Forgetful Jones..
Thursday, September 30, 2004
A and I have been so busy for the past few days that we lost track of the date. I, with the opening of our new branch. He, with his first ever commercial shoot. As I was packing up my laptop, I realized that - gasp! It was 12:30AM of the 30th! Our 1 year and 1oth monthsary was on the 28th/29th (long story!).
So I called him up right away even if he was in the middle of a shoot. And told him how bad I felt because I, who is supposedly good with remembering dates, forgot about it for THE FIRST TIME! But A was even funnier. He said, "Is it the 28th?!" And I laugh and say, "Babe! It's the 30th already!"
We're not like some couples who celebrate their love every month by giving each other gifts. (If we did that, we'd be broke every month!) But it is important that we remember the 28th and 29th, the days we got together.
Note to Dez: I know this is nothing compared to your lapses! ;)
And since I'm in a greeting spree, I might as well say Happy Birthday, Kianne, wherever you are! (Kianne was one of my best friends in 7th grade and Freshman year. She went back to the US in Junior Year. We lost contact since. I've tried looking for her in Friendster and was only able to locate her cousins, who said that Kianne doesn't even use the Internet and preferred communicating via snail mail! How weird is that?)
So I called him up right away even if he was in the middle of a shoot. And told him how bad I felt because I, who is supposedly good with remembering dates, forgot about it for THE FIRST TIME! But A was even funnier. He said, "Is it the 28th?!" And I laugh and say, "Babe! It's the 30th already!"
We're not like some couples who celebrate their love every month by giving each other gifts. (If we did that, we'd be broke every month!) But it is important that we remember the 28th and 29th, the days we got together.
Note to Dez: I know this is nothing compared to your lapses! ;)
And since I'm in a greeting spree, I might as well say Happy Birthday, Kianne, wherever you are! (Kianne was one of my best friends in 7th grade and Freshman year. She went back to the US in Junior Year. We lost contact since. I've tried looking for her in Friendster and was only able to locate her cousins, who said that Kianne doesn't even use the Internet and preferred communicating via snail mail! How weird is that?)
Chop, Chop (To Be A Pretty) Lady
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Just the other night, I was flipping through the latest Cosmo US issue, the one with gorgeous Katie Holmes on the cover. Same old articles were recycled with new titles, same rules, same advices, different fashion and makeup styles. Same old, same old, mindlessly flipping through the pages, occasionally pausing to look at a top/ dress/ pair of shoes. Until one article caught my eye. "How We Fell In Love In Extreme Makeover." Or something to that effect. Now it was not even the topic that caught my eye but the before and after pictures of the two people who met and fell in love on the show.
Apparently, Extreme Makeover is one of the gazillion reality shows (You'll be surprised to know what I learned about the latest reality tv show in the US!- more on that later... Hahaha! I sound like a tv ad!). Simply put, extreme is as far as cosmetic surgery goes. Oh no, not just one surgery but as much as it would take to make you close to aesthetically perfect. They do all sorts of surgery- from nose jobs, breast implants, botox injects, laser eye surgery, hair transplants and coloring, liposuction, eye lifts, ear tucks to tummy tucks, rhinoplastry and even reverse vasectomy! In the Cosmo feature, the woman had 9 painful surgeries, while the man had 7.
Now a lot of these participants go through screening. Some people join because for so long their looks were being ridiculed that they no longer have self- confidence and esteem. One woman said she wanted to make drastic changes to her looks to attract men. Two sisters who have a cleft pallete birth defect undergo surgery too. Even an engaged couple went under the knife, only to have their new looks revealed upon reaching the altar!
After the surgery, the participants recuperate in the--- Makeover Mansion!!! Yes, there is such a place. Tucked in the hills of Hollywood with a stunning view of -- uhh-- Hollywood, the mansion has a swimming pool, fully equipped gym, and plasma televisions (like those matter if you had your eye lifts)! But don't think that Extreme Maveover is just all about looks and body. It also has a program that uplifts one's spirits.
For instance, the show makes one realize their dreams and help them fulfill it. They flew an aspiring actress to Manhattan to attend the New York Fashion Week, complete with a dress designed especially for her by Nicole Miller, a talented violinist playing beside her idol, Le Ann Rimes, and a woman who grew up being laughed at by her classmates first unveils at her school's tenth year reunion.
Here are the before and after pictures of some of the participants. Tim is the guy who had a reverse vasectomy. He wanted to give his wife another child (among other things, a new "lover"-- probably the reason why he had an extreme makeover is because his wife wouldn't sleep with him! Okay, that was mean). Stacie, the first one woman, is one of the sisters who had a cleft pallete. I'm happy for her. I bet her self- confidence and esteem skyrocketed right after. Lastly, there's Kacie, the woman featured in the Cosmo article. She went from a Plain Jane to one Sexy Janey.
While it is amazing- or appaling, whichever angle you look at it- how these transformations are made and how the end result is, no doubt, incredible, sadly, we cannot afford such makeovers. I don't even think that with such procedures, it should even be called a makeover but a transformation because one looks faaaaaaarrr from the original state. Their eyes, nose, lips and cheek are no longer the same. And sure, they may look pretty or handsome now. But what about in a few years? When laugh lines, wrinkles and crinkles start setting in? What about when one of them has a child and the child grows up wondering where did she get her huge, bright eyes? Her cute button nose? The cleft in her chin? Perhaps what the show isn't telling Great America that once the participants start with these procedures, they have to go back every so often for more procedures to maintain their looks. Sure, some of the surgery are permanent like laser surgery or breast implants (which women have to take out eventually when they get old, I'm told), and teeth implants, but I'm talking about liposuction and tummy tucks. And so eventually, one goes bankrupt trying to maintain their Golden Adonis/ Ethereal Venus- like looks. So is it worth it at all?
So when we aspire for a makeover, what do we do? We go the old fashion way. Change the part of your hair, change your hair color and style. Change your clothes. Find out what are your best features and high light them. Makeovers don't have to burn a hole in your wallet, pocket and credit card and leave your grandchildren in debt.
A couple of years ago, I was watching the Oprah Winfrey Show (no need to link up here as everybody knows who Oprah is and if you happen to be one of the few who live under a rock, just google her up! I Silly me, I bet you don't even know what google is!). Anyway, we all know that Oprah often has makeovers in her show and when we chance upon an episode, we oooh and ahh in delight. But this episode I saw was just the best one yet. Way over the top, on a league of its own. The episode was called Age- Defying Makeovers. Literally, makeovers that shed years off your face and body. For this makeover, they brought in Iman, the famous 80's black model, more known as Queen Cleopatra in Michael Jackson's "Remember The Time" video, also known as David Bowie's wife, who looked as if she was the only thing from the 80's that is here to stay (meaning, she never aged) and Victoria Principal, an author and actress, who's in her fifties but looks not even a day above thirty five. Luckily, Oprah's website had pictures of the makeover, which I'll be posting, so you're in for a treat! Below are the people they made over:
The first woman is Barbara Ann. Her long, gray hair and baggy outfits make her look older than her actual age, 54 years old. She looks so old that she gets senior citizen discounts. Barbara hasn't been in a date in the last ten years and so she signs up for a makeover to let the fellas know that there is "a sexy babe, foxy chick underneath all those baggy sweaters and dresses."
The next is a couple, Tim and Wendy, who have been married for 12 years. With their hair, she, who hasn't had her hair cut since '92, he, since '85 (!) call themselves, "The Rock and Roll Hair Couple." They hope that the makeover will make them feel younger and sexier.
Lastly, there's Alina, a friend of the show's lightning director. She knows that behind the glasses and baggy sweats, there's "a hot mama ready to hit the dance floors." Alina's friends hope that the makeover releases the girly girl in Alina.
So what happens? Check this out!
When Barbara came out, everybody cheered. The transformation was just amazing because you could hardly compare the old Barbara with the new Barbara. Iman gave her a drastic cut and color and new frames that brighten her face. She picked out a white suit that definitely hugged her curves. A sexy, hot chick, indeed. She was just glowing from happiness. I thought to myself, "I bet when she gets home, she's got loads of proposals from old gentlemen bearing daisies in one hand and a hat on the other, put close to his chest."
Next came the couple. First, they made Tim come out. Everybody cheered again, naturally. Soon after, they made Wendy go out. And it was so funny because Tim didn't realize it was her! It was like somebody invisibly hit him on the head and said, "Idiot! That's your wife!" and when it dawned upon him, he was so shocked. She, seeing him also for the first time since the makeover, was surprised herself. They went up to each other, hugged and started kissing in front of everybody! Oprah had to stop them. Hehehehe! You could really feel the heat between them in the studio and in your living room! And when they stopped to face the audience, they had tears of joy in their eyes. I thought to myself, "Looks like someone's gonna have their second honeymoon tonight! "
As for Alina, she looked so hot! As always, the audience cheered for her. I don't remember how she felt but I think she said she liked it but she looked like she was feeling awkward in her new skin. Nevertheless, she looks great and could pass for J. Lo's older sister, don't you think?
See? It just goes to show that makeovers need not be expensive, need not to alter your God- given features. It's just a matter of highlighting your best features and the right attitude. Growing up, I thought I was ugly- okay, that's a harsh word- not pretty. I thought no guy would fall in love with me because I was dark, had braces, curly, untamable hair, moles on my face, a wide nose. I was stick straight, flat chested and had knobby knees.
Ten years later, I've come to like my looks. I've got the height most girls would kill for though I'm only 5'4" and three quarters. But because I'm slim and I have long, slim legs, I look taller (I no longer complain about my knobby, fat knees). I've stopped wearing my retainers and had my braces pulled off long before. My hair is not as curly but just wavy. It gives me hell sometimes but I find ways to tame it. I'm still waiting for the right time to have my hair rebonded (which is when I get back from Boracay). But then again, I heard wavy hair is starting to be the hair style of the moment so I got to wait and see. I've learned to live with the tiny moles on my face because I know I can't do anything about it. The rest of my face has caught up with my wide nose so it's not as bad anymore. Though at times, when I dress up for parties, I put shadows on the side of my nose to make it look narrower in pictures (a trick my stepmom, the commercial model, taught me). As for my skin, I'm not that dark anymore. I have nice olive skin which I love to tan because it gives me a nice orangy glow when I get back from the beach. And well, as for my being flat- chested (thanks, mom!), I improvise. No! No socks or wads of tissue for me but I do rely on padded or push up brassieres. How I wish though that some of the mass in my ass can be moved to my chest. That way, I'm more proportioned. I am more or less comfortable now with my looks and body. I say more or less, because the insecurity comes up once in awhile. Hey! I'm not perfect.
Sometimes I tease A by telling him that I'm thinking of getting breast implants or a nose job. He gets alarmed because he thinks I'm serious and he tells me not to change anything because he loves me the way I am or the way I look and it's just so sweet to see how much he cares. Of course, the lines "But, babe! Your boobs are fine!" just crack me up anytime. Of course, I push for more when I tell him that I can't wear those V- neck tops because of my non- existent cleavage. Instead of hills and mountains, there's a valley down there. But still he assures me, "You don't need humongous breasts! Yours are fine!" Now, you've gotta love a man who loves you, imperfections and all. And that is enough for me... for now. =p
Apparently, Extreme Makeover is one of the gazillion reality shows (You'll be surprised to know what I learned about the latest reality tv show in the US!- more on that later... Hahaha! I sound like a tv ad!). Simply put, extreme is as far as cosmetic surgery goes. Oh no, not just one surgery but as much as it would take to make you close to aesthetically perfect. They do all sorts of surgery- from nose jobs, breast implants, botox injects, laser eye surgery, hair transplants and coloring, liposuction, eye lifts, ear tucks to tummy tucks, rhinoplastry and even reverse vasectomy! In the Cosmo feature, the woman had 9 painful surgeries, while the man had 7.
Now a lot of these participants go through screening. Some people join because for so long their looks were being ridiculed that they no longer have self- confidence and esteem. One woman said she wanted to make drastic changes to her looks to attract men. Two sisters who have a cleft pallete birth defect undergo surgery too. Even an engaged couple went under the knife, only to have their new looks revealed upon reaching the altar!
After the surgery, the participants recuperate in the--- Makeover Mansion!!! Yes, there is such a place. Tucked in the hills of Hollywood with a stunning view of -- uhh-- Hollywood, the mansion has a swimming pool, fully equipped gym, and plasma televisions (like those matter if you had your eye lifts)! But don't think that Extreme Maveover is just all about looks and body. It also has a program that uplifts one's spirits.
For instance, the show makes one realize their dreams and help them fulfill it. They flew an aspiring actress to Manhattan to attend the New York Fashion Week, complete with a dress designed especially for her by Nicole Miller, a talented violinist playing beside her idol, Le Ann Rimes, and a woman who grew up being laughed at by her classmates first unveils at her school's tenth year reunion.
Here are the before and after pictures of some of the participants. Tim is the guy who had a reverse vasectomy. He wanted to give his wife another child (among other things, a new "lover"-- probably the reason why he had an extreme makeover is because his wife wouldn't sleep with him! Okay, that was mean). Stacie, the first one woman, is one of the sisters who had a cleft pallete. I'm happy for her. I bet her self- confidence and esteem skyrocketed right after. Lastly, there's Kacie, the woman featured in the Cosmo article. She went from a Plain Jane to one Sexy Janey.
While it is amazing- or appaling, whichever angle you look at it- how these transformations are made and how the end result is, no doubt, incredible, sadly, we cannot afford such makeovers. I don't even think that with such procedures, it should even be called a makeover but a transformation because one looks faaaaaaarrr from the original state. Their eyes, nose, lips and cheek are no longer the same. And sure, they may look pretty or handsome now. But what about in a few years? When laugh lines, wrinkles and crinkles start setting in? What about when one of them has a child and the child grows up wondering where did she get her huge, bright eyes? Her cute button nose? The cleft in her chin? Perhaps what the show isn't telling Great America that once the participants start with these procedures, they have to go back every so often for more procedures to maintain their looks. Sure, some of the surgery are permanent like laser surgery or breast implants (which women have to take out eventually when they get old, I'm told), and teeth implants, but I'm talking about liposuction and tummy tucks. And so eventually, one goes bankrupt trying to maintain their Golden Adonis/ Ethereal Venus- like looks. So is it worth it at all?
So when we aspire for a makeover, what do we do? We go the old fashion way. Change the part of your hair, change your hair color and style. Change your clothes. Find out what are your best features and high light them. Makeovers don't have to burn a hole in your wallet, pocket and credit card and leave your grandchildren in debt.
A couple of years ago, I was watching the Oprah Winfrey Show (no need to link up here as everybody knows who Oprah is and if you happen to be one of the few who live under a rock, just google her up! I Silly me, I bet you don't even know what google is!). Anyway, we all know that Oprah often has makeovers in her show and when we chance upon an episode, we oooh and ahh in delight. But this episode I saw was just the best one yet. Way over the top, on a league of its own. The episode was called Age- Defying Makeovers. Literally, makeovers that shed years off your face and body. For this makeover, they brought in Iman, the famous 80's black model, more known as Queen Cleopatra in Michael Jackson's "Remember The Time" video, also known as David Bowie's wife, who looked as if she was the only thing from the 80's that is here to stay (meaning, she never aged) and Victoria Principal, an author and actress, who's in her fifties but looks not even a day above thirty five. Luckily, Oprah's website had pictures of the makeover, which I'll be posting, so you're in for a treat! Below are the people they made over:
The first woman is Barbara Ann. Her long, gray hair and baggy outfits make her look older than her actual age, 54 years old. She looks so old that she gets senior citizen discounts. Barbara hasn't been in a date in the last ten years and so she signs up for a makeover to let the fellas know that there is "a sexy babe, foxy chick underneath all those baggy sweaters and dresses."
The next is a couple, Tim and Wendy, who have been married for 12 years. With their hair, she, who hasn't had her hair cut since '92, he, since '85 (!) call themselves, "The Rock and Roll Hair Couple." They hope that the makeover will make them feel younger and sexier.
Lastly, there's Alina, a friend of the show's lightning director. She knows that behind the glasses and baggy sweats, there's "a hot mama ready to hit the dance floors." Alina's friends hope that the makeover releases the girly girl in Alina.
So what happens? Check this out!
When Barbara came out, everybody cheered. The transformation was just amazing because you could hardly compare the old Barbara with the new Barbara. Iman gave her a drastic cut and color and new frames that brighten her face. She picked out a white suit that definitely hugged her curves. A sexy, hot chick, indeed. She was just glowing from happiness. I thought to myself, "I bet when she gets home, she's got loads of proposals from old gentlemen bearing daisies in one hand and a hat on the other, put close to his chest."
Next came the couple. First, they made Tim come out. Everybody cheered again, naturally. Soon after, they made Wendy go out. And it was so funny because Tim didn't realize it was her! It was like somebody invisibly hit him on the head and said, "Idiot! That's your wife!" and when it dawned upon him, he was so shocked. She, seeing him also for the first time since the makeover, was surprised herself. They went up to each other, hugged and started kissing in front of everybody! Oprah had to stop them. Hehehehe! You could really feel the heat between them in the studio and in your living room! And when they stopped to face the audience, they had tears of joy in their eyes. I thought to myself, "Looks like someone's gonna have their second honeymoon tonight! "
As for Alina, she looked so hot! As always, the audience cheered for her. I don't remember how she felt but I think she said she liked it but she looked like she was feeling awkward in her new skin. Nevertheless, she looks great and could pass for J. Lo's older sister, don't you think?
See? It just goes to show that makeovers need not be expensive, need not to alter your God- given features. It's just a matter of highlighting your best features and the right attitude. Growing up, I thought I was ugly- okay, that's a harsh word- not pretty. I thought no guy would fall in love with me because I was dark, had braces, curly, untamable hair, moles on my face, a wide nose. I was stick straight, flat chested and had knobby knees.
Ten years later, I've come to like my looks. I've got the height most girls would kill for though I'm only 5'4" and three quarters. But because I'm slim and I have long, slim legs, I look taller (I no longer complain about my knobby, fat knees). I've stopped wearing my retainers and had my braces pulled off long before. My hair is not as curly but just wavy. It gives me hell sometimes but I find ways to tame it. I'm still waiting for the right time to have my hair rebonded (which is when I get back from Boracay). But then again, I heard wavy hair is starting to be the hair style of the moment so I got to wait and see. I've learned to live with the tiny moles on my face because I know I can't do anything about it. The rest of my face has caught up with my wide nose so it's not as bad anymore. Though at times, when I dress up for parties, I put shadows on the side of my nose to make it look narrower in pictures (a trick my stepmom, the commercial model, taught me). As for my skin, I'm not that dark anymore. I have nice olive skin which I love to tan because it gives me a nice orangy glow when I get back from the beach. And well, as for my being flat- chested (thanks, mom!), I improvise. No! No socks or wads of tissue for me but I do rely on padded or push up brassieres. How I wish though that some of the mass in my ass can be moved to my chest. That way, I'm more proportioned. I am more or less comfortable now with my looks and body. I say more or less, because the insecurity comes up once in awhile. Hey! I'm not perfect.
Sometimes I tease A by telling him that I'm thinking of getting breast implants or a nose job. He gets alarmed because he thinks I'm serious and he tells me not to change anything because he loves me the way I am or the way I look and it's just so sweet to see how much he cares. Of course, the lines "But, babe! Your boobs are fine!" just crack me up anytime. Of course, I push for more when I tell him that I can't wear those V- neck tops because of my non- existent cleavage. Instead of hills and mountains, there's a valley down there. But still he assures me, "You don't need humongous breasts! Yours are fine!" Now, you've gotta love a man who loves you, imperfections and all. And that is enough for me... for now. =p
I Have Two Hands, The Left and The Right...
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
One night, while in the car, A and I were joking around. As we faced each other, he grabbed my left hand.
A: This is your left hand, right?
Me: (With a serious voice and straight face) No, that's my right.
A: (Pauses for a good 3 seconds to think) No! This is your left hand!!!
Me: (Bursting into laughter) What? You still had to think about that?
A: Well, I'm a copywriter, not a mathematician!
Me: (Laughing) Babe, you don't have to be a mathematician to know your left from your right!
A: This is your left hand, right?
Me: (With a serious voice and straight face) No, that's my right.
A: (Pauses for a good 3 seconds to think) No! This is your left hand!!!
Me: (Bursting into laughter) What? You still had to think about that?
A: Well, I'm a copywriter, not a mathematician!
Me: (Laughing) Babe, you don't have to be a mathematician to know your left from your right!
Weekend Recap
Monday, September 27, 2004
Here's another weekend recap. This is beginning to become a routine so might as well make it a permanent staple in my blog!
FRIDAY
FRIDAY
- A arrived at my office. We hung out at the cash bar outside the main bar. A radio station was celebrating it's anniversary.
- We shared a pizza with my dad.
- Had a frozen margarita. A wanted one also but it looked too girly if it's in a margarita glass so I asked for it to be transferred to a rack glass.
- We went to Shell to hung out. A treated me out to 3 bars of chocolates: Dove, Nestle Crunch and Cadbury Luxury Flakes.
- A and I had a talk that led to an argument.
- I dropped of A at his house. By then, the argument wasn't over and eventually, I cried. (Argument ends for A, when A counters my argument and he says, "Touche!" It ended for me when he hugged me, after which I cried my heart out. I needed the cry to get it out of my system).
- I go home at 210am.
- I vowed that I'd sleep early. Unfortunately, my Cosmo US October issue arrived and I stayed up reading it.
SATURDAY
- I wake up at 1230 PM and make plans with A
- We meet up at the bar and have a late lunch.
- I check the set up of an event and gave last minute instructions to the managers.
- A and I go to the monthly bazaar near my office
- We went to Makati Cinema Square to buy DVDs (Envy, Saved!, Connie and Carla, The Notebook, and Season 2 of Sex and The City-- I had to buy the entire set because my sister lost the third disc. Unfortunately, they don't sell the discs separately)
- A and I satisfied our craving for ice cream!
- We drive to his house to pick up his car.
- We drive back to the bar to park his car so we can take my car instead.
- We go to Jeane's house for her birthday party. We had a karaoke sesh, though I didn't sing. I had a representative, A, who gave a mini- concert. He was so game and looked so cute while singing. Sometimes he wouldn't even look at the lyrics and he'd sing with his eyes closed! Often times, he'd adlib and my friends would laugh with him.Feel na feel talaga niya! I swear, I like his voice so much better than my ex, the aspiring singer, who happens to have his own acoustic group down south, wherever mountain/ jungle he is now. It's good though. People there now know what Justin Timberlake sounds like. Yes, he sounds like a girl.
- We went home at 2am. We drop by the bar to pick up his car and we convoyed to my house.
- We hang out till 3:30am.
- I slept at around 430am. I had a hard time hitting the sack because of my sore throat and clogged nose. I had to sleep seated upright so I could breathe.
SUNDAY
- Woke up at 2pm. I wasn't feeling well. The sore throat turned into cough and colds and I developed back pains from the wrong sleeping position.
- Had lunch and went online.
- Went to the grocery and Mercury Drug at 615pm and came back just in time to pick up my siblings and go to church.
- Waited for A to arrive by watching videos.
- Popped in Envy, a Jack Black/ Ben Stiller film, that has yet to be released in the Philippines, in the DVD player. Apparently, the film was made two years ago and because of poor response during an audience screen test, it never got a theatrical release and almost went straight to video. It was only after the success of Jack Black's School of Rock did it get shown in theaters.
- Got a massage from A, relieving me a little from my back pains
- Binged on a slice of chocolate mousse, half a bag of Lays Barbecue Flavored Chips, a piece of frozen Hersheys which we took turns biting little by little because it was too hard, and a melted piece of Lindt truffle
- Watched The World's Freakiest Foods on AXN. Our very own balut was featured.
- A goes home at 1am.
- I sleep at 2am.
And that was my weekend. I didn't go to work today because I felt weak from the coughs and colds. Instead, I worked from home. Hopefully, I go to work tomorrow. There's much to do!
Dramatics of a Teenage Kikay Queen: Part 4
Friday, September 24, 2004
With the weekend approaching, I'm leaving with you another part of what seems to be a crowd favorite: The Dramatics of a Teenage Kikay Queen.
Excerpts from her blog:
On Being the Class Muse:
It wasn't that fun. People watching you walk around holding a banner. Haha. But hey, at least I was able to fulfill my duties as class muse!
Note: This line was said after she got pissed off because as a class muse, all you really do is represent the class during intramurals. As she was supposed to take her place in front of the line to hold her banner, she found the class president there! She asked her adviser if it should be her or the class president holding the banner. The teacher, who had a hidden agenda of pairing off the class president and the escort, told her the job belonged to the class president. Later on, during the parade, the president and the escort were MIA (missing in action) so she happily took her place in front of the line with a friend.
On Biology:
Then I laughed my ass off... and I could have developed abs by doing so... (ang layo ata ng abs sa puwet...)
On Things She Does to Escape Boredom During Traffic:
I spent my time in the car listening to music while watching people do other stuff inside their cars. It may sound boring but believe me... It was pretty damn entertaining. I even watched some ghetto feeling guys bop their heads to some heavy music or up-beat music while the music inside our car was a slow one... So it looked like the ghetto guy was bopping his head to slow music... Haha. Funny. (What kind of person plays heavy music first thing in the morning anyway?)
On Her School Subject, Filipino (Which She is Failing in):
Didnt get our test results yet. I HOPE I get really good results!!! I hope! If I do, I'll be the biggest supporter of the Filipino language ever! I'll make everything in my life Filipino. Even the way I write in this blog! Hahaha. As if. English is my life! Erm, my language.
On Her Algebra Test and Honesty:
I got a 99/110!!! I was supposed to get 102/110... but then I just had to go on and be stupid and show sir my test paper... He corrected the last part of the test... minusing 3 points! 33 damn points!
Note to Cami: I just realized, judging from your test scores, it means you're good in math. But from 102 to 99, that's 3 damn points, not 33. So it's either a) you're actually bad in math or b) you failed typing class. :)
On Idioms:
I dont get the point of idioms... Why not just say what you mean?? You give a person a hard time when you use idioms.
On Her YM Status:
The truth is you could slit my throat and with one last gasping breath, I'd apologize for bleeding on your shirt. (Quote not original)
Sidenote not related to post: There's a cat in heat and it's making a racket! (No! Not me, you smart aleck! I meant, a cat outside my house!) I doubt I'll get some shut eye tonight.
Have a great weekend, everybody!!!
Excerpts from her blog:
On Being the Class Muse:
It wasn't that fun. People watching you walk around holding a banner. Haha. But hey, at least I was able to fulfill my duties as class muse!
Note: This line was said after she got pissed off because as a class muse, all you really do is represent the class during intramurals. As she was supposed to take her place in front of the line to hold her banner, she found the class president there! She asked her adviser if it should be her or the class president holding the banner. The teacher, who had a hidden agenda of pairing off the class president and the escort, told her the job belonged to the class president. Later on, during the parade, the president and the escort were MIA (missing in action) so she happily took her place in front of the line with a friend.
On Biology:
Then I laughed my ass off... and I could have developed abs by doing so... (ang layo ata ng abs sa puwet...)
On Things She Does to Escape Boredom During Traffic:
I spent my time in the car listening to music while watching people do other stuff inside their cars. It may sound boring but believe me... It was pretty damn entertaining. I even watched some ghetto feeling guys bop their heads to some heavy music or up-beat music while the music inside our car was a slow one... So it looked like the ghetto guy was bopping his head to slow music... Haha. Funny. (What kind of person plays heavy music first thing in the morning anyway?)
On Her School Subject, Filipino (Which She is Failing in):
Didnt get our test results yet. I HOPE I get really good results!!! I hope! If I do, I'll be the biggest supporter of the Filipino language ever! I'll make everything in my life Filipino. Even the way I write in this blog! Hahaha. As if. English is my life! Erm, my language.
On Her Algebra Test and Honesty:
I got a 99/110!!! I was supposed to get 102/110... but then I just had to go on and be stupid and show sir my test paper... He corrected the last part of the test... minusing 3 points! 33 damn points!
Note to Cami: I just realized, judging from your test scores, it means you're good in math. But from 102 to 99, that's 3 damn points, not 33. So it's either a) you're actually bad in math or b) you failed typing class. :)
On Idioms:
I dont get the point of idioms... Why not just say what you mean?? You give a person a hard time when you use idioms.
On Her YM Status:
The truth is you could slit my throat and with one last gasping breath, I'd apologize for bleeding on your shirt. (Quote not original)
Sidenote not related to post: There's a cat in heat and it's making a racket! (No! Not me, you smart aleck! I meant, a cat outside my house!) I doubt I'll get some shut eye tonight.
Have a great weekend, everybody!!!
There Were Pictures...
Just the other night, I had the sudden urge to look at my album/ scrapbook which I began working on when I was in 3rd year college. I had 3 albums-- one for friends, another for family, and another one for gimmicks. I had pictures already inserted in the album flaps with comments on them, others still waiting to be glued and written on construction paper.
There were pictures of me, Jeane and Glady in High School Sophomore, Junior and Senior year. Those cringe worthy outfits and hair that were the hype back then.
There were pictures of the my high school crew in parties, in school and in our one and only out of town trip-- Enchanted Kingdom. There were pics of our last Christmas Party three years ago where we gave the guys a "sex" gift pack, containing one condom and a stick of yosi. They didn't know which they liked better. There were pics of our group with my ex in it. Luckily, he was standing at the end of the picture so it would be easy for me to crop him off later. (Finally, his anti- social behavior pays off!)
There were pictures of my block group with their crazy poses and smiles.
There were pictures, and even neoprints, of my college barkada (Cel, Riz and Cristy) in our various gimmicks.
There were pictures of my Brady Bunch family. Christmas portraits, a new baby being added to the photo as each year progressed.
There were pictures of my cousins and I swimming in my lola's pool and we have stunts in the pool. Our favorite being the totem pole. Cami would sit on my shoulders while I would sit on Ara's. Two of our smaller cousins and Cami would stand on my, Ara's and Enzo's shoulders. We felt like a family circus.
There were pictures of Cel, Riz, Cristy and I on our end of summer trip to my lola's house in the Island, three days before school started. Cel's camera had a timer and so all of us were included in the picture. We had to rearrange furnitures, pile books upon books where we could place the camera. We would bend into weird positions to look into the viewfinder to see if we all fit the frame. The end result were choreographed candid poses.
There were pictures of me with my long, almost straight hair. I never realized I missed it so much. I wonder how did I end up with this wavy, thick coiffure!
There were pictures of my female dominated block in Tagaytay, a day trip we had because our first class ended at 8:30 am and our next class was at 1:00 PM. The fact that our second subject was boring made it easy for us to cut class. There were pictures of us laughing so hard and giggling and screaming as we watched a blockmate dance like a strip teaser. My blockmate's a guy, by the way, with a personality of a gentleman so seeing him dance exotically made laugh and scream.
There were pictures of my block during the Ad Congress in Cebu. A field trip out of Manila, out of the Luzon Island, no less! We had such a blast!
There were pictures of my ex. And a picture of me in a bikini lying in the sand with the words, "I love (insert unworthy ex boyfriend's name here)" etched on the sand. Seeing those pictures made me cringe and even shudder in disgust. I took them out of the album right away and shoved the pictures in the back of my closet. I'm still deciding whether to burn the pictures or mail it to him with a note, "You might want to keep these for memories sake. I had no use for them a long time ago!"
Of course, there were pictures of A and I on the early days of our relationship. I sighed and I swooned. He was thinner back then and just as cute as he is now. I thought to myself, "Now how can I not fall in love with a face like that?"
Seeing those pictures, going on a sudden trip down memory lane, getting a glimpse of my recent past inspired me to keep making the scrapbook. One of these days, when I have time, I will.
There were pictures of me, Jeane and Glady in High School Sophomore, Junior and Senior year. Those cringe worthy outfits and hair that were the hype back then.
There were pictures of the my high school crew in parties, in school and in our one and only out of town trip-- Enchanted Kingdom. There were pics of our last Christmas Party three years ago where we gave the guys a "sex" gift pack, containing one condom and a stick of yosi. They didn't know which they liked better. There were pics of our group with my ex in it. Luckily, he was standing at the end of the picture so it would be easy for me to crop him off later. (Finally, his anti- social behavior pays off!)
There were pictures of my block group with their crazy poses and smiles.
There were pictures, and even neoprints, of my college barkada (Cel, Riz and Cristy) in our various gimmicks.
There were pictures of my Brady Bunch family. Christmas portraits, a new baby being added to the photo as each year progressed.
There were pictures of my cousins and I swimming in my lola's pool and we have stunts in the pool. Our favorite being the totem pole. Cami would sit on my shoulders while I would sit on Ara's. Two of our smaller cousins and Cami would stand on my, Ara's and Enzo's shoulders. We felt like a family circus.
There were pictures of Cel, Riz, Cristy and I on our end of summer trip to my lola's house in the Island, three days before school started. Cel's camera had a timer and so all of us were included in the picture. We had to rearrange furnitures, pile books upon books where we could place the camera. We would bend into weird positions to look into the viewfinder to see if we all fit the frame. The end result were choreographed candid poses.
There were pictures of me with my long, almost straight hair. I never realized I missed it so much. I wonder how did I end up with this wavy, thick coiffure!
There were pictures of my female dominated block in Tagaytay, a day trip we had because our first class ended at 8:30 am and our next class was at 1:00 PM. The fact that our second subject was boring made it easy for us to cut class. There were pictures of us laughing so hard and giggling and screaming as we watched a blockmate dance like a strip teaser. My blockmate's a guy, by the way, with a personality of a gentleman so seeing him dance exotically made laugh and scream.
There were pictures of my block during the Ad Congress in Cebu. A field trip out of Manila, out of the Luzon Island, no less! We had such a blast!
There were pictures of my ex. And a picture of me in a bikini lying in the sand with the words, "I love (insert unworthy ex boyfriend's name here)" etched on the sand. Seeing those pictures made me cringe and even shudder in disgust. I took them out of the album right away and shoved the pictures in the back of my closet. I'm still deciding whether to burn the pictures or mail it to him with a note, "You might want to keep these for memories sake. I had no use for them a long time ago!"
Of course, there were pictures of A and I on the early days of our relationship. I sighed and I swooned. He was thinner back then and just as cute as he is now. I thought to myself, "Now how can I not fall in love with a face like that?"
Seeing those pictures, going on a sudden trip down memory lane, getting a glimpse of my recent past inspired me to keep making the scrapbook. One of these days, when I have time, I will.
Bits and Pieces
Bit 1: I found out my muffler (No! I don't have a muffler! I meant the muffler of my car!) was just hanging by thismuch. If I waited for another day, I'd probably be dragging a muffler down Edsa!
Bit 2: I thought my radio short circuited because the first 3 stations programmed on my radio (Wave 89.1, Magic 89.9 and RX 93.1) played the same songs at the same time! I figured either that or my radio was possessed by some evil spirit. It turns out that these 3 radio stations had a special tie up to play the music of Bamboo.
Bit 3: I downloaded the 2 Part Sex and The City Farewell episode and only got to watch the 2nd part last night. Needless to say, I cried along with them as they said farewell and wiped tears. The last scene was so sad. Sarah Jessica Parker blew a kiss and said, "Farewell..." She said it again, placing her hand over her heart and then she walks away, her back towards the camera. She turns around and blows a kiss again then walks away again and the voice over says, "Thank you for letting us come in into your life..." Aaawww! I'm getting teary eyed just writing about it!
Bit 4: I downloaded the pilot episode of Joey, the spin off of Friends. It may not be as good or as funny as Friends but I think it's good enough. Seeing Joey in LA takes getting used to. I'm so used to seeing him on a NY set!
Bit 5: As you know, I work for a resto- bar. Today, I had them cook one pack of my Nissin's Instant Yakisoba. When I got the noodles, I laughed because the cook didn't mix in the sesame oil and powdered seasoning with the noodles. Instead, the black oil was on top of the noodles, forming a straight black line and on top of it is another line of the powdered seasoning. Being a resto, food must have presentation all the time so the cook placed a piece of parsley on top. I asked the waiter to take it back to the kitchen and ask them to mix it up and transfer it into a bowl so it would be easier for me to eat. When my noodles arrived the second time around, I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. First, it was not in a bowl but a boat dish. Secondly, they did not only mix it up, they added soup too! I texted my manager and told her what happened. At the same time, I wondered how could our cook not know how to cook instant noodles? All he had to do was read instructions! My manager came to the office and told me that apparently, the noodles were so dry, they had to add soup to be able to mix in the oil and seasoning. She even told them, "Ang pinapagawa ni Ms. Cat ay parang pancit canton! Hindi mami!" Now that was funny!
Bit 2: I thought my radio short circuited because the first 3 stations programmed on my radio (Wave 89.1, Magic 89.9 and RX 93.1) played the same songs at the same time! I figured either that or my radio was possessed by some evil spirit. It turns out that these 3 radio stations had a special tie up to play the music of Bamboo.
Bit 3: I downloaded the 2 Part Sex and The City Farewell episode and only got to watch the 2nd part last night. Needless to say, I cried along with them as they said farewell and wiped tears. The last scene was so sad. Sarah Jessica Parker blew a kiss and said, "Farewell..." She said it again, placing her hand over her heart and then she walks away, her back towards the camera. She turns around and blows a kiss again then walks away again and the voice over says, "Thank you for letting us come in into your life..." Aaawww! I'm getting teary eyed just writing about it!
Bit 4: I downloaded the pilot episode of Joey, the spin off of Friends. It may not be as good or as funny as Friends but I think it's good enough. Seeing Joey in LA takes getting used to. I'm so used to seeing him on a NY set!
Bit 5: As you know, I work for a resto- bar. Today, I had them cook one pack of my Nissin's Instant Yakisoba. When I got the noodles, I laughed because the cook didn't mix in the sesame oil and powdered seasoning with the noodles. Instead, the black oil was on top of the noodles, forming a straight black line and on top of it is another line of the powdered seasoning. Being a resto, food must have presentation all the time so the cook placed a piece of parsley on top. I asked the waiter to take it back to the kitchen and ask them to mix it up and transfer it into a bowl so it would be easier for me to eat. When my noodles arrived the second time around, I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. First, it was not in a bowl but a boat dish. Secondly, they did not only mix it up, they added soup too! I texted my manager and told her what happened. At the same time, I wondered how could our cook not know how to cook instant noodles? All he had to do was read instructions! My manager came to the office and told me that apparently, the noodles were so dry, they had to add soup to be able to mix in the oil and seasoning. She even told them, "Ang pinapagawa ni Ms. Cat ay parang pancit canton! Hindi mami!" Now that was funny!
I Dnt Wna B Ur Frenstr!!!
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Have any of you Friendster users received messages from strangers asking you to add them as a friend?
I have.
Just recently, I changed the pictures in both my accounts. What I didn't know was that if you changed your photo or updated your profile, your picture automatically goes up into the gallery and that's where people find other people to "cn u b my fren?"
Now, I know I should be flattered. To date, my first account has a total of 37 messages and 3 friend requests. My second account has a total of 20 friend requests and 1 message. But c'mon, people! Friendster is used to keep in touch with friends and acquaintances you haven't seen in a long time. Unlike in the US where it is used to meet people and eventually date them, in this country, mostly everybody does not do that. One annoying thing is that 95% of the people who sent me a message ask me, "cn u b my fren?" Goodness! You're not sending me an SMS message so lay off the short cuts! Even worse, some try to act cool and all that, hoping you'd succumb to their charms. It's almost insulting because they think you'd easily hook up with them just because they're trying to impress you with their slang.
So, please, allow me to have some fun... words enclosed in ( ) are my comments
Guy 1: hi! i just want to be ur more than a friend i like u... (ooh, please tell me this is a case of love at first sight- or click!) can i get your landlyn number if you dont mind. rok on! (hahaha! rok on?!? that's a first!)
Guy 2: can we be friend? (with an 'S', you idiot! with an 'S'!)
Guy 3: pang supermodel ang tingin! (flattery is not gonna get you anywhere!) add me ha! (may kailangan ka pala!)
Guy 4: Hi, musta ka, bf mo b yong ksma... selos ako kc (Hindeeeee!!! He's my brother! We're kissing siblings!)
Later on, he messages me again: Hi, im rey, 27 yrs old, fm pasay, military pilot, puede b kitang makilala binibini. Open my add: email address, para makita mo ang picture mo. cp# cellphone number (God! You're freaking me out. Your name says Francis but you tell me you're Rey. It says you're 29, but you say you're 27. And how can I open your email address? I don't have your password! But why would I even bother?! I'm so tempted to tell him that my dad is an honorary member of PMA! That ought to stop him!)
Guy 5: A gud day to u... can i add you up... m jst impress with your cool face eh... (Ah talaga? I'm impress with your cool face too! Cutie ka eh! Kaso barok ka. Wag na nga lang!)
Guy 6: Friends? (Uhh, nag- away ba tayo?)
Guy 7: Can I add you as a frnd? ur so cute cat... (I know!)
Guy 8: can i be your frens by the way im ________ and can u add me to your frenster? (No 'S' in friends, you idiot! No 'S'!)
Guy 9: Would you mind? (Mind what?) I'll wait. (Oooh, we've got a martyr in the house! Or are you vying for the title "The Next Rapunzel"? I see you've grown the hair already! Waiting will make it even longer!)
Guy 10: Can we be friends? (Finally, somebody who got it right! Sorry, as much as I like to because you're the first one who asked me with all letters and punctuation marks complete in the sentence and with proper grammar, no less, I'm already handling two accounts, filled with people who I actually know!)
Guy 11: hi! i noticed u in the gallery thats why i wannaask u if u cud be one of my prend? can i get ur email add? can I also add you on my freind's list?thaks (*cat bangs head on the table*) -- message from borgee/ bhong (oooh, schizophrenic, are we? or do you use 'borgee' to impress the ladies?)
Guy 12: hi cat! matt here.. working for ayala... u work in makati? wana meet up? =) grab a beer or something? wat do u do exactly? reply ayt? =) (Wow! You don't waste time, do you? First of all, I dont like beer. Secondly, if you're interested, you'd read my profile. Read what it says under profession, then you'll know what I do and even where and for whom I work for! Third, obviously I have a boyfriend and I'm very much in love with him as you can see in the pictures so I'm not the type of girl who'll just meet up with a stranger to 'grab a beer or something!' Lastly, what do you think of me? Cheap?! If you're like that to all the girls you send messages to, no wonder you've had just one friend since June 2004!)
Guy 13: Hi der...? Sory for disturbing hope...? can u be my fren. (Whaat?! Disturbing hope?!)
Guy 14: Cutie mo pala! Add me up.. Gwapo ko noh? Hehe! (Lacking in self- esteem?)
Guy 15: hi.swety.wud u be my fren f 8s ok. w/u.by da way dis my email add____ (Ugh! I stopped reading after the word 'swety.' And the jumbled letters forming a sentence gave me a headache. I mean, didn't you get one too?)
Another girl asked me to add her and her boyfriend up, meaning she gave me 2 separate addresses. I'm like "What? Are you looking for a third to complete your threesome?"
Another guy said he works in a casting agency and if I or any of my friends wanted to be a model or actress to give him a call and that casting for the movie "Ganglord" is not yet over so I could still go if I want. Oooh, just what I wanted! To be the next flat chested,"hindi- siya- porn!- art- siya- and- may- moral- lesson- yung- story!" porn star!
Only one guy seemed polite among the bunch. He introduced himself (just the name, no historical data or possible match ups with me based on feng shui) and asked me if it was okay to add me up, to reply if I was interested and if I'm not, to just ignore the message and he was sorry for disturbing me. He even said thanks. Very nice, mister! Your mother did a good job raising you.
As much as I wanted to give my sarcastic replies, I didn't. Because I knew that the reply with the most impact is my silence.
I have.
Just recently, I changed the pictures in both my accounts. What I didn't know was that if you changed your photo or updated your profile, your picture automatically goes up into the gallery and that's where people find other people to "cn u b my fren?"
Now, I know I should be flattered. To date, my first account has a total of 37 messages and 3 friend requests. My second account has a total of 20 friend requests and 1 message. But c'mon, people! Friendster is used to keep in touch with friends and acquaintances you haven't seen in a long time. Unlike in the US where it is used to meet people and eventually date them, in this country, mostly everybody does not do that. One annoying thing is that 95% of the people who sent me a message ask me, "cn u b my fren?" Goodness! You're not sending me an SMS message so lay off the short cuts! Even worse, some try to act cool and all that, hoping you'd succumb to their charms. It's almost insulting because they think you'd easily hook up with them just because they're trying to impress you with their slang.
So, please, allow me to have some fun... words enclosed in ( ) are my comments
Guy 1: hi! i just want to be ur more than a friend i like u... (ooh, please tell me this is a case of love at first sight- or click!) can i get your landlyn number if you dont mind. rok on! (hahaha! rok on?!? that's a first!)
Guy 2: can we be friend? (with an 'S', you idiot! with an 'S'!)
Guy 3: pang supermodel ang tingin! (flattery is not gonna get you anywhere!) add me ha! (may kailangan ka pala!)
Guy 4: Hi, musta ka, bf mo b yong ksma... selos ako kc (Hindeeeee!!! He's my brother! We're kissing siblings!)
Later on, he messages me again: Hi, im rey, 27 yrs old, fm pasay, military pilot, puede b kitang makilala binibini. Open my add: email address, para makita mo ang picture mo. cp# cellphone number (God! You're freaking me out. Your name says Francis but you tell me you're Rey. It says you're 29, but you say you're 27. And how can I open your email address? I don't have your password! But why would I even bother?! I'm so tempted to tell him that my dad is an honorary member of PMA! That ought to stop him!)
Guy 5: A gud day to u... can i add you up... m jst impress with your cool face eh... (Ah talaga? I'm impress with your cool face too! Cutie ka eh! Kaso barok ka. Wag na nga lang!)
Guy 6: Friends? (Uhh, nag- away ba tayo?)
Guy 7: Can I add you as a frnd? ur so cute cat... (I know!)
Guy 8: can i be your frens by the way im ________ and can u add me to your frenster? (No 'S' in friends, you idiot! No 'S'!)
Guy 9: Would you mind? (Mind what?) I'll wait. (Oooh, we've got a martyr in the house! Or are you vying for the title "The Next Rapunzel"? I see you've grown the hair already! Waiting will make it even longer!)
Guy 10: Can we be friends? (Finally, somebody who got it right! Sorry, as much as I like to because you're the first one who asked me with all letters and punctuation marks complete in the sentence and with proper grammar, no less, I'm already handling two accounts, filled with people who I actually know!)
Guy 11: hi! i noticed u in the gallery thats why i wannaask u if u cud be one of my prend? can i get ur email add? can I also add you on my freind's list?thaks (*cat bangs head on the table*) -- message from borgee/ bhong (oooh, schizophrenic, are we? or do you use 'borgee' to impress the ladies?)
Guy 12: hi cat! matt here.. working for ayala... u work in makati? wana meet up? =) grab a beer or something? wat do u do exactly? reply ayt? =) (Wow! You don't waste time, do you? First of all, I dont like beer. Secondly, if you're interested, you'd read my profile. Read what it says under profession, then you'll know what I do and even where and for whom I work for! Third, obviously I have a boyfriend and I'm very much in love with him as you can see in the pictures so I'm not the type of girl who'll just meet up with a stranger to 'grab a beer or something!' Lastly, what do you think of me? Cheap?! If you're like that to all the girls you send messages to, no wonder you've had just one friend since June 2004!)
Guy 13: Hi der...? Sory for disturbing hope...? can u be my fren. (Whaat?! Disturbing hope?!)
Guy 14: Cutie mo pala! Add me up.. Gwapo ko noh? Hehe! (Lacking in self- esteem?)
Guy 15: hi.swety.wud u be my fren f 8s ok. w/u.by da way dis my email add____ (Ugh! I stopped reading after the word 'swety.' And the jumbled letters forming a sentence gave me a headache. I mean, didn't you get one too?)
Another girl asked me to add her and her boyfriend up, meaning she gave me 2 separate addresses. I'm like "What? Are you looking for a third to complete your threesome?"
Another guy said he works in a casting agency and if I or any of my friends wanted to be a model or actress to give him a call and that casting for the movie "Ganglord" is not yet over so I could still go if I want. Oooh, just what I wanted! To be the next flat chested,"hindi- siya- porn!- art- siya- and- may- moral- lesson- yung- story!" porn star!
Only one guy seemed polite among the bunch. He introduced himself (just the name, no historical data or possible match ups with me based on feng shui) and asked me if it was okay to add me up, to reply if I was interested and if I'm not, to just ignore the message and he was sorry for disturbing me. He even said thanks. Very nice, mister! Your mother did a good job raising you.
As much as I wanted to give my sarcastic replies, I didn't. Because I knew that the reply with the most impact is my silence.
Weekend Recap
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Friday
- Found out the reason why A has been having pressure- like headaches after his visit from the neurologist. It's all stress- related!
- Went to the spa near my office with A and had a massage scheduled at nine o' clock. Him a Swedish massage, me an aromatherapy massage.
- Since we didn't have much to do, A and I went to McDonalds across the spa. I had a large order of fries while he had a hot fudge sundae.
- We still had 40 minutes to burn so we decided to hang out in my car and try to get some sleep since I was sleepy. I didn't get my sleep cuz A was so kulit.
- Finally went in for the massage.
- Went to Pasto and had a light after dinner meal. Our favorite Carpaccio and an order of Torta Del Ciocollato. Among all the decadent chocolate cakes I've ever had, this is the most, absolute sinful one I've ever had. Many times we've said, "Oh God! This is a sin!!!" after the first bite.
- Took A home and hung out for awhile outside his house where we were so kulit!
Saturday
- Spent the day setting up for an event: a DLSU school party
- Had A, Cel, Cel's prospect (whose name I'll divulge if or when they get together), Riz and Bom over for drinks
- Laughed the whole night, making jokes and double edged wise cracks
- Knew my alcohol tolerance level, more or less. After a Cosmopolitan, a Frozen Margarita and a Pier 69, I was still up and sane. Cel was slightly tipsy and getting sleepy from the alcohol. (Knowing my alcohol tolerance is a big deal to me because I don't drink alcohol or beer. This is the most I've ever consumed. Pretty ironic for someone who works at a bar, huh?)
- Went home at 3am
Sunday
- Spent the day sleeping
- Woke up to eat lunch at 2:30 PM
- Watched the De La Salle vs Ateneo UAAP game-- Ateneo lost! Boo hoo! But it was a good game and good fight. :)
- Went to Church
- Ate dinner
- Watched TV
- Read a book
Care Package from the US
I came home last Friday to find a huge LBC box on the floor of our living room. Finally, the care package is here!
You see, last June, my dad's cousin, who I met once in my life because he lives in the US, asked me a favor. He's getting married and needs a barong. Though there are barong shops in the Filipino communities in the US, the designs aren't as nice and the material and labor is more expensive. So they emailed me the design of the barong they wanted, along with my uncle's measurements. In a week, the barong was finished and I had it sent along with one of my grandmother's sisters, who was going back to the US after a month long vacation in the Philippines to visit my grandmother.
As a way to show their appreciation, they send me a care/ thank you package. Inside were:
-- 3 boxes of Tampons (Tampax Pearl- Regular, Tampax Pearl- Super Absorbent, Playtex Super Absorbent)- I think I've got enough tampons to last me three years! No more scourging the 3 cities to look for tampons!
-- 2 In Style Magazine Issues (The In Style Makeover magazine and the one with Halle Berry on the cover)
-- A CD containing pictures and slideshows of their wedding
-- 1 Bottle of Robert Mondavi Red Wine (for my parents)
-- 1 Bottle of Ironstone Obsession White Zinfandel (Wine) (for my parents, again)
-- A 2 lb Hershey Bar with the words, "Thanks! - Randy and Diana" inscribed to it
-- A pack of Ghirardelli caramelized almonds chocolate
-- A pack of Lindt truffles chocolate
Among everything, I squealed in delight when I saw the boxes of tampons. Just goes to show how shallow my happiness can be. :)
As for my little brothers, they absolutely enjoyed the bubble wrap that protected the 2 wine bottles during the shipment. Each bubble was as big as a five peso coin. Xavier punched each bubble with his little fists even though it hurt and the next day, I woke up to the sound of Don jumping on the bubble wrap.
Chocolate Balls: A Reply to "Social Obligations"
Saturday, September 18, 2004
My biological mom reads my blog often. In reply to my entry below, she emailed me this:
Chocolate Balls
I don't buy sampaguitas from street children. When they insistently tap my car window, I hand them multi-colored foil-wrapped chocolate balls, packaged using cellophane left over from Christmas and festively tied with gold ribbon. My idea is that this treat would end up being just for them. Syndicates will not be interested in chocolate balls and by the end of the night, the kids would have gobbled them up. I know that their task is to sell everything and go home to their parents with money in their pockets because if there are sampaguitas still left to be sold, they won't or can't go home. But I know too that they shouldn't be out in the streets earning a living. So I give them chocolate balls to remind them that they are kids.
On several occasions the stop light stayed red, long enough for me to watch their reactions. At Osmena Highway, there was that little girl with the missing tooth that smiled and said, "Thank you.", then ran to her friends to show what she got. At the railway tracks near San Andres, a pre-pubescent girl took the package with a puzzled look, stared at it for a long time, smelled it and stared at it some more. At Buendia corner Makati Avenue, a boy of about 9, immediately after receiving one, brandished it in the air excitedly and called out to fellow street kids to show them what he got and all the kids ran to my car to get one too. Once, along South Super Highway, a scraggly young boy quickly ran back to a group on the sidewalk and tore open the package, immediately sharing the chocolate with others.
Each time this happened, I saw that for an instant, they forgot they had to sell sampaguitas. I am sure these kids would rather play or be in school than sell sampaguitas. But the reality is that poverty and family circumstance drives them to do it. And so even before they have learned to read and write, they are forced to enter the adult world of self-preservation and survival.
Selling sampaguitas robs them of their childhood. I give them chocolate balls so that for one brief moment being out in the streets would be a "sweet" experience rather than a bitter one.
xxx
Lunch Money
One morning, as I was closing the gate to leave for work, I was intercepted by a man in his early 30s who shyly yet courageously approached me. He said, "Maam, I am embarrassed... I don't usually do this... I am not soliciting since I know it's not allowed but I need money to buy my father his medicine for hypertension. Let me do something for you, take out your garbage or something. Anything. I just need to buy medicine for my father." Then he showed me the empty foil of that particular medicine that he needed to buy.
I told him, "I don't have any garbage left." Then he said, "I used to be your basurero but not anymore. But I'll take out your garbage tomorrow or tonight. You just leave it at your gate I will pick it up. Or if you want I can water your plants. I used to sell plants too."
I asked, "Don't you have a job? You seem to be capable." He said, "I have been looking for a job but I could only get odd jobs here and there, nothing permanent."
"How much is the medicine?" I finally asked. "P37.80 per tablet and he needs to take it everyday. He has been taking it for the last 5 years."
"I think you should look into herbal medicine or something. Look for another doctor that believes in the natural healing methods. Your father has been taking in chemicals for the past 5 years and relies on it. It's not good for him." It was my way of educating him a bit, even through a short street encounter. I looked into my wallet. I only had one P20 bill and the rest was P100. I gave him the P100.
He looked at me with embarrassment. "This is too much. I can't take it all." I told him, "No. Take it. If it's too much, save the rest for next time." He thanked me profusely, "Maam, the good Lord will repay you for your kindness." And in the midst of all this I was thinking to myself, he better not use it to buy alcohol or drugs, but instead I said, "It's alright, just use it for good." He asked with utmost concern, "Wasn't that your lunch money? Maybe you won’t eat lunch? Do you have enough money left for lunch?" I waved good-bye saying, "It's alright, I'll be fine."
As I walked down the street to get a cab to go to work on a color-coded carless Wednesday, I thought to myself, "...And here I am, sometimes deliberately skipping lunch to lose weight while others skip lunch because they have no money at all."
xxx
My Dearest Cat,
My point is that you do not have to give if you believe it is not right to give especially in certain situations like the aggressive-street-kid-encounter you had. But if you do give, do it from your heart and not out of fear. And give what is comfortable and in a way that you feel will make a difference in some way. Maybe you could first talk to the child or person who approaches you even if it's a very short conversation--get to know them for just a tiny bit. Look for the 'soul' behind the dirty outstretched hand. Then maybe you would feel like giving or maybe all the more not. Then you may feel justified.
I don't think there really are hard and fast rules on when to give or not to give. I do not give to everyone that comes my way. Toward beggars on the street, sometimes I just raise my hand to signal I will not be giving them anything and to stress the point, I stare blankly at the far distance as if they weren't there. To solicitors who come knocking on my door with official looking documents, I tell them that so many people have approached me already and I have nothing left to give even if it's not true. Sometimes I use my job as an excuse and tell them I work for a foundation that helps people like them… so sorry, but giving is already my living.
But I have found that if I have truly given from my heart to a person or a cause I believe in, then that can make up for all those others I choose not to give to. Cat, you are blessed with a good job and a good life. You don't have to give to these street children but try to share your blessings to the less fortunate in ways you would love to share it. Your piece, Social Obligations, showed me how concerned you are about these things and that makes me proud of you. You write from the heart and the mind and that makes all the difference between pieces that merely tell a story and pieces that also makes one think.
Love,
Mommy
Chocolate Balls
I don't buy sampaguitas from street children. When they insistently tap my car window, I hand them multi-colored foil-wrapped chocolate balls, packaged using cellophane left over from Christmas and festively tied with gold ribbon. My idea is that this treat would end up being just for them. Syndicates will not be interested in chocolate balls and by the end of the night, the kids would have gobbled them up. I know that their task is to sell everything and go home to their parents with money in their pockets because if there are sampaguitas still left to be sold, they won't or can't go home. But I know too that they shouldn't be out in the streets earning a living. So I give them chocolate balls to remind them that they are kids.
On several occasions the stop light stayed red, long enough for me to watch their reactions. At Osmena Highway, there was that little girl with the missing tooth that smiled and said, "Thank you.", then ran to her friends to show what she got. At the railway tracks near San Andres, a pre-pubescent girl took the package with a puzzled look, stared at it for a long time, smelled it and stared at it some more. At Buendia corner Makati Avenue, a boy of about 9, immediately after receiving one, brandished it in the air excitedly and called out to fellow street kids to show them what he got and all the kids ran to my car to get one too. Once, along South Super Highway, a scraggly young boy quickly ran back to a group on the sidewalk and tore open the package, immediately sharing the chocolate with others.
Each time this happened, I saw that for an instant, they forgot they had to sell sampaguitas. I am sure these kids would rather play or be in school than sell sampaguitas. But the reality is that poverty and family circumstance drives them to do it. And so even before they have learned to read and write, they are forced to enter the adult world of self-preservation and survival.
Selling sampaguitas robs them of their childhood. I give them chocolate balls so that for one brief moment being out in the streets would be a "sweet" experience rather than a bitter one.
xxx
Lunch Money
One morning, as I was closing the gate to leave for work, I was intercepted by a man in his early 30s who shyly yet courageously approached me. He said, "Maam, I am embarrassed... I don't usually do this... I am not soliciting since I know it's not allowed but I need money to buy my father his medicine for hypertension. Let me do something for you, take out your garbage or something. Anything. I just need to buy medicine for my father." Then he showed me the empty foil of that particular medicine that he needed to buy.
I told him, "I don't have any garbage left." Then he said, "I used to be your basurero but not anymore. But I'll take out your garbage tomorrow or tonight. You just leave it at your gate I will pick it up. Or if you want I can water your plants. I used to sell plants too."
I asked, "Don't you have a job? You seem to be capable." He said, "I have been looking for a job but I could only get odd jobs here and there, nothing permanent."
"How much is the medicine?" I finally asked. "P37.80 per tablet and he needs to take it everyday. He has been taking it for the last 5 years."
"I think you should look into herbal medicine or something. Look for another doctor that believes in the natural healing methods. Your father has been taking in chemicals for the past 5 years and relies on it. It's not good for him." It was my way of educating him a bit, even through a short street encounter. I looked into my wallet. I only had one P20 bill and the rest was P100. I gave him the P100.
He looked at me with embarrassment. "This is too much. I can't take it all." I told him, "No. Take it. If it's too much, save the rest for next time." He thanked me profusely, "Maam, the good Lord will repay you for your kindness." And in the midst of all this I was thinking to myself, he better not use it to buy alcohol or drugs, but instead I said, "It's alright, just use it for good." He asked with utmost concern, "Wasn't that your lunch money? Maybe you won’t eat lunch? Do you have enough money left for lunch?" I waved good-bye saying, "It's alright, I'll be fine."
As I walked down the street to get a cab to go to work on a color-coded carless Wednesday, I thought to myself, "...And here I am, sometimes deliberately skipping lunch to lose weight while others skip lunch because they have no money at all."
xxx
My Dearest Cat,
My point is that you do not have to give if you believe it is not right to give especially in certain situations like the aggressive-street-kid-encounter you had. But if you do give, do it from your heart and not out of fear. And give what is comfortable and in a way that you feel will make a difference in some way. Maybe you could first talk to the child or person who approaches you even if it's a very short conversation--get to know them for just a tiny bit. Look for the 'soul' behind the dirty outstretched hand. Then maybe you would feel like giving or maybe all the more not. Then you may feel justified.
I don't think there really are hard and fast rules on when to give or not to give. I do not give to everyone that comes my way. Toward beggars on the street, sometimes I just raise my hand to signal I will not be giving them anything and to stress the point, I stare blankly at the far distance as if they weren't there. To solicitors who come knocking on my door with official looking documents, I tell them that so many people have approached me already and I have nothing left to give even if it's not true. Sometimes I use my job as an excuse and tell them I work for a foundation that helps people like them… so sorry, but giving is already my living.
But I have found that if I have truly given from my heart to a person or a cause I believe in, then that can make up for all those others I choose not to give to. Cat, you are blessed with a good job and a good life. You don't have to give to these street children but try to share your blessings to the less fortunate in ways you would love to share it. Your piece, Social Obligations, showed me how concerned you are about these things and that makes me proud of you. You write from the heart and the mind and that makes all the difference between pieces that merely tell a story and pieces that also makes one think.
Love,
Mommy
Social Obligations
Thursday, September 16, 2004
I have this new fear. It's not a fear, per se, but more of I'd rather not encounter a certain kind of this "thing." I know I'm being vague and confusing you in the process. But what if I told you that my new found fear comes in the form of street children?
Yes, you heard it right. Street children.
A couple of months ago, A and I were walking towards his car, which was parked on the sidewalk beside one of the branches I work for. A kid, around nine, followed and asked us to buy his sampaguitas. Normally, we would say no, brush them off, or ignore them. I told him that I don't have money and even pointed out that I didn't have my wallet or purse with me. He wouldn't stop pestering us but we just kept ignoring him. When we reached the car, he put his body in between me and the passenger side's door, blocking the key hole or the car handle. I couldn't get in the car. This was the first time a street kid did that and I was surprised. He begged us to buy from him/ give him money. A calmly told him that we didn't have any money with us. I was starting to lose my patience. I didn't know how else to pacify him and make him stop yet I was also getting scared because he was close to tears. One of our valets passed by and I sought his help. He had to pull the kid away because talking to him wasn't helping. I finally got into the safety of the car but A wasn't able to as the kid did the same thing again. The valet had to get him once again. Since we were thisclose to getting away from him, the kid started crying. Not just silently crying but bawling! While we were in the car, we searched for coins to appease him. I think we came up with P3 only. When we gave him the coins, he begged for more because it wasn't enough! I was losing my patience even more and couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was beginning to feel harassed. I told A to drive away quickly and as we did, the boy ran after us, banging at the trunk.
Another instance was at the stoplight in McKinley Road. A boy approached my window, selling sampaguitas again. Normally, we would tap on the window to let them know that we're not buying or giving them anything. But the kid did not leave. I didn't want to be rude by ignoring them so I shook my hand and lifted my hands as if to say, I don't have any money. And then, I hear him say, "Tignan mo sa wallet mo! Meron yan! (Look into your wallet! You have (money)!)" I was surprised that he told me that. Since when do they, for lack of a proper term, force you to do something. And when I didn't make a move to check my wallet, he said, "Kahit P50 lang! (Even if it's just P50)!" The phrase surprised me even more. Since when do street kids tell you the amount you're supposed to give? One last time, I shook my head. He kept saying, "Sige na, ma'm!" and in resignation, frustration and anger, he lightly punched my window. As my friend said, the street kids are the ones who are already asking from you yet they're also causing trouble.
Yes, I "fear" street kids because they have become aggressive. Once, there was this understanding that if you can't give anything, you tap your window and the beggar or peddler would move to the next car. But now, they're practically forcing you to give them alms. The change in their attitude and it is alarming. You couldn't help but think that these kids work for syndicates, gangs and criminals. And it makes me wonder, do we still have social obligations to these kids? Especially knowing that the money you give will probably not go to them and will only go to a person/ people who are earning more than you?
I was talking discussing this topic with one of our VPs who has become a good friend. The topic moved to men who enjoy getting drunk on gin with their equally jobless buddies at the corner sari- sari store when their kids are at home, wherever home is, trying to sleep over an empty stomach. They blame the government and even the rich for their misfortunes yet they are not doing anything to change their situation. Just because the working class has money does not mean they are not affected also by the economic crises. They don't know that we all suffer too as the crises don't choose whom to hit. And so as a result of sitting on their asses the whole day and night, the kids are left with no choice but to beg, which is wrong, because you're teaching them to go the easy way out, instead of finding ways to alleviate their standing. I commend those men who are out wiping windshields, or selling those funny yet weird looking toys and food. They are not only finding ways to feed their family, they are also doing it legally.
I told her that some of them wallow too much in self pity that they don't do anything also and she told me an experience she had.
A few years ago, she was jobless and had no Peso to her name. Her son needed heart surgery which cost a million pesos. She had to find ways to raise the money, even asking money from strangers. In the end, she was able to raise the money. The day before her son got out of the hospital, she went to the children's cancer ward of the hospital and found a mother crying her heart out. She asked the mother what was wrong.
Mother: Kailangan ko ng P10,000 para ipa- opera yung kamay ng anak ko (I need P10,000 to have my child's hand operated on)
VP: Alam mo, imbis na umiyak ka diyan maghanap ka ng paraan. Bakit di ka lumapit sa PCSO (Phil. Charity Sweepstakes Office), sa Pagcor, sa ABSCBN, sa GMA? P10,000 lang yan! Ang dali- dali nilang makukuha yan! (You know, instead of crying and crying, why don't you find a way? Why don't you approach PCSO? Pagcor? ABSCBN? GMA? It's only P10,000! They can easily raise that much!)
Mother: Paano mo nalaman? (How did you know?)
VP: Dahil kinailangan ko ng P1,000,000 para sa anak ko. (Because I needed P1,000,000 for my child).
Mother: Sinasabi mo lang yan dahil mayaman ka. (You're just saying that because you're rich.)
VP: Di mo alam ang pinagdaanan ko. Kung mahal mo anak mo, gagawa ka ng paraan. (You don't know what I've been through. If you love your child, you will find a way).
So my question is, do we have a social obligation to these people? The children who are probably working for criminals? The people who do nothing but beg? The men who complain about their misfortunes yet do nothing but wait for some miracle?
I don't know. I'd rather give my money to the building of our parish church, or an orphanage or the education of a scholar. Does saying no to the questions above make me mean? Am I being selfish? Will somebody please tell me if I'm wrong and put me in my place?
Yes, you heard it right. Street children.
A couple of months ago, A and I were walking towards his car, which was parked on the sidewalk beside one of the branches I work for. A kid, around nine, followed and asked us to buy his sampaguitas. Normally, we would say no, brush them off, or ignore them. I told him that I don't have money and even pointed out that I didn't have my wallet or purse with me. He wouldn't stop pestering us but we just kept ignoring him. When we reached the car, he put his body in between me and the passenger side's door, blocking the key hole or the car handle. I couldn't get in the car. This was the first time a street kid did that and I was surprised. He begged us to buy from him/ give him money. A calmly told him that we didn't have any money with us. I was starting to lose my patience. I didn't know how else to pacify him and make him stop yet I was also getting scared because he was close to tears. One of our valets passed by and I sought his help. He had to pull the kid away because talking to him wasn't helping. I finally got into the safety of the car but A wasn't able to as the kid did the same thing again. The valet had to get him once again. Since we were thisclose to getting away from him, the kid started crying. Not just silently crying but bawling! While we were in the car, we searched for coins to appease him. I think we came up with P3 only. When we gave him the coins, he begged for more because it wasn't enough! I was losing my patience even more and couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was beginning to feel harassed. I told A to drive away quickly and as we did, the boy ran after us, banging at the trunk.
Another instance was at the stoplight in McKinley Road. A boy approached my window, selling sampaguitas again. Normally, we would tap on the window to let them know that we're not buying or giving them anything. But the kid did not leave. I didn't want to be rude by ignoring them so I shook my hand and lifted my hands as if to say, I don't have any money. And then, I hear him say, "Tignan mo sa wallet mo! Meron yan! (Look into your wallet! You have (money)!)" I was surprised that he told me that. Since when do they, for lack of a proper term, force you to do something. And when I didn't make a move to check my wallet, he said, "Kahit P50 lang! (Even if it's just P50)!" The phrase surprised me even more. Since when do street kids tell you the amount you're supposed to give? One last time, I shook my head. He kept saying, "Sige na, ma'm!" and in resignation, frustration and anger, he lightly punched my window. As my friend said, the street kids are the ones who are already asking from you yet they're also causing trouble.
Yes, I "fear" street kids because they have become aggressive. Once, there was this understanding that if you can't give anything, you tap your window and the beggar or peddler would move to the next car. But now, they're practically forcing you to give them alms. The change in their attitude and it is alarming. You couldn't help but think that these kids work for syndicates, gangs and criminals. And it makes me wonder, do we still have social obligations to these kids? Especially knowing that the money you give will probably not go to them and will only go to a person/ people who are earning more than you?
I was talking discussing this topic with one of our VPs who has become a good friend. The topic moved to men who enjoy getting drunk on gin with their equally jobless buddies at the corner sari- sari store when their kids are at home, wherever home is, trying to sleep over an empty stomach. They blame the government and even the rich for their misfortunes yet they are not doing anything to change their situation. Just because the working class has money does not mean they are not affected also by the economic crises. They don't know that we all suffer too as the crises don't choose whom to hit. And so as a result of sitting on their asses the whole day and night, the kids are left with no choice but to beg, which is wrong, because you're teaching them to go the easy way out, instead of finding ways to alleviate their standing. I commend those men who are out wiping windshields, or selling those funny yet weird looking toys and food. They are not only finding ways to feed their family, they are also doing it legally.
I told her that some of them wallow too much in self pity that they don't do anything also and she told me an experience she had.
A few years ago, she was jobless and had no Peso to her name. Her son needed heart surgery which cost a million pesos. She had to find ways to raise the money, even asking money from strangers. In the end, she was able to raise the money. The day before her son got out of the hospital, she went to the children's cancer ward of the hospital and found a mother crying her heart out. She asked the mother what was wrong.
Mother: Kailangan ko ng P10,000 para ipa- opera yung kamay ng anak ko (I need P10,000 to have my child's hand operated on)
VP: Alam mo, imbis na umiyak ka diyan maghanap ka ng paraan. Bakit di ka lumapit sa PCSO (Phil. Charity Sweepstakes Office), sa Pagcor, sa ABSCBN, sa GMA? P10,000 lang yan! Ang dali- dali nilang makukuha yan! (You know, instead of crying and crying, why don't you find a way? Why don't you approach PCSO? Pagcor? ABSCBN? GMA? It's only P10,000! They can easily raise that much!)
Mother: Paano mo nalaman? (How did you know?)
VP: Dahil kinailangan ko ng P1,000,000 para sa anak ko. (Because I needed P1,000,000 for my child).
Mother: Sinasabi mo lang yan dahil mayaman ka. (You're just saying that because you're rich.)
VP: Di mo alam ang pinagdaanan ko. Kung mahal mo anak mo, gagawa ka ng paraan. (You don't know what I've been through. If you love your child, you will find a way).
So my question is, do we have a social obligation to these people? The children who are probably working for criminals? The people who do nothing but beg? The men who complain about their misfortunes yet do nothing but wait for some miracle?
I don't know. I'd rather give my money to the building of our parish church, or an orphanage or the education of a scholar. Does saying no to the questions above make me mean? Am I being selfish? Will somebody please tell me if I'm wrong and put me in my place?
The Best Oprah Giveaway Yet
Last night, before going to sleep, I checked the news on my mobile's GPRS service. I clicked on the headline that says "Oprah Gives Away Cars" (or something to that effect).
Now we all know that Oprah loves giving away stuff. Magazines, CDs, freebies, makeup, makeovers, home makeovers, cars (once in awhile), money to charity and other what have yous. But what's so special about giving away cars this time was that everybody, ALL 276 surprised members of the audience, got a new car.
It was the launch of General Motors' new sports sedan, the Pontiac G6, which was targetted to women. The people from General Motors wanted to draw attention to their launch while Oprah wanted to open her 19th season with a bang and so they had the $8 Million tie- up.
Now, usually, whenever Oprah rewards someone something, the person is left out in the dark and only the letter sender and audience knows what's going on. But in this case, nobody knew. For its "Wildest Dreams" episode, the season premiere, Oprah called 11 random names from the audience and told them that they were there for a reason and that reason was they needed a brand new car. Everybody was surprised and clapped. A group of women holding boxes started handing out the boxes to the audience. She turned to the audience and said that in one of the boxes contains the key to the 12th car so whoever has the key, gets it. And once everybody opened their box, everybody screamed in delight. They all had a key! (Oprah even had an emercency medic crew on standby in case anyone fainted). Oprah, then, guided them to a parking lot filled with Pontiac G6s with huge red bows on them. The audience members gets to choose the color they want and the features that would be added to it. Wow! How lucky are they?!
But at the end, it's a one big marketing stunt. First, Oprah had a teaser for its season premiere, telling people all over America that they're doing something big to start off the season. Naturally, everybody would tune in to the show. Oprah, then reveals the surprise to the 11 handpicked people, shows the features of the car, then surprises everybody by giving them a car. Oprah talked about the car, claiming that the project was very top secret that she had to do the negotiations herself, then proceeded in showing a video when she visited the Pontiac G6 plant. And because giving away brand new cars to 276 people just like that, it becomes instant news and therefore, the event is featured all over the news. See this site to find out the effects of the publicity stunt.
Amazing, isn't it? Both the giving away 276 cars and a major stunt being pulled off like that.
Now we all know that Oprah loves giving away stuff. Magazines, CDs, freebies, makeup, makeovers, home makeovers, cars (once in awhile), money to charity and other what have yous. But what's so special about giving away cars this time was that everybody, ALL 276 surprised members of the audience, got a new car.
It was the launch of General Motors' new sports sedan, the Pontiac G6, which was targetted to women. The people from General Motors wanted to draw attention to their launch while Oprah wanted to open her 19th season with a bang and so they had the $8 Million tie- up.
Now, usually, whenever Oprah rewards someone something, the person is left out in the dark and only the letter sender and audience knows what's going on. But in this case, nobody knew. For its "Wildest Dreams" episode, the season premiere, Oprah called 11 random names from the audience and told them that they were there for a reason and that reason was they needed a brand new car. Everybody was surprised and clapped. A group of women holding boxes started handing out the boxes to the audience. She turned to the audience and said that in one of the boxes contains the key to the 12th car so whoever has the key, gets it. And once everybody opened their box, everybody screamed in delight. They all had a key! (Oprah even had an emercency medic crew on standby in case anyone fainted). Oprah, then, guided them to a parking lot filled with Pontiac G6s with huge red bows on them. The audience members gets to choose the color they want and the features that would be added to it. Wow! How lucky are they?!
But at the end, it's a one big marketing stunt. First, Oprah had a teaser for its season premiere, telling people all over America that they're doing something big to start off the season. Naturally, everybody would tune in to the show. Oprah, then reveals the surprise to the 11 handpicked people, shows the features of the car, then surprises everybody by giving them a car. Oprah talked about the car, claiming that the project was very top secret that she had to do the negotiations herself, then proceeded in showing a video when she visited the Pontiac G6 plant. And because giving away brand new cars to 276 people just like that, it becomes instant news and therefore, the event is featured all over the news. See this site to find out the effects of the publicity stunt.
Amazing, isn't it? Both the giving away 276 cars and a major stunt being pulled off like that.
I Can't Believe This...
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Waaaaaaahhhh!!! I can't believe this. I just wrote a really long entry that took me almost an hour and a half to do and when I pressed the publish button, the hated "This Page Cannot Be Displayed" came out! My internet connection got cut off and so nothing was saved! Grr! I hate it! I have to write it all over again. Maybe tomorrow.
A Monday Night Party
One of our branches celebrated its anniversary yesterday. It's 3rd birthday actually. Everything was perfectly plan, the set up was going right on schedule. The only thing that could have ruined an otherwise perfect day was the unexpected rain. (Although, in this season, rain is always unexpected). In preparation for the unexpected rain, we:
1] Checked www.accuweather.com-- our online weather source (It said overcast and humid- I guess it's not that accurate at all)
2] Followed the superstition that we always swear by-- offer eggs, a dozen Chicken eggs preferably, to Sta. Clara.
We relied on the second point though. Heavy rain poured at 3PM. I asked our bartender, who was tasked to offer eggs since he lived near the Church of Sta. Clara, if he really did offer the eggs. He said he even went to mass and gave a whole tray of eggs. By 5pm, I asked him if he was sure he gave chicken eggs and not quail eggs. He was sure. By 6pm, we all made assumptions that not only were they quail eggs but rotten eggs. Of course, in between those questions, I kept gazing up at the sky, intently asking God to let the rain stop. (I know, I know. Rain connotes blessing.)
Thankfully, the downpour trickled to a drizzle. When I could finally get my clothes, make up kit and shoes from my car, I locked myself in the bathroom for like 30 minutes to change and put on make up. I came out wearing my new flirty, "shake your bonbon" black, flared skirt and a red sleeveless, deep v- necked top and my new strappy high heels. I felt like I came out of a Ricky Martin dance video.
The program went on smoothly. The band we hired got the crowd going and even got people to dance, including me. (I love dancing! Once, I held the record for dancing four hours straight, only stopping for like a minute to take a rest. Unfortunately, lately, I haven't felt like dancing. I thought I was outgrowing dancing in bars. I don't drink or smoke but dancing is my vice, my natural high.) I'm thankful that A danced with me even if he wasn't feeling well and ended up getting dizzy. Regular guests from the other branches came to support the event. At one time, I entered the main bar and felt I was transported to another branch. People were standing up and dancing, hardly giving any space for our waitstaff to move and most of our guests were regulars of another branch. Liquors and alcohol were flowing. San Miguel gave us 40 cases of San Mig Lights and 10 cases of Pale Pilsen. Jose Cuervo Tequila gave us 4 cases (48 bottles) and Johnnie Walker gave us 3 cases (18 bottles). Drinker's heaven, I know. Unfortunately, I'm not a drinker and all I had the whole night was iced tea. My bosses were so drunk. My Uncle, the President, went home by 12mn because he was wasted. Before leaving, he put his arm around me, gave me a thumbs up, said a slurry "Job well done" while swaying from side to side. My other "tito", his bestfriend, our VP for food and beverages, fondly called as our resident GRO, was a goner by 10:30 PM. As usual, while they took care of public relations, going from table to table, I took care of the show.
It was a great night. A successful event, considering it was a Monday night. Now that's two anniversaries down, two more anniversaries (three, if you include the branch that was franchised) and one grand opening to go.
1] Checked www.accuweather.com-- our online weather source (It said overcast and humid- I guess it's not that accurate at all)
2] Followed the superstition that we always swear by-- offer eggs, a dozen Chicken eggs preferably, to Sta. Clara.
We relied on the second point though. Heavy rain poured at 3PM. I asked our bartender, who was tasked to offer eggs since he lived near the Church of Sta. Clara, if he really did offer the eggs. He said he even went to mass and gave a whole tray of eggs. By 5pm, I asked him if he was sure he gave chicken eggs and not quail eggs. He was sure. By 6pm, we all made assumptions that not only were they quail eggs but rotten eggs. Of course, in between those questions, I kept gazing up at the sky, intently asking God to let the rain stop. (I know, I know. Rain connotes blessing.)
Thankfully, the downpour trickled to a drizzle. When I could finally get my clothes, make up kit and shoes from my car, I locked myself in the bathroom for like 30 minutes to change and put on make up. I came out wearing my new flirty, "shake your bonbon" black, flared skirt and a red sleeveless, deep v- necked top and my new strappy high heels. I felt like I came out of a Ricky Martin dance video.
The program went on smoothly. The band we hired got the crowd going and even got people to dance, including me. (I love dancing! Once, I held the record for dancing four hours straight, only stopping for like a minute to take a rest. Unfortunately, lately, I haven't felt like dancing. I thought I was outgrowing dancing in bars. I don't drink or smoke but dancing is my vice, my natural high.) I'm thankful that A danced with me even if he wasn't feeling well and ended up getting dizzy. Regular guests from the other branches came to support the event. At one time, I entered the main bar and felt I was transported to another branch. People were standing up and dancing, hardly giving any space for our waitstaff to move and most of our guests were regulars of another branch. Liquors and alcohol were flowing. San Miguel gave us 40 cases of San Mig Lights and 10 cases of Pale Pilsen. Jose Cuervo Tequila gave us 4 cases (48 bottles) and Johnnie Walker gave us 3 cases (18 bottles). Drinker's heaven, I know. Unfortunately, I'm not a drinker and all I had the whole night was iced tea. My bosses were so drunk. My Uncle, the President, went home by 12mn because he was wasted. Before leaving, he put his arm around me, gave me a thumbs up, said a slurry "Job well done" while swaying from side to side. My other "tito", his bestfriend, our VP for food and beverages, fondly called as our resident GRO, was a goner by 10:30 PM. As usual, while they took care of public relations, going from table to table, I took care of the show.
It was a great night. A successful event, considering it was a Monday night. Now that's two anniversaries down, two more anniversaries (three, if you include the branch that was franchised) and one grand opening to go.
The Weekend Count Down
Here it is again, folks. A bulleted list of the things I did this weekend.
FRIDAY
(Uhh, I can't remember... )
SATURDAY
FRIDAY
(Uhh, I can't remember... )
SATURDAY
- Went to Glorietta 4 with A and met up with the newly "single- d" Cel, newly taken and no longer "no- boyfriend- since- birth" Riz.
- Had dinners at Oliver's Sandwiches. (I was craving for Sbarro's actually but the lack of tables did it for me) I had their Herb Caesar (Potato) Salad and Roast Beef Sandwich.
- While A went out to smoke and buy medicine for his headache, the girls and I had a little girl talk.
- Went to watch Dodgeball, a truly hilarious movie
- Met up with Cel's new "acquaintance/ prospect" (yup, it was THAT fast. They met a day after she broke up with TJ) and hung out at Starbucks
- Since A wasn't feeling well, I drove from Makati to Mandaluyong to Quezon City to take Cel and Riz home.
- Watched tv with A when we got home
SUNDAY
- Woke up by 11AM, despite lack of sleep
- Was suppose to go to my grandmother's house for grandparent's day (but when I suggested to dad that I take my own car since I have to be back home right away to take A to an Opthalmologist, because he can't drive, he suggested that I stay home instead)
- Went to 12nn mass with mom and Judo
- Went on errands with my mom. We found Halloween wigs being sold in National Bookstore. My mom bought four wigs for the store she works in, keeping a long, redhead wig for herself. It looked so pretty. It had the exact curls I wanted if I had long, long hair.
- While waiting for A to get up, I chatted with Cristy, who's in the US, and updated her with everyone's lives. I almost gave her a heart attack with all the turn of events in our lives (Riz's boyfriend, Cel's break up AND meeting a new guy)
- Picked up A at our usual meeting place and went to Glorietta
- Went to the optical shop to get A's eyeglasses. Since he hasn't been wearing his glasses, his grade shot up!
- Searched for Will and Grace DVDs (Result: zero)
- Had dinner at Cibo (Can't believe we never ate here before!)
- Went to Anonymous and Powerbooks (I bought Jemima J by Jane Green)
- Watched Connie and Carla (loved Lee, the Filipino transvestite)
- Took A home and had a scoop of ice cream before I left.
How Do You Spell...
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Cami was writing in her notebook when she asked me:
Cami: How do you spell 'noisily'?
Me: (Saw an opportunity to kid around) N-O-I-S-E-L-Y.
Cami: (Doubting) Sigurado ka? (She starts writing in her notebook) Parang mali eh. Sigurado ka? N- O- I- S- E- L- Y???
Me: That's what I said, diba?
Cami: (Still doubting) Hay nako! 'Loud' na nga lang!
Cami: How do you spell 'noisily'?
Me: (Saw an opportunity to kid around) N-O-I-S-E-L-Y.
Cami: (Doubting) Sigurado ka? (She starts writing in her notebook) Parang mali eh. Sigurado ka? N- O- I- S- E- L- Y???
Me: That's what I said, diba?
Cami: (Still doubting) Hay nako! 'Loud' na nga lang!
Tiny Talks: Part 3
This entry was taken from Ara's blog.
One night, during dinner, Ara was shocked to discover that Judo (7) and Don (5) were watching cartoons that displayed so much violence and verbal abusiveness (aka name calling) and that both kids knew the dialogue as well! Ara asked what the show was and they gave an anime, Japanese sounding title. What surprised her was that Don said that it was, indeed, violent. (Kids actually know the difference? The kid is 5 years old only!) Don further explained that it was just like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video that N, Ara's recent ex, lent to them a few weeks ago. Hearing her ex's name (see related entry), she wondered if the kids knew about their break up and embarked on this conversation:
Ara: You miss N?
Judo: Yes. (Smiling while eating his food with his fingers)
Don: We have to return the Ninja Turtles (video tape).
Ara: You know what? N is not my boyfriend anymore.
Judo: Really? You broke up? (Ara was surprised that he knew such things).
Ara: Yes, almost three months ago. (Judo gives a shocked expression) You want N to visit you?
Don: Yes, because we have to return the Ninja Turtle tape because we don't have... (points to the tv area, forgetting the term 'vhs player')
Ara: A vhs player?
Don: Yes. (Mischievously smiles) Or ours na lang the tape?
Ara: Why do you think we broke up?
Judo: Kasi you guys fought?
Ara: Eh why mom and dad? They fight but they don't break up?
Don: He gave up on you...
Whoa! That was pretty big for a 5 year old. When Don uttered those words, Ara was caught off guard. When I read the story through my sister's blog, I felt a little heartbroken again for her. When I told my friends about the conversation, they were amazed that a little boy could understand such things. When I told my dad about the story, my dad felt bad for my sister because a young boy spoke the painful truth to her. It just goes to show that nowadays, kids are smarter than you think, that they know more than you thought they did and that they are no longer sheltered from the harsh, painful realities of life.
One night, during dinner, Ara was shocked to discover that Judo (7) and Don (5) were watching cartoons that displayed so much violence and verbal abusiveness (aka name calling) and that both kids knew the dialogue as well! Ara asked what the show was and they gave an anime, Japanese sounding title. What surprised her was that Don said that it was, indeed, violent. (Kids actually know the difference? The kid is 5 years old only!) Don further explained that it was just like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video that N, Ara's recent ex, lent to them a few weeks ago. Hearing her ex's name (see related entry), she wondered if the kids knew about their break up and embarked on this conversation:
Ara: You miss N?
Judo: Yes. (Smiling while eating his food with his fingers)
Don: We have to return the Ninja Turtles (video tape).
Ara: You know what? N is not my boyfriend anymore.
Judo: Really? You broke up? (Ara was surprised that he knew such things).
Ara: Yes, almost three months ago. (Judo gives a shocked expression) You want N to visit you?
Don: Yes, because we have to return the Ninja Turtle tape because we don't have... (points to the tv area, forgetting the term 'vhs player')
Ara: A vhs player?
Don: Yes. (Mischievously smiles) Or ours na lang the tape?
Ara: Why do you think we broke up?
Judo: Kasi you guys fought?
Ara: Eh why mom and dad? They fight but they don't break up?
Don: He gave up on you...
Whoa! That was pretty big for a 5 year old. When Don uttered those words, Ara was caught off guard. When I read the story through my sister's blog, I felt a little heartbroken again for her. When I told my friends about the conversation, they were amazed that a little boy could understand such things. When I told my dad about the story, my dad felt bad for my sister because a young boy spoke the painful truth to her. It just goes to show that nowadays, kids are smarter than you think, that they know more than you thought they did and that they are no longer sheltered from the harsh, painful realities of life.
How My Dad Feels About Me Getting Married
One day, my uncle and I were teaching my dad how to set up a yahoo messenger account, particularly how to add another friend on your list. So my uncle did a demo.
Uncle: First, you click ADD. Then you input the information. For example, let's add Cat. What's your yahoo ID, Cat?
Me: It's _______________ (I give my yahoo ID, spelling it out).
Uncle: And then you put the first name. So, (in this instance) it's Cat. And then the last name... (my uncle turns to me quizically as if he forgot my last name- duh! we share the same one!)
Me: (answering immediately) It's ______________ (giving A's last name).
Dad: Gago!
Uncle: First, you click ADD. Then you input the information. For example, let's add Cat. What's your yahoo ID, Cat?
Me: It's _______________ (I give my yahoo ID, spelling it out).
Uncle: And then you put the first name. So, (in this instance) it's Cat. And then the last name... (my uncle turns to me quizically as if he forgot my last name- duh! we share the same one!)
Me: (answering immediately) It's ______________ (giving A's last name).
Dad: Gago!
Some Parental Advice
The other day, I went online shopping again at TianggeOnline.Com. When my orders arrived in the office, my dad wondered where I got them and I told him. He visited the site and was impressed with the wide selection. He immediately went to the lingerie section and casually said, "Maybe I should buy your mom a thong! (Waittaminute! My dad is only 41, my stepmom is only 39. So don't imagine an old hag wearing a thong-- yechh!) I just bought her lingerie the other day. She's starting to wear those long night shirts to bed."
Inside my head, I was like, "Oooohhkkaayyy... Information I don't wanna know!"
And then my dad suddenly says, "You should keep your sex life exciting when you're married. Remember that. Make it exciting for your husband."
I just laughed but inside, I wanted to die of mortification. Earth swallow me na!
I wanted to retort, "I'm already keeping my sex life exciting!" just to throw him off and shock him.
Inside my head, I was like, "Oooohhkkaayyy... Information I don't wanna know!"
And then my dad suddenly says, "You should keep your sex life exciting when you're married. Remember that. Make it exciting for your husband."
I just laughed but inside, I wanted to die of mortification. Earth swallow me na!
I wanted to retort, "I'm already keeping my sex life exciting!" just to throw him off and shock him.
Double Shocks
Thursday, September 09, 2004
While I was rushing work yesterday, as I had to meet A at the movies by 830 PM, I received an SMS message from my biological mom.
Mom: What do you think of the name 'Aalen?' That's the place in Germany where Michael (her boyfriend) comes from.
Cat: (At first, I thought it was interesting name and was about to tell her when another thought crossed my mind) Are you pregnant?!?!?!
Mom: No! I just thought it would be a cute name for a boy or girl if we had kids but (it's) impossible so I was thinking maybe you like the name for you and A (if ever) but DON"T YET, OK? :)
Now why was I doubly shocked? First, I thought she was pregnant. Second, she's picking names for her grandchildren... and tells me not to have them yet! :D
Mom: What do you think of the name 'Aalen?' That's the place in Germany where Michael (her boyfriend) comes from.
Cat: (At first, I thought it was interesting name and was about to tell her when another thought crossed my mind) Are you pregnant?!?!?!
Mom: No! I just thought it would be a cute name for a boy or girl if we had kids but (it's) impossible so I was thinking maybe you like the name for you and A (if ever) but DON"T YET, OK? :)
Now why was I doubly shocked? First, I thought she was pregnant. Second, she's picking names for her grandchildren... and tells me not to have them yet! :D
Supersize Me: Major Spoilers Ahead!!!
Last night, A and I watched SuperSize Me: A Film of Epic Portions. In late 2002, Morgan Spurlock, director and writer, was inspired by the legal battle between two obese teens and the fast food giant, Mcdonalds, to make the 2004 Sundance Film Festival Award Winning documentary.
To find out whether the teens, who blamed Ronald for their super size, had a claim against Mcdonalds, Spurlock, who was a perfectly healthy individual (as claimed by 3 doctors and 1 dietician) embarked on a month long McDiet- that means only Mcdonalds for 30 days, 3 times a day. His McDiet had 3 basic rules:
1) He could only eat what was available over the counter (water included!)
2) He cannot supersize unless the crew offers him
3) He had to eat every item on the menu at least once.
Considering the typical American exercise, which is walking to and from places, Spurlock consulted a walking expert and the editor of a walking magazine (yes, they have such things!). On average, an American walks 5 miles a day, that's 5,000 steps. So, he attached a device to himself that actually counts the number of steps he takes and if he reaches 5,000 steps, he takes a cab wherever he has to go.
Now, the whole movie does not concentrate on his daily McConsumption. He also goes around the country interviewing experts, such as surgeon generals, nutritionists, cooks, gym teachers, children, lawmakes and legislators on their research and opinions on the growing population of obese children in the United States.
After the first week of the diet, he had his first check up with his doctors. They were shocked that he gained 5 pounds. Yet, he was feeling fine.
At the end of the second week, he gained another 5 pounds and he was beginning to feel all the junk take its toll on his body.
By the end of the third week, he lost a pound but he was beginning to feel depressed and only eating Mcdonalds made him happy. He began feeling lazy and having a difficult time walking up the stairs to his apartment. His doctors begged him to stop his McDiet as all his tests had very negative and alarming results. They worried most about his liver. His girlfriend, a Vegan chef, worried about him too because all the bad food affected his moods, energy and even his sex life. Yet to prove his point, he still persisted his experiment.
Finally, the last week, he gained another five pounds. You could really see the difference all that junk made to his body. I was actually glad that the experiment was over and was relieved that his girlfriend prepared him a vegan detox diet to flush away all the bad food.
Needless to say, if it took him 4 weeks to gain 15 pounds, it took him 5 months to lose the 15 pounds he gained, and 9 months to get rid of the last 4 and a half pounds.
As for the suit, Mcdonalds won the case because the girls failed to prove that Mcdonalds was indeed the cause of their injuries. In relation to this, the Congress passed the "Cheeseburger Bill" which states that nobody can sue fastfood joints for health- related issues. A few months after the film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, Mcdonalds decided to eliminate its supersize option and have added healthy food items on their menu such as premium salads. They claim that such changes were not a result of the documentary.
The film was such an eye opener. I began worrying about all the fast food meals I consume. I always eat out and the only time I actually eat a home cooked meal is during Sunday dinners. And then I realized that I'm not having a fast food diet. All meals from restaurants are still, in a way, home cooked. They are made from scratch and don't have as much preservatives or additives compared to fast food. I sighed with relief.
After the movie, I got hungry (you'd think after everything I saw, I'd be grossed out). But then, I craved for a salad. And so A and I went to Seattle's Best where I bought a Caesar's Salad and a cup of water (no fat content there!) I felt better already.
Unfortunately, my drive to eat healthily took as long as 5 minutes. When I got home, I told Ara about the movie. Right after, I grabbed a bag of Mr. Chips and opened the book I've been reading lately. Not yet content, I went down to get one fourth cup of sour cream for dip. As I type, I'm munching on Oishi Barbecue Flavored Ridges. It's just too bad I can't resist. Thank God for my fast metabolism. I know I'm gonna regret this in the future.
Other facts:
- Did you know that a regular sized order of Mickey D's french fries here is equivalent to the US's kiddie sized french fries? Our large order is considered their small. They have a medium sized order, large and the supersized.
- Same goes with their softdrinks. Our Go Big Time softdrink is equivalent to their medium sized softdrink. Can you imagine their supersized softdrink? It would probably take me two days to finish one supersized softdrink!
- You guys are familiar with the Big Gulp from 7-11, right? It's Leleina Pierce's (Winona Ryder) favorite drink in the movie, Reality Bites. I went to this site and found that Big Gulp lovers can now buy the Super Big Gulp refillable cup at $1.50 for the cup and first refill and additional refills at 89 cents. Now, what astounded me are the sizes! First, you've got the small gulp. Then, there's the Big Gulp, which is, according to the site, "like only a liter" (Only a liter?! How can you say it's 'only a liter'?!). Then, you've got the Super Big Gulp at 44oz. There's the new Extreme Big Gulp at 54 oz. Last, but not the least, the rare buy: Double Gulp at a colossus 64oz. Bare in mind that your ordinary water glass can hold 12oz of liquid! Now that Double Gulp is doubly insane!
- Spurlock met the Big Mac guy (I forgot what he is really called). But the guy eats Big Mac everyday, twice a day, sometimes two or three in a meal. On the first day of his addiction. He came back to Mcdonalds three times, consuming 3 Big Macs in one sitting. By the time the film was done, he has consumed almost 20,000 Big Macs. You'd think that he's got a Big Mac body from all those double everything sandwich-- but no. His calorie intake is actually just 150 and he's not at all fat! That's because he seldom eats the fries.
- Mcdonalds may have added premium salads to its menu but the salad dressing actually contains more fat than a Big Mac.
To find out whether the teens, who blamed Ronald for their super size, had a claim against Mcdonalds, Spurlock, who was a perfectly healthy individual (as claimed by 3 doctors and 1 dietician) embarked on a month long McDiet- that means only Mcdonalds for 30 days, 3 times a day. His McDiet had 3 basic rules:
1) He could only eat what was available over the counter (water included!)
2) He cannot supersize unless the crew offers him
3) He had to eat every item on the menu at least once.
Considering the typical American exercise, which is walking to and from places, Spurlock consulted a walking expert and the editor of a walking magazine (yes, they have such things!). On average, an American walks 5 miles a day, that's 5,000 steps. So, he attached a device to himself that actually counts the number of steps he takes and if he reaches 5,000 steps, he takes a cab wherever he has to go.
Now, the whole movie does not concentrate on his daily McConsumption. He also goes around the country interviewing experts, such as surgeon generals, nutritionists, cooks, gym teachers, children, lawmakes and legislators on their research and opinions on the growing population of obese children in the United States.
After the first week of the diet, he had his first check up with his doctors. They were shocked that he gained 5 pounds. Yet, he was feeling fine.
At the end of the second week, he gained another 5 pounds and he was beginning to feel all the junk take its toll on his body.
By the end of the third week, he lost a pound but he was beginning to feel depressed and only eating Mcdonalds made him happy. He began feeling lazy and having a difficult time walking up the stairs to his apartment. His doctors begged him to stop his McDiet as all his tests had very negative and alarming results. They worried most about his liver. His girlfriend, a Vegan chef, worried about him too because all the bad food affected his moods, energy and even his sex life. Yet to prove his point, he still persisted his experiment.
Finally, the last week, he gained another five pounds. You could really see the difference all that junk made to his body. I was actually glad that the experiment was over and was relieved that his girlfriend prepared him a vegan detox diet to flush away all the bad food.
Needless to say, if it took him 4 weeks to gain 15 pounds, it took him 5 months to lose the 15 pounds he gained, and 9 months to get rid of the last 4 and a half pounds.
As for the suit, Mcdonalds won the case because the girls failed to prove that Mcdonalds was indeed the cause of their injuries. In relation to this, the Congress passed the "Cheeseburger Bill" which states that nobody can sue fastfood joints for health- related issues. A few months after the film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, Mcdonalds decided to eliminate its supersize option and have added healthy food items on their menu such as premium salads. They claim that such changes were not a result of the documentary.
The film was such an eye opener. I began worrying about all the fast food meals I consume. I always eat out and the only time I actually eat a home cooked meal is during Sunday dinners. And then I realized that I'm not having a fast food diet. All meals from restaurants are still, in a way, home cooked. They are made from scratch and don't have as much preservatives or additives compared to fast food. I sighed with relief.
After the movie, I got hungry (you'd think after everything I saw, I'd be grossed out). But then, I craved for a salad. And so A and I went to Seattle's Best where I bought a Caesar's Salad and a cup of water (no fat content there!) I felt better already.
Unfortunately, my drive to eat healthily took as long as 5 minutes. When I got home, I told Ara about the movie. Right after, I grabbed a bag of Mr. Chips and opened the book I've been reading lately. Not yet content, I went down to get one fourth cup of sour cream for dip. As I type, I'm munching on Oishi Barbecue Flavored Ridges. It's just too bad I can't resist. Thank God for my fast metabolism. I know I'm gonna regret this in the future.
Other facts:
- Did you know that a regular sized order of Mickey D's french fries here is equivalent to the US's kiddie sized french fries? Our large order is considered their small. They have a medium sized order, large and the supersized.
- Same goes with their softdrinks. Our Go Big Time softdrink is equivalent to their medium sized softdrink. Can you imagine their supersized softdrink? It would probably take me two days to finish one supersized softdrink!
- You guys are familiar with the Big Gulp from 7-11, right? It's Leleina Pierce's (Winona Ryder) favorite drink in the movie, Reality Bites. I went to this site and found that Big Gulp lovers can now buy the Super Big Gulp refillable cup at $1.50 for the cup and first refill and additional refills at 89 cents. Now, what astounded me are the sizes! First, you've got the small gulp. Then, there's the Big Gulp, which is, according to the site, "like only a liter" (Only a liter?! How can you say it's 'only a liter'?!). Then, you've got the Super Big Gulp at 44oz. There's the new Extreme Big Gulp at 54 oz. Last, but not the least, the rare buy: Double Gulp at a colossus 64oz. Bare in mind that your ordinary water glass can hold 12oz of liquid! Now that Double Gulp is doubly insane!
- Spurlock met the Big Mac guy (I forgot what he is really called). But the guy eats Big Mac everyday, twice a day, sometimes two or three in a meal. On the first day of his addiction. He came back to Mcdonalds three times, consuming 3 Big Macs in one sitting. By the time the film was done, he has consumed almost 20,000 Big Macs. You'd think that he's got a Big Mac body from all those double everything sandwich-- but no. His calorie intake is actually just 150 and he's not at all fat! That's because he seldom eats the fries.
- Mcdonalds may have added premium salads to its menu but the salad dressing actually contains more fat than a Big Mac.
Am I Leaving On A Jet Plane?
Monday, September 06, 2004
I had a meeting today with the company president aka my uncle and the representative from Gentxt. Globe is sponsoring the anniversary of our branch in Boracay Island next month and is holding events during Sembreak/ Halloween weekend.
Looks like I'll be in Boracay Island, partying with the bosses, on the 15th to the 17th of October and I'll be boarding a Caticlan bound plane again on the 28th of October for a 6 days, 5 night stay. All for work, mind you. How convenient is it that the 30th falls on a Saturday and there won't be any work till Tuesday, the following week? I pray that A's schedule works out and he could come with me. I don't like being stuck in the Island by myself, you know what I mean? I'd be bored!!! No offense, but even though my bosses are like family to me (which some of them are), I don't think I can hang out with them all the time. So, I proposed just now to my girlfriends that they come with me, with their boyfriends in tow. I really hope it all works out. :)
I'm crossing my fingers... and toes! :p
Looks like I'll be in Boracay Island, partying with the bosses, on the 15th to the 17th of October and I'll be boarding a Caticlan bound plane again on the 28th of October for a 6 days, 5 night stay. All for work, mind you. How convenient is it that the 30th falls on a Saturday and there won't be any work till Tuesday, the following week? I pray that A's schedule works out and he could come with me. I don't like being stuck in the Island by myself, you know what I mean? I'd be bored!!! No offense, but even though my bosses are like family to me (which some of them are), I don't think I can hang out with them all the time. So, I proposed just now to my girlfriends that they come with me, with their boyfriends in tow. I really hope it all works out. :)
I'm crossing my fingers... and toes! :p
The Notebook
Sunday, September 05, 2004
It was Cel's birthday dinner last night. She, TJ, Riz, Bom, A and I had dinner at Haiku in Greenbelt 3. After which, we catched the 9:30 PM screening of the much awaited and raved about Nicolas Spark's The Notebook. I read the book a long time ago so I wouldn't know if the film did the book justice. A lot of people claim it is a good book but I didn't burst into tears like others did when I read it because I've read more books that made me reach for the tissue box. But I did know that it was a tear jerker and I warned A that I'd soak his shirt with my tears.
As promised, I did soak his shirt. I kept myself from bawling and at the end, I wanted to let out a good cry but the credits began rolling and the lights turned on. The girls and I looked at each other and I had the most swollen eyes, we started laughing.
One of my favorite part was when Duke said, "They didn't agree on much. In fact they rarely agreed on anything. They fought all the time and they challenged each other everyday... (scenes of Allie and Noah fighting and pushing each other)... But in spite their differences, they had one important thing in common, they were crazy about each other" because the fights, the love and the passion reminds me of A and I. Take the dialogue below, for instance. A somewhat similar dialogue transpired between A and I during one of our fights.
Allie: Stay with you? What for? Look at us, we're already fightin'
Noah : Well that's what we do, we fight... You tell me when I am being an arrogant son of a bitch and I tell you when you are a pain in the ass. Which you are, 99% of the time. I'm not afraid to hurt your feelings. You have like a 2 second rebound rate, then you're back doing the next pain-in-the-ass thing.
Allie : So what?
Noah: So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, for ever, you and me, every day. Will you do something for me, please? Just picture your life for me? 30 years from now, 40 years from now? What's it look like?
Sigh. Blissful, sappy smile. So young, so passionate, so full of drive to fight for love. I just hope that just like Allie and Noah, the fire in our (A's and mine) hearts never fade until the day we die.
As promised, I did soak his shirt. I kept myself from bawling and at the end, I wanted to let out a good cry but the credits began rolling and the lights turned on. The girls and I looked at each other and I had the most swollen eyes, we started laughing.
One of my favorite part was when Duke said, "They didn't agree on much. In fact they rarely agreed on anything. They fought all the time and they challenged each other everyday... (scenes of Allie and Noah fighting and pushing each other)... But in spite their differences, they had one important thing in common, they were crazy about each other" because the fights, the love and the passion reminds me of A and I. Take the dialogue below, for instance. A somewhat similar dialogue transpired between A and I during one of our fights.
Allie: Stay with you? What for? Look at us, we're already fightin'
Noah : Well that's what we do, we fight... You tell me when I am being an arrogant son of a bitch and I tell you when you are a pain in the ass. Which you are, 99% of the time. I'm not afraid to hurt your feelings. You have like a 2 second rebound rate, then you're back doing the next pain-in-the-ass thing.
Allie : So what?
Noah: So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, for ever, you and me, every day. Will you do something for me, please? Just picture your life for me? 30 years from now, 40 years from now? What's it look like?
Sigh. Blissful, sappy smile. So young, so passionate, so full of drive to fight for love. I just hope that just like Allie and Noah, the fire in our (A's and mine) hearts never fade until the day we die.
What Makes Your First Love Your First Love?
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Oftentimes, we stumble upon this autograph/slambook- ish question: Who is Your First Love?
It is a question I'd love to answer proudly but I just simply couldn't because, hard it is to admit, I do not know the answer.
What makes your first love your first love?
Is it your first crush? Your first kiss? Your first obsession? Your first boyfriend? Is he the "one- that- got- away"? Is he your "could- have- been"? Is he your bestfriend- turned- could- have- been- but- decided- to- just- stay- friends- to- avoid- risking- the- friendship? Is he the "Will" to your "Grace"?
Some say that their first love was their first boyfriend. But isn't it that first loves leave you with happy, blissful memories? In my case, my ex didn't and isn't worthy to be named MY FIRST LOVE.
I'd love to say that A is my first love because admittedly, I've never loved someone as deeply as I love him. Just recently, I realized that my love for A is so (I'm a loss for words for the proper term) great that what I had with my ex pales in comparison. But then, if A is my first love, what do I call my ex? Is he just someone I was in love with and didn't really love?
So, really. What makes your first love your first love?
It is a question I'd love to answer proudly but I just simply couldn't because, hard it is to admit, I do not know the answer.
What makes your first love your first love?
Is it your first crush? Your first kiss? Your first obsession? Your first boyfriend? Is he the "one- that- got- away"? Is he your "could- have- been"? Is he your bestfriend- turned- could- have- been- but- decided- to- just- stay- friends- to- avoid- risking- the- friendship? Is he the "Will" to your "Grace"?
Some say that their first love was their first boyfriend. But isn't it that first loves leave you with happy, blissful memories? In my case, my ex didn't and isn't worthy to be named MY FIRST LOVE.
I'd love to say that A is my first love because admittedly, I've never loved someone as deeply as I love him. Just recently, I realized that my love for A is so (I'm a loss for words for the proper term) great that what I had with my ex pales in comparison. But then, if A is my first love, what do I call my ex? Is he just someone I was in love with and didn't really love?
So, really. What makes your first love your first love?
Season for Twins?
Congratulations are in order for my two college blockmates who are pregnant with twins!!!
I wonder if one of them, who is a die hard fan of everything Harry Potter, is serious about naming her twins "Fred and George," after the naughty, mischievous twin brothers of Harry Potter's bestfriend, Ron Weasley.
Good luck to them!
I wonder if one of them, who is a die hard fan of everything Harry Potter, is serious about naming her twins "Fred and George," after the naughty, mischievous twin brothers of Harry Potter's bestfriend, Ron Weasley.
Good luck to them!
Osama
If you get the chance to watch or buy this movie,
please do not pass up the opportunity. It's the first Afghanistan movie filmed after the fall of Taliban (as filming was banned during their regime). In fact, all actors are amateurs and residents of the town of Kabul. The main actress was found walking down the streets by the director, Siddiq Barmak. The movie is based on a true story. As you might (or might not) know, Afghan women are not allowed to go out without a male escort. Likewise, they are also not permitted to work. So imagine the dilemma of the main character and her family composed of herself, her mother and grandmother. She, then, disguised herself as a boy to be able to find work and put food on the table. Living in a society where everyone is being watched by the oppressive group, she had to be extremely careful in concealing her true identiy.
Watch and be horrified...
please do not pass up the opportunity. It's the first Afghanistan movie filmed after the fall of Taliban (as filming was banned during their regime). In fact, all actors are amateurs and residents of the town of Kabul. The main actress was found walking down the streets by the director, Siddiq Barmak. The movie is based on a true story. As you might (or might not) know, Afghan women are not allowed to go out without a male escort. Likewise, they are also not permitted to work. So imagine the dilemma of the main character and her family composed of herself, her mother and grandmother. She, then, disguised herself as a boy to be able to find work and put food on the table. Living in a society where everyone is being watched by the oppressive group, she had to be extremely careful in concealing her true identiy.
Watch and be horrified...
- That such societies do exist
- How women are treated not like second class citizens but third class citizens
- How ridiculous the laws of the Taliban were
- The unjust laws of the Taliban's judicial system
- Best First Film Feature in the London Film Festival 2003
- 61st Golden Globe Awards Best Foreign Language Film
- Special Mention Festival de Cannes 2003
Tiny Talks: Part 2
Thursday, September 02, 2004
This story was lifted from Ara, my other sister's blog.
One time, during dinner, 5 year old Don went up to Ara.
Don: Ara, do you know this song? (Singing) Rejoice in the Nord (Lord)/ The Nord (Lord) is good/ He loves me/ He loves you too!
Ara: Uhh, Don, it's Lord, not Nord.
Don: (Singing) Rejoice in the Nord/ The Nord is...
Ara: (Interrupting) No, Don. It's LLLLLLLLord.
Don: (Tries singing again) Rejoice in the Nord/ The Nord is...
Ara: Don, try again. It's Lord with an L, not N.
Don: (Starts singing again) Rejoice in the God/ The God is good/ He loves me/ He loves you too!
One time, during dinner, 5 year old Don went up to Ara.
Don: Ara, do you know this song? (Singing) Rejoice in the Nord (Lord)/ The Nord (Lord) is good/ He loves me/ He loves you too!
Ara: Uhh, Don, it's Lord, not Nord.
Don: (Singing) Rejoice in the Nord/ The Nord is...
Ara: (Interrupting) No, Don. It's LLLLLLLLord.
Don: (Tries singing again) Rejoice in the Nord/ The Nord is...
Ara: Don, try again. It's Lord with an L, not N.
Don: (Starts singing again) Rejoice in the God/ The God is good/ He loves me/ He loves you too!
