On a Sunday morning

Slept really late but woke up really early today. I guess, my body's not used to sleeping a lot. And I mean A LOT.

It's a good, sunshiny Sunday here in Jakarta. I've been wanting to go down to the gym and pound the pavement, but I'm still recovering from the flu, soooo... nah.

It's an awesome Sunday. Looking forward to a great week. It's gonna be very hectic - it's a week before my launch, but I'm gonna wing it!

Restful weekend

Now that I've gotten enough sleep, my body hurts - not because of the flu but because I slept too much!

Another reinforcement and validation of what I already know: I really am a workaholic.

Despite being sick, I can't help but check my email and reply to the really important ones.
Yesterday, I woke up at 7:30am to make sure that I've sent all necessary approvals before people in the office arrived at 8:00am.

Today, I woke up early to do my personal admin. I know I wouldn't be able to help it and I'll end up checking my email and revising some files.

I'm enjoying my restful weekend, though. It's nice to be able to get some rest and sleep.

I'm feeling fantabulous already!

The Power of Sleep

There's a flu bug circulating on the 6th floor of our office.

Unlucky me, I got hit yesterday. I thought I was gonna stand strong since a lot of the leads got hit last week, except me. The long hours in the office with only a few hours of Zzzzs finally did me in.

Today, I decided to stay in and rest. Get loads of sleep.

My fever already subsided.

Thank God he created sleep. It's a luxury these days... a luxury that I'm definitely taking!

Sick

I caught the big bad flu.

The long hours finally took its toll on me.

This morning was spent working, though. I had to finalize some approvals so my team in the office can proceed with our product's launch readiness.

Rest. I need to rest.

But my brain is too active, I can't even nap.

Hope the flu goes away very soon!

Pagod.com

Super tired.

Just got done after a 14-hour workday today.

Whew.

Time to raise my feet up.

Happy Birthday to Moi

The thirty-something era.

It's wonderful.

I'm feeling the love.

Thank you, friends.

Fridaaaaaay!!!

Random thoughts on a Friday afternoon:

Finally! TGIF!!!

Super stressed. I'm sooooo looking forward to a quiet weekend to just unwind and relax.
Catch up on much-deserved sleep.

I just realized, I haven't even read some of my fave blogs. It's been a looooooong time.

2 days before my birthday.

For the first time in 4 years, I'm spending it quietly. I will resurrect ze party madness when I come home to Manila in December.

Party or no party though, I'm very happy. I've been very blessed.

My wishes came true and I'm doing great here in Jakarta.

I'm just really very grateful.

But if I must indulge on a birthday gift, I'd love to have a 64G WiFi + 3G iPad and this Louis Vuitton Brea GM vernis bag:

I know, I know.

I'm pushing my luck.

Libre namang mangarap.

At birthday ko pa! Hahaha.

Rescue in the form of a Thai angel

It always helps to see the glass as half full.

Wise words from a colleague: Celebrate the milestones everyday, no matter how small.

My rescue today (and for the past 2 months, actually) came in the form of a consultant who is ever-reliable. She's an honor student.

Definitely, she's a rockstar.

Thanks, GF Prae.

I would have been pulling my hair out because of this project if you're not working with me now.

You're just really awesome.

*All smiles*

Rant, rant, rant...

I've got gazillions of things to do today. 'Need to close out KPIs and revenue projections for the product that I'm launching.

My team member who's supposed to help me with some of the legwork is on leave today.
I don't want to be inconsiderate so I will have to take the hit.

Pero sa panahon ng myGlobe, kapag weeks before launch, bawal na at wala ng karapatang umabsent at magkasakit.

It's tough. But it is the nature of the industry we chose.

I'm feeling under the weather myself - pero nandito ako sa office. Nag-o-overtime. Matapos lang ang lahat.

Dear God, help. Please send rescue.

Team Globe

It's Yoj's birthday today. 'Called her after lunch to greet her.

This evening, the myGlobe contingent called my still existing 588 number to say hello and update me that they're celebrating at the Podium Deck with the team and Fluxion.

That's what I've been missing lately --- picking Nabeth up in the morning so we can go to the office together, looking for a place to go to after work to just chill, have a couple of margaritas and then go home.

Thanks, Malee, for calling and remembering.

I really miss you, guys. My life is not the same without you.

You know you're busy (and overloaded)...

• When reading and checking work e-mails become a luxury.
• When you register 14 hours of work every weekday...
• And another 10 hours of work over the weekend.
• When your utilization rate is at 157%.
• When you are the one and ONLY one person requesting for overtime lights and LAN every single day.
• When you cannot even respond to YM and FB messages from best friends.
• When you dream at night of all the things you need to tell your team to follow up on and execute.

My Jakarta life is fantabulous.

However, with greater power (and a bigger paycheck) comes with greater responsibility.

I'm just trying to launch my project right now so I need to tide this over. Very soon, I need to cry for help already - I am severely undermanned.

Besties - sorry if I have zilch time to reply to emails and messages.
Just let me launch this thing so we can partey.

'Miss you, guys.

10-10-10

It's monumental...today, that is.

10-10-10.

I thought about the past 10 months that have gone by. It has been a whirlwind.
My life has been a roller coaster ride from day 1, but it seems like I will never get used to it.

I can't complain.

The Universe has been treating me well. It's like she's making it up.

Thank you. I'm really grateful.

My Jakarta Life

Back in Manila, I will never be caught dead wearing this, much less do a fashion show!


But here in Jakarta, I actually did. I had so much fun. Genuine fun.

At Immigrant Club a couple of weeks back, someone told me that the expat life is sad and lonely. It can get to you. I beg to differ. It IS lonely if you don't have friends and you choose to keep it to yourself. I didn't. I won't.

I'm lucky to have started things out well. I sure am blessed that Marc (now back in Manila) picked me up in the airport when I didn't know anybody from here and that Evelyn invited me to dinner on my first day at work.

Life is good. Hell yeah!

It's fantabulous.

Drama

Yes - my Monday was oh-so full of it.

Emergency meetings here and there. And the not-so-usual office drama.
Yes, expats are not excluded. Fortunately or unfortunately for us.

It's all in a day's work.

And yes, tomorrow's another day with A LOT of meetings.

Thinking about it just makes me want me to call for another massage.

But there is always a silver lining. So go silver lining! Do your magic.

Being human

I'm at the edge of my seat. I'm watching this British series - a dramady about 3 friends - a ghost, a vampire and a werewolf sharing one house. Surprisingly, it's addicting.

I'm not sure if the copies are available in Manila - but in my book, the series rocks!

September bar exams

If there is one thing that I'm missing out on, it's the bar exams happening now in Manila.

I actually miss playing nanny and gofer to my barrister friends - taga-dala ng Starbucks brewed coffee and Saturday evening dinner.

Today is the 3rd Sunday. I just hope my barrister friends are still alive.

Good luck, Thad and Minnie!!!

I hope you guys make it.

Too bad I'm not in Manila but I'm wishing both of you well.

On holiday mode

Five days of being on holiday mode.

Aylavet!!!

Nothing but spacing out, pigging out, catching up on much-needed Zzzzzzs, champagne brunch and good conversations with friends.

I so needed it. The past 2 weeks have been very, very stressful.

I'm so glad I had some down time.

And drunken moments with Evelyn at the Four Seasons. Hahaha.

Wonderful.

I want that

Yes --- that feeling when I have butterflies in my stomach.

I need that...

That ecstatic feeling of being madly, deeply in love.

I miss that natural high. Admittedly, that kept me going for a long, long time.

True that - I am in love with love, with the concept of being in love.
I am better when there is a better half. It makes me a better person.
It makes me want to be one.

And right now, if that is elusive, I guess I just need to keep on believing.

There is hope for the flowers.

On a roll

It's a Monday. And I'm on a roll!

I've got gazillions of things to do in the office. And I want to do them all.

I feel like I'm in the right place at the right time.

Fantastic!

Shopping and window-shopping...

The temporary relief from stress and frustration.

As I walked through the local shops at Grand Indo, my anger dissipated.

It's temporary relief, but sure works for me.