The "last lecture" its not

Prof. Randy Pausch may have lost his battle with cancer Friday but I think, no I believe his legacy will live on. I know his speech has resonated so much with me that one of which has become almost like my mantra. It was about the "brickwall" that its there to test how much we want something. When I meet obstacles and challenges along my way, I think about what he said and it changes my perspective. Instead of being "defeated" by the obstacles, they become my motivation to survive through it. If after doing everything I can and yet the result is still the same so its either I don't want it badly enough or its really not for me. Which ever it is at least I know I did what I could and tried my best.

I cried upon hearing the speech that he did at Carnegie-Mellon. I cried and yet was inspired by everything he said. His topics were simple, practical and most of all things or aspects about life that made him happy or his source of happiness. His lecture was not meant for the whole worlds but for his three young children who after today will only have memories of him. But boy what memories those are. His last lecture will linger on in the hearts of those who were touched by him. But most of all his lecture will linger in the hearts of those who really knew him. Those who will be given the task and the responsibility to let his children know what a good man their father was for giving not only them this amazing gift but everyone else who were able to listen to him speak and whose lives were touched by him.

After the meal....before you leave

There is nothing better but to end a meal with delicious dessert. But sometimes, we are too full to have dessert right after the meal. Another option is taking it home and sharing it with other people. This is how I view pasalubongs. I love pasalubongs.

After sating ourselves with the food secrets of Tacloban shared with us by Anton of Our Awesome Planet, he takes us on a sweet journey of the desserts that we have grown up with. His post about Leyte Pasalubong is enough to make my mouth water. Good thing, my relatives just came back so at least I am able to satisfy my craving.

I like my binagol warm and I turn it upside down so I go to the sweet part first before everything else. Or sometimes I eat all the "talyan" part first and save the sweet part with peanuts last much like how some people save the skin of the chicken for later. I didn't use to like moron when I was a kid. They just looked odd to me but after having my first taste of it, I have grown to love it. But I still love binagol more.

But the best dessert of all is the pastillas from Carigara and nothing else. Much like how my cousins and I are such leche flan snobs because we will only eat leche flan made by our family, I am the same way with my pastillas. It has to come from Carigara and nowhere else. All other pastillas just pale in comparison. I have been able to finish a pack by myself. Its one of those things that one or two or three is never enough. Before you know it, you have consumed an entire pack of 100 I believe. I also hoard it when my parents would send me. That's how much I love it. Papa only gets the pastillas from two suppliers in Carigara which escapes me at this point. They have retained the quality of the pastillas since its beginning. It is made from pure carabao milk not camouflaged with sugar or what have you. Others are lumpy and made of condensed milk. These are smooth and they have a snap to it. Its not melt in your mouth goodness but heaven in every chew kind of way. Each chew is a sensation that makes you want to discover it more and more. Yes, its THAT good!

Waray Foodies

The foodie scene in Tacloban City is underrated.

Not a lot of people know that Warays are foodies. I was really surprised about the diversity of food in Leyte. - Anton, Our Awesome Planet

I didn't know either and I was born and raised there. I guess because it was just our lives and living it. I have not looked at it from another perspective since it was just part of our daily lives. Now that I am away from that life, I am seeing it with new set of eyes. Through Anton's, I have come to a better appreciation of what a charmed life we Warays live and we don't even know it.

When Anton first posted about his trip to Tacloban and looking for secret places to eat and all, I left a comment in his blog, a rather mouthful one per Mano Gerry. I guess I got so excited that Anton was going to Tacloban. I have seen how he had discovered foodie secrets from other places and read how enthusiastic he becomes talking about them with pictures to boot. I couldn't wait for him to have a taste of what Leyte has to offer. I thought my comment was to introduce him to the foods of Leyte but looking back I think it was also because I was hoping he would feature the places of my childhood, that I miss so much. He sure did and more because I also got to read about the places that I hope to try when I go home. In some sense, he brought me along and it felt like I was home.

So many have changed since I left and so many have stayed the same. Nostalgia and excitement all at the same time. I am glad to know that our lechon is still the best ever with vinegar and garlic. The barbecue stands that I grew up with is still standing and the same family runs it. Boy, do I remember those days when I would look after the bakery and I would smell like smoke because these stands were literally right outside our door. I can actually still smell it when I remember. Their barbecue and our hot pan de sal = perfection. We live far from the city proper but when Papa would have a craving for native chicken, no matter how late into the night it was, we would all pile up in our car and drive to the downtown to eat some barbecue native chicken.

If Papa wanted "tinola nga isda" for breakfast, the only place to go was Yolanda's. Its the perfect place - you are inside a hut, near the beach, actually on the shore. I remember us sitting in our table and buckets and buckets of the freshest seafood would be placed in front of us and we get to picked which ones we want. Its as fresh as fresh can be - the fish is still moving, the shrimps are jumping, the crabs walking along the shore. Its cooked according to how we want it and breakfast is ready. Oh for clarification - our tinola is the same as the sinigang towards the sour kind. Now I shouldn't be surprised that my cousins had shrimps and prawns for breakfast the entire time they were in Tacloban. We were the same when we were growing up. No dress codes at Yolanda's and yup it means you can go there in your pajamas like we usually did since we were most of time roused from our sleep to go there.

Afternoon snack was either barbecue or pancit from Royal Seafood. I still don't know what the lure of these noodles is but it seems there's is no other pancit to eat but from there. Once again, this noodle dish and hot pan de sal = perfection. Another afternoon snack staple was the bibingka along T. Claudio. Anton wasn't able to try the bibingka but I am glad to know that its still in operation and prepared still the same. I will say it again, nothing comes close to it for me. The only bibingka I will eat with so much gusto will be the one coming from here. Its real rice, no shortcuts (I hope so) and none of those added flavors like salted eggs or cheese or sugar. Its plain and simple - rice cooked in banana leaves. Its best eaten fresh from the "pugon" (oven) and butter smeared all over it and watch it melt away. Its only available at a certain time and it is usually gone so fast. I wonder how much the recipe would cost or if they are even willing to sell it. I am willing to buy it, that's how much I love this bibingka. Or learn how to make it at least.

There are a lot of new restaurants in Tacloban now, a very diverse group at that. It seems they can already meet whatever you fancy and I am glad. I can already see and expect to gain weight when I go home. Calle Z for the bulalo. The "purbidang kangkong" from Ocho. I have heard so many good things about Ocho and I know the owner. Rafael Farms too, my family was just there. Jose Karlos, I think my sister Camille is always there.

I am such a foodie. I thought its only now but reading Anton's posts, I realized I have always been a foodie which I have to credit my parents, especially Papa for. We ate out a lot even before and we were not afraid to try new dishes. My parents enriched us about our culture through food which is so not a bad thing at all.

There are so much more so..here it is, discover the foodie secrets of Tacloban.

Our Awesome Planet: Tacloban City - - Top 10 Foodie Secrets of Tacloban (Part 1)
Our Awesome Planet: Tacloban City - - Top 10 Foodie Secrets of Tacloban (Part 2)

Anton walked the San Juanico Bridge from one end to the other. I grew up there and I have never done that. I am not sure I would want to either. Just made me realize how much we don't value the things and places around us because we think it or we will always be there. Or sometimes we seek those that are far and wide not realizing that what we had all along and all these times was the real beauty, the real gem. Reading other people's views, a stranger even, changes our perspective about the things we have but take for granted. But its not too late to change that.

Low octane

I am running on three hours of sleep only. Not to mention that the past 2 days I have only been averaging of 3 hours sleep as well. Monday, my relatives arrived from Philippines. Tuesday, there was a get-together at my uncle's house. Last night? Blame Denny's super slow service but credit an amazing concert of Journey. Yup, I was one of 15,000 people there. That is not an exaggeration because there was not an empty seat in house even the lawn was packed.

First the low points..as expected there was a long line to the women's bathroom. Really, there should be 2 women's bathrooms for every one men's bathroom. It was just crazy. Due to this is my low point #1 of the night was missing the opening song of Journey. The same reason brings me to low point #2, on my way to find the end of the line to the bathroom, I got burned by someone's cigarette. I couldn't believe that it didn't enter her mind that it was packed and I mean packed, she was bound to hurt someone if she held her cigarette as if she was in a middle of a massive space. She should have held it up in the air so that it didn't hurt anyone. I now have this red dot on my forearm. She apologized and even if I wanted to get mad, what good would it do. Another one is I wished I had my camera but my brother has it all the way in Manila but I had my sister, Jehann's camera and there were 3 massive screens there so it worked out fine.

I am bad with song titles so I am not even going to attempt to mention the repertoire. But I will do mention the songs that I know and remember:

Don't Stop Believing - I think Arnel singing it just gives it so much more meaning because he is the perfect example of it. He didn't stop believing and look where he is now. Open Arms - Still gives me goosebumps; After All These Years - love the song; Separate Lives; of course Faithfully.

The concert started at 7 with Cheap Trick and Heart but I missed it since there was a massive traffic going to the venue. Journey came in at 9 until past 11. The crowd was a good mix of different ages. There was a father with 2 or 3 young children who were still probably bubbles in the air when Journey came to life and yet they knew the songs.

Arnel is really good, amazing even. His voice range is really something. He was jumping all over the place. His energy seemed boundless and endless. You watch him with a mix of awe, disbelief and pride. Awe because he is really good and he seems to have established a good rapport with the rest of the band. It seems he has adjusted well. They were just enjoying every moment of it and it showed in their faces, in their performance. Disbelief that I was watching the concert of the band that gave me "Open Arms" and "Faithfully". Also disbelief with a mix of pride but more of pride that a Filipino is the lead singer of this band. He acknowledged his "kababayans" and someone was waving the Philippine flag. He is the epitome of dreams coming true....a feature in People and Time and a spread in GQ and these are just the start.

It was a really good show and Arnel wowed the crowd. Just read this review of the concert from the OC Register.

I am such a bad reviewer but then again I am writing this with my mind drifting in and out of the stages of sleep. Besides, I don't think I will give it the justice that it deserves. But one thing, it was a show well worth the money.

LOBO: Lessons to be learned

Pardon me but I am still dealing with a LOBO hangover. Lobo has changed my views about werewolves. They didnt interest me before but now I am fascinated with it or maybe its just LOBO that I was fascinated with. I think if LOBO was able to change my views about werewolves, Twilight will change my views about vampires. I am just starting the book, so its still remains to be seen. But, anyway here was a narration from LOBO about in my opinion what it is to be humans and what it is to be werewolves and we realize we are not so different after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Noah: Minsan sa ating pagkabigo sa buhay, sandali tayong nawawala sa landas

Lyka: Gumagamit ng lakas at kapangyarihan...naghihiganti...nanakit ng kapwa..

Noah: Ang mga magkakaibigan, nagiging magkaaway....Ang magkapamilya, naglalaban-laban

Lyka: Kung minsan, pati sarili winawasak

Noah: Ngunit sa gitna ng hirap at sakit, may bahagi sa atin na pilit sumisigaw

Lyka:Nagbibigay sa atin ng lakas...nagbibigay liwanag sa gitna ng dilim

Noah: Nagbubuklod sa atin anuman ang edad, kasarian, kulay, o lahi

Lyka: Tumatanaw sa isang kaaway...bilang isang kaibigan..

Noah: Hindi nag-aalinlangan sa kahit anong hadlang

Lyka: Maging dikta ng tadhana, o kamatayan man

Noah: At kung tayo'y bigo, ang tanging nagbibigay ng pananalig at pag-asa

Lyka: ay isang kapangyarihang pinagkaloob sa atin, ANG MAGMAHAL!

Noah: dahil ang bawat isa ay nilalang sa pag-ibig

Lyka: sa pag-ibig din inaasahang mabuhay tayong lahat.

In the eye of the storm

literally.

I have this weird habit of checking out sites of wedding photographers and videographers. No, I am not planning mine or anyone's wedding and thinking of getting any of them as vendors. I just enjoy watching other people's wedding, as weird as that sounds. There is just something so magical and nostalgic and mesmerizing about weddings. I don't have a clear-cut idea of what my wedding will look like and really its shouldn't even be a blip in my radar. There is only one aspect of it that I am sure of and that is non-negotiable, at this point at least. I am not saying what it is, lest to jinx it or worse to scare anyone away.

I was browsing through sites when I chanced upon this couple's wedding in Boracay the very day that Typhoon Frank hit the island. A little rain on anyone's wedding day is already bound to make any bride or couple go on panic mode but it seems this particular one took things in stride and rolled along with it. Amidst the winds and rain, the wedding pushed through and looking at the pictures it seems they wouldn't want it any other way. Their smiles say it all. I like looking at the photos with the gray skies, the rain and the couple in the water as the waves came crashing to the shore. They were in the water in their wedding garb and all. That is impressive and inspiring. Instead of allowing Mother Nature to ruin their day, they embraced it and had fun with it.

Check it out:

Photos: MangoRED
Video: Mayad Studios

Unforgettable lines from LOBO

I think LOBO has a lot of quotable quotes. Some are pretty cheesy as expected but some are really wow...tagos! The lines were really one of the shows strongest points partnered with little to no hysterics when saying it unless it was absolutely necessary. There were a few slip-ups.

Thanks to the following: kozuesan, kewl_aaron, j_815, koreanoveladik, asul_03, Schatz_75, draconix, pretty_eena(GeLo Thread), felli, mitchiebee, Uno_2, apryl me of Pinoy Exchange.

Here are some of my favorites, the rest can be found here

"Hindi sa Tala sa Langit, kundi sa Buwang nakasilip, ibigay ang hiling ng matang nakapikit." - Noah & Lyka (Piolo & Angel)

"Kung sakali mang mawala ako bukas, gusto ko lang malaman mo na naging kumpleto ang buhay ko... kasi nakasama kita.. nakilala kita... at minahal kita" - Lyka

"Noah, kung wala ka rin naman sa buhay ko, anong pinagkaiba ng mundong 'to dun sa dilim na pinanggalingan ko." - Lyka

“ If you stand your ground, nobody can push you around.” - Lady Elle (Pilar Pilapil)

"Sorry is noble, but weak!"- Lady Elle

"There are no victims in this world, just people who are willing to be victimized…" – Lady Elle

"Minsan, kahit mahal mo, nasasaktan mo pa rin. Minsan nga, lalo mong mahal, mas lalo mong nasasaktan…" – Gen. Cristobal (Dante Rivero)

"'Di ako aasa, para ‘di ako masaktan…" - Lyka

"Ipinapangako ko, na sasaktan ko muna ang sarili ko, bago kita masaktan muli." - Noah

"Ang hirap kasi sa ‘yo, lagi mong siniset-up ang sarili mo para masaktan ka. Hanap ka ng hanap ng taong magmamahal sa ‘yo, tapos ‘pag ‘di mo nakuha ‘yun, iniisip mo mag-iisa ka. Kaya gagawin mo lahat, kahit sinasaktan mo na ang sarili mo." – Choi (Janus del Prado)

"Kung may isang milyon lang ako, at pwede ko bilhin ‘yang pagmamahal na nararamdaman mo, binili ko na." – Choi

"Dapat ‘wag kang malungkot, dapat maging masaya ka, isipin mo ang swerte-swerte mo, dahil minsan sa buhay mo, naranasan mo nang magmahal ng totoo at lubos, kahit hindi nasusuklian, ‘di ba? Dapat doon pa lang, masaya ka na. " – Choi

"Alam mo, kahit tumanda ka pa, at umabot ka pa ng 80 anyos, hinding-hindi ka mag-iisa, kasi walang taong nag-iisa sa mundo." – Choi

"Hinding-hindi ko hahayaan ang mawala ulit ang ngiti sa mukha ng taong minamahal ko." - Alec (Geoff Eigenmann)

"Alam mo Gaby, kung ganyan ang paniniwala mo, hindi ka dapat nasasaktan ng ganito. Hindi mo ginawa, hindi mo titiisin yung lahat. Malapit ka lang dun sa taong mahal mo. Ilang beses na ba ko nawalan ng mahal sa buhay, Gaby? Pero natatagpuan ko rin. At dun ko narealize yung pagmamahal, na sinusubok talaga ito ng panahon, ng distansya, at ng tadhana. At para pag natagpuan mo na, wala ng papantay pa, wala ka ng kasing saya pa." -- Lyka

"This is your time to shine. Kaya mo ito. You can do this. Kapag hindi mo nagawa ito. Goodbye, world. Goodbye, Philippines." - Elton (Gio Alvarez) Gio was so good in this role. Its a gay role but it doesnt look fake or forced. He was very funny.

Another noteworthy actress here is Dimples Romana. She was really good.

Ano ba??

Tama na puwede??

I dont take things like these seriously anymore now but I will admit, it made me smile.

"anyway...let me go or else i wouldnt want to stop chatting with you"

my reply??

"haha
okay..go
good nite"

He said "gnite" and signed out.

My countryside

One Christmas break from college as Papa and I were driving along Kankabato Bay in Tacloban, he turned to me and said "be thankful you grew up in the countryside". I didn't know then why he told me that and for what purpose. Looking back now, some 10 years has passed, I get what he meant. Tacloban will always be home and looking at pictures and getting updates about it makes me feel close to it no matter how geographically away I am.

Last June 27, the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival was held. Back in 1986 when it was first conceptualized, it was then called Pintados Festival. But nowadays its called Pintados-Kasadyaan and its also called the "Festival of festivals" since festivals from all over Leyte converge in Tacloban City to compete against each other and to give the people - residents and tourists alike a colorful, vibrant and merry celebration that is reminiscent of our history and culture. I learned from someone that its not as easy as mounting a dance presentation, even those are thoroughly researched and it is a must that the choreographers are aware of the history and the spirit of the municipality and incorporate it to the overall history of how Sto. Niño of Tacloban came to be.

This year however, there were two festivals in the span of 2 days I believe. Yes, two festivals - the Pintados-Kasadyaan and the Sangyaw. Sangyaw was a project of then First Lady Imelda Marcos which was revived by her relatives who are now in power in our city. Pintados-Kasadyaan is sponsored by the Pintados Foundation and the Province of Leyte.

Political biases aside, I have greater affinity to Pintados-Kasadyaan because it is the one that I got to experience and boy what an experience it was. Also, I was a witness to its conception being that my dad was part of it. I remember, my siblings and I running around at VOR Hall in DWU after classes as Papa was deep in meetings with the rest of the committee. To say I grew up with is an understatement because now 22 years later it has done so much from its humble beginnings. It was an experience - good, fun and painful ones that I shared with my friends. Those were fun times. Oh, the painful part came when its time to clean up after the festival. Its pretty painful to remove paint from your body and hair but then it goes with the experience.

So many things have changed. Its no longer a "free-for-all" when it comes to putting paint on people. But, nevertheless, the spirit still lives on and more.

Here is a glimpse to what Leyte Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals is through the amazing lenses of Gerry Ruiz. My siblings - Nicco and Camille were home for the weekend too. They still have to upload their photos.

Brings back so many memories.

Not at all Type A

Your Travel Personality Is: Easygoing

When you travel, you're looking for a lot of downtime. Vacations are your chance to recoup. All you need is a scenic spot and plenty of time on your hands. You'll figure out the rest. You're not one to make lots of plans when you travel. You just follow whatever path seems right.

What's Your Travel Personality?

Excited

Three debuts and one fiesta down..I have a few more that I am excited about in the coming months.

Journey concert in July. I may have been young then when Steve Perry was with Journey but I knew about their songs in high school. I remember singing along to "Open Arms" and "Faithfully" when bands back home would cover their songs. Now that they have Arnel Pineda as lead singer, it is going to be a double treat. There are 13 of us watching so it will be fun, never mind that its on a Wednesday.

When I was a sophomore, my cousins, Ate Joyce and Kuya Justin went home for a vacation. Ate Joyce brought as "pasalubong" magazine clippings of New Kids On The Block (NKOTB) and also a NKOTB watch. I had tapes of their albums and listened to them a lot. I wasn't a big, big fan but I was a fan so it will be a fulfillment of a childhood wish to watch them in concert.

And now I am. They will have a concert at the Staples Center on October 8 and Chrissie and I are watching it. She already purchased our tickets. I cannot wait!

After reading about Randy Pausch's "The Last Lecture" and him talking about his childhood dreams and how he was able to fulfill them in the course of his life, it made me reflect on what were/are my childhood dreams. He said that it has to be specific. I cannot think of all of my childhood dreams are off the bat but I have one that I cannot forget.


When I was 5 years old, I started taking ballet lessons for the summer and did so for the next 5 summers until I was 10. Every end of the summer, we would have recitals, like our graduation and we would have prima ballerinas like Lisa Macuja, Anna Villadolid and others as guests. If not during our recitals, they would have ballet concerts in our province and I remember watching pretty much all of them growing up. I think in one I was the one who gave a bouquet of flowers to Lisa Macuja. I would read their biographies and they have danced with really big and famous ballet companies like NYC Ballet, Atlanta Ballet or Academy of Russian Ballet or Munich Ballet. I have stopped dancing ballet but I still dream of being able to watch a performance of any of the famous ballet companies. Sometimes, some of them have performances in either L.A. County or Orange County but its for a limited run and by the time I find out its either sold out or already passed. One of my childhood dream was to dance in a big ballet company but since that's not possible now, I will be satisfied with being able to watch a performance of either the New York City Ballet or the Atlanta Ballet.

But, this is what I am excited about now..

I read on Monster Muncher's blog about a Kyochon Chicken in Orange County. YAY!! Kyochon is this Korean fried chicken. A year ago, Chrissie and I went to the one in Koreatown in L.A. after watching a screening of "Lust, Caution". I have read about it from Wandering Chopsticks and she read about it from "Best of L.A." magazine and for some strange coincidence that day we both felt like trying these famous fried chicken. We went and there was a wait for those chicken but it was sure worth the wait. We ordered a large (about 15 pieces) of mixed wings and drumsticks and we finished it all, just the two of us. It is delicately battered and double-fried but oh so delicious. It has hints of sourness and saltiness and sweetness that we cannot really point out for sure. It came with a bed of cole slaw drizzled with mayo and ketchup and a side of pickled radish. We came out of there very, very satisfied. I have photos but its in my camera phone. I will upload it as soon as I can. I have been craving for it but Koreatown is just too far. So, I am really excited to know that they already have a branch in Orange County and I googled it, its only 12 minutes using surface streets from my cousin's house. Yay! They deliver too but I have to know up to what distance they will deliver. I wonder when our next party is and I will order these chicken that I have been raving about to my cousins.

How Filipinos travel will have a new meaning

Traveling light is a personal option. But for Filipinos, traveling light is not an option, its a waste. There have been so many jokes about Filipinos traveling not with luggage but with boxes. If you want to know where the Philippine Airlines counter is amidst the chaos that is the airport, just follow where all the balik-bayan boxes are headed. This is a no-fail strategy because for sure behind mountains of boxes would be the PAL counter. Hey, we have to take advantage of the two free 70 pounds luggage allotted for each passenger.

How many times have I heard my relatives say "sayang yung space." when the box has reached its maximum weight - 70 pounds but the box isn't full yet. Or "sayang yung weight." when the box is busting in the seams and is way below 70 pounds. I think my family have nailed the art and the science of packing down to a T. When I say family, I mean my mom, my sister and myself. Well, its more my mom and my sister now. I try to veer away from it as much as I can. Its a lot of work and they do a better job at it than I do. We have done a lot of lifting, moving around of stuff to pack to be able to achieve a full box with exact weight, the perfect balance. Its not the easiest thing to do but for some strange reason we feel a sense accomplishment when we are able to do so. Or maybe because at least my sister and I wouldn't be hearing the "sayang ang space", "sayang ang weight" comments from the peanut gallery (translation: our aunts, uncles, lola etc.).

Well, that's all going to change. I just read over at PDI - PAL to limit baggage weight on North American route. Uh-oh! The dozens of sardines and corned beef have to be cut down. The packs of Knorr Soup will have to be less. The papaya soaps will be one for each now rather than a half a dozen. The shoes, the clothes, all the pasalubongs would have to be reduced. This is going to need some getting use to. I have a ton of relatives going home this month. Thought their flight home is not going to be affected, its coming back that will be. This policy is going to take effect after July 1 and it didn't say travel to Philippines, it said travel to North America. So my relatives will be going home with 70 pound boxes but coming back with 50 pound ones. This is going to be tough. My mom will have a crazy task of packing their boxes back with 50 pounds maximum in mind. I bet there will be many that will be left behind that are most often than not are enough to fill another 50 pound box. How that will get here is a question that really doesn't have an answer yet.

I actually welcome this for some reasons. I have always wanted to travel light but I know that it was just not possible having a family that I do. But now at least its just not going to be an option for me but a requirement, something that I or them cannot do something about.

I wouldn't want to work at the PAL counter on July 1. I can already sense the confusion and chaos. Not to mention the irate passengers. Boy oh boy! Good luck! Well, at least they will sure earn from all the excess baggage fees that they will be able to collect.

Three hours later..

the biography was done and so was the layout of the program for Kat's debut. It took me almost 3 hours..geez. It shouldn't have taken that long but then again it wasn't as if I didn't have any distractions. Kat was asking for my help with her homework as I was writing the bio. What was the homework? Oh making a sentence using the vocabulary words assigned to her. Nice! I was having difficulty putting the words into her bio and I was coming up with sentences for her at almost the same time. But important is I am done with the bio. I made true to my word that I have to be done with it by last night..well okay past midnight since it was already past 1 AM when I wrote the last sentence. I will read it again today and edit if it needs editing. Knowing myself, I will find something to edit. I am that critical of my own writing to a point of getting a red pen sometimes to check it. I was too tired and sleepy to really check my satisfaction level of what I wrote. I have to read it aloud to hear the tone of voice, if its pleasing to my ears. I have to double check the tenses, grammar. *sigh* It turned out my aunt can wait until tomorrow to bring it to the printers. She just needed to know how many pages there will be so she can ask for a quote from the printers. So I have all of today to double check everything.

Biography..done

Next on my agenda is the script to introduce the members of the court. This one has to be ready by tonight as well so they can time their entrance during tomorrow's practice. *sigh* This is easier to do since I will just be writing into paragraph forms and summarizing the bios that the members of the court already wrote. I just have to reduce the information to the simplest and most basic. It shouldn't be like a book since there are other parts of the program.

Court introduction..in progress

Another item on my agenda is the timeline of the whole event - from the moment Kat has to wake up to the end of it has to be carefully timed so that no time is wasted. With the program done, this is easier to do. I have started it and I have the skeleton so it just needs to be filled. The checklist will fall under here as well.

Timeline....in progress

I still have to write my message since I am one of the candles. Knowing my other aunts and my cousins and my sister, they will most likely come to me for their messages too. It shouldn't be so hard since we are limiting it to 1 minute per person. How to make each of the messages unique and original is the hard part. *sigh*

Messages .... to be started

I also have to make the ribbons for the chair covers. 250 of them but then May 26 is a holiday and I think I can make all of it in one day with less distractions that is. If there will be, then maximum of 2 days for all of it.

Dress has been picked out but needs alteration. Shoes is still undecided but that's not too hard.

Okay..looks like I am in good form for this. But then again this is only for the event on May 31. Not to count the other debut on June 7 of my boss' daughter. Well, with this one I just need to have my dress fixed and altered and shoes to decide. The other aspects are being taken cared of already. Just a little help in coordination here and there. Nothing major.

Next is the Sto. Niño fiesta on June 14. I will see an overlap of activities on the last week of this month with debut preps and finalizing fiesta plans plus printing of souvenir program plus preparation of costumes for the Agta Festival project for the same day and also choir practice. *sigh* My days are so full that I don't have any sense of space and time anymore. This will all dwindle down after June 14...I hope.

I am not complaining, not all. I am actually enjoying all these flurry of activities albeit bordering on exhaustion. I am learning a lot about myself..about other people. Its fun because these are not forced upon me but what I want to do.

The Empress' New Clothes

No..I have no plans of walking around in my birthday suit in my search for clothes to wear in my side of the kingdom. But today, I am amused with myself because I have become a semi-smart shopper. I bought two cardigans (same style, different colors) a week ago but it seemed I got a size smaller than what I usually wear. I have this aversion of trying on clothes at the store unless I really have to which explains the getting the wrong size part. Usually, I would go back to exchange these to the right size and if I see something else, I will buy it along with what I exchanged. But today, I let go of the cardigans and got two items that I know I will wear more often and more worthy of my money. For the two cardigans, I was able to get a really cool jacket and a dress that my mind couldn't stop from coming up with creative ways to wear it. I only added a small amount to the one I previously paid for the two cardigans. I still got two items but instead of having two of the same thing, I have two different kinds that could actually go together and also be more versatile with other stuff in my closet. I don't know if it really makes such a big difference but in my own warp mind, it does.

With two debuts to go to that is one week apart (May 31 and June 7) and still no dress for either one and its already May, I am starting to get anxious. Its hard to find clothes that fit me off the bat. I usually need to have things altered. Good if its only the length but if its more than that, clock is ticking fast to have it ready by that time. An aunt told me to wear one to both. I would if they are not a week apart and if I would be able to go to the dry cleaner right away. But that's not possible and besides I have to think about pictures. LOL

I am on the fence if I am going to wear long or short for my cousin's which is on May 31. I feel like going short this year but its a formal affair. Is there any rule that I cannot go short if its a formal affair? I know not a lot of people follow dress codes anyway. I will ask my other cousins what they are wearing. Besides, if I go short for Kat's its not like its going to be casual or something. I still plan on getting something formal. I know for my boss' daughter (June 7) I have to go long because that's the request of the mom of the debutant and the debutant herself. With me helping coordinate it, I can't be the first one to violate the rule. Buying two formal clothes is going to break my bank or so I thought. Today, I wasn't just a smart shopper but a lucky one as well. I was just browsing around and I saw this long navy blue gown. I checked the tag and woah so cheap. I am not going to say the price but its really a steal. Super, super steal. I tried it on and double woah it fits me so well. Sure the length has to be shortened a bit because it goes way past my feet as expected but other than that, it fits me so well. The rhinestone details need to be changed because its missing some and there's some very minor and barely noticeable imperfections. Well for its price, I really shouldn't expect a really perfect dress. Besides, its not like I will go to church on Sundays wearing it. I am most likely just going to wear it for that night anyway. I think I will pay more for the alteration than the dress itself. Good thing I know someone who can alter it for me for almost free and the changing of the rhinestone details I can actually do myself. Just has to buy those. A little creative will bring me a long way. I am just happy to be down to one dress to look for. Now I can splurge on the dress I am going to wear to my cousin's debut. I am more convinced to go short now because the probability of me wearing it again is higher than buying a long one. I will have more for my money. But who knows I might be lucky again and find a dress for almost a steal. If that happens then I am splurging on Kat's birthday gift. I am after all her confirmation sponsor. We will see. One down, one to go with less than 30 days left!

Coming up roses

I had a rare opportunity to be outdoors one warm, sunny Saturday afternoon. While the participants for the presentation were rehearsing, I took the chance to wander away and took some photographs of whatever it was around me. It just so happened that roses were in abundant so I took photos of them. This is the one photo that made me smile so much.

The rest of the set can be found here.

About time

I heard that there is a California bill to impose a 25 cent fee for using plastic bags. I welcome this because ever since I bought my reusable bag from Target I didn't really feel that I was making a mark because there wasn't much difference between using the reusable bags and their plastic bags other than personal choice.

I actually liked using the reusable bags because the baggers tend to fix the items more so it will fit in the bag rather than just stashing whatever into bags and bags and bags. This way, I tend to carry just one bag rather than lugging so many bags with me. Its very convenient. But I thought when I first brought it that there should be some incentive to those who actually use these bags. But there is none. We still pay the same amount so I think its not at all motivating people to use these instead of plastic bags. Sure, plastic bags are reusable too in some sense since we use them to line our garbage cans but it also come to a point that we just end up with way too many plastic bags and just throw them away. Where do they end up? At landfills and it gets stuck there. If this bill will pass, I am all for it. I think this way people will be more motivated to use reusable bags rather than plastic bags.

BUT, some of my relatives think otherwise. They think its just the politicians way of getting more money. They think its political. Well, everything they don't agree on is political and because of a certain party anyway. I think they are looking at it from a different perspective. They look at it as a money-generating scheme rather than a way to help the environment. They think its a scheme rather than looking at the ramifications brought about by the constant use of plastic bags I didn't bother to argue with them last night because they wont listen to me anyway. I am just going to continue with what I do. My aunt has seen me use my Target reusable bag so she knows I am doing my share. But I think imposing the 25 cent fee will be so much better. It will really force people to think twice before they pick plastic when asked at the supermarket or everywhere else.

Aside from using the bag when I go to Target, I have also declined bags when I buy things if I can fit it in my personal bag or if I can carry it. More so, if they put a tiny, little item in a really huge bag. I tell the sales associate that I will just put the item in my bag. At the same time, I am planning to buy a Baggu soon.

This way, I really wont have to get plastic bags from stores. I will still get those pretty paper bags. Well, I do use them over and over till they split in two. Or maybe in time, I will even refuse those and just use Baggu for everything.

I know I wont be able to stop other people from using plastic bags or solely stop pollution and global warming but at least I will do my share in not adding to the depletion of it. Things are not going to get better in a snap but at least do every little bit possible to improve our environment.

Personality Badge

I was tagged by Oggi and here are the results. The results dont surprise me. I think I've pretty much had the same results since I first took this test back in college for a class. But I think I am not THAT introverted. The way the questions were asked plays a big part as to why my result is this.



NTPs are logical, individualistic, reserved, and very curious individuals. They focus on ideas, theories and the explanation of how things work. They are especially adept at discussions and debate. They have the ability to focus intently on a subject. They appreciate and respect intelligence in others.

I sure picked the right course in college, all right. Here is the proof.

I am tagging whoever wants to do this. Click here to take the test and many others.

Officially out!

Well okay not yet. Not until the end of this week at least.
By the end of this week I will be officially out of the calendar.

What do I feel about it? Nada..Zero..Nothing...Zilch. It was never an issue with me as it is with some people. I even say it out loud when people ask how old I am.

18...21...25...30... these are all the same to me. No big changes at least the obvious ones.

I am not as conscious this time around compared to last year. Not to say that I don't plan to celebrate because I am. Two celebrations in fact and that's what I am looking forward to.

Some people around me are getting worried that I am reaching this age...not married, not even in a relationship. But I am not worried at all. If its going to come, its going to come. I am not going to force something that isn't bound to happen just yet. "Mapait ang hinog sa pilit" hahaha No need to worry about me.

Yes..I am turning 32 this Friday.

Here comes the bill

To split or not to split

I don't know about other people but when I eat out with my family and friends, we usually don't split the bill. Splitting the bill means paying with two or three modes of payment for one bill. Either we divide up the entire bill on how many we are then put in that money or one pays first then divide it up later. It doesn't matter if its cash or credit card. I don't know about when we order our own because frankly its been awhile since we have done that. We eat "family style" a lot of times. We order one of each - appetizer, salad and entree then put it in the middle for everyone to share. This works for us. Or on very rare occasions that we order individually, we put in the same amount to cover for the entire bill and tips. Or inform the server ahead of time to make it separate bills. I don't know, its just easier that way both for us and for our server.

This came to mind when I saw this big group and I mean big group like 15 of them when my aunt and I ate out last night. They gave the server 2 modes of payment but 3 types - cash and 2 credit cards with instructions on how much to get from each. How did I know this? Well, they were standing really close to me and they were pretty loud so it wasn't hard to hear. I saw how the server struggled with the bill to follow the instructions. I mean, it could have lessened the hassle if they told the server in advance to split it or made internal arrangements among themselves before settling the bill. Good thing it was almost the end of business day so it wasn't busy anymore. Imagine if it was. I know there are restaurants that either tell you to inform the server beforehand or don't allow it all. I know I ate somewhere and it was specified on the menu that 'no splitting of bill". I just don't remember where.

Eating in big groups is not alien to me. Their group of 15 is not big compared to us. We have been denied reservation during dinner service because it would mean for the restaurant closing half of their seating capacity. We either eat before or after the rush hour. Yes, we are that big and that's only immediate family. So if you hear "so and so, party of 40" That's probably us and that's not even half of all us and that's only my mother's side of the family. But same thing, either its split evenly among us or one pays first.

I guess different strokes for different folks.

Where art thou...

Good Friday?

Its Good Friday and I am at work. There is no such thing as Holy Week here unlike in the Philippines where its really felt. No shows on tv, no newspapers, no radio. Majority of the stores are closed. Here, its business as usual so we try to make one of our own. We will be closing early today though which helps.

I miss going to Calvary Hill to do the Stations of the Cross with my family. Calvary Hill has big-sized statues of the Stations of the Cross. Its almost like our personal reenactment of Christ's passion. We literally go up the hill as we do the stations ending up at the very top where an even bigger statue of the risen Jesus Christ is. Its quite a climb. Its used to be more treacherous when the way was just paved. Now I believe it has steps. But there are loads of people and not to mention the weather. Good Friday for some strange reasons falls on the hottest day of the year, at least in my experience. The climb is hard, then the crowd then the weather, it can take a toll on anyone which is I guess why its such a relief once one gets to the top. Not only is it a sense of accomplishment but its a lot breezier at the top. But then, you just catch your breath there to make the trip going down.

Here, to do my share, I am going to leave work earlier than our closing time and pass by the church. I will do the Stations of the Cross by myself like I have been doing for the past few years. This is my reflection time so I prefer going on my own. For that brief moment, it will feel like Good Friday to me. Then once I set foot out of the church doors, its back to "normal".

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Serenity and Tranquility?

Sometimes I feel like I am going through life in a rush. I know that we should live life as if its our last but must it be done in warp speed? Sometimes in our desire to do so many things, attend to so many things at the same time, we lose sight of what is really important - us. I believe that what we hold important, defines us. So now, work takes up most of time and it seems its whats defining me. I am not really liking it. Thanks to Kaytee, I have found a site that might actually reel me in to slow down, to take stock of my life, of what is important to me, of where I want to go, on what direction I want to lead, on who I want to be - Zen Habits.

Early this year, instead of making resolutions, I decided to come up with a mantra for my life. I have the general ideas mapped out, its just the details that I haven't gotten around to doing yet. I haven't been able to really sit down on it which is sad since the first quarter of the year is almost going to be over. I hope with the help of Zen Habits, I will be able to get around to doing it especially since a big bulk if not the entire mantra is covered there.

Simplify my life. be Happy. Act on my passion. Live. Love

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Simple joys in life?

With the warm and sunny weather we have been having, I feel like I am not making the most of it. When I get home, I am so tired that I take power naps when I should be enjoying the sunshine. I want to..

- bike around the block or around a park
- eat an ice cream cone and try to catch it as it melts into my hands
- buy a dozen balloons, take photographs and release them to the sky
- sit in one corner and watch people go by