Bum burum bum bum

Relocating

2011-09-04T19:12:00.009+08:00

Hello there, my once-humble abode. I am moving to a new blog website to mark my return in the blogosphere, thanks to a friend who convinced me to get back into writing. Thanks Ro. Hopefully this continues forever. Until I die. Or at least as long as I have stuff to tell. Which will never really stop until my brain dries out or explodes or implodes so, never mind.

Please visit my new blog here.

Reason for migrating: Work. Yeah, this awesome site is blocked by our company's code of business ethics and conduct and as much as this cultivates learning and creativity and reflection and the road to stardom, they apparently don't get it. So there.

I'll see you there bitches. :)

Sleep on it

2009-11-01T23:06:00.002+08:00

Wow. I never thought I'd be back so soon here. I was just here yesterday, I think.

Grey's Anatomy is getting better! I hope it continues to do so. The love drama was not present or dominant in the last two episodes. Suspense ruled. And something else. I'm not quite sure how to put it. Maybe it's the good script. The underlying meaning or something. Hence, the title.

I've read somewhere in a Yahoo! article before about sleeping on it. Sleeping on decision making. It said that when we are faced with a tough decision, we should sleep on it. It removes the clutter we have in our minds; the stress, paranoia, the pressure of deciding immediately, basically our rational thinking as well as logical thinking gets cluttered and sleeping on it clears our head.

Most of the wrong decisions we make can be prevented by sleeping on it. Thinking too much doesn't really help. In fact, it complicates things. So....

Let's sleep! It's past eleven already anyway. Good night!

Kudos to Shonda Rhimes for experimenting on the show. The plot is actually better, even though the episodes' connections are thinning. But that's fine for me. Sometimes it's better having a fulfilling episodes rather than cliff-hangers about love and drama. =)

Victory and Death

2009-10-31T21:29:00.002+08:00

It's been a long time since I last wrote here. I guess the urge to share my thoughts come from moments of melancholy (I just don't like to put sadness here, too sad to match what I'm feeling and too negative). That's the feeling I have when I get the urge to write. As you can see, it's been quite a while since it happened. Maybe it did happen back then, it just was not as abundant as now.

So what have I been up to? I have been working. Earning money. Taking my baby steps in the real world. Learning to spend wisely and indulge at the same time. Getting and not getting all of my heart's desires. Living my life to fullest extent possible when I am not at work.

I feel like I have changed so much already; from this kid who used to just want to pass every exam, to be a Dean's Lister, to worry how to get home from attending a party, to drink and throw up in the beach, to march to get my diploma, to take the FX every school day which I have done the past 4 years or less, to stop myself from buying Starbuck's every time I pass by it when going to school because I won't have any money left, to the sleepless nights finishing papers, especially the thesis, to nights I prayed to God to help us pass, to the fun dinners and movie nights, to sleepovers, to download series so I can watch them in the weekend, to hang out in various parts of the campus to pass the time, to run to different classrooms to campaign, to run to different classrooms so as not to be late, to wait for my professors to give me that deserving and high marks, to everything.

I can't say that I have removed all of these from my system entirely. I still watch series (I don't download anymore, I just stream - www.salloumi.com - fast and easy!), I still commute, though I do not take the FX anymore, I now indulge myself to hearty dinners (I don't miss Starbuck's anymore, but now I think I want one), I run from one cubicle to another, I still chill-walk, when the opportunity arises (I know it's not up there). And one good thing now that was so scarce back then? I HAVE MONEY. =)

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I'm happy that I don't miss being a bum too much. I guess I know that I am more productive now than before since I didn't really get out much during my bummer days. I should change this blog's theme already since I am not a bummer anymore. But I won't. This was where I was for some of the time when I was transitioning from a bum to a yuppie. This is one of my foundations.

Anyway, I'm okay with working. I get to move around. Although the burden is getting heavier and heavier, even as I get better with work, I'm still happy! Like I said, I get to earn money.

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My birthday's almost up! I'm gonna be an adult. I'm gonna be 21.

My birthday is on a Friday. Friday the 13th. And it's my 21st. The day I get to be a man should defy the odds of the "luck" this day is tagged to. I don't want to celebrate, actually. The "man debut" just shows that us men are 3 years behind women in terms of maturity. Is that something I should celebrate about? It's already a Friday the 13th, dammit!

I hope my mom buys me an Ipod Touch (she's currently in the US vacationing) and I hope she doesn't ask me to pay for it.

Anyway, that's it. I'd choose college friends over workmates for leisure. Haha.

A Kiss to Send Us Off

2009-05-24T21:05:00.005+08:00

A song by Incubus, one of my most favorite bands, ever. Ever. I've been listening to this song for a long time now and one day, finally, it struck me what this song meant. And not just the lyrics, but the music as well. This made me a true believer of how AWESOME Incubus really is. Anyway, the lyrics first:

Meet me here
On November 11th, come alone
Bring your mouth
And selective irreverence
We'll both see stars, just

ONE!
MORE!
Tongue!
Kiss before the sky falls
Out
From
This cloud we're hovering on
To send us off

A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!

Kill your doubt
With the coldest of weapons
Confidence
No more words, OOooooooooo
Just the sound of resplendent
Tongues colliding

ONE!
MORE!
Tongue!
Kiss before the sky falls
Out
From
This cloud we're hovering on
To send us off

A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!

Here I am, there you are
On a wire connecting our hearts
Theres a string, and it's tied, to a kite
Theres a storm, in the sky
Now the clouds become electric
There you are, here I am
Could I
Have!

A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!

When I listen to music, I try not to watch the music video or look at the lyrics (Actually, I don't try, I just don't).I believe that the music a band makes should connect to its audience by pure music alone, without the help of a video or a cheat sheet containing the lyrics. That's what this song did =) It connected. Meaning, melody, rhythm... I'm progressing to literaturetopia! Haha.

Here's the video. Although I don't think it's the official video. I don't think there's one. I'd love to include a live video from a concert but the audio is not perfect. Here it is:

I'ts gonna sound perverted but what the hell. This is not just about the thing but about the music and how it integrates with the lyrics! Pure awesomeness.

It's about going-away sex. If you haven't got that impression from the lyrics alone, then I am telling you! I don't want to explain much so you'd have your own way of interpreting it but just listen to the music, the instruments, the ups and downs, the effects, EVERYTHING. After that you'll be damned! DAMN! WHAT A GREAT SONG! LOL. I would have used a different concept in the video (army soldier going away leaving behind a lover is too typical) but anyway, like what I said, interpret in your own way! That's how it was interpreted by the one who made it.

Let me just say it again. Freakin awesome. WTF.

Which reminds me, the season ender of Chuck was freakin awesome! WTF! Season 2. No spoilers here no worries. And it's been renewed! Woohoo! It was in danger of being cancelled before because of low ratings (I cannot fathom why) but it's been renewed. Awesome.

There bloggy. This is what happens when I'm not a bummer anymore. I've got another one, from Incubus (surprise, surpise) as well, but i'll save it for another day. Legendary!

Dropping by

2009-04-05T18:46:00.004+08:00

Well I'm back. For now.What have I been doing? I been working. Well, not yet, technically. Still training.

What to say, what to say, what to say... Oh yeah. I finished my 1-year-long roll in my holga. Finally. Took too long to process. Not really satisfied with the results, it's blurry and I don't know exactly why but anyway. It's good. Haha. Lazy to upload. (edit: I just did in my multiply site, along with the other rolls from my vivitar ic100 and 135mm film mod in my holga)

I don't really know what to say here. I just wanted to type again.

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I'll just show some of my shots:

There they are! When I get my creative juice flowing, someday, I'll spin a story out of these. =)

That's it for now.

Goodbye, My Lover

2009-02-15T14:54:00.005+08:00

Did I disappoint you or let you down?

Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?

Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.

Wow, it's been a whole month since I posted here. I've actually had lots of time on my hands and I was too lazy to post here haha. Anyway, it's a lonely day today. Today's the last day of my being a bummer. Sad, right? But then again, it has its ups and downs. One up includes cash! I'm gonna be earning cash! Who doesn't like getting cash? Another up is that I'd be doing something productive and something that would keep my mind sharp. *Just remembered I have to read up on current events just so I'm updated. Hay..*

So I've had some realizations in my life (haha), with my about-to-change lifestyle, and here's what I got:

Life has its ways of playing tricks on you. Just when I found the perfect pastime, the date for my looming career was only about a week away. Frustrating. Haha and now I won't be able to play as much as I want. But it's all good I guess. If I discovered it way back, I would be skin and bones right now and have huge eye bags. I'd be dying.

Basically that's it hahahaha. Just one realization. So I made this entry to say goodbye to my lover.

Dear Bummer,

You have been a great lover. It saddens me to have to part with you. As foreseen circumstances have arrived at my doorstep, I cannot do anything to prolong its arrival and this has led me to have no choice but to follow it wherever it may lead me. Needless to say, I have both enjoyed and loathed our relationship together. There were times when I knew you were sick of me and, believe me, I too. But these times are all normal in any relationship. The good times and the bad times. But I must say that I have not enjoyed the good times as much as I could have for it has come at a later time when we both knew this relationship was about to come to an end.

I remember the days when we used to have fun together. Playing, having fun, going out with friends, drinking (which I cannot do anymore thanks to you!), watching tv shows together, reading and many many MANY others. Believe me when I say that it pains me to have to do this. But as we know with life, things come to an end and we have to move on and learn from those endings. They are, after all, the start of a new beginning.

With that I must say that you have been great a company for me and I'm sure you would do well to provide the joy to others as you yourself have given me.

Goodbye.

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LOL. That's my S.A.D. day letter. Belated S.A.D./Valentine's Day to you! Anyway, I read this great passage in Our Daily Bread for February 14. It talked about - you already know what it is right? - Valentine's Day. It was about the best place to find love. The love note is from one of the most famous verses of the Bible:

For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whoever
Believes In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life.

(I can't align the bold letters so bear with that)

Cool right? Haha. John 3:16. That's for those who are depressed that they are single and does not have anyone to share what this - Valentine's/S.A.D - day was all about.

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I'm anxious for work to start. Of course, there will always be the first day jitters but I think it's gonna be all good. I'm re-reading Dan Brown's books except The Da Vinci Code as I still remember what that was about and the ending, etc. I really wanna watch Angels & Demons! It's a great novel, much much more exciting than The Da Vinci Code, and the plot twists are unexpected. The ambigrams are cool too.

I'm also starting this Project 365 thing. Thanks Merie for telling me all about it. This project is about taking a picture a day, the subject being anything that was significant for that day or something you noticed for the first time. Or basically anything that catches your eye. Too bad I can't use my cameras for this as I use film and it takes a longer time for it to be processed and uploaded here so in the mean time I'll use my phone's camera. I wanna buy the digital camera I want already!!! Here it is:

Nice right? Haha. The features are awesome too. So when I have that finally, I'd be using it! Doh. I just hope I'd be able to complete the 365 days. Remind me!

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Since this entry is about sadness and emo-tivity (lol), let me part with you with this picture of my niece:

Haha. I meant to post this for sometime now. I just keep on forgetting it. I guess it was meant to be posted in this entry! Hahaha. That was taken some time ago and she looks a little different now than in that picture.

Work! Here I come!

Bum burum bum bum

2009-01-14T23:29:00.008+08:00

Oh snap! I'm not a bummer anymore!

And that is also the reason why I have been putting off writing an entry here. I knew that I would just blab about my intense desire for a job and it would all get boring and depressing so I promised myself I would not write unless I had a job already. And the time to write again has come. *insert some dramatic entrance song here, possibly with drums or trumpets*

I thank the Lord for letting me work in the company that I wanted to work in. A lot of the things that happened during this time (when I was not blogging) told me that the time isn't right yet. I knew when I did not want the previous job offers I had (okay, there was just one), I also knew that I should not worry, and I also knew that I wasn't gonna get accepted for the position I applied for in this company that I wanted to work with, initially.

I prayed and prayed for me to get a job in this company and I was always told not to worry. I both did and did not do that. I wasn't comfortable with me being comfortable that everything will work out (nice I used a word two times in two sentences!). I had to keep my feet on the ground by making myself worry, even when I didn't need to, so that I could persevere more. I also knew that I would get big-headed if i didn't do it.

I also knew that I have never waited for something like that for so long and the feeling that it has finally come is just pure bliss. Even more than bliss. Super! I felt like I was on top of the world!

I was, and still is, happy that I am finally starting on a new chapter of my life. I know that I would have to work hard and learn more and that is great! I'm tired of being a bummer anyways.

Once again, I thank the Lord (repeatedly saying thank you is still not enough; not for this or for anything for that matter) for this opportunity. I've always felt if the company I was going to have an interview in was for me or not. I also felt deep down that my initial application to this company wasn't the one for me but I forced myself, being impatient and all, to want this position even with that in mind. Because of that stupid impatience, unnecessary issues came up. See, being impatient does not really do anybody any good!

In one homily during the Simbang Gabi, the priest talked about being patient. I thought that it was like a direct hit for me with what I was going through. And it was. But what struck me was that being patient does not just mean waiting, it also means waiting while keeping a positive attitude along side it. I certainly did not do that much.

Impatience leads to bad decisions, tactless conversations and blabber. So anyways, I tried my best to be patient (with that enlightening definition) and I constantly prayed.

I could have spared myself with the nonsense sadness by listening inside. It's like intuition or gut feel but I know it was coming more from a spiritual source. It was reassuring me that everything will be alright and it was guiding me in not accepting the job offer, not doing well on other interviews in order to be better prepared for THE ONE for me. But I was never comfortable with the 100% calmness and security that I drove it away sometimes. But I guess that was all for the better. It also told me that when I was considered for another position, this was the one. And It felt right.

So let me explain my journey!

I knew I wanted to work for Thomson Reuters (TR) the moment the HR personnel told me about the company and the potential growth for all the employees working there. I told myself when I first came in to their office "This place looks good!" I've never felt that in the previous applications I had. The experience and the workplace and the ideal job I had fit right in this company.

So for this journey, I had a total of 5 interviews: 1 initial interview by the HR personnel, 1 interview by the head of Corporate Advisory Services, 1 panel interview by the senior management from the U.S., 1 initial interview by the team head (I think) of the department to which I was accepted (I don't know the name; forgive me for not knowing) and 1 panel interview by the training managers and other people whom I do not know what position they were in.

The 2nd and 3rd interviews were for the 1st position I was considered in. I did not get accepted therefore I was forwarded to another position and then I got it! This process took about 4 months in the making. Those 4 months of grueling and intense waiting paid off, like I said.

Did I mention that the last interview - a panel one - consisted of FIVE people? Yeah. When I was in the room and they started coming in, I thought the line would never end! (they were in a line as they came in) Paranoia took over but only for a moment. I had to bring my A-game. I was born for this right? What were all the other interviews for if I didn't nail this one? I was able to be honest in that interview and it really helped I guess, not that I was dishonest in my other interviews. It's just that I was a little more casual in this interview (I made them laugh a few times). It lasted for about 30 minutes of pure talk. Good thing I prepared!! Though the business/news/market preparation rendered useless as they did not ask me anything about it but it's still good as I would need to know these things when I work already.

The journey is always more important than the ending (which is the start of a new beginning). That's why I hate those success stories that tell of people's - you guessed it - successes.They skip right to the end and not tell the story where the people could really learn from and get inspired by. Anyway, I realized that the last two interviews were the times when I was prepared the most. Again, gut feel/intuition. It's like I was getting built up for those two interviews. In my initial applications, I was always too carefree and did not do as much as I did for the said interviews and had to learn from that in order to land me this job. What great power God has over us! He knew all along of course! Thank you Lord God for everything! I know it won't be easy, but I will do the best I can! Adik ako!

Something for you, dear reader, to ponder on: You'll know when it's right.

From the great Paulo Coelho, "And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

And from the Holy Bible, 2 Thessalonians 5:18: "In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."

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Enough with my realizations and happiness, what happened in the more-than-a-month of no entry? I was getting interviews, of course. But I know that I am so tired of doing nothing, even now. I was able to go out some with the bum club. We hung out and it was always fun. You know what? I'll just stop now and leave you with the parting words above. It's great for reflection and motivation (I hope haha).I kind of forgot what to write about anyways other than the one above (thanks to mind-blogging).

I also added a new gadget on the side. I basically placed my bookshelf from Shelfari, the books I want to read (my wishlist) and the ones I've read, just for balance haha.

Gotta love them emoticons.

Trust and Paranoia

2008-12-06T22:37:00.008+08:00

The call week never came. Stupid of me to name that week of something as important as what I was expecting. Still jobless. Although there was a call for an interview and there was a job offer (of which I'm not really into), I'm still waiting on the companies I want to work for. The waiting is unbearable but I have no choice but to do so. I just pray and stop being paranoid. That's what happens - being paranoid - when you have someone you know who's applying in the same company and position and she gets a call and you don't haha. But like she said, just pray and we will all get what we deserve.

This company that accepted me I asked to wait for a week since I had to weigh my options, not that I had any. I'm waiting for other options to arise, that is. I really don't see myself in that industry (cargo shipping, freight, logistics industry) even though the experience might be good since it's a start up company and the organizational chart has only 2 positions filled as of the moment; and they haven't registered with the SEC yet. So there. I want that to be my last resort when other opportunities do not come up. They must come up by Wednesday or Thursday morning!

I already started getting the mandatory requirements for getting employed. Will get the last one on Monday. I'm getting ready to be employed and it seems the employers aren't ready to get me. Patience, patience, prayers.

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I got to watch the so-called must-watch movie of the season/year/all-time 2 times. I don't even need to name that movie for you already know what it is. The poster says it anyways:

I'm happy that I did not read the novel. I'm sure it would be a bummer if I did (as it was what I always felt after watching a movie adaptation of a novel, save for a few). So what did I think of the movie? I thought it was okay. The fight scene was good (I held my breath a few times the first time I watched it), the baseball scene was also good (Alice looked great and the music was awesome). Apart from that, it was mostly bad acting and bad effects. But it was okay. The movie was time-constricted (this happens to all movie adaptations of novels, I'm sure you agree with me) but again, it was okay. In my opinion, if not for the 2 scenes I mentioned, The movie would have sucked big time. Bella looked good as well but her 2 front teeth had been emphasized unintentionally, I think. Anyways, it popped every time she talked.

I give it 3 stars out of 5. The soundtrack was great.

Anyways, I got to see my blockmates again because of that (thanks tine!) and we had a good time. I was forced to go to a bazaar where my friend was selling stuff. We didn't buy anything, I guess we went there for moral support lol. Here we were outside waiting for the movie:

The birthday girl deserves 2 pictures here! The boyfriend of my friend, the law student jec, had no pictures so just imagine. More thanks to the birthday girl for going all the way south (one of the few people I know who had the courage to go down south whilst we south people go there without - maybe some - hesitation)!!!

The moon looked cool that night. It was smiling down on all of us, not just us friends but everyone. Or maybe sad face-ing on other people in other areas where Venus and Jupiter were on the opposite side. I don't want to put a picture HAHA.

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I don't want to talk about my job hunting escapades anymore. I might jinx it and it just makes me paranoid and uneasy.

I'm getting more and more bored. I have nothing to do anymore. I need to get a job! I have to call next week the call week as I have a deadline for a job offer by Thursday. Okay i'll just stop right there, uneasiness coming.

Trust.

Shut your piehole!

2008-11-25T00:07:00.012+08:00

Argh. Can't write when it's noisy (noisy T.V. with cousin watching). I realize I can't focus anymore when it's not quiet and I blame that to my thesis. Well, except when the noise is music, or my music rather (mp3s stored on my laptop).

Anyway, I'm torn.

Torn between two job opportunities which I am both interested in. Two job opportunities which I think would be a great starting point for my budding career in finance. Two job opportunities that would both fulfill my needs - money (which is the root of all material fulfillment!). Two job opportunities that will push me into a new lifestyle. Two job opportunities, two choices, a win-win situation. Bam!

I think.

First off, the first of the two job opportunities (cousin stop bothering me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

First off, the first of the two job opportunities I'm not really sure if I got accepted since I'm still waiting for the call that would tell me and it's the 2nd week already. I believe this is the call week! The week I would get the call. Not just for this job opportunity but for the second one as well. What is up with companies telling you that they would contact you in a specific time which they never do? At least for another week.

For the second job opportunity (I like repeating those two words over and over, don't you think?), they said that I was okay and that they were seriously considering me. Thank you Lord. They would also call me this week for the "package" for my employment.

This is the call week! Now, CALL!

But like I said, I'm torn between two job opportunities. Both good, both ideal. I'm done thinking and I'm just waiting and praying.

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I got to watch a movie in a theater once again! I was with the bum club (i.e. Sarah, Mark, Java and Benson - some were absent) and we got together to watch a movie and hung out.

We watched Burn After Reading starring John Malkovich, George Clooney and Brad Pitt, among others. The poster is below:

Hmm, what can I say about this movie? I believe it takes a while to appreciate this movie. It's senselessly funny and perfectly true. Does it sound ironic or paradoxic? I'll try another one: Stupidly smart. Frustratingly satisfying. Like I said, it takes a while to appreciate. Well, at least for me.

Throughout the course of the movie, I was confused and frustrated to the point that I just laughed it out, but it IS funny. Just weird and it makes you think if the money was well worth it. Even I don't know the answer to that.

Strangely, I can't not recommend you to watch it nor can I give it 5 stars and push you into watching it. It's all confusing, really.

"What a clusterfuck." - the best description of the movie (it came from it too)

One sure funny thing that I noticed as we watched the movie was that majority of the audience were couples! They were literally scattered all over the theater and there was even an old, grandma/grandpa couple watching!

Anyway, I'm all confused. I'll let you decide for yourself with regard to this movie but I can say for sure that the money I paid for was not worth it but at the same time, it didn't feel like a loss to burn that money for this clusterfuck. (And I said I didn't know the answer to this)

Now I know how to get to Greenhills by commuting! Yeah! *horizons expanding*

So I got to hang out with friends again and I'll be hanging out with more friends in the coming days (birthday treat yeah!).

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Christmas is coming. We already have Christmas decorations in our house though they do not turn it on at night yet. Maybe in December, I dunno.

Christmas is coming and I don't have the money boo.

I'm seriously considering working part-time at oDesk to earn some cash (in U.S. Dollars. ) to spend for Christmas and other things like gimmicks. I think it's pretty easy to earn here but I can't yet. The account I'm supposed to make where they would deposit my paychecks need some identification that I'm unable to supply. Not for another 2 weeks. With the deductions like fees, I'd have to earn some significant amount first before I withdraw it to save on getting more fees (i.e. per withdrawal) but it's all minimal and puts a little dent to my future paychecks.

I'll probably go for this if my job starts next year.

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My economics high school teacher died. We went to her wake a while ago. She looked different from what I remember of her as well as in her picture. She really thinned up. But then cancer does that to everyone who has it. Especially when it's level 4. It was sad but I know that she is in a Great Place and is happy now. A strange reunion for us former high school classmates/friends.

I re-read Veronika Decides to Die (strange coincidence) and both these events told me, and now I'm telling it to you, to live! If we have to pretend that we will die the next day, then we must do so to make us realize how much there is in living life and doing whatever we want to. (I know, it's easier said than done) I believe that my former high school teacher, Mrs. Marlene Agustin, lived a happy life. It being evident in our classroom sessions which were always full of life and her treatment to us, much like a mom. She had been battling it for 12 years.

On another point, we should all be crazy/insane! Do what is considered taboo! Nobody wants to be like everyone else, right? Sure, we are in many ways but we should strive to have something that would separate us and make us stand out. If we become like everyone else and stick to routine, afraid of being on the uneven ground of unfamiliarity and risk, I think that would really drive us crazy, and not the crazy type I am talking about.

Who cares if you're a little weird? I'm weird!

Let's all be weird! But be careful or you might cross the bridge and be creepy instead.

Lung Cancer

2008-11-15T22:57:00.009+08:00

A lot happened since my last entry. Well obviously; it was 12 days ago. I got more job interviews, tests, birthdays, gimmicks, chill outs and a new addition to the tv serieses(?) I watch. Let me start with that.

Starring (Center, front) Josh Radnor; (from Left to Right, back) Alyson Hannigan, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders and Neil Patrick Harris.

It's about Ted Mosby (Josh) who was telling the story to his kids about how he met their mother. He goes into extreme detail about it thus the inclusion of his friends (Marshall, Lily, Robin and Barney) and their escapades. It's really funny and like the show says, it has heart. This is what separates them from other sitcom-type shows but I personally think nothing beats "F.R.I.E.N.D.S." but this is a great show to watch nevertheless, and did I mention it was very very VERY funny? I cannot emphasize more on how funny it is. But then again, I laugh pretty much very easily.

I recommend y'all to watch that! The script and plot makes it worth keeping.

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So I am pretending that this entry is about Lung Cancer. I'd love to see another spammer comment here and tell me to talk about it and share it. But of course, I won't want to have it duh. (It's an experiment.)

What happened to me? Sadly, not as exciting as my last entry but still worthy to be written here. If I can remember much of it haha. I've been putting off writing here and it cost me a lot of potential blog entry length.

I went to a simple birthday lunch at my high school friend's house. It was his birthday and he invited us. Little did I know it was a family affair! Relatives were supposed to be there and it would become like a reunion for them. Good thing it wasn't like that. When we arrived, there weren't a lot of people (more like just one family haha) and it was okay. So we talked and rehashed our high school days and the things we did. One thing that did not change was the bullying. We have this high school friend of ours that seems to be the butt of all jokes. Even when it's not a joke. He has a lot of issues (self-esteem, honesty) and because of this, we make fun of him all the time haha.

First of all, he's into showbiz and he denies it a LOT. The John Lloyd, Bea, Sarah Geronimo, Carlo Aquino type of showbiz. He's updated on all the issues here and when we confront him, he denies! Plus he's always late. My friend told him he won't be successful in life because of that and, what a surprise, he denies that as well.

Talk about issues! Haha.

Anyway, I had fun with that small get-together (only 4 of us showed up) and the birthday boy treated us to Starbuck's! No pictures so I'll leave that to your imagination. Too bad others who confirmed to go did not and we could have had more fun! Also, I got to go to Ruin's/Ruins again and bought a dvd of - you guessed it - the one above.

I also went to a party (supposedly a batch party) the night before this mini-birthday bash. It was typical. Normal. It was my first time to go to Bonifacio High Street! The party wasn't there but we went there to buy some donuts and go to Fullybooked. Here I was with some of the friends at the party. And a scary guy at the back:

(I'm really not feeling my flow right now, so bear with the entry. Haha that sounded ghetto.)

Let's skip all this and get to the more exciting part. My interviews! And a test.

So the test was conducted in one of the companies I want to get in to. After taking it, I swore to myself that it would be the last test I would be taking for a job application so that means a halt to job hunting. The test lasted 3 hours, was hard, and I got to answer my favorite test of all; the 300-item personality test! Damn that test! DAMN YOU GUILFORD AND ZIMMERMAN! I've taken that five FIVE 5 times already!! AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW ITS RESULT! DAMN YOU!

I think I failed the exam actually haha. The general information test was uberly hard and I was shotgunning. All the others I think I was able to manage, if not barely.

I was a little discouraged from that test since all the other applicants looked smart haha. Plus, the applicants who went with the same school as mine all graduated with honors, and the company had preferred schools for taking in potential employees. But anyway, I'm still leaning in to the other company but I still hope to get a call here for the final panel interview.

So for the other company, I was really glad and satisfied and giddy with how the final interview went. It went great! I think it did, and the HR person thought it as well. So I'll tell you the scenario:

The interviewer was from the U.S. 2 would be asking questions while the other 2 would only be listening; ALL FOREIGNERS. BUT it would be through the phone only. Like a phone patch. Still scary. Good thing I didn't have to put my accent-speaking skill on as I was able to understand well what they were saying haha.

I was really blessed to have a great HR person since she and the head of the division (I got interviewed by that person as well and she's a local) wanted us to actually get in. They were rooting for us lol. And to top that, among the fresh graduate applicants I was among the top 2! (I decide to enlarge my head for a while there. I had, and still have, a right you know.) The other one I know as well and we were classmates. We both got big-headed.

So anyway, I felt blessed that the HR person was coaching us and telling us what we needed to know in order to nail the interview. She gave us tips on how to answer and to be energetic and assertive. Thank God the interview went well! The comments made by the interviewers, who were all in senior management positions I should add, were very positive! We were indeed energetic thank goodness and he even said that if we did not make it to the position offered he would be willing to endorse us to other departments! Hooray for that! This calls for a hyper-dancing banana!

AND ANOTHER ONE!

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I know of NINE people who had their birthdays between the date of my last entry and this. More are still coming (Scorpios FTW!) Only two had a bash and I attended only one of them (my high school friend's). The other one I didn't have a ride home. But I still got to go out. I had dinner again with my friends (bum club, we are now called) after the interview with the foreigners. It was a pretty long wait but it was worth it since I had fun.

Yes, they were the ones I was with when I got hospitalized. I just happened to be pulled in to that club by Zab (thanks and congratulations to her for getting a job finally!) and I'm thankful I did. Here we were:

Half of them were late due to the unusual uber traffic on all the roads leading to Greenbelt. Anyways, I was the only one who went home that night early as they all went to the other birthday bash I wasn't able to attend. Boohoo.

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Flow not good for this entry haha. Boring.

Wait! I forgot about how I spent my birthday! Haha.

It was typical. My mom (whose birthday was a day ahead of mine) had a bash at our house (this was not so typical). Old people came here. I was just in my room. That's it. I want to thank all the people who greeted me! I really REALLY appreciate it!

What have I learned as I typed this? Never wait too long to tell a story. The plot becomes shorter and details disappear. Woohoo more lessons for me!

Hey you spammer, blogger-with-a-blogspot-on-diseases, comment!

Good Times + Bad Times = Fun

2008-11-03T11:32:00.009+08:00

It's been a long time since I posted here. I was mentally posting my blog and it turned out to be a bad idea. I was thinking of how and what I should write here and I ended up not writing at all haha. One learned lesson for me: don't think, just write! Like the lomography philosophy/rule/whatever "Don't think, just shoot!" But I can contradict this in many ways, especially when you want to have shots worth keeping.

Anyway, what happened to me? I was out last last weekend (which got my karma down). I also had job interviews (which I am getting tired of) and I went to visit my relatives to spend the holy holidays there. But I was hospitalized first.

Yes. I was hospitalized. Pretty funny, really haha.

The Good Times

I was able to get out of my bummer's routine last last weekend by going to greenbelt to have a get-together/dinner with my friends. I even gained a new one! We ended up going to her -the new friend's- house to drink booze (we were all tight on the budget and so we just bought drinks at a convenience store and crashed her place). Her name is Sarah, by the way and I was with Mark, Joy, Zab and Java.

What did we do? We sang. But we ate first at Fusion/Fuzion/Fuzione/Fusione in Greenbelt. We then drank. Here are some pictures to show how good the times were:

(here we were at the restaurant having fun)

(here we were at Sarah's place.. still having fun)

(here we were getting bullied by the bad-ass friend Java)

So we had a latta fan. These were the good times. *Credits to Zab and Java for the pictures*

In the cycle of life, there are ups and then there are downs. No matter what happens, we live through it. We move on. I moved on. And I laughed about what I went through.

And now......

The Bad Times

I drank one -take note- bottle of beer and vodka cruiser blueberry. I tasted the raspberry one (as much as a shot of any hard drink like tequila) and that's all the alcohol intake I had. So we said our goodbyes and took a taxi with Zab and Java back to Greenbelt (the bad-ass friend did not tell her driver we would go to another place. Such a bad-ass!) then she dropped us off to a convenient place to take a ride home.

So I got home.

With this, the cycle of life took on its usual rolling with me happily riding the going-down side and not the least bit drunk or tipsy with a happy face. A very happy face.

When I got home, I experienced a grumbling sound in my stomach. Instincts (hello friend!) told me to go to the bathroom and so I went. As the side where I was riding the cycle of life continued downward, the LBM continued its ever-changing consistency/texture/mixture from a normal one to a liquid one! Hahaha. (I'd love to describe it but for your, the reader's, sake, I won't.)

The grumbling sound turned into stomach pain and I threw up acid. Supposedly, when one drinks and throws up, it's all over right? I experienced that as well where I threw up from drinking too much in a short period of time. There was even a little amount of blood in my discharge then. But I was okay after that.

This time I wasn't. The pain started growing and I was puking even when I had nothing to vomit. I told my mom and we went to the hospital to have a check. It came to the point where I was writhing in pain and the nurses/doctor on-call in the ER wasn't the least bit concerned. The LBM did not stop but thankfully I was able to go to the bathroom when the fits happened. Let's leave the details at that.

Finally, they gave me a dextrose/IV drip to stop dehydration and injected my meds there.They took a blood sample at around 4am (I woke up) and gave some tablet meds.

This happened Sunday at around 2am-4am. Oh, I was admitted into a room by then and was sleeping there.

I want to describe the pain! Hahaha. It's the same as the pain as hyperacidity except the degree of pain is much higher. You feel helpless as you try to get comfortable into a position where the pain would hurt the least. But there is no comfortable position. The spasms are coming more and more often and you feel like puking and you do puke but nothing comes out. So it's the acid's fault I was sent to the hospital. And fate, I guess. This would have happened at any other time, with different friends, so long as I had something to drink. And I think the food I ate (at least the one I ordered for myself only) contributed to it.

Thankfully this lasted for only one night. But the LBM lasted for one day. I don't really get why I had LBM when it was all about the acid. Like I said, the food must have done something as well.

This was me when I was a little better:

(just tilt your head. haha. see, I really was mentally blogging to have taken this picture)

(that's my hand. I didn't feel anything actually when that was inserted. Or maybe I was too preoccupied with the stomach pain but that proved wrong when I did not feel any pain when it was removed)

Anyway, to cut the story short, I got better and the LBM stopped and I was shitting normally again. Haha.

Some insights:
- The place where the dextrose/IV drip is placed should be at the discretion of the patient. I'm a leftie and it was placed in my left hand! It's hard to do things with your right hand when you're not used to it (like brushing you teeth, for example).
- The pampering (even if it's not much really) feels great! The attention given felt like I was someone (LOL)

So what's the cause of all this ruckus? The doctor said it was alcohol inducement (the mixing of beer and vodka was a probable cause) mixed with viral infection and it all got mixed and I got hospitalized for it.

Oh, I was ultrasounded (that sounds so much better than "got an ultrasound") to see my pancreas if there was anything wrong with it and there was none yeah! The gel used was very cold and I was ticklish and I was flinching and smiling like an idiot when the scanning thing was in my side haha. I was also flinching and shuddering when the stethoscope was used on me. Especially when it was placed on my back. The doctor asked me about it (all doctors actually) and I said my back's been doing that since I was a kid. I guess there's a psychological/mental thing behind it. The feeling that something cold and circle is going to touch your back makes your skin extra sensitive and flinchy haha but that's just my analysis.

So I got better and was able to go home again and that's the end of the bad times. Although I was prohibited to drink alcohol and that's really sad.

Like in the cycle of life (again), everything that comes down must go up (this sounds better than the other way around. It's more positive).

The Good Times Again

So I got home and everything was back to normal. I had 4 job interviews for that week. Like I said earlier, I'm getting tired of it and I want to get a job already. And what is so good about these times? I found companies which I really want to work in!

There are two companies but I'm leaning more on the other one since I found out from my second interview in one of the companies I like that I would be in the night shift. The other company is really okay and the supposed contract is reasonable but the only bad thing is how to get there. But I can manage! Wish me luck on those two companies.

In the course of my job applications, in taking tests and getting initial interviews, I learned how poor the educational system in the Philippines is! I don't mean to brag or anything but the tests conducted in these companies were easy and at one time, more than half of the test-takers failed it! Holey moley.

Other things aside, I went, with my family, to visit our relatives in Batangas and I had a latta fan. Once again, it breaks my bummer's routine and I got to see my cute nieces and nephews. And we got to visit the graves of our relatives and I was able to eat french fries from Potato Corner again after a long time!

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What a long post! Haha it's okay if you get bored but a lot happened last week! I suspect a lot will happen this week but not as much as the last!

Also, I'm starting a blog experiment on my next post. I'll put diseases/sicknesses on my blog entry titles and see if some blogger would spam and ask me to visit their blog to talk about my supposed illness. Haha.

Another thing, I really hate this emoticon:
Whack it everytime you see it! Preferably with a steel chair. If I see someone who looks like that, I would really really REALLY whack him or her on the head and pull that tongue out! HAHA.

Leukemia

2008-10-20T16:15:00.009+08:00

I know why I look like I have it. It's all because of my occupation--Bummer. (Both meanings apply)

So I've made a resolution since I don't want to look like I'm dying in all of my pictures; I will lessen my laptop time starting today! Instead of the regular 14 HOURS, my goal is to get it down to at least 8 hours (I know, that's still too much but I'm a bummer. What else is there to do?)

What do I do for more than half a day in front of my laptop? Plurk, counterstrike, plurk, WoW, watch heroes, grey's anatomy, one tree hill, chuck, naruto: shippuuden, bleach, detroit metal city, boys be, read e-books like brisingr by Christopher Paolini, and surf about random things. Unless I go out for job interviews or hang out with friends, this pretty much occupies much of my time.

Except last Saturday.

The day I got to hang out with friends! A big hyper-dancing banana for that!

Our friend Candy treated us for an eat-all-you-can buffet at Tramway in QC. She graduated with honorable mention. Hmm I can't believe we all forgot about ONE VERY VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT THING. Joseph ALSO graduated with honorable mention! Darn! That day would have been a super day! (cost-free excluding transportation costs) Joseph OWES us a whole lot! There would have been 2 hyper dancing bananas if he treated us as well. Or maybe I'm the only one who forgot about it haha. What say you?

Here is one picture of us eating. Kat hasn't uploaded her pictures yet. There's a better picture of us there.

And here's a sample of what all of us ate although this was tine's plate haha. I had no picture of mine.

We went to Trinoma after eating to watch Eagle Eye but sadly, the show times just don't want to cooperate with us (or me, specifically. this already happened to me twice) so we watched Tropic Thunder instead which was hilarious! I enjoyed watching although the first part was boring. Here's the movie poster:

As you can see, Robert Downey Jr. is black! Great acting haha. I would have put quotes here but I can't exactly remember how they said those funny lines.

So that's what happened last Saturday. I actually brought my Holga but I wasn't able to take pictures. The sky wasn't as blue as I wanted it to be and I didn't find anything worth exposing the film to (with the inadequate sunlight). That roll of film is already 6 months in the making and I'm still not finished with it! I hope the batteries inside haven't leaked

Oh, I have a new gadget in this page. Just scroll down until the end and you will see the "Statutes for Life." Flip through it to learn a thing or two, as the header for that gadget says.

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I had an interview in BDO last Monday (I would have put this in the first part of the entry but I just remembered it now and the flow would be disrupted and I'm lazy to make a new one so bear with it) through EJ Hall Consultants. I must say, that was the best job offer I got! EVER! EVER! The position was a bank assistant. The salary was...

wait for it...

wait for it...

bear with me..

Tada! *with background music*

P9,000++!! After seeing that, I just had to accept. (no I am not sarcastic. nope. no sarcasm whatsoever) My mom wanted me to consider into accepting that. NO WAY. It's like laboring for nothing. My salary will already burn on everyday expenses and nothing would be left for my needs and wants. Haha.

Just yesterday my mom told me I could work at Odesk part-time.I don't have to go to a workplace but my resolution of lessened laptop hours will amount to nothing. The next time a take a picture I might look like a corpse already. But at least I will get rewarded for it!

I think it's a good idea but I haven't decided yet. The concept of work still irks me haha.

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So these are the two significant days in the past week. Unless you want me to blog about my everyday bummer's routine which, as I already said is a routine (boring).

Hopefully I would be able to finish my roll of film and have it scanned by tomorrow when I go to another job interview.

Peace Out!

Bummer's Delight

2008-10-11T00:24:00.004+08:00

Yes, that's what I call myself now. A bummer. Different from the expression which can contextually mean downer or fun sucker haha.

I enjoyed my day today. With the interview and testsss I had that contributed to that enjoyment a little, I got to be with my friends (hah. you will only see these kinds of things here!), AND I got money out of nowhere! Well, not exactly but you know what I mean! Money received without any significant effort.

*Commercial: I can't write when people walk around where I am. Especially when they walk behind my back and get snacks at the table behind me. Secretive? YEAH but more like trust issues*

And because of this commercial, I lost my flow.

So I was able to get out of the house again, thankfully. Thank goodness I was able to force myself to go out because of my job interview. So in reality, this interview is indeed a blessing! I got out of my house which led me to enjoying my day. So it did not just add little to my day but was the root of my amusement!

Hmm, I hope I do get to watch Eagle Eye on Monday after another job interview.

Today, I was able to go to a mall again and just hangout and I've been tired of bumming lately. The routines just get to me and it's good to break out of that. So I've made a list (below) of what I did today:

- Went to a job interview
Took tests which included: abstract reasoning, english and math tests(simple but some were exruciating), 300 item personality test and an essay test
Just to add details, I was bummed (pertaining to the expression) out already with the tests and they had to add an essay type as the last one! Imagine what I wrote there haha.
- Ate at McDonald's (cheeseburger yeah!)
- Finally went to school to get my reward for graduating (a measly P1,000 but nevertheless rewarding), my alumni card, and to return IDs that were left in my possession.
- Waited for my friends (in the order they appeared as far as I remember) Kat, Joseph, Merie, Diane, then Joseph's girlfriend Rheata/Riata/Rihatta/Rheattah/Umbrella and Merie's friend Julie. Sadly, Kat went home so the six of us were left to go to the mall.
- Was supposed to watch Eagle Eye or Tropic Thunder but it wasn't meant for us with the mismatch on show times so instead we ate at Greenwich! We were supposed to order pizza with everyone chipping in but we all had trust issues so it did not happen.
- Went to watch the fireworks display and ate some more at Krispy Kreme! I never knew I had leukemia before! haha damn that camera making only me look sick with only a few hours to live (thanks for emphasizing that Julie and Merie)

Here it is:

(more pictures later when my friends upload all of the pictures *ehem friends*)

- Went home. But we rode on the tram first.

So I let loose today. Specifically on the money I got. I burned half of it with some unnecessary expenses like coffee. But who cares? Food is food. Drinks are drinks. We must not limit ourselves to what and how much we want to eat! Especially, when we don't gain weight as fast! Let's eat and be merry!

I guess that's it for now. Would like to add more but I can't organize my thoughts. So let me end it by a thing I learned. I always have the initial reaction to say no to anything given or asked of me. Like going to a party (which I ended up not attending), or going to a dinner with friends (which, sadly, I denied as well but regretted it deeply). This initial reaction is a product of being a bummer. We tend to stick to our routine by saying "I'm too lazy" or "I'll do that some other time" but we lose many opportunities this way. If I was able to break out of that initial reaction and move forward, I would have been able to write a post like this many days ago.

So I want to thank the job interview I got for forcing me out of my routine and crushing (with a very loud shout "VICTORY!") my initial reaction (I can't find better words to describe it so I'll stick to initial reaction). It was today I was able to successfully fight that. What a great blessing. Animo La Salle! (Yon parang motivational speech lang.) Thank God.

Bum burum bum bum

2008-10-06T23:56:00.000+08:00

I wonder what the title means?

This is what happens when somebody who doesn't have anything better to do looks for something to do. Tada! A Blog! *please clap*

Who knows, this might be the start of something extraordinary. (I feel a song coming..amp)

Follow me! Follow you! Follow everyone!