Last Hurrah on my birthday month: Unboxing my New gadget

FINALLY!!!! I got what I have been wishing for! :)

To cap off my birthday month, I bought a new gadget as the final addition to my gadget family. To date, I have a laptop, a gaming desktop, 2 digital cameras, a DSLR and finally, a tablet! :) Luckily, I have good people around me that made these purchases possible. The computers and cameras are credits to my boyfriend (he was investing gadgets on me) and the final one was credited (today) from my officemate.

I consider myself as a techie bud: above average knowledge in any machine, gadget and techie stuff. However, before making turo of what I want, I have to read reviews, check prices, check my own finances and ask approval from my boyfriend. He is my accountant and auditor. He would never let me buy new things unless I have the right reasons for it.

So enough of my gadget history, I have written entry on my DSLR and now, I would like to present to you my new baby, Pavizio X1.

Its tech specs:

- Android 4.3 Ice Cream Sandwich
- 4GB storage, expandable until 32GB
- 512MB DDR3
- mini HDMI and USB 2.0 slots, memory card slot
- Front camera: 0.3 megapixels
- CPU: Cortex A8

Screen size: 7.0 inches, 800x600 resolution
Wi-fi enabled

Price: Php 5,990 (but on sale at Php 5,499.00)



My purchase history:

I have been looking for a decent tablet which I can use when I am on field, which was basically the full coverage of my job. Aside from my Jurassic office computer, I have been using my personal laptop, which I bring in and out of the office during workweek, because I need to compile 100+ slides from our Manager's presentation. My shoulders have been cursing me from the everyday weight of my laptop, and I think, my laptop too is getting tired of its everyday travel.

My officemate purchased an I-Ped, a China-made tablet with sim card slot for Php 4,000.00. I never liked the idea of the sim card slot and I don't want to use it either. So I have been looking for something that would give me the benefits without compromising my system and my finances.

So yesterday, we managed to find Pavizio X1 in Toy Kingdom (of all places, a toy store) and fell in love with it. It was like a Samsung Galaxy Tab - all the specs and running on Android Ice Cream Sandwich. One of the few tablets that I know running on this system.


My review:

One thing, it doesn't have any buttons on the screen itself. It has two on the top: volume and power button. Aside from that, all the buttons (back, menu and apps) can be found on its screen itself. It is sleek and not heavy. I can basically carry it anywhere. Wi-fi connection is alright too, I was connected to our office wi-fi fast.

Buying it earlier this day, I tried it and installed several programs. I have a handful of games (Fruit Ninja, Plants vs. Zombies, Angry Birds, Temple Run) just to try how capacitive the screen is. It didn't fail me. It was far better than the Chinese tablets available in the market. I never have to push hard to the buttons in order to "awake" it.

I managed to download and use Office Suite and I can create and edit office documents and read PDF files in a jiffy. I have yet to know how it handles more documents and be able to present using its connection to the projector. I have to try its connection to HDMI to check if the cable is right.

As of this writing, my tablet is charging and I have yet to determine its full battery capacity. I know, some specs are not over the top, what would you expect on a 5k pesos tablet.

For those who just want to browse the internet, create documents and basically carry a gadget everywhere, I recommend Pavizio X1.


My apologies if I can't write a more comprehensive review right now. Please give me more time to explore my gadget and I would gladly write a new review.


A more comprehensive review here.

Wedding Guest Dress: What to Wear in a Simple Wedding

I have been looking for a good and simple dress for a wedding that I will be attending next week. Finally, one of the MD (Matandang Dalaga) in my former office decided to marry her boyfriend next Saturday. They asked me if I could be their photographer (the wedding is relatively simple and budgeted, so they are making everyone participate in the event).

I assume that I will be running around to get decent and not-so-artistic wedding photos, I decided I will not wear heels and go on simple flats. Okay, shoes: CHECK.

Maxi skirts are everywhere, so I think this will suit for the occasion. Though I bought a midi-maxi skirt for 300 bucks (168 Mall in Divisoria is heaven for me), I am still looking around for a good maxi skirt, and hopefully, I will find something this week. I have these several options on the wardrobe.

Let the (window) shopping begin!

Flats for the Birthday Girl

I am a flat-lover. Of the shoes that I have, almost 70% of them are  flats - from ballet flats to sandals to jelly shoes. One, I find it hard to commute when on heels. I love walking (thus the name of this blog) so my feet will curse me when I walk in heels.

My former officemate's wedding is just around the corner and I have been planning what would I wear on the wedding, since I will running around to cover the event (my first attempt to wedding photography). Maxi skirts are in, so I am looking towards this trend and dissing heels since I can't run on them. I find it hard to look for flats that would suit my look (one, they are too pricey for an employee like me and two, when I get to like a certain sandal/flat, they do not carry my size anymore).

Good thing, So Fab Philippines (one of my favorite footwear brand) finally released its new items and found these great sandals (crossing my fingers, hopefully, they would still have my size in week from now). I present to you, my choices for the sandals that I will pair to achieve the maxi skirt look:

Lime

Amaranth

Carnation

Pusley

Nertera

All I have to wait is the payday for next week and I will be buying one (or two) of these pairs. To those who are not financially-challenged, you can order these shoes online via www.sofab.com.ph or visit any of their stores.


Have fun walking in your flats! :)

Uniqlo in Manila: Home of the Bratops

After the US clothing store Forever21 invaded Manila few years back, and soon followed by Muji, a Japanese home store, Uniqlo - another Tokyo-based store reached our own land.

It opened its first store in Manila last June 15, 2012. Situated at the second floor of Mall of Asia in Pasay, where Toy Kingdom used to be, Uniqlo resembles the openness of Forever21 stores. Despite its size, with the wide variety of available clothes in store, everything looks cramped up.

Here's whats in store for you:
- Upon entering, you'll see its compilation line - from Disney to Andy Warhol, to Campbells and Snoopy.
- Straight ahead is the Disney wall of clothes for women. On your right is the rack for men's vintage themed tshirts. On your left is the wall for sunglasses.
- Further down on your left is the 14 cashiers waiting for you.
- Walking further are the pants and polo shirts on your left and underwears on your right. Straight ahead are the formal wears - men's polos and suits.
- Moving on to the end corridor are the 11 fitting rooms, divided for men and women. In front of the fitting room are the t-shirts for kids and pull-overs.
- Underwears for women are located at the corner and as you walk towards your starting point, racks and racks of bratops awaits you - on the walls and at the center aisle.
- On your right are the women's polos and knits. While as you go further along, tshirts are found on center island. At the far end are the shirtdresses and scarves.

My apologies for not taking a picture of the whole place as it was out of the blue that I went there earlier today. I promise to get back (since bottoms are still on sale until July 5th), and spend at least something for myself as an end for my birthday month.

What captured my attention are the bratops, since I was looking all over the place for these kind of tops. (That's why I am really writing this entry up). In preparation for our Indochina trip and how to pack lightly, I am looking for two-things-in-one stuff. These bra-tops seemed perfect for this. A t-shirt with bra inside, so I won't be bringing separates for the trip. All I have to bring are these bra-tops. :D

Here are the shots:

Sadly, the sale for these tops are until June 21st only. You can grab this on the discounted price of P590 or its actual retail price of P990.

I will be writing a more comprehensive entry on Uniqlo Philippines when I get to visit the store again by the end of the month. :)

Indochina trip updates: Accommodations and Itinerary

So finally, after several months and 2 months before we leave for our Indochina trip, I am posting our 8d/7n trip's itinerary and confirmed hotel accommodations. Since my blog is more of 'anything-under-the-sun', I may not have continuous entries on our trip, but I'll make sure that I properly label each of the entries (just like Twitter's hashtags).

Anyways, to refresh you (and myself too), during the start of the year, me and my 2 female college buddies were able to grab some flights from various seat sales  of the airlines here in the Philippines. We booked dead eye flight to Ho Chi Minh City via Cebu Pacific and a return flight from Bangkok to Clark via Tiger Airways. Our trip will begin on August 19, as we are expected to land to Vietnam and will end on August 26 as we fly out of Bangkok. Luckily, we have to be absent on our respective day jobs for 4 days only, as we have a holiday on the 21st and 4 weekends to use.

This is our rough itinerary for the trip:

18 (pm- mn): Flight to HCMC
19 (mn): Hotel check in
19 (wd): HCMC walking tour
20 (am): travel to Phnom Penh
     (pm): hotel check in in Phnom Penh
21 (wd): Phnom Penh walking tour
22 (am): travel to Siam Reap
     (pm): hotel check in Siam Reap
23 (wd): Angkor Wat tour
24 (wd): travel to Bangkok and hotel check in
25 (wd): Bangkok tours
26 (am): weekend market
     (pm): Flight back to Manila


After reading very helpful posts in PinoyExchange and searching at Agoda, Hostelbookers, Hostelworld, Roomorama and TripAdvisor, we have come into these hostels for our accommodations. The best thing about our reservations is that they do not need reservation fees, thus, this will not make any charges on our credit cards and more so, we can keep track of how much are we spending.

Since we are three persons travelling, our choices of hostels are very limited due to availability of triple rooms. Saying this, the prices indicated are for triple, air-con rooms.


Our accommodations:

1. Ho Chi Minh City: SEVENTY HOSTEL (http://www.seventyhotel.com/home/html/homepage.html)

Location: 10-15 mins away from major sites in HCMC. Located in District 1.

Contact email: sales@seventyhotel.com

Rooms price: 35 USD per night = 70 USD
Inclusives: Breakfast, Internet free, welcome drink, wifi in the room also.

They are very fast to respond on your email. I emailed them in the morning, and after two hours, they sent me the room prices and finally booked one for us. Since we will be arriving to HCMC in the midnight, we decided to book 2 nights to cover for the first night.


2. Phnom Penh: VELKOMMEN GUESTHOUSE (http://www.velkommenguesthouse.com/)

Location: very near to tourist spots and near the riverside. 10-15mins walk from major temples.

Contact email: reservations@velkommenguesthouse.com

Room price (Twin room with double size beds): 24 USD per night = 48 USD
Inclusives: Ensuite, AC and Fan, Fridge/ Mini Bar, Cable TV with 70 channels

Similar to Seventy Hotel, they are fast to respond. After 2 emails to each other, we finally booked the room.


3. Siam Reap: PHROM ROTH GUESTHOUSE (http://www.prohmrothguesthouse.com/)

Location: 5 mins away from the Central Market. 15 minutes away from Angkor Wat (via tuktuk)

Contact email: phromroth_guesthouse@yahoo.com

Room price: 25 USD per night = 50 USD
Inclusives: Breakfast, wi-fi, AC and fan

Phromroth is a family owned business and Mr. Meang, the guesthouse owner, stayed in the Philippines for 10 years before going back to Cambodia, so he knows Tagalog. :) One thing that made me fall in love with the place is that Mr. Meang greeted me in Tagalog (a plus point for me) and they have internal tour packages for Angkor Wat. I do not need to go and find a travel agency to provide the Angkor Wat tour. And according to his website, Filipinos have discounts on the tours and accommodations in celebration of the Friendship day. :)


4. Bangkok: ERAWAN GUESTHOUSE (www.erawanhouse.net)

Location: near to the Central Weekend Market, along Khao San road (backpacker's area)

Contact email: erawanhouse@gmail.com

Room price: 35 USD per night = 70 USD
Inclusives: wi-fi. hot water and A/C

Erawan house was one of the few guesthouses in Khao San road that offer triple rooms. I was able to email them our reservations, however, nobody confirmed them. I sent them another email as I write this entry and hopefully, will be hearing from them soon. Or else, I have to look for another guesthouse in Bangkok.


I shall be updating this entry once we have our final itinerary (where exactly to go) and final Bangkok Guesthouse to stay in. I would be glad if I'll be hearing for you about my entry. :)

I would like to thank every blog writers who posted their Bangkok, Vietnam and Cambodia trips at PinoyExchange. It really helped me a lot in deciding which hostels to book and to finalize the itinerary.

Happy travelling to you! :)

Feel the Noiz at Rock of Ages The Movie

I have to specify that this is the Rock of Ages The Movie, right from the very start. The Philippines has simultaneous showing of both the movie and the play (starring Migs Ayesa and Vina Morales) and as much as I would like to see it live, so I have reasons on stamping my feet as the music plays, I have to make some priorities. Anyways, this is not a thorough review, but merely thoughts on the movie.

To finish off my birthday week, I had a date with my college best buds last Thursday for a post birthday special and a movie night. We are thinking of having Kimmy Dora or Rock of Ages, but since we don't have the crowd for Rock of Ages (if we plan to see it on separate occasions, we decided to this movie).


I never ever thought Tom Cruise would give justice to Stacie Jaxx. I mean, I knew him from the Mission Impossible series, nothing more. But, he is really good at this movie. Nothing spectacular though, but his acting is convincing.

Julianne Hough, aside from being Ryan Seacrest's girlfriend, well, she also did a good job here. However, I am not a fan of her voice as I find it too high for rock songs.

The biggest shock for me are Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin. If I wasn't aware of Katy Perry - Russell Brand love affair, I would personally ask Katy why she had Russell for a husband. Likewise to Alec Baldwin's fiancee. These two guys are freaky and downright crazy.

On the women's side, Catherine Zeta-Jones is also freaky in a good way. She might has this poker face, but her acting was really great. Well, its not really the acting per se, but the antics. I would never thought she would be dancing like that. If it was not for the voice, I would never recognize Mary J. Blige on the movie. She really gained a lot and grew a lot of hair. But, the voice quality is still there.

I would never spoil the plot, but above all, the movie (and the stars) are beyond my dreams. With Mr. Cruise and Ms. Zeta-Jones dancing and belting out, with Ms. Hough's dancing skills, with dreaming effects, with mash-ups, Rock of Ages will definitely make your feet stamp or sing-along with the songs you know.

It would be a great experience if I will be able to see the play, but for now, I'll be singing "Hit me with your best shot". :)

Winning lines:

"I am busy... Busy falling in love..." - Dennis

Conversation between Sherrie and Drew:
Sherrie: I am a dancer in a strip club.
Drew:I am member of a boyband.
Sherrie: Okay, you won.


ROCK OF AGES (2012)

List of Characters:

Tom Cruise - Stacee Jaxx (ROCK LEGEND)
Diego Boneta - Drew Boley (BOURBON ROOM WAITER/ ROCK STAR/ BOYBAND MEMBER)
Julianne Hough - Sherrie Christian (BOURBON ROOM WAITRESS/ SEXY WAITER AND DANCER AT VENUS GENTLEMAN'S CLUB)
Alec Baldwin - Dennis Dupree (OWNER, THE BOURBON ROOM)
Russell Brand - Lonny (ASSISTANT, THE BOURBON ROOM)
Catherine Zeta Jones - Patricia Whitmore (MAYOR'S WIFE)
Bryan Cranston - Mike  Whitmore (LOS ANGELES MAYOR)
paul Giamatti - Paul Gill (MANAGER, ARSENAL, STACEE JAXX AND Z-GUYZZZZ)
Malin Akerman - Constance Sack (REPORTER, ROLLING STONE)
Mary J. Blige - Justice Charlier (OWNER, VENUS GENTLEMAN'S CLUB)



List of Songs performed:

Paradise City
Jukebox hero and I Love rock and roll (mash up)
Hit me with your best shot
Sister Christian and Just like a Paradise and Nothing but good (mash up)
Waiting for a girl like you
More than words and Heaven (mash up)
Wanted dead or alive
I want to know what love is
I wanna rock
Pour some sugar on me
Harden my heart
Here I go again
Can't fight this feeling
Any way you want it
Undercover love
Every rose has its thorn
Rock you like a hurricane
We built this city and We're not gonna stop (mash up)
Don't stop believin'

Enjoy Rock of Ages! :)

Birthday Post: Officially 26

I am officially 26 years old. And this is according to my birth certificate, which says that I was born 10:40pm in june 11, 1986. 


26 years after, here I am. I have to believe, a lot stronger, braver, more open to things outside of my comfort zone, wiser and happier. For the past 6 years, after conquering crucial college years, trying to live on my own, starting a new relationship and finding a new job, I have to believe, turning 26 was never been this great.  I have my family who never turned their back on me. I never heard my dad shouting, while my mom is always the life of our home (in short, maingay any time of the day). Thank you for turning any celebration into a cook-off between us. My siblings,who I turned into dependents of myself and my mom, is always there when I need someone who can run errands for me. Bumawi na lang kayo kapag may trabaho na kayo. O kaya, pumayag naman kayo sa food trips ko. Hindi ko naman kayo lalasunin. To my crazy, crazy cousins, thank you for the calls that makes us laugh together. Sa inyo ko lang napapraktis ang jokes ko. 


My significant other, that despite the times I'm asking myself, "Ano nga ba ang nagustuhan ko sa korning lalaking ito", would always be there for me no matter what, or not matter how hard I push him away from me. Because of him, I started to believe "Only God knows why". Thank you for the nights that I end up scratching my head, for installing (install talaga, its has been in my system) those pick up lines before I slept (that haunts me on my dreams) and for letting me what I want to be. 


To my great friends, Tina and Lheny, that despite the lack of communication and long distance between us, never failed to greet me on my special days. Tina, pressured ako sa tanong mo. :D


To Pangs, Babs and Tol, my boyfriends, hindi man lang kayo umangal when I give you these nicknames, thank you for checking on me every single time.


To Amae and Coeli, mga teh, you are the ones that keep me sane when I need to, and insane when I need it the most. Until you two have your boyfriends (after passing your strict requirements), nothing will change. :)


To Lissa, Cams and Ryan, thank you for missing me that much and for keeping me updated with your respective lives. Thank you for trusting me.:) Lissa, thank you for allowing me releasing my masculine emotions when we talk. Hindi pa ding nagbabago ang gusto kong gawin sa iyo, ang iuntog ka sa pader.  Cams, thank you for trusting me with all your heart and I love being your diary. And Ryan,salamat sa laging pagpapaalala ng utang kong spaghetti sa iyo. 


To my Lola, I love you and thank you for keeping me safe always. :) To God, thank you for this life. Thank you for the story that you have written for me. I just hope its not that Twilight plot. :p


To friends that I haven't seen in ages, or inindian ko lang, or nakasalubong ko pero maang-maangan ako, thank you for being a part of my life, naalala ko kayo, each one of you, takot lang ako magkamali. To relationships that have flourished and never had the chance to be as long as my present, thank you for making me realize that I am not the conventional/ traditional type of person.


This new era will be the start of something new for me. 

Thoughtful Saturday: Things I have learned as of 25 years old

Two days before I turn 26, I believe I have to share what I have learned in the past 25 years of my life. Tomorrow, by the eve of my birthday, I plan to write an all-out entry about my life. :)

ON LOVE and RELATIONSHIPS

1. Long distance relationship is founded on trust and love. And it will not work when either one of you is unsure of what you are getting into or even not emotionally prepared. When Louie is your guy, a pail-full of patience will definitely help you. 

2. Long distance relationship doesn't work for everyone. I have heard of relationships not working when they finally have the distance and time difference. These two factors are the main reasons of broken relationships.

3. LDR will teach you how to live on your own. Its an advantage - that despite you having a significant other, you still have time for yourself. 

4. If you belong to a circle of friends that are attached, do not get jealous. Instead, think of it as an advantage. You get to see a movie anytime you want, you do not have to ask for permission when you go out with a bunch of boys, you don't hurry going home because somebody's waiting for you. 

5. When you are at war with a friend, it's not a matter of pride. Instead, it is a matter of accepting one another, no matter how different your personalities are. Friendships are far cries from love relationships. In love, you can break up with your boyfriend/ girlfriend. In friendship, there is no concept such as that. Its either you become acquaintances (again) or foreign to one another. 

6. As the years passed, your friendship circle will not grow bigger, instead they will become smaller. Those who have been with you through rough times will eventually stay. Those who can smack you right at your face will always be there to give you a bump. Those who shout at you, those you curse you in front of everybody else will definitely be there to curse you and shout at you when you have problems. 

7. No matter what happens, whether you once shout at your mom or never had the deep conversation with your dad, your family is the very first one to back you up. They will be there to pick you up, support you and simply, cook you your favorite food after a bad day. 

8. Despite you tell yourself that you are a daddy's girl, your mom will understand you more than how you are understood by your dad. Its women's attraction to one another that causes it. 

9. Make sure that your family approves your significant other. Though they will never be in direct contact with your man/ woman when you get married and have the family of your own, just keep in mind that its your family that you can run too when you have a problem. 

10. Find somebody that complements and supplements you. Love is not a one-way street, you don't always give nor take. Love is not measured how similar your facial features are, nor how different you are from each other. Love is like, err, magic. 

ON WORK AND PROFESSION

11. Take the first opportunity that knocks on your door, but keep your windows open should there be more to come over. 

12.  Make the most out of your first job. This will make your foundation in the professional world. Understand each problem that you encounter. Clients are there to test you, professionally and emotionally. 

13. When its time to go, do not burn bridges. The industry is too small and you might bump to each other days after you changed your job. Exit gracefully. 

14. Your officemates are next to your family when it comes to relationship hierarchy. Try to know them and understand them. The work environment is so diverse that you will have a hard time looking for somebody like you. 

15. It is true, that when you finally landed a job and are preparing to transfer to it, another job that you have been waiting for will come knocking. Do not fret, just make sure that you make the most out of the new job, but try to maintain a connection with the company once in while. 

ON LIFE, IN GENERAL. 

16. It is okay to cry once in a while. Strength is not measured by how often you cry, or walk out of the issue. Instead, it is measured how graceful you handle each situation, without driving over somebody. You may miss somebody and think that crying is the only way that you can connect to them. It will clear your mind and your emotions as well. 

17. It is okay that you are still childish, that you remember how you spend you weekends before, that you miss your elementary and highschool notebooks, that you missed how you played under the rain, become sick and be absent in school. Enjoy reminiscing them, if you are crazy enough, you can relive them. 

18. You can frown anytime you want, but make sure there is a right reason why you did this. Just make sure that for every frown you give, have a ten fold of laughs after. 

19. Imagine. imagine. imagine. This will enhance your adaptive and creative skills. Imagine how will you look like after 10 years, what family will you be having, what car will you be driving and home where you will be living in. Visit an appliance store and discuss where would you like to see the fridge, that 42 inch televesion, the front load washing machine, the intercom, the coffeemaker. 

20. Treat each day as another day for adventure. You will meet somebody that doesn't respect your privacy, or talks to you when she/he can clearly see you neon green earphones, or say bad things behind your back, simply because they have a bad start of the day. This will exercise you on how to treat each situation. 

21. If you have encountered a complainant (those who are overflowing of negativities at 7 in the morning), smile it out, or better yet, smile at them. Say thank you when they let you pass despite you hearing their complaints because they have to get out of the FX. Nod when a fast driving vehicle let you pass when you cross the street. Or even smile when you see somebody who cut the line in front of you, and yet she is not ready to get her bags inspected. 

Life is too short to miss out the greatest, finest things in life. You may have a crazy, makulit and corny boyfriend like me, or a single one with attached friends, always look at the brighter side. 

Love Friday: Our 67th month

This week has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Two of my closest friends had a misunderstanding, it has been a crazy work week for me as I ran around the office and skipped two hours of Project Management Seminar that I am attending, and today is our 67th monthsary. Crazy, huh?

Well, I won't dwell much on the friendship thingy either my workweek, but i believe its more apt if I focus on how old Louie and I been together. We were never been the ordinary couple. Some of his friends think I am out of my mind since I took him in my life and jokingly they would say that they still don't get me. 

Louie is never that ordinary person - he was (and always will be) the king of corniness, that me myself can't avoid. He is never the quiet one, I managed to be that person on this relationship. He was more of that feminine person, I was the masculine. I never liked cheesy moments, he would insist to hold my hand, or hug me every time he wants to. But, we are both crazy. We bet on NBA, we bet on everything worth betting, and I would always think of bets that he will not ever ever like until he shakes his head and pull his hair. Funny thing, despite him being the corny one, I think, I am getting on his wits end every single time. 

Today is our 67th month. Of these 67 months, he got 50% right on the right number, 50% on the wrong. I would always, everytime ask him if he is spending that (n) number of months with another. All he answers: "Kagatin kita dyan e." We are a childish pair. I am not used to PDA, but I would treat him more like a brother and a bestfriend when we are outside. 

I am lucky to have this guy, we have been through a lot. Break up bets, no communication week, months and months of waiting for each other, spending our anniversaries apart and managing work and relationship. He understands me and my work, he would inspire me to do my best, approves my shoe addiction and other requests and he balances that craziness and rightness frame of mind within me. 

He maybe one of those people you wouldn't like to spend the rest of your life with. But just in case, we will stay together, I am prepared if ever he hit the alarm. A night outside our (future) house. No worries, I will buy him a tent so I will not be the bad person. :D

67 months, and hopefully, more and more months to go. 

When life gives you lemons, exchange it with something else!

Its the final month of the second quarter. Time passed so fast, I am on my third month in the new job, third month of studying things, forgetting the rest and learning new ones.

Last Friday, I met up with my former officemates, and I am really glad (and ecstatic, despite its not budgeted) to meet them. But, I was not prepared of how they looked now. Khriz was thinner than ever, Ryan was a lot horizontally challenged than before. I am afraid, their workplace has taken a toll on them.

This night, one of my closest colleague posted that she was missing so much of her life, and is not very happy on her work. I was never a good adviser, but I am open on sharing what I have learned based from my experience.

Last year, I was on the same page. I wanted to move on, find another job or to the minimal extent, divert my attention from what is happening to the four corners of the room. I never want to complain, its not even my nature, but situations have emerged that it made me think, "what would I become if I stay in this company?". Its not a challenge for the company, but instead, it was a challenge for myself.

I started to think about taking masters degree, everything was laid out perfectly. I have my exam schedules, I thought of how I would spend the remaining hours of the evening for review, where will I go, how much would I spend on the exams. I even read blogs and universities' policies, just in case I managed to pass the requirements. I even imagined myself staying in a campus dorm outside of the Philippines, thinking how much would I save from the monthly stipend, how my life would be in a foreign university. Little by little, I finally lessen the hours I complain with people, however, I found myself being alone. I don't want to ruin the momentum I have that time. However, some things happened that you are not in control of. I am ready to let go, yet, I stayed for a year after all the plans have been laid. Simple, I don't want to ruin somebody's life because of the thought that I will leave.

Months passed, workload became heavy and the masteral degree took a backseat, or more so, was put in the trunk and simply forgotten. But, the questions remained at the back of my mind, "what am I going to do for the rest of my life? What is it for me outside that glass door and after the shadow of these people?" Lastly, "why do some people land a job better that where I am now, given that I believe I worth more than this?".

Masters degree was forgotten, I believe, this is not the right year for it, so I diverted my attention in looking for a new job. Its not I don't like my job anymore, its not challenging for me - and moreso, I don't find myself making "kaplastikan" with some people in the workplace. I never want to be a burden in the team - that they would constantly ask how I feel, if I am alright. So I decided that maybe, shifting to a new environment would make me think what I want to be and where will I spend the rest of my life with.

Many would say, when life gives you lemons, make a lemonade. Simple, accept what life gives you and make something ordinary out of it. I want to think I am not one of those. I believe, when life gives you lemons, exchange it to something else, apples maybe since its more abundant in the food industry, you can make more amazing things out of it.

Changing what you have is never easy, and I've experienced it. Its literally back to square one.

Its the time of the month for May!

While I am anxiously waiting for my monthly visitor to knock on my uterus wall, I had another monthly meeting with my great friends last night.

They felt that they are cheating on me, since they more often see each other after their respective language classes on Saturdays and I wasn't able to answer their texts, tweets, posts and calls since I was busy with the new job and responsibilities. So yesternight, while Mother Nature is busy watering the Metro, we went out for dinner and tea.

We tried Bfast, a quaint resto in Ayala Triangle Gardens, owned by Chef Laudico (Chef Lau for short). It is famous for its all day breakfast meals and buffet breakfast sets. We tried out Angus corned beef (not the corned beef that we usually know) - which is nearer to chopped pork set, Angus tapa (since Angus tocino is not available) and Karne-vorous omelet (yes, the spelling and thus, the pronunciation when you order it). Amae bought us a big (and heavy) cake from Calea, one of the best cakeshops in the Philippines, since she came from Bacolod the week before. With a corkage fee of just Php100, we were allowed to eat the cake right in Bfast.

BFast menu

Oo, cake yan. fail lang ang lighting. 

As the heavy rain comes, and more nahihiya na kami sa Bfast for staying long, we changed venues to CBTL, our favorite coffee shop in the world. It was really nice that you have such great friends and bullies, since we had our conversations:

Story 1:
Me (to Coeli): Teh, may utang ka pang kwento sa akin. Did ____ already shared to you?
Coeli: Ay hindi pa teh. Sa (event) na lang daw.
Me and Amae: Teh, itext mo, magpost ka. sabihin mo, sabihin na sa iyo.
(Coeli obliged and text and posted to her (actually, our) friend's wall. Friend answered and insisted that she would share it with Coeli on the event. Bilang bullies and "The friend" as our favorite conversation topic, we asked Coeli na kulitin nya ang friend namin. So friend told what the rumor is.)

Amae: Teh, hindi naman yan ka-rumor-rumor. We will tell her what true rumor is all about. And its based on facts! (FAVE LINE 1).


Story 2: Me talking about a gay friend's lovelife and sharing that he had this love triangle. So I termed the triangle as: Jowa 1 (original jowa), Common Jowa (as the cheater boyfriend) and Jowa 2 (my gay friend).

Common Jowa - AMAE's FAVE TERM OF THE NIGHT.


Story 3: Since we are going to Indochina this August, I have to ask them what's their preferred mode of transportation from Siam Reap to Bangkok.

Me: Mga teh, ano ang mas gusto ninyong sakyan? Tren o bus? Ang tren, third class ito, parang PNR train from way back.
Coeli: May cafe ba dun?
Me and Amae: LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!

Third class train cafe : OUR FAVORITE LINE, EVER.

Ang mga Atei.. :)

Amae: We look like kids! :)