Valentine's Post

Because You Still Love Me

Long distance relationships is the hardest.  Not that I have to compare it with but I know it needs an extra kind of honesty, faith, and communication than any other relationships.  Temptation is there anywhere and all the time ready to succumb you and only the love for your partner and for one another will protect you.

Five months.  That's how long we are together but most of it we were apart (physically, that is). But this is by far the hardest month in our relationship.  Just before our monthsary, he told me he has to give me up.  Aside from devastation, I was desperate and confused.  For the first time in this relationship, I felt totally out of control, I felt defeated.  I felt that lightning has struck me but for the second time.

Friends who knew about our relationship would definitely ask me why am risking on a guy who has given me up initially.  I gave it a shot almost four years ago but I was never rewarded of the love I have given.  I was angry, cheated and ashamed.   Even to this day, I could not fathom how the anger was turned into forgiveness and then love.  I took the risk again in offering the person that has left me broken several points in my life, with love.  Because yes, I love him.  For reasons unknown to the both of us, I love him.  I am happy when we spend time together even with just sending each other mushy messages or talking till the wee hours of the morning.  I cherish the times that we got to spend time together.  And up to this day, I enjoy looking at our pictures. :)

He loves me still.  That's good enough reason why I clung to the relationship amidst his decision to let go of me.  I just could not give up something good without a fight even if it would only be me left fighting.  I am holding on to our relationship because he loves me and I love him too.


I expect him to be here on the 10th.  All were set even before this relationship started.  Yet unfortunate things happened...new fortunate plans unfolding...old plans change.  But as he is still hesitant, my hopes are unwaivered.  I look forward to the week we'll be together and be a normal couple and do what normal couples do.  No more phone calls for the week.  No more dates in the chatroom.
But regardless of what happens on the 10th, or whether or not I have a date on V-day, I remain happy and in love.

Luv, I love you!

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Oyster mushrooms can be a nutritious daily diet for people of all ages.

Php 30 for 100g

Php 60 for 200g

TST

Because most of the groceries in my cupboard are about to expire, I thought of cooking pasta. We used to do tuna spaghetti during Silab gatherings because one of the alumni, Tessa, is a vegetarian (but she eats fish). So I call this recipe TST or Tuna Spaghetti for Tessa. Although during college, it was just a simple recipe, I added some stuff I could find in the cabinet and gave it a good mix. :)


TST

Ingredients

1 can Century Tuna flakes in vegetable oil
8-12 button mushroom - sliced
4 pcs hotdog - sliced
1 500 g pack Spaghetti Sauce
tomato sauce
5-7 cloves garlic minced
quarter of a normal sized onion - minced
dried basil leaves
salt and pepper
water
Penne Rigate (depending on how much you will eat)
Grated Cheese

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Set Aside.
Boil hotdog in small amount of water until all the liquid has evaporated. Set aside.
Use vegetable oil from canned tuna to saute garlic. Add the onions and continue to saute. Add tuna, be sure it is in small bits already. Add hotdog and mushroom and continue to saute.
Add 1 pack Spaghetti Sauce and a little of tomato sauce. Ensure everything is well mixed. Add basil leaves and salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with grated cheese on top.

2kgs lighter!

Had my weigh in again (while waiting for the anesthesia to do its wonders) and I lost 2 kgs!!! That's 4.4 lbs!!! Oh yeah!!!  So I have to keep my regimen (physical and mental exercise + healthy diet + stress) as it is working me fine!

-o-
But, according to Mon, the scales are not standardized.  I had a weigh in at the province before I left for Manila just to see how much I gained over the holidays and how much I should shed.  So with different scales, he said, it might give a big difference.  So to make Mon happy with his theories, I would do another weigh-in at the end of next week at the clinic.  More to shed!!!!!

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Warts Free and Vanity

I went to the clinic today and had my warts removed through cautery. Not because I am vain (or maybe that's a small part of it) but I'm taking advantage of my HMO benefits which will end this month.  The company renews it every February so for last year's, I have not spent on anything being all healthy for the year. So before the card gets renewed, I did a little spending regardless people would think I am being vain.

Warts are cause by a virus so it easily spreads in our body.  According to Doc Jonathan, the virus causing facial warts is of the same specie that causes cervical cancer or was it just cervical warts... ok so I'm not paying attention..hahaha!!! But he recommends that I get the shots for Cervical Cancer which has been offered at the office at a discounted rate.  That I have to save up because it is costly even at discounted rate.

I have been through the cautery procedure and this is my 3rd time... I know the routine... But I could not help but be a little nervous wreck and cautious with the aftercare which this time Doc Jonathan did not prescribe any unlike my dermatologist back in the province.  :(  (I know, this is vanity speaking now.) I'm just scared of scars so I have to think and follow all preventive measures and advices during my last cautery (which is ages ago) and keep my hands off because as of this writing my face is getting itchy as what Doc Jonathan has described as an after effect...

Argggg!!! Totally pure agony!!!  And my face and neck looks like it is full of moles!!!! hahaha!!! 2 weeks and this stress is over!

Crossposting Announcement

This was sent to everyone at the office today... Yipeee!!!! Finally, everything is official.

Lock Up Chaos

Once again and for the nth time, I got locked up in my own house... I left the spare key in the house while misplaced the keys I am using.  Yeah, talk about being burara and tanga.  But unlike many circumstances that I got lock up, I usually just go at the back of the house and open the back door through a window.  And that's it, I'm inside.  But antoher stupidity that I did was locking the bolt at the back door as well confident that I have a spare key stached in one of the mess near the front door.

So exasperated and defeated, I called on help on the neighbors and good thing I live in a neighborhood with friendly residents.  So they got out all the tools and had the door knob knocked out. And am back to my cozy home...but I hurriedly went to Ever Gotesco and buy another knob as replacement.

Poor me!  I shouldn't have wasted my money on such things if I just always remember to bring my keys.  :P

4th Installment of my Birthday Celebration

I never expected for a treat from the office for my birthday. But Tom and Sheena was persistent. For the Brittish, birthdays are meant to be celebrated. So Sheena, Tom and I had lunch at the Chocolate Kiss. I wished Frank was with us but then...

It was also saying goodbye to Sheena who will be leaving the company in a few days time. She just needs to finish with Frank's papers so she was extended a month more.

It felt happy and sad at the same time since Frank has gone and now Sheena. But amidst that, Tom made sure I still would have my birthday treat... Yikes! I'm reminded that I'm old again!

Frank Came Back

Frank came in the office today.  He needs to sort out his accounts, stocks and whatnot.  It was good to see a cheery face in the middle of stressed working people.

But because he emptied out his office before the year ends (as his official day of retirement), he squatted at Tom's office to do his paperworks.  And even if he is no longer my boss, I am as eager as before to help and assist the old man.

Afterwhich, we (with Bea) loaded the CRV and went to Capitol Ville to meet Luke and Shang. And Frank treated us out for pizza and pasta.  Food was loads, we didn't even finished everything. And after a lot of stories of how our Christmas Celebrations went, we pack up and went back to the office and Frank went home.

That was it.  Frank came back. But not for good.  But I know, that's not the last we got to see of Frank. With his experience in the water and wastewater industry spanning for about 46 years, he will be just taking a short rest and he will be back in the game again... maybe as a consultant or a water company owner... no one knows. :)

How much to go home?!

I have been in a crossroads for so so long.  The bond at work is over, there is nothing to tie me down.  I don't have any reason to be here. Then getting back to UP for a Masters Degree came which had me a reason to stay.  

Now, I am at a dilemma.  After this semester, I could go LOA and find work elsewhere.  I have been applying for work overseas.  Also I have been scouting for work back home.  But it seems, they are not ready for me yet.


Last night, while doing my job hunting, I came across a cadet engineer vacancy at Hawaiian-Philippine Company, Inc. in Silay City.  Silay is just next to our place going North.  And without thinking, I clicked the apply button.  Act of desperation.  Totally!


I know the risks.  It means saying goodbye to a salary that is substantial.  It means back to zero with my career. But in doing so, I could be coming home.  I am with my family and with my loved ones.  I going back to my life.


So how much should I risk in going home?  Home much in exchange for a chance back home?  How much to go home?

new year's list

A new year means a time to correct and improve our lives.  It means second chances. So I'm drawing up my new years resolution... a list of second chances.

1)  I have gained a kilo over the holidays.  I need to shed it off.  And I need to go healthy as well.  I'm up to going jogging at least twice in UP and grab my jump rope for more exercise at the house...

2)  Visit relatives at Parañaque house... and make it more frequent.

3)  Save. Save. Save. And spend money wisely...

4) Pray. Pray. Pray... and I need to go to mass regularly.

5) Eat the good stuff.  Drink the right way.

6) Love. ♥♥♥

And I'll have friends that make me laugh while doing all of them.

-o-
I know 2011 will be a good year!

New Look

I went home last night to a chow chow that is almost bald.  It was a pity and a relief all at the same time.  It was a pity because the cut is poor but I know that the old hair has to be out.  It was a total relief because it is almost a year since Aurora had a haircut.  Since her failed pregnancy and complication, Mel never had the interest for our dog.  So Aurora never had the chance to get any grooming.


So it is a good start for Aurora.  New cut, she has taken a bath and she is ready for 2011...hehehe!!!

2010 had me Singing hello goodbye (by the Beatles!!!)

I would like to believe that it is never too late to write my traditional end of year blog.  For four years now, I would like to make a recap of the year that was.


Work
Work has been good and cruel all in the same year.  Firstly, I got promoted to Associate Manager and had an increase.  Not much as I expected it but something to be thankful for.

I also got in the Facilities Management School Program of the company and was previleged enough that Frank was my boss and he has good persuasion skills.   Not that I need to have some strings pulled, as my credentials are as qualified as the other candidates, its just that the path I am also optioning is quite opposite to the FM School objective. But all I wanted is to learn and get my gear up in the game so there I was and up to now, strutting to become a future Facility Manager.

I am also handling my future position of Environmental Compliance while juggling work as Frank's Technical Assistant.  Was able to meet most of my targets and quite relieved that before the year end nothing was at pending.  I just hope to be good at it and learn all about the job as it could be a good freelance job someday if I would pursue a career as an Environmental Engineer specializing in Environmental Impact Assessment.

Many people has come and joined the company in 2010.  Sheena came in as Frank's Executive Secretary replacing Ma'am Edna.  Also Admin Assistants like Ria and Maedhey joined departments Environmental Planning and Sustainability Department and Safety Solutions Department Respectively.  More people came in as plant managers both at Water Supply and Wastewater likewise in other departments in Operations.  However, a good friend and colleague, Lea Siy left the company which is a brave act considering she is one of the best performers and in the best position in the company.  Hope I would have her guts as well.

Big changes overwhelmed me in 2010.  Frank's retirement was announced in the middle of the year.  And Sir Ding Carpio was announced to replace Frank.  I was devastated as I was losing a very good boss but later I realized that it is part of the changes that is constantly happening.  Frank may leave but he will forever be a good friend.  With Frank's retirement, I developed to be an events coordinator.  With 3 successful parties celebrating his contributions and bidding him farewell, I surely gained skill and knowledge in through the biggest and grandest parties.

Getaways
2010 had me see the world.  I was able to go to 4 international destinations namely Macau, Hongkong, Singapore and Malaysia.

It was good bonding with my sisses Jiji and Icile and good friend Kat when we hit Macau and Hongkong.  I was able to strut my cold weather clothes as well.  Macau and Hongkong also taught me to maximize time yet not be disappointed if you won't be able to finish the itinerary.  If you're tired, the body has got to rest.

Family bonding to its finest when Mom, my brother and I was able to visit our relatives at Singapore and had a tour of the city country.  It was Mom's and brother's first out of the country so it was also a memorable trip.  Unlike Macau and Hongkong where we followed an itinerary, this time, I relied on the thousand of brochures at the airport. It was a good thing as this trip was so relaxed although tiring too especially if there are a lot of walks.

Malaysia was a trip shared with my sis and Silab batchmate, Chris.  It was a disaster initially because Chris' camera got stolen from her bag at the airport.  But amidst that it was a good vacation as we have really enjoyed seeing places after places in Malaysia.  This time, we relied on the good ol' internet with only just selecting the good and popular sites and just hoping to be back again soon for those we have not visited.

2010 also was a great year going around the country.  Holy week was spent in a road trip with sisses Ellainne and Icile when we went to La Union, Vigan and Pangasinan.  It was a trip to remember as it was Icile's last Philippine vacation.  May, Kat and I was able to witness Pahiyas and had one of my wishlist done...Kat and I joined a tour going to Lucban, Quezon and had a grand time seeing houses decorated with kiping and fruits.  It was really great.  Also in the same month of May,  I was able to hit Nasugbu in a company outing with great colleagues at Manila Water.  We formed a group named "5 or less more than 1" of which are people from departments whose members are of the title.  Because these departments are so small we decided to pull our funds together and have a company outing of our own. It was great bonding too! In July, I was able to hit Baguio when I instantly joined my Taguig friends in a less than a day trip at Baguio.  It was short but fun!  I was back at the sand and water of Boracay in September with my officemate from Taguig.  Was able to also spend time with colleagues assigned at Boracay.  I was able to go and visit my relatives at Cagayan de Oro at the end of November when I went with Sheena when she was scheduled to go home to her province in Bukidnon.  I had a grand time doing white water rafting, hit Macumba for Margarita, slept at the van going to Bukidnon and had a grand tour of CDO-Bukidnon and El Salvador.  I'm really blessed with very generous relatives who gave me a grand vacation.

Also I was back at Bacolod four times this year and all for significant events.  The April 9 long weekend was a great homecoming as my brother scheduled their civil wedding on that same weekend because they know I am coming home.  My end of August weekend was a more fabulous homecoming because on that weekend, my nephew Saph was born and  I was sure glad to be home.  November, I was home for the All Souls Day holiday and was able to hold Saph for the first time.  It was also great to see Ron after the two of us being official.  And my latest vacation of course was this Christmas Season.  It was a significant one because I got to spend time with family, with friends and loved ones.  I also had a grand time at Guintubdan falls and seeing the southern part of Negros when Ron and I had our roadtrip. :)

Family
The family is getting bigger now.  Manong is married to Graze and has now a son, Saph Rafael Angelo.  Amidst the problems we remained strong and intact.  The business is really on the bloom, sometimes it is overwhelming.  Mel has returned home in the middle of the year and decided to continue school at the province.  He was also committed to help mom with the family business.  He was also able to make business on his own with dog breeding and growing and selling mushrooms.  Rex is helping out with mom's business as well.

With me alone in the metro, and more and more low fares from airlines,  mom and Rex frequently visit me here at our home in Manila.  So amidst being lone, I am not lonely.


School
I continuously excel at school as I fulfill a dream of finishing a Masters Degree.  Although it was hard to juggle work with school, I surprise myself semester after semester as I get good grades and finishing tough subjects with flying colors.  Now I'm at my last semester of course work and will be doing my thesis soon!

Financial
I was able to hit the ceiling of our WASSLAI this year.  It was truly a big sacrifice as I need to raise my savings every month to just hit my target for the year.  But it was rewarding especially when I was able to receive my dividends at the end of the year.

Love
I risked it in love this year.  Was able to forgive fully a person that has hurt me and that forgiveness I have nurtured into trust and love.  Ron and I are officially together.  And I am hoping for a healthy relationship that is stronger and full of love.  :)

2010 had me saying hello and goodbye.  I have seen more than the Philippines but continuously discovering our beloved country.  I have said goodbye to colleagues but has said hello to new ones.  Most especially, I have said hello to love.  It was a great year and I was truly blessed.

Now, I'm looking forward to rockin 2011 with more hellos, love and lesser goodbyes.  :)

Starbucks in Bacolod

It is my first time at Starbucks in the city. I have avoided Starbucks when I am home because I often drink it in Manila courtesy of my British bosses. I would frequent Bacolod's prides Cafe Bob's or Kuppa (to name a few) because I could not find them in Manila.

But tonight, it was only Starbucks that is open and available as everyone is closing its business to prepare for the New Year's Eve Celebration.  So off we go to Starbucks for my usual frapuccino. So to make it more memorable, I treated my brother to Starbucks and bought ourselves the Christmas featured drinks to complete my missing sticker and get my 2011 Starbucks Planner. Oh yebah!!! Weehh!!!! Now, I'm ready for 2011...hahaha!

I chose the red velvet-y planner and I so love it... but I hate my peppermint mocha frappe. yuck!

Post Birthday Celeb

Nang Bambi was not able to attend my birthday dinner. So she treated me (together with my brother) for another dinner at Pepe's. Food was great, as usual. Then we ordered drinks (Blue Frozen Margarita) and ooh lala, there goes our world, spinning wildly we can't control it. So we headed to good ol' Cafe Bob's for a hot chocolate to subside the tipsiness.

All throughout the night, we were talking nonstop... from the time the food came and drinks followed up to the hot choco we're sipping. Just an update of our crazy lives while we were living it separately to at least get reconnected. Nang Bambs is like and has been a sister to me so she is one of the very few people I have been sharing most of secrets, heartaches and heart thumping included....

New Look for 2011

For almost the whole year, I have been yearning to change my look.  I have reviewed my college pictures and I have been wearing my long straight hair, either loosely, in ponytail or half pony.   I have gone through numerous of treatments just to improve the straightness of my tresses. And that's it.

With the onset of digiperm, I have somehow find the curly look lovable and carefree.  I mean, one could just let loose her hair and let the wind blow it and won't be bothered because being curly means being crazy all at the same time.  There is no such thing as "mahangin ba sa labas?"  But the price to pay for having your hair gone through the digiperm machine is really not manageable so it was a big dilemma.  So even when I went home for the Christmas vacation, I never got my hair permed.

Good thing my good friend and perm enthusiast, Kat, had hers on my birthday to a well known hairstylist in Bacolod.  So the envious me had my hair permed as well after so much encouragement from Kat and mom.  So after about 2 hours of the whole process, this is me with my perm.


And I love it.

Today, I'm 27

I'm 27 today.  Seems really old but it doesn't matter because I am at the point where I could say I have enough.  I have my family.  I have a lot of friends.  I have work and I go to school.  I am fulfilling my dreams.  But among other things, this year I risked it in love.

Birthday Roadtrip
Today, I met up with Ron to go to Guintubdan at his hometown in La Carlota. Yikes!  I know, it is my day and he should be doing the effort to visit me.  But I didn't really plan on anything for today.  All I wanted was to spend time with family and with Ron.  I have planned to go to Mambukal and just laze around but my family is busy with business that I could not drag them to the resort.  So it was Ron who persuaded me to go to La Carlota instead.

Loaded his motorbike, we drove about 30 minutes from his house to have a nature trip and have relaxing dip in the cold waters from the falls of Guintubdan which is located in the mountain area of the city of La Carlota.  Sad about the place though is that it was not maintained very well by the government.  Picnic tables are dilapidated and the rooms are not available for rent because it was not cleaned, no beds available and it is used as a storage area.  The falls in the middle of the mountains is the majestic scenery that would just capture you.  It would take about 10 minutes to hike down towards the falls but it was worth all the wait.  Cold waters enveloped my being when i took the dip.  When we were there, the place was empty.  All the more that I got excited because I could strut my bikini without  having the whole town scandalized and the people talking and staring at me. I just don't want to be stared at.  The place is not Boracay that people are used to people in Bikinis. It was awesome!  After about 20 minutes, we were joined by a group of teeners so Ron and I decided to leave... hahahaha!!!

We then took our lunch at a Chicken place where we had loads of food with a bill so small.  Waaaaahhh!!!  I love the life at the province.  Cheap but tasty food....the life!

Before going back to Bacolod, we went back to his place to just pay courtesy to his mom and sister.  Just spent time at their place, with a good massage from Ron.  :)  So that is my day with Ron and how we spent my birthday together.

Birthday Dinner
Spent the night with my family at a sumptuous dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in Bacolod, Apollo.  I miss all the good recipes like Ox Tongue, Sepo, and Fried Chicken with chicharon.  So following tradition, I urged the whole family to celebrate with me at Apollo.  We went to the branch at 888 when the main branch doesn't have my usual favorites.  We have requeste the main branch to call up 888 to check availability of our order and we were assured that they would be able to prepare all of them.  When we arrived at the 888 branch, the food was prepared and we have all the place to ourselves.  It was like the place was reserved for me!  The waiters are accomodating and they were willing to take our picture... it was a good night.

After that more pictures were taken at the big Christmas tree of 888.

So today, I am a year older.  I have aged but I know I am very much loved and blessed!

Mom's Birthday Party

This year, with mom turning 55, it was a big birthday celebration.  Unlike prior years where mom would only sleep all day, treating herself with rest and then I would drag everybody to the spa for a more relaxing treat, this year, mom celebrated with his people of which the very sole reason of the expansion of her business. They have decided to hold the Christmas party of JHT Marketing on Mom's birthday for a double celebration.

So out are the food, the gifts and the karaoke.  Out are my brothers who played hosts to the party.  And out were the kiddie games played by kids at heart adults.  It was a fun and will be a remembered celebration.

Christmas Eve

Everyone was busy. Everyone was tired.

Mom was asleep the whole day after meeting (and exceeding) her target. Manong and Grace went out to buy groceries even if I knew for a fact that there would less malls and grocery stores opened because it is Christmas Eve.

So nobody was up to cooking food for the traditional Christmas Eve Dinner. So my brothers, Mel and Rex, got all the cold cuts in the ref and out was the pan and oil for a fast fry. I got all the possible drinks and viola, we have our Christmas Dinner. :)