My Pink Shoelace

Rainy Wednesday afternoon. Found myself in my favorite spot in Starbucks with Bena in what would seem like Blogging 101. He’s new to it and is still grasping on the ropes of blogging, setting up his tagboard, changing the template, setting up his own blogroll, signing up in communities and the like. Am sharing with him what Lex has taught me when I first started in the hopes of unleashing another blogger who would maximize his potentials as a blogger to the fullest and would like us (Lex and moi) earn from it. Its not so much on the earning part but on the experience of being one … to be able to write about anything under the sun without inhibitions. After all its his own space in the world wide web.

We’ve been here since 1 PM and its already 6PM whew!!! dunno how long we’d be here but am enjoying the experience plus Starbucks is like my second home. So comfy … so peaceful.

Am on vacation, unpaid time off that is, and guess where I am. At home spending more and more time in front of my notebook. Its an addiction I couldn’t seem to control, people suggested I go out go to an all inclusive resorts explore the party kind of life without inhibitions, be with people who wouldn’t remember you the next day. Whew!! Its like losing yourself for a certain time span, question is can I do that? Would I have the guts to enjoy what these people would call adult vacations? Someone even recommended that should I decide to let lose to go to Negril, Jamaica
. Sounds like the perfect place to me. Those places in the Caribbean are like the perfect getaway for that complete relaxation and uninhibited fun, wonder when can I go there and with whom.  *sigh* I’ll focus on saving up first and maybe just maybe consider doing what my not so promiscuous friends have suggested.

Unwittingly I created my own issue. At work there’s this celebration in collaboration with tradition and May is the month of Santa Cruzan - its a parade held on the last day of Flores de Mayo in honor of Reyna Elena. Here’s the players of this “parade”.

Reyna Elena (Queen Helena) - She is the highlight of the procession, the legendary founder of the true Cross, represented by the small cross she carries. She is escorted by her son, Constantine, under a huge canopy of May flowers. Immediately behind her is a float carrying the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, followed by a brass band that lends the festive sounds to the procession.

Reyna Eleyna will be played by ________ Constantine will be played by __________.

Reyna Esperanza - symbolizes the virtue of hope - the second theological virtue.  She carries an anchor.Reyna Esperanza will be played by________ escorted by ________. 

A-v-e–M-a-r-i-a — represented by eight (8) girls all Wearing long white dresses with wings to make them look like angels. Each one carries a letter to complete the word “AVE MARIA” 

A . Divina pastora (Divine Shepherdess) - she carries a shepherdess’ staff. - *****
V . Reyna de las Estrellas (Queen of Stars) - she carries a wand with a star. - *****
E . Rosa Mystica - she carries a bouquet of roses. - *****                 
M . Reyna Paz (queen of peace) - she carries the symbol of peace.   - *****   
A . Reyna de las Propetas - she carries an hour glass.  - *****
R . Reyna del Cielo (Queen of Heaven) - she carries a flower. - *****  
I . Reyna de las Virgines - she carries a rosary.  _ *****
A . Reyna de las Flores (Queen of Flowers) - she carries a bouquet of flowers.  - Yours truly          

So am there right? Reyna de las Flores (Queen of Flowers) and upon receiving this email last Thursday I was amused, it was funny actually, the image that immediately came to mind was me in a long white flowing dress bringing a bouquet of flowers (preferably pink). Then I’ll throw the bouquet of flowers at all the single ladies behind, and of them would catch them and …. oh!! well am imagining a wedding. Back to the email I got, when my boss arrived as was his custom to tap each one of us on the shoulder, I showed him the email and said out of the blue that I don’t like this part coz I have no escort.
 
He gave me that mischievous smile and said, your wish is my command. Hahahaha … so in less than 20 minutes he spoke with the mother almighty about what I uttered and the next thing I hear was her talking to D, saying that he has to wearing Barong and what not. So there you go, my fault my bad … weeeeeee … but thank God for my fairies and all, the leave I filed for two weeks ago for July 1 to 3 was approved. I had to annoy I few people actually just so this can be plotted and walllaaaaahhh!!! on my schedule now am officially on unpaid time off.

A sigh of relief … the activity would be held on Monday : June 30, 2008 … evening shift and as my schedule is from 1:30 AM to 10:30 AM its basically Tuesday shift for me. But am on leave Tuesday so ammmmm freeeeeeeee from the issue of my own making. 

*** D, sorry bout that. Didn’t know they’d actually tell you and ask you to wear a Barong … my bad actually … but kinda funny though hehehe missed those issues they’ve created bout us.Its good to have laughter even though its on our own expense. Hehehe … but still thankful am on leave so you shouldn’t have any issues where am concerned. Weeeeeee … Sorry bout the nagging bout my leave as well … you of all people should know how annoying I can get when I want to. ***

So I went to school which was a drag actually … all I wanted to do was just curl up in bed and dream, the everlasting dream (toinks!!!). My class began at 12:00 Noon, Introduction to SPED, there were so many students and I was seated at the back I had a hard time hearing my professor as her voice was so soft. ‘Twas okay I met two new friends, my seatmates basically. So in between listening partly to the lecture we were chitchatting. Hehehe (typical student!!). My next subject though was a disaster I think, SPED 4010 - Strategies and Teaching Apprenticeship, when I got inside the classroom the first thing I noticed were the fact that my classmates were “older” and they seem to know each other pretty well. So the usual roll call was followed by the “checking” if we’re s’pose to be there in the first place. And that’s where the problem lies, am taking Intro to SPED with Strat which is not s’pose to be, all the major subjects should be taken in sequence, what’s left for me to take in my majors are Intro to SPED, Issues and Trend and Strategies.

But I cannot take Strat with Intro, I need to be done with Intro first before anything else. Wheew!! So with the professor telling me am basically lost, I was advised to change the subject and with Jyn to help me, am changing it to Music for Special Education and am adding another subject to fill in my 8-11 AM sched with Reading Readiness and Language Dev’t.

The in charge in the office was shocked why am taking Strat, when it should be the last subject to take before taking the comprehensive exams. So she approved the changes and as its 5PM already we’ll continue working on the changes on Monday and if all goes well.

This would be my new schedule.

8:00 - 11:00 AM : Reading Readiness and Language Development

12:00 - 3:00 PM : Introduction to Special Education

3:00 - 6:00 PM : Music for Special Education

 I’d be paying an additional amount for the 3 units am adding to my study load. With this schedule am taking the 6 units required for my Cognate Courses and 3 for my Major Course. Leaving me 6 units (2 subjects) more for my Major and 3 units (1 subject) for my Foundation Courses.

With all these said I’d be taking hopefully 9 units next semester, take my Comprehensive Exam next summer and work on my Intensive Practicuum and Technical Paper on the 1st Semester S.Y. 2009 - 2010. Weee … that sounds like a plan to me at least I have some sort of direction, Jyn and I are ecstatic at the thought of finishing the course and am just praying she’ll finish it first before leaving the country for the States.

Things I’ve missed : The company outing at Vistamar. I haven’t been there as I missed last year’s company outing and am missing it again this year hopefully I’d still have next year to attend to. Question is would I still be with the company to enjoy such privilege by then?

Am suck a sucker for vacation and lately am dying to go see Disneyland, I know they’re suppose to be for kids but am a kid at heart. Aren’t  we all?  So since the closest location of Disneyland from where I live is Hong Kong, I’ve been nagging a few friends to go with me. While I was waiting for their response whether they’ll go or not I ran across some pretty cool packages for Orlando vacations which made my mouth drool. The rates were reasonable and the deals were awesome. Whew!!! Too bad its in the US and am not quite capable of going there as of yet.

Rubi Jean (RJ) - Licensed Nurse and Clinical Instructor

Rowena (Wena) - Licensed Teacher (but not practicing), currently working as a human switchboard

Rose Thessa (Lovely)  - Soon to be a certified public accountant.

*** We dominated the honour roll, teachers and classmates wonder how can that be, the class valedictorian, salutatorian and first honorable mention in exact order.***

We started out in grade school and who would have thought our friendship would still be as strong today as it was when we were young. — RJ, Rowena, Rose and Raquel (during our retreat: grade 6) —- first day of the highschool freshmen class.  — college days.  —- in between work and who knows what else. —- after 6 years of not visiting our alma mater … in a spur of the moment’s decision, the three gathered up despite hectic schedules to reminisce the school grounds and visit old mentors. Who still despite our mischiefs and rebellious ways back then remembered us and cherished our visit.

So after work, I went straight up to Julie’s (omg!!! there were so many changes, I was in awe and the cab driver had to ask whats with the look on my face)an old hunt and there they were … two close friends who put up with my bratilda ways back when we were kids up till now, who made me realize God will always be on my side through the ups and downs, who made me trust in the sincerity of human beings, who made school fun and easy to deal with despite the major difference in our economic status, who despite the separate lives we’ve led since high school graduation never failed to keep in touch and who I know will be my friends for keeps and for life ….

Cheers!! To Us and to a friendship that’s bound to last.

Patience is a virtue and perseverance is the key. Whew!! Today’s the last day for enrollment, and being the huge procrastinator that I am, I didn’t work on having my clearance signed till last Thursday. The Grasso Office was closed and I’ve checked on them last Friday and last Monday and again today. I was so resigned that I’ve actually made other plans for the whole semester thinking that am not going to school but with a bit of patience I was able to enroll. Not the 9 units as I have planned originally but just 6 units; most of the subjects offered for this semester are those I took last summer and the previous semester.

So I’ll have to re-evaluate on that original mindset I’ve worked on. Looks like am adding another semester to my school year.

Schedule:

12:00 - 3:00 PM Saturday : Introduction to Special Education

3:00 - 6:00 PM Saturday : Strategies and Teaching Apprencticeship

The company has been so good to me that I got the rest days I requested, Fridays and Saturdays, for now just for now I don’t see any reason why I should leave, plus they’ve approved the vacation leaves I’ve filed. Whew!!! (All unpaid though, I’ve abused this privilege way too much sometimes I wonder why they still get approved) Hehehe

So that’s me after Wafa worked her craft on me. I was running pretty late for a friend’s wedding but then we couldn’t pass the opportunity, after all this is like the first time for me to look like a “lady” whew!!. My hair’s not the easiest to manage and thanks to bobbie pins (didn’t know why they’re called like that) she was able to do something about it. Was she taking pic of the earrings or what? And that big bracelet … she pick out my ensemble last Friday with Bukie tagging along (let’s be honest am stupid with dresses and what goes with what) and on which book does it state that the color of your shoes should also be the color of your purse? Apparently everyone knew aside from me!!!! Where have I been when all this was discussed????!!!

The team went to Durhan Resort in Tabuelan … way up north despite the typhoon which accdg. to the forecast was hitting the city and the north region at signal number 1.  Arrived at the I2 building around 7:30 a bit confused on should I or should I not go, gave my notebook to D and waited for my team mates to show up. To make the long story short we all went to North Bus Terminal where we took the V-Hire and head on north. The ride was okay though not so comfy, the resort was silent seems like many of the reservations were cancelled coz of the weather. The beach would have been great but it was muddy cause of the rain still that didn’t stop us from having fun which was expected in every team building. Momie Lai was with us and as her tradition she’d personally hand in that glass laden with alcohol to everyone, good thing she was convinced am a reformed bi-atch hahahaha … so she passed on the glass to someone else.

Drinking alcohol is something I gave up a long time ago, lets just say my rebellious days are long over  plus I’ve long learned my lesson.

One of the advantages of knowing someone in the real estate industry is that you get to ask a few slight favors. Like a few tips on how to sell house privately or maybe you can ask them to work on selling house privately on your behalf. Well I don’t have any house to sell as of yet but am thinking of getting one and in private, that is without the fuss and buzz of our friends knowing. I want to inform them only after the paperworks are done so we can plan on the house blessing and the works but for now I wanna keep it low. As far as selling your properties, came across www.sellhousenow.com.au, a site that bridges the gap between sellers and buyers. Listing your property to be sold has never been easy, with them all you need to do is fill out a form and once thats done you’re all set. The site also offers guide for those home buyers, should you need to speak to someone about it then ring them up for some professional advice without any charge.

Outer Banks homes are what most people would dream of having but as they are pretty much expensive a lot of settle with renting these type of vacation houses for a week or so just so they can relax and chill. Waking up to see this view right from your bedroom window is just one of those luxury few people can afford.

Was out in the mall yesterday after Jen and I had our backs massaged when I saw this couple, a foreigner and a Filipina, pushing a twin baby pushchairs , find it so cute as there were two babies, a boy and a girl, they must be fraternal twins. I love babies mind you that after seeing them I drifted off to the baby’s section of the mall and found this cute baby travel cots, one of which is colored pink like this one someday if I’ll have a baby girl, her things should be all pink and baby prams like this one should be made more often … the color that is I totally adore pink and having them on a baby … its such a cute combination. Aren’t they cute? whew!!! You can also find lots of them online, a little searching online would yield various results for baby things, so if going to malls isn’t your kind of thing then online shopping would do you just fine. In love with pink? like me … then not to worry there are a lot of pink baby stuffs online for your baby girl. For baby boys there are loads of cute blue cribs and such as well. Its just a matter of searching.

I don’t only want the patio furniture but I want the whole thing, must be an area outside a beach front rest house of some sort. Perfect for total relaxation after a crazy week at the office. Wonder when I’ll ever have one of these, a colleague whose a real estate agent didn’t  offer any beach front houses.

*sigh* Aren’t they beautiful? A boquet like this would make any girl’s day seem perfect.

So I love to eat, but who doesn’t? My problem is I don’t know how to cook. Hehehe I was told girls should know how to cook but then am not your typical girl next door. So all I do is look at shiny cookbooks admiring at the glossy images of all those wonderful foods, peeking at the recipes and most of the time not understanding a couple of the listed ingredients. So I take out my frustrations to the restaurants.

Woke up to the feel of a wet face and the sound of heavy knocking on my door. My uncle got this worried look on his face seeing my face and hearing my cries. I was lost in a dream and in my dream I was crying like there’s no tomorrow, didn’t know I’d end up crying for real. So I woke up with an unfinished dream and with me crying. I’ve never had anything so real, so vivid that it scares the hell out of me. I was following her down the stairs and she told me with her back on me that I need to get married to be happy which I actively dispute, the next thing I remember was I was going up the stairs to some grotto crying, she was urging me on and next I know I was on what seemed like an impossible feat of climbing until I reached the grotto where there were lots of burning candles and with a few people praying. A woman approached me and lead me to a room where there was another woman waiting who asked me to sit down and tell me my troubles. In the dream I was crying like I dunno … the tears were nonstop…. It was at this point when I woke up and my face was soaking wet and I was crying still.

So I went to work with buggy eyes and made an issue with my boss who I know is concerned about whats wrong.

Am not a medical student therefore the anatomy of the human body never for once interest me not until mom was diagnosed for CHF. It came to a point where I was hooked to the internet researching for oxygen generators in the hope of minimizing our oxygen refill expense, it was never realized. Never had the chance to fully understand the doctor’s explanation of how her illness is affecting her, I only got it from a layman’s perspective. Finally found a human heart video online and though I’ve downloaded and saved it on my HD, I still don’t have the courage to look at it and dig what could have beens. Still haven’t fully understood how something to right could go wrong.

Just talk yourself up
And tear yourself down
You built your wooden wall
Now find a way around
Well what’s the problem?
You’ve got a lot of nerve

So what did you think I would say?
You can’t run away, you can’t run away
So what did you think I would say?
You can’t run away, you can’t run away
You wouldn’t

I never wanted to say this
You never wanted to stay
I put my faith in you, so much faith
And then you just threw it away
You threw it away

I’m not so naive
My sorry eyes can see
The way you fly shy
Of almost everything
Well, if you give up
You’ll get what you deserve

So what did you think I would say?
You can’t run away, you can’t run away
So what did you think I would say?
You can’t run away, no you can’t run away
You wouldn’t

I never wanted to say this
You never wanted to stay
I put my faith in you, so much faith
And then you just threw it away
You threw it away

You were finished long before
We had even seen the start
Why don’t you stand up, be a man about it?
Fight with your bare hands about it now

I never wanted to say this
You never wanted to stay well did you
I put my faith in you, so much faith
And then you just threw it away

I never wanted to say this
You never wanted to stay
I put my faith in you, so much faith
And then you just threw it away

Amongst the many strolls I’ve done while I was in Singapore was the pink Cobra golf that I spotted in one of the malls they have there. Oh well, am crazy about pink and it was my kind of pink the only problem is I don’t do golf and neither do I have an inclination on the rules. Weeeeeeee so its just the pink thing that got me thinking of getting it though buying it would have been a waste.

Take my photo off the wall
If it just won’t sing for you
Cause all that’s left has gone away
And there’s nothing there for you to prove

Oh, look what you’ve done
You’ve made a fool of everyone
Oh well, it seems like such fun
Until you lose what you had won
Ooh, ooh

Give me back my point of view
Cause I just can’t think for you
I can hardly hear you say
What should I do, well you choose

Oh, look what you’ve done
You’ve made a fool of everyone
Oh well, it seems like such fun
Until you lose what you had won
Oh, look what you’ve done
You’ve made a fool of everyone
A fool of everyone
A fool of everyone

Take my photo of the wall
If it just won’t sing for you
Cause all that’s left has gone away
And there’s nothing there for you to do

Oh, look what you’ve done
You’ve made a fool of everyone
Oh well, it seems like such fun
Until you lose what you had won
Oh, look what you’ve done
You’ve made a fool of everyone
A fool of everyone
A fool of everyone

There was a time when during our boring mode in the office a colleague of mine explained to me the mechanics of playing poker. He’s a huge fan of the game and is playing it in online casinos during his spare time. As he went on with his explanation we also talked a bit on the casinos in the city, coz as far as I know there’s only one, apparently there are a few others I havent heard of. But he prefer online casino than the physical one obviously as its hassle free and more convenient.

Alright, so there’s nothing I want more than to attend a real live concert like those of Woodstock, Ozzfest and the likes or even the underground music scene concerts. But so far in my close to 23 years of Earthly existence I haven’t been to one … oh let me take that back I’ve been to a some local gigs here but they’re not really much were they? So every time a friend of mine would purchase a DVD copy of Woodstock concert I’d greedily watch it with him. Amongst the many concerts we’ve watched together on video so far our favourite would be that concert of Linkin Park with their Meteora album, it was solid based ass kickin rock event that both of us wished we were there amongst the crowd. *Sigh* Wonder how much tickets to such events would cost. Not to mention the event is like held miles and miles away from us … duh!!!! But then its not bad to wish and dream that someday we’ll get to attend on major live concert and right now am just thinking either Paramore or The Calling; those are like my two all time favourite bands but of course should Lifehouse, New Found Glory, My Chemical Romance, The Killers, Dashboard Confessional, Secondhand Serenade makes a visit to the country  … gosh I’d file for leave and make damn sure I’ll be there at the concert. Weeee …  Now those who are a huge fan of Madonna (am not that huge a fan but I listen to some of her songs) is having a major summer concert in Europe. Wish I have the resources to go. Damn!!! Now am wondering if she’ll be singing some of her classic hits. Take A Bow (my ultimate favourite from her), Crazy For You and more. So if you’re Europe better check out her site for the concert days in various cities and go see her; across my wanderings I came into a site that offers lots and lots of tickets for various events. Reading Festival Tickets, O2 Wireless Tickets, Leeds Festival Tickets and so much more all of these at very reasonable prices. Even saw the tickets for  art and theatre shows, you wanna see Chris Rock live in action, or the Sound of Music perhaps whew!! They got tickets for those events too. Now for those Sports enthusiasts, if you sign up with them they guarantee you a ticket to Wimbledon. Isn’t that amazing? *sigh* so for your ticketing needs, check em out.

This year is the first time ever for me to greet someone happy father’s day. Being an only child raised by a single mom I never had anyone to call a father figure so truth be told am a bit biased when it comes to fathers. Especially when in the neighborhood I grew up the fathers were not much of a good example.  What was important to me and it still is, is the Mother’s Day celebration but after meeting a few cool dads at work, some were in blissful marriage others in single blessedness found out they’re not so bad after all.

At the office when Ron arrived (his shift was begins at 7 AM) colleagues greeted him Happy Father’s Day and yeah he’s one good example of a good dad I think, sensible person as well, its like a balance of sense of humor and practicality that talking to him at times made me feel stupid and senseless.

But nonetheless Happy Father’s Day to Ron and to all those wonderful dads out there. Too bad didn’t have the chance to meet mine.

We all go through an acne episode once in our life, twice if we’re unlucky and with that people are always in constant search for the best acne treatment they can afford. There is no need to elaborate the many ways acne destroys lives so this condition must be stopped at the earliest stage. Don’t be a victim, fight back now.

SEVENTEEN:
U LOOK AT THEIR PROFILE/PICTURE CONSTANTLY

SIXTEEN:
WHEN YOUR ON THE PHONE WITH THEM LATE AT NIGHT AND THEY HANG UP, YOU STILL MISS THEM EVEN WHEN IT WAS JUST TWO MINUTES AGO.

FIFTEEN:
YOU READ THEIR TEXTS or IMS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

FOURTEEN:
YOU WALK REALLY SLOW WHEN YOU’RE WITH THEM

THIRTEEN:
YOU FEEL SHY WHENEVER YOU’RE/THEY’RE AROUND.

ELEVEN:
WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THEM, YOUR HEART BEATS FASTER AND SLOWER AT THE SAME TIME

TEN:
YOU SMILE WHEN YOU HEAR THEIR VOICE.

NINE:
WHEN YOU lOOK AT THEM, YOU CAN’T SEE THE OTHER PEOPLE AROUND YOU, All YOU SEE IS HIM//HER.

EIGHT:
YOU START LISTENING TO SLOW SONGS, WHILE THINKING OF THEM

SEVEN:
THEY’RE ALL YOU THINK ABOUT.

SIX:
YOU GET HIGH JUST FROM THEIR SCENT.

FIVE:
YOU REALIZE THAT YOU’RE ALWAYS SMILING TO YOURSELF WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THEM.

FOUR:
YOU WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR THEM, OR ANYTHING TO SEE THEM.

THREE:
WHILE READING THIS, THERE WAS ONE PERSON ON YOUR MIND THE WHOLE TIME…

TWO:
YOU WERE SO BUSY THINKING ABOUT THAT PERSON, YOU DIDN’T NOTICE NUMBER TWELVE.

ONE:
YOU JUST SCROLLED UP TO CHECK & ARE NOW SILENTLY LAUGHING AT YOURSELF.

When my boss asked earlier how my notebook was told him its still the same, he asked what the technician did to it and I said he was hesitant to reinstall the whole OS as I have loads and loads of files on it. We didn’t mention names which was funny but we are on equal footing as to who the technician was, it lead to a point where we joked around him not being microsoft certified. Hahaha as if being an MCSE is an easy feat not only is it difficult its costly as well though am sure he’d love to be one.

So, the picture above is of a pink pig given to me by Wafa and Bukie, that’s what she got for showing me her own pink pig (a gift from Bukie during there 1st year anniversary). Named her Eybu … from Ey and Bukie (the givers), an addition to my furry friends, all of which were given by friends at some point.  Given last June 9th, she certainly fits well in the family. Weeeeeeeeeee

Are you looking for someone to clean your loft every now and then? But is a bit wary of hiring maid service just about anywhere due to I don’t know lets say bad experience? Well worry no more, if you’re somewhere in New York, Manhattan maid service would be perfect for you, whether its on a weeklly, bi-weekly or just a one time shot they have professionally trained maids to suit your needs. No need to sign contracts or those other documentation plus their service is at a very affordable rate with service guaranteed. So still in doubt? Call them now and get your questions answered.

Officially on hiatus … sorry guys. My notebook’s busted, my DSL connection is acting up, school’s fast approaching and am just terribly busy. Will catch up with yah guys sooooooooon!!