buhay ni loumeng

BAKASYON I

2011-04-11T03:20:00.000-07:00

I remember during this time of the year, when I was still in elementary, I would be so eager to get into a bus and have most of my travel time peeking out the window and see if I already arrived in my grandparent’s hometown.

Summer was one of the best times of the year, for me at least, while I was a student. I had nothing to worry about. I enjoyed every minute of it - going to the city via a tricycle with my sister Lara and other friends. We would squeeze ourselves in and make sure we enjoyed the ride. We would explore together the city that was vastly growing. We would eat at a fast food chain and do a little shopping here and there. Well, stuff was not that expensive back then. So, buying cool PUCCA shirts was really memorable. Honestly, if they could still fit me right now, at my age?, I would still wear them.

Next in line was eating halo-halo. Well, through the years, the prices went up but the taste of it never changed. In a hot summer, a halo-halo would make everything cooler. We used to buy them from our neighbor. The would mix sweets such as cooked sweet potato, sweetened banana, kaong, some rice pops and put crushed ice over it. To top it up, condensed milk would be poured over then a slice of ube jam would finish it. I used to run to my Inang to ask for money just to have one for the day.

Farming. Well, I dreaded the heat during the summer, and the worse was that I and Lara could not get away from doing FARM WORK… talk about that - girls living in a city would do farm work during summer. It was cool though, I have to admit. Well, I experienced harvesting onions, even carrying rice straws, harvesting corn, carrying cauliflower… oh! Those were really the days. If no farm work was done though, we had to bring food to those who were helping out - they would have individually packed biscuits like Skyflakes or Hanshel (I don’t know if they are still in the market) and some softdrinks such as coke, sprite or royal.

TO BE CONTINUED...

YOU CAN'T HANDLE ME

2011-02-16T01:10:00.000-08:00

Dear student,

Before you burst out in flame, make sure you can handle me.

Don't come to class geared up with your pride and aura of power as if you'd be able to use it to anyone, especially to me. I tell you, the moment you even open your mouth with nonsense, I'd slash it with mine. I know you need more than words. What you are doing in my class is no excuse.

Never come to my class lazy, unprepared, confused, and more so, arrogant.

Don't come as if you would anything you would please. I empathize with your parents. I won't just let you waste their money by just looking at you slumping on your chair and pretending to do something, when in fact all you are doing is NOTHING.

Don't pretend that I didn't hear you curse me in front your classmates. It is really odd to see a mature person like you, graduating for that matter, to utter unmanly words to a teacher.

When you are a man, act like one. Don't defend yourself when you know you are at fault. I have forgiven you many times. But I promise you, the next time you cross the line. I will see to it that you get burned.

bEfOrE I gO tO cLaSs

2011-02-16T01:05:00.000-08:00

Writing makes me sane. Aside from the fact that I need air to breathe or talking to make my day. My first entry in this year was lame. I know… Well, I can’t help the ranting. It’s just like I might constipate if I don’t yell it out loud… hehehe…

Anyway, today, it’s 9:22 am and in a moment, I will be teaching (again)… Now I know how my teachers felt way back in high school. Entering a room filled with students who don’t care if you had this intimidating existence. Kids will be kids, but at the age of 18? I think they need a slap on the face.

I remember when I was 18 years old, I had to really work my butt out. School-house was the only routine I had. Once I got home, I rested for a while then had my pen and notebooks working again. I would wake up in the middle of the night and early morning just to review my notes whenever “hell week” was coming. I was even bagged “the loner” since I loved being alone. I mean I loved my solitary life when I was in college. Well, honestly, I was one who most of my classmates manage to leave out. I think it was because I was a city girl or what… anyway, I’m over and done with that. Thanks for maturity knocking down on my earth.

Ten minutes more and I will be seeing faces of students painted with “I-have-no-idea-what-you-are-talking-about”. Sometimes, frustration just gets ahead of you that all you want to do is just shove it off somewhere and say to yourself “just get over with it” then the next thing you know, the bell rings… Ah… the sound of the bell – music to my ears… ;)

KADIRI

2011-01-03T01:20:00.000-08:00

Seriously. Even people who look credible and whose self-confidence is all over the place, one wrong move can drag them down to a place called “ignorance”.

It’s not that I own this place or something. I mean, it’s a place where teachers, who I think should carry themselves professionally and ethically, be at least... uhm... have self-control. But it seems that this place is treated like a... hmmm... how should I call it? Ah! His living room extension!

How on earth, could you possibly cut your toenails in the room while talking with a co-teacher about your research proposal or the intent of studying your doctoral degree in Australia?

Could anyone please give light on this?

BITTERSWEET

2009-12-18T01:17:00.001-08:00

Bittersweet. That's how my year went.

I've survived another year knowing that life goes around. I never analyzed the nitty-gritty details of how life puts you in the right perspective until the inevitable happens, until you realize that our life is indeed numbered.

I lost my friend, my roommate, my sister. She was eaten up alive by the mountains when Pepeng hit Benguet last October. No words could describe how my world turned upside down. I've never seen her for two years. We talked, we cried, and we laughed together despite the distance. We both planned to meet this Christmas. But looks like this Christmas will be different.

I found my partner. This year, I fell in love with the same man thrice. The first time is when he dropped me off to the airport. I loved the way he just stared at me on my way up to boarding area. The second time was when I knew he wanted to pick me up from the airport even when Ondoy was strongly hitting the ground. The third was when he knew I wasn't feeling well and he came barging in the house; first smiling at my friends then second wearing that worried face when it was just me who was in front of him.

Kids. I held a baby last night. He was still amidst the noise of people who were busy partying. He was just there sucking his thumb and laying his right cheek on my right shoulder. If a photo was taken, it would seem like the perfect family. S, me and the baby. I realized then that I would love to have my little lou someday.... soon...

I've finished my MS degree. A degree I worked painstakingly for the last two years, with hurts and pains on the side. It was one thing I was proud. But a friend reminded me that my degree shouldn't confine me on sitting a chair and signing and writing stuff. Being a sister, a friend, a mother is career in itself.

I could write lots of things, but one thing is for sure.... LIFE REALLY DOESN'T TURN OUT THE WAY WE PLAN...

LETTING GO...

2009-08-18T01:07:00.000-07:00

I sit here staring at clouds… any moment; I know that it will rain. Just like the weather, my life is just so unpredictable. I get swept of my feet, the next thing I know, am scared as hell!

I have been expecting things for almost my entire life. Things that would bring justice to where I am or simple things that would sweep me from the sanity of which I am boxed in…

There were choices I had to make; some didn’t turn out so well. But that doesn’t mean I regret doing them. I believe that without those who have been part of my choices, I won’t be who I am today…

Right now, I am going to make a big one.. a major choice.. One that says “do or die…” (something to that effect, forgive the exaggeration). People might say that it won’t be for me or am far better of without it or they can’t just picture me being there or something… But what they don’t see is the simplicity of it all.

They see complications. I see simplicity.
They see fear. I see chances to overcome them.
They differences. I see similarities.
They see dominance. I see fair share.
They see things from different perspectives. I see only one thing.

I get that they are scared. I get that maybe this isn’t the time yet. Well, good news, there’s no better time than now, I believe that it’s time to let go…

STRESS

2009-07-14T02:18:00.000-07:00

Okey... Ni hindi ko alam kung saan ako magsisimula.

I was about to rant on my zits and how I got frustrated on having an underarm wax tapos makakabasa ako ng comment dito sa blog ko. Ako naman, eh di mega patol at nakinig sa kantang Wedding Dress (which, by the way is a good song)... Pero naman, ang message naman... pwede? nakakapressure. Nakakadagdag sa pimpols sa mukha ko... I've had a lot of stress lately tapos madadagdagan pa ng salitang "wedding"???????!!!!!!!!! Hindi lang iyon ha, pati ung dalawang kanta... malaman... sa totoo lang... isa lang ang taong naiisip ko sa ngayon... at hindi ko alam paano magreact... pero anyway, past is past...

So moving on, my ZITS... grabe, in my 26 years of existence.. N.A.K.A.K.A.L.O.K.A!!!!!!!! hindi lang nakakadagdag sa stress na dala ng aking data gathering kundi pati na rin ang sakit na dulot sa mukha ko... feeling ko gumagapang lang ang bacteria sa ilalim na aking kutis...

Underarm wax... sa tagal ko ng nagpapawax eh aba! ngayon lang talaga ako nasaktan ng bonggang-bongga.. hindi na talaga ako ulit pupunta doon!!!!! promise!!!! ever... battered ang aking kili-kili ngayon at ako'y awang-awa... hay...

THE INVITATION SAYS IT ALL...

2009-07-06T18:43:00.001-07:00

RANDOM STUFF...

2009-06-29T18:38:00.000-07:00

So, it's been weeks since I last had a post here. Anyway, for starters...

1. Pabalik ako sa Manila galing Nueva Ecija noong Biyernes. As usual, inabot kami ng dinner sa NLEX. So Chowking ang pinili ko... So mega pila ganyan. Ung mga sumunod sa akin, noong una, akala ko mga Koreano kasi nga iba ung lengwahe. So deadma. Habang nasa pila, aba, umubo, eh feel na feel pa ng hair particles ko sa batok ang kanyang ubo... (anak ng tinola naman... eh praning pa man din ako ngayon dahil sa A H1N1 virus na yan)... kairita di ba? So deadma. Tapos na akong magbigay ng order ko... so sila naman...

"Uhm, isang order ng lauriat tsaka, BURGER..."

With all my glamour and poise, hahahah! gusto kong lingunin at sabihing "heller? mukha bang jollibee or mcdo ito?" LOL...

So, swabe akong lumingon (kunwari hindi sila ang tinitignan ko)! Ayun, mga pinay pala at iba ang ayos... so may hinala na ako kung ano sila... nang matapos akong kumain, paglabas ko... ayun nga.. tama hinala ko... may mga kaupo silang apat na hapon... =p

2. TRANSFORMERS 2! Alam niyo namang hayok ako sa sine di ba? So kasama ko si L and A na nanood (actually, take two na nila... kung hindi ba naman sila adik... )... So silence.. ganyan, simula na ang sine...

Katabi ko si A at ang katabi ni A ay mag-ina.. kakasimula pa lang ng sine eh humirit na ang nanay: "Si Optimus Prime yan oh"... sa isip-isip ko "nyah! eh hindi siya yan ah!"... eh etong si A, nairita,,, katabi lang niya eh... so sabi niya "Could you lower your voice a little bit...".. So tumahimik...

Pero wait, there's more... nagsalita ulit ung nanay, palingon pa lang si A ng remasbak ang nanay kay A... "Do you mind? I'm talking to my daughter here. Malakas ang sounds eh kaya hindi niya ako marinig..." hindi ko alam kung ilang decibels un pero
rinig iyon, five seats away... hahahaha... ako naman (sa isip-isip ko) "heller? nasa sinehan ka, what do you expect? talagang malakas ang soundz noh!". Mano lang bang mag-whisper with wings siya, di ba?

So, dahil mabait si A, lumipat na lang siya... ako din, lumipat kasi hindi ko matake na ung left ear ko eh naiistorbo... at ung right ear ko.. hindi.. lol!

3. MJ... a lot of posers got out from their shell the moment they knew that the king of pop died... Nasa odyssey kami ni A at L... namimili ng dvds nang makita nila na may isang namimili na panay MJ albums ang hawak... i mean, heller? parang nagpapanic buying ata ang mga tao ngayon...

anyway, moving on... so sabi ni L "hay naku, mga poser talaga oo..." kako, "oh, bakit naman?"... "Ate, kung fan ka na ni MJ noon pa, aba dapat may collection ka na ng album niya noh... hindi ung alam mong namatay eh ayan at nagbibibili ka..."... may point nga... =p

ANG UMAGAW SA AKING UPUAN...

2009-06-18T05:19:00.000-07:00

So kaninang umaga, maaga akong naihatid ni manong driver. 1015 am ang aking flight pero 630 am ay nakacheck in na ako. Siyempre, gusto ko as usual, window seat... yan ang benepisyong nakukuha ng mga early birds... pero not until today...

So boarding ganyan, pasok. As usual, excited ako (kahit ubod ang reklamo ko na mahirap ang magbyahe ng magisa). Aba! At nang makita ko ang aking upuan. MAY NAKAUPO NA... So sabi ko "that's my seat, my seat number is 35 K", sumagot ang lalaki "ah, yes, see it's K..." sabay turo sa letrang nakatapat sa kanyang ulo... aba... alam ko .. un nga di ba? K? in short, UPUAN KO YAN... so, dahil mabait ako at ayaw ko ng gulo (dahil nakakasira ng ganda), hinayaan ko siya... so goodbye window seat...

Pero, wait, there's more. I just don't get this "stealing" but also free "annoyance"... Aba, eh di may arm rest ganyan... so dahil ako'y nagbabasa, gusto kong balanse ang aking libro sa kamay, aba! ang lolo mo ay nilagay din ang kamay sa gitnang arm rest! (sa susunod dapat hiwalay talaga ang mga upuan!)... eh di siyempre, nagkiss ang aming mga siko (like, ewwww....).... so dahil irita na nga ako, eh talaga namang sinasagad ang pasyensya ko... so inalis ko ang kamay ko, aba, inalis rin niya! ABA .... mukhang away ata gusto nito... so hinayaan ko.. then maya-maya, nagsalita siya ng mag-isa.. (hindi ko sure kung kausap niya ung tao sa harap)... so ayan... nasagot ang mga katanungan ko...

Pero wag ka, eto pa... eh di siyempre, 5 oras lang tulog ko... kapag ganun, eh ehem.. lubayan si loumeng... so gusto kong matulog ganyan, as in nakukuha ko na tulog ko, aba! close-open ung window... !!!! kaloka talaga... ever!

Wish ko lang... sana hindi ganito pagbalik ko sa Luzon... sana, gwapo na mabait na friendly ang makakatabi ko...

TRAVEL

2009-06-16T22:55:00.000-07:00

Photo credit: http://www.campusliving.com.au

Masaya ang maglakbay. Ang sumakay sa eroplano. Un nga lang kasi, minsan, ngaragan din, kailangang gumising ng maaga pero ang pinakamasaklap ay ang bumiyahe nang magisa... Wala kang makausap. Pinapatay mo ang oras na nakatunganga ka... Ang mahirap rin kasi minsan kapag nakatanga ka, naprapraning ka rin kasi kung anu-ano ang pwedeng pumasok sa isip mo...

Eh sa may ipod or mp3 naman kaso... mabibingi ka or masisira naman ang tainga mo kung lumagpas ka ng isang oras kakarinig ng kanta.

Eh sa may cellphone, maglaro ka or di kaya magtext? Okey sana kung unli eh kung sa kuripot ako sa load?

Eh sa may libro... eh di magbasa... pwede... un nga lang kasi minsan, ang mga librong gusto kong basahin eh mas malaki pa kaysa sa wallet ko...

Eh kung ung maliit? ah eh.. pwede rin... pero anong libro?

Ganyan ang mga kapraningan ko kung nagbibiyahe ng magisa... Minsan naman gusto kong maging friendly sa seatmate ko... kaso sabi ng tita ko "Don't talk to strangers"... hahahaha... Ah, basta, bahala na nga lang si batman...

2-6

2009-06-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

Photo credit: flickr.com

As I look at the clock right now, it's barely 35 minutes before it strikes 12... and yep, JUNE 4 sets in...

Unlike my past birthdays, I have something planned for THE BEST DAY EVER IN MY LIFE... but right now... I have no idea... lol! I mean, when I say plan, plan for myself at least.. it's the only day in the year when I just like to be thinking about myself... hehehe.. anyway, so, first, I'll go get myself enrolled for first semester, submit my grades... then... I really don't know.. well, dinner's planned. That's it... ah! maybe find a SIMS installer somewhere...

Turning 26 is quite freaky... I mean 4-5 years before I get erased from the calendar... Now I know what "mid-life crisis means"...

Anyway, there are lots of things I am thankful for...

1. Grace and Mercy.
2. 26 years of breathing.
3. Family.
4. True Friends.
5. Traveling.
6. Shared laughters. Shared tears.
7. New loves...
8. Broken strings... (love the song!)
9. Sanity.
10. Tough stomach.

To complete everything, things that I hope for:
11. Grace and Mercy.
12. Health.
13. Protection.
14. A Canon DigiSLR camera
15. A pair of havaianas (slim, size 5.5)
16. umbrella... (hehehe...)
17. balloons!
18. pizza! (stuff crust)
19. more travel! (hehehe... parang hindi takot sa H1N1 eh)...
20. my own house.
21. my own car.
22. save enough to buy myself a husband... (hahaha, takot maiwan eh.. hahahaha)...
23. enough sleep... (back to my eight hours...)
24. have my own business... (charut.. libre mangarap! walang kokontra!).
25. bonggang birthday bash! (pang-kids ba?)
26. SIMS installer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

there you have it... things to thank and hope for...

x-o-x-o!

WAITING REALLY KILLS...

2009-05-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

Photo credits: http://www.scottburns.co.uk/images/blog/stressed1.jpg

Indeed. Waiting kills. I have barely two days left before I get into a room with my advisory committee... it's going to be judgment day...

Actually, I don't know how to feel right now... it's like everything's mixed up. I want to bake a cake, I know how to do it, it's just that I don't know if the finished product will be a cake. Well, I know the ingredients right? I mean, one click on the web and I know what to buy... I know what to do... but am not sure if the cake will turn out the way I want it to be...

I have been reading since early May, you know, just trying to recall things that I've learned during the past one year and a half... trying to recall words that have lots of meaning to me and trying to reconcile myself with just sticking to one definition. I've written concepts on manila papers and hung them on my wall. I've been reading articles just to make sure I don't forget the pratical side of what I am suppose to master... I've like exhausted every possible means of making sure I can recall whatever I have learned... and yet.. here comes the time when I go "Am I even reviewing the right thing?".

This thing makes you go nuts literally... We'll at least most, if not all, of my friends attested to this feeling. They keep saying "don't worry, you can make it... no need to review Lou, you'll just get frustrated... " If it were just easy to do this... (*sighs*)...

As I really wait for the day, the more I get anxious... well, I really don't want to get ahead of myself... I received a text message from my adviser right now telling me to review well and I replied to her that am actually going nuts... like my heartbeat is that of someone who jogged 10 laps... then, she just replies.. BE STILL AND KNOW THAT THERE IS GOD... WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER...

It's really comforting to know that even when waiting kills, someone is willing to wait with you...

AS IF IT WAS JUST YESTERDAY...

2009-05-12T21:14:00.000-07:00

Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/66033052@N00/1566607863

Today, the sun is shining at its peak. It’s the best time to be merry (not after a week of rain and gloom)... but right now, I feel at my lowest. I want to cry. Again. In silence. It’s one of the days when I get to see myself in the midst of my decisions and the midst of the choices I’ve made.

As if it was just yesterday when I met you, as if it was just yesterday that you sat beside me and asked me this word you barely understood, as if it was yesterday that you kept bugging me to join you for dinner, to go watch a movie, or to do something extraordinary, as if it was yesterday that you held my hand for the first time after so many months of being together, as if it was just yesterday that you stood in my defense over something... as if it was just yesterday that I got to know you inside out. AS IF IT WAS JUST YESTERDAY...

It’s just barely two weeks since you’ve been back, and you say you’re leaving again... and this time, you’ll leave me hanging, not knowing when you will be back. I knew this was coming. That was part of the deal. I had my mind ready for this... I know I will get over it... but guess what, it’s slowly sinking in... that maybe, I CAN’T... you have shown me how life is... how it should be... you taught me how life could surprise me and that all I need is to hang on... you taught me a lot of things... and that I am so grateful.

You were one of the people who have painted my life with colors unknown to men. And I don’t know if in the midst of this painting, I’ll start learning to let go even if it is yet unfinished...

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY...

2009-04-29T18:34:00.000-07:00

Photo credit: http://www.chromasia.com/images/and_the_rain_came_down_x_b.jpg

It's summer and most, if not everyone, dread the heat. Everyone complains (even me) about how the heat just destroy's the momentum of having a "great summer". Then the heavens hear this lamenting and He gives you a dose of rain. Yep, when I say a dose, like it's a dose - non stop rain in short. Then, the vicious cycle of complaining runs its course again... It's too ironic that when something comes, we complain, and when we get the opposite, we still complain. No wonder somtimes, we're just stuck to where we are....

Anyway, so this nostalgic feeling this weather gives me today is just so unbearable.

Why?

1. I feel homesick

2.I just want to be under the sheets (I could enjoy the bedsore this time...)

3. I don't want to go out

4. I could live with eating soup (like forever?)

Too much for being a weather-lover eh?

THE FLIGHT BACK HOME

2009-04-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

The moment I set foot in Cambodia, I said to myself "I could get use to this..." though, I had to take note that a lot of major adjustments would come from my part. The usual scenery of the city didn't take me by surprise. The usual - traffic jams, heat, narrow roads, beating the green light, chinese food, etc.

I really had a laid-back vacation. I have to admit though that 25% of my brain kept bugging me about "your outline, your grades"... Well, it's good I had someone to snap me out of it.

The trip was worthwhile. Like any other vacation I've had, time just flies so fast. The first thing you know, I'm putting my sneakers on, then the next, am hitting the blankets.

The best part of traveling is that you get excited when the plane takes off; even an embrace from someone can't calm your anticipation. That's how it usually goes, your plans have been laid out, you have a list of things to buy, things to do, food to eat, places to visit, etc. However, sometimes, the straight road suddenly gets to a curb. Well the adage "Life never works out the way you plan" really worked for me - well, blame some minor "technical" problems.

Going home should've been the easiest for me 'coz it's still different when you speak the same language, you eat the food you've been familiar with for the last 25 years or so, not be mindful of what or how to speak, etc. But honestly, it was one of the hardest. Well, I won't go cheesy over here telling how it's going to be difficult for me not having him around.

The moment he sent me off to the airport, I was emotional of course, it would be two months or so before we get to see each other again. I wanted a hug, he knows that, but a hug is a no-no, not in their culture. After checking-in and walking towards the immigration section, I could still see his eyes stuck to me, and seeing him walk away just made my tear ducts work.

Sitting on the boarding area for more or less one hour prolonged the agony, I continued reading my book, but after five pages or so, I had to close it - this thing is just isn't working! I didn't care if people looked at me and wonder why the heck am I wearing my sunglasses at seven in the evening.

I had to compose myself at one point before I boarded the plane and thanks so much to "it's all in the head" thing, I was able to collect my wits back and put it in the right place.

So there you go, the ever wacky girl that I am.

TO CAMBODIA AND BACK

2009-04-14T21:24:00.000-07:00

March 28-April 9, 2009.

I went to Cambodia to have an early vacation before summer sets in. Did heaps of shopping... yeah, clothes there are pretty cheap, you can buy a quality shirt for $2.5 only... The food was superb, I actually filled myself with sea foods and fruits. I just so love this grilling restaurant somewhere, I told Sothea I could live there forever... hahaha.. Oh, and there's this super uber good juice drink made from winter melon, I could actually drink six cans if permitted but I value my liver so much that water was still my number one drink.

Toured the country actually. Went to the beach and visited Angko Wat (again)... Got to see the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake too.

Well, had a blast. The trip was worth it even if there were minor 'technical' problems...

Royal Palace, Phnom Penh

with Apsara, the celestial dancer... dapat magone-on-one kami sa ballroom, tignan ko lang kung sino manalo, basta hindi ganyan ung costume (walang pantaas) hehehe..

Royal Palace, Phnom Penh

Yes peepz, I got to ride on one... $20 for nine minutes.. oh di ba? bongga ang presyo... pero okey na rin iyon, kasi bundok naman nilakbay ni pareng Dumbo...

Aketch...

Me and si sweet corn.. charut!

With Sothea, Dr. Dizon and Daream... Love the tree...

Somewhere near Angkor Wat... (tsuri forgot the name of the temple).

The mass graves where 20,000 people were massacred and buried during Pol-pot's Regime.

This is where my heart went out: knowing that children where smashed on this tree. Actually, some pits were categorized: those that were beheaded, mothers and children together, etc.

The monument is where the excavated skulls and bones are kept. It was an eerie and creepy place for me. I was shivering the whole time. It's not a sight to behold, not when you see pits where some 20,000 people were massacred and buried.

At the genocidal center (tanghaling tapat yan mga friends... )

Still at Kamphong Som province. At a hotel somewhere...

At the border (Vietnam and Cambodia)

At the beach. Yep, had the leisure to even visit the beach at Kamphong Som. It was a five-hour drive from Phnom Penh but the travel was worth it. Loved the food, the scenery, and of course, the company (ehem!)...ü

At Phnom Wat. Good that the huge clock works hehe.

CHAOS

2009-03-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

Finals, transfer, trip, packing, bills....

My life right now is like CHAOTICALLY ORGANIZED... I know what to do, it's like it's written and yet, just the act of seeing the list to do makes me go literally insane... I've been here before, and it's like, I hate being here... urgh...

For starters, it's hell week. Yep, finals. Compared to undergrads, mine's a bit tougher - read, read, read, write, write, rewrite, edit, rewrite... a never ending process.

Transfer. Yep, am moving out. It's a long story. Anyway, I found a good place near Sakay so it won't be a hassle going to class... I just have to take a jeepney though... But if my fats start to complain, a walk will also be easy...

Trip. You know how much I love to travel so am packing my bags again and am heading to Saigon then Cambodia... No need for further details... hehehe...

Bills. No need to elaborate... hehehe...

So there you have it, my life in a week...

HE JUST KNOCKS ME OFF MY FEET...

2009-03-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

It's funny how he takes me by surprise. I wasn't expecting this one actually. Not from someone who barely praises anyone...

Anyway, I just want to share simple things that made me really feel like a princess even for a split of second...

1. He was waiting at the gate this morning, and when I came out, he was smiling. While walking towards him, I heard him say "I like the way you look today..." I was quite astonished 'coz he barely praises me... I mean, I was just wearing an old brown shirt and jeans....

2. He calls me PIG. Yeah, I know... Who wouldn't call me if they knew that after I eat, I snooze... LOL... It's just so weird that I find it flattering... Hahaha....

3. Most of the time, he calls me to cook dinner, of course, he's the head chef and I'm the assistant. But I found it weird today that he didn't call me.... hmmmm....

4. I thought I heard him yawn so I asked if he was sleepy, and he said "Are you?", I nod and he just lightly pinches my nose... (drooling...)

5. He always asks me what I want to eat for dinner... If I could just say... YOU.. har3 (naughty gurl...)...

Yeah, I know the mushiness is just like so ewwwwwww... but the heck, he just knocks me off my feet...

V-DAY AT FEB FAIR '09

2009-02-19T23:47:00.000-08:00

So, musta naman raw ang V-day ko... M.A.S.A.Y.A... K.I.N.I.L.I.G.

Anyway, before we proceed with all the mushiness, let's talk first about Feb Fair... the activities last year were far better than this year... there were more activities that would really make your butt enjoy kissing the grass on the field. I don't know, maybe because I went to the park early, around 7 pm... (oo nga naman, anong makikita mo dun sa ganoong oras...)... maybe that's why I didn't enjoy much.

So what new thing did I do this Feb Fair? uhm... Slide for Life... (harness thing kung saan isasabit ka sa isang tali at un, you cross the pool sa may Baker Hall...) and how did I end up doing that? Sothea and Daream enlisted me without my consent!!!!! (nagbayad ng 20 pesos!!!!)... anyway, it was fun... I had my eyes closed half of the time I was sliding to the end of the pool... I get to eat Cambodian (uyyy... bias....) and Indonesian food... I love the mungbean juice by the way...

I met with the original gang from last year (ate Glen and kuya Jaime)... it was fun bonding with them again... same spot. same event... so, moving on... I got roses for V-day... well, honestly, I wasn't expecting to get a bunch. I am aware that it isn't his culture to give flowers so I left it that way. But actually, I was teasing him.. hahaha.. and he even told me I should be the one to give him...

Here's the funny thing. The flowers came unexpectedly. I went to the Graduate School (GS) after my class on February 13. I hang out with some friends when the flowers were displayed in front of GS. So, much to my curiousity and love for myself, I went there asking if there were other flowers for sale coz I wanted to give some for my lovable M.E. But unfortunately, all were pre-ordered... Rosc was continuously bugging the people if there was a dozen left so she could just buy them... Much to her amazement, she saw a bunch of flowers and his name was written on it... OME!

I wasn't sure if it was for me.. hahaha... yeah, my insecurities came rushing like soldiers ready for war.. lol! anyway, I text him that I saw a bunch of long-stemmed roses and "are these for me?".. but much to my dismay, no reply. So I called Daream and told her that there were roses with his name written on it and what should we do with it... guess what she said... "Oh my, I'm suppose to go there this 4 pm to get it and give it to you later, but since you're there, take it na lang..." H.A.H.A.H.A... romantic di ba? Kaloka!

Well, came Valentines, we had an early dinner at his house enjoyed walking in the park with friends, sat on the grass for sometime and watched people drop to the pool for an hour or so...

So here goes again another "not-to-forget" event in my life... =)

Daream, Sothea, Aketch, my rummie Jade and Vibol

Same-same

Nadagdag si Phirun

Sa Pool...

Nice...

I asked Sothea if he wants me to dedicate something for him. He just gave me a raising eyebrow... lol...

Salampak sa damuhan (na may mat... ).. hehehe

Pa-cute eh..

Cambodian friends and a Laos friend, with Kuya Jaime, Ate Glends at Aketch...

My girlfriend Daream

PhilRice peeps with Phirun

Nakitabi kay Phirun para kita ang kapayatan (as if)....

Day 1... eating Cambodian food... ü

MUSHY IS TURNING TWO...

2009-02-09T21:32:00.000-08:00

I had a chat with a friend yesterday and she told me "I've checked your blog and there's nothing new in it..." So here I am... W.R.I.T.I.N.G.

Anyway, my blog is a year old now so... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! To my blog, what can I say? Thank you for being my outlet... and to my ever beloved Mushy, who's turning two on Saturday... I love you.. (yeah, I think I'm going psycho greeting my beloved bear on the web...)

What else... hmmm.. oh, valentines day is fast approaching and I've received two (to be exact) messages asking me if I had a date on that day... well.. OF COURSE I DO... plans? hmmmm... well... I teased him if he would bring me out on a usual date - flowers, candles and dinner. But he said he's not really into it. So I asked him if we would do something special together and guess what? HE'LL COOK FOR ME... weee!!! can't wait.... so this means not going out at all but just crashing at his apartment and maybe watch movies the whole day.

Can't wait for Saturday to come...

x-0-x-o

VORA VAVY!

2009-01-26T19:51:00.001-08:00

BORACAY ISLAND. Weee!!! I get to visit this place at long last, the best part is... tantararan... all-expenses paid. Thanks to my auntie and uncle. wahehehehe... So, words to describe this vacation... hmmmm... nice beach, sun tan (which I no longer need), early sleep (well, the hotel was on the mountain... hihihi), good food, nice pool, cute angels waking you up, American Idol (yep, we didn't miss this one), coolest water, fine sand, sea shells, foreigners, bikinis, sailing....

Goofing around with the angels during our last night... I really don't recall why, but we ended up laughing so hard...

One of the nicest sunsets I've seen...

Weeee!!!! Talk about holding a man between your fingers... LOL! Next time, I'll try the neck. Hehehe...

The Banana Boat... I had the hardest grip ever in my entire life. Now I know how it feels when they say "you are holding unto dear life... " lol...

Still on the banana boat... Guess what? No need to guess, I think this one's not new, I WAS THE ONLY ONE SCREAMING!!!! hehehe... I don't know, it was just good releasing my nervousness through my lungs and throat!

Playing monopoly with the girls...

Night swimming. They just love being in water.

On our way to island hopping... I'm gonna skip one embarrasing experience. Behlat...

Yeah, looks like am having my "moment" but honestly, I was helping the girls find tiny sea shells.

I and the girls discussing about Mr. Hermit (Puka Shell Beach).

Fiona, you could end up being a model here...

Alta Vista de Boracay. Day time at the beach; night time on the mountain.

Breakky time...

Room... First day... with Kyra...

BEES

2009-01-19T02:57:00.000-08:00

No need to further explain why I named this entry as BEES... Aside from having a photo with THE SINGING BEE HOST, we were literally like bees looking for a flower to suck on... lol...

It started when we were waiting for our check-in time, we were squatting on the floor when Lara said "Ate, si Ceasar oh...". I was like "Where?". Actually, he was just standing right in front of me, but he was just so simple you really have to have a second look to affirm that it is really Ceasar Montano... I went to my aunt to tell her, then she had the same reaction as I did, "Where?"... LOL... anyway, at first, we were just the normal peeps not hovering like lunatics over a movie star...

When we were checking in, he was just like 10 meters away from us, my aunt already wanted to have a picture. But we were still the cheeky girls saying "ah, no need.. blah blah...". Minutes passed. While we were having breakfast, he passed by again... so I think there's the sign. But this is the best part, after a few minutes (again), he came towards near the table where we were having our breakfast, so that was it... No time for second thoughts. It's good he was gracious enough to grant our request...

Am really not into taking photos with movie stars, I hafta admit though that when you're already there, "the heck! just let me go and have his photo!"... lol!

STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN

2009-01-13T19:39:00.001-08:00

Photo: http://aquarium-care.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/aquarium.jpg

These three words were just simply a part of a rhyme I used to recite when I was young. Funny how it finds its way back to me right now.

Imagine being a fish. Well, if I were to choose, I want to be a golden one. Okey, so I am with other fishes, they come in white, black, and grey. I'm in a an aquarium ordinary enough for someone to pass by when he's busy and extraordinary enough for a kid to stop and stare amazingly how I rush back and forth in that rectangular thing.

Being in a place with different fishes around you is not easy. Think about how I would compete with the others when the feeds start plopping into the water. I have to find my way with them, to live harmoniously with them, to survive without biting or even killing each other.

It's easy watching a fish inside an aquarium, but sometimes, you can't help but wonder HOW THEY DO IT. Same goes with living with others. It's not easy being one with the crowd. That's why it's important to STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN. The adage "be yourself" is easy to say but believe me, once you're there, it's just like keeping your head above water. Sometimes, you find yourself lost to the point of literally needing a map.

In the midst of all this hula-baloo, one thing is certain, the toughest survives... Those who stand their ground wins.

SOCCER TIME

2009-01-08T03:20:00.001-08:00

The last time I even had a soccer ball under my foot was in college (forgive the selective amnesia, don't know what year... ) Anyway, since my cousins are into soccer, I decided to join the fun. Good thing is that the oval is just near our place... whew!

If life was just as easy as kicking a soccer ball and making sure you got a goal, I would make soccer as my all-time-favorite sport... but since that's not the case, I just sweat it out for an hour. Well, the good news is I made a goal!!!!!!! yeah yeah, a lame reason to even be merry, but the heck! Making a goal sure feels good!!!

Going to the oval

tracks I didn't dare to jog on.. lol!

Fiona Audrey warming up with Ate Lara Faye

Aketch with Kyra Leign

The gurls

The gurls... again...

Fiona and aketch

The team

In my 25 years of existence, good to know this thing is still alive.

Luigi hanging, Kyra smiling, Lou grinning, and Fiona... uhm...