Y Writes Whatever!

Asian Football - Team Philippines: the great suprise in the tournament!

2010-12-08T07:31:00.000-08:00

The match just ended. Myanmar vs. the Philippines was a tough game. Both teams did a great job tonight. But the Philippines did it to the semi-finals! YES! Philippines in the semis for the first time in a loooooooooooooooooooooooooong time! Great job Team RP!
Experts said a few days ago that Philippines is the great surprise in this year's tournament. I understand why. We didn't even qualify in 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup but now, this year, we are in the Semi-Finals! Wow! This is after having a draw with Singapore during the first game with a 1-1 score and beating the tournament's current champion Vietnam with a sore of 2-0! Wow! And to amaze us more, they are leading in the Group B standing. This is awesome! I'm sure this is the start of the revival of football in my basketball-loving country! Woohooo!!!! I am so proud of you guys!

Good job coach Simon McMenemy and the Azkals! And I'd like to specifically mention, great job Mr. Goalie! I love you! LOL. :)

Butthead, you will be missed.

2010-12-07T09:05:00.000-08:00

Butthead is one of our dogs. He used to be our baby at home. He would stay inside the house, usually pampered, especially by mom. He was such a sweet dog but also very protective of us. When my niece was born, we had to choice but to let him stay outside. But he would still go inside the house during daytime and he would get jealous if one of us would play or cuddle my niece. He would bark or do something to get our attention. But then, eventually he got used to it and have become protective even to my niece who calls him Bagded as she couldn't pronounce his name properly. Later on, another dog came to our lives, that's Aslan and just recently, a puppy we named Caspian joined our family. Butthead being the oldest, was very protective of them too. And the dogs in our neighborhood are just too afraid of him.

But today is a sad day. Butthead just died. He wasn't eating for the past 2 or 3 days, just drinking water only once or twice. He would barely respond when his name is called. Yesterday, he still can wag his tail when I called him. But this afternoon, when I talked to him while I ran my fingers through his ivory hair, he just looked at me, looking very weak and disconnected. He's no longer the tough-looking dog he used to be. Before I left my family's house this evening, I even said bye to him and told him to get well soon. He didn't respond, he was just laying flat on the ground but he was still breathing. Before mom left my place, I told her to take him to the vet tomorrow morning. But then a few hours later, I received a text message from my Auntie telling me that he died as soon as my parents arrived. It is as if, he just waited to see mom and dad so he could say goodbye. I called mom and she said, when they arrived home, Butthead tried to stand up to run towards them but he was too weak so he fell back to the ground, then he moaned for the last time and breathe his last breath. It was sad. :(

Butthead looking very weak. This was taken today by my sister. Miss you Butthead!

I will miss him. I will miss saying "Hey boys" to the three of them every time I see them. Now it's just Aslan and Caspian at home.

Thank you for the friendship Butthead. You were a great Dog. I thank God for you for keeping my family and our house safe at night when we are asleep. I will miss you.

Philippine National Football Team in a stunning 2-0 against Vietnam!

2010-12-07T08:03:00.000-08:00

It was in the news today. The RP's Men Football Team won against the defending champion Vietnam in the AFF Suzuki Cup yesterday. I am so happy! In a basketball-crazed country like mine, it is so great to know that the national team is doing well in the tournament beating the current champion in the region. And although, we are still just few compared to the basketball fans in the country, I am sure that all football-loving Filipinos are so proud of this achievement. Hopefully, in a few years, we will be able to qualify too in the FIFA World Cup. That is one of my dreams. I promise I will surely watch the RP team play live in the pitch someday and I will cheer for them with my whole heart. :) Congratulations, Team Philippines!

Highlights of the match:

Happy Birthday M.

2010-12-01T10:39:00.000-08:00

It's been a while. I wonder what you're doing these days. and I wonder how will you celebrate this day? I want to call you to greet you but ever since we stopped talking I had no guts to start a conversation with you again. I don't know, I think I am afraid you'll not talk to me. I am afraid to be rejected. It will hurt so much. I think, ever since we met, this is the first time I will never get to talk to you to greet you on your birthday. We either talk few days before your birthday or the day itself. But today, I don't know how to get through you.

I think I'm afraid to know that I no longer matter you. It will hurt me big time. But how can I forget this day? It's your birthday. I actually want to celebrate it with you, but I don't know if you want to celebrate it with me too. I thought that, if you call at least, that means you want me to be part of your birthday, even through the phone call, if not, then it means, you dont want me to be part of this special day of yours. *sigh*

I think I'll just buy a cake tomorrow and celebrate your birthday alone. And I will make a wish, a wish for us to be together again and I pray for that to be forever.

Happy Birthday M. I'm missing you so much.

The song below, FLY FARTHER, I dedicate it to you.

I miss you.

2010-11-20T08:40:00.001-08:00

Yes, I miss you so much. And it hurts so bad now.

Singapore 2010 - My first overseas trip.

2010-11-18T15:22:00.000-08:00

Singapore. Singapura. SG.

The 23rd item on my 1000 things to do before I kick the bucket is done. I've visited Singapore during the last week of July this year. Though I spent only 3 days there with my cousin LJ, I enjoyed my short stay. LJ, my cousin is there for her internship as a HRM student, so I just followed 3 months after she got there. It was good that I visited because she was home sick and it's her first time to be away from her family. I could tell how much she misses having us around, but she still have to endure a few more months. Well good thing there is a JIL Church there she could attend to fellowship with them, keeps her busy too as she joined the church dance group :)

Anyway, SG. Such a beautiful place. Very cosmopolitan. Very urban.

It was my first overseas trip so I was really excited. My first overseas trip and my first plane ride, and I was alone. My first time for a lot of things... like going to airport, checking in, going through the immigration, custom, etc... almost everything was first time so I was pretty excited. But I have to admit I was nervous.
It was good the airline (Cebu Pacific) gave me the window seat so I could take a look at the scenery (mostly clouds....never ending clouds...lol and lots of water.... ). It was good I booked an early flight, like 6am, just almost in time for the sunrise, a great way to appreciate God's creation so I was really thankful for that experience. Makes me wonder how some people can claim that God does not exist. Who can make these awesome and magnificent creations? No man can ever do this.

Leaving Manila

: The beautiful sunrise in Manila. Now who would claim that there is no God? See the beauty of his creation.

Even though I barely slept the night before I left not because I was too excited but because I packed my bags late...( yes, cramming!) I still survived the 3-hour flight. I think I slept only for an hour because I got bored looking at the clouds and the sea. So there, arriving at the beautiful Changi Airport with my cousin already waiting for me. So I am in a foreign soil already. We went to the foreign exchange for some Singaporean dollars. Then we stayed a bit roaming the Changi Airport, took a few pictures and had our lunch. My first SG meal? - Burger King! LOL. And they became my official restaurant for my SG trip, well almost. :)

Changi Airport

My typical meal in SG that made me miss the rice. Yes, no rice for 3 days.

We took the MRT ride to reach my hotel in Novena, which is quite far. I think it took us about an hour or so. Getting off in Novena station, we were clueless how to go to Value Thomson Hotel so we asked a local, who was nice enough to tell us our way. Most of the locals we encounter were nice I have to say. Since the vehicles are left-hand drive, the traffic flow was different from what I'm used to. We had to walk a few kms. to get to my hotel because it will be a waste of time and money to get into a cab given that the hotel was just a few blocks away . Good thing though that I only have one luggage but packed with clothes good for a week (I'm not a light traveler.) but we didn't have much trouble pulling my suitcase around :)

My cousin asked me, "So do you already feel the SG atmosphere?" I answered, "Not really. I kind of feel like I'm in a business district of Makati City, Forbes Park and Global City combined." Yes, that was the feeling. Plus, there were lots of Filipinos around.

So we reached the hotel, which looks nice but the room is a bit small, well very small actually but nice looking. We didn't waste anymore time so after I changed my clothes for the 2nd time (I already changed while I was at the airport because I felt a lil uncomfortable with the top I was wearing), we hopped into the MRT again to go to the famous Marina Bay.

Me on our way to Marina Bay (yes the picture is blurred.)

Some random people in SG

The cosmopolitan area of Singapore.

Marina Bay was packed. There were lots of people that afternoon, first because Singaporean students were practicing for the National Day of Parade and because of the fireworks display. We took a few pictures of us then headed to The Flyer, the World's biggest observation wheel to take a look at the whole SG from above. I have fear of heights but who cares? I want to be on that wheel. It cost us, SGD 30 each. It was cool that we also witnessed some military plane exhibition while we were up there.

The Flyer.

The Flyer.

Tube.

A view from the giant observation wheel - The Flyer.

A closer shot (view from The Flyer)

Singapore sunset as seen from the Flyer

I was craving for some rice meal so I was looking for KFC or Mcdonalds thinking maybe they serve rice there, but there's nothing around. I was actually afraid to try Singaporean food thinking it might ruin my short trip if in case I get some stomach problems, so I thought I'd stick to fast food even though it is very unhealthy, but at least I'm familiar with them. But I tried their version 'dirty ice cream', that only cost a dollar. That's the only Singaporean food I've ever tried I think while I was there. (I already have dinned in a Singaporean restaurant in Manila, and to be honest, I didn't like it ).

Ice cream wrapped in a bread.

Then, we decided to take a few more walks around Marina Bay before dinner. Took a few more pics. Our feet hurts so bad for the walks but for the sake of the trip, we didn't mind walking a few more. Of course we took some pictures with the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands and the Esplanade.. :)

Marina Bay Sands

Durian. (The Esplanade)

Merlion through my lens

The Merlion

Some more Merlion picture.

Then we decided to head home but before that, to some fast food first for dinner. It was already past 10pm, I think almost 11pm and most stores going to the MRT are starting to close. We passed by BREAD TALK and decided to buy some bread for our breakfast the next day and then hopped into the MRT. Upon reaching Novena, we hurried up to go to, guess what? Burger King! But to our disappointment, it was already closed. huhuhuhu.... We were so hungry and no stores were open anymore except for the 7/11 that sells ramen noodles and the hawkers that are not quite appealing to me really. We just bought water, went back to our hotel and had the bread for dinner, watched some movies, planned for what were going to do the next day and slept.

2nd DAY

We woke up quite late than we planned so we got ready and left as quickly as we can. This day, we're going to India! :)

Well, just a taste of India.

The Little India.

This is actually a must-visit place on my list for that SG trip. I will not go back to the Philippines unless I go to Little India . hahaha... Well, don't blame me, India is one of my dream destinations and getting a little of India in Little India was incredible. :)

The moment we got there, I told my cousin, "Now I feel I'm in a foreign land." LOL. I didn't feel like I was in Singapore anymore. I felt really like I'm in a different country. The smell of the curry, the Indian music (I think it was in Tamil) being played in some stores we passed, the people, it's just very foreign! And I'm enjoying it. However we got a lot of stares from people, particularly from men. I don't know maybe we have dirt in our faces? LOL. But really, they look as if it was their first time to see such creatures. (I'm sure we're not ugly. lol) So I took the stares as compliments, as long as they won't harm us. Others would even say hello and ask for our names. We didn't answer back for the fear of sending them wrong signals. It's actually not the first time, at the airport we got some stares from men too (some were even Filipinos trying to make pa-cute, hindi naman cute. lol. ), then in the MRT and in Marina Bay, but mostly from Indian-looking men and mind you, they are good looking Indian men, well most are... hahaha... But I didn't bother.

So there, walk walk walk around Little India. Took a few pictures of the architectural designs in the establishments. Then headed to the Mustafa shopping center. And it was a chaos there! Well not really. But I'm just not used to that kind of shopping center. I bought a few things as my take home present/souvenir for family and some friends back home. And found the "After Eight" chocolate there too! Cool! I even bought a tea for our Indian senior officer in my company, as he asked me if I could buy him a box or two after he learned I'm flying to SG. Apparently, that tea (the brand name is Dilmah and that is his favorite tea) can only be bought in India, Sri Lanka and SG (I am not sure where else but it's not available in Manila that's why.)

A street in Little India

Some street in Little India.

British school in Little India

Prince of Wales, Singapore Backpackers Pub

The Little India Arcade building

Some nice building

Hinduism

Bombay Cafe

Then we roamed a bit more to find some temples and mosques. We thought the famous "Sri Mariammam Temple" was there but not. Though we found another temple called "Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple". We didn't have much time to go to China Town where ""Sri Mariammam Temple" is located, so we settled for this.

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

Little India :)

Masjid Angullia

So we headed back to Novena, ate lunch, went back to our hotel to change and off to JIL Church in Orchard to attend the Sunday afternoon service. We were late but still went there to fellowship. We passed by the busy Orchard Road and noticed a lot of Filipinos. My cousin said there's a place there where most Filipinos gather to spend their rest day from work.

JIL Church in SG. It was nice to fellowship with them.

After that, we decided to visit my friend in her work who is a manager in one of the pizza companies in Bedok. So we had some free dinner courtesy of my friend. :) It was great seeing her after a long time. Then we went back to Orchard to spend the rest of the night before going home. It was a bit late so most stores were closed and we can't shop anymore. So we just took some pictures of the famous Orchard Road and had coffee at Starbucks. It was great to end the night with some coffee. :)

At Wheelock Place

Orchard Road

Orchard Road.

Fashionista in Orchard Road (my cousin LJ)

I'm not crazy about shoes, but I love this ad. LOL


I saw Wayne Rooney in SG! LOL (I still have the world cup fever that time.)

Starbucks in Orchard Rd.

3rd DAY

Time to go home. My cousin needs to go to her work and I have to prepare also for my flight in the afternoon. It was sad that I'm leaving her but we had no choice. So since I am like her older sister, I talked to her and gave her a few advices and instructions to keep herself safe there. She got no family there but at least the JIL family is there so I told her to stick with them and always pray. It grips my heart leaving her. She told me she won't just take me to the airport because she would just cry, plus she also have a work that day. So she left the hotel and I packed my things to get ready. But then I went to Orchard Road again by myself to some last minute shopping. Well luckily, The Great Singapore Sale was still on that time I was there. So who can say no to shopping? LOL.

And while having breakfast at Mc Donalds, I decided to go online through my mobile phone. Then I saw his offline message on yahoo that he sent a few hours back. Whew! (Anyway, that's another story.)

Went back to my hotel, grabbed my luggage, checked out, hopped into the bus (btw, I like most of their buses) then to the MRT and to the airport. I don't know but that time I really wanted to go home. I know it was a very short stay but that moment I felt so alone. My cousin is at work and I have no one to talk to except for the cab driver that took me back to the hotel from Novena station.

At the airport, I checked in my luggage just in time and decided to just kill my time there, reading the book and writing on my journal. I felt sad that afternoon and I knew the reason.

My cousin kept on sending me text messages telling she would miss me and that she feels like crying. I told her to always remember what I said to her and she'll be alright.

I roamed around the airport while waiting to board the plane when they called the passengers for the last time. I thought I still have time, so I hurried up and boarded the plane. However after a few minutes, the captain announced that the flight will be delayed as there is some fixing they need to do in the plane and he can't fly us back home unless everything is fixed. So we were back to the airport lounge, good thing there are few computers that were set up there to let delayed passengers like us surf the net while waiting. I stayed in one of the seats, pondering about my whole trip, the beautiful SG, my cousin being alone in a foreign land, my family back home, my friends, my delayed flight and him. I was exhausted, both my body and mind. I fell asleep for about an hour in that chair. Then at around 7pm, we were called to board the plane again to go home.

"Finally" , I said to myself. I can't wait to be home.

I missed my family so much. Even though I live alone in Manila (I have my own place) I still go to my family's house most of the time which is just a 10-20 minute drive. And since I was in SG for only 3 days, it should just feel like I'm at my place, however it was still different, I didn't feel at home and I felt so alone. I wonder what my cousin must be feeling.

I took out my journal to write some thoughts about my trip like I did on my flight going there. And as I write, I cried. Good thing I was in window seat again and the passengers beside me (a mom and her grade school daughter) were already sleeping. I need to be home I know.

I cried not because I was missing my family. It's for a different reason that has nothing to do with Singapore really. So I thought, 'what a way to end my first international trip'. *sigh*

Oh well ...

SG is a fine place. It's beautiful. It's an icon of economic power in the Far East. It was a pleasure being there really. To sum it up, I will say it again, although there are still a lot of differences, Singapore is just like a huge business district of Makati City combined with the posh Forbes Park Village and Global City in Taguig. One major difference though is that, people are more disciplined.

But still like they said, "there's no place like home."

So thank you SG for the experience. I will be back for sure. :)

Thank you SG. Until next time. I will be back for sure. :)

Out Of My Hands

2010-11-18T09:37:00.000-08:00

"Out Of My Hands is a frightening song to sing because it acknowledges the truth that scares me that I don't have anything to do with God's love for me. And I can't make Him love me more. I want to be responsible for some of that someday. And the truth is, the gifts God has given us, the gifts God has given me, the gifts God has given us, the community, His church are just that, they're gifts. We haven't done anything to earn it. "- Steve Mason of Jars of Clay.

Indeed. Well said.

Out Of My Hands is one my favorite songs out of Jars of Clay's newest record, The Shelter. I already fell in love with the song the first time I heard it because it just reminded me of God's love and how things are really 'out of my hands' since the start. It's humbling. I thank God for Jars of Clay's gift of writing beautiful music since 1995.

Out of My Hands - Jars of Clay

I wasted the rescue,
abandoned the mission.
I’ve failed by my own hand
and watched it all go wrong

You said you could save me
that I couldn’t save myself
You said that you loved me
no matter what I’ve done

When the light is gone
and life is just a day we take
Still the fight goes on
to give my heart away

And It’s out of my hands
It was from the start
In light of what you’ve done for me x2

You lifted my head
Set me apart

In light of what you’ve done for me
This is what you’ve done for me
It’s out of my hands

You grow where the light is
Like trees in the highlands
We’re bent by our own plans
to keep us in the dark

And I act like an orphan
Forget that you found me
but you came like a whisper
and saved me with a spark

When the light is gone
and life is just a dare we take
Still the fight goes on and on
to give my heart away

And it’s out of my hands
it was from the start
in light of what you’ve done for me x2

You lifted my head
Set me apart

In light of what you've done for me
this is what you've done for me

It’s out of my hands
It’s out of my hands

There’s nothing in the world that I can offer
nothing in the world that I can stand apart

Apart from you, apart from you

There’s nothing in my life,
nothing in my life that you haven't given to me

It’s out of my hands
It was from the start

In light of what you've done x2

You lifted my head
You set me apart
In light of what you've done
In light of what you've done for me

Ohhh It’s out of my hand x2
In light of what you’ve done for me x2

You lifted my head,
set me apart
In light of what you've done for me
This is what you've done for me

It’s out of my hands x2
Everything I have Lord
Everything I gave
It’s out of my hands x2

Oh it's out of my hands

Congratulations Manny Pacquiao!

2010-11-15T10:40:00.000-08:00

Pinoy Pride once again!

Just want to congratulate Manny for bagging his 8th title in his boxing career! You are a legend Pacman !You deserve this 8th win because of your humility and for not forgetting to bring the honor and glory back to our God. You made us, the Filipinos proud. Again, congratulations!

English - Which accent is better? (And the Korean actress who made fun of the Filipino English.)

2010-11-05T11:18:00.000-07:00

There has been a recent commotion online (at least among Filipinos, particularly Filipino English teachers) due to a video clip circulating in cyberspace about how this certain Korean actress, Lee Da Hae, apparently insulted the English skills of Filipinos in one of the shows of KBS. (KBS already pulled out all the videos in youtube, claiming copyrights although we all know that they just want to save Lee Da Hae's ass.)

I was able to watch it and even though the show was in Korean, they flashed the flags of USA, UK and the Philippines, enough for non-Korean speaking viewers to understand that they were talking about these 3 countries. Lee Da Hae, who as claimed speaks English well as she stayed in Australia for 5 years to study, tried talking or mimicking English teachers from the different countries mentioned above as requested by the hosts. She was asked to say "“Excuse me. I’m a little bit thirsty. Can I have a glass of water please?” First was the American, which to me, (I am not American though) doesn't sound American, but the pronunciation was okay... the accent was neutral. Second, apparently was a British accent, and again, it doesn't sound too British to me (I know this because I have a British friend who I talk to almost everyday since 2006), except on how she pronounced the word "water", omitting the 'r' in the end. Then finally, the Filipino way, which turned out to be, yes I have to say, insulting because we don't speak English that way. I think she intends to be funny, but some Filipinos didn’t find it amusing at all.

With the strong influence of the West to the Philippines, particularly the USA, which can be traced almost 100 years back, Filipinos speak English either the same as the native speakers or at least in a neutral accent. While I won't deny that some Filipinos have regional accent due to their dialects spoken in their hometowns, I would say, a majority of Filipinos do speak English well.

But which accent really is better? The argument on which English accent is better is never ending. I heard some claiming American English is better as it is easier to understand. To others, it is the British English. And more than once, I even heard some people from the UK sarcastically asked, "What American English? Is there such a thing?" For most Filipinos who (even though I hate to say this, but this is the truth) have this 'Everything American' attitude (thanks to the Western influence and the ever growing call center industry that killed the patriotism of the present generation), being able to speak English like the Americans is essential as it is considered (at least in our society) as a status symbol. They feel as though speaking like the Americans somehow put them in the (imaginary) pedestals. It is as if they are superior to those who know little or can't speak the language.

Filipinos are also known as the English grammar Nazis, particularly those who are living in the major cities. (I have to admit, I am sometimes, okay most of the time, a grammar Nazi myself, however I make sure that I don’t offend others when I try to correct them.) Yet, despite of that, Filipinos still have flaws in their English skills, often in pronunciation and grammar (and so are the native speakers of English). I mean, who doesn't commit grammar mistakes? All of us do. Who hasn't mispronounced words? We all have.

This actually reminds me of a conversation I had with my friend's wife after I posted a hot picture of Cristiano Ronaldo in my facebook account during the height of World Cup 2010. She asked me if I have seen the Castrol ad of him. That time, I haven't and asked her jokingly, 'Why? Is he also looking hot in that ad?" She answered, "Actually, it's not about that. It's when he talked. It was the worst English accent that I have ever heard." And I was like, 'Duh?! He is Portuguese. What do you expect? It's not his native language.' I found her comment so annoying. Of course for a person whose first language isn't English, would you expect him to speak well, and with all that phony accent? Come on! I actually like the way he speaks English in his accent and I think it makes him sexier.

Seriously, why are people so crazy about the accent? And going back to my question, so "Which English accent is better?" Or is there such a thing as a "better English accent?" I don't think so. Accent is influenced by geographical location of the person. An Italian can speak English with that distinct accent because it is influenced by their native language, which is Italian and it is spoken differently. A Filipino, whose first language is Filipino (the prestige register of the Tagalog language according to Wiki and is influenced by the Spanish language) also pronounces some English words different from the American English. I, for one, usually mispronounces the word 'comfortable', putting the stress in the wrong syllable, thus resulting to my ex bf always correcting me. It's because in Filipino, the word is pronounced differently.

They said American English is good and the accent is somehow easier to understand. The trainers in the call center industry aim to have the trainees speak the American way (or at least that was the scenario a few years ago, because I think gone are the days when you have to speak in their twang in order to land a job in a call center.) Others said, British English is better because that is the 'REAL English' and it is sophisticated. Well, as my British friend would say, POSH. I think the reason most of us give high regards to the American and British English is because it is their official or first language and widely spoken in their country. But it’s their language. We have our own too and we should speak better in our own languages than the foreign ones. I think what really matter is that we are able understand them and that we can be understood.

Going back to Lee Da Hae. She already released a statement denying that she made fun of Filipino English Teachers and even apologized through her twitter account. Some Filipinos (teachers or not) didn't find her statement convincing. Unfortunately for her, some Filipinos do speak and understand Korean, enough for them to tell that she indeed made fun of us. That’s too sad because she also claimed to have studied English over the phone with a Filipino teacher.

I don’t really want to get serious about this whole “Lee Da Hae insulting Filipinos” issue. Because well, I do know that it’s not true. Filipinos speak English well and not in that accent. (Come on, why would thousands and thousands of Koreans go to the Philippines every year to study English if they don’t think we speak English well?) However, I reacted via this blog post because it made me think why people are so crazy about acquiring American or British accent. Please tell me, why?

* * *

(To the grammar Nazis, pardon my English. =P)

I just haven't met you yet - By Michael Buble

2010-10-31T12:11:00.001-07:00

Today, I was able to chat to one of my friends from college through facebook. We have chatted a bit about what's going on with each of our lives. She asked, "How's your love life?" I laughed and answered, "I don't know but it seems the love life doesn't like me.LOL" and I said, "or maybe I just haven't met him yet." :)
I stumbled on this song from one blog on wordpress that posted something about women in 40s who still have hopes of getting married and not destined to be old maids. The article was good. Funny and interesting article. Nope. I'm not forty yet and that will take me more than a decade before I turn one, but I definitely can relate to the article and can use some of advices and tips given. :)

I am not ugly. Some says I am pretty. LOL (Or are they just being nice to me? LOL) But yeah I know I'm not ugly, but yeah, I need to work on my figure and get into shape. Oh well, but that's another story to blog about. I haven't really been in a 'relationship' in the real sense of the word. Well yes I have. But they were men I met online and dated only through the cyberspace (thanks to webcam and headset!). There are some men who had a crush on me (they said) and I also noticed some looking at me (perhaps, because I have a dirt on my face? lol). But I don't know why I am still single until now. I'm not a snob. Not exactly. Kidding. Well, yes I am quite picky at times (okay most of the time) especially to the people I talk to, but I have reasons. One would be because I'm shy. I am generally shy. Second, I value privacy too much and I don't open to everyone, only to those who I considered my closest and trusted friends but others equate this to me being a snob. I am not. I just don't want the whole world to know about my private life. That's one reason I didn't join showbiz. lol. Some said, I have a very high standard when it comes to a partner. No. Not really. I just only have one requirement - He needs to have it all. hahaha.... kidding. Of course, I'm not hard to please, but really don't make me talk to someone who only cares about his looks and the latest fashion and gadgets. I want BRAINS! (No, I don't eat brains. lol) My friend said I'm demanding and high maintenance. Not true. But well I deserve the best. :) Some said, men get intimidated with me, one reason is because I'm my mother's daughter (Don't ask what my mother do), another is my former job (so it's a good thing I resigned? lol) I think some of these are the main factors, that I ended up having online relationship, particularly to people living overseas and people who are from different backgrounds. Maybe it be romantic or plain platonic relationship.

Well online romantic relationship, I know these days it is not a new thing anymore and a lot have been into one or are currently in one. It is not easy. But I have to say, the feelings are real. You will really fall in love and will invest time and effort to make things work, just like any normal romantic relationship.

Like this man from India that I met back in 2004. For 6 years, (yes until the present) we've communicated and had an on and off relationship (it's 'off' right now). It wasn't easy for the two us. The distance that separate us makes it even more difficult, not to mention the fact that he is from a very conservative family who value their tradition and religion that much which is one of the many big hurdles we have faced (is still facing, maybe). Well apparently, their family and their religion/community won't allow them to marry someone from another religion or even someone not from their hometown/state. We have so many plans. Well we used to. He was supposed to come here a few months ago and stay here to find a job and be with me, though the wedding plan was not part of it for the reason I have mentioned above. Everything was ready. His family who knows me only as his good friend, approved of his plans of moving here for a job. But then, unfortunately, his visa was denied. He was crushed. But I was more than crushed. There was also a time when I had a job offer in his country to be an English Teacher to Koreans staying there. They didn't offer me that much, but at the time, I was willing to take everything just to be with him. However, for some reasons, he was confused and all that made me not accept the offer. For the 6 years we've spent our time chatting online, talking and sharing a lot of things, some were really intimate even, I could say that I really have loved him and still love him. And now, despite our situation (we're not talking right now), I still feel the same way. Last time we talked, when I cried so much telling me to just forget about me, he insisted that he can't and he doesn't want our communication to end. He said he's saving up so that he could come here and meet me. Yes, just meet me but not to marry me. Yes, he said that too. (Ouch!) Oh well, I'm just being brave right now...well trying to be. Although, I still think about him,everyday, every minute, involuntarily, I'm trying not to get too affected or I'll be sobbing all day. Every time I think of him, I just say a prayer. Sometimes, I can't help but cry but sometimes, I just sigh over the things I have no control of. I just think that if he is for me, I don't have to do anything anymore, God will make a way for us.

I'm 28 right now and still single. I met him at 22. Some of my friends told me I wasted my time waiting for him. He made me wait that long they said and I don't even deserve it. Yes I know I deserve the best but honestly for the years we've spent together, although there were moments we've shed so many bucket of tears (yes, both us cried but I guess it's more of me crying.), I have never felt so happy. Even the distance didn't hinder us.

Right now, I'm still being very optimistic. I think I had enough of negative thoughts in my head. Worries will not help me. If he's the one, then he is. If not, God will send me the better version of him. :) Maybe, I just haven't met him yet. But I hope to meet him soon. :)

Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Buble

I'm Not Surprised
Not Everything Lasts
Have Broken My Heart So Many Times,
I Stopped Keepin Track.
Talk Myself In
I Talk Myself Out
I Get All Worked Up
Then I Let Myself Down.

I Tried So Very Hard Not To Lose It
I Came Up With A Million Excuses
I Thought I Thought Of Every Possibility

And I Now Someday That It'll All Turn Out
You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid That I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

Mmmmm ....

I Might Have To Wait
I'll Never Give Up
I Guess It's Half Time
And The Other Half's Luck
Wherever You Are
Whenever It's Right
You Come Out Of Nowhere And Into My Life

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Baby Your Love Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Possibility

Hmmmmm ......

And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

They Say All's Fair
And In Love And War
But I Won't Need To Fight It
We'll Get It By It ??
To Be United

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Being In Your Life Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Single Possibility

Hmmm .....

And Someday I Know It'll All Turn Out
And I'll Work To Work It Out
Promise You Kid I'll Give More Than I Get
Than I Get Than I Get han I Get

Oh You Know It Will All Turn Out
And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid To Give So Much More Than I Get
Yeah I Just Haven't Met You Yet

I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Oh Promise You Kid
To Give So Much More Than I Get

I Said Love Love Love Love Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

I'm so organized! Not!

2010-10-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

Why I do always feel the need to write? Even if I am not blogging, I write in my journal. There are so many thoughts. So many ideas I have. And I want to write about each of them but I always seem to be too overwhelmed and I end up accomplishing if not little, nothing at all. I am so not organized. I need to organize my thoughts and know the priorities. I'm easily distracted that's why. Well I like reading a lot. I read a lot of things on the internet... I browse so many pages. I can sit down for long hours just reading something online....and then I get an idea from them and I wanted to write about it but since I spent too much time reading, I no longer have the time because I need to rest and sleep too. Like today, I have been in front of this laptop around 5pm and now it's 12 midnight and I wanted to write more and I wanted to watch a movie too and design some fashion jewelry as well and a lot of things. But I don't have the whole night. I need to sleep soon as I want to wake up early tomorrow to get myself used to sleeping regularly, which means, sleeping at night and awake during daytime (no more sleeping daytime and working at night). Yeah yeah yeah.... I have to end this now. I need to organize myself and my thoughts.

I like it on the couch!

2010-10-10T06:20:00.000-07:00

Just this week, a lot of women in facebook - teens, young adults and even mothers posted intriguing messages on their facebook profiles. "I like on the couch; I like it on the bed; I like it on the kitchen counter; I like it on the floor; I like it anywhere" were the usual I've seen. These messages made a lot of their friends, mostly male friends intrigue and curious about what these messages mean. Well of course, we all know what they're thinking. *wink! wink!* LOL.

If you're a female, you probably have received a message in your inbox about how this game works. According to the email, the game started last year and turned out successful as it even made it to the national television what the women were up to! Well this isn't a naughty message at all. The game's purpose is to increase awareness on Breast Cancer as October is the Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I won't post it here how the game works but I'd like to share it here to help others be aware of Breast Cancer.

(I don't own the pictures below. I just googled them and thought I'd post it here.)

The Darjeeling Limited - one of my favorite movies. :)

2010-09-21T05:43:00.000-07:00

I just recently saw a picture of The Darjeeling Limited, one of the best movies I've seen so far, when I was browsing some sites today. I already have forgotten about this movie but today I was reminded how good this film was. Then I realized it's one my favorite movies of all time!

I don't exactly know why I like this movie. Maybe because most of the scenes were shot in India. And I love India. No, I am not from there but that is one of my dream destinations. Anyway, the movie was really good. It made me laugh, made me cry at some point, and made me think a lot. It's actually a comedy, drama and adventure movie, about the three brothers who haven't spoken for a year and took a journey for some spiritual quest and to bond and become "brothers" once again.

Below is the official trailer of the movie:

The Cult of Starbucks by Joel Harris

2010-09-21T02:43:00.000-07:00

originally posted here: http://twitpic.com/2qf3mm

One Love by: Blue feat. Asian Artists

2010-09-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

I always love this song by BLUE. I am not exactly a fan of boyband, but growing up in the 90s, I have liked a few of some boybands' songs. And one of them is this. I particularly love this version of the song where they collaborated with some Asian artist. Cool.

Hi Y

2010-09-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

He said:

"hi Y.
how are you
it's really been very long
i hope u make some time out of ur busy schedule to talk."

~ ~ ~ ~

Your silence ripped me. I thought you already have forgotten me. No, I am not busy. I never was. Not for you. But I am just waiting for you to do something, something more... It's not enough yet... not enough.

Joshua Harris' Dug Down Deep was a best seller in a Manila Book Fair! :)

2010-09-18T08:36:00.000-07:00

Today, my sister and I went to SMX Convention Center for the 4th day of the 31st Manila International Book Fair. And for those who loves reading like me (I call us "Book Suckers!" lol) will definitely smile from ear to ear seeing all the books, mostly discounted ones in the convention center. Yes! Some are even sold half their original price! Cool! We visited almost all booths before we stormed OMFLit section where the newest book of my favorite author Joshua Harris is being featured, Dug Down Deep (they just launched the Philippine Edition it along with his other book, Stop Dating the Church). And man! It is 50% off! Cool. So my sister and I bought a few copies...about 11 copies. I already have the book, which is the original version of it, published in the States. I bought it around Feb of this year, few weeks after the book was released in the States. Then my Auntie in the US sent me the Stop Dating the Church book so both my copies are original and hardbound. But despite of owning the book already, I was still thrilled to see both books at the fair. They are priced at least about 70% less than the original since it is published locally, which is great so many Filipino Christians who have been wanting to own the book can now grab their own copies. Cool! haha... I'd say a lot of people who visited the OMFLit booth bought a copy of Dug Down Deep and Stop Dating the Church, and also Alex and Brett's book too (Do Hard Things and Start Here). The Harrises are definitely one of the best sellers in the book fair. :)

I'm back

2010-09-12T10:52:00.000-07:00

Yes! I'm blogging again and will update this as often as possible. Promise. Really. Well I hope so. I have to get back to writing again.

~y