o napapagod kung mag-isa kang lumilipad sa kalawakan ng kawalan.
Kung hindi man unti-unti o dahan-dahan,

sabay-sabay nagluluksa ang mga pangarap
habang nagsasaya ang iyong mga tala.

Kaya nang tanungin mo ako kung saan ko ba itinali,
itinago ang salita, wala nang pulang rosas na lumabas

sa bibig. Tuyot na ang mga bulaklak sa gunita.

20 Oktubre 2007
Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

ROWAN

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You’re always up to something.
You have a ton of energy, and most people can’t handle you. You’re very intense.
You definitely are a handful, and you’re likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.
You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.
At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.

You are very charming… dangerously so. You have the potential to break a lot of hearts.
You know how what you want, how to get it, and that you will get it.
You have the power to rule the world. Let’s hope you’re a benevolent dictator!

You are usually the best at everything … you strive for perfection.
You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.
You have the classic “Type A” personality.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.
You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.
You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals

WHAT’S SEXY ABOUT YOUR NAME

You are sexy because you are smart. People know that there is more to you than meets the eye.
You are alluring and mysterious. While many people are intrigued by you, the feeling isn’t mutual.

It takes a lot for someone to turn you on. First and foremost, you’re only attracted to someone who’s incredibly brilliant.
But you just don’t go for brains alone. Physical attractiveness is something you won’t compromise on.

You of all people can afford to be picky. You are demanding, but you are also in demand.
And when someone gets you alone, you’re truly amazing. Not many people get to see you in action

Psychology of colors?

Then we’d laugh once we got the answer. Well, we laugh regardless of the answer. Sick!

(If we’re not satisfied we would shift to graphology.  Then laugh again. How bad HR people can be! Hahaha!)

Seriously, I like black. Prefer earth tones.

Anyway, saw this site - careerpath.com and just did their color test.

Here’s to share the interesting result!

Toink!

Rowan Cute , (yahoo!) based on our experience with many different professionals, your color preferences indicate that the occupations below best suit your personality and interests. Note also that a listed profession, never before considered, may seem off. For example, if you love to type, data entry operator might be listed as well, even though you want to be a fiction writer.

BEST OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY 

Key Words: Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional

You’re a CREATOR

These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS

Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

CREATOR WORKPLACES

Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.
Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.

2nd BEST OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY

Key Words: Tactful, Cooperative, Generous, Understanding, Insightful, Friendly, and Cheerful

You’re a SOCIAL MANAGER

This very social type enjoys working in groups, sharing responsibilities, and being the center of attention. Fields of interest are instructing, helping, nurturing, care giving and instructing-especially young people. They discuss and consider feelings in order to solve problems, lead, direct, persuade, guide, organize and enlighten others.

Oh, my kulay!

You’re a creator! Hell, I am god!

You’re a social manager! Hell boy,  I am pimp!

Nyahahaha!!!

Need a career shift?

Dunno.

But what’s wrong with moonglighting when HR peeps love testing the waters! Hahaha!

***

Sana nga’y ganoon kadali, sabi mo.
Paano kung magbabalik na pilit ang mga alaala
at wala namang katiyakang kasama ka pa?

Matagal mo nang pinilas sa diksyunaryo ang salitang sakit
at lahat ng kasing-kahulugan nitong pait –
tulad ng pag-alis.

***

Hindi natin binili ang mesang ito
kung hindi’y ang dalawang baso lamang ng kape.
Pero sabi mo hindi naman maniningil ang barista
sa mga ganitong lamay;
kahit lakasan ko pa ang iyak
kahit maghalo at maglaho pa ang luha
sa nakikiramay na espresso.

06 Abril 2008
Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Dahil masyadong masinop si Nanay, natago niya pa rin ang mga report cards namin.

Tulad nito noong Grade Two ako:

Natatawa pa rin ako sa grades ko noong 4th grading. Masyado yata akong mabait kay Ma’am Camacho.

Pero minsan, pressure ang ganito. You have to maintain your grades hanggang college, kung hindi, hahampasin ka ng palo-palo ni Nanay, o kaya yung hawakan ng walis tambo patatamain sa bukong-bukong mo, o kaya walang oras ang pagsermon, matutulog na lang pinapagalitan ka pa. Hindi ka naman pwedeng sumagot kasi bata ka pa. Hahaha!

Peace, ’Nay!  Siguro naman hindi kita nabigo. Belated Happy Birthday!

25 Agosto 2008
Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Halughugin natin ang isa’t-isa
sa bawat saglit na magkasama,
timbang-timbangin ang lahat–
ang sakit na itinatarak ng tawa,
ang layo ng pagkakalayo,
ang lapit ng pagkakalapit,
ang init ng paglalapat ng mga palad.
Wala munang pangako
hanggang may taling di napapatid,
wala munang pangarap
na hahabiin sa ilalim ng langit;
dahil gaya ng dati
alam nating wala pang bukas
na pinto para sa atin.
Dahil ngayon, wala munang bukas
at ang lahat ng para bukas
ay para lamang muna sa atin,
sa ninakaw nating ngayon.

para kina M at D

20 Abril 2005
Makati City 

Dead air.

I hate this silent interlude.

I should have been ranting even dissonant discourses before I could be totally fed up with moments of musings of missing.

Arrgh! 

***

Youtube-ing

As I’ve always been fascinated with choral music, Youtube-ing will not be complete without watching these videos:

1.University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors and their rendition of   Ama Namin (Calalang).  Sooooo beautiful! Love it!

2.Of course The Madz will always be an all-time favorite. Doubling its feat at the European Grand Prix, who will never get mad? You will love their touching interpretation of What A Wonderful World. Haay…

3.Imusicapella gone a long way. Tristan Ignacio’s group has always displayed character and discipline in their performances. Hope to catch their live performance.

4.I remember singing the solo part of Dakilang Katapatan way back in college. (Hahaha! I must sing or I’d lose my choir scholarship grant which was way better than to maintain a ‘decent’ grade for the college scholarship. Hahaha!) I found this inspiring version of Manila Chamber Singers. I should have kept our own recording. ( Better? No. I got no proof. Hahaha! )

5.Prime Note Ensemble of Saudi Arabia is the 1st Filipino a capella choir in Saudi Arabia. They clinched a silver medal in Graz, Austria’s hosting of the 5th World Choir Games. What a sweet, say calculated, step to glory after the group’s bronze medal finish in Xiamen, China. No new uploads yet of their recent win. Kudos for bringing honor to the Philippines and representing the Kingdom.

***

Joke choke

Office Gags (O-gags!)

Lagi ko itong sinasabi, para kaming nasa gag show sa office. I mean, at least, sa ibang mga ka-opisina na hindi kulang sa joke.

Alam ko namimiss ito ni Gilbert. Kaya bilisan mong magbakasyon at tapusin na ang pagdedeliver ng bangus belly. Nakapapagod din kayang mag-monitor ng mga kalokohan na mag-isa. Halimbawa:

1. Magbilang ng ‘Yes, Sir!’’.

2. Maghanap sa mga abusado sa plural form tulad ng That’s problems!

3. Bilugan ang mga apostrophe na biglang sumusulpot sa bulletin board, sa mga office documents at iba pang official correspondence.

4. Palihim na tanggapin ang pagkalito sa paggamit ng your at you’re sa kabila ng patuloy na pamumuna. Parang Your welcome ganun. Insistent eh, sige hayaan na lang.

5. Abangan ang mga bagong bigkas na salita tulad ng mining (manning) at vahicle (vehicle). Mga sensyales yan ng pag-angat ng antas sa lipunan na dapat nag-e-evolve ang pronunciation, di ba Edong? Parang Octover (October), Setember (September) at Fev (Feb).

No anagram

Alam kong hindi ako kopya sa email ni Nino when he asked our manager about something. Pero baliw si Edong because he forwarded to me the email where Nino put UEA instead of UAE. Hahaha! Yan nililito nyo si Nino eh.

Then Edong asked, malapit ba ang UEA sa UAE?

Eto ang mga pagkakataong hindi ko pinalalampas kaya. Kaya sagot. Parang ganito: (extended version)

Ang UEA kasi ay dating bahagi ng UAE. Nag-aklas ang una dahil gusto nitong magsarili – magkaroon ng sariling pamahalaan ganun. (Wag nang autonomy ang gamitin baka masyadong mabulabog si thesaurus sa kaka-right click). Ngunit mararamdaman pa rin ang pagkakaiba sa dalawang ito. Halimbawa kung ang pangalan mo ay Juan Macapagal Estrada kapag nasa sa UAE, pag nagpunta ka sa UEA magiging Juan Estrada Macapagal. Ganun. Nyahaha!

 
Color Wheel

Friend Nino just got his driving license! Yahoo!

But no Yahoo!

Nalilito pa rin kasi siya sa right at left sabi ni Edong. Paano pa nga naman kung sa traffic lights. Aba tatlong kulay kaya yun.

Parang gusto ko syang i-test sa color wheel? Napag-aralan ko dati yun sa MAPE. Nyahahaha!

Paano yan Nino, di ka raw pakakasalan ni Florence kapag di mo nasaulo ang color wheel. Patay.

Pero what is Accounting muna raw? Hahaha!

 
Questions from the Central Jury

Naaalala ko si Ms. Nini kapag may mga baliw na tanong. Kalimitan kasi naming itanatanong ito sa mga agents during the HR orientation. Bawal kasi ang kulang sa joke sa amin, tatanggalan ng incentives. Hehehe! But I could not ask these questions here. I don’t think the Indians, the Saudis or the Nepalese will get the humor.

So here are some of the sample questions.

1.Sa China ba ang mga kwago singit din?

2.Takot ba ang bulag sa multo?

3.Ang isda ba pinupulikat din?

4.May kuba bang pagong?

5.Kapag naihian ba ng palaka ang kapwa palaka, magkaka-kulugo rin?

6.May duling bang tarsier?

7.May magugulatin bang bingi?

Baka may ma-share kayo. Tanong man o sagot. Wala lang.

Baliw.

Nagpaparamdam sila nang walang pasintabi -
Sa madaling-araw, sa tanghali o sa kalaliman ng gabi.
At madalas kung walang pagsidlan lumalabas sila
Sa mga lansangan, nakakasalubong mo sa tawiran
Humahangos kapag green na ang signal.

Sumasakay sila, nakikipagsiksikan sa MRT pa-Ayala
Nasa huling upuan sa bus papuntang Alabang
O taga-abot ng bayad sa jeep na biyaheng Baclaran.
Umuupo sila sa may fountain area sa Glorietta
O kaharap mong humihigop sa Starbucks ng white choco mocha.

Nagsusuot sila ng iba’t-ibang estilo, bago o retro
Nanganganak ng maraming kulay, humahalo
Sa karamihan minsan kusang humihiwalay:
Matingkad na pula, itim, puting-puti, basta sari-sari
Ang tubog ng balat, ng damit, ng buhok, ng labi.

Kinakawayan sila, binabati ng kakilala,
Nakakabunggo, nakakasabay sa daan
Tinatawag sa maraming pangalan ang kalungkutan.
Sa iba’t-ibang araw, sa iba’t-ibang lugar
Kahit pa nananahan sa iisang katawan.

09 Hunyo 2007
Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia