Mood: Tired but happy that I have a 1-day rest period (I had my longest sleep in a week….7 hours!)
Mood Music: 32 Flavors (Alana Davis), In The Absence of The Sun (Duncan Sheik), You Wouldn’t Like Me (Tegan and Sara), You’re All I Have (Snow Patrol)
THE WEEK THAT WAS
I had a real tough week at work. We resumed the implementation of the new SAP Business One system last Tuesday. Thrice this week I went home at 3 in the morning, practically spending the night in our warehouse in Malinta. To say that I am dead tired is an understatement…I am amazed at how my body still hasn’t shut down. The only manifestations of a near-burn out are (1) a punishing back pain, (2) Garfield-sized eyebags and (3) some manageable breakouts.
What kept me going? Finding relief that things are better and smoother than our first SAP Go Live. Of course, there are glitches along the way but this time, I find them more manageable. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we can bring this project to its final successful stage. I just hope that people will remain understanding and patient since we are still dealing with learning curves and on-site troubleshooting.
With the overwhelming pressures from work this week, I had to forgo my usual routines and principles:
- I ate rice almost everyday! (Try the new McDonald’s Rice Burger for a quick and kinda-heavy lunch). I badly need the bad carb to sustain me for my 20-hr shift.
- While I dread driving long distances at night, I did it almost everyday this week (going home to Bulacan or to and from our Malinta warehouse). I had to be force myself to be alert since my body is already reeling from the lack of sleep and lack of food.
- I didn’t work out for the whole week (not even some simple curl-ups).
- I missed Breakfast (the Studio 23 show) three times this week. Watching Breakfast is an essential routine for me since this riles me up for the day, with the token optimism and perkiness of the hosts.
- I didn’t have time to get groceries so there is practically no food at my house!
- Since I was famished most of the time, I think I ate pork two times this week. (Argh!)
- I practically survived on chocolates (no fruits or veggies for me this week!). Trivia: I am officially addicted to Flat Tops and Curly Tops (the one in boxes only).
Today is a Sunday and I am still mulling on how to de-stress. Enough sleep. Check. Update blog (ultimate stress relief!). Check. Listen to relaxing music (The Island is a must-listen!). Check.
What do I do for the afternoon? Do I go to the mall? Do I visit check out the new DVDs from my suki pirates? Do I watch the remaining unwatched episodes of Entourage or Grey’s Anatomy? Or maybe I’ll just get more sleep.
FOREVER WAITS FOR BRYAN AND LESLIE
How can I forget to write about this! I usually cringe at the thought of attending weddings but
last September 16, I attended one of the most-anticipated weddings in our office. After seven years of being together, my good friend Bryan and his long-time girlfriend Leslie became Mr and Mrs. Bryan Lim.
I almost missed the church ceremony. I arrived in time to see the picture taking with family and friends. Although Bryan asked me to read the Responsorial Psalm during the Mass, I had to beg off since my schedule is still unconfirmed (I was supposed to get someone from the airport). I heard that Bryan dissolved in tears during the ceremony. I wasn’t at all surprised since this wedding and this relationship really means so much to Bryan. I am so happy for him.
The reception was held at the Crowne Plaza. By this time I am already feeling edgy. Weeks before the wedding Bryan asked me to make a write-up narrating their story as a couple. Then Bryan requested that I make a speech-toast during the reception. Which is just fine since that will only take a few words. But a day before the wedding, Bryan asked that I read the write-up I made…which is two-pages long!!! For Bryan and Les, I mustered enough courage to speak in front of the guests (which includes all my bosses and their extended family).
I decided not to read the write-up word-for-word since that will be like a newscast. I decided to do some ad-libs and do it in Taglish. What’s the use of a perfect English write-up if the guest won’t listen and get the message? Thank goodness my speech went well (basta hindi ako nag-buckle, ok na yun!)
To Chong and Les, there is no doubt in my mind that you make a perfect couple. I will go so far as say that this is the first wedding that I really wanted to attend, because I believe in your relationship. As I have written in the wish-cards, if I will be asked to make a bet on whose marriage will last until forever, I will answer (hands down), that it will be yours. Continue being the perfect example for us life- and love-weary
Bryan and I share the same principles and sense of responsibility so it is remarkable to see things work out well for him. It made me believe that things will also work out for me. Sniff, sniff.
I WANT UNDERSTANDING, NOT PRESSURE
I already prepared myself for this. With Bryan tying the knot, the love radar will point on me. True enough, while waiting for the reception to start, my two bosses/friends interrogated me on my plans on this department. I know they meant well, it’s just that I don’t like being pressured on this. I want things at my own pace. I believe this is something that CAN wait.
If you only could only see what LIFE has made of me, then you would understand why I am the DIFFICULT KIND.
Please do not summon my dark side. I maybe dwelling on the theoretical POSITIVITY and POSSIBILITY but if that keeps me going, then so be it. It is better than drowning in the MISERY of REALITY. I’ve been there before so trust me on that.
SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS
With reality TV season back in full swing, I am again in TV heaven. Survivor and Amazing Race are back! I barely have time to watch TV, but I managed to watch all the current episodes of Survivor. I couldn’t say the same thing about The Amazing Race (I just have to wait for the marathon episodes and the re-runs).
Being the pioneer of the reality TV trend, Survivor well…survives. They managed to raise the bar higher with each season. For Cook Islands, they decided to go multi-racial. They got five participants each of the four races: Caucasians, Asians, Latinos and African-Americans.
Of course, I am rooting for the Asian team with two Filipinos on-board. There is Jenny, a boxer and reporter from a Filipino News Channel. And Brad Virata, a fashion consultant. Both are doing quite well as of Episode 4. Not high-profile but definitely not wallflowers either.
The Asians won the first reward and immunity challenges (plus Yul got the Immunity Idol). By Episode Three, the four racial tribes were dissolved into two. Brad and Jenny are still together as part of the Rarotonga tribe.
Casualties as of Episode 4: three Latinos and one Afri-Am.
USELESS ENTERTAINMENT TRIVIA (Wala lang…just so you know)
Here are some things that I remember which usually surprise those who are not paying much attention:
- Famous Singers On Back-up Vocals: Babyface on Take a Bow (Madonna), Mariah Carey on Everytime I Close My Eyes (Babyface) and Last Chance (Allure), Plumb vocalist Tiffany Arbuckle on I Wanna Be With You (Mandy Moore)
- Justin Timberlake refused to be credited for the song Where Is The Love (Black-Eyed Peas). He wanted the song to be famous because of the message and not because HE is in it.
- Gary Barlow’s (of Take That) first solo single Love Won’t Wait is composed by Madonna.
- Mandy Moore is the voice of Ducky in The Land Before Time. Ducky is the small dinosaur fond of saying Yep, Yep! (Ah…ok)
- Carmine Giovinazzo (Dannie Messer of CSI: NY) is the only actor to appear in all CSI franchises.
- CSI Katherine Willows is the mother of the infected children in Erin Brockovich.
- Wentworth Miller (Michael Scofied of Prison Break) is the guy in Mariah Carey’s It’s Like That and We Belong Together videos.
AGENDA FOR THE WEEK
Sure Shot
- Go to Cebu for SAP Go-Live Cebu Edition
- Go shopping in Cebu (go back to that imported shirt store near Banilad)
- Fix room (broken sink faucet, screens blown by Milenyo)
- Change oil and tune-up for car
- Go back to no-rice diet (Gardenia-Quaker Honey Oat Loaf to the rescue!)
- Clean-out celfon inbox (1,097 messages! Am I freaking crazy?!)
Long Shot
- Get a massage (this back pain is killing me!)
- Be home by 10PM (latest)
- Get at least 6 hours of sleep