nothing but nails

I just really need to post this one. I know this one has been long overdue but this is one entry that i need to post so that i can have something to laugh about someday.

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Dec. 18, 2006
last night, i went to the nail salon for a pedicure. afraid that i may not be entertained and accepted because of the influx of people getting their nails done, i scheduled myself for an appointment. needless to say, my appointment was useless as i was still asked to wait in line.
si i waited and finally heard my name.
the pedicurist and i were talking about the left and right parties and the influx of customers that they were receiving at that time. Obviously I had to tell her that we were having our office party the next day. and so the pedicurist asked me why not get my finger nails cleaned. i told her that it was clean enough and i wasnt really comfortable to have them cleaned and all. however, she still convinced me to get my nails cleaned -- and so i did.

usually there are 2 people who will work on you if you get your nails at the feet and hand done at the same time. however in my case, i decided to get my finger nails done after my pedicure.

net,i sat down at the salon for 2 straight hours just to get my nails done. it's something that i have never done before ever. usually when you want to get your hair cut and colored you would walk to and from your chair to the wash area once or 2x so you dont literally just sit at the chair for 2 or more straight hours.

in my case, 2 hours to get my nails done is really something. was i being vain? i hope not. my friends would be surprised really, i was.

PAGODA

Today, i am Miss Pagoda Phillippines.

define pagoda...
according to websters online dictionary, it means: a tower in eastern Asia usually with roofs curving upward at the division of each of several stories and erected as a temple or memorial


Here in my good 'ol country Pinas, there's this brand called Pagonda Cold Wave Lotion. It's a type of chemical product used for hair perming.

Now, when I say i am Miss Pagoda Philippines -- it's a slang word for pagod. tired. it's one of those nice adjectives to use that came from gay folks. it's a happy word for me.

It's a happy word because when one is so stressed out, like me, today, it just feels so good when i shout out to the world that i am PAGODA.I hear them from my officemates, gay or straight and we all love using this slang world. It frees us from our misery in Advertising.

I'm so frieking tired today. Goodness. Those little things that you do can get one really tired like viewing release materials -- tons and tons of release materials. Goodness gracious. They take up so much time. Your ears are bleeding and you almost become cross-eyed from hearing and seeing the same thing over and over and over and over and over again. But someone has to do it. Someone has to make sure that all tapes that you release contain the right stuff or at the very least contains something. You dont want it going to the station when you're past your deadline and get feedback from them saying it doesn't contain anything. Worse, you don't want it see on-air and realize that you aired the wrong material. Might as well die. Or go to hell. I'd rather die than face the consequences of having to pay such a huge amount of money (that i don't have), work for x number of years to pay for that frieking mistake plus get sacked by your boss, your Agency and your Client.

So whoever came up with that term 'pagoda', thank you. It can really brighten up your day. Try it, you'll see.

No Ordinary Morning

It was no ordinary for me last April 13. I was greeted with the most astonishing sunrise that I have ever seen in my entire 28 years of existence. I know that there are other people who were blessed to see beautiful sunrises from their window or outdoor experience, but for me this is as a good as it can get and I can't ask for anything more.

I was very lucky to have time to go on a vacation last week. It was holy week and all companies are forced to close their office starting Thursday. I was lucky to be able to leave on a Wednesday. I, together a few friends Jomar and Earl went to Pundakit, Zambales. Luckily it wasn't that difficult to get a bus ticket going out of Manila and there was hardly any traffic. We left at noon and got to San Antonio town around 3.30pm. It's 30 mins. away or tricycle ride away from a the small town of Pundakit. Keps and my boyfriend Kerwin welcomed us to the town of San Antonio since they left Manila the night before.

We were billeted at a cozy resort a few meters away from the beach front and stayed at a cottage room that they say can hold 10 people max, but my estimate is about 8 people only. There were 2 rooms and each room can hold at least 4 people. The cottage room that we rented comes with a free use of a nipa hut. It's a pretty cozy place to hangout and I was surprised to see that my boyfriend turned it into a small kitchen cum dining area -- which was great. At least our cottage was left clean for us to sleep except for the sand that comes along with our feet as we enter.

We got to the resort past 4pm and settled for a while and finally decided to take a dip and watch the sunset. It was my first time to be at Pundakit beach. The sad is a mixture of gray and white but mostly gray, which I have noticed to be most common from beaches within in a nearby mountain. But what surprised me the most was that the water was clear, very clear. Which is a good sign because it means that the beach is clean. From my view, you can also the three famous islands of Capones, named small, medium and large. Pundakit beach looks like your usual beach located at the outskirt of Manila. Gray sand, with small fishing boats parked and small nipa cottages. Don't forget the latest craze the "videoke" machine that all over the place. Almost all the cottages at the beachfront had one. And every night the cottages will be filled with people singing, their voices soaring high and loud, all with different intonations and pronunciation of the English language.

This is not your usual tourist destination. I can say this beach is left pristine and as natural as it can be with a few small stores scattered around the place. No restaurants available for you to eat and no discos playing loud club music. The place remains as natural as it can be with the blessing of the locals. The place is just the way they like it. Very provincial. Very local. Where no bikinis or board shorts exist. Only long pants or jeans for the boys and for the girls, their precious white skin hidden from the blazing sun protected by their T-shirts, walking shorts and jackets or towels. Yes, it isn’t your ordinary beachwear.

On my second day we planned to go to Capones Islands. Our official delegates to the market and cooks Kerwin and Keps got drunk the night before. They woke up late and their minds worked too slow that morning (symptoms of too much alcoholism). While the rest of us felt the laziness breeze in us, we all moved slow and decided to leave the resort mid-afternoon to take us to the largest island of Capones.

The small fishing boat to took us to island of Big Capones. The sun was shining, it was really hot and we were all anxious to get to the island. As we reached our destination, we hurriedly jumped off the boat and rejoiced! We hurriedly unloaded our stuff and ran to the sea to take a dip. It was amazing. The sand was almost pure white. The sea was blue green. There were a lot of fishes playing around their turf. Amazing. Spectacular.

As we cooked our food, the moonlight was shining against the water. The view was spectacular. It was full moon. It shed us some light for the night. We ended our night with shots of brandy going around and sashimi. The cool breeze lulled us to sleep. We all fell under its spell and slept.

And the next morning was no ordinary morning as I was greeted with the most spectacular sunrise that I have ever seen. And this time not in magazines or photos but the real thing.


We eventually went back to the island on our second to the last day of our officially holiday. It was crazy. The place is truly beautiful and serene.

***

To get to San Antonio (via bus)
Ride a bus that travels to Iba, Zamabales. You may take Victory Liner at Caloocan Station. There’s a scheduled trip every hour starting at 5am until 6pm. The last bus leaves at 11.30pm. You may also try other Victory Liner stations but most likely they have lesser trips that leaves for Iba.

Option: Or go to Olongapo and ride a mini-bus going to San Antonio

Cost: Bus from Caloocan would cost around P222.00

From San Antonio to Pundakit
The bus will drop you off at a waiting shed in front of which is a two story bldg for small business. Beside is like the “town’s plaza” and behind the building is the wet market. Cross the street from the waiting shed and you will see a tricycles lined up. They will take you to Pundakit.

Cost: Minimum of P40 (for 1 to 2 pax). Additional head will cost extra P20

To get to Capones:
Bangka’s (fishing boat) would cost around P700 round trip. Maximum of 3 or 4 pax depending on your weight. There are a few Bangka’s that are big enough to hold a lot of people but they’re just a few.

Additional info:
Zambales is also one of the surfing spots here in the Phils. Surf’s up during the monsoon season which is during June to August.

OVERTIME

I have been going home very late the past few days... not mention that this has been a recurring thing since March.
I just hate the feeling when you're left all alone to finish everything.
It's a waiting game and you're all alone.
What do you do when you don't have anything to read, nothing to listen to ... thank god for mobile phone games -- they somehow keep you company.
This is the part that I hate.
How exciting can my life get.
I'm the runner.
I'm the kj.
AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH
Hint: maybe because i'm in advertising.
Get it?

Long Day

I had a long day today. And guess what? it ain't over till it's over.
Still have another meeting.
What time? 11pm. Hopefully it starts early, like 10ish.
Great.
Just want to get this done and over with.
Wish me luck.
Maybe i should eat dinner first then get my foot massage.

THE BEACH

I watched "the beach" again last Sunday.
Now, i'm listening to the soundtrack. After a year or so hiatus from my Cd player...
God. I miss the beach and not just the movie, but the beach.

I wonder was this because the movie reminded me of my trip to Bangkok? Or because it's summer -- it's the perfect time to go to the beach? Is my soul calling my body back?

My head is spinning. I'm lost. My body yearns for the sea. I can't wait to run towards the sea and dive into the deep water and get lost in the world down under.

I'm seeing a series of flashbacks of all the things i did in the past... scuba diving in puerto galera... body boarding in la union. Drinking literally under the full moon in Daet, Camarines. Lying on the hammock while watching the sunset at Red Pirates, Bora, the paraw boat ride while aboard Tequila Sunrise during sunset at Bora again. And just having plain fun in the sand.


the sun, the sea, the sky, the sunset, sunrise, the booze, the fire, the drum beat and friends... "nanana-nana- yeahiyeah nanana yeah!..."

It is calling me.... calling... calling... my soul to rush to the sea.

aaahhh, the beach life.

STRESS

I'm so stressed out.
This weekend was hell.
I could feel jitters in my tummy last Sunday.
Can't wait to launch the copies that I've been working on for the past 3 months.
I'm so near my deadline and yet i feel that I'm soooo far away.
Jeez...
I've been having sleepless nights because of this.
I can't eat well and my brain can't function correctly.
God! I hate this feeling.

THIS IS CRAZY

I'm still in the office. All alone in the accounts area.
Waiting for the creatives to finish their work. and when they're done, i'm left to finish the dirty work of having to email it to my clients. In fairness to them, they also have to work hard too and ensure that things go well and magnificently as planned. But it's sad and lonely when you're left to finish the entire task while the rest of the group are done. It's sad when they toss the baton to you to finish the race all alone.

THE INTERVIEW

HOW WAS YOUR TRIP TO BANGKOK?
Great!

WAS IT YOUR FIRST TIME TO VISIT BKK?
Yes

SO HOW WAS IT?
It was hot, really hot.

WHAT DID YOU DO THERE?
It was an official office leisure trip. We watched a cultural play about the history of Thailand. Went to a few temples and visited the Grand Palace. If I were to divide my time 25% was group tour, 50% shopping, 20% sleeping and 5% drinking.

SHOPPING... HMM SOUNDS INTERESING
Yup interesting indeed. I was pretty overwhelmed with the shopping. I didn't know where to start... So many things to buy yet so little time (not including so little money...)

20% SLEEPING?
Yeah, I slept early...1am or 2am. i slept late because i had to fix my things not because I went out for a night drink or something. Dead tired. I was so tired mostly because when I left Manila, I hardly had enough time to sleep. I worked for about 20 hours straight. I officially finished work at 6am. Went home to get a few hours of sleep. Woke up at 9am, packed my things. Took a bath. And left for the airport.

AND THE DRINKING?
Didn't get to drink a lot of beer. Shopping can make a person really exhausted thus no need for the beer. Though i bought a couple of bottles and brought it up to my room and gave it to my friends.

I made sure that I will drink alcohol on my last night at Bangkok... went to a couple of bars. It was fun. It was great. It's great to party in a different place very far away from home once in a while.

BANGKOK

I might not be able to go to bangkok next weeekkk. wAaaaahh

hmmm

my b-day is technically over but i'm not yet done celebrating it.

this saturday, will be having a small reunion with good friends from highschool. Just us girls and a few boys with our partners! It's about time we all meet up once again.

i'm just bothered with my work.... it wasn't exactly the greatest week ever but...

oh-boy all of a sudden i remembered i cant even discuss "my work" because of confidentiality reasons. Geez.... arrrggghhhh.

i think that's all i can say for now....

My Day

I finally turned 28 last Wednesday.
I wanted to take the day off but my officemates requested me not to take a leave.
They treated me to lunch at Zong, a Chinese Resto at the Fort and had coffee at Gourdo's.
The coffee at Gourdo's was actually a division meeting. But since it was held outside the office and it was my birthday, I'd like to still think that we just had dessert and coffee at Gourdo's.
We came back at around 4pm and immediately went into meetings. Several meetings. Was in a rush to leave for dinner with my family but had to extend just a little bit more until finally i gave up!

For heaven's sake, it was my birthday and i was swamped with work.

Had dinner with family at Next Door, a Chinese Resto again + one round of drinks at Tiananmen and 2 rounds at Penguin.

Happy birthday!

happy

A few more hours just before I turn 28... happy so far.
A good friend of mine came back from the states -- quite unsure if it's a vacation or for business since he will be staying here for 5 months. It was his birthday last Friday. I sent him an sms to greet him and he replied saying that he will be celebrating his birthday in Disneyland!

In less than 4 days i got a call from him using a local service provider. Where in the world are you. He just arrived last night. Geez. wow. it's a great birthday gift. A year ago, we were trying to cherish each day before he goes to America -- no idea of he was coming back anytime soon. In 5 years perhaps but not this soon.

I'm just simply happy.
I'm happy that a few friends of mine greeted me in advance (vs. last year when everybody almost forgot -- intentionally or untentionally. loser). Got to reconnect with a couple of friends whom i terribly miss. I'm happy that Jomar is back.

I think year 2006 will be a good year for me.

More stories on turning 28

Should i or should i not celebrate 28 years of my life.
should i just have a small intimate dinner with a few friends or celebrate, be merry and throw a party and invite more friends?
Should I or should I not? Talk about dilemna, a major one.
I really want to party, but i feel undecided on who to invite. Everybody's just too damn busy and im quite unsure if people will surely attend.
The venue is another story. My sister is sick so can't celebrate in her house. Where to... this is getting crazy.
I will be turning 28 in 2 frieking days.
My birthday falls on a Wednesday, I plan to celebrate on Saturday which gives me a few more days to decide on what to do.
I just cant wait to get this day done and over with. If you ask me, I do want to celebrate my birthday by the beach... hmmm ow that sounds like a plan...
I wish.

Turning 28

I will be turning 28 in less than 7 freaking days.

Honestly, I don’t really mind about my age. I look young. I can still look like I’m still in College (which also is a problem at work).

I think I stopped counting at age 24..25?
I feel comfortable at that age. My habits hasen’t changed much. Probably lazier than before. I tend to suffocate and passo out when I am in enclosed places filled with smoke i.e at rock concerts or really small clubs where one couldn’t breathe well most especially when drunk (I wasn't like this before).

But I am still me. Quirky. Fun. I still like going out… going everywhere, as long as I am out of the house. I just like being on the go and trying out new things.

The realization occurred one morning last January while I was brushing my teeth and as I looked at the mirror it suddenly dawned on me that I will be turning 28 soon. Add 2 years to that and I will be turning 30!

I couldn’t believe it. Seriously I panicked. I only have 2 years left to start realizing my dream, my ambitions. 2 years more and I should already be settled at work, with what I really want to do… a more stable life than what I have now.

At this point, I am still on the rocks. I know deep down that what I am currently doing as a living is no longer my passion. I can’t give my full concentration and my entire heart into it. I cannot see myself in this business long term.
I still can’t seem to find my path.

Plus, I am financially unstable. I try to live life. Carpe Diem! I dream of going around the globe someday and hopefully settle somewhere peaceful, along the sea perhaps with very little stress.

I don’t know how to do it. But really I am bothered. I have gone nowhere and I don’t think that I will be going anywhere soon.

How do i start? Where do I begin?

yoga stories

Tried bikram yoga not so long ago with a few of my officemates.
Wow. Don’t know how to describe the feeling.
Not really sure what we were getting into… we all went to the yoga place to try it out.
Yup, as warned, it was really hot. We felt nauseous in between poses. Our eyes glancing across the room to check on the poses of our “yogamates” inside the room. We weren’t quite sure if were doing everything correctly… we were’nt even quite sure what we were doing there at all!

As soon as the class ended, we hurriedly dressed and left the studio to get some quick dinner ( we were starving.. later we found out that it was normal for first timers and will eventually get used to the hunger) and exchange thoughts while at yoga.

The next day, I was expecting pain because of the stretches that we did during yoga class. Surprisingly, I only felt a slight tension/sore in my upper body and not the “pain” that I was expecting. As soon I arrived at the office I immediately went up to my friends to ask if they felt any sore at all. Again it wasn’t the pain that we were expecting… slightly….


For each yoga session that I take I can now feel the intensity of each stretch. I can now feel a slight tug in my muscle… upper or sometimes lower part. I was told by the instructor that I have to be “mindful” of my posture. Now I can say that I am getting serious as I focus hard on each posture. I guess when you start you are just trying to get the feel of things but as once progresses, we seriously consider each step to ensure we get things correctly.

Okay enough of this crap… whoever’s reading this, I highly recommend that you should try to do yoga. Its good for the body and for the soul.

Lost and Found

Waaah.
I'm back.
I forgot my username and password. had difficulty in retrieving it. Totally forgot about my blog soon after. Remembered all about my registration once again!
Finally found my username and password again... and now I'm back in action.

I have so many stories to tell. Might be boring to some or to most of you... but what the heck! I don't care.
Finally I get to write my stories.
Can't wait.