Drive

At long last, I finally took my first step in learning how to drive a manual car, no less. I went to my A-1 orientation this morning from 1030 to 1230 pm at their branch in SM Marikina. It was good they finally had a branch nearer to me for the orientation. Before the SM Marikina branch, the nearest venue for me was SM North Edsa. Thank god for SM Marikina, it was spanking new and not a lot of jologs around since it only opened late last year. The mix of stores was also good, so it was a nice place to have my orientation and have lunch after.

I was a bit surprised when I got to class and found out that out of around 10 students, around 6 or 7 were older then me (think late 30's to mid-50's). At least I wasn't the only one putting learning how to drive on hold. The class was okay, I learned a bit of the basics. Being the OC I am, I bought A-1's driver's manual for P400. Raffy was saying it was a waste of money, but I wanted to make sure I've covered the basics. I'm reading the manual now, and it's very informative. I know that I won't lack for info and tips on driving.

Tomorrow we're scheduled to go to LTO to apply for my student permit. By Wed or Thu, I'll have my first hands-on driving experience with an instructor. I think I'll do well, as long as I don't let my nerves get to me.

Sunday Steak

It has become a habit for Raffy and I to have steak for dinner every Sunday. The last two weeks, we had Sunday steak at our fave steak place, Steak M.D. Tonight, we decided to have our steak dinner at Hot Rocks in Libis because of the proximity. I was so hungry that by the time the steaks came (T-Bone large cut for both of us), I forgot to take a picture. I've already taken my first bite when I looked at Raffy and exclaimed, "We forgot to take a picture!" Raffy hadn't taken a bite out of his steak yet, but the plate was already messy since I exchanged steaks with him (typical me, I prefer steaks which have more fat than lean meat). We took a picture anyway. The meal was perfect (except for the lassengos at the side who were really noisy). Turned out, Sunday is discount day for steaks at Hot Rocks. So instead of paying P225 per steak, we only paid P180. Raffy and I each had two cups of rice each and a pitcher of iced tea :P Can't wait for next Sunday, I'm still on the lookout for our next steak haunt.


Excuse the messy plate, but the steak was delicious

After dinner, we walked around a bit. We were planning to go to nearby Eastwood, but got lazy since we were so full. So we dropped by Blushing Cupcakes, also in the same complex as Hot Rocks.



The smell of the place is so mouth-watering, that we couldn't help but buy cupcakes for our midnight snack later. It was one of the best evenings we've had in a long time.


Blushing Cupcake's selection of mouth-watering desserts

Trina Sings At Last!

We had a pre-Valentine's Party last Friday at Trina's house. Attendance was good, the food and entertainment, better. We feasted on pancit malabon (c/o Raffy and I), inihaw na liempo and bangus from Tito and Trins, lechon kawali and lechon manok from Vans and Claire, and pork adobo/ hamonado from Floyd and Mike. The drinks were a combination of hard liquor (c/o Jason and Joy), but no beer in sight (thank God). It was a great party! We only had the magic sing, but everyone sang and for some reason, common sense flew out the window. Even Trina, who normally doesn't sing, sang two songs! Namely "Ang Huling El Bimbo" and "I Will Survive." Tito even sang a few of his signature songs :). We had a videoke showdown, boys vs. girls and in the middle of it all, everyone DANCED, including me! The living room turned into our mini Sidebar.



Claire and Vanny did a bit of pole-dancing against the house gates. Trina's dancing skills were fast improving. Mine, sadly, was strictly limited to pa sway-sway to the music. But I did drink not just Gran Ma, but Arctic Vodka (tama ba?). The party lasted until 5 pm, and it was a great great time to be with friends and just let it all loose.


My new-found love affair with flavored vodka.


Here's to the next party!

The New Job

I like, like, like my new job. It's still a work in progress, still have to learn the ropes. But so far, I'm liking it. I like how we bring new items in the Philippines from Australia and see how it does locally. I like going to auctions and the HMR offices in Balintawak. The reports are really interesting, but I guess it's a given that I'd find it interesting since I'm a reports-type of person.

Last Fri, Raffy and I bought a desk and chair so I can work more comfortably at home. Before the desk and chair, I was sitting on a bangko, while the laptop was on top of the coffee table. It really was uncomfortable especially on the thighs! I love our purchases, both items cost around P1,800 only! Raffy set-up both chair and table on the same night (before going to Trina's for a fun, fun party). Now I'm happily typing away, minus the cramp in my thighs :)

The Last Day

Last Friday (Jan 30) was my last working day in the company. I was so surprised that turnover with Gel took only 30 minutes. Packing my stuff took only a few minutes, as I've been packing and cleaning since Monday. By 11 am, I was finished with everything - as in there was no need for me to hang around in the office anymore. I was also able to finish my clearance before lunch, so it meant no follow-ups next week or the week after to make sure my last pay is released. It actually surprised me how fast and easy everything took that by the time 1 pm came, I was really at a loss as to what to do. So I visited my FB account, read some of my friends' blogs, made chika with some ofc people. By 2 or 3 pm, people started to leave to go to San Juan, where the company will have a big GA. So by 4 pm, I was alone at my side of the office. Some of the lights were turned off and the aircon was only at FAN strength. I couldn't complain since this is the way I wanted my last day to be. No frills, no dramas. Just a simple goodbye and that's that. I can't say the Company was my favorite of all the companies I've been with, but it certainly was the most intense and challenging. Good luck to all the friends I've left there. I guess I'll miss working in an office where it's actually unheard of not to watch cable while you're working. So now I can heave a great sigh of relief and start fresh.


I'll miss Mother's hotel-like washroom.


My view from my desk - I got to watch all my fave cable channels everyday.


My now-empty workstation


All my office things fit in one gym bag

The Last Week

Today marks the start of my last week in the Company. It's the last week of mental and physical harrassment from the corporate life and I cannot be happier. I'm thinking the sigh of relief I will be releasing by Friday will be one for the books. I would have wanted to celebrate and treat everyone out to dinner and one round of drinks, but as everyone who's had the chance to resign knows, I'm virtually penniless until my clearance is A-okay.

So right now, I'm waiting for my and DSJ's McDo delivery (for brunch). I'm determined to make this week a happy one. So for the moment, I can only allow myself a celebration of Hamdesal with egg and cheese. I'll still work on my projects diligently (Hah!), with the goal of making sure DSJ and ACJ don't have a hard time when I'm not here anymore and they take over my work.

From M & B

My constant dinner buds (and gripemates) Monique and Brianna surprised me with an advance going away gift during dinner tonight. Thank you M and B! I super love the bracelet and earrings you gave me :) Both are so me - because they're both pink and made of pearls. If I know anything about myself, is that pink is my color and I always somehow look better wearing pearls. Mwah and see you at the party tomorrow!

My Favorites

Aside from R2, there are three other people (actually - 1 cute baby and 2 adorable pets :) ) who top My Favorites list. The first one is my sister's cute cute little boy, Matthew. I've attached his photo below so you can see for yourself how adorable he is.






The second one is my cat, Otto. He was with me for almost ten years before he passed away and went up to heaven last Sept. He was my constant companion every minute of every day. He slept by my side every night, waited patiently by my bathroom door with his paws inside my slippers as I finished my bath, and doesn't go to sleep or eat or do much of anything unless he knows I got home safe and sound. He was my guardian angel and up until now he still is. I miss the feel of his soft fur as I hug him tight while he enjoys every moment of it. Even during the last seconds of his life, he was hugging me as I felt the life leave his body. I cried for a day and even took a day off, I felt so bad and the loss was incomparable :(






But now that Bruce is with us, the sadness of losing Otto faded away a bit. Bruce is our four-month old Mini-Pinscher, and as you can see, he loves the camera and has a personality as "kulit" and as pa-cute as his Daddy.

Starting Over

I only have 6 working days to go before I say goodbye to my officemates, my cube and this group of companies I've been with for a little over 4 years. It may only be 4 years but it feels like eternity. I never thought a job could change a person so much, but mine did. Unfortunately, the job changed me into someone not very nice. With my leaving at the end of the month, it's an opportunity for me to regain who I was before (a really nice girl despite what Bru and Tanders say!). I actually notice that I've been happier the past few days and that I talk and smile to officemates more. During my stay here you can probably say I've been a bitch to some people. I realized that patience is not one of my virtues especially if you deal with the people I deal with on a daily basis. I guess thinking of leaving this place really changes a person's perspective. There are only a handful of people here that I would miss when I leave, and I really wish that they, too, can escape the rat race and do something they love for a change.

I wish this most especially for DSJ, who's one of the strongest persons I know. She's also genuinely nice, so she deserves the best.