A Series of unfortunate events and a fortunate one (Guadalupe style)

The following are my journal entries, saved in my notebook.

Sunday night, I ran to Jollibee to get something for dinner. Once I got in the tricycle on the way home, I saw a purse on the seat. I reluctantly grabbed it and thought of what to do with it. I should come up with a decision before I reach home. After I stepped out of the tricycle, I asked the driver who was his last passenger, he could not answer my question. He was wondering why, I could tell. I told him I saw a purse. I told him if ever the owner would ask him, just direct him/her to my aunt’s store and I’ll leave it with them. He did not agree with my idea. I stressed further but he won. He took the purse but before I gave it to him I opened to see how much was in it – just to make sure. He said “’Wag mo nang buksan baka…” Whatever!!! I opened it and saw couple of bills and other tickets. Finally, I gave it to him. I told him “Ikaw nang bahala dyan ha.” He assured me but I didn’t trust him actually coz he’s a rude guy. He used to eat at the store and he’s airy. So went inside and again I shouted “Bahala ka na dyan” for his conscience.
After that night, I heard nothing about him or the purse.
I don’t really know if what I did to the wallet was the right thing or not. If I chose to keep it, it wouldn’t be right either.
***

I can remember that afternoon when my sister and I went to Guadalupe. While we were in the jeepney, few street children came and they begged for some money. We ignored them and guess what they did…they spat on us, on my sister…really beyond description.
***

Few more trips to Guadalupe and I saw these street kids inhaling rugby and smoking. I wanted to report it to the police nearby but didn’t have time to. I wonder if they could do something to keep those kids from such unfortunate situation.

Happy thoughts, silly thoughts

OK, let's make fun of me (laughing).

Oh by the way, let me admit that I am clumsy at times. Even at my age. Call me silly or whatever but I like it when I get to laugh at my silliness. One day, at the Renaissance Hotel, I was gonna go down to the reception area to meet a delegate. I was with two guys (my co-worker's cousin and a friend). I was texting while walking up and down the hotel because of some important matters regarding the event. When the elevator stopped at the 5th floor (if i were not mistaken), this caucasian lady came in. I was still texting and unmindful of what was going on. The elevator opened, the lady went out and I did, too. When I was already outside the elevator, I couldn't tell where I was. I looked here and there and finally realized I was yet at the second level. Ayayay!!! Good thing my guys that time didn't close the elevator, yet. They waited for me I guess??? Hahaha

And when I got back in, they were both laughing at me hahaha. I didn't feel embarrassed. It's just that the boys laughed at me and they sorta had a great time with my faux pas and they can't forget it nor they can forget me because of it. Ask them who is SHE and they'll tell you this story.
***
Here's another one...during one of those stressful nights at the Renaissance, we headed somewhere to do something. Know what I mean? I was with two officemates, one was a guy driving the car. We talked about "someone" who we found out was so way unfortunate than us in terms of accommodation. Hahaha we were gonna get a room, one for each of us but this guy? No. He's nowhere to be found that night. We felt SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO dang better after all the misfortunes we had when he was around because of what Cherry Blossom did for us. So we rejoiced by shouting our hearts out loud inside the car while we're running Buendia Avenue. Hahaha such a good feeling!!! Those two who were with me on that night won't forget that special moment shared just between us and the car. I think that's silly of me but it's fun. I loved the feeling.

***

One time during the event, I happened to be the one requesting the hotel's kitchen crew to send some food to the boardroom coz we didn't have real meal, yet. I could already breathe then and loosen up a little because we were half done with the activitiy. So I became a little talkative and tactless maybe due to lack of sleep and everything. I called the veggie salad "dahon" and they were all laughing hehehe crazy me...

***

When I'll have more time, I'll write more about my silliness.

26, 27

Friday (June 6, 2008) – I received this memo about a seminar I had to attend on my birthday. My plan to be absent on the 10th of June wouldn’t happen. I thought of ways to get away with it but couldn’t come up with one. I also learned that I could have had filed a birthday leave (should I have known earlier that I am already entitled) and filed 10 working days before it. Sucks!

Like what I told my husband, I would just think that something good will happen on my birthday that would be as good as a birthday gift or maybe equivalent to having a day off.

After 5pm, I headed to the mall. Had dinner with my officemate and finally went to the see a movie by myself – Sex and City supposedly but it wasn’t available anymore so I ended up watching Indiana Jones just for the sake of staying away from home and the kids.

I went home after that and then I found out Lolo Pedyong passed away. I couldn’t take it right away so I cried where I was – on the floor. So sad. I missed him and I feel guilty for not visiting him even on his last day, guilty for not giving in to his invites to visit them in Laguna. Damn! Why can I have time and lots of money at the same time so I could do all things that I would be sorry about. But like what my husband told me, I can’t beat myself up about it because it’s a reality in life.

Then I finally slept.

Saturday (June 7, 2008) - I woke up late after going back to bed from practice. Missed my morning coffee coz I was so tired to get up. Then I heard my aunt and her daughters planning to go to Laguna for lolo Pedyong’s viewing. In fairness with my father, I felt bad because she told me we were gonna go there Sunday. Since one of her daughters is “going back home to the province the next day”, they decided to go there today.

I got up and asked her about it so I would know if my father and I will be taking the bus going to Laguna by ourselves. She said they were gonna go using the car. So, I assumed they’re going by themselves. There won’t be space for anyone else in the car. She told me to go with them but I told her there won’t be space for me anymore. Still, I reached Laguna that day. I can say that the trip was agonizing because of the three kids with us. I had my feet stepped on many times and if I could carry all three of them at the same time in different places, I could have done that. I was carrying the other kid coz he asked to, then the other one would cry and pull me to somewhere else, and the other would ask me if it’s her turn to be carried, yet. It was a crazy day!

We reached Laguna and I saw Lolo. I felt the sad and cried.


Sunday (June 8, 2008) – I can’t remember much about my Sunday. All I remember is that on that day there would be 10 kids and more people in the house.

What’s clear till now is that it was a noisy day in the house. In the afternoon, I went to church to attend a meeting but I had to go back home even before it was halfway done. My bad I brought with me a kid.

Monday (June 9, 2008) – Monday is a holiday. I woke up late to avoid babysitting the kids. I waited everybody to leave the house before I got up from bed. I cleaned the house, had coffee, consumed my cellphone load to have someone go with me anywhere to spend the holiday. Unfortunately, no one could so I ended up going to the mall by myself. I had my late lunch at KR because somebody didn’t cook rice no more since her bosses left. The meal wasn’t that great but I was and am very thankful for that wonderful one.

I went to Taguig to visit my family there. I bought them merienda. Hung out for a few hours and went home to wash my clothes and prepare for the next workday.

I sneaked into the house via the kitchen entrance. I had to avoid the kid so I could spend time for myself. I had a lot to do – wash and press my clothes…a lot more. Holla! My cousin’s wife was at the kitchen so I could hide no more. The kid saw me and that consumed all my spare time. I wanted to cry.

Tuesday (June 10, 2008) – Prepared for work cramming and upset with my husband. I wasn’t able to prepare my stuff the night before because of the kid, upset because yesterday morning when I wanted to talk to him, he wasn’t home. He was out biking and he didn’t tell me beforehand. It pissed me off.

I made it to the seminar. It went ok. I received a number of text messages (greetings for my birthday). I went home at around 5pm to supposedly wash my clothes but the plan to go out pushed through.

Me-An and I went out for my birthday. Destination? Greenbelt and Glorietta for dinner, movie, walk, chat. It was a simple night. Wendy’s dinner, ran against time to catch the last full show of Sex and the City, tea at Starbucks in G4, then finally Sex and the City (the best consolation for me on my birthday after all the misfortunes in the past few days). Loved it!

Went home passed 1am and slept at 2am.

Wednesday (June 11, 2008) - I woke up at 4:35am for practice. Went home at 6:10 I think, slept again and woke up after an hour, then headed to work again.

__________________________________________

The look of a friend who’s so willing to catch you when you’re at your lowest.

“Thine yours…
thine mine…
thine ours.”
-Beethoven

Losing Lolo

Lolo Pedyong passed away. I came home from watching a movie when I learned about the sad news. Thursday night, lola Virgie texted me saying that lolo was hospitalized. I didn't have load to reply and I didn't wanna think that the situation was that serious so I just slept. The next day I told my tiya about it. Then when I came home last night, tiya said he just passed away. I didn't even had a chance to talk to him for the last time and ask him how he's doing. I'm really gonna lolo. I wish I had so much time so I could have visited him more often.

I could have seen him dance. I could have seen more of his smiling face and learned more about his business plans. I could have learned more about our big family - the MAAGHOP's.

"Just want to let you know that I am leaving Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 10:30 p.m., to attend my Uncle Elpidio's Funeral on Saturday, 1 p.m. in Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines. Uncle Elpidio Maaghop was a WWII veteran. He worked as a scout with the Filipino 'guerillas' assisting the American soldiers fighting the Japanese invaders in our small island of Pilar, Camotes, Cebu. Though he was not yet given the recognition and benefits for his honorable service, he deserve respects for his courageous service. He also served in Vietnam, working for an engineering company, and came home as a refugee after the war. He also influenced many of us to aspire for greater heights of success in life as he himself venture outside of our island and country to find the illusive dream. He is survived by his wife Virginia and eight children (three of whom are half Vietnamese.)"

- Elena Maaghop-Brady (my aunt)

MUSIC APPRECIATION

I'm here now at work - filing since we just declared "Independece Day" hehehe. Boring but thanks, Monster Radio for "pumping" the music. Coffee and RX is a good combo to keep me going.

I've been hooked to RX since I first worked in a publicity agency which was office-based. RX was with me all day at work. With it, I learned to appreciate music even more. How I love pop music now.

When I last went to Malate with my workmates to de-stress, I learned how powerful music is! I've been longing to feel the vibe of loud music though we're restricted to go in such places as bars. It's not my lifestyle but I really love music. And Monster Radio RX 93.1 is perfect for modern music lovers.

Music...I love it pumpin' loud!

Going International

This is it! This is the event that served as my "initiation" as a Planning Officer. Technically, it's the second time that I got involved with a CITYNET-sponsored workshop/seminar. The first time was in November 2007 in ADB when I served as Registration staff which I found was a very great experience. I mean great because I love dealing with foreign people. I just love it.

Never had I thought that I would be the last and only person from our office to work on the logistics of this event. Credits for the guidance of my boss and for tapping me, God knows the truth behind it.

Never thought I could make it. Never thought I could work almost 24/7 for almost a week. Never thought that some obstacles could possibly be resolved in the name of this event.

There were many nightmares but eventually everything paid off well. The delegates/participants were very nice. The experience in dealing with them was absolutely unforgettable. Surprising and rewarding experiences from May 10-14 and May 16-17, 2008 are very well treasured.

This event just made me very proud of myself and my profession. I just did another thing that I can say is another best of me.

Thanks to the Lord, who did not let go of me even for a second nor made me trip. Thanks for the once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Gratitude secretly expressed for my bosses - who trusted and expected a lot from me - and openly for my officemates specially Anna and to all new friends who came along the way. Thanks for the overall experience and the FUN!

Thanks for being nice, Makati and it's humble servants. Thanks to all nice delegates. You all made it another life-improving experience to me.