Today is Julie's Birthday

I don't know how she did it, but the President has just declared June 13 her birthday a holiday. The president must really like her =P (June 12 is a holiday here but the president moved it to June 13 because June 12 is a sunday in order to give more free time to the people. =)

Oh well, I don't know what to say except Happy Birthday and may you have many other birthdays to come. Wish you success in your future endeavors and May God Bless you !

Reformatted my computer

Yes, today is the day I will reformat my PC. After months of telling myself you have got to reformat that pc... if finally happened =P. Chose this day because tommorrow, June 13 is a holiday here and so I will have an extra day to fix errors if there will be any.

I started out backing up all files, moving them to my back up harddrive (80 gigabytes =P). Then reformatted my primary harddrive (120 gigabytes). After a few hours i've finally reinstalled my Windows.. and other applications. Went online and downloaded all patches...(boy I almost fell asleep waiting for the downloads to finish =) I'm only using a dial up connection =))

Well at least my efforts were not wasted, after almost 8 hours I have finally finished reinstalling everything from scratch. =) My computer boots up faster.. a lot faster than before and the desktop is real clean and tidy =) (just wait for a few days and you'll see =P).

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Have you went to see my movie?... yes my movie... Mr. and Mrs. Smith =P joke ! Enough of my dreaming.. and on with the post =). Today was supposed to be a high school friends reunion day, but it seems everyone is so busy with their tasks nobody came =(

So we went to glorietta (ne, my friend dennis and Hiram) to watch Mr. and Mrs. Smith =), we had free tickets (actually me friend, dennis had them...). We arrived at around 3:00 PM, and went to get our 4:00 PM (i think) tickets... We had an hour before the movie so we went to buy some food from Burger King. The guy in the counter must have been real pissed off because.. I said "1 whopper meal please...(after a few seconds) no can you change that to a single whopper please plus mineral water?.... (then after everything was on the bag) on second though could you change that to a meal again" =P

So after buying the food, we went straight in to the movie house. The place was almost full when we got in so.. we settled at the left side of the cinema.... at the back...=). The film started after a few previews of the upcoming movies (batman returns, War of the worlds... ill probably watch these 2 next time =P), the previews just gave me enough time to devour my whopper sandwich and fries. :)

Okay now for the spoilers =P jks. The movie was funny... romantic in a way... great cast... great acting... and features two of the most beautiful people in hollywood =P (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in case you don't know). The movie starts out with Mr. and Mrs. smith talking to their marriage counsellor... and the story of how they met... and so on and so forth. So i'm not giving you any more details... just get out of your seat... go to the nearest movie theater and watch the film, and most importantly.... ENJOY !

My first month anniversary blogging

Just wanted to say thank you to all those who have supported me. Thank you, I could not have done it without you =P (ok enough with all pleasantries... this ain't any awarding ceremony =P)

After one whole month of blogging, I can say that it is not really easy to maintain a website. Everyday you have to look for something to write (not everyday actually =P) and you have to give some time in order to write it. But it's also fun, you get to write things down, share it with your friends and other people around you. (so don't share something you don't like to let others know... like that time when ..... =P)

Thing is, I find this blog to be really entertaining and sometimes through it, you get to appreciate the things that you do, things sometimes you just take for granted are all highlighted and you get to see things differently (sometimes... i don't know what I am saying... do i look like i'm sick? =P)

Anyways, thank you for all those people who visited my site. I appreciate it. =) and have a nice day everyone !

Charcoal Painting Class

Drawing... must be one of my favorite past times when I was a lot younger =). I started drawing cartoons... then I tried drawing portraits.... but i never really learned to draw... that's why they look that way (that way you know.... i don't have to mention it ayt?... argg.. ok.. horrendous. happy now? =P). So when I saw the charcoal painting class i immediately signed up.

The class was held by the same person who taught the acrylic painting class which i've attended a few weeks ago (i'm desperately trying to be a student again hehe =P jks). For two days, we were taught the basic drawings (very similar to the one in acrylic painting class) such as circles, squares, triangles... (you do know them ayt? =P). Moving on to how artists should look at objects, by breaking them into basic shapes in order to easily draw them and finally to using charcoal as a medium of drawing. :)

For those two nights I got to meet some new people, the course was fun too ! Regarding my drawings you say? umm my toy car kinda looked like "kariton" after drawing =P jks. ill try uploading them sometime :) but for now just imaging a toy car turn into "Kariton" =P

P.S. "Kariton" is cart in english :)

Gateway Mall

Today is a sunday (isn't it not obvious, June 5 is a sunday... you look that up in a calendar just like a child would do...you don't have to mention it =P). Right after lunch "they" have decided to go to Gateway Mall in Cubao.(my sister frequently calls it "the getaway" =P)

Its my first time to go there, a little excited (no actually i did not want to go... but i had to drive them there hehehe jks =P). The place was a little bit far... at least for me it was far, the traffic was terrible and the weather was not really that good (ok it was terrible).

Upon arrival, one problem surfaced immediately... NO PARKING SPACES seriously... when you build a mall please do remember to put enough parking spaces, its such a drag to drive 30 mins looking for one(We even had to settle for a parking space at the opposite mall, and walk to the other mall) =P.

Well how about the mall? All I can say is, it's really a neat place, it's clean the place is organized and everything... but a little pricey for me though.. Shops such as Sony, Bass, Marks and Spencer, Mango, Watson's are to be seen immediately (even had to pay 10 bucks to use the rest rooms/comfort room/lounge), but I did buy a new pair of shoes there from Bass.... yes a little bit pricey but they were the only ones with a shoe that would fit my feet... and its time to change my old shoes... well if you consider "shoes with tongue" as fashionable.. then it's probably not time for me to change my shoes then =P

Investment options class

Today i've joined an investment options class, which was held by Business maker academy. Business maker academy is a institution which trains its students on business and some livelihood programs. (If you'd like to know more about them, you can visit their website @ www.businessmaker-academy.com)

It's not my first time actually to attend a course conducted by them, the earlier course I have attended was "Basic Money Management", You could say I have learned some things (a lot actually) on how to spend my money wisely, how to make budgets, etc.

Anyways, in today's course we were given an overview of some investment vehicles which we could use to further grow our money =) (your money too). Through out this course we were introduced to different investment vehicles ranging from savings accounts, time deposits, insurance items, to creating a portfolio of stocks, real estate and even creating your own business =)

For me the course was real cool, coz you get to know all about these items you can invest in and it really helps you decide where to put your money into rather than spend it elsewhere =) (i'm not saying don't buy things... all im saying is we have to save and learn to save wisely =) )

Tuesdays with Julie

My high school friend Julie. I don't know if she ever noticed, or is it just me but i think we keep on meeting on tuesdays. (hence the title tuesdays with Julie =P, sounds familiar? ever heard of the book "tuesdays with morrie" =) I love that book.....)

Julie is one of my classmates, friends back in High School. I don't know her much since I never really talked to her or any one during my high school days =P. (sometimes even now i think, although i'm really getting on improving it =P). Now don't get me wrong, i don't have my own world and I do have my own group of friends, maybe i'm just a little bit shy talking to everyone.... just a little bit.. i think =P.

Anyways, I have been bumping into her "accidentally" (yes accidentally, no joke) every tuesdays and that's why i'm writing this blog. She is really a nice person, and you could get along with her real quick (i'll confess my sins later =P jks !). It's really fun to meet someone you know, especially on those long trip back home.

Looking back, I would say one of the things i regret during my high school/college days is why i never tried to meet more people. That's why starting today, i'll try to meet more people and make friends.

P.S. back to the title. I was joking her earlier i'll write a book called "Tuesdays with Julie" =) but i don't think i'll be able to write a book, hence a blog instead =)

Subic here I come

As I opened my eyes I peered through the window, looked at my watch.. oops 2:00 AM (wrong timeslot, too excited =P get back to sleep !). 9:00 AM now, flipping through my "Tuesdays With Morrie" as the bus started on its way to our destination, I shove my book (with care =)) into my bag and slowly doze to sleep .... after a few hours, with some complications we arrive at subic 1:00 PM =), and the day starts for me......

Right after moving out of the bus, all I could think of was food... food... and food =), fortunately we were greeted with a generous buffet by the bay (yummy) anyways after lunch we had some free time (Badminton by the beach?? cool only if the wind would cooperate=))

3:00 team building activities started, I was part of the yellow team =). The whole group is composed of five teams and we played five games =)) have listed em below.

First game
Buntot mo habol ko (Dragon's Tail)
Mechanics:
1. Ten players are selected.
2. All players stand in line with their hands on the waist of the person in front.
3. The first person is the Dragon's Head.
4. The last person is the Dragon's Tail.
5. The head tries to catch the tail, the line must follow the head and not break.
6. All the other players try to stop the head from tagging the tail.
7. Once the tail is tagged, the group is eliminated.

Our team: 2nd to be eliminated. =)

Second game
Alakdan Race
Mechanics
1. Ten players are selected.
2. The first player runs/walk from starting point over a pole and back.
3. The next player ties his feet to the first player's feet.
4. The two players runs/walk from starting point over a pole and back.
5. Repeat steps 3 - 4 until all players walk over the pole.

Our team: Last to finish =)

Third game
Blind Puzzle
Mechanics
1. Five players are selected.
2. Three out of the five players are blindfolded and scattered in the field.
3. The remaining players are tasked to lead the three blindfolded players by giving them directions from outside the playing field.
4. The team who is able to get all parts of the puzzle wins

Our team: Champion =P

Fourth game
Patintero
1. All players participate in this game.
2. Guards are placed in several lines, prohibiting players to advance.
3. When a guard is able to tap a player, the player is considered out.
4. Players who are able to move to the end and back to starting position scores a point.

Our team: No one got through =) (Our tactic was to go in all at the same time.. however I believe the strategy did not work =P)

Fifth game
Blowing balloons.
1. All players participate in this game.
2. The objective of the game is to blow the other teams balloons.
3. Each player has one balloon attached to the hand.
4. For every balloon remaining at the end of the game, gives a score to the team.

Our team: Only one balloon blew, self casualty =P (Our tactic, was to stay on our position and watch the other teams slug it out =P)

After the team building activities, we took some pictures around the place and then went back to our room to take a bath.

We had dinner at around 8:00 PM, went straight to the buffet table and have already got some food when I figured a stub was needed =P. So I had to get the stub... it was a little bit funny coz I already have food in my plate =P

Went to bed early... however I woke up midnight... was a little bit noisy out there.... just went back to sleep.

Nothing really happened the next day. We just walked in the beach, took some pictures and went home. and that's it.... this post is a little bit long =)

Challenge Darth Vader !

Bcoz of the growing popularity of starwars. A lot of sites has been sprouting here and there which is somewhat related to it =). Today i'll be showing you one of the sites I have seen which for me is a bit interesting =)

The site starts out with the usual opening sequence of starwars :). Then Darth Vader in all his black suit glory comes out. The game is simple, you are to challenge Darth Vadeer by thinking of something. He then tries to figure out the object you are thinking by asking you a series of multiple choice questions.

For me i tried thinking of a car, and these were the questions asked:
1. What are you thinking of? Other
2. Can you get information by using it? No
3. Is it pleasurable? No
4. Is it made of metal? Yes
5. Can you use it at school? No
6. Is it considered valuable? Yes
7. Is it human powered? No
8. Does it get wet? Yes
9. Can it be stolen? Yes
10. Do most people use this daily? Yes
11. Does it bring joy to people? No
12. Is some parts of it made of glass? Yes
13. Can it be used for recreation? Maybe
14. Can you buy it? Yes
15. Can you walk on it? No
16. Does it have a handle? Yes
17. I'm thinking its a taxi cab? Close
18. Is it white? No
19. Does it have a trunk? Yes
20. I'm thinking its a street car? Close
21. Is it used for entertainment? No
22. I'm thinking its a taxi? Close
23. Is it smooth? Yes
24. Would you find it on a farm? No
25. I'm thinking its a police car? No
26. Is it used by the police? No
27. Can you hold it? No
28. Do you use it at your home? No
29. I'm thinking its a truck? No
30. I'm thinking its a school bus? No

Ok so what happened? I never got the correct answer.. but then again it was close. =P Maybe i was a little bit general... all things mentioned above were close to a car =). Maybe you could try it and lemme know your results =)

Episode III: The big day.. or is it.

Wednesday is the day.... or is it. Today, I woke up early, got to office early, and started pounding on the keyboard =P (a little exaggerated, I may say). And so time passes slowly... it is slow when you are a little bit excited =)

Then time came, 6:00 pm i got off the office run down a long long way to the cinema. Resisted the urge to eat some squidballs... resisted to take a break on the long walk... resisted to take a ride because of the traffic... finally I got there but alas the last free ticket gone =(. In order to give myself some credit for running, I went to shop instead =) a few shorts for the coming outing this saturday ! (will post that in the future =))

Thursday should be the day, I went out of the office same time as yesterday. Expecting a little less people to watch the movie..., Alas the last free ticket taken (again) just a few minutes before i got there =(

Frustrated now... not at the event but at myself (bcoz of not gettin myselft there earlier) I bought my own tickets. =P and watched the movie with my friend (male). After watching the movie, i went to buy "the 5 person you meet in heaven" from powerbooks and bought some food (real hungry). Also received a message from my "Big Sis" and we took the public transport back home ( our house is not that far apart =) ), I actually remembered something funny hehehehe..... ! someone eating really funny !

Episode II: on Training =P

Tuesday, as soon as the clock reached 5:30 my computer shut down (automatically??) and out of the door i was =P(its so nice to get to see the afternoon sun). within a few minutes I was on my way back home in the public transport. Half an hour later i was rushing in our house, simultaneously removing my long sleeves....

Without wasting any time I took off my upper garment and threw it down the pile of clothes to be washed, in and out of the shower in 30 minutes I grabbed all the food I needed and practically devoured every last bit in a few minutes (yuck you are such a pig =P)

7:30 now, I locked myself inside the room, closed the lights and started episodes 1 & 2... After 4 grueling hours (don't take me wrong the movies were nice) of pod racing, jedi fighting, jedi smashing, light saber clankin (okay its more like light saber buzzing) I was finally able to watch episodes 1 and 2. ready for the big day.... Episode 3... To the cinemas ! yeah !

Despite the fact that I watched the two episodes attentively, there are a few questions, for me was.. left unanswered... like .. who's the father of Anakin... he did had the highest number of mitochondria... mitochondrion... metachlorion.. whatever ! and Y is that Master yoda says.. fear is the way to the dark side.... but when he speaks.. it always starts with .."I Fear.." =P (you did not notice that... maybe i was dreamin then =P)

Episode I: the preparation !

Starwars... what is starwars (oh get real!.. you don't know starwars?). On my quest to be "in" with the crowd, to be with the most talked about movie at the office, at home, and almost every where i went to.... i've decided to watch episodes 1, 2 and 3 this week.

Episode 1:
Monday, desperate to get a copy of starwars 1 and 2, I asked all my friends for it but nobody had one =( (ok well maybe you didn't try hard enough). So I went to each store i knew... alas all sold out (ok, so everyone is into this movie now) anyways after hours of walking and askin' I finally got myself a copy (it was the last copy you know).

tired now, i went home happily knowing that my quest to be a jedi ... no no no.. my quest to watch starwars has now started. I sat back, relax.. and remembering what happened the week earlier removed the dvd out and put it back onto its case. I'll reserve watching this when everyone's out. (don't wanna learn the dark side now would we =P)

a short drive to UN Avenue

Saturday, a so-so day for me. Went to the dentist this afternoon then got home immediately after that... Bum all day. (yeah !). Anyways I "Jan" was tasked to drive my parents to their high school reunion (Ahem...) somewhere along UN Avenue that night.(why not bring their own ride ye ask? coz parking spaces was supposed to be a hard find there, nobody though we'd find a dozen free parking spaces that night =)

And so night came, being such a lazy person i didn't even bother to wear a pair of comfortable shoes... this made my really uncomfortable driving... obviously my parents notice this cause the car was in a series of sudden stops =P (i'm never gonna wear kung fu shoes to drive again.. evah !) got to UN Avenue in one piece though (do'h and you were expecting??) =)

When it was time to fetch them (ahem... didn't know if fetch is the right word.. seems a little bit .. childish), i picked the most comfortable pair of shoes i had (i only have ummmm a pair of shoes so that wasn't that hard =P). Looked at my CP (cellphone) and noticed i got a few missed calls =P (forgot to tell them i got home safely earlier). The drive back was a lot easier now, it was late, there was very little traffic and i'm not wearing kung fu shoes anymore. Well that probably sums up what I did that evening.... thinking back, there's not really anything to say except the falling kung fu shoes whenever i manuever the pedals that night hehe =P

Why watch a movie alone @ home ?

"Do you even have to ask ?" One peaceful evening, the cool breeze, a quiet nice room, the perfect place & time to watch a movie. You slowly insert the DVD into your player... take a bag of your favorite chips... sit back... relax... and hit on the play button.... then suddenly bad things start to happen....

Someone comes in asking if he/she could join you in watching the movie (not a bad thing really at this point =) ). "Of course" you replied, then another few minutes later someone comes in "again" asking if he/she could join you in watching the movie (not a bad thing "again" really at this point =) ). But then you have to start all over coz they were not able to see the first few minutes (fine at least now I have company)

You start the movie again from the beginning... but then you hear chatter beside you... you continue to watch the movie... then after a few minutes.. you hear laughter.... (did I mention you were watching a horror movie ?)... then after a few minutes.. somebody, "again" comes into the room this time they are not joining the movie.. and joins with the growing chatter beside you....

Now half an hour into the movie... the actors appear shy... (why because you can't hear anything from the movie).... you get shocked a couple of times.. not because of the movie.. but because of the sudden laughter beside you... you get to hear the conversation going on (not a bit related to the movie, and your not even part of this chatter)... suddenly you realize you are wasting your time and start walking out of the room... everyone asks you... "where are you going, the movie is not finished yet".... (do you all even have to ask ! gosh...) and you tell them.. just call me when you are done watching... (as if they were watching) and they all realize what's happening... and they all just laugh out.. and say "ok just go on watching the movie" (as if I'm still in the mood to watch a movie now)

So "do you even have to ask" why you should watch a movie alone @ home... guess not ! =P Ciao

P.S. I really believe it is nice to have someone with you when watching a movie, why? coz you could discuss the movie with them afterwards... you have someone with you ... but sometimes... it's really annoying... when they are not there to watch the movie with you... (hey i'm ok with the occasional chatter... its actually part of the fun when you are watching a movie with someone =) )