Sunset Found! In His Time

I gave up on finding it. But it found me. Naks. LOL

It’s finally mine, the condo unit I had wanted. And it checked all the boxes (well, almost all). It’s 850m away from the office, an easy 15min walk. It is tiny at 29sqm but it does have a balcony. And as it faces southwest, it still has a stunning view of the sunset. It faces BGC directly, and at its right, the signature lighted buildings of Rockwell. Best of all, it is beside a body of water, the picturesque (?!?) Pasig River. 

The condo building was not in my consideration set. I actually forgot about it. But one December afternoon, I was coming from BGC and passing the new Kalayaan bridge. I looked at the buildings ahead bathed in the afternoon sun. Some of the buildings, particular Brixton, I was already familiar with. But I found this beyond my price range. Then I saw another building to the left of it, also majestically facing the afternoon sun. I took pictures and googled the building and found it. 

I quickly looked at FB Marketplace to check for units available. And there were! And the prices quoted were within budget.  I sent DMs to the ads. Two responded quickly. I set up an ocular for the following day.  I liked what I saw and made an offer.

We closed the deal in 10 days! 

The owners were very generous and easy to deal with. And they made sure that the unit could be used on Day 1 (really clean bathroom! And appliances!). But the interiors are not to my taste so I’ll have to spend for a unit makeover. I’ll do that mid next year. 

For now, I plan to put some basic stuff that will allow me to use the unit as my sunset halfway house, for those times I need to de-stress from the office. 

I had given up on looking for this unit (as I posted earlier). But I feel that it had to be in His time, not mine. As Mary put it “the Almighty has done great things for me.” Truly His gift for Christmas. 

Had the worker strip the unit bare.

Still Chasing Sunsets

This obsession with sunsets! Not enough that I have Fierro sunset in Zambales. Lately, I have been looking for an affordable condo with a sunset view near the office. 

It started a few months ago. I’ve been spending more time after work at the office. And I wondered how great it would be if I could crash in studio unit during those late work nights. But it would need to have a sunset view, for those times I could leave early and watch the sun set.

I started looking at some units and that got me really excited. I started a Pinterest board as my peg is hotel, industrial, open-shelving style. Of course, the furniture would revolve around that view, making sure I would have a perfect spot to gawk at the sunset.

I found the unit with the perfect view but it had its downsides: quite far from the office, not the best-looking building, ceiling not too high. But look at that sunset!

Unfortunately, it is ultimately beyond my budget. As much as I tried to pencil-push, I was going to be pushed into borrowing. And that is something I do not want in my last two years of being regularly employed.

Why am I so obsessed with this lately? It really is a response to the kind of stress I have been at work. And I need a project to distract and de-stress.  My last project was the condo in Manila. That had a seasonal sunset at the bay view. It’s currently being rented so I can’t use the place for sunset chilling. 

But beyond the sunset chasing, I like working on interiors actually. From designing, to fit-out, to shopping for fixtures and furniture, I enjoy the whole range of activities involved. And finally seeing that image in your head come to life feels so amazing. 

So there. No condo unit that fits the bill AND the budget but I remain hopeful. 

Hawaii this time around

Late post. Post-visit to Honolulu. My 2nd time, a duty trip this time.

Back in 2009, the visit was purely personal. I stayed at Bill and Gordon’s place. That was my first vacation after breaking up with ex. And I was deep into the single life. At that time, I was flirting heavily with this guy online - Marlon. But that turned out to be a dud. LOL. This visit, Bill reminded me of Blaine, a local I met in my last visit. I remember we went as far as making out. But that was it.

This time, as part of work, I went through some touristy stuff, mainly arranged for the clients. Duke’s for lunch. Lobster and Steak Dinner on a sunset cruise. Macadamia Farm. Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck. Polynesian Cultural Center’s Theme Park, Buffet dinner and theater. Waikele Premium Outlet shopping. Hys Steak House. I extended a few days to hang out with Bill and Gordon. And just my luck that Gordon was celebrating his birthday during that time. I was glad to have joined him for that.

Aside from the shopping lOL, the best part was hanging out at Waikeke Beach waiting for the sunset. And I had the best sunset view on my last day. Aside from hot, hot guys everywhere. What a treat. 

I wonder if I’ll get to come back for a 3rd time.

Zemana Zanta za Zambales

 It’s my first time to experience Holy Week in the beach house. I arrived yesterday and will be here till Black Saturday. 

I truly deserve this break, exactly a month after I took on the new role officially. it’s been a toxic one month, something I failed to anticipate when I ‘accepted’ this new challenge in Nov last year. (Not that I really had a choice. Lol)

I struggled with making sense of the work schedule. For someone who got used to a 9pm to 5am sleep schedule, the late-night meetings and activities just threw me off. I oscillated between accepting my fate and wanting to challenge the status quo.  Thankfully, I was able to get some respite from the schedule partly after having an expectations-alignment with my bosses. But best of all, they listened to me, even as they gave me clear rationale for the kind of work I was expected to do. 

I really believe that was Divine Intervention at work. As I was struggling on a day-to-day basis, I kept on praying for guidance, for strength and for wisdom. The Lord truly intervened for me, His way of telling me that this is part of His plan. 

Going into Holy Week, I am blessed with a clearer purpose and a lighter load, only because I ‘came to Him whose load is easy and whose burden is light.’

I’m taking the time to finish up on Maria Ressa’s book, maybe stream a movie or two, write some posts and just relax and chill in the summer weather of Zambales.

A meaningful Holy Week to you all!

Another New Year’s Day

 Truth is that today is just like any other day. 

Truth is…

… that there will be many surprises to come, a lot you didn’t anticipate or plan for

… that there will still be failures

… that there will still be broken hearts, or angry, unforgiving hearts

Just like any other day

The only thing that can change is you, how you view all that will come your way, despite your best plans and intentions

If for every New Year’s Day, you become just a bit less of your old self in however you react. And more of a new one - a bit calmer, a bit steadier, a bit more open, a bit more accepting, a bit more loving. 

Then every New Year’s Day becomes a special day like no other.