新年快乐！

Image courtesy of 123Greetings

Kung Hei Fat Choi! I am not Chinese and as far as our family history is concerned, our bloodlines is not connected with Chinese. I am neither celebrating Chinese New Year nor will be indulging into Chinese traditions but I find myself wearing red shirt and white with pink prints pajama right now. hahaha. I am off to sleep in a while and I remember yahoo headlines for a few days now regarding 2012 Predictions. Read a few lines and pondered. I remembered having passed by a huge print of 2012 predictions in SM Cebu. Rabbit was said to be lucky this year and I can barely recall the details. Early of January, one of Bandila's segment featured the well-known Feng Shui expert Marites Allen and all I remember was that the Rabbits romance and love aspect in life is favorable this year. I also remember her mentioning about the favorable change of work in February or March which actually made me smile while watching because I was then planning to transfer to another structural firm. If I'd have to make it such a big deal, what I read in yahoo was a little bit different from the sources I have mentioned, and I just realized now that I have to ward off this feeling of somehow depending on luck and predictions. Credits to Feng Shui masters who never fail to remind people the importance of hard work, perseverance and choices. I believe there are no better way to reach your goals but by working hard for it, and of course praying and having a deeper faith to the Lord. Nevertheless, I will be wearing a combination of pink blouse and white pants on my first day of work next week. Not that I have read it from Yahoo's 2012 Predictions, but more so because I feel comfortable and well poised with it. haha. Anyway, I am saving 2012 Horoscope for the Rabbit but believe it or not, I haven't read it totally between the lines because I think this is way vague and absurd, besides, I still strongly believe that hard work really pays. Okay, I am bias, I know, because if I read something like I'd be lucky, I'd go for it and it would actually create a clever smile in me. hahaha. So for this, naaaah, (from astrology.com).

Overview

True, the Dragon's pace isn't as comfortable as that of the Rabbit. And yes, this year could be a bit more challenging for you than the last one. But come on, you're looking at seven favorable months! You'll have plenty of opportunities to do what you want and go where you like -- and be successful while you're at it. For now, it's all about timing. Pick your spots, plan celebrations, make big trips and start new projects during your favorable months. And when the unfavorable ones roll around, head for the comfort of your Rabbit hole, where you can avoid risk, spend time with the people you trust the most, and be comfortable with the old while waiting to start the new.

Career

Oh boy. The Dragon is always tempting everyone to make big changes and take huge leaps ... but this really isn't the time for you to follow in his footsteps. Things will shift and change a whole lot in 2012, so your job will be to find steady ground and hang on for dear life. Stay within your areas of expertise. Do what you're good at and what will generate the most money. Don't implement any big business ideas or career moves just yet; if you insist on doing so, wait until your lucky months to make changes. Persistent effort should pay off.

Relationships

Are you on edge about your love life? Indeed, Dragon years have that type of effect. For you, the Dragon's passion and impulsiveness are a little unnerving, as you prefer when people are calm and act rationally. Luckily, Water gives relationships a boost by helping with communication. The good news is the Dragon favors marriage and celebrations. Do you hear wedding bells? This could be your year to take the big leap into love. If you're single, 2012 could be a roller coaster of interesting dates and several different relationships. Be cautious about professing your love right away -- the Dragon loves passion, but it can be fleeting. Hang on tightly and try to enjoy the ride!

Health

It's possible your nervous tendencies could be heightened this year, so make sure you take care of yourself and your mental state. The Dragon's devil-may-care attitude probably makes you quiver; you can also expect others to act slightly crazy and unpredictable. Make time for quiet introspection and ensure your home is a place of refuge. If you have the energy, take up a high-intensity activity such as Bikram yoga or marathon-running. Channel nervous energy into healthy outlets, and keep an eye on your nutrition. After all, the Dragon tends to overdo it and indulge.

Wealth

You probably don't need any warnings about your finances -- after all, you certainly have a way with money. If you can remain savvy about your finances, you might even do well this year -- that is, if you're able to avoid the Dragon's influence for big risks and impulsive purchases. It could be tempting to make costly home upgrades or book an expensive vacation. Use your lucky months for any necessary big spending, but don't go crazy with it.

Happy Birthday to a Dear Friend

For everything that we've been through,

For all the laughter and giggles we once shared,

Thank you!

Happy Happy Birthday Tines!

You've been so good you deserve nothing but the best among the bestest!

God bless you always, and may you continue to

be just the Tiny we know.

You're simplicity, kindness, wit and glamour is more than just an epitome!

mwaaahhh mwaaaahh

Sending lots of love and warm wishes from the Pearl of the Orient Seas

to the Land of the Rising Sun!

Image Courtesy of http://burburchan.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/happy-birthday-tiny/

A greeting sent through email to a very dear friend.

Composed it here so that I won't be having a hard time attaching the whole thing

in my email.

I don't own the pics and very much thankful to google.

Love

I have always been a hopeless romantic. Ever since I knew what crushing means.haha. I remember I was still in my first grade then when my classmate told me she knew I had a crush on someone, and I was like, what does crush mean? From that day forward, the word has always been a part of my silly days. nyahaha. Was I crushing too early? LOL I grew up admiring people, not that I spent my whole quarter life looking for some good-looking prince charming or stalking but then it became a part of my silly side which spiced up my life a bit extreme I should say. I learned to read novels, romantic novels at an early age, then moved on to suspense-thriller but still with love involved when I reached high school. Even when I got used to reading and following the series of Harry Potter, I'd always wished Harry to find his perfect princess. I have always believed in fairy tales, happy endings, love stories to last a life time. I have always believed in love. I have had my fair share of pains and tears and dreams before someone swept off my feet in 2004. That was it. I never thought it would be love. Oh, the magic of the word itself. Was I that lucky? I was blessed, with a man who respects me in a way I never even dreamed of. As the Princess Diaries said, he saw me when I was invisible. Yes, he was there crushing on me and realizing my worth when everyone else were dreaming of their own happy endings. He just saw me as the way I would want a man to see me. Exactly. I believed in his sincerity, his undying love and his well-expressed emotions. In a generation where perfect men are nowhere to be found, I have found the perfection in him. Seven years was quite long but I would love to have it longer than a lifetime. So here's a classic song that always reminds me of how it feels to be enchanted with the magic of love when finally, someone swept off my feet on the 18th of December 2004.

New Year Tradition, the simple way

13 fruits on the table

something long and sticky spaghetti and sweetened malagkit rice/biko
and lots of pork, no chicken :)

chocolates for the sweets

red wine as always, plus cranberry juice

fish for a healthy lifestyle, to balance the meat haha

planner to track down events and appointments

the email gift

Christmas

At Christmas, all roads lead home.

-Marjorie Holmes

Flying home. From Cebu to Tacloban with love. full of love. <3

red red wine! 

I arrived home around 7:00 in the evening already on the 24th. Five hours before our traditional Noche Buena. I was thankful enough that the plane was on time. We landed on Tacloban National Airport 3:30pm, and a close friend fetched me and dropped me off in Duptours Terminal. A long ride home, 2 hours land trip from Tacloban to Ormoc City. I had my luggage with me and I was really tired but the spirit of Christmas was still giving me hope to reach home. I was more than blessed that day, a safe and sound travel, I knew then I was being a taught a lesson. Whew.

 

A Christmas gift email. 

For next year's another road to trail on.

Remembering Jesus' birthday, I thank Him for all the blessings,

and of course, my safe and thrilling arrival.

Still stuck here. :(

It's almost Christmas and in a few hours we will be having our family Noche Buena at home and here I am still stuck in our pad in Cebu. I was supposed to go home yesterday, supercat at 4:40 pm but I was not able to catch up. Apparently, it left on time and it was my fault because I had my last-minute shopping for gifts and pasalubong plus the traffic which was very much expected this time of the year, and so when I arrived in Pier 4, the guard refused to let me in and declared the vessel was already for boarding. I had no choice but to go to the ticketing area hoping that I could still reschedule for today but obviously all trips today were fullybooked already few days ago. Weesam was also fullybooked as well as all other vessels including those destined for other towns in Leyte. I was desperate. I could not imagine spending my Christmas away from my family, and alone in my pad. No way. So I went to SM, left my luggage in Traveler's Lounge. I had to make sure, so I searched for a ticketing agency for planes. When I arrived in Skyliner, I was informed that the one and only flight for Tacloban today was fullybooked too. I was hopeless but I kept praying and waited for my priority number. Thankfully, before my number was called, I was informed again that there are still available tickets for Cebu Pacific Flight for Tacloban today at 3:10PM. Whew! Then I was thinking of the vhire afterwards, if there will still be trips from Tacloban to Ormoc upon my arrival. That would be around 4:00pm already. I have to endure around 2 hours or more to reach home. Oh God be with me. I really need to be home. Crossing fingers for now. :)

Quarter Life Crisis

The holidays is fast approaching and here I am still unable to sleep and speechless of everything that has happened since the start of the year. Listening to a classic song, The Best of Me by David Foster, not that I can totally relate to the song, I am really pondering to the deepest sense I am capable of, nonetheless I cannot fathom God's plan for me and for the rest of the years to come.

Yesterday, I went to TTSP to claim my certificate of employment and some other important things when I realized upon reaching Balamban that indeed, I was not remorseful with my decision to leave my previous job. Every memory I thought I may have forgotten went back, how I weighed things up, how I viewed every possibility and it all ended to simply quitting my job because I need to further explore myself in relation to my chosen profession and passion as well. Though a lot of factors I have also considered during those times of dilemma, I guess those will remain undisclosed due to its sensitivity. When I reached the Industrial Park, I was somehow reminded why I held on to my job for almost a couple of years, and yes it mattered. It mattered so much that I know my stay there was irrevocably memorable. I don't find it hard to admit that I missed my friends, my cubicle, my jogging place, my former room, my environment around CIPDI, my previous paradigm, but I don't find it hard to admit either that back then when I handed my letter of resignation, I was extremely excited to get out and leave so that I can finally trail another road. Yesterday I realized that there are things I have to let go, no matter how painful it would be, that I have to cherish life today because these are just mere consequences of the decisions I have made before, that my friends that were part in molding my life before will still have a part in me today but a lot more different than that of the days I spent in Balamban. Change, always constant, I know. I just miss them. Our bond, our silly times, everything. It was a pack I will forever cherish. Three quarters of my 2011 were spent with them, and my birthday last March was one of the best! I have found real good friends in such an unusual pack.

I am not remorseful with my current job either. I am even happy and fulfilled I am finally pacing the road I wanted to walk on. I have been passionately exerting my best effort to learn and as well as enjoy what I have been doing. I can feel the sense of fulfillment in every project I'd finished and it's totally overwhelming to see my work in the computer monitor. My Master's Degree started with twists and turns with all the time constrictions and countless tasks in the office and in school. Just like those times in TTSP when I would ask myself if I am still doing the right thing, I would still ask myself the exact question now, but then my answer before totally differs from my answer now. All I know was that everything before was uncertain which is very much unlikely to my situation now wherein I would just relax and tell myself that whatever struggles I am undergoing now, will result to a better tomorrow, that someday, I know, I will have something to harvest worthy of my struggles now. Should I continue doing this? Of course. There is no point returning, only another left turn or right perhaps. 

I am looking forward to another turn next year. Still uncertain for a lot of things but then I would simply look up to the heavens and lift up to Him everything. He gave this to me, I have no doubt about that. It will still be the same learning but a little further and I know I have to allow growth a lot faster now. I can't believe how this year created a maze in me. I am thankful to the Lord for everything. I have no idea how and why He has given all these to me now, and I don't even know if I will ever found out the answers to my countless questions, I just have to trust Him more fully. I have gone this far because of Him, and I don't think I can go a lot more farther without Him. Saving the best for next year, excited, crossing fingers, keeping my feet on the ground. Everything will be just fine.

Bitter much, spare me.

From the overused idiomatic expression, I have been thinking if the recent turn out of events can be well considered as a perfect example of the subject. A supposedly healthy competition which I think resulted to a bitter one. 

 

We all know that life is a race and from time to time, we encounter competitions from the small ones like parking spaces to a rather huge and delicate stuff. Job vacancies, for example. A friend of mine recently told me about a newly opened US-based firm here in our locality. As opportunity-driven and go-getter as I am, I immediately applied through e-mail, and apparently, got accepted. 

But then the story was not as easy as it seemed. My two colleagues applied too. Unfortunately, one copied my resume format, with all the font type, font size, margins, arrangement of details and even the indention. I could have been furious. It was plagiarism. That resume was supposedly my trademark. I have had that format ever since I learned how to creatively advertise myself way back in my English class in college. But I thought may be I could let it pass, after all, he swore he would submit another entry with another format. He did actually.

We were all interviewed on the same day but with different time slot. The colleague who copied my resume was interviewed first, before my time slot, then the last one was our other colleague. I almost thought I wouldn't make it, I was almost late, and I did not prepare any answer to the possible questions. I admit I had a set of possible questions studied beforehand, given actually by the same colleague, but every time I'd think for a perfect answer, I could not come up with any, so I decided to go with the flow and just be myself. I think I have handled it well, apparently, my application was a success, I received an email about a possible position while my two other colleagues did not receive any. It was supposedly not a big deal, or so I thought.

Things went worse when I would hear bitter comments like, I got accepted because I'm a woman and the interviewees were men, stuff like those which involves how I dressed up, in other words, he noted a lame reason for my acceptance. I would not have made a big fuss out of such negative feedbacks, but then, he was too coward, and too bitter to have ranted it over to someone who maliciously spread those small stuff which eventually reach my ears. The worst thing is, he even made a lot more stories which are beyond what I expected from a professional like him. 


I guess other details should remain undisclosed as I still prefer to leave a mark of moral values in his personality.

Yes, I got accepted, but no, I won't be explaining how and why I think I got the slot, that would be the sole job of the interviewees who, I guess, found a potential in me. I would not say I am smart, because I believe that the moment I consider myself brilliant, that would be the moment I'd have to be dull. All I want to emphasize is that, losing entails an act of humility. When you lose, you are supposed to acknowledge your weakness, and not point-out the flaws or even the strength of others which you think caused your defeat. It is all about you, no one else but you, not me and neither the judges. In a running race, for example, when you place second, you don't blame the first one to have defeated you because he runs faster, you have to blame yourself because you ran slower than he did. It's always a matter of perceptions and viewpoints.

I managed to let go of his plagiarism with my resume, even this, I know I ought to forgive. It's Christmas, and instead of counting all the bad experiences, I should remember all the blessings received and the coming ones. But trust will never be restored. I have finally uncovered his concealed identity. It's not always right to hate people, but I am making sure I am not hating him, I just don't care removing him from my so-called trusted friends.

My Honduran Curly Hair

I have been fascinated with my Honduran Curly Hair (Brachypelma albopilosum) for more than a year now. It has been with me since October 18, 2011, it was still an inch big then. It was a gift actually and I never thought I'd be more than delighted having such mini pet. During my start, I had no idea how to really take care of this sensitive creature, but google's always ready to answer my countless q's. Today, my tee (as what I always prefer to call my little angel) is more than 4 inches big. It's kept inside a terrarium about 8 inches cube and provided with a mini pool for her hydration. By the way, she's a she and I'm glad about it because in their world, the females are always dominant than the males. The females are most of the time, larger and more vibrant in colors than the males. :)


Anyway, my tee is a terrestrial type, thus it's more than a crawler than a climber and needs a larger enclosure compared to other types. What I love most in her is her calmness and her ability to adapt with people. She seems friendly as she almost always allow people to hold her and even crawl on their arms. I have tried allowing her to crawl in my arms once but her huge physique was somehow not tolerable in my small arms. Based on what I have read from care sheets available in search engines, this specie has lower toxins and are less dangerous. I haven't heard anyone killed with its bites, and so far, with all my previous officemates so anxious to hold her, no one was bitten.

This was her in her enclosure, first few months

My tee is my first ever pet aside from our family dog. I consider her my diversion but not much of a passion. When I was still in TTSP, she was kept hidden inside a wooden compartment. I would provide her with feeders roaches a.k.a. lateralis, about half the size of her body, almost twice a day depending on the availability. I am always thrilled seeing her grab her food just like any other predator. 

For more than a year, here's actually what I have learned about her:

1. She has the cutest defense mechanism. She has this manner of raising up either of her two hind legs to rub it on her butt and secrete a powdery stuff which I think I am very allergic of because I will be itching and scratching my neck and arms after that. This happens always when I would try to play with her by poking her back. hahaha.
2. She knows when she's free or not and she knows how to resist captivity when freed. Just like any other creature, she's brilliant enough to find an escape and in fact, she once got out from her enclosure and I was really having a hard time of putting her back in it. She was also freed once and was made to crawl on a broad paved area of our covered court in TTSP. When it was her time to go back to her enclosure, she would simply resist crawling into my friend's hand because she knew she would be again my captive. 
3. I would know if she is about to molt because aside from her decreased appetite, she would dig up a burrow and hid herself there. After a few days, tsadah! her molted skins! 
4. She's not the perfect climber. She's been trying to climb the glass walls in her enclosure and I would just giggle watching her slide every now and then. There was one time she got out of her old enclosure hidden in my drawer, she was awfully crawling on one of the my wooden table's stand. She was really trying hard to land safely and I was preparing myself for her fall just in case. Thankfully, she made it to the floor safe and into her enclosure. whew!
5. Her breed is for beginners but just like other tarantulas, it's always better to be very extra careful handling them because once they are dropped, and their abdomen is cracked, they are considered dead.

For now, my Honduran Curly Hair consumes 3 adult roaches per meal. She eats almost once a day or once in every two days with her pool of water always filled. Though many spider lings of her breed are available these days, I still look forward to mate her and see another sets of her breed someday. By the way, I had a Singapore Blue (Lampropelma violaceopes) once, but unfortunately, it died when it was still a month old, still very tiny I can't tell her gender yet.

It was supposed to look like this when it matures but then the happenings were so sudden, I guess it was due to lack of moisture or perhaps the room's too cold (air-conditioned), I had no idea. Anyway, I think I am not ready for more aggressive breeds yet, may be someday.

Moving on, one step forward

I was crossing my fingers as I felt nostalgia upon entering the gates of my old alma mater. It was familiar still despite of the changes that took place in just a couple of years. The process was not as easy as I expected. But accomplishing all the requirements as I went back from work to school vice versa taught me one thing - in order to remain grounded, I have to experience difficulties; my struggles today reminded me that I am a normal being, that I do have to cross those mountains in order for me to feel the ground with every climb I make.


Today could be the start of another journey, the main reason why I left my former job, to pursue postgraduate studies. And the song embedded above deeply portrays the euphoric sensation I am in right now for finally having enrolled in three subjects under Master's of Engineering in Civil Engineering, specializing in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering. I know it will be a tough challenge.


So here's the lyrics which gave more meaning to my unexpected but well-thought out decision, with which I was able to finally cross over from my dreamland to reality: 

He will paint the light and shades
The colours and the trees
He will climb the steepest hill
Believing what he sees
He will lay down on the ground
Beneath the old oak tree
He will sleep forever
If you try to set him free

Sail on the wings of a cloud
Where to, well nobody knows
And cry, cry if you want them to see
Die every day to be free
Be proud to wear the colours that you call your own
Be loud, speak out when you want the world to know
Be strong, hold the flame for everyone to see
Be weak, if you want to love.

He will paint the endless sea.
A mystery to me
He will reach out for the sun,
Not dreaming what he sees
He will fall down on his knees
Angel touching ground
Takes him to the other side
Sweet love is coming down.

The song rather depicts the great risk of learning to explore the world, to discover what is yet to be discovered and search for the most important piece in the puzzle of life. Of course it will take detours, and we have to stumble from time to time, understand that nothing is easy, and learn to accept the circumstances of our decisions.

For my recent cross over, these things has been noted:

1. Intuition plays an important role in decision making. We have to trust our instinct and believe that it's one of the most mysterious thing in our existence. When I decided to finally let go of my comfort zone in TTSP, I knew then it was the right time. Indeed, the transition was smooth.
2. God's providence never fails anyone. Just as long as the time is right and we feel that we deserve what we are asking, He will answer in an unexpected and bulk blessings. He guides our intuition all the time, and He will always be the sole reason why I would depend on my instinct in times of dire need.
3. I know who my real friends are and happy to note that they are actually gems worth keeping. I know the fakes and I know the competitors, the bitter and those with hidden agenda as well, in all sorts of factors. Nevertheless, I credit them for making a worthwhile environment.
4. Decisions should never be made when we are at the peak of our emotion. EVER. Many times, during one of our team meeting in the office, I was tempted to open up and just say I want to quit but then I held my thoughts to allow chances to myself and to the concerned individuals as well. As it turned out, the right time came few more months later.
5. and lastly, as always, there is no perfect place, no perfect job, no perfect group of people. It's a matter of choosing which would you allow to tear you into pieces that's most acceptable. There has to be something to give up and let go and accept new things, eventually learn to love them as they are. and of course, we have to do what we long to do and stay afloat in the sail of life.

I am way far from the real thing. I have yet to discover a lot of things for my half-filled cup. I have asked myself before, would these things matter in the many years to come? of course, that's why I am virtually pouring out all these, that in time, I will have to laugh reading these posts. :)