I'm Glad to be in Plaid!

I got this from my batch yahoogroup and I feel like sharing it to the world. It was written by an Assumption alumna.


10 REASONS WHY I LOVE BEING AN ASSUMPTIONISTA!

1. We speak and write in straight english...no, really! the only reason we speak in taglish is so that other people (i.e. those not accustomed to speaking straight english) can understand us. Assumptionists, of course, are concerned with proper communication and would always
like to get the intended message delivered with the least amount of difficulty.

**I really have no idea where it all started, but that 'taglish' issue is so untrue. Honestly, I get hurt when people use my being an Assumptionista to make fun of me. It hurts me, really. All because of a stupid fishball urban legend.

2. We appreciate good food...what other school would give superior-quality delicacies to every visitor that comes along? yes, people...i am talking about ASSUMPTION TARTS! the ultimate in fine dining...our canteen siomai is rather good, too.

**Assumption tarts are simply the next best thing to ice cream! And the siomai!!! Who said we don't eat normal food?!? We adore food so much, that we have our very own Assumption cookbook.

3. We dress well...while our long sleeved gala uniform leaves much to be desired during humid days, we can honestly say our everyday uniform ROCKS. red plaid is the way to go, ladies! it's like ! the Burberry of school wear!

**Burberry of schoolwear...that sounded really glamorous! I love my uniform! You can tell how good we look, other schools try to imitate our plaid! But then, nothing completes a good uniform than the people wearing them.

4. We are great dancers...no one can outshine an Assumptionista on the dance floor when she's in THE ZONE...whether or not she knows how to dance.it's all in the attitude, and we've got lots of that.

**I guess that makes me a great dancer too! :)

5. We have good teachers...who knew biology could be so interesting? and that Shakespearean comedy actually IS funny? with the teachers we have, anything is possible.

**I never appreciated Greek mythology, Les Miserables and Shakespeare more than Ms. Mary Ann Tantoco (formerly Eala) made me appreciate it! The teachers rock! Why? Because most of them are Assumptionistas too. And of course, Assumption speaks quality teaching, that's why we get the best mentors. That includes Ms. Chinie Hidalgo, Ms. Bautista, the prom queen, Mrs. Casas, Sir Jay, and one of my favorites, Mr. Cajigal a.k.a "BIOMAN", "SIR BIO", "BEATLE FAN!"

6. We make the most of our facilities...who knew a patch of grass could have so many uses? it can be a softball/soccer field, fair grounds, AND a playground!

**True. I learned softball, soccer, basketball, badminton and ballroom dancing at the same area.

7. We value hygiene...we have toilets that flush, soap dispensers (not necessarily SOAP, mind you) in our bathrooms, and trash cans in every corridor. now we just need to learn how to use them.

**In addition to that, the numerous mirrors all over the bathroom. Ever wonder why we always look so good after class?

8. We know how to have fun...at a boring party? who cares?! a true Assumptionista can have fun ANYWHERE, ANYTIME. and the Assumptionista idea of "fun" has nothing to do with drugs or alcohol...just hanging out with friends is enough to make us smile!

**I'm easily amused. Like I said, take me anywhere and I'll have a great time!

9. We take care of each other...within the four (or more) walls of our school the greatest acts of compassion can be found...whether it's just providing a shoulder to cry on or organizing a school wide fundraising activity for a friend in need.

**I guess it's the very nature of each one of us to bond. The school plays an important role on building a great foundation for its students--the daily gospels, the morning offering, the morning talks, the exposures and retreats, which I think not all schools offer. Because of this great moulding on us, it is normal for us to show compassion to one another.

and the thing that i love most about being an Assumptionista...

10. We prioritize GOD... the constant Gospel reflections, daily morning talks, monthly masses and yearly retreats are part of every Assumptionist's life. without God as her spiritual anchor and daily companion, an Assumptionista is merely a shadow of her true self. that is why we
are able to shine, no matter what we choose to do!

**I would like to add one more thing to that: We do not forget where we came from...
I am an Assumptionista, and I am proud to be one. Because of Assumption, I've learned one of the greatest teachings of Mother Marie Eugenie that would always stay in my heart: "Unconditional love never says, 'I have done enough.'"

More importantly, that I have a mission in this world. That I am not just an ordinary woman, but a woman of faith, and a woman of action--everything for God, nothing without passion.

Oh, and I almost forgot, we have the best retreats!!!

"THE WORLD IS TOO SMALL FOR MY LOVE." - Mother Marie Eugenie

Beatles Song of the Week

I Me Mine
by Harrison


All thru' the day I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
All thru' the night I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
Now they're frightened of leaving it
Ev'ryone's weaving it,
Coming on strong all the time,
All thru' the day I me mine.

I-me-me mine, I-me-me mine,
I-me-me mine, I-me-me mine.

All I can hear I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
Even those tears I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
No-one's frightened of playing it
Ev'ryone's saying it,
Flowing more freely than wine,
All thru' the day I me mine.

I-me-me mine, I-me-me mine,
I-me-me mine, I-me-me mine.

All I can hear I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
Even those tears I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.
No-one's frightened of playing it
Ev'ryone's saying it,
Flowing more freely than wine,
All thru' your life I me mine.

On Being Alone

Last night I had a terrible dream.

I went to visit a friend. When it was my time to leave, she and her mom took me to the jeepney terminal station. Then they left me there and I was on my own looking for my jeep. I couldn't find it so I had to ask people around which jeep goes to "Pasay", my destination.

What makes it terrible is that, that night, I had a talk with my sister-in-law. Our conversation was deep, it talked about relationships, longevity, on finding the right guy and stuff like that. So before I tucked in to sleep, I prayed deeply that I may be enlightened. I asked God to help me and if it's not too much, to give me some signs through my dreams. So I was shocked finding out what my dream was about the next day.

I couldn't stop thinking about it all day. Could it be that "motherhood" had left me and I will be all alone throughout my journey? Will I be traveling this lifetime all by myself? Would I have to take a solo flight going to my destination?

In short, will I be an old maid for the rest of my life?

This thought has been haunting me for months now. I've been unsuccessful with my past relationships. After my last relationship, I told myself that I would have to be careful on using the word 'commitment'. I haven't gone anything farther than dating. I've gone to several dates, but I haven't settled with anyone of them. They're not ugly, they don't stink, they are nice guys. But they lack chemistry. And maybe there is a thing or two that I don't appreciate that much about them. I guess I am just more careful now when it comes to letting someone take in charge of the matters with the heart. Seems that getting serious is getting a little bit more difficult nowadays for me. It's like I've grown some sort of an allergy when it comes to 'commitment'. Or maybe I've just grown an allergy for the wrong men.

So back to the scary story. It just scares me, the thought of growing old alone, not having any kids. I mean, who the hell am I to talk about this, I'm just 22, I still have a full life ahead of me. But, who knows, right? And who can blame me, I have three brothers who each have a wife to put pressure on me. If they're not pressuring me, they're asking me to take care of they're kids. I have nothing against that though, I mean I love kids. But I am also dreaming of having kids of my own in the near future, with a husband of course. Ooohh...scary!

Well, I hope I am wrong. I just hope that I just misinterpreted my dream or that it's just a way of God telling me to pray. Like my friend once told me, something like foretelling is one way of proving the power of prayer. And I believe that God lets us see things in order to give us a chance to correct it through means of prayer. So I'm not giving up on that. I will find him. And he will find me.

The Unsuccessful Diet Plan

Lord, help me.

It's 4 a.m. in the morning and I couldn't sleep. I don't know why, but it's definitely not jetlag.

Anyways, to keep my niece and nephew away from boredom, we decided to take them to a go-kart place this evening. Yeah I know, kidstuff, but you know what, I enjoyed the five-minute ride. I always hated drag racers, but then just driving a go-kart made me think that hey, it's fun to be a race car driver. Hmm...you think there is any way I can be one? Nah. I guess I'll just add that to my YOU WISHlist.

Okay, so back to my diet plan.

Okay, okay, back to my attempted diet plan. I just can't stop eating!!! Eversince I started reviewing last November, and up until now, eating has become one of my greatest past times. So it has always been a stated fact that whatever you eat turns to become fats if you don't burn them. The simple rule on calories--if you eat more calories than the calories you burn, they turn into fat. And even though I am aware of such principle, I still chose to have my caramel macchiato, french fries, and a double-double. So here I am, getting bigger and bigger by the waist.

The first moment I knew my weight gain is turning to be serious was with my dad. Daddy, like any other dads, doesn't want his daughter starving herself. So everytime I complain that I'm fat, his normal reaction would always lead to a disagreement and would force me to eat. But then lately, things have been quite different. He would always discourage me from eating and say that I am getting fatter and fatter! And another incident that will testify my horrible weight gain happened on the dinner table this evening. We were just having an ordinary dinner when my brother saw my stomach bulging and said out loud, "Ang taba taba mo na!"

Just imagine the feeling... If there is any guy in this world who can be honest with what I look and not insult me at the same time, it would be any of my brothers. And from that, I knew I need to lose some serious shit. But how can I not? I really do not know. I mean, I know the ins and outs of dieting, but hell no, I am not going to work out. Definitely.

So what diet method have I done so far? You know me, I always wanted things easy. Let me spill them all to give you second thoughts before trying them.

First, I had the no rice policy. Strictly no rice, men. But what the hell, I'm a sucker for pastas. But then I thought, it is still better to have just pasta or french fries for lunch than have pasta for lunch then still eat a rice meal at some point of the day. Believe it or not, I survived 3 months without eating any rice at all. But then the more I don't eat rice, the more people tell me that I look like I gained weight. I remember Joel Mendez saying once that just being able to drop something out of your regular eating habit will make you lose weight. Hell no! It's a lie! A moth-a-packing lieeeeee!!! I guess the normal tendency here is to fill up what you are missing with other cravings, like me for example, I traded rice for french fries!

Then I tried drinking slimming teas. Hey, I'm a tea aficionado, but I'm bailing out on this one. Believe me, you wouldn't want to feel the pain of your stomach rumbling, waking you up at 4 in the morning.

I figured, I want everything natural, so I also tried swallowing green tea pills. Well, I bought a 90-capsule bottle, and I had to drink one pill a day. So that means waiting 90 days for the results. Halfway through the bottle and I left it in the house when I went here in the States. Well, I wasn't religious about it anyways, because I couldn't see the results right away. Or should I say, there aren't any results to see?

And then I tried drinking fiber pills, Benefiber. I got the fiber idea from my cousin. She actually drinks actual fiber grains by mixing it with water plus katakot takot na calorie count. It actually worked for her, she actually fits in my pants right now and have them already in her closet. As for me, I dropped the calorie counting part--too stressful for me. The thing about benefiber is that you have to take not more than 4 pills each take, for three times a day. That's like 12 pills in a day. Well, I just find it too stressful for me. Benefiber is actually good, it may not reduce your weight, but it flushes out cholesterol from your body. The thing is, I always keep on forgetting drinking these pills. And I don't know, but it kinda affects your tastebuds or something (according to my sister-in-law).

So right now, the method that I seem to be religiously doing is starving myself for breakfast and lunch, grabbing some snacks in the afternoon, totally deciding not to go on a diet for dinner and regretting what I ate and doing the whole process again the next day. So, you can just imagine now how I struggle to fit into my pants and how body fit the shirts that I am wearing right now. The suffering of not wanting to buy another piece of clothing, thinking that you'd be back to your same old weight--I just want it to end!

About this Monday

This afternoon I struggled with a frozen chicken.

I waited so long to defrost it and I couldn't wait any longer so I used all the force I have to remove every thigh apart because it got so frozen that they're all stuck as one piece. When I finally defrosted it, I dipped it with lemon juice and sprinkled on some spices and started breadding them.
Anyways, my chicken masterpiece is now stuck in the fridge because my brother and his family decided to eat dinner outside.

Guess what I had? Chicken nuggets.

Enough of chickenshit, this morning my friend asked me if I wanted to apply at Macy's in New York as an accountant. I said I wanted to give it a try since I'm like 2 hours away from New York already so he gave me his contact number. I consulted one of my brothers about it and he said why not, give it a try. Since the guy is in the Philippines right now, I made a long distance call. Since I couldn't make an appearance, he asked me to ask a friend to submit some papers for me. He kinda felt that I wasn't taking this too seriously so he said, "We're talking about your career here, so if you wanna be a New Yorker, you have to be fast." And I'm like, "I WANNA BE A NEW YORKER! I LOVE MANHATTAN!"

"My advice to you is, this is an opportunity. Go for it." He was actually making me move my feet. I suddenly felt the eagerness to work here. I was surprised. He was actually convincing. It was very impulsive, sort of an adrenaline rush there. My brother actually started convincing not to push further because he didn't think I was gonna take it that seriously. I didn't think so too.

So he said he's giving me up to 5 p.m. today, to ask one of my friends to call. I immediately called my friend, who was about to take her lunch break, and asked her my huge favor. My goodness, one hour has passed and the guy texted me, saying that he waited for my friend's call but she didn't and that I should choose carefully daw of which friend to ask blah blah blah.

Bullcrap, man. Nawalan ako ng gana. Uuwi na lang ako ng Pilipinas, noh.

Beatles Song of the Week

Birthday
by Lennon/McCartney


They say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too, yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you

AhAhAh
Come on
Come on

Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party

I would like you to dance (Birthday)
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance (Birthday)
I would like you to dance (Birthday)
Dance yeah

Oh
Come on

I would like you to dance (Birthday)
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance (Birthday)
I would like you to dance (Birthday)
Oh dance! Dance

They say it's your birthday
Well it's my birthday too, yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you


For my Kuya Big, Happy Birthday!

though it's not my birthday today.

One of the Sweetest Things

Due to the change of weather and the rainshower I got back in Manhattan, I got terrible cough for a week now. I'm like twenty year old Beetle muffler trying to drive up a hill. And it has been like this for a week now because I'm not the kind who relies on any medication but vitamin C and H2O. Out of nowhere, my niece sent me a get well soon card through email.

Click here to view the card

I'm just so touched. Just like the other day, I was sleeping on the couch and just started coughing out loud. I was surprised because she handed me a glass of water wherein normally she would normally make faces when you ask her to give you water.

The nicest things about kids is that you'll never know when they are gonna attack. They're just so full of surprises. They become your headache in the morning and at the end of the day, you look for them as your pain reliever. No matter how naughty each one becomes, inside their heart is the kindness, gentleness, and sweetness which not even the sweetest boyfriend can beat.

What is it Telling Me?

It's Saturday tomorrow--it's tag day sale. My brother handed me the newspaper and asked me to browse through the list of tag sales within the area and check which places I wanna go to. After I finished checking, my brother handed me down a piece that he has torned from the newspaper. It was a business opportunity ad saying that you can earn around $500-$1500 dollars while working at home. My brother asked me to check out the website because he got a little curious about it.

The moment I took a look at the cut-out, I was struck at what was written below the ad. It said "St. Jude Novena." At first I thought they were having a St. Jude Novena at some church here in Connecticut, but it was just actually a set of instructions, or should I say, more of an encouragement to people to pray to St. Jude. My brother tore the paper just right below the heading, and so I started looking for the rest of the pages from the newspaper. What do you know, they printed the same thing twice.

The whole purpose of it actually was for every answered prayer, a publication of such must be made. I guess we have two answered prayers here already.

My Own Answered Prayer

I first met St. Jude through my cousin, Racquel. I remember she would wait for me in class so that we can attend the St. Jude Novena in Malacanang every Thursday. It has always been a tradition that attend a Novena once a week for nine consecutive weeks and your prayers will be answered. Being the saint of the hopeless cases, I gave it a chance, though I was not in a state of hopelessness, only desperate to finish college on time. I took the prayers seriously, but was not able to do it religiously. Luckily, he and God still showed mercy on me and even though I failed a subject during my second to the last term, I was still able to graduate on time.

My friends were a term ahead of me, so right after they graduated, they started reviewing for the board exams, while I, was still stuck in college. Through them I have witnessed the power of prayer.

Every thursday of every week of their review, they, in group, would go to St. Jude after review class and haven't missed one 'til the day of their board exams, not asking anything else, but to pass the board exams. And it worked, their prayers were answered. They passed. It was a living testimonial that I convinced myself to follow.

I did pray to St. Jude. I made it a point to go there every Thursday even though I have to commute from my dorm and at times, to go there by foot (seriously, I've walked several times from Cayco to Malacanang and back to Cayco).

After I passed the boards, I have only gone to St. Jude twice. I do feel guilty and from what just happened this afternoon, I do feel like a message coming.

A Few Days Ago

I was at the porch talking to my sister-in-law. We had a deeper conversation. Our topic--everyone in my family's favorite topic, my love life. Actually, I was telling her that sometimes I feel frightened at the thought that all of my brothers are happily married to their first girlfriends, and I, here confused on whether I am not yet ready for a serious relationship, or I just get the wrong guys. What scares me more is the thought that I may never even get married like my other aunts who have the same criteria as mine:

1. bunso in the family
2. taking care of their nieces and nephews
3. the only single in the family

I'm just scared that I may add their fourth criteria to my list--old maids. So as I was ranting about that shit and all that, my sister-in-law advised me to just pray--do some novena, talk to Him and ask for signs.

There Was This Other Day

I was browsing through my friend, Cathy's blog and she has this post thanking me for the St. Jude Novena prayer booklet that she has. Cathy, Fe, Carol and I used to go to St. Jude together, but due to some weather conditions and change of schedules, I sometimes went on my own on a or go with some other people on a different time.

Then Today

Just before I started writing this post, I browsed through my friends' blogs again for updates and saw Cathy's new post talking about one of her trips to St. Jude.

Do you remember, like, when you watch some movies where the characters would always like say, "look for the signs" or "it's a sign" and the movie would actually show you how clearly the signs are telling the message? I'm kinda like in a movie right now. That's what I am feeling. I know, they may all sound coincidential to you, but I think of it more than that. I just really feel that I have forgotten my faith and that how I once had a strong one. Eversince I got here in the States, I've never gone to mass and only entered a church once--to pray and mostly take pictures. I sometimes forget to pray to Him at night, and most of the time only pray when I need to ask for something. Just like before, I talk to God through prayers, and God talks to me through signs. And what amazes me most is how He is always present around, consistently giving you signs and all you got to do is watch out for them. How can I be so dumb and numb right now not to actually know and figure out what He's trying to tell me.

* * *

"I promise to encourage devotion to thee..."

Novena to St. Jude

GLORIOUS APOSTLE SAINT JUDE Thaddeus,

True relative Of Jesus and Mary, I salute you through This Sacred Heart of Jesus! Through his Heart I praise and thank God For all the graces He has bestowed upon you. Humbly prostrate before you I implore you, Through His Heart, To look down upon me With compassion. Despite my poor prayer; Let not my trust Be confounded! To you God has granted The privilege of Aiding mankind In the most desperate cases. Oh, come to my aid Until I can thank you in heaven. All my life I will be your grateful client Until I can thank you in heaven. Amen. St. Jude, pray for us And for all who invoke your aid. Amen.

I just got a call from my brother from the Philippines and got some bad news. My cousin is at the hospital right now, and will have an operation soon because he has a brain tumor. That didn't feel right. I got so scared that I accidentaly cut my finger with a knife. I mean, I am not actually that close to him, but if there is anyone that will have a brain tumor, I wouldn't want it to be someone I know. To all those people who are reading this, I just hope that before you go to sleep, please include my cousin on your prayers. I still do believe in the power of prayer and that it conquers all things.
Thank you.

Seven Things...

Okay for boredom's sake Ina, I'll answer this! :)
I got tagged!

Useless information that you people may wanna know:

Seven things that scare you

1. squeeking balloons
2. not another asshole, please.
3. no water
4. no water
5. no water
6. no water
7. no water

Seven things that you like the most

1. photography--capturing memories.
2. jackets
3. wallets
4. vintage stuff and most especially ethnic asian stuff, like stuff you get from Nepal, Bangkok, etc.
5. barbecue cookouts with friends as we sing along to videokes
6. coffee. must have coffee
7. nice cheap finds. things you get for a bargain.

Seven important things in your room

1. my camera
2. my jackets
3. my wallets
4. my box of memories from childhood, highschool and college.
5. my CDs, especially the Beatles and Kylie collection.
6. my jewelries, especially the ones from my mom.
7. my asian-inspired clothes

Seven random facts about you

1. I always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher or a band vocalist. Even until now.
2. I have weird sleeping habits. I could stay up all night and sleep all day. Basta, weird talaga.
3. Before Supersize Me had its debut, I was already a living proof for McDonald's. I blew up when I was a kid.. When I was in grade 3 to 6, every single day after school, I would ask the driver to take me to McDonald's. I would order 6 pieces chicken nuggets, 2 large fries, and a medium rootbeer. Sometimes, I interchange nuggets with a quarter pounder with cheese.
4. During my fourth year in highschool, I was hospitalized because I had a kidney malfunction. They wouldn't know the cause and after a week, it just got normal again. Even until now, the cause of that malfunction reamins to be a mstery. Oooohh...
5. I get easily amused. Take me anywhere and I'll have fun.
6. I love the Beatles. It all started when my dad asked me to buy him a Beatles CD as a Christmas gift. And now, it just grows on me. Unexplainable.
7. When I was a kid, I was such a pain in the ass. Ask anyone in my family, I was actually a spoiled, rotten, bitch-fittin' brat. People change.

Seven things you plan to do before you die

1. Uh, have kids of course. Please God, don't let me die childless.
2. Travel around the world, especially in Rio de Janeiro, Nepal, Greece and Italy. And I also wanna go around the Philippines.
3. Eat ice cream at Strasberg Creamery for one last time.
4. Go on a hot air balloon trip.
5. Invest on a lot of property in and out of the Philippines, stocks and jewelry.
6. Well, at least get featured in a newspaper, alive, and for a good cause of course.
7. Establish a good name.

Seven things you can do

1. I can play a song in the piano by just listening to the song (well, it takes a little long though, depending on the song).
2. I can draw.
3. I can sing, but only around the people I am very very comfortable with.
4. I can stay up for 24 hours straight (and even longer than that) and can still afford to laugh at a joke and smile.
5. I can cook! I'm good at lamb chops.
6. I can type on the calculator without looking. O, kaya mo yan?!
7. I can make spaghetti loops using my toungue. :p

Seven things you can't do

1. um, think right now of seven things I can't do.
2. Oh I know! I can't go on a diet, I just can't stop eating!
3. I can't wear rubber flip flops because I am allergic to most of the rubbers they use for those slippers. I wear them for thirty minutes and it starts itching. It's just weird because I can still play basketball.
4. Think of four more things I can't do.

Seven things that attract you to the opposite sex

1. nice nose. not too flat, nor too round, nor too big, nor too long, nor too short. basta, I am very particular with the nose. Ewan, fetish fetish.
2. Tall guys
3. Nice legs
4. Fit. I don't like too thin guys and the more I don't like mamon-like bouncer buffed kind of bodies like they got too much steroids or protein shake and like wear a muscle tee. Eeeww.
5. Cowboy! yeah! Marunong dapat kumain ng isaw-->plus pogi points! Ayoko ng maarteng lalake.
6. Laid back, but presentable when he has to be.
7. Great sense of humor. On top of it all, he must make me laugh.

Seven things you say the most

1. Tangena
2. Putaragis
3. probably
4. basically
5. How sweet!
6. Huy!
7. Ows?

Seven celeb crushes

1. Jericho Rosales
2. Jude Law
3. Josh Hartnett
4. Christian Bautista
5. Champ Lui-Pio [ba yun]
6. Rico Blanco
7. Tom Welling

Seven people you want to see take this quiz

1. Rachelle
2. Noreen
3. Entong
4. Iya (I know you wouldn't. Just wanted to put your name after Entong)
5. Champ Lui-Pio
6. Rico Blanco
7. Si GMA siguro

Weekend With Iya

Saturday. It was 3 a.m. We decided to get some french fries first before heading home. We woke up very late only to find out that it was sizzling hot outside. So instead of going out, we decided that for that day, we will be buhay baboy.

I am such a loser. We ended up watching Ocean's Eleven because I haven't watched it. So after eating beef cubes, sushi and green tea ice cream, we decided to go an 80's party. We weren't so cooperative on the outfit, but Iya's friend, Jen, wore a John Cusack shirt and Chuck Taylors. Definitely eighties. Highlight of the party? Charles in Charge theme song playing on the background. The shirt was totally worth it.

So we thought the side ponytail was too much, well think again. When we got there, most of the crowd were actually cooperative! The guy who was having the party wore the whole old school Addidas outfit, which he took off later because he couldn't stand the heat. The bartenders were actually in a Mario Brothers getup, and there's this girl with a Star Wars shirt, fluffy skirt and pink leggings, who we thought was the winner.



Sunday. This day was a total adventure. We really made it a point to wake up early because Iya wanted to take me to Serendipity (yes, it's the one from the movie). I thought Serendipity was just this made-up place for the movie. Since it was really hot all over New York, we decided to dress up fit for the weather. All set, this is gonna be one hot Sunday.

When we got there, people have to wait in line. Iya actually saw this lady who handed a hundred bucks just in order not to line up. That's how desperate people are to get in here. We like waited for an hour and a half under the sun and I was like, this has to be worth it. Yes, the frrrrozen hot choco was definitely worth it (especially now that I am PMSing. It's actually the first time where I ordered the dessert first before the actual meal.

I swear, you've got to try one of these.

After our sumptuous meal, we headed to East Broadway to check out some flea markets. Btw, before that, Iya got me this super cool Beatles shirt (I'm actually a Beatles fan). New York City is actually very full of surprises. While we were walking, it started raining and it just started pouring like it was mad! It was like this Sex and the City episode where Carrie was just walking and it started raining. So we ran to the nearest shade and got stuck with a couple and lady with a dog. I was like, please stop! You're ruining my vacation! Well it did, in a way that after the rain stopped, we drove to the Grand Central and I headed back to Connecticut. But overall, my weekend was a blast. Iya will surely guarantee you'll have a great time.

grrrrreat! just great!

Beatles Song of the Week

Tomorrow Never Knows
by Lennon

Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream,
It is not dying, it is not dying
Lay down all thoughts, surrender to the void,
It is shining, it is shining.
Yet you may see the meaning of within
It is being, it is being
Love is all and love is everyone
It is knowing, it is knowing
And ignorance and hate mourn the dead
It is believing, it is believing
But listen to the colour of your dreams
It is not leaving, it is not leaving
So play the game existence to the end
Of the beginning, of the beginning

From the Album, Revolver

Finally, I got a haircut!

Finally! I found a cheap place to have your hair cut! Ten bucks (hmm...come to think of it, that's still 500 pesos)! Well anyways, the guy cutting my hair was Chinese, and I couldn't really understand what he was saying, only to find out that my chopping my hair shorter and shorter! Oh well! I was bad trip for a moment, but then the haircut felt much much better! I feel lighter, actually. Cause it's freakin' Manila weather here in New York! Looks like the weight and stress was actually on my hair. I have a shorter, shorter hair now. I kinda miss my long hair though, at times. It took me a long time to grow it and it just took a split second decision to chop it all off. Oh well, decisions, decisions. Don't regret on anything, Kristine.

We went clubbin' last night at Crobar, NY. It was shockingly fun! And a total workout! A guy passed by, touched me on my shoulders, and went to me and said to me, "too bad your bag got in the way." And I was like, "Yeah I know, that's the whole purpose of it." And then he left, my friends were like, "that guy was cute!" What the hell was I thinking?!?! How can I be so stupid, just letting God's gift to womankind pass by? Oh well, I still had fun though. The night was still young. Don't regret on anything, Kristine.


That's Mary Ann, me my 'cousin' Iya and Amy

With more company--Roy, Josie and Joe

Some Thoughts to Live By

Quotes I have encountered during my board exam review

"If today you hear His voice, harden not your heart."
-Responsorial Psalm


"Someday in His time, whatever you ask for will come true. It may not be in the exact package you wanted, but it will be what God thinks is best for you."
-Some forwarded message through text


"If we lose something, we lose it for a reason. That reason might be hard to understand, but whatever it is we just have to believe that God takes away when He has something better to give."
-Some forwarded message through text


"In life, the greatest handicap is fear, the hardest thing to do is begin, the most useless asset is pride, the most scary thing to make is change and the greatest mistake is giving up."
-Some forwarded message through text


"If what we ask is not for your greater glory, give to us what is most pleasing to you."
-Recited in a Novena prayer booklet minutes after praying to God that what I was asking is all for His greater glory.


"Nothing is impossible to those who believe."
-Most number of passage I've heard everytime I go to church (believe it or not, it gets mentioned right after I say a sincere prayer).



Quotes I have encountered during the ordinary days

"It was satisfying like a million hallmark cards with all the right sized envelopes."
-Marge Simpson on her first kiss with Homer


"Do you believe you are a part of God's plan?"
"It's complicated."
"No it isn't."
-The Prophecy


"I'd like to teach the world to chill. To take time to stop and smile."
-Coca-Cola commercial


"There is magic in love! We follow the rule 'LOVE ONE ANOTHER' but if that doesn't work, simply swap the last two words."
-Some forwarded message through text


"Let it be."
-The Beatles



Thoughts from my head

People wait for life to come, not realizing that is just waiting for them.


When you are scared of the dark, just close your eyes and you'll realize that there is no difference.
-While walking upstairs, lights off


I don't need the perfect person. I just need the right one.

Asukal Story

Not everyone in my family is blessed with great fortune. But despite all that, my mother and her brothers and sisters have managed to stay in tact and have made an implied promise to help each other and share the blessings each one gets.

My mother was raised by a farmer together with seven other kids. Even though the situation was tough, my grandparents have managed to send all of their kids to college. And yet some still refused to and continued farming with my grandfather. Little did I know that education was not the best gift my grandparents have given their children, but to teach them to be able to be grateful of what they have and ask no more than what they can have--contentment. And little did I realize this until my sister in law reminded me of a story.

It was a traditional Christmas reunion in the year 2000 where all of my family and relatives go to our province in Nueva Ecija to spend the holiday all together. Our family decided to have an annual exchanging of gifts where everyone gets to participate with a budget of not less than nor exceeding Php100.

My newlywed brother and his wife were shopping for a gift and my brother had his eye on this cheap alarm clock. His wife was not fond of the idea and found the clock too lousy for a gift and still my brother insisted, saying, "OKAY NA YAN! MASAYA NA SILA DITO!" with an excited voice.

We started exchanging gifts and an auntie of mine pulled out from her gift box a bagfull of plain white sugar.

We started laughing and laughed even more when she said in this sincere, excited voice, "UY! ASUKAL! TAMANG TAMA, KAILANAGAN KO NG ASUKAL!"

Thinking after that, I think my aunt wouldn't appreciate an alarm clock as much as she did with a bag of sugar.

What's so amazing is that no matter how tough some of my relatives' life may be compared to ours, I have never, in my life, heard any of them whine on how unfortunate they are for not having things that some I may be taking for granted. No matter what the situation is, when my mother and his sibling get together, they treat each other equal. More than that, they are contented. Most of all, they are happy.

This is not even one fourth of my family.

Memories of Cali

Even until now, I couldn't believe that a month has passed by so fast, realizing that my California days are over. Though it over doesn't really mean it's over, I know for sure that it would take years again before I'll be stepping foot again on the California land.

So as I try to recall my California days, I try to see what would make me miss California...







First, there's this wacky family that lives in Highland. There's the dad, the mom, then they have this cute two-year old son that doesn't do anything but play with his cars, lots and lots of hotwheels, and watch WOWOWEE on TFC.

Then there's Tita Myrna,
the WOWOWEE fanatic,
lotto addict,
insider of all the latest and past scoops
in politics and showbiz.




Then there's this huge garden of Big. Where he grows his own vegetables. Where you can just sit all day, eat ice cream, drink some coke and get tired of getting tired. In short, getting fat. I just miss watering their huge lawn every noon time.

Then there comes their only Pinoy neighbors, the Corros. The big brother Chris and the twins Rosabelle and Lizelle.



Then there's IN N' OUT burgers which only opens in California. Who wouldn't want to take a bite of that juicy double-double burger and freshly cut french fries? Well, this is also one of the reasons why I gained a lot. During my last day, I even asked my brother if he could buy me my last double-double meal.



Lastly, how can I not miss my very very cute nephew, Jago who is just so adorable. I wouldn't be able to watch him grow, and how can you not miss a nephew whose only memory of me is that he calls me Tita Pokwang.

In addition to that, of course is the numerous friends and relatives residing there, the weather that makes me not feel far from home, the casino nights which sends you home olats, and just the feeling that you are far from home, yet you feel at home. That's California for me.

Gambling Thoughts

During the weekend, my brother and I headed to San Manuel Casino to try our luck that night. While on the car, I had a breakthrough. I thought about life. The thought wasn't extraordinary though. What makes it a breakthrough is that I had put them all together on one thought and was able to write them down.

Life is a gamble. The whole world's one big casino and those people in it must play the game. We are nothing but gamblers, risk takers in life. One must take risks in order to survive. Some are a less risk taker than the others and bet a little. Some bet big. The higher the bet, the bigger the return, and the bigger the risk one must take. We choose the game we want to play. Some play for pleasure, others play for business. For some, they see gambling more of an investing ground rather than just betting your chips. Some play the fun games and others play the games where you need to think.

But the bottomline is, no matter how much you think, no matter how strategic your tactics could get, no matter how big or small you bet, if you do not have this thing called "luck", you're going to lose. Some people do not believe in luck, rather, fate, or rather, pure effort. But for me, they all have a fine line between them, especially luck and fate. Fate is just a generic term people use were in you either get bad luck or good luck. On the other hand, pure effort is what people use as a means of finding their fate, on whether getting lucky in life or sucking at it. So whatever road you take, it all goes around fate. You will just end up with what and where you are supposed to be.

So people argue, why the effort when you just end up to what you are destined to be? The answer is simple. It's because life is a flavor-full experience that you just have to try to taste each of its gazillion flavors. In simple text, to avoid this emotion that they call regret.

We went home losing 17 dollars on a game of black jack and jacks or better. Losing gives this bad feeling, I know. The way I see it, the time you spend with your brother, the laughters, downsized emotions and thrills, the experience and the memories are more worth than 17 dollars. At least, I can say, once in my life, I gambled, I bet, I lost, I had a great time.

Still I Rise

by Maya Angelou. One of my greatest inspirations and soul-uplifter. I hope you, too, would be inspired by this poem. Everytime we fall, like air--we rise.

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air,
I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?D
oes it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame - I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain - I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear - I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear - I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.