A "Maybe"

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They say, be careful with what you wish for, for it might come true. On the other hand, make sure that you are prepared to receive the answers you have been praying for.

Tonight at around 10:30, I received a very important e-mail. I have been waiting for this since I did my panel interview last November 20. True enough, the schedule they gave was right on.

Money Matters

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Asking/ borrowing money has always been a touchy issue for me. With exceptions of course if you're my parents or sisters, or a really close friend like Sewang, then it's okay for us to borrow from each other just like that. Our friendship has been tried and tested for a long time and you'll even be glad to be able to help out in a small way. More importantly, borrowing money has always been the last resort. If the coins in your piggy bank are not enough, then that's the time you ask someone (close to you) to help you out.

What creeps me out, though, is when someone asks money from you ON Facebook (!!!)....and to think that we were not even that close in the first place? We don't even hang out ever! (Camping in the mountains 5 years ago does not count!) I am not stingy. I'd like to help out whenever I can. But when you only chat with me JUST to ask for money is not cool. Definitely N-O-T C-O-O-L!

What's worse is.... you have been soliciting from me (even from my Mom!!!) for 3 or 4 different times... and for those times, I never replied to a single one. Call me selfish or anything... but being a freelance licensed architect in the Philippine Economy is bad enough. Heck, it was even more depressing when I was slaving off in Manila (rent, food, groceries. fare) I had to find creative ways and means to expand my meager salary until the next payday (if worse comes to worst, send an SOS text to Mommie or Daddie =P)

I wonder if he chats everyone on his FB just to ask for money? Is this the thing now? Are there others like this "honorable" guy? I used to give him due respect because of his causes/ accomplishments... but now? I just don't know....

So if by some twist of fate you get to read this post..... my advice for you is:

GET A F*CKING JOB!!!

How to Prepare for the IELTS Exam in Less Than a Month

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Before taking the actual exam- both oral and written, I did not know about IELTS, let alone know what it was for. Although I remember some of my high school friends (who are nurses) talked about it in passing, I just did not mind it at that time.

I took the IELTS Exam (Academic) early this year. The deadline for the scholarship I was applying for was April 30, meaning I had to take the exam with less than a month's preparation, since I needed to allot two weeks for the results to come out, and prepare the other requirements as well.

I thought I was doomed! So I devised a game plan, and thank goodness, it worked!

Do Not Worry

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Have you ever experienced a time when everything went smoothly as planned? As if the heavens heard our every plea and all the planets in the universe aligned or something.

Last week was a manifestation of that, and I am eternally grateful for it.

So I Finally Got to Appreciate Google Sketchup

All rights reserved. (Google Sketchup 2013/Vray 2.0/Post-process: Adobe Photoshop)

At last! I got the hang of using Google Sketchup! Being a 3D Studio Max user for almost 6 years, Sketchup was not a walk in the park for me. Although its interface is much simpler than other 3d modeling softwares, I had to say that I struggled while learning it and my patience was definitely waning with every crash and 'Not Responding' message I got. Good thing there are many available tutorials on Google that I found exceptionally useful.

My Top 10 Facebook Pet Peeves

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As defined by Mr. Google, a pet-peeve is something that a particular person finds especially annoying. Due to my current state of hibernation, I am almost online 24 hours a day- playing Criminal Case, downloading movies, researching how tos, trying to make my day as productive as I can (making the most of it, at least) - all these while Facebook-ing.

It has come to my attention (and dismay) that social media has indeed changed how people perceive one another- from our closest friends to strangers whom you met somewhere between the clicks and likes within and beyond the vastness of the world wide web.

10 Things I Miss About Manila

While waiting for my rendering to finish (been teaching myself the rudiments of Sketchup and it's driving me insane!) I thought I'd blog about the things I miss most about Manila. 

*insert song by Hotdog here*

A First-timer's Guide: How to Cook Tiyula Itum (Black Stew)

I have always wanted to learn how to prepare my favorite dishes, and I especially love Muslim Cuisine. Last Saturday was Eid'l al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice,) my brother-in-law's brother brought some (raw) beef that came from a local Turkish school whose tradition was to put down a number of calves for the occasion and give the meat away.

An idea popped into my head!

I researched for the recipe, and found one on YouTube. The thing is, the guy in the video spoke fluent Tausug, though I understood most of what he said, there were some words I just could not get.

Nevertheless, my first attempt at cooking one of my favorite dishes, TIYULA ITUM, was a success!
(at least my family said so. =) )

If Not Now..... When?

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Making decisions can be hard, especially when your future is at stake. I have now hit a plateau in my career life, though I would like to think otherwise.

Being unemployed for almost two months now, I am now experiencing some of the pros and cons of going free-lance. Yet I know that these are just the tips of the iceberg... there will be many more challenges along the way, and I am confident that I can surpass them all, with God's grace.

First Monthsary

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Yesterday was my first "monthsary" of being unemployed. I am now officially a professional bum. I had to say, this was beyond what I expected or hoped it to be. Maybe I just need to be patient more, or I need divine intervention to get me out of this rut I am in.

I am not complaining. Though there are times, like most days, I tend to be disappointed with myself. The last weeks have not been a walk in the park. It's like everyday is a struggle, no matter where I am.

#BitterSweet

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Today's my second to the last Friday here in this office. In this greyish white office table I have sat on for 2 years and 8 months of my career in EsEm. All this messy clutter, chaotic stacks of papers, pens, and even candy wrapper, I always thought that I was leaving this place soon. But neither did I expect that SOON will be five working days from now.

The Fallen

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Last Friday (August 1,) I found out that another colleague in college died on Wednesday. At first, I could not believe it. I did not want to believe it. For one thing, the sources were not too "reliable" in my opinion, and besides, there were no news about it in Facebook whatsoever. I immediately went to the guy's wall. No condolences to the family, no recent posts still. It seems that nobody seems to want to "talk" about it. Only a select few knew... and what's sad is, I really did not believe it until I personally asked one of his closest friends, and she confirmed it.

The Best Decision I've Made In My Life (So far)

"Incompetent. Unproductive. Inefficient."

Words can be harsh, gut-wrenching, ego-demeaning- especially when those words come from the person with the highest position in the company you've been working for two years and six months. Those two years and six months of working very long hours a day than required (9.5 hours a day is already long, btw.) I am not a perfect employee, I know that. I may have lapses here and there, I may have spent some company time doing personal stuff (like right now, with this blog)...but who hasn't? But more importantly, I try my best to make up for my inadequacies. I work my ass off to come up with a decent output, to try to meet their expectations...to move heaven and earth when the job calls for it.