T'was The Night Before Christmas

I've been unbelievably busy recently kaya hindi na rin ako nakakapag-update ng blog. But I took some time off to observe the Christmas holiday still. I can't miss this!

I have a lot to thank for not just this Christmas but just about everyday of my life. Boy do I feel blessed! And what better way to celebrate the season other than with the people close to your heart. Jeez! We had a blast!

Merry Christmas everyone! Have a really great one! :-)

Celebrate Me Home

"...Please celebrate me home. Well, I'm finally here but I'm bound to roam..." - Kenny Loggins, Celebrate Me Home.

I got it! Hindi lang ako napasok sa top 3, nakuha ko pa ang title. Payroll Accountant na ako! Sabi nila, in life you get to pay anything you get, whether in the beginning or in the end. Likewise, you get rewarded for anything you pay, in advance or as a debt. Hhhmmmm. Ewan! I just feel so blessed! Ganun!

At dahil excited ang lahat sa biyayang natamo ko, well, naglipat bahay na ako kahapon at nagcelebrate na rin kunwari. Pansamantala akong sinamahan ng mga friends ko. Required akong lumipat sa aking bagong tahanan eh. What to do, yani? Ahihihihi.

Here are some pics of the studio.

The view from my window. It's a balmy day! Lurve it!!! Seems like God is smiling down at us.

Ang roasted chicken before the roasting...

...the roasted chicken getting roasted...

Le Cucina!

Le Tulugan!

Chow time! The roasted chicken getting served...

The roasted chicken getting...uhmm, digested? LOL!

Hayyy, I'd be alone after this. Mag-isa ko nang matutulog, magluluto, manonood ng tv habang naggagantsilyo. Shet! Kailangan ko na yatang maghanap ng lovelife ah! Ahihihihihi.

Lip Liner 3

Interview ko kanina sa Grand Hyatt para sa unexpected kong promotion. Well, actually, wala pang result kaya hindi ko pa pwedeng ramdamin ang mga pangyayari. Ang totoo, hindi ko naman in-apply-an ang position. Ni-recommend lang ako ng isa sa mga bosses ko kaya ako nasama sa listahan ng mga possible candidates. Shocked pa nga ako at nanginginig nang ipaalam sa akin na meron akong panayam. That was a day before my birthday.

Anyway, kanina, meron lang nakakatuwang pangyayari na hindi ko na yata kayang kalimutan forever! Panel interview kasi 'yun na na-set up ng ala-una ng tanghali. Wala na akong time mag-lunch dahil magkalayo ang Hyatt Regency na pinagtatrabahuhan ko mula sa Grand Hyatt kaya imagine-in n'yo na lang ang gutom ko.

Bagama't nangangarag na ako sa mga nakaka-nosebleed na mga tanong sa akin ng mga interviewer na isang Pakistani/Australian at isang German, poised pa rin ako kasi gusto kong iparating na confident ako. Nang biglang magtanong ang German nang:

Ms. German: So, how do you handle stress at work?

Me: Well, I don't really get stressed too often...so,...

Ms. German: Alright. But for those times when you do feel stressed, how do you cope up?

In fairness, hindi maayos 'yung una kong sagot. Kaya, nginitian ko s'ya na parang pang-Miss Close up smile bago muling um-answer. Makabawi man lang.

Me: Well, I call my family back home.

Nya!!!! Ano daw? Saan nanggaling 'yun????? Pucha! Ito 'yung mga rare moments sa buhay natin na gusto nating i-erased ang mga bagay na nasabi na natin. Pero siyempre, panel interview kaya hindi ko pwedeng madaya at mag-pretend na bingi yung interviewer at panindigan na hindi talaga 'yun yung nasagot ko. Kaya, may I pray na lang ang lola na sana, tanggapin na lang 'yung answer ko at wala nang follow up question na parang malabong mangyari dahil parehong kumunot ang noo nila. 'Pag nagkataon, hindi ko yata kayang i-defend ng mahusay ang answer ko.

Ms. German: I don't understand how calling your family could help you handle stress at work.

Me too!!!! In fairnes, nakaka-relate ako sa 'yo. Waaaaahhhh! Eh, anong gagawin ko ay! Smile na lang ulet.

Mr. Pakistani/Australian: Do you care to elaborate on that Mr. Salviejo?

Chosero! Miss poh! Ahehehehehe. E-elaborate pa talaga! Pwede bang tapusin na ang question and answer portion? Derecho na sa talent competition! Kahit mag-limbo rock, kakayanin ko! Hahahahaha! Anyway, with super confidence na hindi ko alam kung saan nag-originate, pinalipat-lipat ko ang tingin sa kanilang dalawa sabay smiley face bago sumagot na parang nangungusap.

Me: Of course. You see, sometimes, when we get stressed and everything seems so messed up already, it gets harder to convince ourselves that everything's gonna be okay. So, at times, we need other people to assure us that everything is really going to be alright. It makes a difference hearing it from anyone other than ourselves because we tend to believe somehow that everything will be okay.

Saylenz. Nakiramdam ako. Ako ba yung sumagot nun? Baka may iba pang tao sa loob ng room na gusto akong tulungang sumagot, mag-te-thank you ako. At pagtingin ko sa mga interviewer, nakakaloka! Sabay silang naka-smile sa akin habang tumatango-tango. Impairnez! Naramdaman ko ang pangyayari! Ahihihihi. Parang minahal ko ang moment. Parang naramdaman ko 'yung naramdaman ni Gloria Diaz nung nanalo siya sa Miss Universe. Choz! Mag-ambisyon? Hahahahaha.

Anyway, nang matapos ang nakaka-tuyot na interview na meron pang mga core competencies, define leadership chuchu pati how do you motivate yourself eklavou, sinabihan ako na ipapaalam na lang sa akin ang result dahil meron pa daw ibang iinterview-hin na candidates. Nagpasalamat ako sa time nila at naisip ko na kahit siguro ano pa ang maging result nito, proud ako kasi feeling ko na-represent ko ang Philippines ng bonggang bongga. Ahihihihihi.

Sana naman, mapasok ako sa top 3 finalist. Ahihihihihi.

My Happy Birthday!

" When I say happy, you say birthday! Happy..."

Sa previous post ko, on my birthday, nag-thank you ako kay God. Napakarami kong dapat ipagpasalamat sa Kanya. Pero isa lang talaga ang na-realize ko this time - I sometimes doubt the way He makes things work in my life. Marami akong hiniling, ginusto, in-expect at minithi sa buhay na hindi natupad. Recently lang din, may mga kabiguan akong naranasan at meron ding mga hindi ayon sa gusto kong mangyari. Pero, na-realize ko, na sa kabila ng lahat, napaka-swerte ko pala. Dahil sa mga pagkakataong akala ko pinagsarhan Niya ako ng pinto, ako pala ang nasa loob at ako pala ang nagsara. Dear God, thank you for making me realize that what I expect always pale in comparison to what is UNEXPECTED. Tama. Marami akong natanggap na sorpresa mula sa Kanya, lalo na ngayong kaarawan ko. In fairness, nawindang talaga ako! I will tackle this separately on my next post.

Samantala, heto muna ang mga cybershot moments namin during the barbecue party sa Al Mamzar park on my birthday. Angsaya!

Dear God

Dear God,

Thank you!


Love,

Marvin

27 Philosophies of My Slightly Twisted Mind

Why 27? I'd be reaching that age in a few days and I'd like to believe that I have learned at least 27 lessons in life no matter how twisted. Well, ciempre, mas marami naman kaysa sa noomero na 'yan pero gusto ko lang i-highlight 'tong mga gawa-gawa kong quotes/philosophies/guides/rules ko sa buhay. Hindi n'yo kailangang maniwala o manalig. Just read 'em and take 'em as they are.

Mahilig ako sa quotes and I appreciate the great people who became famous because of one-liners. Pero ayoko nang nanggagaya. I'd like to think na I can formulate one myself. Why not, di ba? So, just read on. Again, these are not just quotes. These are my guide to my life. Choz!

*********************

1. Keep your friends close. And your enemies, heck! Don't keep them!

2. Listen as passionately as you would talk.

3. On a seriously equivocal note, no one is born lucky. There are just people who count their blessings. And yes, they do count each twice. The more often, the luckier.

4. Never blame. Just point out the mistake. If anyone winces, that person probably has to.

5. Admit that you are wrong when you are wrong.

6. Once in a while, claim victory without humility. It inspires people.

7. By all means, cry! It clears the eyes.

8. In the same fashion, by all means, laugh! It gives more benefit than just clearing your vision.

9. Laughter should be a social disease. So, crack a joke, make funny faces whatever. Just go the extra mile at least once for a person you know.

10. Go on a diet. Abort it anytime you want to.

11. Be smart. Be intelligent. Be shrewd. Be in the know. There's no point in not using your brain.

12. Do not fall trapped to the sorry belief that physical beauty is superficial. You would not want to tell yourself when you are already aging that you wish you made the "effort" when you were younger.

13. Trust your instinct. If you feel something different about anything, maybe it's worth "googling".

14. Pray as often as you like. Talking to God is a gift. Everyone gets it.

15. Regardless of the intention and no matter how sugarcoated, a lie is still a lie. When I give anyone a chance to lie to me, that means I'm giving that person a chance to lie to me again. And the chance that I give is the last chance to choose between coming clean and going out of my life.

16. If someone does me wrong, I promise myself I'd be magnanimous (in my own time). If a friend does me wrong, I don't promise myself anything. I'm not good in dealing with treachery.

17. A person who baby talks way beyond his/her age is more irritating than a person who plays know-it-all. Both better stay away from me. I honestly do not have that amount of patience and understanding yet to be close to them.

18. Learn how to cook. That's one skill you need to add to your survival kit and a step you have to take to learn how to cook well.

19. Have your moods and be honest about it. Being vocal about it is optional when you're in a good mood but is required when you're in a bad mood. Other people have to know if you need them to back off. It may not be appreciated at all times but it surely saves a lot of possible awkward moments.

20. Travel light. Uhmm, I'm a work in progress with this rule. But, considering that during the past I have already experienced a lot of mishaps (usually really funny!) when I do otherwise, I do, at least, make the effort to cut down on my luggages and backpacks and handbags and carrycase and...oh for Pete's sake just shoot me! LOL.

21. Love math and try to be good at it. For those moments when you feel like reminiscing how great you were during your student years, it will make you smile to think that other people accorded you some respect just because they suck at what you're good at.

22. When you lose or fail at anything, do not hesitate to feel bad about it. Just get over it soon and do not grow bitter about it. If it helps, know that in life, there is not only the possibility to lose or fail but also the virtual certainty that in some ocassions, we are bound to.

23. Love your family.

24. Help people when you can. It's a chance to share your blessings and it is a choice that your heart has to make.

25. Never be afraid of change. Just be prepared. And even when you're not, just try hard to bounce back.

26. Respect is supposed to be a two-way street. You don't get it if you can't give any. But just because you didn't get what you give should you feel bad about yourself. No, you didn't do anything wrong. Some people are just more of a taker.

27. Never fool yourself. It's a battle that you can never win.

Game Over

Sometimes, it is amazing how far we can go in playing the game of make believe.

We convince ourselves that we have everything on hand when we could easily point out what is lacking.

We exude strength when deep inside we are obviously falling apart.

We stay nice to people when we just want to shut everybody out of our lives and be alone for a while.

Ah! The extent of pretending and the reward it pays us. Sadly, people buy it and occasionally, we fall prey to it.

And while some of us would eventually find our way back to embracing reality, others feel that in the game of make believe, the only way to win is to make other people believe it too.

Of Battles

Everyday, we are confronted with our own battles.

Be it with ourselves or with somebody else.

A battle with something or with the unknown.

Needless to say, battles are oftentimes uncalled for. Ah! Life will never be life without it.

To some of us, we look at each battle with the most courage we could muster, firmly believing that it should be fought with an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

Some, plays it on the safer side - choosing which battle to fight and which one to drop.

And then, there are some who finds it easier to just bow down everytime and give in to avoid making waves, hoping that if they just walk away, eventually, the tides will die down.

But, no matter how we face it, one thing is for sure - battles will never be there if only to challenge us.

Be it to make us a better person or, as some may conveniently choose, to make us regret that we never will be.

Sa Iyo, Garland

Maaanghang na salita sana ang gusto kong bitawan. Gusto ko sanang magalit. Gusto ko sanang ibuhos ang sama ng loob ko sa pamamagitan ng blog na ito. Ayoko na sanang isipin kung meron man akong masasaktan o kung masasaktan man ako sa gagawin at sasabihin ko. Hindi ko na rin alintana kung ano man ang iisipin ng mga taong makakabasa nito tungkol sa akin. P*cha! Galit na ako, sila pa ba ang isasaalangalang ko?

Kaya nagsulat ako. Gumawa ng post na huhupa sa nararamdaman ko. Pinaigting ko ang bawat salita at nilukuban ko ng apoy ang lahat ng puntong gusto kong iparating. Marami akong katanungan.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit hindi mo ako nakayang harapin.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit pinaniwala mo akong maayos ang lahat sa atin.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit wala kang ibinigay sa aking respeto.

Hindi ako lumuha habang ginagawa ko ito. Pero gusto kong umiyak. Dahil hindi ako makapaniwala na darating pala ang araw na makakaya kong isulat sa iyo ang mga bagay na naisulat ko. Puno ng hinanakit at hitik sa panunumbat.

Sa kabila nu'n, hindi ko makita ang sarili ko. Bagama't nang matapos, naghanda na akong i-publish ito.

Binasa ko ulit. Nag-proof read. Dalawang beses.

Nag-isip at huminga ng malalim. Iginalaw ko ang cursor at naghandang pindutin ang "publish post".

Pumikit ako sandali. Kumuha ng lakas ng loob.

Tapos...

Pinindot ko ang "close button".

Kung anuman ang naisulat ko, burado na.

Sino lang ba naman ako? Wala akong karapatang magparusa. Wala rin akong karapatang manghusga. Makasalanan din ako. Hindi ko man maintindihan kung ano ang naging pagkukulang ko sa sitwasyon na ito, tanggap ko pa rin na meron akong pagkakamali. Kaya kong harapin 'yon. At, kaya kitang harapin kung sakaling magkita tayong muli.

Hindi ko 'yon ipagdarasal. Pero kung sakali man, haharapin kita.

Ngingitian. At, tatanungin kita kung duwag ka pa ba. Kung ano man ang magiging sagot mo, hindi na rin 'yon magiging mahalaga.

"Duwag ka nga ba?"

Sa kabila ng lahat, binabati kita. Dahil nagtagumpay ka. Nabastos mo ako. Nasaktan mo ako.

At katulad ng mga pagkakataong nasusukol ka, malamang sasabihin mo na naman na parati na lang na ikaw ang mali, na ikaw ang nasisisi.

Pasensiya na. Pero ipapaalala ko lang sa 'yo - hindi ba't ikaw na rin ang may paniniwala na sa buhay hindi kailangan na lagi kang tama?

Bagama't para sa akin baluktot 'yon, hindi ko 'yon alintana dahil hindi ganu'n ang paniniwala ko. Kaya nga siguro may mga nasaktan kang tao dahil ayaw mong gawin kung ano ang tama. Ayaw mong harapin ang sitwasyon ng buo ang loob mo. Duwag ka ba? Takot ka ba sa dikta ng ego mo? O natakot ka lang dahil alam mong hindi mo ako kayang sisihin? Mas madali ba sa 'yo ang tumakbo?

Inaasahan ko na katulad ng palagi mong ginagawa, sa huli, magmamaang-maangan ka at palalabasin mong ikaw ang biktima.

Pasensiya na. Pero kung magkakagayon man, hindi ko maiiwasan ang magtawa.

Dahil kung ganoon pa rin ang pag-iisip mo, hindi ka na nga nagbago. Niloloko mo pa rin ang sarili mo.

Congrats, Barack Obama!

Wow naman! Presenting...

Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America.

Antaray nila noh? Isang araw lang ang eleksyon, announcement na agad.

Anyway, heto ang isa sa mga binitawan nya'ng salita sa kanyang victory speech sa home city nya'ng Chicago:

"...the road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree..."

Oo nga naman! Honesty lang dapat. Good luck!

Lip Liner 2

November 1 ngayon.

Napanaginipan ko ang tatay ko kagabi. Bakit gano'n? Sa panaginip ko, hindi ko man lang naisip na patay na ang Papa ko. Ipinakilala ko pa daw sa kanya ang mga kaibigan kong sila Shai, Jong, Domeng at Bessie. Marami naman akong kaibigan pero sila lang daw ang nasa bahay n'ung oras na 'yon. Sabi ng istriktong Papa ko:

"Ah oo, kilala ko 'yang mga batang 'yan. Mabuti naman at sila ang mga kaibigan mo..."

Tapos, nalipat kay Ryan Eigenmann 'yung eksena. Ahihihihi.

Ano kaya ang ibig sabihin ni Papa?

Playlist - Week 6

Senti mode muna...

1. Right Before Your Eyes - America
2. Baby Come Back - Player
3. One On One - Hall & Oates
4. Love Is My Decision - Chris De Burgh
5. Never Gonna Let You Go - Sergio Mendes

And when they tell you that you're crazy
You've got to try to settle down
You got to turn yourself around
Life is more than just good times and parties...

...But if, I ever have to choose
Love is my decision
With you I just can't lose
Stay here by my side
Love is my decision
Forever you and I

La la la la la...choz! Walang gano'n!
Waaaaahhhh! Miss ko na ang rainy days sa 'Pinas...

Thank you naman!

Sa panahong handa ka nang mangarap, dapat maghanda ka na ring magtagumpay. --- Marvin, isa sa mga panuntunan ko sa buhay.

Hayzzzz!!!

Dahil sa naimbudo ako sa eksena ko kay April kahapon, 'di ko tuloy nagunita ang aking ika-limang taon sa Dubai. October 14, 2003 nang una akong pumalaot at napadpad sa City of Gold.

Tutyal! Akalain mo 'yun. How time flies!

Nagpapasalamat ako sa Poong Maykapal dahil itinakda n'yang mapagtagumpayan ko ang hamon dito. Maraming nabago sa buhay ko at mas marami akong natutunan. Marami akong natupad na pangarap. Marami akong napatunayan.

Pero higit sa pansarili kong tagumpay, mas ipinagpapasalamat ko sa Kanya na naging instrumento Niya ako para matupad rin ang mga pangarap ng mga mahal ko sa buhay at ng mga taong malalapit sa puso ko. Na nabago din ang buhay nila dahil sa akin.

Dahil ganoon lang naman kasimple ang hangarin ko nang minsang ako'y nangarap.

Limang taon ang nakalipas. Wala akong inireklamo kahit na mahirap ang dinaanan ko noon lalo na nang ako'y nag-iisa pa lang. Hindi ko 'yun naging ugali. Inilayo ko ang pag-iisip ko sa gan'ong perspektibo. Dahil para sa akin, 'pag nangarap ka, dapat isa lang ang iniisip mo - ang magtagumpay.

'Tapos, pasalamat ka kay God!

:-)