I've been quiet for the past few days...TD APIs are really keeping me busy. Oh well... I finally finished one today so I thought I'd make a quick update.

1 - Travel: Yay! I submitted my passport to the Austrian embassy last Monday, which means I'm now just waiting for my Schengen visa, AND my earliest date of departure would be on Feb 1! Yay! :D

2 - Movies: I've seen I Am Legend, National Treasure 2, Sidney White and the 7 Dorks and my most anticipated movie of the year (since last year actually) - Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. All very nice movies... but of course Sweeney tops the list. :D

3 - Personal Travel: I finally booked a flight for SG! Since I can't really schedule my office travels and stopovers, on a whim I just scouted for ticket prices and found a good deal on PAL. Although it's not for several months (I still have a 3-month onsite to go through), I'm really, really excited about it!

I don't think there are any other things I missed...mostly trivial, I am excited about this coming Sunday. I'll be meeting up with my college barkada (Ai, Grace, Jo, Kat, Krisel, and Jeng). Hopefully we'll be complete as the last Smalltalk reunion was already several years ago. Can't wait!

Retail Therapy

When depressed, some people eat, work out, cry...for me and my ate, we shop.

I've been down, anxious and bummed all week last week. Largely due to the fact that there may be cmplications on my Schengen visa application, and possible travel to Kiev next week! *Sigh* Anyone who knows me, knows I love to travel... but never alone. :(

Anyway, fast forward to yesterday, since I'm more or less resigned to my fate, what else can I do but prepare for my upcoming trips...I went to Glorietta with my family and with the combination of hundreds of retailers, a balance free credit card and an actual purpose to shop, what do you get? A happy and calm Van. :D

I bought a new wallet and 2 bags at Girbaud. A weekend bag, and a multifunctional travel/sling bag. I bought new handcarry luggage, new clothes from Dorothy Perkins & Debenhams, new blush from VMV, nail files, buffers and cuticle treatments, skincare from Mario Badescu, and I even went grocery shopping at Landmark, tuna anyone?

So now, I'm even feeling a little excited about leaving... albeit on my own. :)

I still have a few more things to buy before I go... wool socks, a new pair of gloves, another warmer...but I'm feeling more optimistic that my departure date will still be on Feb 1. So, I still have time to shop.

Now, I only have my Austrian embassy interview tomorrow to worry about. I hope it goes well :SS.

TAG! You're IT!

I finally finished this new year thingie I got from Lui… Feel free to post on your own blogs if you have the time to do this :D

What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Travel to Europe! Specifically to Bratislava, Slovakia… first time traveling for work. And I also got to pass by Singapore for 3 hours, another first! :D

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn’t have any last year, but for this year, I resolve to be a better traveler…and to be more independent!

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I can think of…

Did anyone close to you die?
My friend’s Ed Canizares and Kaye… as of now they still haven’t been given the justice they deserved.

What countries did you visit?
Slovakia and Singapore…and if you count my stopovers, Czech Republic and Germany :D

What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Love life! Hahaha!

What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Every year so many things happen and it’s difficult to choose one day in a year… hahaha, pareho sa sagot ni Louie :D

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being regularized at my new company… I was nervous about leaving SunLife and doing something more technical and more industry-specific… and then I got to travel, and meet new people, learn new things. I think that's a big achievement.

What was your biggest failure?
I don’t like the word failure… you don’t fail at something, you just haven’t found out the best way to do it yet.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Self inflicted injuries due to clumsiness…bumps, bruises and stuff like that...

What was the best thing you bought?
My Pentax T30, and my SE K770i :D I’ll add my Z610i here as well even though it was in my possession for only a short time… I can’t choose just one :D

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Sweet’s, my youngest sister… *sigh* they grow up so fast…

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Malu Fernandez? The writer who belittled her own countrymen. Siya lang naisip ko ngayon.

Where did most of your money go?
Myself, hahaha… a large part of it went to a lucrative, short term investment, payable in SGD… hehe, and dinners, massages, gadgets and other luxuries.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Trip to Europe!!!

What song(s) will always remind you of 2007?
I already forgot the songs in 2007 :) Since I listen to so much, I can’t attach a specific year to a song.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? – happier
ii. thinner or fatter? – fatter :P
iii. richer or poorer? -- richer

What do you wish you'd done more?
Agree with Louie on this one… exercise :D

What do you wish you'd done less of?
I just don’t want to get drunk again hahaha. But let me clarify, that was only once!

How many one-night stands?
I don’t do one night stands. *rolls eyes*

What was your favorite TV program?
House!

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope.

What was the best book you read?
In 2007? Siyempre Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Mahilig pala akong kumanta! Hahaha…pero shy type ako. :D

What did you want and get?
Travel!

What was your favorite film of this year?
Transformers… I think. :)I think it would have been Sweeney Todd if it was shown in 2007.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 25, had lunch with Sun Life friends, was surprised by my SSA co-workers and had dinner with family. 3 days later I was on my way to Bratislava. :D It was a memorable bday.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Someone to have and hold… ;))

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
I don’t have one.

What kept you sane?
Talking/chatting with friends and family, watching movies, massages and other recreational activities. Travels to Bora, Baguio, Corregidor, Viaje del Sol, reading, blogging…pretty much the normal things that I do.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Daniel Radcliffe? Harry Potter’s all grown up ;)) Honestly, I don’t know… can’t think of anyone right now…Johnny Depp? Adam Levine? The backstreet boys? =))

What political issue stirred you the most?
Louie: The Trillanes walk-out which was reported as coup d'etat but better called as a 'situation'.I really thought its a disgrace and since 2007 one of my best years, i don't wish to tarnish my blog by commenting further on this issue....
Van: Louie said it all… agree.

Who did you miss?
Sun Life people and ex-Sun Life people (most of my close friends left already, hehe).

Who was the best new person you met?
So many people! I’ve met a lot, but can’t really decide on a ‘best’ one.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
Life is what you make of it. :) And that sometimes difficult choices have to be made to get the things you want.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself?
That they were impressed with my progress at work and for my ‘remarkable’ adaptability to the technical architecture of the company. Basically work-related achievements being recognized.

The most touching experience you've had this year?
Saying goodbye…is never an easy thing… Leaving my old company, Maitz leaving for Singapore… basta natouch ako dun. ;))

What did you like most about yourself this year?
I’m starting to become a bit more independent…

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
I pretty much loved myself last year… hehe. Its too early to think of something to hate for this year.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I’ll get back to this question once I find one…

Was 2007 a good year for you?
Yup, made some choices, some sacrifices… but 2007 was definitely a very good year.

What was your favorite moment of the year?
Travelling by myself! For me that’s an achievement… I get lost easily and am just not the ‘by myself’ type of person…

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
I think it would be when Maitz left for SG.

Where were you when 2007 began?
At my lola’s in Magallanes.

Who were you with?
The Espiritus, Aques and Picars.

Where will you be when 2007 ends?
At home in Pasay, we decided to spend the new year at our house for a change.

Who will you be with when 2007 ends?
The Aques.

Do you have a new years resolution for 2008?
Didn’t I answer this already?

What was your favorite month of 2007?
October.

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2007?
Another repeated question!

Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Hmmm… I answered this already too.

What was your favorite record from 2007?
Is this an album as compared to a song? Was Maroon 5’s album from last year? I liked that.

How many concerts did you see in 2007?
Do musicals count? 1.

Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2007?
A bit… especially during the latter months.

Do a lot of drugs in 2007?
Do meds count?

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
This year or last year? But I don’t think so.

How much money did you spend in 2007?
A lot. :D

What was your proudest moment of 2007?
Being recognized in my current work :)

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2007?
Not counting the numerous times I slipped, tripped or stumbled? Hmmm…

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2007 and change something, what would it be?
That’s a tough one!

What are your plans for 2008?
Travel more… save more… invest more…

How are you different now that the year has ended?
I realized that I don’t have to confine myself in my comfort zone… it’s actually nice to go out and have new experiences, meet new people, do new things.

What are your wishes for the new year?
Wealth, health and prosperity for all :D

Back to Work Blues

*Groan*

I have to go back to work tomorrow... It sucks.

I know I shouldn't complain, I already had an extended vacation, I took a leave from January 2-4... *sigh*... bitin pa rin.

What a way to start the year eh? I'm so lethargic and sloth-like just the mere thought of going back to work depresses me.

I spent my vacation getting a massage, indulging in food, getting a mani-pedi, playing Persona 3, watching TV, going to the mall and sleeping...hmmm... maybe that's why I feel so lethargic, hehehe. Maybe what I need is a jumpstart to get my blood (and brain juices) flowing.

Good luck to me as I face my first workday of 2008 tomorrow... hopefully I can shake off this laziness soon.

It's 2008!

Happy
New
Year!!!

May 2008 be a bigger, better year for all of us!
God bless! :D