Kung Gusto May Paraan, Kung Ayaw May Dahilan

Celebrating 9th anniversary of my company and my one year service, 100 posts in blogger, adjustment with work, one year of stay in the capital city and two loving years with the boyfriend.

9 years since Bayantrade ventured into the IT and supply chain industry.
Last Friday, everyone gathered at the offices - all who were deployed from elsewhere attended the celebration in the Fort and Makati offices of Bayantrade. There were food and booze for everyone. We all had a blast despite the lessening of costs, unsure performance bonuses and salary increase and small space that more than a hundred of employees had to share with.
BT's tagline says "Kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw may dahilan." Indeed, I had to agree to this. We all have our choices. If we like our jobs and our company, then by all means we have to do everything to continue the harmony. On the other hand, if we have a lot of negative things to say and we do not anymore believe in the cause, then resign. There's no point staying.

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More than a year already have passed since I kissed my hometown goodbye and decided to work in Manila. Last summer was my first time to go home after that. Mom and Nana were super excited to see me. Imagine a little girl running to me with her arms wide open ready to hug me. *awwwww*

I miss my niece. I miss Mom and Dad.

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When I logged in to blogger.com a few days ago, I didn't realize until then that I had posted 100 blog write-ups here! *whooot* 100 posts in five years?! Hahah! That's just like 20 in a year. Such a loser. Though it wasn't everyday that I get to write. I missed the way I used to write. My posts in friendster and multiply blogs always had their share of comments from readers/friends. But now, I'm not sure though. I couldn't even be consistent with my tenses and be cohesive with style and words. Argh! What a shame for an English Major.

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And so I was talking about work and not being happy about it. Well, it was me who was talking about resigning to my friends and colleagues in the office. Yet up to now, here I am stuck in the desert. Hah! Thirsty for a good environment. Though my boss was telling me that I have been performing better than in the past few months and that he can see that I'm happy. Well, thanks to Jem for being there for me, aside from being an officemate but moreso for being a friend.

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Two years with Ryan! *woohoo* And more to come!

Who says I'm ending my blog life?

Indeed, this is death. Without internet connection and the luxury of time to write about my escapades in life, certainly, this is suicide.

I miss the feeling of hitting the keys with my fingers continuously. I miss talking with friends over YM and Facebook chat. I miss viewing other blog posts and Multiply pictures. I miss sending and reading messages from Friendster.

Up to now, I am still struggling with the life I have. Life's never easy, especially when you're in my position.

Jeepney and MRT rides welcome me in the morning. Heavy traffic accompanies me when I go home. Sheesh!

Minutes of meetings, reprots, meetings, discussions, analyses, wastewater, World Bank, sewer connections, projects, Terms of Reference, contracts, Scope of Work, Bill of Quantities, project managers, Job Orders, contractors, consultants, negotiations, and this post will go endless.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow. I have decided.

Non Existent

For a couple of weeks I haven't written anything with sense. I haven't posted sensible stuff. The reasons for not being able to post in my blog are mostly work-related and just pure laziness - at home and at work.

A few weeks from now, I will be taking up my first ITC exam on Specifying Requirement and Supply Planning. It's part of the whole certification program in our department. I wish myself and my colleagues that we all pass and hurdle through this initial challenge bravely and victorious.

Blah blah...will edit or add later

25 Random LEA-ish Things

1. I love doing and giving scrapbooks or any handmade craft. i think it's fun and it also doesn't cost me much.
2. My longtime and ultimate crushes are Piolo, JC de Vera and Prince William.
3. I regularly check Bianca Gonzalez' blog. I'm such a fan of her. I have lots of magazines with her face on it back in high school.
4. I easily get sick and puke on almost anything and everything, and anywhere. Long rides, car and air fresheners, perfumes, smoke and more!
5. I am allergic to seafood. All of them!
6. My ultimate dream is to own/franchise a KFC branch. Although Ryan doesn't like the idea. Malulugi kame. Hah! I love KFC to death.
7. I once struggled with a cellphone robber. I kept on telling him the phone was mine while trying to tear off his shirt and skin!
8. My dream phone then got lost in the office but had been returned after a few months somewhere near where it was stolen. Sheesh! Now I have two of them!
9. In high school graduation, I was called on stage to receive a medal that wasn't really mine. Typographical error on the program. I had to go up on stage and receive it with my parents' shocked faces. What award? Special Award in Physics. ^___^
10. I used to win writing long and boring (and stupid) essays in high school.
11. My baon in grade school was always a pair of crackers/cookies/biscuit and zest-o.
12. In first grade, I used to go to my bestfriend's classroom and ask 1 peso from her so that I can buy "ice buko."
13. I was always in Row 4 in grade school.
14. I used to be known as the "apo ni Kap". I also used to think I was famous in our barangay.
15. I tell jokes a lot, although they don't sell to my officemates.
16. I have a fettish for armpits. I love to sleep with my face on Ryan's armpit. Hahah!
17. I am OC when it comes to comfort rooms. I never want to pee or even get inside dirty bathrooms. I always clean ours. I am the only who cleans ours!
18. I don't have any white panty. I always love them with prints and in colorful pieces.
19. I can dare to watch Cartoon Network and Disney Channel even without meals back in CDO, even when I have grown up.
20. I know a lot of Disney songs by heart.
21. I'd like to think I can beat a man at billiards. Hey, I grew up watching and playing with my father and other grown-ups.
22. I think I should be named Amidala. I have a thing for Starwars.
23. In fourth year high school, I tried practicing soccer so I can catch my crush's attention as he used to be a member of the varsity in another school. Now, my hunny is one soccer superstar in college!
24. I love everything European. Another ultimate (ang daming ultimate) dream is to travel around Europe. I also used to envy my father and consider becoming a sea"woman" so I can travel places.
25. I am the only person in our family who can pacify anyone in the family whenever there's something bad happening. I know I am.

A Broken Experience

More of a broken leg. ^__^ Never mind the super messy room and the KFC trash on the floor. There's my pair of crutches and my high-heeled peep toes.

You know that you're a Kagay-anon when...

--- Read this from two friends in Multiply and thought of trying this myself ---

1. You are (at least loosely) related to the Neris, Roas, Chaveses/Chavezes, Echems, or Velezes. - Roas are neighbors, some relatives are related to the Neris, know a lot of Chaveses and Velezes, loosely related to the Echems.

2. You can make your way around the city with your eyes closed. - Yeah! I think I can do that. No matter how late and where I've been, I can still navigate my way back home (drunk).

3. You've memorized all the jeepney routes. - I know the routes. Thanks for living in the city proper/downtown.

4. You say words like chada and chui. - I do. Until now.

5. You've touched the waters of the Cagayan River. - I used to swim with my cousins after attending Flores de Mayo.

6. You've heard of the legend of the Giant Goldfish that lives in the Cagayan River (that if the city gets too noisy the Fish will wake up and cause an apocalyptic earthquake). - I've heard about this. Another version is when kids get too noisy (the Cathedral is near the river) the Oro (the big fish) would wake up and eat the brats.

7. You can identify the street name or address wherever you are in the city. – Even when there's no sign!

8. You know the places people refer to as Agfa, Mega, KSY, and Trendline. – Hahah. I used to stop at Agfa to ride a motorcycle when I get home from school (Liceo). And yeah, that's where stabbings happen (-fonzi).

9. You're familiar with the city's history. – Very familiar. Did a special cultural presentation in college and watched a play about it during highschool Foundation Day.

10. You've entered Makahambus Cave. – I haven't. :(

11. You've experienced white-water rafting in the Cagayan River rapids. – I hate I haven't. :((

12. Your deceased relatives are in Green Hills, Divine Shepherd, or in some other cemetery in the city. - Divine Shepherd.

13. You prefer Red Horse over other beer brands. – OO nga. It's just that RH is sold and servedin every kanto and tambayan.

14. You study in the city. – City Central School ^__^ , Liceo de Cagayan University and Xavier University.

15. You have stereotypes for each of the universities in the city. – I can still remember a text message about university stereotypes.

16. You've memorized the Cagayan Park View Hotel jingle by heart ("people stay in Cagayan... Cagayan Park View Hotel...") – by heart pa gyud. When I went to Davao, ADDU people teased us with that jingle. LOL

17. You've seen or heard the name "Kasama Tsui" somewhere. – Waddaheck! Motorela!

18. You prefer riding Altis taxis. – I do. Hahaha! And there are a lot of them. Number is getting bigger.

19. You've noticed that the jeepneys call out for you to ride them, not the other way around. – Yes. Here, most of the time you have to get in the middle of the street to get into a jeep/bus. Sheesh!

20. You frequent Opol beach. – Where else but Opol.

21. You frequent go to Limketkai Mall and SM. – Limketkai only. Even when I don't have money. Pabugnaw bah.

22. You've shopped at the Night Market. – I live near DVSoria. I always go there. Tambay and pabugnaw with my folks.

23. You have stereotypes against Ororama and Gaisano. – Not really.

24. You love Butcher's Best sisig. – Aylaveet. Though my uniform used to smell after eating there.

25. You boast about the fact that Ram Chaves, Mark Bautista and Aegis are from Cagayan de Oro. – I don't know who Ram Chaves is.

26. You've only recently been addicted to quek-quek. – Ryan and I are addicted to kwek kwek. We would go to the manong near McDonalds for some helpings.

27. You've been pick-pocketed in Cogon, Carmen, or Agora. – Nope. I hope never will.

28. You noticed that the jeepney drivers of CdeO are the worst in the country. – In what way? I think they're worse in a way that they don't return the 50-cents/1peso change of your fare and that they drive like they're going to hell (and I'm speaking about Bugo jeepney drivers).

29. You jay-walk without worries. – Yes. Unlike in Davao where a traffic enforcer would really call your attention or worse , charge you. Unlike here also that no one would dare to cross a street, unless he's aiming for death.

30. You've never experienced a typhoon. – Yes, I haven't. But sadly the typhoon last January hit the city badly, only I wasn't there.

31. You've heard of the kulto or serial killer rumors before. – I have. They're going to open up your chest and get your heart. Is that it?

32. You hear of bomb threats that never actualize. – Yep. Freaks me out.

33. You can buy pirated DVDs without worries. – Dibidi, bisidi. Hahah! Our suki is near Mercury Drug.

34. You've been to Eco Tourism Village. – A lot of times.

35. You've been to Mapawa Nature Park. – A couple of times for some horseback riding and nature trailing.

36. You think Cruz Taal street is the city's red-light district. – LOL.

37. You've noticed the irony in the fact that Patag is on a hill and Puntod is near the sea. – Waaah! True. not until now.

38. Dunkin Donuts in Divisoria is your preferred meeting place for outings. – True.

39. You listen to the FM radio program "Awards Night" on MOR 91.1 every Sunday night. – Not really. More of Campus Radio.

40. You know where Catanico Falls is. – in Cugman? or Gusa? Somewhere on those areas

41. You know who Stephanie Sol is. – Is she that famous now? Goodness. (-fonzi)

42. You've picnicked at High Ridge. – Yep. A nice view of the river!

43. You can identify places while looking down at the city from High Ridge. – I can!

44. You're familiar with the city's local politicians. – Yup. Knows most of them. Been with some of them.

45. You jog or play sports at the Pelaez Sports Center often. – Yep. Just near my place.

46. You've been to the Museo de Oro at Xavier University and La Castilla Museum at Liceo de Cagayan University. – Yes. Official tambayan in college was the Museo Cafe. They serve great carrot cakes.

47. You spend your Holy Week climbing Malasag hill. – I have, just once. Traumatized after falling from a steep area.

48. You give Oroham and Sler's products as pasalubongs when you travel. – Slers Chicharon is the best! My friends here love it too!

49. You think you're in the safest city in the world despite the wars raging in nearby towns. – True. Thank God for that.

50. You celebrate the Kagay-an Fesitval with a sumptuous buffet. – Yes! With all the Lechon Baboy everywhere!!!!!!!!!! ~drool~

Done. whew

French Tips and Hot Pink Toes

Last night, I felt such an urban prima donna. Not really sure though if I really fit into that kind.

I went to The Spa in High Street for a Total Nail Care and a Peppermint Foot Scrub. I badly needed the services since I last cleaned and polished my nails. It was last December's party when I finally took off the cast on my leg. I never wanted to wear open toe shoes and declare to the world my wonderfully beaten feet.

So there goes last night. They lent me a bath robe, pair of slippers and towel. (Though, I suggest that you bring your own bathrobe, etc since I got itchy immediately after I put the robe on.) I also had my own locker. The receptionist, housekeeper and therapists were very kind and polite. Before the scrub, I decided to take a hot shower, sauna and indulged in the jacuzzi. (You gotta go naked!)

After getting a cup of ginger tea, I asked for my session to be started since Ryan would wait for me. The chair was uber soft and comfy that I felt like dozing off. They also had a good stack of lifestyle magazines. Then the therapist started to put a lather of peppermint lotion and scrubbed all the callous from my foot. I decided to get a french tip and I chose the hot pink hue polish for my toes. I couldn't say I was happy about the service but I guess it was worth the try. The place is relaxing and has a very soothing aroma.

By the way, I only used the wellness subsidy from my office. So I think it ain't so bad after all. Next try would be Wensha.