11 posts tagged “life”
Ako: Ayoko na! I'm sick and tired of it all. I feel like dropping everything. Everything!!!
Ikaw: Ano na naman yan?
Ako: I want to find my happiness na. I want to discover my genius, my art. Whatever it is.
Ikaw: Art art ka pa dyan. Ma-arte ka lang!
I miss you Tevs. :Þ
"I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend Lucky to have been where I have been Lucky to be coming home again I'm lucky we're in love in every way Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed Lucky to be coming home someday" ~ Lucky, Jason Mraz & Colbie Calait ~
Reem and Owen tagged me in Facebook... 1. I've only recently started to appreciate my entire name. My mum wanted to name me Charlene Samantha Marie, my dad thought it was too common and decided to name me something else. They both agreed I should have three names. 2. The first part of my name is derived from the Ancient Egyptian word mry which means beloved. My second name means heart in Thai and victory in Indian. My third name is a variation of Mishael's Babylonian name. Mishael was one of the three young men cast into a furnace but saved by God in The Bible. 3. I was an only child for 14 years. I behaved like the typical evil, spoilt-brat in the movies when I found out my Mum was pregnant and I was soon going to have a sister. I took out my giant troll doll and made sure my Mum saw it everyday. I was hoping my sister would come out looking like a troll! She came out all pretty and I loved her the moment I saw her. 4. I learned how to read when I was 4. The first book I could read on my own was 'The Cat in the Hat'. 5. My Mum and Dad never censored the reading materials we had at home. At 6, I was bored with Sweet Valley High and started reading my aunt's Mills and Boon collection. At 8, I so desparately wanted to be part of the March family, live in Prince Edward Island and befriend Anne Shirley and Sara Stanley, or solve crimes with Watson and Holmes. At 9, I pored through the lovelorn columns of British Cosmo and learned about love, lust and divorce. At 10, I was reading Tom Clancy and John Grisham before the movie version of their books came out. At 12, my diary was peppered with Donne, Browning and Neruda lines to describe the ecstasy and anguish of first love. Now, I've regressed to reading chick lit. Tsk tsk. 6. I love old Hollywood movies. In college, I skipped classes in Journalism to sneak into my bestfriend's classes instead. She was taking up Audio-Visual Comm as her major and they had to watch splendid films like The Jazz Singer, Citizen Kane, and Seven Samurai to study scene treatment and camera angles. I was just there for the free movies! 7. When I was a kid, I had a huge Barbie collection. I think I had 15 Barbies, including a Filipina Barbie in a national costume designed by Patis Tesoro, UNICEF Barbie, and the infamous talking Barbie 'Teen Talk Barbie'. I also had a Skipper doll (Barbie's sister) and Barbie's friends - Miko, Teresa, Midge and Christie. I only had one Ken doll though. 8. I don't know how to cross streets on my own. It doesn't matter that I'm 25 and have been living and working in the city for almost five years - I am mortally afraid of crossing busy streets. 9. Mama and I wanted me to be a ballerina. I started going to ballet classes at 3 years old. I loved my pink tutus and chiffon skirts over tights. I loved coming in two hours before class to warm up at the barre surrounded by music and mirrors. I loved the pain of perfecting a series of steps by slow and repetitive practice. Pirouettes and pliés were the thrills of my life. I dreamed of the day I'd finally be allowed to dance en pointe. 10. Alas, that was never to happen. Doctors discovered that I had a hernia when I was 8 and had to operate. I never returned to the dance studio after my operation. All I have as mementos of my ballerina dreams are worn out slippers and grading cards from The Royal Academy of Dance. 11. I have this weird compulsion to smell the leaves of my Moleskines. Even before I start writing in my planner or notebook, I have to take a whiff of its pages. It just has this really distinct fragrance that I like so much. 12. I am still in love with Clark Gable. I adore the way he talks and smiles and looks at women that way. He's my idea of 'maginoo pero medyo bastos'. 13. I am fully aware that people tend to find me unapproachable or suplada. I am not. The truth is I am just ridiculously shy and socially awkward. 14. My ultimate beach dream is to get a perfect tan. So far, all I've consistently been able to manage is a burnt nose. 15. My first major crush was my classmate in 2nd grade at the Nadeen British School. The boy had honeyed curls and hazel eyes flecked with rainbows. I searched him on the Net a few minutes ago and found out he won a NASA International Space Settlement Design Competition in 2002. So, he wasn't just gorgeous after all. Sigh... 16. The first time I visited the Dilmun Burial Mounds in Bahrain I instantly wanted to become an archaeologist. I had my Mum buy me little chisels, hammers, and brushes to sift through the sand in our backyard. 17. I love being surprised with knick-knacks and whatever oddity the giver thinks will amuse me. I am child-like that way. 18. I adore shoes. I adore shoes. I adore shoes!!! 19. I only have one pair of sports shoes at a time. Amidst all the heels, flats, platforms, wedges, sandal, and slippers there will be one pair of rubber shoes. I only ever replace this when it starts looking its fugliest. 20. Once in a while I like to indulge in brooding. I keep to myself, read sad books, write angst-ridden journal entries, and cry along to melancholy songs. I emerge happy and faith-filled again. 21. I can cook mean hotwings in 10 minutes. 22. There is nothing I enjoy more than sleeping. I can sleep for 16 straight hours. I bury myself under four pillows and a duvet. 23. I will one day hie off to Batanes on my own. 24. My default Starbucks drink is a 'tall, non-fat, fewer pumps of syrup, iced caramel macchiato'. 25. I love and love and love and love when I love.
It's six days after the old world has died. I don't know what to write about and most certainly haven't the energy to recount events during the holidays. I'll allow myself to be unimaginative with this year-end Q and A: What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? Resign from my job. It was the first time for me to go through an exit interview, the exit clearance process and the whole turnover thing. Did anyone close to you give birth? No. Did anyone close to you die? Thankfully, no. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? Focus and discipline. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? November 4. America elected Barack Obama as their president. It was just a hugely dramatic moment. I've been a fan of Obama ever since I came across his name for a paper I was doing in my Advocacy Reporting class. He worked as a director of the Developing Communities Project (DCP) in Chicago. My paper tackled solving the world's problems at grassroots level and Obama's work at the time highlighted that. I just knew he'd be such a great man. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Being brave enough to get out of my comfort zone. To quote Jim Paredes, "Transitions are scary. One is being asked to leave one place and go to another... transitions can still be daunting. It demands of whoever is going through one to let go of the safety harness in one comfort zone and jump into another, and in the process become untethered, unsafe and unattached, (hopefully for only a while) until one reaches (if ever) the new terra firma." What was your biggest failure? Not losing weight! Did you suffer illness or injury? Just the minor cough, cold or flu. What was the best thing you bought? My Black and Decker electric beater. It makes mixing batter a breeze. Not a lot of people know that I cook and bake. Where did most of your money go? Traveling and eating out. Paying my credit card bills. What did you get really, really, really excited about? The trips and adventures that Biboy and I have been taking. What song(s) will always remind you of 2008? "With You" Chris Brown "Breathe" Anna Nalick Compared to this time last year, are you: happier or sadder? Happier! Thuper! thinner or fatter? Fatter!!! I am such an ogre right now. richer or poorer? I still don't have much savings but, in terms of earnings, I think I'm richer now. What do you wish you'd done more of? Exercised. Or to put it correctly, I wish I had the discipline to workout and move my ass. What do you wish you'd done less of? Indulged and pigged-out with Biboy. Oinky! What was your favorite TV program? House. Pushing Daisies. Shark. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Nope. I don't hate anyone ever. That's such a petty feeling. After love and like, I only feel contempt or complete and utter indifference for people or things that don't matter to me. What was the best book you read? I was not able to read much this year. I liked Paolo Coehlo's "Like The Flowing River". I would love to get my own copy of Griffin and Sabine. What was your greatest musical discovery? Biboy introduces me to all these hip-hop and RnB artists. But, no musical gems for me this year. What did you want and get? A metal and ebony limited edition watch from Fossil. Biboy gave it to me as a surprise gift for the New Year. That boy spoils me to no end. What was your favourite film of this year? I loved Quantum of Solace. It turned Bond into a real guy for me. I didn't really get to watch a lot of movies this year. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 25. Biboy woke me up to a bouquet of two dozen roses. We went out and checked this place for our business venture. It looks promising. In the evening, he got me a chocolate mousse cake. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? I've been trying to hide all the weight I gained. My trademark item for the entire year were boxy, cropped jackets. I bought them in bright, solid colours or patterned and printed ones. What kept you sane? Biboy. Food. Travel. Blogging. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Hugh Laurie. Barack Obama. Daniel Craig. My only girl crush this year was Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf). And I saw her first in House. What political issue stirred you the most? I was riveted by the Democrat vs. Republican campaign. Sarah Palin was such a laugh! Locally, it would be the PNP folks (Euro Generals) being detained in Moscow because of the money they had on them and the hoopla that followed it. And of course, the melamine scare, although that didn't really have much to do with politics here. Who did you miss? Tevs! We hardly ever get to talk now or hang out. It's like we live in completely different timezones. I hope she gets to go with us to Cebu for this year's Sinulog. Who was the best new person you met? Brandtz. He's such a nice person. He's fasyon and a geek at the same time. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. It pays to be the better person. What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself? "You were the growth," Owen said over coffee. The most touching experience you've had this year. Elaine prepared a poster/card for me on my last day at work. It had our picture there and she went around the office asking for people I knew to write messages for me. It was so sweet. I cried all the home on my last day. What did you like most about yourself this year? This is cliche but, I can proudly say that I was able to do stuff "my way". What did you hate most about yourself this year? I've been lazy and undisciplined. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable, And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table. No one can find the rewind button, boys, So cradle your head in your hands, And breathe... just breathe, Oh breathe, just breathe" -Anna Nalick's 'Breathe' Was 2008 a good year for you? Yes. The first quarter was pretty messy but, things got better toward the 3rd quarter and the last quarter of the year was a blast! What was your favorite moment of the year? Dozing off on the white sands of Panglao and waking up with a squint-or-you'll-miss-it tan. I had to convince everyone at work that I did get dark and I had tan lines, so there! What was your least favorite moment of the year? The commute to work. Since I started working in the non call centre industry, traffic jams have become an irritating fact of my life. I miss the traffic jam free nights when I was still working at PS. Do you have a new year's resolution for 2008? I want to start a serious exercise regimen. And I want to be able to manage my finances better. What was your favorite month of 2008? I love August because I went to Cebu with my Mum and baby sister and then Biboy and I went back to Bohol and Panglao. December was memorable because Biboy and I bought an oven and baking tools and started selling brownies. We hope it continues to be successful. Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2008? Nope. Biboy and I bought a bottle of Absolut Mandrin but have not even consumed half of the bottle yet. What are your plans for 2009? I want to attend pastry and baking classes and also get TESL/TEFL certification from DLSU. I'd like to continue taking trips with Biboy, rediscover Pico Iyer, and really start writing again. How are you different now that the year has ended? I am now again open to everything that life has to offer. I am no longer bitter and shrivelled and angry. Indeed, I have found muan jai - wholehearted happiness. *Neighbours, I'm tagging you to answer these questions too
Watching TV together
Definitely one of our favourite pastimes together. We've spent countless Sundays glued to the telly and his Harman/Kardon entertainment system doing House, Shark, Pushing Daisies or Desperate Housewives marathons. We've had moments where we'd hit the pause button and just wax philosophic about the plot of the show and the lines the characters say. I thought he'd hate Pushing Daisies because the cast have this tendency to break out in song, but I was delighted when Biboy kept on replaying Olivia Snook's (Kristin Chenoweth) 'Hopelessly Devoted To You' number! He surprised me once by shoving a Gone With The Wind DVD in my hands and declaring that we watch it together. I warned him it was about 4 hours long and had no nudity. Despite the period costumes and Aunt Pitty's fainting spells, he loved every minute of it! Now, he doesn't flip channels when a Clark Gable movie is on TCM. Ahhh, the power of love!
Today you sent me this text message:
"I want to think that somewhere out there in the universe, on a planet exactly like ours, two people exactly like you and me made very different choices and that, somewhere, we're still together.
"Show us your friends".
Frances and I go a long way back. We met in primary school at Dilmun during fourth grade. We were the only Pinays in a class of 10 or 15. The rest were Bahrainis, Brits, Aussies, and Americans. I called her Franchie Danchie back then. In my head, I still call her Danch. We loved play-acting! We'd have sleepovers at each other's house and play Heidi or Little Women. We started calling ourselves the Royals of Dodoland for awhile and for the life of me, I can't remember why. We went through being prefects in year 5 and then I became Captain of the Yellow House (Falcon Team) while she was Deputy Captain. We loved going to all of the classrooms of each grade every Thursday, to count and collect our housepoints. We have a laugh remembering these things whenever she swings by to visit from Oman. I miss her already! Evs, my bestest friend in the world! We've gone through everything together - from mooning over highschool crushes, planning revenge on our frenemies, and crying over real heartaches. This is the girl who hated the guts of my boyfriend way back in highschool and yet she did everything she could to fix any spat between me and the guy. She scolds me for being the impatient, impulsive brat that I am but, tolerates and supports all the wacky, desperate and be-done-for-life ideas I come up with including but, not limited to flying all the way to DXB, kidnapping and murder! She's street wise and my Mum trusts her with my life! Lately, we have not been able to spend any time together because of our work schedules. But, when we do get to catch up it's as if we've never been apart for even a day. We still laugh over the silliest of things, still dream of taking trips together, still want to have the grandest adventure ever. Evs is my person. This is Shane. My business partner and fellow lakwatchera. She is a third of the Tres Marias that we were back in highschool. We used to sell bubble gum, Twizzlers and other candies to our classmates. We'd haul ass to this wholesale candy store everyday after school to buy more stuff to sell. It was a business venture for me, Shane and Evs. Shane and I secretly hated Evs at the time for not going with us to that hot and dusty store every afternoon. The next thing Shane and I ventured in to was sheet metal! We had a Sheet Metal technology class in our sophomore year and we used our classmates' laziness to our advantage. A whole sheet of galvanized iron (I can't remember the gauge number) cost some 300 or 400 pesos at the time. We bought two whole sheets and we'd cut them up to a certain size and sell those for 175PHP. We made a lot of money out of that, never mind the cuts and scrapes we got from handling really sharp shears and metal edges! Shane is currently in New Caledonia and we keep in touch by chatting everyday. My psuedo thesis partner, Elaine. The girl our college dean chose (over me) to be The Lathe's EIC. My partner-in-aux-crimes. The mom of my god daughter, Fayth. She's one woman that I admire so much for her strength and steadfastness. I know you'll end up reading this. I miss you!!! Si Mama AM. My lovelife guru. Ang pinaka bitter sa lahat ng bitter. Looks out for me even if she's in SIN. Sent me a birthday cake all the way from the Lion City as a surprise. I'm looking forward to her wedding day (finally!). This is my PS family. Dada Alex and Mama AM are currently in SIN. Cyncha, the ever so amusing girl with crazy antics was promoted as an associate trainer while I was still there. I hope I was able to mentor her well. Mindy, the mean girl with her co-basher Kinno. And then there's our official drayber, Billy, Mindy's bother. They definitely made my stay at PS worthwhile. JP. My training and life mentor. The first person who told me NOT to go to DXB. Ging and Ange noticed the way he and I finish each other's sentences. He puts all of my problems into perspective. Treats me like a bibi pato. Lets me have the last bite of the angus burger. Surprises me. Exasperates me. He is the Pares to my Nickel. He is good to me and for me. These are the friends I made in the 25 summers of my life.
On board 5J 571. Minutes after a dusk takeoff. I am headed back to dreamland... I've always loved night flights. I like seeing city lights from afar. There is magic in how they twinkle and glitter. White, blue, red, and orange lights. Forming curious galaxies, resonating with memories of the familiar, promising thrills of the unknown. Tonight the city lights flicker with sadness. I am leaving terra firma.
These are the stuff I'd like to see wrapped up in pretty boxes for my birthday or placed inside my Christmas stocking... I saw these at PowerBooks MOA. They seem really interesting and I would love to play against Micah and Biboy. * (Edit 18NOV) I bought myself a pack at PowerBooks last Saturday. I have absolutely no EQ and started opening the package while waiting for a cab. I stopped going through the cards when I got in the taxi. For some reason, I got distracted and forgot the package in the cab. I cried to Biboy about my carelessness. On my birthday, he dropped by with a bouquet of two dozen roses and Talecraft cards. Swoon! I already got myself the red Moleskine weekly planner. It's in the same size as my unruled Moleskine notebook. I couldn't wait for someone to gift me with it because there were only a few of these left at Fully Booked. It's just November, mind you! I just didn't want to take the risk. I simply hide to swipe my card. * (Edit 11Dec) I've completed the 16 stickers needed for the Starbucks Planner. I need to put emphasis on the "grown-up" part. Biboy and I love to eat out - a lot. How do you think I gained all this weight? But, we've never been out to a proper dinner date together, so he's promised to take me out to a posh restaurant for my birthday. He's stressing about the dress code and the fact that he has to make a reservation before the date. He's so innocent. I swear! Lilies are my favourite flowers. I've been placing my iPod in one of those fake leather cases you can buy from random cellphone accessories stores. It's really quite ugly. Mama, I hope you're reading this. Hint, hint! Those self-help, corporate type of books that I never paid attention to when I was still in PS! I need them now. Another out-of-town trip would be lovely. Evs, Elaine and I have been planning to go since forever. At some point I think we actually saved enough to be able to go. But this trip has yet to materialize for us. I never buy electronic gadgets for myself except for my cellphone. My current camera is a 3.5 MP Canon Ixus hand-me-down from my mum. My 16 GB iPod Touch is a pasalubong from my Lolo. I definitely need a laptop/notebook now with my current work. And since I'm such a techno ditz, my only requirements are: 1. It should be PINK and 2. I should know where the Power switch is. Biboy covers all the techno babble for me. This has his seal of approval. Hope he gets it for me too. :)
Talecraft Cards
Red Starbucks 2009 Planner or red Moleskine 2009 Weekly Planner
Whenever I see this ad on TV, I absolutely have to stop and sing along to it. And because I'm a true blue Pinay, I change the lyrics to boom ti yaya, boom ti yaya!
