Sodacherrypop

Moved

2012-01-28T12:48:00.000-08:00

New Friends

2011-10-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, we unexpectedly make unexpected friends in unexpected places.

Golden rules in a relationship

2011-08-07T07:46:00.000-07:00

One of my guy friends said that these are "2 ways to fix a relationship". But I realize these are golden rules, there is no way a relationship could last if you and your partner do not know these things.

1. Accept each other no matter what.
2. Know how to give and take (although for me, compromise is a better term).

Rainy Days

2011-07-28T19:45:00.000-07:00

Being productive seems impossible at home, so once in a while I go to coffee shops and do my schoolwork.

I really like the lighting in this shop :) I would've experimented more and took more photos, but majority of my time was spent on studying Stoichiometry. *sigh*

Random shots.

Thank you, Lyle for these Staedler pens. :)

I really feel like I'm too old to study Chem1.

I went to Papelmeroti after studying and saw this one. :)

Internal Battle

2011-07-26T23:59:00.000-07:00

I just hate myself sometimes.

Little Miss Impulsive

2011-07-25T11:19:00.000-07:00

If there was one word that could perfectly describe me right now, it would be impulsive. I just realized that there's really no one to blame for all the recent letdowns but me. I don't recall the first moment I stopped giving a damn to consequences or why I let myself be consumed in the first place. Well I don't care about those anymore. I just want to change, for good.

One good example is putting off more important things over leisure. Like, instead of working on our thesis, I just spend the evening playing WoW.

Here is my main toon in WoW. If you inspect the details, my profile says my play time is equal to 26 days. 624 hours of screen sucking. It's like I've been glued to my computer for 26 days, straight, without eating whatsoever. That thought scares me. :|

Effing wasted time.

Well, the lesson here is, know your priorities and base your actions on them. If you don't have priorities, you will get lost, like me. If we have a clear sense of where we want to be, we'll think twice about the consequences (or ripples, from Adjustment Bureau).

But of course, you must not only think about your goals... you must act on them. :)

You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind. - Anonymous

Weight

2011-07-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

I'm now feeling the weight of bad choices (or lack thereof) I made during my college life. The heaviest of all is my course choice. My friends always get surprised when I tell them I kind of regret majoring in Computer Science, because in highschool I liked programming and excelled in it. Sure, I like CS, but my heart is not into hardcore programming, math and technical research.

I should've shifted out the first moment I felt it's just half-hearted choice. Little did I know that through the years, it would be harder to shift out. No wonder I was only doing half-assed efforts in my requirements and I never excelled in any major subject (except a few, like Database Systems and Software Engineering). I was too scared of the consequences of shifting out, like getting delayed or having to adjust to a new crowd. I never tried to shift out because I always thought my grades will never be good enough. But look where my half-hearted choice got me, delayed and having classmates 2 years younger than me.

Lesson learned: I should have tried. We don't know what's going to happen anyway, so we should go for the things we really feel like doing. It's too late to shift out now because it's only 9 units more until I get my diploma. Honestly, I'm quite envious of my friends and my highschool batchmates because they graduated with honors. Me, on the other hand, is just waiting to graduate to get this thing over with. It got me thinking that I could've too, if only I chose a course I really love...

I kind of messed up in college, didn't I? In highschool, we were taught that college was a rat race and college was serious business. However, while everyone was participating in that race, I chose to stay behind and did not, for once, even set my sights on the top spots. Well of course I did want to graduate with honors, but I never gave any effort.

Well, damage has been done. I'm starting to think that this extra year is a blessing in disguise. Or just life slapping me in the face with all these lessons. =)

There's no way to go but up. I might find my niche in CS and specialize in it (nothing that involves hardcore math, haha) and/or get another degree. But as of now I'm going to finish pending tasks first, so I could finally move on with my life. I'm glad I don't have to rush my choices this time.

Hope you are making the right choices! :)

I'm fine, howdy?

2011-07-11T12:01:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I haven't written anything significant last summer! Three months has passed and I feel I haven't done anything life-changing.

Fifth year, so far, has been awesome. Just perfect for my quarter-life crisis. I have a lot of spare time to sleep, play WoW, read (sometimes), ponder and do whatever I feel like doing. Like shopping once a week. Hanging out at Starbucks to do school requirements. Skype-ing with my boyfriend. Playing WoW until early morning. Procrastinating.

I get bored sometimes though. But it could have been worse if I only took my required classes and didn't take a Basic Photography class. I know I'm going to be busy and productive because of it --- we'll be using manual SLR cameras and developing pictures on our own! Finally, a reason to keep me from getting lazy in pursuing one of my interests.

During our first class meeting, my professor said something that really hit me hard. "Bakit ka maghahanap ng happiness sa future? Dapat hanapin mo 'yun sa kung anong meron ka ngayon."

I guess I should stop pondering about my future and let things happen this time. Maybe I could realize things better that way.

Things that amuse me, part 1

2011-07-07T01:50:00.000-07:00

It's cute how men call their significant other "boss" or "commander" when talking to their friends and other people. I know they don't mean it in a sarcastic way :) Just boys trying to be funny, hehe.

The boyfriend calls me "boss" because he thinks it's cooler. :))

Right on, Brooke Davis

2011-06-24T11:37:00.001-07:00

I was afraid of getting my heart broken again. Like before. Cause you hurt me so bad, and I was afraid to be vulnerable. And I was afraid of you and the way you make me feel. And I know that it doesn't matter now after what I did, but I just thought that you should know.

-Brooke Davis, One Tree Hill

Midnight Snack

2011-05-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

There was no milk, so my sister and I ate honey stars like popcorn.

M&Ms!

Color Me Pink

2011-05-09T12:35:00.000-07:00

I couldn't sleep because I feel sad, so I did some lappy makeover to keep me busy. Cleaning and organizing are sure fire ways to make me better :)

I've always wanted to color my Mac folders pink :)

Yay for Pink Carbon Fiber Google Chrome theme <3

A Brucas picspam wallpaper always cheers me up. They are my favorite couple, forever :)

Farewell Letter of Gabriel Garcia Marquez

2011-05-01T07:10:00.001-07:00

If God, for a second, forgot what I have become and granted me a little bit more of life, I would use it to the best of my ability.

I wouldn’t, possibly, say everything that is in my mind, but I would be more thoughtful of all I say. I would give merit to things not for what they are worth, but for what they mean to express.

I would sleep little, I would dream more, because I know that for every minute that we close our eyes, we waste 60 seconds of light.

I would walk while others stop; I would awake while others sleep.

If God would give me a little bit more of life, I would dress in a simple manner, I would place myself in front of the sun, leaving not only my body, but my soul naked at its mercy.

To all men, I would say how mistaken they are when they think that they stop falling in love when they grow old, without knowing that they grow old when they stop falling in love.

I would give wings to children, but I would leave it to them to learn how to fly by themselves.

To old people I would say that death doesn’t arrive when they grow old, but with forgetfulness.

I have learned so much with you all, I have learned that everybody wants to live on top of the mountain, without knowing that true happiness is obtained in the journey taken & the form used to reach the top of the hill.

I have learned that when a newborn baby holds, with its little hand, his father’s finger, it has trapped him for the rest of his life.

I have learned that a man has the right and obligation to look down at another man, only when that man needs help to get up from the ground.

Say always what you feel, not what you think. If I knew that today is the last time that that I am going to see you asleep, I would hug you with all my strength and I would pray to the Lord to let me be the guardian angel of your soul.

If I knew that these are the last moments to see you, I would say ‘I love you’.

There is always tomorrow, and life gives us another opportunity to do things right, but in case I am wrong, and today is all that is left to me, I would love to tell you how much I love you & that I will never forget you.

Tomorrow is never guaranteed to anyone, young or old.

Today could be the last time to see your loved ones, which is why you mustn’t wait; do it today, in case tomorrow never arrives. I am sure you will be sorry you wasted the opportunity today to give a smile, a hug, a kiss, and that you were too busy to grant them their last wish.

Keep your loved ones near you; tell them in their ears and to their faces how much you need them and love them. Love them and treat them well; take your time to tell them ‘I am sorry’;’ forgive me’,’ please’ ‘thank you’, and all those loving words you know.

Nobody will know you for your secret thought. Ask the Lord for wisdom and strength to express them.

Show your friends and loved ones how important they are to you.

Send this letter to those you love. If you don’t do it today…tomorrow will be like yesterday, and if you never do it, it doesn’t matter either, the moment to do it is now.

For you,

With much love,

Your Friend,

Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Old Personality Test, Part 2

2011-04-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

My brother read my blog and he also wanted to take the personality test in this entry. After he took it, I answered it again just to see if the results would change.

And they didn't. :))

Spring Cleaning, Day 4

2011-04-14T10:23:00.001-07:00

I learned a lot from watching this slideshow right here. It's about managing your time and attention. :)

I'm almost through with my "organize my life" week. Right now, I'm done cleaning my room, organizing my closet and cleaning my inbox. Next task is to clean my "online identity". By the end of this week, all my inactive blogs and accounts should be deleted. :)

Something happened yesterday. It's sad but maybe it's for the best. Now that I think about it, it's part of organizing my life for the better.

I want to write it down, but I guess I'm not yet ready. :(

Lomo Lomo

2011-04-07T12:37:00.001-07:00

Lomo Lomo is one of my favorite apps in iTouch :) I wish I had this app on my BB, because my phone's camera sucks. My BB makes me miss my Cybershot mobile phone which takes clear, decent pictures.

I wish I had the time to study photography, I don't even have the time to study and master my own DSLR. I want to try shooting with a real Lomo someday. :)

Where do you go from here?

2011-03-16T22:16:00.000-07:00

It was the first day of my bronchitis and I was very sick. An applicant approached me for an interview and asked me what my ultimate dream is.

At job interviews, we always hear, "Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?" They are easy to answer, as I've already planned my short term goals. After graduation, I will work and use my technical skills to put my undergrad studies into good use. After 2-3 years, I would be taking up my MBA to tap my entrepreneurial skills and push my career further. I would like to go back to the company where I started or maybe start up my own IT solutions company.

But honestly, the "ultimate dream" is quite a blur. I haven't really found something that I really love doing; something that I won't get tired of doing until I have kids and grandchildren.

Choices. Waterloo St., Singapore December 2008.

One life to live. Infinite possibilities. You can't go and chase them all, sometimes you just have to wait and see.

Emo. Haha.

Soy un perdedor

2011-03-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

I swore to myself I will never like Beck, because I hated the sample track included in one of the Windows OS editions that I had (Windows ME?).

But then I watch Glee and in one of the episodes, Puck and Finn sing a familiar song. I took the time to google it because it's perfect for what I feel right now.

I found out, after all of these years that it's by Beck. And now I like Beck.

Life is full of surprises.

Highschool is forever

2011-03-07T08:51:00.000-08:00

Recently, a Facebook Group called "Goodbye UP High" was created. The group is open for alumni and current UPIS students. There have been various debates as to why the group was created (someone said Ayala Land, Inc might be trying to spy on UPIS alumni lolz) but nevermind, at least now UPIS alumni has a venue to interact.

I felt heartbroken when I read that the UP Administration awarded a lease to Ayala Land, Inc again. This time they will use the site of the UPIS 7-10 building to build commercial establishments, like the ones in UP Ayala Technohub. I actually like Technohub and it was an idle asset anyway. As a person, I like it when establishments become more accessible. But we are talking about my highschool here. That's where I grew up. Highschool molded the most part of my personality.

Anyway, besides debating about the issues that surround UPIS and Ayala Land, the alumni has been nice to share pictures and highschool stories.

UPIS Faculty with their VW Bugs

Some people say this might be Cip's piano. "Cip" is Ryan Cipriano Cayabyab.

John Lesaca's handprint

UPIS uniform in 1964. Blue Plaid uniform, so cute :)

Fidel V. Ramos during the 1998 homecoming.

1966 Acquaintance Party @ Multi Purpose Hall.

Amazing how many memories and stories happened inside those walls. It's inspiring that I share the same highschool with successful and prominent people. I hope that someday, I could really find something that I love doing and bring pride to my highschool as well. :)

Even if the buildings will be torn down, memories and the school pride will still remain intact. The sad part is, I won't be able to go back and relive those memories. I always dreamed of teaching CS for a short time, just to be able to go back regularly to UPIS.

I'm against privatization, especially if the land was supposed to be used for academic institutions. However, I think that most of the alumni, like me, have already resigned to UPIS' fate because of the hope that UPIS' condition will improve with this deal. It will be relocated at the site of the Narra Residence Hall hopefully with better structure and facilities. The UPIS buildings are deteriorating and I don't know why we couldn't raise funds to fix and rebuild them.

Sigh. This is one of the times you wish you could turn back time.

Goodbye, Sugarfree

2011-03-06T09:24:00.000-08:00

Nalulungkot pa rin ako everytime na naaalala kong nag-disband na ang Sugarfree. They are a big part of my angsty adolescent days aka highschool.

Nagsimula yun sa Burnout, na una kong narinig noong grade7 thanks to the Acquaintance Party Souvenir CD. Naaalala ko pa, track # 3 yun. Sobrang nakarelate ako, in so many ways. Siguro 2 years ko yun naging kanta, minsan nakarepeat lang yun sa fake kong iPod dati :))

Noong grade 8 (second year), batch naman namin ang naghost ng Acquaintance Party. My ex asked me to dance with him. It was a sad night.

Months before that, we broke up because of "lack of communication". But in truth, I liked someone else so I purposely didn't return his calls. To cut the story short, I dumped him only to be dumped by another guy, haha. We could have gotten back together but I felt I didn't deserve it, so I told him there is someone else. Aww, emo.

Nagsisising matatapos ang gabing alam naman nating meron nang taning
Nagsisising gigising sa katotohanan 'di ka naman talaga akin
- Sugarfree, Mariposa

There is also Tulog Na. One of my ex boyfriends dedicated this to me. Funny how this song used to be special.

I really liked this guy and I dedicated Cuida to him. This relationship ended after 4 months and I ended up really depressed. Kwarto was one of my feel good songs. :)

Ala-ala ng lumuluhang kahapon
Dahan-dahan ko na ring kinakahon
Natagpuan ko na ang tunay kong ligaya
Lumabas ako ng kwarto’t naroon siya..
- Sugarfree, Kwarto

My (love)life was really messy until my first year in college. But when I met someone, I started to appreciate life and felt the true meaning of love. :)

I always say that I want us to dance Wag Ka Nang Umiyak in our wedding (hopefully!). It fits perfectly; it's as if Lyle's actions are said out loud in this song. :)

Sigh. Saying goodbye to Sugarfree is like saying goodbye to a bestfriend. :(
Thank you Sugarfree. You guys are more than a band. You brought light to kids who once felt lost.

This too shall pass

2011-03-04T22:47:00.000-08:00

You know you can't keep letting it get you down
And you can't keep dragging that dead weight around
Is it really all that much to lug around
When the morning comes...
Let it go, this too shall pass.
- OK Go, This too shall pass

Escape

2011-02-09T02:22:00.000-08:00

Worst day of the year

2011-02-08T01:46:00.000-08:00

I wish no day will ever be worse than this one.

---

When we grow up, does things get really complicated? Or are we responsible for making things complicated?

(Cussing in your head all day results in extreme headache.)

Dream Crib

2011-02-05T06:42:00.000-08:00

Who cares about the English when you have a crib (and moolah) like that?

Wow --- that's all I could say while watching this video. I love it, especially the interior and the pool.

Well, if I had lots of money, I would build a house with a modern design; the boxy kind of house with large glass windows.

I'm kind of in love with this one.

The boyfriend approves of my taste. However, he thinks that houses with lots of glass aren't very practical because of privacy and security reasons (hi, Philippines).

I developed a certain interest in houses because my parents are both Civil Engineers. We have a lot of house and building design books and I always looked at the pictures during my childhood. My parents even gave me one, maybe because it is written in Spanish, haha.

I recently installed Sims 3 to make a house like this and post an image of it in this blog. However, I got the lazy bug and I never got to finish the house. My sim is named Brooke Davis, by the way. :))

Recursive

2011-01-30T07:10:00.000-08:00

Don't you just hate it when you search for a word in the dictionary...
and it gives you a definition which you still don't understand?

Happiness has a price.

2011-01-25T05:55:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, haha.

Today, I went shopping and had some alone time. The timing was just right. I decided to go to SM Fairview since it's near our house and I had to buy things from the grocery. I wanted to do a lot of things, so I spent the whole FX ride thinking what to do first.

First, I went to the grocery to buy utensils for our org's Acquaintance Party. I bought 'the things that I really need' and resisted those which I don't need, like chocolates and junkfood. :)) One of the things that I really need is a pack of Nesvita Choco Malt Flavor. It's healthy and I'm loving it. <3

I was starving while I was in the grocery, so I rushed to Tokyo Tokyo for lunch.

Best Chicken Teriyaki

This is the first time I tried this meal. I don't think that it's the Best Chicken Teriyaki though, this one's too sweet for my taste. I like Teriyaki Boy's better.

I proceeded to the bank to do some errands then went to PodWorx to buy a new silicon case for my iTouch. I wanted a black silicon case because black looks good on black. However, I spotted a hot pink case, which costs less than the black silicon case that I liked. I bought it and no regrets :)

I also bought a mini laptop desk. It's made of wood and has cooling fans underneath. I badly wanted one since December. I first saw one at Power Mac at the Ayala Technohub.

Also did some window shopping, I wanted to buy clothes but I figured out I already have more than enough..

I went to Starbucks to study for my PI exam next week. I am starting it early because the readings are so thick and I don't want to cram for an exam again. :(

Guess who got lucky.

(L) White Chocolate Mocha and my tumbler, (R) Customer Voice for the 2nd time!!!

I spent almost a month's allowance today, but this is one of the happiest days so far in 2011. :)

Aww.

2011-01-23T00:16:00.000-08:00

I could see myself, three years ago. It wasn't easy.
A Crazy Little Thing Called Love, 2010

Pig Out Afternoon @ Banapple

2011-01-20T03:41:00.000-08:00

After Azeus interview.

What I had; Crisp Pork Scallopini With Sour Cream Barbecue Sauce

What Lyle had; Hickory Smoked Barbecued Country Ribs

What each of us had; Banoffee Pie.

This is the best part.

We ate until we felt like throwing up. Do not try this. I slept all the way home just to prevent myself from throwing up. :(

Desktop

2011-01-16T08:29:00.000-08:00

Will now keep screencaps of my desktop, for the lulz.

I think desktops say a lot of things about a person. For example, you could see the things (ie. apps) the person is interested in. In my case, it's music, pictures, surfing the net, Photoshop and... torrents.

You could also see the person's state through the number of files and folders in his/her desktop. My professor in a major subject last year has a really messy desktop, I bet she is really busy that she never got time to clean it.

Now you try and figure me out.

Jobfair 2011

2011-01-16T00:02:00.000-08:00

I'm not graduating yet, but I'll be graduating this 2011 too. Either summer or first sem. That makes me an eligible job-hunter, though not as marketable as others since they will be graduating on time. There are many job openings for CS, but I only passed my resume to around 50% of them.

During the jobfair, I took two exams and had two interviews. The first exam was P&G Global Reasoning Test and the second was the IBM Exam. Piece of advice, do not take two or more employment exams in a day. Let your mind rest, you'll want to answer exams to the best of your ability. I discovered that employment exams are more or less like college entrance exams. You have to depend on your stock knowledge and deal with (greater) time pressure. Believe me, you'll suffer from a terrible headache if you take two exams in a row. Do not repeat what I did. :|

I passed the P&G Exam. For the IBM Exam, I don't want to follow up on that one yet. I heard there's a 98% passing rate and I'm afraid that I'm one of the 2% who didn't make it. During the exam, I really felt tired and pressured, because the exam was highly, erm, mathematical.

The two interviews were from Macquarie. The first one is the on the spot HR interview and the second one is the manager's interview. The first one just took 5 minutes while the latter lasted from 45 minutes to an hour.

I really enjoyed the manager's interview. :) I think it's the first time that I ever felt relaxed and open in an interview. I won't go into the details but it made Macquarie one of my top choices.

This month, I will take the Macquarie psychometric exam and have my interview at Azeus. Goodluck to me :)

PS. I feel so old. But I don't feel ready.

Freebies from the Jobfair

2011-01-14T16:19:00.000-08:00

1. Orange & Bronze Shirt. It's medium-sized, so I will just probably give it to Lyle.
2. Lanyards from Chikka, HP and Orange & Bronze. I didn't get a Macquarie Lanyard. :( My favorite is the lanyard from Chikka.
3. Jobfair paraphernalia from CAPES. The Career Handbook is very helpful.
4. Pens from Factset and Accenture.
5. O&B pin.
6. Bag tag from Philip Morris.
7. Notebook from Philip Morris.
8. Memopad from Seven Seven.
9. Foldable fans from Pointwest, NNIT and Factset.
10. SMART Tumbler.
11. Brochures from a lot of companies.
Not in the picture: Factset bag.

Don't you just love freebies? I am now a fan of job fairs. :))

Distract me

2011-01-11T09:01:00.000-08:00

One of my many unproductive nights. I don't get to finish anything since I spend so much time on Facebook. Sigh. I think I'm going to use the site blocker again and chat with Lyle on Skype instead (he's my only contact there). Gotta turn in now, goodnight! #ipod

Jobfair

2011-01-10T15:05:00.000-08:00

Going to the jobfair today. :) Makes me feel old. Haha.
But it sucks that I'm not graduating yet. :(

"I feel infinite"

2011-01-09T08:34:00.000-08:00

I am reading books again. :) And when I say books, I mean novels, not the nerdy books we read in UP. Haha.

I just finished Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. It's a major achievement because I think I finished around 3 books in 2010. This year, I plan to finish 20 books, or at least finish most of the books in my queue.

Anyway, about the book, it's now placed among my favorites. You know a book or movie is great when it haunts you after seeing or reading it. And when you spend time googling it. I'm Charlie's exact opposite when I was in highschool, but there's something similar about us that I can't point out. I guess that's why it had an impact on me. Or maybe it was just about the nostalgia of high school. The times I felt infinite.

I found out that there will be a movie based on the book, starring Emma Watson (!!!) and Logan Lerman (!!!). I think they're both a perfect fit for Sam and Charlie. <3

Anyway, I gotta go. :) School later.

Old Personality Test

2011-01-02T08:21:00.000-08:00

This is an old personality test. Once in a while, I take this to see how much has changed. I think the old interpretations are saved on my old blogs.

Your view on yourself:
Other people find you very interesting, but you are really hiding your true self. Your friends love you because you are a good listener. They'll probably still love you if you learn to be yourself with them.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:
Your have very sensible tactics when approaching the opposite sex. In many ways people find your straightforwardness attractive, so you will find yourself with plenty of dates.

Your views on education
Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.

The right job for you:
You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.

How do you view success:
You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.

What are you most afraid of:
You are afraid of having no one to rely on in times of trouble. You don't ever want to be unable to take care of yourself. Independence is important to you.

Who is your true self:
You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

Take the test here.

Movies that I watched in 2011

2011-01-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Black Swan
Letters to Juliet
Time Traveller's Wife
Alice in Wonderland
RPG Metanoia
Flipped
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
The Tourist
Life As We Know It
Step Up 3
Tangled
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Mean Girls 2
Love and Other Drugs
Freaky Friday
Step Up 2
Iron Man
Megamind

New Year Lists

2010-12-30T06:10:00.000-08:00

It's 10 in the evening and I'm already sleepy. I haven't had a good rest since we came home from Baguio and there's too much to do. I need to finish as many things as I could so that I could prepare for the upcoming stuff in 2011.

Academics, organization, personal matters and possible projects. I created a list for each of them and I just ended up overwhelmed. I just realized that I missed to do a lot of things this year. I feel really unprepared for the things listed down in the first three categories. I hate cramming because I'm terrible at it. When I feel intense time pressure sometimes my mind just shuts off. :|

With that, I am going to spend the last day of the year cleaning my room and organizing everything. I don't want to welcome the new year full of clutter.

But I don't regret stalling work for today. :) After ten days, I finally saw Lyle again. Haha. We just spent the day lazing around. <3

Here's a year-end meme.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Have my fortune told. If I hadn't done it recently, I would have answered 'became a company intern'.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My keyword for 2010 is balance. I think I wasn't able to keep it. Now I will make my new year resolutions specific and attainable so that I don't get disappointed. I still aim for balance though. :)

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My dog. :( It broke my heart and kept me in a dark place for a while.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Balance. But I could use a Marc Jacobs bag. Hrhrhr.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 20. Mikky died. :(
October 9. I lost my BB Bold.
November 5. I lost my BB Storm.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
It's a tie --- becoming an intern in a well-known company here in the Philippines and experiencing the corporate culture and becoming an org president.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I think it would be getting other people's tasks and failing to do my own.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing serious. Just occasional fever and flu.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Macbook <3

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Lyle, as always :) He walked me out of that dark place.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Don't get me started...

14. Where did most of your money go?
Food, haha. And cellphone load.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Running for presidency.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Far East Movement - Like A G6.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
Happier, fatter, poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Study. And really do my responsibilities.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Sleep.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Woke up late, just in time for Christmas lunch with our relatives. I did a good deed this Christmas though, I sent personalized Christmas greetings. And I added thank yous :) It's a way to show people that they are appreciated. Part 2 tomorrow.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Yes, to the same man whom I fell in love in 2007. I could fall for him over and over again :)

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Gossip Girl, because season 3 is soooo good.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't.

24. What was the best book you read?
Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Yes, just this year.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Idk. Jack's Mannequin?

26. What did you want and get?
Too many to mention. Haha.

27. What did you want and not get?
Christmas with Mikky. :(

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Letters to Juliet.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Had dinner with my family and Lyle. 20.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I made a difference...

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Non-existent, hahaha!

32. What kept you sane?
People around me.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Daniel Henney.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Idk.

35. Who did you miss?
Highschool friends and my bestfriends.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Jonathan Tan :)

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Giving time for yourself is never a bad thing :)

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I just found out there's no such thing as the real world
Just a lie you got to rise above
- John Mayer, No Such Thing

Fortune

2010-12-28T07:30:00.000-08:00

Today, I finally had the chance to talk to a fortune teller. I have always wanted to try it out but I haven't encountered many of them. The last time I saw one was in Singapore, December 2008 (lol @ HK dollar).

When I came to the fortune teller, I really didn't have questions in mind. I just wanted to try if they could really read a person and hopefully, what's in store for them.

The first thing that she asked me is to do is to write my name and birthdate. Then the tarot cards.

Her reading, in summary: I am planning to go out of the country. I say I don't want to, but secretly I am constantly thinking about it. I'm a good businesswoman/money-maker who thinks I will discover my potential abroad. However, because of a man my heart dwindles. I choose to just wait for an opportunity, because I don't want to look for the right path anymore.

But in time, things will happen to show that I should stay and that success is here. Everything will come in the right order.

On Astrological Sign: She asked me if I knew what my Astrological sign was. I said I am a Virgo but she said I was more of a Leo. She knows I'm a Leo because she could see the sun in my eyes (haha). Leos are governed by ambition but with a clean, clean heart.

I was born on August 24, middle of Leo and Virgo. So there's a good possibility that I'm a Leo. Too bad because I have read the Virgo Horoscope section for many years now. Haha. Kidding aside, I've always thought I'm a true blue Virgo. But since the fortune teller's the more astrological person, I'll leave it to her to classify me as a Leo. Haha.

My mom was right to say that "nakakagulo lang ng isip yun". After my turn, I had a lot of questions in mind. About health, about love, etc. I still had the chance to ask the fortune teller, but I felt it would be depressing if what I heard was negative, especially on love. So I didn't... and a part of me regrets it :| Anyway, it was an awesome experience, I'd like to try it out again in the future. :)

For the lulz:

Leo and Cancer love compatibility
Usually this is a good combination, since the Moon (Cancer) reflects the light of the Sun (Leo). The Leo has an ability to stabilize moody Cancer. Generous, openhearted, strong Leo is just what insecure Cancer is looking for and it creates a feeling of reliance for a changeable Cancer. On the other hand it is necessary to flatter and admire by the Leo's advantages and especially in the field of sex, where he/she should dominate. If the Cancer is ready to let the Leo be the leader in bedroom the passionate connection and rather successful marriage can take place.

Source

Long awaited vacation

2010-12-25T05:53:00.000-08:00

Burnham Park, Baguio City. December 2006.

This is where I'll spend the remaining days of my Christmas vacation. I'll be back just in time for our 34th monthsary celebration :)

I've been looking forward for this trip because I haven't had a decent vacation since last December. Hopefully I could take the time to relax and take my mind off work. I'm also excited to take a lot of pictures with my D90 <3

The last time I've been in Baguio was in 2006. Brings back a lot of memories. Most of them sad but then I realize my problems back then were petty compared to those I have now.

Baguio's crowded, according to the news. I wish I could really take many good pictures, since I didn't the last time we were there.

Here's a few. I've been trying out some photoshop actions.
Say hello to the sixteen-year old me.

I had this one printed and gave it to my then boyfriend. I kind of regret it now because I love this picture.

Me with a pink horse (lol, what did you expect).

My two grandmothers (center) with the natives. I like how this photo turned out.

Family picture. When LA was shorter than me, had a crush on Aiza Seguerra and obsessed with a horse named Paloma.

I was about to post a very jeje pic of me, but nevermind. Haha.

PS. I'll miss you more. Don't be sad. >:D<

2010-01-02T14:34:00.001-08:00

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