Merry Merry Christmas 2013

Few minutes to Christmas! Merry Merry Christmas everyone :)

This is the first time I'm spending Christmas in Manila after 2006. Cheers!

I hope I can make it to the morning mass tom :))

Can't Stop Laughing

After realizing that I only sort of remember to scribble when I'm feeling down, today I kept on laughing on some matter.(which of course I won't elaborate). I sometimes hope to 'resurrect' this blog to give it an interesting glow again. So first time I'm scribbling something in a positive mood.

When I'm on my emo days, something finally cheered me up again. Something that is quite miniscule. :p

This week seems to be a lucky week at work. (Omg, why does work have to be part of my life, entangled so much that I can't break free). I tried to pull myself back, however doors seem to open from far away. Doors that knock and I still feel reluctant or half-hearted to open. I would really be surprised if one day, I end up waking up in one of those. There seems to be a lot of options suddenly here and there. Let's see.

I attended my own graduation today. Sounds weird why after 10 years graduting in college, then again there's a graduation for me in this Leadership program in office. It's like the feeling-MBA days in Singapore where I get to read case studies again, the times when I took up Asia Pacific Marketing. I didnt know Howard Schultz of Starbucks was of humble nature. 

Sometimes I do like my mom's simple life. Staying at home. No deadlines. No meetings. I secretly wanted to be like that since a kid? When I graduated in college, I remembered my bestfriend asked me what do I want to be. I said, I don't wanna be in corporate. And till now, I'm still sucking it up. I need the pay because there are so much things I want to do. Hence fair enough, there's a trade-off.

Glad the rainy season seems to be ending.  And then the funny syndrome of hearing Christmas songs as early as September. Sunny days are here again. (Is this too early?)

That familiar feeling

...令人遗憾的, 令人悲伤的.

Sometimes technology probably isn't good. Facebook, twitter, instagram, all makes you updated of things related to your past that you really don't keep track of anymore, the past that was already so far away. Things that you can't change.

That familiar feeling. When your heart skips a bit, pounds a little bit faster. Excited, overwhelmed, ecstatic. Stumbled. Faltered.

And you started wondering if you will ever feel the same way again.

What if you don't? What if intensity is not the same? The scary feeling when you mature a little day by day and you feel you understand yourself all the more, as vivid as the water.

What would you do?

... Just smile, because there's always something better. Cest la vie.

這條路 究竟多少崎嶇 多少坎坷途...

如果說 一切都是天意 一切都是命運
終究已注定
是否 能再多愛一天 能再多看一眼
傷會少一點
如果說 一切都是天意 一切都是命運
誰也逃不離
無情無愛 此生又何必

Taking a Step Back

I just felt so stressed the past few days. I've never been a martyr at work again. My record was beaten for working 12 days straight for the cutover. It was really insane. So there you go, I took a sweet 2 days off from all the chaos.

I went to The Spa at the Fort, used the voucher my sister gave me. It was a deluxe massage (shared room).  I was happily sipping my ginger tea then aftewards I decided to tour around the place. I was totally surprised that the Fort branch is so big with villas and lofts, having its own jacuzzi. And then I ponder, wow so the matronas use their money this way for spa party.  A cheapo massage at Binondo can already cheer me up.

And then I had my quick fix of milk tea at Happy Lemon. I like the feeling of gulping down a cup of milk tea in those tired days. And then munching on the sinkers like QQ jelly, pearls, nata, grass jelly.

The next day I went to MOA, the thought of walking down a mall empty-filled with people on a weekday just keeps me mesmerized. No queue. No traffic. I saw Centerstage and was tempted to walk in, then I realized I can't seem to do solo KTV in Manila as I used to do in SG. People here are just very 'groupy'. I have to adapt :) I had a facial session. Passed by Tous Les Jours, and in general quite like the smell of freshly-baked soft and chewy bread.

After I got home, I started finishing the DVDs of Jang Geun Suk. I just couldn't take my eyes off him. How could someone be so good in drama and singing, just simply talented. :) I hope he does not get a gf of minor age (like Jay Chou) :p  After Jay and Li Da Ren, he's my new favorite, and I dont care if he is gayish seriously. I could listen to his songs over and over again.

I bought chicken chop from Masangkay, walking under the scorching heat. I was quite glad that a store opened near Jollibee across my high school. I wish for more chicken chops stores to open. And I am still saddened that I have never been to Taiwan! I am dreaming of the food streets and night market right now.

I accompanied my mom for afternoon dimsum in Binondo today, enjoying the 50% off promo. Having congee on a rainy day. Dimsum is a good comfort food. Simple joy.

The TV is turned off early for tonight and I am enjoying the silence. Nowadays I no longer need a TV seriously.

I shut myself from the outside world, did not socialize much for this period. Yes, I am a self-confessed authistic loner at times, although no one seems to believe it.

Sometimes you just need a few hours, few days all to yourself.

退一步, 海闊天空

Love Rain

I'd say I'm glad that I came across JGS this month, at a time when I'm feeling low, feeling down.  It is a good diversion.

At a time I feel I need someone to talk to, a time I feel disappointed, tired and buried into a pile of blue clouds, at least this series made me forgot all the bad...

Love Rain.
Set in the seventies and the present day, it tells a heartrending love story over two generations.
The 70s is all shy and blue, old-fashioned, classic and melancholic.
The present day is fun, playful photographer meets the innocent girl, then love develops. Then later on realizing the conflict is a bigger problem, the continuation of their parent's love story against theirs.

The fun part
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgDYbdLeqmY

And of course, JGS sang this song that moves my heart.

My take:
I like the versatility of JGS's acting skills, of how he portrays the 'torpe' guy in the 70s, which is in total contrast of the playful naughty boy in the present times. The girl 'Yoona' is likeable and not maarte at all. The ending is a bit dragging because of too many drama between the 1st generation and 2nd generation. But as a whole, it got me hooked for another 1 week sleeping at 3am again.

More JGS Movie Craze

So Jang Geun Suk is not only good in singing, he can dance as well.  Here's a short video of him singing 'Mandy' in his movie 'You're My Pet' where he is a ballet dancer for musicals. I am convinced he is soft and gayish! Arrgh and I never like gayish guys, he is an exception.  Oh well, there is nothing absolute in this world, in the end it's all about branding and packaging. :)



Apart from this movie, I've also watched 'Baby and Me' which is actually a better movie. Go have some fun and get your youtube streaming these movies!

My Unexpected Infatuation

Ok ok I know the title sounds a bit strange. The latest fangirl mode after a long while (the last one being In Love With You's Li Da Ren), I found myself going gaga over a 25yr old Korean star. Eww why is he so young! :p

I watched taiwan's first few few episodes of the remake 'You're Beautiful' and became intrigued. I know the original Korean version was a sensational hit last 2009. And I also know the guy was quite strange-looking, with all the eyeliner look. I digged my old DVD, and the rest was history. I've been sleeping 3am for a straight week just to finish this. And oh boy, I get drawn to this eyeliner guy like magnet. His name is Jang Geun Suk.

Wiki summary for 'You're Beautiful':
'Korean drama about a fictional boy band A.N.Jell and the relationship between its members when a female, posing as her twin brother, joins the group'.

It was a really funny and kilig drama. The leading man again a typical arrogant jerk who gradually transforms into a gentleman because of the leading lady.

Here's a picture of JGS. Ain't he cute? (I must say a bit gayish too but then who cares!)









And it doesn't help to forget him easily if he is not just an actor, but rather can sing well too.

And after You're Beautiful, I became engrossed with 'investigating' all his previous works. Few more posts to come until I completely get over JGS. :)

I gain 10lbs!

I went for a check-up yesterday and my clinical records show I am 10 lbs heavier than my vist last year 2012. Omg!

But actually my weight dropped significantly last year when I just moved back to Philippines. So it means my weight now 2013 = 2011. (as per the records). I know for sure I can't fit into my favorite little black dress again, I didnt even want to try. :p

Good that I have purchased gym vouchers and now diligently back on the gym habit, at least once every week!

Just when I thought I can close my eyes in my workdays, just last week I was given some challenging new assignments and I worked OT for 3 nights :(. Huhuhu. I shouldn't blog or brag too much on good news in my blog next time.

Feels like a lot of people around me have good news to share. I want to feel happy for others.

There are times I expect some things to end and was cool about it, somehow I am also caught vulnerable realizing the end is indeed the end. Yes, I am affected.. to some extent.

These are things I could no longer change.

Thy will be done.

When Past is Past

Did it ever occur to you that when you open facebook, suddenly you realized bits and pieces of the past start to haunt you, remind you, and you end up giving a buntung-hininga, 'what was I thinking back then'. :)

What was I thinking. I don't know. I can't remember. My brain and my heart were not coordinating properly. :)

I was pre-occupied with the wrong things, wrong people. I had several distractions that were time robbers. I invested on the wrong things, wrong people, oops.

But if given a chance to do it all over again, would I have done something differently? No point, because fate is fate. Destiny is destiny. Life is life.

I cherish the good, bury the bad. Cheers to better days ahead. I can feel it. :)  Good vibes.

Goodbyes...

This week is full of goodbyes.

My aussie boss has left today. I hosted 2 dispidida parties for him, it's really kinda saddening to see a great person leaves. It's been a long time I had a manager who I actually look up to.

I had 3 friends who visited Manila this week and I sort of felt like yesterday. Feels like yesterday when I was still in college, that was already 10 years ago. Feels like yesterday when I was in SG, and I've been back for 1.5years now.

I've been very sleepy every morning. It feels like literally dragging me from my bed to wake up each morning. After being half-awake and half-asleep, sleepwalking to office, it was so difficult to keep my eyes open. Once I reach office, I will typically go inside a small empty meeting room, and take a 15min powernap, while sitting on a chair. This gives me the sort of morning sunlight energy for the rest of the day.

Then I think back, is my life really such a bore? Or am I just being too unnecessarily analytical here :)

Goodbye bad thoughts, goodbye negative vibes.  - hope these are the last things I need to say goodbye to! :)

One Year at Work

First entry for 2013!

So time flies, I just turned 1 year at my work in Manila. To be exact it's 1 year, 1 month and 3 weeks! That's also how long I have cursed and finally re-accepted the quirky bits and parcels of moving back to Manila, that is traffic, pollution and the 32% tax included.

Work is good to me so far. In one year's time, I built a good name for myself (I think). So how good? I just translate it in simple manner. The fact that I can get to office whichever time I want (still within 10am), the fact that I can ran away a few hours in-between to High Street/Burgos Circle/Market/SM Aura, the fact that I call it an early off on Friday afternoon once in a while, the fact that I can work from home if I'm lazy (but I dont do it often, curse the internet and intranet connection). So basically that's all I need.

I earned several rewards/titles for my team. I can do a specific critical deliverable with almost eyes closed. But hey, I never ever said I am a career woman anyway.

I find it amusing to see the slow pacing of the people and how some crappy souls kiss ass to rub their shoulders with the top management. One time I was asking another person, so what should be done to the problem here (referring to a project issue). The favorite answer I got so far: 'Well we first have to do a root cause analysis. After finding the issue, then we do a gap analysis of what needs to be done. After analyzing the pros and cons, then we'll draft a plan.  We have to ensure the plan follows the standards in place and abides to the Target Operating Model..'  I was totally dumbfounded. It sounds so old-school bookish BS-ness.  Can we not get into action instantly? :p 

And I still wonder how people can't manage their time and predict their time properly.  A 2pm meeting means that people starts standing up from their seats at 2:05, get some coffee, and probably get seated at 2:15pm. People struggle to book a ride home (office car) because they can't predict their OT time. Isn't it simple, if I say I'll finish by 1030pm, then I just stick to it, no questions asked. It still strikes me if people can really be successful if they don't have self-control over their own time. This is probably brought about by lack of respect for time of others too.

The positive side is having lots of these 'bonding', moments spent on team activities. It was good to see warm people again.

And the 32% tax is killing me. My previous monthly payslip can afford me a monthly travel to anywhere I like.  Now, the last vacation that I had to Japan, hmm i had to spend >1 month's salary. Ouch. But still it's super fun!

And I have stopped complaining already. I have embraced all the beauty and ugliness of it. :)  I don't want to make my life miserable any further.  Just grow up and move on, note to self.  Oh btw it's July again soon...  Good night world!