Last Day of 2007 & 2 Cups of Cafe Americano

Wow. Blog patrol! Blog patrol! Hanapin ang masipag magblog....

I just got home from the JB's last gimik of the year. I had this inspired thought to dress up for tonight. I recently purchased this black dress which I wanted to wear. I don't really know when the next formal event will be and wearing a dress for a casual night out seems normal nowadays. Karina and I SMSd back and forth, and she settled for a skirt and a nice top. Hehe.

We met Macky, Erik, Bibay and X-Tina (Erik's friend from Dot Dot Dot) at Greenbelt 5. My first time in this newly constructed Ayala property! I've been hearing about it, and I've seen it from afar a couple of times. It's a real swanky place! And it promises a big Zara outlet. Haha. We later went to People's Palace (X-Tina went home na and Irving joined us) for one round of drinks. My dress still wasn't satisfied with the mileage it was getting thus far, so we capped the evening with coffee and some midnight snacks at the Manila Peninsula lobby. Looks pretty normal! Like a mutiny never happened. My favorite hirit of the evening (coming in close second is Macky's impersonation of Susan Calo-Medina for Travel Time):

Bibay: ...Eh si Irving kasi mahilig mag-Dota.
Macky: Ano yung Dota?
Erik: This RPG game na boys like to play.
Macky: Ahh... Tayo kasi mahilig lang sa nota.

Ampucha. We laughed our asses off. While talking, we watched the peeps of the Pen prepare for their New Year party. Lotsa balloons in metallic colors. We left Manila Pen a little close to 4 a.m.

What an evening! I had two cups of cafe Americano and a slice of the Pen Club Sandwich (which was pretty good). I'm thinking of the stuff I need to do tomorrow (er, later pala). Go to SM or ATC for 'em picture frames, go to Cooks Exchange for some candied walnuts, go to any BDO branch to pay for my credit card bill. Maybe tidy up my room a little.

Deng. I started cleaning out my closet this afternoon. And let me tell you. It wasn't as easy as I thought. After laying all the blouses on the bed, I kinda lost the tidying up drive. I did manage to put the blouses back in though (grouped by colors) and weed out all the others to be given away. It's difficult to tidy up when the act of tidying up isn't done regularly. I have a lot of junk in my room! I think we're a family of pack rats, so we barely throw anything out. Ugh.

Suzie sent me an email with this message:

hey sweetie! here's something you might like. when i read it, i just knew it was for you.

"There's a kind of holiness to love, requited or not, and those people who don't receive it with gratitude are arrogant beyond saving." - from the book Love Walked In

Haha! Thanks sweetie! I too hope I find the courage.

Year end highlights coming soon.

Just before 2008...

Yesterday afternoon, I brought the very ill MacMacMac to the PowerMac service center in Greenbelt. The initial diagnosis, there might be something wrong with the hard drive. Worst case scenario, the logic board's screwed. Deng. I asked the guy how much the worst case was going to cost me. He said in his very timid voice, "Maybe 25-30 thousand." Ugh.

MacMacMac's confinement got be thinking about a lot of things. Perhaps I've been taking him for granted to the point of being careless. Perhaps I've also been living recklessly these past few years, with no conscious effort to save for a rainy day (and the worst case sounds like a rainy day). Being laptop-less for the next couple of days is also a good reminder how you don't know what you have until it's gone.

Hay. I also realized how easier it is to be carefree. To let someone else drive. To be upset when things don't go my way (which is ironic because of the lack of control in the first place).

So before the new year officially arrives, there are a couple of things I need to do.

(1) Clean out my closet - Well, literally for now. I have a lot of stuff just lying around. A couple of blouses which have not seen the light of day for more than a year now. Shoes which I have not worn since I bought them two or three years ago. I spent most of the evening with the girls (Ate Love, Ina, and Camille) yesterday and I was witness to their house cleaning. Kinda inspired me to do some tidying up of my own. Put into practice that thought about not being attached to your material possessions.

(2) Think 2007 Highlights - I got a couple of highlights in mind. Will have to blog about this of course. Need to look back before moving a step forward.

(3) Think of my 2008 Goals - For 2007, I set 5 or 6 goals I think. 2 or 3 I've been able to accomplish. Maybe for 2008, I need to keep my goals to a minimum (maybe 3) to ensure success rate. Haha.

Movies Movies Movies in 2008!

Although I'm not as updated with movies as I was prior to Keysi's departure for the US, I still consider myself a movie freak. Hehe. Still a fan of the silver screen. Still like sharing inane deails about movies and movie stars!

Anyway, I've been surfing the net quite often lately, for lack of a better thing to do around the house (which I'm up for). And I found a couple of movies I promise to definitely see on the big screen (and not wait for it on Star Movies or HBO).

Mamma Mia
Tis one of em few musicals I've actually seen! I've loved it since Irene and I saw it in Singapore a few weeks back, and I recommended my parents to watch it in Broadway (and they did last May). Anyway, imagine my delight when I saw this trailer!! They're making a movie! And Meryl Streep's in it! O.M.G. I hope they do the musical justice.



Speed Racer

Now here's a lethal combination: The Wachowski Brothers + Emile Hirsch + classic Anime series + Rain. I'm super excited about this film. I think it might be one of 2008's biggest hits. Rain is making his Hollywood debut here! Hope he does well. I've always been a fan of Emile Hirsch (since his early acting days), and I'm glad he beat out Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shia LeBouf for the title role.



The Dark Knight

I love Christopher Nolan, and what he has done for the Batman movie franchise is close to miraculous. He saved it from the cartoon-ish and unrealistic look, gave a darker, brooding feel to it. In this sequel to Batman Begins, Bruce Wayne comes face to face with the Joker (portrayed by Heath Ledger). From what I've seen so far, I'm glad Heath is breathing new life into the character. Jack Nicholson was brillant of course, and it is a challenge to step out of his shadow. I hope this movie will not disappoint.

You know you love me. XOXO Gossip Girl

Damn you Josh Schwartz for co-creating this new series on CTV. Because of the first ten episodes Mike 2.0 downloaded and saved on my external hard drive, I spent the entire Friday evening sprawled in bed. Just like watching season 4 of "Entourage", I was like, "Okie. One more episode." After forty minutes, "Okie. Last one." After forty minutes, "Super last one." It went on like that until I finished watching all the episodes. "Gossip Girl"'s my holiday guilty pleasure (on top of chocolates and cookies).




So far, the show's been pretty good! It's like "The O.C" meets "Cruel Intentions". Haha. Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) looks like Jimmy Fallon meets Joaquin Phoenix. I like Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley). He kinda reminds me of Seth Cohen. Only Seth's funnier and more witty. The soundtrack is awesome and the fashion divine. The main character, Serena van der Woodsen (can't get more upper east side than that!) is portrayed by Blake Lively, soccer girl from the movie "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants". The O.C.'s more laugh-out-loud funny though. Gossip Girl's darker. Very New York.

Me wants Episode 11, which I read over the net is entitled "Roman Holiday".

Christmas Get Togethers 2007: Brunch with Arief

This morning, I met up with Irene's beau Arief. We had brunch at Pancake House Santana Grove, just a stone's throw away from Goodwill (where he's staying here in Manila). We started a little past 10 and finished at past 12. He gave me a super helpful book about MBAs. Of course, we also talked about the girl we have in common, Irenie! Hehe! Arief's a really sweet guy, and I'm happy they're together.



We talked about a lot of things... Work, tv shows, pursuing further studies, movies, fear. Haha. Arief asked me what I was more afraid of. Leaving my job or studying again. I told him candidly that I wasn't afraid of both. I'm scared of making a choice. It's pretty clear now that I need to retake my GMAT.

I really just have to smile. My best friends have found such great guys. I realized that what matters most of us girls (in terms of what we look for in potential partners) changes as we grow older. We become aware of what's more important. Jeff, Irving, and Arief are guys who have aspirations and are responsible. Arief said that he just wants to be supportive of Irene (even if it means she's away and they're not togehter). There is a silent strength in all these three guys, and I know they'll all take care of my girls.

This morning is a nice reminder how each of us deserves someone of greatness. He will not be everything we ever wanted. That in itself is an exciting thought though. It just means there's room for pleasant surprise.

Tonton just told me those born during the year of the goat (moi) will be lucky in love next year (year of the rat). Let's see. Perhaps 2008 will be the year Schmenten will finally take the reigns and move out of the backseat.

[Music from the Baul] In the Sun

In the Sun
by Joseph Arthur


I picture you in the sun wondering what went wrong
And falling down on your knees asking for sympathy
And being caught in between all you wish for and all you seen
And trying to find anything you can feel that you can believe in

May gods love be with you
Always
May gods love be with you

I know I would apologize if I could see your eyes
cause when you showed me myself I became someone else
But I was caught in between all you wish for and all you need
I picture you fast asleep
A nightmare comes
You cant keep awake

May gods love be with you
Always
May gods love be with you

cause if I find
If I find my own way
How much will I find
If I find
If I find my own way
How much will I find
You

I dont know anymore
What its for
Im not even sure
If there is anyone who is in the sun
Will you help me to understand
cause I been caught in between all I wish for and all I need
Maybe youre not even sure what its for
Any more than me

May gods love be with you
Always
May gods love be with you

This version by Michael Stipe and Chris Martin.

Christmas Get Togethers 2007: (Sort Of) Coffee With Kar and Irbs

Kar and I spent most of the afternoon together yesterday. We say SSS with Tita Lydia and Remedios (will blog about this later). After having merienda at Kenny Rogers, Kar and I parted ways and met up again at 9pm. I guess you can say The Coffee Bean along Tordesillas is our favorite tambayan.




Maan! Where art thou? We miss you :(

Christmas Get Togethers 2007: Cafppl Dinner

December 26. Le Domain Condominium Tordesillas Street, Salcedo Village Makati. It's been 11 years since we all first got together as blockmates. Freshies no more, we had our annual Cafppl dinner at Buddy's condo. I brought my (yeah, you guessed it) pesto cream with chicken pasta dish (making its fifth appearance at a party this year). Sid brought a truckload of sisig, much to our cholesterol levels' delight. Tere and Buddy took care of the BBQ. Fara brought Shopwise-made Siomai. Cathi, Tere, Ler, and myself supplied the booze. And practically everyone contributed to the all night tawanan.

It's just great to see old friends, and it's equally amazing how when we do see each other, it's like we see each other practically everyday. I guess that's history for you.

Tere and Fara. Ex-officemates and Grey's Anatomy fans.


Me and Cathi. Current officemates and fans of social drinking.


Sid with his mistress Lery.


Sid with wife Cathi.


Group pic!





Thanks Lery for sending me the pics (so I can post them here). I love your camera (which is identical to mine. Teehee)!

The fun-nest part of the evening though was our "10 years from now talk", which lasted for more than an hour. We were all reeling with laughter. Tere summarized the highlights of our "what ifs" in her blog, which I will quote directly:

And the year was 2017, the 26th of December

...where we found ourselves drinking Kurant7 to our heart's delight at Buddy's posh estate at Forbes Park with darling wife Vicky bringing out the yummy gelatine dessert to satiate our palates for something sweet after stuffing ourselves with the artery-blocking sisig of Aysee's that our Accenture Shanghai main man-slash-Bench underwear model Sidney brought to our annual get-together.

Cathi is a single parent living in the slums of Serendra with 2 children, the second one (she can't remember if he's 5 or 7 years old) was apparently a test tube baby and Sidney was aghast to know that it was his after all these years (it remains a mystery as to how this came about), and threatened to take him away from her because he can't bear that his child lives in shit while he makes truckloads of moolah from his modeling stints here and abroad.

Lery continues to grace the covers of Philippine Tatler and she's happily married to a very accomplished man she used to know back in high school (I don't really know if I'm allowed to mention the name here hahaha) and Fara just attended the graduation of her child prodigy and husband who just earned their Ph.D's (apparently the difference of the ages of the dad and the son seems to be negligible). We feel bad for Jason and Catz who continue to toil and burn the midnight oil in third-world Singapore but glad they were able to come over for a visit. Me? Well, my hubby and I are managing a school and my 8th child is on the way! This great man willingly accepted me and my 7 kids from different fathers, isn't that great? Don't get me wrong, I still look as fresh as a daisy, because of my diligence for hiphop workouts every so often (sorry Ten, I just had to put that in for good measure hahaha).

We were all wondering where on earth Lloyd was, and lo and behold, we received some telepathic messaging (texting is waaaay passe) and found out he's not on Earth but on Mars, planet manager of a really big call center! Talaga nga naman, he never ceases to amaze us. Teka teka, si Mitch?! Ayun, maybahay na pala ni Lloyd sa Mars. I believe they still get in touch with Chrissie who's the CEO of Nordstrom in their area.

Sa tindi ng tawanan at hiritan that fateful night, nanggagatong lang pala si Tenten at hindi sya nagshare! Unfair! Pero it really was a fun fun game. Kala ng lahat kami lang ni Tenten ang magaling sa kwentong barbero, aba taob pa pala kami sa kanila! Haaaay ang sarap talaga ng walang humpay na tawanan, kainan, inuman at kulitan. Hahaba ang buhay mo!

Champion talaga.

Tanquilut Christmas 2007

Whoa! What a partey! Thanks to Picasa Web albums!

[Music From the Baul] Say

On my way to the office today, I heard this song over the radio and Tere was quick to point out that it was John Mayer's new single. It has a catchy 50 First Dates Soundtrack feel to it.

Say
By John Mayer

Take out of your wasted honor
Every little best frustration
Take out all your so called problems
Better put them in quotations
Say what you need to say (8x)

Walkin like a one man army
Fightin with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you’d be better off instead
If you could only
Say what you need to say (8x)

Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for getting older
You better know that in the end it's better to say too much
Than to never to say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open
Why?
Say what you need to say (20ishx)

Post Christmas Day

Where do I begin?! I think my dazed previous entry is indicative of how my Christmas day went.

First off, I got out of bed late. Mama walked in the room and announced to a very sleepy Schmenten that it was 11am. So like being thrown a bucket of ice water, jumped out of bed and took my bath. Off I was in search for the Focus production support team's lunch. Thank heavens for Baliwag, Mongkok, and Serye for being open on Christmas day. I didn't stay in the office long though.

For the first time in years, I missed the Christmas lunch at the Geocaniga's. I did make up for this missed Christmas tradition, by calling Keyce! It was just really nice to talk to her. She's in Illinois now, spending Christmas with Nikka and her family. I sent Keyce a Christmas present and Nikka got it. Not knowing it was a present, Nikka silently thanked her secret admirer and exchanged the item for a small size. Haha! Now she owes Keyce a sweater. Keyce asked me what I was doing in the office. Her candid remark really got me laughing, "O.M.G. So unlike you to be there!" Haha. The girl knows how important the holidays are for me. I can be a Scrooge at times, but at the end of the day, I like Christmas time.

Anyway, after that fun convo with Keyce and after a tall iced Toffee Nut Latte, I went home to prepare for the Christmas party. The Tanquilut Christmas party has always been a highlight of the year (for most of us in the family, I'd say). This year, we had the third round of Bad Santa. All three of us sibs got "bad" gifts. Tonton got a large supporter, and Lester got it! But talk about Karma. Eventually, the supporter found its way back to Tonton. Hehe. A little close to 12, Mama played Santa and threw the crowd some cold cash. 20s and then 100s. This paved the way for another game (which I took from the Focus Christmas party). We had two rounds of the Weakest Line. Fun fun!

I think the best (and somewhat worst) part of the evening though, was the drinking. I made several stops in the drinking station, chugging down shot glasses of Alize mixed with Four Seasons. Of course, loving my own, I also drank several glasses of Lambrusco (Sparkling red wine) and Asti Martini (champagne). My red cheeks and red ears gave me away. As well as my constant chattering and very "mapungay" eyes. I vaguely recall saying good bye to our guests. I don't even know how I managed to take a shower, SMS Mike to say I wasn't coming to the office the following day, and watch a wee bit of WWE on TV.

The bad part of this drinking experience, however, was getting out of bed at 5am, and vomiting my eyes out. Oopps... Down the toilet bowl went the red wine I had, dinner, and probably some of the marshmallows and fruits I dipped in the chocolate-fountain-turned-chocolate-fondue. I couldn't sleep! So I went down to the kitchen, drank two glasses of water. Not an hour later, I found myself in the bathroom once again, seeing the water I drank go down the toilet. Ewww...

Okie. Now after that very visual drinking aftermath, allow me to highlight my favorite parts of Christmas day.

** Playing Food Santa to the peeps at the office, bringing them lunch for two straight days. Makes me wonder why I never got into the catering business. Oh. That's right. I majored in Management Information Systems and I work at an IT Firm.

** Seeing and hearing appreciation. Irene loved her Friends DVDs, and Judi was just gushing at the toy truck I sent Dylan. She said she made the right choice making me Dylan's Godmother. Gengen made special mention of the shirt I gave her in her blog. Glad you liked it sweetie! Haha!

** Having the family over for Christmas. It's always great to have everyone in one house, including those who have been away for a while. Welcome back Macky and Kuya Andre! Skype is indeed a blessing! We got to talk to Tita Linda, Tita Cion, and the Gutierrezes in New York! Ate Gret is forever pretty, and the Punos/Paraguas were just all smiles and laughing. Haaay. I love my family! Wouldn't trade them for anything.

** Schmenten's booboos. Okie. Let me start by saying how difficult keeping track of the names of all my cousins' boyfriends can be. So Milet, I apologize for calling JP "Chris" (your ex). Haha. I think we've bonded more than enough (over several pitchers of Red Tide) for him to forgive me. Haha. But it was a riot. I also enjoyed taking cheap shots at Tetet's current beau. Haha. When I called the boys for the boys' family photo, I said, "O! Kasama lahat ng mga cousins! Pati ang mga cousins na kamukha ng mga dating cousins." Tita Guste heard me and playfully pinched me. Haha. Blame it on the booze!

** Surprise SMSs from old friends... and old crushes. Haha.

I'll post pics of the crazy Christmas Day soon. :-) Right now, I've got to take a shower and be off to pick Tere up. Block dinner tonight, and I'm not sure if I can drink again. Let's see!

Christmas Day Blog

Just wrapped up with the family christmas party and i've had one too many shots of alize and four seasons and lambrusco sparking red wine. party was uber fun and I am red. cheeks and ears and all. Woohooo! merry christmas everybody!@ dunno if I will be blowing the next few hours. dengit I gotta go to work tomrrow... or not. haha,.

Christmas Eve Random Thoughs

As I am typing, we are less than 12 hours away from Christmas. Tis Christmas Eve and where is Schmenten now? In cubicle 8.37, looking at my Outlook Inbox for any sign of life (I have not received a new email since three hours ago). Yep. I am in the office. I felt like Santa when I came with all the stuff for the Production Support peeps on call today and tomorrow. I had their North Park lunch and several bags of groceries.

I must say, two straight days of shopping has drained a lot of my holiday energy. Saturday, Tere and I took an impromptu trip to SM Mall of Asia to buy gifts (For others and for ourselves! Haha!) I was planning to go shopping alone, but thank heavens for Tere and the good timing of her going online. Shopping's a great way to burn off a few calories. I was pretty beat when I got home though. But excited about our December 26 cafppl reunion (and "10 years from now" talk we plan to have the with the guys).

Sunday. I spent most of the morning and some parts of the afternoon lazing around. Ton and I went out at around 7pm. ATC was the place to be. I've been on a Holy Grail of sorts since Saturday and my quest yielded zero results again last Sunday. So I opted for a different present, which I hope will be ok and will fit. Hehe. Ton and I got home at past 12 mn.

As I predicted, this Christmas is like any other. Nothing extraordinary. Mostly, I got caught up with work and shopping. Eating till my tummy protrudes is still an inherent part of the holidays. I think I'm back to my 2005 weight, which isn't good. I need to lay off the chocolates for a while. The family Christmas dinner is tomorrow, and I still have a messy room which is screaming for some serious cleaning. My closet is bursting at the seams, also screaming. For some stackable organizers.

I think I'm just about done with the Christmas shopping. This year though, I made an extra generous gift giving gesture to my loved ones in the US. The only thing I'm worried about, post holidays, is my credit card bill. Jeepers. I could probably sell my huge arms and my huge legs to pay off my debt.

I wanted to feel the Christmas spirit, earlier this December. Which is why I watched "Serendipity", only to be a little depressed after. Where is John Cusack? The perennial question.

Been thinking about a few things lately. Some of the old stuff, and some new things. I want our story to read, "It all started when I made the conscious decision to take charge of things and to make things happen." I had lunch with the Dela Ramas the other day and Paolo, he hath the best way of phrasing the most honest opinions, said to me, "Tama na yang kalokohan naman. Get it over with and let it be something we'll all laugh about ten years from now." I'm beginning to wonder why I don't have the courage to do as I've been told. Hehe. Maybe fear?

Oooohh... Such serious thoughts for the holidays.

Back to more Christmas-y random thoughts.

Schementen's presents this year are pretty good. I think I have a lot more extra stuff now. I'm hoping the recipients of my gifts will enjoy what I bought them. I always strive for gifts with a personal touch. Hehe. I like putting some thought in the presents that I give out. Although there are some which can be generic. But I try to make them as personal as possible. I haven't opened the presents I received just yet. Maybe tonight.

MacMacMac is sort of sick these past few days. I can't boot him up, which is a drag, considering all the blog-worthy activities happening as of late. I need to bring him to the PowerMac store to get serviced. It's a good thing we got a couple other laptops at home.

Tomorrow's party should be a blast. It always is. I just need to prepare the games, tidy up my room, and make sure all presents have been wrapped and tagged.

Christmas Get Togethers 2007: The Firm Christmas Party 2007

Tis that time of the year when all 7000 registered peeps from the Firm all troop a huge venue and celebrate Christmas. This year, it's the SM Convention Center.




This year's Christmas party is a huge improvement from last year's. At least the organizers thought of distributing the tickets before the event. 'Course, I made a tiny booboo whilst I was fishing my "ruffle" stub out of my congested purse. Mike and I were there early. So the food was still pretty abundant.



We're pretty lucky that we ran into Davis (a.k.a. David) so we sat with him (and saved the table for the other Dow alums who came a few hours later).





After dinner, we ordered cocktails from the roving waitress (who Mike was eager to call out to . I MEAN HONESTLY. Haha!)




Side A performed! I had to SMS Marchae. I kept on guessing the next song they'd be playing. I was right. Most of the time. Groupie!

Last act of the evening was Mocha. And the boys were pretty happy!! We were just about to leave, but we couldn't seem to take our eyes off the stage (and the sexy women girating).

Christmas Get Togethers 2007: Jologzbitchin!

Last Tuesday, us JBs met up at Italianni's Serendra for a Christmas dinner. Bibay, Macky, Irving, Karina, and I shared an Italian feast and exchanged gifts. Erik couldn't join us as he was at the Paul Smith Christmas party.






We miss you Maan and thank you for the beautiful purses. Talagang red yung sa akin! Raaaaar! Haha!

Sonya's Garden with Middleware and Staffware Teams

It was certainly a very good Sunday. Believe it or not, it was my first time at Sonya's Garden, Tagaytay. I was the "saling-kit" in the Middleware and Staffware Christmas get-together. Thanks to Angelo for inviting me!

Anyway, the place is really, really nice. It had a laid back feel to it. Lotsa plush greens. The dining area had nice swags. And the food..... Ahhh... the food! It was eat all you can salad, bread, and pasta. Sulit ang six hundred bucks. We had the best kamote ever!










The company is great as always. May ganung factor talaga! Haha!















Schmenten will go on record here. I had the bestest massage at Sonya's Sensuous Spa! I decided to get the Four Hand massage. Two masseurs. One hour. Oil. Absolute bliss. See my post-massage picture! Happy Schmenten. This is the way massages are supposed to be. Uber relaxing!




I heart Sonya! Next stop... Antonio's! And maybe a side trip to Sonya's for another Four Hand massage!