Last Day

Today is another last day of work for me. My contract with this company ends today (do i hear yiheee?). Unlike my last day in NEC and NyFix, this is not an emotional one. Well, my teammates in Northwest Airlines had a lunchout at Terikayi Boy Paseo and that's it. I don't feel sad or anything. Maybe I have gotten used to saying goodbyes or maybe with my six months stay here, I deliberately didn't make any emotional ties with my teammates, my desk or my computer because I knew I won't stay here for long. Like my constant lunchmates are also Sysgen contractuals and Georgia. Today, it's so easy to pack my things.

Part of the resignation is the signing of clearance. As I went from 12th floor to the 5th (where the Project manager and Net Admin are), I can't help but felt a relief that I won't be using the old and dangerous elevator of Citibank Center. I think this building has the worst elevator in Makati! There is one elevator that looks like a horror booth or a cofin because they covered the mirrored wall with black cloth and it wouldn't close unless you manually push the doors. Then one time I got stuck for 5 minutes buti na lang wala akong bombay na kasama bwehehehe. But it's better that what happened to Krizel who got stuck for 10 minutes. Another was when the elevator approached 12th floor, it suddenly stopped and zoomed down to the basement without stopping, just like a free-fall. Last Tuesday night, I waited for almost 10 minutes for an elevator to drop by 12th floor so I could ride ang go home, no it's not that all the elevators were full but they just wouldn't open or the going down button wouldn't work.

Now I just wonder what Citibank is doing with the interests they earn with my ballooning credit card account that they can't even fix their building elevators. tsk. tsk.

I'm just glad I wouldn't have to ride them again. =P

Who's Next?

Last weekend I was down with high fever due to tonsillitis (again, again). When Monday came, I was still not feeling well and dizzy but I had to get up to pick my checks from the agency and pay our Meralco bill kasi long overdue na sya. And learned that a tricycle ride from Meralco Kamagong branch to kanto ng Mayapis costs a whooping P30! (nag taxi na lang sana ako). Hindi pa ako binigyan ng change sa P40 ko kasi wala daw syang barya. When he said sorry, dahil nahihilo ako at feeling lugi, I shot back at the driver with a malutong na "ay ambot nimo buanga ka!".

Before I went up to my unit, dinaanan ko muna yung broker ko sa baba to tell her I'm going to preterminate my contract in the condo. I asked her to arrange a sublease for me, para makuha ko naman ang deposit ko. When she asked me the reason why, I told her I am following going to Japan tentatively next month. Tapos sagot pa niya, "ay wag mo nang i-sublease! Japan naman pala, mababawi mo din dun yung deposit mo!" and all the other clients and broker in the office agreed with her like I was Gretchen Baretto (boongga boongga). Wala akong masabi coz my body was too weak to explain so I just said "hanapan nyo ako ng sublease kung pwede" and left. Hay mahirap magkasakit pag wala yung asawa. But thanks to Jaja who accompanied me nung Saturday night and Georgia who bought me food last Monday. (swerte ni Dan meron syang mga substitutes).

Anyways, that's not my point. My point is, lahat ng ito ay kagagawan ng Ferrero chocolate na pinadala ni Claire thru Darrix. First time kong nakatanggap ng ganun kalaking pack ng Ferrero, I thought only me and Georgia are going to share it so I ate more than my allowed fill. Then ended up with this painfuuulll throat.

Pero ang sarap talaga ng Ferrero! to think isinumpa ko na itong chocolate na ito when my one true love in highschool broke his promise to give me Ferrero chocolates kasi manliligaw na daw sya, and instead pursued another girl. Then to heal my brokenness (charing akala mo anong problema), I would visit the Ateneo chapel every lunch time to pray, which caught Dan's attention at dun sya nagsimulang mabighani sa aking ganda kaya hindi na niya ako pinakawalan when he saw me again 13 years later!(boongga boongga)

Anyways, that's not my point again. What I really like to make kwento is, my friend sent me his friendster profile link and there I saw that he is already married. It seems everybody is getting married. Matatanda na talaga kami, kasi nasa point na ako when my high school crush is married na.

Parang kelan lang when I was head over heels inlove with this person and now I got tonsillitis from eating lots of Ferrero and he's got a wife already who is not me... thank God!

We never really know what's going to happen in the future. The question now is, who's next?

Pics and Videos and Honeymoon

Finally I have sorted the 1000 pics sent by Kenneth. And I have posted some here. Buti na lang ndi na ako busy sa project or else baka nga masasabayan ko pa yung pag sort ng pic sa baby ni Claire.

The kakaibang lovestory AVP has been uploaded here. It is 10 minutes long! My kuya tried to make a short movie out of our old pictures and Langga's talent.


The usual prenup videos starring Claire Daria and Harley Subido was also uploaded here.

So there, I think I have finished all the things I have to do about the wedding, since I have already sent Kenneth the selected pictures. Ooopps, I also have to get a new passport with my new name and have to update my insurance to add my husband as the beneficiary.

Speaking of the wedding and all, a friend from US asked me where we had our honeymoon. I answered him, "marami, sa Pearl Farm, bahay sa Davao, sa General Santos..." and he replied, "sana tinatakan nyo bawat lugar!". Then napaisip ako... akala siguro nya inenumerate ko yung places kung saan kami nag procreate!

My, my I haven't gone pervert yet. Actually we haven't had the usual honeymoon in a land far, far away. Lesson learned, amidst all the wedding details, you should book your honeymoon way, way ahead of time. On our case, Dan's uncle offered us a free accommodation in Boracay, my NEC friends tried to book us in Palawan, one of our ninongs wanted to give us an accommodation in one of the honeymoon villas in Chemas resort in Samal Island, but we can't decide because we are not really beach people hehe (sayang ang papaya soap). So it was too late when we finally decided we wanted to go to hongkong. Matagal pala ang hotel confirmation and nag double booking pa kami ng nanay niya and sabay pa kami nag cancel. Whew!

But it's okay, we had fun naman showing our friends around Davao... parang naging honeymoon with friends na sya. Then we went to hubby's house in General Santos, my first time there and his brother was super kind to drive us around the city. I also got to see how Dan and his siblings were brought up and trained in their house. No wonder ganun ang asawa ko! and I realized how opposite we are, like they don't have a single maid while I grew up with more maids around me than family members.

It was actually very tiring post wedding celebration, that I got chills in the evening sa pagod (dahil sa mga lakad at byahe ha!) but it was one unique way of spending our first days as husband and wife. I was happy seeing my barkada and his barkada merge and have fun together. Even the sight of our brothers, Mau and Jaja played pool soccer together (sporty diay ka Mau noh??) was surreal for me.

But I wish hubbyng smol and I can still have time to spend a real honeymoon. I really, really like to discover Hongkong again with him. For now, I really can't complain because my honey gave me my dream wedding.

Thank you baby for that beautiful once in a lifetime memory that will surely exceed any travels I had or will have in the future. Everything in that wedding came from the fruits of your hardwork that you never hesitated to spend on me.

Your love is my fairytale made real.

May Dilemma si Delima

This time it's not a name game anymore. Tinuoray na ni.

Yesterday, I got a phone call from an IT company I was eyeing months ago. I thought it will be another interview but to my surprise (medyo), when I went to their office on my meryenda break awhile ago, they gave me a job offer. The manager said I had a very good feedback from my last interview with their Irish client so they did not require another interview anymore.

They gave me my asking price (which I just randomly thought of when they asked me of my salary expectations, paano ba naman hindi na ako sanay magbayad ng tax..oooppss). So I'm really not sure kung malaki na sya or hindi for a regular position. But Georgia assured me that it was a nice offer, kasi may 13th and 14th month salary pa daw, medical benefits and a cellphone with P800 plan for free! =)

I am really thankful that my profession is indemand these days that job offers just crop up when you least expect it. I feel truly blessed.

But the problem is, I am waiting for the response from the job I really, really want! It's for a Java Developer position for a large bank in Singapore. What I really, really like about it is, I will be dealing with FIX Protocol. My, my I have long been waiting for a job that involves Java Development and FIX Protocol. For now, it is the only job worth grabbing and being away from my husband for some time. Kahit 6 months experience lang with that job, okay na, if you're wondering why the desperation, FIX protocol is a HIGHLY indemand skill in the US, and even Europe.

I don't know if I got the job, they haven't contacted me since the interview. Well, if I don't get it, maybe it's not meant for me. But I pray that is meant for me! bwehehehe.

About this job offer in Makati, I have to sleep on it, though it is tempting... iba na kasi ngayon, my priorities have changed. It will mean a big sacrifice to stay here in the Philippines while my husband is in Japan. And for what? (I still have to weigh on the for what part).

I will be facing a big risk when I follow hubby in Japan. Since I still have no work there pa, wala pa masyadong Java projects and hindi pa ako magaling mag nihongo, I'm still concerned about my parent's needs (yung biglaan kelangan ng money, another kidney operation) kaya hindi pwedeng mabakante ako na walang work ng matagal. How I wish we are so rich or ang asawa ko kasing yaman ni Yilmaz that staying as a housewife for a while is not a problem or burning my career path as a Java developer is not an issue.

Oh well, this is the start of my ever after. Juggling between my career dreams and starting a family. I don't want to sacrifice either one, if possible.

When a piece of paper with figures and benefits is not enough to convince me, then maybe I just need to pray for a sign.

Name Game

Ateneans: Mrs. Delima (associating me to our late dean Mrs. Katie Delima, I will now have to put up with questions "kaano-ano mo si ma'am Delima?")

Tagalog: Mrs. Delima
American: Mrs. Deileema
Bisaya: Mrs. Dilema
Bisdak: Mrs. Dilima
Perting jud Bisdaka: "unsaon i-sfell ang Delema ma'am? A as in eagle or E as in apple?"

Wala lang, i'm just making fun or my new last name until it will really sink in that I'm gonna carry it for the rest of my life unless I remarry again and become an Ayala or Pitt! (bwehehe, simbako bitaw! kaluoy pud ni Angelina if ever.)

Busy as a Bumblebee

Been very busy since I came back from my wedding vacation. I haven't had time to sort out the pictures, and we are already late on our schedule with Kenneth our photog. Paano ba naman, out of 1000 pictures, i only have to choose 130 pix for the album. Kaya sensya na, wala pa rin akong ma-post na pictures on our wedding. Baka next year pa ako maka post, sabay ng baptismal pics ng anak ni Claire.. hehehe.

For now, let me share to you our wedding pics in video. My brother put together some of our pics and made it to a simple MTV of the song I wrote for my babyng smol.

Before the wedding my cousins were asking me about our theme song, the idea of having a theme song is nice. But I couldn't find a song na bagay na bagay sa amin or how I feel about him so I decided to write a poem and asked my friend Cathy (who used to be a UP Conservatory of Music student, and now a member of Awe-Deinz Band) to arrange and sing it for me.

Yun lang masusulat ko sa ngayon, kasi I have to meet my husband (naks! husband na) in Glorietta.

So here's the poem and here's the video.

I tucked my fairytales goodbye, until I cry

convinced that love and destiny is a lie

as dreams of love slowly blown away

and happily ever after ended each day...

I stopped counting falling stars

played a game with venus and mars

gave in to restlessness with a sigh

to keep myself away from all the why

And then you came when I wasn't looking

an answer when I stopped searching

the wind now brings romance

an overwhelming gift, a beautiful dance

your beautiful eyes, made me still

we complete a broken puzzle for real

destiny is my fairytale made true

I can't wait for my happily ever after with you...

At Last!

Tapos na rin lahat and im so happy kasi everything went perfectly. May isang glitch lang, which is yung pagka-late ng food.. pero everything else was perfect! I love my wedding. Now it is time to rate the Davao suppliers from 1-10 being the highest.

• Gown (8.5) - Too bad I cannot mention his name but he is good. yung mananahi lang ata niya ang hindi malinis magtahi. I mean medyo obvious na ndi natutukan ng maayos, my pouch bag has no beads as promised. Yung veil ko is not pantay ang tahi, so Oniel and I had to find a lace para itahi sa sides ng veil para gumanda... pero the designer offered to sew it for free. But okay lang... for me kasi gown is not that important, basta lang it was finished on time and fits well, basta maganda ka.. keri mo na kahit ndi pantay yung skirt hehehe. With the price he gave me... wala na akong irereklamo pa.
  
• Make Up (9.5) - Donna and Ching of Hair and Streaks Salon in Ilustre. Her package is cheap for 4k and 5 kami. The plus factor is they arrived on time... as in 5 am was the call time and they arrived 4:58 am. Nahihilo pa si Lizette and Georgia hehe. For me punctuality is very important for the make up artist. kasi pag late sila dumating... late na lahat. Ang ganda pa ng gawa niya.. my bridesmaids look so stunning and natural ang make up. But I have to take out .5 from her point kasi inubos niya kilay ko! waaahhh
• Photographer and Video (10) - Kenneth Arquiza of Edit Station One is really meticulous. Ang daming demands like ayaw niya nasa bed ang gown, ayaw niya maraming tao sa hotel room...etc.. pero tama naman sya. He arrived on time.. kami lang ang late kaya pinpressure niya ang make up artist. hahaha. nakakatawa talaga sila. I havent seen his finished product but for his performance that day i will give him a perfect 10. He even suggested to twist the program rather than waiting in vain when the food arrived late.
• Choir (10++) - Ateneo Alumni Choir or the Voice Box was the best! thats why i have to give them a ++. At the church, I had to ask Dan ilan ang choir kasi their voices were so powerful akala mo 10 tao yung kumakanta. 4 lang pala sila. They are the reason why the ceremony in the church became very solemn. Plus they serenaded us well during our lunch. I don't have his contact number, but their leader Jeremy can be found in Yamaha School of music infront of Victoria Plaza.
• Event Stylist (10 +++) - Everyone was amazed with the artist's work. Ang ganda ng reception, grabe! All I said was the theme to be sweet japanese, and i really requested for a sakura tree. Sabi niya gagawa na lang daw sya ng sakura out of a japanese paper... pero ang ginawa niya, he bought plastic sakura and put it in a tree branch. Perfect talaga. it looked so real. I'm not sure if I can advertise his name here. If you want his number just leave a message here.
• Food and Venue (9) - Tulip Grand Plaza was the perfect choice of venue because it is new and it is near our house and the church. So it was easier to transport things from the house to the venue. They have a cheap package and Sherwin and Abigail were so accommodating. Nainis lang ako kasi late dumating yung food. Yun lang glitch nila. Guests were impressed with the Wine Parade, sosyal na sosyal. Akala nila gumastos kami dun. Actually bumili lang kami ng 2 tetra pack (3 liters each) of Franzia and yung performance is free of charge by waiters of Tulip Grand Plaza.
• Lovestory and Prenup AVP (10) - Syempre kasi gawa ng brother ko na very artistic. After the video, pumalakpak ang mga bisita, which just means ndi ako biased when I say he did a job well done. Sa mga kakasalin, kay kuya na kayo magpagawa habang mura pa sya. hehehe. I will ask him to upload the video sa net so you can see the sample.
  
• Our Song (10 ++) - Catherine Lucedra-Pascu my barkada, arranged my poem to a song para yun ang first gift ko sa hubby ko. She is perfect! ang galing. I didn't realize she is that good until i first heard it during our recording sa Polyfusion studio. Plus ang ganda ng boses niya, as clear as glass and as cool as spring breeze. Sabi ng bisita ndi daw usual corny song yung kanta. =)
• Jogue's Apartelle (10) - This is where we bilet our guests from Manila and Cebu. My friends enjoyed their stay there, some even extended their stay there kahit na we recommended more cheaper alternative.
• Emcee (10) - Don Gonzales, he is the most expensive emcee in Davao but he is worth every cent. He was just our backup coz Popong, my friend couldn't make it at the last minute. But na lang his schedule was free that day.
  
• Oniel Victoriano (10++++) - The best wedding planner one can have. I owe my beautiful wedding to the effort of my barkada. From day 1 he made sure everything will be perfect. Dan and I were not stressed even for a bit. Sabi nila ndi ka daw makakatulog the night before the wedding.. pero i was able to sleep soundly because I had nothing to worry about. There was no dull moment during the reception. He even met with my visitors from Manila at Jogues and gave them lists of places to go in Davao. Kaya they were able to tour davao by themselves.