The obligatory new year post (too late)

I usually ramble a lot when it comes to year-ender (or starter) posts but for a change I'd like to be brief with this one so let's not change that.

The reason this post took so long to be published despite having the text ready for over a week already is this:

i even filtered it wrong

I wanted to draw something for this post but I can't finish it cos I'm too lazy so I'm leaving you with my drafts. I had 3 but I didn't want to tear off the other one just for a pic lol

A video posted by Yan Birog (@yanbirog) on Dec 31, 2015 at 2:07pm PST

Here's a super short clip I created to commemorate the new year! Shot it right outside the cafeteria at the office and edited it using Kine Master Pro. LOVE THE APP!

2015 was a good year for me, especially where my career is concerned. God has been truly gracious and I couldn't thank him enough!

So here's what (was):

I got my first official art commission (also the second children's book I illustrated). Read about it here!

Then I got my second, this time a layout job!

yes. kaya nyo yan

I got invited to become a speaker whuuuut. Possibly because the student affairs director (who is also my friend haha) couldn't find anyone else lol but heyyy I was in a poster with VPs and CEOs and that felt grand haha.This was the mooooost nerve wracking day of my entire year. I can't even focus on the spread of dishes they served us speakers. If you know me, that's weird.

A photo posted by Yan Birog (@yanbirog) on Dec 22, 2015 at 2:03pm PST

I enrolled in a multimedia arts class and learned Illustrator and InDesign!

with my new teammates

I officially quit being a developer. I mentioned during our career planning chuchu that I wanted to try software testing for a change (but really, it's because I felt inadequate as a developer haha). Turns out they're forming a team of performance testers that time so I was signed up for a short training and got selected (well, more of endorsed) to be part of that group. A month after I moved to my new team, I was informed of a possibility to be sent onsite, then the next two months were spent furnishing deployment requirements: US Visa, clearances, permits, etc. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

hovering over LA, on the way to MN!

Finally, I was sent off. Holey moley. I couldn't thank God enough for blessing me with such a career milestone. It's a big deal you know, to be sent to the US. That's gonna be freaking sparkly on my resume haha. And then,

let's pretend these snow covered steps symbolize my promotion lol

I got promoted, what the heck! It was a month after I flew to the US, so I was freakin ecstatic. Here's when I started to literally cry to God. I wasn't expecting to be promoted at all being that I'm only a few months old on my new track and have done nothing worthy of a raise as far as my dead developer self is concerned. On the contrary though, turns out I was promoted on account of my grade C dev efforts haha. So that means I'm just being paranoid thinking I suck as a programmer. The perils of lack of feedback, or lack of initiative to get feedback lol. Then again, if I hadn't changed tracks, I wouldn't be here. So yeah! I'm still basically reeling at all of this so forgive me for babbling too much!

one of our last pictures together

Off the career track, Jeckie and I turned 4 this year! I admit, I've been confused a couple of times, wanting to break up twice, but somehow we manage to keep it together. To be honest, the struggle continues to this point, and sometimes I think there's only so much a compromise can do to continue binding two people together. But I'm not losing hope, we're not losing hope. I've been blessed so much this year and I didn't want this to become the trade-off. Ajaaa!!!

I could be missing other eventful things but those were the moments that really stuck out for me, so yeah. Thank you Loooord <3

-------

2015 came by so fast, and most of the time I felt like I was trying to keep up with the days instead of walking leisurely alongside them. This year I want to focus more on what's happening, spend more time with myself and just be! I also used to believe this blog jinxes my plans, this year I want to kill that off.

Hoping for a great year ahead of us all! :D

The Sunday Currently (vol. 20)

Creating this entry earlier than usual cos I had a long day and finished quite a lot of things too! Yey!

Currently

Reading
Nothing hehe

Watching
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 on ABC Channel. They've been playing the series since yesterday and as usual, I failed to hold my tears when Sirius and Dumbledore died, and also when Hermione removed herself from her parents' memories. T__T Hayy

Listening
to the TV

Thinking
About whether to do a Mr Robot marathon tonight, it's only 7:30pm so I have time! I'm just afraid of getting too hooked

Naaah I got too distracted it's already 11pm HAHA

Smelling
Nothing

Wishing
For a good work week ahead!

Wearing
Shirt and pajamas

Loving
That I saved a lot from yesterday's purchases at Twin Cities Premium Outlet. I got 3 pairs of shoes, a peacoat, and a couple of shirts. I was soooo blown by my savings, pretty much because the stores are still on holiday sale mode! The first pair of shoes I bought was marked down by $10 but when I took it to the cashier, it was slashed off by 50% pa! I was so shocked I only had to pay $15 dollars for a pair of running shoes. Ang saya saya huhu. Now I understand why people would always want shoes as pasalubong from the US haha

Gap, here, I've observed is quite an ordinary brand. But they offer the best discounts I've seen so far! And the quality is superb

Wanting
Free Amazon Prime so bad I did something illegal. I signed up at Amazon Student to avail of their free 6 months Prime trial. I have to have a .edu email in order to sign up, so I commissioned someone on Fiverr to give me one. For $5 I was able to get an email, sign up at Amazon Student, and enroll in their prime trial. That's a hefty amount of savings for what's gonna cost me a hundred dollars instead.

So I got an account, redid my wishlist and finally used my remaining gift card balance from my regular Amazon account just to zero it out (sucks that you can't transfer gift card balance from one account to another). I was ready to start anew on my student account but something's holding me back.

I was so guilty about it I decided not to use my new account anymore. Sucks that I had to reach this point and spend $5, when I could've just avoided the thought entirely. :( God, I feel so bad. :(((

Needing
To sleep early cos we have to be ready by 8am for tomorrow's carpool arrangement. Haaaay eto na, the hassle of not having a resident driver huhu.

Feeling
Accomplished. Naks. I woke up pretty early this day even though I slept in around 4am last night. Turns out I forgot to turn off my alarm so I was forcefully awaken at 10:30am.

I did my laundry, took a bath, cooked ham glaze, shoveled the driveway and sprinkled salt all over it, then cleared our freaking cupboard of expired stuff. I'm so tired but I'm also so proud. HAHA Our cupboard is mostly free of potentially dangerous stuff now but I can't be too sure cos there are a couple of items without any expiration date on them, and I put those back so I wouldn't know. haha

Yey

 I just hope I don't confuse my housemates when they start looking for things. XD

My arm is aching from shoveling the driveway. I really wasn't supposed to do that on my own but when I looked out the window this morning and saw our neighbors' super clean and salted driveways, I got envious and thought I wouldn't mind the workout so I put on my jacket, slipped on my boots, and shoveled away. There was only some 3 inches of light snow piled up so it wasn't too hard to put them on the side. I wanted it to be perfect but it's such a chore digging through snow which has been flattened by car tires because they get packed, hard, and slippery and overall a literal pain in the back. Anyway, I was able to clear it decently enough. Sprinkling salt was my favorite though! haha

I also checked out the bike that has been sitting on the garage, I thought we can use it for nearby errands when the temperature permits haha. So far I've adjusted the seat to the lowest setting, my next problem would be the flat tires. Will get help. Haha XD

Okaaaay. Gotta sleep I guess. But I'm hungry lol Well, I just ate.

Holding back

7 things about me I thought you should know before you get annoyed at me:

1. I literally swoon over food

Especially good food. I'm that person who would say 'Mmmmmmmmmmmm' over something delicious and have a face that's about to cry. Believe me, I can't help it.

2. I jump over the littlest things

I'm too jumpy for my own good. I get surprised easily. It doesn't help if you warn me about scaring me either, the anticipation will kill me. You can shock me even if we're just standing in front of each other. And when I get too scared, I just cry.

3. I'm extremely ticklish

I will fight the urge to cry, but probably do so anyway.

4. I'm a crybaby

I get emotional a lot, over food, over being shocked, over being tickled. I just cry. Oh well.

5. I get awestruck easily

You'll often hear me go WOOOOOW ANG GANDA because that's really how I see it. Can I just say there's so much beauty in the world to go gaga for?

6. I get kilig easily

Most specially over my friends' lovelives. So I would always want to make intriga cos I'm so frakking curious about other people's lovelives ewan ko ba. HAHA I'm a hopeless romantic I guess, but not the one who'd do fanciful things for her beloved. I'm the type who's in love with the idea of love, an idealist who would swoon over fairy tales. Ganon haha.

That's why I also get easily stumped whenever one of the couples I know break up. I just couldn't believe that some relationships don't work out even after 10 years of being together omg. Sobrang idealistic ko ba HAHA. But you know what, I've learned. Wala talagang forever. So now it's easier for me to accept that no matter how lovey dovey two people may seem, there will come a time when they're gonna fall apart and realize that human love is actually conditional and is more of a personal choice than a compelling force that just beckons you to do things.

7. I LOL

I laugh out loud, literally. When something's too funny I can't hold back on laughing boisterously. When I hear myself laugh on record or video, I get annoyed at myself, so maybe you will too, so please don't.

--

My boyfriend helped me confirm this list cos I'm totally convinced I was being normal this way. So I'm thinking of holding back a little with my emotions cos I didn't want to look OA specially on unfamiliar ground. Just the thought of it makes me cry HAHA. What kind of compromise is this. Ano ba naman to hahaha.

The Sunday Currently (vol. 19)

Writing this 30 mins before Sunday expires and publishing 2 hours after but whatever hehe

Currently

Reading

Nothing. I was lazily getting bits of The Hunger Games, but recently I moved my ebooks from the internal memory to the SD card and in the process lost my bookmarks so I don't know where to continue reading haha

Watching

Nothing on a regular basis.

Earlier watched Insurgent on HBO and I CRIED when Tris died after passing 4 of 5 simulations. Then I recalled it wasn't the last of the series so I was hoping for her to be revived eventually, and she did! Tears wasted but who cares haha.

Also, I wanted to watch Miss Universe 2015 but I couldn't find FOX on the TV so I thought I'd just live stream the thing but I overslept HAHA so in the end I just watched snippets of the coronation on facebook. You already know how crazy it was! Congratulations Ms. Philippines! My heart goes to Ms. Colombia as well. I wouldn't mind her giving an attitude about this, that was a damn hard call on her.

If I were Ms. Colombia, I would feel terribly bad, probably bitch about it in a joking manner since I'm sure everyone's already assuming I should give in to the bitterness LOL. Also, I would forgive Steve Harvey.

Listening

to The Vents lol

Thinking

That everything really just comes to pass. This week I was fidgeting over being emcee of our company Christmas party, but now that it's over I just got to say... yes, things really just go along with time. Look, it's over now.

I was too nervous the entire week cos even though it wasn't a formal event, I still think my co-host and I had to practice. Well, we didn't. Then again I thought it's not really a big deal, they just wanted voices to keep the program flowing so the least we had to do is announce raffles and presentations, and everything will just come into place. It wasn't too formal anyway, so that helped. Didn't need a script for it. Yeah right.

To be honest, I liked the idea of emceeing but not on informal events (cos you had to adlib a lot and joke. And I'm not a funny person). This was my second time emceeing but the first was super formal, we had a script, and my co-host and I had practiced. But this... was more spontaneous. And being super stiff on jokes and a non-spontaneous person in general, it was an embarrassing feat for me. Anyway, they'll forget about it! At least I have an extra-curricular onsite activity to report LOL.

Sir Kim who won the major prize, Ayie my co-host, and I

The theme was ugly sweater, and well I just needed a sweater. :P

Smelling

Nothing

Wishing

I had a driver's license. My housemate's license is expiring on the 25th and we couldn't get it renewed cos LTO's being its usual incompetent self, denying absentee renewal even though it's the first item in their FAQ, saying they're fixing some system issues and stuff and couldn't accommodate renewals without personal appearance.

Ever since I got here, I've been hating our government more and more. Grr

Since he couldn't drive past the 25th, we had to carpool with others.

The bad: It's a hassle for them. We have to wake up early. We have to adjust to each other's schedules. We can't go out on random errands anymore (not that it has ever happened).

The good: The more the merrier. I think it's going to be fun. We're not gonna be left out when they go out after hours HAHA (I hate the feeling of being left out lol).. unless they forget about us. or me. LOL

Wearing

Pjs

Loving

Uhm, Minnesota? Naks. Maybe the steady paced life and the environment here.

Wanting

To get my brows fixed at Eyebrowdery or Pretty Looks. It's a hefty 20k something though. I'm seriously considering this HAHA. Who knows lol.

Needing

To snap out of my being soooo affected about the little things that don't matter to the people I think who should care. Most of the time I'm just overthinking LOL so yey, that's a good thing. At least I only have myself to fix, now isn't that a problem.

Feeling

Confused about myself, no homo. How hard is it to be myself and just be true to my own ways? Wow. I guess I was too sheltered and loved to ever bother thinking about this HAHA.

There are days when I just wake up in a bad mood for no reason then remember that I can't be in a bad mood cos I didn't want to bother any one with my mood swings so I get up, take a shower, prep, and literally force a smile. MOOD SWINGS ARE REAL, but forcing a smile is like forcing the universe to to give me a happy day. IT WORKS.

I seriously have mornings when I just want to keep silent all throughout the day, but I'm not one to deny any one a conversation so sige na nga lol. Was I always like this?

I'm also bothered that my boyfriend thinks I'm childish. All these time I thought I was doing well as an adult, so it gets to me when I'm perceived as childish or immature or too young. Well, I am inexperienced in a lot of ways but I didn't want to be seen as childish, argh. :(

Oh well, whatever. I'm hungryyyy

Stop saying sorry

Lately I've been feeling largely apologetic for a lot things I know I'm not supposed to be sorry for, and it bugs me. When did I start caring so much, why am I too sensitive about things? This is something I hate about myself, that I can't seem to be just chill about small mistakes and feel overly embarrassed whenever I screw up something, even the pettiest things. I know it's not a big deal and I know I'm not supposed to be too dramatic over it, but the feeling is here and I'm sorry that I can't help it.

Anyhow, as long as I keep laughing everything will turn out fine. And for the record, it always does.

It pays to know that no one cares and that eventually people will forget and just laugh about it, and hey this isn't drama but Sandra Oh was right in one of her videos where she gives advice to some patient. No one cares, so do whatever the hell you want. Don't think for a second that someone's looking critically over your shoulder auditing the tiniest errors you commit. Aside from your micromanager of a boss, in real life, your peers aren't that terrible.

I know right.

I didn't want to sound so affected by life but the best I could do is really just laugh it all off and think that it's no big deal, it's no big deal, I'm just overthinking. Hehe

AXN gets into gear with Cash Cab Philippines

MANILA (December9, 2015) – AXN, the number one general entertainment channel in Asia, is delivering an awesome gift to viewers this festive season with the premiere of Cash Cab Philippines, the only gameshow on wheels.

Source: AXN Philippines

The Emmy-award winning format, created especially for Filipino audiences, will premiere in a double episodeon Tuesday, December 22, at 8.50pm with an encore on Thursday, December 24, at 9.15pm.During the show, a specially fitted out Cash Cab will navigate the busy streets of Manila while picking up unsuspecting passengers. The Cash Cab will appear as a regular taxi service however,upon entering the car passengers will find themselves as contestants on a truly mobile game show.

Source: AXN Philippines

Ang Hui Keng, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia said, “Cash Cab Philippines is a localized adaptation of AXN’s very successful Cash Cab Asia so the show will immediately resonate with our Filipino viewers. The show continues our commitment tohigh quality original productions and sustains the momentum gained from The Amazing Race Asia, The Apprentice Asia and the record-breaking Asia’s Got Talent. AXN’s proven track record of hit series demonstrates a strong demand amongst viewers for shows that are smart, intense, unexpected and locally relevant.”

In the 13 episode series, popular actor Ryan Agoncillo will assume the role of cab driver and show host, driving passengers to their destination while quizzing them on general knowledge.  Questions asked during the ride will start easy and become trickierwith contestants winningcash prizes for each correct answer.An incorrect answer means a strike, and contestants have up to three strikes before they are booted out of the cab and onto the street, no matter where they are. Contestants will have two “shout outs” for help if they are stumped on a questionand can either call a friendor ask a random stranger for the answer.

Gidget Lao, Business Unit Head of AXN Networks Philippines, said, “Cash Cab Philippines is the first locally produced show for AXN in this market, and we are very excited for its debut just in time for Christmas. Ryan is an outstanding show host, and our contestants are great fun and really get into the spirit of the show. Our viewers are really going to love watching this show filmed against recognizable landmarks in Manila.”

Source: AXN Philippines

Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia commissioned leading independent production company activeTV to produce Cash Cab Philippines. activeTV also produced AXN’s Cash Cab Asia and The Amazing Race Asia.

Cash Cab Philippines is supported by its exclusive partner, StarcomMediavest Group; show presenters McDonald’s, Sun Cellular and PSBank; sponsor Petron and Toyota Abad Santos, provider of the Cash Cab vehicle.

AXN is seen on SkyCableCh 49, Cable Link C 38, Cignal TV Ch 61, Destiny Cable Ch 61, Dream Ch 20, and GSAT Ch 51

The Sunday Currently (vol. 18)

It's a little over 12mn here in MN but it was Sunday when I created this so I insist haha.

I know I mentioned I'm over doing TSC's so I'm sorry to be back. I'm still bad at scheduled posts, but I'm really just looking for reasons to blog regularly cos I'm too lazy to tell stories recently. Even PR postings are becoming a fuss. I'm just too lazy for anything.

Lumbersexual dude getting my skis 

So here you go, I'm reviving the old tag, trying to get back to writing every now and then about what's up. Mind you, I have a ton of entries sitting in drafts but I never got the time to complete them cos there's just so much happening I want to share, and it gets me lost trying to arrange them in a cohesive manner haha. I guess it pays to be really religious in updating stuff so events don't pile up and I don't confuse my tenses lol.

Currently

Reading
Nothing. I'm struggling to finish my Good Reads goal of at least 1 book a month but I guess I'm not the reader I used to be anymore.

Writing Watching
Yesterday, I watched A Second Chance and graaaabe lang how emotional and relatable it is. At the end of the movie I was bawling like crazy 'cos I was afraid of ending up with their problems a few years into married life. But oh well, I realized Jeckie and I are nowhere near Basha and Popoy so if ever we get into those challenges (cos they're real as hell), we'll work it out differently. What I'm sure of is that there'll be no plates and toasters breaking. Yey.

Listening
To a couple of youtube videos and the vent humming.

Thinking
N/A cos I just inserted it just now haha. Forgot lol. Sarreh. Wasn't thinking, yah.

Smelling 
Nothing (cos I got used to it) but my room smells like this body oil every time I enter, AND I LOVE IT!

Neutrogena Body Oil in Light Sesame Formula. I use it as an after shower moisturizer cos it's faster to apply compared to lotion, isn't sticky, moisturizes really well, and smells like the spa. I haven't checked if it's available in the PH but it's a drugstore staple here. Hope to find this when I'm back home next year! XD

Wishing
For our Christmas bonus to arrive already. Arg.

Wearing
Pajamas

Loving
Amazon so freaking much. I've invested most of my dollars in gift cards and lately it's become a happy place for me. Like a garden I could get lost in and come out broke, haha.

Wanting
A lot of material stuff. I've put tons of items in my Amazon wishlist but we'll see. Right now I think I've hoarded enough art materials to last me a couple of downtimes but so far that hasn't happened yet. Makes me think if I've wasted moolah over these, but heyyy they make me happy just by looking at them! haha #hoarderProblems

Needing
To lose weight! I'm bordering on 150lbs already omgehhh so part of my Amazon wishlist is actually weight loss items like MCT oil, GHEE butter, blender bottle, OH YOU KNOW WHERE I'M GOING. HAHA

I figured that since I've always wanted to try how bulletproof coffee works, might as well try it now where it's super easy to get the real ingredients. In the PH we have Battle Brew, but I never got to buy my own starter kit so yeah, I feel like it's about time! haha

Feeling
Super sore after skiing for the first time last Friday. Here's a photo of me at Buckhill Ski Resort with the skis off cos I never got a decent pic with them on being that I'm always skidding off somewhere trying to get my balance haha. What a struggle!

The boots are freaking heavy and tight and I just can't get how to brake and turn properly. Twice I ended up sliding off the edge and onto the pavement and man was it a chore to get up. I can't. I always need someone to push me to standing position. Grabe. HAHA. I would also always cross my skis in an attempt to brake, ending up in a dangerous position where I had to muster all my remaining balance to keep still while waiting for someone to take me out of my misery. It's that position where one misstep could break me a leg, literally.

Anyway, it was a great experience! I know I won't be back on the slopes anytime soon, except perhaps when they finally open tubing, but it's good to have tried it at least once! It was a great night overall! We also became friends with one of our instructors, Roger, who couldn't believe how nice we are! HAHA I know we're nice and all, but until now it puzzles me how nice he thinks we are. I mean, we just kept on laughing at his grandfather jokes and engaging in conversation about his yesteryears, and we're already the nicest people he knows! What an honor! Also a validation that the Philippines is a really happy nation. HAHA diba diba. :))

To be honest, I didn't expect to have fun specially that there's just the four of us. But oh well, we we're laughing and teasing each other on the way back cos we earned a lot of titles that night. When we got home we spent the rest of the evening guffawing over baked sausages and vodka (w/ ginger beer and lime. it's pretty perfect)!

That's about it! I was warned this week's gonna be crazy at work so wish me luck!

Have a great week ahead! :D