Pancakes! Pancakes!

I finally got my pancakes that I've been craving for! Yes, I couldn't stop thinking about pancakes these past days. I woke up earlier today so I could catch Jollibee's breakfast meals. I'm not spoiled but I try to get what I want. hehehe Thanks to the boyf who granted my request. As the saying goes, there's no such thing as free breakfast, or something like that. So I treated him for some beef tapa meal. Yey! Life's simple pleasures.

I heart Korean Food

I pigged out all day today and feeling full was out of the question. The highlight of my eating spree Sunday was Korean food at Koreayum Restaurant, Robinson's Cybergate. I had the whatchamacallit beef that sounded like bop bop. Whatever its name is, I enjoyed it. :) Happy Sunday!

pic via Sony Ericsson K800i

That Day with Franco

I don't really dig the music of today's generation. I just don't get them and my ears and eyes seem to reject their sound and appearance. Call me old but I think I'm stuck with the 90's music. There are only a handful of Filipino musicians that I love and most of them have been around during the 90's already like Bamboo, Urbandub, Parokya ni Edgar, Pupil, Imago and Rico Blanco to name a few. I am lucky to have already seen these bands play live and just recently, I was able to meet my new favorite band, FRANCO.

As I've said, there are only a handful of musicians I like but when I meet them, I go crazy. Yup, C-R-A-Z-Y. I am not ashamed to admit that I go gaga and chase after my idols. I go out of my way to get pictures with and of them. And as I would constantly yak about, NO GUTS NO GLORY is my motto. I scream and giggle like a hopeless groupie.

Last August 25, I was lucky enough to tag along with the boyf's gig at USC-TC where the band, Franco was the main guest. My friend, Venice was also a fan so it was extra fun for me. At least I had someone who could relate with me. Yowh also came and I know she didn't really share our excitement. I felt a little guilty for not entertaining her. hahaha It was an outdoor event and because of the heavy rain the day before, the field was so muddy. That, plus the uncontrollable crowd made it difficult to go around. We weren't really bothered because we fought for a great spot near the stage where I was free to climb the steps and take photos up close. Before Franco played, we were able to pose with Franco Reyes (the vocalist) and Gabby Alipe (of Urbandub) who were very patient and gracious to sit with the chaotic fans. Oh it was perfect! Well except for the failing sound system which we really didn't mind.

I thank my panggs for this opportunity and I also congratulate him and his new band for a successful first gig. Happy monthsary! Looking forward to more of these unforgettable moments!

A letter to My Other Lover

Dear Mr. Future Career,

First of all I would like to ask, do you ever exist? Day after day, I am starting to think that you may just be an illusion. I feel like the hopeless romantic in search for her eternal love. You're constantly visiting my thoughts and dreams. How can you be so elusive, when I am just here crocheting my butt off?

Will you forever be a needle in a haystack? Oh no... Please don't be like that. My life is almost complete, all that's lacking is you. I've been scanning the pages of newspapers, internet sites and desperately asking around for you. Nobody has told me where you are and they keep referring me to somebody else. No, I don't give a damn about Mr. Temporary Job. He's not my type. I gave him a chance but you see, after three short days, I broke up with him.

I'm already 23 years old and I'm not getting any younger. Don't you think four months of bumming around is already enough? I think my brain is slowly rotting. I don't mean to be so aggressive, but can you take me on date? A hive of activity is a perfect place where I can be productive. Trust me, you wouldn't be disappointed.

I hope I'll get to meet you soon. I'm looking forward to long hours with you. You will love me, I promise. I know there will be ups and downs, but I know it will all be worth it.

Love,
Nicole Marie Lorenzana

After three days of work, I quit

How pathetic does the title sound? I had a strong urge to delete the blog post prior to this but what the hell, I have no regrets. As it turned out, the job that I was talking about didn't quite work out as I hoped for. After my third day of work, I decided not to go back. I don't want to badmouth or anything so I'll just leave it at this... the company has so many issues and I don't want to be a part of it.

The realization of quitting didn’t come suddenly. I was very excited when I got accepted because I want the nature of the work. It was so obvious according to my friends. During my brief stay in the office, I never felt happy, though. Of course I didn’t pay much attention to what I was feeling because after all it was my first week and my adjustment period. Looking back on my past jobs, I was nervous and I feared the unknown but never did I feel unhappy and unwelcome during my first week. I tried to ignore all the signs because I was very much hopeful and I wanted the work so badly.

I wouldn’t consider myself a quitter, but I do know when to stop. A workmate helped open my eyes. This workmate was kind enough to spare me from the chaos. Before my final decision, I confided with my mom, the boyfriend and some of my friends. I thank them for not judging me, giving me encouraging words, instead. When I finally made up my mind about quitting, I think it was the first time I smiled that day. I never thought I would be this stressed on my third day. I don’t mind being stressed at all. I have been in worse situations but I never felt so helpless, useless and dumb. Isn’t work supposed to empower you? That wasn’t the case, I felt sad.

My three-day stay some would say seems too soon to quit. Exactly. I wouldn’t want to delay the agony especially after hearing feedbacks from people who were able to deal with the company. I was down and embarrassed yesterday when I made my decision but right now, I’m so relieved and thankful that I did quit.

All these just feel so negative but as I’ve said, I have no regrets. If there is one thing that I gained from this experience, it’s my renewed relationship with God. For the past years, I have been missing in action in terms of my faith. When I got the job, I was able to pray heartily and after two years, I had confession. When I quit, I talked to God and I was at peace. I thank the Lord for everything He has given me, for the challenges in the past two weeks. I know he has a better plan for me, something that I really deserve. A job that would give me stress and problems, but in a healthy way.

1st week at work

I want my first August blog entry to be timely so I am writing about my first week at work. Okay, I think it could have been better if I wrote it on my first day but I was too lazy that day. hehe

I got accepted in an advertising agency last week and I was told to report on August 9, one week after my interview. I was very pleased to know that I had extra days to bum around. That wasn't the case, though because last Wednesday, I got a text message asking me to report the next day (Aug 5) instead. Holy! I really wasn't ready for that but I couldn't say no. That was work and what message would I give if I wouldn't come? It scared the hell out of me because I didn't know what to expect. It was difficult to sleep. Paranoia was taking in.

I woke up at 5:30 a.m. I had a hard time getting up early since I got used to waking up at around 8. I last thing I want on my first day is to be late. I am supposed to arrive in FGU building in Ayala at 8:30. Coming from Talisay is such a long trip which consists of one tricycle and three jeepney rides. I left our house at 6:30 and everything went smoothly. And if I may say, too smoothly because I arrived at 7:20! I was so early that the office was still closed and that there were no chairs outside. Damn! I had to stand outside for more than one hour, fidgeting and being nervous as hell.

When I was finally able to get inside, I had a brief orientation. It turned out we can time in until 8:45. Our office is under renovation so we were in a very small room temporarily. I didn't have a desk yet because there was no space. I stayed with the creative department. They were very friendly. We have an upcoming event in September. It is a huge Asian event that comes close to the Advertising Congress. I was assigned to the Event Partners Committee. I would coordinate with the event sponsors for the requirements, needs, etc. My first day comprised of me studying the whole event specifically the sponsors and benefits. I was still a bit quiet because I didn't want my workmates to get the impression that I was cocky or something. Day one was okay.

My second day was busier and more chaotic. I really don't have a problem with my assignment even if it's a great task. It's just that I would intervene in the middle of it. It can get very confusing already and there were a lot of sponsors to get to know. There are so many details that could get confusing. I had to ask a lot of questions because I don't want to commit mistakes. I just hope the people wouldn't think that I'm such a dumb ass. I think I was already productive because I was able to communicate with some of the sponsors on the second day.

I am definitely out of my comfort zone. I still haven't been my real self yet. I hope I would be good friends with my workmates and that I would stick to this job that would really open a lot of doors for my career.

After a three-day rest, tomorrow is a new day. Lord, please help me! Don't let me turn into a nervous wreck.