Letter # 1

I'm writing to you like you're reading this directly, and like I'm telling you this directly....out of the million questions I want to ask, right now, its only this..

what's it like, being where you are?

I started this blog thinking I would be happy just being your phantom....but then every presence craves to take form, every apparition longs to be acknowledged.

what's it like, being where you are?

Tita Mae where's my car?

Carl and his basketball cards. Those were his dad's gift for his tenth birthday.


Ten years ago, I promised my brother that for his son Carl’s 10th birthday, I would get him one of those remote controlled cars --- the really expensive ones that real hobbyists buy. I don’t remember why we formulated that promised, I think both my Kuya and I were just thinking of a good excuse to buy an expensive toy for the three of us.

Its been 15 days since Carl blew out the candles on his 10th birthday and still no car. What can I say? Hard times. Maybe in a few years, I can contribute to his first real car….

Meet Sam


My youngest niece, Maria Samantha D. Pampolina at 2 and 1/2 months. This photo was taken during her christening last July 18, 2004.

we are this many...

From left to right (front row) Paul with Kanga,Bea,Carl and Ally (back row) Sam, Ate and Kuya

Imagine all of us, 5 adults who think they're still young,four hyperactive kids, one 3-month old baby in our little townhouse in QC. Chaos? You'd better believe it!

Joy marries her man...

 

during a beautiful wedding and reception at Fernwood Gardens last July 11.  It was nice to see the couple finally tie the knot after months of long distance preparations and a week or two of crammed skeds.  They are now finally back in Canada as Mr and Mrs Charlie Ng.
 
My favorite part in the wedding is seeing my friends from Ateneo.  Funny how after college, you'll only see each other during major events and then spend the rest of the time hoping and asking when you will all see each other...say it with me girls, unless someone is willing to plan, it'll will never happen :p

Looking back...

Looking Back....

 

A few weeks back someone asked me what I would change in my life if could. I had several answers in mind, but I realized that I wouldnt want to change any of them. Whatever problems I have, whatever shortcomings, they are a part of who I am and who I will be. Life becomes perfect with every imprefection that it has.

So my reply was 'none'. She said then that I'm lucky because I'm happy...and I thought, yeah, I am. Relatively.

But on my way home last night I did not feel as happy as I thought I was. I just had dinner with a friend and all throughout he seemed distracted by the text messages that he had to attend to since they were work-related. I didnt mind really. Its just with every pause in the conversation, I felt like I was in the way. That there's something he needs to do and somewhere he needs to be. I thought then, is this how it is now with all of my friends? Will I always be that other person, waiting for a break in between whatever it was they're doing so they can pay attention to me? Have I become that pesky friend who insists on being there when life and responsibilities are calling to them? More importantly, I think, am I happy to just shut up and wait patiently until they can turn their attention back to me?

I have no answer. I just know that I would like to be important as well. I'd like to be given as much thought and attention that I give them. I too, have other obligations, things I have to do, responsibilities that I have to attend to, but I am certain that I never have and I never will, let all those get in the way of my relationships with other people.

So does all this make me less happy? I refuse to believe that it does. If anything, it only means I am more prone to bouts of loneliness such as what I had last night.

ADMU Q&A

1.ANO STUDENT NUMBER MO?
960424
2.NAKAPASA KA BA OR WAITLISTED?
waitlisted :p
3.PANO MO NALAMAN ANG ACET RESULT?
nagpadala yata ng sulat ang ateneo...
4.FIRST CHOICE MO BA ANG Ateneo?
first and only (kaya pinilit kahit waitlisted hahaha!)
5.ALAM MO BA ANG ACET score MO?
nope.
6.ANO ANG FIRST CHOICE MO NA COURSE?
First choice ng parents ko -- M.E.
7.SECOND CHOICE?
MIS
8.ANO COURSE MO NGAUN?
course ko dati : MIS
9.MAY PLANO KA MGSHIFT?
I did.
10.CHINITO/CHINITA KA BA?
pinay na pinay po
11.TGA ATENEO HIGH?
hindi pwede eh
12.NAGENJOY KA BA SA ORSEM?
i think so....actually nakalimutan ko na ORSEM (so that could be a 'No')
13.SAANG GATE KA PUMASOK NUNG FIRST DAY?
Gate 2 tas naglakad lang ako hanggang Admin para namnamin ang first day ko sa Ateneo..hehehe.
14.NAKAPAGDORM KA NA BA?
nope
15.NAGKA-F KA NA BA?
....wala yata... =)
16. NAGKA-A?
ye... P.E!!!
17.HIGHEST GRADE
A
18.LOWEST
W (withdraw)
19.WORST EXPERIENCE SA AdMU
wala akong maisip eh...
20.LAGI KA BANG UMAATEND NG KLASE?
of course not!
21.ANONG ORG MO?
Football team na pinaka org ko eh....
22.MAY SCHOLARSHIP KA BA?
nada
23.ILANG UNITS NA NAIPASA MO?
lahat. graduate na ko e.
24.NANGANGARAP KA BA NA MAGLAUDE?
nevah!
25.KELAN KA GAGRADUATE?
march 2000
26.FAVE TEACHER
unfortunately, wala yata.
27.WORST TEACHER
wala rin akong maisip (ang corny ko pala sumagot ng quiz)
28.FAVE SUBJECT
philo (pero hindi ibig sabihin na mataas grade ko dun ah...)
29.WORST SUBJECT
accounting (for lots of reasons...)
30.FAVE LANDMARK SA AdMU
Admin siguro...madami akong nakakausap dun pag naghihintay ng sundo (kung susunduin man)
31.BUILDING?
Kostka.
32.FAVE KAINAN
Inihaw sa Clubhouse!
34.ESTUDYANTE BA ANG BINABAYAD MO SA JEEP?
huh?
35.LAGI KA BA SA RIZAL LIB?
nada
36.NAGPUNTA KA BA SA INFIRMARY NUNG MINSANG
NAGKASAKIT KA?
ye...pero humingi lang ako ng drugs sabay uwi
37.MAY CRUSH KA BA SA CAMPUS?
of course!
38.BF/GF?
nada
39.MAY BALAK KA BA MG-MS, PHD?
ndi ko afford eh
40.ANU-ANO ANG MGA na-PE MO?
101, table tennis and ballroom dance
41.KAMUSTA NAMAN ANG BLOC NYO?
ok naman...madami dami rin akong mga barkada pa rin hanggang ngayon
42.NAKAPANOOD KA NA BA NG GRADUATION?
nakanood? hindi pa
43.MEMORIZE MO BA ANG ALMA MATER SONG?
syempre!
44.MEMORIZE MO BA ANG FABILIOH?
oo naman!
45.E ANG HALIKINU?
yup!
46.E ANG BLUE EAGLE SPELLING?
ano ba namang tanong yan???!!??
47.MEMBER KA BA NG TEAM ATENEO?
Women's Football Team once upon a team (sub lang po)
48.CNO PABORITO MONG UAAP BASKETBALL PLAYER?
Rainier and Gec -- kasi kilala ko sila eh
49. NAKAPERFECT KA NA BA NG EXAM?
I dont think so
50.ANO AYAW MO SA HELL WEEK?
mahirap maghatak ng gimik
51.DITO KA BA NATUTO UMINOM NG BEER OR ALAK,
MANIGARILYO?
well...
52.DITO KA BA NADEVIRGINIZE?
next question please
53.ANO GUSTO MO SA SKUL NATIN?
lahat!
54.ANO AYAW MO?
wala
55.BUMILI KA NA BA SA A-SHOP?
yan ba yung nasa 2nd floor ng Admin building dati? yup nakabili na.
56.MAGANDA BA ID PIC MO?
taken during the ORSEM kung kelan hulas hulas na ko at naka dark green akong polo shirt!! I dont like dark green and I dont like collared shirts
57.MAY GINAWA KA NA BANG ILLEGAL SA LOOB NG
CAMPUS?
wala pa. mabait ako eh.
58.NAKABILI KA NA BA NG GAMIT SA NATIONAL KATIPS?
oo naman.
59.NAGSTARBUCKS KA NA BA SA KATIPS?
ye
60.GUSTO MO BANG MAG ARAL ULIT?
nung bagong graduate oo, ngayon kahit wag na...

I signed myself up for the gym today. I'm not sure if it was a smart move, I just know that I have to start working out.

Hopefully by this time next week, I'll be starting on a new fitness program.....Good luck to me.

Mabuhay!

Total number of days in Manila: 5
Total number of friends I've met up with (excluding office friends): 1


I'm currently in the office, not working, just walking around and saying hi to people and letting them get acquainted with the extra pounds I've put on. Right now I'm using someone else's PC to fight increasing boredom.

This is the first sign that I am back in (SPL) Manila.....the office hours do not necessarily end at 5. or 6. or 7 for that matter.

I have other things I'd like to blog about, but since time is limited and my thoughts are restrained, it'll have to wait a while longer.