:: scribbles ::

*sniff*

A lot of people at work resigned from work today. They are due to be trained to another account in a few days. I lost almost half of my team, some of my friends and a couple of really close pals. It felt different at the office last night. People were still working albeit less calls due to the U.S. holiday, but there were tears, blank stares and dream-like states. I cannot exactly pinpoint if it was due to sadness or uncertainty or shock or anger. We snapped a lot of pictures hoping that the camera will capture the memories we will forever treasure.

This is it. The end of the account is inevitable. A few days from now, I will make that decision too-- leave the account and transfer to another one. If or when I make that choice, I will leave some of my friends. Although I will still see some of them, it won't be the same anymore.

It's high time again to jump off the cliff. I read somewhere that when one makes a decision, one does not leave one foot on the cliff and one foot hanging in the air. Making a decision is taking the plunge, however risky it may be. The success there would be to conquer it all.

So, I wish each and everyone of us goodluck! It has been nice working with all of you. Some memories may not be as nice as the others, but there are lessons learned and friendships created. That's what matters. =)

SK SK

Whew!

Weekend's here. Finally.

I don't know if the 2 days off from work will give me enough chance to resurface. The past week had me drowning in uncertainties. I think I've been in a career limbo before but this, by far, is the most difficult. I just hope that the coming days may somehow enlighten me with which path to take. Good luck to us all.

I just have the remaining day for myself and I am going to probably finish a book, then watch the latest season of "Lost". These are just some of the trivial things I miss when work is draining my life and getting the best out of me. Earlier today, I watched another movie alone (again). I wanted to view a lot of good movies lately and I failed to watch some but the past 2 films I caught on the big screen have been romantic comedies. Maybe, subconsciously, I wanted to experience some funny but shallow fairy tale to keep me from falling into an abyss.

Enough of the drama. Now, here's something funny I wanna share. I saw these pictures on my phone a few days ago. This is for all fangirls, especially the sci-fi/fantasy ones, out there. We took these last June 7. We were in SM Bacolod this time before we watched "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian":

me and my sis "fooling around" Prince Caspian's standee

Who could resist Ben Barnes, right? Hahaha! =)

Back at One

I had been back from the vacation last week but haven't had the time to go online until now. Work and house chores have been stealing bits and pieces of life away from me.  I haven't had a decent sleep since Monday. It really is stressful. I need to make a decision regarding my so-called career because our account is closing by September and I have to choose what road to take. I wish I could afford to rest and relax for a few months before hunting for another job. I know it is going to be difficult to go back to scratch but I just have to, again, go out of my comfort zone, embrace change and be optimistic about new challenges. I know I have been through this situation before and I am here now and I can't say I had any regrets. I'm gonna miss my work in that account and of course, I'm gonna miss the people and my friends, of course, whom I may not work with again. I don't wanna be selfish and want people to stay with me 'til the end because one way or another, each of us has his/her own path to take. It is sad, but we all have to stand up and move on.

view from above


fluff

Anyway, I have a lot of stories about my vacation. I just wish my family and I had a longer time to spend away from work and everything else. It was great seeing loved-ones and relatives again after a very long time. It was the first time my siblings rode a plane so we took in the view and got as many pictures as we want. We arrived in Bacolod City on June 6 and went straight to my grandmother's house in San Miguel, Murcia, Negros Occidental. The place is about 45 minutes away from Bacolod City. The next day, we went to the city again to sightsee. The thing is, the city I once viewed as "huge" when I was a little kid seemed so small. Even my elementary school looked smaller than what I remember. The places triggered a lot of memories (mostly woes) from the past. Now, I just laugh at them. My sis saw her former teacher and it was nice seeing familiar faces. There are changes such as the malls and oh I love the cheaper movie prices! We watched "Prince Caspian" there and the price was almost have of what we pay here in Manila. Haha! Some things remained the same such as the oh-so-delicious original Bacolod chicken inasal. June 8 was my grandmother's birthday. She turned 86. She looked better than the pictures I've seen of her when she was in the hospital. It was like a family reunion. There were a lot of kids (my cousins) and all of my mother's siblings were there except for one. Even my other Lola, grandma's sister was there to visit her. It was nice.

pretty Lola

The next day we went for an hour's ship ride to Iloilo City. We arrived there really early so we had breakfast at my sister's godparents' house. They have been close friends with my parents since time immemorial. We killed time again at a nearby mall and since we were already in La Paz, Iloilo City, we ate a very original La Paz batchoy for lunch. Yummy! After lunch, we went to a couple more houses to visit some relatives and finally headed to Leon, Iloilo where my father grew up in. We have a lot of relatives there and some of them I don't even know. Haha! That night was my first time to play the Nintendo WII and my siblings and I loved it! There was this specific spot in the town plaza wherein my bro and I had our pic taken years ago. we had it taken again on that same spot. Haha! I so missed that place. When my family used to live in Bacolod, we used to spend some summers there in Leon and I have a lot of good memories from that place. I wish we could have stayed longer.

now and then


original batchoy from La Paz

We went back to Murcia the next day. On June 11, we went to Mambukal Resort. It's a mountain resort nestled on Kanlaon volcano. It's just a 15-minute drive away from my grandmother's place. There are swimming pools, a butterfly garden, bat-watching, a river, waterfalls and hot springs. I have been there when I was a kid but wow, the resort is really beautiful now! It is such a tourist attraction. The afternoons were rainy that time, but we still went there for an overnight stay. Then we headed for Manila the next day. Well, we not including my mother. She's there until now caring for my ailing grandma.

near the water


Mambukal Resort

It seems like we left smalls parts of ourselves there. I was glad I took that time off from everything. I hope we can do that again soon.

Pictures speak louder than words, so click this to view some pics we took during the vacation.

See you on the Flipside!

I am so confused by this
I know that life is hit or miss
Days are stung by too much sun
I think that you may be the one
~ "Story" by Maroon 5

After the crazy TC5 (The Click Five) fever sweeping the city, the mall-hopping weekend and work (of course), I’m back!

I got no pictures yet though. Maybe I’ll upload them soon. =)

This blog will be in hiatus for the next few days. I’m leaving tomorrow and I can’t wait to be off from work for a long time! Maybe this is just what I need. I haven’t had this long a vacation in years. Work’s been taking its stressful toll on me lately… I guess it’s not just work. There are some things I keep thinking even if they’re just really a waste of my time… but I don’t want to dwell on it.

Anyway, I just read Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight”. I doubt if I’m ever going to settle from anything less than Edward Cullen himself. Hahaha! I think this is the second time I felt like sacrificing my mortality to be a bloodsucker’s victim. The first one was after reading Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. Hahaha! I love fiction. It makes life more enchanting. =)

Maybe there’s an Edward Cullen in the City of Smiles ? Who knows? Daydream believer! Haha!

See ya all soon! =)

The Time of My Life

I have read blog articles and news about American Idol, David Cook being a pop artist posing as a rocker. They say that coming from American Idol, he will have difficulty penetrating the rock scene similar to what Chris Daughtry experienced. They say it's gonna be more difficult for him since he bagged first place and AI is such a pop tv program. I don't know why people like to put labels and stereotypes. Music should be universal and there shouldn't be any delineations in the first place. I, for example, am not just into pure pop. I also like alternative, rock, RnB, whatever suits my fancy. If the song is good and the artist has talent, I support them. Some artists don't even belong in just one music type or genre. Some songs may be considered pop/RnB/soul all at the same time.

Music is for everyone and as long as David Cook makes good music-- whether pop or rock, there will always be people who would support him and I think, that's what matters. =)

The first time I heard "The Time of My Life", I already loved the lyrics. This song is going to be David Cook's first single. It has been on repeat on my playlist for the past couple of days now. I know a lot of people are also searching for that "magic rainbow on the horizon", so a lot can relate to it. The song is inspiring and I really hope Cookie visits the country one of these days. I'm not gonna miss that for sure. =)

In other news, an actor, Rob Knox, who played Ravenclaw student Marcus Belby in the latest Harry Potter movie "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince", was stabbed to death in a bar. According to the articles I read online, he was protecting his brother and it all started with a mobile phone. Tsk tsk. Life is pretty unpredictable.

The next few days will breeze by, I'm sure. I am facing some decision-making situations and I am trying to weigh all the odds before making a choice. June 6 is nearly here. I still am anxious and excited at the same time. I haven't packed my bags yet. I know I still have a lot of work to do before leaving for Bacolod. I'll just take this a day at a time.

The Time of My Life
(by David Cook)


I've been waiting for my dreams to turn into something
I could believe in and looking for that
Magic rainbow on the horizon
I couldn't see it until I let go
Gave into love I watched all the bitterness burn
Now I'm coming alive body and soul
And feelin' my world start to turn


And I'll taste every moment and live it out loud
I know this is the time, this is the time
To be more than a name or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time this is the time of my life
The time of my life


Holding onto things that vanished into the air
Would left me in pieces but now I'm rising from the ashes
Finding my wings and all that I needed
Was there all along within my reach
As close as the beat of my heart


So I'll taste every moment and live it out loud
I know this is the time, this is the time to be
More than a name or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time this is the time of my life
The time of my life

And I'm out on the edge of forever ready to run
I'm keeping my feet on the ground
My arms open wide facing the sun


I'll taste every moment and live it out loud
I know this is the time, this is the time to be
More than a name or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time this is the time of my life
Time of my life
More than a name or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time this is the time of my life.
This is the time of my life.

Boxers vs. Briefs

This is very interesting. David Cook and David Archuleta both made TV commercials for Guitar Hero.

I usually would prefer boxers on men, but after watching this, I think briefs are way, way sexier!!! Hahaha! =)

David Cookie*!

David Cook won!!! Woohoo!!! =)

I have to be honest, it was not expected. I mean, after watching Simon's not-so-nice feedback about his last 3 songs, I can see why David Cook was emotional and very nervous.

I had to hurry home after my shift earlier to watch the American Idol finale live on TV. At the back of my mind, I was still thinking he might lose. I enjoyed the program and seeing Filipino Renaldo Lapuz perform made me laugh. The performances were great and I nearly swooned when David Cook sang the lines "Oh thinking about our younger years... There was only you and me... We were young and wild and free...". *sigh*

Oh and those Ford Hybrids look cool! =)

It was good that Simon made a public apology to Cook, but then again, it was also lame because he did it after the votes were cast. Oh well, no matter what, Cook still won. He deserves it, in my opinion. David Archuleta is talented and he really has a powerful voice. He's too young though and I don't think he's "ripe" enough. He lacks confidence and star quality when he's on stage. David Cook, on the other hand, may look like a rockstar, but he's versatile. He can croon a ballad and rock out with a band. Most of the songs he covered were better than the original (again, IMHO). I appreciated Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby" after listening to his version. It feels like he meant the lyrics. There was no "doobeedoop-dong" part that may distract me from knowing what the song is all about. I also love "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing". I think he was in his element when he sang it. He looks good when playing the guitar. Aww! Now, I am looking for the studio version of "Dare You To Move". I think if he made an album full of revivals, it would still rock. \m/

I have never been *this* affected with any American Idol season before. I am biased, I know. So, sue me. Haha! I'm just happy he won. I love him to bits. Hahaha! =)

*pet name "cookie" courtesy of Ian. Haha!

Origins

A few weeks from now, my entire family is going to Bacolod -- my birthplace. I haven't been there for more than 11 years now. If only my grandma was well, we wouldn't plan on doing this for her birthday. But she's not and this may be the best time to visit her.

It has been a while. The city, I heard, looks different now. I can still remember glimpses of the place from my childhood memories. It's just a short one (6 days) for me and my siblings because we have to go back to work. Yeah, we have to earn the borrowed money we needed to go through this in the first place. There were several hindrances to this but my parents are quite excited about this trip. Since it is bound to happen, I might as well look forward to it.

I don't know exactly what to expect. I just want to have a good time. Besides, it's a week off from work. I must try not to think of the humongous workload that will be waiting for me when I come back. I'm gonna see people who grew older. Kids who are now taller than me. I'm gonna see new places and old ones. Heck, I'm gonna ride on a plane again! Yeah, it really has been a while...

My grandmother lives in the province-- in Murcia, Negros Occidental, near Kanlaon volcano. The place is about a couple of hours away from the city proper. I am quite excited to see the renovated Mambucal resort, it's hot springs, pool and waterfalls, which is just about 20 minutes away from my grandma's place. Oh how I wish I have the means to get a digital camera before the trip.

Before I leave, I should take advantage of what I have now in case I have to be stuck in the mountains with mosquitoes galore. I have to watch the finale of American Idol. Geez... I really hope Cook wins. Hehe! I also have to catch a couple of movies first (Prince Caspian and Sex and the City the movie?) and probably buy a book I can bring there (Twilight perhaps?).

I am quite torn. A part of me wants to go and another part wants to stay. I think I just have to go with the flow. If this feels right, then I should do it. Some people are gonna be missed but my love for travel beckons. =)

There's a Fine, Fine Line

A friend reminded me of this song last night. I first heard it when I watched Avenue Q (locally, of course) with Ian a few months ago and I fell in love with the song right then and there.

Here's Kate Monster and Mary Faber singing the song. It's one of the videos I found in Youtube.

There's a fine, fine line between a lover and a friend;
There's a fine, fine line between reality and pretend;
And you never know 'til you reach the top if it was worth the uphill climb.
There's a fine, fine line between love
And a waste of time.


There's a fine, fine line between a fairy tale and a lie;
And there's a fine, fine line between "You're wonderful" and "Goodbye."
I guess if someone doesn't love you back it isn't such a crime,
But there's a fine, fine line between love
And a waste of your time.


And I don't have the time to waste on you anymore.
I don't think that you even know what you're looking for.
For my own sanity, I've got to close the door
And walk away...
Oh...


There's a fine, fine line between together and not
And there's a fine, fine line between what you wanted and what you got.
You gotta go after the things you want while you're still in your prime...
There's a fine, fine line between love
And a waste of time.

You said it all, Kate Monster. Now,let's give each other a hug. *hugs*  =)

Whirls and Twirls

After the whirlwind week last week, I have caught some sleep during the weekend and I'm back to my zombie mode at work. I can't imagine I went through a post-birthday party, a relative's death, a sort-of family reunion, a friend's despedida party, a mother's day celebration and some work in-between in a span of a few days. There were mixed emotions, mixed drinks and mixed expressions. Maybe that's why I also feel mixed up today. Hah! But then there's this guy... this darn guy I couldn't stop thinking... umm... never mind. I am actually trying my best to forget him.

Anyway, here are some pics from Day's post-birthday party. Click this to view the entire album. Thank you, Day for the pictures. =)

posing with the donuts


pretty waves


a toast to friendship

Before I forget, (belated) Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there! I know we're nothing (but void? hehe!) without you. Love you, Mama! Mwah! I hope you like our "gift", Hehe! I am not sure where I can grab some pics for Gabe's despedida party (I'm gonna miss you, Gabe! Huhuhu!) We will all be waiting for you! Oh, and I am looking forward to next weekend. I hope I can see some of my cousins and we can hang out together. It's been a while really. The entire family is also planning to go home to Bacolod City (after 11 years or so!) next month. I just have to think where I can get the money for that... Oh wow. Hahaha! I guess I have to work my arse off some more.  =)