November Updates

I always seem to find a need to psyche myself up to making blog entries, but whenever I end up staring at the blank space I just buzz out. But November has come, and it's brought along a few topics that are screaming to be talked about, at least in passing.

Tragedy
Disaster struck the Philippines when Typhoon Haiyan touched down with all its monstrous power in Tacloban, Leyte last Friday, November 8. Up until now, the news is still booming with updates on the aftermath. Thousands of families have been displaced and a large death toll count hasn't even capped yet, so it's normal feel remorse for them.

In this time of need, we all need to band together to help out in whatever way we can, but more news of groups looting the relief goods intended for the victims is just despicable. I just abhor hearing that these type of people exist and not have the decency to do the right thing and let what's intended for others actually get there. It's great to see the efforts people are taking to do what they can, and the international assistance we've received from other countries is very much appreciated. I tip my hat to everyone pitching in, doing and giving what they can.

Love
My girlfriend and I celebrated our 5th anniversary together as a couple last Saturday, November 9. We didn't plan anything extravagant, but decided to go someplace nostalgic and dine at a restaurant we frequented in college - the newly renovated Teriyaki Boy along Katipunan. The rest of the day, funnily enough, was spent playing Pokemon X / Y.

Success
Lots of activity in the office. Since my last update work-related, there have been some transitions and I find myself climbing up the career ladder a few more rungs. At present I'm carrying two positions, both as a Lead QA Analyst (QA3), as well as an OIC QA Director. The load is definitely larger, but I'm prepared to plow into it and make things work. Hopefully, I'll be able to get that coveted designation as director of the department (scratching off the officer-in-charge) with a bit more people to handle. Fingers crossed.

November sure has been eventful, and we haven't even reached the halfway mark. I've got a few more topics in mind, but that'll have to wait until next time. For now, we work.

Pokémon Origins

So for anyone who's a fan of the Pokémon franchise, the Pokémon Origins should definitely be on your must-watch list. While it's only a four-part adaptation that follows the game and manga more faithfully, it will plummet you into a wave of nostalgia.

This follows Red's story, and the evolution of his bond with his Pokémon. This includes appearances (and actual speaking lines) by his rival Green, Professor Oak, Mr. Fuji, Brock, Giovanni and Lance among others.

While a lot of the game's aspects are retained as opposed to how the series turned out with Ash as the hero, we only see glimpses of the events we end up having to do throughout the game, like obtaining fishing rods, getting a free bike, battling Team Rocket thugs and gym leaders of the Kanto region and the like.

This post won't be a review so much as an advertisement to find time to watch it, especially since it helps promote one of the new features to come when Pokémon X & Y debut to the 3DS console! Of course, I won't want to spoil anything, so if you're an old soul looking to find some nostalgia with the first batch of Pokémon we came to love, then go ahead and watch it!

Full movie uploaded by YouTube user dbzgamerKingCold

AnimeUltima alternate: Pokemon Origins Online

Blake-ify It!

So today is a new month. One of the reasons why I chose to make a quick blog today was because it was Aiba Hiroki's birthday today! This entry's topic is somewhat hilarious in its own right, but might only make sense to me and my girlfriend.

But anyway, yesterday we passed by Data Blitz to pre-order Pokemon X & Y for the 3DS (since you know, we both have one) after a satisfying dinner at Ha Yuan Spring, a chinese restaurant along the back road of my office.

We went exploring a bit in Glorietta to look for some stuff before calling it quits and just headed off to Timezone to sing some songs. I had the mic for most of the time, and just like the fangirls we are, we usually enjoyed singing songs of Maroon 5 (because Adam Levine). One Maroon 5 song in particular would always have a "version 2" so to speak because of the different manner in singing it. The song? She Will Be Loved. The version? Blakeified!

As the term suggests, it's singing the song a Blake might have sung it. So the lower key, and just to add spice to the whole Shevine chemistry, flip the words around.

Another song she asked me to Blakeify was Vanessa Carlton's A Thousand Miles.

Needless to say, it worked.

I should find some more songs like that.