My Project

posting here some pics of what i have been busy with these past few weeks. enrolled in some livelihood training seminars (am not employed, you see). need to earn this christmas season. hopefully this will eventually be a business with trish (thanks for the support - moral, physical and financial) and some friends.

At SM Marikina Today

met up with meliza for lunch. meliza is a friend from way back in high school at pisay diliman. she and her family now lives in australia since she married an aussie. they came home for an 8-week vacation. anthony's mom (mel's mom-in-law) came along for the vacay. and she's having fun. their pics on facebook tells it all.

well, had super fun as well, reminiscing and sharing/updating each other on what's happening with our lives now.  was real glad she liked my gift for her.

Donna's Birthday

wishing a friend in OZ a very happy birthday in advance, lest i forget.

Happy bday, dbols!

Spook's in the House

with Halloween just around the corner, i'm going through a list of movies that would be worth movie-marathoning over the holidays. and one such movie on my list is Casper. migosh, how i love this movie which was shown back in the 90's when i was still in university. made me cry. i vaguely remember watching it over again with good friends and cs sisses, tearjerker that it was to us then.

and i love one song on its soundtrack, Jordan Hill's 'Remember Me This Way'. though it's kind of a sad song. but a good song for friends soon to part ways after college. whatever path we chose to follow, wherever life has taken us, i always believe in my heart that my friends would remember me just as i was and always have been.

on another note, the song really seems to be by a ghost, or a spirit rather. we have loved ones who are already gone and i think they would want to say that they want to be remembered as well; that they are always by our side, watching over us and cheering us on in every adventure that we take. and that they will never leave.. as long as we believe.

huwattt? never leave?!! ... spooky!!!....   (hehe... happy halloween!)

posting here the song:


by the way, my kuya has become obsessed with fishes these days. haha.. we now have an aquarium in the house. there were only three kinds of fishes at first. the aquarium looked really sparse with nothing else swimming there. but the loaches needed something in which to burrow into or hide in. we couldn't find any old toy of my niece that could get wet and fit right there. so i offered my ghoulish candle holder that i would usually take out for decoration during halloween.

here he is at first on the sparsely populated tank:

now here he is after plants, sand and more fishes have been added to the aquarium:

still he smiles. Casper really is a friendly ghost!

This August Life

After some time I was finally able to re-connect with some friends and re-logged myself to the web. Was just too happy reading about what's been going on in my friends lives, happy to make a video greeting for my ex-boss's 50th bday bash, chatted and texted with Monde friends again, excited to hear that glo is slowly settling in singapura but tearful to hear of the passing of two batchmates from Pisay just these recent weeks. Jessie and RosyJen, you'd be sorely missed!

Am back in Manila and staying with kuya's family. Am all geared up for some training-seminars.

Even with august measures and strife, well, life goes on. And am grateful that I am still standing strong (even if just mentally and emotionally) amidst all difficulties. Thanks to family and friends.

Gift of Neighbors

Today's Gospel Acclamation:
"I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me will never die."

Saw my aunt this morning as she was hurrying home from visiting our neighbor at the other side of the block. She was holding a couple of stalks of flowers, to which I exclaimed, "Wow, aunty, gwapaha anang bulak, oi!" She immediately gave me one of the beautiful red flowers and said it'd look nice next to the image of the Blessed Mother. I thanked her and spent several minutes trying to do the arrangement. It's a red Torch and its from one of our neighbors backyard.

  

And here it is placed next to our image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.




Have been receiving lots of grace from our neighbors this summer (flowers, fruits, prayers and lots of love and care). We are blessed to live in a neighborhood where the residents are united and are tightly-knit. Everyone knows everybody else and birthdays and even thanksgiving celebration are celebrated together as one. Wakes are also attended to by the concerned residents. Prayer meetings are held every Sunday on rotation of each one's homes.

At summertime like now, when fruits are in season, we get to share the "harvest" of fruits from our very own backyards. Received mangoes, tambis, coconut, etc. My cousin recently climbed our avocado tree out back. And here's our avocadoes:

Kitakits Na Naman

Met meanne and lexa again yesterday. Av set a meetup at her place as lexa requested to see me before going to dumaguete this morning. Since thea and her bro and sis-in-law were staying at a hotel near av’s place, we thought of going to dampa and feast on seafood. At around 6pm, av called to say she was yet to get off work, meanne would still be leaving from malvar, batangas and kwini cannot leave before 8pm. With everyone coming late, we decided to just buy stuff and cook at av’s store. Camille, av’s niece, was also there. But alas, kwin was not able to come. missed you there kwin!

So off we went to check out the seafood galore in the seafood market along Macapagal avenue. We had good fun ogling the seafood fare on display. I must admit there were some creatures i did not recognize so I had to ask. Av is really good at haggling. Thea was amazed how we saved a hundred bucks for a kilo of shrimps. We ordered for the sinigang and baked tahong to be cooked at Cuzina restaurant already while we went around the shops some more. We met groups of Koreans on our way to the fruit stalls. Imagine our surprise to see even more Koreans sampling the various fruits on display. Indeed there's a lot of them here in our country appreciating our culture and our way of life, what with the very low cost of living here compared to their own country. Of course they can afford to feast on seafood anytime.

After waiting for our orders to be cooked, we went back to Av's place and had the crabs and shrimps cooked. We had hinilabos na alimango, buttered shrimp, baked tahong at sinigang na panga (ng maya-maya), all with green mango ensalada and tokwa’t baboy. Looking at just the four of us girls, thea’s brother was surprised to see the food served in front of him. Oh yes, kuya, we have big appetites. We know how to appreciate good food. bwarharhar!

Talk was equally good. Was kept abreast of what’s been happening so far in each other’s lives. Am so happy to hear of news about old friends again. This is one of my life’s little joys.

We said our goodbyes after watching the replay of American Idol. Well, we’re all still cinderella’s in our own little world, so before the clock struck twelve, we bade farewell to each other and promised to keep in touch.

Febfair at Yupielbi

as i mentioned, i'd be going to the uplb febfair. went and met friends again. posting here pics that i took from fb. (hehe, nagnakaw ako ng piktyur piktyur dun)

dropped by to say hi to the sisses celebrating our anniv and opentambayan at the AS-SJ booth. congrats and more strength to AS! naku, ang babata na ng naabutan ko. buti na lang, nasa labas ang mga oldies so medyo hindi naman ako gaanong na-op (hehe). also had fun catching up with glo. medyo bitin. need to have more tsika time pa. sana ma-contact si tita gems para mahaba-habang kwentuhan. 'twas nice seeing rey, treb and alta again at the CS booth, sila lang ang natatandaan kong faces. all the rest were those of the younger residents and alums alike (with batches ranging from '07 to '09, would you believe?). it was drizzling when we arrived so medyo muddy ang field and surroundings. it would have been more fun kung dry ang field, makaka-upo man lang sana sa grounds habang nagtsitsikahan sabay may hawak na baso ng beer (as you can see in d pics). and nagahol din ako sa oras dahil may i-meet ding iba pang mga kakilala. ayun tuloy, nauna nang umuwi si ate joy sa akin. had to stay over at a friend's house. and i have to say, ang ganda ng bagong pagawang bahay nila dedz and cora (owners of pia's and 101 boutique). thanks guys for everything! :-)

Post-Valentine Post

have been in touch with glo and jane recently. met up with jane last weekend as she lives just across edsa from where i'm at. just had to cross the tunnel from boni to get to pioneer. and as usual, sa harap na naman kami ng tv nagdaldalan. she took me to hmr after lunch. now i know where this place is that my kuya goes to buy his shoes and pants.

texted glo to meet her at the fair. tomorrow is the last day of the febfair at uplb. excited akong pumunta. haven't been to one in a long time.

meanwhile, belated happy valentine's day to all. am posting these bakes i made last monday. of course, langga was very happy. another sweet tooth in the family. :-)

Bakasyon Muna

matagal-tagal din akong nawala dito sa blogging world.

sobra akong naapektuhan sa init ng klima dito sa aking sulok ng mundo. even with the toolbox talks we are getting on the job about preventing heat stress/stroke, pakiramdam ko hindi talaga kaya ng katawan ko ang sobrang init. as if it can be helped... eh talaga naman kailangan kong lumabas at mainitan sa airport during my flight inspections.

it even came to the point na nag-n-nosebleed na ako at parang mag-c-crack na ang ulo ko, na para bang hihimatayin na ako. sobra!!!

so i handed my application for leave and was granted a month's vacation which i spent where else but home. it's been a long while since i did nothing but stay home and spend R&R moments with my family. good thing i've reached 18 months at work already so now eligible for that leave. i only took casual leave (about 2 weeks) last feb when i went to vietnam with my family for my bday. this time the resource planning (read, $$$) has not been that difficult since it's a paid vacation (tickets and all). lucky me!

see me here much too happy as we were travelling home from the airport.

will be posting pics of this bakasyonista on my next entries.

My Inaanak

I remember a time when i was asking my mom why i still do not have any inaanak seeing that my housemates have long lists being ticked off during Christmas season. And she answered maybe because my friends are still not married so there's no one to ask me to be ninang yet. Then friend Jing got married and lo, I had my very first inaanak, Malynn! Pagkatapos nito, naku sunod-sunod nang nagsipag-asawa ang mga kaibigan ko. Tama nga naman at may mga trabaho na. Kaya sunodsunod na ding dumami ang aking mga inaanak.

I still can't believe that it's been 12 years since. Ang tanda ko na! Hahaha...

To my inaanak, Malynn! May you grow up to be a wonderful lady and obedient daughter to your mom and dad. And be a good model to your younger brother and sister. You know they look up to you. Stay rooted in your faith and continue to serve the Lord in your own little way. God bless you, sweetie!

Valentine's Day is Near

malamig na naman ang valentine's ko. heto, wala pa ring katuwang sa buhay. =)

i miss all my friends so much. yes, of course, i have my relatives here. but it's different if you are talking to people who share your views and who understand your feelings. people who know exactly where you're coming from; who, borne out of years of being close together and living under the same roof, will automatically say, " I get you. I understand what you're trying to say."

yesterday, i saw new upcoming movies being featured on tv. then i saw a familiar title that was on the bestseller's list some years back. now, i'm feeling all so lonely all of a sudden because i realize i no longer have my friends to watch the movie with. i'm so sure that like in old times, we'd all be laughing so hard and be so noisy inside the movie theater just like when we watched P.S. I Love You last summer.

i'm thinking there's no one that i can invite to watch the movie with since most of the ladies at home are married. i seem to be the only one who's interested enough to watch He's Just Not That Into You. yeah, i know, another chick flick you might say. but what choice do i have here as entertainment? ito lang makakatugon sa kakikayan ko sa ngayon. Haaay....

but anyway, was at last able to go to Global Village. my cousins and i went around looking at what-nots and taking photos of the 'booths' (if you can call them that) of participant countries. the phils has a very big parol so it's quite easy to spot. wish, esmuky was there with us. sadly, he's in Kish, Iran at the moment waiting out the required number of days out of this country before he can re-enter by visit visa again.

posting here some pics...

Staying Connected

Whoever said “Long distance relationships don’t work” is oh so wrong. Well, I mean this for the ‘friends and family keep in touch’ kind. coz that’s mostly the relationships I actually have right now. As for the other kind… well, let’s talk about that another time.

Our world has been practically divided into longitudinal zones of time. Thus standard time differences are observed per zone and this varies by geographical location. Space ..they’re only dimensional boundaries to be traversed between two person-points. Such barriers are getting quite infinitesimally smaller what with the advent of technology. As participant Benjie Garcia of Wanbol Web Media mentioned in a seminar I once attended on Making Money on ebay, “Internet has made the world smaller.” It’s so easy to keep in touch.. if you have the time, and the heart, and the inclination. But really, space and time can’t separate kindred souls. Not when they’ve shared so many memorable moments together: funny ones, tearful ones, wrathful ones, peaceful ones – oh so many colorful pictures in my memory book. Yesterday a good friend of mine,J, and I relived them again. Manila’s getting to be a drop-off point for friends going on out-of-country trips. It was a long good talk over hot hazelnut-flavored coffee served with my favorite carrot cake. A talk that continued ‘til dinner at Red Crab Seafood Resto on the upper floor. The food was excellent, the music sublime and the talk equally heartwarming.

Warm, multi-colored memories... there’s plenty more hidden intact in the crevices of my mind. Ready to be served hot over a pleasant talk and a tugging walk down memory lane. I’ll play host next time. I think perhaps some cinnamony treats or butterscotch or plain pound cake…and hot chocolate.. wow! Coffee, anyone?

Realidad Part1

part 1

"May there always be work for your hands to do, may your purse always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine on your windowpane, may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you, may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you." - Irish blessing

there is no more apt time that i need this blessing than now, when i have just handed in my resignation to my boss. this doesn't mean i'm severing all ties from the company. almost a third of my life i have spent in this plant. i have already forged so many friendships while i've been here. most of my godchildren i've sponsored while i was here. and most of my experiences here have made me stronger as a leader and as a person and have helped deepen my values in life.

i know that there's still so much to come back to... to talk with friends again to keep up to date on each others' lifes, to laugh with friends again on the moments that have made our lives worthwhile, to share with good friends all of life's ups and downs, including flounderings, failings, and more falterings. and at the same time sharing the small triumphs and nagging fears. 'coz that's what friends are for.

friends ask you how you are. friends ask about your family. friends want to know if there's something they can do to help. friends reach out to lend a hand even if you don't ask. friends don't just call when they need you. they don't give you the cold shoulder when you obviously are hungry for encouragement and support in your decisions. they make it known that they are there for you. that's why i appreciate so much those who send in a little word or two and those who still text despite the distance. yes, they do manage to bring that bright little lift at times when i most needed it. and for which i am most grateful.

June Update

June welcomes chi-chi's birthday. wasn't able to go to manila for the celebration. but she had fun celebrating at a favorite restaurant with a very nice ambience. gustong-gusto ni langga ang place! hey chi, magkasingtanda na tayo. hahaha... all the very best to you and family! stay happy and healthy. and keep on doing good.

tonki called up sometime this first week of the month. has been trying to set up a get-together with the gals in the south area of manila. aba, oo nga pala, madaming bday girls ngayong buwang 'to, herself included.

was quite excited to meet up with them. she arranged for me to go with arlene, since she lives nearby lang naman. we scheduled the meet on the 19th, holiday pareho kami ni arlene sa laguna 'coz of rizal's bday. i went to the dfa in the morning for my passport renewal application. we met at atc, talked awhile at starbucks then had dinner at a mediterranean resto on the 2nd floor. got to talk with det, elaine, hazel, tonki and arlene again. sayang wala si ate joy, bday girl din 'yon e. next time na lang daw when she's back in the pinas.

on another note, it's been a week after i talked to my boss and handed my resig letter.

marami nang nangyari. marami akong realizations....

dalawang hausmeyts na naman ang nagpaalam. sir rey and joban, we'll miss you!

Time for Time Out

with the scheduled outing of the ranks yesterday, some of us at qa took the opportunity to relax and unwind at subic.

housemeyt joban and even meridudes recommended Camayan at subic. roommie anne has been seeing it being featured in Umagang Kay Ganda and so we all thought of trying it out. it looks pretty decent and with the reco and all, yeah, we thought "why not?"

what was originally planned to be a staff outing turned out to be a QA gimik after all. well, blame it on miscommunication and lack of planning. but with plans of leaving soon, some of us determined to make one last effort to get together and have some fun. aba, last summer outing na ito na nasa Monde pa kami!

we were all excited to go but there were those who backed out at the last minute, which was pretty much all right in a way 'coz we were perfectly comfortable in the revo that we hired for the day. av and i woke up quite early to prepare some food for our baon. of which, john commented:"akala ko ba isang araw lang tayo dito, bakit parang pang-dalawang araw baon natin?" haha... to which the answer cound only be:" mga takot magutom kasi..."

we left the plant at around 5:30am and when we arrived at Camayan, we saw that it was just like a pantalan. buhuhu... sa mahal ng entrance at cottage fees, parang na over-advertised ang lugar. may kasikipan at walang gaanong amenities. may sudden drop din sa dagat so we had to keep a safe distance from the shore. ang init sa balat kasi tubig alat talaga. walang may gustong magtagal sa tubig. buti naman at may mga bata pang enjoy sa paglalaro sa buhangin at mga teen-agers na naglalaro ng beach volley. here are some pics.

we chose Camayan because it's located just beside Subic Ocean Adventure. madali nang mangabilang bakod. hehe. it was so wonderful watching the dolphin show and sealion show.

and here's me-anne's first kiss. =)

At Gilly's for Jings Birthday

ang lakas kumanta ni mark!


we decided to eat out for jing's birthday. went to paseo and finally chose gilly's. while placing our order, napagdiskitahan namin si mark. inuudyukan nila meanne at lexa na dapat kumanta siya dahil may birthday celebrant kaming kasama. and he did just that. binigla kaming lahat nang may sumisigaw pagdala ng unang entree. sigaw nga yata iyon, hindi kanta... hehe.


bday celeb d gals with 'Mark'

Hearts Day at the Staffhouse

whew! most of us gals did not have dates this valentine's day. though some admittedly had advanced dates. hahaha

so we celebrated at the staffhouse. we ate cake, spaghetti, chicken, ice cream and siomai. sarap! another fun night went by at bahay ni kuya.

Happy News

we were told we'd be having a module on presentation skills as part of the mldp program in the plant. i'm so looking forward to this session. i know i have to polish on my audience impact and engaging end of presentation.


had dinner with batchmate jhosie last weekend. only learned then that luanne was leaving for singapore the next day. glad to have had the opportunity to talk again with high school batchmates joyce and donabel, too. also remembered that i just caught up with batchmates jegs and blythe on facebook and so glad to learn that they just got married this month.

met with jayne and anna the weekend before. plans for sing were hatched. anna called last night to ask if i could come with her to lb for the english translation of our diploma.

New Year Sale

spent the weekend with friends anna and jayne. went windowshopping, bought groceries, and decided to sleep over at anna's apartment. i ended up reading real living mag to get me to sleep.

went to MOA. it's having its Mother Of All sale until the 13th. will probably be back with my roomie and hausmeyts. happy shopping one and all!