Happy Meal

This is the kind of conversation that Gregory and I have from time to time.

Wala lang.

Gusto ko lang magshare.

Ramblings

Ilang linggo narin kaming nandito sa Makati. Aaminin ko, nung una nahirapan akong mag-adjust.

For more than two years, nasanay ako na nasa Quezon Ave. lang ang office. Yung tipong dalawang tambling lang mula sa bahay ko.

Bagong building.

Bagong officemates.

Bagong table.

Pati mga plato, baso at utensils sa pantry bago din.

I've settled in.

I've adjusted to it already.

But there are times when I'd find myself staring into blank space.

Wala lang. Nagspa-space out lang ako like I normally do.

Minsan naman maglalakad lakad ako sa building pag nasa mood ako magmuni-muni tapos mapapahinto nalang ako.

"Shit! I'm working in Makati again." ang bigla kong ibubulong sa aking sarili.

Siguro naweweriduhan ang mga tao sa paligid ko pag nangyayari yun.

Dedma.

Yun lang.

KUSÊ: Traditional Filipino Cuisine

During my last week at our QC office, Derek and I went out for lunch like we always do. We were walking around Centris looking for a place to eat when we saw that a new restaurant opened where Clawdaddy's used to be.

KUSÊ: Traditional Filipino Cuisine.

Derek likes Filipino food and we've eaten at every restaurant in Centris so we tried this place because it was new.

Since smoking is essential to my every meal, we sat at one of the tables outside. In fairness, the chairs we're comfy.

While going through the menu, we had to ask the most important question.

How many people can one order feed?

The waiter said the food was good for two people. That worried us a bit because, Derek with his thin frame and all, can actually eat more than me.

We ordered Adobo Rice. It tasted good. I finished most of it.

When the food arrived, we saw how big the servings were. It''ll probably feed two people but not me and Derek.

Derek ordered ribs which he said tasted good. I didn't try them but I trust his taste in food.

He looks grumpy in this photo. I don't know why. He must have been hungry.

I ordered Bagnet which honestly tasted like Lechon Kawali. It tasted okay, as Lechon Kawali. I'm from Ilocos so I know what Bagnet should taste like. Nevertheless, it was okay.

I think the entire meal, including our drinks, came up to around 600 pesos. Not bad I guess.

It was a good meal. It wasn't the best but I wouldn't mind going back there. I just wish they'd make the servings a bit bigger because there are other resto's in Centris that would serve more for the same amount. Just saying.

Verdict: 3.5 stars.

Pasalubong!

"Buy me a pasalubong!" I told my friend, Derek.

He smiled and pretended not to hear me.

"C'mon! It's not that hard to find what I want anyway." I said.

"Alright. Fine. What do you want?" he asked

"A starfish!" I answered with a chuckle.

A few weeks ago, Derek together with his parents and his girlfriend went to Palawan. Now, whenever he goes on trips, he buys me something. And he always gets me something good after I made fun of him 2 years ago.

* * * *

Back in 2010, he went on a trip to Thailand and brought back keychains.

"You know that keychains are the lamest gifts right?" I asked.

"You're welcome!"

Ever since then, he'd bring me something nice. Something I wont make fun off.

* * * *

He seemed bewildered by my request for a starfish.

"Oh, and I want it alive." I added.

"Am I even allowed to bring that through airport security?"

"Don't know. I want a starfish!"

He laughed.

I looked at his girlfriend.

"Kulitin mo siya na bilhan ako ng starfish ha"

"Sige" she replied with a laugh.

"I'll see what I can find but I am not getting you a live starfish." said Derek.

"Fine" I replied.

When he got back from his trip, he called me over to his desk.

He opened his bag and hands me a blue starfish plushie.

I burst out laughing.

"Dont make fun of it. That's more expensive that any other pasalubong I bought."

"No. No. I like it. It's really cute." I said.

It is cute.

I never really thank him enough for the things he has done for me. That's not how he and I do things. What we have is a friendship built on inappropriate jokes and bitching about the stuff around us.

But I got his back and he has mine.

I have very few, emphasis on very, straight guy friends and I'm glad that Derek is one of them because he can actually put up with my goddamn guff.

Date Night: CYMA

During our last monthsary, which he lovingly refers to as anniversary for some reason, Gregory and I had dinner at Cyma.

I like the food at Cyma and it's also a special place because it's where we had our first date.

We had salad. It's called Roka (something). I could not, for the life of me, remember the damn things name.

I have no idea what this is called but it's delicious. It's a dip made out of spinach and cheese.

I also don't know what this is called but it was good. It's like Paella.

Despite our busy schedules, we make it a point that during our monthsary we have to see each other. Or at least see each other that week.

We either go out or stay in and cook something.

We have our own stuff to deal with everyday but I love it when we go out on dates. Not for anything but because it's when we get to spend time together away from the outside world.

A quick escape finding solitude and serenity in each others company. 

That makes the date more romantic... more special...

New Toy: Samsung Galaxy S3

For the longest time, I have been a Globe user and for more than two years, I have been using a postpaid line under Globe.

When I got my plan, I only availed of the sim. The beauty of it was that I was not locked-in and I had the option to terminate my plan or upgrade it anytime I wanted.

I have had my issues with Globe. From bad reception to poor customer service. But 99% of the people I know are Globe users so I have to stick with it so as not to rack up a huge phone bill.

Aside from being a Globe user, I have also been an iPhone user since 2010 but when the Samsung Galaxy S3 came out, it's features caught my attention.

Globe offers the Samsung Galaxy S3 at their 1799 postpaid plan with a cash out amount of 4800 and since I have no plans of switching to a different network, I decided to upgrade my plan and avail of the phone. It wasn't as simple as going to Globe and getting the phone, mind you.

EVERY Globe store within the Greater Manila Area had no stock of the phone so I was put on a waiting list. I had my mom process the application and everything since my plan is under her name. It took me a month but eventually I got the phone.

When I opened the box and held the phone for the first time, I instantly thought "This is a big-ass phone". But I knew that this phone was right for me.

It comes with the bare necessities: earphones, extra ear plugs, standard micro-USB cable and a wall adapter.

It comes with papers I never bothered reading.

I wasn't really worried about switching from IOS to Android because I have a 7inch Galaxy Tab which runs on Android.

I love how big the screen is. It makes texting, emailing, even 9gagging easier. My only complain about Android is that I wish the Play Store had more apps.

I love this phone. I've always been contented with the iPhone but that all changed when I got the Samsung Galaxy S3. 

Now, the iPhone looks so small to me. I'm a gadget-snob aren't I?

But all good things come with a price. Now, I'm locked-in to Globe for the next 2 years. But at least after two years, if I have the plan renewed, I get a brand new phone.

Oh well, c'est la vie :)

The Effects of Change

When I started with the company back in 2010, our office was in Makati. It was a bitch going to work at first because of the unbelievable traffic but eventually I got the hang of it.

Two months later, we moved to the QC office. It was heaven for me because it's only 2 jeepney rides away from my house.

Fast forward to 2012.

A month ago, our team had this big meeting. We had no idea why.

Our bosses broke the news to us, our department will be moving to a different office.

To Makati. To a new building. A better building. A beautiful office.

It was a bomb they dropped on us. At first, most of us were reluctant about the idea. It's the typical human mindset about 'change'.

The days passed by, slowly we started to embrace the idea of moving to a different office. Of course we had our issues with it such as Makati is too far because majority of us are from QC. Will we get paid extra? Do we get any form of compensation? Do we have to transfer our contracts? And so much more.

But as time passed, everything just died down. We were counting the days till our move.

Although I personally, was torn.

As most of you guys know, I started with the call center until I moved to our Media Team which in itself is a different company but still under the same corporate umbrella. With that being said, I knew a lot of people in the call center. Most of them are actually my friends.

Compared to my companions, I have an attachment to the people from the call center. But I knew that it was something I had to deal with. Moving, that is.

So as happy as I was about the move, a part of me was sad because I would miss the people I see everyday.

October 25 was our last day in the QC office.

Some people said they will miss me. Some were sad that I was moving.

I was touched by this.

We were given a month to process everything and prepare for the move. I used that month well.

Not everyone is open to change, that's just how the human mind works.

But I try to look at the brighter side of things. For one, I'd be able to work in peace.

I can complain all I want. I can bitch about it. But at the end of the day my job puts food on my table. My job pays for my ridiculous bills.

At the end of the day, I am happy with my job. When I signed my contract, I made a commitment to do my job to the best of my abilities and that's why I've lasted this long.

I always believe that things happen for a reason.

There's a reason for all of this and when the time is right, I will figure out what it is.

Change is good.

Change helps us grow and become better at what we do.

Can I get an amen? :)

Razer Electra Headphones

Part of my daily routine on my way to work is to listen to music. I still use my iPod Classic since it has enough memory for all my songs plus it double's as an external drive.

For the longest time, I've been using my Samsung Galaxy Tabs' headset because it works on my iPod and on  both my phones. I don't wanna carry a separate headset for each so the Samsung headset is really useful.

But lately, I think I've overused them already because the sound quality has changed so I searched the internet for good headsets than are compatible with cellphones. The brands I came across are really expensive and waaaaay out of my budget. Beats for example cost around 12k.

I am not spending 12k on a headset.

But one day, I was on 9gag when I saw a post about Beats vs. a brand named Razer. Could you imagine? Of all places, 9gag would have the answer to my headset woes.

So I did my research and read about the Razer brand plus I looked up reviews.

One day, I was at SM North Edsa when I passed by several shops selling the headphones I wanted, the Razer Electra.

Eventually, I settled for Data Blitz because it's a more reputable store.

It came in a big box that showed half of the headphone.

There's this welcome message when you open the box.

A few knick-knacks.

One thing I love about the Razer Electra is that it comes with two cables. One for music and one that has a microphone that's compatible with my S3 and Blackberry. YEY :D

I must say, build quality is great and it fits snugly in my head.

The ear cups are really soft and cushion-y. I use these at the office and they stay on for about 5-6 hours a day and my ears don't hurt AT ALL.

This is, by default, a gaming headset so it's build is really good. It's meant to withstand heavy usage.

The cable locks on to the headphones so that you don't accidentally yank them out or something.

Sound quality is amazing. Bass is good and strong.

I'm not that good reviewing headphones seeing as how I am not really an audiophile but I know it sounds good. It's better than any other headset I've ever had.

The Razer Electra set me back 2,950php and it was well worth it. :D