I Blog, Therefore I Am.

What is a meme? Here's the definition:
MEME - Noun. An idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture.

Let's start with this ABC about me which somebody tagged me to do a long time ago. I had fun answering this.

A - Age: 28 and happy about it. Really.
B - Band Listening To Right Now: None.
C - Career: Senior Business and Services Development Supervisor of THE best telco here in the Philippines. Be starting work on Monday.
D - Drink or Smoke: I don't do either. In fact, I haven't had any alcohol (nor caffeine or soda) in my bod since my surgery last March. Hooray!
E - Easiest Friends To Talk To: My Forces Friends (Tin, Aileen, Charo, Ivy, Mitz) and Olen
F - Favorite song at the moment: Rent's Seasons of Love and Regina Spektor's Samson
G - Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms: Either
H - Have a Boyfriend: None
I - In love: Not anymore. Whew!
J - Junk Food You Like: Choco Pie, Lays Sour N' Cream
K - Kids: In the future.
L - Longest Ride Ever: Road trip from Naga, Camarines Sur to Laguna - 9 hours
M - My Favorite Sports: Swimming!
N - Names For Your Future Kids: Sonja, Beatriz, Vittoria, Miguel
O - One Wish You Have Now: Either to finally make it or to finally forget it.
P - Phobias: It's so weird and I don't want to mention it here.
Q - Favorite Quote: "It's not how many people you've reached, it's how many RIGHT people you've reached."
R - Reasons To Smile: My niece's Gabbie's funny antics, my spanking new career, my friends, my on-line friends and bullboard buddies, blog comments, Internet surfing, Grey's Anatomy, Big Brother, reminiscing yesterdays, perfect pictures at my camera, nice SMS from friends, rainy cool nights
S - Sleeping Hours: After 12:00 am but I am trying to adjust it to 11:00 pm.
T - Time You Woke Up: 7:45 am (I am still in vacation!)
U - Unknown Fact About You: I'm super smart you'll be so surprised.
V - Vegetable You Hate: Beansprouts!!!
W - Worst Habit: I am lazy when I want to be lazy.
X - X-rays You've Had: Chest, Right Hand, Feet
Y - Yummy Foods: Japanese dishes and the evil evil RICE
Z - Zodiac Sign: Leo

~*oOo*~

Got this one from Ida:

Instructions: Each player starts with 7 random habits/facts about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. I have a very weird personality. I believe that I am very extrovert, loud, and can talk non-stop for hours BUT I also enjoy being alone and just staying at home. Weird, huh? Or is this a sign of ageing? Beats me.

2. I enjoy driving. After years of procrastinating, I finally learned how to drive in May 2005. In my very short driving history I'm very proud to say that I've already driven in two major road trips. One was from Dagupan to Las Pinas (4-hour night drive; April 2006) and the other was a day trip from Laguna to Gumaca, Quezon and back to Laguna again (total of 8-hour day/night drive; May 2007). My fastest driving speed is 140kph at The Skyway on my way to Makati.

3. Here are my essential gadgets (in order of appearance in my life): a black kick-ass desktop PC (okay, it's not as kick-ass as before but it's still all-wireless), a black Altec Lansing speakers with subs, a Canon IXUS 60, a 30GB iPod Video, an Altec Lansing inMotion mobile speakers and a Nokia N70. If I'll be asked (or cursed) to part ways with one of them then I'll choose to give-up my iPod. Know why? Well, I actually don't know why.

4. I was already confined twice at Asian Hospital and Medical Center this year. The first one was for a routine endoscopy and I was just being conceited about it. I could've opted for out-patient procedure but I decided to book myself at the hospital to lessen the stress of driving to and from and all of that. The second was for Open Cholecystectomy (a.k.a. gall bladder removal due to gall stones) which was actually kinda scary.

5. I don't use text language when sending SMS. I don't even know how to read text language. It confuses me.

6. I am very OC when it comes to using punctuation marks and small/upper cases/capital in writing. i hate seeing small letters in beginning letters in sentences like THIS sentence. I also hate seeing "I" in small letters.

7. What is Abbie without some mush? I am such a great believer of love and all the neat things it can do to people. I was fortunate that love found me in the least expected place and moment in my life. Unexpectedly love also went away and broke me into pieces. Despite that I'm still a believer of love...I am just too damn scared to fall again once more.

My good friend Coleen requested me to post this for all adventure-seekers out there!




WHITE WATER RAFTING FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' EDUCATION

Take a thrilling adventure and make it worth a lifetime for a child!

Cartwheel Foundation invites you to experience the renowned Cagayan de Oro River white water rapids and raft for indigenous peoples' education, together with The Red Rafts and Men's Health Magazine. Starting this June until October 2007, raft with The Red Rafts, Cagayan de Oro's premier outfitter, and part of the proceeds of your trip will benefit the educational programs of Cartwheel.

There are an estimated 12 million indigenous peoples (IPs) in the Philippines and they have little or no access to quality education. Cartwheel is committed to bridging the gap and ensuring that they enjoy their right to education that is best suited to their culture and education. You, too, can lend your support and have a blast while you're at it-- you might just discover the ride of your life!

Go with your friends or even take the whole office for an outing (special teambuilding activities are included). Reserve your trip now!

Call/text: (0922)454-0021 or (0919)204-3534
Email: action@cartwheelfoundation.org

Note: Cebu Pacific promo of P99 fare to CDO available from June 21 to 27!

About Cartwheel
Cartwheel Foundation is committed to bringing education to indigenous peoples (IPs), one of the most vulnerable sectors of the Philippines. IPs have long been neglected, isolated, and overtaken by development and suffer from a severe lack of access to basic services, including education. Cartwheel strives to bridge this gap by providing education that is culturally sensitive, appropriate, and relevant to their realities. Through the Pre-School, Alternative Learning, and College Scholarship Programs, Cartwheel works hand in hand with IP communities in allowing them to thrive in their rich culture and equipping them with tools necessary for community leadership and development.

"You're such a tool, Wendy!"
~ Ex-Housemate Zeke

You must have been living under a rock if you don't know who Wendy is. I am a self-confessed Pinoy Big Brother fan since the very start. It's one of the few shows that I watch in the tube. I especially became hooked on this season's offering since I am currently in-between jobs and have nothing else to do. I even became a member of one of the PBB forums to somehow feed this "addiction".


Wendy, who?
Wendy is Wendy Valdez, one of Pinoy Big Brother Season Two housemates. She rocked the nation with her beautiful face and her charming aura when she was introduced last February as one of Kuya's 14 new Housemates. Tagged as the "Hot Commercial Babe", she often graced beauty pageants and advertisements before she became a resident of the Big Yellow House. Even from the start, it was very obvious that Wendy is a force to reckon with. She talks a lot and she's very influential among the other housemates. Her first major issue in the house that raised eyebrows was her back-to-back nominations combined with occasional backstabbing of Gee-Ann Abrahan, one of the most likable Housemates in the bunch. Her reasons of "she's well-off and doesn't need the prize money" was at first tolerable but became unbearable when it became her repeated mantra in the following weeks.

The Brendys = Bruce + Wendy
The other episode where Wendy became popular is her love-hate-love-hate relationship with Bruce Quebral. Bruce used to be a popular varsity player at the UAAP of the UP Maroons. He first impressed the public with his devotion to his family and his care for his sick mother. He was obviously being groomed as the leader of the group and was even chosen as the PBB representative on its Housemate Swap with the Slovenian Big Brother in Europe. The days before Bruce's departure from Slovenia showed how Wendy wept for Bruce while she declared her growing love and feelings for him. After Bruce came back from Slovenia, we saw how they sickeningly struggled with their relationship. The whole nation were glued to their TV sets sets from the time of Bruce's revelation of a secret girlfriend up to Wendy's surprising and very dramatic eviction.

The Return of the Balik-Bahays
Then there was the ceasefire. With the Queen out of the house and busy with guestings at ABS-CBN shows, the house became a picture of calmness and good camaraderie. Bruce became a mush with longings for Wendy and was obviously just waiting for his own very own eviction. The show became boring and the ratings eventually dropped. Can a show be really dependent to one unknown person? Is Wendy really the lifeblood of the show? Then Big Brother introduced the controversial Balik-Bahay Housemate.

Balik-Bahay paved the way for Wendy to come back inside the house despite being evicted. Together with Kian Kazemi (another evicted housemate) and the information she gathered outside, she became more controversial and sensational than ever. Die hard PBB fans and Wendy-haters flooded the cyberspace with complaints and Letters to the Editors to publications complaining ABS-CBN. But as they say, bad publicity is still publicity, so PBB management remained mum about it. I am sure that they were even happy on the clamor and the public interest that it created.

A New Wendy?
The first few weeks after she came back to the house showed a different Wendy. She's more caring and loving especially to the girl Housemates. There was even a time when a clueless Gee-Ann was surprised when Wendy suddenly apologized to her. Wendy said that Gee-Ann has everything in life and she's very happy for her. People said that these gestures were all for show since Wendy already knew that Gee-Ann is very popular with the masses who kept her in the house from evictions through massive voting.

Wendy's new target of distrust was none other than love interest Bruce. Their love-hate-love-hate relationship continued after Wendy's comeback. There were jealousy, mistrust, miscommunication and even threats. Bruce became Wendy's Boytoy who must respond to her every whim, beck and call. The former basketball hunk and expected leader of the group devoted all his time and effort for his Wendybug. These gestures resulted to the biggest weakling of a guy that the reality show has ever seen. All the praises that were given to Bruce on his Slovenia stint were all wasted when he became the henpecked "boyfriend" of the Queen. Poor Bruce, too blinded by "his love". He's truly the biggest loser in all of these. I will not be surprised if he will be the first to be evicted among the seven remaining Housemates vying for the Big Four.

Then There Is Gee-Ann
They said that Pinoy Big Brother Season 2, even from the start, is centered on two Housemates. The first one, of course, is Wendy and the other one is Gee-Ann. Gee-Ann Abrahan is a Junior Mass Communication student at the Assumption College. She's the epitome of a nice girl with good breeding and a stable family. Despite her comfortable life, she's very down-to-earth and likes to watch soaps, game shows and is always on starstruck mode. She joined PBB with her Pamela Doll (a comfort zone of sorts) for the experience of it and not for the prize and fame at stake. Gee-Ann is the exact opposite of Wendy. She's weak, calm, a girl of so many violations and excuses, and someone who prefers to be in the sidelines rather than the center of attention. Gee-Ann's relation with Wendy is obviously strained even from the start. Watchers knew about it since Wendy's very vocal about it in her nominations and backstabbing sessions with the others. Unknown to all of us, Gee-Ann was also sensing this innate dislike of Wendy towards her. Despite the compliments she continuously showers Wendy, she knew that she can never be pleasing to Wendy's eyes. There is just too much envy and hatred on Wendy's part that kept them away from being true friends.

The Drama That Ends All Dramas
The biggest drama of the season began last Sunday after the Housemates were asked by Big Brother to name three Housemates who they think should not be included in the Big Four. Unknown to many, a video of the result of their survey ("Sino ang pinaka-plastic/hindi mapagkakatiwalaan/tamad na Housemate para sa'yo) was shown to the HMs prior to the nomination. This move of Big Brother added more to the tension of the face-to-face selection of the undeserving HMs to the Big Four.

Gee-Ann was the first who answered and her list includes Wendy, Wendy's Boytoy Bruce, and Nel. Bea followed and answered Wendy, Bruce and Bodie. When it was Wendy's turn she chose Bea, Bodie and Mickey. Aside from her answers, she pointedly told Gee-Ann that she did not vote for her because she wants her to know that she's not a threat to her.

*Kaboom* This is where the Wendy Valdez Show began.

After the "nominations", Wendy raised her voice, went to the swing and started dishing all kinds of crap towards Gee-Ann and Bea (from "sana masaya sila sa ginawa nila" to "sa kanya na ang Bahay na ito"). Bea attempted to talk to her but she walked out and gave Bea the cold treatment and harsh statements of "hindi ako plastic, yada, yada". Gee-Ann on the other hand cried profusely and drowned on self-pity. An earlier conversation with Big Brother where he showed clips of Bruce and Wendy's dislike towards her further added to her fury. A divided house soon followed this incident. Bruce and Nel joined Wendy in the swing and had red wine while saying foul things about the others. While Mickey and Bodie followed Gee-Ann in probably one of TV's most memorable love triangle walk-outs ever. Bea, obviously in shock over Wendy's attitude towards her, remained on the couch in deep thought.

The Girl We Love To Hate
The following days at PBB Primetime showed Wendy as the Evil Mean Girl. She was so condescending, unrelenting and vicious to her fellow girl Housemates. She resorted to saying mean and hurtful things towards and Bea and Gee while the rest of the boys (and the world) listens. She was even shown very drunk while defending herself and her actions. She claimed in one conversation with Bodie that she's trying to reveal the true colors and inner being of the two girls by provoking them. She admitted that they should have defended themselves and stood up to her because that what life should be. (Come on, Wendy! Not all people are confrontational types like you and Maricris. Give them a break! There are still people who prefers to suffer in silence than be Davids to Goliaths like you.)

The much-awaited showdown of Gee-Ann/Bea and Wendy did not transpire - much to the Philippines' population's dismay. In the end, Gee-Ann gathered all her courage and faced the biggest bully of her life *yawn*. They cried, they said their sorrys, and they hugged. What a sad and anti-climactic way to end a drama that is totally made for TV. For sure there are still deep and dark feelings of anger within them but they all set it aside and hoped for better things in their remaining days inside the house. Whatever. *yawn*

Wendy is the center of all of these. Gee-Ann is somehow the supporting actress but the rest are just accessories. Wendy became the most popular and talked-about person this week on TV. Who cares about the yet-to-be proclaimed Senators (Trillanes, et al)? Who cares about Pacquio and his studies? This week is Wendy Week. All the forums and bullboards I go to have a say on Wendy. Blogs of "Understanding Wendy" abounds the Internet. Die-hard fanatics of Gee-Ann and Bea are even preparing rotten tomatoes to throw at her when she goes out of the house. Her tirades and shenanigans became water cooler gossips at gazillion offices edging the Yilmaz-Ruffa debacle. Never in my life have I witnessed such fame and hate from people from all walks of life for a person in a reality show. (Well, ironically, the American people also hated Wendy Pepper on her Project Runway 1 stint years back). Even Senator-Elect Chiz Escudero has a say on the matter. Whew!

The Winners
Gee-Ann or Mickey or Beatriz might be next week's Big Winner in the hit reality show but Wendy Valdez is THE TRUE WINNER. She is Pinoy Big Brother Season Two. She is THE entertainment. She is the Queen and the Big Brother's house is her playground. PBB would have died a lonely death without her. Her very short "eviction" last May was a testament that she's the ring-leader of the show. She's the rating-puller. She is the one who is continuously providing us with entertainment - whether we like it or not. No matter how much we hate seeing her pretty face and full-of-scabs knees, we must admit that we still watch and monitor her every move and her every groove. She's the person to thank for our evening TV fix. If ever she will not make it to the Big Four, I'm sure that she will be the very last to be evicted. ABS-CBN needs her, her storylines, and her go-getter attitude to keep the show floating until the very end (providing that ABS will have their way).

The real winner in all of these is, of course, ABS-CBN and Director Laurenti Dyogi. Can you imagine the ratings caused by all of these spectacles and dramas? Can you imagine how happy the advertisers and sponsors must be? Yeah, poor little Housemates because they are ABS's newest sacrificial lambs...but it was their choice to join and be exposed, right? And who I am to complain? I am entertained every night and they generously provide my gossip and TV fix...and I guess that is more than enough for me.

So....thank you, Wendy! Thank you, ABS-CBN! Until the next season!

Now back to regular programming.

[Note: Let me be clear. This is not a post (obviously) to "understand" or "psycho-analyze" Wendy. There are other posts for that. Try Google. I assume that everyone understands that the lengthy post above is just my take and opinion on the show.]

I am known for my unexpected and funny stories and one-liners. I had several quips today which actually made me think and reminisce a bit. I spent the evening visiting Olen with my other Honda gal pals Jen and Greys. Aside from seeing new-born Maxine (Olen and Bim's second daughter), the evening was also unforgettable because Jen lost her fasyon Sony Ericsson cellphone and I tripped and hit my right foot near the gate of Cittadela (it is so *ouch* until now). Yeah, weird night.

I digress. Now back to my one-liners.

Olen, Jen, Greys and I were at Nicole's room this evening when I suddenly asked Jen how much is a Veluz Gown (Veluz Gowns are designed by Veluz Reyes which Jen considered before for her January '06 Wedding ).


Abbie: Jen, how much is a Veluz Gown?
Jen: Medyo mahal. I inquired before. I showed her the design I want and she quoted high.
Abbie: Talaga?
Jen: Oo. Kasi diba my gown has a lot of beadings?
Abbie: Oo nga pala. Ano sabi ng mga W@wie? Mahal daw kay Veluz?
Jen: I don't know, mga (insert amount here).
Abbie: Kasi yung friend ko na ikakasal she's considering Veluz yata for her gown. Sabi ko mag-join ng W@W (a.k.a. Weddings@Work - the one-stop website and on-line community for Filipino brides).
Jen: Diba nag join ka din sa W@wie dati?
Abbie: Oh, yeah! Akala ko kasi ikakasal na ko eh.
Greys: Talaga??
Abbie: Yeah, I thought I'll get married na in 2008.
Greys: 2008? Next year na yon ah?
Abbie: Oo nga. Pero wala na yon. Kalimutan nyo na yon.
Olen: Malay mo!
Abbie: Wala na! Wala na yung Groom. Wala na sya!
Greys: Malay mo may ma-meet ka tapos 2008 pa din wedding?
Abbie: Tapos papakasal kami next year? No. Not going to happen. Ganon kabilis?
Olen: Nangyayari yung ganon ha!


Am I bitter? Not anymore. Have I accepted things? Yes, I think so. Its been a long time since the last time I wrote something about my past relationship and feelings. I actually miss blogging about it. I haven't given up on love altogether but I must say that it would really take a lot for me to fall again once more. What happened the last time was not a laughing matter. I expected a lot and it broke and ruined me in a way I cannot possibly imagine.

I believe that I am already moving on gracefully. For months (years even?) I've been yearning for inner peace and I believe that I'm finally getting there. Its actually funny when you reminisce the good and the bad times and you'll suddenly realized how strong you have become since.

I am a heartbreak survivor and proud of it. Whew!

I love books. I enjoy reading. I read everything that I can put my hands on. I found this book survey at Ida's Multiply site weeks ago and I decided to try it and share my answers with you. Tag to my dear friends Aileen, Charo, Tin and Mitz! Thanks to all the wonderful books you lent me through the years. Do try this!

One book that changed your life.
I have two answers. First are the Sweet Valley Twins books by Francine Pascal. They are the very first books that I've read. I think I was only in 4th Grade when I started reading them. Second is the He's Just Not That Into You book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo (I hate self-help books but this one is just great). I was able to read it in 2005 and it made me think really hard. It helped me assess and do something about in my then relationship.

One book you have read more than once.
Plenty!
Harry Potter 1 to 6 (I read some of them more than twice) by J. K. Rowling
Something Borrowed and Something Blue both by Emily Giffin
Doctors and The Class by Erich Segal
Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught (one of the best love stories ever)
Sidney Sheldon, John Grisham and Sophie Kinsella books

One book you would want on a desert island.
Tough choice. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown or Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.

One book that made you laugh.
Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

One book that made you cry.
I remember that I cried really hard at the ending chapters of The Chamber by John Grisham (weird, huh?)

One book you wish had been written.
Harry Potter 8, 9, 10, 11, 12... (there's still hope depending on Book 7, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows, to be released on July 21st this year)

One book you wish had never been written.
Self-help books that earns a lot of money for the authors but gives little to me.

One book you are currently reading.
I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. It's such a different kind of book! Very very well written.

One book you have been meaning to read.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I've been out of Goodyear for more than two weeks now and I must say that I already miss the people I left behind. I don't miss the gazillion work and the endless nights but I definitely miss the company of friends and the people I worked with for more than two years.

So, it was really a welcome change from boredom when I had dinner with my Goodyear friends Binchy, Ros and Eric at Una Mas, Greenbelt 2 last Friday. My friends and I absolutely love and crave Spanish dishes. Our favorite Spanish restaurants include Minggoy's, Azul at SM Mall of Asia, and Una Mas. We especially love the Angus Beef, Paella, Spanish Sausages and Paella Negra that were served at the sumptuous buffet. We, of course, also ordered one of the best cheesecakes we ever tasted - Toblerone Cake. We first had a taste of it at Fork The Fort (from the same owner of Una Mas) and we've been hooked since.

We capped the night at the very noisy Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf where Karl, Ros' hubby and my future officemate, met us.

Here are some of our snaps:

I'm in-between jobs right now. The next job, my ultimate choice (back-read if you must), was already offered to me weeks ago. I am very happy about it but I cannot be fully excited...YET. I am still in the process of completing my medical exam requirements. I already stumbled a few roadblocks on it but I hope that I would be able to get the final results by early this week so I can settle things. Tuned in.

This is really a sad, sad news.

ABC Television Studio announced yesterday that Isaiah Washington (Preston Burke) will not be returning next fall for the 4th season of Grey's Anatomy. This is such a great disappointment and letdown for all Burktina (Burke and Cristina) fans like me. I really really love them. I really like the way Burke and Cristina (played by brilliant actress Sandra Oh) relate to each other. The characters were very engaging despite the challenging situations they were in. Both Bruke and Cristina's character bloomed in Season 3. It started with Burke's shaky hands caused by a bullet accident and it ended with their non-wedding. It will surely be a different Grey's Anatomy with one of the world's greatest Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon gone.

Here's the full article of Isaiah's fate taken from the Grey's Anatomy Insider site.

The speculation is over: After a controversial season, Isaiah Washington will not be returning to Grey's Anatomy, his rep and ABC Television Studio have confirmed. Howard Bragman, Washington's publicist, says Washington's option was not renewed, and released this statement from the actor: "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more." The quote is a reference to the 1976 film Network, but we doubt the actor was joking around. We also can’t imagine what he means, however.

The cast was notified Thursday night of the final decision, which, says a source close to the situation, was a long time coming. In the end, the source says, Washington's behavior made him a liability.

As Grey's Anatomy followers know, rumors ran rampant following the season finale - during which Washington's character, Dr. Preston Burke, broke up with his fiancee, Christina Yang (Sandra Oh), and moved out of their apartment - that Washington would not be returning.

The actor first came under fire last fall after getting into an altercation with Patrick Dempsey (Derek Shepherd), during which he allegedly referred to castmate T.R. Knight (George O'Malley) with a homophobic slur. Washington later apologized, checked into rehab, met with gay leaders and recently released a PSA decrying the use of hate speech.