2014

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you guys and girls had an amazing NYE. As for me, I spent it in our province to host our local palaro with my cousins and friends, wherein we held games for the young ones and some of the not-so-very-young-ones as well before the clock strikes midnight and all hell, err, fireworks let loose. It's a yearly thing actually, and it's probably our generation's last (the previous generation was my mama's). Braving Divisoria on a holiday was all worth it just seeing the kids' smiles and hearing everyone's laughter.

My 2013 was a mixture of pain and happiness, and I think that's quite normal. I started the year strong, but caught some bad vibes along the way. Pain is inevitable. But as long as there are people who can help me cope, I think I'll survive another year. I just hope that 2014 has better things in store. So cheers to 2014!

December Wishes

It's finally December! I love, love December. Despite being nearly broke and having second thoughts about my life choices, December never fails to lift my spirits up; maybe because it's my birth month or because everything seems so festive. When this time of the year comes around, I feel like every one has the right to make all the wishes they want and truly believe that they can come true a hundred percent. I do have a lot of wishes right now, mostly for my career and some material wants. However, right now, I feel like I want to give all my wishing rights to the victims of typhoon Yolanda. Yes, I know that it wouldn't help in changing any of their circumstances, but I believe that prayers and wishes truly work. Of course, those needs to be paired with real and tangible efforts. Every action made to help the victims is already a wish come true. I do have a few plans for this Christmas like donating some of my old clothes and toys, and I'm aiming to have them ready before Christmas. School is still driving me crazy, but a few hours of my time wouldn't hurt, especially since it's all I can give. I hope you're doing your part too, dear reader. If you can't (and I understand because we all have our own circumstances too), a little prayer or a single wish might go a long way.

It's September, Baby

September marks the Christmas Celebration here in the Philippines, the longest in the world. Soon, places will dance with the twinkle of glitters and lights. Christmas sales will excite shoppaholics, and mall hours will be extended. There will be a nip in the air, and my growing collection of sweaters will be of use again. Needless to say, I am very much excited! Honestly, I'm going through tough changes right now, but the promise of the season helps me cope.

Here in our household, it's tradition to play Christmas music on September 1. Usually, we play Kenny G's Miracles: The Holiday Album. I love it, and its a tradition that I'll always keep. But for this post, I'd like to share one of my most favorite Christmas song ever: My Grown Up Christmas List.  I feel like the song is very timely, especially since recent news has been about depressing and disturbing news, such as the Syrian chemical weapons attack. The original was sang by David Foster, but I like me some Michael Bublé.

 

I'm trying to start the season with good vibes, positive energy, and hopeful thoughts, despite some personal setbacks. Cheers to the yuletide season! :)

Happy Mother's Day!

 Happy Mother's day, Nanay!

The first thing I can tell you about my Nanay (mom) is that she hates having her picture taken, which is why the picture above is taken from last year's Mother's day. The picture isn't perfect, and I had to apply my meager Photoshop skills just to lighten it. But unlike the picture above, I think that I have the perfect mom. She's beautiful in my eyes all the time. Yes, she's a great nagger at times, but everything she does is for me and my big brother. I definitely love her for the gifts and sacrifices she gives us. I love you, Nanay!

Here's a tribute to all moms out there from one of my favorite bands. I listen to this all the time, even if its not Mother's day. Enjoy!

 

Holiday Recap and 2013

Once again, the holiday season made me such a terrible blogger. For the whole month of December, I've been a cook and a baker numerous times that I wasn't able to be a photographer to any of our feasts. Nevertheless, my holidays and 2012 as a whole was really great. I've experienced many things, was surrounded  by great people, had an amazing birthday, and the world did not end.

 

Now, here we are starting a new year, 2013. I used to make specific resolutions when I was younger. But since I learned that not all will be as I planned it, I've since embraced a single resolution, which is change. Change for the better, and change for what is right. With change, I also found out that some fears can be overcome. So far, it hasn't failed me yet. I'm more outgoing and more confident now ever since I've embraced that changes are inevitable. This year, I plan to make more changes, starting with the relationships that I've built and building with people in my life. So, dear reader, instead of asking you what you're new year's resolutions are, I ask you: What changes are you willing to make? And what fears are you willing to overcome?

Late Post: 2011, Christmas, New Year's Eve, etc.

This is a very late post as I was very preoccupied during the holiday season, and I somehow regret for not having posts for the actual dates of Christmas and New Year's Eve. 2011 was a very good year despite the occasional problems and conflicts. To make this post easier, I'll do what I do best: a list! Here are the best things of last year:

• My year started with a hearty lunch at Nuvali with my family. It was my first time at Nuvali, and the food was just amazing. Then and there, I knew 2011 was going to be a good year.
• 2011 was also the year in which I learned to cook adobo, menudo, and wicked oreos (deep fried oreos coated in pancake batter).
• I experienced my first "go kart" driving at EK last February 2011. It totally removed my fear of driving, and now I am actually waiting for a chance to take driving lessons.
• We had two graduates from our family this year, which are my cousins Jodel (who is now a freshman in college) and Raymond (who is the same age as me).
• I took some amazing photos this year. Some were posted, and some are privately adored (as I don't have the time and courage to post them. haha!).
• Our company's late summer outing brought me closer to gorgeous and lovely ladies who made staying in the office and reviewing tons of essays bearable.
• I had tons of overnight stays with my friends (officemates, childhood friends, college friends, and so on!).
• I read a lot of good books.
• I enrolled in a Japanese class again.
• Of course, one of the best things that happened to me last 2011 was my Taiwan trip with Danna and Hsieh. The trip gave me a lot of pounds in return, but still, experiencing the culture from a local's point of view was really amazing. I sort of ate a hundred kinds of tofu and drank a lot of milk teas. By the time we went back to the Philippines, Danna and I are already tofu and milk tea critics!
• My year (any year) wouldn't be complete without Enchanted Kingdom trips. I think I had three or four this year. Some people ask me if I don't get bored with EK. Despite its 30min distance from our home and going there every year, I don't get tired of it. Simply because I always go there with amazing people -- or may be the magic really does stay with you.
• I discovered 9gag! Enough said.
• I finished half and one of my "21 Celebratory Things".
• One of my block mate from college reminded me that it has already been a year since our graduation.
• Last November 30, 2011, our relatives from California visited us after ten years of not being able to come home to the Philippines. They were the reasons why I stayed off-net most of the time, as I wanted to make every moment of their vacation count.
• In relation to #13, I hang-out with my cousins, Aren and Amiel, again; they were just babies when they left the Philippines, so seeing them again was just priceless. Also, I met my five year old cousin, AJ, who was born in US. He is a small boy with a bundle of energy!
• My birthday as the same day as our company's Christmas Party -- and it was epic.
• Christmas was celebrated with complete members of our family. It made shopping a little hectic, but it was worth it.
• New Year's eve was fun as well; we had less fireworks, but the kids enjoyed it still.
• Lastly, I had my hair perm for the first time on the morning of New Year's eve, and I love it so much!

 So that's about it (or at least, what I remember). 2011 was a good year, and I'm looking forward for 2012! Let's make one epic year again! :)

 

For my 2011 [Late Post]

I'm simply looking forward, but surely not ignoring my present

I'm specifically looking forward to the day I fall in love again. This time, it will not necessary be to "who", but it can also be to "what", "where", and every other thing, living or not, that exists. [insert pronoun] may catch me any moment now, may see me anywhere, or may just be here, there, wherever it already [insert pronoun] In a way, I don't make any sense right now. However, it kind of feels good to not make sense now. I've been planning and imagining what my life would be ever since, but now, it feels much more better to have a clean slate. It does not pressure me; it does not agitate me. I can breathe, and know, I can really be with myself.

So hooray to 2011, and have a great year everyone!

What I received so far.

The yearly wait for Christmas is almost over. A few days more and it's that time once again when people gift gives with each other, eat mouth-watering food, and (for Filipinos) kids visits their ninongs and ninangs. As for me, Christmas will be a hectic day. When it comes to gifts, I'm not really expecting that much. Every year, the only gift that I always wait for is from a boy, but since the happening that changed my entire life style and views, I guess I won't be expecting any gift at all. However, I did receive some wonderful things already such as:

 

This book from my big brother. I've been dying to read this book. However, this adds to my long list of read this vacation. 

From my monita, Ninky!

 My own SLR! I'm still thinking of a name for this. My options are: Dalia, McClarence, or Lily. Whatcha think?

A new phone. I didn't asked for this though, and I really don't like this (because I'm really aiming for an iphone), but I'm thankful anyways.

So there's my life so far this Christmas.What I realized is that when I started to not expect, I got  much more special things I received, and not just in material things. Anyways, I'm such a geek.