Thursday, August 30, 2007

I want a NEW LIFE

Being a CPA, a tax assistant is HONORABLE
...a love poet is ROMANTIC
...a cheerdancer is GRACEFUL.


BUT DO I REALLY WANT TO BE ONE?







my answer would be a solid YES?

Honestly
I don't like my work. It's been three months now! Grrr...
Yeah, it's an insult. Nevertheless, I will not yet go for Fortune Tobacco Co. My firm should really be grateful to have someone like me...

committed to my profession, dedicated to the firm's vision and mission, hard-working, no nonsense staff, TRY ME.


Hehe, enough of those pagbubuhat. Let's go to the main point.

I love being a Tax assistant, but I don't want it anymore if it's description is similar to being a printer. Being an accountant/ tax specialist is my passion, same with being a writer but never a printer. I have no problem with my financials, but if my spontaneity kicks in, even a small time contributor in a tabloid won't mind me.

Love poet. Oh come on. I may throw up anytime, really. I realized, I'm always depressed when this subject is involved. So why stick to it? From now on, I'll focus on life... shocks, this is depressing too! On sports na nga lang... basta, no more depressing topics. I choose to be happy.

Cheerdancer. OMG. This is humiliating. How can I ever think I'm good at dancing? I suck. If I can't sing and now I can't dance as well... what does my future hold for me? Reading poems doesn't count here; you can't actually recite poems in social gatherings nowadays, especially when your in Philippines. That's suicide. Haha. Imagine reciting poems in your firm's Christmas party as a presentation. Bite me. I guess I'll settle in the background... be a part of the committees. I'm good on organizing, just so you know.



I WANT A NEW LIFE


a life that celebrates life...
a life that looks on the bright side...
a life that cherishes God's greatness.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

career shift

THAT'S IT.

ETO NA TO.

I'M FINALLY HAVING A CAREER SHIFT.






Remember this date: August 25, 2007

Thursday, August 16, 2007

cats and dogs

"I love rainy days...

They give me a reason to stay home, curl in my bed all day, be alone, listen at the pouring rain and just feel the cool weather.

It feels so good, real good:

I am able to feel the coldness from the outside, and not just from within."

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

living a dream

HEAT: The Team to Beat
August 7, 2007

Makati City – Pio del Pilar court roared with Sir Jun “The Manager” Meneses’s loud howls and growls as he cheered for the Red Heat during last night’s volleyball game.

Competing against the Wellow Yizards, the blazing Red Team finished the game expeditiously with just two sets. Not even the strong blows of Chedeng could have put out the flame of the powerhouse team led my Ms. Smile “The Champ” Mendoza and Ms Roselle “The MVP” Yu.

“Wow, tapik pa lang yun, score na kagad,” exclaimed Walter “The Dragon” Fegi, who came as Sir Jun’s assistant cheerleader.

“We are just warming up. Hintayin niyo ako bumalik sa court”, warned Eileen “The Counter” Chavez. She was injured in their last game, enough to cripple the whole team.

The locals who came despite the downpour were all heat up as well; their cheers of “Gu Heat!” were extremely laudable and contagious.

Scores were 25-5 and 25-11.



2007 Sportsfest Kicked Off
July 28, 2007

San Juan City – The PwC crowd half-filled the San Juan Gymnasium last July 28, 2007 for the opening ceremony of this year’s sports event. This is in parallel to the firm’s Work/Life balance program that encourages everyone to have a meaningful life that’s not only about meeting deadlines and satisfying clients but also sweating your hearts out.

Hosted by you-know-who-coz-I-don't, the ceremony began with an inspiring prayer and singing of National Anthem. The parade and oath-taking of participants proceeded afterwards. The event was then formally opened by our very own Tax Managing Partner, Mr. Alex Cabrera, with his booming words of “Let’s get ready to ruuuuuumble!”

The Search for Ms. Sportsfest showcased five sporty ladies in their own favorite sports attire. Heat’s bet Alpha “The Body” Marasigan jumped and egg-rolled instead of doing catwalks while Marla “The Arms” Calaquian of the Greenfyndors shot a basketball from the half court. Unfortunately, the crowd didn’t see Cavalier’s Sarah “The Legs” Eraña, who came in her ruffles-inspired ballerina outfit, point her toes and Penny “The Hips” Chua of O-Rangers do some spiking or tossing. Wizard’s Jilliane “The Hair” Chua brought home the title after her enlightening answer to the judges’ unusual but very relevant question about having 4 strands of hair.

The day heightened come the Cheering Competition. Crowds yelled and went wild upon seeing their cheerleaders dance, fly and enjoy themselves. The Red Heat and Wellow Yizards bowed down to the Blue Cavaliers making them the unbeatable champions in the competition for two years now. Their shinny and skinny pants surely did the trick.

The Wellow team had its vengeance against the Blue team when it crashed its opponent in both female’s basketball exhibition game and male’s basketball game. Scores were 27-16 and 44-43 respectively.


Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Replies to Queries

Describe yourself at age 90.
I am in a serene place sitting in a rocking chair, listening to the chirps of the birds around me and enjoying the cool breeze touching my face and body. This is before the nth family gathering of the year.

If I could, I would dress like…
A Victoria’s Secret Model.

What’s the most important sound to you?
It would be my parents’ voices.

What skill or talent would you like to learn if you had all the resources and time in the world?
Ice skating and playing the piano; these are my frustrations.

Describe the worst nightmare you could ever have (real or not).
Hmm, my worst nightmare would be losing the people whom I love most.

Who is the most beautiful person in the world for you?
My mother is the first person that came in my mind.

What are the usual contents of your bag?
Bus tickets, no doubt! My necessities will include my wallet and phones of course, and last but not the least, tissue.

If at the snap of your fingers, any one of the world’s problems could be solved, which problem would you choose to rid the world of?
I’d choose selfishness.

What thing would you like to try but you are afraid of?
Study in
abroad. Have a boyfriend.

If you had to live far away from civilization for one year, and could bring only one 1 item, what would it be? (take note: no electricity available)
I’ll bring a new pen.

Name any city in the world you would like to get lost in.
I’d like to get lost in any European city.

One day, you suddenly woke up and found that you are a Hollywood celebrity. What is the first thing you will do?
Get back to sleep. I am financially free and time free by then so I’d just relax.

A machine you invented can increase the size of anything by 100x its original size. What will you place inside the machine?
My room, or my bed. :D

For you, what is the most important thing in life that money can’t buy?
TRUST

What do you most often dream about?
Usually my dreams are related to my actual experiences but weirder of course. And since my life revolves around my family and friends then my dreams always involve them.

Who was your ideal body type?
Jessica Alba

If you could spend parts of the year in another city, what city would it be?
Any Asean city, probably. Or in Palau or Vatican.

What is the current theme song of your life?
Tumatakbo by Mojofly

If you could write out the rest of your life (and it would come true), what would happen for the rest of the year?
I’ll be satisfied with my work, more enthusiastic with my undiscovered wonders of taxation, closer with my officemates and more generous to the people I love.

To be more specific, hmmm, I’ll be really sporty and physically fit. I’d gain 2 pounds at most and be merrier with my life. I’d give what is due from me to my beneficiaries and go out-of-town (as far as Mindanao or Vigan). I’ll tour Subic with PWC friends and celebrate my birthday with the Lolos and Lolas of Tahanan ni Maria. I’ll have pajama party on December, a night out on Halloween and on September 21. My Christmas and New Year will be as wonderful as last year’s. Maybe I can do something with my love life, too. I'd have a Starbucks session with my Sbux friends!

If you were a poet, what would your poems be mostly about?
Well, if you haven’t noticed yet, my poems are usually about the pains that come with loving, aka pagkabigo.

How I wish I could say that I discovered (or will discover)…
The technique to plant rice that will cost less and earn the interest of dedicated investors that will eventually help Philippines develop its fullest potential.

You know you’ve made it when…
The evidence of my success is apparent and my heart feels bloated with gratitude.

Best advice you’ve ever got
"Risk co-exists with opportunities:
If you don't go after what you want, somebody else will.
If you don't ask, then you'll never know.
If you don't step forward, you will always be in the same place.

Only those who risk can tell how far they can go."

What machine or household appliance can most represent you?
A radio will do. I want to influence people. I know TV will be a better medium but I don't like being the center of attention nor being goggled at and so a radio will be best.

Relate your most nerve-wracking experience.
---still thinking---

What (or who) makes you smile?
Good (wacky) memories with the people I love, my own bloopers/naiveté, from-the-bottom-of-the-heart, written letters, text brigades of PCD, family gatherings, Sbux sessions

What surprise would you like to receive at least once in your life?
I’ve been thinking…
A worry-free get-away that requires long hours of driving, an overnight stay in a decent place, a memorable dinner and to top things, a touch of romanticism to this excursion.

What TV character can you easily portray?
Uh, I’m not an actress but maybe I can easily get with a supporting role to the protagonist.

What’s your favorite smell?
Calachuchi flowers in the neighbor. Equally loved is the smell of the new-born baby in the house.

Name your top 3 phobias.
Fear of rejection, disappointment, being unloved.

Pick your most favored place to live in: forest, desert, beach, mountain top or sea.
Beach! Madaming 6-packers dun. Hehe!

If Jesus appeared beside you, what’s the first thing you will say to him?
“Hi Jesus, thank you. Please take me with you.”

Which of these would you DO (if you really had to)
Skydive – the easiest way to die.
Walk on live coals
Sing on national TV
Join a Miss Universe or a Mr. Body Beautiful contest
Join a reality TV show

Thursday, August 02, 2007

work/life balance = sportsfest

Opening event

It's been 4 years since my last cheerdance exhibition and I did miss all the fun this activity wraps me... the sweat that pours out of me detoxifying my muscles, the air I gobble in every shout that fills my heart, the snappy and sexy moves that tone my figure and keep me flexible, the liftings that raise me several feet nearer heaven... the list is endless. College has been cruel to me to keep me from cheerdancing and I can't express the joy I felt when I learned that I will be cheering and dancing and enjoying myself once again for the sportsfest of my new home.

The practice/preparation was a mix of I-don't-know. We were given only less than a week to learn and polish the routines, regardless if the group is capable of dancing and cheering at the same time. The practices occured after office hours; our endurance was put to test, eyebags and uneven skins were put in the limelight. Whew.

Though I'm dying to showcase my passion for this cheerdancing, I had second thoughts if I'd continue with this endeavor or not. For one, one week isn't really enough to prepare us no matter what angle you look into it. Our one week meant 3 hours a day only for we work in the morning still. Second, the expenses are too much for me who's just started earning; lots of things to buy and activities to join. Last but not the least, I value my sleeping hours a lot. It isn't easy to get up after that exhausting night with only less than 6 hours sleep! But due to my very intelligent behavior, I know for myself that I can't back out. I have told my manager and teammates, with great pride, that I used to be a cheerleader back in my highschool days. It's called palabra de honor, sort of.

After the actual competition itself last July 28, I felt as if I had a 2-hour massage session. I didn't care on the results anymore, it's enough to know that there will be no more night practices and muscleaches!

Overall, my experience related for this cheering competition can be described as... bitter sweet. I've said the reasons why it has been bitter; now it's time to acknowledge the positive light.

I learned new moves. I've cheerdanced, complete with the snappy hand routines. I've sweat my desire out. I've burned unwanted fats, especially in my stomach part. I've regained my confidence when I'm lifted feet above by big boys. I've established new friendships and been inspired for a week. I laughed and shared stories with my officemates thus strengthening the bond we have. I rode my seniors' cars (not just one car but several cars to be honest) with them behind the wheel while I sit at the back and feel comfortable. I've been to different places.

There's a lot to complain about it as well as to cherish because of that cheering activity. This will definitely be found in my pensieve.



Next attraction

I came in the office with the thought of volleyball practice only to find out after reading an email that the rehearsal after office hours is postponed. No, I didn't have plans other than that; I forgot about the Bowling game. I'm interested but doubtful since I have played only twice in my lifetime, so I took the postponement of our rehearsal as a break to try Bowling which happened at 6 o' clock, July 30.

It turned out I do have a talent in this sport. With greater exposure, I can even become the next (insert Bowling star here). Hehe. Seriously, I play fine and I do enjoy it so I can clearly see my brighter future in this activity. If only the authorities will give me chance to improve and prove myself.

Bowling is my priority activity from now on as I find this not too demanding, though I got home late last game. I pray that Sir Banky will always watch our game, right Dada?



There's more!

I can't believe I've put myself in this situation. I'm going home late again lately, as exhausted and as aching as my cheering days have been. Though my situation now is not as pathetic compare to being a cheerdancer, I still wish I'd have my regular 8-hour rest every night. Our rehearsals will not be everyday but each rehearsal will cost me bruises and cramps. Ouch! I can't back out, and I don't have any plans on doing that. Primarily, I enjoy volleyball and being in a volleyball team is an achievement, being able to represent your department. It satisfies my sporty self. Likewise, volleyballing is a great workout for figure-conscious people like me. Like any other sport, it tones my muscles, burns fats and keeps my heart healthy.

In fairness to myself, I can play volleyball. I can control the ball and I am capable of receiving the ball properly either from the service or during the play, though of course, not all the time. Further practice will perfect my service and spiking. I thought I'm mediocre and just being courageous but I can do more.



Team Standing

So far, my activities in this work/life balance program have been unsatisafactorily. The cheering competition was a wreck (shocks, they have a video of our performance!). The bowling game was 3 wins and 3 losses, so conservatively, it's not good. But hey, I belong in the winning group! And in regard our first volleyball game, sigh, we lost.

We're just warming up... yun lang masasabi ko.