It’s been awhile since I’ve updated my blog. I guess, ever since I came back to Taipei last Sunday, I was just so swamped with all the little details (or you can say that I’m just lazy) that I didn’t really have the time to update. Haha, blame it on the Desperate Housewives DVD Mike lent me… they’ve been taking tons of my time at night! 😛

Well, now that Chinese New Year’s finished, it’s back to work now.

Sigh.

This means waking up as early as freaking 7:30 AM and going to work every day doing what my colleague would say, “busywork.” The pressure is also on because I’ve recently accepted a project to analyze the financial records of Local Government Units (LGU) in the Philippines. 🙁

Frankly, I’ve never done much financial analysis before although I’ve done a bit of it before in university. My experience lie more in writing… but as a friend told me before, “When an opportunity presents itself, grab it with both hands. You’ll never know what will happen if you didn’t.“

I think this is an opportunity to take myself out of my comfort zone and doing something different. Heck, it’s a challenge, but I’m quite sure I’ll get something from it.

As they say, I can’t just waste my time in Taipei partying and running around. Better do something productive at least, and I think this project will definitely be productive.

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*groan!*

I’m sooooo out of shape. 🙁

My shoulders are so sore right now (I need a massage!) while my lackluster performance climbing the walls yesterday screamed that Raven needs to get into shape and fast!

Sigh, that’s the problem most people who visit home face — losing the pounds they’ve put on back home. In my case, my mom thinks I’m malnourished (though I’m not… people here are super thin) so has been feeding me nonstop the time I was there.

I think I have easily gained at least 2 to 3 kilos within 10 days there. 🙁

Man, a lot of work still needs to be done! Haha, given that I’m planning to go back to the beach late this February (planning a brief trip to Boracayas we speak), I need to get back in tip-top shape so I can look good in my bikini.

Jia you!

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Just to share my lunchtime conversation with my male colleagues.

I was telling them that I had dinner with my 39-year old brother and his 31-year old girlfriend when I went back to Manila. Unfortunately, I smelled doom a mile away.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my brother to bits, but his stalling on getting married to his 5-year girlfriend is obviously straining their relationship. While my brother was in the restroom, his girlfriend bitterly confided that she doesn’t know whether if this relationship is even going anywhere, or are they just doomed to remain boyfriend/girlfriend for the rest of their lives. I guess, her biological clock is ticking… and she does want to have kids.

My brother was no help either.

He was nonchalant when his girlfriend was giving heavy comments on wanting to get married. He even commented that she needed to go to a gym, a “no-no” for women.

Sorry guys, that sends a signal that we’re fat. 🙁

“No, I’m not going without you,” she retorted. “Of course, I want both of us to do something together! It’s also for your health.“

“But I have no plans of going,” he replied. “You don’t need me there, you can just go by yourself. Do something good for yourself.“

They almost sparked an argument. If I wasn’t there, I’d bet it would’ve been a shouting match.

Anyway, I hope it works out between the two of them.

But when I was talking about this with my colleagues, to my surprise, they felt that there was nothing wrong with my brother’s reaction.

“But he’s being so complacent,” I said. “He thinks that she’s going to stick with him even if he stalls… there’s really no reason for him to hurry up!”

“I’d rather think of it as ‘security’ than complacency,” my colleague replied.

Security or complacency? Which is it?

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When I went back to Manila, I was blessedly single and happy. I guess, having friends who are older than you (my youngest close girlfriend is 28) decreases the pressure of wanting to get married and settling down.

“Raven, there’s no rush for you to get married,” they always tell me. “What’s the rush? You’re still sooooo young. Give us older women a break and leave the eligible guys to us.“

I’m expecting a lot of negative feedback now, but bottom line is, they were in a rush, but compared to them, I really wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I want to get married. Heck, if the right guy comes, I have no qualms in settling down and starting a family. But if he’s not here yet, that’s okay. I can wait.

This girl’s egg cells are still healthy, and am sure it’s not a problem yet. I’m still fertile, thank you very much. 🙂

But after seeing a handful of my friends and relatives who are the same age as I am getting engaged/married, I’m starting to feel the pressure.

“The best time to have babies is when you’re on your mid- to late-20s,” my best friend couseled. She’s a medical doctor so she knows what the hell she’s talking about. “When you’re in your 30s, it’ll be significantly more difficult for you to give birth”

Aiyo.

My mom’s no help either.

She’s started telling me that now’s the best time to look for a soulmate who shares the same ambition and vision that I do so that we can “start building your business empire together.“

Well, at least, I know I have one cheerleader in my mom. 🙂

Frankly, I am starting to feel the pressure and am just 25!

Breathe in… breathe out…

Well, right now, it’s not as if I have no prospects. I believe some guys are clearly interested, but we’ll see how long they’ll last. I know that “fly by night” men are not unusual, and for once, I’d like to take my time before jumping into new relationships.

As Mike had said, “Date more! Have more fun!”

Well, as I’ve said, I don’t really date. I “hang out.“

But I’ll definitely have more fun, starting with an almost-full February schedule. 🙂

Till tomorrow!