Just 2 months after my Nikkor 18-200mm lens arrived, I decided to purchase a speedlight!  Introducing my SB-600!

Speedlight SB-600

AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED

So it has been weeks since my last post here.  But don’t worry; I have enough stories to make up for my absence.

Last week, I got sick.  I was on leave for 3 non consecutive days.  I actually promised my customers to have my deadlines submitted before the end of that week but unfortunately, missed one of them.  But I managed to present my work the next working day (Monday).  I am just waiting for their approval on the timeline I sent them. 

Saturday, we had our official Christmas Party at a 3-star hotel near the office building.  Buffet dinner, few raffles, funny awarding, crazy games and a lot, I mean A LOT, of picture-taking were the main events that night.  It was an intimate and enjoyable night for all the attendees. 

Buffet menu includes salad, soup, vegetable, pork, and chicken dishes.  My boss decided not to include beef cuisines since there are current issues on cow’s meat safety.  Wine and beers were also available that night.

My boss gave away some gift certificates to some famous restaurants and coffee shop in the metro, flash drives, and chocolates as raffle and game prizes. 

Two of our games were taken from noon time shows and the popular, newspaper dance!  It was really fun seeing your officemates vying for the winner title.

We also paid recognition to the people with some unusual habits, personalities or characters.  For instance, ‘CEREAL KILLER’ award goes to Mr. 80, who is a big fan of cereals, specifically Koko Krunch!  These presentation was from 3 creative minds (ahem! ahem!) whose goal was just to bring fun to everyone, and not to insult or mock our office friends. 

The next working day, when everyone is excited to have a glimpse of the photos (638 of those were from my camera and can I just say that it takes amazing pictures?! J) from the party, one of the awardees was reportedly not happy with the recognition we had for him.  He thinks that it was ridiculous and the organizers were making fun of his unique characteristic.  God!  Of all the recipients, he was the only one who responded badly.  And part of his drama, is not talking to us, the organizers.  Hell!  How childish can he get?!  Oh well, maybe we all have the right to act the way we wanted!

Come Sunday, it was a reunion for me and 2 of my best friends – Alouh and Karen.  We had a sumptuous meal in a Japanese restaurant in one of the biggest malls in the city of
Manila.  Picture-taking, gift-giving and a bunch of chit-chat to catch up on each other’s lives were the main activities.  It has been months since we last saw each other.  It was when Karen gave birth to her second child, Ethan David.  Now, his newest angel is one big baby!  He looks exactly his mother – chubby cheeks and sweet smile!  Other topics include careers, families, gained weight and of course, love life!  It was really a fun bonding to the people you practically grew up with. 

How often can you have a quality and candid time with the people you consider your second family?  Thank God someone invented the still camera! 

ebtg0104:  oist

sixunderground:

ebtg0104:  hindi ka ba talga sasagot sa mga chat ko sayo??

sixunderground: araw araw ako nahihiya sayo,,,

sixunderground: ha?

sixunderground: ngayon ka lang nakapop

ebtg0104:  dapat lang mahiya ka, inindian mo ako for the NTH time

sixunderground: lagi naman diba

sixunderground: best…

sixunderground: kaibigan m pa
sana ako kahit ganun ako..

ebtg0104:  me choice ba ako??? nagtataka lang ako kasi ikaw ang nagplan nun eh, pero ikaw ung wala, tumatawag ako sa ofc nyo wala ka. nagtext ako sayo, deadma lang…

sixunderground: sorry…

ebtg0104:  oks lang, wala na akong magagawa noh! me utang ka sa akin ah!

sixunderground: lapit na birthday m

sixunderground: pag birthday m ndi ako nawawala

ebtg0104:  ah sus!

ebtg0104:  nasan ka ba kasi nung panahon na un?

sixunderground: umuwi ako nun e

ebtg0104:  dahil?

sixunderground: baka ndi ka maniwala e

sixunderground: may sinat ako

sixunderground: tapos nahiya na ako sayo

ebtg0104:  bat mo naisip na di ako maniniwala?

sixunderground: kasi wala ulit ako e

sixunderground: ui

sixunderground: dyan ka pa?

ebtg0104:  nagdinner lang ako

sixunderground: ako din

sixunderground: ui best…

sixunderground: sorry ha?

ebtg0104:  cge apology accepted.. alam mo anman ako pag sinabi mong magkikita tayo, sineseryoso ko un kasi di namn madalas nangyayari un

sixunderground: sorry

ebtg0104:  oks lang..

sixunderground: pero sa birthday m ndi talaga ako mawawala

ebtg0104:  sure ka jan ah

sixunderground: oo

sixunderground: sure ako

ebtg0104:  pano pasko, di tyao magkikita?

sixunderground: oo nga ano un exchange gift naten hehe

sixunderground: parang last year

ebtg0104:  oo nga ganun

sixunderground: hmnm

sixunderground: december ala na ako OT

ebtg0104:  totoo ba yan

sixunderground: oo

ebtg0104:  cge ah..aasahan ko talga yan

ebtg0104:  anong exchange gift natin?

sixunderground: hmnm

sixunderground: ako secret hehe

ebtg0104:  patawa naman un

sixunderground: hmm

sixunderground: kahit ano naman diba

ebtg0104:  oo cge

sixunderground: ui una na ako ebtg0104

ebtg0104:  cge

ebtg0104:  ingat ka pauwi

sixunderground: ingats din

Isang blogger sa multiply.com ang nagsulat tungkol sa panliligaw ng hindi mo naman type.  Nabanggit nya din sa article nya na pag nanligaw ka ng kapitbahay… parang nagpakasal ka na rin.  What do you think? Tama ba ung statement nya?

For me, it’s slightly true.  The moment you decide to court someone your parents knew or maybe the daughter of your parents’ friends, you are forced to be good, I mean G-O-O-D — you should be very serious with your intentions — meaning no playtime, no fling; you should know the rules and take them seriously – meaning 12 o’clock curfew IS 12 o’clock; you should learn the art of seeking her parents’ approval – meaning learning how to make them like you.  Kung marunong kang mangharana or magsibak ng kahoy, the better!  I’m just not sure if there are still men out there who CAN and WILL do those! 

At kapag “kayo” na (finally), it’s even harder!  The standards and parents’ expectations are higher.  Dapat ata pakasalan mo na yung anak nila!  One wrong move and you’re dead, SERIOUSLY!

The same  goes if you are seeing someone from your friends’ circle or the same workplace.  It’s like dating the whole gang!  Your common friends see every detail in your relationship.  And they are the ones affected whenever you two are having problems or emotional difficulties.

Courting needs effort and keeping the relationship requires more than effort!  It calls for patience, honesty, love and trust.  There may not be a perfect formula to a good relationship but teamwork really helps, SERIOUSLY!

It was a bad day for me yesterday.  It started with two-and-a-half-hour meeting with my clients on the other building.  I was really thirsty and hungry having a heat-up conversation with their manager.  But unfortunately, I don’t have any food/water or even a single candy in my bag.  All I have was my laptop and a couple of trash inside my bag.  If only I can eat any key from the keyboard of my laptop, I could have not turned into a hungry beast.  Plus, I thought I got screwed with some undocumented facts needed in the development of the project.

And then, I had a bad encounter with some uneducated woman.  I need to call my officemate who was on a leave.  I need to ask him about the costing thing for every ticket that the division users are raising thru helpdesk.  Since my service center manager is out of the country and the supervisor of helpdesk is actually clueless on this matter, my last resort was Mr. C (let’s just call him that!).  And so, I called his cell phone and his wife picked up the phone.  I politely asked for Mr. C and told her that it’s his officemate calling.  She called her husband: “(Mr. C)!!!, telepono! SINO BA ‘TO?!,” Oh God, his wife is a paranoid bitch!!!  Ridiculous!!!  No manners at all!  In fairness to Mr. C, he apologized to me afterwards, but the damage has been done.

And then, I had a big fight with my boyfriend thinking he was not listening to what I was telling him.  Having an emotional argument was not good, and doing that with an empty stomach was even worse!  We decided to cut the crap and found ourselves eating in a restaurant, serving us some not-so-good food. 

What a bad day!  I could hardly remember the last time I got devastated as I was yesterday!  I don’t complain much on the workload I have ever since my teammates left but these kinds of situations can really distress me. 

Luckily, I have my loving boyfriend with me and a very nice flash back episode of Grey’s Anatomy.  Thanks to these ‘resident doctors’.  And of course, big thanks to my boyfriend. 

Hell yeah!!!

My top 10 favorite Restaurants/Fast Food Chains! 

1.  Sumo Sam.  Japanese Fried Rice, Tempura and Chicken Teriyaki - Perfect!  I like their maki too!

Budget: Php500 - P1000+, for 2 people

2.  Pizza Hut Bistro.  Bistro Paella, Tropical Fizz, New Orleans Chicken Wings, Garlic  Shrimps and Mushroom Pasta  and the rest on the menu! 
Budget: Php700 - 1000+, for 2 people

3.  Jack’s Loft.  Pasta, Panini, Fish Bowl Iced Tea and Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake - to die for!

Budget: Php400 - 700, for 2 people

4.  Aristocrat. This resto has been in the country for decades now.  They serve the best Sinigang na Liempo!  And Chicken Barbeque with Java Rice, for which they became famous for!

Budget: Php400 and up, for 2 people

5.  The Old Spaghetti House.  I’ll say Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta is my favorite!  Their rice meals are good too.

Budget: Php250 - 400, for 2 people

6.  Teriyaki Boy.  They offer good selection of Japanese cuisine.  And they serve Yakimeshi rice - the best! 

Budget: Php400 - 700 for 2 people.

7.  Wendy’s.  My favorite will be their Bacon CheeseBurger Sandwich, paired with Iced Tea Lite!

Budget: Php250+, for 2 people

8.  Mann Hann/Mannang.  Chinese and Filipino dishes are served here.  The best Lechon Macau, Adobong Pusit, Salt and Pepper Spareribs, Salt and Pepper Squid and  Yang Chow Fried Rice are few of their best sellers! 

Budget: Php2000 up for a group of 5

9. 
Bacolod Chicken Inasal.  Chicken Inasal with garlic rice! Yummy!

Budget: Php300 - P500 for 2 people

10. Green Tomato.  Sun Dried Pesto with Shrimp Salsa, paired with four-cheese pizza will really make your day!

Budget: Php400-P700 for 2 people.

Sam and Vince!  Yahoo!!!  They really deserve to win! Congratulations!!!

This is the finale of the Drew Barrymore movie, Never Been Kissed. 

Never Been Kissed
by Josie Geller
Chicago Sun Times

Someone once told me that to write well, you have to write what you know. This is what I know… I’m 25 yrs old, and I have never really kissed a guy.  A geek to the core most of my childhood years were spent doing extra home work I requested from the teacher. High School is more of the same.  Then, at 17 it seems as if my luck was about to change.  The cutest guy asked me to the senior prom.  But it turned out he invited me as a cruel joke.  And I have never fully recovered.  Yes, it is embarrassing to share this with the world.  But it would be hard to explain what I learned and how I learned it without sharing this humiliating history.

I received an assignment, my first as a reporter, to go back to high school and find out about kids today.  What I ended up finding was my self.  And that High School hasn’t changed.  There’s still that one teacher who marches to her own drummer, those girls are still there, the ones that even as you grow up, remain the most beautiful girls you’ve ever seen close up.  The smart kids, who everyone else knew as the brains. But I just knew them as my soul mates, my teachers, my friends.  And there’s still that one guy, with his mysterious confidence who seems so perfect in every way.  The guy you get up and go to school for in the morning.  South Glenn would not have been the same without him.  High School would not have been the same without him. I would not have been the same without him. 

I lived a lifetime of regret after my first High School experience and now after my second, my regrets are down to one.  A certain teacher was hurt on my path to self-discovery.  And although this article may serve as a step, it ain’t no way makes up with what I did to him. To this man, you know who you are, I am so sorry.  And I would like to add one more thing; I think I’m in love with you. 
And so I propose this, as an ending to this article, and perhaps, a beginning to the next chapter of my life, I, Josie Geller, will be at the State Championship Baseball game, where my friends, the South Glenn Rams, are playing for the title.  I will stand on the pitcher’s mount for 5 minutes prior to the first pitch.  If this man accepts my apology, I ask him to come kiss me…my first real kiss.