Friday, November 30, 2007

First Lesbian Kiss

It has been confirmed yet again, and this time with a very reliable, seldom used litmus test to appraise sexual orientation- a kiss with a woman. It was not planned, but after one too many shots of tequila as you know, anything can happen.

During the night of my birthday, while we were singing on top of our lungs, this very pretty, buxom female friend started doing body shots. I was just sitting down minding my own business, quite drunk, and enjoying the strains of some sad lovesong blaring from the karaoke. She approaches me with a slice of lemon on her finger, a shot glass of tequila on her other hand. I shook my head, saying “no more drinks for me”.

She grins wickedly and asks me to bite the lemon. In my drunken stupor, I couldn’t really get what she meant. Was I supposed to eat that slice of lemon? Chew on it? Everything was in slow motion so the slice just dangled from between my teeth. The next thing I know, she drank from the shot glass and kissed me on the lips slash ate the lemon half dangling from my mouth.

I didn’t retch or gag. I certainly wouldn’t say I enjoyed it either. I just stood there, very surprised at what happened. I reach for the beer and took a large swig, trying to digest what happened as the liquid made its way to my stomach.

Then I remembered my first kiss with my first guy friend Noel- the heat, my pounding heart, the passion. I felt none of it right now. Yup, I probably felt more passion pretend-kissing my pillow when I was thirteen, imagining it was Gabby Conception.

And so it’s official. I’m definitely gay- not bi, but gay. Zero attraction for females. Nada, None. Gosh, I can still hear my friend’s laughter as she saw my reaction.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Five Things I Wished Were Told To Me When I Was Younger

1. Sleeping with the guy on the first date is a mistake.
2. Tattoos cannot be removed completely.
3. The only cure for loneliness is having strong relationships with people around you.
4. You’ll never stop wanting material things, and yet they will never give you happiness.
5. When someone or something causes you pain, better not ask why, but what you can do to relieve it. Sometimes you will never know the reason why certain things happen; what is important is for you to get back on your feet and move on.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Soaked


The shock was so complete it didn’t register at first.

First off, I was expecting the water to be only up to my chest, but it turned out to be neck-deep. Second, the water was so cold my body seemed just frozen stiff as I dove in. So much for my eagerness to be the first one in the pool.

This was the first day of swimming class, and I was half-submerged in the icy water with the rest of my classmates. Our teeth chattered incessantly as our instructor yelled instructions through his megaphone. To make the matters worse, a batch of curious young people had just started gathering at the poolside to watch our water torture.

“Do bubbling for fifteen counts!” “Everyone do flutter kick!” “Let’s do freestyle!” After twenty minutes of crazed movement, the cold wasn’t so bad anymore- I was getting the hang of it. Rusty as my swimming skills were, at least I could still do a lap.

Of course there were excellent swimmers in our batch. There was a guy from Borongan, Samar (a coastal town) who dove in and swam the entire length of the pool with just one breath. Great, as if we’ll all be that good by the time this is over. On the other hand, I think I’ll fare better with this than my last practical exam in basketball and softball.

I was swimming around leisurely, when I happened upon the guy from Borongan who was practicing his somersaults.

“How do you do that?” I asked.

“Easy, he said.” His powerful arms pulled at the water, then reaching the far end of the pool he did an underwater somersault and his legs kicked the edge of the pool to propel him quickly back to where I was standing.

I will probably never learn to do than in month’s time, let alone in two hours. Nevertheless, I tried. I started with freestyle, following the line of blue tiles. Looking at the bottom of the pool was difficult because I had left my swim goggles at home. I saw the edge, which signaled that I should do the somersault. It started ok as my head dipped in the water, but as the lower part of my body went above my head, I lost balance and tilted sideward.

“Uggh!” I stood up feeling like something was burning up my nose. I ignored it and once again tried. Same thing. By the third try I was feeling dizzy already.

The megaphone sounded. “Okay, the class is dismissed. You may take your showers.” The instructor said.

Grateful, I pulled myself out of the pool, eyes blurry, and with my nose and ears clogged with pool water.

Top Performing Nursing Schools in the Philippines (Based on Board Exam Performance from 1999-2003)

The past decades have seen an exponential growth in nursing schools in the Philippines. The question really is in the competency of its graduates, for a number of these schools that have mushroomed are much more focused on reaping profits, rather than forming skilled nurses. The most reliable basis for a nursing school’s performance would most probably be in the percentage of graduates who passed the board exam.

Below is the list of the best and worst nursing schools in the Philippines, revealed by Rep. Joseph Santiago based on their performance on the Board Exam for Nurses from 1999 to 2003. This information was released by the Manila Bulletin last May 2005.

Based on the list released by Rep. Joseph Santiago, the 20 best-performing nursing schools and the percent of their graduates passing the licensure tests were: The University of the Philippines-Manila, 99 percent; St. Paul College Iloilo and Silliman University, 98 percent; University of Santo Tomas, 97 percent; West Visayas State University, 96 percent; St. Louis University-Baguio and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Manila, 95 percent; Southern Luzon Polytechnic College, 91 percent; Trinity College of QC and Cebu Doctors College, 89 percent; Mountain View College, 88 percent; Remedios Romualdez Memorial School-Manila and UE-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, 87 percent; St. Paul University-Tuguegarao, 84 percent; Velez College-Cebu, San Pedro College-Davao and Cebu State College, 82 percent; De La Salle University-Dasmariń”³¼/B> and University of La Salette-Santiago, 81 percent; and Romualdez Medical Foundation, 80 percent.

Listed as the 20 worst performing schools were Mapandi Memorial College, nine percent; M.V. Gallego Foundation Colleges, 15 percent; Galang Medical Center, 17 percent; Unciano Colleges, 18 percent; Good Samaritan Colleges, 19 percent; Lipa City Colleges, Immaculate Conception College-Albay, Mabini Colleges and St. Gabriel College-Kalibo, 20 percent; Notre Dame Jolo College and Philippine College of Health and Sciences, 21 percent; Golden Gate Colleges, Northern Christian College and Tecarro College Foundation, 22 percent; Dr. P. Ocampo Colleges, De Ocampo Colleges and World Citi Colleges-QC, 23 percent; San Pablo Colleges and Medina College, 24 percent.

Santiago said a total of 55,744 nursing school graduates took licensure tests from 1999-2003. Only 27,345 of them, or 49 percent, passed the tests.

MEDIUM-SIZED SCHOOLS RATING
Santiago has also bared a new list of some of the country's highest and lowest rated nursing schools, this time focusing on medium-sized institutions.
The new list enumerated the 20 highest rated medium-sized nursing schools, with 61 to 98 percent of their graduates passing the annual licensure examinations from 1999 to 2003, as well as 20 lowest rated schools, with zero to just 31 percent of their graduates making the grade over the same period under review.
The fresh list, based on records of the PRC and the CHED, covers nursing schools with less than 100 examinees. The previous list covered nursing schools with over 100 examinees.

The 20 highest rated medium-sized nursing schools and the percent of their graduates passing the licensure tests are: Mindanao State University-Marawi City, 98 percent; Mary Johnston College-NCR, 96 percent; St. Paul College-Dumaguete City and Philippine Christian University-Manila, 95 percent; Xavier University Cagayan de Oro City, 94 percent; St. Dominic Savio College-Central Luzon, 93 percent; University of the Philippines-Leyte, 92 percent; St. Mary?s University-Bayombong, 89 percent; St. Dominic Savio College-Manila and Dr. Gloria Lacson Colleges-Central Luzon, 88 percent; Sacred Heart College-Lucena City City, 83 percent; St. Mary?s College-Tagum, 74 percent; University of St. La Salle-Western Visayas, 71 percent; Philippine Women?s University-Manila, 69 percent; Concordia College-Manila, 68 percent; Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital College of Medical Arts-Soccksargen, 67 percent; Holy Trinity College-Puerto Princesa City, 64 percent; Baliuag Colleges, 63 percent; Philippine Women?s University-Quezon City, 62 percent; and Surigao Education Center, 61 percent.
The 20 lowest rated medium-sized nursing schools are: Isabelo Calingasan Memorial Institute Southern Tagalog, 0 percent; Perpetual Help Paramedical School-Bicol, five percent; Lyceum of Northern Luzon-Ilocos, seven percent; Jamiatu Marawi Al-Islamia Foundation-Soccsksargen, eight percent; Immaculate Conception College-Manila, nine percent; Urdaneta College of Technology and Perpetual Help College-Pangasinan, 17 percent; Our Lady of Lourdes College Foundation-Bicol, 19 percent; Pamantasan ng Araullo-Central Luzon, 20 percent; Medina College-Pagadian City, 21 percent; Carthel Science Educational Foundation-Central Luzon, 24 percent; St. Luke?s College Foundation-Central Luzon, 25 percent; Pangasinan College of Science and Technology, 26 percent; Southern Bicol Colleges, 27 percent; University of Batangas, 28 percent; Laguna Northwestern College, 29 percent; Bacarra Medical Center-Ilocos and Abra Valley College, 30 percent; and J.P. Sioson Colleges-NCR and St. Paul College Foundation-Cebu, 31 percent.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Decoding your Grades

1.0 Anak ng Diyos
1.1 Dinaan sa haba ng hair
1.2 Malapit na sa katotohanan
1.3 Pag naabot mo ang grade na’to sa major subjects, sobrang galing mo na
1.4 Sumipsip sa teacher
1.5 Very satisfactory overall performance!
1.6 Nagbabasa kahit sa CR
1.7 DL potential pag consistent sa lahat ng subjects
1.8 Sayang, DL na sana
1.9 At least line of 1 pa rin!
2.0 Usual grade
2.1 Ho-hum.
2.2 Cut off grade
2.3 Tried hard pero ayaw lang talaga ng subject sa’yo
2.4 Mahilig mag memorize na hindi nag-aanalyze
2.5 Iniyakan ang specimen
2.6 Iniyakan ang teacher
2.7 Magaling pero madalas absent
2.8 Madalas sa Mags
2.9 Perfect attendance sa lahat ng fiesta, birthdays, at parties
3.0 Pasang- awa.
4.0 Kulang sa pa-cute
5.0 Tsk tsk pahal ka gud man!
INC May balak mag “masteral” sa subject na yun

Monday, November 19, 2007

Baha!



Rain had been pouring for more than a week now here in Tacloban (minimal during my birthday beach escapade, thank God) and the streets downtown are starting to resemble Venice, minus the elegance.
Matutulog na ako. Lamiiiiig!! = ) G'night everybody!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Bliss.

birthday on a bamboo raft
the warmth of the bonfire is comforting.. the mosquitoes? awful!
the morning-after birthday cake
making a wish. lol!

tagay!
chillin
an early morning walk

with friends
a drunk Haidy sitting on my lap. ewww!
singer slash camwhore

mukhang nagco-conduct ng seminar
kodak moment lol!
with Wean

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Desperately Ignorant

My irritation regarding this so-called racial slur against Filipino health workers grew like an out-of control allergy attack. What made it preposterous is the glaring ignorance of the writers of the show Desperate Housewives, and the lack of sensitivity and prudence on the part of the network. Nowadays it is apparent that TV networks would resort to tasteless humor- racist and demeaning jokes or even offensive language just to get extra viewership (this also explains the existence of shows like Jackass and The Simple Life).

First things first, let us shed light on the core of the issue: are Philippine medical schools truly inferior? If this is true, then it would follow that the products of these schools would likely be incompetent health care workers. Listed below are the facts; I’ll leave it up to you to decide the answer to the question.

Fact no. 1: “Diploma mill” schools do exist. “Learn Nursing the EASIEST WAY!” Screamed one banner. “Get a job abroad as a caregiver in just 6 months!” Said another. This is not to disparage any of those schools, but this may have partly contributed to the negative perception people have on our medical schools. Quality education should be the focus in all our schools, not offering shortcuts to success (which I believe does not exist). Nevertheless, we have our government agencies that monitor and regulate the schools authorized to offer such courses.

Fact no. 2: All health workers must pass the board exam before being employed. This means, they have to meet certain requirements as well as have enough knowledge and skill before they are given their licenses. Furthermore, they have to take foreign licensure examinations and pass, in order for them to be eligible to work in a foreign country. This assures foreign employers that health care workers educated in the Philippines are at par in terms of skill and knowledge with those health care workers educated in their country.

Fact no. 3: Many Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in practically every corner in the US have been working competently as Doctors, Nurses, and Medical Technicians. According to Kevin Nadal, a Filipino university professor in New York, “the Philippines produces more US nurses than any other country in the world… Many of the hospitals in major metropolitan areas of the US (and the world) would not be able to operate without its Filipino and Filipino-American staff members.”

It is a shame really, because the producers of the show obviously overlooked the contributions that the Filipino community had given to the US health care industry, not to mention that part of the audience of the show are also Filipinos. The offending remark ignited a storm of protests from Filipinos all over the globe. Some say the derogatory remark was “hurtful and unfounded” while some saw the act as “disrespectful”. I say it was just a plain case of ignorance and bad TV writing.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

BD07: A Last Look and a Look Ahead

In the midst of doing all the preparations for my party, I was struck with a certain thought: how much things have changed, and how much things remained the same. This will be the first time that I’d be celebrating my birthday in a big way (a far cry from my last birthday party when I was 11), and I was just hit by a sudden melancholy.

It has been two years since I last earned my wages. By now, I imagine most of the people at my former office are new and have replaced those who have gone to take a different job. Is my team still intact? It’s hard to part completely with the people you once coached and managed closely for more than two years.

Looking at my guest list, there are but a few names of people I’ve known for more than four years. I can’t really say it’s a celebration with my closest friends. Yes, I’m that kind of person- it takes a while for me to warm up to people, but once we become good friends, it’s for keeps. The problem with my philosophy is that life usually does not allow us the luxury of time- give or take a few years and drastic changes would happen, and you would eventually have to move on. Gone are the familiar faces, and in its place are strange people you are not even sure you’d get along with.

I’ve always did my best to make the right decisions, so I don’t usually blame myself if I encounter pitfalls in my current trajectory. Becoming adept and familiar with the new path (and learning to love and appreciate what one does) is essential for a person to enjoy the present. Come to think of it, I’ve only begun to warm up to what I do now.

My environment and the people around me- they constantly change, but some things do remain the same. The greatest of which I have been always thankful for is my family. Although I don’t see my parents and brothers everyday, they are always supportive of me (in fact they are paying for this party lol!).

Maybe I’m still trying to recreate those Galera-Boracay type of vacations I used to enjoy with office friends. Or maybe I’m celebrating my new set of friends. Or maybe I’m just thankful for being given by God 27 (gulp!) great years. Heck, just this once I won’t feel guilty about the cost- after all this won’t happen everyday. I’ll make this party a celebration of good times in the past, present, and those yet to come. Cheers!

Friday, November 9, 2007

Busy, busy, busy

I apologize for the lack of new posts, I've been a little busy lately- school and all. But of course, there is time for a little fun ; ) Off to the beach next Saturday!! Thanks for visiting. I promise, I'll update once I have more time on my hands. Ciao!

Monday, November 5, 2007

The Day I Wore My Pradda

Ouch, ugh, aww! I cursed my new shoes- they have been digging into the blisters on my ankles. Yeah, I got them yesterday, walking around in these blasted Pradda shoes. That’s not a spelling error by the way, that’s how the knockoff is spelled (sorry, can’t afford real ones when you’re on allowance).

The shoes are sleek and shiny, elegantly shaped, and they could pass for the real thing. The only problem is that they feel like they are made of concrete (the heels) and steel (the rest of it). No wonder my feet were all red and swollen by the time I went home yesterday.

Tok, tok, tok. They made funny clunking sounds as I walked briskly in the corridor. Crap, I see a couple of students heading my way- must stop the clunking. I stopped walking and pretended to check my notes.

“Hmm… Biochem at eight, Microbiology in the afternoon…” I look to the left, then to the right. Coast is clear! With much reluctance, I hold my breath and prepare myself for the pain as these Nazi shoes start once again to dig into the swollen flesh of my ankles.

Tok, tok, tok. I walked slowly towards our classroom.

Just Like This

Ever had that feeling that you just wanted things to remain a certain way? Like that vacation you had with your family and friends, where days were spent lying on the sand and relaxing without a care in the world. Everybody’s happy- no deadlines to catch, no disappointments to deal with, no pain. But of course we inevitably have to return to reality, and move on.

I remember when I was about 17, and I went home for the holidays during the semester break at UP. It was such a perfect Christmas- my dad had come home, all my brothers were there, my cousins, and Mama was off duty from the hospital where she worked as a nurse. The money was good so my parents really went all out- a lavish menu, fireworks, and gifts for everybody. I had so much fun that night, I hardly slept a wink. I kept savoring the feeling of bliss, hoping that night wouldn’t end. But morning came, and then another day, and eventually I had to return to school and my father had to leave for Saudi again.

As much as I tried to have a holiday like that again, I failed. Eventually time came when Papa could only go home every two years (and seldom during the holidays), the following Christmases Mama had to work, my brothers and I grew older and of course, things were never really the same. There was no more excitement or anticipation unlike the time when we were kids. My cousins came and went.

Maybe it was meant only to be an unforgettable, beautiful night- nothing lasting. I kept picturing that ideal time when are our relationships were perfect, and nothing was weird or awkward.

I’ve changed, and so did everyone. Life gives us a lot of twists, and things don’t always turn out the way you expect them to. Nevertheless, I vowed to keep trying to improve my relationships with my family and friends- those happy times are what I live for. I’m sure, one day; we might have that perfect holiday again.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

A Sorry Sight

I was sitting on a hard concrete bench, inside the mausoleum of my uncle. Beside me were my nieces, who also had just arrived from Tacloban. It was All Souls Day, and the scorching heat did little to deter the hundreds who came to visit the graves of their loved ones here in my father’s hometown. It was one of those Pinoy traditions, having a largely Catholic population, to observe religious holidays with a gathering of family and distant relatives. One would have thought it was a fiesta, if not for the freshly painted graves that lined the path.

A few feet away, just outside the gate, something caught my eye. An old woman was eating by herself, sitting on top of a grave. She was dressed in black, her clothes fitting poorly, and a broken rosary hung on her neck. She ate with her fingers from a plastic container; and all she was having for lunch was rice.

It was a pitiful sight, this old woman. We decided to give her some of our food, and my cousin and nephew put some on a paper plate, approached her and handed the food. She smiled in a gesture of thanks. Her eyes were almost blind from the cataracts and she had to grope for her bottle of water near her feet.

I was guessing she was one of those old ladies who would say the rosary (parapamatbat in waray) for the departed, and in exchange they would be given a small fee. We were already done praying earlier, with another old lady who led the rosary.

I continued to watch her as she finished her meal. I wondered how she was like when she was young. Was she able to go to school? Did she have children? Did she still have a family?

After her meal, she places her plastic container inside a tattered bag. I notice a tarnished ring on her finger- a remainder of a marriage probably long lost. She stoops as she walks; a sign of the advanced stages of Osteoporosis. She walks slowly with a cane, her bag and umbrella on her other hand.

I say a silent prayer for the old woman. And another of thanks, this time for my grandmother who was fortunate enough to have a family that cares for her a great deal. How hard it must be, to be old and have no one to care for you.

Gay People are Assets to Society

Here's why:Most people who are in creative industries and the arts are gay. Goes with a very developed right brain, I suppose.
You get comedy. Who else can give an otherwise bland crowd some spice and witty banter but us? Impersonations, stand up routines, and just plain hilarious “pang-ookray”- baby, it runs in the blood.
We keep a lot of businesses alive. Where would gyms be without us? Bath houses, bars, spas, boutiques… Not to mention the beauty industry.
We are achievers. Alexander the Great, hello!
Behind every fabulous woman is her gay best friend,
and behind every male star is his gay director.
The next step in evolution? I’d like to think so.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

A Life Less Ordinary

“Here are the spaces you will be designing this semester. We will devote five hours per meeting for rendering and drafting of technical drawings. I am only after the output, so you are free to move at your own pace, come up with a particular concept, and research on the standards. Do a site visit, obtain the topography map, and start the design. Any questions?” Architect Galingan asked.We had a zillion questions, but no one dared ask. “Ok you may start.” She goes back to checking some architectural plates.

- from Uncommon Teaching Strategies

“You would think it would be easier in Organic Chem. I was wrong; the molecular structures given made the floor plan of the Sistine Chapel look bland and ordinary. Seriously, it was so intricate I could not even begin to identify the Benzene rings, the main chain of Carbon atoms, and where the branches started. And that was just the beginning…”

from Tumbling!

“My pants are ripping apart. These are an old pair of black slacks I used to wear in the office, once part of my work wardrobe. The first tear began at the crotch, just a tiny bit- you won’t even see it until you look closely. Nanay mended it for me, unfortunately not too subtly, because she used red-colored thread. Now the sides are already splitting in the seams near my right hip. I am troubled. No one wants to do the full monty in a Catholic institution.”

- from Austere Philosophy from an Old Pair of Pants

They started with the girls, calling names one by one. By the time the last girl was called, I was feeling nauseous. As they started calling the boy’s names I thought I was going to throw up. I tried to look nonchalant, as I sat with the girls on the bleachers, wiping the cold sweat on my forehead.

“Hinunangan!” I heard my name being called, and I walked slowly toward the center of the court. My heart pounded.

- from Basketball Diary: The First and Final Entry

Maverick: “What city. C-i-t-y?”

Caller: (Silence)

Maverick: “Hello?”

Caller: “I just want Roscoes in Newark, New Jersey.”

Maverick: (Long pause)

“I’m sorry Ma’am is this in the United States?”

By this time my chest had started to tighten. It was excruciating. Maverick thought the caller wanted “Moscow!” I crossed my legs so hard, I swear one of my nuts got squished.

- from A Tough Call

Silence. Around me, it was gray. Was it about to rain?

“Hello…” I heard a voice say.I looked around. No one was there.

“Hello?”I frowned. Where could that voice come from?

Suddenly, someone taps me sharply on the shoulder.“Ahh!” I exclaimed as I woke up with a start. Shit, shit, shit! I had fallen asleep midcall!

- from Do Not Try This at Work

“Great, I thought, I was now at the position that I wanted, but what good is a team when you are always at the bottom of the rankings? Determined to turn things around, I started by visiting Powerbooks. I became an instant fan of John Maxwell, Bob Nelson, and Ken Blanchard (co-author of The One Minute Manager). I devoured their books and implemented my own interpretations of their leadership and motivational tips…”

- from Transitions 2


“Unfortunately, this effectively disqualifies you for regularization. Sorry Nina, but you are already- ” I squirmed in my seat.“Termed?” She said, looking me in the eye.“Yes!” I sighed with relief. (Gosh, I was really an amateur!)

“I’m really sorry but you have to surrender your badge, and clear out your locker today.”I went back to my station and collapsed on my seat after that episode. EJ, a fellow TM, walked by and looked at me sympathetically.

“Rough day? Let me guess, you fired someone.”

“Tell me about it.” I said.

- from Transitions

“Bakla!”, a female friend (who was also managing a team) tells me, “Ang swerte mo, sa’yo napunta yung guy!.”

“Korek, Mother! Kanino napunta yung girlalu?” I asked.

“Kay Mavic ata.”

“Kausapin, ko kaya si bakla, dapat maging harsh sya para mag-disappear si girl.” I added wickedly.“Kaw ha, for more conspiracy theory kayo. Ma-HR ka pa nyan. Be good ha, Thad.”

- from Konsensya

“I sent my final email to the management group, before proceeding to HR. After surrendering my badge and keys, I was free. I turned as I approached the glass doors, and looked for the last time. The entire floor was buzzing; CSRs were clapping for assistance while supervisors hurried to assist. I saw one of my friends coaching her CSR and I felt a tug at my heart- I’m going to miss all that. Coaching sessions, team buildings, breakfast with friends at Deli France.. I saw myself as a CSR, years before being promoted, and remembered the time I almost got fired. I saw my first American boss who pushed for my promotion to Team Manager, and I saw the faces of my CSRs..

With my things in hand, I took a deep breath, walked into the waiting elevator, and watched as the doors slowly closed…”

- from Ghosts

The next day, I persuaded the guys that we go home early because I remembered had an “appointment”. Of course the rain made going down so much easier- literally. I had to hug trees and grab on to thorny branches lest I plummet to my death. When we reached the highway, I was covered in mud from head to toe. I swore never again to do anything of the sort. Memo to Thad: throw away the mountaineering gear, keep your kikay kit and stay indoors.

- from City Girl Gets Trapped in the Boondocks with Unattractive Men


“My clothes were wet from hugging the rocks. There were some areas where the descent was too steep that I had to grab into a rope. It was about 2 stories down (or was it 3 stories down) when my guide proudly showed me the rock formations in the cave. I pretended I was shaking from the cold (there was knee deep icy water from where we were observing the rock formations) and not from fear. Gosh, I’ve never known such absolute darkness, plus it was so cold down there steam was coming out of my mouth and nose whenever I breathed. After taking pictures I urged that it was time to go back up.”

- from Surreal Sagada

“An officemate invited me and my bestfriend to share her apartment in Makati. We both were excited to finally live in a real house, and didn’t really mind sleeping on a mattress on the floor so we said yes.Months later, Brenda (a nickname we call our former friend, meaning “brain damaged”) asked Tatat and I to leave. Yes, you heard me right. Pinalayas kami nung Holy Week, Holy Thursday I think. Apparently Tatat dressed like a hooker at home (short shorts, tank top) so Paranoid Brenda was worried her boyfriend (a med student) was being seduced.So my twin sis and I moved from one friend’s house to another like wandering Jews, till we finally searched for our respective boarding houses. But mind you we still had perfect attendance at work when this thing happened.”

- from Metro Abodes

Stuck in a Rut

Bored with your job? Here are the top ten signs that tells you it’s time to move on:

1. You find it hard to get up in the morning to get ready. Work again? Grr.

2. The best part of work for you is your lunch break, coffee breaks (or yosi breaks), and of course, clocking out.

3. When you find yourself asking: why am I doing this again? And you do it often.

4. When you can do your job with your eyes closed.

5. When you no longer feel that excitement, the drive, that feeling that says “Yes! This is what I am supposed to be doing with my life.”

6. When there is no more opportunity for you to grow.

7. When you’ve had that same title for eight years running, with no promotion.

8. When you find yourself chatting more with your officemates majority of the time rather than doing something productive.

9. When you just came back from your vacation, and you simply just don’t want to go to work. Ever.

10. When you find it more interesting to pick your nose than do your responsibilities.

Enough already! It’s time for a fresh start- update your resume, get a good headhunter, and get your gears working again.

Angels


Just taking a moment to remember my two brothers Tristan and Paul Vincent who passed away when they were very young.
My angels.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails