A Move Out Request & 7 Wonders

I spoke to Nori this weekend, and I was a bit sad to tell him that my sister wanted to stay in the flat, and that in effect, I would like him to leave. He is a good flatmate and I didn't want to give him any aggravation. But I have to think about what is also best for me and my sister. I hope that by giving him enough notice (more than 3 months), that he will be okay with this arrangement. What mitigates things is that he was also thinking about whether he would be moving on or not. However, I feel that I've narrowed down his options.

Spent the weekend playing A LOT of 7 wonders. It was nice going to Benj's apartment (where we played on Sunday) in Forbestown Heights. . .and I have to say that I like the scale of the neighborhood near Burgos Circle. It's actually very live-able there. The establishments nearby are interesting enough AND the neighborhood definitely tilts young. I think I will have to look into actually moving to that area. There is new construction going on.

Listening to Album leaf. Slowing down my pace so that I can get a deep sleep. I hope that it works somehow. It has made writing this entry a bit more peaceful, and I do find myself getting drowsy. Good Night.

die Angst

Anxiety is. . .generated when one feels impending judgment on you. But isn't it more important that you trust on your own judgment, and you are faithful to what you know is right? Anxiety . . . is borne of a story you told yourself, a story you do not like. What is this story? How many times have you told it to yourself, and then just as quickly change it, before going back to the original one? Do we have to keep on moving into different narratives. . .a cycle that keeps us to a certain place.

I love you na

"I love you na!" I get anxious when I hear that from new acquaintances. I would like to tell them, please realize that I am also an awful person with a "stick up my ass", as a good friend recently told me. Please tolerate me first, then realize that I am a decent person, rather than like me and then be disappointed.

I imagine this complex invites all types of collateral damage.

* * *

I discovered that I have a friend who does not watch TV, nor listen to radio. . .nor read magazines, nor read newspapers and rarely surfs the net. I'm Jealous. gusto kong gayahin. Media Diet.

Talamitam

When friends ask me if there is a nearby mountain they could trek up, I am at a loss to recommend one. Most of the mountains I've climbed are selected as part of training climbs, so the trails are difficult and require more preparation in terms of training and equipment, than is practical for someone who just wants to climb a mountain for a day trip.

After this past weekend though, I now have one mountain I can recommend. Mt. Talamitam can be summitted in two hours, and the effort is rewarded by a great view of the Batangas area. The jump off point is off the KM 73 marker of the national road in Tagaytay. You can park your car at a secure place (at the front yard of a gentleman whom we call Tata Nic), and then one heads towards the foot of the mountain after paying 25 pesos at the nearby community area where climbers register. After a climb all morning, and taking lots of pictures, you can reward yourself with food in Tagaytay.

* * *

I climbed this week as part of a group are doing tune up climbs before heading to Snow Mountain in Taiwan. The group consisted of Niel and his family, his two officemates Boom and Mac, and AMCI folk Jason, Kat, Lykka, Ian and Teejay. We had a ton of fun. Next time, we will climb the relatively nearby mountain Batulao, 'coz aside from Niel and Teejay, the AMCI folk skipped climbing what was originally part of the itinerary.

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After getting into a good climb, such as the one yesterday, one starts thinking already of what else is out there to explore. It can easily become a big addiction.

The Abrera Family

The gentleman on the rightmost of the right photo is Uncle Jaimito. He has a tweety bird tattoo on his chest. He recently helped us kick out some loud-mouthed property encroachers in Busuanga. The fourth lady seated is Aunt Lourdes. I had no idea that she looked that fierce in the 1960s.

The lady sitting solo on the left photo is Aunt Monina.

* * *

I find striking the photo evidence that show the the cultural collateral damage that took place in the late 60s, early 70s, when people, our families, decided no longer to dress in tailored dress and suits.

* * *

We were the hosts this year of the family reunion.

rough presentations

Now I know what it's like to work for a company that nearly everybody in this city has a relationship with. You have no choice. You have to deal with us. But what the company is coming to realize is that it will not be like this for long. Soon enough, there will be choice. And our proposition will be: don't leave us.

* * *

I gave a presentation today. It was rough at times. I left from it feeling rather positive though. I thought it was just a shade funny that sometimes people could not understand my point. . .black humor.

* * *

When was the last time you were anticipating a particular date for a books release? (Maybe the last time was in July 2007). But am beginning to discover that Amazon manufactures anticipation, too, with it's e-books. It's rather amazing what they've done to people's reading habits. Mine are only transforming now. . .

* * *

I think people might be surprised at our capacity to still hike up our media consumption. We're increasingly becoming screen starers a society. . .

By Your Hand

I can't get into my livejournal account.

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I learned the meaning of a new word today: suyod. For those of you who don't know either, it's to go over something very closely, like going through something with a fine-toothed comb. That's been the nature of the work I've been working on the last 5 or so weeks. We've gone through decks and a refinement process. I have so much high quality scratch paper.

* * *

When we were kids, our idea of a fun time was a whole box of scratch paper. We were early on paper-lovers, and the dox matrix paper w/ the wholes on the side, seemed particularly luxurious. Now, most things are on the screen, but we began with paper. . .

* * *

My boss says, I'm sorry I hope you don't mind that I'm OC and very careful with communication. Not at all, I think. If we could all be as cautious.

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Tomorrow is two things: Meralco Night Run at 5pm. And the 3rd Xmas quiz night people party at Jim's at around 8. I am really looking forward to tomorrow before working (gladly) on a Sunday, to finish something for Monday. My 5 weeks in Meralco has actually been pretty awesome.