haven't ranted in a while

And while everyone is going back to work or school tomorrow, I will be on break tomorrow. Yay! And it's September SOON. Yay!

Anyway, I'm not in the best of moods right now. I'm annoyed with what's happening here at home- mercury retrograde na naman ba? It's just everything's crappy and everyone's sick. And why would our parents won't believe that we're keeping so much clutter? Hello naman bakit mo itatago ang stockings na mas matanda pa yata sa akin? Sentimental value? Not only that, we also have popcorn makers that don't pop corns, microwave oven that only serve as a storage bin, TV sets that doesn't have pictures only sounds and a bazillion other stuff that are just accumulating dust and mold and mildew. Bah. I read somewhere stuff like those attract negative energy. Kaya pala masyado maraming bad vibes dito. Hmp.

Another thing... I am not enjoying Marisa de los Santos' Belong to Me. Already halfway into the book and I am finding it hard to understand the book. Does one have to be a genius to get this book? Cos honestly, I'm having a hard time with it. But I'm going to get through with it, finish it. Why I paid P200++ for it. Haha. How jurips. Who knows the end will justify the means, so to speak.

Bye for now. I can't stand working on this PC with only 111 RAM free. The extra RAM I bought must have been dislodged or something. Dear PC, please don't conk out on me right now. We don't have budget for a new, spiffy unit just yet.

such is life

Woke up at 5am to heavy rains and strong winds. Although I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat and would normally not go downstairs alone, I still went downstairs and outside to check if it's already flooded. In fernez, hindi siya bumaha. Wala man lang puddle sa gitna ng kalye. Very good :)

***

I almost didn't go to class because of the weather. I was actually debating with myself whether or not I should go to class because when I woke up again around 7am, it wasn't raining that hard anymore but the skies were still gloomy and heavy. I thought that maybe instead of going to class, I could call suppliers instead and even go to one for a deadline on Friday. But I also thought I could do all those even if I go to class because I could call my suppliers even when I'm in school and I could go to my supplier after class. At siempre sayang ang tuition fee, ako ata nagbabayad nun. So I went.

Buti na lang ;)

***

Because there was another 'incidence' y'all!

And for that I believe that everything happens for a reason nyahaha! Imagine had I not gone to class then I wouldn't have that incidence happening. Pero actually dapat pala ako mainis kasi pawala na eh, bakit kelangan pang ipagdudukan uli sa akin?

source: a little fragile

And I'm like forget you

*** 

So anyway I went to class. I was an hour late. Kasabay ko si Tonya Ferrer, para siyang takot sa tubig. Either pusa siya o kaya gremlin siya. I'd say the latter. Haha. 

Sometimes I don't know why I still enroll. Sure, it's fun and I do believe a much needed diversion from my everyday, boring life spent mostly inside the house and if I go out naman, within the village lang. But aside from that, my skills aren't really improving. However, I think I should blame myself for that. Cos right now our topic is El Fili and I'm learning a lot about the novel and I guess I appreciate it now more than ever. I need to brush up on my grammar. Then take the DELE when ready. 

Sayang naman tuition. 

***

Hitched a ride with L going to Cash & Carry. J and I took a cab going to Makati. Bummer cos she now knows where my supplier is and she just happens to live on the next street. Hay. And to make matters worse, they were closed. So I kinda made 'booking' [haha! kadiri talaga tong mga trepadora na to] my trade secret tapos sarado pa siya. Boo! I asked Mamang Taxi Drayber to bring me to Glorietta instead. Then realized parang I don't want to walk all the way to the MRT then go down at the Ortigas station, walk some more then ride an FX in Megamall and may possibility pa na gagastos ako. So I asked him to just bring me home. To the tune of P300. Technically, 200 lang since the other 100 was from J. 

Medyo masama loob ko na gumastos ako ng 200 sa taxi pero inisip ko na lang panigurado mas malaki nagastos ko kung nag stop over pa ako sa mall.

***

Home sweet home. Needs a fix here and there but still home to me.

Slept through the afternoon.

Such is life but it is my life and actually it's not really that bad.

I'm actually one very lucky girl who still lives under my parents' roof, eats food my parents bought, my parents don't make me pay for electricity and water [but yeah, they do make me buy rice and gasul and pay for my internet connection].

It just so happens that this girl right here is close to broke hehe. Naks naman I can laugh about it pa daw. But just you wait for my comeback... 

This too shall pass.

source: graysonsgroovy

HOPING FOR A SUNNY SUNDAY :)

kdrama: scent of a woman update 3

[episodes 8 to 10]

Expectations were high but I'm trying to reign them in so as not to disappoint myself.

One thing I should have not done was compare Scent of A Woman with Kim Sam Soon. Of course KSS is way better. Or maybe because I thought this one's a romcom and it's so not a romcom. Also, I've been dwelling too much on the things in this drama that annoy me, such as:

1. Yeon Jae's wardrobe. I am so annoyed with how she wears almost the same exact style day in- day out with the exception of special occasions when she wears dresses. She always always wears short shorts with kitten-heeled shoes. I hate kitten heels. I have nothing against short shorts naman especially on her because she has nice legs and her pwet doesn't have 'eyebags' naman but seeing her in those short shorts every time, the sawa factor sets in. 
2. Ji-wook is actually annoying and so full of himself. At first he comes across as this nice, quiet guy but once he opens his mouth, ang daming issues! And when he tells Yeon Jae she might miss him? Ang feeling diba? So I don't know if he really likes her or he thinks he likes her because he knows she likes him. Gets? And he's has this low energy vibe. He's good-looking but his emo mood kinda gets to you, no?
3. And why didn't Yeon Jae tell Ji-wook about her sickness yet? How selfish. Maybe because she thought he wasn't going to fall for her, too. But now what? And now that she finds out he has abandonment issues, she realizes the gravity of her doings eh medyo too late na because sooner or later he's going to find out and it will surely break his heart. Magiging super emo na siya :(

But aside from those, nae-entertain naman ako. Although I hope the next episodes will be much more amazing so I guess I would have to keep my expectations low. Anyway, sorry sa mga optimists pero ako parang mas gusto ko na mamatay si Yeon Jae. Seriously. I think it would be too predictable if she lives. Sawa na ako sa happy ending. Patayan naman.

Anyway, when I saw this I was reminded of

source: dramabeans

SIR MIGGY AT LAIDA MAGTALAS!

week 33: the lost week pt. 2

Super tamad to write about last week so here's a brief recap na lang: Daddy arrived from the province. Was not in the best of moods the entire week and looks like humahang-over ang crappiness. Our maid is sick for one week already- ONE WEEK! I brought her to the doctor where she had her urinalysis and blood test et voila! her tests results were normal. In other words, wala siyang sakit. Ay meron pala, sakit sa utak. And for crying out loud, she even dragged this sickness up to this very moment. Ano ba ang sakit ng ulo na hindi nagagamot ng Ponstan 500mg??? Nung una masakit ulo niya, kinabukasan puson, likod the next. Sabi ko paano hindi sasakit likod mo nakahiga ka buong araw!!! Tapos the day after nun, pwet naman daw. WTF? Hindi ata sakit sa ulo meron siya. Sakit sa utak. Bow.

korean drama: scent of a woman update 2

[episodes 3 to 7]

Finally, Lee Yeon Jae gets the "opening" she wants. Talk about impeccable timing. Why does real life can't be like these dramas? Why does life's little pieces don't just fall into place at the most opportune time? Mas maigi siguro na pare-pareho tayo ng apelyido gaya sa Korea na halos lahat ng tao ay Lee, Park, Kim, Lim, Chae o Choi. Madali ang case of mistaken identity kasi pag tinanong ka na "Ms. Lee?" at dahil malaki ang chance na Lee nga apelyido mo, ito na ang pagkakataong pinakahihintay mo. Sabagay, sa drama rin pala may bampira at lobo, may nabubuhay kahit nahulog na sa building at napakarami ang nagkaka-amnesia. Oo nga pala, main purpose ng mga dramas, movies, isama na rin ang mga books is to serve as an escape from reality. Effective naman.

Anyway, episode 3 starts with Lee Yeon Jae's transformation which along with other hard to believe moments, was, well, unbelievable. I mean, how could this woman who has lived in comfort almost all her life just don not naman revealing clothes pero sleeveless, short shorts or skirts and high heels just like that nary a hint of discomfort? Speaking of transformations, I want to get a haircut as well. Okay moving on...

Young-jae accidentally sees Ji-wook. Sa linaki-laki ng Okinawa, akalain mo... They had a good time and they find a good spot which incidentally is also the place Young-jae sees in her recurring dreams. In this dream of hers, there's a guy named William so she asked Ji-wook if there's another name, a Western name he goes by. He says 'Willie." She dismisses it right away because it is not 'William.' Ay. Because I think if you really like this person you would find meaning to everything and I mean EVERYTHING, i-relate ang mga bagay na wala namang ka-relate-relate sa isa't-isa. I mean it was super easy to relate Willie with William. Kasi naman. Assume sana agad. So anyway, after they had all this fun together, they get found out by Sae-kyung, ang babaeng mukhang bungal. They should have gotten a prettier contrabida para mas mahirap pumili pero sa palagay ko the story doesn't call for one and although I don't find Sae-kyung pretty, she is very effective as a contrabida.

Young-jae admits to Ji-wook that she likes him and asked him if he likes her. Ji-wook said no although we all know that he does like her. Why else would he enroll for the same tango class? Why would he do all those things he did? In denial lang siya. Hindi maamin sa sarili. But these moments cannot deny what is there...

source

source

My golly banana he even thinks of her when he's in the shower [ahjumma mode]. Twice that they did this actually, not that I am complaining ;)

Ji-wook tells Young-jae to not show her face to him ever again because she is making him crazy. Ack. Syempre kinilig ako.

Eun-seok, on the other hand, thinks he is gaining pogi points but what he doesn't know [but we all do] na "they're just friends." A little sad for him but he knows Young-jae is sick and Ji-wook doesn't so he can make his da moves immediately. Whereas Ji-wook is taking his sweet time paurong-sulong because he doesn't know that time is actually of the essence in this case.

source

To cut the satsat short [because I wanna start with episode 8 already], episode 7 ends with Young-jae telling Eun-seok that she likes Ji-wook with Ji-wook overhearing what she just said. Time of reckoning for everyone.

The development of the story is not too slow but not too fast either. As the case with Lie To Me, masyado mabilis ang story kaya medyo gitna pa lang ng story ubos na ang lies. As of now, the pacing is just right- a lot can still happen. Juno kept my expectations high for the following three episodes. Reminder to self: Lower expectations so I can swoon later.

what to do on a weary wednesday

Source

Yup, it's definitely one of those days. Feeling crappy today and I think I know why but I don't want to share. Thanks to waking up to Chico-Delamar-Gino-Fran on the radio because for three hours I wasn't in a melancholic state of mind. So what better way to banish off bad vibes than to go on tumblr and find feel good stuff. Seriously, tumblr has been and is some sort of therapy for me.

Source: Ciarabella

Yes, that is what I am trying to do- KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON. I've been keeping calm and carrying on for quite a while already. I really need to pull my shit together. Been procrastinating since I don't know when and if I really want to make it work, I should stop putting things on hold. Parang for the longest time I've been wanting things to happen but I'm not really doing anything, I'm just waiting for the bayabas to fall off the tree. Juan Tamad ba. And I really think I need to step it up, move it a notch higher. I will start with decluttering again. I've done this several times but I always end up with clutter a few days after and I tend to get overwhelmed with the mess. 

Source: spreadhappyness

So I need lots of happy thoughts today. I don't want to go to the shop today so I am thinking of stuff I need to do right here at home like my websites, put up more so my products will have more exposure. But first I will have to organize my stuff and maybe think of strategies to attain my goals. I have my 30 Before 30 list which isn't finished yet and I am actually annoyed that the person I hate most in the world is making hers as we speak. Sorry for the incoherence. Anyway, I think I need to organize my thoughts, my goals and post them somewhere conspicuous so I will be reminded. 

Source

So how exactly am I going to do that? THIS IS FRICKIN' FRUSTRATING. There are two things I want to be: 1) a landlady of leisure, and 2) a shopping housewife. How materialistic, ya? I think I just realized that I need to put an adjective somewhere in there. So now there are two things I want and need to be: a happy landlady of leisure and a happy shopping housewife. Hoho! We are aiming for that but if God has other plans like making me a happy landlady of leisure but a happy shopping singleton then I think I can live with that. Though I am still hoping to having my own family, I'm just preparing myself for the worst-case scenario. 

 Source

So from now on this will be my mantra: I WILL. But to do that I guess I have to unglue my fat arse off the seat. And that's another thing- LOSE FRICKIN' WEIGHT. I am so disappointed with myself because I let myself go and instead of doing something about it I just kind of wallowed in it. So there's another thing I have to do something about- the weight issue. 

Oh I am not depressed, just one of those days that I think I need so I can reassess my life and prioritize. Plus it's really gloomy outside and gloomy days have that effect on me. I need a pick-me-upper!!! Actually, I think I'm at the crossroads of my life. Some options were presented and I am conflicted. Well because I think I am enjoying what I'm doing with my life right now (the business, I own my time, etc) but in the real world, it's not going to work. Am I still young? Because I consider myself one and sometimes I worry if I'm still young or I just think that and maybe I'm wasting my time away tapos one day I'll just realize I'm frickin' old and I haven't done something productive with my life. I just don't want to wake up one day and realize that I've wasted so much time. 

Source

So I declare from now on I AM GOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. HELL, I AM MAKING IT HAPPEN AS WE SPEAK. I AM MAKING IT WORK. 

week 32: hoy, i have other things to do!

Monday

Finished my 10th book for the year. Waited for my kinakapatid who was supposed to come to the house because we will do her eyebrows and lashes but alas, she canceled AGAIN and what's worse was she didn't even inform me. Manners naman.

Tuesday

Divi and Intramuros Day with A, C and friend. Details here.

Wednesday

This friend of mine who wasn't able to make it last Monday... well, she texted me morning and asked if she could go today, Wednesday. Since I just have the bank errand to do in the morning and nothing planned in the afternoon, I said yes. We set the time- 4pm. Finished my errands around lunchtime and was just waiting for her to come. I forgot my phone in the other room and turned out she was calling my phone to ask where she'll proceed. Umm... malamang sa bahay namin no. She sent me the message around 3:40 pm and I replied to her message 20 minutes later. Kamusta naman at ang reply sakin ay "Ay, akala ko busy ka kaya nagpa-annual medical check up na lang ako." ARGH. I was super infuriated. As in. We already set a time and she knows where to go so I don't know why she had to ask pa and I definitely would not say Yes, I'm available when I am not. Ano yun, i-cle-clear ko schedule ko just for her? May usapan na kasi eh.

Thursday

Delivery day!
My usual sked- Makati before lunch. But first, a stop at my suking label printer. Super hot-off-the-grill and labels ko. FX ride going to Glorietta. Lunch with AD at Buddy's Pancit Lucban. WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER. I was sitting in a booth, cutting my labels when the waitress approached me and asked if I have an order already. I was thinking maybe she thought I was just sitting there so I told her my companion was in line already. Turned out somebody else was occupying that seat na daw. But there was no RESERVED sign on the table. Nothing to make one assume the seat's reserved. So practically, she just kicked us off the booth. She tried to appease us by telling us that she'll help us find a table but she wasn't. My sister and I were looking for seats on our own and I can see that waitress wasn't even looking. We were hovering over this old couple's table when that waitress went near the table and told us, "Patapos na po sila." OBVIOUS BA? BTW FYI, KAMI NAGHANAP NG TABLE HINDI IKAW. Pucha, andami namang bwiset sa mundo. I don't even know if their pansit is good because I have pre-judged it already. Kawawa namang pansit nadamay pa. So there, reason why I won't eat at Buddy's ever again.

Free movie while waiting for AD- Ang Babae sa Septic Tank. Enjoyed the movie but towards the latter part already. I kept on waiting kasi for the comedy part eh the first part was medyo serious. Finished the movie just in time for AD to get off work. ChaTime on our way to delivery.

Gusto mo bang mainis uli?

So this friend of mine who keeps on canceling without informing the other party (ME!), well, she texted me again. This was on our way home already and we were already in Libis when she asked if I'm free and if she can come that afternoon/night. I told her I'm still out but I'll be home in 15-20 minutes. She said Ok lang since her car's coding and they can leave wherever they are 7pm pa. Her mom (my ninang) was going to attend this despedida dinner for our neighbor who's already based in Australia. I was in my sister's house just in the next street so I texted her to just text me when she's in the village already so I can walk home. I texted her twice just to make sure because Smart's signal in my sister's house is quite problematic. I didn't receive a text. No a peep. When I got home I asked the people if someone came looking for me, wala naman daw. So obviously nang-injan (?) na naman siya.

Nainis ka ba? Sige na mainis ka! Damayan mo ako!

Friday

Continuation of yesternight... Little Miss Injan texted me early morning saying sorry that she wasn't able to go to the house because she wasn't able to get out of the dinner anymore and that she just realized that she wasn't able to send the text message she meant to send me. WHAT A FRICKIN' LAME EXCUSE. I didn't reply. I was online in Facebook when a message window popped out. It was from her, saying "lam mo ba me na discover aq new website na dami chismax. i think ull like it." Shit. I was super tempted to reply. I didn't. Attagirl. I hope she got the message.

Saturday

Meeting 5/10. I was late for 45 minutes. Had hot choco for descanso. Left IC right away to go to Megamall to meet with AD with whom I will hitch a ride going to Charlee's birthday party. I didn't have lunch thinking that we were going to a party. Bad idea. I should've spent those 3 and a half hours walking around the mall in a coffee shop or a restaurant instead. Alam ko naman na na everytime I skip a meal, I get a super mega over debilitating headache. So ayun I went to a kiddie party not feeling well. There was one instance on our way home that I wanted to throw up. Fortunately for me, I was able to sleep in the car so it wasn't very torturous.

Sunday

Instead of a lunch-out, AC, Mommy and I left early for Quezon Province. Saling-pusa lang naman ako and although I wanted to just stay at home, I still went because it's a new experience for me, sayang naman if I let pass the chance to do something new. Hitched a ride with AC's friends. Two-hour ride to Tiaong, Quezon. We arrived there with lotsa people already. We just went around the area while AC and friends scoured the shelves for stuff they wanted to buy. I failed to mention earlier that we went to Ugu Bigyan's Pottery Garden, it was his birthday so all his stuff are 48% off and lunch is on him. Yummy lunch but got a little cranky because I had to wait forever in line for food but I can't really complain because it's free. Bought a wind chime for the shop.

THE BIRD FOUNTAIN!!! I WANT!!!  But it costs Php14,000 :(

Fish means prosperity!

Free coffee

Duty free shopping after. Got shampoo and make-up. Actually, got mommy to buy mook up for me- L'oreal Base Magique and Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner. Ako na ang maarte :P Sorry naman at kelangan tapalan burahin ang mukha.

game of thrones

I always always end up finding myself paying a visit to the nearby mall to get a new stash of dibidis if ever I am in Megamall. My purchases last Saturday were Prom, Game of Thrones and something about the prophecies of Nostradamus. Opted to watch Prom first because was head was hurting like hell and I needed to watch something that doesn't require my brain to work. Game of Thrones, next. 

I got it because I was intrigued what was this Game of Thrones people were talking about. Normally, I resist the urge to jump on bandwagons but I thought better to get ahead before the rest of the pack, ya? We're all lemmings after all, aren't we?

King Robert Baratheon asked his good friend Lord Eddard Stark to be the King's Hand. Although Lord Stark doesn't want to take the role he's offered, he takes it anyway. With many people eying the throne including the Lannisters, there were numerous plottings behind the King's back and those who were after his good so they could sit on the coveted Iron Throne. What was once Lord Stark's relatively peaceful life now a complete chaos.

Of course I am for the Starks because they represent the good in this story. It was actually surprising to find out some people vie for the Lannisters just because they're good-looking. And this is why so many people misjudge because they judge a book by its cover.

I like it but I didn't like-like it. It was entertaining and keeps you glued to the screen and makes you want to devour one episode after another but the drab, gloomy feel of the series was draining. And so much negativity! Though I feel the same is still happening nowadays only we're "civilized." Instead of swords and butchering off heads, we have guns and bombs to do the job. Aside from that, it's still the same old story of power struggle, betrayal and pera-pera-lang-yan mentality. It was quasi-depressing to watch this and see so much evil in the world.

But at least we've come a long way since then when women were treated as commodities- 'nothing like a woman after a battle,' para bang beer lang ang pinag-uusapan. Makes you feel so lucky that we live in the here and now. One would really wish for a son instead of a daughter back then. Speaking of family affairs, another shocker was the practice of incest. Apparently some houses wanted to keep their bloodline as pure as possible and to do so brothers and sisters mate with each other. Eeew, no?

It was a very interesting watch and I am actually looking forward to season 2 which won't be out until April 2012. I really have no idea and no expectations as to how next season would go and it's better to keep it that way.

Toodles

kdrama: scent of a woman update 1

I blame Juno for my addiction to this drama. Lately I've been preoccupied with other trivial things such as completing my Project 100, reading books that belong to the Young Adult category (meaning, books that don't really contribute to one's development) and this verrry time-consuming addiction to Korean dramas. I know I should be focusing on more important matters like growing my soon-to-be empire but here I am on my ass devouring a 16 to 20-episode drama one after another. Before knowledge of Scent of a Woman, there were only three must-see dramas in my list: Lie to Me, 49 Days and Best Love. I was done with two and now I only have Best Love to fuss about. But no, Juno had to inform me of this new drama that's supposedly good and also stars Kim Sun-ah (My Name is Kim Sam-soon) and Lee Dong-wook (My Girl). Now, how can I resist??? EQ? Ano yun?

Lee Yeon Jae (Kim Sun-ah) is our underdog who takes all the crap that's being thrown her but having found out she has terminal cancer and only has six months to live, she decides to stop taking other people's shit and resigns from work. Kang Ji-wook (Lee Dong-wook) is a businessman's son who takes over the reigns of their business and is arranged to marry the daughter of a business tycoon. Both were in misery and how they're going to fix that we'll find out in the second episode which I'm going to watch in a wee bit because this drama's too good and once you pop, you just can't stop.

I thought this was a rom-com and for a first episode of a rom-com, this was fairly "heavy." I even cried! How can people be so mean and they're not even that beautiful!!! Not that being beautiful is a free pass to being mean, it's just that most beautiful people are. The tycoon's daughter, Se Kyung, is so full of herself and she's not even pretty. Well, yes she's tall and thin and has that fabulous wardrobe but man, she seriously needs to get her teeth done because she looks bungal. Anyway, I don't care if it's not super funny rom-com like MNIKSS as long as they maintain its awesomeness. I will avoid reading any reviews or recaps of the drama so as not to spoil the fun of anticipation.

Now off to watch episode 2...

our own version of the intramuros walking tour

I once read a quote that says "Do one thing everyday that scares you," and after yesterday's calesa ride along the highway with the rushing cars and jeepneys and buses, I think I'd rather be on the safe side most of the time. I'd rather be safe and alive, thank you.

With A, C and her friend S, we went on a little tour around Manila starting with the public transportation. I am very much well-acquainted with the metro's railway system being it my main mode of transportation but I am not sure with C, most especially A who doesn't take ANY kind of public transportation (and this includes taxis... well, that's just the way she rolls. She even complained about her jeans sticking to her skin because of the heat and sweat, I wanted to tell her, Welcome to my world. But this doesn't mean I don't complain when my jeans cling to my skin because I do and I do it all the frickin' time). We were supposed to meet at the Araneta- Cubao station but met at Recto station instead. Got on a jeep then a cab going to Wai Ying- my little Chinese food haven. At hindi naman ako napahiya- they all loved the food! It was worth all the hassle.

After lunch, we headed to Intramuro. First stop was the San Agustin Church. I was only interested in seeing the church and the  trompe-l'œil ceiling. I didn't know they also have a museum. So in we went to take in a little bit of history. Because we were taking up Fili in class, I appreciated this trip to the museum more. Seeing all those friar garb and the choir loft, etc. made me giddy and want to learn more about our history under the Spanish era. I think I actually want to teach History. Ha.

Next stop was the Manila Cathedral which we just passed, then we walked going to Fort Santiago. Tired from all the walking, we took a rest and sat on the benches. With A, we would always hang out in their house and malls and making kwento and chismisan in Fort Santiago was something new for us, haha! 17 years of friendship and this is the first time we ever went to an open space together! Laman kami ng mall for 17 years! Anyway, walkathon na naman inside the Fort to see the dungeons. Man, I really suck at playing tourist guide.

It was time to go home.

We hailed a taxi and the driver was asking us P200 for a ride until the LRT. We refused. The calesa driver offered to bring us to the Recto station for P100 (which we later realized was per person). Oh wow. I don't know why I agreed but if there's one thing I learned from this experience it's that I'll never, ever ride a calesa again for two reasons: 1) I take pity on the horse who will lug me around the city (over two bridges pa, mind you!), and 2) I actually fear for my life. And I was seated in front pa! That 30-minute fright ride I was already imagining all the worst-case scenarios. HEADLINE: APAT NA BABAE NAHULOG SA CALESA SA AVENIDA. Well, it didn't happen. Thank God it didn't happen.

I've never been so happy to see the LRT station. On our way home after a long, tiring day of walking and talking under the scorching heat of the sun. We all smelled like sunshine (Read: amoy-araw) but we didn't care because it was one fun, well-spent day.

book 2011-10: along for the ride

My second book in the YA category this year. Pero in fair ha, my book choices this year has been very diverse. Though reviewing the books I've read for the year, I don't have anything business-related yet. But they're so boring... but but but they're what I should be reading :( They're like vegetables, they're no fun but they're good for the body and in the case of business books, good for the mind and business skills. But I happen to love vegetables so maybe it is an acquired taste. I should get used to the "taste" of business books. Ohhhkay... going back...

It was a fun read. Kilig read, too. More kilig moments here than Colasanti's Take Me There. First chapter pa lang I know how this one's going to end but still I just had to take all those kilig scenes in. You know me, I live for giddy. I knew from the start that this cold, no-nonsense girl on summer vacation at her dad's house will find love, at least a fling, over the summer. I knew from the start that this quiet, aloof guy will fall for the tourist who sees him differently. Same old, same old but there's a little tweaking here and there and our same, old love story feels brand new again.

What is the deal with love? Is it really that great? Hey, my expectations are super high already with regard to love and I hope that LOVE will live up to me expectations. Ha. C'mon, I challenge you LOVE. Haha.

Back to the book. Auden spends her summer before college in her father's town, Colby, to meet her new sister and spend time with her father. During the course of her vacation in Colby, she finds and realizes who she truly is and resolves her lifelong issue of her parents' divorce. The people she met changed her lives for the better. In a nutshell, this book teaches us not to judge a book by its cover.

Ha, what a sucky review this is.

week 31: at least i'm getting some work done

Monday

I got the internet all to myself YAY! but I had to leave after lunch to do my August inventory. It took longer than I expected because I also worked on some orders. But who cares when I had a scrumptious scrumptious dinner afterwards ☺

Tuesday

Called off work because it was raining cats and dogs and the Marikina river was past its critical level and after Ondoy, people tend to get paranoid. But after several minutes after I texted my techs that we don't have work, the rain stopped. Boo! So I just bummed around the entire day, playing with my nephews.

Wednesday

I've gotten used to not having work on Monday, so when I woke up today I thought it was only Tuesday since we didn't have work yesterday. I sent my customer a text that I'd be making my delivery on Wednesday or Thursday and it is already Wednesday! She didn't reply. Naguluhan siguro. Anyway, was busy planning menu for the anniversary dinner. Business this year hasn't been that good so I wasn't really in a mood to celebrate but yea we're already five years in the biz and of course we should be thankful that we lasted this long and we are still alive and kicking and in it for 5 or 10, 50 even, years to come. Which reminds me that I still offer a Thanksgiving mass for this milestone in my life.

Dinner consisted of pansit bihon (for longer life daw), chicken wings, lumpia and chocolate cake. Very, very predictable. This has been my menu for the past five years, more or less. I was thinking of cooking menudo but opted not to for lack of time. I'm not sure if they could tell that I wasn't too excited to celebrate.

Thursday

Delivery day! Same old routine- Glorietta to have lunch with AD then I'm off to gallivant all by myself. I arrived late which got me a scolding~ malay ko ba na traffic sa C5? Before it would only take me 30 mins from my house to the mall, without traffic, so I was expecting the same but apparently there's a road construction going on. Lunch with AD at Pizza Hut. Figured out it was too late for a movie- I can't get out of it just in time for AD's off. Just went to National Book Store and hoped to find another Sarah Dessen book on sale. After scouring the shelves, no Sarah Dessen book but got myself Marisa de los Santos' Belong to Me instead. Coffee at Starbucks while reading Along for the Ride. Delivery. Then Happy Lemon c/o AD. Realized that I've reached my saturation point for coffee with rock salt and cheese.

Friday

I've been a good girl and squeezed in my "hectic" schedule a day at the shop for some Rex Manning time. Got my maniped while reading and listening to the radio at the same time. Gino & Fran's last day (weekday) on board together. I dunno why they had to break the tandem apart when it's working like magic. Had chicken isaw nom nom nom~ And I swear mukha siyang bouncer these days eeew. I therefore christen you Enchong. Enchong Go.

Saturday

Meeting 4/10. Enjoyed class. Honestly, mas marami ang chika time but who cares haha! But seriously, I should practice more and take this Spanish thing seriously because I'm shelling out moolah for this. I must do something with this skill. I want to teach but I reckon I'm not that confident. Took a bus going to Greenhills for my date with the girls- A and C (and her friend, S). It has been awhile since I took a G Liner bus because it was the most optimal method to reach me destination.

Greenhills. Got a pair of turquoise earrings- an item to cross out my wishlist. Bumped into IR and we had some hurried (but fun as well) catching up. Went to the Promenade to meet A. Lunch at Bon Chon then Captain America afterwards. Movie finished just in time for our dinner with C and friends. Dinner at Grilla, coffee at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf after. Wasn't talking that much because I reckon I've lost my social skills and we were around people I don't know that much and I tend to clam up in such situations. Happy Lemon. Went to A's house-chika time with A and sister until 3am.

Sunday

And mommy woke me up verrry early in the morning :( No lunch out na naman so stayed at home the whole day, stuck with Little Miss Wet Blanket. Haha. Well, sometimes she's okay but I find myself rolling my eyes often when I'm with her. I feel guilty actually...

It was a rainy week. I hate rainy days. I hate it because rainy days mean lower sales and it somehow affects my mood and this time, the laundry smells baaaad! We usually don't use Downy but this time I guess we have to. I pray for sunshine tomorrow since it's Binondo Day with A and C and her friend.

para akong CHED...

pag nag-declare ng SUSPENSION hindi na umuulan. So I will channel my energy to creating this list instead of regretting cancellation of work today

Lunch-outs with the family, actually basta meals with the family kahit hindi sa labas • thrifted books from Booksale and National Book Store • lunch with Ycel • all the food consumed the past two weeks. nom nom nom~ but seriously, I should stop making food the highlights of my days • Ycel's pasalubong- a teal nail polish and a keychain • a regular milk tea from ChaTime • mint 3 Musketeers pasalubong from AC • fixed water closet • new DVD titles and a downloaded movie, Garden State • sold two bottles of citronella bug sprays today • playtime with my nephews • good business week (but looking forward to a much better week) • free movie • that we're already in the eighth month of the year and we're only a month away from my birthday and four months away from Christmas • new orders •

Thank You. Keep 'em coming, Lord ☺

birthday wish(es)

Rainy days and Mondays- most people hate it but I am perfectly fine with it provided that they don't happen at the same time. Take them apart and I will hate it because rainy days mean lower sales. It's already the eighth month of the year meaning we're getting nearer my most favorite month ♥ new season of my favorite shows, the unofficial start of the Christmas season in the country (oh I can't wait to hear Christmas carols playing everywhere)  and it is also my birthday month. For now, I am grounding myself ergo I cannot go on lakwatsa or buy anything from Watson's or the grocery or National Book Store unless it is for official use.

Anyway, my main birthday wish is that my business endeavors be successful. As for my material wants...

1. Brow Buddy
2. L'oreal Base Magique
3. new computer speakers that don't sound basag
4. a calculator that prints receipts
5. a new computer table
6. flats, flats and flats! from Suelas

 

7. BOOKS in the YA category. AD laughed at me for buying a book for young adults. Sorry naman but I need feel good vibes and I'm feeding my brain with those from teenybopper romance books but none of those Twilight-ish, vampire-themed books

8. More pretty notebooks but none of those Moleskine shizz because they're heavy and very expensive. I've discovered Yeah! notebooks that they sell in National Book Store which are waaaay cheaper and just found out last week that they also have those squared notebooks.

9. a new bag and I've been eying this one from Cole Vintage

10. wallet na maswerte haha! any wallet basta swerte ☺

So there, my birthday wishlist so far... one at a time because it's enough that I learn lessons vicariously. One at a time ☺ Delayed gratification, I think I can live with that plus they say that it is a sign of intelligence. Consuelo de bobo :p

week 30: mixing pleasure with business or is it the other way around?

MONDAY

Lazy, lazy day for moi. Because I had the internet all to myself, just youtube-d and tumbr-d the living daylights out of me.

TUESDAY

I thought I could still go to the shop for some Rex Manning time after I make supplies and do my bottle inventory but I had to clean my storage area because my activated carbon powder was all over my stuff. Thought I should clean it then since I was already there and in the momentum.

WEDNESDAY

Lunch with Y in Makati. I would have preferred spending our last day-out longer but since she was busy with her last minute preparations before she leaves for Hungary and on her free days I had errands to do, we had to make do with a three-hour lunch on a workday. We had lunch (more like a feast) at Cyma, Roka Salata and Pork Tenderloin nom nom nom~ Time was limited but I had so much fun with our kwentuhan. We would have to schedule for a longer session on January, Y. Take care! Toodles!

I still had my free movie pass c/o AD so I decided to spend my remaining time watching the last installment of the Harry Potter movies. Again, I wasn't able to concentrate much on the movie because I was also thinking about the shop since customers were texting me every now and then and I had to coordinate. But I'd rather not be able to concentrate on a movie than not have customers text me. I was actually thinking on not watching movies on weekdays but then again when? Or maybe I can just get a prepaid phone for my asst? Yes naman, assistant. Akala nila sila lang may assistant? Now I can say, please contact my assistant. Astig. Sorry naman on my way to being BIGTIME. P.S. Walang basagan ng trip.

AD accompanied me to my supplier and I made just on time, a minute later I would have not been able to buy my supplies.

THURSDAY

Was in Makati again. I had to go to my supplier again because a customer wanted samples for my body oil and I didn't have it on hand. Oh well, ganun talaga. I was able to hitch a ride with AD. Lunch at McDo and a little gallivanting around handy, dandy SM. We need new silverware and dishware badly. AD had to go to work so I was left to gallivant around. Bought my Brow Buddy ♥☺♥ Killed time in National Book Store and Auntie Anne's. Took a taxi to my supplier where AD fetched me. ChaTime in Bo. Kapitolyo- takeout.

FRIDAY

Still another trip to another supplier. I called my order in advance so I wouldn't have to wait long for my order but I placed another order which they would get from the other warehouse so ganun pa rin, I had to wait pa rin. Met with mommy at SM Sta. Mesa- lunch at Greenwich c/o mommy. I had Quickly for dessert. Played the waiting game- waited for mommy and Tita D do their stuff. Then we transferred to Pizza Hut for merienda. Non-stop eating.

SATURDAY

Meeting 3/10. I really have to read El Fili from the top because I already forgot what the story's about and I can't seem to get on momentum of the novel. And I also need to do some advance reading before I go to class.

Saturday lunch with the family at Max's Sta. Lucia. I am a creature of habit so I had half spring chicken AGAIN. Actually, we all had half spring chicken. If before their half spring could occupy most of the plate, now it only occupies half of it. Max's would always be our last-minute no-fail go-to eating place.

SUNDAY

Home. Cityville. Started with Along for the Ride. Mass. Dinner at AD's- soooooper yummy avocado salad with arugula, cucumber and whathaveyous.

Thank You, Lord for such a wonderful week and for a wonderful family, friends and life.