what it's worth

the basis? ewan! ask the cute guy.:P

My blog is worth $2,822.70.
How much is your blog worth?

photo memory

a photo of the manila bay harbor, with the amazing lights and more amazing sky, that i took in august.

changing colors and hues

just some changing phases of the sky in baguio--afternoon and dusk.

joy of teaching

i just realized i haven't blogged about work here. i've been enjoying myself so much exploring the place, i haven't said much about my experience teaching at UP Baguio. first of all, this is not the first time i've taught college students. i taught for a term at a university along taft ave. it was a very challenging experience.
now that i'm teaching at UP, it's really a joy. no, not all my students are perfect, and there have been moments i look out and see a sea (well, not a sea, maybe more like a pond or something) of blank faces looking my way. but generally, i'm very happy with my students. i handle four classes in all, no classes mondays, 1 1/2 hour class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 1/2 hours of class on Wednesdays and Fridays. it's a very leisurely pace for me, that i still manage to plan out my classes at least a day before.
but what's most fulfilling are the students. it's so refreshing to have a large majority, i daresay 98% of them, of responsible, diligent, creative students. students who, though they were absent during the previous meeting, attend class with assignments, who devote effort to delivering inspired presentations, who deliver more than what you ask of them. now i understand and fully appreciate why, despite the measly financial renumeration, many persist in being educators. i do not exaggerate when i say not a day goes by (well, not a schoolday goes by) that i don't revel in an aspect of one (at least) of my student's talents and capabilities.
and by golly, the location couldn't be better!

walking tour and foodtrip

last saturday, armed with a map and my insatiable sense of adventure, i ventured out unescorted into the unexplored (at least on my part) regions of baguio city. it was a dual-purpose trip: to find a place for me to stay, as well as to explore my "new home".
i did a walk-through of leonard wood road, and made it to the pink sisters convent. it's a serene, smaller, more solemn version of its tagaytay counterpart. beautiful and silent, and whatever you feel like saying to God, it feels as if it doesn't matter in that peaceful place.

then, i went for merienda at a place i read about through a posting in school. it's bliss cafe, a buddhist-themed vegetarian cafe with an amazing view!

i couldn't decide what to order from their extensive, all-vegetarian menu, so i had the vegetarian chicharon, springrolls, and of course, strawberry crepes for dessert. while waiting for my order, i went around the cafe and immediately loved the paintings, the music (they were playing the sublime "i am sam" OST), the bags, the buddha sculptures, the fish in the fishbowl, and all the stuff they had for sale--really nice, though really expensive.

i know you want to know how the food was. ok, ok. first, the vegetarian chicharon

it was spiced just right, and really crispy and hot and i had to ask the girl if she was SURE that it was not pork--twice! and finally, i was convinced it was made of tofu (based on my tasting-talents!). the springrolls were good, though i think i filled up too much on the chicharon, i wasn't able to finish this.

but i still had room for the coup d' grace: the strawberry crepes! i had to ask the girl again, if she was sure that they used fresh strawberries. and i almost jumped up and down. it's served with a scoop of yummy ice cream (just slightly contraband).

see how plump those strawberries are, dithers?:P it was even topped with warm syrup. the entire dessert tasted like it came from a countryhome kitchen. warm and yummy and cozy.
good thing i decided to walk home after that, because i was stuffed! definitely going back there.

a bit overdue...

this is a bit overdue, forgive me for getting senti about some people at my former office. here's a tribute of sorts:
jac - who was my first "seatmate", who patiently taught me the ropes at the department, who doesn't seem to be frazzled and appears poised. you know those girls whose hair seems always in place and who could wear white pants and not soil them the entire day? don't we hate them? jac looks like that--but you could never hate her. she seems very happy as the newlywed and entrep ed. so happy for her.
you will always be one of the most respected and admired people i know!
cindy - my fellow japophile. we were batchmates in UP and have many common friends, but what cemented our friendship was the constant exchange of information, downloads, and audio-visual delights of our Asian (but not pinoy) men. we've outgrown tsinoy.com, haven't we?
we are definitely going to japan, no matter what!
jonas - my favorite midday shift art director. hahaha! jonas is mr chickboy--i think the "machodancer" choreo clinches it. he's very hardworking--gets to the office at 12nn or 1 pm and stays til 12 mn, or sometimes into the wee hours of the morning. he even stayed over with me til 4 am when we were finishing an **argh!** project.
thanks for your patience sa kids...rather, clients ng kids' advertisers.
mems - mems + cindy = hours of silly laughter. when those 2 start their hiritan, it takes the entire day to unravel--whether in the privacy of their chats or infecting the entire department! but mems is also wounded, like me, and i have taken it upon my self to try to make sure she doesn't end up as jaded as i am. loves JT!
you are a wonderful person, and the right one will come along soon.
dennis - my "kuya" who loves bagets, beatles, original DVDs, oasis, and toni gonzaga. i already miss our reminiscences about the 80's and growing up pinoy and "typical" girls and guys. he's a thoughtful friend who is also a very talented and dedicated artist. and man, does he love playing the guitar!
nakatatak talaga sa akin ang toni-encounter mo. classic! you still have to help me choose an mp3 player ha? leslie - moment of truth: i used to think she was one of those stuck-up, maarte girls who would talk non-stop about the latest clothes, etc. what changed my mind? i was talking about some books, and she mentioned books that made sense. and that's when i realized she wasn't part of the "typical" at all. she gets neurotic about work, worries that she may rub people the wrong way, takes everything to heart. being cubicle-mates for six months has made us friends for life.
soul sister, i miss our heart-to-heart talks. we should have one in person soon! see you here!
joel - he was one of the first persons i met in summit, though we were never that close. but we felt strongly about a certain person (well, certain persons), and hate pretension. i am truly glad he gets to do what he loves now.
sana di ka na bawal sa mga "certain areas" ng office. haha!
sonee - she may look like the kikay-all-around, mahinhin girl, but i love that she guffaws instead of giggles, constantly surprises with her "hirits", and loves--would you believe?--heavy metal. i love discussing books, movies, and moviestars (rodrigo? johnny? brad? angelina?--este, sa inyo pala siya ni leslie) with her.
we're still going to YOUR island in quezon, ha?
cleone - our "mama", she always cares about whether we've eaten, what we're up to, and how our rakets are. haha! she cares so much for her babies and "her jonas". she always has the most...um...shocking hirits and topic choices. wild!
kumusta kamo? onsa'y sunod nimong gimik?
bubbles - the queen of rakets who showers us all in her generosity. she's the voice of maturity (hmm?) and lewd one-liners (aha!). she gets along with everyone--except when she has no money (*wink!*)--but is unsuccessful in making me join them at the "cancer ward". she seems to be the "target" these days, hopefully, she can take it.
nasaan na autograph ni ka gerry?? kelan ang susunod na raket?
jenny - she's really sweet and down to earth--despite the fact that she's top art honcho at marie claire and has breathed french fumes! we chat about diverse topics like common friends, LDG, and "memoirs of a geisha". she is very talented, and makes the cutest earrings and embellished flipflops.
so touched that you came for my despedida and made those earrings for me!
abby - our "trainee". she's diligent, smart, talented, and passionate about her work. she's also passionate about travel, theatre, music, and movies, oui? her idealism reminds me of myself, pre-jaded years. i'm sure she will go far, not only because of her IQ, but also because she is a pleasure to be around.
mon cheri, don't forget that a little "naughty" is more exciting!:P
ateng - more mahinhin and "dalagang pilipina" than any of us, he is very talented and conscientious. he blows us away with his ideas and his work ethic. and his jodi labanda wares. when he's not busy, busy, busy, he's great to joke around with and always game--despite our weird gimiks.
go ka na kay mr. i. as in go na!!! wag na magpa-demure, ha?!

i think those ended up like "friendster testimonials". no matter. thanks and i'll see you guys soon!

rain and harry

There was a light drizzle yesterday afternoon when, after class, i went to watch the latest harry potter movie. I was not disappointed. Before my 2-centavos' worth, though, here's a disclaimer: i am not a avid harry potter fan. I can't quote from the books/movies from memory and so i can't tell you if they omitted anything in the movie version. “the goblet of fire” is the last HP i read. (yes, gasp!) i haven't been able to borrow my friends' copies of the succeeding books. but i have seen all the movies. I remember seeing the first one with nanie in cebu—and we were so happy that we didn't have to contend with long queues and sky-high ticket prices. It was the same here in baguio. I got a ticket for only P65, and was seated comfortably.
My favorite HP is “the prisoner of azkaban”. I also liked the movie very much. “goblet of fire”, though, i liked better than the book, and it's a toss-up now which HP movie is my favorite. The special effects are, of course, wonderfully superb. I loved the scene at the hall during the entrance of the tri-wizard participants. An audio- visual treat! The movie, like the book, has a good mix of the dark and the happy/funny. It's been a while since i've watched a movie and been completely swept away by it. Last time was “charlie”. But “GOF” made me scream, giggle, and sent my pulse racing. Not only in exhilaration and suspense, but also because of the cuties onscreen. I'm not one of those who have “unclean” thoughts about daniel radcliffe as harry because he will always be “jailbait”. But i have to say, “my, daniel, how you've grown!” SPOILER: watch out for the scene in the tub! The actor playing cedrick does not disappoint. Of course, he's so very handsome! Would love to see the outtakes! Emma watson is growing into a very beautiful girl. and of course, as always, ralph fiennes is fascinating!
After the movie, which is about 2 hrs and 20 mins., i think, i came out of the theater and felt the tingling that only rain can bring. It was raining and it felt divine. I walked under the rain, and happily basked in the cold. There was no flood, and the mass of people waiting for cabs was not chaotic. Lovely, lovely rainy baguio night. It was a good day.

sad story

there's a story to this photo. i was passing through sunshine park midday friday, when i noticed a white butterfly flutering wildly up and down a particular patch of grass. i observed that it was tring to nudge or pick up something white there. and i soon discovered it was another white butterfly. i thought it was dead, so i felt sad for this fluttering butterfly. but then, after several nudges, the butterfly on the ground flapped its wings twice. i was intrigued. so i thought of 2 scenarios: either the butterfly on the ground was mad at this fluttering butterfly, and so deadma siya; or the butterfly was hurt or dying, and the fluttering butterfly was trying to egg on or revive or at least comfort the ailing butterfly. either way, it was a sight to behold.

scenes from a life

i told you i found a great spot at the library, didn't i? here's a photo of the nook, and my view from there:

i pass through this small park, called sunshine park, everyday, because it's between UP and the spot where the jeep passes. i spotted this beautiful flower that looks like a gumamela, but also like a stargazer. but a bit smaller than either one.

there's a walkway from the park to nearby SM, and i like looking out at the view from up there, as well as the lush greenery, like this plot of pine trees.

i also discovered, through an article posted on the bulletin board in school, cottage gi's. a nice place near the top terrace of SM, where they serve a variety of food like pasta, pizza, sandwiches, bam-i, and okoy. but what really drew me there was the fresh strawberry shortcake. the difference? none of the too-sweet preserved taste. the strawberries are juicy and sweet--no hint of sour at all. yum!!!

props to cindy

thanks to cindy for the impromptu html lesson--that's why there are lyrics of nao's song displayed at the bottom of your browser.
domo arigato, hideaki-san!;)

the hills are alive...

we (my dad and i) arrived in baguio monday afternoon, and on our approach, the hillsides were enveloped in fog, lovely fog! as if the place was giving me a grand welcome.

we met up with the people i was going to stay with for a while. not yet sure about finding a place of my own or another room. sleep that night was the best in a while.
next day was my first day at UP. papa and i woke up early to look around. we ate at cafe by the ruins. sadly, i could not have any of their wonderful coffee. maybe one day soon...

then, we walked around session road. now i know why it's called session. it's the location of the first philippine session, apparently. so as it turns out, there's some historical relevance.
papa and i shared a cab and he dropped me off at the campus, while he sped off to the victory liner terminal. i'll miss him and my family of course.
when i got to campus, brownout! but it's okay. i dropped off some papers, then proceeded to the library where there are glorious rows of books! this is going to be a regular hangout for me. i've even chosen a seat by the window, overlooking some trees, where the light is just right, and so is the "natural aircon".
for lunch, i headed to the nearby SM. there's no escaping it now. but interestingly, i liked the views--from all around. so i had a leisurely lunch overlooking baguio city.

so far, it's been very leisurely because it's still enrollment. i love the stress-free atmosphere, the wide open campus, and of course, the weather.
feel like singing ala "sound of music"!

PACKING @#$%^!

finally done packing. wasn't able to bring ALL the books and clothes i wanted to. but, goodness me, i've 4 boxes already! (not balikbayan ones, though, mind you)
ok, next blog, baguio-based!

a day of "send-offs"

saturday was a back-to-back send-off day. hung out with nanie and cely at glorietta. we would have wanted a more interesting and dynamic venue, ie chinatown, but we were pressed for time and concerned about the traffic in that area. so we walked around, talked, looked for books, shopped for "mature" earrings for me, and ate at delifrance. we talked about long-term plans, and they said they were very proud and happy for me. i kept on insisting they should come up to baguio on my birthday. over all, we plan not to let the bigger difference between us adversely affect our friendship.
dinnertime was spent with marlowe and cecile. marlowe cooked pasta and made refrigerator cake. yummy! it was meant to be a get-together of some close high school friends, but we ended up having a more intimate set-up. which was just as well, because we were able to share stories more extensively and in-depth. we talked well into the night, and ended up with musings: "we're old" and "you'll only be gone for over a month!" (to me).

family day

i spent friday with my family. we went to pay our respects to our dead relatives in the cemetery, and to fulfill something for plenary indulgence. then, we went on errands, like buying groceries. as an added bonus: we ate my favorites! i'm not supposed to eat, well, certain kinds of food, but there was an unspoken moratorium. so i was treated to yummy spaghetti at cash and carry's cafeteria (a family favorite since i was a child) and for dessert, swiss choco at becky's kitchen (a high school favorite). it was just a day to hang out, as we haven't done in a long time, with every body busy with his or her own thing. i loved it!

it's not "goodbye", only "see you soon"

i start this post knowing that i'll probably be in tears at concluding it. but here goes...
thursday, nov. 4, was my last day at summit (also dennis's). it was also a terribly busy day. sunshine, my replacement (unlike LL who's irreplaceable. haha!) came in for the first time, and the poor girl had to absorb so much info all at once. i hope she understood at least half of my bombardments. but i rest assured that she can always ask bubbles or sonee when she's in doubt.
we had planned to have a despedida dinner at JT's manukan grille, owned by mr. joel torre, along ortigas ext. at 6:30pm. but by 6, i still had so many things to fix up, clear, and organize into my already burgeoning backpack. many thanks to mems who lent me her bag--which she will reclaim in baguio by month's end. (di ba?)
finally, at the prodding of my officemates, i decided to abandon the mammoth task for later, and have the "despedida festivities" commence. i was so touched that some of them bought me going-away gifts! i had to open them right at the office!
mems and cindy were commenting throughout the day that they would make me cry. that remained to be seen.
first up, mems gave me a book by jessica zafra (her favorite author, i must add) and a cute keychain. next, in a unique nao-covered wrapper (just for me!), was cindy's gift, a cute chinese figurine (?) on a spring. and her "back-up" gift (daw) na korean cup. jenny gave me a small korean teacup with (wowee!) cute dangling earrings that she made herself. since i was wearing a pink skirt, they matched my outfit, so i wore the earrings. my boss gave me a cutesy photo frame.

i stopped by koko's desk to say goodbye and whisk her off to introduce sunshine. and she gave me some of these snacks from childhood.

kat and regie and aby and lui, gave me some "going-away" mags. they and some other people from advertising also tried to talk me out of leaving. umm...much too late!
sadly, jac and joel couldn't make it. sonee had urgent business she and jason had to attend to, so we had our pic taken together at the office.

we proceeded to manukan in batches. first to arrive was moi with miel, bubbles, and cleone. but as soon as we got there, cleone had to go because her mom fetched her to go to a family dinner. we said our "see you soon"s. we ordered for everyone while waiting. and good thing! because it was a busy night and the tables were filling up fast! eventually, the rest of the people came and the laugh- and glutton-fest started.

kat came straight from shangri-la, and gave me this--she made it especially for me!

my pretty pals who inevitably "kidnap" me from work.

jenny came to office just to come to the despedida! (and don't you just love the earrings she gave me?)

with my "pasaway proteges"

the wicked bitches (witches) pass on the torch/throne/broom

i spent 10-hour days, 5 days a week with these people (more or less), and in the 1 1/2 years (shy of a few days) that i've been at summit, they are the most valuable "acquisitions".
and yes, i'll be in baguio! see you guys in december...