Finally finished the Kinsella book...

Finally finished the Sophie Kinsella book last night. It took quite a while before I got to the last page. Usually, I'd finish a book in a couple of days, but this one took me...errr... weeks. I don't know. I should have expected that it was going to be how I thought it would be.

The Shopaholic series I enjoyed, but after reading the first two books it was starting to be annoying and a drag. Stubborn person that I am though, I still bought Shopaholic and Sister and then, Shopaholic and Baby. Hay, I don't know, but I just got annoyed with the heroine at one point. She never learned her lesson. She kept on committing the same mistakes.

And I guess I'm also annoyed because I never learned my lesson (that the next book would be just the same) and I still committed the same mistake (bought the book even if I already knew what it would be.) Hay.

Anyway, I'm glad I'm done with it. I can already keep it in my plastic drawer. Plus, I can move on to the next books. Eeep! Waiting in line are Armistead Maupin and David Stukas. Woohooo!

Shoot that baaaalllll...

Harhar. Spent the Saturday afternoon at the Araneta Coliseum to watch the opening ceremonies of PBA and the season's first game - Coca-Cola vs. Talk N' Text. (Yes, yes, you read that right.)

Believe it or not, I sometimes feel that in me is a bit of a basketball fan. Hehehe! Though the sport was a traumatic one for me back in my elementary school days (don't ask!), I have to admit I do enjoy watching a good game.

Just like last Saturday's. During the first few periods, I was getting a bit bored because it felt like the game was dragging on. Or maybe because I thought TNT was sure to win already because of the huge score lead over the other team. But come fourth period, things started to get exciting... really exciting.

During the last few minutes, Coca-Cola caught up with TNT and the latter almost lost. People were on the edge of their seats, and when TNT had its winning shot, everyone was up on their feet. Even me. I thought my Dad and my brother were just overreacting whenever they'd watch a game on TV and they'd be yelling like mad. But apparently, a game really does stir a lot of emotion.

Initially, I was restraining myself from yelling because I was by myself (my nephew Alex was given better tickets.. shoot) but then I found myself already on my feet yelling, "Go Jimmy!!!"

Hahaha! It was fun.

The other highlights of the afternoon event were seeing all-time favorite Alvin Patrimonio in the flesh, and another favorite TNT player. Too bad the guy was only allowed to play a couple of minutes during the second quarter but it was great seeing the guy in action. Hahaha!

I would have been happier if I had the same access pass Tey had. She got to go to the dugout before the game and was surrounded by all the players. I've been wanting a photo with The Captain and with the TNT Forward Guy for the longest time. Maybe next time.

I should have also written about the Opening Ceremonies itself, but the game turned out to be much more exciting. Haha! The highlight of the opening for me were the parade of the muses. Coca-Cola and TNT had the best muses - Pokwang and Rufa Mae (complete with seven TNT dwarfs) in outlandish costumes. Hahaha!

Racky's Heritage party... round 2

Last night was part 2 of Racky's CS party at Heritage. I think that party was really meant to happen because Racky was given the same room as the first meet.

I'd have to say that last night was crazier and wilder, in a good way. Hahaha! Met a lot of other CSers so that was really good. And I also got to chat with more people, too.

Thank you Racky for hosting again. Looking forward to the third party already. Haha!

Pundaquit road trip with CS Manila gang...

Went on a road trip with a bunch of CS kiddies - Kaycee, Pau, Lind, Khrys, and Dawnie. I say "kiddies" only because I'm the oldest in the group. Haha!

Kaycee posted an invite to go to Anawangin for yesterday's holiday, and I thought I'd join the group. It was either I go on a road trip or I go to the office, and do some work. Haha!

Our meeting time was at 3:30AM at Victory Liner Caloocan. It was raining when I left the house and I was waiting for a text message from Kaycee to say that the trip is canceled. It was great that the text message never came. Haha!

When we reached Pundaquit, the Barangay Captain advised us not to proceed to Anawangin because of the weather. We were a bit saddened by it, but still we chose not to let it spoil the entire day.

We did however get to go to Capones Island and stayed there for about an hour or two. I Googled the place and I know there is a lighthouse there, but we didn't see it when we were there. Dawnie and I walked the entire stretch of the island but no lighthouse. Must be on the other side. Haha!

When we got back at the resort, we prepared lunch. It was a team effort, and I guess that made lunch a whole lot more enjoyable. Hehehe!

Left for Manila again by 6PM. Was home by 11PM. Dead tired, but really, really happy with how the day was spent.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kaycee, Pau, Lind, Khrys, and Dawnie!!!

We have to go back and really go to Anawangin!!! Haha!

More Chicane photos...

Alright, here are some photos from the Chicane concert last Saturday. Still have to upload the other pics and vids to an album.

If there's a will, there's a photo with Chicane...

Attended the Chicane concert at the World Trade Center last night. Tey said she really wanted to go, so at the very last minute we decided to go and see if we could still score some tickets.

Early bird that I usually am, I arrived at World Trade Center 15 minutes before 10PM. A line was already starting to begin, so it was a good thing that I was early. Was able to get tickets for me and Tey.

The thing started around 11PM. Kickstarting the partying was John Paul Lee, who is more popularly known as Johnboy. Loved his music. As soon as he started spinning, people started grooving. Chicane came onstage past 1AM. It was worth the wait because they were really, really, really good. I know a bit about their music, but last night was my first real "immersion" in Chicane music. In fact, it was only last night that I found out that Chicane is not a DJ but actually a band. Last night had drums, vocals, guitar and keyboards. Hehe! Thanks Tey for clarifying that.

The show would have been really great except for the two f-ing technical glitches. Augh!!! And one of the glitches while they were playing Offshore. It was good that Chicane didn't get annoyed. Hmm, other songs performed were Stoned in Love, Don't Give Up. I wish they played Love on the Run though.

They had their last song around 3AM. Since we were pretty sure that they weren't going back onstage. Tey and I made our way out. We saw the group at a holding room just when outside the hall. There was a small group of people waiting for a photo op with the group.

Tey and I weren't sure whether we could get photos, but our patience paid off. After a couple of minutes, the group ahead of us were allowed to go in and Tey and I immediately followed. Haha! The photo is with Tey, and although I'm really grateful to the guy who took the photo. I want to kick his ass for not being able to take a decent photo. Hay! Not only was it a bit blurry, the keyboards guy was missing. Augh!

But still, Tey and I are just really happy that we were able to get our photos taken with the group. Woohooo!

Got home at 5AM. Who cares if I had to be at the office by noontime for work, if it was definitely one good weekend!

CS virgin no more...

Alright, I've been meaning to write about my Tuesday night thing, but I haven't found the time to do so because of work. (What's new? Hehe!) Been swamped with a ton of things to do, and it's only now that I found some time to write about it.

Anyway, a couple of months ago, I was introduced to couchsurfing. It was friend and former colleague Sharon who told me about it. After checking the site and reading about it, I created a profile and thought that it would be a great way to meet new people outside of work.

I've been wanting to join CS meets but never got to for the reasons mentioned above. I was supposed to join the Salcedo Market food trip Roy organized but wasn't able to. And then there was another trip which I thought of going, but didn't push through with it. When I went to Vietnam, I contacted some CSers and got several replies. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to meet up with them because I read my email a day after the CS meet.

So last Tuesday, even though it was pouring, I was determined to attend the CS meet Racky hosted at Heritage. I thought, "It's either you do it now or you'll just keep on putting it off."

And am I glad that I did go.

Tuesday night turned out to be really fun, and it was the night that I would no longer be a CS virgin. Hahaha! Got to meet a lot of great people, though I didn't get to chat with everyone. And me being me, I don't recall all of the names save for the people I chatted with. Eeep! Really sorry. Blame it on aging. Hehe!

There was singing. There was eating. There was drinking. There was chatting. And boy, there was definitely camwhoring. Hahaha! If there's one thing that I brought home with me that night, it was really the "good feeling" from meeting people who really seem to be for a world without borders.

Great meeting everyone! Looking forward to the next CS meet. Thanks again, Racky, for hosting.

Manang Leoning for Celestina...

When you work for the household of one of the country's power women, your job brings with it several perks. You could probably get free trips, or live in a gated community, and so on.

And sometimes, if you're really lucky, you even get to be on the cover (!!!) of the spring/summer catalogue of a high-end accessories line like Celestina. Hehehe!

Here's Manang Leoning for Celestina. On any other day, Manang Leoning is the queen of the kitchen of my former boss. But on this extra special day, Manang Leoning played model.

Naks naman Manang Leoning. What's next? Miuccia's Fall 2010 catalogue? Hehe!

Manang Leoning for Celestina...

When you work for the household of one of the country's power women, your job brings with it several surprises. Sometimes, you get to be on the cover (!!!) of the spring/summer catalogue of a high-end designer That's Manang Leoning for Celestina. Wow.

Dudong goes on a day-off...

Stairway to relaxation

And then back to reality

Since Friday and Saturday practically turned me into a vegetable, I thought of making Sunday into a very relaxing day. But it turned out to be more stressful for about an hour.

I called Piandre to book a haircut with Abel and the lady gave me a distressing news. Abel resigned already and last Saturday was his last day.

It is a big concern for me because the guy has been cutting my hair for about five years. He's the only guy who's touched my hair for the past five years. It took several bad haircuts before I found him. When I found Abel and saw that he can handle my hair, I stayed with him. And now, he's gone and I have no idea where to find him.

So I ended up getting my haircut with a new guy. I had no choice. My hair is so thick already, I need to look human again. Hehe! So the new guy cut my hair and I was worried because he styled it in a "different" way. But he did follow my instructions to keep it short and clean. Hmm, I guess it would be unfair of me to condemn the guy already. Hehe! I believe in second chances and maybe I just have to get used to the new guy. I feel like I'm starting a relationship again. Hay. But I still want to look for Abel.

Anyway, since it was self-pamper day, I also booked a Deep Tissue massage at The Spa in Greenbelt 1. I've been wanting to get a massage since Monday but it's a good thing I waited til the weekend when the two trips were over. I tried other spas already because none of my female colleagues want to go to The Spa, but The Spa still is on top of my best massage places list.

From physical pampering, I then had my usual spiritual pampering thanks to the Sunday Mass at Greenbelt chapel.

It was a good Sunday. I got a new haircut. My muscles got the rough kneading it needed and I'm ready for another week. I think. It's going to be a stressful week - I now have the material for story and the challenge is to write several stories, then I need to prepare budget for programs next year, prepare material for an internal campaign, and then prepare materials for an exhibit, and so on. Whooopppeee!!! Don't you just love Mondays?! Hehe!