i've decided to move to my old blog:
http://hellokatkat.tabulas.com/
pls update your links. thank you.
my old blog's been updated from, like, 2004. i chose to go back as its more user-friendly, specially for someone like me who likes designing websites and changes layouts often. html xml whatever there can be updated easier than blogger, sad to say.
so there. again, kindly update your links.
Why are they making web design so hard? My site's layout is crap! I can't set the line height, put image border on each post.... dang.
I'm totally wanting this for my birthday. I first wanted a Macbook, then I saw this on a local newspaper. Fell in love first with the red VAIO, but when I laid my eyes on the pink one, gee I'm hooked.
Since it is Sony's 10th anniversary, they're giving away freebies. The dealer asked me if I want a card reader or a mouse and I chose the latter. In pink, please!
And it came with a speaker. Perfect for a music lover like moi!
BOO!
I will change the case soon. It is a perfect birthday present still. And I need a mouse pad.
This is so cool! Got this from Carlo's site.
I really promised myself to explore the key spots in the Philippines first before the rest of SE Asia. I'm dying to go to Mindanao!
A few shots of my trip as a turista are in my Friendster account.
I went to Merlion Park (?), Clarke Quay and Bugis for some shopping and air ballon ride.
Finally, weekend's here =)
I moved out last week to a Singapore suburb. I wanna stay away from the stress of the city. And the condo I'm staying is nicer than the previous one, but this time to share with two of my officemates. Flats here are really really REALLY expensive.
This is the living room, with home theater system pa yan. Hehe. No cable TV yet. Not yet. I like the furnishings coz they remind me of my hippie days in Manila (well, I'm still a hippie/rocker/whatevs). Penguin Cafe to be exact. Hainaku.... I miss that place. Anyway, my flat brings me back from the cosmo city to the organic that is my life - life the way I want it.
I didn't took a picture of my bedroom though -- poor lighting, that's why.
Ok, eto lang muna. Ciao.
Rush lang...
Here are my notes from my first few days here:
June 3rd
I didn't get enough sleep on the plane. When the plane took off I was like, "OMG I'm leaving Manila for real!" The place I'm staying is really posh but at the end of the day I just cried myself to sleep. Nothing beats home.
June 4th
First day at work. I was in a hurry coz it was 8:45am and I'm still in my condo. Work is at 9. I managed to get there on time. Miracle.
June 5th
Training is tough. I'm dealing with clients and custodians for unmatched bond trades. Then check with the trader to see who's correct, then call counterparty again if anything needs amendment from their end. Made my first call to a counterparty and I stuttered. I'm doomed.
June 6th
I dunno the number combination of my luggage! So I removed the lock and detroyed the new bag. =( I just bought it last Saturday!
P.S. I need a padlock =(
Naman! Life in Singapore is so fast-paced! My first five days here made me feel like I've done a lot of things. Everyone's in a hurry, everyone is busy. I just stole a few minutes to blog and say hello to my dear friends in the blogospherrrrrr. =)
Every night I jot down thoughts and notes the classic way - diary in the form of post-its - coz I never had the time to blog about stuffs here. I just write the moment something pops off my mind. I'll transfer them here the very moment I find the day to just blog.
Anyway, till here. I'm busy, as everyone else here.
I am emotionally and physically drained. I lost weight and an inch of my waistline. My skinny jeans are now loose they look like flares when I wear them. lol. Just a joke.
Well here are the photos from the first of my rockin-social-life week (hehehe). Went to Penguin Cafe, Malate after being prodded by BJ's sisters and brothers-in-law to treat them to a nice place somewhere - anywhere - for my despedida. I told them of the bar, but after uttering the words Pinoy ethnic music, they were a little taken aback. "Like, they have gongs and stuff?" asked one brother-in-law. Although I haven't seen the other bands perform yet, I thought of Kadangyan and said yes. Then silence screams in the car.
But ftw! We went there anyway.
Meet Butong Pakwan. My friend Ryan said they haven't performed in a while. Although their music makes you think of road trips on plains and hills, I'm not a total fan still.
Psychedelic chill. Thanks to Goodleaf. Great pure reggae tracks, but I was bummed for they played just a few songs.
I find the drummer cute anyways =)
Earthfish. Is it just me or the acoustic band doesn't belong in the event that evening? Not organic.
Unitiima. Not because one of the band's members is my friend, but man, they rocked the evening! Tama lang ang amats. lol. They should be the event's finale, and should have played more songs.
Lakbay Lahi. You can expect nothing but the best from this band. But where's Heidi? Naman!
I was tipsy after a couple of screwdrivers, but still managed to take a photo of each band that performed. We called it a night at 3am.
I will definitely miss this when I get to SG. It is music straight from our roots. So beautiful the melody will absorb you. Heaps =)
This is my rockin-social-life week. lol
Will dish the details once photos are available.
Lab u, Penguin Cafe ♥
I cut my long, blunt, boring hair with layers for volume. Unfortunately it was only good until my next shower, which was the day after and then it went back to limp and boring again. It was difficult to maintain and I am always on the go so blowdrying it for a few minutes is no option. I just clip it with whatevs and will always have bad hair days until it grows back.
Good thing I took a photo of it fresh from the salon. And this was five days ago.
And then I watched Pirates... At World's End. I'd say don't watch it at all. I wish I didn't watch its part two at all, actually. I just felt used. They just put all the hype they could around it for money, obviously. Those who watched Dead Man's Chest will surely check the latest installment to end their hanging feeling but I'm telling you, you will just be disappointed.
Just wait for the DVD to understand it fully (and appreciate it more).
This is one of my local favorites that I will surely miss when I get to SG: Choco Soft Roll Cluster from Fortune Bakeshop. Unless, of course, they also have them there.
I love choco-flavored pastries with cheese toppings! Yum!
I ate the entire roll in just one sitting last Saturday, coz it will expire the following day.
I'm not complaining though... I love indulging in it 
I had my medical checkup this morning and was diagnosed with Urinary Tract Infection. I also almost fainted when blood was extracted from me (part of the required med checkup for SG to test my blood, obvs). I hate the sight of blood!
Well, the doctor said my medication for my UTI should be for a week.
I was pretty busy visiting relatives, shopping for stuffs needed, and working on papers necessary for my transfer to Singapore. And to think I was just starting.
But inspite of this hellish week, I was able to make my vote count this election period here in PH. I was registered with the rest of my family in my hometown in Bataan, and I am proud to say that the voting system in my municipality has run smooth through the years. =) We were able to cast our votes this morning in minutes.
As of the poll tonight, seven of the 12 senatorial candidates I have voted are on the top 12. I was just sorry for all the election-related violence happening here. With the corruption being rampant here, it is really no wonder why people could kill others just to get the post they wanted and the power that goes with it.
But I am still voting despite just the string of hope.
But I have no choice. They no longer market Visine Cool here in PH. Can't see them on any drugstores, and didn't bother asking the staff at all. I was browsing on stores for months for that eye drop, until I grew tired of looking and settled with the other.
Anyway,
I had lunch with my highschool friend Eva a while ago. We ate at Teriyaki Boy and it was my first time to eat there. Food is really really good! Oh well. It was actually their sauces that tickled my taste buds. Eva and I just had little chit-chats and very little window shop cheverloo after. And she said I'm getting skinny. Duh! It's been a week since I last hit the treadmill.
I'm gonna see her again next week. I'll just arrange a get-together with her and the rest of my HS buddies.
And YOU... You made my heart stomp on the ground.
Listening to: Saliva's Here With You
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BELOVED SISTER! =)
I got mad at my dad. 
I called him on the phone last night after I found out from my sister that he told granma of my secret (who later told my aunt and then told my other aunt!). I thought mom's the talkative one in the family, then he said he didn't tell her everything. Tsk. Well, he has to make sure that that's the truth coz if I found out otherwise, he's a total dead meat.
And he was just like, "Hehehe!"
Tsk. My parents really suck at keeping secrets.
Hi!
I am totally digging your style. And like I said before, you are always a season ahead when it comes to trends. In fact, your taste in clothes, bags, and shoes appeals to people of all ages, despite this period when youngsters Rachel Bilson, Nicole Richie, and Sienna Miller are also thought of as style icons.
And I love this design of yours at Topshop! I also like Irina (the model). And her bangs! =) You do have an eye for potential models.
This is actually my favorite in your Look Book. I love the whole ensemble!
However, this one is so Chloe (circa 1998 - without the gliteratti)!
But I still love ya anyway.
Whatevs.
The sentence is not "cruel and unfair." If you, Paris, want to be a role model, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS. Stop blaming your publicist (that you just fired and then rehired) and your lawyer.
You did that to yourself because you are just stupid. This time, your name and your "celebrity" status will not save your face.
My, I am so mad. lol
And the judge is my hero =)
So yes, I got promoted yesterday. But that morning I really REALLY have to file for resignation. And I really felt bad then but I have to do it.
So the opportunity I've long been blogging about is a shift in career. Life-changing, I'm telling you. For it is a career abroad.
Up 'till this morning I was thinking if I should blog about this or not. But heck, this is MY blog.
Whatevs.
The other company needed me come first week of June (found out just yesterday), and I don't want to just fade away from my present employer so I've decided to file for resignation then to complete the notice period. And then I got promoted and things went a little crazy on my head. I was really anxious but then, yea, I have to do it.
Of course the management's shocked. I just got promoted. But what can I do? The opportunity doesn't reach everyone's plates. They strike once in your life. And I would feel worse had I passed on that.
And I bet everyone in my shoes would do the same. Getting a pass on that is just ridiculous.
So filed for my resignation and I have 30 freakin days to do heaps. My friend Ryan was there (as always) for my aid. He gave me a list of tangibles and intangibles, things I'd do first. I do not worry on the tangibles though, for my employer-to-be will assist me with them. What I am worrying now, is how I'll be able to squeeze in my remaining time to for some going-away get-togethers with friends. I have to see my friends from school (they're three different cliques - each from gradeschool, HS and college) and from work (present and past). And I haven't laid them yet on my planner. And I have 29 days more as of date. AND that doesn't count my family dearest yet.
And then Ryan gave me this insight worth sharing with everyone:
You're gonna see and experience a lot of new things out there. Some will be good, some will be bad. There will be times that you will feel alone and left out. But no matter what happens, NEVER FORGET WHO YOU ARE. You're leaving because you want a change for the better. There are few things that are worse than leaving behind everyone you knew and loved your whole life and thinking to yourself "Was it worth it?" And there are even fewer things that suck more than coming back, and people don't even recognize you anymore.
I will, Ry. I definitely will. =)
I just got promoted. It was pretty insane.
And I changed my layout. Finally! But I said I want black, but this one will do. I dunno how to change the margins of posttitle though. I've been tinkering around it for hours but I'm ruining the entire template instead.
Anyhoo...
My, I have HEAPS of things to do I dunno what to go for first!
Listening to: Linkin Park's What I've Done
I think it's time to change my blog's layout. However I'm not used to editing HTML here in Blogger yet. I was a Tabulas blogger for three years, I think. Whatevs. I'll figure this out later.
Plus the site and its colors are too pa-cute already. Tsk
The fifth of... May.
Yes, my sister Daena will forever thank me for prodding her to go to Malate to see Kadangyan and Unitiima perform. Saying we had a blast is really an understatement!
Now this is where you scroll-down-scroll-down on heaps of photos. But there are captions as pit stops. Heh!
Checking the cam
Hahaha! I love this shot!
Sound chick
And then the groove started
For blocking my view!
And everyone were held in trance
Unitiima's hotshot! Friend ko yan! So proud of him =)
Kadangyan's Bhava Mitra... hearts
And Govinda... jaya-jaya
Whatevs.
I was clearing up some photos from my cam and saw this pic with the rest of my sister's pinning ceremony pictures. I forgot to blog about it. Tsk.
So it was held in her school grounds with the rest of thousands of Nursing degree graduates (really! they're heaps). The ceremony started at six in the evening. I really don't like her school's pakking system that I totally intend to sneak out after her actual pinning. They're really disorganized! The marching took them an hour coz there were not enough seats for the graduates/guests. Then the evil usherette told me the line for the graduates' parents/guardians for the actual pinning is on the left side of the stage. And then my sister messaged me that she was already on the right side and we're supposed to head to the stage together! I saw her before we went on. My goodness. We had her photo taken by a pro photog beside the stage then left right ahead.
According to my sister's boyfriend (also a Nursing grad, finished the event), the ceremony ended at 11.
Listening to: Slipknot's Before I Forget
This is Sparta.
Yeah, have I lived in Ancient Greece, I would have been a Spartan. Coz...
Well, that's not the story today.
I was so bored right now that I took heaps of quizzes from blogthings. Here are some of the quizzes I took. I agree with some while the others are just, amusing XD
| Your Inner Gender is Male |
 You are rational, matter of fact, and quite dominant. You like to get things done, without any emotional messiness. You truly don't understand most women. And you definitely feel more comfortable around men. No doubt about it. You're a guy - at least on the inside. |
| You Are 52% Abnormal |
 You are at medium risk for being a psychopath. It is somewhat likely that you have no soul. You are at medium risk for having a borderline personality. It is somewhat likely that you are a chaotic mess. You are at high risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is very likely that you are in love with your own reflection. You are at medium risk for having a social phobia. It is somewhat likely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement. You are at low risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is unlikely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer. |
| Your Deadly Sins |
 Sloth: 80% Envy: 60% Pride: 60% Greed: 40% Wrath: 20% Gluttony: 0% Lust: 0% Chance You'll Go to Hell: 37% You will die while sleeping - and no one will notice. |
Today is my mom's birthday. I've already greeted her this morning, took my phone right when I woke up to say my birthday greeting.
I also told her how this week's driving me crazy. Man, how come they're not freakin' calling yet?!? What's taking them so long to call? =( They said they would, or email if I didn't get in. I've been checking my email account hourly this week! Oops! Ok, less talk, less mistakes...
I was told by a friend about thinking a lot about something you wanted so much you end up not getting a grasp of it at all. *knocks on wood* So okay, I won't think about it that much for now. Maybe the whole worrying screens the luck off of me.
Man, do I have the saddest eyes on Earth! That's why I try to smile most of the time my photos are taken. Coz otherwise, I look really sad.
I am actually looking forward to seeing Kadangyan again in an event tomorrow at Malate. I just need to confirm from my sister if she'll go with me or with her friends. Coz if she already has her friends for company, I'll ask BJ out instead.
But I must MUST see Kadangyan! lol. I'm really excited for tomorrow ^-^
Listening to: 10 Year's Waking Up
In a couple of weeks time, we will vote again. But I will not tell you that this or that politician is really great you should vote for him/her. Instead I am asking you to stay in the loop and be in-the-know. Google your way to know more about electoral candidates (Or Yahoo, Technorati... search engine your way). Mingle with people and discuss with them their thoughts on candidates and the upcoming elections. Have a say. Note everything you've read and heard as leads. And watch election-related programs (like Isang Tanong in GMA 7 and FORUM 2007 in ANC) to see these candidates and hear their plans and views real-time.
Be in-the-know. Our one vote will shape the future. We can put intelligent, selfless people on the public office seat they truly deserve. For we deserve to live in a nation brighter than any other.
Be a responsible voter. Be in-the-know.
My sister have these stickers from the Pulp Summer Slam (rock concert in Amoranto Stadium titled Seven Deadly Sins) distributed in front of her school and I just find them really disturbing. I was about to take a photo of them for my blog but they appear blurred on my cam. Good thing the images are also found on the Net.
So yes, they're artistic, but disturbing. Each photo depicts dead/hurt people who has committed such mortal sins. So click on the images if you're willing to see the gore around them (like I didn't warn you). Images from pulpcommunity.com.
Wrath
Sloth
Pride
Lust
Greed
Gluttony
Envy
Could anyone please explain to me why Pride image was like that (except that the word pride is smeared on the wall, duh!)? And why such strong images are all on the Net to be accessed by everyone? And stickers of them are distributed on the streets freely?
Like we have to slamdance ourselves to death? Hurt people in the mosh pit? Like violence is worth a celebration. Is that it?
I watched Spiderman 3 with BJ yesterday. We went to the mall around lunchtime and people were already lined up to the ticket booth. The entire theater were reserved just for Spidey! Wow.
I seriously thought the Labor Day holiday was not moved to April 30th (Monday) for a longer weekend (just like what the President used to do) here because of Spiderman. See:
> May 1 - Labor Day (non-working day)
> People got nothing to do, they go to the mall
> They see Spiderman, buy tickets
> Tickets = money
> MONEY MONEY MONEY!!!
It was all about business. MONEY.
Anyway, the first part of the movie actually explains the first two installments. It was pretty dragging, then went really quick on the latter part. I'd say the movie was just ok. Nothing special, really.
This is me writing something (leftie, obviously) at the Philippine Stock Exchange training we had yesterday in Ortigas. Taking notes from the training? Nah. The fact is Dondon - the guy on my right (obvs!) - and I were exchanging notes then.
The first half of the seminar lasted until around 12:30pm, so imagine our longing for food while the speaker was all engrossed with fundamental analysis then (I just had crackers that morning). But for the record, I listened. Though not intently. Not much.
I was the first in line when the food was served. I was really hungry, wala akong sinasanto.
Kat. Loves Penguin Cafe, brandy, and screwdriver. And rock music. Metallica fan. Rock freak who just.can't.give.up.sweets.
Another shot I love! Nice photos, 