Today, I helped my friend's husband set up a Valentine's surprise for his wife, and it kind of made my day. It was really fun, being able to do something nice and romantic, even if it wasn't for my own love life.

In hindsight though, I couldn't help but wish, that someday, someone would love me enough to do something like that for me. Yes, the hopeless romantic in me still lives, and I want that kilig moment in my life, where I'll feel so warm, and fuzzy, and loved.

On other news, my back got busted again, so I was actually home for most of the day.

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People do everything possible to get your attention when they need something from you, but don't really put much effort to remind you to do the things that really matter, like eat.

Or maybe it's just a problem with me.

Current Mood: cynical

So... it's been more than a week since I got back to work, and I think it's been mostly great. But more than that, I think it's worth mentioning what I was able to accomplish over my sabbatical.

For one, I've finished re-painting my room with the help of my mom and dad (It's now a very bright shade of pink ^^;), managed to clear out all the junk in my room (well, most of them at least), and added a new shelf to hold all my books (although I found out while I was organizing my books that I still had too many).

I also finished my annual physical exams, and although the results weren't too positive (I have high SGPT), at least I know what I need to work on to get back to shape.

Finally, I was also able to reconnect with my good friends. Somehow, despite the disparity in our schedule, we were able to make it happen. It was a really a treat to hang out with them, with no real plans in mind - just enjoying what each has to share.

Back at work, I found myself thrust into probably one of the biggest opportunities and challenges in my career, and it might just be what I'm looking for to finally figure out what I want for my career in the future.

All in all, things are definitely looking up.

It's funny how one person can be a source of frustration and happiness at the same time.

At one moment, you feel disappointed and unappreciated, and then the next, you feel important and affirmed.

It's such a crazy, confusing place to be in that you almost don't want to be in it. Almost.

Current Mood: contemplative

Currently posting this from the living room where I'll be sleeping for the rest of the week, or at least until I'm finished with redecorating my room.

One of the major things I've set out to do during this break is to finally go and do a major cleaning and re-design of my bedroom. It's been on my birthday wishlist since 2008 (I actually saw it when I was doing re-reading my old posts), which got rescheduled to 2009, and so on, until this year came around.

So far, I've gotten the major cleaning our of the way. What needed to be thrown out are already in the bin, and what needs to be kept are kept. Looking all the stuff I've unearthed from various nooks and crannies of my bedroom are a testament of just how much of a packrat I am.

I still have a couple of things to do in the next few days.Hopefully I'll get everything done before my break is over.

Current Mood: cheerful

I've been going out with my mom these past two days for our Annual Physical Exam.

Yesterday, we finished with the x-ray, dental, ECG (for mom) and check-up. I didn't like the physician assigned to me this year since I didn't get too many inputs from her. Last year, the doctor gave me advise on what illnesses I should look out for (especially with my size) and what to do to be more healthy and gave extra lab tests for me to take since I am on the heavy side and also had a history of diabetes on both sides of the family. This year, I didn't get any good inputs at all, she just checked me and told me nothing. It was my mom who even asked if we can get extra tests done.

We had the extra lab tests done today, after the required fasting period. I normally don't look when my blood's getting drawn, but this time I sneaked a peek just before the syringe was taken out. It hurt more than what I remember - weird. But it wasn't so bad.

Shopped for some clothes while we were at the mall, and also took a chance to pick up some groceries for some of the stuff I'm planning to cook.

Finally, I capped today with my new dessert creation - Peach and Chocolate Chip Cooke Crumble.

Current Mood: calm

It's never been a secret that I'm an avid fan of food. One look at me and you'll know it's true. Haha.

Let it be said though that I don't eat just for the sake of eating. True, I sometimes turn to food due to stress (and it's probably the main reason why I've gained more than 30 lbs since I started working), but I like eating food because tasting different flavors is an adventure for me. I like to try out different kinds of food, and on occasion, have found myself dreaming that I can cook them at home.

Now that I have some free time, I decided to do some experimenting in the kitchen and started with a souffle. I've been wanting to make one for a looong time, so I decided to start with it.

Here's the result of my first try at baking a souffle: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150260795408424.332717.637863423&type=1

Hopefully, I'll be able to add more pics to that album as I go through my break, and even afterwards.

Current Mood: happy

After much thinking and emo-ness for the past six months, I've finally decided last week to take a hiatus from work.

I think the desire to do so has been building up for quite some time. I've just been delaying it since I was taking a lot of vacations for the past few months, and I thought that would be enough to help me regain some peace of mind and inspiration. The truth though, is that I'm still not able to do the things I really want to do and have time for myself.

So starting today until Aug 21, I'm officially on a break. I'll be taking this time to do the things I've been putting off for several months - some even years now.

I also decided to resurrect this journal, since getting back to writing is one of the things I want to do. Hopefully this will get my creative juices moving and I'll finally be able to finish my portion of that GFC chapter that's been in the works for eons.

Current Mood: excited

Sooooo... Yes.

I came here to say that I hate this day. It just absolutely grates on my nerves and on my patience.

Current Mood: annoyed

I'm spending the new year evening without Garion (my PC) today. At around 7:00 pm, while I was playing a new game I bought from Steam called 'Trine', the monitor just blacked out and went on to 'no signal' mode. It turns out the CPU had turned off and no amount of pressing the power button could bring it back on. I'm thinking the power supply must be busted, so I'm bringing it tomorrow to Cyberzone to have it checked.

PC or no PC though, I've resolved to go on with the tradition of ending/starting the year with a post. So, for the first time, I'm writing it on the work laptop (I'm still undecided on it's name).

I think the holidays was pretty great this year, and that surprised me since I wasn't feeling the holiday spirit early on in the month - Heck, not even after the Simbang Gabi started mid-month - but all's well now ^_^ I'm not sure what put me into the mood, but I think seeing my friends when the vacation kicked in had something to do with it (Cheeese!!). That, and getting great gifts helped too XD I pretty much got the top things on my wishlist (Thanks to the people who gave them to me! *hugs you*).

All in all, I enjoyed my 2-week vacation. And I plan to make most of the 3 days I still have left. Christmas week was pretty busy. I was mostly out of the house for much of the week, meeting friends, buying gifts and also getting my driver's license (Yes, I'm now a licensed driver. Woohoo!) and then going to Lucena to visit my mom's side of the family. In contrast, New Year week was pretty laid back. I spent almost the whole week in the house watching series, playing PC games and sleeping.

The last day of 2009 was spent at home, as usual. All of us in the family are in agreement that it just doesn't feel right to leave the house empty at the turn of the year. This is the second year we're celebrating without having our own fireworks, which I think is just fine. Besides saving up on money, it also made us appreciate the fact that we're practically living on a hill. Going to the back of our house gives you a great view of the parts of our area with an elevation lower than ours (which is pretty much majority of our village and probably the 2 adjoining ones too) and all the fireworks that will be lit up there. The result is a pretty wonderful fireworks display, which we would have missed if we had our own to light up since we do that in front of our house - the side without a view.

I don't know what is it about fireworks, but watching all of the light and color burst in the sky has always made me feel a mix of emotions. It's just the sort of thing that triggers memories of the year that had passed with all its ups and downs, and at the same time leaving you giddy and inspired about the new year that has come.

Looking back, I think 2009 was the year of learning to let go. It's learning how to come to terms with the fact that things will not always stay the same no matter how much you want it to, and that's fine because these changes are the things that make us grow and move forward to become a better person. For me, letting go meant saying goodbye to a person, changing roles, and handing over the reins of my team to another. It's not easy. In fact, it's rather painful because I've given a part of myself to all of them, but I believe it's going to be all right in the end. As said in one of my favorite fics - everyone loses a piece of themselves in someone or something, and it isn’t about ever getting back that piece. It’s about coming to terms with the fact that that one piece you don’t have doesn’t make it lost. So, even if things aren't the same anymore, everything I've had to let go of will have an indelible mark in my existence.

Having said that, I'm looking forward to 2010. I think a big decision is on the way for me. It's a bit scary, because I know it will probably set how my life will go for the next few years, maybe even more. But I know I need to face it. And I know with all the people who love me and support me, I will make the best out of whatever choice I will make.

Current Mood: nostalgic