Every time I'm in Robinson's Galleria, I always have this tendency to break out into a little smile whenever I see/pass the Figaro there. For so many months last year, I sat in the same corner at Figaro, wasting time away (with Papa, with Kuya Heinz, with Jimbo...ahhh, memories!). Funny how life is like one whole year later. Nowadays, I wish I could just go to Figaro in the middle of the day and bum around (which I did do today, but I had to leave after an hour since it was only for lunch).
But there is a silver lining. Earlier in the day, Big Boss J showed the organizational chart for the office, and there it was: my name. Right under one of the manager's box is my own little box! I wasn't too far down the food chain that I couldn't be acknowledged and at the same time, I was significant enough to be mentioned. I have never seen my name in an org chart before so I couldn't help, but take a little pride in that. Yes, another example of how shallow my happiness is. HaHa!
With a business card and an org chart box, I wonder what's next. It's definitely a career year this year.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Monday, September 11, 2006
Every Breath You Take
"Life is not about how many breaths you take, but how many moments take your breath away."
While my plane was getting ready to land in Davao (Yes, I know, I'm quite behind with my travel stories on this website), I looked outside the window and had that "I can't believe this is happening" feeling. I was only minutes away from fulfilling my Luzon-Visayas-Mindanao goal and it was surreal. At the same time, I couldn't help but think, "How come I didn't do this sooner?!" I could've done this in 2002 when I was earning dollars interning at the U.S. Embassy and money was not an issue or I could've done this last year when leisure time was overflowing by the buckets. But then again, everything happens for a reason.
I'm so thankful for all these experiences, the opportunities that have come my way. It's unbelievable when I think about what has transpired over the last 13 months and how they all came about. Life is truly amazing when you live it, when you put yourself out there in the world.
But don't get me wrong, it's not all jolly-bee-happy around here (Did you get the pun, did you, did you?). You'll always find me in a bad mood when it's time to walk home after work (Have you noticed that it starts raining right around 5:00-6pm? And funny because it ALWAYS starts raining right when I step out of our building. What's up with that?!). You'll always see me turning red in anger whenever I encounter horrible customer service in this country (Latest villain: Teriyaki Boy in Megamall. Grr!). If you're Tet who lives in the same building as I do, you'll always hear me sneezing inside my unit from all the dust/bad air of this metropolis. You'll also understand the frustration in myself when I tell you about my daily "orange, bold, four points bigger" endeavors at work. And if you're God, you'll always know that my head is full of confused thoughts about my existence here in Manila.
If you're just like everyone around me, I already know what you want to ask me. The answer is one because I want to finish what I started, and two because I'm still learning. Albeit it's not learning about myself anymore as it was last year, but I'm learning what I want in the future: the graphic design certificate, the husband, the kids, the house with a nice kitchen full of my Starbucks City Mugs, the immediate family being near me (Naks!), the sunny skies, the yearly out-of-the-country vacation, the volunteer work...to name a few.
And yes, we can't forget that there are still those moments that take my breath away which always remind me why I did all of this in the first place and why I continue to stick around.
While my plane was getting ready to land in Davao (Yes, I know, I'm quite behind with my travel stories on this website), I looked outside the window and had that "I can't believe this is happening" feeling. I was only minutes away from fulfilling my Luzon-Visayas-Mindanao goal and it was surreal. At the same time, I couldn't help but think, "How come I didn't do this sooner?!" I could've done this in 2002 when I was earning dollars interning at the U.S. Embassy and money was not an issue or I could've done this last year when leisure time was overflowing by the buckets. But then again, everything happens for a reason.
I'm so thankful for all these experiences, the opportunities that have come my way. It's unbelievable when I think about what has transpired over the last 13 months and how they all came about. Life is truly amazing when you live it, when you put yourself out there in the world.
But don't get me wrong, it's not all jolly-bee-happy around here (Did you get the pun, did you, did you?). You'll always find me in a bad mood when it's time to walk home after work (Have you noticed that it starts raining right around 5:00-6pm? And funny because it ALWAYS starts raining right when I step out of our building. What's up with that?!). You'll always see me turning red in anger whenever I encounter horrible customer service in this country (Latest villain: Teriyaki Boy in Megamall. Grr!). If you're Tet who lives in the same building as I do, you'll always hear me sneezing inside my unit from all the dust/bad air of this metropolis. You'll also understand the frustration in myself when I tell you about my daily "orange, bold, four points bigger" endeavors at work. And if you're God, you'll always know that my head is full of confused thoughts about my existence here in Manila.
If you're just like everyone around me, I already know what you want to ask me. The answer is one because I want to finish what I started, and two because I'm still learning. Albeit it's not learning about myself anymore as it was last year, but I'm learning what I want in the future: the graphic design certificate, the husband, the kids, the house with a nice kitchen full of my Starbucks City Mugs, the immediate family being near me (Naks!), the sunny skies, the yearly out-of-the-country vacation, the volunteer work...to name a few.
And yes, we can't forget that there are still those moments that take my breath away which always remind me why I did all of this in the first place and why I continue to stick around.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Techie
It's really true: I got a new cellphone!
For those who have been ashamed to be around me with my borrowed Nokia 3310 in the last year, I'm sure you're all rejoicing right now. HaHa!
I now have a phone that has Bluetooth, camera, MP3 ringtones, and actually saves my outgoing messages. But who am I kidding? I'm just happy that it has a colored screen! HaHa!
I guess the family tree is now complete:
For those who have been ashamed to be around me with my borrowed Nokia 3310 in the last year, I'm sure you're all rejoicing right now. HaHa!
I now have a phone that has Bluetooth, camera, MP3 ringtones, and actually saves my outgoing messages. But who am I kidding? I'm just happy that it has a colored screen! HaHa!
I guess the family tree is now complete:
- Papa the Powerbook laptop
- Kulay the iPod Color MP3 player
- Silver the Casio Exilim Z55 digital camera
- MotoMina the Motorola L6 cellphone
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Hataw Na
Well, I'm a complete woman...or at least my stay here in the Philippines is: I watched the GaryV@23 concert at Music Museum tonight. Awesome, awesome show. Gotta love live music!
Plus, Christian Bautista and Mark Bautista performed a couple of "snippets" with GaryV. Sweet! (And let me just mention that the two got more screams than Jerich0 R0sales who also was asked to go on stage and sing.)
As always, seeing someone dance on stage made me want to go back to dancing regardless of how much it would cost here in Manila. Why do you have to be so expensive PowerDance? Grr.
Plus, Christian Bautista and Mark Bautista performed a couple of "snippets" with GaryV. Sweet! (And let me just mention that the two got more screams than Jerich0 R0sales who also was asked to go on stage and sing.)
As always, seeing someone dance on stage made me want to go back to dancing regardless of how much it would cost here in Manila. Why do you have to be so expensive PowerDance? Grr.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
satisfACTION
Last night, a couple of my co-workers took me out for dinner and cake. My birthday. Their treat. Gotta love these kinds of people. HaHa!
Anyway, Ate Jen asked, "So, what's your birthday wish?" Other people have asked the same question, but I've never given them a straight answer.
These days, I don't believe in wishing for things anymore. It's all about doing. The biggest lesson I learned this past year is that if you want something, do it; work hard for it; make it happen. The status of our lives is truly up to us. Not happy about who you're with or what you have? Do something about it. Don't just wish for things to turn out well; make it turn out well.
And it's the same principle that I'm currently applying to my *cough lovelife. It's all about taking action. Don't just sit idle and wait for a guy to trip in front of you; actually trip the guy! Kidding! HaHa! In my case, it's more of "broadening the search" than "shortening the list." Regardless, both include taking action.
So this year, no birthday wishes, but birthday goals instead. And what are they?
The last year was more for establishing myself: getting a job, getting a roof over my head, getting a core group of friends. This year is more of experiencing what it's truly like living here in Manila day-to-day. I need to put back all these little things in my life to make it a well-rounded one. Mainly,
1. Volunteering
My last stint was back in January 2000; six whole years ago! Although my job now allows me to give back to the world, it's still different to give time to a worthy cause in my spare time. I just hope that I can manage getting around to where I need to be without my Baby (my car).
2. Improving my health
I don't think I'll go back to hiphop dancing while in this country (in the words of an Assumptionista, "It's so mahal e!"), but I'm going to try a new sport for exercise. I plan to do it every morning before I go to work. The problem? I love sleep more than exercise in the morning so I need some major peptalk before September rolls around. HeHe.
3. Traveling
I don't know why I want to see everything now. But I do know that while I'm here on this side of the world, I might as well take advantage of the close proximity to the major cities/countries that I want to see. The time is now. No kids to feed, no mortgages to pay. The time is really now.
So, there you have it. I know what you're thinking already. The birthday greetings via text and e-mail all had subtle hints regarding what everyone wishes for me this year and now it's not even one of my goals. Oh my. Let me explain briefly.
If he's truly the guy for me, I figured I'll meet him along the way. I'll meet him while I'm doing the goals that I have listed above. That's my mentality for the year. We'll try it out and see what I come up with. My heart is wiped clean and I'm smarter this year; I know what I want and I know how to trip. No worries; just happy thoughts for the coming year.
Anyway, Ate Jen asked, "So, what's your birthday wish?" Other people have asked the same question, but I've never given them a straight answer.
These days, I don't believe in wishing for things anymore. It's all about doing. The biggest lesson I learned this past year is that if you want something, do it; work hard for it; make it happen. The status of our lives is truly up to us. Not happy about who you're with or what you have? Do something about it. Don't just wish for things to turn out well; make it turn out well.
And it's the same principle that I'm currently applying to my *cough lovelife. It's all about taking action. Don't just sit idle and wait for a guy to trip in front of you; actually trip the guy! Kidding! HaHa! In my case, it's more of "broadening the search" than "shortening the list." Regardless, both include taking action.
So this year, no birthday wishes, but birthday goals instead. And what are they?
The last year was more for establishing myself: getting a job, getting a roof over my head, getting a core group of friends. This year is more of experiencing what it's truly like living here in Manila day-to-day. I need to put back all these little things in my life to make it a well-rounded one. Mainly,
1. Volunteering
My last stint was back in January 2000; six whole years ago! Although my job now allows me to give back to the world, it's still different to give time to a worthy cause in my spare time. I just hope that I can manage getting around to where I need to be without my Baby (my car).
2. Improving my health
I don't think I'll go back to hiphop dancing while in this country (in the words of an Assumptionista, "It's so mahal e!"), but I'm going to try a new sport for exercise. I plan to do it every morning before I go to work. The problem? I love sleep more than exercise in the morning so I need some major peptalk before September rolls around. HeHe.
3. Traveling
I don't know why I want to see everything now. But I do know that while I'm here on this side of the world, I might as well take advantage of the close proximity to the major cities/countries that I want to see. The time is now. No kids to feed, no mortgages to pay. The time is really now.
So, there you have it. I know what you're thinking already. The birthday greetings via text and e-mail all had subtle hints regarding what everyone wishes for me this year and now it's not even one of my goals. Oh my. Let me explain briefly.
If he's truly the guy for me, I figured I'll meet him along the way. I'll meet him while I'm doing the goals that I have listed above. That's my mentality for the year. We'll try it out and see what I come up with. My heart is wiped clean and I'm smarter this year; I know what I want and I know how to trip. No worries; just happy thoughts for the coming year.
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