DECEMBER ... HURRAY!

Tomorrow is a declared holiday by the government and it's gonna be a long weekend for us.I'm thinking of going to the mall and have a look on what's going on since Christmas is about 25 days to go.Lately, I'm not fond of going to the malls, just don't want to tire myself walking. Actually, I'm just avoiding myself to spend my hard earned money. I know if ever I pass by a bookstore and find a good book or I see something nice, I might end up buying it.I'm really in the saving mode now since I want to travel next year. My final plan is to go to Canada by June to visit my brother and to have a different birthday next year.... crossed-fingers. (please God , grant me this one... PLEASE! )

I LOVE Christmas! And I love the month of December. It makes me feel like it's a problem, worry-free month and people are busy preparing to adorn their houses with trimmings and holiday effects.

Parties will start next week til the last day of the month. As a matter of fact, as early as December 7, I'm already set to attend the much awaited Mastercard Christmas Party.Why much awaited? Well the prizes are just so grand every attendee is so looking forward to the said event. And not all are invited, only those holding managerial positions and up of their bank partners are part of their guest list and I'm so lucky and surprised to get an invitation.

A Manager in the Marketing Department was telling me when he received my invitation that I'm the only one in my department that's invited. I just shrugged my shoulder and gave him a sweet smile.

Thanks to a friend who works there. I was able to attend last year as well with the help of our department head, she tagged me along, but I was not lucky to grab any prize. I just hope I'm luckier this year.

It really pays to have connections and be known by someone from the top.

By December 8, the whole Bank will be holding the bank-wide Christmas party and then our department will be having ours on the 15th. I'm sure I'll be attending more parties in the coming days if not atleast dinner with friends from the international Bank that I used to work, my first employer, my first love he he he.

I'm so looking forward to parties , parties and more parties. I need to unwind and loosen up again and just have fun. I miss partying and meeting and talking to people.

Life is really a cycle but life should be LIVED.

So here's to partying, here's to the good life, here's to the merry month of December!

As Wolfgang Puck puts it " LIVE, LOVE & EAT "

INTERNET CONNECTION

It's been 2 days now since we have stopped having internet access at home. Our connection is being fixed by the service provider and we still have to wait for 2 weeks to get our access back. Darn! Darn! Darn!

That means if and when I need to check my mails or even send one or chat with friends abroad, I have to go to an internet cafe and PAY! - Darn! Darn! Darn!

I can no longer lie on my bed and chat or check my mails while the laptop is on my belly. I can no longer stay that long online chatting with friends since my time is only limited. Darn! Darn! Darn!

Geez! I really wish the waiting time is not that long. I'm more concerned on the monthly subscription we are paying for the service. It's like we are being robbed off our rights to use the facility and yet we have to continuously pay the bill. Darn! Darn! Darn!

Oh well! Just have to be more patient..... Darn! Darn! Darn!

WORD FOR THE DAY ... Darn! Darn! Darn!

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Spoke with my boss about my career path and I'm glad I did. I really like her for I can be open and expressive and yet she'll not take it against me. She's somebody I like personally and would want to work with professionally.

I told her that my current post may not be my cup of tea although as of the moment, I'm really enjoying what I'm doing and although I know I still have to learn a lot of things, I'm very much willing to learn since everything here is very new to me.

I don't want to fail her and I don't want to push myself doing on something which is not really my forte. I'm holding this position for a year now and although I've handled different things and been successful in most of my projects, I'd rather be in a position wherein I will just be minding my own productivity and will no longer be handling people or be in a position which is dependent on the productivity of those people under me.

I've requested that I be transferred back to my old post since that's the most ideal job for me. After our talk, she immediately talk to the manager in charge to explore possible transfer. However, they don't have an opening for my rank only for junior officers and staff which I already know since I spoke with the same manager the day before and was told the same thing.

I just told myself to be more patient 'til an opportunity comes along.

Then, my phone rang and the Head of Card Centre was on the other end telling me that she's eyeing me to head the complaint management section she's planning to have. She's in the process of restructuring the Customer Service Department and she thought of me since it's really my background.

Wow! This is really something although on the second thoughts, do I really want to go back to Customer Service and am I really willing to handle complaints again... Decisions, Decisions...

It's an opportunity I don't want to miss.

I've always been like this, whenever somebody offers me to do a job, I don't say no. I take it. I don't want to regret later on. As usual, I give it a try so that I can tell myself that I've tried and can say if I like it or not... just like right now.

Life is really full of surprises.

As Forrest Gump would say it " LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES, YOU'LL NEVER KNOW WHATCHA GONNA GET."

A TRIBUTE

Just heard of the news today while I'm at work. It was a shock! She already passed on. The battle is over and although she was not able to make it, it was a battle well fought.

I know she is in the care of our Savior, the one Giver of life. And I'm sure she'll always be with her family to look after them especially her 1 year old cute and giggly child that she left behind.

I might not be able to get closer to her but from a distance I truly admire her for her strength and perseverance. Her conviction of having her plans materialize is really something. She's one person I know who planned everything and ensured they're being done and that's one thing I really like about her.

She's sweet, generous and all out when it comes to relationship and loving a person.She's a dear friend, a sweet daughter, a thoughtful sister, and above all a loving mother who'll do anything and everything just so her child will have a very bright future in America.

To you Michelle, a salute. This may be a short trip but definitely a fruitful one.

You'll surely be missed and will always be loved.

LEAF READING

I was with my parents at the mall this morning. Actually, they went ahead of me since my Mom had to have his bloodchem checked before she goes to her doctor for her follow-up check up.The clinic is also located inside the mall - we do have a lot of one stop shops here.

Anyways, they were done having lunch in one of the local fast food chains when I met them and since I haven't had lunch or breakfast, I had my meal there.After which we roamed around the mall and was able to pass by a booth with an on going promo.

You can avail the leaf reading service sort of like having your fortune told, it's an old chinese thingy, that is if you're going to purchase the product. But since my Sister and I really drink that brand of tea, I bought and had my fortune told.

When it was my turn, the chinese guy told me to put both of my hands on top of the cup with tea and pick out 8 leaves and place it on a paper with leaf drawings, which I willingly obliged.

The first thing he told me was that I have high goals in life and that I should have self confidence for me to attain them. That I have to break it to bits and pieces first and try to achieve it one by one. He also said that I'm right now in the process of trying to make myself grow as a person and that I should take risk or accept changes.

That everyday I should look at the mirror as soon as I wake up and tell myself how beautiful I am, how good a person I am, all those qualities that I have in me, and that I am a winner.

That I have what it takes to succeed if I only believe in myself more.

Lastly, he told me to pick out a piece of paper in a stack and surprisingly this is what I had picked out ...

" All things are in the act of change; you yourself are in ceaseless transformation and partial decay, and the whole universe with you. Don't resist changes. It only hurts you. Flow and Trust. "

Need I say more ?

LIMBO

Was surprised I blurted it out to him. I know I've been keeping it all in my heart all these times and I just don't want to tell him since it's a very difficult time for him and his family - I don't want to add his burden by letting him know how I feel. But I already said it.

I guess I just have to move on for now. But I know in my heart of hearts I love him dearly and that will never change. I am not looking for his replacement, still need to sort things out. But loving him is not a question here, he's not the problem but me. I can sense there's something missing in me that I have to find out before I settle down. I made an arrangement with him that we'll discuss our relationship in person when he comes back for a visit or holiday.When? We both don't know yet which is also one of my concerns , seems like it's an indefinite planning, waiting and hoping.

I feel light right now, seems like the pressure is off. And I'm happy I have friends who's helping me out find what I'm looking for. Some of them new found friends who are helping me out in understanding myself more.

I love my Baby but this I have to do for me to become a better person and hopefully his better half later on.

MESSAGE IN A CARD

Received a bag full of goodies from my Baby but among all the gifts he sent thru the wife of his colleague, I love the card the most. Feels like he's talking to me and I know fully well that those were the same exact words he will tell me if we meet and talk face to face.

I was crying while I was reading the card. Actually, it was the first thing I took out of the bag when I saw it. It means more than those other goodies that he sent, not that I don't like the others but the card means the most to me.

I know it was an ackward scene crying alone while reading the message in a greeting card while there are people around you , eating their meal and chatting with friends in a Mcdonald's branch in Makati Cinema Square.

But I didn't give a damn. It's from my Baby. I miss him so much and I do love him. With words like these who'll not pour out their emotions even in a crowded place ....

" Today, I Want To Take The Time To Tell You How Much You Mean To My Life ....

Life's been so hectic lately, leaving us with little choice but to be swept up in the hustle and bustle that each day brings. I want to make today special. I want to slow down for a while, maybe even stop time ... forget our responsibilities and concentrate on our dreams ....

I want to look into your eyes again, just like the first time, to see all we were, all we are, and all that lies ahead of us. I want you to hold my hand, and with that simple touch, warm my heart and set fire to my soul. I want to tell you about the many times I find myself in awe of you, so proud of your place in the world, so touched by your place in my heart. I want to make you a promise that I will be with you always, and do all I can to make your life as happy as you make mine.

I want to thanks you for all the little things you do that seem to go unnoticed and get lost in our days and forgotten by night. I want you to know that you are a constant reminder of how wonderful life can be, that your smile is a light in my life, and that you make each of my days a little brighter.

I want to tell you how beautiful you are, how amazing you make me feel, and how lucky I am that you chose me to share you life with . - Vincent Arcoleo "

ART IS COOL

When I am in the mood, I paint how I feel and these are some of the products of my artistic expressions. In every painting there's a story behind it. I miss those days, really. There were times when I draw or paint before I go to sleep and post my creation on the room's wall thus the wall paintings he he he. I was even contemplating of filling the wall with my paintings but then again I got so busy with work and got too tired to even think of what to paint.

I miss my paint and pastel crayons. My paintbrushes are my fingers and my canvas is any paper I can get my hands on. That's how simple and inexpensive my art materials are.

Anyways, one of these days I'll play with them again and will try to come up with another masterpiece! ... so to speak =D

I wonder when?

ART ATTACK

Here are some of the creations of an Aussie friend of mine who lives in Melbourne. He's into scuplture and he sent me these pictures to show his creations. Great carvings! The underwear looked real, truly thought it was when I first saw it. He'll be off to Japan to get another batch of art stuff for their gallery. I look forward to see more of his creations soon! Hope my plan to go to Australia next year pushes through. It really is great to have friends from all over the world.You get to see things in a different perspective and learn a whole lot more about the world they're living in.

I wish I were as lucky and as priviledged as those kids I met at the hotel I stayed in when I went to Singapore.They're backpacking for a whole year and have the chance to see the world! Some guys have all the luck ... really!

Anyways, I know my chance will happen soon .... yeah! when I win the grand prize in the lottery ... an impossible dream .... this really shows how optimistic I am at times! he he he... dream on!

PICTURE THIS

THE THIRD WHEEL

YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE

COST OF COMPUTER $1,200.00
COST OF MOBILE PHONE $ 240.00
COST OF MINI DISC $ 210.00

CHATTING AND COMMUNICATING WITH YOU ....

PRICELESS

LAST NIGHT

In my attempt to capture the last night that we will be staying in our Makati office, I took these pictures last 27 October. I was with my colleague then and we were just hanging around one of the Spanish Restos in Greenbelt 3 when I had this urge to seize the moment in film or literally thru my ever reliable digicam.


I am now missing the travelling from my place to Makati, the walks from the office to Greenbelt chapel after office, the lunch masses me and my friends have almost everyday or just hang around the shops and restaurants in the area. It was home to me.


Oh well! I will just lounge around the area during weekends just like the old days.


As they say .... old habits never die!

CHILDREN's PARTY

Attended the 7th birthday party of these two beautiful godchildren of mine. Yup! You're seeing doubles coz they're twins.

I can still remember holding them when they were still babies and now they're growing very fast. Time flies really fast!

But I'm happy they're growing beautifully inside and out, they're good kids - kudos to their parents for raising their children very well.They've done a couple of print ad modelling and whenever their pictures are on the newspaper, I buy a copy and collect them - that's how much I love and proud I am of these two wonderful kids.

I'd like to have children of my own, but that will still be in the distant future and hopefully as beautiful and fair as these two.

Wishful thinking ....

She's Always A Woman To Me by BILLY JOEL

She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child, but she's always a woman to me
She can lead you to love, she can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth, but she'll never believe
And she'll take what you give her as long it's free
Yeah, She steals like a thief, but she's always a woman to me

Ohhh... she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants, she's ahead of her time
Ohhh... and she never gives out
And she never gives in, she just changes her mind
And she'll promise you more than the garden of Eden
Then she'll carelessly cut you and laugh while you're bleeding
But she?ll bring out the best and the worst you can be
Blame it all on yourself 'cause she's always a woman to me

She's frequently kind and she's suddenly cruel
She can do as she pleases, she's nobody's fool
And she can't be convicted, she's earned her degree
And the most she will do is throw shadows at you,
But she's always a woman to me

SKIPPING STONEs

This is the picture I submitted last December of 2004 in the photo contest sponsored by Epson.My very first time to enter such competition. Though I wasn't able to bag any of the prizes, it was still a memorable one since it's my first and the experience inspired me more to capture moments worth remembering.

FIRST TIME

Couples young and old danced to the tune of "Santa Clara Pinong-pino" in the age old Obando Fertility Rites Festival held in Bulacan. Every year in mid-May, thousands of childless couples flock to the church in Barangay Pag-Asa, the town center, to implore its celebrated patron saints Santa Clara, San Pascual and Nuestra Señora de Salambao for intercession. (Ching Tan)

Presenting my first published photo. This was posted at Asian Journal Online edition May 17 of 2005.Miko and I went to Obando Bulacan together with other media men due to the invite of Department of Tourism. A magazine editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Manila Times writers and a radio broadcaster were with us together with 2 DOT officials. It was the first time I did " field work " and got to experience how the professionals do their work.When we got there, the crew of major networks were there to cover the said event as well.

This may be my FIRST but definitely will not be the LAST!

PAFP PHOTOs

These were taken February of last year during the culminating ceremony of the Philippine Association of Family Physicians' Conference which was held at one of the posh hotels located at the CCP complex. It was the first time I took a job as an assistant photographer and the first time I received a paycheck for being such! Until now I still have the photocopy of the said cheque. Talking about being sentimental here!

Thanks to Miko for giving me a chance.

Thanks also to him for lending me a professional camera which I used during the event.

It was truly an amazing experience for me and I'm forever grateful to him for letting me hone my skills in photography. I know I still have a lot of things to learn but I'm patient and i know I will get to it professionally one of these days!

BUSKING, ANYONE?

Came across this picture and my mind got back to the day I was in Singapore. It was truly a learning experience for me culturally and I got to know more about myself because of the trip. It was also the reason why going there once is not enough, I came back 2 months after I got back home! I love travelling a lot and I prefer alone as much as possible and just befriend people along the way. Travelling alone is fun for me too coz I get to do things that I want to do and not being worried if my mate is bored or would like to do the things that I want to do. And this will definitely not make the trip fun, unless otherwise you'll be with somebody who is just like you and would do things on her/his own.

Anyways, when I saw this poster I was thinking hmmmm what a unique name ... Busking. Duh! I was laughing at myself the minute I learned that it's a profession, it's another term for street performance. Geez!

Atleast I'm learning ... this old dog can still learn new tricks ... and the learning continues as the day passes by.

DAPHNE

I'm glad that I was able to have my memory card fixed. Thanks to Kodak, they were able to retrieve some pictures and these are some of them. The first one was taken during the time she's in the clinic recuperating and the other one was taken a few days before my second trip to Singapore.

She's 7 months old now and playful as ever. You know fully well when she's hungry, she will definitely let you know. And the whole household will be filled with her ever high pitched barking. It's funny at times though.

Having her is like having a little tyke. I have to make sure that she's well fed, groomed, take her daily vitamins and ensure she has her shots regularly. Not to mention I have to clean her poop! It's hard work but then again you're taking care of a living thing and I don't want her to die on me. At times I already want to give her away coz too much work but then again who would want to give his/her treasure away.She's just so precious to me. Coming home will be a boring experience if she's not here.

Ah! The joy of having a canine company.

And I intend to be with her for the rest of her dog lives.

CHAT ... MATE!

Just finished chatting with Gemma, good friend of mine who I met in Singapore that first time I went there. She's in Sydney right now and having a grand time. Working and taking a holiday at the same time. Gosh! these UK nationals are lucky for being born as such. They can go to many places without the need to apply for a visa, unlike in our case. Oh well, life's like that!

Anyways, it's really nice keeping in touch with her. I was really surprised to know when I met her then that she's Catholic. Most of the people I know who lives in UK are protestants so maybe it was really fate that made our path crossed. She's also a very nice person and fun loving and funny too! Not to mention sensible to talk to.

I miss her and the fun we had together. She'll be staying there until August of next year and hopefully my plan to go to Melbourne and Sydney next year will push thru.(Crossed Fingers). The World Youth Day will be held there next year and Zona will be there as well so it'll surely be fun!

Gosh! I have to start saving again for next year... hope I can make it!

GOOD MORNING

Woke up early this morning, too early for a weekend! But it was ok. I just prepared myself breakfast - sunny side up eggs and toast bread, pretty simple but definitely YUMMY! I saw some mustard on the fridge and catsup and that's icing on the cake for me.
Plus the most wonderful thing about this breakfast is the coffee! I LOVE coffee sooo much! People who knew me know that coffee is on top of my 'fluid' list.

And I did some experimentation this morning on my coffee. I'm the traditional coffee drinker, just pour on the granules, put sugar, creamer or milk if available and voila! I'm done! But this morning is different, I added cinnamon on my coffee and my oh my I LOVED IT! The smell, the taste, IT WAS WONDERFUL!

Now my coffee is no longer the same. I have something new to look forward to in my coffee drinking experience ... COFFEE + CINNAMON = HEAVEN

TELEPHONE CALLS

It's been awhile since I last updated this journal of mine. So many things have happened since I came back from my second Singapore trip and most of the good news were sent thru SMS and/or received thru phone calls.

OCT 3 "I'm over the matter now, please don't repeat it again ...." Excerpt from the SMS message from Diana. I was glad she forgave me for not showing up the day before, as agreed.I totally forgot about our plan to do wakeboarding and accompany her to a fortune teller to have her fortune told. My roaming facility was not functioning and I wasn't able to receive any calls or message thru SMS because of that. I was too pre occupied with the company of a new friend. I'm happy to note that we are friends again after that incident and in constant communication with her til now.

OCT 4 HR Officer of SCB Singapore called at 16:15 to inform me that they got my resume and that I'm sked for a phone interview with the Head of credit. THE HEAD OF CREDIT !!!! Woah! THIS is an GREAT! I was really elated when I received the call, I felt like as if I already got the job! I never expected this! In the first place, I sent my resume to the Head of Consumer Banking who used to be the Head of Cards in SCB few years back. It was in his term that I got my last promotion.I was having second thoughts of even sending my resume to him for I was thinking he might not be able to put attention to it since he's a bigwig but I am really grateful he forwarded my resume to their HR department. My initial sked for the phone interview was the 16th at 2pm then they resked it to the 18th at 2pm (initially 12nn).The interview went well, it lasted for more than 30 minutes if I'm not mistaken it's close to an hour. Ater the interview proper she mentioned that they will give me a call when there is already a vacancy.I was told by the HR Officer when she emailed me about the interview sked that there's no vacancy as of the moment but they're going to conduct the interview to explore possible employment. I'm sure and positive that day will come ... very soon, unexpectedly just like the first time I received their call.

OCT 25 I received a call from a representative from JCC - head hunting company for this American Electric company which ventured also into financial servicing and I was told that I am scheduled for a job offer on the 3rd of Nov which is tomorrow. Wow! This means I passed the 2 interviews! Last September I was interviewed by the HR Regional Head and the COO of the said company in two different occassions. This is such a good news! Can't wait to see the offer sheet but I'm more excited to join this Bank for if ever, I'll be one of the pioneers in the Cards Centre and I miss the international bank's culture a lot. As they say ...."Abangan ang susunod na kabanata .... "