Life is Good

Life is Good

I got home at 1:00 pm, right after lunch. I can get to relax, eat my leftover rainbow cake and sulk in cable movie channels.

The bad part is...it's hot and I have an intense HEADACHE bordering to migraine.

Once migraine hits, I wouldn't be able to function anymore so best if I get home now.

Thank you for my flexible job. Thank you for the giving me the time to rest. I think I'll have a migraine..but at least I'm home.  

Day 40/365 of 2014

Life is Good...


Especially if complete strangers take you as a college student. Har-Har!

Went to the neighboring coffee shop, looking disheveled as usual, and they assumed I was there early in the morning to study for some college thesis.

Hey, they didn't toast my bagel that well, but who cares! They say I look like I'm a college student! Haha

Day 35-39/365 of 2014

Life is still good...despite the hell week.

Wasn't able to post cause I've been spending more hours in the office. I'm not overdoing it though, it's just a bit of a stretch this week with all the projects and deliverables. It's been crazy lately.


Day 35 - Tuesday   I was able to finish The Bridges of Madison County and that is one of the best love stories I've read to date. I love it. It's simple, raw but very intense. It's a perfect love story and I wish everyone has a chance to feel that. It's also this day that I started to read Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, which reviews say is one of the most notable love stories ever.

Day 36 - Wednesday - The start of the extended work hour. I got home so late and so tired that I prepared myself to eat leftover crappy food, but my father dear was able to bring home succulent bite size sandwiches from Cafe France, a favorite of mine. It was like seeing a goldmine. It made my day so much better.

Day 37 - Thursday - Passed by Starbuck's drive thru on the way to work and the barista blew me away!

Me: hi grande asian dolce latte, hot. And a honey bagel. Uhm....pwedeng pa spread na ng butter?
Barista: sure.

At the pick up window.

Barista: hi ma'am here's your coffee and here's your bagel. Na spread na po yung butter on both sides and toasted it narin po to perfection. And here's an extra napkin. Have a safe drive and breakfast to work!

Wow. In fairness he thought ill be eating it while driving, but still. That is good customer service

I'm so lucky to be able to go to Starbucks and interact with these kinds of people. Gives me so much inspiration. 

Day 38 - Friday - The significant other and I got to talk. We had our simple date since both of us got busy and uncooperative. We shared a good meal, we went to his favorite bar and had a drink each and ended it with sugar free coffee. And I also embarrassed myself in front of my big boss when I walked like a psycho wanting to stab someone. We both had a good laugh. That was really embarrassing and funny. I was just glad that it's a weekend!

Day 39 - Saturday - Weekend. My brother and I got to relax and watched American Hustle. Jennifer Lawrence was good and annoyed us to pieces. Amy Adams was vulnerable and complicated while Christian Bale was sleazy, fat, but very convincing. Also I got to eat sushi for merienda, Brida's rainbow cake for dessert and took home Costa Brava's caramel cake. I can just lounge all day. 

The other book reviews to be posted next week. I left it in my office's hard drive. For now, I've got to relax and not do anything!

Things to Look forward

It's already February! Believe it or not one month had already been closed for 2014 but I can still smell and vividly remember the recent holidays. Sadly, I'm one of those people who suffer from post-holiday sickness and I'm still in the process of shaking things off.

January was more of feeling and listing down the things I should be doing for the entire year, which in a way kicked off in a good start. I did what I planned to do for this month. From devising a financial plan to ironing out my work goals to actually stepping inside the gym (again!).  February and March are about starting things up. 1st quarter is always important to initiate your moves. If anything's going to start, it's best to happen now!

I've always loved the month of January because it gives such a positive vibe. It's always refreshing to start anew. February may be bit subdued and short, but it's also a month of pure action, not that I'm actually referring to Valentine's Day.

Here are the things that I look forward to this month

• JPMorgan Special Award for seasoned employees. (Yes, I am seasoned. And yes I have extra money for shopping!)
• Philippine Travel Expo on February 14-16. Who needs spending for Valentine's Dates?! I'd rather spend it here! Better figure out where I want to go for this year. 
• A major financial investment is about to start
• An impending Hong Kong Trip with my aunts from Cebu (This is a fun riot!)

See! It's a month full of possibilities besides the usual Valentine's fare. I have an international trip, an extra money for that trip, a travel expo to get the best deals this year and an starting my long overdue investment for my future. 

February should be fun. 

Day 27-34/365 of 2014

Life is Good....

This will be a long one, but rather more concise.

Day 27 -  I get to appreciate the handwork of very creative song writers and multimedia experts. Yes, I watched this very funny Bekimon (Gay ghetto) version of probably my most favorite Disney song of all time. Let it Go became Kembot Mo. This made me laugh and appreciate human creativity!

Day 28 -   Well we got extra money today! It's our company's generous performance bonus and I am extremely happy. Now I can get to pay off my whopping credit card bills from my christmas expenses. --- Oh and I had a heavy lunch at Friday's with a colleague...not a lunch but a feast!

Day 29 -  Finally I finished The Shining by Lauren Beukes. I know. I know. The book is interesting, don't get me wrong, but i've been very busy lately at work. I can't even turn on my laptop and blog. My time at home is enough for me to play with my dogs, read a chapter or two and meet with family. It took me more than week to close this. I thought I never would. Now I can move forward.

Day 30 -   Our very own modern and fashionable Starbucks just opened just outside our village. Sweet! One of the best New Year openings in our neighborhood. No more long travels for good coffee and great ambiance. I can literally walk to this place....well....no...I won't.

Day 31 - I was able to spend time with a loved one, eat 2 orders of takoyaki balls in the afternoon, had a Chinese New Year red-hot manicure session after work, ate a cheap but yummy porterhouse steak for dinner and drank a bottle of crisp premium beer afterwards. A simple and fulfilling day. Life is good.

Day 32 (Feb 1) - Was able to remind myself to pay my ballooning Globe Bill (Finally!), ate at one of my favorite Chinese restaurants and helped a friend out by doing what I do best, search and acquire books that are hard to find. Feels good to help a friend out.

Day 33 (Feb 2) - Helped someone dear acquire an important gadget through a personal loan and was able to ease someone's worries.

Day 34 (Feb 3) - Colleague came back from Boracay and bought Calamansi Muffins from Real Coffee as Pasalubong! Yahoo! Had 2!

Day 22-26/365 of 2014

This is officially a backlog, but I shan't not worry. I've listed down the happy things I've encountered these days and especially for this vacation-mode week, all I can say is that Life is Very Good!

Day 22 Wednesday - Beer is not my drink of choice. I hardly get it unless I don't have a choice. Beer makes me bloated, makes me go red fast and most importantly, it smells. But then again Beer is darn cheap and if I'm saving plus I really don't have a choice, I usually just get the "pa-cute" versions of flavored beer. I usually go for San Miguel Apple Flavored Beer or if I'm feeling a little bolder, I got my own personal discovery. San Miguel Premium!! This comes in a really cute green bottle and it tastes sweet enough without being too dainty.

I know it's hardly a discovery. Tons of people especially women drink this already, but it's always nice to discover things on your own. It took me one office hang out to get to know this drink that by at least now I can switch to beer when the need arises. But I'm definitely still a wine-cocktails kind of girl.

Day 23 - Thursday - I'm such in a vacation mode that I try to finish work in the first 2-3 hours so I can just day dream the whole day. Thanks to my kind of work that I can get to be flexible and strategic. Today with my colleague, we rushed to the nearest mall and had our manicure and pedicure sessions during our extended lunch time. Yes, a relaxing manicure and pedicure in the middle of a work day is a privilege (after you've finished your work) and a shallow downtime that is also equally productive. Reminds me that "my life is not so bad after all'.

Day 24 - Friday - What can I say? It's a FRIDAY, last work day of the work week and in a few hours I will now be able to experience the Deluxe Travel to Baguio! Plus, it's a pay day and my colleague Lyn and I were able to scourge through the major brands after work for some serious retail therapy. Payday, on a vacation and on a shopping spree, how can your life be any bad after that?

Day 25- Saturday - FINALLY we arrive in BAGUIO! It's one of the best Baguio welcomes ever! My hands hurt from the cold. I can see the steam from my breath. The air is crisp and it's winter wear overload. I love it! The coldness is the main reason why we're here in the first place. 

Full Baguio post will be made separately.

Day 26 - Sunday - It's always a bummer to head home. That just means vacation is over and it's back to the mundane demands of work. But today, I was able to experience STRAWBERRY TAHO! In all the times I've been to Baguio, I've never tried this before. It's 20 Pesos per cup. Instead of the usual sugar syrup, they have this strawberry syrup with plump fresh strawberries. It's a welcome variant that I enjoyed. 

Day 27 - Monday  - Well it's back to work today. And given the fact that we had long travel times during the weekend and a quick sojourn in Baguio, we didn't feel tired at all. It was a smooth and quick transition at work and I'm very happy. I know it sucks to be back, but life is good for letting me be able to work. With work, I can get to plan and pay for my next vacation. With work, I can get to buy my simple luxuries in life. Life has a way of balancing things and rewarding work. Life is definitely excellent!

Day 20-21/365 of 2014

Life is Good...


20 - ...Because I got home at 3:30 pm. Sharp. On a Monday. Enough said.

21 - ...Because today is National Hugs day and I'm really thankful that I get cuddly, unconditional and free hugs full of love and surrender from my adorable dogs! They really make my day so much better!

The youngest dog/bunny!

He was very playful here. Usually he's the professional poser. 

The Snooty Beauty

The Recovery Superhero who at least let me take multiple shots with him. 

Day 19/365 of 2014

Life is Good...


My day started at 6 am and I know I have a few more delectable hours to go, to experience the best things life has to offer today, but I'm going to say this as early at 8 am...LIFE IS GOOD!

I love early morning Sundays! Sundays feel generally slower than usual and that's its charm. No need to do something extremely productive. It's the perfect day of the week to rest and recharge for another grueling work week ahead. I find early morning sundays the best opportunity to read, write and reflect. Sunday, being a Sabbath day for Catholics, is the perfect day to give thanks, attend that holy mass and spend time with family over dinner or lunch. Sundays are also magical and peaceful to do that shallow me-time errands like a massage, facial or a nail spa in the afternoons. If not, have coffee and merienda with friends and family.

Nothing serious, nothing tiring. My early sunday mornings are usually spent in prayer then in a coffee shop for that delectable breakfast. This is my sacred time to blog and just be alone and at peace. Sundays are also my grocery day for my dogs and sometimes I squeeze in a bit of book shopping in the afternoons.

I love Sunday. It's genuinely Sundays when you feel that you're enjoying that small amount of peace and quiet and security of a good meals, less traffic, laptop, quiet spa time, high speed internet, extra resources, starting that new book, spending time with family and friends make life worth living.

Coffee Bean at 8 AM. I always go for their salmon scramble and unlimited brewed coffee. yum!

Day 17/356 of 2014

Life is Good...



Cause on a cold Friday night, I enjoyed two things on this very cold weather. Hot garlic pork chop with rice and a hot chocolate mug of swiss miss. Yes, I was at home at 5:30 PM on a Friday. Played with my dogs at 6 PM. Ate at 7 PM. Shopped online, read my book and caught up on TV shows at 8 PM and little did I know I was already asleep on or before 9 PM.


I know being a Friday there should be some sort of public celebration in order. I would've been having dinner and drink with friends, watched a movie perhaps or even do something rather than go home. But you know me. As soon as I am reached the comforts of my home, nothing could make me brave the unreasonable Friday night traffic. Home it is for me (most of the time) and life is still good!

Day 15-16/365 of 2014

Life is Good...


Day 15 -  Because thank GOD for internet that is accessible, traveling has never been this easy! Can you just imagine the days when you had to call the travel agencies, call the hotel, physically pick up the documents and allot time and effort to pay stuff? Not to mention to have to call your friends, meet up for confirmations and allot days to finalize and discuss when everyone's in the same room cause some people are just fickle? Hey, I was born in 1980's and definitely I still remember the overly manual days. Probably the reason traveling was such a chore back then because before you can actually enjoy the escape, you have to go through days of planning and manual work. But yesterday I was reminded how wonderful technology is, specifically websites and the internet. I was able to book two hotels for my two trips this year from a discounted hotel booking site. I was able to nab discount coupons online from  bargain sites. We were able to book our bus tickets and communicate with people who are involved in the trip. All travel related confirmations were sent via email and since I'm on a data plan, I can access my emails anywhere, anytime through my phone. In one whole day, our bookings were confirmed, our trip is set with just our phone, computers and an internet. It was so fast, so convenient, so rich in information you can't imagine doing it the old way. I'm not really a techie person, but certain advances that aid consumers like me really makes a whole lot of difference in terms of time and money. Technology is really a part of our lives whether we like it or not. Sadly sometimes we just tend to forget it. Since I love to research and travel conveniently, this week reminded me on how good life has become.


Day 16 - I woke up this morning as if I slept the entire night in an air-conditioned room. I was curled up under my blanket. The thing is, my brother and I didn't turn on the air-condition, despite the fact that I do not sleep without it cause I'm really allergic to heat (literally). That just means that yesterday, this whole day in fact, was cold beyond the normally accepted temperature....in Manila...in the Philippines, which is a tropical country. It was so cold I wore a jacket the entire day. It was like being in Tagaytay during the summer. It's lovely and pleasant, a good respite for the city dwellers who never enjoy a temperature below 29 degrees. But sometimes you can't help but think that beyond this pleasantness is an abnormality. Our climate, all over the world, is jacked up. It's skewed and nature can just whip us out anytime that we wouldn't know what hit us. It's abnormal, weird and scary. But life is still good. We're still alive and apparently enjoying a pleasant weather. Excuse the thought for the Atlantic countries who are suffering. Just like this pleasant weather that we are having, it will pass eventually.

I woke up and drove to the office without turning on the air-conditioning system. I left the house at 6 am with 22 Degrees temperature. It was already sunny at 8 am and it was still 23 Degrees. I had lunch and went home wearing my jacket. I love it.

Day 13-14/356

Life is good...


Day 13 -  cause after a hard day's work, I was still able to watch Batman: The Dark Knight Rises and enjoy (read:go gaga) Christian Bale! Seeing him in that clean cut face, angular shots, really nice combed brown hair and excellent physique are just added cherries to his known and renowned acting chops. I've said it in my previous post before (in opinionated banana) that I love him. I've loved him ever since he appeared in the Empire of the Sun. Making me admire him that early makes me think that I have a  significant contribution to his popularity. It's like being able to personally discover  him before he was this big A-lister star. Truth be told, even with his great looks, I just love how he acts and how he transcends into the big screen. AT first I didn't even think he would be perfect for the Batman role, much less apply for it since he's just way too sophisticated with his taste and mainstream box office hits are just not his style. But I guess he proved me and everyone wrong. He can absolutely do anything...beautifully! He has so much character and sense you don't care if he tries to look physically bad in the movie. He can play a playboy, sophisticated, banker-psycho killer. He can play an aristocratic period leading man. He can play an overweight and sleazy hustler, a gay drag queen, a poor but determined boxer, a mentally disturbed machinist, dystopian gun-kata warrior (Neo of the matrix would've watched out), a magician and a superhero. Seeing him in a new movie or even in HBO has always been a treat. You see him really as an actor and not a celebrity, which is something very admirable about him. Yesterday was a bit stressful, but God gave me a reward.

...and please I know the "lisp" may be a little bit distracting, but I don't care. You cannot be
perfect....you just cannot....

His Patrick Bateman look in American Psycho is the best for me. I would probably choose Batman next as his more mature version. He can be scruffy, long-haired or bald but this is definitely his best look! 

Day 14 - I got a venti Asian Dolce Latte in Starbucks! They finally brought it back! Of all the drinks, next to Caramel Macchiato, this is my favorite. It has a strong 4 shot espresso kick and a sweat creamy finish. Those who want that extra bitterness and smooth finish, a schizophrenic when it comes to their coffee, get this. Enough said!

Day 10 -12/365 of 2014

Life is Good


...Cause at least we have weekends for proper rest when we need to. The first work week for 2014 was pretty stressful when everyone who's anyone was back and that translated to more work left and right and all of them were tagged as "urgent." Sometimes it's quite unreasonable and requests stretch you to the limit, but at least I have work and time to recharge.

...Cause life gives us failures to limit our options and show us the path that's right for us. Gunning for so many options is commendable, but in truth you're only after one that's right. Just like Amy March said when her older sister Meg was worried on the scores of suitors she is failing to attract "You only need one; if he's the right one". Didn't we even think that not getting the part, not getting the job, not getting admitted no matter how hard we've tried is nature's way of telling us that this is might not be right for you or there's something better? Any type of failure whether we care to admit it or not hurts at face value. But it's how we see through the heartbreak that keeps us going and eventually makes us better.

...cause being in a tropical country, the weather's weird, but a pleasant surprise. We don't feel searing hotness....yet. City temperatures have reached as low 19 Degrees Celsius which NEVER EVER HAPPENS!! I know that American countries are suffering from extreme polar whiplash right now. I feel bad for them, but this is the climate change effect which we humans did! We just have to suck it up like the tropical countries will suck up the upcoming summer season. Can we just find joy in this moment?

Day 8-9/356 of 2014

Life is Good....

Jan 8 because I was able to deal with lots of difficult people at work, stupid or arrogant or both. But it made me realize that these people teach you to be calmer, to think before you speak and to assert your rights without losing too much control. We need this people to learn and at least life gives you enough challenges in life to become a better person. Life is good cause I know I have a job, I have to work hard at it and it teaches me much needed soft skills with regards to dealing with people.

Jan 9  because tomorrow's Friday and a pay day at that. Yahoo. It was a pretty heavy week for me I'm just glad that it's over. I've encountered less desirable people, but I'm alive, I have a job and I'm learning. Though today is such an ordinary day, at least it's so close to Friday that you just appreciate the day for what it is....a Thursday!!

I have draft entries waiting to be posted. I'm just so damn tired at the end of the day. But days are good! Life is always good.

Day 6/365 of 2014

Life is good...


Because at 3:30 pm in this glorious day full of soothing sunshine with a tickling cool afternoon breeze,  I officially ended my work day. Home Sweet Home indeed. I got to play with my dogs, eat slices of good mango float, read a few chapters and blog.

But thank God today was not that bad as I've expected. Though there were a couple of assignments and requests, it was not toxic, absolutely nothing I couldn't handle. It was a fairly good day and I am thankful. I was even able to enjoy my lunch of cheap fast food. If days like this continue to be the norm, this year wouldn't be much of a problem.

-----

I am a morning person, but one of my favorite hours is during the late afternoons just before sunset. It's the hours of 4-5 pm. For me, it's the best time of day that shows the golden beauty of the sun without being too intrusive. The dying sunlight soothes and calms my nerves. It's like getting a visual and psychological massage all in one. This moment pushes me back to reminisce on happy moments.

Another reason to be quite thankful for.

Day 5/365 of 2014

Life is good...

Cause it's never too late to turn your life around. And I'm not saying this is in an exaggerated and dramatic way. It could be as simple as being serious about your finances by taking a major step in acknowledging that you have to save, cut your credit cards and prepare for the future. Maybe it's time to invest in a car or a property. Or it could simply mean starting a new and healthier diet, something that won't deprive you but something that won't make you gain any more pounds. Or it could simply mean taking the time to realize and acknowledge that some of your past year goals have changed and there's nothing wrong with that.

The first part of all these positive changes that may come your way is through acknowledging it. But it doesn't ever stop there. The next part should be taking that action, that second step and that willingness to follow through. It may be a form of a meeting, an appointment or research. Plainly imaging that goal or change wouldn't do you any good. One has to make the effort of doing something about it even if it means sacrificing your comfort.

I was able to talk to two professionals today about something that I should've done 5 years ago. Well, I couldn't really blame myself, I enjoyed too much and it was also nice to have that carefree experience. But this year, I've decided to take it up a notch and decide to be more grounded about my health and resources. I'm getting older and I sure hope I'm getting wiser. Thank you Lord and Life for giving me this opportunity to improve myself. Thank you for making me take that first and second step. Now there's no reason NOT to follow through. 

Day 4/356 of 2014

Life is Good...

Because I'm blogging using my Samsung Note 2, which happens to be the God-sent, perfect sized phone for people like me who might find themselves reading, surfing and writing a lot with their phone. And I am thankful for the fast and accessible internet!

I am so tired and sleepy right now that I couldn't find the energy to get my laptop and actually sit. I'm lying like an invalid and this certain mobile and new age convenience made it easier for me to continue my daily promise which is to post a realization about life.

As fortunate as I am, I tend to forget the little things I should be thankful for. I find myself highlighting areas that disappoint me and I neglect the conveniences I experience almost everyday. Life is definitely good because coming from the Floppy disk era with no internet, I am now blogging and surfing information through my phone effortlessly.

How cool is that?

Day 3/365 of 2014

Life is good because...

It's a freaking FRIDAY! 

Life is always good during Fridays, don't you think? Even if you do not have plans or you're not doing anything significant after work, just knowing that it's the last day of the work week makes everything so much better.

And after the first two days of work for the year, you get to enjoy another weekend to fully recover to prepare for a grueling week ahead when everything, including the heavy traffic which I haven't really seen for the past two days, will eventually go back to normal. No bad vibes allowed on a Friday, let's enjoy the weekend first!

Day 2/356 2014

Life is good because...

I read all my emails today, replied in some and left the office on the dot at 3:30 pm with a breezy travel period with no heavy traffic at all exit points. Sweet.


After three weeks of vacation leave, I expected to be swamped with emails and devoting all my productive hours sifting through each and one of those feeling miserable and annoyed. And if there's any reason why I don't prefer super long breaks, it's the expected whiplash of work that's waiting for you, brewing and accumulated while you were gone. More days of MIA requires you to double time and catch up. Surprisingly, emails were manageable and less stupid.  By 11 am, I was done, had my lunch of Bolognese Pasta in Mozu, did some house keeping in my home drives, creating new folders for 2014 and plotted my vacation leaves for the 1st quarter. By 3:30 pm I was out the door.

Being able to work peacefully and leaving the office on time will always be a priority no matter what year. It's my life long resolution. Driving home with no heavy traffic is just a cherry on the cake though the streets still looked unusually empty for a back-to-work mode routine. Probably all the expected chaos will start this Monday. Take this day as a solid transition phase.

Day 1: Life is good because...

I just quickly decided that my daily posts for the entire year will focus and reflect on...

Life is good because...

I believe everyday is a blessing and life is always worth living no matter how many hardships we may encounter on a daily basis. Though the goodness in life is not entirely dependent on money, relationships, material things or even your smashing career.  Sometimes life is good because of simple things that give us joy, that make us learn something new and that will inevitably change us for the better.

One of my personal resolutions is to see the brighter side of things no matter how simple and shallow they are. I think it makes the day extra special and meaningful.

 ----

Day 1 of 2014

Life is good because....

...I got to blog, rest and spend my first day of the year with relatives from my father's side, my dogs and with my loved ones...and that despite going back to work tomorrow (UGH!!), it will be weekend already in two days.

And just to put an extra emphasis on work, tomorrow will be my first day after two weeks off so I'm dreading my emails and anticipating loads of assignments. But still thank you God for giving me work and at least it will be weekend in two days! Not much torture there. Yahoo!

Day 1 was off to a good start. Happy New Year!