100 Things

Sige na nga, ako na rin. Got this from Tonet who got it from Candice.

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?

Running away from a man dressed as a gorilla. (This is also how I got my fear of mascots)

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
Hooks, and a couple of cork boards with the ship's itinerary, my picture at the Panama Canal and port agent information.

3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?
I snore when I'm really tired, I don't think I grind my teeth, I talk in my sleep. In fact, I've had conversations while sleeping.

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
Anything with a melody I like.

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
Nope

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
Be with Peter

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
Being with Peter

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?
My MacBook and DVD collection

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
5'0"

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
Yes

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
Not so much

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
Peter... but they were happy tears

13. WHATS YOUR WORST FEAR?
Losing my loved ones

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
I'm more attracted to guys with dark features

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF PROPOSING / BEING PROPOSED TO AT?
In bed

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
I prefer coffee

17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Anchovies

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Lengua

19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
I've always been partial to the rust/copper hues

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
Nope

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
Voltes V robot in Baguio....xmas gift from my parents. I prayed hard for this for weeks and to this date, I still remember the feeling I had when I got it. Feels good to be given something you really really want.

22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
Of course.

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
Nope

24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
There are a number

25. WHO IS THE HOTTEST FEMALE/MALE CELEBRITY?
Johnny Depp and Will Smith

26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?
My dogs are in Manila.

27. WHAT KIND IS IT?
Dogs nga.

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
I did.

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
88

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
What about them?

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?
Yes

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Stawberries

36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?
Yes

37. FIRST JOB?
Site Editor

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
Yes

39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOULMATE?
Hmmm... I believe every relationship needs to be worked on.

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
Checking email

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
Yes

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
My smile

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
Yes

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
My iPhone. I just need to buy it... hehehe

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?
I want one of each.

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
I do know that my second name was taken from St. Anne, the mother of Mama Mary

47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?

48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU MISS ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
Not having a care in the world

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
Sunsilk

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
It's ok.

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
I like vienna sausage or Century tuna. For meat meat, I like steak or lamb chops

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
A few

53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?
Yes. But I always try to control it.

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Oh yeah

55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?
Upon mutual consent

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
In the beginning, sure. But I've found character and a (healthy) sense of humor always trumps looks in the end. So if you have both looks and character, good for you.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
Now that I can't drive, I usually just scream in my cabin. Either that or I throw stuff around (then regret it when I can't find the stuff I threw around)

59. WHATS YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE?
To be the best wife and mother I can be. And to be able to balance career with family.

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
Barbie

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?
A lot

62.WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?
Thank God I didn't grow up with Barney. I don't get Barney

63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Oh yes. In fact, Sarcasm is my middle name

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
Mashed potatoes

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
Someone honest, loyal, kind,

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NAMES?
Patricia, Pia

68. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Oh, a lot. Friends, SATC, My Boys, Brothers & Sisters, Iron Chef, Project Runway, Grey's Anatomy, House, Desperate Housewives, Firefly, Californication... I miss them all.

69.WHATS THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?
They're not worth my time.

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Strawberry!

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
Yes

72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?
Yes

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
Chat with Peter

74. WHAT'S THE FASTEST YOU'VE EVER GONE IN A CAR?
About 95mph on the freeway

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
Only those who want to

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
There's a commercial for DeVry University playing in the background

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?
Tehbotol

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Peter

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
The way they carry themselves

80. WHAT DO U LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Sleep, watch TV, sleep, hang out with friends, sleep, drink, sleep

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?
Kobe Bryant

82. FAVORITE MONTH OF THE YEAR?
December

83. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?
I like chocolates

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?
Yes

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?
Brown

86. EYE COLOR?
Brown

88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
KFC

89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Saigon Grill in New York

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
I love sushi

91. LAST THING YOU WATCHED?
The Perfect Storm on TNT

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
My birthday

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
I used to play the piano

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?
Neither

95. KISSES OR HUGS?
Kisses and hugs

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
Relationships

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
Internet card

98. DO YOU HAVE A LOW SELF ESTEEM OR A HIGH SELF ESTEEM?
I believe I have a healthy amount of self esteem, but I'm also prone to moments of insecurity.

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Well, I've been trying to read "A Bend in the Road"

100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE:
Pure bliss

i must be crazy

i have decided to give love another try. there's a guy onboard who'd been courting me persistently and he wore me down and i fell in love

it was a long process for us to get to this point. a lot of discussions, arguments, compromises... but at the end of it all, we both realized one simple truth: we want to be with each other and we are both willing to do whatever it takes to end up together.

i know i made a promise to myself that i wouldn't have another long distance relationship unless i was sure that the guy would meet me halfway. i could see that this guy is willing to do just that.

i've come to the conclusion that i'm absolutely crazy. let's be honest, i could very well end up broken-hearted and that scares the hell out of me. but at the same time, i'm glad that my ex didn't destroy me as much as i thought he did. i thought i'd lost the ability to take risks and be adventurous, but it appears that i haven't. and i have my new guy to thank for that.

i remember hearing somewhere that if an opportunity to change your life comes your way, you should take it. i ended up working for holland america. it's turned out to be one of the best decisions i've ever made. not because i met my new guy but because i discovered things about myself that i never would have otherwise. plus i've opened so many doors for myself.

a few months later, those same words managed to find it's way to into my consciousness. this is where ny new guy comes in because he was definitely behind one of the doors that i entered. and walking into that door may mean a completely new life for me. and i believe that's an opportunity i shouldn't pass up.

it's been a long time since i've felt this passionate about anything - apart from working onboard - and i have to admit that it feels good. and i'm looking forward to where the ride is going to take me.

quote of the day

"life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets,
so love the people who treat you right,
forget about the ones who dont,
and believe that everything happens for a reason.
if you get the chance, take it.
if it changes your life, let it.
nobody said life would be easy,
they just promised it would be worth it."
--- Harvey Mackay

kwotable kwots

"there are some things that are nothing than what they are. they are not meant to last. they just take a special place in your heart and make you smarter the next time." - alex & emma

"i still believe in paradise. but it's not a place you can look for. it's how you feel for a moment in your life. and when you find that moment, it will last forever." - the beach

This is not a drill

Let me tell you about the fire situation we had last April 26. My cabinmate Joanne and I were directly affected. I was about to take a nap during my 1-hour break when I could smell smoke in our cabin. Joanne, my roommate, was on the phone and she smelled it as well. We looked around the cabin to see where it was coming from and we saw smoke coming out of our A/C vent. Joanne told whoever she was talking to – I think it was her mom in the Philippines … very good – and promptly started to panic. I told her to go outside and call the Bridge. She just kept saying, “Pia, our cabin is filling up with smoke!” over and over again. I, on the other hand, was putting on my uniform and telling her to dial 97 to call the Bridge. She did and got a busy signal. We kept trying until we got through.

Meanwhile, the smoke started spilling out of all the cabins and into the hallways. I was able to get through and informed the officer that there was an unusual amount of smoke in the ladies quarters on C-Deck and he told me, “Yeah, we know about the situation in the incinerator. That’s normal.” About 3 minutes after I put down the phone, the smoke detector in our cabin started beeping. Two minutes after that the fire alarm went off. Normal… sure. So much for my break.

Joanne and I went up to the Front Office, which is our point of assembly during emergencies. Apparently, things had gotten a bit out of hand in the incinerator and smoke started escaping through the A/C ducts. Even the guests in Decks 4 & 5 aft had smoke coming into their rooms.

Suffice it to say that our weekly fire drills paid off. We posted signs in our designated areas and proceeded to the affected passenger areas to keep guests calm and away from the affected fire zones. I was stationed on Deck 6 aft and I couldn’t help but observe our guests’ behavior. It was interesting to see how self-absorbed and stubborn people can be, especially those who, in my personal opinion, have such a sense of entitlement. Let me give you a few examples:

- I ran into two guests on my way up to check on my guests. They were on their way down to I don’t know where so I informed them to just stay as far back from the ship as possible as our fire and safety teams were trying to control the smoke situation on Decks 4 & 5. The wife said that she just wanted to pick up a jacket in their stateroom. I asked them what their room number was and I noted that it was located towards the back of ship on Deck 6, which was closed off as well. I told the guests about this and advised them to proceed to any of the public areas. The woman started acting up about how cold she was and that I’m preventing her from being comfortable. Ay, I wanted to shove her into her smoke-filled room, I swear. It took every ounce of willpower to not answer back with a sarcastic remark. Instead, I told her that the fire screen doors had already sealed off their section as a precaution so they wouldn’t have access to their room.

- One of my guests had a dinner reservation for 7:00pm in the main dining room, which had to be sealed off as well because of the fire. When I saw him on Deck 10 – this was around 6:15pm – he came up to me and said, “Patricia, we have a dinner reservation at 7pm. Do you think the dining room will be open in time for that or should we move our reservation to a later time?” I was stunned. What I wanted to say was, “Seriously? The ship could have burned down, people could have gotten hurt, and all you can think about it your *$(%$(#@ dinner?” But what I said was, “I would hold off on moving your reservation, sir, and wait for further updates from the Bridge. You may, however, want to consider the other dining options such as the Lido Buffet or in-room dining. I would recommend the Pinnacle Grill, however it is also in the affected fire zone.

- One of the Front Office girls told me this one: A guest from one of the staterooms in the affected area came to the Front Office very upset that their room smelled of smoke. My colleague reminded her that there was a fire that got a little bit out of hand that caused smoke to into a number of the staterooms, including hers. The guest said that she expected compensation for the inconvenience of the smoke smell. This, after all the affected rooms were issued complimentary laundry service and a thorough cleaning of their cabin. Very nice.

- This one’s not related to the fire, but it’s a good story of how cheap people can be: One of the guests from the lower staterooms had some of her medication refrigerated in the Infirmary. Apparently, the fridge in the infirmary was a little too cold because her medication froze, which rendered it useless. Since it was the ship’s fault, the guests were informed that they would be reimbursed for the medication that they’d purchase ashore. The husband was fine with the arrangement. The wife, however, would have none of it. She said that because the ship ruined her medication, we should, as a gesture of goodwill, pay for a piece of jewelry she was eyeing in the shop upstairs. Talaga naman.

I actually have a LOT of stories about how cheap the guests onboard can get. You have no idea how many times we hear the word “compensation” in just one day. I swear, I’m beginning to develop an aversion to the word.