Just For the Record...

Friday and Saturday was sooo much fun! Back to back birthday celebrations, met old friends and new people, and a marvelous time better than getting a bag of goodies! I went home at 4:59 a.m. today--my earliest time, driving home alone, by far. And I still feel so alive, alert, awake and enthusiastic because I've only been up for 12 hours. I just hope that during my sleep, nobody calls me on my cellphone (hehehe this is not a 'parinig' r.sy, still love you!), and try to see if I can live a day without having my eyes get a glimpse of sunshine and break my record of 19 hours.

And oh my-my, I'm 22, and I feel so old that I sometimes prefer a cup of coffee over a night out! People, get your asses up and take me out!!! I only have seven days left before I use "work" as an excuse for rainchecks!

And before I headed to the door, I looked up at the sky and saw one of the best starry nights ever. The sky was so black, dashed with a cloud on some part, like an icing on a chocolate cake. And the stars...they've impressed me so much that I wasn't able to identify a single constellation, for they were like a bunch of actors on a stage, competing on each other to shine like they were the only one seen. I couldn't take my pick on which star shone the best. It's like seeing something you've seen before yet having the feeling of seeing something beautiful for the first time. Amazing.

This is a very very rare picture of my nephew smiling perfectly at the camera. Isn't he the cutest ever? Certainly made my day.

I swear, I think I kinda look like him when I was young. I just have to look for pictures to prove it.

New Chapter. The Next Move.

Are you ready for this?

I finally got a job. Yes boys and girls, this unemployed woman, who did nothing but explore grill houses and eskenitas for scrumptuous yet affordable edibles to expand her tummy is now going to be a yuppie. Yes, a yuppie. Believe it or not, I'll be working for an audit firm starting this November and I just couldn't wait for it to start. Well, after six months of doing everything and nothing, I have come to another turning point in my life. A different road to be taken. A different step to take. A different move to make. I'll be exploring jollijeeps now and be wearing a three-piece suit under the sunny and smoggy streets of Makati and most of my pay will be well spent for the weekly increasing gasoline and unjust-yet-i-have-no-choice parking fees. But despite all that, I'm still looking forward to it.

And you know why I am so happy about it? Well, it's the first time that I've been accepted on a job interview where I told nothing but the truth. I've been through some job interviews before I passed the boards, and believe me, none of them called back ever. And until now, I still ask myself why they wouldn't call me back if I just answered their questions honestly? Well that reality still remains a question for me. Does the truth literally sets us free? As in, "Thank you Miss Legaspi, you may leave now." (this is just for the sake of explaining, nobody actually told me this line ok?) Or is this just one of those destiny stuff where whatever's meant for you will find its way, and what's not will just, not.

Well whatever it is, one thing I know is I prayed so much for this job. So I guess this is an aswered prayer. And with this job, behold, I shall make a career out of it! Career move na to!

I hope!!!

* * *

Some bitchstuff on the side, don't you just hate it when you get haunted by some freaky past? Yesterday I was totally free of it and the next day it just started coming out of everyone's mouths! Stop this madness! Please, can somebody please tell me to wake up?! I mean, it's just so last season. I'm just glad that I'm back on my feet again. For once I thought I am trap again with something I've programmed myself to be misery and disaster. Signs tell me that I'm on the right track. But it couldn't be! I just need someone to press the buzzer or some kick on the butt in case I get shakey and some episodes again. Please please please Lord, I just want to be happy. Enough of the torture. Let's just move on to a brighter and happier future.

Congrats, CPA!

Last Monday, a new breed of CPAs is finally out on the market. And allow me to take some time to congratulate all the new Certified Public Accountants of the Republic. Congratulations everyone! You've done your part, you've prepared, and so you've fought half the battle. And through God's grace, you did it! I am so proud of you! And for those who did not make it this time, please do not lose hope. God has plans for each and everyone of us. And it is more than good. It is great. So trust God on this one. Someday, you'll see the whole purpose of everything. What matters is, we never lose hope and we always keep our eyes open for His messages. Everyday's a miracle. So being alive itself is a blessing! And I will never stop praying for you guys. Life is good. Life is beautiful!

Itaas mo!

To show our support to the recent board examinees, my friends and I went to visit CPAR, our review school on the last day of the exams. And there, inside Atty. Valix's office, we saw the new set of examinees taking the traditional tequila shots of wisdom by Sir Valix. I just remember those days when Sir Valix would call us in his office to have a shot of Carlos I even during pre-boards. And during the last day of the actual boards, we were having our own tequila shots of wisdom (the first batch to do it in Valix's new office) and now, it's so good to see that people do not want to break the tradition. Call it coincidence or magic, but around 90-100% of those who take a shot actually pass the exam. You may even ask previous batches about that. It is also one of the reasons why without any further questions, I instantly took my shots of Cuervo.

For most of us, reviewing for the boards would only be a memory. A battle may be over for now, but it was just a preparation for this greater battle--the fight for the real world. I guess wishing good luck is an endless process. Good luck in our lives, fellow CPAs. More than that, God bless us. Just remember that in everything we think, in everything we say, in everything we do, may it all be for God's greater glory. And from there God knows where to take us.

check out my review days memoirs.

Two Consecutive Cheapie-cheapie Nights

Yahoo! Night

I couldn't believe it. My friend Kim, who used to be too scared to cross the street, is finally driving! I'm so proud. And happy when I found out last Wednesday that they are picking me up to have some good time. We were on a budget, so we were planning to eat at Mang Jimmy's in U.P. We were running out of time, so we decided to have dinner at Yahoo! at Metrowalk, as recommended by our sosi friend, Diane. Oh yes, I love my friends, stunning, pretty, yet so cowboy!

We just love the turtle so much.

For those who do not know, Yahoo! is this ihaw-ihaw place in Metrowalk, the cheapest resto there I guess because it's only covered by tents. For ninety pesos, I had 2 barbecue sticks (larger than ordinary size), rice, half serving size of tokwa't baboy, and a drink. Solved for the night! Their pork barbecue is the best! Not to mention, free parking!

I finally got the chance to be one of the passengers again!

*related link: dianey's blog

Barako Night

Isaw, IUD, bituka, whatever you call it, they all mean the same thing to me--TSIBOG!!!

It was an ordinary boring Thursday until I got a phone call from my cousin, asking me to pick her up and have an adventure together. The next thing I know, I was in Pasay, without a clue where nature will take us. We agreed to have the ultimate 150 peso day challenge. It was a toughie, especially when you know that having a coffee would only leave you with 40 pesos to spend for the rest of your day. So we decided to contact my brother's barkada (boys in their early thirties who've become my drinking buddies since my brother left for the States) and headed to Barako to get some fine dining isaw.

Chie, the owner of Barako and who recently got married, was the starter topic of our session. I asked him how did he know if the girl is the marrying type. Or let's say, if she is the one.

"Kung 9:00 p.m. pa lang, patulog ka na at sinasabi mo sa sarili mo, 'Bakit alas nuwebe pa lang ng gabi nasa bahay na ako?' at magigising ka ng alas sinko at sasabihin mo, 'Diba dapat pauwi pa lang ako?' pero nakatulog na pala ako 'nun."

I couldn't help but start laughing at his answer. A guy as naughty as Chie is now meek as a lamb! So I asked him further, did you marry her because she was the right girl for you or you married her because you've come to the point where it is the right time to get married and settle down?
He answered both.

If you happened to have met her way back before (his wife) when you do not have any plans of settling down, would she still be the one you'd be marrying?
That he wasn't sure of. Then I realized that timing plays an important part in our lives. I remember once reading from Rachelle's palm pilot an essay she read somewhere in the internet,

"The right man at the wrong time can be just as awful as the wrong man at any time."

I guess perfect moments must come in perfect combinations. And that for everything, no matter how great effort is exceeded, no matter how perfect all else are, no matter how perfect the person may be, without perfect timing, things wouldn't work out fine.

We had enough of serious shit talks when Jeff arrived in the scene. We just enjoyed the rest of the night. For you guys out there who wants to enjoy 100% pure Pinoy 'street food' (name it--isaw manok at baboy, barbecue, kwek-kwek, ebun, etc.) being served at your table, cheap beer and videoke, go to Barako, the jologs place to be. It's located somewhere around Libis, right before Culture Club, turn right all the way to the same parking area where Goodah is located.

Like what we've concluded at the end of the night, we don't need high priced menu, airconditioned rooms,clean toilets and magnificent ambiance to have a great time. All we need is the perfect company, strong guts and the perfect appetite.

I should get paid for this actually.

*Please come back soon and check my adventures for more pictures. I'll try to upload them as soon as I get back to broadband.

I'm Soooo Jealous!

I just got a picture from my friend, Kim, a fellow fanatic of Hale, or should I say, a fellow Champ chaser.

Though I super dooper find Hale's vocalist drop dead gorgeous and oozing with sex appeal, I am definitely not going to get caught with this kind of picture. But then, I can't help it. I'm so jealous! She followed him at Baywalk all the way from U.P. Diliman just to get this close to him. And I guess it's all worth it.

When she already got the chance to have a decent picture with him, she got all shy and decided not to stay too close to him. Stupid girl, if I ever get one shot with this guy, I'd be all over him. Oh, he's just so cute. And she's one lucky biyotch.

Weekend at San Carlos

After being one of the victims of the rare traffic caused by two reckless bus drivers in North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), we finally reached our weekend destination. At around 1:00 a.m. we were officially living the life of a pig, a.k.a. "buhay baboy" in San Carlos, Nueva Ecija, where such lifestyle is pretty much acceptable. Because of the heavy traffic, we've already consumed one of our five Bizu mini cakes (thanks to Mattheus, btw). Before I started feeling guilty for eating one of our baons before starting our piggy life, I saw a big box of tiramisu on the fridge, waiting for our forks to dive into its cake/cream/chocolate layers. Then I said to myself, "uh oh..."

Like I said from the start, that weekend was alloted for our piggy lifestyle. I mean, what else could four single and unemployed gorgeouses would do? So, do I need to tell all the details? I don't think so. Pretty disgusting actually. We're either watching videos, eating, or sleeping. And no booze, would you believe that? I really don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Well, in fairness to that, we made the most out of our first night. We couldn't sleep, So Bina, Marlon, and I headed at the veranda to have some chika nights, where Bina ended up talking most of the time (hehe! love you Bins!) Before actually calling it a night, we all ended up with a conclusion on someting the three of us have in common--being the bunso. Being the last to be born in the family, we were all amazed by the fact that we all share the same experiences. Well, I'm just glad I am not alone. Not to mention that all bunsos come out the cutest. Hehehe...



Aside from being buhay baboy, another highlight from our weekend vacation was our visit to Aling Pacita, the manghuhula or in other words, the psychic chick. For us to drive to Cabanatuan all the way from Cabiao, I guess she's pretty good. Well, she did tell some interesting things about me, and read my cards pretty well, which I intend to keep to myself and to my close friends. (So to my close friends, please don't forget what I told you so that in case it actually happens, we'll know for a fact that Aling Pacita is no faker, and I'll bow down on my knees, and goodness, I want it so bad to come true!!! So please pray for me.)

Sad to say, but we're back in Manila. It's time to push the reality button back once more. But what's reality for these four unemployed sawimpalads? After the discussions, the conclusions made, the gallons and gallons of coke light and calamansi juice that replaced SanMig, the fortune-telling and all, we still ask ourselves,

"What's in store for us?"
"What's going to happen to our lives?"

That, we still have to find out.

Bina, Marlon, Rakster, Kutz and Marge, who we kidnapped from her duty.

Check out my adventures for more photos.

True Friendship Exists When

• You've seen each other only after a year and then you realize that nothing has changed and act around each other like you've only been with each other yesterday.
• You ask your friend, "libre mo ko?" and she'd answer, "Oo, sige. Love kita eh. Hanggang P150 ka lang ha, kaya tubig na lang inumin mo." And you're both cool with it.
• The whole world think of her as a bitch and you still see her as the sweetest girl you've met in high school or in college.
• You just realized that you've been friends for five, ten, or even 17 years and you're not even counting.
• You still memorize your friend's address after ten years even though it's your first time to go to her house.
• People look at you individually, they wouldn't think you'd belong to the same crowd and be so amazed how all of you are on the same wavelength.
• No matter how low you are in your life right now, your friends make you high in a way that it brings back the balance in your life.
• The whole world may not understand her, while you just laugh at her every move and ever word and say, "Oh, she hasn't changed a bit."

It feels good to know that I was able to keep friends for as long as five years, ten years, or even seventeen years. Just being surrounded by them makes me complete, or rather, whole again. Is it possible to have more than five soulmates? Or is having true friendship with a lot of friends like a pair of gloves, having found the perfect fit for each of your fingers so that you would feel warm?

Tuesday morning, I went to visit my kindergarten best friend. She's actually going to have a baby soon. Imagine, we were just kids when we met each other, and now she's going to have her own kid, and I'm gonna be a godmother (again, for the Nth time actually)!

That night, I was out with Joey and Diane to watch Dubai in Glorietta. Joey, after hibernating from us since my birthday finally showed up. (Oh, wait, I just have to share this one, I was so upset with the movie. The televsion made me prepare some kleenex on my bag, just in case I cry. But then it turned out that it was an ordinary story and it was the cinematography that carried the whole thing.) And when I saw her, everything just felt like yesterday (for Diane it felt like 3 days ago because I just saw her last Friday, but I still love you, girl! :) ). And who would have thought that my friendship with these two girls have been for ten years already?

"Never Stand Still. Keep Walking" -Johnny Walker

That's why I never stopped from going out.
It's Sunday again, and another weekend has come to an end.

Friday night
We went to Eastwood to watch a movie. Since all our other friends have already made other plans, Diane and I ended up getting stuck with each other again. A few more days together and we'll start puking on each others' faces! Hahahaha! Well, since we've committed to watch "Dubai" with other people, we decided to just watch "The Perfect Catch", an unexpectedly funny movie. Another well made chick flick for me. And another dream guy to add to my list, next to Adam Sandler in "50 First Dates" and Andy Garcia in "When a Man Loves a Woman".

Saturday night
My friend, Deth, asked to meet up with me at Greenbelt to tell me the most shocking news since my friend, Kim, had a boyfriend--she now has a boyfriend too! I swear, this season has been like this make or break season. Hahahaha! Lately, most of my friends either broke up or just committed with someone. The odd thing about it is that those who recently broke up came from a very long relationship and those who had recently hooked up were the ones who either didn't have a boyfriend for a long long time or had a boyfriend for the very first time. I guess many people now are updating their friendster profile.
Anyways, getting back to my friend, Deth, I've never seen her so happy, and so calm (Btw, thanks to Deth, we're adding CBTL's Moroccan Mint Tea on our "We Love Tea" list). I would sometimes catch her staring at one place, smiling, having this feeling of natural highness. And I couldn't help but be happy for her. I remember during college, she would tell me her dream guy and how she would imagine herself being with a different age category and how I would agree on this. And now, everything she wanted was given to her. Good things really come to those who wait. It's so easy to get hooked into any guy, but if you really want an 'answered prayer' for a boyfriend, it would really take some time...In God's time.


Sunday
I was asleep the whole morning and devoted most of the afternoon working out. Well, I'm making the most out of it while I am still bibo at it. I missed mass, which I feel guilty right now (I only attend our village mass, which holds only one mass, every 12 p.m.). After working out, I decided to go visit my cat and my house in Antipolo, and took a nap for a while. So there, that's my Sunday. That's how I can waste a day and let it end without knowing it.
And now, I am on my way to sleep. I guess it's a lazy Sunday for me.