Amputee

Ugh...Just found out that this weird infection on my leg which I thought was just a wart is actually more serious and rare than I thought. Bad sign that my BFF derma got shocked (never a good sign when doctors show emotion). I'm starting off with heavy duty (and super expensive) antibiotics but may require more serious treatment/biopsy. Shit shit shit!

2 Parties

Had 2 Christmas parties--dinner in Chelsea last night with the BFF gang and lunch in Mamou today with the Johnson's team. Really wasn't in the mood last night, especially since I wasn't really close with most of the folks. Food was pretty blah as well. It did become more fun when we moved to that wine place in Serendra. Alcohol always makes things better! hehe. In fairness, they're good people; maybe I was just tired. Would love to hang out with them again soon and maybe be more friendly and energetic!

Mamou was great because of the wonderful steak! Strangely enough, couldn't eat a lot; felt quite full quickly. Maybe it's all the chatting that was happening, or the fact that I had a telecon right after lunch so I couldn't fully enjoy the food. Anyway, we did some fun exchange gifts with matching stealing powers which was a blast! I ended up with generic Marks and Spencer's toiletries though :(

Anyway, got a great gift from Karen and Bea. A white fcuk shirt with the line "No fcuking worries". I super love it! It's so fucking me!

Did some shopping right after the telecon in Fully Booked, and hung out with Juni for a while. My sungit equity got emphasized again. :( Also, we got to talk about how to expand one's social life. Essentially, there's should be an innate, fundamental interest in other people, which will make it easy to ask questions and keep a conversation going. But if it's innate and I don't have it, what happens now?

Will finish my Christmas shopping tomorrow. Meanwhile, have another telecon tom at 12nn. Drats!

Past 2 Weeks in Review

Lousy blogger...Will just summarize the last 2 weeks:

Went to Palawan for Strat Planning and Team Building. Strat Planning was very painful, ending at 1 AM. What made it even worse was being so close to the beautiful beach but being locked up in a fluorescent lit, windowless room for 3 days straight! Main learning here as well is to not show my frustration with boss too much as it is perceived by the bosses as immaturity and therefore, I will never be promoted to god level. Also to identify my anger/frustration trigger points so that I'm conscious of the need to control my emotions during these times.

Teambuilding was fun too. I felt quite sad though that I'm no longer one of the more popular folks in the team. It seems that the new folks are turning out to be the life of the party while I'm seen as the sungit, bitchy, whiny, negative guy. Can't say I'm not jealous of them, especially with my need to always be at the center of attention. Several learnings here: Need to be a nicer person, as this seems to be what people value more than competency or smarts. Move away from need to be noticed and affirmed by others, just relax and enjoy the company, regardless of whether I'm the star or not.

I'm so not feeling the Christmas spirit yet, as I have still to relax and even get my gift shopping done. Work is running at it's usual pace with no signs of slowing down this week or next. Haven't gone to any Christmas mass either.

Anyway had dinner with Lynette, TJ and Alex yesterday and the main topic was life planning, specifically reviewing 07 and planning for 08. Some realizations this year:

1. Having a basic plan at the start of the year really works. I was able to achieve a lot of things I was setting my mind to--focusing on fitness, running 10k, going to Cambodia, focusing on career, buying a condo, etc.

2. Biggest failure is in relationships--either strengthening important ones, building new ones, or not breaking off old ones. This will be the No. 1 priority in 2008, which really goes back to being a nicer, more selfless, more genuinely caring person.

3. Spiritual life was a real failure as well. Will be another key priority in 2008.

Will work on life plans over the holidays next week.

Fuckin 0.5

I'm fucking drunk. Intentionally, as I've been trying to release the stress from this entire week, plus the fact that we fucking lost the departmental competition by 0.5 fuckin points. Fuck them all!!!!!!

Unfortunately, my equity as a masungit person was further validated because of this project. I had to stand in as the producer, which meant making sure people showed up for rehearsals, and everything else was ready when they were needed. Of course, I ended up being bitchy again, which sucks. I mean, someone has to do it right? But since I'm the one who actually is willing to do it, I end up having the lousiest reputation vs the other guys who are quiet and nice and therefore wonderful but don't actually push to get anything done. Maybe I really have to start changing my style from scare tactics to nice and cheery and friendly. Shit! That is so not me...I seriously feel so different from everyone else because of this. I hate it! But at the same time, it's what I truly believe in... :(

Anyway, ended up in Jills after our wholesome to death Christmas party. 80s music is great! Though some of the younger kids didn't enjoy it for obvious reasons. But I guess we all really needed the major stress release!

I love this semi-drunk feeling now, coupled with wild and crazy dancing to great music!!! Really have to get to a club very very very soon!!!!!! Unfortunately, don't have dancing friends :(

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

This is turning out to be the most hectic December ever!

We're working on tons of strat plan sheets in preparation for next week. At the same time, we're doing rehearsals for our Christmas party tomorrow, plus worrying about costumes galore. Meanwhile, day to day work continues as before!

My hair is turning white from all of these!!!!!!!

Happy Advent!

Happy Advent! May the start of the liturgical year be a reflection of a similar renewal for me towards becoming a stronger, wiser, more loving, more spiritual being.

Some specific things I can start off on:
1. Be more sociable to parents
2. Stop pre-judging people by physical appearances
3. Less complaints, more gratitude
4. Focus on others more than self
5. See the good in everybody

I'm in Golden Prince Hotel, near Ayala Center in Cebu. Just came from a 2 day hectic travelling sched to Bantayan Island, specifically Sta. Fe. Gorgeous, secluded white beach, but to be honest, I would have rather have just gone to Boracay instead of going through the hassles of taking a flight to Cebu, then a 3 hour ride, followed by a 1 hour ferry crossing.

Sorry for the bitchy blog. But my head hurts, and I have to work now despite being on vacation. Will probably be perkier by tom.