Road Trip + Surprise Call

I skipped work today to avoid the NLEX traffic. I can't conceal my excitement while I drive myself to Bataan. I miss my Bee very much. I can't wait to see him, hug him big and tight. I miss how he makes each day of my life euphoric.

Driving alone makes me reflect on things and do crazy stuffs to wriggle out boredom and sleep.

1. I had movies in my mind. Situations and scenarios that I would like to happen anytime in the future. Sometimes, it's just so high to day dream and when I dream, I dream big. *heehee* Why not? It's free!

2. Had a new playlist in my iPod. Played them in full blast and I was singing like I was in my solo concert. *haha* Thanks to my magic tint, my identity was guarded. *battling eyelash*

In between, I was chomping Kitkats.

Almost an hour after reaching the farm whilst I was in a middle of my nap, I heard "How to Save A Life" playing. It was my phone ringing pala. I'm in total disbelief to receive a call from Mr. BB.

If you're a frequent reader of my blog, you know who he is. For the benefit of those who happen to bump my blog just now, Mr. BB is the Country Manager of this company I called "my first choice" in my previous entries. The company I've been meaning to be part of. The same company I was about to join in 2005 but missed on purpose because of Samsung's counter offer. I almost regret missing that opportunity but as I've said I never deplore anything in my life. I always believe that things happen for a reason. You may not understand in the beginning but later on when the right time comes, the justification of that action or event will unfold.

Missing an opportunity is one thing, getting it for the 2nd time is something! No more turning down this time. I'm gonna grab it! *beams*

The Leopard Experience

It's hard to contain my excitement when Leopard was finally installed in my Macbook. I was so eager to drive home and explore the 300+ features of it. I doubt if I'd be able to go over them one by one. That would be insane! *heehee*

I'd still need more time for enjoy this little joy of mine. Something to do on my days off!

To my fellow Muggers, why kill yourself of waiting some more? Go get one! *beams*

Our WEDsite

I’ve been contemplating on making a wedsite for Xave and myself. However, I don’t know how, where and when to start.

Thanks to the long weekend and to Pops, who introduced me to the Wedding Announcer. She’s the wife of my former officemate, Cocoy. They are newly weds.

Visit our WEDSITE at http://xavierandtammy.weddingannouncer.com

You’ll get to know us, the Groom and Bride and the special people who will be part of our big day.

P.S. Our wedsite is still “work in progress”. So please bear with us as we complete all the pertinent spaces with information.

Enoy reading! *smiles*

5 months to go...

I’m beginning to panic. So many things to do, so little time. Or maybe, we have been procrastinating a lot. *slaps forehead* My head is killing me now. Headache!

It’s a long weekend and I’m spending most of the time in front of my computer endlessly doing research on suppliers to get for our wedding. We have to be finalizing all contracts with suppliers by now. But I’m stuck here staring at nowhere. *guffaw* It’s just so difficult to be temporarily working alone. *sigh* I have to be productive.

Save the Date, done!

P.S. Peeps, I have finally uploaded pics in my previous post, Long Weekend It Is. Check ‘em out! =)

Wedding Finger: Why The 4th Finger?

Why do you call it the ring finger? Why do you need to put the wedding ring in your fourth digit when there are other choices? Here is the attempt to answer this question.

The THUMB represents your parents.
The INDEX (second finger) represents your siblings.
The MIDDLE finger represents yourself.
The RING (fourth finger) represents your life partner, and
The PINKIE (fifth finger) represents your children.

Now, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers and hold them together - back to back.
Secondly, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip.

(As shown in the figure below):


Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents), they will open. Why? Because your parents are not destined to stay with you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later.

Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings), they will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their own separate lives.

Now join the Index fingers and separate your little fingers (representing your children), they will open too, because children also will get married and settle down someday.

Finally, join your little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse).

Can you do it? Can you separate each ring finger?

You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT, because Husband & Wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!

FANTASTIC!

Patience

Patience is the ability to accept to tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. Most say patience is a virtue.

At work, everyday is like a test of my patience.

Professionalism is the competence or skill expected of a (working) person. I simply do not understand why some people lack traits I expect to be essential in a human being, for an employee to be specific.

Sure, I have to comprehend that not all people are the same. Not everyone is lucky enough to be trained well by his or her superiors to be able to fair with others. I guess, I’m again having this high hopes for my team and I’m beginning to be upset as they are not meeting any of my expectations.

Oh well..

Everything In Its Time

Sometimes I wonder what lies ahead
How long till my hunger is fed
They say it's hard to make it in this part of town
So many people on this merry-go-round

Some folks try astrology
Some turn to crystal balls
To find an answer,
To get through it all
I just fall on my knees and I try to pray
In the silence I can hear Him say

The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time

I often feel like I'm two steps behind
Somebody must have moved that finish line
There are a thousand reasons
Why I should give up
But I'm stubborn in the things I believe

The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign

'cause maybe there's another plan
One I still can't see
A little surprise, like your love in my life
Funny how time changes how we see

The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time
Everything in its time

Live, Laugh and Love

Later in life you’ll learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul. You’ll learn that love doesn’t mean yearning and company doesn’t mean security. You begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and gifts aren’t promises. You learn to build all your roads today because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans.

After a while, you’ll learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much. So plant you own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. You’ll learn that you can endure, that you are strong and you have worth.

Learn to live, laugh and love!

Que Horror!

The usual scenario on Fridays, traffic everywhere. To top that off, it’s Midnight Madness plus the Octoberfest in Metrowalk (I think). I started to believe this caused the severe traffic in the metro. Until alarming messages flooded my inbox, first three came from Xave recounting the explosion incident in Glorietta Makati. He was in the farm watching the news on TV whilst I was in the office infront of my computer. I immediately clicked Safari and opened the GMA News and Inquirer sites. I didn’t know it was that serious until I saw the pictures and articles in the internet. There were 8 fatalities and 30 casualties (now, 113 as of press time) and still counting. Goodness gravy!

I feel so bad for all the victims of this tragedy. Who would think that a leisurely afternoon in a popular shopping mall could turn out this way?

I hope the weekend would be peaceful. Take extra care people, and spend some time with your loved ones…

The Knot

Check time, it’s past 10pm and I’m still in my work clothes! *eeeek* Xave has been out of my sight for 2 days now. *sob* I have to keep myself busy so as not to feel his absence that much.

Ok, I’ve finally explored this wedding website Anele (thanks dear!) advised me to take a look. Doing so, took 3 hours of my time. I find the knot very efficient as I can make electronic budget and guest list. Big help! *smiles*

This wedding prep is making me crazy! It’s hard to find time now that I’m back to work. We really need to get a coordinator the soonest possible time.

Oh, I better hit the shower now.

The Long Wait Is Over

Finally, Leopard to ship in October 26! (27 in Manila)

Xave is leaving for Bataan tomorrow. He’s back to work and he’ll be away for like 20 days. I will surely miss him! *no doubt* Another adjustment for me but it’s fine. I embrace change. I can visit him on weekends anyway, that is if he’ll allow me to drive alone. Sometimes, he tends to be so protective. As if I never drive alone to and from Bataan. *sigh* So, what’s the connection of Leopard to Xave?

BIG!

Leopard will help me divert my attention from Xave not being here to my Macbook and that’s what you call right timing! *hahaha* Can’t wait to let Xave know about this Leopard coming next week. He’ll be twice as excited as I am. *beams*

Long Weekend It Is

I’m exhausted but I’m happy. Essentially, these are the things that transpired:

Weddings…get set go!!! Bridal Fair @ Rockwell Tent
(October 13, ’08 Saturday)

Xave and I went to the bridal fair, hoping to book a designer but we failed. Edd Sy was the only one who joined the event and we were a bit disappointed. We wanted more options. *sigh*

We saw a special gift for our Principal Sponsors (ninongs and ninangs). It’s the same gift Cardinal Sin gave to Pope John Paul II that is currently displayed in Vatican together with the other gifts received by Popes (not by Pope John Paul II only). Impressive isn’t it? We didn’t think twice about getting them. Can’t wait to personally hand them to our Principal Sponsors and to have one, too! *wink*

We met Lito Genilo (by accident) in person! *funny* His the best supplier we have to date. Can’t wait for our February Pre-Nup Pictorial! *heeeheee*

Bataan (Oct. 13 to 14, ’08 Saturday and Sunday)

Today is my nephew Tomi's (Thomas Peter) christening. He’s bigger and fairer now! I was holding him almost the entire day. I love him and I miss already. *straight face*

Tomi's best shot (irritated, hot inside the church)

Tomi with me in a barong

Tomi with Mommy (his Momma)

Tomi with Tita (his soon-to-be Momma #2, or maybe Momsy?)

Xave with 3Ts: Tammy, Tracy and Tomi

Today is also the "Pamanhikan" of Xave's family to my family. It went well. No more awkward feeling as they have met several times already in my almost a decade of relationship with Xave. Seeing Tita and Mommy do their usual "beso-beso" made us feel so differently. Exceptionally in bliss!

I was in the passenger seat all through out the trip. Umm, I have a little confession to make. *giggles* To and from Bataan, Xave kept on playing wedding songs (from the CD we got from the fair and from my iPod). He is actually looking for the best wedding song to play while I walk down the aisle. *sweeeeeet* I can’t help but shed tears *shy shy* whilst listening to these songs either once or over and over. *hahaha* Oh well, I just hope he didn’t see me in tears. *teehee* But I guess, he did. *pout*

We have 2 songs in mind and still searching then, Xave will choose later on. Oh, suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Please leave comments. *smiles*

So that’s it for now, can’t think much. My stomach is making some weird noise, hungry maybe. Gotta go for dinner.

P.S. Tonight is the premier of PBB, let’s see if the names listed below will make it inside. I’m dead curious, really!

Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2

For PBB fanatics, 13 celebrity housemates (7 women, 6 men) all set to enter Big Brother’s house in October 14. Want to know who are they? Read on…

Most of them, I do not know...

1. Ethel Booba (sexy comedienne)
2. Megan Young (part of Starstruck of GMA 7)
3. Marylaine Bierner (from 26 K of Deal or No Deal)
4. Jen de Silva (from 26 K of Deal or No Deal)
5. Rizza Santos (October 2007 FHM model; beauty queen)
6. Zarah Aldana (dethrone of Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific)
7. Yayo Aguila (wife of actor, William Martinez)


8. Baron Geisler (actor)
9. Donald Geisler (brother of #6 ; into taekwondo)
10. Jon Avila (Bench model)
11. Victor Basa (actor and model)
12. Will Devaughn (Cosmopolitan Bachelor Bash model)
13. Macoy Fundales (former lead singer of Orange & Lemons; original theme song of Pinoy Big Brother.

Who do you think will be the big winner? Hmmm….I’d go for Jon Avila. Why, I don’t know. *hahaha* I just feel he can be the next Sam Milby. Let’s see….*wink*

P.S. As per the news tonight (730pm), the list above is not yet official. Well, let’s see.

My Round of Blogs

If time permits me, I do my round of blogs --- old friends, lost long friends, friends that are miles away from me, bag reviews, fashion (what’s in and what’s out), gadgets, and more others that arouse my curiosity.

I carefully choose what to read. Hopping from one blog to another is like shopping for good books and magazines to read. I always wanted to make sure I learn something from my readings because I love to share. If I bump on good reads, certainly they’ll go straight to my bookmarks and I hit that save button. Good times!

What do I like to read?

REAL STORIES of course! Definitely not "MADE UP STORIES" or "EXAGERATED ENTRIES". I don’t understand why these exist? To make the writer feel good about himself/herself worst, to just have something to write and publish? Pathetic isn’t it? *hahaha* I just don’t know why posers are everywhere. They should have chosen scriptwriters as a career. They’d be able to get benefit and earn from their mere imagination. I just don’t get it why people tend to be so UNREAL. Do they get peace of mind in doing this crap? If they get certain euphoria on it, then I would like to be one of them, too! *muwahahhaa*

Seriously, I pity people living in illusion. For the longest time, I’ve been gravely thinking what made them live in delusion. Fallacy blogs don’t have a space in my bookmark. More so, fakers don't have a place in my heart. Soweee...

Two Hearts, A Thousand Details

Commitment, Intimacy, Partnership…these concepts characterize perhaps the greatest milestone of any individual’s life. A wedding is a cause for excitement and meticulous preparation for both man and woman.

Getting married is neither a piece of cake nor a bed of roses. It is a tedious process that needs careful planning. Things need to be done by priority and according to the need --- we could not just do anything at random. A wedding checklist would help with the things that we need to accomplish first up to the minutest details that we need to bear in mind on our wedding day. After many reading and browsing finally, I got hold of a checklist to aid us on the timetable for our much-awaited wedding.

We still have a long way to go. Now that I’m back to work, I don’t have the luxury of time to do more research and meet many suppliers. I’m left to rely on referrals and this makes me upset. Today, I skipped work to be able to finalize the entourage and some other things with Xave aside from the fact that I’m a bit sluggish lately.

I have to urgently come up with a theme and motif. We’ll be meeting some designers and I need to have atleast a theme and motif in mind. I just don’t know why my brain is not properly functioning. Argh!

Lately, I find time so precious. I simply do not want to waste a single minute idle. With a long weekend coming, I hope to accomplish loads of things to do.

Down in the Dumps

What a gloomy day!

Today, I woke up at the wrong side of bed. I feel so grumpy, I don’t wanna get out of bed, I don’t wanna go to work but I still did. At work, I feel so heavy and was dragging myself to do stuffs. Being a Virgo that I am, I cannot force myself to do things I don’t feel like doing. I find it hard to PRETEND. My friends say, I won’t make a good actress *haha* and I strongly agree! I’m so transparent. If I don’t like you, you will feel it in your spine, in your bones, in your head, in your heart in all of you. *wicked sistah*

Xave knows me inside out. Oftentimes, he knows me better than I do. He knows how to handle me very well, and I love him for that. He fully grasps on how I can go freaky and cranky at one time and the opposite the next minute. *heehee* Yes, I am indeed crazy especially during my red days. *over sharing* This hormone thing, he understands.

My mood was reflected in today’s weather. At 12 noon, I heard some thunders and I thought it was raining outside. The sun in its peak despite the loud rumbles up there surprised me. Strange isn’t it? *like moi today* Around 3pm it rained so hard while the sun is still up. I can even feel its rays piercing my left cheek while driving home. Oooppss! *slip of the tongue, errr fingers* Yes, I left the office early. *blushing*

P.S. Happy birthday to my dear friend, Len E. Mare, wish you all the best this world can offer + a bonus, Mr. Right. *mwah*

Something to Ponder

We can be happy once we understand that the only place we will ever find genuine happiness is right inside us. Happiness begins at the point of acceptance: the point where we stop questioning why life can’t be perfect and accept our life as the Lord wills it.

Quickie

It’s past 11pm and I need a shuteye but before going to bed, I thought of making this post. *heehee*

I finally got my Havaianas Metallic Top in Black. *yipeee!* Sorry for the horrible picture quality.




Better hit the stores now. They say this is for limited time only. Go!

The weekend has ended so quick. *sigh*

Heads Up

I feel like bursting! I don’t know where to start…*deep breathe*

Alright, everybody knows I am a Havaianas aficionado. Now, let me share this with you.

Havaianas Philippines has 5 to 6 new styles on the rack now. So, better check 'em out! Among the many styles, this one tickled my fancy. *because there were few styles and some limited editions (as they say) that I didn’t like*

Logo Metallic

These remind me of the Havaianas given to the nominees in Oscars Award. (see below picture) They were valued at roughly $1,000. *wow* Studded in 10 diamonds *drool*

The Logo Metallic is priced at P1,095. The black pair is fabulous and timeless! *I always go for the classics*


I better run to the nearest shop now to get one for myself and maybe Xave, too! That is if he likes it. He is choosier than me!

On the other note, Grey’s Anatomy is on its 4th season now and I have yet to finish season 3. *big grin* Dr. Burke (Isiah Washington) and Addie (Kate Walsh) are out. I don’t like Addie, she better be out. But I can’t imagine Grey’s Anatomy without Burke. *sigh* Callie (Sara Ramirez) got a new look. No more annoying curls! *hihi*

I can’t wait to see Meredith and Derek again! *heehee*


I’m sorry I have to end this post now, I’m hoping to finish Season 3 this weekend. *boo!*

Happy weekend folks! *smiles*

Photo credit: Flairinthecity

Bull's Eye!

Uh-huh, I’ve survived my 1st week at work. *battling eyelashes* I’m a bit frustrated though. My team is so young and inexperienced and that means they have to rely on me 100%! *slaps forehead* That also denotes I have to educate/train them to unleash their full potential. Oh well, *sigh* it’s really a big responsibility for me to mentor them. It’s a make or break for me.

If I am a bad person, I will shrug it off. Who cares if they don’t have the basic skills in corporate business? Who cares that they haven’t heard about funnels or pipelines? Who cares if actual, target, forecast, achievement rate and delta are never part of their vocabulary? I care. These people need me.

Having subordinates is very new to me. Honestly, I don’t know how and where to start because most people are resistant to change. Obviously, my personality is totally opposite of them. I’m aggressive, I know what I want and I know how to get what I want. I embrace change. And perhaps, that's why I was put to do this task.

Ok, this is the rationale behind me joining this company. I knew it, I just knew it!

My instinct is telling me that my stint here would be short. How short? I don’t know. It’s not because I don’t want to work with these peolple. Of course not! Once my team can stand on its own without me, that’s the best time for me to bid goodbye and move on to the next challenge…

My instinct never fails me.

PSI

It stands for Purchase, Sales and Inventory. I first learned about this during my stint in Samsung. *we didn’t have this in HP* I did this weekly for almost 3 years of my stay there. It was so tedious! I hated PSI. I actually cursed it...countless times! *hihihi*

Little did I know, I will again encounter this 3-letter thingy in my new work. Ugh! I had a meeting with Mr. DBA (president) with and my PM (product manager) and the topic was PSI only! Initially, I was in absolute shock to find out about this monthly PSI meeting. It’s like my past is haunting me. *bwahahhaa*

Seriously, my previous PSI experience gave me an edge on where I am now. The best part, I don’t have to personally exhaust time doing the figures one by one. I now have a PM to do it. *yippee!* I’m over it. Thank God!

Well, it pays to sometimes do difficult tasks. You will reap the benefits later on. As much as possible, learn something each day. Then, share your learnings to others (in need).

Pay it forward. I will never get tired of saying this line over and over and over...

The Love for Money

Doing your thing without stepping on one’s foot is the best way to live life.
Having everything doesn’t guarantee happiness. Especially if you are doing things just to please people or perhaps you have priorities that don’t perfectly fit on what you are doing now. Say you wanted to be a full time mom and spend quality time with your children but you are still in the office working more than 10 hours a day doing anything and everything to hit your sales quota. You barely see your husband in a week, going home at past midnight and leaving the next day while everybody is still in bed. Stop, and reassess your life dear. Is this what you have envisioned yourself in the first place? Being in a situation you never dreamed of is suicide! It’s not a good formula of living life to the fullest.

I know a number of Jane trapped in this situation and couldn’t think of any way to be out of their nightmares. I pity them because they’re helpless. If only I couldn’t do things for them right? I have done it over and over even before they ask. Reality, they can only help themselves and not to rely on others.

I abhor people worshiping money. We work to live and not live to work. It’s not bad to earn big but please use it accordingly and “utang na loob” share to the less fortunate. To be blessed doesn’t stop on spending what you are getting; I admit I like nice things but I make sure I share whatever benefits I get. I’ve said this many times in this blog and I don't mind repeating it again. Paying it forward really makes a big difference. Geez, what’s 450 pesos per month to donate to World Vision’s kids? A haircut cost more than this. A bottle of perfume can feed many starving mouths. *sigh*

Are you guilty of not sharing your blessing to others? It’s never too late to pay it forward. Spread the word!

P.S. I can’t let this day pass without greeting my good friend, Cathy V. a happy happy happy birthday! I wish you all best this life can offer. Mwah!

Chances Are

Life can be so tricky!

If you don’t know how to play the games of life, you will always be longing for more and the impossible which equivalents to ending up unsatisfied and frustrated. You just want to get all of what you can get albeit having a handful already. Oftentimes, breaking the rules. Endlessly competing with yourself and/or others. Goal of being on top and having authority that you believe will give you the recognition you’ve been longing to obtain not only from your colleagues/friends but also from your family who’s been expecting way too much from you. And you believe this is the best way to prove yourself to these people because they’ve been thinking that you haven’t done anything good all your life.

Think again.

********

Night before my first day at work, I got an SMS from a former officemate and said Mr. RDV (ex-Country Manager of HP) has been looking for me to work with/for him. Another IT company.

Today, (my 2nd day of work) another call came. It was from IBM, a company I’ve dreamed of working right after graduation. Tempting it is!

I chose to give more importance to my values, my credibility, my word. I’m always careful with the choices I make. I both use my head and heart in any big decision in my life. I don't go for half-baked decisions. It has always to be 100% sure!

Honestly, it’s hard to ignore things coming my way now but Mr. DBA (our president) gave his full trust and confidence on me. I don’t want to break it. My values are intact. I don’t want to be blinded with money. They’re treating me very well. They don’t deserve someone who will just drop them like a hot potato. I’m happy to be working with them.

First Day @ Work

When one door of happiness closes, another opens. But often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one, which has been opened for us.

It’s my first day at work and I was late for 15 minutes! *yikes* Our office hours are from 9am to 6pm. It was hell of traffic everywhere because it’s first day of the week and almost everybody is in a rush. I was so embarrassed being late on my first day but found out later on that my time is flexible and I don’t need to do time in/out. Lucky! (read: I miss HP days!)

So what did I do today?

I read like 5 IT magazines and a newspaper, mingled with some colleagues which 3 of them I knew from my previous jobs whilst waiting for my laptop. It came almost after office hours. *sigh* My laptop is an Apple 15” Powerbook G4. It’s beautiful! Though it’s not bad to wish for a Macbook Pro. *teehee* I might get lucky again! *mumbles*

I did my round of blogs and was happy to see Cathy’s blog with pictures. Geez, she is doing good! Keep it up, Cathy! *smiles* I cannot share her blog address, it’s private and shared to her limited friends only. *wink*

My eyes are dropping now. I have to end this post. I hope I can share something interesting in the next few days or so.

P.S. I modified my Cbox, I got tired of the yellow box. I also changed my Tickerfactory. It used to be a countdown for Christmas. It's now our Wedding countdown. 5 months, 3 weeks and 6 days to go and a new chapter of my life will unfold.