My 2008 in Calendar Moments: The 2nd Half of the Year

Alrighty.. so here's part 2 of my year 2008 Calendar Moments based on how I remembered those memories.. I know this recollection is a bit too late, I actually had this composed a long time ago.. couldn't find the time to post it really.. so here goes:



July- Spent the day in Jayson’s pad with inkie and luvkosileah with Mr. A in tow. Saw some snippets of my very first rompy video. Getting bored and self pitying over my orphaned status at work. Had an argument over a laptop which led me to slam down the phone but ended up seeing a back to back movie, a dinner charged to a credit card and being vulnerable by opening up to things until the wee hours of the morning over affordable iced coffees that lead me to understand him better .
Celebrated Cornkernel’s birthday by going to Rockwell, local stargazing, and watching The Dark Knight – a movie which we sat through the entire 2 hour run despite the nagging calls of nature.



August – got hooked into Twilight. Was reading an online copy of it while chatting with Mr. A via ym not knowing that a few hours after wards, I will get one of the most devastating phone calls of my life. I remember my mom waking me up, panic in her voice saying that someone from SOCO was on the phone about a certain Rue Ann.
My mom was already scared since she knows that SOCO is synonymous with bad news. I brushed the idea off and walked over the phone thinking that Jaggy might just be stranded somewhere. I was wrong. Jaggy was found murdered somewhere in a place I’ve never heard of and I was the first one to know about it. With that triggered the series of events that until now,are still vivid in my mind. . I remember speaking with the officer on the other line asking him if this was a scam or a joke. I remember Inkie calling me on my cellphone right after putting the phone down, like it was on queue of a next act telling me that Jaggy’s workmates are texting her because Jaggy didn’t show up for work. I remember calling Mr. A about it and suddenly crying and asking him to accompany me since my mom doesn’t want me to go to the police station alone. I remember calling Eryll about it and thinking how could I explain the reason why I needed her help in getting in touch with her relatives in far away Gen San. The travel to the ayala mrt station, crying along the way. Was thinking if all of it was just a bad dream. Also remembered if we should break the news to Katqt since it dawned to me that it was her birthday on that same day too. Well, we won’t certainly forget her birthday anymore. Saw the purpose of the freedom in my work schedule during that time since I was able to help out with the things that needs to be fixed during that tragedy. Maybe that’s the real reason why I remained a floating employee. All of us had sacrficed something during this moment: Family, Time, work, career opportunities. Made me appreciate life and the people around me even more. Was sleepless during the entire wake. Got into a row with a company lawyer and a wannabe manager. More tears and a few fears during the aftermath. We will certainly miss her forever.
Back to work, got into trouble with Mark of Helpdesk involving my pc files getting into a restricted account’s pc. Ended up sending apology emails to Mr. A’s supervisor and one of the TM’s in my former account. Lost a few more sleep over that too since I was worried that Mr. A would get a warning for that. Which luckily, he didn’t.


September - Still the highest paid tambay with night differential to boot.
Celebrated the monumental 5 year mark in PS where I finally got
my Kenneth Cole watch.
Getting bored but still entertained with my odesk job and my seatmate, trainer Socki. There’s still Mr. A ofcourse, who always bombards me with text messages and calls as to where the heck am I at past 11pm. Sinisterbucks really did a small favor for me which I will be forever thankful for. Mr. A flew to Singapore , leaving me to catch up on my sleep most of the time during shift. This was also the month where I last talked to my sister after a mix up with her in-laws. Celebrated Jaggy’s 40 days by rounding up the the rest of the Troopers for mass and get together where everyone wore green. Received a Notice to Explain letter from HR for allegedly not showing up for an account interview. Thank goodness for that email, it saved my behind! Winnie’s Gelo was baptized and attended cool_amy’s babyshower. Also had a glee time in watching Kc and Richard’s For the First Time with CarmTeng who we rarely saw due to her busy, busy schedule.








October – Still diddly daddlying over my idle time. Thinking that I should be given an award for the employee who’s been floating for the longest time (then realized that someone has already beaten me to it. Darn!). My online job was suspended during this time. Probably due to the recession that the US was having. Ideas of working abroad already fleeting in my mind. Had plans of resigning by December. Celebrated Mr. A’s birthday, along with Sinisterbucks’. Cool_amy also gave birth to her daughter, Andie. Most of the Troopers were planning a Boracay trip in which I really didn’t have any plans of going but due to the generous funding of Cornkernel for my one way ticket, I gave in. This was also the month where my beloved K800i was lost in a bus ride home. Grieved for it for one week by crying. Was robbed while sleeping in the sleeproom on the same week. Was thinking that I’m probably the most jinxed person in earth that time and that God must be punishing me for my sins. Thanking Mr. A in those times that he was convincing me I was not and for cheering me in his own sweet but bullish way. Lent me Copper for the meantime (his 8210.. oldie but reliable phone) . Was a bit worried of being laid off after news flew around that all floating employees will be given the axe if still accountless by Nov. 1. Also thought that it would be convenient on my part since I will probably get a large sum of separation benefits that would answer all my money problems. Was already computing how much I’ll be getting when I got a call from HR saying that I already have an account – darn! Want to thank lovekosileah and Jayson for all the favors that they did for me during this month. This was also the month where the infamous I have a friend poem of mine was aired in a birthday special that Astrobabe made for Sinisterbucks. Hayz!

November- went on a 4 day trip to Boracay. Forgot my pocket money and ended up having Mr. A covering for me for the rest of the trip. Had a bit of a misunderstanding with him along the way. It was also during this trip that he learned that his brother passed the Chem Eng boards and this lead him to his plan of pursuing his PT career by taking up the boards next year. Told me that he wouldn’t be resigning in December after all which lead me to think, ‘ Hey, I guess I’ll be on my own.. but what the heck, I would rather know that you took the damn exams and will learn that you had aced it by searching for your name on the internet because I’m already half way across the world. ‘ It was a bit of an issue for me for several weeks and I really don’t know why. Went back to morning shift for Client Specifics training for RD. Met new people, one of them was my seatmate for the entire training course, gulliver7890 of HR, who made me laugh with his side comments along with the thought that what a waste he was gay. Saw myself five years ago thru the newly grad kids who were the rest of my classmates in Training. Spent the extra hour after class everyday, composing my detailed email replies for Mr. A about the things that I want to share to him for that day. Since we had completely different work schedules , the only time we get to see each other then was when he gets off from work, he would pass by our training room to wave goodbye to me. Watched a concert of a guy who was an AI runner up with Sinisterbucks at Glorieta where I was a bit irritated at first since we were standing the whole time but ended up enjoying it anyway because we were situated near the production box and I got to see how they operated the sound effects and all. Also had a night of guy talk with him, no alcohol involved. Cool_ Amy’s Andie was baptized and we all headed out to watch Twilight while having a phone conference with CarmTeng where everyone greeted her an advance happy birthday.

December- Started my return as a supervisor on the floor. My days of bumming around were over. Back to GY shift again. Had a bit of a time adjusting since I have to fend off for myself for a while.. but thanks to some helpful colleagues, I’m now managing ok . Had a problem though with getting to know my direct reports. Seems that people around don’t know each other that well. Started the series of Christmas shopping days where me and Mr. A would immerse ourselves in staying past our bedtime to shop for gifts. Usually had like 3 hours of sleep during these days. Had the annual Trooper Christmas Party celebration where we had a lunch and movie gimmick just like the old days. Watched a movie starring Keanu Reeves where I soundly slept through it and I actually woke up after the movie ended.. Darn! Attended the Aegis PS Christmas Party.. Same old same old there.. We didn't get to win anything..again! Saw an old highschool friend of mine where we had a quick exchange of where is who and who is doing what while he accompanied me while I finish off my last minute Christmas shopping. Spent Christmas eve at work. Got a beautiful silver bracelet and a mini lion stuffed toy on top from Mr. A. Very generous gift! Supported the local movie industry by watching Ang Tanging Ina ninyong Lahat.

Saw my sister again after going AWOL for 3 months.
She bought along Salem, who stayed with us for several days. Dad was also at home and there was an instance where we were complete as a family again.
Spent New Year's Eve at work. Didn't get to see any fireworks.. and, I was in a sup call when the clock struck twelve! Great! So does that mean I'll be having these sup calls all year round??! Happy New Year to Everyone! Mr. A and I went to church to say thanks and say a lil prayer for Jaggy's birthday.. had our very first new year's lunch where I got to get a glimpse of Dexter's final episode via Alliepod.. I wouldn't go and describe the rest of the details,since 2009 has already began.. and 2008 was just like last night's shift.




So there we go folks.. My 2008, as far I can remember it. It's been a whirlwind of a year and one important thing that I have learned from 2008: Life is short.. the people around you may not be the same people who you'll be with tomorrow, things can change in a blink of an eye.. so you must make every second worth it. I know it's a cliche, but I guess, it wouldn't make such an impact if you haven't had anything to relate it to. I had lots last year.. and I learned it the hard way, and with this, I would like to say thank you to the people who have helped me in surviving it. By opening my eyes to new views and perspectives, and by adding more reasons for me to be thankful everyday. Though, I'm fairly worried what 2009 may bring, I know that I still have to brave each passing day as the new year progresses.. And with the Latin saying, Carpe Diem.. I end this recollection of my 2008 memories and will hope everyone will always live their lives to its fullest.

My 2008 in Calendar Moments: Part 1

I know I haven't blogged for the longest time. It's either I had the inspiration to write but was not near a pc or my doodle pad, and when I did get to one, all the thoughts that I want to let out were already gone, or I really didn't feel like writing (Haha.. that's what I call a lazy mind!).

I was only jolted into writing again when I realized that I have frequent spells of forgetfulness these past few weeks, the last one was just a few moments ago when I can’t remember what I was supposed to do next while browsing the web and shifting to my desktop. I got a lil scared. Is this a symptom of dementia or alzheimer’s or my memory is just getting poorer as a sign that I’m I’m truly growing old, or my mind just warps faster before I act.. Whatever the cause maybe, this reeled me into at least making a sort of a record book of the things, moments , feelings and ideas that continue to shape me as to what I am today. So when I’m old and I’m clouded with dementia or old age, I have something to look back to and say.. ‘My, I led a very colorful life! ‘

As the whole world already rung the new year away by now, I will begin by making up for the things that happened to me back in 2008 that I wasn’t able to record, while I can still clearly remember them in my own way..


January –After celebrating the new year in my aunt’s place in Fairview, I began my first month of being the highest paid bum in PS. Spent my working days supervising a group of agents who are floatees since my old account moved to Cebu (just made sure that they show up for work and sign the roster), surf aimlessly, chat with Mr. A via YM and on the phone. I also remember that this was the month where we began our gastronomical adventures by eating at different restaurant every night after shift. We mostly conquered the Indian ones. My sister also got married and gave birth to her first son – Alexis Mikhail. We call him Salem.


February – Still floating. Still doing the same thing everyday except I was given an extra task to make myself useful by helping out with the QA work for PPC Cebu. I remember that this was the month Sinisterbucks resigned from work.. (or was it January or March?). Valentine’s Day.. got a long stemmed rose in a box with an orange bow from Mr. A, along with a kiss in the cheek (all together now.. awww..!). Gave him a bunch of his fave chocolates. Sweet no?


March – Still floating..
Most of the agents already went to their own accounts by this time . That only left me and one agent who are still orphans. Employees who are uncategorized in HRIS. Spent my days researching for the upcoming trip that we will be having in April. Withstood the long lines of applying for an SSS ID and passport. Applied for my first government loan(s) and struggled with my hair. I must had like 4 haircuts during this month.. Haha.

April- Went abroad to HK and Macau- my first unsupervised out of the country trip. Learned a lot of traveller’s tips – the hard way. Saw a lot, Walked a lot on our first night in Macau. Got a panic attack on our first night in HK (we fell asleep laughing). Had a foot race in Disneyland’s garden. Got a bit testy with each other on our last day over a broken mirror and flimsy lies. Cried in the lounge of the Venetian and ended up going back to Manila, limping and still together (whew!) Who am I with?
That would be left unnamed.

Learned that cool_amy’s expecting by accident. Learned to be tactful when dealing with such situations. Winnie gave birth to her own bundle of joy, Gelo.


May – Nadj_urbandove and Katqt flew to Malaysia on their own to compensate for the trip that they weren’t able to join the previous month.Celebrated my birthday (along with cool_amy’s) with a surprise bash in Max’s restaurant. Was also surprised by the return of Cornkernel from his voluntary exile in SG. Got a lot of gifts (thanks guys!) Got an online job thru odesk to make use of the idle time I had as a floatee, got to talk to some new people but usually spent my shifts alone since Mr. A started working GY again. Always rushing in the morning to come to work so we could have atleast breakfast together. My online job ends at 2am and I have to get up at 6am to make it on time..so that leaves me sleeping most of time in the afternoons. Haha..


June- Since my online job and social life really took the toll on my sleeping time, I decided to go back to GY, with the inspiration coming from Melvin’s work hours during which he came to work on a gy shift for the night diff when he was still part of the floating crew. Co-Organized Astrobabe’s birthday which was celebrated in Dampa for the 2nd time in a row. Saw Jaggy for the last time (sob!) in which a cloud of sadness was noticeable in her demeanor that day. Got a bit tipsy and was laughing aloud all the way out of MOA






To be continued since blogger already spent an all nighter uploading and changing another multiply page.

Cancelled!

Cancelled Trip2,
originally uploaded by intheloo.

Well.. we're supposed to go to the Manila Ocean Park today, even after all the other folks have cancelled last Sunday.. but I haven't heard anything from my supposed to be companion since we talked yesterday so I guess we're not goin..

I am a bit disappointed since I really wanted to see this.. but he said that we should wait until the place is complete so we would really get our money's worth..

Well.. he has a point there.. but I sure wish the next trip wouldn't be like this..

Harry's Last Stand

Right now, I'm taking a short break from reading the final book from the Harry Potter series : Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. I'm actually down to Chapter 11 and I'm really finding the whole story full of adrenaline rush with all the close calls and attacks the characters have to go through during the first few chapters. Whew! Don't worry, I'm not going to spill the beans or anything. It would be best if you would be reading it for yourself, right? I must admit that I'm torn between trying to finish everything today before I go back to work tomorrow early morning, or just relishing each line (just like what Rednax must be doing!) since this would be the last time that I would ever read anything new about the most popular wizard in the world. I remember the first time I came across the story of Harry Potter and his magical world. I was in college then and I was already hearing about the craze about it. I first saw the movie.. I was awed and it made me want to buyt the first 3 books then. But not until I read the Goblet of Fire, which I really want to thank my former sweetheart, who graciously and unselfishly lent me the book to read, even though he was not done with it yet and his brother might kill him for lending it to someone. It became my favorite book in the series and I was hooked.

FACt: I have never bought a single Harry Potter book in my life. Yeah, I actually read all of them, and we even have all but the Goblet book, (most of them were acquired by my sister, and their British copies to boot! and Order of the Phoenix was bought by my sister). But I will buy my own copy, and am prepared to shell out 1305 bucks for a hardcopy since this would be the last book..

Oh well, back to reading.. "Accio, book!" hehe.