Some things I miss

Everybody knows that I lived abroad for almost a year and I can't help but get used to some things there that aren't here.

One prime example would be the TV shows. Oh. My. God. My Monday through Thursday nights were all booked by all these wonderful TV shows. Monday's definitely the big winner with four amazing shows: Prison Break, 24, Heroes, and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Thursday comes in at a close second with Grey's Anatomy and Ugly Betty. Tuesday was for the great (Dr. Gregory) House. Wednesday was for the always intriguing Lost. I got to watch these shows as soon as they were shown and it kinda irks me now that I have to wait for torrents. Every night is torrent night. My poor Sabrina–always working overtime. XD

I miss Cody. He's just the best dog ever. Every morning he comes knocking (more like scratching) on my bedroom door waiting to be let in. One time I tried ignoring him–he knocked three times and when I didn't answer he just went away. I felt bad. XD After that, every time I hear him sniffing and knocking at my door I let him in, and he automatically takes his place beside me on the bed. I never liked sleeping beside a dog, but Cody is so clean; he smells better than some people. He doesn't have that doggie smell and he doesn't shed either. Really cool. I like that he's also housebroken and lets you know when he needs to go potty.

I miss my cousin. She could be overbearing sometimes but I like that when she talks to you she doesn't sugarcoat anything. She's been good to me and I almost consider her my second mom. I remember those times when she'd force me to take vitamins because she didn't want me to get sick, and I didn't until that last week before I left. Even then, I just caught it from her and her sister because they got sick at the same time. I sometimes miss those weekend mornings when she'd just barge into my room and tell me to "wake up and shower because we're going somewhere". Oh and she taught me how to cook. I'm no longer restricted to frying. Heheh.

I miss Google maps. Whenever we go out for long drives or just simple errands, the directions were just a few clicks away. Which reminds me, I need to buy a Metro Manila map.

*  *  *

I met up with some of the Phantasma folks yesterday in Makati. It was really fun. Too bad I couldn't stay long because I had to go to a job interview. They met me at Saint Cinnamon in Glorietta and I was a bit embarrassed because I was dressed like a corporate dork and they were all in their casual outfits. *jealous* I was with them for about an hour then I left for Citibank Center along Paseo de Roxas.

I waited quite a while to get interviewed because the interviewer had an emergency meeting with a client. The interview itself went well, I suppose. She was nice enough and she knows that with just a bit of help, it wouldn't be difficult for me to ease into the kind of work that they do. Right now I'm just waiting for her call regarding the follow-up exam thingy.

I went back to Glorietta after that and I was with Crissy/Gael (cassandracsenta) for a little bit. We waited for her, uh, people to come get her. I wanted to watch Music and Lyrics (by myself!) but it wasn't being shown in any theatre in Glorietta. Needless to say, I was disappointed. Now I have to do a clickthecity on it so I know where I can watch.

Busy Bee

Ever since I got back, I've been terribly busy meeting people and preparing documents. I guess it kinda helps with the jet lag but I've been functioning like a zombie the past few days.

Here's a recap:

Wednesday. Met up with my mom and my sister at Gateway in Cubao. For the record, I don't hate Cubao anymore because Gateway is there now. XD Anyway, we had lunch. I had my first sisig meal! Joy! After that we watched The Holiday, starring Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, and Jack Black. Nice feel-good movie.

Thursday. Met up with KC at Ever Gotesco in Pasig. He bought an adapter first before we went to his place, which was about 5 minutes away on foot. I got to see him, his mom, brother, and sister again after how many years. It was really nice. I can't believe Bea's that big now. I was pleasantly surprised. Uhm, I also had some documents scanned while I was there. KC was kind enough to do the scanning for me. Then we watched Heroes, tried to install a wireless router (no luck), and they leeched music off my iPod. Had pizza, nachos, and soda, too. Couple of hours later, they let me stay for dinner. KC and his brother then gave me a ride back home. At about 9pm, I asked the driver to take me somewhere in Sta. Mesa Heights to drop something off to our travel agent. It took quite a while to find the place because the house numbers along that street were all jacked up.

Friday. Had lunch with Boker at Kitchen in Greenbelt 3. He had this fish thingy because he followed the whole no-meat rule for Lent. I had seafood as well, but not for religious reasons. I just missed On Barbie's Cue. After lunch I went to Enterprise, my old office. The people there were pretty much surprised to see me. I got to talk to my old boss, who was basically offering me a job. I told her that I wanted to settle in first, which was half of the truth. I said that I might be ready to come back in about two weeks, so that gives me 'til mid-March to decide. I stayed there the entire afternoon. They even ordered halo-halo for merienda and I got to have some myself. Yummy! That same night I participated in their bowling tournament. They were short one player for the third game so I played 10 frames, but of course, they didn't count my score. I even had a bowling uniform on. Pretty neat.

Saturday. Picked up stuff from the travel agent in the morning. Had a technical phone interview about an hour later, which I basically screwed up. The interviewer was asking me Java questions when I was clearly a Cobol programmer, as stated in my resume. What a waste of time. Submitted documents for a job in New Jersey. Had lunch with Marcelle at Taco Bell, Gateway. He performed magic tricks for me and I was impressed, especially with the coin thing and the bending forks. He also performed for two girls plus their mom, who were seated next to our table. After that I met Mei-chan at McDonald's Katipunan. KC was supposed to be there as well but he dorked out. So it was just Mei and myself. We had a couple of sundaes and just talked about stuff. She had to go about a couple of hours later to meet her boyfriend. I went to Let's Face It to get a facial.

Sunday. Sarah and I met at Ken Afford. She ordered lunch to-go. She drove us from Katipunan to Mich's place in Makati. We ate lunch there. Then we rode a jeep to Glorietta and we were giggling at Sarah because she's so conyo she doesn't commute at all. We watched Bridge to Terabithia. It made me cry, dammit. Simple movie, but nice. Rode a taxi back to Mich's condo, because Sarah got scared. She even paid for the trip. Heheh. Then Sarah and I went back to her house in QC, where my new phone was waiting. SE K750i, yeba! Dinner there and then Sarah took me home.

Ok, that was a lot. I got tired just writing about it. XD

I’m baaaack

Back in QC and I'm a bit jet-lagged. Wheee, bangag.

It’s Valentine’s Day

Bad news first:
-I'm still sick.
-My cousin and her husband are fighting because the husband had been all but a complete jerk tonight. It's Valentine's Day and he didn't even stop and appreciate what his wife did for him. She cooked a nice dinner and he had to go be an ass. Anyway, it's their business but she's still my cousin and I love her. What he did was uncalled for.

Good news:
-I feel a lot better compared to yesterday. But yeah, still sick.
-Less than a week 'til I go home!
-I bought a new laptop! Wheeeeee! And I named her Sabrina, after the movie and the water nymph in John Milton's Comus. It's running Windows Vista and is teh awesome!

Sabrina fair,
Listen where thou art sitting
Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave,
In twisted braids of lilies knitting
The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair;
Listen for dear honour's sake,
Goddess of the silver lake,
Listen and save.

So Close, Yet So Far

Ellen just wasn't meant to be. We got the confirmation letter, we stood in line, got the numbers, but the fire marshal had to ruin it. They had to cut some of us off. Oh, well. Maybe I'll get to dance with her next time.

I could've seen Rebecca Romijn and Steve Martin and Bob Harper (trainer from The Biggest Loser)! Grr to the nth power!

Dammit. I didn't even get to take a picture of myself outside the studio. Natch.

* * *

Less than two weeks left and I'm flying home. This weekend will be my last here in this house. I'll be spending the next in Murrieta and will stay there until I leave for Manila. Woo hoo hoo!

I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it
I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!

Can't wait to finally see all my friends. Old or new, it doesn't matter. Sarah, Mich, KC, the Phantasma peeps, the Sun Life nerdz… Whee!

Too bad Erin left the country already. *sad*

Ah, well. I can't believe it's all set… I'm so incredibly psyched like wow.

Pix

…can be found here.

(Or click one of the photos in the sidebar under Multimedia Gallery)

Enjoy!