Sugar Overdose and The Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous

The two topics have no direct relation. It's just that for lunch I ate these frosted cherry-flavored pop tarts imitation that my sister gave me. It was a tad too sweet, plus I was at site all morning so I'm tired and sleepy right now. So to wake me up, hopefully writing in this blog o' mine would help throw cold water at my face.

Anyways, since I got back from Manila I found out that my boss assigned me to another project. It should have been two but good thign I wasn't around to accept the other one. Tish ended up working on the other. Both of same nature. Site inspection of two completed, occupied condos. I'm quite lucky cuz I ended up with the newer higher-end condo which was located within the city center.

It was definitely a peek at expat living. Mostly Westerners. I forgot the title of that MTV show wherein the guy/girl selects a date through rummaging through the latter's room. That was how I felt. I guessed the ages of the kids, what their jobs wee, wondered why one unit didn't have a dining table or any form of dining area, guessed who was cultured enough to have an interior designer work on it, guessed who travelled a lot through the books and memorabilia.

It's quite a nice break from office work or too-heavy site meetings. I was even able to talk to two Filipina maids. (my colleague said Caucasians usually get Filipinas to have less of the language barrier). One was a part-timer in two residences (apparently the employers were friends or something like that) and she spends time at each household. She said she had two kids in Manila, one studying in PSBA and one taking nursing. I told her hopefully the one taking nursing will follow here. She said, yes, hopefully, but he's still in his second year. And as she said, "Marami pang kakainin bigas". She only goes home to Manila when she has money to spare. And it made me feel guilty for my impulsive trips home. I'm really lucky in a way. Although I have financial obligations too, I'm glad it isn't so bad after all.

oops i did it again

I know I've had tendencies of being an impulsive shopper. (But seriously, I'm really not that bad since I'm only an impulsive shopper for bargains. I have my expenses excel to prove it hehe)

But I've just discovered that I'm an impulsive flyer as well.

Yep, that's right. My intention really was to wait till December before flying home again.

But no, I found the week-long Chinese New Year break to fly home.

And yes, I've done it again. I've confirmed my flight to fly home for a five-day vacation. Although the thought was playing in my mind all week it was only Saturday that I finally decided. And I booked my flight right then and there. I was standing outside the travel agency, calling my sister for her advice. I was deliberating between flying home for the full five days or flying solo to somewhere to Bangkok (my only option was Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, but as everyone said KL is only good for one day). But as my sister said, I can postpone Bangkok till when my family can come with me. So that left me with KL. Which is pretty useless because I'd be travelling to get bored still. I wanted to maximize my break. Shows you how staying in Singapore for more than the two-day weekend could be really boring huh? Cuz I was thinking if I just stayed here I could only think of errands to do that would only be good for one day. Go to IKEA (and maximize the opportunity of going there while it isn't crowded), go to East Coast, prolly visit Holland Village. But I could do those in my weekends.

Okay, since I'm on a roll of justifying my "impulsive flying" tendencies, I'll list down the reasons why I'm flying home.

1. I felt guilty and incomplete for not being home during my grandfather's wake till cremation. I have emotions bottled up that I need to release with people who are going through the same thing as I am. (Okay, a bit too drama but it was really hard working while trying not to cry :P)

2. I met a new client for a house he wants designed in Ayala Westgrove (Silang, Cavite) He's a friend of my brother in law. We've thought that my five-day break is a good time for me to visit the site. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he would be able to fly back too. If we do get to visit the site I would be able to charge him at least a portion of the airfare to him.

3. I miss my nephew (isn't that reason enough? Hahaha). I'll be missing his first birthday this september. And I have no chance of going home for it. I better see him before he forgets me right?

So there.

The only apprehensive thign about it is the flight (which I got pretty cheap consider it's PAL and costs as much as the JetStar flight.) But I took the risk. There's a chance I would be reimbursed for the flight. But even if I don't get remibursed (but I'm hoping still) I think I'm still within my budget. Good thing I'm not the type who treats myself to expensive gadgets, clothes, shoes, and food!

Anyways, there's no place like home!

paranoid

I know it's not just me who thinks this. I'm the type who rereads the text message I type before sending it, sometimes taking time out to re-word if necessary, checking if I added too much smiley faces, or add some more. I even sometimes think if I should place a smiley face at all.

Pranoid? Yeah, I know.

It's just that sometimes I read stuff into other people's sms messages to me.

"Why didn't he/she put a smiley face? Is he/she mad?"

"Woah. He/She wants to cut the text-message-exchange with the a curt 'ok' or 'k'."

Or I sometimes worry I might give the wrong signal.

"Maybe he thinks I'm hitting on him?" (Okay that's a tad too strong for me. I NEVER hit on a guy. Subconsciously flirt, maybe.)

"Maybe he/she thinks I'm mad at him/her?"

Sigh. The never-ending thinking mind of a woman.

bad day

I feel like s*** right now actually. My head aches. I feel cold. I'm bored. I feel bloated.

I don't really feel that sick. I just feel weak.

I've been staring at the same drawing for an hour already I think.

Nothing to do anyway.

Ugh.

please?

To whoever reads this, stranger or not.

One request okay?

Please pray that I get to fly home next week. My intentions for going home isn't the most noble ones and the means I wish to go is quite selfish.

But please.

It would mean so much to me.

Pray for this person's generosity.

Pray that fate will be on my side this time.

Please.

in memoriam

One of my lolos passed away this morning.

I didn't expect myself to be sad. But I am. I was crying this morning that some of my officemates asked me how I was. And the office busybody was even consoling me.

My dad and sister said I didn't have to come home. That they will understand that I won't be there. Makes me feel a bit guilty. But I'll just do my share by offering mass for him on the day of his cremation.

I also decided to take time off this afternoon cuz I just concentrate on my work.

I was never close to this particular lolo. He's been sick for a while now. In and out of the hospital. But somehow I know I'm one of the grandchildren he particularly likes. I have no idea why. My dad told me that he always asks about me when they visit him.

But except for the visits my dad sometimes forces on us, I didn't really gave much effort to talk to him during family gatherings. It was already difficult communicating with him. So much for being a good grandchild.

Picking Up Where I Left Off

Oh wow. It's been like ages since I last updated my blog.

So allow me to ransack my memory and try to give you a lowdown on what's been up with me for the past month.

1.) My parents were here. It was a great great time. It was quite memorable because it's the first time they've visited Singapore. And I showed them my Singapore. Yep, we still went to Sentosa (waste of time) and took some pictures by the Esplanade and Boat Quay area. But I brought them where I went to mass, where I did my grocery shopping, I had them take the buses I took, they took the train (yep, no cab rides except to and fro the airport!) They thoroughly enjoyed their stay here, the food, the scenery. Somehow they were convinced that I'm fine here. As my mom said, she treasured the bonding we had during their trip. (Can I cry now? Hahaha)

2.) My first birthday outside the Philippines. Well actually my parents' trip here was a birthday gift for myself (haha!). Although my sister, during the earlier preparation stages of the trip, was reluctant to book them at Jet Star Asia. But I gave them an option an 8-day vacation flying PAL and over the long weekend BEFORE my birthday or a 14-day vacation flying Jet Star over the long weekend AND my birthday weekend. So there. They agreed to the second option. But they just stayed for 13 days. So how was my birthday? Well since I treated every day they were here as if it was a vacation for me too, my birthday didn't really stand out from the other days (but I'm positive without them with me I would have been totally depressed on my birthday). But we had a special meal of Chilli Crab and some picture-taking. So it was still fun. Made a call to my siblings. My other sister called me. Not much of my friends here in SG knew my exact birthday although knowing it was at May. Some texted and called. And a very good high school friend fom Manila called me. So it was a good birthday.

3.) Friends came over. Friend Gia, Popop and Joyce were here too! As happy as I am to see very dear and familiar faces in this city was such a treat! If only I could re-arraneg everything and had them come over at separate dates or months! (haha) I only saw Gia and Popop for a brief time since theire visit coincided with my parents. It was quite funny when they saw me. According to them I actually have an accent (Moi? Are you sure?) and that I seemed more mahinhin. (eh?) Then after my parents' trip Joyce moved in. Although I didn't have much chance to go out with her because of a friggin stomach/gastric flu it was great being with a close friend. I miss the bonding.

4.) My sister's coming over. Yep, I'm so thankful to JetStar Asia. I'm sure if there were no budget airlines my sister wouldn't even consider flying here. She'll be coming with her friend who will be moving to SG soon too. So it would be nice seeing my sister and meeting a potential good friend here. If her friend's place is convenient enough to work (okay, maybe even if it isn't) we would all bunk in with her (surely her place is better than mine since her husband is expat-status here!) And I don't know if my sister's serious. She wants to watch the Air Supply concert here. Kidding or not, I'd be game, hehe.

5.) Old and New Friends. Henry, one of my new friends here, called me and we shall meet up soon again. He just flew back from a trip to Frisco and Manila (lucky him!) Then I also contacted one of my sister's former colleagues and good friend who's based here too. Will be meeting up with her next week. I hope we get along well.

6.) Office Horror Stories. It isn't so really. I've been working on one project with a senior associate who could be very temperamental. She actually screams at people. Although a lot of the people in my team have been victims of it, it scares me. Although I've been assured that her scolding is always just professional and never personal, I have to prepare myself -- my ears, my ego. There has already been two instances of almost-scolds. But surely time will come that she would already be scolding me or even screaming at me. So God help me.

So basically these are the latest updates.

I can't believe that by mid-June I've already been here for ONE WHOLE YEAR. Can you believe it? I can't, haha. So that means A year, a month, and a half of my contract to go. So what's my state of mind at this point in time re: my stay here? Still not sure. Hehe.

Let's just play it by ear, shall we?