Trick or Treat

Trick-or-treating, also known as Guising, is an activity for children on Halloween in which they proceed from house to house, asking for treats such as candy with the question, "Trick or treat?" Trick-or-treating is done in costume and is one of the main traditions of Halloween. It has become socially required if one lives in a neighborhood with children to purchase candy in preparation for trick-or-treaters.

The activity is popular in the United States and Canada, and due to culture, importation in recent years has started to occur (though with considerably less enthusiasm than in the USA and Canada) in Australia and parts of Europe.

Here in the Philippines, a number of posh villages and companies are now participating in such traditions. Last Saturday, more than 60 kids registered for the village sponsored Trick-or-Treat festivities where my parent�s reside.

Almost all the kids are dressed to their absolute best. One thing that happened last Saturday that we did not like was the arrival of the kids earlier than their scheduled visit. They were scheduled to arrive between 5pm to 6pm and yet at 430pm, all kids rang the doorbell and shouted to the top of their lungs, �Trick or Treat!�

We rushed to our main gate and brought with us our candy treats (eight different kinds of candies and chocolates). Helen handed out one treat per kid and yet there were so many hands! We asked them to fall in line properly and yet they did not, whew! Even Reyboy cannot take pictures properly. Mom was not able to see all the kids in costumes and I had a hard time checking out who�s who.

At any rate, we enjoyed the treat giving, almost 65 candy treats were distributed and we even gave treats for the people who organized the activity.

The day before was Mom�s 52nd birthday and instead of cooking tons of food she opted to buy the goodies for the kids. She had fun. I had fun. And for sure, all the kids had fun.

I just wish that all kids brushed their teeth before going to bed� lucky for the family dentist if they did not.

Guilty

I was randomly checking blogs when I stumbled to Rachelle's post and read the entry regarding shadowed friendships not only once, not twice but read it thrice.

Yes, I am guilty.

Rachelle, I already started cleaning up the shadowed relationships. I moved on from friendships that no longer work for me. And yes, it is easier to retreat and simply fade out of someone else�s life.

I just realized that when you think about it, the "getting out" of a difficult relationship could be relatively easy. It is "deciding to get out" that is the difficult part. No other thing you could possibly do will simplify your life, as quickly or as completely as getting out of a relationship that is not working.

Rachelle, you challenge me to be the best I can be... by accepting and appreciating me, you have helped me learn to accept and appreciate myself. Thank you for being a friend close to my heart.

7-Ups for Friendship

1. Open Up. Be honest, open and candid (tempered with kindness).
2. Stand Up. For your friends, whether they are there or not.
3. Put Up. Give your friend the freedom to be imperfect (like you!).
4. Speak Up. Say what you feel; be generous with sincere (public/private) praise.
5. Show Up. Be there; do what you say you will do.
6. Make Up. Do not hold a grudge; be the first to say, "I'm sorry, please forgive me."
7. Re-Up. Take inventory and re-commit yourself to the friendship often.

A Few of Life's Unanswered Questions

Why does the sun lighten our hair, but darken our skin?
Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?
Why is a boxing ring square?
Why is it called lipstick if you can still move your lips?
Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?
Why is it that rain drops but snow falls?
Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume on the radio?
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why is the third hand on the watch called second hand?
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why is the word dictionary in the dictionary?
Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
You know that little indestructible black box that is used on planes? Why can't they make the whole plane out of the same substance?

So Confused

Out of Reach
Performed by: Gabrielle
Dreams Can Come True: Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
April 2002

Knew the signs
Wasn't right
I was stupid for a while
Swept away by you
And now I feel like a fool

So confused, my heart's bruised
Was I ever loved by you

Out of reach, so far
I never had your heart
Out of reach, couldn't see
We were never meant to be

Catch myself from despair
I could drown if I stay here
Keeping busy every day
I know I will be OK

But I was
So confused, my heart's bruised
Was I ever loved by you

Out of reach, so far
I never had your heart
Out of reach, couldn't see
We were never meant to be

So much hurt, so much pain
Takes a while to regain what is lost inside
And I hope that in time, you'll be out of my mind
And I'll be over you

But now I'm
So confused, my heart's bruised
Was I ever loved by you

Out of reach, so far
I never had your heart
Out of reach, couldn't see
We were never meant to be

Out of reach, so far
I never had your heart
In my reach, I can see
There's a life out there for me

Out of Reach is a beautiful song about loving a person who does not love you back. Anyone will definitely enjoy reflecting on their past relationships and where they went wrong. Let us face it, what is more intriguing than unrequited love.

C'est La Vie

Looking back at the twenty-some years of my life, it has been one heck of a ride. A colleague once told me that you need to create spikes in your life. These spikes make up the precious memories you will always remember. The highlights of your life.

Travel. Explore. Feel. Tantalize your senses.

Dreaming about the future sends my head up in the clouds. Nevertheless, the real world rushes by. Not stopping just for me to keep on dreaming a little longer. Reality pulls me back to earth. And the real world is never as perfect as in my dreams.

C'est la vie. That is just how life is.

The joy. The pain. The hope and fear of the unkown.

The late Gilda Radner summed it up pretty well.

"I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned the hard way that some poems don't rhyme and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what is going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity."

Not knowing what comes next. That is the thrill of the ride.

I'm Just a Girl...

Buses and Trains
Performed by: Bachelor Girl
Released: June 1999

Hey Mum, why didn't you tell me?
Why didn't you teach me a thing or two?
You just let me go, out into the world
You never thought to share what you knew

CHORUS:
So I walked under a bus
I got hit by a train
Keep fallin' in love
Which is kind of the same
I've sunk out at sea, crashed my car, gone insane
And it felt so good, I wanna do it again

Hey Mum, why didn't you warn me?
'Cause about boys there's something I should have known
They're like chocolate cake, like cigarettes
I know they're bad for me but I just can't leave 'em alone

(CHORUS)

Yeah, I walked under a bus
I got hit by a train
Yeah
And it felt so good (so good), I wanna do it again
I wanna do it again
Hey yeah yeah
I wanna do it again
Hey yeah hey yeah
Oh, felt so good
Y-y-yeah yeah yeah

Hey Mum, since we're talkin'
What was it like when you were young?
Has the world changed or is still the same?
A man can kill and still be the sweetest fun

(CHORUS)

Under a bus
I got hit by a train
Keep fallin' in love
Which is kind of the same
I've sunk out at sea, crashed my car, gone insane
And it felt so good, I wanna do it again

Yeah
Under a bus
I got hit by a train
And it felt so good, I wanna do it again

Buses and Trains is a catchy tune I adored. The vocals are simple to follow as is the lyrics. The quality of this track lies with the message of the lyrics �And it felt so good I wanna do it again�. Go figure, hahaha!

My Dearest Friends

My friends are so very dear to me,
Through the good and bad they�ve been there,
Laughter or tears we�ve been through it all,
But no matter what they stood by me,
Sharing in my joy, or lending a shoulder to cry on.

Building memories that will last a life time.
The fun times and laughter that we have shared,
Are happy memories that will always be there.
When I was sad, they have always cheered me up.

My friends are true friends, not just passing by,
But will be there through out the years.
I can�t think of more perfect friends,
To share my goals and dreams with.

Because my Forever Friends*
Are the only ones I will ever need,
I don�t know if they can tell,
Just how much they mean to me.

How important their friendship is,
And how much I care,
For they are what true friendship is about.
They�re there when I need them,
And I love them all.

*For:
Agri, Aileen, April, Baby Ruth, Bunny, Carlo, Che, Di, Dins, Elline, Gracey, Ja, Libay, Marianna, Mel, Moi, Mother, Rachelle, Reyna, Sir Gabs, Tita Inday and ZsaZsa

Thank you for always being there through the good and the bad.

Slippery Love and Inevitable Loss

Sleeps With Butterflies
Performed by: Tori Amos
Originally released: 2005
Sony Music Entertainment Inc.

Airplanes
Take you away again
Are you flying
Above where we live
Then I look up a glare in my eyes
Are you having regrets about last night
I'm not but I like rivers that rush in
So then I dove in
Is there trouble ahead
For you the acrobat
I won't push you unless you have a net

You say the word
You know I will find you
Or if you need some time
I don't mind
I don't hold on
To the tail of your kite
I'm not like the girls that you've known
But I believe I'm worth coming home to
Kiss away night
This girl only sleeps with butterflies
With butterflies
So go on and fly then boy

Balloons
Look good from on the ground
I fear with pins and needles around
We may fall then stumble
Upon a carousel
It could take us anywhere

I'm not like the girls that you've known
But I believe I'm worth coming home to
Kiss away night
This girl only sleeps with butterflies
With butterflies
With butterflies
So go on and fly boy

A delicate, dreamy song laced with the smooth blends of the piano with a light mix of bass, guitar and percussion, letting the song floats by like a cloud. Blessed with a soaring and infectious chorus, "Sleeps With Butterflies" deals with the standard Amos themes of slippery love and inevitable loss thereof. It out rightly explains what she needs, addressing the need for give and take between male and female to make a relationship work: "I don't hold onto the tail of your kite/I'm not like the girls that you've known/But I believe I'm worth coming home to/Kiss away night/This girl only sleeps with butterflies/So go on and fly then boy."

Highs and Lows

His voice...
520pm: Dat was so low..Even 4 u..I canot beliv how shallow u r..I trustd u..I always thot dat u of all pipol will do d ryt thing..Un pla..Ur jst a lod of carp.

548pm: Kausapin mo c ate Janis..Tanungn mo cya kng bkt ko gnawa ung gnwa ko "U r so low" Unbelivabl..Sobrang unbelivable..

609pm: Ang BOBO MO!!Kaasar k..Mahal n mahal kta blang kaptd..Gngwa ko lht to kc para mkta mo n d ako ka2lad ng ibang tao n pgtapos kna gmtn ita2pon..Hindi ako ganun..ang BOBO MO BOBO!Pinagma2laki kta plagi..Never ktang cniraan..Ang bobo mo tlga..ang bobo mo..D kna tlaga ngiiicp ngaun

620pm: Oo ang tanga mo..Kng ndi ta2nungin c te jans..Ako mgsa2bi sau..Inaway kta.. Para A. Mkta mo ung ibang tao na nakapalgd sau, ka2lad ni ate jean- Ilang beses k iniyakn n ate jean,nung inaway kita tngnan mo naapric8 mo cya.. B.Ayoko n gnagas2san moko, u nid ol d mony u cn get ayaw ko mgng rison para gumastos k.. C.Kelangan mo ng malayo s KDAS kc ndi healty sau concernd ako para sau..Tapos ako ang pnakarison kng bkt ngpplut ka mgstay..Gnaw ko lhat para sau..bobo mo tlaga.

625pm: Tapos ang pnaka huling rison ko..Ang bobo mo kc,kya 2loy kht cno lng pde ka Iabvse..Ayoko un,mabait kang tao..I had hoped n sa pgaway ko sau ma222nan mo ung leson nato para mgng masaya k..Manga2long ung leson s "kptd" mo..Para controlado ko sarili ko..Alam ko lht, tapos NXPECT ko n MAIICP MO RIN.. Pro mli..

629pm: Mukhang ndi..Kc kng naicip mo..Ndi k ngkaganyan..I'm so disapointd..Yan n bang 22ong side mo..Ung hindi ngpa2kamartyr..Ang panget..sobra!

635pm: Cnasbi mo n 22o k..N gngwa mo ay ung plagng tama..Pro..Un pla.. Plastic..Nka2disapoint..Sobra..Bilang isang tao..Bilang "UP" s2dent..Bilang isang "ate"..

645pm: I never was d best brother.Bt I always thot na nanjan k.Para itama ako at iguide ako.Un pla. Basura lng ako sau nkpagtapos n..Ccrain at ita2pon..Wla nkong ssbhn

807pm: Always ktang kharap at hnarap..Yet bakstaber k pla.. Npakawlangkwenta mong kausap..plastic..amp!

My voice...
After a lot of thinking and sorting out what happened last night, I am posting this for everybody to know who I am now and who I should be. I know that a number of people will definitely get mad with what is written. He, however, (yes you, and you know who you are), for whom I have unfortunately wasted time, will no doubt pretend that he could not care less. And believe me, neither do I now.

Low is as low as it gets. Only the lowest to those who deserve it. Why do you think you deserve better? I do the right things to the right people, but do not expect to be treated right when you do not know what that concept means. I might be a load of crap, but as they say, it takes one to know one.

I do not have to ask other people why you do the thing that you do. If you cannot say it yourself, tough! I do not want the opinion of others when it comes to what you did.

Do not delude yourself that you know what it means to love someone like a brother or a sister. You do not know what that means. You are not capable of it because you only think of yourself first before you think of others. Yes, I might be dumb, the dumbest in fact, but only because I believed in you when all the signs said you could not be trusted. I should have kept my eyes open and let my mind do the thinking. I let my guard down, and admittedly, that is the dumbest thing I could have done.

You talk about being concerned - for whom? Me? I hardly think so. Do not give yourself credit for something that you are not capable of doing or feeling. Now I can see that you delude even yourself of the truth. You did everything for yourself.

You are right on that one; I did let you abuse me. In the beginning, I did not think of it that way, because I am not that kind of person, but to think that you of all people would go that low to abuse me. Moreover, you actually have the gall to say it is out of concern for me? Do not make me laugh! I did learn a lesson from you, it has not to trust people like you who said that they are concerned for me and that I am like a sister to them.

Do not be too disappointed. I am not. I saw you for what you really are. That is good enough.

Like I said, the real me is reserved for the people who deserve it. If I came across as "plastic" to you, that is because that is exactly what you are. You get what you give. You acted that way that is why people come across that way to you. I am a better example of a UP student than you ever would be. At least I have the decency to act professional when it is called for. As for being a sister, I tried that, but you were never a brother to me.

You were never a brother. I was here, and yes, I have decided to dump you because you are not worth it. Good if you do not have anything to say. No one will listen anyway.

You always hide behind your lies or some other person to say things for you. You want to know the truth? You are a coward. And cowards get what they deserve.

As for the rest, treat me however, you want. Treat me as your mentor, your role model, your worst enemy, your dear sister, or treat me as dead, that is all fine with me. I could not care less.

Too tired to continue being blamed, being the enemy, being abused, being the goody good shoes - everything stops now.


My thoughts...
Minsan mahirap tanggapin na may mga taong makitid ang pag-iisip. Minsan mahirap tanggapin na may mga taong akala mo e may nalalaman ngunit wala naman pala. Minsan mahirap maintindihan na ang mga taong may pinag-aralan naman ay wala naman palang natutuhan. Sayang ang ginastos sa pag-aaral. Minsan mahirap tanggapin na ang taong akala mo e tao ay hindi pala.

Mas madali na isipin para sa isang tao na tama lahat ang kanyang ini-isip. Na tama ang lahat ng kanyang sinasabi. Ngunit kung susuriin mo kung ano ang mga lumalabas sa kanyang bibig at kung ano ang kanyang mga ikinikilos, makikita mo ang tutoo. Na ang taong ito ay nabubuhay lamang para sa kanyang sarili. Ang taong ito ay takot sa ibang tao na may kakayahang mahigitan sya sa kahit anong bagay. Bakit? Dahil mahirap tanggapin sa sarili na ang kanyang pagkatao ay kulang. Kulang dahil walang lalim ang kayang pagkatao, dahil ang layunin nya ay umangat habang nakatuntong sa iba, at nang hindi na pumayag ang tinutungtungan, wala syang ibang pwedeng gawin kundi sirain ang taong dapat sana ay nakatulong sa kanya. Kaya nya itong gawin at magtago sa dahilang ito ay ginagawa nya para sa kapakanan ng iba. Tama? Natural, dahil sya lamang ang may tamang pag-iisip at ang ibang tao ay walang alam, bobo ika nga. Ngayon, kapag naman ang ibang tao ay lumaban sa kanya, madali din niyang masasabi na isa kang ipokrita, plastik, bullsyet.

Dapat bang paniwalaan ang taong ganito? Madali syang paniwalaan dahil magaling syang mambola ng tao. Kahit pa nga ang pwede mong masabing matalino e kaya nyang lokohin. Kesehoda pang gradweyt ka ng UP at sya ay hindi. Ang panloloko ay hindi sinusukat kung saan nagtapos ang isang tao kundi sa kagustuhan nya na manloko.

Minsan masusukat mo ang pagkatao sa mga katagang lumalabas sa kanyang bibig. Minsan naman, ang mga salita ay kusang binabanggit dahil ito lamang ang paraan upang ipaintindi sa iba ang gusto mong sabihin. Ito ay dahil sa hanggang dito lang ang kaya ng kanyang kaalaman. Mataas man ang tingin ko sa aking sarili, ito ay dahil may mga nagawa na ako na ikinataas ko. Hindi ang isang mababang gawa mo ang pwedeng magbaba sa akin dahil wala kang karapatan. Huwag kang magtago sa dahilan na itinuring mo akong kapatid dahil alam mo na hindi iyan ang tutoo. Hindi ka tataas dahil sa paggamit mo sa akin dahil wala ka namang laman sa iyong kalooban na magpapataas sa iyong kinalalagyan. Kung mababa ang tingin ko sa iyo ay dahil sa ganyan ka talaga kababa at kung bumaba naman ang tingin mo sa akin ay wala yang kaso dahil mas mababa ka at di abot ang aking narating. Kung ayaw mong may marinig ay huwag kang magsalita.

Kung ayaw mong may kumilos ay huwag kang manulak. Gumawa ka ng sa iyo at tumahimik habang ginagawa mo ito. Tigilan ang pagtalak dahil dinaig mo pa ang babae sa pagtalak. At tigilan mo ang pagmamarunong dahil wala kang alam.

Never was it better than the first!

Conversations I: I Know You Love Me
I know you love me
Why can't you say it in my face
I know you love me
Why keep it in a safe place

I know you love me
Come on, say it please
I know you love me
Say it softly, with ease

I know you love me
Please don't go away
I know you love me
See, now is the day

I know you love me
Say it, you will
Let's get it over with
There's not much time to kill

Conversations II: I Can't Say It

I can't say it
While I'm in front of you
I can't say it
You know it, you do

I can't say it
It's too hard for me
I can't say it
Really, can you not see

I can't say it
Even if you ask me again
I can't say it
Not now, not even then

I can't say it
It's true I cannot
Please forgive me
I love you not

"Conversations I and II" - written by Bwayne

g. riveros:

"So beautiful , uncomplicated and tender, that I'm quite sure the person it is adressed to, will understand it fully. Amongst the things I usually read in these pages, I have not seen anything as pure as the Conversations, the kind of message that, not hurting, dignifies both the author and the recipient equally. You have said in a few words what a whole book of poetry may not ever say or would attempt to say with at least great difficulty. Regards."

Galing talaga!

Four Gents and Two Ladies

Sa ating bansang Pilipinas, hindi mo alam kung kailan uulan, kung kailan aaraw ng masikat na masikat at kung kailan walang mga katrapikan sa kalsada.

Just like any ordinary Thursday, makulimlim sa bandang alas-sais ng umaga pero sobrang kainitan naman pagdating ng alas-diyes! Hay!

Went out around 1030am, braved the heat, took the cab and I got my Harry back. I did not spend any centavo since all the replacements were covered by the warranty - yippee!

While waiting for Harry, was able to watch again for the nth time, Mighty Ducks 2 and saw Charlie! Hay, what a sight!

Since I don't have much planned for the day, I had lunch with the four gents (Bruno, Verbose, still don't have a code for Norman, and Sweetness) and my Ace.

Daming tao sa Sousaku! First time na nakita naming puno ang tables and hirap na hirap ang mga servers and even the owner was busy taking orders.

Another lunch filled good food with tons of giggles and teasing. Though we were happy to be with each other, we remembered those who cannot join us for lunch (little sister, cutie, and pogi).

We already scheduled a date for our next overnight escapade and a long trip for all of us on the 19th. Sorry na lang sa hindi invited - ika nga nila, mamatay kayo sa ingit!

After paying the bill and saying our goodbyes, I had to shoo them off since they might be scolded again for being late and spending too much breaks (kapal ng mukha ng mga naninita, akala mo perfect, sila ba hindi nalelate at hindi nagbubulakbol?).

Before hailing a cab, I passed by Big Brother/Cafe Salcedo and bought Cream Puff and Choco Beehives for my cheeblings. Whew, going home at 230pm was no joke... ang init!

MyLK with Great Aunts

MyLK stands for My Little Kitchen and literally they have a little kitchen. They go by the popular saying "great things come from small packages" - that would be MyLK. They differ from other mall restaurants because of the relaxed atmosphere that it provides. The service is excellent, and the surroundings are cozy and cool to the eyes. Go try it out at Level 2 of Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center.

Ella Criselda and Clarice Delma

Chloe Jean and Drusilla Joyce

Ralline Jean and Zoe Jeanevieve

Zoe Jeanevieve and J. Reynaldo III

MyLK...

they always make sure that you'll leave with a Happy Tummy!

Next In Line

I never dreamed that the next time I will see the kids would be another last dance.

Yesterday, Sheryl got a call from Ma'am Cecille and informed her that she got the post! Saya-saya namin kasi an hour before the call was made, she's already scared that she didn't make the cut, told She to be very patient. Then after an hour, halos wala pang isang oras, ayun, controversial phone call.

Hurriedly, I finished my lunch, prepared her resignation letter, sent it to She throough YM, and told her to tender it ASAP. According to the boys, she did not stay long when she tendered her resignation letter - ang bilis! Astig talaga si Pogi!

I met up with the kids after a family dinner a little past 9pm. (I am still waiting for the pics from the family dinner before posting an entry - Mom took the pics!). As usual, they had dinner at KFC and we were the last customers to leave the place

No gathering with the kids would be complete without snapshots so as always, everyone smiled and posed!

For our dearest Ashe She - galingan mo sa AU! Yakang-yaka mo yan at wag mo kami papahiya kay Ma'am Cecille. For sure, isa sa mamimiss ng mga kasama mo sa production room ay ang malamakinilya mong pagtype sa keyboard. Nandito lang kami ha, isang text, isang email or isang buzz lang!

Now, I wonder... who will be next in line?

Of Rejection and Bitterness

Why is it that for some people, rejection is something that they can't live with? I've had my fair share of rejection but never did it tarnish my ever so shiny ego and self- esteem. Well, for one, I know what I can and cannot do. Second, I�m doing something so that the cannot's can be can's in the end.

Maybe people should be more prepared for the worst. Complement it with hope and trust, and a dash of determination, could it get any better than that? It worked for me, maybe you wanna have a healthy serving. It wouldn't hurt big-time if you try. You want?

And why on earth would you let someone ruin you? What about the core of who you are? Shouldn't that matter more than anything else?

But be careful. You gotta listen to people who make more sense than you. Let them help create a better you. Milk them for whatever they are worth. But give back the cheese. Let things be symbiotic.

This chaotic experience is distending.

The Greatest Advice

Don't date because you are desperate.
Don't marry because you are miserable.
Don't have kids because you think your genes are superior.
Don't philander because you think you are irresistible.

Don't associate with people you can't trust.
Don't cheat. Don't lie. Don't pretend.
Don't dictate because you are smarter.
Don't demand because you are stronger.

Don't sleep around because you think you are old enough and know better.
Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.
Don't sell yourself, your family, or your ideals. Don't stagnate!

Don't regress.
Don't live in the past. Time can't bring anything or anyone back.
Don't put your life on hold for possibly Mr/Mrs Right.
Don't throw your life away on absolutely Mr/Mrs Wrong because your biological clock is ticking.

Learn a new skill.
Find a new friend.
Start a new career.
Sometimes, there is no race to be won.
Only a price to be paid for some of life's more hasty decisions.

To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless.
To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy.
To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get a puppy.
Don't bring another life into this world for all the wrong reasons.

To make yourself happy, pursue your passions and be the best of what you can be.
Simplify your life. Take away the clutter.
Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends, nasty habits, and dangerous liaisons.
Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't overdose on duty.

Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family.
Be true to yourself.
Don't commit when you are not ready.
Don't keep others waiting needlessly.

Go on that trip. Don't postpone it.
Say those words. Don't let the moment pass.
Do what you have to, even at society's scorn.

Write poetry.
Love Deeply.
Walk barefoot.
Dance with wild abandon.
Cry at the movies.

Take care of yourself. Don't wait for someone to take care of you.
You light up your life.
You drive yourself to your destination.
No one completes you - except YOU.

It is true that life does not get easier with age.
It only gets more challenging.
Don't be afraid. Don't lose your capacity to love.
Pursue your passions.

Live your dreams.
Don't lose faith in your God.
Don't grow old. Just grow YOU!

When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is T-I-M-E because the essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but the quality of time spent together.

-- Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

Crying

I haven't been really crying. I did over the past week, but the tears shed were just wasted tears on some things that never became mine. Though that crying required a CD of songs just so the emotions that the melody brings are enough to let that drop fall, the tears were superficial. A chat conversation with a friend was also prerequisite to get the tears out.

It seems that I have crossed a certain pain threshold. That no amount of shit can bring me down. But it never made me stop relish the pain. Enjoy its irritating scent. Lavish in its evilness. Drink its cup of sour wine.

The pain trip is always worth it. The learnings. The much better you - the one more ready to face bigger challenges and hurdle higher barriers.

After all, you are just recognizing that this is an opportunity. And crying is a waste of time.

In memory of Dean Ma. Divina Pascua-Cruz

Ma. Divina Pascua-Cruz was one of my fondest professors at UP Diliman and she died last Friday, 30 September 2005.

It was Ate Shelly who sent the SMS to Norman then Norman showed to us his phone with the sad news and that time I was still with the kids enjoying dinner at Greenbelt 1.

I attended the Necrological Services with Jannice and Ka Roger earlier at the UP Chapel in Diliman, Quezon City. Wished so much that Mary Ann, Rachelle and Ella could come but they have their own appointments. We saw Jeremy and Joenabie together (sana nagkabalikan), a number of ILIS friends and classmates (Denise, Dante, Joel, Rhea, Harrietand Jean, Ate Elvie, Jocelyn, Lizbeth, Arnor and Cheche � to name a few), old teachers/professors, and a number of acquaintances and a few enemies. Wu, hu, hu. Much as I want to have pictures taken with the people who attended the services, I behaved myself and just looked around.

I will definitely miss her laughter, her lingering perfume, her mini skirts and all the words of wisdom she shared. Hats off to one fine lady!

Love doesn't end with dying
Or leave with the last breath.
For someone you've loved deeply,
Love doesn't end with death.
- John Addey

Teary Eyed Saturday

With less than five hours of sleep and still wanting some more zzz�s, I woke up with my Mom�s cheerful voice. My brother forgot to write me a note or even a SMS that Mom will drop by to pick/drop him to school. So sleepy pero sige na nga, gising na kung gising. They did not stay long, just long enough for my dear brother to clean up and eat breakfast.

After breakfast, I opened my beloved Harry and checked the dailies, emails and messages. My little sister mentioned earlier that she�ll pass by the Jungle to get her stuff before going to CSM, and a little before 8am, she�s already packing her stuff. I told her days before her last day at the jungle to bring home little by little her personal stuff, yet she wasn�t able to do so. Ayun, pulang-pula at sobrang iyakan na naman sila sa Jungle.

Why did I tell her not to go back, because, she�ll have a hard time leaving the Jungle and seeing again the rest of the gang. What happened? Ayun, crying all the time sila ni Alas at ni Hudas. Pati ako, even in my sleepwear, napapaiyak nila sa dami ng kadramahan ni Little Sister at ni Ace. Hay!

As promised to my Ace, Saturday lunch is solely for her. Ayun, dahil sa hindi makayanang pagiyak, hindi na nakayanan ni Jannice na pumunta ng CSM, napakiusapan na ni Jean na magstay si Jannice. Bongga, ang tres marias na naman ang kakain for lunch.

Hurriedly, I prepared lunch for Verbose and Sweetness and off I went to the Jungle. Fetched Jannice and we bought some batteries and went straight to our favorite nearby Japanese restaurant along Salcedo, Sousaku. We ordered appetizers and waited for Jean before ordering our lunch. Over lunch, we still can�t help ourselves but cry and laugh and eat the good food. We even got a 15% discount for our next visit � sarap!

Funny thing, we�ve been eating a lot at Sousaku and had a number of pictures taken inside the restaurant but never outside the place. So, before we went back to the Jungle to drop Jean and to get Ja�s backpack, we asked the good security guard and he took our picture.

Back in the Jungle, Ja said again her goodbyes and still crying, daming luha ng babaeng ito, but as promised to our dear Ka Roger, �magbabait ako habang nasa gubat at ngingiti lamang�, I am so bait! Sabi pa nga ni Verbose, �Madam, ang haba ng hair natin ah, saka ang galing ninyo talagang umarte, celebrity talaga!� Ako pa! Wahahaha. Even Sweetness was playfully saying �Madam, dito ka muna sa tabi ko, para maglinger lalo ang scent mo hanggang sa muling pagkikita!�. Pati ako natawa. Ganun talaga siya kasweet! No wonder, daming babaeng nakapila kay Marvin!

Marvs, may napupusuan ka nab a sa dami ng prospects? May irecommend sana ako sa iyo eh. Just kidding! Sweetness, ask me privately na lang!

Almost 3pm and our Ka Roger�s already in the Jungle Lobby waiting, I had to drag Jannice out of the room at sorbrang river crying na habang ako eh tawa pa rin ng tawa kasi may mga Orocan! Sa kakatawa ko, pati si Jannice eh humagulgol sa loob ng CR. Whew, she even mentioned, �Ate, tama ka, dapat di ko na iniwan pa ang mga gamit ko at inuwi na natin kahapon.� Actually, nainggit pa ako sa kanya, kaya I answered her �Tapos na, umiyak ka na Ja, atleast ikaw maganda ang closure mo sa kanilang lahat, di katulad sa isang kilala namin na walang closure, puro arguments lang at misunderstanding at saka hurt�.

We walked towards Greenbelt and we did something that we wanted to do for a very long time - we had our pictures taken with Ronald McDonald. Sobrang funny and kapalan lang talaga ng mukha lalo na�t daylight pa man din at maraming tao sa kalsada. We don�t care� we are not Care Bears! Saya!

We bought some stuff over at Greenbelt 1 and then we strolled to Greenbelt 3. We had relaxing moments over milkshakes and crepes at Caf� Breton and then made fun with the people roaming around. As usual, daming pintas, daming puri, daming katatawanan.

Another day filled with tons of weeping, laughing, eating and drinking. Whew� sana every day fulfilled just like today� lots of love and care. Wish!

A Not So Ordinary Friday Night

After finishing some take-home work and submitting my reports at exactly 3pm yesterday, I went to Glorietta 3 and had some of the pictures printed out. I completely forgot it�s Payday Friday and lo and behold, daming tao sa mall!

I contemplated where to wait for an hour, to shop or not to shop, to spend or not to spend, to eat or not to eat or just to bum around. I ended eating Ham and Cheese Croque and a Hazelnut Truffle Coffee at Caf� Nescaf� while waiting for the deadline.

After an hour and a half, I took a cab, went to McCafe Greenbelt, and waited for my Little Sister and Cutie. While waiting, I ordered Nutty Brazo and Iced Coffee. After a few more minutes, surprise, surprise, both women were wearing skirts. Ha, ha, ha. Nakiki-uso sa panahon ang mga girlaloo pero both looked so nice and so relieved.

The KFC Greenbelt-Legaspi Branch was not full with customers yet it was so hot! There was no air-condition and I hated it!! We decided to transfer and ended next door at David�s Tea House, Chinese food! We ordered Nido Oriental Soup, Hakao, Mantao, Yang Chow Rice, Breaded Fried Chicken, Camaron Rebosado, Sweet and Sour Pork, and Beef in Oyster Sauce. For drinks, we had house tea and ice-water.

Just like before, we started the usual �chikahan�. Jeremy said �Madam, si Sir Dan!� Wahaha, lahat kami napatigil at napatingin at sumigaw sabay-sabay ng �Sir Dan!� He was so shocked and he was laughing so hard upon seeing all of us, sitting in a long table. He occupied the next table from ours and was busy sending SMS and ordering food. You might have wondered if his presence kept us from having fun, of course NOT! Kami pa!

Dinner was filled with tons of laughter, teasing and so much food that I think we asked from more than seven refills of the house tea and more than three rounds of ice-water.

In attendance for dinner were: Ralline, Jannice, Iyra, Jeremy, Norman, Ka Roger, Mike, Marvin, Sheryl and Carlos. Astig pa nga kami, kasi our long table occupied the middle of the floor and it was even the restaurant owner who took our group picture, wala lang. Nakatayo lang siya sa tabi eh.

After dinner, we walked to Paseo Center. We literally walked from Greenbelt 1, Legaspi Street then to Paseo De Roxas. We even had our picture taken in front of the HSBC headquarters at the steps of the Enterprise Center even though it was already late.

We parted ways with Cutie Iyra and Carlos. No tears but lots of hugs and kisses. We�ll definitely see her after the boards and hang out some more, we still have lots of dancing to do. Celebrities always unite � kami pa ni Iyra, mega celebrities ata kami! Go, girl!

After Iyra left, we said our goodbyes to Sheryl. Sayang at di namin makakasama sa inuman si Pogi! Wanted na for Bulacan si Pogi and mahirap ng maiwanan ng libreng sakay. Pogi talaga ni She, lalo na kapag suot ang maong jacket.

I walked too much that night and I was telling Jeremy and Norman that I haven�t walked these streets since 2002. Nakaka-miss pala maglakad. Matagal na masyado and though it was tiring, I had fun walking with five men and a lady. Astig kami eh!

We reached Dencio�s Paseo Center a little past 10pm and the place was packed with yuppies. We had six rounds of three (San Mig Strong, Lite, Pale and Red Horse) and one big pitcher of Frozen Margarita. We could have stayed longer if it didn�t rain. We wanted to eat Samalamig, kaso sobrang late na. We waited for the rain to stop and it was close to 1am, the men had desserts at McDonald�s, had a scoop from Norman�s Oreo McFlurry and it was good.

I went home by cab with Sweetness dropping me off in front of my house before going home. Another Friday night but not so ordinary� filled with lots of tears, laughter, good food and cheer.