unstill and half-crazy thoughts

I'm afraid I've been neglecting my blogging here in Vox. Not that I'm blogging anywhere else, my LJ's not being updated as well. It's just that I'm too caught up with Twitter and I'm definitely hanging around much in Flickr. Ooh, I've been wanting an SLR for the longest time but it's not in my priority list, not even on the "necessity" list.

It's just that, it looks like I'm lonely here. No friends around. Non-Vox member can't leave messages. :| But I'm still leaning on the thought of not giving up this blog since I've already started a lot of things. I guess I need to find a way to liven it up...but how?

San Jose Church, Del Monte, Bulacan

It's been awhile since I last posted an entry. As much as I want to, I don't have the luxury of time to do it. I cannot stress more that work is taking up most of my time but my weekends are packed too! I almost don't have enough time to rest. But everything's good! Anyway, the pics are just snippet of what I've been up to lately...

Fun times again with my colleagues start group! I almost didn't look like I only have less than 3 hours of sleep! Congrats to the newly weds! And 'til the next getaway! :)

Hopefully, I will have enough time to post other pics from my other getaways and what not. ;p

I felt like I've taken this blog for granted since I always find the urge to update but once I've gotten into it I get lazy to go into details. Since there's Twitter for one-liner update, there's my Livejournal which I had for more than 5 years already, I got contacts which got interesting entries and enough to keep me busy, there's also Flickr which I started to love ever since I learned about the communites I can join.. sun shots are my weakness! But I don't think I want to give this up since I've poured memories in this. I even thought of bringing back my wordpress account. I signed up last last year for the hopes of making my own website but I just never found the time to learn anything about web-designing which I've been wanting to ever since. I really hope someday I will get into it! =p

Anyway, I've been spending a lot of time with work lately. Not that there's a gazillion things needed to be done but I felt the need to work hard since I need catching up to do. If I'm not working I try to work with my skating. I hope I wouldn't lose the urge for it since I learned to love the sport already. Aside from that I felt lucky I'm able to spend time with my family almost every week. This time we went to Laguna for lunch and Mass, basically relaxation getaway.

It's just a bit sad I've only realize this now that my sister and her family is already in the US. We miss them so much. But I'm glad it isn't too late for me to know the importance of my family and I am looking forward that my family, all of us, will have to go on to another getaway.

This is an overdue post and I thought to post it because I simply couldn't bear to get this experience be forgotten! :)

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What a good way to end the vacation is to watch Ms. congeniality. Just when you felt horrified of going back to work, watching Ms. Congeniality Armed and Fabulous couldn't set the mood any better. My Christmas break has been great, I may not had the dream vacation but it was damn good. Aside from the fact that I was well rested, I get to do all of the things I wanted: sleep a lot, watch tv a lot, skate with friends [and even had dinner with ther during the Christmas break!:) ], hang out with family, practice driving, go to Sonya's garden(somewhere I've been wanting to go since I was first year college), attended choir service tiring before holiday with dinner.

Schedule during the holidays:

December

• 20 - celebrated Christmas with skating friends
  21 - dinner with college blockmates and friends
  22 - anticipated Dawn Mass choir service
  23 - last minute skating/shopping with Len and Erwin [the mall was 'til 12mn and the rink was 'til past 10pm! :) ]
  24 - noche buena in eastwood, still went to work earlier this day but we were dismissed early and  had dinner with my father's-side relative
  25 - PGH (this one was actually sad that we visited our cousin in the hospital who has a stage 4 cancer but almost all of the relatives was there!
  26 - went to work but it was cool since we didn't have much to do. ;P
  28 - stayed and relaxed in Eastwood
  29 - stayed and relaxed in Eastwood again! =p
  30 - we had dinner with Len and Chris after 1hour of skating. :)
  31 - went to work again but it's okay since we don't have much to do plus we're paid. =p
• January
  1 - new year (watched the fireworks in Eastwood, was disappointed that it only lasted barely 10mins!) 
  2 - finally we visited Sonya's Garden in Tagaytay. It was already dark when we got there but it was still beautiful! I hope to come back at daytime. :)
  3 - went shopping with my sister. hassle-free strolling around. :)
  4 - house blessing in eastwood.

Aside from that I get to watch a lot of tv, it's seemed quite awhile since I stopped to watch a movie but this
time I stayed and watch I don't care if the movies were played repeatedly. I love watching Men in Black, Spiderman 3 in HBO and of course, Ellen, The World's Funniest Animals even if they're reruns and
of course, the teleserye's. =p

It's been awhile since I get to do all these things when exactly I want it and hassle-free. =p

My first attempt to food blog entry or not. Me and my family went out today to do some shopping in Clark, Pampanga. The long drive was fun aside from the fun-fact that we're all crammed in the car, we ate and we brought the cooler with us. So we just bought drinks of our choice from the supermarket and brought it with us the whole trip, it's cheaper that way. It's just one of those stress-free out of town trips. We often go out of town but this experience is something new since we didn't swim or stayed overnight or whatever.

Then on our way home almost everyone was asleep when we woke up we could have thought we're almost home but no, we got lost. Haha! When we finally got our way home we stopped by for dinner. Since home-y restaurants like Sonya's Garden (still have to try this on a daylight. =p ) and Antonio's in Tagaytay and Kusina Salud in Laguna (which I've never been to yet.) are very in nowadays and Restaurant reviews and recommendation blogs are very common, I thought this one was really cool. Luma't Bago (Old and New as translated in English) has a great ambiance and aside from that it is very home-y and relaxing, it is airconditioned as well! But there were some open-air space if you prefer. I didn't get to take a pic of the food before it was all consumed so below's my best shot of their Tuna Sisig. It is indeed yummy! Also it wasn't very pricey! The manager (or atleast I think she is. Lolz!) there is welcoming as well. The service is good as well. The best of all is that you can get all these in the heart of the Metro.I don't know exactly how to get there though but it's along Katipunan, I think. It's on the way to White Plains in QC.

Probably in life just usually have its up and downs like those days when you can hardly make it to work let alone wake up from the bed. There are also those days that no matter how tired you are, you still get the energy to get through the rest of the day's activities.

For me, weekends are usually like that lately. Let's say 2 weeks ago, friday, me and my college friend, Teann, met up for a snack. We were in the same area but different companies. Eventhough we've been keeping in touch through e-mails lately, it's been awhile since we've last seen each other. It was nice to have coffee with her and catch up. Afterwards, I went back to work then went to meet up with my other girl friends, Andee and Rare in Metrowalk, Ortigas. The next day after my driving lessons, my dad dropped me to the salon. They were having a promo so I went to have hot oil treatment and a haircut. The haircut wasn't usually my style and I wasn't sure I'll like it but now, I do! :) Afterwards I went to skate. At first I was hesistant to go since my usual friends aren't going and it was farther than where I usually skate but since I know someone from the rink, I still went. It wasn't that bad that I went alone, it was actually good since I had a nice practice and thought I gained another friend.

Manny Pacquiao (Photo Credit: Yahoo!)

Saturday last week after driving lessons, I had a good lunch here at home, with "tinapa" and tomatoes! Ohhh, my guilty pleasures! =) Then I went to my sister's condo. They were still moving some furnitures out but we still had a good time since the movers were really funny for his comments. We felt tired this time but still went out to buy some things. My sister was able to buy toilettries and food for her dog and I was still able to buy a jacket for work and we only did this for an hour! I love it when I'm able to do a lot of things in a short time. =p After that, my sister was kind enough to drop me off to my choir practice. Eventhough I came 30 minutes late than the call time, I wasn't late because it hasn't started yet when I arrived. =p The songs we're singing for this Advent are good so I had a nice time at the practice eventhough I really felt tired already. =) Then the next day, Sunday. After my driving lessons, me and my dad had lunch with my sister and in-law at home before watching Pacquiao's match. I'm very proud of Pacquiao because despite the rumors he has, he's only human but a very good athlete. I'm not saying this just because he won, even if he didn't I would still be saying this. His matches made the Filipino family united. Winning makes it just better. =) Oh and he's the only Pinoy that appeared in Nike ad! =p He makes Pinoys proud! =p After the match, I went to attend the choir service, I wasn't late. Haha! =p

license

The next day, was a holiday from work. The supposed to be day to oversleep didn't happen since I wake up early (earlier than work day!) at before 6am and applied for a driver's license. It was worth it! My dad went with me and the exam went easy. At first, I was worried with the written exam but later on I got worried at how will I look at
my picture! Haha.. Thank God for the reviewer and the processing from Socialites.. and I don't look bad at my picture. =p I got it at 11am! Then we went to have lunch over at Adam's. Yummy lunch that I had 2 cups of rice! Haha! After that we went home to rest and then I went to have skating lesson! It's was really fun! It was tiring that I sweat endlessly but was really satisfying! Then headed straight to the office Christmas party. Nothing grand though, it was actually like a highschool fair. Hehe. It was just a good time to meet my colleagues who I become friends with. Also Paroky Ni Edgar performed. They played a lot of songs and was really great live. I think it's the only thing that most of us are waiting for. My dad was really kind to wait for me. =)

 I hope to have another great weekend next week. As I've plans to spend dinners with colleagues, college friends and skating friends. =)

You might think this is cheesy. But when I got hold of these plush toys I was grinning literally. Because I promised my sister I'll buy my nephew one but when I couldn't find one I sort of panicked and frustrated at the same time because every store I went to, it's out of stock. Heck, it's Jollibee. So I was thinking I couldn't get those anymore but I was really determined to find one as I remember my nephew's face when he saw the Jollibee mascot, it's priceless. I've never seen him so happy with a toy. =p

Baby Aj with Jollibee mascot.

I just hope they'll appreciate it as I've been to 5 Jollibee stores 2 in Ali-Mall, 1 in Market! Market! then in Farmer's... then finally, just before I was to give up.. in Aurora, near my high school. I was so happy to see one displayed that I hurriedly come to the counter. Then I called my sister if she wants to buy one for her nephew too! (My nephew's older brother. =p ) I just hope they'll liked it. It sings. Haha..

It also made me happy to realize that if you want something or determined to get something you have to work for it and don't just easily give up. :)

Jollibee plushies

Also over the weekend, I had my driving lessons. I guess it's going good since I reached Makati already! My instructor is quite good. I really hope I'll learn fast. =)

I also get to spend time with the family. As we shop for "pasalubongs" for my sister and her family. Ooh we bought a lot that the other luggage of my mom was full of it! =p My sister and I were having fun at the mall yesterday that I'll guess which person among the crowd she's having a meeting with. If I guessed the person right from the crowd she'll give me money and I even don't know the person. But my first and only guess what right, haha!

Also we had a sort-of the Christmas dinner already since my mom won't be here for Christmas. It was my treat and the price wasn't that bad. Haha. :)

Also, I will get to watch Twilight on it's first day on Wednesday for free. So excited! It's funny, I got asked to watch thrice! Too bad I have to let them down because I almost never watch movie and when people finally invited I wasn't able to go. Hehe. =p

Carrie Bradshaw wondered if we're growing up or are we just getting old? I say both. As we grow up there are lots of things we learn and help us become the mature person that everyone talks about but we're also getting old because there are just lesser times for silly things we can laugh about and more serious stuffs. But that doesn't mean we can't have fun, right?

I wasn't really feeling that my birthday was fast-approaching until the day came. First,the day before my birthday my mom gave me a gift. I can't remember exactly when she gave me a gift when it wasn't my choice but she did. Then, I treated two of my ex-colleagues to lunch right after I went to the bank to fix my online banking account.

Then a couple of people greeted me at the strike of 12am and a couple more in the morning. I was thinking probably not a lot of people will greet me and will have a regular day at work but the greetings kept coming and coming that I wasn't able to reply to all of them immediately. From text messages, e-mails and messengers. It doesn't matter who didn't greet me. What mattered is that a lot of people greeted me. Mostly from my new world, my life at work... from those people who probably only knew me by name, colleagues, even bosses(!) and mostly my colleague-batchmates who I've become friends with, skater friends and some old ones.. high school and college friends. So thank you for making my day special. I was smiling the whole day that even if I had to juggle a couple of tasks at work, I was able to share my day with my old teammates and brought some doughnuts over at lunch.

sent by my sister! =)

made by my friend. =)

It's a bit dissapointing though that I wasn't able to attend the Mass but I plan to go and offer over the weekend instead. Then it was a perfect thing to end the night by having dinner with my sister and parents. Instead of having it over the weekend, we went out tonight on the spur of the moment.

I guess this was also a perfect timing to reflect on what my life had been lately. I think I've accomplished quite that made my year worthy.

I've been allowed to go with my skating friends to go out of town for 3days last May. It has been my first time with no family members around not even a school or office-related outing. I had so much fun! It is where you can just appreciate nature. No pollution where you can smell the freshly cut green grass, the friendly natives, where you can star-gaze on a sky you've never seen so full with stars and not worrying anything but just having fun and enjoying the moment with friends.

Few weeks after was a little struggle for me but I was glad that I've been blessed by God with strength to overcome the stress and pressure of the training and late night rehearsals of the ice skating show I joined, the Broadway On Ice. I was able to go through with it alive, without falling and instead was really fullfilled with myself that I was able to do it. Despite of the hardwork, I was really glad I did it.

with colleagues

And then after that, I was also able to spend time out of the office with my batchmates from work. I was really glad this was pushed through and was able to hangout with them out of the time we usually spend in the office.

After awhile that, I was really hesitant and even got into argument with my mom because I don't want to go the vacation anymore because the original plan was we're going with my sister's family but there were a change of plans and instead me and my mom will be the only ones who will be able to go. Instead I was able to grasp the sense of responsibility and navigate our way through the streets of Singapore. And through impatient conversations with my mom I ended up understanding her, her needs, her limitations and the trip opened up on opportunities to be a good daughter.

For the past year, I have also learned to realize, appreciate and prioritize my family that even if my sister's family had to migrate in US. I was contented that we've always been so close and get to spend enough time to each other before they left. Right now, I believe that we would still be able to spend time together.

I was also able to go through a couple of concerts. Mandy Moore, where I went alone but my sister was very supportive of me that she went with me until I entered the venue. Mandy Moore was great but she didn't sing Cry which was the only song I was really really looking forward to hearing live but it made up for the other songs I guess. Then Incubus, it was probably the most rocking concert ever. The crowd, the energy, the lights, the music and most importantly, the band. All of it was at it's peak! Then there's Lifehouse. It was really great hearing them live though it was a  bit frustrating that they didn't sing my yet another soo looking forward to hearing, Everything but also it made up for the other songs such as Hanging By A Moment and being able to share the moment with a  bunch of friends. Then there's Daughtry where I watched with my sister and really had a great time. They're soo good live. Then I get to watch Avril Lavigne's concert for free.. again! =) It was great seeing her live again with her girly girl image and very smiling face. I also think she improved vocally. 

This year as I'm getting another year older, I might be having mid-life crisis already where I'm not exactly sure when you're supposed to have them but what I'm sure of is that I will continue to live and appreciate life with my family and friends.

Along with these I hope to pursue my cooking skills (nothing really big though but baby steps) and learning how to drive. These have been taken for granted for awhile but now that I seemed to have done a lot these should be up next. 

Last friday was my first day in my new project. It's too early to tell anything since we didn't do anything yet but read non-work books to past time. After that me and my guy colleague went to the activity area for the first time and played Air Hockey. I love that game eventhough I lost in the game. Hehe. We also get to share crush and flirt stories during the game. =p Before leaving, my colleague played hoops then went to the other building to meet with our old team mates for the team dinner. I had fun with the colleagues who I become friends with and eventhough we had to walk all the way to the place and back, it was a good bonding time. Though the dinner could've been better since we didn't have anytime time to talk and catch up with each other because the place was too loud, I hope there would still be another time to eat and talk. :)

I didn't spend the rest of Saturday sleeping but I didn't leave the house either. I just rested and surf the internet. =p We also get to chat with my sister and her family through webcam and the voice option later that night. They seem great and adjusting well in US.

Chocolate and Caramel cake with Choco Mint drink. Yummy! =)

I wish every Sunday is like this. I get to do everything I want to do today. I get to attend my choir service awhile ago, although I could've done better by attending earlier but atleast I didn't miss it this time. I hope I'm back to attending regularly. Then my mom and me went to Megamall with my sister after dropping my sister's dog at the doggie day care then had lunch and shopped. My sister was looking for shoes and my mom just loves to window shop and see if she can buy something, I wasn't really looking since I'm just enjoying the company of my sister and planned to skate but it turned out I was the one who bought something. A nice pair of shoes I could wear at work. =) The good thing is, it's not that expensive! After that, we had cake for snacks! It was pricey but it was yummy and I guess worth it for a once-in-awhile splurge snack.

White work shoes! =p

Then I went to have skating lessons while my mom and sister attended the Mass. The lesson went good. After my coach tried to clean my change-foot spin comes the jumps. It was my first time to be in harness, at first I was conscious with the people around because I've always had the impressions of those people being harnessed are those in advance levels but later on I got the hang of it and just focused. He cleaned my salchow, it was a lot harder to do while in harness. He wants me jump a lot higher! After that we practice toe loop then waltz jump-toe loop, I don't seem to have a problem with that. Being in harness wasn't easy but I guess it improved my jumps and made me sweat! Looking forward to practicing them tomorrow. =)