Wanderlust

There are a lot of common denominators between my sister Mina and our grandmother. First, they’re the shortest in my mom’s side of the family…not counting Ally who is only seven. Mina insists she’s taller but the height difference barely amounts to an inch.

They’re both petite…and crazy. I think when my sister’s old and gray, she’ll probably look a bit like Mommy. Heck, she’ll probably BE mommy. They’re both avid talkers (they talk like the world would end if they stop for even just a minute) and, out of us grandchildren, I think Mina’s the closest to inheriting Mommy’s penchant, nay, PASSION for order and cleanliness.

And, finally, they’re both hanging out at PAL’s Mabuhay Lounge waiting for their plane to arrive. But mommy’s way ahead of Mina…I just received a text from my sister saying my grandmother got upgraded to first class. AGAIN. Same thing happened two years ago when we were on our way back home from the States. I wish I could say the same for myself. But I have never received a free upgrade in my life. EVER.

It seems that all the people I’m really close to are traveling across the globe—well, in the US anyway—while I’m here struggling (not really) to finish last minute reports for Baba Yaga, the dragon lady.

I had the grandest time flaunting my happiness in front of her today. I was delighted by the reaction it triggered—seething fury. I swear, seeing her at her bitchiest warms my heart. =)

Text exchange between me and dragon lady around 8am this morning:

Me: Hi Dragon Lady! I’ll be leaving work early today—2:30pm. Mina’s flight to the US is later this afternoon and I was hoping to spend more time with her. =) Thanks!
Dragon Lady: I only hope we’ll finish turn over by then. How’s the LAA article coming along?
Me: Working on it =) (I wasn’t)
Dragon Lady: I want to see it this AM. Thanks.
Me: Okidoki! =)

Arrived at the office early to find her in a really bitchy mood. Yipee!

I was so motivated I got to finish the article before she even asked for it too. Mwaha.

—

I just got off the phone after talking to my dad. The next couple of weeks will be difficult. But I’ll prove myself to him, I swear I will. Maybe a power point presentation will do the trick.

Sigh.

Sometimes I wish I were a goldfish. Living in a glass bowl without life’s complications. Hehe.

But even at my shittiest moments, I think I’d rather be tossed back into the ocean. Where the unknown lurks at every corner.

Because I love making lists

Apparently in my case, old habits die hard. Leafed through my old notebooks from college (I can’t bring myself to throw them away just yet) and I realize that I’m quite the list maker.

So for old time’s sake, here’s a list of the books I’ve started but haven’t finished reading because of my wandering attention span. I hope to cross them out one at a time once work is over.

So.

My To-Finish-Reading List:

1. Saturday by Ian McEwan – as ordered by Igor, our office’s resident Wilhemina Slater.

2. The City of Fallen Angels by John Berendt – tell me again why I haven’t finished this yet? I believe the excuse I used was the lack of time. Which is totally untrue—I was just lazy. Anyway, this book is a work of nonfiction that talks about the author’s experience of living in Venice right after the famous Fenice was burned to the ground. Unlike most stories written about Venice, which usually involves an outsider falling in love or solving a mystery or having an adventure in the city, this one talks more about the residents of Venice herself. Life in Venice before peak tourist season especially. I hope to write a similar book one day about Bangladesh. Or North Korea.

3. The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana by Umberto Eco – this one tells the tale of Yambo, a rare-book dealer who suffers from a bizarre form of memory loss. He remembers every book he has ever read but nothing about his own life. He then retreats to his old family home and searches through old newspapers, comics, records, photo albums and diaries kept in the attic. Love the book. It has illustrations. And Umberto Eco clearly had fun writing this one.

4. How To Be Good by Nick Hornby – I need to learn eventually. Harhar.

Another pic of the books (because nainggit ako kay Jessica Zafra):

5. The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl – Set in Boston 1865, a small group of elite scholars prepares to introduce Dante’s vision of hell to America. But so does a murderer. This one’s not a light read. It’s an international bestseller but I found Pearl’s writing style a bit dragging. Got bored and gave up after page 37. Still, I hope to finish this. But only because I loved Dante’s Inferno. And this cost me half a grand.

6. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen – US circus world circa 1932. Story of Jacob Jankowski, a recently orphaned boy who jumps onto a passing train and enters a world of freaks, grifters and misfits – the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth – a second-rate traveling circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression. I have to ask Hot Stuff about her brief stint as a manananggal in Cubao’s Fiesta Carnival.

7. The Third Secret by Steve Berry – light reading. I bought this before my flight to Davao. I thought I’d finish it by the time I arrived. But I slept instead. Steve Berry’s a bit like Dan Brown. This story’s a bit Da Vinci-ish so this should be quick.

8. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov – just because.

9. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco – this was part of the reading list for Sir Dickie’s class. He wanted us to do a book review on any of the books included in The List. It was either this or Love in the Time of Cholera. I chose the latter. GGM is love.

10. Letters (Hannah Arendt and Martin Heidegger) – Me and my obsession with letters. Hey it’s Arendt and Heidegger. I just might pick up something profound and philosophical. An answer to a question I’ve yet to find the answer to. Or something. And I’ve always been a fan of Martin (yes we’re THAT close). Thanks to him, I learned what dasman means. And the bastard helped me cope with death. Long story.

11. The Phantom of the Opera – I’ve memorized the songs, seen both the movie and the musical (Gerard Butler’s the hottest phantom ever), but I have yet to read the book. I can’t believe Justin even beat me to it. Dagnabbit!

12. The Otori Trilogy by Lian Hearn – Finished books 1 and 2, haven’t read books 3 and 4.

I think I’ll end the list here.

Books are my poison. Hi everyone, I’m Tricia and I’m an addict.

Went to Fully Booked last weekend and I was sorely tempted to buy another book. Or two…hundred. Lol

But I firmly resolve not to buy another book unless I finish reading at least two from the list. The fact that I am currently dirt-broke helped. How’s that for positive thinking? I’m happy I’m broke. Yehey.

Life…is good.

Noted fashion photographer

Just wanted to make my sister even more sorry she went home the day before Nigel arrived in Manila. Wehehe. He walked right past me!!!

Speaking of fashion, Project Runway 3’s season finale is this Wednesday! I can’t wait to see Jeffrey and Uli’s collections for Fashion Week. And Michael’s. Not really a big fan of the pregnant girl, um, I even forgot her name. And I know Jeffrey’s an ass but he’s one of the more interesting designers in the show. And I love how he fought with Rebecca, who is the epitome of tacky.

Discombobulated

I talked to my boss and he told me I didn’t have to honor the 30-day notice. I was really relieved after that conversation because I wouldn’t have to pretend to find work tolerable. I was HAPPY.

But two days later it hits me. I will be jobless in four days. Thursday I will be unemployed. I will not be earning money for the time being. And I am already broke. My separation pay will take care of that while I explore my options…but, really, I’m writing this entry because I just want to say and acknowledge the fact that I am scared shitless.

I am terrified.

I am trying to keep myself from having a panic attack.

!!!!

The next path I’m taking is one I’ve never had the guts to take before. This is it. I really am doing this. It’s one hell of a risk (I’ll be bleeding my savings dry) but I’m hoping the rewards will be great.

One thing I learned (the only thing that managed to successfully lodge itself into my memory) from my Finance and Accounting classes in college is that when it comes to investments, the higher the risks you take, the higher the returns. And right now, I’m out to test if that theory will apply to real life. To me in particular. I swear if it does…I will…I will take a refresher course on finance. (Rolling my eyes right now)

Anyway, I watched Pirates of the Caribbean 3 yesterday. I am now more in love with Johnny Depp than ever. I want to be stuck with him at World’s End for all eternity. Or until Orlando Bloom and Chow Yun Fat rescues us a year or ten later. Speaking of Chow Yun Fat, I wish they developed his character more. I was a bit bitin by his role. They didn’t make the most out of his acting abilities. I’m heading out to buy a DVD of the previous 2 movies. I need a refresher course.

Words of the day: refresher course.

Speaking of courses…my cousin’s on his way to becoming a pilot. FINALLY. He’s going to flight school. After all the bumming around, after all the countless hours spent playing World of Warcraft and hogging the computer, he’s finally doing something with his life. Have to give him props. Kudos, cuz! (As if he knows I have a blog diba?)

The powers that be

Finally, I have something to look forward to in my last few weeks at work!

We were able to strike up a deal with Urban Zone (show hosted by Daphne Osena-Paez and Ito Kish) to do a feature on our client. The original plan was for them to just do a restaurant review on one of the F&B establishments there in exchange for letting them use the venue for their intro spiels. But I managed to convince the show’s producer to include an interview segment with one of client’s executives to talk about the company’s signature project.

AND the best part is that Dragon Lady thought it wasn’t possible. Client wanted the signature project review but Dragon Lady told me it was asking too much. She was sure they wouldn’t agree to it.

Certainly proved her wrong. Waha! I wanted to gloat but I decided to let the opportunity slide…

See, I’ve decided to take a new approach when dealing with the dragon lady. Before, dealing with her meant using my original right-back-at-you-bitch approach. And, don’t get me wrong, it WORKS most of the time. Tried and tested.

BUT as I am now a recently converted optimist (thanks to The Secret), I decided I will now be extra nice to her instead. Like when she’s being her normal dragon-fiery self ordering me around in her tacky Hawaiianas, I will simply flash her my radiant smile, nod gracefully, and proceed to do what she wants done.

I will be so irritatingly NICE and HAPPY that she will become very frustrated and will be consumed with rage, anger and all these extremely volcanic and violent emotions.

And then…one fateful evening…while she is watching a bad pirated dvd copy of The Great Mimzy–ALONE–in her lonely JP Rizal apartment…it will suddenly dawn on her that the world as she knows it is crumbling…

…and she will then check herself into a mental hospital.

Muahaha!!!

I’m lovin’ it. >:)

The number 24

24 hours in a day.

24th of July and 24th of December = my brothers’ birthdays.

24, the number of letters in both the modern and classical Greek alphabet.

24, the jersey number of Kobe Bryant. (the new one anyway. Used to be 8 I think)

24, the number of Carats representing 100% pure gold.

24, the number of frames per second at which motion picture film is usually projected.

24, the number of chapters or “books” into which Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad came to be divided.

24, the television series starring Kiefer Sutherland.

24 ,in Brazil, holds a strong popular association with homosexuality, as there is a popular betting game, the Jogo do Bicho (Animal Game) in which 24 is the “deer” number.

Here’s my current favorite:

24, the number of days to go until I’m free as a bird!!! Hasta la vista OPR!!!! >:D

The Plan

So I told my parents about The Plan. Actually I sent them a really long email. And I got their response a while ago.

My mom’s all for it so long as I think it’s what’s best for me. And my dad…he told me we’ll talk about it when I go home. But I sensed positive vibes coming from the email. Yes I have that uncanny ability.

I’m just relieved, really. I finally got to tell them what’s on my mind. Told them why I’m leaving my company (I had to really explain this one using EXAMPLES because I think they’re assuming I just didn’t know what I want to do), why The Plan (they think I’m doing this on a whim), and why, instead of just talking to them about it on the phone, I had to send an incredibly long email instead.

Hehe.

I’m not good on the phone. Believe me. I’m good at the babaw stuff–gossip, mundane everyday stories…But discussing major life-changing issues on the phone is not my forte. I end up just grunting this and that when I start hearing something I don’t want to hear. And, well, my parents (mom, especially) are experts in playing devil’s advocate.

Dragon Lady was quite bitchy today. Wonder what’s eating her. Oh wait, I know. The Toad. Waha shit I’m evil.

*karma dance*

Public service announcement

My one month worth of two-liner entries challenge will be postponed until further notice. Actually, scratch that. Today, I am officially canceling it.

Because not being able to talk about me is killing me!!!! 20+ years of self-absorption cannot be cured overnight. Especially if the person concerned is unwilling to cooperate.

And there is just so much to write about–my emotionally uplifting yet exhausting weekend, my resignation from my work effective in a month’s time (I DID IT PEOPLE!), my Singapore plans, Discovery Channel, the characters in my life whom I assassinate using my keyboard on a daily basis (Toad, Dragon Lady, HOT STUFF, Christina, Betty, and most recently…hmmm itago na natin siya sa pangalan na Buddy)…my neverending rants and yabang moments… There’s so much to tell, really. Please don’t ask me to keep my mouth shut.

Anyway, I got an email from my obviously bored sister recently. She googled “Mina likes to” and copied the site descriptions’ first few sentences and ended up with a hodge podge of infos about what “Mina likes to.”

And because I’m as bored as she is…

Tricia likes to…

–Tricia likes to be looked upon by her co-workers and clients as a resource.
–The crowd was surprisingly sparse on this eighties night, but tricia danced like there was no tomorrow…ridiculously, foolishly.
–Away from the sound and fury, Tricia likes to take a serenity break at her west-coast beach house
–As a make-up artist Tricia likes red lipstick
–She enjoys spending her off time drawing, painting, making pots and spending time with her own personal bishounen. Tricia likes to draw her boys dirty.
–Tricia likes to be hands on, digging in the dirt herself.
–Our friend Tricia likes to refer to Fantasy Football as “Imaginary Football” which is really a pretty apt definition of the game
–Tricia likes to relax with a nice glass of Sweetwater Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon.
–Tricia likes her job as a nursing assistant in Baltimore
–Tricia is a PR manager for Eidos Interactive
–Tricia likes big tools
–tricia likes your junk… im canadian, with nice hair to pull
–Tricia also likes to turn out long miles but prefers running errands and using her bike for utilitarian purposes (basket in front is bigger than a Miata)
–Tricia likes to use what sight she has, so some areas of the screen have been enlarged
–Tricia began making a living as a successful runway model, donning clothes for the likes of Givenchy, Christian Dior
–Tricia Likes Fonts. (hahaha)
–in the sentence ‘Tricia likes carrots.’ you would circle the ‘t’ in.
–Besides being devoted to her job, Tricia likes, “beaching it”, fishing, crabing, working out and snow skiing. Tricia has lived in Rockport since 1984
–You get songs like Tricia Toyota, Mole Men and Manny Moe which are quite superb. As for the rest they are equally good, good tunes and clever lyrics. …
–Tricia has been on the team for three years and really enjoys it. “I like shooting,” she said. “I hope we win a lot this year. We’ve got a pretty good team.
–Hi Tricia, I am a February baby, not sure i like it but i get everything i want …
–You know, they kept saying she looked like Marcia Cross, but I thought she looked more like Tricia Yearwood. Either way, I agree.
–Speaking of dresses, every time I see this Tricia Fix Desiree Long Tank dress at boutiques like Madison, I start drooling over it. …
–“It’s not every day that Bollywood comes to town and Tricia isn’t the sort of girl to let an opportunity like this slip through her fingers.”
–It’s nice to have someone like Tricia saying it like it is to all of NYC. But the reality is, do you think the people who don’t know what’s up really care?
–Ms. Tricia and Tita Rica were classmates in college. I like her because when I was invited to help in the job fair, she taught me how to analyze people
–Get ready for our next headline: Nun Actually Likes Tricia Helfer Nude Pics.
–Likes: Being with Tricia, playing football, hurting people physically, bringing Tricia roses Dislikes: drinking, punkrockers, rednecks, old girlfriends
–In the following interview, she tells us what it was like to play Tricia and her many other sexually ambitious characters, among other things.
–This goes along way in ensuring that the maitre’d (Tricia) knows your likes and dislikes and she can make sure your evening goes smoothly
–I am an artist, stagehand and musician I am also a short girl with a demented sense of humor who likes to drink Guiness… You are not connected to Tricia …
–They spent a decade playing 80 to 90 dates a year and honing their act, sometimes touring with the likes of Tricia Yearwood
–“I hate metal music,” Tricia said rather passionately.
–Tricia is a nontraditional female computer science student.
–That sweet young Tricia who has a giant brain, warped though it may be
–Tricia, spell my name right you douche bag.
–And sometimes the voices tell me “Call Tricia up and keep her on the phone for a really long time. You know she hates that.”
–Really Tricia? Because after reading his comic I went out and kicked a bunch of turtles. … If you don’t overreact you’re a terrorist who hates children!
–Tricia loves to share her secrets with new makeup artists.
–Tricia loves NYC and the world! Armed with her new TRIA 650 and her discerning eye, she fervidly captures quixotic and quotidian moments
–Tricia loves the creative freedom, imagination, and innovation that her job allows.
–Tricia loves to travel and is willing to share her adventures, especially her 500-mile walk on the Camino de Santiago, Spain.
–The reporter (Tricia) wants to know why he bought Mr. Cluck’s, … and if he doesn’t like the outcome he can go to Australia like he wanted.

Ideas for paintings

This article made me laugh–> click!

Eyelavet.

Laws of Attraction :)

This has been the most enlightening, empowering and most emotional weekend ever!!!

I feel like I can do absolutely anything–even FLY!!!–but I am not too crazy to actually do that. I will have to settle for jumping up and down in my room like a mental patient.