Ylan’s Refuge

And what better way to start the Christmas month? Give it a big bang –> PARTY!!! Yes, we’ll be having our Department Christmas Party tomorrow!

However, there will be a dry run of the ceremonial route for the Asean Summit tomorrow. That means possible traffic congestion on affected areas. So hopefully, we can be at the party venue on time…

As you all know, today is supposedly a holiday, Bonifacio Day. But Malacanang decided to swap dates making tomorrow, December 1 as the non-working day. It’s gonna be a long weekend for me and my colleagues.

In one day, that is today, i received two wedding invitations. One from a male officemate (Antonio) and another from a female friend (Joana) back in college. Actually my friend’s fiance (Raymond) is also a friend and classmate. I’ve never heard from them for quite some time now. Well, not until a few minutes earlier when i received the email. True enough, they made their promise not to forget me when the big day happens. Back then, that famous line - 3 is a crowd was a matter-of-fact because i was such a crowd. However, this lovely couple never made me feel insecure or anything to that effect. I was never out of place with them. Now, that they are finally tying the knot - i’m more than happy for them. They truly deserve each other.

I told Joy, my other close friend in college about the upcoming wedding. To which she replied, what took them so long? And you? When are you getting married? Huh! I wish i have an answer to quip! Joy, by the way, is one year my senior who got married to my classmate in 2002 (? or 2003) and i’m the beautiful godmother (lol!) to their first baby.

Why is everyone getting married? Should I not wonder!? 28 ka na iha, mga kabatch mo may mga anak nah! LOL! (or should this be waaahhhhhhh!!!)

Exactly a week ago, i got hooked to a lot of misfortunes. You see, even if i’m awake, it’s as if i’m still asleep that I walk around with only the slightest hint of knowingness. I was already on board the jeepney when I realized i left my cellphone (again). Normally, leaving cellphones at home ain’t a bother. I for sure won’t be missing any interesting nor heartwarming messages anyway duhhh! I don’t know but at that moment I instantly decided to get off and go home. Giatot! kainit raba! So, I get off the jeep, made my way across Banawa Street and hailed a jeep bound back to Guadalupe. While walking towards home, I tripped the ground and my left shoe got stucked in the step. I impatiently lift my left foot thus the heel of my shoe got reaped. I said it must have been the reason why my impulse brought me home or else I would have been dragging my left shoe somewhere else - that would have been more shameful. Naturally I changed my shoes when I got home and I was like half irate half amused. I tried to graciously went my way back to the street. Now the scene got me back to Banawa street when I realized the jeepney i rode on was on the right lane. We should have been on the left. The driver was waiting for the go signal then while the konduktor was coherently shouting “o Englis, o Englis!” Shoot! I rode the wrong jeep! The jeepney was bound to Taboan and not to Jones. I confidently said “lugar lang sa atbang noy” as if wala nasayup ug sakay. hehehe! I was so certain, the sign board read as San Jone-Carbon. Well, to make the story short, i end up reporting to work late…

———-

The office launched its Christmas program last Friday where they presented the participants for the PETC Idol. Wahahaha two lead engineers and one expat from Michigan are joining. How far can they pull off their hidden talents? LOL! Our department is a party pooper - nobody’s joining the contest. They also presented the different christmas trees from each department. Our department grabbed the first prize in the parol making contest last year.

I just had the bone density screening at the clinic a few minutes ago. This is done by the company’s health program for early detection, treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Target for screening are those with history of osteopenic/osteoporosis and those suffering from frequent backaches employees aged 35 and up. I am young for the age bracket but i subjected to the screening anyway since i always complain about backpains. The nurse would put this gadget on the lower bone near the knees (forgot the proper term) like that of an ultrasound where they could see the bone structure in the monitor. If the dot falls on the green part in the graph after 5 cycles, it’s normal. If it falls on the yellow part, you have low calcium content. If it falls on the pink part, it means you have an osteoporosis. Geez! My first result fell on the boundary of pink and yellow. I love pink but hey not this one! It only meant that i’m indeed osteopenic! I asked for 2nd round of screening, this time with my left leg. What do you know? The tool cannot detect my bones. What am i? Boneless? (murag bangus! hehe!) So, we tried back on my right leg. After 5 cyles, it didn’t give any results because the detection was not stable. On to the 4th round, it gave out a result and this time the dot fell on the lowest part of the pink region - meaning i’m very very osteopenic! Waahhhh!!!! I’m too young for that! We tried for the last time and guess what? The result showed normal signs, the dot fell on the upper part of the green region. Which is which? I am to see the company doctor on Wednesday for further examination. Yay! I hate hospitals, i hate doctors, i hate lab tests!!! Waaaaahhhhh!!!! Haayyyy….*knock on the wood*

I thought of writing again about the Asean Summit updates, a few of my online friends might be interested. At least for once my blog will contain matters that matter and won’t be this useless. Hehehe!

Well, you can read much info about the summit from online news or official sites but what the heck, hear it from someone who sees it everyday. (charr!) The island beautification on all major roads is still on going. I really don’t know what’s the appropriate or technical term for island but if you are a bisdak, you surely know what I mean right? The sad thing is that, these plants might not be around anymore after the summit. You know how Pinoy can get sooo unbelievable! Just so to give an example, the cab driver last night said these lines to me – nindot kaau ang mga tanom sa? labi na ang kanang lubi-lubi, patay na ig human sa summit, hawan gyud na, nakahunahuna gani ko, mag-ibot sab kaha ko ana ug usa sad al-on nako sa amoa sa? Makuha naman na sa mga taw kay wala naman nay pulis na magbantay. I just said, ayaw pud noy oi, nindot kung ingon ana na permi para gwapa tan-awon permi ang mga dalan. To which he added – pag seminar namo kay nangutana man ko sa facilitator if puede ba makaremedyo sa patak sa taxi nya? I said, I guess not, participants probably have orientations on dos and hows on taking a ride anywhere here in Cebu. Geezz, what more do I have to say? Pinoys can be that opportunistic and abusive. By the way, they had the roofs of shanties beside the old Mactan bridge painted with green. Of course, they can do nothing for the nipa huts. (alangan ila sab pintalan ang nipa nga atup?)

The last thing I’ve heard is that the CICC (Cebu International Convention Center) won’t be finished on time so they are considering Shangrila Hotel as the new venue. Whichever the case is, Lapulapu City will be much affected since hotels where delegates are going to stay are mostly situated here. In effect, MEPZ has officially declared no working days on these 4-day event. (unsaon na lang ang mga lungag sa dalan sa gawas sa MEPZ2?) The government sent out a route for implementation and will have a closure of major roads for a few hours on Nov 25, as part of a traffic dry run.

So, I am delighted that i will be off from work as early as Dec 11 but the thing is I don’t know what to do on these dates! Arrrgghh! Sirado mga dalan, basin wala pa gyud mga jip? asa kaha ko laag sa? Laag ta ninyo nah!

I should be posting some pics of the CICC but blogger won’t load pics again.

What’s up with my workplace? We had a fire drill last week and an earthquake drill just an hour ago. ISO certification and stuff.

Like what i’ve said, i have a lot of tags to answer yet,
here’s one of those:

1. if there are 3 wells (love, beauty & creativity) & you
could only drink from 1, which would it be?
>>LOVE can bring out the beauty and creativity in a person.

2. with problems, whom do you run to?
>>family & close friends

3. which finger is your favorite?
>>none, i have ugly fingers and hands hehehe

4. what’s the most disgusting thing you’ve ever eaten?
>>bbq chicken intestines, used to like it when i was a kid but now that i know where its from, yucky! hehehe!

5. would you tell a guy/girl you like him/her?
>>if I have the courage, why not!

6. if no, why?
>>should my answer is no, its probably because i’m afraid to be rejected

7. if you were making a movie about yourself, who would play the lead?
>>Kate Beckinsale, cool & beautiful! I am that ambitious to think i can get so slim like her hehehe! If koreanovela, i’d pick Kim Sam Soon

8. do you like your handwriting?
>>yeahhh

9. who are you jealous of?
>>jealous of the one who stole Hyunbin’s heart and Hershey’s heart and Mocha’s heart and Milky’s heart (therefore i’m jealous to a lot of people? LOL! just kidding :P)

10. what kind of person do you want to marry? -
>>a lot like Mr. C.S. bwehehehe! (sayang minyo na sya)

11. where were you last kissed?
>>cheeks lang naman, ako po ay dalagang ulay hehe

12. what do you put on your sandwiches?
>>cheez wiz or mayo

14. If you were another person, would you be friends with you?
>>i think so! I can be good at times promise! hehe!

15. are you a daredevil?
>>i’d like to think that i am sometimes but initially i’m always fearful! yay!

16. where were you last night?
>>home? ate chicharon then slept (piggy symptoms persist!)

17. do you drink beer?
>>nope but i have tried

18. who do you think is/are the most adorable animated character[s]?
>>jasmine, ariel

19. do looks matter 4u?
>>I go for character but if good looking, why not coconut! it’s a fact though that we get attracted to a person at first instance by his looks…

20. what color suits your personality? -
>>pink (soft) and red (hard), i can be both depends on the situation

21. do you pray?
>>of course!

22. are you trendy?
>>depends on my mood! but i am normally simple - as in bulingit!

23. what do you do to prevent anger?
>>not saying anything, keep it all inside for a moment! or rant my heart out in my journal

24. who is your idol?
>>at this moment i can’t pinpoint a single name, i admire a lot of people with different distinct qualities - for one, though this is much of a cliche but i have always admired my mother, a full time mother and wife raising 6 kids. I’ll never know if i can do the same sacrifices she have for my future children.

25. what song will suit on what u feel right now?
>>gloomy mellow songs or hard rock (i’m at my extremes now), i’m actually confused.

26. how many viewed your friendster profile??
>>i don’t know? i don’t check it.

27. what was your favorite toy as a child?
>>paper dolls & cooking pot set - i was not into barbiedolls and other fancy toys, i find them cute but i’d rather have stuffed toys

28. what will you do after this?
>>get back to work! lazy ass! - i for sure will receive an email any moment from now with the same old lines! (i want to puke now!)

29. what are you waiting for?
>>looooong vacation!!!!! & a new job? (i’m so conspicuous!)

30. the last time you were happy, it was because..
>>i can’t exactly say what was it but it just occurred to me that i’m still lucky and i felt a sudden relief… yeah God is good!

I got this from a forwarded mail - it’s a bit long but it’s a funny read. Enjoy!

I’m thurry, Jethuth
by lorenzo p. ninal

NOT ALL tongues are created equal. They come in various shapes and sizes. A tongue can be long or short, plump or skinny, pointed or dull. It can be spongy for just the right slurp, or unbending for whatever purpose its stiffness serves.

My tongue looks perfectly normal. It doesn’t grow hair nor does it split at the tip. It is uncomplaining in its obedience to my oral impulses that sometimes go beyond matters of taste. But I believe it is missing that particular something that allows for perfect speech.

I first noticed this in grade school when the S sound made my life miserable. I could roll my R’s like a purring cat. But while the rest of the class hissed their S’s like snakes, I did mine like piss on loose soil.

It was no problem with group recitation because I could always hide my disability by exaggerating the grin that an S sound required, although I wasn’t actually producing any sound at all. I was already doing lip synch before it became vogue in Nora Aunor’s Superstar. My problem was with individual recitation.

“How old are you again?” my teacher in first grade wanted to make sure she heard me right on my first day in school.

“Theven yearth old,” I said.

“And you want to be what when you grow up?”

“I want to be a prieth to therve God.”

The teacher was a close relative. It worried her that her favorite nephew was being denied the pleasures that came with having a perfect S. Would I be able to appreciate the stars, the sea, the sunset, when I couldn’t even make the words slither down my tongue? If I wanted to be a priest, how would I denounce Satan? Surely no devil was going to take the name Jethuth Chrith seriously.

“I’ll have to ssssee you after each classss,” my teacher made noise with the words like she was smashing glasses, making sure I get the message without embarrassing me in front of my classmates. Nothing happened to those speech therapy sessions, though.

I first thought the problem was about me missing two front teeth. But hundreds of front teeth came and went, Ethpiderman remained my favorite superhero and I continued believing in Thanta Clauth.

There must be something wrong with my tongue, Fr. Rudy Villanueva said after cutting short my rendition of a Barry Manilow classic years later in a singing rehearsal in the seminary.

“‘I write the thongs that make the whole world thing’ is not the way to sing in my choir,” he barked. “How can Mother Church expect you to deliver a thermon?”

“I’m thorry,” I said.

Though I still couldn’t find anything wrong with my tongue in the mirror, I followed the good monsignor’s advice and gave up my dream of changing the world from the pulpit.

Not long after quitting the seminary, I found a job as writer in this daily, and immediately broke the good news to my mother.

“Ma, I now work in a newthpaper,” I told her over the phone.

“Really? Praithe God!” she said.

As you may all know, I’m a Koreanovela fanatic. I endure watching them for long straight hours even if it means having to tire out my eyes watching the scenes and reading the english subtitle at the same time. Among at least 5 series that I have completed watching, My Lovely Kim Sam-Soon turned out to be my most loved Koreanovela. It’s just one of my many favorites but somehow it’s the closest to my heart. (charrr!) I almost concur to all of Kim Sam-Soon’s ideals and traits. Very simple yet with so much care and love to give. Passionate - that’s what she is, i’d like to be like that. She has all the courage to fight and stand for what she believe is right. I admire people who are like that. Not easily startled by what other people may think or say. Most of all - i admire her the most because she knows when to hang on and when to let go. She may not be real and only a character in the series but ultimately, she’s all that I wanted to be. Strong and dependent yet subtle and lovable. (o di ba!? :P)

Synopsis:
“Kim Sam-soon is 29 years old and overweight, and she has an unfashionable name. On Christmas Eve, she spots her boyfriend going into a hotel with another woman. Instead of dumping him then and there, she falls to her knees and begs him not to leave, but to no avail. She has not only lost her job, but also her boyfriend, both on the same day. She runs into the restroom, which turns out to be the men’s room. Utterly distraught, she encounters Jin-heon who thinks she is a female pervert. They part company on the worst of terms, unaware that their paths will cross again soon.

A Cordon Bleu-trained pastry chef, Sam-soon visits a hotel for a job interview, where she meets Jin-heon again. This time, her hair becomes lodged in his tie pin. Rushed for time and somewhat irritated, Jin-heon grabs a pair of scissors and mercilessly cuts off the offending hair. In revenge, Sam-soon throws the cake she had made for the interview in Jin-heon’s face. He is pleasantly surprised by the taste of the cake and hires her as a pastry chef for his restaurant Bon Appetit.

The two despise each other, bickering day and night. Then one day, Jin-heon hires Sam-soon to pose as his girlfriend, hoping to avoid the blind dates set up for him by his meddlesome mother. Needing the money, Sam-soon agrees to the contract relationship. But eventually, their emotions turn from hatred to affection, and they find themselves thinking about each other. The story line gets more and more interesting as new characters join in, including Jin-heon’s ex-girlfriend Hee-jin and Sam-soon’s ex-boyfriend.”

In the above picture, Sam-soon is the one standing. Jin-heon is the guy sitting with a rose. Jin-heon’s ex-gf (Hee-jin) is the one sitting. The other guy is Henry, suitor of Hee-jin. This solo pic is of Jinheon, Samsoon’s love interest and partner. He is said to be the handsomest next-generation male star in Korea. I agree! Heheh! Gwapo kaayu ni sya nga pagka-intsik! His screen name by the way is Hyun Bin. I thought that Lee Dong Wook was the most gorgeous but when i saw him, I thought i’d changed my mind lol - he looks great in PINK polos. Nyehehe!