Annoyed...

I know it's late and I should be sleeping, I guess I'm a bit cranky cause it's been a long day and I'm tired.

What the hell is wrong with multiply's cross posting option?!?! It isn't doing what it's supposed to do! 2 months ago, it was so easy, I would just write my entry on blogspot and within a day it'll be up on my multiply account as well.

Most people wonder why keep my blogspot account. It's just so much more convenient, given that you can post entries and you have the option of changing the post date. It's not like you have time to sit down in front of your computer at the end of the day. That's pretty much the only reason I still maintain this account.

One last thing I hate with the cross-post option is that if you do it manually, you have to uncheck all the other entries that you have from your blogspot or other blog. And this you have to do everytime even if the other entries are already posted on your blog. What's worse, it's not like you are just unchecking 10-20 entries, but for those who blog many times, I have to uncheck around 200 boxes! It's just damn tiring to do it. Argh!!!

Yes or No Survey grabbed from Karla

Do you...? (Yes or no lang dapat but i don't follow instructions...)

keep a diary? Yeah, I may not write insightful stuff or emotional stuff, but I keep track of all activities that I did for that day.

like to cook? Not always, but there are times when I feel like preparing a nice meal for franny and friends.

exercise regularly? Lately, I haven't been able to. But I usually go to the gym at every other day.

sketch while you are on the phone? I guess doodling counts, right.

have read a book in the past month? yeah, I usually have a few books on queue.

replace the toilet paper roll immediately? Not always, but the other rolls are in the bathroom so I don't rush to replace it.

like crossword puzzles? yeah.

have a secret you have never shared with anyone? I think we all have secrets, some we don't realize we haven't shared with anyone.

snore? Yes, I do, but I don't think it's loud enough that I wake people up.

have been to your ancesters' homeland? Yes.

read in the bathroom? yes, very guilty of this habit.

believe that being sick is a vacation? No, since you are pretty much stuck in your home and can't take advantage of not being at work.

often have people over at your house? Yes.

like america? Yes, though I prefer the east coast to the west coast.

can remember jokes? usually I can, if I'm really listening to it.

play cards? Yup yup.

fold your underwear? Yeah, it makes sense to do so. If you leave it as is, it takes up too much space.

talk in your sleep? I'm not sure, you can ask franny if i do.

eat fast? Yeah, I usually am the first in the group to finish my plate.

recycle small batteries? not really.

often avoid paying full price? Yeah, but some items, you just have to buy right away.

like hiking? haven't really gone on a hiking trip. So I really don't know yet.

like being on the phone? Not as much as before.

set your watch a few minutes ahead? Yes, usually around 10-15 minutes only.

are always late? No, I try to be punctual and expect others to do so as well.

often get headaches? No.

smoke? No, I used to before socially.

can whistle? Yes.

write letters regularly? Yes and No. I used to write letters to friends on a regular basis, but lately, I've been having trouble, keeping up with my correspondences

believe in destiny? Yes in a way, I believe we have choices, but those choices lead to certain events to happen.

bite your fingernails? Nopes, I used to when I was a young kid, but managed to break the habit.

eat in restaurants alone? Yes.

watch movies alone? Yes, but that's a rarity.

read the newspaper everyday? Yes, though the online version only. I don't subscribe.

apologize quickly when you think you did something wrong? No, if I just think I did something wrong, its more of a wait and see. But if I know I did, I'll apologize right away.

lose control in heated arguments? Nopes, I like to keep things sane.

get out of bed immediately when the alarm sounds? No, but if I made some important plans, once it rings, I get up right away to get ready.

drank mother's milk? Yes, I think we all do during the first few weeks or months of our lives.

save letters and postcards? Yup, I keep all the letters and postcards in a nice box.

have fired a gun? Yes.

often have the last word? No, I don't need to, I make sure I state my point.

give money to homeless? No.

enjoy being photographed? Yes. It's nice documenting the many moments we have in our lives.

ateneo survey picked up from Lala...

1. What's your ID number?
I thought I still remembered it, but guess not. 970564 but I'm not really sure

2. Passed or wait-listed?
passed

3. How did you know about the ACET results?
friend of mine told me the results

4. Was Ateneo your first choice?
nopes, wanted to go to UP

5. Do you know what your ACET score is?
no idea.

6. What course was your first choice?
BS ME - management engineering

7. Second choice?
I think my second choice was business management honors

8. Anong course mo ngayon?
you mean when I graduated, Economics

9. Did you have any plans of shifting?
shifted courses after summer of first year

10. Chinito/chinita ka ba?
no chance of anyone making that mistake with me.

11. Taga-Ateneo High?
yup, C all the way.

12. Did you have fun in your OrSem?
not really, I would have preferred to just enjoy the rest of my summer days

13. Saang gate ka pumasok nung first day?
gate 3

14. Are you staying/did you stay in a dorm?
never had to since I lived a good 20 minute drive away.

15. Ever had an F in your grade report?
Am I glad that I never did.

16. How about an A?
was able to get one.

17. Highest grade?
A

18. Lowest grade?
D

19. Worst experience in ADMU?
can't really place one right away

20. Do you always attend class?
I rarely missed class

21. What are/were your orgs?
wasn't really that involved till my 3rd year - AEA, ACLC, Sanggu (if that's an org)

22. How many units have/did you pass/ed?
pretty much all that was required, no more, no less

23. Nangangarap/nangarap ka bang maglaude?
pretty much after my first sem, I knew I had no shot at making it.

24. When will/did you graduate?
March 2001

25. Fave subject?
Money & Banking (the subject where I got an A)

26. Worst subject/s?
I sucked in Sociology and Anthropology as well as History 165.

27. Fave landmark sa ADMU?
For me, it's the field where the Gesu is now. There was just a statue of Jesus there which was nicely placed (highest point in campus)

28. Fave kainan?
Manang's

29. How do/did you get to school?
drove to school.

30. Are/were you always at the lib?
during my first year, it was the only place you'd find me. After that, didn't spend as much time.

31. Ever gone to the infirmary when you were sick?
never went there, but at least I knew where it was.

32. Do/did you have a crush in campus?
I think everyone has one in college, I got lucky and married mine! =)

33. May balak kang mag-MS, PhD?
done with my MA, working on my PhD now.

34. Have you ever watched a graduation ceremony?
my brother's grade school graduation.

35. Do you know the "Song for Mary" by heart?
after 16 years of ateneo, it would be sad if I didn't know the alma matter song.

36. Memorize mo ba ang Fabilioh?
nopes, wasn't a big fan of the UAAP games.

37. ...ang Halikinu?
I think I know it, but I'm not sure if that's all there was to the cheer.

38. ...ang Blue Eagle Spelling?
This I am sure I know

39. Are you part of Team Ateneo?
nopes

40. Who's your fave UAAP basketball player?
never really followed the basketball team, I guess Rich Alvarez, since I think he was playing during the years I was in college.

41. Ever had a perfect score in an exam?
yup yup

42. Ano ang ayaw mo sa Hell Week?
how everyone would be so stressed about it, and how everyone would be on such a short fuse.

43. Dito ka ba natuto uminom ng beer?
never really drank during my time in college. It was after college that I started to drink.

44. What do you like about our school?
our campus, I really wish they would build just one big carpark instead of using up all the fields for parking space.

45. Ano ang ayaw mo?
how some teachers are closed minded and only want you to think the way they think.

46. Have you ever bought anything at the A-shop?
Planner

47. maganda ba ID pic mo?
I don't think I ever was proud of an id photo.

48. Done anything illegal on campus?
nothing really

49. Bought anything at National Katips?
of course, supplies for almost any class.

50. Ever gone to Starbucks Katips?
I don't drink coffee, so I'd only be there to meet up with some friends.

51. May nakaaway ka na ba sa school?
I think we all have our antagonists in college.

That's pretty much it.

4th of July..

This year, I joined a few friends to watch the fireworks along the east river. I have it on video on my multiply site if you're interested in checking in out. Again, walked through central park and I took another set of pictures.

If there is one part of central park that I never get tired of, that would be the Mall. We actually spent almost a good 30 minutes just taking pictures of the area and playing around camera trying to get a really nice shot!

As is usually the case, I'll be posting them on multiply but since I haven't gotten to it, here are some of the shots I took during the day.

I was trying to imitate I shot I took of my dad when he was here a few months back. I just love how the perspective comes out.

I have no idea, who the couple were. But I just found it so sweet cause it was starting to rain and they cuddled up next to each other under the umbrella. Just had the impulse to take a picture of it =).

Trying to be artsy! Hehehe! (top picture - Karla, bottom picture - Chilai)

Grand Central at night, on the way back after the fireworks display.

left-brain or right-brain?

Are you a more right-brained or left-brained thinker?

You are a left-brained thinker! You tend to be very logically and analytical. You express yourself best through verbal communications and are not that creative. You have a good mind for math and a great concept of time. You set goals for yourself and solve problems slowly, step by step. You believe that something is either right or wrong with no inbetween grounds. Since you're organized, you're rarely late to anything. Overall, you are very smart and logical. Good for you!
Take this quiz!








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I got Tagged!

Since I was tagged, now I have to tag 7 people as well namely (I'll choose those who I know haven't been tagged yet) --> ton-ton, ep, my cousin tina, mara, rex, lorraine, and ague.

Instructions: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. I've never been able to sleep in class. No matter how tired I am or how few hours (at times none) of sleep I have, I can never sleep in a classroom. And it's not like I've had really stirring professors always! There were some which really were able to put other classmates of mine to sleep.

2. In college, I never really bought the required textbook unless it was a novel. Then in grad school, I began purchasing the required textbooks, but I never really read them. That is why some of my books are pretty much as good as new. They pretty much end up on display. Hehehe!!! At least if I need to look something up, I have the books for it.

3. I cross-stitch. This is something I think most of my friends now about me. I've been doing it since I was in first year high school even through college. During grad school, I haven't really been able to get back to it, but I did bring all my stuff in case I do decide to pick up the habit again. I've been able to finish a good number of projects. I usually get teased cause I made 2 ballerina patterns, one in blue and another in pink.

4. I enjoy counting coins. Let me clarify, I'm one who doesn't mind when I get change during the day. I've always had a piggy bank and usually every month, I empty it out and check the balance. I rarely use the coins I have in my pocket unless I have too much already. At one point, when I deposited my coins it came out to a total of $500. I just enjoy taking them out and stacking them and counting them out.

5. When shopping, I tend to put things that I'm interested in purchasing in my cart, only to leave them just when I am about to reach the check out counter. This habit of mine irritates franny, cause sometimes there are items which I do need, but I end up postponing my purchasing of it. I guess it's my way of "satisfying" my desire to shop.

6. I hate being late. I always try to make sure that we make it on time, even though I am well aware that those who we are meeting are notorious for being late. I just think that being on time is your way of saying that you are valuing the person you made plans with. More frustrating for me are those who are late and seem not to care that they are late at all (it's surprising how some people are unapologetic about it).

7. I collect postcards. I usually ask friends of mine to send me one whenever they travel. Whenever I travel I do return the favor as well. I prefer that it gets sent out through the mail, but it doesn't matter how I get one :D I just think its nice seeing where my friends and relatives have been able to travel and explore. Of course, it's part of my plan to travel to those places as well.

That's pretty much it. It's not as easy as it seems.

a few online quizzes!!!

Your Brain is 80% Female, 20% Male

Your brain leans female You think with your heart, not your head Sweet and considerate, you are a giver But you're tough enough not to let anyone take advantage of you!

What Gender Is Your Brain?

You Are 80% Open Minded

You are so open minded that your brain may have fallen out! Well, not really. But you may be confused on where you stand. You don't have a judgemental bone in your body, and you're very accepting. You enjoy the best of every life philosophy, even if you sometimes contradict yourself.

How Open Minded Are You?

Happy Anniv!!! + survey

Happy Anniversary to my loving parents! 29 years and counting! Woohoo!!!

I'd also like to greet my in-laws, Tito Marc & Tita Del who celebrated their respective anniversaries as well.

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Got this from Joan

1. Are you a child of the 70s, 80s, or 90s?
- 70s, love their music!

2. Where were you born?
- I forgot what the name of the hospital was, but was born in Gainesville, Florida

3. What city did you grow up in?
- Quezon City

4. Did you enjoy your childhood?
- there were rough times, but over-all I must say that I did

5. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
- a robotech fighter pilot!

6. What do you want to be now?
- a tenured professor with a consultancy on the side :D

7. Were you a fun little kid?
- I was usually up to something

8. What was your first best friend's name?
- I really don't remember. I just remember hanging out with this other kid at the playground in school

9. Is he/she still your friend?
- nopes, I guess this was obvious given I don't recall the name.

10. Can you name all the schools you ever attended?
- I'm not senile yet -> St. James, Ateneo Grade School, Ateneo High School, Ateneo de Manila University, lastly, Fordham University

11. Were you closer to your mom or dad as a kid?
- I think dad, cause he scolded me less. hehehe!

12. What was the first record, tape or CD you remember buying?
- first tape, I think it was the Metallica Black album cover,
- first cd, it might be the Eraserheads UltraElectroMagneticTop album

13. How old is a good age to have kids?
- around my age =)

14. Are you scared of anything?
- needles, though not as much as before. Ghosts!

15. What was your favorite class in elementary school?
- aside from the usual answer of P.E., it would be math

16. Did you buy school lunch or bring your own?
- I think I always brought until I was in grade 5 since we had the meal card then.

17. Broken any bones or had any freaky accidents as a kid?
- fell off pedicab and rolled down the road for around 10-15 feet.
- broke my left wrist, when I slipped while playing soccer and it landed on a nice rock

18. Were you a mean kid?
- not really

19. Favorite board game of all time?
- chess!

20. Did you play house or pretend to be a super hero?
- I think every kid does (the latter)

21. Seriously, are you still just a kid at heart?
- I try to cultivate the kid in me!

survey time!

By now we all know how this works!

1.FIRST NAME?
Manuel Elias

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Manuel - my dad's name is Manuel, same as my lolo (it gets passed down)
Elias - no idea, it was added so that I wouldn’t have to put “III” behind my name

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
Nung umiyak si franny!

4 DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yes, keeps my notes clean and tidy

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT?
Just plain ground beef with ketchup and rice!

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOURSELF?
Maybe I would – they always ask this question

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
Yup, but I don’t write on it religiously.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Yes!!!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Kellog's Special K with strawberries

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Yes

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
I think I am

14. SHOE SIZE?
10.5

15. RED OR PINK?
Red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I’m heavy!

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Franny!!!

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Why not!?

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Blue tennis shorts, and plain flip-flops

20. LAST THING YOU ATE?
Rice with sinigang nababoy

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The humming sound from the AC unit in my room

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
I always like the blue crayon

23. FAVORITE SMELL?
The smell near the beach

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Tito Marc telling me that my cousin is about to enter surgery

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?
Their faces

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Of course, it’s lola tina!!!

27. FAVORITE DRINK?
Orange Juice

28. FAVORITE SPORT?
Tennis, basketball and bowling

29. EYE COLOR?
Dark brown

30. HAT SIZE?
I’m not sure about the first number I think its 7 and 3/8

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No

32. FAVORITE FOOD?
Franny’s Lasagna and Manang Maria’s baked spaghetti.

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings, not muchof a fan of scary movies

34. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
orange

35. SUMMER OR WINTER?
winter

36. HUGS OR KISSES?
A nice tight hug can really lighten up one’s day

37. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Oreo and strawberry cheesecake

38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
I’m not sure, since a lot of people have responded already.

39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Hmm… I have no idea, Tina said it could be Justin. I trust in Lola Tina!!! (sipsip)

40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?
books – Rats, articles – Papers and Studies on Corruption

41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Same as lola tina, I use an optical mouse

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV?
Last night, didn’t watch tv.

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS?
My sleepy time playlist on my laptop.

44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles

45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME?
I guess flying to New York when I first moved

46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT?
Cross-stitching

47. AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Gainesville, Florida – home of the Univ of Florida Gators!

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Lola Tina!!!

leaving on an airplane...

There are a few moments in our lives that we allow ourselves to endure periods of boredom. I am going through one of those moments, I am here at JFK airport waiting for my flight to start boarding. Luckily for me, they have a few televisions here and they are showing the Suns go against the Lakers.

My flight is scheduled to leave at 1250am, and I was informed by the travel agent that I should check-in around 9-930am. That's one thing I never follow. I still maintain and believe that you can still go and arrive just 2 hours before one's flight and for domestic flights, I feel that an hour before your flight is enough time. The only time that I almost missed a flight was when I was in Manila. For some reason, the airline that only had 2 counters open to check-in one's luggage. It was really messed up, and in the end, they just ended up delaying the departure time since there were still so many people still on line waiting 30 minutes before the estimated time of departure.

Well, its now 1141pm. I just have an hour to go. There seems to be some activity going on near the gate. We might be boarding soon =) will write again once I arrive in Manila.

I'm going home!

I finally booked my flight home! I've been delaying my purchase of a ticket given that I was going to be able to get home via a discounted ticket. Unfortunately, things didn't work out and I had to get myself a regular ticket. I don't really feel bad at all, though the savings was going to be really significant. I guess this is why funding was given for the research in the first place. Hehehe!

Looking forward to see family and friends when I go back, as well as get a lot of research work done.

Fr. Ben Nebres's visit

Ever since I started at Fordham University, Fr. Nebres would always visit the campus and give a talk at the Economics/IPED department. It would usually be either the week before or after Holy Week. Most of the topics involved would be the current political state of the Philippines, along with other issues being faced by the country. This year given that its a few weeks before elections, his talk touched on the the lack of issues being raised up by the politicians.

Along with that, Fr. Nebres also discussed Gawad Kalinga. An organization which is trying to gather more support for its projects which involve providing homes which clearly help in uplifting the poor. It may not seem much, but as he mentioned in the talk, that for the poor having a home for themselves that they can be proud of is really a major step for them.

One of the memorable quotes of the night was when someone asked about the issue of population growth. How the issue was being addressed in the country and what was the opinion on the said issue. Basically, he answered that increasing or providing a means of livelihood is the key issue, given that "0 divided by 10 is the same as 0 divided by 2, thus by giving them a source of income it would make them realize that planning the size of their family will have a direct affect with the income that they earn.

Just thought that was a nice way of saying things. I've included some pics as well.

leanne, justin, chilai, fr. ben, karla and me

me, karla, jose rizal, chilai, justin and leanne

the inside of the embassy lobby

A really random survey....

This is going to be one weird survey given the rules which are -->

Put your ipod on shuffle. Press forward for each question. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if they don't make sense. You'll be surprised though.

NO CHEATING.

*How am I feeling today?
Jungle Boogie - Kool and the Gang

*Will I get far in life?
Every Breath You Take - the Police

*How do my friends see me?
Mama told me not to come - Tom Jones & the Stereophonics

*Where will I get married?
House of Love - Amy Grant finally one of the answers make sense!

*What is my best friend's theme song?
Prayer for Generosity marami siguro hinihingi best friend ko hahaha! labo!?!

*What is the story of my life?
Don't Tread of Me - Metallica more and more answers are starting to fit. hehehe!

*What was high school like?
I Don't Want to Talk About It - Everything but the Girl not really accurate, high school was a great time.

*What is the best thing about me?
Eastside Jam - Kenny G I do like the east coast better than the midwest and west coast.

*What was today like?
Larger than Life - Backstreet Boys what a reply to a simple question

*What is in store for this weekend?
Rock with You - Michael Jackson I guess it will be a good weekend then

*What song describes my parents?
A Sight for Sore Eyes - M People it happens to be one of my mom's fave songs

*How is my life going?
Kiss on my list - Hall & Oats

*What song will they play at my funeral?
Get Ready 4 This - 2 Unlimited I didn't know my funeral would also be a sporting event?!

*How does the world see me?
Innocence - Kenny G another Kenny G song? what are the odds? I could solve for it but I'm lazy. hehehe!

*Do people secretly lust after me?
No Ordinary Love - Jennifer Love Hewitt I guess that's why its lust and not love. hahaha!!!

*How can I make myself happy?
Tragedy - Bee Gees are you saying I delight in the misery of others???

*What should I do with my life?
Give It Up - K.C. & the Sunshine Band ummm.... sounds suicidal. rather ironic given its a fun song!

*Will I ever have children?
Don't Damn Me! - Guns N Roses

*What will you name them?
Hopelessly Addicted - the Corrs

*Who will you marry?
New York City - the Village People

*Do you have a gf/bf?
New Mother Nature/Verwirrung - Wolfgang

monday weigh-in and another survey!!!

Franny and I took advantage of the nice weather today. We played for over an hour, then I went off to the courts to play a few pick-up games with the undergrads. I was pretty impressed with myself cause I managed to play for over 2 hours and I was able to keep up with them. Though there were times that I would pace myself and take my time going down to the offensive end. Hehehe! At least I managed to play through it.

Of course going to the courts, means a weigh-in before I leave.

current weight : 247.5 lbs
previous weight : 250 lbs

Making progress! Hehehe!

-----000-----

And to break the monotony of just posting my weigh-in, let us include a survey!

70 Confessions grabbed from Karla who grabbed it from Maris

1.The phone rings. Who do you want it to be?
right now, I want it to be from the place where I applied for an internship

2. When shopping at the grocery store..
i usually end up buying things which aren't on the list of things to buy, namely - candy like gummi bears!

3. If you had to kiss the last person you kissed, would you?
i don't mind kissing franny again!

4. Do you take compliments well?
I would like to think that I do

5. Do you play Sudoku?
yes! I used to play online always, but not lately

6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
yup yup! I know I'm pretty capable of taking care of myself.

7. Do you like nipple rings?
nopes

8. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
I used to join camps to learn a new sport every summer when I was a kid.

9. What was your favorite game as a kid?
agawan base

10. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew he/she was married what would do?
I'd turn them down.

12. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?
I don't think so. I'm sure that it would lead to issues later on

13. Do you like to pursue or be pursued?
who doesn't want to be pursued. I've pursued long enough already!

14. Use three words to describe yourself at the moment.
tired, sleepy and bored

15. Do any songs make you cry?
yes, but I can't remember what songs those would be

16. Are you continuing your education?
finishing up with my ph.d.

17. Do you know how to shoot a gun?
I sure do!

18. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grab?
Franny, and other important documents of mine

19. Who was the last person you shared a bed with?
Franny!

20. Who do you call the most?
Franny!

21. What is your favorite children's book?
I really didn't have one favorite.

22. What color are your eyes?
dark brown

23. How tall are you?
5'10"

24. Do you have a crush on 'Dave the Goofy Professor'?
I have no idea who "Dave" is

25. If you could do it over again, start from scratch, would you?
Hmmm... I'm happy with my life, but I would curious to find out.

26. Any secret admirers?
I have no idea at all

27. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth?
Yup while in a mall in florida

28. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden?
was when I watched a Knicks game. That was in November last year, I think

29 Favorite ex?
ummm... none

30. Where is the furthest place you've traveled?
New York

33. Do you prefer to sleep or eat?
Hmm... I think it would be sleep especially on a nice cold night

34. Do you look like your mom or dad?
I'm not sure who I resemble more

35. How long does it take you in the shower?
I'm a quick shower taker. It takes me less than 10 minutes always.

36. Can you do splits?
Nopes, but the closest I was roughly an inch and a half away from doing a complete split!

37. What movie do you want to see right now?
If I answered this question a few days ago, it would be 300, but now its Blades of Glory

39. What did you do for New Year's Eve?
Had dinner with my family at my mom's apartment. Last time we all had dinner together was in 2002.

40. Do you think The Grudge was crappy?
I never got to watch it

Hmm... we're missing a number #41, so its just 69 confessions!

42. Do you own a camera phone?
Yes, but I don't use it that much

44. Was your mom a cheerleader?
No idea

45. What's the last letter of your middle name?
C

47. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
When I was working, it would be around 4-5 hours, but nowadays I usually get 8-9 hours

48. Do you like care bears?
yes! I think I still have their movies in vhs somewhere in manila. hahaha!

49. What do you buy at the Movies?
Usually popcorn and a big soda!

50. Do you know how to play poker?
Yes! I love playing poker

51.Do you wear your seatbelt?
Yes, I learned the hard way to always wear it. The scars above my eyes are a constant reminder

52. What do you wear to sleep?
boxer shorts and a basketball jersey

53. Anything big ever happen in your town?
something always happens here in new york

54. Is your hair straight or curly?
right now, I'm bald. But if I grow it out, it will be curly and wavy

55. Is your tongue pierced?
nopes

56. Do you like Liver and Onions?
No!!!

57.Have you ever been in love?
of course I have!

58. Do you like funny or serious people better?
maybe it would be serious people, I'll take care of being funny!

59. Ever been to L.A.?
yes, that's where I first stayed when I moved to the US.

61. Do you visit goofyauctions.com daily?
Nopes. This is the first time I've heard of the site.

62. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads?
I just download, though I have bought some songs on Itunes as well

63. Do you hate chocolate?
Nopes, I like chocolate, but I'm not one who craves it.

64. What do/did you and your parents fight about the most?
The usual arguments between parents and their kids

65. Are you a gullible person?
nopes

66. Do you need a boyfriend/girlfriend to be happy?
No need, I think you need to be happy with yourself before you can make other people happy.

67. If u could have any job what would it be?
I'd love to run my business in Manila as well as teach part-time in a University

68. Are you easy to get along with?
I would like to think that I'm sociable and that I don't rub people the wrong way

69. What is your favorite time of day?
past midnight, things usually really quiet down at that time.

70. Are you a generally happy person?
Yup yup! I think I'm an optimist!

problems with my palm pilot...

I was updating my calendar in my palm desktop when I noticed a little problem. Actually not that serious a problem, just that all my reminders for people's birthdays were all a day ahead! For some reason, all birthday reminders I made from April all the way to November were ahead a day! I don't even know what could have caused it. It's just annoying since I had to manually restore the reminders to their correct date, one at a time.

Maybe it was caused by the early implementation of daylight savings. Whatever the reason, it's just an annoying thing I noticed and had to spend time fixing! Hopefully this coming fall, when we "fall back" I don't have to go through the trouble once again.

-------

If there is one thing I'm really happy with spring, its that Franny and I can play tennis again. We've played twice during this week, and it feels great being able to play again. I guess that's one benefit of living in florida, you can keep playing all year round. Something to consider when we decide where to settle down. Hehehe!

we're flying back for the summer!

As the subject goes, Franny and I will be flying back home for the summer. We both were granted the GSAS Summer Research Fellowships we applied to last January. Of course we indicated that our topics of study will involve us having to go gather data back in Manila. Hehehe! In case you are wondering, my topic will be relating development and corruption while Franny's paper will discuss microinsurance.

What we just don't know yet would be the exact details when we will fly out. Right now, I'm waiting to hear word whether my application for an internship this summer was accepted. If it works out, then I'll be back in Manila first week of May already and be back in New York by May 31. I really want to get this internship, it's something I would love to get into, please pray that I do get it! Franny, on the other hand, will fly out to Manila near the end of May since she still has classes to finish.

something I haven't done for sometime...

Here's something I haven't done for a long time now - a survey!!! I'm sure most of you know how it works, copy the whole thing, then change the answers to fit who you are, blah blah.

1. FIRST NAME?
Manuel Elias

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Manuel is the same name as my dad, who also got it from his dad..., the Elias was included so that I wouldn't need to put a "III" since my dad already has junior as his suffix.

3. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Not anytime recently. I can't remember having a good cry for sometime now.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Personally, I like my handwriting. I know I write surprisingly small for someone my size. But it's legible and my notes are very neat.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Lunch meat? Hmm... back in college, it was always siomai with 2 cups of rice! Now, a nice meal of beef curry with rice at Curry in a Hurry will always hit the right spot!

6. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
No kids yet. Though we plan to have a few kids of our own in the near future.

7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I would think I'd be friends with myself.

8. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Since I wanted to be accurate with this survey, I asked a few people and I got various answers. I guess the best answer would be what my friend niko said - Put another way, I'm potentially more sarcastic than you, thus you don't seem all that sarcastic to me. But coversely, Karla's less sarcastic than you, hence you seem markedly sarcastic to her

9. YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Never needed to take them out.

10. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Haven't tried, but I would to. Almost did it when I was in Singapore.

11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Special K with strawberries. There was a time that I was able to eat it as breakfast, lunch and dinner for almost a month.

12. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Yeah, I think you sort of damage the shoe when you don't.

13. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
I'd like to think that I am.

14. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Strawberry ice cream, especially when it was strawberry chunks.

15. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their clothes, what it says about them.

16. RED OR PINK?
Red

17. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Hmm... I go through times where I am extremely lazy.

18. HIGHWAY OR BYWAY?
Highways.

19. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Well I'm not really sending it out, I'm just posting it, so if you want to email me your own answers that would be nice.

20. WHAT COLOR OF PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING?
Dark blue basketball shorts and just my house slippers.

21. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
A nice meatball hero!

22. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
From Music & Lyrics, Hugh Grant's - Dance with Me Tonight .

23. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Maybe, if we were talking about the standard 8 color box, I'd be blue.

24. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Burberry perfume.

25. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Elitza, confirming whether we'd still be playing tennis.

27. FAVORITE DRINK?
Non-alcoholic : Orange Juice. Alcoholic : Rum & Coke

28. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Back in Manila, it used to be basketball but after moving here, it has to be american football.

29. HAIR COLOR?
Black

30. EYE COLOR?
Dark brown

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nopes, my eyesight isn't that bad yet.

32. FAVORITE FOOD?
Franny's cooking! Manang Maria's baked spaghetti, beef curry (from curry in a hurry),

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings.

34. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED:
At the cinemas - Music & Lyrics, on Dvd - Pirates of the Carribean 2

35. WHAT COLOR OF SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
White

36. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Hard choice, I guess I'll choose winter. You can always put on more layers to keep warm. And it's much more picturesque.

37. HUGS OR KISSES?
I like both, but having to choose one, I'll go with a hug. A great hug can really uplift you.

38. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Hmm... bananas

39. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
No idea whatsoever, whoever has time.

40. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Again no idea.

41. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Current project is to finish reading Dante's Inferno as well as the 2 other books that follow it. Lately, I've been reading journal articles related to my dissertation.

42. DO YOU HAVE A SECRET EMAIL BUDDY?
nopes. I have different accounts for separate groups but not really a secret mail buddy.

43. NUMBER OF FRIENDS YOU TELL EVERYTHING TO?
everything? Franny!

44. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
A stack of poker chips, it makes too much noise when I shuffle them directly on my study table.

45.WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Last night, hmmm... a few recorded episodes of jeopardy.

46. FAVORITE SOUND ?
Hmm... I really don't know.

47. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles

48. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
I guess when I moved to the US for the first time, though I now consider here to be my home.

49. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I can cross-stitch and have been able to finish numerous projects already.

50. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Gainesville, Florida

51 WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
Anyone's answer will be great!

--------------------

Supposedly this will tell you about your personality...

N: Dead sexy.
O: Best in bed.
E: Good kisser.
L: Loved by everyone.

KEY:
A: Likes to drink.
B: Likes people
C: Is wild and crazy.
D: Has one of the best personalities ever.
E: Good kisser.
F: People adore you.
G: Never let people tell you what to do.
H: Have a very good personality and looks.
I: Loyal to those you love. Loves everyone.
J: Lives life for fun.
K: Really silly.
L: Loved by everyone
M: Makes dating fun
N: Dead sexy.
O: Best in bed.
P: Popular with all types of people.
Q: A hypocrite.
R: Fuckin crazy
S: Easy to fall in love with
T: Loyal to those you love.
U: Really like to chill.
V: Not judgemental.
W: Very broad minded.
X: Never let people tell you what to do.
Y: One of the best bf/gf no one could ask for.
Z: Always ready.

parokya ni edgar & bamboo...

Franny and I had just come back from their concert here in Queens, NY. It was such a wonderful performance. Too bad we didn't bring our camera! It was just nice being able to hear them perform classic favorites such as Halaga, Don't Touch my Birdie and Inuman Na. Too bad a few in the crowd had to ruin the atmosphere by getting into a fistfight in the middle of the performance.

Well I guess whenever there is a mosh pit, plus continuous drinking of alcohol, it could lead to a few issues between the participants.

Bamboo also performed, they performed very well and their drummer is awesome. Though I don't know much of their songs since I think they became famous when I was already here in the US. Parokya ni Edgar mentioned that they are coming back again in June or July to perform. We're looking forward to watching them again, but that's if we are here in NY since we might, just might, fly back home to manila for the summer.

another unlucky day at that lottery...

Today was another attempt on the part of Franny and I to get some tickets for Wicked through the lottery process they have. For those who are unaware, roughly 2 hours before the show they hold a lottery where one can win front row tickets for only $25. The regular price for those would be $110.25 so it's really such a steal! As was the case last time, we ended up walking away without said tickets. But our friend Karla was feeling lucky and she did hear her name called so she got to watch the show with her roommate Chilai.

Franny and I tried to check out some other plays but they didn't have any tickets available. If they did they were those that cost around $100 each which we weren't interested in. We ended up just watching a nice movie, Music & Lyrics. I really enjoyed it as well as the soundtrack of the movie. It was such a simple movie that really was enjoyable and not too cheesy. I just noticed that I really love the movies that Hugh Grant is in such as, Love Actually, Notting Hill, About a Boy, and even Mickey Blue Eyes. I just think that the characters he play are perfect for him. hehehe!

That was pretty much how our day was. Hopefully luck will be on our side the next time we go for the lottery.