuous understanding. I pray na wala nang errors/headaches/heartbreaks concerning my responsibilities. I pray na hindi umiral yung gusto ko and just believe in God using me as an instrument (banal na banal na talaga! HaHa!). I pray for a lovelife kasi sabi ng iba diyan I should pray for it daw...wait, this is not related to my job...sige, I pray that the vacancy in the office will be filled by a single, pogi guy so that overtime won't be so bad. HaHa! I pray that the stress levels will be manageable soon because my cheeks are getting rounder again and that is soooo not good! I pray that there will be time for much needed rest so that I can continue taking one step at a time.
After three months on the job, I'm finally seeing the fruits of my labor. I'm seeing where all my hours went. I'm realizing what you can get from a person's blood, sweat, and tears. I'm realizing the impact it has in the organization, in the ministry, in the world.
How many people can actually say that they're making an impact in the world, like the whole ENTIRE world? That what they're making/organizing will be distributed globally? That their program will change the organization that they work for? That millions of children will have a chance at a better future because of what you did? As one of the staff members said, "You're creating a legacy." Naks! HeHe.
I had a couple of interviews at P&G before and even they don't implement such big things. Their marketing strategies are created in Singapore and are meant for regional reach only. Me? Worldwide, baby.
On Friday, Homer reminded me the ironic things about this position. I remember him telling me back in November about a project he was bidding for and how he got the lead. I remember him e-mailing me the samples that he created for the project. I remember him texting me back in December when he didn't get the project. What were all the creative requirements for? They were all for this project: my project. The project name that he tried to create a brand for is now part of my job title. The guy from church who gave him the lead is now my boss. The samples he created and showed me before via e-mail are now accessible in the database that I manage. Freaky, right? Si God talaga, o.
Anyway, remember last year when I said I wanted to make a difference in the world? I guess this is it; God gave me what I wanted again. I actually found a personal mission far greater than my quest for a lovelife. HaHa!
And that's why I can't seem to let go eventhough the temptation is so great. As the months progress, I pray for strength to continue. I pray for my parents' continuous understanding. I pray na wala nang errors/headaches/heartbreaks concerning my responsibilities. I pray na hindi umiral yung gusto ko and just believe in God using me as an instrument (banal na banal na talaga! HaHa!). I pray for a lovelife kasi sabi ng iba diyan I should pray for it daw...wait, this is not related to my job...sige, I pray that the vacancy in the office will be filled by a single, pogi guy so that overtime won't be so bad. HaHa! I pray that the stress levels will be manageable soon because my cheeks are getting rounder again and that is soooo not good! I pray that there will be time for much needed rest so that I can continue taking one step at a time.
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
The End is Just The Beginning
"Hi Mina,
I visited your site a couple of times and I think it's really good. Your entries really interest me because I always wanted to go back to the Phils to work and be with my beloved relatives... I wasn't sure what to expect to happen if I ever did decide to leave my comfort zone and move back to the Phils... After reading your entries, I now know what to expect...Now, all I need is a courage to go the next level..:o) As for now, I just have to be content with my yearly December Phils. visit. Anyway, I just want to wish you all the best Mina..."
In the last year, I've been getting these kinds of e-mails from people who have visited my website (I'm not the only crazy person in this world afterall! HeHe). It makes me smile and for some dorky reason, I feel like I did something that no one has ever done before (though I know that isn't so true). When Mayie and I had lunch a couple of weeks back, she told me that she can't believe I did what I did (and she gave me a high-five when I told her that I'm living off of my paychecks and not from my savings account).
People have been asking me what's next or what are my plans now. I feel that others think that I already got what I wanted, that I'm already where I want to be (or they see the tiredness of my eyes from work and they're wishing I would go back na. HaHa!). I have so much to say, but I will just save that for my July 27 (my one-year anniversary here) entry. Yihee! Back to regular sawi programming...
I visited your site a couple of times and I think it's really good. Your entries really interest me because I always wanted to go back to the Phils to work and be with my beloved relatives... I wasn't sure what to expect to happen if I ever did decide to leave my comfort zone and move back to the Phils... After reading your entries, I now know what to expect...Now, all I need is a courage to go the next level..:o) As for now, I just have to be content with my yearly December Phils. visit. Anyway, I just want to wish you all the best Mina..."
In the last year, I've been getting these kinds of e-mails from people who have visited my website (I'm not the only crazy person in this world afterall! HeHe). It makes me smile and for some dorky reason, I feel like I did something that no one has ever done before (though I know that isn't so true). When Mayie and I had lunch a couple of weeks back, she told me that she can't believe I did what I did (and she gave me a high-five when I told her that I'm living off of my paychecks and not from my savings account).
People have been asking me what's next or what are my plans now. I feel that others think that I already got what I wanted, that I'm already where I want to be (or they see the tiredness of my eyes from work and they're wishing I would go back na. HaHa!). I have so much to say, but I will just save that for my July 27 (my one-year anniversary here) entry. Yihee! Back to regular sawi programming...
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