Late Bloomer

For years, I've been trying to figure out how to post from email to blog. Hopefully, this works!

While waiting...

1. Initials:
** CSPD

2. Name someone with the same birthday as
yours?
** my twin sister, her bestfriend from gradeschool, and a friend from SFC

3.Last thing that you ate?
** cheese waffle with bacon strips at Pancake House

4. For or against same sex marriage?
** hmmm...pass

5. Do you still watch cartoons on Saturday?
** yup. kahit hindi saturday, basta palabas yung favourite cartoons ko.

6. Do you believe in God?
** YES

7. Something non-physical you like about yourself:
** maturity (?!)

what i don't?
** not wise enough

8. What is your crush's name?
** piolo and taylor!!!

10. If you could go anywhere in the world, where
would you go?
** europe

11. Favorite holiday?
** halloween

12. Do you download music?
** yup

13. Happy right now?
** yes

14. Has anyone ever sang or played for you?
** Yes

15. Have you ever cried for a reason?
** yup

16. Do you like President Arroyo?
** no

17. Have you ever bungee jumped?
** no

18. Has anyone ten years older than you ever hit on you?
** yes

19. How is the weather right now?
** hot

20. Do you love someone right now?
** yes

21. What is your current favorite song?
** levon (taylor hicks/elton john) and do i make you proud (taylor hicks)

22. What was the last movie you watched?
** x-men iii

23. Do you wear contacts?
** yes...for the last 16 years

24. Where was the last place you went besides your house?
** pancake house

25. What are you afraid of the most?
** failure

26. Any pets?
** none

27. Have you ever loved someone?
** of course

28. What really turns you on?
** intelligence, thoughtfulness, being a boy scout

29. What do you usually order from Starbucks?
** caramel frap lite

30. Have you ever fired a gun?
** no

31. Are you missing someone?
** yes, my friends

32. Do you have an iPod?
** yes (shuffle)

33. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
** yes. kc concepcion (have no idea, must be the cheekbones)and cherry pie picache (see bridal shower)

34. What's the name of your crush?
** si piolo and si taylor!

35. Are you comfortable with your height?
** yes

36. Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't supposed to be doing?
** i can't remember

38. Butter, plain, kettle, or salted popcorn?
** kettle

39. What books are you reading right now?
** pugad baboy and the undead series

40. Has anyone you were really close to passed away?
** none

41. Do you watch MTV?
** sometimes

42. What's something that really annoys you?
** inconsiderate people

43. What are some things you really like?
** being with my boyfriend

44. Do you like Michael Jackson?
** yes during his "thriller" days (we owned the vinyl record and always played it)

46. Favorite football team?
** don't watch football but i liked "the replacements". you know, the movie with keanu reeds in a football team?

47. Favorite breakfast food?
** hmmm...tusilog (tuyo, sinangang and egg) or tosilog (tocino, sinangag and egg)

48. What u really wanna buy lately?
** a piece of land :)

49. What do you wanna tell him?
** i love you leo!

50. anong gusto mong isigaw ngayon kung
sakaling nasa taas ka ng bundok?
** i love you leo!

Lonely at the Top

I just proved that the adage that "it's lonely at the top" is true. From the 5th floor, I moved to the 10th floor and the environment there is really different. It's more quiet compared to the noise at the 5th floor (if the department beside your cubicle is collections AND at the really delinquent bucket, it can get REALLY noisy). In fact, whenever my cellphone would go off, I would cringe at the noise it would make. Compared to the time when I was in the 5th floor when I would put my cellphone volume on high to just hear it above the din. Also, it's seldom that they play music at the 10th floor. Three VP's are located in the floor/wing that am occupying and they're not really keen on noise. Moreover, the department where I've recently relocated is just outside the head of our business.

It can also get quite lonely. I miss having someone to talk to as my colleagues are rarely in their workstations. Most of the time we would be out in meetings all throughout the building. My cellphone gets quite a workout nowadays as it's the only way we can get in touch with each other (my boss would call and would ask me to attend this meeting etc etc). A couple of times, I had to eat lunch by myself as my schedule is quite irregular. Like last Thursday, my first day in the job, I was supposed to have lunch with a friend at 1130 but my boss suddenly called and asked us to attend a meeting. So I had to cancel instead of having my friend wait for me and good thing because the meeting ended at 130. Last Friday, I ate lunch where my former department is located. My workstation there is still vacant and I welcome the noise. All the silence at the 10th floor was getting into my nerves. Yes, it enables me too work (if you have to read lots of documents and comment on them, you have to really concentrate) but sometimes, it's just too much!

My workstation has its plus factors though. I was given a digital phone with caller ID (thank GOD for caller ID!!!) and it's located near the water station/pantry area! Yahoo!!! Easy access to water and food! Moreover, it's really cold. So I can wear my corporate attire without worrying whether I'm going to sweat through them throughout the day (it's really hot at the 5th floor. Not surprising as the 5th floor is packed with people!).

But who am I complain? I'm blessed with this new job and I find it interesting. I'm learning a lot each day and I'm appreciating my company and the business more. I still miss the people I used to work with, but I was given this opportunity and I have to make the most out of it.

Updates

Finally! I get to post something. It's been an interesting couple of weeks :)

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Taylor Hicks, is the new American Idol and I have never been so happy over a darn reality show. I first saw Taylor in the Las Vegas audition leg and he has been our favourite. It was his harmonica playing and the way he sings that really got to me. Especially when he sang his first song (Levon), I've never stopped believing that he could win--and he did.

Taylor defied the odds and amazingly, he never landed in the bottom 2 or bottom 3. That itself shows how much endearing he can be. Though I doubt he can get the teenager vote, but his voice definitely has soul. I'll definitely get his new single (I think it'll be out in June). I like him better than Carrie Underwood!

Speaking of celebrations, I have another reason to celebrate. Effective June 1, I'll be moving to a new position within the company (at a higher rank). Am very excited about it as it will entail different responsibilities and tasks. The job scope will be wider and I will be dealing with middle and top management people. Of course, there's trepidation as this will definitely be out of my comfort zone but the higher-ups are confident that I can do that job. If ever I do this right, there's another promotion waiting for me by the most, April next year. Gosh, I never dreamed that I will be climbing the corporate ladder and here I am, climbing it one rung at a time.

I have to practice my english and my grammar though (hopefully, it would translate to more blog posts) as most of my new work would entail correspondence and dealing with people across the business. Oh, and I also have to watch my p's and f's as I will be dealing with people from other countries as well. Gosh, am so excited! There will also be training and most of it will be out of the country! Wow, I get to use my passport. I haven't used it since 1987! How pathetic is that?!

Leo's on shifting again. I try not to complain much about his schedule (after all, he's doing this for us and our future etc etc) but it just plain sucks! For the month of May, he was on shifting from 4 pm to 1 am (European shift) and for the month of June, he'll be on shift from 12am to 9 am (10 pm to 7 am on days when he has classes). I miss him already :( At least I have this new job which will keep me preoccupied.

Speaking of class, I filed for residency for this term. As I thought that I will be moving to a new company, I went on leave as to concentrate on my new job. As it is, I really do need the leave as I'll be moving to another department/position. I've also started to get used to wearing make-up everyday. Now that, I really need to master. People have already remarked how more "fresh-looking" I look with the make-up and all. As I'll be in the floor where our HR is and where the head of the business is, I have to make myself presentable (as in corporate attire!). I went shopping for new clothes this weekend. I never realized how darned expensive blazers and nice looking clothes can be! I did find a shop (The Black Shop) where I got this nice black blouse with pearl buttons and matching black slacks! The fit's really nice and am looking forward to buying more stuff from them. I can't make it often though as their prices are really steep (compared to SM/Landmark of course). I bought a suit/skirt from SM at half the price of the slacks from The Black Shop!

Thanks to the Official Soul Patrol Website for the picture.

Corporate Politics

Ok, I survived my first foray to Corporate Politics.

I was supposed to move to another company but after a round of negotiations, am staying with my current employer. I just feel bad that I had to let some people down but I had to consider lots of things.

So am staying but moving to a different floor. At least it's a different environment and I'll be dealing with different people. To think I never intended to stay for a year but at least count, I've been working with my employer for 6 years now. Wow!

Vacation and a Wedding

Gosh, it feels great to be on leave. It's my second day out of the office and it feels great! Technically, it's my first day of leave. I was in the office yesterday to finish some pending items. Heh.

I had the chance to run my errands and follow-up on certain matters. There will be some changes that will happen in a couple of weeks. Will update once I manage to confirm some things (talk about mysterious. Haha).

My friend, Allan, got married last Sunday. It was such a beautiful wedding. As Ching and I refused to sing at the reception (at 500 Chinese guests?!! You must be kidding me!!!), he asked us to speak in front and make a wish for him and his lovely wife, Jen. The reception was very nicely done (although I could do without the 4 hour waiting time between the church ceremony and the reception. I was forewarned that it's that long). I like the touch wherein the personal relationship of their principal sponsors were highlighted (e.g. godmother of Allan at baptism, godmother of Jen at baptism etc etc). When it was my turn and Ching's to speak, I was embarassed when Allan included the tidbit wherein he asked for my advice before he courted Jen. Facing 500 people, I suddenly went blank. But I managed to bluff my way through and finished my speech. Still, it was a beautiful wedding. I took the picture featured on the left. This was taken after the ceremonies. They just released the doves at the entrance of the church. I like this picture as I've never seen my friend Allan so very happy (and to think we've been friends for 14 years!!!).

Family Ties

It's been almost a month since my last post. Well the reason obviously, is my DSL. The reason why I was able to post religiously last month was that I had papers due (individual and group) and to do that, I had to meet with my groupmates at a place with DSL connection (either Bon or Leo's houses). Good thing that my cousin gave me a wifi card for my laptop. Ever since my last submission, never had the opportunity or chance to go to a wifi place to update my blog. Besides, Leo's on shifting since a couple of weeks ago and I had to commute going home to Paranaque.

I don't like commuting long distances (30-45 minutes is long) moreover if I'm alone (not counting the other passengers). I tend to get lost in my thoughts and it can get quite depressing. By the time I get home (which is around 8 or 9 pm--depending on what time I leave the office), not only am I physically tired, but emotionally drained as well. Leo's European time shift will finish by the end of the month. I can't wait till then. At least Leo and I have lunch together once during the week.

Other than tattletales (or those who can't keep their mouths shut when it comes to secrets), I realized that I can't abide irresponsible people. People who have no sense of responsibility whatsoever! AND what makes matters worse is if I have to take the burden because the person who was supposed to be responsible did not do anything about it. It just plain sucks. I know I should not judge and there must be a reason why a person failed to live up to his/her commitment, but it's difficult to put myself in the other person's shoes when the situation could have been prevented in the first place! What makes the situation more frustrating is that it involves family.

You know, you can never choose which family you are born into and at times, I would want to blame my parents or my grandparents for not raising their children properly, BUT, this is family. Though at times you want to turn your back on them, bottom line is they are still family. What is it that ties me to them? What is it that makes me say yes to favours when I know it will inconvenience (and cost) me big time? Is it because they know I'm the dependable and responsible one? It really really sucks. I know I could always say NO, but my conscience won't let up on me. I did say no once but the family played up the guilt until I broke down and gave in, even dragging my SO into the fray. There are times that I wish I can live far and away or by myself to at least distance myself from the ties. Heck, I know they'll still find a way to get to me. Though I want to complain sometimes when another favour is foisted upon me, I just bite my tongue and do the favour. If I do complain, I might be called ungrateful or "walang kwenta" (no use). Come to think of it, I have been called that and it still smarts up to now.

Right now, the only family I really acknowledge right now is Leo. It's the reason why I love him so much. He accepts and takes me for what I am and loves me--flaws and all. He tolerates my family though and sometimes allows himself dragged into doing the favour because he understands why I had to do those things (it does not mean he's happy about it though, but he still does it).

But family is family. Though how convoluted the relationships might be, they are still family and I guess it's just something that I have to learn to live with.

Speaking of family, my sisters graduated last April 10, finally getting their nursing degrees. What makes the event more notable was that they finished 9th and 10th place in their batch. With Claudine getting the former and Cheryll getting the latter. Claudine's US embassy interview is scheduled on June which means she won't be able to take the board exam. Cheryll, however, will be taking it and if she passes, she'll have the initials R.N. added to her name together with D.M.D. Yep, she's a practising dentist but left the dentist-ing to her husband while she studied to become a nurse hoping to get a job in the US. I really can't blame them. They all want a better life for their families and their offsprings.

Oh yeah, pictures of my nephew Miguel's baptism can be seen at my fotopage site. Miguel is the son of my sister Cheryll and her husband, Mhon.