It's a biggie doggie

He weighed 18 kilos from his last check-up. I don't know how much he weighs nowadays. Probably 20 kilos. I didn't expect him to grow this big! Or maybe this is the normal size for his breed. Oh well. This pose was on top of my bed, where he hops at night and sleeps a bit at the foot of the bed. Sometimes I find myself awaken by him when I stretch my legs and then may nakaharang na pala. Perhaps I should buy a bigger bed? Note to self: put on the wish list - a semi-double bed or a double bed?

I got

I got myself a doggie in February. An impulse buy actually. I didn't think much of the responsibilities that came with it but nevertheless, I should own up to it. Ha! The breed I got is Shar Pei. His name is Botski. His birthdate is 10 December 2010. Today, he doesn't look like this anymore. Huge na. Though he's getting more obnoxious everyday, I heart him much. He's part of the family na!

I want

The Pug is a toy dog breed with a wrinkly face and medium-small body. The breed is often summarized as multum in parvo ("much in little"), describing the Pug's remarkable personality despite its small size.

The word "pug" may have come from the Old English pugg or "puge", which were affectionate terms for a playful little devil or monkey. Pug puppies are often called puglets.

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tagged by Preggy

Two names you've gone by:
Becky & Bex

Two things I’m wearing right now:
brown tube and Havs

Two things I (hope to) have in a relationship:
maximum tolerance and acceptance

Two of my favorite things to do:
munching and sleeping

Two things you did last night:
I watched the Ateneo MBA graduation and played Text Twist

Two people you last talked to:
Jowee and Jo

Two things you’re doing tomorrow:
Be on time for work and play badminton

Two longest car rides:
Baguio and Morong, Mariveles

Two favorite holidays:
Christmas and New Year

Two favorite drinks:
Watermelon shake and dalandan juice

Two things about me you may not have known:
I had a pet rabbit and I don't know how to swim.

Two jobs I’ve had in my life:
Technical Assistant and McDonald's crew

Two movies I would watch over and over:
Sister Act and American President (favs of my sister so nakikinood na lang ako)

Two favorite foods:
Lately, flat tops and marshmallows...

Two places I’d rather be right now:
Skopelos. Greece and Amanpulo

Almost (but not quite) shot at Real Living magazine fame

Two years ago, I wrote Real Living magazine for a room make-over. The unanimous verdict for my room by friends, relatives and my landlord - a hopeless big mess! HMP to them! I'm disorganized, so what? It's genetic.... right? So, I joined the contest, sent a write-up with pictures of my room. A month had passed - nothing. A year had passed - nothing. Demmit! What is taking them so long? After two years..... what entry?

A few months ago, I received THE CALL. One of the mag's stylist, Issa, told me that they chose my room for a makeover to be featured on RL's June issue! I screamed!!! Well, actually, hindi naman... I was smiling from east to west! This is it, I told myself. Sa kada buwan na sasapit eh bili ako ng bili ng RL magazine, sa wakas! This is iiiiiiiiiiiiiit!

However, bigla akong may naalala... teka, wait-a-minit-ober-there, what room are we talking about? Reality check. Isang entry lang naman ang sinalihan ko at ito yung Makati room..... pero, saan na nga ba ako nakatira ngayon? Aaaaaaaargh! Sa Pasig na! Lumipat na nga pala ako! Waaaaaaaaaaaaa! Sadly, I told Issa my current situation and asked her if my entry is transferrable... ehem, nagbabakasakali lang naman ako. She turned down that idea and she was sorry that the room is not my current residence anymore. Sigh. Though my happiness was short-lived, I glowed from her compliment that the write-up I submitted was cute daw and caught her fancy. Here's the re-print and I owe the write-up to my best friend, chubby-wan. She writes very well and I forced her to come up with one to accompany the pictures I sent:

Becky the Bodegera (or The Warehouse Woman)

Once upon a time, there lived a woman... in a bodega. Her name is Becky. Due to the conditions of her abode, she was aptly called Becky the Bodegera by the outraged pristine public. This situation adversely affected Becky's health and social situation, and more importantly, hampered her love life (who has heard of a warehouse romance novel/movie). Through lots of prayer from Mommy and tremendous sacrifice, a truly perceptive man, called XXXX (the ex-bf), saw through all the clutter around Becky and ventured to offer his love (sigh!). Despite the overwhelming love XXXX (the ex-bf)had for Becky, however, his innate Pinoy machismo wouldn't allow him to conquer the clutter. Nevertheless, there is hope for those who choose life...there is an oasis in the desert...there is a woman behind every successful man...there is triumph in adversity...there is The Room Makeover in Manila! Salvation ito!

I felt like a winner na rin. Pampalubag-loob. At least, sa dami-dami kong sinalihan na contests at raffle draws sa talambuhay ko - muntik na akong manalo.

Almost, but not quite. Oh well.

Twenny questions

1. At what age do/did you wish to marry? In my late 20's but I'm 36 and still single. In fact, I am not sure if I want to get married at all. Ang sarap maging singleton e!

2. What color do you like most? - Red

3. If you can have a superpower, what would it be? - What Spiderman has

4. If you can travel anywhere in the world, where would you want to go? - Bora Bora

5. Which part of you that you have the most? - Butt

6. When you get sad, what do you do? - I doodle with my sketch book.

7. What are you afraid to lose the most? - My faith

8. If you win $1 million, what would you do with the money? - Pay off debts and treat my friends to Amanpulo

9. What do you love the most last year (2007)? - Riverfront Residences

10. What is your New Year's resolution? - To renew my fitness goals. Yeah, right.

11. What is the moment you regret most? - Not able to learn how to swim

12. What type of person do you hate the most? - Narrow-minded person

13. What is your greatest asset? My family and friends

14. If you had one wish, what would you wish for? - I wish our house in Bataan will be sold tomorrow.

15. How did you celebrate the New Year? - With my bestest friend at Hotel-Intercon. We watched X-men marathon!

16. Name the one body part your hubby or boyfriend tells you he adores. - Not applicable. I don't have a boyfriend nor a hubby.

17. It's 2008. What are you looking forward to this year? - Another year to grow up and to snap out of it.

18. Anything in your life that you wish weren't so awful? - I wish my cellulites weren't so awful looking.

19. What's the shallowest thing you intend to do this year? - Whiten my siko

20. What is the one thing you can't give up? - My bitchiness

Perspective

It happened to me many times - there are things said by a friend, a colleague, a boss, which struck a nerve. It can be positive, it can be negative. Depende na sa iyo. Here are some... how do you call it, thoughts or one-liners, which I encountered for the past weeks and gave me more... perspective.

"Friends should always give the benefit of the doubt and not take sides."
(Nasabihan ako ni Kumpare nito dahil kinampihan ko yung misis ng kumpare namin.)

"Dalawang bagay ang nagpapaandar sa mundo - pera at koneksyon."
(Kung alin ang meron ka, swerte mo! Kung parehong meron ka.... Hmp! )

"....kaya nga naging active ako this year sa mga clubs and I took up French class - para I have something to look forward to aside from work. It motivates me."(Tama nga sabi ni Doc, find your distraction so as not to dwell on things that gives you stress.)

"Don't take it personally."
(Frequent one-liner during performance review. Kahit masakit po ang nabitiwang salita - don't take it personally daw. Che! )

Peace be with you

Taken in Davao City last year. Chubby-wan was insistent to have the snake all over her. I didn't have the guts. I just made my usual "peace" sign on top of the snake's head.

First Beach-capade

Destination: Talipanan, Puerto Galera. No planning. No room reservation. No baon. No money. And we had fun!


Highlights of our trip:
Luca's - the only authentic Italian resto in Talipanan! Owned by an Italian and a Filipina. It has another branch in Sabang. Superbly delicious pasta and pizza! Big serving! Don't go there if you are super hungry and you want your food to be served fast. Give them a serving time of an hour after you order.


We made a couple of dog friends (Dogster, ika nga!) - a boxer in Talipanan and a Boston terrier in White Beach.



We stayed at Bamboo House Resort. Going rates were P800/night for a non-aircon, P1,500/night for an aircon room. It was a cool weather so we opted for the non-aircon. But, I haggled for P700/night muna. Binigay naman.


This was our second time to go to Talipanan. The first time was in 2004. We love this part of Puerto Galera because it's peaceful, less congested, pwede mag two-piece bathing suit kahit nahihiya kami, and most especially... may Luca's. Mahalaga ang masarap na kainan sa isang isla, you know.

Twelb Part Deux

As usual, I ride a tricycle to reach home. I sat down in the passenger seat.

Trykedriver: Saan po?
Me: Manong, sa San Juan. Dose.
Trykedriver: Ma'm, twelb?

Twelb

I know I have a hearing problem and am often teased about it by friends. And there are lots of tales about it as well! Hahaha! Pero, this time around, ako ang may upper-hand. HA!

Most of the time, I hitch with Reeyah on her way home to Boni Ave. I force her to pass by Kapitolyo first (such a true friend, that Reeyah girl). Anyways, she drops me off in the corner of Andok's in Kapitolyo. From there, I get a tryke to take me home. As I enter the tryke and sits comfortably, I have this exchange with the trykedriver:

Trykedriver: Ma'm, saan po kayo?
Me: San Juan po.
Trykedriver: Saan po?
Me: (in a louder voice) San Juan.
Trykedriver: Ahhhh.... anong number po?
Me: 12 (and I pronounce that as "twelb")
Trykedriver: Ahhhh..... sa 20 po ba?
Me: (talking to myself) Iho, medyo ang layo ata ng tunog ng twenty sa twelb?!! The!
Me: Ehem.... twelb nga. Dose.
Trykedriver: Ahhhh..... Dose.

Mind you, it happened not just once. I think about three times already and all instances, ibat't ibang driver! Ikaw, anong dinig mo kapag sabihin ko ang "twelb"?

Boss Tales #5

Boss returns from a business trip in Tokyo.
Boss: Here you go.... (as he handed me a neatly wrapped rectangular thin box)
Me: What's this? What's this?
Boss: It's food. Something edible.
Me: But what is it?
Boss: I don't know. Open it.
When I opened the box...
Me: What is this?!!
Boss: It's some kind of a pastry. One is green tea, one is peanut.
Me: How does it taste?
Boss: I don't know. That's why I asked you to open it. So that I can get to taste it, too!
Ayus. Yung pasalubong niya eh kakainin din pala niya.

Short-changing

Consumers hardly notice this but ako, hindi ko ito pinapalampas. I'm not a stingy person but what I'm fighting for is the principle of your money's worth. Yesterday, I bought meals at Mexicali. The cashier short-changed me 69 centavos. I called her attention. She re-counted the bills and coins she gave me - wondering what the hell I was talking about. Finally, it dawned upon her that I was waiting for the 69 centavos. She gave me 50 centavos. I insisted that it's still short. And she handed over another 25 centavos. Then, my Gabriela in me took over. I told her that she shouldn't short-change the customers and she doesn't need to be told to provide exact or above the amount. She is short-changing deliberately which pissed me off. Why am I pissed off? Last week, I was in Mexicali for meals. My total bill had a butal of 35 centavos. I gave the cashier an exact amount minus the 35 centavos. She told me, if I had 50 centavos (which made me wonder, bakit 50 centavos ang hinihingi?). So, I gave her 25 centavos. Sabi niya, "Ma'm kulang pa ito." Fine, I handed over 10 centavos. End of transaction.

My point is this - some establishments deliberately short-change the customers BUT customers have no right to do that. Customers must provide exact or a little above the amount. Pero, wala naman silang panukli. You might think that it's only a few centavos. Pabayaan ko na lang. No. At the end of the day, just think of the number of people they have short-changed - it amounts to thousands of pesos. Multiply it by 30 days, then 12 months. Voila! Additional income for them. In accounting terms, miscellaneous income ata yun. Pambili rin yun ng inventory, di ba? At the customer's expense! So, who's the winner here?

This is my personal advocate. I encountered the same with SM grocery stores, Wendy's, and other establishments who do not round off their retail prices to multiples of 25 centavos. That's why I carry a lot of 5 and 10 centavo coins. Nakakapagod din pagsabihan sila e. Kaya, ako na lang ang gumawa ng paraan.

Boss Tales #4

Exchange of text messages with Boss:
Boss: Becky, is my 9am meeting tomorrow or on the 25th?
Me: Is this a trick question???
Boss: No it isn't!!
Me: Relax! It's next week. Jeepers!
Boss: Aye ok :)
Me: :P high blood!

The Alphabet Tag

Long overdue tag from Oh My Captain ...
A- ge: 36
B-and: Maroon 5
C - areer: Making impossible things possible.
D - rink or Smoke: I drink (alcohol) occasionally.
E - asiest Friends To Talk To: Chubby-wan, Amazing Annie, HB circle, Superfriends
G - ummy Bears or Gummy Worms: Gummy bears... the red and green ones
H - Have a Boyfriend: Had a boyfriend
J - unk Food You Like: Oishi Potato Chips and Bench Potato Chips (which I think come from the same manufacturer)
K- ids: None from childbirth... I am not fond of them. The nearest would be Paco, my monster nephew.
L - ongest ride ever: From Manila to Baguio - where I normally puke during the ride.
N - ames For Your Future Kids: For a boy - Antonio Rafael
O - One Wish You Have Now: I wish our house in Bataan gets sold this year.
P - hobias: Undergoing an MRI.
Q - Favorite Quote: Live by your own standards.
R - easons To Smile: Penny Brown cookies, Dong-a gel pens, blog-hopping, pay day
S - leeping Hours: 10:00 pm - 5:59 am
T - ime You Wake Up: This is a tough one... usually, between 6:00 - 7:00 am
U - nknown Fact About You: I used my sister's toothbrush when I was desperate.
V - egetable You Hate: Peas
W- orst Habit: I love to clutter.
X - rays You've Had: Foot and Chest
Y - ummy Foods: Sicilian Salad, Pasta, Pizza, Adobo, Nachos, Gyoza
Z - odiac Sign: Aries

From hero to zero* (disguised as Boss Tales #3)

His flight is 1455. Via PAL. The last flight. Then, the phone rings at 1400.

Me: Yes? (I recognized his mobile number kaya astig ang pagsagot ko.)
Boss: Errrr.... can you check my table if my passport and the ticket are there...?
Me: Whaaaat?! You forgot your passport and ticket??!! (O diba, parang echo ang dating at inulit ko pa?)
Boss: Can you check, please?
Me: Okay, I'll call you back.
Click.

I hurried to his room and I realized I forgot the key to his room so I rushed back to my workstation, got his key and ran to his room. Alas! The passport and ticket were on his table! I called him up.

Me: (Shrieking) It's here! What do I do now???
Boss: Well.... I guess I'm going back to the office now. I can't leave without my passport and ticket.
Me: Well, are you still leaving? How about other flights? There are other flights!! (At this point, hindi naman halata na gusto ko siyang paalisin.) Via SQ?
Boss: Errrr.... even though I pursue a flight with another airline at this time... I think I need to have a passport and a ticket to fly out... that's why I'm going back to the office.
Me: (Realizing na tama siya at palpak ang suggestion ko) Hehehehehehe! That's true, boss! Hehehehehhe, okay, see you later.
After I hung up, napagisip-isip ko na paano nga naman siya makakaalis kung walang passport at ticket? Hehehehehe.

*Boss and I had e-mail exchanges about this fiasco. He coined the phrase. I e-mailed back saying that it's a good blog title! And the rest is history.

Boss Tales #2

Boss: Please ask BTI or Amexco for a quotation for Seoul on these days.... And get the cheapest flight, please. The cheapest!
Me: Mumbling to myself, "Yeah, yeah, yeah!"

After getting a quote from Amexco...
Me: Got a quotation from Amexco - it's $650 for Korean Air, including taxes. It's cheaper than Asiana, boss.
Boss: What?! Hmmmmm.... I didn't realize it's that expensive to go to Korea....
Me: Well, how much did you expect it to be??
Boss: Uhmmmm.... about $400?
Me: Heller. Korea is far, you know.
Boss: Better ask BTI... I'm sure they are lower... ok?

After getting a quote from BTI...
Me: BTI is more expensive! $670!
Boss: Whaaat??!!
Me: I guess Amexco gave a better rate, huh? So, I will book you then with Amexco.
Boss: Oh, alright... gee, how expensive.
Me: Well, it was cheaper last June! You should have traveled in June! BTI told me the rate was $475!
The boss just stared at me.
Me: What did I say??!!!
Boss: (his voice ooozing with sarcasm) Gee, I'm so happy to hear that!

I turned around and went back to my work station, mumbling, "Eh di ba naghahanap ka ng $400 na pamasahe......"

Sherwood Johnson and girl bonding

Since childhood, I've only known one pizza flavor at Shakey's - Friday Special. My father always orders this and he proclaimed na yun lang ang masarap na flavor. Since bubwit pa ako noon at ang tatay ko ang laging nagbabayad ng kinakain namin - it became my favorite, too. For me, the anchovies bring the zing in the pizza.

Lumaki na ako't lahat Friday's Special pa rin ang order ko when I eat at Shakey's. Shux, now ko lang na-realize baka ako naging chubby due to the pizzas I ate? Hindi naman siguro. Genetics play a part, too... I think. Until one night, I was introduced to.......Pepperoni Crrrunch!!! Yep, that's a triple r, not a typo error. To emphasize the crrrunchiness, I guess. And indeed, it was crrrunchy due to the fried potato strings as toppings. Masarap nga! No wonder Meyri and Cler were raving about it! Yun naman daw ang all-time favorite nila. It was a double treat of flavors because the other half of the pizza was a new flavor for me, too - Belly Buster!!! It has 11 toppings - beef, italian sausage, pepperoni, salami, mushrooms, green pepper and onion. Yes, I counted them all. Seriously.

Sigh.... two exciting pizza experience in one night! Not only that, the best "topping" of all was the camaraderie. It was a night of raves (about the pizza and the very bibo server) and rants (expectations, disappointments, insecurities). Don't you think pizza tops the list of comfort food? Hehehehe.

By the way, Sherwood Johnson was the founder of Shakey's Pizza. Let's spread the word on the greatest thin crust pizza in the world.

Boss Tales #1

The phone rings. Who could it be? It's him, calling from the land of No Chewing of Gum. "My roaming is not working here. Please call up Globe for me? I don't know what's wrong. Call me if you get to talk to them." Alritey. "Hello, Globe? Yung phone ng boss ko hindi raw gumagana yung roaming. Bakit kaya?" Sige, ma'm, Check ko po..... (a song by Julio Iglesias served as the pipe-in music).... Hello, ma'm. Naka-redirect ang phone niya. Kasi po may outstanding balance." Siyempre, nagmagaling pa ako, "Eh bakit, may credit limit naman siya ng P10,000 ha. I-activate ninyo na yan!". "Eh kasi po, lampas na po yung balance niya sa credit limit..." Oh. I cursed my boss silently. "A ganon ba. E ano ang gagawin niya para ma-activate yung phone (as if I don't know what to do about it - the only way to re-activate the phone is to pay the outstanding balance!)? "I-settle po yung bill agad." Yes, just what I thought. "Pero, wala siya sa Pinas! Walaaaa!". "Ganito na lang po- I will make a request that your boss promises to pay in 7 days. But it is subject to approval/disapproval. If the request gets approved, the line will be activated in an hour or so.". "Yes! He promises to pay! Pramis!" So, I said good-bye to the Globe person and called my boss for the feedback. "Hello, boss? I called up Globe. Your phone is re-directed. That's why you are not getting any. Texts and calls, I mean. Why? Well, errr... uhm....you have not paid your bill." Silence. "Oh. I didn't? Hehehehe..." Hehehehe your nose. In denial pa! "How much is the bill?" And I told him. "Gee, that much? Hahahaha!" So, I laughed, too - Hahahaha! Anyway, I told him about the promise to pay, that it is subject to approval/disapproval and all. "Sure, sure, will pay when I get back. But meantime, can you tell Globe to activate my phone as soon as possible? Thanks!" Weytaminit! Didn't he hear me say to settle the bill first and the request is subject to approval/disapproval? Malabo ba akong kausap?

Downy