First day at work

Just because I had the whole day as my 'free time' and that I honestly forgot to post this about 8 months ago..HAHA! So here we go:

Look. And see.

When I saw this photo, what did I see?


"Watching the cute girl in class walk by."

This was how the photo was captioned in a social networking site. I don't know. Maybe it was just me. But the moment I saw it, I knew there was so much more to it than what the caption had, or what words can express, which invited around 100,000+ likers to hit that button. Oh well. -_-

My heart sank as countless flashbacks hit me minutes after I saw this. Flashbacks of reality; this country with a lot of people living lavishly, but ironically, the same country with people  struggling to survive, and barely living. And I am not ashamed to admit that I cried. And that every inch of me was torn. And that it was painful. Seeing those eyes, looking at infinity, with wholesome intent, looking up to what was out there, to what is really here, and now.

Do you have any idea how so much a dream can become? Have you had any encounter of what seemed to be an endless series of impossibilities? Do you know how it feels like, when you reach the end of it, and realize how it was all worth it?

Dear readers, it pains me a lot, how thousands of kids like him, waking up every morning, looking out to reality, can say to themselves; someday, I'm gonna be like that, or someday, I'm gonna be helping mom, or simply: someday, I am going to be great! -- all that, with a grin, to begin with.

Okay. So, what Im trying to say is this: we are all capable of dreaming and becoming. I just hope and I pray that whatever you want yourself to be, be your best possible version of it, cause the world sees you every day. The world is able to witness who you are and what you are doing with life. And in the same way, the world is able to dream through you, and become through you. Just as how able you are to aspire, you can also inspire.

It is but one of my wishlist to be able to uplift these kids, if not entirely help them make their dreams come true. I am not telling you to share the same goal with me. The reason why I made this entry is for you to ponder upon what I am going to ask of you, one last time..and hopefully, you get to "act" on your answer for the rest of humanity.


Look at the photo once more and tell me: WHAT DO YOU SEE?

His and Her Circumstance

I guess I've reached that point in my life where I've made up my own perspective in having relationship with men. Many of you might argue that I've never been into one, so I'm no credible person for stuffs like this. Indeed, experience is the best teacher, and I have seen first hand how people very dear to my heart have lost and won over this everlasting battle. Like, both my male and female friends have been concrete examples and it would be a fool of me to not learn from them.

Let me get this straight with you guys, I am no longer that girl who dreams about that 'knight in shining armor' ready to give up everything just for me. So oovveerr that stage ya naaww!! (but that would be totally romantic in movies, nonetheless) I too, am so done with classic lines and mainstream gifts. Like really, you can do better than that can't you? Cos seriously you guys, finding 'mr/ms right' is a "decision". It takes the right person with the right mindset to see me as 'the right one' and to accept me for who I am. IN THE SAME WAY, (girls, you better take this seriously) I should also decide to be the right person with the same mindset to appreciate this guy, with all his imperfections and pet peeves and weirdness. Never forget, it is a relationship, it has to be both of you 'working together'. Falling in love is a decision, not a fleeting feeling. To be the right person, you have to shake-off all idealism walt disney has taught you all these years and start facing reality that you are two imperfect persons trying to continually improve yourselves and grow, and travel, and dream together. Isn't that wonderful to think of? To hope for? Sure it is. So, the next time someone hits me with the killer question : WHY ARE YOU STILL SINGLE? Simple: the right person hasn't 'seen' me yet, and I too, for a fact haven't 'seen' him. Well, we might have already met but just haven't 'seen' each other under the light of the 'right' circumstance. <3

And yes, I am having the time of my life waiting.

SUM-HER

It's rainy in July, but I've got sunshine with me nonetheless. Many thanks to Jayn :*

That.Dress (write not)

Mi Semana

I always see life as an infinite set of challenges, like that of online games. One that gives you a harder undertaking after another, and it will only end when the Almighty deems it fit for you to retire and accept the "game over" finale. In every problem, in every journey, there is this undeniable enthusiasm in me to not just "pass" the test, but to really give my best and look back, knowing that I've given it all. However, we must also accept that we cannot stay in the same level forever. Our nature binds us to this constant moving-on-and-moving-forward cycle that no matter how much we wanted to stay on the victorious grounds we've gone so far, it is with utmost necessity to start back into one again and break our own previous record. I don't know about you. But this is how I feel in behalf of humanity. HAHAHAHA >.<

A week before I left for Makati, I found myself crying in the middle of random things I do on a daily basis; may it be after dressing up for an errand, sitting down alone on the sofa, or even before I sleep. I can't actually point out to you why or what for, all I know is that some emotion hits me and then I find it hard to resist the urge to let the tears go and just cry. Maybe because I'm gonna miss CdeO just as how I consider it my own modern-day version of Hobbiton, and how I consider myself as the female version of Bilbo, starting off an unexpected journey, leaving behind comfort and so many things I haven't yet experienced in my hometown. The decision to move on and move forward is unnecessary but timely for me at the same time. Unnecessary because my parents never bugged me (not even once) about not getting hired immediately, and they even suggested for me to wait for more months for another job offer if I really wanted a comfortable life. It is timely at the same time because this moving-on-moving-forward thingy is undeniably the much-awaited chapter of my life after the boards. I knew that if there'd be anything I've yet to learn before I rise up the corporate ladder it would be to be able to live well...all alone. Independence. Finally. Indeed, I was able to afford to pay the price. I have to deal with loneliness, discomfort, pressure, a hostile surrounding, a rush-hour-every minute environment, and the sad reality of being far from home. It took me so much courage, so it better be worth it.

THERE

Wakeup.Eat.Work.Eat.Sleep. This has been the constant routine I've had ever since I started working. Of course, there has been so much "fun" in between as you know it. (I am a catastrophe magnet so to speak) It would be injustice for me to deprive you of my entire 5-month story in Metro Manila. However, I've decided to just share some photos and a bit of summary since I am sooooo preoccupied right now to meet friends and spend quality time with my family. It's really hard to be a celebrity, like fit in a bunch of people in your schedule to meet you in 5 days?! Tsk -_- (I DO HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND. Good.)

Now working is synonymous to the word "eating" and I don't speak for myself. Better meet my batchmates and compare their body state right now with how they looked in our college yearbook..SPEAKING OF THE ASDFGHJKL YEARBOOK WHERE THE HECK IS IT BY THE WAY?! Which reminds me of going to XU later to really know what really is what. GRR

Anyhow, back to eating, here are some photos I've to share to account for the additional weight I gained and the unnecessary fats I've accumulated. Oh well. ^_<

To start off, this is how we bid someone farewell. We order food a day in advance and eat without the presence of the team member we were suppose to surprise. THANKS TO ME. >.<

Basically everything we've eaten during that awesome lunch date with our SVP at Chef Jessy's.

Breath-taking food at Okamase Japanese Restaurant at Ayala Triangle <3

This was from another salo2x at work. NOMNOM.

Oh, and this was given by the woman next door, she was celebrating her daughter's birthday and was generous enough to share some Tuna spaghetti with me ;)

My office mates shared this treat to me. REALLY CREAMY AND TASTY! Thumbs up!

As a food advocate, I participated (together with roommie Shiela) in the Krispykreme 77th yr anniversary. A dozen for only P154!

Frenchies shared with roommie Shiela during our random weekends.

Oh, this was when me and two of my close office mates sneaked out for a drink at Glorietta. <3

AND WHO SAYS I'M ONLY GOOD AT EATING?! FYI. I cook. As a matter of fact, here are some photos to prove to you that even before I left for Manila, I already cook decent meals at home AHEM. ;)

So this was back when I was cooking for home. And with all honesty, leftovers never existed in my cooking dictionary HAHA

Okay, so as proof, I almost lost my eyesight, got some knife cuts on my hands and oil splash on my skin. But it was all worth it! :D

This was what Shiela and I had been doing lately during weekends. Cook-eat-cook-eat! lol

Veggie dish courtesy of Shiela!

Epicfail adobo by yours truly :3

PS..

and I have to REALLY share this in my blog: I haven't been paying a single cent for electricity ever since I moved into our apartment. Man, the electric bill subsidy in Manila was awwweesome!

AND BACK AGAIN

I just arrived home last Saturday, 26th of July for a week-long leave (and barely had sleep the night before due to excitement). Good thing my boss was considerate enough to let me go home for a while :')

Cagayan de Oro City is indeed a place to be proud of. There hasn't been much change after 5 months (what do I expect?) Just more people with eyes wide open and smiles and hugs when they recognize you! I had a very warm welcome by the time I got home. The next day, we celebrated Dad's birthday and I didn't post any photo on facebook since he clearly banned it. Yes dad. Didn't expect you to be too secretive; like that. :3

The birthday cake.

My grilled chops <3

Mommy and daddy

Oh, we ate outside too, cause dad wanted it to be a 3-day celebration :D

Crispy <3

Mom's fave, Bicol Express

ONE W-E-E-K

This  has been one of the most meaningful weeks of my life! To start off, mom and I got our passports. It was a very tough day for me indeed. We started at 10 am (since the mall opened at that time) and mom finished hers by 2pm BUT lo! And behold, I finished mine at 5pm already >.< Here are some shots:

I also had bonding moments with my family while doing the grocery (the weekly  stuff I so love to do even just by myself)

And of course, I had moments with friends I missed the most <3 So touched with the fact that they really gave time for me :')

JAYN.ROBE.KYLE.CHUMMY.KARINA.MAU

With Ira and Yang ^.^

With the novel prowess Rye ;)

The family date before I left for Manila :')

I consider the last week of July as one of the most well-spent weeks of my entire life so far. Not only did I feel at home, I felt needed, loved, and missed. It's such a wonderful realization and it makes me look forward to the many more vacations I will hopefully spend here in the months to come.

Indeed, life is a cycle. And what I am going through right now is a part of the many plans God has already laid for me. Even if it caused homesickness, crying-myself-to-sleep moments, and missed celebrations with people that matter, it's okay. I will forever be submissive to the changes God has allowed for me.

To Him be all glory!