JD's Musings Decomplexified

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 ;)