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Day 30 » A photograph of yourself today + three good things that have happened in the past 30 days

The three good things that happened in the past month:

1. I survived the cold winter in Shanghai. Spring is really here!

2. I’m better in handling finances. I’ve tamed my impulses and even documented my expenses everyday. At least I’m improving.

3. Looking back at a blog post almost a year ago, I mentioned:

…I want a memory that would make me fall off my chair or even just make my lips draw a half smile. I want a memory that stands out.

…I feel like I’m missing out on some things. I need to find out what they are. I need to make new memories in this phase of my life. Time’s running out. I won’t be single unmarried forever.

Well, I think this is it. I’ve already tried new things, visited new places and met new people. Working here in Shanghai is by far the most worthwhile experience I ever had in my life. It’s really handy to be patient.

At last! Day 30! A vain photo to end the blog challenge.

I thank thee. Cheers!

Day 27 » A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then

A photo last year in my uncle’s car with my brothers. We were going to Mall of Asia to attend mass.

How I’ve changed? I didn’t. I just know who my real friends are now.

Day 26 » A photo of somewhere you’ve been to

Today was the most expensive day I have spent in Shanghai.

Stop 1: Lunch out at Element Fresh in Jinqiao Road

58 RMB for chicken in black pepper sauce plus the side dish.

Stop 2: Jamaica Blue in Wulumuqi Road

Didn’t have the chance to take photos. But to sum up: disappointing. My friend and I had to share with the sandwich she ordered because the french toast I was craving for was not available at that time. The menu clearly says “Breakfast: Served all day” but the waitress keeps on insisting that they only serve it on mornings because it’s a breakfast meal. Whut?

Stop 3: Starbucks Xintiandi

Ordered the usual iced tall Americano with 4 white sugars 3 syrups. A very easy 21 RMB.

Stop 4: Cocktails and Pinoy bands in Luna Xintiandi

Only rich people get drunk in a bar in Shanghai. Alcohol drinks start at 60 RMB per glass/shot. This Vodka Citron cocktail costs 65 RMB.

Thanks to the Pinoy bands we’ve watched, we felt close to home.

Stop 5: Mcdonald’s in Longyang Subway Station

I always crave for a lomi or a mami from back home after drinking alcohol, but I have no choice but to eat at Mcdonald’s instead. Five pieces of chicken nuggets cost 16 RMB.

Kaching! Kaching! I hope I’ll recover in two weeks.

Day 10 » A photo of your favorite place to eat

Conti’s! Where else?

Stress and fatigue from work led an officemate and I to the search for a decent place to destress and gossip. Then we found Conti’s in Serendra.

I’m really in love with this comfy place, their brewed coffee and their oreo cheesecake. Better than Starbucks’ oreo cheesecake, in my opinion.

My officemate and I had a memorable night in Conti’s last year while planning our project’s Christmas party. We ordered slices of chocolate mousse, oreo cheesecake and 2 cups of brewed coffee. The planning went later than expected so we stayed until 9-ish PM. Then, 30 minutes before closing, we were given a free refill of the brewed coffee and a complimentary slice of cake! FREEEE COOOOFFEEEE!! FREEEE CAAAAKEEEE!! We were so crazy high that night (sugar and caffeine rush all at the same time). Good times.

Day 4 » Your favorite photograph of your best friend

I’m reposting the one I did for Day 4 in the first 30 Day Blog Challenge attempt. I’m pretty convinced to put detailed stories of how I met each one of my gal pals but something came up.

A branch of Central BBQ Boy opened last night in Lipa City, Batangas, my hometown. I know this is not a big deal for most people, but it is for me! It’s my favorite bar of all time, and it’s right in Lipa! I can’t stop using exclamation points because I’m sooooo excited to go home on October and celebrate my birthday with my friends! Bad trip and Korean beefsilog, see you on October!

Thank you God for Central! I have something to look forward to.

As it is my hobby to check the Cebu Pacific site everyday, I impulsively booked a flight back to Philippines after more than a month of being in Shanghai. Though I know that the fare was not on promo, I still booked it anyway.

It was my first time to travel alone. I was more excited than nervous. I can recall myself saying “oh my gosh” with every little thing I am experiencing the first time. Also, Kaka, Sugarfree’s drummer, was with the same flight as mine. I don’t want to look like a crazy fan girl so I tried my best not to look at him from time to time. But I really wanna go up to him and tell him that I’m really a huge fan of their band, and it really hurts me thinking there won’t be new Sugarfree songs in the future. So anyway, it was a bumpy ride home. The turbulence was no problem because I slept it off. I’m too scared to be awake so I tried bundling my coat to make a comfy pillow, but I still had a small strain around my neck. Plus, the Cebupac flight attendants were rude. Also, there was trouble with the plane’s engines, thus, the 30-minute delay in takeoff.

But I was home at exactly 5:30 in the morning of March 10th. My mom and brother were waiting for me somewhere in the airport so I rushed into immigration and baggage claim so I can finally get out of the airport rush. NAIA Terminal 3 has this weird viewing deck for well wishers. It’s faced in front of the escalator just behind the immigration counters so the families of the people arriving can view and wave to their loved ones and rush to see them. So when it was my turn to the escalator, it was really an awkward feeling seeing my mom and brother waving at me while I wait 10 seconds till I reach the floor below. After the person from the Customs counter gave me a poker face while asking me what was my business in Shanghai, I literally ran to my family (the person beside them said I was nagmamadali haha) and felt home at last.

The Manila air was humid as usual. Early morning Manila was like afternoon Shanghai, except for the humidity of course. Highways were full of vehicles. There were gas stations everywhere. Though I have lack of sleep, I’d rather stay awake to see the way going home to Lipa.

I had my taste of afritada and batchoy courtesy of my mom and lola. Others were rellenong bangus and danggit. I missed the taste of home, especially calamansi as there were no calamansis in China.

I also went to see my co-workers from a previous company. A close co-worker and I met up at Conti’s in Serendra, my favorite pastry shop. I ordered their pork adobo meal, she ordered beef tapa meal. I also met up with my team lead also from my previous company and handed her pasalubong. She treated me coffee and cinnamon swirl from Starbucks in Cybergate Tower 2. I didn’t have the chance to meet up with several people, maybe on my next flight home.

I also had the chance to meet up with him. We spent the time eating out and talking. It was the shortest nine hours of my life and it was really sad not knowing when I will see him again.

I also met up with my childhood friends. This night was the most fun I had since last year. I swore to myself I won’t get drunk that night so I volunteered on passing the shots of The Bar plus the Sprite chaser. When I hear them blaming The Bar drink the next morning, I know I have done my job. *evil grin*

Before I left for Shanghai, my mom and I bought stuff from Duty Free. It was really priceless to see a smile on her face. I know someday I’ll take her load off and tell her not to work anymore and have fun. Someday.

It felt like a month, but it was all just 5 days, two of which include my arrival and departure. It was sad leaving again for Shanghai, but my biggest motivation is the better life I’m having here. I can send money and save for myself at the same time. I always thought that the Philippines is just 3 hours away from China, so it would not be a problem getting home whenever I miss everyone. Another thing to do to wash the sadness away is to explore Shanghai via the subway. It is really therapeutic to discover a new place here.

I’m still hooked to checking airline websites everyday so I won’t miss the promo seats. I hope there would be a promo for October and December flights. Until then, it’s Shanghai and I.

Lastly, I’ll be starting the 30 Day Blog Challenge anytime soon, starting from Day 1. Stay tuned.

Busy busy busy. Too bad I didn’t have the chance to continue the 30-day blog challenge.

But the past weeks have been really overwhelming. I have been offered a job in Shanghai, and everything else just fell right into place.

Blessing #1: A site called monster.com

Last September, I was so disappointed at how my salary increase turned out. I’ve been working for 4 years now, but I’m still in the same place I’ve been in 2 years ago. I don’t feel much growth. I can’t help but compare myself with other people’s successes. Because of much depression and dilemma, I decided to update my resume and post it in monster.com. I’ve been receiving several calls from several companies, but there’s this one job opportunity that I’ve singled out and decided to try out. I was not expecting to get the job, but I did, thanks to depression and monster.com. New adventure, good pay, check.

Blessing #2: A Singapore trip on impulse

A friend and I were craving to travel to Singapore so we’ve booked tickets last September (our flight will be on March next year). I don’t have a passport at the time they booked the tickets, so I have no choice but to renew. I applied for passport renewal. I got the job offer a week after. Passport, check.

Blessing #3: Stolen wallet

God bless the kids who stole my wallet while we were attending mass.

After my wallet was stolen, I went to the bank to acquire a new ATM card. While waiting for the teller to process my request, I came across a credit card application form on the teller’s desk. I tried applying though I have a bad credit history. When I asked the teller about the required documents, he said that our company’s employees can just submit the filled out the form even without the requirements. I wasn’t thinking about the credit card application nor waiting for it. But now, the credit card has been approved and will be delivered to me next week. Credit card, check.

Blessing #4: Cousin’s wedding

My cousin’s wedding will be this month so my aunts from the states will coming here in Manila for the Christmas vacation. Since I have no idea what to buy for Shanghai’s winter season, my aunts suggested they bring winter clothes for me. Winter clothes, check.

So much to do, so many things to buy, several things to work on.

I’m so happy with how things turned out. I’ve never really been a good person, but I feel like so much blessings are being handed to me one by one. I’m so lucky. 2011 will be my year. Aja!

P.S. Remaining entries for the 30-day blog challenge will be continued on mid-January. At least that’s what I’m aiming for.

» Your favorite photographS of your best friendS

(In random order)

With Zien, Rikka and Joie in our Coron trip. This was the best jump shot I’ve been on. Fun times at the beach.

With Neph in a brod’s house. We’re playing photobooth with the brod’s Mac.

With Rio (plus Kim, the fiance) in Music 21 Jupiter. I was depressed back then and they went to Music 21 with me.

With Suzie, CJ and Kay in Starbucks Cybergate 2.

With Jobs and Juju in Starbucks Cybergate 2. This was the time when we were saying our goodbyes because Jobs will be leaving for US and Juju for Singapore.

With Jo, Kat and Arlynne in Isis Bar. We were taking funny pictures the whole night that night.

With Telai and Hydes in La Corona. We were trying a “very happy” shot and weren’t able to pull it off. We look crazy here.

I have no recent pic with Emie and Joane. Emie has been in Canada for several years now. I’m still waiting for her to visit. Joane and I never had the chance to take a picture before she left for Singapore.

I miss everyone.

» A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was

Today was not the perfect day to visit my dad in the cemetery.

I have always been excited when November is just around the corner. We always camp out on the eve of All Saints’ Day ever since my dad passed away. But unlike last year, there were no tents, no ghost stories, no strolling around the memorial park. It was raining hard the whole day so we just ate lunch in Daddy’s grave and left. Bye too early Daddy.

To pass the time, my cousins and brothers and I decided to watch Wes Craven’s My Soul To Take 3D. I’m so glad this movie was only a thriller 3D movie. No monsters for me for the next nights.

I was also craving for a Fruitas orange smoothie and I can’t find a Fruitas stall in SM! I bought Zagu Jamocha Almond instead.

While driving our lola, my brother and I are discussing about me taking a masteral degree. Aside from lack of time and money, I’m sure my company won’t allow me. I really don’t see taking an MS degree helping me in my career, but I think it’s worth considering.

Rain, rain, go away. Seriously.

Last week..

Monday. Too frustrated to work. Was given a simple task since last week and got stuck with an unknown configuration problem blar blar blar Java Spring blah blah. Still not talking in my seat.

Tuesday. Still stuck with the same task. Hoping my superior would not be too impatient. Still shy to ask questions. Had a team meeting which made me talk to the team. This is a good start.

Wednesday. STILL stuck with the task. Still scared to ask questions. Still want to try resolve the bug myself before asking. Self deadline is Thursday before asking for help.

Thursday. Was given a new task with the old task still at hand. Worried that I might not be able to deliver since this was the last day of the week. Asked a team mate to help me with the new task and was able to finish it in two hours. Asked him to help me identify the problem with what the original task that I’m doing particularly the meaning of the error message I keep on getting in my console. Problem solved! Happy! Asked kumares to go out and celebrate and we did. Awesome night.

Friday. Holiday! My brother’s birthday! Fiesta meal at a friend’s house. Got all blushed up after just one glass of Red Horse beer. Videoke with two of my favorite friends. Happy.

Saturday. Watched Yes Man, Taken, Kung Fu Panda The Secrets Of The Furious Five, Wall E, Knowing and The Holiday at home. Happy.

Sunday. Bought new DVDs. Went home far, far away. Started watching America’s Best Dance Crew Season 2. Pacquiao’s amazing!

I hope this week’s gonna be great. My spirit’s up. Go go go!