Bente Singko

September Madness

The First of September means the end of something and the beginning of another.

The first of two steps towards the end of a journey happens on the Fourth.

The Sixth brings me to my 25th.

The Fifteenth is 100 before 12.25.

09.09.09 09:09:09.

The second of those two steps occurs on the Twenty-first.

The Twenty-second is 100 before 2010.

I should have at least 8 by the Twenty-fifth.

Thirtieth.

9.

Social Networking Everywhere

Blogger <--> Multiply <--> Facebook <--> Twitter cross-posting!? Why not?

Because...

...I don't want to break my streak of posting at least one article per month, so here it is.

Am I too busy that I couldn't take a break and write something here? Or was there just nothing for me to write about all month long? Maybe the latter... Nadal lost at Roland Garros and opted not to play at SW19, my project cutover was postponed to July thus prevented me from watching the Turkish Grand Prix live, and yeah, I was glad that Lakers won their 15th NBA championship trophy but I chose to post updates through my facebook and twitter accounts. Even the photos of my "summer escapades" with my relatives, elementary and college friends - they are all uploaded either in friendster or facebook.

But I miss multiply... So here it is. June 2009, you can officially end now. Hehe.

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PS: I just might as well promote my twitter account, follow me at https://twitter.com/onindje.

PPS: RIP to the 216 passengers and 12 crew members of Air France Flight 447, 76 people in Harmony Gold's Mine in South Africa, 52 people in combat in the Amazon Rainforest, Neda and other Iranians, David Carradine, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson - who all died this month.

PPPS: Happy birthday to all June celebrants and congratulations to all June brides and grooms.

Aching Knee, There, Everywhere

After playing tennis in Meralco Ortigas this afternoon, I decided to visit Gold's Gym which is just walking-distance away from the tennis court. I ran a couple of KMs and lifted a few weights to at least shed the remaining pounds I accumulated during the holidays. I didn't finish my target 3K run on the tread mill because I felt a prickling pain on my left knee. I can tolerate the chronic pain on my right big toe joint (may be caused by uric acid - haha ayaw pa kasi mag-pacheck-up), but the one on my knee is excruciating (yes naman, excruciating daw o, hehe).

So I just went to Megamall to canvass prizes of latest sportswears, winter clothes and luggages and to buy groceries and stuff my father told me to purchase for him. While strolling, the hurting was aggravated by the low temperature inside the mall and the fact that I was just wearing a knee-level shorts.

Now at home, the weather is causing more severe pain and if this should become worse tomorrow, I might follow Cholle's advise to ask for Alaxan's help. Harhar.

====

P.S.
To-do's for 2009:

1. Improve serve and groundstroke shot.
2. Heal this aching knee before the 5K run on January 25.
3. Focus on Gebze and on Gebze alone!

Every Month of 2008

January

Crude oil prices surge past US$100 per barrel. Benazir Bhutto is assassinated. 6.5 earthquake hits Greece. Hillary Clinton wins first US primaries held in New Hampshire. Sun Microsystems acquires MySQL AB. Millions are stranded ahead of Chinese New Year. Neil & Moanna tie the knot. Actor Heath Ledger dies of medication overdose. Novak Djokovic wins maiden grand slam at Melbourne as Maria Sharapova bags 3rd distinct major title.


February

New York Giants upset New England Patriots 17-14 in Superbowl XLII. UP Fair stages Loverage 2. Blu-ray replaces HD-DVD. Kosovo declares independence from Serbia. Egypt wins Africa Cup of Nations over Cameroon 1-0. Fidel Castro retires and resigns as Cuban president and is succeeded by his brother Raul. Academy honors No Country For Old Men as best motion picture and the Coen Brothers as best in directing. Leap year day is observed.


March

Forbes names Warren Buffet as world's richest man. Wales achieves Grand Slam by defeating France 29-12 in their Rugby Union RBS Six Nations match. Tibetans claim 80 people killed in the continuing unrest. Manny Pacquiao scores a split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC super featherweight crown. Corazon Aquino is diagnosed with colon cancer. Liechtenstein, Norway and South Korea recognize Kosovo as a nation.


April

Protesters confront Olympic torch in Paris. I celebrate my first year anniversary in HP and as an electronics engineer. Trevor Immelman wins The Masters ahead of second-place Tiger Woods. Danica Patrick becomes the first woman to win in IndyCar's 2008 Indy Japan 300. Joe Calzaghe earns a split decision victory over Bernard Hopkins for The Ring light heavyweight belt. HP Labs announces the creation of the memristor - the fourth basic electronic element.


May

George Bush calls for US$700m relief aid for global food crisis. Cyclone Nargis devastates Myanmar. Dmitry Medvedev assumes Russian presidency. Olympic torch reaches peak of Everest. Over 70,000 killed by 7.9 quake in China's Sichuan province. Nel & OJ tie the knot. HP buys EDS for US$13.9b. Bloodiest bank robbery in the Philippines claims 10 lives. David Cook wins Idol. ManU pulls a 1-1 (6-5 p.s.o) victory over Chelsea to grab UEFA trophy.


June

Barack Obama wins Democratic nomination. Ana Ivanovic secures first major as Rafael Nadal earns 4th Roland Garros. Limping Tiger Woods ends season prematurely after US Open triumph. Boston Celtics defeats old rivals Los Angeles Lakers for their 17th NBA ring. UP@100. Typhoon Fengshen leaves 155 dead in the Philippines. Manny Pacquiao KO's David Diaz to become the first Asian 4-division titlist. Spain beats Germany 1-0 in Euro 2008 final.


July

Inquest on the MV Princess of the Stars disaster continues in the Philippines. Venus Williams thrashes sister Serena for her 5th Wimbledon crown while Rafael Nadal dismisses Roger Federer in the longest men's final in The Championship's' history 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7. Pope Benedict XVI celebrates World Youth Day in Sydney. Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela is Miss Universe 2008. Carlos Sastre of Spain wins Tour de France.


August

Magnitude 6.0 tremor once again strikes Sichuan. Conflict in South Ossetia worsens. The Bird's Nest hosts the start of the Summer Olympics on 08-08-08. ARMM holds first electronic voting in the Philippines. Michael Phelps sets 7 world records and bags 8 gold medals in swimming as Usain Bolt goes 3-for-3 in athletics in Beijing. Rafael Nadal supplants Roger Federer as world number 1 tennis player after triumphs in Toronto Masters and the Olympics.


September

Serena Williams wins her 9th slam; Roger Federer salvages year with 5th straight US Open. I celebrate my 24th birthday. Civil war erupts in Bolivia; power-sharing pact in Zimbabwe calms the situations. World remembers 9/11. Russia claims Fed Cup. Sebastian Vettel becomes youngest F1 grand prix winner after topping the Italian GP. Milk scandal further intensifies China's bad year. USA wins Ryder Cup. Mortgage crisis triggers US recession snowball.


October

Dow Jones records biggest intraday drop finishing below the 10,000-point mark. European markets fall steeply while Asian stock exchanges tumble. Nobel Prizes are awarded to the discoverers of papilloma and HIV viruses, among others. Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Portugal and UAE recognize Kosovo. Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother are murdered. Philadelphia Phillies edges Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in 2008 World Series.


November

Lewis Hamilton edges Felipe Massa 98 to 97 becoming the youngest F1 Drivers' Champion. Sebastien Loeb wins WRC for fifth consecutive time. Barack Obama is USA's first African-American president. Chrysler, Ford and GM testify before US Congress for bailout package. Peru hosts APEC Summit amidst global financial crisis. Protesters lock up Bangkok airports. Spain wins Davis Cup. Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams prevail in yearend championships.


December

Zimbabwe cholera outbreak claims 425 lives. Micronesia recognizes Kosovo. Manny Pacquiao ends season as Fighter of the Year with 3 victories in 3 weight classes after a lopsided win over Oscar Dela Hoya. Toyota announces first operating loss in 70 years. Israel launches offensive strikes against Palestine in Gaza Strip in the middle of holiday season. Glenn and May tie the knot. CKT01 reunites. Eustaquio Family welcomes 2009 together.

Every Day of 2008

Where did you begin 2008?
== At home with family and relatives.

What was your status by Valentine's day of 2008?
== Busy? Away? Idle? Ah, single. Hehe.

Did you have to go to the hospital?
== Yes. Dental checkups and internal medicine consultations.

Did you have any encounters with the police?
== Nope.

What did you purchase over $500?
== The closest to $500 is the wedding gift worth US$250 (or CND$350) I bought for Glenn&May. Since that was a group gift, divide that amount by 23. Haha.

Did you know anybody who got married?
== Neil, Nel&OJ, Kristine and my bestfriends Glenn&May. Did I miss anyone?

Did you know anybody who passed away?
== None in my family or close friends.

What sporting events did you attend?
== F1 viewings, The Aquino Cup, Bowling, Tennis and Volleyball games.

What concerts/shows did you go to?
== Loverage @ UP Fair and Incubus Pacific Rim Tour

Where do you live now?
== Taguig

Describe your birthday.
== Same as last year. Haha.

What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did?
== Witness my two bestfriends getting married to each other. Aaaawwww.

Any new additions to your family?
== None.

What was your best month?
== None of the 12 months stood out from the rest. Wala akong maisip e. Haha.

Who was your best drinking buddy?
== Pugoy and Cholle! Haha. Puwede rin si Randy. Or si Domz... at si Apollo hahahahaha.

Made new friends?
== A lot! Check my FB. Hehe.

Any regrets?
== Yeah, quite a few.

What do you want to change in 2009?
== If change is equal to improve, then my answer is CAREER!

Overall, how would you rate this year?
== 9.42477795/10 --> this is basically 3pi.

Have any life changes in 2008?
== Meron naman.

Get a new job?
== In 2009? I sure will think about it.


How old did you turn this year?
== 24

Did anything embarrassing?
== All the time.

Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
== Why should anyone deny it if he did? Labo men! And yeah, I know not just one, not two... but three Davids. Haha.

Start a new hobby?
== Why not?

Are you happy to see 2008 go?
== Who isn't? Move on guys!

Drank Starbucks in 2008?
== A lot. I have 1 1/2 planners - haha I mean, I was able to fill up 1 1/2 cards with stickers.

Been naughty or nice?
== More naughty than nice haha. Pero I'm still the same nice guy you know. C'mon, I'm serious. Hehe.

What are you wishing for in 2009?
== World peace. Seriously...

Done something you've regretted?
== Natanong na 'to ah. Yes, yes, yes! Kulit mo!

Lost someone?
== I thinks so.

Cut class?
== N/A

Was involved in something you'll never forget?
== Many times.

Cooked a gross meal?
== I don't cook. Haha. I mean, I don't cook gross meals.

Lost something important to you?
== I think so.

Got a gift you adore?
== I think so.

Tripped over a coffee table?
== I don't think so.

Dyed your hair?
== Never.

Came close to losing your life?
== Not yet. Haha. Knock on wood.

Went to a party?
== Partey! Tugs tugs tugs tugtugtugs tugs tugs!

Read a great book?
== No, 'cause I'm a loser. Hehe.

2008: FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

Did you meet any new friends this year?
== E natanong na rin 'to eh.

Did you dislike anyone?
== A few people.

Did you grow apart from anyone?
== Maybe.

Do you have any regrets when it comes to your friendships?
== No! I love my friends.



2008: YOUR BIRTHDAY

Did you have a cake?
== Yup.

Did you get any presents?
== Yup.



2008: ALL ABOUT YOU

Did you change at all this year?
== Just a bit.

Did you change your lifestyle?
== Just a bit.

Were you in school?
== Nope.

Did you have a job?
== Yup.

Did you drive?
== See (Read a great book?).

Did anyone close to you give birth?
== Zasha and Pam (?).

Did you go on any vacations?
== Short ones, yes.

Would you change anything about yourself now?
== Change is a constant thing. Bring it on!



2008: WRAP UP

Was 2008 a good year?
== Yes.

Do you think 2009 will top 2008?
== It can only get better.

My Bestfriends' Wedding

Yup, the apostrophe was appropriately placed after 's'. My two college best friends John Glenn Kilayko and Maydeline Que are getting married today.

I am part of their entourage as the Cord Sponsor. I can hardly put into words how happy I am to witness a very special moment in my friends' lives.

May God always nurture their bond with His blessings and guidance, and I wish them peace and happiness throughout their married life...

Okay, I need some rest now.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everywhere

It has been a year since this post.

So let's all wish the world again a very merry holiday season!

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Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon
Geseende Kerfees en 'n gelukkige
Edo bri'cho o rish d'shato brich'to!
Selamat Hari Natal dan Tahun Baru
Seng Dan Fai Lok, Sang Nian Fai Lok
Bon Nadal i feliç any nou!
Glædelig Jul og godt nytår
Hyvää Joulua or Hauskaa Joulua - 0nnellista uutta vuotta
Kala Christougenna Ki'eftihismenos O Kenourios Chronos
Mo'adim Lesimkha. Shanah Tova
Shubh Naya Baras
Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr!

==========

One way to spread the Christmas spirit around the world is through art - specifically, dancing. I got the link of the video below from my friend Roy. This is from wherethehellismatt.

Collectibles Here, There, Everywhere

It was few days before I graduated from UP, I recall myself withdrawing my remaining DOST stipend from the PNB ATM terminal inside the campus and, as luck struck me, the machine dispensed a dozen of the infamous ARROVO BANK NOTES (100-peso legal tender). I was with my thesis partner Ivy at that moment and she asked me to sell to her half of the collectors' item bills that I got, so only 6 stayed with me. Then my uncle bought another one of the remaining six for 200-pesos. As of the moment, 5 ARROVO BILLS are in my possession and these 5 are marked with consecutive serial numbers (AM461894 to 98).

Then, this evening, after hitting the gym, I decided to withdraw some cash from a BPI terminal at Robinson's Corporate Buiding in Ortigas. And... surprise! Ten University of the Philippines Centennial commemorative bills (100-peso legal tender) appeared in front of me. I was tempted to withdraw more cash to see how many of those collectibles were inside of the machine but I knew I would just drain my funds empty if I did that. So, I just pressed for another 2000-pesos to cover me for at least a week - and, the machine gave out 4 500-peso bills this time. By the way, these bills also have successive serial numbers (ET366161 to 70).

I am trying my best to keep them in good condition - no crease, no dog-ears - and hopefully, I will be able to sell them at higher value in the future. If you are interested or you know someone who collects rare (well, I think, they aren't that rare yet) items like these bills, just tell me - we can negotiate the price. Bwahaha.

Greet Me Here, There, Everywhere

Another year has come and gone.

Wait, this resembles my post last year. So, tamang-tama, another year has come and gone... But wait, there's more - do you know that Facebook has something like this:

Thank you to the Facebook Team (haha) and to the following people who greeted me just in time, after the clock struck 12:

Cholle, Winston, Topher, Chris, Martz, TJ and my DotA-mates (cleric0730, hunk123, denhizz, tasky_earl, ecemike, jokiz, hellboie, hell_boie, and a dozen more hehe).

8 Here, There, Everywhere

The opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics 2008. The 27th birthday of outgoing tennis #1 Roger Federer. The will-be wedding anniversary for many superstitious couples.

And then, the perfect symmetry - 08/08/08 08:08 AM.

They say this is a lucky day? Perhaps... but, I guess, only for the lucky ones.

Legendary Everywhere

What are the odds? I was just asking a minute later, and here I am, posting the result of my test regarding "Which HIMYM character are you?" quiz.

Obviously, I am Ted... the hopeless romantic guy who is quite a very good story teller.

Which How I Met Your Mother character are you? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Ted congratulations, you are Ted! Ted is a sweet, romantic kind of guy, and always tells amazing stories. Hi Five! Ted 70% Barney 55% Marshall and Lilly 50% Robin 45%

Gossip Everywhere

Do they have a "Which HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER character are you?" quiz? I wanna know if I'm LEGEN-wait-for-it-oh-it's-comming-there-it-is-but-I-hope-your-not-lactose-intolerant-DARY. Anyway, I think I have to be content with GOSSIP GIRL for the meantime. The result is still AWESOME.

WHICH GOSSIP GIRL SERIES CHARACTER ARE YOU? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Nate Archibald You are Nate Archibald, intresting... Nate Archibald 56% Dan Humphrey 56% Vanessa Adams 56% Blair Waldorf 44% Chuck Bass 44% Jenny Humphrey 38% Gossip Girl 31% Serena Van DerWoodsen 31%

Spontaneity - Everyday, Everyway

Your Personality Type: The Spontaneous Idealist

Posted using ShareThis

Where art thou, Liberty?

Are we really free?

Are we enjoying genuine independence?

Liberty, where art thou?

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Things may be uncertain, things may not go our way, but let's enjoy the moment, let's celebrate a century and half a score of our so-called "Independence".

Nike Everywhere

First, it was the Air Zoom Vapor IV "Federer Wimby07" edition...


Now, the City Court III Metallic...


Next, the Air Max Breathe Cage II "Vamos Rafa" edition.


I love Nike.

Just do it!

Metrowalk Everyday

Well, not really everyday, but I must admit, Metrowalk has been my crib for the past couple of weekends because of my current addiction to F1 race - an addiction rekindled by my good friend Cholle.

My first time at Phi Bar was during the free viewing of Spanish Grand Prix 2008 last April 27. According to Cho, the attendance that night was considerably low - at 26. Anyway, Cho and I won a lot of prizes from the organizers (headed by Pinoy F3 and rally driver Mike Potenciano) including UNO and C! magazines (Cho actually received a free one-year subscription of C! for winning a totally honest trivia game hahaha), car cleaners (which are so useless), Toyota caps (woohoo!), BMW pouches (which my father loves), Phi Bar VIP Card (10% discount card), and 50 pesos. It was Andy (the US expat on the right) who won the money for us - he predicted the correct combination of the top 3 finishers in the right order (Kimi, Massa, Lewis). Zaldy (the guy to the right of Cholle) made a deal with us that whoever came up with the right guess should willingly split the prize money among the four of us. Too bad, Andy's bet was identical with those of 12 other people. So instead of getting the whole PhP2600 pot, we settled with just PhP200 - thus, 50 bucks for each of us. It was a great night not just for the F1 fans, but also for Scuderia Ferrari and its drivers who we were rooting for - Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. They gave Ferrari a 1-2 result that brought the team in front of the constructors' championship race.

Two weeks passed, it was May 11, the race day for the Turkish GP. Okay okay, it was Mothers' Day... so before I went to Phi to attend another free viewing, I made it sure that my whole day was spent with my mother and my family. I also managed to greet as many people, especially the moms in my phonebook, as possible through SMS - and of course birthday boy CL. Alright, back to F1... Ralph was able to join us this time (congrats, for graduating from the UP College of Business Administration). We were not so lucky this time in the raffle draws, but hey, I won in the fantasy game. I bet that Massa would win the race, Lewis would be the runner-up and Kimi coming in third - and that was the exact order of the podium finishers after they completed 58 laps of the circuit. I won PhP300... again, I did not get the whole pot of PhP2700 because 8 other contestants guessed the same combo. The prize somehow subsidized our bill for the evening - we had a bucket of beer (I think, we ordered a couple of bottles more) and a platter of thank-heaven-for-this-oh-so-yummy-nachos. Also, we all got free F2020 fuel saver (which again, is not so useful 'cause I don't have an effin' car!) and the same issue of C! mag which Cho and I got during the Spanish GP. Baduy!

Another twin-podium appearance for Ferrari - if I haven't mentioned it above, I must tell you that I am a Ferrari fan - notice the red shirts? And a Kimi fan, as well. So we headed out of Phi smiling. Scuderia Ferrari is now 19 points clear of its closest competitor BMW Sauber and 21 points ahead of long-time rival McLaren-Mercedes; Raikkonen has already amassed 35 drivers' points while Massa and Hamilton are tied in second with 28 apiece. Then we spent an hour in El Pueblo eating ice cream and fries while reminiscing the good old times and planning future gimiks/outings where hopefully, more Barkadahan peeps will be able to attend. After some deliberations, it's final - we'll be in Galera on the 30th of May until the 1st of June. Details to follow my friends. Hehe.

I was also in Metrowalk last Saturday, at Elbow Room specifically, for OJ and Nel's pre-wedding party. Vernon & Mshel, Daniel & Felise, Philip & Dae, Cheson, Elaine (OJ's sister) and other friends of the bride were there to celebrate the couple's last few days of singlehood. The food was insane - it was terrific! Got some booze, played some billiards and joined in fun games that fit the theme of the party - shower/stag party in one hahaha.

I can't wait for OJ and Nel's wedding which will be held on Sunday, May 18th at the Fort Bonifacio Officers' Clubhouse. I, too, can't wait for the Monaco GP race day on May 25th. I invite both F1 and non-F1 fans out there for another free viewing at Phi. The race commences at 8pm.

Hopefully, this week, I'll be able to watch Speed Racer, Indiana Jones and Harold and Kumar.

That's all from me tonight... until then!

====

PS: Thanks Cholle and Mark, for all the pictures. I am still waiting for Mike's pictures. For more F1 viewing images, visit this link. :)

PPS: To all grammar police out there, please proofread my article 'cause I composed it during the wee hours of the night (which is getting more usual these days) while my brain was already ready to shutdown. :P

Dirt Here, There, Everywhere

I got this from Nhiza.

Your Mind is PG-13 Rated

Your mind is definitely a little dirty. You're naughty, but not trashy. You don't shy away from a dirty joke, and you're clearly not a prude.

Do You Have a Dirty Mind?

Name Here, There, Everywhere

Got this from Jim.

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What Onin Means

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

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I totally agree with most of the qualities my name supposedly conveys especially with these ones:

1. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.

2. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.

3. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.