Ondoy attacks.

I was absolutely in shock when I looked out the window this morning from our third floor condominium unit and saw the view from the street. The flood was already thigh-deep! It's the first time I've ever seen a flood that high. I couldn't believe it at all!

Guess you could say I was one of the lucky ones. Since we live on the third floor, we weren't affected by the flood coming in. Papa said if we go out, we'd step out to the condominium's parking lot that has water knee-high. So basically, people in our condominium are stranded inside -- which is probably a very good thing.

Fortunately, the rain is starting to subside. I keep praying for a better day tomorrow. I'm hoping that the flood will go down.

For a better tomorrow,

The Move.

Just a short post for the day.

In a week's time, my family and I are moving. After 13 years of living in the same 66-square-meter condominium unit, we are finally moving to a bigger and better living space. A new place to call "home." I'm excited! Very much! Why? Well, it's really because of one reason: I will finally get my own room. How about that? After 23 years, I can finally say, "I have a room!" Hahahaha!

Yes! It's definitely something to look forward to.

Well, it's time I go to bed.

G'night, all!

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.

First Dates.

(Written last August 15, 2009)

Funny how when you're away from home -- more specifically, away from Manila -- makes you think of things you don't normally think about.

In my case, the thought of first dates came to mind. I've been in a couple of first dates. In fact, I've been on five first dates. Oh yes...contrary to popular belief, I may be a no-boyfriend-since-birth gal but I've had my share of first dates. I guess being in a rather peaceful environment makes you think of such things. Then again, maybe it's just me.

First dates.

At 23, my share of first dates has been nice. They've been fun. A lunch date in Power Plant Mall, a coffee chit chat at Starbucks, a dinner at Capricciosa, a lunch date at Kitaro Sushi, and an after-work get-together at Coffee Bean. Notice anything? Every single first date starts with food. Not that I didn't like it but truth be told, it's not how I imagined my first date is going to be. Ok, this could probably shock most people but I'm about to reveal my ideal kind of a first date. So...here goes.

It feels corny writing about this but...again...it's a thought in my head that won't go away and this is how to remedy that. Then maybe after I've posted this, I can finally go to sleep.

So what is my idea of a first date? Well, it's nothing extravagant, nothing fancy. If anything, I imagine it to be simple -- simple but truly wonderful.

I imagine the first date to be casual. He and I would go to the mall and start the date by playing a game or two of bowling. Yes, bowling. I'd like to think that the alley allows us grown-ups to be kids again. It's a lot of fun and there's nothing wrong with a little friendly competition. What better way to break the ice, right?

A game of bowling can work both ways. Either it can work up an appetite or it can make you want to just chill out. Then again, why not do both right? By then, we'd be probably hungry so we'll eat at Sbarro or Chef d'Angelo (a little pricey but the food there is divine!). We'd talk about random things, our hobbies, our likes and dislikes, anything under the sun. Our conversations would be full of laughter, trying to remember all the silly things we did.

We move on to walking around the mall. Still talking about random things. I'd probably ask him to chill out in a cafe, drink coffee or tea, eat a slice of cake, and just continue talking.

It's the perfect way to end the day.

Does he take me home or do we go our separate ways? Either way works for me. Of course, to take me home would be nice. It gives us more time to talk.

I've been asked numerous times before. To kiss on a first date or not to kiss? I say...that has yet to be decided. I really can't answer that since I've never considered it at all. But I guess, at the moment, I'd say, no. A peck on the cheek, yes...a kiss on the lips on a first date, no.

*Sigh* It amazes me the thoughts that come to mind when away from home.

Until my next entry,