This is my last day on soil 21. What is there to look forward to when you own those double two's?

Great for a birthday gift!

It's official. I'm finally 19 years old.... wehehehe! First, let me just give my many many thanks to all the friends and family who greeted me on my birthday. Some are first time SMS senders, while most are regular happy birthday greeters. I could not give enough thanks, guys. Sa baba ko na lang lalagay mga link ng mga nag-greet yesterday.

Wokei, so I'm 22. Not obvious though, right? Hehe. But seriously, I have never welcomed aging so warmly as much as I do now. Perhaps this is because age 21 was great and meaningful. It was. And I cherish every moment of what I had then, both the good and the not so good. All the cheers, pains, adventures, loneliness, excitement, confusion, and everything else in between were perfect and necessary to make me romzkee. I guess it helps to know that God was shifting positions between walking beside me, or ahead of me, but most of the time He's carrying me through the road of growing up.

21 was an age of decision-making, and self-discovery, at least for me. I found out that there's so much truth in the saying that you choose what you become. It was all about choosing. You are what you listen to. You are what you choose to believe in. And in the process of weighing the options, I find out a lot about myself. They say it's not the experience that defines a person, but the decision s/he makes as how to deal with the circumstance. That way, there is self-discovery. You understand what kind of heart is beating in you because of your intentions.

But the contradicting part is that this life is not all about you. Even if we make choices and decisions for our sole selves, there will always be people in the background or in the context to consider. Oh, we can chart our paths with grand plans of career, family, future. But along the way, I found out it was kinda lonely doing it all for myself. It was empty. Until I realized that I can have all the dreams and ambitions that I want but there's gotta be room for others in my life.

Right now, I am more than thankful that I can discern what's good for me whether it comes in the form of ideals, values, and friends. I surely know what brand of influence will make me the person I desire to be. But more than anything else, I am grateful that God was able to make me shut up so that I can listen and open my eyes to the things that really matter to me... things that will truly make me happy. And these things are beyond ambitions and goals, and self-serving relationships.

I still have my long list of plans and dreams. Sometimes it both gives a thrill and frustration when news tells us the future is bleak for Filipinos. But at least I'm following something (or Someone), that's the most important part. So 21 was meaningful. I gained new friends at work and in the community. Goals were redefined and plans were chartered. Healing took place. Learning was continuous. But more than anything else, God was more real than ever before as He showed me that life isn't always about me.

Because my 22nd birthday was a one-week celebration, let me post the pics of my dearest boyfriends (friends na boys ha). Hehe! These are my hayskul batchmates. Through conflict and problems, we got our heads up high and our hearts connected. I can't remember how many times we got to each other's nerves and still end up being the friends that we were. I'll forever cherish these men. Sa mga gurlfriends ko naman, bukas na ang entry para sa inyo hehe... So who says I don't have a boyfriend? Hihihihi! Who's your bet? Cast your votes now!

One more post and this is going to be a photoblog, why not?! hehe! Just as I promised (1 day delayed na nga eh), I'm gonna showcase the beautiful goddesses (read:gurlfriends) who made my 22nd birthday extra special. Now you know this is another birthday entry hihihihi! Who's the narcissist, ei?

SEO gurls.

I must be the luckiest SEO specialist in the planet for God has gifted me with sweet and wacky (okay, okay, pretty) office mates. As part of their plan, they secretly huddled, conspired, and executed a birthday surprise for reah, rhiz, and me! Who can forget about the round mocha-frutied cake, plus the 3 bouncy balloons that are now adoring our respective cubicles. That's really sweet, gurlfriends!

Em-em & Hershey.

You two had never failed to attend any of the batch gimmicks. I am so thankful for no matter how time spins over our lives, we've always kept the bond of friendship. Friends for life!

So here they are.. take a look at the divas!

I just gotta post her pic... hayness. It took us two days to have her graduation photo posted here hahaha! But thanks anyway for being the ever reliable events coordinator. Without you, the Sunday event would not be possible... and the celebration would be less the fun. Love yah empoy!

Who's idea was it? Rhiza, the guitarchic.

I got myself an online resume... yeah been thinking of those elusive sidelines and freeelance stuffs.. Hirap buhay eh..

C'mon and see for yourself: http://romzkee-pomski.150m.com

Early this evening, I dropped by Powerbooks to have some coffee alone and get a grab of a good book on advertising. I got into a myriad of marketing titles (and I even asked the sales lady to assist me in finding a recommended piece) until I decided on resorting to this open-for-public reading item. Well, I didn't find it so engaging but at least I learned about what brand innovation meant while I struggled to cool down the cappuccino's temp. After finishing the beverage, I returned the book. Without any clue I chanced upon a nice interesting book - the advertised mind! I knew life is up to something better hehe.

Perusing through illustrations of synapses and nerve endings (you wouldn't believe this book was actually relating ads to the human nerve mechanisms), I jumped straight to recall, recognition, and persuasion. That kinda reminded me of my undergrad thesis: Effects of the 2005 Presidential Ads on Recall and Voting Behavior of Senior (insert my college here). Now I realized I overlooked one aspect of effective advertising... persuasion.

According to the book, recall is not a such a factor in the purchase decision of the consumer, rather it's the emotional appeal of the ad which ultimately causes the change in behavior. No wonder my respondents did not quite "responded" positively to the ads despite high recall tendencies.

Anyway so much for that chunk of info. The best thing about being at Powerbooks before my GY shift is that sense of having the luxury to be relaxed before work. Morning shift makes me pant for time and pace coz 90% of the time, I'd arrive late. Hehe.

Today, rather tonight is the beginning of another once a month night shift. Goodluck to me and may I enjoy lots of "relaxed" time before graveyard work begins.

Human beings are never objective. Science is simply the discovery of wonderful things God wanted men to find out.

-- romzkee thinking one rainy weekend.

Dear Tope, 

I'm writing this down on the night before the 28th of July. For me, there's nothing else special in this month other than my, oh well, birthday. But for so many years (let's see, I can start during the time I was a freshman in college), I have found another spectacular reason to love July - and that one special person born on July 28, 1972 (hehe kidding!).

Happy birthday Tope!!!

You are my blockmate-slash-guy bestie-slash-org mate-slash-shock absorber from all my frustrations with men-slash-longest male relationship. Oh yes! Words will always fail if I were to describe the brand of friendship and connection that we have. You may not know this but just in case you find the time (and money, according to you ha) to secure a girlfriend, I'd be completely jealous that I may not be able to deal with it for the longest time, I swear!

One is too blessed to have crossed roads with someone who knows how to shut up and listen when you're consumed with unpleasant emotions inside. Apart from that, you have learned the art of laughing at the slightest sign of humor that I exude. In other words, kahit korny pinagtatawanan mo mga jokes ko. Sorry that I can't do some overhaul and turn up to be a bit more sophisticated and reserved like you think women should be. Man, it's really a frustration I can't even fake it. Nonetheless, I'm more than happy to know that you just accept me as I am (even if sometimes it just seems you don't have a choice).

Mind you, I'm taking account of those annoying encounters and arguments we had before. They are more vivid to me than you can imagine! But I don't really mind them a bit for these things can never measure up to the many times you stood up for me. Thank you.

On your birthday, we'll probably be apart. You'll be having one of your across the country trips. You're now the successful Project Coordinator/Researcher, remember? Hehe! I am so proud that you've come out of your nets of fear and are now conquering the path you've always wanted. A lot of people do not have that goal-orientedness that you posses... and even that sense of "you-should-not-be-wasting-your-time-on-earth-principle". I admire you so much for that.

We may not catch a movie on your birthday... or even dinner perhaps. Nevertheless, you can be assured that I am always praying for your best welfare - career, family, life, etc. And I'm always thanking God He allowed you on earth.

Thanks bro. Have the happiest birthday ever.

your friend,

romzkee