Happy 2010

Am I excited for the coming year? Actually, to tell you honestly, no. If I have superpowers I want to freeze everything around me, especially time. Then while everything was stopped, I, on the otherhand, will have all the time to improve myself. But in reality, we are all living in a fast-paced life and we should hang on tight because we'll never know that we might be the only one stranded and left alone.

2009...Hmmmm... I don't know if it's really that bad for me. Well, this year, I had so many confusions in life most especially regarding career and matters of the heart. But this year also gave me the time to spend with my loved-ones and friends. I also had a lot of lessons learned. I think 2009 made me a better person. :)

So for the year 2010, I'm making 30 (20+10) resolutions. I don't usually make New year resolutions because I always end up messing them but hey, it's a new year and a new start for a new me.

My 30 resolutions for the year 2010

1. Be organized. Just by seeing this resolution makes me want to say, "Ugh!". I'm really a messy person. And I kinda like it that way! haha.. I don't know why but I can't find what I'm looking for if my place is neat. But if it's cluttered like the way I'm used to, voila! It's like I have an x-ray vision of all the things that I needed. But since it's new year and I'm already matured and a better person *wink*, then ok. I'll try to be organized this year.
2. Don't procrastinate.
3. Learn how to cook more. Take note, I added the word "more". Before this year started, I really don't know how to cook. As in zero, nada, nay. But because of determination (haha), I learned how to fry sunny side ups and other cold cuts. Just a few weeks after I came here in Dubai, my aunt taught me how to make Sinigang by using lemon instead of the tamarind mix we're used to. I also know now how to cook rice... but by only using rice cooker! Haha.. C'mon, give me a little more time and I know I'll be better someday. I'll be a good home-maker. :)
4. Do the laundry often.
5. Make the beddings neat right after waking up in the morning.
6. Limit using unnecessary websites, especially games in facebook which use a lot of time!
7. Be more focused. I think I know now where I'm going. :)
8. Limit criticizing/mocking people. Sorry, I just can't help it sometimes. I know I'm just a human being who makes mistakes, but this is really inevitable. But I promise to lessen this hobby this year.
9. Take a bath for only 15-20 minutes. I can't help it if I have to use conditioner all the time so it takes an hour at least for me to be finished! Haha. But yeah, I'll cut off my bathing time this year.
10. Sleep early and at least 8 hours a day.
11. Eat MORE (if not all) fruits.
12. Eat MORE (if not all) vegetables.
13. Drink 8 (if not more) glasses of water a day.
14. LIMIT EATING SWEETS. I typed it in all caps since I know this is a very difficult task for me. I don't know if I'm having a behavioral disorder about this but I just find myself sometimes battling whether to eat more sweets or not. Like if I tasted a piece of chocolate, after I savored its sweetness for just a few seconds, I crave for more and more until I already finished the whole box! And I always end up losing the battle because I always give in to sweets. :(
15. Take vitamins regularly and never forget it.
16. Exercise! Another Ugh! But I really need this because I have scoliosis and everyday now is a problem for me because my back hurts more frequently than before.
17. Relax and be cool. Stop stressing myself.
18. Be more optimistic.
19. Pray more.
20. Go to mass more often.
21. Sing with the choir during mass.
22. Stop complaining. Do the task first and if the task is successfully done, then don't complain anymore.
23. Call Lola and Lolo more often.
24. Limit answering back to parents, especially to mom. Oh dear God, please help me on this one.
25. Always make a plan before making a big decision. Think about pros and cons
26. Keep in touch with friends and never take them for granted.
27. Always be a good samaritan and offer help when needed.
28. DON'T SPEND MORE THAN WHAT I'M EARNING.
29. Save, save, save money!!!
30. Learn to accept, be happy and contented for what I have. Stop asking for too much.

So there. I'll just hope this year will bring us more luck, joy, and peace in everybody.

I'll end this one by sharing you an inspirational quote from my God's message application in facebook:

"If you focus on problems, you will have more problems. If you focus on possibilities, you will have more opportunities."

Cheers to all of us for the coming 2010! Happy new year everyone!!! :)

Anti-stress buster :)

I've been going through a tough time but one thing that really makes me happy the whole day? watching PBB double up in Pinoychannel.tv! hahaha. I really love the housemates and of course, I'm a certified Melason fan! (Di ba, Aubrey? hehe)

Since I'm a fan of them in facebook, I saw this video. This is Jason and Melissa's funny themesong. Mahal kita kasi sang by Nicole Hyala (a DJ in Love Radio). It's really a corny song so if you're not into these kind of things, well, just don't play it. But for those of you who are fun-loving, hopeless romantic, and jologs as I am, then go. This is for us! Haha Enjoy! :)

My favorite line was: Apoy ka ba? Kasi (kasi)... alab alab... alabyu!!! :)

I don't know about you but if a boy sings this to me, he would really sweep me off my feet!

a little help

Dear God,

Please give me a stable mind to make the right decisions.

Amen.

PS: Advanced happy birthday Papa J. :)

Prayer in blogs really works for me. So I'm putting this one here. :)

Decision-making is the toughest task for me. Wasn't able to stand up on my own since I was born. I became so dependent with people around me that I always ask for their help. But now I really have to be strong and face my fears alone. I can do this! I have faith in myself and in the Lord. With Him, nothing is impossible.

And I'm really getting old and matured. Love it! :)

I really hate it

Take this scenario:

A boy and a girl hanging out for a few months (dining out, watching movies, calling each other, and the likes). As a girl, you feel/know there's something going on between the two of you. But of course you don't want to assume. The boy doesn't tell you anything except for the constant I had a great time with you, I miss you's, and the "pahaging" effects men usually do (C'mon, admit it. 99.9% of the male population does that). So one day, since the girl is really confused about what's the real score of their relationship, she confronted the guy. The guy finally admitted that he likes the girl and wants them to be more than friends (hallelujah!!!). But here's the catch: He wanted to give it a little more time since he's not sure if he's really over with his ex.

The moment I heard this from my friend, I palpitated a bit and started feeling so pissed off. I've been in this situation a lot of times and I know exactly how the girl feels.

Questions/Arguments running into my mind as my friend was telling this scenario to me:

• 
  
  Why did the guy started going out with another girl when he's not over with his past relationship?
  
  
  
• 
  
  Why did the girl confronted the guy when she can wait for a little more time for the guy to open-up?
  
  
  
• 
  
  Was the guy just looking for someone to divert his attention? a rebound perhaps?
  
  
  
• 
  
  Why did the girl let herself to actually "fall in love" with the guy who's not sure about his feelings for her?
  
  
  

But after writing this whole scenario again for the introduction of this blog entry, I've realized some things and these are my answers to my queries...

• 
  
  How did I ever ask the first question when in fact, I, myself, have done this to someone a few years back. Yes, I went out with someone to divert my feelings for someone special. I don't have any bad intentions at that time, really. I don't want to use him and take his feelings for granted. My original plan before was to give this other suitor a chance and if everything went well, I can finally ditch my special someone. But, unfortunately, it didn't work out. I broke his heart and wasn't able to mend mine as well. So maybe, the guy's plan here was just to have fun and forget his loneliness which I think is somewhat acceptable (haha!).
  
  
  
• 
  
  For some reasons, men really like the "chase". They really want to keep the guessing game alive, whether the girl already likes him or not. Well, that's what most of my male friends told me. But another boy friend (platonic---hope not! haha) of mine has a different view about this topic. He said, if the guy really likes the girl, and he found out that the girl also likes him, then that's it! He's already in cloud nine. So I say, the boy in this scenario is still confused about his feelings not only for his ex, but also for the girl he's been hanging out with.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Refer to the first answer.
  
  
  
• 
  
  I think it's better if we can get the girl (who is actually involved in the scenario) for her answer about this one.. hehe. But here's what I say. As a girl who's been in this kind of situation before, we really cannot control our feelings towards each other. It is very difficult. No matter how high you put up your walls to guard your emotions, we can't do anything when our heart already made a decision.
  
  
  

So my advice for the girl, READ THIS.

And for the boy...

I actually wanted to tell you a lot of things. But after analyzing the whole situation, I understand that you're also a human and not different from us, girls. I just hope you figure-out your real feelings soon because you might lose them both. Oopps, my bad. I mean, you actually lose your girlfriend, but now you might also lose your friend.

PS: I have a teenie-weenie small confession to make. :) I'm actually (almost) at the same boat with the girl in the scenario above (but promise, the scenario is not about me). The only difference is that I never confronted the guy, even until now. That's what I've learned from my experiences before. Never ask when you know there's no definite answer to your question.

PPS: To my girl friend (again, platonic) who's reading this. Yes, you are the girl I've been referring to! hehe. And I hope you've learned your lessons from your past experiences which are all the same (don't you think?). Please be wiser this time. Love you much! :*

PPPS: After so much deliberations and sighs, I don't hate the scenario that much anymore. But I won't change the title anymore (redundant. noticed it too).

PPPPS: I'm just adding another post-script so it won't be three like the last time.. haha. So okay, I'll end it here.

In choosing the one

1. It's not enough that he's cute.

2. It's not enough that he has nice set of teeth.

3. It's not enough that he has perfect skin.

4. It's not enough that he's kind.

5. It's not enough that he's small (the height i mean. *evil grin*)

6. It's not enough that he's smart.

7. It's not enough he can make you laugh.

8. It's not enough that he has a good body (even how DEYMN HOT it is).

9. It's not enough that he has a car.

10. It's not enough that he's a good cook.

11. It's not enough that he has a lot of good ideas.

12. It's not enough that he's very thoughtful.

13. It's not enough that he's a hopeless-romantic like you do.

14. It's not enough that he's rich.

15. It's not enough that he has a good diction and proper grammar usage.

16. It's not enough that he apologizes for anything stupid he did (even if it was your mistake actually! hehe)

17. It's not enough that he's bald.

18. It's not enough that he had long hair.

19. It's not enough that he's a good listener.

20. It's not enough even if you have so many, as in sooooo many things in common.

But he's just a boy...

he doesn't understand

how it feels to love a girl

he doesn't care how it hurts

until he lose the one he wanted

cause he's taken her for granted

and everything they had got destroyed.

PS: This is just out of boredom and not about me. Promise! :)

PPS: I really want to post my Dubey pics here and in my fb but I'm still waiting for the good news.. so later!

PPPS: this is me and my good hair day pic! Hehe... My hair is getting longer now. Thank goodness! :)

Random thoughts

I saw this video while browsing what's new in youtube. This is the goodbye song from PBB double up everytime someone gets evicted from the house.

It's Gonna Make Sense - Michael Learns To Rock

It has nice lyrics, don't you think? Very inspiring. :)

I really believe in the saying that everything happens for a reason. There's a purpose why we met a certain person once in our life. There's an answer why we ended up like this, may it be different from what we dreamt of when we were young. Along our way, we will find difficulties to test how strong we really are. We have a lot of questions and we're not sure about the answers.

But someday, in His right time, all these pieces will fall into their places.

Someday, it's gonna make sense. :)

Cheesy

Sorry for being a corny, hopeless romantic but stuff like this really makes my day! :)

Sickly no more

Last Friday I went to my most favorite mall (of course, Trinoma! haha) to buy a couple of kikay stuff, then went to SM North (just on the other side) to check out something in Watsons, and went back to Trinoma to eat ice cream at Iceberg's. Just by going in and out of both malls under the scorching heat of the sun, and experiencing the freezing aircon inside SM Annex, made me exhausted the whole day. While I was in Iceberg's, I already felt I was developing a sore throat but I still ordered their Ola Mocha milkshake. Later that night at home, I was so sick that I couldn't get up to eat dinner. From yesterday until today, I still have colds and fever. :(

Among my family and friends, I'm the unhealthiest and sickly person. Since childhood, there was never a school year that I had a perfect attendance because I always get sick (either flu, stomach ache, dysmennorhea, allergies, etc.). I've always been the child with a weak immune system. I take a lot of vitamins even until now but still, I easily get sick.

That's why being a nurse is such a risky profession for me. And for those who personally knew me, you know why I went back here after a year of working abroad. But don't worry because I already finished the treatment and my doctor gave me a medical certificate.

But eventhough I've finished the treatment, I'm still the girl with a weak immune system. That's why I think I need to change my habits and have a healthy lifestyle.

Here are some of the things that I would be focusing on to strengthen my immune system:

1. Eat fruits and vegetables. I have a confession to make. The only vegetable I eat is baguio beans. Sometimes, Laing (Taro leaves). And the only fruits I eat are ripe mango, banana, grapes, and lansones. (Of course I eat fruit salad but that's already processed! Hehe). So from this day on, I promise to try eating other varieties of fruits and vegetables than having meat alone.

2. Sleep early. I don't know if it's because of my body clock that has not been normalized since I came back here or I'm just a night person. I usually sleeps at around 2 am and then wakes up at 10 am. I know it's still 8 hours of sleep but from what I've learned, sleeping early is much beneficial than just having enough hours of sleep. Here's an article about it.

3. Take a bath in the morning not during wee hours of the night! I usually take a bath twice a day, morning and before going to sleep. So since I sleep late, I also do my second bath late! 12 midnight or past 12 maybe. My doctor said it's very unhealthy and can cause anemia.

4. Take vitamins regularly. Right now, I'm only taking vitamins C and E. My doctor prescribed me a multivitamin but I'm really confused on which is more effective, taking vitamins individually or multivitamins alone? I searched it and found this answer:

“Avoid taking individual vitamins and minerals, unless recommended by a health professional. (An additional calcium supplement may be an

exception.) Vitamins and minerals interact with each other in a

delicate balance. Overloading on one or two individual vitamins or

minerals can interfere with the body's ability to use other vitamins
and minerals.”

5. Exercise regularly. I really hate exercising. I'm not sporty either. But since I plan to change my lifestyle, maybe doing a little work-out, like jogging, won't hurt.

6. Keep things in moderation. They say, anything excessive is bad for us. And by this, I'll make another confession. I use 10 teaspoons of sugar in my coffee. And I love salty foods! (I know. Diabetes and increase in uric acid here I come.) So before anything serious happens to me, I'll cut down on my sugar and salt intake.

For now, I'll only have this list. Listing down these goals is a lot easier than actually following it! But I better start now than be sorry for tomorrow.

Goodbye sickly girl and hello healthy me!




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I'd like to make myself believe... that planet Earth turns slowly...

Go Bayani!

"Paano po ba maging isang bayani?" How will you be a hero?

Efren Penaflorida asked that question via VTR last night in Isang Tanong, a GMA 7 Presidential forum which includes: Sen. Manuel Villar, Sen. Noynoy Aquino, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Ex-pres. Joseph Estrada, JILC Leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, Olongapo Councilor John Carlos Delos Reyes, and activist Nicanor Perlas (note: this is random, not by favoritism).

Of course, all of them said something about helping the poor by giving livelihood projects, and the like. You know, the same old statements we usually hear every election. But Bayani Fernando answered that question in a comical way.

He said, "Kapag pinangalanan ka ng tatay mo." When your father gave you that name (Bayani).

----------------------------------------------

Speaking of Efren Penaflorida, he just gave another honor for our country for being the CNN hero of the year 2009. Hurray!

CNN - Efren Penaflorida, who started a "puschart classroom" in the Philippines (Cavite) to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership, has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the year.


All of the viewers' comments in youtube were all positive except for this one, which I think is very true:

so sad that CNN recognized Efren's good deeds first instead of the government. I'm sure in no time politicians will be riding his popularity. - crewsnest

PS: Sorry if I always misspelled Efren's surname in this entry, but I'm really having difficulty in typing Alt 1-6-4 all at once. :)

Ice, ice baby

During only this year, a lot of people died from cancer. Because of that, I became a bit paranoid of whether I would suffer from the same kind of disease when the time comes. Call me paranoid but hey, it's just a thought! We don't really know what's bound to happen. In fact, there are some people I know who have a healthy lifestyle, no family history of cancer, but they died due to the said disease.

But somehow, there might be already a cure for cancer.

I watched The Correspondents last night and they featured Cryosurgery as a means of curing cancer. Karen Davila went to Fuda Cancer Hospital in Guangzhou, China which is actually becoming popular because of the method they're using in treating cancer. Based on the documentary, there are more or less 5,000 people all over the world who are now cancer-free because of them.

Chemotherapy and radiation are the most popular method we know in terms of treating cancer. Since both are not used localized, they have wide-variety of side effects. Chemotherapy can be administered through a vein, injected into a body cavity, or can be used orally. It destroys cancer cells as well as our fast-growing cells, such as hair and blood cells. With radiation, a large machine called simulator delivers the exact amount of radiation to kill the cancer cells in a certain area. The skin around it may be reddened or irritated after the treatment. Also, radiation therapy can kill the germ-fighting cells in the blood, thereby decreasing the person's body to fight off infections, and making it necessary for the patient to have blood transfusion.

In Cryosurgery, they use a localized probe in contact with the tumor, causing the cells to freeze. The tumor is frozen, thawed, and refrozen until the malignant cells are completely destroyed. This process is monitored with ultrasound in order to preserve as much nearby healthy tissue as possible.

(using cryosurgery in treating liver cancer)

People they interviewed includes some Filipinos who are actually admitted in that hospital for series of cryosurgery treatment. One even claimed that only for 5 weeks, she was already cancer-free. The brother of Sen. Guingona also gave a testimony that after a series of chemotherapy in Manila which didn't work for him, Fuda Cancer Hospital gave him a second life.

Isn't that amazing?! Finally, a cure for cancer!

Only, you have to travel all the way to China and spend more or less Php 1,000,000! But I think it's worth it considering you also have to spend that much for chemotherapy, plus the side effects it could give you and the non-assurance that you would be cancer-free after the treatment.

I just hope after a few years, cancer patients don't have to travel to China anymore because we already have cryosurgery here in the Philippines.

Credits:

www.surgery.wisc.edu/general patients/uwmhpscryo.shtml

http://www.chemotherapy.com/treating_with_chemo/treating_with_chemo.jsp

http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/cancer/radiation.html

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I hate being old

Not that I'm afraid to have all the signs of aging, but sometimes, being old means you'll start analyzing things and understanding the why's in life.

Take these instances for example:

I have watched Notting Hill about 4 times when I was in high school. All of my aunts and my older female friends cried over the movie except for me. Back then, I was thinking maybe I'm stronger than them being the only one unemotionally attached. But when I have watched it again when I was in college, I cried pathetically with my friends for hours even after the movie had already ended. At that time I already had my fair share of heart aches and love problems that's why I can emotionally relate to these kind of movies.

Same with sad love songs. I have sung Roselle Nava's Bakit nga ba mahal kita song over and over again during my childhood days and never did I shed a tear. But I became a silly cry-baby after singing this again at a videoke party 2 years ago after being dumped by someone.

I also realize, that as I grew older, I became very cautious with my actions. It's like being accidentally wounded by a knife while chopping vegetables. The next time you use it, you'll be more careful because you don't like to be hurt and wounded again.

And I hate it when I tend to overanalyze things when in fact, there's nothing to be analyzed about.

But that's what grown-ups do. Experience helps us understand things in a better(?) perspective.

But would it be much nicer to just stay young and be carefree?

I wish!

Friends...

They make you laugh your heart out.

They love and accept you for who you really are.

They help you carry your burden no matter how heavy it is.

Thank God for friends!

Christmas lights

This afternoon, my grandfather asked me to go upstairs to check out what he did in our terrace. He fixed our Christmas lights. Not only did he put on the lights but he also designed it in two giant wired circles with an angel between them. It's really nice but not as beautiful as the first time I've seen it.

On second thought, I've never actually laid eyes on this Christmas lights anymore like the way I used to when I was a child.

When I used to admire our big Christmas tree with lots of adornments decorated by my grandmother. She loves decorating our Christmas tree every year. Then my grandfather will put the musical Christmas lights around the tree and all of us will put our gifts underneath it. But since my grandmother was diagnosed with  a heart disease about 5 years ago, and she easily gets tired nowadays, she doesn't put up our Christmas tree anymore.

At the age of 10, I remember myself still writing a letter to Santa asking him what I want for Christmas. And he never let me down. Whenever I wake up early morning of Christmas day, my present would always be under our Christmas tree or inside a "Santa's sock" outside the window pane. My family and I was already having a difficult year during that time because both of my parents lost their jobs. But nonetheless, I still have the Christmas spirit in me so I asked Santa for a Polly pocket as his Christmas gift for me. It was already 2:30 am of Christmas day when I was about to go to the bathroom to pee when I saw my mother doing something beside our Christmas tree. I tip-toed a bit just to look a little closer on what she was doing. She was wrapping a small box with a purple art paper. I was too sleepy and groggy at that time so I just quickly went to the bathroom and went back to bed. The next day, I saw that very same box already wrapped in purple art paper under the tree. I opened it since it has my name on it. A pink Polly pocket was inside it. That was the last time I believed in Santa Clause.

As I get older, we seldom spend Christmas time together. My father went abroad and so was the sister of my mother. Being an only daughter and grand daughter in our family, I only have 4 members of my family left here. We don't put up the Christmas tree anymore. No more decorations aside from the musical Christmas lights in our terrace which by the way, doesn't play any music now. We don't wait for 12 midnight anymore to spend Noche Buena. We just have it the next day as our lunch. No god-children coming into our house anymore.

It's just like any other day. Like our birthdays when we get old. We don't anticipate and celebrate it anymore as we used to when we were young.

Seeing those Christmas lights made me wonder, when will be the next time my family and I will celebrate Christmas together again.

He's just not that into you

Most of my friends are coming to me for pieces of love advice nowadays and I don't know why. I'm not a love guru who's expert about such matters (that's why this blog is entitled Everything but love life), but nonetheless, I have something up in my sleeves. :)

I bought a book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo, entitled He's just not that into you. It is so helpful and it comes in handy during times when Mr. Right turned into Mr. Wrong. I had a great time reading the book because I can relate to some of the circumstances the authors had written inside. I actually highlighted some key points which I think is important for us, women, to know and I would like to share them to you.

Here they are...

1. Meeting someone you like and dating him is supposed to make you feel better, not worse.

2. No more murky, no more gray, no more unidentified, and no more undeclared.

3. If a man is really into you, nothing will stop him from being with you.

4. Don't lower the bar because you're lonely.

5. Cheating doesn't mean "just happen". It's a complete betrayal of trust.

6. Lying, cheating, hiding is the exact opposite of the behavior of a man who's really into you.

7. Don't let your desire to be loved and feel affection cloud your judgment.

8. A man who wants to make a relationship work will move mountains to keep the woman he loves.

9. What guys do if they can't live without you: They don't break up with you.

10. Always be classy. Never be crazy.

11. Best revenge is not anger, but emotional distance.

12. Any good, mature guy better make an attempt to love your friends and family---especially when they're great.

13. Being the person who makes you feel shitty or doesn't honor the person you are, is worse.

14. The minute you realize the situation is making you feel depressed and hurt and it's really not going to go the way you want it to, please put an end to it as soon as you can.

It's really worth reading. By the time you finished reading this book, you'll be smarter to pick out the rotten tomatoes among the bunch. *wink*

I'll end this entry with this paragraph from the book:

"Don't ask yourself what you did wrong or how you could have done it differently. Don't waste your valuable heart and mind trying to figure out why he did what he did. Or thinking back on all the things he said, and wondering what was the truth and what was the lie. The only good thing you need to know is that it's really good news: He's gone. Hallelujah!"

Goodluck! :)

Credits to:

http://www.cartoonfile.net/

http://www.dating.colemantoons.com/

http://www.cartoonstock.com/

http://www.toonpool.com/

http://www.picturesof.net/pages/091023-013081-253009.html/

PBB double up love affair

I have been hooked on Pinoy Big Brother double up since it started. I have always been an avid fan of this reality show. For me, this season is a lot better than the earlier seasons because I like the combination of personalities of almost all the housemates, except for Jimson (hehe). Good thing he already got evicted.

But what intrigued me the most was the love team of Princess and Tom. At first, I find them corny and unrealistic. I really don't believe that you can feel something special towards a stranger, or perhaps someone you just recently met in that short span of time. Sure, you can find each other physically attractive and maybe can develop into a crush or infatuation. But something deeper than that? Nah.

So Princess left Big Brother's house last Sunday and was not able to bid goodbye to Tom since he was on the other house. She was on PBB uber this afternoon and Big Brother gave her a chance to talk to Tom who was on the confession room at that time. I was a bit nauseated by the sight of them because I know it will be another cheesy moment. But for some weird reasons, I got emotionally affected just by watching them. I don't know if the feeling they have for each other is already strong enough to be considered as "love", but the video was very touching. I cried after watching this! :)

Can't wait to watch it on primetime later! :)

PS: I also don't like Mariel, Yhel, Yuri, and Delio. I hope they'll be evicted soon! Haha

Jinxed

Scene 1 (Final interview in a call center):

.

Interviewer: Tell me about yourself.

Me: I'm a registered nurse. I graduated in *Insert name of school here* last 2007. I already worked in *Insert name of Middle East country here* for a year and I just came back January of this year.

Interviewer: So you don't have any call center experience?

Me: No.

Interviewer: Ok, so expect a call from us after a few days. Thank you so much for your time.

But I did not receive any call from them a few days or even weeks after that.

.

.

Scene 2 (Applying as an online English tutor for Koreans. After completing a pronunctiation test via webcam interview, i.e., reading to the interviewer a lot of english paragraphs and dialogues with proper intonations):

.

Interviewer: I'm sorry but we only accept people with online teaching experience.

Me: Ok. (But was actually pissed because why did they have to let me read all those paragraphs and dialogues when in fact, they should have read my resume first!)

.

.

Scene 3 (After a month of taking a drawing exam in an animations company where I would like to work as a cartoonist)

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Me: (via phone) Hello, I took the drawing exam last September and I would like to know the status of my application.

Receptionist: Ok. I'll just transfer you to the HR department.

Me: (same dialogue as above)

HR staff: May I know your name please?

Me: Camille...

HR staff: (after a few minutes checking their files) I'm sorry but you weren't able to pass our exam.

Me: (Pause) Okay. Thank you. Bye.

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Am I really that bad not to have a decent job in my own country?

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Or should I just go back to where I've started my career? :(

Tips on how to commute

It's been months since I've been here in my home land, and hey, I've had some improvements (I think). I can now chop onions and garlic. I'm doing my own grocery and I'm the one paying the bills. But what I'm really proud of myself is that I'm actually learning how to travel on my own! I know now how to commute!

And being a self-proclaimed maarte and only child who's just used to being a passenger in her Daddy's car, I made some tips on how to make yourself comfortable when traveling or taking PUVs.

Tips on how to commute

from a Sosyalera-wanna-be :)

1. Wear comfortable footwear.

There are a lot of footwear nowadays and the prices vary from the cheapest, which you can buy from sidewalk vendors or public markets, or the expensive ones with the same price as genuine leather shoes! What's the difference? Of course, the comfort! I bought a jelly-like slippers in Divisoria last summer. It actually looks like those of Grendha but it only cost me 49 Php. It was nice and comfortable, but during rainy days, expect that your feet will also be wet even though you still have it on. It's like a sponge. The more you walk in a wet pavement, the more it absorbs the water, and later on you'll find the insole of your slippers to be soaking wet! That's why I only wear those slippers whenever I'm sure there'll be no rain throughout the day.

I bought another pair of slippers at a popular clothing store. It's not expensive but it's not that cheap considering it's only rubber slippers. But I bought it anyway so I can use it during these rainy days. It's also a wedge slippers so I'm very sure my feet won't get wet. I was right. My feet don't get wet anymore, but it's very much painful to wear. I actually have callouses right now and it hurts like hell!

So now, I'm planning to buy something from Grendha (the real one) or Ipanema. Yes, it is expensive, but maybe, it will be worth it.

2. Know how much your exact fare is.

Most of the time, I will just give a 20- or a 50-peso bill because I don't know how much my exact fare is. Sometimes, the driver will give me an extra change, or sometimes he will ask me to give another peso or two. So be sure to ask and keep in mind how much your exact fare is. Most drivers are dishonest and will do anything just to earn a little more than their income (C'mon, 1 peso?).

3. Give the exact amount.

I gave a 500-peso bill to the bus conductor one time. I know, it's my fault that I don't have a smaller bill. He told me to wait for my change. I'm about to get off the bus already but I haven't received my change yet. So I asked the conductor about it. He then answered me arrogantly, "Magkano nga ulet pera mo?" Yeah, rrrrright!

4. Don't be afraid to ask.

There are still good samaritans out there that you can ask for directions in case you get lost (which I normally do! Haha). But be sure to ask those who you think are the most trustworthy among the people you will encounter. I always ask security guards and lady vendors for directions.

And of course, don't forget to thank them. Without them, I won't be able to go home and write this.. hehe

5. Familiarize yourself with places.

I don't have a sense of direction. I'm the type of person who easily forgets places. Most of the time, I forget the entrance of a place from which I entered from. But since I only have myself now to depend on, I learned how to become aware of my surroundings. I have to memorize places which can be my landmark in case I got lost. I'm still not good at it but at least I'm learning.

6. Be aware.

One of the main reasons why I didn't learn how to commute on my own before was because I got PUV-phobia (obviously, it's a made up word). Back in college, I always encounter hold-uppers especially in FX. That's why whenever I'm in a PUV, I'm always paranoid. But since I have no choice, I must desensitize* myself. I usually keep my watch, my cellphone (sometimes my digicam), large amount of money in secret pockets that hold-uppers won't usually look at. I keep smaller bills in my coin purse.

*Systematic desensitization - (psychology) A behavior therapy technique that is used to modify phobic behaviors by constructing a hierarchy of anxiety-producing stimuli and gradually presenting them to the individual until they no longer produce anxiety.


And lucky me I don't sleep in PUVs (even in airplanes). I just can't sleep sitting.

7. Walk with the crowd.

It's much safer to walk with other people than to walk alone along the busy streets and overpass, especially at night. If you're alone someone might just attack you without anybody noticing it. That's why I usually walk a bit faster when I'm alone because I want to cope up with other commuters.

8. Enjoy your trip.

No matter how hectic your day was, how long you've been waiting for the bus, either you have to stand or sit in MRT, just enjoy your trip and treat it as an everyday-adventure. I love riding airconditioned buses nowadays. It's comfortable and the fare is just fine. And every once in a while I listen to other people's gossips, read my seatmate's text messages secretly (haha), watch free movie, and a lot more things to do!

Trust me. You'll forget that you're tired once you treat your day light.

HAPPY TRIP!