Monthsary 69

Marahil wala ako sa focus nting Disyembre dahil sa napipintong pagtatapos ng taon at ang pangangailangang magawa ang ilang bagay, o kahit isang mahalagang bagay lang, bago ang patatapos na ito. Malumanay at masaya naman ang simula ng buwan sa S&R Pizza at pagsisimula ng panahon ng Adbyento sa Simbahan. Medyo naayos na ang mga kakantahin at hihintayin na lang ang hectic na Simbang Gabi na nakakakaba rin—baka hindi magising sa oras o baka magkalat sa pagkanta.

Pagsapit ng ikalawang linggo ng buwan, Sabado, isinagawa sa SIP ang Parish Christmas Party at mini concert ng Music Min. Pwede nang compromise pero sana mas nakita ito nang mas maganda. Minarapat kong maghapunan na lang kina Mhae noon kasi hindi ako at-home sa crowd, o baka pagod lang talaga. At ito na, fast forward sa Miyerkules, naisipan kong tawagan na ang binigay ni Yaluts na contact para sa singsing. Maayos ang pag-uusap namin at palitan ng email at text. Pero syempre, kabado pa rin kahit papaano. Break muna sa main event, pagkatapos ng ilang hapong pagpractice ng DCCD choir, nag-Misa na ng Christmas Thanksgiving sa chapel sa likod ng SJB church. Bagong strings sa gitara, ngayon lang ako kinalyo sa buong buhay ko ng pagtugtog. Buffet 101 and lunch ng SEMP, at kinagabihan, SEMP Christmas party naman hanggang alas-dose. Hindi nanalo sa raffle pero naka-100 naman sa videoke kahit hindi una, at nakatugtog rin kahit papaano sa SEMP Band 2017 edition.

Loaded ang ika-17 para sa amin ni Mhae, mula sa pagkanta sa Simbang Gabi nang madaling-araw, deretso sa Lingguhang pagkanta nang 6:30am, nagpunta (muntik ma-late pero umabot sa awa ng Diyos) sa SM North para sa Star Wars pagkapahinga’t tanghalian, tapos Buffet 101 dinner naman para sa bday celebration ni Yonni at Kuya Joemer. Hatak siguro ng stress at kaba ang tampuha kasi may maliit na tampuhan kami noon papuntang SM North, at isa noong dumating na Miyerkules pagkatapos ipatingin yung samsung na laptop. Kung anuman, Huwebes, nakuha ko na sa contact yung singsing. Mukhang maluwag pero ipapaayos na lang sa January. Walang pagsisinungaling sa lahat ng text at kwento, kahit may mga konting kulang na detalye. Konting pilitan para itago ang kaba, niyaya ko si Mhaelord mag-Amici kinabukasan. Humingi na rin ako ng tulong sa mga kabarkada sa pagkuha ng video. Nakapagpa-reserve na rin ako sa Amici pagkatapos ng lunch meeting. Biyernes ko binurn sa lumang stock na CDR kasabay pa ng acer laptop ni papa/mama at nag-undertime para dalhin yun sa Amici. Medyo matagal bago nakarating ang tropa at medyo masama ang pakiramdam ni Mhae. Buti bumuti na ang pakiramdam at bati na kami. Sinundo ko si Mhae sa Waltermart at bumalik na sa Amici. Nag-abang si jeff sa parking habang nililibang si Mhae ni Rori. Nagsimula nang tumugtog yung music at tinawagan ko na si Jeff. Medyo napabilis pero ayos lang. Nag-video na si Dogi pagkaabot ni Jeff ng singsing sakin, libang pa rin si Mhae kay Rori. Kalabit. Luhod. Tanong. Oo. Palakpakan pati yung mga nag-Chi-Christmas party. Tapos dumating si Kevin, ang late na photographer. Ayos lang. Masaya ang dinner. Dumaan kaming dalawa dito sa bahay pagkatapos para maipakita kina mama at papa ang aking mapapangasawa.

Kinabukasan pagkatapos ng engagement, isa ring dahilan kung bakit noon ginawa, papunta sina Mhae nang bicol para doon mag-Pasko at bagong taon. Last-minute shopping kami, unang lakwatsa sa mall bilang engaged couple. Marami-raming pinamili para sa bicol at para dito sa bahay at ilang para sa akin. Medyo efficient ang aming shopping time, nakadaan pa kaming Amici para ipagpalit ang CD na mali ang naibigay noong nakaraang gabi. Pagkababa sa bahay ng ilang gamit, nag-ayos na sila sa apartment para lumakad. Nag-grab kami pa-bus terminal para hindi masyadong hassle at ayun, nagtungo na silang Bicol. Medyo matagal ang biyahe at ako naman ay nakarami ng tulog at tambay pagkatapos ng una sa tatlong solong pagkanta. Ika-69 na monthsary nga pala naming ngayong buwan. Medyo nasakto ang engagement. At ayun, tila masaya naman ang papancit at mga aktibidades nila doon, kahit inuubo at napagod sa nagdaang byahe. Medyo simpleng kainan lang din ang Pasko ng mga Calimon sa Mey Lin. Chillax lang ang bakasyon kinabukasan at may mga katiting na trabaho sa opisina. Nag-undertime ako dalawang beses, una para papalitan yung radyo ni mama na sira yung function button, at pangalawa, para ubusin ang mga sodexo na nakay mama. May isa pang natititra dito sa akin, yung bigay ni Mhae para ipang-mcdo ko. Gagamitin ko mamaya sa iced mocha kahit inuubo ako. Kahit papaano, nalampasan namin nina Froi ang madugong paghahanda para sa huling Misa ng taon. Maya-maya, maghahanda na si mama at si papa (sana makatulong ako) para sa bagong taon. Ako, mukhang huling ilang araw na ng todong pag-tambay, at ang papasok na unang mga buwan ng taon ay maiuukol sa mas matinding paghahanda na pinaghandaan hanggang ngayong taong ito. Kaya ito. Kayang-kaya.+

We Had 5 Holidays

November starts with a holiday—All Saints’ Day. It’s quite standard fare for the past years that Papa and I, along with the Razon siblings, would go to loyola memorial while Mama with Tita Chato and Tito Nonong would go to Bulacan. Got to go to the problematic property being sold by Mama and Tita at Balut, Tondo, and quite where Papa lived as a child. It was quite stressful but at least Mama, Papa, and I had lunch at Pancake house after. Interestingly, Papa’s been buyigng light bulbs since the 1st. Mhae was still in Bicol for the first week, and the couple of weeks apart felt like the time when she was in Europe—with chats and phone and videocalls. While she was away, I had a few room cleaning / organizing attempts. They weren’t successful. Another attempt that wasn’t successful was asking Yaluts and Jeff fo help with stuff. At least I’m getting there. TV shows got me distracted from being productive and being lonely, so it’s quite quits.

I got to do some long-distance tasks for Mhae like leaving cash in the apartment and getting clothes down. Kinda sucks that when she finally arrived, I missed fetching her because of the adjusted schedule of the Malolos trip for the Musicam Sacram conference due to ASEAN traffic adjustment concerns. The conferene was fruitful, though, with reinforced learnings in Musicam Sacram and a bit of Bulakenyo nostalgia with the Osana tune. It wasn’t the best reunion but that’s just a very minor frown in our smile-filled relationship. Trying to make the most of the ASEAN holidays, Mhae and I practiced for the MM concert on December 9. Sadly, the concert would later be cancelled due to readyness concerns. Onve thing I quite accomplished in my room is filing a year or more’s worth of bills. Interestingly, two weeks later, my room doesn’t feel much more organized. Oh well.

Back on track with the lakwatsa’s and still making the most of Mhae’s sembreak, we got to watch Justice League. Also, that Saturday, we took advantage (pun intended) of the SM advantage sale. I got myself a pair of navy low-top classic chucks and swatch boat shoes, while mhae got herself a bag. We weren’t able to get mama a gift but I guess I’ll consider the stove we got a few days back to be my gift. And speaking of that stove, I had a migraine after a long time while installing the stove. It’s probably because of smelling some residual lpg scent. Mama’s birthday that Sunday was simple with dinner at Max’s with the Calimon immediate family. It was also Tita Fe’s belated birthday celebration. Ate’s gift to Mama was an old iPad mini they haven’t been using, and it’s cute how Mama’s gotten used to it since. Work was quite chill and a little funny with an elevator misadventure.

Mhae and I fetched Gen at the airport and it was pretty smooth. I guess you can’t have it all going well as we had a number of bank fails a couple of days ago today. But despite those, Gen’s reunion with Mhae and the rest of their siblings here is pretty fun with jolly dopey, more SM shopping, and their mother and Maymay visiting from Bicol, until their trip back to Bicol with Gen. Work wasn’t so friendly but I guess I got through well enough. I did get to escape and attend a conference with Jonas (and Bianca on behalf of the company she works for) that was pretty worthwhile. I also find it cool that I got to attend an ASEAN-related seminar as Papa got to attend the ASEAN Business…something… two weeks before, which was actually part of the ASEAN conference. Work was also good at keeping my mind away at how frustrating managing the Music Ministry can be. That’s not to say it’s bad, it’s actually much more fulfilling than frustrating, but there really are down points. At least I got to help PJ facilitate the practice with the Children’s Choir and SICC. O, another thing that’s cool, what the weather’s gonna get. Today’s a holiday, Bonifacio Day, and tomorrow’s December.

Not So Festive October with 3 or 4 Alex Cameos

Hindi madaling baliktarin ang mga pangyayari para sabihing maganda ang simula ng Oktubre. Sa unang linggo ng buwan ko nalaman ang hindi pagkakaunawaan (na mukhang maayos-ayos naman na) dahil sa mahirap na proseso ng pagbenta ng lupa sa Balut at pagpapaalis sa mga nakatira doon. Noong linggong iyon din namin natuklasan—dahil sa instagram at twitter—ang problema ng unang mag-asawa sa aming barkada. Pero hindi naman puro problema at di pagkakaunawaan. Nakumpleto ko na rin ang naisip ko na dating eva rebuild collection sa pagdating ng inorder kong revoltech eva-02. Nakapag-ramen din kami ni mhae sa aligato at nakakain ng puto bungbong pagkakanta sa misa. Nagsara ang unang linggo (bale sa pangalawang Linggo) ng buwan sa birthday party ni Rori na masaya’t mabigat dahil sa matagal na ring hindi pagkikita-kita ng barkada.

Naka-ilang Grabcar transaction din ako dahil sa G70 meeting nina mhae at ang aking pagsundo sa kanya. Medyo nasusulit ko ang mga libreng data allocation sa globe. Natuwa rin ako kahit papaano na makita ang kakaiba nang bgc sa nakasanayan ko lima hanggang sampung taon nang nakalilipas. Sa harap naman ng computer, may mga bagong season na ang mga DC tv show at big bang theory, pero hindi ko pa natuloy-tuloy pagkatapos ng kani-kanilang mga ep.2 (maliban sa big bang theory). Lumabas kami ni mhae nang sabado para bilhin ang matagal-tagal ko na ring pinag-isipang midnight blue na coat. Naudlot yung pagbili namin noong nakaraang weekend. Per yun nga, nakabili na rin sa landmark (kasi hassle sa sm makati) ng coat, pasadong compromise na pantalon (na hindi rin masyadon maapansin kaya panalo na rin) at bagong necktie. Napansin ni mhae na matagal din kaming hindi nakalakwatsa nang ganun at natuwa naman siya’t nagawa namin uli. Isang bonus na hindi madalas mangyari, may medyo tinulungan siyang turista sa jeep habang papunta kaming mcdo mcs para sa mcspicy at twister fries. Nakita nga pala namin sa mcs noon si kuya toyet/alex cardinal. Cameo. Hehe. Pagdating ng Linggo, sa wakas, nakakuha ako ng gusto kong kuha ng altar sa SIP pagkatapos naming kumanta nang Linggong iyon. Nakahanap na rin ako ng bagong barbero (pabs, malapit kina mhae) na nakuha ang gupit sa akin ng yumaong si mang isko. Isa palang update sa pagpapabakod, ayun, mukhang makakapag-budget naman para doon ayon sa unang estimate ni dara (hindi pa nagbigay si mig). Pero napagpasyahan kong sa enero na simulan para hindi maudlot ang trabaho.

Jeepney strike ang balita sa pagpasok ng linggo at naapektuhan ako nang bahagya. Nakatulong ang pagpapasakay ng isang adventure ata sa evangelista pero doon ata ako nagsimulang sipunin, o sa paglalakad pauwi galing kina mhae. Pag-uwi noon at noong miyerkules, inayos ni mama ko ang mga laylayan ng mga pantalon ko para sa mga event nang Martes at Biyernes. Ok naman sa akin ang una kong pagsama sa clients’ night sa okada, pero hindi talaga para sa akin ang ganung mga sosyalan. O at least hindi pa ako sanay. Medyo nasasanay naman ako sa grabcar at malaking tulong iyon sa aking pag-uwi nang naparami ang inom. Sa ginta ng linggo at dahil sa pakikihalubilo kay Ar. Pantangco noong clients’ night, sinama ako sa meeting sa Alex III, morato, para sa isang bagong project. Nakilala ko rin doon si Engr. Flordeliza na tatlong kanto lang pala ang opisina/bahay(?) mula dito sa amin. Pagdating naman ng employees’ night, medyo mas naenjoy ko naman pero hindi tulad noong bago ako. Malamang dahil hindi na ako ang bida, pero natutunan ko noon na pwede pa rin namang matuwa kahit hindi ka bida. At ayun, 10-year recognition at mga trophy sa chess atbp. Pinaka-panalo siguro ang makita ko si kuya jun doon sa event na bumalik noong linggong iyon matapos ang ilang linggo ring pagkawala sa opisina. Masaya naman akong dumaan kina mhae pagkatapos ng event bago mag-cinderella time dahil hindi pwedeng hindi ko mapakita sa kanya ang formal look ko noon. Ang mismong Sabado naman ay nilaan sa pagpapahinga dahil sa delayed effect ata ng decolgen forte ng mga nagdaang araw. Buti, nahatid ko pa si mhae sa school sa huling araw ng pasok niya. Pagdating ng Linggo, ang tambay time pagka-almusal pagkakanta nang 6:30 ay nalaan sa paggawa ni mhae ng mahabang final requirement sa law subject nila. Nakakaaliw ang galing at sipag niya. Hindi ko maalala at alam kong hindi ako ganun kasipag at kagaling noong ako ang nag-aaral. Ang sayang lang sa mga nagdaang araw ay ang patuloy na pagkaudlot ng bbq Saberday.

Biglaang napa-present ako sa mwci para sa lamesa improvement proposal namin kasama ang royal haskoning. Hindi ko alam gaano ako kasaya sa project na ito at sa pagtatrabaho uli sa isang mwci project, pero at least positibo naman ang pakiramdam. Nairaos naman nina mama ang living rosary noong ika-24 at masaya naman akong nakibahagi kami ni mhae kahit papaano doon. Sembreak na nina mhae at sa hindi ko inaasahang mga pangyayari, palabas na ang Thor 3. Tulad ng madalas, sinamantala namin ang kawalan ng assignment at ang kakontian ng tao sa waltermart. Na-availe din namin ang promo pala ng pancake house na 2 for 390 na sulit sa sarap at busog… kahit nakapag-popcorn pa rin kami sa panonood ng sine. Nagkaroon ako ng bagong tungkulin (na hindi ko pa nagagawa) sa Simbahan sa pag-take ng minutes para sa Formation Team sa pamumuno ni Fr. Alex. Mukha namang on-track kami dahil sa kanya pati sa LitCom ng SIP. Bago matapos ang buwan, napagpasiyahan ni mhae na pagpuntang bicol para pagbigyan ang request ng mga magulang niya at para masa maka-relax. Syempre, parehas kaming medyo malungkot pero alam naman naming hindi naman iyon magiging problema. Noong sabado, sinamahan ko si mhae sa pagbayad ng tuition. Pinagpa-bukas muna namin ang star wars time (Ep.6 na, nakapag-Ep.3 kami 2 linggo bago nito) pagkatapos ng Sunday birthday lunch nina Tita Chato at Ate Ge sa Alex III, greenhills. Nagkaproplema ang PC ko sa volsnap.sys pero naayos ko naman din kinabukasan. Nakatulong siguro yung shakeys promo cramming lunch namin. Kagabi, matapos kong mag-halfday at iwang nag-u-update ang pc ko, hinatid ko sa bus terminal si mhae at napaluha bago matulog pag-uwi. Salamat sa Diyos at maayos naman siyang nakarating sa kanila sa bicol kanina, kahit late umalis ang bus kagabi, lumipat ng bus kanina, natagalan sa biyahe, at umuulan pa doon. Ngayong holiday, nakaka-flashback ako nang medyo ok dahil din sa medyo nagawan ko ng ko ng paraan sa notepad ang hindi ko nagawang excel log. Hindi ko na natuloy ang pag-assemble sana sa MG DS pero tsaka na yun. Sana masulit ko ang robinson’s rewards card mamaya sa handyman. Oo nga pala, ngayong darating na buwan, may mga planong kailangang matuloy.

A Gift of 29 Years

The birthday month of September started with a Muslim Holiday. Mhae has recovered from her viral infection (unsure really if it was dengue). It felt great accompanying her to school that Saturday after a week of being sick. I also got to hand it to her—doing her best to recover and getting back to her routine once able. Quite sad she hasn’t recovered enough to accompany me in singing during the street Mass. I got to do some room cleanup while Mhae was studying. Of course, when it was time for her needed a break, we had dunkin donuts. The week at work got a bit exciting with new life in the McKinley project and the earlier meeting regarding standards got an update. I also went on a site visit and after-meeting drinking dinner (after no lunch) at the lamesa intakes with boss dan, sir kelly and staff, and a new acquintance in royal haskoning. The week ended with the first of a good number of weekday Mass services on Mama Mary’s birthday.

That weekend, Mhae had a seminar at adamson and I got to do quite a bit of action figure / geek posing and photography with my mafex wonder woman figure that I finally opened. Sunday time after the Mass was fun here at home with snapchat. There was a work suspension on Tuesday (though I insisted on going to work only to go home after doing some settings on the office PC), and that game me some time to do some pc geek stuff. I also got to resume watching South Park, and interestingly, I happened to have picked it up at the 100^th episode. I remember falling asleep watching that so technically I kinda ended my previous run on the 100^th too. I also managed to do some very minor adjustments to the eva rebuild display—side stands for the 1.0 part. This 2^nd week also marked the emergence and my passive solutions to the problem of ants in my room. Sadly, that also meant saying goodbye to years-stored food that I initially forgot to eat then eventually took as mementos the following week.

We spent the last of my bpi starbucks coupons on the last day of claiming. I guess it is gonna be quite a while until I get to order another venti drink at starbucks. Oh, before going to the secret starbucks, Mhae and I checked out som 2-burner stoves for mama and picked up some snacks at the supermarket. A relaxing Sunday, we watched Star Wars Episode 1 as part of our halted Star Wars Extended Marathon. It’s nice the Mhae got to enjoy it and despite the flack it’s received all these years, I still enjoyed it. Sometime during the week, mama found a little tshirt that she said was one papa got for me and he had a similar one for him. Cute, but I really don’t remember wearing it. Well, I was 1 or 2 years old anyway. There were pretty terrible news this week including news of Claudio’s brother’s tragic death. The nation is also not getting much better but I choose to be optimistic seeing that I have more friends on the side of life. Church stuff, we had our MM representatives meeting moved to the 3^rd Thursday to give way for the Formation Team meeting on 4^th Thursdays. Throughout the month, we were pretty active with weekday feast day Mass services but still have some pending work to complete. I also attended and will be regularly attending at least 4 meetings a month as MM secretary. Kinda fun thing about it, I get to attend the ppc meeting with mama. I just hope I can sustain and contribute. This month, we started singing at the fron pews instead of the choir loft. Pros and cons of either, I find it pleasing to receive positive feedback and thanks from the presider. Mhae and I had a date last Sunday before her birthday to buy some toys for gifts and had our best mexicalli lunch so far with a burito without beans. Back at the apartment in the afternoon, we brought home J.Co. donuts for snacks and enjoyed Star Wars Episode 2. Yey!

And alas, Mhae’s birthday has arrived. I really had minimal planning and preparation and took a leave from work to cram. After running out of paper for printing her homework, I went out to buy paper and 12 preserved roses. Fetching her at Libertad after school, we bought her cake (c/o Tita Chato) and headed home (aboy brought the cake to their apartment) to rest before going to Mass. I finished up some work and we ordered Ambers pancit malabon and pichipichi (c/o mama) before going to Mass. As expected, the delivery came 30 minutes earlier, to my irritation, because we were not yet home to receive it. I wasn’t able to finish the Mass to receive the call from ambers dispatch. At least, Mhae was able to hear Mass completely and asked Fr. Beng to bless her for her birthday. At the apartment, the delivery rider returned shortly after Mhae and I arrived and calmed down. Party was simple and filling with KR’s boyfriend and Aboy’s girlfriend (who brought another cake) as guests. Of course, it’s a fun sight, Bonbon and Aboy enjoying ambers pancit malabon. After the birthday, the week was quite hectic but not stressful. At work, I accomplished a few things for the prospective lamesa project, and the posco monitoring is pretty polished now with around 75% completion (which is practically 80+% not considering the items to be deleted from the contract. Mhae got to experience a college lakwatsa somehow but I was a little drained from work, Mass service, and parish formation meeting to fetch her. I’m happy that she somehow experienced he chillout things I did what seems to be a long time ago. On the spending aspect, my Citi Mercury card got cancelled earlier this month and I settled a few pesos in charges and I’m waiting for the response on my request for hsbc credit protect cancellation for easier use of my hsbc card, for which I’ve requested an annual fee reversal. I also successfully contacted bpi phone customer service for the second time in recent time to also request for reversal for my bpifamily credit card. Month closes with nice hugs and kisses after miscommunication about fetching. I think I got to greet all my kabarkadas and +1’s with September birthdays. I’m excited how next year’s September will be.

Getting Excited With 1 Year To Prepare

Medyo nadala hanggang sa buwang ito ang hindi ko pag-update sa log. Nawala sa habit.

Ang pagpasok ng Agosto ay nagbigay ng “pangangailangang” pumunta sa Robinson’s Place para sulitin ang buong-buwang sale. Sinimulan ito kasabay ng paghatid kay mhae mula unang sabado hanggang sa ikatlong sabado kung kailan nakabili kami ng sperry topsider para kay mhae at polo’t pantalon para sa akin. nakabili rin ako nung ikalawang linggo ng mcjim na wallet na katulad ng nasisira ko nang hikock. Naka-ilang date at bonding time kami—greenwich, izakaya bento kasama ni ate, soju, at starbucks (salamat sa bpi) at burger machine. Medyo nasusulit din namin ang twister fries season. Pati ni Carl na katropa sa twister. Noong unang Sabado rin ng buwan, napasama ako kina Mike Ruga at PJ sa St. Andrew’s Cathedral sa Parañaque para magsimba para sa debosyon kay Maria bilang Ina ng Babuting Pangyayari.

Ipinagdiwang ang Parish Fiesta at marami-raming kumanta sa Joint Choir. Nagsimula na rin ang pag-distribute namin para mapag-aralan ng mga koro ang Unified Lineup na sana’y mapatupad nang tuluyan sa pagpasok ng Setyembre. Sa ikawalang Linggo ng buwan, nakipagpalit kami ng timeslot sa pagkanta para makapunta sa Bulacan kasama nina mama at papa, at ni tita para magsimba habang nobena sa kapistahan ng Assumption. Noong Mismong kapistahan naman ng Assumption, nakakanta ako sa pang-630 Mass at nagsimba kasama ni Mhae (at ng iilang parokyano, karamiha’y miyembro ng mga youth group) nang 8pm.

Isa sa mga malalaking pangyayari noong ikatlong linggo ng Agosto ay ang pagsasara ng Mile Long at ng mga establishimento dito, kasama ang ilan sa mga authentic na japanese restaurant. Buti, hindi kasama ang Little Tokyo. Ang kabigla-bigla, kasama pala ang McDo “MCS”. Bale, Sunvar pala yun. Nagbukas rin ito mula pagkatapos ng isang linggo. Sa opisina, kasunod ng paglindol at pakikipag-usap para sa seismic assesment sa isang kliyente, nakumpleto na rin ang lastest na super workstation sa opisina—ni-repair na Ryzen 7 pc, UPS, Perform3Dv6, at Therese (plus Chammy). Umuusad naman ang pagpaplano para sa isang taon mula ngayon sa konting guest list checking at pagtanggap ng tawag sa isa sa mga pinagtanunang catering service. Pero bago ang big event/s sa mga darating na buwan at darating na taon, napapagastos lang ako para ma-waive ang annual fee sa Metrobank Visa. Yung sa Metrobank On, ok naman. Ang mga bonding time ay may halong carbonara at grocery shopping. Bukod sa bonding moments kasama ni mhae, masaya ako at may konting bonding time din kasama ng pamilya.

Mabigat ang pagpasok ng huling linggo ng Agosto ngayong taon. Nakakain kami ni Mhae sa Burger Garage sa Rodriguez dahil katapat ito ng health center kung saan nanganak si KR noong gabi bago iyon. Ayun, nanganak na si KR. Sinundo sila ng mama nila at nasa Bicol na ang pamilya ni KR bago mag-isang linggo ang bagong baby sa familia fortich. Sana’y maging mabuting magulang itong sina Mark at KR. Noong pauwi kami galing Burger Garage, nagsimulang samaan ng pakiramdam si mhae. Matapos ang mataas na lagnat, tatlong beses na pagpunta sa RG na may dalawang blood test (at pagkawala ng grey na panyo na may black stripes T_T), bumuti naman ang pakiramdam ni mhae. Medyo nanghihina pa, pero masaya naman ako’t wala na hindi natuloy ang dengue (kung dengue man yun) niya. Salamat din syempre sa dasal, pagpunta ni mama niya, pag-asikaso ng mga kapatid niya dito, suporta nina mama ko, at ang magandang resistensya ni mhae mismo kasama ng kanyang napaka-positive na pananaw. Isang taon mula ngayon… nakakakaba, pero syempre, exciting.

Long and Quick 31 Days of July

I’ll go through the weeks quickly and go through the highlights mostly by memory. Interestingly, the month went by so quickly but it felt so long. I don’t know. I even lost the habit of updating my daily log excel.

The month started in a weekend and that Saturday night was the night of the CVP concert. It was good and I’m glad my parents and tita chato got to see it. We had roof repairs that Sunday while mhae was away for Tito Fely’s wake and funeral. I wish I had attended but I guess it would have been too tiring and i think I was productive enough where I was.

At work, busy/pressured/relaxed as it is, we got to do a couple of Dunkin Donuts Mondays before Napster’s goodbye to DCCD. And speaking of goodbyes, I quite said goodbye to my Z1compact by buying an Xperia XA1 as a temporary phone. I’ll hand it over to mhae once and if a compact Xperia will be released later this year. I did get to fix my Z1compact after a couple of weeks with the new phone and I’ve successfully transferred the very important candy crush settings to the new phone. All is well.

Mhae is back to school for her final year of college. Oh, I got to go to PWU the previous week to accompany her in paying for her tuition since the check we previously issued was not accepted. I got to request an updated checkbook soon after. By end of the week, DCCD Choir practices culminated with our sevice for the company’s 60^th Anniversary Thanksgiving Mass.

One of the most anticipated days of the month was Yaluts’ and Cata’s wedding. As far as I’m concerned, all went well despite the changes in the ceremonies and the schedule adjustments. I’m still quite in shock that Yaluts is already married. Miro’s engaged. Next year… Anyways, work’s been pretty pressurized this month partly due to my procrastination and some proposal deadlines. Nonetheless, I think I was productive enough. It’s great, too, that even though we were busy, mhae and I got to go on some carinderia / takeout / movie / home movie dates and an uling roasters chicken hunt (we got successful just last Saturday). Long and quick month indeed.

Backup, 3, 2, 1, Habol

Medyo tulad ng simula ng buwan ng Mayo, nagsimula ang unang Linggo ng Hunyo ay ipinagdiwang na nagsimba kasama sina mama at papa. Syempre, kasama si mhaelord, pero hindi kasama ngayon sina ate. Kapistahan ng Pentekostes, at gaya ng nakagawian, nagsimba kami sa Espiritu Santo sa Maynila. Dahil maaga pa para sa susunod na Misa, dumaan muna kami sa Alvarez at Felix Huertas, kung saan nagsimula ang pag-iibigan nina mama at papa. Hahaha. Natutuwa ako sa mga family bonding na kasama si mhae. Medyo nakakahinayang na wala si ate pero kahit papaano, nakapag-bonding naman kaming pamilya dati bago siya ikasal. Noong gabi naman bago iyon, bale Sabado nang gabi, nataong may street Mass dito sa area namin. Dahil hindi na aktibo ang dating taga-tugtog, napilit ko ang sarili kong mag-gitara para sabayan si mhae sa pagkanta. Nakakatuwa na nakakakaba. Noong umaga naman, nagdiwang kami ng 70th birthday ni Tita Vita. Masaya at nakakabusog. Tila paatras ang kwento ko, ah. Di bale. Ayun, nung Biyernes, nakakabadtrip ang panalo namin sa basketball. Ok na rin, hindi naman ako makikinabang pag pinairal ko ang inis. Buti na lang may minion happy meal na sinimulang kolektahin noong araw bago iyo para malibang ako. Yun at yung movie date namin ni mhae. Nanood kami ng wonder woman. panalo yung pelikula, at tuwang-tuwa talaga ako pag naeenjoy ni mhae ang mga pinapanood naming sine. Pasulong naman sa oras, pagdating ng Lunes, natalo naman kami sa chess, pero panalo pa rin kaming semp division dahil sa pagkakakuha pala namin ng 2^nd place sa chess, na-secure ng chess team ang pagiging overall champion.

Nagkaroon ng MM meeting at mukhang umuusad naman sa tamang direksyon. Medyo mabagal lang pero mas maayos naman sa nakasanayan. Ang medyo hassle noong Biyernes na yun ay ang pagsimula ng pagsakit ang tuhod ko. Buti na lang at walang pasok sa parating na Lunes at wala namang masyadong lakad noong weekend. Ang pelikula namin noong Sabadong iyon ay Rogue One…sa laptop. Ayun, natutuloy naman ang monthly Star Wars movie time. Pagdating ng Lunes, sinamantala ito ni mhae para makapag-grocery sa puregold. Tamang-tama, pagaling na ang tuhod ko noon at kailangan din atang i-exercise. Para sa lunch, nag-uling roasters kami—bagong paborito. Sinubukan namin pagkakain kung may sale sa SM pero tuwing Huwebes lang pala (hindi namin na-avail), pero marami rin kaming napala—mexicalli meryenda, national bookstore trip para sa book ends ni mhae at parker ni ate. Isang gabi naman, sa bahay, bago mag-rosary, nakakatuwa ang mga kwento nina mama at papa. Isa sa mga kwento ay yung kung paano maglagay si lolo tatay ng white flower sa ngipin ni papa gamit ang toothpick. Nagkwento rin uli si mama tungkol sa mga panahon ng pagpapasalubong ni papa ng mga tsokolate. Mahigit isang linggo na rin mula noong huling laro sa chess kaya tinuloy ko na ang pagpapa-pizza para sa chess team. Sinamantala ko ang pagkakataon para iparating sa kanila (at ipagdiinan sa sarili ko) na sobrang halaga ng pwesto ng chess team para makuha namin ang overall championship. Pagdating ng Biyernes, nag-movie night na naman kami ni mhae—Despicable Me 3. Panalo na naman sa saya ng pelikula.

Siguro ang pangalawang kalahati ng buwan ay nailaan sa (mabagal na pagtapos ko ng) trabaho. Hindi na nga ako sanay o excited man lang sa matinding trabaho. Ok na rin ang pagtawag sa akin ni Sir Felix para sa medyo madaling pag-check ng mga plano para sa bahay na pinapatayo niya. Siguro may trauma rin dahil sa alitan nina boss dan at sir git bandang simula ng buwan na medyo naipit ako. Medyo lang. silang dalawa na rin ang nagkaayos. Hindi na ako dinamay. Medyo naging sideline ko rin ang pagkuha ng retrato ng ilang choir para sa multimedia presentation. Sa opisina naman, sa medyo pag-distract ko sa sarili ko dahil nahihirapan akong pasimplehin ang kumplikadong proposal para sa isang kliyente, tinuloy ko na ang paggawa ng “partial redundant” server ng stfiles. Para rin kasi mas hindi hassle sa akin na madalas tawagan dahil hindi nila ma-access ang file server. Dahil tag-ulan na rin talaga, naisipan namin ni mhae na mag-ramen. Matapos masaktuhan ng dayoff nila noon sabadong iyon at mataunan na sumakit ang tiyan ko isang hapon, nakapag-ramen takeout kami sa aligato. Nag-Fathers’ Day din noon, medyo bitin na rin dahil wala na si Tito Feds, pero masaya pa rin naman ang lunch out at ang relaxed na Linggo. Pagdating ng Biyernes, birthday naman ni Tito Nonong (at tapos na rin ang mabilisang tampuhan nina mama at tita). Isang nakakatuwang aspeto sa araw na yun ay ang bonding ni mhae kasama sina ate at mama. Lumabas sila para ihanap si mama ng damit para sa parating na kasal nina yaluts at cata. Natatawa ako pag naaalala ko yung pagdalaw nung dalawa para iabot ang imbitasyon namin at para pormal na hingin kay mama na mag-ninang sa kanila. Para sa akin naman, sa wakas, wala na yung credit insurance sa Citibank at na-reverse ang annual fee para sa cebu pacific card.

Pagdating ng huling Linggo ng Hunyo, dumating na rin ang araw ng matagal pinaghandaan nina tita, mga pinsan ko, at kasabwat si mama at si mhae—ang surprise 70^th birthday party ni Tito Nonong. Simpleng medyo mahal na buffet kasama sina Ninang Precy at ang mga ka-close na mga kapatid ni papa at kanilang pamilya. Isa na namang holiday noong Lunes. Napaglaanan ko ng oras ang pagkuha ng retrato sa collection display ko. (mukhang sulit ang pagbalik ni melijoy sa tripod ko, ah.) Nakumpleto ko ang display sa pagbili ng chronicle megatron 2-pack noong simula ng buwan. Palagay ko, tatapusin ko na doon ang hobby ko na yun dahil wala nang space at may pinaghahandaan nga kami ni mhae para sa darating na taon. Isang dekada nga ata yun ng pangongolekta. Nabigyan ko ng oras ang pagkuha ng retrato (at pag-ayos ng mga telephone cord sa may extension) dahil may lakad sina mhae. Pumunta sila para bisitahin si Tito Felly. Ayun nga lang, kalaunan, nagpaalam din si Tito Felly. Ayaw pang maniwala ni mhae. Nalungkot din ako kasi sya yung tito ni mhae na nakainuman ko (kahit papaano) kasama ang papa niya. Sa kabila nito, tuloy ang buhay. Dito sa amin, nag-birthday si adette at medyo nakibirthday ako sa pagbaon ng pancake house pancakes. Busog ako, grabe, noong araw na yun. Sakto pa, nagbaon ako ng kanin at ulam na kinagabihan ko rin inubos. May turks shawarma rin kasi ang mineryenda dahil naisipan ni mhae. Bago matapos ang buwan, naikopya ko rin si mhae ng mga koreanobela mula sa office. May sinimulang kdrama si mhae: My Suspicious Partner. May konting downer nga lang din: Kung kailan nasimulan ko at napatupad kahit papaano ang consistent na pag-backup sa opisina, tsaka naman namroblema dahil wala akong recent backup ng phone kong nagloloko. Sakto rin, kung kailan ko tiningnan sa excel ang tech stuff ko sa nagdaang dekada. Nakakatuwa na nalibang ako sa mani sa ilang pagkakataon (isa kina mhae, isa dito sa bahay) na ayokong mabadtrip sa kalagayan ng phone ko. Kahit may downer, sa pagsasara ng buwan, nakagawa ako ng dalawang draft proposal na sana ay mapasa na sa lunes, at mukhang ok naman ang pag-review ko sa pina-check ni sir felix. At mukhang sa buhay na ito, kahit may mga naka-backup (at hindi naba-backup) na mga bagay-bagay, wala tayong magagawa kundi umusad pasulong.sa mga kailangan at gusto nating gawin at mangyari.

Rise on 5

The month started with resumption of he annual Antipolo trip (since we weren’t able to go last year), and couple of days earlier this time. We went to Antipolo for papa’s birthday on the Labor Day, instead of on the third. We had lunch after the Mass. It was fun, the family, bigger now with the Contis. We did get lunch outside (I took the day off) that Wednesday, his birthday. Before the first weekend, I got to go back to TV5 Phase 2—now complete—to give the Voyager office a look. The floors are still being fitted out by the tenants. I did some load and reinforcement checking later on and initially thought I got things screwed up. It turns out, I didn’t.I finally got the Lego Double Decker couch from the pleasant ebay seller. After Sunday mornign Mass and breakfast, I let Mhae assemble the set. It was really heart-warming on my part to see her so happy building a Lego set. I’m pretty used to it, but this is something she kinda missed as a kid. Looking back, I was really lucky, even with the smaller sets, I got to enjoy Lego, thanks to papa.

I got a notification from Abenson that the bluetooth speaker that we got free from the laptop purchase was already available. Mae and I actually inquired when we went out on Papa’s birthday and it wasn’t available yet—some customs thing. The (mis)adventure the night I got the speaker was that I walked along EDSA from Ayala to Evangelista. I should have taken the bus. Traffic was only upto Arnaiz. I’m pretty lucky, though, that I didn’t get scolded by Mhaelord. Later that week, I saw Mr. Millanes and greeted him. Quick conversation. And somehow highschool-related, Goey already got himself a Ryzen 5 pc. I almost felt bad but I just thought, I’m meant to get that Ryzen 5 CPU eventually. Before the weekend, mama and I got worried when papa wasn’t already home from his Laguna trip. He apparently had a tyre accident, but thank God, no one got hurt. We enjoyed the lomi he bought when he got home. Mothers’ day weekend came and the lunch-out celebration with the Calimon side was pretty simple at Aristocrat—with special reminder of Tito Feds in a butterfly. Later that Sunday, Ate accompanied Mhae and me to Landmark to get the gift mhae picked for mama size-changed. Another really great thing about being with mhae is that she thinks of the special things I don’t really get to give much attention to—like mothers’ day gifts for mama, tita chato, tita fe, and tita trining. The mothers’ day gift from ate was a Dunkin Donut bouquette. I think mama liked it.

Third week started (well, towards the end of that Monday) with me having to play at last for the chess team—something I successfully avoided until that supposed last eliminations game. I lost, but the team still won the game agains EnE. We ended up at a draw with CM, though, so we were set for a tie-breaker the following week. As for basketball, we’re goint to battle for third after we lost drastically to CM. Going back a little, I got to go out of town for a site inspection after seemingly more than a year. Quite relaxing with a nice vacation scenery and almost 4 hours of sleeping travel. Ate’s birthday celebration that Thursday was simple. She celebrated with Buds and mama, papa, and I, along with mhae, celebrated here in Makati. It was also the week for the MM outing and we were in panic mode until the night before. Despite all, I think my companions in the Core made it a success. It was also a nice goodbye to and from Fr. Ting. Personally, I feel so happy that my memory of Monte Vista is now more about the Music Ministry, and a day I spent with mhae—who was also very helpful to the core even more than me. It’s also heartwarming to get to be with the active members of PEMC after we officially dissolved, and seeng former companions in SMC, still active in the MM as a whole. And the choir family thing didn’t end that Saturday. It was followed-up by a meeting Kuya Jonathan, Daisy, and Marly. We had lunch at dampa and a movie at MOA. Fun bit that day—Yaluts cameo at McDo Evangelista. SMC is much more of mhae’s choir family than I got to get connected myself. But still, it’s nice to spend time with good friends.

SEMP Chess team finaly goes to the finals after tie breaker against CM. I was fortunate enough to not need to play. I was in corparate attire that day for the photoshoot/acting with the NBAQ4 team. I think that helped get me distracted from thinking about the game. Isang linggong kabado. It’s kinda sad, though, that despite that win supposedly erasing the doubt of our team’s ranking, negativity and bitterness still shows up. Oh well. On lighter stuff, G69 viber group chat got a bit computer-related (as I noticed, since that when I usually participate) with a bit of wedding (yalut’s) discussions. Moving on. Wednesday that week was great. Third time’s a charm with my call to gigahertz and learning that the laptop (that was not ready on my first call two weeks before, and long fixed but not ready by my second call the week before) was already available for pickup. I went ahead on taking the afternoon off from work and not telling mhae of my trip to megamall, passing by the house because I didn’t bring the receipt with me. It was the feast of Mary Help of Christians, and I consider that a gift from her intercession—that I see mhae so happy and even more inspired to do her schoolwork. Oh, and it’s a personal miracle, that I celebrated that day, that I finall found a seller who offered Ryzen 5 outside of a bundle. Back to the ASUS laptop, mhae planned to do some feasibility study work here at home after we sang in church for the feast day. My heart was filled with gladness at the sight of her joy in seeing our laptop fixed. I think I was happier to see her happy. And she was really really happy. We worked until dawn on formatting their paper. She even missed class the next day. There was more feasibility study stuff though the weekend, including a trip to RP for their group meeting that Sunday. As for office work for me, there was sufficient masinloc progress and the month-long billing was quite easier this time around.

The title is supposed to be a pun on ryzen 5. Oh well. Cutting it short, this past Monday’s Ryzen build was really satisfying. I got to upgrade at last, and deciding to not go for aftermarket air or aio liqiud cooling kept the cost around the nominal 69k. My PC-69 plan 6 years ago actually happened. I’ll eventually go above but it’s amazing still. I have yet to re-activate Windows but I’m ending with a happy note. And the month closes. I got to sing for the Flores de Mayo celebration before fetching Mhae at the LRT. Prayers are with her for their defense tomorrow. It’s nice to have the month bookended by Masses. Oh, and this month was really special as planning for August 2018 has started.

Normal na Paganda, Parang 4x4…?

Nagsimula ang buwan sa isang MOA trip dahil sa pinabibili ni gengen kay mhaelord (na meron pala sa waltermart). Ayos lang, nakabili naman kami ng mga chucks, 10% off, may premyo pang sm gift check. Nagsimula na rin ang pagsosolo ni mhae sa apartment dahil sa bakasyon na nina aboy at bonbon at sa boyfriend na namamalagi si kr—minsan na lang sa apartment nina mhae. Patuloy ang joint choir practices na tila nama-manage naman namin nang maayos nina pj at mike ruga habang pinamamahalaan naman ni pres froiland ang rondalla. Sa opisina, napaubaya na namin sa accounting ang pag-aayos para sa billing sa masinloc na isang buwan ko ring tinapos. Nagsimula rin ang madalas na malakas na lindol sa pilipinas. Mas isang pagkakataon na nasa amin si mhae, gumagawa ng assignment sa laptop, lumindol. Di ko alam talaga kung anong tamang reaksyon ko sa lindol, pero bilang structural engineer na medyo binasa ang asce-31 at -41, mahalaga ring isipin ang non-structural components na pwedeng mas delikado. At sa wakas nga pala, nakuha ko na ang PRC ID ko at ni king sa robinson’s place. Napaaga ang dating ko, medyo nanghinayang kasi hindi rin makakapunta kay mhae sa school. Nakakaaliw kasi ang bilis. Hindi ko alam kung dahil maaga ako, o dahil mabilis lang talaga. Nakapagpamedical pa ako nung hapon habang nasa raon sina mhae para sa feasibility study nila. Nagsara ang unang linggo ng Abril (sabado) sa isang parish ministry leaders meeting na medyo na-bore ako pero natuwa pa rin ako kasi kasama (kahit hindi katabi) ko si mama. Nakakatuwang isipin na magkatulad kaming naglilingkod sa parokya. Kinagabihan naman, natuloy din ang music ministry recollection.

Holy week. Maayos naman ang pagkanta namin ni mhaelord sa mga Misa sa Linggo ng Palaspas. Lunes, medyo naging hassle ang mga ensayo. Mas napapagod na ako kahit kaya pa. buti kinaya naman. Parang sumobra na rin—hindi na kami nakasama sa parish recollection—pero parang kulang pa rin talaga kaya ayos lang na lahat ng gabi hanggang miyerkules santo, ensayo pa rin. Sa trabaho, marami-rami namang naisarang review report at natapos na rin ang tender sa nbaq4 project—hintayan na lang ng award. Sana panalo. Bago matapos ang Miyerkules Santo, dahil halfday sa opisina, mapalad akong makapangumpisal sa Greenbelt Chapel. Pagdating ng Huwebes Santo, kahit late-late ang mga tao sa practice, natuwa naman ako sa mismong pagkanta. May ilang sablay noong Biyernes Santo, pero pagdating ng Easter Vigil, masayang-masaya ang pagkanta. Sulit na naman ang pagod sa pag-asiste sa mga ensayo. May bonus pa na mini-formation si Fr. Ting tungkol sa diwa ng Sabado de Gloria. Panalo rin sa sweet moments kasama ni mhae. May dagdag na halaga talaga sa amin ang mga mahal na araw. Pagdating ng linggo, madaling-araw, imbis na dumeretsong uwi galing sa paghatid kay mhae matapos ang “noche buena” sa amin, humabol pa ako sa easter party kina kuya alan. Inumaga sa pakiki-jamming (at konting inom) kasama nina henrick, pao, at marami pang iba, with special participation of kuya toyet. Siyempre, para hindi late magising, hindi na lang natulog. Nagpahatid ako kina mhae para gisingin siya para makapag-serve kami. panalo. Nakapag-11am naman ako kasama nina gab at aljay na mga puyat din. Dahil tapos na ang kwaresma, nakapag-softdrinks na ako. Nag-isaw na rin nung hapon, umisa si papa, at ibinili ko na rin ng laman/bbq si mama.

Bagong panahon sa kalendaryo ng simbahan, ang bilis ng pagpasok ng panibagong blessings…sana. Hindi ng lang natuloy ang napag-usapan namin ni arnel (dci) at nung isang senior niya (na taga-bangkal din ata). Di bale, bawas problema. Sa sportsfest naman, nabawi namin ang ranking sa chess dahil na-default na naman ang CW (na una nang na-default sa ENE kaya lumamang sa ranking). Sa sumunod na lunes nga lang ay mahahassle kami dahil sa ka-ewanan habang wala ako sa opisina. Ayoko nang isipin ngayon. Ang malaking pangyayari sa opisina ay ang pagbalik ni boss dan. Yehey! Bawas sa stress sa responsibilidad na iniwan niya sa amin…na kung tutuusin, kinaya naman. Kabado lang siguro talaga. Patuloy naman akong natutuwa sa kasipagan ni mhae at sa kaunti kong nitutulong sa kanya kasama na rin ng pagiging sulit nung laptop namin. Nagsimula na rin akong bumili ng parts para sa ryzen build ko. Nakipagkita ako sa chowking rufino-delarosa sa isang tpc member na naunahan ako sa pagbili ng g.skill 8GBx2 DDR4-2400. nakatipid ako ng 200 sa original posting at mga 2k sa common price. Napaayos ko na rin ang sapatos ko sa mr. quickie kahit binalikan ko kasi kailangan palang palitan din yung takong (hindi lang yung rubber, pinalitan din ng kahoy yung plastic pala na takong). Ang kwarto ko naman, nagsimula namang umayos kahit gumugulo pa rin talaga. Dahil sa wala nang mga joint choir practice, nahahabol ko na rin ang mga tv show ko sa gabi. Parang back to normal but better ang linggo, kasama na dun ang araw-araw na pagsabay kay papa papuntang opisina. sa barkada, wala masyadong pangyayari bukod sa bday ata ni goey at ni venjo at yung pagkagulat naming 3 years nang kasal sina venjo at cez. Sa choir naman, nagpaalam na ako sa mga kasamahan ko sa pemc pagkatapos ng 11am Mass. Ang pagtatapos ng linggo ngayon, ang pagkasira ng harddrive ng laptop—hindi ma-detect sa bios. Nakakatuwa si mhae, napigilan niya akong mabadtrip nang sobra kahit sobrang lungkot din niya. Gagawin ko sana yung layot nila para sa feasibility. Nagawa ko naman sa desktop (na akala ko ay makupad) bago mag-Wednesday para magamit nila. Naaliw naman ako at matagal na rin kasi akong hindi nag-cad. Nakakuha pa ako pagkatapos ng standard blocks kay fed na gagamitin ko sa pag-update ko ng layout nila.

Nag-absent ako nang lunes para madala namin ni mhae sa service center sa megamall. Inuwi pa rin namin para makapag-backup ako kahit konti lang naman ang iba-backup. Sa pagpunta namin sa megamall, sa wakas, nakapag-zark’s din kami. the greasier, the better. Panalo. Tama nga yung pananabik namin sa zark’s. at hindi lang basta sulit, kasi hindi naman talaga pala kamahalan ang presyo. At ayun na nga, nagka-ewan-ewan sa chess sa office. Maliban sa problemang yun sa opisina tuloy ang trabaho. Sinimulan ko ring gamitin pa ang mga natitirang undertime at budget sa leave, una (undertime), para makapagpadentista, at pangalawa (leave) para makapag-mrt-3-2-1 trip ako para sa techie stuff. Matagal din akong hindi nakapunta kay dra beth dahil sa ka-busy-han sa music min at sa opisina habang wala si boss dan. Ngayon na lang ata uli ako nasaktan sa paggalaw ng ngipin ilang araw matapos ang adjustment. Ang mrt-3-2-1 trip ko naman, para sa pagdala ng laptop sa megamall para sa warranty at pagpunta sa gilmore para sa ryzen build. Excited na ako nung nakuha ko yung motherboard hanggang sa namroblema ako na hindi ko pala mabibili yung ryzen 5 na cpu dahil kalangang naka-bundle sa msi o ecs na board. Sumuko na ako at pinagpasa-kung kailanman ko na lang. sinamantala ko na rin ang pagkakataon para masundo si mhae sa school. Tumambay muna ako sa robinson’s place—kumain sa mcdo, nag-ikot-ikot, bumili ng chicharong bulaklak, at nag-ikot-ikot pa lalo. Wala akong nabili. Ok din, kaso hindi ko na talaga nagagamit yung robinsons rewards card. Pagkatapos ng klase ni mhae, nagkita kami sa 7eleven (na luma, may bago pala sa kabilang side ng taft) at umuwi na. noon ko lang pala siya nasundo sa school nang gabi. Nakakatuwa. Nakakakilig. Natuwa pa siya sa binili ko para sa kanyang bulaklak. Dahil holiday nung Friday, nalipat nang Huwebes ang outing—chillax kaming mga naiwan, napa-lunchout pa kasama ni boss dan. Hindi pa nga pala natutuloy ang lunchout kasama ni bianca kasi hindi kami makumple-kumpleto. Nakwento na rin naman niya na aalis na siya sa smart at magpapatulong sana sa steel structures career niya. Napaayos ko na ang phone ni papa kahit nahassle kasi kinailangan kong balikan. Medyo naantala tuloy ang pag-aayos ko ng kwarto. Ayos pa rin, nakuha ko naman ang phone ni papa at mukhang mas ok na rin na black yung harap kaysa yung dating puti, at napa-grocery pa ako nang konti para sa nachos bilang paghahanda para sa pagbabalik ng laptop. Matagumpay ko ring nawalis ang ilalim ng kama, likod ng coputer table. Nalipat ko na rin matapos ang mahigit 10 taon ang laman nung one one na box. Natagpuan ko rin doon ang mga nawawala kong payslip nung 2012. Kanina, huling kanta ko nang regular nang 11am. Nagsolo ako. Wala namang hinanakit, pagod lang. nagdesisyon na akong ipaubaya na sa iba ang pagkanta sa Misa nang 11am mula sa darating na linggo. Masarap ang sofa-tulog ko ngayong weekend—kahapon, si papa sa kabilang sofa, kanina, si mama naman. Nakapag-dinner na rin kami ni mhae sa wakas ng uling roasters chicken. Masarap din, hindi lang basta pwede na. false advertising. Hahaha.

Kahit may mga sablay, tama nga yung naramdaman ko ngayon buwan—back to normal, but better. Edyo magulo no? magulo nga, pero maganda. Sa papasok na buwan, kahit bukas pa lang o itong papasok na linggo, maraming inaantabayanang maganda—pagkumpleto ng Lego double-decker couch transaction, pagbili ng bagong electricfan (kasi bumigay na yung electricfan ko), pagpunta bukas sa Antipolo, planong family swimming, pag-claim ng naayos nang laptop, posibleng pagbili ng ryzen 5 na wala sa bundle. Mas maganda nga, at normal, kasi normal naman talaga dapat ang pagganda ng bawat araw.

Highlights and Lows in 5-years Month

I don’t really remember if I expected the month to be easy-going or tough—it turns out to be the more of the latter. It doesn’t mean though that it wasn’t a good month, in fact, the toughness made it even more special (cliché or not). I’m quite sleepy and because of how busy days were, I actually didn’t get to update my log/excel journal for the second half.

The month started wih Ash Wednesday and I got to go to Mass in the morning and sang in the evening with a good number of choirmates. I’m not sure if more were appreciative of the old songs I chose for us to sing but I for myself feel good singing them. There were a number of cute food moments at home, and a couple of furniture updates here and in mhae’s apartment. The first week was also basically preparing for work to be left while I went on vacation with mhae in Bicol.

And there we went, to Bicol. It was indeed that relaxing experience I expected with a lot of sleep and the nice feeling of bringing a solar power kit. We met dingdong’s bestfriend who is much like an action hero sidekick;we had a non-perspiring trip to town; I had a couple of playtimes with the kids; and we celebrated mhae’s mama’s birthday with cake and balloons as a surprise mhae planned with her sisters there. The bus trip to and fro was quicker than they used to be and apparently, so was the vacation.

It’s not as heavy as it sounds. It’s that work go harder as soon as we returned. I was back in the office the morning we returned from Bicol for some NBAQ4 requirements. That was just the start of the headaches and frustrations in that bid-preparation. Fast forward to this afternoon, I think we pretty much settled everything with our client’s Dutch partner. As for the other project that kept me busy, the Masinloc Power Plant was pretty challenging for me since I had to manage it more—including the billing. Again, fast forwards to today, I think we’ve completed as much as what our client wanted. Things did get heavy for me since Boss Dan is in the States since a couple of days after I came back from the province.

Work isn’t the only thing that kept me enjoying rest even more. Officer duties in the Music Ministry cost me a couple of tampuhan moments with mhae and inefficient use of time. At the moment, it’s still quite fulfilling and I’m keeping myself hopeful. The joint choir practices are a step up from last year’s. Sadly, it doesn’t get much better than that with an uninspiring PEMC (though I’d mostly attribute it to the founder).

Outside work and singing, I finally had a haircut and some closure with the late Mang Isko’s status. Well, he’s in heaven now. Mhae and I finally got to see yaluts and cata at the triple birthday celebration after not seeng cata for a long time. I also got to use the lazada voucher although the shelves are still in the sala, unassembled, boxed and bubble-wrapped, quite because my room’s getting more disorganized again. Quite work related, we finally wond 2 games in basketball (I participated in one) and secured 2^nd place in chess (losing to admin.) I still can’t get over the fact that even though we lost that match, the team won the respect of chess nerds at the office. Also, eldrich’s game with mayor—with eldrich losing time, failing to stalemate, and mayor having less than 2 minutes left—was probably the toughest game in the tournament. I did meet some deadlines this week—prc online renewal, metrobank bill, bpi thills jollibee claim, and old-generation bill bank deposits. I also realized hat I didn’t get to keep for myself a 200-peso 69bill—it had 68. Oh well. At least It’s still crisp.

And the highlight of the month—mhae. We did have a number of petty tampuhan moments but more than those, we celebrated 5 happy years together. She’s back in school for her third term this school year. Two more to go after this before graduation. She really is an inspiration to me. We had a simple extended anniversary celebration. Since Friday would be hectic for us both—with her schoolwork and my MM duties—she gave me her gifts the night before. She gave me some pics, a picture frame, a pin/badge, and a trophy plaque. Oh, before that, a few days before, she got be a headbands. We got to see beauty and the beast earlier in the week. The weekend, it was pretty standard except for doing some feasibility study tasks and buying a new 15” laptop. I really think it was a good deal and is going o be very useful for her schoolwork. As the month ends, with me doing one of those short visits to her before dinner, I’m feeling relaxed with life, knowing everything’s worth it, because I have her and she has me, in love.

Mabilis ang Maraming Pangyayari sa 4 na Linggo

Nakuha namin ni mhae sa wakas ang starbucks planner—small brown—sa unang gabi ng Pebrero. Medyo sayang ang coupons para sa Enero pero ayos na rin kasi nakalibre naman na kami ng mga coupon dati. Doon kami nag-claim sa starbucks sa may opisina niya dahil doon kami nakarami nitong nakaraang tatlong taon at palapit na noon ang kanyang pag-resign. Ilang meetup din ang ginawa namin imbis na pagsundo sa kanila dahil pinilit na rin niya ang mas sulit na paggamit ng oras mula pagkatapos ng klase hanggang sa pumasok siya sa opisina. Isang standout moment nga pala sa paghihintay ko sa kanya ay ang pagtulong ko sa isang matanda na tumawid mula sa side ng export bank hanggang makapasok siya sa mcdo. At sa pag-alala sa mga matatanda, napapaisip din ako kung ano nang nangyari sa matandang natutulog na may katabing stampita sa building malapit sa amin. Sa unang linggo ng buwan, sinubukan ko na ring simulang and pagpapa-ensayo para sa Ash Wednesday dahil ganado ako sa aktibong mga representative ng mga choir sa MM. pagkatapos ito ng jrock gig sa otaku expo na nakaka-nostalgia. Sa paghahanda nga lang para sa gig, nasigurado ko sa sarili ko na hindi na ako pwede sa ganun. Iba na ang drive ko sa buhay. Salamat pa rin kay Sol. Problema ko na lang, paano ko sasabihin sa kanya at sa mga kabanda namin na kailangan ko nang magpaalam kahit naka-isang gig pa lang kami. sa pagbili-bili naman, patungo na ako sa pagsasara ng koleksyon ko nang mga siyam na taon din. Nakuha ko na rin sa wakas ang eva rebuild portraits 8 at revoltech eva mark.6 na in-order ko sa lazada bago magsara ang Enero. Sa opisina naman, patuloy ang mga prospective project at tila patindi ang para sa MWCI NBAQ4. Ayun pala, actual project pala namin (may bayad) ang bid preparation para sa FFCruz.

Hindi ko masyadong napansin ang papalapit na Valentine’s Day / 41st Wedding Anniversary nina Mama at Papa. Nakatuon siguro ang pansin ko sa 40 days ni Tito Feds, ang celebrasyon namin ng araw ng pagtatapos ng biyahe niya tungong Langit. Masarap ang Calimon family lunch sa Guevarra’s. masaya. Tama nga at may ipinagdiriwang nga kami, at alam naming nagdiriwang rin ang Langit sa pag-uwi ng isang pang mabuting kaluluwa. Naka-ilang tampo time kami ni mhae pero mas maraming sweet moments—mula sa pag-alala sa pagkikita namin at pagsisimula ng pagkakaibiga namin hanggang sa pag-deliver ng pancake house at kiss noong Valentine’s day kasi nag-aaral/nagpapahinga siya para sa mga parating na exam. Nakabili rin kami sa wakas ng sapatos na ipangbabasketball ko. Noong Linggong iyon, napanood din namin ang Lego Batman Movie. Sa choir, sa wakas, nakapag-ensayo na rin kami kahit papaano. Nakabuo rin ako ng proseso ng pagbili, pagtanggap, at pagbalik ng item sa Lazada—replacement T100 charger. Hindi inasahang ang susunod kong pagbili ay mamomroblema nang mas malaki. Pero bago yun, sa pagsapit ng Feb 14, nag-family lunch kami sa Pancake House, Paseo de Magallanes at nagkuhanan ng picture sa mga heart heart sa may parking. May contest. Nakapagpadentista rin ako. Akala ko aalisin na ang braces ko. Di pa pala. Pero palapit na para sa itaas. Sana ngayong taon din ang sa baba.

Dumating din ang last shift ni mhae sa west/alorica noong Feb 16 bago ang pag-file niya ng immediate resignation noong Feb 17. Binabalik-balikan namin nang konti ang nagdaang mga taon na hinahatid ko siya sa opisina at ang ilang pagsundo ko sa kanya. Nakakatuwa pero nakagiginhawa rin na graduate na siya sa industriya ng call center. Noong hinihintay ko siya na matapos ang pag-file ng resignation, noon ko binili ang apat na shelf sa lazada. Ilang araw matapos noon, noong Linggo na nag-TV/USB movie date kami sa bahay dahil nasa high school reunion si mama at nasa hilton reunion si papa, na-engage sina Miro at RC sa japan. Syempre, may mga na-pressure. Sa techie side naman, sumuko na ako sa mypad2 na nagsilbing alarm paminsan-minsan. Bumigay na nga ata ang baterya. Natuwa naman ako at naisipan kong gamitin uli ang bluetooth headset ko sa ilang tawag ko kay mhae bago matulog. At syempre, nakakatuwang gawin uli yun kasi matagal na nga rin kaming hindi nakakapagtawagan bago matulog dahil sa shift niya. Ginamit din ni papa uli ang luma niyang myphone (yung kasabay ng mypad2) kasi naupuan niya ata yung latest niyang myphone. Buti hindi yung LG. bago pala yon, ako naman ang nag-antay sa magulang na umuwi dahil gumimik. Ayun, naparamdam ni papa sa akin kahit kaunti ang nararamdaman nila noong mga panahong madalas akong uminom sa labas at nagpapa-madaling-araw. May patawag-tawag pa ako sa telepono.

Ayan, patapos na ang buwan. Mabilis ang Pebrero, kulang kai ng dalawang araw. Mahigit isang linggo ko ring pinroblema ang customer service ng Lazada dahil sa kulang na delivery. Buti naman at napagbigyan ako na hindi na isauli ang natanggap ko na para lang ibalik uli sa akin. Binigyan na lang ako kanina ng voucher refund. Bukas o sa huwebes ko na lang siguro papalitan ang negative feedback ko. Sa buhay korista, nahalal nga pala akong secretary kasama nina froi (pres), pj (vp), at mike ruga (treasurer) sa MM. nag-meeting kami na kami-kami lang tapos nakausap na rin namin si Fr. Ting na postibo ang pananaw at plano para sa ministry. Panibagong hamon ito sa buhay ko na alam kong mahihirapan ako. Hindi ko pa nga na-e-encode ang minutes. Tumindi na rin nang todo ang bid prepartion project namin nina TJ. Matagal na rin akong hindi nacha-challenge. Break muna. Ayun, na-e-enjoy namin ni mhae ang bakasyon niya sa school at ang pag-resign niya. Naka-isa pa kaming sine—50 shades—at nakapag-cash n carry date na rin kami sa wakas. Nakapag-grocery bonding din kami kasama sina aboy at bonbon. Ayun, isa ring breaktime mula sa good/bad news ni KR ilang araw ang nakalilipas. Balik sa trabaho ko, may medyo maliit din kaming prospective ni sir robert na natutuwa naman akong makatrabaho kahit papaano, kahit kaunti. Nagsimula na rin ang sportsfest. Medyo badtrip lang ako sa basketball, pero ang sarap ng feeling manalo ang team sa chess. Ewan ko pero cino-congratulate ko sarili ko sa paglagay ng mga myembro sa team na alam kong mas may laban kaysa sa akin. si papa naman, kararating kanina mula malaysia. Noong linggo siya umalis. Ang galing din ng pag-solve sa mga problema niya noong sabado—naiwan cellphone sa pcc—at hindi makahanap ng lock para sa maleta. Skato pala sa mga pagbasa at homily noong Linggo na may kinalaman sa pag-asa sa Diyos. Kasama na rin dun ang pag-asa sa mga tao sa paligid dahil mga instrumento sila ng Diyos. Galing. Panalo rin noong Linggo na marami kami sa PEMC 11am at napa-practice din kagabi. At nagsara ang buwan sa paghatid ni mhae sa akin sa opisina kaninang umaga at pagtambay ko sa kanila pagkatapos ng opisina. Relax mode na uli. Medyo. Tila may mga pagsubok na matindi simula bukas. Sakto, simula rin ng Kwaresma bukas.

Plans for 2017 and Beyond with Endings and Beginnings

The year started as usual, with an indoor New Year’s eve celebration, and later, the Ang/Chua family reunion—this year, at Guevarra’s in San Juan. Earlier, New Year’s day being a Sunday, mhae and I started the year right with the first Mass of the calendar year with free puto bongbong from allen’s mother on the way home. In the evening, the barkada got to have our Christmas party at the Tulays’ place, this year, with a new member—baby Rori. Back to lunch, the buffet was great and filling, mhae and I saved dessert for our next visit that was to be Tito Feds’ 70 birthday. The next day, a holiday, sadly, he left us for Heaven. Needless to say, there was sadness in the Calimon family. There was comfort in the support of family and friends, in fond memories, and in the very comforting words of the priests during the Masses. I enjoyed the last batch of Calimon’s best leche flan until two nights ago, having saved that last lyanera for my birthday. By the end of the first week of January, Tito Feds’ body was buried and many tears have been shed. Moving on has begun.

The first Sunday after New Year this year was the celebration of the Epiphany and the closing of the Christmas season, and it’s more or less, back to normal everyday routine. One addition is the novena for the repose of the soul of Tito Feds. Later during the week was Judith’s birthday but we de decided during Tito Feds’ wake that we’ll have a joint celebration at Circles later in the month. This week marked a combined fail in my professional career. I should have gotten my PRC ID renewed. Unfortunately, I should have paid for it online and spent the additional 40pesos for dragonpay, rather than need to return because I missed my appointment the day before. Well, I missed my appointment because of a meeting for the Park McKinley project. During the meeting, it was announced that the project was terminated. I really thought I’d feel bad about things, but I’m glad I didn’t. I normally wouldn’t but it’s still quite surprising. I did get my bag’s zippers fixed (quite expensively but worth it) and got to claim jollibee treats from bpi (3 more to go). Back to school for mhae also meant more crucial and yet sweeter hatid sessions, a bit more deliveries from me after office Oh, and semp basketball practice was tiring and I think I injured my left shin.

Third week of January, I successfully pushed myself to go to confession, although less than a month since the last time. It was also birthday week so I decided that I’d get the 4 classic Ninja Turtles reissues. Donatello was not available anywhere near, though, so I finally(?) gave up. I did get Encore Optimus Prime from ebay. Haha! i also got a china lego from mhae. It was a really cute and sweet gesture, so much more valuable than the expensive toys I get myself. Office work was more on updating the monitoring for the masinloc project. Choir time was mostly for the novena Mass for San Ildefonso’s fiesta, and thankfully with ryan showing up a couple of times. One fail though is jrock band practice. Yeah, I’m out of shape. And I think my song before, losing skill but having drive left, it isn’t applicable since I think I also lost my drive. Well, I probably grew up/old/out of it. Nonetheless, it’s nice meeting pleasant new friends and getting a chance to play again. the combined birthday lunch at Circles was also awesome and worth it. And I got myself another jollibee coupon.

One funny/sad aspect of the week was the large melted hershey’s kiss delivered to the office on Monday and in hidden in ate’s room by Friday. It was meant for mama and papa’s anniversary. Tuesday, I had 17 papa john’s pizzas delivered to the office for my birthday celebration. It was enjoyable and i’m happy to have another jollibee treat to claim from BPI. Later that day, mhae and I decided to claim the starbucks planner only to fail at getting the big brown variant. A following attempt that was given a good amount of effort only led to the realization that we should have claimed asap. We finally got the small brown variant earlier this evening. Back to the 4^th week of the month, I got my braces adjusted (with the recemented bracket detaching again today) and was told by dra beth that the top braces are to be removed in our next meeting. On the choir side of things, I’ve decided to take it upon myself, while commisioning help from the talents around, to teach for at least Ash Wednesday, and probably parts of the Easter Triduum. The lineups are one their way to completion. Ryan has agreed to play the keyboard and henrick has started doing the arrangements of old service songs I’ve selected. I also got to do better in the 2^nd band practice somehow pushed by a bandmates’ motivating rant. Pushing to practice kinda pushed me to get my amp back in my room. I also managed to register with Grab. By this time, mhae and I had more meetups after her classes and dinner time around her office before work. Sweet moments, sweeter with candy crush during weekends. Also, these past two weekends, with a little bit more concrete wedding projections for next year, she got me interested in the k-drama Doctor Stranger. I’m also getting pressured (by myself) with my nostalgia-based collection prospective purchases. More like remake. Well, they’re for rebuild of evangelion and transformers. Ack.

The month ends with half a week with a new milo mug, a new prospective project with the rodriguez team, a Mass for the feast of St. John Bosco and Fr. Jonil’s 1 death anniversary.