Surprise! Yes a new blog entry staring at yah! And if you choose to play a staring game with it then read! This one’s long. Most of my May days were spent on preparing for our teambuilding… that was what kept me from updating this blog. I was chosen to be one of the committee members and was made to be in charge of the activities. Yeah I was busy thinking of worthwhile activities, those that would stamp “team” on my workmates’ spirits but at the same time won’t bore them to death or feel like they’re on a recollection or something. The things Karlene(my partner in the committee) and I prepared worked out well since my team enjoyed and had a bonding blast! BTW, we are a team of 50+ peeps. But yeah we manage to bond bond baby!
We had it at Caliraya Recreation Center. The place was nice and serene- not bad for a man-made area. Thanks to Imelda Marcos’ arjud will to put a make up on a poor country. Meeting time was hella 5am, only got 2 hours of sleep, slept during the ride, arrived at 9. You have to cross a “river” to get to the place. It was breath-taking. Trees, mountains, horses, slopes and clean fresh air! Featureless? Look.
As soon as we arrived, I was all able to check out the place for the activities we’re about to do. We were already out of sched for the things we’ve prepared so we have to make adjustments. First activity was bwahahaha cheering competition- to build team spirit haha. Well, we divided them in small teams and would need to prepare a cheer. I thought of having them make a cheer out of commercial jingles but I never expected that my workmates would take it seriously. I was surprised on how they creatively came up with a cheering routine out of stupid jingles! They did things like that First Day High Rexona jingle, the one from Joy dishwasher and of course the undying SAKTO >:P - all in performance level! bwahahahah wacky fun! Then we went onto the next activity. There was an obstacle course so we thought of utilizing it. So we had an obstacle game, I was explaining the rules when they asked for a demo of how to go through it. So I did.. hehehe. We played and there were some people who got hurt. Not my fault. 0:D
Lunchtime TING TING TING! I ate 4 chicken parts, I don’t know what happened that I went that hungry; and was hoping that I have that kind of appetite everyday. It rained while we’re having lunch and everyone had the same idea to go out and shower. So after we ate, we all run into the rain like kids allowed by their parents to go after a series of negotiations. And it feels so damn good. I mean, it’s like years since I haven’t let myself play under the rain. At this age, you always rid yourself of getting wet every time it rains. But that time, there was no age or any other factor; just pure bliss of cold water and MUD. Yes, mud. The soil was damp and slippery, it was best for mudslide! They had this area for that and it was perfect to have it while it’s raining. The slope was high and scary but it was all fun getting dirty with mud all over!
After that we went to clean ourselves up for the next activity, as if it doesn’t involve more dirt…
That is a ball right on our background. It’s called ‘earthball’ – a huge ball, which cannot be lifted by people like me, only Incredible Hulk’s cousins can. Since it’s a ball it needs to be treated like a ball. Game was volleyball… yeah serve it, toss it, spike it(uhuh Joven did it alone) It was super hilarious watching how they toss the ball and where the ball goes! It’s uncontrollable and sometimes lands its way to the spectators. The game was physical- running around after the ball, raising your hand non-stop to catch it, slipping, sliding, and even getting smashed by the ball (poor Kuya Marco)…
After that, we went swimming. We were supposed to have a balloon game (too long to explain) but all the balloons popped so no game there. We just had the second game, which was called ‘Sweater Swim’ (yeah I just invented the name). I got dad’s old thick sweaters from the baul. So it’s a swim race but you have to wear the wet and heavy sweater. I didn’t realize how heavy it was, really, that one of them got cramps and people kept cursing how heavy the sweaters were. I was amused by the sight of it but I wasn’t anymore when I took them home with pounds of water!
Dinnertime and I was already tired. I felt like going to bed already. The air was cold and it gave me that sleepy feel. I ate dinner and hurried back to our room to take a bath. I took a nap to recharge for our night activities. I woke up and the sun was up! It’s already 10 am!!! Bwahahahaha! Freak! I slept for a total of 14 hours. What a shame! I was supposed to facilitate but I snoozed my ass of… how irresponsible can I get. Good thing my workmates know how to enjoy themselves. Too bad I missed the bonfire, videoke and inuman. L
It was bye bye time already. I even wanted to go jet skiing and stuff but my fault I woke up late. Everyone maxed out their time taking pictures and packing clean air in their lungs. We were still having fun on our way home. We played Pinoy Henyo where a word is posted up your forehead and you have to probe questions answerable by Yes/No to guess what the word is. Dang the words were EDI Mapping related -_-. It was hard to guess words like MENTOR, RUN FILE, AI 4.1 and the like… but my workmates were such smart asses they guessed some. Pretty impressive…
All got aching bodies and stained clothes to wash. Oh well, the price of having fun… But the best thing we all brought home was the memory of having fun and bonding in Caliraya as a team…
Honestly, I got to say that at GXS I felt like I was in school again. They’re all fun loving, relaxed, helpful people. It’s like you have a barkada at work which, I believe, is so hard to find. Having that makes my routinely boring life a little bit easy. Thank God!
I finished the book in one week- about an hour a day, a bit fast at my rate, actually. That implies how thrilling the book is, in a Harry Potter kind of way. The phasing was made to have a mystery revealed at every part so you’ll have that itch to go to the next chapter. Written in omnipotent view, it was able to deliver more feel to solving the riddles. Those italicized words, which reveal character insights, became more of a guide on how to solve the mystery. Well-researched and systematically delivered, Da Vinci Code provides a somehow National Geographic knowledge of things related. Of course not everything is true, things were fabricated to fit in the story. Though, impressively, symbolism and history were put into a more interesting light as they were used through the interconnections within the subject of the mystery. Some parts were predictable but instead of disappointment, it gave that proud feeling that at some point I was able to guess some parts of the clues- the anagrams, SOFIA, the codex… I somehow knew. Read the book if you haven’t. I can say it’s one of the best.
Props to Kuya Mark for lending me the book and Tunz for reading fast so I can read the book in time for the movie. Hehehe
The Movie
= 3/5 -
Fresh from reading, I watched the movie. I already did not expect it to be as good as the book. First, time is always a constraint- you cannot fit everything exactly as it is on the book. So everything was fast paced. Some scenes deleted or altered to become fast. Everything was still fresh on my mind so I was sure that some parts of the story were presented really far from the original. If you watch the movie without reading the book, you’ll be a bit skeptic at some parts I think.
Casting was good except for the two lead roles. I believe Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou were miscasts. I don’t know, it’s like someone else can do it better. Like there’s no chemistry into the collabo. The movie even forced the romance in some parts, but it just didn’t work for me. If there would be one convincing character, that would be Paul Bettany as Silas. Damn he freaked the hell out of every scene! Looking already scary as an albino, his flow gets a more creepy feel. Much respect always to Sir Ian McKellen. He portrayed the role of Teabing just as I imagined. Though at instances, and maybe out of excitement for XMEN3, I can’t help but think of the “Sir Ian Magneto” hahahaha a limping Magneto that is! And it’s funny coz at times I can imagine 8 robotic arms coming out of Alfred Molina’s cassock. Really nice… villains united. Jean Reno has always been a fave since The Professional. He’s not exactly how I imagined Fache would be and he was given so little parts so nothing extravagant to be seen from him in this movie.
One thing I appreciated from the movie was its non-neglect of historical presentation. It had flashbacks of how things were: like early Christian-Pagan war, Magdalene’s escape, etc.
The movie was just OK. Just OK.
Ponder Ponder…
Dan Brown’s work brought a lot of controversies. It was expected but what I don’t understand is how people bring a big deal out of it- I mean individually. Some people are just over reacting. I remember Misel telling about an Opus Dei neighbor who’s stopping her from watching the movie because she pities Jesus. Plus, my bookworm friend, who’s read everything and everything, rejects to read it because she’s scared. Yes, it does have an effect on how you look at the divinity of Jesus and would make you think of what ifs. But I believe it all goes down to your own faith. Others say that if you read the book or watch the movie, you are somehow patronizing the idea of a unGodly Jesus. Well blame it on curiosity but knowing the truth exercises more faith. So what if Jesus was married and had a child? Does that make Him unlikely to be God? Is marrying or having a child immoral? Does being a God necessarily mean being solidly divine, clean from earthly things? There arise different answers but I don’t really care. I once heard that what makes human a god is his ability to do what nobody can. That made Jesus one. He’s inspired so many people like no ordinary being can. Because of His teachings and sacrifices, men were challenged to do better. That may also be the same reason why Buddha is a god for Buddhist and why even David Beckham is god in Thailand.
Never did Da Vinci code moved down my faith to Jesus being God. In fact, it came positively and has even increased my belief about the sanctity of marriage and union. That SEX is not just a worthwhile activity to be done with your partner but a connection of the soul. And if it is, as the book said, a way to communicate with God, then that would be a greater reason to make it special and sacred.
Currently listening to: Janet Jackson - Weekend
Currently reading: Mom's Cancer
Currently feeling: thirsty
Four jobs I have in my life: 1. EDI Map Developer 2. Marketing Operations IT Staff 3. Techinical Support Representative in short Call Center Agent haha 4. Model Employee
Four movies I would watch over and over: 1. My Sassy Girl 2. Titanic 3. Notting Hill 4. Beauty and the Beast
Four places I have lived: 1. Manila 2. Sta. Mesa 3. Paranaque 4. Makati- soon to be
Four TV shows I love(d) to watch: 1. Meteor Garden 2. Spongebob Squarepants 3. Fullhouse 4. Sex and the City
Four places I have been on vacation: 1. Singapore 2. Hong Kong 3. Batangas 4. did I say Singapore?
Four websites I visit daily: 1. Xanga/Tabulas 2. F4 Forum hahaha 3. Friendster/Myspace 4. Solid07.net
Four of my favorite foods: 1. Sinigang 2. KFC- i can eat everyday 3. Red Ribbon cakes 4. Lechon Kawali
Four places I would rather be right now: 1. Taiwan (it's like the promised land for me) 2. Korea (to see my fave stars hehehe) 3. New York (my favorite city and wala lang...) 4. LA/San Diego (the FLIP side where my hommies are)
Now that that's done, I am going to tag... 1. All my college friends 2. Jaja 3. Bubbles
No entry for my birthday... parties not happening yet due to chaotic schedule. I don't feel like celebrating anyways...
How I spent my birthday weekend... watching F4 on international TV hahahaha! Pathetic huh? Friday night/Saturday morning, I finished everything that was needed to be finished at work so I don't have to stay late ever again. Went off at 4am, had congee with Jayson and met up with Diane because she wanted to see me before my birthday comes. Went home about 6am, slept and after an hour the alarm sounded. Woke up, tuned in to CNN and there goes my lovable four!
Nothing could ever wake me up after a tiring whole day and a half at work but seeing F4 on CNN Talkasia. As we know only the best are interviewed on Talkasia. Show was at 730, I don't even wake up at 7 on an ordinary day. I say it's just the love hehehehe The interview was good.... well after watching it the second time. I didn't understand a thing coz I was too busy kissing the screen! bwahahahaha
Vudang kissing Vanness and seemingly enjoying it. And Ken staring up at me bwehehehehe yeah im still in geisha night dress... slightly bangag! But that girl at the center is more bangag.. I don't even know why she's posing in the first place! Peace Jel!
When you love too much.. you might even want to kiss the host unknowingly. Thanks to Prec's fast reflexes -_- I learned to love Lorraine Han.. and it looks like she's feeling the same... bwahahahah
Damn bitch likes Jerry and it totally shows. I suggest she gets rid of the Korina Sanchez-morphed-with-Imelda Papin face first before she gets all flirty with Jerry. But I'm giving her much props. She hosted well. Love the accent!
F4 is like wine. They're better as time grows old. From the interview, I say that they've matured immensely but their character from day 1 still remains. Good answers.. I'm really proud.
I watched this interview 4 times over the weekend including my birthday. Downloaded it the next day so I can watch it over and over. Next week will just be the start of my bday celeb. I'm really not in the mood to celebrate. I'm too tired and busy. Anyways, it's just a date. I can celebrate my birthday anytime I want to.
Posted by sky_blade at 03:06 AM on April 28, 2006.
If toxicity is next to Godliness, then I'm a true angel! Thank God for erroneous systems models I get to have a break from all the mapping(that's what I do with programs) and get to update my blog. I dont even have an entry for Holy Week so we'll just leave it as part of history and allow the probability to reminisce about it in my future entries.
"Wuts up? Wuts up?" you say? Just had a break last weekend. The company went to San Juan Batangas to take some time off stressful work. Surprisingly, instead of having that relaxed feeling after errthing I got a lot more tired. Saturday AM.. didn't sleep at all. Have to do a lot of thinking and packing. Set off at 4am. Know why? Coz the company ride leaves at freakin' 5am! And we don't wanna be left don't we?
Slept the whole time going to San Juan Batangas.. 3 hour drive. When we arrived, I was aghast by the sight of kubos and papags. Well, it's ok to just hang there but I mean... I dunno.. I was expecting too much I guess. The beach... here it is.. looks good huh?
Errr... not really... Sand mixed with crushed corals... Water filled with jellyfish as big as your normal platito. My goodness! Plus no snorkling, no jetskiing, no parasailing, no nothing just a walk towards the shore, wet your maglulupa feet and go back to your designated kubo. We were extremely hungry when we got there. Then there were SNACKS! Thank heavens we said! WOW! Carbonara... oohhh.. bacon bits are quantitative but never mind I'm hungry! *Eat-chew* Hmmm.. tastes like CARBO...*chew*..SOPAS! Yes it's CARBOSOPAS... carbonara with the spirit of sopas! Geez.. it's like someone got milk and poured it all over the noodles.. So in the end nobody finished their Carbosopas good. But as they said, "One man's trash is another's treasure!" Yeah.. treasure or maybe like treasure beneath it... They had a good use of the left-over carbosopas! And they're specially for me
It was used for a game I was tasked to represent. Really nice... Sand, carbosopas, sprinkled with worms! In the game, I have to use my mouth and face to dig for the clue beneath the basins. I have to look through each and find my team's envelope(orange) to see the next clue. As I was looking at it, I was thinking if I can do with the worms. I hate crawlers but I set my mind that I can. Can I tolerate the rough feel and taste of the sand? Hmmmm... can too! Carbosopas in my mouth once again? Hmmmm... OK I'll take a walk at the shore first and think about it...
The games were really exciting and fun! It's like Amazing Race-slash-fiesta games. Our team didn't win but we were good I know! Specially me hahaha.. I got our clue easily with just one dive at the basin. Worms were nowhere to be seen coz other contestants who took turns before me set them aside. Sand tastes yuck! But I swear carbosopas is yuckier!
Lunchtime. Food sucks again. Have you ever heard of Lumpiang Repolyo? It's repolyo(cabbage) wrapped within a repolyo. Can you imagine? For my programming friends, it's like LOOP within a LOOP! Got it? Good thing I don't eat veggies!
The whole afternoon was kaburautan to the maximum level! Nothing to do but take pics and take a lot of walking. Boredom at its finest! Good thing I'm with real people with a lot of sense and humor... We had nice kwentuhan(chat) and nice pictures of course!
Tabulas doesn't allow embedding i think... so just go here for more pics
Trip home was steady. And superlatively tired that at Kristine's Bday Dinner at Bubba I was not talking at all.
Went home and slept... slept.. slept. It's Monday. Sorry Kuya Jay. I was sleeping at your despedida party. So there, outing is tiring. But it was OK. I mean I get the chance to bond with my officemates more. Get them to know me better. After the outing, I say I made connections with my workmates. I know there'll be a lot more of this but I hope next time's better and more fun. No idle moments as much as possible. Great food and all that!
Birthday coming up. I don't feel like celebrating at all. I don't know. It's just the same every year. But I said this one's different since it's my first birthday without my mom. Maybe that's why...
My wish(es) this year...
1. A cam like Donj 2. Christmas in Taiwan 3. An F4 Concert 4. IPOD Video 5. A trip to Boracay/Cebu 6. A dance with that person I wanna dance with 7. A BAPE gear 8. Jay Chou himself but a concert will do 9. Laser hair treatment 10. A black labrador named Machi
Uhuh.. I didn't wish for a boyfriend like I always do.. coz I realized I don't need one. This year at least. So there my friends... whoever wants to make the wish of a good 23 yr old girl come true.. please feel free to ask me how.
= 5/5 - 
= 3/5 - 
