Goodbye, Hello

So much has happened this year which makes this year memorable for a lot. I can't really say it was a great year maybe even for a lot of people... If you think about it a lot of things have happened this year: middle east revolts, japan calamities, christchurch earthquakes, death of global figures, Sendong calamity, etc. Nat Geo supposedly has a special recounting the year that was which I have yet to watch.
For our family so much has happened that it comes close to ondoy probably. It was a difficult and challenging for us not just individually but collectively... It was a bad year with a lot of bad things happening. In spite of that, we managed, we survived and we're still here... The bad things were there for a reason and what matters is that He provides. So it's still all good.
Personally, it doesn't matter what I've been through, what my state is especially in certain aspects although career and love life wise I am really looking forward to be able to find my niche for the long term... I am coping and hoping. I am good, could be better or great but I am not complaining... In His time. I am glad though for the many blessings still and for the hope He gives to keep on going.
They say that the world will end on the year that is to come... For any of us it could be ending already or anytime soon. Nonetheless, I look forward to a better and greater 2012. As a colleague said, Goodbye 2011, you were harsh and challenging. Hello 2012, may you be kinder! ^_^

P.S. On a side note, these year-ender happenings made me feel glad and at peace. Just the right feeling to end and start another year. Thank you family and friends!

The planner is also en route to Finland, hope it gets there. The photoshop project was a success somehow despite the kinks which could of course be improved. I'd like to think the gifts were a success as well.. Giving does feel better! ^_^

Snap for a Tune: Indak

Indak
Up Dharma Down


Tatakbo at gagalaw
Mag-iisip kung dapat bang bumitaw
Kulang na lang, atakihin
Ang pag-hinga'y nabibitin

Ang dahilang alam mo na
Kahit ano pang sabihin nila
Tayong dalawa lamang ang makakaalam
Ngunit ako ngayo'y naguguluhan

Makikinig ba ako
Sa aking isip na dati pa namang magulo?
O iindak na lamang
Sa tibok ng puso mo

At aasahan ko na lamang na
Hindi mo aapakan ang aking mga paa
Pipikit na lamang at mag-sasayaw
Habang nanonood siya...
Paalis at pabalik
May baong yakap at suklian ng halik
Mag-papaalam at mag-sisisi
Habang papiglas ka ako sayo ay tatabi

Tayong dalawa lamang ang nakaka-alam
Ngunit hindi na matanto kung sino nga ba ang pag-bibigyan ko
Makikinig nga ba sa isipan na alam ang wasto

Ngunit pipigilan ang pag-ibig nya na totoo

Iindak na lamang ba sa tibok ng puso mo
At aasahan ko hindi nya lamang aapakan ang aking mga paa
Pipikit na lamang at mag-sasaya
Habang nalulungkot ka
Pipikit na lamang at mag-sasaya
Habang nalulungkot ka

Ako'y Litong-lito
Tulungan niyo ako
Di ko na alam
Kung sino pang aking pagbibigyan o

Ayoko na ng ganito
Ako ay litong-lito ohwooh

Since my brother started listening to this, all of us at home including my mom has been hooked to this song. A really nice song that's easy on the ears while I try and finish this project for a friend if not this week at most next week. It's been long overdue and I need to make up for it. *fingers crossed

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year

There's a certain warm fuzzy, light-hearted feeling that goes with Christmas most especially for us Filipinos. Just the thought and aura can bring some sort of cheer for me.
It's different though being reminded of it when you're away from home and alone. Christmas festivities and the energy every pinoy evokes hence the atmosphere is really different. Although I think I've also been out of the country with family twice on Christmas. To me it's just a joyous, peaceful celebration with friends and family.

Christmas in disneyland - well that's another thing. Makes you feel like a kid again. Such a happy place!

On another note: I haven't done any gift shopping yet though there's not really much to shop for. Guess my circle is not that big... Not really a good thing.

Diliman Engineering December Festivities

I miss college. One of the many things that added color to my college life was the December festivities in Diliman. For a start there's the engineering week catering to the competitive nature of the different eng'g accredited orgs. While we still had our share of exams that didn't stop us from enjoying all the different activities lined up from sports-oriented to talent oriented stuff. From the main events: smoker's night which was basically org-bashing, awitan, indakan, maskipaps, dateng'g game culminating with the Ms. Engg to all sorts of mini-games here and there (ex. Car stuffeng'g, breng'g me, command and conquer). There are enough activities to organize and participate in to keep everyone preoccupied. It was truly a time to be young, wild and carefree. Add the lantern parade and the oblation run and viola you have a free, festive atmosphere in Diliman which you can associate with Christmas.
Having been out of college since 6 years ago, I have this feeling of nostalgia. I miss that kind of feeling the Diliman Engineering 'Christmas' evokes. I won't be back this year but maybe next time...

The OAK Starbucks planner

12.14.2011. I finally got my first ever starbucks planner. And it's all thanks to option 2 and the 14 sticker promo! And the free stickers I got from friends who didn't collect. Yes, I am not a starbucks addict. I don't even drink coffee save for the cranberry white mocha frap that a friend just recently introduced me to. Even that was not love at first taste and took quite a few sips of getting used to. If not for the chamomile full leaf tea which, accounts for the most stickers in that 14 I contributed, I probably wouldn't have started collecting much more complete all 23 of them (option 2 required no holiday drinks but 23 stickers instead of the 17 option 1).
Though I love doodling, I'm still thinking whether I'll keep it or give it as a gift. To whom I don't even know yet.

Another clubbing Christmas Party

So it's that time of the year again where parties abound. Contrary to some my social calendar is actually quite open and I've already attended last night my only (I think) Christmas party. And as usual, for the third time in a row, I did not get to qualify for the raffle which was the main thing I looked forward to.
Since joining the company, I always ended up coming late after the cut-off and this year was no different. We were so close however. It took just one wrong turn along the service road to take us from a few kms away to more kms away back to edsa! Too bad! :( it was all good and since i'm actually used to it I got over it except for a few bitter rants here and there. When a teammate won the coveted ipad (what i was rooting for), I couldn't help but be envious! Haha oh well...
Nonetheless, we just made the most out of it. It was good that they got a band that played nicely and pumped up the crowd. They were aptly named, In heat, as they turned up the heat at the party. You could see that our team's population was heavily composed of males as most would end up staring at the band when they did their thing. 6-7 drinks later, I had too much gas inside, I struggled a bit. But their rum tasted nice. It took one burp and whatever buzz I was feeling was instantly gone.
I kind of wonder though, considering how we kind of had our own little circle as if we were having our own party, reflects how we've become isolated and outcasts from the team... Was there something in our airs our aura that repels them away and keep their distance? Does it still have something to do with the "pinagpala" thing? I am too offended with that to even bother to force myself to mingle.
Anyhow, we rested a bit and people watched at all the high heels, legs and skimpy outfits and pretty young things at opus while drinking at starbucks. It was more interesting looking at them ladies than guys (or for the lack of it). Makes you think, there are too many rich people in Manila! And we're not one of them. With that said, we re-entered republiq to milk our free entrance so we see and experience how they party. My conclusion, it's darn expensive to party there. You'd have to shell out prolly more than 2000 to get a buzz going. (more if your tolerance is high unlike me). I am starting to feel old for these kind of parties though and all the drinking makes me think of my body and health.
One other thing I realized, I think I have too much crass when I drink though haha yes, cRass..

The mean, manang and now also late girls haha

Some more grabbed pics (and a little vanity service):

What's in a name?

Or in this case, what's in a title? Sadly, it has some sort of bearing for me that I actually am ashamed to broadcast it in public whether on immigration forms or anywhere else. Internally, it's not a problem but the negative association with the title by some circles make me want to hide it. So much that I found myself hesitating several times from adding 'people' or connections in one 'professional networking' site. I have not added some of them still for fear of this bad judgement considering how nice sounding theirs are already. I know that it's different (somewhat) but sometimes it's just hard to have to explain. Still it kind of makes me think if I have been left behind...
The title I do want is still the same though - wife and mother. Hahaha kidding aside I really want... Oh well. Bahala na si batman!

Malabo lang

It hit me today. Internally, I am more relaxed when there's a constraint and hold back when there isn't. Externally, I hold back when something is stirring up inside than when there's none. A contradiction really. On the road to recovery. Nagising din!
Spell hopeless though. It's gotta change.

Whatever!

Hiding and masking this sadness with another more bearable and common one. So typical.

Stuck up in the past. I realize I can't get a move on... No matter how
much I know and want to move to the next stage in life...

Young, careless and free... Ah, those were the good old days... I am getting old. The numbers are catching up to me and hits me right there.

It's like I'm watching the passing of my youth.

Too much thinking. Everything in my mind and scattering bits and pieces everywhere in cyberspace. Yes, I think too much. And I am lonely...

Where to? What next?

It's not that I am not that grateful for the opportunities given to me NOT granted to others... It's just that I am asking myself the exact questions above: where to? What next? What do I want in the long run?
I probably have been going with the flow for too long I need to figure out how I can grow and how I want to grow. Since a married and family life is not one you can think about single and alone, you start to look for options... I've known and thought what I wanted since starting out 6 years ago and since then it hasn't changed. I wonder though am I just too stuck with the idea? What if the idea does not really match with reality? Do I keep looking over and missing what's here? Has it really been a long time coming? Or others deserve or have more right than I am to be thinking about these things? The grass may not always be greener on the other side, but maybe I can make it so. It's not always what they can offer, usually it's what you can offer.

It's not you, it's me...��

What the hell is wrong with me? Am I a free spirit or a tease? Maybe I am both but definitely a coward. Why am I still single when in fact I have quite a fickle heart... Or maybe that's just it, I do, I can like(maybe a little even more) somebody but oftentimes my mind and my principles do not agree... I find myself let loose on the emotions and control only when the feasibility or reality of it is remote. Once it becomes tangible and material, I run away and hide. But did it ever? Have I really seen and felt it to be just and real? When my mind does, my heart is stone cold or turns to stone... Try as I may, I find no cracks or little but not enough cracks to go forward. Will they ever both agree?
The great wall of joyce - will you even crumble? Will someone even try to knock it over? But even if someone does, if I refuse to budge, just by sheer will it won't. Why won't I? Can someone meet me halfway? Is it really just me or there's not really the one yet? I keep on waiting, searching, hoping but this hope somehow messes things up as well. For as I hope, I keep on being idealistic and looking for that perfect deal, situation, package. Sometimes, it sucks to be me. More often than not, I have not really been able to be true to whatever emotions I may have had-no matter how insignificant. And usually, I end up with pent up emotions.
The one that got away.
The bad boy
-
The emo crush
-
?

*sigh.

Thrill seeker...

Got to experience this new thrill ride at hk disneyland's toy story land. Probably next to the drop at hk ocean park and maybe G-max at sg, this is another favorite. I used to get really scared and nervous before getting into one of these rides but I'd do it anyway. Now, however, I feel so used to it and look forward to the adrenaline rush (in a safe way) that there's not much jitters while in queue.
Ironic how in real life, I cringe at taking risks and go for the safe, easy route.

It's easy to forget...

In spite of, despite of... I am blessed and fortunate enough to be here right now surrounded by family and friends in God's love. Thank you!
Happy thanksgiving especially to those who celebrate it!

Immigration encounters

The first few years of overseas travel was a breeze and I have not had any real negative run-ins with immigration authorities until last saturday. Here's what I've had to deal with so far (the memorable ones):
1. Travelling from bangkok to phuket my last name was misspelled by my friend in the plane booking. This doesn't really qualify as immigration authorities are not involved. Nonetheless, it gave me a scare lest I be left alone in bangkok while all of my friends go island hopping in phuket. Because the difference was very minor, I hopped to phuket without problems.
2. Getting to the US with my visa , the homeland security had to see the rest of our supporting papers due to the 'mismatch' between the blanket petition in the visa and the company mentioned in our invite letter. We had to make a dash through the Minneapolis airport to make it to our connecting flight. Our check-in baggage didn't make it and we had to wait until the next day. Yes, do bring an extra set of clothes in your handcarry. I don't consider this negative, just memorable.
3. During the hk trip with my mom last February, hk immigration authorities had to ask me especially my mom several questions regarding the purpose of our visit. It was a good thing that we didn't book a hostel and have a bit of an itinerary in mind though we didn't really make any arrangements. It was her third time and my second but her passport was just renewed and was thus empty. Our conclusion was that she got considered as a candidate for someone that could be an illegal DH. Maybe she should bring her old passport with her. The hotel booking probably saved us and maybe the itinerary.
4. On my recent business trip to copi-suban, I didn't make the distinction between business and work. Good thing God was there with me and they let me pass with my fumble. I didn't realize you had to be specific. I thought they were one and the same and should do.
5. I looked different probably older as the one in my passport that the officer felt or was compelled to verify my identity. This was on the trip home yesterday. She called me by first name and I thought I heard 'Rowena'. My first thought was did I give her the wrong passport? Of course, that couldn't possibly be the case until I realized she was calling out my actual first name. You see, I am not used to people calling me by that and it's something I rarely use and more often than not only on paper. Took me a few seconds to realize and say 'first name' but the officer let me through.
6. And the most memorable and the only real negative one goes to our own immigration authorities. It's my first time to travel with officemates for pleasure and when asked what our relation to each other us, instead of saying friends we said officemates. Both should have been true but maybe just maybe if we said the former instead of the latter, it saved us some time and BV. After saying officemates, she asked us what we were going to do in hk and then looked for our company id. Can somebody please explain to us, why we should be carrying this around when: a) we don't have an office there, b) it is not considered a valid id, c) we were not travelling because of work but holiday/vacation? Luckily for me, I had mine with me but this only caused her to lash out some more on my friends for not bringing theirs. I said lucky because if I did not cram packing I probably would have also left it at home. The driver's license didn't cut it for her and she gave herself as an example that she always carries hers around. Yes, she was technically working at that time and needed to wear hers. Out came the health card and the valid US visa (which had the name of our company) but she could not be convinced. Our passports have multiple visas on them and several stamps but that apparently didn't help our case. I was waiting for her to ask for our itinerary/hotel bookings but she didn't ask for them. She was too mad at us for not bringing and showing her our company id. I can't really explain her behavior aside from being some form of power trip or making us cringe in case we were hiding something. We didn't really argue that much to avoid aggravating our situation... She was signalling to her colleagues and deep down I was getting scared that they will escort us out. I was considering name dropping if the situation got worse and contacted my dad for back-up. Good thing we didn't have to resort to that and just absorbed her stress and her madness. Whew! And I thought you'd have less problems the more stamps and visas you have...

Must love hk ❤

So i just got back again from hk after just 9 months... and already i'm thinking about going back but only during their 'winter' season. Between hk and sg, it seems cheaper there although more on the chaotic side. The cool weather + outlet shopping is the next best thing to the US black friday shopping for me I guess considering the proximity. As an added bonus, I can use those stockings (though the weather was not cool enough this weekend for that).
Last February, I was with my mom and it was cool enough for stockings on our macau jaunt. The ngong ping+buddha trip the following day didn't require one though.
This time I was with officemates, and we stayed at hk disneyland hotel and butterfly on prat. Because of the late bookings, our accommodations were a bit on the expensive side. Butterfly on prat is a boutique hotel near hotel benito. They upgraded us to suite rooms although on our first night they charged us extra for the extra person though it was already specified in our asiatravel reservation. Too bad though we didn't really get to maximize our stay in the hotels because for the most part we were outside. Maybe a full four/five days need to be alloted so it won't be as tiring. Maybe I can go back to ocean park next time.

Thrice I've been to hk and I haven't really noticed anything that different on the negative side unlike SG orchard road which kind of shocked me comparing 2006 with 2011. Guess I ❤ hk (of course, a large part is due to the fact that it's somewhere around my means). i'd love to be able to visit other countries as well such as taiwan, sk, japan, europe! I wish!

Halloween fan... NOT!

"What you don't know can't hurt you." When it comes to spooky/creepy stuff I abide by this saying. I get so scared easily and my imagination runs wild that it haunts me everywhere I go most especially when I find myself alone. I rarely sleep with the lights out not unless I have company. You can just imagine the ordeal I had to go through and the courage I had to muster while living alone in a 2 bedroom vacation rental in Anna Maria island. Almost all lights were turned on including the LCD tv. It was certainly not an environment/power-friendly way of living but I couldn't bear it otherwise. I have watched none of those scary movies: paranormal activity, the ring, etc. My threshold is that low I guess that innocence is my weapon. That said you could say I am not really a halloween fan. Add the fact that I'm not one of those who goes out to dress up for the halloween parties.

Spending halloween in Austin back in 2009 was different and fun however. While 6th street was normally closed, it was as if almost everyone converged in the streets garbed in/parading their costumes. Of course, there were others like us who just came to see/observe and share in the "festivities". The costume party was not limited in the confines of the clubs/bars. Others were probably content to show off to everyone else their costumes and happily obliged for some photo op. While some were cute (the costumes/the wearer) others were creepy and scary. One was shocking in a perverse way we couldn't post it anywhere. (we took a picture just the same haha).

6th street revelry. good/fun kind of spooky.

We tried to get in one of the bars despite the fact that instead of queues people were funneling into the door. You get squeezed and pushed into the front. A white guy vouched for us at the door and then we were in. Then came halloween's real culture shock. We had fun but I guess we didn't expect that those things you see in tv do actually happen. Given our conservative background, people making out here and there (more than that it seems) was a shock definitely. It was late when we managed to get in, around 1am, but we were in for a treat as just when the bar was supposed to close (they close at 2), it was time for the DST fall back! Everyone was ecstatic of course! One hour extra more to party. Overall we had fun and just enjoyed the night the way we know and do it. Never mind the couple behind us making out by the trash bin. :D

check out the police in horses and the 6th street crowd!

Have some Chicken Rice!

solo order: roasted

I'm not new to SG but it's not uncommon for the family to NOT try the local cuisine when going out. I guess you could say we are not that adventurous. Needless to say, getting a taste of this chicken rice is not exactly down that road but maybe it was just not our priority. Eating was more out of necessity than of getting the whole experience and immersion.
Good thing a friend of mine who happened to be visiting SG the same time I found myself in its soil, paid attention to these kind of things. So there I was one day, in this somewhat out-of-the-way for tourists eatery. Yes, eatery. In SG, wee nam kee is not much of a resto but more of an eatery i think.

wee nam kee SG

The dish was simple but to me it was something new that is a must-try. Actually, scratch that, it was something I found myself craving for weeks/months later. Good thing, they opened two branches here in the Philippines. We got to try the one at Serendra and although it was not quite the same, for me it'll do as I can't afford to just go to SG on a whim based on some craving.

combination: steamed and roasted

So when in SG, have some chicken rice! :)

6 months and counting...

Several days ago marks the 6th month I've been clean. A few days ago, I had this twitter conversation with some of my friends: one who just joined the club and started to come clean and the other who's still hooked. No, I'm not talking about any drugs or such. It's a different kind of addiction, it's one you call social networking: facebook specifically.

Here are some bits and pieces from our twitter conversation:
-"too much trash info, things I don't want to read are popping out of nowhere"
and the rebuttal is simple actually: "declutter"
-"maganda na din na di alam ng maraming tao kung anong nangyayari sa akin... parang talk to me NOT watch my life"
-"I just found myself hooked to watching other people's lives when I should be minding my own, it's liberating db?"
-(my 10 cents) "it's a tool for self-absorption and stalking"
-"Sometimes you just have to be detached and stick to people that matter..."
-"it creates an idea that you need to know other people's lives..."
-"Those who matter knows. Those who don't, don't have to."

I guess we were one of those who misused and abused facebook and became facebook dependents such that the only way to regulate its use is by complete detachment either by deletion or the more subtle one: deactivation. Good thing they have that option. I, however, would like to think that we are not alone in this though. From an april fool's joke, to a form of penance, to abstinence from hearsay and gossip, to avoiding people and therefore from aggravating a bad situation, my reasons have evolved to what it is now. It's all those and then some. My friend was right, it is a liberating experience. Do I feel out of place/outsider? Yes, sometimes but not so much. Do I miss it? Not really. Does it get me when I'm branded as anti-social because of this? Yes a little. It's probably the only reason why I have not deleted it altogether. I am actually contemplating it if only as a read-only account that I can share to anyone especially foreign colleagues/professional contacts who'd like to keep in touch somehow. I am in no hurry though. I'm good.

They say too much of something is bad for your health. Before you fall into the pit of extreme stalking, of extreme showing off and being too self-absorbed to have to share everything whether in words or in pictures, stop. Slow down before you get hooked. It has its pros and cons but for me the cons still outweigh the pros. Thank goodness for twitter - made 'quitting' bearable and easier.

Remembering Ondoy

A lot of Filipinos will never forget Ondoy. It was one of those calamities that placed the Philippines in the global news channels' headlines. Flooding is not uncommon to the Philippines given that typhoons come and go in the country especially during the rainy season. It's not always bright and sunny in the tropics: there's the dry season and the wet season. However, back in 2009 Ondoy dropped a ton of rainwater in the metro than what it's clogged estero's, rivers, drainage systems and shallow lakes could handle. Even those not normally affected by the flooding were taken by surprise. It seemed that everything happened so fast even before people realized what was happening. Our family was one of them.

It, however, was altogether a different story for me. I was on the other side of the globe and though I saw some friends tweets of how heavy the downpour was, it didn't occur to me the damage and the effect it would have to our family. While everyone was struggling to salvage what they can, to stay alive and pray for safety, I was out buying some boots from San Marcos outlets and sight-seeing in San Antonio. It was not until I got back in the apartment later in the day when I was able to hear news of the status of our family/everyone else/Metro. I don't remember being devastated yet at that time although the anxiety and worry was way too high. It was not until the next day after a long drive to Houston that I was able to talk to my mom and hear the sad news/status. Helpless. that's basically my side of the story. You can't help but feel guilty of not sharing the hardship and experience with them. You think about what you can do to help, how they can rely on you as an additional helping hand instead of being out enjoying. Though you try to do your part in whatever way you can, communicating to relatives, providing directions, augmenting financially, you somehow know that you missed out.

There went my car. You can see the roof because it was floating. No one got the chance to drain its battery. (It's been revived and working now though.)

I guess you could also say that we were just not used to these kind of stuff so it was a challenge for us. Filipinos being resilient and all, we managed to pull through. It was a wake up call for everyone I guess - to turn around the bad into something good. It could have been worse, but it wasn't. Bulacan, who's been badly affected by this past weather disturbances will also get up, just you wait. Maybe not as good and quick as how Japan does it but in our way, they, scratch that, we will.

A lot of Filipinos may have been forever marked by the experience, wounded probably but moving forward definitely. I may not be able to lay claim on what happened or relate in its entirety considering that I somehow until now feel an outsider looking in, having second-hand experiences about the whole thing but in my own way as would probably other OFWs out there probably always feel, it was also trying. Try wanting and wishing and wanting to take someone else's place just to save them from the pain, suffering and the hardship and not being able to do anything.

Is the world ending? Maybe, maybe not. Amidst all these calamities and other disturbances I guess we need to be reminded to take every opportunity we can to do and experience what is important, to love, to cherish, to live.

Complicated weird mess

I've built my walls so high and so thick that it's a maze even for myself to get through them. Sometimes, I don't even get me for my quirks and pet peeves that make up part of that wall. I can't help but contradict myself.
I try to see the good in every situation. I try to stop and think although of course they either come in too early or too late. Too early that I overreact when it comes or too late that I've already overreacted. I think too much but not in a good way. I'm too wrapped up in my web of weird, coward, proud, selfish, complicated ways to keep up that wall.
I kind of wonder how can really one get through? Who can get through it knowing that it's me who has to let someone get through it. Do I have to rely on someone finding any well-hidden cracks to get through? So far, my chances are becoming slimmer-close to nil considering my predisposition.
I should probably resign myself to a life of regrets and single-blessedness.

Up in the sky

This world has so many sights, sounds, taste, feelings to offer both natural and man-made that not even a lifetime would be enough to experience them all. Of course, there is that matter of resources needed to do so. One can only dream of being able to travel the world and bask in whatever beauty there is. Opportunities for travel whether hard-earned or awarded/assigned are gifts themselves. However, it can get pretty lonely when doing so alone.

A gaze out the window changes things. One cannot help but feel a sense of awe, amazement, peace and contentment. It's a beautiful world out there. It's the same sky but looks and feels different everytime - one I will not get tired of looking at. Won't you?

Snap for a Tune: Someone Like You

Someone Like You
Adele


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

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over

Never mind I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you, too
Don't forget me I beg
I remember you said
"Sometimes it lasts in love
But sometimes it hurts instead."
Sometimes it lasts in love
But sometimes it hurts instead,
Yeah.

You know how the time flies
Only yesterday it was the time of our lives
We were born and raised
In a summer haze
Bound by the surprise
Of our glory days

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
I hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over.

Never mind I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you, too
Don't forget me I beg
I remember you said
"Sometimes it lasts in love
But sometimes it hurts instead"

Nothing compares
No worries or cares
Regrets and mistakes
And memories made.
Who would have known
How bittersweet
This would taste?

Never mind I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you, too
Don't forget me I beg
I remember you said
"Sometimes it lasts in love
But sometimes it hurts instead"

Never mind I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you, too
Don't forget me I beg
I remember you said
"Sometimes it lasts in love
But sometimes it hurts instead"

Sometimes it lasts in love
But sometimes it hurts instead




Side Story: A year or two ago, I would have probably cried my heart out listening to this song. I can remember the tears streaming down my face whilst driving in Florida over the haze through a drawbridge with Chasing Pavements in the background. Then there was that California drive with Kathleen to/from Point Reyes with Almost Lover in the background amidst all the trees. Yes, I am that EMOTIONAL. Not right now. Not anymore since quite sometime now. No more tears.

Nonetheless, I can't help but be amazed and love this song for the level of emotion it is able to convey and evoke. The beauty of raw emotion translated into a simple song. "If you sound like that, all you need is a piano". I am no critic, but I gotta say, thank you adele for giving us such songs that somehow break through the songs using similar formula we hear nowadays.

Vested Interest

There are times when it seriously sucks even though you're at the receiving end or more of a beneficiary. The thing is you start to wonder if not for that vested interest what then?
Right now, I start to think about whether or not other than my college friends I have other real friends? I guess it's one of those days where I feel alone and alienated from everyone else instead of appreciating what's here and now. Feeling alone doesn't mean you're actually alone, sometimes it's just simply because you've turned your back on the world.
Maybe I have. Maybe I am.

Fill the gap

A friend was asking if there's anything we wanted to get as she's coming home. Of course, where she's at, a couple of things are really cheaper. I've been googling and searching amazon but nothing interests me so far.
I'd be hypocritical to say I don't want anything. It's possible that I just can't afford or... The things I want to fill a gnawing gap in my life, money just can't buy them...
I need to get a life but how?

let's go to the beach: Calaguas

Believe it or not, it's the end of May and I have not once been to the beach nor to the pool! what would have been an Ilocos roadtrip this weekend vanished partly due to my sickness... talk about timing. In any case, I guess I'll just think about these wonderful places I've been to in the past couple of years.

June 2010: Calaguas.

The Bicol region scores high in terms of breathtaking beaches and tourist destinations. One point of destination would be Calaguas. I kid not that I had to gasp and marvel at the beauty of the beach when we first set our eyes on it. It was really beautiful. Check them out:

Walking around the following day, we found this "hidden beach". Didn't I say the place was just beautiful?

Since this is a semi-virgin island, there are no resorts in the area and one has to camp to stay the night there. While we were there, we had the privilege of camping with part owners of the island. Even when camping, they were able to mark the demarcation between us and them in terms of the social status. We started to feel like the native Filipinos, lower class beings to serve as slaves when the Spaniards occupied the country. I guess for others, camping meant the following: dressing room tent, bed cushions, mattresses, generators, electric fans, electric mosquito swats or something, wine using actual wine glasses by a bonfire, etc. Maybe that's what they call camping in style... Apparently, they were supposedly the owners of waling-waling beach resort in Boracay. Possibly the development of a resort in Calaguas is not far behind.

We joined Melvic's group which at that time consisted mostly of our barkada and two smaller ones. http://melvicbrinas.multiply.com

pictorial on the rocks