Circle

Yesterday had been a long day.

It rained nonstop early in the morning and brought floodwater inside the house, so I had to call up at work to tell them I couldn't make it. But they said the competition must push through and they can't perform without me.

So an hour before the event, I was at the office in a flash (faster than the flash flood that washed our living room floor). Now I usually am a lucky girl but by 1 pm, the President declared work suspension. That automatically meant postponement of the competition.

Talk about being lucky.

Oh well! It meant more time for us to practice.

By 4pm my energy was pretty much spent but the girls were raring to see a movie and tagged me along. The mall was packed with students and working-class people who opted to drop by and pass the time before going home.

ticket line

the movie poster

A Love Story was about, well, a love story! It had its twists and some flashback scenes that tricked the audience on who plays what role. I don't wanna spoil it for those who haven't seen the movie yet. So I will say no more. ;p


= = =


Then I went home and found out my grandfather has just been called back by the BIG BOSS.

Lolo was a war veteran. He rubbed elbows with the late Ferdinand Marcos (former Philippine president) during their guerrilla days. He had been blind since I was a little girl. He's seen so much. Done so much.

He died in his sleep. He was 89 years old.

Pahinga na 'Lo.

= = =

I still went to work today though for the staff meeting. Plus the office people prepared a little something for the August celebrants.

August babies: me + miss E + Manny (now you know why we're pretty close)

Aside from a few close colleagues, they didn't know what lies behind that smile.


= = =

Kinda mixed up right now. In the middle of a whirlwind of emotions - at one point happiness (still from my birthday), then grief (for lolo's death), frustration, relief.

But one thing is for sure: that whatever phase we are in, whatever we are facing right now, the show must go on.

Life goes on.

Party's over

here's a bit of info...

I share birthdays with these beautiful people:

Iza Calzado

Aga Muhlach

AND!...

my uncle

the person 'responsible' for the 'grand celebration' yesterday ;)

pardon for the blurry image. my eight-year old cousin shot the pic.

; )

And so the party's over.

Blame me for not having snaps of the preparation coz i woke up rather late. After all, it was my birthday and i can pretty much do as i please. Still i wasn't able to take pics while the party's on because i was busy preparing the drinks.

The grand celebration i was talking about wasn't solely mine. As i've mentioned earlier, my uncle and i share the same birthday. The party was mainly his (coz he's got more moolah, hehe!) because it was also his despedida party (he works overseas).

The usual setup when my uncle's in the country on our birthday: he takes care of most of the stuff (like food for lunch and alcoholic drinks by the afternoon) while i share some in my own little way. Usually, it's dad who cooks up my contribution for the food (spaghetti for snacks or a beef dish). For this year, Papa whipped up his new specialty while I came up with my own version of Mindoro Sling (the drink you should try when you're in Puerto Galera) to which my cousin was a willing taster.

Unfortunately my concoction wasn't as smooth as the original version. It gave me a big headache unlike my previous Mindoro Sling experience back in Puerto two months ago.

*sigh*

I miss the beach again. 'twas such a blast. But more of that on my next post.

Ta-tah!

Whirlwind Weekend

This week had been pretty busy.

And I'm like this dude:

minus the menacing face. Heheh!

Here's the rundown:


I was supposed to take a leave of absence today but due to "insistent public demand" I had to report to the office.


The insistent public composed of people from the four bureaus in our cluster, almost begging me to re-schedule my leave so I could teach them some more and practice them for the cluster presentation next week.


Okay, so they did not beg me. They asked nicely ;)


To that, I obliged. The cluster presentation was actually an entry for the Healthy Lifestyle Aerobics Competition.


To offset my frustration, I bought cake, pancit (noodles, for long life), and softdrinks for my officemates as my birthday blowout. It's a prelude to the grand celebration on Sunday. Grand Celebration.

don't you think the candles are kinda big for the cakes?

After all is said and done--the practice over and the food eaten--there were still paperworks to attend to. I had to stay a little bit more at the office and finally went home by 7pm.

= = =

After all that hoolabaloo, I'm finally home.

Dad tried a new dish he got from one of the recipe books my sister bought.

Spanish Chicken with Chorizo

= = =

I was a happy girl devouring the chicken. Oh, did I mention I love chicken dishes? If there's nothing more to eat except chicken, I'm more than happy to finish it.


And yes, it really was a prelude for my birthday on Sunday!

Damsel in Distress

People were already going home a few minutes after the Chief declared work suspension by 4pm due to the heavy rains and flooding. But I had to stay for a few more hours to practice the steps for next week's presentation. The group planned to practice today but I was looking forward to go home already as I don't wanna get stranded on my way. They caught me by a phonecall. I should have ignored it when the office phone rang, coz it was closing time anyway. My bad. So I had no choice but to join the practice since it was still raining hard.

By around past six, we finally packed it up. It was already dark outside and it was still raining a bit. Plus, I was on my own because all my officemates have gone earlier. Jeepneys were cutting the trip just to avoid the flooded areas. I had to walk some more to get to my next jeepney terminal.

So there I was. The moment I never wished for, but it was already happening. The flood water was knee-high. Murky, dirty water with a lot of what-nots floating in it. My pants and platform shoes were soaked in the flood as I half-waded towards the next terminal. The umbrella was then used as a cane to guide me as I take baby-steps to avoid open manholes and excavations on the road.

Finally, I was walking in the street of my own neighborhood. Wet, tired, and cold. I hugged my jacket tighter for warmth, and tried to suppress a sob that threatened to escape from inside me.


I was thinking to myself, "So this is what it feels like."

Hours ago, J texted me that he wouldn't be able to come to the office to accompany me home. I know he wouldn't let me walk in flooded streets. Or he would not let me walk alone if we really can't help walking in it.

But my superman's got fever. So I walked by myself.

Spaghetti for dinner?

WHY NOT?!

after all, my birthday's just a week away.

on death and dying

Tita came home today without the usual funfare

She was particularly silent, not her usual gay self

No high pitched laugh, no American twang

We should be all smiles upon meeting her

but we were all crying.

We missed tita so much and now she's home

But what should be a happy reunion

is now a sad family gathering

Tita came home today

for the Lord has finally called her.

She is home indeed.

(Tita died July last year. We had her babang-luksa yesterday)

= = =

Now why would I be writing about death and dying?

Well, for one, we had just commemorated my aunt's death anniversary yesterday. Here in the Philippines, we have this custom we call babang-luksa. Literally, it means we stop mourning a year after the death of a loved one or family member. Elderly women lead the prayers, then lunch or snacks are served depending on the time of the day the family preferred the ritual done.

After I had my snack, I went to St. Lazarus Shrine for the anticipated mass. Afterwhich the choirmaster told us that we'll be singing for a funeral mass nearby which will be officiated by our parish priest.

On my first year of being a church choir member, I was usually making up excuses not to come with the choir to sing on funeral mass. The thing is, even if I am not related to the departed, seeing the family members left behind mourning makes me cry so easily. It took some time before I could go with the choir and be able to concentrate on singing rather that absorbing the mourners' loss and having a sob fit. Well that's how weird I am.

The homily went on like: we should not view death as an enemy and we should not be afraid of death.

I once read from a book by Leo Buscaglia that those who scream loudest from their deathbeds are those who have not lived fully. Perhaps they need to reconcile with other people--to forgive or ask forgiveness themselves. Perhaps they are worried about those people they'd be leaving behind. Or perhaps they can't let go yet. The priest said we have to accept that we all die. Una-una nga lang.

It is often said that life is short so we should enjoy every moment of it. Savor every minute, every breath we take. After seeing quite a number of deaths (family members and those I know of) I am now consciously taking steps in enjoying this life God has given me. I may slack off once in a while, getting contented with living in the sidelines. But I constantly push myself to go out there, dive in the middle and play an active part in this big stage we are in. I may not land the lead role, but at least I tried. Better than nothing, isn't it?

No matter what role we play in life, may we always give it our best shot. I constantly remind myself those things whenever I see myself backsliding. I can say I am a work in progress.

Here's a nice thing to ponder on:
"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." -- Author unknown

Have a good day everyone and may we all live a full life.

Reunited

Once again, after a couple of months' hiatus, I find myself going to the gym and joining the aerobics session conducted twice weekly. Yup, that good ol' hataw routine where we kick and punch and dance and have fun for an hour. Best of all, it's FREE! All you have to do is put on some work-out clothes (whatever comfortable to move with) and bust those moves. It also helps that the instructor puts in a little humor, making fun of himself or making fun of us, so we get to laugh while working out.

I must say that not much has changed (that's why it's called routine) except for a few number of people present that day (the gym used to be packed with peepz). What really makes the session enjoyable for me is the dance portion. There's a new dance craze going on and I was kinda new to it. But being dance-crazy, it only took little time for me to learn the moves then finally dancing like I've known the steps my whole life. I was sweating. I was moving. I was happy.

By lunchtime, my energy was dipping and I was beginning to feel sore. That's what happens when you've been sedentary for a couple of months and then going at it again (the aerobics session). But that's okay. The pain and soreness will go away. Then I'm off to do it again next week!

PINK?

reach for the purse and fish out that little tube of color

pink with glitters to cover up that pallor

hold up the mirror

pout a little

then let it glide on my lips

that little tube of color

now come here baby

and lemme give you a kiss!

MWAH!

Separated at Birth?

hahaha!

wish ko lang!

Flirtation

Overheard...

Male: Hey! I saw you with your boyfriend last week...
Female: Oh really?
M: Yeah! It was a sweet sight. I was feeling jealous coz you looked happy
F: Oh come on! You? Jealous? Get outta here...
M: True! I was jealous that time when i saw you with him.

Pause

M: So, you're really back together with him?
F: Well, sort of. Yeah, i guess.
M: Sort of? Why the uncertainty? He'd be a fool to keep you hanging like that
F: I know....
M: With that asset.... that nice plump ass-et you got there and your big thighs... only a fool would resist a girl with such assets, y'know
F: I know...

Girl leaves with a smile on her face

Introvert or Extrovert?

Let's settle this once and for all...

You Are An Intro-Extrovert!

Sometimes you're social - sometimes you're shy You've got a bit of an Introvert / Extrovert split going on You enjoy all sorts of situations. Parties, small groups, and alone time. Too much of one, and you'll long for the other. You need variety! Chances are, you've got both serious and fun friends - and they don't get along.

Are You An Extroverted or Introverted Girl?

That's why I'm unpredictable! Heheheh!

Pipol

I got home late last night after attending the 1st Vicarial Assembly which was also attended by members of the nine different parishes under the Vicariate of the Holy Spirit. As with other kinds of gatherings I anticipated the number of people that would be present in the venue--about a hundred or two. But I was surprised when the final count got to around five hundred plus! I looked around to see a variety of people--the oldies, the young ones, all from different religious organizations in their respective parishes. It was overwhelming.

I found it difficult, however, to spark up a conversation with other parishioners because the seating arrangement was done in such a way that people of the same parish stay together in one group. I managed to shake hands with some people though during the meet-and-greet portion of the program, but that was all.

So many people have come and gone before my very eyes. But I'll never forget the smile from one particular person's face the moment he saw me:

PERCY. He's a member of the other choir that my choirmaster manages. We've seen each other a couple of times before on various activities and programs of the St. Lazarus Parish but it was only late last year when we got past the hi's and hello's. It was during an out-of-town gig early this year when we really got to talk and introduce ourselves formally.

Being the introverted person that I am, it's not really easy for me to warm up to other people. But with Percy, it was like a breeze. The conversation we had last summer in Bataan was inspiring and humbling at the same time. You don't usually expect that from younger people. But with Percy, it felt like we've been together for a long time. He's like a younger brother to me.

We seldom see each other since he lives far from me so imagine the excitement of seeing each other at the assembly that afternoon! Sad thing is he had to leave early with his choirmates for a wedding gig, but he thanked me profusely for the letter I wrote for him a couple of days ago.

Man! He looked so cute with that smile I should've hugged him! Walang malisya ha!

Remember Pers, happy thoughts. May you find happiness even from the smallest and simplest of things.

Bless you!

Weekend Reflection

I've been blabbing about moving on and stuff in my other blog, so.... what now? What's next? Any progress so far? Well.... if moving on is like re-arranging my stuff in my jungle of a cubicle... or waking up earlier than usual to go to work... or finally having the energy to sort my closet... or taking steps to clean up the vacant room in our house so i could have it for myself already (yey! my own space at last! or is it? hmmm...), then i guess I've quite moved on.

But is "moving on" the right term to use? Perhaps it's "starting over". Maybe because, contrary to what i said that we have to lose something (or in my case, someone) for new and better things, what i really needed was a change in perspective. Perhaps instead of always looking at the other side of the fence where it was believed that the grass is greener, I should've just appreciated the simple (yet meaningful) things I already had.

After struggling to understand the things that transpired the past couple of months (yup, it's been that long but i don't wanna stuff this blog with depressing posts) there was a lesson to learn. Maybe lessons to learn and to keep in mind.

And so here I am at the office at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Everyone else has gone home or somewhere else. The rain is pouring so hard and it might flood outside. But I'm cool. I may not be a big fan of rain, but I think I can bear with it. I say bring it on. Someone's coming to fetch me anyway.

Wonderful World

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go
outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature
and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it
should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of
nature." -- Anne Frank

Amen.

(Images Top L-R: shot during lunchbreak outside the office; Center L-R: scenes at Puerto Galera; Bottom L-R: along the way to Dasmariñas, Cavite)

Uninvited

What do you do when you’ve been missing a friend who’s overseas and your only means of communication is through IM? If he’s not online, you get updates on him through his blog. But it’s been quite a long time now that I haven’t gone online for instant messaging. And the blog? Every time I try to visit the page something like this appears on my monitor:

This blog is open to invited readers only. It doesn’t look like you have been invited to read this blog. If you think this is a mistake, you might want to contact the blog author and request an invitation.

Invited readers only?! Do I think this is a mistake?! Hmm…

Well I tried contacting the blog author and requested (read: asked nicely) for an invitation. But I still get the same message that I am not an invited reader.

Dude, I know you’ve been visiting this blog. Don’t shut yourself out, okay?

Whatever it is you’re going through, I pray that you get through it. I know I’m not someone who can dispense sound advice. Just holler if you need someone to listen, okay?

Bless you!

The Amazing Balancing Cat!

keeping her composure while performing the balancing act.

Amazing, isn't she?

50 Most Romantic Things To Do With Your Girlfriend

1. Watch the sunset together.
2. Whispers to each other.
3. Cook for each other.
4. Walk in the rain.
5. Hold hands.
6. Buy small gifts for each other.
7. Gift Roses.
8. Find out their favorite cologne/perfume and wear every time you're together.
9. Go for a long walk down the beach at midnight.
10. Write poetry for each other.
11. Hugs are the universal medicine.
12. Say I love you, only when you mean it and make sure they know you mean it.
13. Give random gifts of flowers/candy/poetry etc.
14. Tell her that she's the only girl you ever want. Don't lie!
15. Spend every second possible together.
16. Look into each other's eyes.
17. Very lightly push up her chin, look into her eyes, tell her you love her, and kiss her lightly.
18. When in public, only flirt w/ each other.
19. Put love notes in their pockets when they aren't looking.
20. Buy her a ring.
21. Sing to each other.
22. Always hold her around her hips/sides.
23. Take her to dinner and do the dinner for two-deal
24. Spaghetti? (Ever see Lady and the Tramp?)
25. Hold her hand, stare into her eyes, kiss her hand and then put it over your heart.
26. Dance together.
27. I love the way a girl looks right after she's fallen asleep withher head in my lap.
28. Do cute things like write I love you in a note so that they have to look in a mirror to read it.
29. Make excuses to call them every 5 minutes
30. Even if you are really busy doing something, go out of your way to call and say I love you. 31. Call from your vacation spot to tell them you were thinking about them.
32. Remember your dreams and tell her about them.
34. Tell each other your most sacred secrets/fears.
35. Be Prince Charming to her parents.
36. Brush her hair out of her face for her.
37. Hang out with his/her friends.
38. Go to church/pray/ worship together.
39. Take her to see a romantic movie and remember the parts she liked.
40. Learn from each other and don't make the same mistake twice.
41. Describe the joy you feel just to be with him/her.
42. Make sacrifices for each other.
43. Really love each other, or don't stay together.
44. Let there never be a second during any given day that you aren't thinking about them, and make sure they know it.
45. Love yourself before you love anyone else.
46. Learn to say sweet things in foreign languages.
47. Dedicate songs to them on the radio.
48. Fall asleep on the phone with each other.
49. Stand up for them when someone talks trash.
50. Never forget the kiss goodnight and always remember to say,"Sweet dreams."

Hey! It's not 50! Where's number 33? :)

I only got this from my e-mail. I don't even have a girlfriend (even if i always tell my friends i used to be a guy! hehe!). I only have friends who are girls. And boy friends too! Y'know what i mean...

I hope y'all have a blast doing those "49 most romantic things to do with your girlfriend"!

The Amazing Barrel Man!

Barrel Man with a big smile!

Barrel Man with a big smile and a big thingy!

but he's still teeny-weeny!

Goofballs!

This is what usually happens when the three of us siblings are cooped up in a room on some weekend nights....

hostage drama (don't worry, that's a fake gun)

who's holding the camera?

hehehe!

Hah! Camwhores!

While she was sleeping...[v.2]

Ebony sleeps too!

Livewire!

The following pictures were shot last night during a near-fire incident in my neighborhood, just two houses away from our house.

This was the fourth time it happened in a month, and i hope this is the last time i'll be seeing such horrifying things.

It started from the electrical cables outside which, people say that due to it's age, cannot hold the amount of current passing through it (overloaded), so it exploded and snapped. It nearly started a fire and threatened the lives of some neighbors.

After numerous phonecalls to the fire department and Meralco, volunteer firefighters came to the scene after a few minutes. They're always first to arrive in emergencies like this.

Two hours later, the servicemen from Meralco came at last. But it took them the whole night to assess and repair the damage and finally replace the old cables. Hopefully, after this, I could sleep peacefully at night and not be paranoid about fires occurring in my neighborhood.

the morning after...

As if nothing happened!

Thank You, Gracias, Salamat

I just happened to learn that aside from my mother who frequently visits this blog, other people have viewed this,too! It makes me happy that people take notice of what i do, specially being the Leo person that I am, I admit I thrive on other people's attention and appreciation.

And speaking of appreciation, thank you to those people who took notice or fancied to take a look at this blog. Salamat sa paramdam! (thanks for making your presence felt). Feel free to express your comments here, and i hope to spark up some friendships with y'all.

Cheers everyone!

Starting Anew

Woke up with a smile. Took a quick bath and dressed up. It's another Monday. I hope it doesn't turn out to be a manic day.

Beat the buzzer. Punched in at 7:59am. Whew!

It's the first working day of the month. I just want to start it nice and smooth. So the rest of the month would be a breeze, if not that easy. I just hope I could manage to survive the month.

"Firsts" never fail to excite me.

Am I still making sense?

Anyway, have a nice day everyone!

I'm too sexy for my....

You Are 80% Sexy

Your Sex Appeal Is: Extremely High You're very sexy. You just have that certain something that takes over a room.You know how to attract, entice, and keep whoever you want. You are truly appealing.

While she was sleeping...

Ebony watches over my sister!

After-Lunch Hangout

there's a place inside the company compound where we love to hang out after having our lunch...

the Child-minding Center

because it's peaceful, quiet, windy, surrounded by trees and plants, and it's specially soothing. Soon, it will be a place full of children when it becomes fully operational. But before it becomes a riotous place, Manny, Ted and I savor the peace and quiet every lunchbreak.

Ted having an "mtv moment"

definitely not the way to use the see-saw

for babies only

pics from the not-so-distant past

seen around...

at Puerto Galera (June 2007)

yeah! i want's to be a swimmer

at Bataan (April 2007)

recognize the logo?

Baguio - revisited

Remember the last time i went to Baguio?

This time, it's with my sister......

at Wright Park

and some friends with their kids...

had fun picking strawberries!

at the strawberry farm in La Trinidad

and goofed around!

in one of the stores near the Lourdes Grotto

It was a weekend of "touristy" activities.
What a way to spend the remaining days before sobering up for the holy week!

Kalayaan....

We're celebrating the Philippines' 109th Independence Day. But today was declared a working holiday.

Holiday ba yun? Hehehe! Anyway, I don't mind going to work though!

Manny, my foodtrip buddy. He doesn't seem to mind going to work on a holiday either!

Anyways, Mabuhay ang Kalayaan! Mabuhay tayong lahat!


God save the Philippines ;)

Hay! buhay....

And the shirt says.....

BIG brother Jonax

No matter what happens, the shirt says it all.

(and God is soooo good, ya?)