Monday, March 31, 2008

Tatalon?

Mobile Games

Dahil sa pagkasira ng aking camera, ngfocus ako ng attention at appreciation sa aking celfone. Kaya bukod sa mga bagong ebooks at kantang inupload ko, naglagay din ako ng mga games na kinagigiliwan ko ngayon...

Minesweeper - The object of the game is to clear an abstract minefield without detonating a mine. If the player clicks on a square without a mine, a digit is revealed in that square, the digit indicating the number of adjacent squares (typically, out of the possible 8) which contain mines. By using logic, players can in many instances use this information to deduce that certain other squares are mine-free (or mine-filled), and proceed to click on additional squares to clear them or mark them with flag graphics to indicate the presence of a mine.



Kakuro - The object of the puzzle is to insert a digit from 1 to 9 inclusive into each white cell such that the sum of the numbers in each entry matches the clue associated with it and that no digit is duplicated in any entry.



Sudoku - Sudoku is a logic-based number placement puzzle . The objective is to fill a 9×9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 boxes (also called blocks or regions) contains the digits from 1 to 9, only one time each (that is, exclusively). The puzzle setter provides a partially completed grid.



Blackjack Hustler - Blackjack Hustler puts you in the shoes of a professional blackjack player with it all to win – as well as lose! Travel around the city working your way through different tournaments to win cash, fast cars and flash mansions in Career mode, or just play an instant game for a quick fix of fun. Goal of blackjack is to beat the dealer by getting a higher set of cards, but should not be greater than 21.



Tetris - The object of the game is to manipulate falling tetrominoes, by moving each one sideways and rotating it by 90 degree units, with the aim of creating a horizontal line of blocks without gaps. When such a line is created, it disappears, and the blocks above (if any) fall. As the game progresses, the tetrominoes fall faster, and the game ends when the player "tops out", that is, when the stack of tetrominoes reaches the top of the playing field and no new tetrominoes are able to enter.

Pagmumuni- muni



*Photo taken using my SGH U600 phone (pagpasensyahan ang quality)... Haaay wala pa camera eh....
*Pagmumuni ng aking mahal na asawa habang nasa aming floating bantilan

Friday, March 28, 2008

Trials and Faith

After 10 days of confinement, 2 surgeries, 100K bill accrual and a liter of tears shed, we're still not sure when Tatay will be released from the hospital.

A hundred questions run through Jay's family's minds: when will tatay recover?; will he recover?; where do we get the money?; was it the right decision to have him operated on?; why did he get sick?; why does he have to suffer?; how long do we still have him?; how will nanay be without him?; how come it has to be tatay?

Sadly, answers are mostly disheartening, showing a steady decline of faith with God. I know that is just natural... With all the hardships and sufferings the family is facing, keeping a strong faith would be hard.

But though it may be the natural course for one's faith to go, it is not the only path. With the trials that come, faith could also be strenghtened. I have read one passage from the bible that somehow will tell us why we should stop supplying our own answers (discouraging answers at that) to our questions to God:

Romans 11:33-34 (New International Version)
" 33Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"

For better understanding, here is the passage from The Message:

33-34 Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.
Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice?

So point is, we are not to question the plans that God has for us. With the shallowness of our understanding, we may not be able to grasp his purpose. But though we lack understanding, there is one thing that will help us see. In times when we are so down and so doubtful of everything that is happening, our faith in God should see us through, and this faith will bring us the peace and the strength to face all the trials that come our way.

Isaiah 26:3-4 3
"3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal."

Thursday, March 27, 2008

N95 8GB ni Daddy



N95 8GB. It's what computers have become.

This is my dad's latest phone.

8 GB Internal Memory
5 MP Camera
16M colors, 2.8 inch screen
Etc, etc....

O diba, super HOOOOOT!!!!!! Ang tagal din niyang inasam-asam ang phone na ito, magbibirthday palang ata siya nung October, gusto na niya magkaron nito eh. And nung last week of February, he finally got one. Yahoo!!!!!

Di niya agad ginamit, kasi pinalagyan pa niya ng mga pictures, videos, MP3, games... Syempre, ano ba namang gagawin niya sa 8GB na memory nun diba? Nung Holy Week, nilipat na rin niya ang kanyang mga contacts from his old phone.

Kaso hindi naman talaga techie si Daddy eh. I doubt kung magagamit niya talaga ang features na meron ang phone na ito. So, kung tutuusin, medyo hindi bagay sa kanya. Hehe.

Kaya kahapon, binawi na ni Lord yung celfone sa kanya. Coding kasi, kaya from Makati, nagjeep mula Junction pauwi sa amin. Ayun tuloy, na- nenok ang napaka-ganda at super bago niyang celfone.

Pinatikim lang siya ni Lord.

*It has to be noted na d rin nagtagal sa kanaya ang kanyang N90. Sandali plang niya ginamit nasira na agad beyond repair. Malas talaga siya sa magandang phone.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Generosity vs Selfishness

I've recently had some thoughts regarding generosity and selfishness.. To help clear my mind, went to the bible and this is what I found:

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (New International Version)

Sowing Generously

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."[a] 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

And it helped. A lot. Cleared not only my mind, but my heart as well.

So still... in times of doubt and of confusion... when I do not know which way to go... I could always turn to God's Word and see.

To Buy or Not To Buy

I am feeling such a deep longing right now. An intense craving to be able to produce beautiful photos.

I have tried for over a year... I can't say I have succeded, but I know I have learned. Maybe in time, with more practice, I could be good.

But fate is not so kind... it had to take away my camera for no reason at all. I was not careless, I wonder why it got broken...

Now, an opportunity is being offered to me. A good camera for a reasonable price... Probably more reasonable than having my Exilim repaired... Maybe this is my chance to be the photographer I wish I could be...

But is my dream really worth chasing? There is no guarantee that if I have a good camera, I will produce good photos. Maybe it is all about talent, something I have not shown.

Haaay... But then again, what is stopping me?

Monday, March 24, 2008

It Was A Black Saturday

"Gud pm. dis is Compex. we wud lyk 2 inform u dat u will have p7500 charge 4 ur cam. wil u aprov? 4 mor info, dial 6331862"

Got this text last Saturday at gumuho ata mundo ko ah. Well, hindi naman, pero sobra akong nalungkot. Although I have the money naman, ang hirap parin ipatuloy ang pagpapagawa. Ngayon, I am more inclined to buy a new camera kesa ipagawa ko pa yun. Pero sa ngayon, hindi ko rin naman kayang bumili ng bagong cam. Again, not really financially, pero parang hindi dapat.

Haay. Sobrang depressing. I so love taking pictures, both for memories and for art. Hindi naman ako magaling talaga sa pag-take ng pictures, pero it is something sana na gusto kong matutunan at pagbutihin talaga. I was thinking that someday, magiging magaling din ako, pero paano pa ako gagaling if I dont have a camera?

So, bakit ba hindi dapat, o hindi pwedeng bumili? May pera naman ako. More than enough actually. May hilig naman ako, actually, I would even give up my phone (at gumamit ng isang pangit na phone) for a camera. Mapapasaya naman ako ng camera... E bakit nga hindi pwedeng bumili? Bakit hindi dapat?

Ewan... Dahil mahal? Dahil hindi ito KAILANGAN, gusto lang? Ewan... magulo isip ko, mabigat ang loob ko...

Sana, makapulot nlang ako ng bagong camera... O kaya manalo ako sa isang contest...

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Iwa Look-Alike No More


*Left - IWA MOTO *Right - Me

I never saw it..., but during the first quarter of 2006, people were saying I look so much like Iwa Moto (from Starstruck of GMA 7).

And mind you, it is not just few people. I am talking about lots of people from different groups and distant locations, so you would not say that they just heard it and trying to ride on.

A few examples:

- I was working as a recruitment assistant for a call center during this time and everyday (okay, about 8 times PROMISE!!!), different sets of my applicants would tell me "Ms Dyanne, kamukha mo si Iwa Moto." My officemates actually call me Ms Iwa, instead of Dyanne.

- I went to a seamstress in Pagsanjan and her kids (about 10 & 12) were whispering and giggling. Their mom apologized saying, "Pasensya na po, sabi kasi nila ang alam nila taga- Las Pinas si Iwa Moto, bakit daw andito."

- My Yaya's tita went to visit us and her remark to her niece after was "Grabe, kamukha niya si Iwa."

- When one of Jay's officemate 1st saw me, he described me to the others as "Kamukha ni Iwa Moto".

There were actually more, but suffice to say, it really happened (haha), people really saw it. And during that particular time, way too many actually did.

Anyway, I don't really like Iwa, so I changed my look. No one says I look like her anymore.


Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Song Recording

Masaya ako ngayon... Hehehe. Paano kasi, for the longest time, hindi ako nakakapagdownload ng kanta sa PC ko dito sa office. But with the help of my friend Betsy, may nadownload ako program na nireredord niya ang mga tugtog sa PC and converts it to MP3! And it works wonderfully! Hehehhe

At dahil panahon ng projects ni Lesley ngayon, nabuhay din ang aking mga nakatenggang projects dati. At isa nga dun ay ang iupdate ang aking Music Library, along with lyrics of the songs. I think medyo madami na naman siya ngayon, but paparamihin ko pa siya! I upload ko narin sa phone ko para makakanta ako sa bahay.

Target right now is yung mga oldies na love songs...

Off to my project....

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Lotto Jackpot

The Lotto Draw tonight is estimated to be at a whopping P158 Million. Wow!!!!

Allow me to let my imagination run wild and dream of what I am to do if I win:

1. Time Deposit - 100M
2. House including furniture - 20M
3. Cars : MB, Expedition & Camry - 6M
4. Business (franchise?) - 15M
5. Shopping (gadgets, clothes, jewelry, toys..)!!!! - 5 M
6. 5th Anniversary Honeymoon US Tour - 1M
7. Give to Paguio and Largueza family - 10M
8. Give to Charities - 1M

Ang SAAAAAYAAA!!!!!!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Camera Flu


Nagkahawaan ata ang camera ko at ni mommy. Nakwento ko na diba na nasira ang camera ko nung nagpunta kami Boracay. Overexposed ang mga pictures. Nung isang araw, pati yng camera ni mommy, sira narin. Ang salarin, sina Andre at BUnini.

Nakita nalang na pinaglalaruan nung dalawa yung camera, nung tinignan namin yung memory card, aba! napakaraming pictures! May pa-pose2 pa sila,a t in fairness, mukha namang marunong ang mga kumuha. Matatalinong Bata!

Nagawa nilang mabuksan at gamitin yung camera, yun nga lang, hindi na nila nagawang isarado. Nagstuck na kasi yung lens.

Ngayon, parehong nasa service center ang camera namin. Yung sa akin, pwede daw software o lens ang problema. Kung software, d nila alam magkano aabutin, pero kung lens, P7000 ang babayaran ko. Hala! Wag naman sana! That is too expensive for camrea repair! Tsk tsk. I really fear the thought... I dont think I can live happily without a camera..

Exagg...

Dyanne Tamad

Medyo tinatamad ako magtrabaho ngayon. Well, not really tinatamad, I just don't feel like it. Hehe. Paano kasi galing sa weekend, tapos ng leave pa ako kahapon. Idagdag mo na rin na wala akong katabi ngayon kaya nakakabagot, wala akong kakwentuhan eh. Tapos siyempre, hindi ko pa alam yung increase na parating kaya hindi pa ako ganado.

Ang dami ko palusot ano? Oh well..

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Salary Increase

Nung January, nagkaron kami ng increase kasabay ng pagiging CSP 2 namin. Hay naku, medyo matagal-tagal din naming hinintay yun dahil ang una naming akala e June 07 palang makuha na namin yun. Pero ayun, January siya dumating. Okay naman, hindi na ako magrereklamo dun dahil masaya naman ako sa naging pagtaas ng sweldo ko.

Ngayong March, may inaasahan na naman kaming increase. Annual Merit Increase kung saan 10-15% ang pwede itaas ng aming sweldo.

Yipee!!! Tataas na naman ang sweldo! Ang saya! Bukas, may meeting nga kami para daw idiscuss ng HR ang merit increase na ito. 1 hr and 30 mins ang meeting, kaya medyo nakakapagtaka. Bakit naman ang haba, eh kung merit increase lang yun, simple lang naman yun eh. Last year nga raw, pinapirma lang sila eh.

Isip, at wish tuloy namin, baka at sana kaya mahaba yun ay dahil pag-uusapan din yung isang kumakalat na bali-balita dito sa amin ngayon. Sabi daw kasi, bukod sa inaasahan naming merit increase, magkakarin daw ng realignment. Sa mga chika-chika, baka raw ipantay ang aming mga sweldo at benefits sa Pilipinas Shell, tutal, pareho kaming SHELL.

Kapag ngkatotoo yun... Naku! Napakasaya!

Sa ngayon, sabi ng mga reliable sources naman, sigurado na raw na mgakakroon. Ang hindi lang alam ay kung ano ang mga exact details. Like magkano, ano ang mga additional benefits, kelan...

Haaaay.. Sana ok... Para masaya... :)

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Uniquely Me




They say that we are all unique and special in some way. Most of the times though, I doubt that to be true for myself. But right now, I wanna be optimistic and try to see what's unique in me.

Allow me to celebrate my being a very special me...

1. I can stay underwater for more than 2 minutes. - nagtra-train ako baka kayanin kong mag- muro ami in the future. Haha

2. I don't eat vegetables (exception: Mongolian). - dieta ako kapag nakina Jay dahil favorite nila ang gulay.

3. I can beat my brothers, and some guys (not JAY) in swimming races. - dapat nga mag-compete din ako sa Milo Little Olympics kaso nagkasakit ako nun.

4. I love making lists of everything... budget, expenses, things to do, things to buy...

5. I have more than a hundred e-books of my favorite authors like Sidney Sheldon, Nicholas Sparks, John Grisham, James Patterson, etc.. but I have only read 1. ( I prefer reading the hard copy, but I like them for collection.) - binili ko yung celfone ko for the Ebooks function, pero dko naman ginagamit.

6. Used to compete with other schools (high school) as a debater, joined an inter-class Oratorical contest, and represented my school in a biology quiz-bee at UP.- yun nga lang, d ako nananalo. Hahaha.

7. I was a member of our school's track and field team (Elementary) who competed in Milo Little Olympics. - kaya siguro ang laki ng binti ko.

8. I cry over everything - books, movies, tv series, songs, and even commercials. - And I loooove it! Gusto ko lagi umiiyak.... :D

9. I danced (group / choreographed) at every Christmas Party and every occassion which required a performance since Grade 3 to 3rd year college. - Performer at heart talaga ako eh!

10. I was a Choir member when I was 17; we sang in Sta Lucia East Grand Mall masses, and at the Misa de Gallo aired on channel 9 that year.- sabi sayo eh, performer talaga ako eh, miski pagkanta, sinabak ko rin! :)

11. I do not buy clothes more than P300, and I only have 2 that cost that much.- in fairness to me, nakakahanap naman ako ng mga damit na mura kaya madami rin naman akong damit...

12. I knew I wanted to marry Jay 2 months into our relationship, and I married him 4 months after. - Sabi ko, kapag gusto ko, gawin ko lahat para makuha ko... :)

13. I used to have a 22-inch waistline in HS, 23 in college. - now--- don't ask. Haha.

14. I really like, and I think somehow I could say I'm good at solving brain teasers - check out geniusatwork.multiply.com

15. I have another life - Haha. When I am bored, frustrated or simply want to be entertained, I drift off to my imaginary world.

16. I was a hard-core fan of Formula Shell and Victor Pablo back in 1996-2000. - collects newspaper clippings, watch every game on tv, watched about 10 games live, at minsan nagpagupit at highlight ako ng buhok dahil sa kabwisitan ng matalo ang Shell.

17. I blow a kiss everytime I pass by Marcos Bridge in the morning.- sa kabila kasi, andun si Jay nagtratabaho. :-*

18. I dip my green mangoes in soy suace with sugar - ngayon I have learned to appreciate bagoong as well, pero I still like the toyo and asukal sawsawan... try it, masarap...

19. I watched (in the cinemas) Magic Temple (Tagalog movie feat Anna Larucea, Jason Salcedo, Junell Hernando & Mark Solis) 7 times. - Namemorize ko ang bawat dialogue at kanta sa pelikula.

20. I have very sensitive knees that easily gets dislodged. - AAAArgh. Kapag naiisip ko, nangigilabot ako. Ilang beses na kasi nangyari na gumalaw pa-side yung tuhod ko at SOBRA masakit siya... Kaya dko pinapahawakan at laging nakabend and tuhod ko kapag nakahiga..

21. I have mild trichotillomania (compulsion to pull out stray hair). - Haha. D naman ako praning, pero sobrang gusto kong bunutin yung mga nakikita kong maikli at patay na buhok. Minsan nga sa pila at nasa unahan ko ay maraming nakatayong buhok, NAKU!! Hirap na hirap ako magpigil!!! Hahahahah.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

The Start of Something Beautiful

After years of separation, I met Jay again. I remember how he looked, how he acted... I remember what I felt seeing him again... My mom and I were sitting on the grass by the river and He was walking towards us, wearing a white shirt wih a left chest pocket. I remember how at the end of the day, the pocket would already be torn.I remember I kept on looking at him that day. He had, has I would actually say, a certain aura that makes you look and stare. He has a magnet within, a certain charisma that attracts you...

I wanted to say hi,I wanted to talk to him, but I did not know how to. We were friends before, but after 6 years, how am I to greet him? Besides, my emotions were all wierd that time so I was not confident enough... Sometimes he would also look at me, although most probably not with the same feelings that I was having. I could remember him looking directly at me, with that special look he has that makes you feel he could see right through you, a look that would melt you. His is the kind of persona who may not speak much, yet is able to say a lot. Although honestly, I did not know what he was trying to say. Maybe hello, or maybe nothing at all...

They were teasing him that day, trying to pair him up with someone, and at the back of my head I was thinking, "Why are you pairing him up with her, why not me?!"..And then I remembered why not... Because we were just friends before... And it made me think, Gosh.. I really like this guy. Actually, I should have known that the moment I saw him. The moment my heart skipped a beat and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Well, thinking again, I have known that way back. I have liked him the moment I met him in 1997.

The whole day, I was very nervous, not knowing what to say or do. But one thing I know is that I wanted him to approach me, to talk to me, and to actually see me the way I see him. Not as the young girl he was friends with 6 years before, but a young lady capable of loving.

I prayed, waited, anticipated...At the end of the day, he actually did approach me. He actually talked to me. I was walking my dog and he actually walked beside me and chatted. I cant remember the words he spoke, but I remember what I felt. I was giddy, excited and hopeful... Gosh, my prayer worked. I still did not know at that time whether he sees me as a "young lady capable of loving", but I know at that moment, it could be a start of something beautiful.

And indeed it was.



*5 years after*

Proms and Grad Balls

Maaring di maiintindihan ng mga taong nag-aral sa co-ed schools, pero para sa mga nag-aral sa exclusive schools nung high school, sobrang kakaiba at monumental na event ang prom..

Mga dahilan:

1. Sa isang magarbong hotel ginaganap ang prom: Manila Hotel, Shangri-la Makati, Peninsula...

2. Todo preparations- Meron naman ibang hindi, but most of us had to have our hair and makeup done sa parlor, dresses bought, all guys wear suits, girls buy boutonniere (flowers worn on their chest) for boys, boys buy corsage (flowers worn on the wrists) for girls & better cars borrowed from parents (those who are richer get to bring their own)...

3. Gimik after- Kadalasan, we go to gimiks after the prom.. Medyo nakakahiya na we're all dressed-up, but it adds up to the fun naman...

4. Asking for a date - Dahil exclusive schools nga kami, hindi kami pwede pag-partner partnerin para sa prom. So ang nangyayari, we ask for dates. Ito na ang pagkakataon ng mga babaing may lakas ng loob na yayain ang kanilang mga crush... at yung walang lakas ng loob, or yun mga wala naman talagang mga crush, mga pinsan, kaibigan, o blind date ang dala.

5. Being asked to be a date - At dahil meron din namang exclusive boys schools, kailangan din nilang mag-imbita ng kanilang mga dates. Syempre, very flattering, at kung gusto mo yung guy: nakakakilig naman ang maimbitihan para maging date sa prom. I was invited sa Ateneo prom both my 3rd and 4th yr and somehow, medyo mas nag-enjoy pa ata ako sa prom nila kasi sa prom namin...

Here is a glimpse of my prom experiences:


Ateneo Juniors Prom '99, Shangri-La Makati.
Date: Ian Puertollano, a friend, a daily ka-telebabad, not sure if he liked me romantically, I thought he did (feeling! :) ), but nung 4th yr, I learned na si Les pala ang gusto niya... Hahahaha. Well, that time akala ko naman nga like niya ako kaya medyo super kilig factor nung prom. Hahaha.


Miriam Juniors Prom '99, Peninsula Manila.
Date: Ninoy (forgot his last name), classmate ni Ian (their class and ours had an interaction kaya friend-friends kunwari kami).. Dapat ata si Ian talaga ang ka-date ko, kasi siya naman ang closest sakin that time, but I think hindi ata siya pinayagan or something...So, go for the 2nd choice..


Ateneo Grad Ball '00, Manila Hotel
Date: Cannot recall his name. Haha, sorry... Classmate ng pinsan ni Bang, na naging date ni Pili. Bang was also there with another classmate kaya magkakasama kami sa 1 table at nung gimik after. May gf naman itong guy na ito, d lang pwede yung gf niya kaya ako nlang. Kaya wala namang kilig factor.


Miriam Grad Ball '00, Manila Hotel
Date: Lesley, bestfriend... Medyo ngasawa na siguro ako sa mga padate-date na yan, kaya went with my friends nlang. hehe. Saka we were thinking ata na dahil we will be graduating soon, ay spend nalang namin tong Grad Ball with one another. Aargh. Ayoko ng itsura ko dito, almost did not want to post this... Hehe..

Monday, March 03, 2008

Talo ang Purefoods


Hindi ko naman talaga team ang Purefoods dati. Nagustuhan ko lang sila ngayon dahil sa 2 ewn ko kung valid na rason...


Una: Team ni Jay ang Purefoods

Pangalawa: Andun si James Yap na asawa ni Kris Aquino. Hehehehe.


Babaw ba? Anyway, basta ngayon, kung tatanungin ako, Purefoods na ang team ko...


Natalo sila kahapon sa finals. Naging maganda naman yung finals series. Paano, bukod sa nasuspende dahil sa panununtok ang akala mong napakabait na si James Yap, umabot sa game 7 ang series na ito.


Kahapon nga, yung game 7. At yun, talo. Paano kasi, d pumutok si James Yap eh. Tapos puro pa sila foul trouble. O baka naman, naging magaling lang talaga kalaban nila, yung Sta. Lucia.


Ewan din..