Day3 - Macau and Wan Chai (July 30, 2010)

This is a solitary trip. Mom and company have gone back to Cebu. I'll be roaming Macau on my own, or maybe with someone if Ate Ging's friend is available. She contacted her friend, Chris Stratford who works at the Venetian. Chris is an English guy in his fifties who designs shops/spaces etc at the Venetian Macau.

I took off on the 10AM trip of the The First Ferry from the TST ferry terminal since I was staying in Kowloon. The trip was approximately one hour. I already then texted Chris that I was on my way to Macau and if he had time off to see me or better show me around Macau.=) Well, his reply didn't arrive till my two feet stepped on Macau.
During the entire one hour, I did try to take a nap, read the print outs about Macau, tried to plan how to start my tour, first stop, next, etc. I know in my mind my first stop had to be Senado Square, and just go about where my feet would lead me. On my list were Senado Square, Fisherman's Wharf, The Venetian Hotel, Sands, MGM, Wynn, and whatever other casinos I will see along the way.

As I got off from the ferry, I was kinda roaming around a bit, not entirely knowing how to get a bus - should I cross across the street? where the heck is the bus stop. Well my huge wandering eyes found a bus stop. I asked a local how much the bus fare was so that I could prepare my coins. Since he didn't speak English and he just said something like "Hongkong money OK". I tried showing him a map and pointed to Senado Square to ask how to get there but he just pointed at the bus stop. So I waited for the bus to arrive and hopped in. Now, where was I gonna get off? I asked the passengers sitted next to me but oh my goodness, they couldn't understand me. This is a big problem for tourists in China - majority don't know English. Unlike the Philippines, majority can speak English, maybe not fluent, but could understand English and speak a few. So what I did was just watched out for the cobble stoned floors of the Square like what I saw in pictures. When the bus stopped at a place which I thought was the Square, I got off and only to find out it wasn't!!! So I walked and walked until I met some tourists who was able to show me where Senado Square is. And I was truly far far from my destination. So I walked and walked till I got to the Square. Oh dear me! I took my camera and started taking pictures when 3 tourists approached me and asked me to take a pic of them which I obliged smilingly. I also asked them to take a pic of me. =) And then it hit me that maybe I should go with them, I was all alone and needed some company! And they were so kind to accomodate me! I learned then that they were from Switzerland and were on a China trip - mainland China, HK, and a quick tour of Macau. They were on their last day and will be leaving in the afternoon. They spoke Italian but know how to speak English. So there I made new friends. Though they couldn't stay long as they had to leave by noon, I was alright with it. As long as I didn't feel alone...So there we explored the square and then went to the Ruins of St Paul, the church that was burned some years ago and what was left was just the facade. After this we then went to The Venetian Hotel. I didn't realize that inside the Venetian they were trying to replicate Venice. Inside, they really made it look like Venice - w/ all the architecture, river (minus the smell as my Swiss friends say), the boats, etc. The Swiss didn't appreciate it very much as they say it was all FAKE! hahaha...Well, I who hadn't been to the real Venice appreciated it. =) It was good, a good replica. I didn't really get to explore the Venetian but we got to play at the casino. We just wanted to try maybe bet a 10 or 20 HKD. And it was my lucky day, coz my 10HKD bet made me win 300HKD! And I no longer played after winning 300HKD. I cashed it out right away. This is enough to pay for my ferry fare! Luv it!
It was also at the Venetian that I met up with Chris. He said that he was awfully busy that day and couldn't really get the free time to show me around Macau. So he just met me and I introduced him to my companions. It was really cool, I had an English and Swiss companions. The Swisses had to leave early, and I was back to my own self again. Chris asked to take me to my next destination. I said it would be City of Dreams. Chris had a two-door car and was kind of enough to show me the little town of Tapia and then brought me to City of Dreams.
At the City of Dreams, I watched the Dragon's Treasure show at the Bubble Theater. It was a 10 min multi media show, really unique and something that I've just seen for the first time. It's not to be missed! Besides, it's free. According to their website, "This 10-minute multi-media experience combines high-definition video, a sweeping musical score and over 29,000 theatrical LED lights. This 360 degree multi-media experience was honored with the 2009 THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement." Truly amazing!

After exploring City of Dreams, I hopped on the free shuttle back to the Macau Ferry Terminal where there are free shuttle service of other casinos. I went to the Sands casino. Just passed through and got myself one bottled water. This was also free!

I then went across to Macau Fisherman's Wharf, w/c according to Wikipedia, is the first theme park in Macau. It is near the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Pier. The construction took 5 years, before an opening ceremony by the Chief Executive of Macau and trial operation began on December 31, 2005. After one year of trial operation, the wharf was officially opened on December 31, 2006. The complex includes over 150 stores and restaurants in buildings built in the style of different world seaports such as Cape Town, Amsterdam and Venice, six rides, a slots hall, a 72-room hotel, and a casino.

It was here in the Wharf that I met two Pinoys. They were workers in Macau and were on their day off. Since I had a camera, I offered to take pictures of them and they were so nice to accompany me and take pics of me on my cam. =)

After wharf, I wanted to go back to Senado Square and explore the areas around there where according to Ate Ging sold really nice shoes at bargain prices. And then maybe buy some more pasalubongs. So I did get to buy some pasalubongs but not shoes...

It was beginning to get dark already and since I so wanted to see the lights of the casinos, I really stayed up till 8PM. And took pics of the night lights. I just wanted to feel Vegas-y! I went inside Wynn as they say there is a beautiful fountain show and a dragon show inside. Unfortunately my camera's batt was fully drained so I never got to take pics of these.

After watching these shows at Wynn, I then took off to the Macau Ferry Terminal for my trip back to Hongkong, where I will meet up with my colleague in DB London named NIck, who will be working permanently at the DB Hongkong office. He was going to take me out for some drinks in the Wan Chai area, to which he said was more of like the Burgos area in Makati. Hmmm.... Well, I was pretty sure I will see Pinoys in this area and yes I did, a bartender and some ladies of the night. This makes me sad seeing this kind of girls.

I met up with Nick at Four Season's Hotel where he was staying. And then we headed off to Wan Chai area.

If I could recall so well we went to four bars that night. I had one pint of beer at the first bar. I think I got really drunk that night but I was still able to hold me myself and able to get back to my hostel in complete piece. It was during this hang out with Nick that he told me was getting married and he hasn't told anyone yet! OMG! I was so honored! He was going to make the announcement soon so I just better zip my mouth till that official announcement comes out. Congrats! Finally!

I went home taking the cab, as I was from travelling from Hongkong island to Kowloon, I paid a good deal of the taxi fare. I probably got home at around 2am.

Day2 - The Peak, Ocean Park, Night Market (July 29, 2010)

First stop was The Peak, one of the not to be missed tourist spots in HK. You haven't been to HK if you've never been to The Peak. It gives you a good view of the city and truly an amazing view. Since we were on Kowloon island and The Peak was on the Hong Kong island, we took the ferry to cross to the other side. Our landlady accompanied us on this trip. She had suggested we took the bus to go up to The Peak. But the bus never came, so we took the other option w/c was the tram. Oh I was excited to take the tram! I've never been able to ride one! According to their website, "the venerable Peak Tram is, as most passengers agree, the only way to truly experience the beauty of Hong Kong's natural wonders. Tens of millions of people from every corner of the globe have taken the ride, which affords a uniquely spectacular perspective of the city." I sooo agree!

Since that day the weather was a bit foggy, it was truly cold up on The Peak. Good thing I brought a cardigan with me. When we got off the tram, there were souvenir items for sale that greeted us and so we couldn't resist but start our pasalubong shopping. I got a tip from my friends that the prices were just as good as buying them from the night market so might as well do the shopping while there's time.
After this, we went around and took a lot of pictures with a background of the HK city below. Actually the view up makes the buildings so much closer. I bet the view would've been better at night. An hour before lunch we went down via the tram again and we were off to our next destination, Ocean Park. According to Wikipedia - the Ocean Park Hongkong is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, and animal theme park, situated in Wong Chuk Hang and Nam Long Shan in the Southern District of Hong Kong. Founded in 1977 by the then Governor of Hong Kong Sir Murray MacLehose, Ocean Park has now grown to about 35 attractions and rides. The park has won several awards, including The World's Seventh Most Popular Amusement Park and 33rd Most Visited Tourist Attractions in the World by Forbes. So it wasn't to be missed by the young and young at heart. The park was really huge, so wide that a half day wasn't enough to explore it. Too bad we missed a lot of the nice spots. We didn't miss though the very exciting rides - The Mine Train, The Abyss, and The Dragon. If you enjoy parks like this, give it one whole day to explore. It surely is worth your money.

We headed back to the city around 430PM. We had to hurry as my sister still wanted to go back to Citygate and my mom was keen on seeing the night market and maybe buy a few. Their flight to Cebu was at 12MN. So when we got back to our hostel, all we did was packed the remaining things (as we had already did the major packing the night before). We went to the nearest night market from our hostel. We got some good buys on tshirts and a nice fake wallet w/c was first priced expensively. You really have to haggle at these night markets. They just overpriced them for tourists. And if you're so gullible, unlucky you. We got back to our hostel and got our luggages and headed off to Citygate. Citygate is just near the airport. It is located approximately 10 minutes from the airport. It is right outside the Tung Chung MTR station exit B. Sis and I got good buys from Esprit, Nike or Adidas(was it?) and New Balance. =) We were now happy happy with what we got. Mom, sis and sis' bf had to take the airport express to get to the airport fast. From the Tung Chung station, we went to Tsing Yi station where the airport express line is. The trip took around 20-25 mins from Tung Chung to Tsing Yi to airport. It was fast. We were able to do a lot on that day. So all went home happy. =)

I went back to the hostel and had to prepare for day trip to Macau the next day.

Day1 - Ngong Ping 360, Disneyland, Citygate Outlets (July 28, 2010)

Finally, I am able to find time to write on our HK trip last July.

So officially Day 1 w/ mom, sis and sis' bf was July 28. We first went to Ngong Ping 360 and to get there you need to take their cable car. It was the longest cable car trip I've ever experienced. We took the crystal cabin - a bit pricey than the ordinary but it was all worth it though. Since the weather at that time was not sunny,ie cloudy and windy our cable was swaying most of the time! Kinda scared the hell of us! hahaha... When we got off, it was showering a bit. So we just toured the area, took pictures and just looked at the Big Buddha from the foot. Mom was not keen on going up the stairs and so was sis. It was already raining and I couldn't really convinced them to go up. We went back and took the cable car ride. We had lunch at Citygate Outlets and were able to do a bit of shopping in Giordano. The Citygate outlets is not to be missed by any shopaholic. If I just had much moolah, I could have bought a lot!
We didn't really stay long as we still had to go to Disneyland. The rain has not stopped and the clouds were very dark and ready to release a big big splash on earth. tsk tsk. All I could do was say a prayer. But Nature is nature, you just can't stop its course. So it did rain and rained hard in Disneyland. We didn't get to see all the attractions unfortunately. Nevertheless, we still had fun. It was a good experience. The HK Disneyland as they say can be toured around, in all corners in a day or less, less if you're not in a hurry and you don't like to buy souvenirs. It's not as huge as the other Disneylands. For anyone who'd like to go there, do keep in mind - wear comfy footwear, bring umbrella to protect you from the sun/rain, put on sunblock, wear sunglasses / hats, study the map and know where to start, where to go. And do not miss the fireworks display at night. =)

Christmas Away From Home

Christmas 2010 is the first Christmas I spent away from home, Cebu and away from my family. I felt a bit sad really. I didn't realize that I would somehow feel loneliness in my heart even with close friends and relatives around. Nothing compares to spending Christmas with your family. =) I sooo miss them already...
On the good side though, I got to experience how other people also spend their Christmas. It was a nice experience yesterday/today. I so love the food, the turkey especially! And I love what I got from my cuz, a Tory Burch shoulder bag. Just the right color I needed. I don't have a brown bag. Super thanks to my Ate. Babawi ako. Promise.

I thank the Lord Almighty for my cuz Te Ging and her hubby Kuya Tyler. It was a splendid Christmas eve. I thank both for letting me into their home and into their hearts.

Tomorrow, I will be in my other relatives here in Manila. I've spent two New Year's with them, and it has been good. Though the last wasn't really the best...Anyway, I am looking forward to eating the home cooked food of my Auntie Celia. =)

I can't wait to be home in Cebu in the next 2 days. Haaay, this is life. But I love life and I want to live it fully!

May your hearts be filled with peace, love and joy this Christmas season. =)

My Dreams

Before the clock strikes 1AM, let me write my dreams, let me declare them on the worldwide web.

I've been inspired by Bo Sanchez saying how he wrote his dreams and that he never really cared if they ever came true, but they actually did! I have been inspired by Yvette saying that writing them down and looking at them (if they are on pictures) or reading them so often could actually come true!

So here are my dreams, wildest, craziest ... I don't care! These are mine.

I dream of travelling the world - going around Asia, Europe, Americas, Oceania, or even reaching the North Pole. I dream of having friends from all corners of the world.

I dream of being a wonderful wife, a loving wife, the best wife to a wonderful, God-fearing and responsible husband, the most handsome man my eyes has ever laid. =)

I dream of being the best mother my kids could ever wish for! I dream of reading bedtime stories to them, playing with them and watching them grow to become lovely people who'll make a difference in this world.

I dream of a happy family! The best family in the world. The best company in times of sadness and joy.

I dream of owning a wonderful abode, w/ a nice garden and a modest library! It's a house I will always call home.

I dream of being able to help others in need - a scholarship to a deserving kid, donations to charitable institutions and the Church.

I dream of a family travel - my parents and siblings, extended families, nieces and nephews and my own family too!

I dream of owning properties that could provide me passive income and that I no longer will toil day and night, or work till my eyes drop out.

I dream of a lovely Philippines, where people from all over the world will always want to come back and never get tired of its sheer beauty.

I dream that these dreams do come true!!! =) May God bless them.

I thought it was over...

I thought this "part" of our friendship is over. I thought "last year" was never ever going to happen again. I only realize now that there's this part of me that was still holding on to the past. I wasn't fully letting go. And it dawned on me now that I am just as weak as anyone in this planet earth. I am capable of breaking my own rules. I could be bad, wicked and dirty. I admit I can be blamed for why it happened again. I admit I have created a suitable and convenient atmosphere for these things. So don't blame yourself wholly. And if I decide to make irreversible decisions, and harsh, I might add, I want to say sorry in advance. It will hurt. I will hurt, too, as much as it'll hurt you. But this has got to stop. I have to stop it. Otherwise, unexpected things will happen. And I don't want to be surprised. And I don't want to say, I have regretted knowing you. Because the truth is, I am happy our paths have crossed. What I just don't want to happen is I concluding that having met you is a big mistake.

This an exciting episode in my life. It will be something that will make it's way to my life story. But I am not sure it will be something I can share to my children and grandchildren. Yet I hope I will be able to, and I just have to decide to make a happy ending to this episode. I so look forward to the day this episode ends. I know in my mind that this is up to me. Honestly, I just don't have the courage to end it, to put that PERIOD. No buts, no ifs, no commas, no semi-colons. Because I fear I might not have the tenacity to hold on to my final decision.

Please, please GOD help me...

Please, please dear friend, let me go...

People are People by D Sound

A fave song...

Speaks so much of what's in my mind @ d moment...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I am the one
who believes in all that you say
I am the one
who never wants to define herself
I am the one
who's parallel, upfront, behind
I am the one
paddling like crazy through the night

Refine, old time, colorblind
Big sign, do time, doesn't rhyme
A lot, too much, standing tall
And I'm crying in the valley:
"I shall never, ever fall!" and

People are people
and I feel so strong
People are people and I'm
going on

People are people
and I feel so strong
People are people and I'm
going on

I am the one
who stirs it up every time
I am the one
who never knows how close she is
I am the one
who'd rather be dead than confess
I am the one
trying to be good, wanting to be bad and so on

Excess, temptress, big mess
Phony, lonely, it's a test
Be still my heart, don't you fail
And I'm crying on the stage floor:
“I will always prevail!” and

People are people
and I feel so strong
People are people and I'm
going on

People are people
and I feel so strong
People are people and I'm
going on

I'm going on…

My Eat Love Pray poses

On a lazy Monday, no work, UK and Phil holiday, I took pics of me reading my recent book purchase, Eat Pray Love, a book that I love and would recommend to my women and girl friends. These are not lovely pictures....i know!!!

NB - Day 1 of HK trip soooon....when I have the time and energy to write... sorry...

HK Arrival (July 27, 2010 around 930PM)

I arrived at the HK Intl Airport on Jul 27,2010 around 930pm. It was my first visit to Hong Kong. And my first out of the country trip in 2 yrs. The last was still in 2008 when I was sent to London for training. So I was super excited about this trip. One, I'm travelling on the plane to and from HK alone. Two, I will be joined by my mom and this is her first trip abroad. My sis and her bf are on this trip as well. Three, this our first time in HK (and hopefully not the last!).

The HKIA is huge, as expected. People have been telling me how extremely huge their airport is and that anyone could get lost. Well, I didn't get lost. The directions are everywhere in the airport. And one other thing that would tell you HKIA is huge is that you need to ride the train to get from one terminal to the other. Once you deplane, you really won't worry about where to go. Just follow the rest of the passengers. Trust me, not all of them are on their first trip to HK. ;) Then we took our checked in luggages and headed to the Immigration counters. It took a while for me at the immigration line not because the officer suspects me to be a hooker or a drug dealer but becuase the woman ahead of me was being asked with a lot of questions. And that included how much money she had. Now I don't want to stew any stories about why she was questioned that way. Anyway, when it was my turn, it took no more than 2 minutes. The next thing I did was go find where I can buy my Octopus card. My natural insticts told me go with where the other tourists were headed. Oh yes, I saw a bunch of tourists approached this corner where you can find free tourist maps and brochures. And right next to it was a counter where you can buy the Octopus card. The Octopus card is the equivalent of your Oyster (London) or your EZ link card (Singpaore). It is a very convenient card as you can use it on the trains, buses and even in 7-11 stores. Trust me, it saves you enormous time if you use this. I bought the 150HKD value card w/ 50HKD refundable deposit. After getting my Octopus card, I needed to make a phone call to our host as I have to get the exact direction to their guesthouse. Our host told me that there were public phones at the airport where you can make free calls. I asked the lady at the Octopus counter and she was kind enough to show me where these phones are located. They were just 30 steps away from the counter. So I made the phone call, and I was told to get off at the second bus stop and I should find a 7-11 store then some 10 steps from it would be the Lucky House building where I will be staying for the next 3 days. Mom, Sis and bf were already there. Next thing to do was board a bus and head to the city. I just followed the directions for public transport and there I was finally where the buses were waiting. I took the A22 Citybus and this should take me to the Lucky House near Jordan MTR. Just to be very sure, I asked the bus driver if this was going to stop near Jordan MTR. I am not sure what was his answer but to me it seemed like a YES. It took a while to get me to destination, I think it took some 45 mins or 50 minutes, basta less than an hour. And the fare was 39HKD. Other options for transport were the taxis and the Airport express (train). Taxis were expensive and that is absolutely not an option for me. The Airport express is also convenient, I heard. But then for me the very practical thing was the bus. Aside from the fact that it was cheap. The airport buses had spaces for luggages which were conveniently located near the doors. So I placed mine there and took my seat near a Chinese guy in business suit who was endlessly speaking to someone on his cellphone and a Chinese girl who was dozing off to sleep. The ride was I must say quite long and all I felt then was agitation. Ahh the beautiful feeling when it's your first time! ;) I was to get off at the second bus stop after the tollgate. So after feeling that I was so near to my bus stop, I stood up and went to to the driver and just said "Jordan MTR". (Why would I need to say it in a full sentence when he didn't understood English) I learned on the next few days that I what I did was against the law. Never ever speak to the bus driver while the bus is in motion! I could be penalized for it. But thankfully, I wasn't. Well the driver was very kind I suppose. I couldn't understand him since he was speaking in Chinese. But when it was my bus stop, he just pointed to the door. And so off I went out. My marker was a 7-11 store, which I found and then I knew I was near to my destination when I decided to do next best thing, ask someone. I asked a guy selling magazines where Lucky House was. And he told me, (good thing he can speak English) pointing to the building on his back, the very building where he was selling his magazines outside. He pointed me to the entrance, so I went inside. I took the elevator and pressed 4 because that where the guesthouse is, it's on the 4th floor. When I went outside, I couldn't believe my eyes - laundry hanging, unpainted, rusty insides of the building. It spelled dirty and old. I didn't expect that these old buildings in HK look this old and dirty. Well, why should I expect the better or the best when the price I paid for this accomodation was very cheap? I learned later on from my housemates and some Swiss travelers I met that their hostels were also on very old buildings. I guess that's just how they are.

My sister and her bf met me at the "lobby" of the Lucky House since I couldn't find Flat 4M. And boy, I was glad to see my mom and sister...we talked and shared experiences. My mom and company just came from Macau and had a rainy episode at the Avenue of Stars watching the Symphony of Lights.

All tired and sleepy, we called it a night and snored our way to sleep...

Up next, DAY 1.

Katharine McPhee ft Zachary Levi - Terrified

Sneak Preview of our HK-Macau trip

Here's a sneak preview of our HK-Macau trip on July 27-31.

The whole 4 days wasn't all sunny. The HK weather forecast was darn right! It rained on the day we were in Disneyland. =( But the good thing was the fireworks display pushed through.

We did a bit of shopping! We luv our finds! Super sale...=)

Mom rode the Space Mountain, and survived it!

My Macau solo trip was the best! I won 300hkd on the slot machine at the Venetian Casino. I met some people, who made my trip all the more fun.

Everyone was happy! We had the widest grins in the whole world.

This is it!

This is it! My first out-of-the-country trip this year. I'm off to Hongkong with my mom and sister for a 4-day vacay. Mom and Sis (and her bf) are already there. Currently, they are enjoying Macau! I'm flying out at 710pm and this would be my first plane trip abroad alone! Excitement and nervousness are circulating my whole body now. I'm praying for a safe and truly amazing trip. I'm praying for Haring Araw to shine brightly this week especially in Hongkong but I don't mind light to medium showers here in Manila. Angat Dam needs a whole lot of water!

This would be my Mom's first trip abroad and I just want her to enjoy. This is actually my 60th bday gift to her. =) And I know she's very happy today!

Dear God, please make this trip truly memorable and joyous for all of us. Thank you.

my first 10k run!

I had my first 10k run last July 24 at the DKS Fun Run, a run for the benefit of the Savings Sights program of ERIS.

And I didn't expect to feel this much accomplished. I thought we'd finish it in 1:30 hr or more but we clocked in at 1:18hr. It's "we" because I had a buddy. Yes a buddy. And it really does help if you have a buddy in your runs especially if you're running a certain distance for the first time. Although we weren't running all the way (we walked a bit for say some 30 sec at certain points), but still it was an accomplishment. So happy that a 10k run is not impossible at all. I wish to run more 10ks in the future, then progress to a 21k and hopefully a full marathon! =)

Congratulations to all the finishers! Most importantly we were able to help the blind kids and give them a chance to see a brighter future.

Team W.Rec.K Runners

My team in the office is also my running team, isn't that cool? =)

When Lactacyd sponsored an all-women run race, me and my officemates/friends/runningmates decided to sign up for the relay. It will be a 21k distance with the 1st runner doing the 10k stretch, the 2nd for the 5k, the 3rd and 4th runners doing 3k each. Naturally, the 10k went to Yvette, being the fastest and most healthy amongst us. Then I took the 5k, Ruby and Beth did the 3k's.

What was also "cute" for this race was that there was a Best in Costume award. The teams can dress up any way they like so long as they use the official singlets. We had a lot of ideas but we ended up donning a cheerleader costume. We were in skirts of pink and white. And we had pompoms. We ran our distances in our costumes (and that includes the pompoms!). Some other teams were really creative - they had tutus, dressed up as women in generation (i.e. woman-baby, woman-teen, woman-preggy, woman-granny), dressed up as French ladies, etc. The top prize for the relay was a whopping 70 thousand pesoses plus gift certificates. And obviously if this was the prize at stake expect seasoned runners to be joining the relay. And as for us, recreational runners, we just settled for the fun and experience we gained from the event. At least we didn't finished last. =)

Team Woman Run by Lactacyd was last June 27 at McKinley Hill. (Yeah, the uphills really killed me.)

Celebrities I spotted were Iza Calzado, Tessa Prieto, and Rovilson Fernandez. I didn't see Karylle and Robin Da Roza but they were there.

Our team finished with a time of 2:27:34. I finished my 5k in (a disappointing) 37 mins. Not an improvement from my previous time. So I am a bit sad, but then what can I expect when I didn't really practice enough. And I was afraid the "blackout" spells will happen again. On the bright side, I was happy overall as we ranked 63rd among the 84 teams that joined. As I said we weren't last! And we finished the race, with no one hurt. And most importantly, we looked so darn cute in our pink and white ensemble.

Superduper saya!!!

Go Team W.Rec.K Runners! Till the next relay.

Addicted!

Adik! That's what a friend of mine said to me whenever I say I'm joining another fun run. hahaha... I must admit, she's right! I am addicted to running and so is she (hahaha) Kasama ko kya cya sa mga runs na yun.

Anyway, in May alone, I joined a total of 3 fun runs, almost one run a week.
May 16 - Chase the Sun,Neutrogena
May 23 - San Mig Coffee Bay Run
May 30 - Nature Valley Run

My PRs for the above were, 22mins (3k), 38mins(5k), 42mins (5k). Kinda slow but mind you in those 2 runs, I never walked (yah maybe I did a lil on Nature Valley). I just did a slow pace, just jogging not really minding my time but more of endurance.

I'm pretty happy with the outcomes that's why this June, I am signing up for 2 fun runs. And I'm running all 5k! My target is 30mins. I'll be putting speedwork into my runs this time.

It's kinda funny, when a month ago, I said to myself I probably will never move up to the next level. Running/jogging is just not for me. It weakens my legs and I just couldn't run straight for 15 mins. But it all changed when one night while running around the Boni High Street outer circle, I was able to run 3 rounds w/o stopping. I used the technique my unnamed coach told me - running is also a mind game, think beautiful thoughts when you run. Your body will tell you to stop but try to fight it if you can. Amazingly, I was able to do it! =)

I wanna keep on running and running. My dream is to run a marathon by the time I'm 30. And I wanna run the NYC and London marathons. If things go well, then maybe Boston Marathon. hehehe...why not? Anything is possible!

Adik!!!

Love Yourself. Be True to Yourself.

Bo Sanchez's blog post is just too long... So I'll just post the link... It's a really nice article. It made me feel good about myself, of what I have and of what I have not.

HaPPY reAding!

http://bosanchez.ph/be-true-to-yourself/

Run

True to one of my New Year's resolution, I started getting involved in running. I do hope I could really keep this up! I seriously need to lose weight. This started out with joining the Century Tuna's Superbods Run. It was just all for fun. My roommates and I have never really joined a fun run, and we just wanted to experience it (something we can add to our stories for our grand kids, and FB updates of course). And believe it or not, it is addicting! Then my friends from work wanted to join too and wanted to regularized our running activities,like we jog on TTH at Boni High Street. My second fun run was the Earth Day run by NatGeo. My time improved, from 30 mins (CT run) to 25 mins (Natgeo). Not bad, eh! Then I joined the PGH run, which was a different experience also. I had an instant running coach! He just came from out of nowhere. Turns out he was just a regular in that area, was just doing his usual jog. Oh well, I was glad he chose to coach me. Learned lots from him. :)I didn't improve my time in this run though, but that was okay, coz if I had been a bit faster, I wouldn't have met him. No names were given. No exchange of numbers. Don't know if I'll ever meet him again. But thanks, coach! whoever you are. My next run is in the next 2 weeks. That's the Neutrogena run. Then I have another one on the 30th of May. I will be running 5k! First time in history! The others were just 3k.

Well, we all start slow, and short distances but we will always get there in time. =) Then we get faster, farther...

Run now!!!

Predictions for B I S D A K S frenz

Here's my predictions for my Manila-based Cebuano friends in the next 2/3 years...

Let's do this by household.

J and R are starting to develop special feelings for each other. At first they keep this a secret to the group. But then nothing as special like this will be a secret for a long time. The group are happy for them.

F will finally have his wish of a baby girl.

MC will move to Canada. He's seeing a Chinese-Canadian lady.

H will try to work thing out with luvz B.

E and new beau will start their wedding preps. Everybody is invited to the wedding in Cebu!

L will finally realize that there's no hope for her and Ct. But some guy is trying to win her heart.

Ct still won't have a gf, but the group still will question his sexuality. Are Ct and housemate an item? Whatever his preference, we still luv him.

C will be very very active with her Christian community. She'll be able to convince housemate B to join.

B will break up with current beau. Career will be her priority.

K and M will have a baby.

E will get back with ex. Ex will finally move to Manila.

Ch will still be single and will be very serious with hobby photography and he will make money from it.

Bh will still be single. And she'll get another chance to travel to Europe.

Jo will propose to gf. Wedding will be in the next year after year of proposal.

P will vacay in Oz. He's seeing a wonderful girl.

And as for me, ahmmm, I will still be based in Manila. Someone is making me smile. I will be able to enjoy a vacay in a faraway land.

so there they are!!! I'm uber excited next year to check if any of these will come true.

Stuck With You by Huey Lewis

A favorite song...
Someday, somehow, I'm gonna be singing this song...
And I wish it comes sooner than I think..

We've had some fun, and yes we've had our ups and downs
Been down that rocky road, but here we are, still around
Thought about someone else, but neither one took the bait
Thought about breaking up, but now we know it's much too late
We are bound by all the rest
Like the same phone number
All the same friends
And the same address

Yes, it's true, I'm happy to be stuck with you
Yes, it's true, I'm so happy to be stuck with you
Because I can see that you're happy to be stuck with me

We've had our doubts, but we never took them seriously
And we've had our ins and outs, but that's the way it's supposedto be
Thought about giving up, but we could never stay away
Thought about breaking up, but now we know it's much too late
And it's no great mystery
If we change our minds
Eventually, it's back to you and me

Yes, it's true, I'm happy to be stuck with you
Yes, it's true, I'm so happy to be stuck with you
Because I can see that you're happy to be stuck with me

We are bound by all the rest
Like the same phone number
All the same friends
And the same address

Yes, it's true, I'm happy to be stuck with you
Yes, it's true, I'm so happy to be stuck with you
Because I can see that you're happy to be stuck with me

I'm so happy to be stuck with you
I'm happy to be stuck with you
I'm happy to be stuck with you

29th

So I just turned 29 yesterday...

Wow! I have lived this long on earth! I couldn't believe I'm so near to 30, that age when most people have accomplished a lot in their lives - traveled to a lot of places, owned a condo unit or a car, starting a family of their own, etc. And when I reflect on my own life and see how much I have accomplished, I could only sigh. Sigh for the reason that I still don't have my own car or house, haven't traveled enough, and have nothing on my savings account (though, I have been paying for insurance and pension plans, would they count?). I haven't really achieved much. I don't have that wow position in the company I work for. I'm just plain ordinary 29 year old woman, with no boyfriend. But you know, I don't actually feel poor and helpless. And that's what I realized yesterday, the 24th of March, my birthday - that I am uberly and richly blessed. When I count the wealth I have accumulated over the years - the friends I've made, the people I've met, the experiences I had, the family that I have - it's immeasurable. I can only thank the God Almighty for taking good care of me, for giving me all these blessings. Amen.

Love love love (Dear John and The Time Traveler's Wife)

Love love love is my theme this weekend. Saturday night we watched Dear John, an adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' novel of the same title starring yummy Channing Tatum and the pretty Amanda Seyfried. It was indeed a tear-jerker, emotion-filled, and so luv-full. What more can you expect from Nicholas Sparks? :) But then since I have already read the book, the movie didn't bring me much tears. Still, it didn't fail to capture my heart. I should say the essential emotions and the poignant parts of the book were captured in the movie, although some parts were altered. The ending itself was different from how it ended in the book. In the book, it wasn't mentioned that Tim died and that Savannah and John reunited. The book had a rather sad ending but the movie didn't. Well then, it's always like that. The books are never the same as on the movies. I'd also like to add that when you have already read the book and then you watch the movie after, expect that it won't really affect you as much as how it was when you're reading it. If I hadn't read Dear John beforehand, I'd have cried buckets of tears like my friends who watched with me.

This weekend too I have finally finished reading The Time Traveler's Wife. Finally, after a month with me! And what can I say? It's a wonderfully written book. Intensely romantic and sexy. Niffeneger is truly an artist. The way she uses words and how she describes the situation, the event, the place, the emotions - it's just fantastic. I am looking forward to reading her novel, Her Fearful Symmetry.

I am still trying to get hold of a copy of the movie, The Time Traveler's Wife. When I was reading the book, it's Eric Bana's face and body that comes to mind. It's his voice I hear. So I really do want to watch the movie and just want to know if he was able to give justice to the Henry character. As to Clare's character, I am unsure if Rachel McAdams was the right actress to portray her but then again her sweetness in The Notebook was undeniably just right for the young Clare.

So yeah, I do recommend watching and reading both books. Surely not to be missed for someone who loves to read! ;)

Happy love month!

Vanilla Twilight by Owl City (Oh i luv this!)

Lyrics | Owl City lyrics - Vanilla Twilight lyrics

2010

What do I want to accomplish on this year of the Metal Tiger? Here's my simple list:

Family travels
This year, I want my travels to be with my family. Be it a trip with my siblings or a trip with my parents or the most bongga would be a trip with the whole family. I already have a planned trip in July, and that's in Hongkong with my mom and sis. I wish and pray hard it'll be one safe, fun and truly memorable trip. This would be my mom's first trip abroad. I also pray she'll be healthy enough for this.

Career
I am still hoping that the pay raise and bonus would be enough to make me stay with my present employer. I still do wish to stay another year.
I want to deepen my knowledge regarding my job. So I wanna read books, articles etc about it.

Friendships and Love
I've really built stronger bonds with friends this year. And I've added a few more to this roster. On love? I guess this is the most unexpected thing in '09. It's complicated and one that I vow to uncomplicate this 2010. In simple words, END it. Yes, END that which makes it wrong and complicated. And I hope a new love comes and makes it easy to do.

Faith and God
I still want to keep my relationship with God. Go on reading the Bible. Continue those prayer times. Spend much more time with Him alone. In my busy and chaotic life, a moment with Him allows me to think straight and clear, and veer me away from danger.

Health
Be very vigilant when it comes to what I put into my mouth! Really, I want to avoid meat as much as possible. Eat more veggies and fruits. Exercise a lot! I plan to enroll in a dance class. Jogging and badminton should be done more often.

Childhood dreams
Now is the best time to start fulfilling my childhood dreams.

Money! Wealth!
Saving money has never been a walk in the park for me. In the past years, I've always made this my new year's resolution and I always failed. This year, I want to achieve it!!!! Credit card debt at end of the year should go down to PHP1k! Bank savings at an undisclosed amount (but I did mention this in my resolution '07).

And those are all of it! My fingers are crossed. I can do this!!! Help me, God.

The Year That Was...2009

I'd like to reflect the year that went by, 2009. The past year had indeed been colorful, and difficult and intriguing and I may add interesting too.

Laag-wise, I've been to more places this year than ever. Though I wasn't able to go outside Pinas, but yeah this year is my most travelled year. Here's a list of the places I've been to:
1 - Baguio (2nd time)
2 - Puerto Galera
3 - Anawangin
4 - Mt Arayat, Pampanga
5 - San Jose, Nueva Ecija
6 - CamSur Water Complex
7 - Star City, Pasay
8 - Boracay
Not too many, I realized but when compared to the previous years, 2009 tops. Also, this is my most sociable year - went to a lot of parties and met new people. But sad to say, of these new people I met no one was really love material. :P
On the love aspect, I don't know how I should say it... It is not worth sharing the details. My principles were put to a test. It's a complicated situation. It is one I never imagined myself being caught in. I just hope that for 2010, I will have the courage to uncomplicate it. I pray so hard for this.

Family-wise, lots of good and bad things happened. My sis Cha shifted course in college, not sure if this is bad or good. But I think it is both. Christine got a real job as a nurse. But she failed her NCLEX. Mama was able to travel to Manila alone (considering that last year she could hardly walked on her own) but later of the year, she got hospitalized which got all of us very worried. My bro sold his car. Finally he realized it's just too expensive to maintain one. And he bought himself a DSLR, instead. Lola wasn't able to go home on a night. She probably got lost on the way home. This is something we still don't know what to do to prevent it. My lola is already "ulyanin". :(
One good thing anyway for me was that I was able to spend both Christmas and New Year in Cebu with my family after 2 yrs of spending only Christmas with them.

Friends? I got new set of really good friends this 2009. I mean really good ones, ones you can keep forever. I had new set of housemates and neighbors. Sometimes, life had not been easy with them but all in all I learned something from them; underscoring my belief that each person is a lesson.

2009 had indeed been an eventful and controversial year. Good and bad things happened. The good to keep me smiling and hoping. The bad to make me strong and to make me declare I have truly lived and loved!

Thank you and goodbye 2009, hello 2010!

I got a book this Christmas!

I love books, so uber in love with them! So that if I am able to purchase a new one or if I receive it as a gift, my spirits shoot up to the high heavens! This Christmas, I am thankful to my manito/friend/neighbor Julius for giving me the book - The Time Traveller's Wife. I wasn't really expecting to get hold of this. It is quite pricey and the minimum budget of our kris kringle was 200 pesos. But my manito is richey! So what is a little over 200 pesos in excess of the minimum?! I actually had 3 choices in my wishlist - Body Shop GC, TTTW,or USB storage device. I don't know why he decided TTTW. But I am glad he did! Thanks again Juls!:)

I brought the book with me on my Cebu vacation. I was really early at the airport so the book was such a good companion while waiting for my flight. I've read 1/16 of the book and I can say it is indeed a good one. I like the way that the story is told in alternating first-person perspective of the two main characters - Clare and Henry. The author's way of writing is so descriptive, so full of emotions. You could really feel the intensity of love, frustration, heartache, and longing. Read below a brief description of the book from Wikipedia. (Btw, there's a film version of the book. I am dying to watch it. Still looking for where I can find it - pirated copy from the net or DVD/VCD).

The Time Traveler's Wife, published in 2003, is the debut novel of American author Audrey Niffenegger. It is a love story about a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel unpredictably, and about his wife, an artist, who has to cope with his frequent absences and dangerous experiences. Niffenegger, frustrated in love when she began the work, wrote the story as a metaphor for her failed relationships. The tale's central relationship came to her suddenly and subsequently supplied the novel's title. The novel, which has been classified as both science fiction and romance, examines issues of love, loss, and free will. In particular, it uses time travel to explore miscommunication and distance in relationships, while also investigating deeper existential questions.

As a first-time novelist, Niffenegger had trouble finding a literary agent. She eventually sent the novel to MacAdam/Cage unsolicited and, after an auction took place for the rights, Niffenegger selected them as her publisher. The book became a bestseller after an endorsement from author and family friend Scott Turow on The Today Show, and as of March 2009 had sold nearly 2.5 million copies in the United States and the United Kingdom. Many reviewers were impressed with Niffenegger's unique perspective on time travel. Some praised her characterization of the couple, applauding their emotional depth; others criticized her writing style as melodramatic and the plot as emotionally trite. The novel won the Exclusive Books Boeke Prize and a British Book Award.

Can't wait to finish reading TTTW.

I leave you with this quote: "Why is love intensified by absence?" Clare.

Romance Revisited

One of the nicest, bestest gifts I got this Christmas is the 'Romance Revisited The Love Songs of Jose Mari Chan' CD of Christian Bautista. Last time, I posted that I saw Christian in person. So it is such a wonderful thing to receive his latest album as a gift. I have listened to it so many times and I am just in awe of Christian's voice and the romantic tone of it. There is truly no other singer who can rightfully sing Jose Mari Chan's songs but Christian Bautista.


Thanks a lot to my roommie Helena for giving me that CD! Luv u dai Lena! May you be blessed immensely this 2010. I know what you're wishing and hoping for. May God bless your heart and dreams!

why

why do i still have questions i wanna ask? why do i still want to spend a few moments with you alone? why does it pain me that you have kept your distance when that was what i had asked? why am i missing you? WHY??!!!!

WHY (Avril Lavigne)

Why, do you always do this to me
Why, couldn't you just see it through me
How come, you act like this
Like you just don't care at all
Do you expect me to believe
I was the only one to fall

I can feel I can feel you near me
Even though you're far away
I can feel I can feel you baby
Why

It's not supposed to feel this way
I need you I need you
More and more each day
It's not supposed to hurt this way
I need you I need you I need you
Tell me

Are you and me still together
Tell me
Do you think we could last forever
Tell me
Why


Hey
Listen to what we're not saying
Let's play
A different game then what we're playin'
Try
To look at me and really see my heart
Do you expect me to believe, I'm gonna let us fall apart

I can feel I can feel you near me
Even when you're far away
I can feel I can feel you baby
Why

It's not supposed to feel this way
I need you I need you
More and more each day
It's not supposed to hurt this way
I need you I need you I need you
Tell me

Are you and me still together
Tell me
You think we could last forever
Tell me
Why

so go and think about
whatever you need to think about
Go on dream about
Whatever you need to dream about
Then come back to me
When you know just how you feel, you feel

I can feel I can feel you near me
Even though you're far away
I can feel I can feel you baby
Why

It's not supposed to hurt this way
I need you I need you
More and more each day
It's not supposed to hurt this way
I need you I need you I need you
Tell me

It's not supposed to hurt this way
I need you I need you
More and more each day
It's not supposed to hurt this way
I need you I need you I need you
Tell me

Are you and me still together
Tell me
You think we could last forever
Tell me
Why

You made my day!

Absurd, jologs, baduy as it sounds but I don't care! And I don't mind telling people that I met,aahhh, not really the right word, better yet say, I saw HIM, in warm flesh and blood! My eyes couldn't believe it! I saw him. So close. Today. Where? Well, my ex-teammate invited me and some friends for some pizza and soda at S&R to celebrate his bday last week. What such a lucky day! What such a lucky fan! Almost on our last bite, Arse's current teammate mentioned that there's an 'artista' near the exit door. We all turned our heads, and lo and behold, there he is, my dream guy-tedengggg! --- Christian Bautista. The excitement and all that comes with seeing your idol, your dream guy, your whatever, I had it that moment. The downside of that day was that none of us was bringing a celfone. Well Arse had a cellfone but his was lowbatt and he thinks it was a bit jologs. So we weren't able to take a pic. No photo memoir. How sad =( Nevertheless, the important thing is I saw him. And got a lil closer. And I walked back to the office giddy and happy. He just made my day. =)

CAN'T FIGHT THIS FEELING (Reo Speedwagon)

I can't fight this feeling any longer.
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow.
What started out as friendship,
Has grown stronger.
I only wish I had the strength to let it show.

I tell myself that I can't hold OUT forever.
I said there is no reason for my fear.
Cause I feel so secure when we're together.
You give my life direction,
You make everything so clear.

And even as I WANDER,
I'm keeping you in sight.
You're a candle in the window,
On a cold, dark winter's night.
And I'm getting closer than I ever THOUGHT I MIGHT.

And I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
It's time to bring this ship into the shore,
And throw away the oars, forever.

Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
And if I have to crawl upon the floor,
Come crashing through your door,
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore.

My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you.
I've been running round in circles in my mind.
And it always seems that I'm following you, girl,
Cause you take me to the places,
That alone I'd never find.

And even as I wander,
I'm keeping you in sight.
You're a candle in the wind,
On a cold, dark winter's night.
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might.

And I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
It's time to bring this ship into the shore,
And throw away the oars, forever.

Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
And if I have to crawl upon the floor,
Come crashing through your door,
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore.

My Childhood Dreams

I am currently reading Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture. And the book in so many instances talks about achieving your childhood dreams. So it got me thinking and asking myself if I have actually achieved my childhood dreams.So here a took stock of my chilhood dreams...

1 - I wanted to learn ballet. I so remember when I was a child how I loved doing pirouettes (in a child's way), and swinging my arms around the air just like a ballerina. Back then, Lisa Macuja was an icon. In fact, when she did a show at the cultural center in my school, I was able to ask for her autograph. I and a couple of classmates sneaked at their rehearsal. I felt so much honored to have met her. Ironically, I haven't seen any of her shows.

2 - I wanted to study painting/drawing. Kids were usually enrolled in just about any kind of classes during summer. My parents had me took piano, keyboard and swimming lessons back then. But they were never able to enroll me in painting/drawing lessons. I recall that there was one time I asked my mom that I really wanted to learn painting/drawing. Not sure why it didn't happen. Maybe because it was a bit expensive or maybe because they saw I didn't need it much since I had an inherent talent. Well, I was really good in drawing then. I won a poster making contest, joined a painting contest (but lost), always asked by friends to draw their paper dolls, etc. I really wanted to develop this talent...But I guess it just never happened. I think I have lost my creativity and I swear I want to bring this back. I still am itching to study painting.

3 - I wanted to own a library. I wanted to own a gazillion of books. This has largely been influenced by my father and my aunt. My first storybooks were given to me by my aunt. These books were Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, and The Ugly Duckling. I truly treasured these books. Sad to say I don't know where they are now. My aunt also introduced me to detective novels Nancy Drew, Bobsey Twins, and Hardy Boys. When I was 10, I started borrowing these books from the school library. And yes I was able to own a Nancy Drew book.
My father's influence came from the fact that he had quite a collection of books at home. These were mostly religous books. I never really read them (though I was able to use a few of them as references in school work). I just so loved flipping through their pages. And I was happy with the idea of being surrounded by his books. He also had a bunch of Reader's Digest which he used to subscribed when he was single. I read some of them and yeah I could say RD's articles and stories years ago were more interesting (and many). Over the years, and as I grew up, he continued to buy me books but stopped when I was able to afford them. My affection for books hasn't changed. I may now have my own "collection" of books. But still they aren't enough to call a "library".

And so they are just three. Just three childhood dreams. These are all I could remember and all these I have not achieved fully. Studying ballet will never ever be fulfilled. It's too impossible to learn this at my age. I'll get broken bones and frustration. In replacement, I can watch a Lisa Macuja performance. How about studying painting/drawing? This is never too late. I still can do this. I've seen a school not far from where I live. I can try to inquire. Surely, this will be a to-do thing for me next year. What about owning a library? Well, I am doing this now bit by bit, little by little. I have my books, and there are more to come. To where and how they should be arranged still remains a vision. But I know it is going on its way to that.

By writing these childhood dreams of mine, I feel excited and rejuvenated. It reminds me of my "happiness" as a child. It takes out stress and work burdens.

Since these dreams are still a work in progress, I have vowed that they shall be fulfilled no matter what. Tomorrow I'm going to call that art school. =)

TRY (OST - Fame, sung by Asher Book)

If i walk would you run
If i stop would you come
If i say you're the one would you believe me
If i ask you to stay would you show me the way
Tell me what to say so you don't leave me
The world is catching up to you
While your running away to chase your dream
It's time for us to make a move cause we are asking one another to change
And maybe i'm not ready

Chorus
But i'm trying for your love
I can hide up above
I will try for your love
We've been hiding enough

If i sing you a song would you sing along
Or wait till i'm gone, oh how we push and pull
If i give you my heart would you just play the part
Or tell me it's the start of something beautiful
Am i catching up to you
While your running away, to chase your dreams
It's time for us to face the truth cause we are coming to each other to change
And maybe i'm not ready

Chorus
But i'm trying for your love
I can hide up above
I will try for your love
We've been hiding enough

I will try for your love
I can hide up above

2x huh huhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh huh huhhh

If i walk would you run
If i stop would you come
If i say you're the one would you believe me

It's the Little Imperfections That Make One Perfect...

What is A Valid Reason To Love?

What is a valid reason for someone to love someone else? This was a question Bella asked Jacob at one point in the book New Moon of the Twilight Saga. And it got me thinking too, is there really a reason for you to love someone? Is there such a thing as a love that is wrong? Is loving someone ever wrong? Someone asked me that some time ago. And I couldn't help but agree. But then again what if this someone you love is in some situation that makes it wrong? What if he is committed? What if he's married? But how can you stop the feelings at all? The more you hesitate, the more it grows stronger. For a while I thought about it real hard. I isolated myself at some time, reflected on the questions, seeking answers. And then I came to a realization - the feelings stay, the love stays, but you can make everything right by physically distancing yourself from the person. Physical distance means literally being away from him/her. Avoiding communication as much as possible. I think over time the "strong feelings" will go away. To forget the person may never happen but to forget the feelings will happen. This is when I can say that TIME is the solution. And when both of you know the gravity of the situation and when both of you acknowledge the complexity of it all, everything works out.

To my friend - I know I've hurt you in one way or another by words I said or the deeds I did. I was just confused, troubled and wanted everything to be right. I also want you to know how special you are to me. That probably won't change.
I know you know how I feel, what I think about the situation and everything else. And I ask just a little respect and understanding. I also assure you that I now understand your feelings and what it's like in your case. Know that I respect you too. And I have been praying constantly. God knows best.
My friend, we can make this right.

Life Management

I attended a two-day course entitled Time Management. You know I've read lots of time management techniques over the years. But I didn't expect this course was going to be any of them. Well yes there were perennial principles presented like prioritization - what's urgent and important. But then the speakers or trainors had something more. The real meat of the course was life management. The part that I really liked best was that when we were asked to map out our life. Our goals, dreams, all those things we want to happen in our life would be mapped out over our remaining years on earth (supposedly). So if I expected to live until 80, I have 52 more years. And over these 52 years, I would allocate years to each of the four seasons of life which are spring, summer, fall, and winter. In each of these seasons, I would have to put in what I want to happen on these 3 aspects - personal, relational and professional. It's amazing how my life map turned out. And it feels fulfilling to be writing them down despite not yet achieving any of them. I feel so empowered. And it makes me want to work at them right now. I've really been thinking hard how I can achieve them. If God wills them so, let them be. If not, then I know God knows what's best for me. The important thing is I know what I want. And my life has a purpose. That is what life management is about - knowing your purpose and living your life in its accordance.

char kaayo nga mga quotes and poems

Sonnet 17 of Pablo Neruda’s 100 Love Sonnets

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms,
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep

***********************

I don't regret the things I have done or the things I have chosen not to do because what ever I've done, I must have done something right because I ended up with you.

***********************
from Brida by Paulo Coelho

"People give flowers as presents because flowers contain the true meaning of Love. Anyone who tries to possess a flower will have to watch its beauty fading. But if you simply look at a flower in a field, you will keep it forever, because the flower is part of the evening and the sunset and the smell of damp earth and the clouds on the horizon."

"That is what the forest taught me. That you will never be mine, and that is why I will never lose you. You were my hope during my days of loneliness, my anxiety during moments of doubt, my certainty during moments of faith. Knowing my soulmate would come one day, I devoted myself to learning the Tradition of the Sun. Knowing that you existed was my one reason for continuing to live."

"I will always remember now that love is liberty."

**********************

E. B. WHITE: Charlotte, "Charlotte's Web"

You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what's a life, anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die. A spider's life can't help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone's life can stand a little of that.

HaUzMaTeS

Housemates...

When I decided to accept the offer for work in Manila, I knew that I wasn't going to be living on space of my own. I can't afford that, you know. I can't afford a 10k rented condo unit, or even a 6k rented space. Well, probably I could if I am not sending money back home. So I was prepared to live with other people. It should be a first in my life. This is the first time I have lived away from home.

In my one year stay here in Manila, I have moved twice, or I have lived in 3 different houses. First, I stayed on a condo on a share-a-condo set up. According to a friend, it means you're just a glorified bedspacer. I paid 2.7k for a bed space, in a 4 bedroom condo unit along Pasong Tamo. Yes, the place was good, conveniently situated - McDonald's, Chowking, KFC, and Shopwise were just a short walk away (you can go there in you PJs). What I find rather inconvenient was that in our room, there were five of us! And in that unit, there were 10 occupants sharing the kitchen, the dining-cum-reception, and laundry areas. So it was literally a "full house". Even in our room, we couldn't get all our clothes out of our luggages simply because there was no space. If all of us changed clothes together, we'd be bumping to each other. But of course, it wasn't at all that bad. It was fun, in a way. I had interesting roommates. We'd watch VCDs/DVDs on weekends, or chika to the max. Thus, it was a bit sad when I left after 3 months.

I moved to Taguig, where some of my Bisdak colleagues are staying. It was really okay. The place was well kept, quiet surroundings, good water supply. Although, our unit was a bit small but it was ok since there were only 4 of us. There were two rooms - a friend and her hubby occupied one. I and a new found friend occupied the other one. We loved it there at first. But later on, it didn't prove to be worthwhile at all. First, the owner was an AH. (Sorry for the word, but a lot of people would agree.) She was just too much strict. Too much "businessy". If it hadn't been for the one year contract we signed, we could have left that place after 3 months.

But what I really cherished on staying there was that I had friends. There were about 8 of us Bisdaks. And come Fridays and weekends, we'd gather for an all-nighter (or all morning?) of DVD, card games, mahjong, etc. It was fun and stress relieving.

When our Bisdak friends' contract expired, they had decided to move out. They couldn't take another year of dealing with the owner. Since my roomie went back to Cebu, I had decided to join them. They would become now my third set of housemates.

Now, I am staying in an apartment in Palanan, Makati with 4 friends - all Bisdak and working in the same company as me. There are 3 males and 2 females in this house. Allow me to introduce them. Let's start by age, the oldest first. His name is Roliver. He's 30 something. I don't know his age exactly. But I know he's "lapas na sa kalendaryo". He's married with 2 kids, and 1 on the way. He's more of like the father figure in the house being the oldest. But don't judge him as the most serious one. He's not. He jokes a lot, and is so game to watch one movie even on a weekday. Even if it lastas till 2am.

Next to Roliver in age is Ferdi or Ferdz. Well, he's the rather serious type. He's married too with a daughter or son? or just a daughter? I don't know really. I actually forgot. He wakes up the earliest. By 7am or 730am, he's out of the house. I don't know exactly what the reasons are although one is for the parking space. When it comes to watching movies, he's so attentive to what the characters say. You bet, he remembers their dialogues by heart.

Then there is Rossini. He's single and I don't know or care if his status is single. We're about the same age. He's a CPA as well. The Bisdak group pairs him off with Evir, a dear friend. Although we tease them, there hasn't been a confirmed relationship between them. We heard lately he's seeing someone else. But the more important thing is he's a great "asset" in the house. Because. He owns the "entertainment showcase" - a flat and wide screen TV with the superb sound system. How will our DVD marathons go without them??? Jecel and I pray hard he doesn't move out or get accepted in another job far from Makati. We'll lose the only other thing that keeps us sane on Friday nights and weekends. *wink*

The youngest in our "household" is Jecel. She's in her mid-twenties. Not only is she the youngest in age, she's also the "smallest" physically. But despite her petite figure, you can never underestimate her. She's a good cook (our certified cook in the house), a witty woman, and so fun to be with. She's my roomie. And I'm glad she's single too (and even unattached) and loves to travel and have fun and adventure. She's now my new partner in crime.

Then there's me. I cook but not in the full essence of the word. So my contribution in the house is on dish washing, and cleaning. I don't mind cleaning the toilet.

We love the place despite the ocassional appearances of roaches and the inconsistent water flow. Why? We're a happy bunch. So far, in our almost 2 months stay, we have managed ourselves pretty well. And the best thing too is our landlady who is all good and all loving. She is the exact opposite of our former landlady. We love her. She's our dear lola in Manila.

I do hope that I'll stay in this place longer. And I will keep the same housemates. But then I don't hold their fate. One will decide to go back to Cebu or work abroad. Or maybe move to his/her own space. So I can only hope for the best for each one of us - as housemates or not.

maligayang bagong taon

Get One At - Friendster Comments

the one that got away…

I accidentally found this article from a friend's friend's friend's link in her friendster account. :) But I really like the article. It's something I can relate to, especially recently when I have been thinking about the one that got away... so here's the blog post (http://thedreamlife.blog.friendster.com/2008/11/the-one-that-got-away/):

i got this through email and i thought it was so true…read on….

In your life, you’ll make note of a lot of people. Ones with whom you shared something special, ones who will always mean something. There’s the one you first kissed, the one you first loved, the one you lost your virginity to, the one you put on a pedestal, the one you’re with …and the one that got away.

Who is the one that got away?

I guess it’s that person with who everything was great, everything was perfect, but the timing was just wrong. There was no fault in the person, there was no flaw in the chemistry, but the cards just didn’t fall the right way, I suppose. I believe in the fact that ending up with someone, finding a long time partner that is, does not lie merely in the other person. I can actually argue that an equal part, or maybe even the greater part, has to do with the matter of timing.

It has to do with you being ready to settle down and commit to someone in a way that goes beyond the little niceties of giddy romance. How often have you gone through it without even realizing it? When you’re not ready to commit in that mature manner, it doesn’t matter who you’re with, it just doesn’t work. Small problems become big; inconsequential become deal breakers simply because you’re not ready and it shows. It’s not that you and the person you’re with are no good; it’s just that it’s not yet right, and little things become the flashpoint of that fact.

Then one day you’re ready. You really are. And when this happens you’ll be ready to settle down with someone. He or she may not be perfect, they might not be the brightest star of romance to ever have burned in your life, but it’ll work because you’re ready. It’ll work because it’s the right time and you’ll make it work. And it’ll make sense, it really will. The day comes when you’re finally making sense of things, and you find yourself to be a different person. Things are different, your approach is different, you finally understand who you are and what you want and you’ve become ready because the time has truly arrived. And mind you, there’s no telling when this day will come.

Hopefully you’re single… but you could be in a long-term relationship, you could be married with three kids, it doesn’t matter. All you know is that you’ve changed, and for some reason, the one that got away, is the first person you think about. You’ll think about them because you’ll wonder, “What if they were here today?” You’ll wonder, “What if we were together now, with me as I am and not as I was?”

That’s what the one that got away is. The biggest “What if?” you’ll have in your life.

If you’re married, you’ll just have to accept the fact that the one that got away, got away. Believe me, no matter how fairy tale you think your marriage is, this can happen to the best of us. But hopefully you’re mature enough to realize that if you’re already with the one you’re with, that this is just another test of your commitment, one which will just strengthen your marriage when you get past it. Sure, you’ll think about him/her every so often, but it’s alright. It’s never nice to live with a “might have been,” but it happens.

Maybe the one that got away is the one who’s already married. In which case it’s the same thing. You just have to accept and know that your memories of that person will probably bring a nice little smile to your lips in the future when you’re old and gray and reminiscing.

But if neither of that is the case, then it’s different. What do you do if it’s not yet too late? Simple… find him, find her. Because the very existence of a “one that got away” means that you’ll always wonder, what if you got that one? Ask him out to coffee; ask her out to a movie, it doesn’t matter if you’ve dropped in from out of nowhere. You’d be surprised, you just might be “the one that got away” as well for the person who is your “the one that got away.” You might drop in from out of nowhere and it won’t make a difference.

If the timing is finally right, it’ll all just fall into place somehow. And it would be a great feeling, if in the end, you’d be able to say to someone, “Hey you, you’re the one that almost got away.”

***My note: Unfortunately for me, the one that got away is getting married soon. It is sad that it's hard to find someone like him. But I'm happy now that he is happy. Memories of him (no matter how vague our situation then was) will certainly bring a little smile on my face. To him that got away, I wish you the best on this new endeavor. Married life is not at all smooth sailing. You know that. I know when you decide on something, marriage in this case, you'll stand up for it. You are a righteous man, responsible and God-fearing. You'll be a great father and husband. Believe in that coz I believe too.***

Velociraptor (with KJP's suggestion)

I could survive for 32 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

Created by Bunk Beds.net

One Year

I'd like reflect the one year I have been with my present job, a year away from my family, a year of living on my own, a year of living in a big city. I came to Manila a year ago, November 3, 2007 with excitement, anxiety and fully of energy - with a better paying job, independent living, big city life. Now I look back what the year has brought me, or what I have brought to the year as well. Indeed, the year was a good one. The company sent me to London for a five week training. What more can I ask for! All my life I had been praying to be able to see the other side of the world - the Western side. The 5 week stay in London enriched me. It opened my eyes to another culture. It made me appreciate their culture as well as it made me appreciate more my own culture, heritage, and of who I am and where I came from. It made me feel blessed and grateful for what I have - my family, my friends, my faith, my God.

My family - The sad side, Mama's feet got worse. She could no longer stand up and walk very well. It had something to do with the nerves. Arthritis, she said. I know that depressed her in ways. I continue to pray that she can walk well again. I still hold that dream that one day I can bring her and my father to travels abroad. Apart from that, little quarrels and fits of anger flared up in the family on certain times. But they all got resolved. And that's part of the happy side. Add to that, Mama and Papa had the chance to visit me in Manila when I got back from London. They took time to see relatives and got to taste a bit of the busy and chaotic Manila life. My sisters too were able to visit me. I took them to Enchanted Kingdom. It was a short 3-day visit but a worthy one.

Friends - Indeed,I have made good friends, and even best friends, the kind that'll stick with you no matter what, and support your decisions. They make you laugh and make you cry, and most importantly teach you lessons you can never learn on your own. One of the very special friends I have was my roomie. We had lots of little fights yet we always made up. She made me realized a lot of things. And though we're no longer roomies now, it was having her as a roomie and a friend that I consider one of the best things that happened this year.

My God, my faith - I am sorry to say that my relationship with the Lord waned a bit this year. I missed Sunday masses. I spent little time with Him. I know it was all my fault (who else is to blame). But the good thing is, I never gave up on Him and He never gave up on me. With all the temptations around me, He just wouldn't let me get near them. I am thankful. I am blessed.

The past year was full of colors. It wasn't all bad. It wasn't all good. It had balance. But all in all, it was a precious year, one that shall make a mark in my life story. So many bunch of lessons learned, so many relationships enriched. I can end this year with a smile. And look forward to next year with much hope, anticipation and faith.

The Call by Regina Spektor (to the cancer kid-patients at Phil Children's Hospital)

You are all brave. :)

See you soon, Friend (yayi's message to Bisdaks)

GOD’S PERFECT TIME

“There is an appointed time for everything.”– Ecclesiastes 3:1

He wanted to buy a car. But he could only afford a second-hand. On his first attempt to search for a used vehicle, he received news from a friend. “Have you heard that the car of one of the residents living a few blocks from your home was stolen?”
“Is the Lord telling me something?” he wondered. So he postponed his search. After sometime, he looked again for a car. Just then, he heard that another vehicle was stolen near his area.
After a few months, he resumed his search. And for the third time, another vehicle was stolen … and it was his neighbor’s.
He gave up the idea of buying a car. Instead, he decided to wait for the Lord’s signal.
One day, he dropped by the office of a colleague. He was handed an envelope. It was his Christmas and birthday gift rolled into one. When he opened it, it was a check, the amount of which is good enough for a down payment for a brand new car.
It pays well to wait on the Lord. God’s timing is always perfect. We just need to be patient and trust His heart. byJudith Concepcion
from Didache 9/26/08

REFLECTION:
God is neither too late nor too early. He makes all things beautiful in His time.

I choose to wait on You Lord no matter how long it takes for I know You have prepared only the best for me.

*****
These are the words I exactly need these days. It's amusing that for this week, I chance upon this on my yahoomail twice. Seems like the Lord is telling me over and over again to wait for the perfect time. I've been praying for a lot of things to happen in my life. And the Lord's answer is - Wait, my precious child. In my time, everything shall be done.
*****

I'm not that girl

A fave song...
From the musical WICKED...
Watched the play in London at the Apollo Victoria Theater...
I am in love with this musical...
I really am!...






Hands touch, eyes meet
Sudden silence, sudden heat
Hearts leap in a giddy whirl
He could be that boy
But I'm not that girl.

Don't dream too far
Don't lose sight of who you are
Don't remember that rush of joy
He could be that boy
I'm not that girl

Ev'ry so often we long to steal
To the land of what-might-have-been
But that doesn't soften the ache we feel
When reality sets back in

Blithe smile, lithe limb
She who's winsome, she wins him
Gold hair with gentle curl
That's the girl he chose
And heaven knows
I'm not that girl...

Don't wish, don't start
Wishing only wounds the heart
I wasn't born for the rose and pearl
There's a girl I know
He loves her so
I'm not that girl...

movie marathon

I'm back in Cebu for a one week vacation.:) I'm happy to be with my family again, making chikas and seeing them everyday. I miss them so much! :)
While here though, I plan to watch lots of movies. Luckily, my brother has a lot of downloaded movies on his PC! And I don't think I could ever finish all of them!
So far, I've watched two - Atonement and Vantage Point. Though with Atonement, I wasn't able to concentrate very well and I kept forwarding it. The audio was bad.:( Anyway, I plan to read the book. I think the drama will be much more stronger in the novel than in the movie. Vantage Point has so much adrenaline rush in it. I like the way it was done. Now I know why the title is Vantage Point. :) Movies on my list:
1- Music and Lyrics
2- Love in the Time of Cholera
3- Sex in the City
4- Indefinitely Maybe
5- No Country for Old Men
6- There Will Be Blood
7- Harry Potter (all series)

Good luck to me! Wish I can watch them all and more!

Happy vacation to me!

May 10-June 14 2008

These are the inclusive dates of the London trip. I spent some 5 weeks there. And I tototally enjoyed it. And I wanna go back. Because there were just so many things to see and so much to do but so little time. If given the chance to back to UK, I'll do the following things:
1 - go to Scotland and visit my friend Eva and her family
2 - visit my cousin's family in Sheffield
3 - go to Oxford
4 - take a pic at the 9 3/4 platform
5 - get inside the Tower of London and see the crown jewels
6 - shopping in Ashford
7 - watch Les Miserables and other plays/shows in West End

While I was there in London, these were the only tourist places I've been to or activities I did:

1 - Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guards, St.James' Park
2 - River Thames cruise
3 - London Eye, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge
4 - Madamme Tussauds
5 - Portobello
6 - shopping and window shopping in Oxford street, Kensington High Street
7 - Kensington Palace and Gardens, Harrods for Princess Di's monument
8 - Greenwhich
9 - Hampton Court Palace (my favorite!!!!)
10 - Sheffield
11 - Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, City of Bath
12 - drinking beer (w/o ice)
13 - wearing no jacket at 14 degrees Celsius (it was sooo cold)
14 - watched Wicked (I so love this musical!!!)

I think I've mentioned them mostly... I think I haven't missed the important ones and my favorites...

London Here I Come

I'm writing this blog entry at the Dubai International Airport awaiting for our connecting flight to London. :) I'm happy for 3 reasons. One - there's wireless internet connection and I can log in to the restricted sites in the office i.e. yahoomail, blogger, gmail. Thus I can write about this UK trip. Two - it's my first trip outside of Southeast Asia, my first trip to UK, my first trip to Europe. And I am not paying for the airfare and accomodation! This is because I'm on a business trip. I'm with two other officemates. We'll be in London for a series of trainings and meetings. (And on the side, sightseeing and shopping). Three - the flight was easy, not much pain on the ears, good food, nice attendants, watched Juno and for some reason I forgot the other movie. (We're on business class!) In less than an hour, we'll be flying to London. Here I come. ;)

24/27

Today is March 24, 2008. It's my birthday!!!! And I'm now 27 y.o. I can't believe it I'm nearing 30. wahahaha... It's kinda weird to say that I'm 27. I feel old. It also feels odd especially when I'm still single, unattached and my friends and contemporaries are already starting their own families, getting married, having kids. Well anyway that's life and that's just how it is.

Today my little sisters (actually not little anymore) surprised me at around 3am when I was so sound asleep, they sang 'happy birthday' carrying a little doughnut with a candle. How sweet. I'm touched. I love surprises. :)

I got a few text messages today from friends and officemates. I don't know yet what else is coming. :) But usually they are just text messages and email greetings.

Happy birthday to me!

i'm in town

i'm here in cebu for a short vacation(?), that means a little over 3 days. well, i miss my family and friends here. yah, i do. and they miss me too! i'm spending my bday here. i don't know how it will be. but surely it won't be anything fancy. i'd like it to be simple, less gastos. i'm on a tight budget as the US economy is in a recession. huh? is there some connection? well, i've heard and read news of the economic conditions of the US and they're not good and wala lang, i felt that could be a good reason.. ;-). I wonder if my friends working there feel the hard times...hmmm...

anyway, while i'm here in cebu, i don't want to burden myself thinking about work, problems (mine or the world's). 3-days in cebu is a respite from my busy life in manila. besides it's holy week, time to reflect on this life and my JC's life.

My Family's New Year's Message for me

Dear Mae,

We hope you will be sucessful in all your endeavors in life in this new year 2008. We love you so much and please take care. GOD BLESS YOU AND MAMA MARY LOVES YOU.

From Papa, Mama, John, Christine and Charm


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It can get lonely here in the Big City but when I realize that my family is praying for me, I get the feeling that I am okay and everything will be okay. :)