Random Blogging.

It's 3:30 in the afternoon on a Friday and surprisingly, I'm not that swamped with work like the past few days. Today, I am totally aware of the time -- which meant that I actually ate on time. When I got back to the office, not so much happening. I've a lot of things to write, yes, but nothing to stress about. It's actually rare that I get to be so...un-busy. Hehehehe.

So ok, here I am blogging. Looking over my shoulder from time to time, cautious that someone might see me logged in my Blogger account. Haha! I look at my to-do list for the day and five out of five things I list down I'll do have been highlighted, which means I have finally done the task. Wow! Seriously, I don't get to experience this often since I started working. Oh well, might as well enjoy the "free" time.

All right. We're about to end the second month of the year, and believe it or not, things are already going so much better than what I had planned it to be. I guess the realization just hit me when I got back from my trips to wherever. Haha! Two months in, and already I've made a lot of new friends, been to nine destinations already and have gone out with friends for four times. I'm loving it!

Work, as always, has been super hectic, of course. Lots of schedules, lots of interviews, lots of things to do. They say, it's all about time management. Well, as a dear friend once said, "It's not time management. It's the art of eliminating tasks." Thanks to him, I think I've gotten the hang of eliminating tasks. Hehehehe...

Now what? Well, ok...this may seem a little over-the-top, but in 53 days, I am celebrating my 24th birthday! Crazy, right? I admit it. But hey...I'm just really excited about turning a year older. There's something about turning 24 that makes me really ecstatic to celebrate. Like last year, I will be preparing a mini buffet for my officemates. Hehe. I already have a menu in mind but let me keep it to myself. I don't want to spoil the fun for my officemates.

When I turned 23 last year, I told everyone that it's the best -- and I do mean the best -- celebration so far! And I have this feeling that this year's going to be even better than the last. This early on, my mom has been telling me of her birthday wish for me. For some, you might know what that wish is already. For those who don't, just wait till it's my birthday. Then I'll tell you all about it. Hahahaha!

Let me take this time to express my gratitude to the blessings that have happened to me for the past two months. Some of the wonderful blessings I have received are:

1. Getting the DVD special collector's edition of one of my all time favorite movies, Forrest Gump ("Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.") -- I swear, this has got to be the most expensive gift I've gotten from anyone outside the family
2. Celebrating Mam Delza's and Ms. Mons' birthdays at Cafe La Carmela with the LEP and InFlight family (Yeah, it was definitely a blast!)
3. Pepper Lunch date with Jan and Det (The monthly bonding moments commence...when's our next date?) -- Who's next? Jan? Where to? Hehehe...
4. Bonding sessions with Alla and Euki (Let's get together as much as possible, all right? Hehehehe... you know I miss you terribly!) -- When's our next date, girls? Haha!
5. Lakbay Norte (This is one of the biggest highlights of my first two months in 2010! The best experience, so far!) -- I've gained new friends and I can't wait to see them soon. When's our next night out?
6. Getting free Starbucks drinks for two separate weeks (Oh I just love the iced soy caramel macchiatto!) -- Just before I went to participate in the Lakbay Norte media tour and just as I am about to go to another business trip, I am getting my favorite customized drink! Oh how wonderful it is to be a regular in Starbucks!

Yes, yes, yes! I am definitely one happy person. Hahahaha! Despite not celebrating Valentine's day (because I opted to celebrate Chinese New Year with the family), everything's great!

All right, it's time to go back to work.

Ciao!

The Year that Was and the Year Ahead.

Happy New Year to one and all!

As I bid 2009 farewell and say hello to the new year, let me look back at some of the memorable experiences that happened to me for the past 12 months.

1. New Year celebration with the family -- cooked Arroz Valenciana
2. Loricer mini reunion -- a night filled with lots of laughter and reminiscing with my high school batchmates
3. Celebrating Chinese New Year with friends -- I will never forget Jan eating the taro puff!
4. Tito Bert's homecoming -- had weekly get-together with the family; celebrating his birthday and Lola Bait's birthday at Legends Restaurant
5. My 23rd birthday -- what I could only describe as the MOST AWESOME BIRTHDAY I could ever ask for! 3 separate celebrations in one week: with officemates, with family and with my barkada
6. Singing in front of a crowd -- it was one of the most unexpected things I've done ever since! Haha!
7. Kuya Rom and Mama celebrate their birthdays -- even though Kuya is in the US, we still managed to celebrate his birthday by eating at Mei Lin Chinese Restaurant. Meanwhile, Mama turned 60!
8. Mother's Day celebration at Super Bowl of China -- another memorable family gathering with the Franciscos
9. Mama and Papa's 33rd wedding anniversary -- all expenses paid date for Mama and Papa: overnight accommodations in Hotel Celeste, dinner date at David's Tea House, lunch at Amici with me and Kuya Miguel, coffee at Starbucks
10. Tita Connie, Tito Monching and Tina visit the Philippines -- bonding time with my balikbayan relatives, as well as celebrating Father's Day and my brother's birthday
11. Kuya Miguel turns 28 -- we went out to celebrate my brother's birthday and it was a real blast!
12. Bonding times with my "anak" and my "bru" -- yes! spending time with them is one that I always look forward to. Next get-together?
13. Going to Laguna, Davao and Ilocos in one month -- August was probably the most exhilarating month of the year because I got to go to lots of places. I love it, I love it, I love it!
14. Celebrating Papa's birthday -- Papa turned the big 6-0 and Mama couldn't be happier! Hehehehehe
15. Monthly get togethers with my after-work buddies -- one of the most memorable dinners we had was during Ate Det's birthday celebration! Totally hilarious!
16. Monthly family get-togethers -- the Francisco matriarch never let a moment passed by when she didn't ask me, "May boyfriend ka na ba?" Hahahahaha! I really thought she was kidding about the Christmas 2009 deadline
17. Kuya Rom's surprise homecoming -- none of us expected that my brother would be home the month of December...I swear, it's one of the best things that ever happened this year!
18. Christmas with the Franciscos -- as always, Christmas with the Francisco family is a day filled with lots of laughter, lots of food and lots of picture taking...and yes, my Lola looked for my "plus one"
19. Year-end trip to Davao -- it was a totally unexpected trip...but well worth it! Thanks to my officemate-slash-friend who invited me to go!

These are just some of the highlights of the year that passed. All the memories from these events will always be with me. And so, as the year 2010 begins, let me just share some of the things I'm looking forward to:

January: Trips to Boracay and Laguna

March or August: Trip to Davao again

April: My 24th birthday

June: My 2-year anniversary in SEAIR

December: Christmas

Once again, I greet you all...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Playing "Dr. Margie"

It's really amazing how people find it so hard to believe that I have yet to be in a relationship.

Last night, I was chatting with a couple of friends. Three, to be exact. Two guys, one girl. The funny thing was that -- they all had "problems" in their own relationships and they all came to me for advice. No, these people don't know each other. It just so happens that these three are good friends of mine who have been involved with their significant others for years.

I always wonder why they come to me for advice. When I get in a relationship and I'd have a problem, shouldn't I be the one to go to them and ask for their advice? They're the ones who have gone through it. But alas, there I was, chatting away, listening to what they have to say, and waiting for them to let me know if they needed what I wanted to say.

Surprisingly, they welcomed my advice with open arms. I quote my guy friend, "Ibang klase ka talaga, Marge! NBSB pero ang daming alam sa pag-ibig!" If he was right in front of me, I'd probably have slapped him. Haha! Kalokohan talaga! Yes, I've been single since forever. But just because I've never been in a relationship doesn't mean I don't have my shares of kilig and sawi. Hehehehe.

So yeah, I played "therapist" for a couple of hours. Or maybe because I was in such an emo mood that I've decided to let it out by playing "Dr. Margie."

Well, I gotta go for now and prepare for Mass.

Be right back.

When Working Becomes a 24-Hour Habit

I should have blogged about this last week but I had a lot of work to do and it is only now that I had the time to log into my blog and publish this entry. Spoiler: that is exactly why I'm publishing blogging now.

I had one of the most unlikely conversations with my parents last weekend.

Since I got back from my out of town trip, I have been doing nothing but work. I've been on a workaholic mode for quite some time, I barely had time to go out with my barkada and just hang out with them. Whether I'm in the office or I'm at home, I work. It's sad, I know. And this triggered the unexpected "heart-to-heart" talk with my parents.

They've noticed how I've become so busy. So during our lunch out on a Sunday, Mama has told me that I should relax every now and then -- just so I could take my mind off work. Tempting as that sounds, I just couldn't leave my work hanging. I could see the look of chagrin on their faces. It's not that I didn't want to relax but with work piling up every day, I find it hard to take a step back and rest up a bit.

Around this time, my parents have told me stories of relatives who are in their 40s and are still single. Let's not discuss about that. But I would like to share with you the oh-so-memorable things that my dear mother told me.

"Morale of the story, Marge: Mag-asawa ka. Hay naku! Minsan, iniisip ko, sana may boyfriend ka ngayon para minsan man lang, nailalayo ka sa trabaho mo. Lagi ka na lang nakaharap sa laptop mo, puro na lang trabaho inaatupag mo."

It was positively hilarious! Although I do think my mom could have put it in a more subtle way. I knew what she meant. She just wants me to loosen up a bit. To go out and have fun. I've realized that I have been working for almost the whole day, everyday. Yes, I've made my work a 24-hour habit. From the time I wake up until before I go to sleep, I think about work. So when an opportunity to hang out with friends presents itself, I take it.

Just like yesterday. I went out with friends for dinner and dessert. When I told Papa about it, he said, "Buti naman naisipan mo lumabas kasama sila. O mag-ingat ha."

It's nice to see that my parents are happy that I'm going out. If anything, I think they're encouraging me to constantly do this. Haha! Not everyday, probably once a week.

So here's to making my life more eventful. One step at a time. I think by this time, I'll cut down my working hours to 20 hours a day. Hehehe.

Until then.

My Pagsanjan Weekend Getaway

Ok. I have a feeling that I have to write something intellectual at this point -- given the whole situation with the passing of the former president Corazon Aquino. But bear with me for a moment. Let me share with you my experience with my friends last weekend when we went to Pagsanjan, Laguna.

I got the idea to go to Laguna when I wrote a news-feature on a newly-opened bed & breakfast in Pagsanjan.I was so intrigued by it that I talked my friend (and my food buddy) Emzi into coming with me. She was so excited that she brought along her friend, Angge. It was decided then -- August 1-2, the three of us will go and stay in Villa Doña Luisa and see what Pagsanjan has to offer.

August 1

We met up at the Green Star bus terminal at 9:30AM. Although it was just then that I had met Angge, it was like we've known each other for a while. It was pretty easy for us to get along, we do share something in common -- food. Our journey begins, and so does our non-stop conversations on random things.

After 5 hours of rain, a bus ride, 3 jeepney rides and a free tricycle ride, Emzi, Angge and I finally reached our destination: Villa Doña Luisa in Hocson corner Garcia Street, Pagsanjan, Laguna. We were all very happy and very excited. There we were -- 3 young travelers, hungry, tired, but still ready to explore! We got there, greeted by the administrator in charge, Tita Aileen. She even gave us a tour of the place. It was absolutely wonderful. Like a home away from home. We entered the Luisa Room, which is actually the Master's bedroom there. The vibrant colors simply took my breath away! I was very happy!

After putting our stuff down, we ate a very late lunch. Chopsuey! I loved it! Simply because it was truly lutong bahay. Before going out, my friends and I talked about how we were going to go about the rest of the day. Yes, even the rain wasn't going to hinder us from our adventure!

Upon leaving the bed & breakfast, Emzi, Angge and I just went where our feet would take us. It was like seeing things during the colonial times. The roads, the old-fashioned homes (most particularly the ancestral home of Don Porong Ejercito), the church, the very delicious foods! Everything was just beautiful.

We ate dinner at Dura-Fe Restaurant. Surprise, surprise! We thought we were ordering a la carte; lo and behold, everything we ordered was good for 3-4 people. But hey, we're food lovers, we ate and ate and ate until there was nothing left to eat.

Hehehe. Afterwards, we went to Emma's Kakanin, where we bought so many delicacies. We were even fortunate to meet Lola Emma, who began her kakanin business when she was still 15. More than 6 decades later, I can honestly say, she makes some of the most delicious delicacies!

That wasn't enough, of course. We were intrigued by this place called "Aling Taleng's Halo Halo Since 1933." So we braved the heavy rains and went there. Their halo-halo was really one of the best halo-halos I've ever had! From what I could savor, the ingredients were kaong, tubo, mongo beans, leche flan, macapuno and kondol. Oh! And their milk! Yummy! I can honestly say, your Pagsanjan visit wouldn't be complete if you haven't tried their halo-halo.

We went back to Villa Doña Luisa around 8:00 in the evening. Yes, it was still raining. Walking back to our place, the streets were practically empty, except maybe for a couple of drivers here and there. We didn't mind people were looking at us because we were walking in the rain without our umbrellas.

When we got back to our room, we each took a shower, hopped onto bed and watched television until we slept.

August 2

I woke up at 7:30 in the morning. My sleep was so heavenly. It was just relaxing! I love that feeling of peace when waking up. Emzi and Angge were already awake. I guess I'm just too tired from work the past week that I slept the whole night through.

We only had a few hours left before we go back to Manila so the three of us ate breakfast (once again, delicious lutong bahay), fixed all our stuff and went to the ancestral house next door. Hehehe...our last minute camera-tripping! Around 1:00 in the afternoon, we went to the Green Star bus terminal and head home.

Yey! Such a wonderful weekend!

Next stop: Davao!