Only In PH: Blackout

It comes in different names: power outage, power interruption, power failure, power cut, brownout. So call it whatever you like.

But for the purpose of this post, let’s just call it BROWNOUT. It’s actually the term we normally use here and naturally it’s the term I grew up with until I met Mr. Thesaurus

Anyhoo, I’ve never felt the devastating effect of brownout as compared to other people. Thank God for that! So when Ayala went literally pitched this evening, I was stupefied! With the resounding voice of disappointment  from unfortunate shoppers, I had to freeze where I was standing because I was too afraid to break anything or bumped someone. But the brownout nightmare didn’t quite end there, the mall had to use generator which wasn’t enough to lit up the entire place and keep the air-conditioner running.

If you’re observant enough, you’ll notice that some shops were  unlit. Possibly, they couldn’t afford to pay Ayala for extra charges of the generator whenever the main power shuts down

Nightmare At The Port

It’s been ages since I took the ship either going to CDO or to Cebu. Last week, left with no choice, I was finally reunited with the original mode of transportation to Cebu long before I’ve became acquainted with Cebu Pac’s airline. And I’ve got only one word to say: NIGHTMARE!

I was stunned when I saw the looonnnggg queue. It’s maddening.

The line didn’t even budge although we’ve been there for like forever. People were literally pushing and shouting. I, too, joined in as buckets of sweats came dripping my forehead.

There wasn’t a single employee of the port who dared guide the passengers where and what to do. So typical of a government service – UNSYSTEMATIC.

Thankfully after hours and hours of lining up, with burned hands and sweaty face, we were led in the port for check-in just 30 minutes before our ship leaves.

But I came to conclude that I won’t ever ride a ship if the same situation occurs . It’ll turn you into a different being lacking in reasoning and sense.

here are the proofs of my rant:

passengers arriving

Mini Trip To The Mall

And so because my Internet was down last Thursday, it prompted me to head to the mall to: 1. file a complaint @ Globe’s lousy service, 2. I didn’t want to be stuck and suffocate in my room, and 3. it’s a rare occasion for me to go out because of my hectic schedule.

So rather than kept whining in my cubbyhole, I took the opportunity to get some air and splurged a bit.  But that’s not without me having to raise an eyebrow a couple of times as it took the customer service clerk more than 30 f***g minutes to flirt with a plain looking foreigner. Did it sound like a rant? My apology. My Internet service provider can really give me a real headache. If only there were other available providers in my area, I would have gladly given my lousy connection up a long time ago

After my nightmare encounter at Globe, I grabbed these dirt cheap flats. Then, I’m back to my normal happy self again Indeed, shopping can really soothe any woman’s woes.

A Bad Hair Day And Then Some

I was wearing slippers today (ain’t it sweet I can just slip into my fave pair of flipflops to work?) when out of the blue the right strap gave in. Good thing I was already in the office! Still, I was in a major dilemma: how to get around with a cut off baffy? Nay!  Then, my ingenious self took over and secured it with some safety pins.

Of course, it wouldn’t last me a day. So came lunch break, I rushed to a nearby mall and bought a new pair of sandals. Well, the original plan was just to get a new flip-flop, but who wants it when there’s a plethora of gorgeous looking shoes, right?

This Is So Not My Day

I reckon. In spite that it was pouring cats and dogs, I had to walk a good kilometer going to IT park as there wasn’t any taxi available. While walking down the highway, a very reckless driver splashed me with filthy water which left my feet and pants wet. And when I finally got into a taxi, the traffic was so terrible I could have sworn I nearly broke the driver’s ears because of my nonstop grumbling.

After a day’s lazy time in the office, all I ever wanted was to head straight home and take some rest  before my first class in the evening starts. But that didn’t materialize as the world was really against me today. Everything just went wrong because to be honest I was a real bitch today. That’s why!

Negativism begets negativism. I swear I’ll try my hardest to be good tomorrow

Almost

On my way home this evening, I nearly had an accident. Normally, whenever I’m running out of time and jeepneys are packed, I take motorcycle (habal-habal) from JY to my place as it’s only a good 5 minute ride. When the motorcycle I was riding reached the intersection in Maracas, it almost crashed into a taxi. It wasn’t the motorcycle driver’s fault though. The reckless taxi driver was looking the other way when he drove out of a corner. Stupid! Good thing the motorcycle driver was quick enough to maneuver the bike to the other side or else I would’ve probably spent my evening at the hospital instead of blogging

Literally, I was dumbstruck as everything happened so fast. It took a good 5 minutes for everything to sink in. It could have been worst you know But I guess I was really lucky. Thank God!

Well, you would’ve taught such experience would give me a scare and swear bikes. Sorry to disappoint you, but I just won’t do that! My love affair with bikes will live on I don’t why but I always have a thang for two-wheeled vehicles. Yeah, you can blame it on my papa.

Utterly Cross

I’m in a really bad mood today. I’m pissed! Need I say more It’s totally frustrating when people don’t keep their promises   They should, in the first place, not make any promises if they can’t make them happen.

So, if you say you’ll send it on a particular day/date, I don’t need to remind you all the time   You call yourself a businessman? Then, perhaps, you can afford me some professionalism.

So, if you say you’ll find a way to make things better, do it! Don’t make up an excuse that you haven’t gathered enough confidence to do anything Oh, please, I’ve heard that a gazillion times! In my world, men with no bones don’t deserve to breathe. They are likened to a leech sucking women’s energy. And you’re definitely a leech exhausting what little energy I have.  So please grow up!

And so, if you say you’ll drop the money on time, stop creating stories to cover up your lapses I mean who are you fooling? I’m no kindergarten that will believe everything you say. I have brains you know! It may not be wired like that of Einstein, but it still functions perfectly. My patience is nearly running out. Don’t wait until it blinks red because you’ll definitely not gonna like what will come out of my mouth.

Excuse my post, I’m just frustrated and I just need to get it out of my chest or else I’ll explode like a taepodong 

Thank heavens for this blog! Now, I’m relieved

How Short Can You Get

I’ve been meaning to cut my hair for ages. But it was only last Saturday that I finally found the guts to have it chopped.  Ever since I transferred here in Cebu, I rarely go to a salon. For one, I don’t have the slightest idea which salon to go to. Although there are a myriad of them here, finding a good hairstylist, who can totally give me the look that I really like, can be exhausting. Believe or not, I only had one hairstylist since high school. And that’s Ricky Fabre! He runs his own salon in Patag, Cagayan de oro. His place doesn’t look posh like that of David’s and X’s, but he’s definitely my trusted gay-guy hairstylist. The moment I sat on his creaking chair, he exactly knew what to do with my hair just the way I imagined it.  There’s somewhat an instant chemistry between his scissors and my hair. Okay, that an exaggeration!

But ever since my relocation, I haven’t got time to visit his place. Plus, the last I went home my sister convinced me to try X-Salon instead of going to Ricky’s which wasn’t a bad idea at all. The staff were quite professional and treated me like royalty. As such, I tried visiting their branch here in Cebu, but the price is more than what I’m willing to pay. The fee is doubled compared to what their counterpart is charging in my hometown. The cheapskate that I am backed-out and searched for a reasonable-priced salon. My quest landed me to Salon de Rose in Osmena Boulevard.

To be honest, I have nothing against women hairstylists, but I’m kinda partial to gays when it comes to giving someone a cut. But since there’s only one hairstylist, who happens to be a woman, who’s available at that time I obliged and trusted her with my hair.

Gladly, I wasn’t disappointed with result, although she spent a lot of time doing my hair. After minutes of blow drying, it was perfect. And for the rest of the night, I relished my new hairstyle.  But it looked flat and dull the morning after.*sigh*

So I’m considering of getting another cut by the end of the week since at the moment I literally run out of cash. I’ll just have to endure this style for a while. I’m thinking of a really short, stylish cut which will give my hair more body.

From this:

To this:

And soon, this:

Well, that is if I’ll not chicken out

Not Even a Single Birthday Candle

One’s birthday is supposed to be filled with laughters and cheers. At least, that’s how I imagined it to be!  It’s after all a special occasion to commemorate the day one was brought to this earth. But how I come I felt the opposite? Today is supposed to be MY DAY, right? Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out the way I planned it. Instead of being happy, I was shedding tears. And it’s not even tears of joy, but tears of misery and frustration.

In my entire life, I’ve never experienced blowing a birthday candle on my birthday. That’s understandable because we are quite many in the family. Oh, maybe, I’ve blown a candle once or twice but it didn’t fall on my exact birthdate. So that doesn’t count! I thought this year will be different. But it’s even worse. Not only did I not blow my candle, I also had to cry a river because of some stupid being who I believe is the spawn of the devil.

So my birthday truly sucks!!! But I’m still thankful to those people, near and far, who were thoughtful enough to send me inspiring messages. At least, I know I still have friends/family of whom I can count on. And I’m also grateful to the Lord above that in spite of my imperfections He still showers me with good health and much much more blessings. And thank God for the challenge in my life. I just hope and pray that something good will come out of these.

Gourmet or Carenderia

Today marks our 3 year anniv. Yeah, it’s been that long. So that explains our constant squabbles

Anyhoo, since it’s our special day, we I decided to make our dinner extra special. So off to Cafe de France we went. I particulary chose this place because it’s convenient, location wise, and I have tried some of their pastries and I kinda loved it. Plus, when we checked the menu, the food looked so palatable. B ordered a chicken Italian sounding dish while I ordered the “claire” dish, which includes a potato-cheddar soup, lasagna, and a brownie.

Few minutes later, dinner was served. But the dishes turned to be a total bummer: the soup was so bland, the lasagna tasted like a poorly done spaghetti, and B’s chicken dish tasted so much like a menudo *sigh* The only saving grace to our meal was their brownie. Our moolah was completely wasted over a carenderia-like dishes.

On a lighter note, yesterday I made a home-made hash brown for our brunch. Surprisingly, it turned out good. The recipe is very simple and you check it here. But to add more twist, I added some chili powder.

chili hash brown

Though next time, I’ll probably make the hash brown more thicker so it will have a pulpy texture.