Instead of having year round resolutions, it’s better to have quarterly health check on how I’m attaining my goals. Here are my short term goals and resolutions. For my friends who are reading this, keep on reminding me on these goals when I go astray. With the help of my life changing planner, I’m pretty sure I will have more checks than crosses.

Work

• Do actual work 8 hours per weekday leaving the office when clock strikes 5 pm. In case of undertime or overtime, I will work at home.
• Take lunch, brunch, merienda, dinner in a total of at most one hour per day
• Fill up OMEGA weekly on Fridays. List down everyday the actual work and timings rendered.
• Transition E8, E9 system ownership and security repetitive tasks.
• Synchronize calendar to mobile phone everyday.

Money

• Save 10 percent of the net pay I earned per month.
• To spend for an electronic gadget, allocate an amount per month equivalent to the gadget divided by four. I should only buy my next electronic gadget after four months. I should never use my credit card.
• Spend money for a Starbucks coffee and other drinks alike only once a month.
• Do not take lunch (or dinner) outside office when I have packed lunch (or dinner). Desserts however are allowed.
• Allocate immediately for house utility bills.
• Reimburse not later than a day as I received Globe bills. Pay these bills during payday using credit card which is one week after the stated due date,
• Put loose coins in the coin bank setting aside P15.00 for the next day’s tricycle fare.
• Use MRT.
• Spend at most one thousand pesos on clothing per month. Mix and match clothes.

Attitude

• Try to be as patient as possible all the times.
• Never discuss or speak anything related with Pinoy Big Bother. It is now formally closed. But I can create another similar one.
• Delete unnecessary SMS messages in inbox (like EGN pages) immediately after receiving.
• Watch more NA and EMEA shows. (Something I got from Hannah’s resolutions.)

Blogging

• Blog at least 5 posts per week. Practice niche blogging bimonthly.
• Twitter every day.
• Reach 200 mark for ambigram count in the end of the first quarter.
• Visit five websites from Stumble Upon and ten blogs from Pinoy Blogosphere. Comment as I like.
• Capture moments with my camera. One album per month.
• Poke at Facebook weekly.

Health

• Eat sisig at most once in a month.
• Take vitamins everyday.
• Kill the Odd Table habit.
• Gain weight. (Something I got from Hannah’s resolutions.)

Friends

• Organize a high school reunion.
• Organize a Kapuwersa reunion.
• Organize a Shububu reunion.

Brain

• Spend at least 30 minutes per day reading blog feeds.
• Read two chapters on SAP Basis Administration a week.

Love

• Love at my own risk.

Happy New Year, guys and gals! This post is about 30 minutes away from 2008 – and 30 minutes away from me to start in achieving my goals. Cheers for another chapter of my Nazty Life!

It is countdown season once again. As I say goodbye to the present year and I welcome 2008, I present to you the memorable stuff of 2007 which I discovered, experienced, enjoyed and also disliked. In a nutshell, I describe 2007 as a year of two things – the barkada gimiks and the controversies. The 27 of the bests and the worsts of 2007 are selected based on how they changed my lifestyle, irritating or likeness factor, sustainability, nostalgia and last recall.

27 – Blind Carbon Copy

I never bcc’ed emails as frequent as this year’s. It changed the way how we exchanged hate e-mails, ranting messages, sites-to-bookmark and of course, chismax galore. It’s already my convention to share my sentiments with my friends on bcc distribution list – an implicit sympathy. There’s only one interesting encounter with bcc emails I will cite. Two persons of two different groups were bcc-ing emails while they reply on each other on a single subject. It’s hard to choose which side I should favour. The issue was closed but the gap in the relationship remained open.

26 – Elections

I patrolled my vote for the senatorial election. The official and complete list of senators reflects less than half of my ballot. Filipinos really favor rebels like Honasan and Trillanes. No doubt that if you have a voice of the reason, you will be heard by the people. It’s also in 2007 where barangay election was held. I used to be clueless on the captain-ables on our community and also on the decision of my father to run as barangay councilor candidate. He actually lost to the Nueva Ecijano politicians.

25 – Wendy Valdez and PBB Season 2

When I just thought that season would crown a male Big Winner, the ladies of PBB Season 2 stole the limelight especially Wendy Valdez. I’m an avid fan of PBB so I can tell that Wendy Valdez adds cruel color (and ratings too) to the life inside The House. Quotable quotes were scattered easily as the ladies of Final Four clash. The usual drama found inside was also witnessed outside whenever the fanatics boo-ed Wendy. Very phenomenal show, ayt? PBB Season 2 shows that people honors not only ‘pagpapakatotoo’ but also ‘pagpapakatao’.

24 – Scrapbook

Scrapbooking was so in this year that several bookshops sell several lines of materials. If it is not for Myk’s celebrated exit, I wouldn’t be recognized for my scrapbooking skills. Myk’s scrapbook was my first (and until now the only) finished creative product. I attempted to have one for my own graduation thing before but I failed to finish. After Myk’s scrapbook, all of the ‘evicted inmates’ wanted to have their scrapbook done by me. I still have overdue books for Kat and JP.

23 – Glorietta Bombing

I am not physically affected by the bombing of the Glorietta 2 but the thought of I might be there that time gives me thriller and chiller. Because of that incident, I stayed away from populous places of the metro at least for two weeks. The aftermath – Penshoppe temporarily closed. Sadness.

22 – ITO Gold Miners and HP Sportsfest

This is another lifestyle changer. My Saturdays became Sportsfest days as the ITO support specialists became support and cheering specialists. I also played for Gold Miners bowling team where we landed fourth in men’s division. Although the Gold Miners did not make it on one of the top three spots, at least this time we’re not the bottom footers. After cheering Gold Miners, win or lose, we save our energy in movie watching.

21 – TV Ratings

Before the tampered ratings issue came out, a Kapamilya like me was bothered so much with the increasing audience share for the Kapuso network. With the exception of Mari Mar, my fellow workmates would talk more about ABS-CBN shows. And yes, we’re on the upper class that gives a big chunk for Channel 2’s ratings. But more jologs (other than me) watch Telebabad. TV ratings war becomes the everyday dosage of some blogs and print media. You see it and read it.

20 – 1 VS. 100

I am really enjoying the show. I love the concept of beating the mob by a single person. Although questions are not for high IQ-privileged folks and are from popular culture, I found it more relevant than answering excusable-to-be-forgotten elementary questions of the localized Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? Calculus nga hindi na magamit sa everyday life yun pa kayang pinakamalaking kabibeng matatagpuan sa Pilipinas? Because of several episodes with bad editing and transition, I sometimes give this show thumbs down. This goes with repeating the question at least thrice per round.

19 – Ang Pinaka

One of the finest hours in weekend primetime is this show na nangunguna pagdating sa paglilista (which is what I am doing right now – listing) – Ang Pinaka. Although it is usually tackling showbiz oriented topics (which is definitely not boring), there are episodes that are educational review of the Philippine and world history. Anything pop is my enjoyment and Ang Pinaka lists the top of the pops so it is indeed a viewing pleasure.

18 – Vadtref

‘Ewan ko sa ‘yo’, ‘Kumusta naman ‘yon’, and ‘Big Brother!’ are few of the expressions I usually utter during conversations and pag-iinarte moments. These are not mine. ‘Vadtref’ which has also been part of my daily vocabulary this year made it to the list. It means ‘Bad Trip!’ that I usually speak whenever something not favourable happened ranging from smallest detail to world issues. The derivation of the new word is similar to ‘Avaf Dumf’ – Kat Llamas’ pauso word.

17 – Credit Card

If you couldn’t watch over your swipes, you must cut you credit card immediately. This is what I learn in controlling my powers to buy. I use my credit cards in shopping, dining and paying monthly bills for rewards points. I just delayed the payment and zero out my credits. My credit limit I think is at minimum so I’m not afraid to be bankrupt that soon. Because of credit cards, I instantly get free items and food such as National Sports Grille servings which I don’t get straight away from Rewards Card such as Laking National and SM Advantage.

16 – Mister Kabab

One of the best discoveries and the best food find of 2007 is Mister Kabab. I love its oxbrain and chelokabab served with unlimited garlic sauce. Yum yum. I don’t actually get very pleased for the first time. You can tell it is normal and does not exceed your expectation after your first bites even your friends brag these specialties of the house. But as we visit Mister Kabab often especially after sportsfest, I started to crave for more.

15 – Trinoma

I’m just starting to learn the geography of Mall of Asia when Ayala’s Triangle at the North of Makati rose. It becomes my favorite spot. The architecture and interior design are superb and very accommodating. The super stores of Penshoppe, Oxygen and Bench are located here. Food choices are almost endless. Starbucks and Timezone at the top level are ok too. Cinemas are excellent. ATMs are strategically scattered. Ergonomic is the adjective for this mall.

14 – Theme Parks

I visited Enchanted Kingdom this year for the very first time. I enjoyed Space Shuttle and Anchor’s Away that much. It’s off-peak and there’s Blast From The Past promo where the cost of the ticket is same as ten years ago. That’s a double treat. And before the end years, we tried Global Fun Carnival and the dreaded Ranger. It’s nothing compared to EK but it is still fun.

13 – Nokia 6300

Say goodbye to N91 and hello to Nokia 6300. When my stupidity sends the 4GB phone to its new owner slash dishonest finder-keeper for free, I have no choice but to buy a new phone. I promise myself not to look after high-end phones since I already have my Canon and my plan to buy an iPod. Nokia 6300 is a nice-and-slim to have. SMS. Call. E-mail. Minimum specification but a satisfaction.

12 – QMR

I also believe it’s not a technology expertise but more on project management area (of responsibility). I’m so proud (and kataas-taasaang, kagalang-galangang EMEA folks too) of what I, together with my team, had accomplished for the last quarter in pushing patch management on Wella successfully. It changed my lifestyle that I need to take a cab from Makati to Cubao. Thanks for the safety and honest service of MGE taxi cabs. Imagine thousand of bucks were spent and I got nothing financially in return. Pang-starbucks ko rin yon! More than the feeling that I might bypass Kido and Jeff in terms of seniority in QMR, what bothers me in taking the role is my another lead role in security. At the end of the day, I must not work for free. That’s final!

11 – Puerto Galera

My first and second visits to Puerto Galera are both memorable. First, I was snorkling, island hopping, eating kebabs, drinking light beer and beach bumming with the couple Kido and Jen. And second, snorkling, island hopping, eating kebabs while others have their European breakfast, be tattooed, videoke singing and drinking alcoholic Mindoro Sling and getting tipsy and noisy with the Kapwersa barkada.

10 – Twitter

Because I can’t keep what I feel to myself only, Twitter has been an express outlet on what I’m doing and feeling on the days of my Nazty life. Good thing someone has developed a Twitter WordPress plugin that I can attach side-to-side with my lengthy blog posts. This is also the cause why Starbucks planner lost its function.

9 – Boracay

Even though I’m not 100% strong-willed to join ERP in Boracay for I already spent a large amount of money for a camera, at the end of the trip, I am more than 100% satisfied on our white sand experience. Plus, I was not stressed in the preparation – thanks to Gerry and Marianne for organizing this wonderful event. It was my first airplane experience too. I actually broke my coin bank afterwards for I spent more than ten thousand pesos on island hopping, banana boating, night life drinking, parasailing and eating terrible tenderloin steak.

8 – Videoke

I don’t have a powerful and on-the-tune voice but I have the audience impact (no matter how bad it is). Because of the monthly send-off parties, my vocal chords became rehearsed. I know that there are songs that are better listened than sung by Jonas. But why will I spend some bucks if I won’t sing? But don’t worry if you gonna videoke with me, I can yield and actually find a song for you to sing. Trivia – the only song that I can sing on perfect tune is Westlife’s If I Let You Go.

7 – Canon S3 IS

It is my precious camera I bring along whenever wherever there’s barkada and family trip so I can’t miss special times with my loved ones. It was bought from Hidalgo Street of Quiapo and I was able to save almost half the original price of it. Thanks to Jay and he accompanied me in buying this camera few hours before the airplane to Boracay took off. You can check my Multiply account for the albums.

6 – Despedidas

The attrition rate issue is still not yet resolved and closed. While everyone’s finding the reason for each of us to stay, we celebrate and bond once more with our friends that opt to sway away. With monthly exits and evictions, I developed my skills on organizing events. Imagine how successful it is to have more than forty heads inside a videoke room celebrating a send-off party. Sometimes subsequent celebrants just wanted it to be simple next time. Besides calories from feasts, the sets of information on what’s there on the outside world keep on growing also.

5 – WordPress and SEO

When jonas.ph went live, I migrated from Blogger to WordPress in order for me to manage one single site with different categories instead of having multiple blogs under one account. And I was impressed on what I see. Few months later, I learned how to sell my site through search engine optimization which has been the thing this year. Plugins and themes then help me in developing and personalizing (orasidifying?) my website. Jay asked me on what content management he should use in his website – I reply ‘Wordpress’

4 – May

She breathes to life the word ‘moments’ this year. I can simply be myself whenever she’s around. I can be at my corniest and silliest sense of humour and I can be at my most outraged no-time-for-Starbucks moment. I share with her the ups and downs of having a Nazty Life. Most of the time, I succumb to her on our work-life balance discussions. She might not know it but my ‘Vadtref’ becomes ‘Challenging’ like hope in midst of frustration.

She keeps on laughing and telling ‘hindi talaga pwede tayong magsamang dalawa’ for our (evil) remarks and commentaries. ‘Talaga bang hindi pwede tayo magsama?’, I then ask, to myself of course.

3 – Movies

I spent some of my payday bucks on movies. Movie watching is never been this frequent. Of all the movies I watched with barkada, Transformers, Stardust, Enchanted and 1408 are the flicks I enjoyed most. Last year, I won MPass privilege card from a Microsoft-sponsored raffle. And its purpose has been served when we can reserve guaranteed seats for minimal fee on top of actual ticket price. We also enjoyed Ocean’s Thirteen, Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World’s End, Simpsons the Movie, Next, Bourne Ultimatum, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (twice) and Die Hard 4.0. I enjoy Shrek 3 alone.

2 – Big Bother

Pinoy Big Bother is the most controversial post in my website that was applauded by people and even those who I don’t know around the world. In the same time, it irked the elites of this primetime reality. Reactions and overreactions were heard. I am supported (of course, at the background for security reasons) by friends who respect opinions and enjoys parody. The consequences are wooh! I have no regrets in expressing and showing creativity and reality.

And my last cent to close the year and the issue with the bang – I have no intention of destroying, attacking or whatsoever. Intentionally or unintentionally, if this PBB thing questions one’s management and that irks, well, what happened to open-door policy?

1 – Ambigrams

The ultimate hidden talent that was finally unexposed. Creating ambigrams becomes my hobby and now a passion. Everyone enjoys the magic of my ambigrams even though it is still on the draft phase. It changed my life as now I see ambigrams everywhere – in MRT, in billboards, in television… My lookup table is growing. I haven’t filled up my Starbucks planner but now it has new purpose of being a sketch pad. I’m a newbie on this kind of art and am willing to learn from other ambigramistas in the world. What I like about my work is that it is not constrained on the Blackletter font which most ambigramistas used. I’m looking forward for more ambigrams and hopefully potential customers!

Looking back on the year that was eventually makes me looking forward on exciting things and experiences on 2008 which I foresee as a ‘Year of Many New’s’. Coming very soon.

Although the destiny has already ended (or should I say ‘destiny not found’), I still decided to improve the ambigram for Myk and Annie.

Here’s what the love story looks like six months ago.

I have already at least 20 ambigrams now thin-line-scribbled in my notebook. This fourth one is my newest ambigram that popped out my, ehem, creative, mind. I have to enqueued this work of art ahead of others because it can hardly wait after June 5.

The Present…

And his Future…

“Myk / Annie”. Nazty Ambigrams by Jonas Roque

So, what do you think, Myk? Is it really a destiny?

Another reconstructed ambigram for the couple Jay and Shey. This time the use of ampersand and letter S is straightforward and should have been used ever since.

Look at my first attempt.

Here’s my third ambigram installment… of course, as draft still.

Simple but sweet.

My friend, Jay…

… and his love, Shey…

“Jay & Shey”. Nazty Ambigrams by Jonas Roque

A new improved ambigram for Kido Villena after six months.

“Kido Villena”. Nazty Ambigrams by Jonas Roque

I feel that I’m doing better. Hehehe. Look at the first attempt below.

Before Kido requested me to have an ambigram for him and his “non-showbiz girlfriend”, I already did a solo. And here it is:

I tried Kido-Pogi and Enriquito-Guwapo ambigrams but did not work. Hehehe. Not meant to be.

My attempt to have an ambigram for my fellow (and quite younger than me) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) scholars, Emman and Jenny, is a serendipity to have a second ring ambigram. Ampersands save the day again!

“Emman & Jenny”. Nazty Ambigrams by Jonas Roque

I met these two great kids only once during the Christmas Party of OWWA Scholars held the other week. And even such unfamiliarity, malakas sila sa akin eh para gawan ng ambigram! I hope they will remain as scholars until they graduate on time. Another OWWA event must follow that first meeting. Summer outing!

Pahabol. Sabi na eh… kayo eh! Bakit kasi walang holding hands that time? Bawal ba sabi ni *beep*? Tweetums pang freshies. Hehehe.

Jen, kita kits sa Big Brother Teen Edition.
- Kuya

And the last ambigram for the day but certainly not the least – an inversion for my girl best friend at echpe, Kathrina and her hubby, Norman. I made a promise for Norman’s Anj (as in Angel) to have a beautiful art for the long-time life partners. Statistics shows that 95% of long-distance relationships fail, Kat and Man’s bond belongs to the other 5%. Way to go! Kasalan na!

“Kathrina / Norman”. Nazty Ambigrams by Jonas Roque

What I like about the ambigram is the consistency of the fonts. Sharp! Somehow similar to the ambigram I made for Kathrina before.

A granted ambigram request for my good friends and couple, Paul and Nits. Their smiles are infectious. I don’t know but if you see them, you will feel that they are happy and it shows and glows. That’s what love gotta do.

“Paul / Nits”. Nazty Ambigrams by Jonas Roque

When they added me in their Facebook community, they are in a relationship. Check their profiles now and they’re engaged! W00t! Congrats! Update: They’re getting married!

Here’s another installment of the destiny-themed ambigrams for ERP Love Team of Year 2006 – Richard Dennis and Hannah Audrey.

“Richard Dennis & Hannah Audrey”. Nazty Ambigrams by Jonas Roque

It is necessary to complete the first and second names of our shububu friend, Hannah because there is another lady with coincidentally has H.A.S. initials, Hannah as first name and very “link-able” to Richard. At para na rin walang disturb-o. This consideration added Richard’s second name too.

I like this ambigram for the Hunnie-Bunnie’s (I hope I spelled it right) because double N’s of Hannah and Dennis coincide. Really meant to each other eh? Indeed the ampersand trick really helps to come out with fabulous inversion.

I’ll make this script-y in your wedding invitation

… because I don’t want Yayo to set her foot on Big Brother’s House again.

When Gaby was invited to come back to PBB after she voluntarily exited, Yayo questioned Kuya’s decision. Gaby had already connected herself to the outside world and that made her less deserving according to Yayo. When Gladys entered as the newest housemate as a replacement for Ethel and Mcoy, Yayo still commented on the side that it would be more fair if someone from the pool of evicted housemates would step in. And ironically, Yayo, who has the issues on returning housemates, wants to have a comeback to the house.

What irks me is the fact that she refused to receive the 400,000 pesos donated by whoever becomes a member of the Big 4 for her personally intention of going back to the famous house. Question to Yayo and to Gaby (who had voluntarily nominate herself as a replacement) – how are you sure that Yayo will make it to the Big 4? Is the 400,000 pesos guaranteed pot not enough for Yayo? That would mean that she’s hitting for something more. ‘Tatapusin ko lang ang unfinished businesses’ is an old cliche and would not knock hearts of the televiewers including myself.

Secondly, Yayo knows that someone had to replace her. Isn’t she that considerate of the housemate and the supporters of the affected housemate? Knowing Filipinos who favor underdogs, she might have more sponsors when remained quiet and did not ask for the return to the housemate.

With the exception of this circus act, she plays safe. When Kuya asked celebrity house guests Mariel and Ethel about the strength of character removing the financial need factor to play, I could answer in behalf of everyone, that Gaby shows more than Yayo. I love Gaby when she’s voicing out her reasons even it would mean contradicting Kuya – very very Jonas.

I hope that televiewers would vote wisely for Gaby. I might not vote her until the Big Night (for the reason that she has tendencies to quit which is ironic for a racer) but I would like to have her instead of Yayo.

Fans of Yayo, feel free to comment. But still, I have the right to moderate. Hahaha.