tita anabel

When Craving Attacks part 2

Today is happy eating day. Well actually, it was Friday when I craved for Northpark and to Tin's surprise, I enjoyed a happy lunch with Jon, Belle and Ayn. Jon told them I've been craving for it since Thursday. True. I asked him where we'd be getting food that shift but didn't want Northpark coz' it's too expensive considering that payday is still 5 days away. But I couldn't hold my craving much longer and I was determined to get my food the next day. So I offered to pay for most of the charge. Typical. Well I'm broke too but not that broke. Sobra lang ang budget hehe.

Then there was Sunday after watching the men's basketball at RFM. We went to Shangri-la Mall to grab some lunch. So it's happy eating once again. We were supposed to settle for Tokyo Tokyo but I didn't feel like eating there. I wanted pasta so we went to CPK. I really enjoyed the Bolognese Penne. Not that much with the Chicken BBQ pizza though - too salty. I love their lemon iced tea. I remember I was super thirsty that time that I finished my drink while they've only drank an inch. And again, I offered to pay for most of the charge because I dragged them there. Teka, dragging nga ba yun? It was more like magnetism to me. :op

A while ago, my co-trainers and I had lunch naman at Dencio's. But this time, KKB na. Sana diba? Pare-pareho lang kami ng pay! :op

But just to clear things up, I'm not rich. Tatagalugin ko pa. Hindi ako mayaman, OK??? If I were, I would've bought a new phone a long time ago. It just so happened that I had a bit more budget, and I love treating my close friends - the most special ones. The best. It's my own way of saying "thanks" and making them feel important aside from sharing stories, listening, and all that. My favorite is sharing food that is why sometimes, I'm caught paying for meals. Especially when craving attacks, I would want to share food even if I'm to pay for all of it.

This "art" runs in the family and was triggered by my College bestfriend. He has a huge influence on me and has taught me a great deal about generosity. We had this rule stating, "kung sino nag-aya, sha manlilibre." But of course, it wasn't followed all the time. I kinda miss those days but we have our own lives now. He has a wife and daughter while I'm enjoying my singlehood.

Disclaimer: This wasn't posted so that I could be abused. OK? :op

"Tita Annabelle"

Sunday was men's basketball game day for my team. We were there in white supporting the best team we know by heart. Aaaaw, "I heart you!". Hehehe... And we were cheering, "Ches-ter! Ches-ter... Jon?!" (repeat until tired) . But I was near the opponent's crowd and this one annoying constipated-looking b**ch was saying, "...tignan mo wala man lang tao sa loob o, ang tanga-tanga nila!!!" She was referring to our team of course. And she was even saying it out loud! Who is she calling "tanga"? Why I oughta... Sarap pasabugin nito ah. Heller! Your supervisors came from our account, dumb ass! Kung tao lang sha, I would've started a fight.

After the game, yun na nga, we drove to Shangri-la courtesy of Manong Driver who tapped me on the shoulder and called me "Tita Annabelle!". Ugh! Kaya eh! Haaaaay!!! Why he called me that? Don't ask. But people are enjoying my new name ha. Dong, kaya mo eh! Hahaha!!!

Afterlunch, galit-galit na ulit kami. One is going to get a haircut. The other two are going home. As for me, I went to the other mall and watched The Princess Diaries 2.

"That's it. Pansit!" (Belle)

happy weekend!

Excerpts From A Dog's Diary

7:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
12:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 pm - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
7:00 pm - OH BOY! PLAYING BALL! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 pm - OH BOY! SLEEPING ON MASTER'S BED! MY FAVORITE!

commendation

Wow, it's been long since I last took calls. Part of a trainer's activity would be to take calls alongside the reps to know the feel of the current system and to be updated with client issues. I had three calls but the second one is the best. As in natuwa ako sa kanya. And I quote my second customer:

Cx: "People there are really nice. Did you go through a psychology training or something?"
Me: "Oh no no Sir, it comes naturally!"

And we both laughed afterwards. At magbuhat tayo ng sariling bangko. Galingan natin according to Phunatik. Hehehe...

That was great!

And guess what, I got enlisted at the Sportsfest and I'll be playing badminton for my account. Waaaaaah! I wasn't supposed to join because mapipikon lang ako sa ibang players. I know how competitive they can get and I hate that. I'm playing for the sake of fun and I don't care about winning or losing. Anyway, so they texted me at 11pm on Monday (bakit kasi hindi pa ko natulog agad hehe) asking if I want to join because one backed out (haaaay!). Fine, take one for the team, I said yes. At na-pressure ako because I had to give my measurements na for the uniform. Good thing I know how to take measurements (because I used to sew my own clothes). Hehe... And I guess I got anxious so I had a court reserved for Thursday morning. I have to practice!!! Kelangan career ito! Not to win though, but to show them I'm good! Ina-underestimate ako eh. (Panic! Panic!) I need a trainer! Train the trainer!!!

Sally

SaLLy

Last Friday I finally got the much awaited email from Sally. It was pretty long and was worth the equally long wait. Good to know she's been doing great in Illinois. She flew there early March of this year with her friends. Kaka-miss tong' Sally na to'. She's my fellow PS batch 15 and she would've turned 3 here had she not resigned. But seems like resignation was a good idea on her part. She's actually enjoying her stay in the US - she's got a job, her own car, her own flat (sharing it with friends), got to watch Maroon 5 and John Mayer live (waaaaaah!!!), and night outs every other weekend. Another good news is that her stay got extended until February next year (sarap naman!). I'm really happy for this girl. But as I've said, sobrang miss ko na to'. I used to find her conio and pa-sosyal but not long after, I got comfortable with her. Little did I know then na Blooper Queen pala to'. Haha! And she became my gateway to adventure.

* The first ever Sally blooper I remember is "Q for Cuba..."

* I got to talk to her over a landline phone only once and she's got a road runner mouth! I told her, "no wonder why you get so many calls!".

* I'll never forget the famous "Manongs!!!! I'm sorry!" (when she forgot that her car was parked so that it blocked the Insular Life parking entrance) and "Manong!!! Kadiri ka!!!!" (when a MMDA asked for her phone number)

* It was Sally who introduced me to Bailey's (yeah!!!) and we were at Ponana then in Libis. I'm sorry, ang Bailey's don 140 pesos! Oh well anyway, that was December 15, 2001 and it was also my first time to go to a bar. Pathetic? You have no idea. It was after getting out of our first Christmas party in PS. After Libis, we went back to Makati and drove around Rockwell, then went to the ladies room at the Captain's Bar in Mandarin Oriental, and finally had a "happy-eating" time at Country Waffles staying there until the sun went up.

* One time, nagbulakbol kami ni Sally sa trabaho because we wanted to watch Spy Game. Our login was 10pm, we got to work at 12mn. Hehehe...

* Sally got tired of our usual route going home so we decided to test our sense of direction and tried to discover another route - Mandaluyong - San Juan - Quezon City without passing through EDSA. We left the office at 7am and got home at 10am.

* Coming from GY, Sally would ask me to accompany her to Greenhills para mag-shopping. Eto ang catch: may pasok pa kinagabihan. Waaaaah!

* When we're craving for food afterwork, we drive to UP to buy corn and gulaman.

* Coming from another gimik, Sally dropped me home at 5am. We stayed at the car for an hour pa because I was teaching her how to put eye-shadow. Then just when I'm about to get off, we saw Xia's car key at the backseat. So from Novaliches, we went all the way back to Makati and then back to Novaliches again. Happy driver!

...and many to mention!!! Sallyyyyy! Bumalik ka na dito! :op

The Best Day of My Life
By Gregory M. Lousig-Nont, Ph.D.

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever!

There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I'm going to celebrate!

Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger.

I will go through this day with my head held high and a happy heart. I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know. Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for her and how much she means to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!

** Visit us at http://www.chickensoup.com to read other sample stories and meet the authors.**

crazy

Javier is this RnB newcomer who sang "Crazy". Astig to!!! Galeeeeng. To those who doesn't know, Crazy has been hitting the charts (manood kasi ng MYX or MTV eh haaay!). Anyway, Garv and I saw him at Greenbelt 2 strip last night. Had to drag myself out of bed at 4:45pm coming from a 4-hour and 45-minute sleep (kasi nag-badminton pa after work, hehe). Then had coffee, dressed up, pulled up my boots and took off. And when we were there, shempre eto lang ung hinintay kong song nya but looks like he's got a great album ha - in fairness! Sing with me now...

Javier

Crazy Hmmmmmmmm......hey yea hey...hoooooowhooo....baby, (with feelings to! hehe) Verse 1 Kind of like a summer's breeze, you do exactly as you please, drop a brother to his knees just for fun. I think it was the first of May, girl I can't forget the day, right then and there I knew you were the one. Do you think that possibly, you could spend your life with me, cuz girl this love is growing, and it's hotter than the sun. (Everybody now!!!) Chorus I get a little bit crazy baby, everytime you call my name my heart beats a little bit faster, after, you are in my arms again. You try to fight it, don't even try to hide it, emotions falling down like the rain, I can't find the words to explain it, ain't it, crazy how i fall, everytime you call my name. Verse 2 It's kind of like a work of art, you shot an arrow through my heart, even though we're worlds apart I can't deny, it feels like your a part of me, the finish and the start of me, girl you are the heart of me, and that's no lie, did I mention that I love you so, and I just want the world to know, if I could you know I would write your name across the sky. (Chorus) Crazy, crazy... Evertime that your close to me, I lose control of my sanity, everynight, everyday, every word and you say, girl do you know you put a spell on me. (Chorus) Crazy, Everytime you call my name, I don't know what to do, I'm so in love with you.

Milestones

I'm A Junior!

August 13th, Friday, marked my third year in PS. I suddenly thought of my co-PS batch 15's. Saan na kaya sila? I'm the only one left in my account. How fast time flies! Seems like yesterday when I sent my application to HR via email just for the heck of it. I was one of those professional jobhunters but wasn't serious about applying in PS then - trip lang. I don't remember exactly why - maybe it's because I don't want to work in Makati. I was also eyeing on a teaching position in AMA. I wanted to teach geek stuff - C / C++ programming to be exact. But that same day I emailed, PS peeps replied telling me to contact them to schedule for an exam. The next thing I know, they're calling me at my cellphone for a final interview. Wow, I felt like a VIP. Hehe. So after two weeks from my application date, I got hired as an eRep - my very first job. I was nailed in this position for 2 years and 8 months.

Now I'm a proud trainer - the long wait paid off (and believe it or not, hanggang ngayon may nagpapalibre pa - when will the hurting stop???). It's a lot of hard work but it's my kind of hard work. Nico once said, "grabe Myls, ang tiyaga mo!" Yes, I am. I don't easily give up. I see to it that I enjoy my work. When I was a rep, I got so tired of taking calls and processing emails, swinging from one shift to another, but I was still doing good - not to mention months of 100% schedule adherence (wink! wink!). I'm the type who wouldn't care about responsibility as long as it's a fun and friendly workplace. I meet toxic people at work but they don't affect me. A lot have left, some still stayed. They say it's too much pressure. But what job isn't difficult? Which company doesn't have politics?

I always tell my students, "Sometimes you may not enjoy your customers but you will definitely enjoy the people you work with."

Heller... eh may Perfect dito, merong (Angel), merong Tin da Boxer, merong Ayn DJ, merong Cesxy, Kiwi Boy, Nomoreouchie, Colin Farrel...etc... san ka pa????

Milestones

Congratulations!!!


August 7: ... to Katch & Jo for a bouncing baby Igo!

Happy Birthday!!!

August 12: Marcus a.k.a. Colin Farrel



August 13: Gelo V.


August 15: Irene

August 23: Mama (grandma)

August 30: Megan

After a While

By Veronica A. Shoffstall
written at age 19

After a while you learn the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and
company doesn't mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises,
And you begin to accept your defeats with your head
up and your eyes open, with the grace of an adult,
not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if
you get too much.
So plant your own garden and decorate your own
soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you
flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure . . .
that you really are strong,
and you really do have worth.
And you learn and you learn . . .
with every good-bye you learn. . . .

** Visit us at http://www.chickensoup.com to read other sample stories and meet the authors.**

pics pics pics

OK, totoo na to'... at long last, (to all my fans... ahem ahem) our pictures in Baguio and then some...


at Mines View Park with Douglas


at SM Baguio... cool! (yah, cool din yan pag bumagyo)


Can you see my eye bags? Sunday morning at the Manor.Excited na sumakay ng yokababs!


"Run Shadowfax... show us the meaning of haste."


at PMA


Need a lift. ambigat!!!!


aboard the yacht. habang ako nagb-bike. hehehe


at Camp John Hay Manor grounds. before departure


Camp John Hay Manor facade

Click here for more Baguio pictures...

Martin Nievera: Tough Crowd June 26, 2004


Tutti


Megan and Tutti


Mickey


Megan and Daffy


Playin' with the doggies at home :o)

Click here for more pictures...

mirage?

Whoa! I thought I was seeing a mirage. Jon? At the office? On a Friday night? Aaaah, he's working GY pala just tonight... K... This time, I sat next to his workstation (Tin's PC) to work also and I indulged myself into some Jelly Bellies. Guess what I was working on - the QA-Mag of course. Eh Jon said, "gawin nating cool!", o sha sha, ano pong babaguhin ser? He had the page theme changed to Orange-Black-Green - typical Jon Caballero colors (Trivia: si Arjay, blue-yellow hehe). Yun lang. I was busy almost the entire night doing that.


Breakfast at Dencio's

In the morning, we had breakfast at Dencio's with PS peeps (Nina, Racquel, Kookie, Jag, Trish, Vince) and former PS peeps (Nico, ugh-i-forgot-his-name... Jon sino ulit yun?). Then we had to leave early kasi antok na kame noh. And I got a free ride as usual (thanks manong driver!) :o)

Myls: Masarap ba yung corned beef?

Jon: Oo... lasang corned beef... (hehe)

Myls: Masarap yung chicken tocino... lasang chicken.

Labo!

24 Hours +

24 Hours +

6:00am - Jul 31, 2004
End shift... My last class for the week: finished. Aaah, now I can feast on this newsletter I'm working on. New layout, new stuff to be added... all an editor would do. I was a layout editor/artist for a school paper back in High School. I realized that I missed being an editor eversince I came up with this Q&A thing for this newsletter. It's my kind of pressure aside from teaching. :o)

8:00am
Breakfast at Mr. Donuts. Two orders of spaghetti, a sugar-raised donut and a cup of coffee. Not too hungry huh. I was with Garv and we stayed there for 2 hours and 15 mins, just chatting... and chatting... and chatting...

10:30am
Still with Garv and we're at Glorietta. I wanted to buy this pair of black slip-on wedges. And then we just went window-shopping until 12... and more chatting... (throat's gone dry)

12:30pm
Time to say "bye". I was planning on hopping to the other mall to watch a movie. I was at the MRT station already when I read Belle's text message asking me if I want to meet up with them at 3pm. Wow, malling with the girls - nice! I'm kinda tired but ok, I said yes. This doesn't happen often anyway. But since it's still for 3pm, I decided to watch King Arthur. Yep, all by myself (don't wanna be... all by... ahem), just like what I'm used to doing. Brrr... cold!

3:00pm
T'was a good movie. It lacked on featuring Camelot but I like it overall. OK, time to meet with the girls. I cleaned up (wish I can take a bath!), brushed my teeth and put on my shades. I started walking - again. And more window-shopping while waiting for them. Then I met Racquel, Aldous and Dennis in front of Auntie Anne's. They also came from GY. I dropped by People Are People and Terranova to tempt myself. It didn't work though hehe... I didn't buy anything there.

3:30pm
First met Tin who saw me in front of ABU. And she's trying to reach for a coin to give to the blind - AKO YON! Bwisit :op She said she's going to buy sandals. To her horror, I was already wearing what she wanted. Waaaah! Sorry Tin, I thought you're not going to get them! Soon after, we met Belle and Ayn. And moooore window-shopping... ho hum hum...

6:00pm
After the looong death walk (hehe - for me, that is), they went to First Aid (Fix) to have their hair treatments, foot spas, pedicures and manicures and all that kikay stuff. As for me, I went back to the mall for a change of outfit. I didn't know we're going to meet some more people later that evening! Waaaaahhh!!! Now I really want to take a bath!!! So I took the death walk again and looked for a blouse. Now at Glorietta, I suddenly heard somebody call me with a familiar accent... it was Gil pala and he's with Rochelle. "Whoa! I thought you're gonna get out of the country!", I said. Haha, talagang nag-English and with American Accent eh. Anyway, after a little chit-chat, I walked again and ended up buying my blouse at Oxygen (aaah, my favorite shop. my savior).

7:00pm
I went to the ladies room and changed to my new blouse, and freshened up. Yes, it took me an hour to find a blouse - t'was difficult to find one when you badly need it! :op At ang magaling na sales lady, hindi tinanggal ung metal thingy sa blouse ko! No wonder why the metal detector sounded when I left the store. Haaay! I had to go back na naman to Oxygen to have it removed. And naturally, the metal detector sounded na naman when I entered. And the sales lady was saying sorry, as in! Sha sha! Eh andyan na eh. Mabuti na lang I'm nice to sales people.

7:30pm
Went to the salon and met with the girls. Soon after, we met Girlie. It's been a long time since I last saw her. I told her I came in from GY. She couldn't believe it. She said I look fresh! Aaaaaw! Soon after (ulit), we met Iro and some his cousins.

9:00pm
Dinner at Cena. At napako na kami don since! Hehe...

At Cena. Halata bang antok? :op

10:30pm
Still alive... Jon and Geof came. Hi Hello. More chatting over beer and bailey's. Later, Iro dropped by and ALAS!!!! He's with a very familiar girl... nah, "familiar" is not the word... ohmygaaaaaad!!!! It's Angela! My batchmate in High School and the last time we met was on our graduation in 1997. T'was sooo nice seeing her again and we did a lot of catching up :o) I even thought she's Iro's girlfriend... wahahaha, nakakahiya!... she's his cousin pala... small world!!!


with Angela & Iro

1:00am - Aug 1, 2004
Iro and Angela left. And I'm now sitting with Geof and Jon while the other girls are on the other side of the table busy taking pictures of themselves. In the meantime, I sit silent... awfully silent... I'm awake but I can't think of anything to say... aaaah! And Jon asked if I'm sleepy na... let's see, coming in from GY, been malling since opening, haven't gone home the whole Saturday, now I'm sitting with them... hinde! hindi ako inaantok! Hehe... Well I had to say yes. When he learned that I came from GY, he said, "damn!". He said we're gonna get coffee daw later. K fine.


The Girls...and a clown.


The Boys... and (ugh!) another clown.

2:00am
Time to go home. Sayang, we didn't get coffee. I was looking forward to a capuccino or coffee jelly. Anyway, I kissed everyone goodbye and took my cab and headed home. Little did I know I rode a bump car! Heller!!! Isn't my day finished yet? Sigh... I was on the backseat and texting. Suddenly, manong driver hit the breaks and "BUMP!!!". I was knocked unconscious and I saw my own body from afar and I was leaving. Then found myself into this tunnel and I saw the light... naaaah!!! just kidding!!!... I just slightly hurt my nose and knees bumping against the back of the passenger seat. Then I just saw the cab's hood and it was badly bent. Manong driver said we hit against the blue pick-up truck just ahead. Haaay! Talk about adventure... I just went out and took another cab and headed home. Si Jon na lang na-text ko about it. I was not in the mood to do a full story to everyone. Too sleepy na eh. I didn't get injured anyway.

3:00am
Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz