Nikki

December Things to Do: A Work in Progress

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:59:15 GMT

- Read AT LEAST three books for God's sake. Try to be less of a fail on the reading trail this year. (till December 31, 2009)
- Write special auntie a special letter for her 60th birthday scrapbook thing (till next week?)
- Write Boss an opening remark for the program (till TODAY)
- Write self a flex-script for her flexi-emceeing of said program (till TODAY)
- Make sure the packages make it before Christmas (till TODAY)
- Buy mom a birthday gift (till December 6, 2009)
- Buy new red top (till December 6, 2009)
- Try to make it alive (till December 9, 2009)

Obviously, only the shopping things got done.

Chipettes Fans, ANY?

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:42:16 GMT

I loved the Chipettes. I was a Brittany fan (the pissed one in pink), also adored that outfit.

Their rendition of Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold" is a tiny bit addicting.

(And IMHO better than the original.)

G.I.P.

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:45:57 GMT

Look at my new iconset!

I call it my HBIC set. :D

It's December. There is manic flailing. In that there are Many Things To Do, Very Few Books Read, and Little Productivity in General.

How is Your December looking like? *follows ittykat's survey style*

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:23:27 GMT

I'm not the biggest fan, not compared to the people I was waiting in line with who carried armfuls of his huge prints, Fables hardbounds, and Batman comic books. I got acquainted with him through Fables cbrs but needless to say I was mesmerized with his work and envious of this person's impeccable ability to interpret a story. So when Fully Booked announced he is coming, I planned to see this genius in person.

I only had his XOXO postcard book and 3-set journals with me. The postcard book was purchased a few weeks before the signing, (and was the only thing I could afford, shhh). On the other hand, the 3-set journals were what I was hoping for him to sign, but was out of the stock at the time I bought XOXO, but it so happened they had it stocked on the venue. These two are probably not a very sufficient testament of his work compared to his Process Recess stuff. But I thought to myself, as much as those are pretty to own, I'm quite sure they'll just end up gathering dust in our house (Two thousand bucks. Gathering Dust in our house.). So I'm very satisfied being that minor fan.

We arrived there at 10 am where there was just a very modest line, like something from Rustan supermarket cashier. When we got in, I got a stub (#13!) and about 4 more hours to the signing. So much love for my sister who was there to be an extra carrying hand, a photographer, the girl who made sure the stubs were kept, merrymaker extraordinaire, fun person <3. We wandered around Fully Booked, poking fun, or just discussing some book discoveries, then we went out to Brothers for lunch and indulged ourselves. We love food. We do. Then we walked around the Fort, window shopping and exploring, "act rich/asal mayaman" as Liv said and pretend not to go WOWZA at the prices we're seeing. There was much picturing, and then we just sat to wait for it to be 2 o clock.

It was lining up time when we came in, so excitement settled in. I was able to make acquaintances with some fans (and was very much dwarfed by the titles they were carrying with them) then I had to think about what I wanted him to sketch. He came in so very simply, I was expecting him to come from the entrance getting camera flashes and a huge round of applause and maybe some squeeings MAYBE A HELLO, but he simply came down from the elevator, wearing a smile, and people clapped for like...ten seconds? and then he plopped on the chair without much fanfare and everyone got quiet. He got to work. For all his brilliance and accomplishments, I was certainly expecting a grander entrance. But anyway.

I really don't have a favorite Fables character but I suppose having him do the 5 cubs will be cute. So the line moved, when it was my turn, I introduced myself, then he asked me what I want to be done.

Nikki: Actually I was wondering if you could sketch the 5 cubs....
James: 5 CUBS??
Nikki: OH then you can draw Snow!

So that's what I got. Then we had pictures of course! He put his hand on my shoulder so my :D face became :DDD-like. Then I shook his hand, telling him it was really a pleasure to meet him (....As against telling him how awesome he was and how I wish to have even a pinch of his talent.) He was quiet and reserved, but smiley, and just kept it cool.

Oh but to be that close to someone with such a great talent.

Who is James Jean? Ripping from wiki: A Taiwanese-American award winning artist and illustrator living in Los Angeles. An acclaimed cover artist for DC Comics, garnering seven Eisner awards, three consecutive Harvey awards, two gold medals and a silver from the Society of Illustrators of LA, and a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators of NY. His clients include Time Magazine, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Spin, ESPN, Atlantic Records, Target, Playboy, Knopf, Prada among others. He has also illustrated covers for the comic book series Fables and The Umbrella Academy, for which he has won six Eisner Awards for "Best Cover Artist".

Simply: Genius. Some of his work on display that my sister photographed:

once more with feeling!

2009 Bookfair

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:51:50 GMT

Because I want my own November challenge and this came in time.

We are totally sucking on the quota run though (so much so that I've completely forgotten how much we earned. We're somewhere around 25000, a far cry from the strong 31000 we got the last year during our 3rd day) for a variety of reasons (besides financial strain). To begin with, the arrangements this year haven't really been terrific....

1) All centers have their own bookfairs so no one is teamed up with us to help.

2) The coordinator assigned to us was different from last year, and she is basically fail. Wouldn't talk to us, see us, listen to us, or maybe, I dunno, support us? I only know her as a name jotted down on our bookfair form. It's so different from the last year's person in charge who loved books, who visited us once in a while to check our quota, even suggested products, and gave Nikki a bookhanger etc etc.

3) Also, the sales people who were assigned to us are just...dead all through-out. I hate that. They are selling wonderful products and they're just standing around.

Well, actually, the items are not as wonderful and interesting as the last years. For the kids, we got more obscure books than those that are actually classic/award-winning bestsellers. We also have TOO MUCH BARNEYS for comfort. The good ones were out of stock, they said. BAH. We were informed too late that a lot of other schools are all doing their fairs at the same time thus compromising our selections.

ALTHOUGH, to be fair, my personally requested selections made it. The young adult and "tween" selections are pretty decent. (We are also not talking about those boxes of Twilight sagas). I requested for the following:

Geronimo Stilton/ 39 Clues - The older kids just love these
Diary of a Wimpy Kid series - Because I've been very curious about this. I've been taking my free time reading these books. They're cute.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes - I haven't read this particular rendition but I love the story. I'm also glad people are actually buying it.
ANYTHING TO DO WITH DINOSAURS = $$$$$
Anything by Eric Carle/5 Little Monkeys/I Spy - Just isn't a kid's bookfair without them.
Love You Forever - Because all moms ~~and me~~ have a soft spot on it.
City of Ember - Intrigued about this.
Mommy? - Maurice Sendak and Pop-up books!
Legend of the Wandering King - Just stumbled upon this in the inventory list, seemed interesting!

Admittedly, bookfair excitement also dampened a little due to blarg-mnarg-woof circumstances at work. It's been unbearable this late. This schoolyear is just a mess with its tiny and big disasters from management down the line. It's a wonder how we are still afloat.

I'm still very much involved, largely because I know our salespersons won't actually sell their stuff. It's also a little dismaying that I seem to be the only one actively talking to parents, recommending them books and requesting for selections. There was more energy and participation before, definitely. That is what we lack this year. It's like people are taking this event for granted, just to get it over with. I know it's been sucky so far, but shouldn't we still try to reach our target? It's quite saddening.

Oh well, here's to 50K.

The Great Book Blockade 2009

Thu, 21 May 2009 14:49:03 GMT

I came across the story of The Great Book Blockade 2009 in passing and didn't read it then because it was...TMI (busygirlyouknow). So it was only when it was featured in the Yahoo! news page in a short and succinct article when I found out what it actually was. And safe to say I was dumbstruck and appalled that it's been happening right under my nose for a while.

The whole point is that all new books coming into the Philippines are being taxed right now, where they should not be due to what is called a Florence Treaty which the Philippines signed in the 1950s. From what I gather, it basically certifies that the Philippines is committed to tax-less books but this is no longer the case today as the Bureau of Customs are stressing that ONLY books that are educational, scientific and cultural related are tax-free. So what does this not allegedly exclude? Oh, just, you know, novels.

I...have no words.

And if there are, they were enough said by angry readers, bloggers, legislators among other personalities who are advocates of reading, education and literacy, all of them against this blatant suppression of book acquisition, and breaking international law.

AND know for sure that novels are actually educational, scientific, and cultural materials, tyvm.

The whole story is all documented here, and it is quite personal to me as a reader and a lover of books in the Philippines. So here I am, going all protest and self-righteous mode, WHICH of course is kind of sad too because I really don't bother much in any other aspects of government fail. BUT I SWEAR THEY TOUCH MAH BOOKS I PROMISE THIS WILL REALLY MEAN WAR. X(

P.S. Belatedly, I must thank everyone who responded in my February post. I meant to comment to you one by one to express my gratitute BECAUSE THEY WERE A BIG HELP but I thought I could not say it with justice X( For now, please accept my sincerest thanks to each one of you. I will write about the outcome....once it comes.

Advice please! Everyone's opinion counts!

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:44:47 GMT

My school directress boss (of two and a half years) is trying to give me a tailor-made job, which is really sweet come to think about it but I can't help but be really wary about. She says she wants to give me a job where I can put to use my "literary skills" to work and she actually repeats this in a variety of ways ("literary career", "literary talents"...) which is just another reason why I'm so worried about it. She wants me to do a lot of writing about the school full-time, and her idea about doing that is me going to different newspapers and magazine companies in the country and submit articles about the school on a regular basis. She wants me to be directly involved in the image-building of the school, and "Who knows! You may get discovered out there!"

So this is the thing: She does not know what the job is called. She keeps on thinking about it like it is at the tip of her tongue but can't properly define it.

Now my question is this, is there really actually a job like this? Someone who ~~whores herself~~ stalks newspaper/magazine places to submit articles about a school? I'm a regular reader of newspapers (despite the fact that I'm always one month behind) and I think articles about big schools/universities are rare as they go. The only regular appearances I remember of are enrollment or job opening ads. Does this even pass as an 8-5 job?

I think she may put me in charge of the website management (which ACTUALLY I'm already handling now even if it's not in my job description) and PROBABLY newsletters, circulars, and ads of the school will go through me (which again, I'm already doing, just unofficially).

And I think she'll want me to also work on doing "image-building" for her nursing school too.

Listing it down in a nutshell, my concerns are:

1. It is of my humble opinion that my boss does not understand what "literary" means, or maybe distinguish it with "journalistic". Or how writing careers work butthenagainneitherdoI. But I think I know better than my boss and here she is, trying to look like an expert about it.
2. She doesn't know what my job title is. .___.
3. And if the title is vague, the job description looks even vaguer.
4. Thereby giving a lot of possibilities of exploitation (I mean, guys, our computer technician is our plumber/electrician/delivery boy/messenger...).
5. And maybe I'll end up doing marketing which is...different right? Pls don't make me go to home associations, asking for permits to post tarpaulins, or different food establishments to distribute flyers about the school, OR TV stations ._.
6. I can't stand her husband. Her husband is driving me absolutely nuts. He almost made us publish an ad using a copyright image and he thinks it's fine and does not listen to us at all. Did I mention he makes no sense?

I really plan to negotiate to the boss about this but I think I need to arm myself of info. Which is why I come to you all. I THINK the closest job title to this is a "publicist" but is there really a publicist just for a school? Especially a small school such as ours?

The only reason why I'm giving this much thought is that I would be assured of a job (with a higher salary, the boss promised). Whether it will help me in my career or not, is still a big question mark.

So I ask, enlighten me pls.!

taken from my lovely Aussie friends

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:33:48 GMT

1. Take a picture of your bag.
2. Now dump everything out and neatly adjust them, and take a picture
3. Talk about the items inside.
4. Everyone should try this shiz out. It's so cool.

My bag, on my mom's bed, and my sister's hand. Bow. It is one of those brand new imported bags that my godmother could find no use of (prolly coz THERE'S A LOT OF THEM?) and so Nikki happily accepted this as her own. The brand is progres.

Currently, this bag stores (from l-r) a fan that I bought but don't really use, the book that I am reading at the moment (Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard book! I've waited months for this. It's so fancy and photogenic right thar.), my wallet (which is a Christmas gift from a parent and most probably fake, shh. I don't have any other wallets.), my cellphone (II, the one I'm using often was in my pocket. This particular one in the photo is what I use for work and IMing/texting my online buddies. My sister gave it to me last 2 Christmases ago.) annnnnnd my bag organizer of STUFF which I will be talking about in photo 3 below!

STUFF. The bag organizer also came from a parent last Christmas. I didn't realize how much I desperately needed one until I started using it. I probably won't be doing this meme if I had no bag organizer, because I'd be so ashamed to. I'm such a pig when it comes to my belongings. So imagine how my life had drastically changed after I started using it. It makes my life tremendously easier (I didn't realize how much time I was wasting looking for my stuff in my jungle of a bag).

Moving on to the contents! From left to right that's my anti-mosquito OFF lotion (which I don't really use too, but it makes me feel a little bit safer in a girl scout way?), my cellphone, my latest ATM transaction receipt (so I can keep track if have enough money to buy a Nintendo DSi)...and that's Burt's Bees Lip Balm on top of it ( one of the three lip accessories I have, why yes! I am quite vain with my lips!). Next is a cute jelly bug notepad which has not been used yet (and that is only because I have ANOTHER notepad in use up there, the Panasonic one which I took from a teacher...with permission). Then an Estee Lauder blush on and Nichido face powder (for when I need to look presentable!) my reliable Saphir click pen, a matte pad which I also got from a parent that I have not opened yet and a tiny Johnson's baby powder bottle for emergency refreshments.

Besides the Panasonic pad are my two lipsticks, the first if I want to ~~intimdate people~~ look older than my age and the second if I want to act my age :B. Both of them are Maybelline because my lips won't take any other. The lipstick case is a thoughtful present from my Assistant Directress. NEXT is my can't-live-without Mentos gum pack and the two bottles next to it are my perfume (dream angels desire--one of those staple souvenirs from the uncles in the U.S.) and powder-scented Beauty Bar hand sanitizer (again, from a parent. You know sometimes, they DO make my life complete. They really sometimes do.)

Still inside my bag organizer is my reading light (from my sister, which I haven't really used yet :( but I swear I will which is why I'm taking it everywhere. One will never know when I'll be stuck somewhere dark and would have nothing to do but read!) and my napkin kit, for when it's red alert day.

My wallet has, like my bag and bag organizer, a frickin' LOT of pockets. It's kind of cool but in the longer run...not very practical...especially if you're on the cashier and you go looking around for things while there's a long line behind you. Also, I have too many pockets, but too few cards. Namely: Laking National card (a bookstore advantage card...which is my mom's actually but clearly the person who gets robbed in the bookstore is me) and beside it the Fully Booked discount card (a cooler bookstore advantage card in that it gives 10% discount in any book purchase--and I got this one for free. No receipts accumulated. Nada. Just acting prowess. I'm serious. heterotopic and sillue know that I can also be a cranky customer.) On the lower portion: my Philhealth card, my expired Alumni card, and the most important of all, my ATM card. Hidden here is my Blood type ID, employee ID (which isn't actually valid because my supervisor signed where my signature is supposed to be...no further comment). In the middle is my BIR card, my only valid ID. I used it to encash a check once and the teller stared at it and went, "You look like some little girl her mom sent to buy soy sauce and oil at the nearby sari sari store".

Y'know, while doing this meme, I began wondering about certain things that I was expecting to show up here but aren't...here. So I grabbed the bag again and inspected the pockets (the bag and the organizer combined has pocket universes) and lookee here!

See. Pocket Universes. No, actually, some of these came from my OTHER bags which as it happens, haven't been emptied out yet. So I was going, "SO THAT'S WHERE IT IS!!" a lot. This meme is a lifesaver and Nikki never learns.

From left, my tissue holder, my swiss knife (from my sister! Some time soon it WILL be useful.) an expired Pasto card (I think [Bad username: honest_illusions] might remember that...YEAH It's still with me!), my payslip (yes.), below that is the McDonalds Year of the Ox Red Envelope Coupons, a ponytail (which I won't be needing in a while...) and a calling card of the salon I'm recently going to. To the right is ANOTHER lip accessory (an Avon lip gloss, not Maybelline, but it's fairly safe...), my work keys (I open and close the darned place.) and my house keys (with the Beijing Olympics mascots!) and there I decided to get a pic of my other cellphone (Samsung D900i, which I adore. It is not touch screen but it is pretty and has radio!)

ETA: I love how this bag meme made people (especially online ones!) more real!

ETA2: It also perfectly deceives people into thinking that I am an organized person.

2008 in review

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:20:07 GMT

1.) Was 2008 a good year for you?
"It was fine" sounds to be the best way to sum it up. Regretfully.

2.) What was your favorite moment of the year?
My mind totally is blanking out on the last months like they never happened at all. o_o So I'm choosing our children's musical. I was immersed in it for a while and it came out well.

3.) What was your worst moment of the year?
September, my uncle got killed.

4.) Where were you when 2008 began?
Bedroom, in my jammies.

5.) Who were you with?
Family.

6.) Where will you be when 2008 ends?
Bedroom, in my jamies.

7.) Who will you be with when 2008 ends?
Family.

8.) What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Why it's all coming back...

Go to Tagaytay Highlands
Help set up two bookfairs
Emcee our Graduation program - In Quezon City Sports Club, I did the script till 2 am, woke up at 5 am, wanted to collapse all day.
Emcee a wedding - A cousin's, before the cousin assigned to do it got "ill".
The Souvenir Program in Hotel Bethlehem - A project I never thought I could do myself. For three months I've been working on that night and day, layout, concept, ads...all!
Ate in Sofitel! - By accompanying an aunt in a wedding
Ate at the Manor! - A dream come true
Ordered online - To find those Christmas gifts
Read 25 books - I'll do better next time.
Had a camera through my nose
Won a set of Moleskine notebooks - Through a raffle. They're really thin and small though. Else I would have hoorayed about it in an entry.
Had my first office outing - To CME, Rizal, and evaded sunburn!!
Sold my laptop
Wore black!

9.) Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
No :( But I'll try again this year.

10.) Did anyone close to you give birth?
A cousin and a teacher

11.) Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, well, only because we're really close with the aunt.

12.) Did you travel outside of the US in 2008?
13.) How many different states did you travel to in 2008?

14.) What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
~~FAME.~~ A family vacation or a career.

15.) What date(s) from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
8/8/8 :D

16.) What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I'd say the Souvenir program

17.) What was your biggest failure?
That I keep slacking off.

18.) Did you suffer any illness or injury?
Thank goodness no. There was a time when my nose bled a lot but it's okay now!

19.) What was the best thing you bought?
A fricking lot of books, which I'm proud of. This year is book shopping year. And of course, Reiji my laptop :D Last year was my Nintendo DS, you didn't need to know that.

20.) Whose behavior merited celebration?
Certain people at work.

21.) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Certain people at work.

22.) Where did most of your money go?
Books and the laptop. And Meralco.

23.) What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Traveling (Tagaytay & Baguio), our musical, the bookfairs and buying my new laptop

24.) What song will always remind you of 2008?
It must be that Beyonce song, or Coldplay's "Vida la Vida".

25.) Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier - this year was much easier
ii. thinner or fatter? Here and there!
iii. richer or poorer? I'm inclined to say poorer because I bought so many things!

26.) What do you wish you'd done more of?
Reading and writing

27.) What do you wish you'd done less of?
Slacking off and eating!

28.) How had you spent Christmas?
With family through the usual reunions, gift giving and opening, and more books! With friends, through the overnight stay, which was special this time of the year :D

29.) Did you fall in love in 2008?
No

30.) If yes, with who?
31.) If yes, do they know?
32.) Are you still in love with them?
33.) You regret it?
34.) Did you breakup with anyone in 2008?
35.) How many one-night stands?
36.) How many people did you sleep with in 2008?

37.) Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I think the people I dislike now are people I just met this year.

38.) Did you make any new friends in 2008?
Yes indeed.

39.) Who are your favorite new friends?
She is actually my Assistant Directress, who I should treat more formally. But she's been sweet and awesome, and certainly made me look forward to working.

40.) What was your favorite month of 2008?
December I suppose, oh April was not bad!

41.) Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Some of my online friends I suppose

42.) Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Quite a lot at work I'm sure

43.) What was the worst lie someone told you in 2008?
Nothing that I recall of

44.) Did you treat somebody badly in 2008?
Yes. Certain people at work.

45.) Did somebody treat you badly in 2008?
Yes. Certain parents at work.

46.) What was your proudest moment of 2008?
Souvenir Program again

47.) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008?
It just won't cross my mind right now. When I yelled at the boss's son thinking he was the technician?

48.) What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don't have any o_o This is particularly embarassing. I was thinking of trying out Corrinne May, but I haven't yet. I've always been a radio girl, so I stick with spontaneous tunes.

49.) What did you want and get?
A new laptop.

50.) What did you want and not get?
A PSP ;D

51.) What was your favorite new film of this year?
Iron Man

52.) What was your favorite TV program?
Amazing Race Asia 3, and a Korean drama.

53.) What was your favorite record from 2008?
None, I feel unexciting.

54.) How many concerts did you see in 2008?
None, I feel uninteresting.

55.) Did you have a favorite concert in 2008?
56.) Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2008?
No. 53 and no. 54 answer.

57.) Did you do a lot of drugs in 2008?
Just vitamins, and an added dosage of Vitamin C for the nose.

58.) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Fed my officemates, ate outside with the family. I'm 24.

59.) What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I wrote some more, and maybe tried to earn more money.

60.) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
2008 is hairband year. Everyone can attest to this ;D

61.) What kept you sane?
Family and friends. And writing. My journal and laptop are depositories of work rants.

62.) Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Closest to this would be Nicole Kidman.

63.) How much money did you spend in 2008?
Huge amounts, because of the laptop, and my books

64.) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
"Yes we can" indeed, dammitliv. My sister is the more productive of us two and she has proven what a striving person can do.

65.) What are your plans for 2009?

Reassess my career
Try to be a student again
Travel with my family
Actually commit myself to writing something for real life submission
Buy the Nintendo DSi
Finish Zelda *eyeshift*
Read 50 books!
Go to Enchanted Kingdom

66.) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Why don't you do something?" hah.

toshi_07 AND pionna, CONGRATULATIONS! I'm so so thrilled! FANGIRL

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 02:06:50 GMT

Counting the ways

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:16:12 GMT

Things that Nikki are belatedly thankful of this Christmas 2008

(a.k.a. Nikki's last minute attempt to get into a Christmasy mood before the day totally slips away from her fingers as it often does to all. Boo grown-up life.)

1. Good will - It was a parent who first greeted me, "Merry Christmas". Yes. There were really nice parents this year. There are the bad apples but still the good ones are there to stay. I wish I was able to reciprocate their greetings with some of my most well-meaning smiles.

2. The weather outside - As the local Christmas song goes, "malamig ang simoy ng hangin" (or "the breeze at night is cool" yes I can be bilingual! Burger! Burger!). We used to mock this phrase a lot because it feels like summer every December this late, but this year it has really been cool, to the point that I've been favoring warm water and I'm bathing under scalding water...It just feels right.

3. Presents Under the Tree - Despite the crisis that cripples the world right now, there are still presents to open on the 25th! I also had three boxes of brownies, a box of banana loaf, plus a box of muffins, all of which had been underappreciated. I usually ~~leave nothing to my family~~ eat to my heart's content but I had been so tired last week I wanted to sleep dinner off even.

4. Decors - We don't have a tree this year, but we have something that could stand for it. For all our humble ornaments are worth, they're still there. Better something than nothing!

5. Hotel Bethlehem - I think our children's musical is one of the best retelling of the Christmas story. A very effective reminder without having to hammer your head about. It gives a warm and hopeful feeling this time of the year, as proper.

6. Here Together - It still makes me sad that we won't have our annual exchange gift between cousins this year. It's been a tradition that everyone is looking forward to. More than the gifts, I think it's the link the gift-giving is able to establish that I'll miss the most. We're a huge family and we don't really meet each other often, but at least once a year we think of what to give to one another, and make a connection. Why, in the more distant past, we used to give every cousin a gift! But then, times have definitely changed. STILL, the dinner is there, and we still have each other.

7. Faithful Friends - Besides having family to spend the Holidays with, there are friends from all over. Every year there are more people to share Christmas with. The more people to greet, the better :D My long-time friends, newfound friends from work, and even newly re-found old friends. I had also a total of over three ~~stressful~~ Christmas Parties and well, at least the spirit of celebration is there to stay. I have two more gatherings to go.

(This list is so perfect for me.)

I have two weeks off. My mom demands that I clean my drawers, but I've been severely bed-spoilt.

Dec. 22 - Vacation Start, dinner with Liv's godfather from San Francisco
Dec. 23 - Last minute shoppings
Dec. 24 - Christmas Mass, Noche Buena and I hope more last minute shopping (for self)
Dec. 25 - It's Christmas! Gifts opening!
Dec. 26 - Overnight with friends
Dec. 27 - Possibly attending a children's party here
Dec. 28 - Tentative date for grandma's postponed birthday dinner I think?
Dec. 29 - Jan. 5 - Time for you to do something life improving, Nikki.

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:48:42 GMT

77900.50 / 50000 words. 156% ovah za roofz!

The sales rocketed this day! Over 25T earned! If we count all the sales we contributed to other branches, I'm pretty sure we'll earn way over 80-85T.

But it's good that it ended, for we have no more money! (I ended up not getting Harriet too, which is best.)

Before I could say a proper farewell to the fair, the staff, and the books though, my mind's already preoccupied about Next Week (insert ominous tone) Neeeeext Weeeeeeeeeeek. I am trying to think less about doom.

Belated Happy Birthday dyaniera and heterotopic!

YES WE DID!

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:54:30 GMT

53221.50 / 50000 words. 106% way way done!

My legs hurt from running up and down. ._. I have to, if I want to make any semblance of work and promote the bookfair. It was also the Kids' Christmas Party today, and there were so many crap to rush. I was selling things, distributing food, going up and down to answer calls, photocopying, etc etc.

Anyway, we reached quota! It's the best that we can hope for (last year we actually made twice as much), but we'll keep on boosting our sales (and pimpin') on our last day to get more books in the library.

At the same time, we're going to help the three other branches meet quota, so consequently I made more additional purchases. Yeah, I'm not doing a great job in keeping my budget tight.

I bought:
1) Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
2) Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

That makes for 6 new YA books (that I usually won't buy in a bookstore...all for a good cause!).

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:56:43 GMT

OUR BOOKFAIR QUOTA

41145 / 50000 words. 18% left!

We are making it!! The day started out rather slow but we had a boost during the dismissal and afternoon classes. Friday and Saturday will be certified busy days so I'm pretty excited!

Still, this may be the school's last bookfair in a while. All of our 4 branches must make it to the quota and I think 2 of these are not doing so hot. I'm helping one of them by buying a couple of books (our former ally).

Yes, I haven't actually bought anything yet *eyeshift*. I'm waiting till Saturday. But I'm almost sure to buy the following:

1. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry - From the other branch
2. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale - From the other branch (I KNOW. Everyone thinks it's a stupid book because of the title but hey, it won the Newbery and...the reviews are quite raving. I'm intrigued!)
3. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh - I used to have this, but my mom gave a lot of my books during my young adult days and so I was not able to read (why she did it, she could not even remember!!). It was even the movie version.
4. Getting Near to Baby by Audrey Couloumbis - I like sister books.

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:46:14 GMT

OUR BOOKFAIR QUOTA

31245 / 50000 words. 62% to go!

Pressure allowed us to boost our sales and be even more aggressive. We're trying to reach out to the community and I hope it's not too late to get results from these.

We have more books that need to be loved and taken home.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I can't wrap to save my life :( (the same way that I can't fold anything, or cook, or press clothes, or do the laundry...I'm pretty much hopeless in domesticity).

2. Real tree or Artificial?
As long as there's something remotely resembling a Christmas tree!

3. When do you put up the tree?
Early December. We are just the right kind of excited. :D

4. When do you take the tree down?
After 3 Kings I think. It's always a sad occasion.

5. Do you like eggnog?
No, not that I ever had it. But I don't think, no.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
On top of my head, a doll, Polly Pocket, Game Gear...but the Game Gear was definitely longer lasting.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
The parents

8. Easiest person to buy for?
This year, my secret santa recipient. :D (No honestly, I didn't buy. It just fell from the skies, to my table. No srsly).

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
No room for a bed...I think I remember mentioning this a meme ago...Am I doing the same meme again??

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail comes from the heart!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A wall clock that looks only appropriate on a Hospital wall and a wallet that seems to fit an 80 year old.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Home Alone! Its soundtrack is THE Christmas soundtrack.

13. When do you start shopping
Early-mid-December. I procrastinate I lot.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Uhm, yes. But, in all the best intentions *eyeshifts* And you wont ever know which. And it's not you don't worry.

15. Favorite thing to eat/drink at Christmas?
Fiesta Ham and Grandma's Spaghetti.

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes, but I pay for the electricity so...It matters little :D

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Silver Bells and some Jose Mari Chan songs.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Travel after Christmas and freeze in Baguio y/y.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?
Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Cupid...Rudolph?

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star is what I'm used to!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Morning. Coz nothing else happens on the 25th ;D

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Stress. X( Everything has to be rushed and there's always so little time.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I'm not...really choosy, because I'm not the one who decorates!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Spaghetti!!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
A graduate degree scholarship.

UHM, somehow I still can't come up with this properly. Books have always made me happy, so do notebooks, pretty things, unusual things, geeky things, thoughtful things, Nintendo DS things...Maybe a new bag, wallet or a funky wristwatch too?

EDIT: I should never do a meme while I'm sleepy.

Yes we can.

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:00:22 GMT

OUR BOOKFAIR QUOTA

14445 / 50000 pesos. 81% to go!

Actually, that isn't encouraging. Last February I think we're already at 19T by our second day. We were hoping that we'd get more sales because it's Christmas but I suppose there's the profiles and the conditions of the current customers to consider. I don't think our parents are as book savvy unlike last year where we had parents buying everyday till Saturday. Then there's the economic situation and of course, we do not have the help of one of the centers who gave us a boost (they are kicking ass on their own bookfair. Everyone's earning more than we do actually.)

So HRM.

Tomorrow would seem to be another slow day too, since we are not expecting afternoon students.

Nevertheless, we still have 4 days to go and I fervently believe in our products. There's this colorful gossipy book on extraordinary women, the Horrible Histories series, The Giving Tree, Calvin & Hobbes, Noah's Ark Finger puppets, I still don't know what to think about 39 Clues...I wish I have a reason to buy the books for gifts but there's...just no one.

So uhm, bottom line. Pls to be dropping by, or be invitin' if you're around :D I can shop for you even!

We have new titles coming tomorrow (by order of me, and them too of course). So that would be fun tiemz.

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:36:46 GMT

We're selling

1. Tales of Beedle the Bard (Php 545)
2. Harry Potter set (Get a 800 peso worth book hanger free!) No Deathly Hallows though :(
3. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
4. 39 Clues
5. Calvin & Hobbes books
6. Way lot more.

Will update.

You can get a 10% discount for these through me :)

Lots of New Books!

Book swimming!

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:32:24 GMT

The books are here! The books are here!

Scholastic Bookfair comes to us again this Monday, December 8, 2008 (till the 13th). Despite creeping closer to our Christmas program week (aka clobberin' time week), I can't wait for next week to come around, when we'll be able open all those 7 bookcases and see what they have in store.

It's that one thing we need to light us up after an otherwise grueling and nasty week. (Ho-rrible parents. The kids', not mine.) So at least, I think, we're going to have a much happier week ahead. Before hell breaks loose.

No, think positive.

I also got so amazed to find out that we will be selling The Tales of Beedle the Bard by JKR! It's in a taped box in school right now (I gave a tip there didn't I). I'm like, "Wow, a LOT of people would love to have these RIGHT NOW." It's just sitting there, innocent and hot off international shipment. A box like any. And we'll be like exclusive distributors :DDDDDDD

Here's to 50T next week and selling the most books like last year (we overtook the leading branch :D)! But it will be much more challenging this time. One of our strong 'allies' will become a 'competitor'. Plus, the parent who bought a good chunk of our books including a Harry Potter box set isn't around anymore.

But still, fight fight fight!

Christmas lists!

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:25:49 GMT

It appeared I prophesied the end of my NaNoBloPoMo a few entries back. There is reason for that...in another entry!

Today we picked out our Secret Santa/exchange gift wishlists for our office Christmas party this coming December 19. I actually cheated, and picked two times (*eyeshift*) and I got away with it because I made myself in charge of the selection. I have a good reason though! The first wishlist I got was 'pili & cashew nuts' which is so easily available (why this person would rather get nuts for Christmas, I do not comprehend.) thus I decided to do charity to my fellow workmates by sparing them the hassle of finding more challenging presents and just choose this simple request. :D :D

Seriously though, I wanted an excuse to shop for the present in a mall. Pili and cashew nuts, I can just get a big bag of it in the market.

The wishlist I stuck with is a choice between a Daily Planner (with corresponding scriptures), Body Shop toiletries, and a cologne from a well-known boutique. Pretty much available everywhere! I'll most likely buy the planner, because that would give me a valid excuse to linger in a bookstore. Besides, I have not heard of anything in Body Shop on sale for less than 200 pesos. Colognes are so ubiquitous.

My own wishlist is a choice between a thick writing notebook (I LOVE NOTEBOOKS. I'd be so pleased if my Secret Santa gets to find my next journal. The reason why I didnt put in 'journal' is because I don't want to end up getting an accounting notebook.), a new computer cleaning kit/material, and the easiest but in no way less valuable: bookstore gift certificates.

Ultimately, I did not choose food :( but I was really about to make an exception with Kraft Handisnacks because I haven't seen them in ages. I'M SO OBSESSED WITH HANDISNACKS. The last time I saw these was in Hi-Top grocery a year ago, and they were already expiring (I bought them and gobbled them in a week anyways. Greediness knows no bound.) I was told it's available in Hypermarket (by a teacher who I sent on an errand after seeing one student taking Handisnacks to school) but I haven't verified that yet.

NEXT WEEK: BOOK FAIR!

P.S. And thanks so much to people who encouraged me with the blogging. It's good to know that my entries could be worth reading :D

P.P.S. What do you give to your moms for their birthdays?

NaBloPoMo # 10: Make a Wish

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:01:21 GMT

What can you buy with 200 pesos? (That's 2 pounds, 4 US dollars or 6 Aussie dollars)

In this year's company exchange gift we're allowed to indicate what we want to receive given that amount. So far I thought of a new notebook for journal writing purposes, Powerbooks gift cards (or NBS gift certificates), a computer cleaning cloth, or a hat. Although it's also nice to receive a fat bag of chocolate and chips...

No actually, what I seriously want to put in is a Barbie doll, but I don't know if those are sold within that price tag or what I'll do with it after. The lulz it would ensue would be so much worth it though.

The past two years I got a wallet and a clock, both of which raise doubts as far as 'unisexualness' is concerned.

SO, how about you guys? What do you prefer to receive or buy in this amount? Curious minds.

NaBloPoMo # 9: The Invasion

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:29:53 GMT

Seventh mouse was caught today.

First mouse was caught last Thursday, it was also the fastest. It got stuck in the flytrap a few minutes before I laid it. Well, we thought that was it then.

Second mouse breezed by last Friday in the same way as first mouse did. At first it seemed an illusion, but when I just happened to move my bed next day (that's a Saturday) I heard a squeak that kept on sounding even when I stepped away from the bed. True enough, a mouse was caught in one of my bed posts. It was a pitiful sight like all the mice we caught. PETA won't be happy at all, but who cares about PETA anyway. They are pests and they are not welcome. Dad slid the fly paper in and we got it.

Third mouse came when we thought it's all over. This time it's in Liv's room. We couldn't believe our eyes, it was stuck in between her tables. Our last fly trap went to that.

By the time fourth mouse came, we ran out of ammunitions and had to buy some next day. Sunday, I believe (and I am losing track here) it was caught outside our room, on the floor leading to the stairs. Absolutely nothing has prepared us for an outbreak. Never have we encountered a rodent infestation that was more than two incidents in one day. After the fourth mouse we were already thinking about a fifth.

Fifth mouse slid in our trash can, and out it went.

Sixth mouse was the tiniest, it also slid in the trash can. According to the wiki, a litter of mice is usually five to six. We had hoped the tiniest mouse was the last of them.

But when we went home after Bond, we saw the flytrap was moved from its place. Liv was quick to see droppings on the laundry basket nearby. The flytrap also had a bald spot, the spot was as big as say...a mouse that got away.

Last night Liv went all out and placed flytraps all over her room, which were the mice's favorite hang-out. Today a mouse was seen on one of them. Whether it was the mouse that got away after Bond, we don't know.

Much as we like for it to be the last, we are ready to expect another mouse. Butlet007bethelast.

...Or maybe it's the same mouse over and over again.

NaBloPomo # 8: Denial and Agent Mice

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:18:07 GMT

This coming week is going to be something like, "DO NOT DISTURB ME OR I'LL CHEW YOUR HEAD OFF YOUR NECK" week.

At work, of course.

I am just 20% to completing our play's Souvenir Program. There are ads to do, actual content to put up, CROPPING (which may be the death of me), and then putting all pages together. I don't know if I will live to see it printed afterwards. If I can do this nonstop (a.k.a. "With all due respect, shut up boss. I'm doing my job") then maybe it will make it. I would like to be left in an isolated room and come out only by 5 PM.

We watched "Quantum of Solace" today. It was very straight to the point. I like that. The intro was stunning. There were a lot of locations and local flavors going about too. It was very nice. I was more like "If James Bond is our mouse at home, we'll never catch it ;_;" (which btw, has not ended yet. We are catching our seventh mouse........oh wait, holy crap.)

That chihuahua movie by Disney is also utterly ridiculous. I couldn't stand it. Superhero dog movies too. Do we really really need more of them?

~~...And THIS very entry is number 7 too.~~

EDIT: Oh, this is entry 8. I know how to count rly *eyeshift*

NaBloPoMo # 7 : Baits

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:20:15 GMT

It's amazing how this posting challenge has totally compelled me to get up from bed and post in fears of lagging another time around.

Just a couple of hours ago, I had been to a party in this big gorgeous house. I'll know how to describe architectural details next time. I volunteered myself as my mom's companion at the prospect of a delicious dinner, not knowing who was celebrating his birthday, where it is or what will happen. Right now I'm still not sure who he is, just that his family was quite close to my grandma. I was pretty much an intruder feigning to be lady-like and responsive in Fukien. But they were all very gracious since I'm my mom's daughter. They all thought I'm still 17.

Actually, this post isn't supposed to be about getting dinner baited, it's meant to be about baiting mice in the house following a sudden outbreak. Needless to say we are pulling our hair out in frustration. I swear we'll find that last mouse then I can tralala about it in a blog entry.

NaBloPoMo # 6: Wearing Black II

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:12:16 GMT

I was gawking at Liv awhile ago because everyone showed up in fabulous black clothes that put mine into great shame.

I'm not talking about the shirt too, which wasn't allowed. I found this semi off-shoulder semi-sleeved shirt with strings along its sleeves from another hand-me-down bag. It was plain as plain can be. Everyone else showed up in ribbons, ruffles and balloony cutesy things that made me want to choose to wear my Halloween outfit instead. Everyone also had mascara, eye-liner, eyelash curler, and blush ons that it made my powder + lipstick combination feel lowly. I totally didn't prepare to be shot.

Anyway, they did say Nicole Kidman was popularizing the Snow White complexion look. I let the hairband do all the decoratives. Picture to follow once I retrieve my USB from work.

I am fully determined, come December, that I will be dressed to the nines. Even if all I have to do then is be extra courteous to parents. Maybe I'll wear a lot of eyeliner so I can look intimidating.

That or I'll look like a Tarsier.

NaBloPoMo # 5: Wearing Black

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:44:55 GMT

Me and the teachers will all be wearing black at work tomorrow, which is one of the THOU SHALT NOT unwritten laws in the office, because it's unlucky says our Chinese admin. (Asthoughwedohavesomesemblanceofluckatwork /rant). We're having a photoshoot for the souvenir program of our first Christmas musical. Since I'm doing the program, I do demand to appear in that booklet as part of the production team.

Greatly influenced by family and tradition despite the fast-changing times, I don't wear a lot of black if it's not Halloween. But because of Halloween I do keep some fancy-looking black clothes, all of them coming from hand-me-downs by older cousins. I don't remember having a single black top that I have purchased or that has been purchased for me, with the exception of those that have mixtures of white or are dark gray.

The black outfit we have to wear has to have sleeves, which presented a predicament to me. The clothes I have are mostly spaghetti-strapped or completely strapless. Then I remembered the t-shirt of my university's Literary Society which I have totally buried and tried to forget (but still kept at the event that I do need a black shirt...like now). It's actually a popular shirt, but I really don't like how it was done largely because...I was involved in its creation. Thus I am cringy at it. I was so sure then that the adviser or at least one of our professors would ban the idea but before I knew it, the shirt was already printed.

So I managed to find it and I suppose I have no other choice but to wear it. Maybe I'll lean on the wall or sit down most of the time (Me? Sitting down at work? I wish.). But I'm confident it'd be the first and the last time I'll have to wear it. Next time I'll buy a new black top that I can wear beyond Halloween.

Nikki

December Things to Do: A Work in Progress

Chipettes Fans, ANY?

G.I.P.

2009 Bookfair

The Great Book Blockade 2009

Advice please! Everyone's opinion counts!

taken from my lovely Aussie friends

2008 in review

toshi_07 AND pionna, CONGRATULATIONS! I'm so so thrilled! *FANGIRL*

Counting the ways

YES WE DID!

Yes we can.

Book swimming!

Christmas lists!

NaBloPoMo # 10: Make a Wish

NaBloPoMo # 9: The Invasion

NaBloPomo # 8: Denial and Agent Mice

NaBloPoMo # 7 : Baits

NaBloPoMo # 6: Wearing Black II

NaBloPoMo # 5: Wearing Black

toshi_07 AND pionna, CONGRATULATIONS! I'm so so thrilled! FANGIRL