My Sassy Life at 20-Something...

Syria No More

2010-01-22T04:40:00.000-08:00

I was so excited when the Project Team had announced that there are plans to go to Syria and Tunisia and they would love to take one staff from the company.

The excitement had grown more when I learned that Mumu will be going as well.

As he is from the Syria and will be going too, I was so excited: meeting his parents, going to places and the like, even if the main reason of the visit is business/work.

I was happy and was about to cry when he said that his mom offered their place if I need one.

Hmmm.

I had never felt so welcome before.

I was just worried about Mumu’s Papa, since the start he does not like any girl for him; am just thankful that his Mom is nice.

Wheeeewww…

Jheng, a friend who had been married to Mr. A for almost 2 years, gave me some points if ever I will go there and meet his parents for the first time.

And there I was lying awake and kept on thinking about things: tensed, a little bit hesitant.

I was planning already on the stuffs to buy and the like when I got the bad news yesterday.

No more trip to Syria.

Sigh.

I was so sad and depressed maybe because I’ve been anticipating a trip as I am also tired from work and would love to take a breather.

Maybe it’s not really the right time…

Not yet…

Crushed V-Day Plans

2010-01-18T02:34:00.000-08:00

It was last week when I had sent a query to Sharq Village and Spa, a very cozy hotel/restaurant in Ras Abu Aboud, to inquire if they do have any offer for the upcoming Valentine's Day.

I was expecting a reply the day after but suddenly my Inbox says FR: RITZCARLTON DOHA.

Whoa! That was fast!

The staff said that they are currently working out an offer and will be glad to let me know.

Ok.

To-Do-No.1 - Check.

To-DO- No.2 - Get a dress.

I plan to buy a dress or even a cute and formal top for the night.

This one will be done a week before the V-day.

A week ago, Ate Barney and I were so excited when we were informed that the Team will be needing help in the interviews outside the country.

Destinations: Syria and Tunisia

I cannot believe it as Mumu will be taking a vacation as well on the last week of the month I believe.

I sent him immediately a message about it and he was surprised.

Am glad that he had told his mom and she even offered that I can stay in their place if I want to.

I cannot explain my feelings that time. Happy. Nervous. Excited.

Never did I expect that it's fine with his Mom but my God, I think, I will die if I am going to meet his Dad as he didn't like any girl for Mumu.

Sigh...

Hopefully, everything will be fine.

Days after, it seems like the plan will not be pushed.

The Team can handle it on their own, thus no need for the extra hand.

I told Mumu about it and joked that maybe he had prayed so hard that it won't push through.

He said he would be glad to see me there but it's not yet time.

Another Sigh.

Ok. Got the message.

Moving forward, I asked him, when he will leave.

To my surprise, he will be leaving on the 4th and will there in 10 days, therefore, he's not around on Valentine's Day.

Waaaaahhhhh.

No Vday Dinner Date. Poor Joana...

I told him that it is fine as he needs to go to his doctor in Syria.

At the back of my mind, I was thinking maybe this is a Karma as I forgot last year's Vday.

Anyways, I will drop the Dinner Date but will still get the dress and spend the nights with the girls.

We can still have dinner the day after.

V-Day Plans and Wedding Blues

2010-01-04T10:49:00.000-08:00

After barely making the day yesterday, here I am crunched on the couch in the flat.

You know the girl’s thing that comes every month.

It was just recently when I had started feeling too much pain, Dysmenorrhea.

I used to have it but the pain now is excruciating.

I already planned to go to the hospital last night to get shots of the pain-killer, thanks God, it subsided after taking 2 tabs of Mefenamic Acid.

Then come 3 AM, I still can’t sleep, the pain had resumed and there I was up until 30 past 7 in the morning.

I got up at 3 in the afternoon, feeling soreness in every muscle.

Damn.

I hate being a girl.

Sigh.

During those moments, when I was suffering from pain, I was chatting with Mumu and Ate Barney, talking about stuffs.

Ate Barney, a friend and colleague, and I were talking over Blackberry Messenger about how her day had gone: she went out with friends, bought a dress for V-day and we were joking about our Horoscopes for the day. It said something about making the first move. We were joking about proposal lines since I will have to make the first move and we were laughing to death.

I told her, I will propose to him on Valentine’s Day and say:
Me: Mumu, will you marry me…
Mumu: Whhhaaatttt???!!?
Mumu: I am giving you options; will you marry me or marry me?
Hahaha!!!

After minutes of almost farting because of too much laughter, I was talking to Mumu about it.

A little serious conversation.

I was asking him when he plans to marry and the like.

He told me after 2 years and asked me when I would like.

I told him point blank: NOW.

He then added: I might make it 3.

I said, “2 Years is long enough and my eggs might be rotten by that time”.

He then replied that I am crazy.

I answered back with a very proud “YES I am” hahaha.

He then said “You know what? You can leave me now and go; I don’t like to be blamed for the rotten eggs”.

I said, “I don’t like; I have choices. I can leave you and go home after a month’s time, but I had chosen to stay and wait what will happen next”.

Sigh.

Maybe I am just pressured as almost everybody around me is getting married or had settled down already.

Married Girls No. 1a, 1b and 1c

Dianne, a best friend since High School, now happily married with a classmate as well, now has 2 kids.

Jheng, a good friend, now enjoys the company of her Sweety and Baby Julia.

Ate Khaty, whose married life I adored so much, has a pretty perfect and normal life: a lovely son who knows how to pose in front of the camera and a husband who seems like her boyfriend/bestfriend forever.

Getting Married No. 2

Ate Reyn, a cousin, another NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth), will be wed on 01/10/10 with her boyfriend of 2 years.

To Be Married Soon No. 3

Ceejh, a bestfriend as well, will get married in 2 years time with the love of her life, Mike.

Pressure…Pressure…

I know I will get married, if not now some other time anyways, so I have to wait patiently and pray that everything will be fine between me and Mumu.

Instead, I will just plan on how I can save enough and do something special on V-Day.

I am thinking of getting a new dress, place reservations for a romantic dinner and buy him the bracelet that I had found at Villaggio Mall.

Sigh.

Hopefully, everything will be fine…

For now, I will just stay in love and watch Wedding AVPs. Hehehe.

Ceejh and I used to watch Jason Magbanua’s Videos then would talk about our Big Day.

I am leaving you with one of my favorite videos by Jason, sorry I just have the link but take a quick look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxcyBK5oMQQ

Stay in love.

XoXo Jo

Year-Enders and New Year Starters

2010-01-01T12:38:00.000-08:00

After almost a week of working over the Year-End Reports, I can finally stretch my arms up and lie down peacefully at my bed, and contemplate on the things that had happened to me in 2009.

The previous year had been a good one: many blessings, enough trials, too much birthday parties to attend and bonding moments, love-hate relationship with the boyfriend, “I hope I can be there” moments with my family over the phone, “I Miss You, Guys” drama over YM with old friends, etc.

I had celebrated my second birthday here in Qatar…

I had been with Mumu for more than a year and still counting…

I had been blessed with understanding parents and brothers…

I had found good friends here…

I was promoted at work...

I moved to another building then another flat…

I had spoken to Mumu’s mom…

I had pregnancy scares (thinking that I got pregnant several times haha)…

I had crazy thoughts of dying young of acute gastro because of eating crabs with coconut milk…

Sigh…

Just ate dinner with Mumu and some friends, with Mr. A, his wife Mrs. J – a good friend and their cute baby, Julia, friends from the office, Mr. Blackberry Guy and his wife who came to visit him here.

After dinner, we decided to go in Mumu’s flat: the guys had played PS3 and the girls had watched “The Haunting at Connecticut”.

That’s how we had celebrated and welcomed 2010.

It’s been another year… I hope this year will also be a good if not, a better one…

The new flat had made me feel better…

No more conflicts with flatmates who are also part of the team I am supervising.

No more flying roaches (eeewwww!)

A quieter and homey place…

A good start for a new Joana…

No New Year’s Resolution for me this year but I will still thrive for nothing but the best things in life!

Missing the GT Days…

2009-12-29T17:59:00.000-08:00

Thursday, 30 July 2009 at 20:47

It was 2 weeks ago when I had learned the news and it broke my heart…

The old company where I had worked for will be taking out employees as well.

Me and my friends here abroad were shocked and are still in shock.

I really can’t believe it.

I worked there and started as a Customer Service Associate almost 5 years ago but I left the company last year as a Hotline Specialist.

GT had given me my first job and as always, the “Firsts” are always unforgettable.

I was so lucky to have cool and lovely batch mates (Batch 13); hardworking team-mates and of course, passionate Team Leads and bosses.

I remember the “Training Days” which reminded me of the good old college days.

I remember the nights out during the Batch Anniversary (we celebrate the Anniversary of the Batch either eating and drinking or drinking and eating), the Pelangi Days, the Movie Marathons, Team Eatings, ummm, I mean Team Meetings and the like.

I met and gained true friends from there; friends who are still with me here and who had kept in touch while am away. Friends who had share a room with; friends who had known me well enough when I’m not in the mood.

When I left GT (to seek for greener pastures overseas), I promised my friends and myself, that I will be back to visit and go out with them.

It is so sad to know that I will no longer be going back to the same old GT.

I know, it’s not only me but most is missing and will definitely miss the following:

The Security Guards reminding you to log in the Manual Record book…

The sound of the ID card being swiped at the door…

The tambay moments at the Bridgeway…

The Jolly Jeep’s Banana Cue…

The smell of the pantry…

The couches in the Lounge…

KusingKapan’s lunches…

Country Style’s Bagel with Cream Cheese and Green Iced Tea...

The beeps of the Avaya…

The “Decker” shouting “Call Wait!!!”…

Spotchecks…

Line checks and test calls…

Dashboards…

PeopleSoft…

5S…

Text Groups…

The Jeans’ Day…

Kapehan Sessions…

PPB…

Rob (Robinson’s Pioneer)…

Team Outings and out of town trips…

GY Shifts…

GT Eskwela, Gawad Kalinga…

Raffles during Christmas Parties…

Sigh…

There are many other things…

GT and my life there contributed a lot to what I am now…

I hope I can still go back to the good old GT…

Another sigh…

I found this quote in the web:

“I didn't ask for it to be over, but then again, I never asked for it to begin. For that's the way it is with life, as some of the most beautiful days come completely by chance. But even the most beautiful days eventually have their sunsets”…

Even if GT peeps will no longer be with GT, I can still meet them someday… somewhere…

Am just thinking that after every sunset, there’s always a sunrise to look forward to anyways…

To all GT Peeps, Kudos and Cheers still!!!

Old colleagues from the Philippines and we had met here in Qatar :)

From Left to Right: Jheng - now married and has a really cute baby, Joana - That's me, Ate Jelly - her husband is working here in Qatar, Ada - she is also working in a nearby office

Of Sleepless Nights and Post-Birthday Realizations

2009-12-29T17:53:00.000-08:00

***Reposting my blog from another site, waaahhh...am not getting any younger ;)

This week is a no-sleep-at-all week for me, as I can see.

I tried my best to go to sleep as early as I can but I found myself browsing the net for hours, changing the channel of the TV and fixing my clothes several times.

Sigh…

Now, at least I have a new thing to do...Write…

I have a new nest in the World Wide Web: Facebook.

Now, I can continue writing about my “adventures”, my plans (until now, they are just plans and most of them haven’t materialized YET), my misfortunes in life and the like.

Yes, I confess: I am a frustrated writer.

I remember those days when I squeezed my mind to write a “good” article for Young Blood – a column in a newspaper in the Philippines written by the “twenty-somethings” – but unfortunately I was not able to finish one and ended up collecting the book anyways.

That was what, about almost 10 years ago…

Whew…

Looking back, I can say that I had gone a little farther from what I had imagined (literally and figuratively).

I was able to move out and live on my own, earn for a living and live independently.

I was able to make decisions and most of them are what I can say life-changing.

As I was saying to a friend, I am feeling the same every time my birthday comes and the day after.

I have what I called Birthday Blues: I have thoughts of what had happened in my life for the last year and what’s going to happen next.

Sigh…

At least, I still have a birthday to celebrate.

I have so much to thank for and more things to look forward to…

I have found new friends and am in touch with the old ones still…

I have a Newly Found Love (ehem, I am hoping that he’ll feel lazy enough so that he’ll not come across this post)…

I have a great job that makes great things possible (Globe…hehe)…

I have a loving and supportive family way back home…

Am looking forward to travel the 1001 places to see before a person dies…

I want to learn how to cook “complicated” dishes…

I want to learn to speak foreign languages…

Read more books…

Gain more friends…

Have more adventures and get the most out of life…

Dream big and work on those dreams more…

Hopefully, I can do all of these…

I have other things still in my mind but I’ll reserve them for the next posts...

These sleepless nights made me a better person anyways: I was able to contemplate on bigger thoughts and not about trivial things in life per se.

The Birthday Blues made me realize that I have too much to be grateful for and aim for the next big things.

Sleepless nights are not bad at all… and so are the Birthday Blues…

XoXo Gossip Girl

2009-12-28T03:17:00.000-08:00

My latest addiction...watching Gossip Girl. :)

So love the story, the wardrobe, the twists, the characters, the guests especially the ones with Hilary Duff and Lady Gaga.

My favorite character...it came as a surprise...Blair Waldorf.

I like her bitchy-ness, her listen-to-me lines, her bossy attitude, her drop-dead gorgeous outfits, the way how she can go crazy about Chuck Bass, her "Best Friend" personalities...

I may be the opposite of Blair but I love watching her...

Am uber excited to see Victoria Beckham at the next episode hopefully...

Here are lines from one of the latest episodes:

"What am I most thankful for...The truth...Somtimes it's the truth that you are trying not to face, or the truth that will change your life...sometimes it's the truth that's a long time coming or the truth you had prayed that will never see the light of day...some truths may not be heard the way we hope they would...but they linger long after they'd been said...but the kind of truth that I am most thankful for...the one you never see coming...that falls right into your lap..."

XOXO Gossip Girl

College Days

2009-12-28T02:59:00.000-08:00

I had a blast when I was in college…

I will always treasure those days…

Living with all girls who are mostly my friends and schoolmates way back in High School…

Checking the “Cooks and Cleaners Schedule” posted on the ref’s door…

Bringing all my dirty clothes for the first 2 months in college because I don’t know how to wash them properly…

Eating Purefoods Corned Beef and Century Tuna during the 1st 2 weeks in college…

Buying lots of Lucky Me Pancit Canton (Kalamansi and Hot Chili Flavor), Nissin’s Yakisoba and Nescafe 3-in-1s at Robinson’s every Sunday…

Sem-enders and Sem-starters…

Cooking then eating as if there’s no tomorrow during birthday celebrations…

Knocking at Dr. Nartea’s (our landlord) door whenever we forget our keys…

Chatting at the rooftop while lying on a mat, gazing at the stars and wondering where we would be after college…

Emoting to the max at our so-called “Pathetic Corner “(a block on the stairway where we could the people that pass by)…

Buying Papu’s Siomai with rice whenever we feel lazy to cook…

Walking on our way to school together with the ever-reliable big umbrella…

Proudly wearing the UP Shirt/Block Shirt…

Carrying the books that I had borrowed over the weekend and hoping that nobody had reserved it so that I can have them renewed still…

Falling in line at during the Reg Date (Enrollment) date hoping that the units that will be given are complete…

Sit-in…

Summer Classes…

Feb Fair…

Freedom Park…

Humanities Bldg…NCAS Bldg…

“Terror” professors…

Nerd classmates…

The Elites…

Frats and Sorrorities…

Acads and Varsitarian Orgs

Class Cards…

Blue Book…

Oble…

Hmmmmm…

Ten Things that I had Learned in Life So Far

2009-12-27T14:57:00.000-08:00

1. Love yourself.
2. Be kind.
3. Some people are good; some are bad and some are just A-holes.
4. Don't expect too much...thus, be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
5. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
6. Smile :) so that life will smile back at you.
7. If a guy doesn't like you, he's just not that into you.
8. Learn to trust other people; if they are meant to fool you, they will...no matter what you do.
9. Take risks and be ready for the consequences.
10. Be specific when you ask God for something.