Long Term Commitment

I finally did it! I have just made a long term commitment by buying a condo. I really wasn't planning to give my go signal til I went to work, but they did reverse psychology on me by saying that I couldn't get the unit I wanted as it was being reserved for roadshows in the States (OCW's are the biggest condo investors, fyi). This spurred me to argue and fight my way to make sure I got the unit--with matching waiting for approval from the President! (Come to think of it, this is also how I got signed up for Jnj again...)

As a consequence, I had to prove that I was a serious buyer, ergo, needed to give my reservation fee already. This means that I will have to pay the horrendously large down payment by next month, April 1. Horror, need to divest all my investments. Anyone want to lend me money?

The true test will be in writing 48 post dated checks, with the last one having millions as balance payment. I feel nauseated. TJ/Lynette--did you go through this too?

Anyway, here's my unit:



Note the cool unit number--24K! Note also that I'm planning to tear down the wall for the 1st floor bedroom and convert it to a glass sliding panel to make the place less constricted. No idea yet what to do with the room though...probably a study cum library. Problem is, where do I now put the TV?

Oooh...I feel so adult all of a sudden!

Guys--please block off your scheds for a house warming party in 2012!

And the Rat Race is On

I'm about to send my official acceptance for the Jnj job. I'm not sure it's the right thing to do but at this point, I do feel very excited about it (plus the fact that I have only 2k left in the bank). Wish me luck!

Condo hunting is fun...it's nice to obsess about something with so many details to look at. It's just like gadget shopping only 100x more expensive and will commit about 10 years of your working life to paying for it (TJ should be able to relate). I'm pretty much clear as to my condo--it will be The Fort Residences by Robinsons. Main reason is that because it will be turned over 2011 pa, I actually have 48 months to pay which definitely helps a lot. Also, it's relatively cheap per square at P75k.

Now my big problem is, I have 2 unit options:

1. 12th Floor 2 BR Flat, 77 sq--corner views of a park and relatively open space (coz the open air pool is directly below)
2. 24th Floor 2 BR Flat, 78 sq--single view of condos across the street. but since it's high, it'll probably see across their rooftops

Will be spending the weekend in Tagaytay, yey! It's JC and Sarah's wedding tom!

I have a f***ing headache from caffeine withdrawal :(

Condo Obsessions

I spent the weekend obsessing about Fort condos. This was spurred by my dad's decision to sell off (my!) 1BR Serendra unit in order to get a 3BR unit in St. Francis Shangrila. I'm definitely happy about the potential move from this hellhole but I'm not really an Ortigas kind of guy (I keep getting lost) and I don't think I'll be able to stand the daily Edsa commute that some of my officemates have to endure. Plus, I love my folks and all, but I don't think I can live 5 feet away from them for the rest of my life!

Anyway, I'll probably end up with a mid-priced unit (P3.5M-P4M). Options include:

1. The Fort Residences by Robinsons--relatively cheap, but do I really want a loft and it's corresponding aircon bills?




2. Sapphire Residences by G&W




3. My dream condo--The Icon 2 Tower



Located across UCC, this is the only remaining lot that will have a view of the Manila Golf Course.





Plus, at 61 sq m, you won't feel claustrophobic at all!



The drawback? It's P5.5M!!!!! Aaarrggghhh

Headbanging at Home

Stayed home all day, theoretically to finish a presentation for tomorrow. But actually, just got really lazy again to brave the traffic, which always leads to guilt at having such a sedentary life + not reaching goals of being a man of limitless possibilities. It has gotten so bad that I wake up at 9 AM and have a nap every 4 PM.

Promise to be active tomorrow!

"Borrowed" 2 magazines from QC Sports Club library yesterday. It's about integrating corporate work with Christianity. Quite interesting..!

Will get my Jnj job offer on Friday, I can't wait. Just give me 10% more and I'll be happy. Give me 5% more and I'll still accept. That's how much leverage I have now.

Happy song of the moment--The Killers' "Somebody Told Me". Can't stop playing this song! Would love to be drunk and rocking/headbanging to this song in a live concert but don't really have these type of gimmick friends :(

Top 10 Food Cravings

1. Cochinillo and Iberian Chicken from Casa Armas
2. Singapore Chili Crab with fried buns (from now defunct Palm Beach)
3. Tagliatelle Tartuffo from L'Opera--super sinful with loads of truffle oil cream and parma ham
4. Don Quixote sandwich from Terry's--P350 bucks for a super thin jamon serrano and manchego cheese sandwich. But man, it's worth every freakin penny
5. Baby back ribs and unlimited garlic rice from Gastoff in Bora
6. House burger in Breakfast at Antonio's--juciest burger in town. The fresh corned beef ain't bad either.
7. Kaki Kari Kari Yaki at Sugi's--I love introducing this fried oyster dish to people. Always makes people orgasmic.
8. Pan seared foie gras--anywhere you can get it. Try it with fresh salad in Gourmand.
9. Lengua from Hizon's--so soft it's like french kissing a cow
10.Medium rare rib-eye (just starting to grain) from Highlands steakhouse.

What's yours?

Weekend Update

Watched Curse of the Golden Flower last Friday. Read horrid reviews about it but felt that I owe it to my folks to watch historical Chinese movies. I also felt I needed to demonstrate my fidelity to the director Zhang Yimou for creating my favorite movie ever, Hero. And of course, it features the gorgeous, gorgeous Gong Li who we should all show our eternal devotion to.

The movie was an overblown melodramatic telenovela with really good costume and set design. It was pure eye candy but the over the top acting was the complete opposite of the zen that is Hero. Even House of the Flying Daggers, with its overextended, please-just-die-so-we-can-all-go-home ending, has much more substance than this frivolous royal family squabble.

Oh well, Gong Li is still a goddess.







PS. Got so depressed so I watched Hero again yesterday and Wong Kar Wai's Chungking Express

When, Damn It?

I can't wait to go back to work. Problem is, I still don't have work to go back to. The Jnj thing is moving at a snail's pace and CP is obviously not in a great hurry either. I have 2 headhunter interviews I'm trying to delay aka cancel cause I honestly am sick and tired of talking about myself over and over. But I just might have to take them up on it if things still don't move within the week.

In the meantime, I really should be finishing up my balance projects in YBS and JVP which, to be honest, I've been procrastinating about. The thing about no deadlines and really non-OC clients is that you can actually delay presentations for a month or more. Good for work life balance, Bad for getting anything done.

I also promise not to keep wasting my time watching TV and going to the mall. Will start doing active empowering things I've been promising to do:

-Learn to bike
-Take photography classes
-Dive
-Wall climb
-Swim better
-Travel, travel, travel