Thinking Aloud

I’m on a roll. And when I’m on a roll (see previous posting, number 4), I can’t stop (kahit pa i-skip ang much awaited PM nap). This will cap a weekend of being glued in front of the laptop.

And dahil nirequest kong i-tag ako, heto na ang aking 10 things to accomplish before I reach the bigger 4-0.

1. Host a party na ako ang nagluto ng food - appetizers, main dish and dessert. The thing is, up to now, I don’t trust my cooking. I mean, i cook, but I don’t feel confident about letting people eat what i prepared. Kung baga, napapatikim sa iba pero di planado. Nagkakataon lang. Kasi kung gaano ko ka-ayaw na macriticize sa ginagawa ko (alam kong normal un), mas ayaw kong makarinig ng pintas sa niluto ko. For someone who started cooking rather late in life (mga mid-20s), sensitive issue sa akin ang aking cooking ability (or lack of it). Kaya sana before ako mag-40, confident na ako para naman pwde na ako maghost ng party with my signature dishes (hinahanap pa ang mga dishes na un). That will be the culmination of my culinary journey.  Basta may sinigang, adobo, pati na rin leche flan (hahaha, di ko naman sinabing sosyal na party di ba?).
2. To watch an All Blacks game sa Westpac or sa Jade or sa Eden Park. Madali lang sana ito. Mahal ang tickets pero napapag-ipunan naman ang ganitong expenses. Kailangan lang ng right timing and syempre tamang person to go with. So ang next kong hahanapin sa isang friend (na Kiwi) ay love for Rugby which of course equates to love of the All Blacks. Pero di ko na hihintayin ang 40. Hopefully within the next couple of years magawa ko na. Kasi by the time na 40 ako, retired na si Dan Carter. Must-watch - Rugby World Cup 2011 kasi sa NZ sya (kung andito pa ako sa NZ :-D).
3. Take another tour of the South Island (as far south as my driving can take me), on my own. Or siguro travel some place else, preferably along a coast-line with spectacular views. This will be my 40th gift for myself. Basta tipong one week away from the world.
4. Hopefully by the age of 40, nakaestablish na ako ng aking roots. Sa ngayon kasi mejo di ko pa alam saan  talaga ako mag-settle. NZ is ok at the moment, but if I can’t get my family to join me here, I might relocate at some stage. Kung saan, un ang tanong. So sana by 40, I’ll be in a place (or country) I can call my home for good.
5. Own a house. Had I been wiser, merun na sana akong house (na hinuhulugan sa Pinas). Kaso, owning a house wasn’t one of my priorities. Sabi ko before, I don’t want to buy a house because I’d love to be able to move around without much to think about. Masaya na ako to rent a studio type flat - same as what I am renting at the moment, a bit bigger perhaps or a condo. But as I aged, nagbago din ang pananaw ko about this. Di ko naimagine ang sarili ko dati owning a house. It just wasn’t me. But part of my number 4 inevitably is owning my own house. It doesn’t have to be big. Must haves will be the entertainment room and a mini library.
6. Touch base with all my close friends from the different stages of my life. This involves searching for some who I haven’t heard of for a long, long, long time, smoking peace pipes with those I have been estranged with (oops), travelling to see those in far off countries, rekindling friendships with those who I have given up being friends with (and vice versa), among others. I have to admit that I haven’t been good in keeping friendships. Sa mga elementary friends, wala na. Sa highschool, ilan lang, sa college, ganun din. Most of the friends I am in touch with at the moment ay mga nakilala ko na sa work. Nakakahinayang kasi I had very memorable experiences with my friends from school. So before I turn 40, I’d like to be with them again, kahit over a cup of coffee or telepono lang. Minsan nga napapanaginipan ko pa na ung mga friends ko eh magkakakilala at magkakasama na parang isang barkada (to think na ako lang ang common person sa buhay nila sa totoong buhay).
7. A mini library. I read almost anything (including the newspaper used to wrap my mom’s tinapa). So my number 5 will surely have a mini library that will house every reading material I have bought (or been given), pati na rin mga DVDs/VCDs I have collected over the years (and will still collect). While some will have huge wardrobes or shoe racks (or even car garage), I’ll have a place in my house which will showcase my wide-ranging interests. List will include all Harry Potter books, most John Grisham (i really didn’t like the last couple of them), Mitch Albom, Paulo Coelho, some Marian Keyes, Erich Segal’s Love Story, Oliver’s Story, The Doctors (I hope to win the auction sa trade me for a copy), and The Class, Kobe Bryant book, kokology series (anyone familiar with this?), all Dan Brown’s, Pugad Baboy (i have one pa lang so kailangan dagdagan), and of course, my Archie Digest Collection. Merun pang iba syempre. I have a decade to develop new taste in reading. By then as well, i should have a complete Gilmore Girls and Friends set, all seven Harry Potter movies, and Grey’s Anatomy. Kung may 7th Heaven, mas magaling. Uy, pati rin local films (basta andun si Aga, John Lloyd/Bea, ok ako). So contributors to this collection, i’m waiting!
8. Lose some weight. I won’t aim for any number of pounds to lose. Just enough for me to feel healthy. This is going to be a huge job as it requires a drastic change of lifestyle. My eating habits are poor (though I am trying to change) and i have no interest sa ehersisyo. So unti-unti lang. Mahirap magdiet mag-isa (the first and last time i was serious about it, i lost 4kgs in 3weeks ata) nor maging motivated na maglakad (lalo na pag malamig). But i know that i have to do it. And i’m not saying at some stage. Kasi un ang dialogue ko pag tipong i intent to put it off. So this is a now-thing. Even if it takes me a decade to accomplish this, i won’t mind (pero wag sana ganun katagal). Kahit unti-unti. Basta ang importante i get to do it and i do it now.
9. To do volunteer work. Kahit ano. But i prefer if it’s something I enjoy doing (read: involves computers, reading, sports). Ilang beses akong nagtry pero laging napuput-off kasi walang time (maganda ang show sa tv, may bago akong book, etc). So sana, I get involved in something useful for the public, for a change. Any suggestions?
10. Yey, I reached number 10. For my number 10, I plan to take it one step at a time. I remember asking Ate as to when she’s going to get married. Sabi nya mauna daw ako dahil I’m 3years older than her. Supalpal ako. Ok, point taken. Since when has been age the measure of the right time to get married. Anyway, I have designed a grand plan that would prepare me (or test whether or not I’m for "it"). I’ll start with a plant (it’s a living thing, but not mobile). If I can take care of a plant (read: make it grow), then it’s a good sign (but not the "one" sign). Then I’ll move on to a pet (a friend of mine here is into cats and two workmates of mine have dogs). Yes, a pet. That’s a rather bold move because I can’t have a dog or a cat in my current flat (which means I have to move or hide the dog/cat/whatever). If I’m good at it (read: i can feed, bathe and play with it), hmmm that really is a good sign. But still not the "one" sign. But at least, if you add that with number 1 (and probably number 5), pwede na. Yeah, if I can take care of another living thing (aside from myself) without hurting both of us, then perhaps I’m ready for a family. That is, if there’s going to be someone out there ready enough to deal with me. If not, I’ll stick with the cat or the dog or the plant

Ok, I better get working. I only have ten years to accomplish all these (not a lifetime).

Mamah, I took the initiative of doing this me-me.

Mechanics:
The writer will create a blog about the 6 weird things/habits about himself.

People who get tagged will have to post a blog of their own telling 6 weird things/habits about themselves.

At the end of your 6 weird things/habits, you need to choose 6 people that you would like to tag and list their names.

Answers

1. I’d rather commute than drive when I go to the city. I’ve been driving for almost two years and have had my full license for 16months. However, other than Lower Hutt, the only other place I drive to is Miramar. I don’t know but city driving scares me. Isa pa, I don’t like to drive pag maulan and madilim. Takot ako.
2. I can watch reruns of Gilmore Girls and Seventh Heaven without getting bored. These two shows are amongst my all time favorites (syempre with Grey’s Anatomy). The thing is, they’ve been on for a long time. Seventh Heaven was on its 10th season the last time I saw it and Gilmore Girls is on its sixth. I don’t know kung anong meron sa mga shows na ito. Pero nakita ko na paano lumaki ang kambal na sina Sam and David at nagdalaga si Ruthie, pati ang relationships ni Rory with Dean, Jess and Logan. Of course, kasama din ang loveteam nila Luke and Lorelai.
3. Pag nagbasa ako ng dyaryo, kahit sa Pinas pa, una ang sports page. Kung Philippine Star ang binabasa ko, after Sports, sunod ang column ni Ricky Lo (especially pag Sunday). Kahit ngayon, when I browse Stuff, una kong tinitingnan ang sports news. Kasehodang di pa ako nakakapanood ng live rugby game. Don’t get me wrong, I also read the headlines. Take note that I surf 5news websites daily.
4. When I put my mind into something, kahit walang tulugan tatapusin ko. Examples: printing photos to put in my frame and album from 2am-4am, cross-stitching noong unang panahon until 1am, reading Harry Potter 6 for 2days at marami pang iba. Of course, ginagawa ko rin yan sa trabaho as well as pag-aayos ng bahay. On the other hand, pag tinamad ako, sorry na lang. Lilipas ang maghapon na wala akong nagagawa kung hindi tumanga. And  imagine my frustration on a night na gusto kong kumain ng nilagang pork tapos biglang nasira ang stove! I had to go out at 8pm to get a new one and finished cooking my pork nilaga at 9:30pm (di ko na nakain that night, syempre).
5. My weekly meal is almost always planned. Kung baga, may mental list ako ng aking breakfast, lunch and dinner for the whole work week. And I stick to it, as much as I can. Pag weekends lang ako pasaway. Pero I seldom eat out (Friday lunch lang halos). I prefer home-cooked meals over pizza, etc. Para sa akin, hindi un food, hehehe.
6. Sweet akong tao. Kung tanungin mo naging mga very close friends ko simula pa noong unang panahon, you’ll know that i wrote them a lot (and a few of them are like me din), spent time with them (kahit weekend, kahit patakas), sent marathon text messages (mula pagkagising hanggang patulog), nag-gown sa wedding ng isa (hahaha, alala mo pa un mamah!) at kung ano-ano pa. At the same time, marunong akong mag-appreciate ng sweetness ng ibang tao. In fact, I still have letters, pictures, etc sa aking cabinet back home. Parte un siguro ng pagiging sentimental kong tao. Though I must admit that I’ve thrown away some sa di maipaliwanag na kadahilanan. Ooops.

Six people  to tag? Sige nga baka sakaling mabasa nila ito: Ems, RP, Thea, Macel, Jane and Frenz

Grey’s Anatomy’s second season ended last Monday with Meredith unsure as to who she would be going with - McVet or McDreamy.

Denny and Allen’s antics in Boston Legal will also hit the end (at least for a while) on Tuesday with a 2hour finale.

Then there’s the final of Amazing Race on Tuesday (though I already know who won).

Within the last month or so, Desperate Housewives, House, CSI NY, and CSI also ended their respective runs at least for the year.

On the home front, Sa Piling Mo ended last night and Bituing Walang Ningning will perhaps finish within the next couple of weeks. I was touched with the scene where Adrian and Jennifer tried to reason with Benicio to let go of Jeremy. If there’s one thing that this scene proved true, it is that, by nature, man is good.

It will be spring next starting next week. While flowers will be on the bloom, my couch potato lifestyle is seriously threatened. Which in a way is good as I have my assessment due in 2weeks.

Honestly, I felt sad when Grey’s Anatomy finished last Monday. I can’t wait for Season 3. I am addicted to it. I welcomed Monday with excitement because of the knowledge that there’s Grey’s to see at 9:30pm. Now that it’s gone, hmmm.

Pahabol: Today’s the last episode of Gilmore Girls’ sixth season. Aaaargghhhhh…

Some really great reasons why I love my job:

• My job allows me to get up at 8am and still make it on time
• I can watch either Bituing Walang Ningning or Sa Piling Mo while having breakfast
• I get free parking
• If I am too lazy to fix myself something for lunch, i need not worry as there’s almost always something healthy (sometimes not too healthy) from the Hospitality School
• I can buy fresh meat at discounted price week after week (wag lang school break)
• There are massage specials ($15 for 1hr 15mins) every now and then
• There’s a lot of foodshops in the area I can go to whenever i feel like treating myself
• Lighthouse Cinema is a couple of blocks away if I want to see a movie in a somewhat "luxurious" style
• I am usually home 5-ish (no need to beat the rush hour traffic or crammed trains)
• I can borrow DVDs (one at a time only) for free from the library
• I don’t have to buy my course books because I can hoard the library copy for a whole semester (well trying to do that now so will keep you posted in case i get busted)

And did I say I also enjoy my job and enjoy the company of the people there?

But I love weekends more!

I saw him in ASAP today! Yey!

It’s been a while.

Day Three: What Drives Your Life

"Everyone’s life is driven by something."

Unfortunately, the following are the most common drivers in our lives:

• guilt - we allow our past mistakes to control our future
• resentment and anger - we hold on to the hurt and never get over it, reliving the pain everyday of our lives until we actually believe that life is all about getting even
• fear - we play it safe, we are so afraid of failure so we miss out on a number of great opportunities
• materialism - we think that having more will actually make us happy
• need for approval - many of us are held hostage by the constant desire to please our families, friends and co-workers. the more we try to please everyone, the closer we get to failing in our lives.

The book was given to me as a send off gift by Dyosa (alam mo na kung sino ka) more than 2 years ago. I never got beyond Day 3 (i think). But thanks to the email marathon i’ve been having with my dear Bro’, I took this book from the shelf and started reading it again. I’m on Day 4 now. And I promise to finish the book as instructed…40 days.

- purpose driven life by rick warren