Every time somebody asks me about my work, I almost always stop at “Editor.” Most will say, “ahhh you work for a newspaper”; because trying to correct that notion by saying, “No, I’m actually a science editor,” gives way to remarks like “Oh, you mean high school textbooks or dissertations in VeloBind?,” I sometimes lazily just return a smile. Not that there’s anything wrong with either of those two editing jobs, being a copy editor is sometimes just too tedious to explain to strangers. Well, maybe one of these days I’ll have the inclination to write lengthily about what it is I do. One of these days.

My inbox is overflowing with work. That’s not a rant. Unlike my question of do diet pills work? For the first time in a long time, I’m actually enjoying what I do. So I won’t be crying out “I have no life” any time soon, although that may actually be true. My life has taken a different turn this year so I’d dare call 2010 a landmark year for me. Which is quite fitting because I’ve been waiting for something like this for a decade now. Outside of my professional ventures, a lot of other things are happening in the periphery and I’m only hoping that I’ll be able to sort out my priorities and schedule to give attention to things that I have been neglecting for years. A couple of years ago, I wouldn’t even bother thinking about them because I’m too busy feeling burdened by all my so-called responsibilities. I realized that I’ve been avoiding writing about really good things  that happen because I’m too scared that they will go away or that I’ll jinx them. And I’m never one to be superstitious, or so I’d like to believe. But for now, I’m happy feeling things out. That I’m happy is a big deal and that alone is enough to make me trust myself a little more than I used to.

They say all girls dream of the perfect wedding. Maybe that’s why so many girls spend  most of their times either looking for or holding on to a relationship with someone who can potentially give them that, diamond engagement rings and lavish parties being part of the whole deal. I don’t know if it’s the time that is changing or me changing with the time that I no longer think about those things. I mean, I’m still open to getting married, if the opportunity will present itself, but I don’t think I need all those ceremonies and pretty declarations of love for all the world to see. Well,  I was watching my friend’s wedding video earlier, and it got me teary eyed for a bit, so don’t hold my word for this. But for now … I really don’t need to think about such things. Heh.

It’s not that I can’t lie or that I don’t want to, I just think that I’m a very bad liar. I am pathologically incapable of making up a story and sticking with it, at least in cases where it matters. If I’ll get an acne for every time I tried not to give away something I am not quite willing to share, under “peer pressure,” I’ll be reading nothing but acne treatment review by now. The past couple of weeks, I’ve been avoiding talking to people who may ask me things I’m not willing to say yet (I was up to something while trying to keep a low profile). Just because I’m a bad liar and I don’t have the heart to say outright that I don’t want to talk. So I end up giving away tidbits of information, which in the end seems like I opened up after all. Well, that’s just me. As personal quirks go, this is one of mine.

For the second year in a row, my sister is going to the States for a business training. I am envious. Because I never had that kind of opportunity where I work. Past tense because I don’t think there ever will be at this point. I’m convinced that I have to do it on my own if I really want to travel and purchase something like Orlando vacation packages for myself. All in the right time, I guess. I’m going to have to be content with my pasalubongs for now.

Tomorrow will be the first birthday celebration of my friend’s daughter. It’s a pretty exciting event, of course for the family but also for everyone of us who have been there with the parents even before they were married. It also reminds me of how fast time passes. I don’t want to say that it passes me by, because that sounds bitter if not downright  pathetic. It’s just that these little people who are growing up before your eyes, even or especially if they are not your own, make you see how the world is changing, with or without you doing the same. I’m getting melodramatic. I’ll just enjoy the party, is what I should do. I think this Baby jogger city select thing is worth a look. I don’t have my gift yet.

It seems cliche now.  To say that you have to try and do something to challenge yourself once in a while. To try to tip the scales your way sometimes. Or is it?

I was reading this book my sister brought home – it’s about how to gain power. Looking at the table of contents, I immediately realized that the book is probably the real deal. If you follow what it’s saying, I have no doubt in my mind that you’ll gain power over some or a lot of people. The problem is, it is also a sure way to gain haters and enemies. I guess that’s the problem with power. Especially if you’d like to have the my-own-office, title-on-the-door type. I’m not saying it’s better to be powerless. Maybe I just want to have a few things my way from time to time.

When the storm Basyang (Conson) hit Manila a couple of days ago, I was at the office, trying my best to finish my work so I can go home before the conditions worsen. Alas, I was not able to. I was there when the howling winds started to bring fear into my and all the other people’s consciousness. I decided to stay the night, and continue working, as it seems that it’s the safer alternative than to brave the rains and the nasty winds. That could have been disastrous. Good thing that for the past few months, I had been taking my vitamins quite religiously. I’m not a fan of no sleep, but when the situation calls for it … then I have no choice.

Together with a few colleagues who got “stranded,” we decided to go home when everything’s peaceful, which is actually far into the next morning. Looking at the fallen trees, the fallen billboards, and the pieces of glass and metals on the streets as we made our way home, we knew we made the right decision to hide from Basyang in the confines of our workplace.

Is it a sign of a problem that I’m enjoying having too much stuff to attend to? Nah, don’t answer that. Seriously, don’t.

My relatives call me a workaholic because I rarely attend family gatherings and other non-major occasions. I wasn’t, but acquiescence is so much easier than the truth, which is that I’m mostly just too lazy to make the trip. This time, though, they may be right. I am busier than ever, and I’m actually having the time of my life. With work and some Internet stuff, plus a few badminton tournaments in the near future, the coming months are going to be uber hectic for me, I might soon be looking for eye creams and reading acne treatment reviews. I’m going to need a lot of coffee.