The Artist in Me: Egyptian Funeral Mask

Ever since I was a kid I am fascinated by Egyptian artifacts. During my biz trip in Milan, Italy mid-part of this year, I was fortunate enough to have a "close" encounter with Egyptian artifacts as I went on a museum inside Castello Sforzesco, including a sarchopagi, a "real" mummy, an actual papyrus and this funeral mask that has a caption that it was from III-IV Century AD. 

Luckily, I took the courage to take a pic of this artifact. I didn't risk taking shots of the mummy and the sarchopagi since from some of the notes that I have read that some of them has sort of "curse". Anyways, I posted this since it's timely for Halloween! 

Happy Halloween everyone! 

Funerary mask, golden plaster and glass, 3rd - 4th century AD, unknown provenance.

Hallo-WINNERS

After joining various "Design your cube" competitions for XX years, finally, we were able to bag the GOLD! Yihaa!! 

Congratulations to the Planning dudes and dudettes for WINNING this Halloween's Best Designed Cube and to Icey and Ate Luz for winning the Best Halloween Costume category! Way to go Team! Next goal is to bag the championship for this year's Christmas Party! Woohoo! 

The Artist in Me: Starry Night

Starry, starry night.

Paint your palette blue and grey,

Look out on a summer's day,

With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.

Shadows on the hills,

Sketch the trees and the daffodils,

Catch the breeze and the winter chills,

In colors on the snowy linen land...

Yes, this is an excerpt from Don McLean's song, Vincent. I knew that the song is about Vincent Van Gogh's life. What I didn't know was that there was a Van Gogh painting named "Starry Night"! Well, not until today. I've "accidentally" found out about this while I was trying to find a painting that I will include on my latest blog portion "The Artist in Me" wherein, I plan to post different kind of artworks. I've browsed Google and typed Van Gogh, and I was stunned to found out about the "Starry Night" painting. 

To those of you who's also 'shocked' like me. Here's how the painting looks like.

Starry Night - Vincent Van Gogh

The Curse of the Castor Oil

I had a terrible "stomach attack" the first time about two weeks ago. I just thought that you know it's one of those "rare" moments in your life wherein you experience that kind of stomach thing. I was alarmed when Thursday last week that I experienced that kind of "stomach attack" again. This time, I consulted our company doctor to get his opinion about this. Doki gave me a referral Friday morning and I immediately went to the nearest Cocolife-accredited hospital that same afternoon to have an ultrasound of my entire abdomen as Doki advised. 

When I was already on the hospital, I checked out the Cocolife rep to request for an approval slip for my ultrasound. The rep mentioned that the next available ultrasound will only start 12:30PM the following day and I need to have fasting of some kind. She told me to go downstairs to the Ultrasound Department to check with them directly on the "fasting" details. So off I went to the Ultrasound Department with the approved slip in my hands. 

At the Ultrasound Department,

Me: Kuya, ask ko lang if pwede bang magpa-reserve na ng time tomorrow for the ultrasound?

Kuya-in-Blue: Naku Ma'am! First come, first save basis po dito..

Me: Ah ok.. Eh Kuya, sabi sa 'kin sa taas, meron daw akong fasting na need gawin before ung actual ultrasound?

Kuya-in-Blue: Ah opo... Pahiram po nung papel nyo.

Me: Okay (while handing him my approved slip).

Kuya-in-Blue: Sandali lang po Ma'am ha... (while writing something on the back of the slip.. After he's finished. He turned to me and told me..) Ganito po Ma'am. Need nyo pong uminom ng Laxatrol 45cc ng mga 12AM. Bale po, kain muna kayo kahit mga hanggang 10PM then inom kayo ng Laxatrol ng 12AM. Then pede po kayong kumain before 7AM. 

Me: Okay. Eh kuya, after ba ng 7AM? Hindi na ko pede mag-take kahit water? 

Kuya-in-Blue: Ay Ma'am pede naman ho...

Me: Okay... Thank you.. (and I find my way out of the hospital)

I went to the nearest Mercury Drug outlet and checked out if they have Laxatrol. They said that they do not have it but it has the same effect as Castor oil, the only difference is that Laxatrol has a flavor, so I can drink Castor oil instead. Since I've heard about the "nightmares stories" about castor oil from my colleagues, I started to move out of the drugstore and looked somewhere else. I looked over another three local drugstores but unfortunately they do not have the Laxatrol stuff. Wheeewww! Since I so badly needed to go the next day for the ultrasound, I guess I have no other choice but to take the eeky, eewy castor oil. I bought it together with the measuring cup since I do not want to take chances on that eeky, eewy stuff (and partially on the OC part of my being, hehehe) Oh well, Goodluck to me! 

Tic tac! Tic tac! I was waiting for the "final, dreaded" moment when I will take the stuff down to my system. It's been a long wait, a long, long one. I felt like I was about to be killed in the gas chambers. OMG! When the clock's hands hit 11:45PM, I prepared my "suicidal stuffs" - this is the 60mL of Castor Oil and the transparent measuring cup, and prepare myself for the worst. 

The Eeky, Eewy Stuff

The Measuring Cup with the Eeky, Eewy Stuff

If you think that my "drinking" went okay. Well, think again! I really, really, really had a hard time. It was like drinking lard. A weird smelling one. I tried everything in my earthy powers to "down" the stuff in my system but I guess I can't. Waaahh! I just can't! I tried pinching my nose before drinking the stuff and I succeeded.. however, since I cannot breathe, I released my nose and when I sucked in air... Whooahh! I threw up again... That strong smell... the gooey, slimy feeling on your throat... I tried eating chocolates after but again, it didn't work. Sure I finished the entire 45cc, but it was already down the sink.. Eww... I hadn't sleep well because of that. Oh well, Bahala na si batman bukas! If the doctor told me that I cannot proceed with the procedure because I didn't drink that eeky stuff, then I'll make the hunt for LAXATROL. 

The next day was a relief! The doctor said that my ultrasound was okay - hehehe... Fyi. they'd given me permission to undergo the procedure although the I didn't drink the "CO". Yey! 

Moral Lesson:

Take care of your health (to avoid the CASTOR OIL. Hehehehe..)

Twelve

It was already lunchtime yesterday, October 25, 2010, when I got to send a message to one my best buddies in town before I hit my way going to the precincts to vote on the Barangay Elections. 

Me: Heypi birthday papi jake!:) wishin u m0re blesings 2 c0me.. And all the best f0r u bestfriend! Hugs and kisses 2 u, r0ch, will0w and baby willa! Mwah! :)

Jake: Thank u bestfriend. labyu

Yes, we're talking about my forever "bestfriend ko duon" Jake. It's his birthday and the least that I can do is to greet him. Well, technically he's older by 6 days (Hey Jake! 6 days is still 6 days and whatever you say, you're older than me! Hehehehe!) Anyways, it made me think that we are 20 something years now and we have known each other for 12 years already - 5 of these were spent during our entire college days and the rest of the 7 years we have been living on our own ways. We met a couple of times in the last seven years and it seems like we only have seen each other yesterday. Since I have already given my buddy Emme the "29" treatment, I decided to give my other bestfriend Jake the "Twelve" which symbolizes the 12 years of friendship that we had. 

This is the photo that we had during our Baguio Trip. I only had two photos of me and Jake together but I looked kind of haggard on the other pic, so I chose this one. Hehehe..  It made me reminisce all those pasaway days that we had in college. PLUS this pic reminds me of the normal "Me" and "Jake". Me always nagging him and he as in shown in pic, always listening... oh well, I guess he doesn't have much of a choice. Heheehe.. Here goes my Top 12 Memorable Moments with Jake.

1. We (Badette, Janis, Cel, Kathy M., and me) used to call him Papi. Why? Because Badette noticed that he looked like Willie Revillame who was known to be called Papi during that time. I remember Jake asking us why and we told him he looked like Willie, he started complaining and Badette just said "Okay, cge.. kung ayaw mo kay Willie.. Kay William Martinez na lang.." And Jake just shook his head. I guess there's no point arguing with the Amazonas at all. Hehehehe..

2. I used to beg him to date one of seatmates who had a huge crush on him during that time. I always tell him.. "Cge na.. Kamukha naman nya si Danica di ba?".. Oh well, he didn't date her.

3. We had a classmate in a class, the guys has a new Nokia phone with camera (I forgot the model). Jake, being the ultimate usisero and tekky that he was, went to the guy and make usisa about the phone. When he came back from his seat,
     Jake: Mel, pucha, may crush sa iyo ung guy na un.. Astig!" 
     Mel: Huh?
    Jake: Ung lalaking mataba dun na may bagong Nokia na phone na may camera.. may picture mo... kinunan ka gamit ung bagong phone nya.. Sagutin mo na mukhang mayaman..
     Melai: (@_@)

4. We need to cross the street during our visit to Macky's house. Jake said "Mel, dito ka?". And I looked at him, only to find out that he wanted me to stay beside him while crossing the street, and he positioned me on the side where the cars pass by. Uber di ba?

5. On our Baguio Trip, I was already seated on our tourist bus, Jake climb inside the bus and saw me.
     Jake: Mel, tabi tayo!
     Mel: Okay. (I moved over near the window to give him space so he can sit beside me)
     Jake: Ehh.. (with a bothered look)
     Mel: Ano? (looking furious)
     Jake: Ako dyan sa may bintana?
     Mel: Ayoko nga! Dito ako eh! (With raised eyebrows) Bakit ba gusto mo sa may bintana?
     Jake: Ayoko sa may tabi ng aisle! Nahihilo ako eh! 
Evident in the picture above, you can see that JAKE won. That is because I'm mapagbigay and I'm kind to people. Hehehehe.. I guess that's why I'm talking in the picture is that I'm "lecturing" Jake on his very gentleman act, and he was actually "listening to my lecturing" unto which I think he has no other choice. Hehehe.. 
6. I remember there was one time during college that he accompanied me to the FX Terminal going to Cavite. And it was near Metropolitan Theater. It was kind of dark already and he was furious that he has to wait for a jeep in front of Metropolitan Theater to go home. He thinks its kind of spooky! 
7. Kadiri moments. During one of our overnight sessions in Macky's house in QC, we checked out a kadiri site >> www.rotten.com - which was all about corpses of famous people. I remember we checked out JFK during that time. It is also Jake and I who insists on including kadiri pics on our reports related to hypothermia and frostbites. A definite eeeewww! 
8. I introduced hit to Burger Steak with Ketchup - which I learned during my stint in Jollibee at a service crew one summer sembreak.
9. One for all! All for one! Walang iwanan! - Jake, Muymuy and I, together with Herbibay and Yeli took the risk and presented an "unusual" presentation to report SUPPLY CHAIN. Hitting the front of the room with powerpoint presentation mixing Epol Apol, Math-tinik and Bitoy's World. It's definitely one hilarious act. Jake, Muymuy and I acting as Etoy, Betong and Bebang. Herbs and I did the script and related supply chain in PATIS! Hehehe... A very memorable and so far my last acting stint... Hehehehe... 
10. We had a time after college when he had a deep problem. I called him and I had no other choice but to scream at him to make him see my point in the whole scenerio. I will not elaborate anymore but when he reads this he will know what exactly I am talking about. I am glad you are more that okay now, Jake. You deserve to be happy. 
11. It was during college days and I feel so down. 
     Jake: Mel, wag kang mag-alala! Tanungin ko ung mga groupmates ko if pede ka nila absorb?
     Mel: Pa'no pag di sila pumayag?
     Jake: Okay lng. Eh di tayo na lng magkasama. May isa pa pedeng tumulong sa tin sa project. So tatlo tayo! Kaya natin yan!
Maybe, Jake didn't know how much this means to me or maybe I wasn't able to show him how much I'm touched by that words during that time. I guess the strong bond between us is that we are willing to stick to each other not just with the good times but most of all.. those bad, bad times. 
12. He is my love guru. Most of you might think it's crazy but I tell you, he's a serious guy when we talk about "love" stuff. He gives sensible advise and is always there when I need to get a guy opinion over something (aside from Baje). He knows my lovelife pretty well (the ups and downs of it). He's the guy who I can tell everything. A very open-minded guy. As much as I make "sigaw" to him to wake him up when he's doing crazy things, he on the otherhand would like to "make my head umpog on pader", that when I do crazy, crazy things (which I do on love related issues only).




I guess 12 is just not enough since I want to share more. However, I am going to tell myself that 12 is enough for now. Most people say that it's impossible to have a pure friendship thing between a girl and a boy, a man and a woman, but whatever they say, in Jake and mine's case it is possible! He's like a brother to me, and I his long lost sister. I remember in college, we use to have same hair (as like in the picture. We almost have the same hairstyle). We were like Julio at Julio, kambal ng tadhana... and Mara Clara... hahahahaha! There was some point in time where I was afraid that Jake might not have a family (maybe not until he's 50 or mature enough.. say 49? Hehehe) but I guess he beated me to family criteria. He now has his wifey Roch (who I want to thank for loving my bestfriend unconditionally and for staying beside him through tough times and for not giving up on him... He deserves to be happy.. and thank you for making him happy! Thanks Roch! Mwah!) and his son Willow and his lovely daughter Willa! 


To you Jake, I wish you all the best! Stay happy and healthy always! Thank you for always being there for me. And you know I'll always be here for you! Happy Happy Birthday Jake! Mwah! ;) 

29 Things About Emme

If there's somebody from high school who I always keep in touch, it's Emme. We really are just "normal" friends during our high school days but our friendship blossomed when we were in college. We would bump into each other at the FX Terminal near Letran in Lawton, Rode the van together with Von and Marvin - who are both studying in Mapua during that time. We normally attend events together like HS get-togethers and Camilo's birthday party. Up to this day we still meet up once in a while, go food tripping, shopping, watching chick flicks and "jologs" movies, going to massage, having foot spa and pedicure, giggling like kids while eating "iskrambol" at the mall, the weirdest thing -  eating siomai while drinking coffee, it's a super duper weird combination but who cares?

Today marks Emme's 29th birthday! I am definitely hoping for a Sundae McDo treat from her anytime soon. I texted her last night a few minutes away from her very special day and even greeted her in FB..

Text Messages:

Me: Haler emm! Ilang minuto n lng at magbebertdey k n.. Hehe.. Happy happy bday emms! Mwah! Wishin u happiness and w0rld peace! Haha!

Emme: Haha,thanks,natawa ako dun ah,world peace,gusto ko un.hehe.

Me: Hehe. Syempre! Pang beauty queen ang sg0t n un.. Feeling k0 kung major major world peace ang cnagot ni Venus raj, ngwagi ang l0la m0! Hehe.

Emme: Tama!hehe.

FB Greeting:
haller emme! as always, another year passed and more experiences (good or bad) came in... well.. whatever it is.. i know that it had made you a better person.. :)

more than wishing you a happy birthday... you know (just as I texted you last night) that I want you to have all the happiness that you can get.. and you know... major, major world peace! hahahaha! :) HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMME! Be happy always and more blessings (syempre.. included na ang MEN... especially MEN..) to come... TAKE CARE ALWAYS! Love yah! Mwahh! :)

Something Special

Still, I am not contented in the greetings. I hope I can give Emme something "special" for her birthday. So I decided to go for giving her some of the things about her that I remember.. and hope it makes up to 29! 

1. We are born on the same month - October. 

2. She's a loving ninang and aunt to your pamangkins. Taking care of them and being there for their birthdays.

3. She looks good in dresses and I envy you for that! Hmmppff!

4. She also looks awesome in haltered blouses! Another envy point! Hehehee...

5. She's are a responsible daughter and individual, taking a choice between your dream car and remodeling of the house. As expected you chose the latter which proves of how unselfish you were.

6. She's honest.

7. She's open-minded. 

8. She's loving and unselfish when it comes to matters of the heart.

9. She's attracted to guys who are matalino. Matalino! Period!

10. She's fun to be with. 

11. She's an excellent company for food trips.. when we go out we always go for foods... from kebabs to seafoods to coffee to ice cream to street foods.

12. She loves to blog/write as well.

13. She's a good listener.. and never gets tired of hearing me shout or whine..

14. She's patient.. Patience is a virtue.

15. She's kind.. Love is patient. Love is kind. 

16. She's strong-willed. 

17. She's a fighter. A warrior! 

18. She loves window shopping.. just like me..

19. She's thoughtful. I remember her Mickey Mouse shirt pasalubong for me during her trip to Disneyland HK, and the bracelet during her Puerto Galera escapades.

20. I remember her having an allergy during her first henna tattoo.

21. I remember the van experience with her, and Marvin and Von, when we are seated back-to-back with the driver. We are giggling with laughter because Marvin is getting dizzy all the way during the trip back. To make matters worst for Marvin, we are making vomit noises to make him dizzier. Hehehehe..

22. The time when we attended the TNCHS reunion was a phenomenon. We went there together, LATE and NOT WEARING THE BATCH T-SHIRT! Total pasaways! Hehehe..

23. She's fun to chat with. I can discuss anything to her, from food, books, to boys.. okay... we're grown-ups.. so it's men.. 

24. She introduced me Wattpad.com. And I'll forever be thankful to her! 

25. She loves books. Just like me. She goes for McNaught and influenced me to read as well.. and with that I'll be forever grateful to her..

26. We agreed to became part of each other's entourage. Oh well, who'll be the first between us is still TBD! Hehehe..

27. We defend each other. Most especially if the boys (they are from HS so they are still boys to me and will forever be boys in my line of thinking.. hehehehe) are bullying us. 

28. The thing why we do not go to HS get together's is that we have been "spectators" of some "walk out" thing way back and that spoiled the fun part of the activity. 

29. I love her in whatever way she is. I think even after several more years and we have wrinkles, you will still be Emme... 

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMME! 

The Search Is Over

Before you guys think of "somebody" in relation to my first entry title, I just wanted you to know that it's not what you think it is. I'm referring to the new blogsite and name for my blog. Hehehe.. 

The search FOR THE NEW BLOGSITE is over. 

I finally decided to move to Blogger for my blogs' personal abode. I started blogging in Friendster. For some reason I got tired of it since I'm limited in changing the themes... Then I switched to using Multiply. I did make many posts there (in fairness to me.. hehehe..). However, the need to "settle down" takes place (hehehe..) and that puts the quest to finding a permanent residence for my entries.. and voila! Blogger it is! 

The search FOR MY NEW BLOG NAME is over too.

After the decision for the hopefully "final" blogsite, the next quest is to have a new blog name! On a Tuesday morning, I asked Addie - my close friend and kumare, to scout for a name that I can use since we know her to have a "gift" in making words come to life. My criteria is that something that's "me" whether it was "sosi" or "jologs". Within minutes she already gave me several possible options! Have I told you she was a real genius? (Naks!) 

• Lapis at Papel - This is related to the song "Mabuti Pa Sila" that we went "gaga" over last week
• Isda at Dyaryo - Still related to the some "Mabuti Pa Sila"
• Tick Tack @ 30 - Well... Well... Never mind.. Let the reason be a secret between Addie and me..
• Kalamay Addict - This is kind of reverse! Addie knows I hate kalamays! Hmmpfff.. 
• Forbidden Heels - I love heels... but I cannot were them often. Period.
• Dragonfly in a Shuttle - I normally were my "tutubi" sunglasses on our way home to the shuttle.. I suggested why not "Jollibee in the Shuttle" but Addie said it's too obvious.. 

Oh well, I initially decided to go after "forbidden heels" since it sounded mysterious and kind of "sosi".. but then I was bothered that being "sosi" isn't me after all... and decided to go for KALAMAY ADDICT instead... and then I am satisfied... It's something that I am not but it's something that I got to remember well... and it definitely has a "star factor" effect... plus I love it because it shows how much Addie knows me.

Mabuti Pa Sila

I used to like this song way back in college mainly because I love Gary Granada's voice and the melody of the song... only to find out that after several years the lyrics of the song will matter this much to me... 

Mabuti Pa Sila

by Gary Granada

Mabuti pa ang mga surot, laging mayrong masisiksikan
Mabuti pa ang bubble gum, laging mayrong didikitan
Mabuti pa ang salamin, laging mayrong tumitingin
Di tulad kong laging walang pumapansin

Mabuti pa ang mga lapis, sinusulatan ang papel
At mas mapalad ang kamatis, maya't maya napipisil
Napakaswerte ng bayong, hawak ng aleng maganda
Di tulad kong lagi na lang nag-iisa

Ano ba'ng wala ako na mayron sila
Di man lang makaisa habang iba'y dala-dalwa
Pigilan n'yo akong magpatiwakal

Mabuti pa ang galunggong nasasabihan ng 'mahal'
Kahit ang suka ay may toyo at ang asin may paminta
Mabuti pa ang lumang dyaryo at yakap-yakap ang isda
Mabuti pa sila, mabuti pa sila
Di tulad kong lagi na lang nag-iisa

Mabuti pa ang simpleng tissue at laging nahahalikan
Mabuti pa ang mga bisyo, umaasang babalikan
Mabuti pa sila, mabuti pa sila
Di tulad kong lagi na lang nag-iisa

(Interlude)

Pigilan n'yo akong magpatiwakal
Bakit si Gabby Concepcion lagi na lang kinakasal

Mabuti pa ang mga isnatser, palaging may naghahabol
Ang aking luma na computer, mayron pa ring compatible
Mabuti pa sila, mabuti pa sila
Di tulad kong lagi na lang nag-iisa