JD's Musings Decomplexified

Shen Li Liang is the name of my second Nokia N73 Music Edition phone. The first one was Raven and he was stolen on April 2008. I'm really at ease with N73 so I decided to buy the same unit when Raven was taken away from me. Another thing, my budget then can't afford a Nokia N95 or Sony Ericsson W960, so, okay, N73 again. Cheaper, but still S60!

OK, why am I blogging about this not-so-important lame techy stuff? Haha. Got nothing else to do, that's why...

So going back, I love Shen Li Liang because of the apps I was able to install. I never did this with Raven. This addiction with Symbian S60 is just recent, actually.

Since I'm a nurse-trainee and I still don't have a stable stream of monthly income, I can't afford a nice, sleek PDA yet. Shen gives me an adequate amount of happiness to satisfy my tech cravings without asking wads of bread from Mama.


Here's Shen... Okay, yeah, that's my real name in there. I don't like posting my real name on the net but I had to show you Shen's "face".

Gosh. I love my theme.

Hehehe.

Pardon the nerd in me.








*That's Amidala for Profiles, and Hermione for Themes. Lol.





And here are the softwares....

TaskMan



DivX Player




Y-Browser




Best Safe




SlovoEd English Dictionary




MobiReader (eBook Reader)




Calcium



Those applications made my Nokia N73 "smarter" than your average Symbian-S60 phone. Love 'em.

BEST PURCHASE: This year I got three bests...
1. Fiammetta - my green Trodat Printy
2. Yuna - my pink 8GB iPod Nano 4th gen.
3. Shen Li Liang – my second Nokia N73 Music Edition (Raven was stolen on April)

BEST CAREER EXPERIENCE: Becoming a nurse trainee at "En Kay Tee Eye", and being the director/leader of our batch. Having to deliver the "Message from the Graduates" on our graduation, touching the hearts of my audience with my speech.

BEST NEWS: The amount of my final pay in eTel. Hahaha. Crazy! Largest sum of money I've ever owned.

BEST SNACK: For the second time - *drum roll* - Triple Choco Boom! Haha.

BEST DRINK: Chocolate shake (old school)

BEST GARMENT BOUGHT: A black-and-pink hood jacket from American Boulevard

BEST TRIP: New Cabalan, Olongapo (March)

BEST MOVIE WATCHED: 27 Dresses ...or Kungfu Panda, I guess.

WORST MOVIE: My First Wedding (brainless characters)

IMPRESSIVE ARTISTS WHO DIDN’T START THEIR CAREER THIS YEAR BUT THAT I CAME TO LIKE THIS YEAR:
1. Skillet -- They became my all-time favorite band
2. Lene Marlin -- Her voice is so angelic but she has an aura of a rocker. Amazing, isn't it?
3. Krystal Meyers -- I so love the messages of her songs.
4. Sanctus Real
5. Marié Digby
6. Liz Phair
7. Jaci Velasquez
8. The Fray
9. Dido
10. Paramore

AWESOME SONGS THAT WEREN’T RELEASED THIS YEAR BUT THAT I DISCOVERED THIS YEAR:
1. Beauty of Grace - Krystal Meyers
2. Imagine Me without You - Jaci Velasquez
3. Still Here - Lene Marlin
4. Live Free or Let Me Die - Skillet
5. Why Can't I - Liz Phair

BEST BOOK READ: What's So Amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancey
Next best thing: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

BEST DECISION: Still, stick with God no matter what. =)

Panahon na para makialam.

Sapagkat...

Habang ako ay natutulog, may digmaang nagaganap sa Mindanao.

Habang ako ay namamasyal sa mall, may pamilyang lumilikas at naghahanap ng mas ligtas na tirahan.

Habang ako ay nakikipagkwentuhan sa mga kaibigan, ang pamahalaan ay gumagawa ng mga desisyon at kasunduang pangkapayapaan, na minsan ay tama ngunit minsan naman ay mali sa mata ng sambayanan at giit ng marami ay labag sa konstitusyon.

Habang ako ay nagbababad sa MP3, may nagaganap na katiwalian sa kung saan.

Habang ako ay nanonood ng TV, may ilang pinuno ang nagsusumikap na ilagay sa wasto ang mga adhikain ng gobyerno.

Habang ako ay nag-iisip ng susunod kong papanooring pelikula, may ilang Pilipino ang nagsisikap na maghanapbuhay ng tama upang maitaguyod ang pamilya.

May namamatay at nasusugatang Pilipino araw araw dahil sa digmaan.

May batang nawawalan ng tatay o nanay.

May batang hindi na makapag-aral.

May isang sibilyan na napipilitang gumamit ng armas upang protektahan ang sarili at mga mahal sa buhay.

Naglalaban ang mga may iba't ibang paniniwala at prinsipyo. Nagpakilalang "Muslim" ang isang grupo. Sabi naman ng isang pangkat ay "Kristiyano" raw sila. Ang isa pang armadong grupo ay nagpakilalang "tagaprotekta" lamang ng mamamayan. At nariyan pa ang hukbong sandatahan ng Pilipinas.

Kaya panahon na para makialam ako.

Hindi. Hindi ako sasali sa mga pag-aaklas at welga.

Hindi ko rin naisip na tumakbo sa pulitika.

Makikialam ako... Pero hindi sa paraang naiisip niyo.

This week is like a rollercoaster ride. Grabe, nakakawindang. For a moment I was super happy, then next I'd be soooo disappointed. Tapos mega happy nanaman. Extreme happiness. Extreme sadness. Akyat - baba. Akyat - baba. Nakakahilo... Kwento ko sa inyo:

Some names are written alphanumeric so that text scrapers and bots won't scrape them. I don't want these to turn up in queries on search engines!

Mag-aApply kasi ako as trainee sa "NK+i". Eh ang daming requirements then I had to pay 7500 bucks pa for that training. But Mama is OK with that so pinilit kong kumpletuhin yung requirements. August 1 ang doom's day, i mean, date of registration, and when I decided to try NK+i I only had two weeks left to complete the requirements. So there. Nung first week, nag-take ako ng "BL5" sa "RedCr05S" Quezon City.

Then eto na ang SECOND week. This is THE WEEK I'm talking about.

Monday. Nag-email and text sa'kin ung "5t. Luk3S". Sabi initial interview ko raw sa July 30 at 2:30 PM. I was sooo happy! That's the first reply I received from a hospital. Halos magtatatalon na'ko sa tuwa. I thought kung makakapasok ako don, di ko na kailangang mag-apply sa NK+i.

Wednesday. Initial interview ko sa 5t. Luk3S. Since I've experienced being interviewed for a job na and OK naman English ko, I didn't bother to practice or think of the answers for certain interview questions na. Parang naging overconfident ako. Then during the interview, I was sweating! The questions were so simple but I had a hard time thinking of the right answers. Grabe. Then before I left the office, the interviewer told me to wait for a month kung nakapasa ako o hindi. A month! Ang tagal. Totoo nga yung sabi sa'kin ng mga kakilala ko. Matagal din ang application process sa 5t. Luk3s. So naisip kong tumuloy na lang sa NK+i. Pagkatapos non, pumunta ako sa "AN5AP" sa "Lung Cen+3r" to get my "1VT" license. Na-complete yung cases ko nung May 5 and I was told na isa-submit yung cases namin on June 10. So siguro naman by this time gawa na yung license ko. Nung tumawag ako sa "Em Dyey Eyts" (hospital kung saan ako nagtraining), sabi nila wala pa raw ung licenses namin dahil naglipat daw ng office yung AN5AP sa Lung Cen+3r. Tinanong ko kung pwedeng ako na lang ang kukuha sa AN5AP, pwede raw basta magpresent ng kahit anong ID. So yun nga pumunta ako. Pagdating ko dun hinanapan ako ng "Pi Ar Si" license. Eh hindi yun yung dala ko! "Pi En Ey" card ang meron ako. Hay, sablay yung info na binigay ng Em Dyey Eyts. So sabi ko babalik na lang ako, pero pinatingnan ko kung available na yung license... So hinanap nung kausap ko... Sinama pa'ko dun sa room kung saan nakalatag lahat ng 1VT case forms... Hanap kami... Hanap... Hanap... Tapos sabi nya WALA! OMG. Kailangan ko yun para sa NK+i eh. Huhu. Baka raw next week or so pa.

Thursday. Ang lakas ng ulan. Di naman bumabaha sa subdivision namin but today water from the higher streets is streaming down on our area dahil nasa mababang part ng subdivision ung phase namin. Ngayon namin ine-expect na makukuha na yung BL5 cards namin. Ron texted me nung mejo umaga na papunta na sha sa redcR055 sa Diliman. So hinintay ko muna text nya bago ako umalis ng bahay. Ang lakas nga kasi ng ulan. Then he texted me na WALA pa raw yung cards namin at yung nagpangako sa'min na ngayon na ang release eh nagka-amnesia raw yata. I was so mad. They promised us na ipra-process na nila yun. So I just made a letter na nagpapatunay na nakapasa ako sa BL5 at ipapapirma ko na lang yun sa instructor ko. Paglabas ko ng house, nyay, rumaragasa ang tubig ulan sa kalye. It's only ankle-deep pero ang lakas ng current. Pagkatawid ko, basa na yung jacket and blouse ko, pati kalahati ng pedal ko! Eh di bumalik ako sa house. Nagpalit ako ng shirt, yung parang pambahay na lang. Tapos tinawid ko ulit yung baha. Kahit na basang basa nanaman ako tumuloy na'ko sa biyahe. Sumakay ako ng ordinary na bus at umupo sa tapat ng pinto para mahanginan yung pedal ko. Ayun, henyo talaga, natuyo ng hangin yung pedal ko. Di na'ko mukhang basang sisiw pagdating ko sa Philcoa. Pero ang buhok ko naman... Hay! Pagdating ko sa redcR05S, biglang sabi sa'kin pwede na makuha yung card. Yahoo! Ang saya saya ko. Nakuha ko yung card ko ng around 3:30 PM. Then nagbakasakali ako ulit sa AN5AP. Pagdating ko, doon ako lumapit sa sang lalaki sa counter, hindi na dun sa babaeng kausap ko kahapon kasi baka maalala nya'ko tapos sabihin sa'kin "Ang kulit mo. Di ba sabi ko sa'yo wala pa yung license mo?" Then binigay ko dun sa lalaki yung Pi Ar Si license ko. Medyo negative ang feeling ko nun. Para kasing nahihirapan nang maghanap yung lalaki. Gusto ko na shang tawagin and tell him na "Wala pa po siguro yung license ko kasi yun din ang sinabi sa'kin nung kasama nyo kahapon." Then after 15 MINUTES, tinawag nya'ko sa window and pushed an open logbook towards me. Kinabahan ako. Then sabi nya "Paki-sign na lang." And THERE! Nakita kong hawak nya yung 1VT certificate and license ko. Huwaaaaaaw!!! Para akong nakapasa ulit sa board exam. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam!!!

Friday. Moment of truth. Pumunta ako sa NK+i at dumating ako don ng 6:00 AM. Ang aga noh? Pero pagdating ko sa tapat ng office, waaah, pang-76 na'ko sa waiting list. That means, pang-96 ako sa mga applicants. Ang dami nang tao! Eh yung first 20 applicants lang ang tatanggapin. Oh no! Yung number 1, 8:00 PM pa raw sha don. Meaning doon na sha natulog sa NK+i. Yung mga sumunod sa kanya dumating daw ng 9PM, 10PM, then 2AM kanina, 3AM, and 5AM. Whoa. Grabe talaga.

So there. Nasa waiting list ako. Sa Tuesday ko pa malalaman kung makakapasok ako o hindi.

Abangan ang susunod na kabanata.

Ito yung mga panahong nasa kwarto lang ako at nakatitig sa kawalan. Haha. No, actually I'm staring at the wall. And when I observed something, I'll text some people about it. Here are some of my messages and my recipients' replies....


April 19, 2008
SENT TO MANY:
Minsan masaya din pala ang makipagtitigan sa pader. Try mo! (^_^)

SOME REPLIES:
Ate Marj: Sori ala akong time hehehe enjoy m lng!
Shierl: Haha, walang basagan ng trip...
Don: Haha wla ka mgawa noh, kausapin u nrn yang pader
Est: Haha! ö kaw tlga! Wlang mgawa. Pati wall pa.. :-P
Est: Haha. Katawa ka! No tme to talk to the wall. Dami ko pa gagawin eh.

April 21, 2008
SENT TO MANY:
Pag hinipan mo pala ang langgam na umaakyat sa pader, tumitigil sha maglakad para di ma-out of balance. Ang galing noh? Tsk. Buti pa yung langgam busy...

SOME REPLIES:
Est: Haha. ö kamusta ka naman dyan. Bestfriend mo na ang langgam?? Hahak ü
Jayne: Shockerz k jhen bka ngsa2lita k n mgisa dyan ha kausapin mo ung langgam hehe
Krissy: Jeneva Monica! bum ka noh?ü
Abby: Un langgam..May point ka infairnezness! ...
Don: Ang galing ng langgam noh, kelangan imitate ntn ung attitude nla. Wen the going gets tough sumtyms its d best thing to stop, be stil, focus on ur foundations and listen to GOD para hnd tyo matangay ng hangin db. Maybe GOD s teling us to stop 4 a wyl and focus on HIM. hehe kaw ha nktitig kna nmn sa pader

...Don's reply was so nice! Made sense. So I decided to forward his message to some people.
Eto, may pahabol pa pala si Don:

Don: Kya impt ang foundations, kung weak foundations ntn tatangayin tyo. Nnjan pb ung mga ants, try u cla hipan, ung iba matatangay but strong ones remain

...Ang galing ng reply nya di ba? What an insight! Then here's Krissy's reply to the forwarded message... What an observation!

Krissy: Sabi nung nagreply sau, "nakatitig ka nanaman sa pader". Sa palagay ku ndi, ndi ka lang nakatitig, nose to nose kau nung wall, hinihipan mu pa.ü

Hep hep hep! Babalik... bumabalik... bumalik!

Yippee. I'm back to blogging! Hello hello! It's been a month, right Maf? Tsk. Pity. Well anyway, since I'm zoooper excited to tell the world what happened in the last (finger count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...) six weeks, Ima tell you right away! Well, in bullets, since nothing's changed with this lazy blogger...

- Nag-resign na'ko sa e*el*ca*re.
- I had an anaphylaxis last March 28 (supposedly my last day in the office).
- Nanakaw si Raven last April 8.
- Nag-I.V. Therapy Training na'ko. Completion of cases maybe next month...
- I'm back in the Kid's Church!
- I'm "home". Back in serving God and fulfilling the Great Commission. Back in the life which gives me contentment and security more than ALL the temporary happiness this world can give me. YEAH!!

******

"ANAPHYLAXIS: My Childhood Enemy."

Aside from crabs, I am allergic to Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA). I know that fact with all my heart because I had a serious allergic reaction to it when I was a kid. One time, I was sick and took it; my mother didn't know yet that I'm allergic to that med.

Now last March 27, I had gone into anaphylaxis around FIFTEEN HOURS after taking an innocent-looking 500-milligram Ponstan.

I'd taken mefenamic acid many times before for pain relief. Ponstan is just a branded mefenamic acid so I thought, even if that's my first time to take Ponstan, it's safe. That's a mistake.

I took the capsule at around 5 AM on Thursday. I was still in the office taking in calls and my teeth started to get hurt so I swallowed one of the two Ponstan pills, which I bought from Mercury Drug. Just a brief background, I've been seeing my dentist that week because of constant toothaches. I'll soon have this dental operation thingy (not extraction FYI), and till then I was advised to take mefenamic acid when the pain gets intolerable.

Good thing we didn't have work in the evening so I went home to Bulacan after my shift.
I was already sleeping before sunset. At around 7PM (or was that 11PM?), I suddenly woke up, feeling cold. Tried to find my blanket but it wasn't there so I asked my aunt for it. It was my brother who gave me my freshly washed blanket. I went back to sleep. After sometime, I woke up again feeling itchy around my stomach and waist. I thought nahigad ako dala nung blanket so I kicked the linen off my bed and tried to get back to sleep... I couldn't. My face felt funny. It's like getting swollen or something, and the itch around my tummy was getting worse. It's like the itch had spread on my thighs and neck as well. So I got up and checked myself in front of the mirror.

OMG.

I prayed that what struck me would disappear in 24 hours... I prayed. Prayed. Then went back to sleep. After sometime, I woke up again and decided to get up to tell my family about what's happening. There. Standing up - that was the last thing I remember.

My family's story of what happened after that: Narinig ng auntie ko na parang bumagsak yung patong-patong na karton ng sapatos sa kwarto. So pumunta sha sa room. Nakita nya'kong nakahiga sa sahig malapit sa pinto, walang malay. Nahirapan na kasi akong huminga. Eksaktong dumating na rin si Mama sa bahay so sinugod nila ako sa hospital.

Nagkamalay ako sa sasakyan pero nung dumilat ako, wala akong makita. Everything's bright and white na parang may nagtapat ng spotlight sa mga mata ko. Parang ganun. Then I passed out again. Nagkamalay ulit ako nung nasa stretcher na'ko tinatakbo papasok ng ospital, at nawalan nanaman ako ng malay. Sa E.R. na'ko ulit nagising dahil nilalamig ako at sobrang sakit ng tiyan ko. I even threw up. Nakakakita na'ko pero sobrang labo. Never ko nga nakita yung mukha ng doctor. Basta narinig ko lang na sinabi nya, "Bibigyan kita ng antihistamine, aantukin ka dito..." Naramdaman ko na lang yung karayom sa left deltoid ko. At nakatulog na nga ako.

Paggising ko umaga na and I'm home.

Sigh* Naisip ko, what if I didn't get up from the bed that night? What if I didn't knock into the boxes and they didn't fall with me? There would be no noise to alert my aunt. If there was, what if my aunt didn't hear it? What if I decided to just continue sleeping, thinking that the hives would disappear in the morning? No one would know that I lost consciousness... No one would know that I almost couldn't breathe... No one would know that I already stopped breathing. I'd just lie there.

I'M FOREVER GRATEFUL TO GOD. PRAISE HIM. I THANK HIM WITH ALL MY HEART.

(Thank You, Lord Jesus!! My Savior!)


Info on Anaphylaxis.
Ponstan should not be taken by people who are allergic to Aspirin!

BARKADA REUNION!!!

Last Friday (Feb 29), I met Lyka, Sam, Ianne, Khacie & Whei at Robinsons Galeria. I have to say that I did something unpretty just so I could meet them... But let's not go into details. Hehe. Nothing serious. So as I was saying, I met up with my old college friends. Di complete yung berxness namin kasi di nakapunta si kaibigang Marie. Sayang 'coz I miss her na rin. We talked and laughed and talked and laughed for like an hour or two. Mega daldalan. Sobrang nakakatuwa si Lyka 'cause she had a lot of things to share! Haha. But mostly about, ehrm, this particular topic. Hehe. Then we decided to watch "My Big Love". Gusto kasi naming matawa.... Watch a movie that doesn't require one to think deep. So despite Sam's eh-yan-ang-papanoorin-namin-ng-highschool-friends-ko drama and my gusto-ko-sana-yung-Jumper-kasi-nandun-si-Hayden hesitation, pinanood nga namin. In fairness, nakakatawa naman. But it was so obvious that Sam Milby's grossly fat physique wasn't real. They could have put more effort on his costume and makeup. Like Eddie Murphy in The Nutty Professor. Toni was so pretty... and kinda skinny na. Grabe, na-inspire ako magpapayat! Hahaha. May quote nga akong nakuha sa movie eh.. I think it was Toni (Aira) who said this: "Aayusin ko na lang kesa magreklamo." She was talking about the mishaps or misfortune that people get. Instead of whining or being bitter, she'd rather work hard to overcome these things. That was nice, right?

After that, we went to Metrowalk, which reminded me of Eastwood by the way. Gimikan place din. Lotsa restos, bars, coffee shops, and party people or night crawlers. Hehe. We ate at BBQ Boy, past the stretch of Korean restos where I actually saw Jang Geum's big poster on one establishment. Hahaha. "Kapitan Miiiiiiiiiiiiiin!!!!!"

Then after eating and another round of continuous talking and laughing (walang sawa!), tumambay kami sa Starbucks. Well, ayun nagkwentuhan lang ulit, di na kami umOrder kasi sobrang busog na kami. It's close to midnight na rin. We then decided na matulog na lang kala Ianne. Sayang nga lang kasi di nakasama si Whei. She had to go home.

So we took a cab and went to Marikina. Tambay sandali sa salas. Sound trip at kwentuhan ulit. =)Pag-akyat sa room ni Ianne, we changed clothes. Shempre lahat c/o Ianne (and Lico). Hehe. Kasi wala naman kaming dalang damit eh. Hay... You probably know what happened next. KWENTUHAN ulit! Hahaha. Kulitan. Picture-taking. Kulitan. Kwento. Kwento. Ang saya saya. Grabe, na-miss ko talaga sila.

Kinabukasan, 'twas around 9am na yata nung nagising kami. Kulitan ulit. Picture-taking. Kulitan. Then we ate breakfast. Eto ang winning moment na nangyari while we were eating: Lyka was squeezing the peanut butter sachet in hope of some more peanut butter (na medyo ubos na rin talaga)... Biglang sabi sa kanya ni Ianne, "Wala na. Wag mo nang pilitin." Ayun naman! Haha. Shempre kami lang ang nakakaintindi kung ano'ng meron sa line na yun... Secret na lang!

Tapos yon, umuwi na kami. Hay... Sadness. I'm starting to miss them na...

LOVE YOU, GIRLFRIENDS! SEE YOU AGAIN SOON! Smooches* ^_^

(Pagdating ko sa haus, di na'ko natulog. Ligo, kain, then left for work na. Inaantok pa nga ako nun eh... Bakit kasi may pasok pa kami ng Saturday... Hay gulay.)

Glimpse into my college life… (Hay, nami-miss ko tuloy…)

1. Umakyat sa fire exit papunta sa classroom ko sa 5th floor. Pagdating sa taas, sobrang sakit na ng legs ko at feeling ko ‘di na’ko makakalakad ulit ng maayos.

2. Pagkaputi-puting uniform, na may talsik na ng spaghetti sauce o putik pag-uwi ko sa house

3. Pagsali sa obstacle race nung 1st year. Natanggal pa yung isang sapatos ko habang tumatakbo. Waha. Kakahiyang freshman.

4. Pangangareer sa pagkulay ng anatomy book

5. Kumain ng siomai na sinawsaw sa sobrang anghang na sawsawan

6. Bumili ng spaghetti na may nag-uumapaw na sauce (Para nga syang sauce na nilagyan lang ng pasta)

7. Tumambay sa Impulse office before at after ng klase

8. Nakakalimutang i-surrender sa guard ang susi ng publication office bago umuwi (at kinabukasan ay may sermon na matatanggap mula sa kinauukulan. Hehe)

9. Bumili ng white stockings almost every week dahil laging nagra-run yung stockings ko. Ewan ko ba.

10. Papasok na naka-slippers (bitbit lang yung black shoes sa bag, in case mahuli ng guard)

11. Marikina to school: Makakatulog sa FX. Paggising, magugulat dahil nasa bandang Q.I. na pala. Lagpas!

12. School to Marikina: Makakatulog sa FX. Paggising, magugulat dahil nasa San Mateo na pala. Lagpas nanaman!

13. Magpupuyat sa pagre-review para sa test kinabukasan, na last week pa talaga inAnnounce ng prof pero di kasi agad inaral.

14. Pangangareer sa Logic, Math, Chemistry, Rizal, Health Eco at Pol Sci 2 (mga minor subjects ko)

15. Pagpapabaya sa NCM (major subject ko)

16. Mga pampatawid-gutom during class: magic flakes, safari, blue skies, chips delight, lemon square cupcakes, voice, crossini, at yung tinitindang puto sa store sa likod ng building. Akala ko nung umpisa cupcake yon. Pagkagat ko, saka ako naniwala na puto nga talaga ‘yon.

17. Aalamin ang schedule kung kelan magbebenta yung store ng pansit at spaghetti/macaroni. Kakwentuhan minsan yung dalawang boys na bantay ng tindahan… tawag nila sa’kin “Jesse” kasi alam nilang adik pa’ko sa “Full House” non.

18. Dahil sa puyat, matutulog sa FX all throughout the ride. Bababa sa tapat ng school at mare-realize na nakalimutang ibigay sa driver ang bayad.

19. Pahirapang pagsakay sa FX sa Cubao kaya jeep na lang minsan… Pagdating sa school, sasabihan ng classmate “Uy, ang dumi ng skirt mo sa likod.” Great.

20. Tatawid sa E.Rod (adventure!)

21. Internet magdamag sa student council office. Gagawin lahat ng paraan ma-access lang ang Friendster (na ni-restrict kasi ng I.T.)

22. Practice para sa swimming exams. Para kaming nag-happy happy ng classmates ko kasi nagsi-swimming kami. Tapos sa actual exam, mega kabado na.

23. Memorization ng names ng bacteria, parasites, fungi, muscles ng palaka, bones ng palaka, muscles ng tao, bones ng tao, lobes, mga kapatid at compositions ni Jose Rizal, nursing theories, nursing theorists, preamble ng constitution, correct sequence ng nursing procedures, patient’s rights, at medicines (ito ang pinakamalupit!)

24. Amoy ng formaline na pinagbabaran ng palaka. Masakit din sa mata kaya nakakaiyak pa. Mukha tuloy madrama lahat ng Zoology students.

25. Stress dahil sa major exams, deadline ng news articles, reports, Research class, Research professor, NCPs, case study, case presentations, triage roleplay, at macroseminar

26. Privileges ng isang campus journalist (free access sa lahat ng school events, we’re allowed to get information from the Registrar, admin officers find time to answer our questions, etc.) Wala kaming “sweldo” but these were good enough.

27. Tambay sa guidance office or front desk pag walang makausap sa publication office.

28. Mag-assist during enrollment. Sumagot ng calls sa front desk. Mag-evaluate ng grades ng transferees.

29. Mag-drawing ng papalaking fetus

30. Tatalian ang basa pang buhok, lalagyan ng hair net, at susuksukan ng maraming hair pins… All done in less than a minute! World record na ba?!

31. Magdala ng makakapal at mabibigat na libro

32. Kwentuhang ilokano

33. Tumulong hanggang madaling araw sa preparation ng school programs

34. Gagawa ng thesis. Pupunta sa bahay ng groupmate at dun na matutulog. Sa umaga na uuwi.

35. Injection. Vital signs. Pag-aayos ng kama. Hospital tours. Surgeries. Labor & delivery. Cord care. ICU. Pagrolyo ng bulak. Pagtanggal ng wound stitches. Community visits. Health education. Leopold's maneuver.

36. Katamarang magdala ng bag. Nasa pockets ng blouse ang cellphone, money, hanky, lip gloss at tissue na may powder. Mangunguha na lang ng ballpen at coupon bond sa publication office para makapag-notes sa class.

37. Bumuo ng choreography para sa “Totoy Bibo” na sasayawin ng grupo namin sa Mental

38. Gumawa ng children stories para sa puppet presentation namin sa Mental

39. Guitar practice para sa song number namin ni Yuanne sa Mental… At nung actual presentation na, nakalimutan ko yung ibang chords sa sobrang kaba. Hahahaha. Tunog-remix tuloy yung kanta.

40. Worries sa completion ng cases ng RLE group namin

41. Gagamitin ang koneksyon at konting impluwensya para ma-entertain ang requests sa faculty at admin. Hehe.

42. Scrubs, apron, mask, white shoes, sphygmo na madalas maiwan sa bahay, stethoscope na madalas maiwan sa bahay, thermometer, surgical gloves, small notebook, nameplate, ballpen, white cup, surgical cap, multi-color ballpen na lagi kong nawawala, wristwatch, bandage scissors, micropore, at paglalagay ng make-up (para raw di kami halatang haggard pag nakita ng mga pasyente)

43. BSN IV – Section 3 and RLE Group 11

44. Mga laman ng pencil case ko: ballpens, mga pang-highlight ko ng books (which I started using in my 3rd year), markers, sign pens, ruler, mechanical pencil, eraser, liquid paper, sharpener, at isang coffee stirrer na ginagawa kong bookmark. Dami kong dala noh? Kinda OC eh. Hehe.

45. Katoxican ng BS Nursing… It's... Fabfrickintastic! Hahaha.


Been out since ’07. Sheesh. Bakit ngayon ko lang na-miss? Eleven months after graduation, I’m starting to miss college and the people I used to see every day.

College peeps, enjoy this period of your life while you can! You won’t realize how fun it was until it’s gone.

Someone stole my umbrella!!!

February 27. I left it beside the umbrella pail on the 31st floor locker area before going to the training room. Yes, I didn’t put it inside the pail because it’s too short when folded and it might be crashed at the bottom by the bulky golf ones. And it’s new.

I left it there. Just there. And that’s so far the biggest mistake I’ve done this year!!! Argh.

I just bought it last week in SM Cubao. I was on my way to work when it rained suddenly so I decided not to get off at Bayan ‘cause from there I had to walk a distance to get to the next terminal. I’d get wet from the rain. Also I have a job at which I have to look presentable. I was wearing slacks and all! So I went straight to Cubao to buy an umbry, even if I knew I’d be late to work. The lesser evil, by the way. I took that over sickness, which I might get from being wet & cold. I saw this very compact black umbrella with a hard case that you could mistake for a case of sunglasses. It’s so small. It’s pretty. It’s black. I loved it. Invested 380 bucks for it.

Now it’s gone. Asarness. Huhu. Ibalik n’yo payong ko!!!

I just had a massage. Grabe, sarap. In line with our company’s 8th anniversary celebration, may free massage sa 22nd and 31st floor. So after our training, I dropped by and availed of this free offer. Hay... After a long day at work, ‘twas so nice na magpa-massage. It took 20 minutes. My masseuse’ name was Lina and she’s, uhm, blind. Actually, almost all of the masseuses have some kind of visual impairment, but they’re good. I was using all my will power to keep myself from laughing nung minamasahe na’ko around my waist and on my back. Hahaha! Mahina talaga ako sa kiliti, sobra. I had to bite my tongue pa while Lina was pinching and kneading me there. Hahaha. The finale was great. She lifted, stretched, twisted and pressed my arms. Felt so good after. I asked Lina kung saan ang place nila when not “on-call”. Sabi nya minsan sa Starmall, Farmers, Megamall or Alimall. =)

* * *

During our lunch break, I treated myself to a dark brew called Taza de Xocolate (145 bucks, the signature blend of Café Xocolat). Grabe! It’s one of the best hot chocolate in the world, pero magkaka-tonsilitis yata ako dahil dun. The drink was so thick and rich! Bad side is matagal ang preparation for this beverage coz I think they had to beat and whip the chocolate pa to perfection. But calling out to the bosses of this chocolate café, I found 5 to 6 bits of thin plastics sa drink ko. Eewness. Buti naramdaman ko yun while the bittersweet liquid is in my mouth pa. Pa’no kung nilunok ko agad yun? Hay. Now you can say that my first experience with your café is bad. Tsk. Pasalamat na lang yung nag-prepare ng drink ko coz I didn’t feel like being irate kanina, coz it’s like I possessed a slight cheer after consuming so much chocolate. Whew. Really, chocoholics like me are pacified once they get their sweets.

And to top it all… Mommy Veda gave me four chocolate brownies during our last break.

Well sometimes, too much… is just right. Hehe. For me, at least.

Ciao.

Just to let you know…

I am not a coffee lover and I will never be.
I only drink coffee when Pepsi is not around and I’m staying up late to study.
I actually like the smell of coffee but I don’t like the taste, especially the aftertaste.
I don’t really drink coffee, but if I did, I try to finish it off in less than 3 minutes. No smelling. No enjoying. No drinking drama. I’m just after the caffeine’s effect.
Are we clear? Good.

That is because this post might imply that I’ve become a coffee lover. Hindi po. Batang Milo at Nido ako. And till now, I still prefer choco or milk drinks over coffee. Or I’d just go for iced tea. I’d even be just fine with water. You think the sleepless college nights I had made me a coffee-addict? Nah uh.

So here it goes. This month, I’ve been hanging out at coffee houses. Imagine? Nung college nga I think I’ve just been to Starbucks twice…. Just twice! ‘Coz considering my allowance, di practical para sa’kin ang tumambay sa isang coffee shop na over a hundred pesos ang isang cup of frapawhatevah. Mamumulubi ako non. Haha. Nursing student pa naman ako… heavy na nga sa bulsa yung books at hospital paraphernalias ko eh. Di rin ako pasosyal to go there just to be SEEN. Ang routine ko lang noon eh bumili ng Safari, potato chips or donuts on my way home… tumambay sa publication office or sa Gateway… stroll sa National Bookstore… Mangulit ng tao… TV… Movie… Masaya na’ko dun. But now that I’m earning my own money, there’s been a change in my leisure hours. When Clang and I are in “spendthrift mode”, direcho kami sa coffee shop after kumain ng lunch. Sometimes I even go there alone after ng work. Aha. Ayos di ba?

Dito nagsimula yan…

Last February 4, I got a crazy work sked. It’s 3pm to 12mn. Unholy hours for a nocturnal person like me. People are napping or eating their merienda, and here we are in the training room disassembling computer towers, trouble-shooting motherboard problems or fixing network issues! Argh. Our class is fun but sometimes I can’t help but feel sleepy that I’d give anything in exchange for a few minutes of sleep. That’s when I started going often to the pantry for sips of coffee. It worked, but later on it’s like I became immune to caffeine, specifically, from instant coffees. I began going to the restroom just to wash my face and get rid of all signs of sleepiness. Sigh. Drug tolerance… Are you familiar with the term? (NUrSe mode on) Well, it occurs when someone’s reaction to a medicine decreases so that larger doses are required to achieve the therapeutic effect (NUrSe mode off). Yes… Yes… It happened to me. Not with drugs but with coffee. I needed a stronger shot!

That’s when I started to appreciate the hot brews from coffee shops. I go there in hopes of stimulant and energy. Or at least a temporary solution to ward off drowsiness and reduce the feeling of being tired. Haay. OK naman. Effective. DQ won’t do. Pantry won’t do. When my eye lids are drooping at work… I forget what expensive means, my feet could trace only the way to a coffee shop’s door, and baristas become superheroes.

Man, this sure is ugly. I still don’t like coffee. Tsk tsk. But I need it. Sigh.

Bring back Pepsi Cino!!!!!!

In chronological order...

- first time to deliver a placenta and cut an umbilical cord
- first time to be the program director of a seminar
- first guy bestfriend
- first farewell speech (huhu.. i miss the publication)
- first graduation march in PICC (probably the last too?)
- first hillwaking
- first mountaineering
- first MP3 player and USB flash drive
- first time to host Freshmen Night at VCF New Manila
- first slide phone (which was later stolen)
- first time to kneel during praise&worship (out of total reverence to my Savior)
- first time to make a resumé
- first hair rebond
- first NBI clearance
- first police clearance
- first SSS application
- first time to apply for a job (and that's online pa ha)
- first job interview
- first job
- first time to see and sign a job contract
- first time to play Warcraft and fooseball
- first salary
- first ATM card
- first bank account
- first corporate email address
- first OT
- first locker
- first time to buy my own mobile phone (Nokia 1600)
- first attempt to make a movie (trip trip lang)
- first long conversation with a foreigner
- first time to eat at Teriyaki Boy, Somethin' Fishy, Yellow Cab, Rufo's, and Burby's
- first time to fall asleep in a movie theater
- first time to see my fullname on national broadsheets
- first professional oath-taking ceremony (Araneta Coliseum)
- first professional license ^_^
- first time to buy and prepare a grand merienda for my family (pesto, pasta, drinks, etc.)
- first 13th month pay
- first 3G phone (Nokia N73ME)
- first memory card
- first time to buy something a li'l expensive for bro (birthday gift)
- first company Christmas party
- first time to go to The Basement & Brown Paper Bag (don't ask me)
- first Rubik's cube
- first successful music download
- first time to drive a scooter (alone!)
- first shopping spree using my own money
- first city violation (jaywalking)
- first time to buy DVDs using my own money
- first time to read a John Grisham novel
- first time to bring my brother in VCF New Manila

My six months' hard (or tamang hard) work has finally paid off. Today, February 6, marks the 6th month of my employment. My probie period has just ended. Yes. I'm now a regular employee of eTel. Yaherz.

Now what? Hmm... Since I'm a licensed nurse, you may ask "What are you doing in a callcenter?" Well, I have my reasons. But trust me. I know what I'm doing. Hehe. I got Jay Jay.

Saw Sky hours ago... He came here in Libis and met him during my lunch time. Ayun...

"Too many times we stand and let the waters slip away, till what we put off till tomorrow has now become today. So don't you sit upon the shoreline and say you're satisfied. Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide.."

Yeah right. Ha ha.

Sigh*

I mentioned before that my wavemates call me "the hacker" back in client specs, ayt? And I mentioned "Trinity" too as my hacker-self's name based on The Matrix (tawag sa'kin nila Bamboo). She's this computer programmer and hacker who has escaped from that virtual reality world. Sigh. Well, just to let you all know... this girl Trinity is back in the Matrix.

Hmm. Figuratively, I guess. "Matrix" is a code we actually use in the company. It 's the codename of an account where we offer technical support for the customers of this large computer company, which you might find out in my next posts. It's incredible. It's big. It's serious technical support... And I'm now an apprentice there. Sigh. It's WOWable, right. The opportunity is awesome. But I'm a bit sad 'coz for sure I'm gonna miss my Intuit-MMG family, esp. Team Sprint.

Jon - the future CPA who loves movie soundtracks, fictions, and the 90's music as much as I do; mini SME ko
Tina - ang kontrabida; the girl who got wind of my Blogger URL, but thanks to her I was encouraged not to hide this site anymore (Thanks sa bracelet & rubik's cube!)
Tin - kasama ko umuwi; si bungisngis; kaya nyang tumawa forever and ever nonstop!
Jade - mini TL ko; tagadala ng masasarap na food... yum!
Joan - mentor ko pagdating sa pagda-download ng kung anik anik; malupit sa WordToYourBrain
Ruvy - Sisterness from Gale! It's difficult to find people you can share with and talk to about your spiritual life. Glad I met her.
Reg - the woman whom I would never dare argue with (over my dead body!); bossing! (takot ako jan eh.. hehe)
Teejay - si Lottie... "Mamma Sarah.." (FYI: Si Clang si Sarah. Ako si Ermengarde. Haha.)
TL Jason - Si Miss Minchin
Dex - Si Miss Amelia
Bucci - Text nya sa'kin every Tuesday: "Jill, may QA calib ba?" At ako naman, laging di sure kung meron nga. Hehe.
JJ - Mr. Libre; taga-sulat ng noisy sa chatroom
Robin - the very first person I bought breakfast for dahil natalo ako sa dare namin minsan. Hay.
Cars - sa Tagalog: mga kotse (hehe); ang girl na laging may blanket
Calai - Ask her "why men marry bitches"... She read the book. She knows the answer, promise.

Come to think of it, last year nung malaman ko na magiging TSR ako, I wished that I'd be assigned in the Matrix 'coz my tech pet instructor came from that program and he told us amazing stories on trouble-shooting. I saw the program as "astig and cool." I'd be dealing with both hardware & software. But then I became part of Mercury (codename). Along the way I came to love the accounting software and totally forgot my first preference to be a Matrix member. Now, unexpectedly, I was pulled out, given this precious chance to be part of the Matrix account. Sigh*

A woman once said "None of us knows what the next change is going to be, what unexpected opportunity is just around the corner, waiting a few months or a few years to change all the tenor of our lives." I guess I can't really prevent change from happening. OK, so maybe I'm sad right now, but I'm gonna be fine. I am a world-class sentimental junkie, seriously. But I'll be fine.

BTW, I'll be a regular employee na this coming February 6. Yay me! And well, it's official... I AM NOW PART OF THE MATRIX.

Ta ta.

Yeah, I just copied the title concept of the Underworld. You remember the blog I had in college about this procrasti-dum-dum? Well, I thought I’ve shed the unproductive practice as I eased my way through graduation, but just today it occurred to me that all the clutters in my room, 4 unread books, the unfinished call-log file I took home, missing NCLEX requirements, the almost-untouched Rinehart material, and my white wristwatch that needs a battery change since 2 months ago could blame that habit for their dreary existence. I should’ve made a resolution last January 1 to always finish what you’ve started and do what you’re supposed to do on time. But I didn’t make any New Year’s resolution this year because, based on my experience, it’s not comforting to have one at all! Let’s say I promised to myself that I’ll clean my room at least every 2 days… That could make me feel good, right? Then after 3 weeks to 1 month (still based on experience) I’d realize I wasn’t able to follow. It would just make me feel so bad about myself. Kaya di ako gumawa… Hay.

So going back, I’m starting to feel a bit stressed out every time I go home from work. Should be the other way around, ‘di ba? But the piled-up desk work alone in my room makes me want to dive quickly for the bed and sleep and forget about everything. After all, I thought, I could finish them all maybe tomorrow, or the next day, or on weekends, or next month… Wait, next month??! I could almost hear Sixpence None the Richer singing in the background “There she goes… There she goes again…”

It’s not really my fault if you’ll analyze my situation. It’s just that I spend almost half of my Earth-rotation time at work and I’d go home very sleepy that cleaning off my desk is the last thing I would want to do. Then on Saturday, I go to the province (my “primary” home) and spend the entire weekend there. So goodbye for a while to my room in the city. There. It’s a vicious cycle. So how could I sneak a few hours into my schedule for the “completion” of my task without being puyat or absent sa work?

Oops. I remember something… Two words…

Time management.

Jay-Jay taught me this before. In College. When I used to eat stress for breakfast. How could I’ve forgotten? It’s the single most effective way to keep me organized.

But I forgot, how do you do that again? Hmm. Oh, yeah…

First, pray. Pray for strength, wisdom and willpower to stay organized.

Second, find a Word to inspire you.

Third, plan a course of action with a time frame.

Fourth… do it.

I found this questionnaire that I wanted to answer myself. Waste of time, but heck, I’ve got nothing else to do. Hehe. So here are some fun facts about me.

10 FAVORITES:
1) Favorite Color: Raven black. Jet black. Piano black. Basta po black.
2) Favorite Foods: Chocolate-filled, chocolate-flavored, chocolate-covered. Basta po chocolate.
3) Favorite Month: August. Shempre birthday ko. Haha.
4) Favorite Song: “Who am I” by the Casting Crowns
5) Favorite Movie: Comedy – 50 First Dates, Drama – A Walk to Remember, Sci-Fi – Star Wars saga, Action – Underworld saga
6) Favorite Sport: To watch – Volleyball Grand Prix (Go Brazil!); To play – Badminton
7) Favorite Season: Rainy (emo po kasi ako..)
8) Favorite Day of the week: Sunday
9) Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: DQ’s Brownies Temptation
10) Favorite Time of the Day: 12:00 midnight

9 CURRENTS:
1) Current Mood: laid-back
2) Current Position: semi-fowler’s on the swivel chair, legs crossed (chill!)
3) Current Craving: chocolate cake
4) Current Toenail Color: No polish. What for? Lagi na’kong naka-shoes. Hehe.
5) Current Job: Technical Support Rep for QB Enterprise
6) Current Song in Your Mind: "Geek in the Pink" by Jason Mraz. Hehe. LSS.
7) Current Activity Aside From Answering This: Checking new emails
8) Current Thoughts: Too many!!
9) Current Curiosity: Is there an increasing trend in ultraviolet radiation at the Earth’s surface, and what is the UV index and how is it calculated? HAHAHA. Joke. Shempre di naman ako ganun ka-geek noh. Eto na lang, can you cry underwater?

8 FIRSTS:
1) First Best Friend: Mary Grace
2) First School: FHLA
3) First Screen Name: Di naman ako artista eh.. haha. At kung artista man ako, I'll use my real name coz I'm proud of my name. (naks!)
4) First Word: “Ola.” (from a soap commercial daw)
5) First Mobile Phone: Nokia 3310 (2001). Her name is Padme.
6) First Crush: Tristan (in 2nd grade)
7) First Music Album: “Aquamarine” by Aqua (I’m a Barbie girl in a Barbie world..)
8) First Car: Wala pa nga eh. Pahingi ng isa. May extrang Ford Expedition ka? Hehe. But my dream car is a black 2008 Cadillac Escalade na may 26-inch Giovanna Tartous chrome wheels. Astig talaga yun. I like cars, esp. big and black ones. Lamborghini, Porsche, and Ferrari never fascinate me (pero kung may magbibigay sa'kin, why not? Haha.) Basta I'll go for big wheels.

7 LASTS:
1) Last Movie Seen: "I Am Legend" starring Will Smith (great movie!)
2) Last TV Show Seen: House M.D.
3) Last Trip to the Mall: 12 hours ago. SM Fairview. I forgot my 300-something-pesos change last day from this shop at the groud floor. Binalikan ko. Good thing the cashier remembered me. Hayz..
4) Last Cigarette: College. Never again. Yuck. (The old has gone.)
5) Last Purchase: A Walk to Remember DVD in AstroPlus (zawakaz, nabili ko rin)
6) Last Phone Call: Denver (my 3-year-old godson) Di rin kami nagkaintindihan. Haha. Gusto nya lang marinig boses ko.
7) Last Song Played: “Fly” by Sanctus Real (phone mp3)

6 HAVE YOU EVER?
1) Have You Ever Dated One Of Your Best Guy/Girl Friends: Uh, it’s not really a date, but…
2) Have You Ever Broken the Law: Nakufo, yes. Last December. Jaywalking sa Marikina. I was in a hurry kasi. Asarness. Tapos nahuli pa. Hehe. Pinapili ako kung magbabayad ako ng 100 bucks or community service for 2 hours. Dyahe naman ung 2nd option diba? So ayun.
3) Have You Ever Been Arrested: Muntik na, ‘coz of jaywalking again, sa EDSA Cubao. Buti nakatakas kami ni Kim! Hehehe. Yung ibang classmates lang namin ang na-"aresto"..
4) Have You Ever Considered Joining the Military: Yep. Nung high school, during my CAT days, ‘coz back then I became fascinated by military stuff. I was the third highest ranking officer in our batch dahil kinareer ko ang CAT. Hahaha. Said I’ll enlist after finishing Accountancy.
5) Have You Ever Been on a Stage Play: Yup. High school.
6) Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn’t Know: Acheche. Never. Hehe.

5 THINGS You've Done Today:
1) Googled things.
2) Wikied things.
3) Downloaded songs.
4) Fixed my work stuff
5) ... and this.
** Shempre parang wala pa akong ginawa TODAY coz it's only 6:45 AM. Adik naman. Hehe. Sana YESTERDAY ang tanong para mas worthwhile things ang sagot ko. Haha.

4 TV/Movie Characters You Like:
1) Padme Naberrie Amidala of Star Wars
2) Selene of Underworld
3) Dr. Izzy Stevens of Grey’s Anatomy
4) Dr. Allison Cameron of House M.D.

3 THINGS YOU CANT Live Without:
1) Scriptures
2) Chocolate
3) Movies
** But the last 2 items are not that essential in my life compared to the first one

2 THINGS You Do When You're Bored:
1) Think of HIM
2) Play Warcraft? Hehe.

1 SPECIAL SOMEONE YOU CAN TELL ANYTHING TO:
Him. Of course.

CHOICES
1) Black or White: Black
2) Hot or Cold: Cold (I have this health condition.. Nagiging “Majin Bu” ako pag mainit. But my body can’t also tolerate extreme coldness.)

1 THING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE: There are many things. I would like to pilot an aircraft, buy my dream house, visit all seven continents, start my dream business and go nationwide, finish writing an inspirational novel, and become Bulacan’s governor. Hehe. But seriously, if there’s one thing that I truly want to accomplish in this world, one thing that far outweighs all the desires in my heart.. it’s to serve God with all my strength. Nothing more.

The entire Mid Market Group (that’s us) is moving to Shaw on February 4, so we could be “united” with the other departments under the same account. Hayz. We have two weeks left before the "program consolidation". Wala pa kami don but I already miss Libis. I love this place. Here are the reasons why…

The ops are located in the 20th floor of Cyberone building, in which the first 3 floors are the Cybermall. MALL! And just a stone’s throw is the Eastwood Mall. It’s a fun surrounding! Then I always like bookstores. I love the smell of books and the sight of cramped book shelves. So before our shift starts, I enjoy having a short look-around in National Bookstore-Cybermall and those small bookstores inside the Eastwood mall. In Shaw, yes, Starmall, Shangrila and SM Megamall are not far away from the site but you’d have to cross busy avenues to get there, including EDSA! Unlike here, the roads in Eastwood are not that wide and only a few cars and cabs pass. Kahit maglaro ka pa ng teks sa gitna. The busy main roads (C5 & E.Rod. Jr. Ave.) enclose this westernized compound but you can’t see them from within. You won’t even smell the combustion even if you’re eating outside the resto, these open-air dining areas I’ve come to love in Eastwood. Sigh.

Masaya mag-foodtrip dito. Cravin’ for ice cream? Go to DQ. Fastfood? Dash for McDo, Jollibee, Chowking or KFC. Turning Japanese? Say itadakimasu at Tokyo Tokyo or Teriyaki Boy. Want something Italian? Visit Pirata or Fazoli (and say ‘hi’ to my favorite garlic breads please). Got a monstrous hunger? Gobble up the midnight buffet in Somethin’ Fishy or the famous tapa in Rufo’s. Wanna try different cuisines? Check out Serye, Ebisu or Jack's Loft. Feel like dancing a bit? There’s Ipanema or The Basement, which I found out is really located underground (Rina, di pala tubig yung ininom ko dun? Huhu. Kayo talaga..). Gusto mo magpalibre ng pizza sa supervisors mo? Abduct them and untie their hands in Yellow Cab (Di ba naman RJ, Louie & Peaches? Hehehe). May Go Nuts Donuts nga rin pala. At sa mga panahong di ka nagtitipid, stop at Starbucks, Seattle’s Best or Gloria Jeans. Pero kung feel mo lang kumain ng vetsin (Team Sprint’s term for chips), uminom ng softdrinks, o bumili ng kung anu-anong fingerfoods to have something to munch on while you’re working (ehem, bisyo ko), pop in at 7-11 or Mini Stop before riding the elevator, going up up up up…. I didn’t mention the other restaurants ‘coz I can’t remember their names and I haven’t yet tasted their food. There are a lot of kiosks around that sell fruit shakes, donuts, potato fries, juice, and so forth. Grabe, all the food establishments I have mentioned stand side by side. If you’re not careful, you’d grow horizontally in Eastwood. Haha.

Other things that I’ll miss:
-- Floor-hopping in Cyberone
-- My lockers! (Noong TQ, I had one with Rina. Then I got 2 lockers when I was moved to ES: one assigned locker that I share with Bucci and another one that I just use unnoticed. Hehe. Kasi wala naman talagang gumagamit eh)
-- Foosball and Table Tennis
-- My workstation
-- The forbidden-but-tolerated stuff Joan & I do
-- The Country Style kiosk at the 3rd floor (source ng aking Triple Choco Boom)
-- The boutiques and accessories shops
-- Pagsakay ng jeepney to “Ever Rosario”, at yung pagbaba kapag sumigaw na yung driver ng “Citibank! Citibank!” only to find out that you don’t really debark near “Citibank” dahil across “Banco de Oro” ka binaba. Kwela.
-- Pagsakay ng tricycle sa Monark, at yung paminsan-minsang backride. Weee!
-- Yung mga kachikahan kong nurses sa clinic (colleagues!)
-- The landscape and horizon I see from the window of the 28th floor sleeping lounge (Dun din nawala yung Nokia 5200 ko)
-- Places that I pass on my way, including “Manggahan” na wala namang puno ng mangga and “Santolan” na wala namang puno ng santol
-- The peeps I’ve come to know, those who are not going to Shaw.
-- Station 168 - where I play Warcraft with my workmates

One thing that I might come back for: Free concert at the Plaza.

Now, now… I’m getting too sentimental. I should stop this na.

Lord, thank You for loving me. Though I don't deserve it because I've failed You many times, You stayed by my side and never left me, not even once.

"...And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise from the inside out of my soul."

Lord, forgive my transgressions. Lead me, mold me. I want to serve You and live in Your presence forever. The security and hope You give me fuel my drive to live according to Your will and advance Your kingdom. God, when sometimes I was straying because of outside influences and self-centered goals, thank You so much for still believing that I can change and learn from my mistakes. I want to shout to the world how You changed my whole life. I love You so much!

For the next seven days, as I consecrate myself to You, may You give me more revelation that would serve as my guide for this year.

Repair me, empower me, and prepare me for Your purposes.

This is the first time that I made a list of my year-round bests and worsts, ‘coz I kinda liked the idea after reading some strangers’ seriocomical recollections of 2007. It’s fun actually so I plan on making it a tradition here in my site. If you’re not interested, then begone, mortal! Otherwise, amuse-toi bien! Ha ha.

BEST PURCHASE: A pair of black Chucks that kept my feet from freezing in the office
Next best thing: Raven – my new mobile phone (Nokia N73 ME)

WORST PURCHASE: That thick fancy bracelet I bought in Starmall. Feels so big and heavy on my wrist that I rarely wear it.

BEST SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT: Graduating in college with some “accolades”. To God be the glory and honor. (So since I‘ve already graduated, the scholastic category may no longer appear in the following years. Hm, sounds like I’m gonna be a blogger for a long time…)

BEST CAREER EXPERIENCE: Becoming a support engineer for Intuit, and receiving 100%-sat survey results from our customers.

BEST NEWS: August 2006 – Text message from Kim, telling me that I passed the local Nursing board exam.

WORST NEWS: January – Woke up one morning with an odd feeling, then I was told that my grandpa has passed away.

BEST SNACK: Country Style’s Triple Choco Boom. This became my pick-me-up food whenever I’m tired from work.

BEST DRINK: 7-11’s Big Gulp of fourseason and pineapple mix. Yeah, I mix ‘em in one cup. Drinking this for like 3 to 4 times a week.

BEST GARMENT BOUGHT: A white Every Nation jacket c/o Ate Ethel

BEST TRIP: Going to the prayer mountain in Rizal on April.

WORST EXPERIENCE: Sleeping at the prayer mountain with only my thin shirt and shorts to protect me from the cold night wind, having just this thin mattress between me and the cement. I was totally freezing and shivering!

BEST MOVIE WATCHED AT HOME: The Godfather trilogy
*Why “watched at home”? I’m not much of a movie-goer last year ‘coz of tight skeds so I seek “restitution” at home.

WORST MOVIE: Slither! Kadiri talaga 'tong film na 'to. Gross and creepy! Yakididakdak to the highest level!!!

IMPRESSIVE ARTISTS WHO DIDN’T START THEIR CAREER LAST YEAR BUT THAT I CAME TO LIKE LAST YEAR:
1. Switchfoot – I admire the message of their songs. Sobrang may sense.
2. Oasis – Sarap sabayan ng lyrics.
3. Six Cycle Mind – It all started when I first heard their rendition of “Upside Down”
4. Audioslave – Genius!
5. Spongecola – I didn’t like this band before ‘coz of their first released singles. Parang mababaw kasi yung message ng songs. But last year I discovered “Gunita”, “Neon” and “Gemini”. They’re pretty good.
6. Darkfield Illuminator – Gothic band. I like the song effects.
7 Spirit 101 – Gothic band. I like the guitar-drum pattern.
8. Stormgarde – Gothic band again. (Pardon the goth in me.) The female vocalist has a very distinct voice, different from my all-time favorite Amy Lee, but still striking in its own way. She just have a slightly funny acent.
9. Beseech – Don’t I just love “Innerlane”? Sigh. By the way, they’re gothic. So you think I’m a bit biased?
10. U2 – Great band. I wonder why I wasn’t really aware of them before?

* SPECIAL MENTION:
1. Disturbed – This band’s songs are really disturbing. But let’s give ‘em recognition for the brains.
2. System of a Down – (drums: dag dag dag boom!) “Life is but a dream, drifting on a stream… A stream… Consciously it seems all of what remains… Ego brain… and they shame!!! Sheeeym, laaaab after it re eh eh eh eyns…..” Hahahaha. Nakakatawa lang sabayan yung kanta nila. Hihihi.

AWESOME SONGS THAT WEREN’T RELEASED LAST YEAR BUT THAT I DISCOVERED LAST YEAR:
1. From the Inside Out – Hillsong United
2. Meant to Live – Switchfoot
3. Collide – Howie Day
4. Innerlane – Beseech
5. I Don’t Want to be – Gavin DeGraw

BEST BOOK READ: The Heavenly Man by Yun

BEST DECISION: Stick with God no matter what. =)

Happy New Year to everyone!

NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS from the President of Virtual Republic of the Philippines.... Her Excellency... Jillian (LOLz!)

Dear citizens of VRP, dear friends. In a few minutes, Bulacan super firecrackers will herald the beginning of the new year, 2008, and the outgoing year will become a part of VRP history (Hey, would you mind staying indoors please so you could avoid gory accidents? Yuckiness eh.). No doubt, the fate of every one of us was reflected in it, as were the crazy achievements of the entire nation. New projects and approaches to solving pressing statewide tasks emerged. Our nation is so small that my blogsite is our only means of communication, so always stay tuned. Add jenchocolate.blogspot.com to your favorites.

This coming year then, let us look forward to a brighter world. Ay kayo lang pala kasi I get headache from glares eh. Kaya lagi akong naka-shades. You know.

I pledge to continue in keeping you updated about my life (or at least some part of it), and together we shall continue to build toward a great future for all blogistang emo. Long live!

Hahaha. ROFL. O xa xa.. bavoosh na. Happy New Year ulit. SmiLe ;)