xoxoxo

We love chocolates and so my colleagues and I frequent the nearby department store during lunch break. Once we were scanning the shelves and the next thing, I was thinking aloud. “If Hershey’s will be introducing another Kisses variant, what would they name it? ‘Make Out’? Since they have ‘hugs’ and ‘kisses’…” Jing replied, “Get Laid”.

Other ideas?

May in a nutshell

I know, I know! I was a truant from blogosphere. Now you may turn to me and with wide eyes exclaim, “You’re alive! Where in the world have you been?”

Alright, here are why. But we shall run through it quickly because I know you won’t care about the details…



The finish line

It all started when our College Head offered me to enroll my remaining 6 units in advance. That meant 30-hour per subject tutorial classes to make it in time for graduation. I had my name included in the invitation draft, graduation gown and cap measured, and I attended rehearsals but only completed the hours required and took the final exams one day before graduation day


Unexpected guest

A special visitor arrived in short notice and had to stay with us for a week. Well, this one needed help and of course I volunteered to be an instant counselor. You’ll get to know more about the guest in due time…


Man at work

My 5-month leave from work had expired by end of April and I reported back to work first working day of May (even though the aforementioned friend was still with us) Well, not yet as busy as before I left but that’s just because my superior’s been too busy herself to mind me. Unfortunately, aside from the policies on midyear bonus which disqualified me for said benefit, I’ve learned that I wasn’t included yet in this month’s payroll and so here is “The Employed Who Cried ‘SOS Mom!’” – as in Salary Of Son is withheld until next month.


The wedding date

A former schoolmate tied the knot in her hometown which is 3 hours away by car. Left before sunrise, wedding’s at 2PM, arrived home 10PM. *snorezzzZZZ*


Teacher in the making

One of my Alma Maters finally called me for teaching demo as I applied for a part-time teaching job. Maybe a subject or two in the evening… I’m wondering, what type of instructor will I be because even though I tell myself I’ll be a good one, who can really tell?

aromatherapheutic?

Excuse me...

I never thought farting could smell good. Thanks to Nescafe Body Partner - Relax, smells like coffee - with chamomile. :-)

infamous

Disclaimer: This post contains adult theme. If you find such offensive, do not read any further.


School was dragging. We were left alone to work on an exercise but the computer I was using won’t cooperate. My frustration’s worsening. I muttered, “This is so boring, I’d rather have sex”. Some classmates overheard and no sooner it was literally the talk of the class.

These (some) other versions were later concocted by my fans err… classmates:

“It’s so difficult, I’d rather have s**”

“Read about our report ok?” “Ugh! I’d rather have s**”

“We might be late. We better have s**”

A Pre-Valentine's Day Accomplishment

Done reading S. Meyer’s ‘New Moon’ .That checks one of the goals I set to accomplish this year. Great! I’ve successfully raced against the release of its movie by November.

But then only recently I realized that as far as the objective is concerned, it’s been long accomplished with the ‘The Da Vinci Code’. And just a few weeks ago the poster of ‘Inkheart’ at the theater reminded me that I had read it a couple of years ago. Anyway at least I’ve proven that I could adhere to my goals.

Here’s an excerpt from the book suited for Valentine’s Day…

“Before you, my life was like a moonless night. Very dark, but there were stars – points of light and reason. And then you shot across my sky like a meteor. There was brilliancy, there was beauty. When you were gone, everything went black. Nothing had changed but my eyes were blinded by the light. I couldn’t see the stars anymore” – Edward Cullen

Get me going

February came with a heap of things to do until the third week it seems.

Since the seminar we attended last week, stuff started to pour in. Now the problem is my tendency to fall into a trance when I realize things pile up. Much as I wish I could be the Energizer bunny at times like this, there simply are days (plural emphasized) when I just can’t get going.

Like last Saturday, I woke on my regular time which is good 2 hours early for my weekend class. But then I remained curled on bed until I lazily reached for the book I was reading before I slept; Twilight that was. At least the vampire and the clumsy girl succeeded in shaking my thoughts into a consciousness that’s better than drowsily scanning my room.

I glanced on the clock; it’s 15 minutes past the official schedule. It has been an unspoken covenant between us and the instructor that the class would never start on time which manifests that somehow all of us have the same Saturday morning struggle. I made my first major decision for the day. I texted a trusty classmate to give him the lamer version of ’I am sick’ excuse (could be sick of attending class that early) which he promised to relay. Fast forward to few days later, I learned that our teacher was absent as well. That was my lucky day! Edward Cullen was right – it’s healthy to ditch class sometimes. I’m grinning at the thought.

I’m done with the book and now reading its sequel since a couple of days ago. Hmm I hope I won’t forget to claim my prize from Aby this afternoon. We had bets over lunch yesterday as to whether or not Edward ate food. I’ve marked page 207 last night to settle that.

Back to reality now, we’re aiming to make a special Valentine issue of the school paper so I ought to be proofreading the contributions received so far or drafting my own article. Unfortunately, I can’t decide which to do first. But one thing doesn’t leave me a choice: all must be done by tomorrow so the ones in charge of layout could work over the weekend.

I hope blogging helps me get started.

Drop the script shall we?

EPISODE 1: ‘Watermelon’

Oxygen: One medium Tropical please!

Storekeeper: What fruits?

(‘Tropical’ is a mix of any 4 fruits of one’s choice; there were only 5 options in the stall that time)

Oxygen: Uh watermelon, apple, mango & banana

Storekeeper: Sorry, it’s too late to slice the watermelon tonight. To guarantee freshness, we make sure to sell such fruits within the same day they are peeled/sliced (In other words, you can’t have your watermelon because you didn’t come earlier today, D’head!)

Oxygen: Ok… I see that I have no option what would make my tropical blend then. (The math of it isn’t tough, A’hole!)

Storekeeper could be thinking: (Actually you have an option on its permutation. In what order shall we put in the only 4 fruits available? Stupid!)

Oxygen gulps at the thought of challenging the storekeeper in math then gulps his tropical shake which, surprisingly, is refreshing even without the watermelon.

* * * * *

EPISODE 2: ‘Sour Cream’

Oxygen: Strawberry fizz float and McShaker fries for dine-in…

Counter: What’s the flavor of your shaker fries?

Oxygen: What are the options?

Counter: Cheese or Sour cream…

Oxygen ponders for a second…

Counter: but only cheese is available tonight, sir

Oxygen breathes in, then out: And I was given a choice huh?

Counter flashes her [likewise-scripted] smile

Oxygen would like to advise Miss Counter to stay away from the fryer as distant as possible because it’s beginning to fry her brain but then Oxygen just shook his bag of fries vigorously.

Two, O’s and Nine

Two. The first two movies I watched this year were ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Mysterious Skin’. Coincidentally, both stories ‘happened’ in mid-late December; ‘Sex’ on New Year actually.

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It’s the Year of the Ox!

And oh, it’s my sign and so I’ve made a checklist out of what gotohoroscope.com has to say about Ox people:

The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work…

1. Such people are dependable, calm and modest: True
2. Unswervingly patient, tireless in his work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint: Fairly true
3. Needs peace and quiet to work through his/her ideas: Yup
4. and when he/she has set his/her mind on something it is hard for him/her to be convinced otherwise: Somewhat true esp. if it’s my reputation’s at stake .
5. has a very logical mind: Yep
6. and is extremely systematic in whatever he/she does, : Drop the ‘extremely’ and it could qualify for true
7. in spite of a total lack of imagination: Nope
8. These people speak little: No
9. but are intelligent,: Ahem!
10. and when necessary, they are both articulate and eloquent: Always ‘necessary’
11. The ox person is not extravagant, and the thought of living off credit cards or being in debt makes him/her nervous: *Trembling*
12. The possibility of taking a serious risk could cause the ox person many sleepless nights: True
13. These people are truthful and sincere: In intentions, yes. But politeness could interfere when I have to say it
14. the idea of wheeling and dealing in a competitive world is distasteful to them: Not absolutely; just not plunging into it headon
15. Rarely driven by the prospect of financial gain: Yep
16. These people are always welcome because of their honesty and patience: very much
17. They have many friends: yes
18. are rather introverted and wary of new trends: somewhat yes
19. although every now and then they can be encouraged to try something new: yes
20. ox people are sociable and relaxed when they feel secure: fairly true
21. can be very naive about affairs of the heart: *nods*
22. It takes time for him/her to develop intimate relationships: true
23. and show his/her feelings,: always shown, hard to say
24. but once such person is committed, the partner will be totally loved and trusted: Yes!
25. Ox people are observant; they have remarkable memories and are good at reporting on absolutely everything they observe: Very true
26. approach work seriously and as long as they are not forced into the public eye they are able to think clearly and plan meticulously: yep
27. They maybe not too fast when it comes to making decisions: *singing* Let’s take it slow, so slow…
28. but they are a skilled organizers and logical thinkers: yes
29. It is suitable for the ox to know his/her schedule or timetable and although he/she can rise to challenges and, to some extent, deal with the unpredictable; the ox would rather be well-informed: Yes, please?
30. and work within a fixed framework: Uh-oh

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That’s sooO me

Fashion Trends S/S ’09 takes on ‘almost androgynous’ with its cuts and colors. Since I won’t be able to pull off the baggy pieces, I might as well embrace the cuts and colors, few at a time. Truly, the palettes either soothe the busy person or uplift a dull disposition whichever is the case. Fashion isn’t for the modern man, style is. Adding ‘M’ to eccentric makes ‘me-ccentric’!

(Photos from cosmoworlds.com)

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Nine goals and resolutions for this year

1. Get in good shape
2. Sustain #1
3. Try the thing called “savings”
4. Finish college
5. Seek career advancement; whatever form it takes
6. Create a new header for this blog
7. Release a second issue of the school paper (usually there’s just one per year)
8. Signup for another business
9. Outdo a book-turned-movie. I.e., finish the book before its movie is released

Horoscope Flash

Cheesy but I read horoscopes. Not that I've sworn my faith in it but its coincidence to reality amuses me. Fairly there are days when it isn't about me but today, it is. Just how much today's read struck me that I logged in Blogger to post about it @ this supposedly lunchbreak in school.

Cancer

Today, you deserve a break from all the heavy analytical thinking you have been doing at work or school. Instead, step back from the arguments and issues and let everyone else deal with the headaches for a while. You've paid your dues and put your fair share of energy into the problem. This is a day when you should focus on doing some fun things -- you'll find playing with children especially rewarding, right now. There's something about their imaginative energy that will invigorate you. (Friendster)

The past weeks at work has been draining. Thankfully, schoolwork is quite cooperative and merciful since next week is sports meet so only those enlisted for the games and pep squad and the secretariats were exhausting themselves during the day thus evening (my) schedule is freed up. Otherwise I could have lost consciousness if not my sanity due to stress.

My boss was on sick leave for two weeks after an accident and wasn't completely functional yet upon returning. With due consideration to her condition, we deal with backlogs little by little. The influx of tasks however is not as considerate. So there were backlogs because much as I wanted to be the hero to save the day, I simply could not proceed without her decision and even though I'm a direct-report employee, I'm not her alter-ego that's eligible to pass through an imaginary "Authorized Employees Only" sign as far as authority with a capital A is concerned. But to talk of compassion with a capital C, I didn't contact her by any means while she was on leave to give her the rest she needed.

Ok, we're attending to those things now... To her desk I go and have her review/sign correspondences and other papers... Five down, two to go. My hopes are pulled back to earth because as she inscribes her sought-after signature, she would discuss to me other matters that just came from the manager's office and when I leave her cubicle, I have a new set of to-dos as if a redeemed gift or prize in exchange of some proof of purchase.

Coincidentally, the mother of the manager's (only) secretary succumbed to cancer last week; thank God the kind woman's suffering has ended. The secretary's granted emergency leave. But the manager would need help and this is when we put into use one of the many slashes trailing my job title: My actual appointment slash Admin Assistant.

Oh well, didn't I just defy my horoscope by posting this? Told you I don't put faith on it. I'm glad though that I did "find playing with children especially rewarding" except that it isn't "right now" but on Thursday night during the birthday of one of my instructors. Their son and I played together with his toy cars and another guest teacher congratulated me because try as she did, she can't come to terms with the kid's game and end up annoying the child.