Manilaaaaaaahhhh

It is 6am Manila time on the 27th of December, and jetlag is obviously still taking a toll on me. The flight back to home was an ordeal - as always - but David keeping me company on board was more than enough to forget the long traveling.

I could not be thankful enough to spend (another) Christmas in my home country. It has brought meaning to me than ever before. It has just been two days but I feel like I have been here for weeks.

We have special guests from the US, Canada and Japan which makes it all extra different. For the first time, David and his brother Sam, spent Christmas with us. This made their parents back in the US a little more sentimental, but it turned out okay. Our very good 98 year-old friend from Canada, Bill, flew to Manila like he lives just right next door. This guy is an inspiration to my Lolo (and to us) because despite his old age, he still has the energy of a person in his 50's? My cousin TJ is here as well.

As mentioned awhileago, it feels like it's been a long time that I have been here. Life has turned full-circle for me just upon arriving at the airport. Not only because the feeling of being "home" has taken over, but also my life and lifestyle here (in general) is what I missed the most back in New York.

I have a car to drive here, and as much parking as I want in the city. I have breakfast, lunch and dinner (buffet-style) prepared for me everyday. I can afford to eat in restaurants with sommeliers and maitre d's. It is sleeveless-and-skirt weather, and clothing here is very affordable. My bed is made for me, as well as my laundry. I speak my English the Pinoy way and can speak Tagalog anytime - and people will understand me. My friends who knew me since I was a kid are all here. Most of all, the whole of my family is here, and I do not go home to a quiet, empty house.

Manila is so "relaxing" that you can call it Manilaaaaaaahhh.

Although life here is very comfortable and very tempting to just succumb to, I still would not trade living the opposite kind of life in New York (or elsewhere) while I am still single. I was just telling my friends last night that one thing that you can never get just by living at home (or with your parents for that matter) is personal character to its highest level. And it's true. Remember the laundry, study or blog dilemma?

In the meantime, while I am here, I will not go frugal on the lovely perks I could not afford abroad. I will actually be spending today in a spaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh... ;-)

Going Home For Christmas

I only have 5 minutes to spare before I head to the airport and... talk about priorities - to blog or not to blog?

I can't wait to see my family, my friends (and our pets!) and to be in a place with warmer weather :) I can't wait to eat plenty of food (and lechon!) during Noche Buena. I can't wait to sit under the tree and distribute presents. I can't wait to spend the holidays for the first time with David.

Can't wait to be home for Christmas! :)

Transport Strike Looms In New York

I woke up today to the sound of police car sirens. There is probably chaos outside right now.

Just after midnight, the transport workers had declared a strike - and what that simply means is that there will be no subways or buses in the city operational at the moment. They are asking for a contract, an increase in annual raise, and earlier pension. This strike alone would cost the city (and the country) hundreds of millions of dollars. People from the other boroughs are literally walking to work.

Anyway, leave the details to the Times. This will just mean I have to walk to 23rd St. from my apartment for my Final. (I am still lucky to live in the city, and thank goodness for the iPod) I have to stop blogging and get my ass out there early. This may be the only chance I could explore New York on foot - without me intending to.

I hope this comes to an end really soon. It's the week before Christmas - and 22F outside! Give commuters a break.

Blogging in Starbucks

I write this blog using free wireless internet in Starbucks at Astor Place. David and I decided to spend the day studying (yuck) since we are still in the middle of Finals week.

The Christmas-y feel is very much in the air already. I drink my Peppermint Hot Chocolate from red cups now. Fridge-weather is back again, and people are bundling up in multiple layers, and wearing irritating mukluk boots. Everybody is in a shopping mood, and the holiday music is everywhere.

Spend spend spend. Jingle bells. Toast toast toast. It's great. But it's actually study study study for us.

It has been tradition that people gift-give during this season. And gifts come in many packages (material or immaterial). Back home, my family has organized a "secret santa" thing and I am part of it. The thing is, the budget is only Php100.00! That will be extremely difficult for me, since that amount of money can only buy the morning paper and plain coffee here. ;-) It's time to get creative then!

Speaking of going overbudget with gifts, my loving bf just gave me an early surprise of the season! After losing the iPod mini he gave me last Christmas in Spain...

he gave me another new one! ;-)

Now I am going crazy putting Gwen, Billie, U2 and Moby in it.

Two Down, Two to Go

I know this is such a silly countdown, but every Final finished is such a relief.

Last night was my last class for my Management and Ethics class. My group was (yet again) the last to present, but it went awesome. We had to talk about an assigned case (we did Levi Strauss), identify the ethical dilemma and present recommendations.

Most of my groupmates are from Taiwan, which sometimes explained the difficulty in communication. But everybody is hardworking and brilliant (again, I am totally biased) so I'm sure we all pulled it off pretty well.

Our professors gave us individual feedback after the presentation - and everything was positive. Yipee! Our individual Final Paper was returned to us as well, and mind you, I am VERY, VERY happy with my grade.

On another note, after a year of being a student at NYU - I had FINALLY configured my laptop to work with the school's wireless network. It only took me 5 mins, and I'm using it now! Call me lazy - but it took me that long?! Hahaha!

Tonight, I will be taking advantage of the train and will travel in the city (heading to the Flatiron District for tonight's class! cool, eh?) - because tomorrow... the MTA transport strike begins. And you know how New Yorkers rely too much on the train. If the strike pushes through, New Yorkers have a few options:

a. Walk around
b. Take a cab
c. Ride a bike
d. Work from home

I'll just do option d to be on the safe side. But then again, a is an option, despite the coldness of the weather (low 20s). I just can't stop myself ;-)

One Down, Three to Go

It is Finals week and everybody is pretty much feeling all pressured. I had just finished my final group presentation for my Advanced class tonight, and it is such a relief it is over. We were asked to come up with a Direct Marketing Plan for four existing plus-size apparel brand websites. In addition, we needed to identify strategic options, propose strategies for customer acquisition and retention, and incorporate them into a just one master portal/site.

Advanced is probably the toughest among my qualitative subjects and the rest is just a breeze. I have to say that my group did a very good job - perhaps an A material, even. (I'm totally biased) We were the last to present but in the end, we were commended for our content, as well as our presentation.

I was approached by my professor after class and it came as a surprise. Her exact words were

"You brought a lot of energy to the room. You owned the room. It was all yours."

I smiled brightly and was profusely thanking her. Little did she know that my heart was thumping loudly the whole time I was talking.

At the back of my mind however, I remembered an experience during my IMC days, when I had no choice but to get over the fear of presenting in front of a large group of people. Back then, we had a graded exercise where we were asked to pick (on-the-spot) a very obscure topic and talk about it for 3 full minutes. It has to be structured and substantial. I wasn't sure if I did well during the exercise - but I remember I had to talk about "Starbox". I mean, what the hell is that? Misspelled Starbucks? Or some kind of Pinoy pronunciation? ;-) What is substantial about Starbox? I don't remember what I said, but I really learned from that experience.

There was pizza and drinks for everyone tonight, which was probably the highlight of the evening! ;-) I had the mushroom one just before presenting, but the bonus is, I was able to take some pepper slices home! Ha! (Pinoy talaga: the "Take home kasi sayang" trait) Well, nobody wanted them? ;-)

So that is one Final down, and three more to go. Busy busy busy bee! I can't wait for this semester to end.

Internet Browser Debacle

Over our private egroup, my friends and I were having this really silly debacle about which internet browser is better: IE or Firefox? There were a lot of biases and inaccuracies being thrown on the table, and it went on for - probably - over a dozen posts! One talked about getting viruses, another talking about pop-ups and porn sites, and some are just asking everyone else to cut the discussion.

David rarely participates in our crazy egroup, but he usually plays spectator and is amused when I translate the Tagalog words and slangs my friends and I use communicating with each other.

In case you do not know, he is the ultimate technology freak. He is the earliest of the Early Adopters! Watch him go wild when you ask him anything about computers, software, innovations, technologies and whatever. He will even offer free expert advice on which one works best. He gets really excited when he gets a new gadget, and knows and utilizes every single minute feature it has! He is my (and everyone else who knows him) go-to guy for computer and technology problems.

He is such a (sweet) techy that spyware, spam and pop-ups are his greatest pet peeves! And it pains him to see/hear people misunderstand the beauty and benefits new technology has to offer to make our lives easier, as well as the truths and fallacies behind it.

And so about the browser debate as to which is better: IE or Firefox? He resisted to react at first, and eventually could not help but share a piece of his mind about the truth about the two internet browsers and the inaccurate emails my friends and I were throwing at each other. To (hopefully) end the senseless debate, he posted this:

(Note: Don't bother reading if you don't care about the IE/Firefox debate. Even I think this argument has gone on too long. :))

Now that you've been warned.... I've tried my best to stay out of this
debate, but I think some inaccuracies need to be addressed. I'm neither a
Microsoft apologist nor anti-Microsoft, but in the hopes of closing this
debate, please allow me to make a few points:

1) The idea that Firefox is for Microsoft-haters is a myth. Judging from
personal experience, many Microsoft employees use Firefox as their primary browser AT WORK. One of the lead developers of IE 7.0 has publicly admitted this, as have three Microsoft employees whom I talked to during at recent recruiting visit to Yale.

2) Pop-ups are indeed not the same as viruses, but some malicious websites
use pop-ups as delivery mechanisms (this is largely irrelevant since both
SP2 and Firefox have decent pop-up blockers). And even if you don't browse porn sites, you can't be sure what others may do with your computer when
you're not looking. :) This is particularly true of spyware. I've seen
innocent old ladies who have computers infected with all sorts of malware
thanks to unpatched IE installation. I doubt they're actively seeking out
porn sites, but I could be wrong... ;)

3) Even the US Department of Homeland Security realizes that IE isn't
secure. They've issued a number of warnings (e.g.,
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/680526,
http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/07/09/28enterwin_1.html). SP2 fixed
many security problems, as have subsequent patches, but you have to stay vigilant.

4) Last year, Slate (a publication OWNED by Microsoft at the time) wrote an article on "How Mozilla's Firefox trumps Internet Explorer."
(http://www.slate.com/id/2103152/)

5) Compared to IE, Firefox is built with an entirely different philosophy.
Rather than attempting to fit everything into the application, it is instead a relatively small package that is completely customizable through free extensions. It can be as basic or powerful as you want (right now I have local weather conditions embedded in my status bar, for example).

6) It's not an either-or choice, particularly since both are free. I still
use IE for some sites and tasks, and luckily there are extensions that make it incredibly easy to switch back and forth. You can even embed Internet Explorer INSIDE a Firefox tab.

7) If you understand the risks of using IE and keep your computer patched
and manage security levels appropriately, there's nothing inherently wrong
with using IE 6. It's a pretty solid web browser, objectively speaking, and until 2002 was my browser of choice.

IE will get better, of course, and the alpha version of 7.0 looks good so
far (but in many ways it's simply playing catch up to other browsers).
Microsoft got complacent, given their 90%+ market share. I've heard
Microsoft people say that they welcome the challenge as it forces them to
improve their product, which had stagnated since Netscape's collapse.

To some degree, it comes down to personal preference, but I strongly
disagree with anyone who would say Firefox is inferior.

I've now wasted more than enough of my own and everyone else's time, but I hope this is illuminating. Feel free to email me directly with any specific questions, so as not to flood the group. Have fun and just try to make your web browser the least of your worries...

-David

P.S. If you really can't stand Firefox for some moral reason, there are
other innovative options, particularly Opera and Flock. (I don't know much
about I-Rider, which does look kinda cool. However, it's based on the IE
browsing engine with a different interface layered on top, so it would still be vulnerable to any IE security breaches. And $30 is a bit expensive for a browser, in my opinion.)

Gawd. To write a word-ful all about internet browsers, it was disturbingly inhuman. If he willed it, all the points above could have been translated into a thesis! (insert shock face here)

Upon reading this, OH SHOOT. It sank in. I am in love with a geek. And geek is the new sexy. Didn't you know? Hah!

By the way, I share in his disagreement that Firefox is inferior. It's actually the best thing that ever happened to browsers since sliced bread! (Yah, got that from him, too.)

Chivalry Is Alive, Apparently

After class and my group meeting, which is way past 9pm, I took the F to the Lower East Side to meet a friend who is nice to overhaul her closet to find something for me to wear this weekend. She was having dinner with a guy right by Canal St. (Chinatown area) and asked to meet there. Being this ignorant novice who can afford to walk going home in one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, I thought to myself: "Chinatown? It will be as busy as usual, with peddlers and bargain-hunters - so what the heck. I should be okay."

Getting off the subway, and climbing up the stairs, the place was totally deserted. You can count with your fingers the number of people on the street. The streets were not well-lit, and I can only see dark alleys. It was creepy.

I needed to walk 3 blocks west to find this hole-in-the-wall restaurant, and 'lo and behold, out of nowhere, I was approached to by a black thug. I did not know what to do because I don't have any defense mechanism on me! He kept repeating "Hey wassup lady? Wha' you doin'?" He was blocking my way, but I passed him and walked away as fast as I could, trying to find a bright streetlight. I thought I was going to be mugged - again - but this time, with assault. I do not want to go through canceling my credit cards, replacing my phone, losing my keys and all those hassles! (Please Lord) I almost had a heart attack.

I found my friend eventually, and with my heart thumping, I ran to her. She was oblivious about what neighborhood is like at night, having dinner at this posh Swedish restaurant that is totally out-of-place in that neighborhood. So anyway, she happily showed some dresses (which by the way, all fit me very nicely!)

Let me cut to the chase.

Being a cheapo, I asked which train is better to take to get to Midtown. The guy friend - who is Caucasian - recommended that I take a cab instead, because it is not safe to be walking around and taking the train alone. Spare a few more bucks, and spare your life. Moreover, he did not feel comfortable letting me get off and walk (even for just a block where the cabs go) - so he insisted that he walk with me. And he did. What a nice, chivalrous gesture, I thought.

In New York, you can hardly find a guy who does that. I know that is nothing much - especially being raised in a mama's boy society. So I gave my friend a peck on the cheek, and whispered "he's a keeper".

Maybe next time I should just talk my friends into meeting in Times Square, even if it is not their most favorite ;-) At least that's where people and policemen never run out.

In The Middle Of Laundry

It's half an hour past 9pm now, and I have 3 things I need to accomplish tonight.

a. Refine my Final Paper about Leadership and Management in Crisis that's due tomorrow
b. Decide which dress to wear for this formal event this weekend - thanks to my wonderful girlfriends who are coincidentally the same size as me
c. Do my laundry and fold my clothes

I have 3 loads of clothes washing in the laundry room now, each costing at least 2 bucks per load. Drying, however, is 1.75 bucks a pop. Not to mention the hassle of bringing a bag full of dirty clothes all the way down to the basement to get them all clean again. Seriously, laundry takes at least 10 bucks and 2 hours of your day - including folding and hanging. It's not my most favorite chore - but who has favorites?

I read a writing piece from my very good writer-friend and she talked about saving on time vs. saving on money. Do you just order food in so you can save the amount of time you use up cooking and washing the dishes - giving you more time to chat with your bf, write your paper and do your homework? Or do you just cook and clean and use up 3 hours of your day to save a few bucks? I personally think there must be a perfect balance, in a sense that one should not outweigh the other. On th flipside, it could be otherwise if the situation calls for it.

Living on your own - away from family - will really will build your character and I will highly recommend it to any person who is still unmarried. It makes you learn all about balance and what your priorities are. Should I do my laundry first? Should I write my paper first? Should I blog about writing my paper first? ;-) Everyday questions that may sound simple to tackle, but can get really complicated if you do not know how to manage your time.

Now I have to stop blogging, get back to my laundry, transfer it to the dryer, and finish my paper - so I can succeed at checking off at least 2 of my to-do's for this evening.

TLTILAF Part Deux

After spending Thanksgiving in Boston with family and friends, David and I went to Kennebunkport, Maine (where former President George Bush's seaside home is located). We went to visit his friend who is a brilliant neuroscientist. He is taking his Ph.D. at Harvard, got his Masters from MIT and his undergrad from Williams. I have never met a "real" scientist before - I thought they are an urban legend. Haha.

Dave's friend belongs to a wealthy family, which explains the fancy Kennebunkport vacation house address, but he is very down to earth and unpretentious. He gave us a tour of their beautiful 5-BR house. They have a state-of-the-art kitchen (2 of them), a basement with the most expensive audio-video system I have ever seen, their own spa/sauna room and a mildly chilled wine cellar with plenty of Moet and expensive Italian wine.

We were able to spend an evening there, just eating home-made stuff and talking about school, b-school, tech gadgets, trading Google stock, balding men, traveling and patenting. We were able to spend time with his family as well, who are all very warm, friendly and welcoming. His mom cooked dinner, which were mostly Thanksgiving leftovers - turkey, cranberries and pumpkin cheesecake. But it turned out pretty yummy still! Also, the table was set with candles and decor, and the lights were dimmed - and so, it felt like the real thing.

I don't really have a point for this story, but it's just a good addition to my TLTILAF series. :) Attached are some photos.


Off the road, you enter a private pathway to the house.















The vacation house.


Dinner setting.


The fireplace - where we gathered together for some wine, crackers and home-made pate.


I was fascinated with the different colors on the counter top, so I just had to take a photo.


Breakfast is ready.

The Demise of Pets: An Omen?

I am generally not superstitious, but when things happen inadvertently, following a specific "sign", I welcome my belief in omens.

My siblings and I are such animal lovers that we have made our own makeshift zoo back home. Over a period of 10 years, we must have had 3 dozens of small pets (including babies), 6 dogs, a cat, turtles, fishes and plenty of birds. We take care of our pets like they are family, feeding them healthy, grooming them, giving them attention and toys, and bringing them to the vet. The quality of life our pets had reflected our own (especially in relationships).

One time, I gave my ex a beautiful Boston Terrier named Heather - and she was spoiled to death during the good parts of our relationship. When we broke up, I doubt she was even given baths, proper food and taken to the vet. I really wish I had her back.

Over the years, when our pets die without any reason, the omen-believing me is left perplexed - thinking that it's not old age or poor health that made it happen. The demise of a pet becomes the sign of something about to happen.

Let's take it back years ago when my 2 sharks died. They literally were babies when I got them (3 inches long) and grew up to 2 ft. in a few years. One day, our househelp cleaned their aquarium and put tap water back (she was ignorant, it was supposed to be deep well water). Within a day, my sharks died :( And immediately after that, I decided to break up with my ex of 3.5 years.

Just a little less than a month ago, my sister's English bulldog died of a heart attack. She just weakened while she was taken out for a walk. Weeks after... well, let us put is this way - something similar happened.

Is it an omen when pets die? And when omens appear, do you just sit, wait and let the universe take over? Or do you consciously make something happen to justify it's an "omen"?

MS in a Nutshell

The day after Thanksgiving unofficially puts everybody on a "busy" mode. I have 4 group presentations and 2 final papers to finish in the next couple of weeks. Although, so far, my groupmates and I have been very effective at time management and efficiency, we tend to want to overthink our presentations so we can come up with the best strategy - and preferably the best grade. That is why we spend good time in discussing the meat, or what our professors would love to hear us say.

I now think I should have started a blog since the beginning of my Masters program at NYU, but I am afraid that talking about it may have not given it enough justice. The academic and social aspects of it are obviously different from an MBA program, but they are still very enriching.

I am taking my MS in Direct and Interactive Marketing. What it is in a nutshell is targeted and measurable marketing. There is already a shift in marketing dollars from "traditional" (although, this can mean many things other than TV, radio and print) to "targeted" (this one too!... syndication, search, direct, email, SEO, etc.). Gone are the days when ad agencies can talk their Clients into approving a communication plan that is predominantly TV, Radio and Print-based. Clients nowadays want their money accounted for, they want to know whether the $10,000.00 they put into this marketing effort can bring them back 20 times much more in return. They always give less for more.

There are a million different media formats now and each cater to different marketing objectives. DRTV, TiVo, FSI's, Blogs, Co-op, Alternative, Contextual Ads, Search and what have you. Do you want branding? Do you want tactical? Do you want to drive traffic? Do you want conversion? There will always be something, and you just have to find the right mix. The key thing is to keep testing and testing until you beat your control format.

One key thing that they keep teaching us in class is to test and test until you die. It's crazy how marketers come up with the greatest, brightest and most successful marketing ideas, and still manage to beat it. It evolves and evolves and you just can't stop - otherwise, you will miss the bus.

Right now, I am taking the following classes: Advanced Direct and Interactive Marketing (this is actually more of a Strategy class, than a DM class), Creative Strategy, Media Planning and Buying, and Management Principles and Ethical Practices. Each class complements another seamlessly. Each one goes very in-depth that sometimes I feel like a semester is not enough to learn everything about it.

Sometime ago, I was compelled to subscribe to dozens of direct and interactive marketing blogs (will send you links next time), and you could easily get lost with the whole gamut of new information you read everyday. But thanks to RSS, I get to choose what I want to read anytime!

Just awhileago at lunchtime, I attended a dialogue at NYU with Robin Johnson, the President/CEO of Financial Times, and he talked about the importance of tapping multiple channels and the challenge of being global using a single, established brand. And yes, he did mention that FT's marketing dollars is on its way to a 50-50 split in online and offline. (Yes! I'm in the right program!) I could go on and on talking about this ever-changing industry, and you might just get bored if you're not into it.

So anyway, that's basically what I learn here. My other Masters taught me integration between marketing disciplines, and this one is teaching me targeting, strategy and measurability. I wonder when marketing this sophisticated will become popular in the Philippines?

On a different note, I had a lot of fun during Thanksgiving weekend. Apparently, I have another addition to my TLTILAF series. More on that soon...

Okay enough, I still need to work on my final project. Ta-tah for now.

Speaking Of...

Speaking of "first times", tomorrow will be my very first Thanksgiving holiday. ;-) I'm heading to this place where people say "av" for Avenue, and spell it the way they say it. Plus, I would most probably put my kitchen experimenting to the test. Oh noooo!!! The goal is to gobble that gobbling bird, try it with cranberry sauce, guzzle some (cheap) Sonoma wine and finish with some pumpkin pie.

Happy Turkey Day everyone! :)


Is this the only occasion I am sexy?

"First Times"

I have really just been bombarded with a slew of American "first times" eversince I moved here in the US. First classes in grad school, first time living alone, first bagel and creamcheese breakfast, first Yugo boss, first Ebay purchase, first hockey game, first football game and many others.

David has been very helpful in explaining different practices in American culture when they do nothing but create confusion. Like for example, what does "red eye" or "elephant party" mean. Or how does warm apple cider taste? Who was the Man in Black? (It's Johnny Cash - but...errr, Johnny who?) And what is Diwali? Or Hannukah?

This culture is very misunderstood, that I really wish I can talk to each and every first-time tourist in this country that their (often misguided and negative) perception of the American culture is erred. I don't mean to say that I have embraced this culture fully and I know every single thing about it. I don't, in fact, and I am still a Filipino in mind and heart. The tourist spots, however, at least in New York City - such as Times Square, Ground Zero, Rockefeller Center and the like - display a different "America", which is not necessarily true. Food in excessive servings, loudness and rudeness of people abound, exaggerated patriotism and hardcore commercialism. TV shows like Jerry Springer and Pat Croce Moving In tell the whole world that the whole America relies on despicable TV shows to solve their personal problems. Not really.

I suddenly stepped back and thought about the misconceptions my own culture has. Dog eaters? Cavemen? Hopeless cases in Political stability? Abu Sayyaf infested? On the flip side, we are known for being one of the most hospitable cultures in Asia. We are also commended for our very good English. We also have the best beaches in the whole world (although, every tropical island on earth would contest to that)! Despite all political and social disorders and our low GNP, we are people who are passionate, and love to smile our problems away.

Whenever I encounter a foreigner saying misguided notions about the Philippines, saying that we are hopeless, that it’s a very dangerous place to live in and all that disdain, I wish I could afford to buy him/her a ticket to Manila and let the Filipino hospitality erase these judgments off. And maybe he can write too about his slew of Filipino “first times”. First Filipino Pasko, first puto-bumbong, first Megamall experience and first balot ;-)

But I can’t. So all I do is offer a sharp retort, be a humble ambassador and hopefully, prove him/her wrong over time.

Yale vs. Harvard Football 2005

I had my very first experience tailgating last weekend during the Yale vs. Harvard football game. There was plenty of food and booze and unforgiving rivals. The game began at 1230pm and ended just about when the sun was setting. The weather was not cooperative, as despite the bright sun shining, it was chilly in the low 30s.

It was my very first Ivy league college football game, and it was fun and entertaining! The Bulldogs wore "Kiss this Harvard!" on their asses. The Crimsons wore "Yale sucks!" shirts. And in between touch downs, you can hear from afar students yelling "Harvard cheerleaders are FAT!!!" Hilarious! Especially is you are just there for the third-party spectator experience ;) Hmm... reminiscent of Ateneo vs. La Salle basketball matches?

I also recently just learned that Ivies don't offer athletic scholarships, so these intelligent football jocks are just passionate and dedicated to the sport.

In the end, after triple overtimes, Harvard won at 30-24. Waaah. :( It's the 5th year in a row that Yale lost to Harvard. Better luck next year!

Here are some photos I took at the Yale Bowl. I was not able to get good photos of the SOM tailgate tent, but this gives you a good idea on how much hotdogs, burgers, beer and cookies were consumed in a matter of hours.


Flag me.


"Handsome Dan", the Yale mascot, towers at the tailgating tents during the game.


The Yale SOM "tailgating" tent. Overflowing booze and unlimited 'dogs and burgers!


The aftermath.


People are still lining up for more!


The game at 2nd Quarter.


Half-time genius. Check out the man-made fighter tank that was supposed to bomb down the red Harvard balloon and those red Harvard planes. ;-)

P.S. During half-time, a cute bulldog was paraded on the field to mock the Harvardites presence in the stadium. I remembered our [late] pet, China, who could've been the cutest English bulldog on the floor during the game. R.I.P.

Manila On My Mind

I haven't talked to my family for weeks because PLDT DSL is doing what it does best: disconnect. I wonder what they have been up to lately? I have been in touch via Yahoo Messenger, but it's not as often.

It's Sunday now in Manila, and they are most probably hearing mass right this very moment. Afterwards, my mom will most probably head to the grocery and pile up on food, my dad will go to the bookstore, my lolo will go to his "appointment" and my siblings will go around the mall. Then afterwards, they will choose between La Piadina or Mario's Kitchen for lunch. Over lunch, my siblings will put up with my dad's corny jokes and my mom will just say "nyeh".

They conveniently (and impractically) brought two of our cars - "just in case" any of them decides to stay out longer, or want to go home immediately. So, they obviously won't go home at the same time. My parents take the Pajero. My siblings take the - I don't know, whatever is easiest to get out of our cramped garage.

It's the same thing a week after, unless they decide to go to Tagaytay Highlands on a whim, and eat at Green House.

It sounds routinary, yes - but, that's my family's typical Sunday back in Manila. It sure beats hearing mass alone (and singing Kyrie-Requiem vs. Panginoon) , going home to an empty apartment, clicking on del.icio.us links, researching for class homework and listening to Moby's Porcelain on iTunes.

Graduate School Grading Is Subjective

Remember back in High School when we are so grade-conscious, that we constantly calculate point-by-point all our test scores and homework to get our GPA's? There was a huge amount of pressure, since getting good grades is tantamount to getting into a good college. And getting into a good college is good training to get good jobs. (I apologize if this train of thought is not always the case, but I was just raised to think this way.)

Back in the Philippines, each university gives individual college entrance exams and students study separately for each. Here in the US, there is just the SAT - and your SAT grade gives you an idea if you are qualified for an Ivy League, or a CC.

In graduate school (at least in the US), the only grade that you should work really hard for is your GMAT (or your GRE). Get a high score, and you are most likely to be accepted in a top-tier university. Get a low score... uhm, well, you can just take it again.

In the classroom, however, the race to get the highest grade is almost always irrelevant. The grade you get most of the time does not reflect how much you learned about the course. Also, most of the time, grades are dependent on the professor's teaching and grading style.

I am about to embark on a 19 Chapter hardcore review weekend for an upcoming test on Monday. And this test is only 10 points. Multiple choice. Can you believe that?! 10 Multiple choice questions! 19 Chapters! If you miss one, that's 90%. If you miss 3, that's 70%. Easily an F! This test accounts for only 10% of my final grade, it's not a lot... but still?!? It's so un-cool.

Anyway, of course there are those really cool professors who are all about learning and practical application. And they grade based on how you express your understanding of the notes through discussion - and you get an A applying it in real life. Now that's cool.

Ed. Note. I am downplaying how graduate school is, of course. There are many other things you have to excel in to make it with flying colors. Writing skills are essential, for example. In the business world, you have to know how to condense a 20-page case into 2 pages, use the right business terms (you don't say "Pam, you got your sh!t going!", you say "Pam, you are highly qualified for the project."), and know when to write there, their or they're. There's also Critical Thinking and Financial Analysis. What does it mean if a number on this test cell is slightly higher than the one beside it? Is it statistically significant to warrant a $30 Million business decision? Stuff like that...

L-word Lessons From My 30something Friend

Last night, over 2 big glasses of Heifeweizen at Patrick Conway's, I listened to unsolicited advice from my 30something guy-friend from Detroit who is still single, seriously dating and ever-ready for marriage. He wanted to have drinks after class and talk about this girl he's very interested in. He's been through several relationships, and lived together with the most recent ex for about 5 years, before they decided to call it quits. He went to New York to study and fulfill a dream, and now has a sweet job offer waiting for him back in Michigan.

Of course that's just his story in a nutshell, and there are plenty more details in-between. Two hours into the conversation, I picked up a lot of lessons from him - some I already know, and some... quite refreshing.

1. Learn to stand up for your partner.
Ladies, will you just weep in a corner when you see a tramp sit on your boyfriend's lap and flirt with him? There's only one Subservient Chicken in this world, and that's not you, so put those aeroboxing skills to practice until you see K.O.!

2. Communication is key.
You are not going to get anything from talking to a rock, right? So don't be one.

3. Be open and honest.
If you are really into playing XBOX all weekend, let her know immediately.
If you are not ready to meet the parents or get married or have kids, let her know before she starts planning the details down to the color of the cake icing.
If you are allergic to cats, and she absolutely adores them, get allergy shots (just kidding).

4. Do not set rules.
Of course, there will always be universal rules like don't sleep with somebody else, don't pretend to be a guy (when you're really gay), don't pick fights for the sake of it or whatever. We are rational beings. But don't manipulate a relationship down to dictating the number of times you have to see each other a week, what color of clothing you have to wear, what and what not to say about your relationship in front of friends or how many cups of rice you can eat for the day. Not only will your partner feel suffocated, the more she will want to be free.

5. Do not pick fights to get attention.
You are not getting any this way. Ever.

6. Talk about the future openly.
At some point, unmarried couples need to sit down and do an "update meeting" to see if they are both on the same page about plans for the future.

7. Do not live together (unless you are absofuckinglutely sure you are marrying this person).
If you broke up and had invested in an apartment or a house already, not only is talking about money matters unsexy and dirty, it can also unleash the asshole in you. Moreover, the fight over who gets your babies, Spot or Kitty, is nerve-racking.

8. Always involve your partner during life-changing decisions such as career or a big move.
Being "involved" in each other's lives is key, so when you start making big decisions on your own, you are most probably better off on your own. Moreover, LDR's never work. You're lucky if you have the same level of happiness if he is within arm's reach, or say... in Alaska. It can work, but you have to be able to afford it.

9. It just happens.
People who have just met can be engaged in a month's time. People who have been together for 25 years can suddenly have a fall out.

10. Guys and girls have different ways of coping from a heartbreak.
Guys cry all day at home, seek plenty of "guys night outs" and eat chocolate, and girls go to stripclubs, drink alcohol and make out with the first guy she sees. Wait, isn't it the other way around?

Breaking news: Life is Unfair

Breaking news! According to The Onion, Life on earth will be unfair. (Source: April 1997 issue) If you have done more reading (in the past 10 years) instead of porn-collecting, you would have been better prepared for Life before you even considered therapy/suicide/murder due to any or all of the following:

1. you got booted out of a downsizing company
2. you were sent to jail for stealing M&M's
3. you got one-upped by a fresh graduate
4. you discovered you are already balding in your 20s
5. you realized you're a victim of racism - and yet, a racist yourself
6. you found out your partner is/was/still is gay
7. you lost a finger due to an accident
8. you lost a breast due to a disease
9. you needed to undergo a lobotomy
10. you got dumped by your girlfriend for somebody with a bigger dingdong - but you told everyone otherwise

Halloween Costumes

For the very first time ever, I will be the generic-ghost-looking-almost-like-Morticia Addams on Saturday night. Butt-long grey hair and fangs. I am not sure if I can pull it off, though. I might look like a trying-hard witch. Haha, witch. I'll need a hat and broom for that. Anyway, the good news is I became successful at convincing (well, more like prodding) David to be Dracula. He hates dressing up, but ten irritating "please oh pleeeeeaaaasssssseeeeee???" made him say "okay okay." He's wearing the dracula cape and will have fangs too. Trick or treat!?

The Luxurious Things In Life Are Free: Part Une

New York City is home to the most luxurious places and experiences in the world. Where can you find a no-menu Japanese restaurant offering unparalled 3-course prix-fixe meals for a whopping $300-$500? (It just makes me vomit) What about going shopping for a Devi Kroell purse worth $2,180 at Barney's. (puh-leez, the store name reminds me of the purple dinosaur). I think it's disgusting.

The city of lights (and social sin) can easily swallow you to shameless materialism, that you just really have to close your eyes and paint a picture of the millions of starving and homeless people around world who barely spend a dollar a day to make it through.

I am a poor student living off my parents' allowance budget and a little off my part-time campus school work, but I am still lucky enough to get little luxury perks New York City has to offer - and I get them free! I will now include a series in this blog and call it The Luxurious Things in Life Are Free, and will update it every time I experience anything luxurious - for the price of none.

1. The Fifth Avenue Apartment experience
A friend of mine's aunt is one of the wealthiest in New York City, and David and I were invited to dinner once at their beautiful, beautiful, beautiful 5th Avenue apartment. I cannot even begin to describe it as I may not bring justice to it. Basically, it's a doorman building facing Central Park. The doorman rides with you in the elevator and presses your floor (in Manila, this is NOT a luxury - and it is a different story here), and when you step out of the elevator, you are already stepping into the apartment.


An elegant console greets you, and as you walk inside - you realize that there are two full floors occupied. They have a butler (wow, they actually exist!), a stay-in cook, plenty of art on the walls, a beverage fridge filled with champagne, Bailey's (yum), Heineken, spring water bottles and sodas, it has a full kitchen, 6 bedrooms, great views, everything you can ever imagine. You look at the diplomas hung on the wall and see nothing but Harvard University. The toilet sink is (probably) made of ivory, and it smelled of pretty flowers.



We had a simple pre-cooked dinner and watched Closer on-demand at the den. It was a good experience - but that's just about it.

When we left, it was raining outside and the doorman hailed a cab for us (gosh, that was cool!). We talked about it and thought that a life like that is simply a "nice to have", but not an "end all, be all" of everything. Sometimes it is more fun and happier being just normal than anything else.

And then, as we quietly drove home, I remembered the life I lived back home. We had more than 6 bedrooms, our 4 fridges are always packed with food and drinks, our 4th floor balcony had a great view of Manila and our walls were filled with diplomas from the best universities and colleges in the Philippines. No, we did not have a doorman or a butler, but our dogs are our good (and noisy) guards and nothing beats the warm welcome of my mom. And of course, home is nothing like New York City, in ever sense of the word.


2. The Madison Square Garden Suites
David's friend works at Goldman Sachs and enjoys the perk of watching games from the lavish Madison Square Garden Suites. He had four free tickets to the Rangers vs. Thrashers hockey game and we did not hesitate to go at all. The box had about 10 cushioned seats, and about 5 tall bar stools. It had a fridge filled with drinks, a dedicated waiter to take your food orders (and the menu has a wider selection than the lower box's burgers and hotdogs!) and a fantastic view of the rink.

His friend's co-worker (probably a VP) came with his family and ordered food for everyone. We had chicken fingers, nachos with guacamole and Coronas. All free! I have never watched a real hockey game, and the last unofficial one I have seen was in the movie The Mighty Ducks - circa Joshua Jackson's adolescent cuteness. That's not counted of course.




At the beginning of the game, the people stood up and sang Star Spangled Banner. I got goosebumps. I know the Philippine National Anthem by heart and I will never forget it for the rest of my life. But will there ever come a time when I will have to know two national anthems? Maybe. In one condition: only if David knows Lupang Hinirang - in Tagalog. ;) hehe.

MBA vs.Masters

I had just gone through Midterm week, and I couldn't have been any more relieved. I am glad that all of my classes this semester are more qualitative and reading-heavy. Also, my professors are cooler than ever (except for one prick) and they do their best to make you learn things.

It is David's midterm week as well, and poor him to have to go through Finance, Accounting, Statistics, Microeconomics and Strategy this semester. I would have had regular panic attacks if I took these courses all at the same time. I am not a numbers person at all. You can throw me out to speak in front of a thousand people or read and explain a dozen crazy chapters of Kotler's masterpieces, but never let me compute for p values or NPV's.

Dave and I were being studious on a Friday night once and I showed him some Harvard business cases we are discussing in class. I explained a little bit too about the methods our professors use in teaching and how different it is from my former Masters program. I'm not sure if he's just being biased or if he just believes in me too much, but he mentioned that I should have gone for an MBA. It sent me shivering down my spine.

Urk. Finance? No thanks. I had a measly B+ last semester. Microeconomics? Back in college, Economics was my most dreaded class. Statistics? Hmm, I could learn to appreciate it someday. Accounting? I don't think I ever got my parents' CPA genes. If not for the excess of quantitative subjects, I would have gone for an MBA. But I know in the industry I want to be in, I do not need more than enough mathematical equations to put to heart. Okay, I'm giving lame reasons now ;)

Personally, I don't think MBAs are for everybody. I recall talking to an MBA student in one of the welcome weekends Dave and I attended, and he said that MBA's are for people who have no damn idea what they want to do in their career. It may or may not be true, though. I did hear students say they want to get into VC, Start-ups, Private Equity, Investment Banking or whatever sounds like Wall Street. However, there is a 50% chance they might change their minds halfway through the program. Taking an MBA is a journey to self-discovery - and in discovering yourself, you need to get through plenty of dreadful numbers and strategic thinking. And in between, there are bountiful school-sponsored beer kegs and spinach quiches. (They have this enormous budgets for social and networking activities. I'm so jealous!)

Meanwhile, I believe Masters Degree programs are for people who already know what they want to do in the future. Most of the students in my program want to be in a career that sounds like or is located at Madison Avenue. The plans are not set in stone of course, but their general direction in life is pretty much mapped out. Yes, there are numbers involved and plenty of strategic thinking, but there are lesser panic attacks. With lesser panics, comes lesser alcohol. [Gosh, is there really a correlation? Anybody please disagree on this?]

I know David will be successful in turning things around for start-up technology companies, and I will definitely want to pour my passions into successful communications campaigns. So I guess that's the reason why we are here now.

A Masters is an apple. An MBA is an orange. You cannot compare it side by side. The only way you can gauge which is one is the best fit for you is when you take a look at where the alumnis are now, and envision yourself in their shoes someday.

Martha Encounter

My first non-fiction book purchase in NYC (apart from my school materials) came with a handshake and a signature. During my lunch hour today, I rushed to Barnes and Noble at Union Square to attend Martha Stewart's The Martha Rules book signing event.

I was not intending to buy her book and was thinking "Is it worth giving up my lunch money for a closer glimpse of The Martha?" I entered the velvet ropes and sat at the back with the group of people who are just there for pictures. There were at least 100 people there. She made a short speech about her book, talked about passion and being an entrepreneur and started signing books. (I was waiting for that famous "It's a good thing" line, but didn't hear it this time.)

The people lined up orderly to have her sign her book, and so I took my time to read the book's (biased) reviews and skimmed through its first pages. Although the content is probably nothing new, reading it suddenly reminded me of talks with my family about finding your passion and translating it into a business. A perfect gift! (I would have bought 6 copies for each of us, but that's insane) Plus, it's an easy-read.

I bought it anyways, and it costed me $21.63. Then, I lined up along with the other Martha fans. As I got closer to her, I felt one with the paparazzis. I had my camera handy and shot away! (It was not allowed of course, but I didn't care)

I finally approached her, handed my book and kindly asked if I could have her dedicate the book to my family. The _____ Family. (I even wrote how that spelled on a piece of paper for her convenience) Then, her (prick) assistant said she doesn't do dedications. Martha looked at me with sorry eyes and said, "Well, I hope your family enjoys it." - and signed it with what read like Marti Stewat. I shook hands with her and said thank you.


I was elated. I am not a huge Martha fan (I disdain her The Apprentice show), but I read her works, followed her scandal case, love her ridiculously expensive flowers and use Martha Stewart Living bathtowels. There is something about her that is charming - yet authoritative.

It took me an hour just to get my book signed. I was late for work. With no lunch (and dinner, let alone) money. So, I darted out of BN - $21 bucks poorer, but a Martha experience richer. So, I quickly dropped by Mcdonald's and ordered from The Dollar Menu.

Midtown Garage

Everyday, I walk a block down, passing a garage and find myself swinging my face to the side until it hurts, locking my eyes to these very handsome creatures. The one in blue is a policeman. They wink back and my day is made. Cool.

Calling India

I needed a validation code to register Quickbooks 2005 in the computer today, so I called their 800 number to request for it. It did not take long before I was forwarded to an operator. The reception did not sound like it's connected to the USA, and the operator sounded Indian.

"Good afternoon, Pam. My name is Neo. How may I help you today?"
"Oh, I just need a validation code for Quickbooks 2005?"
"Ok, let me just run through a few questions before we proceed."
"Alright."
"How are you today?" - (uhm... what?)
"I'm good, thanks."
"And how's the weather there now?" (are we talking about the weather now?)
"It's good, pretty gloomy as it will rain this afternoon."
"That's good to know. Ok, we may now proceed. Is this your first time to install Quickbooks?" (he said it like he was reading his cheat notes...)
"Yes."
Then he asked for the License no. and I gave it. And then he said it will take a few minutes before the computer generates the validation code. Uh oh. How many minutes? 10 more minutes of small-talking? I haven't got all day.

Then he goes, "Sooo... how long have you been working for your company?"
"Couple of years, I guess."(not), said I.
"I see... is it fun?"
"Sure, it is." (notice, it's a one-question-one-answer exchange) And then I thought, what the heck. I have friends who are working in call centers back in Manila, so what the heck.
"So where are you from? Is this in Bombay?", I continued.
"Oh no, we're located at the southern part of India."
"What time is it there now?"
"It's 1130pm now."
"Oh that's nice, it's 130pm NY time."
"You should visit India as you are very much welcome here."
"I've never been to India - but I'd love to go."
"Have you tried Indian food?"
"I love Indian food! I like the Chicken Tikka..."
"... Masala! (he cut me) That's my favorite!"
"I wouldn't have guessed. But, that's good to know."
"Do you like spicy food?"
"I like Thai-spicy and a little bit of Indian curry-spicy."
"That's good. Why don't you come to India, it is beautiful here."
"I really will, but not now. I have many things going on. It gets crazy in New York. So... is the code ready yet?"
"Oops! It just popped out. I'll give it to you now."

And he did. And it took us another 2 minutes talking about non-Quickbooks related topics. We didn't go as far as talking about his mother, but he was nice. Oh, and I asked him to spell his name (it was N-E-O)... and I said, "Like in The Matrix?", and he jumped "Yes! Yes! I like that movie a lot and I am very impressed with NEO in the movie." and another 1 minute of talking about The Matrix.

Before I put the phone down, I was asked to complete a little 3-question survey regarding the whole experience of calling the operator. I was battling between giving a lower score for being not business-like, and a high score for trying to entertain me through food, Matrix and travel talk. I gave him a 9. :)

Rosh Hashanah

Happy New Year to my Jewish friends! I was able to try Manischewitz last weekend (in three flavors: Cherry, Blackberry and Grape), and I liked the Grape best.

For my dear friends back in the Philippines, you may read more about Rosh Hashanah here.

Permit Me To Put A Cheesy Title Please, Oh, Please: Language of Love

Today, we had nonprofit Clients coming to the office, so my boss decided to cook authentic Slavic-Indian dishes for lunch. I had the privilege of coming to her apartment to help in the preparations because she was running late and still needed to take a shower (it was already 11am).

I was at the dining table busy spreading ajvar on mini croissant sandwiches and slicing ham and cheese, while she waits for her meat pie and feta cheese schnitzel to cook in her kitchen (They were all very good, by the way, that I wanted the recipe but then I realized I could not cook. Fat chance.). From the table, I looked around her disorganized apartment and found clothes in her living room, Bush was live on TV defending Harriet Miers, and there were tons of family photos. Very homey.

She talked about how she learned plenty of Indian recipes and managed to fuse it with her own traditional Slavic dishes, and that because her late husband is Indian, she has embraced Indian culture like it was her own. And then she showed me her wedding photo and she pointed to her RTW white dress from Target she bought just an hour before her wedding. She pulled it off! It looked very beautiful, and so did she.

And then my curiousity asked her how she and her husband met. And I asked casually, like on a sunny day. And despite all the clutter, the noise from the TV, and all the food that needed to be prepared, she still started her story.

Every love story is a beautiful story, but this one really made me smile. Their love story became so alive when she spoke and it gave me goosebumps. The good kind.

Her husband was born very brilliant - at 16, he gets into Medical school; at 22, he's a practicing M.D.; at 32, he's a well-established professor at the Columbia Medical School in NY.

Sometime in the late 60s, Mira (my boss) was sick and needed to see a doctor. So, she was referred to him by a friend because of his reputation and expertise. The doctor's appointment went well that not only did he get to "diagnose" her, he also got her phone number!

They went out a couple of times but he came off as an arrogant jerk - I guess because he's a smartass - that Mira did not want to see him again. He was persistently calling, and Mira was just being polite most of the time. Then one day, he stopped calling. Mira was relieved. One week. Two weeks. One month.

Riiinnnggg!!!

"Dobrý deň?", Mira answered. It meant "hello" in Slav.
The man on the other line spoke very good Slav and sounded so familiar, that she could not quite make out if it was a long-distance call from a friend back home in Yugoslavia, or some crazy prank caller.

It turned out to be him. Yes, her future husband.

In the past weeks, he actually flew to Yugoslavia just to learn about the culture and learned at least 600 words, and spoke them fluently. He embraced and fell in love with Mira's culture (and with Mira, of course!) without even her asking. Without any assurances. And that's what made Mira fall for him.

Come on? Without notice, a guy flies to your home country (without you there), learns your culture,then suddenly - and freakingly- speaks your language? What kind of woman wouldn't fall for that!?

So, they married, traveled the world, conversed in fluent Slavic (sometimes English), had Indian food, had a son (you should see the combination!) and were together for 20 years before he tragically passed away.

Sigh. Look around, you never know. Love may be speaking to you already. In Slavic.

Today's All-Time Low

Unlike a week ago, today is a bit more somber and less action-packed. Let me count the ways.

1. First of all, the weather is cloudy and rainy, which immediately dampens any sunny disposition.

2. I woke up at 6:30am to attend this 8am CRM dialogue in downtown, but was too sleepy and slow that I did not get a chance to eat proper breakfast (a piece of bagel with cream cheese). To think I went for the free food. Not really. It was interesting to listen to CRM experts from Citigroup, Harte-Hanks, Starwood and Mars.

3. I went to the office and did research about philanthrophy all day online, only to end up talking to my boss about how her husband died 14 years ago. There was so much sorrow and love in her eyes, that it felt like it happened just a week ago. Love still exists in this world, thank goodness.

4. I bought a tuna salad sandwich with fries for lunch. It was the nearest sandwich place I could see and I could not travel far - I could have fainted due to my lack of a proper breakfast.

5. I went home to a quiet and empty apartment, and played whatever's in my CD player: Hale's "Kung Wala Ka" (how depressing). I listen to this as I eat my pathetic tuna salad leftover. Makes me miss home, my big family and our dinner feasts!

But, hey, there are some redeeming factors!

1. My Moto Razr case arrived from Amazon already!

2. I saw 2 Lamborghinis parked inside Grand Central! In the flesh. I could win it for only $1,000 per raffle ticket!

3. I didn't forget my umbrella.

4. Fall is officially here. :)

5. I learned today that despite everything - somber moods, lows, highs, through life and death, Love will stay on earth.

It's your fault, Asphaire!

I am stuck in school in front of a computer, and this is probably the best time I could fill out this little tag of yours, Asphaire. I’ll do my best to give justice to all these items, following reflecting and writing about my future plans 20 years from now, just minutes ago – which islong overdue for my family to see (I'll explain next time):

20 YEARS AGO:
I turned 4 too! I was born a Cancer, and lived in Zamboanga City as a young child. I was already taking Kindergarten for 2 years (I started at 2) and was classmates with my Ate for a while. I had “graduated” from bringing my baby bottle as my baon to class – I seriously don’t remember, but my mom tells this story as vividly as it just happened yesterday.

15 YEARS AGO:

Two years into moving to Manila already, I still missed my Zamboanga friends terribly. It was a lot of adjustment, considering the big shift from provincial to cosmopolitan living. I shared a bedroom with my 2 sisters, and played My Little Pony all day (not really). We were all rivals to our baby brother in getting our parents’ attention. Since almost all of us were reaching puberty, we were pretty itchy about privacy and having our own room – which my parents gladly gave us when we had our house renovated to 3-storeys. Around that time, I started my period, and had it in school (during recess) - I knew what it was, but was freaked out. A good friend who had it already was so nice to lend me a pad. I remember it so vividly, like it's a milestone.

10 YEARS AGO:

I was taking High School in a private all-girls school and had my first puppy-love boyfriend – well, at that time, I thought that was “it”. I had my first (and last) prom, which proved to be quite memorable, in hindsight. Oh, also, I was President of the Library Club! (what the…?) I graduated in High School at age 15. I was shy and timid on the outside, but a wildflower inside.

5 YEARS AGO:

I was 19 and on a roll. I met David in Beijing, China – unknowing and unassuming of what was ahead. I was very active in college – participated in several theatre plays as lead actress (I actually had a solo song! I pitied the audience after!), elected in the Student Executive Board as Secretary, I was drinking and partying a lot and was staying out in the evenings like there’s no tomorrow (I think it’s still a phase). It was around this time that I realized that I wanted to be in Communications. Our Dean inspired me. I was also finishing my MA in Communications at this time, and gained interest in the wacky world of Advertising. And so I got a stint at JWT to handle their bread and butter account, Unilever. I was also fortunate to be able to travel to different countries already – and that’s where this passion for travel began. I visited New York for the first time, fell in love with it and knew in my heart, I will go back in the future. I then looked back to that timid high school girl (in braces), smiled and said farewell to her.

THREE YEARS AGO:

I was 21 and accepted a job as an Account Manager in this small promotional marketing agency in Manila and was promoted to Marketing Manager a year after. I had a salary that lets me pay parking in Makati, a lenient boss and plenty of travel perks! It was all good. I got to stay in 5-star hotels, ate the best food, and had the best full-body massages - as they let me meet with major Clients in Asia (alone most of the time). I was also sent to Europe (twice!) to attend conferences in upscale places like Nice, France and Malaga, Espana. Of course, I would do side trips, and that’s where my Europe photo collection increased exponentially. Meanwhile, me and my family had somehow developed this obsession to travel, hopping from one country to another: China, Australia, Europe (again!), UK, South Africa (I loved Cape Town), Thailand, Singapore, weekends in Hong Kong, etc. Travel is such a hobby, that I really wished we had more time (and money) and just be more obsessed with it.

It was the year that my horizons were widened, that I knew in my heart, Manila is such a small place to live in. And I thought about New York again.

LAST YEAR:

Despite getting my heart sliced and diced, and breaking hearts just the same in the many years past, I was resilient and easily fell in love with David. It was one of those things that just happens for a reason. I sent him postcards from all of my travels. He sent me photos and love letters in exchange. It was a beautiful LDR.

At this time, David and I have been together for over a year, and after several exchanges of visits between Manila and SF (where he was based), we just wanted and needed to be together. So, he was doing job interviews for expat jobs in Manila, while I applied to different Grad Schools in the US. I got into all three schools I applied to (Berkeley, Columbia, NYU) and decided on NYU. I had already moved to NY when Dave got the McKinsey job :) (He's so brilliant!) My parents and family are so supportive. Especially my dad, though it broke his heart to see his baby daughter leave, he still let me go.

THIS YEAR:
I’m finally studying and living in New York and making the most out of it. I meet all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds, making me realize that the world is so large and there is so much to discover. In the summer, I went to Spain and got mugged, which forced me to go back home to renew my visa. David went to Manila to see me, and it was great. He also got accepted into the best B-schools in the US (CBS, Yale, Stern) and eventually chose Yale. (Yipee, just 1.5 hours away!) He began this Fall Semester.

YESTERDAY:
I had a full schedule! Woke up, drank coffee, worked all day, contemplated on getting a furry pet, went to class, had drinks with my classmates afterwards and went home.

LAST NIGHT:
I had a Corona at Bryant Park Bar with my classmates – from India, Romania, Taiwan, US and Korea. Our talks ranged from our crazy professors, to gossips, to why Filipinos have such good English accents (I don't know why), to doing a girls night out two weeks from now.

TODAY:
I’m writing this blog all day (not really).

TOMORROW:
I’ll probably be in the arms of my Sweetie and eating at Friendly’s.

NEXT YEAR:
I’m getting married. Or not? You’ll be surprised. :)

FIVE - TEN YEARS FROM NOW:
I’ll have my own family, I’ll set up my own boutique IMC agency, have my own wine cellar, drink plenty of it and buy my dad his well-deserved BMW.

Gosh, that was hard. The end part, I didn’t even think anymore. Sorry if the answers are so incoherent. Also, take note that these are the good parts of the past 20 years, I skipped the unnecessary ones :) I have to run to catch something now, tatah! :)

GPA

... or should I say, Great Pointed Archers! You may think I'm insane, but I did sign up for the petition to finally call these little creatures called "rats" to something else more dignified. NY Rats are gross, but they are not bad creatures. Check it out before you say "hey" or "ney" Mickey! Or just simply enjoy navigating the site! Wouldn't hurt.

Pregnant Woman Practicing

I saw a very pregnant woman today pushing a baby stroller with no baby on it. I was looking around to find her toddler, but there was none. She is probably going through that impatient-mom-to-be syndrome.

A Monday Trip

Let me recount what this city generously offered me today.

I woke up this morning to Katie Couric and Matt Lauer and Today's Fall Fashion recommendations. According to them, brown is so hot and full skirts are in. After doing my morning routine and drinking my coffee, I found myself staring at my closet, finding something to wear. After scanning my highly-disorganized clothing pieces, I found this brown and blue skirt with boho-themed prints and a black top. Perfect.

I paired the outfit with my uber-comfy gold flipflops, picked up my school books and out the door I go! I left my building, looked up to say hello to the Chrysler building, walked 3 blocks to Grand Central, salivated at the same chocolate-covered strawberries at Godiva, took the express train to Union Square, picked up my daily dose of AM New York (for free), saw the same guide dog (she had a little sign saying "Don't pet me, I'm working") helping a blind person, briskly crossed the street on a blinking "Don't Walk" sign and walked towards my office. I was already looking forward to a good day, but also wondering if that was how routinary my life will be in the next months. And then, the unexpected happened...

I tripped. (tadaaaa!!!)

Because living in New York would subject you to uneven pavements, dirty streets and wet floors (and train tracks!), it's inevitable that even wearing your flattest and most comfy shoes would bar you from getting into this embarrassing thing called tripping.

So, all my books flew in the air, my favorite bag scattered its contents on the floor, my shades slid off my head and me flat on the floor. Ouch.

I was not expecting anybody to help me get up or pick up my stuff, but when I looked up, two Italian passers-by walked up to me, helped me up, picked my stuff up and exclaimed "Aphrodisia! Aphrodisia!" I wonder if it's some Italian word for Are You Okay? or if it meant something about Intimacy, or chocolates (with strawberries?). It was weird.

I stood up, thanked them profusely with my palm, knees and toe flowing with blood like the Niagra falls. Gross. (Goodbye boho chick) I rushed to my office (which was a couple of buildings away from my morning accident), buzzed myself in, climbed up the stairs and ran to the bathroom to clean up. My Yugoslavian boss was there, glad as ever to see me - but equally shocked - that she offered to get me bandages and Hydrogen Peroxide. So she went next door to her apartment just to pick it up. Things are picking up, eh? She arrived with boxes of bandages and band-aid and what may seem to be a liter of HP.

Then, bandage-clad, I proceeded with work, finishing my project proposal that was due this afternoon. When doing a last-minute proofreading and checking, my boss sat beside me at my workstation and asked what my plans are after I graduated. She asked if I see myself in the US or elsewhere. You could guess what I said. But I couldn't guess what she said afterwards. And guess what? She said she wants to train me, then hire me! She said she's been wanting to take in people like me in her company. (Hold on to your horses Sweetie, I've only interned here for a week?) It was a good thing to hear, and it brought a big smile on my face that I forgot how painful my bruises were.

On my lunchbreak, I went to the NYU bookstore to buy required readings from one of my more difficult classes. There was one last copy waiting for me specifically, that I didn't take any chances and immediately grabbed it! (God is so good to me).

Then, I dropped by this nice crepe take-out place at Greenwich Village and ordered the usual French Brie, Mozzarella and Tomato - and the guy totally put a mountain-worth of ingredients on my crepe! It was like getting 2 crepes for the price of 1. Yipee! :) I had a filling lunch and was ready to head back to work.

I went to my Creative class this evening, and mind you, this professor (CD) is known to be bad at remembering names. He's too creative for comfort - did I say that correctly? Anyway, I wasn't sure if it was class participation, or being the only Filipino in class or being 10 minutes late after the class break, but he remembered my name! Yes, Pam. Good point, Pam. Of course, he knew a couple other classmates of mine's names by heart, but it just feels nice to be called by your simple name - without being too creative.

After class and after dinner, I had a drink with my friend Mark at this bar called Fubar (F*cked up Beyond All Recognition) a few blocks up my apartment. It was laid-back, typical American sports-y bar, old worn-out couches and all. The bartender was this big bald guy, who looked like he could kill without batting an eyelash. I saw that there were several bills from countries all over the world displayed behind the counter! It was their way to stylishly decorate their less-than-original set-up. I was looking for the Philippine Peso bill, and found none. (Either Pinoys don't go there, or they don't have Php's in their wallets handy!) I opened my wallet and found a crisp Php 20 bill, and handed it to the bartender!

"Would you put this up for me please? From my country, The Philippines."

And he did, it was up there in a matter of seconds.

Then, I ordered my usual (Bailey's on the rocks), but this time I said "with Cherries" (not "with a cherry", as I would normally say). And, voila, 4 wonderful cherries arrived on my lap unexpectedly! Yahoo! That must've been worth my Php20! - Which isn't a large amount, but would have much more value. Pinoy po ito!

So, that pretty much explains today's adventures and misadventures. And it's just beginning. It's just Monday anyway.

Aphrodisia! Aphrodisia! It resounds in my head...

Compromise

Wouldn't it be nice if there are no fights, arguments and irreconcileable differences? Wouldn't it be perfect to live like everything you think, say and do are always right, in the right place and the right time? Alas, there is no such thing, and we have to accept that. Most of the time, we are left to being humanly wrong, yet humanly able to compromise. Compromising that exists in different levels - some you accept effortlessly, some you let by, and some that break the deal.

Since you co-exist with different kinds of people, personalities and race, you can never even dream of living in a vacuum that you call your own world. The rest of the world is bigger than you, and most of the time, you just have to succumb - with or without compromising.

Piece of Cake

My roommate sleeptalked at 2am, screaming ever so loudly "Aahhhh! Help me!", and of course I was awoken in shock. I wondered if he's ok and thought about what he might have dreamt for a second, and went back to sleep.

I woke up in the morning and he's gone. Ah okay, he's probably alive and fine, I thought.

So I left that for work, errands, school stuff and looked forward to getting home.

Back in my apartment, I found a note posted on my pantry. It was from my roommate, saying he hoped he did not wake me up, and that there's chocolate cake for me in the fridge. ;-) Alleluia.

Fall Routine and In Between

So my Fall classes have started and I have tons of readings and papers due. My classmates are still as diversely wacky as they can be, and my teachers are still as engaging as I expected.

Back in the Spring semester, I was able to go through school with limited morning and afternoon activities. I really hated Winter (and snowstorms), that I cocooned all the time. (But, of course, David will attest to this! Haha.) I wanted to stay in most of the time because of that lame excuse of "not having anything to wear" - since I am all covered up with winterwear, that my beautiful lacey and silk top became irrelevant. Sayang naman ang porma.

My Winter/Spring routine was practically this way: wake up-study-go to class-have drinks/gimmick-study again-sleep-wake up again. I had enough time to focus on my academics, that it paid off pretty well in the end. It was my time to get a "feel" of the environment and my chance to adjust to New York.

Months past, and summer is almost over, Fall is coming really soon. How much will this weather change my routine? Here's what happens on a normal day - give or take:

I wake up in the morning and prepare for my day (approx. 1 hour).
I force myself to go to the gym at Union Square (approx. 2 hours).
I walk three long blocks to intern at this integrated marketing communications agency - cool people, cool office (4 hours)!
I go to the library and study for class (3 hours) and/or I work on campus (3 hours).
I attend my class in the evening (3 hours).
I go home and do homework (3 hours).

That's 16 hours non-stop. That's on a weekday. That's not too bad, right? Not a slacker, nor a work-addict?

Weekends are much more pleasant - I could totally sleep in until after lunch and be immobile. But of course, I can't be without a night in town on a Friday or Saturday! Over these past weeks, I've developed a love for the Downtown area - specifically Soho, the Village, East Village and Greenwich area. I just love it.

Anyway, since I've unconsciously developed some wacky schedule this Fall, I wanted to set some goals for myself:

1. lose 10 lbs.
2. expand my network
3. get 8 hours of sleep
4. dance more
5. write more

Actually, the whole point of me being a busy bee is because Yale MBA's first semester is supposed to be the toughest - couples have broken up during this time, seriously (and no wonder the "Partners Club" at Yale is so active! I'm in it, in case you are wondering.). And although David has given me all the attention I deserve when I want it, I could not just afford to let him take his schooling for granted. Besides, we're both working on something really important for our future. It's pretty tough, but we're getting by.

Bikini Lambast

Why do most Filipinas on Friendster have at least one Boracay photo and one with them in a bikini? Are swimsuits too cool (yeah baby?!?)? And, wait a minute, is Boracay (or "Bora" as they oh-so cleverly call it) the only beach in the Philippines? Whatever happened to Panglao, Davao or Palawan? Will posting a photo with 10% clothing in public put them a notch ahead? Do they really want their bodies to have that much mileage? Summer is over, guys! Move on, please.

Is this plain showing off, an I'd-like-to-be-in-the-cover-of-FHM-but-can't-so-Friendster-would-do kind of frustration or a display of insecurity? I think it's all three, and I think it's shallow. As in the super low kind of shallow.

Feel free to sue me, it's a personal opinion.

If you disagree with me and are one of the thousands who post bikini photos, maybe you can get away with it if a) you are pretty and have a well-proportioned body, b) you shaved, c) the photo was taken in good taste and d) your fully clothed photos outnumber your tiny bikinis. Thank you.

But really, are you THAT insecure? Think about it.

Horse Whispering

When I was a few years old, I grew up in a farm in Zamboanga City (located at the southernmost tip of Mindanao). We lived humbly in a house made of plywood and would pick our own vegetables from our backyard, and drink milk from our goats. I was only between 3 or 4, but I vividly remember sitting by our window, watching a tiny raincloud draw itself closer to where I was before it even soaked our roof wet. It was my first encounter with rainclouds, and the science behind it. Amazing.

We owned a horse and named him Silver. He does not possess any kind of silvery patch or color, but we got his name from the Lone Ranger's ever-famous song (Hi ho Silver, away!!!). Cheesy, huh? I would ride his back carefully, with my dad guiding me from behind, and I would muster up enough courage to go another mile at 5mph.

I loved horses - I still do. Despite the couple of times I rode them at 18mph and fell off, or got stuck in little tree branches, or despite getting bruises and cuts wearing uncomfortable riding boots. If I wasn't in New York City, taking up graduate school, and if we never moved to cosmo Manila, I might have taken up a minor in Equine Psychology and mastered the art of milking goats and growing cabbage.

This little business card I found at a cork board inside a restaurant somewhere in the West made me backtrack and think about the "what if's" of my life. Of course, I know this path is left inside my "might have been but would have been fun and interesting" folder.
You whisper to horses? How cool (or freaky?) is that!

Adios, Summer!

As the weather slowly calms down to the 70s, we say goodbye to the summer in Central Park over a little picnic with the geese. (That's Central Park West, the upscale residential area where the late John Lennon used to live in.)

The Reason Why He is The One

He let me drive his big black 4x4 SUV in the streets of Manhattan (specifically). And I didn't even insist, because he understands why.

No Competition

Unless you come from circa 1600 and could not accept it, most likely, your current lover has had an ex lover or an apple of his eye. Yes, it is a has been and it is soooo over, but sometimes you can’t help but feel a pinch of insecurity whenever you come across some voluntary (or involuntary) public (or private) information these exes put on your nosy platter.

Of course, there are exes who are unworthy of anything but bashing, but there exists the opposite. Let me define further. This breed of exes are:

1. Within your league – meaning they hang out with the same types of people, studied in a reputable university, does what you do and gets what you get
2. Eye and Brain Candies – the perfect combination of a looker (especially in a bikini) and a mind picker
3. The Ones That Got Away - he may not say it nor admit it, but this label can never be yours (of course, ‘cause you’re not going anywhere, right?)

So what does a girl like you (who is so interested in reading this blog entry) to do? Do you google his ex’s name nonstop until you find some dirt on her to make you feel better? Do you forever compare the way your sweetheart said “I can’t wait to see you” to you versus the way he did to her? Do you stare at their photos together to check if she has crooked teeth and flabby arms or if you have a smaller waist line?

But what if all this childish detective work finds you no less than an affirmation that there’s nothing really wrong with her? And, unbeknownst to her, she is just a person who can potentially ruin your day? And you let her get away with it (even if it’s within your control)?

Do you still go on with your voodoo doll ritual and stick needles to prick her until she bleeds? Or do you just exhale and believe that there is some compelling reason that no Google, Friendster or any other public display of information, can simply distinguish why she is not with your lover now? That in your lover’s mind and heart, you are a universe apart and far better off than her (plus she does have crooked teeth). And there is no competition.

Why Some New Yorkers Wouldn't Talk To Me

I was with David socializing with other Yale students over wine and cheese awhileago and came across a personable, yet typical, New Yorker who moved to New Haven to attend SOM.

After a little chitchat about SOM and how we love New York (no matter how it gets to you after some time), we talked about our apartments. She said she had given up her apartment at Murray Hill, a studio for $1200 plus utilities. Afterwhich, I mentioned I lived in Midtown, in a doorman building, elevator, utilities included, complete with a view of the Chrysler and in a very nice neighborhood for under $900 bucks. She nearly fainted.

Now, she wouldn't talk to me.

At Yale

I haven't written in quite a while because I've been busy. To many people, that's already a sufficient excuse, but to some, there needs to be an explanation. Bah.
I don't want to get specific, because this blog is not supposed to be an outpour of my soul, but just a venue for me to spill my thoughts.

I am currently at Yale University in New Haven and enjoying it. I'm writing this blog, standing up inside the SOM building, so forgive me for any incoherence.

My classes won't begin until the next few weeks, so I'm helping David settle in and sort things out first here before he begins his MBA at Yale SOM. He's got a great apartment (a house actually), complete with washer, dryer, full kitchen, bath, a/c, whatever!... and is staying with 2 other students. When I got here, his room didn't have anything! No bed, no table, no nothing! It was so pretty difficult, yet fun to slowly unpack and furnish his place. Life in the US is a total turnaround from life in Manila. You really have to fend for yourself here, otherwise you will be left with... errr, an unfurnished room and will have to sleep on the floor!

Random bits of what I have learned in the past couple of weeks:

1. I learned more how wonderful David's family is, and how they lived a simple but rich life.
2. I learned that most of the US of A is not all glitz and glamour like what you see in movies.
3. I learned more about David's wonderful childhood - and how I love him all the more for that.
4. I learned how to put up blinds using a drill - as in the hardcore D.I.Y. kind.
5. I learned to not feel awkward driving an SUV in the US.
6. I learned that New Haven is not New York, but not a bad place to live in.
7. I learned that Yalies are very warm and partner-friendly.
8. I learned that I can never live without DSL.
9. I learned that a trip to Ikea with your partner is an unofficial "dry run".
10. I learned how to iron clothes. (the laundry part, I still need to perfect! Tie-dying and doing laundry are entirely different things... hehe.)

As both of us are grad students, the next two years will definitely become a slew of uncertainties and adventures, I'm sure. But I'm really up for the ride.