Kabaliwan ni Maan

Thursday, October 20, 2005
Barbara's @ Intramuros

Last monday, Red and I celebrated our monthiversarry. We were supposed to go to Intramuros last Sunday to check out the places where we can have our wedding reception, but since both us were too lazy to get out of bed and out of the house, we decided to postpone it. So he suggested that we have dinner at Intramuros on Monday. He already surfed the internet for restaurants and he found a couple of them which looked good but will be closing at 9PM. So mega madali naman kami since he was able to fetch me here in the office at 7:30PM. We weren't really sure where the restos are so we drove around. Intramuros is amazing! It's like going back to the time of Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra. We were able to spot Barbara's which is open until 10PM so we decided to have dinner there.

Barbara's @ Intramuros

The food was ok. It was affordable. We had pasta and mozzarella sticks. The only thing I hate is the chairs. The back rest is so straight that you really couldn't slouch and you are forced to sit up straight. I love the "old" ambiance though it's a little creepy. It's the kind of place wherein you wouldn't want to go to the comfort room alone. It's something different from the usual restaurants that we go to. This is definitely an experience.

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Enough about Intramuros. Check out my new haircut! I am proud to say that Kartika did my hair. Yes, she's back from San Francisco and is now studying to become a professional beautician. I have to say that she has done a good job of styling my hair AND convincing me that it looks nice. A lot of my hair has been chopped off. I was actually about to cry! I am that attached to my hair. But after the blow dry and after the praises (hahaha!), I began to like it. Let us give Kartika a big applause. She was able to do the impossible which is convincing me to cut my hair and making me love it. She has also passed the test of "Dealing with difficult clients". Yes, I was a bit difficult. I complained and whined until the end. But Kartika handled my small tantrums and air of bitchiness with such ease. Nasanay na sya after years of working with me. Hahaha! Love you Karts!

Kartika and me after the successful hair make-over

Maan @ 7:14 AM
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Sunday, October 16, 2005
Just call me Angel

Believe it or not, non-Pinoys have a hard time pronouncing my nickname. So whenever I am to introduce myself to someone who's not Filipino, I use my given name - Angela. Even my company e-mail address reflects my given name. Kaya ang daming nalilito sa office kapag may gustong mag-e-mail sa akin. They look for Maan and they obviously won't find it becuse my e-mail address is registered under Angela. Sometimes some of them don't know that I am Maan AND/OR Angela. I always here comments like, "Ah, ikaw pala si Angela Isaac."

A lot of people, Pinoys and non-Pinoys, can't get my name right. Be it my nickname or my given name. Some people mispronounce Maan as Me-anne or May Anne. Weird. Some call me Angelica, Angel, and the worst of all, Ghe. I have to applaud them for their creativity.

One time I received an e-mail from one of the bosses commending me for a job well done. When a month ago, she was about to ship me to Cebu to be trained as an AA. In the e-mail, she used "Angela". So Anna said, "Angela ka raw. Baka di nya alam na ikaw si Maan."

So what is in a name? According to Kabalarians...

The name of Angela creates a very quiet, practical nature and a clever and inventive mind. Being analytical and naturally studious, you are interested in a factual understanding of the mysteries of life. Your methodical nature requires that you like to finish what you start without interruptions and also to have everything in its place and properly organized. An ability to concentrate could take you into computer programming or accountancy or any work requiring concentration and attention to detail. You have, also, a flair for creative expression with your hands. You take life seriously and can be easily and deeply hurt and go into moods which can be quite extreme at times, causing much turmoil and unhappiness.

I have to agree with the meaning of my name. Except for the very quiet part of it. But I can be very quiet especially when I'm really, really pissed.

Angel Of The Morning
by The Pretenders

There'll be no strings to bind your hands
Not if my love can bind your heart.
There's no need to take a stand
for it was I who chose to start.
I see no need to take me home,
I'm old enough to face the dawn.

Just call me angel of the morning, angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
Just call me angel of the morning, angel
Then slowly turn away from me.

Maybe the sun's light will be dim
and it won't matter anyhow.
If morning's echo says we've sinned,
Well, it was what I wanted now.
And if we're the victims of the night,
I won't be blinded by the light.

Just call me angel of the morning, angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
Just call me angel of the morning, angel
Then slowly turn away,
I won't beg you to stay with me
Through the tears of the pain,
Of the years,
Oh baby baby baby.

Just call me angel of the morning, angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby
Just call me angel of the morning, angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, darling
Just call me angel of the morning, angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, darling

Maan @ 2:09 AM
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Thursday, October 13, 2005
Assumptionista

As far back as I can remember, Kulasas were "brainwashed" into believing that our No. 1 rival is Assumption. The other exclusive school for girls whose uniform resembles that of a table cloth. But who are we to comment on school uniforms when ours looks like a maid's uniform. But being a logical girl even at such a young age, I was not one who gets brainwashed easily. Why the heck would I dislike a person just because she studies or studied in a certain school?

But this entry is not about St. Scho's rivalry with Assumption or other exclusive schools. This is about one of my very close friend who's an Assumptionista.

Leny is in San Francisco right now and I miss her terribly. I remember during my first few weeks in Fleet, Leny told me (with Tina, her current seatmate within earshot), "Maan, masarap ka sigurong maging seatmate." Of course, nag-react ang Tina.

Her wish was granted when we transferred from the 5th to the 6th floor. We became seatmates. When there weren't dividers yet, I would constantly complain to her that her things were already flowing into my desk and eating up my space. Funny how I miss those instances.

She was also my coffee buddy. During the mornings before starting with our work, we would go to the pantry to get coffee. It was also our time to make "chismis" because we can't do it in the office because our boss might hear us. Not just chismis, we would talk about our lives, dreams, hopes, angst, sorrows and joys. If the pantry walls could talk, it would definitely divulge our deepest and darkest secrets.

Now, whenever I go the pantry to get coffee during the morning, I cannot help but miss Leny.

I will also miss my bonding sessions with Leny whenever I sleep over at her place. We would talk until the wee hours of the morning regardless if we have to wake up to go to the office the next day. She would shower first because it takes her about an hour to dry her hair. This gives me more time to sleep.

Now, I still sleep in the wee hours of the morning because I chat with Leny. I just pretend that she's in Makati still and she just can't sleep that's why she's still online.

I seldom play my Winamp in the office. It's lonely when you're the only one listening to your mp3s. Before, Leny would request songs to be played. Our favorites are Beauty on the Fire by Natalie Imbruglia, songs by Plumb such as Real, Boys Don't Cry and Stranded as well as old sentimental songs such as You Got It All by The Jets and The Day You Went Away by Wendy Matthews.

Now, I am hoping that when I apply for a US tourist visa, I would get approved. I cannot wait to have coffee with Leny again. I am sure that our line, "Let's have coffee in San Francisco." will really happen. This is not a matter of if, but a matter of WHEN.

The Day You Went Away
Wendy Matthews

Hey, does it ever make you wonder
What's on my mind
I, I was only ever running to your side
I never cried,
I just watched my life go by
It's just a pack of lies,
'cause you're leaving me behind

Why, after this long is there nothing I'll keep
Oh, I can shout
You'll pretend you're falling asleep
I live a lie
Yeah, believing that you're mine
It's just a waste of time
'cause you're leaving me behind

Hey, there's not a cloud in the sky
It's as blue as your goodbye
And I thought it would rain
On a day like today

Hey, there's not a cloud in sight
It's as blue as your blue goodbye
And I thought it would rain
The day you went away

Hey, does it ever make you wonder what's on my mind
I was only ever running back to your side

Hey, there's not a cloud in the sky
It's as blue as your goodbye
And I thought it would rain
On a day like today

Hey, there's not a cloud in sight
It's as blue as your blue goodbye
And I thought it would rain
The day you went away

He's on the buses, and the aeroplanes
With some groceries and a sleeping bag....

Maan @ 2:02 AM
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Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Who is Karen?

Inspired by the Who is Maan section of my personal website (which is a different thing from this blog), here's a small section for Karen since she just turned 26 years old last September.

Karen. Born under the sign of Libra. According to horoscopes and meanings of the zodiac signs, Librans are very compatible with Aquarians. No wonder that Karen's closest friends are me and Rose May (Aquarians) and Janice (Libran).

She is not the girly-girly type. Nevertheless, she enjoys going to the salon for a stylish haircut and some highlights for her hair. She also loves baking cookies which are so yummy. I swear that they are better than Mrs. Fields.

Karen is also a professor in our dear Alma Mater. Yes, she loves La Salle so much that she decided to go back and teach. It was actually a shocker to some of our classmates at first because no one thought that this sleepy girl with Garfield eyes who would cheat during exams would be a professor. Oh well. That's life. Full of surprises.

She loves to travel. If I were to join the Amazing Race, one of my candidates for a partner would be Karen. She knows how to drive a car, ride a bike and swim. She's been to the north part of the Philippines, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Hong Kong, China & Alabang Town Center.

To the serious part of things, Karen is a great friend. I will always remember the very first conversation we had. We were in the college canteen. I was eating my lunch and she was selling jackets. I was daring her to eat the "litid" from my ulam for P10.00. Unfortunately, she declined. Nevertheless, that was the start of a great friendship.

Karen is a very good listener and she also gives sound advice. Solicited advice. She is not judgemental. Regardless of what you've done, she will still be your friend. She will listen to your rants and raves, your whining and complaining. That's why I love her so much. She can take my rants, raves, complaing and whining. Hahaha! She may be on the conservative side with her morals and principles intact, but she's not too uptight not to enjoy Sex and the City.

But that does not mean we never had our fights and arguments. I remember that we had 2 misunderstandings. The first one was when I found out that I flunked our final exams because she gave me the wrong set of answers. Second one was when I decided to hitch a ride with another friend instead of meet her somewhere in Manila. Karen, naaalala mo pa ba ito?

Karen, thanks for making my college life memorable and fun. I will never forget the time we made our project at Janice's house and I was stricken with allergies and had a hard time breathing. It touched me deeply knowing that you and Janice had great confidence that I can finish our project in an hour. Also, our tricycle ride to an early death along C3 will never be forgotten. Thank you for listening to my stories and my problems. For the pieces of advice you've given me. For trying to teach me a few chinese words such as WO AY NI, IT DI SA SI GO LAK CHIT PWE KAW CHAP, OCHI, HAP CHIA, HOWE, KAI SIAO, SIAO SIAO, PWAYAM, and a whole lot more. I am definitely looking forward to more bonding moments with you and the Muskutings.

Maan @ 11:53 PM
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Saturday, October 08, 2005
Patawarin Na Po Natin Sila

Isang gabi, naglalakad ang isang lalaki sa may tulay nang may makita siyang babaeng nasa taas ng gilid nito at magtatangkang magpatiwakal.

"Huwag," sigaw ng lalaki. At sa kabutihang palad ay nakumbinsi ang babae at siya'y bumaba.

Lalaki: Ano bang problema mo't naisipan mong gawin yan?

Babae: Kasi, iniwan ako ng boypren ko't sumama sa ibang babae.

Lalaki: Miss, ganyan din ang problema ko pero di ko inisip na magpakamatay.

Babae: So, anong gagawin natin?

Nag-isip sandali ang lalaki at sinabi..

Lalaki: Kung gusto mo, maghiganti tayo sa kanila.

Babae: Paanong paghihiganti?

Lalaki: Alam mo na ang ibig kong sabihin... (sabay kindat sa babae na nakuha naman ni babae ang ipinahiwatig na yon).

Maya maya'y nasa isang kuwarto na sila ng motel at nangyari na nga ang di dapat mangyari. Nang makaraos si lalaki, nagsindi siya ng yosi. Nang halos filter na lang ay biglang nagsabi si babae ng "Maghiganti uli tayo".

Medyo pagod, pero pinagbigyan uli niya ang request ni babae.

Nang makaraos uli, nagsindi uli si lalaki ng yosi.

Nasa kalahati pa lang ang yosi.

Babae: Maghiganti uli tayo.

Medyo nangangatog na ang mga tuhod pero dahil sa hiling, muling pinagbigyan niya si babae. Muling nakaraos ang dalawa.

Nagsindi uli si lalaki ng yosi.

Unang hitit pa lang niya ay:

Babae: Ganti uli tayo.

Talagang lupaypay na si manoy niya pero para huwag mapahiya ay muling pinagbigyan niya ang kahilingan ng babae.

Pagkatapos kumuha siya ng yosi. Sisindihan pa lang nang biglang...

Babae: Ganti uli tayo.

Lalaki: 'TANGNA NAMAN! PATAWARIN NA NATIN SILA!!!!

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Matagal ko nang narinig itong joke na 'to. But a few months back, Glenn told this joke to me and Trexyl. For some strange reason, tawang-tawa kami. As in tawang-tawa. Ito na ang favorite story namin of all time.

So Trexyl, here it is.

Glenn, I'm so sorry because sinabi kong dagdag-bawas ka nung kinwento mo ulit kay Allan. Tama pala yung kwento mo na nagsindi ng yosi yung lalake. Akala ko dinagdag mo lang sa storya.

Like the saying goes, "Don't get mad. Get even!"

Enjoy!

Maan @ 12:19 AM
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Thursday, October 06, 2005
Before I call it a day...

... just a reminder to me that I will be blogging about these topics.

1. An entry about the Muskuting September birthday celebrators - Karen and Janice
2. Reunion with friends - Kartika and Bong
3. Friendster - the new "Who Viewed Me" feature which created a buzz
4. Other mundane stuff such as my switch from GLOBE to SMART which comes with its PROS and CONS. One big PRO though is my NEW SE K750I! Much to Thea's irritation. Sorry Thea. These days, we just have to be practical. Will compose my e-mail regarding my switch and send it to you so you can forward it to your boss. Hehehe!

It's technically the start of a new day since it's 12:28 AM already. Thus, I have to log off and get some sleep since tomorrow is another gruelling day at work for me.

God, give me the strength to go on.

Maan @ 12:31 AM
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