Average Pink

Hello again.

2014-04-18T10:47:00.002+08:00

Hello.

So the last time I blogged here was more than two years ago. And I honestly don't remember why I stopped. What I know is that whenever someone comes into my life who is willing to listen to all the crazy things going on between my ears, I lose the drive to blog.

Not that there is no one in my life now who has the patience for my nonsense. It's just that the bookmark of this blog caught me off-guarded so I figured looking back perhaps at just one old blog post won't hurt. One became two then three then an entire year. And here I am now.

So, hello.

A lot has happened the past two years. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot of much more crazier things than what happened before, for instance, I almost killed myself. But I am in a much better disposition now. Still cray cray at times but better nonetheless.

Today is Good Friday but nothing exceptionally good has happened so far. And I'm really sorry that this post is going nowhere but then again if you know me I'm sure you have figured it out that this is just me typing what my thoughts away.

I wish you a good day.

One of those days

2012-03-22T19:37:00.000+08:00

There are days when I just hate myself for no reason.

My hands are full

2012-03-19T17:54:00.001+08:00

Me no complain. Me just say.

Consolacion

2012-03-03T15:29:00.000+08:00

I find it weird how people react when they learn that my parents separated when I was young and it was my grandparents who raised me.

I was five when my parents called it quits and was about six when Mama left to work overseas. Since then my lolo, lola, titas and tito took care of me

Most people give me a sad, pity look, say sorry for asking and change the topic stat.

Some probe further and ask me questions until they ran out of questions, they get bored or they realize that, really, the conversation is going nowhere as I'm not going to have a meltdown in front of them.

Worst are those who suddenly turns into a shrink and psychoanalyze me - WHUT: hey, maybe that's why you're so shy and timid. WTF: you didn't have a real father figure. maybe that's why you're gay.

I always dismiss people that I must have a hard time growing up. I had a perfectly normal childhood. I say it's normal because I don't see the need to compare my childhood with that of others. Also, I really don't feel I missed anything.

If there is one person I owe for having the childhood that I had, and for what I am now, it must be my lola.

My lola, or La as I call her, attended every PTA meeting in school. She prepared every breakfast, lunch, merienda, dinner and my baons at school. She was in all three graduations that I had.

I am fond of the days when fall asleep watching TV in the sala and wake up the following morning in my bed. I remember when I just pretend to be asleep so she will carry me to our bed.

She was up every time I'm down with fever. La rubs Vicks on my chest when I have cough or colds. She rubs my back too when I'm having a hard time sleeping.

I remember a period in my life where every night I sing til my throat hurts or til I fall asleep. How painfult it must have been for her.

I was a lola's boy through and through. I was the first apo and so I was her favorite. Nine apos later, I still am.

Disrespect begets contempt

2012-02-29T17:30:00.000+08:00

And just as everyone thought that day 26 of the impeachment trial will be short and uneventful, private prosecutor Vitaliano Aguirre landed on the spotlight by making a gesture that irked Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and many senator-judges and, very unexpectedly, taunted Sen. Santiago and the impeachment court as a consequence, by justifying the gesture he made.

Photo by TV 5's JournalisMO

Just some points from a non-lawyer, ordinary citizen like me:

1. Kung nabastos ka, hindi pambabastos ang tamang solusyon.

2. You speak of human dignity when what you did trampled it?

3. I am represented by senators among other elected government officials. You disrespect them, you disrespect me.

4. Dear public prosecutors, y u no handle your private prosecutors well?

5. Thank you Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Pres. Juan Ponce-Enrile and all other senators for citing Aguirre for contempt.

Early favorites

2012-02-29T12:56:00.000+08:00

You guys watch The Voice?

I stopped watching American Idol after David Cook took the crown because it has gone really bland after that (though I must say I like Adam Lambert post-Idol). Then Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell leaving the show made it just really boring.

Anyhoo, season one of The Voice produced really good artists. On top of my list is Dia Frampton whose voice is very soothing and haunting at the same time. She made quite a buzz last season for topping iTunes downloads a couple of times. My other favorites are Xenia Martinez and Vicci Martinez.

Dia Frampton

Unfortunately, none from the first season has proved to be commercially successful. Even season one winner Javier Colon, whose voice I find too common and mainstream, couldn't make it.

Season 2 started a couple of weeks ago and melikes to share my early favorites.

From Team Blake, the team with the best talents, the eccentric Naia Kete.

From Team Adam, the Glee-ish Pip Andrew

And my bet to win this season, from Team Cee Lo Green, the dorky sandwich maker Jamie Lono

Didn't like anyone from Team Christina. Methinks her team is the weakest just like last season.

Jumping the broom

2012-02-12T01:39:00.001+08:00

So the best friend, Chaching, and I were casually texting one morning a couple of days ago about the randomest things when she mentioned that she and her boyfriend, Lance, have marriage on their mind already.

Flashback a few minutes before our text exchange started, I was browsing the Facebook profile pages of my high school classmates and was somehow disappointed that most of them are either married or have children. Well, to be honest, what disappointed me was that few have children AND are married. So there.

Anyhoo, I asked her when did Lance proposed and she said no proposal happened. She reasoned that they were too old for that or something to that effect. The two have been together for quite sometime now, four or five years, and I must say that I think their relationship is really mature, not the type most people my age have, and theirs have nowhere to go but marriage. But, come on, I'm still hoping Lance would pull some tricks and do a proposal that would further make my best friend fall in love with him. Chaching deserves it.

Chaching asked me to be the wedding planner and one of the best man. I said yes right away to the wedding planner part. I have no experience in planning weddings but having seen so much weddings in movies I think I can pull one off. Also, I have two or three years to prepare so I'm confident. Hahaha. But I had to say no to the best man part because Lance and I, we don't know each other well. The groom's best man should be his best buddy, right? So I told him that I will be one of his bride's best man, the other one would be our bestfriend Ramphel. And as the wedding planner, there would be no bridesmaid. Ha.

So there. Thought you might wanna hear from me. =)

Stella

2012-02-09T21:20:00.000+08:00

Zola Resto and Cafe.

Baguio

2012-01-27T23:10:00.000+08:00

The boyfriend and I went to Baguio last weekend after hinting how much I wanted to go there with him. It wasn't our first time to go there but it was our first time together. I was in Baguio sometime last year to interview scholarship applicants when I was still in my previous job. I also vaguely remember being there when I was very very young.

The boyfriend has been in Baguio, I'm guessing, many times. One of those times was when he was still with his ex. I know because I saw their pictures in his laptop and they're still there. No, I'm not jealous. Just sharing, stating a fact.

Anyhoo, we arrived past lunch without absolutely no plans. From where the bus stopped, we hauled our bags to Session Road to look for a hotel to stay. Took us almost two hours before we settled in a two thousand a night hotel. Very pricey for a mediocre hotel but we're too tired and hungry to search further. The only good thing about that hotel was it was located very near Session Road.

After settling in the hotel and cleaning up ourselves, we went straight to Pizza Volante in Session Road for lunch. We found the food bland and pricey and the service slow.

We then went to Burnham Park to stroll. There's not really much to see or do in that park except for boat riding and biking which we decided not to try. But we enjoyed walking with the chilly wind. Also, we watching people and making fun or judgment of them. Heh.

We had dinner at Zola Resto Cafe. While waiting for our food, a Korean girl sat with us and asked if she can take pictures with us. She explained she was with her family and it was a dare. After taking pictures she chitchatted a little but it was very hard to understand her English. Before she left, she complimented that we were good looking guys. Heh.

We were supposed to have beer right after dinner at 108 Session Road Cafe but things came up so we decided to stay in the hotel the rest of the night.

Good stories?

2012-01-27T18:23:00.001+08:00

They say bad decisions make good stories. But what do we say of people who deliberately make bad decisions just to have good stories?

My own brand of catnip if I were a cat

2012-01-26T22:35:00.001+08:00

Why visit the Philippines?

2012-01-06T17:58:00.000+08:00

Still not convinced? Find out more reasons here.

MMXII

2011-12-28T21:33:00.002+08:00

The turtle speaks

2011-12-25T17:45:00.000+08:00

After much prodding, was able to convince the boss to greet you guys.

Enjoy the holidays.

Holla

2011-12-07T16:16:00.001+08:00

So.

As much as I would like to believe that the calls I have made these past few months were good and wise, short term consequences say otherwise.

There you go.

iQuit

2011-11-13T23:04:00.001+08:00

Batan

Two days and one lecture on climate change at AIM, that's how long I stayed.

Last week, after the lecture at AIM, instead of going back to office and making sure all the deliverables for the day included in the checklist my superior prepared for me have check marks on their respective tick boxes, I went home and emailed her and the admin officer my resignation of some sort.

Of some sort because I wasn't still technically hired because I haven't signed the contract yet. Why? Because during the first day of work, no, from the first few hours of work I knew I don't belong there. But who am I kidding? That piece of paper called contract is just for formality and I still owed them another piece of paper called resignation letter for formality.

Sure, I could get used to the social (sosyal) environment, the fabricated pleasantries and relationships, and the efficient-as-a-Swiss-watch work habits. I could probably blend so well in a few days you'd think I've been there forever. But I don't want to get used to what they have there or what they pretend they have there.

So I quit.

Don't get me wrong. I don't blame the organization, the people or the way they do things there. What they have there works and works well for them. I just don't want to belong there.

But not wanting to belong there is both truth and an excuse. Truth is, I'm not sure where I'm headed to right now. I don't know what path to take. Hell, I don't even know what I want. I just want everything to stop. I wan't everything to go into a complete halt.

But that won't happen. The world doesn't stop no matter how hurt, lost or confused you are. I learned that last year.

Here we go again

2011-11-07T19:36:00.000+08:00

I got the job.

Started last week.

I don't like the social environment.

I'm thinking of quitting.

And no, I don't wanna try to fit in.

Bummer.

Sea Fairies

2011-10-31T20:14:00.000+08:00

The boyfriend brought me to Manila Ocean Park last weekend and it was awesome. The jellyfish section is my favorite.

Too bad they're doing a terrible time maintaining the park, he observed.

--
P.S.
I have snow! <3

Introduction

2011-10-28T10:47:00.000+08:00

I live in a condominium my boyfriend owns somewhere in Mandaluyong, very near from the major thoroughfare of Metro Manila that is Edsa. It wasn't exactly my plan to live with him and I'm pretty sure it wasn't in his plans either. It just happened.

On weekdays when we have work, I wake up at least thirty minutes earlier than he does. I prepare the clothes we wear to work and other stuffs we bring with us. If I wake up really early and we have canned goods stocked, I cook them for breakfast. We skip breakfast most of the time but if we still have time, we eat in nearby tapsihan or carinderia.

After work, we hurry home as if we're not spending the rest of the night together. If we're not feeling lazy, we meet in SM Megamall, Shangri-La or Robinson's Pioneer to eat out. My boyfriend likes eating out. But most of the time we just eat in restaurants or food houses in or near the condominium. If we feel fat, we cook Korean noodles or whatever we have on stock instead. Our how-was-your-day-talk usually happens during dinner.

A month or two ago we started jogging almost every night, swim in the condominium's swimming pool, and lift weights after. This stopped when we went to Batanes recently. As a result, we have gained back all the weight we've lost. We're planning to start again soon.

After dinner and our exercise habit, we spend the rest of the night watching muvees or TV series - Big Bang Theory and Glee are our favorites - or surfing the web. We don't have as much sex as I my boyfriend wish to because I'm usually too tired after work or I'm not in the mood. This worries him because I'm too young to have low sexual appetite so I'm working hard on it. Lately, we started to be more experimental and he's happy with it.

On weekends, he wakes up late but I still wake the same time I wake up on weekdays because my body clock can't differentiate workdays from non workdays. I am addicted to the internet so the first thing I do in the morning is check my iPod, Trism bon Cavalish, and check my mail, Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.

My boyfriend is usually grumpy in the morning especially when he wakes up and I'm not in bed with him. He reminds me of myself when I was younger. When he throws a fit, I calm him by crawling back to bed, kiss him and hug him from his back. When I'm in no mood to appease him or when I'm too absorbed browsing the web, I just ignore him. We usually have small tampuhan when I do this.

We live a pretty quiet and domesticated life. We go out drinking occasionally but we rarely go out with friends anymore to drink. He spends Thursday nights with his office mates playing badminton while I opt stay home. I have two best friends but we rarely see each other. One is already in Darwin, the other one is a nightwalker working in a BPO firm.

My boyfriend works in an IT company, I do social development work. He dreams of having his own business so he can quit his work. I plan to pursue my career social development but have teaching as my last profession. We dream of settling in a quiet place far from the hustles and bustles of the metro. We are also considering settling in another country, Australia being our top choice.

Run for Pasig River 2011

2011-10-25T16:03:00.001+08:00

My dear friend Allyne gave me invites to join the Run for Pasig River on 11.20.11. This is not my first time to join the marathon. We were part of the first Run for Pasig River back in 2009. But this time there is no group category. We'll ~~probably~~ run the 5k race.

Run for Pasig River 2009.

To know more about the cause, please visit their website. Registration ends tomorrow.

Fountain of Youth

2011-10-24T14:01:00.000+08:00

Part 1: Dios Mamajes

Part 2: Sabtang

Third day was rest day. Our only destination was in Mahatao to see what they call Racuaydi Nakavajayan aka Fountain of Youth. We drove from the hotel to the Diura Fishing Village and from there trekked to the fountain.

The trek was about an hour, not really tiring. There was also a great view of the sea on the way.

According to our tour guide, the first inhabitants of Batan island lived in the uplands near the now called Diura fishing village. On our way to the fountain, we saw several of stones where early Ivatans anchor their house.

When we arrived, the fountain was being renovated. The locals were fixing the falls probably to facilitate better water flow. But it was okay because there was an infinity-type pool overseeing the sea.

We first swam in the sea but found it too rocky so we settled for the pool. The water was so clean and crisp cold. Swimming in here is a must not miss so make sure you bring extra clothes if the place is included in your itinerary.

We spent the rest of the day in the hotel sleeping.

Interview

2011-10-19T19:00:00.000+08:00

Attended a job interview yesterday in one of the most prominent corporate foundations in the country. I was applying for a certain post but ended up being considered for two different posts with the same title I was eyeing. It was a panel interview, something I did not expect. More unexpected, I was interviewed right away by the assistant executive director and two program heads of the foundation, screw HR said their hiring process. But I had fun. In fact, that was the most fun interview I ever had. After the interview, HR told me that the panel was impressed with me.

Earlier this day went back for the final interview, this time by the executive director and president. The idea was crazy for me. I'm not applying anything close to a management post. And it's not as if I am going work directly with them. Not when they have body guards on their tails.

I was stammering hard during the first few questions the president asked me to relax. When I started to relax, words and thoughts came out naturally. I told them what I know and what I can do. Nothing fabricated. At the end of the interview the president told me that he thinks I'm very articulate and I am able to express what is on mind and my heart.

I went out and the HR told me that they'll inform me on the result on Friday. She said there was one more applicant to be interviewed. I interpreted that as "I'm sorry, you didn't pass. Don't expect we'll contact you. Get lost now."

I wonder what went wrong.

Sabtang Island

2011-10-17T18:17:00.001+08:00

First part: Dios Mamajes

Day 2.

We had to be up as early as 4:30 in the morning on day two of our Batanes trip coz we travelled from Batan Island to Sabtang Island via boat they call Faluwa.

Notice the water? It's really blue in real life.

Sabtang is just around three miles from Batan but faluwas leave early to avoid big waves. The two islands are separated by the Pacific Ocean and with a boat the size of faluwas, waves can be big and violent. Capsized boats travelling from and to these islands are not unheard of here.

Our Jack Sparrow

His Gibbs.

Weather was great when we left but an hour or so it started to rain and waves started to get big. I was scared as hell coz I dunno how to swim. To make it worse, they had to put some plastic cover of some sort similar to that in jeepneys so we won't get wet from the rain and waves. With an obstructed view and humid and suffocating air, I got seasick. Lols.

Nearing the shore the first thing that will grab your attention is of course the light house. Too bad tourists are not allowed to come near the Sabtang Lighthouse as the land where it is erected is a private land.

Sabtang lighthouse.

Unlike Batan where many of the houses are already modern, most houses in Sabtang are still stone houses.

Less talk more pictures now.

We visited Chavayan, the southermost barangay of the island. Our van had to be towed though coz driving in the muddy road is too much for it. There are lotsa road development and renovation going on in the island. Good for tourism and trade and the economy in general.

If Batan has the oldest stone house in Batanes, Sabtang has the oldest person alive.

With the 104-year old Lolo Marcelo.

Another breathtaking view. According to our tour guide, installment of zip line is on plan.

I wasn't able to much take pictures of the food we ate as I was too consumed on the eating. Lols. But the food they served were really delicious, uvud being my favorite. Native Ivatan food were so delicious that for a few days all the food I ate in Manila when we returned tasted either crappy or mediocre. Haha.

Yummy greenies.

Flying fish yata.

Coconut crab.

Us, the vacay people.

The famous natural arc of Sabtang.

The obligatory jump shot, of course.

Day two ended with us having dinner in Batan lighthouse. Too bad it was too dark and all I got were crappy pictures.

Real Steel, real deal.

2011-10-13T07:42:00.002+08:00

Had a muvee date last night with the boyfriend. We saw Real Steel and it was awesome. It was good because it was straightforward, testosterone packed, and downright entertaining. I felt like a child again. Also, it made boxing waaaaaaay cooler.

Yum.

Anyhoo, I would like to thank and commend SM Megamall and its security and utility personnel. I left a newly-bought watch in the table at the lobby of SM Cinema. I didn't noticed it was missing until we were supposed to leave. A utility guy found it and surrendered it to the cinema security guard. Glad SM Megamall management has this kind of people.

Btw, if you haven't seen Real Steal yet, watch out for the Philippine Flag. It's in Hugh Jackman's toolbox. The flag is inverted.

I may be a voyeur

2011-10-10T08:32:00.001+08:00

Last night after doing the boom badoom boom boom badoom boom base my curious mind wondered, what do people think about while having sex?

"I don't think of anything, I focus on the feeling and get lost on the sensation." my boyfriend A said.

"Me I sort of become a third person, watching us having sex. I answered."

"You're a voyeur."

"No, I'm not."

"You are."

"No, I didn't say I like being watched."

"That's an exhibitionist."

"Oh."