The 2015 Year-End Survey

Thank you, Aggie, for the tag.

What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?

Nothing much. Does online selling in Instagram count? I've only traded in Ebay before.

Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Some, yes. Others, no. I can't seem to stop buying stuff. I rationalize that I sell or give them as gifts. Which I did. Most of the time. Nuninuninuninu...

Did anyone close to you…

     Get married?

     No, my contemporaries are thandercats na.

     Give birth?

     No. Like I said, my contemporaries are thandercats na. But my friend from high school is currently pregnant. Sana ako rin. Not that enthusiastic about it, but it will surely make TheHusband and Sharkteeth very happy.

     Passed away?

     Yes. My dear friend D's death caught me by surprise and I wasn't able to say a proper goodbye. It still pains me.

What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?

Health and wealth

What date(s) from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

December 13, 2015. The day D died.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Nothing spectacular. Got a new client. Trying to improve upon a "talent" (and mildly succeeding).

What was your biggest failure?

Like I mentioned earlier, I failed to say a proper goodbye to my friend.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

Hypochondria. Always naman.

What was the best thing you bought?

Again, nothing spectacular. Bought a whole inventory of Cath Kidston mugs for reselling. Was pretty successful.

Whose behavior merited celebration?

I guess Sharkteeth. She took a relative failure, worked hard, and turned it to a great success. ['Nak, not ironic anymore…]

Where did most of your money go?

Kay Sharkteeth, of course. Puhunan sa business.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?

This is so babaw. When I learned of the new shipment of Cath Kidston mugs.

What song(s) will always remind you of 2015?

Underpressure. I don't know why, but it was on loop most of the year. I think with all the pain, unrest, and terror of last year, the lyrics are so apt. 

Can't we give ourselves one more chance
Why can't we give love that one more chance
Why can't we give love give love give love give love
Give love give love give love give love give love
'Cause love's such an old fashioned word
And love dares you to care for
The people on the (People on streets) edge of the night
And loves (People on streets) dares you to change our way

Compared to this time last year, are you

     Happier or sadder?

     Happier in the sense that the persons who made me sad last year around this time are gone from my life.

     Sad that one of the persons who make me happy is gone.

     Thinner or fatter?

     Fatter

     Richer or poorer?

     Same lang

What do you wish you’d done more of?

Sleep and exercise

What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worry. Internet surfing ng mga walang kwentang bagay. Sumawsaw sa gulo.

How did you spend Christmas?

At my parents'. With my crazy and noisy relatives. With my favorite food on the table. With happy (and gift- and money-laden) kids.

Did you fall in love in 2015?

Always in love with TheHusband. Yeeeeheeeee…

What was your favorite TV program?

Game of Thrones. Downton Abbey (the ending was so satisfying). Brooklyn Nine Nine. Marvel Agents of Shield. Modern Family.

What was the best book you read?

Didn't get to finish any. Since I started editing journals and books, natamad na akong magbasa.

What were your greatest musical discoveries?

Not sure about the greatest, but I really like Taylor Swift. Please don't judge me. It's not merely the music. It's the whole business operation that I like -- the packaging, the support from her management, legal, and publicity staff, her sometimes retro fashion sense, her not-a-hair-out-of-place persona (which appeals to my control freak persona). I'm on the fence about her Bad Blood video, as I find it too Mean Girl-y, but girl can turn lemons to lemonade, whether ex-boyfriends or former friends.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?

My uniform: stripes and florals

What did you want and get?

New client

What did you want and not get?

Kate Spade bangle

What was your favorite film of this year?

Kingsman

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Eat out. Am ignoring the second question.

What kept you sane?

Crafting

What political issue stirred you the most?

Mamasapano Massacre

Presidential candidates

Who did you miss?

Dear friend D

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.

Clichés but all so true: Life is short -- never take a loved one for granted and cherish every moment.

Christmas 2015 Preparation

Malapit na Pasko. Remember last year? Never again. So I'm preparing gifts na. Unahin ko na sa list si TheHusband.

He has a thing for Rayban shades. As in. Kaso naiwala nya yung isang pair nya, mind you, he lost the entire package: shades+case+fabric cleaner. *Ang swerte ng nakapulot!* That was years back, when he was still working in Parañaque.

What did I say earlier? That he has a thing for Rayban shades. So he bought another pair. Same design lang. Last year, during preparation for Halloween sa office, nabitawan nya sa isang table. The entire package uli: shades+case+fabric cleaner. Pagbalik nya, wala na. Obviously, may numakaw. Grrrrrr...freaking thieves.

Tangent thought: When I was working at the same company in Parañaque, I used to hide my bottle of Clinique Happy Heart sa loob ng spine ng binder. [It was a huge binder.] I love Happy Heart kasi I was using that scent around the time I gave birth to Sharkteeth. And the scent reminds me of the happiness her birth brought. Aba, may numakaw! Akalain nyo yun? Tagong-tago nakita pa rin. Freaking thieves! May isa pang "perfume story" sa office na iyon, but I'd rather not kwento it anymore kasi (1) it was soooooooooooo disgusting, (2) I know the victim, and (3) I have no way of verifying the truth.

Anyhoo, ang haba na ng tangent thought ko. :)

So malamang TheHusband will be getting a pair of Rayban shades this Christmas. It's alright -- he doesn't read my blog. May element of surprise pa rin. Hehehehe. I've been looking through Ray Ban Wayfarers at Zalora, 'cause last August, I purchased something from them and I was extremely pleased. Brief kwento: I received my payment from an online survey company, and I have a personal tradition of buying a little something whenever I finish a job with a particular company/client. It was so little lang naman. Like 15 dollars. Anyway, I bought a gold Ezra watch with pink nylon strap from Zalora. It was discounted at around 500 pesos or so. Sobrang cheap, right? So cheap that I wasn't expecting anything pretty. You can imagine my delight when it was delivered the next day. I was on my way to pick up Sharkteeth and nakasalubong ko lang yung courier. Eh wala akong EQ. Nasa trike pa lang, binuksan ko na yung parcel and I was so happy because it was so pretty. Pink! Gold! Sobrang tuwang-tuwa ako and I was smiling by myself. Tapos akala nung katapat ko sa trike eh siya nginingitian ko. Smile din sya sa akin. Hahahaha!

Ghost Month Extravaganza

Warning: A lot of whining up ahead.

Sabi ghost month daw from August 14 to September 12.

From Wikipedia:

As the ghosts and the suffering spirits will come out from the hell to visit their homes during the 7th lunar month (the ghost month), many things should be avoided during this month including the ghost day.
1. Don't stroll at night. Guilty.
2. Don't swim. It is said that drowned evil ghosts might try to drown people in order to find victims for them to rebirth. Guilty. Thankfully, hindi kami nalunod.
3. As the month is considered to be inauspicious, don't move to a new house, start new businesses or marry.
4. Don't hang clothes outside at night. Guilty.
5. Do not pick up coins or money found on the street and if one does, never bring any home.
6. Do not step on or kick the offerings by the roadside. If one were to step on any offerings by accident, he or she should apologize aloud to ameliorate the situation.
7. Do not wear red because ghosts are attracted to red. Guilty.
8. Don't sing and whistle as these may attract ghosts. Guilty. Kahit hindi ghost month, pag kumanta ako, maglalabasan talaga lahat ng multo.
9. Keep away from the walls as it is believed that ghosts like sticking to walls.
10. If someone is born during the ghost month, avoid celebrating birthday at night. It's better to celebrate during the daytime. Guilty. 

 Kyeber lang. Hindi naman ako superstitious. 

Episode 1: After we came back from Manila, sunod-sunod kaming nagkasakit. First, TheHusband. Next, Sharkteeth. Grand finalé, yours truly. To think fully vaccinated ang entire Team KoKo against the flu, well, except TheDog.

Kyeber lang talaga. Hindi ako superstitious. 
 
Episode 2: Three joybidders and three complete a**hole buyers in Ebay. I was supremely peeved. Ikukwento ko na lang ito in another post solely devoted to my (good and bad) Ebay experiences.
Hmmmm...not so kyeber anymore...could it be true?

Episode 3: My freelance client is cutting outsourcing by half. It took me by surprise and I was so shaken -- to the core. You might think I'm being overly dramatic (again!), but you have to consider that they pay well and are very consistent in sending me work and that I have a very good relationship with my production editor/contact. In short, mahirap humanap ng ganyan na client. The client emailed me minutes later, saying I won't be affected by the cut. Which didn't comfort me much. For me, it's a cold reminder that all this work is fleeting. All the world is fleeting, if I might add. Boom! Anyare? A simple email brought out not only pragmatic concerns but philosophical as well, and I don't like thinking philosophical (and existential) thoughts -- they make me sad and I was downtrodden for days.
Teka lang ha...parang naniniwala na talaga ako sa ghost month eklavu na yan.

Episode 4: When the weekend came, TheHusband got ill, and upon checkup, he was admitted due to dehydration. His stomach was cramping so much and his temperature very high. We all slept in the hospital, which was not comfortable at all and I woke up all sore. Thankfully, he was discharged last Tuesday.
*Kapit lang, TPS.* Teka, teka, teka, si TheHusband ang may sakit, yet ako pa ang mas emote. Hehehe. Me, me, me, me, me. *Glad you're well na, TheHusband!*

Episode 5: But no, it ain't over till it's over. On the morning of our last day in the hospital, I briefly went home to get Sharkteeth's stuff for school, and on my way back, TheHusband and Sharkteeth called me, saying that S's schoolbag got wet. I was wondering why they had to call me for that and I snappishly replied, "Eh di ilipat nyo ang gamit sa ibang bag." Well, pagdating ko sa hospital room, I understood. The entire room was flooded with ~1 inch of water. S was under the shower for about 30 minutes and the water overflowed. *Anak!!! Hindi eto hotel! Not exactly the time or place for luxurious baths!!!* Basa ang bags! Basa ang chargers! Basa ang laptop! Basa ang shoes! Basa lahat! *I think you need more training, my dear Katara. Water-bending skills aren't learned overnight.*

May isa pang particularly bad na pangyayari, but it's not my story to tell. Needless to say, I was saddened by it immensely. Haaaaay. Saturday, you can't come fast enough. Pagod na pagod na ako.

TPS Does Drama Queen

Every time we get back from Manila, may baon kami pagbalik. Sakit, that is! TheHusband was the index case sa House KoKo. Medyo masama ang tama kay TheHusband, kasi, aba, um-absent ang lolo! Hindi naman yun nag-a-absent unless may trip kami. Even after he got better, he was a bit lethargic.


Then Sharkteeth. Minsan tumawag sa akin ang secretary sa school. Nasa clinic daw si S, nilalagnat. Juskopo. But when I got there, she was feeling better na daw. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. Nakuha pang magpunta ng National Bookstore at bumili ng libro. But come Saturday and Sunday, all-out trifecta na: cough, cold, and fever. Naturally low ang temperature ni S, and even without taking her temperature, I know when she has fever. Others get feverish at 37.5°C, siya, 36°C lang, lagnat na. Thank goodness she got better by Monday.

Then yours truly. Ang yabang ko pa. I said, "ako lang ang hindi tinamaan ah!" Hubris. Come Wednesday afternoon, I kept on sneezing na. Not the allergic rhinitis type of sneeze. Tapos ang sakit na ng throat ko.

Hindi pwedeng magkasakit!


Paracetamol, check!
ConzACE, check!
Green tea, check!
Turmeric tea, check!
Lemon water, check!
Pineapple juice, check!


Tapos hirap na hirap akong makatulog. Nakakatulog naman ako ng maaga, but I'd wake up in the middle of the night, unable to fall back to sleep. You must know by now that sleeping and my relationship with my bed are things I hold most sacred. So, grumpy akong maghapon. Come Thursday, ang dami kong deliverables -- editing files and IG sales alike. Had to refund somebody and with my old Nokia phone out of commission (where my BPI app is), I had no choice but to go to the bank. I tried so many times depositing the money in the automated deposit machine, but it just won't accept the cash. Akala ko problem sa account. I had to return in the afternoon. Pagbalik ko with new bank details, ganun pa rin. Apparently, ayaw ng machine ng crisp bills. Kailangan medyo luma. *Eyeroll* Grabe, pagod na pagod ako.


I spent Friday and Saturday lying on bed, watching films and shows, feeling sorry for myself. Sorry, drama queen lang ang peg. Pero ang dami kong napanood na films -- Little Boy, About Time, Mamma Mia, Game of Thrones, Friends, etc. So it wasn't so bad after all, kasi I rarely get to relax. Heto, Sunday morning na, and I'm feeling better, pero like what happened to TheHusband, lethargic pa rin. At least, may panglasa na ako. I made some egg drop soup earlier and I can taste it again. Unlike last night when TheHusband got me a bowl of lomi and wala talagang lasa.

Feeling ko kasalanan eto ng flu shot ko eh. I felt something off with that shot kasi I don't usually get a fever sa flu shots, but this time, not only was the shot very painful, but I got low-grade fever and swollen lymph nodes as well. Tsk, tsk, tsk. I just hope to feel better soon.

Victorious Manila Trip August 2015

It was Sharkteeth's birthday a couple of days ago. We flew to Manila for an advanced celebration  with relatives. Our flight to Manila was a bit delayed. What's new? When we reached T3, the traffic near the airport wasn't moving. At all. So ang Team KoKo naglakad. Then we rode a trike going to EDSA. Buti na lang I shipped most of our stuff ahead and didn't have to carry much. Grabe lang ang traffic. We wanted to go to Makati but cabs didn't want to go there. Unfortunately, hindi updated ang Uber app ko and I couldn't book a trip. :( Parang maiiyak na kami ni Sam because of frustration. Eventually, we got a bus and reached Makati past nine. We had dinner in Glorietta and I briefly went to SM to pay my respects. Hehehehe. Ang ganda na ng SM Makati. Dati it was looking almost dingy na, being near the MRT station. Ngayon shala na. I felt out of place. You know naman, moi is a card-carrying member of hoi polloi.

It was almost 2 am when we got to my parents' house. Pagoda Cold Wave Lotion! 

The next morning, I went with my college friends-roommates to Pampanga to visit our other friend. *Hindi naman sya masyadong prepared.* Parang fiesta lang -- jambalaya rice (super sarap), salmon (favorite ko!), babyback ribs, mashed potatoes, etc. Grabe sa kabusugan. I wanted to buy some spaghetti sauce and pasta, so we went to S&R. It was my first time there. Parang may seraphims and cherubims na kumanta ng Handel's Messiah. *Aaaaaa-lleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleeeeeluuuuia!* Nalula ako. Spaghetti sauce and pasta lang dapat bibilhin ko, pero nadagdagan ng white coffee, stuffed toy, chocolates, marble cakes, chips, etc. Nagpigil lang akong bumili ng mga EOS lip balm packs. They have so many flavors. Napakarami naming nabili, punong-puno ang trunk. Hahahaha! Para kaming mamumundok.

Next day was Sharkteeth's celebration with her lolo and lola, and our other close relatives as well. I'll post about her celebrations (yes, plural, jusko, luhaan ang bulsa ko) next time.

Come Monday, we left for Manila na. It was TheHusband's annual checkup and he went ahead of us. On our way to GoHotel, we went to Derdo's home to drop off something. I have her address but it was my first time to go there. By then, updated na Uber app ko and was able to successfully book a trip. Sharkteeth was quite alert and immediately saw Derdo's house number. Success! Walang kahirap-hirap on our part kasi we just booked again the same Uber car and he brought us to GoHotel.

Eto ang eksena sa GoHotel.

Sharteeth+Vendo=MayForever

S is obsessed with vendo machines. She wants to go to Japan, where there are vendo machines that dispense plushies. 

After TheHusband finished his executive checkup, we went to Glorietta and Landmark. Tamang-tama, sale ang Landmark. Yung mga pillowcases na ~100 each dito sa Dumags, 70 each lang sa kanila. I bought four blue+white ones with illustrations of birds. They turned out to be part of Laura Ashley's 2015 spring-summer line. Sayang walang matching na bedsheets. Pagbalik namin ng Dumags, I just bought a flat sheet with the same blue shade. #ImprovisationQueen :)

From Laura Ashley

Finally, nakakain na ako ng cheesecake sa Kumori! I bought both chocolate and cheese variants. Sharkteeth didn't like it. TheHusband took a bite but I didn't offer him any more bites. #Shellfish  Hehehehe. Ang sarap kasi. Mapapatirik ang mata mo sa sarap. If you haven't tried it yet, try nyo na. As in ngayon din. Then send me a box, 'kay? Hahahahaha!

Later in the evening, I met with Diane sa Vanilla Cupcake Bakery. Absent si Leah. *Ako lang ang perfect attendance, ha?!* Sandamakmak na kwentuhan na naman. *Shhhhh...password protected* Ayokong mademanda, makulong, or ma-salvage. Basta our kwentuhan ranged from bloggers worse b*tches than us (ang pait, teh, hahahaha!) to politicians and public "servants". Hays, kulang ang kwentuhan, kasi our flight next day was so early.

Of course, takot na kaming maiwan ng plane. Alas-kuatro pa lang gising na kami.

We got to the airport with one and a half hours to spare.
Meron kaming baggage allocation.
Hindi kami naiwan ng plane.
Tama ang destination.
I call it a family victory.

Go Team KoKo!

Fathers' Day 2015

Hellooowww!!!

Hellooooowwww!  How are you all? I hope you all had a restful weekend. Especially all laborers like me. You know, if there is one holiday that I always celebrate (by not working), it is Labor Day. 'Cause not doing so seems sadly ironic.

It was TheHusband's birthday last weekend, and we were supposed to go to Bohol for some R&R, but apparently, Oceanjet's Bohol schedule has been moved to late afternoon and it's not worth going there paying for a whole day of hotel accommodation yet arriving early in the evening. We decided to go to Siquijor instead.

BUT WAIT, it ain't over till it's over!

Remembrance Of Youth

There's a forest near our home. Actually, "forest"   is too generous a term. It's just a piece of land with a few trees and overtaken by decaying fallen leaves and weeds. Sharkteeth was complaining that we have stopped going to the fields, and when I asked her to go to the forest with me during the Chinese New Year break, she was of course excited. So off we went -- moi, TheHusband, Sharkteeth, and TheDog. TheDog, with this usual bravado, charged ahead of us. I saw a foot path leading to a cacao tree. There are a number of fallen cacao fruits, but most were worm-infested and I didn't dare open them further. There are others that were sliced open and with pods spirited away, perhaps by the noisy kids who visit the forest every so often, collecting dry wood and fruits from the trees. There's also a breadfruit tree, but I didn't go anywhere near it. There are lots of decaying leaves around it. In short, takot ako sa ahas. Sharkteeth was agitated because she didn't expect the place to be so littered with dry leaves. And she shares my fear of snakes. So we didn't stay long. Just long enough to take pictures. I was calling out for TheDog, but he was nowhere to be found. After we left the forest and crossed the field, I saw TheDog, waiting for us outside the field. Loyalty-schloyalty. Hmmmppp...

I thoroughly enjoyed going to the forest however short it was. It reminded me of the simple and careless days of my childhood when I would go to the forest near our home, picking up guavas, cashews, duhat...then sitting on a low-lying branch of the old mango tree, munching on my finds. I can still remember when that old mango tree fell. It was a humid summer night, and it made a big, loud boom when it fell. Apparently, the huge trunk of the mango tree was already hollow and gave, and inside, there were numerous bee and wasp colonies. We collected honey and a number of orchid-like plants with flowers. Come to think of it, my childhood was so privileged. I mean, how many can say that they rode a paragos or planted corn and peanuts or got chased by a hot-tempered carabao known to have impaled someone. Well, okay, the last one isn't really a privilege. But let me say this, it has got to be the fastest run I've ever done or ever will. [I'm so sorry, Auntie P, but when that carabao was stolen and butchered, I chuckled a little.]  

Needless to say, I'll be back. Besides,  I'm waiting for a cacao pod to ripen. :) Hopefully, it would still be there when I come back.

Munchies

Lantanas?

I think this is a lantana flower. I think lang ha?

Beauty everywhere, even in decay

I'd like to imagine this as the portal to the forest

Canopy of the palm "portal"

Tree canopy

Orb weaver spider

Cacao tree with fruit

Bread fruit
Click this one to enlarge the picture. It's a beautiful tree.

My faithful steed. Weh? Di nga?

Mga Nakaraang Kabanata

Hectic ang lola nyo these past weeks. Stress Oreña-Drilon levelz.

Actually, January pa lang medyo stressed na ako. May book kasi akong ine-edit na medyo sabog-sabog, plus I was preparing for Fadear's 70th birthday party. Nagkasakit aso ko. Then bumabalik ang headaches ni Sharkteeth (stress-related yata). Buhay ang Ebay sales ko nun (kailangan ng moolah eh). Saka may hinihintay akong shipment ng Cath Kidstons. So there.

Happily, dumating naman yung Cath Kidston loot before we left for Manila. The transit time was very long (~25 days), but that was the only problem I encountered. Claiming at the Customs Office was a breeze. Wala ka-proble-problema. "Claiming at the Customs Office was a breeze. Wala ka-proble-problema" -- sa akin nyo lang yata naririnig ang ganyang linya, ano? Kasi when I check comments [rants?] online, seems everybody's complaining about exorbitant and unfair charges, long lines, rude clerks, etc. It's the opposite here. Everyone is polite and walang hidden charges. Everything is above board.

The pink bookbag is mine, in honor of the Cath Kidston sisterhood. [Sorry, Leah and Diane, di ako mahilig sa dark blue eh.] Yung iba, orders nung dalawa and intended gifts. Ang ku-cute! Pero last na ito for a long stretch. Waley na akong pera. 

Masaya yung party ni Fadear. Andun ang mga friends and family. Ang daming food. As in sobra-sobra. May pa-take-home pa sa guests. :) Pagdating ng hapon, puro thandercatz na ang guests. Tumakas na ako sa party. Niyaya ko si TheHusband mag-Trinoma. Got some stuff in Japan Home.

Aside from the Hello Kitty stuff, I got some window stickers and other anik-aniks. I wasn't planning on buying anything, pagdating ko sa counter, 700+ na ang bill ko!!! Anyare?  Daiso happened. Hehehe...

I met with Diane para iabot yung Cath Kidston bag nya. I would have wanted to stay and chat about our own "Charantia moments," pero medyo excited si TheHusband sa Uniqlo sale, so hit and run lang ang siste namin ni Diane. [Thank you, dear Diane, for the pastries. So sweet of you! Perfect medicine for bitterness.] Pagdating sa Uniqlo, wala namang nabili si TheHusband. :( But he bought me a pair of pink patent loafers sa Forever 21. [Thank you, babe!] So comfy ha?! Di ako umasa ng fabulous na quality (because Forever 21), pero I used them for two days straight, walang breaking-in period, sabak agad sa lakaran. Happily, I didn't get any blisters or foot pain. Yay!

When we returned to Manila, Sharkteeth and I had our annual physical exam in Medicard. The process was okay, but some areas can be improved on. After our checkup and checking in sa GoHotel, TheHusband and Sharkteeth went for some [window] shopping sa Megamall. Naiwan na ako sa hotel to work. ♪♫ All by myself...don't wanna be all by myself anymore ♪♫ Hirap na hirap naman akong mag-work kasi hindi ako sanay sa laptop and only finished a chapter.

On the day of our flight, we went to the wake of the husband of our ninang (sa kasal). :( He was only 71. Too young, if you ask me.

On our way to the airport, nasabak kami sa todong traffic, and surprise, surprise, naiwan kami ng eroplano. SO NOT FUNNY! Well, technically, hindi naman kami naiwan, nandun pa naman ang eroplano, but the passengers were boarding na and they didn't allow us to board anymore. :( Sadness, kasi ang mahal ng bagong tickets, aside from the fact that Sibulan's airport has sunset limitation and the next flight to Dumaguete will be on the next day na. We decided to fly that night to Mactan, Cebu, then take a bus going to Santander, then ferry to Sibulan, and finally, trike to Dumaguete. It was exhausting. Awang-awa ako kay Sharkteeth kasi she really loses her head pag kulang sa tulog or naiistorbo ang tulog. But what can I do naman, diba?

TIPS: If you are in Terminal 3 and your flight is in Terminal 1 or 2, you don't have to go out to get a connecting ride. Dun sa may elevator bank sa right (if you are facing the airport), there's a hallway marked "Transfers," which leads to a PAL counter. After presenting your tickets, they'd fix you up with a van free of charge. It passes inside the airport complex. No need na makipag-unahan at makipagsisikan sa van sa labas, and you can avoid traffic as well. I'm not sure though if it is only available to PAL passengers or there's a different counter for other plane companies. Also, while I rarely fly with PAL because their fares are expensive, for urgent flights, PAL is your best bet, because, as I mentioned in another post, even if you are taking the next available flight, their rates do not change, unlike CebuPac, whose rates increase exponentially as your flight date approaches.

Also, napansin nyo ba, parang mas refined ang crew (both ground and flight) ng PAL -- they are all well-dressed, polite, poised, and proper. Meanwhile, ang dalas kong may nakikitang crew ng CebuPac, huddled together over their phones or what-nots, nakasalampak sa floor ng Terminal 3. Most likely, they have already clocked off, but still, they were wearing their company's colors -- medyo turnoff pa rin. Even the interiors of PAL planes seem better, more spacious, cleaner. Pagpasok namin ng plane, Business Class ang tumambad sa amin. Sharkteeth was so impressed with the wide and plush seats. She thought, or rather hoped, na dun ang seats namin. Crestfallen ang bebe ghel when we were relegated to the economy seats together with the rest of hoi polloi that we truly are. Hahaha! Sus, basta makarating ng maluwalhati sa Cebu, okay na ako. And maluwalhati, it indeed was.

Pier in Santander
You can hardly see it, but the water was so clear that even in the darkness, you can see the bottom.

I like night flights. Manila, while in darkness, is lit beautifully. It's quite a sight. And it brought a certain amount of peace and calm to my cray-cray day. The flight was on time, and it was past 10 pm when we landed at Mactan International Airport. We got a cab to get to South Plaza in Cebu City, where the bus terminals are. We initially thought that the first trip will be around 2 am, but apparently, there are trips leaving every hour, and we were able to leave before 1 am. Ang bilis ng byahe namin going to Santander, the southernmost part of Cebu and closest to Sibulan and Dumaguete. Parang past 3:00 am, nandun na kami. But the first ferry ride leaves at 4:30 pm, and we slept in the port terminal. The ferry ride from Santander to Sibulan was pretty short as well, ~15 minutes. We then rode a trike going to Dumaguete, and after 20 minutes or so, HOME SWEET HOME! Poor bebe ghel and TheHusband, they had to go to school and work, respectively. Meanwhile, moi, ang sarap ng tulog, despite the work awaiting. Mag-a-alas dose na ng tanghali ng magising ako. :)

Ayoko nang maiwan uli ng eroplano. It's so expensive kaya! Plus I'm so thanders na to be doing these plane-cab-bus-ferry-trike transfers all in one night. I'm not even the adventurous sort. Although I gotta admit, I'm proud to say that I didn't lose my patience at all in our "adventure." Admittedly, I was a bit sad kasi nga dagdag expenses, but then, as TheHusband said, we should just be thankful we can afford to buy new tickets. Silver lining, yeah, we should always look for it.

Holidays, Holy Days, Crazy Days: Part 1

We're at the tail end of the holidays. Everything is winding down. Nabuksan na ang mga gifts. Napagtaguan na ang mga inaanak. Naubos ko na LAHAT ng chocolates.

I don't know what is it about the Christmas season that makes me crazy for it yet turns me literally crazy as it approaches. Case in point:

Yes, dear readers. That happened. Not the first time, actually. This time I realized it while hurriedly walking. I briefly looked down and saw my right foot wearing my patent pink flat, fully knowing I was wearing my floral one on my left. I shrieked a little, making Sharkteeth jump. Hahahaha! Good thing we were going to the grocery. When I asked the nice saleslady for some flipflops, she ushered me to the rack displaying Fitflops™ -- jowsko naman, pinakamura ay 1.8K, kasya nang pang-Noche Buena yun! I repeated myself, "Miss, flipflops, thongs, yung de-ipit." Understanding dawned, and with that she relegated me to the back of the grocery, and there I found flipflops. Flipflops, fifty pesos. Being saved from embarrassment, priceless.

I was so stressed last December because I took a brief time off work to attend my high school reunion. It's a kwento worthy of its own post pero I don't want to anymore. May mga nega parts kasi, and you know, new year, new beginnings, iwas nega. Suffice it to say, avoid nega people. Kung kelangang mag-deactivate ng Facebook, do so.

After I came back from the reunion, I got a bit under the weather and wasn't able to work for a few more days. Must be from all the late nights, bad (yet oh so delicious) food, and sleeping on the cold airport floor. So piled up na naman ang work-work, home-work, and Christmas-work ko. 

 

These were just about a third of all the gifts I wrapped for Christmas. Token ni S sa classmates nya. May dagdag na gifts pa for her close friends. Meron pa sa teachers. Saka for TheHusband's officemates and friends. For nephews and nieces. It was endless. There, let me see, 35 for her classmates, 12 for her friends, 7 for her teachers, 25 for TheHusband's officemates, and 7 for TheHusband's nephews and nieces. For my friends, family, and relatives, wala nang balot-balot. Yung ibang gifts, I brought with me when I flew to Manila. I thought baka pabuksan pa sa akin sa airport, masira lang ang balot. Paper bag na lang. Yung iba, I shipped. Up to the last minute, nag-si-ship pa ako. P for procrastination.
 
December 24 na when I was finally able to clean up the house and set up the decor. Yes, December 24. Nakahabol pa. I fought valiantly! Hahahaha! For the longest time, ang daming kalat sa living room. I was able to breathe a sigh of relief nung medyo maayos na ang living room.

Thank you again, Sheryl! So lovely.

One of my favorites

This is our white Christmas tree's swan song. Some parts developed rust and I covered them up with fake snow. It looked great at first, but the fake snow aggravated the rust and now it has creamy patches. Bye-bye, Christmas tree. You'll be missed.

I got inspired by Leah's roast chicken and made one for Christmas eve. But instead of Italian sausage, I used Hungarian sausage. #Rebel. Hahahaha! Seriously, I just used what I found in the ref. Cheddar and quezo de bola? Sure, why not?! Various unidentifiable leaves and herbs? Join in! The more, the merrier. Before cooking, I soaked the chicken sa milk to keep it juicy. I wasn't able to add yogurt sa stuffing kasi S made a bowl of fruit salad and added the yogurt by mistake. It turned up yummy and golden. Sayang, walang picture, kasi we were so hungry na.

With the exception of our gifts to each other and to Sharkteeth, most of the gifts had been opened na before Christmas eve. Alam nyo naman, low EQ. So many gifts! And talagang pinag-isipan. I don't deserve my friends, sa totoo lang. They are all so very nice and thoughtful. Thank you all so much.

My gift to myself

Come Christmas day, may sore eyes si Sam. Then the following day, si TheHusband naman and ako. The gift of Christmas. Falalalalalalalala! 

Halloween 2014

May the Force be with you!

Here's TheHusband's costume for the office Halloween Party. He only wanted to wear the mask and carry the Lightsaber, but you know me and my motto, GO HARD OR GO HOME...so I sewed him a cape, bought a pair of gloves, ruined a jacket to make a top where I attached Darth's circuit board. By the way, the mask has a mechanism that changes the voice to Darth Vader's, and there are buttons on the circuit board for Darth's heavy breathing. Got the mask with the circuit board, as well as the Lightsaber, from an ukay. Winner, ano?! I wanted to buy a pair of boots, but that's when TheHusband put his foot down (hehehe, pun unintended). Sayang daw pera. Oo nga naman.

My not-so-little mummy.

Meanwhile, Sharkteeth's outfit was a total dud. She was supposed to go as a mummy, and I wrapped her in bathroom tissue, but before the party could start, tinanggal na namin ang costume nya. Na-sense ko discomfort nya, pero ayaw nyang magreklamo kasi I told her na huwag syang mag-arte-arte pag suot na nya yung costume. Ayaw na ayaw nya ang "I told you so" [that is, pag siya ang sinasabihan. hehehe]. Tapos pinagtitinginan sya kasi sya lang yung ghoulish ang costume in a sea of Elsas, fairies, and superheroes. Na-self-consious. Saka hindi na raw sya makahinga sa dami ng tissue sa mukha nya. I asked her kung gusto na nyang tanggalin, and ayaw pa nung una. "But, Mymy, you already paid for the entrance..." So there, tinanggal na lang. I got a bit sad, kasi baka next Halloween she'd be too big for trick or treating na and might not join anymore. Haaaay...oh well.

Happy Halloween!

Conversations Sa House KoKo

Sharkteeth: [to her classmate] Oh, go kill yourself!
TPS: What the heck?! Don't say that, that's cruel and mean and hurtful.
Sharkteeth: But he's so mean to me. He always disturbs me, even when class is going on.
TPS: Even so. Telling somebody to kill oneself is terrible.
Sharkteeth: I'm sorry, Mymy. 
TPS: Besides, it's possible that he has a crush on you and is trying to get your attention. Little boys have a stupid way of showing they like someone. 
Sharkteeth: Well, that's STUPID alright, because it's NEVER, EVER, EVER going to work on me. 
TPS: [in my mind] I hope so, anak, I FERVENTLY hope so.

♥♥♥

TPS: [to TheHusband] Patuyuin mo mamaya yung skirt ni Sam. I washed it kasi walang skirt dun sa galing sa laundromat.
TheHusband: Yung katulad pagpatuyo ni Jackie Chan dun sa Drunken Master movie back in the 80s? [i.e., pinapagpag]
Sharkteeth: [incredulous] THERE WERE ALREADY MOVIES THEN?

♥♥♥

TPS: [showing S a picture of Diane's new Fujifilm camera] Look at Diane's new Polaroid camera. So cute ano?
Sharkteeth: Is that the camera that POOPS the pictures?
TPS: Yes, anak, it does. It does POOP pictures.

♥♥♥

While playing Cut the Rope...
TPS: Anak, I don't know how to do this level.
Sharkteeth: Here, let me. There. I've set it to an easier level. That's more UP YOUR SPEED.
TheHusband: You've been dissed.
TPS: Oh, shush, both of you. [Pikon-talo...]