Commuting 101

Yes, you read right, folks. Commuting 101. It's not the wrong site. Trust me there will still be a lot of ranting, whining and heartfelt stories for this entry.

Thought you might ask why I am blogging about this. One word. HASSLE.

Do I hear a lot of people shouting in unison saying "hell yeah!"?

So let us begin!


1. Wear something you are comfortable with. Whether it's extra humid or there's a typhoon, your clothes should not only define your personality but SHOULD AND ALWAYS BE COMFORTABLE.

Reason I blogged: Wore my office attire with blazer. It was so wrong. I didn't think it would be too hot but it was. IT WAS SCORCHING HOT. I couldn't take it off because of the reason number 2.

2. Do not bring too many bags. It is better to have just one big bag rather than juggling with a lot of bags. You hands should always be free so it will be easier for you to move around. A personal note: For girls, go away first with hand bags/ clutches.

Reason I blogged: I had two bags that day. One for my jogging clothes and shoes and the other was for my usual things. This is the reason I couldn't take off my blazer. I had so much things.

3. Bring your buddies: fan and umbrella. Always remember that Philippines is a tropical country so it could really get HOT! Your buddies could help you take away a little of that heat.

Reason I blogged. Waited for 10 minutes for a train that does not have aircon. HOW GREAT WAS THAT!

4. Go away with your heels, ladies. I have with me my "pang-harabas flats" that I wear whenever I commute and change into my "elegant office shoes" when I get to work. It's easier for me that way.

Reason I blogged: Try climbing up the stairs of MRT Shang with it. Come on, I dare you.

5. ALWAYS ALWAYS BRING HAND SANITIZER! It's a mortal sin if you don't!

Reason I blogged: It has been my habit to sanitize my hands whenever I get to sit in my commute. Imagine all the things you held (or maybe hugged). EWWWW!

6. Be on time. It will give you the chance to strategize! You can skip a train or bus so you wouldn't have to stand.






 Reason why I blogged: I don't rush to work. Gives me time to freshen up before starting my day at work.

7. Don't mind other people's business. It will really ruin your day. Do not look at them. Do not smell them. Please.

Reason why I blogged: I've seen what people are capable of doing and they are nasty. You would probably keep in mind number five always... ALWAYS. Plus you don't want to have awkward moments with a stranger right?

8. Always have change. It's easier and faster.

Reason why I blogged: It will do you and the rest of the commuters society good. People wouldn't have to wait long in line. So imagine if the person infront of you pays PHP100 for a PHP12 fare? Granted that's only PHP88 but it will still entail time for the cashier to gather the change and give you the ticket! So ready your coins so you wouldn't have to bother so many people!

9. Have a coin purse. I call it my commuter's wallet.

Reason why I blogged: You wouldn't want your cards, your bills, IDs exposed when paying your fare right? So keep a coin purse with you so it will be smaller and easier to carry around while commuting.

10. Be vigilant. Do not trust anyone!

Reason why I blogged: Commuting will be expose you to all sorts of people. So it's best that you trust no one. Keep your valuables with you always.



These information maybe common already but it is very useful for me and it might be for a few others. Commuting on a day-to-day basis is all new to me because my entire 20 years of existence I live near my school, so walking was my mode of transportation. I am actually getting used to taking the train, tricycle, and bus everyday for work since I have been doing it for almost 10 months now so it should be easy. But sometimes, commuting will really get to my nerves and feel bad for the rest of the day. It is one of the first and last activities of my day (or most people's day) so it's best that I know the run through.

So happy commuting!

The 2011.

The highlights of my 2011.

1. Graduation.

2. Employment.

3. Good team and company.

 

4.  Lost 13 pounds. (But gained it again)

Well I was still high school here, but I was hoping I could bring back the old sexier me. Hahaha!

5. Addiction to HIMYM.

 6. First time ever: me as an inspirational/motivational speaker.

7. Independence.

This isn't the the condo I live in but the set-up is pretty cool. I promise to take photos of my new home soon.

8. Addiction to twitter.

9. Hair color. First time. (dyed it back to dark brown now)

10. Trips.

Laguna, Tagaytay, Pagupud, Ilocos,and Bangkok

11. Attending a wedding after a bazillion years.

12. Chef for a month at Marciano's

Located at 2F Greenbelt 3. 

 

13 Ben. 

14 Reunited with my family.

Cheers everyone! Happy 2012!

After 2 months.

So what happened?

1. I wasn't home for two months (November 7-December 23, 2011)

2. 2-month worth of bonus was spent on condo-living things. 

3. Had a huge fight with mom and dad hence number 1 and 2. 

4. For the weekends I was usually at the condo watching series or stuffing myself with Mercato or fast food, going out with friends or Ben, or sleeping. (no ranking but I think sleeping and eating are tie to first place)

5. Ooooh, I went to Ilocos and Pagudpud for 4 days. 

6. I have watched more HIMYM.

7. My shift changed from 6am - 3pm to 11 am - 8 pm to cater to London processes. If you'd ask me which shift I prefer? Nothing because both has it's perks and disadvantages.

8. I got the chance to talk to my office crush. He discussed to my one of the books I was covering. Smart ass.

9. I have gained what I lost. (those extra pounds)

10. Tried smoking. Had a 1-week smoking phase. But no mooooore. 

11. Had gone through suicidal stage.

12. Doubting (yes up to now) my religion. I hope this is just a phase.

13. Felt lost with work with all the restructuring. 

14. Ate, Kuya Randy, Ben and I got really close and have done double dates at home.

15. My parents and I are slowly getting okay after the huge fight. 

A rollercoaster ride. An ironic life. 

Glad that I am ending 2011 in one piece, alive, and thankful.

The sweetest things.

It was his 7-day mandatory leave from the office. And of course we promised that we would still see each other.

First was last tuesday, his mom invited me for dinner. Met his family for the second time and meeting for the first time his tita and his cousin from Germany. They were very accomodating. I was being myself with a little thread of being shy but most of the time it was my real self talking to his family... conversing anything thrown for a topic.  And I was actually talking to all of them. I imagined myself being awkward and quiet but I was not. I think it was a very lovely night.

Second was yesterday, we had dinner at Saisaki. It was the usual yet sweet dinner. We were talking about work, promotion, bonus etc.

Me: Excited na ako sa bonus ko. Pambibili ko ng gamit sa bahay kapag lumipat na ako.
L: Ako nga noon walang bonus e.. Walang increase.
Me: Ha? Akala ko wala lang bonus. Di mo sinabi na yung increase din.
L: Deh pati increase wala. Kung hindi talaga dahil kina Ms. Che matagal na akong umalis. Nagdeputy supervisor ako ng Utilties at ako halos lahat nagturo ng mga processes tapos yung mga tinuruan ko sila pa may bonus.
Me: Di bale na... Isipin mo na lang may bawi si Lord sa'yo.
L. Oo, ikaw.

I smiled. I was so overwhelmed when he said those two words. What made it more romantic is the part where we were serious talking about work and bonuses and I didn't expect it would end that way... sweet and very romantic.

I told him it was the sweetest thing he said to me personally. The spontaneity of it was so perfect.


Thank you, L for those two days. I love to be always dated by you even sometimes it means it would be with your family. My love extends to them.

It was never easy.

Never did I imagine myself being in this kind of situation. On the contrary, I have always dreamed about getting it right. Perfection is a state that is a big blurr for me. It was never perfect. It was never easy. It is just love.

I got to my tipping point last night. It was the battle between peace of mind and happiness. In my life right now these two have different meaning. For some it may be achieving peace of mind first before experiencing true happiness. I don't know if that is the answer I am looking for. It is hard when two important people are involved.

Compromise. The best (temporary) solution for this kind of situation. Though it will also promise a temporary solution. It is the safety net of making ends meet. At the end of the day, it is either you give up or the other person will. 

I do not want to decide. I do not want to choose.

There is a solution to all of these things but it is not entirely in my hands. Close friends have been giving me the same piece of advice: fight for it. I wish it was that easy. It will never be. Who has the courage to stand up for something when you know the other person has already made up his/her mind? I could never win with that. And who has the courage to go against the will of someone who brought me up to being who and where I am right now? They gave me almost everything and invested in me and in return they deserve the respect and love from me.

On the other hand, who would want to give up someone whom you love so much? I was never comfortable around guys. But with him, it was easy and so natural. I could never give that up. He is the guy best friend I never had and I want to keep him for as long as I can.

It is romantic and funny at the same time (or others might think of it as me just being so in love) that I have thought of the main qualification for someone I will be with for the rest of my life when I got to be with him. And that qualification is that we would be able to talk anything and everything without boring ourselves, after all, when our hair starts to turn gray, it would back to where we started-just the two of us. And when that happens I would want to survive with genuine happiness in my heart. And right now, I believe that is him.

It was never easy...

Right now, I go on with just keeping things to myself. Yes, I have been lying. I am feeling the guilt everyday. Moreso when I have someone who would ask me questions regarding the things I am not supposed to tell. Most of the time, I would just laugh about it and go easy about it. I do not want to dwell too much on it because I am still hoping that in due time things will fall into place. Truth is, I don't it will and I am immensely hurting.

I could not just settle into such mess. I do not want to go on pretending that everything is okay when it isn't. It is tiring. Last night, my guards went down and I cried. It is hard to hear words you never expected from someone you respect, especially when she brought me up instilling in me and us her children that whoever we love as long as he is responsible will be okay for her. Nothing is okay. I fell into this shithole and I do not know what to do.

All I know right now is that I am stuck in between and choosing is not an option.
I know what I want and I want to keep them both. I pray that she (they) will realize that my love and his love is real... that he is the person she (they) would want for me if only she (they) will take a chance of truly knowing him.

I know my mistake with this whole story is that I lied. But that is just it. It is the only way to compromise. Someone even told me that I should not be afraid of my parents because it is only natural to experience such things with this age-falling in love. I never planned it to happened. He just came and he made me happy. I just fell in love with a guy who I think is perfect for me.

I just didn't realize that it wouldn't be easy.

Pagpapayat.

Ang unang tagalog blog. BOW. Trip trip lang. Inaasam na kasing galing ko sumulat si Bob Ong. O baka excuse ko lang ito kasi wala sa mood ang utak ko mag-Ingles. Kung anuman un, wala nang pakialaman basta tagalog ito.

"Bukas na ako magdadiet."

Medyo tapos na ako sa linyang yan. Sa tingin ko lang naman. Pero base sa nakaraang buwan, mas desidido ako ngayon sa pagpapayat. Ano nga ba ang dahilan bakit ako nagpapayat? Marahil ito ay sa frustration ko sa pananamit. Wala na kaya akong kasyang damit. Masasabi kong mas marami na akong damit na pang-opisina kaysa sa mga pangcasual ko lang. Ibig sabihin nito, malaki na ako talaga kasi halos lahat ng mga pangopisina ko ay kelan ko lamang nabili kaya kasya ang mga ito sakin. Nakakalungkot kapag dumadating na ang weekend dahil sa problema ko na naman sa pananamit. Halos lahat masikip. Minsan nagagalit ako sa sarili ko kung bakit ko hinayaang magkaganito ang katawan ko.

Kaya heto ako ngayon at pursigidong magbawas ng timbang. Isang buwan o mahigit na akong hindi naghahapunan. Sinabayan ko pa ito ng pagkain ko ng kalating tasa na lamang ng kanin. Dalawang linggo na siguro un. Ngayon naman, may isinasagawa akong diet na tatagal ng pitong araw. Crash diet raw ito ngunit marami na rin nakapagsabi sa opisina na epektibo raw ito. Isang linggo lang at makakapagbawas ka na ng 10-17 lbs. Naengganyo ako itong subukan. Kahapon nagsimula ang unang araw at masasabi ko namang nakayanan ko ito. Bagamat andun parati ang tukso lalo na kapag mayroon kang naamoy na masarap.

Ngayon, ako ay nasa ikalawang araw na. Kaya ko pa naman. Hindi pa naman ako nahihilo o nanghihina. Nagawa ko pa rin ang trabaho ko nang matiwasay. Ang problema ko lang talaga ay kung kaya ko itong tagalan. Pitong araw lang ngunit mahirap ang kailangang gawin. At ito pa! Sa sabado ay makikipamyesta kami kaya hindi ko alam paano ako sa araw na yun. Pero kaya ito. Nasimulan ko na e! Para sa akin din naman ito. Ang tagal ko ng gustong ibalik ang dati kong katawan. Yung katawan ko nung ako ay naglalaro pa ng volleyball. At gusto ko na ring simulan ang healthy diet dahil kung iisipin, hindi na ako bata para kumain na lang ng basta basta. Gusto ko rin namang mabuhay nang matagal-tagal dahil alam kong marami akong dapat at gustong gawin pa sa buhay.


Tama lamang hindi ba? Kaya lahat ng bagay ay dapat simulan na ngayon. Hindi na pwedeng ipagpabukas. Lahat ng kaya ngayon, ngayon na dapat. Gaya na lamang ng pagpapayat! : D

Dos Uno.

21.

Few days left before I hit that age.  Before, I didn't have the intention of celebrating it because of the many cliche of celebrating birthdays. Could I say I got tired of it?

I do not want to be greeted by so many people thinking that they are obliged to do it because the Facebook says so or someone told somebody that it is my birthday. I do not want a happy birthday song or a cake. I do not want any of those. 21 years and I want something different. So I came into conclusion before that I wouldn't be celebrating my birthday or at least not the cliche and traditional birthday.

Perhaps, the best that I can do is go to church and thank Him for another year.

But then I thought...

There are a lot of things different this year.

Employed, Committed, Loved.

Though it wasn't really a perfect year, I am blessed. Much better than being perfect isn't?

A simple celebration with my family, my closest friends and my love would truly make me happy on the 1st of September.

Nothing grand, just one quiet day of me turning 21.