Last Post For the Month: On Happiness

This morning, I was at the garden and I saw my uncle pass by in front of the house.

"Hi Tito Marcing!"
"Hello, how are you?!"
"I'm fine."
"Are you happy?"
"Yes!"

I was surprised at my instant answer to the spontaneous question. I realized that by saying yes, that means that I am happy. After all the obstacles I came accross since 2004, I've come to the point where I have finally went up to the next level. I finally reached the happy stage.

I try to reflect on myself and re-assess if I am really happy at this point of my life right now. What makes someone happy? More specifically, what makes me happy?

College days are over, board exams are through. The thought of wanting to pass has finally left my mind. Thanks to God, the only books I am reading right now are all fiction. As I recall those nights where I'd just burst into tears from studying, I just can't believe that I will not come across that kind of pressure again. And now, though I may not be employed, the pressure of finding a job does not affect me at all. I guess when life makes you experience something that you find the toughest so far and you think you've conquered it, everything that follows seem to be a lot easier.

Lately, I started going to the gym and it's not as easy as it may seem. The trainer said that my fat content is risky and that ideally, I have to lose 18 pounds of them. Yikes! It's a toughie, I know, but I have to do it. Just envisioning myself without these fats inspires me by the day. Right now I am hoping for the best and that I won't give up on this. I've come to the point where I have this desire to live a healthy life and create this aura of positivity surrounding me. I want a positive outlook in my life. And so, knowing now that pressure doesn't seem to come that often as before, I might as well decrease this annoying habit that I just couldn't cut out on because I've referred to it as a stress reliever. Eventually, I hope I will give up on such habit. And by now, there seems to be some progress because I do not crave for this habit as much as before. Okay, fine, I'll stop referring to it as "the habit". I admit, I smoke. But eversince I started working out, I've cut down because I get tired easily, which I find embarassing. Lately I've been smoking, on an average, around 3 sticks a day na lang. Now that's what I call an achievement!

Catching Up

Idle time really sucks. Being a bum can sometimes be a great source of boredom but it has become a blessing as well. I have so much time for myself now and lately, I've been able to catch up with some of my friends. It's nice to discover so many new things about them and how life can make you realize that it only seemed like yesterday that I was wearing my red plaid high school uniform, and today, my friend just finished wearing a maternity dress.


Dianey Day

I was in Shang with Diane, the co-unemployed, Eastside friend of mine. We had an agreement from our last talk that we will live together in San Francisco when she decides to continue med school and if I decide to take up my master's degree. That would probably materialize three years from now if we walk through straight to our goals, uninterrupted. If you're going to ask me, my mind is less than a fifty-fifty. But everytime Diane talks to me about it, she makes it seem all easy and convinces me by the day, which increases my chances of residing in San Francisco when mid-life crisis starts. What actually scares me is the thought that I will decide not to come back anymore. In order to reassure myself that that thought will remain to be just a thought, I made Diane promise that we will come back. "Promise me Diane, that we will come back here and help the Philippines' economy!" (believe me, I said this.) "I promise.", with her flirty giggle and devilish grin. Somehow, at least, I still felt relieved.

We were having our conversations while having coffee at the open area of Starbuck's. All tables were occupied so this woman asked if she could share a seat with us. We didn't care, and she started smoking. Well, she looked cheap to me (you'll forgive me on this one). Then, an old man, who kept on walking back and forth, also asked if he could share a seat with is and started smoking as well. I can see through my peripheral vision that they were having an eye contact. Then the old man started talking to her and asking personal stuff about her and all. And that was our queue to go back inside th mall. And now, you know, that Shangrila, just like Greenbelt or any reputable malls, is not far from Quezon Avenue.
Enough of that crap. She just needs the money. And he needs a little, uh, er, a little boogaloo. I'm on my fifth miniature bar already and I am not going to get fat on some strangers' old familiar daily life drama.

So we were browsing through children's books and Diane handed me this book by Debi Gliori, called "No Matter What".

"But does love wear out?

Does it break or bend?

Can you fix or patch it?

Does it mend?"

said the baby kangaroo.

"With time together, a smile and a kiss--love can be mended with things like this."

said the mommy kangaroo.

Sometimes, how I wish that I am still a kid. So innocent especially on love matters. It's nice to know how you can be convinced that love can be brought back with a simple smile and kiss when you were still young. But we all know for a fact that in reality, it takes more than that to fix up a relationship. Why can't adults stop making things complicated and just think as kids think? I guess we people, particularly adults, just think too much. We try to find answers, seek for signs, consult friends and professionals when the solution is simply to be childish.(?) It's funny how we adults try to convince kids the simplicity of things whereas we grown-ups couldn't stop looking for the meaning of life, more importantly, the meaning of love.


Terry Has a Baby

I was online and came across an old high school friend, Terry.

Kutz: "How are you?"

Terry: "I have a baby now."

Kutz: "Whaaaaaatt...."

She told me how time flies so fast that it seems like yesterday when Terry and I still live together in a dorm. And now she has a kid, a beautiful girl named Trista.

Terry: "Everything seems perfect now. Well, almost perfect...when my baby came, everything fell into its place."

Kutz: "Well that's good to hear. She's an angel."

Terry: "But I didn't plan to have a baby to fix things up, of course."

Kutz: "I know, but Trista, being here, is no accident."

The other day, I was just talking about death. And today, I am talking about a new life, an angel sent by God here on earth to replace the angel He sent back home.

Fly Into the Sky, Butterfly

This morning, I saw a black butterfly pass by and fly in front of me. Knowing what the old has to say about seeing black butterflies, I couldn't help but think about death. I was wondering (but hoping not) if there's anyone I know that passed away today. I had a siesta and woke up from the sound of a message received. It was Deth, asking for prayers and informing us that her grandmother has just passed away this afternoon.

Yesterday, Deth was supposed to watch the basketball game with us but she bailed out because she was waiting for her lola's doctor. Her lola has been bedridden for four years. And last night we got a message from her, asking to pray for her lola because she was not doing good anymore and has started rejecting her food. And in less than 24 hours, God had already taken her away.

"Tin, nalulungkot ako although handa na ako. Siya yung nagalaga sa 'kin for 10 years."

Although death has become the most certain thing in the world (together with taxes), we still couldn't help but feel bad when it knocks right at our door. i actually even witnessed my lola take her very last breath. Death may sound like and ending, but it is actually a beginning to a new life ahead, the eternal life. Her suffering has finally ended. She had lived her life, she raised good kids. God gave her the chance to give life and now He has asked her to come back to her.

To all of our friends, let us not forget to pray for the souls of the faithfully departed, especially now that someone dear to us has passed away.

My condolences to Deth and her family. And as much as I want to cheer you up, I would sing this song to you if I have to.


When do stars fade their light?
Does the moon and the sun make it right
For you the world maybe
Like an endless storm chasing a mystery

Is there hate in your heart?
Does your body drop and tell you to stop
Loving you or loving me
When it all falls down you just sing with me

Coz there’s a blue sky waiting tomorrow
Waiting tomorrow shining and shimmering
A blue sky waiting tomorrow
Waiting tomorrow
Maybe it’s all we need

Oh don’t you wash away that smile
You just look out the window and see the light
It’s beautiful to be alive
It’s wonderful to live a life

The sun is sure to shine
For you and me for everyone
So don’t be sad it’s just the start
Of a new beginning in your life

Rain will keep on pouring
Some things you can’t control
And while the sun seems far and hard to hold
It will unfold

There will always be a blue sky
A blue sky waiting tomorrow

-Blue Sky, by Hale


*So Monday, what else do you have in store for me?

False Alarm!!!

It's five fifteen in the morning. What could possibly make your Monday morning any worse than waking up from the sound of an alarm? Not from an alarm clock, but the burglar alarm.
I was asked by my brother to sleep at his house while he and his wife are still abroad to watch over the kids. Aside from the kids, I was left with two other maids to monitor as well. We were basically all female and all kids left here, so before I slept I set up my brother's burglar alarm using the control inside the room I am sleeping at (it is activated by a sensor that is sensitive to the slightest movement all over the first floor and when it alarms, it automatically calls my house in Antipolo and my brother's mother-in-law's house). The maids are actually aware and informed that once the alarm has been set, they should not go outside of their room. But then this pretty little maid of my brother couldn't wait until I deactivated it, got out of the room, activated the alarm, went up to my room and just knocked. So I, without getting up, made an attempt to deactivate the alarm and went back to sleep not realizing that I pressed the wrong button. So it didn't stop alarming, this maid didn't even bother going inside my room to wake me up (I couldn't hear the sound inside the room), and just let the alarm sound on while the neighbors couldn't help but be concerned, get up and get out of the house to check us out. Luckily, the next three houses are all relatives of ours. So they called my dad asking about our situation inside and the next thing I know my dad was calling me, giving the worst phone call on a Monday morning ever. Instead of asking me first how we were doing inside, he told me in an angry voice that I shouldn't be using the alarm system anymore because it is actually confusing. I was about to ask him what the fuck is he talking about until I remembered that I was talking to my father. And the whole "the boy who cried wolf" story again? I know that already, please, I'm not dumb. It was just an honest mistake. I admit, I was a little bit careless, but who would be in his or her normal state of mind at 5:00 in the morning and fresh from the bed? I know the consequences of false alarms and how neighbors may just get used to it. So please don't call me twice saying the same things and actually discourage me from using the alarm and end up the conversation by telling me "MAGLUTO KA NA!". I am not actually blaming this bad morning on the alarm. So I have nothing against it. This is actually useful and important especially when the person you don't trust the most lives inside the house with you, having the potential to actually connive with someone and just let him in the house. I'd still rather have this house alarming and waking all of our neighbors up every now and then than sacrifice the safety of my nephews and not activate the alarm system at the time you need it most. And please, don't even think about waiting for the moment when your alarm has actually become useful, your investment to it has finally returned because an intruder gets in the house and sounded off the alarm. That would be a very very bad scenario that I wouldn't want to happen at any point in my lifetime. And worst of all, it just made my day so much that it gave me a headache and I couldn't sleep anymore! So this is my Monday morning. What could be worse than this?

Rektikano!

What does rektikano mean anyway?

Who cares? DLSU won over ADMU on the UAAP basketball game this afternoon. Hooray! I went to church this afternoon so I just found out at 1 p.m. that my contact has five upper A tickets waiting for me at the ticketnet! And the game starts at 1:30!!! So I called my friends who were interested to watch with me and rushed myself to the car. It turned out that Lara (who has become my official basketball partner) was the only one who will be able to go.

At first I thought if it was worth it to go to Araneta even though the game has started already. Baka naman kasi may 'luto' itong larong ito kasi pag nanalo ang Ateneo, may game uli sa Thursday. Kikita ang Araneta Coliseum 'nun. Pag talo Ateneo, wala nang DLSU-ADMU game this season. Wala kita. Almost everyone I know was expecting the first scenario.

But then I thought, what if La Salle wins and I don't watch? Then I wouldn't be able to witness a DLSU-ADMU match this season. I made another good decision. Even though we were late, it was totally worth it. We were able to watch from the 2nd period. We contributed to the hands that made up the big wave halfway through the coliseum. The fifty peso slice of pizza is worth buying and almost choking while chewing and shouting "shoot that ball!"

It was one of the greatest basketball games I've witnessed. My favorite, number 10 has now become my hero. In action talaga siya! Ang galing galing! But until now I couldn't pronounce his last name. While he was below the hoop, the ball got passed to him, he jumped, grabbed the ball and straight into the hoop, dunking backwards. The DLSU pep squad boys did a wonderful 'Aranas dance' while holding a basketball with one hand. The pose of the DLSU players during the last fifty seconds of the game was a kodak moment (Damn, I forgot my camera inside the car!). I've never sung the alma matter hymn proudly and loudly eversince college graduation. It wasn't even a close fight. Ateneo was right after all...it only takes ONE BIG FIGHT!


*to my Atenean friends, PEACE tayo okay??? I still love you all! I mean, come on, you'd feel the same way if ADMU won, right? And I'll be cool with it.

**to DLSU people who were able to take pictures of the game, please send them to me at kristinelegaspi@yahoo.com. Thanks!

***for more of the game, you may also wanna check rachelle's post

Patriotism Strikes Again

The Philippines is not far from Vegas anymore. It has become a land where people rely mainly on one thing--chance.

From the shows up to the commercials, only one question is asked: 'How would you like to win one million pesos?' This has been the juiciest bait that people would want to cling their hands on to...For people who have given up on harvesting the fruits of hard earned labor. Now, people would rather exert on pure effort and mere expectancy or should I say, hope. I couldn't help but be alarmed. Is this how bad our country has become? That our economy is not reliable anymore? That people would rather quit their jobs and wait in line for months just to be in a game show and get eliminated after one question? Do people still think nowadays or is it just a matter of no choice for them or have they simply given up?

Yesterday I was talking to my cousin. He was asking me how my vacation was in the U.S., why I still came back and if I have any plans of migrating there. At first, I was too shy to tell him my reasons, but I still did. I said what I always say, that "I feel responsible for this country." He totally agreed and said, "That's what I'm talking about!" Sabi ko nga sa kanya, "bakit naman tayo aalis ng bansa eh hindi naman tayo gumagapang?" "Korek!" It's really nice to witness with a country stand up on its own feet, especially when you know that somehow, you've contributed to its success. And I feel that it is part my fate to help 'build a nation'...To help bring back the sweetness to this bitter and once a milk and honey paradise. And it's nice to know that there's still someone like me who thinks pathetically the same about this beloved country, no matter how hopeless things may seem. For me, even though hope is gone, if faith is still there, it is never too late. So I am not hoping for this country. I have faith on this country.

Blog Hopper

Okay, so this is how bored I am...
I am actually browsing through my friends' blogs and decided to quote some of what they have to say about life. Quite interesting. Some, even hilarious.

"What is it about life that you can never understand where you're supposed to go nor do you know what you're supposed to do. What exactly is it about life that makes you keep on striving day after day?"
- desire

"After all, the journey towards the future can only be undertaken by subjects. Objects are lugged around for a while but are eventually abandoned. People can have only so many baggages. If they bring too many with them, they'll soon get left behind."
- chameleon sofia

"Hmmm...whatever happened to Alpine White?"
- dianey
**I wondered the same thing as well.


"Ang pag papakasal ay hindi yan parang turon, na akala mo lahat may langka."

- boobert

"Life at the moment is odd. There are too many things that are coincidences, too many that make too much sense. I am just confused. I need to drown myself in pretty words."
- earthbound


"Problems are still there, but they don't consume me. I may still cry at times, but I smile more. I have finally found my place in the world, and I never feel lost anymore...I realize how important it is to treasure every moment of the following year. Because when every second is treasured, life is lived to the fullest."
- supergirl


"Little by little I'm starting to realize the failure that has occured...It's not to condemn me for the sins that I have committed, but it's a wake up call to make me a better person... As the saying goes... 'Why settle for anythin' good when you were destined to be great?'"

- hafitz

"Being stuck means being presented with lots of choices that are really yummy and intoxicating. I was heady with all the possibilities that "lie beyond" what was infront of me. BAD MOVE. "
- the owner of a white baby elephant


"Holding on to the thought of having a happy ending for the longest time is actually tiring.. when you think things are going smoothly, you can't ready yourself fast enough for the bumps ahead."

- rhea

"What's not new is the fact that our country is still going to the dogs. I love my heritage but come on!!!! I'm beginning to think Jose Rizal was an idiot for wanting independence. We were probably better off under a country, ANY COUNTRY. Have you been watching the news? Ugh, disgusting."

- gigi

Funny, eh? Come to think of it, we've said the same things and asked the same questions as well. We could never define life with a definite meaning, nor ask the greatest question it has to offer. If I were to give another word to it, it would probably be the word ambiguous. It's like the best song ever written that everyone wants to interpret differently.

Highlights of the Week

Occupation: Unemployed
Income: none
Benefits: GREAT!

I can't believe that I've been pre-occupied with so many stuff these days. I've been thinking on how so many things I have already done and realizing that it has only been less than two weeks since I got back !

Yesterday's original plan was to just meet up with my college friend, Millan, in Podium. As usual, she made me wait again, but it's okay because we really had a great time.


I am definitely 2 and 3.

We had an interesting conversation. She makes notes on anything and almost about everything. The highlight of our coffeetalk was about ways of expressing love. According to wherever she got it, there are five different languages of love:

1. gifts
2. acts of service
3. quality time
4. touch
5. words of affirmation

Every person has at least two of these ways of showing his or her love. Sometimes, those people in a relationship misunderstand each other because they have different ways of expressing their love. For example, one might complain that his or her partner doesn't give gifts. On the other hand, another complains because his or her partner just gives too much gifts. Some might misinterpret their partner for being so touchy and think that it's just lust and some might demand for quality time or needs to hear the words "I love you". Whatever it is, the bottomline is, love is like this big TV and in order to make a relationship work, you must be on the same channel. But of course, no conflict is left unresolved. If wavelengths just won't work, the word 'compromise' always comes in handy.

So what are you?

The break-up.

Millan and I seem to be getting tired of each other already and I decided to call my high school friend Diane and asked her to join us at our coffeetalk since she was just around the area. So she immediately followed. I found out (through the mighty Friendster) that she just broke up with her boyfriend...of FIVE years! I mean, five years of being together is not a joke! And maybe, this is some proven fact that longevity is not the key to a sucessful relationship. Or it's just that the world is so full of uncertainties. You think you have the whole world figured out then it just surprises you with something new the next day. But then again, you'll never really know what's gonna happen next. Anything can still happen.

Meet the Scientist and the T.V. Host

In order to catch up with more of my friends, I also invited our old high school friend from Xavier, Carlos, for dinner. He is now an environmental scientist, and he brought along his girlfriend, Love-Love, a T.V. host from Studio 23 and who also happens to be the only lady in the Philippines who is a bike racer (I'm talking about big time motorcycles here man!). Wow, we actually felt like talking to a celebrity! Our dinner conversations were actually interesting because both of them gave us 'tips and advices' both on business and showbizness! Hahahaha!

Post-dinner conversations and aura readings.

After dinner, another high school friend, Kim, dropped by and brought someone along--a boyfriend, finally! It's nice to see Kim finally with a boyfriend. And another thing, I just adore Kim's boyfriend. He's sort of a psychic. He feels auras. And do you know what he felt about my aura? He said that he feels that I am a good person. Ako daw ang pinakamabait! Yabang!!! Hahaha!

And I am so proud of Kim for actually being brave enough to face some circumstances and settle some unfinished business first before going to the next level. It has become an eye-opener and made me understand better about the things that has been happening in my life. What has just happened to her has become the counterpart of what have happened to mine. And now, I just simply understand. I do not want to elaborate more on this. To those who know me well, you would get my point on this one I am sure.

"It's good to see old faces." And it's nice to know and to reaffirm myself that I have the greatest set of friends.

* * *

Pulitikrap again?

Last night, while I was watcing the news, the headline talked about Secretary Gonzales was taken to the hospital after being grilled by the Senate. I swear, this ountry is so unhealthy for the mind, the sould and the heart as well. And politics is like this mother virus that slowly kills each one of its people. Everyone is just so full of crap. B.S. talaga!

My first scratch.

I just came from St. Jude parish in Malacanang this afternoon only to find out that my bumper has a scratch! And I didn't even feel anything while driving! Stupid decisions I've made. I shouldn't have passed by Aurora Boulevard. Jeepneys don't intimidate me at all. I actually feel challenged or more of an adrenaline rush over me during gitgitan time. They just irritate me right now. I just can't get over it. I mean, I'm not obsessed with cars, but it really do feels bad to get a scratch on your own car. Now I understand how the boys feel for their babies. It's like when you have a baby and you don't want your baby getting a mosquito bite. I'm sure I'm not going to fall asleep the whole night just thinking about this.

Basketball, Talong, Isaw and Divisoria. Pinoy Eh!

Last Sunday, Lara bought us tickets to watch the DLSU - UE game. Thanks mare, for the tickets, even though it's not vs. ADMU (which I thought was), I still had a great time! And we won! Totally worth it. Congratulations and ANIMO LA SALLE!

After the game, we headed to Belinni's, this Italian resto in order to satisfy this crave that has been haunting me the whole vacation. So there we were, two ladies, fulfilling their menstrual cravings. And what's even more amazing is that Lara and I just discovered that we share the same fascination for eggplant! So now, everytime we eat out, we both agree on ordering the same thing, whether it's eggplant with milky cheese or tortang talong with crabmeat (believe me, we get funny stares on this one, but we don't care!).

Yesterday, I drove to Tutuban (yes, I do go there and believe me, it's easy to drive there) to buy stuff for my sisters. Well, I think I ended up buying more stuff for me and only to find out that the skirt that I bought wouldn't fit me! WAAAAHH!!! This is what I get for concentrating too much on haggling and forgetting to try it on.

After Divi, I met a friend at U.P. to satisfy another craving of mine--ISAW! Another happy day for me!

Then this afternoon I rushed to Greenhills for some pahabol na mga bilin--Pastillas de Leche! Ah! Things you'd do for love.

My Philippine Life So Far

Yes I am unemployed. At first I thought I was gonna be a bum. But then I am living a busy life and at the same time able to go out whenever I want to. I am actually enjoying it, but I prefer to be busy most of the times.

Yesterday morning, I had a brunch with an old friend that I haven't seen since high school. It's good to finally catch up with long lost friends and be surprised with each others' changes each others' accomplishments. It seems only like yesterday when our dilemma would be who to take to the prom and what to take up in college. Five years later, my friend has earned his masteral degree and I have been promoted to be the masters of the maid.

That night, I went to watch my friend in action at her volleyball game at the Addidas complex. Congratulations to Deth and her team, the Green team for winning last night's game. Hooray! As usual, we had the normal coffetalk after dinner.

This day was a very busy day. I was officially the acting mother of my nephews and the head of my brother's house. Aside from my sister in law staying in the States for 3 months, my brother went to Cebu this morning for a business trip and to California on Wednesday for one week.

My first task was to accompany Aling Conching to the palengke. Still easy. Next, I went all by myself to do the grocery shopping. A little tiring and stressful. Then comes the benefits of taking in charge--I took the kids to McDonald's Greenbelt to attend a Disney Princess party. I kept on falling asleep on every stoplight that turns red. This is what I get for going home late last night. After bringing the kids back home, Theo (the oldest of my nephews) and headed to the mall to spend his savings on some Pokemon cards. We ended our trip with ice cream and fresh potato chips. And I also got a thank you hug with matching kisses.

I've never felt so patriotic as much as I did just a few hours ago. I bought OPM CDs. I am so tempted to just download a bootleg copy but then again, I feel guilty as much as I feel sorry for my fellow countrymen. Since I feel that I am responsible for this country, I thought one way of starting to help in my own little way is to circulate the Philippine peso to have a healthier economy. And besides, Hale and M.Y.M.P. are totally worth it artists. I even bought my California brother a copy of Hale and My First Lessons with Jollibee CD for his kid.

PMS mode is over. I guess that's why I am so nice today.

More Thoughts to Live By

"Wherever you go, whatever event you attend, you always show up immaculately turned out in seemingly efortless style."

- Celine Lopez

"There's nothing worse than a missed opportunity."

- Young Lex Luthor in Smallville

"Whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have receieved it and it will be yours."

- Mark 11:24

"The world is not doing you any favors."

- Some TV show

"Everything that happens once will never happen again. But everything that happen twice will happen a third time."

- Paolo Coelho

"It's the possilibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting."

- Paolo Coelho

"A brilliant man would find a way not to find a war."

- Pearl Hrbor

"Hombre apercebido medio combatido. A man prepared has fought half the battle."

- Don Quixote

On Tupperwares, Users and Chocolates

Don't you just hate it when other people say something to you to make you feel good and then find out that he or she is saying another different thing at your back that you actually do not know which one he or she is telling is right? Well, I'm actually pissed right now.
I just couldn't stand plastics--people who kiss up to your ass. And also, people who you think you trust but are like a different episode when it comes to other people? Well, I don't need people telling me stuff just to make me feel good and make them look like the best friends one can have if they don't mean it. I wouldn't look for that in a friend. Instead, I'd hire a secretary or a talking cockatoo or however shit that parrot thing spells.

One more thing, I am so sick of being taken for granted right now. I kinda noticed that some people easily tracks you wherever you are (most especially when you are busy) when they need you. You do everything for them, and not minding th hassle. But then it takes forever to find them, especially when you need them the most. I'm so sick of being nice. And I am so sick of being their friend. And having them as a friend.

And I am hurt.

And I need another Snickers bar.

I am currently PMSing right now. Bear with me.

Manila, Here I Am!

It's good to be finally home again! Nothing really changed so much within those two months that I've been gone except for the road path from Libis to Marcos Highway (due to the bridge under construction) and that Pido FINALLY got his plate (thank you dad, for putting the reg. sticker OUTSIDE!!!).


I now decalre myself to be in "Fat and Ugly Mode."

As soon as my dad pickd me up at the airport, his first words to me were, "Ang taba taba mo na!" It simply inicates how horrible my weight gain has been. And now, every single day from the moment I got back, he would always comment on my body and scold me for being so "pabaya" of myself in the kitchen. Every single day. But it's good though. I am not offended. I actuall like it when people tell something to me straight. Especially about my weight because it motivates (or rather, pressure me) to lose it. I just hate the part when daddy doesn't want to enroll me to the gym (yes, I finally convinced myself to want to go to the gym) and instead, advises me to just go on a diet. Hello?! It's not working.


You're hired! Um, you're fired?

On our way home from the airport, my dad told me that I will be working for him starting this Monday. This guy who's been handling his accounts is resigning, so I'll be in charge first until they find a replacement. I got a little bit excited because I am actually going to earn some money before I really start working. Two days after, my dad told me not to come back again the next day because he has convinced his Accountant to stay. So does that mean I'm not getting any pay? "Oo. Wala."

ALA???


Coffeetalks...I like!

The next day, I called my kumares and picked them up to have an early dinner and some coffee at Eastwood. It feels good to finally meet your friends once again and realize that two months can be a long time and that a lot can happen in between those moments. It's good to hear some progress and that one of them has started "dating" this guy that she likes and seems to like her more. It's also good to hear that one of them is still not on a dating status, which simply means that I am not left out. But what's best is the thought of all of us in an "in a relationship" status all together, all at the same time. But I still don't see that happening in the near future. As of the moment, I am "just looking around" and not wanting things to get "complicated."


I can't believe that it's September already. It was just like yesterday, that I was just counting halfway through the year. My year so far has been full of blessings and life changing 'kodak' moments. Angels come and bitches pass by to say "hello" to my oh-so-lovable-life. People have come to help me through it and some have gone and is now added as part of my memories. Everything has been this whole learning experience. And I've learned a lot.

Manila, Here I Come!

In a few hours, I'll be back in Manila's arms once again. Right now, I'm feeling the same thing I've felt when I was about to leave Manila--49 percent wants to stay and 50 percent wants to leave and 1 percent of it wants to tell me to just stop thinking about leaving and go to sleep.

This morning my Kuya Big and his family flew back to California. They arrived here in Connecticut last week so that 80 percent of my family would just visit all at once (why the hell am I talking percentages?). Anyways, we had a really really really great time. My Connecticut brother and California brother haven't seen each other for like five years. Manila brother, Mommy and I would see each of them more often when we visit the US than they would see each other because they live at the opposite sides of the country. So the last few days were like a semi-grand reunion of our family.

Days ago, all of sisters-in-law have finally convinced me to dye my hair. They said that my hair was so black and thick that it just poofs right out of my face. To add to that, my brother told me that dark long hair doesn't fit me because I look like a "katulong". Pahabain ko na lang daw hanggang bewang at maghanap daw akong boyfriend na Kano. So the night before California brother left, we passed by Walgreens and bought a hair dye kit. Since I've got "virgin hair", my sister got me an ultra lightening one with this brunette on the box cover. California sister-in-law (a.k.a. "Blondie" and has been dying her hair for ages), volunteered to divirginize my thick black hair. Since my hair was so dark, the color didn't turn out the way it was supposed to look like as it was shown in the box, but nevertheless, I love my new hair color!

It's Mommy's birthday today, and since all of us couldn't be here, we decided to surprise her with an ice cream cake and pansit in advance. And like what she always does every birthdays and opening prayers, she cried.

Almost complete. It was still a happy birthday though!

Another funny thing is, my Tita Fe had a high blood pressure and didn't know about it until my sister checked and told her. I just find it funny because back in the Philippines, every time she gets these kinds of 'episodes', she would ask to be taken to the emergency room of San Juan de Dios hospital. Doctors, who've gotten used to her, would just let her lie in bed, take one valium and then go back home after a few minutes. Believe me, I've lived with her for more than five years and this has become a routine already and hospital beds have become her tranquilizer. So before she left the Philippines, she brought her supply of valiums. But before she came here to Connecticut, she gave them to my lola in Frisco and only left one for her own consumption, which she has already consumed. Good thing my sisters are nurses, so she got a home service hospital treatment and was well taken care of. And a delivery of two valium tablets the next day, which she will gladly share with me during our plane trip. Hehehehehe...

Well I guess my two months of 'sitting pretty' here has now come to an end. I would have to get myself a job and start with a career. When we ate at this Chinese restaurant at Canal Street, I ate a fortune cookie and my fortune told me that I'll be promoted at a firm. This is actually true because when I get back, I'll be promoted from yaya to mayordoma/driver because I'll be staying at my Manila brother's house because Manila sister-in-law is in New York right now to work for three months. I'm gonna be watching over the house and the kids, take them to school and help them with their homework while she's out of the country.

I had a wonderful time spending them with my nephews and niece, sight seeing, picture taking, shopping, blogging, and eating. Now I don't know if I'll be able to blog as often as I do here when I get back. I also realized that being a housewife is one of the toughest jobs ever. It really stresses me out just thinking of what to cook for lunch and think of what to cook for dinner just right after washing the dishes. I also enjoyed struggling with frozen chickens and dealing witht the Dirt Devil. Oh, and in addition to my agenda, I would also like to lose some pounds when I get back. When I left Manila, I weighed 115 pounds and I found myself fat. Now I weigh 132 pounds and everybody here in the house finds me fat, and someone who has a "nagmumurang tiyan". No exaggerations here, I just want to go back home.

By the way, I also painted my brother's renovated bathroom.

Five Miles to Heaven

What's the difference between Marlboro cigarettes in the States and in the Philippines?

Look at the side of the fliptop box.

• Pinoy: GOVERNMENT WARNING: SMOKING KILLS (they replaced the old warning "Cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health" because they probably thought it was pathetic or rather, ineffective.)
• Kano: FIVE MILES

I got curious about the FIVE MILES thing and even more when I saw that brother has a shoe box filled with cut out FIVE MILES proofs of purchase. It turns out that Marlboro has an ongoing promo where Marlboro consumers can get collectible Marlboro stuff in exchange for these miles. These items seem to be exclusive because first, you have to sign up at smokersignup.com, then you have to trade in some of your 'mileages' in order to get a catalog. Nice. So here I am, cutting every single proof of purchase from the piled up fliptop boxes that my brother has left on his cabinet. He wanted to dispose of the fliptops by tonight because my mother will be visiting tomorrow and he wouldn't want her to see his Red Marlboro tower.

So I tried surfing on the internet to check whether there is an online catalog that I could browse without spending a mile. It turns out that there's none and people even sell the catalog on eBay. To add to that, people sell their five miles too! Current bid on 40,000 miles: $100.00... and still on-going.

Now, I am really really curious on what is inside that catalog. Could it be a free check-up in exchange for 50,000 miles? Or a free health plan in exchange for a hundred thousand? Free chemotherapy at any hospital of your choice for 500,000?

Or maybe... a complete funeral package that includes a custom-designed casket with Marlboro flavor design or logo of your choice, free cigarettes to stressed mourners with a smoking area, a van to bring the deceased's family to the cemetery if you choose to be buried or Marlboro theme as background music if you choose to be cremated (comes with free urn), and ash tray souvenirs with your photo in it in exchange for 1,000,000 miles.

Sayang ang miles!!!

Can I Hug You as a Friend?

I've heard that our Accounting professor from DLSU, Enrico Baluyut was filed with sexual harassment by an unthinkable number of ten students. I thought it was all rumor, but I just got the evidence to prove it!

The famous line "Can I hug you as a friend?" is not another DLSU urban legend, but is indeed the exact pick-up line used, that came from Mr. Baluyut's mouth! Imagine, nine out of ten students who complained came from the College of Engineering. Come to think of it, this guy has good taste. Marami kasing gwaping sa Eng department! Hehehehehe!

These 'exploits' claimed that they were either befriend[ed], asked to be toured around campus, followed, or even tried to get inside the cubicle inside the men's restroom and were asked if they can be hugged as a friend. Thanks to the newly installed Closed Circuit Television all over campus (clearly enough that our tuition fees are worth the pay), these students were able to confirm prove that the professor was exactly in the areas they claimed he was at the harassment incidents.

I don't wanna go through the whole story of the LaSallian much further, because I might just exaggerate on this and just make this hugging issue worse, so I posted a copy of the article taken from The LaSallian, August 4, 2005 issue. Go ahead, and get it straight from them:

Recent Update: A source from the Accountancy department said that Prof Eric is now out of DLSU.

Enrico Baluyut is the first professor I met in DLSU. He handled my block in Orient1 and Orient2. Rumors saying that he's a homosexual is not new to the Accounting students. He didn't actually become my professor, but I've heard that he's a lot nicer to male students (my guy friend can attest to this, but don't worry, he wasn't hugged! ;p). He's actually this nice, approachable person and I was really surprised that ten students were complaining of harassment. I just didn't expect that he would go as far as the cubicle doors!

Oh well! I guess some people have so much love to give that they just have to give it all away--like through hugging. Maybe just do it the old fashion way-- it would be much better to make friends first before you start hugging them. Or maybe, DLSU should declare this term as "HUG A FRIEND (or at least hug them as a friend) TERM" to prevent other incidents and cases like this piling up at the Dean's Office. And in an appropriate place of course, like the Yuchengco lobby or the Marian Quadrangle (places where there are no toilet bowls). So start sending out those huggies! Hahahahahaha!

So, can I hug you as a friend? Hug you!!!

*hugs to everyone!!!*

Life's Little Checklist

HIGHLIGHT WHAT APPLIES TO YOU
got this from Lori
(unfortunately, blogger doesn't have a higlighter feature)


smoked a cigar
madeout with a member of the same sex
crashed a friend's car
stolen a car
been in love
been dumped
shoplifted
been fired
been in a fist fight
snuck out of my parent's house
had feelings for someone who didnt have them back
been arrested
made out with a stranger
gone on a blind date
lied to a friend
had a crush on a teacher
been to Europe
skipped school
slept with a co-worker
seen someone die
had a crush on one of your LJ friends
been to Canada
been to Mexico
been on a plane
thrown up in a bar
purposely set a part of myself on fire
eaten Sushi
been snowboarding
met someone in person from LJ
been moshing at a concert
been in an abusive relationship (abusado mga tao eh!)
taken painkillers
love someone or miss someone right now
laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by
made a snow angel
had a tea party
flown a kite
built a sand castle
gone puddle jumping
played dress up
jumped into a pile of leaves
gone sledding
cheated while playing a game
been lonely
fallen asleep at work/school
used a fake id
watched the sunset
felt an earthquake
touched a snake
slept beneath the stars
been tickled
been robbed
been misunderstood
petted a reindeer/goat
won a contest
run a red light
been suspended from school
been in a car accident
had braces
felt like an outcast
eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night
had deja vu
danced in the moonlight
hated the way you look
witnessed a crime
pole danced
questioned your heart
been obsessed with post-it notes
squished barefoot through the mud
been lost
been to the opposite side of the country
swam in the ocean
felt like dying
cried yourself to sleep
played cops and robbers
recently colored with crayons/colored pencils/markers
sung karaoke
paid for a meal with only coins
done something you told yourself you wouldn't
made prank phone calls
laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
caught a snowflake on your tongue
danced in the rain
written a letter to Santa Claus
been kissed under a mistletoe
watched the sun rise with someone you care about
blown bubbles
made a bonfire on the beach
crashed a party
gone rollerskating
had a wish come true
humped a monkey .... like!?! who hasnt???
jumped off a bridge (but only with climbing gear)
screamed penis in class
ate dog/cat food
told a complete stranger you loved them
kissed a mirror
sang in the shower
have a little black dress
had a dream that you married someone
glued your hand to something
got your tongue stuck to a flag pole
kissed a fish
worn the opposite sexes clothes
been a cheerleader
sat on a roof top
screamed at the top of your lungs
done a one-handed cartwheel
talked on the phone for more than 6 hours
stayed up all night
didn’t take a shower for a week
pick and ate an apple right off the tree (do any other fruits count?)
climbed a tree
had a tree house
are scared to watch scary movies
believe in ghosts
have more then 30 pairs of shoes
worn a really ugly outfit to school just to see what others say
gone streaking
played ding-dong-ditch
played chicken
been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on
been told you're hot by a complete stranger
broken a bone
been easily amused
caught a fish then ate it
made porn
caught a butterfly
laughed so hard you cried
cried so hard you laughed
mooned/flashed someone
had someone moon/flash you
cheated on a test
have a Britney Spears CD
forgotten someone’s name
slept naked
French braided someone’s hair
gone skinny dippin in a pool
been threatened to be kicked out of your house
been kicked out your house