Manila, Manila, I keep Coming Back To Manila

The song is in my head! And yes I’m coming back to Manila albeit only for a very short vacation starting this Friday until Sunday! Wohooo!

I planned this trip with my sister last year but had to cancel because the holiday was cancelled by our ever dearest new president Abnoy (oopss, Noynoy I mean).

Aside from my sister I am also with my SpEd classmates but they will be going there earlier than me, we will just meet there when I’m there.

It’s been almost a year since I was in Manila. The last time was last June when I went to Bora and had an extra day to stay. I miss living in Manila, I’m not like everybody else that loathes it. I actually love the place, but not as much as I love my own Cebu City.

Itinerary includes: Ocean Park and EK. Although I’ve been there I’m still thrilled to go there again. I’m sure I’m going to ride the MRT (I miss the MRT) and go to the malls.

Even though it is just a short stay, it’s enough to quench my Manila thirst.

Stuck in a Moment

It’s been a month since I am on this state, “limbo”-like, though I’ve never been to limbo, but I guess limbo is like this. You await for something, knowing that you are waiting for something yet you must do something before that something you await comes… – confusing? My point exactly!

I thought that finally I can stay put on someplace – this place – yet I’m already thinking otherwise.

It’s just some feeling though, I’m not finalizing it yet, and if there’s anything I’ve learned from the past is to NOT be compulsive about my actions and decisions. I promise to myself that I will study and learn as much as I can and weigh the pros and cons of the situation before I make any decisions.

For now I guess I’m just tired of the “beach” outing last weekend that I’m just so low in energy.

The 3am Blog

Ok so I'm awake this very early, and it is not December for the Misa de Gallo, it is for the beach! Yes the beach, I always wanted to go but because of the weather, the crazy weather, I didn't, but now? Yes!

To what beach? Bantayan island. The last time I was there was like ages ago back in 2005. As I remembered it, it was a beautiful white sandy beach.

I don't know how to swim, but I like to just be on the shoreline watching the waves, the beauty of nature including those that walks. I like to be on the beach because it pauses time away from the razzle dazzle of city life.

I've been standing here and being bitten by mosquitos bit by bit waiting for my ride, where are you newfound acquintance?

So excited already, my camera's gonna love the love!

Road Block

I am currently in a roadblock. I don’t know where to turn or if I should move in the first place. I’m imagining myself to just be out of my body and see the other side (no! not die but just see the other side). Am I waiting for a good outcome or is waiting a bad idea? My instincts tell me to just do what I can do to get out from this situation and face the consequences of my actions good or bad, and just charge it to experience.

On the other hand, waiting does pose the same amount of risk and consequences as moving.

I’m on the move, so wish me good luck!

Windows Phone 7 “Atatness”

I know this feeling
The rush and excite it brings
For I know that I wanted
And I wanted it dear

Download increased my thrill
For it is slow as a snail
How can I progress
When the progress bar does not increase?

I already downloaded
Lots of references and
Tutorials, videos, blogs
Name it and its already embedded

Can’t wait for this night
Should post a thing from the emulator
That will make known to the world
Windows Phone is not yet over.

Email Phobia

Recently I noticed that I hate opening my emails, like Yahoo and even my own corporate email account which is one of the first applications I open when I turn-on my office workstation. It’s like I’m afraid that it brings only bad news. I hate bad news, who doesn’t right?

The Truth.

The reason that I hate opening Yahoo emails is that it is the email account where I can be reached by my previous part time job. You see I left it hanging, my status with them, and I have some serious issues to make-up that I don’t have the courage to face them yet. I know it’s kind of cowardly and running away from the problem instead of facing it. The problem is that it’s dragging on and I want to let go, but I’m stuck.

Karma.

Like a chain, now I feel a little mortified when I’m about to open my corporate account. For it feels that at any moment I will be reprimanded and it will completely ruin my day. Specially on Tuesdays when we had this weekly meetings about status and progress.

I know the time to face my problem is getting nearer and nearer and I have no other option but to face them head on.

Is there a safety helmet designed for such “incidents”? I need a hard one, I’m afraid for my life.

Slingshot Effect

This concept has been used for ages by those people that design spaceships. Instead of burning fuel to reach a destination let’s say another planet, they use a neat trick by making the probe (or whatever space ship) build momentum by circling another celestial body (like the moon) then because of whatever force will “slingshot” the ship to its destination, less fuel more efficient.

But this blog is not about physics or astronomy. This is about, just a piece of my thinking.

In the early days, like 7 years ago, I was like burning to get into a destination. With so much to prove and idealism to fuel those dreams, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that I’ll get there, albeit worn out and jaded.

But, I did get there. Jaded. A little bit. Ok, more than a little bit.

And as a promise to myself, or to learn from the experience, I said “I would never do that again…”.

So passed the years that I’m just an Earth-bound satellite, never really excelling, just not high enough to escape Earth’s gravity.

And yet, I get tired of being mediocre all the time. I miss the challenge. I miss the fire.

I did not know when it started, but I’m actually accelerating. Will I let myself to get burnt out this time or will I use the slingshot effect? The latter is promising but I need a lot of math instead of just raw desires, and math in this case is strategy.

And today, I’m expecting a lot of bad news. Maybe I will get scolded, or embarrassed or ridiculed. I don’t know. I don’t really know. But this is the feeling that made me realize I’m stepping out of my comfort zone again. To take on new challenges. To take on new responsibilities. To breath a new meaning to this life.

For this renewed ties to myself I say, “Bon Voyage!”

The Dreams

1st Episode: The Taxi Ride

I was travelling by plane, when it landed I hop into a taxi. The taxi driver said that some routes are closed and we need to go the other way. He told me that I can borrow his bicycle so that I can go to my destination faster. I complied and carried some sort of package and cycle my way to my friend's house. 

When I arrived at her place, she asked "Where is your bag? Did you get the plate number of the taxi?",that's when I realized that I did not take note of the number. I felt desperate and stupid because I left my things there. My friend texted my number as to our location and hoping that the taxi driver will deliver my things.

After some moment, the taxi arrived and the good samaritan driver returned my things. I felt relieved and woke up.

2nd Episode: Rain and Singing Cat

My friend invited me to her wedding anniversary. I was in a yellow shorts and white t-shirt and carried an extra yellow shirt. When I arrived at the place and tried to wear the yellow shirt I felt off and decided I should wear something more formal and decided to go back home and change. 

On my way, heavy rains fell and I was soaked. I find shelter in a store with a transparent wall (I think it was glass/window shield). Another friend of mind mine with her boyfriend riding a jeepney, passes me by and upon seeing me laughed hard. 

The rain stopped and I decided to just walk home since it is near. The "trisikad" driver tells told me to go to the other side of the road since they are not allowed to take passengers on where I was standing.

When I was about to sit on the "trisikad" I saw three (3) common pets yet are strange. 

The first I recognized was a very fat cat sleeping. The next thing I notice is the puppy which is playing on the seats, the puppy looks like a stuffed toy and not real. The strangest of them all is the singing cat that has a body of a bee. "Hey Ya" is the song it is repeating as I remembered. Another strange thing about the cat is that its body can be folded like an envelop. 

A man said that these pets are trained. Also they are being "lent" from somewhere and they teach them new tricks as to improve and add more to their skills.

I look up the sky, it was dark and full of brightly shining stars.

Heartful

Yes, it's obvious that I am not fond of the V day.
It's one of those days that I really hate, actually not hate -it's such a strong word, maybe just dislike.

Think of it, suddenly the world is Full of Love! Eeky. Wherever you turn you see hearts. Bread shaped like hearts, table mats cutouts of hearts, lovesongs over the air, I predict heart contact lenses this year.

Business is booming especially those that sells flowers- the other season where flowers are in demand comes 9 months after, All Saints/Souls Day. Hotels, motels, pension houses, cottages, parks, vacant lots are teeming with couples expressing their "love" for each other by exchanging bodily fluids. 

Everybody is such in a loving mode but not so much love that it's zero crime, only a Pacquiao match can do that, that you feel the world is on a better place even for just a day.

The only thing I like about V day is the romantic themed movies, studios local or international, are releasing. It's a guilt free pleasure to just watch those films and just forget your problems, be it a problem of the heart but seriously the head gets all the problems.

Anyways, Feb 14 has become embedded in our culture that it really is useless to rant against it -better why not enjoy it. And this year it would be spent with my 2 little angels.

Weddings

In my age, most of my colleagues and friends are either hitched or have trophies (slang for babies). I have none (fortunately or unfortunately, it's too early to tell).

#this is a shoutout

The Day Mini Died

I'm still on the denial stage.

I'm still hoping that she can be revived.
I shouldn't have used her like that.
I'm an abusive person.
Making her work overnight, even when I know she is not alright.

I know something's wrong when she makes those 'clicking' sounds.
I know something's going to be wrong because I feel her heating up when I wake up each morning after just letting her stay up all night.

So much memories are in her.
I've put in so many parts of my thoughts to her.
Now maybe gone. Forever.With her.

I think this is goodbye my mini.
I can't replace you for now. You will be missed.

My First Ever 'Walk'

Woke up early at around 3:00am.
I had a fever going on because of some infection I got from eating too much spicy foods the night before. I tested my feet if I can manage to standup without fainting, it would be too dramatic if I faint suddenly in front of thousands of people.

Cooked an egg. Hard boiled.
I promised that I would join the Walk for Mary, the first time ever! Not that Im a devotee, but my primary purpose is to take photos of the crowd. Just image the scene, the sky is still dark, thousands of people walking with candles. What a great scene to practice taking shots in low light!

I heard the prayers over the air.
After eating the egg, I put on slippers and just hurried my way to the road, with just my camera, wallet and umbrella - in a bag of course. I thought that I was  already late for the procession, but I was wrong, I was there in Fuente Osmenia circle around 30 minutes before the image of the Birhen sa Guadalupe arrived.

Waiting.
I positioned myself at the skywalk to have a better view of the masses. When the image of blessed mother finally arrived, it was an awesome view to behold! It was really surreal to see all those people, praying and singing the tune of "Batobalani sa Gugma" with raised hands and swaying them over the air.

Ache.
Arriving at the Basilica, I decided that I should be inside and hear mass. It was when I stood there for more than an hour that I felt my waist is going to dislodge and Im so thirsty and hungry! Not to mention that sobbing pain I feel on my feet.

Tired.
Checked another one for the Sinulog activities I like to attend. Tomorrow is the fluvial parade I wanted to attend also, because it has been a long time since. But I feel that my body is not up to another pushing and shoving and walking long distances for tomorrow, but I'm still contemplating, will listen to my body for signs.

2011 is the year I got my Sinulog groove back!

Sinulog Fever

After not feeling "Christmasy" at all during the Christmas season, it's Sinulog time!

And yes, I definitely am more excited for Sinulog rather than Christmas this time. Why? I also asked that myself.

Maybe because Sinulog is upbeat compared to the melacholic melodies of Pasko.
Maybe because you don't have to give presents.
Maybe because it draws people to the streets, the dancing, the processions, compared to the much more family-oriented Christmas.

As for this year's Sinulog, I have ticked off a few (from my Sinulog bucket list) of the things that I wanted to do (or redo) in Sinulog. My ultimate goal maybe for next year is to join that photocontest, but I need to get the right gear first.

Devoutee or not, I am having a renewed interest in Sinulog, it is my new favorite season of the year!

It Started With Rain

2011 started very WET. It rains almost every hour for the last 4 days.
It's gloomy, cold and makes me want to stay in my bed like forever.

If not for the "nature" calls.
If not for work.
If not for the headache I get by sleeping too much - I would have just lay there like sleeping beauty, or sleeping beast to be politically correct.

Family drama spiked a few metric system high. I didn't win as I would like it to be, but I guess I learn a lesson that will stick to me for quite some time and that is to just be respectful and stay away from family business that's not my business.

Work is fine I suppose. With an impending new requests from the client coming, I'm a bit nervous - overwhelmed actually, it's like I'm looking at a forest and needs to know the varieties of the trees in it.

I'm with great positivity that my partner who is the master of all these "trees" will come back from her supposed to be vacation and  at the very least still guide me on these coming requirements. She would surely help me pass the obstacles ahead. But in any case, I myself feels that I can do this, it may not be a smooth ride but I'm trying to get out of it - whole.

One thing that I did not get myself whole last 2009 is my contract with a dear professor friend. It saddens me really to be unproductive and a burden to her. I promised her certain things that I didn't deliver. It was my bad, I'll offer no explanation, no redemption.

2011 is just starting, it may have started wet but knowing the Philippines, it will get really really hot soon.

2010 Reckoning

It was another "full" year for me. So much had happen. As expected some of the things I planned worked, other failed miserably and a few surprises did happen. I made friends, a lot of acquaintances, maybe a few enemies, zilch lovelife, multiple jobs, travels, botched plans, a few gadgets, and I can say overall a good year!

I will not enumerate one by one what happened in the 12 months of 2010, that would be too exhausting and boring. A few events do stand out out of the rest, and let me start last summer.

Honestly, I was not prepared for what is to come on May of 2010. I wasn't exactly happy in my job but it was, as I say to myself better than nothing - and for that period of time I was also experiencing a detached feeling on what I do best (or so I think I do best which involves tinkering computer codes). I wasn't exactly happy but settled and I was not looking for anything to spike my interest either.

Looking at it now, in retrospect, I guess it was time for me to rev up my skills. I was axed - almost a year after I was hired. I was shocked at first, may have undergone the 5 stages of grief.

Denial. "It is good and besides I don't need this company".
Anger. "The company's profit is on the high! Why us?! Management should be at fault!"
Bargaining. "I know I will be out of work, can I at least have this monitor?"
Depression. "Im useless, my skills are all worn out. I will not get any good jobs now. Sleep. Laze around. 3 months of being unproductive."
Acceptance. "I will pass my resume around and apply for that programmer job. Review."

Yes, I have undergone all those emotions, it was a roller-coaster ride so to speak. But August 2010 tote a light in the darkened tunnel brought about by the business decision of my previous employer that made me and 80+ co employees jobless.

The summer of 2010 also brought me to new places. Let's start with the undeniable "it" place for summer beach getaway - BORACAY!

My Ideyatech friends bought our tickets month prior due to a SALE promo from PAL. Boracay has always been in my bucket list of places to visit - but is not a priority since I imagine it as super expensive because of all the hype and the press it gets and how luxurious it is.

And yes, luxurious it is! The perfect natural white sand shore that stretches island-long. The beauty and the scene of it is just completely paradise here on earth. I enjoyed my stay in Bora. Not to mention that I spent not a great deal, thanks to my frugal friends who doesn't surrender in finding the best deals for a cheap spend.

At the tail end of the summer, I went out with multiple groups. I only know one or two persons from each of these groups because I was just so eager to go to the places they are going to visit that I risk being "OP (out of place)". But I managed, and instead become "FC (feeling close)" to them.

Camotes with the Tamiya peeps. Camotes is another popular destination that is so near home that I always put it at the back of my head. I was just so happy to be invited by my former highschool classmate. The beaches there, I can say hold a lot of potential, is maybe at par with Boracay's if it is to be developed and maintained properly. There are many attractions and sites that can be explored - caves, the different resorts, souvenirs, lakes - to name some.

Bohol with MTM peeps. I was invited by another former classmate from highschool. She was also invited by her friend, whose boyfriend works at MTM (technically I am a 3rd degree invitee). But my the powers of FC with me, it was a nice and memorable experience. I've been to Bohol many times, but my goal for this particular visit is not to tour but to experience the extreme! Zipline and Plunge at Danao Bohol adventure park.

The experience of being dropped 200 meters down a cliff is just so mind blowing and scary that I just have to do it - one tick off from my bucket list. One minute ride on the zipline feels like an eternity when you look down and feel like you are going to fall with just a small movement made. It is a hair raising experience so to speak.

Snorkeling and island hopping with Wipro. The only thing that I love being with this group is that they are so into accounting and always looking for the best deals without compromising the experience.

The rainy days came, but the heat didn't really disappear. It's always sunny and the rainy days that did came was forgettable. Nothing Ondoy worthy to remember about and Im not complaining.

With the rain came rejuvenation.
Renewed hope.
Great potential to be someone I used to know.

The Gadgets.
Buying gadgets that I like is not an easy task. For me with a limited financial resources I have to think twice, thrice, a multitude of times before deciding that I will buy such gadgets.

Because I was hooked to running this year, I bought an ipod touch 4th gen with the Nike+ sensor. It records the distance ran and also saves the history of my runs and I can upload my records to their website. It's a nice feeling to view the history ran overtime. Also this gadget is good for reading ebooks and listening to audiobook and music. It has many purpose except for a cellphone - we have an iphone for that (but I dont have it, its way to expensive for me).

My canon ixus has been with me for 3 years and it served me well. I need to upgrade from a point and shoot camera to something with more manual controls. I was initially looking at the micro four thirds system dSLR but was taken away by Sony's NEX5 system. It may not have all the dSLR functionality but it does have what I need. It takes better pictures too compared to my point and shoot, and has interchangeable lens.

Family.
It was me who left for a year to Manila in 2008, now my sister left for Australia. We may have lost a sister but we also welcomed a new member of our family, my niece Chacha born October 3. We are a growing family if I may say so. My youngest sister is having her husband and 2 children stay at our house. I may not agree with that setup but I am not in the position to say anything since I am not the owner of this house, my parents are.

Family drama is kept to a minimum this year because everyone is busy with their day to day affairs and leaves little time for each member of the family to really get together and speak their minds or air their issues towards the other members. It is good if not bland.

To end this rather long blog, is a prayer.

Lord, thank you for being with me and my family and friends this year as you always do each and every year. I just want to thank you for all the blessings especially the learning that you showered to us. It is with great humility to ask, but what I do ask is that you will continue to bless us and protect us, Lord.

P.S I completed the 9 Misa de Gallo this year! Cheers!

The Day After Christmas

In 2010, the day after Christmas is a Sunday, 25th being a Saturday. It's also a four-day weekend which starts on the 24th and ends on the 27th. The holiday on the 27th is originally a holiday on the 30th which was moved to promote local tourism within the country.

Anyways, Christmas techically has passed and we are now waiting for the New Year! For this Christmas I gave some of my stuffs as gifts- I was short of cash. 

First off for my youngest sis is my Canon digicam I have for 3 years. Its LCD screen may already have sunspots, but it still takes good pictures. Besides I also bought a new cam, a sony nex 5. 

Next was my ipod shuffle 3rd gen. I already bought an ipod touch which makes it a redundancy and a dust collector. Better given than to sit there and rot or rust. This one is given to my cousin Kynji.

Since Clyde is such a reader, I gave him a boxed set of Pullman's trilogy, His Dark Materials. This collection includes The Golden Compass. I bought this set 3 years ago through Amazon site.

For the rest of my "inaanaks" I just gave them 5 super crispy 20 peso bills.

As for me, I was given a polo shirt from mama.

This Christmas is definitely better than last years'.

A New Season Begins

Yes.
New Year brings with it a rejuvenation kind of feeling that makes me feel and think that I can do anything!
Basing from previous years of life reflection it's better to feel this kind of feeling once in a while than feel hopeless and weary all year long. Even if, basing from the past, this feeling is like an itch - once scratched and in due time will fade - it's better than feel nothing.

So it is with great joy and jubilation that I will continue to write the next chapter of my life. It is not that I was not active in posting pictures, thoughts and even nonsense to this blog - but what Im aiming is to make my writing not just ranting or stress reliever but also something that I can read in the future and will make me understand myself better.

Welcome 2011,Goodbye 2010!

2010 Round-up

2010 is fast approaching to a close and it's time to have a summary of what went well, wrong, awesome, cool, disappointing...etc

But you have to wait because that's about 26 days from now.

I'm getting it ready and I'm contemplating on buying a new domain for my blog, or move my blog somewhere else.

The Villain in Me

I cant contain much longer my anger with my B-i-L. Recently I've heard from the careless whispers of our commune that he is a cheater.

Last night, even in my dreams I wander how to physically, or psychologically torture that bastard. If only in real life I can pull that stunt off.

Maybe I will just burst with the slightest provocation, time will tell.

Christmas Party 2010

Company Christmas Party

Tomorrow, Dec 4 or techically later at 6pm, will be my first ever Christmas party with my new company - let's call company N. I've been with company N for almost four months now, and I can say that I have made acquintances with the other employees.

It's just dissappointing to witness these really skilled people leaving the company. But I guess that's the nature of this job because I may still be jobless had no one ever resigned. 

Anyways back to the event. All I know is that this year's event is bigger than the previous years. There are items to be raffled out and Im secretly praying to win some, since I am quite lucky with raffle draws. 

Im wearing the maroon long sleeves I bought back in Christmas party 2008 - also worn in Christmas party 2008 - when I was still in Manila. I will not wear the tux with it since nobody's wearing a tux anyway (I guess).

Im also part of the group presentation. Woe will be rendering the hand sign interpretation of the hugely popular Christian song "I am yours".

And who would forget the food? There has been many testimonies that the food in Marco Polo is good! - but I will rest my case in the momwnt I have tasted them.

Nex-5 will be usable for tomorrow's event!

That's all and I will sleep.