Detoxification Execute

Now that I have redeemed 2 (yes, 2) Starbucks planners, I have decided to chuck coffee and other caffeine forms from my system... until the next promo  Let's see if it will positively affect my health the coming year as I am hoping it will. 

Here's to new self-improvement schemes for the new year!!!

Christmas Cheer

This is the Christmas I received the least presents. What a welcome into the adult world. I have spent half of my pay for puresento for immediate family, and they didnt even notice. It wouldnt have mattered if I brought them a number from the Kamias U2 than those pricey multivitamins. Vitamin C, anyone? Hahahahaha.

But seriously, I dont really mind the presents as I realize, the Christmas holidays is not really about gifts (the giving and receiving), or the food (because of all the filling spread laid out last night, I zeroed in on the vegetable salad). Christmas is for family and REST. Oh, and of course, Jesus' birthday.

Happy Thoughts

After being down in the dumps the past days (a wake, language gaps, nearly sideswiped by a decrepit jeep, claustrophobic fx taxis...), I have thankfully bounced back. I thought that dark cloud would never lift. Just like when I was in grade school, when I would not go to school for a couple of days dahil, "wala lang, I was depressed..."

It is so scary to start nitpicking at the unpleasant/ out of your control things that are happening to you and around you because, the list will never end, and you will feel worse with each irritating detail you pick. When these things happen, it is not easy to just pretend that everything's easy peasy, light and breezy. It takes serious care of the self and constant reminders of the things that are working for you right now.

At the risk of being self-indulgent -- what better soapbox to shout it from-- here are the things/ situations that make me forget my worries:

Sandwiches. I am loving gourmet sandwiches so much that I've had these for the past 2 days. Its a complete meal: tasty meat, soft cheese, veggies, carbo! The catch is, it is a bit expensive if I go on like this. If I can just make my own --making a sandwich isnt rocket science -- then maybe I can satisfy my cravings and save me some money at the same time.

Random conversations with strangers. During my lunch time, I had a quasi-conversation with a lady balikbayan from New York. Quasi because mukhang hindi naman talaga siya naghahanap ng kausap. Kinakausap niya lang ang sarili niya, at ako naman sumasagot! Hahahaha. Ako yata ang gustong chumika :P anyway, it was nice because in a way I was able to help her find a condo (via Buy & Sell), scope a bargain cellphone (take a quick taxi ride to Greenhills) and figure out why she wasn't connecting to the free wi-fi (her laptop's lobat).

Random conversations with taxi drivers. Taxi drivers are characters, all right. They come in different forms and persuasions that it is difficult to figure them out. Like when close to exasperation, I barked at a taxi driver who didnt want to bring me to my office from Roxas Boulevard, because it was traffic. Ang sabi ko sa kanya, "traffic naman sa lahat ng pwedeng daanan! Sige kung saan ka pupunta, sasabay ako." Aba, pinasakay nga ako at ibinaba sa tamang sakayan. Ng walang bayad. Free! Muriyo :P Actually, maraming beses na itong nangyayari sa akin. Madalas-dalas ko ngang gamitin para maka-save! hahahaha!!!Then, there's this other taxi driver who gave me his phone number, hanapan ko daw siya ng trabaho. Social. That's what you call networking.

Discounted parking. Aside from the prohibitive costs of fuel, another thing that is making it hard for me to bring the family car to work is the astronomic cost of Makati parking. A day's worth will cost a complete lunch in Figaro. Truly. If you find parking that is cheap, then guaranteed you would have to walk at least 10 minutes. But anyway, I discovered a wonderful scheme. Free/ discounted parking at the Ayala Center! Although I am a proud commuter these days, there must be days when I need the kuruma. When you purchase items from any Ayala Center establishment totalling P300 and above, you can exchange this for parking coupons which can get you 4 free hours and P10/hour parking after the first 4 hours! San ka pa? Winner! I know where I will be buying Christmas stuff!!!

Massage and a facial. For days when you just need to expel all the bad and breathe in the good. This is such a chi-chi item but for girls, this particular monthly/weekly ritual is a thing that is solely for oneself. No one to please but you.

A night out at Penguin. I was not a suki of this artsy Malate bar as the nightlife and me are not in good terms. Ako lang ang may gusto sa kanya, while it doesnt see me as cool enough to invite me to her goodies. Well, last Tuesday, I had a wonderful night of drinking (beer and margarita... pero di na ako uulit), good music (Radioactive Sago Project), and laughing trips. If I werent borderline hypertensive, I will do this every week! Meanwhile, I have to pace myself and maybe just be contented with just laughing trips.

Family and friends are not included in this entry as they are my constant sources of happiness (or gloom, sometimes :P).

Sigh. Writing this entry has made me happy already. Ja mata ne!

The Shallow End of My Mind

Trust me to wear my tatty, ratty, white fake (peeling) leatherette pair of shoes when I sat down and shared lunch with the heir apparent to The Ultimate Shoe Madame today. 

I've been keeping my eye out on what's stylish, fashionable, trendy almost my whole life as I could not avoid it. Being cloistered in an all-girls school made me aware of the subtle intricacies of the meaning of clothes. Still, that did not stop me from wearing my blue and white vertical striped blouse tucked into my acid-wash Used jeans. Or from displaying my "coolness" in wearing a salmon pink blouse, tucked (again) in pink denim skirt, accentuated by pink leg warmers and white Keds sneakers. Walang pag-aalinlangan ang ganitong pananamit ko. Looking back, I must have thought I was, as they say nowadays, "the shizz". :P

I'd regained back of some good old "kahihiyan" when I stepped into college. I guess I dressed more conservatively and nondescriptly. Basic jeans and blouse. However, there were special occasions when feeling particularly funky and I wore my blue printed blouse, tucked into my denim skort; footwear were lace-up ankle grandma boots. Of course I looked strange! Even a (washed-up) child actor and his friend thought so, when I crossed their path in Greenhills years ago. (Yup, that incident stayed with me...)

I wish I were like some of my friends who look so put together. Even my sisters are secure in their fashion choices. While I --- I still wait for the costume mistress to give me my next set of change, it seems. Trinny and Susannah have earned quite a few pounds off me with the books I bought, that I would think I would already know what to do, fashion-wise. Obviously not, ne?

The Shallow End of My Mind

Trust me to wear my tatty, ratty, white fake (peeling) leatherette pair of shoes when I sat down and shared lunch with the heir apparent to The Ultimate Shoe Madame today. 

I've been keeping my eye out on what's stylish, fashionable, trendy almost my whole life as I could not avoid it. Being cloistered in an all-girls school made me aware of the subtle intricacies of the meaning of clothes. Still, that did not stop me from wearing my blue and white vertical striped blouse tucked into my acid-wash Used jeans. Or from displaying my "coolness" in wearing a salmon pink blouse, tucked (again) in pink denim skirt, accentuated by pink leg warmers and white Keds sneakers. Walang pag-aalinlangan ang ganitong pananamit ko. Looking back, I must have thought I was, as they say nowadays, "the shizz". :P

I'd regained back of some good old "kahihiyan" when I stepped into college. I guess I dressed more conservatively and nondescriptly. Basic jeans and blouse. However, there were special occasions when feeling particularly funky and I wore my blue printed blouse, tucked into my denim skort; footwear were lace-up ankle grandma boots. Of course I looked strange! Even a (washed-up) child actor and his friend thought so, when I crossed their path in Greenhills years ago. (Yup, that incident stayed with me...)

I wish I were like some of my friends who look so put together. Even my sisters are secure in their fashion choices. While I --- I still wait for the costume mistress to give me my next set of change, it seems. Trinny and Susannah have earned quite a few pounds off me with the books I bought, that I would think I would already know what to do, fashion-wise. Obviously not, ne?

I am a Fan!!!

I just wanted to say that. I am not a rabid chaser of my obsessions. But I do get all light and giddy whenever in contact with them.

Like when I watched "Himala: The Musical" in CCP last week. I wanted to watch it when it first ran 3/4 years ago, but hindi kaya ng budget ko. So when they had a despedida performance for their trip to Shanghai, I grabbed the chance. Was I floored! Ang galing :D

I was told that the one recently shown was much shorter, with a barer set. And I wouldn't have noticed because I was entranced by the performance. I'd prefer a bare(r) set for an excellent performance, then a so-so performance with a bongga set. Not to say that the set wasnt good ha? It totally complemented the desolation of the location of the play and the characters.

The music was glorious and the performers were wonderful! And to think that at some point in my wanna-be life, I shared a stage with them...

With May Bayot (Elsa)

Vince de Jesus (ze muzikal director, etc...) hehehe

Jay Cruz (choreographer, dancer, actor and singer!)

I also loved the performances by Lionel Guico, Cynthia Culig-Guico and Isay Alvarez. sigh.

Getting It However We Can

I'm still unhinged from not being able to do any creative/ expressive work that learning I will be contributing to a project like an audio compilation of songs from PETA children's plays made me giddy... for a while.

I got to sing "Walang Tatangkilik" again (I'm not complaining ;-) ) and was the first to use the new recording studio of Upeng and Dodjie Fernandez!! Yehhaaa!!!

Now that I've done my part, I'm feeling antsy again. Ang swerte ng mga visual artists. Art is always at the tip of their hands (or whatever medium it is they want to use)...

I guess I have to resign...

to the fact that I will have to put off my artistic urges for now. For how long? I hope not too long.

Tonight, I backed out from an audition call back. A call back!!! Tama ba naman yon? Hindi pa ako natatanggap, nag-back-out na?

I was so itching to get back to theater, to be back with my friends, to be part of a world where everyone was working to get to that perfect moment every night.The reasons were all right for me. A friend was directing. I wanted to sing and dance again. I will be playing a person who is an adult, playing for a more adult audience...Aeesssshhh.

Work gets in the way. I never thought I would be doing this. Two times. To the same friend!!! I hate it.

I remember when I used to look for work which was flexible to accommodate my love for the theater. My first week at my (official) second job, I was so happy that the performances were near our office, enabling me to excuse myself for 2-3 hours everyday for a week! This job was so theater-friendly that I was able to go to several theater tours (local and international) which ran from 2 weeks to a month. If I didnt have enough leaves, I was always quick to say, "de, don't pay me. Just let me do my play."

My next job didnt have that allowance. And although I was prepared to concentrate on that work, we all know where that led me... to Fukuoka. Thank goodness.

Now this.

After breaking the news to friends, they jokingly said, "mag-resign ka na kaya?"

Don't dare me ;-)

Planes, Trains, and My (Good) Old Legs

One of the things I appreciated during my trip to Japan was the liberty we had with the Japanese public transport system.

The previous times to Japan, I was with a group and we were more or less coddled and escorted to our official destinations. Back then, I treasured my experiences around Japan as I was able to see the country from cabs, rented vans, trains, the shinkansen, planes and even a ship.

For the life of me, I couldn’t remember being so exhausted and almost in tears walking in Japan. I rarely wandered far from our hotel then, choosing to sampo-shimasu in hordes. Safety in numbers, I supposed.

But this time, I know some people might be too tired of me saying it, but I have never walked so much in my life as during my recent 2-week stay in Japan.

The toll on my feet was more intense than usual because I had been visibly and literally lagging during the jaunting parts of our kenshu. I cannot point a finger to my Latin heritage (Latin daw o?) kasi Ms. Mexico was almost always 2^nd place in our conga line.

Just to make it clear, when I went on the program, I wasn’t late for the activities, it was that I was not exactly at their pace. Which was like people- hurrying-for-the-train pace. If we were catching a train and on our way to an appointment, I would understand the fuss. But strolling in a park or on the way to the hotel to check-in??? Give me a break.

The ultimate reason I lagged on the walking part of the program was because my feet hurt. Plain and simple.

My experience would have been exquisite, if not for this niggling fact. And the irritating part is, I have no one to blame but myself. Who will I blame? The program coordinator? Hahaha. I brought it on myself so who better to suffer? Obvious ba?

From day 2 of the program, my feet were already crying for mercy. Walang kawala sa paglalakad. Let me *ahem* walk you through our typical day.

Our mother ship was an hour away by train, quite far by Tokyo standards – suburbs na parang Cavite. Before leaving Manila, I checked the Tokyo guidebooks and Urawa was not in them. Because it isn’t in Tokyo, it’s in Saitama prefecture.

Much has been said about the effectiveness of the Japanese transport system, and it is all that but… what about going to their transport terminals? Aha.

For the seasoned Japanese walker, the sprightly 8-10 minute walk to the station is no sweat, but for someone like me who would always rather board a convenient tricycle than trudge 8-10 minutes … that’s quite a lifestyle change :P

Anyway, at the Kita-Urawa station, we board the train going to another terminal because we have to transfer from JR (train) to the subway. So lakad na naman kami ng mga 5-8 minutes to board the sub to Roppongi-ichome. Navigating the railway seems complicated at first, because 1) the signs are in Japanese; and 2) there are multiple entrances/ exits/ platforms. But after about 3 days, you get the hang of it because in the train, there are reminders of your destination in romaji and signs/ directions are abundant in Japan.

Most of the time, our schedules do not coincide with the bustle of the going-to-work crowd. But we’ve been thrust into the mob not a few times. Siksik kung siksik. At makikipag-unahan pa sa yo ang mga kalalakihan doon sa upuan. O di ba? Shocking asia. So mas madalas, nakasakay nga kami ng tren, nakatayo naman kami. Ergo, masakit pa rin sa paa.

After arriving at our station, we walk out of the terminal (which is so tempting not to do as there are a lot of things to usyoso in them stores) and onto the streets… walking another 5-10 minutes.

The first few days, after arriving at the hq, we had meetings. At least we were seated or had the option to sit down for the day (after na lang bubunuin ang gala). But the rest of the days, we met at the hq only to walk again!! Sheesh.

Out of town was even more grueling. We seemed to walk the whole day. Most memorable was our trip to Kyoto were we seemed to walk from 10AM to 12 MN!!! Needless to say, nagmumura na ang paa ko non.

This is by no means a complaint. I really am very grateful for the opportunity to experience these things. Just a statement and a word of advise to those who have plans to visit Japan because there are just so many things to do and places to see.

Travel tips for the Walking Tourist:

1. Wear comfortable shoes. Kelangan ito, super. I brought my heels because aside from being more formal than my sneaks, medyo maganda ang porma. I followed my clothing plan accordingly and tried not to veer away from the original ensemble even if my feet were already killing me. Ayan tuloy, hindi ako nakapasok agad nung pagdating ko. Ganon kasakit ang paa ko.

2. Bring a first aid kit. Requisite band-aid, favorite panghilot, dependable painkiller/meds. Even if I lived in my comfy sneakers, sumakit pa rin ang paa ko. Nag change lang ang contact of impact. When before the pain was in the toes, the front part of my feet --- my bunions and callouses already have their own zip code --- it transferred to the ball/ pad/ the sole part of my feet. So the healing props are all helpful, not to mention cheap. Should I have bought my band-aid in Japan, it would have cost me around P200-300 for a box, instead of just P12. And my ever ready Ponstan was a lifesaver.

3. Wear your eyeglasses. Dapat binaon ko yung akin para mas enjoy ang observation at hindi obvious ang gawking.

4. Arm yourself with your touristy gear. Camera, guidebook, paperback and portable musicplayer (you never know when they will get handy), a notebook, a pen.

5. Drink lotsa water. Because we went out a lot, we forgot to drink our liquids. And got cramps. Horrid ones.

Yon na muna. Hindi naman ako seasoned traveler.

The sign leading the way to home for 2 weeks.

The train ticket terminals at Kita-Urawa.

The Kita-Urawa platform. Kehin-Tohoku Line -- sky blue strip. Easy peasy.

A sight I didnt know I will miss...

Comfort and Conveniences

With my exams finished (for now --- come November/ December, it"ll be hello cramming sessions!), and completely sifting through the accumulated 2-week paperwork, I can now indulge myself and relive my Japan experience.

Towards the end of my kenshu, I was super raring to go ho
me. I couldnt wait to see my family and friends, be in my in own room and bed, browse through English books in bookstores, drive my own kuruma, live my real life. Navigating the JR and Subway stations were getting to be familiar that I was getting anxious for Manila -- before I get too comfortable breathing Japanese air.

And why not? With fall coming in, the temperature is cozily nippy. Although sometimes, it feels warm with all the walking we did. Still, all in all, it's perfect walking weather.

In Singapore, I swore that that would be the last time I wear my heels to go around and see the city. I swore too soon, because the first day of the program I was in 2.5 pointy heels.

As I was in meetings the whole day, business attire was the way to go. Hindi naman maganda na naka-sneakers di ba? So I didnt think much of the pinching because I was accustomed to wearing them the whole day in Manila. What I didnt count on was that after the sessions at hq, we would still be gallivanting around town. Kailangang i-maximize ang oras.

For lack of "individual meetings", my colleagues from Sydney and Mexico and I rode the train to Roppongi to scope the area and get a bite to eat.

We found ourselves at a street corner which was notorious as a pick-up hotspot for Caucasian men and Japanese women. Of course, we made ourselves available there

Chisato and me at the infamous corner.

Liz and me still hanging around the pick-up corner.
Still no luck with the pick-ups. Just a couple of curious looks.

Because we couldnt wait for the men to take notice, we decided to prowl Roppongi. According to the guidebooks, Roppongi is known to be more international and touristy, thus more expensive. No hakyuen shops (Y100) around the major street; only a 24-hour duty-free supa which carried everything from cosmetics to laundry soap to food and electronics. I bought me my new I-pod earphones there. It's about time...

A store window, which I now realize, isnt that remarkable .

The coelecanth (right??) is the Duty-Free Supa's mascot.

Thankfully, we ate at a New Zealand pub. I had the salmon sandwich and a Mexicola.

Owarimashita!

Finished!

My entries have just about started in this journal but two weeks have already passed and am on my way to the airport in 30 minutes. Ganon lang kabilis ang mga pangyayari.

I've been to Japan 4 times but every time it gets better. There's so much to see and hear and taste and smell and touch and feel in this country. But then, my thoughts always go back to home.

Although I know it will be smoggy and humid and, in my house, a bit cluttered, I can't wait to be in my house (my bed), with my family. It was nice turning Japanese for 2 weeks, but now, back to reality --- cramming for final Japanese exams, the predictability of work, the confidence and comfort with family and friends.

As soon as I get back to Manila, there will a photo barrage, I tell you. Till then, mata ne!

I'm Ireland

You're Ireland!

Mystical and rain-soaked, you remain mysterious to many people, and this
makes you intriguing.  You also like a good night at the pub, though many are just as
worried that you will blow up the pub as drink your beverage of choice.  You're good
with words, remarkably lucky, and know and enjoy at least fifteen ways of eating a potato.
 You really don't like snakes.


Take the Country Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid

Sad

Just read sad news late last night. A high school friend passed away last Saturday because of diabetes.

Why do I always think everything will get better? My friend died last year of a stab wound. I got to visit him while I thought he was recovering fine. Nobody dies from a simple stab wound these days, do they? People have survived more complicated accidents.

Now this. A business contact mentioned that my friend, Liezl, was not in good condition just last month, maybe 2/3 weeks ago. I meant to visit her really. But then work and other stuff got in the way. I meant to surprise her during the Angono fiesta, but I wasnt able to attend that too.

I really thought she will get better. Let your family, friends and important people in your life know you truly love and care for them now...

Day 3: Still No Sushi

It's only my third day in Japan, the second day of the program and it feels that we've done a lot already. I feel very close to my other colleagues from the other overseas offices and it's such a joy and comfort that we all experience the same things more or less --- the pressure, the feeling of being under or unappreciated, the confusion, the joy in putting together plans and people together, the satisfaction of having not just a successful but a meaningful project, the gratitude that we have a job we love to do.

This morning, we got introduced to the UNC's programs. It all went over my head as the speakers were mostly speaking Nihongo. They started to speak in English but it became a bit blurry as I found it hard to distinguish whether it was Japanese or English. Shame shame shame.

When the session ended, we took the train to Roppongi ichome, where the hq is. There's nothing like seeing the mother ship... hehehe. It was only 2 floors (20th/21st) but it had a lot of divisions and personnel. Sayang,　I wasnt able to meet my former boss. But I was able to meet other staff who I worked with in past projects. I never thought I would be hugging them, but I did ;) hehehe.

I also thought how similar our offices were like. Like our office in Manila has a starbucks in the ground floor and the hq has one! When I took a peek at the hq stockroom, I thought to myself, "it suddenly feels like i never left the office."

I would also think that the hq staffmembers would be more formal, but they were warm and welcoming. All of us (the participants) felt included and genuinely appreciated. I also thought they (hq staff) would all be suited up, but they were more casual.. dare I say, I do dress a bit like them when I'm in Manila at work. And that is casual :P

Like I said earlier, this is only the third day but it feels like it's already towards the end, because we've learned a lot of things and met people, and experienced wonderful things, how could it get any better? but it will... i'm sure.

Anyway, I'm still waiting for the sushi. I have tasted soba and ramen and fish-katsu (fried fish), but I can't say that I like it. So far the only meal I really liked was the smoked salmon sandwich I had at a New Zealand cafe in Roppongi and the cheese pizza I had tonight nearby. I'm still waiting to be blown away by Japanese food. Hopefully tomorrow at the awarding ceremony and reception.

My feet are aching and I refuse to look (or even smell) them as they are sure to be red and swollen. Pero even if I was feeling that way around 5pm, I still went on to Akihabara to look for a maid cafe. Iika-ika na, ka-echosan pa ang hinahanap... Oh, I also found a casio exilim camera for about 10,000 -- i like! should i buy? hmmmm.... anyway...

So eto na nga, lakad pa rin kami at hanap ng maid cafe until we came upon a gaming complex where they have the novelty stuff --- the pick-up crane for the stuffed toys, the manga figurines, and the purikura.

The purikura I know is very straightforward. You settle in the booth, adopt a couple of fun poses, your picture is taken and you wait for the photos to come out. Ganon pa rin naman ngayon, except we borrowed and wore cosplay wear! hahahaha!!! it was such a treat!

This thing is only for girls. Males aren't allowed to even enter the sanctuary of girly kawaii-dom. I put on a school girl's uniform, which I thought was too short and actually too tight around the waist :P while my friend, a colleague from Australia wore the maid's costume! It was so much fun I tell you. We are seriously thinking of buying an authentic cosplay attire after the program if there are still funds available. Mahal kasi e ￥10000!

So we have a free morning tomorrow, when I plan to wash clothes. Then it's the noh and kyogen in the afternoon, then the JF awards ceremony and reception. We get to meet the president of JF! I just hope my feet dont hurt as much tomorrow...

No photos yet because I dont want to download the photos to the pc... soon, I hope.

Ja, ashita- ne!

Day １：Japan Touchdown

It's almost 10pm; I am at the Japan Foundation Language Institute in Urawa safe and sound. Yeheee.

This trip seems very promising and exciting as it presents a lot of firsts for me. It is my first time to travel alone to Japan and my first time to go around and find my way to Japan. For most of my time here, I will be left to fend for myself. I have to figure out the train system, directions, signs, and finally pay attention to the Japanese I hear. Why oh why dont I remember my lessons? Oh well, I guess I shouldnt fret too much. I can study a bit as I brought along my books and other materials.

I thought I would have enough time to relax and explore the place as I thought I will arrive by 6pm. But no such luck. Finding my bus (to Omiya) and getting on the train to Kita-Urawa, was easy enough. The only weird thing was my luggage seemed to get heavier every minute. My arms are achy as I pound on the keys right now. Not only did I have to lug my luggage, I also had to carry it down 2 flights of steps and continue lugging it for about 15 minutes in the rain.

Good thing there were some good citizens who pointed the way to the JF Nihongo Center.

It's Sunday today so the place is very quiet and not much going on, but there are a lot of Japanese language students staying in the dorms. My room reminds me of the Bethel Guest House in Dumaguete. It is modest, no-frills and just right. Nothing ostentatious or guilt-ridden. No forefingers wagging, worrying about Japanese taxpayers'money.

I met the person in charge of the program, Mr. Nakajima, and he looks relaxed and casual. I Nakajima, and he looks relaxed and casual. I hope he is like he looks relaxed and casual. I hope he is like that tomorrow as well when we visit the headquarters.

My colleagues from the other overseas offices (Sydney and Mexico) are also very nice. I still have a hard time opening up, probably because I am thinking which language to use... Japanese or English... but they are nice girls. We're all pretty pleased that we're about the same age group. One girl reminded me of a partner from the Ayala Museum. Sobra! Ako kaya? Do they remind me of someone in their countries?

Well, so much for now. I still have to study and prepare my clothes for tomorrow.

All My Bags are Packed

In a couple of hours, I hie off to the land of the rising sun... Sayonara (for now).
Ja, mata!

No Drowning in this Puddle

You Want a Social Life, With Friends

Poem by Kenneth Koch

You want a social life, with friends,

A passionate love life as well

To work hard every day. What’s true

Is of these three you may have two

And two can pay you dividends

But never may have three

There isn’t time enough, my friends –

Though dawn begins, yet midnight ends –

To find the time to have love, work, and friends.

Michelangelo had feeling

For Vittoria and Ceiling

But did he go to parties at day’s end?

Homer nightly went to banquets

Wrote all day but had no lockets

Bright with pictures of his Girl.

I know one who loves and parties

And has done so since his thirties

But writes hardly anything at all.

* * * * *

totoo ba ito? sigh

My Wonky Eye and the Binondo Break

Sa lahat pa naman ng maipapareho ko kay Paris Hilton, itong hindi pagkakapantay ng mata ko ang super obvious.

It gets so pronounced especially when I get sleepy or I don't get enough rest. Ano kaya yon? Because I only developed this now... and I never noticed it before. Although I knew that my eyes kinda sloped downward and looked sad most of the time, they look more tired than sad now. Eep.

Its been a long time since I last wrote, and there have been a lot going on. We just completed a contemporary dance project at the CCP, which was a success, if I may say so myself :) Oh, but the drama and frustration of putting it together... Sigh... exciting times in the life of a coordinator.

And I cant upload my photos because i misplaced my camera cable, so no photos yet... Before I forget what I have been doing, I want to place some of my memories in this space... it gets kinda fast sometimes.

Before I forget the wonderful Thursday I spent with my college friends, Mabi and Joey in Binondo... I did an unusual thing which was to take a break in the middle of the week, just before things get crazy while preparing a project. We met each at the LRT station, synchronizing watches and updating each other each other's location just so we can meet each other at a particular coach. Buti naman nagkita-kita kami.

Then we proceeded to Quiapo from the Recto station. An layo, men... pero sabi ko, keri naman kasi nagte-treadmill naman ako e... but the stench of Quiapo... I dont mind the walk, but the smell was really foul. If the new mayor would like to do something about Manila, then he should start a campaign against that... tapos i-expand sa mga katauhan :P

We passed by Quiapo Church to say our prayers and then had a Jollibee breakfast. Buti na lang medyo heavy ang breakfast ko kasi nilakad na naman namin papuntang Binondo!! Posible pala yon... It was a good thing that it wasnt such a hot day nor did it rain. It was a good day for walking and wallllllkkkk we did.

In fairness, the route was easy and we had a blast passing through landmarks and churches. We almost crashed Carlos Celdran's walking tour, hehehe. While in Binondo, we dropped by Eng Bee Tin to buy some chinese delicacies, walked some more looking for a particular Chinese beer and plopped tired at President's for lunch.

I was not a dimsum person. Whenever I ordered something at a Chinese resto, it was always beef mami. But when I tasted Dimsum & Dumplings sharksfin dumpling with rice, I was a convert. Now, D&D's dumplings and siomai taste like flour, and we had the taste of the real deal at President's. Hay busog ever. 

Naikot na yata namin ang Binondo kaya ang balikbayan kong kaibigan, naglambing at gustong mag-kalesa papuntang National Museum. O di ba? Masaya naman. Sana nga hanggang Pasig na e. 

We looked through the galleries like tourists and it was great. Whenever I visit Philippine museums lately, it is connected with work. So this experience was refreshing as I got to appreciate it with friends. 

We wrapped up our day at that white halo-halo place, Razon's. I am not a halo-halo person so I just ordered palabok and ate my Korean laver. Yum. 

I have been to Binondo many times and it has always been pleasant cause I've always been there with friends. Maybe another few trips and my wonky eye will shape up in a jiffy.

Alphabet of Backlog

I just realized that I have been raring to blog the whole day today. Thinking of topics to write about. Even ruminating of starting other blogs that are more directed, more anonymous Asa pa. So since I don't have much time to build another blog, I will humor my drained brain and write about things that have been happening to and around me.

A - Ateneo Art Awards. Impressive and social! It was a pity I didnt make it early to see the awarding ceremonies, but at least I got to see the works. The winners this year are Lyle Buencamino, Wawi Navarozza and MM Yu. Note to self: Retire my big printed frocks because I just realized that even if my boobs look generous in them, my girth also doubles visually. Not good to look like a frump in such a chichi crowd, di ba?

B - Books. Because I felt kinda out of sorts last night after the AAA, I went to Fully Booked and bought not 1, but 2 books! I'm reading through a couple of books and still have a full shelf of unread ones. If the books I buy were only clothes, I will be more fashionable (siguro). But because I choose to invest in these stacks, I only have clutter. What to do next?

C-Choir. Because sometimes our village choir sucks (hehehe --- sorry pero totoo), I have joked that I will join the group only to improve and uplift the musicality of our humble village. Now, that I have joined, I admire the members of the choir who are dedicated to the music ministry. And in fairness, I did not join the sucky choir, thank goodness. I like singing church songs as it reminds me of grade school and high school, so even if it is a bit nerdy to practice while everybody cool is going out, and even if it is a bit unnerving to be called "po" & "tita" to your face, effect na rin.

D- Dentist. I need to see mine. The thingy he spackled on my front tooth has become very obvious and I couldn't smile as wide I would like. Goody cos I will see him this Saturday.

E- Entertaining at Home. I hope that we will have some friends over for an intimate party.

F- Fully Booked. I like book complexes. National Bookstore, Powerbooks and the recently opened Fully Booked in Fort Bonifacio, I love love love. But one thing I really don't like with these places -- especially (some branches of) National Bookstore and yesterday's FB jaunt were really uncooperative and bordering on the rude. Case in point: I was looking for a book on bento and I asked the girls at customer service. "Meron ba kayong libro on Japanese bento?" The girl at the computer answered with a rather annoyed look on her face, "ano? bento? bento? ano? bento?" I said, "oo bento. japanese bento." After 3 beats, the girl replied but still with a miffed expression, "aaahh, bento." (teka, di ba bento nga yung tanong ko? these stiffs are messing with me) "don yon sa may pambata." "So, meron kayong book on bento sa children's section?" "Ay libro ba? baonan lang." Grrrrrrr... Ayan tuloy napabili ako ng 2 libro.

G- Gym. Because of my overlapping priorities, I havent been to the gym as much as I would like to. Gotta get my butt

H- Haaaayyyy. I'm running out of items per alphabet already.

I- Impress. Malamans sa malamang,

J- Japan. Gotta read up and prepare!

K- Kulit. Makulit ang driver namin. Ewan ko na lang kung matutuwa ako sa kanya pag magkasama kami bukas sa biyahe.

L- Longgan. The weird fruit that somehow looks like a lychee but can be more masarap. Ala lang malagay so ---

M- Movie. Last movie I saw was the marriage movie of Mandy Moore. Okay lang pero nothing exceptional.

N- Nihongo Lessons. What is new? Instead of studying my lessons, I'm blogging.

O-

P-Pimples. Lumalabas na naman sila. Maybe it's that time of the month. Akala ko ba matanda-tanda na ako?

Q- Questions. Some questions are really difficult to answer. (See P)

R- Recipes. My inbox is full of recipes already. I hope I can get around to do some cooking.

S- Singles for Christ. Since I will be in church every Saturday, why not attend CLP after the mass? Why not nga naman?

T- Tokyo Cafe. Had dinner with my colleagues at Tokyo Cafe at the Mall of Asia last night. Of course it was delish! Not only was the taste subtle and light (perfect for dainty eaters like moi. cough cough), but it was free! Nothing like a free meal

U- Una sa Dekada 90. My batchmates from highschool are meeting tomorrow. Something to look forward to.

V- Visa. Just read that I friend of mine was given a US visa. Multiple entry!

W- Write. Many times, I just want to erase this blog and just write in a private journal. But

X- X-ray. So my sister broke her ankle and her x-ray reveals that she has 2 metal rods and a screw on her lower leg.

Y- Yoshinoya. When I ate Yoshinoya in Japan, I wasn't too impressed. But now, as they are a potential partner for the next office projects, hehehe, I'm ready to be pleasantly surprised.

Z- Zasshi. They are becoming a fire hazard, so I am preparing to let go and dispose of something like 10 years of American oggling.

Sigh. This writeup is taking up too much study time already...

Meme Kayo Jan

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Voices :: Choir
   
2. Have to ::Enjoy
3. Machine ::Car
4. Seventh grade ::Spelling Bee
   
5. Beach ::Tan
6. Roommate ::Sisters
7. Cyclone ::Not in the Philippines
   
8. Theater ::PETA
9. Pregnant ::hopefully soon :P
   
10. Phoebe ::Friends

Blame it on the Moon

The moon outside is a sight. It is full and round but hazy (a new moon on tuesday?) just like my googly eyes.

I could've felt that there was something brewing in the heavens. But it took time to finally surface, at least in my speck of the galaxy. Ambagal ng reaction ko. I mean, in a month's time, my uncle died; our plane ride to my uncle's province got cancelled; I agonized over my elementary 3 japanese midterms (I passed!-- barely); my sister fell down our stairs and broke her ankle really bad; almost opened an exhibition with some of the pieces missing --- personally picked the cargo at the pier and installed them 2 hours before opening; negotiated with t'boli dancers; and then opened another show a couple of days after.

Barely enough time to breathe. I am still catching my breath. I would think I wouldn't have the time to do other things. But since my last post, I joined the village church choir and even indulged in some aimless text flirting.

All the other stuff I can handle, except the annoying, niggling, teasing on the other line --- nothing can come out of this. Give me all the other stuff except this wrenching longing. How other people can bear this long-distance, new technology communication hoo-ha, I have no idea.

In public, I smile, but in private, I sigh and I gasp for air. Farking pathetic. Exactly the word that spilled out of my head and on to my texting fingers. P-a-t-h-e-t-i-c.

So, sige na nga. Kasalanan na ng buwan. Bwakanang buwan yan.

Strange Requests

I got a call from a highschool batchmate who I just reconnected with. She would like to get me for a "raket" -- a cosmetics try-out/ survey. The cosmetics product was lipstick; and the test was a kissing test --- 4 minutes of lip to lip action.

I would have a partner, who according to my "agent" was nice, tall and good looking. Oh and he has a wife. But they are not in good terms. So he cannot bring in his wife to test the lipstick.

Because I was in theater, my "friend" assumed that I did this left and right. She assured me that this would just be a test. No emotions involved. A wham bam thank you thing. Kaliwaan ng 3 kiyaw after. Hindi naman daw kami magkikita uli.

Of course I said no. Busy ako :P

But then again, this is a new experience ;) What to do? what to do?

Whatchup Ketchup?

What else is new? I should be studying but here I am, blogging and thinking of better things to do aside from studying. I think I made a good decision putting off plans to pursue the masters this time. Next year...

This month is particularly busy at the Office of the Rising Sun. A couple of projects happening one after the other; our reading sen-tah's opening; frantic pencil-pushing and calling. Manageable enough, if that's all I have and want to do.

I wonder how my mother friends do it. With kids, sure life would be more meaningful, but when do you get the time to realize it if you're so busy? ;)

Konban, benkyoushimasen toki, shiken ga fusokusuru.

INFP

Your Score: Pollyanna- INFP

26% Extraversion, 53% Intuition, 20% Thinking, 46% Judging

http://is2.okcupid.com/users/136/238/13623884563866545256/mt1165223029.jpg">>

So, you want to make the world a better place? Too bad it's never gonna happen.

Of all the types, you have to be one of the hardest to find fault in. You have a selfless and caring nature. You're a good listener and someone who wants to avoid conflict. You genuinely desire to do good.

Of course, these all add up to an incredibly overpowered conscience which makes you feel guilty and responsible when anything goes wrong. Of course, it MUST be your fault EVERYTIME.

Though you're constantly on a mission to find the truth, you have no use for hard facts and logic, which is a source of great confusion for those of us with brains. Despite this, in a losing argument, you're not above spouting off inaccurate fact after fact in an effort to protect your precious values.

You're most probably a perfectionist, which in this case, is a bad thing. Any group work is destined to fail because of your incredibly high standards.

Disregard what I said before. You're just easy to find fault in as everyone else!

Luckily, you're generally very hard on yourself, meaning I don't need to waste my precious time insulting you. Instead, just find all your own faults and insult yourself.

*****************

If you want to learn more about your personality type in a slightly less negative way, check'>http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=INFP">check out this.

*****************

The other personality types are as follows...

Lonerhttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=0">Loner> - Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving
Pushoverhttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=1">Pushover> - Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging
Criminalhttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=2">Criminal> - Introverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving
Borefesthttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=3">Borefest> - Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging
Freakhttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=5">Freak> - Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging
Loserhttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=6">Loser> - Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiving
Crackpothttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=7">Crackpot> - Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging
Clownhttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=8">Clown> - Extraverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving
Saphttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=9">Sap> - Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging
Commanderhttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=10">Commander> - Extraverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving
Do'>http://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=11">Do Gooder - Extraverted Sensing Thinking Judging
Scumbaghttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=12">Scumbag> - Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
Busybodyhttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=13">Busybody> - Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging
Prickhttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=14">Prick> - Extraverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiving
Dictatorhttp://www.okcupid.com/tests/describescore?testid=3076838567116464195&category=15">Dictator> - Extraverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging

Link: The Brutally Honest Personality Test written by UltimateMaster on OkCupid, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Not Bad

Akala ko kulelat ako, hindi naman pala masyado :P

My Lakbayan grade is C+!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Shoulda

I should be reviewing my Japanese. Instead, I play chuzzle and blog. Haaaaayyyy. Please give me the push to finally do what I should be doing...

Lots of chika to share but too unmotivated to do so... it is mercury retrogade after all.

Poof!

My horoscope says that I should stay away from the mundane and drudgery today. Not that I’m taking it to heart, but my mind is oh-so-far away from this desk of mine.

I’d better put all this mind loitering to good use and think up better ways to do my lined-up projects.

I couldn’t think about anything other than reading a good book under the covers. Best to blame it on the weather.

In a few days, I might be off to Baguio for an exhibit and workshop. Hope everything turns out well. It is another four days away from this city, in an area in Baguio that I haven’t been to, so am looking forward to the novelty of the experience.

This gloomy weather is really getting to me… so, just to perk me up…

My favorite things (today):

1. Nori seasoned potato chips. I discovered this treat on my first visit to Japan when all I could afford was kombini fare. Potato-face that I am, I gorged on this snack any chance I got. I never minded not eating dinner, as long as I had a pack of Calbee and a Coke.

I was overjoyed when I found out I could buy Calbee here in Manila, but lately the Calbee they sell here are manufactured in Malaysia or Thailand and not in Japan.. Waaaahhhh!!! Bring back my Japanese nori!

2. These cute dresses. My sister is coming up with her own line of dresses and I can’t wait to have mine in these styles. I hope I still get to wear them even if it boots and jacket season.

Unfortunately, this is all I could come up with. Ho-hum.

O sige, ito na lang… things to look forward to:

1. The office outing this weekend in Cavite. While other companies have team building sessions, we have an outing. Like it is purely for chica! Although I wish that this outing were to be a team building session instead.
2. Unpacking our pottery exhibition materials at the Ayala Museum. I know I am nerdy, but I learn a lot of things (and inside stories) this way. Hehehe.
3. My sister’s birthday. Kainan na naman!
4. DVD-shopping in Crossing next week.
5. A possible fortune-telling session later this evening. Even though I can read my own spread, I would rather hear a detached person interpret my cards for me.

Please *poof* me out of this cube!

Want to be a Superhero?

Now this is more interesting than Pinoy Big Brother, where they just sit around and do really mindless tasks like hide and seek and the like. Boring and totally senseless.

They should take a cue from this show I saw on JackTV, "Who Wants to be a Superhero?" It sure sounds and looks really preposterous, pero it is so entertaining! I saw its first episode at the gym and I was giggling during cardio, it was crazy.

It showed the screening of superheroes and introduced Hot Momma, Creature, and Monkey Girl. These are all female superhero wanna-bes; I forget the names of the men. Oh well. Their first challenge was the fastest to change into their superhero costumes and address a person in trouble. O di ba? Me katuturan sa pagiging superhero talaga.

Meanwhile, I encountered these superhero characters over the weekend...

You gotta hand it to them cosplayers... they know how to make an entrance and make a room take note! :D These were taken at the Mall of Asia for the Mangaholix launch.

Ommmm....

Just when I thought I have had it with migraine entries… I get one.

The good news is, my doctor just gave me a clean bill of health. Instead of hypertension, I have reactive hypertension. Meaning my blood pressure spikes with stress. That’s good news?!!

Ah well. I’ll take it over being hypertensive all the time. Just learn how to deal with stress, I guess.

Things have been pretty steady at work. Just wrapping up projects and preparatory stuff for the new fiscal year. Just finished prod work on a video documentary on cubism in Philippine murals. We had Celeste Legaspi do a winner voice-over for the video, which will be shown in the Paris exhibition.

Even though I (predictably) forgot to bring my camera, thank goodness for high tech digital phones.



Ms. Celeste was a real trooper. Her father, National Artist Cesar Legaspi, was one of the foremost Filipino cubist painters. She lent graceful authority to the words by Patrick Flores. No one would think that she had a vicious asthma attack the last week or that her Carpal Tunnel Syndrome was giving her sleepless nights, save for the wrist sling she had on that afternoon.

Luck is most often on my side as I get to work with extremely talented and generous people. Sigh.

But despite that, there are still little things poking at my patience. Which is why I am so looking for a weekend in Puerto Galera.

Kalayaan

Over at Mag.net Katipunan with Liza, Maribel and Soxie, we tried to soak in the blues and talk about random things.

I enjoyed this small coming together despite my being quite unresponsive to the blues. Well, for one, the female vocalists of the Blue Rats were annoying. The instrumentalists were all good (according to Maribel, "can already quit their dayjobs" at the consulates or the banks) but when I think of the blues, I associate it with soul and the poor girls were sorely lacking it and making up with a lot of posturing, shoulder baring and hair tossing. Sabi ko, ako na lang! Manipis din naman ang boses ko... pag sabay-sabay na kami, kakapal din yon! hehehe.

Somehow, I don't really connect with this music... except was the music in "The Commitments", the blues? The Blue Rats were bordering already on the abstract jazz and my overwhelmed ears were already rejecting the complex "blue" notes.

Anyway, I was there for the company. We all were there probably because we don't get to go out as often as we would like to.

The conversation came to my birthday, followed by the greetings and the ominous, "Malaya ka na!" What the...? I should've been free 16 years ago! 

But I do welcome the statement. It tells of how I need to come into my own as an individual and "grow up". Enough of the sheltered sh*t.

Sigh. But when I think of the rent... and my room and creature comforts at home, I balk at the costs of freedom.

When do I get to Kalayaan?  

This is What 34 Looks Like

Without much fuss or fanfare, I was able to celebrate my birthday the way I wanted.

Last year was tough for me. Aside from getting my health scare, I was reeling from the demands of my work. When I would normally be juggling about 4-5 different projects all at the same time, last year I decided to focus on not more than 2 obsessions -- essentially pouring my efforts wholeheartedly rather than diluting them and trying to play it by ear and compromising. 

I guess this is what we do when we grow up. Everyday we choose and live our choices. 

The days pass by and I don't want to realize that I wasn't able to live my life to the best I could, or that I wasted God's blessings, that I have been ungrateful. And although I steer away from guilt or regret, I would like to be fearless once again and feel,believe that I can do everything I want to do.

Sing, dance, act, sleep late, read, read, work like a horse, party and socialize, eat savory food. Without fear. No fear.

So despite the cricks in my neck, I decided to hie it to PETA for a meeting and was touched by a birthday song from the general assembly. Sigh. Later that night, I was asked by a member who my best friend in PETA was and I answered... a lot. I don't have a particular best best friend but I consider most of them close to me. I know the people who are close to me there will have my back covered when I need it and vise versa. I am humbled everytime I work or visit them as here are people who have made their marks in their respective fields, leaders in their own right and with no airs at all. This is the company which had the patience to see me through my awkward phases (which is until now) and are quite okay with it. Oh the places I have seen and the people I have met on the road!

These past few weeks, I have been trying to regain my smile as well. You see, I used to smile a lot. So much that some people found it strange...especially foreigners and other serious-minded individuals. Then, in an attempt to be taken seriously, I became very picky when and where and to whom I would smile to. It doesn't help much that something really earthshaking happened and snatched all the goodwill I reserved for the world. It was a good thing it was only for a moment and I snapped out of it, thanks to a random well-intentioned acquaintance.

So now, I am slowly back to smiling more, laughing (a little) loud --- because if you work for a Japanese office, a giggle is loud enough. I am back to my old silly self and am not afraid not to be taken seriously. At my age, I am no longer afraid to be labeled immature. Kebs.

Meanwhile, there is no slowing down. There are more places to see. Things to learn. People to meet. A love to find.

More Like It

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique woman like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

Kaya?

Your Personality is Very Rare (INFP)

Your personality type is dreamy, romantic, elegant, and expressive. Only about 5% of all people have your personality, including 6% of all women and 4% of all menYou are Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving.

http://www.blogthings.com/howrareisyourpersonalityquiz/">How Rare Is Your Personality?

Catch Up

Better do something about this "headache". Wasn't able to go to work today because I got a really nasty migraine with matching fever and cough. Totally uncomfortable. The perfect chance to use my Caritas health card.

All I can say is that Caritas sucks. With the exception of their nice doctor and personable receptionist, the said health card is useless to me, until August 2007. What a scam. And I pay more than PhP 5,000 quarterly for this card!

So instead of taking the tests there, I silently told myself to get another checkup at Philamlife. Everything went so smooth there that I was unprepared for the bogus-ness that I was to experience this morning.

I have to hurry up and get well! I still have lots to do!

Like finish the list I started last night. So,for the sake of finishing what I started, here's more of what I did these past two weeks:

1. Bought my own tarot card deck and told the fortune of 3 of my sisters. Despite reading the cards with the aid of the booklet, they seemed quite satisfied. If only I could take it seriously... then I could already pitch my booth in eastwood. heheh.

2. Moderated at a conference. Of course, I was so stiff and stilted but then, keri pa rin daw. It's a step to my resolution of sharing more at discussions and conferences. I mean, I have the same rights of self-expression as those who hog the microphone and talk nonsense. I remember that there was a lady who we thought would share something significant during q&a only to find out that all she really wanted to do was catch up with the other moderator and hug her! Whatever.

3. I miss being in theater. I realized that when I got to spend some time with my theater friends. I miss theater. Sigh.

I forget the rest... It's all memory now.

Bring on more memories, I say.

While You Were Busy With Your Life

My days were quite full these past few weeks that even though I would have liiked to unload my thoughts on things that have been happening... I couldn't get around it. Thank goodness for now.

On the onset,it seems that nothing's changed since I last wrote. Am still sick and preoccupied by my hypertensive state. Only now, I am a bit okay although with no sense of smell. Wish this bug goes away soon. Nay--- Now na.

But between that and now, a lot of groovy things have taken place:

1. Went on a video documentary shoot for cubism in the philippines, with focus on murals and public art. These things are the highlight of my work because I get to meet different types of people and learn from all of them. One time, it could be the old lady and her family who live inside a still existing water tank; a couple of hours later, it will be over adobo sandiwiches with Odette Alcantara and her wonderful family.

The conversations were all eye-openers and inspiring. I will not forget the passionate arguments of Tita Odette (naks,close) for the environment, art and Manansala (who is her close friend), kindred spirits and how important it was to be a cultural worker. If she is still fired up with the richness of Philippine culture, I have no right to be all jaded and negat.

Then I talked with an officer from UCPB who takes care of the bank's art collection, who told me that I looked quite stressed and tired. I welcomed her candidness as I know that people are usually more "polite" to call attention to something obvious but unfortunate. She told me that I should smile more often. I am taking her advice and even reprogramming my thoughts to be more positive.

2. Passed my Japanese midterms. Honto, totemo muzukashii desu. I also realized that ... watashino sensei ga suki ja arimasen. Even though I did okay, she made me feel pretty daft.

3.Watched 2 plays: TP's "The Pretenders" and Rinkogun's "Philippine Bedtime Stories". Of the two I liked the latter because somehow the direction was exciting. I am a fan of TP and its actors but this play didnt really capture the epic emotional and physical landscape of the novel. And the peekaboo just boggled my mind.

Am looking forward to seeing more plays. Next: PETA's "Belong Puti".

4. Gone back to watching movies at the cinemas alone. This is a secret luxury of mine which started when I was 12 or 13 years old, when because I was tired of tending to our boutique at the Broadway Centrum, I would sneak into the cinemas alone. Even if my allowance was limited in college, I would rather walk to the cinemas (buti na lang may sta.lucia na non) and get my fix whenever needed.

The two times I watched alone, I just needed to see Kate Winslet. She is one of my new favorite actors. She is very good in whatever role she plays. Saw"Little Children" and "The Holiday".

5. Being told "I wish I could spend more time with you..." by a young, not bad-looking guy. Siyempre,binigyan ko na agad ng malisya. Never mind if he really meant, "may kailangan pa kami sa iyo."

Such a long post. I'm becoming more and more sleepy.Must. Get.Sleep. More tomorrow.