My 2014 - Part 4

AUGUST (PART 2)

My August blog is not yet over!

Another adventure happened on Ninoy Aquino's Day.  We were on a tourist mode as we visited famous spots in Davao City.  Since Maan was in town, she suggested we go to Malagos Garden Resort and Philippine Eagle Center.  I remember when we were in High School and had field trips in these places!

So Paula, with her 2 kids, plus Farinah, Maan, Allan, Johanna and I went off on that holiday!

Welcome!

Friends FOURever!

Band of Brothers

Alla and Jazzie standing under a tree!

Bamboo!

With the Philippine National Bird!

Sa uulitin!

August was also a month full of celebrations as it was also the birth month of both my parents as well as close friends :)

SEPTEMBER

September was a fun month as well.  I started it with having lunch with Noche and Michael, as well as with Allan.  The fiscals also had their lunch, so we asked if we could have a picture of them too!

Good (and busog) Times!

Under the control and supervision of the public prosecutors ...

The Law School faculty also went to Butuan to attend a seminar conducted by the Legal Education Board.  It was quite a long trip but I had additional insight to take home.  However, I don't have any pictures .. toynk!

I also ecstatic when one of my students remarked "enjoy ang Sales".  And I was happy that one of my students who passed the CPA board exam noted what I have previously pointed out in class as to "with regard".

And I had a client who topped (as in TOP 1!) the Radio Therapist Exam!  Maka-happy and I was able to personally congratulate her :)

I also had a dinner with Lyn, Jinky and Bajo as we look forward to someone getting married!

Congrats Bajo!

And we also had a pina-abtik na badminton!

Exercise din pag may time!

Yahoo!

My 2014 - Part 1

Yes, I know.  I am fully aware how less I blogged in 2014.  I posted the fewest blogs in a year from the time I started blogging.  Let me just say that my hands were indeed full.  Nevertheless, to cap the year that was, here is my 2014 summary.

JANUARY

I celebrated New Year's Eve in one of my favorite cities in the world - Melbourne.  And on the first day of 2014, took a plane from Melbourne to Manila and from Manila to Davao City.

Happy New Year from Melbourne! 

Of course, I was very happy to be a part of my friends' special events - attending Teen's birthday and thanksgiving party as well as Cloud's baptism.  

 With law school friends at Teen's party (Ate Jo not ready for the picture .. hehe)

 Godparents at Cloud's baptism

 And there's that once in a blue moon beach outing with law school friends.

Beach time at Paradise!

This was also the year I turned 33.  I was very lucky to have people greet me before, during and after my birthday.  I feel so special having celebrated it with family and friends.  

Turning 33 at Yakimix!

How sweet!

Simple but fun lunch with this bunch!

FEBRUARY

My February usually starts with a joint birthday celebration with Lyn.  This time, we spent it at Vikings!

 Mukhang busog na ako dito :)

Teaching wise, I was very flattered having a talk with my former teacher now my co-teacher in undergrad.  

And of course, my BL Entrep Class was very amused with my perfect circle in class.  I do not have any picture of it, but my students surely took a picture of it.  I just drew a circle on the board and amazingly, it looked as if it was a perfect circle.

MARCH

I had a sumptuous dinner sometime the first week of March with friends.  

Food galore at Cellar de Oboza

Things happened so fast towards the last week of March.  It was quite shocking and surprising for the whole family and we just all hoped for the best.  To this day, I always thank GOD for the strength He has given our family as we went this ordeal together. 

Taken at 1 am after we fetched Jeni and Ally from the airport.

Our dad was very surprised when Ally was the one who woke him up at 1 am! 

Paradise again with family!

APRIL

One thing I will be always grateful is that of GOD's presence in my life.  Without Him, I have already faltered.  But what is amazing is that my faith remains steadfast in Him.  Our family has truly been blessed by Him, and with that I am always thankful.

To be continued ...

Get Lucky

In order to be admitted to the New York State Bar, one has to pass the New York State Bar Exams as well as the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE).

I took the MPRE last August in San Diego.  I was lucky that Atty. Noreen informed me that I could take it outside of New York as long as I indicate in my application that I am taking the MPRE for the New York jurisdiction.

And so, I decided to stay at my aunt's place in San Diego.  I was advised that I could study for the MPRE after the New York State Bar Exam.  And so I did.

I said to myself that I was going to study for a week for the exam and I had two review books on hand already.  Sunday before the exam, I already started listening to some lectures online.  And then, I would answer some sample questions as well.  By Tuesday, I realized that I could cover more topics if I read instead of listening to the online lectures.

Anyway, my aunt and uncle were very accommodating as there were nights that we went out for dinner.  So I had to make the most of my time in the morning and/or afternoon.  

On Thursday night, there were some changes as my sister was going to fetch me on Sunday, the day after my exam.  So my aunt decided to make the most of my Friday.

We went to the outlet stores on Friday morning as my aunt had to buy some stuff that I could bring to my uncles.  I was also able to buy some pasalubongs as well since I felt I could not buy them when I leave San Diego.  I then studied in the afternoon.

I told my aunt beforehand that we would not stay late that night since I had exams the next day.  For dinner, they treated me to a Korean buffet .. whoa!  

My cousins at an "eat-all-you-can" Korean restaurant

I thought we were going home but then we stopped by Extraordinary Desserts .. wow!  I had Strawberry Parfait and it was delicious!!! (No wonder I gained weight!)

Sarap jud ito ba!

My cousin ordered this Truffle Framboise - Masarap din!

I thought we were going home after that but guess again.  We made a quick stop at USS Midway.  We did not go inside anymore since it was already closed.  My aunt wanted me to stop by here because aside from a tourist attraction, it was where Jessica Sanchez had her audition and homecoming for the American Idol.

With my cousin

And so, we went home.  I was so quite nervous for my exam the next day - wondering if some stuff I have studied have been deleted because I felt so full with the food I ate.  I haven't done something like this on the night before an exam.  Adding to my anxiety was the fact that I was not able to finish all the review materials I had on hand.

This is all I could bring for the MPRE Exam (in a Ziploc bag)

My uncle and I left at around 7:30 and I was at the Test Center (a school) before 8:30.  The exam started at 9:00 a.m. and I was done at 10:45 a.m.

My uncle was supposed to fetch me at 11:00 after mountain biking.  I had no cellphone or watch with me since it was not allowed during the exam.  I just waited after all the other examinees left.  It turned out that one of the guys my uncle was biking with had a flat tire and in mountain biking, no man is left behind.  I was not nervous that I was not going to be picked up (again, I had no phone or money).  I knew I just had to wait.

In the afternoon, we went to Legoland with my cousins.

The exam had 60 multiple questions, only 50 of which were graded (but you won't know what).  I know I did my best.  I have read that some people overstudied for it but others pointed out not to take it for granted. 

Results were out just this week.  I knew it was going to be released this week, 5 weeks after the exam.  I wasn't sure what date though but any day during the week.  I was trying to search for #mpre over twitter and voila!  I saw some tweets saying they're so happy they passed!  My heart was really beating so fast.  I logged in my account and saw my score:

Before you get excited, that's not a perfect score!  The highest is 150 (scaled scoring) and the lowest was 50.  The score required for the New York jurisdiction (it varies in every state) was 85.  So, yes .. I passed it!!!!

Thank you Lord!

Thank you for my aunt, my uncle and their whole family for accommodating me.  I thank them for their support and their faith in me that I could make it (that's why they made the most of my stay in San Diego, even during the night before my exam!)

Thank you to my ever supportive mommy .. as in! Wala na akong masabi!

I am indeed lucky with my family and relatives and passing this exam.  I could not have done it without God's grace.

I hope my luck will continue with the results this November.  

Cebu, B

I haven't been to Cebu for quite sometime. The last time I was there was in 2001. And my mom and I were just passing by Cebu since our destination was really Bohol. All I can remember was that we got to visit SM Cebu that time. Before that, I also got to visit Cebu and did the tourist thing sometime in 1990.

Anyway, with the air fare promo and discounts, I thought of going there with my long time friend. And so we did! Elaine was more familiar with Cebu as she goes there often and as such, she was my ever-reliable tourist guide. Yes, she really prepared an Itinerary for us, which was flexible but we were able to cover basically everything within a short span of time.

Upon arrival at the airport, we immediately asked the taxi driver to take us to Mactan Shrine and wait for us. It was pretty cool considering that this was one of the pit stops in the Amazing Race Philippines. So it was like Elaine and I were in a race, hehe.

We then checked-in at Cebu R Hotel, which was really nice, budget friendly and accessible. We just walked to STK where we had our lunch. While waiting for our food, we had a look around the restaurant-museum. I love STK's scallops.

We then proceeded to the Sto. Nino shrine where we saw throngs of people. And it was just a week before the Sinulog festival. Magellan's Cross was just nearby and then we went to the Island Souvenirs Shop. We then walked towards Fort San Pedro then we went back to our hotel. Thereafter, we went back to our hotel and then we had our dinner at Casa Verde. It sounds "sosyal" but the price is really ok and I really like their Death by Chocolate.

The next day we attended mass at the Sto. Nino Shrine. Kadaming tao! Again, this was not yet during the Sinulog festival. So you can just imagine! We then did our own walking tour in Colon. We passed by the Obelisk and then we stopped by the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House and then we walked to Casa Gorordo. We then proceeded to Museo Sugbo but unfortunately, it is closed on Sundays. We then went Ayala Mall but this time we took the taxicab .. hehe. We bought some pasalubongs and discovered they had 2 grocery stores in one mall. Anyway, I also bought some clothes supposedly for the IBP convention. But I never got to wear the Filipiniana blouse but I got to wear the dress. What's great was that I got to buy those stuff at a discount. It costs less than P500 each. It was also a nice coincidence that I saw my tita/mom's officemate in Cebu. Lingaw!

Anyway, we then had our lunch and went back to the hotel. We then proceeded to the Taoist Temple. We had dinner at Zugbuchon and hot chocolate at Coffee Dream.

The next day, we were off back to Davao.

It was indeed just a weekend trip but it was fun nevertheless. I am glad to get in touch again with Philippine culture and stuff myself with good food that are not available here in Davao. But more than anything else, I really enjoyed my time talking and bonding and laughing with a dear friend.

Until the next bonding trip!

Trivia

I love trivias!

I remember I was always excited and nervous (sweat and cold palms with heart beating at a faster rate!) for our GP2W (Great Place to Work) Fridays in my previous workplace. My team would win every now and then (free pizza, ice cream, etc.)

I also attended a baby shower and bridal shower wherein my classmate, Sol, prepared trivia questions. I think I could say "kinareer ko", hehe.

Anyway, I would always see this ad at Bigby's Abreeza about their Wednesday Trivia Night. I was interested although I know it wouldn't work out since I had classes Wednesday nights.

Last Wednesday though was different as I decided to call off my classes in lieu of the victory party of my students. I also had to attend a meeting which finished at around 6 p.m. Allan likewise did not hold classes that night since they had a meeting and he had some work to do so he could not leave early for his class.

And so, after our respective meetings, we decided to meet up and went to SM. We weren't really hungry but we wanted something to eat. While strolling, I saw the Trivia ad of Bigby's - meron din pala sila.

Allan and I ordered food and waited for the trivia contest to start. Allan started asking what time it would start, considering that we have almost consumed our food. They said in a few minutes (I realized later that they were waiting for the host). Then, one of the waiters mentioned that the group next to us was the champion last week. I warned Allan that I would get nervous when the contest starts and he was just simply amused with me.

It was our first time so I did not have any idea how we would go about or how many questions were there. White board and markers were later distributed and I decided to name our team "jazdoit", hehe.

First category was ad slogans and I think I only got one right - the slogan for Carlsberg. I almost got Obsession for CK, but due to lack of time I was not able to change my first answer, which was Lust, hehe.

Next category was Dustin Hoffman and I was able to guess "The Graduate" (although I never got to watch it!) and "Rain Man" (I also never got to watch it!). Most of the teams did not get it (most of them are younger than me). I was waiting for Kramer vs. Kramer but it wasn't asked.

Hematology was next and all I was able to answer was it was the study of blood and another question regarding white blood cells (leukocytes).

For countries beginning with A, I give credit to Allan for Austria and Algeria.

I think Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was my favorite category for the night. Although I was not able to get the real names of Shredder and Master Splinter, I answered each of the specific questions referring to the Ninja Turtles themselves. And I was able to answer Rhinoceros but I forgot Warthog - referring to Rocksteady and Beebop. I forgot Technodrome though. (I think the other teams were not that familiar with TMNT - younger generation, hehe)

I got two wrong answers for Celebrity Mugshots. I wrote Snooky, instead of Snooki and I confused Gary Busey with Nick Nolte. I got the rest correctly (I was just lucky I got to read it on Yahoo news a few days before).

I think I only got one correct answer about those authors with their cats.

Fairy tales category was a fair game for everyone.

The last category was Autumn and I got "Autumn in New York" and "Carrie Bradshaw" correctly.

I had a feeling we were either second or first. Winners were announced. The previous champion was second place with their Midnight Chocolate Cake for garnering 23 points. Team Jazdoit won first place for 27 (or was it 29?) points and we got P600 worth of Gift Certificate.

Allan found it amusing that I was like a one-woman team since I was practically the only one who answered the trivias for us. The other teams had 3 or 4 members in them.

It was a fun night indeed! We will be back by sem break .. hehe! Thanks Bigby's! ;)

Alone

I guess I can say that I am used to it. Being alone that is.

It is kind of weird since I grew up in a family of 7. And being the eldest in the brood of 5, I had been always "there" - part of a group.

I grew up with people around. I don't think anybody could describe me as a loner. I have my close group of friends. But I can easily go with anybody (kaladkarin? jowk!)

I have a love life. But I don't get to spend time with him 24/7.

I attend weekday masses by myself. I can go around the mall by myself. I have even tried watching a movie by myself. I can do these stuff alone. And so do other people.

I remember watching one of the Lord of the Rings movie by myself as well as Mystic River. I really had that feeling that I had to watch Mystic River and I sure did feel proud that I was able to watch it on the big screen.

But I guess for some, the hard part is eating alone.

I can still remember that time when I was in college. The rain has stopped (the storm has passed .. hehe). I was waiting for a jeepney ride on my way home. But the jeepneys were full of passengers. I was hungry and I need to pee (hehe!) I decided to eat at Yummy's and I can still remember how I enjoyed my meal.

And when I was working in Manila, I usually do my groceries by myself on early Saturday afternoon (if no overtime!) and I eat by myself whenever I feel hunger pangs (kapatid ni hunger games na hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa napanood!).

Until today, I still get to eat by myself - whether at the school's food court, some nearby place or even at the mall. When hungry, eat - one of life's simple rules.

Birthday Girl

It was my birthday almost two weeks ago.

So, this is a belated birthday post.

Anyway, I am continuously thankful for the blessings that have come my way all through my life.

Celebrations?

Friday before my birthday, I sought out Elaine to catch-up and sort of celebrate my birthday as well. We went to Barrio Bistro and their Cheese pizza was a delight.

A surprise birthday get-together with some of our friends from law school was held on Sunday before my birthday. My dear Allan was able to gather our friends at the last minute two. I thought it was just Allan who was outside waiting for me to welcome him in our house. So, I was in my pambahay attire. Behold! I had a few friends waiting outside with buntings, balloons, pizza, ice cream and chicken. Thank you sa inyong tanan - Allan, Kahlil, Frederick, Rey Mar, Glyzl, Aizelle, Jane, Ogie, Clang, Bamut, Gang, Lyndon and Ling ;)

On the day of my birthday, I spent the morning at LTO to renew my license. Actually, I have been to LTO-SM twice already and LTO Main twice as well. Two of those times, the system was done. Anyway, after the assessment and picture taking, Allan looked for someone who can take my place at LTO to pay and wait for my Driver's License - it was his birthday gift to me (priceless!), knowing how frustrated I was with LTO the other day.

Another semi-surprise celebration courtesy of my dear friends Michael and Noche. happened before I left the office. It was semi-surprise because I had a feeling, though not 100% sure, since Noche was asking until what time I'll be at the office because he allegedly has a friend who was looking for someone to notarize his document for SEC, hehe. Anyway, these two great guys surprised me with a cake. Since we haven't seen each other for months, we also had a lot of stories shared.

Thereafter, I went home since I knew we had cake and spaghetti, which turned out to be baked mac, prepared at home. I had dinner with the family. Allan followed after his work.

On Thursday, I attended a Bible group at SGD where Hann surprised me with a gift ;)

On the Friday after my birthday, I met up with Bajenx and Lyn to celebrate not just my birthday but Lyn's as well. We had dinner at Don Beppe with Allan as well. Allan volunteered to pay for our dinner .. sort of my birthday gift from him ;) Allan had to leave early since he still has to finish some stuff. Us girls then went to Coffee Bean at Abreeza to continue reminiscing our school life with Bajenx sharing her married life with kids. We left after 12:00 midnight.

One week to celebrate my birthday with family and friends ;) Thank you Lord ;)

November 2011

A lot of great things in November!

A number of loads in teaching ... as they say, bring it on second semester!

I was a jetsetter in November as I went to Manila for two weekends for the Bar Exams - to support my dear friends, especially Elaine, who took the Bar Exams. The system was all new for me .. I wasn't even able to see some of my barrister friends. But I hope they know that they continue to be in my prayers.

Mga "tambays" sa HQ

I was a tambay at the HQ for the first Sunday.

Thereafter, I was so happy to tag along with my classmates Karla, Norliza, Jo Anne and Ate Debs as we trooped to the Manila Ocean Park.

"wacky" daw!

For the last Sunday, I woke really early for the love of Elaine (hehe) and to just be there for my friends.

Good morning, world!

It was Bar Ops with Maan and Martin most of the time - for the love Elaine, hehe. It was also my first time to visit Dangwa, also known as Manila Flower Center. Believe me if I say how happy I was when I realized that Manila Flower Center is the scientific name of Dangwa, hehe.

Bar ops


Fresh from Dangwa!

Of course, free dinner with LA friends was really enjoyable. And it was really nice to see LA Residents, Foundation Members and Barristers ;)

I <3 Lakas Atenista!

The next day was a trip to whatever with Maan and Elaine. With these two, food trip galore jud! I love the panna cotta of Kiss the Cook (but I did no kiss the cook, ha!). It was also a trip in the truest sense since we took public transportation - LRT, jeep and trisikad! From Quezon City, we reached Tutuban! It was such a delight that we were able to find the way from Tutuban all the way to 168. We did not shop that much .. although, I think Maan did. And siyempre, gutom uli .. so we went to Wa Ying! Yum, Yum!

Makalaway!


We <3 Chocolate!

This month, I also started to join Hann's weekly Bible Group @ SGD!