My Latest Addiction

One of the fondest memories of my childhood was riding a bike. That feeling when the wind touches your face, that rebellious streak you get when riding on cemented roads (even though your Mom told you not to.) That moment you fantasized you were one of the pros when tackling that (tiny) hump or pile of gravel in your backyard, or perhaps the freedom one feels when driving alongside motor vehicles on a busy highway.

I remember when I was about 6 years old, I had this little blue bicycle with three small wheels (a tricycle?) Now as I think about it, I think it was originally one of my older sisters'. Being the youngest in the family, I got to keep their toys after they've grown out of them. I had an extreme aversion to dolls anyway, but the cool ones I got to keep for myself (like Papi, a malnourished brown teddy bear, which was my Tita Neneng's originally.)

Last November, as soon as I got hold of my terminal pay (after waiting for 3 months!), I was decided to relive one of my childhood memories- so I bought myself a mountain bike. :)

What's Up, 2015?

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Nine days had passed since the Year of the Sheep began... I was not able to post on New Year's Eve since everyone in the family had a bad case of the flu. Until now, we are still coughing like mad dogs. I hope this does not mean that we will be sick for the rest of 2015...

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.