Ohgusto!

Is it really the start of the -ber months?! Geez, next thing we know it’s already Christmas time! Just few months ahead! But before that, of course I need to do a usual monthly recap. This time, for the month of August. I’d have to say that it was a pretty busy month for me, in it’s most extreme definition. Crazy, I might add! It has been one helluva month. Here’s how I spent it, a detailed approach on who and what shaped the thirtyone days of my August.

Too much work! Well, I should’ve included this one on my Too Much entry but this particular detail speaks well of how I spent my entire work month.  An unforeseen change prompted our department to make overtime mandatory. Announced the last week of July gearing up, we started the month doing an hour and forty five minutes of overtime everyday, either before or after our shift. At first it was kind of ok, but when it started to sink in that we’ll do OT until next month, it immediately became our favorite subject of loathe. Yes we receive more pay come suweldo time, but as most of us say, I think it would be more appropriate if I’ll quote this in Tagalog, “hindi mababayaran ang maayos na tulog!” Even if it’s just a couple of hours, still it makes one hell of a big difference. It’s exhausting and draining, I tell you. Yeah, we understand that they only meant business, but still, the damage has been done. But we are surviving! On the other hand, if rendering OT everyday would make me look good like this guy on the picture, I would willingly abide!

Mom in province. My ever hyper and beautiful mom went over to her birthplace in Calbayog City, Samar around the second week of August, to attend with some business matter. She should’ve went back home after 7 days, but they waited for harvest instead until the end of the month. Having said that, I was in a way back to doing some major house chores like when she was in China last year. But thank God my stepdad is here, he’s always the one doing the cooking and the laundry. Yey!

No movies?! Yes. Nada. Zero. Zilch. Wala. Because of doing too much work and mom not present here at home, I got so busy and tired everyday that I haven’t found time to watch any movies. I even bought some dvds few weeks back, but really can’t watch it because either I’m so sleepy after work or got loads of house stuff to do. It’s just a proven fact when I mentioned that last month can probably hold a record of most movies watched. And now, not even one! Which makes me think that I should try to watch one later. Hmmm..

One World, One Dream. That’s the Olympics catch phrase, but it seems that our Olympic dream has not come true yet. Well, there’s always next time but is four years not enough time for our government/commission to produce Olympic caliber athletes? I mean, we sure have a lot out there, but aren’t getting the right support. So we’ll just probably wait a little more and hang in there for our much awaited Gold. I actually chanced on a list of medals the Philippines had since it started. And mind you, we only had 9 since 1924! Imagine that. The last was Onyok’s Silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Here’s a complete list:

Medal	Name	Games	Sport	Event
3 Bronze	Yldefonso, TeofiloTeofilo Yldefonso	1928 Amsterdam	Swimming	Men’s 400 metre breaststroke
3 Bronze	Toribio, SimeonSimeon Toribio	1932 Los Angeles	Athletics	Men’s high jump
3 Bronze	Villanueva, JoséJosé Villanueva	1932 Los Angeles	Boxing	Men’s bantamweight
3 Bronze	Yldefonso, TeofiloTeofilo Yldefonso	1932 Los Angeles	Swimming	Men’s 200 metre breaststroke
3 Bronze	White, MiguelMiguel White	1936 Berlin	Athletics	Men’s 400 metre hurdles
2 Silver	Villanueva, AnthonyAnthony Villanueva	1964 Tokyo	Boxing	Men’s featherweight
3 Bronze	Serantes, LeopoldoLeopoldo Serantes	1988 Seoul	Boxing	Men’s light flyweight
3 Bronze	Velasco, RoelRoel Velasco	1992 Barcelona	Boxing	Men’s light flyweight
2 Silver	Velasco, MansuetoMansueto Velasco	1996 Atlanta	Boxing	Men’s light flyweight

Anyway, the Beijing Olympics is probably the most watched in the history (thanks to the worldwideweb), had the most interesting personalities and also the most controversy filled I think. From the opening ceremony, the one who sang in it up until the closing ceremony, Michael Phelps being the greatest Olympian ever, the openly gay Australian diver who won a gold, and probably a lot more. So, I guess we’ll see yah in the next 4 years in London!

The Twilight Fever. I’ve been bitten! Even though I got a bit busy, I still managed to read a book. In three days, I finished reading Twilight, the international best seller debut novel of Stephenie Meyer. I have heard so much about this book it that’s why I checked it out. And after reading it, there I finally learned what the fuss was about. I liked it, quite an interesting read. A Filipino type of vampire was actually mentioned in the book. The one that’s called a Danag, I wasn’t aware of it actually until I got to read this novel. Now I am so excited to see the movie version! It was supposed to be released on December 12 but I heard it was moved to November. I am actually reading the sequel New Moon, but failed to finish it before the month ends, I’m only halfway through. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

Birthdays and Parties! I have attended several birthday parties the whole month. First was a double celebration of my Pop and my Tita Joy. And then a surprise birthday get together for my cousin Wheng, which I planned and was really appreciated. I actually didn’t know that I’ll be good in surprises hehe! Just last week, I was at Buddy’s in Ortigas for an officemate/then schoolmate Aden’s birthday bash. And oh, I also attended RX 93.1‘s Anniversary Party dubbed as Too Hot To Handle over at White Avenue in Tomas Morato. Thank goodness for these events and occasions, because I really needed to let loose and somehow forget about the OT thing which is killing me haha! It’s not all work, you know.

Pop’s and Tita Joy’s celebration

Cousin Wheng’s birthday surprise

Aden’s birthday at Buddy’s Ortigas

and the RX anniv party, w/my pareng Nhinzky

E on 8.30.08! What better way to wrap the month up than being part of the biggest concert event of the year, the Eraserheads Reunion Concert! The moment I heard about the news, I was nearly freaking out. That’s why I right away registered to The Red List, but felt like the world shattered when the sponsor backed out. Thank God for our dear friend LT, she included us on the VIP list of Raymund Marasigan! Come Eheads night, we’re all so excited! And the excitement turned into elation as THE legends started to rock The Fort. The opening alone gave me goosebumps! Iba talaga ang Eheads! Malupet! We had a super blast listening to their songs, never fails to bring back good old memories. Too bad it was cut short, but still it’s worth it. I am actually having a hangover, I’ve been downloading their songs online and listening to them all day haha! Rock on! 😉

Master Ely Buendia

the Eraserheaders haha!

So, that’s how I spent my August! Pretty exhausting, isn’t it? Hope you had a blast, too! 😉

*** You can view the rest of the pictures on my Multiply account.