winning and losing

woke up today feeling like the world is so much better. ang saya ko talaga. main reason really is that im so looking forward to next weekend but the cherry on top was the oh-so-fabulous win by ateneo yesterday.

being that im in another timezone, it was really hard for me not to watch the game live.. but even harder not to watch it at all. thanks to acky... i got to watch online (at the office.. hehehe). happy as i was, it was one of the hardest things ive done because im used to cheering my lungs out at games... and for me to watch the game and have to literally hold my mouth shut so i wont react at all was excruciating. feeling ko puputok na puso ko. syempre i had to pretend i was "working".

anyway, we won, and la salle lost. what was supposed to be just a comment n pat's blog turned out long enough to post.. so here are my thoughts. haha.

you really see what people are made of when they are down. i may be miles away from araneta, and STILL i have my fair share of bitterness from our green friends --- i work with one, and my sister is married to one. si ko maintindihan kung bakit pag talo na sila, iniiba yung usapan bigla... 

1. congrats, mas marami naman kaming championship trophies 

-- okay, fine. i cant deny that, but a win is a win. fact also is, WE ARE THE CHAMPION THIS YEAR.  

2. okay lang manalo kayo, mas malaki naman sweldo namin sa inyo. 

-- uhm, okay. sa basketball kasi part ng stats yung financials ng mga alumni ng school di ba? (rolling my eyes)  

3. sige, kayo naman.. para sumikat din kayo. 

-- ano daw? halatang bitter at walang masabi. hahahahaha!  

4. luto naman e. ang papangit ng mga call ng referee. 

--- gasgas na to. pobreng mga referee lagi na lang sila may kasalanan. they only call it as they see it. tough luck. we've had our fair share of bad calls (or lack of) too. and please dont blame the players for the ref's "bad calls". the boys just want to play and win the game. its just funny (and sad) how people can get used to the glory of winning so much that they forget how to lose with grace... oh well.

wait, not to generalize... i had more la salle friends call / text / ym to congratulate me for the win (akala mo ako naglaro, no?). thank you for that.

great season for ateneo. finger or no finger. good or bad calls. championship or not... it was one hell of a season (weirdest 4th quarter though). too bad i only got to see one game live.. and had to watch the last one online.

ONE BIG FIGHT!

wish list

like everyone i have a list of things i want to buy in the immediate future...

1. admu jacket at adidas... im a size small. hehehe. if someone can PLEASE buy this for me, i promise to send money to manila for it. pleeeeeaaaase???? i KNEW i should have bought the last piece in podium before i left!

2. dslr. i had to put this on hold coz the offer to work here fell through. i needed all the savings i could get my hands on at that time. i think ill be able to afford one by my birthday. :) weeee!

3. new ipod nano. eto luho na lang talaga. totally impractical coz there's nothing wrong with the one i have right now.. except it doesnt have video. :p maybe ill get it.. maybe i wont...

4. my own mac. yes, im a mac convert. since the office issued one to me, i love it more and more each day. maybe not in 2008... but soon after.

got hit while walking along nguyen hue

left the office to go meet two of my favorite friends here in hcm at dong khoi. so i was walking along nguyen hue boulevard, bag and laptop in hand, looking at the buildings and the lights and the motorbikes passing me. then, while i was crossing the street, i was surprised that it hit me...

im WALKING the streets of SAIGON

i can honestly say i LIVE in SAIGON

fart on my face. 

i smiled at the thought. i felt like a real adult and im proving im capable of independence. 

ang saya lang.

thats all, thank you.

ps. belated happy birthday jiller... mellie... and happy brithday shoti... and advanced happy birthday mommy ni hanz. :p

living in

redge moved in yesterday and slowly my once semi-bare apartment is becoming more and more homey. funny how it took a guy like him to make this place a little more girly. hahaha.

wait, before i get any violent reactions. and before any of you call mommy to squeal on me, let me clarify. first, redge isnt my boyfriend... can NEVER be. secondly, mom knows he moved in. and lastly, he's me pseudo room mate coz i had an extra room and he needed a place to move into.

grand gestures

good friend of mine is here because of his "girl" is here on a vacation with her family and he thought it would be nice to meet up here. short of the story, he got on a plane, and arrived this morning not knowing what kind of place will welcome him at the end of his flight. hanz aplty put, its a grand gesture.... and we all need grand gestures once in a while.

so hanz and i found ourselves having lunch at quan an ngon (along nam ky khoi nghia) giving him a crash course of all the gems of ho chi minh so he can razzle dazzle her family. its sweet. :) i think i got carried away coz even when i got back to the office, i kept thinking of options of where he could take them for meals, shopping, sight-seeing. haha.

wala lang. i guess natuwa lang ako kasi im a hopeless romantic and a sucker for surprises.

(ahem ahem... someone please start dropping hints somewhere back in manila... ahem, ahem.. lily? hahahahahaha!)

homesick?

is it weird that i don't really feel like i'm in a different country? 

i was walking "home" tonight and i thought at how adjusted i am to saigon --- not that i had major adjustments that i went through. is that weird, or does it just show me how adaptable i am? or maybe its because work has kept me busy to notice and think of the differences?

in any case, i guess the explanation is irrelevant simply because i'm happy that i'm not crazy homesick in my first month and a half that i've been away, and thats good from whatever angle you want to look at it.

paramdam

im still alive.

people have been asking me why i dont post as much anymore. the answer is simple: been busy staying afloat at work.

looking back, its been a good month (and a few days). i had weak moments but someone was always there to give me perspective, to listen, or simply just to be there. yet another reason to be thankful i am blessed.

so ive been happy with my progress at work. i think with E being out of town for a long time really pushed me to get down and dirty with work. pretty pleased with myself.

hopefully i can update more often the coming weeks... i dont only work here.. i happen to have a life too. hahahaha.

paramdam

im still alive.

people have been asking me why i dont post as much anymore. the answer is simple: been busy staying afloat at work.

looking back, its been a good month (and a few days). i had weak moments but someone was always there to give me perspective, to listen, or simply just to be there. yet another reason to be thankful i am blessed.

so ive been happy with my progress at work. i think with E being out of town for a long time really pushed me to get down and dirty with work. pretty pleased with myself.

hopefully i can update more often the coming weeks... i dont only work here.. i happen to have a life too. hahahaha.

12 hours at cowan

i wasnt able to finish the immersion last night so i was determined to wake up early and be at the office way before the official 830am. well, i was there at 730... not bad considering i barely slept. i kept waking up thinking i was late or dreams of the damn immersion woke me up.

this was the first time i was asked to work on a critical document that will basically pave the way for the kind of work we will be able to deliver. and i sure hell wanted to make an impression on my competency.

anyway, going back, i was there at 730am and worked my ass off the whole day until i left the office at around 730pm. goodbye lunch and any form of meals today. bad, i know. which is why im re-stocking on panawid-gutom food and swear to have a proper lunch. regardless if its at 4pm.

now im glad to be home, munching on adobong pusit from little manila. :)

oh, by the way, the immersion turned out okay. wasnt expecting to get it perfect on the first go, but im pretty confident i did a good job at it. pasado naman daw. :p weeeeeee! bawi ako from yesterday's booboo.

the balance of life

yesterday was a great day at work. eric and i were in sync and we got so much done collectively that i was surprised to see it was 5pm na pala. hahaha. no, im not regressing back into my workaholic tendencies, but im just glad to know how well we can work together. that, and i got a sign that i can hack this new job. 

great feeling. i slept looking forward to today.

but you know, every yin has a yang. and today reminded me that not all days will go as smoothly and i WILL make mistakes down this road.

started when i woke up at 8am. take note, my work starts at 830am, and it takes around 20 minutes for me to travel from my apartment to the office. to make it worse, eric and i had a telecon at 830 too. good thing i got there 830am. dont as how. i just did. and yes, i took a proper bath.

when i got over being late, the next wave hit me big time. it was really a very basic and stupid mistake. totally my fault. i sent the wrong file to the wrong client. FART DI BA??? nanlamig talaga ako when i realized my mistake. good thing eris was fairly nice about it. had he given me a more stern sermon, i would have taken it like an adult. coz it really was my fault. but he didnt. he just gave me a short speech, then issue over. which actually made me more guilty! hahaha. 

needless to say, the rest of the day after lunch was a struggle for me. i was so praning. i couldnt take making another mistake in the same day!!!

so now im home... with a healthy list of homework. im just taking a break to let go of the bad vibes so i can do a great job on the things i have to get done for work.

hopefully tomorrow will be another contrast to today... swinging off to the good side of things of course.

2 weeks and a long list of blessings

major updating to do.... where do i begin???

its been 2 weeks since i moved here, and i can honestly say that its been great so far. up to know im still amazed at how things keep on falling into place for me. its like someone up in heaven suddenly remembered me and is making up with all the countless blessings.

so many good things have really happened to me here...

- getting the job and having the opportunity to work here is still the biggest blessing... in a way i can look at it as the catalyst for everything great that has happened to me thus far. work has been good. id like to think im adjusting fairly well. buti talaga pinoy boss ko and he's been generally nice to me. im keen on making sure that everyday i will give him good reason to think he made the best decision of picking me. :p

- the distance from my family has actually forced us to become closer. its beautifully ironic. im so proud at how mommy is eagerly and patiently willing to learn how to use the computer (and now has a valid email address on yahoo) just to keep in touch with me and ria (eventually). i gett o talk to her more often now than when i was working in manila. please dont tell my boss, but we often chat during office hours. :p

- i found an apartment to move into within a week of moving here. ive posted previously about this and im so lucky to have gotten this at the price im paying. otherwise, id have to live in a less relaxing environment.

- i got to spend my first week here with carla. at least di ako nalulungkot sa hotel. and she really helped me with looking at possible apartments. i dont think she knows but when i dropped her off at the airport last last sunday, i called her dad and i cried coz i told him adjusting to my new life here would not have been easy like it was had carla not been able to join me.

- i super super super thank icar for introducing me to hanz. and i super super super thank hanz for everything he has done for me so far. he's introduced me to practically every pinoy i know. he's taught me so so so much... and he's over-all a great friend to have.

- speaking of the pinoys here... im so blessed to have met those that i know here. feeling ko i will be less homesick with them around. and if/when i do, they'e just a text away. nakakatuwa at how willing everyone is to help... :)

- i have to make special mention of rommel. he is the most recent addition to my list of people to be thankful for. im sad he is leaving vietnam, but everytime i see any of all the things he has generously given me, i will definitely remember him. :D s promised, i will take good care of you things and as well to pay-it-forward when its my turn to leave.

more specific anecdotes some other day. ive been going out quite a lot here and a lot of memorable experiences already. BUT ill save that for another post.

hugs to everyone back home. im happy with where i am, but at the same time i miss home too...

last day in manila

24 hours from now, i will be on a plane for my next big adventure.

im excited as hell.

but first i have to re-pack fot the last time. hahahaha!

reality hits slowly

its official. i leave manila for my new life on july 27. may ticket na ako.

im not sure if im feeling weak in the knees from shopping (for work) at tutuban all day, or coz each day the reality of things are really starting to hit me.

there are going to be a lot of "lasts" and "firsts" these coming weeks.

good day

today was quick and painless... had an early am pitch in ortigas, which i think went well. kahit na i had to gather all my powers to present in english through and through. haha. good practice for my next life in vietnam. :p

had a wonderful and relaxed lunch at cafe juanita with elaine and paolo. sarap ng food! finally got to eat there. :p its felt good to slow down and have proper lunch naman for a change.

slid into a second pitch for the day (yes, sulit na sulit ako today!)which went equally well! sincerly hope gasso gets both accounts. we put so much into our work that it really hurts when we dont get accounts.

fingers crossed for both pitches. i wont be here to see them through but if we do get it, id feel just as proud to have been part of winning them. :)

yahoo, its friday! now i look forward to spending a lot of time with my mom and my family this weekend. in between finishing my turnover reports. i have 4 working days left... this is really it!

17 days

i have a few days left and still so much to do!!!

sigh. the reality of things are slowly dawning on me.

isa isa na ata ako magpapa-alam sa mga kaibigan ko. :(

still standing

the past few days have been a blurr. a fun blurr. when i wasnt working my ass of to finish all my pending requirements and turnover reports here, i was taking advantage of every opportunity to spend time with important people.

started when mommy ems surprised us with a visit. ang payat nya grabe. pano, one full meal a day??? shucks, akala ko OJT-er si mommy ems! hahaha. quick dinner with some old gasso peeps. ang sarap marinig ulit tawa ni mommy ems... at ang mga infamous words: "taka lang" "magkaka-meron". it kinda made me miss the old gasso... and of course old gasso friends. nako, nag-sesenti na ata ako with my leaving.

july 6, saturday

woke up real early for a saturday to get ready for rap and kaye's wedding. early morning stress with stubborn hair, but all was well. really happy i got to see kris. grabe, tagal na namin di nag-uusap ng matino. kaya yun. ang aga aga, nanlalait na ako ulit. hahahaha. the wedding was great. it was sunny! considering gloomy at maulan the days before.

too bad i missed parts of the reception... :( di ko naabutan rap ni berlin. though i caught the tail end of kaye's dad's speech... and their dance.. AND RAPRAP DANCING. my goodness. that was a sight. hehe. it was one hell of a party. i was tipsy at 330pm. may araw pa. haha.

that night, di pa ako nagpa-awat. vince promised we'd go out so we spent the night at tides sa BF lang. leah and jeanina were there too. i remember thinking kung isa-isa na ba ako nag-papaalam sa mga kaibigan ko dito.

so after waking up early, i slept early too.. early in the morning.

hours awake: 20

july 7, sunday

woke up early (for a sunday) again so we could all go to the tanchoco reunion on west ave. wasnt able to eat much. guess i was tired to have an apetite.

got home in time to catch the admu-dlsu game. WUHOO, WE WON!!!

cooked an insane amount of food for dinner. good thing my sisters were willing cooks as well. sa sobrang pagod ko magluto, literally i had 2 bites of food then that was it. knock out again.

hours awake: 15 hours

july 8, monday

see, when i dont get enough sleep on weekends, especially on sundays, i feel like shit the entire week after. hahaha. ang sagwa nga pakiramdam ko. barely got work done.

met with eric over dinner... really excited about the big move. he gave me some advanced reading and i cant wait to sink my teeth into them! will have to wait for the weekend for that.

watched hancock. hmm... the twist was just about the only thing that made it interesting for me. its was an hour and a half long, and nothing barely happened.

july 9, tuesday

met up with mic, lily, pat, karlo and mike at chief's. as usual it was an unusual night. haha. i will really miss these guys. i dont think they noticed, but i teared up often during the night when id realize it would be at least 6 months before we would be able to get together like that again. then again, i can look forward to that too.

i know you guys will read this. lets not spill any unnecessary information muna. id like to keep certain details of the night between me and my closest friends for now. ;)

BBB Family Day at Manila Ocean Park

Got the email from Coach Ivan. :) Hope people can come and support the Blue Babble.

ONE BIG FIGHT!

what brain?

i knew i would end up tired today. as in. boy, was i right!

got here at 7am to make final preparations for my 8am meeting. 3 meetings and 8 hours later, my brain has officially gone AWOL.

i have 2 more hours to try and get some work done. emphasis on TRY.

Breakaway --- Kelly Clarkson

seems appropriate for the changes im about to face. pat said i shouldnt wait to be set free but rather break away.

Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray

Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I'd pray
I could break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky.
Make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget all the ones that I love.
I'll take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away

Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jetplane
Far away
And break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky.
Make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget all the ones that I love.
I'll take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away

Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging with revolving doors
Maybe I don’t know where they’ll take me
Gotta keep movin on movin on
Fly away
Break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
Though it’s not easy to tell you goodbye
Take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away
Breakaway
Break away

whats up???

di ko maintindihan...

bakit ginagawang malaking problema and isang bagay na hindi naman talaga problema.

bakit pilit ginagawang mahirap ang buhay, hindi naman kailangan.

bakit sa lahat ng oras na mangyari ang mga "problema", NGAYON PA?!!??!?!!

WHATS UP??? please release me, let me go...