(in)Toxic(ated)

This whole week is astoundingly BUSY.

Tuesday felt like Thursday already. There were A LOT of meetings, design sessions and design templates to finish.

Stressful? Not really. From the toxicity of October-December, things have mellowed down a little bit. Workload is still heavy, but my team has adjusted to it. I adjusted to it.

I'm just lucky - and glad - that my teammates can be on top of things without my constant breathing down their necks.

It's been a very productive week.

I'm mighty proud.

Hong Kong...

I miss you.

Immensely.

I miss the stores. I miss the hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Hau Fook Street.

I miss that ramen restaurant inside the HK airport.

I miss Ben and Jerry's ice cream.

I miss partying at Lan Kwai Fong.

I miss my friend Marlz.

I miss the crowded streets smelling like dimsum.

I miss the fasyon. Gawd, I miss wearing knee-high boots.

Hong Kong, I shall conquer you again.

Very soon.

Last 2 minutes

I've been trying to book plane tickets for my Holy Week vacay since Friday morning. We're really not the clientèle for budget airfares (I wish we can be) because we can't pin down our schedules months, months ahead. A month's worth of planning for a vacay is already advance notice in both our books, since both our work schedules are mega-erratic (no, not mega-erotic. hah.)

And his mode of traveling and vacay is spur of the moment, pack and go, now na. Deadma on how much the tix are. He's probably forgetting that I'm earning Southeast Asian salary - and he will kick me for saying this because he's picking up the travel tab, anyway. Kahit na - doesn't hurt to pinch a penny here and there.

No more Beijing PAL flights until April 15.

So goodbye Beijing. For now.

'Ain't giving up on you, though.

So I'm opting for a more familiar territory. It's one of the places I go to frequently - but we've never been there together. And knowing us --- there are more places to discover when we travel in tandem, because we're both adventurous in food and party places.

Plus, Universal Studios is a-openin'. That was actually what sealed the deal for R.

Me - I'm just happy that it's going to be our first time together there. And that I will get the chance to see my friends, too.

So yes, I can't wait.

Sorry, Madz - you have to take me in again for the first 2 nights. But join us for dinner or Friday night partey. Take us somewhere cool. Hahaha.

Meet Raisu

When I went out of the shower, lights were off inside our usual room in Mandarin, save for the TV.

He opened one lamp shade and said, "Belated Happy Valentines Day."

I thought it was a black box wrapped with a silver ribbon. I picked it up with one hand.

Ooooh. Light. And cold. It's not a box. It's Raisu. Meet my new notebook. The new HP ProBook 5310m.

Isn't he handsome?

Aylavhim.

I'm referring to the notebook. =)

Thank you for my Vday gift.

Woooooot!

Big on Big

While we were in Boracay, we got the chance to watch Sex and the City season 1 together.

R. was laughing his ass off and was supremely impressed with Big's charm and wit.

Yes, he can sooooo relate.

And yes - I'm happy that he is one of the few men who will openly admit to loving SATC, the 4 girls and Big.

SATC lulled us to sleep in our very cozy Discovery suite.

'Can't ask for anything more.

[all smiles]

Bora, beybeh!

Not bad, Discovery.

Not bad at all.

I'm so loving you now.

Gemgem, your brown shades just got to Bora. Along with the Gucci that I got back from Dits.

Borrow muna. Hahaha.

Perfecting the picture na kami lang ang kumukuha.

Cabernet Shiraz at 3pm

Happy with my surfer dude Vday presents

Enjoying his welcome foot bath & massage

my turn!

Take me to the beach

Boracay-bound in a few hours.

Finally!

We try to go every year. We used to visit Bora twice a year, until we realized that Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu is so convenient, having a direct flight from Hong Kong to Cebu.

Let's see if Discovery Shores live up to expectations.

I hope it does.

This RnR is sooooo overdue.

Temper tantrums

Ang dali kong mapikon today.

Or maybe he's just testing my patience.

Hirit ng hirit ng wala sa lugar.

Either I'm being too sensitive or he's being trigger-happy with his tirades.

What is up with that?

Count 1 to 10. Or even up to a hundred, if that will help.

Ipanema crazy

If you're my friend, you already know that I don't wear flat shoes. A 3-inch heel is the minimum requirement for me. I trip wearing flat shoes - this is tried and tested. If I need to wear a weekend dress, my slip-ons would always have kitten heels. So when there was a frenzy for flip-flops, I wasn't one of the fans who lined up patiently to get a pair of Havaianas. I thought it was preposterous.

My first Cartunistas Havis was a Christmas present from Romydev. A girl pal bought me a pair of Dupe' several years back. And those are the only 2 flip flops that I have.

Note that I only wear them when I go to the beach.

Zipping though requires me to wear something flat so I can easily do my turns and I won't trip while practicing and taking my lessons in Salcedo park.

Heels + park with some puddles = not a good idea.

Apart from the usual rubber shoes, I prefer wearing something more comfortable. Thus, the search for the perfect flip-flops.

Fen and I went to Robinsons Pioneer yesterday to check out both running shoes and flip-flops. It was a toss between the usual Havis or getting a new Ipanema pair. Most of the myGlobe girls preferred Ipanema since it's softer, so I tried several pairs on.

Ipanema was on sale, up to 40% off!

Last night, I bought this pair:


I already used it during last night's zip class and it was quite comfortable.

This lunch time, Yoj, Nabeth and I went back to Robinsons Pioneer for lunch. Thinking that I need a pair with more neutral hues since I will be heading to Boracay again next week, I went back for the Ipanema Bliss:



Note the compromise, though - yes, they're flip-flops, but they're not exactly flat. =)

'Seems like I'm a flip-flops convert.

But no - I ain't giving up my heels completely!

Middleground

I don't understand why it's difficult to find a middleground.

Either it's too leftist... or it's waaay on the other side of the spectrum.

I don't want to be an extremist.

I don't want it too hot or too cold.

Damn, Universe!

Stop playing!

Solitude

I miss quiet moments with myself.

I don't have a lot of those lately.

My social calendar is fully booked. I have double bookings for dinners and cocktails. I need to take vendors out for dinner. I have to see friends.

I miss Sunday mornings when there's nothing to do but just stare in space or watch episodes of TV series that I missed.

I never realized that I will grow tired of the noise.

I just want to be quiet. Even for a short while. For a change.

Go denim!

After almost five (5) years of wearing strictly corporate, we're now allowed to wear business casual.

Yes - jeans included.

Aylavet!!!

It's like ABS-CBN Interactive all over again.

And yes - you don't have to look lousy wearing denim jeans.

Denim jeans can rock the office.

Loving the ones behind this move!

Believing

Saying I’ve been to hell and back is downright cliché.

But it’s a fact.

I’m one of the most jaded person that you can ever find.

I wasn’t raised to believe in Santa Claus and fairy tales.

I don’t believe that a knight in shining armor will sweep me off my feet and we will ride a horse as the sun sets in the foreground.

I’ve been broken not once, not twice, not thrice, but countless times.

A lover once told me that the person you love the most will be the one who will hurt you the most. And he was right.

I stopped believing a long time ago.

I stopped believing so the hurting can stop.

But I see goodness in his eyes that can’t and won’t lie.

He is as transparent as water in a crystal spring.

I feel his earnestness.

Despite his fears, I felt how much he loved me.

And how much he loves me still.

I’m just not sure if how much he loves me is worth a hundred times over to make me believe again.

I guess, what I'm saying is...

Make me believe again.

Glorified messenger

Today, I'm a glorified soshal messenger.

Signatures needed. NOW.

Real signatures. Electronic signatures are not allowed for legal contracts.

For that - route the papers from Manila to Singapore then back to Manila.

Career!

The exquisite pain of romance

Last night, I caught one of Sex and the City’s season 2 episodes on HBO. This was the episode where Big and Carrie broke up because Big will move to Paris for work – without consulting Carrie.

Carrie said she will move to Paris with him, but Big said she should move not for him – but for herself.

Why on earth will Carrie leave New York for Paris if not for Big???

Why on earth will I even consider moving to Hong Kong with the language barrier and snooty salespeople if not for R???

Issues sounding way too familiar?

Wait until you hear the Carrie-Big exchanges:

Mr. Big: This isn't about us. This is about work!

Carrie: No, this isn't about work. This is about us getting closer and you getting so freaked out that you have to put an ocean between us.

Carrie: Why is it so hard for you to factor me into your life in any real way?

Mr Big: I guess old habits die hard.

I found myself texting R. about what I was watching. ‘Turned out he was watching, too.

The banter went on and on. R. asked me – how many times did they break up?

I quipped: “Several times. Just like us.”

How many times did I ever find myself in the same situation? R. going to Canada and telling me at the very last minute. Me being kept at bay when things became too emotionally involved.

Everything’s just way too close. The episode struck an extremely sensitive cord.

In all of Carrie’s lamenting, she said the words that I have been asking myself as of late:

Why am I running after the excruciating pain of romance? Why do I keep running after what is elusive?

In Carrie’s exact words:

Carrie: After we made love I knew it was over. Did I ever really love Big or was I addicted to the pain, the exquisite pain of wanting someone so unattainable?

I guess I’m both. I loved R. and I was addicted to the exquisite albeit excruciating pain of wanting someone unattainable.

After the episode, R. called me to say good night.

And I was sleepless until 3am.

Tired

And I don't want to burn out.

Don't make me burn on both ends.

8:43

Still in the office. Almost 12 hours now.

I got so used to going home uber late - like 9:30pm or past 10, that leaving the office at 8:43pm seems so unnatural!

Gotta peel myself off my chair and hit the dang gym!

Welcome 2010!

Happy New Year, everyone!

While I bid adieu to 2009, I will leave behind all the hurt and the loss that it brought me.
I will leave behind the drama...and close the door behind me completely.

At the same time, I will carry with me all the successes, the joys, the friendships and all the love that the year gave me.

Thank you, 2009 - for my new job post, for my Valedictory speech, for my travels abroad, for my new condo.

Thank you for the love and for all the good, trustworthy and loyal friends who are still with me. Thank you for my family. Thank you for my great love.

I welcome the year 2010 full of hope and aspirations, knowing that I can --- and I definitely will!

Cheers to becoming a great person and in finding and keeping that one great love.

Fight sa 2010!

2009 Flashback - part 4
MCS High School Reunion

We graduated from high school in the mid-90s. Yes - I am ANCIENT. Please don't carbon-date me.

I've stayed in touch and I'm really very tight with high school besties. It's the circle that I've shared a lot of history with. In fact, high school friends is a misnomer. I've known a lot of the girl friends since kinder.

It's both nostalgic and comforting to see old faces. I haven't seen some of my high school guy friends after graduation! 'Good to know they're alive and happily married. =)

The default company, my high school besties:
Elisa, Ryan, Keith, Obet & Jonathan

Creme dela creme: Candy, Charmalaine, Moi,
Ethel, Amber, Elie and Jennifer of the cream section

With Jonathan: this is where I go Bros over Hoes.

Jonathan & Moi with other high school buddies

with BonBon, Pam and Sherrie Ann

All the single ladies

With the high school boys (or girls!?!?)

Moi with Patrick & Flax: they used to hang out
a lot in my folks' house back in high school.

Where the boys are

The ladies with Jonathan

High school group photos

'Ya can't go wrong spending time with people who've known you since you were all just kids.
I was happy to see the peeps I grew up with.

Until the next roll call...

2009 Flashback - part 3
PDC Christmas Party and the myGlobe girls

This is our first Christmas party with the new Product Design team. Amidst the stress and the other unspeakable things over and above our humongous pile of work, myGlobe still sticks to one mantra:

"Work hard. Party harder!"

PDC exchanging gifts

With the ladies (starting from the back)-
Yoj, Malee, Nabeth, Lala, Chrissie, Anne & Moi

Laughing at the funny host

Goofing around with Andoy & Malee

with the new design team -
Boss Goz, Yoj, Malee, Anne, Nabeth & Mela

Nabeth & Moi with Len & Jesse

with the fun guy buddies - Jesse & Joel

Tres Marias - as always

Like I said - work hard, party harder!