In Search for the Tree of Life

A very dear friend came to visit me (a double purpose on visa change) for the weekend. Among the tourist attractions of the island, I have long been dying to see the Tree of Life. A mesquite tree about 400 years old so named because no one has been able to figure where it get its water source. It is said that it is standing in an area with no nearby water source.

Our journey begins with arguing what time we should leave even after discussing the day before that we leave at 9:30 am ( as usual! ). We finally left at ten armed with junk food, water and good music CDs. Just as we were in the area, we lost track of all notice boards and signage that will lead us to the tree. We were circling the deserted area full of oil wells and oil pipes. People are so mean, they wouldn’t stop for a car carrying lost passengers. At one point we considered harassing a police car ahead of us so they would stop and give us directions. When they turned right, I suggested we follow them until they get annoyed but the others decided to retrace our route to look for a marker. In the end, we found someone who told us to go: “sida, roundabout, sida, sida, siiiiiiida, sida, sida” (straight, straight….) Dang! We went the same way the police car went. I should follow instincts all the time. And yes, it was indeed an endless “sida” before we figured that must be the tree wit all the cars parked.

If there is one thing that excited me more though, it is the camels! The wild camels and the not so wild camel that crossed the road waiting for me to finish my shot. The lovable camel snuggling against his mother. The curious camel that laid there immobile staring at us. The weird camel that kept on grunting and stayed put when the European lady next to us petted him/her.

The Tree of Life was indeed lovely to behold. Except that I wish I knew who was that stupid b*st*rd Santhosh from India who had vandalized the tree with his name in black paint and the others who painted their name in red.

I Heart Nemo!

I saw Nemo in Bohol (another story, another time)!

But I saw Nemo, Dory and Gill (2003) in 1996 issued Philippine stamps. Cool huh?

Sharing My Inbox

Bakit Single ang Status Mo ?

11. Destiny Adik

Eto yung mga naghihintay kay "Destiny" na gumawa ng paraan para pagtagpuin sila ng kanilang mga "partner in life"... Ayannn... Kapapanood nyo ng "Serendipity" eh feeling nila ang nangyari sa movie eh mangyayari rin sa kanila... Such a cliche... Hindi ba nila alam na kung walang effort, destiny is useless...

10. Perfectionist/ Mapili

Yes, isang taong perpeksiyonista. .. Yung tipong dapat ganito ang magiging kapartner ko... Pag may nakilala, nakita lang na pangit ang kuko o may dumi lang, turn-off na agad... O kaya ang daming ayaw. Ayaw sa mabait - boring daw, gusto ng bad boy/pilya pero kapag pinaiyak ka, tatanungin ka bakit ang sama mo at bakit mo nagawa yun! Adik ka ba?! Ayaw sa cute, ayaw din naman sa panget. Meron dyan gusto ka ayaw mo naman. Ung gusto mo eh halos magtambling ka pero deadma pa rin yang stunts mo sa kanya! Pasaway ka rin e! Ano ba talaga kuya?

9. Busy-busyhan

Opo, eto yung ang mundo e gumagalaw lang sa libro at ballpen kung estudyante ka o kaya naman sa computer at files kung office staff ka. Yung tipong aalis ng bahay ng alas 6 o alas 7 ng umaga at uuwi ng bahay ng 6 hanggang alas 8 ng gabi [baligtad naman para sa mga nag tratrabaho sa call center].. Sabay tulog na.. Kapag Sabado masaya na sila sa Internet (o sa Multiply), sa pagkain na niluluto ni mama at sa Linggo naman sisimba at maghahanda na ng kelangan para sa lunes hanggang byernes.. Pssssst.. Pause for awhile..

8. Friendship Theory

Ano naman ito? Eto yung ang buhay ay kay bestfriend o kaya kay special friend na hindi masasabi-sabi sa friendship nya sa loob ng kanilang mahabang panahon na pagsasama dahil baka daw maapektuhan ang pakikipagkaibigan at iwasan sya.. Yung tipong pag may kasama si friendship na iba, nagseselos na wala naman sa lugar, pero syempre wag pahalata, kunyari happy sya for friendship.. Aba! Oi lakasan mo ang loob at baka mamaya forever mong pagsisihan yan kaw rin. Minsan pa naman pareho kayong naghihintayan. . Hmmp!

7. Born-to-be-one (Autistic)

Eto yung nasa palad na ang pagiging single daw.. Walang reasons.. Basta lang nabuhay sya sa mundo na mag-isa at feeling nya mamatay sya sa mundo ng mag-isa.. Kesyo magmamadre o magpapari na lang.. Asa kang tatanggapin ka pa noh!

6. Happy-go-lucky

Eto yung taong walang alam kundi kasiyahan at trippings.. Kahit sino nalang basta no strings attached.. For fun lang daw.. Walang halong seryosohan.. Aba hoy! Yang init ng katawan mo e ikiskis mo nalang sa pader.. Makakahanap ka rin ng katapat mo!!!

5. Wrong Place

May nakaranas na ba nito? Yung pakiramdam mo nasa ibang mundo ka. Yung ang Nakakaharap mo e yung mga hindi mo gusto, yung mga hindi mo hinahanap. Alam mo yun? Halimbawa nasa ibang bansa ka, pero ang hinahanap mo e yung amoy ng nasa sariling bayan mo. O kaya naman e nasa sarili mong bayan ka, nasa normal na lipunan, pero ikaw ang abnormal at hindi mo kayang sabihin na abnormal din ang hanap mo kung ayaw mong ibitin ka nila ng patiwarik.

4. Wrong Time

Eto yung mga tao na sinasabi na "hindi pa ako ready e, bata pa kasi ako" o kaya naman "hindi pa ako handa sa panahong ito, wala pa ako kayang ipagmalaki.. " Yes meron pong ganyan.. Yung feeling nila may tamang panahon para sa love.. Awwwwwww.. Aba kelan yun? Pag uugod ugod ka na at yung time mo e bitin na? O baka naman pag pang out of time ka na? Oist, sugod lang ng sugod..

3. Si parents kasi!

Yes, factor din ang komunidad na ginagalawan mo.. Una, ayaw pa ni mader o pader na magkaron ka kahit 22 anyos ka na at kelangan umabot ka muna raw ng 40 bago magkaroon ng gf/bf.. O kaya naman ikaw mismo! Takot sa sasabihin ni parents at ni kapitbahay na tsismosa sa magiging kasama mo.. Aba ikaw ba naman ang sabihan na "Alam mo hindi kayo bagay.. Langit at lupa kayo.." Awwwww.. Payo ko sayo, Pakialam nila diba? Palibhasa inggit!

2. Traumatic Experience

Eto kalimitan ang reason ng marami. Ayaw ko na! Takot na ako mangyari pa ang nangyari dati! O diba ang drama ng layp? Yes, tama ka.. Eto yung dahil sa past relationship mo, e until na ayaw mo ng magkaroon at sinumpa mo na ata ang magmahal.. Dahil sa pinagpalit ka sa mas pangit, o kaya naman iniwan ka ng walang word na bye-bye, o dahil binugbog ka! Ano pa ba? Madami yan. wag na nating isa isahin at baka tumulo si tears.. Heheh! Gayunpaman, eto lang masasabi ko mga hija at hijo.. Iba't-iba ang lasa ng pag-ibig.. May mapait, may mapakla, may matamis at may maasim.. Aba mapalad ka at natikman mo ang iba't-ibang lasa nito.. Kaya ikaw, do not be afraid to fall in love again.. Malay mo sweetiness na ang malasahin mo next time.. E di panalo ka sa lotto.. Yan ang nagpapalakas sayo, yan ang bumubuhay sayo, ang pag-ibig.. Tsk! Drama!

1. EX to the nth power

Oi aminin!!! LOVE parin si ex kahit 1 or 2 yrs na ang nakakalipas. . May ganito naman.. Yung tipong ilang taon ang nakakalipas, hindi parin makalimutan si ex.. Yung pinagsamahan, yung tawanan, yung iyakan, at lahat ng nangyari sa inyo nung kayo pa.. Malungkot man at sa kung anumang kadahilanan, maganda man o masama ito, kelangan nyong magpaalam sa isa't isa.. YES, after a year sasabihin natin, im over him/her na, pero pag- usapan natin ang love at ang nangyari sa ating relastionship from the past, TADANNNNNNNNNNNNN, eto na, sya agad ang naalala mo.. At habang nagkukwento ka, ouch may kirot, o kaya may ngiti at may bumabagabag sa ating kalooban.. Ano kaya yun? AMININ mo na kasi MAHAL mo pa si EX.. Isa lang ang masasabi ko, well mahirap sya kalimutan, alam ko yan, pero open your heart and makipagdate ka, lumabas ka, at try to entertain someone.. Wag mo ikumpara si ex sa iba.. At give urself a Kitkat, take a break..spread the love

Pitter-Patter-Pat-Pat-shhhswshwshshhshwshwsh

It's raining!!! I can hear the raindrops over the office roof. I woke up to a cool breeze and a slight shower, now it's pouring. Rain, rain, rain =)

Office Whine #3

Eto na naman...hayop talaga to si Kamot. Porke ba may pagkabobo sya eh lahat na ng tao sa paligid nya eh feeling nya bobo din???? Nauna akong dumating sa opisina subalit pinagliban ko ang pagbukas sa aking mga liham sa computer. Pagkadating ni Kamot, ito ang una niyang ginawa -- hango sa suhestiyon ko na umupo muna siya at magbasa ng mga liham bago sya bumaling sakin at magdakdak ng anong dapat gawin. Paunawa lang, hindi ko kailangan ng dakdak pero ugaling ayaw matanggal na 'to ni Kamot. Ayun, balik sa kuwento, nakatanggap pala kami pareho ng liham galing sa kabilang bansa na nagsabing ibalik sa kanila yung dokumento ng 3 aplikante dahil sila na lang ang kukuha sa mga taong yun. Actually hindi ako ang kausap ni Kamot kundi ang sarili nya pero parang pinarinig na niya sa akin. Si Kamot may pagka master na rin ng soliloquy, hahaha! Pagkatapos mabasa ng malakas ang email eh bumaling sa akin at sabay sabi: "BG, kailangan natin ipadala yung mga dokumento sa kabilang bansa at kailangan nila yun". Anak ka ng angry bakunawa naman oh!!!! Narinig ko!!! At pareho tayong may liham niyan!!! Ke aga-aga eh pinag-iinit mo ang ulo ko. Ilang bese ko bang kailangan sabihin sa kanya ng ayoko ng inuulit-ulit ako ng paalala kung anong gagawin ko. Alam ko kung anong dapat ko gawin. Hindi ko kailangan ng paalala sa bawat LIMANG MINUTO. Naglitanya na naman tuloy ako na hanggang 3 bese lang niya ako pwedeng paalalahanin at dapat may tatlong oras na pagitan. Kung hindi, manigas siya, HINDI KO GAGAWIN!!! Pasaway na buhaaaaaay!

Black Cloud over Me

Have you ever been in a mood so bad you don't know whether to sulk, scream, bitch, cry, slap someone, jump up and down, rant non-stop, or just sit down and count 1-10 till your heart beats normally?

And then a friend comes in with a cup of coffee and your anger melts...aaaaahh life.

What If?

03 April 2007

A Bahraini was sentence to ONE YEAR in jail for pocketing BD197,000 (approx 21M PHP or half-million USD) that was wrongfully credited to his bank account instead of BD197.

I don't want to be a hypocrite, I thoroughly envisaged a life if it had been me. With that money I can donate 5 million pesos to charity and still have enough money to invest and live a better life. I'd probably run away and live somewhere else. That, if my conscience does not get the better of me. Someone is bound to pay dearly for that mistake - for entering a comma instead of a period between 7 and o. Hubby says he'd be willing to go in jail for a year for all that. Probably he forgot about spending eternity in jahannam. Logically, yes. What is a year anyway for that amount of money? I saw it once and I saw it again, this country has a funny way of issuing verdicts and setting punishments..

If it is your bank account, what would you do?

A Letter To My Dying Laptop

My dearest Laptop,

I am really sorry to have used abused you in the worst imaginable way. I am terribly sorry for not caring when you moaned, wheezed and screamed in agony. I should have taken you to a PC doctor but I never did find the time to do that.

I remember when I first had you. I could still imagine how I spent hours preparing your niche in my work corner; how I had lovingly stroked your cover; how I had marveled at your beauty. I never knew boredom with you around. You told me tales of far-away land, entertain me with your songs, displayed images of my loved-ones (and of me!), and occupied me with your gaming treasures. And most important, you are my confidante.

I tried to revive you, restore your system. You stubbornly refused, threatening to delete all my documents. My heart almost jumped out of my throat. I don't know if it's at the thought of losing you or plainly losing access to my documents. You did get a little better but I promise not to play PC doctor again.

Yesterday I tested your patience by downloading a trial PC game. I immensely enjoyed that game. I thank your intermittent error breakdowns for allowing me to play the game a little longer. But when I left you open last night in the hope of you having a seizure so I can continue that game, you steadfastly remained opened. Now I don't know whether to curse or sigh. I feel guilty for hoping you'd have a relapse. I should be happy you're okay although I really raise my head to heavens wondering why you just didn't shut down when I needed you to.

Anyway, my dying laptop, please don't go as yet. My new plaything is coming soon. It will have more speed and more memory than you do but you will always be the best in my heart. I promise to love you and keep you in a special place in my work station.

XOXO,
BG

.....

I'm feeling so lethargic today. Can't even force myself to move even my stomach is grumbling at it's best. I want to sit with a frozen stare at the monitor. I want to blank out every thought and every sound. I can't even scowl with irritation at all the shouting, arguing and laughing in Arabic, English and Hindi going on the room next to mine.

Office Whine #2

Ayan tumaas na naman ang presyon ko kakaisip ng mga kagugahan sa opisinang ito. Kaninang umaga nagtatanong and aming matandang amo kung nasaan na daw yung pranses na tagapamahala ng panaderya. Ayon sa kasunduan dapat sa susunod na buwan ay pormal na sasali sa kumpanya na ang naturang tagapamahala. Dahil si Tamad ang namamahala ng mga trabahong ukol sa mga bisa natural na siya ang napagtanungan ng amo naming may regla ata ngayon at napakasungit. Ito namang si Tamad, dagliang tumawag kay Kamot para itanong kung nasan na nga si pranses. Ay ang lolo mong Kamot ay nagwala. Paano nga naman, si Tamad ang namamahala ng bisa at ng mga bagay ukol sa paglalakbay, bakit siya nagtatanong sa amin ng sitwasyon ni Pranses? Hay naku, buhay ko sa office nga naman...