Giddy With Excitement

I just finished watching the Harry Potter Movie at SM IMAX. Its the new IMAX and I must say, I was giddy with excitement. I woke early (earlier for me than usual, 11am) and rushed to SM. When I arrived, there is already a line at the IMAX lane and there is no guarantee that I would be able to watch the movie at IMAX since surely there are reservations made for the movie. When I was at the front of the line, the cashier told me that the next screening is already sold-out, the next after that is not. Then, I saw the seats left. Front seats are for those who want to strain their necks. The next screening was at 8:25 pm and as I scan the seats, lo and behold, there is a seat at the last row. Perfect! I said to myself, sometimes it pays to be alone watching movies at this type of cinema. I paid the cashier and since I was giddy with excitement, I decided to while 8 hours of my time at SM.

I was like a young boy twiddling his fingers trying to figure out where to go. I window shopped, ate lunch, and played games. I even visited the new SM Annex which I can say a far improvement from what it was used to be with good layout of non-food stores on one side and food stores on the other and the 4th and 5th floor was reserved for the former Cyberzone which seemed bigger. I also looked into the Sky Garden which I say is a nice idea but since it gets most of the pollution and heat, I do not recommend it. The Ampitheater was a nice addition to the Sky Garden. However, the garden was just tiny area compared to the whole lot. It was more an additional dining area and party venue than a garden. After walking for almost 5 hours, I decided to enter the IMAX area where a lounge awaits the patrons (though the sofas are not enough for the moviegoers. When the time arrived for them to let us enter the theater, I scrambled and ended up first in line. I said to myself, what do they care? I am climbing to the highest row and it would be best if I go up first.

As I walked my way up, I can't help but remember my first IMAX experience. I sat in the middle rows and have to crane my neck up. It was a waste of money and time (I watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix). I also strained my neck. This time, even if the movie is ain't worth a dime, I won't strain my neck. Despite the 8:25 pm time stamp on my ticket, the movie did not start until it was around 8:40. The reason, there are just a few ushers and they mislabeled the rows. People had a hard time looking for their seats and some just did not look at all. Others were simply late. For that, most were caught unaware that the movie will start. Nevertheless, when the lights were turned off, silence emanated.

In the end, the wait was all worth it! The movie was brilliant and I was more than happy with the outcome. In the end, I was still giddy with excitement when it ended.

*Reminder to all those going to reserved seats cinemas: Please look into your tickets so we won't waste time. In addition, do arrive at least 20 minutes before the time stamp. For cinema owners, please close the door on the latecomers. A movie starting late can sometime ruin the experience.*

Read more!

MeMay's last event

Since it has been announced, I will blog it. MeMay is leaving us to spend time to fulfill her dream and for me it is the best dream a woman can have. As Sushmita Sen said, this is the essence of being a woman, if I understood it correctly.

July 3 and 4 2009 was the fourth time our team handled the Managers' TB for the unit. The theme was "chillax". This would be the last time we will have heated discussions, arguments, creative inputs, putting forward ideas, etc. Though the event was a success according to the feedback and word of mouth received, the team will still lose a vital cog in our creative and implementations team. MeMay for the past 4 years assisted in ensuring that the logistics of the event went smoothly. She provided her inputs regarding implementations for the production. She is our guide in ensuring necessary technical equipments, materials, props, and other effects are present. Even if we are working in a "non-event production" company, she never forgot her roots. Her suggestion and experience made it easier for us to love this tedious task. Despite the tasks we need to do, the team behind the event was able to chill because she always ensure that we are all "flowing". It is the first event were no hard feelings were displayed. It was truly a fun night.

After the event, I realized that it would be her last with us and it would be a scary thought and scary unknown. Then, I think that what she is doing is for her happiness then we cannot be sad but be happy. As the theme of the teambuilding goes, we need to chillax because we will still be able to meet in different venues and places. After all, our team knows the meaning of "chill".

Read more!

I Heart Baguio!

4 Baguio trips in 6 months...I truly heart Baguio. People wonder why we go there and what we do there. My common reply, I go to SM, hang-out at Starbucks, window shop and shop, do groceries and watch a movie. Their common retort, "as if you can't do that here in Manila". My reply, in Baguio, the climate is amazing that you can walk to places, the fare is cheap and you do all these things without worrying about time. No matter what, I truly heart Baguio and so are my kaladmates.

First Baguio Trip: Jan 30 to Feb 2

This is the first "kalad". Ros, ZsaZsa, Jaymee, Ken and Jen were my "kaladmates". We stayed in Tahak este Tacay Road. The place is near SM (that is if you know how to air-walk). True, "abot-tanaw ang SM" but it takes 70 pesos via taxi to reach it (by Baguio fare standard - it is a bit far). I thank my sister for recommending the place. Great! Do I recommend the place? The house is beautiful with cute Shih Tzu smelling the basement rooms. The house is undergoing construction. The basement has a sliding door that when you try to open and put one step forward will mean that you fall two stories to the ground with rocks and iron that could mean death.

For photos, videos, and other fun things done during the first trip visit Ros' site: http://rowzhie.multiply.com/photos/album/15/Baguio_Escape

Second Baguio Trip: Mar 13 to Mar 16

My second Baguio Trip was our out of town gift to my parents who have been married for 29 years. Since all of us are working, we decided that it is time that we go out of town. Our first for a very long time. Despite getting sick during this trip, I know that my parents had fun. We stayed at the attic part of the Tacay house so the dog smell was very minimal and it is still a beautiful house.

For photos of this trip, check it out at: http://jeprox254ever.multiply.com/photos/album/8/Baguio_Trip_2

Third Baguio Trip: May 30 to Jun 1

I would like to thank my ever Baguio kaladmates Ros and ZsaZsa for this wonderful trip. It is forever etched in my heart. Thank you for celebrating my birthday there. That cake was a surprise.

Some photos can be seen at: http://rowzhie.multiply.com/photos/album/37/Baguio_Trip_w_friends_05.30-06.01

This trip happened because my Aunt Lorraine wanted to go to Baguio so that my cousin Sheryl would be able to visit the place. The trip was booked as early as April. We will be staying at Greenwater Village. The place is nearer than Tacay to the city proper. The house was smaller though but it fits 9 people. My sister brought with her Dayos and Red while ZsaZsa and Ros was with me. My brother Kel also joined us to this trip by filing a leave. Afterall, this is a trip for my birthday. Jen was supposed to go with us but things crop up. These thing is called "Work!". ZsaZsa was supposed to bring Alex but she got sick the last minute and had to back-out. Alex and Jen will join my fourth trip and third with ZsaZsa and Alex.

Our companions during the third trip:

Aunt Lorraine and Sheryl

Sheryl really cracked ZsaZsa up. It was her first trip but hopefully it would not be her last. She loved creating "smoke" out of her mouth. She experienced her frist "grilled bonfire". It was raining so we cannot make our own bonfire. We used the one for the grill instead. Instead of charcoal, we used firewood. After an arduous 30 minutes, the fire kept roaring and we were able to make smores using grilled marshmallows and ate grilled Bibbo hotdog. While we are doing this, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" was playing on the background. Check out Ros' site for the delicious pictures of our successful(?) "bonfire".

Clockwise: Dayos, Mai, ZsaZsa, Sheryl, Jp, Aunt Lorraine, Red, Ros, and Kel

Fourth Baguio Trip: June 12 to June 15

Ros has already posted photos for this trip so I am going to redirect you again to her site. Our fourth Baguio trip came at the heels of the third one. I wasn't planning to go because successive trips can be a drain on the pocket but what the heck, the payroll team decided to give our salaries 4 days early so Baguio here I come again. With its perfect weather, despite the rain, Baguio weather is amazing that you will fall in love with it. After a year, I will visit the beautiful places again. The gang was composed of Alex, Jen, ZsaZsa, Ros, Jp, Jaymee, Dayos and Red. Alex, ZsaZsa, Ros and I went to Camp John Hay and visited the Historical site, travelled to the Secret Garden (becoming more of a garden now), and walked down to 8 Mile Hi before dining at 50's Diner. We also visited Mines View for a dose of shopping (Alex actually did the shopping while I ate tira-tira and ice cream). On the last day, we went to Good Shepherd and Burnham Park where we ate at the famous grill spots beside the park (in short sa turo-turo kami kumain).

The group stayed at Balsigan. This is near the Petron station where Pancake House is located. Breakfast at Pancake House is always divine. At home, the group had a Uno Stack-o contest with the loser drinking wine. It was a fun trip.

The weather, the place, the transient houses, the travel, the bibbo hotdogs, the coffee, and the dining areas make Baguio one of a kind. Nature, food, relaxation...ahhh...I truly heart Baguio!

See you in our next travel to the City of Pines!

Read more!