Tired

I will not try to make this another entry about work. Hehe. I think the long office hours is catching up with me. I'm not as young as I was three or four years ago. But I can't help but feel guilty because my other teammates are working even harder and leaving the office waaay later. We all feel the pressure of getting the work done. The onshore team has stressed this enough, and maybe that's one of the sources of my fatigue. Hehe.

I'm just trying to stay positive and optimistic about the situation. I know we can get the work done. And everything's doing all that they can to make it work. I just wish it'll all be over. We just have a week to go anyway. Home stretch!

Some random thoughts for the week...

** Had dinner with Karina yesterday at Alexa's, one of our favorite places in Salcedo Village. It was just what I needed for my work woes yesterday. An hour NOT thinking about Project Joseph or metrics. Sarap.

** Angelo shared one of his more recent musings. Being a new dad and having front row seats of the pregnancy show got him thinking about stuff. He said, you got to be with someone who is willing to work out the everyday issues with you. Someone who will be there for you during those trying and tough times.

** David Archeleta is the star of this season's American Idol. His performance last night was superb. I was teary after hearing his version of "Imagine". The judges were right. It's hard to take on a John Lennon song, and this song is still relevant after almost thirty years. Anyway, I think David's the one to beat this season.

[Music From the Baul] Anyone Else But You

I'm posting this partially for Issang. But I think I'm posting it mostly for me. Hehe. I heart Juno (and I think I've made this perfectly clear to friends who have been on the receiving end of my enthusiastic praises for the movie). This is the song Michael Cera and Ellen Page sang at the end of the movie. Here's the complete lyrics from The Moldy Peaches. I found the video of Juno and Bleeker's duet at the end of the movie. So, so, sweet minus the usual sap.


Anyone Else But You
By The Moldy Peaches

You're a part time lover and a full time friend
The monkey on you're back is the latest trend
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

I kiss you on the brain in the shadow of a train
I kiss you all starry eyed, my body's swinging from side to side
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Here is the church and here is the steeple
We sure are cute for two ugly people
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

The pebbles forgive me, the trees forgive me
So why can't, you forgive me?
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

I will find my nitch in your car
With my mp3 DVD rumple-packed guitar
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Du du du du du du dudu
Du du du du du du dudu
Du du du du du du dudu du

Up up down down left right left right B A start
Just because we use cheats doesn't mean we're not smart
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

You are always trying to keep it real
I'm in love with how you feel
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

We both have shiny happy fits of rage
You want more fans, I want more stage
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Don Quixote was a steel driving man
My name is Adam I'm your biggest fan
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Squinched up your face and did a dance
You shook a little turd out of the bottom of your pants
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Du du du du du du dudu
Du du du du du du dudu
Du du du du du du dudu du
But you

With a Smile...

Another tough day at work. Busy as busy can be. I tried multitasking best as I could. Answering emails here and there. Talking to counterparts over the phone (and trying my best to sound confident about meeting our new testing targets for ST Retest). Lunch was pretty good though. Rigatone Alfonso take out from Cibo. Yumyumyum. Part of my logical break was hanging out at the pantry and fishing out small portions of the tube ice from the cooler. My water bottle has a small spout, but it's awfully cute (flowers and all). So basically, here's my long work motto: To do everything possible, deliver what's been promised, make sure everyone's on the same page, keep working relationships good (treat people like people), never get work get the best of me, and taking things with a smile. With a laugh, whenever possible.

I've had a couple of posts about work. Can't really help it! We've been spending the last two weekends in the office, and I really wish we can get our personal weekends back soon. It's been rewarding just doing nothing at home. Watching movies you've seen two, three times already on cable, and feeling the soft covers on our bed with my tired feet.

Almost a month away from April, and I can't help but feel guilty about leaving everyone behind. I know it'll be hell for those who are staying on (since a lot of us will be absent from the Joseph-scene-of-the-crime). My goal is to make sure everything's laid out for those who are taking charge while I'm away. I know it will be tougher for some people (you know who you are), and I will try to make it less painful as possible. And well. I have my international roaming anyway. So I'll be a phone call away.

In other news, Suzie has been super duper helpful on the UK touring front! The websites she sent to me are the same websites which Kuya Manny, my cousin who lives in London, recommended. The rates are pretty good! Thanks Suzesters!

Some things to look forward to next week though. The Maroon 5 concert and my trip to Davao for Lea and Jesse's wedding. I'll probably recycle a nice dress for the special occasion (the wedding), as I am trying my best to save. Naks. So tomorrow, whilst I am wading through our WSR, our CMMi journey, the Joseph testing progress, I will be humming "It's not over tonight, just give me one more chance to make it right. I will not make it through the night... I won't go home without you..." in my head.

[Movie Shmovie] Jumper

Jump-where? Today, the Focus project had our second movie night. Feature presentation was Jumper. Starring Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jaime Bell (young Billy Elliot). The trailer looked pretty spiffy but the reviews ... uhhh... just ok. So we found out for ourselves that the story line wasn't so great, and as Karina put it, the character development was pretty poor. Hehe. I liked the scene were Jaime Bell transported back a red double decker bus and threw it at Samuel L. Jackson. Cool. All in all, it's a movie you can wait for on HBO.

[To All My Multiply Contacts] I AM SORRY!

This a duplicate message. To all my Multiply contacts, I am so so so sorry for flooding your inbox with my updates! I decided to import my blog (from Blogger) into my Multiply account, not realizing how many entries I've made over the past two years. So so so so sorry!

[Music from the Baul] Falling Slowly

Here's my tribute to the recently concluded 80th Academy Awards. Although there were three songs from the movie Enchanted which were nominated, this one took the cake. It's a nice sweet song.

Falling Slowly
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You've make it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

A rather good weekend

Last Friday was a low point work day. The weekend, as I had hoped, actually made up for the rather shitty day before.

I spent more than 12 hours in the office, for moral support to the ST team members who were completing their tests. We had lunch and dinner delivered. The highlight of the day was our Starbucks coffee break. While sipping our cold drinks, we finally got the lowdown on the very mysterious personal life of Michael M. He's been in my team for almost two years now, and we actually started in MTS together. Because of my probing super powers, he revealed that he had feelings for this former projectmate who's currently attached. Us girls just gleefully listened to his story, and I (Boy Abunda's prodigy) asked the right questions to get more out of him. It was a nice break from the pressure of getting the testing done.

I left the office at 12:30AM (Sunday), stuffed with Shakey's thin crust pizza. A nice ending to my working Saturday was meeting up with Macky and Erik at M Cafe. I warned them though, "Oist. Super jologs porma ko ngayon!" And they were silently snickering when they saw me, making my way through the throngs of stylish people. We just laughed and laughed. Macky's recent TV craze, "Coffee Prince". He said, "It's the greatest TV show ever." Mwahahaha.

I got home around 2AM. Tired and in need of a good night's sleep.

So what did I learn today? The best accomplishments for me? Good and healthy human relationships. There's just a different thrill.

Whattaday

Today marks one of my darker days at work. I've been ranting about the system testing we're doing for one of the client's projects. We encountered this major environment issue today which prevented any of the testers on shore to execute their tests. Thankfully, it was resolved later that day, and the testers in Manila (uber hard working peeps), were able to run a couple. I'm just very worried about my peeps. They've been working more than 12 hours a day. My test lead, God bless him for being so industrious and persevering, was telling me today that he was seeing circles while he was reading the monster AFS document about SCP. I really wish there was more I can do to make the situation better, or help them out with what they need. I guess that's how it is when you're taking more responsibilities. I can "not care", but I know it's my arse on the line and their success is mine.

My Dev counterpart spoke with me on the phone, just before I headed off to lunch. After listening to what he had to say, my grumbling stomach turned into a mini headache. So it's all of our arse(s) on the line. By hook or by crook, we need to get this testing done. He shared most of his sentiments regarding why we are where we are in the project. Wrong choice of environment, poor planning, and a couple other things. I was never really directly involved in the initial planning stages, and some of the decisions made earlier considered very little of our inputs a few months back. But regardless, I couldn't help but feel partially responsible.

Hay. Now I'm beginning to seriously wonder if this is the work life I really want.

Grouchy has been nice enough to remind me every single day about what she's leaving behind and how we (those of us left in the project) are all stuck to keep the ball rolling. I can see why she has that smug smile every single day. Hehe. But Grouchy has paid her dues, and if I were her, I'd be opening a bottle of champagne every single evening now that my roll-off date has been set.

So maybe it's just a cycle. A few days ago, prod support was on the spotlight. So now, it's Dev's turn. Dengit.

My Dev counterpart noticed my lack luster responses during our conversation this afternoon. He changed the subject and asked me about my planned vacay this April. Now, I can't wait till April 1 finally arrives. This whole dev drama will make my one month vacay even sweeter.

I'm a tad bit worried about leaving everyone behind. I don't want them to hate me for leaving. Hehe. So on my to do list in the next month: Make the transition smooth. Better start involving those taking my place.

Instant gratification for today: 4 Hand Massage at Miracle Spa, Santana Grove. The verdict: Sonya's Garden knocked that service out of the ball park. I wasn't impressed at all with the massage I got this evening. I did fall asleep during the last ten minutes. But I didn't feel rejuvenated much. Might be everything that's going on inside my head.

I'm just glad today's over. I'm sure there will be better (or worse?!) days ahead.

Oh and look. Macmacmac's having a good day. :) This blog is courtesy of him.

[Music From the Baul] Boys Do Fall In Love

Tonton and I were on our way to pick up Rommel this morning when we heard this song over the radio. This song (originally by Robin Gibb) is actually part of our Jologzbitchin Baguio Soundtrack. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out it was Parokya ni Edgar who remade the song (which we were listening to)! Check it out!

Boys Do Fall in Love
(Remake) By Parokya ni Edgar

aby said
you got to be a lover one way or the other.
Nobody wins without once givin' in
so don't cry now
don't cry now.
Love is just a game you play in high school
girls know how to be cru@
Most of the time girls are cruel to be kind
so don't cry now
don't cry :
And we try to be cool as we dance in a crowded room

At the end of the day makin' love to the paper moon
and she said -
Boys do fall in love
they make time
makin' love on a saturday night.
And she said
hearts will be as they dance in the street to a radio -
Oh
boys fall in love.
Baby knows I like to be excited
no one wants to fight it.
It's getting late so I'lljust demonstrate
don't cry now
don't cry now.
And we try to be cool as we dance in a crowded room.
At the end of the day makin' love to a paper moon
she said -
Boys do fall in love
they make time
makin' love on a saturday night. .
Boys do fall in love
they make time
makin' love on a satuday night. .

Boys
boys
oh
boys
boys
boys
oh
oh

Boys
boys
boys
oh
oh
boys
boys
boys
oh
oh.
Boys do fall in love
they make time
makin' love on a saturday night. .
Boys do fall in love
they make time
makin' love on a saturday night.

Oui Oui

Okie. So today, the brothers and I went to the French Embassy for our Schegen visa application. We had all our docs ready. Itineraries, travel vouchers, etc. Their embassy is very different from the UK Embassy. There were a couple of applicants (less then 30 groups) and it was slightly chaotic. Slightly. Hehe. Applicants spend about 10 minutes in the "payment window". The interview itself with the consul follows the payment. The consul/interviewer was a Pinoy. He asked probing questions about the trip, my brothers' courses, etc. I could almost smell the croissant (and I could see Frenchie Dy eating it). Almost. The consul asked us about our Hotel Vouchers. The ones we have aren't enough. He assures us that it's no biggie. We just need to request them from Rajah (the Travel Agent). We should return on the 7th of March with our hotel vouchers and they can issue the VISA on the same day.

I guess it went well, more or less. The likelihood of getting the VISA is pretty high. Otherwise, he could have easily pointed out what other documents are missing.

Ermin was helpful. He said he'd call the embassy to ask if he could be authorized to provide the hotel vouchers and bring the passports back for VISA stamping on our behalf. He'll keep me updated.

Whilst I pray for our VISAs, I've also included in my conversations with God, my fervent hope that Rommel will do well in all his subjects (as he always does).

April's so near, yet so far away.

[Movie Shmovie] Vantage Point

Mike and I took advantage of the freebie Movie Night here at the office. We saw "Vantage Point" today in the coolest cinema in Pioneer! Robinson's Cybermall (also known as "Forum"). Anyway, I knew very little of the movie before I stepped into the cinema (armed with my buttered popcorn and KFC chicken sandwich). It's about this major major event (assassination of the US president in Spain), showed through the eyes of 8 (?) different people. During the first few times they've had to rewind back to the beginning of the story, I was starting to roll my eyes (same old s***). But then the story developed and more details were revealed! Overall, I liked it! Not really the best thriller or action movie of the year, but it's a good enough movie to get your mind off work. My favorite moment though was Mike asking, "Bakit ganyan ang mata ni Forrest Whitaker?"

Hectic

Haaay. For the third straight day this week, I've had to spend at least 12 hours in the office.

Today, I had to be in four meetings. Three of them were one after the other. I liked my last two meetings. One was a focus group discussion, ideas flowing freely from some of the people from our project. No holds barred, just suggestions with underlying sentiments of the status quo. There were so many ideas that we exceeded the hour. In our GP2W meeting, I got excited about our activities lined up this March! We're thinking of having a month long activity with a Harry Potter theme. Jing had the best suggestions for the names of the competing houses. HAPSlepuff! We're also thinking of using SlytheREITZ and PPINdor. Haha!

My to do list is continuing to grow. While I check a few items off, more tasks need to be added to the list. I've been trying to delegate, and I need to delegate some more. My major concern for this week is meeting our targets for our System Test. Everyone involved is trying so hard to get things done. I really wish and hope we'll meet our targets before the week ends.

Late in the evening, my day took a turn for the worse. I parked in the mall, and I lost my parking ticket. Dementia! I had to pay 200 bucks. And then on my way home, this drunk/sleepy stranger, hanging off the back of a moving truck suddenly lost his grip and came crashing down on the road. I was driving beside the truck and I hit the breaks hard. Sigh. What is it with the road and these close calls?!

Later today, the brothers and I are visitng the French Embassy for Visa numero dos. Got my COE. Got the Affidavit of support. Hope everything turns out ok.

Hay. A couple more days left. No Feb 25 holiday for me though. Working that day.

The weekend that was

Another busy weekend just ended.

Friday was double booking day yet again. Bebet, my cousin, wanted to take a stroll down memory lane and savor the great pasta dishes of Cosa Nostra. It's this quaint restuarant in Malate. The lovely Ate Gret always wanted me to visit, and I'm pretty psyched I can now scratch this out of my "Restos to try" list.

The same waiter from several years back, Bebet confirms, still works at Cosa Nostra. Hehe. He's a nice chap. I think he's also the only waiter!




Bebet ordered the Seafood Marinara, which surprisingly did not have tomatoes. Great choice! I sampled his dish and it was tasty!



I ordered sausage in garlic sauce. It was ok. I think I should have followed Ate Gret's advice and ordered the Pomodoro (tama ba Ate?).



Our conversations ranged from dramatic to mundane. But mostly they were just plain honest. Hehe.

Bebet took me back to Glorietta 4 where I met up with Cel, JP, and Yas to see Endo (which I blogged about previously). Pesem stood us up, claiming he was drunk. Too drunk out of his wits to haul a** to G4?! Indyanero!

Saturday wasn't the greatest day of the weekend. I got up late and had to rush to the office without any breakfast. Incidentally, the crimson wave just came crashing down, in time for my conversation with Mark M (our Sydney counterpart). Lunch came late, and I was just twisting in pain. I ran into Barre in the ladies room and she gave me paracetamol to complement my mefanamic acid pain killer. So what did Schmenten learn that afternoon?? Never. Ever. Take mefanamic acid with an empty stomach. I tried eating two minutes after taking Ponstan and less than five minutes later, I threw up. God bless the trashcan beside my desk. Anyway, long story short, I couldn't drive myself home. Mike was nice enough to drive me home. I think he felt sorry for me because I was as pale as an albino in hibernation. When I got home, I had lunch, took a nap, and recovered! Thanks to my recovery, I was able to join the family for dinner with our uncles from Davao. Dampa food galore. Tsalap. After dinner, we passed by Serendra to take Uncle Mahong to see the latest gimikan. He sampled a freshly made Krispy Kreme donut! His wide-eyed appreciation was the cherry on top of our food tripping evening.

Sunday was more food trippin'. Issang, who was trying very hard to be on a diet, slept over. Translation = Ate Schmenten eagerly cajoling Issang to sample her latest yummy discoveries. For lunch, we had Choriburger from Bun on the Run. For merienda, the ham and cheese pandesal rounds at Figaro. Issang and I went to Powerplant Mall to watch Juno! My favorite movie for 2008 thus far. Uncle Tiloy, Mark, and Issang went to QC to meet up with Pam, Mark's beau. So I went to Casa Maria... for spaghetti deeeelight! Haha! Ate Love and I spent more than an hour just talking! Sarap lang. :)

So that's my weekend in a nutshell (or a couple paragraphs).

[Movie Shmovie] Juno

I have to say. I absolutely enjoyed this movie! I was just smiling the whole time I was watching it. "Juno" takes its viewers by surprise. The lines are witty and brilliant. The characters are fresh, not the stereotypes depicted in teenage-pregnancy-related movies. Juno herself is just awesome. The most amazing 16 year old you'll ever meet. I love Juno's Dad. He's a doll. And Bleeker. What a lovable loser. Haha. In all honesty, what really pushed me to get off my lazy weekend arse was Cel's blog . She and JP saw it and I am an ingetera by nature. Haha. Anyway, this is easily my favorite movie so far. Let's wait for "Atonement". Go Juno!

My favorite lines (spoiler ahead, so those who haven't seen it skip this part)

Juno MacGuff: I think I'm, like, in love with you.
Paulie Bleeker: You mean as friends?
Juno MacGuff: No, I mean, like, for real. 'Cause you're, like, the coolest person I've ever met, and you don't even have to try, you know...
Paulie Bleeker: I try really hard, actually.

Rollo: You better pay for that pee-stick when you're done with it. Don't think it's yours just because you marked it with your urine!

Leah: Yo Yo Yiggady Yo.
Juno MacGuff: I'm at suicide risk.
Leah: Juno?
Juno MacGuff: No, it's Morgan Freeman. Do you have any bones that need collecting?
Leah: Only the one in my pants...
Juno MacGuff: I'm pregnant.
Leah: What? Honest to blog?
Juno MacGuff: Yeah. Yeah, it's Bleekers.
Leah: It's probably just a food baby. Did you have a big lunch?
Juno MacGuff: No, this is not a food baby all right? I've taken like three pregnancy tests, and I'm forshizz up the spout.
Leah: How did you even generate enough pee for three pregnancy tests? That's amazing...
Juno MacGuff: I don't know, I drank like, ten tons of Sunny D... Anyway dude, I'm telling you I'm pregnant and you're acting shockingly caviler.
Leah: Is this for real? Like, for real for real?
Juno MacGuff: Unfortunately, yes.
Leah: Oh my GOD. Oh shit! Phuket, Thailand!
Juno MacGuff: There we go. That was kind of the emotion that I was searching for on the first take.

Bren: When you move out I'm getting two weimaraners!
Juno MacGuff: WOAH DREAM BIG!
Bren: Oh, go fly a kite!

Juno MacGuff: Dad, it's not about that. I just need to know if it's possible for two people to stay happy together forever, or at least for a few years.
Mac MacGuff: It's not easy, that's for sure. Now, I may not have the best track record in the world, but I have been with your stepmother for 10 years now and I'm proud to say that we're very happy.
[Juno nods]
Mac MacGuff: In my opinion, the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you, the right person will still think the sun shines out your ass. That's the kind of person that's worth sticking with.
Juno MacGuff: I sort of already have.
Mac MacGuff: Well, of course! You're old D-A-D! You know I'll always be there to love and support you no matter what kind of pickle you're in... Obviously
[nods to her belly]
Juno MacGuff: I need to go out somewhere just for a little while. I don't have any homework and I swear I'll be back by ten.
Mac MacGuff: You were talking about me right?

[Movie Shmovie] Endo

This week's featured movie is Endo. Yas wanted to support Al's cousin who directed the movie (tama ba?). First of all, I was surprised when I found out that Jade Castro's a guy. Hehe. Anyway, Yas, Cel, JP, and I went to see the LFS at Glorietta 4. It was indie digi film, which explains why we saw an LG DVD Player logo on the movie screen. Including the "Play", "Reading", and "Menu" icons. Hehe. It's about how temporal relationships are. Just like "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros", there were so many subtle social commentaries. No happy endings here, and perhaps that's the really the point.

On this Veeday

Veeday just ended today! I realize, for the more recent years where I've had to celebrate this day of hearts, I've celebrated it with the people closest to my heart. My Family! I think overall this has been a pretty happy day.

I literally started the day driving to Makati. Karina, Irving, and I had an impromptu sleep over at Somerset, all thanks to my wonderful booboo (wasn't able to cancel the reservation earlier!). Anyway, it all worked out ok because we chatted over Conti's chicken pie and my Choco Crisp cake (Thank you Auntie Heidi!). Kar and I had breakfast at around 7, and I was in the office before 9. The easy, shorter drive from Makati to Mandaluyong kinda got me thinking about condo living in Makati (and its advantages). But well, regardless of any convenience, nothing beats the warmth of our big bed, cable, free dinners, and q.t. with the folks at home.

Work in Focus has been relatively busy. Meetings left and right. Issues here and there. Before I knew it, it was way past 12 and I had not eaten my lunch. Grabbed some food from the mall. Merienda today courtesy of the Staffware, L2, and L3 teams. Goldilocks Mocha cake the best!

The Valentine traffic was expected, but not super duper bad. I arrived at home a little past 8, just in time for the lechon's arrival and the official start of the party. The Geocaniga Family Reunion was scheduled on veeday. It was great to see everyone together! The slambook was a huge hit! Dementia ensued lots of laughs!






Happy Veeday everyone!

Happy Hearts Day

48 minutes before Veeday, as I am making this post. Last year my ode to this day of heats was a list of the love songs of my life. I can't think of a new and slightly original love related entry for 2007. No significant diff from February 14, 2007. On the radio, most surveys are around one's first love, memorable experiences, messages to loved ones.

For 2008, I will just share a few of my random love thoughts. I'm no Guru of Love, unlike Yssang. But I'm pretty flattered that a lof of my friends are pretty comfortable with sharing their love woes and thoughts with me. And although I've never really been in a relationship, I think my own sentiments are pretty sound. Thanks to the colorful tapestry of my friends and relatives' love lives.

** More recently, I kinda get to thinking about moving on and letting go. Why is it harder for others? Actually, why is it hard in the first place? I was able to relate this with how guys think. Typically, in their minds, it's just black or white. The confusion lies in the gray area. The gray area solicits more questions and doubts. The gray area muddles the real picture. So, perhaps to move on, one should see the situation in black or white alone. Irregardless of all the reasonable excuses, there's only one bottomline, and it's black or white. In asking more questions and in endless wondering (and wandering), one stays put, instead of moving forward.

** Most of the time, all you need is time. You can never force yourself to be ready, when you clearly aren't. So, to those mending a broken heart, perhaps you just need to feel it. Experience the pain. Cut yourself some slack. Don't me mad at yourself for not being ready to move on. However, three years of pining over someone is clearly too long a time.

Sort of a Productive Day

Despite feeling under the weather during the morning (I had slept super late the evening before and just couldn't get out of bed), I was able to squeeze in a couple of productive tasks during the late afternoon and early evening. My random thoughts and accomplishments for the day...

** Our passports arrived! Talk about perfect timing. It's a good thing I was home to personally receive the passports from the courier! Woohoo. I was filled with joy when I saw the VISA on our passports. Multiple Entry, six months! Not bad! I SMSed Irene to tell her the good news.

** Bad news for today though was the 21 day tour we've had our hearts set on is not pushing through. The date we wanted wasn't a guaranteed departure date. So now, we need to choose between this 12 day tour (which Papa will easily call a Pajama tour) and this 16 day tour. I'm leaning towards the 16 Day tour of course. So that leaves us with a couple extra days in London. I'm now searching for good Great Britain tours (which hopefull includes Scotland and the English countryside).

** Turned over all the Swiss Visa requirements to Ermin, our trusty agent assisting us with the VISA applications. Interview should be sometime next week. We were actually hoping to start on the Schegen visa application. However, my COE was addressed to the Italian Embassy, instead of the French Embassy. So that's another 5 working days.

** Visited the dentist in the evening. Ate Abi, a.k.a. Dr. Torres DMD, did her magic! Mental note to self... buy a dental floss! Fonzie was ever present and we were playing amidst all the buzzing noises of the equipment. He's adorable.

** The parental units with the Geocaniga sibs are headed up the mountains tomorrow. Lea, our new super housekeeper, has been exhausted these past few days so I helped out in the packing and dish washing. She was busy making adobo and preparing the food the folks will be bringing tomorrow. Dishwashing has a calming effect, for some reason.

Miracle Blog

A rare moment! I am actually posting this blog from Macmacmac. I think he has his moments of being ok (And I'm hoping this is one of em). I took him out of his bag, turned him on. Viola. He is still running, but I'm scared that he'll be shutting down any minute now, with no forewarning.

*Sigh*

Yun lang. I do hope there will be more miracle blogs, and that perhaps this problem isn't really a logical board issue (I am obviously wishful thinking here) and that this is one of em few times when the PowerMac center diagnosis is wrong.

Let's see what tomorrow brings.

This week...

I predict that this will be one of 'em crazy weeks.

Work-wise, this PM/OM project has set a hard date of Feb 27 as our end of System Test (ST). We actually made the call for the date and we're all pushing to complete all our ST by then. My super hard working Test Lead is putting in so much overtime that I'm thinking of creative and tangible ways to compensate and recognize him for all his efforts. I feel somewhat guilty leaving the office before the guys do. So today, I'm staying in a couple more extra hours (as I have a ton of other things I need to do which I just didn't do today!) to show support.

Friday was such a crazy work day. I think my face somehow showed I was tense. We had lunch pretty late and I was just trying to milk my ST Lead for a new target date, given the dev team's defect density rate. Okie. Enough work crap. I might be giving too much info anyway!

So Veeday is in the horizon. Hehe. I thought I could survive the week without mentioning it (Guess not). Just like last year, I am neither sad nor happy. Just steady. Maybe it's because of all the things lined up this week.

I am officially the "Babaeng Fully Booked". Hahaha! I have a couple of meet and greets and a big family reunion this week. Maybe all the work stuff and my social calendar will avert my eyes from the upcoming sap-fest.

Was talking to Lea today, about sometimes wanting a big change. I've had my moments of laziness these past few weeks (spliced with moments of utter busy-ness). I couldn't help but experience a slightly inexplicable feeling of sadness. And as I was walking to meet up with Pesem for dinner today, I realized that I had no right to be sad. I had plan A and B, both viable. I just shouldn't fall into that trap where I let the universe take its course.

There is a feeling I miss though, which I had a glimpse of today: of discovering new connections. Feeling excited, tingly feeling in your cheeks. Maybe it's the pre-Valentine bug talking.

Weekend Random Thoughts

So this weekend was mostly about eating and sleeping. The last thing I ate, prior to this blog entry, is half a Choriburger from Bun on The Run. Tonton and I were on our way home from Tita Baby's and we just had to satisfy our cravings. Last night I had dinner with Ate Love and the girls at People's Palace, and I could feel my tummy bulging, happy with all the prawn pomelo salad and beef curry.

Anyway, some weekend random thoughts...

** This afternoon, I saw "A Room With a View". 1985 Oscar Award winning film. Helena Bonham Carter, pre-Tim Burton. Here's a nice line which George Emerson, one of the lead characters, said to Lucy. He was pertaining to Cecil (played by Daniel Day Lewis), who was engaged to Lucy (then):

"He's the sort who can't know anyone intimately, least of all a woman. He doesn't know what a woman is. He wants you for a possession, something to look at, like a painting or an ivory box. Something to own and to display. He doesn't want you to be real, and to think and to live. He doesn't love you. But I love you. I want you to have your own thoughts and ideas and feelings, even when I hold you in my arms. It's our last chance..."

** I need to visit the dentist soon. One of my molars is kinda hurting. This was a very good reminder of risk management. I should've returned to the dentist long before it started hurting. Ugh. Talk about being tamad.

** Nothing beats sleep. My favorite thing about the weekend is sleeping in late. Love those afternoon naps.

Greenbelt, third week in a row, with my girls

Talk about dejavu. This Saturday, I made my third trip to Greenbelt. Saw 27 Dresses for the second time and ate at People's Palace the second time this week! Hehe. But as Ina pointed out, I can eat at People's Palace practically everyday.

Here's Camille and I, sitting on one of the couches inside a posh GB4 store. We were merely spectators of Ate Love and Ina.



The Thai food here is the best in the metro. Here's Ate Love sampling the Tom Yum Goong.



Ina and I are big fans of the Prawn Pomelo salad.



Camille eats nothing but chicken... Well, most of the time. Here she is eating Chicken Pandan (out of the pandan leaves of course).



The beef curry dish is absolutely delish! The Chicken in cashews and chili was also pretty good.

[Movie Shmovie] The Bucket List

First feel good movie of the year (which I've seen). Powerhouse cast. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman light up the screen (Mr. Freeman's, ahem, "freckles" were not as distracting). So it's about cancer, and certain realizations a person who is faced with his mortality makes. I liked how some of their entries in their bucket list (like "See something majestic", or "kiss the most beautiful girl in the world") and how these came to be.

Friday with HSBC Peeps

Friday is networking day. My BFF Karina and her BF asked if I wanted to join them to see "The Bucket List" (separate blog entry to follow). Of course I said yes. I can hardly say no to a movie invite. Hehe. So along with 8 or 10 other HSBC officemates, we sat on the last two rows of the Glorietta 4 Cinema 3.

Kar and I had our brief girlie bonding time after the movie at the UCC in front of 6750. Here's Kar on the phone with P.I.



Later, P.I., Rich, and Borgie joined us (fresh from Time Zone), and I showcased my excellent chika memory. I can be an HSBC employee, CNC department, based on all the stuff I know. Hehe!

Greenbelt Two Days in a Row

This week, Schmenten was in Greenbelt two days in a row.

Last Tuesday, we took our Geocaniga balikbayan Auntie Kiting to People's Palace in Greenbelt 2.

Auntie Kiting is Papa's youngest sister. She's an RN in New Jersey, and she's been living in the US for over 20 years now. She shared a lot about her recent experiences. I'm glad they all enjoyed the wonderful Thai food from People's Palace. Keyce and I love this resto! We ordered a bottle of wine (which gets the conversations going) and two additional glasses.




Interestingly enough, Auntie Kiting said she keeps tabs on the latest through my blog! She googled our surname and somehow, after a few clicks here and there, she found my blog! Cool! So Auntie, if you're reading this, my shout out to you! Hehe!



The day after, Wednesday, birthday boy Mike and I went to Fish Out of Water in Greenbelt 5. It's been a while since I posted pics of food (and a lot of my blogging friends and readers enjoy these delectable treats). The selection's pretty varied and the price is reasonable.

For starters, they served complimentary bed with a fish mousse. We ordered deep fried crab ravioli for our appetizers. I ordered a pumpkin soup which was pretty good.



For our entrees, we had the butterflied tilapia with this special sauce and the fish belly. The belly sat on a single serving of what tasted like jambalaya (rice).



I told Mike about my latest encounter with the MMDA. I was on my way to Makati the day before and a fellow in blue started flagging me down. I was on the yellow lane, he said. I've been on EDSA on my way to Makati a dozen of times, and I've always been able to take the yellow lane a couple of meters before turning to Ayala. And so the MMDA officer proceeded to tell me that I should not have been on the yellow lane blah blah blah. The easiest way out of this sticky situation? Tears. I was alone, so it wasn't so difficult (or embarrassing) to conjure them.



This is Mike's candid reaction to my what if (his team lead leaves). Haha.

[Music From the Baul] All 4 Love

Eto baul kung baul. Haha. So very 90s! I love it! The GVS girls and I even danced to this tune waaaaay back in fourth grade. I used to have a tape of Color Me Badd!

All 4 Love
By Color Me Badd

I'm so glad you're my girl
I'll do anything for you
Call you every night
And give you flowers to
I thank the Lord for you
And think about you all the time
I ask him everyday
That you'll for-ever be mine

I wanna hold your hand
to show you I'll be there
I like to do the things
That let you know I care
I sing this lullaby
'Cause girl you fill me full
I look into your eyes
You're so beautiful

Chorus


Oh girl I think I love ya
I'm always thinkin' of ya
I want ch-ya to know I do all for love
I love it when we're together
Girl I need you forever
and want you to know I do it all for love

I will never leave you sugar
This I guarantee
I look in to the future
I see you and me
Knight in shining armor
I will be your fairy tale
I wanna take care of you
Girl, I'll serve you well.

I will be there for ya
to catch you when you fall
I'll hold you in my arms
That's where you belong
I sing this lullaby
'Cause girl you fill me full
I look in to your eyes
You're so beautiful...beautiful...yeah!

Chorus


Yo-Come here sweetheart
I want you to know something all right
See Everyday in my life without you
Is like a hundred years
The distance between us
An ocean of tears
See all the things I do for you
Are for love dig it

All for lovin' (all for love)
All for you (you)
All for lovin' you...you...you...you

Repeat Chorus

Monday's Great Finds

Whopee! Second blog entry of the day. Other highlights of the day...

** I've been an RX listener for a few years now. I listen to three radio stations actually. RX, Magic, and 88.3. Chico Garcia of the Morning Rush (RX 93.1) has a really interesting blog. It's fun to read! Hehe. He recently posted some of the interesting Travel Stories (a Morning Rush Top Ten) in his blog. Here are some of my favorite entries:

Phambotsdad - The first time we went to Baguio, we learned that there was a coup ‘d etat back in Manila. Thus, our 6-hour travel back ended up being a 2-day ordeal. We slept in the car along the highways, and we did the stuff you’d normally do in the privacy of your home toilets, along the side of the roads.

Kobe Kong - On my way h0me fr0m an O.B. trip in Singap0re, the immigrati0n official t0ld me that I might want to j0in their pr0mo for t0urists. I didn’t really care ab0ut the pr0mo but j0ined anyway just to indulge the official. 2 m0nths later, I g0t an email fr0m the Singap0re T0urism B0ard advising me that I had just w0n a 4-day stay at the famous Four Seas0ns H0tel, free return tickets on Singap0re Airlines f0r two, and tickets f0r 2 on a 3-day luxury cruise fr0m Singap0re to Malaysia!

CBboating - On our Bangkok trip last weekend, we shopped at Chatuchak market (the largest tiangge in the world). Sa sobrang kakatawad namin, pinalayas kami sa isang stall.

No name - When we went to Hong Kong Disneyland 2 years ago, we had our picture taken with Pluto. We were shocked when he suddenly said, “Punta kayo kay Mickey, Pinoy din siya!“

No name - My officemate and I were sent to Singapore. One time we got into a cab who had an Indian driver. While inside the cab, my friend said, “Ang bahu-baho naman ng bumbay na ‘to, amoy anghit!” And to our shock, the cab driver suddenly said, “Pare, pasensya na, pagod lang sa trabaho.” Turned out he worked before in Manila and spoke Tagalog fluently. We apologized profusely.

Trina - My friend Chad who looks Chinese went to an electronics shop in Hong Kong and put on a Chinese accent hoping that he’d get a cheaper price. The saleslady turned to her companion and shouted, “Linda, ikaw na nga dito, hindi naman guwapo!” Without missing a beat, Chad looked the saleslady in the eye and said, “At bakit, maganda ka ba?“

** Finally got our hands on Maroon 5 concert tickets! Last Friday when I called Ticketnet, they told me there were 3 seats remaining. Today, the lady said there were 30 available tickets. So we immediately rushed to the nearest Ticketnet outlet and got us the deng tickets. Other people in line bought tickets for the Neyo concert (ano bang sikat na kanta nito?), and MYMP (ugh). Woohoohoo... Sunday morning, rain is falling...

One down, two to go...

I was prepping my best Brit accent today for our first VISA interview.

First of all, I'm glad we met up (my brother and I) an hour before our actual interview. It gave us some time to look for parking close to the Axa Life Building. Geez! The building has a lot of tenants, and you'd think they'd have ample parking spaces. We ended up parking at the People Support building across the street.

My brothers, in their usual corporate get-ups (polo-barong and comfy shoes), ran across Buendia as the lights were changing. I, on the other hand, struggled to keep up in my two-inch heels. But the frantic jogging was a good way to shake my nerves off. I guess I have some embassy trauma ever since that fateful Canadian VISA application of 2000. Anyway, we arrived just in time. I debriefed the boys about the itinerary, what to say, and what not to say. Irene's been telling me how Mimi was saying the VISA application isn't a huge deal. When we entered the room where they received the documents and did the "interview", I finally understood why. The consulate outsourced some of their VISA application tasks. Filipinos/Filipinas were doing the checking of the documents, so they weren't threatening at all.

The "interview" per se wasn't so tough. The girls just asked if I was ever denied a visa application. She even informed me that since I recently traveled to Australia, they could expedite the processing of my VISA. Unfortunately, since we were doing a group document processing, we had to go with the normal processing route (of 10-15 working days).

Ermin, our trusted travel agent helping us with the VISA processing, said that it doesn't take more than 10 working days for the passports to arrive (we opted for the courier service). *Sigh* I just want to see the VISA on the passport. At least that assures us of one great destination (in case the others don't fall through).

Hehe. Hear pessimist Schmenten talk. Hear pessimist Schmenten rant.

Anyway, Rommel and I sort of celebrated with a Teriyaki Boy lunch at Paseo Center.

Next stop, Swiss Visa Application. This shouldn't be so tough. Ermin said the toughest one could be the Schegen visa application ("Dun nadadale yung iba", he said).

So one down, two to go. I'm starting to think of a contingency plan (Hear pessimist Schmenten talk yet again), just in case.

[Music from the Baul] Wrapped Around Your Finger

This song has always been special to me. The video below is sooo very eighties.

Wrapped Around Your Finger
by The Police

You consider me the young apprentice
Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes.
Hypnotized by you if I should linger
Staring at the ring around your finger.
I have only come here seeking knowledge,
Things they would not teach me of in college.
I can see the destiny you sold
turned into a shining band of gold.

I'll be wrapped around your finger.
I'll be wrapped around your finger.

Mephistopheles is not your name,
But I know what you're up to just the same.
I will listen hard to your tuition,
And you will see it come to it's fruition.

I'll be wrapped around your finger.
I'll be wrapped around your finger.

Devil and the deep blue sea behind me
Vanish in the air you'll never find me.
I will turn your face to alabaster,
Then you'll find your servant is your master,

And you'll be wrapped around my finger.
I'll be wrapped around your finger.
You'll be wrapped around my finger.
I'll be wrapped around your finger.....

Double Booking Friday

I've never been the make-up sort of person. But it's always fun to play with an eye shadow, press powder, and lip gloss every once in a while. Jessica was our make up artist yesterday and I figured, why not? I was meeting up with some friends anyway.

So here's the finished product.



First meeting of the evening, this sporadic ERP5 Reunion Part Deux. Presenting the noisiest girls of the 8th floor: Chae, Maila, and me! We had to fill in Maila with 3 years worth of updates. Chae listened on for our Ateneo updates (showcasing our materiosa-ness). I elicited the best reaction from Maila when I told her about our college crushie tying the knot. The Sun God (Ra) and his galamay of goons.





After dinner with Chae and Maila, I met up with Monique. Twas her last night in Manila and I took her to Serendra. We had coffee at The Coffee Bean and just talked about stuff. She shared how some of the things in Manila (or the Filipino culture) amuses her. In Manila, not texting back means the gimik is off, while in the US, not texting back means it's still on.

Monique was my best friend back in grade school, and I kinda see so much of the old me in her. We both have changed over the years, and it's interesting how some of the things which haven't changed (about ourselves), still bond us.



Other random thoughts...

** Nearly Sold Out Maroon 5 Concert tickets. Ugh. Can you imagine. Some greedy endorser hoarded the Lower Box tickets, and even the Patron seats have three remaining tickets! And hindi pa magkakatabi! I called Ticketnet and they said to call again next week, as they may be releasing some more Patron seats.

** Our first VISA interview is scheduled on Monday. Haaay. Hope that goes ok. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

** Missed out concerts. The Police's reunion concert in Singapore is scheduled on Monday. Schmenten does not have a passport. Toodehls. Waaaah. I remember the missed out Coldplay concert. And Pesem meeting The Killers. Argh. When am I going to catch my break??!

Fish and Co with the guys

Thursday evening, Yas, Mike, Cel, JP, and I went to Fish and Co Shangrila to have dinner. I ordered the Seafood Curry (the full-page picture on the menu was pretty enticing!) and shared New York Fish and Chips with Yas. Yameee...




My camera does wonders for Yas's very chinky eyes. See. Lookie here. They're bigger than usual.



Cel shared a couple of amazing stories from her adventures in Germany. We all had to be careful not to step on Cel's very long hair! Haha!

[Movie Shmovie] 27 Dresses

Second chick flick of the month! I've been looking forward to seeing this movie for a couple of weeks now. I really like Katherine Heigl, and I'm a closet James Marsden fan. Anyway, today, Yas, Cel, JP, Mike, and I went to see "27 Dresses". Lots of great lines and funny comebacks. Although towards the end, I was correctly guessing what Ed Burns was going to say next. My favorite part was when Jane tried on her 27 dresses and all the flashbacks. James Marsden is uber cute here. I'm happy he finally landed a more lead role. Back to the movie... I sort of felt like I could relate to Jane, being the perpetual Wedding Planner (to family, friends, and clients).