The thing about poverty is that about 90% of it is all but a state of mind, and the rest is the sad fact that you're just born with it.  Given that take-off point, we should all stop sulking and find ways to survive.  Every morning all we ever hear in the news are the worldwide economic crisis, lay-offs and unemployment, missing LPG supplies (because we are not really in shortage if you take it from Sec. Reyes), and so on...all about MONEY, all the more emphasizing the dampness and utter desolation of the once great Malayan race. 

In what sense are we really POOR?  I know for a fact that in our family of two, my husband and I evade from spending too much and try to save some more, despite with our sufficient combined earnings. I'm not trying to be "ideal" here, because truth be told, we all had our wants considering our youth, but we have learned how to taper them to at least prepare for a future that is as unsure as what each day will bring.  These days, no job will ever be as stable as it used to.  Employers do not have to concoct reasons to give you the boot, they just seem to have the crisis-earned capacity to do that.  This is not the time to be pointing fingers at anybody, even the government.  Believe it or not, this crisis has been a long time coming.  To put it bluntly, it's not so SHOCKING that this is happening at all.  We are simply reaping the fruits we've sown.  However, it's not the end.

There's really some truth to this: once you've hit rock bottom, the only other way to go is UP.  If you have a job, embrace good work ethics and do your tasks with a smile on your face.  If you get paid just fine, then put some teeth into that.  If you get paid lousy-ly, then just keep smiling, it may just earn you a much-awaited bonus.  If you don't have job, don't stop looking, but while you're at it, do something you've been aching to do for a long time (i.e., head on to the beach,have coffee with friends, hike, take crash courses--ask TESDA for that, read, de-clutter your PCs... the list is infinite).  If what you've been wanting will cost you so much, then generate temporary income.  Who knows, that might lead you to an unexpected calling in entrepeneurship.  I remember a few years back, I was in between jobs and I really needed to go on vacation.  I put up a garage sale of all those clothes I no longer use, and clothes I've been clinging on to but have not worn for a year (yep, I know there are clothes which you think you'll need eventually, but you realize that you're just attached to it).  I did earn enough to take me away for a week!  But of course, it wasn't a luxurious, 5-star trip. It was low-budget, but nevertheless, relaxing.

There are times that I am scared of this reality, you know, being jobless and stuff.  Then I wake up to the realization that God made us with such energy and such talent (YES, we have them embedded in our DNAs), that we can get through srtife with flying colors.  Sure, it would not be easy to move without a cent to your name, but the fact of life is really as simple as: the BEST things in life are FREE! :)

Happy jobhunting and jobkeeping! 

Some days, especially when it's pouring (with rain from the sky, and work on my desk), I do need my pick-me-ups.  God is good because even if He allows these episodes to happen, it's just His way to make us appreciate the YEY things in life.  Here's a list of a few happy thoughts that set my day to a gopaytwin groove.

1. Waking up, breathing through my nose (Lemme explain a bit: i am so prone to sinusitis and rhinitis that whenever I have them, I just looooong for moments when I could use my nose for the function it was made to do in the first place)

2. Even with our pesky alarms, Ken and I greet our mornings with warm, fuzzywuzzy hugs, and it's waaaaay better than coffee.

3. But it doesn't mean that I am forgetting coffee. ;-)

4. Chocolates in the refrigerator (thank you Lord for not giving me the pimply-reaction)

5. MAKI!!! haaaay! roll 'em up!  Just don't put avocado inside.

6. Blogs that make sense and entertain

7. The ability to appreciate, smile, then write about it for the world to know that LIFE is BEAUTIFUL!

8. Students who get it and students who TRY to get it.

9. Books books and mooore books

10. Proquest and the information it provides you. (can I say GEEKINESS without stuttering?)

11. My trusty laptop (it's ancient and probably about to retire, but it has not given me major headaches).

12. Food and friends (they mix just fine, just don't overfeed your friends)

13. Work that pays gewd

14. My wedding band

15. Movies...Slumdog Millionaire has GOT to win the Oscars.

16. One Tree Hill, How I Met Your Mother, Gossip Girl, and Brothers & Sisters

17. The warmth of the sun

18. The beach, and the prospect of PALAWAN in the summer

19. The limitless possibilites coming from a 110-lb person

20. For families who miss you because you live across the bridge, across the sea (or even across the street) from them

Ah! I'd be soaring if I have with me some pixie dusts since I'm way loaded with these happy thoughts.

I've seen so many of my contacts answer this and I couldn't help it but join in the bandwagon.  Whoever came up with this probably has not been to other places since some of the questions do apply to other localities...I added some though based on my observations and what non-Kagay-anons have expressed.

 

1.    You are (at least loosely) related to the Neris, Roas, Chaveses/Chavezes, Echems, or Velezes. 

      --> loosely though...hahaha...non-CDOers do notice this a lot and I get to be the butt of them related-to-jokes

2.    You can make your way around the city with your eyes closed. 

     --> whoa, I am not suicidal.  You cannot do that here or you'll get hit by soooooo many sikads in the main roads...NOW that's something other cities do not tolerate

3.    You've memorized all the jeepney routes. 

      --> Not really, but I do know that all you have to do is get yourself to DV Soria or Cogon then you'll be just fine.

4.    You say words like chada and chui. 

     --> that, that, and k*pa mo! (me not swearing, me just emphasizing a point)

5.    You've touched the waters of the Cagayan River. 

    --> I've LIVED on both banks of the river

6.    You've heard of the legend of the Giant Goldfish that lives in the Cagayan River (that if the city gets too noisy the Fish will wake up and cause an apocalyptic earthquake).

      --> Oh, and I thought it was a gold crikey, or I had that all too mixed up?

7.    You can identify the street name or address wherever you are in the city.

      --> Just the parallels: corrales, pabayo, velez, tiano, rizal, capistrano, burgos--YEY!

8.    You know the places people refer to as Agfa, Mega, KSY, and Trendline. 

     --> KEESWAI hahaha!

9.    You're familiar with the city's history. 

      --> just because I am a sucker for history

10.  You've entered Makahambus Cave. 

     --> check, and so have numerous other adventure-tourists who have probably done it more than the locals

11.  You've experienced white-water rafting in the Cagayan River rapids. 

      --> wait, so PGMA, Marc Nelson, so on and so forth, CDOers as well? hihihi..peace!

12.  Your deceased relatives are in Green Hills, Divine Shepherd, or in some other cemetery in the city. 

      --> haaaaaaay...next!

13.  You prefer Red Horse over other beer brands. 

      --> hwat? all i know is that pinoys in general are beer drinkers...REGARDLESS of the brand.

14.  You study in the city. 

      --> neeeeeyxt! You work in the city also, yes?

15.  You have stereotypes for each of the universities in the city. 

      --> and for every other culture for that matter

16.  You've memorized the Cagayan Park View Hotel jingle by heart ("people stay in Cagayan... Cagayan Park View Hotel...") 

    --> now this is a CLASSIC! whoever wrote (and sang) that jingle, iiiiimmortal!

17.  You've seen or heard the name "Kasama Tsui" somewhere. 

       --> rela rides will never be the same again!

18.  You prefer riding Altis taxis. 

      --> yES, but I am a ROYALE groupie

19.  You've noticed that the jeepneys call out for you to ride them, not the other way around. 

       --> That, and the "alley"...huhuhu..so inconsiderate at times...and the over populated jeepneys na there's no other space but the aisle or topload!

20.  You frequent Opol beach. 

       --> how frequent is "frequent"?

21.  You frequently go to Limketkai Mall and SM. 

      --> Kay asa pa man diay?

22.  You've shopped at the Night Market. 

      --> haggled is more like it.

23.  You have stereotypes against Ororama and Gaisano. 

      --> the best-kept secrets of CDO! it's a gold mine of sorts if you ask me.

24.  You love Butcher's Best sisig.  

      --> yyeeees, and the BBQ and the sinugWOW

25.  You boast about the fact that Ram Chaves, Mark Bautista and Aegis are from Cagayan de Oro.  

      --> and c LUMEN of the SURF craze!, and that sexy star what's-her-name?

26.  You've only recently been addicted to quek-quek. 

      --> have never been and will never be

27.  You've been pick-pocketed in Cogon, Carmen, or Agora

      --> Had my necklace snatched at COgon while I was riding the jeepney 

28.  You noticed that the jeepney drivers of CdeO are the worst in the country. 

      --> oh you sure have not been to Bacolod, it's the same story!

29.  You jay-walk without worries. 

      --> when you're educated, you always look for the pedlane

30.  You've never experienced a typhoon.  

      --> typhoon, NOPE...but baha without any signal number attached to it, YES

31.  You've heard of the kulto or serial killer rumors before.  

      --> again, so in different places

32.  You hear of bomb threats that never actualize.   

      --> and they kinda don't scare us anymore

33.  You can buy pirated DVDs without worries. 

      --> in most 3rd-world countries, but in CDO, you get 3 for a hundred ;)

34.  You've been to Eco Tourism Village. 

     --> when it first opened.

35.  You've been to Mapawa Nature Park.

-    --> NOPE.

36.  You think Cruz Taal street is the city's red-light district. 

      --> ni relocate na daw sa Burgos..

37.  You've noticed the irony in the fact that Patag is on a hill and Puntod is near the sea. 

      --> you don't say?! ;P

38.  Dunkin Donuts in Divisoria is your preferred meeting place for outings.

      --> like what I said in #3, just get to DV and you'll get to anywhere! 

39.  You listen to the FM radio program "Awards Night" on MOR 91.1 every Sunday night.

      --> wanted palangga in taxis! hihi..da best!

40.  You know where Catanico Falls is.

      --> i guess

41.  You know who Stephanie Sol is. 

      --> who? heard her, seen her, and that's just about it.

42.  You've picnicked at High Ridge. 

      --> if that includes driving up there just to eat a bag of chippy, then why not.

43.  You can identify places while looking down at the city from High Ridge. 

      --> Pryce Plaza viewing deck also

44.  You're familiar with the city's local politicians. 

      --> check, and so do other locals in their localities

45.  You jog or play sports at the Pelaez Sports Center often. 

     --> jog, swim, flirt with the tooooooot...ahaha

46.  You've been to the Museo de Oro at Xavier University and La Castilla Museum at Liceo de Cagayan University. 

      --> again because I am a history freak

47.  You spend your Holy Week climbing Malasag hill.  

      --> i'm not catholic

48.  You give Oroham and Sler's products as pasalubongs when you travel. 

      --> the best there is!

49.  You think you're in the safest city in the world despite the wars raging in nearby towns. 

    --> Ehr, NO

50.  You celebrate the Kagay-an Fesitval with a sumptuous buffet. 

    --> smaller towns have WAAAAAAY better fiestas

And if I may add..

* If we express exaggeration it verbs are followed by the suffix -a .. katwa-ha, hilka, sturya-ha, sayaw-a, nag ulan-a, and sooooo on.

* Our jokes are just about the corniest in the world, but we laugh at them nontheless

I actually finished my review on this one, however, the net or my laptop (or both) seems to have a mind of its own causing me to lose such precious write-up (yes, because I have this odd condition of not being able to write as fast and as much compared to yesteryears).  Let me just go right away to the crap of all craps and hit you with my verdict: 

and you may quote me...

"an abundance of mush, though downplayed by the indie-NYC-after-hours backdrop and made all the more interesting because of several awkward moments that seem so real, or they might just be."

Would I want you to watch? I guess it could interest you if you've been waiting for Michael Cera to talk more than a few oogling lines like he did in JUNO.  Oh, and if you are wondering where on earth you've seen Kat Dennings before...I'll give you the privilege of doing so, unless if I was the only known retard to have struggled through the movie squeezing my neurons for said info.

Should you really take the time? Yes, maybe...I did like it, though.

It has been raining relentlessly for several days now, and if you are a sun-loving person like I am, crummy days are here to stay.  I thank the Lord for delaying the rains during my wedding week, however, I did not expect it to really pour beyond imagination. SO, what else is there to talk about?

1. My work is beginning to catch up on me and so are my study obligations.  Now that I am not just responsible for myself but for another person as well, I have to develop an even healthier work ethic to pay the bills.  Surely the Lord has provided us with so much, but He also allowed us to work in order to earn.

2. I cooked my very first munggo dish last Saturday night and nothing could have made it any more perfect than my hubby telling me it was PERFECT!  Ken may have faulty taste buds (ANY food seems to be delicious to him), but his happiness is sheer delight to me. :)

3. My students are having their midterms this week...and so is their teacher.  I have one coming up on Saturday so I guess its time to hit the books and shut off the teevo.

4. Plans for greener pastures are still in the pressure cooker.  We need ze moolah, which is really difficult to come up with these days.  Seems like  we're stuck here a tad bit longer.

5. Our laundry is piling up each day.  The sullen sky is not of help (no mention of the "R" word here).  We're contemplating on getting a washing machine with spinner/dryer. Oh, but I guess that will depend on the budget.

That has been my life for the past week.

 

I don't care what people may think or say, but I think my wedding was PERFECT! Sa walay pabor2x jud.  It wasn't all glam and pretty though.  The behind-the-scenes circus was just like coming up with a huge PRODUCTION, as in Mariah Carey Concert Series! Even up to the wedding day itself, everybody was abuzz with last-minute preps.  One of the biggest (if not, THE main concern) issue was the RAIN.  It was downright cloudy when I woke up at around 6:30am.  The ceremony was slated to start at 4pm.  It drizzled on and off the entire afternoon. I prayed on anf off as well the entire day.  While the golf cart (thanks tito carlo and ninong eric) was wheeling me towards my stop, kuya jho (roger lactao, who was my photog), kept on telling me that it's going to be alright and that its not going to pour.  We waited for like 30 minutes.  I asked "Tita" Tish (thanks soooo much for coming home just in time!) if we were going to move inside, but he said Ken decided to wait for the drizzle to stop.  And since God is far greater and kinder than all else imagineable, CU Choir sang the first few notes of the processional, and the whole thing began with everybody feeling God's hand orchestrating the whole thing.  While Pastor Abam gave the message, clouds parted to reveal a strikingly beautiful orange-purple sky, giving us a backdrop to topple all other backdrops.  Oh, and the kids who were swimming in the pool, it was either they stopped swimming, or we were placed in this invisible sound-proof booth to block off the noise.

The rest of the night went by with so much love from family and friends.. my big big BIG thanks to the following (kini murag CD cover):

1. Our families...for running around, crying (kay dili man mi tig-hilak gud), laughing with us...for our parents especially for raising and rearing us to become who we are...and for the unending support...we are eternally grateful.

2. Our friends...from davao and the world over...for coming and showing us how much we mean to you..Siang..grabeh na jud ni nga utang..hahaha..murag di kabayad kay asa kag double-major RN imong helper? dili lalim..

3. Our suppliers, headed of course by Mavel Deguia, our coordinator...your contributions have not only made us happy, but rest assured that people who witnessed the event will be coming after you for the services you've provided.  Thank you also for the patience and for giving us an affair to remember.

4. For guests who've come from near and far...your presence made us beyond happy.  Thank you for sharing the night with us, for not giving up on the sky to clear up, for your prayers and your love.

5. Unending thanks and praise to our Lord, for making all this possible, for clearing the road ahead for us to tread.

Kinsa'y sunod? Hmmmmm... :)

Work and school for the 2nd semester has officially started...for more than two weeks now. I am not really that stumped with all my obligations, but I'm juggling three at the moment. WSW as in Work School Wedding. Sometimes I do feel as though I am pushing myself too hard, and  more frequently than that, I'm spreading myself too thin.  I have always seen myself as a multitasker, but lately, it has put a strain on my psyche. The clock is ticking audibly (there is such a word, I checked), adding more pressure by the second.

*sigh*

For some reason, I know this is going to go on for a long time...this insane feeling of exhaustion.  I have resigned to the fact that to exist is to toil.  HOWEvER, there is not definitive state of mind.

This is my way of saying... I.need.a.vacation.

I thought that planning weddings was the end-all be-all of every girl's dream...well, it's actually a rollercoaster ride of sorts.  One minute you're elated with all these ideas that make things organized and perfect, the next minute you find yourself awakened to the reality that budget is a tad bit constrained and no wedding will EVER be PERFECT. I guess every bride goes through this mess, and I have been sorta going through it right now (you can tell, coz I haven't blogged for a long time). 

I'm not really expecting things to run smoothly, however, there's just too much going around with work, school, the rest of my life, that I can't seem to really FOCUS.  Even now, with the workload a bit lighter since it's sembreak, I still find myself staring blankly to space in the middle of decluttering my haywired brain.  Haaaaaaayyyyduno.  I guess I just needed to set things in perspective, something which is awfully tasking on my part.  Indeed, I have become a slob.  Oh well, this blog post might just be the breather I needed.  Usually, when I start to write something, I get driven.  So, I'm going to step away from the monitor and get myself to the gym (something I've been wanting to do since I had my measurements taken..which was uhm..some 4 months ago?)

BTW, I'm no Bridezilla...SO WOULD YOU JUST LET ME BE?!?

There.

"Once there was a silly old, think he'll move that rubber tree plant.  Anyone knows that ants can't move a rubber tree plant."

While we were kids, my brother and I used to sing with our grandfather during weddings, and the usual line-up would always include Frank Sinatra's High Hopes (which also happens to be the campaign song of JFK). 

I have a thesis proposal on the line and I have but 4 days left to come up with something fairly decent and submission-worthy.  I am one of those people who (for some inconceivable reasons) love research.  The process of reading through journals, dissertations, and linking concepts and patterns are always a thrilling experience for me.  Everytime I get something significant, it feels as though I've hit a gold mine.  But because I am not only a student, and my job will definitely demand from me, I'm not sure if I can come up with something remotely auspicious.

To begin with, it's finals week, which means that student requirements, exams, and the sort are being computed to come up with grades, and if I want a peaceful semestral break (which I doubt), there's definitely no room for error.  Next.  I am privileged enought to have access to an online database, but that has a downside.  With a gargantuan mass of information, my mind is spinning on its own axis just to process all the data I've been retrieving.  So I'll just stop the search, right?  WRONG!  After reading through one article, I can't seem to be satisfied with questions left unanswered.  The inquisitive mind indeed.

I want this post-grad degree to be over so that I can move on with my other "high hopes".  I'm still contemplating on the number of units I would be getting next semester.  If I intend to take my comprehensive examination by next year, then I need to get 9 units--convert that to 3 subjects.  I haven't tried that before.  It has always been 6 units for the past 3 semesters I've enrolled.  I am indeed pushing myself further.  And OH, I do have my own wedding to attend to, which I've been taking for granted for the past weeks since I am so stumped with work.  I have always wanted to plan and prepare my own wedding up to the last detail, but with the unimagineable workload that I've been getting (which is, of course, paying for the said event), I've enlisted the help of a wedding coordinator to help me out.

Kay nganong ni INTER lagi na?

But at the end of the day, I thank God for the limitless opportunities around me, for making ends meet, for the provisions that never seem to stop coming.  I know this experience has helped me improve as a person, has challenged my personality, has strengthened my faith.  Despite the anxieties, worries and fears, I will never stop aiming for the highest of hopes.

"So anytime you're getting low, instead of letting go, just remember that ant.  Whoops! There goes another rubber tree plant."

 

 

When I have something to say about a movie, I'd rather blog about it than put it in a review.

All throughout the movie, my brother and I were thinking the same thing:  What Korean movie was this adapted from?  It was either we were watching too much of them K-movies OR the movie simply rocked...and the latter one it was.

Based on the short story by Ron Carlson (which got such rave reviews), the movie which starred Jesse McCartney (in brunette mode) and Elisabeth Harnois (OTH viewers, remember the Clean Teens?) was a refreshing take on love-conquers-death and everything else in between.  Initially, it felt as though it would drag, but as Indie films go, the plot just unravels in its own perfect time.  It's not at all a full-blown stellar love story, but neither was it kitschy.  Despite the hodgepodge of emotions, it was unobscured. 

The downside of the whole experience (which is actually the essence of the story) is that it will leave you feeling empty YET hopeful at the same time.

Directed by Todd Kessler, it's a movie for those who think that teenage-angst melodramas are overrated.

Oh, and I did enjoy it a lot.

Early morning commutes are one of my unusually favorite things in the world.  I've realized this first when I had my stint as a private duty nurse in Camella, and yes, I've blogged about this before.  It gives off this sense of serenity in the oddest of ways.  You see different people, overhear conversations, and pass by familiar places that get you thinking about one thing after another.  Some of my best ideas are products of 10-minute rela rides. No kidding.  The soft breeze is fresher in the morning and most people still look AND smell good. A student would be mouthing the words on her notes, as if to study for that morning's test, a taho vendor would awkwardly position his tin cans as to not hit the other passengers, call center agents would be exhibiting their communication skill prowess (no offense), a mother would be combing her kid's hair and tying it into a ponytail, and so much more.  If only I can upload the images I've been seeing, or record the sounds that surround me!

 There are, however, a few problems with this avenue of thought. 1) You won't notice yourself smiling for reasons only you can tell, which makes you look funny to your fellow passengers. 2) If smiling is funny, then you could just imagine grinning and giggling! 3) Because you're deep in your thoughts,you're only able to dig up your loose change when you've reached your stop, which irritates both driver and commuters. 4) It's a good thing if you do stop at your STOP.

This is just one of few things that you can do to UN-clutter your life.  Someone once told me that busyness is never an excuse.  The inability to manage time, however, IS.

note:  I know there is a place in the multiply world for this, but people do read blogs more than reviews

"Do we live in the physical world that we can touch? Or do we live in the world we create in our minds?"

Sometimes, I just wish I can write like that.  And yet, I guess those words only come out when you’ve actually reached the point of experiencing it.  My Sassy Girl (the original version) was the tipping point of my fascination for K-movies (whatever else was there, right?).  Initially, I was quite hesitant to really see it owing to my lack of enthusiasm towards subtitles.  One night though, I was alone in our apartment in college, had nothing to do, and was, incidentally, at a low point in my life.  I decided to sulk it up.  Fast forward now to 5 years later (that long ago huh?), then came the Jesse Bradford-Elisha Cuthbert rendition. Some points I’d like to share before you decide to see it (or if you have seen it, then maybe we can share notes).  And don’t worry. No spoilers here:

1.        I actually did not expect it to come out after The Lake House, which (I guess most of you have already known), is an adaptation of Il Mare (another K flick).  It was top-billed by a Keanu-Sandra reunion and was quite a bit shabby.  The original version was better, hands down.

2.       The usually hunky Jesse Bradford was not his usual self in this movie.  He’s more like a John-Lloyd-clone.  And I guess I myself am pretty much divided whether that came out as an insult or a compliment.  Either way, I wasn't his Swimfan in this movie.

3.       As for the Girl Next Door, well, the sassy part, she nailed well.  However, she hit the hammer harder at some points of the movie that it got a tad bit irritating.  And mind you, not the type of irritation the film was aiming for.  And I like Elisha Cuthbert better with the long hair.  (Don’t tell her…her face could get a bit square-ish at times, making it look bigger on-screen)

5.   Yann Samuell, the director, was the one who actually wrote and directed one of my favorite foreign flicks of all time --Jeux d'enfants (Love Me If You Dare).  That was why there was something familiar with the interpretation of this remake.  Hmmm, if asked my opinion (which I'm giving out anyway), I suggest he stick with his own ideas.

4.       In fairness, the remake was mostly faithful to the original.  The screenplay was impeccable to some degree (like I’d quote a line if it weren’t).   But there’s one major factor that both remakes missed out on---the tear factor.  The anticipation, I guess, is partly to blame.  I prepared a glass of water with me should I choke like what happened on the first one, but all I had from this was a dingy sniffle.  And well, Americans do lack the element of pure sensitivity and emotionality that we Asians inately have, so, it’s quite a given.

It was worth my while (and the screenplay did save it), but, yet again, nothing beats the original.

 

 

i had a long day today. 

and i don't even know if i achieved something. 

i'm just so tired.

As the XU community knows, we have a day-off today, 31st July. Last night, I had my DVD marathon.  I had four movies in line and was only able to see 3 because I wasn't expecting that I'd finish Sex and the City (movie) at 3 am!  And another unexpected thing, I actually liked the movie.

I am not really a huge follower of SATC, it's just that if there was nothing good in TV before, you're really left with no choice but tune in to HBO (no ETC or Discovery Travel and Living yet).  But what I did find interesting was not the Manolos or the Chanels but Carrie Bradshaw's immaculately witty take on life in the Big Apple.  Her small frame has singlehandedly re-shaped the teevo in the late 90's until early on this millennium. But this is obviously not a movie review (as you can see, I am but one of the ten who has not seen the movie until last night).  This is more on extracting an understanding on the philosophy of Carrie.

I was not able to connect on the fashion, the over-the-top lifestyle, the killer job (of writing something that people actually read).  I was able to connect with three things: friends who love you through thick and thin, marrying the love of your life, and losing yourself when you think you've had it all figured out.

The friends

Mirrors reflect, yes, but somehow, one mirror differs from the next one.  Some might be so flattering you'd stare at it for moments longer, while some are brutally honest, bringing out the body dismorphic in you.  And yes, some may be just it.  Carrie was right in saying that her friends were her mirrors.  They may be different from each other, but nevertheless reflect their own interpretation of who she is. I know a lot people, but I've only got a handful of mirrors.  I haven't seen them for a while (except for Bessie who has got no choice since she's my maid-of-honor/neighbor, so there's no escaping me).  Scary as it may be, there are people who will be upfront with you, but it's assuring also that they will deliver not what you'd want to see (but sometimes they do because they love you), but who you really are (and they do that also because they love you).

The love of my life

Mr. Big has always been the antithesis of the leading man, but everybody just adores him for one equally BIG reason: he is more real than any other Brad Pitt or Orlando Bloom.  Even if there were episodes of frustrations on my part (and Ken has known that ever since), I still think he's the best guy out there for me.  He's not the flowers-dinner-dates-mushy type of guy, but he never fails to show me how much he loves me.  And yes, that's what I'd rather have.  And during those brief bright shining moments of orange-peach tulips, ferreros, dinner dates, and stuffed toys, they become less and less of a cliche. Who would have thought that one of the greatest blessings I could ever receive would be delivered to me in the most unlikely package?  A guy I met in school (now that's the cliche! ehehe).

The odyssey

I'm only in my mid-20s and I'm about to start another chapter in my life.  After gradeschool graduation, I wanted to become an archaeologist and see Petra.  After high school graduation, I wanted to travel the world doing research and mission work.  I've always mapped out my summer before college (or after college) with a tour around the Mediterranean, starting in Turkey to the European side (Greece, Italy, France), down to the Algiers in Africa, accross the Sahara and cap it off in Egypt.  (ehrm, this is beginning to sound like a Centrum ad).  I wanted to take up medicine.  I wanted to get married by 24.  Well, it seems that I am going to conquer all those things a step at a time, starting with that last one.  Lately I've been in a sullen mood.  In retrospect, I haven't really gone that far, but the revelation that I've been getting little by little is that it's really not over yet.  Life is a spiral.  It will be going around in circles but towards a specific direction.  I am excited about my life.  I am a work in progress and I thank God that He hasn't, and will not be giving up on me.

I am 24.

Thanks for those who remembered.  I never thought that my phone would be so busy the entire day.  Texting is not dead pa diay, specially during birthdays. :)

Ken and I celebrated my birthday with wine and cheese.  Yes, despite the poverty (and the fact that payday came in a day later), we (or Ken) could afford some celebratory Kraft Eden cheese and peach-flavored Novelino. Once again, the day is saved!  Thanks to the classy cheapskates! hahaha... I love you Ken!


Other pleasant surprises:

1) my NF and NB students of last year: My heart overflows with your concern.  I guess my job wasn't at all tasking because you guys were receptive and proactive in your learning.  If you're saying that you learned from me, I did learn a lot from you guys also. :)

2) Talked with my Tita who's in UK for a good 48 minutes!  Also had the chance to speak to my cousin and Tito.  Hope you guys could come home on December.

3) To cap off my day, my bestfriend/MOH made me something for my wedding daw.  Grabehg talent bayhana! hehehe.. Tenks siang!  mwaaah!


hahaha..nabali man... but cute noh?  pwede na siang!

Thank you Lord for last year's bounty and for this year's blessings!

By the way, this is, in fact, my last year as Rhea Elaine Roa...

Because I've been such the wayward sloth for the past couple of weeks, I am finally moving.  I have now evolved to become a snail (assuming it's an upgrade).  I do not know for real what's this is all about.  Have I lost the drive or passion towards my craft?  Well, if truth be told, I am still the geeky scholar deep inside-- so that's totally out of the question.  Is it the weather that has been marooning me to lopsided consciousness? Maybe, maybe.  I've always been the one to point a finger at the color of the sky.  If it's gray and gloomy, I suppose I become gray and gloomy along with it.  That could be one reason why snowy Canada or rainy London does not lure me, as opposed to sunny Australia or steaming Arizona. OR it could be that my multi-tasking, procrastinating self has finally caught up with me.  Try as I may, I still could not shrug off my mantra for life--fooling myself into believing that I can still work best under pressure. At some points in my existence, I just want to run away to magical Santorini (my dream destination since forever) with Ken and be enthralled.  I even expressed (out loud), how I'd want to go there for our honeymoon.  But we'll still have to rob a bank or kil2x from a 3rd grader. 

hahahah

I'm just killing time, as usual.  I'm going back to work now.

I thank you.  BOW.

After a good two hours and thirty two minutes, I was stumped.  For as long as I can remember, Batman has always been my favorite superhero.  A lot of people have been criticizing him (Superman folks, mostly) for his lack of extraoridnary super powers, and that he relied more on his gadgets.  And that's what made him more appealing to me-- he was more human than any other JLeaguer or Avenger.

The Dark Knight came out as a revelation to many, and an affirmation to some.  It definitely brought the characters of Gotham City to life, and beyond that.  Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale, take me away!) more dashing than ever...the Joker--the only psychopath that we could all probably relate to (Heath Ledger, hats off to you!)...Harvey Dent--whom we couldn't afford to hate as much as we'd want to... Rachel Dawes-- thank goodness Katie Holmes turned the role down since Maggie Gyllenhaal was oh-so-flawless for the part...Lt.--err, COMMISSIONER Gordon, he's just soooo adorably naive, and yes, the ultimate bat-believer.

The psyho-moral dilemma they all went through was such an intelligent plot.  It was dark, but not drab.  It was more than two hours long, but it did not drag.  Critics embraced it.  People refused to stand from their seats to urinate (Ken, included..heheh).

But who got the best lines so far?


Good ole' Alfred...
                       

"Endure. You can be the outcast. You can make the choice that no one else will face - the right choice. Gotham needs you."

"Some men aren't looking for anything logical. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn."

So if you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for?

I am thankful for the almost 24 years I have living an exceptional life and for the almost 7 years of loving an exceptional man.

I used to have this pre-birthday ritual called wishlist.  Pretty much everybody knows the drill of coming up with a few items (be it thing, dream destination, hopes, ambition) that you would want to have for your birthday.  What I have been coming up with is a list of things I'd like to have or fulfill before my next birthday.  Some of the material things, I already have, while some, I decided I don't want them anymore.  Either way, I'm always this happy, content kid, just a year older.  This year will be different since this would mark my last year as a single kid.  (I'll still be kid, though, but with a changed civil status).  I'll be joining the ranks of several of my contemporaries who have taken the leap of faith into wedlock bliss. 

My number 1 wish:  It would not rain on my wedding day.

And then the rest will just follow.

 

I'm not even sure if this post falls under this category.  i've been passing some "me" time watching the series "Pushing Daisies" and it's just so crazy.  The kitschy-ness of the set, a fresh take on "love conquers all--even death", and the motley crew of funny actors, makes this show yet another tasteful series to follow.  What this post is really about, though is the simple reality that a lot of people (pessimist, mostly), seem to forget.

We may have many wishes and things we want, but there are even fewer things that we really need to make us happy.

The uncertainties in life could sometimes make us uncomfortable and confused, but the answers aren't really in the things that we don't have.  Life, in it's simplest form, is the answer to all the perplexing wonders of this world.  Happiness in breathing, in good conversations, in eating, in friendships, in corny jokes, in the cheesyness of love songs, in baby talk, in strong WIFI connections, in back scratches, in after-work embraces, in afternoon jogs, in 250-paged novels...in so many things, in fact.  If threat befalls us from time to time, let it not linger for too long and trample on our spirits.

I am, as of the moment, 23 years, 11 months, 27 days, approximately 17 hours old.

I just can't help but be happy for the many blessings I've received.  Yes, the last time you heard from me was all about money issues (something I would not have thought of discussing extensively). Now, I'm here to be the antithesis of that version of me.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm not entirely basking under the sun here.  I just thank the Lord for keeping me and my loved ones safe from the wrath of Frank (and I say that as "frenk').  Also, I have been such a Sulpicio patron for so long a time already (and yes, I've experienced my share of 3-hour delays, and a black out in the middle of the dark sea), and yet, I'm still here.  Pointing fingers won't help those who have drowned or are yet to be found. Prayers, however, will be of more help at this point.

So, despite the skyrocketing prices in practically ALL of life's bare necessities, we are utterly blessed to be alive.