ArchiCAD Rocks

Our office has been sponsoring ArchiCAD classes for a week now, and I am absolutely infatuated. Haha. :) It's so easy to use, it's so convenient, and it's so friggin' BRILLIANT! Imagine, I was able to draft a whole house (plans, elevations and sections) in just 4 days!!!

Brilliant, I tell you. Absolutely ingenious.

U-nibersidad ng Pilipinas!!!

Ang galing talaga ng U.P.

Wala akong masabi. Smile lang ng smile. :) It's such a great feeling to be on the winning side!!!!

I've done nothing but brag about the win to anyone who would listen. I swiped the sports section from the office's copy of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and I've been showing everyone the headline: Maroons shock Archers. (come to think about it, they probably shocked everyone else, too!)

When UP won against UST, I had to keep my glee bottled up all day...Baka kasi dumugin ako dito sa office, puro UST mga kasama ko dito. Hahaha. :p At least now I can brag about our victory! HAH!!!

I just hope (please, please, please) that they make it to the finals. It's UP's turn to be winners once again!!! After a looooong hiatus. Hahaha. :)

U.P. FIGHT!!!

*U-NIBERSIDAD NG PILIPINAS (4x)
Matatapang Matatalino
Walang takot kahit kanino
Hinding hindi nagpapahuli
Ganyan kaming mga taga-UP!*

Aaaah!!! Best cheer ever. It really gets the adrenaline going! Go U.P.!!! :)

Please forgive me if I celebrate to the max. Bihira lang mangyari to sa U.P. noh...so pagbigyan. :p

Time To Take A Stand

I have always been wary of voicing out my opinions when it comes to political issues. I don't really make it a point to keep abreast of current affairs (I know, I know...apathetic and selfish of me...) because I'd rather not start (or end) my day feeling frustrated over things I cannot change. It's kind of hard to state your opinions on something you really don't understand completely...and I would rather keep quiet than speak out and get embarrassed from my lack of knowledge.

But at the back of my mind, I know that I would have to say something, sooner or later. Chances are, some people may not like what I have to say; some may not care; while some may agree on some points and disagree on others. But then, that's why it's called an opinion: Nobody really thinks the exact same way...

So my take on the GMA scandal?

What Pisses Me Off

Since I've been in a generally wretched mood the whole week, let me just enumerate the things that really get my blood boiling. In other words, let me just rant.

What Pisses Me Off (in no particular order)

* * * *

People who whine and complain about their situations but never ever do anything about it. You complain that you don't have any savings and then a moment after, you buy overpriced food and the weekend after, you buy a pair of really expensive shoes. No savings? Yea-huh! No wonder!

People who use "It just happened! I couldn't help it!" as an excuse for their behavior. For your information, things do not just happen unless you want them to happen. You have a choice. You always have a choice. And if you make the wrong choice, you not only have to acknowledge the mistake, you have to rectify it.

Angas drivers who think they can outrun my precious car. Eat my dust, you punks! Drivers here are just so ruuuuuuuuude! If only you could hear all the profanity I shout inside my car whenever I encounter road pigs like you...

People who think they're all that but really aren't anything at all. Feeling guwapo and feeling pretty people are under this category. Newsflash: If you proclaim to everyone that you're pretty or pogi, then chances are, you're not. :p

"Self-proclaimed" bitches. Yeah, so you can raise your eyebrows and you can talk trash about people, but can you bring it on? Being "bitchy" is different from being a "bitch." All girls can be bitchy. All girls can be a temporary bitch at certain moments in their lives. But only a select few can actually earn the recognition of being a lifetime bitch. So, what's this I hear about you telling everyone that you're a bitch? Is this some sort of way to glamorize your sorry-ass self? Puhlease. Excuse me while I gag.

Wrong grammar! Ok, so it doesn't really piss me off per se. It just irritates me a bit. I mean, why, WHY use English when you don't even know how? Spare yourself the embarrassment (and spare all of us the agony!), and just stop using words altogether. People who don't know how to spell fall under this category. Can I just laugh at you?

People who go on and on and on about useless, senseless things. You're just wasting my time. Instead of talking, why don't you do something useful for a change. Like, work, for example? And, excuse me? I'm not dumb. I don't need you to repeat everything that the other person just said.

Realizing that I'm wrong. Yeah, that just sucks. I spend all this energy hating you and then I realize that you're actually ok. I hate you for telling me that I'm horrible, and I hate you even more for being right about that. However, right as you may be about me, you're not "Little Miss Perfect" either. I didn't do all of the bad things. You were pretty horrible yourself. ADMIT IT!!!

* * * *

I need to work on my anger management. I was never this wound-up. At least not this often. What has happened to me? I've become a raging, ranting woman!!! But it feels good, in a way. Now, instead of thinking "Oh no! He hates me! I feel so bad!" I can actually say "So what? Who gives a fuck?" Hahaha. From emotional-paranoid-wreck to angst-ridden-hot-tempered-wreck. That has got to be an improvement, right?

Another Song Addiction

One of my song addictions for the month.
From the "A Lot Like Love" OST.
Upbeat song. Semi-sad lyrics. I just love songs like these. :)

Maybe It's Just Me
by Butch Walker

Maybe it's just me, but you seem finally happy
I don't think I've seen your face just glow like a neon sign
And maybe we should be alone for ever after
Cause even though the nights are long
At least I'll make it another day

Cause I can't live if you're not happy
I can't live if you cry,
But I can live without you if it makes you smile

And maybe things got weird after all that went down
Things were oh so clear,
That I could never get the right
So tell me what your plans are
And tell me what you're doing
The only thing I'll hold against me is a picture of you tonight

Cause I can't live if you're not happy
I can't live if you cry,
But I can live without you if it makes you smile
And I can't wait to see you rise
And I can't wait for you to shine
But I can wait for you if all you need is...

Time for you to think things over
Time to talk the drama down
It's not a contest of who'll try harder
Or who'll cross the finish line

And I can't live if you're not happy
I can't live if you cry,
But I can live without you if it makes you smile
And I can't wait to see you rise
And I can't wait for you to shine
But I can wait for you if all you need is time

My Trip At A Glance

Here it is. I've finally finished posting pictures from my trip (a month after I got back!) Sorry ah, dial-up lang kami (The super-fast DSL in the States spoiled me! Argh!). Below are the highlights of my trip...Just click on the links below and they will take you to my photo albums. :) Enjoy!


NEW YORK, New York. The Empire State Building. The MoMA. Times Square! The Virgin Megastore. Ground Zero. Mice in our hotel room. My first taste of Cold Stone Creamery ice cream. Freezing my ass off 24-hours a day.

BOSTON, Massachusetts. JFK Museum. Fenuil Hall / Quincy Market. Louisa May Alcott's house. Old architecture. People wearing old clothes. :) Cheers! Freezing my ass off 24-hours a day (I freeze in 70-degree weather).

The BOSTON Nightlife. Tonic Bar. Raspberry Vodka. Three random guys trying to pick me up (scary). After-hours pizza binge. Wonder Bar. "Red Death" drink. Me dancing! Everybody going home at 2 in the morning. (Special thanks to Ives! *mwah*)

WASHINGTON D.C. Maryland and Virginia. Unusually warm for the East Coast (glorious weather! Love it!) White House evacuation while taking pictures outside. Motorcades every 5 minutes. Museums everywhere. Walking, sore feet and sunburn.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada. Seeing all the lights from the plane as we landed. Seeing all the lights from my lola's house. Seeing all the lights up close. Playing Joker Poker (and losing). The very sleek, very new Wynn Hotel. The Bellagio fountain show. Mamma Mia!

Disneyland! Meeting Mulan, Sleeping Beauty and Belle! Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters! Getting traumatized at Splash Mountain. Fireworks. California Adventure. Quirky hats. Hanging out with my cousin, Bianca. Hanging out with Tina. Feeling like a kid again. :)

Suko na ako!

This is me after my first attempt to exercise after a long loooong time. Hehe. :)

* * * *

I have finally done what it is that I have been putting off for almost 4 years now...I have started exercising regularly (well, 2 days, so far!). I would always make excuses for not enrolling in a gym. "I don't have the time" and "I don't have any money!" are the more popular ones. :)

I would always complain that my metabolism seems to be slowing down, and that my appetite doesn't seem to show any signs of decreasing. I would wheeze after jogging for 3 meters, and I will blame it all on the pollution. I would binge on food very often, and I would comfort myself by saying that Hey, it's a special occassion! (Like when I splurged on a bag of Ruffles after I lost 5 lbs...that's a special occassion!)

But then, you know what they say..."Kung gusto, may paraan; kung ayaw, may dahilan." So I decided to stop being a person who constantly whines but does nothing about it; I decide to take the first big step. After all, that should be the hardest part, right? I mean, I hope so...

So I am now enrolled in Fitness First. And I am enjoying every sweat-breaking minute of it. :)

Hopefully, after a few weeks of working out, I won't crumple down on the floor after only 30 minutes of basketball (see picture above). Hopefully...

I Love Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone Creamery in White Plains, NY

While in New York, my tita took us to a Cold Stone Creamery near their house so that we can sample "to-die-for-ice-cream" (according to them). I've been hooked ever since!

I swear, I was in heaven the moment I took in the first spoonful of Strawberry-Banana Rendezvous. It was certainly an experience I will never forget. And I proceeded to look for Cold Stone Creamery branches in every city we went to.

What's different about this particular type of ice cream is that they mush it all in. They take your ice cream, they plunk it on top of this frozen slab, they add in all the mix-ins (nuts, chocolate chips...whatever, depending on what you ordered, of course), and they mix it all up.

*sigh* Heaven in a cup.

I've been suffering from Cold Stone withdrawal ever since we got on the plane bound for Manila...but then I found out that they just opened the first Cold Stone Creamery branch in Rockwell, Makati!!! Aaaaah!!! :) That's the best news ever!!!

I love Cold Stone Creamery!!! :)

I highly recommend the Strawberry Banana Rendezvous...and Our Strawberry Blonde! The best! I'll be seeing you in Rockwell! Hehe. :)

The best ice cream in the whole wide world, according to me. :D 

"Mas Maganda Ako Sa Kanya!"

A few days ago, we were listening to an officemate rant about her recent encounter with her ex's current girlfriend. She would emphasize each sentence with, "Pero mas maganda talaga ako sa kanya." Most of us were amused, and we would encourage her with the occassional "Oo naman!" or the "Maputi lang sha." Hehe.

Well, I'm pretty sure that my officemate is prettier than the aforementioned girl. What struck me as funny is the fact that most girls (yes, me included!) would react the same way that she did when placed in the same situation: First comes the Scrutiny. Then comes the inevitable Comparison. And then all the Defenses come into play.The direction of the "defense" part is usually dependent on your self-confidence and the amount of resentment you carry with you. Oh, and humility too (or lack thereof). *grin*

Moreover, I think that people say/do things like that as a reassurance of themselves on some level. Something that gives you a slight illusion of getting one up over the competition. Because, let's face it: Girls will always have this secret resentment towards the girlfriends of their exes, or towards the exes of their boyfriends. So in actuality, the "Scrutiny-Comparison-Defense" routine works both ways. You might be saying "Mas maganda ako sa kanya!" But for all you know, she might be saying the same thing about you. *meow!*

Dont' get me wrong... I don't really do that sort of thing. Unless the girl is a total bitch, that is. Haha. :p Then bashing her would be no problem at all. You are gonna have a field day if the "girlfriend" you are targetting happens to be so not-pretty and a bitch, too! Grrrr. >:D But then, wouldn't you question the taste of your ex if that was the case? Yikes. :)

Hmmm...So what happens if the other girl feels that *you're* the bitch and then she starts bashing you? Well, here is where the catch phrase comes into play. You just go out and proclaim: "Eh ano? Mas maganda naman ako sa kanya!!!" Hahahahaaa. Hah. Oh well.

* * * *

"Does she tell you what you want to hear?
And I bet you she could grow a beard
I feel better thinking you were queer
It’s not fair
I can’t compare to an ugly girl

Hahaha the jokes on me
I feel jealous and I feel mean
She’s so nice that it makes up for her face
There’s no way....
...can't you see
You’re leaving me for an ugly girl."

* * * *

But then, if you're so pretty, stop acting so bitter and go get yourself another man. That shouldn't be too hard if you *are* as pretty as you proclaim you are, right? Riiiiight. :)

What I've Missed

Aside from all the people, you know what I've missed a lot?

Driving.

I was able to drive a bit while I was in the U.S. But driving there is so constricting! Everytime I drove a car, my relatives would be peering at me from the backseat, and since it's *their* car, I get extra nervous and extra careful. I drive with my back straight, with both hands on the wheel (because my lola says so, and she can't have me wreck her nice Lexus. ;p), and I have to observe the speed limit allll theeee tiiime. Hehe.

I know, I know. I should be driving properly and responsibly. But where's the fun in that? (My mom is totally gonna kill me if she hears me say this)

Back here at home, I'm freeeeee.

I can drive as fast as I want. I can drive with my back slouched and with my left hand on my knee. My mouth is quickly getting back to my bad habit of cussing under my breath whenever I encounter really bad drivers (which is very often). And my butt is re-molding itself to the driver seat of my car (my car...I missed my car...Hehehe).

On Monday, I will be going back to work...and that means my car has another week to rest in the garage. :( But come this weekend, we'll be cruisin' again, and that's something to look forward to! Woohoo! :)

I'm hooooome! :)

This is just a sampling of pictures from my trip. Believe me, there are TONS. I'll post them soon...I hope! :) Anyway...I just want to say...

I'm back from the States! :) I'm home! I'M HOME! I'm so happy. :)

In The Middle Of It All

D.C. On Alert! The White House and all Senate Houses are evacuated.

I dunno if it was a big deal in Manila...but this has been front page news over here (well, here in the East, as far as I can tell). Washington D.C. was on alert last Wednesday, May 11th, as an unidentified plane strayed into D.C.'s no-fly zone. It's pretty exciting news, actually...the first "scare" since 9/11.

And I was right *there* in the middle of all the action!

My family and I took the Old Town Trolley tours through D.C. last May 11th. We were supposed to stay on the trolley for the whole route, but then the White House stop came up...and who could resist the White House, right? So we all went down to take some pictures...we walked around the park, taking our sweet time...and my dad asked a nearby guard where the nearest bus stop was. He was polite and very helpful, saying "Oh just go down this block and take a left." And then all of a sudden, "Can you make it quick folks. Please move away from the White House!"

Weh?

A picture with my siblings, a few minutes before the evacuation

And then all of a sudden, we noticed guards with big machine guns, shouting at people to move a block away from the White House. A few moments later, a motorcade raced across the street, complete with police escorts and sirens! Hehehe. Coolness. We were all taking pictures, completely ignoring the fact that this *might* be a real emergency. All the while I thought that someone important may be coming up the driveway or something. :p Only found out in the news that night what all the ruckus was all about. :p

Pretty exciting town. I'm glad I got in on some of the action. Hehe. :)

The Boston Nightlife

Abi, Ivy and I in Tonic. :) Me in my very un-bar-like get up. Hehe. :)

Ivy and I in Wonder Bar, soaking up the so-called Red Death drink. Hehe. :) Yuck, I look fat in this picture...:p

For 2 consecutive nights, I have done something that I normally avoid doing: I've gone to bars. Haha. Yeah, I've gone to a couple of night spots back in Manila, but I've never really stayed for too long. At least not past midnight. And I don't really like going out to *gimik places* at night...it's the homebody in me, I guess. :)

The bars over here are waaaay different. Shocking, actually. Or maybe I'm just too naive. Or feeling naive. Hehehe. :) It was pretty cool...I got to laugh at the dancing white boys. Because they really can't dance. Seriously. It was such a laugh trip watching them try to look sexy. "Brown" boys are better...and I'm pretty biased 'cause Mark's a really good dancer. Hahaha. Filipino all the way! :) Hahaha. :)

Other weird experiences of the night...I danced (which is pretty strange because I can't dance). And 2 strange men hit on me. But I don't think it counts for 4 reasons. 1, they were drunk. 2, it was dark. 3, they weren't cute. At all. And 4, I'm already taken. :D Hee hee.Pretty scary experience. I think natawa si Ivy when she saw my panicked look when the first guy approached. Brrr.

Anyway, thanks so much to Ivy for showing me how the Boston night life is really like! Hehe. Her friends (Abi and Sancho) were really nice too! They were such sweetie pies, even if I was too *shy* to really say anything much. Hehe. I will post more pictures as soon as Ives sends me some more. :D

I'm havin' fun. But I really really really just want to go home. :(

Go Rob & Amber!

Just finished watching the Amazing Race 7 Finale. I was kinda disappointed.

I wanted Rob and Amber to win. :(

I just hate it that the other teams were all so against them from the start, partly because they're famous, and partly because Rob was too agressive (and often times, rude) for their tastes. Hmf. Well, it's a race!!! I think it was pretty cool of them to be that competitive.

And they were soooo sweet. *sigh* GO ROB AND AMBER! :)

Oh well. I guess it was pretty cool for Uchenna and Joyce to win even if they had zero funds. Galing. Pero it would have been more exciting if Rob and Amber won. Man, what I would give to see the looks on Lynn and Alex's faces. Hah! :p

I am the fan of the constestants who didn't win. Rob & Amber and Constantine. Hehehe. Oh well. They all still rock in my book. :D

Leaving again

In a few hours, we'll be leaving this cozy *abode* in California, and we will be flying to New York! We'll be staying in a hotel, though, so no internet for me. I won't be able to chat with anyone anymore...talk about adding more grief to my homesickness. :(

We won't be coming back here till the 28th, so I don't think I'll be able to update this blog anymore. For a month, at least. :p And I won't be able to publicly rant about my (still ongoing) grief for the voting out of Constantine. #!)#&$^@ talaga.

As in WHAT THE F***!?!

Agh. I'm sorry. I'm still bothered. >:(

* * * *

Things to be happy about, though...

- I've rediscovered my classic movie favorites: The Princess Bride, Willow, The Goonies and Beaches. :) Man, I miss those movies...

- I've tasted the Chantico from Starbucks. It is sooo rich, fattening and yummy. It's like drinking pure chocolate.

- I was able to go to the beach this summer, after all! :) Huntington Beach. Freezing, but sandy, nonetheless.

- I haven't gained a pound yet. And I've been stuffing my face with food ever since I got here! :)

- The American Idol 4 compilation CD will be out this May, so I'll be able to get it! Woohoo. :) As well as the Pray for the Soul of Betty CD which will be out May 10th. Hahaha. I wonder if it's any good...

- I've seen the Russell Peters stand-up comedy videos. He's pretty good. He's the Indian-Canadian's Rex Navarette. Reeeaaally funny. Must-download. :)

* * * *

Ohhhkay. Hoping for more things to be happy about in the coming weeks. This homesickness thing is really bothering me. The days go by sooo slooowwwlyyyy. We've only been here a week?!? It feels like two! Agh. :(

INCONCEIVABLE.

If you haven't seen the American Idol results show yet, and you don't want to spoil the surprise, then stop reading this right now.

* * * *

I am officially in mourning. I am shocked beyond belief.

He has been eliminated.

The one I am always looking forward to watching in AI. The one whose smoldering stares make my day. The one who rocks my world. The one whom I thought would win. The one whom EVERYONE thought would reach the top 3.

Oh my God, this is the most scandalous of all AI episodes. Even more scandalous than the La Toya vote-off.

When Ryan told him that he was in the wrong group, we were like "No waaaay!!!"

When he remained in the bottom 2, everyone in my family was like, "Whaaattt? Oh no!!!!"

When Ryan said that he was going home, everyone screamed to the high heavens. I could almost hear 35 million Americans scream "NOOOO!!!" simultaneously. It was scandalous. It was surreal. This CAN'T be happening!!!!

Impossible. How can he be eliminated this early? How can he be eliminated before friggin Scott?!?! It's just not fair!!!! It's not faaaaaaaaiiirrrr!!! There's something wrong with the voting system. There is something wrong with America for not voting for Constantine. I guess my votes last night didn't count. :( I'm sorry Constantine, I failed you! Agh! I should have voted some more!!! I guess everyone was feeling pretty confident about his chances. Shit. :(

For Constantine fans, it's ok...I cried too. It's a totally natural reaction. *sigh*

Constantine not a part of the Top 3? Constantine not the American Idol?

INCONCEIVABLE.

If Scott Savol wins American Idol, I will boycott the show forever. Curse him and his smirking face. I bet he has this syndicate voting for him or something. **&$&#*ampu*^a&. Stupid sympathy votes! AGH!!!!

*sigh*
Still shocked. Still sad. :(

American Idol LIVE!

Cool! I got to watch AI live! Live, on TV at least. Hehehe. :) I dunno why Star World says that the 4pm show over there in Manila is *Live via Satellite.* 8pm here is 11am there, right? Nye. Nevermind...

It's like..."Wow. Somewhere, a few miles away from me, Ryan Seacrest is introducing one of the AI finalists on stage!" Hahaha. Babaw ba? :) And the best thing about it is...I got to vote! Yay! How funnnn. :)

I voted for everyone except for Scott. Hahaha. I used to be a Savol fan...but at this point in the competition, I have to choose the person whom I want to stay...and the person whom I feel is no big loss. *shrug*

Leni, I voted for Anthony for you!
Mia, I voted for Constantine for you!

And of course I voted a couple more times for Constantine for myself. hehehe. :) Even if his performance did suck. That was such a bad song choice...I think this was the first time that my eyes weren't permanently glued to the screen during a Constantine performance. :p I don't think I even saw half of it. Ugh. :p

I was looking at his pictures in idolonfox.com....and he really isn't cute. He's scary looking actually, in his still-photos. You really have to *watch* him perform to really see the Constantine appeal. Hey...if ever I get to be a lucky girl on the AI live audience wait-list, can you give me really cool slogans to put on my banner? Something like "Constantine Mania in Manila!" (yuck, that was corny...); or "Constantine: Looks can kill." (ugh, even worse); or "Maroulis is the coolest!" (ok, I think I'll stop now)

I'm thinking...Scott, Constantine and Anthony in the bottom 3, based on the performances... Based on popularity (which almost always governs), I'd have to say Scott, Vonzell and Anthony. Hmm. I wonder what will happen? I can't wait! :)

"Thank you for voting for contestant #_. Watch American Idol live tomorrow for the results!"

Eating It All Up

The food here is amazing.

Two things that my taste buds are great fans of:

1) The Pizookie from BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse. This is the absolute BEST dessert I have ever had. It's this freshly baked cookie inside a deep dish, topped with vanilla bean ice cream. It's served hot, with its chocolate chunks oozing, and its outer crusts a little bit crispy, and its center chewy and soft. Aaaah. Heaven in a cookie.

2) A glazed donut from Krispy Kreme. I know everyone's been saying that the Amazing Glaze donut from Go Nuts Donuts is the same as the Krispy Kreme ones...but they are NOT. Especially when you get to eat a KK donut hot and fresh from the oven. It absolutely melts in your mouth, and nothing compares to the light donut bread and the sinful sugary sweet glaziiinnngg. Gaaaah. Sinful stuff that is.

It's only my 4th day here and already I'm making excuses to stuff my mouth with yummy goodies ("Hey, I'm on vacation!" or "Walang ganito sa Pinas" or "I'll burn it while shopping later...") Gaaaah.

I repeat: The food here...it's amazing...I have died and gone to food heaven. And I will come back to earth a plump girl. :D

Touchdown...

I'm here! I've finally arrived. :)

There's really something different in the air...Not only is it colder, it smells like Downy, too. Haha. :)

Our first few hours here and I've already pigged out on an In-N-Out Cheeseburger "Animal Style" (their way of saying Cheeseburger with Grilled Onions. Yum). Very nice. I've missed that. I have to promise myself to do crunches every night...Can't allow myself to get plump. :p Nooo way.

Tomorrow we'll be meeting some of my cousin's friends. She's a HS senior, and she's really tall and pretty, obviously a popular girl in school, and her boyfriend looks hot. Hahaha. Makes me kind of intimidated actually. I know I'm not a very sociable person, and it takes me quite a while to warm up. So I don't really know how I'll be able to go about meeting anyone, or talking to anyone. :p

Oh well. I guess I'll just have to take things as they come. Hopefully I won't make a fool of myself. :)

Just a few hours in, I'm beginning to realize that I can never live in another country. Haha. :) And I'm having second thoughts on the studying-abroad-thing. Haha. I'm such a wimp. :(