A Random (Corny) Conversation With Myself...

And it went like this:

Me1: (while scooping some rice out of the cooker) Hmmm. Bad carbo.
Me2: Ooooh. Bad carbo (points at the scooped rice). You know what else is bad carbo?
Me1: (incredulous) There's another kind of bad carbo? Wazzit? Wazzit?
Me2: E di, carbo-nara! (nyuk nyuk nyuk)
Me1: I have got to be the corniest semi-geeky girl alive. (facepalm)

-fin-

My Dad Is On Facebook! (Gasp!)

You go home after work and the first thing you see upon entering the house is your dad with his back turned to you. You tiptoe towards him and you see him in front of his laptop, one-finger-typing his way into cyberspace. A few more steps and you happen to look at the upper left side of the screen and you see a familiar blue banner with the word clean logo of FACEBOOK. You get a sinking feeling in your tummy because you knew that what you have been delaying for quite some time now is happening. The inevitable has happened.

Your. Dad. Is. On. Facebook.

*sharpsuddenintakeofbreathfollowedbygibberish*

Yes, fellow netizens. My technophobic of a father has recently taken a ride on the bandwagon called Facebook. He has been bugging me about getting his own laptop (with matching threats of destroying mine if I didn't get away my arse from my laptop pronto!) and practicing MS Word and Excel (which have been left in limbo after discovering the joys of Gmail and Facebook). After a month of badgering me, we finally hunted for that laptop which will match his needs (spacious keypad, widescreen) and preferences (he wants it in black. Any color will render him unmanly. Men!). So I discarded the idea of getting him those insibinsi netbooks (keypad and screen are too teeny-sized and I can sense that familiar impatience of mistyping words and squinting at the screen - not a good sign). But the salesman kept on insisting to my dad that the Samsung netbook is a bang for the buck with the free external optical drive. Little did Mr. Salesman know I can be charming and ruthless at the same time. With crushed spirit, he grudgingly went to the stockroom and brought us the Dell Vostro.

Kaching-kaching moments after, we head home to tinker around with the new laptop. It was pre-installed with Linux and it had Mozilla Firefox so my dad was able to connect to the internet immediately. I taught him the basics of manuevering through the WWW while arguing with him because of username and password stuff. Few days after, he was still fuming over his password and username and why they don't work. I checked out what he was doing and he was putting his username and password in different sites! After arguments (and threats of destroying my laptop, again!), slo-mo version of my explanation, and permanently saving his passwords in the browser, I retreated peacefully to my still-unsmashed laptop.

Fastforward to morning after. He was proudly telling me how he found his highschool batchmates in Facebook. He also found his long lost acquaintances (don't ask me how long they were lost. Let's save it for another blog later) as well as his other relatives (oh my! As if I don't have enough already!), kumpares and kumares (sadly, no long-lost ninongs or ninangs for me. There goes my aguinaldo on Christmas). Even his ex-girlfriend and the girl he almost courted. THE ABSOLUTE HORROR!

THE ABSOLUTE HORROR! HORROR! ABSOLUTE!

My dad has found a constant (internet) companion with these lovely ladies who we shall hide under the codenames X1 and X2. Both are in US, and with the time difference between our country and theirs, it's convenient for them to chat up my dad.

....who is online every single night. He is on Facebook but I don't really know much about his online activities because he did one thing I didn't see coming.

HE BLOCKED ME AND MY SISTER ON FACEBOOK *gaspgaspdoubledoseofcursingandwhatnots*

Yes, fellow netizens. My father, whose flesh and blood were a part of my genetic structure, has decided that he doesn't want to see or know about my activities, statuses about my rantings in life, and links that could potentially interest him.

When asked for the reason on blocking us, his two lovely ladies (ahemwalangkokontraahem): "Wala lang. Ayoko lang makita yung mga post ng mga kabataan ngayon. Nire-reject ko nga pag bata ang nag-add sa akin eh. Di ko lang type."

This statement must have been made with the jejemons in mind. Those ruthless, language-bending humanoids have scared my dad into internet safety. Hence, the blocking.

Hence, failing me of my stalking prowess. Damn. I so wanted to see who are those lovely ladies. Damn you, blocking! Damn you!


This is the MAN. Take note of the mustache.

Not Just Another Holiday.

[photo credits to wikipedia, edited by me]

Tomorrow, we shall celebrate National Heroes' Day (Araw ng mga Bayani) and according to wikipedia, we celebrate it yearly on the last Monday of August. Along with this celebration, we also commemorate the famous Cry of Pugad Lawin by the Katipunan as led by Ka Andres Bonifacio.

But for us yuppies and students, it's just another holiday - no classes and no work with all day to play. Tsk tsk.

Whenever did we start knowing the meaning and importance of these holidays? We remember them and gingerly mark them on our calendars at the start of the new year, eargerly making plans for that much awaited long weekend and holiday economics (as coined by our former president, GMA). We book flights whenever airlines declare seat sales (which may turn out to be a farce and a conspiration against the flying population. heh. bitter much) and map out itinerary faster than we can say "manong, para ho!" to a speeding jeepney from hell. As I've said, the meaning of such holidays is completely lost on us. Ask any jejecap-wearing teenager or a Havaianas-slippered sosyalera what are we celebrating tomorrow. Come on. Ask them. Or better yet, ask yourself.

Am I starting to see that familiar blank face whenever we see impossible exam questions? Hmm. I knew it.

Well for starters, you could think of what your grandparents did when World War II erupted. They would have a couple of stories on survival and anecdotes of what life was back then. They had bomb shelters and quivered in fear when Japanese troops invaded barrios. There were countless rape victims, stories as told by the comfort women during that time. The boys grew up fast and signed up for the military. Those who were already fighting the war died and dropped like flies.

My maternal grandfather, Lolo Jovencio Lagmay, was an army sergeant in the military. My mom used to tell me that my Lolo Ben was one of the few survivors of the infamous Death March. He never went home for a time and they figured he was already dead so they held a padasal for him. They were on the 40th day of the padasal when he suddenly appeared on the doorway. Everyone scrambled for cover because they thought he was a ghost!

After the war, my Lolo Ben settled with his wife in a shanty somewhere in Aparri, Cagayan. They lived off on pension that he received while he waited for a letter from the US, granting him American citizenship and finally rewarding him after fighting on the side of the Kanos. But he was too weak when he received the letter and long travel is no longer advisable. He died a poor man. But other than that, he was not given recognition nor prestige for being a good military man and serving the country. Or should I say, countries.

There are a lot more stories like my Lolo Ben's. War veterans who, in their heydays, fought bravely and looked at Death unflinchingly. They are not like the Manila policemen who had to stick closely to the bus so they won't get shot dead. War veterans who died waiting for their rewards and reminiscing about their glory days. They are not like the policemen who sit around and order people while they reward themselves with hefty bonuses and glorify their fat, sorry asses.

These war veterans are the heroes. They are the bidas in the movies of their so-called lives. Let us remember them. The heroes. Your grandparents. Your parents. After all, tomorrow is National Heroes' Day.

After being cooped up in a classroom-like setting for my 2-day training, I have decided that I wanted to learn more and go back to school. But to become a full-time, or even a part-time, student would not suit me well since that would mean foregoing some of my time in exchange for being cooped up in and fed with theorems and ideas.

Aaaaah. Additional knowledge in exchange for my precious time. I have utilized my precious time cavorting with el bf

Fefer Erflens.

Paper airplanes, or fefer erfleyns as we like to call them, remind me of a time I was a newbie in the office and we'd throw paper airplanes in our spare time. Over such origami and laughter, I became closer to a friend. Secrets were told and familiarities cropped up at some point in time. It was the time that no one minded us and our crazy antics, the time that everyone treated us like kids because I was in my early 20's while she was barely out of her teens. But time decided to hop on of our own paper airplanes and zoomed past all our childishness. Before we knew it, we were both in our mid-20's while those paper airplanes decided to carry us to maturity and growth. At some point, our paper airplanes would each have to choose a path of their own to take us with them. We would both reach the end via different routes, routes chosen by our own paper airplanes.

Amidst all these traveling, one thing shall remain constant. That is the presence of paper airplanes in our lives at some point. We found someone to share our craziness with, someone who dreamed with us over paper airplanes.

Fefer Erflens.

Paper airplanes, or fefer erfleyns as we like to call them, remind me of a time I was a newbie in the office and we'd throw paper airplanes in our spare time. Over such origami and laughter, I became closer to a friend. Secrets were told and familiarities cropped up at some point in time. It was the time that no one minded us and our crazy antics, the time that everyone treated us like kids because I was in my early 20's while she was barely out of her teens. But time decided to hop on of our own paper airplanes and zoomed past all our childishness. Before we knew it, we were both in our mid-20's while those paper airplanes decided to carry us to maturity and growth. At some point, our paper airplanes would each have to choose a path of their own to take us with them. We would both reach the end via different routes, routes chosen by our own paper airplanes.

Amidst all these traveling, one thing shall remain constant. That is the presence of paper airplanes in our lives at some point. We found someone to share our craziness with, someone who dreamed with us over paper airplanes.

Dahil mas gusto kong maging busog at busog sa pag-ibig. ♥ Para kay Hammeh.

Because even monsters do get scared too.

Because this is how uber cheesy I can be. Teehee.

I Number.

It has been more than a month since I last wrote a blog. With new work but old company, I did a lot of catching up and getting down and dirty to finish a job. Mind you, I am enjoying every second of it since I get to learn new stuff and be exposed to numbers again. Albeit the computer does the computing most of the time.

Numbers. Whenever I encounter them, they give me a sense of security and comfort. Numbers are numbers. They change form when symbols are placed in between them yet they remain, in their essence, as numbers through and through. You play around them and voila! The alphabets are turned into wonders called numbers.

Mind you, I am no Math Whiz. I was able to survive my Math 17 and Math 100 with flying colors, red on my blue books (aka answer sheets). Stat 101 and Econ 131 were but memories to me as numbers lined up and danced before me, encouraging me to compute for that dreaded mean and variables remained varying thoughout with the wrong formula.

As numbers persisted with their presence in my life, I had accepted the inevitable which is that I'll end up working in number-intensive business i.e. banking industry. Oh yes. The Banking Industry. Where we earn because numbers (in the form of money) made the world go 'round and kept the economy afloat in times of crisis. Intellectual elitists speak in numerical terms whereas common people speak in money, but we all understand each other and agree on the idea that in numbers, we find chaos and peace.

So here's to more numbers (and more money). Hurrah!

Photo Album 2010-06-02

Nine Days.

Me + You = Happy Together.



Nine days until the 365th day. Ninth day of the month, for 12 months.

Nine photos to express everything we've been through our first year of being together.

Let the countdown begin!

Hey, I am so cheesy that I remember this!

Today is exactly a year after I had a pseudo-double-date with my then-friend-and-now-boyfriend. It was after his sister's wedding and we decided to hang out at the nearby Festival Mall before the tandem DAbril (our couple friends) heads home. I didn't bring extra clothes but I remembered to bring flipflops so I went around the mall wearing a nice Sunday dress paired with good old tsinelas. When HE (we shall refer to him in all caps for the duration of this blog) arrived, I was ready to go home and sleep but when I saw him I just knew I wanted to stick around some more (to hell with moving on, bleeeeeh!).

So we rode the rollercoaster (which I think was for kiddies) but I didn't sit beside him because (1) I was too shy (2) I didn't want him to see me screaming my lungs out (because I knew he'd go deaf with my high-pitched screech) and waving my arms (I have underarm issues which remains unresolved to date) and (3) I was in my moving on phase, poryorimpormasyon. So yeah, I was being pakipot, aloof, and all that shizz related to holding back-but-I-so-want-to-be-near-you-ladeeda. After the rollercoaster ride, we went around and spotted a Siomai House kiosk. Over siomai and toyomansi-stained fingers, I was starting to get that warm, fuzzy feeling again and the one that I've been trying to kick out days before. So come parting time, I didn't hold back and decided to hug him for the very first time since I've known him. And minutes after I got on that shuttle, I knew I was wearing a silly grin and starry-eyed.

Fast-forward to a year after. I was strolling the same corridors, rode the same escalators, saw the same shops and ate at the same siomai kiosk. The only difference? I was not holding back that warm fuzzy feeling and I was holding his hands. What remained the same aside from the place? My silly grin and starry eyes.

Poor You, 10 Cents!

Because no one wants to be given change with ten pieces of 10 cents totaling to a peso. I dunno why people can be allergic to 5 and 10 cents, and even 25 cents. Eh kung wala sila, di mabubuo ang piso at isang libo!

We Remember...

That she was the most beautiful mom. It's been 2 years and we still miss her so much.

Changing the World, Changing Perspective: One Ranter at a Time

A friend and constant online buddy IM-ed me of how amazed he was that it will almost be a year since he had a last girlfriend. I could sense he kinda missed the feeling of having someone around and constantly worrying about his whereabouts and adventures, so I decided to cheer him up a bit. I told him that he has (1) an awesome job (2) great friends (3) more time for surfing and (4) more focus on his studying for his CFA exam. He told me I had a point (and it's amazing how I basked on this once-in-a-blue-moon compliment). Besides, it was a mission accomplished as I made him a happier b*tch!

Kidding aside, we are all like my friend who we shall hide under the monicker, Jejeboy (I have this fascination with the Jejemon kind, more on that later!). Oftentimes negative, we never really see the brighter side of things. Or that silver lining which peeks through that nimbus cloud. Or how about, the comedy of a tragedy. I could go on and on about this thing we dub as hope/optimism but I guess you get the picture, no?

We always see the bad side and these negativities affect us more than these should really. So what if you got a lousy, crappy job? At least consider yourself employed who gets a salary every payday. How about if we complain of how our bosses are uhm bossy? Well, they are bosses anyway and they can boss you around if they want to. But at least think of how lucky you are compared to those whose bosses rape and physically abuse them.

You don't endear yourself to people when you constantly rant about your new job. No one gives a rat's ass how you think your job is crappy or how your new gadget is no longer top of the line. If for everytime we complain and rant we dole out at least a peso, hey Jude we're gonna pay off our national debt way ahead of maturity!

So let's start thinking more positively. I am not saying that you suddenly become a burst of sunshine and be all cheery to everyone (someone might slap you for being too perky, anyway) but do it in an itty-bitty way or in a way that is more attainable to you (attempting to smile when you're pissed to the high heavens will just result in a cross between a smile and a smirk. Heavens, horrible!).

It all boils down to perspective and how you see things. A wee bit of change in perspective wouldn't hurt anybody and come to think of it, a change in perspective would actually make an impact on somebody.

Cheers! :)

On Half-finished Sandman and Half-Baked Conclusions

I have never been a graphic novel fan because I find the mishmash of drawings, bubbles and words too confusing and annoying. I didn't want to miss anything else I go back from where I began and trace the events that transpired. I was a purist and I believed that novels should only comprise of words on pages and a wee bit of illustration to break the monotony. So yeah, I was not a fan of such novels.

Take note of the verb WAS.

You see, I was introduced to the world of graphic novels when my then-friend-now-boyfriend suggested that I read Neil Gaiman's Sandman series. I am a Gaiman fanatic and I already read most of his novels and short stories alike. I came across Sandman a few times whenever Gaiman was mentioned but hearing the word "graphic" alongside novel kinda reminded me of Palahniuk and his writing style and well, it sort of ticked me off. But since it was highly recommended by THE friend (of course I didn't want to say something profane else his geek side kicks in and decides to silence me. bleh!), I decided to give Sandman a shot.

I am half-way through the series and I must say, it is one helluva good read (half-way! half-way!). I have been struggling to finish the whole series but you see, it is not that easy because of the numerous characters and references to famous myths and legends that span religions and beliefs. It was a crash course on Heaven and Hell and the never-ending battle of Good and Evil, of Reality and Illusion. Of course, these are just my observations and I have yet to delve deeper among the pages, illustrations and words to make a well-founded conclusion/realization/book report.

*Credits to lawrenceyong.wordpress.com for the pic*

You might have differing opinions as to mine, and please, do share your thoughts on Sandman and Gaiman. Since I am biased, I would say (and declare! Oh hail!) that Gaiman is one of the best writers around and that Sandman is one lip-smacking masterpiece.

*Oh hail Gaiman - geekazoids*

Hindi Ako Masyado Magsi-Swimming!

Text ng Tatay: Magswimming tayo sa Sunday. I-sked niyo na.

Natanggap ko habang pauwi ako nung Biyernes. Ayoko sanang sumama sa swimming dahil 1) gastos na naman at kulang na ang pera ko at 2) mas gusto ko sanang magpahinga dahil Linggo naman. Pero di na lang ako nag-reply hanggang sa maka-uwi ako.

Napag-isip-isip kong sumama sa swimming dahil 1) kasama naman sila kuya at lil sister at 2) tutal, minsan lang mag-aya si Tatay at mukhang ok naman dun sa lugar na yun dahil madalas niyang maikuwento yun at nagagawi siya sa resort na yun.

Linggo nang umaga at pupungas-pungas pa akong bumangon. Kumain ng isang hati ng tirang pizza at habang nginunguya ito ay nasabi ko sa Tatay ko: "di na pala ako masyadong magsi-swimming kasi ayokong mangitim. Magbo-Bora at Bohol pa tayo. Ayokong pagdating ng Hunyo eh di niyo na ako maalala dahil sa itim ko." Sumagot si Tatay ng: "sige lang. Ikaw bahala."

Fastforward sa hapon ng Linggo. Nagkayayayaan nang umuwi dahil hapon na at dadaan pa kami ng memorial park. Pag-ahon ko sa pool, natatawa si lil sister dahil ang pula-pula ko raw. Hindi ako natinig, tutal dapat naman talaga akong ma-sunburn dahil naarawan ako eh. Habang nagbibihis, dun ko napansin na medyo mahapdi ang balikat ko. Ang dibdib ko rin ay mapula! *gasp gasp* at hinawi ko ang damit at nakita kong bakat na bakat ang racerback kong suot habang nagsi-swimming!

*Gasp, gasp, gaaaaaaasp*

Hindi ako maitim pero ANG PULA PULA KO! Daig ko pa ang alimangong niluto. At napakahapdi ng mukha ko at tuyot na tuyot ang labi ko.

Habang napapangiwi sa hapdi, humirit ang kapatid ko: HINDI PALA MAGSI-SWIMMING AH!

Ps. Mas mapula ako kaysa kanya. Rawr.


Ang likod at ang balikat kong ubod nang hapdi! Oh kaysakit! Aray! Aray!

Gaming for Dummies

I was a kid who never really grew up around video games. When I was younger, we had Nintendo's Family Computer and summers were spent bargaining (try begging) with siblings to have a shot in playing video games. I was the kid who died first in battles and the one who always ended up last in races. I was the kid who barely managed to make the cut of Top Scores and the kid who always pulled the cord of the controller out of sheer excitement. Even if I play a game the whole day, I will never get the hang of it, get all the coins in Super Mario, save the princess, or even reach the final level to kill King Koopa. A more updated version hoho!

Then Family Computer became a thing of the past then along came PCs and PC games. I was able to play Starcraft for a while but then my camp always got defeated and the Zergs scared the sh*t out of me. Then I found my niche in the virtual games world - Text Twist and Hangman (the ultimate geekiness oh heaven!).

So for a change, I decided to ditch my geeky games and tried a PlayStation 3 game and a PC game. By spending a weekend at the bf's house, I was surrounded by gaming geek overlords - his sister, guy friend, and gal friend.

I first tried Left for Dead. Killing zombies was fun, if only I was able to find my way out of the damned hotel. So for dummies like me, it was a new experience to find new function in the keyboards. Keyboards are my keys to heaven of words but then with PC games, W became forward movement while S was for moving back, A and D for moving left and right, respectively. Left-click was for shooting/hacking (depends on the weapon) the goddamn zombies with left-click will temporarily shoo the annoying bastard away. Other functions I wasn't able to explore because my eyes grew tired of the screen (it was soooooo wide!) and the headphones kept on slipping down my ears. If you're up for one helluva shootin spree, I'd highly recommend Left for Dead. Are you Left for Dead?

And the night didn't end with killing zombies. By nighttime, I was re-introduced to this lovely PS3 game called Little Big Planet. You see, playing a PS3 game is a lot more complicated than playing a PC game. For one, you use a controller with various buttons and joysticks (I told you I am noob!) and my five fingers in one hand is not enough to grope around the thingamajigs! But on an up note, there are no cords so look Ma, I can pull all I want! The basic controls on the controller is pretty simple - move the left joystick so your character can move accordingly on the screen. The X button on the right panel is for jumping while the square button is for opening choice and circle button for selecting a choice. The R1 button can be used to hold on to things or push them - depending on the movement of the left joystick. Instead of coins, the character is out to break the glass bubbles which contain new items that can be used throughout the game (stickers, decorations, masks, etc.). The aim of the game? Burst as many bubbles as you can while swinging over deadly gaps, killer (cute and pillow-y) stones and finishing the game alive. It's a lot more fun to play the game in 2's or even more. Word to the wise: be patient enough in behalf of your lame-o playmates (i.e. someone like me) since the point of the game is to have fun and not bash each other because someone dies repeatedly. Thankfully, there was no bashing incident when I accidentally ruined a certain game play (thank heavens!). See Little Big Planet here.

So to you all ye nerds like me who are scared of video games, fear not. Tutorial and constant game play shall make us the Overloard Geeky Nerds!

Just kidding. Have fun playing with your joysticks! (And I mean that in a wholesome way XD)

Ties and Shredders Don't Get Along. Really. Even Pashminas and Printers.

I have always acknowledged the fact that I am clumsy. No doubt about it. I get bruises and cuts and always wonder if a dwarf was secretly punching, pinching or scratching me just because it wants attention *random wild imagination, pardon meh*.

But aside from being clumsy, I also have this utak-sa-paa moments. Like the time my pashmina .....

*Nabitin ka ba? Here's more. Read here.

Here's an effective to make your friends feel guilty when they turn down offered foods:

Moi: Uy, kain ka pa o. *points at the cake*

Friend: Uhm, ok nako. *shakes head*

Moi: Alam mo, mapalad ka pa. Buti nga nakakatikim ka ng ganyan eh *points at cake again* Yung iba kasi, hindi. *sabay kanta ng...Nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng basura..*

Kung di ka ba naman makonsensya niyan! :P

This is child labor at its finest. Bleh!

Ties and Shredders Don't Get Along. Really. Even Pashminas and Printers.

I have always acknowledged the fact that I am clumsy. No doubt about it. I get bruises and cuts and always wonder if a dwarf was secretly punching, pinching or scratching me just because it wants attention *random wild imagination, pardon meh*.

But aside from being clumsy, I also have this utak-sa-paa moments. Like the time my pashmina got caught at the printer and I was panicking because I almost thought I'd die of choking. Or if not by choking, death by falling off the window because our printer was placed on a cabinet with loose wheels near the glass window while moi is tangled with my stupid pashmina in the printer. Morbid, I know. Stupid, I know now. Hah! I always thought ties-getting-caught-in-shredders-stories are plain urban legends made up to scare the beejesus out of us. But when the printer incident happened, I suddenly realized: (1) I am stupid *top of mind, sorry* and (2) it happened to me and it can happen to you too! *double gasp with too much air inside your nose*.

After the pashmina-in-the-printer incident, I now check if I have dangling clothes pieces or loose thread. Who knows what that killer printer is up to next. *paranoid much*




The Killer Printer

La Feliza Signing On. *test mic hello is this on?!*

Today, a sad news greeted me. My friend and fellow MT finally got promoted to Assistant Manager, thereby officially making moi the last Supervisor MT standing. Out of depression, I decided to do something productive (i.e. a report on a certain conglomerate) and fun (i.e. navigating thru the BSP website. I know, vair vair geeky).

Then I decided. I don't want to be sad anymore. Hence, the randomness of conceiving this blog.

Why lefelizashow? Why happy [girl] show? Well I say to you, why not?

Hmm, I guess it stemmed from my constant and conscious decision to see the brighter side of things. I know it sounds silly and stupid to be such an optimist but I heard that being happy can actually make me feel younger and healthier (that part I just made up XD).

In here you'll see a chopsuey of photos, notes, realizations, food trips, travel notes and anecdotes. Hopefully when you leave my site, you'll be able to say: La Feliza made me one happy b*tch!