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Ok. So there was a couple of weeks that I was really looking into my Astrological profile. I know I make a living out of data and numbers and of thinking logically. And I have the highest respect for research and empirical data. And there is no evidence that personality and events are the direct cause of the position of the planets and stars at the time of a person’s birth. BUT… astrology is interesting reading. In astrology everything is about you or the person you are interested to know about. All of us are wired to be selfish. Anything about us is interesting. Hence, I delved into my signs to know more about me.
So there are two sign I looked into: the sun sign and the moon sign. This site calculates your moon sign -> http://lunarium.co.uk/sign.php. This other site gives you your sun and moon combined reading -> http://www.astrology-numerology.com/sun-moon4.html.
Here is my reading:
- 4-10 Cancer/Capricorn
- The combination of your Sun and Moon signs produces a good deal of ambition and determination in your personality. Yet this is well disguised in a mask of congeniality and understanding. The Cancer Sun is naturally understanding and affectionate, lessening the normal coldness of the Capricorn Moon. This lends good insight and a penetrating look at human nature. You are well equipped for a role in some type of public or official responsibility, and apt to gain recognition for your work in this regard. Prestige and status are likely to flow your way if you make any effort to achieve before the public. You have a reassuring way as you always seem willing to assume responsibilities, and work hard to reach goals. You expect things of value to require a good deal of effort. Unassuming and unpretentious, you are ever willing to tow your share of the load. You appreciate the value of a dollar, but you’re not likely to spare cost when it comes to obtaining quality for your investment. A high degree of self-discipline allows you to save or even hoard money for that rainy day. You have a shrewdness that produces a genial and warm manner, but your purpose remains steely and determined. This nice blend of the personal and the sincere, with the calculating business core, allows you to accomplish much without hurting anyone’s feelings. It permits you to muster and retain many friends along the way. You know how to drive a hard bargain with a smile on your face, and you have a keen sense for understanding people and instinctively sensing their motives.
Hmmm…. interesting read.
Trip 4: November 2008
I did not have a specific reason why I went to NYC that time. I just missed it so much. Everytime I watch CSI NY or any TV show or movie shot in NYC, I felt a tugging in my heart.
Also I felt really lethargic in Manila. To tell you the truth, it is only my son that gave me energy. I didn’t even go out or see much of my friends.
So I went back.
1. I subletted in Williamsburg. It is a cool place in Brooklyn, very near Manhattan. There are lots of restaurants, artsy places and people. I’m off the Bedford L Stop.
This is Parallel Parking, NYC style. Bumper to Bumper. Pic taken in Williamsburg
2. My two roommates were guys. This was a first for me. But it was cool. They are cool people.
3. I met other interesting people as well – an engineer, a start-up founder and a guy who loves salsa.
4. I had another salsa class conducted by a Google engineer. He loves salsa and teaches it for free in his free time. He’s a good teacher too. I met very interesting people in that class from all continents of the world. I love the diversity of NYC!
5. I became more familiar with the East and West Village, and the Upper East side.
6. Oh and since Trip 3, I don’t bring a subway map with me anymore. I just hop on a train and look at the maps in the station in case I get lost. Important things to remember are in which avenues the subway lines are, where you can get from the east side to the west side, and what stations have the most transfers.
9. I saw my first Broadway show, Chicago with my HS friend and her friends. It was good!
10. My City Moment:
As I was walking from the east side to the west side and I stopped in the middle of Columbus circle, looked up and just marveled at the skyscapers, then looked around and marveled at all the cars and people. Inside the Circle, the sounds of the city toned down a bit. They say it is because of the way Columbus Circle is designed. Nonetheless, you just can feel the hectic pace of the city.
Trip 3: June-July 2008
It was after a conference in Michigan that I dropped by NYC again and not only that, extended my trip for a month! I didn’t stay with my mom’s friend in Brooklyn because they had a falling out.
1. I discovered SUBLETTING! And I discovered truly how expensive space is in NYC. I and my friend Alyssa, who flew in for LA and stayed in NYC for a week subletted a place in the Upper West Side. She stayed for a week. I stayed in the UWS for a month.
2. I had American girls as roommates. The first one was a native New Yorker. She teaches in a Bronx Elementary school. The other one is a law school student from Indiana. We hung out and went to a wine place, a dive bar and some restaurants.
3. I played tourist guide to Alyssa, although I am a tourist myself. We went to the basics- 42nd, Central Park, Rockefeller,Statue of Liberty. And we watched Sex and the City when it was showing .. in New York City!!!
4. Again, of course, we went clubbing. I met some few interesting people. I am slowly getting to learn the rules here when it comes to dating in NYC — there are NO RULES. You make your own!
5. I supposed to go skydiving but the weather conditions prevented it. Twas a shame.
6. I subletted another place in Fort Greene in Brooklyn after my sublet in the UWS expired. I discovered good good varied restaurants in Brooklyn.
7. We went to Hershey Farm in Pensylvannia with my HS friends.
8. I celebrated my birthday with the guy from Trip 2. It was very nice. 
9. For some reason, I felt I had money during the trip. I grew tired of the subway and took cabs. NYC cabs have a small TV and can accept credit card payments. Isn’t that cool?? Then after I tallied all the cab receipts, I vowed to take the subway if possible. NYC is an expensive city, that’s all that I can say.
The TV with the info channel and a credit card swiper. Love it!
10. My City Moment:
Walking in Battery Park after our Statue of Liberty Trip and then going past by City Hall and heading to Wall St.
TRIP 2: (November 2005)
This is when starts to get interesting. That year was full of drama for me relationship wise. So I decided to go back to my favorite place to “unwind and find myself”.
1. I still stayed with my mom’s friend in Brooklyn. They moved further up to Avenue U. They are a nice Filipino family and they cook good Filipino food.
2. I tried the NJ Transit. I spent Thanksgiving with my HS friends in Jersey. One flew from Seattle. The other drove from Virginia.
3. I explored Central Park with my HS friends. It was fun!
4. I geared up for autumn with the signature “all-black” New York look.
5. I went clubbing with my HS friends 3 nights in a row during Thanksgiving weekend. We entered into one club that was “exclusive” for a group of people. We didn’t know it. People there stared at us until we felt uncomfortable and left. We went to another one with so many, many handsome guys but very few girls. We said, “Yay!!”. But then when we saw the guys holding each others’ hands we realized that this won’t be our scene. We had so much fun. We laughed and laughed until we decided to drink beer and watch TV in a sports bar. When it closed we waited for an hour in a cafe so we can get the first morning bus to New Jersey where our HS friend lives.
6. I dated my first native New Yorker. I liked him. I really did.
7. I went to MoMa with my college friend. I also went inside the American Museum of Natural History and the Wax Museum alone.
9. I got to know the subway a bit better although I still need to bring my map.
No shortage of Underground Talent in NYC
10. My City Moment:
When I was riding the Q train going back to Brooklyn at 7AM , a group of Mexican singers with a violin, caracas and guitar jumped on board. They sang a Spanish love song as the Q train gave a wonderful view of the Manhattan skyline. That was my last day in the City.
I am still in NYC now. Yep. Still in the Big Apple. Come to think of it, this is my 5th trip here in the last 4 years and I have spent almost 6 months here if you put all the trips together.
I have different adventures each trip and I would like to share them with you in this 5-series list of the stuff, events, people I found memorable each trip.
HERE GOES: TRIP 1
This was my first trip to the US and for some reason, I chose New York City to be the first city to visit. I arrived alone in JFK. My dad’s friend picked me up and took me to their house in Long Island. I stayed there for awhile then stayed with my mom’s friend in Brooklyn.
In NYC, for my first trip, I was on the Brighton Beach Stop.
1. The Subway. My mom’s friend in Brooklyn just gave me a map and a few instructions on how to get around.
2. I got familiar with the Q train. I got off Avenue U.
3. I went to Statue of Liberty, Museum of Natural History(without going in), Moma(without going in), Wall St. , Empire State Building alone.
4. I didn’t take a SINGLE PICTURE during that trip.
5. Always brought the subway map with me and I counted the number of stops to know where I am.
6. Went out with 3 high school friends for dinner on the night before Halloween. Saw costumes galore. I didn’t even know where we went. All I know was it was in Manhattan.
7. I ABSOLUTELY got lost when I took the train to Long Island by myself. I got off on the other side of the tracks at 10PM. With my luggage, no cellphone and a thin jacket in a cold autumn night, I walked along a deserted road looking for a payphone. No working payphones. I had no way of contacting my dad’s friend. It was dark, cold and scary. I felt that it was a setting of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. After walking for almost an hour, I decided to go back to the train station. Fortunately, I walked on the other side of the track until I finally found their house.
8. First taste of Dean and Delucca coffee.
9. There was this guy in a subway (probably late teens early twenties) with his gang (with the gold chains and all) trying to talk to me at 11pm. I was scared. Good thing there was this middle-age guy in the same car as we are. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when they got off their stop.
10. My City Moment: Walking along 1st Ave, passing through United Nations holding my Dean and Delucca coffee. I just felt comfortable.
I didn’t really know about the city and didn’t take the time to know the ins and outs. I just reveled in being in the city.
Advance Kung Hei Fat Choi !!!!!
The Year of the Rat (this year until January 25) has been a tough year for me. 2008, Chinese astrologers say is not a good year for us born under the Year of the Monkey. Here are their 2008 Predictions.
1. A mixed year for the Monkey in a Rat year, on first glance many will predict a bad year but if you look deep the year can be good for the Monkey and even exceptional if you are aware of potential problems as you can avoid them and this lets you move on.
–> In other words, they predict a bad year. Yup, it was a bad year.
2. Be careful of people who you thought of as friends stabbing you in the back and also be aware that the clash of elements can also cause family disharmony.
–> I was so disappointed in two people who I thought were good friends. I did not expect it. Yeah, and there were family issues also.
3. This is a good year to keep low and ensure your tactful nature is on full alert.
–> I exercised extreme tact in some iffy situations this year. I think it paid off.
4. This is a good year to learn new skills or hobby and perfect for study and taking exams.
–> I was supposed to take the Series 65 exam this year. Because of the financial crisis, I decided to do otherwise.
The year of the OX is fast approaching. I wish for love, peace, success and happiness this coming year for all of us.
The exact time of the Chinese New Year, when I will don a polka-dot outfit and jump up and down will be: U.S.A. – New York January 26, Mon 02:55
1. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to…
-> Yes. It is all about independence, freedom and empowerment.
2. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …. something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour…
-> I have nothing perfect to wear. It takes me more than an hour to find an “acceptable” piece.
3. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..a youth she’s content to leave behind….
-> I don’t know. I wish my youth involved more travelling.
4. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE … a past juicy enough that she’s looking forward to
retelling it in her old age….
-> Most definitely. My grandkids will not accuse me of being a boring grandma! 
5. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …..a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra…
-> Yep yep.
6. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….one friend who always makes her laugh… and one who lets her cry…
-> I am lucky to have intelligent, funny and dependable friends.
7. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family…
-> Yep. Art and some pieces from China.
8. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored…
-> yes to the 1st and 2nd. My recipes aren’t that great.. but hey, you gotta give me A for effort.
9. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..a feeling of control over her destiny…
-> I try to but sometimes there are either life and death circumstances and historic events that happen in our lifetime that shake us to our core and make us feel lost and vulnerable.
10. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW….how to fall in love without losing herself..
-> That is difficult. That is why i’m scared of falling in love.
11. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship…
-> Still learning. It takes a great deal of finesse and class.
12. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW …when to try harder …and WHEN TO WALK AWAY.
-> Sometimes walking away takes more guts.
13. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…how to deal with the fact that she can’t change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
-> I’m struggling with this. Insecurities surface and there are still unresolved issues with my family. but i have ope ned a channel of communication with them and that was a big step for me.
14. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW… that her childhood may not have been perfect…but it’s over…
-> It takes a conscious effort of letting go. I’m almost there.
15. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW… what she would and wouldn’t do for love or more…
-> I guess I know now what is worth fighting for ,and how much I am worth and how much I am willing to give. Took great many tears, goodbyes and mistakes to finally realize that.
16. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..how to live alone, even if she doesn’t like it…
-> Yep. The first and most important relationship you build is a relationship with yourself.
17. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .whom she can trust, whom she can’t,
and why she shouldn’t take it personally…
-> Ah, yes.
18. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW… where to go… be it to her best friend’s kitchen table.. or a charming Inn in the woods… when her soul needs soothing…
-> yeah… i have 3 places in my list.
19. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…What she can and can’t accomplish in a day… a month…and a year…
-> Nobody is a superwoman. I have to set my priorities. As of now, it is: motherhood and career.
2007 was a tough and a memorable year marked by changes and transitions. The first 3 quarters was tough. The transition from being single to a full-time single parent was challenging. I had issues with my family too stemming from my son’s move to Manila. I had the experience of having a loved one diagnosed with a life threatening illness. I almost had a 2nd marriage,then broke-up with my boyfriend for 3 years. Work offered me a variety of tough, tough mental and yes, even emotional challenges as well that made me question myself, my abilities. I partied up, made stupid mistakes that got me depressed after, got angry and blamed people, became unmotivated. I got lost.
Then things made a bit of a turn around in the last quarter. I had an honest, no-holds-barred talk with my mom that finally repaired our relationship. It took a long time coming, 20 years to be exact. Getting over the break-up was tough, to be honest. But then, I quit being on the rebound and finally let go. My boss gave me an exciting opportunity to co-author a paper with him in this year’s Michigan conference. Now that really motivated me to work long hours. I was given an opportunity to do professional public speaking. Now I am really excited by that gig. I had a wonderful vacation where I met new people and got reacquainted with old friends. And most importantly, I am bonding with my son. I am seeing him grow and I am being a mom.
The things that happened to me this year changed me. But this I tell you, I now know what I want. I know the people who matter. I have become more practical and realistic. Have I become a better person? Well, I hope so. Only time will tell. But I have grown to be a big girl this year. Fergie said that big girls don’t cry. But I cry, get hurt, laugh, do stupid things, can be bitchy, can be naughty. I can still be unfocused and make bad decisions. But I know when push comes to shove, I can pull myself together and trust myself to do the right thing. 2007 taught me that lesson.
What a year, what a year! I am thankful for everything that happened to me in 2007. Things have a way of working themselves out. I feel lucky and blessed. And I look forward to 2008. May we have good health, become better persons and have peace and happiness in our lives this 2008 and the years to come.
Happy New Year everyone!
Let me tell you about my high school. I studied in an all-girls Catholic school in Cebu. Many of the classmates I graduated with were my classmates since Grade 1. We are about 200 students in our batch. We graduated in 1997. So it has been 10 years since our graduation and I am fortunate enough to see a bunch of them when they come visit me or when I visit them.
It’s funny how easily you share stories with your high school friends even after all the years of separation. You may have a single lunch after 2 years and another dinner after another 2 years. But still you catch up with years’ worth of life stories during these times. The people you were not close with in high school may turn out to be your bestest bud at this stage in your life or , maybe you still won’t be close to that high school friend after that encounter. But still there are still a lot of things to talk about – from gossip to personal life stories.
I will certainly not pass up an opportunity to get together with any of my old classmates, because it sure is fun!
There are two kinds of programmers, my colleague once said. The first kind is the one who views programming as a smart career move. The second kind is the one who has the passion for it. I think I belong to the first breed of programmers. I enjoy programming sometimes. Sometimes I even get so involved in a project. And I missed software research and development when I was in law school. But I don’t think that is enough to qualify my for the second breed of programmers because I think that I can still be professionally content without programming and reading scientific papers.
When you are in a career just because it is a good move for you financially, I think either of two things might happen. You might grow to love your job. Or sooner or later, you burn out.
Since I belong to the first breed of programmers, I am afraid that I might be burning out. The signs are there. I feel tired when I work. I get easily distracted. I make excuses. Or do I just feel overwhelmed and daunted by the job responsibility and difficulty? Or is my personal life messing with my professional life? I feel I am underperforming and I feel that no longer have that drive to do well.
It has been a tough 7 months for me. I need to clear my head.
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