Bowling Championship Night

We had a great time last night as we concluded our bowling tournament. Though no more players from the Yellow team that competed, I still enjoyed watching the rest of the competing teams.

CONGRATULATIONS to the BLUE TEAM for winning the OCS Sports Fest 2k6 BOWLING tournament!

The Champions - Axel, Ms. Jem & Jeff (hindi kasali si Chris. hehe...)

Modelling the bowling balls

Tabel's Team (sayang hindi umabot sa 3rd place...almost!)

Kulang sa tela. hehe...:P

Final pose for the evening :)

Again, thanks to Ritche for the pics. (",)

Badminton Tournament Update

It was a tight badminton match last night as we're faced with a really tough opponent - Sir Joseph and Royet. And we lost. Me and my partner were killed by their smashes. Somehow the experience challenged me to learn better in defending myself to return those killer smashes. At least our scores were not that behind. It's also enough consolation that they've appreciated my dropshots and placings. I owe that to my volleyball competition days.

I thought it was the end for us until I was told that we still have another game tomorrow, still for the semi-finals. I guess I'm kinda torn. There's this part of me saying, "Oh, just give it up. With all those great players, you'll not proceed to the championship anyway." but there's also this little voice shouting, "Go and fight 'til the end!"

Oh well, let's see what's gonna happen. Whatever the outcome may be, I just want to make one thing sure. I'll go out there and have fun! :D So tomorrow, I'll hold on tight to my racket as I say to myself "Just get this over and done with, Doths".

Whatever that means. hehe... (",)

A New Look

After more than a year of keeping this blog, I realized I haven't really changed much of its layout. Inspite of my busy weekend, I suddenly thought of creating a new look for my blog. As always, I find it difficult to start conceptualizing. But when the creative juices started coming out (if there are any.. hehehe...), ideas just flowed smoothly.

First thing I had to decide was whether I should change my blog title or just stick to the old one. I've always liked my old blog title. But I was surprised when this phrase suddenly popped on my mind..."Walking in field of grace". I tried to remember where I first encountered it. I'm positive it was a line in a song. When I checked google, the song was "Dancing in fields of grace". I decided to keep the "walking" part. So there, a new title for my blog.

The task of thinking titles for my sidebar entries was in itself a challenge. I'd like to come up with something that would relate to my blog title. I was not successful in searching for templates so I had to rely on my own judgement as I remind myself to stick to the theme I've chosen. I guess somehow I did pretty well. :)

"Grace" - unmeritted favor. Something given to you even if you don't deserve it. I've always loved that word. And for as long as I journey in this life, I would always be grateful for this amazing Gift of God. I would be nothing without it.

Emcee stint at SSCDC

For the second time I was invited to be the emcee at SSCDC pre-school. The first event was during their Foundation day celebration a couple of years back. This time, I’m doing the same job for their 3rd Commencement Exercises and Recognition day.


No, I’m not doing this as a sideline. It’s just my way of helping and supporting a good friend of mine, Ma’am Marlyn. She was my teacher back in grade school. Since then, we became good friends even after graduation. She’s like a big sister to me. I’ve always been grateful for her kindness and especially for all the advice she generously gave. Until now I’m still amazed at the fact that we’ve never lost contact even after more than a decade. I think if there’s one important thing I’ve learned from her, it’s about sincerely valuing your friends and keeping them for life no matter how time or distance separated you from each other.

Ma’am Marlyn opened this pre-school 3 years ago with her twin sister, Evelyn. But she still teaches full-time at Diliman Preparatory School. I’m just glad to see her now as she fulfills her dream of establishing her own school.


This morning, I had to leave the house at 10 a.m. though the event would start at 4 p.m. I promised to help in putting up the decors aside from I also have to runthrough the programme and script.

Half an hour passed and I was at SM Bacoor. I had to pass by the department store to buy make-up. (yes, you got that right) You see, I don’t have them at home since I don’t really use them except on special occasions. I suddenly wished my sister was at home so I could just borrow her kikay kit. Problem is, I’m not really sure how to use them. Hehe… Thank God, the sales lady was kind enough to assist me on which make-up to buy. She even taught me how to apply them.

Took a quick lunch at Chowking and then went straight to the mini-bus station going to Tanza, Cavite. I wasn’t really sure where to got off so I texted Ma’am Marlyn for directions. Good thing, the landmark she gave was easy to recognize. I got off at Jollibee Tanza and took a jeepney going to Trece. I guess it took me two hours travel from our house going to Gen. Trias.

Ma’am Marlyn wasn’t at the venue when I arrived. But her sister-in-law, Ate Melony welcomed me graciously. I waited for some time and after a while I got a call from Ma’am Marlyn asking me to proceed to their house, which is just walking distance from the venue.

Thea, Thalia and Christian (Ma’am Marlyn’s nieces and nephew) welcomed me happily as I entered their home. How much they’ve grown after just 2 years of not seeing them. Their faces were brimming with cheer as I handed them their pasalubong. With her cute little smile Thalia automatically said, “Tenchu Tita Doths!” She wasn’t speaking yet when I last saw her, that’s why I’m quite surprised to hear how talkative she is right now. She’s become a smart little girl.

We’re all dressed up by 3 p.m. and immediately proceed at the venue. I asked for a photo before the program started. Also with us were two co-teachers of Ma’am Marlyn, Sir Edison (the guest speaker) and Ma’am Beth.


At a little past 4, the program started and my job began. I was still a little worried that my voice would crack since I had this sore throat since Tuesday. I just kept a bottle of water beside me all throughout the event. Good thing, the program flow was smooth, as the kids knew how to behave well. You’d even be amazed to see these smart kids participating in the program. From leading the National Anthem and opening prayer to the welcome address and pledge of loyalty. Their teachers surely did a good job.

My favorite part in the program was when the kids rendered a special song to thank their parents as they gave them flowers and chocolates. It was definitely a touching moment, but I was doing my best to hold back my tears. I’m not sure if they would like a red-eyed, sniffing lady for an emcee. Hehehe…


I was surprised when my name was called in the middle of the program. Nope, it wasn’t because I forgot my script nor my cue. It was a wonderful surprise from Ma’am Marlyn and Ma’am Evelyn as they handed me a plaque of appreciation and a thank-you gift. And how much I loved the flowers! Of course, they’re pink roses. :D I didn’t get those gifts when I first did my emcee job back then. Hehehe… But that’s ok.


The program ended with every parent, child, teacher and even the guests feeling happy and proud. I took the chance to chat with some kids and even posed for a photo as the food was being prepared. It always makes me feel younger every time I’m with them. :D


I spent some time to help fix some stuff after the event. At around 8 p.m., I bid goodbye to Ma’am Marlyn, to her twin sister Ma’am Evelyn, to the 3 adorable kids and to the rest of their household. For the second time, I surely enjoyed my emcee stint. I rode the bus going home feeling happy and fulfilled. (",)

Pink Friday

As per Anne's request, Ritche willingly took some photos of us (the girls of the Integration and Support Team) this morning. Wala lang... natuwa lang si Anne kase naka-pink daw kaming tatlo nila Carissa (of different shades nga lang). Lalo syang natuwa nung nakita nya pati socks ko pink. hehehe... (hindi ko naman masyadong favorite ang pink no?) :D

Feeling Shampoo commercial models daw :P

Sunsilk girls, Anne and Cheli: "Shine, shine, shine!"

Rejoice "straight at natural" daw ako (sabi ni Anne)

Head and Shoulders (ala Angel Locsin) si Carissa (hmmm...bida sa majika?)

Vannie, Ms. Vaseline: (singing) I'm glowing inside because of you...

Ms. Pantene, Tabel: "thirty something na..." (oopss! twenty something lang pala)

hehehe...Go girls!

Have a lovely weekend everyone! (",)

just about anything

I still feel like I didn't get enough sleep since last Tuesday. That's what you get from partying on a weekday. hehe... But it's okay, I had fun with the Ephil folks as we celebrated Nikki's birthday. Thanks Nikks for the sumptuous dinner! yummmy! :D I also enjoyed playing with Oyo (Nikki's cute son), though he's quite aloof at first but later on we ended up as good friends.

I took a half day yesterday since I woke up a little late. Passed by Mc Donalds (MCS) for breakfast. I remembered I had to buy a Bible for my mom's friend, as birthday gift. Good thing there's a PCBS nearby. Bought her a nice handy English/Tagalog NIV Bible. I also took the chance to canvass prices of DVBS materials. Theme for this year is "Home Planet".

Wednesday night as usual is badminton night. I didn't have a game, though. But I went to Badminton Xtreme to support my team mates who have game schedules. Unfortunately, one of the best pair in our team lost. It was a good game, though. Got home at around 10 p.m. and watched American Idol (at channel 5) until 12 midnight. That explains why I doze off to sleep while riding the shuttle this morning. hehe...


Not much workload today since I finally submitted the test plan last Tuesday. Still waiting for feedback from our PM, Arlene. That means I can go home a little early tonight, yey! Though I'm thinking of inquiring at ASCM before attending the midweek service. Last night, I happen to sit beside Tita Elsa (she's a pastor's wife) while riding the shuttle going home. And she's been encouraging me to enroll this coming school year. Hmmm...I'm still thinking and praying about it now. But I must admit, I already miss going to school. (",)

What-a-Monday

Came in late this morning. First time. No shuttle available. Long queue at the shuttle terminal. Stood waiting for almost an hour. Traffic.

I nearly tripped as I got off the elevator while walking towards our office entrance. It's the construction still being done in our floor. They removed all the tiles and scattered plywoods and rags all over the place. Very timely that I had to wear high heels today.

Deprived. YM has been blocked. Even Friendster and some other sites. No contact to the outside world.

Bad hair day.

what else?

I guess I could go on and on enumerating all the not-so-good reasons of starting the week. But I don't think I'll choose to wallow in frustration and disappointment. I'm glad there's always tomorrow to start fresh anew. And I choose to believe that things will be better tomorrow.

Oh by the way, we're not that deprived afterall. Thanks to Arlene for introducing this "YM workaround" hehe... And yes, back to rubber shoes tomorrow. yey! (",)

Anne's Birthday Treat @ Gerry's Grill

It's Anne's _ _th birthday celebration with the team. (Sorry, I have to leave that blank or else...:P) Thanks Anne for the sumptuous lunch! yummy! :D

As usual, the pics are courtesy of the "paparazzis", Ritche and Ferdie. (",)


Before entering the elevator (nyaiks! ginagawa yung floor namin, parang kweba :D)

walking down the street...

habang nag-aabang ng FX...

haha...napicturan si Ritche ni Ferdie :P

hehe...napicturan si Ferdie ni Ritche :P

campus girls daw sabi ni Cheli :P

sisters? :D

sungayan ba ko?! :P

picture with the birthday girl (in pink stripes)

final pose before leaving :)

Team Lunch at Dad's

Thanks to Arlene for sharing these pics from our lunch last week with our new technical director, Dave Allan. Actually, it was his request to meet with all the teams in order to get to know each of us better. (",)

eat all you can! :D

Cheli, me & Tabel w/ our freebies

Ferdie, Van, Anne & Carissa w/ their elephants :)

Arlene, Ritche, Axel and his pet :P

Meron din sila Dave and Noel :D

Team picture with the bosses :)

Sweet Surrender

My team mate Ritche sent me this article. Quite a long read but I really, really love the message. Exactly what I needed today. (thanks Ritche!)

Sweet Surrender

LOVE LUCY

By Lucy Gomes

The Philippine STAR 03/12/2006

The labandera messed up on the laundry instructions and permanently damaged the expensive silk shirt.
The not-exactly-cheap cutlery diminishes in number by the month.
Your friend betrays a confidence.
Your daughter traces the logo on your expensive designer bag with permanent ink.
A friend is seriously ill.
Your daughter refuses to work on her homework, does not want to clean up her mess, will not take her vitamins (all in the same hour).
You lose your favorite earrings, an antique pair you inherited form your mother's mother.
Your favorite maid runs off with your security guard.
People you are nice to just aren't.
People you love hurt you.
A deal you were counting on does not push through.
The movie you wanted to watch is no longer showing.
The new lotion you bought makes your skin break out in a rash.

Nope, that did not happen to me today in rapid succession. But most of them have, at different points in my life – and I actually spent time dissecting and lamenting the whys and hows. Depending on what it was, it went on for days, sometimes even months.

As I write this, another full day has come and gone, and many little things did not go my way. Nothing major, just little stuff that can chew on your sanity because they're so silly and could have been avoided. The nice thing is I did not for one minute write off the day as a "bad day" or a "horrible day", as I admit I would have easily done so in the past. I'm really growing up, I think. Finally.

Like little bursts of sunshine that shine through an otherwise cloudy day, I am starting to realize in bits and pieces how uncomplicated and so much more enjoyable life becomes when you integrate in the daily grind the kindergarten, but quite difficult, act of surrendering to people, places, things, situations, especially those you cannot change, those you cannot even avoid to begin with. Never mind that you did not ask for them, nor did you plan for them to happen. But they still did, despite your best intentions. Even the best laid out plans are not foolproof. There are always surprises in store for us; the bad ones come with the good. It's a package deal. Like going into a library filled with books you've never read, you stumble upon bad stories just as much as you most probably will good ones. But even if you cannot control everything, you can always control how you react to anything. As common sense dictates, you won't waste precious time reading a bad book but you will delight in each chapter of a good one.

Surrendering simplifies many things, most everything actually. And by doing that, as much as I possibly can, I am learning to let go and just let God. I am also starting to elude real stress. No small feat considering that I am such a worrier, and that I can be quite meticulous, especially when it comes to things I am passionate about.

For so long, I did not realize I was like a little girl forever trying to swim the proper way but never quite learning to, crippled with fear, forever struggling to paddle to the surface to keep afloat. The harder I tried, the more I struggled. The bigger my hopes, the greater the disappointment when things did not happen the way I expected them to. All the while, the swim instructor was telling me to be light as air, paddle purposefully but softly. All the while, my mother was teaching me to coat everything I did in prayer. "Ask God to put His hand in everything you do, whether it is as mundane as looking for a parking space or getting to an appointment on time or as life-changing as finding a husband and starting a family," she said. And that was all I needed to stay buoyant. Come what may. Such simple instructions. Little did I know then that that was all I needed to ensure that I would not swallow water, sputter and stutter, get upset, worst yet, drown.

True, it did not happen overnight. But one day I just decided to stop huffing and puffing, hemming and hawing my way through life. Centering prayer has taught me that. It is an attitude, a lifestyle anchored not on folly but faith, in Someone far greater and bigger than all of life's unwelcome twists combined. Oh, surrender can really be so sweet.

Like the best surfers do, you ride the wave. Or, in the case of kiteboarders, you go where the wind blows. Such is the elementary art of being truly happy, 365 days a year. Do not even worry about tomorrow, God is already there. Mark Twain once said, "I am an old man and have had many troubles, most of which never happened." What he said has held true for me. Countless times. I want to bang my head on the wall when I think about it now. All that worrying. And for what? Nothing.

But also, I am a young woman and have had many blessings, most of which are more than I even prayed for. Get this. The best things that happened in my life are those that I was ambiguous about, and for lack of knowing which way to go I just surrendered, most probably in frustration, and told God, bahala ka na ha! What do you know? He took me seriously and led me to the right path. You trust your life and your circumstance to the all-knowing Guy up there.

Better than you ever dreamt, more beautiful than you ever hoped it could be. Many times I have ecstatically looked heavenward and gushed, "You are so bright! How did You know I wanted this? I did not even know I wanted this? I never knew I was going to end up doing this or that, wanting this or that!" On hindsight though, I realize that many, many years back He was already sowing the seeds that would lead me to the bigger picture He had in mind for my present and my future. I just never recognized the signs, nor the purpose, why things happened the way they did. In His time. Always in His time. Everything always falls into place. He already knew what I wanted and needed, long before I even realized it. Again I say, He is bright. And divinely providential at that.

Here is a really beautiful thought that I hang on to. Father Thomas Keating says, "God is in the present moment, no matter the content of the moment." You take a leap of faith and accept how the cookie crumbles. You rest comfortably and confidently in the thought that whatever your present moment is, He is there. And that it is exactly how He wants it to be, where He wants you to be. For now. No matter how imperfect it may seem in your eyes from where He's looking, it is in sync with His bigger and perfect plan. What other assurance do we need?

It is liberating. As my Mom always said, "Sige lang, pagbu-ot man na sa Ginoo. Pasagdi. (Never mind, it is God's will. So be it.)" And when you learn to let go of what you think you want, what you know you cannot have just yet, you are free. To hope for better things. To be happier. Because when you accept, you do not resist. Consequently, you do not harbor any resentment in your heart, bitterness will not find a place in your life.

Staying calm amid life's setbacks is a gargantuan task that no man can do on his own. It is a grace from up above. I'm learning, slowly but surely, not to be too attached to the ideal situation, as I see it in my mind, as I write it out in my daily To-Do list, as my dreams for the future dictate. They may be sources of inspiration, sometimes motivation, but they no longer shape the quality of my thoughts and emotions. If I cannot make it to an appointment, if schedules don't match, if something I was looking forward to does not push through, if I lose a favorite thing, if I realize I can never be friends again with someone I once was close to, I do my best to let it go with a light heart. Maybe it is not mine to have. Not just yet. After all, anything forced is not of the Lord.

God is in the present moment. And if only for that, I want my middle name to be "surrender." Not as a sign of defeat but a leap of faith. Only then will God be able to lead me forward to the rest of my life. Amazing how much happier one can actually be. Even more astonishing is how much you actually gain when you yield not to man, but always to God and His ways.

The labandera messed up on the laundry instructions and permanently damaged the expensive silk shirt. The incident will teach you to be more careful the next time around.

The not-exactly-cheap cutlery diminishes in number bythe month. There are still some left to use.

Your friend betrays a confidence and stabs you at the back. You learn a painful lesson in tolerance and trust.

Your daughter traces the logo on your expensive designer bag with permanent ink. You learn not to be too attached to material things.

A friend is seriously ill. Teaches you to be strong and to persevere with him/her in prayer.

Your daughter refuses to work on her homework, does not want to clean up her mess, will not take her vitamins (all in the same hour). God is teaching you patience.

You lose your favorite earrings, an antique pair you inherited form your mother's mother. At least you already enjoyed using it countless times while you still had it.

Your favorite maid runs off with your security guard. Teaches you to live and let live.

People you are nice to just aren't. That is just the way of the world.

People you love hurt you. Love simplifies everything. Because you love, you forgive.

A deal you were counting on does not push through. God's ways are not man's ways. He has other plans.

The movie you wanted to watch is no longer showing and you miss the deadline. That is life teaching you not procrastinate.

The new lotion you bought makes your skin break out in a rash. Makes you appreciate and be thankful for the ones that don't. :)

_________________________________
As for me, I choose to surrender. (",)

zZZzzZzZleeeepy Tuesday

It's past 5 p.m. and I'm still sleepy. Blame it to the badminton game this morning. I had to wake up at 5 a.m. and be at The Zone by 7. We had a nice game, though. I had a chance to play with some officemates I've never played with before.

Had lunch with Tabel and Angie at Max's (as promised). Though we missed the soon-to-be-mom, Cynthia, but we are definitely happy for her. :D Food was a feast for the 3 of us. Interesting conversation (somehow I felt like a shock-absorber. hehehe... but it's ok.) We're all complaining of our bulging stomachs as we went out. (nyaiks!)

Test scenarios. Test Plans. How could I possibly finish those with my eyes almost falling off my desk? Badminton in the morning plus heavy lunch. Hmmm... not a good combination, I realized. I decided to consult some issues with the developers just to be able to get off my desk and hope that would perk me up a bit. Somehow, yes it did. And that's like hitting two birds with one stone. :D

When I couldn't handle it anymore, I gave in to the coffee temptation. I've never been to Starbucks for quite a while so I treated myself with a Cafe Mocha. nice!

It's almost sunset and I'm still wishing to see a sleeping bag and some pillows around here. (hehehe...) Most probably, I'd just head home after office. Can't go to church tonight, hopefully on Thursday.

Probably just an hour more and I'm out of here. Hopefully I'll get a complete sleep tonight (that is, if Jewel behaves).

(*yawn...yawn...yawn...*) (",)

just dropped by...

Just passed by here (internet cafe) to search some chords for my song line-up (mostly from Lakewood and Hillsongs). I'll be leading the worship tomorrow and it's our rehearsals this afternoon.

I stumbled upon this quote as I was doing some google search. Quite related to my previous entry, so I decided to post it here. It says...

"Love not out of need, but out of the abundance of the heart.

Don't seek for someone who will fill your heart,

rather seek for someone whose heart you can fill."

Hmmm...nicely said. :)

I have to run now. bye! (",)

Hmmm...

I happen to receive this email this morning. Actually, I was surprised to see this in my inbox, first of all because I do not know the person who sent me this. (But whoever you are, thanks!) Also, I find the message interesting. Maybe it's because I sympathize with whoever wrote this. (hehe...)

I was having second thoughts on whether I should post this here. But then I remembered some friends I've talked to recently who are sharing their love-life problems with me. (Hmm....it makes me think now, do I sound like Joe d' Mango? hehe...) I don't know if I am able to give them sound advice cause I guess most of the time all I could do is listen. But I do thank them for their trust and hopefully I was able to help them somehow. :)

So ladies (you know who you are), let me share this with you...

Saved & Single

-Author Unknown

What makes you think that just because
I am an attractive woman of Godly intelligence

That I'm incomplete without a mate?

Who told you that without a man

Something's missing from my life?

And if so,What would that be?

Love?

I love myself and more importantly, I love the Lord

He told me that when I delight in Him,

He will give me the desires of my heart

Security?

I have everything I need according to His riches in glory.

Intimacy?

Now, how's a man going to get to know me

When he doesn't even know who he is in the Lord

See, my Father told me

I'm above a ruby's worth

And a gem does not seek

It is sought

I'm single and that's all right with me

See, it's not that I oppose relationships

It's that I detest co-dependency

As a woman know it is not my role

To chase after any man

Esther 2:14 reads that

I am to wait on my king and when he's delighted in me. He will call me by my name.

My Lord does not intend for me to be needy or desperate.
I am to be Cherished, Relished, Valued, and Honored

It's not my job to convince him

Or convict him of that

My mate will already know it

And consistently show it

And he will stay on his knees daily

Not just to adore me

But to praise the Lord for

The virtuous woman he has found

So, when you see me by myself

I'm not alone

I know what I have coming to me

I'm single and saved, and right now that's all I need to be.

__________________________________________
"He makes all things beautiful...in His time." (",)

Jewel in the house

Yes, we have a new member in the family. No, my mom didn't give birth. (that would be a miracle. hehe...) Definitely not my sister (hmmm...I'm gonna hang her upside-down if I find out) But most definitely, it's not me. (I have to emphasize that. :D)

I'm referring to this cute one-month old puppy that Ate Lucille gave us. Well yes, she came from the "askal" breed but she's still adorable. We named her "Jewel", inspired by the koreanovela "Jewel in the Palace". (But actually, we're quite tempted to name her "Jang-geum". hehe...)


We don't let her go outside the house because Spot might bully her. She thought though, that Fiona is her mom. :) Yup, we now have 3 dogs in the house and my mom isn't quite happy about it. But I guess she has no choice since my dad, my sis and I are dog-lovers.


Jewel is such a sweet little thing. She loves to sleep on my feet whenever I'm watching TV in the sala. She'd follow me while I move around the house in the morning as I prepare to go to work. She'd welcome me happily once I enter the house. At night when I'm about to sleep, she'd scratch my room's door and make that cuttie cry for me to let her inside. She does a lot of cute crazy antics. The only part that I don't like is when I have to clean-up her mess. (hehehe...)


Oh well, I'm just glad to have a new room mate. (",)

It’s A Girl Thing

Sunday is usually family day for us. But yesterday was more like an all-girls Sunday. Dad had to leave after we finished buying some grocery stuff. They have this meeting with the other dads in our Church. So my mom, sis and I were left at our neighboring SM mall.

After checking-in the groceries at the package counter, I asked my sister to go to the appliance center and buy a new microphone while I get something at National Bookstore. Actually, it’s dad who wanted a new mic since my 2-year old nephew accidently broke the old one recently. Sis got a nice one, though quite pricy. Hmm… I think I should really save up to get a MagicSing. My dad would surely love that. :D

Next stop was at Watsons. Bought mom some make-up. I’m quite surprised my sister didn’t ask me to buy her some make-up, too. Hehehe… And since we’ve not yet tried watching at this SM cinema yet, we decided to give it a try. Sis was complaining that she’s already hungry so we bought food before proceeding at the cinema. I got her favorite Jollibee meal. Mom opted for a solo Greenwich pizza and macaroni salad. I tried their new Café Latte blizz with a pizzadilla. I also got myself some waffle and a tumbler of barbeque-flavored popcorn. I wasn’t that hungry huh? :P

Not much movie choices, though. I was eyeing to watch “Memoirs of a Geisha”, but I think mom wouldn’t appreciate that. Besides, my sis also wanted to watch a tagalog movie. So that’s 2 against 1. We ended up watching “Close to you”.

Well, it was ok. I find John Lloyd funny here. My sis and I had some good laughs especially everytime he teases Bea. My sis kept on asking me how Bea could seem to cry so easily, as if she never ran out of tears. I think she’s a good actress for her age. And of course, Sam’s smile was very noticeable (yeah, yeah…as my sis would say, he’s cute). I just noticed that he’s still smiling even when he’s singing. That’s probably for his toothpaste endorsement. (nice teeth!) :D

We were home before 8pm. After helping mom to fix the groceries, it was videoke session with my sis, just to try out the newly purchased microphone. She’s the one who chose the first CD. And I guess she sang half of the songs on it consecutively. Hey sis, would you mind passing me the mic even for just a minute? She just smiled at me and said that those songs were really for her. Okay, okay… I understand. I know it’s never easy to get over a break-up. (uh-oh…she’s gonna kill me for telling this.) But I’ve known her to be a strong woman. I’m just glad to see her moving on with life. So going back to our videoke session, I joined her even with the senti-“birit” songs even if I really couldn’t reach some high notes. Hehehe… It’s just my small way of helping her release her emotions. Well, I could see that she enjoyed it. Or maybe she just found me funny being the trying hard diva that I was at that moment. Hehehe…

And guess what my sis did after our videoke session. She watched the movie “Windstruck”. (*sighs*) Oh my…two love story movies in a day and she doesn’t seem to be affected. See, I told you she’s a strong woman. You go girl! :D

And by the way, I heard that this month is the International Women’s month. Hmmm...how timely for this entry. So to all the Women in the world, cheers to you!!! (“,)

Consistently Beautiful...

Nope, it's not me. hehehe... I'm referring to the gorgeous sunset since Monday. I know I've already shared about this majestic scene from a previous blog entry. I just can't help but be amazed everytime I gaze at it.

It's almost like an afternoon ritual for me (between 5:30 to 6pm) to get off my seat and view the sunset from our room's glass window. I think it already happened twice that one of our French boss caught me sunset-gazing. (uh-oh...hehehe...) But to my surprise, he even chatted with me for some time and said that he also watch the sunset from his office, just beside our room. (cool!) He also said that the sun sets at different locations (as in moves) throughout the year. Hmmm...now that's a trivia for me. I've been observing the sunset since then and I think he's right. :)

The weather's been quite gloomy today and I just noticed some dark clouds covering the sun as it sets this afternoon. Nevertheless, it's still beautiful.

The first sunset pic that I posted here in my blog was from Ritche. Now, Ferdie also took some shots from his new digicam. So here's the sunset as viewed from different angles...lovely indeed! (",)

2nd Badminton Match

I thought I wouldn't be able to go to work today. I was so lazy to get up this morning because I still feel my legs and arms aching at my slightest move. I thought it's just because I slept quite late last night since I finished watching American Idol. But I guess it's my body adjusting again from the consecutive badminton games starting last week.

I joined the practice game last Tuesday early morning (I was in the office at quarter to 7! imagine that!). Then I had a badminton match last night. Thank God, me and my badminton partner Andrew, managed to win again. yey! Tabel also won last night, but we thought her partner will not show up. hehehe... For some reason, he's just late but as expected, we know they're a sure win. Jeremie is the best badminton player in OCS. By the way, if you used to watch the soap opera "Te Amo", you'd think he's Iza Calzado's partner, "Segundo". :)

Pizza and Gatorade muna bago laro :P

Me and Andrew

Jeremie and Tabel

cheers! :D

with Anne and Tabel

Pat, sa ibang camera ka yata nakatingin. hehe... :P

Emman, you rock! :D

OCS guys (mga model ng Enervon? hehehe...)
Whew! We're in for the semi-finals. I'm just not sure until when we're gonna last. Just watching the really good badminton players here makes me want to hide under my racket, if not run away. hehehe... Oh well, let's see. Important thing is, we'll enjoy the games. (",)