blag or wyt…jara!!!

GAMJAFAH PACCYMAC. The full name of what was then a “barkada” of 8 pre-teen girls. After our high school graduation a lot of life-changing experiences happened. We parted ways to get our respective college education. Each one tried to find one’s self while away from each other. We learned our own lessons and found individual strategies in dealing with life and the bigger world.
 
Gaea Hansel is going for the dream of being a “doctor without borders.”
 
Ava was on “AWOL” for some time. Being the group’s baby, we were all worried about her welfare. As time passed we just left everything to the care of  Our Great Friend. We tried to cope with our feelings of uncertainty by celebrating Ebyang’s birthdays even if she was not around, took videos of it, posted it online and sending her messages thru email or Friendster with the hopes that she will see it. After almost four years, Ava re-appeared to the shock & joy of everybody. We hurriedly met up with her but then some things changed already. She got married but none of us were there to witness, much to the aghast for most of us. Until now we are still coping with the said changes and it is like a newly found friendship again.
 
Ma. Celeste is honing her skills as the beloved Teacher Macy. ‘
 
Juvy is now always seen in Friendster wearing a veil and is a practicing nurse awayf from home.
 
Abigail June is applying her college course working in the field nowadays.
 
Felisa Jyl is still being miserable trying to earn her keep.
 
Alexa Thea is so much into her job and at the same time enjoying life with her travels and as a doting aunt.
 
Hazel proceeded with Law school and just took the Bar exams. We are praying for her success. But again, she got married on her own accord and it hurts that some of us were not informed about it.
 
This only implies that we are individuals living our own lives here. Nobody needs to ask for permission in committing certain life-changing decisions. We respect each others actions. But it would lessen misunderstanding if only we will allow each other to share one’s happiness, struggles, pains or just the quality time spent together.

After 8 days of consecutive shift, I had a chance to cherish my one-day RD yesterday.

First Stop : TRINOMA

I had fun,
because aside from this mall itself, I was with my three very happy and gay friends - Dennis, Babydoll and Travis. They were wacky and wild! Imagine trying to out do the mannequins in the shops we went to!
I also enjoyed watching them do their shopping.
How they splurge on very nice stuff! Plus, they allowed me to give in to my whim and again eat at Dairy Queen.Hehehe… I loved walking behind them because one will never know on what they can do for fun.Everytime they hear music expect that they’ll turn the alleys into a catwalk and strut like models. It felt like my cheek and tummy muscles were flexed due to laughter.

Next Stop : Mall of Asia

When we were about to part ways and board the MRT, I decided to spend time with myself and take a peek on my fave bookstores in MOA. After a long time, I was able to drop by the MRT Taft Station and Metropoint, which used to be my jump-off point before when I was still residing in Evangelista. It was after lunch time when I got to MOA and decided to eat at Pupung’s, which I know my lil bro aims to visit soon.
Toto, it was a cozy place and the food was also yummy and affordable. I went on my usual bookstore "rounds" and got hold of the Pugad Baboy 1 re-published edition, per Ella’s request, at PowerBooks. When 5pm came, I decided to wrap-up my day with a frappe at Starbucks.

Life is fun! Especially, if enjoyed, with great company and fun people or even alone.

September 7, 2007.

After shift, Travis and I proceeded with our plan to visit and take a glimpse at TriNoMa. This was my first time to go there.  Trinoma is one of the new malls that opened in the area, that is my personal perception. TriNoMa is located in North Ave., QC, and is a very accesible location since it is connected to the North Ave station of MRT. Upon entering from the train station it appears to be plain, simple and a work unfinished, literally. Only a few stores were open and one can still see a lot of those large plastic sheets covering the area that would be portals, with the name of the shops that are soon to operate also.

Then I realized on how influenced I am, in some ways, of the city culture because my first priority was to look for the Starbucks branch. And what an ideal location it was placed indeed…Right in the middle,as it appears to me, of the topmost floor - surrounded by several small pools of water and plants, dominantly bagakay, a species of bamboo that we had before at home.

After that, was of course the bookstores. Powerbooks has a "cute" store in Trinoma,in terms of space,as compared to the other branches that I have visited. But, it was cozy and as well-stocked as well.

Then my dilemma happened when we went to National Bookstore. They were on sale! I saw two books, that I had always wanted to collect, on 20% sale. The first one is the "Warrior of the Light" by Paulo Coelho and the other one was suggested by a former colleague, "Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas" by James Patterson. I was so tempted at the same time confused because of the budget and resistance from being an impulsive buyer. Travis had to trail me around the store, because I decided while walking around carrying the said books. The good thing is they have lots of cashier counters willing to serve you, so that is still where I ended my chaotic thoughts,with the bonus of a new green ballpen! What joy I felt after that! No regrets! I made up my mind to spend my budget for food on those books instead, anyway, when I am reading a book there is this sense of being lost in and with them.

After that we just went discovering the whole place and of course we have to stop by Dairy Queen. It was a good thing that Blizzard can always change one’s disposition because we chanced upon a very "pasaway" cashier that almost ruined my day. Thanks to Blizzard, I was just able to keep my cool.

Trinoma is not the usual and conventional mall. One can just roam around and be relaxed in there, the only stress I perceive will be the irresistable goodies that they offer in their shops…Chucks, Barbie, books, food and more food!  I am not really into architecture but the whole place and the ambience appeals to my senses. :>

08/01/07

Checking for the meaning of fusion in the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary came up with a lot of match but my favorite definition will be "a merging of diverse, distinct, or separate elements into a unified whole."

The other night I got a chance to join the Anniemax Team Building activity in Chunky Boys. Fate seemed to be totally in favor of that experience. I just woke up and decided to text Heath, to find out he was with B1 and they were going to the team building. Out of boredom and lack of idea on how to be sleepy again, I decided to be with them too since seldom do we get to spend time together after my transfer to the graveyard shift. It was also one of those few moments when B1, after resigning, was able to drop by.

We had a blast with the food, the videoke session with total entertainment and the great company. Later did I realize that it was a fusion of my former midwatch colleagues and friends and our newbies in the account. Heath, Jaycee, B1, Annie and Doña Jo were the only familiar faces that time but it gave me an opportunity to discover the talents and personalities of the new agents that I just met then. And the day after, it felt nice to greet and be greeted back with a smile by my new acquaintances.

I enjoyed the experience to reminisce and look back on our golden days of fun at work during the midwatch days with the Sherfers and at the same time earn new allies at work.

Then yesterday after shift, the Chicharlyns were planning to eat out and they even waited for almost an hour after their shifts since I invited myself to their team building. However, it was only Dahlyn,Mau, Mike,Froilan and me that pushed through with the walkathon to Glorietta. Our aim: to try the Ysabella’s chicken at Bacolod Chicken Inasal. Ysabella’s Chicken got known because of Juday’s latest telenovela Ysabella. It is supposed to be after the recipe shown in the TV show. BCI opens at 10:30am and we were already there at almost 10:00am. Good thing Dahlyn was gutsy enough to approach one of the waiters and they just allowed us to sit inside the resto and wait until they were ready to serve already. Had a sumptuous brunch and a great chat session with my former teammates.

It feels great to hear about other people’s story,  personal stuffs and their struggles as new agents in the account. The burden of setting the right expectations was just hovering around me but it felt good to share freely about my booboos, bloopers, mistakes and the days before as a vet rep in the account.

At home, my system is being refreshed with what Shannah and AJ shares regarding their new jobs, the discoveries and kept ideals. It brings me back to the time when I was a newbie myself and what my goals and standards were way back then.

Then I realized that spending plain quality time with the people around me, may it be old or new friends, benefits on my growth as a person, I felt light-headed after these two days , not due to lack of sleep or too much booze, but more of the euphoria in being with the right crowd and spend time with them just hanging-out. One will know something new, be in touch with long forgotten or even neglected principles, catalyzes the mind to create a new game plan, assess on how one was and is as a person and feel pure happiness from within given by old memories and  newly-earned experiences to be kept in the mind and heart’s treasure chest. All these diverse, distinct and separate elements contributed for me to feel whole again. Fusion…

The recipe’s name is as simple as the exact procedure. I have learned to cherish it mainly because of the taste, it is also very affordable, fast and easy to prepare.

Ingredients :

2 packs Quickchow Bihon Guisado

1 can Century Tuna Solid in Vegetable Oil

Procedure:

1. Cook Bihon Guisado as indicated on the pack.

2. Pour the whole can of tuna on the cooked and mixed noodles.

Voila! It is good to go!

The first time Joe (aka Lolo Joe or Apoy-Apoy) concocted this "dish" it was one rainy day, we were watching Alias and I was broke. So, any time I encounter it, I cant help but divulge myself and smile. A smile caused not only by being full but also due to happy thoughts. The best things in life…

I made a wise decision (self-declared of course) when I changed my sched from being a GY agent to a midwatch person. For the convenience of those not familiar with the term, I am now on a morning shift and it feels so great! The adjustment was not that hard mainly because I now feel like a normal human being. Plus the fact that the folks I am with right now are professional colleagues and real friends as well.

Just came back to work from my Iloilo rest day get-away. It was Jotham’s candlelighting ceremony,actually, and I had to be there and it was one great experience.

The ceremony was so darn solemn, organized and well-practised to the point that it distracts one’s wandering thoughts. The actual ceremony caught my full attention that I never felt bored despite the idea that it was so formal. The people in there did not even mind the raging storm outside of the gymnasium. But what caused me to be teary-eyed was when I saw my dear brother walking down the aisle in his nurse uniform all-white, prim, proper and looked so professional! I can’t help but be bothered that Ive missed out a lot on Toto’s growing up years, just to find him one day all grown-up! I am just trying to resist the idea of being a stage sis coz that will make me the junior of nans then.Hehehe. But I cant help it! I am assured of my lil big bro being matured but Ive been there, done that (adulthood stage) and am quite paranoid. This may be because of the idea that I never got a reign on my life during  that stage which led to disaster and a lot of learning experiences.Hehehe. So here I am ranting and raving on what I have witnessed on that ceremony and I knew Toto really belongs there.  It felt like the turbulence while I was on the plane earlier, it was one roller-coaster ride that bobs the plane up and down. I enjoyed it even but it lulled me to sleep, like the roller-coaster ride my emotions went through that later led me to calm down and accept everything.  What mattered is I found myself smiling while disembarking from the plane. One helluva ride!

Congratulations Totots! Gamay na lang gid…

dé·jà vu
Pronunciation: "dA-"zhä-’vü, -’v[ue]
Function: noun
Etymology: French, adjective, literally, already seen
1 a : the illusion of remembering scenes and events when experienced for the first time b : a feeling that one has seen or heard something before
2 : something overly or unpleasantly familiar

ever since i stepped on makati soil (or asphalt/cement might be the more proper term), there was this sense of being conscious about certain dress codes that needs to be observed for the different hang-outs in the area. this is against my personal beliefs because ive experienced freedom in my actions(as long as you can stand up for it) since i was young. this stirred the rebel in me and it gave birth to the idea of deviating from this norm. i thought of going to greenbelt or glo with all those people up and alive with their party get-up and me just wearing house clothes. never had i a chance to do this since i seldom visit the place.if i do get to stay there that usually is to pass the time away at powerbooks and most of the time that is after shift or i have to meet somebody wherein one has to dress quite " decently". then came the opportunity last night. cox and i were so hungry at 10pm and we tried to look for some place to eat that accept cc payment since we dont have any cash. we were thinking of just eating somewhere in the neighborhood so i got out of the unit wearing comfy house clothes and slippers without even thinking of washing my feet which was very dirty due to a long day’s work.  we already reached ayala ave of no avail coz there were no open restos at that time of the night. as we were walking along salcedo village with our rumbling stomachs we just decided to try our luck at greenbelt. it seemed that fate was really pushing me to go ahead with the idea ive conceived in my mind for a long time. we were at glo 1 already when we discovered that shakey’s does not serve rice after 10pm. our body and soul was craving for rice then, so the next choice will then be krok in greenbelt. we just found ourselves sitting there as ive imagined with all the other people around us garbed in their best "gimik" attire. the food was great but more than that , the smile cant be erased from my aura because i found complete freedom in what i did. and i was happy that it felt like deja vu after putting reality on my long imagined plan. hehehe…

just want to say thanks for all the pips who remembered my bday…mapa advanced, on time or belated…wala lang…those may only be words but i truly cherish it in my heart and soul…choz! thanks for the friendship! alam nyo na kun sino man kayo…

blena