In The Heat Of Things

Summer's just around the corner and I can't wait to hit the beach! This summer would be a bit different for me though...given that i'm now working and gone are the days when summer is synonymous to V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N. Oh bummer! But hey...look at the bright side...at least now I don't have to ask mom and dad for moolah to hit the beach. Oh yes...you heard (or in this case, read) me right! I now have my own money to spend for my summer gimmicks and escapades! And not even the fact that I have to work from Monday to Friday can bring me down!

Ooohhh...summer! Such a nice word that i'm even considering naming one of my future daughters "Summer." Nice huh? Well, well...so, where to head off to first? Hmmm...Galera? Nice AND affordable...you get the feel of Boracay (at least that's what they say) at a much lower cost...great for kuripot gals like me...HAHA! Boracay? Never been there but i'm hoping someday i'll be able to visit this island paradise...before it gets trashed and polluted by careless tourists. Palawan? Wow...the next "Boracay." Given that Boracay has now somewhat lost some of its sparkle, Palawan is now the next "IN" thing where VIPs and celebrities hie off for some much-needed vacation (with a wee bit of privacy). Amanpulo? Well, this is what I call HEAVEN! Ok, ok...so I haven't been there...but who has? Only those with excess moolah has been there given the place's hefty price tag ($500 a night? probably even more...). Actually, I can't even fathom how i'm gonna get there...when...and with whom (hopefully with my special someone ). But a girl can dream, can't I? So here I am, sharing my thoughts to whoever cares to listen (or read), and hoping that someday...one day...i'll get to visit this virginal island in the South. Bahamas? Now, this place i've jotted down in my notes as one of the places my hubby and I will be going to on our honeymoon (the other place is Paris). OK. Before I hear any objections, let me say my piece first. I know there are a lot of "questionable" things in that one statement alone. Hubby??? Honeymoon??? Oooh, wow! I sure do know how to plan ahead, alright. Well, what can I say? I AM a planner. And no one can steal away my thunder. So...going back to where we were (Bahamas, my dears), this is one place i'm SURE i'll be visiting in the future. Don't ask me when. Don't ask me how. And don't ask me with whom. (Gheezh! I've heard that line before...HAHA!) But i'm surely gonna be visiting this place whether you like it or not! HAHA!

Well...I guess we've covered the essentials. Or at least what I (emphasis on the "I" please) consider THE essential places to go to, on a summer vacation, in one's lifetime. Just don't forget to bring your ooh-la-la swimsuit and tons of sunblock and you're ready to hit the beach! So...in this season of sun, sand, and halo-halo...let the tanning (and swimming!) begin!!! Have a great summer every all! *MUAH!*

Originally posted on 12 March 2006 @ http://cdsaint.blogs.friendster.com/cnd/

Random Thoughts 3

Lucky are those who find their special someone while they're still young and on their 'first try' on having a relationship. They're probably the ones who were super good during their past life that they're now reaping what they sowed. With those said, i would like to extend my warmest wishes to my friend Macel, who recently tied the knot with her special someone...her best friend...her first boyfriend...Mike. Congratulations and Best Wishes to you both! Luv yah guyz! *MUAH!*

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I swore i won't write about "V" Day...but one can't ignore the inevitable. So here i am, writing about one of the ironic days of the year: Valentine's Day.

I say ironic coz this day can be a blissful day for others, while it can be a dreadful day for some. For me though, i'm part of the "latter" crowd. I envy those who can just let this day pass by like there's nothing special going on all around. Well in fact, there really is nothing special about this day. It's just that everybody's making such a hype out of it. The malls...media...tv...movies...and a lot others. Go try watching the local channel around this time of the year and not a single minute will pass by without the mention of this apparently "special" day. Try walking around the malls and it seems like red (or any shade similar to it) is the color of choice this season. Why is it that it seems like Valentine's Day is super hyped here in the Philippines? And yet if you try watching cable TV, there's not even a mention of Valentine's Day? Well, maybe a thing or two regarding it is said in a cable TV show or another...but not as overpowering as our local channels. Just my thoughts...

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Belated KIONG HEE HUAT CHAI!!! It's the year of the Dog! It's actually MY year this year (which also means i'm gonna be turning 24, given that the Chinese Signs follow a 12-year cycle...)...wala lang...just wanna share that itsy-bitsy fact with you guys... =)

Originally posted on 10 February 2006 @ http://cdsaint.blogs.friendster.com/

The Year That Was

Jeeezh! I know I vowed to post a blog once a month…and yet, as 2005 neared its end, I failed and wasn’t able to keep this personal promise of mine. Oh well…’twas the Christmas season and amidst the Christmas rush, I wasn’t able to think of anything to say. Well…it’s actually more of that I wasn’t able to find the time to write all the things I wanted to say. Thus, the result: “non-posting” of a blog last December 2005. Oh well, that’s life…sometimes you’re up…and sometimes you’d rather be in a different place than where you are at the moment. Similar to what 2005 was for me...Hmmm…got your attention? Just read on…

Well, I can’t really consider 2005 as a “roller-coaster-of-a-year” for me…But I can say that it did hold a lot of surprises…mostly pleasant…though some, I’d rather wish didn’t happen. But generally, ‘twas a good year for me, my family, and friends.

2005 was the year I got into PAL. Oh wow! PAL = (free) Trip Pass! HAHA! Kidding aside, I’m thankful to God for putting me in a reputable company, where I found lots of new friends (flashback: meetings & practice sessions with the Christmas Committee!), met fun-to-be-with and easy-to-get-along-with colleagues, and discovered a lot of new things ‘bout myself (aba, masaya pala mag-host ng Christmas Party…kahit na super nakakapagod to the max! At hindi ako nakakain ng food!). 2005 was also the year my Uncle found a new job (after having an “extended vacation”). So, “job-wise,” 2005 was a good year for me and my family.

2005 was also the year I joined a TV Game Show. NYAHAHAH! Yep! You heard (well, “read,” in this case) me right! I’ve practiced my “Game Na!” chant (with matching right hand in a fist in the air) well enough to earn me 5 Grand, plus a picture with Kris Aquino. HAHA! Not bad, right? I got to sing, make “beso-beso” with a guy I barely knew on TV (now I see my Dad’s eyes looking like a predator ready to catch its prey…), rant several names hoping that they’re one of the characters in the John en Marsha TV show (which I never really got to watch), and almost reached the top of the pyramid. Not a bad thing for a first-time game show contestant, huh? HAHA!

Well, it hasn’t always been fun the whole year ‘round, coz 2005 was also the year we lost our beloved friend Joy. It was hard. It still is. I don’t know if I’ve already accepted that I will never be seeing her again, or if I’ve just learned to keep that feeling of emptiness in a hard-to-reach corner of my heart and mind. Whatever it is, I leave everything up to God.

<*SIGH!*> Well, a lot has happened this year. I’ve only mentioned those that really stand out, or else I’ll be writing a novel, rather than a simple blog. I just want to share to you guys an article that I got at the start of 2005 that I’ve kept for reference. It’s a list of “100 Things to do in 2005” written by Ricardo Lo. It’s nice to re-read the list at the end of the year and cross out those things that you were able to do. I'm sharing the list with you guys. The one's in green are those things that I was able to do for the year. Luv y'all! And wishing everyone a bountiful 2006! *MUAH!*

100 Things to do in 2005 (by Ricardo F. Lo)
The Philippine Star – 31Dec2004
1. Start the New Year with a smile (not a frown). =)
2. Start your day with a prayer.
3. Stop worrying and start living.
4. Stop being a hypochondriac.
5. Spend Valentine with a candle-lit dinner at home. --> I hope to be doing this this year!
6. Have a dental check-up at the Achacoso Clinic (Timog-Morato Rotunda, Quezon City). --> Had my dental check-up, alright. Just not there…
7. Any suspected sleep disorder? See Dr. Roland dela Eva (of St. Luke’s Medical Center).
8. Is your blood sugar level going haywire? Call Dr. Wilson Lim (cellphone number 0917-8957626).
9. Any neuro problem? See Dr. Joven Cuanang (at St. Luke’s Medical Center).
10. Treat your family and/or friends to a hearty meal at Little Asia (Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City).
11. Craving for pizza and pasta? Drop by at Napoli (ground floor of Imperial Palace Suites, Timog-Morato Rotunda, Quezon City).
12. Relax. Take it easy.
13. Watch a movie at the new Gateway cinemas (Araneta Center).
14. Arrange those old photos in an album.
15. Climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator (it’s good for your health).
16. Eat your veggies.
17. Drink a lot of water.
18. Take a 10-minute nap.
19. Visit an ukay-ukay store.
20. Stay tuned to Ariel Ureta and Winnie Cordero (on DZMM’s Todo-Todo Walang Preno).
21. Get the news “na walang kinikilingan” from 24 Oras.
22. Have a haircut at Bruno’s (Tomas Morato). --> Sounds like a barber shop to me…Dapat ata sa parlor ako coz i'm a gurl…
23. Read a good book.
24. Meditate at the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel (Hemady St., Quezon City).
25. Don’t forget to hear Mass on Sundays.
26. Join a TV gameshow. You could be the next millionaire!
27. Worried about those eyebags and wrinkles, etc.? See Dr. Vicki Belo.
28. Stop driving through a red light. --> GUILTY!
29. Remember to always lock your doors.
30. Don’t talk to strangers.
31. Put your cellphone on “silent” mode when outdoors. --> Why? I don’t get the logic.
32. Don’t spread nasty text messages.
33. Check out the new line of Bench clothing.
34. Spend a weekend with family and/or friends at Baywalk. --> We did this the year before, not in 2005.
35. Stay tuned to CNN.
36. Or watch Discovery Channel.
37. Listen to Korina Sanchez and Ted Failon 8 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday on DZMM (Tambalang Failon at Sanchez).
38. Enjoy a lively debate with Mareng Winnie and Pareng Oca on GMA late Thursday nights.
39. Play – and replay – your collection of Beatles songs.
40. Be kind to your pets. --> Generally, I was kind to my bro this year. So this applies. NYAHAHA! Peace tayo Kuya Kyle!
41. Comfort a lonely person.
42. Fall in love. --> HAH! Eto, di ko nagawa last year. Sana magawa ko na this year. HAHA!
43. Try the Chinese dishes at Wok ‘n’ Stick (beside Imperial Palace Suites).
44. Stop monitoring the love life of Kris Aquino.
45. Mind your own business.
46. Count your blessings.
47. Watch any – or all – of the eight entries in the Metro Filmfest (good until Jan. 3 and beyond).
48. Don’t buy pirated CDs. --> Parang di ko ata magagawa ‘to… =(
49. Turn off your TV set when Mahal starts talking about her “romances.”
50. Turn off your TV set when you see even a shadow of Madame Auring.
51. Watch Kris Aquino on Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba?
52. Stuff your ears with cotton as soon as Mystica opens her mouth.
53. Stay tuned to GMA’s Bubble Gang.
54. Want the lates showbiz tsismis? Watch GMA’s Startalk (The Showbiz Authority).
55. Try mountain-climbing.
56. Visit your relatives in the province.
57. De-stress yourself by practicing deep breathing.
58. Smell the flowers.
59. Listen to the birds sing.
60. Write a note to a friend abroad.
61. Offer a mass for the dear departed.
62. Count the stars on a moonlit night.
63. Stand when the National Anthem is being played before the last full show.
64. Stop smoking. --> I don’t smoke.
65. Drink moderately.
66. Give away second-hand (or even new but not being used) clothes.
67. Be generous.
68. Pray that government officials will mend their ways and sincerely serve the people.
69. Don’t waste water.
70. Watch the Sound of Music for the nth time – it’s uplifting!
71. Listen to your Jose Mari Chan CD.
72. Go straight home during paydays.
73. Have a massage at MTO (Timog Ave., Quezon City or Mabini St., Malate) or at Family Spa (Tomas Morato Ave. corner Roces Ave., near McDo).
74. Take your vitamins.
75. Watch the concert of Martin Nievera and Patty Austin on Jan. 29 at the Big Dome.
76. Attend the Our Lady of Perpetual Help novena Wednesdays at the Baclaran Church.
77. Take the MRT from Cubao to Divisoria.
78. Have yourself fitted with new eyeglasses at Vivian Sarabia’s clinics.
79. Shed excess poundage by playing badminton.
80. Make love not war.
81. Prune the plants.
82. Save electricity; open the windows at night instead of the aircon.
83. Plant a tree. --> I planted a plant, not a tree…does that count?
84. Save for the rainy day.
85. Watch Ocean’s Twelve.
86. Dust off your cabinet.
87. Tune in, as usual, to Charo Santos’ Maalaala Mo Kaya? Thursday nights on ABS-CBN.
88. Try acupuncture.
89. Check your tire pressure before leaving home.
90. Replace that missing button on your shirt.
91. Losing hair? Try Claire dela Fuente’s hair-growing formula (available in several outlets, one of them at Virra Mall).
92. Send a get-well-soon card to a sick friend.
93. Love your neighbor.
94. Avoid the polluted air outside; take a stroll at the mall. --> You don’t have to tell me that! I’ve done this countless of times…
95. Don’t worry; be happy. --> Easier said than done…
96. Pray. It works!
97. Spend a weekend on the beach.
98. Say no to…drugs?
99. Don’t overeat.
100. Keep reading The STAR.

Originally posted on 08 January 2006 @ http://cdsaint.blogs.friendster.com