Thursday, August 31, 2006

Happy Birthday Daphne!!!
(My little babushka!)

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Happy Birthday Dorothy!
(My wedding planner idol!)

Monday, August 28, 2006

decorum [di-'kor-&m]
propriety and good taste in conduct or appearance
Synonyms include:
civility, courtliness, decency, dignity, etiquette, good grace, order, politeness, propriety, tact

Hahaha...This happened like 3 weeks ago but I can't help but want to talk abuot it. Bev and I spent the morning and afternoon a few weeks ago at the Philippine Expo in the Pomona Fairplex. We manned Ja's booth because he had a wedding to shoot that day. I was actually a little excited, just because I was curious as to what happened at these functions. An expo specifically for Filipinos? Sure, ok.

When I saw her in the parking lot, Bev asked, "Did you bring a book? Magazines? Journal to write in? It's gonna be a long day." And so it kind of was. When we got there, most of the table was already set up with Ja's albums, business cards, mounted images of brides, grooms and flowers displayed for every passer-by to stop, if even for a few seconds, just to oooh and aaaah the talents of Ja Tecson Photography.

The highlight of the day for us was lunchtime. The Manila Sunset booth was set up outside so Bev and I went to get a plate of pancit malabon. The booth is set up so that there are two windows. I'm thinking, oh ok, this shouldn't take too long....but oh how wrong was I. The first time we got in line, there were about 5 people in front of us. Suddenly, some guy came out of nowhere at the side of the booth and said that the line we were in was only for payment and that he would be writing down orders. So Bev managed to walk over to this guy fast enough to be 3rd or 4th in line to give her order. In front of her were 1 or 2 people in green shirts giving the guy their order. WHY DID A THROW OF FILIPINOS with the same green shirts suddenly come up on the side and start giving him their orders? They literally went to the front of the line to give their orders as if there wasn't anyone waiting there already. HELLO THERE'S A LINE! WILL YOU PLEASE PRACTICE SOME DECORUM!!!!

So I left Bev to go back to the booth. She came back about 15-20 minutes later and the look on her face said it all. "Freakin' Filipinos I SWEAR!!!" When I left Bev at the Manila Sunset booth, she was in line to pay for the food. But the people in front of her were taking forever because they kept adding to their orders. HELLO THERE'S A LINE BEHIND YOU! It is these times when I want to shake these people and say, "Hello snap out of it. Suck it up!" Hahaha...the end...Ja, Bev said you owe us TWO dinners for that day! hahaha!

Thursday, August 24, 2006

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
ROCHELLE!!!
(Bobbers to me...)

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

mistake [m&-'stAk]
to blunder in the choice of; to misunderstand the meaning or intention of
Synonyms include: misapprehension, misjudging, misjudgment

lesson ['le-s&n]
something to be learned or studied; a useful piece of practical wisdom acquired by experience or study
Synonyms include: homework, schoolwork; lecture; drill, exercise, practice (also practice); etude, study

Aquarians got the following horoscope last week:

"Your past mistakes are definitely lessons you should learn from, but try not to let them paralyze you. You can't let yourself be intimidated by what might happen ... you just have to trust yourself that you can do it. Now is not the time for mulling things through, reviewing all the options, or debating pros and cons. No -- it's the day to grab the bull by the horns and show no fear. By putting on an award-winning bravery act, you will fool yourself into believing you're fearless!"

Mistakes - we make them for reasons unbeknownst to us until the damage has been done and the worst of feelings have come to play. We're often told that the only way to learn anything is to make mistakes. "Use this as a lesson," they say. So, we make a mistake, bad things happen, we feel guilty, ashamed and we may even find ourselves bereft of any self-respect. Upon experiencing all levels of agony and we're feeling less than our stellar (that one's for you, Leia) selves, we can't help but ask the universe: What the hell was that all about?!

Sometimes when we set ourselves up to work for something we want, we hope and pray for guidance of every kind. We ask for light to lead the way, a companion to help us along and the strength to follow through. We ask for such things if only to keep from feeling lost and alone, but what often happens is, we get lost anyway. It's sound advice to keep your eyes on the prize, no matter how idealistic it sounds. But sometimes the most important part of attaining any goal is the journey that gets you there. What happens, though, when the road ahead is shaded by a dust cloud of discouragement and the goal is safely guarded by a moat of unexpected hardship? There are times when we reach victory far beyond that cloud and that moat. But there are other times when we find ourselves defeated at the foot of the gate.

It is this seemingly unfortunate moment of loss when we have a chance to encounter that lesson that we may have otherwise not learned had we succeeded according to plan. Only after undergoing such an experience do we find the guidance we sought beforehand. The only questions that remain are: Would we ever try to reach for that goal again knowing what could go wrong? Would we be ready to walk the same road and risk a potentially greater fall and face another failure? Or could we see that risk is worth taking if we could have something wonderful because of it? It's hard to figure sometimes what we want if we're too afraid of not getting it if we tried. But a wise friend advised simply, "You learn and try not to repeat the same mistakes, but you have to let yourself TRY."


Move Along
by: All-American Rejects

Go ahead as you waste your days with thinking
When you fall everyone stands
Another day and you've had your fill of sinking
With the life held in your
Hands are shaking cold
These hands are meant to hold

Speak to me, when all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
Move along
Move along

So a day when you've lost yourself completely
Could be a night when your life ends
Such a heart that will lead you to deceiving
All the pain held in your
Hands are shaking cold
Your hands are mine to hold

Speak to me, when all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
Move along
(Go on, go on, go on, go on)
When everything is wrong we move along
(Go on, go on, go on, go on)
When everything is wrong, we move along
Along, along, along
When all you got to keep is strong

Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
Right back what is wrong
We move along

Monday, August 21, 2006

sloth ['slOth]
aversion to work or exertion; laziness; indolence
Synonyms include: bum, couch potato, deadbeat, idler, laggard, layabout, lazybones, loafer, malingerer, moocher. slacker

I felt myself slowly turning into one. It seemed like all I did this weekend was EAT! On Friday night some of us spent the evening at Isa & Nick's new house and what did we do? Sat in the kitchen and ate pizza, crazy bread, cheesy bread, mangoes, chocolate cake and Isa's chocolate ice cream birthday cake!...

On Saturday morning, Iya cooked breakfast for me, Rochelle, Ate Bam and Marnelli before the wedding expo and, oh man, we ate banana walnut pancakes (SOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD!), sausages, scrambled eggs and scones! At the expo: two fondue fountains (one dark chocolate and one white chocolate for sobbing out loud!) and cake tasting. Then after the expo, Iya, Marnelli, Rochelle and I ate at Asian Noodle in downtown where we feasted on beefstake, garlic fried rice, calamari and Rochelle had her Filipino-style spaghetti. Holy crap!...

On Sunday, we attended Irene and Gabe's wedding shower and, hey look -- MORE FOOD! When I got home from the party, my aunts, uncles and cousins were here so my Ninang ordered pizza for merienda. After I ate my first slice and found myself sitting in front of the computer, I said to myself, "Anna, you need to get your ass up right now and do something!"

So, on Sunday night, I had an impromptu workout. I've never been to the gym on a Sunday. It wasn't crowded, all the machines were free - I loved it! I've been feeling lately that I needed to "run something outta my system" so I worked the treadmill and that nordic track thingy for a 40-minute cardio workout. I felt so good after that I couldn't bear to go home and run the risk of eating anything that would negate the calories that I had just burned, so I went to Quizno's for my new favorite meal - a flatbread Cobb salad! Mmmmmm! That thing is probably full of calories, but I know it beats eating rice at 8 pm.

I did the usual Monday workout, which is yoga, because we've been doing it pretty consistently these past few months that I'd hate to kill it. Besides, I promised Fantone I'd go for the both of us since she hasn't been able to. The 20 min run/brisk walk plus yoga for an hour was just what I needed. No promises of hardcore exercise for the next year. Yes I have that dress for Iya & Chris' wedding looming in my subconscious, but I'm hoping that the goal is far beyond fitting into a pretty dress 13 months from now (although it's great motivation). I'm just going to take this one day at a time until I form a healthy habit - without knowing it. This way, working out becomes part of a lifestyle change instead of a get-thin-quick scheme. Here's hoping...

Thursday, August 17, 2006

niche ['nich]
a recess in a wall, as for holding a statue or urn; a cranny, hollow, or crevice, as in rock; a situation or activity specially suited to a person's interests, abilities, or nature
Synonyms include: alcove, calling, indentation, position


I've been truly blessed when it's come to co-workers. There hasn't really been one job (whether I liked it or hated it), where I wasn't surrounded by good people. This job of 6-months has certainly been no exception.

I am a proud member of the SAGE Publications Sales Department. Consisted of 1 VP, 3 managers/directors and a slew of staff, we've gotten quite a reputation in the building for being a fun bunch. Decorating cubicles and offices along with having mini celebrations for people's birthdays? Kay has told me time and again, "Man, you belong in that department!" Hahaha! Don't hate, Grammy. You brought me to them.
Last Friday, our department (minus 2) had our first "teambuilder." We had mimosas on the bus ride over there so from the beginning, this trip already felt worthwhile. We spent the morning and afternoon at the Getty Villa in Malibu. Suffice it to say, the property is a magnificent work of architecture, tucked serenely in between the mountains that stand just behind the Pacific shoreline.
Built like a true villa, the estate is as picturesque as it is a stronghold that houses with care J. Paul Getty's finest antiquities. My favorite areas were the gardens. The atrium, located just beyond the entrance, is surrounded by a 2-story enclosure. It's reminiscent of Shakespearean images of folks looking out of a window into the courtyard below. Watch "Much Ado About Nothing" or even "Romeo and Juliet" and you'll see what I mean.
Further beyond the atrium is a larger garden area where a long pool of water sits, surrounded by a perimeter of open hallways of columns upon columns. It was a shutterbug's dream to be there. I couldn't stop taking pictures! I even got some of my co-workers to take jumping pictures. Hahaha! They're so game for anything - I LOVE IT!!!
After a lovely afternoon at this beautiful place, we had a late lunch at the Gladstone's across the way. We hung out at the beach (which was right beside the restaurant) before we got seated and, it was the nicest few moments. I just thought it was so random to be there with my co-workers on a Friday afternoon that it made the day even more fun for me. Our meals were YUMMY! Especially because it was charged to the company. WHAT A GREAT PERK! Hahaha!
With our stomachs were full, and some of us holding drinks beyond the point of jurisdiction, we boarded the bus and, no joke, makeshift-karaoke'd aaaaaaaall the way back to the office. Our VP, David, was leading and he's determined to make the next department teambuilder a bowling/karaoke night! Hahaha! That's gonna be freakin' hilarious!

That was a such a wonderful day! I got to spend time away from my cubicle (which is ALWAYS a welcome relief), I got to walk around the beautiful Getty Villa, eat a hearty lunch by the beach (paid for by the company. I can't get enough of that!) and, most importantly, I got to hang out with some really great people who I have the best time working with. This is one niche I hope to stay in for a while (or at least until we celebrate our 5 year anniversary so Kay and I can go to London paid for, again, by the company. Hahaha! Way to keep that motivation straight!). Check out our pics on the side!
BEFORE...
...and AFTER!!!...5 HOURS AFTER! Oh what a day...

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY TREASURE,
ISA!!!

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

glacier ['glA-sh&r]
A huge mass of ice slowly flowing over a land mass, formed from compacted snow in an area where snow accumulation exceeds melting and sublimation

iceberg [ 'Is-"b&rg]
A massive floating body of ice broken away from a glacier. Only about 10 percent of its mass is above the surface of the water.

I just talked to Ate Tin-Tin like 15 minutes ago. She was taking a nature hike in Alaska (what the heck) by herself and she’s bored and frustrated and she's all venting:

Ate: I’m so sad, Anna. I haven’t even seen a glacier yet.
Anna: Are you sure? A glacier would look like a huge piece of land.
Ate: But I wanna see a glacier MADE OUT OF ICE!
Anna: A glacier IS made out of ice. You mean an iceberg?
Ate: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Oh Ate, hurry up and come home. Hahahaha!

Monday, August 14, 2006

Happy 4-year Anniversary, Pat & Grams!

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Happy Birthday, Cuz (Metty)!

Friday, August 11, 2006

LUCKY RACHEY!!! I'm sure that was the best birthday ever!

Thursday, August 10, 2006

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY
RACHEY
(Justin says he can't wait to see you!)
&
CHRIS
(Why God! Why're you doing this to us?! hahaha!)

Monday, August 07, 2006

master ['mas-t&r]
one who holds a master's degree
Synonyms include: degree, graduate degree

Oh our dearest Larnie, who used to (and probably still does) walk around in her shorts, long-sleeve shirt under a short-sleeve tee, fisherman's hat and sneakers, and who used her backpack as a purse, has a Master's Degree in Sports Health. What the heck?! Hahaha! Just kidding Larnie! We're all so very proud of you! Why else would we travel all the way to freakin' hot Arizona?

Some time in April, we decided to take advantage of a Southwest Airlines deal and bought tickets to Phoenix to see Larnie get hooded. $49 each way! Not bad at all. We bought our ticket such a long time ago though that I almost forgot about it! Thank goodness I have people around to remind me, otherwise I would've missed out on a wonderful weekend.

Leia called Larnie's graduation the most serious graduation she's ever been to because there was hardly any noise when the graduates were walking in and, that rule about holding the applause until a certain section of grads' names were called? PEOPLE ACTUALLY FOLLOWED IT! We were one of the few exceptions of course. We couldn't help but yell when Larnie walked across the stage. She even did her Mimi kick! HAHAHAHA! Cracked us up!

After a celebration lunch at ISLANDS, and a damn good nap party (3-hours worth!), we hung out by the pool. Cile, Andrew and I opted to stay dry while the rest splished splashed in the water. Activities included floatie races, stunts and synchronized swimming. That hotel is really nice! Take note, Mission Palms Hotel by the Arizona State Campus!

We had dinner at PF Chang's (YUMMY!) and then went to this bar called the Library where the DJ thought he could mix (Dude, Joe, you coulda so kicked him to the curb!). How you gonna mix Grease with Miss New Booty?...HOW! The bar dancers need to learn how to dance too. But as long as we got to hear SexyBack, it was a great time!

Funny quote of the evening: Some of us were in line outside to get in and you can see inside through the window. Leia turns to me, "Hey, look at those two nerds inside dancing with each other." HAHA! Dude, those guys were FEELIN' IT THOUGH! Terrible, I know, we're going to hell.

Anyhow, Larnie's back in New Hampshire, where she's a fellow. Hahaha! She's doing a yearlong fellowship and we should go visit her!

Hooray for you #10!!!


Sunday, August 06, 2006

showstopper ['shO-"stä-p&r]
a performance or performer that evokes so much applause from the audience that the show is temporarily interrupted
Synonyms include: awe, bewilderment,marvel, perplexity, shock


Hips Don't Lie, though it has brought me much joy, has officially been retired as Danity Kane's new song, Show Stopper refuses to leave the mind. It's soooo catchy! The mid-tempo beat is reminiscent of Ciara's Oh and it makes you wanna shift your body back and forth to the tune. C'mon girls! Pussycat Dolls ain't got nothin' on you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
to my sideline boss,
JA TECSON!

(aaaaaw snaps! HAHAHAHA!)

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

curtains ['k&r-t&n]
the movable screen or drape in a theater or hall that separates the stage from the auditorium or that serves as a backdrop; the rising or opening of a theater curtain at the beginning of a performance or act; the time at which a theatrical performance begins or is scheduled to begin; the fall or closing of a theater curtain at the end of a performance or act.
Slang: the end; absolute ruin; death
Synonyms include: drape, drapery, film, hanging, screen, shade, shield, shroud, shutter, valance, veil


Musical theater…love it! The first musical I ever saw was MISS SAIGON at the Ahmanson Theater. I memorized the soundtrack long before I watched it, lip-syncing everyone’s parts during the show. I saw it a second time in London and then a third time at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The same emotions never fail to surface each time I hear any of the songs; love-conquers-all sung with words like, “A song played on the solo saxophone…it’s telling me to hold you tight and dance like it’s the last night of the world”; hope in the wake of loss channeled with “I still, I still believe you will return – I know you will. My heart against all odds holds still”; heartache for the sacrifices – “You will be who you want to be, you can choose what heaven grants. As long as you can have your chance, I swear I’ll give my life for you.”
Les Miserables is another musical I can watch and listen to over and over again. When I saw it for the first time in London, we sat in the THIRD ROW! We could see the mics sticking out of all the actors’ hairlines! We probably got spat on! Hahaha! I remember when we got to our seats, all of us were like DAAAAAAAMN THIS IS CLOSE! I saw it a second time in New York during our unforgettable 2000 east coast excursion, and then a third time a year and a half ago at the Pantages and I had to crack up because, thanks to Joey Potter, everyone was waiting for that one song! Haha! I’ve tried to forget Joey Potter’s rendition of “On My Own,” remembering only the melancholy lyrics of unreciprocated love – “Without me, his world will go on turning; a world that’s full of happiness that I have never known. I love him...but only on my own.” Nothing hits closer to home… Three weeks ago, my sister, my cousins and I spent the day in San Diego and then watched RENT in the evening. I watched RENT for the first time in London too (Let’s go back there already!!!)! I refer to this musical more often than not, especially lately. “No day like today” is such a cathartic blow to my habitual subjugation from uncertainty and fear that I find myself in the midst of emotional outbursts when I least expect it. “How do you measure a year?” Jonathan Larson asks. Each second I spend in fear, I realize how dangerously close I am to the end of that measuring stick.
Ragtime was another good one! Tito Andy (Cile’s dad) had some tickets one night so Cile, Ryan, Joe and I went to see it at the Shubert Theater while everyone else went bowling. But not all musicals render such dramatics of course. I’ve also spent a few evenings laughing to the comedic timing of productions such as The Producers (which also inspired that “do what you want to do, not what you think you should do” kind of attitude in me), Candide (our AP English class watched it because we were reading the play), and most recently Curtains (which is playing at the Ahamanson if you’re interested! It’s a clever murder mystery comedy and David Hyde Pierce-Niles from Frasier- is hilarious).

What I love about musicals most, in addition to the emotions they evoke, is the thought of people breaking out into song when they have something to say. Cheesy? Maybe. But to have an orchestra to back you up whether you’re depressed or ecstatic? How dramatic would that be?!