Lavender & Coffee Stains

November 29, 2006

Meeting Friends & Kodakan In Baguio

Dear Me,

I really love this photo. This was taken in 2004 just outside Picarre Resto at the Porta Vaga Mall. I met with Kerwin (who was so dressed up that I almost felt flattered that he would do so just to meet me. Hehehe. No, he had a date after our very brief encounter =) and Chat (who always meet me everytime I visit Baguio. She always remind me everytime to send her a message that I am coming up so we could spend more time together. Well, I never did. I always crash on her schedule. Bad, bad...) just an hour before we (moi & bf) leave for Manila.

November 28, 2006

Chocolate Addiction

by Ivÿ, in Food + Cravings

Dear Me,

I am totally craving for this one. Oh, I can already imagine how I look while salivating over this.:

Yumyum! This is a Choco Mango Cake from Dusit Hotel. It is a delectable combination of rich icing of chocolate and cream heated & stirred together and mangoes, in harmony with creamy chocolate frosting and roasted cashew nuts.

I am already contemplating of buying this for myself. The catch is: it costs PhP680.00 nett. Hmm. I will think about it...

November 23, 2006

Thursday Thirteen #10

by Ivÿ, in Weekly Meme

Dear Me,

This is the drill during Thursdays. Hmm. What things should make up my Thursday Thirteen? I really have no specific idea except for the things that I have to do before the holiday season starts. I wonder if it will even reach 13. Here goes:

Thirteen Things In My Mind (Before The Holiday Season)
1. (work) have meetings with project counterparts
2. (work) finalize project schedules for January 2007
3. (work) disseminate latest project evaluation report
4. (work) conduct 5s at my work station
5. (personal) start packing my trek bag for the Mt. Apo climb end of November
6. (personal) provide travel info to my sister & her friends for their first Baguio trip
7. (personal) send postcards to everyone - domestic & overseas
8. (personal) finish watching all the DVD movies
9. (personal) conduct general cleaning of my messy room
10. (personal) conclude the details of a family getaway
11. (personal) shop for holiday gifts then wrap them
12. (personal) participate in an outdoor activity aside from mountainclimbing - an activity supporting a good cause
13. (personal) create a photo scrapbook - can anyone give me ideas about this one? =)

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. julie
2. caylynn
3. sanni
4. sweet_kitty
5. celfyddydau
6. brony

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

November 22, 2006

New Look

by Ivÿ, in Blog + Community Sharing

Dear Me,

My blog has a new look! I love it.

For two (2) weeks, I have been surfing the web in search of a new template for this blog. I would like to say thank you to Zoot Designs for this very nice template. =)

Unfortunately, I cannot post the code of my chatbox in the sidebar. I don't know why and I have already tried other ways how but still...I mean I can post the code but the chatbox does not appear after being published. I wonder if somehow can help. =)

November 21, 2006

Start A New Life

by Ivÿ, in Personal Dailies + Musings

Dear Me,

Looking back, it's funny and strange at the same time how our choices in life change through time. One moment you love it, the next, you don't give a damn at all.

Sometimes, the liking over a new something/someone/some place will simply turn to forever fondness. There are instances, too, that something happened and that will totally alter your life's perspectives, affecting your plans and aspirations.

Going through high school and finishing my university studies, I envisioned myself climbing up, racing the steps of the corporate ladder. Wearing the typical and familiar female corporate suit, I dreamed of having intellectual exchanges and heated debates amongst my colleagues. I could even imagine how exciting it must be to be so very busy at work. The feeling of accomplishing something was gratifying already.

The point is ---> Working for six years and 4 months and doing what I do, I have already reached the peak of exhaustion. Of course, I came to realize that it was different when you were already in that world you thought you belonged. Nothing seemed to be exciting at all.

For the past 2-3 years, I have been trying to escape the reality of my world. There were times (still are) that I was so convinced that I was ready to leave them all behind. I made plans to make the so-called transition materialize. And when everything was set, things would present itself and prevent me from doing what I was supposed to do. I was back to square one...everytime.

To make everything worse, my body clock and the realization that I am not getting any younger pose like a ticking time bomb everyday of my life. Shoot. I simply cannot recall how many times I experience the so-called quarter-life crisis. I think about one aspect of my life and the rest will come tumbling after. For how many times, I got depressed.

Sometimes I wonder where was the old me, the competitive me. I still miss the old me but I also like the new me. If only, I can have the option of picking the best parts of my life and pack it in one package. Wishful thinking.

I usually escape to Baguio to rewind. Why there? It's nearer the metropolis and I love the friendly ambiance it exudes to solitary people (I prefer to go there alone). It gives me time to think and allow me to be lost in my own world without worrying if I will be harmed. There, I can be free.

I know that it has become polluted and a little commercialized. It is a fact and it is inevitable. The difference with other places is that Baguio gives me a homey, satisfying feeling of living the life I want to have. The life I want to have? I want to move and live there. I want to pack my bags and leave the fast-paced life here. I have already accepted that I cannot have the money I have here to there but at least, I am living the life I want to lead. If only I can get a job there...that will be a fresh start.

The only thing that can stop me from pursuing my move there is if my application to this agency here in the metro. I still want to learn and I think I am really born to do research. If only they will give me the chance, I am very much willing to take the entry-level position (though I will fall in the second-level). Opportunities abound and that's hindering me.

I just hope this won't be just another dream that will be stumped upon.

November 20, 2006

Of Emotions, Dinner, Mt. Apo, Etc.

by Ivÿ, in Personal Dailies + Musings

Dear Me,
I am getting tired of my blog template. It is time to hunt for a new one. I saw a number of templates that I liked but some of the features were disabled. Not good enough for me.

Early Saturday morning, I sent a message to a group of friends inviting them to have dinner with me tonight. To cut the story short, that dinner with my friends will not materialize. Too bad.

Yeah, yeah. People who knew me didn't know what was the matter with me for the past weeks. Then, they came to understand (at least) when they read my blog. I read again what I wrote and for the life of me, I still do not know which bugs me the most.

I will tell you that I am fine now but I guarantee you, this is not over yet. 'Lapses' are still bound to happen and I just hope that I can find a rational idea before I go to that streak again.

As much as I try not to, I still feel irritated thinking about ABC. Yung isa, sobrang ma-papel. Lech! Sana madapa ka.

In less than two (2) weeks, we are off to the highest elevation of the country. Mt. Apo, here I come. Okay, slow down. I am still not sure though. I already have the flight ticket to Davao and I already paid the PhP3,000+ expenses for the climb. Anyway, I still have to prepare just in case. Sometime this week, I will be buying stuff at the supermarket. Promise, I'll have lots of edible stuff in my pack. Hehehe. Tomorrow night, I will start packing my clothes so I don't have to rush for the big day. This is one activity that I will have to declare war with procrastination.

If ever I join that climb, I hope it will be truly worth my time. I hate loud bitches and drinkers. If it's your trip, that's fine with me. But know your limits and don't overdo it. I really hate it when people are not so responsible of their actions.

November 17, 2006

Shattered Feeling

by Ivÿ, in Personal Dailies + Musings

Dear Me,

The old, hurting, insecured feeling is back. Gracious!

I thought we were okay but I guessed wrong. It was still there. Ready to be "on loose" anytime something or someone messes up with the bushes. I couldn't help but feel so sorry for myself. Yes, I really couldn't help but humiliate myself like this. Punch me hard, please. In the head, okay.

Sheesh.

My dreams are dying one by one, right before my eyes.

Even my dreams for both of us are hanging upside down, by a very fine line, ready to be separated. I feel like I am just waiting for something to happen; something that will shatter me to pieces.

In an hour, I will dare to leave this place. I will be gone before you know it. I will try to be unreachable to you, to anyone and even to myself. I wish not to feel my feet again standing on the very same ground right now. Hmm. It sounds like a line from a song. *sigh*

I need to see the light...

PS. I am simply expressing the uneasiness I have here inside.

November 16, 2006

Sophie Kinsella

by Ivÿ, in Books + Reading

Dear Me,

I am really beginning to love reading chick lit books written by Sophie Kinsella. I find her style of writing as cool, hilariously witty and never boring. She's the type of author who will make you smile when you're alone and make you laugh like a fool when in front of other people.

Basically, what is chick lit?

The success of the book, "Bridget Jones' Diary" launched a new genre of writing called Chick Lit. Chick Lit refers to modern literature for women - that is written about late twenty and thirtysomething singles (aka singletons) as they search for the perfect partner. (Note: Books about male singles are known as Lad Lit.)

Chick Lit is very different from the standard romance novels that were made famous by writers like Barbara Cartland. These books, for the most part (there are always exceptions), reflect the lives of everyday working young women & men. Chick Lit or Chic Fic (as it is sometimes called) gives fresh insight into relationships and a humorous account into the way women deal with them.

This is my first-time to read one of her books (Confessions of a Shopaholic) under the Shopaholic Series. I've known about these books for quite a long time and yet, I haven't read any one of them. Reason: I am stuck with tons of books I had bought and I still haven't finish reading them. Well, I had reunited with my books late last month.

Please, please. Don't use that phrase: GIRL POWER. Those two (2) words are not so "IN" already in this generation. It's already a given that women, us, can do our own thing and that we can do what the boys can do. And I believe that men aren't that stupid not to comprehend when women talks about equality. You know what that is. For women, it is a display of humility to know when you can and when you can't. Right?

Anyway, I am really enjoying this one. I mean the book. I am starting to collect the series and I hope people out there will be kind enough to help me. The holiday season is almost around the corner. Hehehe. =)

By the way, Kinsella's latest book, Shopaholic & Baby will be out by February 2007. I'm not sure when will that be here in the Philippines. Anyway, you can browse some of the excerpts of the book in the above-mentioned website. If you're living in the US or Canada, you can participate in this fun Q&A to win a copy of Shopaholic & Sister, which will be on sale on the 28th day of November. Email me if you want to know the answers. *winks*

November 04, 2006

Preferential Treatment To Foreigners

by Ivÿ, in Personal Dailies + Musings

Dear Me,

Isn't it pathetic to be treated lowly by your compatriots in your very own country every time they give special treatment to foreigners? Nah. I find it very revolting. How dare those people you share the same color with treat you like that? They don't even think for the slightest second how they look when they allow themselves stoop so low? Dogs.

I've read one time about this guy who complained about such ill treatment from a security guard in one of the posh buildings here in the metro's business district. A freelance producer of tv commercials, he was wearing the usual working attire of shorts and shirt. Being in a place like that, it was just natural that the guard manning the area would stop him from entering the premises. The case being acceptable to him, he just requested the person he was supposed to see to meet him at the coffeeshop located at the ground floor of the building.

While waiting, he saw the same guard allowing these two (2) female Caucasians wearing shorts and flip-flops to enter the building and acquire visitors' passes. He politely inquired why the guard allowed them to enter and prohibited him from doing the same thing when the only difference between them is their gender and skin color.

"If you're Pinoy not in proper attire, you won't be allowed entry in their oh so precious building and if you're white, it's ok?"

That was so bad.

Well, this one recently happened to none other than Her Excellency's First Daughter Luli Arroyo while lining up at the immigration counter together with her sister-in-law. This immigration officer allowed a foreigner to enter the immigration booth and had his travel papers facilitated just because he was late for his flight. The First Daughter called his attention since the immigration officer's action was unnecessary. I think his primary mistake is not being able to recognize Luli as the President's daughter. Maybe if he did know her, he would not react the way he did with her when she checked him out. Discourtesy in dealing with passengers and violation of administrative policy would just be his other mistakes. Poor guy.

I, too, had experienced this kind of treatment in our office building here in Paseo. I was carrying a lot of stuff and I was having a hard time opening the door of the tower. I needed to exert too much effort in pulling those big, glass doors so I could enter. But how could I when my hands were tied? There were two (2) guards inside and all they did was look at me. Bastards. I wanted to shame them so what I did was to put all my things down the floor, pull the doors open, put my things down again and close the door. I made it to the check-in counter table for their inspection. Since I was carrying a lot of stuff, I had a few seconds of being there and see what was going to happen. From the outside, this big, white guy pulling his two (2) big luggages made his way to the door. Did you know what the guards did? Those 2 'salivating dogs' almost bumped their heads in their haste to open the glass doors for the foreigner. I was so shocked.

I was muttering curses under my breath. To me, they looked like canines waiting for dog food to be thrown their way. In spite of my anger, I felt deep scorn and pity for them.

How can they allow themselves to act like that, without dignity and all? How can they expect to be treated fairly and with respect when they do not know how to do such? They are the ones degrading themselves, from the eyes of the foreigners and their very own people. It is even pitiful to realize that they, themselves, do not know how they demoralize their being as a person.

November 03, 2006

Pictures From Her World

by Ivÿ, in Blog + Community Sharing

Dear Me,

I am really having fun surfing BE. Why? Because I get to see and read different kinds of blogs owned and written by interesting people from all over.

Just like her.

In BE, there's this so-called Rent-My-Blog thingie. Basically, it's a site where its members can source out additional online traffic to their blogs. I did not actually register to this site just because I want other people to read the nonsense I scribble in my blog; more so, get a lot of hits from their visits. I was more interested then in learning about other people far from my world, different from my very own. It's human interest that got me hooked at BE.

But of course, allow me not to be a hypocrite. I love the hits and it's fun to know that other people take time to read and even share their own perspectives and reactions to what I pen here.

Trying not to stray away from the topic, I would just like to thank Bozette from Pictures From My World for her blog entry when I rented her space.

I simply adore that "photo" (is it because my face is there? hehehe) she included in that entry. See the header? Bozette placed two (2) images that I hold significant in my life - a book and a coffee mug. =) Isn't that cool?

November 03, 2006

Thursday Thirteen #9

by Ivÿ, in Weekly Meme

Dear Me,

It's been an on-and-off affair with T13. Despite that, I still want to participate.

I am not really a music lover but hearing songs over the airwaves soothe my nerves.

Thirteen Songs I Like To Hear Playing On-Air

What's Left Of Me by Nick Lachey
Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield
You're Beautiful by James Blunt
Where'd You Go by Fort Minor
Over My Head by The Fray
What Hurts The Most by Rascal Flatts
Who Says You Can't Go Home by Bon Jovi
Your Man by Josh Turner
Unfaithful by Rihanna
When The Stars Go Blue by Tim McGraw
Because Of You by Kelly Clarkson
Don't Forget To Remember Me by Carrie Underwood
Nobody But Me by Blake Shelton

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

k_t_cat
she
christina
tess_termulo
amy
jennyryan
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

November 02, 2006

Doubts

by Ivÿ, in Personal Dailies + Musings

Dear Me,

I am having doubts of joining the Mt. Apo climb. It is not because I am doubting my physical capability. I am sort of physically preparing for it and my mind is already set that I can make it.

It is just that I want it to be an experience, lacking of the bad vibes and emotions I am feeling and fighting right now.

So when did everything start? It was way back the day I came to know that 'predator' (please don't even bother asking me). Predator was so loud that I would love to kick predator's a** down the trail. Then, predator was out.

Somebody replaced predator in the picture.

'Cheepo' didn't know that I began to hate cheepo's guts that one time. I saw something and like that song... "It's all coming back to me now..." - my mind began to weave threads of vision that were once harmless. The thought of cheepo's presence irked me no end. Cheepo made me cry every night.

Yes, I am getting insecure over our relationship. That, I am willing to admit. Lately, we have been fighting. He doesn't make me feel secure about our relationship and even though he tries to, it just doesn't sound sincere. He treats every fight like it's nothing significant.

Am I asking too much? We have been together for more than three (3) years and I can't see the road further ahead.

Among other things, this is just one small thing that bugs me crazy.

November 02, 2006

Bothered & Restless

by Ivÿ, in Personal Dailies + Musings

Dear Me,

I am nowhere near myself. Okay. Did that first sentence make sense? Nyah.

From the moment I was comfortably seated in the shuttle van to swinging this ergonomic chair at my workstation, I am simply feeling...empty.

I think I am undergoing that emotional state again.

Even a big mug of steaming brewed coffee won't do the trick of uplifting my current mood.

Till when can I keep this happy face ha?

Burn, baby, burn.

November 01, 2006

Tagged By Mariel

by Ivÿ, in Blog + Community Sharing

Dear Me,

I'm here in the office right now. No projects, no work. Since I am done surfing the web, I obviously run out of things to do.

Looking for things to do, I found one. Well, a lot actually. It's time to do 5S in my work area. I started two (2) hours ago and I was not even close to finishing what I started doing. I got bored.

Anyway, I thought of blogging to chase the boredom away. I bloghopped and checked what other people were doing in their lives. *nosy* hehehe.

I got a tag from friend, Mariel.

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to.

Songs I Really Enjoying Listening/Jamming/Humming Now?

NARDA by Kamikazee
ALL OVER AGAIN by Ronan Keating
BLUE SKY by Hale
REASON TO BELIEVE by Vonda Shepard
SWAY by Pussycat Dolls
FEELS LIKE HOME by Chantal Kreviazuk
IF YOU LEAVE by Nada Surf

Tagging these 7 people: Ayah, Monicai, Hurwe, Tanda, Wrigley, Katz, Carol.

*this was supposed to be posted yesterday.

Lavender & Coffee Stains

Meeting Friends & Kodakan In Baguio

Chocolate Addiction

Thursday Thirteen #10

New Look

Start A New Life

Of Emotions, Dinner, Mt. Apo, Etc.

Shattered Feeling

Sophie Kinsella

Preferential Treatment To Foreigners

Pictures From Her World

Thursday Thirteen #9

Doubts

Bothered & Restless

Tagged By Mariel

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