Kasuy!

Simple Joys

2009-12-20T17:02:00.000+08:00

Isn't it great that sometimes, happiness comes in the simplest package? Taking a stroll at the Riverbanks Park in Marikina, this seemed all too clear.

The place had been devastated by Ondoy. In fact, a lot of the stores are still closed, though most have opened and resumed business already. The barges were gone, and so with the bridge that connected the park to the other bank of the Marikina River where there used to be a slew of grilled specialty restaurants (our favorite eating place). The stores that were open had sales, and not a few items were water-damaged.

Still, there were many people in the place. Last minute Christmas shoppers were taking advantage of the sales. Balikbayans were there with relatives. Kids were everywhere. Outside the mall, there was the Tiangge with the weekend shows. There were even more people there than inside the mall.

I had shared my husband's fear that people would somehow forget the semblance of Christmas after the floods. There was general lack of lights near our house -- so much less than the years that passed. Carolers did not come knocking at our door until the 12th of December and there were only so few of them -- not that we're complaining about it. Christmas shopping was not was frantic compared to the past years. Yes, the traffic was still bad and the taxi drivers were still choosing their passengers, but both were decidedly to a lesser degree this year.

At the Riverbanks, I saw a glimmer of hope. Happy shoppers were delighting at the bargains. Kids were crying in frustration after having to walk around so much... until the light show began in the park. Every hour, for about 15 minutes, Christmas music would fill the air and the lights on the trees, lanterns and displays would flicker to the beat. This was interspersed with the LED-lit toys kids were throwing in the air bought from vendors nearby. Groups were seated on the lawn sharing dinner, stories and we heard a lot of laughing.

Laughter... that I guess was the antidote to my pessimism. Yes, the events of recent months have dampened the season quite a bit, but they did not dampen the spirit. My own daughter had been showing me this with her innocent excitement at the season. My own chagrin at the thought of spending yet again may have blinded me... until I saw those people at the park.

There is hope yet. And I am thankful.

Happy holidays, everyone!

=)K

OMG!!! Ate Ginnie sa gimmick?!?

2009-11-21T16:31:00.000+08:00

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, after oh so many years of being a practical hermit in the house and keeping to my small group of friends, I finally took an invitation to go to a party in a bar. I guess the timing of the event was just perfect. I didn't have classes that day (yesterday, actually) and it was a Friday so no classes also. So, I thought, hey, why not chill for once?

The event was Fizzer Bites Manila. It's actually a launch party of Fizzer.ph, which aims to create a real Social Networking site.

I thought: wait "real social networking"? I mean, don't we already do that on FB, Multiply, Twitter, etc.? Turns out that this site will actually make things happen based on the site activities -- like this launch party was to bring together people who want to get to know each other from the site. Cool concept, huh?

PLUS, the theme of the party was "Fanglicious" to celebrate the opening of New Moon in theaters the same day. I haven't watched it yet. I'm feeling rebellious about this. I don't have to spend too much time away from stuff I need to do just be "in" on things. BUT, I do appreciate the book series and I am a fan of the Vampiric genre, so it was right down my alley. Too bad all my make-up were stolen by Ondoy so i couldn't really look the part. I did wear my closed neck blouse and long black skirt and knee-high boots though.

And boy, was I in culture shock!

The bar scene has changed since I last went out to one. Clothes are way more revealing now and the young people who went to this particular party were well-chiselled from head to toe. I mean, the girls were model-like and the boys had real honest-to-goodness abs. Good lord, for a bit there I wanted to turn on the flirt and have that kind of fun. After hyperventilating a bit, I settled down with some fellow geek friends, Niki Yarte, Nina Reyes, Carlo Francisco, Beejay Bautista and Paolo Jalbuena, all from New Worlds Alliance and enjoyed a couple of shots of Jagermeister and a lot of talk about geeky stuff.

You read it right, I actually drank an alcoholic beverage on a night out. People who have been out with me at night to social events like this before would know that I have this very strict rule of not imbibing alcohol for one very good reason -- I drive. What changed? The car is still in the car hospital getting treatment after Ondoy took it for a dive. That bloke, Ondoy, wasn't very good. After stealing my make-up, he took my stuff for a dive, and some croaked while the others needed a lot of medical attention. I hope he never returns! hehehe...

Back to my Gimmick night. While ogling at the beauty of God's creation and appreciating brewed malt for the first time in years, I found I could actually like this again. I mean I can barely dance but I appreciate good rhythm. The people I was with liked my kind of fun. And I could let my hair down a bit -- we did as much with the photo booth.

The photo booth was the highlight of the evening for me. If I had won the 16GB iPod, that would have been the highlight of my evening but I didn't, so the photo booth takes the cake. It was a Poof Photo Booth. They had all sorts of gimmicks for you to play with -- wigs, plastic shades, masks and other props. Each session is worth 4 poses and each shot is taken one after the other with only a 3-2-1 countdown interval. The guys who manage it encourage people to have fun with it, and so we did, especially after the drinks. We got a print of the 4 poses after each session with the first printed larger than the other three. I took home a bunch; same with my friends, especially Niki. Pictures to follow when Poof has uploaded the pics on their website for us to grab.

We ended up going home at past two in the morning -- the wee-est hour I've ever tried commuting home! I've gone home later but I was always driving. When I couldn't bring the car, I would find a friend to bring me home or sleep-over at a friend's house. No dice this time. The hubby had been calling me starting midnight but I couldn't hear the cellphone from the bag, and I was having so much fun I actually lost track of time. So much for wearing a watch!

Carlo was the only one with a car that was going home the same time most of us were so he was the school bus driver of the morning. Yeah, he didn't drink alcohol. Beejay and I got dropped off at Galleria because the direction-impaired Carlo can't be risked to go through the twists and turns of my area. Beejay and i took a cab from there. My hubby waited for me along Ortigas Ave., and he escorted me home with very stern words about him worrying that i hadn't replied to his messages nor answering the phone in the five times he called. I felt like a teen-ager!

So there, I finally let loose... a little bit. You'll see in the pics. Thanks Fizzer!

=)K

Warning vs Scammer

2008-07-03T16:33:00.000+08:00

To all those who may have received the email below, pls note that a quick search on Google shows that the alleged "secretary," Mr.Christian Ajai of Cotonou,Benin Republic has been tagged as a scammer. (See http://www.delphifaq.com/faq/russian_marriage_scams/f1534.shtml?p=193)

Besides, we all know that such amounts could only be in a scam for us poor mortals...

I wonder if Mr. Edwards knows his name is being used...

=)K

original email----------------------------------------------------------

From: "william edward"
Subject: Good news contact my secretary today.

My good friend,

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family?,I am using
this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar business has
been concluded with the assistance of another foreign partner from Isreal
who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. Due to your effort,sincerity,courage
and trust worthiness you showed during the course of the transaction.I have
left a certified international bank cheque worth of $1,200, 000.00 cashable
anywhere in the world for you.

Contact my secretary Mr.Christian Ajai in Cotonou,Benin Republic.His email
address is christianajai3@yahoo.fr he will send the check to you.You should
send him your full Name and telephone number/Your currect mailing address
where you want him to send the cheque to you.

Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Hoping to hear you.

William Edwards.

Cebu Pacific Customer/Booking Service SUCKS

2008-04-08T16:41:00.000+08:00

If you are going to fly anywhere,think twice before you take Cebu Pacific. Sure, they have the cheapest fares... because they had to scrimp on their services.

For example, their Reservation Hotline is a huge joke. If you call during the day, you will get nothing but "sorry, all systems are busy now..." If you call at night, you can get lucky and get a line BUT you have to wait a very long time to get someone to answer your line. How long is long? Try an hour. Yup, 60 full minutes. You'll hear all their pre-recorded ads at least 5 times.

Oh, and they have a website too.. and it's also a joke. Try booking and the "Continue" button after you've picked your flights won't work. So much for online booking.

If you do get it to work, you better use your ticket because they have fees plus their voucher system goes through that Reservation Hotline (see above) and their refund system takes 30-60 days (empahsis on the 60 days), if you're lucky. People have complained that they don't get their refunds until at least 6 months later. If you paid cash, then you can refund faster at the place where you paid for the ticket. Just brace yourself for the long queue.

One more thing: Their snacks in flight are NOT FREE.

So, let this be a lesson for the cheapskates out there.

=)K

Echoes

2007-04-11T09:50:00.001+08:00

voices in the night
screaming faults
brimming at the tip
molten anger to keep

stealing moments
shallow torments
make believe it's all mine
a few memories at a time

noises of her might
reflecting moats
shutting my lips
holding danger's tips

shadows are there
meadows are nowhere
in her hand is you
in slumber so true

reality hits hard
when i hold your hand
hoping against dreams
hearing only her screams

--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.2.0/756 - Release Date: 4/10/2007 10:44 PM

true power

2007-04-05T13:20:00.000+08:00

a woman has power a man can never fathom
she can make him shrivel into a pulp
an unrecognizable mass of a confused phantom
answering in whispers, grunts and an ocassional gulp

a woman can make a man feel he is nothing
he will be wary of all his movements and words
a woman can make a man think she is noting
everything he does or says in his private worlds

a woman can make a man think he cannot do anything
feeling that he is being watched and hawked over
that she knows what he will do, what he is thinking
and make him feel that from her he can never run for cover

on the other hand

a woman can make a man into someone more complete
encourage him to be himself and feel confident
a woman can let him do everything, even compete
with ghosts and real opponents, without feeling spent

do not lose yourself to the fears that hover
a woman can only strike fear to a heart if you let her
rather, let her know that you will never suffer
the indignity of losing what is inside this passionate lover

letting go

2007-04-05T13:11:00.000+08:00

if they try to keep you away
if they found ways to stop you--
it's maybe that you gave them a way
that you showed a little too much
and held on to too much in a day.
it was all you had,
not all that bad.
maybe it was all just play
it's done, it's over
there's nothing left to say.

Kimi's asleep

2007-03-05T13:39:00.000+08:00

here's one i made long ago when my baby was still an infant. she still sleeps pretty much the same.
=)K

-------------------------------

Kimi's Asleep

she sleeps delicately
in slumber like her daddy
one eye half-open
my heart to soften
lying on her side
no support or guide
peacefully, dreamily
snoring quietly

joketime: Call Center Applicants

2007-02-27T15:17:00.001+08:00

from one of the mailing lists i am subscribed to... this is sooooo funny.
=)K

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I work as a recruitment associate for call centers, and i often encounter funny lines. hey, i'm not laughing at the people. just the lines. here are some of them:

1. I am a flexible and I am perseverance person (when asked to describe her personality)

2. I want to learn more English words. (when asked why he wanted to work in a call center). [Damn! Read the dictionary!]

3. Do you have any extra ordinary positions that I can take for granted (Roughly Translated: Meron po ba kayong ibang position na pwede ko'ng apply-an?)

4. "Ten" (When asked to count from 1 to 40 to measure her articulation)

5. "Kelan Po?" (When asked to count from 1 to 40 to measure her articulation)

6. "I would choose IRATE CALLERS, Sir." (Answer to the question: If you will change the COLOR of the world, what would it be and why?)

7. "I want to entertain and satisfy customers" (hmmm?.interesting concept. so, what are you wearing right now?)

8. "I want to expose myself to the customers." (Answer to why he wants to work in a call center") ? Flasher ITO!

9. "Is there an opening for a call center?" (Oh so you want to become a call center now huh?)

10. "Hi. Good afternoon, my name is _____, and I'M a call center from the Philippines." (solohin ba)

11. Chocolates, boys with tongue pierce." (An applicants answer to the question: What are your weaknesses?" )

12. "I think Grade 3 and 4 students are very childish!" (Answer to the question: What do you think is the most difficult part of teaching Grade 3 and 4 students)

13. "Haller???!!! ??? (knocks on the table) THE SALARY!" (Answer to Why do you want to work in a call center?)

14. "I'm a married person, I have 2 children, the same boy"

15. "It's a colorful world." (Describe the shirt you're wearing.)

16. "It's a boomed industry." (So all agents are now dead, I guess)

17. "I like to explore other people." (ay sus?maniac ka ano?)

18. "I want to explore myself more." (Answer to why do you want to work in a call center. bagay sila ni #17...)

19. "Hu u? How did you get my #? Text me back, huri. Send me load." (The audacity of an applicant can sometimes appall you.)

20. "I was scheduled for an exam this morning?.I wasn't able to make it?because I WAS TONSILITIS."

21. "Hi Maam, do you have an opening." (Lokong to ah!)

22. "I want to adventure into the graveyard?" (Langya, mahiilig ka sa patay!)

23. "I would like to be a part of the graveyard?" (isa ka pa...thriller...thriller night)

24. "Gd pm sir, im realy sri wen u call me I cnt hear clearly coz d raindrops of d rain is vry noisy. Rgrdng of wat u want 2 knw y u call me?" (A text message from an applicant)

25. "Do you accept walking applicants?" (No, we prefer flying ones)

26. Interviewer: So you're an undergrad. What year are you in right now?

Applicant: Oh I'm just here in the house. Interviewer: No, I asked you what year you're in. Applicant: Year? I'm 25 years old! ( Nagkakaintindihan tayo pare...)

27. Applicant: Agency ba to? Interviewer: No sir, head hunting firm.

Applicant (turning to friend): Egg-hunting daw pare! (Happy Easter!)

28. "In the middle of my study at Adamson, my father fortunately passed away." (FORTUNATELY? ??!!!)

29. "Hello, i just want to inquire about the application resume that i planted in the computer..." (Ano ka, farmer?)

30. "May inaantay ako na trabaho kaya gusto ko lang na may mapag LILIBINGAN." (Answer to the question "Why do you prefer a part-time job?" Tagalog na yun ha! Mahilig talaga kayo sa patay!)

work desk

2007-02-27T12:18:00.000+08:00

here is a play with images. the horny mind will see somethings more clearly. but really, should dirty minds prevail?

=)K

---------------------------------------

swivel me, push me
lean back and relax
let me free you in me
your back i'll not tax
close your eyes and see
to behold is a touch
going under, slowly into me
shed nothing, not as much
just start it, o so slowly
it is meant to be so
wanting and knowing only
pull close, do not let go
hold tight, hold on to me
just you and i ought to know
alone, unemcumbered, you see
move, dance as if for show
no dancefloor for you and me
beat of drumming feet below
the beat that lets me be.

a shot of tequila

2007-02-25T11:47:00.000+08:00

to be honest, i have never been so drunk that i wouldn't remember what happened to me. yes, I had gone to the point when i would be overly talkative or be unabashed of what I was doing, enough to embarrass my sober self later. that was a long time ago. it would be pretty hard to get me drunk these days when i expect to drive.

here is an ode to the drunkest i have ever become, thanks to a shot of tequila.

=)K

---------------------------------------------------------

a shot of tequila

my tolerance is low
my mind is in a whirl
my eyes want to close
warm all over, silly girl

light-headed and tipsy
i wander through the corridor
dragging my feet, lonely
scrambling for the door

fumbling with my keys
hoping to land on the bed
plopping down, shaking knees
hearing hums in head

giddy at one point
grinning that silly grin
looking as if i smoked a joint
cracking jokes all green

but the daze isn't from alcohol
the haze is not from drugs
living my dream life on a roll
until reality my hair tugs

when fate crossed

2007-02-21T23:57:00.000+08:00

it wasn't long ago when i had a friend
who listened and talked and berated and joked
i thought the chat would never end
until fate crossed and we both choked

then there was someone who felt wihtout touching
who listened without hearing, and spoke without talking
but gave without handing, was bound without shackles
to one who needed to face her life and those she tackled

and fate crossed again, this time she stopped and stared
at me, at him and my friend for a moment of eternity
she held my hand and handed me a life she had spared
and told him to keep this story in all its complexity

to my friend she went close and whispered in his ear
he smiled, nodded and bowed his head to accept it
i asked but he said i was not meant to know or hear
then he was gone, remaining as a shadow, a smile...
...if i can remember it.

---------------- when fate crossed -----------------

music

2007-02-21T15:03:00.000+08:00

i have this things about good voices, whether in singing or speaking. i don't know why though. I just like them.

=)K

---------------------------------------------

your voice, that voice
soothes me
it carries me higher
moves me

i hear you then
worry less
somehow, it's possible
less distress

the little things do it
a short call
from out of nowhere
and that's all

you can just imagine
what happens
the moment i see you
when we touch hands...

curse of knowing

2007-02-19T13:59:00.000+08:00

another one from the archives...
this is dripping with frustration
=)K

--------------------------------------------------

look inside and feel me
scared kitten quivering
hovering, cowering, questioning
why life decided to desert me

wrestling with facts that be
knowing why it is going
understanding, reaching, accepting
a terrible place for me to be

new life, new happiness I see
for one for whom i am longing
just to hold and to know the being
but it's not me, it's not for me

to have a mind is a bane
to see what it is we are leading
it is a curse to be understanding
to love so much and still be sane

curse of knowing

Obsidian

2007-02-19T13:56:00.000+08:00

here is something I wrote for a friend of mine whose chat handle is Obsidian. This was in 2000. =)K

---------------- OBSIDIAN ----------------

the molten passion made me
into this hard, solid form
dark yet shining
out of norm

let me fall into you
in the heat i am seething
let my fire engulf you
and consume your being

musing on valentine's day

2007-02-15T07:21:00.000+08:00

ok, so it was valentine's day yesterday. then?

you know, it's a fact that motels get the most business during this occasion than any other day? it's as if there is this red flasing light on top of the motels saying "come celebrate here !!!"

i have several theories on this:

1. the legitimate partners want to get-away but not too expensively

makes sense, especially for those who have kids. there isn't much privacy when you expect those little feet to scamper to your doorstep and that little hand to start banging on the door with that little voice exclaiming emergency over a paper cut.

2. the not-so-legitimate couples need to get together

let's face it: motels are their haven. in a radio interview i happened to hear while in a cab the other day, the marketing manager of victoria court said they don't really care what their clients do in their rooms as long as they are not too noisy or destructive. sure, they have rules against the use of drugs and violence but can they really police that when they can't go into every room to respect the privacy of their guests?

also, who ever heard of identification cards for guests? do they really go out of their way to check if the incoming couple is truly a legitimate partnership? come on, get real...

so, legitimate or not -- including extramarital, intra-marital, or pre-marital liaisons -- partners are welcome to motels, plain and simple.

3. all these couples want to "celebrate their love"

that's my nice version for "lust."

really now. does anyone honestly believe that people go to motels to "play nice"? with the privacy afforded by these places, theme rooms notwithstanding, it's the best venue for getting down and dirty under (or over or around) the sheets!

why else would chocolate -- the most popular aphrodisiac -- be the choice gift for valentine's day aside from the heart-melting flowers?

in short, valentine's day = lust. get it?

so there, i've expressed my beef. now, to get some for myself... *snicker*

=)K

breeze

2007-02-15T07:11:00.000+08:00

something i wrote in 2001, with a few revisions
=)K

-------------------------------------------------

breeze

you kissed me this morning
i awoke at the feathery touch
of a hand that was not

the blanket of you
warming me
it was chilly

eyes closed
i saw you
that smile lingering
gazing
as if i couldnt see
that sad look
resigned
accepting
knowing

deeper in the dream
we shared more
just us
entwined
one
completely
then you're gone

Being

2007-02-12T08:39:00.000+08:00

This is something I did in 1999. It's an attempt at defining what I am as a poet. Looking back, I think it's kinda cheezy...

------------------------------------

the reason for this life
is not the same for me

the melody of this strife
belongs to the raging sea

the memory of my being
thrives on one purpose

the harmony that is seething
hides behind what i suppose

this life, this being, all lies
i am your poetry, i am your prose

Being

Beanbags

2007-02-12T07:58:00.000+08:00

Here is something I wrote in 2001. I submitted it to a poetry mailing list and it was well-received. I hope you like it too. I've received various comments about this. I'd like to know what you think too.

---------------------------------------------

beanbags

funny how the elements
move along to give way
to the weight of this experience
rolling to the side
following the curves

following the movements
bobbing up and down
to the rythm of our being
depressing on one side
elevating on the other

flowing with our play
providing solace
a venue of solitude
in the middle of chaos
in the midst of demands

come to me again
in the nighttime of racing
against time and working
set aside that moment
to lay and catch up

to touch and to talk
to reminisce and remember
to make more memories
to find comfort

Virgin Blog

2007-02-12T07:32:00.000+08:00

So I finally gave in to blogspot.

For the longest time, I resisted the blog trend. I'm not one to jump into the bandwagon easily, but hey, the writer in me simply got the upperhand. So, here I am.

Yes, I am a writer, professional at that. I have another blog in Multiply (ginniefaustino.multiply.com) that I fill up with whatever I fancied. Then I thought: it's high time I had a blog that is more focused. Problem is: what focus? What should I focus on?

I guess, you might call this a "coming out" of sorts. In this blog, I intend to post my poetry. I'll start with the old ones so I don't feel like I'm blurting out too much about myself. You see, my poetry is very personal. I've always found it hard to talk about myself to people I am not very comfortable with (what more with the general public?), especially my feelings and it's in poetry that I find ways of revealing without really revealing.

Does that make any sense? Maybe. Hope so. Then again, hope not. And that is exactly how I intend my poetry to be -- comprehensible yet not very.

Still, it wouldn't hurt if you liked them. So, I hope you enjoy my poetry!

=)K

PS.
These are original works. Please, if you intend to use them, let me know. I'd love to see how they're used. As long as you don't mangle or use them in a bad way, I won't have any problems with you. Thanks in advance.