long overdue meme

And now, my second tag for the week. From the talented rey.

3 things that scare me:
1. cockroaches!!! – wait! They don’t scare me. I just hate them. (plastic! Hahaha)
2. an accident happening to my family
3. that I’ll not die in style. Hahaha.

3 people who can make me laugh:
1. joey de leon and michael v.
2. jack black (just saw nacho libre kse. Hehe)
3. cast of friends

3 things I love:
1. God
2. walking. It just really relaxes me
3. singing!

3 things I hate:
1. cockroaches!
2. hypocrites
3. feelers

3 things I don't understand:
1. life
2. economics. Hahaha. And to think I’m an econ major. Hahaha
3. for now, it’s God’s plan for me

3 things on my desk:
1. papers!!! Lots of papers and folders. Hehehe
2. desk displays that are gifts from my officemates
3. kalat! Parang malaking kalat ang table ko

3 things I'm doing right now:
1. doing this
2. listening to music
3. thinking of all work I have to do. hehe

3 things I wish to do before I die:
1. visit my friends who I have not seen for the longest time
2. do something that I have dreamed of
3. go to amanpulo. hahaha

3 things I can do:
1. smile and laugh
2. cook!
3. sing in style. hahaha

3 ways to describe my personality:
1. rules girl but at the same time a rebel
2. friendly and suplada at the same time (puro at the same time ha)
3. halo-halo. hahaha

3 things people might not know about me:
1. I don’t know how to lie. I’m not kidding. You’ll know when I lie, that’s why I always tell the truth
2. I took guitar lessons, in yamaha. But I didn’t learn how to play the guitar
3. I’m afraid of the dark. I can sleep with lights closed, but it should not be me who’s gonna close the lights. Or else, I’ll run to my bed with my eyes closed. hahaha

3 things I can't do:
1. tell a lie – see above for details. hehe
2. swim. I love the beach but I don’t know how to swim
3. be organized. Aargh!

3 things I think you should listen to:
1. God’s voice
2. praise/religious songs
3. my singing voice. hahaha

3 things I don't think you should listen to ever:
1. pessimists
2. backstabbers
3. temptations. hehehe

3 of my absolute favorite foods:
1. pizza!
2. tortang talong (what’s the english of this?)
3. chips

3 things I'd like to learn:
1. play the piano
2. ilocano
3. a foreign language

3 beverages I drink regularly(excluding water):
1. milk – I should drink milk in the morning. I don’t feel good in the morning until I drink milk
2. tang mango juice
3. coke sakto (I’m not really a coke drinker, but since it’s for free.. why would I say no to it? Hehehe)

3 shows I watched when I was a child:
1. Bioman
2. Nickelodeon show in channel 9. finders keepers every Wednesday, and double dare every friday
3. dog of flanders (I remember nobody played outside to watch the ending. And all of us cried)

just as my previous meme, I won’t be tagging anyone. But if you want to do this, feel free to do so.

But I have a challenge for you.. 3 things you want to tell me.

nonsense

it was fun while it lasted...

25 Going 30

do i look like i'm 30 years old? i won't dent my age when i'm 30. but i just can't accept that i look like i'm 30 now.

last weekend i was in occidental mindoro for work. and somone there thought i'm already 30 years old!?!?! i'm just 25, turning 26 in a few months time. i think i can accept if someone will tell me that i look like 27. but 30?!?!! i'm used to people telling me that i look a year or two less my age. that's why i'm really shocked when i was told that i look like 30. that's five years!!

it really made me think if i look old now. they told me it might be because of my body. (rey, wag nang kumontra) but still.. how bout my face? waaah!!! that happened last saturday, and until now i can't get over it :(

am i weird?

i'm back!!! after a very busy week, and i guess another week ahead, i got the chance to check out other people's blogs again and my email! hehehe. and what i've discovered? i've been tagged thrice! waah! i'll first do the tag that i received from snglguy and toe.

6 Weird Things About Me

1. sleeping with a pillow covering my face, or my hands if i don't have an extra pillow - i guess this is not weird anymore since snglguy does that also and so does others. but i thought it was somehow weird. coz when i was still really young, my dad would always tell my brother when i sleep: "Look at your Ate, she's covering her face again. she's ashamed of her face." honestly, i'm not. i'm just comfortable that way

2. everyday there's a blooper - promise!! as in everyday. before it would always be, i'll trip over or i'll get wounded. now, there's more. basta! bloopers everyday

3. i cry when i'm mad - i just cry. if ever i still talk to you and tell you not to talk to me, that means, i can still forgive you easily. but if i'm really totally pissed off at you, i just cry.

4. i find myself sexy - yup, that's weird! coz even if i know that i'm chubby, i still find myself sexy. nasa pagdadala. hahaha

5. i used to have lots of pimples - i included this because when i tell my friends who didn't know me when i was in highschool, they don't believe me. yes! i used to have really many pimples. my uncle would tell me that i don't have a face but a pimple. all i can say is thanks to the derma. hehe

6. i hate cockroaches! - there's nothing weird about it except that i don't want to see them. not even if they're just in tv, movies or pictures. and if for example i'm taking a bath and there's a cockroach, i'll really shout and really ask anybody in our house to kill it. i just hate them! especially the flipis (right, yuri?)

after writing this. i realized something.. i guess, i'm not weird at all :)

thank you

i have felt a little (little???) down last week, until the weekend. and i don't know why i posted my feelings here. maybe because i really need to be prayed for coz i'm losing hope. and honestly, i was amazed by the response i got. wow! i felt that you guys really care. and getting from first-time visitors wishes and prayers really touched my heart. and from my blogger-friends (yup, i already consider you as my friends), wow! thank you so much. the hugs, the prayers, the wishes, everything just made me smile and brightened my day. and jase, honestly, i felt your prayers. i really did. lakas nyong lahat kay God. hehehe. thank you so much.

is this awards night? hahaha. don't react. this is my moment. hahaha.

and i want to share to you my dear readers a challenge from a meme done by a very artistic architect, Artkitekto Rey. and look, the drawing really looks like me. even the mole. rey, bilib talaga ako sayo! you're really talented. and sweet for doing this. thank you so much..

...

i did not have a great week. i was in an angry mode and not at its finest. hahaha. and the weekend is not even great at all. i don't know. i just really feel bad. i feel like i've lost my self-respect and that i want to kill myself. for the first time in my life i contemplated on killing myself. i never entertained suicide coz i was afraid of hell. but now, i don't know. what happened? nothing really. i just feel so bad. i did not do anything really bad, it's just that i feel like everything is going downhill. everyday, i send morning prayers to my friends. those morning prayers are really applicable to me. but you know what? it's like i don't feel the power of prayer. sorry Papa God.

and what am i blabbing about? i don't know. haay... ang labo ko talaga. can i ask a favor? can you pray for me? thank you...

challenging meme

got this from snglguy. i found it challenging because if there's anyone who's gonna respond to this, it's gonna be a challenge to think of the answers. hehe. here's how it is...

If you comment on this post, I will…

1. respond with something random about you.

2. challenge you to try something.

3. pick a color that I associate with you.

4. tell you something I like about you.

5. tell you my first/clearest memory of you.

6. tell you what animal you remind me of.

7. ask you something I’ve always wanted to ask you.

8. pick a song that reminds me of you.

After I respond to the above mentioned 8 points in this blog, you will have to post the same meme, and my response, on your blog.

so, now i have to respond to snglguy's response.

Tin-tin> Oh, the food lover. Hehe, ok here goes…

Random: You impress me as someone who’s spiritual and yet at the same time, a rebel.

weird! coz i think that's the perfect description for me. friends who are really close to me and knows my story would know what i mean.

Challenge: I challenge you to try to be closer to your Dad.

hmmm... looks easy. hahaha. i'm trying to be close to him now. i just helped him the other day to fix our printer. hahaha

Color: Errr, Pink? You seem like a Pink loving kinda gurl…

actually, i just started loving pink recently. and you know what? for this week, pink is my color. my clothes should be pink or close to the shade of pink. hehe

Like: I like that you can be honest about yourself and it shows in your writings.

wow! thank you! :)

Memory: Uhhh, the best memory about you that I can think of? Err, that nice and uplifting comment you made in one of my post.

ummm... really? i did? what was my comment. sorry. i have a short term memory gap. hehe

Animal: A Pussycat. You can purr but at the same time have sharp claws.

i don't like cats pa naman. but i like your description. hahaha

Question: Who was the “inspiration” guy that you wrote in one of your entry?

wow! now i'm amazed with your memory. you still remember that? hehehe. he is an officemate that had been an inspiration. nothing more :)

Song: Hmmm, I think it would be Bette Midler’s “From a Distance”.

from a distance?? isn't this song about wars? hehehehe

there you go! any challengers? hehehe :)

drug test

last night, my brother gave my mom a note from school. the school is going to perform a drug-test to all its highschool students, just like what they did last year. my brother is in junior now, so that means, last year when he was srtill in 2nd year high, he had that kind of test. he confirmed that he had one last year. of course, there's no positive substance found in his body.

but i was just shocked to learn that they're performing this kind of test now to highschool students. i just encountered that when i was already applying for work. is drugs really that widely used that even kids use it? i'm just shocked to hear that kids of my brother's age use drugs, get someone pregnant, etc. maybe because i still see my brother as a little boy even if he's already 16 years old. could it be because i'm 10 years older than him?

blogging

i want to post something but i can't really think of a topic. so i just decided to post about the good things i get from blogging, particularly from reading blogs...

first, i get to be updated with the stories of my friends who i have not seen for a very long time like duke, carme and lanee. and those i don't see often like elaine and julie. and for those i see often, their blogs would always be the start of conversation, like ate jopay and kuya marvin?

i've also learned a lot of stuff. like jimmy choo, popularity of pinoy telenovelas in cambodia, the love united video, the comment whore, nice restaurants, that john the baptist is known as st. hans, great movie picks, mrs. world 2006 fiasco, blogssary, news on inq7 (hehehe), brandon routh in the christina aguilera mtv, and a blog template experiment (where i was not successful).

and i just love the personal stories of these fabulous and fantastic people: mai, duke, mai, neko, jhed, carey, melai, yuri, and jase!

sarap kumain!

can't think of an appropriate english title. hehe. i love to eat. so now you know why i'm chubby. i love exploring the restaurants of metro manila and elsewhere. i know my talent is in cooking that's why i love to try out food. and a good bonding moment with your friends is when you have coffee/lunch/dinner with them. here are some pictures of my eating escapades. hehe.




takaw talaga noh? :)

Freaky Tech and Savior

it's like technology hates me...

last night a friend sent his picture to my phone thru mms. i can't open it at first so i asked him to send it again. he sent it, but i managed to open it only after an hour. and when i opened it, it was my cousin!!!! i was surprised. told him about it, and resent the picture to him. he texted me saying that it is his picture. no way! the picture that i received was my cousin. and when i showed my family the picture, they all said the same thing, "it's julie!" (my cousin). my cousin is now living in the USA and as soon as i saw the picture, i said a prayer for her coz it really freaked me out.

then this morning, my friend Gwadz who is in the USA now called me up. she asked me if i receive her emails. i don't. and she doesn't receive my emails. it's just so weird. coz both of us had already sent emails before. and now that she's far, we don't receive it.

on a different topic. i've already seen superman returns! superman told lois lane that eveyone needs a savior. it made me think. who is my savior? then it occured to me, it's Jesus! and my guardian angel. the story.. my friend and i rode a cab on the way home. and because the driver is not friendly and i was not in the mood to be friendly also. i just told my friend to drop me off at quezon ave., and i'll just take another cab from there. there were no commuters in the place, and i was really afraid. so, i really prayed to Jesus and of course my guardian angel. i really believe in guardian angels. and i arrived home safe and sound :)

how about you? who is your savior?

Post-Honeymoon

after posting about honeymoon suggestions, now it's about babies!!!

i'm just happy for two of my close friends. they found out yesterday that the wife is pregnant. yipee!!! after 1 year of waiting. i don't know if they have thought of a name for their baby. basta ako, i already have names for my babies. excited! hahaha. if it's a boy, he's gonna be named Kyle Vincent. but i'm still thinking if about kyle, but the vincent will really be there. i just love saying the vincent. hehehe. and if it's a girl, she's Samantha. her nickname will be Sam.

what about you? what will you name your baby?

honeymoon

my cousin who's getting married this january texted me yesterday asking where will be a great honeymoon place but is not expensive. i replied maybe el nido, palawan. and my dream honeymoon is really amanpulo, so for me it's the perfect destination. hehehe. i just told him to pray that someone would give them a vacation in palawan as a gift. my dad suggested a newly-opened resort in panglao, bohol. my cousin didn't reply but i don't think he'll agree to that. it's bohol, it's where our dads are from. we practically grew up there (though we just go there every summer and Christmas breaks). it can't be boracay coz the girl is from roxas city and they are like going there every year.

out of the country? singapore? i don't think singapore nor hongkong is a honeymoon site.

well, it really kept me thinking of where would be a nice but affordable honeymoon place would be. (parang i'll get married soon ha. hehehe). any suggestion?

disappointing

i'm a very disorganized person. my stuff found anywhere. even my money is just kept anywhere in our house. really disorganized. hmm, now i wonder why they keep on asking me to organize a get-together. even my desk in the office is topsy-turvy. hahaha. no kidding. in tagalog, i'm burara.

the story.. i was handling an account before which was transferred to another division. i gave the documents to the other division, but my mistake was i did not have any transmittal letter or anything. i just gave the papers, and that was like last year. yesterday, they would be having a meeting regarding that account and they asked me for the document. i was like, i already transferred it to you. they cannot find it. we cannot trace it. they were asking me who i gave it to, but with my memory being like Dory of Finding Nemo, sorry. i really can't recall to who but i'm sure i have turned it over and it's not in my files anymore. until this morning, i was really worried. then finally! we found it. it's with them, and i nearly cried when i found it. relief! whew!

why was i worried? well, it's not really because i've lost something but because i hate to disappoint my two superiors (A. France and A. Elsie). i even texted them last night (at around 10pm) saying sorry for what happened. i hate disappointing people. i'm more worried of disappointing them than making them mad at me. these are two different things.

in my previous job, i was really doing my best not because i was afraid that my boss (either Sir JP or Ma'am Sally) will get mad at me but because i was afraid that i might disappoint them. these two people really believed in me, and i hate to make them think they're wrong about that. once, the VP of my present department reprimanded me and i really cried. reason? it's like i disappointed him, and the worst part is it was not my fault. in my present job, it's him i would not like to get disappointed. why? because as my two former supervisors believed in me, he also does. diba boss? hahaha. i somehow lack self-confidence and these three plus A. france and A. Elsie, helps me gain self-confidence. and i thank God for each of them.

why did i write this post? para makabawi kay A. France and A. Elsie coz i know A. France reads my blog once in a while. hehehe.

movie character

yesterday we've caught in star movies legally blonde2 starring reese witherspoon. and as the movie progresses, i told my sister if there's a movie characted that can desribe her most, it would be elle woods. just like elle woods, with the physical appearance people might think that she's a kikay party girl who's shallow, conceited, bitchy and just doesn't care about the world. but they're wrong. if you'll be fortunate to know her, you'll learn that she's full of depth. intelligent and smart. though bitchy at times, she can also be the most kind-hearted person in the world. i think even more kind-hearted than i am. and really care about the world and other people. and could definitely make a difference in the world.


me? my friends compared me to the characters of julia roberts and drew barrymore in their romantic flicks. a hopeless romantic who's full of bloopers in life. waiting for mr. right and believing he'll arrive in perfect time. (Mai, maybe i just heard the wrong calling before. hehe)

how about you? which movie character describes you the best?

walking away

i was totally pissed off yesterday afternoon. i don't want to get into details anymore. when i am irritated, pissed off, angry or whatever, i would like to get far away as much as possible. yesterday, i was thinking where i would go and eureka! CEBU! i'll go to cebu the very next day! why cebu? i don't know. i heard there's a promo so i called up PAL really excited. but sad to say, it would still cost me P4,000.00 so, frowning again, i hang up the phone. tried calling up cebu pacific but i cannot contact them.

so i texted my friends if they would like to go to puerto galera or corregidor with me the next day. but of course since it's an abrupt invite and it's not for free, nobody said yes :(

i just went home early from work and saw my mom who's going to hear mass. told her that i'll just go with her. after mass, i told my mom that i'll just walk home. i didn't go straight home but walked to the next nearest church. spent around 15minutes there and walked home. honestly, the walk and the church visit did me well. i am okasy now. i'm just at home not excited to leave anymore and spend much to release anger. hehehe. well, that's me just walking away...

My Dear Siblings

right now the wallpaper of my cellphone is a picture of me and my siblings. everyone who would see it would tell me that we do not look like each other. but when i tell them that i somehow looked like my brother, they would say, yeah you kinda look alike. well, it's because we both are like my dad and my sister really looks like my mom. and if you look at the three of us, you won't expect that we're siblings. especially me and my sister because we're totally different. if you don't know us, you wouldn't even think that we're two people who would hang out together. but even if we're all different, we love each other so much. naks! especially our baby(?) brother. and my brother really would take care of us her ates.

here's a picture of us three as seen in my phone. and guess who's older, me or my sister.

tin-tin,eric,yan-yan

Inlove?

no. i'm just inspired.

have i finally found him? honestly, i don't know. it may be or may be not him, but i just thank God (almost) everyday for the kilig moments that i have with him.

i just want to post something but can't think of anything to write about. i'm just happy now.

ummm.. to all the filipino readers, what's the english term for kilig?

Four Toe

got tagged by Toe. revenge time. hehe.

Four jobs I would really stink at:

1. Housekeeper - I am not an organized person. my things are always a mess.
2. Laundrywoman
3. Call center - i don't think i'll last in a job where i'll only be sitting down for eight hours
4. Pest control employee - it's not the cockroach who will leave the place but i will

Four pretend monikers I’ll never live up to:

1. Sexy - it was the name of our first dog
2. Diva - as if!
3. Miss Popular - i'm not popular. i'm just friendly
4. Miss Kikay - still can't believe it when others call me kikay or maarte. because my sister, mom and most friends would call me plain and simple

Four movies I will NEVER watch again, ever:

1. Tagalog lovestories - baduy na kung baduy! but tried to watch some of these films and promise it just made me sick. but in fairness, there are other tagalog films that are worth watching
2. Mission Impossible - i can't understand the story. but i like MI3
3. Joe's Apartment - puhlease! the stars of that film?!! yuck!
4. i forgot the title but it's also about roaches and i just slept during the entire film coz i don't want to open my eyes and watch

Four places that I would NEVER live in:

1. Alaska or the Antarctic and other freezing places - have to copy this.
2. Somalia
3. Ilocos or Cagayan - i'm sorry but i'm not really a north person
4. war zone countries

Four things I HATE to do on my weekends:

1. travel on a rainy day. sorry i just hate rain
2. arrange/clean my stuff
3. finish officework
4. visit a doctor for a check-up

Four TV shows I used to geek out to:

1. Bioman - Sorry Yuri. but i'm Pink5! hahaha. i have karate class at the same time. and my sister and i would pretend sick so we don't have to take classes and just watch bioman. hehehe
2. Perfect Strangers - we just used to laugh really hard with their jokes. hehe
3. Nickelodeon - particularly Finder's Keepers and Double Dare
4. Karate Kat - i forgot the title of the show. it's like a cartoon strip or something with Thundercats for Mondays (?), and Karate Kat on Wednesdays. and i also like their show on Fridays but i forgot the title

Four cigarette (or liquor) brands I’ve tried and enjoyed:

1. any cocktail drinks. hahaha

Four things I CAN live without:

1. Cigarettes - sorry but i hate the smell of lit cigarettes.
2. Cockroach!!! - should i say more
3. Beer - i get drunk easily when i drink beer. and i don't like it's taste
4. well, it's just really cockroaches

Four of my favorite cholesterol laden foods:

1. Pizza!! - it's just my weakness
2. Proven - it's a streetfood that i can only buy in LB. it's like hotshots of kfc
3. Sisig
4. Chocolates

Four places I would rather be in right NOW (if I had the money that is):

1. Bora bora or Amanpulo
2. California - to visit my college barkada
3. Cambodia - my sister and i are pestering my dad to treat us a trip to Cambodia
4. Anywhere as long as i'm with ... - sorry can't say his name coz some of the readers know him. hehe.

i had fun answering it but also had a hard time writing stuff that i don't like. hehe. sorry, but i'll tag Neko. so you'll have something to post :)

Subic Virgin's Dream Coming True on a Special Father's Day

the title really described my weekend. it was my frist time to go to Subic. pathetic and unbelievable, i know. and i really had a blast. as my mom said, after a long time our family went out of town once again (we don't count cebu and bohol trips). and by family i mean the five of us complete (father, mother, brother, sister..how do you brush your teeth. hehe). it had been a memorable weekend also. why?

1. first time in subic. should i say more?

2. i jammed with the resort's band. and really sang my heart out. it was a dream come true. for those who haven't heard me sing. well, just be thankful that you haven't heard me yet. as they say, it's all about the guts and stage presence and not the voice. hahaha. trust me!

3. i made lambing to my dad. this is the biggest deal i guess. here's the story. since it's my first time to go to Subic, i wanted to go to the Zoobic Safari. since it's late already and somehow expensive if my dad would be the only one to pay for all 5 of us, my mom said that we shouldn't go. as we were in the Butterfly Garden, i went to my dad, rubbed his big belly and said: "Pa, Zoobic Safari." afterwards, my sister asked where will we go next. without missing a beat, my dad answered: "Zoobic Safari. khet kayong tatlo lang." (Zoobic Safari, even it'll only be the three of you) meaning us children. they were all shocked and i was like, ha! my dad misses me!

this is a big deal, because as much as possible i stay away from my dad. but four years ago, i am a Papa's Girl. something happened, i don't talk to him until last year. but still i don't touch him. during mass, i don't kiss him but bless. because i don't want to really touch him. that's why it's really a big deal. after four years, ngayon lang ulit ako naglambing.

i really had fun last weekend with my family. wait! if my memory serves me right, my sister and mom didn't have a fight last weekend. and everyone was just laughing and really having a good time. well, except for my brother who kinda got drunk. hehe. love you eric!

also, i would like to commend the staff of White Rock Resort, they are really accommodating and courteous. they really made everyone's stay enjoyable and at home.

i am sure the Father's Day this year had been extra meaningful to my dad and the whole family. even if he spent a lot. he didn't care coz i'm sure for the first time again, he felt how it is to be my dad again.

pretty tin = nun???

my friend and i were having a fun time taking pictures in the last Singles Encounter in Los Baños last weekend. i told her to take my picture infront of the altar ala first holy communion. seeing me posing a friend suddenly remarked: "it's a prophecy of you being a nun!" i was like WHAT?!?!? no way! she was like, you really are going to be a nun. the day after, we had a ministering with the candidates. as they say, usually the ones you minister would usually be of the same nature of problem or experience with you. and one of the candidates i minister said that she has a calling to be a nun. i asked if she wants to be one. she told me that we are from God and that's all she can repay Him. i was like.. okay...

short background. i was invited two months ago in a search-in, to determine my calling.. if i'm for married life, single-blessedness or religious life. i was worried the whole time because i am afraid that maybe i am not for married life. we were asked to pray out loud individually. and my prayer as something like telling God to help me readily accept what He wants for me.

and after the weekend, i am really worried. what if i'm for religious life? waaah! can i take it? will i last long there? honestly, when we toured the convent, i know i can;t last there. it was so quiet. i can't pray long. and honestly, the first thing i noticed are their clothes. even if they can wear just shirt and jeans, it's like i can't take their clothing. waaah!!! and am i really fit to be a nun?

*thanks to jopay for taking the picture :)

Dreams

"Everyone believes that the main aim in life is to follow a plan. They never ask if that plan is theirs or created by another. They accumulate experiences, memories, things than they could possibly cope with. That’s why they forget their dreams." -- Paulo Coelho, The Zahir

from the same author as The Alchemist, wherein i got the line "When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream." which had been the inspiration for my very first entry in this blog. and i felt that the line is not true in my life. but when i read the line from The Zahir, it said everything i feel.

i'm not the type of person who has everything planned out in her life. i'm the as anything goes type of person. but as everyone else here, i had dreams when i was a child. so, i studied, etc., etc.. but then circumstances happen. i accumulated experiences, and then i'm here now. far from my dream(s). it's like i'm following another plan. honestly, i have forgotten about my dream. and i just recalled about it only a month ago.

i'm not in a senti mode right now. it just made me assessed my life. but still i did not assess it, coz i am afreaid. i may not get favorable results.

Rustans Makati

bought a new pair of sandals yesterday in Rustans Makati. and as i was to pay my sandals, i asked first if they still accept Gentxt for discounts. the cashier for U was just new since they rotate every month, and she has no idea because it Gentxt is only available for U costumers. a very nice saleslady (Eds), said that she thinks that the promo can still be availed and really looked for and called up a former U cashier at another floor. as i was saying my thanks, Eds told me: "sayang din po kse yung discount." which is absolutely true. and now that i need cash, the discount really helps. i was really amazed at how wonderful these people are. the service that they give their customers. bow ako.

while the fuss was going on, i texted my sister bout the incident. and she texted back: "that why i do my impulsive buying in rustans. not only good quality but also good service." i just told my sister: "from now on, i'll do my impulsive buying here na din." duh! as if i'm really an impulsive buyer. hehehe.

but really. now, when i do my shopping, i'll first check rustans before going to other stores.

Yes Lord!

yesterday before the mass began, a clergy approached my mom and asked if our family could be the offerors for that mass. my mom said no. i told her, say yes! don't say no. good thing the clergy was not far yet and my mom changed her answer. so, for the first time (i guess) our family (complete, that is, including my dad) offered during the mass yesterday.

after mass, i told my mom that one thing i learned from BLD Youth (as also seconded by my brother) is obedience to God. that if God asked you to serve Him (of course through other people), just say Yes. even if it is somewhat impossible, say Yes because God will make a way.

obedience to God is not easy. i've been guilty of not following Him at times. i was not punished but i guess maybe it would be better if i just followed Him before.

pretty tin

as i was bloghopping, i encountered a post where the girl asked if she really is ugly. saying that only her parents and relatives said that she is beautiful. and it's not counted since they have no choice and as the saying goes: 'a face only a mother can love' i commented that at least her parents told her she was beautiful.

my parents are weird. i think they're the only parents who would say that their child is ugly. when i was in college, a highschool friend invited me to go to Boracay. we were there for four days. since it's our first time to be there, we really tanned ourselves. no make it burned ourselves in the sun. when i returned to manila, and my saw me, she commented: "ang pangit mo" (you're ugly). that's why after that, when i go to the beach, i don't really enjoy the sun because i became conscious not to havr some tan or else my mom would tell me that am ugly again. two months ago, my mom saw my 6th grade crush with his girlfriend. my mom told my sister about it and when my sister asked who's prettier, i am or the girl, my mom answered the girl. when my sister told her she's bad, my mom defended herself by saying that it's because the girl is more mestiza than i am. and when my dad saw my ex with a new girl in robinson's place last month and my sister again asked the question of who's prettier, my dad replied that it's also the girl. and when my sister once again confronted him about it, he tried to defend himself by saying that it's because i am bigger than the girl. i've confronted my dad, and he uses the same defense. i told him he was asked who is prettier not sexier. a girl can be big but still pretty. we're talking about the face and not the body.

see! i told you i have weird parents. and even if my face is not loved by mom (coz i unfortunately look like my dad), i am still happy with my face. no joke! i still consider myself as pretty. and i know i am blessed. because even with a (pretty? hehe) face like this, i know that a lot of people still loves me.

old stuff

as i was searching thru my things for old photos of the BLD Youth for gwadz's despedida, i saw a lot of stuff that are both old and memorable. i saw the letters i received from my friends for the SE and also letters way back from college (those from highschool are kept in the different area of our house. hehe). grad pics from gradeschool to college friends. duke! even your debut invitation was there. hehe. and what i can't believe is i still have my ronald mcdonald's fun fun fun club id. hehehe. the card that made me eat cheeseburger when i was a kid eventhough i like to order fried chicken, just to get a free gift. hahaha.

i didn't find what i'm looking for. but i saw how blessed i am with friends and how blessed my life is :)

simple pleasures in life..

been tagged by Duke and this cheered me up nga. thanks duke! :)

It’s a great thing to be able to count your blessings, even the simplest ones.
Instructions: Name ten (10) of life’s simple pleasures that you like the most, then pick ten (10) people to do the same. Try to be original and creative and not to use things that someone else has already used.

1. being in the Adoration Chapel - just staying there gives me a feeling of peacefulness. if i don't feel good, i just go there.
2. walking - as i have previously mentioned in my posts before. i love to walk. it gives me time to think and realize things.
3. reading books - i love to read.
4. receiving sms from friends - even if it's a forwarded message
5. eating crepes - i don't know but since last year this had been my favorite and my weakness!
6. going to a new place/trying our new restaurants
7. singing!
8. when my crush texts/calls or just even smiles at me :)
9. watching the sunset
10. reading comments in my blog. hahaha

i'll only tag 7. and the lucky ones are (drumrolls please. hehe):
iyna and plong - coz i miss you guys
toe - belated happy bday and new home!
duke - ang nagpapamiss
mei - belated bday girl
elaine - so, you'll also feel good

The Word

"Lord, I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the Word and I shall be healed."

after reciting these words at yesterday's mass, i asked: "Lord, what is the Word? have You told me and i just didn't hear it? have i missed it? what is the Word, Lord?"

just a question...

appreciated

i wasn't feeling good the whole day today. not really in the mood to work. didn;t finish my lunch. and was somewhat quiet in the office. then after office, a sis in lb called me up to see if i am okay coz they are worried for i don't answer their text messages, calls and even emails.

then later on, i've texted selected friends from the soc that i am really thankful for them, that i saw how blessed i am with their friendship. that even if i don;t make my presence felt (just for a month), they still give a damn about me. then most of them gave the same reply. sent almost the same message. finally, i've made my presence felt. that they are worried about me already. that they miss me. and whatever is happening, they are just there.

of course i cried. that moment i've felt loved. i realized that there are still someone who worries about me, who misses me. in other words, who appreciates me.

as i've told iyna in my comment.. not talking to you guys is like punishing myself. actually, it really is a punishment. then why in the first place why did i do it? i don't know. i just didn't realize that my silence would mean a thing to you. love you guys. thank you :)

super trendy

most of my officemates call me super. it's not because i have super powers but i usually use the word super in my sentences. for example: super traffic, super wait lang.

then yesterday morning, i heard in a radio commercial that the word "super" is popular now that you should use it in every sentence/phrase. just like what i usually do. when i heard that, i don't want to use the word super anymore.

i have this trait that when something i like becomes a fad, i'm not keen about it anymore. i liked badminton. that was my favorite sport. i even have a racket. but when it became popular in our country, i don't want to play it anymore. sorry Kuya Marvin and Abaniko.

call me mayabang. i don't care. hehe. i guess i would just now use totally. ;p

template disaster

waaah! i decided to change my template to give my blog a new look. what i didn't know is that when i change the template, all my links will be erased. even the tagboard. even if the message of joey was deleted, i am not happy. it's like i am going to do everything from scratch. i am trying to recall all the links that i have. so guys, if ever you're not included in the list at the side, just inform me okay?

Iloilo River

just came back from iloilo. and for the three nights that we were there, our ilonggo officemates always brought us to restaurants with the iloilo river in the background. it was like the pasig river of manila. but only a cleaner version. unlike here in manila, they put into good use the river. they placed restaurants, bars, hotels beside it, to have it as part of the ambience. thus, a need to maintain the cleanliness of the river. i just feel sad for the fate of the condition of the pasig river now. especially after hearing from the old ones how beautiful the river was before.

*photo from http://www.skyscrapercity.com/

Why?

why is it I always push away those who really care about me. first, it was ace, now econsoc.

why do i not push away those who really don't give a damn about me?

why do i always reach for those who are far from me? and why would i not just appreciate those around me?

Grrrrr!

last night, i noticed that there's a new message in my tagboard and it really made my blood boiled. i shouldn't be affected, but i am. here's the message:

joey: Im really worried because every time i see your picture, i dont see it pretty or beautifull.One thing is sure, you're healhty in plain language you're mataba.

before that, there's a message from the same person (i presume)..

joey: Why are you so fat?ay mali healthy pala.You're not pretty naman but you keep on calling yourself pretty.

to joey, whoever you are. and i think i know you personally. thanks for worrying about me. i'm touched. but no need to worry about me because i don't really worry about it. i'm trying to enjoy my life, okay? and you're not even my boyfriend. and don't tell me that you won't have a gf as fat/healthy as me, because i won't have a bf also who's not a gentleman. and don't tell me, i would never have a bf with my size. well, to tell you the truth, having a bf is the least of my priorities. you may hear me always saying that i want to have a bf, believe me. i'm just saying that to silence you guys out. i have more important priorities in my life now that i want to accomplish than having a boyfriend.

and for the record, i don't call myself pretty because i see myself as the prettiest girl, but i call myself pretty because i want to. if i want to be called a princess, i can easily do that.

with this entry, i wanna apologize to sam and gani who i texted and emailed regarding this. sorry if i somehow assumed that it's you guys. because you're the only ones who always use different names in my tagboard. promise! i believe now that you're not joey. sorry...

Father's Day Special naman (hehe)

last night, while i was walking home from church i passed by a father teaching her daughter how to drive. it brought back memories when i was 17 and my dad taught me how to drive. we would go up to the mountains of binangonan so there'll be no cars. that's why i perfected driving sa mga hanging. and remembered the time when we nearly drove off a cliff. hehe. as in my dad was really panicky. and the first time i drove in edsa, my dad always telling me to slow down. (sorry, i'm used to race cars in arcades. hehe).

now, my sister nags my papa to enroll her to driving schools. while with me, he was the one who volunteered to teach me and even got me my student's license.

aaah... the closeness i had with my father.. is all part of the past now.. just like my knowledge in driving...

Mother's Day Special

i realized just recently how blessed i am with my mom. how much she loves her children and a really understanding mom. she has been through a lot these past years. and everything happening to her continuously. though my sister and i had done things she would not be proud of, she still accepts us. she did not disown us despite of all these. though we have not shown respect to her, she still loved us her children. promise! kawawa ang nanay namin sa amin. but this made me look up to her. how many moms would you find who will try to understand their children? don't tell me all the moms would do that coz that's hypocrisy. i don't think they'll be able to stand everything that has happened to my mom. and i'm grateful that after 20 years, i finally appreciated my mom and seen her worth. love you ma!

Manila, Manila

was talking to my friend from the province who had never been to Manila. i told him, that if ever he'll visit Manila, i'll show him to places. then it occurred to me, where will i bring him. though i've been living in Manila, all my life. i don't know where to take him. honestly, what came to my mind was Ayala Center. because that's where i usuall am and it has everything, from malls to a museum. but i don't think i can consider it a tourist spot. actually, when i told him about showing the places of Manila, i was actually thinking of Baguio, , Tagaytay, Corregidor. hahaha. (fyi, these places are not in Manila, they are in nearby provinces). it's just later on that i realized, Manila also has some Filipino tourist spots on its own. Rizal Park, Intramuros, Museong Pambata, Quiapo, Divisoria, Araneta Center, and UP Diliman, to name a few.

wow! besides of beautiful faces (ahem!), manila can boast a lot of sites that is still unique and has a rich history.

Missing Myself

last night, i've got to talk to my ex again. my ex told me: "sobrang miss na miss kita. namimiss ko yung tin-tin dati (i really miss you. i miss the tin-tin before)." then i cried. it's not because i miss my ex, but it's because i also miss myself. yup, i really miss myself. i don't know what's happening to me. i am in a silent mode right now. i don't make my presence felt by my friends. i don't know, i just want to be alone for a while.

a lot has been asking about me. where am i, what's happening to me? honestly, i also wanna know. i feel so lost. quarter-life crisis? i don't know. i am just more prayerful now, so i'll not lose hope and would not just give up on life itself.

DVD Marathon

for the holy week, my family just stayed at home and had a DVD marathon. and in most of the movies we've watched, made me realize some things.

If Only


the story is about a couple and the guy is not really sweet to his girlfriend and not really vocal with the way he feels. then one day, his gf died and the next day, his gf was alive again. as if everything was just a nightmare.

it made me realize that even if my ex would have a new gf and would forget about me, it will be okay, as long as my ex won't die.

Rent


"Live in my house, I'll be your shelter. Just pay me back with 1,000 kisses... I think they meant it when they said you can't buy love. Now I know you can rent it, a new lease you are my love."

when i heard the song, i said to myself: "Hey! that's the song of ace for me before." hehehe. something we can't also buy is our life. our lives are just lent out to us by God. and we can show our appreciation to Him by taking care of our lives.

The Godfather Trilogy


i think it was a Godfather week for a lot of people. my family watched it, and i was surprised to learn that a number of my sister's friends watched it also for the weekend.

"Don't hate your enemies, it will cloud your judgment" - Godfather II

so true! that is why when i am pissed off with someone, i just go for a walk, or go to the Blessed Sacrament. especially if it's work-related. coz i don't want my work to be tainted by my anger.

and the favorite of my sister and her friends.. "This is the price you pay for the life you choose" - Al Pacino, Godfather III

i believe every action we do, there is a price we have to pay. every decision we make has its own consequences. and for the life i'm living now? i did not choose this. coz if i would have a choice, this would not be my choice. but i believe that the life i'm living now is the result of all the decisions i made in life. big or small.

Life-Verse

"The LORD called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb" - Isiah 49: 1,5

A verse from the first reading today. Also the introduction of my life-sharing. It really describes my life. And when i read it when i was searching for a verse to describe the beginning of my life.. this really struck me. I've realized that the reason i was born is really to serve God. I'm gonna share the first part of my life-sharing.

"I felt I was someone who was not supposed to be born but God had great plans for me. I was conceived before my parents married, with my own father even doubting at first, that I was his child. Mama told me that she would not have me aborted even if Papa did not marry her. She would rather give me away than have me aborted. It was a difficult pregnancy, and my mom nearly lost me many times. I was born a month earlier than scheduled and I was christened Kristine Marie, from Christ and Mary to whom my mom prayed to when she was pregnant."

well, as i said, i'll just share the first part. So, that's it. if you want to hear the rest, join the Singles Encounter on April 28-30. ayun! sabay plugging. hahaha ;p

Pilgrim's Theme

there had been a time when i don't know what to do with my life, where to go and what direction to take. then i was asked to share my lifestory in the Singles Encounter of the Las Piñas Young Adult Ministry. my sharing is designated for the talk Bearing and Imperfect Community. and the speaker for that talk shared a song. a song that really was for me and a song that made me feel the affirmation of God's love. i have been hearing this song before because i have a cd of this song, but it did not make an impact like it did during that SE. i just want to share you the lyrics of the song.

PILGRIM'S THEME
by: Bukas Palad

Tired of weaving dreams too loose for me to wear
Tired of watching clouds repeat their dance on air
Tired of getting tired of doing what's required
Is life a mere routine in the greater scheme of things

Through with taking roads someone else designed
Through with chasing stars that soon forget to shine
Through with going through one more day - what's new
Does my life still mean a thing in the greater scheme of things

REFRAIN 1:
I think I'll follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings
I hope to find my place
So my life can fall in place
I know in time I'll find my place
In the greater scheme of things

Each must go his way, but how can I decide
Which path I should take, who will be my guide
I need some kind of star to lead me somewhere far
To find a higher dream in the greater scheme of things

The road before me bends, I don't know what I'll find
Will I meet a friend or ghosts I left behind
Should I even be surprised that You're with me in disguise
For it's Your hand I have seen in the greater scheme of things (REFRAIN 1)

BRIDGE:
For Yours is the voice in my deepest dreams
You are the heart, the very heart
Of the greater scheme of things (REFRAIN 1)

REFRAIN 2:
Why don't we follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings
One day we'll find our place
For all things fall in place
For all things have a place
In the greater scheme of things

*lyrics taken from this site

A Different Despedida Party

as i've said in my previous entry, i love to think. and the other day, while i was walking home, i thought of what i would do if for example the doctor will tell me that i only have just a month or two to live. of course i will go to confession.. a very serious confession. telling all my sins, and no holds barred. honestly, now when i go to a confession, i still hesitate to tell some. even if i don't know the priest, i still feel embarassed.

then i would hold despedida parties for myself. hehe. this party won't be a crying session but a real party. of course, still potluck. i have to save money for my wake and cremation. hehe. i would text/email/friendster all of my friends, close friends, not-so-close friends, acquaintances, supposedly future friends. everyone who would like to join. this could be a one day event or the party could be categorized on where i met them.

why a party? because i don't want to have pity on me and because i want my friends to remember until the end as the happy person. :D

Be Still...

i have known that this is what i should do since 2003 or 2004. i have lots of things on my mind that time and i read this in the reflection of Roy M. in the Didache, and the same reflection was forwarded to me by Jopay that morning. that's why i was really sure i must do that.

i always have a hard time being still or have a quiet mind. it's like i am not comfortable if i am not doing anything or not thinking of anything. honest! i have a hard time freeing my mind from everything. i love to do multi-tasking. i love to think, even nonsense stuff, as long as i am thinking of something. i can sleep even if it's noisy around me. as they always say, it's in silence when you'll hear God.

that's bothering me. i like listening to friends rather than telling them my problems, but when it comes to God, i'd rather talk than listen. that is why i always ask Him that i may hear His voice from my friends or a television show, just like what happened before. and i hope that i'll learn to listen to His voice.

college in elbi

was in los baños last weekedn to visit old friends and to unwind. i'm like that if i want to unwind, i just go to lb. was supposed to go home last saturday, but found a reason to stay. so i went home only yesterday. haaay... one day is not really enough for lb. by the way, thanks to the b1 girls who let me stay at their place. for those who went with me sa palaisdaan and cafe afterwards on a short notice. and to anelle and her family for the usual great hospitality you've shown me.

got this idea from plong. i'll write this in tagalog, so i'm sorry to those who can't understand tagalog. sorry also to my friends who have known me as the quiet and goody-good type. plastik! hahaha!

i just really miss college days.. wala kang problema kundi math 17 at 36. actually 17 talaga. may maga-ask kaya sayo sa concerts o kaya sa friday friday on a thursday. sabi nga ni plong, nakakamiss ang mga routinary activities. kung titingnan mo mejo boring dahil routine mo nga everyday, pero pag tiningnan mo ngayon, nakakamiss sobra. haay... lunes na naman. madaling araw na gising para khet traffic o mahuli ang dating ng bus, di pa rin late sa klase. buti na lang malapit lang ang bahay sa ali mall. sana may malamig na chocolait/fresh milk sa tony's dahil as usual kailangan ko na naman ng barya sa P100.00 para may pamasahe ako sa jeep. jeca, borrow nung notebook, may kwento ako sayo (fyi: yung notebook na yun ang sinusulatan namin ni jerrica habang klase para makapag-usap kme, na biglang nawala di namain alam kung nanakaw o ano). syet! ilang kuko na naman ata ang mamamatay saken ngayon pag akyat ng bundok. sana di matalo ang peak2 experience ko. haaay... saan naman kaya gimik ng sgg ngayon? isis na kagabi. malamang sa hostel lang. wish ko lang maitakas nila ako. oh no! 7 pala klase ko bukas. magdala na lang ako ng damit, para di na ako uuwi bukas para maligo. baka malate pa ako sa klase. okay, lunch time na. punta muna ako ng catalan. dun na lang ako kain. wala na din kse akong pera. haay... hanggang 7 pala klase ko mamaya. blocmates, san tyo dinner? huy riza! tumayo ka na jan. wala nang dadaan na sasakyan, di ka masasagasaan. buhatin nyo na si riza pauwi. syet! kelan kaya mangyayari na ako naman ang lasing at kayo ang mag-aalaga sa akin? gusto ko manood ng concert mamya kaya lang may exams sa math 17 bukas. ghalya, walang pumapasok sa utak ko. concert na lang tyo. bagsak na din naman tyo eh.

externals meeting pala mamaya. matext na nga ang members para kumpleto. saan kaya kme dinner mamaya? malamang micah's para may dessert. today is tuesday so lunch with petrina. makatambay nga muna mamaya before pumunta ng whitehouse. wow! ang labo talaga ng mga aplikante! mukha ba talaga akong mataray?!?! bket takot sila magreport sa akin?!?!?! malakas lang boses ko noh! oh no! may GA pala mamya. so saan tyo dinner? sa bago? okay selina's we go. huy! si mang boy nagfla-flashlight na. quiet daw. syet! sa bahay di ako naglilinis, tapos ngayon suka ng lasing! waaah!!! ganyan ko kamahal ang soc At ang org house. p**ah! pashot nga muna. di ko kaya kalat nyo eh. huy, usog ka konti. tabi tayo. cemplaNGan na naman. practice tomorrow ha. makinig sa coach. kulang ng players sa chess? fine! ako na maglalaro. may fund raising kme ngayon. bili naman kayo ng fishball, kikiam at si moy. hehehe. (promise! nag-human auction din ang externals). wednesday pala ngayon. dmeng tao sa Therese. di ako mass, daan na lang ako sa Adoration Chapel. huy! swimming tyo! punta tayo pansol. ako din may exams pa bukas noh? sama na lang tyo tapos habang swimming sila, aral tyo. 7am din kaya klase ko. hello?! eh magkakaklase kaya tyo. oh no! si mam garcia! tago nyo ko. shit! nakita na ako. sige na, magcoconsult na ako sa kanya. brods, gisingin nyo ko mamya ha, gagawa ako ng thesis. tulog na mga brods. ako na lang gising. please lang. wala sanang multo na magpakita. makaidlip muna ng 30minutes bago umuwi at maligo.

huh? wala naman ata schedule si ace. sige sabihin ko na magpapaturo ka sa kanya. ano kaya iluluto ko para sa mga magpapaturo. sa e6 ka na lang mag-cr kung di mo kaya dito sa e4. sa palaisdaan tyo dinner mamya. amp****! talagang kelangan i-mention ang e6 at si ace!

kamiss lang talaga ang elbi at ang college at ang econsoc syempre. tin sings..."kung maibabalik ko lang..." corny!!!! *sigh*

Nerdy-Nerd

an officemate was playing Text Twist in the offfice. (hala! playing games in the office. hehe) i was working at a computer beside him. everytime i would glance at his side and see the monitor, i would guess the longest word. he got irritated and would cover the letters, but i would still get a chance to see some letters and would still guess and would get the right answer. it's really fun irritating someone. hehe.

i was asked how can i guess the words easily. it made me think. it occurred to me that when i see a plate number i would love to re-arrange the letters to form a word. and now my hobby at home is notto read a book but to answer crosswords. we have this book of crosswords at home, and i would answer 5 sets of puzzles for an afternoon. and i love to watch quiz shows. i would prefer it than adventure games or reality shows such as fear factor or takeshi's castle.

but i don't consider myself as a nerd because though i love to read books, i hate reading textbooks. i don't open my textbooks when i was in school. seriously! i don't even study much, that's why it's funny that i love answering intellectual questions. hmmm.. maybe that means i'm just really born smart. hahaha ;p

Because of You...

...i had been a princess
...i experienced flying business class (at nawili ako. hehe)
...i've been to camiguin (kahit na nagkasugat)
...i celebrated my birthday with orphans
...i earned extra income
...i travelled around the philippines
...i saw how much my loves me and how open-minded she is
...i gained self-confidence, for you totally believed in me even i don't believe much on myself
...i began to cry lots of times
...i became a spoiled brat (hehehe)
...i have my phone
...i fulfilled my dream of giving a "Cartier" bracelet to the one i love
...i lost and gained weight
...i have a constant companion in trying out new restaurants and spas!
...i somehow gained slight interest in economics (haaay... i still can't believe am a graduate of econ. hehe)
...i learned how to snorkel
...i learned to really appreciate underwater creatures
...someone believed that i can achieve my dreams, and now i also do believe that i can
...i learned that i can hurt someone i would hurt the least
...i had been thankful for my life
...i learned to care for something
...i felt how it is to be loved

Dermatologically-Tested

last monday, i visited my derma because of allergies. it came to my mind, that dermas now are in-demand. especially with facials being popular nowadays. and my friend paying P3,000.00 for her derma consultation plus some products. am just so lucky that my derma still charges only P250.00 consultation fee and her products are really effective. though she charges cheap, she really is a good derma. she had been our family derma for more than 10 years now. and she really knows her job.

now, i'm praying that i am gonna be healed from my allergies. coz affected are my hands. three parts of my body that i am really proud of: hands, feet and legs. that's why when i burned my legs in camiguin, i really cried my heart out not having any care with my surroundings. and now my hands, aargh!!!! even if i'll be absent from work, i am more concerned with my hands. you know where am allergic? detergents and dishwashing soaps. arte!!! hahaha :)

FRIENDS

note to myself: do not watch F.R.I.E.N.D.S. anymore in the ETC channel in the mornings or you'll be late.

my favorite tv show is FRIENDS. and i remember last saturday when i went with marvin and jopay to the covenant house, we had a little debate on who would be better for rachel. is it joey or ross? mine is definitely joey. but they prefer ross. then the arguments turned to who would give rachel a better future. hahaha.

it's just sad that FRIENDS have ended already. and it's pathetic for my part that i still haven't seen the ending :(

Frustrations

as i talked to my officemate yesterday, i only want three things. these three things can easily be achieved by others or just readily given to them. but for me, it is not that easy. but well, nothing is impossible, right? these three things are really mababaw. but i don't care. because these three things are three things i have expected since i was in college but then reality sank in and it is not reality for me. haay...

well, am saying all of these. because from now on. i'll not lose hope. i'll not lose faith. i know that i'm gonna get this sooner or later. diba Lord? hehe :)

Thesis Kwitis

last monday, i consulted a dermatologist regarding my hands. his prescription was an anti-allergy medicine. since the derma is in the former rustan's cubao, my mom and i had lunch in gateway. we tried to buy the medicine in watsons there but it was out of stock. but i was told by the pharmacist that the medicine costs P8.76. okay.

since my mom was going to ortigas, i just rode the mrt. passed by farmers and bought the medicine in watsons in farmers. i ordered 10 packs alreay and easily told the pharmacist, "P8.76 each, diba?" when she checked it was only P8.26. ha! same store, different buildings (just 5 minutes away from each other) but different prices.

well, the pricing didn't really come a surprise to me. it just brought back thesis memories. my thesis topic was the price dispersion between the virtual and conventional markets. but actually, i also came across the price discrepancies among the conventional stores.


my product was paco rabanne for men. i chose this because this is the first perfume that i remember my dad used. though i really don't like the smell, i still use this as my product. for papa! that was how i loved my dad.

i've discovered during my store checks that the prices in the different rustan's stores are not the same. and when i was asked about this during my defense, i used my instinct to answer the question. though same stores, they have different prices depending on where the store is located. they have different target markets. like watson's even if it is a drugstore, watsons farmers caters lower class citizens compared to watsons gateway.

i am just hyper with this topic. because it's my thesis, and most especially because that answer is an answer i haven't found in any of my research but just came from my common knowledge. sorry.. proud lang talaga ako ;p

Beware of Motorcycles with Two Passengers

i love to walk. that's why sometimes when i go home from the office, i just walk. that's how near our office is. last night, an officemate and i, walked home together at around 8:30 in the evening. of course we were deep in conversation. later on, there was a motorcycle behind us and slowed down. my friend's bag was on the danger side and the passenger of the motorcycle grabbed her bag. thankfully, my friend was alert. she snatched her bag back. the motorcycle kinda lost its balance, that's why i guess they just went ahead and didn't try to grab it back again.

my officemate told me that some police really check motorcycles with two passengers because of this modus.

but even if there is only one passeneger, still be careful. coz another friend was nearly carjacked. a motorcycle tried to stop him, but he just went ahead and really pursued him wherever he went. finally, he saw two policemen and called their attention. the man pursuing him didn't notice the policemen. the pursuer was asked by the policemen and he admitted that he was planning to carjack my friend.

so friends, please be careful...

ECONSOC

my second family is the UPLB Economics Society or Econsoc. it is my organization in college. it had been my second family to the truest sense. i live with them (meaning i just go home to my dorm to take a bath, hehe) in the org house, never made me feel left-out and helped me discover my talent.

yes, until now, i feel at home with them and they always make me in a good mood. that is why when i feel down, i would go to los baños and just bond with the resident members. yes, they know how to put a smile on my face.

during my last year in college, i was elected as External Affairs Head. from the term itself, externals. our committee is in-charge of the activities that deals with those outside our organization, such as the college sportsfest, outreach programs, parties, and even our organization's alumni homecoming. i believe econsoc made me like to do outreach programs to orphanages. and it unleashed my talent in organizing parties. no kidding! yup, i try to organize surprise parties. or if not surprise parties, gimiks/parties for the alumni of our dear organization. just like last saturday. an alumni homecoming that was not sponsored by the resident members. even if it was not for free, many attended. but i'll admit, i was not alone in organizing it. there were three of us. and we were really busy that night having fun :)

Paradise in Davao

Just came from a trip in Davao, particularly in Samal Island. We stayed in Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort. Even before arriving in the Resort, the trip was already a paradise.

It was my first time to ride in the Business Class of PAL. Even if it was almost a 2-hour trip, I barely noticed. I really enjoyed my ride, from the comfort of the plane to the very friendly and accomodating flight attendants, it was heavenly.

Arriving in Davao, I can't believe that there are still cabs that are not airconditioned. I thought it only exists now in Baguio. And their flag down is only P26.00 with 1 peso for every 500 meters or so and some of the airconditioned cabs charge only P2.00.

The next day, we went to Samal Island. Wow! It was just a 5-minute ride from Davao City, costing you only P10 per boat ride. They served us dalandan juice. I am not really into dalandan soda or dalandan-flavored juice. But the juice they served... it was fresh fruit juice! For snacks, I ordered fresh mango juice as opposed to the canned mango juice that they have. And when the juice arrived.. it's true! It's fresh mango juice. It's not mango shake but mango juice. The food were spectacular. Fresh seafood talaga.

When I was searching for a resort in the web, there were reviews on the Paradise Resort and their zoo. Honestly, I was expecting a zoo with lots of animals but when I got there it is just Bird Sanctuary with a python and deer. Though it was not what I expected I enjoyed the sights of the birds. Especially the ostrich and seeing a heron laid eggs.

Even if the resort is private, with its accesibility, there were still lots of people going there. Was lucky to be staying there and got the chance to have the beach for a night swimming or an early morning swim. And I think my color now will attest to how much fun I had swimming.

I haven't been to Pearl Farm, but if you'd like to go to Samal Island on a tight budget, try Paradise Island Resort.

My Smiling Name

i've realized something last weekend. that when you say my name, you will smile. may it be Kristine or Tin-tin.

try it. say it with me... Kristine... Tin-tin.

maybe that's why i love to smile, because my name can put a smile on your face. :)

Depression Mode

i was really down last night and i don't know why. i felt that i am just nobody. not even an anybody, but really a nobody. even to my friends and family. well, except for ace. i went to the Blessed Sacrament yesterday before going home, and i did really cry. i just cried and cried and i have no idea why.

then i remembered when me and my sister were still kids. i was the goody type and she really is the naughty type. but i would feel that she is more-liked than i am. honestly, i wanted to have a change of attitude and be a bitch. but i can't do it. i would always remember the golden rule: "Don't do unto others what yuo don't want others to do unto you."

praying in the Blessed Sacrament made me realize why I appreciate ace so much. ace is the only person who appreciates me and who believes in me, more than i believe in myself. ace and i would forever remain just friends. with the insecurity problems and rejection moods i feel, would i ever find a guy who would appreciate me much.. who would make me feel special?

Carpool of Thanks

Another reason why even if it’s already late and I still write this blog is because I was really touched with two friends in real and blog life. Hehe. Ate Jopay and Kuya Marvin.

I live in QC and I attend the prayer meetings of BLD in Makati. I have been doing this for ten years already. Going to and from the prayer meetings have not been a problem. Especially now with MRT. But the good thing about BLD, especially the Youth, they are concerned with you. They would make sure that if you have a ride home and if your house is on the way, they’ll bring you home. Home as in really at your house and not just drop you off somewhere near. Through this, I have gained a number of friends already, like the Aguila family (saying, Merville na sila).

Back to the story. I was just touched with this couple. Coz I didn’t expect that they’ll really look for someone who could bring me home. Even asking the waiter of Teriyaki Boy. Hehe. I have insisted of joining them for dinner already, and still they treat me for dinner. Oh no! Jops, pano na budgeting nyo?
Maybe I was totally touched because I did not expect it from them. You really proved that if it’s from BLD, then it must be real friends. Thanks.

Light Within

This morning during the flag ceremony, I was tasked to give out the inspirational message. Promise! I had a hard time thinking of a topic. As my YM status message said the other day, “Inspirational message?! Di nga ako mainspire eh.” After browsing all the teachings of BLD, I came across a story which I used. The story of the matchstick. How he admired the light, and after being rubbed in a rough surface, he realized that the light is just within him.

As I practiced to read aloud my speech, I realized that the speech is for me. I did not ask kanina how my speech went. Because as I pray everytime I share, that there’ll be one heart that will be blessed by my sharing. With my speech this morning, I know a heart was blessed. My heart.

Ang galling lang! Coz last Saturday night, I was in the brink of crying because I can’t see where I am now. Then my speech. Then the prayer meeting, Gwadz prayed over me. Without telling her what to pray for coz I really don’t know what, she said the right words. What I want to happen in my life.. to be perfect for God. I guess right now, that’s what really matters for me. How to be perfect for God. And with all that’s happening with my life, I am like the matchstick, being rubbed in a rough surface to emit light. Sabagay, kung walang rough surface sa life ko, wala akong sharing.
P.S. Special thanks to Bro. Arun for sharing the story of the matchstick. Dru, for the notes you tirelessly e-mail us. And to Ace for editing my speech.

2005 in a Wrap

the year 2005 had been a roller coaster ride for me, literally and figuratively. hehe. well, here's a summary of what happened to me in 2005. per month pa ito ha, actually based on my cellphone calendar...

January
Wedding of Itan and Mitchel.. no need to say more. hehe

February
first time to serve in SE, for SE35. first time to stay also in a mot-mot dhel wala nang space sa retreat house. hehe. SE34 pastoral in astoria, then deepening encounter the next day.

March
badminton tournament of se34. saw my cousins and relatives again in bohol. my brother eric celebrated his bday there with matching lechon on black saturday. ey! my tita really asked a priest if we can lechon already and he said it was okay. hehe. started to talk to my dad again as a sign of my penitensya for the holy week. hehe.

April (the blessed month. hehe)
last pastoral metting of se34. a truly humbling experience. washing of the feet ba naman. sorry ha. ayoko kse talaga ng paa. SE34 sponsorhip! really tiring but truly blessed. with that, napatunayan ko na i can be without sleep pala for 48 hours. for the first time. siguro basta pag kay Lord, kaya. a sharer for the YLSS #24. a frightening experience for me. syempre. it would be a first time for me to bare all my experiences, feelings, secrets, hurts and everything to the BLD people and to my family. also, first time to really cry to my dad saying all my hurts to him, and after two years, hugged each other again.

May
my lola was rushed to the hospital and was just brought back to life after 5 mins. causing her to be comatosed. di tuloy ako nakasama sa galera with SE34. this somehow caused a drift between my mother and brother because of the expenses and if the plugs be pulled out or not. i really questioned God dureing these times on how this can happen to our family after serving Him faithfully and giving my all last April. then after a few weeks of having monetary problems, He showed us light. hehe. He made my sister win in a raffle here in the office. kahit na yung cash prize is smaller than the bill, it still helped my mom with the expenses.

June
Hillsong Concert. Let's Dance for the Lord. first time to share in SE for SE OLAP. sobrang had time to bond with Ate Jopay and Kuya Marvin. nakarating pa sa house ni Kuya Marvin in Marikina and helped prepare kare-kare. proud! hehe.

July
had my LSS again thru the LSS41 and i have known that something big will happen with my lola. the next day, i had a business trip to Bohol. that was a monday. wednesday early morning, around 2am, my mom called me to tell me that my lola passed away already.

AUGUST
got to bond with ate dodie coz it was only the two of us who explored our way to the Bamboo Organ Church in Las Piñas for their SE. went to Boracay on a personal travel and stayed in the same resort where i stayed when i was with rlyn. visited our Regional Office in Iloilo and met the people there at long last after a year of only talking to them on the phone. express wedding of zettes and rico.

September
St. Scho LSS5. got to share again, and everybody who went up on stage to greet me, just walked by and left me. parang dinaanan lang ako :) became the ninang of hans rugas.

October
visited lb once again. and for the first time in years, naikot ko ang campus. di lang ako sa white house, kitanglad and grove. hehe. bonded with Jopay, Anna, Tatee, Beng and Giselle. learned a lot about them and i realized that i am blessed. started to be blog-addict. hehe. led the Worship of Youth's Prayer Meeting. attended the despedida of SE34's Ian, which had been a reunion for us.

November
my bday!!! potluck party in lb. and a disney princess party in mcdo. truly! a memorable bday for me. BLD Youth's Concert. St. Schoo LSS6 where Tito Wing, Tita Babylyn and Tita Margie went up on stage. making them look like the characters in my sharing. hehe. my mom had an operation and was rushed to the hospital.

December
attended a bday celebration in a mausoleum. first time to travel in Bacolod for official purposes. overnight lang but really pure work. tried their chicken inasal, and it is really yummy!!! it's totally different from what i taste in chicken inasal restaurants here. Christmas parties here, there and everywhere. despedida for Ate Anna. and got a chance to see again my friend from college who is now based in US.

just got to mention this. movie of the year for me: Nasaan Ka Man. it was my movie of the year because it's a movie that is underpromoted but really is a great film. nakakaiyak. my sister had a chance to watch it only the other day and also cried. hehe. basta maganda sya. and the actors Diether, Claudine and Jericho really did great jobs in portraying theit roles. Especially Diether. If you have a chance to get a copy of this movie, watch it.

well, that's pretty much my year 2005.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Christmas is for Kids

i watched joey de leon's life story yesterday in magpakailanman. he mentioned when he was interviewed that "Ang Pasko ay para sa mga bata." well, he also said that for adults, it's for love and rekindling of friendship.

i believe that Christmas is for kids. hwen i was still a kid myself, Christmas is my favorite season. because this means we're going to bohol and see my cousins then swim at the beach, receive gifts, etc etc. then we went back to manila, more gifts from santa. yes! i really believed in santa when i was still young. then i grew up. no more santa, no more going to bohol coz it's expensive and my lolo is gone already. Christmas is now just dinner together with my mom leading a personal prayer before meals, and pretty much that's just it. an ordinary day.

for this Christmas, even if it will be just another day for our family, i hope that our love for each other will overflow. the love of my dad for us will rekindle and the happiness we felt when we were still together, would be felt again and more. and anyway, Christmas is not about me, it's about Jesus. it's His birthday!

to my friends and to those who just came across this blog, MERRY CHRISTMAS! and i pray that you would not forget to invite Him in His birthday celebration :)

Finally! the Pictures!

my highschool friends

SE34 girls (parang antok na si ate baby ha)

BLD Youth (now Singles) friends

of course, happy birthday to me :)

my sister (humahabol sa katawan ko. hehe), my childhood bestfriend tina and her boyfriend danny

My Kids

some of my officemates brought their kids in our office tomorrow for the children's xmas party, which includes my unit head. anyway, during the party my officemate went out and left her kids in the xmas party. then suddenly her 5-year old son left the party and was looking for his mom. he was really in the brink of crying. i had to make up a story that she was just in the restroom. smart kid coz he went to the restroom and when he discovered his mom was not there, started crying. i'm glad i followed him. he just cried and cried. i made up all the stories that i can just to make him stop crying. then my harsh officemates pretended to be angry at him for crying, one even saying that he will circumcise the kid if he'll not stop crying. well, this made him stop crying.

but this incident made me think. how would i be as a parent. i swore to myself that i'll not spank my children. i never experienced it when i was a kid and i don't want my children to experience it also. but with how i handled the kid awhilke ago, i'm scared that i may spoil my kids. i hope not. i'm amazed at how my parents raised us up. i mean we are not spoiled brats. if you want to contest me not being a brat, it's not because of my parents. it's because of someone else, am sure. hehe.

i just hope that when i have kids, i'll be able to raise them up in an environment that is Christ-centered and my children will not be spoiled brat but can still feel loved. can you give me an idea on how i can achieve this? duh! as if i'll have kids soon :)

wishful thinking

when i was a kid, i had great dreams, high hopes, good wishes for the future. i can see my self in ten to twenty years time. where i'll be, my house, how i look like, my work, everything. i have planned my future. but life happened. now i don't know where i am. it's like i can't see myself, i can't describe myself. this is not the way i saw myself when i was 5 years old. i'll be honest, i don't want to dream anymore. it's like i'm losing hope. i know it's bad, but that's really how i feel right now. i don't like to dream coz i know it won't happen. or if ever i daydream, it's just for the joy that somehow, i can experience these in my life even just in dreams. i'm not talking about lovelife here but life in general.

my officemate once commented when he read my blog, "parang ang lungkot ng buhay mo..." honestly, i didn't feel that way. but now, parang i feel that way. depression mode ba ako now? ewan ko ba. haaay...

Prayer for the Heart

recently, i had been heartbroken (all together: YUN NA!)Ü hehehe. just kidding. just to catch your attention. hehe. i just want to share to singles out there a beautiful prayer that my sister gave me. thanks Yan, i now know that you want me to be happy and safe...

Dear Heavenly Father,

I confess that I have not always been as careful as I should have been with my heart. From time to time, my desire for love has caused me to leave my heart in the wrong hands. I now commit my heart into Your hands for safekeeping.

Please help me to stop being so impulsive with what You deem so precious. As I learn to celebrate Your love for me, let me learn from Your example what a bridegroom should really be like. Help me to never settle for less than what You desire for me.

As I embrace You as the lover of my soul, keep my affections in the haven of Your own heart. As I rest in Your love, make me more discriminating of those who approach me. I ask that You take over this area of my life. Keep me from those You know would hurt my heart. I invite You to set a hedge around me and keep me from all who would draw me into unfruitful relationships until the day You present me to the mate that You have selected for me.

Grant me the discernment to recognize him as he recognizes me. Cleanse me from the temptation to typecast the men I meet according to what I see. Help me to trust in Your knowledge and lean not on my own understanding. I know that You know what is best for me; therefore I yield to Your choice. In Jesus Name. AMEN!

Prayer of a Frustrated Doctor

my mom was rushed to the hospital last wednesday night. while waiting for the decision of the doctors if she will be admitted, i spent some time first in the chapel praying to God. i asked God to heal my mom, and i told Him that i know He can heal her. then i shifted gear. i then told Him to give me and my siblings faith and acceptance to whatever will happen, to His will.

after some time, i realized that i'm afraid to ask God for something. i totally have faith in God, with His powers and capabilities. i know nothing is impossible with Him. i prayed this way because i'm afraid what if God has other plans for my mom, for our family. i'm afraid to be disappointed. i might lose faith in Him. thus my shift in gear with my prayers. to have an accepting heart with whatever His will is. but i hope it is for my mom to get healed.

since it was unplanned that my mom would stay in the hospital yesterday, i took a leave of absence from the office to be her bantay. when i was still a child, i really wanted to be a doctor. that is my dream. i can be other things also, but still a doctor. but when i grew up, i became afraid. i didn't choose medicine for the fear that my patients would die at my hands. i don't know how to face it. anyway, yesterday, when i was with my mom. i tried to be nurse to her. helping her change her clothes without the aid of the nurse. assisted her when she threw up and stuff. i'm sorry to admit this, but it really grossed me out when cleaning my mom's vomit and seeing her wound bleed. i guess i don't have what it takes to be a doctor. and it really made me admire the doctors and nurses more with their humility.