Lessons from The Sound of Music

When I’m emotionally down, I make it a point to do something uplifting (or crazy!) just to beat the blues away. On the second day of torture, I thought of watching the Sound of Music, my all-time favorite musical movie. Little did I know that I was bound to learn a few valuable lessons…



“When God closes a door, someway He opens a window.”




“You cry a little and you wait for the sun to come out…it always does.”

Just as the Lord closes that one big door, I believe that good things are bound to happen, hopefully soon. I just need to prepare myself and wait for that one particular window to open up. When that moment finally comes, I wouldn't mind passing through that window because I know that it was worth the wait. With the sun shining brightly outside, I shall look back and gaze at the closed door, thankful and full of hope as I embrace whatever the future holds.

In the meantime, I'll simply remember my favorite things so I won't feel so bad...

Doomsday

Well, at least, I didn't get to hear the verdict on the exact date of my first year of employment.

My position was declared redundant. That's what the papers say. Client demands have gone down. A lot of resources were in bench. I was one of them. They need to keep the career pyramid in its proper balance. Business needs, as they reiterated.

There were a few documents presented before me. The HR representative gave me time to fully understand everything that was written. I just stared at it blankly. I was, in fact, reading the words written on the documents but none of them registered on my mind. My mind was processing double-time. Trying to get some answers to questions and planning for the future all at the same time. Still at the end of it, I had no other choice but to sign the release papers. The decision was final.

Soon after, I was returning my badge and company ID. The only thing left was the Avanade ID lace. A bitter-sweet remembrance. Later on, my access was disabled. I became an incognito as the day went to an end.

To grasp everything that transpired was really hard. It was torture. I cried. Big time. I never thought this would happen. It is just so unfortunate that I won't be able to materialize whatever dreams I have of making it big in this company.

I wish to retract what I have written in my blog yesterday. There would be no need for me to look forward to another year. All of them would now be considered as "what-might-have-beens" and "what-could-have-beens".

On the other side, my year in the company has taught me a lot of things: it inspired me to push myself further, i have done things which I never thought I would, I made a couple of good friends, and had the fondest of memories.

I will carry all these things with me along with the hope that I will be better in time.

The Year That Was

Today marks my first year at Accenture. A lot of things, most of them really good ones, happened in the span of one year. Allow me to share a few of these good moments with you as I take you down memory lane. Enjoy the cheese! :)



I was able to meet a few wonderful people (yeah, we had tons of bonding moments all-year round!)



I went to a company outing…first time!


I became a Microsoft Certified Business Management Solutions Professional for Microsoft Dynamics CRM and a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist in Microsoft SQL Server 2005.
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/dynamics/default.mspx


I was rolled-in to Cigna-Makalu, my first project
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigna



I performed as a keyboardist for the Denali-Makalu Front Act band during the Cigna FY09 Kick-Off Party (another first!)



I was able to make use of my creative juices in order to help GP2W with Avanade Idol Season 2 (Avanade Duets)


Wow! Time flies really fast and as I look forward to another year ahead, I wish to thank all the wonderful people who have made my first year in Accenture truly exciting and worth remembering. I look forward to sharing more Accenture years with all of you. :)

Lastly, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to a few special people (you know who you are, guys!) who have inspired me to finally “get hold of my cheese”. Err…thanks for not letting my head get caught in a mouse trap! =p

Rumor Has It

I practically grew up hearing all sorts of news – whether rumors or facts. And believe it or not, I often hear these stories in a very unlikely place: the church. I’ve been an active music minister in our parish for the past 17 years. Actually, my ears have grown accustomed to the various stories that have circulated within the parish: from scandals involving priests, down to the intrigues within the various communities, even the personal issues involving certain individuals.

Yes, there were even times when I had my share of the so-called “limelight”, owe it to the fact that I hold a big responsibility which puts me in a position where I can be easily seen by the prying eyes of the other “servants”. I couldn’t count the number times when my name got involved in nasty issues. Now as I look back to these times, it’s just so pathetic to find out that they were just petty ones. What a waste of time!

Well, I haven’t been seriously involved with the church now. I decided to "roll-off" from my extremely toxic task of being the Music Ministry Coordinator, now that the parish has its new parish priest and newly-appointed leaders. I still have my regular 6PM Sunday Mass service, anyway.

Little did I know that I was in for a surprise. ;p

A few weeks back, the person who’s now in-charge of the Music Ministry came up to me and asked me if its true that I was leaving for abroad. I asked him about the source of the information but he simply said that it was the latest news that’s been circulating in the parish. I denied the rumors, of course, and I made mention that probably the reason why this issue has surfaced was because I had my name fixed at NSO and that I was bound to apply for a passport, a primary requirement in my current workplace.

During the wake of a dear friend’s mom, I heard the issue again. This time, the rumor had more weight. According to some “news scribes”, I was bound to leave for Australia. Imagine that, now we have an exact location!

Apparently, the story didn’t end there. Last Sunday, I came across a good friend while doing some window shopping at Powerplant Mall. He asked me if its true that I was leaving for abroad (he didn’t say Australia, though). He said that he was surprised when he heard about the “news” because we’ve met about a week ago and I didn’t mention that I was leaving. What really surprised me was his next line: “Kaya ka daw aalis papuntang abroad kasi hindi ka naman daw naa-appreciate sa parish natin.”

I was flabbergasted! Of course, I denied the rumor and the allegation. Yes, I knew that news have wings but I didn’t know that the wings could be that humongous! Its very obvious that the people behind this issue have been putting words into my mouth. I really couldn’t help but laugh. Should they made it to Eat Bulaga’s “Sa Pula, Sa Puti” contest, they will never win the jackpot prize. Tsk, tsk, tsk!

Well, come to think of it, the rumor was not so bad at all. In fact, I just realized something:

I am still a newsmaker. ;-)

What I've Learned

This morning, came across this email i received couple of years back. It's just so amazing that almost all of the items mentioned here were exactly the same lessons that I have learned from way back and even just recently...

I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you have to do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.

I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.

I've learned that it takes years to build up trust and only seconds to destroy it.

I've learned that it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.

I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It maybe the last time you see them.

I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had been something else to take its place.

I've learned that my bestfriend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I've learned that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want then to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I've learned that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy if would be if they believed it.

I've learned that your family won't always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren't related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren't biological.

I've learned that no matter how good a friendis, they are going to hust you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other and just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I've learned that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I've learned that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe.

Until Then

Today is my last day at RCBC...though technically, the effectivity of my resignation is on the 16th...the reason being: my official start day is on the 14th...how's that? :p

After the sumptuous despedida lunch given by my LRSD family at Italianis and being exhausted from crying the whole day, i found myself counting my last minutes in RCBC...

And as I finally logged-out from the RCBC Logger System, these thoughts came rushing across my mind...


What I'll miss most about RCBC:

1. September 5, 2001
2. 73202
3. jstorregrosa@rcbc.com
4. Chip, my PC
5. IP address: 10.32.15.147
6. internet access: no1totrust
8. hris id: jst73202, password: yishav
9. local 2315
10. GE phone
11. work area
12. clerical chair
13. Lending & Remittance Systems Department
14. Information Technology Group
15. Central Check Department
16. Signature Verification System
17. Branch Delivery System – SVS Interface (SVSDLL)
18. Replication (BC -> MBC -> OC)
19. SVS – LDMS Version
20. SVS – StockTransfer Version
21. Cash Now Facility and its 6 system interfaces
22. Current Accounts Disposition System
23. SVS Whitebook
24. SVSMBC (a.k.a. SISA), SVS Central Server, 10.0.0.61
25. SVSDMBC, SVS Development Server, 10.32.0.61
26. SVS OC Servers (SVSMMOC, SVSMCOC, SVSDBOC, SVSPBOC, SVSNBOC, SVSCDOC)
27. LDMS Informix Server (Melchora and Emilio II)
28. travel order
29. cash advance
30. Chinabank Checking Account (payroll)
31. 8777222 (MyRCBC Phone Banking)
32. CA Maker
33. Legal Documentation Monitoring System (LDMS)
34. Impairment Testing Template
35. BSP Loans Data Entry System
36. 16/F Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1200
37. RCBC Payroll Account
38. RCBC Plaza Banking Area
39. RCBC Podium
40. long lines in all 6 ATMs within RCBC Plaza
41. RCBC branch codes
42. 8/F & 16/F Data Center
43. lunch out
44. production support
45. CSH (0), SPB (1), PB/NA (2) SVS Access
46. January 16, 2008
47. Junior Assistant Manager
48. Analyst/Programmer
49. “Good morning/afternoon. RCBC-ITG. How may I help you?”
50. “Good morning! Welcome to My RCBC Phone Banking. To transact with your account, please press 1…”

To the wonderful people of RCBC whom I have worked with, thank you for all the memories. met. As the cliche goes, the world is so small that it is impossible that we cannot bump to each other again...until then!

The Cebu Adventure

“What?! Our flight to Cebu is at 5:00 AM?!”

OMG.

Shoot the moon.


Friday, October 19

I had to literally drag myself to the airport due to lack of sleep...err, I haven’t slept at all. Due to the hectic preparation schedules for this trip, I only had the chance to think about my what-to-bring and what-to-wear the night before the trip. Luckily, my dad accompanied me to the airport so as not to look like a lost-haggard-where-am-I girl while waiting for my boss to arrive. However, my plan to catch some sleep during the flight didn’t materialize. More chicka, more fun! Hehehe…

After getting some 3 hours of sleep, I went to the branch to prepare for the 5:30PM training. Lunch at Lemon Grass was superb! The food was sumptuous and the lemon grass drink was really refreshing. At around 2pm, I received a text message from Jan that there was an explosion at Glorietta II. I immediately texted our colleagues and thanked God that nobody from our officemates were there when it happened as our department head called for an emergency meeting at that time. The incident sent shivers down to my spine when I got to realize that I was there at CD-R King, Glorietta II the night before it happened…literally a few steps away from the blast spot.

The first day of training went smoothly as the participants were very cooperative. We had dinner the barbeque place near the branch. Next stop: a coffee shop “not found in Manila”…Starbuck’s! Hehehe…



Saturday, October 20

I received a call from my satchi, Rachel. Worried about the news, she called to check if everything’s ok since she knew very well that Friday lunch-out is a common ritual in the office. Again, more chicka, more fun!

Today’s training wasn’t as enjoyable as the previous day. Thanks to the unsolicited advice and derogatory remarks of a training participant. A helluva ***** !



What really saved the day was the dinner we had at Mr. A. It’s a restaurant with an overlooking view of Cebu in its grandeur. It’s happy fiesta once again!


Sunday, October 21

Last day of training…err, not exactly training, though. It was more of “looking after” the participants as they go about their conversion thing. Since it was Sunday, we decided to hear mass prior to our actual agenda for the day. We went to Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino de Cebu and had visited the historical Magellan’s Cross. After mass, we went straight to the branch to facilitate the participants.



We were done by 4pm and that was the only time that we had the chance to buy our pasalubong: danggit, dried pusit, and shamrock otap. Later on, we had dinner at one of the famous Su To Kil (it means Sugba, Tuwa and Kilawin….Inihaw, Tinola and Sinukaan in Tagalog). restaurants in Lapu-Lapu City. The place is similar with Dampa and Seaside where you can order your fresh sea-foods and they will cook it the way you like them to be cooked. Then, there was this man who played the harp. Amazed as I was, I asked him whether playing the harp would be as easy as playing the piano. According to him, the harp is much easier to learn as compared to the piano simply because it only consists of the “KFC” (pronounced as is but literally meant “key of C”).

Final agenda for the night: hand & foot spa and manicure plus back massage. Talk about pampering one’s self!


Monday, October 22

After 3 days of work, we finally managed to have our much-awaited post-work getaway.

Our target destination: Plantation Bay.

The resort is located in Marigondon, Cebu, about 30-minutes away from the hotel where we stayed. After settling our bills (we got the Day Tripper Package which costs Php 2,000 per person, inclusive of lunch and access to all amenities) and securing our luggage at the resort’s reception area, we headed for the day’s main agenda: to relax and unwind.



The place was simply breath-taking. Truly a sight to behold, albeit its man-made edifice. Too bad we had very limited time to explore the entire place since we need to leave at 2pm in order to catch our 4pm flight back to Manila.

After having lunch and loading our digicams with lots of scenic shots (ourselves included in the pictures, of course!), we headed to the airport. Next scene: we were practically running all the way from the airport entrance to the aircraft because we arrived 15 minutes before the actual take-off!

A few minutes later, we were soaring the skies. While waiting for sleep to dawn upon me, I thought about the events that transpired during the past days. But since the dream fairy didn’t pay me a visit, I just wondered on how things will be when we get to report for work the next day. Hay!

Two Years

Another year to be thankful for...




...the gift of family,
...the gift of friends,
...of earth-bound angels,
...of prayers and encouragement
...and most especially...for the gift of life.

Someone Else's Angel

Twenty years ago I lost a friend.

I remember how we used to spend afternoon weekdays doing our homework together, with lengthy discussions on the recent episodes of Carebears, Smurfs, Daimos, and Transformers. Weekends would mean lots of time outside: playing patintero, tumbang-preso, taguan-base, Chinese garter, and monkey-monkey with the other kids in our vicinity. Whenever we feel lazy going outside, we would play scrabble, snakes & ladders, doctor-doctor, pick-up-sticks, and yes, even jackstone.

June 30, 1987…no classes due to the feast day of our Lady of the Rose, our town’s -secondary patroness. We were playing taguan-base when he was asked to run an errand for his mom. Being a good son that he was, he obediently did as he was told. He profusely bade goodbye and promised that he’ll come back and he’ll bring pandesal for our merienda.

But he never came back.

Later on, it was my dad who told me about the bad news. My friend was hit by a speeding vehicle along Ayala Avenue, near Insular Life building. He died on the spot.

That was how I lost him.

That was the very first time that I experienced grieving over the death of a friend. I never saw him as he lay lifeless on his coffin because I wanted to remember him as someone who’s full of life and candid as ever. It took me years before I finally had the courage to watch the movie My Girl (part 1) because it reminded so much of what happened and what we used to be.

Two decades after that fateful day, I now ask myself: “What’s it like if he’s still alive today?” “How would he look like?” “Are we still the best of friends?” Probably, he could’ve enjoyed watching the Transformers movie as much as I did (he was an avid fan of the cartoon TV series, you know).

He could have been 32 years old now. But I know God had better plans for him.

Now I know why good people die young: to be someone else’s angel.

My Eccentric Family

Meet my three wonderful kids:

My Love…ang panganay kong si Leo…sya ang nagmana ng pagkahilig ko sa computer…Promil Kid…very touchy and thoughtful.

My Honey…ang sumunod kong anak na si Borgie…sya ang nagmana ng aking best physical asset…may phobia sa English…sweet ang caring pero hindi halata.

My Sweet…ang bunso kong si Patrick…sya ang nagmana ng artistic side ko (pero mukhang sumobra naman yata? hehehe)…ang pinaka-bibo sa lahat…cheerful and outspoken.

Syempre, kanino pa sila magmamana ng ganda kundi sa akin :p



Sila ang aking eccentric family…masarap silang maging anak…maloloka kang panoorin silang sama-sama…gugulong ka sa saya...at sasakit ang tiyan mo sa katatawa…

These Are The Moments

3:45AM…early birds, este, love birds: Borgie & Joel...5:00 AM...2 flat tires...option 1: gamitin si FatBoy para sa mga gamit then commute ang lahat then magpasundo kay Floryc ng Sunday afternoon...option 2: maghanap ng pampasaherong jeep na pwedeng arkilahin – NOW NA!...6:00 AM...ang jeep na biyaheng IBABAW...ang late bloomer na si Fatima (kumusta naman ang palda?)...8:30 AM...TeakWood Resort...ang malaking aso na si Betsy...9:30 AM…RED, BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW...group color band... Carl's Trust Activity Game...handkerchief..."listen and trust your leader"...obstacles...lunch...pinaputok na tilapia...pritong talong...inihaw na baboy...hotdogs...ensaladang mangga...happy siesta!...teng, teng, teng!...group cheer...best cheer: "Dida & the pussy cats!" with matching kakaibang pose ni Mikey…four-way-tug-of-war...fill-me-in relay gamit ang kutsara! San ka pa?!...karaoke session...commencement exercise: inuman to the max!...dinner preparation...same menu...Patrick's high-blood attack...mathematical equation...dida & the pasaway cats..."ayokong maglaro, masama pakiramdam ko" (naku, ayaw mo lang mag-compute!)..."eh, ako nga ang lider dito eh!"...bullseye!..."exactly what I wanted to happen!"...effective processing...ang kakulangan sa kama..."good morning, sunshine!"...ultra-amazing race...ang ABCD song ni Fatima na 99 lang ang score sa videoke...slightly magulong order ng mga stations...ang itlog..."sisirin mo, baby!"...three-leg race...Borgie & Patrick's English phobia attack...ang kodakan...Ma. Elisa Redubla (kelan pa?)...Chocolate...Buttercup...Leo, Borgie & Patrick's Choopeta dance number by the pool...awarding ceremony...Over-all Champion: B-L-U-E, Blue Tigers Team!...Leadership Award: Patrick...Sportsmanship Award: Ate Minda...Best Helpful: Dida...lampoon awards...OA sa PDA award: Borgie & Joel...Late bloomer award: Fatima…Falling Star award: Leo... ang masikip na jeep...sleep in heavenly peace...kodakan ng mga gising at tulog...isang napakasayang outing..."sana maulit muli!"

Surprise! Surprise!

"WELCOME TO ATE JHIE BIRTHDAY PARTY!"

(di po yan wrong grammar, yan ay sinabi mismo ng party host ng McDonald's!)

(please click the link below to read further details)

http://didagonzales.blogspot.com/2007/04/ate-jhies-surprise-mcdo-party.html

Reality Check

Glorify God.

Sanctify the faithful.

Am I living my mission to the fullest?

How does change affect my mission?

How do I cope up with these changes?

What is common?

What are norms?

How do you distinguish a “sing-able” song?



You may be going round in circles, or beating around the bush, but one thing is certain:

I WON’T GIVE UP.

Thanks for the “one-of-a-kind” encouragement.

I really appreciate it hearing from you and not from anyone else.

Makabagong Salawikain

Kapag maaga ang uwian...tiyak may dahilan.

Ang tunay na anyaya...sinasamahan ng hila.

Ang di makuha sa santong dasalan...isakay mo sa taxi bago pa man maka-angal.

Sa hinaba-haba man daw ng prusisyon...sa Bel-Air pa rin ang bagsak.

Ang taong walang kibo...malamang nag-iisip ng sasabihin.

Ang pagsasabi ng tapat...di lang sa text dinadaan.

Ang damdaming nasugatan..."sorry" lang ang katapat.

Aanhin pa ang damo...kung lahat ito'y nabunot na.

Pagkatapos ng sigalot...magkatabi na ulit sila kay Fatboy.


Moral lesson:
Don't let a little dispute ruin a great friendship.

Ano daw? Basta, yun na yon!



It's to see that the symphonic triumvirate is back to normal.

Goodbye...Hello

Two months ago, we were informed by my boss that she will be filing her final and irrevocable resignation. Well, honestly, I already knew this was coming. After Rachel resigned a couple of months ago, I couldn’t help but think that Ma’am Cris would eventually follow. It has become a trend in the office. I guess, it’s a good thing for those who have left RCBC for the so-called “career growth”.

Hay, I can’t wait for my turn….

Anyway, my incoming boss came in a few days after Ma’am Cris’ public announcement of her resignation. He was told about the situation during the very first day he reported for work. Tsk, tsk, tsk…a very warm welcome indeed.



To Ma’am Cris, I wish you all the best as you end your 11-year career at RCBC and start another chapter of your profession at …ngek, saan nga ba?

And to my new boss, welcome to the wonderful world of Disney,este, RCBC pala! Hindi lang good luck ang hangad ko sa iyo kundi “over-to-the-max good luckers to the nth power”! Ayan, with matching crossed-fingers pa yan, huh?

puzzled

I passed by an office supply store at Dela Costa St., and I saw a wooden thingy similar to the rubix cube. Dahil na rin siguro sa gusto kong makagawa naman ng bago paminsan-minsan, hindi na ako nagdalawang isip na bilhin yung cube. Sa sobrang excitement, sa office pa lang, sinubukan ko na syang gawin. To my surprise, na-dismantle ang cube nang i-twist ko sya! Hindi pala sya rubix cube kundi isang mahabang pinagdugtog-dugtong na maliliit na cubes na gagawin mong malaking cube na 3x3x3 ang size...kumusta naman? Anyway, natuwa na rin naman ako dahil first time ko nga itong gagawin kaya pinagsikapan ko pa rin syang i-solve...

Maya-maya pa, nakita ng boss ko, nag-try din syang i-solve...pero di sya nagwagi.

Tapos sa simbahan naman, habang hinihintay si Fr. Joseph, si Ate Minda naman ang nag-attempt na i-solve sya...hindi pa rin successful.

Nakauwi na rin ako ng bahay. Picture-picture muna ng wooden puzzle para may BEFORE photo:


Napuyat ako, huh! Nakatulugan ko na sya. Paggising ko kaninang umaga, sya ang una kong ginawa...habang nagpe-pray na sana mabuo ko na sya.

Maya-maya pa, heto na ang AFTER photo:


Kakatuwa di ba? Sa susunod, ibang wooden puzzle naman...

...pero gusto ko pa rin ng rubix cube.

After the storm...

Buti na lang nakinig ako sa payo ng aking butihing ama...kundi, malamang naranasan ko ang matinding hagupit ni Milenio sa daan...eto ang masaya: nag-text ako sa boss ko, sabi ko di na ako pinayagang pumasok ng tatay ko, sabay tanong kung papasok sya...akalain mong nag-text back: "D2 na ako sa ofc"...hehehe...kumusta naman ang pag-uwi mo mamaya, ate?

Ok na sana at nasa bahay ako...malungkot lang dahil biglang nag-brownout...birthday pa naman ni Dida...yun tuloy, di ko sya natugtugan sa Mass (sorry!)...

Later that night, when the entire Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon were in total darkness, sinundo ako nina Elay, Leo, Thina, Carl at ni birthday girl Dida dahil sa mga sumusunod na kadahilanan:

1. i-celebrate ang birthday ni Dida
2. mag-ice cream trip sa Mcdo
3. mag-occular inspection at umusyoso sa mga kaganapan sa daan matapos ang bagyo (kumusta naman ang mga babaeng naka-tube at turtle-neck sa Burgos?!)

Nakalulunos ang tanawin nung gabing yun...parang dead city ang Makati: maraming na-uproot na puno na nakahambalang sa daan, madilim, maraming kalat, nagbagsakan ang mga naglalakihang billboards sa Edsa...i really couldn't help but utter a silent prayer, I thanked God dahil sandali lang nanatili si Milenio...iisipin mo tuloy, ano pa kaya kung nagtagal sya ng 1 araw, di ba?

Dahil sa matinding depression, at dahil na rin sa walang bukas na McDonald's, napunta kami sa Powerplant...sa daan palang papunta dun, nalungkot na naman kami...pati pala Powerplant ay nakayang gupuin ni Milenio...tsk, tsk, tsk...

...buti na lang I'm was in the company of good friends



...buti na lang masarap ang McFloat, McDip, at Chocolate Sundae sa Mcdo
...buti na lang maraming nagkalat na mga guwapong hombre sa Powerplant
...buti na lang na-piktyuran ko 'tong message na naka-post sa isang store sa Powerplant:



Hay! Sabi nga ni birthday girl Dida, siguro nga kaya sobrang lakas ni Milenio kasi kinuha na nya lahat ng pain at misery para pagkatapos nun "good morning, sunshine!" na...



At kinabukasan, isang magandang umaga nga ang sumalubong sa amin...without any trace of what happened the night before...

...except for the brownout and uprooted trees along the way.

Nice To Have You Back

All's well that ends well...



"I'm coming out..and i want the world to know...i've got to let it show!"

Go, friend! Nasa likod mo kaming lahat...

..hindi na 'to "to the highest level", promise!

The Power of Two

Today is Rachel's last day at work.

I'm having mixed emotions.

I may have lost a constant companion...a programming buddy...a singing partner...a laughing cohort...a tough-but-sweet ally...



We may have gone our separate ways...

...but I know in our hearts, we will always be the Power of Two.

I will surely miss you, little sis!

Times Two

My SPPYC family feasted on 2 huge servings of PenPals Polka at Manila Peninsula.



The reason for the celebration?

Carol's birthday treat and my thanksgiving treat for my recent promotion.

Double the treat, double the fun!



Ngayon, isang long table na kami...a wish come true.