Having Fun at Tagaytay Highlands

August 20, 2005

Saturday, 6AM to 9PM

(l to r) raf, mitch*, sheryl, iyra, mike, jean, rae, abbie, ja, roger*, jer and marvs

*significant others sila at kafamily na rin

ang aming escapade na patago! brought the whole team to tagaytay highlands on a saturday-work day! ha, ha ,ha!

paano ba yan, lahat kami eh vavavoom ladies! marvin, ikaw ha, sino ang sinusundan mo dito sa group ng mga girls? hmm...

si ka roger (papa ni jannice na magaling na mangaawit) ang ganda ng hairstyle! si mitch (ang bebz ni raf) ang pinakasexy sa lahat!

hello! yes, my love.. i'm doing good. kasama ko lahat ng bata. and as always ako ang pinakamatanda sa group yet papatalo ba ako, siyempre, sexy pa rin at pretty as ever. miss kita dito, wala ako kaPDA!

kami at kami lang and super happy, at para kaming mga pakawala sa kural dahil ubod ng saya at tuwa! wala ni isang KB!


may tatalo ba sa aming tatlo? si raf, mitch at ate raiz! matinding PDA ito! syempre, mahal na mahal ko ang dalawang batang ito.

of course, the best part of the trip: sumptuous chinese food (fine dining galore)! as in! practice to the max ang kids sa paggamit ng chopsticks but before anything else, strike a pose for posterity!

kami ang singles! walang tatalo sa mga singles (pero most are not anymore available - alam ba ninyo kung sino ang NBSB dito?) sa pagpose sa digicam! masayang masaya kahit walang ka-HHWW!

nakuha pa naming pumunta sa Mushroom Burger para sa mga pasalubong at ang magcasino for an hour! huling hirit bago bumalik sa realidad!

kailan kaya namin ito mauulit muli?

(l to r) raphael gomez, michelle samonte*, ralline jean mojica, mary jean bernabe, roger vejerano*, jannice bautista, abigail cruz, sheryl delos reyes, iyra buenrostro, michael villanueva, joenabie encanto*, jeremy arevalo and marvin vergara

Assistant Metadata Specialists

ganito sila kasama!

di man lang kami natawag ni abbie para kasama sa picture taking.

ganito na sila kasanay ngumiti sa harap ng camera.

sana, ganito kasaya lagi ang mga bata... sana talaga!

Team to Beat!

may singit dito sa team pero love naman namin siya kaya sama na sa treat!
(l to r) jean, jannice, yours truly, iyra, sheryl and mike

Good Food with Good Friends

at long last, natuloy ang aming chili's lunch. mabuti pa pala ang biglaan eh natutuloy! yummy!

ang siksik at ang seksi!

ang mga tax experts: aileen and arvin!

sarap ng food! syempre, smile pa rin kami to the max!

ms. nimfa and sir gabby, sana kasama na po kayo sa susunod!

Happy 21st Birthday, Michelle!!!

August 8, 2005
Chili's Greenbelt, Makati City
11:45am - 145pm

michelle "mitch" samonte, ang bebz ng only boy ng B1 (eh di sino pa, eh di si raphael "raf" gomez) ! she's so close to the team na aakalain mo staff din namin siya dahil lagi siyang kasama sa mga gimiks. one great girl! talented and pretty, just like the girl sitting beside her! ha, ha, ha!

perfect for each other and wishing them a lifetime of togetherness.
wag kayong bibitiw!

talagang nagulat sa pagkanta ng happy birthday song to the tune of chocolate.
sarap ng free dessert!

nasaan na si jean? kasama dapat dito sa picture?

hmm... i have to check the cam. nawawala ang alas!

Friday Bonding with the Team

Lunch Out with the New Players

Old Spaghetti House

Paseo De Roxas, Makati City

30 July 2005

saturday lunch with the whole team, missing one kid: si tita abbie, nagiinarte! rhyme to the max!

left to right: ralline, mike, jeremy, raf, marvin, jean, iyra, and sheryl

hindi pa masyado close ang bonding pero start pa lang naman, hopefully pagdating ng panahon, yarian na ito! tignan mo nga naman ang mga oldtimers, eat galore at may pacute effect pa si don raphael!
ang mga datihan at baguhan! masaya!

This one will make a librarian shout! (in a good way)

How I Fell in Love with a Librarian and Lived to Tell about it is the most perfect book for the avid, intelligent reader to buy and then generously donate to his or her favorite library. It is a wonderful story about a man who falls for "the most beautiful woman in the entire universe," who happens to be the new librarian in town. The story starts with a bang and gathers speed as it progresses. Also, it has a very important pro-library message -- with libraries facing defunding, it is very timely.

Can't wait for my own copy to arrive... just a few more days!

Book Description: He saw "the most beautiful woman in the entire world, nay, the most beautiful creature in all existence" standing behind the desk of his local public library, and he nearly fainted. It wasn't that he thought librarians were supposed to be frumpy. It was the fact that in his town you never saw a new face, much less the face of "the most beautiful woman in the whole universe." "How I Fell in Love with a Librarian and Lived to Tell About it" starts with a bang and gathers speed as the story progresses. Filled with romance, mystery, and adventure, every chapter brings unexpected twists to keep the reader guessing to the end.

From the Publisher: "How I Fell in Love with a Librarian and Lived to Tell About it" is a story that is not only a fun read but is also timely in its pro-library message. Besides the wildly entertaining romantic plot there is a very serious sub-plot about a small town politician's attempt to shut down the library and how the good people rallied to keep it open. Every library should have this book on its front shelf.

Plant A Garden

The other day I was speaking with my friends who have "simplified" their grocery shopping by planting a garden.

Their entire yearly crop is raised in planters on their front deck. They have fresh tomatoes, peppers, artichokes, green beans, and several types of squash, as well as an extensive herb garden. They have set up a drip irrigation system on an automatic timer. They never have to till the soil; when the crop is finished they pull out the old plant, add some fresh mulch, and put in a new one. The planters are on wheels so they can be rotated easily to get the maximum sun through the season. They seldom have to spray for bugs, but when they do, they use an organic mixture of one part detergent to ten parts water.

They are professionals who both work long hours. They decided years ago that they would rather spend time on their deck tending their plants than running into the market every time they need a tomato. They get a tremendous amount of satisfaction from being the source of much of the produce that goes on their table, not the least of which comes from the fact that it is organically grown. What little work they do to tend this simple garden gives them a lot of enjoyment, and they love the feeling of being in touch with nature. In addition, they have made a point of involving their teenage son in their gardening routine. Not only has he been a big help to them, but also he has developed an appreciation for plants and nature he might not otherwise have had. Moreover, they have come to treasure the opportunity to work together as a family at an activity they all enjoy.

Always remember that if you have a space for a deck or patio garden, planting one may not only simplify your grocery shopping, but add a great deal of satisfaction to your life as well.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I am still waiting for the complete set (all seven books) and then off to the bookstores! Just one more book and the long wait is over� patience is a virtue! (Though, Marianna already told me all the details that I need to know! Ciao, Marianna!)

The New York Times calls Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince "a far darker tale."

It is a novel that pulls together dozens of plot strands from previous volumes, underscoring how cleverly and carefully J. K. Rowling has assembled this giant jigsaw puzzle of an epic. It is also a novel that depicts Harry Potter, now 16, as more alone than ever - all too well aware of loss and death, and increasingly isolated by his growing reputation as "the Chosen One," picked from among all others to do battle with the Dark Lord, Voldemort.

Payday Friday

The clock says 9am and yet the CEO is still a no-show. Will we get our payslips and much awaited pay before lunch break? Hmm, wishing so hard.

Oops, he's here already and I want to see kung good mood na si Bossing!

My parents was asking earlier if I went back and joined my first company, and I said, "how come?". Then I laughed so hard, kasi ba naman my time in for work yesterday was 7am and I left the office at 11pm. Whew, 16 hours!!! Hay, kakapagod!

My brother and sister are now complaining, wala na ang bonding time naming lalo na kapag dinner hours. Babawi ako mga cheeblings!

Hay, work nga muna ako at 915am na.

We waited till 1130am, nothing happened. So we ate at Mother Lily's cafeteria. Good thing pa ring kasi Chicken Pork Abodo ang aming ulam. But we are craving for Crab Salad!

The good news came at 3pm. One by one again, in alphabetical order and as usual ako ang kahuli-hulian at pinakamatagal sa room ng CEO. Though, there's bad news, may good news naman, we don't have to go to work over the weekend! Yipee!

At 645pm, di pa rin ako nakaligtas, I was just updating my boss regarding the output for the day and he still called me to go inside his room (me with my heavy MFG bag and my water cooler) to show some of his projections. Whew, akala ko yung 2 minutes niya eh aabutin ng 2 hours, buti na lang 20 minutes lang.

We all went to Sousaku and had dinner. We missed Raf's company kasi naging security guard muna siya sa office and though he could make it pa sana, his family was looking for him already. Nevertheless, Ka Roger naman enjoyed his taste of Japanese dinner.

Took the cab going home, Abbie and Jean took the MRT, and Jannice and Roger walked towards Ayala Avenue to the Shuttle Station.

Crab Salad, Mixed Sashimi, Hot Jasmine Tea and Chicken Katsu... Yum!

Not So Happy Thursday!

Kakainis!

I received a text message from my boss at 635am telling me that he is disappointed with the text message he received from the Operations Manager of our foreign/mother firm. Grr! At exactly, 8am I was scolded even though it was not entirely my fault. To top the said sermons, 3 hours with my boss in a closed-door meeting made me sick to the bone.

Hay! After all the talks, I need to be at the office 13/7! Paano na ang love/social life ko!

What a day�.

Happy 21st Birthday, Raf!!!

What a Monday morning! Over the weekend, I'm up as early as 4:00am and tinkering with my laptop. Yet this morning, my brother had to wake me up and roll me over the bed. Whew so much for Monday morning sickness.

Today is Raf''s 21st birthday. Jannice was the one who bought our gift for the "only" boy in our team. Why only boy? Starting tomorrow, we'll have three gents in our team. The original team will start the usual ice breakers and orientation and we are wishing (please, please, help us!) that the four out of five new members will be able to jive with us harmoniously.

We had a sumptuous lunch courtesy of the birthday boy at Kamayan Glorietta 3 and as usual, we arrived late from lunch (good thing closed door ang CEO) but we can't hardly move or work because of too much eating and laughing. Another, whew!

As usual, we worked our ass off after the long lunch but since it is a birthday, we can�t pass for ice cream and cake. We bought Nestle Ice Cream; Abbie got to choose the flavor of the ice cream: Double Dutch with matching Hot Loops. Sarap! Abbie even ate her ice cream with ripe bananas!

Another day filled with good food and company! Got to go back to work, another week of overtime work! Hay...

Happy 21st birthday Raphael!!!

(l to r) Mary Jean, Ralline Jean, Raphael

(l to r) Jannice and Abigail

(l to r) Abbie, Jan, Jean, Rae, Raf

Atty. Lourdes Barrero-Mejes

Friday Night Out

After a long day and too much planning, finally, we were able to go out and celebrate. Wala lang, gusto lang naming gumastos at kumain at katulad nga ng sabi nila eh di tumoma.

Last Friday, July 1, 2005, I had dinner with my team with their respective boy/girlfriends with a common friend from UP Diliman.

Jannice brought Roger (handsome guy with matching screwdriver sa jacket), Raf brought Mitch (sweet lass and very pretty) and for sure you're asking who I brought along, among the many to choose, none! I opted to bring along Harriett (may pangako akong libre sa kanya and she's also a kabaro). Abbie and Jean are present yet they are happy as singles. Bongga diba!

We ate at Dencio's Jupiter. Eight heads sharing Sari-Saring Sinugba, Crispy Pata, Sisig, Calamares, Ensaladang Mangga and plenty of plain rice. We didn,t order any drinks and we opted iced water because we waited for the pitchers of Frozen Margarita (the best, diba Abbie?) and bottles of Red Horse (Jean, sa susunod, Grande na ha!). Sarap naman eh, but we missed Ronnie! We called him and though it's a no-work day at KSA, he was busy watching Maalaala Mo Kaya while we're feasting ourselves.

Though many say it's bitin, we had fun and the bonding was great. You should have seen us ride the BMW 3 Series with five heads in the backseat and the MB200 series with 7 heads also in the backseat.

Can't wait for the next round!

Birthday Blowout

Tony Roma's Bar and Grill

Glorietta IV, Ayala Center Makati City

Treated my new family for lunch at Tony Roma's Bar and Grill. Had shrimps, ribs and tons of side dishes. All of us enjoyed the meal that we had a hard time going back to the office and staying awake till 6pm.

Thank you for the greetings and the gifts... until the next birthday celebration.

Woman's Day

I received this quote today from a good friend and I love it! Pass the champagne and strawberries

Just learned that the other day is International Very Good Looking, Damn Smart Woman's Day, so please send this message to someone you think fits this description. Please do not send it back to me as I have already received it from a Very Good Looking, Damn Smart Woman!

And remember this motto to live by:

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Sunday Mornings

A good article!
This story was taken from www.inq7.net

Sunday Mornings Get Me High On Household Work
Posted 09:16pm (Mla time) April 01, 2005
By KC Concepcion
Inquirer News Service

I've heard all their stories, been amused by their wildly varying personalities, recorded mental notes of their strange character quirks, and most importantly, I've learned actual life lessons from each one of them, no matter which cities of origin they've brought these lessons back from. I'm talking about my family's household help back home.

In the last century, women lived planning housework as a daily routine, dictating which household job would be done on each day of the week. Helpers are now, in effect, career women in this day and age, as they head out to new worlds to make cosmopolitan homes sparkle. Students, on the other hand, don't have the heart to dedicate their free time to household chores. I'm going to have to say that I've hidden behind the overly popularized reaction, "We're in college! Clean rooms? It wouldn't be right." But moving from my humble little 15-square-meter chambre de bonne to my 46-square-meter apartment has taught me a little bit about cleaning, especially as I have the space now to accommodate company in the forms of human and canine friends.

With their stories I remember I would daydream of one day being able to climb a coconut tree, and wondered why I never learned to do this in my childhood. I also remember spending a lot of time getting them to help me clean up the fridge, which was one of my favorite hobbies as a child. Years later, it is beginning to seem like they are eager to leave that particular job to me, almost to welcome me back home. But, it's okay. I've taken the opportunity and turned this into a regular bonding session with our "katulong." Throwing out expired goods, sectioning food products in both the pantry and fridge, defrosting, wiping up spillage, getting rid of clutter.

Cleaning
Sunday mornings get me high on household work.

My home--a duplex (really just a ladder that leads up to the 'bedroom'), start at the top, working down. I clean this area first, then move onto the living room, where I clean walls, floors, behind and underneath furniture.

I prefer to do the wet stuff first--washing windows or appliances, laundering.

Dry stuff next--dusting, then vacuuming.

I usually leave these to do last--bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms--because they can get quite nasty, and knowing I've done half of the whole house gears me up to do this.

Then I do the hallway and 'cave' (storage room) and steps leading to my door, as well as the door itself (I don't know if it's even my territory anymore but somehow this made me want to clean the elevator and mailboxes as well.)

Bedroom
3 things not to ignore:

1. Changing the sheets at least once a week! It's just better that way.

2. Vacuuming the mattress every couple of months and using a mattress protector you can wash once a month (especially if the bed comes with your rent).

3. Keeping the bed smelling real good by placing a fabric softener sheet under the blanket. Another (semi-barbaric) way of doing this is spritzing some rubbing alcohol on the protector then sprinkling some baby powder over it before placing the covers.

Daily Routine: Make the bed when you get up. Opening windows also helps to get air rushing into the room and into your system before you start your day. In case you have a bad day, at least fall into a yummy bed!

Living room
3 things not to ignore:

1. Telephone receivers (cell phones need some disinfecting too), even if it's just to spray some Lysol or (tried and trusted) rubbing alcohol on a piece of cloth and wiping the receiver clean. This goes for computer, TV, and stereo equipment as well, but these call for more gentle static-free products that shouldn't be sprayed directly onto the surface.

2. Stain removers include baking soda mixed with water (also works for tea or coffee stains), distilled white vinegar for pet urine on carpets or to bring out shine in silverware (when mixed with soap and water), and calamansi peeled at the top and rubbed against a fabric stain.

3. Vacuuming every corner and angle of everything! Under furniture, lampshades, air-conditioning vents, electric fans, bookcases, cds, dvds, picture frames... Really, the vacuum cleaner is a luxury!

Daily Routine: Use a different cloth for each room. It's disgusting to cross-clean considering all the different kinds of scum the cloths pick up. Just imagine.

Kitchen
The kitchen is always where the heart is, in our family. Soulfood gets cooked up, memories are made here (not to mention bonding sessions with the helpers), and so are the secret family recipes (mostly created accidentally in my lifetime).

I accidentally found a great way to make the kitchen attract the Gods... In attempting to make some real-true Chai tea, then naturally failing to do so. Fill up a small saucepan with water and bring it to a simmer. Dump in some cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and orange or dalandan peel, and let the sunshine in!

3 things not to ignore:
1. Wiping up the spillages in the microwave. Multitask! For 3 minutes, try cooking an uncovered bowl of water with a few slices of calamansi (or lemon) to let the steam loosen the dirt, and have it smell fresh at the same time.

2. Posting a list of what's in the freezer, to keep from opening the door frequently. You don't want your low-tech non-frost-free model to ice up quickly, because it is not fun at all to defrost a freezer.

3. Taking out the trash before the bin is filled up and greeting all the guests. Invest in trash bags or grocery "supots." This is good to keep flies away, as well (flies are known to carry up to 2 million bacteria, and are fast breeders--females lay batches of 150 eggs at a time, which hatch in a span of one full day)!

Daily Routine: When doing the dishes it's easier to wash the glasses separately, and it's important to try your best not to knock anything over unnecessarily, because you will be paying for either what you don't have, or what is not yours. Cups & mugs together, then the plates, then utensils, then the pans and cooking dishes. That's if you cook (after moving to a new apartment I found a lace thong packed in my friend's saucepan. Now we know what she does in the kitchen)!

Bathroom
3 things not to ignore:

1. Baking soda rinsed in the tub with warm water works wonders.

2. Hang the shower curtain up after rinsing at least the ends of it with warm water and soap to keep it from going moldy.

3. I like leaving the door open to keep air circulating after a hot shower, unless there is an urgent need to clean up the tiles, which works easier when the bathroom is all steamed up, anyway.

Daily Routine: Bleach tablets or distilled white vinegar diluted in toilet water can make the toilet look a whole lot cleaner. College students, please flush after each use (I don't care if you are saving money by cutting costs on water use) and with a toilet brush that is either changed or disinfected regularly I think it is best to invest in a scented toilet cleaner and scrub after yourself at the end of each day.

Clutter
3 things not to ignore:

1. Removing whatever's in the pantry before stuffing in new products, to see which ones should be thrown away. Also, check to see what you haven't used from a gathering or party, and decide whether or not you want to keep it there for the next get-together (I once found a poor little can of expired Chili con Carne which, in the first place, did not belong in the kitchen of a semi-vegetarian).

2. Putting away clothes, appliances, gadgets, wires, ANYTHING you don't use, or haven't used in the past two years. Pass on to those who will find use in them (helpers and their families are a safe bet), and don't even think of giving broken, useless junk away to someone who is not a magician, handyman, or artist!

3. Dealing with all the clutter could translate into quality time with the vacuum or duster. Storage areas could keep disgusting dust mites in your life, so please DO get them away! A Science project in 7th grade had us magnify a dust mite to the size of a basketball, and this image of hell has traumatized me ever since.

So that's my carousel of mother-hen advice. After a while, chores become second nature until you don't realize you are doing them anymore, and that's even more reason to start coming face-to-face with college-life dirt! A neat room has got to be worth fighting for. It helps to look at cleaning up like lovin' the soul. Ten minutes a day will save you hours and hours of extra time to work, play, study and party. As you plunge into the sweet smell of skin in the Summer sun... I'm all revved up for Spring!

True Love Waits

Theories on Why I Don't Have A Boyfriend
by: batgirl95

Many twenty something girls out there are asking: Why am I still single? I'm sure every other girl/woman/lady asks the same question. Pare-pareho tayo ng litanya: �I�m smart, I�m not completely unfortunate looking, I�m funny and I�m willing to commit but WHY AM I STILL SINGLE?� Well, instead of going crazy asking myself that question, I decided to come up with a few answers.
Many twenty something girls out there are asking: Why am I still single? I�m sure every other girl/woman/lady asks the same question. Pare-pareho tayo ng litanya: �I�m smart, I�m not completely unfortunate looking, I�m funny and I�m willing to commit but WHY AM I STILL SINGLE?� Well, instead of going crazy asking myself that question, I decided to come up with a few answers. I�m not saying I�m drop dead gorgeous and as smart as Marie Curie but come on, every guy I�ve talked to told me they want a smart, witty, sensitive and attractive girlfriend. I�m sure all the other ladies my age possess these qualities and at the risk of being redundant, we all ask ourselves: Why are we still single? Allow me to present the top three theories that sprung from my demented mind:

1. Naghihirap ang bansa natin at bumabagsak ang ekonomiya. Hindi naman kasi ganun kadali humanap ng trabaho ngayon di ba? Nagtitipid ang mga lalaki dahil mahal na ang bilihin ngayon. Sa panliligaw palang, kahit sa Dangwa ka bumili ng bulaklak, magkano na ang gagastusin mo. Isipin mo pa ang pang-gasolina or pamasahe papunta doon at ang katakot-takot na traffic. Eh di sana, ipinang-lunch na nila yun hindi ba?

Tapos siyempre dahil kailangan magmukha silang concerned, kailangan lagi nilang tinatawagan at pinapadalhan ng text messages ang nililigawan nila. Isipin niyo nalang yung load na nagagastos nila or yung binabayaran nila sa bill ng telepono. Minsan, demanding pa tayong mga babae dahil gusto natin imported na chocolates or flowers na mamahalin. Kung hindi naman tayo demanding, gusto lang talaga nila magpa-impress kaya mamahalin ang ibibigay na mga regalo/suhol sa nililigawan.

Siyempre, pag naging kayo na, magastos parin. Because of the infamous male ego and pride, hindi pwedeng sagot ni babae ang date kaya si lalaki parin ang magbabayad. Kahit KKB, gagastos parin si lalaki. Sayang ang pera. Even if you love each other that much, love won�t pay for the movies you know. And think of the gifts. Every Christmas, birthday, Valentine�s Day, Anniversary, etc., you have to give your significant other something. Especially pag Christmas kasi sisipsip pa sa magulang, kapatid, pinsan, etc. ng girlfriend/nililigawan at bibigyan sila lahat ni boyfriend/manliligaw ng regalo. Mahirap kumita ngayon dahil mataas ang unemployment rate, mahal ang bilihin at likas na kuripot ang mga lalaki. Hence, females like me have no boyfriends.

2. May mga babaeng perfectionist. Admit it, every female is looking for the perfect man. Apparently, the perfect man does not exist� yet. What are the qualities we look for in a man? Gwapo, may kaya, responsible, mature, sensitive, funny, smart, presentable, gentleman� the list is endless. We have to face the fact that the perfect man doesn�t exist kasi it�s practically impossible to find all these qualities in one man. If we ever do, the guy is gay, a priest or married! No, I�m not saying that we have to settle for second best but maybe, just maybe, the perfect guy is out there, we just have to lower the standard a notch. He might not be perfect in every way but his flaws just might be the very reason that you will love him. Kasi yung imperfections niya ang reason why he might need the person made for him� for that person to be the one to pick him up when his flaws take him down. I�m not sure if that made sense but I do hope you get the point.

3. The last great theory (and the most likely) of my demented mind is that there are more males born than females every minute of the day. I don�t know what the ratio is now but a couple of years back it was 4 females to one male. Can you believe that? Imagine sharing one boyfriend with three others. Plus you have to face the fact that maybe that one male wants to be a female. Or that one male devotes himself to God. Siyempre, hindi mo kakaribalin ang Diyos di ba? Or that one male is married. Would any female want to play second fiddle? I know I wouldn�t.

Patience is a virtue, that�s my mantra. The theories I made up are just there to console me whenever I feel I�m missing out on something kasi I�m single. Case in point: Valentine�s Day or weddings or family gatherings na hinahanapan ako ng boyfriend. He�s out there somewhere, the boyfriend that at the moment is missing in action. While he�s not there yet, enjoy being single. Sabi nga ng iba, wala pa tayong sakit ng ulo and pag gigimmick, sa parents lang tayo magpapaalam at walang message na biglang darating from a boyfriend asking us where we are, who we�re with and what time tayo uuwi (daig pa ang tatay ko!). The perfect guy for me will come along when I�m not looking for it. And when he does, I�m sure everything will be worth the wait.

* * * * * * *This article is from Peyups.com - The UP Online Community

Friendship

Friendship is a gift
You can give yourself,
One to be used daily
Not put on a shelf.
It's a gift of warmth and joy
That's plied with gentle art,
A special kind of caring
That you share heart to heart.
Friendship is a gift
That ever blooms and grows
And brightens up life's pathway
Just like a lovely rose.

Thank you for your friendship!

Noche Buena at our Magnolia Residence 

Library of Congress

The Library of Congress - Washington, D.C.

Having fun in the Strip! 

Life

A worthwhile read:

George Carlin's wife recently passed away. He wrote the following piece. Typically sharp, and some good advice.

George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small characters, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn�t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all, mean it.

A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

How to Stay Young

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 8 people....who cares?

George Carlin

Be happy and always smile!!!

Closing Cycles

This essay seems appropriate for the season.

Closing Cycles
By Paulo Coelho

One always has to know when a stage comes to an end. If we insist on staying longer than the necessary time, we lose the happiness and the meaning of the other stages we have to go through. Closing cycles, shutting doors, ending chapters - whatever name we give it, what matters is to leave in the past the moments of life that have finished.

Did you lose your job? Has a loving relationship come to an end? Did you leave your parents' house? Gone to live abroad? Has a long-lasting friendship ended all of a sudden? You can spend a long time wondering why this has happened. You can tell yourself you won't take another step until you find out why certain things that were so important and so solid in your life have turned into dust, just like that. But such an attitude will be awfully stressing for everyone involved: your parents, your husband or wife, your friends, your children, your sister, everyone will be finishing chapters, turning over new leaves, getting on with life, and they will all feel bad seeing you at a standstill.

None of us can be in the present and the past at the same time, not even when we try to understand the things that happen to us. What has passed will not return: we cannot forever be children, late adolescents, sons that feel guilt or rancor towards our parents, lovers who day and night relive an affair with someone who has gone away and has not the least intention of coming back. Things pass, and the best we can do is to let them really go away.

That is why it is so important (however painful it may be!) to destroy souvenirs, move, give lots of things away to orphanages, sell or donate the books you have at home. Everything in this visible world is a manifestation of the invisible world, of what is going on in our hearts - and getting rid of certain memories also means making some room for other memories to take their place. Let things go. Release them. Detach yourself from them. Nobody plays this life with marked cards, so sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Do not expect anything in return, do not expect your efforts to be appreciated, your genius to be discovered, your love to be understood. Stop turning on your emotional television to watch the same program over and over again, the one that shows how much you suffered from a certain loss: that is only poisoning you, nothing else.

Nothing is more dangerous than not accepting love relationships that are broken off, work that is promised but there is no starting date, decisions that are always put off waiting for the "ideal moment." Before a new chapter is begun, the old one has to be finished: tell yourself that what has passed will never come back. Remember that there was a time when you could live without that thing or that person - nothing is irreplaceable, a habit is not a need. This may sound so obvious, it may even be difficult, but it is very important.

Closing cycles. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because that no longer fits your life. Shut the door, change the record, clean the house, shake off the dust. Stop being who you were, and change into who you are.

What do I love?

I love being around with friends, laughing frenziedly (which often causes my eyes to disappear for awhile), and basically, having a good conversation with various kinds of people.

I love eating crushed ice though I'm not a fan of the Ice Monster. I can't stand it whenever there's no ice in my drinks especially during lunch. Ask Abbie, she always hears my water container and how upset I am whenever the Cafeteria owner keeps the ice tray under the table.

The next best thing to crushed ice would be chicken and shrimps. Yup, I'm a sucker for those roast chickens and grilled shrimps. You should see our freezer and our weekly menu

What else do I love aside from the above mentioned stuff? My parents and most especially my sister and my brother! Nothing could top that!

Cake anyone?

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this", or "Why did God have to do this to me".

Here is a wonderful explanation!

A daughter is telling her Mother
how everything is going wrong...
she's failing algebra,
her boyfriend broke up with her
and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake
and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and
the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."

"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers.
"Yuck" says her daughter.
"How about a couple raw eggs?"
"Gross, Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then?
Or maybe baking soda?"

"Mom, those are all yucky!"
To which the mother replies:
"Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves.
But when they are put together in the right way,
they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

God works the same way.
Many times we wonder why He would let us
go through such bad and difficult times.
But God knows that when He puts these things
all in His order, they always work for good!

We just have to trust Him and, eventually,
they will all make something wonderful!
God is crazy about you.
He sends you flowers every spring
and a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.
He can live anywhere in the universe,
and He chose your heart.

I hope your day is a piece of cake! Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance. Good day everyone!!!

Hugs

There's no such thing as a bad hug, only good ones and great ones.

Nonfattening and they don't cause cancer or cavities..

All natural with no preservatives, artificial ingredients or pesticide residue...

Cholesterol-free, naturally sweet, 100% wholesome and they are a completely renewable resource...

Easy to care for, they don't require batteries, tune-ups, or xrays...

Nontaxable, fully returnable and energy efficient...

Safe in all kinds of weather...

In fact, especially good for cold and rainy days and

Exceptionally effective in treating problems like bad dreams or Monday blues...

Never wait until tomorrow to hug someone you could hug today, because when you give one, you get one right back your way!

Need time off?

I urgently needed a few days holiday, but because I never had any leave due to me, I knew the Boss would not allow me to take a few days leave.

I thought that maybe if I acted "Mad" then he would tell me to take a few days off. So I hung upside down on the ceiling and made funny noises.

My co-worker (who's blonde) asked me what I was doing. I told her that I was pretending to be a light bulb so that the Boss would think I was "Mad" and give me a few days off.

A few minutes later the Boss came into the office and asked "What are you doing?"

I told him I was a light bulb. He said "You are mad - take a few days off".

I jumped down and walked out of the office.

When my co-worker (the blonde) followed me, the Boss asked her "...And where are you going?"


(You're going to love this!)



scroll down.....








She said "I can't work in the dark!!!!�

A Little Wisdom

A mirror is only as good
As the reflection in it.

Worry enough to anticipate trouble
But not so much as to bring it about.

Look back to where you have been
For a clue to where you are going.

Melt the icy fingers of fear
With the sunshine of hope.

Step by gentle step,
You can overcome the greatest sorrow.

The sweetest grapes
Are picked from the vineyard of friendship.

Find something you truly believe in,
And everything else will have meaning as well.

Keep in Mind...

Love is grand; divorce is at least a hundred grand.

Time may be a great healer, but it is also a lousy beautician.

Remember: amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic.

Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.

Conscience is what hurts when everything else feels so good.

An optimist thinks that this is the best possible world. A pessimist fears that this is true.

Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just stand there.

My inferiority complex is not as good as yours is.

I am having an out of money experience.

It is frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.

You are getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.

Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.

Work... Work... Work

A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered.

Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible.

Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, "Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."

The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love.

One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed.

Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. Life isdefinitely not about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time. You have to decide how you want to balance your Life. Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts. Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence. So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Life is fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy Life!

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

The Little Things

After Sept. 11th, one company invited the remaining members of other companies who had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their available office space.

At a morning meeting, the head of security told stories of why these people were alive.......... and all the stories were just: The 'LITTLE' things.

As you might know, the head of the company got in late that day because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.

One of them missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.

One's car wouldn't start.

One went back to answer the telephone.

One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.

One couldn't get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when we get stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone ... all the little things that annoy us...let's think that everything happened for a reason. This is exactly where God wants us to be at this very moment.

Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; Angels are at work watching over you and may you remember their possible purpose.

Love and Madness

A long time ago, before the world was created and humans set foot on it for the first time, virtues and vices floated around and were bored, not knowing what to do.

One day, all the vices and virtues were gathered together and were more bored than ever. Suddenly, Ingenious came up with an idea: "Let's play hide and seek!"

All of them liked the idea and immediately Madness shouted: "I want to count, I want to count!" And since nobody was crazy enough to want to seek Madness, all the others agreed. Madness leaned against a tree and started to count: "One, two, three..."

As Madness counted, the vices and virtues went hiding. Tenderness hung itself on the horn of the moon, Treason hid in a pile of garbage. Fondness curled up between the clouds and Passion went to the center of the earth. Lie said that it would hide under a stone, but hid at the bottom of the lake, whilst Avarice entered a sack that he ended up breaking. And Madness continued to count: "...seventy nine, eighty, eighty one..."

By this time, all the vices and virtues were already hidden except Love. For undecided as Love is, he could not decide where to hide. And this should not surprise us, because we all know how difficult it is to hide Love.

Madness: "...ninety five, ninety six, ninety seven..." Just when Madness got to one hundred, Love jumped into a rose bush where he hid.

And Madness turned around and shouted: "I'm coming, I'm coming!"

As Madness turned around, Laziness was the first to be found, because Laziness had no energy to hide. Then he spotted Tenderness in the horn of the moon, Lie at the bottom of the lake and Passion at the center of the earth. One by one, Madness found them all except Love.

Madness was getting desperate, unable to find Love. Envious of Love, Envy whispered to Madness: "You only need to find Love, and Love is hiding in the rose bush."

Madness grabbed a wooden pitchfork and stabbed wildly at the rose bush. Madness stabbed and stabbed until a heartbreaking cry made him stop. Love appeared from the rose bush, covering his face with his hands. Between his fingers ran two trickles of blood from his eyes.

Madness, so anxious to find Love, had stabbed out Love's eyes with a pitchfork. "What have I done? What have I done!� Madness shouted. "I have left you blind! How can I repair it?"

And Love answered: "You cannot repair my eyes. But if you want to do something for me, you can be my guide."

And so it came about that from that day on, Love is blind and is always accompanied by Madness.

Cookies

At an airport one night
With several long hours
Before her flight,
She hunted for a book
In an airport shop,
Bought a bag of cookies
And found a place to drop.

She was engrossed in her book
But happened to see,
That the man sitting beside her,
As bold as could be,
Grabbed a cookie or two
From the bag in between,
Which she tried to ignore
to avoid a scene.

So she munched the cookies
And watched the clock,
As the gutsy cookie thief
Diminished her stock.

She was getting more irritated
As the minutes ticked by,
Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice,
I would blacken his eye."

With each cookie she took,
He took one too,
When only one was left,
She wondered what he would do.

With a smile on his face,
And a nervous laugh,
He took the last cookie
And broke it in half.
He offered her half,
As he ate the other,
She snatched it from him
And thought.... ooh, brother!

This guy had some nerve
And he's also rude,
Why he didn't even show
Any gratitude!

She had never known
When she been so galled,
And sighed with relief
When her flight was called.

She gathered her belongings
And headed to the gate,
Refusing to look back
At the thieving ingrate.

She boarded the plane,
And sank in her seat,
Then she sought her book,
Which was almost complete.

As she reached in her baggage,
She gasped with surprise,
There was her bag of cookies,
In front of her eyes.

If mine are here,
She moaned in despair,
The others were his,
And he tried to share.

Too late to apologize,
She realized with grief,
That she was the rude one,
The ingrate, the thief!

How many times have we absolutely known that something was a certain way, only to discover later that what we believed to be true.... was not?

Always Keep An Open Mind And An Open Heart, Because........................You Just Never Know....

"You might be eating someone else's cookies!" :)

Smart Casual Event at the Tower Club

My 28th Birthday Blowout to my PSPC Taxation Family

The Taipan at the Tower Club

33rd Floor, Philamlife Tower

Paseo De Roxas, Makati City

11:30am to 2:30pm

ang siksik at ang seksi... una siyempre kami sa kainan at sa pagorder...

si arvin at si albin... nakakalito kapag tatawagin sila ng sabay...

si sir maeng na talaga namang chickboy (crush at niligawan si ms. paz nung nasa sgv pa) at si sir gabby ang kilabot ng halos lahat ng accounting firms sa buong pilipinas...

ang kambal na laging magkasama... si tito farley at si tito nick! minsan mahirap isipin na hindi sila magkasama or magkasunod...

si manay trel... maaasahan sa lahat...

ang sabi ni sir gabby, si aileen, hahabol sa katawan ni ms. nimfa, si ms. nimfa eh nahabol sa katawan ni ralline.. si ralline hahabol sa katawan ni aileen?

lahat kami sa Taxation ay masarap kumain, yan ang aming libangan. kahit ano pa ang food at kahit saan eh laging good food with good company!

Birthday Blowout from my PSPC Family

Taxation Deparment's Birthday Blowout

Executive Dining Room

SHELL House Makati

4pm - 6pm

Atty. Nimfa Farida Guyala-Dimailig with the Birthday Girl

Redentor "Gabby" Gabinete, Arvin Daquioag, Farley Areola, Ms. Nimfa and Ralline

Left to Right: Tito Farley, Sir Maeng, Sir Gabby, Manay Trel, Tito Nick, Albin, Ms. Nimfa, Ralline and Arvin

Taxation Department of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation... oops, maternity leave pa si Seksi (a.k.a. Aileen Espinosa-Magrimbao)

A Story of Love

It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman, in his 80's, presented to have sutures (stitches) removed from his thumb.

He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him.

I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation.

I asked him if he had a doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.

The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer Disease.

As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late.

He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him. "And you are still going every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"

He smiled as he patted my hand and said...

"She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

-- author unknown

Laws of Life

Murphy's First Law for Wives: If you ask your husband to pick up five items atthe store and then you add one more as an afterthought, he will forget two ofthe first five.

Kauffman's Paradox of the Corporation: The less important you are to thecorporation, the more your tardiness or absence is noticed.

The Salary Axiom: The pay raise is just large enough to increase your taxes andjust small enough to have no effect on your take-home pay.

Miller's Law of Insurance: Insurance covers everything except what happens.

First Law of Living: As soon as you start doing what you always wanted to bedoing, you'll want to be doing something else.

Weiner's Law of Libraries: There are no answers, only cross-references.

Isaac's Strange Rule of Staleness: Any food that starts out hard will softenwhen stale. Any food that starts out soft will harden when stale.

The Grocery Bag Law: The candy bar you planned to eat on the way home from the market is hidden at the bottom of the grocery bag.

Lampner's Law of Employment: When leaving work late, you will go unnoticed.When you leave work early, you will meet the boss in the parking lot.

Baby Shower

Aileen Espinos-Magrimbao's Baby Shower

EDR, SHELL House Makati

March 2004

Standing (left to right): Arvin, Tito Farley, Ralline, Sir Gabby and Albin
Seated (left to right): Ms. Nimfa, Aileen and Tito Nick

Another Time... Another Place...

Eversince I laid my eyes to you,
every moment of my life was full of dreams,
thinking it is our destiny...
thinking my dreams are coming true.

This is the day I gave hope to my dreams.
And for the rest of my life, it would never be the same.
Beacuse this is the day you touched my heart...
and the day you broke it apart.

From that day on, I tried to make tears disappear.
And its taking me forever to let you go.
But If I don't, i will only be hurting someone who loves you so.
And I would be only hurting you.

There could only be one,
and It hurts to know that I'm not the one.
But even only in my dreams,
you will still be apart of me...no matter what!

But you see, dreams do come true...
maybe in another time and another place...

No One Waits Forever

Have you ever noticed that the worst way to miss someone is when they are right beside you and yet you can never have them..... when the moment you can't feel them under your fingertips you miss them?

Have you ever wondered which hurts the most; saying something and wishing you had not, or saying nothing and wishing you had?

I guess the most important things are the hardest things to say. They are thethings you get ashamed of because words dim inish them, words shrink things that seemed timeless when they were in your head..... to no more than living size when they are brought out....

Don't be afraid to tell someone you love them. If you do they might break your heart... but if you don't you might break theirs.

Have you ever decided not to become a couple because you were so afraid of losing what you already had with that person?

Your heart decides who it likes and who it doesn't. You can't tell your heart what to do. It does it on its own.... when you least suspect it or even when you don't want it to.

Have you ever wanted to love someone with everything you had but that otherperson was too afraid to let you?

Too many of us stay walled because we are too afraid to care too much.... forfear that the other person does not care as much, or at all.

Have you ever loved someone and they had absolutely no idea whatsoever? Or fell for your best-friend in the entire world, and then sat around and watched him fall for someone else?

Have you ever denied your feelings for someone because your fear of rejectionwas too hard to handle?

We tell lies when we are afraid....
afraid of what we don't know,
afraid of what others will think,
afraid of what will be found out about us.
But everytime we tell a lie.... the thing we fear grows stronger.

Life is all about risks and it requires you to jump. Don't be a person who has to look back and wonder what they would have or could have had.

Think About These...

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

To handle yourself, use your head,

To handle others, use your heart.

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events;

Small minds discuss people.

God gives every bird it's food, but he does not throw it into it's nest.

He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses more;

He who loses faith, loses all.

Beautiful young people are acts of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.

Learn from mistakes of others you can't live long enough to make them all yourself. The tongue weighs practically nothing, but so few people can hold it.

Friends, you and me ... you brought another friend ... and then there were 3... we started our group ... Our circle of friends... and like that circle ... there is no beginning ... and there is no end."

Happiness

Five Simple Rules to be HAPPY :

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less.