Now in order to become our perfect house guest, one must possess and/or abide with the following conditions:

1. Must like Internet
2. Preferably someone who plays DoTA
3. Preferably someone who likes anime and reads manga
4. Fine with take outs and eat outs
5. Has a laptop with Wi-Fi
6. Wouldn’t mind the cramped space
7. Can sleep on the floor
8. Totally not judgmental
9. Knows when to talk and when to shut up
10. Doesn’t mind if I yak about household chores

Who’s your perfect house guest?

• washing and pressing the laundry
• scrubbing the bathroom
• putting things in place
• disposing of the garbage
• defrosting the fridge
• and lastly, cleaning that grimy roach-infested kitchen cabinet below the sink (I believe I haven’t done it since the start of the year) >.<

Thoughts like these are among the things that make me feel good about weekends. But more so often they make me feel bad too.

I fell in love with the mangoes I bought, the first time I dropped by. And so with the lakatan (banana variety) the second time. Third time with again, mangoes was so-so, as they weren’t as good as the first batch. And the fourth time, which was just hours ago, reminded me of the first time I earned my keep.

And that was because of the kaimito (star apple) I bought 20 pesos for two.

Between 15 to 20 years ago, kaimitos weren’t 10 peso a piece, not even 5. I remember so well because I used to peddle my grandaunt’s newly harvested kaimitos along the streets of our barrio (rural village).

With the fruits arranged side by side in a sturdy and wide bilao, Lola Titay would send us off, me and my childhood friends. When it was my turn to put the bilao over my head and shout “KAY-MI-TO~” at the top of my lungs, I was undoubtedly very excited.

Some people would buy a piece or two, others would want to buy everything, while the rest would just not mind us, perhaps because they have their own kaimito trees in their backyards.

Fifty centavos, one peso, I could not remember how exactly each costs. I have even forgotten if all of the star apples we peddled were sold out or not that day.

At the end of each round, my lola would split the earnings among us all. And the start of it was what I considered my first job.

Dos pesos was all I got. But I was ecstatic.

Thank you so much Fluffy! You’ve always been full of surprises.

Happy Hearts Day to all!

(and Happy Birthday Dad!)

Your result for The Heroes Personality Test…

Mohinder Suresh

You scored 42 Idealism, 54 Nonconformity, 50 Nerdiness

Take The Heroes Personality Test at HelloQuizzy

What did you do in 2008 that you’ve never done before?
Resigned from my job (I didn’t have to do this on my first job)
Had my first webdesign client
Invested in my own place
Purchased a book and a CD through Amazon.com
Rode an airplane
Flew out of the country
Set foot on Californian and Pennsylvanian land
Worked with non-Filipino colleagues
Attended an alumni homecoming
… I did quite a lot in 2008, I think

Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn’t keep any, except maybe to exercise more and keep myself fit, both of which I didn’t do quite well.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Cherry, my childhood friend

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More TIME to blog! And to do photoshop experiments, I also missed making layouts. Basically, everything that I was able to do before 2008.

What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The whole month of November. It was a very busy month for me, dealing with new people and going to and staying at new places. We spent 2 work weeks at a hotel. I even came to work during my birthday.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my present job, I guess.

What was your biggest failure?
Letting stress get onto me.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully, I didn’t.

What was the best thing you bought?
a Canon digicam, perhaps?

Where did most of your money go?
Food and dining out, rent and downpayment for the condo

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I think it was my job.

What song(s) will always remind you of 2008?
Nido’s “You’re my number one” jingle

What do you wish you’ve done less of?
Over-analyzing and worrying about things

What was your favorite TV program?
GMA Channel 7 (like I have a choice)
Animax when I’m in Albay

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t remember hating anyone…
Getting annoyed at someone, yes.

What was the best book you read?
(and only book) The Zahir by Paolo Coelho, which I haven’t finished until now

What was your greatest musical discovery?
I haven’t listed to any *gasp* according to my last.fm profile!

What was your favorite film of this year?
The Dark Knight and Iron Man

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I told you I went to work on my 25th anniversary on earth! I met my 2 new workmates and interacted with our colleage from US. We had lunch at Italiani’s though, and their crew sang a sloppy Happy Birthday to me…

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
My family’s pride and joy over what I’ve done

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007
Boring and preppy

What kept you sane?
Fluffy and my family

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Sometimes life doesn’t offer us the luxury of time to think about which among the “knocking” opportunities are the best for us. Just learn to pick one and make the best out of it.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
None!? (Maybe something like… “you’re a responsible person…”, or “you make good shots!”… there… that maybe?)

What did you like most about yourself this year?
I’ve grown tolerant of some of F’s habits ;^^
… and probably, I learned how to think objectively.
I also liked it when I decided that I can no longer afford to be a Catholic (or a Christian).

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
Being unable to control myself (pressure and other stuff)

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I can’t think of one

Was 2008 a good year for you?
A specially good one, I’m quite proud of myself this year.

What was your favorite moment of the year?
Playing and finishing console games with F (House of the Dead 2 on Wii & Halo 3 on Xbox)

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Dealing with that real estate manager

Where were you when 2008 began?
F’s house

Who were you with?
F and his family

Where will you be when 2008 ends?
I was at my parents’ house

Who will you be with when 2008 ends?
I was with my family, aunt and maternal grandparents

Do you have a new years resolution for 2009?
Spend my money wisely and lose at least 5 lbs. Hah!

What was your favorite month of 2008?
November, it has to be it.

How many concerts did you see in 2008?
None.

Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2008?
Nope, as in 0%.

Do a lot of drugs in 2008?
Cold meds and anti-allergy nasal sprays.

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Succumbing to pressure perhaps.

How much money did you spend in 2008?
A lot (considering X is my gross income and I’ve only got X saved in the bank…)

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2008 and change something, what would it be?
Hey, I loved 2008! Although I wish I had taken more photos during the US trip.

What are your plans for 2009?
My resolutions. Save, save, save. And get out of debt.

How are you different now that the year has ended?
I think I’ve become more mature with handling finances. And I felt older. *sigh*

What are your wishes for the new year?
More and more opportunities for F & I. Happiness, love and understanding to the rest of the world.