In the Loop

My new project, a la Running in Heels!

It's nice to kind of be back at my old job where I'm currently running the internship program until classes start in this part of the world. Three lucky girls were chosen from almost a hundred,[correction, more than 100; 151 actually from when I last counted] and in terms of talent, personality, and work ethic, they are quite a cute bunch. Cute is a word I've chosen for now because we all just started and we're still in the getting-to-know-you stage.

I met the girls for the first time on Monday and while I can't really talk about specifics, one girl gets to fly out to New York City at the end of the program. As the director I am more or less responsible for choosing who that would be, but I have the help of other 'heads of state,' so to speak.

Anyway, after working freelance—as in no office building—I find it both refreshing and amusing to be in the presence of cubicles, and of course, old friends and colleagues! Earlier I realized how being at the office felt like one big living room where so many people who helped shaped my work and personal life were simply footsteps away; it's amazing!

A few cubicles down is my dear friend Frances, who, at six months pregnant has a cute bump and a waddle to her walk [Oh dear Neighbor I actually haven't noticed the waddle; I only took your word for it from your blog :)]. The heels are gone but she still looks fab, as how editors-in-chief look and carry themselves. It's so nice to easily get to catch up with her in the pantry, or pop by her desk to chat...or in the case of this afternoon, check out her beauty product stash. I'm one mascara rich today :)

Directly behind me is Preview Magazine's EIC, Pauline Juan, who always looks effortlessly fashionable. Also close by is editorial director, Myrza Sison, former Marie Claire EIC who recently relaunched the new Femalenetwork.com. And the desk next to me belongs to my good friend, former Seventeen associate editor Tata Mapa, who now helms Martha Stewart Weddings. So cool. It's exactly like how my dad described how one should work: that it shouldn't feel like it.