Claustrophobia

I don’t know why I'm becoming extremely claustrophobic these past few days. Even sitting shoulder to shoulder with someone aboard a service vehicle, I'd get nauseous for one reason or another. Just the other day, I was standing at the back of the elevator with I think around five people when this woman in front of me stepped back a bit. She was taller than me so I instantly felt crowded. I could feel myself hyperventilating so I pushed her so she'd move forward. And even when she already moved, the feeling of being crowded remained. When I alighted, my head was buzzing and I was not feeling well. Over the last few days, this situation happened several times more. Even reclining and the pillow is not firm, I get this feeling of drowning. There is always a feeling of being constricted, drowned, crowded, walls closing in...

Before you think of anything else, I AM NOT PREGNANT! That won't happen until I'm 35.

The Devil Wears Prada

I became aware of this book a few months ago. I read in a Cosmo mag (if I'm not mistaken) that this book by a first-time author Lauren Weisberger was funny and was given a really great rating (forgot the exact rate). Plus, it was tagged as a best-seller so being the sucker that I am, I added this one to my "To Read" list. After months of being on THE LIST, I finally found the time to read it.

Here's a blurb from Random House:

Andrea Sachs, a small-town girl fresh out of college, lands the job "a million girls would die for." Hired as the assistant to Miranda Priestly, the high-profile, fabulously successful editor of Runway magazine, Andrea finds herself in an office that shouts Prada! Armani! Versace! at every turn, a world populated by impossibly thin, heart-wrenchingly stylish women and beautiful men clad in fine-ribbed turtlenecks and tight leather pants that show off their lifelong dedication to the gym. With breathtaking ease, Miranda can turn each and every one of these hip sophisticates into a scared, whimpering child.

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA gives a rich and hilarious new meaning to plaints about "The Boss from Hell." Narrated in Andrea's smart, refreshingly disarming voice, it traces a deep, dark, devilish view of life at the top only hinted at in gossip columns and over Cosmopolitans at the trendiest cocktail parties. From sending the latest, not-yet-in-stores Harry Potter to Miranda's children in Paris by private jet, to locating an unnamed antique store where Miranda had at some point admired a vintage dresser, to serving lattes to Miranda at precisely the piping hot temperature she prefers, Andrea is sorely tested each and every day--and often late into the night with orders barked over the phone. She puts up with it all by keeping her eyes on the prize: a recommendation from Miranda that will get Andrea a top job at any magazine of her choosing. As things escalate from the merely unacceptable to the downright outrageous, however, Andrea begins to realize that the job a million girls would die for may just kill her. And even if she survives, she has to decide whether or not the job is worth the price of her soul.

And my verdict... a TEN! It was worth the time (two days!). I LOVE THE BOOK! I fell in love with Andrea's character, I hated Miranda Priestly so much I wanted to slap her for Andy! It was scary when her phone rings! I got tired as well when she goes back and forth to Startbucks so Miranda won't have to drink a not-so-hot latte (with two raw sugars). It was funny and poignant when Alex, her boyfriend, asked for a "break" from their relationship. It was kilig when Christian, the genius writer, flirts with her. It was truly hard even for me to decide if she's coming back to New York to be with Lily, her bestfriend who figured in a car accident, or be with her bitchy boss in Paris to attend a fashion show so she won't get fired. The story includes the reader in Andy's journey to maturity that it was sad and painful to let go at the end of the book.

Maturity sneaks into each one of us in different forms. In this story, Andy's maturity was brought on by a combination of everything that happened to her after taking on the job as Miranda's assistant. Miranda's known for being cruel, demeaning and cold. Very demanding and impossible to work with. She was able to bring out her best despite that fact. She is the most un-fashion conscious person in her world. Making the decision to go to the office every single day to face her boss, do her humiliating job and be fashion-conscious as well made her realize that she was, after all, a strong person. Because of her demanding job, she inadvertently neglected the people around her (her bestfriend Lily, Alex her boyfriend, her parents as well as her sister and newly born nephew). She faced the consequence of her decisions when Alex broke up with her and when she nearly lost her bestfriend.

Moral of the story: your job should not be the end all and be all of your life.

Do not get married to your job! In the end, your job is just a means to get your basic needs. It will be taken from you in a snap of a finger (by a devil of a boss no less!) and if it's all you have, what will happen to you afterwards? Devastation. Depression. Get a life outside of work! If it comes down to a decision whether your job or your family, I say, choose your family! There are a thousand other jobs waiting out there.

Can't wait for the movie to come out! Anne Hathaway's portraying Andrea while Meryl Streep will take on the role of Miranda Priestly.

To end this post, let me borrow Miranda's favorite parting words...

That's all.

Dahil sa napanood ko na ang Sukob, angkop itong post na 'to ngayon :p

I don't know if it's just me...

Have you ever felt being watched while you're alone in some place, say, in the bathroom? Have you ever thought that while peeing, somebody's looking at you and when you look up you'll see someone hanging over the cubicle wall?? I think of these scenarios all the time!

It's probably just my imagination. (Hey, I'm not denying the fact that I have a wild and crazy imagination ) My brain is always on overdrive. I cannot stop it from jumping from one thought to another.

But I cannot help but remember the first time I saw a spirit (multo baga). I came from the CR that time and everyone in the house were upstairs watching TV. I thought that it was only me and my sister Grace who were downstairs because she was at the sink (that time I thought she's washing her face). I even told her na "O Grash, una na ako sa taas."

When I came upstairs, my sister Grace was on my parents' bed, laughing while watching TV!!! So who was the person downstairs at the sink??

I told everyone immediately that I saw Grace downstairs. My dad saw her as well pala! Ano ba yun?!

I saw the spirit who resembles my sister again one early morning when I was in highschool. Our room (my two younger sisters) was downstairs while my sister Grace and my two brothers' room were upstairs. Every five in the morning, my sister Grace would knock on our door and I will unlock it so she can get our uniforms. I woke up all of a sudden because I heard someone getting clothes. I saw her standing near the uniforms and I even said "Hoy Grash, ang aga-aga pa ha!". She looked at me and do you know that feeling when your head would feel bloated and your hairs would stand on end? I experienced that when I realized that I haven't unlocked the door yet so how can my sister come in? I quickly switched on the lights and made noise so my sisters would wake up. When I looked again, she was not there anymore.

I don't know why she looks like my sister. I never saw her again (well and good!). But I will never forget those two incidents ever.

Another weird thing is there are times that I forget where I am, I talk to myself. Several times aboard the jeepney, I tell myself things and would wonder why the person in front of me is staring... and then it'll come to me that I've just spoken, not out loud but as in I moved my lips! Wacko me!

This is bad, right?!?

***
Ang ganda ng Sukob! Nakakatakot, promise! Nakuha na talaga ni Chito Roño at ng Star Cinema ang kiliti ng mga Pinoy pagdating sa horror films. Pwede ng ipantapat sa mga Chinese horror movies na sumikat dito sa atin noong mga nakaraang taon. Tama lang na ang pinagaganap nila na mga multo ay iyong mga di kilala para mas kapani-paniwala! Di katulad nung isang pelikula na kapapalabas lang na ang white lady ay yung isang teen star na syempre maniniwala ka ba dun?! Malaki na rin talaga ang in-improve ng acting ni Kris. Di na nakakainis yung mga expressions niya. Syempre, mani lang kay Claudine yung mga eksena.

San ako natakot nang husto?? Sa eksena ni nung mamatay si Wendell! Basta pag napanood ninyo, mage-gets niyo kung bakit. hehe

Sabi ng kaibigan kong si My, Php30M daw ang nagastos ng Star Cinema sa pelikulang yan. Ibig sabihin, tumatabo talaga yung Sukob! Astig!

Ho-hum...

Gising pa rin ako at gumagawa ng 2007 Budget. Sawang-sawa na ako sa Accounting, Budget, Audit, Taxation, at lahat ng related sa Corporate Finance! Kaya eto, sinisingit pa rin ang blogging! hehehe

Adik! Adik! Adik!

Papasok pa ako ng 6:30AM bukas dahil may Budget meeting pa kami ng 10AM. Need to review once more, print and photocopy the financial package for two companies for six persons.

Aargh!!!

Good luck sa akin!

***

The story below was manufactured inside my head while my boss was discussing another company that he would like for me to handle (on top of the seven currently under me). O di ba ang saya?!?

LSS

One of my fave bands is Nickelback. I love their songs and most especially, Chad Kroeger's voice! Kapag naman kinantahan ako nitong si fafa Chad, ewan ko na lang... baka marating ko ang rurok ng kaligayahan! Nyehehe

Chad Kroeger and the rest of Nickelback...


At ang fave song ko of the moment... none other than Far Away!

This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there’s just one left
‘Cause you know,
you know, you know

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you’ll be with me
and you’ll never go
Stop breathing if
I don’t see you anymore

On my knees, I’ll ask
Last chance for one last dance
‘Cause with you, I’d withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I’d give it all
I’d give for us
Give anything but I won’t give up
‘Cause you know,
you know, you know

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you’ll be with me
and you’ll never go
Stop breathing if
I don’t see you anymore

So far away
Been far away for far too long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know

I wanted
I wanted you to stay
‘Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
So keep breathing
‘Cause I’m not leaving
Hold on to me and
never let me go

O di ba naman nakakakilig?! Umuulan kasi kaya napapa-emote. I'll get a copy of their CD soon!

Next post... fave songs at ang relevance sa aking buhay ;)

Certified Blog Addict!

Nakakatuwa sobra! Nagsimula kasi ako mag-blog para lang sa aking sarili. Diary baga. Mahirap magtago ng diary e (yung sinusulat pa gamit violet ballpen, hehe) kaya nang malaman kong may mga online diaries na, tinignan ko kung paano. At eto na nga…

Nagsimula ako sa Bravenet noong 2002. Nagsimula sa isang simpleng layout hanggang sa natutong maglagay ng images… ibahin ang background, header, links, etc. Sa kamalasan, kinitil ko ang buhay ng aking blog na iyon dahil nahuli ng boss ko! Wala ang pangalan niya dun pero syempre, obvious. Marami kasi ako dung entries na tungkol sa pagiging bratinella niya! Di ba, Devilicious? Hehehe

No regrets! Sa ganun naman talaga nararamdaman ko e. Ang kaso mo, ayaw ko na ng may evidence pa (bwahaha) kaya I pressed the delete button. *sob* *sob*

Gumawa uli ako ng isa pang Bravenet account na buhay pa hanggang ngayon pero di ko na ina-update. Balak ko na rin siyang i-delete one of these days. May kakaiba kasi akong ugali na kapag part ng pangit na past ko, parang gusto ko ma-eliminate lahat ng connected dun :( Pumili ako between Livejournal and Blogspot. Nanalo ang huli! Gumawa ako ng Blogger account kasi napakarami kong blogger templates na nagustuhan at di ko magamit (syempre) sa Bravenet. At nabuhay si Sasha.

Natutuwa ako at marami agad akong naging blog-friends. Ang titser ng bayan na si Ma'am Tekla, Happy Heart Karen, Rex, ate Ghee, ate Ann, my good blog friend Jigs, Janpol, at si ate Neng. Tapos nadagdagan pa! Saya!

Mababaw pa naman ang kaligayahan ko. Isang tag, comment, hi o hello o kumusta, natutuwa na ako! Tapos kung dati'y madalas dumaan, tapos dumalang, nami-miss ko na agad 'yung mga yun. Kaya nga sobrang natuwa ako sa mga bumati sa akin. Sa mga madalas dumalaw dito sa blog ni Sasha, maraming salamat! You make my days more fun!

Primary reason ko ng pagba-blog ay para may paglagyan 'yung sandamak na laman ng isip ko. Ngayon, pantanggal na rin ng stress at init ng ulo. Tapos naadik na. Kaya eto! Kung pwede lang every break mag-post ako, ginawa ko na! At salamat dahil merong blogging through email kaya eto, pwedeng makapagpost kahit di buksan ang blogger :)

Ako po si Sasha, isang certified blog addict!!!

Ay Robot!

Mukhang nananaginip itong boss ko at isang co-manager ko! 2007 detailed Budget for two companies (deadline: August 11), July 2006 financial statements for one of the companies I'm handling (deadline: August 10) and July 2006 financial statements for the Board (deadline: TOMORROW!!! At ngayon lang sinabi???). I am currently being audited by the BIR pa for two of the companies I'm handling! Tapos, may escrow fund pa na pinahihimay. Teka, teka…

Sobra na yata! Ano ba akala sa akin nitong mga 'to, robot??

Sinabi kong imposible 'yung FS bukas. Bahala sila!

Gabi ni Sasha ;-)

Dear Mommy,

28 na po ako!  3 years na lang wala na ako sa kalendaryo. Yay!  Ang bilis ng panahon!  Parang kailan lang naalala ko pa 'yung mga birthday parties ko.  Laging umuulan.  Nagkakaiba lang sa lakas ng hangin. Nyehehe :)

Kahapon, nagulat ako kasi hindi umulan!  Napakaganda ng sikat ng araw nang ako'y umalis ng bahay upang pumasok sa opisina.  Natawa nga rin si Daddy kasi for the first time daw, umaraw!  Pagdating ko dito sa may Insular, bumili ako ng tall latte sa Starbucks at 'yung corned beef pandesal nila.  Gutom na kasi at na-late ng gising, as usual.  Inuuwi ko kasi 'yung tinatapos kong 2007 budget ng 2 companies na hawak ko.  Mabuti na nga lang po at nakabili ako kasi di ako nakapag-lunch!  2pm kasi meeting kahapon tapos di ko pa tapos 'yung 1 company 12noon na.  Sumakit na naman nga po nang grabe ang ulo ko.  Pano ba naman kasi, 5:45pm na natapos meeting namin.  Nakauwi ako ng bahay 7pm na kaya sobra na gutom ko!

Pinagluto ako ni Te Mates ng pancit.  Binilan din ako nina Meng, Grash at Daddy ng cake at Mang Bok's chicken (bagong favorite ko, hehe).  Si Bebe naman regalo sa akin 1 gallon ng ice cream.  Yey!  Saya!  Pagdating ni Vi at Alex, may dala naman softdrinks kaya kumpleto!  Kaw lang ang wala, 'my.  Saka si Willyboy.  Tuwang-tuwa ka siguro kung nakita mo mga handa ko.  Sa ganyan ka pa naman natutuwa, 'my.  Iyong maraming pagkain.  Na-miss ka namin sobra!

Niregaluhan po ako ni Meng ng bag saka pouches.  Natuwa ako kasi gusto ko na palitan bag ko.  Si Grash naman pabango.  Si Vi mayang gabi pa, make-up naman.

Ang daming bumati sa akin.  Si ate Ann, ate Neng, Jo, pretty Devilicious, TK, Karen, Jonnazel, B1 at B2, Chikai, Aryan, Nona, Paeng at Rho.

Binati rin ako nina Julie, Len-len, Mhor, Ta Wilma, Ta Windy, To Walter, bespren May, Vanj, Che at mga officemates ko, Shen, Myra, Jing, Tim, Lem at si momee Myla.  Pati si Anne binati ako.  Naisip ko nga 'my, eto na naman ako at lumambot na naman ang puso.  Di ba inaway po ako niyang si Anne.  Kahapon nung binati niya ako, natuwa ako.  I'm wary of her na pero mas okay sa aking lang kaaway.  Lam niyo naman po 'yun. :)

Okay, Mommy, mahaba na ang aking sulat sa inyo.  Lam ko nandyan ka lang lagi, nakaalalay sa akin... sa amin.  Sana maayos ka na sa piling ni God!

Miss you po!  Love you!

Ang anak mong pretty,
Sasha

P.S. I'm blogging thru email now.  Will bloghop tonight.  Ciao! :-)

August 3 is my day!

Happy birthday to me!
Happy birthday to me!
Happy birthday,
happy birthday,
happy birthday to me!