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Trimming

Well, after the disappointments of the past week, I've been getting rid of drama (except my own, of course) and the people they are associated with.

So, if I'm not talking to you...alam na!

David and Steffi (Part 5)

Part V

(See Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV)

Steffi

I went home that night in a daze. I was glad that David was awake and was going to be ok.

I smiled as I remembered the first time we met.

* * * * * *

"Hold the elevator please!" I squealed at the suit going in before me. I rushed the last few steps and skidded into the elevator. The lady at the reception had taken forever giving me a pass and I was feeling the weight of the stuffed horse I was lugging around. I glanced over at the suit beside me, "Huh, kinda cute," I thought to myself. I looked over at the panel and saw that my floor was already lighted. I glanced over at him again and smiled a bit. He looked a bit aloof and met my eye when I smiled but he didn't smile back. He was holding a sheaf of papers and I figured he was probably one of the lawyers there because Tanya looks positively scary when she's in lawyer mode.

I leaned up close to the mirrored elevator door and looked at my mascara. I shifted the horse to my other arm and fiddled with my new bangs. I dared a glance at Mr. Lawyer Guy again. He was absorbed in his papers. I tossed my head and gave myself a wink. The elevator dinged.

I walked sedately out the elevator and turned left because that's what Tanya said and I didn't want to embarrass her. Counted the doors until I got to the third and peeked in. Tanya was on the phone but saw me at her door. She got a huge smile on her face and immediately motioned me in. I started bouncing on the balls of my feet and dancing with the horse. Phone call over, Tanya held a finger to her lips and went to the door and silently closed it, then turning around she screamed and gave me a huge hug, horse and all. I started laughing too.

"What did you do to your hair?", she said.

I fluffed my hair and tilted my head, "They're called bangs, my dear friend. See how they're flirty and playful?" I batted my eyelashes and Tanya doubled over with laughter. 

"Dump all your stuff there and tell me all about it. Leave nothing out." Tanya ordered. I hesitated, "Uhm, excuse me, it was a date from hell, do you really want me to relive it?" I held up the horse and made a sad face.

Tanya wasn't buying it and instead laughed out loud, "C'mon...tell me all about it. Did he really get up on stage and sing 'My Way'?" I hit Tanya with the horse to shut her up which only made her laugh louder.

There was a knock on her door and Mr. Lawyer Guy from the elevator came in without waiting for permission.

"David! Come on in and meet my friend, Stef. Stef, David. David, Stef." Tanya made the rapid-fire introductions.

"Hi! Nice to meet you." David said with a smile, holding out his hand. I stared at him. He had a really nice smile which crinkled up his eyes. I shook his hand, and maybe I might have held on a little bit longer if Tanya hadn't asked him what he came for. Okay, maybe I might have drooled a little because Tanya was giving me a weird look. No, I exaggerate.

"I just wanted to give you this draft. I've looked it over, but I thought you might have more comments before we send it. Anyway, this isn't due until Friday so I'll leave you women to it. Sounded like a party before I came in." David said with an even wider grin, his eyes going back to mine. "Nice to meet you, Stef, and I hope to see you around."

"U-huh." I said gamely, while my girly parts went to attention. I could hear the start of the hallelujah chorus in the background. Mr. Lawyer Guy, who'd looked so aloof in the elevator was turning out to be my kind of guy.

To be continued.

 

Yeah, there are people like that

I thought I was special, so very special...but then I found out I wasn't the only one you were using and treating like dirt.

I thought it was just because you were shy and somewhat socially awkward. You were sweet sometimes and made me laugh.

But then I got to talking with a mutual friend who had horror stories of her own and who knew other people with horror stories themselves.

I guess this isn't social awkwardness but a methodical and very organized system of milking people.

Wow. I'm such a fool. A very trusting fool but a fool nonetheless.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Of course we saw the Harbour Bridge and passed under it. But I didn't join the bridge climb because it was beyond my budget...Next time, though, I definitely will. I should probably include some interesting facts about the history and making of the bridge, but that can be totally googled (I'm too lazy to).

The bridge from Opera House. Luna Park is in the background.

View on board the ferry. Sydney Opera House in the background.

With blue skies.

Made sense to me

Something that struck a chord.

"Women become complicated when they start saying the things they mean."
 
I'll put in the exact quote when I find it again, but this one's from the e-book The Do-Over by Kathy Dunnehoff.

How's that for tech

Testing blogging on the go.

I'm not sure I'd make this a habit though.

Trains, ferries and buses

Coming from the Philippines were commuting is really hard and trains are so limited, I love the transportation system in Sydney/NSW.

From the airport, we bought a multipass "My-Multi" for unlimited rides on trains, ferries, and buses (within the zone we chose) for an entire week.

Here's my last My-Multi:

Me, "giddy" with the efficient train system. Imagine not having to haggle with cab drivers to get out of the airport.

Our place was in the suburbs and takes a 45 minute train ride to the city. So you can imagine that in terms of Manila traffic. Gah. But with the trains and the ferries, the distance from the city was never a problem. I love.

Background or "How I got to Sydney, Australia"

The trip to Australia was unplanned, unbudgeted and completely spur-of-the-moment. Well, as spur-of-the-moment as securing a visa and travel authority allowed.

It all started when E asked me if I'd like to go with her, since she knew someplace we could stay for free and all we'd shell out for would be airfare, food and whatever daily expenses while there. I was excited so I talked it over with my parents who said it would be a good opportunity and a big chunk of the expenses would already be removed with the free accommodations.

There were a lot I loved about this trip. The sheer "panic" of making arrangements in so short a time. Going-off with very minimal research, no itinerary. Just a vague idea that I'm getting plane tickets, I've got a place to stay, I'm going.

E and I hand-delivered our visa applications to the processing arm of the Australian Embassy. A week later, we got our visas. We had our travel authorities processed, which was delayed. We had a late night flight, and we were still waiting for our travel authorities from the office up to 5pm.

Of course, traffic didn't cooperate and it was only thanks to E's driver's amazing skills that we made it on time.

Highlight: While E and I were filling out the immigration cards at the airport near the departure gate, a nice airport lady approached us and asked us if we were okay and asked our flights. When we said that we had the PAL flight to Sydney, she got very concerned and reminded us that it had started boarding and that we should hurry.

E and I figured we must have looked light lost souls there. That, or we looked ignorant. :)

It's a wet and dreary Monday.

Remind me why I'm not curled up in bed, reading a book, and enjoying a huge mug of hot cocoa.

sometimes

Sometimes, the saddest part about letting go is not the letting go itself, but the realization that you should have let go a long time ago.

Sometimes.

Sydney Opera House

I was sorting through my Sydney/NSW photos, here's my favorite. It's a bit sad because it was a rainy day and the sky was really gray. But I like how postcard-y it turned out.

More pictures as I finish sorting.

Pandan Island, Puerto Prinsesa

Because I can't resist a jump shot.

Patawarin nyo na.

Puerto Prinsesa - Sheridan Beach

After the underground river tour, we spend some time at Sheridan Beach.

The "sleeping giant" as viewed from the beach.

Sheridan has the qualities of my type of beach: wide strip of sand, no seaweeds, wide wide wide horizon.

From the pier, before the underground river tour.

Before going home, look at those clouds. Look at that beach! Wow!

Sheridan Beach

I've waded out several meters and the water still only reached up to my knees.

Puerto Prinsesa

Got tagged to go along with some officemates to another promo travel. This time to Puerto Prinsesa via CebuPac. I'm not going to mention the deal site and the travel agency because I'm not very happy with them. Let's just say that we were glad the trip pushed through, though we did ask for a refund before they (finally!) sent us the confirmations for our flights and resort bookings.

Anyway, it was a rainy weekend and I was afraid the flight would get cancelled. Thankfully, we were only (?!) delayed by two hours.

So me, G, Ma'am C and Ma'am S went off to Puerto Prinsesa. We got the Honda Bay Tour, Underground River Tour, Ugong Rock cave tour.

Didn't bring a camera, but here are some pictures from my phone.

At the Legends Hotel dining room. It's a restaurant but I can't remember the name. (big surprise)

Countryside...

Karst formation -- told you it was a rainy weekend.

Canopy going to the Underground River