learning to let go on a friday...

A Friday is supposed to be a happy day for me since it's the last day of the work week (just for me because I have school during Saturdays). But this Friday is a very memorable one. A Friday full of disappointments and frustrations. A Friday full of stress and anxiety.

First and foremost, I woke up still sick. I woke up with a moderate headache, plus a very irritated and dry throat. Second, a trusted subordinate came in late for work 25 minutes late! And then the very last thing that I would expect to happen, my adopted sister's mobile phone stolen! And why would I be so disappointed? Well, fyi, the phone is soooooooo brand new. As in super brand new. And why am I so affected? I was the one who gave it to her for her birthday. It's actually one of the three phones I have received from Smart for subscribing to their TRIO Plan last Nov. 13, 2008. I have the two other phones shipped to Bacolod for my Mom and for my adopted sister whois also my cousin. Damn those pickpockets! I just can't help it. Sorry for cursing whoever that person was. I know that I have to let go and let nature take care of everything. I know karma will hit that person one day soon. I just can't let go. I just can't forgive that person. :( I can't blame my cousin 100% because I know she doesn't want it to happen. But then, if she only placed the phone in her bag and not in her pocket. I've forgiven her. She's so young to suffer the guilt feeling but I know that she have learned a very big lesson today. And that is to really take care of everything that she owns, be it hard earned or just given to her.

And here I am, still making myself feel better and constantly reminding myself that there will always be a rainbow after each storm.

Another new baby

Yeeep ;) Another new baby. Here he is, take a look at him.

I just received my first digital camera, a SAMSUNG S860. This is also the first item I bought at eBay. The first thing that I bought online. Online shopping can be so addictive. But I promised myself that this would be the first and last thing that I would buy online, for this year I guess (yes, I know ;), 2008 is already coming to an end... hehehe). I had a good deal with the seller, I actually saved almost two thousand bucks. Yep ;) That's the beauty of buying online, you can actually buy gadgets at a lower price.

I'm planning to make a photo blog. I already have the concept, but I'm still finalizing everything before publishing it to the World Wide Web. It's almost eleven in the evening, I think I need to rest now. I have a long day tomorrow. :)

Thank You =)

This may be a very late post. Soooo late. A lot of blogger friends noticed that lately, I'm not that regular in updating this journal. So sorry for the hiatus (which I didn't even declared). A lot of things happened lately. First there's the company reorganization. For the whole month of October, I undergone hands on training for the Inventory Control Officer position. Yes.. INVENTORY CONTROL OFFICER. A man's work. But I accepted it (as if I had a choice? hahaha). You might say it's a tough work. Yes, tough, but I like it. I just don't sit around the whole day facing my monitor. There's a big difference compared to my previous position, but I really love it and I'm enjoying every minute of my new work. Another is, a friend from Bacolod visited me here in Durian Republik. I tried my best to juggle everything: work, my mini-business, Rotaract, my birthday charity project and Midnight's Davao escapade. Good thing it's semestral break, atleast I have no assignments or presentations to worry for now. As of the moment, I'm still in the adjustment period with regard to my new work, I hope my avid readers (mayron ba? hehehe) would learn to be patient with me. I'll give my best to update this blog atleast once or twice a week. School will start again next Saturday, November 15, and now, I'm actually floating, wondering how will I ever get through. I believe I can. I just need some time to relax. A relaxed mind, sould and body can work more efficiently and effectively, right? :)

Now going back to what I really wanted to say (as what my blog title says)I, want to thank everyone who took part in my 25th Birthday Charity Project. Thank you for those who shared their blessings most especially to my 25 Silver Sponsors. I haven't even updated my previous post, as you can see, there's one slot with no name. And that slot is for National Bookstore Foundation Inc. I really can't believe that they were able to grant my small birthday wish. They actually gave 30 pieces children's books. Thank you thank you NBSFI :)

A big thank you to my employer, Waffle Time Inc., for the mascot and the waffles as well. And thank you to everyone who shared their blessings. Thank you, really, from the bottom of my heart. God bless you all for sharing c",)

Here is the complete list of my 25 Silver Sponsors. And the pictures can be viewed in my Picasa web album (special thanks to Ate Rhodilee for being my photographer during the event...hehehe.. sa uulitin ate).

1. Kristina Marie Suelto
2. Waffle Time Inc.
3. John Robert Planta
4. Joni Ang
5. DRR Mark Ryan Arquiza (Rotaract District 3860)
6. Pres. Arthur George Lui (Rotaract Club of Munting Pag-asa, District 3860)
7. Rotaract Club of Munting Pag-asa, District 3860
8. Ester
9. Joyce L. Gonzaga
10. Darlene Suelto
11. Rhodilee Jean Dolor
12. Cendy Marie Torrefranca
13. Ms. Ma. Julieta "Tisay" Torres - President, Rotary Club of Pag-asa Davao
14. Almund Liu (Arthur's brother)
15. a friend from USLS SG batch 2004 :D
16. Ella Evangelista
17. Ace Viñarta
18. Tina Ruste
19. Esthella Mae Hondos
20. Jenny G. Tai
21. Ate Vina
22. Sheila Mae Ayala and Dimple May Parada
23. Janice Tarongoy
24. National Bookstore Foundation Inc.
25. Joseph Casuyon

The Search Is On...

Yes... The search is on for the 25 lovely people who will become my 25 Silver Donors for my Birthday Bash for the Davao Medical Center (DMC) Cancer Patient Kids. Why twenty five? It's because I'm turning 25 this coming October 17. I would like to continue what I have started two years ago, but this time, a different batch of beneficiaries. For the past two years, the children at the San Pedro Paginhawaan Drop In Center were my beneficiaries for my simple birthday treat. Now, for a change of environment, I'll be celebrating my Silver Birthday with the DMC Cancer Patient Kids. And I'm looking for 25 lovely people who would like to share their blessings in any kind, be it monetary, food, toys, old clothes, books for the kids or anything that could give joy to the little angels of Davao Medical Center. You can also be a part of the 25 Silver Donors by sharing your time on the actual event. Final date to follow, I still need to check on my calendar of activities :) but it will be definitely on October. My lovely little sister already reserved the number 1 spot for her name, so only 24 slots are available. If you're interested to be a part of the 25 Silver Donors, you can leave a comment on this post or PM me through YM (jireh19) or you can email me at jireh19@yahoo.com.

1. Kristina Marie Suelto
2. Waffle Time Inc. *yes, they will lend me Waffle (our company's mascot) and maybe, give me 2 red boxes of assorted waffles?? hahaha..*
3. John Robert Planta
4. Joni Ang
5. DRR Mark Ryan Arquiza (Rotaract District 3860)
6. Pres. Arthur George Lui (Rotaract Club of Munting Pag-asa, District 3860)
7. Rotaract Club of Munting Pag-asa, District 3860
8. Ester
9. Joyce L. Gonzaga
10. Darlene Suelto
11. Rhodilee Jean Dolor
12. Cendy Marie Torrefranca
13. Ms. Ma. Julieta "Tisay" Torres - President, Rotary Club of Pag-asa Davao
14. Almund Liu (Arthur's brother)
15. a friend from USLS SG batch 2004 :D (he actually doesn't want his name to appear here, so instead of writing anonymous, a friend na lang...hehehe)
16. Ella Evangelista
17. Ace Viñarta
18. Tina Ruste
19. Esthella Mae Hondos
20. Jenny G. Tai
21. Ate Vina
22. Sheila Mae Ayala and Dimple Mae Parada
23. Janice Tarongoy
24. National Bookstore Foundation Inc.
25. Joseph Casuyon

"From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life." - Ashe, Arthur

[edited September 2, 2008 1:40PM] - 22 more slots to go :)
[edited September 3, 2008 11:32AM] - yay :) thanks Joni! :)
[edited September 4, 2008 10:59PM] - muchas gracias Mark and Arthur :)
[edited September 4, 2008 11:59PM] - thaaaank you so much sis! :)
[edited September 5, 2008 10:57PM] - salamat gid queen! :)
[edited September 6, 2008 09:55PM] - thank you ate rhod, cendy and darling darle
and darling darlene! :)
[edited September 8, 2008 05:53PM] - thank u thank u tita Tisay and Almund :)
and darling darlene! :)
[edited September 9, 2008 01:26AM] - salamat gid na madamo friend and same goes to amiga Ella :)
[edited September 13, 2008 01:49AM] - Joseph has been supporting my bday charity projects since 2006, and this time, he pledged again to be sponsor no. 25 :) Thanks Suy! :)
[edited September 17, 2008 08:58PM] - Napilitan lng sya actually... hahaha... pati Ace ah.. Thanks gid Ace :)
[edited September 18, 2008 10:45AM] - Thanks thanks ng Tina :) God bless :)
[edited October 14, 2008 12:15AM] - Thanks to Stella, Jenny, Janice and Lalai :) one more to go :)

Meme Fever

Okay okay... It's my turn :) Thanks to Ace, if not for him, I would probably be lying down, watching t.v. rather than updating this online journal.

Let me start the meme game...

These are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules
3. Tell six unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag six bloggers by linking
5. Leave a comment for each blogger


My six unspectacular quirks...

1. I have this attitude of being so diligent and responsible that I tend to become so OC but then after a few days or maybe weeks, I can become the most laziest person in the whole universe.
2. When I'm broken hearted, I slim down so fast.
3. When I'm stressed, eating and sleeping is my way of coping.
4. I just can't live without coffee.
5. I'm immune to caffeine. No matter how strong the coffee is, I'll still have a good night sleep at the end of the day.
6. I can be the most talkative person in a day and then the most quiet the day after.

I'm tagging Tina S., Tina R., Joni, Achi Aiai, Paolo and Michelle :)

Go go! Post your six unspectacular quirks...

Mini-Wordcamp Davao 2008

I always have wished to maintain my own Wordpress blog. But I just can't find the time to update it or maybe I'm just so lazy to do so, *hehe*. I had my very first blog here in Blogger, and I still would like to keep and maintain this personal blog. I've tried making a copy of this blog in Wordpress but I don't know what got into me that I hardly seemed to update it. I seemed to be so bobo in Wordpress. Or maybe I am just so comfortable here in Blogspot that my mind's refusing to learn more about Wordpress. I would like to get out of my comfort zone and move out to a new abode. Before doing so, I would like to learn more about Wordpress so that I can really make use of the money I will spend on registering again for a domain name. This is one main reason why I would like to join the Mini-WordCamp on September 4, 2008 at Bryan's Grill and Cafe. And yes, I've registered already. The Mini-WordCamp will start at 6:00 in the evening and will end at 10:00. Thanks to my dear Tina for keeping me posted about the forthcoming event. A very muchas gracias also to the creative organizers for making this activity possible. And last but not the least, special thanks to the following sponsors:

• i.PH: the Domain for Individuals


• Free Online Flash Games


• Wazzup Manila Philippines


• Real Estate CRM


• Real Estate Website Designers


• Orange County Real Estate


• Auto Insurance Quotes


• Lane Systems Inc.


• RedMedia


• Orange County Business Lawyer


• Cebu Pacific Air


• Reality Wedding Videos

Happy 2nd year of Independence

Today marks my 24th month of being independent. Yes... I arrived here in Davao City last July 23, 2006. It has been a wonderful stay here in the Durian Republic. I definitely love the place not just because of the super affordable lifestyle but also because of the laid back life. Super stress free. :)
It's coffee break now. I'll probably lay down 24 remarkable things that happened to me in my 24 months of living here in Davao City.

1. Learning how to cook not just frying eggs and hotdogs which I used to do in Bacolod. I've learned how to cook viands and even learn how to perfectly cook rice ;)
2. I learned how to control my online addiction. Before, I just can't live without Internet, I really have to go online even just an hour or two everyday.
3. I already have my savings account but still not that big. I'm on my way there ;)
4. I am a proud self supporting student :) I've enrolled myself for Graduate School, currently I'm in my 3rd semester. 2 more semesters to go then I'm done :)
5. I'm now a proud member of the Rotaract Club of Munting Pag-asa Davao. Not just a member, was also inducted as Secretary and Director for Community Service.
6. I was able to meet Tina and establish a very sweet friendship with her. **Hi Tin! c",)**
7. I joined DXN (through Tina) and gained more friends :)
8. I learned to appreciate the taste of ampalaya (bitter melon), eggplant, okra, broccoli and other veggies :)
9. I conquered my fear of watching movie alone. I even realized that watching movie alone is better than having company. Wala lang... Mas enjoy lang ko...
10. I've visited Valencia, Bukidnon. I love the place :) So great for rest and relaxation :)
11. I've also visited Cagayan de Oro.
12. I also have visited Digos City but only for a few hours. :)
13. I received my first credit card from BDO (JCB 4-Gives), it's actually a semi-credit card... Semi because it has less features than other credit cards under Mastercard and Visa because it was meant for beginners.
14. I received my 2nd credit card, a Mastercard from Eastwest Bank :)
15. I consumed all my credit limit on my very first swipe with my Eastwest Mastercard. Actually, there's still Php1.00 left. Hehehe. Swiped a laptop then converted the amount to installment payment for lower interest rate since the gadget is not included in the 0% promo :)
16. As mentioned above, I've managed to purchase my very own laptop, a cheaper one just for my school use and internet surfing and chatting :) It has been my heart's desire to own one. I would have opted for a Vaio or an HP Compaq but budget's really tight. For now, I'm happy and contented with my Neo Laptop :)
17. I gained more friends through Rotaract and DXN and also because of Grad. School, I was able to establish friendship with different people from all walks of life.
18. I became more mature in dealing with different problems in life.
19. I learned to love books more than before.
20. I managed to be more organized at work with the help of our new lovely encoder, Dimple :) **Thanks au Pols! c",)**
21. I gained a lot of weight! This is so remarkable that I really need to do something about it. Tsk tsk...
22. I learned to be more cautious in dealing with perfect strangers (i.e. textmates, chatmates).
23. I learned to value my family more.
24. I got hurt because of love but then I managed to get up and move on all by myself, realizing that I should learn to LOVE myself more than anything else in the world. (=

Once again, thank you dear God for the opportunity to learn and experience life everyday. Everything is not so perfect but I'm happy that I've managed to travel a long way and I'm still very eager to learn more, open to failures and heartaches but more optimistic that life gets better each day because of these loopholes. I learn more when I get hurt or when I commit mistakes. Sometimes, it's more easy to understand things when mistakes get in the way. =)Tira! tira! =)

Is there any cure for love & commitment allergy?

I've been in and out of relationships four times already. I'm only counting serious relationships, if i include the quasi relationships i've been into, maybe it would total to eight or nine times. Call it quasi, but still it hurts like the serious ones that I had. One year and three months had passed since I last suffered a major heartbreak. Yeah, major. But that wasn't even a serious relationship, for him, but maybe for me, it was. I cried, felt so stupid for being fooled again. But I managed to move on, and now, here I am, whole again.

But that previous heartache made me more cautious, which made me recall a conversation I had with Ms. Grace, our company's National Controller. Once she called me regarding some clarifications with my reports, she inserted a small conversation regarding relationships. She asked me if I'm currently in a relationship. I was honest enough to tell her that I'm still very single at the moment. She advised me to go find a partner the sooner the better or else, I'd become a perfectionist. Yeah, perfectionist. Which I really think I am now. *frown*

I admit I have a very high criteria in terms of choosing a partner. But honestly, this criteria will never be followed once someone already made a way to tickle my heart. After picking up my broken pieces, I decided to stay single. I decided to wait. I know there's someone out there for me and in His own time, I would meet him. I chose to spend my time alone. I reconciled with myself. And I've learned to really take good care of myself. It feels good to be single. No strings attached. I can go wherever I want to. I can flirt anytime I want to. hehe. But there would be times that being alone would bring back memories and would made me wish that I have a hand to hold on to, a hug that would make me feel I'm loved and I'm secure. But then again, flashes of not so perfect endings would appear right in front of me and would make me feel bitter again. I should have waited. I should have not rushed. Experience is really the best teacher. Now, I'm traumatized! Haha

Going back to being a perfectionist, I would love to have a "professional" boyfriend. Yeah. Someone who can provide for my needs, our needs maybe, when the time comes that we would be thinking of settling down. A boyfriend who knows how to handle money matters well. A boyfriend who is responsible. A boyfriend who knows how to pamper his girlfriend. A boyfriend who is not afraid of obligations. A boyfriend who loves to have fun and knows when to be serious. Perfectionist?

Now, someone is trying to make my knees weak again. I know he is responsible, but there are flaws. He is not that professional, he does have a work but he wasn't able to finish college. He knows to have fun and he knows when to be serious too. He knows how to pamper me. But still, there's a big flaw. Maybe that "professional" thing. On the dark side, he really doesn't know how to handle money. Yeah. But I know he can. He's actually striving to change. He always tells me that he wants to change, he's asking help from me. I would tell him for a hundred times already that he needs to change alone. I can guide him, but I would not give my 100% effort. Because I believe that changing is a process. And he should change his old ways not because I want him to, but because HE REALLY WANTED TO. I've been there, done that. Four years ago, I've met this person online. During that time, I was so devastated, so broken. With his help, I've moved on. But he left me unprepared, he left me without a warning. I thought I was okay. I thought I've moved on. But when he left, everything went black again. My heart was shattered into pieces and it even hurt twice than before. Lesson learned from that experience? Moving on should be an INDIVIDUAL effort. It's okay to mourn for a failed relationship. It's okay to ask help from friends. I've learned that all the help coming from family and friends are useless if I never exert effort to help my own self.

I'm now allergic to commitment. I'm allergice to love. But a part of me craves for intimacy. A part of me longs for someone to be with. A part of me longs to be with him. It's too complicated and I'm so afraid to risk.

[edited April 30, 2008]

Are you a person of integrity?

Eversince I went back to school for my Masters, I never had the chance to update my blog. Yes, I do have spare time, but honestly, I was plain TAMAD.

I really want to blog about the recent emotional turmoil I had undergone. It's all about our research paper which is a requirement for one of our subject, MBA101 or Applied Business Research.

First and foremost, I admit, I really love to procrastinate. I love pressure. I work best when I'm pressured. But when I started my MBA, I promised to myself that I'll avoid procrastination. So there I was, a very perfectionist lady, trying so hard to encourage my group mates to work on a reporting or project ahead of time to solve upcoming problems easily. But it was so hard, I can't make my group mates give their full participation because they always have excuses of being so busy. Yes, excuses. Because I believe that if one really wants to work on something, he/she will really find time for it no matter how busy he/she is. So to make the long story short, we started late with our research paper.
And here enters another problem, my company's CEO declined our research proposal. So group mate number 1 (we're three in a group, we used to be four but one dropped all her MBA units) called our subject adviser informing him of our dilemma. And guess what, this adviser ADVISED my groupmate to let someone do our research. So since that someone will work hard for it, he will be paid for Php5,000.00 . Imagine, our own subject professor, pushing us to pay for our research paper. Marami pa ba sila????Kaya di umaasenso ang Pilipinas dahil sa mga taong katulad nya.
I told my group mates that I really don't want to pay. I told him I'll find ways. So I asked Tina if her mom would allow us to conduct a simple research study in their company. Luckily, Tita Neneng said yes and there I was again, high in spirit (parang nabuhayan), eager to start again not minding the little time that is left for us to work. I believe that if we work together, no matter how short the time is, I really know that we can finish it on time. So I called my group mates asking them if we could meet last night to formulate again the specific objectives and the questions for the questionnaire. Group mate number 2 was really busy now, she would be free on Friday, so she advised me to call group mate number 1 to help me do what is needed to be done for the meantime. I’ve sent an SMS to groupmate number 1 telling him that we should meet A.S.A.P. I got no response for almost an hour. It made me feel terribly bad. How could he be so passive when there’s still hope? He replied to my SMS telling me he’s having a headache due to thinking of what to do with the little time that we have. So I replied telling him that everything’s okay and that we just need to formulate the specific objectives and the questions. And guess what he replied to my SMS. “Let’s just wait for group mate number 2.” MY gulay!! Na-unsa ka man dong? Grrrrr… We have so little time left but he still can afford to waste it. Without hesitations, I prepared an SMS message for our bigboss, our company’s president, asking him for the last time if there’s still a chance for our project proposal. At first, I’m scared to send the SMS which I’ve composed. But then I told myself that there’s no really harm in trying. Hindi naman siguro ako masususpend or materminate dahil lang sa pagtatanong. It was the last thing that I have to do for my group mates to accept that the company’s chief head declined our proposal (if ever na d na talaga kami bibigyan ng chance). I don’t want to pay for a simple research paper. I’ve got a feeling that group mate number 1 is giving in to the temptation of paying someone to do our research paper. I'd rather have a 76 for hard worked research paper than a 91 for a PAID one. I'd rather drop the subject and take it again next semester and do the research on my own.

Going back to my suicidal SMS message to our company’s president, I already got a feedback earlier this morning. And I’m so happy because he already gave us permission to conduct the research study. God never fails to amaze me. He really loves to give me surprises.

And by the way, some classmates admitted that they paid someone to do the research for them. Tsk tsk tsk.. Bad :(

And another, there are also paid services for a thesis paper. I can’t imagine myself passing my MBA with a PAID thesis paper. No. Never. I will live up to what I believe is morally right.