Faith in God.
Love for life.

This will get me going.

And so shall it do to you, too.

I still don't know to post pictures though. I mean I can post pictures that are already in the net, but I can't post mine. I checked on the web pero it sounded so complicated.

I just discovered how to make fonts bigger.

by just looking at my template.

SO COOL!

I LIKE THIS FRIDAY FIVE. Just realized na girl pa din talaga ako kahit papaano. Tsk. :D

1. Do you like to shop? Why or why not?
Most of the time I do window shopping because I have to spend my money wisely (I just earn enough, you know). But there are days that I have these shopping frenzies (on a budget of course) that I just have to buy something for myself, whether on sale or not (unfortunately, they usually fall on non-sale days. Tsk!) After a purchase, when I get home, I feel happy trying it out in front of the mirror.

2. What was the last thing you purchased?
Other than food, it was Christmas gifts for people in Manila. There is this strip of batik clothes stores in Davao called Aldivinco. I love the place! My kind of clothes. Except those that I like cost a lot because they're from Thailand and Indonesia. Most likely, I'll buy myself those batik pants and shirt for Christmas. (That's me, batik girl.)

3. Do you prefer shopping online or at an actual store? Why?
Have never shopped on-line but I would still like to buy from an actual store. The joy of shopping (for me anyways) is trying the clothes on and if you are with a friend, ask how it looks. It's staring at the mirror thinking "is what I'm paying for worth what I look in this shirt or dress or pants? Is it worth how I feel about myself wearing this?" And if you answer yes, then you buy it.

4. Did you get an allowance as a child? How much was it?
My allowance was pretty small. I had baon in elementary so sometimes I'd go to school with only two pesos in my pocket. At that time, that cold buy an 8 oz. Coke bottle. Everybody else brought 5-10 pesos.

When I got to high school, I got 10 bucks everyday for first year high school. That included jeepney fare so that leaves me 8 pesos for food. Which is just one chiffon cake from Goldilocks. So I had to drink from the fountain. Sometimes I'd bring Coke in can from home. When I got to St. Scho, I'd get 20 pesos for the whole day. With two recesses, that would also be one cake for each recess. (Hmm... no wonder I was so thin then. I didn't eat much.)

I was still a child in college. For the whole four years, my allowance was a hundred bucks a day. Inclusive of breakfast, lunch, dinner and transportation. So I'd skip breakfast. Eat a 35 peso lunch and have a cheeseburger meal (39 peso then) at night. Or corn soup.

(Realization 1: that was why I was my weight then! Now, I really don't eat a lot but I eat regularly. I'm not really fat but I think I'm on my way. Media kasi... makes me feel bigger than the rest of the world. Tsk.

Realization 2: That is why I am so kuripot! Ang liit ng allowance ko kasi.)

5. What was the last thing you regret purchasing?
I don't exactly regret buying the typewriter but I never got to use it much because my bro keeps letting me use his laptop and his computer when I want to. Unlike before.

Those cream Mary Janes I bought last December. They looked good but when I wore it, it chafed my skin. I never get to wear it anymore. Tsk. Sayang.

I just want to write and write and write. Sleep would not come. Maybe because I'm right here in front of the internet. But there isn't anything to say. The thoughts that slip in and out of my mind are all pure nonsense. But the keyboard calls to my fingers to engage in intimacy. Of touch. Of imagination.

I yearn to write and write and write... but there is nothing on my mind. Nothing. But the feel and the sound of the keys beat to a rhythm to which my thoughts dance to... sometimes lazily, often passionately...

Thoughts running wild. As wild as my spirit. Restless. As is my heart. It seeks. What it seeks I do not know. Or maybe I do but just refuse to acknowledge. Or maybe I acknowledge but refuse to let the whole world to possibly know. Yes. It is the last one.

Dreams. What about them? I wish for wonderful ones tonight. But with a tired brain, I doubt if I'll ever remember anything in the morning.

Gah. Nonsense rants. Nonsent ranse.

Last night while Toni and I were playing the "Coin Game" in Time Zone, Lou Veloso was across us playing the same game. I like Lou Veloso. Even as councilor.

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UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN is a must see movie

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I went out of the cinema alone while people came out in two's or three's. My thoughts wander. What do people think of people who gimmick alone? Do they feel I am pathetic for not having a companion? Do they feel that I can be as happy as they are walking around the mall alone, watching a movie on my own?

Wala lang. Just thoughts.

Good morning. I will sleep. Nyt.

3 AM.

I want to write about my recollection but I am just too tired.

I heard from my boss this morning that a third year high school student from Poveda committed suicide because of her break-up. She hung herself in front of the boy's house.

Really, really sad. There is a lot to say about this but I won't.

ANOTHER DATE

Met up with Toni and Dennis. The first part of the night was dinner, coffee and girl talk. State of our lives address and of course, reminiscing about people.

When we met up with Dennis, we went to Timezone. From 11 PM to 1 AM we played this coin game. I can't explain it right now as I am almost ready to drop dead but it was so addicting!

But I had so much fun just plunking coins.

Thanks Toni and Dennis for a fun night!

A SURREAL WEDNESDAY

70's Bistro in itself feels surreal, especially when Noel Cabangon is performing. The mixture of red and yellow light, with the cigarette smoke wafting through the air. Last night felt more like a dream than reality.

I got there in the middle of the first set. I wasn't with anyone but fortunately Kai was there with Tetet. They're my Bistro pals. If my JVP pals can't make it, you can trust these two guys to be there.

It was senti night. He even played Kenny Rankin somewhere in the middle. The mood was light and most people were singing along.

There was intermission and then the second set.

Before the second set, Kai noticed that Gary G. was actually in the crowd. I missed the guy, so somewhere in the middle of the second set, I went to him and said "hi." He introduced me to his friends at his table. Alfred (or is Alwin? better check!) was the writer of Salima, a play about an IP boy. It was going to show this weekend in Davao and I won't be able to see it because I'm here. Grsh. Anyways, we talked about IP peoples and writing. He gave some tips how to unleash the writer in me.

Then Joey Ayala joined the table. My icon of alternative music was at the same table. Whow! I told him I was the one who was asking about his Lupa't Langit CD. We negotiated how I was going to get the CD from him. That night I paid him P400 bucks. P350 for the CD and P50 for the postage. He was going to mail it to me to Davao. Yipee!

I went back to our table. At some point, Noel started siging "The Way You Look Tonight." Gary approached our table. I thought he was going to have a chat. Instead he asked me to dance. I was a bit embarrassed with the crowd watching us and all, but I obliged anyway. No harm in dancing. So all eyes were on us as we slow danced to Noel's music.

My first sweet dance after soooooo looooong. While I was dancing, I felt all shy but then after, I came to a point where I didn't care. It felt nice dancing with a friend.

The song was a bit long, Gary eventually went on stage to continue singing it while Noel played. After two songs from him, Joey took the guitar. He sang "Organik" and "Tabi Po." Ang galing niya talaga! While this was happening, we asked Noel to sign our copies of his Christmas CD.

I swear, I love Bistro.

A GREAT WEDNESDAY

It all started with Noel's lunch of his Christmas album. I met up with Erik and saw some of my JVP friends. The first person I saw when I came in was Noel. I even kidded him that I went all the way to Davao just to see him. Then when I was going to enter Sibol, I saw Cis Alvarez. It was nice seeing him again. Stick thin and hairy.

The launch was good. It was different not seeing him play the guitar. He seemed to not know what he is going to do with his hand not holding the mic. The songs still has the brand of Noel all over the place. Plus Gary Granada's songs reeked of his own brand, too. But I liked it.

Had dinner with Erik. Mike and Rowie followed. It was nice hearing them talk about politics. At least I learn something new. I don't often have a lot to say about these things but listening to them made me understand what kind of hell we are living in now.

VOTE FOR ROCO everybody!!!

Anyways, highlight of the night was actually 70's Bistro. Which I shall be getting back to after I have lunch. Bye!

MEETING MY PARTNER

Lest you get the wrong idea, I am talking about my first JVP partner (I have three), Quint. Quint was my partner while I was in Mindoro. During the first part of the year, I didn't get along well with him. It wasn't him, it was me. But eventually, we turned out to be great partners.

It is always a treat to see him. Especially when I walk around in Makati with a very handsome guy in tow. Winner ang dating, di ba! Hehehe!

We had dinner at Isshin, his treat. We talked about our jobs and our plans for the future. My dear partner is taking quite a big step next year and I am soooo proud. But then he will be moving back to San Francisco, so I will be missing him much.

It is always a great pleasure to meet up with him. Especially when he ends it with a big bear hug and brotherly kiss. I love my partner!

GIRLS' NIGHT OUT IN DAVAO

Karen arrived ni Davao last night. But of course we had to meet. We were so excited to see each other, hugging in the middle of Gaisano mall.

The whole night was spent talking and talking and talking like we just saw each other yesterday. From her cooking to her... wag na lang and my job and Bon Jovi on Philippine radio. Tatit, one of my girl-friends in Davao, came to join us around 930.

Nice, nice, nice to see an old friend in a new home. :)

ANG BAGO KONG IDOL

Hindi po si April Boy, excuse me. Popong Landero is one of the more famous Davao artists. Last night I heard him for the first time. Man, his band plays mean reggae. I swear for a moment, I thought I was listening to my Best of Bob Marley CD. He was so good! I wanted to stand up and dance but Davao isn't exactly the place for my dancing skills (bwahahaha!).

And then this guy comes up on the stage and starts playing the harmonica. WHOA! Ang galing! Wachowski (my invented term for winner and genius. Kung di mo sila kilala, loser ka!)! My jaw just dropped.

And then another guy went up the stage, Grame ang name (oh, rhyming). Lawyer by day, hanep singer by night. Sabi nga ni Tatit, a cross of Bruce Springsteen and Eric Clapton.


SAYA-SAYA KAGABI! I was so elated to see Karen and glad to have heard good music. Happy. :)

There you go, I remember na!

I am finally able to start reading Gaiman's Smokes and Mirrors (a gift from Tristan of which Chiqui rode along). Actually, I was still at the introduction part and Gaiman caught me already.

Looking forward to the stories!

Ugh. I ache all over. Just because I'm a woman.

Anyways...
...
...
Dang, i forgot what I was going to write. Grsh.

Can anyone teach me how to post pictures that aren't on the net? Pretty please. : P

Last night I watched Mr. Suave the movie, hoping the movie was as good as the trailer and the song.

Blech! It was a disappointment. It was just the opening song and dance number and the meteor garden parody that got me laughing.

Vhong Navarro, one of my favorite Filipino comedians (probably favoritest of all), was not enough to hold up a flimsy script and messy directing. Too bad. Hope the critics will forgive him and just bash the script and the director.

Check out the details of my travels here.

Got my first foot scrub yesterday. Never realized how wonderful it could be! My soles (oh, my beautiful sole) are smoother now. That's something new. And while the lady was scrubbing my heels... I could see all the dead skin falling off. Euw! Hahaha!

I think I would get one more often.

Pamper-pamper!

I might be blogging my area adventures separately. So I can share it with more people. I'll think about it.

something si wrong with my blog again. argh. won't publish. man!

Matrix Revolution rocks! Of course, the first one will always be better. But I loved the third installment!

Saka na iyong reasons why. Might just ruin it for the others who will be watching.

Hugo Weaving is THE man!
And the Wachowski brothers have it made. They need not make any more movies unless they are sure they can top the Matrix trilogy. Winners!!!

I bought a Kim Possible shirt two days ago. I look cute in it. I could pass for a freshie in ADDU. Hehehe!

Friendster is just making my day. :)

Okay... Friendster. I see it all over blogs. Hehehe! But yes, I have met up with old friends who I never thought I would see again. Interesting talaga. Sana forever free siya. It does a lot of good for people's relationships, I think.

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BTW, Row... thanks for the latest check this person out you sent. I did, sent him a message, got a message in return that I liked... got kilig. Sent a message back. Bwahahaha! Nabawasan ka-torpehan ko. Bwahahah! Saya.

I never did get to finish that thought last time... well, I am still trying to construct my point. Heeheeehee!

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Anyway. more things related to my job. Last night, I was happy that I am working for what I am working for right now. Get that? i just realized the many possibilities I can do for my country, for IPs, with a job like this. Not that I would actually be able to. I really wouldn't know. But the very idea of what I can do... it just sends tingles up my spine. Yun lang.