Last Friday, I visited the store of a digital printer for posters and tarpaulin for our upcoming exhbit. The owner, whom I have never met before, greeted me. After we had exchanged a few pleastantries, she then proceeds to ask me, "May asawa ka na ba?" To which I replied, "Wala pa."
"Aaaaah," she said, giving me a sympathetic look. Like my singular status was something to be pitied.
The aaaaah I can understand. It's a conversation filler for most of us. But the sympathetic look, I just don't get. Is there something fundamentally wrong with still being single at my age? Okay let me rephrase that. Is there something fundamentally wrong with still being a single woman at my age? When 30 something men say that they're still single, most people's reaction would be - that's okay, lalaki ka naman eh. But women get THE sympathetic look, plus a few offers to be set up with their lola's ninang's son in law's sister's bestfriend. In our society, it's almost a sin for a woman to be in her late 20s and still be single.
And while we're at it, isn't it taboo to ask people you have just met whether they're single or married? Isn't there a rule for that in Emily Post's etiquette book? I find it amazing that friends of my parents think it's normal to ask me about marriage plans. Hello!! And when I tell them that there are no marriage plans yet, they sit me down and lecture me about the biological clock and other consequences of getting married late. One of my parents' friends even went to our office in Bulacan to lecture me - for two hours- on why I should get married ASAP. ASAP as in this year. As in, within the next six months.
So I nodded, and listened, and nodded some more. I think that was when I nearly perfected the art of pretending-but-not-really listening. :)
Monday, February 07, 2005
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Busy as a Bee in February
Val commented that I have been busy this whole week. That is because of two reasons:
1. I have really been busy preparing for an exhibit our company will be holding for the first time!
2. I have been too lazy to change my unkymoods mood.
I can't really say why, but I feel that February is going to be a good month for me. Looking forward to so many things! Like....
Family and friends celebrating their birthdays.
I know 13 people who will be celebrating their birthdays this month! February minus 9 months is May.... hmmmm.....
And, and! Val will be celebrating her birthday by throwing a birthday bash! With none other than moi as the organizer!
Our company's first ever exhibit.
Quite excited with this. But nervous too. What if nobody approaches our booth? What if we're ignored? What if this is just a waste of money? What if? What if? What if?
Valentine's Day!
And we're celebrating this by.... not going out. It's a mutual decision. The traffic will be horrendous. And Mike's coming from Libis, and I'm coming from Bulacan. We'll probably get to see each other midnight na. Hmmm... midnight. Maybe seeing each other on Vday might not be such a bad idea after all. :devilish grin:
More seminars for our company.
I usually do not have a speaking role in our company's seminars. I am terrified of speaking in public. The most I do is give the thank-you-for-coming speech. But even without a speaking role, I always get nervous before a seminar. Will they like the presentation? Will they think it a complete waste of time? More importantly -- will they buy?
Some TV Ramblings...from Sex and the City
If Carrie and Aidan did end up together, then Carrie would have to change her name to Carrie Bradshaw Shaw. Not cosmopolitan sounding enough. Maybe this is the REAL reason why the producers didn't want them to end up together. An honest to goodness oversight on their part.
And what about little Brady? His name was originally Brady Hobbes. But since Miranda and Steve got married, then he'd be Brady Brady?
Just goes to show how busy I really am, Val. :)
1. I have really been busy preparing for an exhibit our company will be holding for the first time!
2. I have been too lazy to change my unkymoods mood.
I can't really say why, but I feel that February is going to be a good month for me. Looking forward to so many things! Like....
Family and friends celebrating their birthdays.
I know 13 people who will be celebrating their birthdays this month! February minus 9 months is May.... hmmmm.....
And, and! Val will be celebrating her birthday by throwing a birthday bash! With none other than moi as the organizer!
Our company's first ever exhibit.
Quite excited with this. But nervous too. What if nobody approaches our booth? What if we're ignored? What if this is just a waste of money? What if? What if? What if?
Valentine's Day!
And we're celebrating this by.... not going out. It's a mutual decision. The traffic will be horrendous. And Mike's coming from Libis, and I'm coming from Bulacan. We'll probably get to see each other midnight na. Hmmm... midnight. Maybe seeing each other on Vday might not be such a bad idea after all. :devilish grin:
More seminars for our company.
I usually do not have a speaking role in our company's seminars. I am terrified of speaking in public. The most I do is give the thank-you-for-coming speech. But even without a speaking role, I always get nervous before a seminar. Will they like the presentation? Will they think it a complete waste of time? More importantly -- will they buy?
Some TV Ramblings...from Sex and the City
If Carrie and Aidan did end up together, then Carrie would have to change her name to Carrie Bradshaw Shaw. Not cosmopolitan sounding enough. Maybe this is the REAL reason why the producers didn't want them to end up together. An honest to goodness oversight on their part.
And what about little Brady? His name was originally Brady Hobbes. But since Miranda and Steve got married, then he'd be Brady Brady?
Just goes to show how busy I really am, Val. :)
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
The Road Not Taken
I recently found out that some of my batchmates had formed a group to put up a restaurant called "Stir Crazy." Nice concept -- they stir fry the food right in front of you, so the food is served fresh, hot and fast.
This made me think -- what in the world am I doing with my life? My batchmates are putting up businesses here and there. And me? Heck, I can't even decide what I want to be. And I'm already in my mid 20s. Okay... late mid 20s. In the years after I graduated from college, I had pursued my interests in the following fields:
1. career as a chef
2. career as an interior designer
3. career as a wedding organizer
4. career as a professional florist
5. career as a wedding cake maker
6. career as a caterer
And those that I had seriously thought about but never pursued?
1. career as a lawyer
2. career as a doctor
3. career as a writer
4. career as a fashion designer (for clothes, jewelry and bags)
5. career as a website designer.
And the latest? Career as a photographer / graphic artist.
Wow. My mom would have been so proud of me if I had really done all of these.
I have great respect for people, who at age 22, know what they want to do with their life. It takes a lot of focus and committment to decide at such a young age which road one really wants to take. And it takes even more willpower to decide to stick to that road, especially when things aren't going as planned. My mom never fails to give us this lecture -- Start a business now, while we are still here. We can give you business advice. And if things don't turn out well, we are still here to support you financially. If you don't start now while you are still in your 20s, it will be harder for you to start when you're already in your 30s.
And I so agree. The 20s is when most of us have no one to think of but ourselves. No family to support. But the 30s is a different level -- it's when most people are adjusting to a new way of life. And with change comes uncertainty. I know a lot of people who stick to their current jobs because the salary they get is a "sure thing." Never mind that they hate what they're doing and would rather be somewhere else than stuck in their monochromatic cubicles.
So, since I'm just a few lightyears away from the 30s, maybe it's high time I take the risk and join the entrepreneurs' bandwagon. And see where that road will take me. I don't want to look back at the end of this year, and regret all those opportunities I could have taken but didn't. Will make sure to include that in my (short) list of new year resolutions.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Feng Shui
Thursday, January 27, is a day which will undeniably go down in my history as one of the worst days of 2005. It was a day when nothing was going right. Too many human errors were causing major problems in our office. And my boss (aka my dad) felt that the blame had to fall on me, since I was the person in charge of everything. I had spent half of that day on the phone negotiating with our Chinese supplier in my broken Mandarin, and was definitely in no mood to accept blame for something I felt I had no control over. So after our silent argument, I left the office feeling more frustrated than ever.
I attended the Manilena Jaycees event that night with a heavy heart. Even though all I really wanted to do that night was to brood in a corner, I forced myself to smile and meet people. God, I prayed, just give me peace of mind even for just a few hours tonight. The event finally started, with the host announcing that they had asked a speaker to talk about feng shui and other paranormal stuff.
Feng shui? Maybe that's the reason why nothing seemed to be going right? I remembered the jade figurines we bought in Shanghai, which would supposedly bring us luck. The feng shui master had advised us to place the figurines beside each other in a corner of our house facing the main door. The thing is, a few days ago, Raymond had placed a new plastic lamp between the two figurines, separating them. Now, I am always wary about rearranging things in my room, as I feel that any change I make in the room will bring changes in my life too. Okay okay.. call me crazy, but that's how I really feel about it. Once or twice, a major change has happened in my life immediately after I rearranged some stuff in my room.
When I got home that night, I told Richmond about my crappy day. We ended up talking about the sudden influx of problems not just in my life but in his life as well. Come to think of it, my parents were experiencing more problems than usual too. I casually mentioned that maybe the jade figurines had something to do with it. His eyes widened, as he told me that he had been thinking about the same thing. We decided right then and there to remove the plastic lamp and to place the figurines back in their original positions. We were aghast when we discovered that Raymond had put double adhesives on the feet of the figurines, keeping them stuck to the table. "Sorry." he said. "Hindi ko alam na pang-feng shui pala yan. Akala ko binili lang for decoration." So we removed the lamp, removed the double adhesives, and placed the figurines beside each other again.
The next day, some of the problems in the office were partially solved. The shipment (one of the major issues in the office the day before) was released late that afternoon. And my parents were also able to resolve an issue they were facing. And I remembered the jade figurines. Could it have been a coincidence?
I attended the Manilena Jaycees event that night with a heavy heart. Even though all I really wanted to do that night was to brood in a corner, I forced myself to smile and meet people. God, I prayed, just give me peace of mind even for just a few hours tonight. The event finally started, with the host announcing that they had asked a speaker to talk about feng shui and other paranormal stuff.
Feng shui? Maybe that's the reason why nothing seemed to be going right? I remembered the jade figurines we bought in Shanghai, which would supposedly bring us luck. The feng shui master had advised us to place the figurines beside each other in a corner of our house facing the main door. The thing is, a few days ago, Raymond had placed a new plastic lamp between the two figurines, separating them. Now, I am always wary about rearranging things in my room, as I feel that any change I make in the room will bring changes in my life too. Okay okay.. call me crazy, but that's how I really feel about it. Once or twice, a major change has happened in my life immediately after I rearranged some stuff in my room.
When I got home that night, I told Richmond about my crappy day. We ended up talking about the sudden influx of problems not just in my life but in his life as well. Come to think of it, my parents were experiencing more problems than usual too. I casually mentioned that maybe the jade figurines had something to do with it. His eyes widened, as he told me that he had been thinking about the same thing. We decided right then and there to remove the plastic lamp and to place the figurines back in their original positions. We were aghast when we discovered that Raymond had put double adhesives on the feet of the figurines, keeping them stuck to the table. "Sorry." he said. "Hindi ko alam na pang-feng shui pala yan. Akala ko binili lang for decoration." So we removed the lamp, removed the double adhesives, and placed the figurines beside each other again.
The next day, some of the problems in the office were partially solved. The shipment (one of the major issues in the office the day before) was released late that afternoon. And my parents were also able to resolve an issue they were facing. And I remembered the jade figurines. Could it have been a coincidence?
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Of Men and Women
It is during days like these, when I'm bloated and in pain most of the time, that I really don't get where Kamiseta's it's fun being a girl slogan came from.
They say that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. In this case, it's not just grass on the other side of the fence. There's a picturesque lake, with mountains as the backdrop, and wildflowers growing on the foot of the mountain. It's HEAVEN on the other side of the fence. Makes me want to cross over sometimes.
Let's see.....
When men get older, they look distinguished.
When women get older, they look "matrona-ish."
Men who are still single in their mid-30s are called "eligible bachelors."
Women who are still single in their mid-30s... are pitied.
*****
I accidentally bumped into a guy who courted me eons ago. He knew my parents, and greeted them with the usual hellos. But when he got to me..
Boy: San howe mo? (We haven't talked or seen each other for 3 years and that's the first thing he asks me?!?!)
Me: Hindi ko kasama.
Boy: O, kelan kayo kasal?
Me: Nye... tagal pa no.
Boy: Hoy mawawala ka na sa kalendaryo no!
Me: Paki mo ba. Ikaw nga malapit na mawala sa lotto e.
Harharhar. Of course I didn't say that. But I wish I had. And it didn't help much that he had his arms around his girlfriend that time.
*****
Okay.. back to topic.
Men who sleep around are called "studs."
Women who sleep around are called "sluts."
Older men who date younger women are idolized.
Older women who date younger men are frowned upon by society.
Men who crack green jokes and have sex on their minds all the time -- men.
Women who crack green jokes and have sex on their minds all the time -- tramps.
When boys enter puberty, physical changes happen -- voice becomes deeper, shoulders become broader, yadda yadda yadda. The change is completed in six to seven years. And that's it.
When we women enter puberty, we don't just get the external physical changes, we also get the PERIOD. For most of us women, the PERIOD is a period of hell in our lives. There are the menstrual syndromes -- pre, during and post. Premenstrual syndromes come a week before the PERIOD -- bloating, hot flashes, irritability, are just a few signs of PMS. During the PERIOD, there are the unbearably painful cramps, which makes me want to just lie in bed and sleep till the PERIOD is over. And we also have to check our butts every now and then to make sure we don't leave any stains around. I don't know what a post menstrual syndrome is, but it exists, because it's in the internet.
And the PERIOD is expected to last for 30++ years in a woman's life.
And then there's pregnancy and menopause. Which thankfully I haven't experienced yet. But let me get back to you on that in a couple of years.
They say that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. In this case, it's not just grass on the other side of the fence. There's a picturesque lake, with mountains as the backdrop, and wildflowers growing on the foot of the mountain. It's HEAVEN on the other side of the fence. Makes me want to cross over sometimes.
Let's see.....
When men get older, they look distinguished.
When women get older, they look "matrona-ish."
Men who are still single in their mid-30s are called "eligible bachelors."
Women who are still single in their mid-30s... are pitied.
*****
I accidentally bumped into a guy who courted me eons ago. He knew my parents, and greeted them with the usual hellos. But when he got to me..
Boy: San howe mo? (We haven't talked or seen each other for 3 years and that's the first thing he asks me?!?!)
Me: Hindi ko kasama.
Boy: O, kelan kayo kasal?
Me: Nye... tagal pa no.
Boy: Hoy mawawala ka na sa kalendaryo no!
Me: Paki mo ba. Ikaw nga malapit na mawala sa lotto e.
Harharhar. Of course I didn't say that. But I wish I had. And it didn't help much that he had his arms around his girlfriend that time.
*****
Okay.. back to topic.
Men who sleep around are called "studs."
Women who sleep around are called "sluts."
Older men who date younger women are idolized.
Older women who date younger men are frowned upon by society.
Men who crack green jokes and have sex on their minds all the time -- men.
Women who crack green jokes and have sex on their minds all the time -- tramps.
When boys enter puberty, physical changes happen -- voice becomes deeper, shoulders become broader, yadda yadda yadda. The change is completed in six to seven years. And that's it.
When we women enter puberty, we don't just get the external physical changes, we also get the PERIOD. For most of us women, the PERIOD is a period of hell in our lives. There are the menstrual syndromes -- pre, during and post. Premenstrual syndromes come a week before the PERIOD -- bloating, hot flashes, irritability, are just a few signs of PMS. During the PERIOD, there are the unbearably painful cramps, which makes me want to just lie in bed and sleep till the PERIOD is over. And we also have to check our butts every now and then to make sure we don't leave any stains around. I don't know what a post menstrual syndrome is, but it exists, because it's in the internet.
And the PERIOD is expected to last for 30++ years in a woman's life.
And then there's pregnancy and menopause. Which thankfully I haven't experienced yet. But let me get back to you on that in a couple of years.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Rants -- Sun Cellular
I told Richmond this -- if I find myself in a life threatening situation where I can save myself with one phone call from my cellphone, and I have only my Sun Cellular line with me, I might as well spend the last few minutes of my life accepting the fact that I will die. I'm not exaggerating. It usually takes me six tries before I am able to talk with the person I'm trying to call on my Sun number. The first attempts, I get the tot-tot-tot signal, or I hear a pre recorded voice saying that the number is not yet in service (?!?!) or the person I'm calling is outside the coverage area. Not in the coverage area? Where is Sun's coverage area anyway? I couldn't even make a call while I was inside Robinson's Galleria!
And what's with the 15 minute call duration limit? Sometimes, the line gets cut off even before 15 minutes. What's up with that, Mr. Gokongwei?
It's been two days since I purchased a call card to load credits to my line, and I still cannot send text messages or call anyone. I have checked my balance, and as it turns out, the new credits have not been added yet. After 48 hours!! I have read the instructions on the back of the call card, and there are no instructions on who to call in case this happens. Bye bye P250. **There is a Patrol Hotline number though, is that it?
Aside from these, I also have this anonymous textmate who sends stupid messages and calls in the middle of the night. He/she would call at around 3-4 am, and hang up as soon as he/she hears my phone ringing on the other end. It's like the whole point of his/her call is to wake me up in the middle of the night just to piss me off!!! Grrr! Mike gets the same prank phone calls from the same number too, since we (Mike and I) have magkasunod numbers. He tried calling the prankster several times, but none of his calls gets answered. Ay naku. Apparently, Sun Cellular's 24/7 works for people with nothing better to do in the middle of the night, but not for normal people like me with urgent calls to make during regular work hours.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
A Friendship Down the Drain....
I received a phone call on my Sun number a while ago, while I was in a business meeting. I saw the name of the caller and automatically pressed the "receive" button, immediately regretting it as soon as the name of the caller hit me. It's THE friend. Aaargh. Fortunately for me, he hung up as soon as I pressed the button. Whew!
Okay... who is this person and why am I running away from him?
A (THE friend) and I have known each other for almost 17 years now. We were still in grade school then, and he had a crush on me for years. It wasn't until the last year of our high school year that we got to know each other better. He was there for me when I had my first heartbreak, and was part of my 18 roses when I celebrated my debut. I was there for him with each new girl he courted, giving him tips on how to woo them over. Was also there for him at his lowest moments, when no one believed in his credibility anymore.
So what went wrong?
Power and money. That's what went wrong. Even though A did not finish college, I couldn't help but admire his passion and drive for going into new business ventures. I tried to keep him grounded most of the time, giving him the pros and cons of each venture he told me about. He listened but would still follow his gut feeling -- which, more often than not, meant going ahead with the business venture. As far as I know, A had started at least 6 businesses; most of them were short lived. With each new venture, he would meet new people. Powerful and moneyed people, who flaunted their wealth in front of A's eyes. A, slowly blinded, began to talk more and more about money, and the different ways he wanted to get it. None of which I agreed with. Once, I told him, "Alam mo ikaw, pa-immoral na ng immoral mga pinapasok mo." To which he replied defensively, "Hindi na tayo bata no."
?!?!?!
Age had nothing to do with it. And he knew it.
He allied himself with the "powerful people up there." And would regal me with stories about their latest shenanigans. I would nod and say uh-huh at the right moments, silently wishing for the conversation to be over soon. I have tried ending those painfully long conversations every once in a while, but he would always find a way to extend it. I never tried to correct him again, as I felt I really didn't have the right to, and I think, he didn't really want to be corrected at that point in his life. He was perfectly happy doing what he was doing. And as long as everyone was happy, why bother?
One day though, in one of our conversations where power and money were the main topics again, he casually mentioned how he refused to help one of our highschool batchmates with a legal problem, even though he had all the means to help him. "Why?" I asked. "Because he didn't contribute to my "fund."" Fund here meant the money he asked (wanted) us to donate to support his "powerful friend up there" who was running for congressman at that time. I was flabbergasted. Is this really the A I knew? What happened to the old A? "I'm wiser now," that's what he told me. Wiser? I don't think so.
But the turning point for our friendship came after a recent family problem, where I knew he would be able to help. He turned me away, just like that, with a flat out lie. A lie, which I discovered the next day. I was hurt. Was it because I didn't contribute to his fund too? Come to think of it, I have asked for his help several times before, and I ended up either ignored or lied to. Sometimes, I would be lucky enough to talk to his partner in crime slash friend R, where I would be lectured about what I should have done to avoid my problem. But bottom line would always be -- I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do about it.
Days later, he called me. Asking for a favor. He wanted to borrow money. For his friend - R. Was A serious?!?! Apparently he was, because he has not stopped calling me since December last year.
Unfortunately for him, I'm so much wiser now.
Okay... who is this person and why am I running away from him?
A (THE friend) and I have known each other for almost 17 years now. We were still in grade school then, and he had a crush on me for years. It wasn't until the last year of our high school year that we got to know each other better. He was there for me when I had my first heartbreak, and was part of my 18 roses when I celebrated my debut. I was there for him with each new girl he courted, giving him tips on how to woo them over. Was also there for him at his lowest moments, when no one believed in his credibility anymore.
So what went wrong?
Power and money. That's what went wrong. Even though A did not finish college, I couldn't help but admire his passion and drive for going into new business ventures. I tried to keep him grounded most of the time, giving him the pros and cons of each venture he told me about. He listened but would still follow his gut feeling -- which, more often than not, meant going ahead with the business venture. As far as I know, A had started at least 6 businesses; most of them were short lived. With each new venture, he would meet new people. Powerful and moneyed people, who flaunted their wealth in front of A's eyes. A, slowly blinded, began to talk more and more about money, and the different ways he wanted to get it. None of which I agreed with. Once, I told him, "Alam mo ikaw, pa-immoral na ng immoral mga pinapasok mo." To which he replied defensively, "Hindi na tayo bata no."
?!?!?!
Age had nothing to do with it. And he knew it.
He allied himself with the "powerful people up there." And would regal me with stories about their latest shenanigans. I would nod and say uh-huh at the right moments, silently wishing for the conversation to be over soon. I have tried ending those painfully long conversations every once in a while, but he would always find a way to extend it. I never tried to correct him again, as I felt I really didn't have the right to, and I think, he didn't really want to be corrected at that point in his life. He was perfectly happy doing what he was doing. And as long as everyone was happy, why bother?
One day though, in one of our conversations where power and money were the main topics again, he casually mentioned how he refused to help one of our highschool batchmates with a legal problem, even though he had all the means to help him. "Why?" I asked. "Because he didn't contribute to my "fund."" Fund here meant the money he asked (wanted) us to donate to support his "powerful friend up there" who was running for congressman at that time. I was flabbergasted. Is this really the A I knew? What happened to the old A? "I'm wiser now," that's what he told me. Wiser? I don't think so.
But the turning point for our friendship came after a recent family problem, where I knew he would be able to help. He turned me away, just like that, with a flat out lie. A lie, which I discovered the next day. I was hurt. Was it because I didn't contribute to his fund too? Come to think of it, I have asked for his help several times before, and I ended up either ignored or lied to. Sometimes, I would be lucky enough to talk to his partner in crime slash friend R, where I would be lectured about what I should have done to avoid my problem. But bottom line would always be -- I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do about it.
Days later, he called me. Asking for a favor. He wanted to borrow money. For his friend - R. Was A serious?!?! Apparently he was, because he has not stopped calling me since December last year.
Unfortunately for him, I'm so much wiser now.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Being Carrie Bradshaw
Today (well, technically, yesterday), I lived the life of Carrie Bradshaw, even for just a moment. I bought shoes, even if I couldn't afford them. Okay, technically, I can afford them, but I know I shouldn't have bought them anyway. But, I had very good and logical reasons for buying them.
1. I have only one pair of heels that are comfortable to walk around with. And they are U-G-L-Y. I avoid crossing my legs during business meetings because I'm embarassed by the shoes. So why not buy a nicer pair of heels then?
2. The last time I bought shoes was during a VNC sale early last year.
3. Cole Haan might never sell them for 50% off again!
(:sheepish grin:)
I feel like Becky Bloomwood of the Shopaholic craze. But dang! Really love this pair!
CELEBRITY SIGHTING: Saw Larry Fonacier in Glorietta 4 tonight. He looked so... normal. And clean. Was so ecstatic that I couldn't even remember his name while pointing him out to Mike. The name entering my mind was Larry Quintos. Who in the world is Larry Quintos anyway?!?
1. I have only one pair of heels that are comfortable to walk around with. And they are U-G-L-Y. I avoid crossing my legs during business meetings because I'm embarassed by the shoes. So why not buy a nicer pair of heels then?
2. The last time I bought shoes was during a VNC sale early last year.
3. Cole Haan might never sell them for 50% off again!
(:sheepish grin:)
I feel like Becky Bloomwood of the Shopaholic craze. But dang! Really love this pair!
CELEBRITY SIGHTING: Saw Larry Fonacier in Glorietta 4 tonight. He looked so... normal. And clean. Was so ecstatic that I couldn't even remember his name while pointing him out to Mike. The name entering my mind was Larry Quintos. Who in the world is Larry Quintos anyway?!?
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