the year that has been (almost)

As I always say, how time flies so fast! Since it is the last working day of the year for our department today, I decided to put away my 2010 planner in the office and bring out a new one. Syempre before I did, I looked back to the year that has been, through my dirty scrawls and senseless doodles.

Can't help but notice that during the first half of the year, weekends are marked with huge smileys. You can say I detested weekdays, workdays actually, that I wish to sleep through Monday to Friday, and wake up to a lovely Saturday na lang. I'm not like that anymore, kapag Monday na lang. =D

At the bottom of some pages are song titles or lyrics that I heard from the radio or from my Grooveshark playlist. They help me get through a long tiring day.

Some days can be real chaos! I can imagine my stress level to be the same height as I am during days like this one:

And then, there are days that somehow makes you understand why you had to go through all those stressful days.

I flipped through the pages of my 2010 planner with a smile on my face. It's been a year. It came and went so quickly. So many things have happened. Some changed and some just the same. 2010 is past us already, almost! I thank the Lord for the year that was, I've made peace with it and I'm gonna embrace 2011 with a better version of me. I know 2010 made me that. :)

Have a happy and blessed New Year! =D

day off!

Today's holiday did me a lot of good. When an officemate declared last week that today was going to be a holiday, I said Yeheeeeey without asking first why. Up to this time that my free day in a medyo-middle of the workweek is about to end, I still do not know what's with today. =D

I-google natin teh!

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has declared November 16, 2010, as the day for the celebration of the Eid’l Adha, the Islam’s Feast of Sacrifice, to pay tribute to the patriarch Ibrahim and his readiness to sacrifice his son Ishmael, as an act of obedience to God. Having shown his obedience, he was then able to sacrifice a ram instead. http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/287805/eidl-adha-festival Aha!

Why the celebration of the Feast of Sacrifice did me a lot of wonders, first on my list, I got time (and sapi) to clean our room. I have no clue if Ate noticed since she said nothing about it when she arrived, but I hope to High Heavens she does because it is not every day that I feel like holding a broom and ducking under beds making sungkit all that alikabok (ganda-gandahan!). One thing I am not really proud to tell anybody about me is this: Ayoko ng naglilinis ng bahay. In fairness naman sakin, hindi naman kase ako masyadong nagkakalat. In fairness naman talaga sakin! Pagtalupin at paggayatin mo na siguro ako ng mga sangkap sa chopsuey nang maghapon, just don't ask me to clean this area or that.

Second, I got to visit one of my most favorite places - the supermarket! Feels nice to be going around the supermarket with no rush or worry that the mall's closing in 15 minutes and I haven't grabbed everything that I want to buy. I was able to do that today, slowly surveying one rack of goods after another, contemplating if I really want to buy this or that and figuring out I do want them on my basket(chocolates na may rice crispies, oreo cookies, mi goreng noodles, etc.) My simple pleasures, really.

Today, I was also able to read a good book with hot coffee on the side sa halagang quatro pesos mehn! Kopiko lang feeling cool ka na! Anyways, I started reading Eat Pray Love today with Jack Johnson serenading me. I have given this book as a gift, twice already, pero hindi ko naisipan na basahin. Perfection na meron si Ate na copy at tinatamad na siya magbasa. Mwahaha. So far, so good!

This about sums up Inday's day off! What I truly love about today is that I was given some time to pause and focus on doing the things I love, one at a time, with complete attention. I found peace today, I am so much loved :)


P.S.

I realized today that Christmas is just around the kanto! 39 days, akalain mo! Hello hamon! :)

my kind of guy :)

Haloooo fans! (sige na, pagbigyan na ko please.)

Mwahaha! These past few months, I have so many things in my mind that I have wanted to write down but due to katamaran, hindi ko na alam kung pano sila aalalahanin at sisimulan, yung iba kung pano itutuloy. Mabubulok na lang siguro sila sa drafts ko!

By the way skyway, my blog turned 3 last week! Hurray! Mas madami pang edad niya kesa sa mga bumabasa! :)))

To celebrate its 3 years, I would like to share about something so personal and so dear to me. I would like to introduce the GUYS in my life! Yes, kindly take note of the s. Ang ganda lang talaga ni teh. =D Okay, these guys, I just wish they truly exist at sana magkatuluyan kame, period. :)

1. Tom Hansen of 500 Days of Summer

That dimple! Those wrinkles in his eyes when he smiles! That boyish grin! Waaaaah! He's just so pogi. His character in this movie is so adorable that if Summer isn't my girl crush, ipapakulam ko siya for not seeing Tom the way I see him. Haha! Why Summer, why?! I just find it cute and a little sad at the same time that it's the guy who is head over heels in love with a woman who doesn't believe in love.

2. Joey Tribbiani of FRIENDS

"'Cause I'm a Tribbiani, and this is what we do! I mean, we may be not great thinkers, or world leaders, don't read a lot, or run very fast... but damn it, we can eat!"

He is, I think, one of the most hilarious characters television ever had. When I'm sad, I'd randomly pick a dvd from all 10 seasons of Friends and wait for Joey's stupid pick-up lines, stupid responses and stupid reasoning, and suddenly, I don't feel so sad anymore. I guess sometimes it just feels so nice to be with someone whom you can be comfortably and completely stupid with.

3. Ashton Kutcher

While some maybe wishing for an Aston Martin, I pray for an Ashton Kutcher. ;p Lord, please make some more Ashtons in this world, so there'll be more women who will be as happy as Demi. :) I think girls will agree with me when I say that a guy being funny scores superduper major major gwapoints. Wouldn't it be so awesome for every girl to have that guy who will satisfy her need for laughter and major major happiness. :)

4. John of Dear John

I have told my friend Michy, "Kahit yata tumayo lang si Channing ng 2 oras sa movie, papanoorin ko pa din." He is hot hot hot! And him being John in this movie, he is perfect, perfectly hot! Hehe. I love how excited he was every time he would receive Savannah's love letters. I love how he promised Savannah his love and how he meant it. But most of all, I love the way he would shower Savannah with kisses so sweet and hugs so tight. Damang-dama ng lola! Who wouldn't want to be held and embraced by those firm biceps, i mean loving arms. :D

5. Seeley Joseph Booth of Bones

The mighty knight in rusty FBI armor. The man I would say yes to any minute, if only he'd ask! Every single time I watch Bones and I see him, I look like those cartoon characters who have hearts for eyes when they're in love. He is not the stunning makalaglag-panty kind of guy but he is my kind of guy. Labo? I'm so in love I don't know what I'm saying anymore. :D Gosh, he is strong and fit. He is a reliable friend, a passionate worker, an amazing father, a good brother and a loyal partner. His faith in God is bigger than he is. He is funny and sometimes goofy. He believes in the goodness and greatness of people. He is, I think, the kind of guy you'd tell your friends "I feel so safe when I'm with him." Yikeeee!


Haaaay, these guys. I love you mga pre! Group hug nga! :D

ACEA1170-063D-A386-3564-11395DEEFCFE

1.02.28

Happy Father's Day!

I may not have long tanned mala-America's-Next-Top-Model legs nor a sky-high income to brag, but one thing in this world that I will forever for life be proud of is my Papa's love.

I knew how fathers would always wish for a son who he can teach about how to get all the girls and to whom he could boast about his kabinataan escapades. I could only imagine what it was like for Papa to be gifted with two ill-tempered girls instead.

I will never get tired of saying that he is amazing and every day I thank God for him. Because Papa may not be a doctor, nor a lawyer, nor Richard Gomez (just a little of Bong Revilla, and sometimes I tell kids that he is Santa Claus), but he is SuperDad. I could go on all day proving why.

Happy Father's Day to the most beautiful man I know, Papa! Your stubborn little girl adores you. :)

zummer zamwer in zambales :zzz

I can't get enough of Zambales. The first time, I was saling-ketket with Ate and her friends. I was a bit frustrated with outings na hindi matuloy-tuloy kaya naki-outing ako sa kanila. The trip was fun, but so bitin. I said to myself that I'm going back there with my kabagangs!

3 weeks later, I was indeed back, with my college friends. It was so nice to be with them after long long months. There were only 8 of us, but it did not make our trip any less fun. We still wished that more people from our class joined though. I have been missing these people every single day since graduation day. No halong charchar!

I did not want to sleep on our way to Zambales because I never wanted to miss stories, knock-knock jokes, gossips, panlalaits & asarans. It was exactly what I got. :)

After sunblocks had been put on, the adventure at sea began. Maybe I was a mermaid on my past life, or okay, a shokoy, or maybe a tahong. Of all the creatures in the sea naman! :D I love everything about the beach - the waves, the sand, the heat of the sun, the sound and the feel of the water splashing to the boat and to our faces. They are all beautiful to me.

First stop - Camara Island. I could not contain my excitement to test the waters. Right there and then, I changed to my panglangoy clothes and took a dip. Felt wonderful after being all sweaty from the Manila to Zambales trip.

(from upper left photo: Camara waters; Hasper with his pacool pose :D; the gang posing after climbing the steep rock; me, couldn't contain the excitement)

Moving on to Capones Island! The last time, I fell in love with the clear water and beautiful rocks of Capones. This time, we went on the other side of the island, where the lighthouse is. The long walk and all the climbing was worth it after witnessing the breathtaking view from above.

(group shot. yey!; the long and winding staircase; nice shot of the lighthouse by Lowe the great; naval force :D; Miss to whom we owe our relaxing weekend; me with my travelling yellow towel; us on top of the lighthouse; us girls with our pang-McDo shot.)

Nagsasa Cove. I got so amazed when we were nearing Nagsasa. One moment, the boat was going along with the waves, the next, the water was so quiet and calm. Only then did I understood what a cove is. Anawangin is the more famous camping site but I think it is more serene in Nagsasa. Good thing we got to the site before the sun sets, giving us enough time to set up our tents, prepare our dinner and swim like crazy.

Night time. There was no electricity in the island. We ate our candlelit dinner altogether, took a shower and changed into dry clothes and requested that a bonfire be set up. It was the most relaxing part of our weekend getaway. We were cooking hotdogs and marshmallows by the fire (a dream-come-true beach moment!), drinking a little, seating close altogether. Later, we were on our backs lying on the cool sand, gazing and making wishes upon falling stars, talking about life after school, future plans, anything and everything. I just wish we did not run out of beer. (Hi, I am Sharry and I'm an alcoholic.) Haha! Nah, joke lang! After a day-long adventure, most of us fell asleep right there on the sand and Ye had to wake all of us up to go inside our tents. Sayang naman pagset-up NAMIN noh kung di naman gagamitin. :D

(approaching the campsite; sunset :) ; council of Mekeni hotdogs; to life, to laughter and to future getaways, cheers!; on our backs.)

Day 2: I lack sleep but what the heck! Miss had beautiful things in store for us. And beauty it was, that greeted me. Wahaaaaw. :)

I could imagine myself waking up to this every morning. Negative siguro ang stress level ko. I wasn't sure I'm fully awake that time but when I looked at the mountains of Zambales, I noticed they were sparkling. The place took my bad breath away and wiped the panis na laway off my face. Just, WOW.

After equipping ourselves with all the things that a mountaineer brings with himself into the mountains, we went trekking. Wait, does a mountaineer wear pyjamas paired with slippers, bring a shoulder bag with Chips Delight inside, to the mountains? I think so. :D

Again, I was just WOW-ed by the place. The place was even more breathtaking from where we trekked up. Shouted a Happy Mother's Day to our amazing mommies back home.

(mountains; choy posing before a picturesque view; the jejeboys; the nymphs :))

We went back to the camping site after and enjoy what's left of our time in there. Swam for another hour. Another thing I like about Nagsasa was that I could swim far from the shore and still feel the sand on my feet. Made me feel like I'm a pro mandaragat! :D

Just like every single time I go home from a trip at the beach, I felt bitin. I won't ever get enough of the sun, the sand and the shore. Special thanks to Miss for being the organizer of this trip, to Doy, to Doy's dad for lending us his van and to Ka Migs for getting us to Zambales and back home safe & sound. :)

(another reason why I try to keep myself awake on trips with FRIENDS) :D

Here's more of my favorite pics from our Nagsasa trip.

photos grabbed from Miss, Ye, Hasper & Lowe.
Camara Island, Capones Island, Nagsasa Cove - Zambales, Philippines
May 8-9, 2010
:)

GO GIBO

I am sort of panicking. I haven’t made up my list of senators to vote, yet. I only have 2 or 3? as of the moment. And I’m going out of town with my college friends in a short while, giving me no time to learn about the senatorial candidates and their advocacies.

One thing is for sure. My choice for president. I am rooting for the man with whom I believe this country has a chance of experiencing changes, the good kind of changes. Every time he speaks, I say to myself , “This man knows what he is doing and certainly knows what he is talking about.” The first time I heard all presidentiables speak in a forum, I am certain who to cast my vote for. Yes, it was like love at first sighting! (Gaaah, shet politics to, serious te!!)

Without qualms, I am for GIBO TEODORO. :)

Many people say that voting for Gibo is just a waste of vote because no matter how smart and capable he is of running the country, he will not win this election. This made me think, Noynoy na lang siguro, kesa manalo pa si Villar. My butt!

But then I realized that maybe it's just those inaccurate biased surveys that dampens the spirits of Gibo's supporters. I've been asking around about who their president is, plenty say Gibo. My hopes soar. I have faith in people. I noticed that people now are more involved, informed and learned. It's impossible to not notice a man of great talent and ideals. My vote for GIBO is going to count. If he doesn't win (but I hope to High Heavens he does), I will not have regrets that I voted for him because for me, it's just the right thing to do.

Let's pray for a peaceful and successful election. Whoever wins this race (Gibo please), I hope he makes this country progressive, that people no longer want to leave for greener pastures because our country is green enough for them.

God bless the Philippines! \m/

surprise surprise!

me with the 'cake' :)

with Day, my bestest friend in the face of the earth (ang promotor) and little James :)

the crybaby and the crylola hugging :)

Well, I kind of ruined it actually. But still! ;p

I can't remember of a birthday that I did not celebrate at home. On my way home yesterday, I feel so sad because I never wanted to celebrate my birthday in a bus with strangers. No one was wishing me a happy birthday. Yung konduktor, nung siningil ako ng pamasahe, hindi man lang ako binigyan ng discount. Yung mga kasabay ko sa bus, hindi man lang nagattempt kantahan ako ng Happy Birthday. Sana pala nung nagbayad ako ganito, "Pala-pala lang. Birthday ko." O kaya when I reached my stop "Para po, bababa na ang birthday girl." Parang tanga lang? I know! ;p

Basta, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, on my birthday, of all days! Muni-muni, emo-emo all the way to Cavite. Then finaleeee, I reached home. :) That's why doors are locked, that's why my sweet lola (the lookout) ran inside the house when I got off the jeepney and that's why little James shriek of panic and excitement when he saw me peeping through the window. I saw that their TV was on and that the Happy Birtday song was waiting to be played. I said to myself, oh right, they're gonna sing.

When they finally opened the door, there were lighted cakes (one was made of putok bread with my nickname written on top with Choco-choco, and made even sweeter by my favorite chocolate balls all over; the other one James himself made for me, Graham crackers with lots of chocnut on top) I do not eat Chocnut but had to because the little guy was just so sweet to do it, I'm not going to break his heart. When the birthday song and all the hugging ended, we were all crying and we did not know why, pointing fingers to who started the tears. I think I did, but put the blame on my loving Lola. :D

It was such a sweet sweet gesture and one of the simplest but most sincere things that people had ever done for me. My family is my birthday present. It felt wrong to ask for anything more. :)

Thanks to everyone who remembered and wished me a happy birthday. It was indeed a happy one. I love you!!! :)

Dwayne

I love you bebe Dwayne! You are one of Ninang's smiles. You just completed my day, little man. :)