beauty inside and out.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Ordinary Sunday

I'm supposed to be in bed now so I can have an early start or a decent breakfast while our crazy neighbor's birds are chirping themselves to exhaustion. Do they ever get tired of making those sounds? I guess not. As I was saying, I should be trying to sleep now, but I don't feel like closing my eyes and wasting my time sleeping. There I go again. I regret not getting enough snooze when I'm sleepy and sluggish at work, but I can't make myself sleep early on weekends. I have this desire to make the most out of my time. I don't want to sleep the night away like I did with my whole morning today.

I didn't go out for lunch like what I had anticipated and it drove me to tears. I got upset because Augy didn't reply to my messages earlier so I would have time to prepare before leaving the house. He sent me a message more than an hour after I texted. I was so disappointed. I hate rushing through things. I hate having to take a quick bath, pull whatever piece of clothing I have in the closet and get out of the house all sweaty and out of breath. I understand that he had to attend to his mom's old yaya who is in the hospital and I would never ever want him to give up on things that are really important for a lunch date that we can always reschedule. I was just upset that he didn't text me sooner about our plans. I decided to stay home, but depression took the best of me that I ended up sleeping the whole morning before having lunch with my lola and Gem. I climbed back into bed right after eating and then woke up right in time to watch The Buzz. I am such a tsismosa. I just wanted to take my mind off my disappointing weekend. I ended up fighting with Augy after, but we made up. I am so stressed out that everything that goes wrong just makes my blood go shooting up my head.

I am crossing my fingers that things will get better this week. I hope I can cope with my new schedule. 11 hours of work in one day. 4 days at work. I get 3 days off. One day I will probably devote to sleeping and spending time with my family. Two days for reading blogs, checking Friendster, watching movies, Discovery Channel and Lifestyle and Food Network and bonding with Augy.

The bad thing about being on a diet is salivating over food that you cannot eat. I deal with the cravings by watching cooking shows. I watched one today while waiting for Kris' interview (tsismosa talaga). I caught Anthony Bourdain's show, No Reservations in the Discovery Travel and Living. He went to Malaysia to explore the sights and taste the different cuisines. It fueled my desire to travel again. I told Augy about it and he said we will go to one place in the Philippines this year. Iryn and I want to go to Bohol this year and then one Asian country next year. We're planning to go to Island Cove next month with Karl. I guess it will help in getting my mind off work. I am starting to really hate my job when I know I used to enjoy it. I really did until I started getting more calls than emails and I find it unfair. Things will get better I am sure.

It reminded me of a conversation with Augy about success and fulfillment. I am not successful but for some reason I am happy. I may have those terrible mood swings and bouts of depression but the happy days abound. I know we'll get to where we want to be someday. No rush.

My parents will be home from Mindoro tomorrow. It's lonely without them here. For one, their bedroom's empty and I don't feel comfortable staying in the computer room alone which is adjacent to it. Hehe. I actually miss hearing my dad's booming voice.

It's funny that I have more time to blog now. I used to feel lazy even if I have so many stories to tell about my life. Now that everything's gone boring, I just have the urge to write even in such ungodly hours. Another thing I want to make time for is praying. I don't pray as much as I used to when I know I should. I need guidance more than ever and forgiveness for the pains I cause people now and then. I need to pray more because I don't feel as strong or as courageous as I was back when I spent so much time talking to God and reading the Bible. God and I need to do some serious talking.

random stuff...

I am craving for Tinapayan's caramel bars. I should get some this week when I drop by Market! Market!

I want a venti Java Chip Frappe.

I can't wait to eat pizza with hot sauce and yummy pasta.

I am looking forward to watching the film, The Pursuit of Happyness. I read an interview about the man behind the book and the film in the Reader's Digest and I ended up crying.

After so many months of not watching the show, I made time for Miami Ink (in Discovery Travel and Living) last night. I love it. I don't plan on getting a tattoo, but those artists sure know their art. I can't wait for next Sunday.

feistylittle bitch
1:15 AM

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Mishmash

I am starting to really, really feel lazy. It must be the summer breeze. I just have this urge to stay in bed until the early afternoon ending up with me scrambling out of bed and rushing through my bath to make it in time for work. Whenever I look out the window during lunch and I see the sunlight coming through the screen, I get captivated enough to wish I could stay home, drink fruit juice and iced tea and leaf through magazine pages.

The heat and the wind make me sentimental too. These days, I go through old stuff including favorite books and cds to reminisce about those fun-filled days back in high school and college. Last night, I watched the Lord of the Rings: The Twin Towers in the living room all by myself. Gem spent the night in the computer room typing his homework. I got him to set up the DVD player though because the audio was working, but the video wasn't. Apparently, I put the plugs (those in red, green and white) in different places. The wrong places. That was the reason why I could hear sounds from the movie but only a black screen infront of me. I feel ancient not knowing anything about electronics and stuff.

Watching the movie capped off a stressful week for me. I skipped work yesterday because I couldn't stand another day of taking calls when the others are answering emails occasionally. I found it unfair and pathetic. I called my program manager and then sent him a message informing him that I was sick. Sick of being tormented by callers. He asked if I wanted to come to work and he will gladly put me on pure emails. Too late. I sound like Kermit the Frog now. Ribbit. Ribbit. I hate straining my vocal chords because that would mean no ripe mango shake from Fruitas, no iced tea or Java Chip Frappe on weekends. A woman on a crazy diet sees weekends of indulgence as sacred. I skipped work before I have the need to learn sign language.

Speaking of work, I have to come to the office on Monday and Tuesday when I thought I'll get to stay home until Tuesday. Wishful thinking on my part. My friends were pretty upset to be working and dealing with erratic shifts too. I wonder when the misery would all end. I work my ass off. I go on overtime and come to work on time daily. The least I can get is a better schedule and better task distribution.

I stayed home the entire time yesterday and I almost blew my top over a pack of Sundays Mango juice. I bought a pack last Wednesday only to find a few teaspoons left for me to stir into cold water yesterday afternoon. My niece (my cousin's daughter) had the insensitivity to keep on drinking it without thinking of the other people in the house. My lola gave her such a dreadful tongue-lashing. Oh well. A few weeks ago, my mom almost went mad after seeing our kettle's whistle all melted. How can something that was supposed to withstand heat end up melted? Only my niece knows. My dad is trying to recover from hypertension partly caused by his apo. She seems to have difficulty in following simple instructions and reminders. One Saturday night, I went home to find out that the gas tank in the kitchen was left open. If I didn't come home until the next day, the whole house might have exploded. Golly. Another time, my lola saw her brushing the turbo broiler's cover with soap and water. She almost fainted. Hehe.

The house is quiet. Gem is still in school. Kit is out doing his project (I hope and not in the mall with his buddies). My parents are in Mindoro checking on the construction of our house. My lola's busy tinkering in the kitchen. My niece is in school and will be home by tonight. I am bored.

Our former houseboy, Erwin called this afternoon. After years of not hearing anything from him, he remembered to call. I asked my lola to answer the phone because I thought it was that pesky girl named Tricia asking for my headset after I have already resigned from Ambergris in 2005. Kung Hei Fat Choi, Tricia! It's 2007 now.

Erwin will come for a visit next weekend. He was our favorite houseboy. I didn't lift a finger when he worked for us. He was so reliable that I grew fat without physical activity. He was loyal to my family and he practically grew up with us. My brothers reminisce about the days when they could just watch television and get a glass of cold water without moving an inch off the couch. What a lazy bunch huh?

feistylittle bitch
7:15 PM

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Happiness, Love and Rage

This week came and went in such a blur. I went on overtime everyday because of the email backlogs and I had the privilege of giving my poor vocal chords a rest. It thrilled me to come to work every afternoon and chat with my webmail buddies during the occasional lull in between tasks. I get really lazy sometimes but having friends at work inspire me to keep moving my ass.

I didn't celebrate Valentine's Day. I never liked the occasion for all its mushiness and commercialism. Okay, it's nice to receive flowers and chocolates from men, but for some reason, I don't find any enjoyment in it. Maybe because I like it when my special guy gives me chocolates simply because he wants to pamper me (or fatten me up) and not because all the establishments are peppered with red hearts and people turn all sickeningly sweet everywhere I turn. Why not give flowers when you feel like it? Why wait for one day to do something special when you can do it anytime you want and anytime you feel that another person deserves a little loving? Maybe that's why I picked Valentine's day to quarrel with Augy. Maybe that's why I was paranoid about having to experience running for my dear life like last year when my neighbor's dog almost chewed me to bits. Maybe why I wore a black ensemble to work. (chuckles) My supervisor sent me a message last night about wearing red tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers that it is for the Chinese New Year! Kung Hei Fat Choi!

***

To ease the boredom of our weekly routine, my friends and I decided to go out last Friday night. Erika and Jill wanted to go to a gay bar out of curiousity. I am not into that sort of thing but a little excitement won't hurt, I guess. Tippy protested of course. What would a lesbian benefit from a gay bar anyway? Yeah, what would I benefit from it too?

Since the people who know how to go to a gay bar went home right after work because of family obligations, we decided to head to Malate instead. Six of us took two cabs there. Erika, Jill, Owen, Gi, Gi's boyfriend (we call him Papa) and me. We walked a few blocks until we got to a disco infront of Starbucks. My eyes veered to the coffeeshop. That is how lame and boring I am. I prefer a nice, quiet conversation instead of loud music and sweaty bodies grinding. I followed my friends though so as not to be labeled as super killjoy. I felt like being back in college though I cannot pass for a teenager anymore. I rolled my eyes at the longing looks and hot kisses some teenagers were giving each other right under my nose. Enjoy those hormones, kids. Someday, you'll look back with disgust at kissing people you wouldn't even touch ten years after. Even as short as five years after. You can always make alcohol and stupidity as excuses once you grow up into sane creatures.

As a habit, Owen ordered liempo and rice. I ordered onion rings while the others ordered nachos, beer and tequila. I was the joke of the night for ordering bottled water. We paid 100 pesos inclusive of drinks and I got an SM Bonus bottled water which wouldn't cost more than 20 pesos. Nice choice, Pearl. I was thinking Summit or Wilkins. Whatever.

The band was boring. The crowd was so-so. We kept to ourselves. We laughed at the people courageous enough to sing with the band even if they croaked during certain parts of the songs they sang. Erika and I rolled our eyes at the four girls who occupied the table next to ours. They pretended to wrinkle their noses at the corny songs like they were from Assumption and they go home to Forbes Park or Ayala Alabang after a night of partying. Let us not pretend we are something we're definitely not. I don't pretend I'm a bitch because I am. Bet you ten bucks? Haha!

The crowd left early. The place emptied at about four o'clock. The stereo blared Beyonce's song Irreplaceable, a personal favorite. Erika and Jill decided to go near the stage to dance. Just the two of them while the four of us watched and two pairs of lovebirds kissed and embraced each other at the far end of the room like we weren't there at all. I sat near the stage to take a video of Jill and Erika shaking their butts and laughing hysterically. I was giggling too which can be heard all throughout the video.

After we got tired of making fun of ourselves, we decided to have coffee in Starbucks. They sipped frappe while I ate a slice of the classic chocolate cake. It reminded me of Saturday nights when Augy would drop by just to bring me a slice. I had the cake all to myself as Iryn was just content to watch as I gained extra pounds. Aaaaww...I feel all mushy inside.

I was surprised when Gi's boyfriend, out of the blue told me that Augy looks like this guy from UFC. A guy who guzzles beer like crazy and who fights really hard. This guy, he said is bald and big like Augy. Tank Abbot is his name? Tank what? I don't watch UFC. I probably never will unless Augy makes me. Owen asked to see a picture of Augy so I took out my phone and showed one to him. I've always been proud of him. Of how he handles his team, of how he works his ass off and of how he has never kissed ass to get to where he is now.

Erika asked me what Augy's last name is a few days ago. She said it goes quite well with my name. Christel asked me if Augy is related to that general. I said yes sheepishly. She told me a smart and beautiful girl deserves an equally nice boyfriend. I am blessed to have someone who is more than what I am. Though Augy has his own frustrations and he has his own dreams that are a few years away from fulfillment, I am immensely content with what we have. I am wishing that someday, we would be known not because of the achievements of relatives, but of our own. I remember that scene where Rhett told Scarlett that they belonged together and I could almost see me saying the same thing to Augy. Eeeeww...Hahaha.

After our chitchat at Starbucks, Erika, Jill and I took the cab to DFA so we could take the bus home. Jill to Pilar and Erika and I to our homes in Cavite. Jill boarded a bus to Moonwalk first then Erika and I had to wait a few minutes more for a bus to Dasma. We spent the entire ride home talking.

***

I spent the day with Augy today. The whole family was home except for Kit who had to take the entrance exam in DLSU-Dasma. My lola reminded me not to come home late and I didn't promise anything since we all know I usually come home a few hours before midnight everytime I go out during weekends. I hate walking home during daytime. Weird but I find evenings more pleasant than having to get exposed to the heat of the sun.

Augy and I had lunch at Gerry's. We feasted on garlic rice, spicy adobo flakes and lumpiang ubod. I ate a cup of rice since I consider it a favor to myself to indulge during weekends. I feel bloated lately and it makes me paranoid. Everything is just psychological I know but I can't help it sometimes. I am struggling to remove the fats from my tummy before summer. I am crossing my fingers that my efforts pay off.

Gerry's in the Street Market (Market! Market!)

I found out from a poster in Mercury Drug that Joyce Jimenez was scheduled to promote Circulan in Market! Market! I wanted to catch a glimpse of her because some friends told me there are some times that I look a little like her. Hmmm...

***

Another pathetic thing happened in Xbox last week. An IM conversation between a married supervisor and his other woman got circulated through email. The conversation centered on a girl who apparently kissed the married supervisor and irked the other woman. The other woman made nasty remarks about the girl who apparently is from Tarlac. One mean thing is that the other woman asked what province the girl hails from and then when she found out that the girl isn't from the Visayas, she said, "mukha kasing Bisaya."

I was fuming mad upon reading the conversation that Iryn passed to me through email. I am from Western Visayas specifically Antique. My mom was born and raised there while my dad was born in Iloilo. My paternal grandparents who hailed from Kawit and Amadeo, Cavite lived in Guimaras (Manny Villar's maternal grandmother was a relative) before settling in Iloilo. I yearn to go home to Antique for a short vacation this year and I am proud to be from that province. My grandparents tilled land to feed, clothe and educate my mom and her siblings. My mom, a woman I have such great respect for lived there until she graduated from college.

I want to meet that stupid woman and slap her silly. I want to tell her that my mom might even look a hundred times better than her own mom. Or even way smarter. I want to tell her that during my mom's last year in high school, she had the highest score in the NCEE (or what we call NSAT now) in her province. My humble grandparents who owned land and planted sugarcane and tobacco were so proud to hear the announcement on the radio. Inspite of the hot weather in her hometown, my mom has such white, smooth skin that made men drool when she and my lola set foot in Manila so she could look for a job. Shame on anybody who would dare disrespect not just my mom but any woman from the Visayas! We are not uneducated, we are not ignorant nor unfortunate-looking.

I was offended for my grandmothers, for my aunts, my female cousins and for my mom. I have always told people about living in Antique when I was a kid and of having a house and some properties in Iloilo. I have never been ashamed of my roots, of knowing two dialects from two provinces in Panay Island or of coming from families who are into farming and the seafood business. I have always declared with some amusement that I knew not a word of Tagalog or English when I set foot in Manila to study.

I have known happiness in my mom's hometown. So much happiness that I long to go home when I am old and gray so I could live peacefully. So mournful was I at having to live in Manila that I dreamt of walking down our street in Pasay and seeing our home in Antique from a distance. It happened several nights until I got over it. Until now, even the sight of flowing water in an irrigation canal would set me off to a dreamy state.

I decided to keep on ranting until I somehow learn to forgive her. I am filled with rage because of what she said. Being angry has never been a good excuse to insult a group of people or even just one person for that matter. I want to meet that girl, not to slap her because it is beyond me to fight with someone not of my own level, but to maybe give her a piece of my mind. Something that I did not witness personally has turned into something personal.

Yawa, ito ang mukhang Bisaya!

feistylittle bitch
11:10 PM

Sunday, February 11, 2007

A Crazy Party and A Roaring Road Trip

My weekend completely stripped me of all my energies that I woke up feeling feverish this morning. I had this ONE Friday all planned out with a vacation leave filed three weeks ago and a promise to not break my promise to Gladz that I will show up for her birthday party at Phi Bar in Metrowalk. So what if it's a little late for her real birthday which was last January 10? It's a real party I am not going to miss for the world.

I slept two hours after I got home from work waking up only to answer messages from her and Augy. I was half-asleep the entire time I was sending messages out to people. I felt giddy with happiness at the thought of dressing up and hanging out with college friends. It took me three outfit changes (I am vain, remember?) before I could decide on an outfit. A striped spaghetti-strapped blouse, a pair of black knickers and a black bolero. It was easy to get a ride to Baclaran with a San Agustin bus stopping the minute I walked to the bus stop. Guess who I saw? The bus conductor I argued with three days before Christmas. I didn't send in my complaint like what I planned. I am glad I didn't because if I wanted bad karma for him, he did get it. In the form of a terribly funny haircut. He looked like he was wearing a coconut husk dyed in black and he grew pudgy. The holidays might have given him more dole-outs than I expected. He looked like an Asian Elmer Fudd with the porky pig nose. He didn't recognize me. I lost weight and I had my hair pulled neatly back in a tight ponytail. I couldn't help but smirk at the fate that made us run smack into each other. I still had the bus tickets and the pictures I secretly took of him if he pulled another fast one on me. The sly, evil conductor.

I was late for the 7:00 pm meeting with Gladz and Sha at Starbucks in Megastrip. No thanks to this foolish chocolate boy who decided to have a counterflow for the vehicles bound for Cavite. For crying out loud, the vehicles soon filled the four-lane Aguinaldo Highway that the bus had to squeeze into such a tight space just to inch its way to SM Bacoor. I wanted to get off the bus and slap the chocolate boy silly. I had to text Gladz to leave without me. Hailing a cab near St. Francis Square was not easy. The first cab I approached complained that Metrowalk was just near Megamall. If you ask them to drive you somewhere far, those cab drivers would whine and wheedle more money from you. I can't understand them. Good thing, a cab driver agreed to let me ride his cab. He was surprised when I didn't ask him to give me my change before I got out of the car. I paid him double the amount I saw in the taxi meter. I know how to reward nice people.

I walked to Starbucks where I ended up dialing Gladz's number to ask where the bar was. She chuckled when I told her where I was waiting. Phi Bar is located right next to the coffeeshop. Silly me. I saw her standing with Joyce and Sha near the entrance and I ran to hug the two girls. I giggled at the sight of her fairy skirt. The blue green piece of clothing looked smashing. It looked like pieces of fabric sewn together to form a skirt. It was cute and funny at the same time. Our college friends were waiting at the second floor. We greeted each other, laughed and exclaimed at how different some of us look now. I got surprised looks from them after they saw how long my hair is.

The waiter ushered us to a couch near the stage. I sat beside Sha who pinched and slapped my arm playfully. Things haven't changed. I was so glad to be with friends from college. We took pictures. I was a photographer for the night with Joyce, Gladz and Sha posing and asking me to send the pictures to their phones through Bluetooth. Gladz asked us to order food. We had tuna and pork sisig (Sha called it Gladz sisig), spicy squid, gambas, bowls of rice and refreshments. The food was sumptuous, but the conversations around the tables were even more wonderful. We talked about college, our jobs, relationships, former classmates and acquaintances. Jhocai told us that she didn't see Manong Cyclops when she dropped by our old apartment. It started us talking about how Manong Cyclops greeted me during Valentine's day five years ago because I ventured out of the house in red shorts and a pair of shorts carrying a big plastic garbage bag with Sha. How I was called "Sorbetes" by Sha and the other girls because I wore a purple shirt and a pair of shorts in the same color like the usual ube-flavored ice cream peddled out in the streets. Gladz told Imelda that I wear clothes in matching colors back in college. Great fashion sense.

Sha lamented about her shorts that disappeared one by one from the clothesline leaving her with no shorts to wear in the apartment. We talked about crazy drinking sessions that were filled with drama and scandals that our parents had no inkling about. It was nice reminiscing and laughing about the old days. I told them that people I meet now wouldn't believe me when I tell them how much I could drink and what I drink back in college.

Together after almost four years of separation

a night of indulgence

Gladz's 18th birthday cake

me and my tipsy best friend

We started ordering drinks before the band stepped onstage to perform. Kria arrived in time for the show. She waved like a superstar at the band after which she explained that one of the vocalists is an ex-girlfriend of a friend. My friends had beer, I sipped bottled water and Sha ordered iced tea. Gladz threatened us not to have the vocalists greet her onstage or else she won't pay for the bill. We kept our mouths shut and just laughed our heads off at Sha's crazy antics. It was fun dancing and singing along to the music. Gladz blew her birthday candles while we took snapshots of her and the cake. I drank this chocolate beverage that reminded me of gin. I found out that it was mixed with Bailey's. I wasn't supposed to drink because Augy warned me not to, but I was tempted by the chocolate. I didn't get drunk though. Just wild enough to dance with Imelda and Raizel who kept giggling and jumping. The three of us sang and shouted while Joyce danced and Gladz had her head bowed. She was getting drunk from the bottles of San Mig she kept gulping down. Kria disappeared for a few minutes then the vocalists greeted Gladz a happy birthday. She secretly handed them a piece of tissue paper with the request scribbled on it. Imelda and I joked about leaving right away before Gladz decided to make us pay for the bill.

Tinkerbell and her cake

My phone's battery was going to die if I didn't turn it off so I sent Augy a message asking him to text me at 2:00 am if I'll meet him after the party. He called Gladz at past 1:00 am to talk to me and I ended up running to the exit because the loud music kept me from hearing him. I returned back to my friends and informed Gladz that I will be leaving soon after the party. Joyce told me that they will leave the bar once Augy picks me up because Gladz was tipsy and she needed to snap out of it since the drive to Batangas wouldn't just take 15 minutes. I was pretty anxious about leaving Gladz but she told me that Paul and Jhocai would be 'adopting' her for a few hours until she felt better. I went outside the bar where Raizel and her boyfriend were waiting for the rest to come out. I found out that her boyfriend used to work in Ambergris and Augy knows his supervisor from college. Small world. Another discovery is that my friend from Amber, Aithel is Jhocai's high school friend.

I was in my all-time high when Augy picked me up. He surprised me by giving me a pack of Hershey's Kisses. I love surprises. The fact that he gave me chocolates without my asking is so sweet. It was a reprieve from my pathetic diet of shakes, oranges and apples. We decided to have breakfast in Heaven & Eggs. I am getting pretty sick of eating adobo flakes so we ordered breakfast chicken teriyaki. I love how the bean sprouts make a crunching sound inside my mouth when I chew. I love slathering ketchup on my scrambled eggs too. Such small joys for a woman on a strict diet during weekdays.

before breakfast

fiddling with my new phone

He went to the office while I waited for Iryn to finish with her work. The moment the resto started filling up with customers, I picked up my bag and hurried out of the store to sit in one of the chairs outside. I bumped into Iryn when I opened the door and we decided to hang out in a vacant spot beside a couple feasting on pancakes. We talked about her job, her witch of a supervisor and Gladz's party. Augy arrived 15 minutes after Iryn and I started our conversation. He stayed for about ten minutes before saying goodbye to us.

in Heaven & Eggs (as always)

Iryn and I decided to walk to the Fiesta Market so we can wait for Karl who was done with his shift. I saw a former co-worker from Dell Ecare, Mars who complimented me on my new figure. We exchanged numbers before bumping into another co-worker from Xbox who said I was blooming. I said my thank yous before Iryn and I headed to Fiesta Market. Karl got there after about give minutes. I felt like my bladder was about to burst so I asked Iryn to accompany me to the washroom. It was closed so Karl told us to just go to the washroom in the covered parking area. I was just going to hitch a ride to Ayala after urinating, but they invited me to eat brunch with them in Glorietta. Karl couldn't help but ask if I had any sleep to which I muttered an excited yes. So off we went to the mall. Gerry's was still closed so Karl ushered us to Luk Yuen where Iryn and I tried this dessert called pihng pihng tien tien which is like the Filipino halo-halo. I topped mine with vanilla ice cream. I found it sinfully good. Sinful because I was so stuffed, I could puke and yet I kept eating spoonful after spoonful of the cold concoction.

I shared a little gossip about friends from work before Karl and Iryn paid for the bill. Karl refused to make me pay for my dessert which was quite embarrassing because it was the second time I crashed into one of their dates and I didn't have to pay for anything. I followed as Karl led us to an electronic shop to look for an iPod video case. We walked around the mall, Iryn and I took some pictures and ended up sitting outside Figaro in Greenbelt while Karl sipped his coffee. Mark Pingris and Danica Sotto passed by then we saw Alma Concepcion with a gay-looking guy walking away.

It was a little past 1:00 pm when we left the mall. Augy sent me a message before I started feeling sleepy. By the time we left the parking lot, I was starting to drift away from reality. I only realized that I was in a daze when Karl checked up on me in the backseat and yelled in surprise because I looked like one of those zombies in a horror movie. I was staring out into empty space with my eyeballs just looking straight at him. He and Iryn ended up snorting and laughing their heads off. I dozed off when we got to Malibay and woke up when we were in Coastal Road. I fell asleep again and woke up when I heard Karl's cousin, Papo in loudspeaker. I closed my eyes and finally woke up when we passed by Robinson's Place Imus. The two didn't wake me up in Imus where I was supposed to take the bus to Dasma. I got down in Salitran after handing Iryn medicine to ease her stomachache because of the pihng pihng tien tien. The lactose intolerant in her just found the dessert too much for the tummy to take in.

two-thirds of the road trip trio in Greenbelt

in Glorietta, with Karl a few steps away

Karl never poses 'normally' for pictures so I decided to take matters into my own hands. This is the only picture I ever uploaded where I laughed as in really laughed. My poor favorite road trip driver.

My body was aching and my head felt really heavy when I entered my bedroom. I hurriedly took off my corduroy bolero and changed into my breezy shirt and shorts. I felt so happy to be home after all the people I spent time with and the places I've been to. I uploaded the pictures I took using my new phone and waited for my brothers to get home before plopping down into my bed. I found myself wide awake this morning with a throbbing head and aching feet. The aches and pains are all worth it though.

Favorite lines (straight from the mouth of a sleepy Pem)

Me: Hindi ko naintindihan yung sinabi ko.
Karl: Ako din. Hindi kita naintindihan.

Me: Yung dating ex ni...
Iryn: Pem! Dati na nga, ex pa! Redundant.

feistylittle bitch
11:30 PM

Last Weekend

I gave myself an early Valentine treat last weekend. I stayed in Makati Republik with friends from work right after my shift. It was fun bonding with my batchmates, having a few drinks (beer for them, iced tea for me) and bashing people. Yes, we love talking about people we know personally and those we see around us. We stayed there until 5:30 am after which Janry and I took the cab to Market! Market!. Her boyfriend, Alex works for one of the accounts in Ambergris and his shift ends at 6:45 am. It gave us enough time to chat with each other about our jobs, friends, ex-friends and other more personal stuff.

At past 6:00 am, a voice called out to me proving that I have lost weight. Thank heavens! After the horrible diet, I was able to shed off a few pounds which makes me quite underweight though. A former officemate, Rommel called out, 'Hi, sexy!' while I was engrossed in a conversation with Janry. He was talking to Gari and Paolo near the entrance. I introduced Janry to them before Rob who looked distressed arrived. Not wanting to disturb them, I continued chatting with my friend until only Gari was left sitting near us. I mentioned Gari's caffeine addiction to Janry who was unable to get the new Starbucks planner. She almost died upon finding out that Gari was able to accumulate 14 planners!

After Janry left, I headed to Heaven & Eggs to wait for Augy. When he arrived, we went to Mcdonald's to talk to the guys and then went back to Heaven & Eggs to have breakfast. What would our weekend be without a meal in that resto?! We had adobo flakes, rice and eggs (scrambled eggs for me, sunny side-up for him). Iryn arrived and ordered a platter for herself. Augy left us to talk before coming back so we could go straight to Starbucks. I ordered a grande mocha frappe light for me and a grande (fattening) mocha frappe for him! Haha!

The day we spent with each other before meeting Jowee and Gari in Serendra where we had a long, chilly conversation. I resisted the temptation to tiptoe to the well-lit The Face Shop and instead opted to buy a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. I stood in line with some hungry kids and a few grownups waiting for their doughnuts. A lady was handing original glazed doughnuts to the people in line. I debated with myself whether to accept the doughnut or shake my head no when I get my turn. I took the doughnut though. Just one doughnut I said to myself. It was good. It felt light when I took a bite. More like biting into cotton. Edible cotton. Yum.

We stayed there for a few minutes more before they dropped me off in Lawton. Gari was awed by how Manila looks at night. It wasn't extraordinary to me, but I have to admit that Manila looks better now than it was back when I was still in college.

The nexy day, Sunday was the day my mom and I planned to go shopping in Divisoria. I woke up late after an exhausting Saturday. I was so slow in eating breakfast, taking a bath and dressing up that my mom literally begged me to hurry up because she wanted to go home early to rest. My dad was in the office so we took the bus to Manila. I paid for the fare and it made me feel so independent. Even something as paying for the fare or the food makes me feel that way since I still live with my parents. I don't have responsibilities which is a blessing since I get to enjoy my life as a single dudette (so grade school).

We were able to make it to Divisoria in good shape after riding a jeepney that was so dilapidated. My mom and I felt that it was going to break down in a million parts if it gets a little bump from another vehicle. Within a few minutes inside the mall, I was able to buy shoes for myself before my mom felt really famished and so we headed to the foodcourt to eat. We resumed shopping after about 40 minutes. I found boleros in the colors I like and bargain shirts I lapped up. My mom was able to buy clothes for herself and my brothers. I paid for clothes for Quin and Jeoff and a cute bag for my aunt. I ended up buying a black bag with hearts printed all over it. Our arms were aching with the weight of all our purchases by the time we boarded a jeepney to Imus.

My mom (I just love her) told me that we will drop by SM Bacoor so I can buy a new phone. I chose the N70 Music Edition and I bought a Globe Sim and a Sun Cellular Sim before heading home. It was a very, very tiring weekend. I felt like a shopping goddess after. Broke, but extremely happy.

listening to music

am no bimbo

feistylittle bitch
5:22 AM

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Ring, ring!

the shopaholic's new baby

feistylittle bitch
7:53 AM

Monday, February 05, 2007

Shopaholic's Dream

I had a blast this weekend. I am drained of all energy that I am unable to provide details of the wonderful things I did and the beautiful people I spent time with. Everything just went well except for the tragic fact that I am bankrupt.

breakfast in Heaven & Eggs. my weekend frappe at Starbucks. a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. 4 boleros. 3 pairs of shoes. 4 flattering tops. a black corduroy jacket. 1 black bag with hearts in different shades of pink. a new phone. and an endless list of more must-haves (yes, my shopping list is eternally long) .

On top of a crazy, exhausting weekend: a notebook scribbled with my monthly expenses for the next two months. Something to remind me that I work my ass off for every single guilty pleasure I mindlessly indulge in.

Life is short. I can't take all my money with me. They won't even get near my coffin. Splurge and never regret one single purchase for there is no shopping in heaven.

feistylittle bitch
2:25 AM

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Happy!

I have a million and one reasons to be happy. First off, I lost a considerable amount of weight. I have yet to take pictures of myself which baffles me a bit. I mean, everyone knows for a fact that I love taking random pictures of myself. I just don't have the time to do it lately. Maybe I'll do it this weekend so I can bask in the sheer excitement of my successful weight loss program. Deprivation is hell though. I can't wait to get this diet over with so I can indulge myself in little ways (like eating a whole bar of dark chocolate).

feistylittle bitch
7:23 AM