Wed July 30, 2008
Blame It On Something...
...I am beginning to hate you more and more, Freewebs. You just keep on pushing my buttons. First, it's your stupid attempts with forcing me to upload your gay website banner, and I let that one pass. Then yet another lame attempt to advertise within my site. Clenching my fists and grinding my teeth, I let that one pass as well. And now you keep erroring on me, and you won't let me load my scripts. WHY are you doing this to me, when I have been loyal to you for four dang years?! Leave me alone. Please?
So it's like YAY! for the new monitor, right? But gosh, everything is now totally magnified to a huge scale. Not to mention how bright and annoyingly painful to the eyes a white/red/yellow/green background can be. The settings were already adjusted, but still. And then there's the whole privacy issue. The other day I was looking at someone's images and my mom was like, "What's that?" all loud from way across the room. Across the fricking room! Goodbye, discrete computer usage.
The exodus is here
The happy ones are near
Let's get home before we get older
by The Who
I love the way Tracy Bonham rocked the song. I <3 The Who and Blue Man Group. Felix promised he'll take me to one of the Blue Man Group's shows when we move to the great lands of America. But for now, it's YouTube or nothing, baby. If only Globe knocked it off with this stupid intermittent connections they're providing me.
May I just say? Globe Broadband totally sucks huge donkey balls. Like, really.
Ugh. Brain fart. And I blame you, Globe, you and your unreliable broadband service *shakes fist*
Sat July 19, 2008
Just In Case...
...Earlier, I said to myself, "Self, you should blog today." So, here I am talking about the mundaneness of my life, with much passion. At least I have something.
The computer's monitor broke a few days ago, and the new monitor was scheduled to arrive today. We wanted a suitable welcome for the new monitor, so Felix and I cleaned the area where I do my computer stuff. While we were at it, we also cleaned the computer. I got to be in charge of the keyboard, which, in case you didn't know, means heavy stuff, dudes. My special task involved disassembling the keyboard, wiping the keys one by one until they gleamed like precious gems, and putting them back accordingly. Really serious business, you know what I'm saying?
Also, today I learned that my final paper (which I have been working on the past two months, hence my lack of social/internet life since May) was approved. This means I will be presenting my paper to my professors in August, and graduating in September. My Master of Arts degree, finally. Oh. My. Gawd.
It's a weekend, but like it matters. Ever since I quit my job, every day feels like a frickin' weekend. El-oh-el. I'm going to see the dentist later, and then I'm going to watch The Dark Knight, and then play Heat of the Moment on Guitar Hero with my new, phat 21 inch LCD monitor (not necessarily in that order). Because that's how awesome people spend their weekends, in case you didn't know.
Tue May 27, 2008
Where's The Sense In That...
...I went out with my highschool girlfriends *hairflip* two Fridays ago, and there are some pictures taken from that night that I want to upload to my Multiply account, but for some reason Multiply won't let me. It lets me upload images individually, but not in batches. Who has time for that kind of bs?! How annoying and frustrating. Meanwhile, I'm posting the images in my photos page. So go gallivanting.
I must have had my Multiply account for, like what, three years now, and it's funny how it's just now that I'm actually using it. I thought I'd try the photo sharing feature the site offers. Too bad it doesn't do what I want. I personally still like using VillagePhotos for image hosting purposes. At least with VillagePhotos, I have more options when working on my website.
On other news, we got the approval for my son's immigrant visa application. Woot! Whether he's leaving with me or not is still hard to tell at this point. Although I would like for him to leave with me, if I had a choice. We'll see. For now it's good that his visa petition is moving.
I'm finally done tweaking my photos page. I ended up choosing Lightbox v2.04 JavaScript because of its awesomeness factor. I need to continuously come up with interesting attractions, giving visitors a reason to come back here, you know? However, I didn't touch the images. The artifacts and the jaggies are still very much there. (I really hate it.) I'll probably work on them when I can be bothered.
So anyway, my family and I went to Subic, Zambales last weekend despite typhoon signal #3 alert. We drove straight into the violent storm, braving the strong winds and harsh rains. Yup, that's how we roll. Of course we ended up staying indoors, between dining and window shopping.
I mean, what else could we possibly do in Subic during a typhoon, right? Poor son wanted to swim, but how could he? The beach was out of the question. Man, the waves were wild! I wanted to take some pictures of the beach, but the wind was blowing so hard. It was really scary. The worst part of the trip was my sister-in-law's accident. She slipped in the bathtub of Legenda Hotel and had to be rushed to the dispensary for some stitches on her forehead. At least the hotel paid for the medical expenses, and they even sent us a basket of fruits, and we all came home in one piece, and we now have something to laugh about over meal time.
After everything said, Multiply still isn't done uploading my images. It wants me to believe that it has less than a minute left until my upload completes, when it's been doing that for over thirty minutes now. I wonder what it is in Multiply that people like. It's just like all the other sites offering web space for a bunch of useless bytes which clogs up the intertoobz, consequently making the uploading of my useless stuff impossible.
Wed April 30, 2008
With Disclaimer...
...I've been wanting to blog about A LOT of stuff, like how elating it was seeing Felix again after a whole frickin year, and my son's elementary graduation, and our trip to Bohol - to list a few - but each time I sit here to update, it ends up a futile attempt. I frustrate myself. Hence, the blogging hiatus. My predicament is where to start. So brain, please work with me tonight.
The Attack of the Dermoids
My visit to the OB-GYN last February turned out okay. My dermoids haven't grown significantly, but they're not small enough to be ignored completely. The doctor recommended monitoring every four to six months, which means transvaginal ultrasound and some blood tests here and there. The good news is, there's no immediate need to remove them, and I can get pregnant even with these cysts nestling comfortably in my ovaries. I can actually have them removed while giving birth, so it's like hitting two birds with one stone. Now I can breathe.
Felix Is Back
Felix arrived in Manila on March 7. I picked him up at the airport, excited and all, and from there we went straight to the hotel. I thought we'd book us a night somewhere, away from everyone - just the two us, you know. Unfortunately, when we got to the hotel, they didn't have any room available. We got there at 7 am, and we had to wait until the 2 pm check in time. Do the math. I desperately wanted to cuddle and make out with Felix, but once again, my patience had to be tested. So it was either the hotel lobby or restaurant. We stayed in both, while bugging the receptionist every hour for our room. Keep in mind that we were apart for one year, and Felix was sitting on the plane for sixteen hours straight, and a few days before his arrival, I was not getting enough sleep. (My brain is not capable of handling high doses of excitement.) We just really wanted to get in our room, for one too many reasons. BUT! We are finally together, and that's all that matters. Now there's no place I could be, but here in your arms. Sure, why not?
The Graduate
Last March 15th, the not-so-little son graduated from elementary, and I couldn't be any prouder. Despite everything he put me through the past 12 years, seeing the bugger get up on stage and brag that diploma makes everything oh so worthwhile. I can't help but feel like he's growing up fast. Which means I am growing old fast. It's bittersweet, as he embarks on this new stage in his life. I am very excited for him, and very scared for myself at the same time. Goodbye childhood, hello adolescence. Please take it easy on me.
Our Bohol Trip
Felix and I went on a trip to Panglao, Bohol last March 26 to 29 for our post anniversary/Christmas/New Year/Valentine/everything-else-you-can-think-of-that-we-didn't-do-together-for-a-year celebration. It was a much-awaited and well-deserved vacation.
Bohol was very charming and pleasant. It was just like how people's reviews said it to be.
We spent our vacation frolicking on the shore, beachcombing for all sorts of sea life and pretty seashells, like conch, cowries and scallops. We also toured around Bohol, just like what any tourist would do. We camwhored at every tourist spot we set foot on - Baclayon Church, Loboc River, Chocolate Hills. We even got our staple shots with the tarsiers!
As for the highlight of our Bohol trip, I would have to say it was witnessing a tornado on our way to Virgin Island (Puntod, as the locals call it) after our snorkeling at Balicasag Island.
There we were on our boat, in the middle of the sea, and about 300 meters away from us was a tornado forming. We slowed down a while and watched as the funnel was created, and the clouds were sucked down toward the ocean. I watched in amazement and fear! (Felix claims to date that he wasn't scared at all. Sure.) After about 30 minutes of non-stop rain, the tornado finally dissipated and the sky cleared. And all I could think of was, "Holy shit."
Our vacation would have been completely awesome, if not for the sunburn Felix got from our snorkeling/island-hopping during our third day in Panglao. Because of that, we ended up staying in the room for the remainder of our trip, as Felix was already too sore and uncomfortable to do anything else. Poor thing was so burnt, he was red (like a lobster) all over! I couldn't do anything at all. Sucks not having enough melanin.
My Take On Amarela Resort
Amarela Resort is a really nice place - clean and elegant. I was impressed with their striking collection of antique furniture and traditional wooden arts and handicrafts. The old hardwood doors, floors and staircase added to its rustic appeal. I liked the homey feel.
The resort's staff was very accommodating and polite. Well, too polite. I almost felt like I was their seņora, with all the attention I was getting whenever I walked by a staff member. It took me some getting used to.
What I didn't like was its location. Since the resort sits on a slope, it meant trekking. To the beach. And back to the room. Sure it has a good command of the Bohol Sea, but I could do without the hike. The thing I hated most about the place was their food. Very disappointing. There was limited food selection on their menu. Not only was the food very pricey, it wasn't tasty at all! They should really do something about that.
As for the beach, it was undoubtedly beautiful. But I'm huge on swimming in beaches, and their beach is haven for the starfish and sea urchins. Good thing Felix and I came prepared. Plus, in order to swim, Felix and I had to walk a couple of meters away from the resort to where it was seaweed/sea urchin-free.
Don't get the wrong idea here though, we did enjoy our stay. Like I said earlier, the resort was a really nice place. All in all, our stay there was very comfortable and relaxing. But the next time I go back to Panglao, I'm going to stay somewhere else.
Visa Schmisa
It's been a year since Felix submitted the application for my immigrant visa. One. Frickin. Year. Ridiculous, isn't it? Someone at the National Visa Center is probably lollygagging on their desk, while my paper sits at the bottom of a pile, gathering dust and growing mold. Wonderful. At the rate things are going, I might not be able to leave by July. Sigh.
Today and Tomorrow
Felix, Bucky and I saw Iron Man today. Rest assured, I will not spoil the movie for anyone. All I'm going to say is that I think it was a really good movie. Oh, and when you go to watch it, make sure to stay until the end credits roll up.
Tomorrow, Felix and I are leaving for a three-day beach get-away with Janlo, Dre, GM and Denise. I am looking forward to this trip with my friends, since I'm going by the "I won't be spending my summer in the Philippines next year" thought. I just finished packing the clothes, and Felix has yet to pack our gadgets and toiletries. I have actually learned to delegate responsibilities, plus Felix is a more efficient packer than I am!
FancyZoom vs. Lightbox 2
Felix has been helping me revamp the photos page of my website. We've been JavaScript hunting the past days. There's quite a selection out there, you know. And they all look so appealing! It's like shopping for shoes - can't pick just one pair. I want a fancy JavaScript for showcasing all the images I have. (Felix got me a pink Sony W80, and it's been bliss since then!) I tried out the Lightbox v2.04 script for the images on this page, and it still needs tweaking. Notice how the shadow overlay doesn't stretch all the way to full browser? I find it annoying. So there's work to be done here. But hey, do check back for that special installment.
Wow. How's that for an update? Too long, didn't read?
Fri February 22, 2008
Crucified...
...I messed up and I don't know how to fix this problem without having to reformat the entire system. I changed the password for the administrator account, and I can't remember what it was. Now I can't log on to it and I'm stuck with this stupid guest account. It is really ridiculous and frustrating. Just like everything else in my life.
I'm very anxious about my appointment with the OB-GYN tomorrow. She ran some tests on me a couple weeks ago, and I'm going back for an evaluation. My transvaginal ultrasound in 2006 revealed a 2.5cm dermoid cystic structure in my right ovary. Within the left ovary was a small focus which suggested a dermoid cyst as well. The cysts have not been removed, and I can only hope they haven't grown bigger. Although dermoid cysts rarely become cancerous, chances of malignancy may occur in 2% of the cases, usually in women over 40. I'm far from turning 40, still, let's all hope I belong to the 98% of the population.
I was looking forward to a lot of things, and now I don't know. I'm still trying to figure out how everything in my life changed so instantaneously. I know I could have done some things to avoid these changes. But after everything, I wonder what. It seems no matter how hard I try, I will always end up cracking eggshells. I just wish I was allowed to make mistakes without having to feel like I'm the worst person alive. But that's just asking too much.
Bucky: Do you know the name of the nearest star on Earth?
Me: Nope, sorry.
Bucky: I can't believe you. How can you not know?
Exactly.
Classes will end in three weeks. That's something to look forward to.
Sat February 16, 2008
Neat-O!
...I almost forgot how to edit this thing, lawls. I'm just gonna throw in everything I have for now in this one dandy update. I love convenience.
I can't wait to throw a party for all my MacBook Air user friends so I can high-five them for their awesomeness. Now I know why they love the Mac. Why the hell not? Hahaha.
Here's my Valentine's special, care of Felix. I revel at how he can sweep me off my feet even though I'm oceans away from him. Because he loves me.
I hope yours was filled with much love and happiness, too.
Tue February 12, 2008
It's Beyond Me...
...I have this acnorial infestation persistently thriving on the lower portion of my face. If it's not the right side of my chin, it's the left. Make sense of that. They seem to have this tag-team effort going on, and it's really pissing me off. Will someone please tell me how I can get rid of these bitches painlessly? Better yet, can someone just make them go away permanently? All of them.
Lalala.
Oh! It's reaping time, boys and girls. Yup, yup! Felix will be home in 24 days.
Hep, hep, hooray!