Two days go by without anybody noticing that our phone line was down (I thought it was just the DSL that was down -- this happens all the time so I never bother to call it in). It takes less than thirty minutes after Mom comes back home from her vacation for her to find out.

"Hindi niyo man lang napansin na hindi nagri-ring yung telepono?" she asks us.

Ermmm.. HINDI. XD

Now she can't deny being the only one who uses the phone at home.


***

I have lost all faith in PLDT. They haven't even refunded me for the three months our phone line was down last year, and here we are experiencing another one. I won't even mention how many times their DSL goes offline per day. If Mom didn't have almost 20 years' worth of friends who have our home number, I would totally ditch that landline and have her get a Duo.

All our web servers have been down since 6AM. Convinced Mon to treat us to McDo for breakfast (it's his birthday), since we would effectively be just twiddling our thumbs and staring at each other until the servers go back up.

Also took the opportunity to go to my annual physical exams. At least now I have my entire weekend free.

After almost two weeks of being blasted with work, I'm not complaining about this unexpected downtime. I just wish I'd brought some movies. Or a book.

44ish minutes on the 5K Century Tuna run at The Fort. Not bad for someone who hasn't run for more than a year. My goal was to finish ahead of my officemate Jorge, a marathon junkie, who ran 10K. I didn't see him today, so I'll have to wait until Monday to find out if I was successful. [UPDATE: Jorge finished in 55 minutes. Success!]

And here I am again, swearing to myself that I'd join more marathons. Let's wait and see then, shall we? :)

***

I don't know who Victor Basa is, but he was running alongside us and my friend pointed him out to me. Cute. In a not-my-type sort of way. Hehe.

A mini bullet-list post for posterity:

• Katips is on vacation in Manila. Aireen, Lolo, Fungi and I spent the Saturday before last (February 6) with her and her son, Isaac, at her parents' home in Canlubang. Aireen and Lolo also brought their two daughters, Aenea and Cali. G-rated fun all around. (Well, not really. ;p) Katips is in Dagupan for the Chinese New Year; waiting for word from her about another meeting before she flies back to Australia.



• Chris is also on vacation from his semi-permanent post in Singapore. We were supposed to have a grand WebWorld reunion at Bonifacio High Street yesterday, but only Jester, me and Shannie (with her kids, Anika and Sebastian) showed up. Bummer. Had a good lunch at Pancake House, though. Also, I was finally able to go to the famous regional tiangge at Market! Market! It wasn't as impressive as I heard. It's true, though: they do sell Good Shepherd Ube Jams. Cool!

Leeched off of Ike's digicam:


Yul, Athan, Sherelyn, me, Perry and Jojo near the entrance to Manila Chinatown


At the rotunda fountain near the Carriedo LRT station. Parang cola ad!
More photos (Flickr) »

One good thing about not having my own camera is that I'm in almost all of the photos. Walang ka-effort-effort. ;)

One thing I learned from our Binondo food trip yesterday was never to eat shrimp dimsum from authentic Chinese places. Anyone with even a negligible allergic reaction to shrimp should keep this in mind as well. They're deadly. I could feel my throat swelling up as soon as I swallowed. (Which just goes to show how little shrimp those shrimp/pork siomai from food carts really contain. I can eat up to ten of those in a day and never get any kind of reaction.)

Anyway, all's fine. I'm just glad I had the presence of mind to bring a few tablets of Claritin. Although if I didn't have them, I probably wouldn't have risked eating the shrimp dimsum in the first place. Hehe.

Ike, our ringleader, also had us try:

1. Fried siopao at Shanghai Fried Siopao on Ongpin Street. For P16 apiece, this is quite sulit. The filling tastes sort of like gyoza (herby and spicy), and the siopao was packed with it.


2. A tofu bean dish with meat (forgot what it's called) at President's Tea House, which shouldn't be mistaken for the higher-end President's Restaurant at Ongpin Street. Also good.


3. Fried chicken and oyster cake at Sincerity. The fried chicken was normal fare (the breading tasted a little like honey, though). The oyster cake was good, but I didn't eat more than a few bites of it because I was afraid my tummy would act up. ;D


4. Ube Ranger at the coffee shop above Eng Bee Tin. I didn't have this because I was already so full. I ordered the Jasmine tea instead. But those who tried it said it tasted like melted ube ice cream. Apparently, this coffee shop's specialty is their avocado shake, but it wasn't available yesterday.

I wanted to buy tikoy and hopia from Eng Bee Tin because they're reputed to be to die for. But the queues were about 50 million people long, and I didn't have the patience to wait that long. Sherelyn said she'd get tikoy from the Eng Bee Tin branch at Libertad instead. Cop out. Hehe.

Perry and Yul bought charms from a crystal shop. The proprietor activated the charms by placing them in a metal bowl and striking the bowl with another metal piece, producing a sound like a gong.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL! At the risk of looking like a Valentine ho, wear red for a whole year of luck! ;)

Since I'm reccing fics, might as well link to my favorite Good Omens fic author as well. I did find the Sherlock Holmes fic rec from her journal.

One of the reasons I like her stories (and also the Sherlock Holmes ones from yesterday) is that they sound (feel?) like the original material. It's like reading the real book/stories, only with slashy bits added in. (Although, arguably, Good Omens and Sherlock Holmes both do have slashy bits in canon, just presented a little more subtly. Hehe.)

I don't usually post recs, but I just have to link to this Sherlock Holmes fanfic author:
The Seventeenth Step

I don't know which specific story to recommend, as each one I've read is brilliant. You'll not go wrong if you pick one at random. Promise. ♥

Met with college friends Jon and Gerald (both vacationing from the States), Joyce S., Jeff, Fungi, Aireen, and Lolo. I haven't seen Jon, Gerald and Jeff for more than five years, so we had a lot to catch up on.

We were supposed to have dinner at Dencio's in Eastwood, but we saw this small place called Heaven and Eggs Rock and Roll, and ended up eating there instead (mostly because of curiosity about the unusual name). Their fish and chips looked amazing on the plate, but the fish was too salty. I ordered the grilled tuna, which didn't turn out too memorable, either. I've had better at the SM Food Court for half the price. Too bad nobody ordered the house specialty (Manila steak, or something like that). That might have been a hit. Their garlic rice was great, though.

We went for after-dinner coffee and desserts at Dulcinea. Their cakes weren't special. I tried the Peach tea for the first time, however, and I really liked it. (I was looking for Passion Fruit, but they were all out.)

Jon and Gerald are flying back to the States over the weekend. I wonder when we'll get a chance to see each other again. :/


***


On a happy note, Katips will be visiting Manila next month. Yahoooooo!

The Pacheca Clan
From left: Kevin, Kerstie, Mommy, Me, Carl (boy in front of me), Tito Bong, Janzel, Jade, Diana, Jane, Tita Patty, Ringo John, CJ, Brandy Jun, Tita Emy

Or four families' worth of Lolo Ido and Lola Andeng's offspring, anyway. My mom is the eldest sibling, and me, Jane and Jade are her daughters. Tito Bong is the second; Kevin and Carl are his sons (he has two other children, Kim and Carol). Tita Patty is the fourth, and Kerstie is her only child. Tito Lesty is the youngest, Tita Emy is his wife, and their children are Janzel, Diana, CJ, Brandy Jun and Ringo (they have another son, Ramir, who's in Davao). I have two other aunts (Tita Letty and Tita Yoyet); they and their families live abroad.

It's hard to tell where my grandparents' children end and their grandchildren begin. The ages of their children range from 62 years old (my mom) to 46 years old (Tito Lesty). The oldest grandchild (Carol) is 36, a mere ten years younger than her youngest Tito, and the youngest grandchild (CJ) is only 1 year old. So far, there are only two great-grandkids, both of whom are older than their Tita CJ.

( Read more... )

Official UP Adidas jackets and shirts are now available at the UP Shopping Center (will also be sold at Adidas Eastwood, Katipunan and Ali Mall by mid-January).

I love the jacket design, but they don't seem to be available in women's sizes. At saka bakit naman black and white? How boring. :/

Update: Apparently, a maroon version of the jacket will be released in the future. I'm not sure if that's any better. Why do we have such a fugly school color?

And here comes the usual end of year retrospective, beginning with...

The things I did for the first time in 2009:

• Worked during the night shift.


• Went to the midnight Banchetto at Ortigas.


• Vacationed at Davao.


• Bought real estate. (!)


• Got an intrarectal ultrasound. (Ouch.)


• Experienced, and survived, a natural disaster (Also: waded through chest-deep floodwater, became an evacuee, and existed on relief goods).


• Climbed a mountain. (Actually, I'm not sure if this IS a first time. We trekked to the Taal Volcano crater for a Geology field trip back in college, but most of the volcano is underwater so we only had to climb the few exposed kilometers at the top. Did that count?)

Best books:*

1. The Egyptologist - Arthur Philips


2. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell - Susanna Clarke


3. City of Saints and Madmen - Jeff Vandermeer

Best movies:*

• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince


• Star Trek


• Inglorious Basterds

Best TV series:*

• Battlestar Galactica (all seasons)


• Fringe (season 2)


• Naruto Shippuuden (Sasuke arc)

*These weren't necessarily released in 2009, but I read/watched them for the first time this year.

I'd love to hear your firsts and bests, too! Please share! :)

The other day, a friend asked me what memories I think I would recall on my deathbed. Thinking on it, I realized that almost all of my fondest memories occurred in one of these three places: at home, at my grandparents' ancestral house, and at the Owl's Nest.

Last night, we bid farewell to our beloved college tambayan, the UPZS Owl's Nest, which will be demolished in place of a new Animal House for the Biology Department. We met once again in this little building by the swamp to send it off with a bang.


Beside Kamia Hall, the barely noticeable sign to the Owl's Nest...


... reveals the steps leading down...


... to our home away from home.

( More photos. )


Leaving my final mark.

So hello and goodbye, Owl's Nest. You were witness to some of the happiest (and bittersweet, and challenging, and adventurous...) moments of my life. I learned so much more under your roof than in any other classroom. Thank you for the memories. ♥

Once again, we have come to the time of year when we reflect on what we have achieved, and look forward to what is to come. It's resolution time!

( First off, the measuring up... )

I had a horrible year, what with the global recession, the threat of layoffs, and the Ondoy disaster sidetracking almost all of my financial (and other) plans. On the plus side, everyone I love is safe and sound. Also, I don't think I took any steps backward. I just didn't grow much (or maybe just stayed in place). Hopefully, next year will be a better one for all of us.

For 2010, I think I will have a balance of work and play to my goals. I don't think I can expect much financially, as we're still in the middle of a recession, so I will try to make my financial goals a bit more realistically attainable.

So, without further ado, here are my GOALS FOR 2010:

1. Write two original short stories.

2. Not be more than 5 days late in a month.

3. Lose 2 inches off my belly (by hook or by crook!).

4. Make at least two new human friends.

5. Start a topic-exclusive blog.

6. Make at least [an equivalent of 2 months salary] from sideline jobs.

7. Join at least 4 sportsy activities (marathon, mountain climbing, cycling, etc).

8. Backpack tour to at least one foreign country or remote Philippine location.

9. Start a money-making venture.

10. Visit the following places: Binondo (Chinatown), Star City area, Antipolo, Intramuros.

11. Watch a play or a ballet.

12. Learn to identify at least 2 more constellations.

13. Wear lady-like shoes at least once a week.

14. Learn PHP and Joomla.

15. Love Squall with all of my heart. - DONE, DONE, DONE!!!

Had post-Christmas lunch at Gotti's Megamall with my high school friends Gail, Ampy and Apple. Food was good, and company was even better! After lunch, we walked around the mall and had impromptu photoshoots at random locations. We even had a photoshoot at a corridor leading to the toilets; how random can you get? XD

And here is my favorite photo:

Yes, pang-centerfold!

More photos at Gail's FB album (hopefully, she didn't friends-lock it).

***

My trainer says I looked like I lost weight during the Christmas break, so I'm eating to my heart's content until New Year's day! Hahahaha!

My silver sequin dress earned me the Star of the Night award at the office Christmas Party. The prize was two 100-peso SM Gift Certificates (cheapskates!). And bragging rights. XD

Smoky eye makeup was a total failure. I need more practice. Good thing Sherelyn was there to fix me up.

No pics yet. Maybe tomorrow.

Old news, but finally got around to downloading Adam Lambert's AMA performance. So he kissed the keyboardist. Why censor that? Haven't Britney Spears and Madonna been there, done that? (Or could it be that the jrock fan service culture has made me immune to the risqueness of it all? XD)

I'm not saying I was all stoic and unaffected while watching the kissy bits, though. Because that was hot! ♥


*dies*

Meanwhile, don't you guys think Adam Lambert is the non-jailbait version of Tokio Hotel's Bill Kaulitz? Hahahaha!

***

I filed for a vacation leave today so I can do my Christmas shopping. But I got sick and had to stay home. Grrrrr.

Ten days to go and still no Christmas presents under our tree. How sad is that?

Went to Galleria to see Inglorious Basterds with my two sisters. The movie was amazing, totally worth the trek to your nearest Robinson's Movieworld just to watch it. (For some strange reason, Inglorious Basterds is only being shown in Robinsons theaters. The R-18 rating can't possibly be the reason; Ninja Assassins had the same rating and still screened everywhere.)

Had cheesecake and coffee overload at the Coffee Bean afterwards. Good times.

1. A dose of culture

Reserve tickets to the hit Broadway musical, Cats, coming to Manila this July, featuring an international cast (and the magnificent Lea Salonga). Ticket prices range from around P800 for nosebleed seats to P5000 to P7000 for good ones (ouch).

For less kabuhayan-showcasey fare, try The Nutcracker or Baroque Fantasque by Ballet Philippines. Final showdates are December 12 and 13. Ticket prices range from P200 to P600.


2. The moon and stars

Get a Galileoscope, a high-quality, low-cost telescope kit developed for the International Year of Astronomy (description taken from their site). For only $20, view the night skies the way Galileo saw it hundreds of years ago.

Alternatively, arm yourself with binoculars and a planisphere, and become a Sirius Stargazer. So far, they've covered the Double Cluster, the Alpha Persei Cluster, and The Pleiades. Cool stuff.

For the best view of the sky, spend a night at a beach with minimal light pollution (e.g., non-commercial beaches in Zambales).


[Note: The title originally said five ideas but I changed it to two ideas because I took too long to update this post that I forgot the other three. XD]

High school batch reunion class picture, stolen from someone's FB
I don't remember half of the people in this photo. I either really didn't meet anyone the whole time I was in St. Paul, or I'm suffering from post-traumatic amnesia. (Sometimes I feel like my life started in college, and everything before that was just a horrible nightmare. The mere sight of nuns gives me the creeps.)

I wonder... will I be opening psychological floodgates if I force myself to remember who these people are? :/

A few of my high school batchmates cooked up an SPCP reunion slated for tonight at the Metrowalk. I'm not going, but it got me thinking about grade school and high school batchmates that I would love to revisit. They're not really friends, maybe they don't even remember who I am, but they're some of the most intriguing people I have ever met in real life. Here's a couple:

1. Sharon Estanislao - Sharon was the high school hothead, the batch's Scary Spice. She wasn't the typical girl's bully, though. She would never attack you psychologically (unlike the other resident bully, the Diaz girl, who I'm thankful I never shared a class with). Sharon was also pretty nice, once she'd copied off of your history and chemistry quizzes. She'd give you gifts (shiny stickers and stuff) and offer to varnish your desk for you at the end of the school year.

2. J. Miraflor* - J was the class rebel. She was also beautiful. And very smart. She was one of the people I most idolized, growing up. She would do things I could only daydream about, like get drunk at the Christmas mass, or sneak out of school hidden in the trunk of a cab. While people were talking about her, I was always silently cheering her on. I wonder how she's doing now. Hopefully, she hasn't lost all of her spunk.

I doubt they'll be at the reunion, as they're just not the sociable types. Unless they've mellowed down a lot in their dotage.

*[I shortened her name because I just found out that this post turns up at searches for her full name. We wouldn't want to ruin her rep. :)]


And then there are the teachers I wouldn't mind meeting again:

1. Ms. Miraflor (not related to J.) - Heaven help you if you haven't read the assigned Ibong Mandaragit chapters when she calls on you. She was the most dreaded teacher, ever. She's also the one I most remember. I don't know if it's because she taught us for two years, or because I remember her more fondly now that I don't quake in fear of her ronda (this, even when I read chapters way ahead!).

2. Ms. Reyes - I've always been interested in natural sciences, but Ms. Reyes, who taught Biology and Chemistry, was probably one of the major factors that pushed me into taking up MBB in college. No other teacher made me feel like I'm just being made to see through a peephole; that there's so much more beyond what she's teaching, but I'd have to work at breaking the barrier myself if I want to see more. And I did, I really did!

3. Sir Dela Vega - He once announced in front of the class that he gave me high marks in History because, even if I never participated in class, I got high grades in quizzes and tests. Everyone bugged me to reveal my History grade after that. He gave me an 81. The lowest mark I received for any subject in years. Funny, sir. Absolutely hilarious.


I tried searching for these people on FB, but their names aren't in the database (or, in the case of Ms. Reyes, there's just too many with the same name).

UPDATE: I found Sir Dela Vega. LOL.

UPDATE 2: I think I found J. Miraflor, too. Or rather, she found me. (See comments section.)

Wednesdays are MOB (My Own Bag) Days at the SM Megamall Supermarket. So remember to bring your own shopping bags if you plan to do your grocery shopping there on a Wednesday. If you can't be bothered, or if you forgot, your purchases shall be packed in handleless brown paper bags, unless you opt to buy plastic bags (boo you!) or their green canvas shopping bags.

***

The annual CONVERSE SALE at the Megatrade Hall (SM Megamall) runs from today to December 6. I got there before noon and stocks were already starting to run out.

I couldn't decide between the all-black Metallica high tops and the black and white checkered high tops, so I got both. I know I'll regret it tomorrow, when it finally sinks in that the the money could have bought me an okay office table at SM Home. What is it about sales that makes us involuntarily suspend our better judgement?

On the bright side (aside from the bright side of having 2 new Chucks), I get a free 2-piece Chickenjoy with rice and a Peach Mango pie because I paid with BPI EPS. Tomorrow's lunch -- check! ;p

My first ever mountain climbing experience. That's me in Lex Luthor colors. ;)

Mount Daguldol is what seasoned climbers call a Level 1 mountain, meaning it's fairly risk-free and easy to climb. The way I was huffing and puffing on the way up, though, you'd think I climbed a level one million. Half of the trail was steep, slippery, and muddy (the other half was just steep). My rubber shoes, which I bought post-Ondoy, were baptized in ankle-deep mud. They won't feel so out-of-place with my pre-Ondoy shoes now. In contrast, our tour guide's baby pink sneakers barely had any mud splatters on them. She must have the power to float on soft ground or something.


At the peak

Think going down is cake? Nope. It's hell on the toes, which gravity kept crushing against my shoes. Both my big toes were stubbed to death. Literally. Pareho silang namatayan ng kuko. Poor things. Lesson learned: next time, wear toeless footwear. ("There's a next time?!" exclaimed the battered toes.)

( More photos. )

After more than two months of waiting for a PLDT repairman to come, Ningning lost her temper and waylaid a PLDT repair van on its way to another house, and forced the crew to take a look at our line. So, our phone and DSL are back up! Finally! If we had known this was the way their repair schedule worked, we would have ambushed a repair van earlier.

Will probably swap the PLDT DSL with my cousin's SmartBro again later, though, as PLDT is even slower than I remember. I should have gotten that sh*t disconnected a long time ago.