Wake Me Up When September Comes
Posted by special_child at 04:35 AM on September 2, 2006.
Merry Christmas, everyone! 
While I'd be the first one to greet you (I have no idea how many days it is before the actual day comes), I might have skipped some people who did greet. As my title implies, I didn't update my blog until September.
Yes, that is right. A whole month worth of non-appearance from my beloved blog, and there is a lot to share. Yes, I'm still a bum, though I'm not proud of it because my inner thrifty self wants me to get a job already. And if not for some of the events I would relate to you in this entry, I might have died of boredom. 
I just want to highlight one thing that I anticipated long enough to regret my actions. A few months ago, I applied for and passed the Qualifying Exams for the position of Foreign Service Officer (with a percentage that's not so high, in my opinion and self-evaluation). While the Written Exams (second of three phases in the application period) were scheduled on the fourth week of August, I wasn't able to take the exam. Why? Because I was late. I would like to share some more details as to why my anger, frustration, and disappointment flared that time, but it already died down and I'd just have to wait till next year. (Sis! Any plans?)
As to the other activities I've had the past month, do check out my Top Ten List.
Top Ten Relevant Events That Have Kept Me Sane For My Fourth Month Of Being A Statistic
10. There were job thingees. I had exams and interviews with three companies this month, and all of them would be in the stage of offering me a job. That is, if they offer me and if I accept.
9. I've discovered Marathon Mode in Dance Maniax 2, in which case I spent 40 continuous minutes of dancing yet I wasn't able to finish that mode.
8. Movies have been part of my Friday nights, and this time it also came on other days. This month made me see Sukob, Click, and My Super Ex-Girlfriend, among others.
7. I recently found out that we might be going somewhere! Hehe.
6. I have learned of a ludicrous job opening, and though I have applied for it I still hadn't been contacted.
5. Grey's Anatomy really keeps me company on Thursdays, same is true with Gilmore Girls on Tuesdays.
4. I've claimed my birthday packages from Timezone and Q Powerstation. And I've enjoyed Timezone's (even if it's for yellow swipers only) with a bunch of my friends.
3. Our house was graced by unexpected visits from a few relatives. At least I got to hang out and watch a DVD or two with my mom's cousin, Ate Lotlot.
2. Green & White 2006's official launch. Food, fun, and excitement all wrapped into one. Thanks to my G&W family!
-and... (drum roll please)-
1. My 21st birthday celebrations came as a surprise to me, since it was all taken care of by Ate Lotlot. I've watched Ant Bully in 3D at IMAX, and it was also my first time in a comedy bar!
Talk about a hectic yet fun-filled August. Here's to my 21st year of existence. 
Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud 
P.S. And the long Philippine celebration of the Christmas season painstakingly begins with a Glorietta sale and the Book Fair, both of which I can't afford to go to. 
Currently enjoying "You Raise Me Up", performed by Josh Groban.
Currently deciphering some price quotas and itineraries for....
Currently checking my cellphone screensaver.
Currently feeling sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepy.
Greetings! (part 6)
Posted by special_child at 05:22 PM on September 16, 2006 as a favorite post.
As with the tradition of my
Greetings! series, I am now sharing this post with you as my mom and I traveled to... Hong Kong!
Yes, that is right. We had a three-day-two-night extravaganza (last Tuesday until Thursday) with one of Asia's most visited cities. The sad part about it was that: one, we were on a low budget; two, I wasn't able to be on roaming, thereby not greeting my friends
Anne and Jeo a very happy birthday last Wednesday; and three, I wasn't able to post there since the Internet terminals at
Hong Kong International Airport were not operational.
The trip was wonderful, save for a storm that came our way. When we landed, I didn't even see the splendor of the airport, as according to the pilot the visibility was barely 3 kilometers. That is why we went through
Hong Kong Disneyland while it was raining, and mom, who left her umbrella, was forced to buy a Mickey Mouse raincoat for HK$25.
I wouldn't really go into detail, so just check out some pictures to be uploaded soon. But for the other tidbits, here's my Top Ten List.
Top Ten Realizations: Hong Kong Style
10. I have never seen any legal tender as colorful as
this. (see related story
here)
9. Their airport is SO huge, it's a good thing we checked in early for our departure. We had two hours to explore it, and we weren't able to finish.
8. It's hard to navigate through the different streets with an unclear map, but if you master the trick, you can get from Point A to Point B in no time.
7. Major signs are usually done bilingual, but don't dare ask people without starting with "English?".
6. Hong Kong is not just a bargain center. It also houses almost all the major brand names in clothing. Oh my.
5. It's a good thing I went to Binondo on Monday (we left for HK Tuesday) to pick up our tour slips. At least I got a preview of what I was going to.
4. Jewelry in HK is replaceable for free. Just keep the receipt. Even if you bought it fifteen years ago, it will still be honored. If it doesn't go with the fad, you can change it for free as well.
3. Of course, everyone knows that Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities. You'd notice price changes in McDo immediately.
2. Disneyland theme parks everywhere have the same rides and designs and themes. So it's enough that you go to one. But of course, it's a different experience everywhere.
-and... (drum roll please)-
1. If you're new to Hong Kong, don't bring pesos. Bring US dollars. It's tougher to change your PHP to HKD anywhere.
It was a fun experience. And of course, I'd want to go back.
Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud
P.S. And yes, it's more fun having to share the experience with someone other than yourself.
Currently enjoying "Absolutely Free, Absolutely Beautiful", performed by Magic.
Currently deciphering an article on The Philippine Star.
Currently checking nothing... TV's closed.
Currently feeling happy.
Greetings! (part 7)
Posted by special_child at 12:02 AM on October 1, 2006.
Indiana, here I am!
I'm really sorry to those I didn't pre-warn before leaving, but now I am here in beautiful Indiana! I got out of Manila before the storm came in (how's the weather doing, by the way? You can still reach me via text; now that I'm informed on international roaming, I did turn it on), went towards Hong Kong and got myself a connecting flight to San Francisco.
The best part about getting here now is that it's my first time to travel outside of California, meaning I got myself another flight to... Chicago! (and all that jazz...
) After arriving at
O' Hare International Airport, I met up with my uncle and then we drove three hours down south to Indianapolis!
And now it's my third day out here. I'm sad I wasn't able to greet you from the other airports 'coz I had no money. Internet access in all the airports are quite expensive. So... I guess that's it! Again, sorry to those I haven't informed (who needed informing) that I already left. It was all kinda in a rush. And I never thought the
Greetings! series wouldn't be extended. See ya soon!
Blogger's Note: The Top Ten List would be back as soon as the blogger has enough time to do one. Hehe.
I learned from the news that the typhoon which struck Manila was equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane! I think the infamous Hurricane Katrina was also a Category 4 one.
Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud
P.S. Hope you guys are all doing good!
Currently enjoying "Smile Please", performed by Stevie Wonder.
Currently deciphering some warning signs at FedEx Kinko's.
Currently checking my uncle print pictures.
Currently feeling cold... really cold.
