Musings of a Galleon Trader

Writing blog...

2008-08-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

I didn't write for a long time until I was able to find my old blogs from a different website. I just did the transfer of some blogs a while ago, the oldest dated in 2005. It's really funny how I used to think back then. Reading my past blogs is a good self reflection on what I have become to this date. It's tiring and embarrassing revisiting my old self. oh well...people change.

Man of the House

2007-04-16T01:18:00.000-07:00

It doesn't really sit by me to post every swing of event in my life on this blog but as of the moment, I guess I really have to "cross the line" (or eat my words, perhaps).

Right now, my family of 25 years is falling apart. My parents' marriage has been tested several times and is now on the verge of dissolution (or brink of extinction, whatever you call it). I can't think of the right word, so please allow me to use this business term--dissolution. My sister and I have opposing views on this issue. She doesn't grow tired of burying the hatchet, forgiving my dad's "trespasses" to my mom over and over again. Whereas my philosophy is simple, if things don't work out to the best interest of the partners, then it's time for them to exit and move on; just as simple as the law on partnerships and corporation. There's no good reason to create a warped image of a happy family when it doesn't exist to begin with. I don't care being a product of a broken family, what matters to me more is to not see events through a tainted window.

Now you might be thinking that I got the worst dad in the world but believe me when I say he's really one of the best dads out there that you could ever have. My dad has been instrumental in my success. He constantly inspires me with his simple gestures, one is by sending me books of successful people so I could learn from their achievements. When I was a kid of 7 or 8, he would bring me at the courthouse where he worked as a criminal lawyer and have me witnessed the details of court proceedings. He encouraged me to take up business and law in college and to become a student leader/activist. He groomed me to interact with all kinds of people, introduced me to his colleagues as he beams with pride for a son who's supposed to follow his footsteps. My dad and I only see each other once a year and with his absence, I learned to appreciate all the things he has done for me.

Whatever happens in the future, I know that he will always be my father and no- questions-asked about how he portrayed it exceptionally. The only sad part is, everytime I see the sadness in my mom's eyes, I am beginning to lose sight of him gradually.

Now, I am preparing myself to take on his role as the "man of the house" for my mom and my sister. I don't know why God keeps pouring in responsibilities on my shoulders (on top of work and nursing school). What I know is He doesn't send challenges I cannot weather. On a final note, I will always be here, standing, waiting and ready to face whatever best or worst is yet to come in my life. This is my character. This is what I learned from my dad.

MABUHAY

2007-03-20T23:32:00.001-07:00

Duties and more...

2007-03-20T11:19:00.000-07:00

As class president, it is my duty to unite the class together in whatever ways possible. On top of that, I have to make sure that the class will have $10,000 budget before graduation to cover the expenses of our banquet and pinning ceremony. Right now, we have nothing. It's about time to do some fundraising here and there. Whatever that is, I hope it will be a gain not a loss; let's just cross our fingers. On Saturday, Mar. 24 will be our first class picnic in Ala Moana beach. This is my way of bringing the class together across cultures because afterall, we really will need each other when times get rough on the upcoming semesters. That said, early camaraderie is vital at this point.

I just intalled windows vista on my laptop and I didn't know that AOL 9.0 unlimited is not compatible with vista's configuration. Thank goodness for AOL VR which I have to install later tonight.

I noticed that everytime I call for technical support or any customer service related issues, I always get directed to either Indian or Filipino call center. I wonder why Americans cannot supply their own telephone support service. But thanks for this companies who help thousands of people in the 3rd world to have jobs.

Yesterday, I talked to my friend in Germany and found out that he will be assigned in Bangkok on the period where I will be in Manila. So yeah, I guess one of us has to fly over to hang out. Afterall, MNL to BKK is just a short flight. My classmate and my other friends at UH will also be in Manila at the same time. Since I know my way around Manila, I guess I have to show all these people around. I am looking forward for the summer and all the excitement instore.

I'm proud because of you...

2007-03-06T00:09:00.001-08:00

Peechurs

2007-03-04T23:14:00.000-08:00

Now I'm back

2007-03-03T00:46:00.000-08:00

Ok. Here's a quick update after a year of silence.

I started my Nursing school at the University of Hawaii at Manoa this Spring semester. I was elected as class president. What's new, anyway? Nursing school is hell. You give your 100% hardwork and you only get 75% of reward in return; but when you graduate it's different, you could give 75% of your effort at work and still get paid good $$$$$$.

T is for traffic

2006-09-06T01:20:00.000-07:00

I was caught in terrible traffic on my way home this afternoon due to the damage of an overpass (in H1 freeway) by a hydraulic excavator truck...of the military(tnx for serving the country). According to the news, they will be able to fix the problem overnight the way Jesus can resurrect a dilapidated temple in 3 days. Fixing the problem is no joke because they have to destroy the concrete overpass so it won't pose any lethal threat to motorists by collapsing anytime in the course of its imminent deterioration. Good luck to our Honolulu city engineers! You guys will be needing gallons of frapuccino so better ask the governor now before she goes to bed. But anyhow, I am currently dreading of going to the university tomorrow and drive back and forth for a grand total of 5 hours; 5 hours of being tortured under the scorching heat as my calloused butt endures the pain of sitting beyond the tolerable human capacity. Sigh. Because most of us drivers were tired, some incidental accidents happened piece by piece on my way home. Here's one, 3 sedans rear-ended each other. Just imagine my shock when I was only a few feet away from them. It literally happened beside my car. WTF. Ambulance/police sirens can be heard every ~ 30 minutes as they go to the main scene or who knows if they rushed to the so-called incidental accidents that I was saying. But boy, there were a lot of them. We, the poor commuters, were diverted to use alternative route/s wherein we can park our car, open the window, raise the hood(in case you overheat), turn on the headlights, bring out the cooler, open the beer, turn on the music...oops did I just say rave party? Blah! But more seriously, we have to move inch by inch like a turtle should we decide to continue the ordeal. I am still thankful though because this experience I've been ranting about is nothing compared to what I have experienced in Manila. Actually they could've been the same except for the ~ 3 ft. deep of floodwater in Manila everytime the great deluge attacks the mortals. This is the worst scenario that could ever happen to anyone by far. Thanks to friends whom I talked with on the phone to shield if not to kill the early evening monotony and the tiredness from a 4 consecutive day of hospital work. You know how it is. Just a message to all you f**ckn'crane-carrying trucks, double, triple or even quarter decker buses around(for purposes of probability in the future), make sure to check your vehicle headway clearance before you promenade your big boys on the freeway or else you'll be at the mercy of taxpayers' groundswell of debauchery. Mwahaha.

I would always have a home to come home

2006-06-03T23:53:00.000-07:00

When times get rough and your body just cannot take the amount of stress you put in every day, I just draw strength and comfort from my family back home who's always there to welcome me back, rain or shine. No buts.

My uncle deserves another life

2006-05-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

Last night, I got a text message that shook my world. My sister and dad informed me that my uncle was ambushed and was killed in the Philippines. My uncle is a doctor and owns a hospital. The motive of the crime is still yet unknown but we have a sketchy hypothesis of who the culprit was. I can only write up to here until further investigations materialize. So my duty last night was to inform my 2 other uncles who are doctors themselves in Indiana and Pennsylvania to pass on the message to other relatives here in the US. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but of course every family member deserves to know.

My uncle had lived a righteous life. He is a good man. He was able to make good money and still have his conscience. The problem is with the envious people around him. This is one situation that gave me more reasons to just stay here in the US for good.

We came from a poor family. My grandparents started off as peasants but intelligence runs in our blood. Why is it so hard for other people to understand that even when you succeed, you can still have a good heart.

Spring Semester Just Concluded

2006-05-12T01:02:00.000-07:00

Alas! I will have a 10 day break of the late night-cramming, writing and all that crap. Not too long though, coz summer school starts on the 22nd and ends in August which is also the start of Fall 2006. Tired. Sorry for whingeing out too much. Well for my 3 challenging classes this semester: Pharmacology, Microbiology and Microbiology lab, I nailed them all to A's. Nothing is impossible when you believe. I just love learning and competing. Take it from me: Life is a race-- it's up to you if you want to sink or swim. And tomorrow, I'll be going to Karaoke with co-workers. I'm so excited! (words coming from a school hermit.)

Thanks Charm

2006-04-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

thanks for sharing me this blogsite. utterly funny.

www.bryanboy.com

My Raison d'etre

2006-03-17T00:20:00.000-08:00

Just a thought before I go to sleep...

It's not only fulfilling personal dreams now, it's more of how others live their purpose in your purpose.

Off:

To all my friends, I have been preoccupied since 2005, but your simple messages were all appreciated. Don't fret with my absence, I may not reply or acknowledge, and i may be elusive or already gone if you would think it that way, but when you become a part of me, you'll always be. You cannot erase that. Why? Because I have signed and sealed it in blood.

What?

2006-03-03T23:21:00.000-08:00

I love the world and I'm happy.

Five Unpopular Jobs You Should Have

2006-02-19T21:21:00.000-08:00

Five Unpopular Jobs You Should Have
Laura Morsch, CareerBuilder.com writer
Is there a severe labor shortage looming for the United States? It depends whom you ask. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a labor force of 162.3 million people by 2012. At the same time, the BLS predicts that the 2012 economy will require 165.3 million jobs to be filled.

For years, doomsayers have interpreted these statistics to mean the economy will experience a shortage of 3 million workers. But this simply isn't true, insisted Michael W. Horrigan in the February 2004 issue of the BLS' Monthly Labor Review.

Horrigan wrote that multiple job holding and statistical differences between the BLS and Current Employment Statistics surveys, not an impending labor shortage, account for the differences between the numbers.

Although the BLS says there will not be a generalized shortage, certain jobs will experience a shortage of qualified workers. Here are five that are expected to be hit particularly hard:

1. Registered Nurse

The nursing shortage has been fairly well-publicized. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human services, there was a shortage of 110,000 RNs in 2000, or about 6 percent of the national demand. The shortage is expected to grow to 29 percent by 2020.

What's causing this dramatic shortage? For one thing, the report states there will be an 18 percent increase in population by 2012. Plus, the aging of the baby boomers will result in a larger proportion of elderly people. To make matters worse, after 2011 the number of nurses leaving the profession is expected to exceed the number entering it.

Nursing salaries are increasing to help boost interest. The starting salary for registered nurses was nearly $39,000 in an April 2005 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. According to the BLS, median annual salaries were $53,640 in November 2004.

2. Machinist

In Deloitte's 2005 Skills Gap Report, 90 percent of respondents indicated a moderate to severe shortage of qualified skills production employees like machinists, who use machine tools, such as lathes, machining centers and milling machines to produce precision metal parts.

Machinists are becoming ever-more productive, but job opportunities for machinists are expected to be excellent, according to the BLS. These days, many young people are choosing to attend college or are shying away from production occupations. Thus, there are not enough new machinists to fill newly created jobs or replace experienced machinists who leave the occupation or retire.

According to the Princeton Review, the average starting salary for a machinist is $22,500. The median salary for machinists is just over $34,000, according to the BLS.

3. Librarian

Studies have shown that librarians are expected to exit the profession en masse in coming years. The American Library Association Web site quotes statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau indicating that more than one-quarter of all librarians will reach the age of 65 by 2009. A study published in the Library Journal found that 40 percent of library directors would retire by that same year.

In addition to the librarians expected to retire within the next decade, interest in the profession is waning among younger workers, according to the BLS. The situation is particularly dire for colleges and universities, which report the greatest difficulty in hiring librarians due to lower pay.

Graduates of library programs in 2004 reported an average starting salary of more than $39,000, an increase of nearly 3 percent over the previous year. The median salary for librarians is nearly $47,000, according to the BLS.

4. Truck Driver

Getting those eBay packages delivered might take longer by 2014. A report prepared for the American Trucking Associations by Global Insight, Inc. warns there is already a shortage of about 20,000 long-haul heavy-duty truck drivers. By 2014, the deficit is expected to reach 111,000.

The report blames slipping wages for the shortage. Trucking wages fell sharply with the onset of the recession in 2000 and have yet to recover. According to the BLS, the median salary for heavy or tractor-trailer truck drivers is $33,870.

5. Pharmacist

What, no refills? Pharmacists should have no trouble finding a job in coming years. A recent report from the Pharmacy Manpower Project predicted there will be a shortage of 157,000 pharmacists by 2020. Already, the American Hospital Association reports a 7.4 percent vacancy rate for pharmacists.

The shortage can be partially attributed to the aging population and the fact that more drugs are being manufactured and advertised to the public. In fact, the number of prescriptions has increased from 2 billion to 3.2 billion in the last 10 years. That problem is expected to worsen with the new Medicare prescription drug program that began Jan. 1, pharmacy officials told CNN in November.

To help cope, universities are opening new pharmacy programs and expanding existing ones. The high pay currently offered by pharmacist employers can't hurt, either. The BLS reports the median salary for pharmacists is over $87,000.

Laura Morsch is a writer for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Yay!!!

2006-02-10T00:10:00.000-08:00

I got 79% in Pharmacology. I'm not superman. I'm just like you.

I found my circle...

2006-02-03T23:02:00.000-08:00

Before I go to bed, let me share this realization with you. In my Microbiology class, most of us, preppies, (hehe) are on our postbaccaluareate degree. In my circle, we all came from different fields like Business, Psychology, Biology and Biochemistry. For the most challenging part, I would say that the hardest adaptation would be those coming from a non-Science major pursuing a healthcare profession. You have to be flexible in learning Medical vocabularies. It's not about partnerships, Freight in--freight out, deadlock, accounting and law of diminishing returns anymore. I have to shelf these terms for now and pull them out for my MBA later. With these kind of people surrounding me, I feel challenged and of course, professional in a way. I just love school. :)

I sympathize...

2006-02-03T22:35:00.000-08:00

When my fellow countrymen become hopeless with life's ongoing battle against poverty, sometimes, inevitably they find salvation in lottery, gameshows and the like. This morning, my sister told me that a stampede in a gameshow called Wowowee which is very popular and aired on national television in the Philippines, took the lives of 60 elderlies who have been in the waiting line for 3 days with other throngs of aspirants from different provinces in the Philippines. I feel sorry and spent the longest 5 minute silence of my life to reflect and pray for their souls. I don't blame them for testing the goodness of luck that could happen like a strike of a lightning in a second and the kind of earthly price they had to pay just to achieve it is not commensurate. Believe me, my dad even told me that they even have to travel 3,000 miles just to get to Manila with the hope of winning and be able to bring some bounty to their families. I am now wondering if their bodies were fed the best meal on their last day or whether they just died on their empty stomachs. According to my friend Philip whom I further gathered my details, somebody from the crowd shouted for bomb and that was the onset of pandemonium and fracas. My Uncle who is a doctor from Indiana was about to attend on this gameshow this morning but I didn't worry too much since VIPs have separate entrance to the show but still yet, this is one of the shows I watch in Filipino Channel and it's totally devastating how a helpful show like this, that fosters the generosity of Filipinos living abroad to the local ones, would suffer and face this kind of mass tragedy. To the families of the bereaved, you may not be able to read this, but deeply within me, I would be and more than happy to deliver you someday. So help me God.

The Oscar goes to...

2006-01-31T08:23:00.000-08:00

Personal Opinion: I bet, Brokeback Mountain will bring the bacon home, so to speak. It will be their night of Best Picture, Best Actor(Heath Ledger), Best Director(Ang Lee), Best Screenplay, Best Movie Theme. What I'm ambivalent is the Best Supporting Actor(Jake Gylenhaal) and the Best Supporting Actress(Michell Williams) part.

Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2005 will be presented on Sunday, March 5, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland® and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
Terrence Howard in “Hustle & Flow” (Paramount Classics, MTV Films and New Deal Entertainment)
Heath Ledger in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Joaquin Phoenix in “Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
David Strathairn in “Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
George Clooney in “Syriana” (Warner Bros.)
Matt Dillon in “Crash” (Lions Gate)
Paul Giamatti in “Cinderella Man” (Universal and Miramax)
Jake Gyllenhaal in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
William Hurt in “A History of Violence” (New Line)

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Judi Dench in “Mrs. Henderson Presents” (The Weinstein Company)
Felicity Huffman in “Transamerica” (The Weinstein Company and IFC Films)
Keira Knightley in “Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features)
Charlize Theron in “North Country” (Warner Bros.)
Reese Witherspoon in “Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Amy Adams in “Junebug” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Catherine Keener in “Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
Frances McDormand in “North Country” (Warner Bros.)
Rachel Weisz in “The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features)
Michelle Williams in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)

Best animated feature film of the year
“Howl’s Moving Castle” (Buena Vista)
Hayao Miyazaki
“Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride” (Warner Bros.)
Tim Burton and Mike Johnson
“Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit” (DreamWorks Animation SKG)
Nick Park and Steve Box

Achievement in art direction
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)
Art Direction: Jim Bissell
Set Decoration: Jan Pascale
“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (Warner Bros.)
Art Direction: Stuart Craig
Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan
“King Kong” (Universal)
Art Direction: Grant Major
Set Decoration: Dan Hennah and Simon Bright
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Art Direction: John Myhre
Set Decoration: Gretchen Rau
“Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features)
Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood
Set Decoration: Katie Spencer

Achievement in cinematography
“Batman Begins” (Warner Bros.)
Wally Pfister
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Rodrigo Prieto
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)
Robert Elswit
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Dion Beebe
“The New World” (New Line)
Emmanuel Lubezki

Achievement in costume design
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (Warner Bros.)
Gabriella Pescucci
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Colleen Atwood
“Mrs. Henderson Presents” (The Weinstein Company)
Sandy Powell
“Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features)
Jacqueline Durran
“Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
Arianne Phillips

Achievement in directing
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Ang Lee
“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
Bennett Miller
“Crash” (Lions Gate)
Paul Haggis
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)
George Clooney
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)
Steven Spielberg

Best documentary feature
“Darwin’s Nightmare” (International Film Circuit)
A Mille et Une Production
Hubert Sauper
“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” (Magnolia Pictures)
An HDNet Films Production
Alex Gibney and Jason Kliot
“March of the Penguins” (Warner Independent Pictures)
A Bonne Pioche Production
Luc Jacquet and Yves Darondeau
“Murderball” (THINKFilm)
An Eat Films Production
Henry-Alex Rubin and Dana Adam Shapiro
“Street Fight”
A Marshall Curry Production
Marshall Curry

Best documentary short subject
“The Death of Kevin Carter: Casualty of the Bang Bang Club”
A Dan Krauss Production
Dan Krauss
“God Sleeps in Rwanda”
An Acquaro/Sherman Production
Kimberlee Acquaro and Stacy Sherman
“The Mushroom Club”
A Farallon Films Production
Steven Okazaki
“A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin”
A NomaFilms Production
Corinne Marrinan and Eric Simonson

Achievement in film editing
“Cinderella Man” (Universal and Miramax)
Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
“The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features)
Claire Simpson
“Crash” (Lions Gate)
Hughes Winborne
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)
Michael Kahn
“Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
Michael McCusker

Best foreign language film of the year
“Don’t Tell”
A Cattleya/Rai Cinema Production
Italy
“Joyeux Noël”
A Nord-Ouest Production
France
“Paradise Now”
An Augustus Film Production
Palestine
“Sophie Scholl - The Final Days”
A Goldkind Filmproduktion and Broth Film Production
Germany
“Tsotsi”
A Moviworld Production
South Africa

Achievement in makeup
“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”
(Buena Vista)
Howard Berger and Tami Lane
“Cinderella Man”
(Universal and Miramax)
David Leroy Anderson and Lance Anderson
“Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith”
(20th Century Fox)
Dave Elsey and Nikki Gooley

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features) Gustavo Santaolalla
“The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features) Alberto Iglesias
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing) John Williams
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks) John Williams
“Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features) Dario Marianelli

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
“In the Deep” from “Crash” (Lions Gate)
Music by Kathleen “Bird” York and Michael Becker
Lyric by Kathleen “Bird” York
“It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from“Hustle & Flow” (Paramount Classics, MTV Films and New Deal Entertainment)
Music and Lyric by Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard
“Travelin’ Thru” from “Transamerica” (The Weinstein Company and IFC Films)
Music and Lyric by Dolly Parton

Best motion picture of the year
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
A River Road Entertainment Production
Diana Ossana and James Schamus, Producers
“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
An A-Line Pictures/Cooper’s Town/ Infinity Media Production
Caroline Baron, William Vince and Michael Ohoven, Producers
“Crash” (Lions Gate)
A Bob Yari/DEJ/Blackfriar’s Bridge/ Harris Company/ApolloProscreen GmbH & Co./Bull’s Eye Entertainment Production
Paul Haggis and Cathy Schulman, Producers
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)
A Good Night Good Luck LLC Production
Grant Heslov, Producer
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)
A Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Pictures Production
Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg and Barry Mendel, Producers

Best animated short film
“Badgered”
A National Film and Television School Production
Sharon Colman
“The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation”
A John Canemaker Production
John Canemaker and Peggy Stern
“The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello” (Monster Distributes)
A 3D Films Production
Anthony Lucas
“9”
A Shane Acker Production
Shane Acker
“One Man Band”
A Pixar Animation Studios Production
Andrew Jimenez and Mark Andrews

Best live action short film
“Ausreisser (The Runaway)”
A Hamburg Media School, Filmwerkstatt Production
Ulrike Grote
“Cashback” (The British Film Institute)
A Left Turn Films Production
Sean Ellis and Lene Bausager
“The Last Farm”
A Zik Zak Filmworks Production
Rúnar Rúnarsson and Thor S. Sigurjónsson
“Our Time Is Up”
A Station B Production
Rob Pearlstein and Pia Clemente
“Six Shooter” (Sundance Film Channel)
A Missing in Action Films and Funny Farm Films Production
Martin McDonagh

Achievement in sound editing
“King Kong” (Universal) Mike Hopkins and Ethan Van der Ryn
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing) Wylie Stateman
“War of the Worlds” (Paramount and DreamWorks) Richard King

Achievement in sound mixing
“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (Buena Vista)
Terry Porter, Dean A. Zupancic and Tony Johnson
“King Kong” (Universal)
Christopher Boyes, Michael Semanick, Michael Hedges and Hammond Peek
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Kevin O’Connell, Greg P. Russell, Rick Kline and John Pritchett
“Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
Paul Massey, D.M. Hemphill and Peter F. Kurland
“War of the Worlds” (Paramount and DreamWorks)
Andy Nelson, Anna Behlmer and Ronald Judkins

Achievement in visual effects
“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (Buena Vista)
Dean Wright, Bill Westenhofer, Jim Berney and Scott Farrar
“King Kong” (Universal)
Joe Letteri, Brian Van’t Hul, Christian Rivers and Richard Taylor
“War of the Worlds” (Paramount and DreamWorks)
Dennis Muren, Pablo Helman, Randy Dutra and Daniel Sudick

Adapted screenplay
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Screenplay by Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana
“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
Screenplay by Dan Futterman
“The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features)
Screenplay by Jeffrey Caine
“A History of Violence” (New Line)
Screenplay by Josh Olson
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)
Screenplay by Tony Kushner and Eric Roth

Original screenplay
“Crash” (Lions Gate)
Screenplay by Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco
Story by Paul Haggis
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)
Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov
“Match Point” (DreamWorks)
Written by Woody Allen
“The Squid and the Whale” (Samuel Goldwyn Films and Sony Pictures Releasing)
Written by Noah Baumbach
“Syriana” (Warner Bros.)
Written by Stephen Gaghan

Swimming has always been my passion.

2006-01-29T23:20:00.000-08:00

When you look at me now, you're looking on my complexion years back when I was a teen. I have become darker and darker for so much swimming. I hope to compete someday.

Mabuhay

2006-01-24T21:38:00.000-08:00

In consonance with the Centennial Celebration of Filipino Migration to Hawaii and California (1906-2006), let me put the faces of people who in their own ways have made me proud to be "PINOY".

Lea Salonga
1991 Tony Awardee for Miss Saigon(Broadway, NYC) and Sir Lawrence Olivier Awardee(West End, London)
Singing voice of Mulan for Reflection and Princess Jasmine for A Whole New World (Film Versions)
Lea has been famous as a child star in Manila, Philippines.

Monique Lhuillier
Academy Awards most sought couturier of our time. She hails from Cebu, Philippines. She designed the wedding gowns of Britney Spears and Lea Salonga.

Lou Diamond Philips
Hollywood Actor
Famous for his films: La Bamba and Bats to name a few. He was born and raised in Pampanga, Philippines.

Tia Carrere is a Hollywood actress and was last seen as the voice of Nani in Lilo and Stitch. She was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Jasmine Trias is well known for being the top 2 of American Idol Season 3. She was from Mililani, Hawaii and one of the top TV and print ad endorsers in Manila, Philippines. On this photo, Jasmine is shown side by side with the President of the Philippines, her excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Camille Velasco is also a Finalist in American Idol Season 3. She was born in Manila, Philippines and moved to Maui, Hawaii to reside.

Paeng Nepomuceno is a 4x World Champion in Bowling.

Manny Pacquiao
World's Bantam Weight Champion. He just defeated Erik Morales of Mexico in their recently concluded fight in Las Vegas last Jan. 21, 2006.

Another World Champion Boxer is Brian Villoria of Waipahu, Hawaii. He represented the USA but draped himself with the Philipppine Flag after winning in respect to his Filipino Ancestry.

Who would think that this Black Eyed Peas Member is a Filipino from Pampanga, Philippines and moved to US when he was 14. He is no other than Allan Pineda Lindo.

Madame Josie Natori is a well-respected fashion designer in Manhattan and the CEO of Natori Group of Companies.

Another Blessing

2006-01-24T00:45:00.000-08:00

I am happy to say that I was just accepted to be a member of the THE NATIONAL SCHOLARS HONOR SOCIETY. I received the acceptance letter yesterday from their headquarters in Bartlett Illinois.

Thank you Jesus for another recognition under my belt.

Bravo...

2006-01-21T00:31:00.000-08:00

A very marvelous and decent masterpiece. Winner of 4 Golden Globe Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Original Song. I bet, this will make it to the Academy Awards but the list of nominations will not be announced til Jan.31st. It was not just purely made to entertain. A very unique story that capture the human heart of passion, sacrifice, hope and regret that happen to us all regardless of sexual affinity. When you watch the movie, you do not only see Heath Ledger and Jake Gylenhaal in action; you go beyond their exterior that what you see is the representation of every human being within us.

BRAVO...

Me at 24

2006-01-07T22:46:00.000-08:00

A Lesson Learned from 2005

2006-01-03T22:40:00.000-08:00

With my flair in striking a repartee to different types of people lead me to having a tendency of being so extra friendly. Eversince, I have learned how to play the cards of other people and admittedly was indiscriminate when it comes to choosing friends and acquaintances because my leadership skills and political potential call for it. But now, I realized that there are a ballpark figure of 7 billion people in the world and it's gonna be rigorous on my mental and emotional capacity to go beyond knowing them one by one, so to speak. Well my point is, I'd rather have a few friends whom I consider the creme ala creme than to have tons to worry about. I carry such special people on my bossom as a talcum powder inside a tin can. When you betrayed me and I let go of you, even the slightest pinch to pick you up would be the hardest thing to do than if you were a pebble. To reiterate, I can be so extra friendly but I could harldy be forgiving. I guess that's where the balance of good and evil come in. That is why I only kept my presence felt to those I care about. Even if you're in Timbuktu and Vanuatu, you'll still hear a word from me. I will always reach out and go the extra mile. Having that said, I guess my tongue needs a scabbard.

2006: The Year I Own

2006-01-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

Year of the Dog

1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people¡¦s confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit.

THE WATER DOG 1922 AND 1982

These Dogs have great foresight and are well-educated on many different things. This quality helps them appreciate other points of view, making them quite flexible and liberal. They are easygoing, but this can cause them to be too spendthrift with money and less loyal with friends. Still, because of their flexible natures and their ability to appreciate difference, these Dogs always have friends and are usually popular people.

DOGS MAKE EXCELLENT:

Nurses
Interior decorators
Counselors
Priests
Politicians
Judges
Clerks
Police officers
Psychiatrists
Scientists
Teachers
Professors

Dogs are so easy to get along with and generally have a ton of friends. They are supportive and calming and make exceptional friends. They don’t hold grudges or bear any bad feelings towards anyone who has treated them respectfully and justly. Dogs are excellent listeners, offering an ear to anyone in need. They are held in high regard by their friends and are loyal, honest friends.

Compatible Friends

Best Friends: Tigers and Horses

Mortal Enemy: Dragons

CAPRICORN DOG (Jan. 8)

Efficient and responsible, these Dogs take tasks very seriously. They are perfectionists who have hearts f gold.

Hail to my personal favorite quartets!

2005-12-29T22:31:00.000-08:00

IL DIVO

F4

The beatles!

98 Degrees (I remember watching you guys live in Manila!)

Hey! Thanks for the pic of F4.

My Birthday Wishlists

2005-12-28T21:05:00.000-08:00

Camille Bloch chocolates
--The best thing is when they put liquor on it. I first had a try of Blochs when I was a kid and started loving it. It's a hard-find. Swiss chocolates have always been creamy, not too sweet and very smooth to swallow. The taste lingers like heaven. My second favorite is Lyndt. Godiva, Cadbury and Ferrero Rocher share the 3rd spot. That's it. Hershey's and Sees??? Come on...Give me a break!

Lacoste tennis shirts
--I admire the simplicity and it suits my preppy personality. I swear, I can wear it even when I'm old and gray. It doesn't go out of style--very basic. Some tennis shirts are so thick like RL and Eddie Bauer. I want Lacoste's material better. Off: Gin Tonic clothing apparel from Germany ist gutte too.

Books
--It's an addiction especially self-help books. I can live without a television. I love Architecture and travel books.

Johnny Walker BLUE LABEL
--I just want to know why the Former President of the Philippines was so addicted to it. What the heck?

My list of two most beautiful Filipinos for 2005

2005-12-27T22:17:00.000-08:00

Donita

TJ

To Rissa, Nobel, Iynah, Kris, Kat, Cathy and Philip

2005-12-22T23:52:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to you guys. Missed you soooooo much.

All I want for Christmas is chocolate covered cherries. I dreamt of it last night. Now you know.

As it gets fader through the years

2005-12-21T00:21:00.000-08:00

When I was still a kid in our small town in the Philippines, Christmas is something that I really look forward to every year. No matter how meager my allowance was, I would go shopping for my grandpa, grandma, mom, dad, auntie and big sis and watch them open my gifts under our plastic Christmas tree after going to church in the early morning of Dec. 25. It's a nice practice that all of us were just literally exchanging our gifts since we buy gifts for each family member. That's the fun of it. Isn't it? I would often await what Santa would give me and that made me awake the whole night of Christmas eve to spy for him whom I later found out to be my parents sneaking out when we're soundly sleeping. I would recall writing Santa Claus or Nikolaus or Father Christmas of my wishlists. I wouldn't care how expensive the gifts so long as I have been a good kid (at home and school). One time, I asked for a train where I can sit down and ride. I got influenced by the movie Annie and her toys after her reunion with her family. Instead of the train, I got a robot, a small robot that I could grab my hands on. If I were not mistaken, this was the time of Transformers or Voltes 5. But anyhow, that fantasy ended after I punched a playmate and gave him a shiner for squealing who the real Santa was. Disappointed as I was, I rushed to my dad and confronted him. And finally, that playmate was right. My make believed world with my Santa Claus was over from then on. Christmas was made more fun with our Christmas carols. We would sing Christmas songs from each house and in return residents/friends would give us candies or cash(coins most of the time). Yes, I guess it's the our local version of trick or treat only that it was done on the Yuletide season. We would sometimes earn Php 200 in one night (eq. to $4) and divide the cash or candies among the 5 of us. It's rigorous, the rehearsals and performance that is. Next day, I won't have a voice anymore producing that guttural sound like cookie monster. I would chuckle and grin in silence how we would compete with other kids by singing English Christmas Songs--those popularized by the Jackson 5 are on the top of our chart. hehe. Sometimes, we would scare ourselves of some unoccupied old colonial houses, sing some lines in front of it and scamper(at the count of 3!) after the bark or howling of dogs as they chased us. We were kids, about 7 or 8 yo, I reckon. Yes, ghosts stories are famous in our town. I won't forget the times when all of my childhood friends would come home from Manila to celebrate Christmas with their families in the province. I was one of the returnees. For us, Christmas is about family. But when my grandparents died, I missed the times of choosing, buying and giving gifts to them. That lead to fewer reasons to celebrate Christmas. The two empty seats in the "Noche Buena"(a Filipino tradition adapted from the Spanish conquistadors meaning...the dinner banquet at 12 midnight of dec. 25) table, the cash gifts that I receive are nothing but a memory. Now that I am away from my family, friends and country, I guess there is no reason to celebrate Christmas. I do not discount that it's the birthday of the Messiah, the one who offered his life for us. But those "accessories" that come with my every Christmas are missing. Or is it me, who's missing?

An ordinary day

2005-12-19T21:50:00.000-08:00

I rushed to beat the morning traffic to be on time for my appointment at the University of Hawaii in Manoa. It's kinda huge campus. Suddenly I had a feeling of nostalgia for my old university, the oldest in Asia: The University of Santo Tomas where you have a community inside the campus--dorms, hospital, post office, bank, football field, gym, church...awww..I can't get enough of it. Moving on, it was very motivating to hear from the Nursing Department Administrator that they would want me to be in their program(after looking on my grades, I guess). She sounded as if she was bribing me to join them. UH Manoa has an 18th month program for Nursing students who previously had their Bachelor's degree(of any field) completed. The only thing that pissed me off was I got a parking ticket and had to pay 15 bucks. I was really in a hurry and wasn't able to care about where to park. That was the last thing in my mind, the least priority, the dust of the day.

Karaoke night with my friends

2005-12-17T13:27:00.000-08:00

Fall Semester is over!

2005-12-15T00:47:00.000-08:00

I just finished my finals tonight and I was already smiling as soon as I walked out the door. I feel free from my daily obligations of endless reading. It's time to take a breather for 3 weeks(or less).

Chronicles of Narnia

2005-12-10T02:09:00.000-08:00

After my final exam this afternoon, I headed to the movie theater, stood in line to watch the first day showing of the movie: Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

As I was growing up, I have watched Willows, The Never Ending Story 1&2, The Labyrinthe, and the most recent Harry Potter. I would say that of all these fantasy movies I was drawn by the every captured emotion of Narnia.

True, there is a subliminal resemblance between this movie and the life of Jesus Christ. I wasn't surprise when my Catholic Church had a bookfair and sold out a lot of Narnia books.

But hey, after the movie, it left a warm reception of appreciation from the audience.

Jasmine Trias

2005-12-05T23:49:00.000-08:00

I went to church last Sunday in Mililani and Jasmine Trias was sitting right beside me. Plain and Simple.

Ate Irene

2005-11-29T23:16:00.000-08:00

Last night before I went to bed, my celphone rang without any number flashing on the screen. I had a feeling that somebody used a call card to call me or perhaps an international call in which my phone couldn't read the caller's number. But anyhow, I was surprised when that call came from Singapore and from a person I've known since high school. She is my favorite housemaid, Ate Irene. I was touched that she was able to keep my number after a year of silence. She left her family in the Philippines to work as a domestic helper in Singapore. We had a heartfelt talk about sacrifices, dreams and life. She told me, "Kuya TJ, kundi lang sa pamilya ko hindi ako pupunta dito sa Singapore para magpakahirap. May pangarap din naman ako".(Translation: "TJ, if not for my family, I won't go here to Singapore to suffer. I also have a dream".) On that very moment, I heard myself saying those kind of things to myself. I share the same dream to Filipinos who leave their country putting the ultimate sacrifice of leaving their loved ones behind. Their strong determination is a reflection of poor economy and that's where the drive to reverse the situation comes in. Personally, I still feel sorry to those people living here in Hawaii or in US in general who are wasting every opportunity by being out of school, bum and drug addicts. I wish I had the power of bringing in smarter people from the Philippines who are a step behind for not having a US working visa. Even a busboy's job here is equivalent to a pot of gold to any poor country. So to you Ate Irene, even if your master is not that generous by giving you only 1 day off in a month, just think that there are more people beneath us. Those people who don't know how to optimize their resources and those who are simply victims by being poor. You are not alone and I am with you on this battle.

Thanksgiving

2005-11-20T22:17:00.000-08:00

Since we never celebrated Thanksgiving in the Philippines, I have no idea of what in store for me on Thursday. One thing I know for sure, there will be no school but I will have to work that day. I took a very tedious examination last Saturday and I'll get the results in 2 weeks. Whatever it is, I'm not saying. I know my family is of full support to me no matter what happens and they are just there in my corner forever. Perhaps the only way to do on Thursday is to have a brief moment of silence and be thankful to my Creator for every blessing He's been showering me all these years especially those that came after I moved here to my new country 2 years ago. It was not an easy path but with God's blessings I am still here making the best of each day for brighter mornings to come. This is my story; the real essence of my own Thanksgiving.

Very inspiring...

2005-11-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

While I was busy as hell whining to myself why I only got 83% on my latest exam on anatomy, I came across this student, crippled on his power wheelchair, trying to insert his bill on the vending machine. As I approached to help, I noticed that he doesn't speak English. For going out of his way to study in a foreign country with less armaments than most of us have, I give him credit. I have no excuse of sometimes looking down on myself when some people, amidst their plight still manage to thrive, breathe and trudge with courage.

Schadenfreude!

2005-11-12T00:06:00.000-08:00

The crowning moment

2005-11-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

I'm just happy to say and share that for the record, since I continued my education here in the US last January 2005, I have already accomplished 9 As in all the 9 subjects I've taken and the scary part is, I'm still counting. Now, I wonder how it is being a Reconstructive surgeon. After reading my anatomy book in the evenings, I steal some of my time watching discovery health where they feature a graphic representation of the marvels of the medical world and the success stories that come with it as well. I'm just thinking that most doctors get into the peak of their career on their 40s. Not with me, I want it on my 30s. I'm still debating. But wait, my sister is already a doctor and my future brother in law is a lawyer. My dad is a lawyer, my mom is a nurse. Let's see...I'll just jockey for Healthcare Administration so there's a diversity in our family. Does it make sense?

What's your number?

2005-10-29T02:02:00.000-07:00

You Are the Achiever

3

You're confident and competent - with a lot of energy.

Eager to reach your goals, you are aambitious and competitive.

You are good at movtivating yourself and motivating others.

You're also a charmer, with a great sense of humor.

What number are you?

I've been turning down 90% of friendly invitations for the past 3 months but I really had to give in on this one.

Uneventful

2005-10-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

I think the busy-ness in my life have gotten its way into my system already. With the usual stress, I am still happy and this is how I want my life to be. Because I know one day, there is a pot of gold waiting for me at the very end of the rainbow.

WTF!

2005-10-13T00:27:00.000-07:00

What will you do when you were up since 4am, went to work at 6am, went to school at 6pm and on your way home at 8pm; when a non-compliant driver, towing his yacht would just whiz past ahead of you like a fish tail, suddenly stopped in front of you without putting his hazard lights on, went out of his truck for a minute or two while you were caught clueless with his intentions, and your stomach grumbling for food sending signals to your brain to go home, eat and sleep.

In my case, I had to get out of my car to confront that f**kin' driver. I can't blame those following me to be shocked on what they saw.

Well I think my aggresiveness would always show in times of heavy provocation.

Sorry Jesus.

TJ talks about Relationships

2005-10-01T23:54:00.000-07:00

At this very fast spinning stage of my life, sometimes it really pays off to stop and ponder on some things that I never understood before.

Being in a relationship is not a fulfillment of a need. It exists to make you a better person. Don't indulge yourself of what you can get from it but instead of what you can give to make it work. You also don't have to say to your partner, "I need you to complete me". Geez, you should feel complete first to before you enter into any commitments.

There are no accidents in God's plan. If God desires you to be single, He wants you to be more appreciative when the right one comes along. Please go by quality. Don't be in a rush because when you are pressured, you miss to enjoy the little things that make up the bigger things. If it happens it happens, if not, buy a lotto ticket and you might win on the next draw.

Insecurity is a silent killer. Learn how to love yourself before you expect others to love you back. Moreover, insecurity per se is one of the root causes of jealousy that could ruin the relationship. If you have invested too much goodness that worth to last, the other person is not dumb to take those for granted.

On the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or even the nth date, never talk about of how many children you want to have or anything about wanting a family. Never go to a Ben Bridge or Tiffany's with the other person and check rings; nor even go to a baby section in the department store. This is because you being addicted in taking Expectorant, that's why you always expect! haha Never make promises; nothing is written in stone. It is more special if you keep that promise to yourself and work on it for the relationship to last. Take the day as it is and enjoy.

Give the other person a chance to know you creating a veil of mystery. You don't really have to say in litany where you came from, how much your allowance in grade 3 and how many you are in the family. It will just come out naturally on its own. Avoid making a fruit to ripe to soon. Even disclosing your age is still your choice.

Don't overanalyze too much. If the other person failed to check on you, always give the benefit of the doubt. Always feel calm and secured.

Don't say I love you too often but don't forget to say thank you. Saying I love you all the time loses its meaning when you really mean it.

On caffeine supplement

2005-09-29T23:50:00.000-07:00

without it, i'd be languidly inept piece of furniture.

I'm tied up like a Hollywood Star!

2005-09-08T01:31:00.000-07:00

Mein Vati verließ gerade für Manila heute nachmittag. Sehen Sie ya wieder, Papa. Irgendwie ist es sehr hart für mich gewesen, Zeit für mich zu finden. Ich habe eine enorme Menge meiner Zeit gleichzeitig studierend und arbeitend gesetzt. Aber he, was mit mir neu ist. Die Mamma eines nahen Freunds schickte mir eine ärgerliche Anzeige an meinem Telefon. Was das war, sage ich es nicht hier. 4 Fehler in meiner Prüfung konnten den pazifischen Ozean zu Blut zu meiner Verachtung früh machen. Ich fange an, mich wieder zu lieben. Es ist nett, von Zeit betrunken und geisteskrank zu erhalten zu Zeit. Zählen Sie Ihren Segen!

Auf Wiedersehen, Marius.

2005-08-26T00:30:00.000-07:00

Marius, do not go to the airport at 7am when you're flight is 9pm in the evening ok? That was hilarious. Good thing I was off to pick you up again. I know, Germans are notoriously punctual. lol. Pick me up in Frankfurt in May.

So Much Happened...let me count the ways.

2005-08-16T22:25:00.000-07:00

1. The funeral of my grams went fine at Valley of the Temple. After 15 years, I have seen again some of my cousins. (and some I just saw for the very first time). That was cool.

2. I got another A again in my class. The subject is Human Development(sociology and psychology combined). 7 A's and counting. Current GPA= 4.0.

3. My cousin taught me how to download pirated psp games; very complicated. At last, I'm able to play games I played last when I was a kid: legend of zelda, pacman, pinball and my own personal favorite, super mario brothers. It's amazing you can play them all in your psp.

4. Vacation for 1 week and on monday is the start of another ball game, the fall 2005. I'm going to take Anatomy and Physiology at KCC. It'll be after work again but who cares.

5. My dad is here in Hawaii so I'm trying to entertain him no matter how busy as hell I am.

A long day

2005-08-10T22:08:00.000-07:00

I had to bring my Deutsch friend to Pearl Harbor as early as 10am only to get the 2.30pm schedule. What a drag! I just can't say no to him coz it would be so rude especially he's not from here. Watching the documentary clip for the 2nd time put me to sleep. He went to sit in in my class to observe the American way of teaching. Overall, the entire day was fun. We shared the Engbeetin hopia together 'coz we're really hungry. hehe.

Off: The wake service of my grandma is on August 13, 2005 at Saint Filomena church in Salt Lake, 6 to 9pm.

Kirara: My little bundle of joy

2005-08-07T01:14:00.000-07:00

My friend Donna.

Red Lobster

2005-08-05T02:11:00.000-07:00

We ate at Red Lobster. yum yum.

When Manila Meets Freiburg

2005-08-02T00:26:00.000-07:00

Beauty and the Beast

2005-07-30T23:44:00.000-07:00

It's now 11.30pm, just got home and I won't sleep yet 'til I share my review of Beauty and the Beast (now playing at Diamond Head Theater). The play is as ravishing as its Broadway counterpart albeit being short to some special effects. Well for a local production, it is indeed good enough. I remember being called in by the producers to audition for it but that was the day after I arrived from New York and chose to spend that afternoon with a friend. I could've been a part of the production but my tight schedule with school and work would force me to quit later on. Marius called me up if I could join him to watch a movie in Waikiki, i think he was pertaining to the free movie while you lay on the sand. Unfortunately, I had to decline because of Beauty and the Beast. Anyway, I'm seeing him tomorrow so what the heck. Anyhow, I was even happier because my credits for my Calculus and Managerial Economics subjects from Manila was already evaluated and transferred to UH. And guess what, another 2 As on my belt. That advanced me to 1 semester. The goal is to have a 4.0 average and to graduate summa cum laude in Nursing and go to Harvard for MBA in the long run. I think the power of Ying Yang is working for me. Before I sleep, I'd like to share this thought: "The walking wounded are still bound to care for the more seriously injured". Sometimes we would whine but there are a lot more people below us who chose to stay quiet amidst their adversities. So to you folks, count your blessings. That's the golden mantra!

Tired...

2005-07-27T01:26:00.000-07:00

showing around Marius all day.

German friends are here!

2005-07-23T23:21:00.000-07:00

well, my friends from Germany are finally here. =-) They want me to go with them in Maui but my schedule is so tight. But who knows? Actually my German friend is taking summer classes in University of Hawaii and his friend came over too. Wow...Party party party.

The Perfect Person

2005-07-21T22:49:00.000-07:00

the perfect person by j.m. whitaker

For as long as I can remember, I have been searching
for the perfect girl. Since I was old enough to begin
longing for female companionship, I have been on the
hunt. I guess it started out as just a simple dream or
fantasy, not unlike most of us. The strange thing
about it was that it never stayed just a dream or a
fantasy. The more people I dated, the more times I was
let down, the more I hungered for that perfect person,
the one that would fill all of my needs and desires,
the one that would never let me down.

I dated girl after girl. Some of them were great while
others got me into some trouble. Some of them made me
laugh, but a lot of them made me cry. Through my
journey, I found a lot of joy and a lot of sorrow, a
lot of happiness and a lot of pain, but never the
perfect girl. I had dreamed about her. Dark hair,
darker eyes, a slim figure tinted golden brown from
the sun. She had an accent and could play the cello.
She would love to talk, but wouldn't expect me to talk
too much. She would always ask me how my day was and
would always have a smile on her face; absolute
perfection. I began to devise methods in how I would
meet the girls I would date.

I knew I wanted an intelligent girl, so I hung out in
libraries and museums. I meet this real crazy girl at
a library after school one day. She was smart and sexy
and, well? crazy. I would rather not go into a lot of
details about it. Let's just say she had some real
deep-seated anxieties about our relationship and,
consequentially, our break up.

I knew I wanted an artistic girl, so I went to music
stores and coffee shops, I even tried a couple of
classical concerts. I met this wonderfully cute girl
who dressed really dark and loved to write poetry. She
was great, we used to stay up all night long talking
about the silliest things, but she ended up dumping me
for some guy who did drugs and rode a motorcycle. I
got into a car accident with a girl driving a Pontiac
Sunfire. She had no driver's license or car insurance,
but she did have a really great smile and the
prettiest hair. Instead of calling the police, we
called in sick and went out to eat.

We dated for a while but eventually came across an
irreconcilable difference in opinions. She didn't
always feel the need to come "straight home" after
work. Okay, to be honest, toward the end of our
relationship, she rarely came home at all.

Then there was the girl from the International House
of Pancakes. She was an exact replica of my
personality. I mean if you had met us both over some
Internet chat room, you would swear we were the same
person using multiple screen-names. Sounds sweet, huh?
Have you ever considered marrying yourself? Have you
ever thought about growing old together, just you and
yourself? We both found that the whole idea of finding
that "perfect person" was to find someone different
from yourself to fulfill the empty spots within you.

I searched every where. I left no rock unturned, no
leaf moved aside, but to no avail. After much pain and
heartache, I began to believe that the perfect girl
just did not exist. Then one day, I found her.

Her name was Malia. She was from Hawaii, raised in
Italy. She wore silk pajama pants to bed. She had
written a novel. She loved the beach and hated cats,
just like me. She had silky, dark and curly hair that
swayed perfectly if the breeze was right. She had a
caramel colored body, etched out of a block of pure
perfection, and her face was that of an angel. From
the very first time I saw her, I could not seem to
take my eyes away from hers. She was like a siren,
calling my name, beckoning me closer to her, even when
she was asleep. The attraction was complete, with no
faults, no annoyances. Every time she spoke she
mesmerized me and every time she moved she amazed me.
She was... well, perfect. Oh, and did I mention she
played the cello?

We spent all the extra time we had together. We spent
so much time together that we decided to move in
together. We were paying rent on two places, but one
of them was doing nothing but collecting dust. We
would sit on the porch when it rained and hold each
other. We would lay on the beach and soak up a sweet
combination of sunrays and pina coladas. Life was
good. No, life was perfect and I knew it just couldn't
possibly get any better than it was right then and
there.

Two years later, Malia left me for a
career-opportunity at a really prominent university in
Europe. There were no harsh words, no angry feelings,
not even any sad good-byes. She was so perfect that if
she wanted to leave, I wanted it for her. That is,
until she was gone.

I cried for days, and began to drink for weeks after
that. I felt as if my life was over, that the only
reason that I had existed was gone, and every breath I
took from that moment on was a futile attempt to hold
on to something I later found I never had: The Perfect
Love.

Malia was perfect. She was perfect in each and every
single way, but I was not. Our love for each other was
a deeply committed one, but it was far from perfect. I
know that now, but if I could go back in time to tell
myself that in an attempt to save myself from all of
that pain and suffering, I fear I would not have
listened to myself.

I slept with many women, sometimes a different girl
every week. I drank excessively and spent all of my
money on temporary satisfaction, anything to ease the
pain. But the pain did not ease, it only grew
stronger. It became a vicious circle of self-inflicted
torture that eventually brought me to my knees and
forced me to open my eyes to the real world. But not
before it made me a bitter man.

I was wiser, but to this day, the decisions made left
a coldness in my eyes that made my heart appear as
lead to anyone who dared look. I became a loner,
staying home on the weekends, saving my money for a
healthy but lonely retirement, having accepted my
fate. I was to be alone for the rest of my life.

Kathy with a K. Actually, her name is spelled Kathyrn.
Quite peculiar, but I didn't think so until later. For
the longest time, I never even knew her name. But she
was a sight for sore and lonely eyes. I saw her at
work. I was her boss (actually, I was her boss' boss)
and did not want to risk the chance of even speaking
to her. She was just too beautiful, and I had become a
beast with a past too horrible to mention. I would
just watch her as she passed my office every day. She
didn't walk, she frolicked, and I would sneak out for
a break whenever she did just to watch that
frolicking.

She smiled every time someone spoke to her, a smile
like the early morning sun, and her eyes were so dark
that you couldn't see her pupils, only the glimmering
from the light that made her eyes look like two bright
stars. I was under her spell and I didn't even know
her name. One day, watching her outside, I convinced
myself to ask around about her. Find out her name and
maybe even find out if she was seeing someone. Just as
I had decided that she spoke to me. Kathy with a K.
She ended up asking me out, you know. I told her I
couldn't that night because I had to work late.

Actually, I was too scared. I called her and asked her
if she wanted to go to Starbucks after work the next
day and she agreed. It turned out to be the most
romantic night of both of our lives. We were both
still pretty new in town and didn't really know our
way around. I had no idea what I was going to do or
where I was going to take her next so I winged it the
whole way. Like I said, it turned out to be the most
romantic night of both of our lives. It was perfect.

She was not perfect, but neither was I. We both
carried a truckload of emotional baggage and we both
had a mountain of flaws. But it was perfect. She would
always forget to plug in her cell phone at night, but
I would always remind her. I couldn't do laundry worth
a flip, but she showed me how. She could never get to
work on time, and she hated to drive, but we both had
to be at work on time so I drove us both there.
Whenever she was slacking I was always right over her
shoulder, and when I would lose track of what I was
trying to do, she would help to keep me focused. We
complemented each other in every single way. Neither
of us was perfect, but we were perfect for each other.

When you're out there looking for that perfect person
keep these things in mind. People change, no matter
how hard they try not to. As you grow older you
mature, and with each new level of maturity comes
different ideas, different needs and wants. The person
who was perfect for you at twenty could be the person
you hate when you're thirty-five. You have to find
some one who will grow with you, change with you,
laugh with you and cry with you. A person who fills in
where you lack, a person whom you can fill in for when
they are lacking. But what about the perfect person,
you ask? They do not exist. Even Malia was not perfect
because the perfect girl in mydreams was supposed to
stay with me.

There are no perfect people, only people who are
perfect for each other.

You deserve to be happy not in the arms of someone who
keeps you waiting but in the arms of someone who will
take you now, love you forever and leave you never..

Hail to my country

2005-07-18T02:18:00.000-07:00

As my Philippines is currently beset by political turmoil, I hope she could find the light soon. I realized that wealth, prestige and power could make a good leader evil. We don't have to be dirty on politics. Have we come this way now?

Credo

2005-07-10T23:27:00.000-07:00

Max Ehrmann

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

The fortune teller

2005-07-10T01:05:00.000-07:00

A trip around the world is in store for you
With it a great deal of happiness too.
You will have unlimited money
And life for you will be very sunny.

You are a very serious person, and have had little time to relax. But your future looks very bright. You are a fastidious person, and your surroundings have the power of making you very happy and miserable. Do not seek for new friends. Your old ones are very worth while. You have a stubborn nature, but sometimes you yield to persuasion of those you love.

from the soothsayer at Dave and Buster's.

I agree. I agree. I agree.

See ya soon guys!

2005-07-08T00:49:00.000-07:00

Cousins and uncle, miss you guys!

my nieces with kuya junjun

kuya rodel and kuya junjun

A pat on my own shoulder, encore.

2005-07-05T22:24:00.000-07:00

Yeah...the thrill seeker, the partygoer and the drinker did it again!!!

What is it?

TJ got another A! Again? Again? Again?

The Goal within 20 years.

Last year, I got the certificate from KCC(i took their Spring 2004 ARCH class) and the State of Hawaii to operate a carehome facility. That plan was put aside pro tempore to meet the demands of my schooling. After I get my RN degree, I'll be more confident to operate one. Then, I can apply my skills in Business Administration and Nursing. In God's time, I'd like to branch out in California and Nevada where a carehome facility is also deemed a lucrative business. I already did a feasibility study on this one. The healthcare business in the next 10-20 years will boom like crazy since the baby boomers(a worldwide phenomenon)would all be needing healthcare services all at the same time. This will be chaotic that we would be needing more nurses and caregivers here and abroad. The Federal Government would be short on its budget to send all the elderlies to nursing homes which costs $7000/mo compared to a carehome that would only cost them around $1,200-2000/month(case to case basis) datum: 2005. When all goes well, I can get my masters in Healthcare Management or Masters in Business Administration perhaps in UCLA or Harvard(either or) or Univ of Pennsylvania-Wharton School of Business. I'd like to advance the business to a retirement home in the long run. My function would be more of an administrator than direct bedside care. In this case, I could help my relatives in the Philippines to work for me and improve their lives here in the United States. My sister who is a doctor can also contribute her knowledge on the game. With this goal in mind, I always strive for excellence and perservere on my studies as if my energy is boundless. Eventhough, I wipe the asses of unknown patients, I know it'd be a good training ground for my dreams to materialize. The end here afterall is not making money although it's incidental. It is extending my arms of helping other people in a grander scale. Nothing is written in stone. I just keep my faith in God that everything could happen in His time.

The first class Filipinos haha.

2005-07-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

I miss our university days in Manila.(classmates and cheating mates)

I hope matters of the heart are ok with you now, Nobel.

Congratulations to my friend iynah in LA(the one in green)--the New Del Monte Tomatoes Supervisor for Production. And to Kristine in Vegas, I'm happy coz things are coming your way now. I wish I could move to the mainland with you 'coz that's where the competitive Filipinos belong. Those who would gossip about the economy and not other people.

On keeping friends...

2005-07-02T21:57:00.000-07:00

I heard this comment again. Some people regard me as snob; that I'm selective with friends. Partly true because with so much friends, I have reached the point wherein I have to go by quality. I have all the means to be popular in all the clubs here but it doesn't sit right by me. I always want to be incognito and be recognized only by the people I care about. For me, privacy is priceless.

Eureka!

2005-07-02T00:08:00.000-07:00

Current Mood: Happy.
Why? secret.

Visit the Philippine Islands
A service by Philippine Department of Tourism

Broke.

2005-06-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Now I'm contemplating whether or not I should've accepted that 80 bucks from my patient. But in times like this, true character is tested. I have realized that no matter how heavy the load is, I should not compromise my integrity because that's the only one--integrity left of me. I can be broke, but it's only my pocket...not my spirit. Some events are untimely but I couldn't help it. Maybe that's how God measures me. He will stretch me sooo much like a rubberband and look if im still gonna come back to my original size. Luckily I did. I always do.

Your tip is good but...

2005-06-27T23:24:00.000-07:00

A very rich patient gave me $80 dollars. I accepted so she won't feel bad but later on, I turned it in to my supervisor. It's not that it's against our policy nor it's my call of duty, but I just don't want to feel indebted to anybody. I hate the feeling of paying them back in return through your good deeds. And when you fail, they'll take it against you. To be safe, I don't accept in gratis, unless we're really close.

Proud to be pinoyz!!!

2005-06-20T03:22:00.000-07:00

WATCHING A CONCERT WITH JORDAN SEGUNDO AT BLAISDELL, HAWAII.

On losing...

2005-06-15T00:25:00.000-07:00

Losing something or someone gives you more space and chances to welcome and receive. Every hurt and pain gives you tolerance and strength, as well as the wisdom of knowing how to heal oneself. Every sadness and bitterness makes you appreciate life’s other joys. Every shortcoming and inadequacy makes you realize the fact that you can’t have everything, and that you need not worry about having and hoarding too much. Everything is a blessing. As a song I repeatedly sing goes, “Count your blessings instead of sheep… and you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.”

--an excerpt from my friend, Paulette.

I'm losing my grip...

2005-06-13T00:24:00.000-07:00

I got a phone call at 1am this morning to hear a tragic news from the Philippines. My cousin whom I treated as my older brother passed away in a vehicular accident WITH HIS TWO LITTLE DAUGHTERS, aged 7 and 8. His wife, the eldest son(10 yo) and the 4 month old baby survived. 'Twas devastating to our clan. How do you manage a funeral of 3 people in one day? My nieces are so young and innocent.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
To change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

God, give me the courage to hide my tears more. Help me to be always strong so I can be a pillar of strength to my family and friends. I'm already loosing my grip because it's already too much for one heart. Give me more energy for my work and school.

TJ, the warrior, is a CHILD

2005-06-11T00:04:00.000-07:00

Warrior is a Child

Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me
I'm hiding all the tears

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armour
The warrior is a child

Unafraid because his armour is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing
Never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies
That lay me at His feet

I drop my sword and look up for His smile
Because deep inside this armour
Deep inside this armour
Deep inside this armour
The Warrior is a Child

SAD

2005-06-10T01:54:00.000-07:00

I just found out that a friend would have a hard time recovering from his knee injury. A permanent loss of a body function is like burying half of yourself alive. Morbid but true. Just my prayers for you, P!

Lotsa things to do...so little time.

2005-06-07T23:14:00.000-07:00

I had fun in Kahala last night in a friend's place.(just hanging out on the pool with refreshing Zinfandel) hehe. I've been thinking of learning French, painting, culinary arts and piano but I'm busy with work and school but I know, I can squeeze them in. Sleep is a luxury. I need a massage. French Riviera, here I come.

When to let go...and I did.

2005-06-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

Imagine this. In your hand is a very precious
creation, so fragile, so
valuable that if you keep on holding, it would
either stay or fall apart.
But you loved this creature so much, so much that
letting it go would be
like letting go of your life as well. So much that
sometimes you wished it
would be there forever. So much that you tend to
be selfish at times so as
you could make it stay for as long as you like.

Don't we all wish something "so good" could be
forever? Don't we all hope
that happiness is there to stay?

One person said, never ever let your heart run
your life, as much as you
can, always be sensible and let your mind speak
for itself. Try to listen
not merely on what your feelings is invoking on
you as a person but more
importantly listen to reason as well.

Letting go of someone doesn't necessarily mean you
have to stop loving, it
only means that you allow that person to find his
own happiness without
expecting him to come back. Letting go is not just
setting the other
person free (in the real sense of it), but it is
also setting yourself
free from all animosity, revulsion, and resentment
that was long kept in
your heart. You have to let go because the
bitterness often puts away the
strengths and weakens the least hope, making
our lives more miserable
than ever. Worst, presenting yourself as the "most
affected one" sets the
nastiest impression of all time--whatta a loser!

The trick there is...always remember that if you
lose someone today, it
means that someone better is coming tomorrow.

If you lose love that doesn't mean that you failed
in love...right? Just
regard it as another mismatch of heaven! Well, you
can cry of course, or
whine or shout (growl even) if you have to, but
make sure that after those
outbursts you have washed away the hurt and the
bitterness that the past
has left with you (easy said than done I know!).

We can all survive with just beautiful memories of
the past but real peace
and happiness come only with open acceptance of
what reality is today. You
really don't have to forget someone you love
('cause it's hard). What we
need to learn is how to accept the verdict of
reality without being bitter
or sorry for what we have become. I think it's
better that we give off
that dedication and love to someone more
deserving. Hmmm..."Who could it
be" is the next interesting question to ponder.

Let go of yesterday and love will find its way
back to you. And when it
does, pray hard that it may be the love that will
stay and last a
lifetime.

There is life after the pain.

I'm stressed out...

2005-06-02T23:08:00.000-07:00

A loved one is dying...I can't focus...I'm lost.

People always ask me what propels me...I'm not saying.

2005-06-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

"R" is one of the few persons whom I draw strength and motivation from whenever I feel indolent in my lame reasons. Considering that he has 2 Mcdonalds fast food chains(more or less $1M dollar each to franchise) in the Philippines to manage, this guy is still in medical school, sacrificing and still burning the midnight oil--day in and day out. I would understand if he came from a poor family, that he wants to live in comfort someday. When I got to chat with him yesterday, I was blown by his determination--that he wants to accomplish something apart from the laurels his family had achieved. I told him that if I don't become successful here in the US, I always have my soft bed of support to fall down to... but still I chose the hardest way and this is the only way. My friend is only 23 and he's graduating next year. The scary part is, he's getting better.

In this case, I don't have to go to Abe Lincoln and his uphill struggles before making it to Presidency. Just close friends with their repository of successful stories are enough to motivate me.

I wake up each day to:

2005-06-01T02:02:00.000-07:00

Serve my God, study to get As, work hard, get rich, help people, travel the world and die happy.

I'm a double sided blade: the other half is a dreamer/achiever, the other side is a crazy, fun-loving and playful guy. It's just that I know when to play and to get serious.

The nerd, the traveler and the daredevil

2005-05-30T14:51:00.000-07:00

Did you watch the movie: A Shark's Tail? lol

With grandpa's visit to Waikiki.

Wahoo!

2005-05-29T11:03:00.000-07:00

i've been nursing a loved one in the hospital.

Vent out, TJ.

2005-05-26T00:46:00.000-07:00

I won't pass on this one. I hate it when people would set me up for reconciliation with a person whom I haven't talked for a long time (2 years now). The desire of making amends is not something to be done in public; it is something personal and not for public consumption. If they want it, we can cordon off the whole Time Square or the whole Roman Coliseum to make fake "sorries". My blood pressure really shot up when I saw the fiend as we were both invited on a friend's graduation party. I can't stand it, that's why I walked away and made my backdoor exit. I have been leading my life without any contact with the person so why would it bother me to live the rest of my life without having any ties at all. I can forgive on my next life, but not on this lifetime. I cannot just play politics with this people. Being civil is beside the point. My ears are all red and I can feel the heat flushing on my nape. I wanna hit and leave you a harelip so you can have your rice coming out of your nose. Bullshit.

Thank God.

2005-05-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

I feel blessed acing all my subjects. To my most borderline subject, english that is, this Oscar goes to special friends/classmates who helped me through with my essays--Iynah(LA,USA), Paulette(Abu Dhabi,UAE)and Charm (Manila, Philippines). I won't be able to make it without you. Symbiosis. In the event that you need me, don't hesitate.

Some things are better left unsaid

2005-05-22T14:17:00.000-07:00

H O L I D A Y E R

2005-05-18T19:12:00.000-07:00

Atlantic City, NJ--I went to see my relatives in Sicklerville and spent time with them visiting the historical landmarks of Philadelphia. In the evening, we went to Atlantic City(Las Vegas of the Northeast)to win some and lose some. The whole day was hectic. Have to wake up early tomorrow for my last 2 days in Manhattan then I go back Hawaii. Still have to see a couple of childhood friends in Manhattan. But pretty much all the purpose of this trip has been fulfilled already. Just imagine the cities I have covered, to wit: NYC-Manhattan, Boston-Harvard, Baltimore, Washington DC-Georgetown, New Jersey-Atlantic City.

Weekend in New England

2005-05-15T15:16:00.000-07:00

Boston, MA--Just got some free time after a long nap at my friend's place here in Boston. Weather has been very bad all day...real freezing hell to a guy who had never experience such coldness as he can remember. Boston is an old city which traced back its history to the 16th century. Buildings, parks and the atlantic ocean are awe-inspiring albeit the weather. Heading for an Irish dinner tonight. Great family and marvelous hospitality. Tomorrow is a tour day around Boston's historical and must-see destinations. In the next 3 days would be Baltimore, DC, Philly and Manhattan. A total blast, indeed.

Grandioso Fabuloso

2005-05-11T07:44:00.000-07:00

Exam was 2:30pm and still teary eyed with Pocahontas at 12 nn??? WHAT? Move your butt!

Alas, the finals were over! Congratulations to my friend, Michel for passing the NCLEX-RN exam. I'm proud of you 'lil sis, you're only 21! Our university is very happy to have you. Well last night was a blast at Waikiki--a send off and a victory party, all in one. Church to Cheesecake factory to Kapiolani Park = 1000 kcal. (gasping) Sorry movie partner, I had to cancel my date with you. Got home at 11pm; slept at 1am; woke up at 6am. What a drag. Andy, I'll see ya at the airport. EJ, after 4 years, I'm seeing you again...in Manhattan. Let's invade the Lacoste and Ermenegildo Zegna shop in SOHO, those Italian shoes at 5th Ave and the congee in Chinatown. Hakuna Matata. Tata!

I do hope I get to parasail when I come back.

Boo to Northwest for selling your in-flight meals.

Itinerary

2005-05-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

May 11 Wednesday

1pm Departure Honolulu
10pm Arrival Tacoma. Meet my Seattle-based friend for dinner.

May 12 Thursday

1am Departure Seattle
6am Arrival Minneapolis
7am Departure Minneapolis
10am Arrival JFK
12nn Lunch at Times Square. Rest. Rest. Rest.
8pm Watch "Mama Mia" in Winter Garden Theater

May 13 Friday

11am Ellis Island tour (Statue of Liberty)
2pm Lunch date with hommies
-------Tour, party and shop-------

May 14 Saturday

Empire State Bldg. Groundzero. Museums. Radio City Music Hall. St. Patricks Cathedral. Lincoln Center. Central Park.

May 15 Sunday

7am Departure NYC. Staying with the Mccartneys and Dyers.
11am Arrival Boston

May 16 Monday

5pm Departure Boston
9:30pm Arrival NYC(back to the Ritz Carlton)

May 17 Tuesday

7am Departure NYC
11am Arrival Baltimore...(meet my cousins)
Drive to Washington DC with cousins.
Jefferson Memorial. Lincoln. White House. Washington Monument.
9pm Drive to New Jersey (to stay with the Sto. Domingo's, relatives)

May 18 Wednesday
-------Philadelphia with Uncle Nonoy---------

May 19-20 Back to the Big Apple

May 21

8pm Arrival Honolulu

Who's the pack rat?

2005-05-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

One of my greatest possessions in this world is this Hush Puppies shoe (the other half is missing) that I used to wear when I was 2.(Wow, it rhymes!) I found this one while cleaning our house in the Philippines before I left for Hawaii and I've decided to keep it eversince for sentimental reasons. I wonder if my son or my nephew can wear it someday. When I get the chance to come home, I sure will look for the other pair.

To my mom and dad with love

2005-05-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

May 8 2005. Happy Mother's Day to you. Thanks for raising me the way you did.

May 9 2005. Philippines. Happy 56th birthday to you Papa. I miss and love you. I may not be the perfect son you've got but I'll always bring honor to our family, like I always did.(albeit I quit law school) Someday, you'll be proud of me. That's my special gift for you.

A busy day for paparazzi

2005-05-06T01:40:00.000-07:00

Today is the commencement of my get-me-out-of-the-dark vacation; but before I get exhilarated about it, I have to face my ordeal with Chemistry first. I digress. This morning I have to drag myself to our annual conference. Never did I realize that traffic was so horrible that it took me an hour to get to downtown. I fell 15 minute short on arrival. I went to KCC after to sell back my books to make use of its remaining scrap value that was splurged for a few minutes in Kahala. As usual, another shopping day at Barnes and Noble. I had to buy maps of DC, Boston and NYC.

Let me bark this off: I can't stand the humidity! It reminds me of downtown Manila. Night swimming again, anyone? And for the 2nd time since I got it on March, I was able to play my Sony PSP.(been very busy)

Movies and Popcorn

2005-05-05T00:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back in the ball game. I only have one final exam left for May 10(Chemistry) before I leave for NYC the next day so it's time to have fun for now. Anyhow, I went to Ward theater this evening to see Amytiville and another movie right after the former.

(Off: I remember this one amusement park in Manila with an Amytiville House. You gotta find your way out as you step onto this jelly-soft-yucky mud and grope for the exit, screaming and shouting as the fake monsters scare you...corny. Are you making me laugh?)

I was squinting with my hands half covering my eyesight like a frightened toddler while watching that movie. Man, I hope I won't get nightmares tonight. My good friends and I tried that arcade in the lobby and that 'dance revo' game reminded me of Manila. Very sadly, I forgot the steps and my playstation's dance pad and steering wheel. Bummer. This is my lifestyle. I'm only nerd in school. Life is about seeing new places, meeting new people and having fun.(at the same time, getting As in school) How do I do it? I don't know. You only sleep 4 hours or so and in between breaks, you chat with your friends around the world.

That glycolic peel hurts! Aaargh. Dr. De Leon, what have you done?

Karaoke Night

2005-05-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

Just last night, I had a good fortune of celebrating with my friend's victory party as she had just hurdled the NCLEX-RN exam. She came from my university in the Philippines(www.ust.edu.ph). There was like 15 of us that we really had to upgrade and avail of the biggest room at HMC. Well, thanks to my good friend Chad for arranging in my behalf. As you all know, I've been very busy lately with my finals. But still, I really had a blast. Eversince in Manila, "Karaoke-ing" is something that I enjoy doing aside from drinking, dining and watching live rock to classical concerts. Sorry, I played with html tags.

"Through the years
When everything went wrong
Together we were strong
I know that I belonged
Right here with you
Through the years
I never had a doubt
We'd always work things out
I've learned what love's about
By loving you
Through the years".

I miss my friends....

2005-04-22T00:33:00.000-07:00

Why are my friends so scattered? LA, Vegas, Manila, Middle East etc... I tried calling my friends from Manila earlier but they were either studying or sleeping. Why can't God put you all in one place? Perhaps, why do I have to be secluded here in Hawaii? Get me outta here...I have no reasons of staying here. My friends here just come and go. Maybe there is this place waiting for me.

Kristine, Iynah, Philip, Shoti, Rose, Nobel, Kathy, Cathy, Butchoy, Cai, Gaffy, Odette, Andrey, Paulette, Charm(mare!).

I wish you guys were here. I maybe busy but I have the ability of squeezing my time to those I care about. I miss the hardcore parties, the brawl and the fun that comes with it. hehe. "hindi ako lasing?!" hahaha. nobel, thanks for catching my puke! haha. iynah, promise i won't squeal secrets when drunk. loud music anyone? setting up our tent in the seashore, lying in the sand while intoxicated and stargazing are worth remembering. And who would forget that canoing in the beach rose? i wont forget the sleepovers and our early trip to our/your beach house/cottage every morning; but our beach house got burned...tsk tsk poor thing. Hey Shoti, don't you dare to play that porn again! hahaha. play it when you're alone, not with a whole group of us in the room. disgusting! Gaffy, I miss our too fast too furious days. Speed up man! hahaha.

Group hug?!

Get me out of this quagmire!

2005-04-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

School has been very stressful. After 2 years of being at ease, now I am reminded of being in Law School again.

My God, it's like living in reclusion. I have to forgo a typical 23 yo guy will do on weekends. Can't wait on my East Coast vacation come May 11! I can now smell the crisp air outside my room in Waldorf Astoria. =-)

Don't Commit the Fallacy of Mispronouncing Them!

2005-04-10T14:20:00.000-07:00

I compiled my favorite designer brands and searched for their right pronunciation. So when you come across with these names in London, New York City, Milan and Paris, at least you know how to say them properly. And so the list goes...

Pronunciation Key
-the J rejers to j-July.
-the g refers to the g-Grover.
the c refers to the c-Center.

A
Alessandro Dell'Acqua (Del-LAK-wa)
Anna Sui (Swee)
Anne Demeulemeester (Ann Deh-MUH-le-mees-ter)
Anteprima (On-tay-pre-ma)
Agnes B. (Ahn-NYAS-buh)
Azzedine Alaia (Aza-deen A-Lye-a)

B
Balenciaga (Bah-Len-see-aga)
Bally (Bah-li)
Balmain (Bahl-Mah)
Baume & Mercier (Bom-ee-Mer-See-yay)
Behnaz Sarafpour (Beh-naz Sarah-furr)
Braun Buffel (Brohn Byu-furl)
Bruno Magli (Broo-no Mal-yi)
Bottega Veneta (Bo-te-ga Ve-NE-tah)
Boucheron (Boo-KE-ron)
Burberry (Burr-behr-ri)
Bulgari (Bull-ge-ri (NB. The "v" in Bvlgari is just the u form of the Roman Alphabet)
Byblos( Beeb-los)

C
Cacharel(Ka-sha-rhel)
Cartier (Kar-ti-yay)
Cerruti (Cher-ru-tee)
Cesare Paciotti (Che-sa-ray Pa-chi-Yo-ti)
Chanel (Sha-nel)
Chantal Thomas (Shan-tal To-Mah)
Charles Jourdan (Sharls Zhor-Duhn)
Charriol (Sha-ri-yol)
Chloé (KLOH-eh)
Chopard (Sho-par)
Christian Loboutin (KRIS-tiahng Loo-boo-Tehng)
Christian Lacroix (Christian LAH-Kwah)
Claude Montana (Kload Mohn-TA-na)
Comme des Garcons (Kom deh GAHR-sohng)
Coccinelle (KoH-chee-nel-li)
Costume National (KOHS-tyum Nah-sho-nal)
Courreges (Koo-Rezh)
Cynthia Rowley (Cynthia Rao-li)

D
Dolce and Gabbana (Dol-cheh and Ge-ba-na)
Donna Karan (Donna Kah-ren)
Dries Van Noten (Drees Vahn Noh-tehn)

E
Elie Saab (Eh-li Zahb)
Emmanuel Ungaro (Ee-Man-nooel OON-Gah-ro)
Emporio Armani (Em-POHR-yo AR-mah-ni)
Ermenigildo Zegna (Ehr-Man-ni-jil-do Zey-nya)
Etro (Eht-tro)
Etienne Aigner (Eight-yen Ahg-neigh)

F-G
Faconnable (Fah-so-nahb)
Georg Jensen (Yorg Yen-sen)
Gianfranco Ferré (Zhan-franck-o Feh-reh)
Gianni Versace (Jee-Yan-nee Versa-chee)
Gucci (Goo-chi)
Guy Laroche (Gee Lah-Rosh)

H-J
Heidi Slimane (Eh-di Sli-Mahn)
Helmut Lang (Hel-moot Lung)
Hermes (Air-h-mezz)
Herve Leger (Er-Vey Le-ZHAY)
Hussein Chalayan (HOO-sayn Cha-Layan)
Issey Miyake (EES-say Mi-ya-kay)
Jacques Fath (Zhack Faht)
Jaeger-Le Coultre (Yay-ger Leh Koot)
Jean Charles de Castelbajac (Zhan-Sharls de Ka-sel-ba-zhak)
Jean Louis Scherrer (Zhan-LOO-ee Sh-Rehr)
Jean Paul Gaultier (Zhon Paul Gol-tee-yay)

K-L
Lanvin (Lahn-VAWN)
Les Copain (Leh KHO-pang)
Loewe (Lo-eh-veh)
Longchamp (Long-shum)
Longines (Lohn-jeens)
Louis Feraud (Loo-ee Fay-yoh)
Louis Vuitton (Loo-ee Vui-TOHNG)

M
Mainbocher (men-bo-shay)
Marithe et Francois Girbaud (Mah-ri-tay eh Frans-suah- Jeer Bow)
Martine Sitbon (Mahr-tin Si-bohn)
Miu Miu (Myu Myu)
Moschino (Mos-ki-no)

NO
Narciso Rodriquez (Nar-See-so Rod-Ri-gehz)
Nicholas Ghesquire (Ni-ko-la Gehs-kyerr)
Olivier Theyskens (Oh-Li-vi-yay Thigh-skens)

P
Piaget (Pya-jay)
Piazza Sempione (Pi-yat-za Sempi-yo-Ni)
Pierre Balmain (Pyerr Bahl-mahn)
Pierre Cardin (Pyerr Kar-dohn)
Plein Sud (Plan Sood)
Proenza Shouler (Pro-ehn-za Shoo-ler)

R
Ralph Lauren (Ralph Lo-ren)
Rochas (Rho-shas)
Romeo Gigli (Romeo Jee-li)

SZ
Salvatorre Ferragamo (Sal-va-toh-reh Feh-ra-gah-mo)
Sonia Rykiel (Reek-ki-yel)
Thierry Mugler (Teh-ree Mooh-gleh)
Tomas Maier (Toh-mas Mah-yer)
Veronique Branquinho (Ve-ro-Neek Brang-ki-no)
Xuly Bet (Zuh-li Bet)
YSL Rive Gauche (YSL Reev Gosh)
Yves Saint Laurent (Eev Sahn Lor-UHN)

I Am Not God So I Don't Forget Easily

2005-03-22T12:16:00.000-08:00

TJ is sweet but he is not God. So he should stop acting like everyone has to kiss the ground he walks on. When he gets mad and vindictive, just let him be.

People who ask questions are not dumb, they are either curious or eager to learn more. There are times when you have to ask like how Einstein arrived with the relativity theory but for a normal and friendly conversation, you talk about little stuff that makes you happy. In the end, you are not dumb for missing out topics of Terri Schiavo, Condoleeza's visit to China, the current state of the economy and other high brow and senstational issues along their side.

"Friends tell you the truth even if you don't want to hear them. It's not because they want to hurt you; it's because they want you to be a better person. Having that said, they reserve no right to BACKSTAB, at all".

Kung gagawa ka ng katarantaduhan, huwag sa akin. Puñeta!

The Rewards of My Own Stress

2005-03-08T21:05:00.000-08:00

Most of my close friends know how much stress I have been getting for the past 3 months of juggling work and school. Physically, it's deadly. There are times that it's really hard to drive at 5 o'clock in the morning with only 4 hours of sleep that night. Sometimes, I want to give up and sometimes I want to go home. I am glad that there are friends who continuously inspire and make me stronger. This day marked the middle of the spring semester and my professors already gave us our class standing. It's reflective on how much more effort you have to exert to pass the class. According to my Chemistry instructor, the step of increasing your grade by 10% is already a major achievement. But still, 10% is only 10%. Anyone can do more than that if they allow it to be. Moving on, I've been so blessed to get all A's on my 3 subjects--English, Chemistry and Psychology--considering my situation. That afterall, I am not born smart, I just know how to get things done with passion and to go across every challenges of this battle.

Like Julius Caesar when he crossed the Rubicon, I would say that I, too, have come to a point of no return. I have made up my mind and I am positive that this is the way to go. I could have started school 2 semesters ago but in my case, I needed a lot of consideration and preparation. To me, it’s not just a matter of going back to school. This is my personal mission to give meaning to the sacrifices I have made in the past--to be a lawyer, to prove to myself that I came here for something bigger and that I can only make it so if I allow it to be. As I travel on this journey, I know that there will be more struggle, more doubts here and there, more homework, that everyday stress and the little demons that needs to be slain, but despite that, I know there will always be smiles and laughter, a cause that needs to be championed, friends you can call, people who need care and love more than you do and the knowledge that you can be at peace wherever you may be.

Jerry Yan

2005-03-08T11:23:00.000-08:00

Jerry Yan is the most promising actor in Southeast Asia. He was first casted in Meteor Garden, a soap opera inspirationed by a Japanese Manga, Hanna Yori Dango. He took countries like China, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and Korea by storm through his one of a kind charm.

Perfect beyond imperfection

2005-03-05T18:28:00.000-08:00

I was so blessed to be involved in this kind of work--Nursing. This morning I was working on the other wing of the floor when a familiar lady asked me to see his husband who was my patient for 4 days. She said that her husband wants to say goodbye before they go home. So I went to his room and saw him on his great street clothes; very different from the last time I had him. I can see his teary eyes from afar as I approached him. Our initial reaction was just to hug each other. For someone like him who've been through a lot of pains, I didn't expect that a grateful heart is what he has had to offer. The family even invited me to their house for dinner since it's only a few blocks away from my school, KCC. Most people would burry themselves onto sea of despair whenever faced with big challenges. When my own ordeal comes, I will think of him and push through with courage like how he won his battle. You made my day, sir! Thank you for the cash. hahahaha.

New York State of Mind

2005-03-04T21:32:00.000-08:00

It's definite. I just got my NYC itinerary from expedia. I never expected that it would be too soon for me to see the Big Apple. Eversince I was kid, I've been dreaming of having a grand Manhattan vacation; the place where everything can happen--nightlife, shopping, fashion, museums, broadway shows etc. I will be flying on May 11, the next day after our finals. Cities to be covered on my 10 day sojourn are Boston, Baltimore, DC and Jersey. This is the best time to see old faces whom I have lost contact with along the way; really really really a breath of fresh air for me.

Mission Impossible

2005-03-01T22:22:00.000-08:00

If fate had played out its steady course, I would’ve been a junior law student, hunched over pages of Taxation and Ethics, burning my eyelids as our old folks would say, in my humble place in Sampaloc, some 2 miles from my school in the Philippines. But instead, I am in my scrubs 32 hours a week, 10,000 miles from home, in a job that could be considered as very menial and degrading, at least, in my country’s discriminatory yet superficial standards. After I found out that I had the opportunity of migrating to the United States, I left my homeland 2 years ago with a burning zeal that I would be better than a lawyer could be. The decision has nothing against my motherland, in fairness to the country who in itself is continuously trying to resolve its internal and external conflicts amidst the chaos of economic and political strife that happens to be everyday news. This choice, whether to continue living in a 3rd world or chase the American dream that so many immigrants from all over the globe have been doing since time immemorial, was the hardest decision I have made so far. After all, it’s not easy to sacrifice a goal that was almost in your hands. All immigrants in one way or another share the same cause of moving here and that is to seek a greener pasture not only for themselves but more so for their future families; that having sufficient amount of food on the table, clothes in their closets and a roof over their heads may not be enough reasons to be happy and contented. And by being one of them, I am willing to risk everything, whatever the price may be. In doing so, I do hope that when I look back 10 years from now, I can certainly say that I’ve taken the right path on my hardest decision.