was something I always enjoyed when I was still in the family business. I love that there are no imminent deadlines to beat, and that the pace is slower and lazier. I went to the office today, and while there were some staff working there, the vibe is the same. Only, I can play music this time. It's easier for me to concentrate when there's music because i actively have to tune it out, so my attention is more focused. My only complaint: no air conditioning is death. My cube does not have a dedicated electric fan. Hello, sweat shop!

My weekend's officially begun. Time to do the grocery, shop for Christmas gifts, and take a look at that memo I was making one last time. Hehe

outside of work. I do socialize, but with batchmates. Yes, you could say we suffer from separation anxiety still. I've had dinner with some of them for three nights in a row. All of my OT pay will go to the dinners I've had with friends post-cadetship. It really feels like we miss each other, even if we know we're one local phone call or an elevator ride away.

I've been busy arranging an inter-agency meetings for a Senate bill, and it's been four days of running around like a headless chicken. My bosses are the best. Ex-Dir says that the first year as officer is really all about learning the ropes. I'm so happy they're so understanding. And that there's always food every time I return to my desk - chocolate, or fruit.

Today, we went to the Senate for the budget hearing. The trip to the Senate, the wait before our turn came, seemed interminable, excepting the parts where Senator Santiago was speaking. She's always entertaining. And a bit scary. From where we were sitting, it seemed she was looking straight at us. I had to keep myself from laughing or looking too amused lest I incur her attention, and consequently, her wrath. When it was the department's turn, it took all of two minutes. Yeah, you could say it was underwhelming. They don't even let you clap afterwards, it was all so anti-climactic.

After tomorrow morning's meeting, I'll be more sane, I think. The first week of work was grueling, but I don't realize the time that passes by. I get surprised when I look out my window that looks over MOA and the Bay, and everything's dark and lit up in lights. But I don't notice the time passing by, and I'm not bored or stressed in a negative way. It's been good. Like my classmate likes to chant, I love my job. And I'm being sincere

It sounds so wrong, but when the work comes in, you can't not do them, because there's more that needs to be done the next day. Our bosses are all so nice and helpful. And best of all, they love to eat and laugh! While there's work to be done, it doesn't feel heavy. I've been doing a lot of administrative work, but I'm on to the substantive part tomorrow. I'm a bit apprehensive, but this is the only way I'll learn.

If I recounted the number of times I ran down our hallway to check on the printer, and to submit all the requirements to my Director, the ex-dir and then Assec, for the USec's office, it would be counted as a workout. Running in heels!

I've just mooched off a bunch of Julia Fordham songs and listened to "Where Does the Time Go?", the one with Curtis Stigers. What a voice! He looks better older and with white hair. Hehe.

I'll be singing "Lock and Key" all day while I do all my errands. I'm gonna wrap you up and take you home with me.

and I just got back from a friend's birthday dinner. I should be used to this. An invitation is never more than just that. I lose out more when I don't go than when I take the pains TO go. And while it's a cloudy night with the moon obscured completely, my heart, for once, is not the moon.

Thanks and happy birthday wishes to Ker. That was good Jap food, and even better company. Arks, Ells, Lourds, Kimi, Dawn and Rics for the catch up and keeping me up, as well. I'm so glad this dinner party became a mini small group. I know where to go now, even amongst the confusion. I may be stubborn and independent, but knowing I can trouble you guys when I need to is comfort enough. I'll try to be less mysterious (?), but you know I'll work it out in my head first before I find the courage to reveal anything. Thanks for having my back.

Assec totally skipped my name when he gave the office orders, but straightened it out and told me I'm heading to OSPPC. We were picked up by Miss Remy, our very nice AO who immediately welcomed me and my partner. We were also briefed by Ex-Dir, Assec, and another senior officer. We've got our work cut out for us. We're also waiting for Ma'am Arlene, who we will be working closely with on some projects. But yes, we've got our job descriptions down pat, our cubicles, PCs and phones straightened out. Thursday we begin work. My partner and I would love to straighten out the slew files in the office. It will have to wait. We prioritize the Senate budget hearing first.




This is us, nervously waiting for our office assignments.

we are cadets no more. And while the Secretary is still deciding our fates - it's really true! nothing is set in stone until you get the office order - there's time for another wacky shot.

is Pink's new video, where she's dressed as a bride jilted at the altar. I remember her singing this at the O2 in London when my friends and I watched her concert in May. That feels like a lifetime ago! But I digress. The video reminds me of one of my absolute favorite movies, Alfonso Cuaron's version of "Great Expectations". While Cuaron's version is full of shades of the color green, Pink's video is in black and white. I suddenly want to travel again, especially after talking to JFA about Europe. I would go back to Europe again and again if I could.

And it came to me then. That we were wonderful travelling companions, but in the end no more than lonely lumps of metal on their own separate orbits. From far off they look like beautiful shooting stars, but in reality they’re nothing more than prisons, where each of us is locked up alone, going nowhere. When the orbits of these two satellites of ours happened to cross paths, we could be together. Maybe even open our hearts to each other. But that was only for the briefest moment. In the next instant we’d be in absolute solitude. Until we burned up and became nothing.

- Haruki Murakami

In Russian, sputnik literally means fellow traveller. I love how this paragraph has so many meanings to it. It's significant to me, because I have to separate myself from 30 other people I've been breathing the same air with for the past six months. While we went through cadetship together, it rings true; we're all on our own separate orbits, carving out our own career paths. But it's not going to be for naught, no burning up and becoming nothing. We're all in this together, no matter which office we are assigned to.

I took note of it, and intended to watch it at the CCP, but cadetship took over. Lumabas kaya ito sa Astrovision?