it rained, it poured, and i got a massage

I felt low throughout the day. Is it because of the gloomy weather? Maybe.

I left the office at around 7 PM. There was a long line waiting for the shuttle going to SM so I decided this maybe a good chance to stretch a bit (RCBC Plaza to SM Makati is some 20 minutes walk). I just noticed, it seemed the whole of Ayala Avenue is crowded with people waiting for a ride home. I wondered, what happened? So there I was, walking in my kikay yet stiff sandals, passing several people, buildings, malls and escalators. When I got to the terminal, I almost got lost in the huge crowd of irritated and impatient people waiting for shuttle services. No, I won't be one of them. I turned and headed back to SM, then Glorietta, then Landmark, then stayed at Powerbooks Greenbelt. I called up Irvin, told him I will be late. He was worried about me but I assured him that there is no need for that. Why? Because I'm in one of the coolest places in the area!

He shared the news - flooded streets in the metro because of the heavy rain this afternoon. That is the culprit.

I left Powerbooks at around 9 PM and was home by 11:30. I was tired, hungry and sleepy. My feet hurt and my legs are cramped. Irvin sensed I'm in a don't-talk-to-me mood. He waited until I'm okay, then we ate dinner slash midnight snack together.

And yes, I got a free massage from Irvin! Ah, I'm starting to fall in love with this guy! :P

the weekend that was jul 25-28

Have you noticed? I just had a looooong weekend, 4 days it is.

I took a VL last Friday to accompany Nanay to Naic for Mama Jun's pa-siyam. I was unable to get up early, because of the rain perhaps. I left with Irvin, him going to office and me to Rosario. I did some scrapbooking stuff for Lex's and Clyron's album. Then, I went to Naic right after lunch. I had a nice bonding moment with my cousins. I spent the night ironing clothes and chatting with Nanay.

Saturday morning, I woke up early. (Just wondering, why can't I wake up early during work days?!) Did some chatting and washing and taste testing. We went home to Tanza to borrow Ate Sette's car and watch The Dark Knight with Agnes. Wahoo! The heavy rain did not stop us from grabbing a premiere seat. What can I say about the movie? Awesome! I love Heath Ledger as Joker, you'll hate him! Haha! I love the "You complete me…" part the most. We dined at Avenetto.

Sunday is a rest day for us, yes!

I took an emergency leave today because Irvin is not feeling well. He was having some stomach problems which he cannot explain. I have never seen him so bothered so I took a day off from work, did some cooking (rice cooking and frying, that's all I can do), and watched after him.

Haaay. Life.

minsan may isang adik

Sabi nila Mareng Merriam at Pareng Webster (haha gawa-gawa ko lang 'yung mare at pare, 'wag ka maniwala), addict, as a noun, means (1) someone who is addicted especially to a substance, or (2) a devotee. (O ha, ni-research ko pa 'yan. Palakpakan naman dyan!) Matagal na naman may salitang ganito pero parang ngayon lang nauso na maging bukambibig ng kahit sino. Sa ngayon, kahit sino masasabihan mo ng "Adik ka talaga!" o "You're some kinda' adik!" sa mga sosyal at nagpapa-cute. Tatawanan ka pa nila, "Adik ka din!"

Madaming nagsasabi, adik daw ako. Bakit kaya? Nanlilisik ba ang mga mata ko? Payat ba ako (uhurm, wish ko lang 'no!)? Hindi ba ako naliligo (hoy, naliligo ako no!)? Kung devotee ako, devotee ako ng ano? Ng sino?

Aaaah, kasi para akong bangag, high, bakla, hyper, makutata, ma-punchline, malikot, makulit, magulo. 'Yan na nga 'ata ang bagong synonyms ng adik, hindi lang updated sila Mare at Pare.

Dati na akong ganyan, bata pa lang daw, may senyales na ako ng pagiging artistahin (ehem, ehem). Sabi ng Ate ko, nagkukunwari siyang namatay, inilawit ang ulo sa kama with matching labas ng dila, umiyak na ako. Entertainer ang dating ko kapag kumakanta ng "Sayang na Sayang" at "Supersonic" with dance number pa. Nabato ko na ng bolpen ang Ate ko ng minsang sawayin nya ko sa sobrang kadaldalan ko. At ngayon, iyakin pa din ako, entertainer paminsan-minsan, umaandar pa din ang bunganga sa walang habas na kuwentuhan.

Bakit nga ba ako ganito? (In-analyze talaga…) Kwela ang pamilya ko, lalo na ang Tatay ko. Kaya first and foremost, masasabi kong "It runs in the blood." Kahit mga kapatid nya, puro my toyo kaya hindi magkasundo. Siguro kung magre-reunion sila, pinaghalong circus at malaking comedy bar ang itsura. Pangalawa, masaya ang childhood ko. Hindi kami mayaman, oo. Bata pa lang alam ko na hindi pera ang nagpapasaya sa lahat (pero nung tumanda na 'ko, parang nag-iiba na ang pananaw ko hehe). Masaya na ako habang naglalaro sa ilalim ng araw ng patintero (bandisa ang tawag sa amin), taguan, habulan (a.k.a. haragan) at kung anu-ano pang improvised games na nilikha na lang out of boredom. Excited ako kapag dumidilim ang langit, ibig sabihin nito ay oras na para maligo sa ulan. Pampaalis ng bungang-araw. Kaya minsan naaawa ako sa mga batang walang pagkakataon maglaro o 'yung mga bata pa lang puro kaaway na. Minsan lang dumating ang kabataan, hindi pa susulitin. Di ba? Siyempre factor din si Bob Ong at Pol Medina sa paghubog ng pagkatao ko, marami-rami din akong natutunang kalokohan sa kanila. At eto pa, nang minsang ni-revise ko ang script ng play namin nung high school kung saan ako din ang bida, bumaba ang grade ng group namin. At ang comment ni titser, "Masyadong nakakatawa…"

Minsan, parang pakiramdam ko pumapapel ako masyado. May naiinis kaya sa akin? Minsan, parang nagmamaganda at nagmamarunong ako. Feeling kaya nila kulang ako sa pansin?

E pero ganito talaga ako. (Ang mainis sa akin at magsabing kulang ako sa pansin, bawal tumawa.)

Nakaka-high ang tumawa. Pero mas happy kapag nagpapasaya ka ng iba.

Ako ay adik. Proud to be one.

the weekend that was jul 19-20

We slept at my parents' last Friday. Saturday, while Irvin is in the office, I busied myself by chatting with Nanay and Tatay. Uber sa sarap ang requested kong lunch prepared by Nanay (pinakbet at pritong albakora), but I got to control myself because I have to wait for Irvin. He came around 1 PM and we enjoyed a satisfying lunch. We went to SM that afternoon, with Nana and Enald. Got to pay my Ate's Citibank bill, have Kuya Bong's car washed, get our wedding portrait at Dreamline (thanks Ms. Em!). We ate at KR with Hazel and went home. Irvin and Nana accompanied me to my parents' where I will sleep (and ironed clothes, and…). Irvin went home to Tanza. (I miss him but I got tons of chores to do so I just let him bond with his brother and cousin slash bestfriend McLee.)

Sunday. Tatay asked Nanay to cook pansit luglog, he knows my in-laws enjoyed it so much the last time. Irvin picked me up at around 10 AM and we accompanied Nanay and Ate Nelia (my mother's sister-in-law) to Naic. Then we went home to Tanza. After having a share of the yummy pansit luglog, we went to SM to exchange some goods we bought yesterday. Got myself 2 new pieces from Arrow (sale itoh, oki?). Irvin and I had lunch at KFC and then, siesta.

Inasmuch as I wanted to watch the replay of Miss Universe 2008, I need to grab some sleep! Zzzz...

paalam po, mama jun

My Nanay called me up a while ago. Her words brought a lump in my throat.

"Neng, bumitaw na ang Mama Jun mo."

Mama Jun is Nanay's brother, her remaining sibling by her parents (she has a half sister by her father). Nanay is the eldest of four and her brothers Mama Boy and Mama Remie passed away years ago. Mama Jun came home to the Philippines just last month and on the day he left for the US, he requested Nanay to cook for him. That would be an unforgettable day.

She narrated the details of his death. As her voice cracked, in my mind, I saw her cry . It broke my heart, and amidst busyness, I cried too.

lex kulet 4

Tinawag ni Mommy si Lex para utusan.
Mommy: Lex…
Lex: Ano?
Mommy changes her mind, hindi na lang.
Mommy: Wala.
Lex: What's the matter, Mommy?

~ 0 ~

Nahuli ng pulis si Daddy, beating the red light ang violation. Kinuwento ni Mommy kay Lex. Lex stares out of the window, medyo matagal.
Mommy: Lex, ano ginagawa mo d'yan?
Lex: Naiyak ako, Mommy. Kasi si Daddy, nahuli ng pulis. Kasi fast siya, ayaw nya mag-SLOWING.

~ 0 ~

Lex shows Tita her bags and bars of chocolate via webcam.
Tita: Lex, penge!!!
Lex: Eeeeh, nasa Philippines ka!
Tita: Ikaw ba nasaan?
Lex: Nasa Canada!

e 83008

Totoo ba 'tong nabasa ko?!

http://www.pep.ph/news/18295/Eraserheads-to-reunite-for-one-night-only

Naaalala ko, highschool ako ng maging avid fan nila. Iba ang tunog. Iba ang itsura. Iba ang dating. Minsan ko na ding hinahangaan at minahal si Head Master Ely Buendia. Nagkalat ang "Eraserheads" at "Ely" sa notebook at diary ko. Songhits na naglalaman ng mga kanta nila ang kinahiligan ko, na hanggang ngayon nakatago pa kasama ng ilang highschool memorabilia ko. Hindi ako naniwalang pang-drug addict ang "Alapaap." Asaran to the max kami ng Tatay ko dahil mas okey daw ang Rivermaya.

Nagluksa din ako ng unti-unting naglaho ang career nila. Sayang.

Eraserheads to reunite for one night only. Sayang, isang gabi lang. At sayang, nasa Canada na ang Ate ko. Kung nandito siya, malamang magpapalibre 'yun sa 'kin para lang mapanood siya.

Sigurado ako, madaming mag-uuwian na OFW para mapanood sila. 'Yung mga nasa probinsiya, hindi malayong sumugod sa Manila.

Siyempre ako, magbubutas ng bulsa. Maglalaspag ng pera. One night lang, sayang naman ang once in a lifetime chance na balikan ang alaala ng bandang minsan kong minahal.

Wochooo, drama! Basta dapat mapanood ko 'to, got to get the best seat I can afford!

the weekend that was jul 12-13

I'm excited, this is the first time I'll go to a spa! And what's more exciting? I'm taking Irvin with me!

If you know me, you should know spa and parlor are not my type of places and pampering myself is not my thing. (I can go on a whole day without combing my hair! Promise!) But a friend-colleague has availed of the Fitness First spa package and I said to myself, I'll just try it for fun and for the experience. I dragged Irvin with me so he could be relaxed.

We were at the Fitness First around 4 PM, we missed the steam bath because we were late hehe. Sayang! Anyway, we were guided to a couple's room and waited for the instructions (take off your clothes or lie down). It's our first time, remember?! There we had 2-hour relaxation with hair spa, body scrub, quick shower and full body massage. Wow, rapsa!

We, then went to MOA to watch Wanted but hey! The schedule is 11:30 AM and 2 PM only, my goolay! We just filled our appetite at Tempura. We were home by around 10 PM.

Sunday. I woke up at around 12 NN (oo nakakahiya talaga!). Maybe my subconcious mind is taking its revenge against the many nights of insufficient sleep (huuu, excuses excuses!) Watched Spiderman 2 for the nth time. We were home at Cavite City around 9 PM. Good thing I was done ironing since last week. :)

another happy moment

One of the perks of being married is having additional siblings. Now I got two younger brothers! Last night, I had a nice time with them over pizza, movie and coffee. (Translation: Yellow Cab, Hancock and Starbucks.) Sarap talaga kumain 'pag boys ang kasama, lafang kung lafang!

the weekend that was jul 5-6

A happy and restful weekend this time.

We've been sleeping in my in-laws' house since Wednesday so I asked the cutey hubby if we can stay at our place in the weekend. I played with Kishie first before going home at my parents' where Irvin and I met for lunch. We stayed there until 5 PM, attended the mass, and went to Cavite City. Got loads of chores to do!

Sunday. Still got some chores to do but needed to put some of those off til sometime. Nanay and Tatay are coming so we can chat with my Ate and see my pamangkins. Lex just had a haircut and Clyron had nothing to say except "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Lex (as their mic echoes): Who said that?!
Lex (as Irvin and I makes faces): Eeeh, bakit kayo funny faces?
Lex (as Nanay and Tatay are leaving): Wait for me, wait for me!

(Oops, which reminds me to post their new pix in my Multiply site.)

We were planning to hunt for some setting with a Caltex logo worthy to qualify for Caltex's photo contest called Shooting Stars. This is what I got - may not be worthy to join the contest, but is perfect to be posted here.

We ended up munching fishballs and popcorn, strolling around the city, and buying santol at the public market. Hey, I realized it's been a while since I've eaten fish balls, the street "tusok tusok" style. And who says people my age eat fishballs only from Odd Balls?

Elay: Grabe Vin, ang sarap ng cholera!
Irvin: Sinabi mo pah!

I think I've got plenty of rest this weekend, hope it's enough to get me through the week. It's closing time again.

everything i am, i owe to my parents

Experts say, only the fifth commandment of God bears an evident promise: Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

I am born to the finest parents in the world. Both of them came from poor families who needed to strive hardest in order for them to eat. With that background, my father became a very diligent family man. Everything he gained, he gave to his family. With the little earnings he has, he bought an abode for us and sent us to decent schools. He dreamt that one day, his children would take home something he never had - a diploma. We did. And until now, he still cries everytime he hears the graduation march. My mother is a typical housewife - she stays at home yet she still lacks the time to do everything else and she smells nice only after taking a bath very late at night. She attended to us like we were princesses from some royalty, and she, a patient nanny. Her world revolved around the public market, the laundry, the kitchen, and the two girls whom she loved more than herself.

My father is my hero and my mother is my soulmate.

They are not perfect parents. Being their child, I can say a lot about their flaws with parenthood. But their imperfections are God's ways of showing me that nobody's perfect, it is okay to make mistakes, and there will be many times that I will be given a chance to make things right. I know it, my parents have showed me over and over.

Everything I am, I owe to my parents. Exaggerated? Well, I owe to them a major part of myself. It is true that we cannot choose our parents, but I am happy that God chose them for me.