Hartharthart

Sent with all his love, and the chocolate stains on his teeth.

Study Buddy

I found it difficult to consciously study for exams–that’s why in college I shifted to a course where I never had to, har har har.

But that experience can transform into one that’s bearable and even enjoyable.. Just get a friend to stay steady by your side :)

View from heaven

 

I’m just so tired, won’t you sing me to sleep?

And fly through my dreams

So I can hitch a ride with you tonight

And get away from this place

Have a new name and face

I just ain’t the same without you in my life

 

- View from Heaven, Yellowcard

 

I took this picture two years ago, on that scorching noon day of my grandfather’s burial. I couldn’t, didn’t know how to react to the white-clad relatives around me who were reminiscing of my best Quiapo buddy. Luckilly my mother gave me the camera, and I goofed off, escaped my grandmother’s crying, and shot the beautiful cemetery scenery instead.

The weekend after the burial, I got sick of food poisoning. I was supposed to go back to classes that week, which happened to be as toxic as those clamshells I’ve eaten at someone’s party.. hehe. But I did seriously believed that he made me deliberately sick that week so that I can rest and think for myself.

I remember him at moments like these. He’s such a happy person, nothing could stress him out (well, ok, maybe one of his stubborn fighting cocks), I’d love to hang out with the likes of him these days, and just chill. 

Cheating Hotel 626

Oh it’s so easy, it’s like this:

• Grab a friend (or in my case, grab my cousins).
• Keep all lights open.
• Forget to bring speakers or headphones.
• Make sure the wi-fi connection you’re stealing from the neighbor is crappy
• Open Youtube in another window. View cute cats and rats loving each other while the other side of the “door” loads.
• Remember at the last minute that you, the bravest of ‘em all, hated seeing gory stuff because you remember them so well they’ll give you graphic nightmares. Leave the table, and take sissy pictures like this, or pay a visit to the dessert table.

Ilong

Peek a boo!

 

Once in a while, a boxful of tshirts flies from America to the Philippine Post Office for my brother and me.. Graphic tee loot!

Though, honestly? More than owning these shirts, I’m more excited of slashing open the packaging tape of the box, and unwrapping and unfolding these items from a different country :P

For What It’s Worth

I woke up today feeling like it’s “Sunday Morning”, a description I reserve for days when I feel strangely good and relaxed and refreshed.. like Sunday mornings.

Good morning Kuya and Gyunyu! My brother and pet cat sleep together like this all the time.

**

I had the most unlikely IM chatmates and conversations, and talked to people I never thought I would yesterday. It’s been a while since I had a Friday night at home :D I watched with Kuya and my dad that Seth-Rogen-raunchy-and-surprisingly-feel-good movie, Zack and Miri Make a Porno. 

Despite its expletive-heavy comedy script and “R-18″ graphics (they DO make a porno after all), there’s something sincere and very human in this movie, that’s why I like it. It’s a “MAC” movie, too–Justin Long, the “I’m a Mac” dude from the Get a Mac video series makes one of the funniest cameos I’ve ever EVER seen :D Bentang-benta! Oh, and forgive me for the stereotypes, but I think it’s a geek movie, too– the Superman Returns hotness named Brandon Routh is there (PANALO RIN ‘TO!), along with slips about comic books, sci-fi, high school memories, barista dreams, online shopping, etc.

If you liked Jun, Superbad, or Definitely Maybe (remember Emily, the first girl? She’s Miri!), you’ve got to see this movie. 

**

Going back to the feel of Sunday Mornings: Besides accidentally stumbling on this rare optimistic blog entry from a friend who has been facing tough times lately, I also saw a previously unseen comedy photo albums of me and my elementary school friends. Heck, the weather participates, too!

With some decent sleep, these simple life-things must’ve kicked those rusty happy screws in my head back to life! Yeah, it’s a peaceful weekend :D

 

Finally, to end this entry is this soundtrack of the day, a song from the mellow-alternative days of The Cardigans, For What It’s Worth. It reminds me of  the simplicity of admitting the truth as they happen, minus the self-consciousness of “what others would think about” :)

 

For what it’s worth, I like you.

And what is worse? I really do.

 

Manong and Child

I’m amazed everytime I see parents bring their kids to work. Mine took me to theirs before– I’d hide under their tables, pretend I’m an artist with my limitless supply of corporate stationary and pencils, and be really popular with the bosses, security guards, and everyone else because I’m so cute..

Though, seriously. If you can handle both work and child (and more), you earn my Wow for your balancing act! (Or is it sacrifice?)

Kids notice these selfless parental acts, too. So much that when her mom claimed to “go out” for the night, my eight-year-old cousin exclaimed, “What mommy? You have friends?”

A kid took these

I was playing with an uncle’s kids this New Year for the first time; for the lack of a proper toy to play with, I pressed my ever-reliable camera phone on the hands of his four-year-old girl, and observed what she was going to “picture” with it (and ever slowly accepted my phone’s possibly shortened fate…lol). 

Live the year with no regrets! My phone is effing replaceable, but these pictures are not ^_~

It’s high time to let the end justify the means. :D

Squidman’s new year

One of my favorite neighbors, the Squidman, went over to my house amidst the Silent-Hill-ish 2AM weather, to greet me Happy New Year, and to hug and wish me luck on withstanding a recent, unintended/unexpected karma.. Thank you Mr. Squidman! I hope your blushing-red first lady will finally realize and accept your worth with all her heart! (And I think she will, I really do! Let me be your godmother or fairy someday :D)

***

New year’s eve here in Quezon City was cold, and hazy, and rainy. That’s why all those thousand peso-pesoses burnt days ago buying Dragon fireworks were, in a way, wasted. Who wanted “supot” fireworks anyway? Thank you Rain, for making the place feel soggy! You see, there’s less trash and pollution the morning after because few would’ve bothered burning paper and powder because of the rains. And it’s less scary going to and fro places for people– no exploding fireworks on the street that could freak you out or harm you like hell!

Many in QC watched the rain and the fireworks together through the shelter, warmth, and safety of their homes.. also through gritted grandmother’s teeth (the late hour, the weather), the noise of the kapitbahay’s R&B/Hiphop-blaring stereo, and unbelievably congested cellphone service provider networks (well, there has to be someone, anyone you texted that first minute of the year.. Who was it? :P).

This holiday season has been on of the most insane periods of my life for me, I’m glad I’m still “alive”, I think! ;D

I’m alive because of family and friends, of promises that give mankind, of God for “bombarding” us with challenges and sneakingly equipping us all with all that it takes to survive these amazing race of life :P Hello, 2009! How will you surprise us this time?

Just say it

This has been a very testing year for me and some people I know. That’s why for Christmas, I realized I didn’t want anything anymore than to be in the company of people I love.

As we were about to leave her house, one of my grandmothers whispered apologetically to me for not getting me a proper gift. I merely hugged her tightly and blurted out, “Lola, wala akong gustong kahit ano kundi ang magkakasama tayong pamilya.” (Grandma, I want nothing else but be with the family.)

I shocked myself as soon as I said that. I’m never that open in speaking in “telenovela” lingo. But a lot has happened this year; I feel like I understand better now. I think I understand now why some inspirational buffs tell you to just say what you feel at certain moments, or to certain people. There’s no point in keeping ideas to yourself at a certain moment because it could be all gone the next day. So say what you’re thinking about now, share it while you can.

Normally, doing this could be considered rude or intriguing or cheesy, but I guess I don’t care about those anymore. Life is too fleeting these days. It must be the fast-paced cultures I’ve observed lately; it must be the people I hang out with these days. It must be that I’m “growing up” and feel that I’ll miserably face regret again if I keep things to myself or in secret like before.

Well, I feel lucky of this Christmas revelation, so I’m sharing it through this blog as my gift to everyone who stumbles on this entry. So go take your chances, and speak out!

Merry Christmas! :]

Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Farfalle

Sometimes, you just want to give yourself away, no? The day before Christmas, I decided splurge on materials in making gifts and in ingredients in cooking a Christmas dish as a promise / peace offering to my family..

I love making stuff out of raw things– be it art, crafts, or food (err, these three doesn’t sound so delicious together..).

Especially so, too, if you’re making it to give to others!

All I want for Christmas is wiiii

To spare my titas the agonizing day of shopping for the Kids for Christmas, my cousins and I created and shared this wishlist:

Everyone wanted a Wii, because Ate Aei said so, bwa ha ha.

We’re going to share it, and the console’s going to sleepover at everyone’s houses! Wii!

We used to bring PS’s and PS2’s over whenever the family had lunch; I wonder why they stopped bringing it now. (I know my brother sold OUR PS2 to buy parts for his super computer, boo). At least when we get a Wii, everyone’s back to gaming again–among us cousins aged nine to twenty-two :D

Rainbow betrayal

When I refuse to wear a costume to halloween eve anymore, bribe me with the traitor of children and ally of tooth fairies instead.

Celebrating my dad’s birthday with more colors than the usual Halloween palette.