Typical you

Do you really think I don't notice what you're doing? It's pathetic actually. You haven't changed AT ALL.

Whatever. I thought you were my friend. I guess not.

JT-SNL (nyahahahahaha!)

Movie Night

Watched Twilight on its opening day here in the US. Our viewing was scheduled at 10PM but we (Augs, Don, Joy, Mich and I) decided to go early... as early as 8:45PM at Fox Cinema. We were anticipating the throng of movie-goers... and what do you know, we were right! As early as 8:45PM lines were already formed! We all felt like we were going to a High School party as the theater was filled with teenagers (kasama na kame dun!); teenage girls, teenage couples, teenage cliques. Too bad Jet missed all this! Hehehe. Cleary Twilight mania has hit the US. Hmm... I think I'll watch it again with Turon when I'm back in Manila.

Halo

It’s like I’ve been awakened
Every rule I had you breaking
It’s the risk that I’m taking
I ain't never gonna shut you out
Everywhere I’m looking now
I’m surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you’re my saving grace
You’re everything I need and more
It’s written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray it won’t fade away

Vanity

Wala lang... I just like this picture a lot. Thanks to Don and Color Accent.

*Taken at National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC

Oplan Starbucks

Ever since the first time I was introduced to the Starbucks planner, I was hooked. It became kind of a tradition in our team (my old HP team) every Christmas season to give each other stickers. Even those that are not really that much into coffee and Starbucks, we usually convince them to buy one for the sake of the all-important sticker. Great friends eh? :D

While talking to Derick in YM, just found out that he just needs 6 more stickers!!!! I miss having them around to fill up the missing stickers... more importantly, I miss being in the Philippines to fill up those stickers for myself. I have actually tasked (note: Tasked! Oplan Starbucks Planner:D Turon to do this for me. I told him that by the time I come back to the Philippines, I should have my very own planner (Demanding ba? Hehehe. Love you Turon!) 'coz I usually get mine even before December starts!

Happy collecting to those who are doing so! :)

Crybaby Am I?

I usually cry watching sad scenes from movies and TV series. Even if I'm watching with other people, I just let it out. Grey's Anatomy doesn't fail to make me cry and that's what we usually watch here to kill time during the weekends... Joy owns the complete series from Seasons 1 to 4! Even if I have already watched seasons 1-4, I still am very much insterested in watching them again aside from the weekly season 5 TV airings. I guess I really like crying. Hehehe.

I'm not sure how and why but I feel like somehow it acts as a release for me especially with all my 'emo' moments... Hehehe. :)

Joy nood na tayo! :D

NY Tour

Back from NY! Had a blast! Will post more kwento and pics soon! Tinatamad at inaantok pa ako ngayon..."

Istorbo ba? =)

Lately, I have been finding myself talking to almost everyone in my old team/old company via YM and Gtalk.

I guess I have been missing home more than I am realizing. I am missing Turon kaso naman! Lagi na lang tulog! Hahaha. Of course there is the consideration of our major time difference so I don't talk to him via YM/Gtalk as often as I would want to.

No, I am not settling by talking to my old team mates because yes, I miss them all too.

So if you find that I am bothering you via YM or Gtalk, miss ko lang kayo! Hahaha! XOXO!

Ouch!

October to early December is the Flu season here in the US. Add to that the extreme change in the weather going to Fall from the Summer. Believe me, it's freezing cold here every single day! I feel like we are in giant refrigerator. Brr!!!! Hey, I myself is really not a fan of a heater. I would choose cold over heat any day... but the cold here... now... is just much too much that we actually use the heater in the car. It gets to 0 degree Celsius in the nights here and the highest we have is around 10 deg!


Ok, what was I talking about? =)


Flu Season. Yeah! We just got free Flu Shots here in the office. My right arm is actually hurting now but it's just the price I have to pay to be free from flu for 1 whole year!


Let me barrow McQ's tag line.... Free stuff is love! =)

stupid

Yeah. You woke up the bitch in me.

nagtitipid ako...

My very first Starbucks drink here in the US...


And only because it's free here in the office this week! Hehehe.

Under Construction...

3 months down, 2 more to go!

These are some random thoughts going through my head right now. I should warn you, they don't necessarily form one cohesive thought. Just some ramblings.
• So excited to go back home.

• Earlier today, I was missing the most mundane, simple things I do back in Manila. Like riding the FX from Buendia to 11th Avenue with Turon, riding the LRT and going straight to Ever Gotesco Grand Central mall to buy some dinner, riding the awful elevator in our office building, etc., etc.Nowadays, I just try to keep my negative (meaning homesickness & loneliness) emotions to a minimum. I keep myself busy to stop my mind from wandering to those saddening thoughts. I must sound like a baby, whining and whining about missing home BUT! I haven't been away from home, from Turon for more than a day and 5 months is... much too much!

• Things to Keep me Busy
1. read Twilight
2. read New Moon
3. watched Grey's Anatomy Season 4 (finished in 2 days! Just in time for the 2-hr season premier this Thursday)
4. shop for pasalubongs =)
5. go to church
6. listen to Eclipse audio book
7. and oh yeah... work =)

• 2 weekends ago, we went to Old Town Alexandria to see the sights and the Art Show. I'll probably post some pictures some other day. I'm too lazy to do it now.

• I'm actually waiting for 8PM to watch the latest episode of Gossip Girl now. This is what I love about being here, I am super updated with the series!

• Yesterday we went to Fair Oaks Mall... mall was kinda small, smaller than Dulles Town Center anyway.

• I'm bored (obvious ba?)

What's mine is not mine!

Nakakainis!

This is getting ridiculous!

superhuman

Weak
I have been crying and crying for weeks
How'd I survive when I can barely speak
Barely eat, On my knees

But that's the moment u came to me
I don't know what your love has done to me
Think I'm invincible
I see though the me I used to be

You changed my whole life
Don't know what your doing to me with your love
I'm feeling all super human, you did that to me
A super human heart beats in me
Nothing can stop me here with you
Super human (I feel so superhuman)
Super human

Strong
Since I've been flying and righting the wrongs
Feels almost like I've had it all along
And I can see tomorrow

Where every problem is gone because
I flew everywhere with love inside of me
It's unbelievable to see how love can set me free

You changed my whole life
Don't know what your doing to me with your love
I'm feeling all super human, you did that to me
A super human heart beats in me
Nothing can stop me here with you
Super human (I feel so superhuman)
Super human

It's not a bird, not a plane
It's my heart and it's going, gone away
My only weakness is you
Only reason is you
Every minute with you
I can feel like I can do anything
Going going, I'm gone away in love

You changed my whole life
Don't know what your doing to me with your love
I'm feeling all super human, you did that to me
A super human heart beats in me
Nothing can stop me here with you
Super human

Super human

presenting...

fickle-minded me

I really am starting to hate myself. One minute I'm OK, but then the next, I am not! Ano ba talaga gagawin ko? Yesterday I was okay with staying here until December. Turon and I even talked about it already. But today, I WANT TO GO HOME!!!! Am I doing the right thing by choosing to stay? Or am I being a baby for wanting to go home? How did I get myself into this situation? How? Why? How?!?!

I really don't know what to do. Jet uwi na tayo!

Homesickness

Lately I've been feeling all kinds of emotions most probably brought about by my homesickness... I miss my Turon so much. Only thing that helps me get by is my Ashburn family... Kaya lang isa-isa na rin silang umuuwi!!! Waaah!


Taken during Richie's despedida....

me! me! me!

seriously...

I can't afford to listen to sad love songs right now 'coz if I do, I might burst out crying...

I just miss you so much. =(

Washington DC + Baltimore Maryland Weekend

Saturday:

Went to Washington DC to go to our White House tour. Yes, we went inside. =) It was a short tour as we are allowed to tour the first floor only. We saw the Library, Vermeil Room, East Room, Green Room, Blue Room (I'm guessing that above this room is the Oval Office since the room was oval-shaped), Red Room, State Dining Room, Entrance and Cross Halls. I personally love the Red Room, probably because of its color. Hehehe. Although, I saw this stunning painting of Jackie O. in the Vermeil Room... she really is gorgeous. There were guards in each room and most of them were available for questions. They basically know everything about the room they are guarding. Ask them anything and they have an answer. Questions about the painting, furniture, displays, etc.... Too bad cameras were not allowed. From what we've heard it is only allowed during the Christmas season when the whole White House is filled with Christmas decors. I wonder how it looks like...

After our quick tour, we decided to tour the rest of Washington DC as well. We walked and walked and walked to see the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Before the day ended, we were all exhausted from walking and the heat! The trip was fun, nonetheless. =)


Picture! Picture!

Sunday:

Good Morning Baltimore!!!!

We were singing that line (from the movie Hairspray) repeatedly since we were in Baltimore Maryland! The streets there were picturesque and tourists were everywhere. There were 'parked' ships and even a submarine along the Chesapeake bay. Yet another tiring but definitely fun day. We walked around the bay area and took a lot of pictures!

Pictures to be uploaded soon!

Two Days --- Two State/Municipality

Exciting Saturday!!!

Yep! We are going here... INSIDE!!!!

...and we skipped all these:

White House Tours

Public tours of the White House are available for groups of 10 or more people. Requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (excluding federal holidays), and are scheduled on a first come, first served basis approximately one month in advance of the requested date. We encourage you to submit your request as early as possible since a limited number of tours are available. All White House tours are free of charge. For the most current tour information, please call the 24-hour line at 202-456-7041. Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.

My Personality Type

Groundbreaking Thinker (GT)

(Just visiting? Take the free personality test and determine your iPersonic type!)

Groundbreaking Thinker (GT)


Groundbreaking Thinkers are charming, enthusiastic persons. They really bubble over with energy and like to take centre stage. They love variety both professionally and privately. Groundbreaking Thinkers tackle changes consistently with their optimism and firm belief in their own abilities; they are always on the look-out for improvement possibilities. Their excellent communication skills are of great advantage to them here. They approach the world with curiosity and openness and master new situations with a great deal of talent for improvising and with resourcefulness. Their spare time is taken up with a large number of hobbies; most Groundbreaking Thinkers like to travel in order to gather as many different impressions as possible. This personality type is unbeatable at discovering new possibilities.

In their work, Groundbreaking Thinkers highly rate challenges and diversified tasks. They cannot stand routine and too detailed work. They love to astound others with bold ideas for an original, new project and then leave it up to the others to implement them. Hierarchies, rules and regulations arouse their opposition and they love outsmarting the system. It is vital to them that they enjoy their work; if this is the case, they quickly become pure workaholics. Their creativity best takes effect when they work independently; but they are very good at motivating others and infecting them with their optimistic nature. Conceptual or advisory activities appeal especially to Groundbreaking Thinkers. It can happen that some people feel somewhat duped by their flexible, spontaneous nature.

Their sociability and enterprise ensure that Groundbreaking Thinkers always have a large circle of friends and acquaintances in which activity plays an important role. As they are mostly in a good mood, they are popular and very welcome guests. Grumbling and peevishness are unknown to them. However, they do tend to be a little erratic and unstable when it comes to obligations and this makes them appear to be unreliable to some. Groundbreaking Thinkers are very critical and demanding when it comes to picking a partner because they look for the ideal relationship and have a very concrete picture of this ideal relationship. Mutual aims in life are very important to them. They do not like compromising and would rather remain alone. For the partner, it is often a challenge to have a long-term relationship with a Groundbreaking Thinker. Groundbreaking Thinkers need a lot of space and diversity or otherwise they become bored and feel cramped. Types who are rather more traditionalistic often have problems with the willingness of Groundbreaking Thinkers to take risks and their often crazy, spontaneous actions. However, if one can summon up sufficient flexibility and tolerance for them, one will never be bored in their presence and will always have a loyal and faithful partner.

Adjectives which describe your type
extroverted, theoretical, logical, spontaneous, rational, innovative, intellectual, open, independent, curious, enterprising, analytical, clever, enthusiastic, venturesome, inventive, energetic, sociable, optimistic, non-conformist, creative, freedom-loving, charming, able to get enthusiastic, self-confident, communicative, capricious, inconsistent, outgoing

These subjects could interest you
documentaries, books, talks, museums, computer, Internet, strategy games, politics, drawing/painting


***Got it from Cecille's post... Tagging everyone who reads this! =)

Best Girl and Boy!!! =)

I sooooo love Katie and Joshua from So You Can Think You Can Dance Season 4 (US)!!!

are you ready boots?

These boots are made for walkin'

And that’s just what they’ll do

One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you...

Got it at Cutesygirl

happy! happy! joy! joy!

Inexplicable happiness...

No Tax Weekend in Virginia!

Circuit City here I come...

a week away from home

Ok, so I’ve been here for a week now and so far, so good. Last night I did my laundry the very first time (the American way that is…) using the washing machine and the dryer. Washing machines here are quite different from the ones we have in Manila. Here, there is a direct connection to the water and you can choose to use warm or even hot water! Ayus dba? It was my first time to use the dryer as well, I know mababaw, but really, I was amazed! Hehehe! Nakakatuwa coz by time I was finished, all I had to do was to fold my clothes and put it back in my dresser. No more kusot, piga and sampay! And all my clothes smelled fresh and clean kahit hindi naarawan! (parang pang commercial na ah!)

We pretty much have a system going in our house. There are 6 of us in our apartment, you would think it’s crowded, but surprisingly, it’s not. Each of us is assigned to cook lunch/dinner everyday of the week. To save up, what we do is cook a big meal for dinner then save some and eat the remaining dish for lunch the following day. Aside from saving up on cash, we usually save up on time as well since cooking time is reduced by half! :)

Anyway, enough about the stuff in our house. So far, we have been to:

Dulles Town Center
Walmart
Grand Mart
Marshall’s
Macy’s
JCPenny
Best Buy
Toys R’ Us

It’s pretty much obvious that I am having the time of my life here, but I have to say, I still am missing some people there in Manila. Mich is going to DC for the weekend to meet up with some relatives and Jet will explore Virginia with his relatives as well. As for me, stuck in our house with no plans at all. Hopefully, I won’t get homesick and bored. I hope Alwyn and Noel would want to go to malls and outlets stores para sasama ako!

Next weekend, I’ll be going to New York!!! Woot! =)

kwento kwento

Yep, I'm finally here...


In just 2 days, I feel like I have undergone so much... mahirap magkwento so bullet points na lang... Hehehe!

* I REALLY hate good byes.
* Traveling is like getting an injection... I hated the first part (waiting)... but once it's over (goodbyes), everything becomes okay.
* I'm not a big fan of long flights.
* Roads here in the US are huge compared to the ones in Manila, and bad traffic is practically non-existent.
* My very first purchase here in the US... a GO PHONE! :) Now I can text Turon for just $0.10!

Confused...

... that's what I am!!!


I love this trip... really... I do!
I love the opportunities it presents, both professionally and personally.
I love the experience I will be getting, the lessons I will be learning... the money I will be saving! Hahaha!


HOWEVER, I hate the fact that I will be leaving him for 3 months...

I know! I know! They say that 3 months is not that long... BUT it's my life and I say IT IS long! Waaah!!!

how was your weekend?

Mine was great…




P.S. I said yes

here we go...

• To those who do not know, I am currently embarking on a semi new path and I’m happy to say that things are definitely looking up! So far, so good! =)

• Last Saturday, we went to Lamesa Ecopark to play Paintball! It was fun, but I got hit twice… AND IT HURTS!!! I now have two bruises, one each side of my hip.

• Watched Sex and the City afterwards, and I must say… I love, love, love, love, love it… made me miss the series though…

• Finally got a copy of the last 7+ episodes of Gossip Girl!!! Will watch it on the weekend… Thanks Joy! (though I hope she’s not reading this… hehehe)

Happy 2 months to my nephew! =)

closing time...

every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end...

lost something...

I really think that there is something that is unsaid here…

It’s a reality that I have learned to accept…

Makes me sad, especially when I think about the memories…

But then again, differences can’t really be denied…

And changes are inevitable...

For all it’s worth, I was being true to myself all the way…

Never did I put on a mask nor pretend to be someone else…

Wala lang… sayang lang…

It's time everyone flies...

Cebu Pacific’s ZERO Fare…

With all of the changes happening in my life lately, I almost forgot to post about Cebu Pac’s latest promo, Zero (0) fare! I’m not really much of a traveler (yet! ), so I’m still not quite sure if these kinds of promos really give you big savings or they just make you believe that you do get big discounts… either way, I just booked me and my family tickets to go to Hong Kong!!!

Disneyland and Ocean Adventure here I come!!! Woot! Woot!


My Passport’s very first stamp…
This would be our very first international trip as a family, my Mom, Dad, Ate, Joseph (my sis’ husband) and… Turon! Yes, my family includes Turon.. hehehe! Actually this would be my first international trip. Among all of us, my Mom really is THE traveler. She has been all over the Philippines, Asia plus the US. This would not be her first time to go to HK but as for the rest of us... first timers!!! :)


Money talk…
Yeah I know this will make a significant impact on my savings (SAVINGS? ASAN!?!?!) but the decision was pretty much easy to make. The trip is not until October but already I am counting the days… errr… months pala. Ang tagal pa eh…


P.S. I’m excited!!!


P.S. I’m really, really, really excited!!!

start of my goodbyes

Only a week, then I will be officially resigned… I will be leaving the company that has helped me enter the wonderful world of IT. Almost three years ago when I first entered HP and looking back I feel so grateful for all the experiences and memories that I have gained. My tenure in the company (naks tenure! eh less than 3 years lang naman!) has by no means been boring, that’s why I have never felt so torn when I was about to accept the other job from another company. I won’t stay for the work but I would definitely stay for the team.

The friendships that I have built in my team have truly been wonderful and it would really, really be very difficult to surpass. But then again, I still have no idea of what lays ahead. For those of you who don’t know, I belong in a team where work is crap but relationships are the BEST! We work hard and play even harder ika nga!

Things that I would miss:

• Noise in our area!
• The symphony of laughter coming from Glads, Regal, and of course, Derick
• Derick’s “opportunity for you” talks
• Noise in the pantry
• Ivo’s alta de sociedad ways
• Noise in Enterprise’ Food Park!
• Jokes about Ivo’s age. LOL!
• Noise in the elevator
• Derick’s boys
• Noise during team meetings
• Office love teams
• Noise in Chili Peppers
• RTCIS virus
• Shift A mischiefs
• Noise ulit
• Shift B camaraderie
• Noise coming from the whole RTCIS team
• My team… RTCIS

“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”

-Dr. Seuss

I'm back...

Just a little sad right now…

hmmm...

Nagiisip ata si Gab… :)

Omari Gabriel Generoso

Welcome to the world baby boy!

Tita Freya loves you!

(more pix here)

best valentines ever!

Turon and I had our very first Valentine’s Day date ever in the 7 years of our relationship! Yey! He usually gives me flowers, this year was no exception but we don’t really celebrate the occasion by going out on a date. However, this year, we had a Valentine’s Day lunch date at Italiannis! Yum!

Continuing with my valentines day, my shift mates and I decided to go on a group date since we were all stuck at work and can’t have dinner dates with our respective significant others. Roy, Volt, Derick, Gabz, Ivo Gladz, Jam and I braved walking through Ayala and went to Glorietta to eat at Tender Bob’s (Jam and Derick were craving the pork spareribs). Unfortunately, when we got there, the Tender Bob’s stall was already replaced with another resto… that’s how lucky we were. We then decided to eat at “Binito’s” (Aveneto), waited there for almost an hour to be seated but it looked as if we were in for another 30 minutes of waiting so we finally decided to eat at the food court! So much for our fancy Valentine’s dinner!

Seats were crappy, food was so-so, but nevertheless we still had a blast which proves that we really know how to have fun no matter what situation/place we are in! J After which our “Daddy Volt” was supposed to buy us cake (well, actually buy Gladz a cake) but again unfortunately, most cakes were already sold out! Lahat ba ng gusto natin ay hindi talaga matutupad??? The cake was changed to a gallon of ice cream, again changed to a scoop of ice cream for each and finally to a Jollybee sundae for each! Thanks Volt! Hahaha! Our misfortunes didn’t end there, Landmark was already closing up by the time we got there, we actually ran for the door since the metal gate was already going down! It stopped when it was time for Derick to pass… hmm… maybe Manong Guard got a sense of the royalty that was to pass (our queen bee according to Ivo… Luv yah Dek!) Moving on, passing through Enterprise and the underpass, all the escalators were already turned off!!! Jam was wrecking havoc on the Enterprise escalator! (May construction!!!) By the time we got back to the office, it was already 9pm and we were all tired and sweaty.

Valentine’s day is supposed to be celebrated with the people that you love and I’m very happy that I was able to do so! Luv yah Turon! Luv yah guys! Mwah! Mwah! Tsup! Tsup!

7 years

Yep it’s our anniversary!!!

7 years with my mahal/baby!

Last year I was able to make a collage…

But alas, this year I have too much work to do so… (sigh)

Nonetheless, Happy Anniversary baby!

Thanks for coming into my life 7 years ago! :)

technical rant

It’s really frustrating when you are doing your best yet you keep making mistakes!!!

When you’re trying to prove that you can do it independently, life will find a way to prove the exact opposite.

Sorry life, I’m not done trying to prove it just yet!

usermod sucks!!!

maybe...

Few days back, someone asked Turon the perennial “abroad” question:

Officemate: May balak ka ba mag abroad someday?
Turon: Wala naman
Officemate: You must be earning well. The reason why some people don’t have plans to migrate is oftentimes because of the good compensation they get here in Manila
Turon: D naman sa ganun…

Yep, still no plans…

Officemate: Nakarating ka na ba sa ibang bansa?
Turon: Nope, not yet
Officemate: Ah! That must be the reason. Pag nakarating ka na sa ibang bansa, pag balik mo sa Pilipinas you would wish to leave again
Turon: Maybe…

Now that has got me into thinking.

Turon and I, when asked if we want to migrate in the future, without hesitation we say no. But then, she made a valid point… Maybe we just don’t know what else is out there. Maybe more opportunities are indeed present outside of our beloved polluted, crime infested, corrupt country.

Maybe...

signed! sealed! delivered!

Yup, it’s finally official! After almost a month of wondering and hoping… :)

Another great big step (exaggerated ba?) for Freya and Turon... well... mostly for him! Side effect lang sakin. Excellent side effects though!

Great things really do come to those who do not wait! Hehehehe.

realization and facts

First few days of the year and I am not feeling well. This morning I had my 2nd asthma attack after 1 year of not having one. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. This country is getting way too polluted for me… hay naku… but still, thoughts of leaving the Philippines still hasn’t entered my mind. Hehehe.

Anyhow, I just opened my Friendster account and while I was getting my daily dose of “stalking” I realized that many of my high school and college friends are getting married if they are not already married. Yep, our batch has officially entered the “marrying zone”, like the “debut-zone” during our first-second year of college only this zone is life changing. Add to that, some even have pictures of their kids as their primary photo in Friendster. Gawd! I’m kinda feeling old right now… honestly, my mindset is still on “new-college graduate” but then, I realize this. Time really does fly!

Moving on, fact is, I am and will continue to be swamped with work and responsibilities at my job this year. Yep, I know that and that is the cold truth. Yet somehow, I seem to still not be busy! Yes, this is me again, PROCRASTINATING! I know I should start working on some things already, get a good headstart, but I just can’t. I’m still on the holiday-vacation mode even though I had been working (on-shift) since January 1! I need to get out of this funk and really start working!!! GISING FREYA! MAGTRABAHO KA!!!!

Hmm… maybe I’ll start on Monday… Hehehehe.

happy new year!

I haven’t been blogging for quite a while now… been busy with other stuff I guess. Oh well, no better time to start again than on the first day of the year.Let me start with asking you guys how your holidays has been?

Merry Chrsitmas and Happy New Year!

Yes indeed, it is now the year 2008, how fast time flies right?Anyway, I think this was the best Christmas ever, gifts-wise… below are my most favorite things that I got:

First is a new watch from Turon. Love you babe!
Second is a nw phone!!! At last! This one is a combo gift from Turon, my dad, my mom, my aunt and myself. Ehehehe. Tulong tulong dba? Naawa na talaga sila sa phone ko.


Last but definitely not the least is a Guitar Hero (controller) from Turon again!!


Yey! I absolutely love this Christmas! Thanks to everyone who gave me gifts!
Still accepting gifts this whole month of January.