BloGGin’ vAL

Welcome 2008!

2007 was a blast.  There’s just so many things to thank God for—including things that I don’t really like.

Next to spitting in public and sirens coming from private vehicles, invasion of my privacy ought to complete my top three of undesirables.  I really don’t mind sharing as long as it would bring some benefit to myself or to others.  But what really brings my blood to a boil are prying people who don’t even know me on that level.  It sucks.  Even so, I still thank God for them.  They make my life all the more interesting.  I’ll keep these guys at bay though.  They’re not worth wasting my precious time. On the brighter side, I know I exude this kind of mystery that they won’t ever come to solve.

Way back in my tween years, I used to have a list of who my crushes were on a monthly basis.  And this "black book" used to be my Assignment notebook.  As far as my memory can take me, my top three for 12 consecutive months were:

1.  Joseph McIntyre (that blue-eyed blonde from the New Kids on the Block.  I loved his "Please Don’t Go Girl" video)

2.  Ravenal (a gradeschool classmate)

3.  Kirk Cameron (star of that TV series "Growing Pains")

I’m not gonna expound on these guys’ biography here.  I’ll be focusing on my third placer, Kirk.  I just read this and was amazed at how he has changed from a heartthrob to a preacher of faith.  Wow.  Nothing is indeed impossible.

Speechless.

I’m sure everyone has heard of "outlets."  I’ve been to two outlets so far; the one in Austin (TX) and the other in Hershey (PA). Austin’s bigger though. But there’s one thing in common: I came out empty-handed.  On second thought, I bought some shirts at the GAP store in Austin with Jotel (hehe).  But I’m not a shopper really.  I only buy what I need, and sometimes what I want.  And this philosophy was put into use last week when DKNY announced its sample sale in NJ.

I travelled light to the US.  Two pairs of jeans, a pair of shorts, 4 shirts, 3 blouses, and 2 jackets.  That’s it (not counting my undies here awryt?).  After a month, it was impossible to reuse all of my stuff most especially now that the summer season is starting out.  So imagine my joy when I found out about the sale.  It went on for three days and I was there all throughout (some of the staff knew my face by then!).

It was crazy!!! All the stuff were lying around in boxes and tables.  And they haven’t been sold in the stores yet.  That’s why they’re called samples. Lol.  Some of them have been worn in the runway while the rest came from the tailor’s table which explains the pins stuck on some of them.  Shirts (all I needed to survive), dresses (my cousin pulled out about 12-15! and I got two for nightouts), skirts (one of us bought 10 in one day!), bags, and shoes!!!! The shoes were perfect!!! I’m not gonna lie, this is my weakness.  I got 3 pairs.  I would’ve had 5 but the last two pairs were a size bigger. Belts were on sale for a dollar one day but my cousin and I got them for $5 each.  Not bad.  They’re DKNYs.  Oh yes, of course, jackets. Of all kinds.  Leather, suede, cotton..  And eveything went from $35 below! 

The point is, the whole experience was awesome.  And it felt good because I wasnt’ buying things just because I wanted to spend. I needed them. 

Ok, now I need to go back to work…

I wasn’t born with a sweet tooth.  I’m a big fan of MSG, potato chips, cheese dips, nuts, and all things salty.  Surprise me with a gallon of ice cream and a bag of Ruffles and I’ll definitely opt for the latter.  The candyman didn’t do a good job leaving me with sweet memories…

A couple of days ago, my cousin initiated a dessert party. The menu consisted of chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate molten lava cake, chocolate espresso fondue with marshmallows, banana, and strawberries, and cream puffs.  When she handed me out the list, my tummy got sick. And she was quick to say, "Ate, this is gonna be fun!" 

And indeed it was. From the preparation to service to actually eating the whole stuff (with added "very personalized" entertainment towards the end of the meal), the dessert party was a success.

Telepon? 

Yes. 

Val?

Yez!

You still alive?

Yaaaa!!!!

How come you’re not blogging anymore?

Wala akong computer, nyeta!

TO all those who have been reading this humble blog, THANK YOU!!! Please do leave your comments when you feel like it, good or bad, i won’t mind.

Have a nice day!

"We called the witch doctor…"

And as usual, I forgot how it went.  I remember this as one of those famous cheering lines we had in high school. 

Anyway, that’s not where I wanted to go.  I just want to share that one of my closest friends just passed the medical board exams and she’s ready to give out prescriptions and medical certificates!  Lmao. And I also want to congratulate all those who have made it as professionals.  Congratulations!!!

I’ve had a couple of people I know who have undergone the same fate.  After graduation, they review for the board exams, and then wait for torturous days for the results.  But what’s common among them is the faith and optimism that things will turn out right. 

Congratulations again, Dra. Charmaine!  Pila na kami for our pap smear!!! black smoke….hahahahaha!!!

*this post is so delayed. i placed it under the "draft" label and forgot to post it…*

"What’s with the tongue thing??" 

Soooo cute!  AND so gay. 

Anyone heard of Jay Brannan? Dig.  My first time to watch videos in You Tube.  I typed American Idol in the search link and several video links appeared.  Jay’s was one of ‘em.  His caught my attention cause the photo had him without a shirt on, holding his guitar, and of course, the head shaven.  Enough to spark my curiosity. It turned out, this guy has talent—nice voice, can act (funny act, hehe), composes, plays the guitar and the kashakas.  Yeah, he’s an artist.

The A Maid in Bedlam video was the best for me.  Let me share..soooo cute!

I respect their system, protocols, procedures, and policies.  Who am I to be heard anyway?  I’m just a customer…

That’s the WHOLE point!!! I’m a customer!  A client, a stakeholder, a regular patron who pays every single centavo billed monthly in my soa and sent to my doorstep!! 

Here’s the case:  I called their 24hour-hotline to have an additional service activated.  After the usual verification and stuff, the customer care (does she really?) rep told me that she couldn’t process my request because my account is not current.  I still have an outstanding balance to my name.  How much?  I asked.  (drum roll please…)

P0.54

What?  Are you kidding me?  I thought I paid the whole amount last month?  I knew I did.  And then I checked my bill and there it was.  I was indeed 54 centavos short!  Guess who the culprit was…

Their customer care (what??) rep, who else. 

Back to the phoneline:  Can’t you do something about this?  I’m just 50 cents short.  Can you give me some consideration? 

"I’m sorry ma’am, kahit po 1 centavos (?), it’s still considered current so I can’t process your request."

Ok.  I’m drained for the day and for a measly outstanding balance, my request was denied.  I needed to settle my account first.

I can’t believe this…

It’s for me, not for you! Lmao.  But I’d like to share a food for thought.  That would at least make you read this entry sans the surprise I was talking about. 

Things come when you least expected them to whether it be a person, a thing, an event, or even a thought.  I remember a blogger saying that surrender is an active state.  So true.  The moment you give up on something, another comes up.  But too often than not, we don’t notice it happening right at the moment.  We’re too caught up in our misery or frustration to see that something much better is about to take place.

Mother Superior:  When God closes the door, He opens a window. 

(..climb ev’ry mountain..)