I consider myself blessed to own a house in one of the United States' most lucrative part of the country in terms of real estate.  We bought our house in September 2001, a few weeks after 9-11.  The economy dropped to a deep slumber then, and builders are practically begging for people to buy houses.  We got a great deal out of it because ours is what you call a model home. 



A couple and a half years forward, the prices of houses around this area is just staggering!  Who would've thought that a far away suburb would fetch that high a price in the market?!  Houses around us are selling for high $600s to $700s!  I don't even think that if I hadn't decided to buy a house then, I'd be able to even afford to live here now.  It's truly a great investment. 



I took Principles of Real Estate class at a community college a year ago, and our teacher said that it is only in California that values of real estate increase by the hour almost.  I tend to believe him, seeing how the value of this house has appraised now.  Even our tax accountant has discouraged us to invest in anything else but real estate.  Unfortunately, very few places around here exist where properties are still affordable.  Mostly they're waaay out in a far-away land. 



Home is where the heart is.  In California, home is where the buck is.... :)

Ok, so this is what you call weekend - no work to think about, just plain chilling out. 



I went shopping yesterday - for comforters, and some other house stuff, did the groceries, and went to church to hear mass.  I also got the book I reserved at the Library, and borrowed an audio book.  At home, I cleaned the house, prepared dinner, did some ironing, and before finally retiring to bed, did some reading.  I am totally engrossed on the book I borrowed from the library - The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.  I regret not having read it sooner.  The talks about this book just piqued my curiosity.  The puzzles and riddles fascinate me.  I can't even put it down!  There's another book I love that is of the same caliber as this one - The Eight by Katherine Neville.  It's a must read for a mystery buff like me. 



I'm a voracious reader.  Give me a book that'll strike my fancy and I'll devour it with passion.  Have spent sleepless nights in the past trying to finish off a book in one sitting. 



Today, I was tempted to log on to work, but stopped myself.  I deserved this kind of a weekend, and so I continued on with my reading.  I also went back to doing my home study program in Professional Photography.  I am also going to devote some time to review for the Real Estate State Licensure exam.  I have long since finished the course in Principles of Real Estate (for which I got an A), and it's about time I really became serious about reviewing for the state test.  Been putting it off for a while. 



Finally, a weekend I can call truly call my own.  I am able to do the things that I love.   

Have you ever had a day when you feel you're just about ready to scream?  Ever felt like everyone is out to get you, or that they're actually conniving to piss you off?  You just want the day to end, right?  Well, I have that feeling today.



There's a project that I'm working on where the customers and analysts are driving me insane!  They're a bunch of micro managers who want to dictate how the project should progress.   They're constantly craving for attention - asking dozens of questions - some are even petty ones.  Don't they realize that they need to leave us alone if they want their project implemented on time and of good quality?  We've had this walkthru with them a couple of weeks back, and until now, they're still asking for clarifications.  When will this ever end?  They're draining my energy and it's like babysitting for a bunch of toddlers - spoonfeeding and all.



Next, you have people trying to do your job for you.  Well, what the heck am I here for, maggoo?  Too many hands in the pod ain't good because it creates too much confusion (which is the last thing everybody needs right now).  And boy, these people are bossy too!  Hellooo - does teamwork ever ring a bell?  I'm the lead and if you can't accept that, then tough bananas!



I was planning to leave early today, but at the rate things are going, it might not happen again.  You see, everytime I plan to leave early, something holds me back, and I end up leaving even later than my normal end of work schedule.  Am I not supposed to have a life outside of work?  Don't I deserve an early start on the weekend?  I have been working my butt off all week and the weekend is a small reward for that!



I know I sound like I'm complaining but I truly am not having a good week.



My office desk and computer got soaked when I dropped the water globe sitting on my overhead cabinet. 



I'm still waiting on something before I could go home.



I was just told that some of the code we're expecting today wouldn't get moved because of a production problem.



Our system has been extremely slow today.



Sigh!



Tomorrow's another day!

Hi-ho, hi-ho, off to work we go....

A teammate today asked "is leadership stressing you out?", to which I replied with a shrug. 



To tell you honestly, it's really stressful, but I can't complain. For one, I still have a job (while dozens are losing theirs everyday). Next, I just got a promotion, and the bar has been lifted up in terms of expectations. Third, it's truly a big release - the biggest our company has ever seen so far. Fourth, I'm not the only one stressed. Everyone in our department is working as hard - we just have a lot on our plates right now. Lastly, that only meant I can see myself employed for the next few months, so long as projects keep coming. 



There was a time in the past when being overworked is not a good thing. People leave the company when they feel they're being run down to the point of exhaustion. Now, being overworked meant you have a job. 



You just have to take each day as it comes, and look at the brigher side of things.

Cyber Hugs

I wanted to give a tight hug to a friend so badly today. I also wish I could be beside her to console her. She has a big problem right now, and all I can do is talk to her over the phone and listen. It's tough not to have a family beside you, especially at this time. I can relate because when things put me down (not as big as this one though), I cry myself to sleep. Sometimes I'd fall into self-pity because I feel I'm out here on my own. Call it the challenge of living overseas and apart from a support system we fondly call family.



I have you in my prayers, dearie. Hang in there! I'm sure you'll be able to bounce back because you're one tough cookie. In the meantime, know that I'm always here for you.



Hugs, hugs, hugs!

Catching up....

Time to catch up on activities I have been busy with these past few weeks. I haven't updated my journal for a while because my busy schedule just won't allow me to. Good thing I discovered that I can do my updates via email.



A couple of weeks ago, I met some n@wies. We had lunch at Applebee's in Union City (which I drove about an hour to get to). I have had the priviledge of meeting Josephine (finally) and Auey. There were also n@w kids with them - Axel (Auey's cute little angel), and Jake (Josephine's precious little one). Then of course there's a n@w husband, Nelson - Josephine's hubby. I hope he didn't feel out of place - being the only husband there and all.



I was so happy to finally meet Josephine. Our first attempt resulted in me standing them up at Starbucks in AC. It was just a mile away from the house, but I was having a bad case of dysmenorrhea and PMS that time. I took a nap, hoping to alleviate the pain, but the battery on my cellphone died while I was sleeping, so the alarm didn't go off. I felt so bad about that incident, and I promised I'll take them out to lunch to make up for that time. Hopefully, that n@wie get-together isn't the last time I'd see Josephine. She's a real sweetie. I'd love having her as a friend. Maybe in one of their future trips to AC (her in-laws live nearby our hourse), we can have a barbeque at home - as soon as the house is back to its original shape.



I am also equally happy to see and meet Auey in person.   That girl is just oozing with creativity and talent.  She's up there on my list as one of those photographers I truly admire.  What's great is that she's a woman!  I'd be extremely contented if I am half as good as her.   I hope she'd truly consider migrating to the Bay Area. 



On Sunday, I joined AIDS Walk in San Francisco. With a few friends, we raised funds and walked for a total of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers)! After the walk, I was so exhausted I can barely lift my legs. It was then that I realized I probably wasn't fit at all. My other friends didn't even endure physical pain because they regularly work out. Of course we were all tired, but at least they didn't feel sore at all. The only consolation I have right now (amidst the pain) is that I was able to raise $440 for the AIDS Foundation.  Add to that the fact that I was able to see the handsome Mayor Gavin Newsome.



Lastly, the house is getting back to its original state. We had molds problem a few months ago, which the builder gladly fixed. It has been a month since they first started correcting the problem. At least now, the family room window is back up, painting is done, no more molds, and the carpet has been replaced, the blinds have been re-installed. The only thing left to do I guess, is to put up the drapes to make it look like it did before the molds problem, if not better.

A Faithful Companion

Sage just had an extreme make-over. He's now as handsome as ever - a close resemblance from his original state when I first got him. Sage and I have been together for 6 years come Sept. 12. He has never given me a problem, always there when I needed him, and always a good companion through and through. It's just sad that I had neglected taking care of him. He would slam on walls or scratch himself whenever he's with me. He has endured a lot of wounds because of my carelessness.

Since he has been a faithful companion and partner, I promised him I'd give him an extreme makeover one day, which I did when my finances allowed me to. Now, I'm quite happy (and I know he is too). It pays to have a scratch-free, shiny, well-polished, and clean car!