Fridays of All Fridays!

hah! if you think you had your Friday packed right up to your mental planner brim wait 'til you find out mine! hehe

Well... I originally planned to write an entire piece about how excited I am for Ramil's homecoming when everything today turned out to be pretty interesting too! Today is our last day of using the other room on the 25th floor, as we have given it up to save from further expenses when all 40+ of us could fit into one office unit... It's a change that's quite sad to note, afterall, I had been in that room when I started to work for the company ... Now, after my almost 4 years of stay, we weren't just turning off the lights to save money or leave it for the meantime to help cut expenses ... BUT we are totally giving it up like giving it up! Pulling apart partitions, carpets, cabinets, desks ... everything we had to clear away from that unit ... it was quite sad but to think that we are now in one room altogether is quite fun too! "The More, the Many-ier" ... it was bittersweet.

Then later in the afternoon at 3PM, we were scheduled for a fire drill. Everyone must go down from whichever floor you are in on stairs! GREAT we are on the 25th. Women are requested to wear only flat shoes or has to bring slippers... I actually had noticed the cooperation, as I have been on the elevator several times today and noticed that even if I were standing at the back I'd still see my reflection on the elevator door! ... hmmnn...women indeed wore flats!

But ... we never did go down by stairs, a few minutes before sirens were blaring and lights were switched off, we already went down by the elevator which was also turned off when the time for the drill came ... ooopppsss... sorry mr. fireman... but my friends have medical reasons to prove they are not quite fit to do the drill ... Liza has had an operation, Che got arthritis ... but of course we ought to participate! I was wearing my Lacoste slippers to prove it!

Anyway, we wound up being at Starbucks at the building across the street... It was so hot outside that we'd probably get sunburned ... so we chilled for a while and watched the drill progress from the wide, floor to ceiling windows of Starbucks. After a while we strolled at the lobby of the building only to find a signage about a SALE happening at their multi-purpose hall, this sale apparently happens monthly in time for the "pay time!" at the end of the month. My officemates found some things to buy and were happy with their bargain finds.... I, on the other hand ... as you know is ... not so keen on spending.

So after the drill we all went back to the office and an hour later we were punching our cards out and making plans on how to spend Friday night. Liza, Che and I watched a movie : You Changed My Life, stars John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo, it was a fun movie to watch ... lots of laughing and romance. It's a feel-good movie so... we enjoyed it. The theatre was packed with swooning, laughing and "interactive" movie goers , so it's a good sign for the movie industry! People want to feel good when they leave the movie theatre!

hmmnn...well, I guess that's all for now ... or I have to cut this into parts!hehe ... but anyway, one more thing ... we did a prank on Fran's desk ... she too is in Malaysia and is coming home. What we did is to put all her stuff on the Internet Station so she'd think she was transferred in front of our BIG Boss' desk! funny, 'cant wait to see her reaction!

The Office, The Inflated Pig and Miss Charity

It's like a sporting event after work, when we gather into small groups and talking like we've never met for years and is coming up with a grand decision on where to put our money, complete with BIG laughs and a lot of nodding! BUT, this is no sporting event, or any event at all. It's just a usual day after work in the office, when you don't know where all these energy to laugh and talk like there hasn't been a chance all day to say hi and how's it going coming from.

Were basically happy people I guess.

Anyway, as we all emerged from the arena and walking. We've managed to segregate ourselves into smaller groups, and from smaller groups, one by one will wave profusely goodnight! while pulling away from the pack.

This is every night...very basic.

Well, four of us went calorie packing over some doughnuts and orange juice, talking about Ramil and how we got this inflated pig that hovers on the floor, it was sooo fun to watch that though it was quite expensive for a toy that lasted only for a day, we actually got one just because it's cute. We had it hanging on the bedroom wall until it looked wrinkly then sagging then FLAT. 150 pesos gone up in the air!

laughs.laughs.laughs.

When suddenly a small boy approached our table holding up a piece of paper that says something about, "needs money for my brother's gauze" hmmn.. ok, he is small, he is dirty and he is being used to beg for money... I hate his parents but I was about to give him 5 pesos when my friend, Rosanne interrupted and was asking the small boy with questions like where are your parents? The boy actually replied and even pointed out the window where a lanky, young man holding another small boy is with a lanky woman holding yet another small ... it's a baby! How could they do this to their kids? But what do they know? They look like kids themselves!

Well, my friend knowing her wont stop at nothing, so she actually went to the parents asked if this was all true and if they needed gauze, she will buy gauze but wont give money! I'm not sure how it all progressed between her and her bizaare charity case, that she returned with a prescription apparently for colostrophy? what was that again? She said they still have YET another child who is suffering from this that's why they needed money ... my friend took the prescription, went to a pharmacy and asked about what's written there and what's it for. The Pharmacist said it's an "anti-vomitting" drug for kids... oh! where's colostrophy? But, you know it has something to do with the stomach, intestines or whatever so this could be true.

Anyway, my friend bought the bottle of medicine and handed it over to the young couple and they both thanked her. I'm just wondering why it seemed like a cold thank you. I joked that now they probably have a problem of selling the medicine to get money! haha if ever the whole thing was a scam.

Well, I think whether it was a scam or not, the best decision if you are in doubt of these charity cases is to give according to your conscience and if you are tricked "hope not seriously tricked" then I guess, it's the right intentions that matter.

NO Game Plan

This is rather odd that I feel like lingering onto my work than finishing it off so I could relax and tinker on my computer at work looking busy... hehe Now, I feel kinda laboring each line ... I dont know, maybe the fact that it's bad economy everywhere that we don't have "guaranteed" projects in line means that we will be hanging on to our seats and wait for how this RECESSION will sort itself out! If I finish quickly as in normal pace, I may have nothing to do next.

this is a Domino Effect...

Last year was a great year for our company, we had raises, we traveled and we enjoyed working with our American clients, we were building skyscrapers in New York, three at a time! Then suddenly at the start of this year. HALT. Constructions were being put on hold as clients would reason out to be lacking of funds. What? I can't believe they ever lack funds, these guys I mean are huge! They funded the biggest and baddest buildings in the world and now ... nothing? This could be something really bad and serious... Though the effect had taken a while to reach the Manila shores, February seems to be the beginning.

in my photo box

i love my mom.

There are times when you feel ultra tough as if you can go out any day and conquer the world ... and then there are times when "mums" visit and your whole tough world becomes vulnerable from nostalgic childhood moments and "how long have you been gone not to see her age?" ringing in your conscience ...

Within the family, I'm the only one who has left our old, sleepy town to the big city in chase of my dreams ... well, I ended up NOT having a bad dream and NOT having too much of a dream either ... it's just the whole corporate system that's gotten hold of me...and if I weren't employed and have the freedom to do whatever I please and get a stable pay out of it, I'd be an artist!!! I'd be an artist that gets paid, though not selling her art ... but gets paid! That is my dream job! an art that is just for visual but not for keeps! It's just hard to give away something that feels like you've given birth to ... so, I guess by that, I should keep my job now ....

Anyway,this morning mum and I have decided that I wont take her anymore to the bus terminal where she'd ride home to our province 'cuz I'll be at work since it's Monday. I then took her to a store where she said she'd buy something and I would be crossing a street to where I'd ride... the moment I moved a few steps away and seeing her not going inside the store but is looking out for me to cross the street ... I felt weak. I knew I'd be crying ... but I held my tears of course! I had to be the strong, independent person that she knows I am ... though I knew that she too wished that I would not GO. It didn't take long for me to hold back the tears ... as I arrived the office I went straight to my friend's desk and sobbed! Like a girl whose mum had left her in school and she doesn't want to be in school!!! The thought of her standing there and her face that I never really saw had aged made me feel so guilty and shallow. I could never bring back lost times and how I wish we never have to grow old!

So, I had to go back and filed a half-day leave. This is my mum. She came here for me, I cannot just drop her off and let her find her way! I took her to the bus station and before that we had a snack and shared a few more time together, at least when she had to leave for home, she wont feel as sad as she did this morning...and I too, felt better.

I love my mom and my dad too!

Check your Labels.

I've spent my weekend with my mum who came to visit me and of course to do some shopping! She's the ultimate shopaholic if I may add (I haven't really moved on from the "Shopaholic" thing...haven't I?) Well, she just wonders why I never have become like her towards money unlike my sister whom she prides of having her taste in clothes and fashion! I was the "wont buy unless it's a bargain, or it's on SALE and I don't care much about brands" type of daughter and well ... it works on my part when she hears me sigh and refuse to open my purse, as she would BUY the things she thinks I like but is toooooo frugal to do so.

So at the end of the day, I have some new stuff ... a pair of white Lacoste leather slippers, a gray dress with a belt and a red leather bag! hmmn... this works! I may have to pretend I don't like something in the future and my mum will eventually buy it for me! haha... keep that a secret! she doesn't blog.

After her mall stint, I took her to where I buy my clothes etc. and it wasn't that far from where we were, it's right across the street which I call : San Francisco ... But it's actually the St. Francis Square haha... A building filled with great buys. It's kinda like the shops you go to in Bangkok, but of course nothing compares to Bangkok when you're not brand conscious but stylish. I do feel comfortable buying in these stores after I've learnt from my travels, that no matter where you go ... things will always wound up to be Made in China! Sample? OK. I bought this gorgeous, Kenneth Cole Reaction Trench Coat in Black Wool at Macy's in the US ... I was sooo much in awe at the sight of it, that me being "frugal" have managed to slip a couple of hundred dollars for it! I wore it with great pride ... and when it's time to go to the dry-cleaners, guess what I read on the tiniest label I've ever seen in transparent tucked under one shoulder? MADE IN CHINA. So, who cares now right? I also bought this black, cashmere sweater in ITALY and it was MADE IN BANGLADESH ... I have to look on a map to find where Bangladesh is! want more? I bought a 24 dollar Hollister shirt in the US and it was MADE IN THE PHILIPPINES... Oh! I see, it's a good thing that more than "Brand" conscious I'm a Filipino that I still bought 2 shirts ... thinking that if they were Made in the Philippines, my countrymen gets paid for the shirts that I bought....

Anyway, let's NOT be racist even with labels on clothes and other things. If they are Made in China but you bought it from GAP, accept their quality control standards... accept the fact that Asia offers cheaper labor not everything that's made in 3rd world countries in particular, are rubbish and those that are Italian and American made are automatically superior in quality. Just have a heart for the jobs that these companies create and 'hope that there'll be no more OVER PRICING especially when you know where it's made!

SO!!! I just buy straight where the sources are...Manila is a shopping paradise! I found this really cute! Bohemian print flat shoes that's perfect for summer for only 250 pesos (around 5 dollars) ... when branded? around 20 dollars, I think.

What Friendship is all About ...

My internet connection was down last night that I tried everything just to make it work ... but it was already late that I think I dozed off while making the attempts because when I opened my eyes ... tadaa! "morning."

Anyway, here's what I've been up to. My girlfriends and I went to celebrate a birthday at Gumbo at the SM Megamall Atrium which was the newly extended section of the mall that has opened lots of new restaurants and high-end boutiques ... hmmnn... are we really on a money crisis or what?!

SO...this friend's birthday was all about food and laughter. Gumbo serves hefty meals that we had to take breaks before munching on again! We took pictures of ourselves in funny hats and ... you know, it was all clean fun ... I like the feeling of "having friends", it's a sort of assurance that no matter how "bitchy" I sometimes am, they'd still want to hang-out with me. haha Well, these friends I'm talking about are extremely patient, generous and genuinely trusting! For which my gut tells me to act accordingly! It's basically the rule to friendship. Be nice.

What I got my friend for her birthday is this lovely string of pink, cultured pearls that I got from Simple Joys and a wood keychain painted in yellow that's carved as letter "G" the initial of her name Gael. Giving a gift to a friend who almost got everything isn't easy... ^_^ BUT, I guess this is where the saying "it's the thought that counts" apply! hehe ... I may not give her the hugest and the most expensive gift but, I wish her all the best and I appreciate the friendship that she has shared with me.

I think that the more you give yourself to others the more you learn about yourself.