Bora Bora!

And so finally, the outing that took eight years in the making pushed through. The whole Wave 891 family flew to Boracay for a much-deserved weekend vacay. Would you believe that was our very first out-of-town company trip? Anyway, we're just happy we finally went to the beach together - the jocks, the AEs, the technicians, the spinners, the management team. Saya!

With my roommates on our last day in Bora: Wave jocks Jason, Anne, Jada and AEs James and Czar

So even if we were very badly inconvenienced by Z-Air (I will diss some more at the end of this post), and even if we weren't able to parasail and go island hopping, we still had an awesome time. 'Til the next outing! When? Geez...I really don't know.

:)


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We came up with a new tagline for the airline that took us to Bora:

"Z-Air. Where your inconvenience is our #1 priority!"

Okay, this is why we are pissed with this God-forsaken airline. Our flight to Boracay was delayed three effin' times! We were there (well, at least majority of my officemates were. I was late. Tee-hee!) two hours before the scheduled 12:20PM flight. What time did we leave Manila? 2:45PM!

!*@*#! (String of profanities here.)

And this is why that delay really ticked us off big time. We were gonna land in Kalibo! There was still that 2-hour ride to the pier before the 20-minute ferry trip to our destination.

!*@*#! (Profanities yet again.)

When we finally got to the hotel, it was dark and drizzling and we were all dead tired. Day 1 in Bora was totally wasted. Boo!

But wait, there's more! They were thoughtful enough to think of feeding the passengers they already pissed off. Lo and behold! The meals were like rations. Three to four measly pieces of pork and a cup of plain rice. We took one look at it and went, "Sinong binaha?"

You think the story ends there? Think again. Going back to Manila, our flight got delayed...AGAIN! Susmaryosep!

Our verdict: The award for Major Loser Airline goes to...(drumroll)...YOU!

In fairness, it was a smooth flight. But then again, that all depends on weather conditions.

On a Southwest Airlines flight from Los Angeles to El Paso, I remember the attendant saying this over his microphone:

"We know you have plenty of choices when flying. Thank you very much for choosing Southwest."

We do have a lot of choices. It should be an honor if the client chooses you. So if you want the zest zapped out of your vacation, you already know what airline to choose.

Bonjour, 2010!

The past year has finally gone. There isn't much to tell about my 2009. I remember a part in the movie Up where Russell says the memories that he remembers the most are the boring ones. Sitting outside the ice cream shop with his dad, counting all the red and blue cars that passed by. The best parts of my 2009 weren't really grand events or milestones or achievements. They were all about simple joys and little things, mostly spent with the man I love. 2008 had been
tumultuous for the two of us. 2009 saw us recovering from past hurts, and healing and growing together. The past year saw us working side by side, doing more things together and spending more time with each other. The result is a love that is stronger than before. I'm glad that we went through very painful experiences in the past because they brought us back together in the end, with an even stronger bond and a more beautiful relationship. After all the stops and starts, I am happy and thankful that I'm standing here with my hand in his. These things may be boring to other people. But they're the ones I remember the most.




I braved cosmetic surgery early last year. Thank you to Dr. Rea Trinidad of Aescultura for a very successful treatment. The surgery was definitely the bravest thing I've ever done. I voluntarily went under the knife. I can still remember how painful it was, but I have absolutely no regrets.

Two years after I was promoted to Assistant Station Manager, I finally got a raise! That was a really big Christmas treat for 2009. It didn't add an extra digit to my pay, but I'm thankful nevertheless. In these trying times, with the recession happening and people losing their jobs here and there, I am in no position to complain.

And of course, 2009 ended with a bang of an adventure - the holiday tour in the US with my family. It was an awesome trip! We went to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, El Paso and New Mexico.



I was able to link arms with Minnie Mouse, wave with joyful tears at a real Santa
Claus, see wondrous aquatic creatures like otters and jellyfishes and sea horses (the kind you'll never find in our local aquarium), ride the famous Cable Car through the streets of San Francisco, learn about new cultures and cuisines, play with real snow and experience waking
up to a Winter Wonderland! Plus, I got a whole steamed lobster all to myself during one of our lunches in San Fo. How cool is that! :) And all the pictures I've gathered were all rich with new experiences and beautiful sights. Absolutely the best way to end a year that was good to me in a different way. It made me enjoy the little things. It made me feel young again.




Now I'm ready to face 2010. I got a feeling this year's going to be awesome! And I'm starting it with a fresher and more positive outlook, ready to embrace change and usher in all things new and shiny and wonderful! I'm crossing my fingers and saying thank you to God in advance for the many blessings and opportunities to earn and grow. Like Cuba Gooding, Jr. in Jerry Maguire, I spread my arms and say out loud - "show me the money!"

And, this is also the year that I'll be turning into Mrs. Anne Asis-Carilo. Yup, we're tying the knot this year and we're ready to face a new adventure towards forever. We're not doing it the traditional way, and that's what I like about it. Very Sex and the City. Very Carrie-exciting. I'll let you in on the details soon.

I'm giving 2010 a high five. I'm smiling brightly at life, and my heart does a somersault as it grins back. Let this be my time to shine! And it will be.

:)

Hello, San Fo!

Down to the last week of my US holiday. My family and I are here in San Fo, last stop before we fly back on Friday. It's 8am here, and I am loving the city already, even if I haven't gotten to know it just yet. The morning air is a cold 50-degrees-Fahrenheit, or even less. Our hotel is by the bay, and you can hear the seagulls soaring about outside. I guess it's the thought that my vacation is almost over that is making me feel quite sentimental. I'm trying to savor the last few moments of this trip, and I'm glad San Francisco is capping the experience.

This whole Holiday break has been wonderful. New experiences, new places and sights, endless photographing. From sunny (but still very cold) Los Angeles and San Diego in California to the vast deserts and mountains of El Paso and New Mexico. Now we're back in California, in the welcoming arms of another new city. Hello, San Fo!

Christmas and New Year were spent in El Paso, where my family and our close relatives gathered together for turkey and steaks and presents and love. Our Uncle Fred taught us a lot of things and introduced us to real Mexican food and new ways of eating corn and other vegetables. I learned a bit about old American culture, history, western music, traditions and many other things. It's been great, and now I find myself missing El Paso already.

I'll be home in a few days, blessed with more knowledge and experiences to start the new year. It definitely has been a terrific and unforgettable three weeks. Looking forward to coming back to America again next Christmas and explore and learn from other states. But before I say au revoir, let me enjoy my last few days here in San Francisco.

:)