I'm in Cebu

And I don't miss Manila at all.

Another One of Those Ka-Cheapan Adventures

Once again, my P&A friends and I had a little despedida inuman before we head off to our respective designations. Wherelse could you find a 27 peso beer and street food in the middle of the night, but Barako.

How to Eat an Isaw

METHOD I

The Normal Way

STEP 1: Kunin ang isaw gamit ang iyong kamay.

STEP 2: Isawsaw ang isaw sa suka.

STEP 3: Buksan ang bibig, ipasok ang isaw at kagatin.

STEP 4: Siyempre, kailangan ng panulak...Tagay!!!

Randomnesshities

June 9, 2006

Friday, 2:09 p.m. By the time I was writing this, I am currently typing in front of my laptop on a round table surrounded with three other men in front of their laptops as well. The only difference is that they’re busy and I am not. There’s so much to do, but there’s nothing I can do about it because everything I need is pending with our client. So here I am writing another post, mumbling about my thoughts and just blabbing on any thing I could think of.

Let me tell you about my day…

My car is still wrecked and so to save everyone in the family from the hassle of bringing me to Makati, I made a good decision to stay in my relative’s place just along Buendia until my car gets back to its shape. It only takes me a ten peso bus ride to get to my office. And yuppie commuting life has never been this cheap.

But this morning was a toughie for me. The hungry bus kept on feeding itself with passengers that it has gone crowded and some people were already standing up. And I just couldn’t bear the feeling of a person’s butt on your shoulder and another stranger’s ass three inches away from your face. Disgusting.

I opened my mail as soon as I got in the office and found out that I will be out of Manila for two months. Two months away from home is no joke. That’s as long as my US vacation last year. I had fun last year, but this time, it’s different because it is work related and the only person I know would be my working partner. That’s two months out of civilization with this very big chance that the accommodation that I would get would be in a staff house. What a loser. I just hope that the bathroom’s clean. That’s all I am hoping for. Some of you know how I am very particular with bathrooms. Though the thought of being away from home makes me sad, I couldn’t help but feel excited about my trip.

Later on, our friend Jovy came to visit and treated us for pizza. I missed her and I am very happy that she has all the time to spend for her daughter. Jovy and I entered P&A together and became good friends ever since. For some reasons out of her control, she had to resign and leave. It was a very sad moment because she wanted to stay. I remember telling her that we all have to make sacrifices. And sacrificing her career in order to spend time with her daughter was the best sacrifice she made. I’m sure she will become a great mother with a very well brought-up kid.

3:01 p.m.
I just got a phone call—a job interview! (no jinx please)

Around an hour later, I talked to an officemate of mine confirming my out of town engagement. It went down to one month—in Cebu! To top it all, I’m going to be with some of my friends in the office. I just couldn’t help but look forward to next week! Hola Cebu! Here I come!

College Days

Pictures months ago when we visited DLSU. It's good to be back.

The Birth of the Boredom Lovechild

More than half of my college life was spent on commitments. I never really got to experience long courtships and dates with different guys because I only went out on a date with guys I liked. And so I ended up having two boyfriends (not at the same time, of course!) without ever going through the hassle of a trial and error dating.

Growing up with three brothers (with I, being the youngest) helped me become comfortable with my exes, but sad to say, it didn’t help me that much to understand men, or should I say boys. I grew up witnessing my brothers having the same girlfriends and eventually becoming to be their wives. And so I had this thought that getting into a relationship was that easy. I was right. Getting into a relationship was easy, but I was wrong on the part where I thought that keeping a relationship was that easy.

I was so wrong.

Looking back now, I realized that I never really knew those two guys I committed to. All they are to me right now are just memories of the past that has become so vague. Sometimes I ask myself how I ended up with them or how did they end up with me. Did I really know them at all? Was I too young at that time that I never really knew what I have gotten myself into?

I initiated both break-ups without having a concrete reason why I should. I went on fine at first, but the second break-up had aftershocks that it struck me so hard, it makes me want to puke. Ever since then, I’ve only gone out into dates and promised myself to never commit to anyone unless I am reasonably assured that he will not break my heart. I am not getting any younger, and I am not rich to afford a heart attack. I just can’t stand another heartache.

My friends have volunteered to set me up on dates. I got excited at first, but then I realized that it wasn’t really all that fun. I had dates I didn’t like, and didn’t like me either, so that was fine. I had a date once that I really liked. We went out for a couple of times, we communicated well, he was good looking, he was nice, but eventually feelings just faded and for some reason he got the hint and felt it too. Being nice is not enough. A guy who never even bothered to know where you live and always comes late is just toxic. I had a date that eventually got serious. I gave myself the chance to like him, but the more I spent time with him, the more I feel like choking. Sayang, he knew what every girl wanted. He went to my house for visited and even visited my parents to bring food even when I was not at home. He introduced me to yummy restaurants and supported me for whatever I want and accepted me for who I am. But not even the biggest or the most expensive imported bouquets of flowers would capture my heart if what it takes in return is 100% of my time. I’m just not buying that. I hurt him so much and I never meant to do that.

After that, I said to myself that I will not commit until I am reasonably assured that he will not hurt me and I will not hurt. I slowed down a bit after that and then went on to the occasional dating and kai-shaos. I even came to the point where I’d say yes to dates just to get free food! But they were all disasters! And just when I decided to give up on dating, someone asks me if she could set me up on a date. I couldn’t say no, but I couldn’t care less either. I was expecting the worst guy, but he ended up to be okay. Not great, just okay. I enjoyed the way he talked too much. I enjoyed the way he ate too much. I enjoyed the way he lives his laid back life. I just love the fact that we were both interested at almost the same things and how he showed up not to be the ideal guy but what I just had in mind. It’s amazing to meet someone you’d underestimate for the way he carries himself but find out that he’s got depth and lots of sense. But there’s a catch—he’s not just into me!

Hahaha! Funny how the way of life goes. Like I said, maybe I am just not that lucky. Or maybe it’s just my fate. Or maybe, things just really have to work with chemistry. It’s all about the chemistry man, absolute certainty and irresistible force. If it’s a proven fact that all boils down to chemistry, then I must accept the fact that things just have to come out naturally. Bottom line is, all the guys I’ve met, I’ve dated, I’ve fallen in and out of love with just lacks chemistry and way out of my path. If it’s totally against nature, I wouldn’t fight it.

But then again, dating is fun after all. My friend once sent me a quote with a line that goes, “Dating exists not for mating. It exists for data.” And that when we meet a man, we should “get a clearance from God.” It has made me realize so many things. It made me see the numerous varieties of men. Best of all, it brings me down to which type of man I really like and how I would be the woman he would like. It’s a wonderful world of dating, girls! Come explore it! If things fail, you can always charge it to experience, or even a blog entry.

That's Just the Way It Is

And so, we have to live with it. Admit it, we never get contended. And if ever we do find our contentment, we can never have it. Sad, but so true.

For days and months I’ve always tried to figure my way out of misery. It just never ends. And for every unsuccessful attempt, I try to convince myself that it was just lack of luck rather than my fate.

I am just not that lucky.

I Found my Sanctuary

Right at St. Luke's Medical Center. (both lines applicable)

It's Summer...

...finally for us!

Eagle Point, Batangas
June 2-3, 2006 (bitin!)

Just landed the island.

Panalo ang view! Pero puro tinik ang tsinelas ko!

Area mates and area neighbors while strolling the beach.

Juniors with managers and partners.

AGA people who joined the event. Ahh...the joys of bringing a tripod.

The boat ride back to our hotel.

Another boat ride pic.

That's me, taking a picture of the sunset's reflection at our room's sliding glass door.

And this is the actual view. Nice.

Tara, Let's Reminisce!

In order to make most of my unassigned time, I have decided to spend it digging through my old emails and was so surprised to find out that I've not deleted pictures from last. Here are some of them.

Medrano Hall with my thesismates Tin C. and Pane. I miss you guys.

Fe's graduation day. I made this "GO FE!!" banner for her and stopped her while she passed by our side to capture a very rare moment.

Dinner with my friends at Soul Food during my graduation. This one's with my co-single and so available kumareng Lara.

Uh-oh have to go. I'll update more soon.