In a few more days, 2008 will have his curtain call. Much has happened this year that I don’t know where to start writing. More so, much has happened in the past few months and days that I’m having difficulty re-tracking them in detail for me to have them written. Bottom line and the most important, I am still at peace. Even if there are things which should have caused me worries, I still find a way to compose myself and take things slowly. Thanks God I am seeing direction and smelling positive energies again!
It has been months when I lost a dear friend. The reason was still unknown to me… there’s just this morning when the person sent me the message of valediction. I was hurt. I felt betrayed but who am I to demand? To this person I am just a mere presence, nothing else. While I have thought that ours is a friendship that’s bound to lifetime, it was simply not. It is a cliché to hear that people will just come in and go out of our lives and this I should have learned by heart. In any relationship, no matter how hard you try to invest your whole self and your time if the other person is not really cooperating, then the best option is to let go. It could be affirmed that at some point, you will realize that you have done too much for someone already and the next possible step is to simply leave them alone. And with that, I rest my case. Let’s live and let live from now on…
Speaking about friendship, I had a discussion with my friends in the office one night during our break time. The topic was the wedding of a former colleague and amongst our group in the lunch table, I was the only one who’s invited for the affair. It was because amongst us I was the closest to this former colleague (and the truth is, we really consider each other as friends that is why I was even tapped to be the wedding reception host). I need not emphasize that both parties do not go well personally.
Now going back to the discussion, it varied from just curious questions as to who made the gown, the invite, the usual stuff until it went to the usual chants of complaints and sarcasms about the former college. Somewhere in the middle of the discussion and maybe out of defiance to the one-sided travesty, I blurted out “I consider J---- a friend because I am not choosy” to which I got a retort “You should… coz if not, they are not really friends to you but merely acquaintances”.
It brought me thinking ~ was I really friend-oriented or was my criteria of friendship too shallow? That maybe the why I lost the friend I mentioned earlier. Up to now, I don’t have the clearest perception but I will still stick to my premise that I do not choose friends as long as I can find a starting point to link myself with the other person ~ be it likes, dislikes and the more complex, ideologies; whether professionally or personally. In this world were many things are too de-humanized, I think it still pays to understand the other party and compromise ~ not just because ethics calls for it or professionalism is the game ~ but because we need to find that connection to these people around us that in some way or the other, whether we like it or not, will impact our existence. It is sure easier to cast our personal biases off than close our doors in the possibilities of gaining friends and allies, not just acquaintances.
Now, let’s stop being too philosophical.
As I have said, I will be the wedding reception host. It would be my second time to host a wedding reception and I am still learning the ins and the outs. I have hosted many events before but weddings are really special. What made it even more special to me is because I am doing it for a friend who I’ve seen hurting and hoping for a sunnier romance. It is a sure delight to partake in the beginning of her new life with her hubby ~ a journey towards building a lifetime of togetherness. I need not say how excited and optimistic I am that this union will last forever.
To this friend of mine, I wish only the best. I am now seeing how this new love has transformed her, and more than anything else, now is the time for her to be happy and contented. As to me, this wedding has reinforced to me the idea of making a career out of hosting. I promise that I’ll do good on Saturday and leave an impression to the guests. They shall be my first market. A few sidelines aren’t bad at all!
And let’s put the anecdote about friends in its superlative form. I had a wonderful time with my good T friends last December 26. It was unfortunate that Iyen was out due to I-don’t-know-why. We had our lunch and the planned exchanges of gifts. I picked out Laila and she got the “shining shimmering” lotion I bought from The Body Shop. Technically, I am an outsider to the Club T but investments really pay… I am reaping the connections I made to each of them when we were younger. But yes, I am not taking the credits alone. I will forever be grateful that these girls accepted me and my being without biases (here goes the word again!) despite the fact that I will fall short in their “T” category. And that is also because we have passed over the “for-girls-only” criteria on membership to this troupe since three of them now have husbands who we also tag along during our dates. Of course as if I will miss, they now have me as an honorary (and “paying”) member ~ and mind you, the membership fee is too expensive!
And yes with them I am talking about friends I can keep for this lifetime. The kind of friendship that I'm sure will not have curtain calls!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Starbucks Planner
Yes, it has been a tradition. Four years has passed when Grace and Ia first encouraged me to collect stickers for this “expensive” planner, maybe because they’ve seen how shoddy it could be to use a steno notebook as my daily diary. With the nature of my work, and my nature of being so forgetful, it is really a must that I maintain a daily journal, the one that (if it could) would shout on me whenever I miss an important task.
At first I was kinda apprehensive to collect the stickers. Let’s face it! It’s still huge money; it’s like buying a Php 2,000 – Php 3,000 worth of planner, only that you’re enjoying a cold or hot coffee drink. Putting this biggie aside, my motive in completing the stub (and yes, if not for these the hell would I try to complete it) were (1) to have a new planner which I can elegantly display during meetings, (2) to slurp on a delicious blend of coffee which can help me pass the night shift wide awake especially that the cold months of November and December (the usual months when I am on graveyard shift) are really sleep-triggering and (3) to join an informal office competition as to who will first complete the required number of stickers. The first two I can do easily, but the last one I cannot beat Grace ~ she’s the perennial winner and the certified coffee addict in our group.
And so, when I got my 2009 Starbucks planner after completing the 16 stickers buying only the Hot Dark Cherry Mocha, I immediately bunched up my previous three and took a picture of them. My personal favorite? The 2007 edition, even if it was quite bulky. I also like the 2006's for it has freebies inserted(though I was not able to use them all!). Try to open these planners and you’ll see how used and torn they had been… but tattered as they were, I liked the realization that an expensive addiction has been a practice I will surely continue in the coming years.
Thanks Starbucks! By the way, I just got a Complimentary Beverage stub from them. And yes Lois, you’ll have your planner in a few more days!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
What if I am a Vampire?
Since vampires are now the “in thing”, I thought of writing something that’s related to them.
No, this one isn’t a review of the Twilight movie that’s currently hitting the local box-office tills. Much more, this wouldn’t be a book review for I haven’t started marathon-ing the saga (I bought the four books of Stephenie Meyer immediately after watching the movie, as promised and planned). But yes, I admit to be hooked with the Edward-Bella love story; have watched the movie twice and still have plans of re-watching it. Let’s just talk again after I’ve read the book, okay? I am sure I will have more to say (or write) by then.
I can’t help but sigh deeply during the “kilig” moments of Edward and Bella *wink wink*. I feel like going back to my high school days and reminisce on my good old crushes and love poems and letters. If Twilight has been published back in the 90’s I would have the best book review on my Fourth Year English class. And if it was, I would have Sheim and Lois as partners during the brainstorming sessions and documentations (but I am still thankful though of Sherley and our “Scarlet Letter” review).
Speaking of the movie, I am so delighted to see the Philippine Flag flashed many times in the scenes that were shot in the school canteen. The director, the scriptwriter, the production designer and the producer may have thought that Pinoys would love the movie that’s why the flag was put strategically in the canteen. Meyer may also have thought that her book would be selling like hotcakes here as I heard that in the book, when Bella was doing a research about vampires to understand Edward and his characteristics, she passed through Philippine folklores about our very own stories of “aswangs” and all. Sige, I’ll confirm this one when I read the book (hahaha, here I go again promising!).
Sticking now to the title, what if I am really a vampire? Here are the 15 possibilities I thought I would be doing if I am one:
1. I would be open to the idea of joining our project’s Operations Team. I would pursue a lead’s role in the team that’s permanently assigned in the night shift. Nah, I wouldn’t be there to improve their quality score ~ I am just after their Php 4,000 Monthly Transportation Allowance hahaha.
2. Or perhaps I would be in the call center industry, imbibed their culture and have jumped from one center to another, just like the many of them.
3. I would be more efficient as a worker – as it is, working the night shift makes you inaccessible to the many credit card and loan agents who will bother you from time to time and who’ll make you the big debtor ever.
4. I would be a fashionista. Since I would be working the night shift, I won’t be guarded by our somewhat stiff dress code (hahaha, here come’s an HR Lead speaking!). You see, I sometimes get sulky of wearing those boring corporate stuff of mine whenever I am on the day shift.
5. Either of these two things – lower or higher bills. I prefer the former of course!
6. I wouldn’t have 463 mobile phone contacts; some of them I do not personally know. My text messaging habit would be lowered as well. I’ll be more considerate not to pester those who are already sleeping.
7. I would be fainter and wouldn’t need any thione at all (talking about the gluta and the meta). Plus the fact that I would be immortalized, hmmm… that’s brilliant!
8. I would be more indignant of the fact that GT Tower has no Starbucks outlet (toink, I wouldn’t need caffeine. I don’t sleep, right? And more so, I only drink fresh blood.)
9. I would be forced to become a party animal and would have better tolerance to sounds and noises. Not so sure though about their social relationships but if I am right on my impression that vampires are loners, I guess I would be such a deviant! I wouldn’t live without good and bad people around me. But yes, no alcohols! Bawal ata yun sa bampira!
10. I promise not to drink human blood. Like the Cullens, “magpapaka-vegetarian din ako”. But if a delicious human being is on my way, hmmm… let me think about it.
11. I would surely learn how to smoke. Konting bisyo lang siguro.
12. I would be more nature loving. I would climb Mt. Everest and many other tall mountains so fast I need not worry of any muscle pains. And yes, I’ll join the Cullens in their baseball games!
13. I would be more addicted to gadgets. Why? Feeling ko lang…
14. I would be a bookworm – will have reading books as my past time (echos!).
15. Black and white would be my favorite color; would have many outfits on those shades and I wouldn’t worry as I am right now of my would-be get-up on our upcoming Christmas Party which was themed Black and White. Oops, next week na yun ah! Makapagshopping na!
For sure, there would be more other things I could think of doing if I am a vampire. Admittedly, had it not for the movie (and for the book, I should say) I would still have that impression that vampires are of the dark force ~ feared, isolated and dreadful. At least now, I am thinking there are really some nice ones from their kind that can be contented with their version of tofu, animal blood, that is! May natutunan naman ako kay Edward Cullen hehehe…
But vampires I think are very much like us, normal human beings. They may also be longing for affection, attention and understanding of the human race. Wag nga lang nila pag-interesan ang ating mga dugo wahahaha. Perhaps they also want to understand our world and would try hard to live with us normally if they could. And lastly, vampires and humans are both common in attaining something ~ getting that one great and immortal love! That is what I believe!
What about you, what if you are a vampire?
No, this one isn’t a review of the Twilight movie that’s currently hitting the local box-office tills. Much more, this wouldn’t be a book review for I haven’t started marathon-ing the saga (I bought the four books of Stephenie Meyer immediately after watching the movie, as promised and planned). But yes, I admit to be hooked with the Edward-Bella love story; have watched the movie twice and still have plans of re-watching it. Let’s just talk again after I’ve read the book, okay? I am sure I will have more to say (or write) by then.
I can’t help but sigh deeply during the “kilig” moments of Edward and Bella *wink wink*. I feel like going back to my high school days and reminisce on my good old crushes and love poems and letters. If Twilight has been published back in the 90’s I would have the best book review on my Fourth Year English class. And if it was, I would have Sheim and Lois as partners during the brainstorming sessions and documentations (but I am still thankful though of Sherley and our “Scarlet Letter” review).
Speaking of the movie, I am so delighted to see the Philippine Flag flashed many times in the scenes that were shot in the school canteen. The director, the scriptwriter, the production designer and the producer may have thought that Pinoys would love the movie that’s why the flag was put strategically in the canteen. Meyer may also have thought that her book would be selling like hotcakes here as I heard that in the book, when Bella was doing a research about vampires to understand Edward and his characteristics, she passed through Philippine folklores about our very own stories of “aswangs” and all. Sige, I’ll confirm this one when I read the book (hahaha, here I go again promising!).
Sticking now to the title, what if I am really a vampire? Here are the 15 possibilities I thought I would be doing if I am one:
1. I would be open to the idea of joining our project’s Operations Team. I would pursue a lead’s role in the team that’s permanently assigned in the night shift. Nah, I wouldn’t be there to improve their quality score ~ I am just after their Php 4,000 Monthly Transportation Allowance hahaha.
2. Or perhaps I would be in the call center industry, imbibed their culture and have jumped from one center to another, just like the many of them.
3. I would be more efficient as a worker – as it is, working the night shift makes you inaccessible to the many credit card and loan agents who will bother you from time to time and who’ll make you the big debtor ever.
4. I would be a fashionista. Since I would be working the night shift, I won’t be guarded by our somewhat stiff dress code (hahaha, here come’s an HR Lead speaking!). You see, I sometimes get sulky of wearing those boring corporate stuff of mine whenever I am on the day shift.
5. Either of these two things – lower or higher bills. I prefer the former of course!
6. I wouldn’t have 463 mobile phone contacts; some of them I do not personally know. My text messaging habit would be lowered as well. I’ll be more considerate not to pester those who are already sleeping.
7. I would be fainter and wouldn’t need any thione at all (talking about the gluta and the meta). Plus the fact that I would be immortalized, hmmm… that’s brilliant!
8. I would be more indignant of the fact that GT Tower has no Starbucks outlet (toink, I wouldn’t need caffeine. I don’t sleep, right? And more so, I only drink fresh blood.)
9. I would be forced to become a party animal and would have better tolerance to sounds and noises. Not so sure though about their social relationships but if I am right on my impression that vampires are loners, I guess I would be such a deviant! I wouldn’t live without good and bad people around me. But yes, no alcohols! Bawal ata yun sa bampira!
10. I promise not to drink human blood. Like the Cullens, “magpapaka-vegetarian din ako”. But if a delicious human being is on my way, hmmm… let me think about it.
11. I would surely learn how to smoke. Konting bisyo lang siguro.
12. I would be more nature loving. I would climb Mt. Everest and many other tall mountains so fast I need not worry of any muscle pains. And yes, I’ll join the Cullens in their baseball games!
13. I would be more addicted to gadgets. Why? Feeling ko lang…
14. I would be a bookworm – will have reading books as my past time (echos!).
15. Black and white would be my favorite color; would have many outfits on those shades and I wouldn’t worry as I am right now of my would-be get-up on our upcoming Christmas Party which was themed Black and White. Oops, next week na yun ah! Makapagshopping na!
For sure, there would be more other things I could think of doing if I am a vampire. Admittedly, had it not for the movie (and for the book, I should say) I would still have that impression that vampires are of the dark force ~ feared, isolated and dreadful. At least now, I am thinking there are really some nice ones from their kind that can be contented with their version of tofu, animal blood, that is! May natutunan naman ako kay Edward Cullen hehehe…
But vampires I think are very much like us, normal human beings. They may also be longing for affection, attention and understanding of the human race. Wag nga lang nila pag-interesan ang ating mga dugo wahahaha. Perhaps they also want to understand our world and would try hard to live with us normally if they could. And lastly, vampires and humans are both common in attaining something ~ getting that one great and immortal love! That is what I believe!
What about you, what if you are a vampire?
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