Eres tú!
In the past, I have once shared with you two things I wanna try learning: 1) To learn to speak Spanish, and 2) To learn Philippine sign language. After years trying to pave the way for me to try out something new to me, the language gods have answered my prayers and I finally get to study Spanish this November.
On Wednesday, US time, the American version of Big Brother will have its season finale where a winner will emerge among the last three housemates standing. But before that happens, there will be one more challenge that will play out on live television which will determine the two finalists as well as the last evictee of the season who will join eight more fellow evictees in the Jury of Nine whose task is to crown the winner of Season 18. Continue reading
While I should have written this piece when it was more appropriate last month, as the day of my first work anniversary in my current company fell on that day, I thought the weekend before my birthday would be just as fine knowing that this was, as I have mentioned before, an early birthday gift, just as I was about to hit that time the middle point of my roarin’ twenties.
Today, I just burned through five chapters of Mockingjay during my idle time in between tasks. This is probably the only way for me to get motivated into reading a book I bought just so I could manage to to finish it. It’s the same thing I did for Catching Fire where I previously stopped while I was barely a third into it more than a year ago. Since bringing the second Hunger Games book to work a couple of months ago, I’ve managed to finish it within that time frame, probably faster than when I read the first book at home (which was about three months). At least this way, I could get my eyes to be used to something other than staring at a computer screen all day.
Since getting my first pair of of corrected glasses 15 years ago on 5 January 2001, my vision has gotten more blurry. I don’t even recall what grade both eyes are currently have but one thing’s for sure, I have what they call an astigmatism.
It’s been a while since I last saw some old faces from high school, at least since the last time we had had a get-together. If I’m not mistaken, the last had been, what? Bonifacio Day Weekend 2010 or some time later on? Thus, it was really nice that a few of us have managed to have this happen less than a week ago, with the planning stages and everything done in less than two days before the night we would see each other, culminating on Rizal Day.
So today, 2 January marks the anniversary of my entrance to the workforce. Indeed, it was barely 24 hours into 2012 when I received that fateful text message telling me that I was accepted into my first job and that I need to report for work the next day.
Celebrating a Worksary like no other!
It’s been a while since I did a write up on the year that was. The past couple of years offered nothing much to write home about especially with me having been in a perpetuated state of limbo since I got let go from my previous job and none of my goals, from establishing a freelance business to studying a foreign language, didn’t materialise. Doesn’t help that the people I thought I could count on, especially my dad, couldn’t support me in my endeavours.
A look back to 15
Sometimes, one’s past has a way of resurfacing itself as paths overlap in the crossroads of fate. Such was the case a couple of weeks ago when I passed by someone I thought I would never expect myself to see ever again.
Back in the day, I had an argument with someone who I once trusted and regarded to as a friend. The argument came as a result of a line being crossed of which I could never forgive him for. While it’s not the kind of argument where we would yell at each other, it was more of “You crossed me so you’re dead to me!” kind of argument. I simply approached him, gave him a piece of my mind in a whisper and then…
BAM! Friendship’s over.
I never meant to do the way that I did but the circumstances left me with no other choice. And the person in question, it seems to me, did not get the message. Basically, there’s always a time and place for everything but when you do or say something that is, not just ill-timed but also out of line, then you shouldn’t even wonder why we’re in this situation in the first place.
Fast forward to today: I was at an overpass on my way to the nearest bus stop. And out of the blue, I saw a familiar figure, carrying a heavy handbag on one hand. Inside my mind, was panicking and hyperventilating at the sight of the last person I’d expect to see. But on the surface, I was calm, cool and collected.
I took a quick glance to make sure that who I’m seeing is exactly who I’m seeing. I was wearing my contacts at the time so I was hoping I wouldn’t get recognised. Eventually, our paths crossed and I’m not exactly what happened but I could have sworn he also stole a quick glance, probably thinking if I was a familiar person to him as well. I was also wearing earphones connected to my phone so my face really looked occupied but I was concentrated to that chanced sight.
That moment triggered all the memories coming back into the forefront, both the good and the bad. People around me may think I’m simply holding a grudge to a senseless issue but the issue itself is a very personal one, of which I have made it clear to the people I know.
Me and the one I once considered a friend left each other on bad terms and I don’t think we would ever resolve it anytime soon.
They say that time will heal old wounds, but I don’t think it would be the case for this now.
(Editor’s note: Written last October 25, 2015)
Since I learned about this thing called high definition, I have dreamed for the day that our household would finally be able to have access to this wonderful-wonderful world where everything is crystal clear, every detail is on point, and letterboxes are nothing but a thing of the past (only to be replaced by pillarboxes). Today, we finally made that dream come true.
Our cable operator has had HD available to its subscribers for years now but it’s only until recently that I considered convincing my family to have our existing digital cable box upgraded to something that maximises our HDTV’s full potential in terms of picture quality. But to do that, I have to do a ton of research into what I’m getting myself into.
First off, I snagged a copy of a brochure containing our cable company’s line-up of channels, both in standard and high definition, their availability in either format, line-up packs as well as their respective rates per channel. Afterwards, I called their customer service hotline at different times to learn more and further confirm about their HD service.
Originally, I was kinda hoping I could be able to avail our household of a DVR (digital video recorder) that comes with the HD upgrade so that we may be able to record shows that we may have missed. But unfortunately, that additional feature is not available in our area so yeah…That was quite the setback.
In the end, I did went through with it ONCE I’ve learned less than a week ago that one of the local TV networks have finally launched its own HD channel that is now available to all subscribers of our cable operator. That alone is reason enough to push through with availing that HD upgrade even though we will only get to have just two free channels in high definition after getting to preview every other HD channel there is available for a limited one-week period.
The new remote and the control panel from the HD digital box will take a little getting used to although, by the looks of it, I may not be able to pillarbox any SD channel anytime soon.
The local HD channel, ABS-CBN HD, currently has a limited number of shows currently in high definition, majority of which are all of their daily soap operas, plus one live variety show, a few recent cartoons and live action series.
Hopefully in the near future, we’ll be able to afford more channels into our current cable package as it seems like my dad is enjoying the heck out of our preview high definition channels. Of course, I guess I may have to give my fair share of subsidising our monthly cable bill to make it all worth it.
As the saying goes, “To pretty colors, and high definition!”
The first month back to full-employment status have been tiring yet fulfilling. I still feel a bit rough around the edges but for the most part, I think I’m finally getting my groove in my new environment.
A month in…