49 days

I make it a point to bring my camera to work every Friday. I have only 49 days left in the Philippines before i leave for Virginia. I have yet to buy my bags for the long trip (which is scheduled to be done today). I also have to secure my certification of grades for my Masteral studies at Bicol University. I also think I might get to secure another set of NBI clearance and police clearance. But that's up to when Max is going to call the USCIS and ask if I still need to submit them. I also have to take care of the uninstallation of my internet connection at home plus the deactivation of my cellphone number. I will settle with a pre-paid SIM because the Smart Communications customer assistant told me so. hehe.

Not that much things to do before I leave, really. I also am not planning to have despidida parties really. I hate goodbyes. I hate being the center of attention (except when Max is involved hehe)

So yesterday, we again had lunch out - LCC Food Court express. I think I am developing this sizzling-gambas-mania even when I know it's not good health-wise. C-H-O-L-E-S-T-E-R-O-L. It was a nice break from our busy work (Yeah, I take back saying I'm not to loaded with work after I tendered my resignation!) It was also a good way to start the GMC meeting which lasted until almost 6PM thereby ruining our Batchoy schedule! Arg!

That meant going home without any good thoughts after the meeting. That meant leaving my jacket on my office chair. That meant Kristian getting it for me and giving it to me at the van terminal. And yes, that meant taking a pic of the Mayon Volcano behind the terminal lines. Awesome.

Quotable quotes

Random question to the officemates via YM one lazy Wednesday afternoon:

"What is your favorite quote?"

Chan: "wara te"
Fer: "dai ko daw po aram teh.."
Mark: "waah! kan naghapot ka wara naglaog sa utak ko. wara cguro ako favorite te"
Jill: "time is gold but patience is a virtue :D"
Liz: "kadakul..depende sa mood po."
Ton: "The hottest love has the coldest end."
Kuya Dan: "Sex is sacred"
Max: I think there I'm confused.
Ms. Joji: No answer.

Mga lapa! hehe

My creepy valentine

Because Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday and I'm sure as Miriam Defensor-Santiago winning a seat in the Senate that I'll just stay at home and spend the day with Max online, I prodded the Super Troopers into going to the Bicol Memorial Park to take photos with the memorial park and its semi-eerie/semi-romantic atmosphere as the background.

Jill brought along her new Nikon D40 DSLR too.








This was of course after our lunch date at LCC Food Court Express where hearts decked place. I think this was to compensate the really really bad tasting Bistek Tagalog that they served.







We had to quickly get out of the memorial park because the valentine daters who dig the ambience of the place as we dig them startedcoming in pairs. And off we go to Master Ken's place for some hot-lovin', sweat-pourin' Batchoy! Yums!!!












It wasn't really that creepy, eh?

I am a Responsible Filipino...

...because I walk on pedestrian lanes.
...because I stop and sing when the National Anthem is played.
...because I never want to be a traditional government employee - I am a proud private employee. (put down those high brows!)
...because I do not give excessive alms to the poor.
...because I am proud to be a Filipino.
...because I vote wisely and freely.
...because I am respectful to the elderly (except the old man).
...because I hate BIR.
...because I don't bribe.
...because I cannot be bribed.
...because I do not use glutathione soap or however the hell that is spelled.
...because I take time to see and savor the Philippine's best vacation spots.
...even if I forget to pray at night.
...even if I am marrying an American citizen.
...because I would never have botox! Ever!
...because I will teach my future children the Filipino language.
...because I think Jessica Zafra is cool.
...because I do not litter (so much).
...because I carefully put out my cigarette light and throw it in the trash can.
...because I value education.
...because I voted for Raul Roco!
...even if I idolize a British author.
...even if I don't watch Pinoy films. (the indie ones are cool though)
...even if I want to dye my hair green.
...EVEN IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH ME!

Now you can make your own list. :P

*as inspird by Drilon's 23 and Alex's 10.

pizza

While local TV news shows blabber about politicians changing camps and allies tonight, I find myself getting sleepy. I have not caught up with the right amount of sleep since November 6th. It's the i-can't-sleep-because-I'm-excited and i-can't-sleep-because-i'm-thinking-of-him blues.

Lurve. *sigh*

It was a fun and action-filled more-than-a-week vacation with Max and Mom Elaine. Why did I say action-filled? Because on day 1 (November 7), we all had to rush ourselves from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.. To top it off, their luggage got lost somewhere in their long flight from Newark, NJ to HK. They had to put on others' clothes, thanks to Mom and Kuya John.

November 7
Of course my family played the best host to our mother-son American guests. It was my idea to serve them foods, preferably local ones, on the afternoon we arrive in Ligao City from Manila. We had lechon, fresh lumpia, palabok, puto, calamay and to put in some Western touch, we had fried chicken and a black forest cake. And coke of course - which I have reconfirmed is Max's and Mom's favorite. Mom Elaine was asleep the while time and Max retired early for bed. Jetlag sank in, u bet.




November 8
To follow the little itinerary I have prepared before they even went here, we went to the Coastal View Resort (formerly Black Sands Resort) in the Sunday afternoon. Mom Elaine had to back out from the plan because she wasn't feeling well with her swollen feet and a bad stomach. The luggage being lost was all the more not re-assuring.

The tropang C.O. all came to see Max at the Coast View Resort - except for Markie who was busy trying to patch things up with his girl. We all sang the afternoon away. Max did his not-so-own version of Ice Ice Baby. Minutes after singing, he decided to go to bed (jetlag sank in again). That or he didn't give justice to Vanilla Ice's shot to fame. hehe.




to be continued...

Santi-santito

Santi is finally down to typhoon signal #1 here in the province of Albay. But it's still signal #2 in the province of Catanduanes - meaning party without Bongzi mi Amiga - and up to signal #3 in Metro Manila. I pray to all the gods that Metro Manila and the rest of the GMA (Greater Manila Area) is spared of another flood.

We all know that November is a typhoon month here in the Philippines and that typhoons are inevitable. In a way, I'm thankful that typhoon passed our place this weekend and not next weekend or the next week after. It's when Max and Mom arrive and depart. And a bad weather will not ever be the way to go with their vacation.

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

In another news, I facilitated Camalig Bank's first ever GCash orientation at the Corporate Office. At least 7 clients came - although the last four came one at a time where I've already explained what GCash is and how they can register. Ahhh, patience Beata.

They all seemed interested except for the other two who had no Globe network SIMs. I hope the Legazpi and Daraga branch peeps be able to follow-up with them and eventually increase our GCash transactions.

I forgot to bring my camera. I wanted to document it as it is our first ever. Manager Jim took pictures from his phone camera though. I hope it comes out good. Goodluck to us in our GCash endeavors!

shoghibots and beabots...coming soon

I'll be blogging more again soon. Max and his mom, Elaine, are coming to visit. It's Max's second and first for Moms. To say that I'm excited is an understatement.

We've pretty much got all the trip stuff/concerns covered. From the fetching at the Manila International Airport to the swanky hotel Max booked for us. I'm excited about the jacuzzi hehe. I have also (finally) reserved our rooms for the Coastal View (formerly *the controversial* Black Sands) Resort in Sto. Domingo where the mom-son tandem will get to hangout with me and my co-workers. Should be fun!

Ohhh! And my new camera that Max bought for me! Yehaa!

Hurraaaay!

*The coffee I had this afternoon at work is still workin' the caffeine trip to my brain. Arg!*