Nitpicking Everything ... Yeah, Everything

I have been very busy

2009-06-29T02:15:00.000-07:00

That's right! Haven't got enough time to update my blogs. My days are filled with activities - what with work, familial duties, love life and the successive events that forced me to stay away from being online ng enough to blog.didn't allow me to go online. Cocodile even complained of my hectic schedule. I don't have enough time for him, he says. That's cause he wants at least a half day - and that is only possible during weekends. If only he could be satisfied with 2 hrs after I get off from work... then I could manage all my affairs smoothly... I'd then have the weekend for blogging... *sigh... wish me luck...

He is coming today!

2009-06-19T18:56:00.000-07:00

Cocodile's coming back this evening :) Feels kinda weird seeing him after 18 months. Since he's been working abroad, our communication has been only through mobile phones and the internet. It's unfortunate sometimes that the precious times that we communicate are marred by misunderstandings. Remember the sarcasm on text episode? Well, things are going to change a whole lot now. This time we will be together in person.

What's wrong here???

2009-06-19T05:37:00.001-07:00

It started with me discovering my period has arrived. I was surprised as it isn't as scheduled. Yeah, I know. Menstruation doesn't usually start at the same date each month. I even have a 2-week leeway. I usually expect to have my period at the end or the first week of the month. With my usual at announcing unimportant things or things that might be slightly embarrassing for others (if they were me), I told my two housemates of my discovery. Lo and behold! I have my period!

Housemate 1 (HM1): Eh? But that's nothing to get worried about. Menstruation doesn't usually start at the same date each month.

Me: Yeah, I know.

HM2: Yeah, that's right. I even had my period on different dates these past months. It really doesn't fall on the same date every month

Me: I know that. I don't mean the date. I even have a 2-week allowance. I usually have mine at the end-

HM2: So, what's got you worried then?

Me: I usually expect to have my period at the end or the first week of the month. So this must mean something's wrong... I have an auto-immune disease (that's supposedly stable now) that's hormonal in nature and menstruation is something hormonal so...

HM1: You know, it's all part of being a woman. There's nothing to worry about. You see those are actually your egg cells, unused egg cells...

Me: (indignantly) I know that! I'm almost 30 after all. Of course, I know that!

HM2: So, what do you want to do? It's not something you can stop or reschedule as you please.

Me: (really irritated by now) I KNOW THAT. That's not even my point. There's a big discrepancy in my cycle given my 2-week allowance. This is not normal and maybe a sign of something wrong. Maybe my disease is somehow "active" again...

HM2: (<=== one who cooks our meals and loves meat and loves to cook meat dishes and is sometimes frustrated that I don't want to eat meat 'cause of my disease and would encourage me to eat meat dishes nevertheless) You mean, you have been eating something that's off limits with your condition?

Me: (muttering) You're asking me that?
Me: Maybe I should go and see a doctor. This may be something I shouldn't just brush off.

HM1: If that's how you want to see it, so be it. (muttering) Though I really think it's normal. They're egg cells. If they want to come out, they'll come out.

A Very Special Love - Part 2

2008-09-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

Ahahaha! Sobrang tuwa ko dito, ano? Obyus naman, 'di ba? May part 2 pa, eh. Makapag-sun dance nga ulit... LOL!

Hay naku! Hindi naman talaga ganun kaganda ang A Very Special Love, eh. (biglang nag-iba ang ihip ng hangin, ano?) May mga napansin din naman akong mga kakulangan at kapalpakan. Anu-ano 'yon? Eto na...

1) May mga prolonged moments throughout the movie. (pasensiya na, mahirap i-Tagalog 'yun, eh) May mga sandaling pupwedeng maiklian. Hindi ko na mabigyang detalye ang bawat isa...pero hindi 'nyo ba naramdaman kahit minsan na puwedeng next scene na? Slight lang naman ang mga prolonged moments na ito, kumbaga para magkaroon ng dramatic effect. Kaso...ewan! Basta, mga one or two seconds na pinaiksing versions ng mga moments na 'yon - ayos na para sa 'kin.

2) Mali 'yung editing para sa comic moments, eh. Example, noong hindi nasiyahan si Miggs sa gawa ng Art Director 'nya, inutusan niya si Laida upang punitin 'yon. Sa trailer ng pelikula, parang naka-fastforward 'yun. Ang kenkoy-kenkoy ng dating ni Laida. Pero sa actual na pelikula, normal lang ang daloy ng oras (sheesh, pasensiya na ulit...nahihirapan po ako minsan mag-explain ng mga bagay na gumugulo sa isipan ko). Kung in-exaggerate 'yung comic moments ng pelikula, mas gaganda 'yon para sa 'kin.

3) Pinalampas ko na 'yung iba, eh. Pero sa bandang huli ng pelikula...eto, hagalpak ang tawa ko dito! Paano ba naman kasi, inconsistent and improbable na eh.

- Noong dumaan na ang truck na sakay ang mga musicians para sa solong song performance ni Miggs, parte ng panunuyo niya kay Laida upang siya'y patawarin, gamit ni Miggs 'nun ay wireless mic, 'di ba? Kumanta siya from across the street at narinig ni 'yon ni Laida. Tanong: 'asan ang speakers?

- Umulan ng malakas 'non. Pilit na sinusuyo ni Miggs si Laida. Eto naman si Laida, nagmamatigas. Tanong: Bakit hindi na-plaster across sa forehead ni Miggs ang buhok niya? Kahit pa sabihin nating hindi gaanong kalakasan ang ulan, sa patuloy na pag-agos ng tubig mula sa tuktok ng ulo niya pababa, siguradong mahuhulog ang buhok sa noo niya. Samakatuwid mga kaibigan, ang ulan ay nasa harapan lamang ng kamera at iilang patak lamang ang nahuhulog sa dalawang bida.

- Last frames, nasa gitna ng avenue of trees ang sina Miggs at Laida, masayang nagyayakapan at nagtatawanan. Umulan parin 'non ngunit makikita sa mga siwang ng mga puno at sanga ng kahoy ang mliwanag na sikat ng araw. Sa bandang unahan pa nila, kung saan dumaraan ang mga sasakyan, maliwanag na maliwanag ang sikat ng araw. Samakatuwid ulit mga kaubigan, peke po ang ulan nila.

"Maganda na sana pero..." Alam kong hindi ito maiiwasang banggitin ng mga Pinoy moviegoers sa mga pelikulang Pinoy. Kahit naman sa mga pelikulang Hollywood, nasasambit natin ito. Ngunit alalahanin nating mas madalas itong nasasabi sa mga pelikulang Pinoy. Kaya nga dumarami ang mga Pinoy na nanonood na lamang ng mga pelikulang Pinoy sa DVDs, if at all manonood sila ng gawang Pinoy. Lalong hihina ang industriya ng pelikula kung magpapatuloy na formulaic at cliche lang ang mapapanood natin. Nevertheless, malaki na rin ang iginanda ng pelikulang Pinoy mula noon. Ngunit sadyang marami pa tayong dapat matutunan sa pagpepelikula. Hayaan ninyo. Tutulungan ko kayong mamulat sa mga kamalian ninyo at gagabayan para sa ikagaganda ng pelikulang Pilipino. Pangako 'yan! *evil laughter*

A Very Special Love - Part 1

2008-09-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

"...and I'll never gonna let go..." Langya! Tawa ako ng tawa sa pelikulang 'to! Ahahaha! Hindi naman ako mahilig sa Pinoy movies pero ...wat d heck! Natuwa ako dito :)

Alam ko naman mas magandang pelikula ito kesa For The First Time nina KC Concepcion at Richard Gutierrez, eh. Since DVD lang naman at hindi ko winaldas sa sinehan ang pera ko upang panoorin ito, ayun, nanood na ako. Alam niyo, tip eto ha. Sa mga frustrated sa mga Pinoy movies, manood kayo ng walang expectations. 'Wag kayong mag expect ng maganda o pangit man ang mapapanood ninyo. Win-win situation 'yan eh. Kung sakaling pangit man ang napanood ninyong pelikula, eh, na-validate lang 'yung taste ninyo sa movies. "Ah, tama nga ako. Pangit talaga 'to. Ang galing ko talaga!" Panalo ka, o dba? At kung maganda naman 'yung pelikula, medyo masakit man sa pride na amining nagkamali ka ng paghusga pero ok na 'yun noh, natuwa ka naman sa pinanood mo. Aminin! Kinilig ka kay John Lloyd 'di ba? Natuwa ka naman sa mga pakuwela ni Sarah 'di ba? Asus! Ok lang 'yan, may katwiran naman ang reaksiyong 'yan, eh. Blockbuster hit yata ang A Very Special Love. Kaya, baduy man sa kung baduy, talagang nakakatuwa ang pelikulang ito.

Ang haba ng sinabi...este, isinulat ko, ano? Anyway, my point is, matuto tayong kumilatis ng pelikula. Hindi porke sikat na mga artista 'yung nasa pelikula, eh, maganda na 'yung pelikula. At hindi porke ang galing-galing ng publicity, eh, maganda nga 'yung pelikula. Duh! Ilan ba sa inyo ang naloko ng For The First Time? Teka, teka...wala naman akong galit sa pelikulang 'yon. Example lang naman. I'm just making a point. Ayun! nakapag-Ingles tuloy ako! Mga Pinoy moviegoers, maging mapanuri tayo. Mahirap na nga ang buhay ngayon, krisis, eh...dinagdagan mo pa ang pasanin mo. Bakit kamo? Nagwaldas ka na nga ng pera sa sinehan, hindi ka pa feeling sulit sa ibinayad mo. Natuwa ka ba sa pinanood mo?

UP Professor Quotable Quotes

2008-09-15T23:03:00.001-07:00

Sorry! Hehehe... I just couldn't resist posting these. Enjoy!
==========

1. "The aim of policy is to invoke action! Because action speaks louder than words! You do not just say I love you. You say: If you love me, enter me!" - Dr. Alfonso Pacquing

2. "Class, next week na lang yung result sa exam niyo. I am having a hard time checking it. I will seek first the divine guidance on what to do about it. Class, don't worry about your grade. Let me worry about it." - Sir de Jesus (Envi Sci1)

3. (Valentine's day)
"Ano ba yan? Students ba kayo ng U.P.? Bakit ang bababa ng scores niyo? Siguro wala kayong date ngayong valentines kaya nito kayo. Losers!!! When I was your age I had a date. Hindi ba naapektuhan ng UP Fair euphoria yung grades niyo? Parang di kayo masaya..." (Tinapon ang quizzes sa sahig)
"I won't record this. Go find a date." (Nag-walkout) - Sir Doliente (BA)

4. Ma'am: Many people believe that we, psychology graduates can read minds...
(silence)
Ma'am: Actually, we can.
Class: Weh...sample.
Ma'am: Right now, you think that I'm bluffing. - Ms. Chei Billedo (Psych)

5. "The human body is 70% water. Kaya wala kayong saysay lahat. Pag may kaaway ka, sabihin mo sa kanya, TUBIG KA LANG! TUBIG!" - Dr. Recio

6. "Oo, nagpapaulan ako ng uno. Bakit? Aanhin ko ba yun? Di naman ako yayaman dun." - Sir Atoy Navarro (histo1)

7. "Nasa bandang gilid ang fallopian tube. Kaya kung gusto niyong magka-anak ng asawa niyo, dapat nakatagilid kayo habang gumagawa." - Ms. Meggie (Zoo10)

8. "Last sem was the first time that I gave a grade of 5 and it felt GOOD!!" - Prof Goldie (Comm3)

9. "You do not fall in love; you rise in love. That's how you love rationally." - Prof FG David

10. "Don't take the bar and yourselves too seriously. Baka mabalitaan na lang namin na nag-o-oral summation kayo sa Luneta. O lumulutang-lutang sa Pasig River. Enjoy yourselves, relax, and read at least 15 hours a day. Nakakabobo ang sobrang tulog. Mag-relax ka habang nagbabasa. Mag-relax habang nagmememorize."

11. Prof: O, meron na bang nakapunta sa inyo sa (insert XXX place here)?
(Silence)
Prof: (disappointed) Ano?! Puro na lang ba kayo aral? Aral na lang kayo ng aral, ha? Wala na kayong napupuntahan kakaaral niyo!

12. "The more wisdom you obtain, the more you shut your mouth. This is because the more you learn, the more you realize that there are even more things that you do not know.
The true mark of an idiot is a loud mouth and the true mark of a wise man is humility."
- Paraphrased galing kay PI100. (Best prof sa CAL.)

13. Student: Ma'am pwede po bang next week na kami mag-report?
Ma'am: Alam mo, God is good. And I am God. So yes, pwede next week.

14. "Try everything once except incest." - Sir U Eliserio (CW)

15. "Hoy girls, wag kayong kukuha ng boyfriend dito sa UP. Pare-parehas tayong mahirap dito. Kumuha kayo ng mayaman. 80% of the child's intelligence comes from the mother naman eh. Kayo guys, wag kayo kukuha ng bobong babae. Kahit matalino kayo, magiging bobo ang anak niyo." - Dr. Mendioro

16. "I do not know many. I know enough just to teach my classes." - Dr. David

17. "We do not accept anyone here in class except for those who are members of a certain minority group. For example, gays are part of a minority group. Bakla ka ba? If you admit to this class that you are gay, then I'll admit you." - Prof "Hail to the chair" (haha)

18. (Second to the last meeting) "Okay class, next week, we start the lecture proper." - Ms. Vitriolo

19. Language Elective Prof: "Punyetissima! " (sosyal pati mura Italian!)

20. "Marx is more Christian than Christ and Christ is more Marxist than Marx." - Sir Lanuza

21. (Upon finding out that Sir Gerry's brother is actually a CATHOLIC PRIEST.)
Class: Sir, hindi ba nagagalit sa iyo kapatid mo?
Prof: Bakit? Hindi naman niya alam na aethiest ako ah.
- Sir Gerry Lanuza

22. "Experience the world. Mag-drugs kayo! Mag-orgy kayo!" - Sir Gerry Lanuza

23. Sir Lanuza's story on his attempt to restore intellectual conversations:
(Figaro Coffee Shop. A girl is seated alone on a table.)
Sir Gerry: Excuse me, miss, nagbabasa ka po ba ng Nietzsche? *Points to book he is bringing*
Girl: *Quickly gathers things and leaves.*

24. "I'm gay-- so gay i could show you my penis because it is but an accessory to my body." - Jean Navera (SPCM1)

25. STUDENT: Sir, pwede po magpa-sit in yung friends ko?
PROF: From what school are they?
STUDENT: St. Scho po.
PROF: "Go ahead. So they'll realize what they're missing. St. Scho, St. Scho... eskwelahan na ba yun sa inyo?!"

26. "Class, kaya mahal ang bayad sa mga professors sa ibang school kasi ang bobobo ng mga estudyante dun. Dyuskoh, I used to teach there... at lumuluha talaga ako ng dugo bago maintindihan ng mga students yung sinasabi ko. Ang mahal nga ng bayad, magkakasakit ka naman sa panga kakaulit ng lessons! Wag na lang! Dito na ko sa UP, at least nagkakaintindihan tayo. Diba?"

27. "Running for summa ka? Mapapagod ka lang."

28. "Domestication of the human male is one of the greatest achievement of the human race." - Dr. David

29. "Do not live long enough to be worthless." - Dr. David

30. "To be born is to die. In between they grow and multiply like flies. 6.2 billion people in the world. Kadiri, ano?" - Dr. David

31. "Religion is a successful economic institution. " - Dr. David

32. "Si Miriam, crush ko 'yun dati. Muntikan na maging kami, kaso nasiraan ng ulo, kaya 'yun, iba ang asawa ko."

33. "Kapatid ng sinungaling ang magnanakaw."
"Ergo, gma's marriage to mike arroyo is null and void ab initio."
- Consti Law Class, 1st sem, AY 2005-06

34. "Class, gusto ko kayong i-train na mag-English, so when you're here in class, magsalita kayo ng English! Ako lang ang exempted dahil matanda na ako at ako ang teacher!"

35. "Hindi mahirap makakuha ng UNO sa class ko. Yung gumradweyt last year na Magna Cum Laude ng Biochem, uno siya sakin sa Chem 18" - Ma'am Ilao

36. (Student reciting without raising his/her hand)
Prof: "I think this is the first time i have a student w/ tourette in my class..."
Student: *Keeps on reciting*
Prof: "Wow the ejaculatory comments just don't stop!"

37. "Birds of the same feather FLOCK together...don' t forget the L". - SocSci1 Prof

38. "I'll strangle you, strangle you really hard, smack right in your jugular (pause ng mga 5 seconds), you do know where your jugular is?"

39. "Bakit parang napakaligaya ng klase niyo? Maging sad naman kayo, 5 mins." - Math 100 Prof.

40. "Well of course when you sell your soul you have to make an elaborate justification to make yourself feel good." - Sir Walden Bello, Socio 127

41. "Look at me, I'm 433 years old pero ang lakas lakas ko pa. Eh kung walang gulay eh di kakain na lang ako ng damo. Kung wala eh di tubig, kung wala mag-ipon na lang ako ng laway." - Sir Tiamson, Italian 11

42. Prof: "Mr. Gatbunton, why are you late?!"
Student:"Sorry Ma'am, galing pa ako Las Pinas."
Prof: "Ladies, don't marry somebody from Las Pinas because they have bamboo organs!!"
- Prof Soresca Spanish 1

43. "There are only two countries who still use Fahrenheit.. the United States of America and Liberia ... a pathetic country in Africa." - Sir Argete

44. "It's okay to smoke inside my class. As long as you don't breathe it out." - Dr. Obsioma, Biodiversity

45. (No one is reciting)
Prof: "Wag na mahiya, you have nothing to lose but your face.."
- Ma'am Cathy, Geol 11

46. (Habang 2nd exam at malakas ang ulan)
Prof: "Ang lakas ng ulan, ayos yan at least hindi halata pag umiiyak.." - Sir Agapito

47. "When you graduate, then you begin to live." - Dr. Carmen Jimenez, Psych 118

48. (Commenting on a thesis of a senior student)
Prof: "'Yang thesis mo? .. Mamamatay ka!! Mamamatay ka!!"
- Dr. llanes, UPM

49. "Atheist ako, pero pag nasa bahay, nagro rosary kami ng Nanay ko, eh kung magalit sa 'kin yun..." - Socio 11 Prof

50. "Anong molars? You don't say molars because it is an adjective! Do you say beautifuls?"
- Ma'am Ilao, to a student who said "n molars"

51. "Kahit magpakamatay ka pa di mo masasagot yang problem set na yan dahil pang-157 (phy chem II) yan!" - Ibid

52. "Do not memorize! Analyze!"
- Dr. Nic, advising her students never to memorize reaction mechanisms

53. "Kaya nga ideal eh, hindi siya nangyayari sa totoong buhay. Pero an approximation is good enough." - Sir Engle, on ideal and real systems

54. Sabi ng dean who is 80 yrs old: "Class you're laughing now, but I will predecease you all!"

55. (Second day of classes)
Prof: *Kinuha ang box ng colored chalks* Ano ba naman ito...
*Tapos iniitsa sa lamesa yung mga dark colored chalks*
Class: (Tahimik na nagmamasid)
Prof: Class, sulatan niyo ang manufacturer ng chalk na ito, at sabihing tanggalin na ang mga walang kwentang kulay na ito... brown, green, violet. hindi makikita ito sa board. Convince them...
Class: (Tahimik at gulat)
Prof: ...and .25 incentive sa final grade niyo!

56. Terror prof after an exam (last day na din ng class..): "Ok class.. see you next sem!"

57. Class: Sir, sa exams po ba nagbibigay kayo ng partial points?
Prof: Hmm.. if i see partial wisdom

58. "Oh, this is good. It's poetic because it's perfectly stupid."
- Prof. Ricardo de Ungria

59. Prof: Did I remind the class last meeting that we're going to have an exam today?
(dead air)
Prof: Okay, it seems I forgot to remind the class that we're going to have an exam today. I'm giving you 5 minutes then to buy a blue book. We're going to have an exam today."

60. "Today is the first day of the rest of your lives." - GE 1 Prof

61. "When you feel like giving up, just close your eyes and think back to the saddest point in your lives...awwww. .." - GE 1 Prof

62. "What's the color of YOUR daisy?" - Nonoy Tamayo (Geol 1)

63. "Wow. Rape-able."

64. "Stand up Miss ___, so that I might see the contours of your body."

65. Prof: *Looks at girl's long necklace* Are those real?
Girl: That's a question you should never ask a girl!

66. Lastly...sa PHILO: "I THINK THEREFORE I AM FROM UP!"

Laarni wins Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2

2008-09-15T15:29:00.001-07:00

I had thought it would be a toss up between Bugoy and Miguel... Bugoy because of his mass appeal and the quality of his voice. Miguel because of his star appeal (knowing ABS-CBN shows' preference for the beautiful). That's all. Hahaha!

My personal prediction vs. actual PDA Grand Dream Night results:
1) Bugoy or Miguel ..... Laarni
2) Bugoy or Miguel ..... Bugoy
3) Laarni .................. Miguel
4) Liezel .................. Liezel
5) Van or Cris ............ Van
6) Van or Cris ............ Cris

See? I have a feel for this. My prediction accuracy is ... um, passably accurate. *grins*

Laarni is good, yeah. That voice has power. Biritera, she is called locally. Oh my. I'm sorry, Laarni. I have nothing else to say. Congratulations!

Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Joel Casamayor

2008-09-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

Marquez won! That's all.

Hahaha!

Ok, serious now.

Juan Manuel Marquez defeated Joel Casamayor via a knockout in the 11th round for the Ring Magazine Lightweight Championship match. Marquez won the belt on Mexico’s Independence day, September 13, in Las Vegas.

I did not get the chance to watch the fight from start to finish...only the finish. LOL. Yeah, the 11th round was spectacular. You couldn't predict who would win. Marquez lands solid but few punches. Casamayor throws a lot of punches but only a few connected. The upper hand continuously shifted between the two fighters. However, when Casamayor was cut in the right brow, the fight clearly shifted to Marquez's favor. Marquez, seeing the advantage, threw a lot of hooks and uppercuts to the increasingly disoriented Casamayor. The latter could barely protect himself with the lightning fast combinations with which Marquez's threw out his punches. I think it was the left hook in the jaw that did it for the Cuban boxer.

It was a good fight (seing I enjoyed the last round!haha!). Congratulations to Juan Manuel Marquez for winning the Lightweight Championship match. What a good way to celebrate Mexico's Independence Day.

Sarcarsm on SMS = Useless

2008-09-14T23:53:00.000-07:00

Here I was, airing out my angst - my me against the world drama - to cocodile. It's not just a simple drama, you know. I was not making a mountain out of a molehill. I was simply telling him that I gave up my other online job 'cause of this and that. It maybe too much for me to handle the 2 jobs so it's best that I just concentrate my efforts into just one. And, in so doing, I gained much more in the bargain. I even detailed to him my previous schedule so he would get a very clear vision of how my life will now change.

His reply? "So, what job's now left with you? You should really start saving."

Oh. I was rendered speechless for about a minute. 60, 59, 58, ... , 3, 2, 1, 0.

"Gee, thanks for the concern". *dripping with all the sarcasm I could squeeze out of my pores*

"No. You don't need to thank me. It's what I do 'cause I care about you."

Ooohhh!!! I could just wring his neck there and then! Instead, I settled for stabbing the poor banana slice with my fork (I was eating Mandarin Tropical Fruit Salad then) with such force that it merited an upward arch of my Tita's eyebrow. Thankfully, my sweet smile at her silenced her unvoiced questions.

Lesson learned: sarcasm on SMS is useless. Either that or cocodile's simply immune to my sarcasm.

Realization

2008-09-13T02:14:00.000-07:00

I thought I had it all together. I thought I had it all down pat. I had to, see. 'Coz I handle 2 online jobs. My friends told me I'm spreading myself too thin. But, no, I can do this. And I did. Yes, I had little time for personal stuff but I still have the weekend free. I also had lots of money. The 2 sources of income made sure of that. Everything was good. I was happy.

But everything started crumbling down when my stupid ISP failed me. No/minimal internet connection. Remember, in the world of online jobs - it's no work, no pay. ..Uh, no pay for 2 weeks... No pay... for 2 weeks... *shakes head* Sorry, I spaced out.

Anyway, amidst the craziness of those 2 weeks and the week thereafter, I had come to a realization. I cannot serve two masters at the same time. I will always compare one with the other - and favor one over the other.

I gave up my other online job. I gave up a part of my life. But I gained most of it back. More personal time, less stress, less wear and tear for my cpu (which sometimes breaks down due to overheating), and more opportunities to redevote my efforts to things I've set aside for the past month.

Hah! And I thought I was happy then.

I have every right to do this

2008-09-13T02:11:00.001-07:00

Almost a month ago, the blasted internet service provider let me down - no or minimal internet connection. "There is a problem with the base tower." "Repairs are on-going". "Your complaint has been reported. Meanwhile, kindly monitor your connection from time to time". You hear that? I called up their hotline continuously and each time, their scripted dialogue is all I hear. This went on for almost 2 weeks. I did everything, believe me - calling their hotline, going to their office twice to report the problem, called up one of their technician to check my set-up, even made repairs/upgrade to my hardware. I had probably exhausted all means to make them aware of the urgency of my predicament - all to no avail. Why? Because it went on for almost 2 weeks!

I handle 2 online jobs. What the hell am I supposed to tell my bosses? "Um, I have minimal internet connection. Sorry, I can't work today. Ah... I don't know when the repair's going to be done. Uh... I hope I still have a job to return to when this is over."

Oh, well. Needless to say, I aged a lot during the whole ordeal. I'm seriously considering transferring to DSL but since it is owned by the same company that owned my current ISP, I am still not assured of a more reliable connection. So, I'm still stuck with SmartBro-ken. I hope they realize their advertised 384 kbps isn't what I'm getting - SmartBro, my speed barely reaches 300. So, this one's for you - You Suck, Big Time!!!