wake me up when sept ends

January 2, 2010

In a few hours’ time, after my sleep I’ll be heading to Manila again. After 3 whole seasons of Lost, most-updated episodes of How I Met Your Mother, few episodes of Soulmates (oh yeah, I also tries Korean DVD! Something Tin lent me for the holidays), bags and bags of potato chips, megacalorie overload of lechon, pasta, fruits, chocolates, Green Christmas Party, Ube New Year Party, Laguna Swimming Party, I’ll be back to that thing that always happens… life. So much for a retreat before a year of smorgasbord of dreams,  decisions, realizations and anything in between. This is not simply ‘just another’ year for that because this time, this is going to be different. A lot different. I’m not being clairvoyant (hehehe.. although that would be interesting) but I just know that certainly this year will progress with a BANG!

I’ll try to blog as often as I can because I’ll try to make this site my retreat  (or my GOLDEN journal can come handy this time). I know I may like it better when I hear myself out and go into a discourse with my sounding boards but I think this should be a good change!

So wake me when September ends. By that time, hopefully, I’ve already finished MBA, served my bond, on my 5th year in the company and serving my 30-day notice. Who knows, I may also be packing my things up, about to travel somewhere  all suit up with 2 tickets for me and my guy. So much for wishful thinking!

2009 what happened to you?

December 31, 2009

Year-end survey! Another moment to look back on the things… mischiefs, decisions, moments, regrets (?)..

What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Hmmm. I have done parasailing before but parasailing in Bali is different, so that’s one. Swimming with gentle giants. Watch dolphins in open water. CASINO beybeh!

Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t normally make a new year’s resolution but I’m making one for 2010: IWASAN HANGGANG KAYANG IWASAN ANG MGA BAGAY NA PWEDENG MA-ADDIK KA! (This applies to many things not just the casino)

Did anyone close to you give birth? Iris and Patty 

Did anyone close to you die? Nah.

What countries did you visit?
Singapore and Indonesia.

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Savings account, family time, ME time  and lovelife with less complications… haha

What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
As usual trips are always etched. This year I went back to my favorite vacay spot in the country: Bohol with my best friends Dino, Son, Paul and Mars. Best sisses Corleie and Ghia joined me in conquering Bicolandia: Legazpi and Donsol (with Adan), Caramoan islands and side trip at CWC. I went to Iloilo and Boracay with Harry, Mak, Jo-ann, Zel, Marilyn and Martha. In August, I went to Bali with Partner and Bestem. Met Cesar in Singapore as well. Of course, the spontaneous hot and cold trip to La Union and Baguio with Dino, Tristan and Bogchi. Nothing significant (that I remember) really happened except for trips, random meet-ups, out-of-the-blue realizations.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Hmm. I guess getting the Leadership Award though I intended not to attend the event.

What was your biggest failure?
MBA 2nd term. I’m such a pasaway student.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Being an accident prone, there are many although nothing serious naman.

What was the best thing you bought?
iPhone (deeweey) and netbook (addie)

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Madami: Lovely for her job, Clyde for his business, Mak for his new house, Son for her new car

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mine. Always mine. realizations kasi!

Where did most of your money go?
Same question I’m asking myself. Although at least I have purchased an expense tracker application. I’m not sure if it’s helping though.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Trips (as always) and the fact that time flies. yez! 2010 na!

What song(s) will always remind you of 2009?
Top of mind, not particular songs that got released this year: I’ll Do Anything.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? —happier
ii. thinner or fatter? –fatter cheeks
iii. richer or poorer? –poorer.. way way poorer.

What do you wish you’d done more?
Live healthier. Save more. Take more risks.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Impulsive shopping.

How many one-night stands?
Wala.

What was your favorite TV program?
Hardly watch the TV. More onTV series I will no longer enumerate.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
no one really. Hate is such a strong thing.

What was the best book you read?
Eat, Pray, Love.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
(500) Days of Summer OST and I am Sasha Fierce Album

What did you want and get?
iPhone, netbook, travels.

What was your favorite film of this year?
3 in no particular order: UP, Slumdog Millionaire, He’s not just that into you

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
spontaneous trip and family time - 26 

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Brighter than sunshine moments with family and friends. Nothing particular comes to mind.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Define Business Clothes everyday although I remember attempting to have the sporty look.

What kept you sane?
Friends & Coffe. Not alchy this time.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Barney Stinson! and..Natuwa ako kay Gibo during Ondoy days. not much lately.

What political issue stirred you the most?
Maguindanao massacre. That was just eviiil!.

Who did you miss?
Beng, Cesar & Rey.Tin & Gabe. Joyce & Steve. Jo-Ann, Germs, Mik, Jansen. Clyde.

Who was the best new person you met?
More on known better: Dino.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Lessons on decision making: the next best thing can be the wrong thing so choose the best thing. always the best thing.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
Siguro compliments from my boss during the awards night.

The most touching experience you’ve had this year?
Tin’s surprise for my birthday : ) & and outreach program for Ondoy victims

What did you like most about yourself this year?
I choose happiness.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
My poor decision making skills

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I’ll do anything spontaneously. 

Was 2009 a good year for you?
if 2008 is all about getting there, 2009 is all about pursuits of getting there (further there) and I think it will not stop in 2010. 2009 is all about prepping up for big changes that are yet to come. It has been a better well-seized year though and I owe it to many. Thanks for making me a better Emcee this 2009!

What was your favorite moment of the year?
No particular moment comes to mind. I didn’t have “the moment” this year. Maybe, riding the waves moment. 

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Christmas Day. : ( there’s a particular incident (probably this one stuck in my mind kasi recent past though there may be other less favorable than this.)

Where were you when 2009 began?
House

Who were you with?
with my family

Where will you be when 2009 ends?
House

Who will you be with when 2009 ends?
My family of course

Do you have a new years resolution for 2010?
Decide well. And when you’ve decided, stick to the plan and keep walking!

What was your favorite month of 2009?
Indifferent ako. Andami mashadong pagpipilian.

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2009?
Nope

Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Madami. Same as above.

How many concerts did you see in 2009?
Eheads lang with Mica and Ghia (where Ghia collapsed..hahaha)

Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2009?
A lot is an understatement : ) although i know that those are going to be one of the lasts sessions

Do a lot of drugs in 2009?
Nope to dope. haha

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Hmmm.. sort of!

How much money did you spend in 2009?
I don’t wanna know this time.

What was your proudest moment of 2009?
Wala ako maisip.Manalo sa casino.. haha.. Maka-1 sa MIT

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2009?
Jay-j’s with officemates

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2009 and change something, what would it be?
Jay-j’s with officemates. Di dapat nainggit sa kaibigang nag-inom.Nagkape na lang dapat.

What are your plans for 2010?
40 fortes for me: The Isidro Plan - gotta execute this well : ) and seize every moment of it

How are you different now that the year has ended?
I’ve grown up but haven’t grown old. This year I think, I’ve eaten, prayed and loved more. 

What are your wishes for the new year?
That I may have more lessons learned on eating, praying and loving. That decisions be made according to God’s will. That happiness may not be as elusive  as it can get. That the chase for the real thing will stop not because I have gone tired of the chase but because I have caught it. That blessing be continuously counted. That the universe may conspire for the ISIDRO plan to be well executed. That moments continue to be seized.

40 fortes for me: the 2010 isidro plan

December 29, 2009

The following had been written in her journal on DECEMBER 21, 2009, 1815. Though the author wanted to add more after the said date, she would stick to it because that’s just the way it is!

1.  Ace Compre Exam
2. Finish MBA
3. Open Savings Account - be more serious about it!
4. Find a new ‘Home Sweet Home’
5. Find a new ‘Career Sweet Career’
6. Find ‘Love Sweet Love’ - Cheesy
7. Enroll in yoga
8. Drive more
9. Start saving for my first car
10. Surf more!
11. Read at least one book a month
12. SOBER in oh-ten policy
13. St Therese novena all year
14. Travel abroad
15. Bungee Jumping in Macau
16. Get a tattoo
17. Do something special for Daddy!
18. Vote wisely
19. Take more photos- crazy photos
20. Go to Manaoag
21. Cry my heart out
22. Write a love letter
23. Wear dresses more often
24. Philippine Tavel! Somewhere new!
25. Boracay Par-tay!
26. Walk in the rain…
27. Win in the casino $$$
28. Spa Day
29. Volunteer for a cause
30. Run a marathon
31. Create Soundtrack of my life
32. Organize my closet regularly
33. Be an artist!
34. Watch a good movie every month
35. More tops and dresses
36. More bags
37. More shoes
38. Get a flawless skin : )
39. Write my life story
40.  Count my blessings

This isn’t my year-end post yet! I know the things are quite simple. So achievable. Am I lowering my standards so I can be more certain to achieve them. I guess not. It’s just me taking one step at a time.

so what happens after that

December 28, 2009

I’m a little sad tonight i don’t know if I don’t know why or I just can’t accept my foolish reasons for sadness. Am I nearing the expiration of my shelf life of staying in Batangas? I’ve got loads of DVDs to watch, a book I want to re-read before the year ends and a bunch of files to review for Compre but here I am reloading and reloading old episodes from one of my happy pill TV series, HIMYM. I guess I’m really sad.

I guess it all started when I saw a Facebook post from a friend: Well, what always happens. Life! Ahh, that line from 500 days of summer. To which I commented: You weren’t wrong. You were just wrong with me. Later on, I added the OST’s great! About the movie: When I watched it I couldn’t actually categorize if I liked it. I liked the soundtrack and I liked how they have presented it. The plot was ordinary. Something relate-able, either you’re a Tom or a Summer or an Autumn or even Summer’s husband, regardless of you being the same gender of the person you feel you can relate to. In fact it being too relate-able may be the reason I didn’t categorically say whether I liked it or not. Anyway! 

So for all the fortuitous events happening to me, what can I say what happens after that. What always happens: life.

wow month

December 9, 2009

Just a bit of sharing. 1^st thing 1^st day of the month I felt that December is going to be a WOW month. Christmas breeze, hot coffees, spontaneous meet-ups, pamorningan talks to recollect are so ON this time of the year.

So far, I’ve had 4 alcohol-free meet-up sessions to date:

One – with Rey – He picked me up after office last Friday. What I thought to be a quick coffee session lasted for six hours of talk of anything under the sun/moon/stars.  We could have stayed longer I think had I not come from a full-day shift. I felt warmth that even though we only get to see each other once a year, we talk as if we were never apart. For a change, there was not much reminiscing-the-past talks. We really just talked what there is right now. Love you Rey! I’m so proud of your WOW decision and sharing.

Two – with Son and Dino – I was about to see Rey after a quick coffee session with these perverts but Rey overslept. I always talk with these two, individually. They are my constant sounding boards this year but I think it is only this Saturday again that we went out – just the three of us. The last time was (right) after my accident December last year. I think we were in slight-WOW-drama mode. It was a night of realizations and enlightenment.

Three – with Rica – just one of those quick therapy meet-ups. Missing her as roommate. Nuff said.

Four – with Mae and Icy – we went gambling! Only proves I have beginner’s luck. O kaya swerte talaga ako sa sugal (at malas daw sa pag-ibig). Hahaha.. Aylabet!

Aside from these meet-ups, I’m ever happy with my WOW conversations with WOW friends. I have longer chika moments (and unbelievably shorter sleeping time) with Maui. Joni’s back from her Mandatory Leave. As comfy as ever talks with Bossing J. Top it all with my WOW idea-mates this month: Maui, Joni, Mica, Anj, Tamz who share fun facts everyday : )

When I say WOW, I think it not merely refers on the gleeful wow. It’s Wow, in surprise, in amazement, in frustration on ironies. Hope the WOW moments continue!