Homecoming

Went to the Church of Gesu in AdMU last Saturday night to attend the 1st Simbang Gabi mass.

Feels good to be home even for just a few hours.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean For Your Love Life?

Your Birthdate: March 28

You don't just believe in love at first site - you've experienced it. You develop crushes pretty easily, but keeping your interest is another matter! You are very prone to love - hate relationships. Number of True Loves You'll Have: 1 Number of Times You'll Have Your Heart Broken: 6 You are most compatible with people born on the 1st, 10th, 19th, and 28th of the month.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean For Your Love Life?

Hola!

I am soooo totally hooked on Ugly Betty! Although initially I almost didn’t want to watch this adorable series, as I thought it might just be an American version of the original Betty La Fea (which, I used to regularly watch, haha!). But, boy was I glad to be wrong!

Betty Suarez is a 22-year old Latina from Queens, who gets to work as an assistant to the editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine in New York City. From the moment she came in to the office wearing glasses and braces, and dressed in a big red poncho with “Guadalajara” boldly written across the front, it’s expected that she won’t fit in with most of the people there. In a place where looks are everything, Betty had her share of humiliation and insults. But she somehow brings life to Mode, given her idealistic nature and willingness to believe in people’s innate goodness. It’s really no wonder why America Ferrera won as Best Actress, as she portrays Betty adorably well.

Betty may be the star of the show, but there are also other characters to watch out for. I totally love Amanda and Marc, a bitchy version of Will & Grace, who torment Betty endlessly. Amanda is the sexy receptionist whose first words to Betty are “Are you the before?”, and who pigs out every time she’s stressed out. Marc is Wilhelmina’s gay assistant who is quick to capture embarrassing pictures of Betty, and create his own “Betty’s Wall of Shame”. Although they give Betty a hard time, there have been instances where they’re all forced to stick together and sometimes even share a few heart-warming moments. This doesn’t mean that they like her, though.

Vanessa Williams is also great as the scheming villainess Wilhelmina Slater, the Creative Director who is always out to get the editor-in-chief post. And may I say she looks good doing her evil deeds? Gosh, her outfits are deliciously fabulous and just to die for! They got me salivating in every episode, he he he.

Unlike in the original telenovela, Betty does not fall in love with her womanizing boss. Instead, she slowly becomes Daniel’s confidante and friend, who always end up bailing him (and even his family) out of trouble. She always looks out for him and never hesitates to give him a piece of her mind every time he screws up, and Daniel somehow hates it when she’s disappointed in him.

If she doesn’t fall in love with her boss, then who is Betty’s love interest? Her knight in shining armour is in the person of the cute and nerdy accountant, Henry, who knows that pink river daisies are Betty’s favourite flowers, that she likes the band Wicked, and that she likes that extra mustard on her sandwich. They like and laugh at the same things, and even finish each other’s sentences. They’re totally perfect for each other—if only he didn’t have an ex-girlfriend, who’s carrying his baby (or maybe not). Nerd love has never been this romantic and complicated!

So in all, I think Ugly Betty has everything you’d want in a show—comedy, drama, mystery and romance. After seeing it, you definitely won’t judge a book by its cover (or a show by its protagonist) again.

What If Harry Potter Went to the Ateneo?

Here's a link to a funny blog entry featuring a parody of Ateneo life and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Thanks for sharing, Ailee!

http://smartaleck30.multiply.com/journal/item/44/Harry_Potter_and_the_Ateneo_de_Manila_University

My Song (of the Moment)

Unwritten
by Natasha Bedingfield

I am unwritten,
Can't read my mind
I'm undefined
I'm just beginning
The pen's in my hand
Ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

I break tradition
Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines
We've been conditioned
To not make mistakes
But I can't live that way

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions

"Partners and Marriage"

(Just a re-post of a forwarded email. Long read, but really worth it.)

FOREWORD:
Eduardo Calasanz was a student at the Ateneo Manila University, Philippines, where he had Father Ferriols as professor. Father Ferriols, meanwhile at that time, was the Philosophy department head. Currently he still teaches Philosophy for graduating college students in Ateneo. Father Ferriols has been very popular for his mind opening and enriching classes but was also notorious for the grades he gives. Still people took his classes for the learning and deep insight they take home with them every day (if only they could do something about the grades...) Anyway, come grade giving time, (Ateneo has letter grading systems, the highest being an A, lowest at D, with F for flunk), Fr. Ferriols had this long discussion with the registrar people because he wanted to give Calasanz an A+. Either that or he doesn't teach at all... Calasanz got his A+. Read the paper below to find out why....

PARTNERS AND MARRIAGE
By Eduardo Jose E. Calasanz

I have never met a man who didn't want to be loved. But I have seldom met a man who didn't fear marriage. Something about the closure seems constricting, not enabling. Marriage seems easier to understand for what it cuts out of our lives than for what it makes possible within our lives.

When I was younger this fear immobilized me. I did not want to make a mistake. I saw my friends get married for reasons of social acceptability, or sexual fever, or just because they thought it was the logical thing to do. Then I watched, as they and their partners became embittered and petty in their dealings with each other. I looked at older couples and saw, at best, mutual toleration of each other. I imagined a lifetime of loveless nights and bickering days and could not imagine subjecting myself or someone else to such a fate.

And yet, on rare occasions, I would see old couples who somehow seemed to glow in each other's presence. They seemed really in love, not just dependent upon each other and tolerant of each other's foibles. It was an astounding sight, and it seemed impossible. How, I asked myself, can they have survived so many years of sameness, so much irritation at the others habits? What keeps love alive in them, when most of us seem unable to even stay together, much less love each other?

The central secret seems to be in choosing well. There is something to the claim of fundamental compatibility. Good people can create a bad relationship, even though they both dearly want the relationship to succeed. It is important to find someone with whom you can create a good relationship from the outset. Unfortunately, it is hard to see clearly in the early stages. Sexual hunger draws you to each other and colors the way you see yourselves together. It blinds you to the thousands of little things by which relationships eventually survive or fail.

You need to find a way to see beyond this initial overwhelming sexual fascination. Some people choose to involve themselves sexually and ride out the most heated period of sexual attraction in order to see what is on the other side. This can work, but it can also leave a trail of wounded hearts. Others deny the sexual side altogether in an attempt to get to know each other apart from their sexuality. But they cannot see clearly, because the presence of unfulfilled sexual desire looms so large that it keeps them from having any normal perception of what life would be like together.

The truly lucky people are the ones who manage to become long-time friends before they realize they are attracted to each other. They get to know each other's laughs, passions, sadness, and fears. They see each other at their worst and at their best. They share time together before they get swept up into the entangling intimacy of their sexuality. This is the ideal, but not often possible. If you fall under the spell of your sexual attraction immediately, you need to look beyond it for other keys to compatibility.

One of these is laughter. Laughter tells you how much you will enjoy each others company over the long term. If your laughter together is good and healthy, and not at the expense of others, then you have a healthy relationship to the world. Laughter is the child of surprise. If you can make each other laugh, you can always surprise each other. And if you can always surprise each other, you can always keep the world around you new.

Beware of a relationship in which there is no laughter. Even the most intimate relationships based only on seriousness have a tendency to turn sour. Over time, sharing a common serious viewpoint on the world tends to turn you against those who do not share the same viewpoint, and your relationship can become based on being critical together.

After laughter, look for a partner who deals with the world in a way you respect. When two people first get together, they tend to see their relationship as existing only in the space between the two of them. They find each other endlessly fascinating, and the overwhelming power of the emotions they are sharing obscures the outside world. As the relationship ages and grows, the outside world becomes important again.

If your partner treats people or circumstances in a way you can't accept, you will inevitably come to grief. Look at the way he/she cares for others and deals with the daily affairs of life. If that makes you love him/her more, your love will grow. If it does not, be careful. If you do not respect the way you each deal with the world around you, eventually the two of you will not respect each other.

Look also at how your partner confronts the mysteries of life. We live on the cusp of poetry and practicality, and the real life of the heart resides in the poetic. If one of you is deeply affected by the mystery of the unseen in life and relationships, while the other is drawn only to the literal and the practical, you must take care that the distance does not become an unbridgeable gap that leaves you each feeling isolated and misunderstood. There are many other keys, but you must find them by yourself. We all have unchangeable parts of our hearts that we will not betray and private commitments to a vision of life that we will not deny. If you fall in love with someone who cannot nourish those inviolable parts of you, or if you cannot nourish them in him/her, you will find yourselves growing further apart until you live in separate worlds where you share the business of life, but never touch each other where the heart lives and dreams.

From there it is only a small leap to the cataloging of petty hurts and daily failures that leaves so many couples bitter and unsatisfied with their mates. So choose carefully and well. If you do, you will have chosen a partner with whom you can grow, and then the real miracle of marriage can take place in your hearts.

I pick my words carefully when I speak of a miracle. But I think it is not too strong a word. There is a miracle in marriage. It is called transformation. Transformation is one of the most common events of nature. The seed becomes the flower. The cocoon becomes the butterfly. Winter becomes spring and love becomes a child. We never question these, because we see them around us every day. To us they are not miracles, though if we did not know them they would be impossible to believe.

Marriage is a transformation we choose to make. Our love is planted like a seed, and in time it begins to flower. We cannot know the flower that will blossom, but we can be sure that a bloom will come.

If you have chosen carefully and wisely, the bloom will be good. If you have chosen poorly or for the wrong reason, the bloom will be flawed. We are quite willing to accept the reality of negative transformation in a marriage. It was negative transformation that always had me terrified of the bitter marriages that I feared when I was younger. It never occurred to me to question the dark miracle that transformed love into harshness and bitterness.

Yet I was unable to accept the possibility that the first heat of love could be transformed into something positive that was actually deeper and more meaningful than the heat of fresh passion. All I could believe in was the power of this passion and the fear that when it cooled I would be left with something lesser and bitter.

But there is positive transformation as well. Like negative transformation, it results from a slow accretion of little things. But instead of death by a thousand blows, it is growth by a thousand touches of love. Two histories intermingle. Two separate beings, two separate presence, two separate consciousness come together and share a view of life that passes before them. They remain separate, but they also become one.

There is an expansion of awareness, not a closure and a constriction, as I had once feared. This is not to say that there is not tension and there are not traps. Tension and traps are part of every choice of life, from celibate to monogamous to having multiple lovers.

Each choice contains within it the lingering doubt that the road not taken somehow mor e fruitful and exciting, and each becomes dulled to the richness that it alone contains. But only marriage allows life to deepen and expand and be leavened by the knowledge that two have chosen, against all odds, to become one. Those who live together without marriage can know the pleasure of shared company, but there is a specific gravity in the marriage commitment that deepens that experience into something richer and more complex.

So do not fear marriage, just as you should not rush into it for the wrong reasons. It is an act of faith and it contains within it the power of transformation. If you believe in your heart that you have found someone with whom you are able to grow, if you have sufficient faith that you can resist the endless attraction of the road not taken and the partner not chosen, if you have the strength of heart to embrace the cycles and seasons that your love will experience, then you may be ready to seek the miracle that marriage offers. If not, then wait.

The easy grace of a marriage well made is worth your patience. When the time comes, a thousand flowers will bloom...endlessly.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Most people may not know this about me, but I've kept all the letters, notes, and cards I've received since I was in grade school. Even those written on scratch paper, post-its, and tissue paper. I love writing notes/letters because I think they're more personal and more meaningful.

And so, last Friday night, feeling a little bit nostalgic, I whipped out the box containing those I got in college. I had to laugh at the stuff we talked about then-- boys, stinky teachers, failing grades in Math, boys, short-term goals like having boyfriends, weird classmates, and more boys! Things were definitely a bit less complicated, albeit more dramatic, then.

I thought about the faces behind those letters, and remembered all the things we've been through. And then I came across a note, with handwriting I didn't recognize. This poem was written on a torn 1/2 piece of notebook paper:

PERFECT WOMAN

She was a Phantom of delight
When first she gleamed upon my sight;
A lovely Apparition sent
To be a moment's ornament;
Her eyes as stars of Twilight fair;
Like Twilight's, too, her dusky hair;
But all things else about her drawn
From May-time and the cheerful Dawn,
A dancing shape, an image gay;
To haunt, to startle, and way-lay.

I saw her upon nearer view,
A spirit, yet a Woman too!
Her havehold motions light and free,
And steps of virgin-liberty;
A countenance on which did meet
Sweet records, promises as sweet;
A creature not too bright or good
For human nature's daily food;
For transient sorrows, simple wiles,
Praise, blame, live, kisses, tears and smiles.

And now I see with eyes serene
The very pulse of the machine,
A Being breathing thoughtful breath,
A Traveller between life and death;
The reason firm, the temperate will,
Endurance, foresight, strength and skill;
A perfect woman, nobly planned,
To warm, to comfort, and command;
And yet a spirit still, and bright
With something of angelic light.

-William Wordsworth

Hmmm...

People say: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

I say: "Too much absence makes the heart wonder (or even wander.)"

Me no millionaire

A colleague shared with us some interesting points she read in the book "The Millionaire Next Door". If I remember correctly, the book was based on interviews done by the authors (a couple of psychologists, I think) of several well-off people in States.

So what did they find out? A millionaire's profile is:
- 50 something male
- retired, self-employed (but not necessarily a businessman)
- married with 3 kids; spouse is usually a housewife or if working, a teacher
- has lived in their residence for 20 years; usually owns secondhand cars
- spends 10% of earnings (not so sure about the figure, basta super way below their means)
There's more, but I can't remember them now.

Anyway, a question discussed was, if you own a million pesos now, are you already considered a "millionaire"? Answer: not necessarily. The measure of wealth differs with age, like a 40-year old is expected to have more wealth that a 23-year old.

So, how do you know if you're wealthy at your age? They've come up with the following formula:

Net Worth = Age x Gross Annual Income

10

The figure you get should be what you have in your savings right now. Now, if you have less than this amount, join the club. If you have more, call me. =)

Irksome Twosome

I went to the bookstore with my sis this afternoon, with one mission in mind: to get our hands on the 7th and last Harry Potter book.

Apparently, they're not displaying the books so you had to pay for it first then claim your copy from the customer service counter right beside the cashier.

So after paying, the receipt was handed off to Girl In-charge. While we were waiting for the book, my sis and I noticed Office Woman by the CS counter browsing through the important parts of the book while asking Girl In-charge crucial questions about it.

Office Woman: Naa na diay anak si Harry? (Harry had a kid?)
Girl In-charge: O, kay after 19 years naman na sya. (Yeah, this was after 19 years.)
*Picture my sis and I pacing back and forth, trying hard not to commit murder in a bookstore. Grrr.
Office Woman: So, kinsa diay ang namatay? (So, who died?)

I walked out. Good thing, my sis didn't hear Office Woman or else Harry would've been left alone with the freaks.

Wanted: Scar Remover

Been rubbing Sebo de Macho on my horrendous leg scars for months now, hoping they would disappear. But I've no such luck. The cream definitely prevented the scars from darkening, but now they're white. UGLY white.

So if you know of any other miracle creams, let me know. Pleeeez, I'm utterly desperate.

MAJOR-ly Cool

-Borrowed from Camillo; I just find my 1st and 2nd choices amusing, from Visual & Performing Arts to Biology/Chemistry/Geology. =) You scored as Visual&PerformingArts, You should strongly consider majoring (or minoring) in the Visual or Performing Arts (e.g., Art, Art Education, Art History, Ceramics, Culinary Arts, Dance, Drawing, Fashion Design, Film, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Marketing (advertising), Music, Music Education, Music Theory, Painting, Photography, Theatre). It is possible that the best major for you is your 2nd, 3rd, or even 5th listed category, so be sure to consider ALL majors in your OTHER high scoring categories (below). You may score high in a category you didnt think you would--it is possible that a great major for you is something you once dismissed as not for you. The right major for you will be something 1) you love and enjoy and 2) are really great at it. Visual&PerformingArts 100% Biology/Chemistry/Geology 88% French/Spanish/OtherLanguage 81% HR/BusinessManagement 75% English/Journalism/Comm 75% Psychology/Sociology 69% History/Anthropology/LiberalArts 50% PoliticalScience/Philosophy 50% Accounting/Finance/Marketing 50% Religion/Theology 50% Physics/Engineering/Computer 50% Mathematics/Statistics 38% Education/Counseling 38% Nursing/AthleticTraining/Health 31% WHAT MAJOR IS RIGHT FOR YOU? created with QuizFarm.com

Some Survey

1] What was the highlight of your week?
So far, going to the gym. Boring.

2] Whose car were you in last?
Mine... or rather, my parents'. Hehe.

3] When is the next time you will kiss someone?
My gawd, who knows?

4] What color shirt are you wearing?
Purple.

5] How long is your hair?
Um, middle of my back, I think.

8] Last movie you watched?
In a movie house, Pirates 3(which was shown ages ago). DVD, Prime.

9] Last thing you ate?
Banana.

10] Last thing you drank?
Water.

11] Where did you sleep last night?
My bed.

13] Are you happy right now?
So so.

14] What did you say last?
"Remote control, please."

15] Where is your phone?
In my bag, up in my room.

16] What was the last museum you went to?
Ayala, I think, back in college.

17] What color are your eyes?
Dark brown.

19] Who came over last?
My grandma.

20] When was the last time you had your heart broken?
Ugh.

21] Who/what do you hate/dislike currently?
Waiting.

22] What are you listening to?
Jay Leno

23] If you could have one thing right now what would it be?
Mac laptop.

24] What is your favorite scent?
Nothing specific.

25] Who makes you happiest right now?
Family and friends.

26] What were you doing at midnight last night?
Sleeping.

30] Are you left-handed?
Nope.

32] What's for dinner tonight?
Adidas.

35] When Is Your Birthday?
March 28, '80

36] Who was the last person to send you a text message?
My mom.

37] When was the last time you went to a swimming pool?
Last May, for summer outing.

39] Where was the last place you went shopping?
Can't remember. Yes, it was that long.

40] How do you feel about your hair right now?
I'm due for a color treatment in a couple of weeks.

41] Do you have any expensive jewelry?
Nope.

42] AIM or MSN?
YM

46] Where does most of your family live?
Here in Cebu. My bros are in Manila.

47]Are you an only child or do you have siblings?
I have 3 other siblings.

48] Would you consider yourself to be spoiled?
Maybe.

49] What was the first thing you thought when you woke up?
Can I go back to sleep?

50] Do you drink beer?
Yeah. But I haven't for quite some time now.

52] Myspace or Facebook?
Facebook.

53] Do you have T-Mobile?
Nope.

54] What is your favorite subject in school?
Math, Chem, English, Filipino, Arts, Music, Marketing, Philo... in no particular order.

57] Do you have any talents?
I would like to think so =)

58] Have you ever been in a wedding?
I've attended weddings.

59] Do you have any children?
Nope.

60] Did you take a nap today?
Nope.

63] Do you want to be famous one day?
Only if I also become rich.

65] Are you multitasking right now?
Of course!

66] Could you handle being in the military?
Nope, I would probably become a rebel.

67] What is your average cell phone bill?
400-600... yeah!!!

68] Do you believe in Karma?
Yes.

72] Ever been to Las Vegas?
Nope.

73] What are you doing today?
Right now, answering this survey.

74] Have you ever been gambling?
Just tried out the slot machines.

75] When is the last time you updated your blog?
Um, sometime in June.

76] Have you been to New York City?
I would love to live there someday!

77] Ever been to Disneyland/world?
HK

78] Do you have a favorite cartoon character?
Dory

79] Last thing you cooked?
Pasta with tuna, about a year ago. Haha.

82] Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone?
Hmmm, probably lost it.

83] Last time you were sick?
In May, got all stitched up.

84] Friend that makes you laugh the hardest?
Power of Four. =)

Long overdue tagging

Each player of this game starts with 6 weird things about themselves. People who get tagged need to write a blog entry of their own 6 weird things. They should state the rule clearly as well. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to tell them they've been tagged and ask them to read your blog.

6 weird things about Me:
1. I used to enjoy watching Jai alai games on TV, just for fun. Just like how I enjoyed watching those Chinese movies without translation.
2. I only eat raisins that come in a box. If they're mixed with any other food, I throw them away. 3. I have an eyebrow fixation. I pluck my brows almost daily.
4. My favorite vegetable is ampalaya. Got used to the taste after all those years of forced feeding.
5. I've always enjoyed watching Eat Bulaga since I was a kid, and even wanted to join Little Miss Philippines. Seriously.
6. I sleepwalk and sleeptalk. Happened more often when I was younger.

guilty as charged

an old forwarded email which, i re-read while cleaning my inbox.


F A M I L Y

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.

He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."

We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,

"While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.

Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.

"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."

I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway."

I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

lightbulb moment

i've been a bit uninspired and depressed about this one aspect of my life for quite some time now. thus making me a monstrous, sulking little biatch-- sooo not a nice person to be with. and after my recent mishap, i realized (or finally admitted to myself) that i need a major change in this area if i want to be truly happy. the thought that i could've died then (i'm such a drama queen!), without fulfilling my dream, scared the crap out of me.

and so, i was really glad to have met up with shalu this afternoon as she was able to shed some light on my problem. she shared her newfound "positivity", brought about by her recent freedom from a crippling problem similar to mine. in short, she helped me get a glimpse of the so-called light at the end of the tunnel. waking me up to take big steps to get out of it.

so now i'm verbalizing it: i am on my way to making wonderful changes in life, finally! and as the tv show title goes, "abangan ang susunod na kabanata!" :D

One Big Ateneo Survey (courtesy of Ailee)

1. What's your ID number? --- Unlike Ailee and Yang, I can’t remember this anymore. Obvious na I almost always requested for proxy reg =p

2. Passed or wait-listed? --- Passed, of course!

3. How did you know about the ACET results? --- My uncle, whose son was also in Ateneo, called me up and told me I passed, for the course Legal Management. I asked him ‘What’s that?” and he said, “Ewan ko sa’yo, ikaw yung nag-take ng exam!” Haha.

4. Was Ateneo your first choice? --- Not really, UPD was my first choice.

5. Do you know what your ACET score is? --- Nope.

6. What course was your first choice? --- LM. But as mentioned above I vaguely remember why I chose it. My theory is, I was looking for a Management course and my parents wanted me to become a laywer, thus the Legal Management course.

7. Second choice? --- AB Communications, which was what I really wanted to take. But practicality made me choose LM.

8. Anong course mo ngayon? (for alumni, course dati) --- LM, and happy about it.

9. Did you have any plans of shifting? --- Nope.

10. Chinito/chinita ka ba? --- Uh, I don’t think so

11. Taga-Ateneo High? --- Nope

12. Did you have fun in your OrSem? --- Hell yeah! I met my super best friends Awee, Yang and Cheeky during OrSem.

13. Saang gate ka pumasok nung first day? --- Gate 3.

14. Are you staying/did you stay in a dorm? --- Nope, stayed with my uncle’s family in UP Village

15. Ever had an F in your grade report? --- None, buti na lang

16. How about an A? --- Yup

17. Highest grade? --- A

18. Lowest grade? --- D for accounting and finance, I think. Haha!

19. Worst experience in ADMU? --- Nothing comes to mind.

20. Do you always attend class? --- Hahaha, nope! I’ve cut class a few times just because I felt like doing so.

21. What are/were your orgs? --- LEX and Enta (the best!) Also joined CADs before, but wasn’t that active.

22. How many units have/did you pass/ed? --- All required units lang.

23. Nangangarap/nangarap ka bang maglaude? --- No way! Took having fun seriously.

24. When will/did you graduate? --- 2001

25. Fave subject? --- CHEM!!! Philo subjects (except for 103, because of the teacher), Filipino subjects, JSP 101, and of course, Marketing. Had the best group mates!

26. Worst subject/s? --- Math and Accounting, definitely. Talk about bitter pill.

27. Fave landmark sa ADMU? --- Bel Field, especially at night when all the lights are turned on.

28. Fave kainan? --- MANANG’S! The best!

29. How do/did you get to school? --- Was able to use all means of transpo possible—jeepney, trike, car, taxicab, my feet.

30. Are/were you always at the lib? --- Yuck, no. I only go the lib when necessary, like when I need to review for an exam, do homework, and when I’m sleepy. Hehe.

31. Ever gone to the infirmary when you were sick? --- Yup, had to go there one early morning because of a tummy ache. Turns out it’s appendicitis, and I had to undergo surgery that night.

32. Do/did you have a crush in campus? --- Oh yeah. About a handful, hehe.

33. May balak kang mag-MS, PhD? --- Not really. But would like to study something related to the arts.

34. Have you ever watched a graduation ceremony? --- Yup, ushered for batches ’98, ’99 and ’00.

35. Do you know the "Song for Mary" by heart? --- Yeah, baby.

36. Memorize mo ba ang Fabilioh? ---Yes.

37. ...ang Halikinu? -- Yes.

38. ...ang Blue Eagle Spelling? --- You’re not an Atenean if you don’t memorize these cheers.

39. Are you part of Team Ateneo? --- Nope.

40. Who's your fave UAAP basketball player? --- None.

41. Ever had a perfect score in an exam? --- I can’t remember.

42. Ano ang ayaw mo sa Hell Week? --- The praning people.

43. Dito ka ba natuto uminom ng beer? --- Nope. Not into beer now.

44. What do you like about our school? --- Everything about it, good or bad.

45. Ano ang ayaw mo? --- Seriously, wala.

46. Have you ever bought anything at the A-shop? --- Yup, t-shirt and car sticker, I think.

47. maganda ba ID pic mo? --- Not my first one! We all had our pics taken in the afternoon of OrSem Day 1, when all of us had sweaty and pasty skin. Nice. The second one was ok. The third one, I looked like the blueberry girl from Willy Wonka.

48. Done anything illegal on campus? --- None naman.

49. Bought anything at National Katips? --- Of course, it’s my second home!

50. Ever gone to Starbucks Katips? --- Yup, but only a few times.

51. May nakaaway ka na ba sa school? --- Can’t remember.

52. QPI? --- 3 something. Don’t remember stuff like grades. ;) Yabang, hehe.

Frankenstein Look-Alike

Inasmuch as I don't want to scare everyone away, I'm posting here pics of what I looked like right after the accident mentioned in my previous post. Just in case you don't recognize me anymore, sniff sniff. (Drama!)


The bandages and stitches are all gone now, but I'm still left with with horrendous scars. Parang cosmetic surgery gone wrong. Hay.

The (St)itchy and Scratchy Show

Who could've known that what's supposed to be a fun & relaxing weekend would turn into a "woundfest" for me.

Last Saturday, we had our company summer outing at Plantation Bay. We had fun biking around the resort, taking lots of pictures, and swimming in the beach. Mel, Denise, Anj and I decided to try out the water slide. It would be a first for me so I was kind of psyched to try it out.

My turn on the slide-- I was lying down with my arms crossed, sliding down real fast, bumping hard against the sides, then my bottom hit the pool floor with a big thump swallowing lots of sea water. That was Bad Idea #1.

After recovering from the somewhat bad dismount, we all decided to play water polo, guys (5) versus girls (10). I was positioned right beside the guys' goal, which was some sort of roofed wooden structure on top of a rocky semi-hill. Yep, definitely Bad Idea #2-in-the-making.

After scoring a couple of goals, I felt a sting on my right leg. I earned myself two 3-inch scratches that sat side by side in the middle of my leg. I initially brushed them off as mere scratches, but then when I got out of the water it started bleeding somewhat profusely. So I had someone perform first aid, and wrap it up nicely.

So you'd think I would just lay off any physical activity until I get home safely. But the next morning (Mother's Day), four of us decided to go biking before breakfast. I thought this would be ok as I was able to finish an hour of biking without any mishap. (Now that I think of it, I actually fell down the bike on one of our stops the day before. I should've taken this as a sign.) This wasn't Bad Idea #3. This was the WORST IDEA EVER.

We were riding along a narrow, curved, somewhat downward sloping road. As I turned to the left, I was caught off guard because there were 2 people, 1 on each side of the road. I managed to avoid them, but there was another person (or persons, I remember vaguely now.) as I turned to the right, and the road was already sloping at this point. I avoided bumping into the person, so in turn I fell to my left and hit the pavement. I felt my head hit something hard, but I thought it was just a bump, so I stood up and started an embarassed laugh. But then I felt hot liquid drip down my face. Apparently, I hit a corner of a cement slab (the one used to cover sewage canals) or according to my companions, with some kind of iron thing.

For this accident alone, I got my left big toe skinned (good thing I didn't lose my toenail!), my knee also skinned and my leg suffered lots of scratches, the biggest one with a 5"x3" area. Don't forget 2 sutured wounds on my forehead -- one above the eyebrow and one below -- both needing 2 stitches each.

I've never really considered myself a klutz before (except for that one incident on my way to Bellarmine), but rest assured, I won't be doing any physical activity until I find out what's wrong with me. However, I won't be going near any bicycles in my lifetime.

My Soundtrack

RULES:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Media Player, iPod, Winamp etc.)
2. Put it on shuffle.
3. Press play.
4. For every question, type the song that’s playing.
5. When you go to the next question, press the next button.
6. Don’t lie and pretend you’re cool.
7. When you’re finished, tag some other people to do it!

Opening credits:
I Don’t Wanna Be – Gavin De Graw
cool...

Waking up:
Give Me One Reason – Tracy Chapman
yep, give me one good reason to wake up early in the morning...

First Day of School:
Shiver – Natalie Imbruglia
shivering from the early morning cold shower

Falling in love:
Soothing Waterfalls – Sounds of Nature/Instrumental
haha, perfect music to my non-love life

First song:
Follow Me – Uncle Kracker

Breaking up:
The Aaliyah Song- Boyz II Men
by golly, how depressing

Prom:
She’s Only Happy in the Sun – Ben Harper
yeah, summer outing na!

Life:
Let Me Love You - Mario
weird.

Mental breakdown:
I Finally Found Someone – Bryan Adams/Barbara Streissand
hahaha, busted!

Driving:
Head Over Feet – Alanis Morissette
um, i'd probably get into a car crash if i take the song title to heart...

Flashback:
Wordplay – Jason Mraz
yeah...

Getting back together:
Back to You – John Mayer
whoa, talk about apt...

Wedding:
Virtual Insanity - Jamiroquai
hahaha, definitely an insanity when that happens!

Birth of a child:
She’s the One – Robbie Williams

Final battle:
Fragile - Sting
cool!

Death scene:
I Want You Back – Jackson Five
something those who are left behind would sing

Funeral song:
So Young – The Corrs
haha, funny...

End credits:
White Flag – Dido
whoa, creepy...

tickling my fancy

i just took a "career interest inventory" test to find out if i'm where i'm supposed to be. i wasn't surprised with the test result. i was told:

"Daisy, based on your responses, your top career area is Fine Arts

Careers in this field often demand that you be a naturally creative person who possesses a unique perspective on the world, and ultimately you want to share that vision with others. Most likely, you have a deep and rich inner world that needs an outlet. Whether you're into music, drama, painting or another artistic field, you probably possess a heightened appreciation for experiencing the world on a sensory level."

i'm doomed.

wishing for wishing wells

hmm, bad day... sing happy thoughts...

"i wish, i could go back to those fairy book tales
forget the real world a while and seek the seas of the talking whales
a place called wishing wells and magic spells;
where everything starts at once upon a time, long long ago
ends happily ever after..."

lalalalala...

reality bites

just for this week, my mom has been riding with me all the way to citi and during that time, 2 of my officemates saw her with me. both exclaimed later at how young my mom looked that they initially thought she was my older sister. one even suggested that i get tips from my mom, seeing as how well made-up and more "kikay" she is than me. ouch.

mind you, this is not the first time this has happened. from the time my sis and i were in high school, there've been instances where my ma's colleagues would say that the three of us look just like sisters. you could brush these comments off as mere flattery, but there've also been countless times when strangers mistook us kids, as her siblings.

considering she's 27 years older than me, this could only mean either of two things: she looks really young, or i look really old. or it could mean both.

27 Things I'm Thankful For

No point denying it, I’m now 27 years old. So instead of whining, (which I noticed, I frequently do) I’m listing down 27 things I’m grateful for. (This is also in celebration of the Holy Week) Warning: for everyone who know me as contra-sentimental, this piece may shock you a bit. =p

1. Life. Although at times I may feel down and wish that I could just sleep the whole day away, I’m still grateful for being alive. He has blessed me with 27 years of life, which I should’ve used more wisely. But today’s a new day, and I’m set to do more positive things from now on.
2. Parents. I’m really lucky to have such patient, understanding, and loving parents as I have. Any parent, who’d have me as a kid, surely deserves to be canonized as a saint. Without them, my siblings and I wouldn’t be the persons we are today. Love ya, and I promise to make you prouder of me.
3. Siblings. I probably couldn’t have gone through childhood and puberty as sanely as I did, without my younger sibs. I’m thankful for my one and only sis, Belle, for being my partner and acting like the older one through most of my misadventures. Thanks, Jong, for being tolerant of me, during times of misunderstanding. Carlo, thanks for being my voice of reason and for being not afraid to point out my flaws. Love ya, guys.
4. Best Friends. Awee, Cheeky, Yang and Angelo: you are the greatest friends a person could have. Though we’re miles apart, my heart will always be next to yours. I’m lucky to have met you and I couldn’t imagine the last 10 years of my life, without you guys in it. Here’s to more years of laughter and happy tears =)
5. Good Friends. Living away from my best friends, would’ve been utterly unbearable without my other friends. I’m thankful for the support they give me day-to-day, and I’m sorry for not realizing that sometimes. Pining over friends who are far away, usually stops me from seeing how wonderful they truly are. Thanks, from the bottom of my heart.
6. Househelp. Thanks to Maning and Mely, they make our lives a lot easier and more comfortable.
7. Pets. Our dogs, Bullet and Chiqui never fail to uplift my sagging spirits. Thanks to them, I’m still able to re-connect with the child in me.
8. Work. I’m lucky to have work, when millions are still jobless. I may often complain of the workload, but bottom line is, I’m still thankful I have work. Thank God also for the people I work with, they make the long work hours bearable.
9. Money. Some say that ‘money is the root of all evil.’ But I think it’s how you use it that makes it evil. I’m thankful for money because it provides for me, and allows me to enjoy what I’ve worked for.
10. Talents. Thank God for giving me talents, (used or seldom-used) as I’m hopefully able to give joy to others with it.
11. Books, TV and Movies. These things helped me go to places I’ve never been, and live a life other than my own. Thank God for the talents behind every book, TV show and movie.
12. Eye sight. I can never imagine my life without being able to see things: sunsets, sunrise, movies, books, people.
13. Manila. ‘Manila, Manila, I keep coming back to Manila. Simply no place like Manila. Manila. I’m coming home.” My best childhood and my best coming of age years have all happened in Manila. ‘Nuff said.
14. Cebu. It took me a long time to appreciate where I’m living. Now, it would always be home to me. Where else can you live in a bustling city, that’s a few minutes away from the beach or from the mountains? Heaven!
15. Fine Weather. What’s Cebu without great weather, all-year round? A sunshiny day always puts me in a good mood.
16. Nature. ‘Stop and smell the roses’ I’ve never actually done it, nor will I ever do it, but I thank God for all the good things He’s created. I’m thankful for the beach, mountains, trees, animals, the sun, etc.
17. My Body. It’s far from being the ultimate body of my dreams, but it’s mine and it’s the only body I have. I’m thankful for not having any disabilities or any sickness.
18. Good Food. It has never been absent in any aspect of my life—be it celebrating a happy moment, or nursing a sad heart. I thank all those who had a hand in preparing those delectable dishes. Yummy!
19. Coffee. What’s a good meal without a fine cup of coffee to follow it? Never would’ve survived those late-night studying and early morning trudging to work, without my brew.
20. Warm Bed. I thank God for having a warm bed to sleep in, when others have no choice but to lie on the streets.
21. Sense of Humor. This has gotten me through some bizarre and trying moments. Thank God for sarcasm.
22. Music. Each memorable part of my life has a theme song. Without songs and music, life would be deafeningly boring.
23. The Internet. Through the Internet, I’m able to do a lot of things, have new discoveries, and most of all be connected with loved ones.
24. Budget Airlines. Thanks to those who are constantly trying to make airfare cheaper. Now, everybody can travel.
25. Mobile Phones. Texting has made all of our lives much more convenient. It’s much easier now to look for people by typing “WRU?” than dropping ‘tatlong beinte sinco’ down the nearest payphone.
26. Spas and Beauty Salons. A woman’s life would never be complete without a monthly trip to the salon/spa for a much-needed R&R.
27. Weekends. Time to take a break and catch some ZZZZs.

WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD LIFE? - Jim Rohn

The ultimate expression of life is not a paycheck. The ultimate expression of life is not a Mercedes. The ultimate expression of life is not a million dollars or a bank account or a home. Here's the ultimate expression of life in my opinion, and that is living a good life. Here's what we must ask constantly, "What for me would be a good life?" And you have to keep going over and over the list. A list including areas such as spirituality, economics, health, relationships and recreation. What would constitute a good life? I've got a short list.

1) Number one, productivity. You won't be happy if you don't produce. The game of life is not rest. We must rest, but only long enough to gather strength to get back to productivity. What's the reason for the seasons and the seeds, the soil and the sunshine, the rain and the miracle of life? It's to see what you can do with it.
To try your hand, other people have tried their hand; here's what they did. You try your hand to see what you can do. So part of life is productivity.

2) Next are good friends. Friendship is probably the greatest support system in the world. Don't deny yourself the time to develop this support system. Nothing can match it. It's extraordinary in its benefit. Friends are those wonderful people who know all about you and still like you.
A few years ago I lost one of my dearest friends. He died at age 53 - heart attack. David is gone, but he was one of my very special friends. I used to say of David that if I was stuck in a foreign jail somewhere accused unduly and if they would allow me one phone call, I would call David. Why? He would come and get me. That's a friend, somebody who would come and get you. Now we've all got casual friends. And if you called them they would say, "Hey, if you get back, call me we'll have a party." So you've got to have both, real friends and casual friends.

3) Next on the list of a good life is your culture. Your language, your music, the ceremonies, the traditions, the dress. All of that is so vitally important that you must keep it alive. In fact it is the uniqueness of all of us that when blended together brings vitality, energy, power, influence, uniqueness and rightness to the world.

4) Next is your spirituality. It helps to form the foundation of the family that builds the nation. And make sure you study, practice and teach. Don't be careless about the spiritual part of your nature, it's what makes us who we are, different from animal, dogs, cats, birds and mice. Spirituality.

5) Next - here's what my parents taught me. Don't miss anything. Don't miss the game. Don't miss the performance, don't miss the movie, don't miss the show, don't miss the dance. Go to everything you possible can. Buy a ticket to everything you possibly can. Go see everything and experience all you possible can. This has served me so well to this day. Just before my father died at age 93 if you were to call him at 10:30 or 11:00 at night, he wouldn't be home. He was at the rodeo, he was watching the kids play softball, he was listening to the concert, he was at church, he was somewhere every night.

Live a vital life. Here's one of the reasons why. If you live well, you will earn well. If you live well it will show in your face, it will show in the texture of your voice. There will be something unique and magical about you if you live well. It will infuse not only your personal life but also your business life. And it will give you a vitality nothing else can give.

6) Next are your family and the inner circle. Invest in them and they'll invest in you. Inspire them and they'll inspire you. With your inner circle take care of the details. When my father was still alive, I used to call him when I traveled. He'd have breakfast most every morning with the farmers. Little place called The Decoy Inn out in the country where we lived in Southwest Idaho.

So Papa would go there and have breakfast and I'd call him just to give him a special day. Now if I was in Israel, I'd have to get up in the middle of the night, but it only took five minutes, ten minutes. So I'd call Papa and they'd bring him the phone. I'd say, "Papa I'm in Israel." He'd say, "Israel! Son, how are things in Israel?" He'd talk real loud so everybody could hear - my son's calling me from Israel. I'd say, "Papa last night they gave me a reception on the rooftop underneath the stars overlooking the Mediterranean." He'd say, "Son, a reception on the rooftop underneath the stars overlooking the Mediterranean." Now everybody knows the story. It only took 5 - 10 minutes, but what a special day for my father, age 93.

If a father walks out of the house and he can still feel his daughter's kiss on his face all day, he's a powerful man. If a husband walks out of the house and he can still feel the imprint of his wife's arms around his body he's invincible all day. It's the special stuff with the inner circle that makes you strong and powerful and influential. So don't miss that opportunity. Here's the greatest value. The prophet said, "There are many virtues and values, but here's the greatest, one person caring for another." There is no greater value than love. Better to live in a tent on the beach with someone you love than to live in a mansion by yourself. One person caring for another, that's one of life's greatest expressions.

So make sure in your busy day to remember the true purpose and the reasons you do what you do. May you truly live the kind of life that will bring the fruit and rewards that you desire.

Keane's "Everybody's Changing"

You say you wander your own land
But when I think about it
I don't see how you can

You're aching, you're breaking
And I can see the pain in your eyes
Says everybody's changing
And I don't know why

So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing
And I don't feel the same

You're gone from here
And soon you will disappear
Cause everybody's changing
And I don't feel right

So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing
And I don't feel the same

stumped

got stuck with the question: "What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?"

can't think of any... so depressing...

one fine day

ahhh, it's great to be off from work, even for just one day.

it started with a very good dream, which i'll keep to myself. woke up late, had brunch while watching TV. went to istore to download more music and movies for my ipod. went to a carwash for my car's much-needed bath, while eating a jollibee value meal. went home and had a grey's anatomy marathon.

this is the life...

p.s. as of writing, symptoms of an anxiety attack have already been detected... i don't want to go back to work yet!!!! argh.

The Secret

This came at an unexpected time and from someone I’m meeting for the first time.

It was supposed to be another work day, it’s 2pm and I'm eagerly preparing for lunch. Then I was informed that a client was looking for me. I thought, she only has to sign one document so this will be quick. We talked about work for a few minutes, she signed, then we were walking out the office door.

Then she turned to me and asked, “Did Wootie tell you about the secret?”

It really wasn't a secret. She was talking about the video entitled "The Secret", which conveyed messages of hope, something that really inspired me. Inspiration and positivity, things I badly needed, haha.

She said that the universe is a mirror of ourselves; if are thoughts/actions are all negative, then we'll be experiencing negative things. The universe is very obedient, it gives us what we want. That's why if we want to get or achieve something, we should want it deeply and think/act as if that thing is already in our hands.

She also said that we shouldn't be afraid to pray for things, thinking we don't deserve it. The fact that we think we don't deserve it, then it won't probably be given to us. God didn't create us to suffer, He wants us to live life in abundance.

We talked about a whole lot more (including an answer to my not being single =p), but those were the main things we talked about. I totally agree with everything she shared with me. They even affirmed the things I heard in a Bo Sanchez talk a couple of months ago. Suffice to say, everything they told me really hit home. Let's just say that for this year, a positive and cheerful me, will be a work in progress

Desperada

Gosh, just sounded a teeny bit desperate there.

Those boxing classes may have caused my vital organs to shift a little, which led to my temporary insanity.

Money Matters

Ugh. It's so disappointing when you don't get something that you've been expecting for a long time. Been daydreaming about the day I'll get it, what I'll be doing with it, who I'm sharing it with--- quite sad, actually.

Contrary to the news being spread by naughty rumor-mongers (you know who you are!) , I'm finding myself to be in quite a bind, definitely not feeling donyatic right now. Although knocking on passing cars' windows, singing desperately with a corned beef can in front of me, or buying used bottles and newspapers, are still in my faraway future, I'm still wishing I got that extra moolah! Just thinking about what could've been... huhuhu.

When that singer said "Mo' money, mo' problems", I'm thinking he was never really in a "no money, more problems" situation.

I have just got to start practising what I preach and start saving MORE. Argh.

100 Rules of Wealth

Somebody just shared this with us, which I REALLY feel is applicable to my present dire state. Huhu. So now I'm sharing these rules to everyone (forgive me if it's too long). They're theorized by Richard Templar in his book of the same title.

Thinking Wealthy
1. Anybody can make money - it isn't selective or discriminatory
2. Decide on your definition of wealth
3. Set your objectives
4. Keep it under your hat
5. Most people are too lazy to be wealthy --- (ako yata, 'to)
6. Understand your money beliefs and where they come from
7. Understand that wealth is a consequence, not a reward
8. See wealth as a friend, not the enemy
9. Decide what you want money for
10. Understand that money begets money
11. If you see money as the solution you'll find it becomes the problem
12. You can make lots of money, you can enjoy your job, and you can sleep nights
13. Don't make money by being bad
14. Money and happiness - understand their relationship
15. Know the difference between price and value
16. Know how the wealthy think
17. Don't envy what others have
18. It's harder to manage yourself than it is to manage your money

Getting Wealthy
19. You've got to know where you are before you start
20. You've got to have a plan
21. Get your finances under control
22. Only by looking wealthy can you become wealthy
23. Speculate to accumulate (no, this isn't gambling)
24. Decide your attitude to risk
25. If you don't trust someone, don't do business with them
26. It's never too late to start getting wealthy
27. Start saving young (or teach your kids this one if it's too late for you)
28. Understand that your financial needs change at different stages of your life
29. You have to work hard to get rich enough not to have to work hard
30. Learn the art of deal making
31. Learn the art of negotiating
32. Small economies won't make you wealthy but they will make you miserable
33. Understand that working for others won't necessarily make you rich - but it might
34. Don't waste time procrastinating - make money decisions quickly
35. Work as if you didn't need the money
36. Spend less than you earn
37. Don't borrow money - unless you really, really have to
38. Consider consolidating debts
39. Cultivate a skill and it'll repay you over and over again
40. Pay off your loans and debts as a priority
41. Don't be too busy earning a living to make some money
42. Save in big chunks - or should you?
43. Don't rent, buy
44. Understand what investing really means
45. Build a bit of capital then invest it wisely
46. Understand that property, in the long run, will not outpace shares
47. Master the art of selling
48. Don't believe you can always win
49. Understand how the stock market really works
50. Only buy shares (or anything) you can understand
51. By all means, use the investment professionals
52. If you're going to get financial advice, pay for it
53. Don't fiddle
54. Think long term
55. Have a set time of day to work on your wealth strategy
56. Pay attention to detail
57. Create new income streams
58. Learn to play 'What if?'
59. Control spending impulses
60. Don't answer ads that promise get-rich-quick-schemes - it won't be you who gets rich quick 61. There are no secrets
62. Don't just read this - do something

Get Even Wealthier
63. Carry out a finance health check regularly
64. Get some money mentors
65. Play your hunches
66. Don't sit back
67. Get someone to do the stuff you can't
68. Know yourself - solo, duet or team player
69. Look for the hidden asset/opportunity
70. Don't try to get rich too quickly
71. Always ask what's in it for them
72. Make your money work for you
73. Know when to let go of investments
74. Don't chase bad luck runs
75. Know why you should be able to read a balance sheet - and how
76. Be one step ahead of your tax collector
77. Learn how to make your assets work for you
78. Don't ever believe you're only worth what you are being paid ---- (yes!!!)
79. Don't follow the same route as everyone else

Staying Wealthy
80. Shop for quality
81. Check the small print
82. Don't spend it before you've got it
83. Put something aside for your old age - no, more than that!
84. Put something aside for emergencies/rainy days - the contingency fund
85. You paid what for it? How to shop around
86. Never borrow money from friends or family (but you can allow them to invest)
87. Don't surrender equity
88. Know when to stop

Sharing Your Wealth
89. Use your wealth wisely
90. Never lend money to friends or family unless you are prepared to write it off
91. Don't lend, take equities
92. You really, really can't take it with you
93. Know when/how to say no - and yes
94. Find ways to give people money without them feeling they are in your debt
95. Don't over-protect your children from the valuable experience of poverty
96. Know how to choose charities/good causes
97. Spend your own money because no one will spend it as wisely as you
98. Take responsibility before you take advice
99. Once you've got it, don't flaunt it
100. Realize the giving is really better than receiving

Blush Blush

Was mildly shocked to know that there are actually people out there reading my blog. Two people to be exact, haha!

Guess should be more careful now of what I write here... Always thought that this was more for my personal consumption, hehe.

Two Firsts

Experienced 2 "firsts" today:

One- I was able to visit the MV Doulos, which they say is the oldest active ship in the world and that it's even older than the Titanic (or was that a bit younger?). Missionaries and volunteers of different nationalities live on the ship and they go around the world to spread God's word. It also boasts of a wide selection of books, from Children's Lit to Dictionaries to the Classics. It docks here in the Philippines every few years only, so when I heard that it's here in Cebu, I had to check it out.

There were indeed lots of books, but there were also lots of people on board. The ship was jam-packed with visitors, that it was hard to browse through the bookshelves. We ended up leaving after a few minutes of looking around, because it was so hot and suffocating inside.

Anyway, that short taste of history was enough for me.

Two- On the way to the pier where MV Doulos was docked, we missed a turn and we ended up going through the SRP. It's the new road that makes it faster and easier to reach Talisay City. It was my first time to drive down that road and I found it really beautiful. The road was smooth, there's virtually no traffic, and you have an amazing view of the ocean. It reminded me of Hong Kong and intensified my recently awakened wanderlust.

So despite the impending doom of Monday hovering above my head, I'd say today was a good day.

P.S. I was able to share my Princess Hours obsession with Pia, which added to the "goodness" of this day

Ode to Ailee

I'm so proud of my college friend, Ailee, who now has 3 published Oscar pieces for BBC! She's one of the few select people who were given the chance to give their views on Oscar-noteworthy films this year. She's even the only Asian among the group! Congrats, Aileesa! =)

Check out her articles through this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6364487.stm

wanderlust

my wanderlust is acting up again...

i'm feeling kinda trapped and aching to be travelling.

i'm missing the noisy buzz of people going about in the airport, heaving luggages, eating plane food, smelling strange smells...

haaaayyyy....

Mad About Princess Hours- Part 2

OK, still not over it. Put on your headphones and sing along. Here are 2 more songs part of the OST:

Dang Shineun (basta that other sad song sung by a guy)

nan baboyeosseotjyo. naega baboyeosseotjyo
huhoehaedo neujeotjyo aljyo dorikilsun eopjyo
geuldael bolsun eopseoyo, nado algo isseoyo
naega jeongmal jalmotaesseoyo
jeongmeol mianhaeyo

geuttaen aegi haji motaetjyo neomu eoriseogeotjyo
ijewaseo ireoke aetaeumyeo na yongseoreul bireoyo

dangsineun naneun baboimnida jajonsimttaemune
sulgwa sseun dambae yeongiro manggajigo itjyo
dangsineun naneun baboimnida ajik saranghagie
haru jongil peongpeong ulgoman itjyo
geudaedo nado babocheoreom

geureoji marayo, dasi saenggakhaebwayo
uri eotteoke yeogikkaji himdeulgewanneunde
dasi saenggakhaebwayo, huhoehasilkkeoeyo
naega jeongmal jalmotaesseoyo
jeongmal mianhaeyo

geuttaen aegi haji motaetjyo neomu eoriseogeotjyo
ijewaseo ireoke aetaeumyeo na yongseoreul bireoyo

dangsineun naneun baboimnida jajonsimttaemune
sulgwa sseun dambae yeongiro manggajigo itjyo
dangsineun naneun baboimnida ajik saranghagie
haru jongil peongpeong ulgoman itjyo
geudaedo nado babocheoreom

geudae eopsi dan hansungando nan salsueopseoyo
meorireul jallado sureul masyeodo
nunmulman heureujyo

dangsineun naneun baboimnida jajonsimttaemune
sulgwa sseun dambae yeongiro manggajigo itjyo
dangsineun naneun baboimnida ajik saranghagie
haru jongil peongpeong ulgoman itjyo
geudaedo nado babocheoreom

ije deoisang manggajiji maryo
--------------


Du Ghaji Mal (the one with a sort-of boyzone intro "chukachak")

sarangin jool molaseo
salmyoshi naeryoanja geunareui haesareul deulmeun misoro geureohge
dagaon neoinde

(yoori seutori)
sarangil geora haeso
gamani seumyodeureo on
oneun naldalbitheul dameun nooneuro geureohge
ooseojoon neoraneun geol

//(shin)
Say na algo sipeunde
neol bomyeon mami deolryeo oneun nareul
aeseodo wemyeonhaedo
anirago haedo
I'm so in love with you
geolgooken neoinde

(yool)
You're mine gajil soo obneunde
neol bomyeon mami apa oneun nareul
jiweobeoriryeo haedo
modoo da ijeodo
namaitneun my girl
gyeolgook en nan aninde //

(shin)
ijeseoya aratseo
oneuse neol dalma itneun
nol bomyeo misoreul jineun nae moseub Promise you
ije neun boyeojoolge (repeat //)

Smile again, manheun ge byeonhagejiman
baby naemoseubdo oreudwin choo okdo baby
Stay with me, himgyeo oon jiman naldeul
neomaneul wihan joonbiran geol
nohjil soo obseo

jebal nal bwajool soo itni
ireohge ne dwie seoitneun nareul
apado oogo itneun
seulpeodo miro jineun
I'm so in love with you
na yeogi itneunde

ijen neo deureul soo itni
josimseulre geonaeboneun imareul
aeseodo wemyeonhaedo
anirago haedo
honja dwenae itneun imal
nae gyeol te iseojwo stay~

Mad About Princess Hours

Forgive me if I need to write down the lyrics to the show's OST. For my personal consumption, hehe.

1. Perhaps Love

uhn jeh yuht duhn guhn jee gee uhk nah jeen ah nah
jah kkoon nae muh ree gah nuh roh uh jee ruhp duhn shee jahk
hahn doo buhn ssheek dduh oh reu duhn saeng gahk
jah kkoo neul uh gah suh joh geum dang hwang seu ruh oon ee mah eum

byuhl eel ee ah neel soo eet dah goh
sah soh hahn mah eum ee rah goh
nae gah neh geh jah koo (neh geh jah koo)
mahl eul hah neun geh uh saek hahn guhl

sarang een gah yo geu dae nah wah gaht dah myuhn shee jahk een gah yo
mahm ee jah koo geu dael
sarang hahn dae yo ohn seh sang ee deud doh rohk soh ree chee neh yo
wae ee jeh yah deul lee jyoh~ OOH~
suh rohl mahn nah gee wee hae ee jeh yah sarang chah jaht dah goh

jee geum nae mah eum eul suhl myung hah ryuh hae doh
nee gah nae gah dweh uh mahm eul neu kkee neun bang buhp ppoong een deh

ee mee nahn nee ahn eh eet neun guhl
nae ahn eh nee gah eet deu shee
oo reen suh roh eh geh (suh roh eh geh)
ee mee geel deul yuh jeen jee mohl lah

sarang een gah yo geu dae nah wah gaht dah myuhn shee jahk een gah yo
mahm ee jah koo geu dael sarang hahn dae yo
ohn seh sang ee deud doh rohk soh ree chee neh yo
wae ee jeh yah deul lee jyoh~ OOH~
suh rohl mahn nah gee wee hae ee jeh yah sarang chah jaht dah goh

saeng gahk hae boh myuhn (saeng gahk hae boh myuhn) mah neun soon gahn
sohk eh (sohk eh)
uhl mah nah mah neun (YEAH~) suhl leh eem ee ssuht neun jee
joh geum neu jeun geu mahn keum nahn duh jahl hae jool kkeh yo..

hahm kkeh hahl kkeh yo choo uhk ee dwehl gee uhk mahn suhl mool hahl kkeh yo
dah sheen nae gyuh teh suh dduh nah jee mah yo
jjahl beun soon gahn joh chah doh bool ahn hahn guhl yo
nae geh muh mool luh jwuh yo~ OOH~
geu dael ee ruh geh mah nee (geu toh rohk mah nee)
sarang hah goh ee ssuh yo (geu dae yuh yah mahn) ee mee~

Found a blog, posting a translation for this song. Dunno if it's 100% correct, but I don't speak Korean, so this'll do =)

I don’t know when it all started
When my head became dizzy with thoughts of you
These thoughts would often pop up in my mind
I feel anxious as my heart expands towards you

It’s nothing.. it’s just a little thing
Your words are awkward to me

Is it love? If you feel the same way, is it a beginning?
My heart keeps saying it loves you
It screams out for the whole world to hear
Why has it taken so long for me to hear it~?
We’ve finally met.. finally found love

If I wanted to show you how I feel
The only way would be for you to become me

I’m already inside of you
Just like you’re inside of me

To each other [to each other]
We may already be too accustomed

Is it love? If you feel the same way, is it a beginning?
My heart keeps saying it loves you
It screams out for the whole world to hear
Why has it taken so long for me to hear it~?
We’ve finally met.. finally found love

When I think about it [when I think about it]
I realize how many moments there were when my heart trembled
I’ll try as harder as I was late in realizing my feelings
I’ll be with you, I’ll only give you fond memories
Please don’t ever leave me again
Even the shortest moments without you make me uneasy
Please stay by me~

I already love you so much [you’re the only one]

Princess Hours

I'm so hooked!

What person in his right mind would stay up until 4am because of a koreanovela?! Well, I'd say that person is me.

Super kilig to the max!

I love Ju Jin-Hoo's character... hay......

New Fave

being a very workaholic unattached yuppy (read: an almost old-maid with a non-existent social life), i pretty much only have free time in the evenings.

and because of this, i've recently been hooked on watching tv soaps. my recent fave being the korea-novela "princess hours". even though i find the guys utterly unattractive, i just find the lead girl and the story funny and cute. i fortunately started watching it at the time when the prince is slowly being won over by the princess' charm (or klutziness), so it gets more romantic every episode.

i guess at my age there's still a kilig bone in me... hehehe.

old things

people have always said that there are things you learn and never forget.

like riding a bicycle. i probably learned riding one when i was eight, then stopped a year after that... cos we don't own one. then i tried riding one again after more than 10 years. awkwardly at first, but after a few tries i got the hang of it. as if i never stopped riding. cool.

but i also discovered that there are things you somehow forget doing.

for me, these are:
- playing the hula hoop; it's a bit frustrating for someone who used to play it endlessly, to try it now and look like a fool. no matter how i tried gyrating my hips, i couldn't seem to get the rhythm again. i used to watch and laugh at older people who try it and fail miserably. i think i'm one of those older people now.

- 3d images; those pictures you stare at and when you get almost cross-eyed, you see a different image. yeah, i used to get them before but now i don't. you'd think that it has something to do with age, but my mom still sees the 3d images. so i guess i just lost the technique.

oh well. that's what happens when you take your talents for granted. you forget them, or they forget you.