Almost Weekend

A day more and it is finally over. Mahirap umalong-alog sa isang malaking opisina. I’ve been manning (guardia civil?) the office for a couple of days now. It could have been great – your supervisor is not around. Your colleague is on field. What can you ask for? You have all the PCs in the world. One can even hog the phones…that is if you have the chance to lift the receiver without it ringing first. I realized, it is sometimes difficult to be the taong bahay/kaliwang kamay or kanang kamay slash secretary slash telephone operator slash directory and sumbungan ng bayan rolled into one. That is excluding my regular job of working in our trade study and taking charge of international commitments. I am not complaining.


Truth be told that I didn’t experience any difficulty in handling the OD for 4 days. I was even thinking why my D and AD were asking how I am faring in the OD all alone at Day1. Well, not bad. As I have told them for the last 4 days, “everything is fine” unless a frantic caller will complain about this and that sabay mumurahin ako (ano ang kasalanan ko? I only answered the fone!). That is a pasok-sa kaliwa-labas-sa-kanang-tenga moment.



What is good about being left here is that I get to use the other PC (better specs, flat screen, nice speakers). Hahaha. I can play all the songs I want and even sing along . No wonder namaos na si Avril.



Tomorrow, I already have a kakulitan. I can have an early lunch already. And I can finally go home early (I hope).

Jagged Little Pill

Still a hangover from my Anthology ka-emote-an yesterday, I now have another one today – Alanis Morrisette’s phenomenal album. Circa 1995 (another E-heads contemporary in the international local scene, this album is a reflection of my emotions, past and present.

Actually, this idea came by accident. Love and I were at Tower Records SM North yesterday to get a glimpse of Mojofly playing live (Man, the band’s lady lead can really rock). While browsing the CDs at the front display, I chanced upon Alanis’ CD. I even commented “buhay pa pala to!” and what followed was another emoting session on our way to dinner at Super Bowl of China.
Here are the songs (chosen at random) and some of their kaka-emote lyrics:

All I Really Want
And all I really want is some patience
a way to calm the angry voice
And all I really want is deliverance
Do I wear you out
You must wonder why I'm relentless and all strung out
I'm consumed by the chill of solitary
A song for those struggling in a not-so-mutual (i.e. one-way street) relationship.

Hand in My Pocket
The catchy intro lines say it all…an oxymoron of emotions.
I'm broke but I'm happy
I'm poor but I'm kind
I'm short but I'm healthy, yeah
I'm high but I'm grounded
I'm sane but I'm overwhelmed
I'm lost but I'm hopeful baby

Head over Feet
This is a song for all our best guy friends with benefits…hehehe.. This is actually Love’s song to CE…hah! Hanggang song na lang!
You've already won me over in spite of me
Don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet
Don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldn't help it
It's all your fault

You are the bearer of unconditional things
You held your breath and the door for me
Thanks for your patience
Hay, kelan ko pa kaya makakanta ulit ‘to?

You Learn
You live you learn, you love you learn
You cry you learn, you lose you learn
You bleed you learn, you scream you learn
When do you learn? Learn from your heartaches, misery and even the happily fleeting, seemingly perfect moments.

Ironic
Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
When you think everything's okay and everything's going right
And life has a funny way of helping you out when
You think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up
In your face
Life’s really like that. Ironic, playful and sometimes unpredictable.

You Oughta Know
'Cause the love that you gave that we made
Wasn't able to make it enough for you
To be open wide, No
And every time you speak her name
Does she know how you told me
You'd hold me until you died
Till you died, but you're still alive
A perfect song for a bitter break-up. Edgy yet sad…

Funny, behind that bato facade of Alanis is an emotion-filled woman. (Just like me perhaps). Songs overpowered by the sound of electric guitars and drums. Songs with angst-filled lyrics. Songs about love gone bad and bitter.

At one point, we did swallow a jagged little pill. Yet, as she puts it in one of her songs - I live. I learn.

`SF

The Anthology

Over mochachino and Gonuts’ choco nutty sprinkle, I’m listening to our new acquisition – Eraserheads Anthology, a payday bonus actually. Got 2 CDs for only P280, so we snobbed Brownman Revival (sorry Dino!). A delayed purchase on our part, pero it was worth every cent.

But hey, I have a disclaimer – I’m not really a diehard. It’s just the songs (especially from the first two albums) that brought back memories, circa 1993 to 1997. College days, the good times.

I may be a true blue Wolfgang fanatic but hey, almost every Isko and Iska around can say that at one point, Eheads had him/her sing along. Gosh, even Jao Mapa and Jomari Yllana had a recording of Pare Ko.

I don’t have a collection of Eheads’ albums (Armelo has one or two, and I remember him going gaga over Cutterpillow and Circus). Who needs those albums when you could practically hear their songs anywhere?- mula jeep ng UP- Philcoa, your next door neighbor (yes, that Kalayaan neighbor – but that’s another story altogether), pila sa water ration to NU Rock Awards and UP Fair. Mine was actually a love and hate. I hated them when almost all the awards at the NU Rock Awards were in their favor. But then, who could even loathe their songs.

PARE KO tops the list. Why? Aside from being a movie and Gwapings versions, I was in my freshman year when this became a hit. It was every barkada’s theme song (I assume). And I think this is their first hit ever, from the Ultraelectromagneticpop album.

Am I TOYANG at all? Well, I wasn’t too young (experiences chuva). “They try to tell us we’re too young, too young to really be in love”…Brings back high school memories…too young pa ata ako non, but hey, my heart was once (or even twice) broken that time.

I did saw him in a MAGASIN. A sports mag, to be exact. And I got to interview him too. While Ely was crooning for this girl on the cover, I was shouting my heart’s out for Rommel Santos. #00 , pointguard, Shell team. 'nuff said. Hay, those were the days.

What would you expect, they even have a song named after me - SHIRLEY. An ego boost for me, since I could be easily remember in class because of that hit song. Was I inlove then with a guy na me magandang kotse? I don't think so. I hope too that time, but I settled for a fellow commuter. We were commuters of the green-roofed jeepneys plying the UP-SM North route. And I was in love. So in love, pero hanggang don lang pala – hanggang SM North dates and Philcoa lunches.

HULING EL BIMBO has the most vivid (and very literal) music video I’ve seen, but fun too! Very E-heads (Ka-college ko si Ely eh, Film major sya).

SEMBREAK – I usually looked forward to sem breaks, and this song typifies the sembreaks I spent in the province – nights-out, reunions, and his visits at home, and endless talks.

TORPEDO – a very catchy title. At the end of the song, you find out it’s about this tight-lipped, secretive guy who really can’t express his feelings. Hay, torpe! Just like this guy I once had HD. Hahaha…

KALIWETE, like myself. Not really in the sense na nangaliwa. It’s my brother Toto’s fave song too. The beat is catchy, and I could sing along with it.

Runner-ups include TUWING UMUULAN AT KAPILING KA (with that distinct Ely B vocals), PARA SA MASA (tibak na tibak ang dating), and JULIE TEARJERKY.

Too bad, E-heads is not making these songs anymore. Well, there is no E-heads now. Cambio is the resurrected version, but I think iba pa rin ang E-heads.

I think my fascination over E-heads songs stopped when they released techno songs already. I admit, I’m still partial to mushy lines, and pang-videoke tunes.

`SF

So Much for A Happy Ending

While thinking of chicken cutlet parmigiana, I am currently listening to Avril Lavigne's Happy Ending. Obviously, I was the mastermind of putting the video on our blog. It was okey with Shirly, too. Why? There are two things - It could have been a happy ending and Avril is also from Canada. Connect ba?


This song reminds me of the Ashton-Amanda Peet starrer. I still have the hang over with A Lot Like Love. Yeah, it was ages ago since it was shown pero I still can't get over it. Di kaya me Ashton Kutcher rin ako waiting to be discovered? Someone who will sing me "Ill be there for you..." eventhough his voice sucks? Abuso na if I do get an Ashton look alike. I remembered the first time I saw the trailer. I told myself, "aabangan ko talaga ito!" I even took a picture of the marquee (I think it was at Robinson's East).


It was a Harry Met Sally without the spicy lines. Can friends be lovers? Or vice versa? I'll try to figure out the first Q. Not that I am eyeing one of my male friends. When Shirl tries to tease me with my male friends, I always tell her that it sounds so incestous. I dunno. Maybe I agreed partly to the Ladder Theory. As for the second Q, I think I also don't know the answer.


This is the third time the song is being played. And I can vividly picture Harry and Sally walking in the park. Or Ashton and Amanda goofing around taking each other's pictures. At least, in the movies, there are happy endings. And I'm sure I will have my own happy ending too.


`lobster

Reality Bites

It is almost September! Just last night, I saw a teaser of Survivor: Guatemala. Well, it is time to revisit spoiler sites, CBS.com and PinoyExchange again. Last I heard, Steph and Bobby Jon (of Palau) will be joining as castaways. Ngek. Maybe they would be in the winning tribe this time.


Amazing Race Family Edition will also be shown on the first Ber-month. Geez, would there be a funny pair like Brian and Greg? Hope so. Although it seems hard to imagine that there are kids involved in the race - di ba nakakapagod yun? But then, you get to see the world for free (and might even win a million bucks!).

I just can't wait. Another reason to be glued in front of the telly.

I am Back!

Trying to make up for the lost time. I'm definitely back!

`SF

few of my fave things - SF

These are a few of my favorite things / people...(Sorry Love, I raced you into posting this one( ang bagal mo kasi i-post ung nasa drafts folder mo):
- books, books, books like HP, DVC, JZ's Twisted series, EMcGregor's autobiography, and a lot of free stuff from the office (though I still have to read all of them)
- my VCD collection (cheap ones, at that, pero original to)
- brewed coffee
- Baleno black jogging pants (the fitted ones) for weekend wear
- white pasalubong shirts (with places' names on them)
- biko from my Mama, freshly-cooked from Butuan
- green tea (of any brand, but most esp. Genmaicha)
- red crispy apples, and yellow so-ripe mangoes
- grilled fish and kinilaw
- WNG friends and Sunners, and long-time friends
- AAP staff and our kids
- Emails and chat transcriptions
- Free movie tickets at Gateway (thanks Ellaine)
- Weekend movies (either on video or at the malls)
- Beads from Carolina's and Simple Joys for our small beading enterprise
- Hi-Top's sale grocery items
- McDo's big breakfast; Jollibee's hot choco, Chowking's chinese ham breakfast
- YM, MSN messenger, Gmail
- Mama, Nanay, brods and aunts
- adobo, Mike's asado, Nanay's menudo
- A Veneto, Piadina, Mr Kabab, Pho Hoa, McCafe, Cafe Puccini, David's Tea House...and the list can go on and on
- our new office uniform
- my ever-dependable pumps and durable sandals
- my blouses got on sale
- my green blog notebook (for emoting)
- the boys in my life - for both the exciting and heart-breaking times

These are a few of those things that I should be grateful for.

And yes, definitely, there is a God. Thank you Lord, for all these and more. I'm definitely a blessed one, despite the non-existent lovelife and less finances.

`SF

When love and hate collide

I admit it, I have developed a love and hate relationship over coffee. There was a time when I kick my coffee habit for more than 3 to 4 months. Green tea came, and I fell in love with it, especially CBTL’s Genmaicha. It was a short-lived affair. I thought it would last, but it didn’t. Genmaicha was too expensive to maintain. At least for coffee, I sometimes get free Starbucks coffee beans. Well, I still have green tea once in a while (but not from CBTL, but they don’t come cheap), but I guess I’m definitely back to my usual caffeine fix, i.e. strong freshly-brewed coffee.

Coffee and the men in my life (as if madami sila) are alike. I have a love and hate relationship / dealings with men. Be it boylets, BF, or even the men in my family – love and hate ‘yan! But in the end, it will come back to the “original”. Loyalty is really in my blood. Take note, I even had a crush for 16 years. Imagine!

Re-routing, that’s what Lovella coins it. Re-routing your thoughts / attention / action to someone, but still it’s temporary, and will always go back to the orig, the permanent. The MMDA will still have their usual routes after the advised alternate / re-routes that they impose.

I’m blabbing too much here. Blame it on no Internet in the office for the past days, so no blogging for me too! And our house PC has crashed. Seems like natural disasters are also with us.

`SF

Pseudo-email

Love advised me to send a pseudo-email* to him, in case I miss him and our “how was your day, I love/care for you” chats.

I did try it, and it works. Less emoting times for me now. Why send a pseudo-email to him, when I can even send it to my friends, and even post it here?

So here goes…

08/18/2005

Dear _____,

Hi, how have you been? Hope you’re doing well. I can’t wait to talk to you soon, and share some stories with you again. Also miss our dates, and our pa-cute moments with each other.

Anyway, both my PC’s in the office and at home are damaged. Waah!!! What a life. I’m still here at the office, waiting for my friend’s friend who will try to salvage my PC. My deadline’s with the boss is almost up, need to have all the office computers up and running, and get networked at that. Tough luck really!

Oh by the way, I went to the ophthalmologist last weekend, and had my eye check-up. Turned out it was a case of myopia. Now I have a new pair of eyeglasses, hope I won’t get too lazy to wear them. With these new glasses, Love told me I have a new look – the strict “executive”. She advised me to always put on a smile when I’m outside, because I look too intimidating. Hah! That’s what I want actually. This will work well with my staff / bosses / suppliers / beneficiaries / all other people.

I still have a lot of stories to tell. We have to catch up on each other really.

It’s almost the end of the week, can’t wait for Saturday to come so we can again talk long, and with no interruption. Hope you have a nice day and take care.

xxoxx

*email (just like the old times) drafted for him, but never sent.

`SF

No blog for the past week.
PC has been infested with worms, trojans and what-have-you's. And even our home PC followed suit. Hay naku!
More to come. - "Must Love Dogs" and other ka-emote-an!

`SF

Energy Boosters

Energy Boosters
Originally uploaded by shirlove.

Breakfast at the Manila Pavillon last Sunday. Breads and cheeses. Fruits and veggies. Apple juice and coffee. Yum. Yum. Night before was spent lounging inside the hotel room watching the Lifestyle Network. Plus the bubble baths until we look like prunes with our wrinkled skins.

Great Day Coming Up

I am just so happy. Received a friendster message!

fRiEnDsTeR stories

I now have 200+ friends in my Friendster account. Amazing, but not quite! I can see others on their 2nd account or even 3rd, with the 1st ones with more than 500 friends. How many friends can one make?! I'm impressed with those who have the "perseverance" to regularly update their Friendster account, and add hundreds of friends.

Well, visiting my Friendster page almost everyday (sometimes 2x or 3/day) to see interesting pics, testimonials and even status changes has become a habit already. I did make some changes on my own for my page, though I havent uploaded the full 25-pic-allocation per account. If my mood strikes me, I'd even write sappy testimonials for some of my friends. I still have to write more of these now.

Friendster "re-connects" me with some long-lost high school friends and acquaintances. I even got to have the profile of my crush from college (still in a relationship, no chance for me na). Though I haven't found the page of my long-time HS crush. Ultimate crush. Low-tech naman sya, wala atang Friendster account eh.

Friendster keeps me posted with my friends' respective civil status, some even more alarming. Especially if these "kids" I've known in the past (specifically from high school) are now very much married. Time to panic. Nah, not really. Aba, at naunahan na naman ako. I'm getting used to it now. At least, majority of my friends are still having that single bliss thing. Or so we thought :-)

Time's up. Have to check his status change on where else? Friendster!

Blame it on the rain

The weather is gloomy, blame it on Bagyong Juaning. Wish I can just stay at home and cuddle up in bed. Nakikiayon ang panahon sa mood ko ngayon. Nature is really taking its course. Circumstances happen because we want them to happen, and sometimes, nature or destiny (as some romantics would call it) is working its hands for things to take place. Circumstances or destiny, well, these things happen for a reason. Take the weather now, the gloomy weather happens because life is not all about the sunny and chirpy weather after all. Life is about the bad and the good weather, about happiness and sadness, about tears and joy. Hay naku, I’m blabbing too much. Must be the aspirin that I’m taking regularly because of this migraine. Or just maybe because my mood dictates me so.

Anyway, it’s finally over. There’s no way we can’t meet after all. So this vicious cycle finally ended. And I think it’s for the better. ‘Nuff said. No wonder I took a leave of absence yesterday because I had to prepare myself for a long and painful night ahead.

Now, I can stop singing John Mayer’s “Back to You” and maybe shift to “Love Song for No One”… “I’m tired of being alone, so hurry up and get here.”

BaKaSyOn

I’m working from home right now. Just don’t have much energy for my daily QC-Makati commute today. I’m nursing a splitting headache, too much things on my head right now. With the office extension as a main to-do this week, I have to be on top of things. Plus, it ‘s not that easy saying goodbye to a staff member who’s been with AAP for almost 30 years (almost same age as mine), and this Friday, he’s availing of his early retirement and taking a rest from the all the madness that is AAP. The good thing, he’ll be back for a twice-a-week consultancy with us. So I guess it’s not a full-blown dramatic despedida for him, after all. To Kuya Dan, to our Tatay, thanks for being our consultant for always. We would surely miss your funny and adventurous (sometimes censored) stories.
***
Worrying about my grad dress, my work computer and my aunt’s hospitalization do not help at all. Promise, I’ll resolve all these issues one step at a time.
There, I’m too stressed out for this week. It’s only mid-week, for Christ’s sake! Hope I can survive! Need to unwind during the weekend, but then, I will have to have my PC re-formatted (again!)...Arrgh!
But first of all the firsts on the agenda, I have to take care of this headache and droopy eyes and go back to bed ASAP, and think of no one, and absolutely nothing!
***
On this particular “vacation”, I just want to do more than sleep and eat. I have to catch up on my reading. I ‘m just a lousy bookworm now. Still on Chapter 4 in “Trading Up” which I started reading days ago. Ughh! Still on the list: HP5 (yes, not yet done with that); Dan Brown’s Deception Point; etc.
And I still have to read “Rule of 4” which has been in queued for my reading pleasure since March. (Trivia: It was Rase’s gift to Lovella for her bday. Hay…kakakilig!!)…
My brain is working a million thoughts per minute. Better stop now.

`STF

Chapati and Dahl

I had the most delectable dinner last Saturday courtesy of Shirly. Stepping inside Kashmir is like being transported to another place. The dim light, aroma of spices and the music shout India. Hey, even the chairs shout of Asia subcontinent. Obviously, we were in an Indian restaurant.

We had vegetarian samosas, murgh curry, chapati and dahl. Syempre, we had the famous 80 pesos rice. I dunno what is so special with that plain white rice.

Compared to Swaggat, Kashmir reeks of fine dining. Waiters and waitresses are dressed to the nines and we love it. Truth is, it was only my 2nd time to eat there (the first one was on my birthday) and the 4th time I've tasted their samosas (thanks to 4th of July). For the mean time, I have to save some moolah to have another smashing meal at the place.

No wonder India and Pakistan are fighting over this province.

xxoxx lobster

::currently reading:: trading up
::dying to watch:: 1st season of desperated housewives on dvd
::i can't wait for:: saturday...manila pavillon weekend!

What's With MSN Radio?

I was listening to MSN Radio - radionet station, to be exact. I'm listening to the 90s hits after getting bombarded with 80s lite last week in 202fm. Well, pinagsawaan ko na ang launchcast.
And I seldom go online in YM.


Guess what? It played You're In Love (Wilson Philips) and Wishful Thinking. That is after listening to Side A's sappy songs.


Although I don't have a tinge of sadness in my bones, it is still creepy.

Old Hobbies

As of late, Shirl and I have been doing beads or make that, beading. I do remember the last time I was into beadworks, I had tired eyes, back aches (think cross stitching non-stop) and blurred vision. I used to do earrings but I realized that doing bracelets was easier. Then I succumbed to katamaran and ended up buying bracelets instead. A couple of friends have been recipents to my beaded bracelets from around the Philippines pasalubong phase. Now, I buy earrings instead.

Beadwork is a mental exercise. Aside from doing math (err - counting beads and estimating the length of stretch nylon?), it is also a right-brain workout. Thinking of styles and combinations is a hard act. But I got used to it. Shirl and I, for the record, don't compute the permutations and combinations to come up with unique designs. That is so fetch! (Think Rachel McAdams in Mean Girls)
***
Last night, Shirl brought home a couple of books... Trading Up by Candace Bushnell, Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes, Nicholas Spark's A Bend in the Road and Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. I was so excited seeing these books that I've foregone watching TV or playing trivia at IRC. Guess what I grabbed first?

Nope, it wasn't the DVC. I have a copy of that and I've read it a number of times. I can picture Louvre and the tiled flooring na nga eh. It was Sparks' tearjerker. Maiyak naman kaya ako? Well, I started reading it at around 830 PM and by 9, I was asleep. Maybe I've gotten used to chick lit and Dan Brown and Rule of Four and HP that reading a thick novel about love
makes me sleep. Baka jaded na tlga ako. Hahaha Or probably, I was just so tired.
***
Much has been said about UAAP and UP starting at 3-0 run. Yes, until now, we haven't visited Araneta to watch UP play. Maybe one of these days. Shirl and I are more than willing to shell out some bucks to watch the Maroons marooning some teams. Go UP Fight!

***

One hobby I have plans of reviving is doing scrapbook. I do have an unfinished one and it spanned 4 years already. The last year was a blur, actually. No new pictures or entries or creative chuva. Probably, my right brain had stopped operating when it comes to the scrapbooking department. And sketching. The last thing a sketched was a wine glass during a boring session in a seminar. I looked awful at nagmukhang tabo.

Samantalang dati, super puno ng pictures and receipts and tickets. Hahaha. Now, I even have torn pages of the scrapbook. Malamang, scrap talaga laman non. Bad. Girl.

LSS.TradingUp.CatchingUp.BXU

Another day has gone. My head is throbbing right now. My insomniac days are back again. Slept at 2 AM last night. LSS were those songs from mushy “alternative” bands shown on MYX at 2 AM. God, I’m also a victim. Seems like no one can escape these “truly-madly-crazily-in-love-with-you, she’s already taken” mush.

Added to that is a heart-to-heart, even heart-wrenching, “where do we go from here?, it’s so lonely being far away from you” chat with you-know-who. Now, that’s the reason why I was up the almost whole night.
***
I am hooked on Candace Bushnell’s bitching in “Trading Up”, kinda reminds me of that Brit chick lit I’ve read, which just happens to be an unedited manuscript. Thanks to National Bookstore for their free supply of those things during our Christmas fund-raising last year. Well, beggars can’t be choosers.

Working in an NGO, we have to prepare ourselves for hand-me-downs, old stocks, nearly-expired, or even just-expired items (there’s a 3-month grace period). One time, I even had a pizza party at home because some big-time, high-end, by-membership grocery store just donated 287 boxes of family-sized pizza to us. That was too much that our beneficiaries. Our building guards even love me to death now, palagi din kasi me supply pag me donations na dumating.
***
Pathetic. I’m catching up on my Harry Potter readings. I’m still reading Book 5 now, while everyone was crying over _______’s death in Book 6. I’d better hurry on this one, so I can also empathize with the fans’ woes.

Delayed. Yes, I’m so delayed with my reading materials already. Wish I have the perseverance to read the more than that 600-page book, and the other inspiring books I bought years ago. Andami nang naka-tengga sa bahay.

I’d better stop dropping by Video City to devote more time on my books then. J
***
Wish I were in Butuan right now. It’s a holiday there today – Adlaw Hong Butuan (Butuan Day). Holidays are not really significant where you’re in the province. Everyday is a holiday there – no morning rush, no traffic, no hassles, just a simple mundane life. Someday, I have to go back and experience that life again.
***
Lunch break is over. I’d better get back to work.

`SF

13 Going on 30

13 Going on 30. The bubbly movie that I finally watched a few days ago. Jennifer Garner (now a very pregnant one and happily-married one to Ben A) was cute in that movie in her childish ways. And Mark Ruffalo was the crush material. Critics say that Mark is the usual indie actor (he started out in theater, FYI), and I say he pulled off incredibly in every movie with him as the leading man, sometimes unusual roles – “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (one of my all-time faves); “View from the Top” (with Gwyneth Paltrow) and “Collateral” (have to watch this movie again, he’s the police officer there). He’s not the usual cute and drop-dead gorgeous leading man you see in the movies, but hey, he can pull off being the cool and aloof one. Kinda reminds me of someone. Ha!

This movie is a teeny-bopper sort, but is surely enjoyable. Especially the “Thriller” dance portion. J See, mababaw lang naman ang kaligayahan ko eh. If the situation calls for it.

It felt like that, 13 going on 30. When I was 13, I had this crush. And the year I turn 30 (which is next year already, sans the big apartment and lots of moolah and gorgeous clothes and a fabulous job as Jenna Ricks has), I realize that he’s still there. Di pala nawala. Darn!

Reality check: Nothing much has happened to me a year after my 3 decades of existence - 4 jobs since graduation (not to mention 2 ma-showbiz jobs in between college, and 3 SA jobs). 1 online fling. 3 break-ups. 3 heartaches. 6 to 8 wedding news of friends’ / batchmates weddings, but never attended. 2 inaanaks (yes, konti pa lang – my close friends are still single! What a relief!). 3 EB’s. 12 movie dates. What a milestone indeed.
***
Finally, I got my TOR from UPOU. I don't brag about my grades, but hey, I passed it all right. Much better than I expected actually. Officially, I’m a graduate of MPS-DC at UPOU. Go figure that one out.

When I reach 30, I can have an MA attached to my name. Sounds awkward, so I decide against it. I decided to take this course when I got bored with work 3 years ago, kaya pinanindigan ko na rin. Good thing, I was able to keep up with the time-pressured papers, exams and discussions, all done online. I meet my classmates personally during the finals only, so it’s kinda exciting din. No need to worry about saving face when you're "lambasting" a classmate in the discussion boards, kasi di ka naman nila nakikita.

Come August 27, I will be wearing my sablay for the 2nd time, and again sing UP Naming Mahal. Still have to find a dress for this occasion.
***
Speaking of UP Naming Mahal, I guess this hasn’t been sung by the UAAP loyalists lately. I should not have been written our 3-0 UP victory. And we’re on a standstill at 3 wins, yes alright. But get this - with 2 losses! Hay naku, grabe! I guess it’s too good to be true to have a 3-0 victory. My faith is waning, pero sana the spirit is still there.

Had to skip their game last Saturday, their 2nd loss, over Ateneo this time. I am always a jinx in basketball games. Good thing, Love and I decided to “prioritize” Johnny Depp that time. After all, it’s free advanced screening (thanks Ellaine dear) and we just love the chocolates in the movie. Think Chocolat, but way way much GP.
Sounds like 13 going on 30 too!

-SF