Work It

#211: Calculate

It takes me 1.5 hours to get to work. I start walking to the bus stop at 7:00. The bus gets there at 7:17. I arrive at the corner of Central Station at around 7:38. Just enough time for me to purchase a ticket that costs me Php138.60 one way for the 7:55 train that will spit me out in Rhodes by 8:18am.

I'm always the first one out of the train. Always the first one up on the steps. First one down the steps. And that always makes me happy. Until I reach midway, lose my momentum and get overtaken by a geek who has a man purse. Same thing every day, different geek each time.

I leave the house wearing slippers because they allow me to walk faster. But they kick water up the back of my pants so that sucks when it's raining.

I get to the 3rd floor of our building at 8:30am, head straight to the toilet, kick off my slippers, slip into my heels, put on my face and think "well, I'm a little bit more presentable now." Much more than I was 40 minutes ago when I was sleeping on the train, head bowed, mouth probably open, drooling.

Work is with Corporate Strategy and New Business Development with the biggest food & beverage company in the world. From a beverage company to one with food. From brand management to corporate strategy. Not bad for a student who hasn't graduated.

Now I sit on my desk reading hundreds of pages of broker reports that give such complicated analyses of why people should invest in a company that manufactures yoghurt, granola bars, milk chocolates, seasoning and alien candies. I'm pretty convinced. And if I had the money, I would invest it on this company's stock. (270% return to shareholders over the past 10 years, anyone?)

Thing is, I don't. I did some computations. To haul my butt to work each day and survive (i.e., have enough food so as not to pass out), I need to pay Php554.40 for my transport and Php385 to eat a decent lunch with a beverage manufactured by my old company. That's easily 7% of my post-tax daily wage. Come to think of it, there should be money left. So why is my wallet always empty?

My boss dresses well. In the companies I used to work for, I used to be dressed pretty nicely. Not always. I think every girl has hag days. But generally, I was pretty decent. Here, I'm generally a hag, with a decent day every now and then. When you sit me beside my boss, I look like I should be shining her shoes.

But I'm enjoying the experience. It may not always be enjoyable to walk in the rain in your slippers while wrestling with your umbrella, laptop and purse but it's enjoyable to sit and reflect on this phase in your life while you're sitting on a bench, waiting to drool inside the 7:55 train. It's enjoyable to look behind and see the path that has curved and stretched and curved again to take you here. It is enjoyable to see all this and not have regret for chucking the rent-free, carefree daily living that seemed to start and end wearing the same type of slippers - to drive, not to run after buses.

The longing is sometimes there. But not the regret.

Beaching and Whining

#210: Random Thoughts

I have never met an Australian beach I didn't love.

And the thing that will always amaze me is how close we are to them. At some point during the day, we just look at each other and ask, "hit the beach?" And we do. Just like that. Today, we went to La Perouse and swam in icy cold water at Congwong Bay. What's not to love about shivering violently close to catching pneumonia?

---------------------------------





---------------------------------

But I had to swim. HAD TO. I officially start work on Monday as a corporate strategy intern and I had to at least celebrate the official end of MY summer by getting the official beach dunk. The real point of what I'm saying is, "How many 'officials' did you remember reading in the last sentence?"

---------------------------------

I was contemplating killing this blog because I look at my life and it's more interesting to live it than to constantly write about it. I used to need to paint my thoughts. Make them more tangible. Now I just happily mumble away and let the significant other be significantly disturbed.

--------------------------------

I also considered creating a separate blog to record details of the wedding. Thing is, who wants to read about dilemmas on which photographer to book or which gowns are flattering (or fattening)? No one. No one who's not getting married. Given my audience of, uhm, two, this may not be relevant. At least, not yet. And for the would-be brides who might stumble into some fresh black hole and unto this supposed wedding blog, why should their lives be made easier? We all need this sort of exercise - grappling in the the dark, sorting through issues, stressing... Think of a chick trying to hatch out of its egg or the butterfly emerging from its cocoon. They don't need our help. They need to go through the struggle so that when they've completed the process, they're stronger. Besides, there's already the show 'Bridezillas' to entertain and appall.

---------------------------------

Well, what's appalling to me now is the cost of getting photographers and videographers. When did they start demanding that you spend as much on them as you do on your guests' food? There is this really good videographer who's asking for close to Php100K plus an arm, a leg and a nuclear warhead from North Korea. Wha-??? Why, oh, why? You're not creating a blockbuster movie. It's a video for reminiscing with your grandkids when you're around 117 years old. Sure, no one wants entries to Funniest Videos (whether American, Australian or Bitoy's) but come on.

---------------------------------

Or maybe I'm just being sour about not being able to afford his ridiculous package.

---------------------------------

Maybe we'll just strap a video cam to the head of one of the flower girls and make her film the whole thing.

And if you don't think that's a cool idea, you need a little Congwong dunking.

Reflections

#209: On 2006's Defining Moments

The voice that called out my name in that moment I found myself vulnerable yet resolute, came with a person attached to it - invisible but constant in his presence. He kept his hand extended even when I withdrew mine.

The voice that called out to me in that unforgiving second, came with a promise attached to it - unknown to mortals but known to eternity. He deemed it best to give His perfect gift in His perfect time.

The voices of planes in those minutes of arrival and departure, came with attached meaning - different for each different day but consistent in their longing. After hours of struggle, they will always bring me home.

Colors of December 2006

#208: Of Pantones and Palettes

*Note: Click on the pics to view larger image.

01








Andrew took me treasure-hunting for my birthday. It was a cross between Amazing Race and a photography trip. My photos weren't amazing but yes, there was racing in and outside the car involved. My favorite part of the day was lunch at Le Kiosk which required that we walk from one beach to the next - saying hello to man-sized penguins and a frozen octopus along the way.


02








Our class decided to end the fourth term by going on an evening sailing trip. The bad thing about this is that this is a sort of farewell party for some of our classmates leaving for good. The good thing about this is that this is a sort of farewell party for some of our classmates leaving for good.


03








The Florida theme pushed through and there was a reasonable amount of support for dressing up on that day. Not as wild as the kind of enthusiasm that you would expect from one of the Philippine parties, but acceptable. (Hey, we even accepted those who came as Hawaiians. We figured, neh, it's part of the US, they have sun and sand. That should do.) What I loved most was Andrew coming as a Senior Citizen complete with funny socks and shirt. If we hadn't introduced voting this year (to give way to democracy) and if I didn't get scared of getting accused of "conflict of interest" (and subsequently getting dragged by the hair and beaten in a cave), I would've given the 2007 Best in Costume award to the boyfriend. (Then again, that would've been mushy. And you would all have dragged me to a cave and beaten me.)


04








One of our instant beach trips turned into a monumental moment when Andrew decided to propose to me at Maroubra Beach. I found out later that the device he used (tying a ribbon around our wrists) was not for life-saving purposes but for purposes of building up to the big question. As it turns out, it is a Celtic tradition to tie wrists together to signify vowing to be together forever. Since forever is hard to comprehend, we've agreed to be together for 120 years.

05








This is Andrew's introduction to the Philippine Christmas. Without the Christmas tree, noche buena, puto bungbong, bibingka, parol, street carollers and traffic. Just opening gifts at midnight. That's it.


06








The following day was my introduction to the Aussie Christmas. The Peters Christmas to be more specific. I haven't received so many presents since companies started being strict with Christmas gift receiving policies! It was enjoyable celebrating Christmas with the future in-laws. However, there's a tinge of sadness knowing that while I am surrounded by many lovely people this day, my parents are back in the Philippines celebrating their 1st Christmas without both kids.


07








Another lovely lunch with the Peters. This time, to celebrate Andrew's mom's birthday. The place was charming and the food was gorgeous. I had salmon baked with lychees while Andrew dubbed his dish the best barramundi he's ever had. Again, there is that shadow of knowing that I would've also been celebrating with my mom around that time. Her birthday is just two days before this day.


08







We waited for more than 6 hours to secure a decent spot in Circular Quay to watch the fireworks. Half an hour before midnight, rude people squeezed into our breathing spaces and blocked a huge chunk of the view we were trying to protect the whole evening. Nevertheless, the display was spectacular. What clinched the deal for me was when the buildings behind us started erupting with fireworks as well. I was back to being a little kid. And I was happy to be holding Andrew's hand this New Year. Best New Year's Eve of my adult life. A top contender to the time we had Watusi Wars with our playmates almost 20 years ago.