Memoirs 2008 (Part 2)

JULY

SPORTSFEST!!! I signed up for the badminton games during Soluziona's sportsfest! We won the Championships! Yahoo!!! GO HESTIA!!! I got to be named as the Female MVP for Class B... hihihi! Of course, I ought to be proud -- 3 Championships in 3 companies, who else has that record ei??? hahahaha

My brood got bigger once again! I adopted 3 kids at Soluziona's project at Landbank - Kris A., Yos, and John! In one meeting at Landbank, Maia from SID and Sir Ferdie were intently looking at the attendance sheet... wondering and murmuring to themselves. Curiousity biting at them, they had to ask,

"Kris, kinasal ka na?" (Kris, are you married?).
"Hinde, bakit?" (No, why?).
"Iba na kasi apelyedo mo dito eh" (You have a different surname here), referring to Kris Austero's entry, a new kid at Soluziona hahahaha!

Our contract with Globe, which was initially for 6 months, got renewed. We had to say good bye to Renee as Globe's budget was only enough for 3 team members :( She may have left the project, but she remains a friend :)

AUGUST

The much awaited month! CHINA!!!

Before our China trip, Jaja, May and I were invited by Sir Ferdie to join them on their Mt. Manabu climb. Climbing mountains ain't fun till you reach the peak. Exhausting? Yes, indeed! I got blisters a big as a 10-peso coin on each sole :( On the bright side, it was another opportunity to create new friends :)

China! This trip was booked just 3 months before the actual trip. In my haste to book cheap flights, I overooked the dates! We landed at Shanghai on August 24, 2008 - the last day of the Beijing Olympics... huhuhuhu LOSERS! If recorded, the trip would've made it as an Amazing Race episode. shanghai and Beijing in just 4 days - include a 12 hour train trip in it! Again, I had FUN!!! The best thing about the trip was I got to climb the steps of the Great Wall!!!!

Another unforgettable memory - watched SIMPLE PLAN's concert with Owie!!! I really had a great time!

SEPTEMBER

Celebrated Soluziona's 13th year anniversary with a Masquerade Party at the company outing. Too bad the Szrhums (Dustin and Renee's band) didn't make it to the final 3 of the Musziklaban :( I got so drunk, i created a personal record of how many times I barfed (proud???) hehehehe! Room 258 of the Mount Sea Grand Resort is definitely one for the books of Soluziona

OCTOBER

I got another kid - Lyn of Astra! hehehehe

NOVEMBER

WORK! WORK! WORK!

Shè joins as a foster kid! hahahaha I only have her till January.

DECEMBER

(music) 'Tis the season to be Jolly! (music)

Christmas Season!!!
TRAFFIC!!!!! grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
PARTIES!! GIFTS!!!! YIPEEEEEE!!!

Lastly, Thankfulness and the Joy of Family and Friends :)

Memoirs 2008 {Part 1}

New job, new friends, new challenges, cultural experiences, milestones, lots of quarrels, (hihihi... what's new?), road trips, out-of-the country travels -- My 2008.

JANUARY

Started my first legitimate project with Soluziona at Globe. I was given the opportunity of choosing my team - Dustin, Ma-ann, Renee and Rheb... and though things weren't that smooth, we turned out OK. The first 3 months were the most challenging! We had to learn everything the hard way as there were no or minimal documentation. I'm so proud of what the team has achieved right now... they know the system inside out!

FEBRUARY & MARCH

My brood gets bigger as I got to handle the administrative duties of the other globe project. My other "kids" - Migs, Paolo, Mark, Jan, Basil, KC :)

Went on a road trip with two of my bestfriends to Canoe Beach Resort, Zambales. Made a side trip to the famous Anawangin beach.

APRIL

Gave my good friend, KIM, a big surprise when I went to Malaysia for his birthday celebration. Only Vera knew I was coming! You should've seen the look on their faces when they saw me. I guess it wasn't only Kim who was surprised... hehehehe! It was a short but memorable trip. Stayed there for just 1.5 days.

MAY

This is one sad, sad month :( Two weeks before my birthday, I had a BIG fight with a close and dear friend. No need to expound on it. Let's leave the past where it belongs... hehehe

My birthday eve was spent with my bestfriends - Jaja, May and Ramil. We welcomed our birthday (May and I share the same birthday) with coffee from Seattle's Best at MOA. They did a good job in cheering me up and help me overcome sadness even just for one night.

Ohhh... this was FLEX BEN month!!!! This benefit really made my month despite everything that happened. I got my Nikon D60 DSLR Camera and my iPod Classic 80GB through flexben!!! Yippeee!!!

JUNE

Bumped into the friend I had a fight with during the last day of the Pyrolympics and we both acted as if neither of us existed. We ate dinner at the same table, I chatted with our common friends but neither of us said a word to each other... not even an eye contact!!! Later that night, I realized that not being in good terms is just silly and things would be much, much better if we made up :) A few days later, I called him up and fixed things with him. His birthday came and passed and we were OK! yey! In retrospect, I think the friendship is better because of what we learned during those times :)

Went on a road trip with Mai and Ramil. I invited Ramil to join us because I wanted to go to Norzagaray, Bulacan. I thought he knew how to get there... him, being a Bulacaño... BUT I should've known better... we ended up going to Tagaytay! It was worth it... it was Ramil's first time to get there... I also drove them to Caleruega :) It was fun having Ramil join us... one of the rare moments Ramil agrees to something apart from dinner or coffee :)

{TO BE CONTINUED}

Alang magawa... hehehe

I got this from Renee's Friendster bulletin... walang magawa... di makatulog sa sakit ng ulo & katawan... hehehe

What woke you up this morning?
- The thought that I was again late for work pero Sunday pala... hihihi


Do you like the color gray?
- yup


Is there someone you really can't stop thinking about?
- yup


Look outside, how's the weather?
- Madilim eh... can't see


-Have you ever liked someone, and then found out that you really didn't?
- yup


Where would you like to be?
- In a cottage beside a lake... hmmm... serenity


Have you been happy recently?
- yup... just spent two days with a childhood friend


Do you like receiving balloons on your birthday?
- nope


Math, English, Science, or Social Studies?
- math

What are you currently listening to?
- nothing
.
Do you have limewire?
- nope... torrents are safer :)

Do you wish you were somewhere far far away?
- nope


What was the last movie you watched?
- The Dark Knight with Tim


How is your heart lately?
- Slowly turning into Ice... hehehe
.
The person you dislike passes away, how do you react?
- NR

Was today a good day?
- Not really, not with my headache and clogged nose

Name a class that you really disliked:
- Phil. History!!!!

Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?
- August 4, 2007

What did you dream last night?
-Wala ata

Is there anyone you would like to fight?
- Not really
.
Do you like someone right now?
- hmmm.. dunno... gimme time to think

What is your current mood?
- grumpy!!! sakit kasi ng ulo ko eh

What color shirt are you wearing?
- Orange

Are you crazy?
- yup... always!

Do you like to smile?
- yup

Do you like your phone?
- yup

Who was the last person who texted you?
- Tim

What is your natural hair color?
- black

Can you play guitar hero?
- nope

Do you have any nicknames?
- a lot

Have you ever shared a drink with anyone?
- yup... mostly vodka... hahaha

Is there someone on your mind that shouldn't be?
- yup... kelangan kalimutan!!! hahaha

Where did your last hug take place?
- Landbank

Do you have a reason to smile right now?
- Oo naman

Are you in a good mood right now?
- nope... again, masakit ang ulo ko...


The phone rings, what do you say?
- Hello...

What is wrong with you right now?
- makulit rin 'to noh???

Are you mean?
- Yup!

What are you drinking?
- nothing

Latest you stayed up in the past week?
- 4am... tapos ngayon, it's almost 3am

Do you care if people hate you for no reason?
- Depends on who that person is...

Buhay Kolehiyo...

I grabbed this picture from a college friend's facebook... I can't believe that this picture was taken some 14 years ago!!! Whew! Neneng na neneng itsura ko!!! hahahaha

A lot has changed but there are things that will always remain the same... and there are friends who, no matter how far you've grown apart, will always be there when you reach out to them :)

Stuff we hear on the airwaves

Everyday, I listen to the radio during my traffic laden trip to and from the office. Lately, there are some weird, corny, mushy stuff being passed through the airwave... below are some lines and phrases I can remember... If you can think of one, feel free to add :)

"You make me smile, 'cause you're my rainbow of joy" - some coffee product jingle

"I kissed a girl and I liked it" - Katy Perry (ok.. ok... we're supposed to be liberated!)

I can't remember the exact words of this one but it went like.. "I can't think of anything wise/smart/sensible because you occupy my mind" - sheeeZ!!! ako ata nagsulat neto eh... hahahahaha!!!

Metropolitan Composite Fire and Rescue Volunteers Inc.

Metropolitan Composite Fire and Rescue Volunteers Inc. (MCFRVI)

Met with a friend, Dexter, for a movie and on the way home, he asked me to visit this site. He has been a volunteer fire fighter since I can remember. Please do visit the site and if you're interested in volunteering, please don't hesitate to contact them.

Managing a Failed Friendship

I got this from a friend's friend, Anne (cutiebebegurl.multiply.com).

I just made up with a dear friend... I guess we're in Step 5 :)

Step One: Count the Cost
First of all you must determine whether your failed friendship should be repaired. An unhealthy relationship is not worth repairing if it forces you to compromise your principles or overthrow your self-respect. You have the right to ask a friend to change if he/ she is making you feel less cared about, less respected, or even worried. Realizing that a friendship no longer works can be a positive step. Please don't fall into the trap of believing that if you lose a friend you'll never find another. The opposite may be true: you may not make another friend until you sever your association with an unhealthy person. The point is that just as good friendships can boost your sense of belonging, bad friendships can undermine your security and self-worth.

So carefully consider the price you pay for keeping a faltering friendship alive. And if the cost is too high, make a clean break. If you seek closure in a more direct and responsible way by exploring your feelings together, it is likely to pay off (for both of you) in greater openness in your new friendships.

**********

Step Two: Make Meaningful Contact
If you have decided it's wise to reestablish contact, you need to write a note or call the person to convey one primary message: "Our friendship is valuable to me, and I miss seeing you. Is there any way we can resolve what stands between us?" That's all. In making contact the point is simple, to convey your desire and explore their openness to considering a discussion. At this stage, there is no need to go into airing your grievances or even making elaborate apologies. For now, you are simply calling a peace talk to open up honest discussions about bringing resolution to your relationship.

**********

Step Three: Forgive as Best You Can
When someone slights you, offends you, or deeply hurts you, the urge to respond in kind is natural. The problem with this urge is that we don't know when to stop, we don't want to balance the scales, we want them tipped in our favor. And once we feel the compensation is satisfactory, our enemy takes his turn at punishing us again. The cycle repeats itself over and over...But...Stop!...here is talk about friendship!...Please, stop and free yourself from a desire to hurt back, put an end to your vindictive spirit and save yourself from further harm. Set your pride aside and try your best to see the situation from the other person's perspective. If you keep this in mind you will be well on your way to practicing forgiveness instead of trying to balance the scales.

**********

Step Four: Diagnose the Problem
Finding out what went wrong is critically important if we are to learn what caused the problem in the first place—and avoid repeating it..."Everybody's human"...you know...BUT...we want people to be neater than they are, less complicated. We don't want to face the fact that people are partially good and partially bad. But most of life, including our friendships, plays variety of colours. And if you don't accept that, you miss out on a lot of relationships that might have been. Diagnose what’s the problem together and move to the next step. After all, if a friendship can't survive an honest discussion of differences, that may be a sign that the relationship ought to end.

**********

Step Five: Rebuild Respect
If your friendship is to survive it will ultimately depend on the reviving of respect. "Remove respect from friendship," said Cicero, "and you have taken away the most splendid ornament it possesses." Well...let’s beleive the Roman philosopher...and consider two things how to revive respect for a fallen friend.
You begin by noting your friend's most admirable qualities. Make a list of these qualities of character. The point is not to whitewash your friend's personality. Some friends, for example, are great when you need a ride to pick up your car from the shop, but no help at all when you're in despair over a lost love. Once you know a friendship's limits, it's easier to enjoy it for what it is without feeling let down about what it's not.

Next, you need to own up to your end of the relationship by offering a sincere apology for not being the kind of friend you could have been. Identify specific things you did that contributed to the friendship's failure and confess them to your friend in an apology. Ask for forgiveness...with all your heart sincerely... If you do that, mutual respect is almost certain.

And finally...Some relationships, no matter how hard you try, never recover the joy they once had. But if you feel pain of regret or remorse when you think about a lost friend and do nothing about it, you'll never know what might have been...

Norzagaray, Bulacan

Someone please show/tell me how to get to Norzagaray, Bulacan. There are lots of nice places to go to there and in the nearby barangay, Dona Remedios Trinidad.

This is taken from WOW Philippines: Things to Do and see in Bulacan...

Natural

Mt. Lumot (Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan)

One of DRT’s municipal parks, this mountain offers a wide array of eco-tourism activities like rock climbing, camping, mountain biking, mountain climbing, bushwalking, bird watching or simply enjoying the majestic view and landscape of the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Puning Cave (Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan)

A magnificent and well-preserved cave in Barangay Bayabas, this cave also has a spring running down from a mountain.

Tumutulo Falls (Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan)

Located at Barangay Bayabas, this breathtaking waterfall drops from a height of fifteen meters into an attractive setting of white stones and marble and cascades further into an old stone formation called Simbahan ni Lapud.

Verdivia Falls (Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan)

Located in Barangay Talbak, this splendid waterfall is an ideal venue for group picnics and outings.

Bakas (Norzagaray, Bulacan)

Located on this site are giant limestones at the core of a river, formed like giant footprints. Townspeople claim these were actually the footprints of legendary giant Bernardo Carpio.

Hilltop (Norzagaray, Bulacan)

Also known as the Baguio City of Bulacan, this place mesmerizes tourists with a scenic view of the Sierra Madre Range. It is host to the Angat River Hydroelectric Plant of the National Power Corporation.

Pinagrealan Cave (Norzagaray, Bulacan)

The subterranean network of caverns which extends for more than one kilometer was the site of secret meetings of the Filipino revolutionary forces during the war against Spain in 1896.

Pug-pog River (Norzagaray, Bulacan)

A river with clear water coming directly from the Sierra Madre Mountains

Man-Made

Ipo Dam (Norzagaray, Bulacan)

The place is a water impounding dam made famous by its name synonymous with gallantry, bravery and heroism. It is used as a reservoir for the La Mesa Dam which distributes water to Metro Manila residents. The green virgin forest and sky blue water make Ipo Dam an attractive place to visit.

Lessons Learnt #03

"Happiness"

I met up with a friend for dinner and coffee and for around 5 hours, our discussion revolved around being affected by what others say and think.

People get affected by what others say or think about them - some by the things their closest friends say and some by what the general populace surrounding them think. Personally, I normally don't give a damn about what people say or think about me except if that person is a close and dear friend. Add that to my paranoiac tendencies, my actions oftentimes lean towards trying too hard not to disappoint them yet at the same time make me unhappy.

Earlier today, I made a phone call I knew would get me the unpopular vote but I had to make a stand... I wanted to be happy. I realized that our actions and decisions should not be influenced by what people, friends or not, say or think but rather by what makes you happy. That phone call made me happy... I have no regrets...

"Don't let other people's thoughts hinder you from achieving the happiness you ought to have"

And to my dear friend who gets so affected by what others think, don't let whatever they say about you bring you down because the more it bothers you, the more depressed you get... cheers!!! Hope our next dinner discussion would revolve around happy tales ;)

Here are some quotes I got from www.ThinkExist.com on happiness:

“Don't rely on someone else for your happiness and self worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can't love and respect yourself - no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are - completely; the good and the bad - and make changes as YOU see fit - not because you think someone else wants you to be different.”

- Stacey Charter -

“Be happy. It's one way of being wise.”
- Sidonie Gabrielle -

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”
- Albert Einstein -

“Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.”
- Unknown -

“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”
- Unknown -

“You just have to do your own thing, no matter what anyone says. It's your life.”
- Ethan Embry -

“To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.”
- Robert Muller -

My Prince Charming

The Rainy Season has arrived (YEY?!?) and if your house is surrounded by farm plots, it won't be long before you get to see slimmy amphibians... ewwww...

Lately, on several nights, I come home to find a small frog waiting patiently in the garage. I like to think of them as the house's security guards... there's normally no one home. Anyway, they normally hop away as I bring the car in... fearing for their dear life.

Last night, I came home at around 12:30AM to find this GIANT BULL FROG waiting on the DOOR STEPS!!! eeeiiiwww!!! I'm afraid of frogs and all slimmy living things alike!!! Trying to scare it away, I threw a stone at it... it didn't budge. I threw a slipper at it, thank goodness it landed in front of the frog a step below. I didn't want the slimmy stuff sticking to my slippers! I threw the other pair, this time it landed beside the frog and it still didn't budge. GRRRRR! Damn that STUBBORN, EEEEKKYYYY BULL FROG!!!! I was tired and sleepy and I wanted to get into the house! I tried calling out to my cousin to ask her to open the back door, but no one came. She's either a deep sleeper because I was practically yelling or she went to work.I called my mom, waking her in the process and crying like some kid... hahaha... it was more like complaining about the frog. Next, I tried poking it with a golf umbrella but I couldn't get the umbrella to touch the frog. As with the slippers, I didn't want it to touch froggie and I feared that it would hop onto the umbrella then it would dive straight at me.... eeeee... I got into the car and tried to poke it from the window but I was too far! I had to move the car closer... I started the car, turned the lights on and moved the car forward... I peeked through the window to see whether I was near enough and ALAS! NO BULL FROG ON THE STEPS!!! FREEEEDDDDOOOOMMMMM!!!! hahahaha The frog either got distracted from the lights or the engine sounds or the movement of the car... whatever it was, I don't care! I was home...

...and if this bull frog is some Prince Charming, someone better kiss it quick and take the slimmy thing away... hahahahaha!

Everybody's Broken

This song reminds me why I fell in love with Bon Jovi... LYRICS... LYRICS... LYRICS...

I haven't really listened to the album "Destination Anywhere" but shuffling through Bon Jovi's songs, the title caught my attention. I dedicate this song to everyone out there who are experiencing some lows in their life right now...

"Everybody's Broken"
Bon Jovi
Album : Destination Everywhere

Welcome to the party
Come on in and disappear
You're feeling like a stranger
But all your friends are here
Little lines and cracks
Around your eyes and mouth
Something's trying to get in
Something's trying to get out

It's ok, to be a little broken
Everybody's broken, in this life
It's ok, to feel a little broken
Everybody's broken, your alright
It's just life

Step into the deep end
Make yourself at home
When you wonder why your breathing
Know your not alone
It's so hard to believe
It's easier to doubt
You're trying to hold in
But your dying to scream out

It's ok to be a little broken
Everybody's broken

In this life
It's ok to feel a little broken
Everybody's broken, your alright
It's alright, it's just life

[Solo]

Take a look around
Tell me what you see
Is who you think you are
Who you want to be

It's ok, to be a little broken
Everybody's broken, in this life
It's ok, to feel a little broken
Everybody's broken, your alright
Just keep on going
Eyes wide open
Everybody's broken
Everybody's broken
Everybody's broken
Everybody's broken
Everybody's broken
Everybody's broken
Yeah

My new baby - NIKON D60 DSLR

One wish off the list... hihihi

Of Friendship and of Falling in Love by EMDH

This is an article written by one of my bestfriends --> Of Friendship and of Falling in Love

Broken Alliance

I never dreamed I’d see the end of a wonderful friendship - a friendship that was built and developed on trust and faith in each other, an alliance wherein I thought each individual could count and lean on the other when the odds were against them.

Well, things do happen for a reason. Emotions ran wild. A lot of bad stuff were said and done. Loyalties set in. Sides were taken. Trust was shattered. Friendship lost.

I have no regrets. At least the friendship didn’t end with nasty fights or lengthy misunderstandings. And though I enjoyed all the pleasant memories, meaningful conversations, and nonsense chitchat, it takes more to sustain the wonderfulness of the friendship.

With this, I say goodbye to you my dear friend. I sincerely thank you for everything you’ve done. You’ll never be forgotten.

Smother Me by The Used

I've been hearing this on the radio for quite some time now... It's a nice, soothing song...

SMOTHER ME
The Used
Album: Lies for Liars

Let me be the one who calls you baby all the time
Surely you can take some comfort knowing that you're mine
Just hold me tight, lay by my side
And let me be the one who calls you
Baby all the time

I found my place in the world
Could stare at your face for the rest of my days
Now I can breathe, turn my insides out
And Smother me
Warm and alive I'm all over you
Would you smother me?

Let me be the one who never leaves you all alone
I hold my breath and lose the feeling that I'm on my own
Hold me too tight stay by my side
And let me be the one who calls you
Baby all the time

I found my place in the world
Could stare at your face for the rest of my days

Now I can breathe, turn my insides out
And Smother me
Warm and alive I'm all over you
Would you smother me?

When I'm alone time goes so slow
I need you here with me
And how my mistakes have made your heart break
Still I need you here with me
So baby I'm, baby I'm here

Now I can breathe, turn my insides out
And Smother me
Warm and alive I'm all over you
Would you smother me?

Now I can breathe, turn my insides out
And Smother me
Warm and alive I'm all over you
Would you smother me?
Smother me... Smother me...

Let me be the one who calls you baby all the time (2x)

Let me be the one who calls you baby
The one who calls you baby

Lessons Learnt #02

"To get to the top, you don't have to be the best... just don't be the worst."

I've been following the 7th season of American Idol and it's surprising that Syesha Mercado has made it to the Top 3!!! She has always been in the bottom pack but then, she has outlasted some of this year's favorites - Michael Johns, Carly Smithson & Brooke White!

Nevertheless, never slack down because there would be times when you'd still be dead last even if you've given your best!

Lessons Learnt #01

Whatever endeavor we take, whether it be a relationship, work, personal goal, or just some random daily chore, whether big or small, we get to learn something new every day.

Given the recent events my multicolored life, I give you lesson #1

“Some friends will leave you hanging on thin air once your credit card expires”

Summer outing with the guys

With this summer’s unbearable heat, where would you go to cool off??? With hundreds, if not thousands, of beaches surrounding the Philippines, 5 of us decided instead to go to a pool resort here in Taytay, Rizal last weekend. As usual, I was “one of the boys”.

Alvin, Anton, Ferdie and Owie met me at around 8AM and before 9, we were at Club Manila East, a pool resort comparable to Sunway Lagoon of Malaysia but without the rides. It has a wave pool, 2 large swimming pools and a pool for kayaking... hihihi.

The main entrance was crowded and the ticket lines were long. We began having second thoughts but decided to stay. The large crowd was after all expected because you could get in for just Php 260.00 for the whole day. After securing our tickets, the next thing on our minds was food!!! Unlike the other resorts or parks where they extort money from you through the food they serve, CME had Jollibee... YIPEE!!! In a few minutes, we were all munching bites from our Chicken Joy!!! With our hunger satisfied, we then looked for a shady place to put our things as there were no more available cottages or huts. We found our spot, spread a mat, secured our bags then went off to swim.

The pools were surprisingly not that crowded. We all had a great time. Anton suggested we play the usual “sisid” game of retrieving a coin from the pool floor. HAHAHAHA! I warned him before the game started that he’d never win against me... he never won against me!!! hihihiihi. I did warn him :) We swam till we were again hungry. After rinsing ourselves of the chlorine filled water, we packed-up our things then headed to one of the malls. After lunch, we played bowling!!! As always, Owie was unbeatable... hay... how do you beat someone who plays almost every week???

Well, three days of body ache and almost a week of sunburn peelings were all worth it. We all had fun, at least I did. It had been a while since I last saw some of them and the day kinda made up for days that I missed them. I know for sure, that last Sunday’s outing won’t be the last. I'll keep looking forward to trips like these ;)

Current Dream Car -- Mazda MX-5

Engine

Engine Type	2.0L MZR DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT
Displacement	1,999 cc
Compression Ratio	10.8:1
Maximum Power	168 ps (166 hp) / 6,700 rpm
Fuel Tank Capacity	48 liters
Maximum Torque	19.4 (190 Nm) / 5,000 rpm
Bore & Stroke	87.5 X 83.1 mm
Engine Block	Aluminum Alloy
Cylinder Heads	Aluminum Alloy
Ignition / Fuel System	Distributor-less electrical / Multi-port fuel injection
Exhaust System	Sport-tuned with dual outlets
Fuel Type	Premium Unleaded Fuel - 91 RON

Steering System

Steering System	Rack-and-pinion with Engine-rpm-sensing Variable Assist
Steering Column	Tilt Adjustable
Steering Wheel	3-spoke Leather with Audio Controls + Cruise Control

Wheels/Tires

Wheel Type	Aluminum Alloy
Wheel Size	17X7J inches
Tire Size	P 205 / 45 R17
Spare Wheel / Tire	Instant Mobility System Emergency Flat Tire Repair Kit

For more details, visit www.mazda.com.ph :)

Dreams and Wishes

Feeling bored lately? Bo Sanchez, in one of his self-help books, suggested writing down 100 dreams because it could make strange and exciting things happen to you. I think I wrote a similar entry earlier this year but this time, I've placed it as a fixed element of my blog at the side of the page.

I'm not that much of a dreamer and I'd like to keep this list to things that can be attainable. Bo said 100, I can only think of about 12 at the moment. The list will surely be added to... I just hope I can eventually cross out some of the items :)

My Heaven

After watching Trace Adkins in the recently concluded Celebrity Apprentice, I got interested. I downloaded 2 of his albums and I think I'm gonna start loving country music... Here's my favorite..

My Heaven
Songs About Me (Album)
Trace Adkins

Everybody has their own idea of heaven
What kind of paradise they'll see
Pearly gates, streets of gold
No getting sick, or growin old
Sounds like a beautiful place to be
But as for me

My heaven is a wood frame house with a great big porch goin all the way around
Sittin on the swing listenin to the sound of the birds singin
My heaven is a warm summer day in the back yard
While the kids all play, flies and mosquitos stay away
While we're eattin watermelon
That's my heaven

You're always gonna find a few non-believers
Those who stay lost in the dark
But I believe there is a place
Full of light 'n love and grace
And I don't believe that its all that far in my heart

My heaven is a cell phone ring while I'm at work
And the only thing that you have to say
Is you miss me and get home in a hurry
My heaven is the very worst day that I spent with you
When you were so mad but I still knew
Nobody would leave cause that don't happen
In my heaven

My heaven is where I am now on the front porch of the wood frame house
Swingin with you just lookin around at all I've been given and this life I'm livin
Is my heaven
My heaven, My heaven

Road Trip - March 29 to 30, 2008

Amidst busy work schedules, three individuals set out on a trip, each with their baggage in hand seeking out an adventure that would set their minds free from all the stress work had to offer.

Despite individual personalities, three friends got together for a weekend that would make the bond they have stronger and tighter. Though with differences, this bond was formed years ago and will continue growing stronger in the days to come.

The road trip started in the morning of March 29, 2008 with breakfast at a fast food joint in Buendia. Next stop was at a gas station at NLEX where we met one of my friends’ bosses from work. After a little chitchat, we headed for Baliwag, Bulacan. I had to drop a gift coz the previous day was my friend’s mom’s birthday. We stayed there for almost an hour trying to convince my friend to join us on our adventure but he wouldn’t budge. He had somewhere else to be early morning of the next day. We left with heavy stomachs and it didn’t take long before my friends slept… leaving me with the boring task of getting them to our destination alive. At least I got a little comfort from the fact that they’re confident in my driving skills hehehe. We arrived at the Canoe Beach Resort, San Antonio, Zambales at around 2:00pm.

The resort wasn’t that nice but it was clean and at the beach front. The meager 1500PHP was worth it though. Me being the “swimming” addict of the three, I jumped into the pool after an hour’s rest while they slept. (Hmmm… this is turning out to be a sleeping trip for them… hihihihi). Later that afternoon, Jaja and I went for a stroll by the beach following a blue bird and didn’t realize that we had walked a great distance. The walk back to the resort was no easy feat on beach sand. Dinner got underway under a tiny hut with grilled hotdogs and some leftover adobo from lunch which was followed which was immediately followed by a drinking session – one of the reasons why we set out on this trip. Our ranting and ravings were accompanied by a bottle of Generoso brandy and at the last few shots, Jaja and I each got a can of beer because we didn’t feel drunk, just tipsy. Then just after the first gulp of beer, the brandy kicked-in. We started getting louder and wilder… manifestations of being drunk... hehehe. WE got back to the room, climbed onto the beds and continued ranting and raving till 2:00AM.

At 5:00AM, we got our wakeup call. We were going on a canoe ride that would bring us to one of the beautiful spots of San Antonio. When we got there, we saw this girl, wasted by the seashore. She was half-buried in the sand, she was rained upon and who knows what else happened to her. Her fellow campers didn’t care enough to bring her inside one of their tents. Poor soul… Anyway, the place was breath-taking. The sea was as calm as a lake. We hiked up a little hill and the view from there was spectacular. We’d surely be back someday. Next time, we’d bring tents and sleep under the stars as the people we fell upon did.

The canoe came back for us at 10:00am, cleaned-up, checked-out at headed back home. We had lunch in Olongapo and had jumbo tacos with spaghetti and potato salad on the side… yum yum… hehehe We were safely back home before night fall.

Looking back, I hope we get to go on more trips like this. Friends like Jaja and May are the reason I came back home from Malaysia.

Things to save for in 2008

1. PSP or PS3 – I’d need to buy the second item on my list if I do get the PS3
2. 32” HDTV or higher
3. Nikon D40x
4. A trip or two outside the Philippines… someone invite me please… hehehe… all my trips have so far been canceled… I now have the time and money I saved for those canceled trips.
5. A trip within the Philippines… again, someone invite me please… I don’t travel alone…
6. I have yet to fix my bumper (see previous post – Rush Hour 4)
7. Aquarium – hope I can fill my tank like I did in Insaniquarium… hahahaha
8. Bike
9. -- empty --
10. -- empty --

Hopefully, I’d be able to cross out more than 50% of the items on this list by December. DONATIONS are most welcome… harharhar

Kids At Play

Happy New Year!!!

A busy schedule and the Christmas rush have kept me from this blog for quite a while now. This 2008, I wish I'd have adventures exciting enough for me to post on a regular basis ;) To kick-off the year, I spent New Year's Eve at my childhood friends' place at the outskirts of Metro Manila. This was not something I had in mind a few months back but things change and "defaults" sometimes have to be tweaked.

I arrived at Baliwag, Bulacan (most of you now probably know which friend... hehehe) after a 2-hour bus ride and within 30 minutes, we were lighting up fire crackers, trying to blow-up every canister we saw around the backyard. The first few bangs startled us and saw us jumping up and down around 5 meters away from the fire cracker but as we got used to the noise, we were throwing fire crackers at every direction, shooting them into every hole we could find that their mom had to shush us hihihihi ;) After dinner, we took a bottle of rum and with a microphone in hand, we sang the night away... a favorite past time as kids, the only difference, we now have the Magic Sing!!! Surprisingly, they didn't get drunk easily... hahaha... I thought I'd be the last man down ;)

We've grown, please note - grown not MATURED bwahahaha, but it was nice being kids again. Spending time with them brought back good memories. Our mischiefs, mini adventures, petty fights, backyard games, board games where cheating was never absent... hehehe... it was a great time to reminisce. We may have had some ups and downs in the past, but nothing's really changed. The LARK still lives on... and hopefully, it'll continue living on...

Rush Hour 4

Yesterday saw me with a traffic violation ticket, 2 hours of late morning traffic and a taxi ramming the back of my car at around 11:30pm!!!

Since my car wasn't allowed on the streets during rush hour ("coding"), I left the house at 9:00am and started on a trip which I knew wouldn't be pleasant. As expected, I was met with heavy traffic at the Ortigas Ave stretch. It took me 45 minutes for a less than 2KM drive! As I approached the the Ortigas-EDSA intersection, a guy in a blue uniform stopped me.... I was caught!!!

"Ma'am pwede po bang makita ang lisensya nyo?"

"Di ba wala ng 'coding'? Past 9 na ah!", not willing to give the blue uniformed guy my driver's license.

"Ma'am, 10 to 3 po yung walang coding"

"Eh di ba walang coding sa Pasig???"

"Ma'am, QC na po dito..."

"Eh di ba di nyo pwedeng kunin yung lisensya ko?"

"Ma'am, di po namin kukunin yung lisensya nyo. Kukunin lang namin yung license number nyo tapos magbabayad kayo sa bangko"

With nothing else to reason out, I finally gave him my driver's license and got a traffic violation ticket.

Later that night, after watching the bowling tournament of my former office, a taxi rammed into the back of my car! I was stopped at a traffic light and the taxi's brakes were faulty!!!

I had gulped in 3 bottles of beer and I was just a tiny bit tipsy... hihihihi. Knowing this, I was careful in threading the streets of Metro Manila. But being careful doesn't always spare you from disasters because some forces beyond your control might not be as cautious! The taxi offered me 100 pesos for the damages!!!! When I reacted violently, he bargained... "Ma'am, 200 pesos po..." I wanted to laugh out loud! 200 pesos???? I told him to follow me instead to the police station but thought against it and told him to leave. I was alone, tired, and smelt of beer! Going to the police station might have done more damage than good.

In spite of everything, I still managed a good night's sleep. Thanks to the consolation of a good friend.