Goodbye, Summit...

I can't believe tomorrow is my real last day at Summit. My official last day is supposed to be on the 15th but since I need to move out of AIC to go back to Sta. Rosa on Monday, I will be taking my last three days off. It's surreal, really. I'm sad that I'm leaving and scared, because I have a new life. For the first time in three years, I'm not getting up in the morning knowing exactly what I need to do for the day. This is the life I've known and have come to love. That is why despite my complaints in the past, I never really wanted to leave Summit. This is actually a really good company. Everyone is so different that there is no room for envy or fierce competition. There's no one trying to sabotage another's work. Each person takes pride in what she (or he) does and each one respects the other (most of the time) because each one knows that every person has his own talent and plays a vital role to accomplishing our goal -- which is to give each person a magazine he/she will enjoy and learn from.

I have met the most interesting people on the job. I never thought I would meet (and actually talk to and be in the same car with) Myrza Sison. I have been a Cosmo reader since the Philippine edition first came out (although now I enjoy Marie Claire and Preview more--reason being I'm getting old!). I would be checking if the latest issue was already out a week before the magazine was set to come out. I have always admired her--the ultimate fun fearless female. And now, I actually run into her in the rest room and she says hi to me! Simple joys, I know, but even to this day, I still get starstruck by the big names in the magazine industry: Myrza, Pauline Suaco-Juan, Jo-Ann Maglipon. I still can't get over how perfectly polished the Preview girls are everyday. No fail, they always wear the perfect clothes and you see them most days having their makeup done by Agoo (oh the beautiful Agoo) at her desk. It's Sushi for Beginners come alive. I still can't get over how our big boss Lisa is not Ms. Lisa or Ma'am Lisa--she's just plain Lisa. She's so simple, she has a laugh with the staff (not me specifically but I like watching her kid around with the FHM people or Ms Jo-Ann, whom she calls lola) and she's just so passionate about the magazines. When I joined Summit, we had about 10 titles, now we have 22 plus Summit Books. I just admire that she's accomplished so much and yet remains so down to earth. I just wish I had an opportunity to be able to get to know her or have her get to know me. I remember one time I was at Bo's, doing one-to-one with a girl and she was buying coffee. I saw her waving wildly saying "hello!!" with a bright smile. I had to look behind me because honestly I never thought she even knew I existed but she did and that just made my day.

I can't believe I'm leaving. But I know I have to move on. If it's God's will for me to come back, I know He'll make a way. Maybe in editorial the next time around? Hmmm, gotta polish up on my writing skills...

One of those surveys again

1. Do you like Chinese food~ Yes, I do. But my favorite is still Japanese
2. How big is your bed?~ a single
3. Is your room clean?~ yes, it is. :)
4. Laptop or Desktop computer?~ Desktop
5. Favorite fashion icon?~ Gwyneth Paltrow, Carolina Herrera and a bit of Sarah Jessica Parker
6. Do you like yourself?~ Yes, I do, but I'm still a work in progress
7. Does anyone like you?~ Yes, I believe so, I have many friends
8.. Sleep with or without clothes on?~ with clothes, of course!
9. Who sleeps with you every night?~ Nobody, just me.
10. Do long distance relationships work?~ I think it would depend
11. How many times have you been pulled over by the police?~ By the MMDA, about 3 times before
12. Pancakes or French Toast?~ Pancakes with a lot of maple syrup
13. Do you like coffee?~ Yes, I do although it's not something I need to have everyday
14. How do you like your eggs?~ depends on the ulam (hehe...)
15. Do you believe in astrology?~ No.
16. Last person you talked to on the phone?~ my cousin Denise
17. Last person on your missed call list?~ Kris
18. What was the last text message you received?~ A forwarded message from Fida
19. McDonalds or Burger King?~ McDonald's
20. Number of pillows?~ three
21. Last thing you ate?~ Ruffles Cheddar and Sour cream
22. Last thing you bought?~ KFC chicken for dinner
23. What are you wearing right now?~ a black shirt, jeans and chucks
24. Pick a lyric, any lyric or song?~ "People get ready, there's a train coming, Don't need no baggage you just get on board; all you need is faith to hear the diesel hummin', you don't need a ticket, you just thank the Lord" -- wonderful song revived by Alicia Keys and Lyfe Jennings for the movie Glory Road
25. What kind of spread do you like on your sandwich?~ cheez whiz
26. Can you play pool?~ only with someone directing me
27. Do you know how to swim?~ yes, I do.
8. Favorite ice cream flavor?~ vanilla, double dutch, dulce de leche, cookies and cream, strawberry cheesecake
29. Spin the bottle?~ when I was younger pero yung Truth or Consequence lang
30. Ever attended a theme party?~ Yes, but I'm not really good at theme parties
31. Ever do a keg stand?~ No, what's that?
32. Craziest place you've slept after a night of drinking?~ Don't drink anymore.
33. What is your favorite holiday?~ Christmas
34. What is the first music video you ever saw? ~ I can't remember pero parang Video Killed the Radio Star
35. Favorite quote ~ "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail; they are new every morning." Lamentations 3:22-23
36. Where is your favorite saturday hangout?~ My house
37. Best friend/s' name?~ Kris
38. How long have you known them?~ Almost 7 years
39. Last time you laughed at something stupid?~ Hmm... I can't really remember
40. What time did you wake up this morning?~ 8:00am
41. Woke up next to anyone?~ No.
42. Best thing about Summer?~ Summer convergence, campus harvest and the beach!
3. Name a couple of favorite colors:~ white and green
44. How old are you?~ 27
45. What month is your birthday in?~ November
46. Do you think pirates are cool or overrated? ~ I don't think about pirates at all
47. Favorite song?~ Better than life - Marty Sampson and Knees to the earth - Watermark
48. What are you doing this week?~ Turning over stuff, preparing to move back home