Oh Brother!

On this day, 19 years ago, Jose Esmael Macuja Obedoza was ushered into this world. Named after his father (Jose) adn maternal grandfather (Esmael), this little bundle of joy was the apple of his parents' eyes.

Being the youngest and only son, Jomel (most fondly called Jong or Maeng) was a little spoiled growing up. Well, just a little. He mostly gets his way or else he'll throw a tantrum that's not easy to be calmed down. Perhaps it's because he was born on the year of the dragon.

Fast forward to 2007. The little bundle of joy grew up to be an extraordinary young man. The baby i used to carry is now taller and heavier than me. Gone are the days when i would carry him on my back to get to his room when he falls asleep on the couch.

I can blabber all sorts of stuff about my bro, specially the good stuff 'cause i'm proud to be his sister, but it all sums up to this:

I love you bro! Kung saan ka masaya, te suportahan ta'ka!

Happy Birthday too!!!

Life's Little Surprises

Showed up at work today wearing a skirt. Like last time, i got people talking. The office people are so used to see me wearing slacks or jeans during washday.

they never thought i could put this number on

Surprise, surprise! It's not even a washday. It felt like a Friday though coz tomorrow's a holiday (end of Ramadan for our Muslim brothers and sisters), so i put on my Friday-best. Besides, i didn't have a pair of jeans or slacks available as i brought them to the laundromat last night.

So folks, if you see me again wearing girly clothes, you already know why.

Obiwan kept looking at me from head to toe (lingering from the waist down) telling me i should wear girly clothes more often as it looks so good on me.

"Aww, shut up" I said while wiping drool off his chin.

;P

= = =

I had the office people pleasantly surprised, but i was in for a shock before that on my way to work.

Good thing i followed my instincts and had quick reflexes that time, or i wouldn't be blogging for quite a long time.

Someone up there really loves me still.

To the driver of that white SUV (not really sure if it was a CRV coz things happened so fast), perhaps you need to have your eyes checked. Or go back to kindergarden coz obviously, you don't know the difference between red and green. YOU SUCK, BIG TIME!

= = =

This time around wasn't as awkward as the previous one, albeit brief. But thanks for staying a little while longer.

The question still dangles in my head though, as i listen to my Rivermaya mp3 collection at 1am (it's Friday already): "What could be wrong kaya?"

You said you have under-estimated me. I say I have over-estimated you.

But you said I haven't seen the best part yet.

OK, surprise me.

I love surprises.
;P

Girl or Boy?

You Are 50% Boyish and 50% Girlish

You are pretty evenly split down the middle - a total eunuch. Okay, kidding about the eunuch part. But you do get along with both sexes. You reject traditional gender roles. However, you don't actively fight them. You're just you. You don't try to be what people expect you to be.

How Boyish or Girlish Are You?

So, that explains why I'm still comfy with skirts and 2-inch pumps as much as i'm comfortable with rugged jeans and shirts. I'm a 50-50. Mostly in dressing up and some behavior/mannerisms. For most part, i'm still a girl (who digs boys!).

;P

Scary!!!

Ebony with flashlight eyes

Bro's unfinished work
Oil pastel on illustration board

Wonderful World v.2

One summer's day at La Mesa Ecopark

Images that soothe me.
Seen (would you believe it?) inside the company compound not very far from the Child-Minding Center.

Out with the Old...

The good old fusebox.

Like our antique narra furniture, this is one of the things in our house that's older than me. I grew up seeing that box which somehow gives me a sense of safety whenever i pull down its rusty lever way back in the years of almost day-long blackouts.

This box was the first thing i rushed to when electrical cables in our street exploded and almost broke into a fire.

Since the day i learned what the box is for and since the day i was tall enough to reach it, i have designated myself to check on it whenever an electricity-related incident or emergency arises.

I have shared so many adrenaline-pumping moments with that box.

But yesterday, we had the house rewired and the fusebox had to be replaced by a circuit-breaker.

Ladies and gentlemen, good ol' fusebox has left the building.

;P

Unanimous!

Yup. Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao won by unanimous decision against Marco Antonio Barrera.

Huminto na naman ang buong Pilipinas, mapanood lang ang laban.

And once again, you made the whole country proud of you.

Wala kang katulad, Manny!

Long Saturday

After days of practice for my solo part, today was the day we sang for the mass at Sto. Domingo Church. This year is the centenary of the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of La Naval.

Not being a morning person, I was late for the 6am assembly in my most fashionable way, but still a few minutes early for the 7am mass. Hence, was not able to practice with the choir.

But during the communion, I reckon I pulled off my solo part well (based on the reactions of my choirmates). They didn't know I've been practicing at home and vocalizing in the shower that morning before I went to church. Hehehe!

By 8am, the group had to rush back to St. Lazarus Shrine for the special mass in honor of Our Lady of Manaoag. But another choir was there already so we just took time to catch our breath while some opted to slip into more casual clothing as our all-white ensemble was pretty constricting and well, becoming off-white (then dirty-white!) because of the smoke and dust from the commute. Plus it rained the previous night so we had to be careful or else there'd be splotches of brown and black on our dresses.

I was at the office by 9:30am to help an officemate with her son's project.

Kristian's Christmas Ball
(I wasn't able to take a pic of the finished product)

Lunch was at Chowking with Manny and Erik. Good thing these people were at the office for their review session (they're taking up weekend classes to finish their bachelor's degree) in preparation for their comprehensive exams on Wednesday. Otherwise, it would feel lonely at the office with just the cleaning people to keep me company.

Back to the office by 1:30pm to finish the Christmas ball, thus, I wasn't able to attend the Music Ministry's Recollection at 3pm. But I still made it to the anticipated mass at 5:30pm as we were scheduled to sing there.

goofing around minutes before the mass..............and the choirmaster/guitarist/tenor-bass

Finally, home by 8pm.

Looking forward to a day's rest tomorrow.

Have a goodnight y'all!

Reaching out

It's been pretty boring hiding in the dark. And lonely too.

Nothing beats surrounding myself with shiny, happy people. It somehow "forces" me to be happy and it helps to speed up the process of forgetting.

It also helps that the St. Lazarus Shrine is just beside my office. I can go there every lunchbreak to hear mass and sing to my heart's content since I'm a choir member there.

= = =

I've read somewhere that if you want to be happy, make someone happy, even if it's yourself.

At the office, what better way to make someone happy than to share snacks on a rainy workday!

In doing so, both parties were happy!

= = =

Thursday was particularly busy as our team was doing preparations for a lineup of training programs we will be facilitating.

We managed to finish the preliminaries and kidded about going out for the night to loosen up and recharge in anticipation of a more toxic Friday.

Girlfriends... post-movie
(as always, i'm the one not in the picture, hehehe!)

= = =



And I'm slowly and steadily picking up.



Myself, that is!

Revelation v.2

Sorry to break your heart, cousin Taz. ;)

I got a lot of questions and reactions (violent & otherwise) with this pic:

Some people liked it. Some people didn't. Some were shocked coz they never thought I'd do such a thing.

The prevailing question was: "Is it real?"

First, I may be a big fan of dragon tattoos (and tattoo in general) but I can't see myself getting old and wrinkly with it.

Second, I work in a company with a lot of conservative people and with rules to observe. Although they encourage my artistic inclinations and creativity, I opted not to abuse my so-called freedom of self-expression.

And well, I was just being the proud big sister of my brother who did the inking.

Still, I got y'all there, didn't I?

I liked the attention. I got people talking. Even my cousins who seldom make contact sent me a message on Friendster asking about the tattoo.

So for the record, the tattoo was NOT REAL.

Just don't ask me what my bro used to draw it on my arm.

;)

Who am i kidding?

Okay, I'm only human. I cry when i'm hurt or very sad and lonely.

Maybe i need some more time to wallow in my miserable state before i could have the strength to pick myself up. I'm usually like that.

So one more time... let's stroke the guy's ego for a bit.

SPOILED (Joss Stone)

I kinda thought that i'd be better off by myself
I've never been so wrong before
You made it impossible for me to ever love somebody else
And now i don't know what i left you for

See i thought that i could replace you
He can't love me the way you do
Til now i never knew baby

I'm spoiled
By your love boy
No matter how i try to change my mind
What's the point it's just a waste of time

I'm spoiled by your touch boy
The love you give is just too hard to fight
Don't want to live without you in my life
I'm spoiled

I tried to tell myself that i'd be over you in a week or two
But baby that was 'bout a year ago
I've never seen the word love so personified
as I do with you
And that is why i just can't let go

And i would only be fooling myself
if i tried to believe there's room
for someone else in my heart
There ain't no way i'm getting over you
I don't know what i've been trying to prove
I'm hopeless, helpless when it comes to you

I'm spoiled by your love boy
No matter how i try to change my mind
What's the point it's just a waste of time
I'm spoiled by your touch, boy
The love you give is just too hard to fight
Don't wanna live without you in my life

I'm spoiled.

= = =

After this... I'm still alive and I'm gonna be stronger.

I. am. Rocktsik.

;)

After the End...

It happened here.

So, a couple of days have whizzed by and found me:

...changing my status from "in a relationship" to "single" in my Friendster profile.

...going from "contemplating my next move" to "where do broken hearts go?" to "counting the days" to "cold and empty" as my YM status.

...finding some form of comfort by attending the holy mass at St. Lazarus Shrine.

...listening to Typecast, The Cure and other local emo bands for another kind of comfort.




A couple of days have whizzed by and I'd like to think I'm on my way to getting better.

As Mae said, they don't call me Rocktsik for nothing.




Some quotes:

"Darating din ang araw na ipagpapasalamat ko rin ang araw na ito." (Someday, I'm gonna be thankful that this day had come)

-- told to a longtime friend during a bitchfest over the phone

"I may be a nutcase, but I'm a different case."

-- told to a buddy, assuring him that I'm gonna be fine

But here's the ultimate quote for this post:

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

-- Semisonic (Closing Time)

SONG 2

Somehow, i find comfort from this song...

BOYS DON'T CRY (The Cure)

I would say i'm sorry
if i thought that it would change your mind
but i know that this time
i have said too much
been too unkind

I try to laugh about it
cover it all up with lies
I try to laugh about it
hiding the tears in my eyes
'cause boys don't cry
Boys don't cry

I would break down at your feet
and beg forgiveness plead with you
but i know that it's too late
and now there's nothing i can do

So i try to laugh about it
cover it all up with lies
I try to laugh about it
hiding the tears in my eyes
'cause boys don't cry
Boys don't cry

I would tell you that i loved you
if i thought that you would stay
But i know that it's no use
that you've already gone away

Misjudged your limits
Pushed you too far
Took you for granted
I thought that you needed me more, more, more

Now I would do most anything
to get you back by my side
But i just keep on laughing
hiding the tears in my eyes
'cause boys don't cry
Boys don't cry

Friday Madness

Friday is washday.

It's when people at the office wear civilian clothes after four days of being confined in their office uniform.

it's when this usual skirt and blazer type of person becomes an 80's fashionista.

and this mother of three lets loose with her sleeveless blouse.

So aside from being a washday, today had also been Fashion Friday.


In my case, I just didn't have anything else to wear.

I'm not kidding.

= = =

Friday is payday.

Should've been out partying, videoke singing, or having a drinking session with my buds. But most of them have gone home early.

I was at the office til 6:30pm (the guard will kick me out if i stayed any longer) then i went straight home.

No party. No videoke. No drinking session.


On a payday?!


Yeah. I've got bills to pay and stuff to buy. I'm not in the mood to go out anyway as I've been looking forward to chillax at home.


Have a happy weekend!
;)

SONG 1

is this a breakup song or what?

THE BOSTON DRAMA

Standard pickup lines that seem to wreck your bones
Can this be a sequel of my dying hope?
You're chasing down a neverending make believe
You're a perfect match of consistency

Will you come back in a heartbeat?
Don't be confused of what a great thing we could be
Take a walk at the same street
Can you tell me how Boston is like without me?

Your image is stamped beneath the insides of my heart
Now you're gone, I don't know where to start
The evidence is showing like a stable apprehension
You're the only one who's apt this affection

Will you come back in a heartbeat?
Don't be confused of what a great thing we could be
Take a walk at the same street
Can you tell me how Boston is like without me?

Colored One..

As seen in my other blog.

Inked by my kid brother. Great talent and skills, man!

Revelation

Remember this pic?

And thought I was in China, right?

Or maybe not. I could've been in the US of A where the beer is being exported too.

But I wasn't.

I was actually still in my dear old Manila--at Superbowl of China, celebrating with my choirmates on our fourth year of being a group. My third year actually.

So, there! No more mystery.

;)

Have fun while you're in it

Ok. So maybe I needed days and not hours to have my thoughts organized for this post. But there was work to attend to and it needed immediate action and my undivided attention. So bear with me please.

As mentioned in my previous post, I came from a training/workshop last week for three days. I was trying to stuff my head with new things concerning the agency's efforts in addressing the challenges it currently faces. I wasn't really a target participant (was actually a filler coz some participants did not show up) but at least I was able to absorb some information (would be useful someday).

It was an honor being with brilliant minds and people with high level positions in their respective offices/agencies. And as usual, I was the youngest of the lot. I had fun though!

seriously learning

seriously having fun!

But the real fun starts after every session.

we didn't just pose beside that pool ;)

photo op in the elevator

We were billeted at Richmonde Hotel in Ortigas. Yes, it was near the San Miguel Corp building. Most importantly for shoppers (or window shoppers like me), the hotel was just walking distance from SM Megamall, The Podium, Starmall, Shangri-La, Crossings Department Store and St. Francis Square.

Got to roam mostly in St. Francis Square coz it houses stalls that sell stuff at affordable prices. Talk about cheap.

I got this wedge sandal for 230Php

Come to think of it, I was at first reluctant to attend the course as I didn't see the immediate need for it. But sometimes, there are things that happen in our lives which we're uncertain of, but could be enriching and fun once we involve ourselves in it.

So might as well enjoy the time and charge everything to experience. Who knows, it might well be one of the most enjoyable things you've ever experienced.

Being second-best

Monday was judgement day. Finally, after a couple of postponements (due to typhoons and conflicting schedules), the Healthy Lifestyle Aerobics Competition was finally set.

We had a last-minute practice, said our prayer and hoped for the best. I never thought we could go this far. I was kinda expecting that my groupmates would want to back out. But they didn't. They showed up early on Monday and gave their best in the practice.

Before we went to the venue I told them: Let's enjoy the moment na lang and have fun. We did what we could and we did our best inspite of our conflicting schedules and all. I guess we'll have to settle for third place this time, coz there'll only be three groups competing.

We were the last group to perform and we were all nervous during the performance of the first and second groups. I've lead this group for quite a number of times and the gig we did last year (for the cheerleading competition) was a mess. So I told myself to keep my expectations low. After all, there'll always be another competition like this and my group usually bags the top prize with our presentations during Christmas.

After all the intermissions, it was finally time to announce the winner. We expected our group to be called for the third place. But when the host did not announce our group, we were all jumping wildly.

We bagged the second prize... the group who did not hire an instructor... the group who didn't have enough time to practice... the group who had the least members... the group who enjoyed every minute of performance in the middle of the gymnasium. No props. No fancy costumes. We were all happy.

= =

Later in the day, people were congratulating me and saying I did a great job for leading the group. Most of the people who watched the competition told me that our presentation was better than the group who got the first prize.

After saying a modest "thank you" I told them that the credit must be given to my groupmates. They did a great job. They practiced on their own during my three-day absence. They did not back out when I thought they would. I may have all the ideas and the talent expected of a leader. But without my groupmates, the ideas and talent would be wasted. I am so grateful for my groupmates.

I remember the look on their faces when we were declared second place. If there's a word that has a higher magnitude than happiness, it would be what I saw in their faces. It was as if we bagged the top prize.

And for the first time, being runner-up felt as sweet as being the winner. It erased the bad feeling from having messed up last year's competition.

So what's wrong with being second best?

Nothing. Because the scores were added to the score we got from the games last June. We got the highest score coz we got first place from the games.

So over-all, we're still the winner!

after the games last June

The Comeback

After a week of absence, I'm finally back, bitches! Hehe, ghetto daw ang dating.

I'm just glad to be back because I came from a training workshop last week and I had no time for blogging while I was there.


And boy, do I have so much to be happy about!

But lemme compose my thoughts first. I'm mixed up with so much happy little things whirling in my head. I might be needing a couple of minutes (or hours?) depending on when the dust finally settles. Hehehe!

How was your weekend, by the way?

Brr!

It's beginning to feel (and look) a lot like Christmas!

Yup, we have officially entered the 'ber' months yesterday. We have 115 days more before the much-awaited date. I've been hearing Christmas songs being played on the radio as early as August and some establishments are putting up decorations already.

I'm getting excited.

A few more weeks and I'll be seeing more of the Christmas decorations, and my nose will be tickled with the smell of bibingka and puto-bungbong. There'll be bazaars and extended mall hours for Christmas shopping.

Then there's the Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi - a novena mass that is celebrated early in the morning (around 4 or 5am) starting December 16 (9 days before Christmas, that's why it's called a novena). I wonder if other Catholic countries have this.

= = =

Anyway, let me be the first to greet y'all a Merry Christmas. From the country where Christmas is celebrated for weeks! Onli in da Philippines!

= = =

And have a happy weekend, too!

Return with a vengeance...

Oh please! Not the 80's!

Sorry, not a fan ;P

Got a light?

Well my bro's got a match stick....

a REALLY BIG matchstick!

;P

= = =

Congratulations to my bro and the rest of the band Wet-Fox for winning last night's Battle of the Bands in their school.

They got to do front-act for Chicosci and 6CycleMind.

By the way, kiddo bro is the band's drummer.

Mana sa ate. Hehehe!

Can you guess where this pic was taken?

Tsingtao beer is produced in Qingdao, Shandong province in China. It is sold in more than 50 countries worldwide and accounts for more than 50% of China's beer exports.

So, did you guess right?

heehee!

Revelation on future posts.

Your Life is Rated PG-13

Your life isn't totally scandalous, but you definitely don't shy away from adult themes!

What is Your Life Rated?

Hehehe!

I am not a lazy blogger. ;p

I just didn't have much time to update.

I was busy with work.

And everytime I try to post updates, I get distracted by a lot of things.

My thoughts get mixed up. Can't compose a pretty decent post lately.

But I am not a lazy blogger.

;P

Mwah!

Happy 4th Anniversary!

St. Lazarus Choir

Here's to more years of singing and service to the Big Boss up there!

Sana madagdagan pa tayo ;)

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!