I AM right now in my daughter’ condo unit here on Ortigas. Been here since yesterday while Gem and roomies are at Sofitel Philippine Plaza for an overnight observation/immersion stay - a requirement for their HRM class. She called me up last night and described the nice view from her room which is overlooking the pool of the hotel. I told her it should be a lot nicer if she instead took the room with the bay and the city view. Anyhow she said she wished I was there with her and luxuriate a little. Oh no, suddenly I was seeing the dollar sign again - a bad indication for me whenever expenses roll in and I begin to do mental computations. But then I told her in my ever sweetest voice, “saka na lang anak kapag naka graduate ka na. Di ba nag promise ka na ililibot mo ako sa lahat ng mga magagandang hotels sa buong mundo?” 
The truth is I did not really mind just being holed up here in her unit. I have the internet all to myself. hehe. Yes, at last, I relented and allowed them to have internet here in their condo. I initially objected to installing this amenity because I was afraid it would be a distraction to her studies, knowing how my ever friendly daughter could spend hours chatting with friends on the computer. (Gosh, you should see her kilometric list of YM pals!) But well - as it seems - the internet is now becoming a necessity especially with students who much depend on it for their researches. Aside from that, some professors even go to the extent of emailing assignments or lectures to their students. Therefore having an internet connection has become very necessary for them.
Well, I don’t have much to share in this entry for actually I am still feeling sleepy and lazy. Ah, this is a break from my usual routine in Dagupan. At home, I am often caught between household chores and work. There are even times when I get snagged between answering the landline, my cellphone and the door during those not rare occasions when they suddenly ring all at the same time. Not to mention those times when I have some stew simmering on the stove, or when the cats are exceptionally stubborn and won’t get out of my way when I’m in a rush. Oh, and talking about my cellphone.. I have been without it since yesterday because I forgot to bring my charger, and worse, I forgot to charge my unit before leaving for Manila. So now it is completely dead and except for the internet, I am out of touch from the outside world. Pero di bale, eto, at buhay pa naman ako. Puwede rin palang mabuhay kahit walang cellphone. hehe.
Being alone can cause the mind to wander. And not having anything to do yesterday when my eyes got tired browsing on the web, I looked out of the window and took photos here and there with my camera phone.
Photo of this building makes me think of Marco. He is living in a condo unit somewhere in Makati - on the 26th floor. Jeez, that sends shivers down my spine. Here at my daughter’s I am only seven floors above the ground and the staircase is just opposite this unit therefore in case of emergency such as a fire or an earthquake, occupants of this room can climb down and out of the building fast.
I am right now thinking of having Marco and Gem stay together in one place - preferably an apartment - for practical reasons. Although my son’s monthly rental is being maintained by the company he works with, he is still paying the electricity, water, phone and other services. So why not the two merge their dwelling and save on costs? And perhaps Marco too, can help in subsidizing Gem’s monthly stipends? hehe. Just a thought, my son, but if you insist….
Have a beautiful and productive week ahead, everyone!
Makati and Ortigas are not really near each other. One of the two might end loosing a lot of time in the traffic.
So you enjoy condo life for a weekend? -)
Well, hopefully they can find a place just in between, Sidney.
Yes, condo life on a weekend - all by myself. I’m pigging out while playing with pc games. Things I didn’t enjoy when I was a kid. haha!
It is so nice to be alone once in a while, away from all the chores and routines. And this is just so ideal, alone in a condo unit with unlimited net access. Every blogger’s daydream, ika nga.
Lazing in a condo unit for the weekend can be fun because being a bum for a change is awesome; that is what I think.
Hehehe!
aaah alone time.
there is something…exhilirating about living on a high-rise. once lived on the 39/F.
just avoided looking down.
We used to live (my sister) in apartment building for almost 13 years before moving to a house and the last one was only on the second floor of the 17th floor apt. (minus # 13) and besides right on the end where the stairways was, I can use the balcony for emergency escape.
Cell phone, not really a necessity in our case, more of just convenience. I use mine just mostly for alarm and emergency where emergency dispatch can easily locate the caller’s location. But every youngsters can’t live without it..
I miss my Manila life! hehe
(Tita pasalubong hehe)
If Marco is anything like my two brothers… then, it is not a good idea… hehehe! My brothers and I would end up quarelling and making kulit each other if you put us together in one condo.
Ang sarap mo jan ha… living a student’s life in Gem’s apartment.
Lemme see, it’s the weekend, you’re alone, and staying in a condominium unit located right at the heart of the Ortigas business district, and is a mere minutes away from two malls… and you chose to stay home??
Major Tom - i’m like — yIpeee! and sliding on the floor, throwing pillows, ransacking the fridge. haha. nice to be like a carefree child again.
Yes, Kyels - bumming around for a change! hehehe.
Hi, Gerwin! High rise living din kayo ni C sa Hong Kong, I bet? Hope to see you around sometime. Tagal na, a.
Hi, Vic! for a mom like me - cellphones are a necessity. It really helps in keeping the communication line open between me and the rest of my family. It helps me also to have peace of mind , that I am always in the know about how my kids are doing.
Ay, Mica sorry hija - inubos ni Aypee yung inuwi kong Kripsy Cremes. hehe.
Toe, naku , huwag ka at parang aso’t pusa din ang mga anak ko. They are already grown ups but when the three of them get together - it’s a total riot! hehe
Sngl - oo na, nag-mall din ako siyempre.
your daughter’s lucky to have a mother like you
I don’t think I like to live in a high rise though—26th floor– I’m suffering from vertigo now, just thinking ’bout it …
Wow, nandito ka pala sa Manila and enjoying your free time. At least nakakapag-unwind ka. Just enjoy dahil pagbalik mo ng Dagupan, balik ulit sa dati.
LAR, actually, as of this moment, nandito na ako sa Dagupan.
Thanks, Pining!
I also suffer from vertigo so I avoid looking down when I’m on the the topmost floor of a tall building.
Mam Rhoda,
Two things:
1. in case of earthquake, you should climb up the stairs, not go down.
2. We can now do auto-podcast using odiogo. Take a look at techie.prepys.com and click on ‘listen’ button.
I think your blog is perfect for the podcast. Let us know if you want to have the same feature on your blog.
The cost is free!
Oh, thanks for the tip, Wilson. But the condo where my daughter stays is 30 floors high and her unit is on the 7th floor lang, so I think it would be easier to climb down than up?
Oh, with the podcast - sure, I’d love to have that. I want my readers to hear my beautiful voice. hehehe.
P.S. Wilson, can I do the podcasts myself?
What a lovely life you have, Rhodora. 2 grown up kids living on their own and a home away from the hustle, bustle and smog of Manila. Plus all the bangus and bagoong at your doorstep. Sarrraaappp!!! Inggit ako kasi matagal pa bago abutin ko yan.
Nga pala kelan ka babalik ng Manila, pahingi naman ng 10 kilong Bonuan bangus, yun boneless ha
Hi, Kongkong! Di naman masarap ang buhay ko, ang lagay e, trying to relax lang, kasi ang dami ko na ding pinagdaanang hirap ng buhay. Haay! Drama. hehehe.
Sure, why not? Hayaan mo, pag bumalik ako ng Manila, which is very soon, I will email you and we’ll see how you can get your boneless bangus from me.
the things you think about when you’re alone hehe morbid thoughts hehehe
If you ask the pragmatic me, it’s wiser for the two sibs to stay in one apartment but kung kaya pa naman na tig-isa sila ng condo why not coconut?! hehe
parang alam ko saan yan condo na yan
padala ko na lanzones dyan trade ng tiklis ng bonuan bangus. kaya siguro post ko yung boneless bangus adventure ko saka hundred islands
Verns, right you are. When alone, you tend to think of the most unthinkable things. hehehe.
Maybe by by summer next year, I will have to make a decision on whether or not to let the two of them stay in one dwelling together.
Tutubi, I think you are just around this area, right?
Ay, sige, sige! Padala mo na ang lanzones, dali! Isang tiklis, ha? Ilang kilo ng bangus ba ang gusto mo? hehe. I need to be back there in Manila before end of the month.
Sure Mam Rhoda that is an even better idea. Send us your recording and we will take care of the rest.