This entry is going to come before the Jan 29-Feb 10 entries. Talk about chronology. Hehehe!
Anyhow, it’s something I wanted to capture before the feeling passed me by, or before the numerous events happen before I can blog again when I get home.
I’d been looking forward to this day since I had gotten to the States. Perhaps not as much as Merryl, who’s on her first foreign business trip, to the US at that, but I had wanted to do my business, do my shopping and packing, and get home aboard the February 11, 9 pm flight.
It didn’t help my homesickness one bit when Hestia called me at around 530 in the morning to have Annika talk to me. Just wanted to get everything done and get on the plane and go home. In a few hours, I will be able to hug and kiss my 1st Princess, kiss my 2nd Princess through her Mommy’s tummy, and hug and kiss my Queen.
As I had gone through packing the past days, I waxed nostalgic a bit. I said goodbye to my room, while I was checking each nook and cranny for possibly something that could’ve been left behind. And I said thank you to it – for being in the right position that allowed me to look outside and see the Malibu if it was being hit or robbed (not that that’s common here), that allowed me to descend 2 flights of stairs and exit the side door with convenience to drop off my laptop and other stuff in the morning, that provided me with comfort and sleep for the last 3 weeks. Thanks 239.
I eventually said goodbye to the Malibu, and thanked it for 2 weeks of driving comfort and satisfaction. The heated seats, which I never had a use for in tropical Manila, worked like a charm on the many cold California mornings. And I’m happy that Karen again allowed another baton transfer – first from Junjun to me – then from me to Rain. Saya! Sure trumps the Focus. Hahaha!
And I’m saying goodbye to the States now.
I’m in the PAL lounge as I type this. Had a wonderful ride via Blacktie Limo Service. I have to apologize to my driver though, as I did not have enough change for both him and the airport porter, who he suggested should help with my 2 balikbayan boxes and 2 large luggages. Weird though, suddenly my hook-type portable scale is accurate. Hmmm…
This is probably my first US trip which I conclude with mixed emotions. The previous ones (1987, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2001 and 2006) were ending vacations. This one was business with weekends.
I will miss the drives, long and short, on the wonderful long and wide and relatively well-paved roads. I will miss the driving partner – the Malibu, although the Jetta was a good buddy, too. I will miss the order on the roads, and the cold weather.
But I will not miss the lonely nights at the hotel. And after this long flight, I won’t have another lonely night for a time.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Of Tracy Lords and Mang Francisco
The drive to Tracy is for the most part via the 680 and the 580. (Tama nga ba?) It’s the interchanges that I watch out for, coz that’s where it’ll be hard to make up for lost ground. Even if Garmin can get me out of the mess, I'd just like to avoid it altogether.
I took almost an hour to get to Bey’s house. Trip should’ve been shorter, but there was traffic nearing Tracy. Slowed to a crawl on all lanes but the rightmost one. I was trying to find out what happened.
Apparently, it was coz of the fog. But visibility wasn’t so bad, coz you could see 5-6 cars ahead. So when I got the chance, I got into the rightmost lane and sped off, probably with a lot of other Filipinos, too. Hehehe!
I call Bey when I get to his house, coz I’m confused. I know he has a Maxima and an X5, but why is there a Ford Focus wagon parked outside? He comes out and moves it out to the street. Nahiya naman ako. Kay mother in law daw yun. Hehehe!
We enter his house and he takes my bag to the 2nd floor guest room. I meet Ma-am, Wesley and Nate. The boys are running around freely at the 2nd floor. Cool. Nice to have big space for kids to do that.
There are covers on the door knobs - so the boys don’t open them and then get locked inside - and a door by the stairs that stops them from going down. I even have a hard time opening it, so it's pretty safe. Hehehe!
We start eating Filipino food, prepared by Ma’am’s Mom. Thank you po, Tita! Felt like home.
Then we started drinking. We decided to finish the bottle of Glenlivet that Bey and Dun opened. It was about 80% full. But we finished it that night. Hehehe!
Anyhow, Bey decided to call Dun. And play a joke on him. The joke eventually was on Bey, coz Dun’s GSM signal was way bad and he couldn’t hear us. Sayang laway at sayang load.
Bey then decided to play another joke but on Hestia this time. With his fully modulated voice, he calls and looks for ‘Hestia Axalan’ and then he introduces himself as a call center survey guy for Medela Products Company. Wahaha! Hestia catches him after a few exchanges.
After talking to Bey, Ma-am and myself, Hestia eventually had to put the phone down so we continued with Glen. While we were finishing him off, we moved over to the comfier sofa and watched the Women’s Finals of the Australian open.
Ok TV ni Bey, 50 plus inch tv na may ‘privacy feature’. You have to be right in front of it to see what’s on. If you’re only in the periphery, there’s nothing you can see. Hahaha! Didn't know Samsung made them that way.
As we finish Glen, Bey puts a 6 pack of beer in the fridge. Well wadya know? It’s San Mig Light. Hahaha! I was kidding him – that the only difference between being in the US and in the Philippines with the drinking session we had was the lack of flies and heat. Hahaha!
I doze off toward the 3rd set, and wake up when Clijsters wins it. Bey on the other hand heads for Lala land while they’re awarding the winners. Hehehe! I wake him up, and we turn in. Sleepy but not drunk. Hehehe! Sarap! Miss the Prayles.
I took almost an hour to get to Bey’s house. Trip should’ve been shorter, but there was traffic nearing Tracy. Slowed to a crawl on all lanes but the rightmost one. I was trying to find out what happened.
Apparently, it was coz of the fog. But visibility wasn’t so bad, coz you could see 5-6 cars ahead. So when I got the chance, I got into the rightmost lane and sped off, probably with a lot of other Filipinos, too. Hehehe!
I call Bey when I get to his house, coz I’m confused. I know he has a Maxima and an X5, but why is there a Ford Focus wagon parked outside? He comes out and moves it out to the street. Nahiya naman ako. Kay mother in law daw yun. Hehehe!
We enter his house and he takes my bag to the 2nd floor guest room. I meet Ma-am, Wesley and Nate. The boys are running around freely at the 2nd floor. Cool. Nice to have big space for kids to do that.
There are covers on the door knobs - so the boys don’t open them and then get locked inside - and a door by the stairs that stops them from going down. I even have a hard time opening it, so it's pretty safe. Hehehe!
We start eating Filipino food, prepared by Ma’am’s Mom. Thank you po, Tita! Felt like home.
Then we started drinking. We decided to finish the bottle of Glenlivet that Bey and Dun opened. It was about 80% full. But we finished it that night. Hehehe!
Anyhow, Bey decided to call Dun. And play a joke on him. The joke eventually was on Bey, coz Dun’s GSM signal was way bad and he couldn’t hear us. Sayang laway at sayang load.
Bey then decided to play another joke but on Hestia this time. With his fully modulated voice, he calls and looks for ‘Hestia Axalan’ and then he introduces himself as a call center survey guy for Medela Products Company. Wahaha! Hestia catches him after a few exchanges.
After talking to Bey, Ma-am and myself, Hestia eventually had to put the phone down so we continued with Glen. While we were finishing him off, we moved over to the comfier sofa and watched the Women’s Finals of the Australian open.
Ok TV ni Bey, 50 plus inch tv na may ‘privacy feature’. You have to be right in front of it to see what’s on. If you’re only in the periphery, there’s nothing you can see. Hahaha! Didn't know Samsung made them that way.
As we finish Glen, Bey puts a 6 pack of beer in the fridge. Well wadya know? It’s San Mig Light. Hahaha! I was kidding him – that the only difference between being in the US and in the Philippines with the drinking session we had was the lack of flies and heat. Hahaha!
I doze off toward the 3rd set, and wake up when Clijsters wins it. Bey on the other hand heads for Lala land while they’re awarding the winners. Hehehe! I wake him up, and we turn in. Sleepy but not drunk. Hehehe! Sarap! Miss the Prayles.
Jan 28 – Friday. Fast and Furious!
I set the alarm for 530am, as usual. When it rings, I look to the other clock in the room, see it’s 530 indeed, and turn off my phone’s alarm.
Here’s the killer part. When I open my eyes again, it’s 8 friggin 30 already!!! Holysh1t! And I have a 9am meeting!
So I rush off to the bathroom, take a quick shower (what can I say, I’m Filipino. Kahit malamig, Kelangan maligo.), dress up and haul @$$ to the office. Jetta, don't fail me now!
Luckily, I’m right on time. 9 am Hahaha! Meeting was supposed to be from 9-12, with a continuation if needed at 1. Junjun comes by at around 1130 to remind me about his favor - for me to meet him at the Sun Valley mall so we could return his car and I could drive him back home. I tell him, maybe 1-130 is a good time.
I cancel the lunch with Bey at 12, coz it seems Balaji and Albert have no plans of relenting at our meeting. Hehehe! We finish, thankfully, at 1 pm. Balaji has to go to an outside appointment, and Albert is asking where to eat. I told him, I gotta step out first.
I rush over to the Mall, get there at around 115 pm, and see Junjun waiting outside the Avis office. He says I’m right on time coz no one’s inside yet. I come up with this idea: what if I traded the Jetta for his Malibu, which he praises to high heavens for its features, comfy ride, heated seats, XM radio, and less thirst compared to the Jetta, all for the same price?
As we walk to the car to head for the gas station, the Avis lady arrives. She’s Karen, a Filipina who Junjun has met previously. I ask her if I could trade the Jetta for the Malibu. She agrees, and immediately asks me about the mileage. I said, I’d check the mileage first, and gas it up, since I only came up with the idea 5 mins prior.
So we gas up at the nearby Chevron, where I find out it’s different here now. You’d have to pay first. The last time out, in 2006, you could just swipe your card first, gas up and then get your receipt. Now, even if you’re paying with a card, you’d still have to pay a random, estimated amount first then pump after. Oh well.
Back at Avis, I get the Malibu transferred to me. Yahoo, I think. We engage Karen in some banter about the Philippines and coming home. When she’s done processing the papers, I sign them, and we’re on our way.
Yes, the Malibu indeed feels like a bigger car. Bigger than Buzz. The ride is comfy, but not as sharp as the Jetta. Power comes earlier, I suppose thanks to the v6, but it’s not a swift kick, coz of the vehicle’s weight.
I bring Junjun back to the hotel, where we find his limo waiting for him already. (Note to self, be ready early when you go home, they’re punctual and you don’t want to keep them waiting.) I then head back to the office, and have some time to appreciate the Malibu alone. Its rims remind me of the stockers on the Camry. Hehehe! And its size will be just right when Rain, Shirley and JM arrive. Imagine us in the Jetta. Hahaha!
I work till I get hungry, which is about 4. I IM Bey and ask him for food. He pops in a little later, with some goldilocks polvoron. Hehehe! And he’s the one from here. But more on that later.
Bey takes a walk with me so we could buy food. He suggests Jollibee at Seafood City. I look at him and blurt out, “You serious?” So we drive over to a Mexican place a few miles away to get a burrito. He orders it for me and pays for it. Thanks Bey. And then we head back to the office, where I devour it at the office.
Inom! Bey suggests. So I say why not at my hotel. He declines. Ma-am would kill him. Hahaha! I can imagine if the situation were reversed. Hestia would have my hide.
So he counter-offers. Why not just drive over to Tracy and spend the night with him and his family. Why not?
I call Hestia to tell her about it, and she encourages me to do so. It’s about 30 miles or so to Tracy, if I remember right, or about an hour. Garmin knew where to go, so I was confident I’d find it.
Bey calls me back to ask about the plan. I say, it’s a go! I’d have to go back to the hotel, unload on my throne, pack, and then get going. So I told him to go ahead and I’d follow. It sure beats having to convoy all throughout.
I also call our friend, Gigi, who I’ve met once, in 2006, and who also lives in Tracy. Junjun and I were supposed to treat her to dinner last Thursday, but she declined coz she had a prior appointment. She’s pleasantly surprised to get the call, but happy to meet up the next day at lunch.
Here’s the killer part. When I open my eyes again, it’s 8 friggin 30 already!!! Holysh1t! And I have a 9am meeting!
So I rush off to the bathroom, take a quick shower (what can I say, I’m Filipino. Kahit malamig, Kelangan maligo.), dress up and haul @$$ to the office. Jetta, don't fail me now!
Luckily, I’m right on time. 9 am Hahaha! Meeting was supposed to be from 9-12, with a continuation if needed at 1. Junjun comes by at around 1130 to remind me about his favor - for me to meet him at the Sun Valley mall so we could return his car and I could drive him back home. I tell him, maybe 1-130 is a good time.
I cancel the lunch with Bey at 12, coz it seems Balaji and Albert have no plans of relenting at our meeting. Hehehe! We finish, thankfully, at 1 pm. Balaji has to go to an outside appointment, and Albert is asking where to eat. I told him, I gotta step out first.
I rush over to the Mall, get there at around 115 pm, and see Junjun waiting outside the Avis office. He says I’m right on time coz no one’s inside yet. I come up with this idea: what if I traded the Jetta for his Malibu, which he praises to high heavens for its features, comfy ride, heated seats, XM radio, and less thirst compared to the Jetta, all for the same price?
As we walk to the car to head for the gas station, the Avis lady arrives. She’s Karen, a Filipina who Junjun has met previously. I ask her if I could trade the Jetta for the Malibu. She agrees, and immediately asks me about the mileage. I said, I’d check the mileage first, and gas it up, since I only came up with the idea 5 mins prior.
So we gas up at the nearby Chevron, where I find out it’s different here now. You’d have to pay first. The last time out, in 2006, you could just swipe your card first, gas up and then get your receipt. Now, even if you’re paying with a card, you’d still have to pay a random, estimated amount first then pump after. Oh well.
Back at Avis, I get the Malibu transferred to me. Yahoo, I think. We engage Karen in some banter about the Philippines and coming home. When she’s done processing the papers, I sign them, and we’re on our way.
Yes, the Malibu indeed feels like a bigger car. Bigger than Buzz. The ride is comfy, but not as sharp as the Jetta. Power comes earlier, I suppose thanks to the v6, but it’s not a swift kick, coz of the vehicle’s weight.
I bring Junjun back to the hotel, where we find his limo waiting for him already. (Note to self, be ready early when you go home, they’re punctual and you don’t want to keep them waiting.) I then head back to the office, and have some time to appreciate the Malibu alone. Its rims remind me of the stockers on the Camry. Hehehe! And its size will be just right when Rain, Shirley and JM arrive. Imagine us in the Jetta. Hahaha!
I work till I get hungry, which is about 4. I IM Bey and ask him for food. He pops in a little later, with some goldilocks polvoron. Hehehe! And he’s the one from here. But more on that later.
Bey takes a walk with me so we could buy food. He suggests Jollibee at Seafood City. I look at him and blurt out, “You serious?” So we drive over to a Mexican place a few miles away to get a burrito. He orders it for me and pays for it. Thanks Bey. And then we head back to the office, where I devour it at the office.
Inom! Bey suggests. So I say why not at my hotel. He declines. Ma-am would kill him. Hahaha! I can imagine if the situation were reversed. Hestia would have my hide.
So he counter-offers. Why not just drive over to Tracy and spend the night with him and his family. Why not?
I call Hestia to tell her about it, and she encourages me to do so. It’s about 30 miles or so to Tracy, if I remember right, or about an hour. Garmin knew where to go, so I was confident I’d find it.
Bey calls me back to ask about the plan. I say, it’s a go! I’d have to go back to the hotel, unload on my throne, pack, and then get going. So I told him to go ahead and I’d follow. It sure beats having to convoy all throughout.
I also call our friend, Gigi, who I’ve met once, in 2006, and who also lives in Tracy. Junjun and I were supposed to treat her to dinner last Thursday, but she declined coz she had a prior appointment. She’s pleasantly surprised to get the call, but happy to meet up the next day at lunch.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Jan 27 – Thursday. Downed by the Wings!
I woke up with a tummy ache. Must’ve eaten too many chicken wings. Grrr! I learn later at breakfast that Junjun had the same tummy problem. Must’ve been a bad combo of too many wings and whatever it was made with that didn’t sit well with us both. Oh bother!
Brought my “Point and Shoot” camera to work. There was a team lunch then, so I knew I had to take a few pics which I could send back to the team at home. Plus, the only work the camera did so far was take in-room pix. Insulting for that type of a camera.
Took some pics of Paul doing something I can’t recall in our room. I’m sure it was fixing his A/C adaptor, but it sure looked like something else. Like dancing. Hehehe!
He takes interest in the 24-70L. Saying he had to leave his Nikon D60 at home coz his daughter was going to use it. And then he curses coz it’s his f@#$%#@n camera anyway. Oh well. Daughters’ power of Daddys. Gotta watch out for Annika and Sachi.
We then have a meeting that extends to our earlier scheduled lunch out, at which we’re besieged by our teammates, calling us out to have lunch already. Hehehe!
We eat at Claim Jumper. And with the queasy tummy, I go for a cobb salad and soup, and pass on the heavier meal. (i.e. ribs, etc.) Plus these guys all went for salads, so I figured, let’s stay with them.
Pete picks up the tab – coz he’s got the highest pay grade among us, which points to him as the guy who should really pay, hehe – plus coz Paul keeps on ribbing him about it. When I thank him, he says, Thanks to Chevron. Hahaha! True!
We go back and have more marathon meetings. But at the day’s end, Pete and Kathy drop by our office. They’re not coming to work the day after, coz they fly out to New York in the morning. Ah New York, my favorite US city. Maybe not now, coz of the snow. Hehehe! San Francisco’s just right now. Balimbing!
Before I drive to the hotel, I cross the boulevard and head over to Seafood City, well, to a store in it - Atlas couriers - to buy a box. You open the door, step in, and get the greeting “Ano yun?” Feels like home already. Hahaha!
I buy a 20x20 box, coz the lady says they usually don’t allow the bigger box as luggage. Shipping is fine. I still had some illusions I could get more luggage allowance.
I head on home, and there was pizza! Perfect! So I tape up the box, shove the hangers in, and sign off for the night.
Brought my “Point and Shoot” camera to work. There was a team lunch then, so I knew I had to take a few pics which I could send back to the team at home. Plus, the only work the camera did so far was take in-room pix. Insulting for that type of a camera.
Took some pics of Paul doing something I can’t recall in our room. I’m sure it was fixing his A/C adaptor, but it sure looked like something else. Like dancing. Hehehe!
He takes interest in the 24-70L. Saying he had to leave his Nikon D60 at home coz his daughter was going to use it. And then he curses coz it’s his f@#$%#@n camera anyway. Oh well. Daughters’ power of Daddys. Gotta watch out for Annika and Sachi.
We then have a meeting that extends to our earlier scheduled lunch out, at which we’re besieged by our teammates, calling us out to have lunch already. Hehehe!
We eat at Claim Jumper. And with the queasy tummy, I go for a cobb salad and soup, and pass on the heavier meal. (i.e. ribs, etc.) Plus these guys all went for salads, so I figured, let’s stay with them.
Pete picks up the tab – coz he’s got the highest pay grade among us, which points to him as the guy who should really pay, hehe – plus coz Paul keeps on ribbing him about it. When I thank him, he says, Thanks to Chevron. Hahaha! True!
We go back and have more marathon meetings. But at the day’s end, Pete and Kathy drop by our office. They’re not coming to work the day after, coz they fly out to New York in the morning. Ah New York, my favorite US city. Maybe not now, coz of the snow. Hehehe! San Francisco’s just right now. Balimbing!
Before I drive to the hotel, I cross the boulevard and head over to Seafood City, well, to a store in it - Atlas couriers - to buy a box. You open the door, step in, and get the greeting “Ano yun?” Feels like home already. Hahaha!
I buy a 20x20 box, coz the lady says they usually don’t allow the bigger box as luggage. Shipping is fine. I still had some illusions I could get more luggage allowance.
I head on home, and there was pizza! Perfect! So I tape up the box, shove the hangers in, and sign off for the night.
Wednesday: Jan 26, Chicken Wings Day
I slept a little better the night before. Woke up at the usual horrible 230 am, but at least the next was 530 am already. Nice. What was also nice was that I didn’t feel sleepy at the office today. But I passed on lunch again. Was looking forward to making social hour again for free dinner. Two meals a day, I figured, wouldn’t be so bad.
The Trivia lady that Paul was talking about came by. She’d lead stretchbreaks and dish out some trivia while she was at it. I was no match for the usual song trivia, coz either I did not totally know the songs she was referring to, or I’d not know their singers or something. Or if I did know them, I could not reply as fast as the other guys who were actually alive when the songs were first played or were played during their heyday. Hehehe!
But, I’m glad to say that I did get the trickier or less generic trivia that no one could answer, which surprised the whole team and Trivia Lady. Hehehe! The questions I got were:
1) Q: What was Stitch (the alien in Lilo and Stitch)’s code number
A: 626. Thanks Annika. Hehehe!
2) Q: Who is Lilo's sister
A: Missed this though. Tsk! Tsk! It was Nani, by the way.
3) Q: Who was Speedy Gonzales’s cousin
A: And without batting an eyelash and skipping a beat, I replied, Slowpoke Rodriguez.
They were shocked! Thanks Bugs Bunny, and the channel that used to show the Looney Tunes at 1130 am every Saturday. Thanks to Dad that I’d make it back in time to watch it.
4) Q: What were The Chipmunks’ names, last names and father’s name
A: Alvin, Simon, and Theodore Seville. Dad's name was Dave.
Thanks to Annika, but definitely a big thanks to the Chipmunks’ vinyl records Mom would play during the Christmas season (and even after).
Thought she’d ask who the Chippette’s were. Now Aside from Eleanor and Brittney, I’m stumped. Hehehe!
Social hour that night had spicy chicken wings. Yahoo!
The Trivia lady that Paul was talking about came by. She’d lead stretchbreaks and dish out some trivia while she was at it. I was no match for the usual song trivia, coz either I did not totally know the songs she was referring to, or I’d not know their singers or something. Or if I did know them, I could not reply as fast as the other guys who were actually alive when the songs were first played or were played during their heyday. Hehehe!
But, I’m glad to say that I did get the trickier or less generic trivia that no one could answer, which surprised the whole team and Trivia Lady. Hehehe! The questions I got were:
1) Q: What was Stitch (the alien in Lilo and Stitch)’s code number
A: 626. Thanks Annika. Hehehe!
2) Q: Who is Lilo's sister
A: Missed this though. Tsk! Tsk! It was Nani, by the way.
3) Q: Who was Speedy Gonzales’s cousin
A: And without batting an eyelash and skipping a beat, I replied, Slowpoke Rodriguez.
They were shocked! Thanks Bugs Bunny, and the channel that used to show the Looney Tunes at 1130 am every Saturday. Thanks to Dad that I’d make it back in time to watch it.
4) Q: What were The Chipmunks’ names, last names and father’s name
A: Alvin, Simon, and Theodore Seville. Dad's name was Dave.
Thanks to Annika, but definitely a big thanks to the Chipmunks’ vinyl records Mom would play during the Christmas season (and even after).
Thought she’d ask who the Chippette’s were. Now Aside from Eleanor and Brittney, I’m stumped. Hehehe!
Social hour that night had spicy chicken wings. Yahoo!
Work Day 2: January 25
Morning number 2 and I'm still jetlagged! Woke up 3 times in the morning again. No surprise. Thing is, when I slept at 11, and then woke up, I felt good and refreshed feeling it was already 530. Only to find out it was only 230. Grrr!
Called in for our weekly team meeting at 6 am. Come to think of it, I was the only one who really needed the 6 am call, but since I was in Concord, and Shirley was on Vik's team, there was no need for a 6 am call. So it was eventually moved to 8 am.
Ate breakfast alone, since Junjun was not there anymore. By the time I got down, he was probably in San Ramon already. After eating, I drove off to the office, and missed a turn, so I passed a different route. It was a longer one, with more stops. Good thing it was an opposite route on Diamond boulevard, so there was a side road and entrance I could turn to and enter at.
Was really sleepy in the morning, so I passed on lunch and just slept in the room. That was refreshing. And thankfully Paul stepped out for lunch, or he'd have to deal with an hour's worth of loud snoring. Hehehe!
Got home in time for social hour and had some snacks and a few drinks with Junjun. Monna came by to pick us up. We accompanied her to Ross so she could buy some luggage. Her’s gave up on her, so it was time to retire it.
Bought some cheapo lotion at Ross. It smelled ok, but didn’t help that much, coz I could still write ‘DRY’ on my arms and legs. Tsk tsk! I'll just take it home and make it someone's pasalubong. Hehehe!
Hestia sent a list for Michael’s arts and crafts, so Junjun and I started walking to Michael's from Ross, coz Monna left us already as she had to drive back to San Ramon and pack for she was leaving for Manila with Dave the next night.
At Michael's, not being the creative guys, we did take some time finding what was on the list. Needed help from the friendly in-store ladies, which we got. It's good to know they know everything they're selling, which should be the case for retail establishments.
Getting the punchers, we walked over to Bed Bath and Beyond for Hestia’s slimline hangers. Joseph talked to me about them, but then said Costco wasn’t selling them as often as before, so they were still waiting for the next sale.
These hangers were pretty bulky if you load them in their as-is box. I eventually learned, as is, only 3 boxes could fit a balikbayan box. And Hestia wanted 5-6 boxes. Oh boy, I figured. Bought only 2, coz I had only 2 hands. Will be back.
Called in for our weekly team meeting at 6 am. Come to think of it, I was the only one who really needed the 6 am call, but since I was in Concord, and Shirley was on Vik's team, there was no need for a 6 am call. So it was eventually moved to 8 am.
Ate breakfast alone, since Junjun was not there anymore. By the time I got down, he was probably in San Ramon already. After eating, I drove off to the office, and missed a turn, so I passed a different route. It was a longer one, with more stops. Good thing it was an opposite route on Diamond boulevard, so there was a side road and entrance I could turn to and enter at.
Was really sleepy in the morning, so I passed on lunch and just slept in the room. That was refreshing. And thankfully Paul stepped out for lunch, or he'd have to deal with an hour's worth of loud snoring. Hehehe!
Got home in time for social hour and had some snacks and a few drinks with Junjun. Monna came by to pick us up. We accompanied her to Ross so she could buy some luggage. Her’s gave up on her, so it was time to retire it.
Bought some cheapo lotion at Ross. It smelled ok, but didn’t help that much, coz I could still write ‘DRY’ on my arms and legs. Tsk tsk! I'll just take it home and make it someone's pasalubong. Hehehe!
Hestia sent a list for Michael’s arts and crafts, so Junjun and I started walking to Michael's from Ross, coz Monna left us already as she had to drive back to San Ramon and pack for she was leaving for Manila with Dave the next night.
At Michael's, not being the creative guys, we did take some time finding what was on the list. Needed help from the friendly in-store ladies, which we got. It's good to know they know everything they're selling, which should be the case for retail establishments.
Getting the punchers, we walked over to Bed Bath and Beyond for Hestia’s slimline hangers. Joseph talked to me about them, but then said Costco wasn’t selling them as often as before, so they were still waiting for the next sale.
These hangers were pretty bulky if you load them in their as-is box. I eventually learned, as is, only 3 boxes could fit a balikbayan box. And Hestia wanted 5-6 boxes. Oh boy, I figured. Bought only 2, coz I had only 2 hands. Will be back.
LSsS: Little Wonders and Home (Part 2)
When this song first came out, I thought it would be something that Hestia could dedicate to me. She was abroad often then, and I felt she did want to come home and be with me for good (hey, no joke, she did say that once upon a time) or at least hoped we could be together, even if elsewhere.
I'm staring out into the night,
Trying to hide the pain.
I'm going to the place where love
And feeling good don't ever cost a thing.
And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain.
Well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
Well I'm going home.
The miles are getting longer, it seems,
The closer I get to you.
I've not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love, it makes true.
And I don't know why.
You always seem to give me another try.
So I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don't want.
Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all, yeah.
Oh, well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.
I said these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
I'm going home.
They say Chris Daughtry wrote this for his wife. His stint on AI pulled him away from his home town to get to Hollywood and lead a career as a recording artist.
I used to think it could also work for Hestia, since she's a victim of her success professionally. And despite her efforts to want to be stationed locally so she could be at home and within easy reach of Annika, many people see her as someone else, or someone wanting something else.
As for me, this hit me the most:
I've not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love, it makes true.
And I don't know why.
You always seem to give me another try.
Hestia, I haven't been the perfect husband for you and the perfect father for Annika. But I thank you deeply for always having the love, keeping the faith and for always giving me another try. How many tries it will take, I don't know, but I sure hope to have learned something from each one.
Didn't think you'd cry when I left last week. But I'm pleasantly surprised you did.
I love you very much.
I'm staring out into the night,
Trying to hide the pain.
I'm going to the place where love
And feeling good don't ever cost a thing.
And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain.
Well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
Well I'm going home.
The miles are getting longer, it seems,
The closer I get to you.
I've not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love, it makes true.
And I don't know why.
You always seem to give me another try.
So I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don't want.
Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all, yeah.
Oh, well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.
I said these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
I'm going home.
They say Chris Daughtry wrote this for his wife. His stint on AI pulled him away from his home town to get to Hollywood and lead a career as a recording artist.
I used to think it could also work for Hestia, since she's a victim of her success professionally. And despite her efforts to want to be stationed locally so she could be at home and within easy reach of Annika, many people see her as someone else, or someone wanting something else.
As for me, this hit me the most:
I've not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love, it makes true.
And I don't know why.
You always seem to give me another try.
Hestia, I haven't been the perfect husband for you and the perfect father for Annika. But I thank you deeply for always having the love, keeping the faith and for always giving me another try. How many tries it will take, I don't know, but I sure hope to have learned something from each one.
Didn't think you'd cry when I left last week. But I'm pleasantly surprised you did.
I love you very much.
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