Cliche.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"




For a few seconds there I was blank. I scrambled my mind for an answer. I even tried to travel back in time when I was a child just to recall what I wanted to be. And just like that my brain cells were frozen. No process or thought was on my mind at that moment.


Nada.


Insert a cricket sound if you must, I could not give an answer to the question.


So ramble I did. Pathetic much. I'm probably the only twenty-something in the world who doesn't know what she wants to be. Who forgot the things she had always dreamed of. I have reached a point in my life where I do not know what to want, what to live for. I might as well be dead.


I do recall I wanted to be an astronaut when I was a five year-old kid. The thought of being in space with nothing blocking you, just you alone, was lovely to me. Then I threw the idea out a year later when I realized loneliness is just too sad and I have no idea how to deal with it. Fast forward through my formative school years, I decided that having a relationship with science is fun, exciting, which is why as geeky as it may sound, I dreamed of having a lab and becoming (genius) scientist. Or maybe I should blame that fantasy to overdosing on Dexter's Laboratory, because when I got bored with Deedee annoying Dexter and Dexter cleaning up after Deedee, I found myself being fascinated with the wonders of being a lawyer. For the love of argument maybe. Or perhaps I just like the glamor and authority a lawyer has. (Power suits also amazed me. I think I wanted a few in my closet then. I just looked at them, but not wear them. I feel old when I wear them.)  I cannot remember anymore how or when I started to want my own business. And then when that phase had passed, I fell in love with the idea of being somebody's employee, and just getting up on the corporate ladder. 


And today, I have no idea where I am. I feel like I'm in the middle of Shibuya. Stuck in the middle waiting for the red light to turn green, which apparently in the last two months won't, and I can't seem to cross the street without being ran over by a bus.


How morbid.


I would give anything just to know which way to go, which road to take, which green light to look out for.


It took me more than half an hour to come up with this whole entry. Kind of unusual for someone who's used to writing at the speed of thought. The writer in me probably got tired and must have died along that stupid journey of searching what to be. And I still do not know the answer to the question!


(This is frustrating. Really.) 


In the middle of wanting to wrap this up and looking forward to sleeping, I suddenly remembered this song I used to sing from way back in 2004. (Please listen to the song, and do not mind the video. It's the most decent version I could find.)

So what do I want to be when I grow up?


You tell me what you want to be then I'll decide what I want to be.

Of Hearts, Sappy Love Songs, and Princess Gowns.

Ah.. Valentine's Day. Balentyms when I was a kid. Again, I am single. Because I choose to be. (Cue bitterness.) Haha.


Most people have their parents as their "sweetest" couple role models. Or maybe their grandparents for the longest marriage ever. I may not have parents to count on for any idea on marriage, or even love, but I do know my grandparents have been together long enough for me to have an idea of love.


But I guess an idea isn't enough. I need to see it. Feel? Had my share. And it wasn't all happy, happy, joy, joy. Because if it was, I wouldn't be sharing my bitterness here. I am happy, by the way. It's just that I am slowly losing faith in love. I think no such thing exists. It's probably all in the mind. (And at this point I would like to blame whoever cause this huge damage in me to stop believing in love.) Which is kind of ironic, really, since I am paid to I deal with people who have been in love for years.


And to them, I am thankful. Maybe, there's a part in me that still believes.There may be hope for me. :-) Allow me to share to you a video of one of my favorite couples.







fernando & abbie - same day edit from phoeben teocson on Vimeo.

For Everything Else, There's Mastercard.

I just love that Mastercard ad. It comes in different versions (probably depending on the location it will shown), but it all depicts the same message: material things will always come with a price tag. Values, once-in-a-lifetime chances, and definitely time are priceless. Which is actually true.

But what about love?

Today, out of the many things that I do for my job, I learned one popular *cough*stupid*cough* church in this third-world country is charging Php34,000 if you want to get married there. Which. I. Think. Is. Inhumane. Seriously.

In the numerous weddings I've witnessed in my life, as a guest and a professional supplier (that felt weird to say), I've never cared about how much it costs to have one. Maybe until I was bored and started to really think about my own wedding that I realized it would cost an arm to have your dream wedding. (Actually, I figured mine would cost an arm and a leg.) Whenever I tell people how I imagined my wedding to be like, I would get reactions that just had pricey written all over it. And I am aware of that.

But after learning this morning how much this certain church charges for a ONE HOUR wedding ceremony, I just have to say that it is too impractical to get married there. Really. I do not get why it had to cost that much. By the way, the church staff informed that included airconditioning already. And what if I do not need additional cool air since it is cold nowadays in the Philippines? It is Php10,000 less. Still too expensive.

And no, being a popular wedding church doesn't justify a 5-digit ceremony fee. I know other "popular" and nicer churches all over the country that charge just half of this church's cost. A supplier friend told me it might be because of the long aisle or the acoustics that you're paying for. (Long aisle, great acoustics, we now have a give-away.) I'm still not buying that.

No wonder a lot of people still don't get married. It's just too pricey. And I thought the church was promoting marriage over live-ins! Bakit parang negosyo na yata ang kasal sa simbahan? (I have to stop ranting.)

I guess it's a good thing our client doesn't mind the cost.

2011, We Meet.

Because December last year was too hectic I couldn't even find time to sleep, I am (on the 5th year, I must say) declaring my new year's resolution to get seven hours of sleep every night.

Which means I shouldn't be writing now and just shut down the laptop and go to bed. But I just can't. God, I miss writing, and doing it at the speed of thought. But I don't have time for that now. Or maybe I'm just too lazy again. Or probably there's just a lot on my plate for me to handle.

Oh well. First things first.

I am definitely one of those less fortunate people stuck with slow metabolism. And yes, I gained a few extra pounds over the holidays despite all the things I was doing. Stress-eating daw. Oh well. I am trying hard to get back in shape.

I used to do the Dance Revo on the PlayStation to keep in shape. It's fun, not boring and it's made for the young techie generation. Which is why I was able to lose 2 inches of my waistline in 3 weeks before. Now I really need to find time to hook up the console and move stuff around the house so I can play. I need to lose these inches I'm gaining.

Next: eating habits. I have poor ones. It's way to inhumane that I am now having problems with my digestive system and being the stubborn kid that I am, I refuse to see a doctor to find out what is really wrong. Now I'm starting to turn myself into a picky eater. Picky in a sense that I always read the nutritional content, particularly calories. Not that I always say no to high calorie, high fat, really bad food for me, I just said I always READ. But I try my best to avoid bad stuff. (You can see me mostly in the snacks section of the grocery store reading. And ending up getting chips.) Apparently, I haven't eaten a McDonald'd Cheeseburger and fries in months until last week. I just had to have it because I was craving.

Now that's a start: learning to avoid fast food. =D

Since I'm looking for ways to exercise and eat right, I am now looking for a role model/inspiration/motivation to live healthy. No, I'm not shallow to use a bikini as my inspiration. I'm over that. I want something bigger. That's where I'm stuck. I would usually switch to healthy living because a) I want to fit in this killer outfit; b) I want this guy to notice me; c) my console/exercise equipment is not a piece of art that's for display only; and d) because the doctor told me I need to lose weight.

I want a bigger motivation. I need something to push me. There must be something out there that should tell me I must be living healthy. But I am stuck.

So how do I begin now?

What To Do?

Just when I thought I was all alone in the metro having huge courier problems (my bills and magazine subscriptions have not arrived! My goodness!), I get a call/email early this week that the invitations we shipped out last week for our client have not been delivered to the right people.


Not that I have anything against CSRs but seriously, these people really, really need a lot of training and orientation. Customer service in the Philippines was by far one of the worst in the world. Tell them your problem and they'll just give you a dumb-ass answer that even a five year-old would turn down.


I've had my fair share of dealing with CSRs. I turn to them whenever I find something wrong with a product or service, because really, they are the ones who we all should go to when there's a problem. That's why they're called customer service representatives. I know they're provided with cheat sheets. Or some sort of kodigo or what-not to help clueless customers as it would be too much human torture to memorize every single thing from verifying an information to troubleshooting the most complicated gadget ever. But have they ever tried to analyze the problem of a customer and just use plain common sense when helping out?


Today, my "inhale, exhale" theory was once again maximized as I tried to communicate with the CSRs of a local courier service company. Thrice.


Basically, I contacted them for the first time to see what happened to the invitations that were undelivered and delivered to someone but not forwarded to the right recipient. And then...


Exhibit A:
First call. I was inquiring what happened to my shipment.


Me: Ano yung reason bakit undelivered yung invitation?
CSR: Ma'am non-serviceable area po yung address.
Me: Pero nainform ako before booking na serviceable area siya. I don't want to hassle the consignee of going to the nearest branch to pick-up the invitation.
CSR: Ganito po ma'am, if nainform naman po kayo na serviceable area yung address, may two options po tayo: contact-in yung consignee para pick-upin sa nearest branch or ipadeliver natin sa address nya. Ano po gusto nyong gawin namin?
Me: Ayun naman pala e. Ideliver nyo na lang.


Exhibit B:
Second call. This time to book another shipment.


Me: Magpapadeliver sana ako. Gown siya.
CSR: Pouch size packaging lang po ba? (clearly there is something wrong with this guy. Gown in a pouch bag?!? WTF.)
Me: Uhm... Gaano kalaki yung biggest pouch?
CSR: Mas malaki lang po ng konti sa long brown envelop.
Me: Ay. Di sya kakasya dun. Pwede bang box na lang?
CSR: Yes po. Kunin ko na lang po yung dimensions.
Me: Nung gown?
CSR: Nung box nyo po.
Me: Ay. Wala akong box. Kailangan ba nakabox na?
CSR: Opo.
Me: Bakit? Wala ba kayong box na dala?
CSR: Meron naman po. Gusto nyo po yun na lang gamitin natin?
Me: Ayun naman pala e. E di magpadala ka na lang din ng box sa pick-up guy para dun ko ilagay pag dating nya.


Exhibit C:
Third call. In lieu with my first call, I am now providing them additional details with my undelivered invitations.


Me: Uhm, bakit kay (name) nakaaddress yan? It's supposed to be (name).
CSR: Yun po yung nakalagay sa consignment note nyo.
Me: E hindi naman ako nagfillout nun. May instructions ako.
CSR: E bakit hindi po kayo yung nagfill out? Kayo dapat magfill out nun.
Me: Uhm (CSR name) ganito kasi yan. Nung nagbook ako sa inyo, I stated magpapadala ako ng 20 items to VARIOUS destinations. E dumating yung pick up guy dito na 5 notes lang dala nya. Ayaw naman nya bumalik the next day para the next day ko i-ship yung fifteen. So binigyan namin sya ng COMPLETE list of consignees with complete names and addresses. E pano yan sya nagfill out tapos mali mali. Pati yung company name namin mali. Can you change that? Para alam din nung consignee kanino galing.
CSR: Ma'am nasa system na po yung name ng company nyo, di ko na po mababago. Sa next transaction nyo na lang po.
Me: At umaasa ka pang may next transaction pa ako with you?


Exhibit D:
This time, the pick-up guy came to the office, with my "non-serviceable area" invitation.


Pick-up guy: Ma'am, bad address daw po ito. Hindi maideliver.
Me: Ang sabi non-serviceable. Kasi yung address tama naman. So hindi siya bad dahil walang mali.
Pick-up guy: Paki-receive na lang po ma'am kasi return to sender tapos madami pa po akong hinahabol na office na pagpipick-upan.
Me: E sabi sa akin idedeliver daw uli ito kasi nga ang sabi sakin serviceable area. E ano mangyayari pag nireceive ko yan?
Pick-up guy: Hindi po namin madedeliver.
Me: O. Ayun pala. E bat ko irereceive yan?
Pick-up guy: Ay sige po ma'am ideliver na lang po namin.


Exhibit E.
Fourth call. I was told after my third call to follow up after an hour for an update. No update yet. So I told them the pick-up guy is returning the invitation to me.
Me: Kakagaling lang dito nung nagpick-up. E sabi nyo idedeliver nyo naman. So hindi ko nireceive.
CSR: Ma'am hindi ko po magaguarantee kasi wala pong update sa operations.
Me: I'm aware of that. Kaya nga sinasabi ko sayo na hindi ko nireceive para ideliver nyo. Kasi pag nireceive ko, di nyo na idedeliver.
CSR: Ma'am pasensya na po sa abala. Pero wala pa po kasing advice na madedeliver siya kasi yung operations po ang magdedecide nyan.
Me: E wala pa silang update. Hanggang kelan ako maghihintay for update?
CSR: Ma'am magfile na lang po kayo ng complaint.
Me: Bakit? Hindi pa ba complaint ito? Ano ba ito? Chikahan moment natin?


*All five incidents happened TODAY. I can still feel my teeth clenching and my fist shaking with all the stress and frustration these CSRs gave me.*


What's wrong with the picture? Apparently a lot. In the first call, I have no idea if that was a trick question, or she was just plain stupid. The second call is just plain pathetic as I don't get how he cannot offer me a box in the first place. (Sintido kumon. Gown, ilalagay mo sa pouch?) Third time, clearly these people do not know how to follow instructions. Naman. Fourth scenario, again, asan na ba ang common sense? (Alam mo na pala sa sarili mo yung mangyayari, itatanong mo pa sakin kung gusto kong madelay ang delivery.) And finally, this, this is the most common stupidity I always encounter. I don't know if CSRs were told to be always nice and lengthen their patience that they have forgotten what complaints are.


I know being a CSR is not an easy job, but I do know it's not a job that requires a superior IQ level. Plain common sense always does the trick and up til now, I am wondering why won't they just use common sense when asked a question? Pressure? I don't think so. They've become accustomed to answering questions by reading copies and manuals that they've forgotten they have brains to think for the right answer. Not everything should be done by the book.


This might sound like a hate blog but really, it's not. I've had a good serving of positive experiences with CSRs but this kind of answers just tick people off. You're not getting anywhere, and you're just wasting time.


I would love to see the day when customer service in this country finally improves. When you give them a call and they give you a straight answer. When everything is solved within a five-minute conversation. When you're not answered with another question. When your problem gets solved upon ending the conversation.


Clearly, customer service in the PH has a looooooooooong way to go.

Bamboo.

I'd like to say that I take back not enjoying microblogging but I think that's just wrong and so not me. Just look over on the right side of the screen and see the Twitter box I placed and you be the judge. *Tee-hee*

It's one of those lazy Saturdays again and I am home doing nothing but lurk the internet. I am kind of caught between hooking up the PS2 on the new tv mother bought just so I can work out and shed off a few pounds I am quickly gaining lately or just continue lurking on the now getting boring internet.

I know, I'm not a ray of sunshine right now. Because I am bored.

I do not want to go out for the very obvious reason that gift giving season is just around the corner and I have to save up for this present I want to give myself this year. Really, I spent an hour yesterday at the mall looking for it. The problem is, it only comes in red. They're out of purple. Boo.

And of course, payday is on Monday. My funds are limited as of today, as I paid some bills in the past week. Soooo. I have decided, and I am being firm with it, that I will be spending more days in the house just so I won't touch my imaginary savings.

And while we're at it, I will be spending time looking for my old cd of Bamboo. The one with Masaya in it.

I'll write again after finding it. ;-)

Color Me Happy.

I don't wear make-up. Seriously.


No, I don't mean I'm a make-up virgin but my skin and cosmetics just can't agree when they come together. I use cosmetics but only of certain brands and occasions. Honestly, my paycheck and pile of bills won't allow me to buy the kind of make up my face can take on a regular basis.


Which is why maybe, just maybe, I get irritated with women who wear uber coverage. Just this morning, on my way to work, I came across this girl who wore her blush on about ten strokes more than usual. Ate, nasampal? Yes, it was that pink red that I could see it even from 500 meters away. And gahd, does she have to apply it in the wrong direction? Seriously, she looked like a clown. Minsan kasi, alamin kung paano mag-apply ng make-up.


I can remember this one time last year when I arrived at work early and still had time to put make up on. (You see, in the Purchasing Dept., everything is just too busy and fast, you'd even forget to pee.) My kikay nurse friend was so amazed at how I was able to apply mascara on my lashes without blinking or even opening my mouth. (Try it. Most girls apply mascaras with their mouths open.) And she loved my eyes and of course the cheeks.


"Ano ka ba, syempre marunong ako maglagay sa mukha ko nyan. Hindi lang lagi."


According to some friends, I look mataray slash boyfriend-stealer whenever I wear make-up. And besides, I am already pretty sans the make-up. So I think I'm good to go. (Yes, I am boosting my confidence. I can't wear the damn thing!)


As of now, I am thankful to whoever invented mineral make-up. Doesn't itch and sting as much, and it's definitely cheaper than my brand. I just got news from a friend that it's not advisable for everyday use. Oh well, you can't have it all.


I think I'll go make-up shopping when Niq returns. I feel I need some encouragement when making PhpXX,XXX damage again on my account. Besides, every girl needs an opinion on what looks good on herself. ;-)

Dirty Little Secret.

For one, I think customer care in this country still has a long waaay to go. Really.


I don't know if I should pity the uninformed, albeit harassed, customer service representatives for not knowing how to handle well customer concerns or be insanely furious at the backwards system this country has. Whichever way I go, the customer still ends up not getting any solution hence diminishing that customer satisfaction every company out there wants.


So I was talking to a CSR one morning. I'm actually reporting an item which is probably lost in the mail, based on previous feedback, it's been to different addresses, and after daysss of updating me when I should expect it, it still didn't land on my lap. Ergo the conversation. Honestly, I wouldn't know about the house-hopping thing if I didn't call them. (What is wrong with these people? Why didn't they just call me in the first place to confirm the address?)


Anyway, I was almost in tears (I think one actually dropped) when I heard the CSR tell me "Ma'am I apologize for your inconvenience but according to the courier, wala daw po silang nareceive na instruction na i-redirect sa ibang address yung item. Binalik na daw po sa back office yung item." OMG. It's been with them for almost two weeks and nobody told me not to expect it anytime soon? I was really furious. What happened to system? Did people forget about communication? For real, I am one dissatisfied customer. And hearing "Is there anything else I could help you with?" doesn't make it any better because if you have been paying attention, the only thing you could do to help me is give me that item right now. As in literally now.


*Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale.*


I've moved on to tonight.


You see, Globe Telecom has slipped into this habit of sending my bill a couple of days before the due date. (How sweet noh?) But checking your bill online can, well, let you view your bill even if it hasn't arrived at your place. So I checked and mine was already over the credit limit and it's due on the 23rd. (Not getting anything in the mail seems to be a fad for me these days.) I printed out the online version and went to Globe tonight. They told me to call them next Friday to see if the reversal happened. And then this was our conversation:


Me - Paano yan, due date tomorrow. If i don't pay this, you'll cut my line.
Globe Agent - Most likely ma'am. Pero next month naman po magrereflect ung reversal and ibabawas ung sobrang payment sa bill nyo e.
Me - I have no choice. Sige bayaran ko na lang lahat.


I think I just got bullied into paying more than I consumed (again). Haaay Pilipinas.


Anyway, that cash out was a bit hurting on my wallet. To make myself feel better, I passed by my soon-to-be new favorite store at Festival Mall. And oh yes did it make me feel sooooo much better tonight.


If the other night they had only half of the steel doors opened, tonight it's way way open. Open enough for everyone to see all the shelves of the store, which by the way, they're stocking with oh-so-pretty merchandise shoes. Definitely made me smile.


Just to confirm the news I read a few days ago, I approached the (now-eating) crew when they'll open. This nice guy confirmed the date. I asked if the price will be higher or lower than the published dollar tags. His answer gave me a huge smile (which he said like we're sharing a secret), and I think I hyperventilated a little upon hearing the news. Music to my ears! 


"Yes. Even better! And the styles, it's just the same as those in the US." =D


Now the Beda jacket has a competitor in my wallet.

Ice Water.

For some unknown reason, I went around the mall tonight to check the latest gadgets and their wallet-killing price tags.


A couple of days ago, I am getting deeper and deeper into confusion between two smartphones. As if that wasn't enough, my unplanned window shopping invited one more smartphone to join the fiesta of killing more of my brain cells. Apparently, HTC has been releasing mobile phones that are pretty competitive in price. And the greatest BB/Iphone competitor in my mind as of now is the HTC Viva. Price-wise, it's a bargain. Even when they offered it on credit card, it's still a steal!


Anyhoo. I lurked the mall for another thirty minutes and found myself being offered by a nice saleslady this Panasonic GF1 camera for less than Php3,000/month for 1.5 years. I have no idea why she's giving me that kind of offer but I know for sure that even if I had a credit card, I wouldn't let myself pay 3K every month in the next 18 months of my life. First of all, the camera isn't even the hottest gadget on the planet right now. Second, it's on a pre-order basis, which means even if I did want it now, I still have to wait til it arrives in the store. Third, I'm sticking to my Canon preference, even if I considered Nikon once (for financial reasons). And lastly, a camera isn't on my priority gadgets list yet. Maybe in three months.


I think I am heading to ranting. I don't even know why I'm writing about my window shopping. It basically didn't do anyone any good. But I'd like to believe that this will help me become a bit more frugal. :)) I do want these gadgets. But just not now. Maybe next month. :))

Petroleum Jelly.

Huwag magmadali sa babae o lalaki. Tatlo, lima, sampung-taon, mag-iiba ang pamantayan mo at maiisip mo ang hindi pala tama pumili ng kapareha dahil lang maganda o gwapo. Totoong mas mahalaga ang kalooban ng tao higit sa anuman. Sa paglipas ng panahon, maging ang mga crush ng bayan nagmumukha ding pandesal, maniwala ka.

-Bob Ong 

Almost a month ago, I was told by my mother that this guy on our street that I used to have a crush on (wait, I think I still have a crush on him :-D), got electrocuted. For obvious reasons, he was rushed to the hospital, and underwent skin graft. (Second degree burn, ouchie.) And so mother commented "Wala na, hindi na siya cute."


Not that I am vain, but a month ago, I burned myself cooking french fries for midnight snack. Of course, I lathered my arm with OTC ointments just to prevent further damage. A few days later, I was following an officemate's advice of putting petroleum jelly on the burned area to avoid scarring. And looking at my arm right now, the marks are not that visible. 


Fine. I am a bit vain. But try dropping by three wakes in one weekend, and look at dead people, I'm sure you won't want to end up looking like them. (With all due respect to dead people.) So right now, I am really enjoying my youthful looks. (People tell me I look 16. HAHAHA!)


Err anyway... Tonight I saw him. He's drinking with his friends. He's okay. But as far as looks and vanity are concerned, he's not. The killer smile is still there, but let's be honest here, who would want to date a guy who's sooooo red, he looks like he's fresh from Bora, even if it's the rainy season already?


Haaaaaay. Oh well. He's a working guy, he earns XX,XXX pesos monthly, and cosmetic surgery is seriously improving, I bet he can get back his oh-so-cute-and-to-die-for face, or probably even better. If he's vain as most people I know.


For now, I'm gonna crush on other guys. Til he gets his look back to normal, I won't go out with him. =))

I Love...

Surprisingly, I don't love anything. Haha!

I was thinking a lot of things awhile ago of which I have strong emotions for but apparently, none of those seem to matter now because I have forgotten all about those. And when you love something, you don't forget just like that.

Anyway, in lieu with the post below this, I <3 SBC! :D

And here goes the first pin, and probably a thousand extra calories in my system. :-P

I am this close to my VIP card, and again back to square one for the second pin. When I got the pin last last week, I found it odd that it doesn't come in any packaging, or even those small plastic cases the cheap ones in the market come with. It's literally just a pin that you get after spending roughly Php600. Anyway, the pin is sooo pretty. I don't know what it's called, but the material is, again, not like the cheap plastic ones found everywhere. I think it's matte. Or something smoother than that.

Oh well, whatever the material, I like it. And while we're at it, there's still a few more days til I pick a winner. Or if no one else joins, this one automatically goes to Kristine. :-p

More on loving SBC... Seriously, I heart that coffee shop. Specially now that I realized that the cutie from last week is actually giving me extra perks. (Free shots, extra card coupons, additional milk to my lonely kiwi Italian soda, heck, he even covered my cup even if the cup covers are on the self-service counter.) Fine, I heart you na rin. Haha! :-p

And while I'm having raves for my new loves, here's the Bench alcogel I am loving:

This tiny bottle costs Php36.00 at any Bench store. I used to have the Mandarin Burst but I am somehow turning into a goldfish and I lost it last week at ATC. So I went out the other day and bought a new bottle. It's lavender this time. Personally, I like the scent of this one better. Although the Mandarin thing was refreshing to my nose.

I prefer spray hand sanitizers as opposed to gel ones because I hate the sticky feeling. (Which actually makes germs stick to your hands more rather than washing them away.) :-P

Anyhoo, what I am not loving right now is Stresstabs. Seriously. I keep getting sleepier and sleepier by the minute. Couple that with short-term memory loss. As I've said, I'm turning into a goldfish. I wonder how do I fix this. I need to get back to my old self stat. Whoever has any idea what happens with Stresstabs, help me out here. ;-)

And while I am on the subject, let me share how Joey has found his love too:

Yep, that's a fish bowl. The turtle used to live in there, but for some unknown reason, Joey finds comfort in staying inside the bowl. Haaay. I think my cat has some identity crisis going on. I think I should remind him he's a cat, and not a dog, rabbit, giraffe, owl, or fish. Oh well. Never mind. He's cute being all those.

So I'm thinking I have a lot more to write. Because I love so many things. But for now, I love sleep more than writing. Which means I have to stop.

Ca-ching!

People wonder why I have a bulky wallet.

Not that it's full of cash (that's a rare moment), it's full of my cards.

Name it, I think I've got it. Bank cards, debit cards, loyalty/privilege cards... And I forgot the reason why I have that much loyalty cards. Let's see... I have the Wise Card, Suki Card, Laking National, Powercard, Pizzanatic Card, TK Amazing Card, McDo Card, Bench Lifestyle Card, Gonuts Card... And I'm planning to get about a couple more cards.

I'm not going to explain each card's perks but when I got them, they all seemed sensible to me. (Now I'm thinking I'm too much of a shopaholic to be buying all those plastics.) And tonight, I think they all really made sense. I got to shop cashless! Wooot! (And I didn't use the debit card!)

I can still hear the Bench saleslady's question, "Mam, would you like to add more to your purchase? You have xxx left in your card." Music to my ears. ;-)

Anyway, when I got home mom ranted about Facebook. It only occured to me tonight that my account was updated. Literally. Overhauled. Made-over.

 

Pfft. Oh please Facebook don't copy Multiply's interface. I hated that one. (But I still love my Multiply account more.) Anyhoo. Speaking of cashless spending, I'm thinking of upgrading my Multiply from free to premium. And charging it on the debit card, of course. ;-)

Yeah, The Bad Boys Are Always Catching My Eye.

And this is the daily dose of random Monday morning rush buzz. Yep, there will be random rants after this sentence, this will be a quick post and it's up to you if you care or not.

So it's Monday. I woke up late. But I got in the office on time. Buzzer beater, pare. ;-) I am sooooo happy to finally arrive on time, on a Monday at that. At this point, I want to blame my past tardiness to Stresstabs and the irritating urban traffic, and weird Pinoy human traffic. I blame Stresstabs because it has a weird side effect on me. I am more sleepy now than before. Therefore I've been oversleeping, I think.

Anyway, human traffic is when pedestrians just can't get over the average 5.3kph rate of walking. You know what I mean. Oh how I miss walking in the streets of Hong Kong. Surprisingly, Chinese people walk fairly fast (pretty much like the Westerners) and they don't bump into each other. Now that's the kind of human traffic I need in Alabang. Not that I'm against strolling or taking your time with walking, but I hope these people do mind not obstructing the whole sidewalk. They can do that in malls or parks. (Just not always at the mall.)

*Now I'm really missing Hong Kong. Better start saving up again.*

Speaking of saving up, I managed to lower my monthly spending by 25% and I am thanking the little game Niq and I have. They say it takes 21 days to break a habit. Every time I'm at the 15th, 16th or maybe 20th day, I revert and succumb to my old ways. Pfft. And last week I have to admit I did just that, and it's really because I couldn't resist it! I think this site should help in breaking the habit. :-)

You see I was psyched last year when a former co-worker of mine has this huge bottle of hand sanitizer that you can spray sitting on his desk. I was so hung up on the item that I kept bugging him to tell me where he got it, and he told me that it was bought at a department store. And I tried looking for it for a month in different branches of that department store, but unfortunately failed. And just last week, I finally found what I've been looking for. (Is that a line from a song?) Of all places, I found my new spray hand sanitizer at Bench! :-) I forgot to take a picture but it comes in three scents, lavender, mandarin burst and the regular scent. I got the mandarin burst.

*Will upload picture some time later. And probably a separate review. :-)*

I think there's still space for one more rant. ;-) And I just have to let this out because yesterday, I was working. (Pfft, I know. Haha! My fault anyway.) The laptop I was using yesterday was not installed with plug-ins for me to listen to Magic's Sunday countdown, so I resorted to tuning in to MTV. This is what I hate about mainstream. Whatever song you hear on the radio, is probably the same ones playing on TV, and everyone else's Ipod. And hearing songs over and over again, and literally everywhere, just makes me want to gag. (I support Indie and new artists more than mainstream artists. Hooray for originality and new blood!)

So after about ten minutes of Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, Lady Gaga and Beyonce, something new to my ears played. Which I definitely had to share with Monique. (And that's a different story.) You see, there's just this something in bad boys that really make my head turn and go after them.

  

As far as I know, Alexandra Burke won some reality show in UK a couple of years back. And this song just rocks my socks. ;-)

*Do the bad boys always get the good girls? ;-)*

And oh. On some random internet search, I found this:

 

Hooray for the Olympics! :-D

Tick Tock. Tick Tock.

31 days into the year and my blog is gathering up dust and cobwebs.

Not that I'm complaining, 2010 is a great year for me, in fairness. I think I've met a lot of new and interesting people, as well as cutting off some who no longer deserve me in their life. So far, my project at work has finally picked up. I hope all goes well. ;-) But, I still need HR numbers. Haha!

So basically, my job is taking up most of my time, and I'm loving it. But I am still craving for more. And surprisingly I am doing a lot more than I have expected. But for the past week, I am just so tired. My time card at work is witness to that as I was five straight days late for work. I don't think I have the same stamina I had when I was in college anymore. :-( I'm missing the days that I would just go on and on working and studying without even sleeping. Now I can't even last a day without taking a nap at the office couch during lunch break. :-(

Speaking of a lot on my plate, Ms. Carol of John Clements is asking for assistance for BOP 2010. :-) Actually, I have talked to Ms. Anj (she's from JC too) a couple of weeks back about being on the subcommittee. I guess she was too busy to accommodate my inquiries. Haha! :-p Anyway, BOP meetings used to be on Tuesday mornings. I was informed tonight that they're on Monday afternoons. I really want to join the subcommittee this year. I wonder if Ms. Sam will allow me. (Oh Lord please tell Ms. Sam to consider my proposal.) And now I'm wondering if Ms. Carol would join my event. ;-)

But on top of being busy, I managed to create a Twitter account last week. Haha! It's not really a personal account so no one-liner rants there. But I do use the account to *sometimes* stalk my friends.  *Bigger Haha!* Which is how I found out that this Gino Quillamor account on Facebook is actually an impostor's. Not that I know Gino personally, but I have friends who do know him. Actually, when I saw this account, I was sort of pissed. Man, how could this person even talk to the "friends/fans/followers" as if he was the real Gino? I don't know how that person could live with the lie of being someone he is not. But on the bright side, this means Gino is something big already that someone has decided to become his impostor. Ah... The silver lining in every dark cloud. Haha!

So for people wanting to stalk or dig up some dirt on me on the web, you shouldn't search in my Twitter. I created it for work purposes. I really am fighting the urge to post something personal there. Besides, from the definition itself, if it's personal, I'd rather to just keep it to myself or talk about it with people I know I can trust. So if you check it out, you'll find mostly events there. *And personal plugging begins.* For the latest and not-so-up-to-date happenings, check @PatsHappenings. Maybe you can stalk me here in knowing my whereabouts! Haha! ;-)

I may have a lot on my plate right now but I am certainly enjoying every single bit of it.

Anyhoo, 11 months to go til 2011. That means 334 more days of fun. Aymlavinet. :-)

On Racing Against Time.

Wouldn't it be cool if we get to have this reset button to hold on to everyday?


I don't mean like Adam Sandler's life remote control on Click, but just this one reset button. Which can make you go back to the moment you woke up and do everything you did, just slower or different this time, because you want to change something. Which can only be used once everyday. Which can only be used at the last hour of the day. Which goes off once in awhile due to exhaustion. Which can be accumulated when not used. Which will expire when not used after 72 hours. Which will have more rules than I have already listed.


Seriously, I am this close to not sleeping anymore. Even that I can't fit into the frigingly short 24-hour day we all live. (That ten hour sleep I got today? That's pretty much my rest for the coming week. I'm seeing 2 or 3 hour sleeps again during the next few nights.) On top of not getting sleep, I can't even take five minutes of the day to open up my planner and writing down everything that I have, need and want to do. Because I am already doing a lot.


I know, I know. I've been living this kind of lifestyle ever since. But I'm starting to get tired of it. Tired, not bored. I think I have finally learned how to love the life I've been living. Maybe I just need change. I think should run on a different track. Or maybe take a walk through life on a slower pace. Let's see if that will fix things up.


It's already past two in the morning. I am ranting, but not complaining. Maybe close to it, but not quite yet. I just can't seem to understand how some people can manage their time, let alone their lives and I can't. I am now entertaining this huge wondering why Monday is too far from Friday, yet Monday seems so near to Friday.


I'm off to work again tomorrow. And sometime this week, I have to squeeze in time for things I want and need to do for myself. I think I'll stop ranting and try to figure out how to write everything on my planner.


And if all else fails and I still can't fit everything in 24hours, I'll just spend the rest of the day sleeping. Aylavet. :-)