The one with the pictures

Memory is the worst enemy. A simple peace sign on a picture, a favorite hobby, the most intricate design printed on a bag or even 2 friends walking on the street can take you to a walk down memory lane in an instant. Funny, it had to happen today when I'm in the middle of making a huge decision for my non-existent career.

After a looong conversation with my former office mates over the phone, I sat on the computer while waiting for another page to load. Right before I was able to reach my destination, I saw her again. How could I possibly miss it when she had flooded almost the entire page with comments to everyone except me? Well, she sent me something else. A bear with a puppy love caption. Is this the only message she can give me after not getting in touch for almost 6 years?

I waited for 5 seconds, 10 then a minute. Do I click on Accept or Ignore? ACCEPT or IGNORE? I think I mentioned it in my head for 5 minutes because I lost track of time staring into space. Finally, I clicked on accept before I change my mind. In my head, I keep hearing "Delete account" and "Delete her on friend's list" but my conscience got the best of me and I simply went ahead and finished what I started. My guts are telling me to logout yet I saw myself clicking on each one of her photos to satisfy my curiosity.

After several albums, I wanted to stop and close the whole IE window. Something told me to keep viewing all of them until I browsed the last picture. I saw her with her family. She was smiling like her usual bubbly mode but she can't fool me.

She had a lot of dreams. She's the type of person who has plans and executes them as she sees fit to ensure that everything goes smoothly or perfectly. I am happy knowing that she grabbed opportunities and succeeded in them. I can see that she seemed content with her life. It's just that there are some dreams that you never dared to broadcast out loud and I can sense that she had one which had not happened the way she planned them.

As much as I'd want to pick the pieces and get back where we left off, it's almost the same as finding separated shredded papers from a garbage bag full of them.

Her pictures said a thousand words but one of them is for sure...I'm no longer part of her life.

The question that I'm asking myself is, do I delete her or do I delete myself in cyberspace again to move on with my life?

The one with the fun times

For someone who's been unemployed for almost a month now, I've been busy.

TOP 10 FUN TIMES from the last few weeks (delayed updates to my so-called life):

1) seeing the plush forestry in Loboc River, Bohol, while my century-old buddy and I were on top of a floating raft/restaurant
2) smelling the fresh air with "some" photo shoots and videos on Tops and Mountain View, Cebu with COB
3) staring at the Tarsier's eyes and realizing it's not the same eyes on the souvenir wallet; simply breathtaking although I was scared at first
4) staying in a cheap hotel then switching rooms due to numerous problems; never thought it would be fun at that time but the aircon was so "futuristic" that my friend and I had to move the bed right in front of it!
5) people-watching while sipping some coffee with our knees bent sitting from the stairs in Ayala Center, Cebu
6) played bowling w/ Dad and some close friends from work
7) driving lesson w/ Dad in a strip near Mall of Asia
8) neverending talk about food/service of restos and latest gossips during dinner w/ dear cousin and the rest of the family
9) watching my cousin M sing at the top of her lungs on a choir contest in Lipa - won 2nd place!=)
10) walking the streets of Batangas with the cold wind caressing my face and then stopping by to buy the famous puto bungbong and bibingka-missed it!

Now I can go back to hating the One Tree Hill DVD that can't be played from the laptop...that's why I don't expect a lot-it prevents disappointments like this one. Okay, it's a sign for me to sleep.

Nighty night!

The one with the first day of freedom

I'm finally free from being a slave of my company! Hooray!

To celebrate it, my bestfriend and I are going to Cebu.....our first trip together outside our safe worlds.

To be honest, I'm really excited about it...on all of my trips (usually w/ a family member/relatives), this is the first time that I packed the day prior to my flight with a checklist in hand to make sure I don't forget anything. 10% of me is a bit nervous-- well, because both of us are not big fans of "directions".

I'm sure we'll get past it though, because we're blessed with luck and a great deal of patience. And of course, a lot of excitement is running through our veins so whatever happens, I'll just cross my fingers and hope for the best!

Wish us luck! ☺

The one with the commendation from a stranger

I'd love to do a kangaroo-jump right now. I can't-- so let's just settle with that little picture as a visual aid. It had been a long time since I was insanely HAPPY.

Well, I'm a simple person who can be pleased by simple things. Whoever said that money can't buy happiness is a genius.

I received a commendation from a stranger that I've talked to for an hour about the installation of a security software on his PC. I honestly don't know what I'm doing but it somehow worked and he asked to speak to my boss about it. I didn't even notice the time because while I was waiting for him (almost the entire time), I was chatting with a friend of mine at work about the usual stuff -- meaning: the latest gossips about who resigned, how many hours will be required for OT, who dates who, who ruined your day and who made you smile like a cat when he walked your way.

Another big surprise, a guy from work posted a big smile to me on the general chat tab. Well, it was noted right after I made a "hate" remark about my missing personal drive because I am a damsel in distress without it (or rather all of the content of the precious drive). I transform into a mad woman when I can't find the toll free number for this and that in a minute so it's not very hard to imagine. Time is valued greatly in my line of work so every minute counts, even seconds!

The last surprise was...

I saw him while my friend (same one that I've been chatting with earlier) and I are waiting for a cab. My ever-lucky friend saw him first; he smiled at us and I guess I almost froze where I was standing because I looked like a stressed workaholic waving my cigarette in the air in mid-sentence. I almost lost my composure and memory while I was telling a horrific tale (from one of my unavoidable calls) to my friend.

He's nice and helpful at work (it's his duty and obligation to help us when necessary given his position) but I don't really like him because he looks arrogant and self-absorbed. When I saw him with his friends (creepy guys) in the elevator, he looks like he's part of their gang. They're the type of guys who can undress you with a wink. He fits the part- he's bald and has a goatee. No offense to those people who look like him but this is a simple observation of a simple girl.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not saying that all guys who are bald and has a goatee are evil. I don't discriminate people based from looks- let's just say, this is my initial impression of him based from his physical appearance and their behavior at work. I am not a judgmental person. I'm a great believer of people having their own good qualities concealed and buried on their inner being. It may only require a lot of digging for some but it's always there to be discovered in due time.

Let's move along...

In addition, I'm no longer late for work for the last couple of days -- a vast improvement on my very appealing attendance record. This calls for a celebration. My cellphone's ringing and friends kept texting me to come over and have a drink but I'm almost asleep so I'll book that for the next earliest opportunity. Okay, I forgot I'm so thirsty...

My aunt called and being the tech support gal in the family, I always help her with her internet connection. I adore her deeply which eliminates all possible excuses of not paying her a visit since we're both in Manila. Tomorrow would be soon enough. I need some sleep.

So much for a relaxing afternoon without using a phone. I'll settle with juice for now. ☺