Another Blog?

The past mundane days had me thinking of creating another blog. The irony of it! I've been in and out of blogging the past months - or years maybe yet here I am wanting another blog.

Hear me out.

This blog had lost it's identity. This is suppose to be the home of my random thoughts and unfiltered emotions that would fuel my love for writing. Anyhow, it's taking a different path.

I was talking to a friend yesterday and she suggested that I consider travel blogging. I'm not sold with the idea because there are lots of travel blogs than you could count. AND traveling is more of a hobby to me. An escape when everything doesn't feel normal anymore. I don't do it for a living. I do it for love. I don't do it for the sake of taking pictures that would soon flood my friends' FB walls. I do it for the memories, the lessons and experiences that are more valuable than money. I don't do it on a  weekly or monthly basis because I have a regular job. It could get in between my sometimes-busy-schedules. Not to mention the fact that traveling is EXPENSIVE.

Those are my predicament...

But the travel blog idea really struck me. I wanna do it and I wish I could. Blogging is easy. Sustaining the blog is difficult.

I haven't made up my mind though. But with or without the travel blog, I'm still here for my random thoughts. Because this is where I started.

To All Those Who Keep On Asking When I'm Gonna Tie The Freaking Knot...? READ THIS!!!

That probably is the lengthiest title I've ever come up with. But, what the hell?!

I'm sure you already have an idea what this rant post is all about.

When I went home for my mother's birthday last month, I was overwhelmed to see my cousins, aunts and uncles from my mother's side. I don't see them that often coz I don't go home that much. And whenever I do, I don't spend most of my time with them.

But, "Overwhelmed" turned into "hmmm-i-don't-like-this-type-of-conversation-so-everyone-please-stop-it-before-i-go-haywire-and-kill-you-off".

Coz you know what? They were all asking me - each one of them - the bazillion dollar question : When am I going to get married?

Other similar questions include:
>>>Why are you still single? Is there something wrong with you? - Honestly, I can hear them even in their silence. I've acquired Edward Cullen's mind-hearing ability just so you know!
>>Are you married already?

And the worst question?

>>>Do you have children?

Aryt, lemme get this straight... I know I'm not in my best shape right now but it doesn't mean I've had bore kids with this body. Will you please stop stereotyping?

First, I took it as a joke. Then as a compliment (them showing concern for my well-being - ehem!). Until it became a nuisance, a disgusting version of "how are you?", annoying, extremely downright unbecoming, and I couldn't help but mumble what is wrong with you people?

I get pissed off and insulted when people keep on asking that stupid question again and again and again like getting married is ALL THAT MATTERS.

If being married is the next best thing to internet, no one would have ever invented divorce.

Don't get me wrong. I dreamt of walking down the aisle one day. But if it's not for me, then I'm not gonna cry and lock myself in solitude just because of some people's notion that being single is pathetic! Being married is both a choice and a decision. The same logic applies if I wanted to stay single for now. Being married is not a measure of how you fared in life, in your career, in your journey. But being single can get me to most places, even to the promotion ladder. Being married is not the be all and end all of being a woman. But I believe being single is. Because you do things for your self, you get things done all by your self, you feel happy and contented with your self. And most of all, you can be happy and live your own life with your self.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having someone in your life. But surely there is something WRONG with people who think that a woman like me should join the marriage bandwagon because that is the rightful thing to do.

Oh crap! This is the 21st century...

From which era are you?

And hey! I'm not totally single. I'm with someone. And were totally happy even without the paper.

whatever happened to my love for writing

For months I had literally ignored this blog. 

Not just blogging, but writing itself.

I'm not going to blame my job this time. I'm not going to say I'm too busy to sit down and write. I'm not going to say my masters program stole my whole time and drained me.

Maybe it's one of those times when you're too tired to care about everything. When you just want to deal with the present and savor it to yourself.

Or maybe I just lack focus.

Or doing many things at the same time is no longer true to me.

Whatever it is, I'm glad I have revisited this blog.

And hopefully, I can fill it with many stories just like what I used to do before.

P.S.

Hell yeah, I need to blog more often. I'm lost in this new blogger theme.

Since when did blogger inherited facebook's quirks?

in the height of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake...

It does take a strong tremor to make me write about something...

Yesterday, I was on my desk when suddenly I noticed the floor shaking. I thought there was some construction going on downstairs. But then in just a matter of split seconds the floor beneath me violently shook, window glasses clashed like they're ready to go down anytime. I did not waste a single moment and bolted through the door.

It was a 6.9 magnitude earthquake. The epicenter was just 100kms away from where we are and that was the strongest I've experienced so far.

Almost a year ago Japan had it's worst temblor. Aryt, 6.9 compared to the 8-point-something-magnitude earthquake they had is not totally the same. But man, this is the PI and we don't experience as many earthquakes as our neighboring countries do and yesterday was one hell of a shock.

This morning, my colleague told me that I should join the next 42K marathon in the city. The thing is, when the tremor happened I ran past through him like a flash.

Me : ohmygod, earthquake???? meeeehhhh.... stairs! stairs!

It was like an instinct :
First, I realized there's an earthquake.
Second, I stood up.
Third, I ran through the door and sprinted outside.

Believe me, I was already outside before half of the population managed to go out of the building. Tsk!

That's right! I'm not exaggerating. I was halfway through the hallway when my colleagues realized to follow suit. They first ducked below their tables, mumbling "Lord, have mercy." But the frightening sound of the windows made them think otherwise.

I've always been terrified of earthquakes. When I was a child, I would close my eyes, say a little prayer and wait for the trembling to subside. In school, we're taught what to do in case of things like this and I knew it was a smart idea to go out when there's a way out. My adrenalin rush yesterday proved that I could still think clear even in life threatening situation (haha!)

After the quake, we were all advised to go home because they have to check the building for cracks and damages. Mid-day I was home, surfing the net for news when I read about the tsunami warning alert issued by PHIVOLCS.

PHIVOLCS issued alert level 2, which means that citizens should stay away from shores as there might be unusual waves following the shock. The funny thing about filipinos is that we easily believe in unconfirmed news, the word of mouth. I can't believe that in this time and age, with the sophistication of technology and the amount of information we could gather, we are still gullible. I'm not talking about the warning issued by PHIVOLCS... I'm talking about the irresponsible text messages that circulated which heightened the panic.

At 2PM yesterday, you could see people running around the streets from all direction. It was chaotic. The traffic was so heavy that it stopped moving. It's like in a movie scene - the ones with the apocalyptic theme where cars had stopped and people were running for dear life. These all happened for just one irresponsible text from a fucking demented person, who said that the waters were rising and there's a tsunami on the way.

Seriously? A tsunami in the heart of the city? Where did that fucking idea come from?

And these people... about 80% of them ignorant, believed the word to be true.

But where the hell was I?

In my room. Sound asleep.

But really, THAT.WAS.NOT.A.FUNNY.EXPERIENCE. It's alarming to know that a lot of people nowadays lack the basic knowledge. What's sad is that we immediately take the information presented to us without validating it. And what's even more alarming is that we forgot there is someone more powerful than this tsunami. Than this earthquake. We exchanged our faith in Him for one irresponsible text message.

While I was riding the bus on my way home after we're dismissed in the office, a song from Def Leppard played in the air while we're seated quietly pondering on what just happened.

♫♫ walk away..if you want to...♫♫

A smile puckered on my lips. I didn't just walk away...

I RAN AWAY. ☺

And So I Realized There's Something GOOD Left In Me

I did something good today...

That kind of thing I don't "normally" do...

I texted my estranged friend...

" I just wanna say sorry for everything. I realized how far apart we've grown because of my stupid pride. Hope we could still be friends after all."


The last time I checked, I've eaten my breakfast and had my coffee. I also had a good sleep. But I don't know why I suddenly missed her.

We've been friends for many years. We took care of each other like sisters do. She has been a good friend to me until that heated discussion and my pride got in the way. We have not been talking for more than a year. All those times I secretly loathe her. And I don't know why.

All the people around us have been trying to help patch our differences. But I won't flinch. I stood my ground. I made a firm resolve that I don't wanna be friends with her anymore.

And that is why I don't know what happened to me this morning. For the rarest time, I swallowed my pride.

She did not reply though and I understand coz I hurt her too much. What's important is that I've set off my grudge on her - finally.

Ok fine! I stutter…errrr… stammer!

Hey I’m back!

Uhm, just thought you should know. :)

Anyhoo, I’ve been meaning to write for the past days. I have so many things to share, so much had happened but I’m too busy to log in to blogger - too exhausted to gather my thoughts, too lazy to write.

But today is different. I decided to sit down and tap my writing mode. I need to acclimatize myself once again with my comfort nook. I need to get that feeling, the need to keep my thoughts flowing and ideas growing. I need to get this stress out of me.

I wanted to write something...

Yesterday I went to school. It was the second session for my masters degree. I have 3 subjects for this semester. The first one tackles global business management, the trading system and, yes you don’t want me to start talking about it. At this early, I have a feeling I wouldn’t be interested in the topic. I mean, come on! I was never interested in economics. I was never into World Trade Organizations and how it affects oh no don't get me started! I’ll leave it up to the business-minded, to the CEOs, to the thinkers. Duh! I’m more interested in algebra and physics than studying the global economy.

When the next subject rolled in, I was more than happy to learn that it speaks my language. I took that up in college, only that it was named differently. But the principle, the framework –man, I can actually guess the next thing that the professor would say. It was like listening to my college instructor all over again. It was like re-reading the same page in the book. The only difference is that I took it on a different level now than I did before. I understood it clearly now than I do before. I guess this is what they say experience is the best teacher. I learned more in the battlefield.

The most dynamic subject of all is the effective communication. The professor made us read 9 tongue twisters. We started with “The big black bug bit a big black bear at the end of his big black nose.” It was as easy as closing our eyes. Then the fourth came with “A twister of twists, once twisted a twist, and the twist that he twisted was a three-twisted twist. Now in twisting this twist, if a twist should untwist, the twist that untwisted would untwist the twist.”

Fuck it man I couldn't finish the first line without stammering. What’s up with this twisting twister? It totally twisted my tongue! For heaven’s sake I always ended up pronouncing “twist” with “twits”. Damn you twitter. I secretly hate you now. You’re the culprit!!!

The last one was even harder, (for me) “A tooter who tooted a flute tried to tutor two tutors to toot. Said the two to the tutor, ‘Is it harder to toot or to tutor two tutors to toot?”

I hate you letter TTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!

Then the professor said we will play a game. A challenge of who is the best tongue twister(er) in the class. The student who can read all nine with the least time and less stammering will get a free handbook (which she had written, of course). So when she looked at me, I abruptly told her: “nah, I’ll just pay for the book.”

And she laughed so hard.

I'd rather sing than do the tongue twisting.

The Monday After Tomorrow

I don't really like Mondays nor that I hate it. It just signals the start of another long week to battle. In most cases Mondays are hellish busy and yeah - manic.

For school girls and working girls like me, Monday would never appeal except if pay day falls on that day. But somehow I'm excited for the next monday to come. Nothing special though. It is but the onset of another milestone for me... I'll be a school girl once again!

After weeks of careful thought, consideration, weighing options, identifying pros and cons and consulting my mother, relatives, friends and even colleagues - I finally decided to go back to school and get an MBA.

I never thought of the idea before. It wasn't included in my plan to cover 1% of the Philippine Islands but I guess some things just pop out of your head. The thing is, it isn't just "some things". It's an opportunity to learn more, to gain leverage and challenge myself a bit farther.

One of the factors that got me paused for a decision is the cost it incurs. You know how I am when it comes to spending money. I'm in for the pleasure rather than for anything else. But I thought of making a little sacrifice. A little modification of my habits. Just a little change. The wanderlust would still be on my list though I have to minimize it a bit.

I also asked myself if I can do this. I don't wanna trouble myself in to something which I can't finish. Work plus school needs balance, or you get axed in between. I set crazy expectations for myself and I'm myself's worst critic. To fail at this is not an option. It's balls and all. Not to be half-hearted about it. And I've decided to choose the hard way...

It's going to be ALL my friends!

Things That Would Make Me Look Like An Idiot

I'm not the smartest girl in the world but I try not to fall short on people's expectations. And sometimes my superhuman powers a.k.a. multitasking abilities do wear off when I'm too tired and stressed. Well, I'm just human.

About 70% of my job is correspondence. Most of the time my boss would ask me to proofread or write/reply an e-mail on his behalf. Now would he entrust those things to me if he finds out my e-mail bloopers lately? I bet he will have second thoughts.

I don't know why I have this non-focused mode lately. So if you spot inconsistency, incoherence, misspelling and wrong choice of words and phrases in this post, that's the non-focused mode I'm trying to say, slowly kicking in.

So. On to my bloopers. E-mail bloopers. I have a lot actually but these two had been haunting me in my sleep and I will never ever forgive myself for this. You see, when I type in the computer I look at the monitor. Not on the keyboard. The reason for this is to avoid misspelling and so that I can review what I'm writing right away. What happens during the last few days is that I'm not actually reading what I'm typing. It's more like looking straight into the monitor but seeing past through it.

Blooper # 1 :
I typed : His assport is with me.
That should be : His passport is with me.

Blooper # 2:
I typed : He went to the hospital to tender the injured partners.
That should be : He went to the hospital to tend to our injured partners.

Aside from misspelling and wrong word choice, what's the difference?

The first one was sent internally and is obviously a case of misspelling. Besides, the three recipients will just laugh at the 'assport' word. I'm not perfect you know, but I created a new word that will line up with 'asshole', 'assbag', 'ass', and 'kick my ass'. Whatever!

The second one... Well this, this caused the nightmare in my sleep. I was cracking my brains if I really wrote 'tender' instead of 'tend' when I went to bed. I immediately retrieved my sent items folder when I sat at my office chair the following day. And there I saw, re-read my email, and for the first time I could make out the grim expression of my face reflecting on my screen. Ohmygod what a shame! Seriously, tender the injured partners? What are they? MEAT???! Arrrrgh!

And the worst part? I sent them to our Operations Director in the US and Europe. Daaaammmmmnnnnn!!!!!

For half a second I want to blame my boss for asking me to send that e-mail. He was suppose to have a conference call with these guys but he was in a hurry to go to the hospital. And who was I to say, "no"?

There! I have completely made an idiot out of myself. I wonder what will these people think of me (sighs).

And when you insist on texting someone who doesn't bother or too busy to reply coz maybe that someone has completely and utterly forgotten you is also a serious case of STUPIDITY. Well, I'm gonna pass on that. To HELL with you!

Goodbye Friendster

Long before there was twitter and facebook, there was friendster. Long before we're eager to read the comments in our shoutouts, there were testimonials. There were glittering texts. Skins to match your mood.

Can you still remember them?

I still can.

I always thought friendster is the be all and end all of social network. Then came facebook and it proved me wrong. I was one among the many guilty people who tried creating an account in facebook, hated it at first, logged again, played the games - until one day I just switched to facebook and never looked back.

It all seemed history until I read the news from yahoo that friendster will be doing a major website reformat and it may delete old photos and files. The news tugged a little nostalgia in me. I suddenly recalled how I used to spend hours giving face-lift to my page. From skin color to text fonts, to whose celebrity face will grace on my page, to what will I say on "about me".

There was no wall where you can vent yet. There was no friend suggestions. No notification whatsoever but I can manage to connect with my friends, peek at their profile , see the photos, find out who commented - very much like today. Except that facebook made it a lot easier. And convenient.

As you know, convenience always have the edge.

I took the time to revisit friendster after a long time. I must say, I miss the old friendster. It's pretty much like facebook now where you can see updates from your friends and you can post shoutouts. Then I made a round down testimonials. I read each one them barely noticing that those were written 4-5 years ago by my friends. Some I couldn't figure who because of their aliases. Some I lost contact with. Old friends. Old colleagues. Old times. I couldn't help but smile.

When I was done reading the testimonials, I realized they all said one thing about me : BITCHY hahahaha! Yeah I could be mean at times but I don't bitch other people just for the heck of it. I just have a strong personality. Agree or not but that's it! :)

I browsed at my old photos too. They are silent witnesses of how much I changed over the years. Errrr... make it : how much I gained (in lbs) over the years. Hahaha!

I don't know if this is some kind of publicity fair on friendster's part just to create a hype and bring their old "followers" back to their website. Whatever it is, I can't deny the fact that this social network became part of my teens. I have so many memories imprinted on each one of the photos, on every single word of my friends' testimonials. There's so much of me in there...

Over and done

I'm not really good at keeping promises. I said that I won't blog at the onset of Holy Week and yet here I am. There are just some things I want to unload. And since writing is therapeutic, I can't think of any other ways to relieve myself from the shock and surprise that got me pause for a while and mull.

Last year I wrote a blog post which remained in the draft. Never published. No one has ever read. But I mentioned about it in one of my post and even told my blog friends that I'm gonna post it when courage finds me. Well, I think the time has come to let it out and make the world know that it's definitely over and done.

Here it is :

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5/20/2010

EXes Baggage

I don't talk much about my love life. I just don't. I'm not comfortable discussing it with other people. Even to my closest friends. Whenever the subject of ex-boyfriends come to life, I would try my very best to avoid and adamantly refuse to talk about it. I'd become pissed off at the mere mention of their names.

I have what they call an "EXes baggage".

An "EXes baggage" is (by my definition) a chip on the shoulder, a nightmare in your sleep. It's something you want to leave behind but you just can't, and you unwillingly carry it with you as you go. Exes baggage isn't all about hatred, resentment or grudge. It's half filled with regret and disappointment. It's a mixed emotion of "should have", "would have", "could have". I should have done this... it would have been like that... we could have been... It's a remorseful feeling.

I didn't have a clean break-up with my exes. It always starts with a fight, exchange of harsh text messages, pointing fingers at one another, then ends up acting like total strangers.

The last one was an exception...

He went cold. We hardly see each other. He can't seem to find a way to spend time and talk with me. Even his texts have gone sour.

After a couple of weeks of no word from him, he finally called - at my office! Imagine my surprise. I never expected he'd call me at work coz he never did it once. So we talked on the phone. I thought he's gonna be sorry for his absence. I thought he'll make amends. But I was wrong.

HE BROKE UP WITH ME. Man, I never thought I would ever have the courage to say this but yes, he called it quits.

To be jilted was never easy... especially for a girl. It was like my self-worth was crushed and stomped a million times. He didn't realize how painful it was for me. It was hundred times more painful than being cheated. And it was so unfair! Because he didn't give us a chance to work on our differences or whatever problems we had. He didn't think about me. Of what I'm gonna feel or how will I take it. He simply did not care... at all!

It seemed to me that he planned it all along. So cunningly of him to break up with me over the phone, at the office, so I would never have a chance to say or do anything stupid. So scheming. That's how it seems to me. Would I cry telling him to compromise, beg him to stay, ask him to give our relationship another try while my co-workers are eavesdropping? Or would I rather keep silent? I'm the type of person who doesn't want to draw attention. Exposing my wrecked love life to anyone around is certainly not one of my greatest idea. So when he said that famous break-up line "It's not you, it's me", I just took my defeat.

After our conversation I rushed to the ladies room and relieved myself from the sorrow waiting to outburst, of the looming tears and occasional sobs that wouldn't wane. I was deeply hurt. And the hardest part? I have to go back to work and pretend and act like everything is alright. That it was like any normal, ordinary, usual day. And when my friends asked about him, it would take all of my strength and self-control not to bawl while telling them what happened.

It's been 3 years, 3 months, 10 days since then. Yet it would still haunt me like it was yesterday. 3 years, 3 months, 10 days of my non-existent, dehydrated, humdrum life. I had suitors after that and God knows how much I tried to like every single one of them. I practically pulled myself to go on dates. I tried to forget and move on with the rest of the world. But I just couldn't bring myself to fall in love.

******************************************************************************************

It was weird coz a few days after I wrote that, he emailed me. Out of nowhere. MIA for three years and he just emailed me catching up like nothing ever happened between us. Guys are really dickheads. Maybe not all of them but 99% of them.

Now, you might ask where did this emotional outburst come from. I learned that he just got married. When I found out, I wasn't hurt. I can't say that I'm happy for him but I wish him well. Maybe this is the closure that I've been waiting for. This time I can really say to myself that I'm over him and I'm done with this EXes baggage.

And in that case... Hello world!

Some Thoughts on Writing

Not only once did I profess my passion for writing. It has become my venue for letting out my frustrations, the sadness, happiness and everything in between. It made me become articulate on the things I struggle to impart. Writing for me, has always been easy like breathing. It's a way of life. But ask me if I ever dreamed of becoming a writer. I would give a straight NO for an answer. 

Most people who indulge in writing often aspire or see themselves as professional writers. Others dream of publishing their own book. Or write a column in a magazine. I always have tremendous laud for these people. A writer isn't just a noble profession. It is sacred.

A priest once said in his homily that there are 3 ways to leave a legacy in this world. First, you've got to have kids. Second, plant a tree. And third, write a book. I wondered if I would qualify for that. I mean, I don't have kids - yet, but I have planted trees and been able to keep this journal for a year. But seriously, does that give me the right to call myself a writer? Does that warrant me the spotlight should I choose to heed on that direction? Do I have that gift to influence others and touch their lives? That fact remains at large.

A recent opportunity humbled me and had me mulling over the past days. Our company is relaunching the newsletter next month. I was astonished to find my name as part of the elite editorial circle. Honestly, I don't know how I ended up being on the list, but maybe the essay I wrote two years ago paved the way. I was thrilled and anxious with the news. Thrilled because I will cater a bigger audience. Thrilled by the fact that aside from blogging, I will explore a different perspective and a new path. I couldn't be more ecstatic! But I'm anxious. Anxious because it seemed such a huge responsibility. A chip on the shoulder. I'm anxious by the looming commitment ahead which is entirely on top of my regular job. The expectations, the series of brainstorming, interviews, proofreading and deadlines. Argh.. they're running through my head right now.

I'm deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity. Late last year I was appointed to lead the Scrabble Club which is a great achievement for me since I'm a certified scrabble enthusiast. And now, this! I'm thankful for the management's confidence and trust on my knack for writing. As far as "feeling the pressure" is concerned, well, yes I am.

Love to write and writing well are two worlds apart. What if I'm not able to convey the right words, the exact details, the focal point of the article? I've had contributions on school paper befere but that was like eons ago. I totally forgot how it's like. Article writing isn't quite the same as blogging. In blogging, I do my own rules and the scopes are usually subjective. With this new challenge, I shall learn to be straighforward, objective and oh, no cursing this time.

Though sometimes I feel like I'm a commitment-phobic, I do my best to gear up for the challenges that come my way. What better way to start a year than taking writing to a higher level? I may not trust myself fully on this. I may not be that confident. I may not be able to pull it off. But one thing is certain, one thing would remain constant, and that I'm sure - I'll always go after writing whenever there's an opportunity, whatever it takes.

Cheers to writing!

 

Adversities and Challenging Times

Note : I'm gonna try to write this post in a sober way.

Okay, I'm not intoxicated (at least that I'm sure). I just came from a 12-hour boat trip from home, and believe me, it wasn't fun.

Two years ago, I swore I'll never ever take a boat no matter how much cost it would save me. After that island hopping incident where the ferry almost capsized, I developed a trauma on big waves and bad weather. But some two years ago was different. It was sunny. There was no storm. Not a slightest rain. But an hour after we departed, the ship began to rock and dance to the tune of big waves. I'm serious.

I've never been so afraid in my life. I couldn't remember how many Hail Marys and Our Fathers I prayed just to spare us from an impending mishap. I've traveled via ship countless times before but that was the worst part of them all that I would curse the wind and the waves everytime it clashed with the vessel. So I made a firm resolution : No more third time for me.

Then came last night...

It was raining nonstop in my hometown for four days already. And when I say nonstop I mean whole day and night. Because of the annoying, unforgiving rain - all flights going in and out were cancelled. And that left me with no other option but to take the boat (unless I'm planning to extend my vacation for another week, then I shall wait until they decide to open the runway). So that explains why I fee like I'm wasted today. I only got 3 intermittent hours of sleep. Why? Can you sleep when it feels like you're being tossed or riding in a swing? Roller coasters are indeed fun, right? But when you're in the middle of the dark sea and you know for a fact that you can't swim or even do the floating in the basic sense - it's a different story!

Thank God we arrived safe and sound. But that's not the end of my worries. I got a news back home that it's starting to rain again. Oh did I tell you that the streets were flooded and in our neighbohood the flood water was on knee level? What a great way to start the year! I'm worried coz word has it that they will release water from the dam anytime today. It could only mean one thing : flood water will rise and with the constant rain, only God knows what will happen next.

It fears me coz it's just my mother and my younger brother left at home. It fears me coz it's a disaster waiting to happen and yet some people would quip about it like a ridiculous joke. Hell, if they've got nothing good to say in their facebook shoutout then they should shut up. It infuriates me when some people are making fun of the current situation and posting stupid comments. It isn't funny!

Mother Nature has always her way of getting back at us for the things we've done. And when she does, it's not going to be pretty. I couldn't forget the time when our country suffered a massive flood and landslide. I don't want it to happen again. How soon do we realize it's time to take care of our planet? It's the only place we have and the only place we can live in. It's sad to ponder that it takes a calamity before we heed the warning. It takes a disaster to claim lives before we take a step. The signs are everywhere. We see and feel it everyday that something is not just right. But we are too busy to even listen what Nature is telling us. She's speaking to us and she's channeling it the way we will never forget.

To those who are reading this post, please include in your prayers those who are severely affected by flood and landslide in some parts of Visayas and Mindanao in the Philippines.

Okay, this is supposed to be my year end post.

Before we finally say goodbye to 2010, I decided to look back and walk down memory lane. I would like to reminisce and recount all the good and “not so good” experiences I had this year.

2010 may not be a great year for me but, undoubtedly it brought so many changes that lead me to discover a lot of things. It has opened new exciting doors and allowed me to explore different things in different perspective. It was this year that I became active to blogging. I started this blog in 2009 and after writing a couple of posts, I took a hiatus. At the onset of 2010 I felt a new sense of passion to writing. I felt a need to speak up my mind every so often. I started joining forums, became visible to social networks until I came across with 20sb. 20sb inspired me to bring my blog back to life. I strived to publicize this blog and I was never wrong with the decision. I knew a lot of fantastic, awesome bloggers whom I considered friends even though I haven’t met them personally. These blog friends whom I was never ashamed or afraid of telling what I feel, what I’m thinking, and what I’m going through. This blog and my readers are the silent witness to my outrageous, somewhat borderline lunatic, yet ecstatic joyride to life.

This year was also full of travel opportunities. Thank God for the long weekends and holidays that I was able to spend some time on vacation. I’ve been to two beautiful places – places that I have always dreamed. Spending some time to those dream destinations was such a wonderful experience and a milestone for someone like me who adores nature and beautiful sights.

As they say, life isn’t always sunshine and blue skies. Halfway through the year was quite stormy for me. I was in the lowest point of my life. I found myself tangled in a confusing, compromising situation that eventually ended up in a heartache. It was on those times that I knew the real people who cared for me. The friends who listened, gave advice and pulled me into the right direction. I am just so glad I was over that situation.

I also had a lot of fun at work and enjoyed most of the company activities. Probably the unforgettable one was the fashion week where I get to represent our team for the 90s fashion show. Alright, I’m not gonna talk about it. I have written the details, so just re-read it.

There was much to tell about 2010. It was indeed a blast! Those wonderful memories I would surely take with me as I begin my journey to 2011.

To all my blog friends, cheers for the awesome year we had! Hoping to read more funny and inspiring post from you guys.

As for my wish, I pray for a better year ahead. More blessings, more travels, more blog posts, more blog friends, more fun, more enjoyable activities at work, less stress and no more heartaches hahaha!

Seriously, I hope I'd finally get to have what my heart truly desires....

Happy New Year to all!

Hello 2011!!!!

My new found addiction

No it's not drugs, alcohol or something health-deteriorating like that...

It's kind of an ART.

Ehem! I don't consider myself as someone who likes to indulge at something that requires superior manual dexterity. I was never good at it, but I learned that I can try and I'm enjoying it so far.

My new addiction? ORIGAMI.

That's it! The Japanese' art of making objects such as flowers, birds out of paper folding. My friend learned it from one of her ESL student. Saw her trying a couple of objects last night and I find it amazing. She's definitely a good teacher and I, on the other hand was a BRILLIANT (hahaha!) student. I learned through her impeccable patience.

So check this out.



It sure took me a lot of effort and "papers" before I've satisfactorily did it. Worth the try isn't it?