Punch and Judy Show April 27, 2010

On the occasion of my sister’s 38th birthday, allow me to call myself “Punch.”
From our beloved band, The Cascades, here’s my birthday song for, who else but “Judy!”

Everybody laughs to see, Judy being mean to me
Everybody here in town, knows that I’m just Judy’s clown

Oh every place we ever go, everybody seems to know
Well, they know we’re just a Punch and Judy show!

Judy makes a fool of me, why can’t she just let me be?
Even though I know the score, I keep coming back for more

Yes, we’ll always be a Punch and Judy,
Always be a Punch and Judy show!

Well, no need for hasty reactions because I will explain myself as to why I chose that song.
First of all, my sister loves, loves, loves The Cascades. She has the uncanny “talent” for memorizing song lyrics and singers and since The Cascades met an untimely death, they only have 1 album. And her name being Judy, as a kid, I’ve always taken to thinking about her everytime I hear this song.

Now that I’m older, though, listening to the lyrics, there are parts of it that ring true to her and me. Take the first line, Everybody laughs to see, Judy being mean to me. Now, everybody would be quick to say I’m the mean one, but of course, Ate has her mean days too! But since its her birthday, I’ll let that all slide. I’d rather focus on the laughing part anyway.

One of the things I enjoy the most with my sister is how we take the time to laugh. As in LAUGH OUT LOUD, laugh until your stomach hurts… laugh all you want. It’s a ”mystery” to my mom how we would find something to laugh about in the middle of dinner, while doing a chore, while watching TV, when we remember something, anything, anytime.  It’s great how our humor is on the same wavelength, especially since there’s only the two of us to entertain ourselves by.

Next line, Everybody here in town, knows that I’m just Judy’s clown. We don’t live in a town, we live in a village and we’ve been living here since Ate was 4 and I was 2. And no, I’m not Judy’s clown, I’m Judy’s shadow.

As her little sister, I looked up to her and copied (almost) everything she did. I even almost wore everything she wore too! Let’s talk schools — from Alice In Wonderland to St. Paul Pasig, St. Scho Marikina and UP Diliman – I was there. From favorites like The Beatles, Bon Jovi, watching tennis and PBA, playing sports, reading books — I loved them too. Her books, I read; her cds, I listened to; her shoes I wore; her clothes I sneaked out with — name something she did, she liked, chances are, I was right there doing the same, liking the same. I was the undisputed second-rate, trying hard, copycat! Well, what can I do, I’m second born!

Oh every place we ever go, everybody seems to know. With all the good qualities my sister has, I certainly didn’t mind being called “Judy’s sister” in school by teachers who’s handled her previously. Can you imagine what it would have been like if I were the “older sister”? Nah! That would be my nightmare! And because I was naturally flamboyant and an attention-grabber (but not always positive), I would often hear my sister’s friend call me “yung kapatid ni Judy!” Maybe its because I was often heard shouting “Aaaaahhhttteeeeh!” across the parking lot, corridor, street in that unmistakable voice (with proper diction, mind you) that’s distinctly me.

Judy makes a fool of me, why can’t she just let me be?  The fifth line is tricky, because my sister never really made a fool of me, and in fact, she just about lets me be.  Of course there were naturally a lot of fights in all the 28 years we shared 1 small bedroom together, but we understood our differences and more than that, we accepted them. As much as I was a copycat, there were things she does which I couldn’t do as well, but largely, there were things I can do which she can’t, even if her life depended on it. She was good in Science, I was better in Math. She was good in P.E., my domain was Music. We both can’t draw and we were both great in English. She was more studious and got the awards, but anyway, my grades were higher. I had more friends but she had best friends our parents knew. She’s always been good with money and saving and her allowance and that was my waterloo. I still can’t forget how on her first year as a tax-paying, employed, college-graduate, she would take to on weekly trips to National Bookstore and would let me choose any casette tape I wanted!

And just like our parents, no matter how cramped our room, our house, our lives were — she gave me the freedom to be me, allowed me to be me, patiently put up with everything that was me, supported me, helped me, cooked for me, cleaned for me, tutored me, shared her things with me… she has all been but a wonderful sister to me!

And the last line, Yes, we’ll always be a Punch and Judy show! Oh, to put it simply, I wouldn’t really have it any other way.

There are many wonderful things to say about my Ate but there will be many more birthdays for that. As I wrote in her Facebook page, and I quote,

“Maybe the reason why I was only given one sister is because having you is more than enough! Everything I could ask for in a sister, all that I would need from a sister — you have it and you gave it. You are smart and sassy in many ways that I’m not and have been generous to me no end. You’ve been “stuck” with me since you were 2 and have patiently supported and tolerated me. I have one-up on everyone today because you are my sister and I will always be behind you, beside you, for you and forever grateful! Sheng ri kuai le wo de jiejie! Wo ai ni! ^_^”

There’s one other verse in the song I left out, but on hindsight, I think I’d like to close with it.

Though I smile, it hurts inside
Even puppets have some pride
I would leave her if I could
If my heart was made of wood…

Whenever I would smile and think about my sister, there’s never any hurt inside. I couldn’t be happier to have the chance to see Ate everyday and talk to her. Just thinking about her generosity to me as her sister makes me teary-eyed. And no, it’s not just for the material things, but for making a lot of things easy for me all my life, for teaching me a lot of things, for making me a part of her married life and generally looking after me with not so much nagging and bragging. And thank God my heart isn’t made of wood, it’s a heart filled with all the good wishes and whatever it is that my sister is wishing for with all her heart, that’s what I’m wishing for her too!

Happy birthday Ate! ^_^

Three Stars And A Sun April 2, 2010

And another month has passed with just one post from me.  A friend told me she’d check on my blog almost everyday anticipating a new post, but there hasn’t been much for 2 months now.  She said I was taking my blog way too seriously — thinking and rethinking what to post when in fact, blogging should be free-wheeling and free-spirited, like the other blogs she visits often. They don’t have to be long and poetic, just interesting.

And it got me to thinking… I suppose I do take it seriously, having a shortlist of topics, making an outline, gathering data — wait!  What is this, a research paper?!? I guess I have been taking blogging so seriously then! As Simon Cowell of American Idol would say, “You have sucked the SOUL out of the SONG!” In my case, I have sucked the beauty out of blogging — that spontaneity and sincerity of just speaking your mind and sharing your thoughts in smooth, solid storytelling.

So with renewed confidence and frame of mind, I have taken to blogging with less strain, BUT with that same sassy style of writing that is uniquely MINE!

Enough with the disclaimer, on with the entry, but still on the topic of being serious.

One thing I take seriously, which I won’t compromise, is friendship. Over my 35-year lifetime, I have been fortunate enough to have formed really good relationships with certain individuals.  Now this isn’t really a unique thing, every other person’s surely got a friend or two, but no, for me, the best ones come in threes.

I’ve gotten to realize that my best friendships are those that came in 3s. At certain times in my life, I had a close relationship with certain people, “best friends” if you may, that’s got their own special vibe of course (yes, you’ll get your own special feature soon), but for some reason, I also seem to find myself in friendships made for three. And to that I say, two is good… but maybe, three is better!

This picture may look recent, but this friendship spans our childhood years.  Way back in the 70′s, my sister, Judy and I struck a friendship with our neighbor, Laarni.  Ate was 5, Arni was 4 and I was 3. She was our neighbor who lived a house away. Together we  flitted around in our ruffled panties as afternoon playmates, we did summer elocution contests, were Paulinians together, played Nancy Drew role-playing games, boardgames, patintero, taguan, touching ball and that hanky game. We even danced to Menudo’s “Like A Cannonball” in a basketball court during a Christmas contest that later merged us to become a dancing group during basketball halftimes. We also bonded over books and reading and those early “puppy loves.” I’d go visit her house (and use her phone) but we really just talked and talked! She stayed in St. Paul as we moved to St. Scho, Arni and I were reunited in college and catching up was far and few when we all started working. Still the memories of our childhood would never be void of Laarni and her family, and all the English we spoke to one another!

High school and college saw many groups of friends — from classmates to orgmates — barkadas here and there. They say some of your lasting friendships are formed in college and that saying was true for me. Cherie, Luwi and I were part of a freshman block in June of 1991. We didn’t exactly hang out together for the next 4 years (we had orgs/boyfriends/different classes) yet every year since graduation, we met up, albeit once a year, and chatted a storm over lunch. Then we’re good for another 12 months before we met again. Seeing each other and talking was like a yearly retreat — from confessions to counseling to conversion, we were like sounding boards to each one’s plans and problems. Both now have families of their own and have remained my “faculty advisers.” Now I’ve come a long way since college — a lot has changed, yet I love how I could go back to the young, carefree version of “me” when I am with them! We would often say “we used to be 16, now we’re 36!” Its a countdown to our 40′s!

It has been said that some bonds are formed during extreme situations.  Enter the workplace! No, it wasn’t a torture chamber but it did feel like we were in a boiling pot of water. There were actually 8 of us newbies in 1996, but the three of us — Monet, Leah and I — with a combined total weight of 85+80+95, were insanely glued together as trial counselors.

This is probably our first picture together. Don’t we all look so young? We don’t look crazy here (because it was my test presentation day and they were my opening and closing prayers) but the three of us formed a crazy bond, talking, analyzing, processing over and over about boyfriends and breakups, family life and the future; we spent our first paychecks at Kenny Rogers, watched movies together, tried on clothes we weren’t really gonna buy and capped the year with an overnight visit to Leah’s at Batangas. We had a couple of fights (they vs. me), tears and tantrums too, but we all charged it to growing up and getting to know each other. With another friend, we were the Sex And The City girls (Monet was Miranda, Leah was Carrie and well, its your pick if I’m Charlotte or Samantha!) Well, they’ve both since moved on from LSGH but I wouldn’t have made it through my first 3 years in La Salle and my baptism of early adulthood without their loving support and all the girl-power you would ever need!

There was another special time in my life where my eyes were opened to a whole new world of the fun and the fabulous. My ever-generous friend Rhea, along with Mayette, invited me to stay with her at her condo in Wack-Wack while she finished her last year in Dentistry at UE. Now we’ve known each other around the neighborhood but were never close (Rhea and Mayette were as were Mayette and I, but never Rhea and me). But the delicious surprise was that Rhea and I got along so super very well. With those 2, I got to feel the high-roller kind of life — cars, restaurants, shows, plays, night life, bars, boys, condo living, casinos, country club memberships, cellphones, telephones, trips and swimming all-you-want. Contrary to what you might be thinking, it made me appreciate my “real” life with my own family more and just really thankful for those 10 months I felt what it was like to be rich.

But in spite of all the fun we had, the other eye-opener was that when it comes to heartaches and sad times, the playing field is just as level as could be. I saw too, the times Rhea cried over a breakup and how her mom cried over a fight they had, and so did Yette and her boy blues and work conflicts. Somehow, I thought maybe that was the “reason” I had to be there — because a problem would come and I was the one who would help them tide it over. But, all’s well that ends well now! It was an escapade like no other, and that it was short-lived made it all the more sweeter!

Time for the grown-up world and the ones who kept me afloat at about that time was Janel and Mia. Janel was the voice of reason, Mia was the voice of wisdom and I was the comic relief. For 5 years, they were the katig to my seemingly hopeless and hapless existence. I was back in the reality of my own life and the endless mishaps I was getting involved in. But I wasn’t a lost cause, mind you, the three of us had such a formidable friendship that exists till today. Our Galeria days, FX rides, TV viewing, movies, eat-outs, phone chats over parents, people, friends, issues and everything under the sun, embody the struggles of a single girl in the city. They were my calming drug whenever I got too hyper, they were the first to pin me down when I got too pushy. My regrets are down to 1 though, they sure taught me so much, I just wish I was able to teach them something of my own too. And on hindsight, this friendship was probably the reason I had an escalating weight gain by the early 2000 — with all our Tokyo Tokyo sumo meals and KFC kulang ang isa, sobra ang dalawa! Janel and Mia remain to be close friends but as a group, we hope to be reunited in CDO and make it memorable like our time in Bangkok (with matching hats and body bags)!

The year 2005 and 2006 were tumultuous — my transfer to CENTRO and my papa’s passing away. Both left me shattered and those two standing with me in the picture above did so much more than help me pick up the pieces, they helped me put everything in their proper place. Julie and Jigger have been friends for a while now and my “entrance” to their friendship hovered under some clouds of conflict.  But that storm has passed and the sun has long come out. We first bonded over driving, people, places and events, that later turned into finances and family, relationships and retirement, careers and causes. The best compliment I got from these two was how lucky they feel to have me for a friend and that I was  a great friend to have after all (at first they didn’t like me, but that was when I was my “old” self! Hahaha!) All in all, it is a more mature and stable friendship where I am more myself than ever before and I just love, love, love the “me” that I have become with them. I feel like I am finally at home. And so, I would forever be grateful for the soul inspiring and mind renewing friendship we share that mirrors the true essence of responsibility and maturity leading to a serene existence.

At a time I thought forming friendships was over, heck I already have more than enough fill of friends, one just sprouted out of nowhere along SLEX. We were initially a group of 5 playing Sunday badminton in a court somewhere in Marikina. We’d cap the night off with coffee at Figaro and talk till way past midnight. Then the 4 of them went off abroad one by one and I was left in my lonesome. It was a friendship alright, but more of a group bond for a couple of months. Just a year ago, Jeni came home and Carol and I took her on a trip to Tagaytay. At that point we were three separate individuals who suddenly became enmeshed in a tissue moment that changed our relationship for good. We became each other’s conscience in a way that was separate from all the things we already know. Being high school Kulasas of Batch 91 was a common ground and our badminton time together was the initial thread that tied us together but we’re way past that now. Jeni’s in Virginia and Carol’s in Miami and because of that we’re called Sisters in Skype and yes, we truly have that “sisterhood spirit” across the miles, where secrets are shared, secrets are revealed!

Today, some of these “threes” may now simply exist in the past, while some are present and enduring. But it doesn’t diminish the importance of the impact they all had on my life. In a mix of old and new photos, the common thing you see is me and how I shared all of myself to them in that special time in our lives. The bond remains — they were there for me in the highs and lows of life. They make my single life worth the journey. And I’d be bold enough to say I’m an unforgettable friend you wouldn’t regret having for the rest of your life! Past is past — but the memories live forever!

My dear friends, with much love!

(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life March 2, 2010

Or not.

Did February just pass me by? How could a whole month (well, 28 days at least) be over without a post from me?

I’ve always said it was way better to be busy than bored, because if you were bored, you’d just end up looking for something to be busy with.  But maybe I should have been a little more specific in quantifying the kind of “busy” I wanted — the kind of busy that didn’t involve panic and pressure, the kind that didn’t have frustrations and fatigue… where there’s no hassles and hurrying and the ending would be perfect and everybody is happy.  Of course it’s not a perfect world and you simply can’t please everybody — and that’s the kind of “busy” I got last February.

Well, March has rolled in and most of the tasks in my “things to do” has been ticked off as done — finally, I’ve relaxed and de-stressed a bit, made amends in errors here and there. So what’s left to do is tell you all about it, briefly if I could manage.

1. Tiffany is HOME! And so is Uncle Surf.

After 4 months, our Serena is home from the casa (with my Mama having to cough up peso bills from her secret handbag.) With that huge service cost, we expected the best care. With Nissan Gallery loaded with cars to fix, they probably only concentrated on the running condition of the car and its mechanisms. We were initially disappointed seeing caked mud still on some parts of the car’s front panel. Also with them not cleaning our leather seat covers that was left tied up in a garbage bag and they’re no good now. But despite a few setbacks, the engine’s running definitely better than before, the aircon’s great, the cloth panels along the car doors are finally spotless, we’re just overjoyed to have Tiffany at home.

My stress is in the getting re-oriented with the Serena — parking, controls, size and width. Plus the watching out for its performance, in case it needed to be sent back to the Gallery. Enter Uncle Tic’s Toyota HiLux (Surf edition)! Another car to drive is a whole new ballgame of calculations and adjustments, gassing up and over-all feel. And it’s not like it’s an easy car to drive too! We are its new caretakers for now and Mama has been dealing with the repairs. In the meantime, I get to use it. Now that’s both good and bad because it runs on diesel but it steers like a bump car!

2. DLSP Multi-Sectoral Congress & CENTRO

Our office was tapped to document the proceedings of this two-part congress.  The first was held at school, the second at De La Salle Araneta University.  Four of us headed off with the rest of the school reps, sort of like a field trip. It was one long day and we kept ourselves busy, and found things to laugh about all throughout the day. But I knew that coming up with the collated responses and summary of reports was no laughing matter long after the participants have gone home and back to their own schools (with the congress possibly a distant memory by then.)

Here’s the stressing fact — as of today, I’m still not done with the report and it will be a month overdue by next week!

3. FusionWorks for Westmont with Jigger

As a production coordinator for my friends’ events company, a day was spent at Manila Diamond working at the sidelines of a huge scavenger hunt game. The task was simple but demanded for you to be on your toes, alive, alert, awake and enthusiastic. At the end of the day, you’re happy with the paycheck, but not about your aching feet.

4. CLP Lion Dance @ Upper Field

For the first time, the LSGH community were treated to a lion dance and wushu performance by the Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Association, under grand master and chief instructor William Soon.  It was all over in 15 minutes, yet the preparations felt like 15 hours!

Early morning panic is not good for my weight — I have a tendency to over-eat when I get tired!

5. CLP Spring Festival for Group A and Groups B/C

Spring Festival is more popularly known as Chinese New Year, this year falling on February 14. We had our annual alternative classroom activity celebration for our Chinese students of course — complete with balloons as firecrackers, gold candy coins as prizes, dumpling ingredients for demonstration, actual dumplings and tikoy for eating, ice, cups and water for drinking. There’s invitations, program of activities, cheque requests, gathering of materials, powerpoint presentation to check, letter to parents to prepare — did I miss anything?! Oh, we had to run the activity twice, for two separate group of students.

Another activity that lasted 2 whole hours that felt like 2 whole days on your feet!

6. Lianne’s 1st Birthday @ Jollibee Alabang

Because Papa J and Mommy Gigi now reside all the way in Batangas, I just had to make this trip. I already missed her baptism last year. Plus of course, they’re my edsoc4ever friends and I used to be “part” of this family (as a REVO passenger.) Good thing I wasn’t double-booked on this day.  The only initial concern was this party was on a Saturday, 1-3:30PM all the way south and…

7. Godric’s 1st Birthday @ Palmdale Pasig

… from Alabang, I had to drive down EDSA and straight to party no. 2, 3:30-6PM.  It would have been a “fun”-ner party for me if I got to jump in the pool with baby Godric. Unfortunately, it’s that time of the month (did I really have to say that aloud?)  Oh what a bummer. Food was good, the company’s great, Mommy Clarck really throws cool parties! Too bad I couldn’t stay on longer to sing the night away… now that would have been a blast! Still, “thank you for watching!“

8.  Rafael’s 7th Birthday @ SM Storyland Fairview

For the second Saturday in a row, off I went to yet another birthday party, this time to the northside in faraway “Far”view. Because they’re also edsco4ever friends, attendance was a must. For a treat, I brought A with me to the party. Come to think of it, we also went to Rafael’s 1st birthday party 7 years ago!

It was fun, even if the mini-rider cosmic ride left me dizzy! What was stressful was the domestic drama waiting for us when we got home. Woopsie.

9. CLP Culminating Activity

Ah… where do I begin? To tell the story of this yearly energy-draining yet all-rewarding activity? No more CLP secretary to share the work with and with frequent disagreements with a certain Lao Shi, it was a long list of “to dos.” From reservations to certificates, ordering medals and printing class cards, fixing the mp3s to a cd and arranging the order of performances, arranging for the supervisors’ transportation and thinking of feeding the boys, dry-sealing at the Personnel’s Office at 3PM, printing judging forms, letters and invitations to parents, principals and other guests — and for extra challenge, we had a video message to play but we didn’t plan on having an LCD so do I make a PPT to make use of the laptop and LCD? And during the program, a mom was early yet his son was missing from the opening song line-up so I had to go looking for him. Good save by Ms. Tilit and my printed script. And did I mention my sister and family was in the audience? The best consolation was that the ala-Activity Day plan worked (have a contest instead of the usual straight performances) and it was rather enjoyable, if I could say so myself. I’m just happy we pulled it off, with much less glitches this year!

10. Green, Gold, Beyond @ the Gym

And the piece de resistance (feeling French), was getting onboard the Golden Jubilee play. Now this was a difficult and emotional task.  There were too many confusing commands and demanding demands that left us confused and dizzy. We wanted to do a good job but it wasn’t our show to run. We wanted to have our say, but it was best to just shut it. It was one heck of a learning curve in our surprisingly still growing brain. In the end, it was a bittersweet moment watching the musical thrice and remembering all the things far and between!

On the plus side though, working with Jamie is always cool, but working with Jigger was beyond super cool! On the minus side though, through all these frenzy, my E71 phone had to act up — it didn’t want to send messages and had to be reformatted! Gosh. Anyway…

To wind things down, of course there were a couple of other fun things I got to squeeze in the already busy month — I saw 2 movies, had 2 separate farewell dinners with Anet and Carol, Ash Wednesday mass with Aori, Starbucks and Hagen Daaz sessions with Jules, new TV shows to watch (A.I., Amazing Race and One Tree Hill,) a special holiday, Sunday masses at St. Pio Center with Mama, visits to Dra. Glenda, my dentist and weekend home massages with Ate Rline. Oh what pure joy!

Just as the month ended, so should I end this post.

I survived it. I’m glad its over. With the patience of those around me and the providence from above. February may only have 28 days, yet it seemed like forever. From the picture above, the bottom right pic shows this month is the start of the year of the tiger — my birth year — and I suppose I could say it is off to a roaring start. And what a start indeed! : )

Beautiful Boy January 28, 2010

I’ve known a lot of boys in my life. Probably 5 thousand of them.

From my cousins to our neighbors, classmates in college, org-mates, acquaintances, students in La Salle and friends’ sons — I’ve come to meet and get to know that many boys in my lifetime!

But as with any crowd, there is ONE that stands out.  There is that one amazing boy who is special JUST BECAUSE.  And there is none more wonderful than this boy I know, him who turns 7 on the 29th day of January, Two thousand and Ten!

His name is John Aori.  He was named after our dad. His birthday falls 2 weeks after my mom, making him a Capricorn like her, and 2 weeks before our dad — both of them born in the Year of the Sheep.  After waiting 31 years, he’s just the perfect grandson they could ever ask for!

He is also my only sister’s only son. Being sisters, he was the baby brother we almost had come alive — he is the “kuya” my Ate always wanted to have, and he’s the son I “dreamed” to have… everything except him literally coming from my tummy :p

A lot has been said about Aori’s capabilities and potentials — he does sports, elocution and Mandarin, he loves reading, is in the Top 5 and enrichment classes, can carry a tune and is good with lyrics, a competent computer user, speaks English well, a good story-teller, has traveled much in his young years… I can go on and on and on really, but you know what the best thing is about him?

No matter how much I tease, threaten and torture him… he still loves me in the end. No matter how much I make him cry sometimes, he would still give me a hug after it all.  He brings out the “funny” in me like no other and he turns me into a “sucker-Aunt” when he wants something because everything I ask him to do, he does for me. He is giving as much as I am demanding and I expect nothing less than his best. Sometimes I don’t know if he feels lucky to have me for an Aunt… but I sure am lucky to have him for my one-and-only nephew!

Aori has always been compassionate, the source of joy and laughter in our family. He’s smart and eager to learn, his tantrums are far and few. He is confident and sympathetic, curt but not unfriendly, shy and reserved but definitely the “life” of the dinner table.  His quips and quotable quotes make for great writing material! He makes us all smile!  We enjoy a special bond of talking to each other every morning on our way to school, and maybe because we hang around each other a lot, he’s gotten effected by my actuations and words, tone of voice, vocabulary choice — we’re starting to sound alike! Heaven forbid! But it’s great English, hah! He’d make a wonderful emcee and counselor like me when he grows up!

All in all, he’s but a bundle of blessing to us, a gift of serendipity. Being 7 now moves him a notch higher — from BABY to BOY…  which he will be until he turns 10.

And so this goes out to Aori — Thank you for the privileged of being your Aunt! For all the times you made me laugh and made me angry, for everything you’ve done that’s made me proud and everything you have to put up with about me, for all the things you will still learn, do and feel… you will always and forever be my BEST BOY EVER!

And for Aori’s special day, here is my birthday song for him:

Close your eyes, have no fear
The monsters gone, he’s on the run
And your Auntie‘s here

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy!

Before you go to sleep, say a little prayer
Every day in every way,
It’s getting better and better

Out on the ocean sailing away,
I can hardly wait to see you come of age,
But I guess we’ll both just have to be patient,
Yes it’s a long way to go
But in the meantime…

Before you cross the street, take my hand
Life is just what happens to you
While you’re busy making other plans

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Yori!

Sheng ri kuai le Yuan Zhi! ^_^

* Music & Lyrics by John Lennon

Livin’ On A Prayer January 24, 2010

I was born to a family that had different faiths.  Papa was a Protestant, Mama, a devout Catholic. Most people would say that a difference in religion makes one’s marriage at high risk for problems… luckily I guess, not so much for us.  And you will see by the end of this post, it even worked to its greatest advantage.

For some reason, I never really knew our dad was a Protestant… until I was probably in High School.  Maybe I never really bothered asking, I thought he just didn’t want to go with us for mass on Sundays.  He didn’t pray the rosary with us or novenas every All Souls’ Day, but he knew a lot about the bible — verses and all, and could go on and on explaining to us what certain passages meant. In his last months before he died, he was always tuned-in to GEM TV and UNTV programs. He loved debating about preachings — commenting, correcting and contradicting — I suppose he was a man who explored his faith, dug deep, and pushed it to the limit.

On the other hand, we grew up as a Catholic, like our Mom… we were schooled in a Catholic school, we learned about faith through books.  Attending masses were required, prayers were memorized and recited, sins were confessed and sacrifices were offered.  I studied Christianity, the saints and the bible — but I could never be described as spiritual or religious. But still I was faithful, still I was prayerful. I enjoyed the peace that praying the rosary gave, I felt the excitement of listening to the Gospel readings for the day, I loved singing for the Lord during masses.

Of course, I wasn’t constantly or solidly on either side of the coin.  From being strictly Catholic, I spent months with Opus Dei after college.  After that, there was a year I went to mass everyday. There was also a time I went to GCF and VCF — two very popular Christian groups.  I also experienced “Bring a friend” Thursdays at Iglesia Ni Kristo.  I also went on Wednesday novenas all the way at Baclaran for a while. And because I work in a school, I was lucky enough to have recollections, retreats and reach-outs, even First Friday masses and October rosary devotion.  As you can see, I did “explore” my faith in a hodge-podge of ways!

So how do I describe my faith now?

For 3 years, I have been loyally reading and reflecting on the Bible Diary — a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines (my first in 2006 was a gift). It contains daily readings of biblical texts and commentaries for the 365 days of the year.  It allows me some time for prayer and reflection rooted on the words of God. It helps me discover and understand the Bible more and it makes me happy reading it because it snaps me back to the reality that God is all goodness and mercy and expects us to be the same towards others.

This year, I also felt a renewed need for hearing mass.  It was something I used to enjoy and I wanted to re-strengthen that side of me again.  It also makes for great bonding with my mom, since the last time we regularly went to mass together was way back in the 80′s.  I know it makes her happy to be in church and I know those 2 hours we spend together on Sundays in this delightful little place called St. Pio Center are simply precious. It helps a lot that the 2-man acoustic singers in the chapel really helps one pray and Fr. Odon’s gospels are simple, direct-to-the-point and always tugs at the conscience, begging for everyone to do their share no matter how simple.

It’s  great to have an “infused” sense of faith and living.  Papa and the word of God +  Mama and the sacred rituals = Me and my beliefs. The Bible Diary is my daily sustenance of hope while going to mass at St. Pio is my weekly dose of piety. Both remind me that God is my Father and that I am his child. And as he does what a good Father does for his child, so should I as his daughter.

It’s important to nurture the spirit, most especially in these trying times.  Of course I make mistakes and commit sin, as every human being does, but I try to stay as close and as true to what I believe is the right thing to do — sow seeds of goodness and love.  I know there’s got to be a next stop — apostolate and ministry but I will get there. In the meantime, I take off each day on a wing and a prayer –  to God, Jesus, Mary and all the saints in heaven!

So let’s all pray today for a blessed tomorrow! Let your faith grow and your spirit will  live!

Photo credits: www.berkatrice1.blogspot.com and www.docgelo.wordpress.com

The Perfect Fan January 14, 2010

Before anything else, let me make this very special shoutout…

Its my mom’s 65th birthday today, January 15, 2010.  And for the past 35 years (she had me when she was 29), she has done nothing but love me and put up with me for all that I was like as a child, all the things I did growing up and what I’m like now as an adult.

Between me and Mama, we probably have hundreds of pictures together!  It would be impossible to post all of them, let alone choose the best so I thought I’d just post this picture — the one we took on Christmas Eve of ’09.

I chose this because it shows Mama and me in a picture with many gifts.  And my mom has certainly given me through the years, so much gifts than I could ever repay!  Let me try to lump them in 5 most important categories:

First of course, is the gift of my life
Second, my education
Third, a loving home, food, care and comforts
Fourth, all the understanding in the world and
Fifth, the freedom to be me.

I know I can’t say thank you enough for all of these.  I know I certainly am not an easy child to deal with and it didn’t get better as I grew older.  But despite my faults, I’d like to think I make her happy and proud of me — for all the things that I’ve accomplished and all the big and small things that I do that makes for great story-telling to her friends and our relatives.  I may not have “inherited” many of her “talents” like cooking, cleaning up, taking care of plants, being good with money… but I did get from her my singing and dancing talent, my telebabad skills, my Perfect Attendance work-style and my love for picture-taking. :p

Seriously, there are many wonderful things about my mom.  She’s a compassionate listener, generous, hardworking and helpful…  Mama has tirelessly supported and encouraged me to no end.  She scolds but does not stay mad — she even gives me a surprise treat afterwards.  Mama is sweet in her own way, talkative sometimes but is truly simple, kind-hearted, friendly and always forgiving.

I know she has sacrificed a lot of her wants and her needs and of course I want to give it all back to her.  So in this special post, I want to give Mama this gift of a song.

If you’ve noticed, my post titles have all been song titles.  This is the first song I’m dedicating and it couldn’t be more apt for one special person in my life.

It takes a lot to know what is love
It’s not the big thing but the little things
That can mean enough…

You were always there for me
Pushing me and guiding me
Always to succeed

You showed me
When I was young just how to grow
You showed me everything that I should know
You showed me just how to walk without your hands
‘Cause mom you always were the perfect fan

God has been so good
With blessing me with the family
Who did all they could
And I’ve had many years of grace
And it flatters me when I see a smile on your face
I wanna thank you for what you’ve done
In hopes I can give back to you
And be the perfect one

You showed me how to love
You showed me how to care
And showed me that you would always be there
I wanna thank you for the time
And I’m proud to say you’re mine

‘Cause mom you always were the perfect fan!

I love you Mama, happy birthday!

* Written by Brian Littrell and Thomas Smith; performed by Backstreet Boys

Laughter In The Rain January 12, 2010

I never really liked comedy — I usually didn’t really find a lot of things funny.  I used to think comedians were lame and silly.  In fact, I could even say I hated gag shows — they didn’t make me laugh much at all!

But that was before.

It was probably mid- to late 2005 when I felt the “transition” happen — thank goodness I “found” my funny bone (I had one after all!)   I guess after that tumultuous event-of-my-life, I stopped looking at things so seriously and looked more towards the joy in others and not so much the misery in myself and generally looked more at the bright side of life!

Suffice it to say I love comedies now… laugh-trip shows, gags, skits, stand-up comedy.  I wasn’t a total hater though — there were some funny shows I used to secretly like — Jay Leno, Tropang Trumpo and America’s Funniest Home Videos to name a few.  Now there’s Ellen De Generes, Banana Split, Just For Laughs, etc.  Also, my taste in movies have now included the comedy genre, as opposed to being stuck with love stories and action-drama flicks.

Branching out from TV and movies, I actually went out and watched live comedy shows.  They are surefire, guaranteed entertainment and not lacking at all in knowledge and information!  One thing I definitely learned, it takes one clever person to make people laugh.  Comedians are truly gifted people in wit and gab.  Comedy is indeed a naughty science where the right mix make for explosive laughs and bad timing and taste make for an outright bomb.

Let me share with you the shows I’ve since of late.

In U.P., there are a lot of shows that have gained popularity and longevity — having been a calendar staple for many, many years.  One such show is “Live A.I.D.S. Monologues” presented by the UP SAMASKOM.  It has served as an amateur stage for many local comedians — Candy Pangilinan, Giselle Sanchez, Tuesday Vargas, Ate Glow and many others.  Each year they make a grand presentation on everything pop-culture — from popular people, events and places to the misfits and misfortunes of current happenings.

One of the most popular comedian-alumnus of UP would probably be Jon Santos. An established funny man, he is known to impersonate celebrities and politicians — not simply to poke fun at them but moreso to make sense or rhyme or reason to their being and how, in most cases, they have fears, insecurities and issues just like us and just exactly how the image of them affects the society.  His latest show featured Korina Sanchez and Mar Roxas, their wedding and his stepping down from presidency, Erap, Dionisia Pacquiao and a bit of GMA.  He said this show was special because it carried the message of choosing the right role model, being mindful of people’s goodness and going back to the basics of loving one another and doing the right thing — amid the roaring laughter, of course!

Jon Santos is certainly a big shot now, but all big shots start small and struggling.  I suppose to be “discovered” you got to put yourself out there, do fly-by-night shows, sell your craft, take peanuts for payment — if only to hone your skills, sharpen your wit and be known.  I’m no comedy expert, but sometimes, just sometimes, newbies can give the big shots a run for their money –  if only for their fresh and fantastic attack at fun and fierceness!

A visit to Punchline kicked off my New Year!  And who better to watch than the premiere comedian on the rise — Vice Ganda!  I didn’t mind having to sit through 7 other routines before Vice came onstage because their spiels were fresh, they sing and perform well and they sure knew how to work the crowd.  There’s Charmaine, Polo, MC, Ace, Kiray, Fudge and Le Chazz — sometimes they came out in pairs or did trios.  Each segment contained unique topics like beauty pageants, childhood, look-alikes, etc.  There’s also a singer-comedian named Anton Diva, who sings almost like Regine Velasquez! The group also had volunteer singers from the audience come up onstage, which of course, did not escape their “scrutiny.”  And then there’s a lot of downright “green” thrown around because 8 out of the 9 performers are, well, gay.  And that’s why they’re such a bunch of happy people! Haha!

So,  I say Amen to the adage  Laughter is the best medicine.  Horray for comedy!  Let’s all see more comedy shows and watch funny sitcoms!  Let’s be light-hearted and laugh out loud more often.  I actually have some people say to me “You’re funny!”  And that’s just music to my ears!

* Live A.I.D.S. Monologues, UP College of Music, February 2, 2007.
* For Voter, Or For Worse, Greenhills Teatrino, September 18, 2009.
* Punchline, Quezon Avenue, January 2, 2010.

Hakuna Matata January 9, 2010

This image would always remind me of the Swahili phrase “Hakuna Matata” which means “there are no worries” — and even if there ARE worries in this world, I’m sure all Disney cartoon fans would agree that this song from The Lion King, where Timon and Pumbaa convinces Simba to forget his troubled past and forget his worries, is nothing short of a beautiful, perky, puts-a-smile-on-your-face song.

And since we’re starting off with a new year, I’d like to use that phrase as my mantra (no matter how much of a 90′s cliché it is) — just go ahead and live your life with a problem-free philosophy.  Yes! Time to be carefree (in a mature sense of course) — worries do come and go and you really don’t need to fret over them and instead create environments to keep worries away by doing things to keep them from coming your way!

But this post won’t be about worries — it’s about something that I’m also reminded of with The Lion King.  For me, it’s really one of the greatest animal movies of all time!  It would have been lovely to be like Timon and Pumbaa — to have Simba for a friend, especially when he was an adult lion already, to help keep the bad and the ugly away!

Papa was a veterinarian.  As such, our childhood to adulthood, at least most of my living years, was actually filled with animals.  Not just books and lectures about animals — but real, live animals!

Do you recognize the animals in the pictures above?  These were some of the pets we had at one time or another in our home!  Some may not be conventional pets, but as kids, we took care of, interacted with and learned from these animals!

1. Dogs - Beauty, Hooker, Chappy and Freckles.  I can’t remember our other dogs… there was probably a Blackie, Brownie, Whitey… Mama wasn’t very imaginative with dog names.  Dogs may be man’s best friend, but for me, they were my pretend “students” when I played teacher way back when I was 6 years old.

2.  Cat - There was only 1 cat in our lives, Richie, a white cat with blue eyes.  He was a stray cat who sashayed his way to our kitchen like he owned it and stayed for dinner a year or two — until my sister gave him a flying kick to the screen door and he never came back no more.

3.  Rabbits - Brown, white, black and spotted.  It was cute feeding them kangkong because they nibble non-stop until the whole thing is gone.  They also constantly move their noses and sleep with their eyes open.

4. Chickens - I wasn’t crazy about the chickens’ clucking but I was crazy about the chicken feeds!  I love how it smelled and I think I contemplated tasting them a couple of times (go ahead, call me crazy!)  It was cool  seeing fresh eggs laid too (hot and fresh out of the hen’s butt) — just snatch them quick to avoid getting pecked by the angry mommas!

5. Hamsters -  It was just too scary to imagine what would happen if they all suddenly got out of their colored plastic pans and scattered around!  Oh why did Papa need to have them for his experiments?

6. Roosters - We had them crowing day and night! Maybe I was a rooster in the past life, because I understood what they wanted and I actually have a secret talent in sabong!

7. Lovebirds - Ain’t they sweet and dainty.  They were cute to watch and easy to feed.  I think they were the first victims of global warming because our pair shriveled up and died.  They just couldn’t take the changing weather from hot to stormy and hot again.

8. Turkey - This one runs after intruders (even visitors) better than our dogs! In fact, it runs after us too!  It does make that “gobble-gobble” sound and at school I was a bigshot when I shared we had a turkey for a pet.  I just hope it didn’t end up on our dinner table! :p

9. Parrots - Another “student” of mine.  I think I almost  gave up on the idea of being a teacher because none of the parrots we had ever talked!

For many years, another “pet” was part of our garage, it was a family bonding activity and a source of pride to us.  A lot of efforts were placed in caring and cleaning, checking and conditioning of these sea creatures… the fishes!

Mama was our resident expert — being the “fisherinarian” in the family.  She knew all about fresh water fishes and other aquatic resources and she was the consultant.  We might have actual pictures of our aquarium set-ups, but I just can’t find them right now.  For a while we even had 6 full 35-gallon set-ups at the same time!  Now that’s a lot of water, a lot of fishes, fish-food and water pump and lamp electricity!

We had different types of goldfishes, angel fishes, sword tails, cyclids, janitor fishes… we had an australian and a silver arowana, oscars and of late, a flower horn.  It was a lot of work maintaining them (of course I helped sometimes!)  but all the work pays off when sitting by our white garden set at night, you see the fishes all swimming about happily, basking in the soft glow of the aquarium lights! I really do miss those fishies!

And as with every post, I always end it with my favorite.

This pet was a quiet pet (made no sound at all), didn’t require much — didn’t demand much, didn’t make any mess, didn’t cause any trouble.  This was our most loyal pet, (and longest too!) watching over our house like a hawk and never left it through the construction.  It knows all our secrets and this pet made us (and other children) very happy.  Meet PAGUI!

Pagui was the turtle we loved for many years.  I can’t remember what kind it was but I can still remember the day Papa brought it home.  As little kids, we thought he needed to be in a basin of water, but we were surprised it wanted to climb out and settled on dry land instead.  For years, it roamed our garden, sometimes crossing the garage, or just staying beside a pot or a tree.  It was a comforting sight to see it still alive and walking about, growing not more than a few centimeters a year.  Pagui was with us from the early-80′s… up until Ondoy happened and now its gone.

Of course I don’t want to close this post on a sad tone, but rather, of happy childhood memories we had with pets around the house.  Papa even used to have a clinic at home — the village folks took their dogs and other pets for him to give shots to, check-up, help and cure.  He said I had a natural instinct for diagnosing what was wrong and I listened very well to his analysis of dog conditions and sicknesses.  Too bad I never really wanted to be a vet, nor did I grow up to be a pet-lover.  I even grew to be “scared” of animals.  Maybe we outgrew having pets… but its okay because I have a huge memory-bank filled with pet memories!

Here’s to Pagui and all our pets, with love!  Lets be worry-free like them! C’mon and sing it with me… “It means no worries… for the rest of your days… it’s a problem freeeeee, philosopheeee, hakuna matata!”

* images from istockphoto.com

We’re All In This Together January 4, 2010

I work from 7AM to 3PM, Mondays thru Fridays.  Our small office is called CENTRO, tucked away in a little office hovering above the FMAC.  We used to be part of a big department with a secretariat, the guidance counselors and the clinic. But, we’ll get to that some other time, there are just way tooooo many stories to retell!  I just want to talk about CENTRO first.

In the mid-90′s, CENTRO was made up of 3 people. Then at the close of the millennium, they grew to 5.  A couple of years after, it ballooned to 10, but only for 2 years (that was when I joined the team in 2005).  CENTRO, as we know it today, is now down to 7.

Anyway, as a hangover from my year-end countdown, let me make another mini-countdown solely about CENTRO.  You see, 2009 was such a big year for us — there were a lot of milestones and memorable events.  Let me run them down for you:

2 weddings, 2 showers, 3 newborn babies, 1 christening, 2 despedidas, 3 hospital visits, 2 house visits, 2 new psychometricians, 1 brother turned Father, 1 death in the family, 1 teambuilding and 1 Jubilympics… not to exclude issues, problems, dilemmas, free lunches and what-have-yous… plus of course, our workload itself (which I will not discuss here now, haha!)  To some, all that may sound normal and usual — but not for CENTRO.  We’re a shy bunch (“we” includes me) and we’re not used to the limelight or a whirlwind of activities (“we” still includes me), so believe me when I say it’s really a banner year for BUSY in 2009.

Topping the list is the baby boom for CENTRO.  2008 closed with 2 pregnant officemates, Janel & Clarck.  They were both to have baby boys.  Baby Third came into the world in Jan. 28, 2009, while Baby Godric was brought forth in Feb. 8, 2009.  In April, our lone dad, Jigger, announced yet another new baby, John Oliver, who was born on Oct. 18th.  Look at those birthdates — 3 eights?  Now that makes for a lucky number — 888!  Babies are always a blessing and our 3 lovely boys make for a lot of baby talk and parenthood 101 sessions in the office!

Picture at top left is Mommy Janel and Mommy Clarck at their 9th month, then we visited Janel at Delgado Hospital and Clarck at their Palmdale Condo after they gave birth.  Baby Third is seen here at 6 months, he’s far away in CDO now.  Godric, seen here at a few weeks old, is now almost 11 months and here’s our first look at Baby John, who is now in their South Fairways home.

Second on the “top stories list” are the weddings.  For so many years, that “w” word happens just once in a couple of years — but in 2009, we had not just one, but two!

Macky and Mark has been a couple for 6 years so the announcement of their wedding was a welcome “ending” to their relationship and the start of their life as husband-wife.  We treated Macky to a bridal shower at Club Chicago, where we had KTV, games and an open forum on marriage and married life.  The wedding went smoothly on the 8th day of August at Immaculate Conception in Cubao, followed by a “scrumptous” dinner at Bonsai Garden in UP.

Four months after, Dec. 12 to be exact, CENTRO trooped to another church again, this time at EDSA Shrine for Lala and Dex’s wedding.  Lala’s our new psychometrician (after that short stint of Angelica’s, we’re glad her resume found itself in our inbox and we’re really happy she’s joined our team!)  She’s a lot like Janel in demeanor and it was even a cute coincidence that she also had her reception at the Acropolis Clubhouse, just like Janel.  She’s still on a wedding high since its only been 3 weeks since the ceremony and the honeymoon — I’m sure Joanne’s the only one “praying” she doesn’t get pregnant so soon yet! :p

Another major thing this year were two teambuilding activities.  Thanks to then team leader, Macky, we were able to have an overnight getaway at Balai sa Laiya (popular now because of the Ryan-Judy Ann secret wedding just a few days before our visit).  It was a great beach-time for games and talking, food was good and we really had a relaxing time!  Also, in line with our Golden Jubilee year, we had our first-ever institutional games mixing office staff with the faculty.  It wasn’t just a whole day of games, it took 4 months of Friday “P.E. classes” as well.  All in all, it was a nice experience of seeing everyone sporty and sweaty and just generally having a great and  happy time!

Of course, it was not all fun and frills.  We had a couple of sad, crying moments.  Ms. Coy’s daddy joined our Creator in November.  He was interred at Marian Chapel, same as Papa.  We had a nice, simple flower arrangement made (thank you to Mark for delivering).  Good thing not all goodbyes are permanent, although we had 2 semi-permanent goodbyes too.  Janel’s resignation took us by surprise while Macky’s bowled us over with its suddenness.

Janel’s moved with her family to Cagayan De Oro, with Vic and the 2 boys, JV and Third.  Macky, on the other hand, has moved her stat and research skills to Singapore.  I said “semi-permanent” separation because of course we’ll see them again someday, sometime — whether they come visit us at CENTRO or God-willing we get to visit them at their new homes!  It may have been a bittersweet moment saying our goodbyes because we’ll miss them terribly in the office, but were happy and excited for their big move and contented knowing CENTRO will always be a special time and a special home for them!

And now its time for my sidelights.  Major sidelight was our Typhoon Ondoy “horror” stories — with all the moving out-moving back, cleaning up and throwing out, not to forget all the expenses with renovations and repairs and simply the stress of it all.  Its been months after and we’re all still recovering, so here’s hoping for less to no more catastrophes such as that one.  Also on the health front, there’s Macky’s hospitalization, as well as with the CENTROmates’ families (husbands, wives and kids included).  Here’s hoping too for all to keep healthy and fit!

Happy stories, on the other hand, include Joanne’s brother being ordained as a priest, Rusel’s husband staying for a month-long visit, Jules’ transfer from the Consultant’s Office to the BGO and many more fun things that happened in the office!  Other assorted activities are seen below:

We enjoyed some good food courtesy of Mommy Clarck, who wanted to share her blessings for the year.  The picture on the top left was taken at Godric’s baptism reception at Old Spaghetti House and below it was during Clarck’s birthday lunch at the good-old conference room.  The pictures in the middle are us attending the Friday L.I.F.T. programs, the top one showing us “before” exercise and the one below shows our “after” look.  The ones on the right were definite firsts — a visit to my house at Green Park and a late dinner out at Shakey’s Katipunan.  The bonding’s good and times like these make them even better!

Oh! Have I mentioned that there is such a thing as “CENTRO and Friends“?  By CENTRO, of course that would include the 7 of us — Jigger, Joanne, Lala, Ms. Coy, Clarck, Rusel and myself, plus Jules and Chona.  And then there’s our neighbors!  Next door to our office are the Chinese and the EIP families (and Dr. Paul too).  I actually am part of these 2 offices — with May and Annie, our Chinese teachers for the  Chinese Language Program and of course, Pauline and Gerald of the Education Intervention Program.  Together, we all are under the Office of the President and that President is Brother Felipe.  Bottom row photos were taken during the last day of school for the year, just 3 days before Christmas, with Brother holding the magic yellow box for our Golden Jubilee raffle!

CENTRO surely has changed and grown in more ways than one — but one thing remains, near or far, for Janel and Macky, or so close yet so far, as with Jules and Chona, CENTRO remains a team that cares with much concern and compassion without being pushy — and is best remembered for its laugh-out-loud moments! We didn’t have a Christmas party this year, but we had this time together and that’s what’s important.

Thank you guys for keeping it together — through good times and busy times.  I love being in CENTRO and here’s wishing for more success as a team in 2010!

I Love You, Goodbye December 31, 2009

TV news and radio programs have been airing countdowns left and right — all about the year that 2009 was.   Many life-altering moments happened, as it does every year.  The world has transformed in both good and not-so-good ways that we should all keep praying for a better tomorrow and start being the change we want to see.

Now I’d like to make my own personal countdown of memorable moments and significant stories of my 2009.  Let me take you on a trip down memory lane to look back at what it was like, what was in there, the highs and lows of the year that was in all its uniqueness.

Here are my top 10 highlights for 2009:

1. PRC Board of Guidance and Counseling Oath-Taking @ Manila Hotel

2. Aori’s Kinder 2 graduation @ La Salle Green Hills

3. Annual retreat @ St. Paul Renewal Center

4. The birth of the Jeni-Carol-Johanna trio

5. CENTRO @ Balai Sa Laiya, San Juan, Batangas

6. Prestige Cruise & Roadtrip to Tagaytay

7. Cory Aquino’s wake @ LSGH

8. Typhoon Ondoy

9. Joseph & Myles’ wedding @ Archbishop’s Palace/Legend Villas

10. Auntie Caly’s death

Surely, there are many other sidelights worth mentioning too!  This year saw me handling money matters better (yipee!), was able to buy a new E71 phone, gave talks and sessions to SCO & ANHS students at school, emceed an out-of-town 50th birthday party and got paid for it, got myself a SUN wireless landline after giving up my Globelines, produced a show at school, attended my first HS reunion ever in 18 years, met Kris Aquino (and had a photo taken with her), worked at a number of FusionWorks events, sang a song with solo lines at Manila Hotel, BDC and cafeteria, got to regularly drive a Pajero, saw to friends’ farewells and reunions, had family lunches and dinners, attended weddings and wakes, christenings and birthdays, saw 17 movies, waited for new seasons of TV shows and ate at new restos and generally got better (and faster) at driving.   It was rather a good year, if I’m allowed to say so myself!

Of course, the sad times count for something significant too — some family circumstances, political upheavals and environmental calamities.  They all make for a balanced life.  Just keep the faith and always trust that God knows what is best for us!

I embrace all that 2009 was and I’m thankful for all of it — the love, the laughter, the learning… now that’s LIFE!

Lest I forget, wishlily is now 1 month old!  Cheers for the many more posts to come!

Well, Goodbye 2009 and Welcome 2010! ^_^