I’m going to see Metallica! I’m going to see Metallica! We’ve booked our tickets last night for their concert in Wembley. This is our first time to:
1. Go to a concert in London
2. To see Metallica
3. To see Wembley Stadium

It’s also officially the first concert we’ll watch since getting married 6 years ago… Grabe ‘no?

But we will come prepared. As I already have the black album, I will be on the prowl at lunchtime for a collection of Metallica’s Kill Em All and their St Anger albums — hell yeah!!! I want to memorise their chorus(es) at least hehe

I feel like giggling and I want to jump & down. Perhaps hubby & I should start practising our slam dancing. I’m pretty sure my neck can still handle the headbanging. Too bad I’m due for a haircut I can’t swing my long hair anymore (it will be a drastic short hair by Monday! YIPEE!).

The concert’s not until July. I saw the advert on the first day they released it, I tore the page on the paper thinking I better show it to hubby, When I got home, he also has the same page torn for me! Match made in Heaven, eh? Everyday from then on, he kept on telling/reminding me to book it, book it. Alas I’ve no spare allowance left (due to the shop bug). So when I got my pay & a huge chunk was sent back to Pinas, to our mortgage etc., I came home to a husband who hijacked the TicketMaster site, not realising he cannot “hold” on to the tickets for more than 2 minutes (not very tech savvy).

When my account was debited at least £90, hubby then said in a low voice he also wants to see the Pet Shop Boys in May. I was tempted to say “sissy!” hehe But I like New Wave as well & it will ruin the mood. Though their tickets aren’t as expensive, we decided against booking them. Afterall, our superhero’s birthday is coming up & it’s a HUGE bill. But between you & I, I’ll try to skimp on my lunch money in April & see whether I could come up with the money for the “I’m with Stupid” guys.

The company hired a firm to handle our benefits package. Before this place I didn’t know such a service exists. But it make sense ‘no? Don’t bother meeting so many providers for your different benefits on offer. Find all of them in one place and have a rep field all the questions and concerns of your employees.

Anyway, the “rep” (account manager) was here today to explain how it all works & what he can do for us. So yada, yada, yada… But I was so distracted. First, I was asking myself how old the guy was. I’m obssessed with this now that I’m turning 31. Second, I keep looking at his sideburns. They remind me so much of those pictures of Tsars & WWI generals. He wasn’t growing them straight, the ends were grown to reach part of his cheeks. They were huge (sideburns not the cheeks) & I can’t help wonder what possessed him to think it’s “cool”? Then there’s the hair. His haircut was closely-cropped but wasn’t skinhead. But the thing is, on the top of his head, he’s got a spiky-hair style happening… Are they gelled? Are they an accident? They look nearly like bangs. What’s going on with this guy?

I focused now & then on the real issue at hand, how do I set up my pension with the company’s contribution? How do I get? Where’s my dental? My optical?

But every time I look at the speaker, I had the urge to whip out my phone & take his photo. Then the weirdest part? At the end of the session he was supposed to give us his card? He flipped & tossed them across the table to everyone, including to our CEO! hehe Real smooth. He can’t be more than 24.

The coming week will only hold four (4!!!) working days, leaving me & my son 4 days of bliss. Hubby gets to spend two days with us, he only got 2 days’ off for that week. We’ve got nothing big planned. If we had the spare cash we’d have a proper holiday but since our purse strings’ short at the moment, we’ll just visit Princess Diana’s memorial & lounge a bit in the park. My toddler will have his haircut in Trotters, as well.

Hubby & I will probably catch “300″ in the cinema. Since my son’s arrival, we’ve only ever watched DVDs. I think it’s time we go visit the leisure centre again. Ideally, yes, we ought to bring our son to a family film but… I really want to spend some time alone with hubby even if it’s just a popcorn date.

Son & I will probably spend a good amount of time in the garden as Spring’s officially here. I plan to bring him to our local park too so that our auntie would know where to take him, I’m thinking of visiting the local library as well, I haven’t been there for at least 2 years and I am hoping they’ve refurbished the place. The mobile library is better than its immobile counterpart!

Siempre Easter kaya nag-breaktime ang UK. We’re also going to church, sayang nga at wala namang araw ng palaspas dito. I already feel bad we missed the “Station of the Cross”. Hubby said the family will do the confession on Sunday.

So there, a week before and my mind’s already set and the long weekend is already booked.

Today is looking up. The sun is out but it’s still a bit chilly. It’s a perfect Spring Day. It reminds me of Baguio or of my childhood in Nueva Ecija when December meant wearing thick coats.

I also checked my account and - voila! - my pay is there two days early. Yehey!

Then I managed to speak to a human being in Colchester Zoo to book my son’s birthday party. After all the sordid details are done (3 y/o, 2 babies, 7 over 3’s, 15 adults, here’s my money etc etc), I was told there are only three (3) bookings so far! Sana wala nang mag-book at sana di gaanong matao.

My phone conference with our consultancy firm also went well, not that it meant they’re good. I mean I got what I needed from them: information and the like.

I also dusted my first deliverable at work. I’m just putting the finishing touches to the test coverage matrix but the meaty parts are well and truly ready for review of the technical architect (in this company, he’s aka business analyst).

The day is only half-way through and I plan to ride this high and finish more work: paid work (review an old spec), and unpaid work (buy my son his attire, order his 20% off toy online, call the invitees and get them to confirm their attendance, and do the grocery shopping tonite!).

In the meantime, sans make-up and all, I’d like to say “I feel pretty”! <– affix big grin here

Warning: This post could be a result of my elation phase. It is likely that tomorrow or tonite I will be hit by my depression.

I’ve been battling with RSI for at least 2 years now. And because I never bothered to tag my posts, I can’t link to my older posts regarding my conditionS.

First it was Carpal Tunnel. After the op, I thought my misery is over. But my right arm still didn’t feel “okay”. Going back to my consultant, he said I have tennis elbow and, un-funnily, golfers elbow — all on my right arm. When it rains, it really pours.

I tried steroid injections (which I think causes my depression to worsen and my temper to flare — palusot for being a bitch), acupuncture, physiotherapy. Nothing worked. So I was back in the operating table last year around August to have a tennis elbow release. I wanted to have the golfer’s release, too but the surgeon and my consultant both told me that it may not be necessary… Perhaps the pressure on the other side will lift, too.

Four months after my op, I was still complaining. Half my brain was already suggesting I’m “too” finicky, perhaps it’s hypochondria. But heck I wear my splint religiously and I still get no relief. Thankfully the dull pain is not as bad at night when my arm is already “rested”.

My consultant hazarded a guess (wow) that it’s my tennis elbow. He recommended I go back for nerve conduction tests to make sure my nerves and ligaments aren’t damaged. They weren’t, the tendons are just really inflammed. Ultrasound showed them so inflammed they were appearing as black instead of white, which is what it should be for normal conditions. The steroid injection for golfer’s elbow is the worst kind. It was so painful I had to grit my teeth and pinch my tummy just to distract neurons.

Today is the third day since that piercing day. The true test is a 2 weeks from now according to the consultant. But for me it’s really in a month’s time that I’d know whether it worked or not. If not, then I’ll have to schedule the op for next year. As I just moved to my new job, I cannot fly off too soon.

Keep your fingers crossed! In the meantime, my little hero is constantly kissing mummy’s “hurt” to make it better.

Two things went very wrong today which marred the beauty of Friday.

While waiting for my train in our car, I told hubby that his auntie seems to think we’re the same dress size. Albeit we have the same problem that is we’ve gained weight we’re unable to shift. Of course I didn’t say outright I’m offended, do I have to? Instead I asked hubby pointedly

So what does my hubby do? He stayed quiet for a good minute when I was eagerly waiting. I turned to him & saw his face was contorted in DEEP thought. Finally I said “well??” And the cat jumped out of the bag & scratched me in the face. He said he doesn’t think his auntie is fat. And like a “get out clause” in a contract, he said he cannot clearly picture our bodies side-by-side. That perhaps we ought to weight ourselves & see. I said my weight has been 60Kgs & hasn’t changed for the last 6 years (pregnancy and all). I said what we need is BMI which is more accurate (or even Volume Mass Index which they say now is better). To which he said “yes” perhaps hoping his nightmare is over. But I insisted wanting to hear salvation from his mouth. So he sallied forth with such gusto & told me that actually my thighs look bigger & that my upper arms (which I’m SSOOO sensitive about) are also bigger than this woman who happen to be his bloody relation.

What the heck am I going to say? I said “hell no!” I refuse to believe that her auntie can even fit her calf into the trousers I’m wearing today. Then I moved to get out & told him my train’s coming. ABA! After his declaration he was expecting me to give him a goodbye kiss?? EGAD! MEN!

Of course I’ve asked for it, it’s my fault & I shouldn’t blame him… but I’m petty okay?! And I haven’t completely forgiven him for what he did the other day… TSE!

Now on the train my reminder went off. It’s my niece’s birthday which means it’s our wedding anniversary today!!! OMG! How could I have forgotten? And how come I have no reminder for that? And why did HE forget? Uy another ammunition for me later. But the thing is he’s on shift tonight and will not be home until I’m snoring loudly. It will have to wait tomorrow, oh wait he will be off to work very early. Sunday then…

Who cares?! The point is I forgot, too. Scary.

It’s my second onscreen session with Billy Blanks (http://www.billyblanks.com/) and I am now feeling the effects. The first day, ang yabang ko, hubby was expecting me to scream in pain the following morning, I said I did my warm up and cooldown properly. !@&*! eto na, second day of session and I’m walking like John Wayne.

My thighs ache, my hamstrings are in agony and my entire back muscles are screaming in pain, which forces me to sit/walk up straight.

I am hoping that my third session tonite will cure all these. Sana. Or perhaps magnify them or introduce new ones, or… nah. It can only get better. I already feel great. I need to trim down and I kept several pairs of trousers I want to start using again without feeling like a bursting sausage. And I also want to stop cringing when I see my belly in the mirror.

My tummy turned into a ten-wheeler’s rubber tire like a thief in the night. I was thanking my lucky stars yesterday that I got upset last week & turned into an online shopping maniac. I spent nearly £200 on Next and on Doroth Perkins outfits and Amazon for my soul and entertainment. In that moment of madness I was stsill aware of my credit limit and I wanted to maximum number of clothes for my meager allowance, so I stayed away from Topshop and Zara.

Then I realised I needed some accessories so last friday I went to Monsoon/Accesorize and bought a nice slouch bag and some fashion jewelries. My total spending if you calculate is at £300 (30K PHP)… And if you count my shoe shopping trip two weeks ago in Clarks & in-store shopping at Next, too… O sige mukha akong galit sa pera!

Don’t get me wrong, I very rarely update my wardrobe, emphasis on the VERY. Normally I reserve my shopping escapade to once a year, that is when we visit Pinas. I cannot wait that long, mukha na akong matrona with the bloated tummy and swollen neck-area. At least I can feel good about myself not looking like a 10-seasons ago Betty. In my new job I’m surrounded (not by fashionistas) but business people, so even if I work in the Technology (where most people are in tees) I prefer to look presentable like I used to when I was single.

I have also started dabbing on make-up. The only thing I really don’t like is wearing foundation and I’ve never tried concealers, so my daily makeup really is just a set of eyeshadow, blusher and lippie. I know, ang nipis pero at least may effort na ko.

I’m not finished yet. I still want to do more shopping pero na-max out ko na ang card ko so I have to wait for a few weeks, maybe months. I am eyeing a gorgeous pair of kitten heels shoes and I also need new coats/jackets as the ones I’m using are at least 4 years old! O kitam, di naman ako kasi magastos. Actually I was hoping na heavy jacket na lang ang bibilin ko kasi may nabili ako last December na cheap spring jacket. Kaya lang nadale ng tita namin sa washing machine so kasya na lang sya sa mga teenagers.

I started picking up my taebo, don’t be fooled, I started just last night & I plan to do the Basic Workout every night. I will measure my body tonight, I forgot last night as I was too busy trimming the bushes above my eye.

I want to get this exercise machine called iJoyRide. There are so many testimonials on how effective it is & can easily be used for 15 mins with effective result daw. The catch? It’s nearly £450! So sabi ni hubby bakit di na lang ibang machine ang bilhin ko? The thing is I’m really enthused about this product & when I’m psyched I know I will not let it rot in the shed. However if he buys me something else, in other words, nakialam sya, tse!

So I plan to save up on the remaining things I want to buy as well as the iJoyRide. Nagbabaon na nga ako sa office para di na ko bibili ng lunch (I’m just looking for recipes to add variety to my meal, medyo limited dahil di kami allowed ng microwave). So hopefully by my birthday in June, I can buy myself that big gift. And double wish ko ay sana by that time, I’m healthier & doesn’t tire easily anymore courtesy of taebo. I would like to wish na sana I’m slimmer din who knows, afterall I’m cutting back on my rice & dinner.

I am a music lover but I’m not an expert. I rarely care about the people behind the music. I don’t always remember the lyrics. And my taste can be described as eccentric to even jolog.

I started listening to music tapes when my Saudi-man Tatay brought him a 2-deck cassette stereo, including at least 25 records of Connie Francis to selections like Pink Floyd’s. He even has a collection of this ballads that goes from Vol 1 to Vol 13, I think. I didn’t know what DJ’s are but it’s part of my playtime to keep changing the cassettes we’re playing. I’d always select the more upbeat tunes, of course that’s expected I was probably younger than 7 y/o & the oldest tune I can remember dancing to is “It’s like an earthquake”. But there was no doubt my fave in Tatay’s selection was Pink Floyd’s “We don’t need no education”.

When Tatay came home again and brought our first coloured television, my music background extended to “Max Headroom presents”. I was caught. I’d include that show in my cartoon repertoire. I even saw Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” video at midnight (I think) when the following day it was banned in Pinas.

I loved the Queen’s music. Nothing could beat my attraction to heavy metal and all the noise that comes with it. Again hindi ko kilala ang members ng Skid Row, but apparently I listened to their music when one time I was humming a tune and a friend recognised it. When my imagination runs free and my sisters don’t mind me play-acting I’d imagine myself like Rod Stewart cavorting onstage, or like Axl Rose being all hyper. But the coolest part of my act would be to turn into Slash and just make love to my air guitar with a ciggie hanging off the side of my mouth… Oh how I wished and dreamt of being able to do that. Instead of drums or guitar lessons I was hoping for, Nanay enrolled me in an organ lesson in Yamaha (saan pa). I flunked. Not interested, hated the teacher, hated piece.

So I’m a grown woman with a child to boot. I did my share of listening to Chopin, Amadeus and the rest when I was preggers. But normality set in and yes my MP3 is blasting Metallica again and again. And Yano. And Greenday. And some GNR. But what I really want to get hold off is mp3’s of “The Jerks”, or “razorback” or yes, even yung banda-nung-90’s-na-lintek-di-ko-maalala-ang-pangalan na sabi ng housemate ko “kadiri ka!”

Do you daydream? I do - a lot. I always let myself go whenever I’m idle and the fancy catches me. In my world I am the star, the boss, the entertainer, the muse. I am often moneyed, intellectual and oh ever so youthful. One thing I don’t do is exaggerate my looks, I just prefer to look the way I used to 10 years ago. I bring that image back to life as much as possible.

Escapism at its best. Is it wrong to live in my world? I am the matchstick girl who see wondrous things and events at will. But unlike her, I will not die hungry and cold. Afterall, my dreams only last 2-3 minutes at best & then it’s back to my warm, cosy reality of working life and motherhood.