birthday gifts

I know this post is too late. But, as the cliche goes, better late than later.

Thank you, Agnes and Leng! Susuotin ko 'to alang-alang sa friendship natin, hehe!

Thanks GL team! Sorry, kinailangan kong i-decline ang una ninyong gifts (Pugad Baboy Sunday Comics and Ang Alamat ng Gubat) kasi meron na ako n'un e. Sayang naman, di ba? I chose Bo Sanchez's books because I like his ideas and opinions, which I think is applicable to Philippine setting.

Siyempre, magpapahuli ba si Mi Amore? Wala pang trenta pesos ang gift nyan (at saka, late na) pero most priceless sa 'kin yan. 'Ika nga ni Gollum, "My precious!"

the weekend that was jun 28-29

It's a welcome-home-Sarah Saturday! Leng, Nes and I made effort to wake up early, and with Sarah's friend VJ, we fetched her at NAIA Terminal 2. Yipee! I really love the feeling of being at the arrival area. We then met Sarah and his boyfriend (Papa Dyorj), who obviously know so much about me. Thanks to Sarah, I need not introduce my crazy self. Hehehe!

We then went to MOA - Seattle's Best, walk walk walk, papasok sa isang boutique, lalabas din ng walang nabili, lunch at Mann Hann, walk walk walk ulit. Then, suddenly Sarah realizes she hasn't come home yet (Haha! Joke lang!). Chika galore on our way to Dasma. Sarah's parents do not have an idea of Sarah coming home that day so you can imagine the surprise in his father's eyes. Drama moment itoh!

We left Sarah in the comfort of her family and proceeded to SM where the hubby awaits.

Sunday. Today is Manny Pacquiao's fight against David Diaz. Being a Filipino, I did wish for him to win and make the Philippine flag wave proudly at Mandalay Bay.

I will be going to my SGV friend's daughter's baptism today. Against his will (because he will miss the Pacquiao-Diaz fight), Irvin still accompanied me to join my friends. We tuned in to an AM station where we can be updated with the boxing fight live. By the time we arrived at Lorna's place, we were already rejoicing because Manny won! Yahoo!

Anyway, some of my SGV colleagues were there and, of course, kamustahan galore! (What do you expect?) So happy to see Lorna and her daughter who is an almost exact replica of her hubby. Welcome to the Christian world, Angela!

Irvin dropped me off at Tanza Family Hospital to meet my high school friend Ivy. We went to Arvie's place as she is going to US this week, and who knows, we might not see each other again. Hahaha! Peace, Arvie! (She reads my posts.) I can't invite the tropa because it is very much evident that she does not want any visitors, and I just insisted that we meet. Anyway, there were lots of kainan, kulitan and tawanan. You can say we are hypocrites, hehe! Arvie's grandmother would always comment that it is good to see us so happy. "Ay nako, Nana, mas masaya po sana kung wala po si Arvie…" She would say we should always convene because we are having such good laughs together. "Actually po, lagi po kami nagkikita, hindi lang po namin sinasama 'yang apo 'nyo!" Hehe! These two friends of mine, after I set up this get together, are just so irritatingly sweet. They plotted a scheme against the poor me! They exchanged watches, and they also ate my shake-shake fries! Hay naku, makakita ka nga naman ng mga kaibigang ganyan…ang sarap iwanan! Hehehe! :P

Text from Arvie: hoy salamat s pagbcta! mhal n mhal nyo tlga ko. nagta2lo mga tao d2 kung cno mas mganda s inyo. ung tita ko mas naga2ndahan k ivy, lola ko k elay! tsk2..

Si Tita, bata pa malabo na mata. Buti pa si Lola!

i wish i have

1. Love ko nman ung desktop ko, I just want something portable. Mga Sony VAIO VGN-CR23G lang pwede na.

2. Ah eto, fresh sa mata ko. Napadaan ako sa National Bookstore last Thursday para ibili ng Yes! mag ang ate kong naninirahan sa kabilang parte ng globo, ano ang nakita ko na nag-number 2 sa listahan ko? The Complete Calvin and Hobbes Collection, PhP6,889! (Cheap!)

3. Bagong celphone, Sony Ericsson W910i. Nakita ko lang last Saturday habang sinasamahan naming bumili ng SIM card ang aming balikbayan friend na si Sariray sa MOA. I think nasa PhP13,900 ung price nya. Actually maayos pa naman 'yung phone ko, kahit magti-three years na 'to sa kin. Napapalitan ko na ng battery last year, pero minsan napagti-trip-an nya ko, bigla na lang mamumutla tapos mahihimatay.

Simpleng tao lang ako, payak ang pamumuhay at wala masyadong ambisyon. Da vah?

Sa mga nagmamahal sa akin, nananawagan ako... :P

the weekend that was jun 21-22

Yesterday, I was on SL. Irvin accompanied me to the doctor because I've been having some weird feelings lately (FYI: not pregrancy related feelings, oki?). Late that night, Irvin accompanied me to the office so I can pick up my laptop and be able to work at home. Upon checking my email, I discovered that I have not yet received a piece of info I need from HR. It ruined my weekend.

Saturday. I should have been working by now, but as I said, I have yet to receive a file from the HR. So I have to wait for it. Hay! I really hate this kind of situation. With a typhoon coming, I just stayed at home, continued reading the book my colleague, JJ, lent me a few weeks ago. First Love, a collection of short stories compiled by Faye Ilogon. This is the 3rd book I borrowed from JJ, the first two are Heartbreak by Faye Ilogon also and Catch Me a Firefly by Freda Jayme, both are collection of short stories about, oh well, looooove! I have also started Bob Ong's Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ng Libro ang mga Pilipino? Finally, I am reviving my fave hobby! I have a book in my hand, hot chocolate on the other, the sleeping hubby beside me, cold and cozy atmosphere. Just great!

I just spent the night watching TV.

Sunday. Terrible. Plain terrible. I have to work today. It rained harder and what the %*#)*!!! Walang kuryente. Bad trip of all bad trips. Talaga nga nman, when it rains, it pours! Literally and figuratively! Amidst rain and flood, Irvin went home to borrow Ate Sette's car. I can be anywhere as long as I can work. Irvin called to advise me that he will be picking me up, and the lights turned on the moment I put the phone down. I nearly cried (mababaw talaga ako). God thinks it's June Fools Day today, huh! Hehe! Haaay, some miracles do happen a few minutes just before you give up.

Irvin picked me up to work at their house. This is the 2nd weekend I have been working and I am hating this! Grrr!

Buti pa si Irvin, walang pasok bukas. Hikbi! Hikbi!

baboosh, john!

We watched Narnia: Prince Caspian last Wednesday, we were supposedly a big group, with the SGVeans and ex-SGVeans, me and Agnes, and of course, non-SGVean Irvin. We got separated and I ended up with Leng and Irvin only, I didn’t get enough chance to talk to John. I also won’t be able to join them in their videoke session tomorrow (matagal na ‘yung last concert ko).

I still remember my first day in SGV, John attended to me like he knew me. I joined him in my first assignment. And even when I was on my own, I still depended on him for so many things - cash flow statements, tax computations, etcetera etcetera. He was one of my mentors.

He will be leaving on Sunday for Saudi Arabia. I know our friend Leli will take care of him. God bless, John! Hope to see you next year! Videoke tayo!

the weekend that was jun 14-15

Saturday. Today is Tatay’s birthday. I heard he had been throwing grumpiness most of the week, according to Nanay. I came from Tanza were we slept the night before and Irvin dropped me to Rosario. Tanza did not went home for breakfast or for lunch, ay may toyo nga!

Knowing he would be please with some VIP treatment, Irvin and I looked for him and urged him to go home as early as possible. An hour passed and he was home.

“Tay, sa iba naman tayo ha? Wag na sa SM.”

He was irritated, furious and angry but he cannot do anything, Irvin got the steering wheel. We’d been travelling for 2 hours already and he was annoyed. “Kung alam ko lang dito nyo ako dadalhin, hindi ako sasama, kahit magkanda-galit galit pa kayo!” Hehe!

We reached RSM just in time for dinner, there wasn’t enough view because it was already dark. “Dapat pala maaga tayo!” Hehe, toyo talaga! We left, right after dinner, and the toyo was gone. He was talking the whole time.

Sunday. I don’t have so much to say about today. I worked most of the time. I also enjoyed playing with Kishie! Cute kid!

Monday na naman, tsk!

zzzz...

"Humihiwalay na ang subconcious mind ko sa katawan ko."

Ito ang isinulat ko sa post-it at ipinabasa ko sa team mate ko. Wala lang, commercial. Pangatlong araw na ng training ko, parang walang nagbabago simula nu'ng um-attend ako. Inaantok, sumasakit ang ulo (kakapigil makatulog), nasusuka (dahil masakit ang ulo). Tatlong linggo pa, haaay!

Kulang ako sa tulog, inaamin ko. Friday night (Saturday morning, actually), 4 hours lang ang itinulog ko. Saturday night, mga 7 hours, medyo mahaba-haba pero hindi pa din sapat para makabawi ako sa ilang araw na puyat. Sunday night, 4 hours ulit. Binuo ng trabaho, anniversary party ng MSSC at Tagaytay ang weekend ko. Masaya din naman, nakakapagod nga lang.

Holiday nu'ng Monday pero tuloy pa din ang training ko. Buti na lang, hinatid ako ng aking esposo, kinain ko na ang hiya ko at natulog ako sa biyahe. Lampas na ng Baclaran ng magising ako, pupungas-pungas. Pagdating sa klase, halos tukuran ko na lang ng toothpick ang mata ko.

Ayoko ng ganito. Gusto kong bumawi. Toxic ang training pero nakaka-relate ako. Magandang senyales na 'yun.

the weekend that was jun 7-8

Saturday. The rest of my Nanay’s family resides in Naic, some 1-hour drive from my hometown Rosario. I left Cavite City early, towed by Irvin who is going to work, and met Nanay. Nanay’s younger brother, Mama Jun, who is Nanay’s replica (Irvin would always say they are Julio’t Julia Kambal ng Tadhana…uy kapag naka-relate ka, magka-henerasyon tayo) will be leaving for the US today. And Nanay will be preparing pancit luglog, a native cooking enjoyed by my cousins and Mama Jun. We arrived there around 10 AM. While they prepared the food, I played Lucky 9 and Dama with my nephew JRon (pati bata pinatulan, hehe). Lunch time!

Irvin arrived there around 1:30 PM, instant photographer! Here are the pictures of Familia Zaragoza (uy naka-relate ka na naman?).






I left early, I got to catch some beauty rest before leaving for MSSC’s 10th Anniversary party.

Irvin drove me to Sofitel (after meeting Marie at MOA) for the party. Nostalgic moment: Sofitel, formerly Westin, is where CPAR had a testimonial dinner after the October 2002 board. He stayed at MOA and watched Kung Fu Panda while waiting for me. Around 10:30, I asked Irvin to pick me and Marie up. We dropped Marie at Seaside Macapagal.

The party was okay. I hate fine dining, so I did not enjoy the food. The company for the night was great, makukulit siyempre pa! The program was simple, I enjoyed the AVPs, capturing the anniversary’s theme: Harnessing the Power of Human Energy (Naks! Talent. Commitment. Excellence.). I immediately left after the awarding for the pioneer employees, i.e. after the picture taking, of course (papahuli ba ako?!).






Sunday. My 3-week training will start tomorrow so I have to finish the templates to be submitted on work day (WD) 7, that is on Tuesday! I had to work, work and work. I finished the majority of my work before we left for Tagaytay.

Yes, it’s Tagaytay bonding time for the Estacions once again. Irvin and I were late (sorry po) as we were about to watch a magic show at 12:30. Haaay, anyway, this time, we were joined by MJ and Edgie (aka Friendster Boys).

Residence Inn Zoo - 1st stop, first disappointment. We were shocked upon knowing that the entrance has increased from P99 to P199, they said it is a package rate for both Residence Inn and Paradizoo zoos. They haven’t got a rate for Residence Inn only, duh! But at least, there is the (dirty) white lion - laba sa poso. Paradizoo - 2nd stop, 2nd disappointment. It’s quite far from Residence Inn and when we got there, what we saw is just a very vast land space. Well, with some pigs and chicken and dogs (all of ‘em domesticated). All of us did keep each other happy by joking, teasing, punchlining, achuchuchu. We found a FEW (as in) rare finds. Picturetaking siyempre! Pang-friendster e!

Unknown restaurant - 3rd stop, 3rd disappointment? Hehe, joke! Guess we were just missing the ambience from RSM. LOL!

Last stop is Starbucks (ah, eto hindi na disappointment). Irvin and I shared chocolate cream chip frappe. Picturetaking afterwards…cute cute!

the weekend that was may 31-jun 1

Saturday. Inasmuch as I wanted to enjoy some more hours at bed, I had to get up to have my annual physical exam (APE) at RCBC. I met with my colleague, Marie, had our APE, had lunch (siyempre pa!) and returned to the office. I did a few office work while uploading our Ilocos pics to my Multiply account. Irvin picked me up and we dropped Marie at the MRT Buendia station.

We went to SM Bacoor to buy some grocery, then to Lotus Mall to buy (-secret-). We were home (in Tanza) by around 7 PM. As usual, movie marathon with Bryann - Rush Hour 2 and Bruce Almighty. We were laughing almost the whole time. Btw, they got a new household help, Ate Luz (Welcome po!). One good news, Bryann will be going to college this semester! (He stopped schooling three years ago so I'm kind of excited for him. Good luck, Bryann!)

I woke up early in Sunday morning, need to because we will be picking up Nanay and Tatay to chat with my Ate and to see her newborn.

We were already on our way to Cavite City when Irvin realized he forgot the key in Tanza, so we have to go back, before proceeding to Cavite City. Sulit naman ang byahe! In a few hours, we are already face to face with Ate, Norly, Lex, Payon and Lance. A big baby that is Lance! "Ate parang hindi ilang araw lang 'yang anak mo!" As expected, Tatay was teary eyed and Nanay was excited.

We went home to Rosario to prepare for a children's party Nanay, Irvin and I will be attending. Ate My's daughter, Yomie, is turning 7 and I am part of the program as the first of 7 Treasures (on behalf of Ate). I maintained my poise while holding a set of books containing an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas, and I-can't-remember-what-else. I said my birthday greetings, had some chit-chat with Ate's friends, ate dinner and feasted on the fondue.

The party was nice, and I think Yomie, being a smart kid, deserves it. (Bad trip moment: low batt digicam!)

Beauty rest. :)