When Going Through Rough Times …

When the most unexpected situations arise and life seems to throw you a curve, you can always count on three things.

1. Friends
· They always go out of their way to make you feel better.
· They listen to what you say.
· They understand and respect you, even when you’re not talking.
· They provide pieces of good advice for free.
· They provide support and encouragement during times of struggle.
· They look at your heart, not just the “packaging”.
· They help you see the truth, even if it hurts.
· They stick with you through the happy or sad.
· They provide a shoulder to cry on (and a used handkerchief too when needed).

2. Beer
· A beer ALWAYS makes a good company.
· It won’t talk back and disagree with you.
· Beer = Bestfriend. Beer is the new man’s best friend. Dogs are a close second.
· Salvation in a can!

3. Prayers
· There is power in prayer.
· They open your eyes and extend your horizons.
· They shed light into the darkness of our fears.
· Prayers heal all wounds.

Well, I’m blessed and I’m thankful to have friends who are always ready to share a drink when going through some rough times …

Parang ang saya-saya namin dito!

Siyempre pa, may second round kinabukasan. Hehe.

Naubos na ang mga inumin...

Follow-Up: Poof!

"It's the friends you can call up at 4 AM that matter."
Marlene Dietrich

Poof!

It’s simply gone. Vanished into thin air…

Beware of the word “friend.” It can be used by anyone to excuse the most unfriendly behaviour.

Tsk. Tsk.

Oh My Tummy!

I’ve been a frequent visitor of medical clinics lately. It’s not that I’m suffering from a serious disease. I just decided to get doctors’ advice on an illness which I’ve been suffering from for years.

I’ve undergone blood test to check for the presence of a particular bacterium called Helicobacter Pylori and was strictly advised by the doctor not to drink milk nor take any fruits and dairy products for a period of 1 week. At that time, I felt like an object of some scientific experiment as I would be assessed based on outcomes.

After two weeks, the doctor told me that I’m suffering from a certain gastrointestinal disorder. That explains why I have a hypersensitive stomach all these years.

Bloody hell.

ITSC Annual Dinner 2008

The ITSC Annual Dinner, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center last Saturday, was truly a night of glitz and glamour.

It was wonderful to see my Pinoy officemates all glammed up for the party. The guys, donning a coat and tie, were a sight to behold. They were all so gwapo.

The ladies, looking totally different, were equally glamourous in their sexy outfits.

The DHL Titans also had a special performance. Although we only had two practices prior to the event, thank God we were able to pull it off. Whew!

Here are some pics.

Bessies. My closest chums in the office.

Halo-halo. Some pictures with the gang.

My Boylets. Need I say more? Hahaha! LOL.

DHL TITANS. Performing for the nth time!

Sky Juice

I learned a new word during the Sundowner in DHL yesterday.

Sky Juice.

Apparently, sky juice is the Malaysian slang term for water. Just go figure.

So the next time you go to a restaurant, you can tell the waiter “Can I have a glass of ice-cold sky juice, please?”

Fed Express Fever

The Australian Open Tennis Championships 2008 has officially begun.

Of course, I’ll be watching and rooting again for Swiss ace Roger Federer to win the Men’s Singles crown.

He has already surpassed Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver on the career list for most majors won and stands just 2 Grand Slam titles shy from equaling record-holder Pete Sampras (with 14).

As early as now (on its 3rd day), I can already smell his sweet victory. Hmm…

Go Fed Express! Go idol!!

Over and Done

Love is a Battlefield

Quote Of The Day

"We are young, heartache to heartache we stand.
No promises, no demands.
Love is a battlefield."

Torned

Looking back right from the start
this friendship was never meant to last.
The dagger you have stabbed in my back
caused leaves to wither and the glass to crack.

The pitch-black mask you wear,
made of dishonesty which I'm unaware.
Now my feelings have gone forlorn,
just go away now that you're torned.

Talenggay/01.2008

Shit happens.

When Stress Strikes Double-Time

The past 2 weeks proved to be extremely challenging for me. With a project deadline to beat during Christmas Eve and a U.A.T., which has been ongoing since 26th Dec, everything got really tough at work and stress seems to have taken its toll on me.

I’m super stressed and flipped out!

I also feel that I’ve grown 15 years older – with more noticeable facial lines; prominent eye bags and dark circles; and a haggard and tuyot look to boot. But thankfully, I didn’t grow any white hair. Eeeww!

An escape from this deliberate influx of negative energies is what I need right now.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about a whole bunch of activities to do - those that can be categorized as having therapeutic effects – to help improve my mood and reduce the level of stress, substantially.

And here’s the list:

SPA TREATMENTS. I couldn’t recall the last time I was treated like a queen. It has been ages since I visited a spa. Actually, I have this 1-year membership in a spa somewhere in Bukit Bintang triangle, which I rarely use. Since I’m entitled to a 20% discount in all of their spa packages, I might as well take that advantage.

RETAIL THERAPY. Before, when I’m having those less than stellar days, I usually go into a retail therapy for that instant perk-me-up. But I soon realized that binge buying has done more stressful than comforting effects on me. Anyway, I’ve promised myself that I would save more and spend my hard-earned money wisely this year. So, I’m crossing out this option.

BAKING. Maybe it’s about time to try and become a domestic goddess like Nigella! And why not? I have a passion for food and I actually love to cook. Baking is also something I haven’t done before. Hmm…I’m beginning to love this sweet idea! Best of luck to my baking adventure!

YOGA. Siguro nga I need to learn meditation techniques and do some yoga workouts to achieve mind, soul and body wellness (sounds like I’m promoting hehe). One of my Pinoy office buddies is practicing yoga and he seems to be enjoying it. He can even do those super-cool balance poses without exerting much effort. But has he achieved inner peace from doing so? I don’t know. I have yet to ask him. =)

PAINTING. I can appreciate works of art (well, that’s what I think) but Arts, per se, doesn’t seem to have a liking on me. I’m basically one of those with 0% artistic skills. I can’t even draw a cat! ‘Nuff said, I’m crossing this one out.

ENROL IN A GYM. I enrolled in Fitness First (Menara Axis branch) before but I only lasted a mere two months to be exact. If I can find some gym buddies to go with me, I’d probably enrol once more.

LEARN PHOTOGRAPHY. Again, this is something meant for the artistic. It’s also an expensive hobby. Slim chance, it is.

LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE. I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese culture (and anything Japanese!) ever since I was a kid. And I would love to learn Nihongo! Ogenki desu ka? Aishiteru! Hehe. How’s that for a newbie? ;-)

TAKE VOICE LESSONS. Wala, naisip ko lang. Asa pa kong gaganda ang boses ko noh?! Hahaha! Okay, crossed out.

TRAVEL. I have done adventure travels alone in foreign lands and I don’t mind doing this again. Nandun kasi yung thrill eh, yun bang unplanned and hahayaan mo lang yung mga paa mo na dalhin ka saan man. =) You might think I'm planning another case of SS (soul searching)? Hahaha, of course not!

DO HOUSEHOLD CHORES. Who ever said doing household chores could be therapeutic and fun? Answer: my Mom.

I’m still thinking.

No More Complaints

I thought my new year was going to be another dreadful day. As you might have already read in my previous blog, my Christmas was filled with vapours of bleakness.

Just to give you a little background, I was supposed to go on a vacation holiday in the Philippines from 28th of December to 9th January. In fact, I’ve already bought my plane tickets as early as September. Even my daily schedule for this trip has also been planned out.

Then all hell broke loose when I received the sad news from my boss that my leave application for the period of January 2 to 9 has not been approved. Holy crap!!

With that in mind, I’ve already accepted the fact that the New Year was going to be just another ordinary day for me unless some miracles would happen.

And thank God I was wrong! The New Year greeted me with a bang. Well, literally, under the cascading streams of brightly colored fireworks exploding across the moonlit sky!

With the company of some Pinoy officemates and friends, it turned out to be pleasant and fun!

I couldn’t complain any more.

Here’s a video I've created which wraps up all those wonderful moments during New Year’s Eve. Hope you like it. Feel free to comment!

Hello 2008!

Wishing all of you a Happy New Year!

My message may be a day late, short and simple

but it comes straight from the heart.