Manila

I do not like going to Manila.  In fact, I avoid going as much as I can.  I do not go there unless I really, really have to. And I have to. And that sucks.  I really do not like the place for so many reasons.

First of all, I think that it is the saddest place on earth.  Okay, not the saddest - but it was the place where I felt the saddest.  The first time I had to stay there for a significant length of time, I found myself on my own - literally on my own.  I found myself eating alone and going to places alone.  I discovered that I like being alone when I chose to and not when it is enforced on me. The latter sucks. 

One time, I got caught up in the rain and I had to walked through thigh-high flooded streets to reach my aunt's house.  That was a 4-hour walk from Recto to Quezon Avenue. I wonder whatever happened to that girl I walked with that night.  I have forgotten her name and her face.


I got robbed there several times.  I found my bags slashed three times!  One time, I sat with a man on the jeep and I was so stupid  I didn't even notice that he was trying to slash my bag.  My friends couldn't say anything in fear that he'd stabbed me with the knife that he was holding.  I was probably lucky that night.
I had my necklace snatched from my neck.  Okay, he wasn't successful because I was too quick for him and I was probably stupid for using that necklace anyway.  I was going home that day - going home to Naga and I put on the necklace.  Stupid.  For months after that, I walked with my bag clutched in front of me - and I was in Naga already!

The last time that I had to stay in Manila for a month was in 2007, Bar Exams.  It was not that bad.  Probably because I had people with me all the time, so I never really felt alone.  Also, we were always ensconced in our condo unit studying 24/7. I think we were on the 19th floor - and you'd hardly hear the sounds below on that level. It was only when I looked out the balcony and see the skyscrapers from a distance that I'd be reminded that I was in Manila.

I felt the same way when I stayed abroad.  I think there is no place that would make me feel at home like Naga does.  Now, I am going to Manila for an opportunity to go abroad - and that sucks.  But one has to do what one has to do.  I just wish I did not have to go to Manila for this.

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Someone Like You by Adele Lyrics and Download

I heard that you're settled down,
That you found a girl and you're married now,
I heard that your dreams came true,
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you,
Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light,

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Live Writer

I'm trying out the other features of Windows Live Writer. I like this one. This is something I can't do in blogger. I can set up an album this way.  Awesome.

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Signs of Old Age

I am getting old.  Here are the reasons why I think so:

• I have discovered a liking for vegetables.  in fact,  I love greens, except for okra of course, I can never like that blasted vegetable. 
• I have discovered that loud music gives me headache.
• I find myself glaring at teenagers holding hands.
• I look forward to watching the news. In fact, I wait for it and enjoy it.  I don't like it when I miss it.

I will have to think of more signs, but that's just it for now. I'm trying out Windows Live Writer.

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Paige on Ninang Tinay

Entry #: How Am I Supposed to Know Without Checking
5:54 AM/Thursday

I'm sorry Tinapay for us sounding irreverent. She just caught me off guard. Anyway, this is the conversation I was telling you about.

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Just So You Know

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Postsecret Secrets This Week That I Can Relate To

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31

31.  Not 30, but 31.  I am 31 years old.  Curiously, I do not feel like it.

I honestly do not want to celebrate it.  I am quite content with my sister’s birthday gift – which I am still waiting for.  But my friends are quite insistent that we celebrate it with one case of Tanduay Ice.  Oh, well.

I thought I’d do a sign post for this birthday.  A sign post of the things I learned the last 31 years of my life.  So, here goes.

I learned that –

1. A single minute can change the rest of your life.
2. I should allow my children to follow their passion when it comes to choosing their career.
3. I have the power to destroy my child with just a single word or action – or empower my child with the same..
4. Everyone has a secret – a dark one.
5. There are people that will always be a part of your life – and yes, your heart.
6. There are friends that you will lose along the way and you can’t do anything about it.
7. You cannot afford to take people for granted.
8. Life takes you to all kinds of roads – but almost always never on the road that you want to be on.
9. 31 years is enough to witness the fall of a dictator, the death of an icon, the election of a black American president and the death of thousands from a devastating catastrophe..
10. Intelligence does not seem to come to play when it comes to love..
11. Your mother can be your best friend – or you can be hers as well.
12. The comfort of the known can take away the adventure of living in the unknown.
13. A mother can literally kill for her child.
14. There is no love greater than a mother’s love.
15. Once you’ve learned to love yourself – no one can convince you you’re worthless.
16. People believe what they see even if what they see is a lie.
17. There is power in knowing what you really want.
18. It’s easier to burn calories than to consume them.
19. It’s easy to befriend women – just talk to them about their boyfriends, husbands or their kids.
20. Men are easier to get along with.  They’re less complicated than women.
21. Nobody has it all figured out.  
22. Everyone has an amazing story to tell.
23. No person who loves books is stupid.
24. If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it.
25. Cliches may have you rolling your eyes but you can’t deny the truth and wisdom in them.
26. Your gut feelings are more often true than not.
27. Kids need respect, apology and explanations too.
28. There is God – I don’t care what people think or say otherwise..
29. You may not be able to hide a “bad mood” but it wouldn’t kill you to be polite.
30. In the long run, your life is a “solo trip”; there will be people who will join you in your journey.  Some will last, some won’t.
31. It’s really all about love – no matter what people love, it’s definitely what drives them.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

*As of writing this post, I received a handwritten letter and a bar of Cadbury Fruits and Nuts from Erbe - pre-birthday gift? Happiness!

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Greek Final Episode: Legacy

Erbe knocked on the door and I opened it - and then I started bawling in front of him. I turned, threw myself on the bed and continued with my shoulder-rocking-complete-with-snorting type of crying. I was devastated over the end of one of my favorites shows, Greek.

Okay, I felt rather silly, but I really felt like somebody died on me. I was that devastated - still am. What makes me feel rather stupid though is that I am freaking 30 years old and I shouldn't be crying over these types of shows.

Admittedly, though I was merely 27 when I started watching it. I watched the whole thing and I fell in-love with every character, with Scott Michael Foster particularly.

The ending was appropriate. Greek is all about college life and it was just apt that the show would end when Cappie finally graduated - he was after all the life of the show. The finale, however, was a huge cliffhanger. It left me with a lot of questions -

Did Rusty find another house for the KT?
Did Rusty and Ashleigh last?
What happened to Cappie and Casey once they reached Washington? Did they get married?
What happened to Rebecca and Evan? Did they get back together?
What happened to the KTs?
What happened to Dale?

But then again, the show is all about college. Life does not end in College. What was so important then will be just mere memories you smile at 10 years after. You lose friends along the way. You end relationships. The person you thought means life to you will just be a mere memory - or sometimes, if you're lucky, may turn out to be merely a good friend.

I guess that's what saddens me - not knowing whatever happened to the characters I fell in-love with. Life takes you to different routes and it's gritty and it's not fair most of the time. I would have wanted to know that all of them turned out well. I would have wanted to know that their relationships lasted and that each of them have 3 healthy babies and happy marriages. But that's not what I got. I got cliffhangers - and of course, that's college. Because once you step out of those gates, you are in for a big shock. It's either you make it or you don't.

Sometimes, I miss those years though. I miss Tin, Sette and yes, even Guing. I miss them. I miss the organization. I miss the silly fights, the long talks, the sleepovers, the college activities, the exams - and yes, I miss the excitement. I miss not knowing what is ahead but then having the promise that something wonderful and bigger is meant for me. I miss the youth. I miss falling in-love and the despairs of falling in-love.

Oh, well, that's all behind me now. For a while, I relived it through this show, but it's all over now. Just as it should be.

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Generations of Garchitorena

This is Erbe's grandparents.
 His grandfather is 100% Spanish.

His father is 50% Spanish.

Erbe is 25% Spanish.

and his daughters are -

100% OLAVERE'S!!! 

:))

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To Whom It May Concern

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The Unending Saga of Nana Delia

Do you remember Nana Delia?  


She's one of the weird characters in my life, but I find her strangely adorable. :)  The other day, she came for a visit and zealot that she is, she - again - went on and on about God.  At one point, I asked her about her thoughts on priests being accused of pedophilia and sodomy.  It was fun to see her sputter angrily at me. It was worth ruffling her feathers.  Erbe scolded me though. :)


I think I told you before how Nana Delia wallpapered her house with pictures of Jesus and Mary.  She has even wrapped her furnitures with pictures of Jesus and Mary that she torn from magazines, books or newspapers.  She's that serious about her faith.  Anyway, she has also became a controversial figure in Church every Sunday in our barrio in Cabusao.  


Apparently, she tends to shout prayers, responses and songs.  So, when the priest says, "Mapa-saindo ang Kagurangnan."


She'd be shouting, with her arms outstretched before her, "Mapa-saimo man!"

Anyway, mama went to Church last Friday ('twas the first Friday of the month).  She was sitting in front and the church was packed.  She was a little bit late and she came in during the second reading.  


Finally, the priest stood up for the Gospel.  It was then that she noticed that people were a bit excited about something.  Finally, it happened.  The priest addressed the congregation - and every time, he'd say something, the congregation would craned their neck towards the back, trying to find the woman shouting the responses at the back., arms outstretched before her.  People were snickering.  Some were openly giggling.


Oh, yes, you know exactly who it was.  


Mommy, however, was not quite sure.  she thought, "Garo si Nana Delia ito. Pero maano man daw ito digdi?"  Then as expected the priest said, "Mapasaindo ang Kagurangnan".  On cue, the woman shouted, "Asin mapasaimo man, kagurangnan ko!!!"


This went on and on during the entire mass.  Until finally, people queued up for the communion.  After receiving communion, Mommy turned and behold, she saw the culprit - Nana Delia, standing in line, with all her plastic bags, waiting for her turn.  :)

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For Little Sis :)

New tricycle. :)

This is a picture of the old lady after stealing Mommy's kang-kong

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Eureka!

I realized that you are just a mere hobby, an uninteresting one.  
You no longer matter though. 
In fact, even the thought of you BORES me.
Oh, well.

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Sigh

Riley in the hospital at 4 months :(

Kindergarten this coming school year! :)

Paige and the para-sibang

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