CONGRATULATIONS TO JERROLD!

Today was the premiere of his first full-length feature film at Glorietta 4 Cinema 5.

Everyone in Manila, you have to see it! It will be shown in G4 and Trinoma this weekend. Please do try to catch it!
You can check screening schedules here.
More about the movie can be found on their multiply site.

I'm so proud! My friends are there! They made it!
*beaming with pride*

It was so odd seeing my friends in the big screen. Wowowee!Direk Jerrold and his malandi extra Paola
at our mini Bona after party :)

Jerrold's short film "Astig" was also shown before the movie.
It co-stars PAUL! (ni Bea)

see it here:

ASTIG!!!

Photos from tonight can be seen in Ging's Multiply Site as soon as she uploads them. Keep checking back as she might not be able to upload them tonight.

I called a meeting at 9:30am. Woke up at 7, left at 8, picked Niki up, then Sara. Rain was pouring and traffic was not moving in BF so we passed Coastal Rd. via Alabang-Zapote. Traffic was WORSE.

Drove for an 2 1/2 hours. Was already very late and Sara found out that her MOA opener was going to be late. I had to make a decision since the MOA store couldn't be left closed past mall opening hours. What did I do? I conducted a quick meeting in my car while in traffic.

Talk about multi-tasking. I gave Sara a quick rundown, dropped her off in MOA and Niki and I drove off to Rockwell. I was an hour late for my own meeting but looked way too upset for anyone else to point that out.

Meeting was quick. Had lunch at Press with Bea and Niki.

Al Telefono Penne + Pressadilla + Honey Mustard Chicken Roulade

Was planning on finishing paperwork the rest of the day but soon realized I had left my MAC AC adapter home. All my files are in the mac and it was already low batt. Decided to work from ATC instead so I can pick up the adapter at home. Niki and I left Rockwell at 3:30pm. We were stuck on the rode for ANOTHER 2 1/2 hours. My legs were stiff and was having a difficult time driving my bulok car so we opted to skip ATC and had dinner at Bona.

Turkey Cranberry Sandwich

Turkey slices + lettuce + cranberry sauce + honey mustard + apple slices

may coup d'état daw?

We were there resting for two hours until we were both phoned by family, telling us that a curfew was imposed on Metro Manila and everyone had to be home by midnight. I was more than willing to do so as I was dead exhausted. Got home a little after 7pm, which is the earliest time I've been home from work since I can remember. Pondering whether or not another vodka-sprite is necessary since I'm tired and won't need the alcohol to help me sleep.

I had my day pretty much sorted out. But the fates have a way of serving you your day in a big heap of horsesh--.

I woke up this morning from a nightmare so horrible that I cannot put into words for fear of it ever coming true. So there I was, in bed with a hangover from drinking consecutive mixes of vodka sprite the previous night. I check my mail and Paul says to call him 6pm his time. I was still seething from my dream but ran to the phone to call him up. That phone call didn't go as well as I wanted it to go. I was half asleep-pissed-upset-sad-awake-confused and half hungover to make sense of what I said. At least hearing his voice calmed me down a little and I was in a better mood when I hung up the phone.

I saw that the my download of Heroes just finished so I saw that. It was ayt. Around 1pm I realized I had to get dressed to go out to get my license renewed. I have been driving a week with an expired one and today was the only day I had time to handle it. I had P300 cash on me and knew I had to withdraw before I did anything else today. I went to BDO in BF and waited THIRTY minutes in line and infront of the machine only to find out that the machine was busted. I drove to the Equitable ATM nearby and it said it couldn't connect to my bank. I was already seething but I passed by Bona to get a large coffee ice blended since I knew I had to take a drug test and needed to be ready to piss in a cup. I drove to ATC and went to the atm's near powerbooks. Both the BDO and Equitable machines were f-cked and wouldn't give me money. I tried withdrawing from the BPI ones even if they were going to charge me interbank fees just so I could have money BUT it kept rejecting my card. I went to SIX atm machines total before I gave up and called Niki to borrow money. I ran to the store and picked the dough up and walked back out to the license renewal center.

I can never hold my bladder. I'm the type of person who has to go when she has to go. But for once in my life, my bladder failed me. I couldn't understand it. A large coffee ice blended with an EXTRA shot of coffee PLUS a bottle of mineral water downed in one go and STILL I could barely fill the damn cup even an eighth full. I felt sick with all the liquids inside me. I sat there for an hour and half waiting for the water to pass it's way through my system, but I got nothing. The testing center was closing in half an hour and I simply BEGGED them to make do with what I could give them since nothing was coming out of me anymore. I was the last person in line and they took pity on me and gave me my "negative" slip. The rest of the renewal process was quick enough since there were only three of us left in the waiting area. One good thing that came out of it was that I FINALLY have a license where my picture does not look like it came out of a WANTED ad. My day might have sucked but I made sure I smiled this time.

Hindi na nakakahiyang ipakita license ko

My car is coding today so I was forced to stay in ATC until 7pm. I was done with renewal by 5:45pm and I had not eaten a morsel of anything the whole day. I was positively hungry by now. I had a little over P200 left in my wallet so I retried the ATM's again but still got nada. I decided to watch a movie to kill time and opted to go see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium in the hopes that seeing it would a least cheer me out of this morbid day-off. I was now left with P100 and an angry stomach. I ran to Jollibee, got a Yum w/TLC meal and walked back to the cinemas. I went inside the cinema way to early but sat down and scarfed down my burger. I even finished the last piece of Jollibee's horrible fries. The movie was okay. Well, no. It was blah. Think an updated version of Robin William's "Toys" in the 90s. All I kept noticing was how gorgeous Natalie Portman looked even with short hair and wondered why I looked the exact opposite when I had mine years ago.

I went home and had a little bit of sardines for dinner. I ate very little and I don't understand why. I normally eat like a monster when depressed. The highlight of my day was when I realized I still had a Haagen-dazs Almond Vanilla Bar in the freezer that my mom got us last week.

Now excuse me while I mix myself another nightcap. I have a very early day tomorrow.

Treated Jammi to a Robust Roast Beef sammie at Bona after work. It's her prize for selling a sh!tload of moolah to one client today. She deserved it after shooting for 3 hours and working an 11-hour shift. All this after having only slept 4 hours the night before. Poor "robust" Jammi. She might have viewed for 3 hours with that client but it was worth it. Grabe, in total that was 6 hours she spent with that one client. Dapat nga lang talaga they bought that much!

SO, Jammie gets a sammie.

Wow, labo.We were surprised to see Macy about an hour after we arrived. She managed to scam her brother into driving from Urdaneta to BF just so she can finally try Bona Coffee. Her brother looked very satisfied with his drink (and they ordered the same sandwich too!). So I think we'll be seeing them around again soon.

Oh, and I bought myself a new hoodie!!!

Sorry, Niki. I know you said to not get it, but I couldn't resist! I love it so much I'm gonna wear it again tomorrow!

I might be too late but just as the cliché says, "Better late than never"

What am I thankful for? In no particular order...except for the last.

1. A job which skills and needed patience seem to flow out of me quite naturally. Most people who would be in my position would probably be on their knees weeping. I happen to be weeping, but I do it standing.
2. A place to live. I'm a 26 year old woman who's half ashamed to be living with her parents but grateful that I am anyway.
3. I may complain a lot but I am very much grateful for the life I got to live. I have been blessed with a luxurious and comfortable life and cursed with the ability to never be satisfied. I am one of many.
   
4. Friends. They seem to just know when I need help and know when to pretend to not worry, so I can pretend to be okay.
5. For my ability to give chances, to myself and to others. Without it, I would not be here.
6. A family who can put up with me, no matter how difficult I can be.
   
7. My ability to be patient and tolerant to people who don't deserve it. This may not always be the best thing, but life has been peaceful with it so far.
8. For people who bother to care.
9. People tell me I can write. If you read my blog often then you may (or not) agree. I thank everyone who has been listening to me rant in the past several months. It gives me such great pleasure to be heard.
   
10. Saving the absolute best for last, a HUSBAND whom I cannot imagine life without even if we are apart. I think about you every single day. You're my first thought in the morning and my last at night. I will be with you soon, I promise. I look forward to late night movies, home cooked meals, laundry and everyday make-out time :)
    

Worked an 11-hour shift today in ATC. It was a crazy day but sales was awesome! Better than Rockwell and Podium even, so Niki and I are so stoked. Managed to get away for an hour to have a post-bday dinner with la familia at Itallianis. Since I hadn't eaten anything but a jamaican patty and couple bites of chocolate cake the whole day, I was looking forward to a great meal. Niki and I were so close to fainting. Yesterday, we both did a 12-hour shift and both days were fully booked! We both deserve massages!

Photos from dinner.

Niki, Vince, Eileen, Bea and yours truly

After the group hug, one of us starts drafting a letter asking for a raise.
(ahem! sino kaya yon?)

Last night was another dress-up night for me. The company had a "working" party at the clubhouse of the Alexandra in Ortigas. Each store/department had to show up in costume. There was no theme so anything goes. Can you guess what the themes are?

Who knew trash bags could make for hot couture?Bagay si BeaSi Niki kinareer ang theme. Napakapanget.
A lot of us kept boo-ing and throwing stuff at their table for effect.hindi kasama si Ara dito, naki-epal lang, heheheSi Aila at Japs singit din pero bagay parin sa theme.

By 1am, Bea was inebriated. Niki and Grace kept jabbering on in the car with her so she'd stay awake while driving us home. I was too exhausted to talk. Bea could not take me home as I left my car at her place. I got home by 3am and slept much later after that trying to post this blog. Internet kept messing up so I gave up close to 4am and passed out.

Paul (ni bea) was gracious enough to lend me his house for my birthday. I prepared way too much food and booze. I forgot not everyone ate like me. I love dress up parties for as long as everyone complies. JA did not disappoint! He wins my vote! Complete with "The Bagets" pose!

Am I 80s enuf for ya?Paola, the dance instructor
Love Ara's make-up!Roderick Paulate?!?ay luv eet!Pia with Jammi, the non-conformistsTwo cool kids with Niki - hahaha!Welcome back Ella! Old Alabang!Love the gloves and shoulder pads Paul!This reminds me of my tita going to churchJA and Ara workin' it
See the full album HERE!

Jammi, Ara and I headed to Bona after work. Ara made arrangements to sleep at her Aunt's house down south so she can attend my party tomorrow night. It's been a while since she had Bona so we went with her even if Jammi and I had already gone this morning. I had another one of those spanish sardine sandwiches (which totally rocked), Ara had a Buddha Belly Sandwich (mango and crabstick on rye) and Jammi had a roast beef sandwich. Some of the Podium kids were sleeping over Bea's house that night and were having dinner at Pizza Nero in BF so they passed by Bona to meet with us to help salubong my birthday.

Those Bona baristas are so sly, I tell you. In the middle of our chickas, Brian calls Jammi over the counter. I assumed it had something to do with the honorary membership she was getting for converting all of us into Bona-addicts. A couple of minutes later, Jammi bursts into song, yelling "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" with everyone else following in unison. Brian and the other barista come out of the counter with two plates, one with my favorite sourcream and coffee cake muffin and another with their chocolate cake, both with lit candles on top of them. I roll my eyes, trying to hide my glee. I was a bit embarrassed as there was a group of older people on the table right next to us, staring. People started whipping out cameras and taking photos. Eeeee!!! Niki! Why weren't you there?!? You missed the fun! Later in the car, Jammi and Ara tells me the Bona men planned the surprise on their own, with the other guy telling Brian it was my birthday as soon as he walked in. *blush* FREE MUFFIN AND CAKE FOR ME! HEE!!!

Later, Paul (ni bea) will pick me up and join me in grocery shopping for food for the night's party. I have yet to decide what to wear. It's going to be great. Will post photos as soon as the hangover dies.

I want to jump on a plane, run there and hug them now now NOW!

visiting Uncle Paul when he got back to work on Saturday