New Year, New Design

Hello Dear Readers,

Just like what I do every year, I've changed the design of my blog.

For 2011, it was more of colors. Something full of joie de vivre. This time I wanted to go for a cleaner, simpler look. Minimalist ang peg!

The previous banner was made by Parker.

This year, my banner was made by my very talented officemate, who also happens to be the author of Love To Sweat, Joey.

Joey was kind enough to spend a few hours making my new banner. Thank you Joey.

The concept for the banner was made by my good friend, Bongga. Sabi niya maganda daw ang Garden of Eden na theme. When she said that, ang naisip ko agad, for some reason, ay Desperate Housewives.

The apple was suggested by my other officemate, Giron. Gusto ba naman ng hudas eh hawakan ko ang apple tapos nakahubad ako at may nakapulupot na ahas sa akin. Para bagay daw talaga sa Garden of Eden. Leche.

My new tagline is, sinfully delicious. I just thought it'll suit the whole apple thing.

Since I wanted my blog to look clean, I had to remove a lot of things which includes my blogroll, trackers, etc.

I changed my Twitter feeds thing because I couldn't format the old one properly. I also changed my blog archive.

Oh and if you'll notice, now there's a retweet button at the bottom of each post. Dati, Facebook "like" lang ang meron. Umiral nanaman ang kaartehan ko eh.

Putting those buttons actually took me a while because when I changed my template, nawala yung "Like" button. I tried putting it back in but then nawala lahat nung mga likes. Took me a while to put it back in but in the end, I was successful.

At dahil, minimalist ang drama ko this year, I kept the entire background in white. I think it works naman.

I've asked a few friends to check my blog while I was working on it. Nagustuhan naman nila and I hope you, my dear readers, would like it to.

So, what do you think of the new design?

Havey o waley?

Sa Araw ng Pasko

Hello dear readers!

So... I'm finally in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. Since I don't have my laptop with me, I can only access the internet through my Blackberry. May computer naman si fader pero I have this thing where I don't like using other peoples' computers. That and syempre hindi ko pwede gawin ang mga kahalayan ko sa pc ni papa.

Well, my loyal readers know for a fact that I've had some really bad holidays in the past. Well at least this year,  may kasama na ako na magpapasko. Of course, nandyan ang walang katapusang family drama dito. I swear, my father's family has soooo many issues, we make the Lohans seem normal. Ang mga kadramahan sa Nasaan Ka Elisa is what we would call Sunday Brunch. Kaloka lang ano?

But what is Christmas without some tears? It wouldn't be Christmas at all.

But, I am having a great time. It was a good decision on my part to come here. They've all been asking me about Parker pero hindi ko alam kung ano ang isasagot ko. Sabi ko nalang, "irreconcilable differences". Taray no? Me na! Me na talaga!

Since this is the only time I was able to go online, as in really online, I would want to greet you all a few hours in advance, a Merry Merry Super Mega Hyper Over Christmas.

Another year has passed. Another year full of laughs, love and tears has passed. Ohhhh that also means, magpapalit nanaman ako ng banner design ng blog ko. Abangan kung ano ito.

So to all my friends, thank you for the support you've given me through the years. And also, for putting up with all my crazy.

To my sometimes-but-not-always-crazy mother, thank you for everything ma. I love you so much.

To my somewhat-but-not-always-overly-dramatic father, Im glad I spent the holidays with you guys.

To my family on my mothers side, I love you all.

To my family on my fathers side, tumigil na kayo sa kakaaway. My god, the dramatics. Kakapagod ah.

To Parker, I know the break-up was kinda ugly but we did share a lot of fond memories. Even though we're not together anymore, you'll always have a special place in my heart. Anssaaaveee???

And of course, to my dear readers, thank you for being the reason why I've kept this blog for the past 3000 years. This year has been such a roller coaster ride for me. Mula sa mga kadramahan ko, hanggang sa mga pinagbibili ko, hanggang sa paghihiwalay namin ni Parker.

Some of you have been asking me to tell the story of why we broke up but I've chosen not to. There will always be 2 sides to a story and ayoko na akin lang ang malaman ninyo. Besides, things like that are better kept private.

Parker and I have started talking and right now, we're friends. Oo friends lang kami. I swear on my iPhone and Blackberry.

So ayun, may all of you have a wonderful Christmas with your families.

Thank you dear readers at mahal ko kayo.

Meh ganun?! :)

All the love from Laoag City, Ilocos Norte,

Adam.

Phone Call

Ring... ring... ring...

"Hello?", she answered.

"Ay sa wakas you finally answered the damn phone!", I said.

"BES!!!", she screamed.

I haven't talked to my bestfriend Jackie in a long time. With her schedule and my schedule, we haven't really got the chance to talk.

I did chat with her on Facebook, briefly, a few days ago and that's when I told her that I broke up with Parker.

It's been almost three weeks, but it's only now that I got the chance to talk to her.

"Pasensya ka na bes. Hindi man lang kita nadamayan noon.", she apologetically said.

"It's fine. I'm okay naman and my friends here have been such good listeners. Makes dealing with things much easier."

"So honestly, how are you?", she asked.

"For the better part of it, I'm ok. Of course there are days when I get upset. Days when I look for his voice. But I find ways to deal with it. Work is such a great outlet for me. Oh, and shopping.", I answered with a laugh at the end.

"Good. Very good. So have you and Parker talked ever since the break-up?"

"Yes. He text's me every now and then. He said he checks my Facebook and Twitter to see how I am. But we don't talk on the phone or online."

"Ok narin siguro yun. Makes the grieving process easier.", she said.

"Yeah. I guess."


"Bes I have a question."


"Ano yun?", I asked.

"What if Parker actually makes an effort para makipagbalikan sayo? Yung tipong gagawin niya lahat. Mag-all out effort para suyuin ka. Pumunta dyan, haranahin ka. Mga dramang ganyan. Makikipagbalikan ka sa kanya?"

I though for a second. I wanted to watch my words. But then again, this is my bestfriend. There's nothing I can hide from this crazy bitch.

"Of course I would", I answered. "But you see here's the thing, kilala ko siya so I know that that will never happen. He's not like that. Hindi niya gagawin yun. If he wanted to get back together, sana ginawa na niya. Kung gusto niya akong suyuin, sana hindi tumitigil ang pag ring ng phone ko sa tawag or txt niya. Sana pumunta siya dito the day I broke up with him. If he couldn't come here, there have been several weekends na pwede niyang gamitin para pumunta dito so we can work things out. Pero wala. When we were still together, he once told me na pag dumating ang araw na maghiwalay kami, he would do everything to win me back dahil ayaw niyang mawala ako. The part of me that thinks did not believe him and for good reason para hindi na ako umasa."

"Pero in a way umaasa ka parin diba?", she asked. But tactless as she is, she was right.

"Oo naman. There's still a part of me na umaasa. It's only been weeks. But I have to be realistic. He's not the type na susuyuin ako. And what pisses me off so much is that until now, sinasabi niyang hindi niya maintindihan kung saan nanggagaling ang galit ko. He doesn't understand how I could have been pushed so far that I had to break up with him so as good of an idea it is na pupunta siya dito, yayakapin ako at tatanungin na maging kami ulit, I know it will never happen", I answered.

Harsh I know. But that's the truth.

"You know I really wish I could give you good advice. Normally kasi ikaw ang nag aadvice sa akin ng gagawin eh."


"Yeah I know. There's a reason I'm the smart one and you're the pretty one."

She laughed so hard, napatawa din ako.

"Sige eto nalang, keep yourself busy. The distractions help. Yan yung lagi mong sinasabi sa akin eh pag nagbrebreak kami ng ex ko noon."

I laughed again.

"But I'm glad you're okay", she said.

"Yeah. I was actually thinking na magiiyak ako habang nakasandal sa pader. So far hindi ko pa naman ginagawa yun", I said.

"Alam mo okay lang na umiyak ka, Para mailabas mo din. Eventually, you'll wake up one morning and feel 100% okay."

"I know bes. It's not my first break-up", I responded.

"Good."


"You know, it's great hearing your voice. It's one of those times when I really miss you."


"I miss you too bes."

We talked about a few more things such as work and the things that keep us busy.

I may not get to see her as often as I'd wan't to, but it makes me happy to know that during the times when I need her, faith intervenes and finds a way para makapag-usap kami.

"Lagi kang nandyan para makinig pag nagbrebreak kami ng ex ko noon. You always gave me good advice. Hindi man kita mabigyan ng matinong advice ngayon but I'm here to listen to you coz it's your turn to talk and mine to listen", she said.

Napangiti nalang ako.

Capdase for my Blackberry

I was walking around SM looking for a case for my new Blackberry. It's an OC thing.

There is nothing I hate more than having gadgets with scratches on the back and side. So while at SM North, I went to Games and Gadgets, some Greenhills-looking shop, Halo, Belkin and other places. None of them sold  a case for my phone. Bago daw kasi at kung ano anong dahilan ang binibigay sa akin.

I was about to lose all hope when I saw this bazaar looking thing at the 4th floor of SM North Annex. I saw the booth for Capdase so I checked their items. Akala ko wala.

Biglang dumating ang saleslady na sobrang energetic akala mo uminom ng limang tasa ng kape. Kakatuwa siya in fairness.

I nicely asked kung may case na pang Blackberry 9360. Meron daw. May kasama naring screen protector.

I was delighted kasi naghahanap din ako ng screen protector. Another OC thing. I dont like scratches on the  screen of my gadgets.

I asked how much, she said 1200php. Keri na. I was actually expecting it to cost more.

She showed me different colors and I really wanted the white one but I realized na in less than 3 hours madudumihan ko din yun. I can't carry white. Ever. I don't know how to.

Eventually, I picked metallic blue.

Cute naman diba? The back part is made of metal and the sides are made of silicone.

I like it because it doesn't add that much bulk to my phone. With the case, it's as thick as the iPhone 4.

I like collecting cases for my phones and I'm not really specific about brands as long as it looks nice.

So now, my phone has a case and the screen has a protection film.

Ayan, happy na talaga ako sa phone ko. =)

Blackberry 9360

This year, I didn't know what to buy for myself for Christmas until I saw this phone and realized how much my current blackberry sucks.

I had another Blackberry in mind but it's really expensive and I knew that 6 months tops, I'd get bored with it. So I decided to buy this model because its really nice.

This is the very first major purchase I've done. My gadgets normally come from my mom but this time I wanted to buy something for myself para makita ko naman kung saan pumupunta pera ko.

Lo and behold, the Blackberry 9360. This is by far the thinnest phone I've ever had. It's so shiny. =)

It comes with the typical accessories. Charger, USB Cable, Headset. You get the idea. It doesn't come with a disc for the Blackberry Desktop Manager so you need to download it from their website.

I love the camera on this phone. It's 5 megapixels of pure deliciousness. I was debating between this and the Blackberry Torch (9800) but in the end, I really considered the camera.

The camera on the Blackberry 9360 is far better than the Torch's. Plus, the thin-factor.

I now have 4 Blackberries, all of which are still fully functional. My friends say that I'm crazy because I have so many phones. They call it crazy, I call it having a back up just in case.

8830, 8320, 8520, 9360

I'll write a review of the phone after a week. Right now, I'm still pushing it to its limits.

I bought this phone from Electroworld at Trinoma. In fairness, the staff there are really friendly and helpful. Inaasikaso talaga nila mga clients nila. Thumbs up.

Again, I have a new toy. A shiny new toy. I'm a happy camper. Merry Christmas to me!!!

It's Time

I've seen this video floating around Facebook for a while pero ngayon ko lang pinanood. I was teary eyed after watching the video.

For most gay men, whether they admit it or not, this is something we dream about.

It's one of the things very few of us have the luxury to enjoy.

From going out to dates up to meeting the family, until getting down on one knee and popping the question, it's something we all want but most of us don't want to admit.

Who doesn't want a happy ending?

Who doesn't secretly wish to experience what they saw in Disney movies when they were growing up?

It's videos like this that gives us the strength to believe that it does get better. That eventually, we will get our happy ending.

Some people get it sooner than others, while others have to wait a little while longer.

How about you? Did you like the video?

Office Christmas Party

It's that time of the year again when everyone at the office get's dressed to nines and prepares to PAAARRRTYYY!!!

Our party this year was named the "Red Party". Like last year, it was held at the Elbow Room in MetroWalk.

This year, nirent ng company ang buong Elbow Room kasi in fairness, ang dami na namin. Last year konti lang kami kaya half lang ang nirent.

I must say, the party this year was soooo much better than the party last year. There was so many people and it was a veritable who's-who of the entire company. Why so? Kasi, we have 3 offices around Metro Manila and it's only during office parties like this na nagkakasama lahat sa iisang venue.

The food, buffet as usual. In fairness masarap, pero sana dinagdagan yung balat ng lechon.

Masaya yung raffle. In fairness, bongga ang prizes this year. Sayang, di ako nanalo.

Here are some of the pictures from the party.

Joey, Maria, Me, Mariah, Rowie, Bongga

Me, Jaydee, April

Me and my former team mates.

Joey, Jaydee, Moneh, Me, Derek, RJ

At syempre, pwede ba namang hindi ako magperform?! Ako pa!

We sang Start Me Up/ Livin On A Prayer in the style of Glee. There's a video of our performance pero nasa phone ng isang friend ko sa office. Hindi pa niya ina-upload.

L-R: Jeck, Rima, Me, Mariah, Alex

We had so much fun, mga 3AM na ako umuwi. Madaming tao pa nun sa Elbow Room nung umalis ako. It's a sign that the party was really good. Diba?

If I'm not mistaken, HR team namin ang ang organize ng party. Hats off to them, the party was a success.

Excited na tuloy ako para sa party next year.

*Credit for the pictures go to: Derek Tonin, Joey Bote, Rowie Zubiri, Belle Manalad, Moneh Sacluti, April Padullon-Madali.

Haul from Marithé + François Girbaud

Since I was a bit bummed out the other day, I did what I would normally do in cases like that. Nag shopping ako ng very very light.

I bought a bag and a wallet.

I've had my wallet for almost 3 or 4 years now so siguro naman panahon na para palitan diba?

It's leather and mesh so it's really soft. I like it.

I chose this wallet because it has a lot of slots for my cards =)

I've always used messenger bags. Natural, messenger bag parin ang bibilhin ko.

This bag comes in black and gray. I picked gray because the black one looks too dull. I picked this bag because it has a lot of space inside for the crap I carry around everyday. Look, it even has place where I can put my laptop or tablet.

I might need to buy one of those bag organizers. It annoys me when I start rummaging through my bag looking for something.

I didn't even know that they had a promo. Apparently, when you buy two regular priced items, the second item, as long as it is of the same price or lower, 50% gets slashed off. O diba? Nakatipid pa ako.

Overall, I was glad with my purchase. Took my mind off things.

Oh diba? Ako na ang nagshoshopping pag stressed.

Follow The Model by Miss Jay Alexander

I don't know why but for some reason, I'm really into reading memoirs these days. Sabi ni Mama tumatanda na daw ako kaya naeenjoy ko ang mga memoir. Jusme.

The first one I read was Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin.

That's some funny shit. I'm a huge Kathy Griffin fan so I really enjoyed the book.

Now, the latest book I've read is Follow The Model by Miss Jay Alexander. For those of you who watch America's Next Top Model, you would know who Miss Jay is. Fashion-runway-diva-coach-extraordinaire.

I don't watch the show, even I'm not that gay, but I know who Miss Jay is for his reputation precedes him. A few months ago, I was watching a YouTube clip of The Tyra Banks Show and in that specific episode, her guest was Miss Jay and he was plugging his book. For some reason I got curious of what the book contained.

So last week while walking around SM North Edsa, I saw the book on display at National Bookstore and I immediately bought it.

Took me about 6 hours to finish the book.

I must say, it's a real page turner. I enjoyed every chapter of it. I could barely put the book down.

For a memoir, it appeared to me as a half-memoir and half-self help book. His stories of how he became one of the worlds most notable runway coaches is amazing.

From the Bronx, to walking up and down Madison Avenue, to Studio 54, up to Japan and eventually Paris. Awe-inspiring.

He teaches you the value of your hard-earned money and how you should never let anyone put you down.

It's funny, witty, outrageous and downright inspiring. Follow The Model by Miss Jay Alexander is one book not meant for the coffee table. It's the right pick-me-up you need when you're feeling down.

Manila Ocean Park

Last December 5, the family and I went to Manila Ocean Park. It was our first time there.

This is the second Ocean Park I've been to. First one was Ocean Park Hong Kong last year.

Manila Ocean Park is much smaller. My mom was right, you'll only appreciate Manila Ocean Park if haven't been to any other Ocean Parks. Although I must admit, I really enjoyed the tunnel thing where you could see the fishes swimming above you. 

That is the one thing Ocean Park Hong Kong doesn't have.

Here's the line for admission.

I had no idea what this was but the line was fucking long.

There was this big ass Christmas Tree.

And this kinda sosyal chandelier. The pictures actually don't do them justice, these look much better in person.

While I was walking in the tunnel, I was mesmerized by the fishes swimming above me. I was tempted to belt out Part Of Your World from the Little Mermaid but I restrained myself. Baka layasan ako ng nanay ko at magkunwaring hindi niya ako kilala hahaha.

The sharks were at the bottom of the tank. I don't know why. Pagod?

I wasn't able to take any more pictures. It was too dark and they didn't allow flash photography. The jellyfish were also nice.

Overall, there were parts I enjoyed but there were times when I was also bored that I wanted to go out and smoke.

It was a fun day though because I was able to spend time with my family.

It's those small things that I enjoy the most.

Aftermath

As I mentioned in my last blogpost, I would be taking a sabbatical from blogging for a while. I was in a ver vulnerable moment and I wanted to stop myself from writing anything that might get me in trouble or would hurt the feelings of others.

But now, I'm feeling much better so to make things short, I'm back bitches.

To those of you who follow me on Twitter or are on my friends list on Facebook, you already know what happened. For those of you who don't, here's the scoop.

Parker and I broke up.

For about two weeks now.

Parker and I had issues and I could not get past them. We were constantly fighting and I found my self irritable around him all the time. I couldn't stand being around him and my mistake was I kept mum about it until everything had built up inside me.

Eventually I decided to end it and he was shocked. He had no idea I felt that way.

We still text each other from time to time but we don't talk on the phone or Skype anymore.

I don't know what the future holds or if we'll ever get back together, even he could not answer that and I'm not surprised.

I admit that there are times in the morning when I'm half expecting my phone to ring and it'll be him on the other line or I keep my phone by my side at night also half-expecting my phone to beep with a message from him saying goodnight.

The breakup hasn't been easy for the both of us but we're dealing with it at our own pace.

I don't know what'll happen in the next few weeks but I'm just hoping for the best.

That's all I can do for now.

Oh, that and shop =)

Excuse Muna

Hello dear readers!

I want you all to know that I'll be going on a hiatus for a while.

To those who follow me on Twitter, and I suggest you do, or those who are on my friends list in Facebook would know why or at least have an inkling as to why.

I just need time for myself right now. I need to re-arrange my thoughts.

It's been a while since I felt this way and though my blog is my outlet for my frustrations in life, some things I'd choose to keep private right now.

I'll be back soon but for now, I'd rather deal with things at my own pace and in the way I know how.

Love,

Adam

My Sosyal na Office PC

I've been working in our company for 1 year, 7 months and 8 days. Finally, after that period, medyo na-upgrade na ang PC ko.

Dahil dumadami na ang mga agent para sa call center, may dumating na mga bagong unit. Nakita namin ni Bongga ang bagong mga monitor, in fairness nainggit kami. So inikot namin ang buong office at hinanap ang IT manager at tinanong namin kung pwedeng ipalit ang mga monitor namin. Pumayag siya. Wala daw kaso yun.

Technically wala namang gagastusin ang office since pagpapalitin lang naman ang mga monitor namin plus mas kelangan namin ni Bongga ang ganyang monitor since narorotate siya. Mas madali para sa akin mag-proof read at gumamit ng excel dahil sa powers of rotation ng monitor na yan.  Naitataas-baba din yang mga monitor. Shalan lang diba?

Maliban sa bagong monitor, na-upgrade na ang OS ng PC ko. Windows 7 Professional na siya. Lahat kasi ng computer sa office, naka Windows XP which honestly for me is a very archaic operating system.

Ang alam ko, kaya naka Windows XP ang mga PC sa office ay dahil may mga programs na kelangan ang mga call center agent na hindi compatible sa Windows 7. Kung anong programs man yun eh hindi ko alam at wala akong planong malaman since it does not concern me.

At dahil hindi na ako part ng call center, I don't use any of their tools. Ang madalas ko lang naman gamitin eh ang Office Suite and everything else, I can access online.

At dahil sa kadahilanang yan, nirequest ko kung pwedeng i-upgrade ang OS ko since sanay talaga ako sa Windows 7. Sabi ko I would be more productive ahahaha. In fairness pinayagan naman. 

It's the small things like these that makes me love my job.

Although, I would love it more kung tataasan ang sweldo ko, but for now, I'm happy with my new monitor and OS. Nakaka ganang magwork.

Pagbigyan niyo na ako dear readers, mababaw lang ang kaligayahan ko eh.