Soul Encounters

The Magical World of Oz

2006-05-08T07:18:00.000+08:00

Five days (and counting) to go before I leave Melbourne for the Philippines. It’s quite obvious to anyone close to me that I’ve been waiting and itching to get back home from the moment I got here. And yet… I find myself feeling a little sad for leaving. I think Melbourne has done what San Francisco, Hanoi, New Jersey and Jakarta was not able to do. It made me fall a little in love with

Photos

2006-05-02T07:14:00.000+08:00

Here are some of my photos taken in Australia (as promised Vinnie!) Some of the pictures here I could never have hoped to write the description down, like the Shrine of Remembrance and the shades of autumn because I really don't believe I could have done justice to them.The ShrineIn Greater DetailK8 vs Black Swan (K8 wins!)K8 in AutumnLeaves on Fire

Updates from the World Down Under

2006-04-26T15:53:00.000+08:00

My company has finally done it. They have successfully dragged me (kicking and screaming, if I may add) to an out of the country business trip. For someone who absolutely hates the absolutely absurd long plane ride with its cramped seats and shady seat companions, and abhors with equal measure the lining up, moving suitcases and standing before yellow lines in airports, this was an extremely

Almost Married

2005-12-05T16:47:00.000+08:00

5 days to go and counting.By next week, waking up with the man I love would be more than just a dream.By this Saturday, I will have to start getting used to my new name - among other things, this is the most basic, most obvious change I will be undergoing.By this Friday, I will be spending the night alone in Linden, thinking, dreaming, knowing that Forever is just around the corner.By tomorrow,

New Traditions

2005-12-01T16:04:00.000+08:00

Putting up the tree had always been an exhaustive exercise for my parents. They would argue about everything in the process - from how badly it was packed in the previous year, how dusty it was and eventually, how inconvenient it was to put up a tree year after year. After years of bickering, our tree (which I specifically remember as being 7 foot tall, because “7” was one of the first numbers

Confessions

2005-11-27T10:50:00.000+08:00

“I think we need space.” Mark sounded embarrassed, as if he was admitting to a humiliating experience rather than breaking a two year relationship.I faltered. “But…” Was all I could say. I don’t even know if I said it loud enough to be heard, because he continued as if I had not interjected.“I have a lot of things I have to do, and really, there is so much on my plate right now, I don’t know

Three Weeks to Go

2005-11-23T12:47:00.000+08:00

We're almost ready, if not for the million and one things that decided to go wrong just a little less than a month to go before the wedding.It ain't that bad. It's just... frustrating.Right now though, I'm considering just letting the coordinator and Alex handle the nitty gritty of the wedding - but OC side keeps wanting some form of control.On the good side, I've lost 7 pounds in November alone.

Tip of the Iceberg

2005-11-04T12:32:00.000+08:00

The other day I found myself in an uncomfortable situation in Comic Quest, having burst into near tears (I'm not really the crying in public type, close to tears is a big thing for me), complaining and whining about the details of my bridal shower. While the situation surrounding the shower really did bother me, it wasn't really just about that. The past few weeks have been progressively

When Pain Met Silence

2005-10-22T12:18:00.000+08:00

So, you think you can bear it?To drown in the wave of fearWithout anyone ever knowing...So you think you can stop longing?And just hurt quietly because you don't matter -that much anyway...So you think you can just pray?And be granted strength and be made braveto accomplish the greatest lie...So you think you won't die?Even when nobody sees youBecause they don't want to see you...In sadness.

Top 5 Things I bet You Didn't Know About Auditors

2005-10-08T15:27:00.000+08:00

Well, maybe some auditors at least. Like the type of auditor I am. Actually, an alternative title to this blog would be "Top 5 Skills I didn't Think I'd Use as an Auditor" since, well, I definitely would have just insisted on finding a millionaire and lived a life of luxury had I known beforehand what would be included in my job description. But, alas, such were not the cards I was dealt. And

Ephiphany

2005-10-04T11:43:00.000+08:00

After much thinking, I finally figured out why my parent’s marriage has been alternating between paradise and hell and why I am somewhat traditional, somewhat liberal, depending on the issue, the time of year and the rising of the moon. Consider this:My father...SAYS: He is traditional (read: chauvinist)ACTS:To his wife – as a traditional (read: “my word is final because I am the man of the

Language of Love

2005-09-24T13:45:00.000+08:00

For the past couple of weeks, I've been experiencing mild depression and extreme stress. I can't even put up an excuse that something BIG is happening, since my life, sadly, has been quite mundane (even what I blogged earlier was not in the least unusual). And so, I take my cue from Nikki and write about how my beloved, my friends and I express love to each other.It's sappy and probably stupid

Caught in the Middle

2005-09-21T18:20:00.000+08:00

It's been a job I've had for more than a decade, ever since that painful awakening back when I was eleven, when my father took his clothes with their hangars (apparantly, in so much hurry that packing them in a suitcase was out of a question) and was ready to ride off to the sunset away from his family before I had the childish decency to stop him.It's a job. A duty. And I'm tired.Maybe my

SESTINA CHALLENGE: The Beach

2005-09-16T18:04:00.000+08:00

Please don’t make me go to the beach, with its faded secrets,forgotten, washed under waves and tides of memory.It’s uncomfortable – the sand finds ways to intrudethe crevices of our feet, even as strangers interfere on ghosts that had yearned to be aliveBut could only succeed in being remembered.Please don’t force me to explain what I have remembered.Even if the shore forgets the scars, the tide

Things I think You Don't Know About Me

2005-08-13T15:29:00.000+08:00

Most people have a nasty habit of categorizing other people in neat little boxes. I should know, I do it all the time. But strictly speaking from a theoretical point of view, I blieve that there are probably things about you that would surprise most people. It could be the ability to twist your tongue in ridiculously impossible positions, or that you can bend knuckles of your fingers at will

Sometime After

2005-07-21T21:12:00.000+08:00

After being blog barren for the past 2 or 3 weeks, I figure I update people in the format below. It's been a trying 3 weeks....Sometime after my first day of work:* I can barely touch a computer without automatically opening excel (in rare moments for no particular reason at all)* I can once again add, deduct, multiply and deduct 10 digit numbers in a list of hundreds without looking at my

Glimpses

2005-07-02T13:49:00.000+08:00

For most of my childhood, I had always walked the streets and hallways of any location I was in with my head down due to my intense insecurity. I was afraid of staring people in the eye because, sad as it may sound, I didn't think I was good enough (curiously though, I found a lot of money on the ground because of this habit). Eventually (and ironically), after several failed relationships and

Short: Letters to Natasha

2005-06-28T18:01:00.000+08:00

This story is the result of Vinnie’s challenge involving the thoughts of a man trying to live. I took some liberties with the subject matter and I hope the Bedman likes the outcome. To be honest, I have never really written in “letter” form before, but there’s a first time for everything right? Hope you guys like it. Somewhere between October and November 2005Dearest Natasha,First of all,

Vignette: Sometimes Pain

2005-06-09T19:05:00.000+08:00

She felt the first prickling of memory disturb her peace as she stared at the pink balloon that drifted outside her window. It took its time moving upwards, seeming to stop for a moment right in front of her before casually disappearing from her sight. By the time it had gone, it was too late. She had started to remember.Slowly, she put down the red crayon she had been using back with its

Ya Mean I have a little Yankee in Me?

2005-05-31T12:38:00.000+08:00

Your Linguistic Profile:60% General American English30% Yankee10% Dixie0% Midwestern0% Upper MidwesternWhat Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Interview Game

2005-05-26T16:17:00.000+08:00

Honestly, this was more difficult than I originally thought it would be.... Phew...:)1. Could humanity live without the concept of romance? Explain.No. And darn it, I can't explain why. Of course, I could always give some cheese about romance being the drug that enhances sensations; or that it provides the passion in a relationship; or even that it satisfies the human hunger for excitement, but

Vignette: Mourning

2005-05-21T19:53:00.000+08:00

There I stood, lost.It had been so surreal the way the night coughed thunder and lightning on the eve of her death. Then, just a few minutes after she died, the rains came, unforgiving and relentless, pounding on surfaces so harshly it drowned the sounds of despair that followed the realization that she was gone. Truly, irrevocably, gone.Tears fell then, countless to be certain, while people

Romance: Inevitable

2005-05-11T18:57:00.000+08:00

My Disclaimer: I've never really written romance because, while I read them, much to my fiancée’s embarrassment, I find that when I write the words, they sound cheesy even to me. However, there are some demon Love Bugs I have to exorcise and I feel that perhaps writing may be my best bet at therapy. So, sorry about the grammatical errors, but here goes...His heart stopped.She was there,

Bruised but Happy

2005-05-09T18:40:00.000+08:00

Back in college, I expressed an interest in doing a contact sport by joining Karatedo. Unfortunately, it was an all-boys club. Not that they were mean, on the contrary, they were exceptionally sweet - and, unfortunately uber-protective. As such, when I actually had my first "fight" and I had my first "punch-in-the-face" experience (which I thought was normal since it was, well, my first), my

The New Atlantis

2005-04-19T17:28:00.000+08:00

Getting Back to ReadingAlex is fond of bringing books he loves or is fascinated with to my place. Before, he would casually tell me snippets from these books in the hopes to get me hooked into reading it. Unfortunately, due to my incredible forgetfulness, it hardly worked. Nowadays he has found that leaving these books conveniently near my favorite haunts is more effective. Hence, his new

Doubts, doubts and more doubts

2005-04-19T13:21:00.000+08:00

Mid-way through my job-searching journey, I had set a tier of salary rates that would dictate whether I would say yes, no or I’ll think about it to a job offer. Last Thursday, I got word from the company I’m interested in regarding the salary rate I’m looking at and, it’s definitely in the “yes” bracket. I was euphoric.Once the elation died down, I did my calculations and noted that, at least

Back in the Rate Race (Financial Blow Part 2)

2005-04-14T15:42:00.000+08:00

2005 has been, at the very least, an unusual year. This is the year I learned that I can actually top an international exam. This is the year that Alex proposed to me. And this is the year that I, for the first time in years, have felt incredibly financially insecure.Maybe God is saying its time for me to take on the baton and run the race with not just paranoia as my back up. Or maybe its

Unforgettable Face

2005-04-11T19:08:00.000+08:00

I have been wearing my glasses for 5 days now and I still can't get the hang of it. I have yet to get used to seeing the world with frames - literally. I haven't gotten passed the point where the rims of my glasses disappear to give me an unobstructed view of the world. The good side though is that, the things I thought were blurry because of distance, are actually not when I put on my

Financial Blow

2005-04-05T17:17:00.000+08:00

Just when I was about to surrender my running shoes, new reasons to stay in the rat race have come up. Now, I have to continue running, because, if this weekend has taught me anything, it is that Life will have a more difficult time giving a critical blow to a moving target. And while others might mope, and falter, and cry and worry, I'll just keep on running.So on with the race...

Horrible Nightmare Comes True

2005-03-22T12:35:00.000+08:00

A couple of blogs back, I wrote about one of my greatest fears: to go to a hospital with my child and be turned down due to the lack of money.Well, yesterday, it sort-of happened.Sort of, because, obviously, I don't have a child, I wasn't really lacking money and it was at a clinic not a hospital.This is the story.Friday night and Monday morning, I've been experiencing mild palpitations nothing

Vignette: Eleneor

2005-03-19T12:33:00.000+08:00

Author's Disclaimer: This story/vignette is a result of time taking too long to get to 5:30 on a Friday afternoon. I wrote this in 30 minutes, so, the grammar/spelling is bound to splotchy at best. It has not been truly edited (except for the last minute changes I had put prior to posting it in my blog), so forgive me. However, I am very intrested in hearing your comments regarding the story

Finance and What it Does

2005-03-16T18:32:00.000+08:00

I've been thinking of writing this blog entry for a long time, but never got around to doing so because of some worthy and unworthy excuses. However, since I've been tutoring Saturday mornings, most of this entry have already been written down - albeit in study guide form. So, for the intrested, I'll start this series of finance lessons by going through the definitions of several finance terms

Birthday Bash

2005-03-07T20:32:00.000+08:00

Thanks to all who came to my small and kind of short notice birthday party. After finishing 24 years and going on my 25th, I still feel like a freshman in college making my way to my first class. Only now, I have auditees, a great fiance, and a greater number of great friends.Now, if only I can get through the wedding preparations without going bankrupt and/or insane...

Paying the Price

2005-02-28T13:45:00.000+08:00

When I was 4, I had a bad run with bad water that led me to have convulsions. My parents, then young and unprepared, brought me to a hospital in Paranaque, fearing that they would lose me completely to death if not to brain damage. Unfortunately, back in 1984, when the attention was focused on the turmoil wrought by the over-extended dictatorship, ethics in medicine were not widely practiced

New Look

2005-02-22T19:44:00.000+08:00

New LookThanks to a truly wonderful and incredible person who believes blog revamping is therapy, I have a new look! For over a year, I have been doing tweaks to the usually bland blogger template (and, have occasion, jumped from one template to another), but this is the first time I've actually had a "new" look. I still can't believe that its mine... But thanks to the aforementioned, wonderful

Fear and Anger

2005-02-15T20:45:00.000+08:00

Here we go again.A couple of years ago, it was the Rizal Day disaster.Now, its the Valentine Tragedy.How many more holidays do people need to ruin in order to realize what total jerks they truly are?Events like these never fail to make me angry and scared.Angry, because people, innocent people, are being used like pawns by two parties who claim to be doing so for the betterment of the nation.

Valentine Ghosts

2005-02-08T19:56:00.000+08:00

One of the more persistent demons I've had to and is still dealing with, has been the Demon of Romantic notions. Having read and watched, fiction or otherwise, numerous heart-tugging moments, had made me, alas, a frustrated romantic. Frustrated, because, despite the 5 boyfriends I've had in my life, including those in the early unjaded college years, I've never had a Valentine. Neither have I

After the Storm

2005-01-18T19:46:00.000+08:00

The results of my torturous 3 part exam to become a C.I.A (no, not the agent kind, but the Certified Internal Auditor kind) that ruined my social life for approximately 6 months in 2004 are out. And, after the long wait (it took 2 months to get the results), the agony of having to think like an American, the early morning treks to PLDT building to the review, I'm happy to say that--- I'VE

The Irony Behind the Tragedy

2004-12-29T13:52:00.000+08:00

First off, I offer my deepest sympathies to all those who, either directly or indirectly, suffered due to the Asian tsunami. This may mean little or nothing at all, but the people who were affected are consistently in my prayers. However, what I want to write about is one man's ironic destiny. This Brit is CNN's terrorist correspondent. He usually reports from London or the Middle East, does

Push and Shove

2004-12-28T14:23:00.000+08:00

I have gained a deeper insight on Vietnamese culture today. While before, I actually made myself believe that I was being pushed and shoved around because I was in a market full of people, I've actually realized that touching - whether it is to get you out of the way or to catch your attention - is part of their national character. It is not so surprising for a tindera in the market to hold your

The Mystery Is Solved

2004-12-25T22:28:00.000+08:00

Ok, so here I was trying to learn some rudimentary Vietnamese - nothing complicated, but little things you would need, like "Exepensive" and "Comfort Room" when I found out how thank you was said. According to my dad, which isn't really an accurate source with these things, so bear with me, thank you is spelled CAM ANH, but is really pronounced as "Come On". *Smack my forehead* No wonder the

Viet Nam Christmas

2004-12-23T20:03:00.000+08:00

Well, here I am. Some few thousand miles away from home, spending my first Christmas without the comfort of my own country. From the moment I arrived, the adventure began - starting with --- The Immigration Encounter So there I was, lugging around a 5 pound bag, lining up in the Immigration line. Apparently, I had the misfortune of being in a plane that arrived at about the same time as 3

What's Wrong With Blogger

2004-12-14T19:20:00.000+08:00

Help somebody! Everytime I preview my settings, they're fine. They display my blogrolling list and the appropriate spaces are in order. But that was like, 2 days ago, and yet my blog is still its old un-edited self. I checked again today what my preview was, but again, it showed that all my changes were in order - but go to my blog from another site, its different! Somebody nice enough to

Wish Upon A Star

2004-12-08T19:41:00.000+08:00

I've been thinking for sometime now about Nikki's invitation to write about your wish list. I know, I know, it shouldn't be that difficult, but I actually did require several days to think about it. In the end, I realized that its simply because, true to being an accountant, I could not consider the things that I really, really want that are impossible (or something close to that) to be part of

Race to the Aisle

2004-11-23T19:26:00.000+08:00

As soon as I got my CPA license, my mother had began her campaign of having me wed. While at first, it was mildly amusing, it certainly quickly turned into sort of annoying, a little insulting and now deeply hurting when she upped the ante after realizing that Alex and I had made vague plans of doing so. I know, I know, it's a mistake to have mentioned it. I couldn't help it then. When she kept

At Last, It's Over

2004-11-18T17:49:00.000+08:00

I know I've been dreadfully lazy in updating my blog, but, as you all guys know, there is a reasonable reason behind it. Horrible reasons actually, but nonetheless, reason enough for me to shun the temptation of internet surfing, movie watching (except for some choice picks) and even some gaming. And now, it's all over. Finally... Test Site I'd like to think that growing up in the metropolis

Letter to My Future Self

2004-09-30T20:21:00.000+08:00

Dear My Future Self, So many times, I've seen you become too involved in your emotions and in your thoughts only to forget the only things that should matter. The sad truth of this is that you will only realize the real mistake after the pain has been inflicted - on yourself and on the people that matter. What is even sadder is the fact that the realizations you make after the deed aren't new -

About To Fall Apart

2004-09-30T19:45:00.000+08:00

First off, thank you for those who continue to visit despite my lack of interest in the blog for the past month. You guys know my computer connection, or rather, the lack thereof, so forgive me if I can only update every blue moon. Will try to make it more consistent though.:) Today, my boss (soon to be ex-boss due to overseas opportunities), told me several things that hit a bit too close to

Back in the Saddle Again

2004-08-31T19:58:00.000+08:00

I know, I know... its been awhile... And while I may utter the usual excuses, I know none of them really matters at this point. An update would also be actually quite ridiculous since I would merely state the usual comments and complaints - and I don't think whining is something most people would like to hear about. So, instead, I will do my own little part in documenting the wonderfully,

What to Say

2004-08-18T21:16:00.000+08:00

I just learned today that my former boss's youngest sibling was murdered. It took 25 stab wounds to kill a young woman and the 5 month old baby in her. She was killed in her home. So when did this begin? What amount of hate does it take to commit such violence? And would would this kind of hate end, if it ever could? But more importantly, what do I say when I see the woman and her family

Summer Loving on Rainy Saturday

2004-08-09T13:00:00.000+08:00

To celebrate my Mahal's birthday, a courageous group of 9 went to IO in Jupiter last Saturday all ready to sing our hearts out. It was good to see Titus and his ever reliable "second - voicing" of all known songs to man and woman kind as well as Lenard and Mitch do his ever popular rendition of Phantom of the Opera. But what really stole the show was the song Summer Nights (from Grease) which we

Mid-Year Resolution

2004-08-02T12:23:00.000+08:00

Perhaps more and more now, I've become what I had always hoped I wouldn't be: a loud-mouthed-too-many-opinions for my own good type of individual. It's something that truly bothers me because I used to hate people like, well, the me I perceive now. And now that I don't abhor them as much, it scares me crazy. Since isn't that more proof that I am one of them? There used to be a time (I say this

Money You Can't Bank On

2004-07-20T12:37:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, I deposited a rather abnormal sum (and by abnormal I mean something ridiculously divided like P10, 853.70) to BPI Main Branch in payment of our hosting. In retrospect, the entire experience seemed bad from the start. First, the ATM's refuses to dispence anything but 500's and only up to P5,000. And so I had to withdraw P11K to pay that abnormal amount. And then I filled up the

Because I Can't Resist

2004-07-18T12:21:00.000+08:00

Found this on Jay's blog and I just couldn't resist postng this, simply because, being quite ignorant on who Ayn Rand is (except as knowng her as an author of a little complicated book of Atlas Shrugged), I just had to research her to fully understand the results. Anyway, for the record, I care too much about what people thin (as most of you know) but I'm startnig to realize that it's really

And There Goes Another One

2004-07-14T12:39:00.000+08:00

I was informed last night that another of my ex’s has decided to get married, with the ETW (estimated time of wedding) to be around mid next year. This is the second time I’ve heard of one of my past boyfriends finally readying themselves to take that giant leap into forever. While some ex-girlfriends would probably get a tiny bit jealous, some would be envious, others would be happy and still

Camelot

2004-07-09T12:52:00.000+08:00

It's sad to know that most things, even the good, great things that shouldn't end, still do. I've read many blogs and many essays on the loss of friendship, and yet none of them could prepare me for this feeling of loss. It's almost as if I've been ripped apart somewhere deep, and while I partly deny the phenomenon, I had also, partly held on even when holding on meant being angry, throwing

Curious Benefits

2004-07-09T12:31:00.000+08:00

A couple of days ago, I came to work only to find 3 rolls of toilet tissue paper on my table, neatly stacked. Thinking it was probably someone else's, I immediately questioned the witnesses around me should they know to whom they belong to. One of my officemates answered, quite seriously, that that (the tissue paper) was part of our benefits in the bank. Thinking how ridiculous that sounded, I

Pictures from Bagio

2004-07-07T12:42:00.000+08:00

Here are some of the pictures from the Bagio trip I like especiall the one with me and Alex. It made me realize that the only opinion I should be concerned of is something I already know. I love you Alex. Me and Alex Me and some of my cousins Me and My family (with special participation of Alex)

Old Wounds

2004-07-05T18:10:00.000+08:00

For the past years I have always blamed my extreme insecurity on an ex-boyfriend who did nothing but criticize me for the things I’m not. Being idealistic and foolishly in-love I tried to become everything he wanted me to be but still, I fell short of his expectations. After all, whitening creams and growth balls can only go so far. But I realized, over the weekend trip to attend my cousin’s

Remembering

2004-06-28T19:01:00.000+08:00

Sometimes, you wonder about the things you've lost and the things you've gained and the things you're not certain you have. And in those times, if you're lucky, you'll realize that you have all that you'll need, even if only for that moment. Most of the time however, fear creeps up with sure-footed grace, moving to the corners of a mind inclined to doubt because of its humanity. And I guess,

Sometimes a Goodbye

2004-06-28T18:41:00.000+08:00

There is that split second of extreme regret, which, eventually gets tempered down by sobriety in the course of my entering the office of KPMG. Within these drab walls, messy tables and insomniac workaholics I have cried, laughed, screamed, ranted and most of all, learned from the plethora of experiences I was forced to swallow, ready or not. And yet, while I now see that this life as generally

And the World Turns

2004-06-26T13:49:00.000+08:00

Last night, we had the now becoming regular game of Isle. Last night, I played with an injured foot from a stupid umbrella. And last night, I was close to tears as my character went through some pretty major stuff from losing the friendship of her ex-master/teacher to almost dying. Now, in the sober light of day, I begin rethinking the game and how I acted in it. Contrary to how this blog

Craft Conspiracies

2004-06-22T17:58:00.000+08:00

Dean's game is making me think more than it should... I actually dreamt of the craftsmen/women last night... although whatever enlightenment I must have gained in dreamland, stayed in dreamland. Alas, I am left with nothing but a distant memory of some man weilding some tool of craft in some positive manner at me... Yeah I know, big help, right? But it did make me want to rethink my theories.

Security First

2004-06-21T18:52:00.000+08:00

Here I am, experiencing my first Monday in my new workplace. Last week, I had my first Wednesday, Thursday and TGIF moments. But while my week still has one more first (Tuesday!), I'm already feeling bored... suffocated... at times hesitant but mostly bored. I gave up the "hard life" in audit in exchange for time for myself and a bit more cash. What I got, was truly not what I expected. I

2004-06-15T15:47:00.000+08:00

Crossroads I know I probably shouldn’t gripe about opportunities, but being who I am, I can’t help but wonder if I’m making the right decisions. Today, I received an offer to go to the US, specifically for New York, on a short-term secondment. This means that I will work in the NY KPMG office for six months and then go back to the local office and work for a year. All of it translates that I

2004-06-14T19:58:00.000+08:00

Friday Night Gaming Last Friday was a new gaming experience for me. It was my first time to, uh, play with Dean and Nikki (no dirty innuendo intended). And it was also my first time to play an RPG without any stats whatsoever. Truth be told, I had my doubts. Being an auditor trained me that everything has boundaries. And as a gamer, I've been trained that stats are the boundaries you set so

2004-06-03T15:00:00.000+08:00

Goodbye Audit I have the next couple of days left before my resignation takes effect. I'm meeting the idea of giving up my career for the past 2 years with mixed feelings. On one hand, I'm relieved - NO MORE BUSY SEASON!. On the other, I'm sad - no laptop, no rowdy officemates, no incredibly fun christmas parties, no more free dinners, but most of all, NO MORE BUSY SEASON. Such is the nature

2004-05-07T20:20:00.000+08:00

What Could Have Been What's written below was supposed to be my entry to the prestigious Palanca awards. As you may read, its far from being ready. However, since I'm not joining anyway, I humbly ask you all readers to give my your comments so that I may learn from this experience. And who knows? Maybe next time, I can actually do better.:) I. The world was changing. It was the year 2015

2004-05-03T17:00:00.000+08:00

Makati Living (Top 10 Lessons you learn working, living, breathing in Makati Part 1) In the tradition of my old top 10 time management lessons, I figured I might as well do a small piece to the lessons I've leanred in Makati. In truth, these are things that are probably applicable to other cities, but no other city teaches it like Makati... 10. Open Your Bag For Inspection Or at least a

2004-04-30T14:22:00.000+08:00

The Path of Spirituality Spirituality is something I deal with on a daily basis since I was old enough attend the exclusive, Catholic school in Taft. At an early age, they were already explaining the basis of our religion by utilizing our lack of knowledge of the world, then the foundations on why we have such faith and how we can use this to pray for protection and blessing, and finally, when

2004-04-29T13:27:00.000+08:00

BLOGGER REVIVED For the past few weeks, blogger and the related blogspots, would not appear on my internet. I had feared the worst: that our evil system administrator had blocked the site forever on KPMG internet. I also entertained the thought of some uber spybot selfish enough to prevent me from going to blogspot but allows me to access other sites, like Dean's journal. In the end, after

2004-04-14T16:44:00.000+08:00

Amalgam of Thoughts On My Own With nothing to do. With no place to go. With no one to talk to. Was - incredibly - wonderful. Short as it may be. Yesterday, I took my lunch break to Glorrietta, carrying my working papers, ready to do a special delivery after lunch time to one of my clients. It was liberating to be by myself - not that I'm the loner type. But being able to wander without

2004-04-03T13:38:00.000+08:00

Almost at the Finish Line And nearly running out of breath. I'm tired. I'm irritated. I'm cranky. And the only thing keeping me in this rat race is the fact that April 15 will soon come and with it - blessed vacation. At the same time, its enough to make me hyperventilate at night knowing April 15 is coming and my work still seems like a mountain yet unconquered. Ironic isn't it? What's

2004-03-24T14:41:00.000+08:00

Breathless Moments Because after what's happened these past few weeks, and because of what's happening and what's going to happen, I wil take my cue from Jet's blog and list down the moments that make life worth living. Its been said, life is not measured by the quantity of breaths we take, but the number of moments that make us breathless. For an auditor, who is on the brink of losing her

2004-03-11T09:35:00.000+08:00

Toursim is good Come to the Republic of Neelhtak (RN)! UN Category: Inoffensive Centrist Democracy Civil Rights: Some Economy: Strong Political Freedoms: Excellent Location: The East Pacific The Republic of Neelhtak is a tiny, pleasant nation, notable for its burgeoning panda population. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 6 million have some civil rights, but not too

2004-03-10T17:27:00.000+08:00

You're Godel, Escher, Bach! by Douglas Hofstadter Despite being interested in things like mathematical theory and the secret lives of numbers, you're actually quite popular. You carry on great dialogues, though you keep asking people about their heel. When faced with a flight of stairs, you always have great difficulty knowing where you'll end up, and have been known to consult a calculator.

2004-03-09T20:14:00.000+08:00

Love Hurts To the point of death apparently. Recently, I had found out that a certain blogger, unable to withstand the realization that his (ex)fiancee could not return his affections, killed himself. His suicide note was posted in his blog in the form of a letter to his significant other. Obviously, blogs are terrible in revealing details and I can only assume what's left in between the

2004-03-08T09:17:00.000+08:00

Deadlines be Damned Its my birthday, so I think I deserve a little break... at least to write up a birthday blog. Wow, its been sometime since I've updated this thing. According to the blog history, last time I updated was Feb 10, almost a month ago. Sigh, it just goes to show how bad the busy season could be. It hasn't all been "work" however. In between I have attended the launch of Siglo

2004-02-10T21:53:00.000+08:00

Breaking Down Feeling irritated, stopping to breath and then continuing to do something you hate... hate with the passion you should have been giving to something else and feeling empty afterwards...

2004-02-10T19:11:00.000+08:00

The Big Cheese Just a short side-note, up until yesterday, I never did quite feel like a... boss, even if it was a low powered one. It might have to do with the way our company culture is, or the fact that some of my staff are older than me. Either way, it was quite a surprise that one of my staff, one I considered a pal, instantly call me on the cell after I expressed annoyance at her leaving

2004-02-05T17:45:00.000+08:00

Sick and still working Yesterday, I woke up knowing that it was only a matter of time before I get sick... It was the way my through was sore, my muscles were grumbling and the way my mind simply refused to register the alarm clock as part of the known universe that gave me the hint. By late yesterday, I was having chills, coughing and was all set to be miserable for the next x number of days

2004-02-03T11:36:00.000+08:00

Part II of II: Top 10 Secrets to Time Management Still more from the neurotic auditor 5. Be nice to the support staff. Whether it may be the cleaning lady, the secretary or the cranky old coot in-charge of handling ancient documents for your company, it never hurts to sow the seeds of goodwill early on. Later on, you will reap the benefits of such, especially when you have mastered the

2004-02-02T12:58:00.000+08:00

Part I of II: Top 10 Secrets to Time Management Lesson learned by a neurotic auditor. 10. Beware of the Monday Morning Emails (MME). Do not open your email on a Monday morning. Emails received on Monday morning will only serve to increase stress and blood levels as well as carve out three fourths of your morning replying to each and every neurotic email sent by boss/ client over the weekend.

2004-01-29T10:58:00.000+08:00

Darkness There is so much potential For Velvet Sinfulness In the dark... Its unflinching gaze Flutters, Drips And savors the bare skin; As inhibitions fall forgotten on the cold floor Seeking hands seek To fulfill brazen promises As urgency replaces thought... Whispers echo resoundingly to the soul... Positions shift and lips explore For that one big moment... Of almost heaven...

2004-01-28T10:54:00.000+08:00

Perhaps in a parallel universe.... What kind of Final Fantasy Character would I be? by TheBlueParadoxYour Name/HandleYour Hair StyleCute Bouncy BlondYour Clothing StyleBlack Leather/Lots of BeltsYour Weapon of ChoiceKitanaYour MissionMission? I'm here to get paid.Your Role in the FantasyHero's Best FriendCreated with quill18's MemeGen 2.0! Apparently, my auditor instincts follow me to other

2004-01-27T18:06:00.000+08:00

Surreal If someone can actually explain the logic of the following inter-office memo, I'm all ears...: The success of the Firm largely depends on the trust and confidence that our partners and staff will gain from our existing and potential clients. While technical competence is required from each member of the Firm, professional behavior and office decorum is expected from all of us at all

2004-01-26T13:43:00.000+08:00

First Impressions and everything afterwards Perhaps now more than ever, since I took that Enneagram test, I wonder how people perceive me. For almost all my life, I have always thought and known that I was emotional and assertive, which, I believe, are the 2 most important ingredients of passion. That was why it took me a long time to come to terms with taking a course which was everything I

2004-01-22T16:36:00.000+08:00

Defeated Again Today is qualifying as a Bad Day. I wouldn't say its on my top ten Bad Days, but due to the fact that today symbolizes a new year in almost a third of the world's culture, I can't help but feel a bit put out. It started with my shining accomplishment yesterday: the tax computation. And yes, as my paranoid fears have warned me, there were several glaring mistakes I saw in harsh

2004-01-21T10:54:00.000+08:00

In the Light of Day I hate to admit it, but I take a lot of pride, sometimes warranted, other times unwarranted, in my work. This includes, among many things, my ability to understand, compute and ultimately correct income tax computations of my numerous clients. Its one of the more technical sides of auditing (ironically, is not really part of the strict definition of audit) and requires one

2004-01-21T09:05:00.000+08:00

Conscious self Overall self Take Free Enneagram Personality Test Enneagram Test Results Type 1 Perfectionism |||||||||||||||| 70% Type 2 Helpfulness |||||||||||||||| 65% Type 3 Image Awareness |||||||||||||||||| 74% Type 4 Sensitivity |||||||||| 38% Type 5 Detachment |||||||||||| 46% Type 6 Anxiety |||||||||||||||||| 71% Type 7

2004-01-20T19:12:00.000+08:00

Best Moments -- 2nd Philippines Sci-Fi Convention Here are snippets of the best moments for me: Knight Jinx to 6 year old boy (points to a picture of Superman et al book): Look! Superman! 6 year old boy looking at book: You mean the Justice League? and then there's this: Elvin, while ordering in jollibee, turns to us: Jollibee has no breasts! Female behind the counter, with a straight

2004-01-19T18:11:00.000+08:00

2nd Philippines Sci-Fi Fantasy Convention Phew... the title alone is indicative of just how long the weekend was due to the Con. I'm writing this a bit late and probably, most of my readers would have already read about it in other blogs, since, well, almost all of the participants are part of my blog soul mates circle. But I'm putting my 2 bits worth anyway, simply because I want to thank all

2004-01-19T09:45:00.000+08:00

You are 24% geekOK, so maybe you ain't a geek. You do, at least, show a bit of interest in the world around you. Either that, or you have enough of a sense of humor to pick some of the sillier answers on the test. Regardless, you're probably a pretty nifty, well-rounded person who gets along fine with people and can chat with just about anyone without fear of looking stupid or foolish or overly

2004-01-16T19:53:00.000+08:00

Worse places to work Finally, I've found a place worse than mine. The travel My little adventure yesterday to the now conquered lands of Quzeon City (cue: applause) became a nightmare (cue: emphatic aww...). First off, it was really traffic. I wish I could say it was in QC, but sadly, the traffic was in Buendia. I had left Makati at 2 pm, thinking the 2 and a half hour travel would be

2004-01-15T10:18:00.000+08:00

Another Day, Another Opportunity Today, I'm going to the yet untravelled road called E. Rodriguez for another interview with another bank. When I mean untravelled, I wasn't exaggerating. Growing up in Las Pinas and only recently moving to Makati has made me unexposed to the joys of Quezon City, Cubao and anywhere else beyond Megamall. But, despite the anticipated nightmare of a traffic jam,

2004-01-12T12:37:00.000+08:00

A Deep Breath Finally, after a long (and I mean long) week, I can finally take a deep breath and say... yep, the first busy season hurdle has been taken cared of. Now, I'm just spending my time finalizing the packages I will be sending to various countries in the world and prepare for the more difficult new encounter with the Bank and pray that somewhere along the way, I won't lose most of my

2004-01-05T14:47:00.000+08:00

Painful New Year While everybody was getting over their respective hang-overs from the new year celebration, I celebrated January 1, 2004 in subdued depression. The first thing that I heard you see, upon waking up, is my grandmother (who had previously caused my dislocation from my condo unit) meddling into the "core" family affairs. Her target: my mother (her daughter-in-law). Her fodder:

2003-12-29T18:06:00.000+08:00

Holiday Reflection Quite recently, I had received what I had thought was the answer to all my prayers to get out of my not-so-enjoyable work place. It came with almost wondrous timing -- I was tired with the amount of work, I was pissed with my so-called peers and most of all, I was frustrated with the resource management policies my Firm adhered to. And so I sent my resume to a Headhunter.

2003-12-22T15:47:00.000+08:00

Hectic Christmas Weekend As the title suggests, its been one helluva hectic weekend. As I type, I'm currently nodding off due to exhaustion. It doesn't help that the next couple of days would be even more hectic as Alex and I will be navigating and balancing family obligations during the so-called holidays. But, as always, the thought that it is Christmas, whether or not I'll get any rest

2003-12-17T16:33:00.000+08:00

Encounters With Magic I never really consciously knew when I started wondering if I had encountered or have unwittingly used magic. Its like a slow awakening -- you don't know when you dreaming stopped and reality began. In my case, I can only remember knowing that there must be magic. Most probably a magic deeply rooted in our very creation -- after all, we were made in the image of God. We