Wishlist... Fulfilled

I finally got my new camera. A Canon EOS 450D Kit. It comes with a... a... a... (lemme get my box)... an EF-S 18-55 IS Lens -I figured IS means Image Stabilizer. I bought it at this place along Pasong Tamo named JT Photo World (from Buendia, it is a little after Inquirer. Got it for Php 40,000 with 0% interest payable in 6 months (not bad) and I am having a blast.

Last night, Chezka and Jay took turns taking shots, showing the result, and explaining to me what they did... "oooh... oo nga no?" (which roughly translates, "I don't see it. They all look the same to me")

So I took a bunch of photos last Sunday (filled up the 4GB card quickly because I set it to RAW+Jpeg which makes two copies of the same shot (not a wise choice since I do not understand SH*T of what a CR2 file does yet) - I was almost convinced to head off to a CD-R King store and get myself one of them 16GB SDHC babies which I already have the money allocated for. Hehehehe

I'll be posting my noob shots in Facebook as soon as I figure out why Facebook keeps on rejecting them.

Next stop, lenses, a Tamrac camera bag, and a Gorillapod tripod.

Oh btw, I also got my self a DiCaPac waterproof camera holder so that I can take pics while on the beach. All I need now is another nifty reason to go to the beach (other than the camera).

Aral na itoooohhh!

A mom's letter to her Daughter

Exactly a week ago, November 30, 2008. My sister, Chezka, got married to her BF for 8 years, Jay. It was a very emotional time for the three of us since we just lost our dad to Cancer last March.

My mom wanted to read this to her on her wedding day but felt that she was not ready then so she asked me to post it on the web through any means possible. I figured that since my blogs are being read constantly and that it is also linked to my Multiply account, this should be the best place to start. I'll then post this in my FB and FS accounts.

Here we go...

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

Chezka,
I meant to give you a tribute during your wedding because God had been reminding me to do it and what could be the most appropriate time to do it but on your big day, except that somehow in the stress and the busyness of the day, I failed to do it. Well, I’m not going to stay in that ‘I failed to do it’ state, so here goes.

You graduated from elementary at the age of 10, from high school at the age of 14 (because we purposely slowed you down) as the salutatorian. When you took the entrance test at DLSU, we received a letter from them telling you that you may skip Eng 1, Math 1 and Computer 1, because of the result of your entrance test. Dad did not let you. You finished college at the age of 17. When you graduated(with honors) you were chosen to represent your batch by delivering the thank you speech to your professors. I remember you telling them, “thank you for the scoldings, for the rebukes, for the disciplinary measures, even for the harsh words for they were the irritants that brought out the pearls in us”. I salute you for that, anak. Not many people will be grateful for those. Right after graduation, at least 3 multinational companies called us up and offered you managerial positions if you joined them. Of course Dad and I said no. What wisdom would a 17 year old manager have? Or so we thought. Of course I know now that if we allowed you, you would most probably still have done it right and excelled.

To protect you, Dad and I demanded that you teach in Shekinah for at least 3 years and be a little more mature before you work for the ‘outside world’. As you would always do, you obeyed. You were a very good teacher. At any given time, you knew the pace number of each of the subjects or your students, and the page on each pace that they were working on. But, when you turned 20, you told us that you want to work in a company where we knew no one. You said ‘’ I want to make it on my own. I want people to stop thinking that I am doing well in Shekinah as a student and as a teacher because you are there. We reluctantly agreed. I thought ‘’ Well now, a more powerful part of me will be with you anywhere you go: My prayers.’’

After we said yes, in barely 2 to 3 days, you got a job at HSBC, as a senior assoc. Less than a year on the job, you broke traditions by getting promoted and being sent for a special training in London. Your bosses respected you, your colleagues admired you, your subordinates loved you. You made a difference in your place of work because you brought your faith with you, and people saw the it. As what you have gotten used to doing, you put your heart, mind and soul into whatever you do. You always wanted to do things right to the glory of God.

When Jay started courting you, you told it right away to your confidante: Me. When you wanted to answer him, 2 years after, you told it to Dad and me. Despite Dad’s opposition to the idea (‘’You’re too young’’), you stood by what you think is right. ‘’I am not going to say yes to him unless you allow me. I want your approval, I want it to be legal. I don’t want to hide it from you. Please let me.’’ Then, every rule I gave was followed. (You will only go out on Saturdays, your curfew is 10:00 pm, no out of town trips or dates, etc…) You and Jay did everything by the rule, and so how can we say no, when Jay asked your hand in marriage (one beautiful evening in Dec, accompanied by his family and grandparents.) Even then, you obeyed when Dad moved the date of the wedding by six months (from June to Dec). We all settled for Nov. 30.

There is no grain of hypocrisy in your person. Whatever you did for yourself or for others, you did them sincerely. During strifes, you always chose to be the bigger person: deciding to be humble, forgiving and being forgiven. You are beautiful inside and out. And, this is coming from a mother known to many as “very strict”.

Your wedding was exactly what we prayed for: FABULOUS. Despite the chronology of events that I have enumerated, we both know that we do not DESERVE anything from our God. Whatever He gives us, is given to us, out of His sheer mercy and grace.

But let me tell you this. All your life, you have done nothing except honor Dad and me. And the Bible is very clear, honoring your parents is the secret to long and well lived lives. I’ve seen Jay do the same. The blessings will always be there, protected by God Himself, for you. I am proud of how God has saved you, reared you up, trained you, looked after you, hedged you in, and how you have always acknowledged Him.

I declare, therefore, in Jesus’ most powerful name that God will always bless you both with the desires of your hearts. And He will give you children who are like yourselves: loving and honoring their parents so that the line of blessings will continue. Be happy for the Lord is good all the time.

Mom

Play Hard... Work Smart

"Gastric" Changes

My sister saw this video in YouTube about a lady in the US who lost 155 lbs. in 48 weeks. We talked about it last night and with her perfect choice of words, she got my 80% convinced to have it.

GASTRIC PYPASS, people...

Help me decide.

Here's the YouTube Video. Tell me whatcha think.

Either post a comment or better yet, send me an email at eboy@ebzster.com.

Thanks.

Trying to Close the eGap

For the longest time, I've been looking for an internet service where I can automatically update all of my online profiles without needing to go into each of them. Even if I do have the time and memory to do them all, even with cut-and-paste, what are the chances I still make a mistake, right?

I have two solutions for you:
1. Ping.fm: It's a site that updates vitually every social networking site. Friendster, Multiply, MySpace, Facebook. It even has MSN Messenger (now, Windows Live), YM, AIM...
2. Multiply now has a way of cross-posting. Luckily, I post all of my blogs in Blogger.

Hehehehehe...

Enjoy

Wishlist... Revisited

I took a look at my posts and found out that my Wishlist needs to be updated.

1. An Apple Airport Extreme. (para maging Wireless hotspot bahay ko... pang Wii, PSP, at Laptops ni Jay at ni Chez)
2. An Apple iPod Classic, 160GB
3. Midi to USB Cable (uy.. mura lang ito)
4. An XBOX 360 Elite Edition Console
5. A second (3rd or even 4th) Samsung Syncmaster 225BW LCD Monitor
6. A wireless mighty mouse (if it's compatible with Windows)

So here it is:

1. An Apple Airport Extreme. (para maging Wireless hotspot bahay ko... pang Wii, PSP, at Laptops ni Jay at ni Chez)
NEW 2. An Apple iPod Classic, 120GB (turns out they faced out the 160GB)
3. Midi to USB Cable (uy.. mura lang ito) <- I already have it!!!!!!
4. An XBOX 360 Elite Edition Console
5. A second (3rd or even 4th) Samsung Syncmaster 225BW LCD Monitor
6. A wireless mighty mouse (if it's compatible with Windows) <- I'm happy with my mouse now.
NEW 6. A Canon EOS 450D (Or Rebel XSi).

Again, calling out those who have secret crushes on me. Sana maprioritize yung number 6.

Pothograpi

For some weird reason, I suddenly became interested in Photography (not the friendster type, but the sorta, kinda, pro type). Because of that, I started to look around and for most of my friends who are SOOOOOOOOOOOOO into it. They all say get a Canon EOS.

When Jay, Chezka's fiance, started, he got himself the 350D or the 400D. I forgot however, it was still an EOS and it took nothing but great photos.

Doi of The Doisterboy Experience started with an EOS (I think) and is now using a 35D? (I'm not sure, though). Turns out that the naming scheme of Canon is, the lesser the numbers, the "pro-er" it becomes. SO the hierarchy goes like this: XXXD>XXD>XD. Basta, gets nyo?

Anyway, everyday, I keep on going online to see when I can get the best deals possible. Jay says, the best place to buy a camera here is in Hidalgo. (A street in Manila known for it's camera "stuff") But before I decide to steal money off a bank and head off to Hidalgo, I decided to look onlin for possibly better deals and this is what I got.

Canon EOS 450D EF-S 18-55IS Kit (EUR$469.99 - Php29,448.81)
Canon EOS 450D 18-55mm IS + 55-250mm IS Twin Kit (EUR£649.99 - Php 40,727.32)
Canon EOS 450D (Camera Only) (HK$5,680.00 - Php 34,508.32)
Canon EOS 450D EF-S 18-55IS Kit (HK$6,480.00 - Php 39,368.65)
Canon EOS 450D EF-S 18-55IS Kit (US$799.99 - Php 37,680.28)

Bang for buck, the best place to get my dream camera is by getting it in the UK. Luckily I have a cousin who lives in London. I just wonder how much shipping is. Or how much additional luggage is if they are coming to Chezka's wedding. Same as the HJ and US prices.

Hmmmmmm....

Guys. Try http://www.ping.fm. Update your status in ALL of your social networks from one site. (ie. friendster, multiply, blogger, myspace, facebook, etc.)

Ping.fm is so cool...

Paksyet!!

Last June 15, 2006, I started an excel file where I put in all my earnings and expenses so that I can easily track and budget my money. Now, every sweldo, I open the file, input how much I earned and it auto-computes my expenses, tithes, etc. I can't live without it.

I was just finished paying my last bills before declaring broke until next day when I checked my expense chart.
2006 - approx. 220,000.00 (mid year)
2007 - approx. 380,000.00
running 2008 - approx. 230,000.00

and where is it now? Gone!!!! By buying small trinkets, car accessories, little things that are gone now.

I'm such a loser. Imagine how much I could have now if I saved P1000 per payday. O sige, kahit P500 per payday. Syet.

I'm depressed.

Wishlist...

Unless someone with a ginormous heart decides to give me these things. I bet I'll be able to get them slowly from my own pocket.. demet!

1. An Apple Airport Extreme. (para maging Wireless hotspot bahay ko... pang Wii, PSP, at Laptops ni Jay at ni Chez)
2. An Apple iPod Classic, 160GB
3. Midi to USB Cable (uy.. mura lang ito)
4. An XBOX 360 Elite Edition Console
5. A second (3rd or even 4th) Samsung Syncmaster 225BW LCD Monitor
6. A wireless mighty mouse (if it's compatible with Windows)

A guy can dream right? I need more money...

Girlfriend din kaya? Hmmmm... matatagalan yata ito ng konti...

5:15AM...

There I was, sitting on my bed... could not sleep. Thinking of my dad...

I wonder how he's doing now... what's he thinking kaya?

I sure miss him...

Success... the sweetest revenge

After work, I decided to visit my friends from my old company. I texted and IM'ed most of them announcing of my visit so as to know if it'll be worth visiting or not. Alot of them said they'd be there and they were there (mabuti naman).

On the trip going to Quezon Ave., my colleague (who hitched a ride with me going there) asked me why I left if I was raving more than I was ranting about it and even mentioning considering coming back if offered.

I thought to myself, "yeah, why did I leave?" then, the memory of what happened last February haunted back reminding me why I left in the first place; the fear of losing friendship over work.

When I got there, I saw a friend with his friend who I haven't spoken in a while nor does she text back. To my surprise, she hugged me trying to pretend that we're close. (I have a very shallow personality -- if we don't text, we're not close, we can't be friends) I mean, she stopped communicating and she treated me as if we were really close? hnlabo meyn.

Then when I was talking to some of my friends who are now managers, it kinda sunk back thinking of how betrayed I felt back then and it even gave me the shivers thinking of it destroying the friendship over a promotion.

Which got me to thinking; am I really visiting to see friends? or to show to them how successful I am making them regret letting me go? Most of them commented on how much I lost weight or how nice my new car is. I felt proud with a little of, "huh... malas kayo"

I'm not sure, vengeance by success or bitterness?

Women's Fashion

I was just browsing my friendster profile and started looking at the summer pics most of my lady friends took and I admire the way they are confident of their bodies (even if they don't look it. hehehehehehe... who gives a f*ck, right?) and among the gazillion things that make me wonder about women, here are some things I would like to discuss for this blog.

1. Women's clothes especially skirts - I mean if a guy wore a pair of pants with a hole right in the middle, you know that a guy could not sit down properly without having to try and cover that hole up, right? Well, imagine that but with a bigger hole. How do you girls walk around with that big of a hole?
2. Women's shoes especially high heels and strap-ons (shoes, alright?) - if a guy walked around in the mall with slippers, you know for sure that the feet would end up dusted and dirty, right?? How can girls walk around in those scrawny footwear and expect to remove 'em with perfectly clean feet??? It baffles me so much.

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaayy.. Oh well, back to work.

The New Lifestyle

After my dad died, my sister, my mom, and I decided to take our health seriously. Not that we want to cheat death but more on eventually make our lives lighter and when the time comes that we will follow dad, it would not be difficult for those who will be tasked to take care of us until we "kick thebucket".

So we started consulting on a herbalist (well, she would rather call herself an western doctor with the influence of eastern medicine). Whenever she opens her mouth, you hear nothing but positive responses; hope, ika nga. Dra. Edna Lao is the best!!

We were doing well until Chezka introduced us to a Nutritional Doctor, Dr. Richard Arceo (a Baguio based doctor who holds his Manila clinic every Sunday and Monday in Xavierville, QC.

No, he is not a nutritionist but a Nutritional Doctor. This is his philosophy: The body naturally produces nutrients to keep itslef "running". What better way to treat an illness than by giving it substances that it naturally produces. Ergo, easier consumption. Makes complete sense.

This is how the medical heriarchy of medicine should be:
Nutritional Medicine --> Botanical (Herbal) Medicine --> Chemical (Traditional) Medicine

The risk of traditional medicine, ex. Antibiotics, is that it does not only attack the bad cells, but the good cells too. Otherwise they'd be known as Anti-evil-biotics, right? Now, herbal medicine works by giving your body a stronger immune system so that traditional medicine can take its time and not affect the rest of the body. Makes sense so far, right?

Now, nutritional medicine. Its task is to make sure that your body can heal on its own so that you will not need to go through herbal medicine to help traditional medicine. With Nutritional medicine, you cannot OD on that. (well, with the meds I'm taking so far, you can't OD on them.)

For the past 3-4 weeks in it, I've lost a significant amount of weight.Well, no numerical value yet but I am now starting to wear the pants I wore a year ago. So that must say something, right?

Generally, every ailment you have (though traditional doctors say it's irreversible, herbal doctors say it is by helping traditional medicine, nutritional doctors say that your body should naturally heal itself given the right nutrition.) My sister, for the longest time, has skin asthma and she's been treating it with creams and "make up" to cover it. Then Dr. Arceo says it can be healed and it is only caused by a hormone imbalance. Whapak! What does that make you say, huh?

My mom was diagnosed with diabetes is now a week or so close to being classified as having a normal sugar level.

I was classified as a borderline diabetic but now have a blood sugar count of 100.

Nutritional Medicine is the way to go. Try it. No risk. Everything to gain.

After 3/11

109 days after my dad went to heaven, I can say we are pretty much "awesome". The family is slowly picking up the pieces and pretty much picking up where we left off.

I, for one, have a better appreciation for money. My job ain't paying well so I learned to budget and scrimp out the unwanted expenses.

I don't know. I might leave for better pay.

Bahala na...

Oh well, videoke na!!

This is it!!

By 12 midnight later, I'll be starting my new job at NuComm International in Ortigas...

Haaaaaaaaayyy!!!

Finding the Perfect Mate

Never really thought I'd be thinking much about this. After all that has been happening the past weeks.

Then again, I realized that I need someone. I'm not sure if it's for the right reasons, though. he women I get attracted to are ok but am I liking them because of their personality really? or something skin deep?

Wowoo agrees. You get into a relationship with someone because this person is fun to be with and not "fun" to be with.

This sucks... A cold beer is looking pretty tempting now a days.

Dieting??

Never thought I'd talk about how I should eat. Aside from the obvious fact that I should lose weight, it just dawned on me that the reason why my dad died was caused by an eating lifestyle that he has grown accustomed to and pretty much difficult for him to come out of.

So I've decided to write this blog to constantly remind myself that I should start eating right.

A few months back I decided to remove RICE into the dietary vocabulary. Turns out that I did successfully remove rice into my system but equally replaced it with more other food.

If 1+1=2, Then 2-1 should equal to 1 and not 2-1 equals 2 still.

Simple but really difficult to grasp. Think about it.

November 22, 1938 - March 11, 2008

At 6:50PM, Francisco "Toto" Bautista went to prepare the biggest Golf Tournament in Heaven, Jesus Cup.

I'll miss you, dad... Say "HI" to Jesus for me...

1938-2008, His Legacy

November 22, 1938 was the date Marciano Bautista and Amelia Alejo Bautista bore their first of 5 children. Francisco "Paquito" Bautista II was the oldest among 5 other siblings. Tito Junior, Tito Manuel, Tita Menchit, and Tito Butch.

When Tito Butch was little, he could not pronounce kuya Paquito's name, with countless efforts, they resorted to just calling him TOTO; a name that caused a stir in the golfing history.

Francisco "Toto" Bautista was known today as the Tiger Woods of his era. Back in the 50's, 60's, 70's and even the 80's, Toto Bautsta won countless awards and numerous recognitions for his love of the game, GOLF. The rest of the family followed suit and became masters of the game (in their own right, of course) but no one could beet Toto.

Back in the 90's 3 Filipino golfers were the first 3 Filipinos to be certified USGA (United States Golf Association) Golf Trainers. Believe it or not, he was the one who trained the other 2.

Golf was his passion. The Golfer's Rule Book was his bible. Every waking moment would be spent reading magazines, books, watching matches.ALL in the name of Golf.

I'm writing this blog to let you all know that he is dying soon. Unless God performs yet another miracle and gives him his life back.

Almost 6 years ago, he was diagnozed with Multiple Myloma; Cancer of the Bone Marrow. He was sent home from the States to literally die because he was given 3 months to live. That was then. God gave my dad back to us and extended his life for 5-6 more years. With that, we can never be thankful enough that God extended his life to give us the best experience we will never forget.

For the last 3 days, I've seen people walk in and out of the hospital telling us and acknowledging how our dad has touched their lives in one way or another. This remarkable man, with his temper, rudeness, and often weird sense of humor could still touch so many lives the way only Toto Bautista can.

As of this writing, we are just waiting for him to go home to our Lord. The doctors say that he has barely 24 hours to live.

Go home, dad... we'll be fine... Wait for us in heaven... We'll follow soon.

I love you.

What's This??

I decided to let go of my corporate home and start new. Drop all of my friends, keep all those close to me, and make new ones. That was the plan.

I successflly let go of my corporate home and keep my close friends then something happened.

A week after my so called "leave", I met someone. Oddly enoough she was your typical person. Pretty, witty, and normally someone I'd know for a short time since I was leaving and all, but this person caught my attention so much.

I asked one of the trainers to send me her number so that I could get to know her better. She was responsive and accommodating and was generally friendly. Then shestopped.

I figured either she lost her phone at a party (she partys a lot) so I didn't bother texting her again.

Then we had an opportunity to talk (not too deep but enough to pick up a few things).

Then I resigned.

I was planning on moving on but then, she happened. She rarely texts anyway, let it go...

regroup, Eboy... she won't buy in to you. You're... "unique" (an alternative to FAT) hahahaha...

Need to lose weight... Need to go back and get your body back. GYM, GYM, GYM, GYM, GYM... distract, eboy... distract...

Settling down? Nah... but then again...

gardemet.. makes you think a lot. I wrote a song because of her. The last time that happened was with Penny but she's moved on and so have I...

Why did I write a song??? The plot thickens...

Farewell...

2307 days in the first corporate office I've been in. My home. This is where I learned the ropes. This is where I became who I am now; a corporate junkie... probably their fault why I wanted to move up the corporate ladder...

A few hours ago, I signed a contract with a new company for a slightly higher pay (slightly meaning P3,000 more) and for once in my life, I didn't feel bad leaving. Maybe it was time.It's time to start counting 2307 days more with this new company...

I'm scheduled to leave the company in February 29... and I'll be stepping in the new company by April 9... What to do between that time? Bum around... hehe... go to HK? Cebu? bahala na...

Wanna join me??...

Mid-Life Crisis??

Around 2003, Mark and I were talking of the time when he was still dating college women (18 and above, of course). But when he turned 25, everything just started sinking in. He suddenly felt depressed that he was turning 25 and that he would be regarded as too old to be dating college girls.

We jokingly dubbed it as "Quarter-Life Crisis". Because we figured that Mid-Life happens on 50 year old dudes.

Now that I am turning 30, it just dawned on me... My sister is getting married. Everybody around me is getting married. Everybody around me is getting pregnant. Everybody around me just gave birth. Everybody around me just started getting promoted. To top it all off, my office just moved to Quezon City which added another 45 minutes of my travel time. I was depressed.

Then I thought, "could I undergoing Mid-Life Crisis? You couldn't count it as Quarter-Life anymore because that means I would reach up to 120. If it were Mid-Life, then I would die at 60??? Hmmm... A Third-Life??

But it really depends on how you take care of your self. For those with life threatening condiditions, Mid-Life starts at 25. Others, even earlier.

It really depends on how you take care of yourself, actually.

Hmmmm... I need a change of atmosphere.