RV Week 7: Overheard

Scene 1: Veranda, during the company-sponsored lunch, where the sun was out and the weather was really nice...

People were talking about their favorite food, cultural differences, and all the mundane things you can talk about under the sun. Then the conversation turned to Chipotle, a Mexican place here in Rockville, being owned by McDonald's. *I professes his love for Chipotle and how he was a big fan of the burrito bowl when all of a sudden *P comes up with one of his subtle but killer spiels...

*P: (Poker-faced with his deadpan look) Kaya pala lasang Burger McDo...
*S: (Gullible and clueless as usual, looks at *P) Di naman ah!?!

Then I break out into peals of laughter and *P follows, and then *S gets it. (hehehe)

Scene 2: Breakfast table at the hotel.

*S: Nakalimutan ko yung baon ko. Pwede ko ba kunin?
Me: Sure.
*P: Sige *S. Dala ka nung Hi-Ace ha (referring to Hi-C, the juice we all grew up with), favorite ko yun eh.
*S: (looking at *P then at me then giggles) Hihihi...Ano ulit yun?
*P: (realizing his booboo) Hi...? Ano ba yun? Hi-C?

Scene 3: Social hour at the hotel.

We unwind after work with drinks and with whatever food served during the social hour. One time, hotdogs and hot buns were served. We rush to the bar to get our share and we take our seats. We discuss all sorts of things. One time, *B and *P were strategizing on how to maximize the hotdogs and buns. The social hour wore on then suddenly...

*B: *P, meron ako nito!!! (flashing his hotdog stuck on his fork in one hand, and another hotdog in a bun with his other hand...very child-like I must say.) Hahaha!
*P: Para kayong bata...yung sa mga children's party.
*B: Kayo ka jan eh kasama ka dun.
*P: Anong kayo? Sabi ko ka...
*B: Kayo sabi mo eh...
*S and I were just listening since we were busy eating as well.
*P: Sorry po, tao lang...
*B: (In his oh-so perfect timing reeking with sarcasm...) Kelan pa?

Now you see my team's dynamics. Be that as it may, they are all I have and I love them. ( I can hear *B saying Yuck!!! Hahaha!)

NY Chronicles

NYC was tiring...yet refreshing. It was just what the doctor ordered...
The proof? See our claim to fame. Hahaha! Our picture will be flashed for an entire week on the giant screen at Times Square...

RV Week 6: Sucker for Happy Endings

Just saw Sister Act II Back in the Habit and I was dozing off to sleep...I've seen this movie about four or five times already and I know how it turns out in the end but still, I am always hooked whenever I hear Lauryn Hill and those bunch of other kids sing Joyful Joyful. Heehehe...Made me realize that I am a sucker for happy endings after all...It's funny that I have been feeling that way towards someone lately. I know how things will turn out but still, my curiosity gets the better of me and I still think of the day we will meet again. The only difference is that for sure, this one won't have a happy ending...

RV Week 6:

A part of me almost died...my right middle finger and ring finger (with the nails attached to them), I mean.

RV Week 5: Chronicle 4

People have been telling me I look tired. Well I am. But I am absolutely, positively sure that it's also people's polite way of saying that I look shitty...Hahaha

RV Week 5: Chronicle 3

I had the most tiring day as of yet in the almost five weeks I have been here in Rockville. List of things to do seem to never end and I really am pushed out of my comfort zone now. But what the heck. I have learned to grab life by the tail and more interestingly, someone's actually inspiring me to actually do it. Hehe.

This morning in the pantry, as I went about my daily ritual of getting water, I did not notice that K* was there. (read: stalker mode was below par this morning) I stared blankly while I waited for my mug to fill up. And there his hand was, oh so close to my face, waving at me and he was actually trying to get my attention. I probably looked floaty but I could not care less. I was sorting out things inside my head. Good thing I managed a smile and a "Hey..." And then I mimiced his actions (since he was still doing the wave). I knew the moment I did it that I'd have to fight the urge to actually hold his hand and caress it to my face. Hahahaha!!! I know, I know...freaky!!! Good thing, just in time, I did manage to control my urges. Usually, he'd leave afterwards without saying anything or if he ever does manage a conversation, he'd be bullying me or something. But then this morning was different. He lingered at my back. So I shot him a glance and he asked "So how are you on this very beautiful morning?" And he flashed that oh-so gorgeous smile. Just with that I was in heaven!!! And I said "I am good. How's it going with you and your hair?" while my head was angled. And he stroked his hair and he smiled. He said "It's fine. You're picking on my hair again." Hahaha....it's because I cannot come up with anything when you are near you moron you!!! And I said "Looks good to me. Now I realize, it's Alfalfa-like." And we both laugh. He touched his hair some more and even managed to argue with me. "Alfalfa's hair is more towards the back." I shot back, "Still it's stiff and brushed up. How much gel did you put in there?" He said "Oh just a little. This is my natural hair." And then he smiles at me and then opens the door for the both of us. By golly I think I am infatuated already. Hahaha...I know nothing will come out of it but just let me savor the moment...

(nb: Technically, we kissed already --he kissed me!!!--- since he sipped on the same straw which I initially used. Teehehehe...)

RV Week 5: From Waffles...to Raffles...to Guapo's

K* always gets into my nerves since he always makes sure I am annoyed whenever I see him, which unfortunately makes me like him all the more. Aaarrrgghhh!!! Haha! I know that deep down that cool, cute, smart alecky facade is a very caring man. He approached us on a Monday afternoon to ask us how the rest of the happy hour of last Friday went. He still won't let me live it down that I misheard Guapo's as Waffles (and at some point it became Raffles). Haha! I know I know, my hearing impairment is at work again! It was cool though, I tried to play it cool, but horror of horrors!!! I wasn't able to hold back, while we were doing small talk...

Ana: You got a haircut?
*K: Yes. It's summer. You know, summer?!?
Ana: Yeah whatever...
*K: (Smiling) Whatever?!? I'd take that as a complement.

Oh if he only knew...

RV Week 5: Tidbits

Workload's been spiking up and our schedule has become cazy busy. I just hope I don't get sick, well not sick enough for me to not go to work. I don't hink I can afford that luxury right now. See?!? Getting sick is a luxury for me now. How much worse can it get?

On a lighter note, I just spoke with my boss in Manila through chat. He had a really funny status attached to his handle. It said: Question: "San floor ka sa Philam?" ...Answer:"April rehistro ng kotse ko dahil 4 yun." I was like, what the...?!? And he said someone he met at the elevator asked him that which he answered in the same manner as he had in his status. Funny guy!!! Hahaha! He is too young to be hearing-impaired. But wait...I am younger than he is and my ears are more defective than his. Why so? Take this...

Phone rings.
Ana: Hello?
Ben: (On speaker phone) Hi Ana...(then the line gets choppy...)...bukas?
Ana: (Assuming that the question was "Anong plans bukas?") Oh hi Ben. We'd probably have dinner...Blah blah blah blah
Ben:(Breaks into laughter after afew minutes or so and finally picks up the handset for a clearer reception...) Hahaha! Ana, ang tanong ko kung magj jeans ka bukas?

But am sure it wasn't my defective hearing...trust me it was the speaker phone.

RV Week 5: St. Patrick's Day Pre-Celebration Parade

I used to just hear about St. Patrick's Day being sang in a song. Last Sunday was different though for I, along with my "li'l ones" headed to downtown DC to experience the real thing. Green was the dominant color, shamrock can be seen everywhere, and the mood was really festive. Had a great time walking along The National Mall, all the way down to the 7th Street, that led us to Constitution Avenue. Philip and Ben were child-like with their antics. They both shouted "Beads!!! More beads!!!" as if there would be no tomorrow. They even hustled with the kids when parade participants threw candies at bystanders. Hehe. Well that was good for She and myself. A lot of goofy pictures were taken. All in all, it was a good day to experience something so new and so fun. It felt good to forget my worries as an adult as I embarked on that journey as a child that day. After that, we walked further down the 7th Street to see The Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center). Then we just had late lunch at Drinx. Then it was The Spy Museum for us. After two hours, we called it a day and headed back home. It was tiring but this did not diminish the fact that I had pure clean fun.

RV Week 4: Chronicle 5

I just wanted to say before I retire to bed that mission accomplished...

RV Week 4: Chronicle 4

"Cheek to Cheek"
music and words by Irving Berlin

Heaven...
I'm in heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak.
And I seem to find the happiness I seek,
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek.

Heaven... I'm in heaven,
And the cares that hung around me through the week,
Seem to vanish like a gambler's lucky streak,
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek.

Oh, I love to climb a mountain,
And to reach the highest peak.
But it doesn't thrill me half as much
As dancing cheek to cheek.

Oh, I love to go out fishing
In a river or a creek.
But I don't enjoy it half as much
As dancing cheek to cheek.

Dance with me!
I want my arms about you.
The charms about youWill carry me through to...

Heaven...
I'm in heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak.
And I seem to find the happiness I seek,
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek.

I am reminded of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, a classic screen tandem, whenever I hear this. This song would have been a perfect end to my day but the waitress at the JJ Muldoon's ruined it...and I am now down with a slight fever but got to prep up for work...Such is life I know...

RV Week 4: Chronicle 3

Scene 2: Pantry

Ana was surprisingly cool and nonchalant knowing Kristian was there. She had to get some water since she's been feeling dehydrated the past few days. She didn't even attempt to look at him. Then he makes conversation...(he always does that whenever she does not want him to)

*K: Need to get some coffee?
*A: Well yeah, just water actually.

Then she dismisses him. But he kept making faces. (So playing hard-to-get works!!!) Then she does something out-of-the-blue...

*A: There is something...(points at *K's leg)
*K: What is it?
*A: Your hem got caught in your left shoe. (Then dismisses him again...)
*K: Oh thanks...

Then Ana realizes it was another blooper she didn't intentionally commit. It was her obsessive-compulsive disorder on the loose...

RV Week 4: Chronicle 2

Scene 1: Copier Room

Ana, back from lunch, was still floating and decided to print four more copies of the receipt she's holding and get something from Bloomberg at the same time. She didn't notice that Hariette and Kristian were there, contemplating on the copier that broke down. Absent-minded as she was, Ana proceeded to the copier oblivious to the people who were actually there. She didn't even notice the weird looks she got because apparently the printer cover was up! Hah! Instead of reproducing the receipts, all she managed to do was soil her hands with the toner. Then Kristian makes conversation...

Kristian: Were you at the meeting this morning?
Ana: Of course we were.
Kristian: But I didn't see you.
Ana: Well, we were on the other side. (You idiot, we were right beside you when you went into the room. But then you decided to go to the other side...)
Kristian: So you liked what you heard from Tatiana, about the Manila people being intelligent and fun people? (smiling sardonically)
Ana: Of course! Loved every minute of it.
Kristian: Am sure you did...
Ana: Well, isn't it obvious? (trying to be sarcastic and smug)
Kristian: I know...I know...(Smiles)
Ana: (Breaks into a smile as she is now in front of the Bloomberg Terminal trying to sort what she wanted to do) I was just kidding...

Ana was now lost more than ever...
Ana: (Talking to herself) Now where was I?...
Kristian: You're in Rockville... (and he fades away)

RV Week 4

Scene: Office pantry

*K: I heard you guys have been drinking...
Me: Well yeah, booze was everywhere at M*s place. It was fun though...
*K: At least you had fun, but I heard you were the worst...(then makes a mocking gesture of drinking booze or whatever with a sly smile on his face)
Me: That is soooo not true! Who'd you get that from?
*K: I won't reveal my sources (and ziplocks his lips)

Then we both go out of the pantry. Now what the f@#!k was that?!? So much for making an impression...

I usually have my dose of fun in the pantry whenever I see *K in there, getting water or coffee. Our conversations were usually pleasant, even our bickerings could be considered ermmm...cute?!? Haha! (Well, to me they were...) Until this morning... when my wit and sarcasm deserted me at the time I needed it most.

Holy sheesh!!! I'd better stop now...