Baguio

We just got back from Baguio yesterday. Suddenly, Manila felt so hot. We haven't been to Baguio for about 5 years now and seeing the place again was so nostalgic. We stayed at Camp John Hay Manor and looked at what all the fuss was about the new place that sent CAP to crumbles. The interior was just as fantastic as the exterior. It was a log cabin, complete with imported cedar wood and very nice finishings.

We got to stay at a 2 bedroom suite and we just couldn't stop taking pictures. It was the perfect getaway from school and work and the urban life. We had this breathtaking view of the mountain range from a very nice veranda. We had 3 bathrooms and the bathroom at the master's bedroom had a bathtub!

Being an urban girl that lived in a place wherein water was not easy to get, getting a bubble bath was the ultimate pleasure. The water was warm, the bubbles were nice and no one was bothering you because there were 2 other bathrooms to use.

We spent our vacation going back to the spots we usually had our pictures taken when we were little... Mines View Park, The Mansion, PMA (I remembered aR... I know her heart went out to PMA but I'm really glad she chose ADMU...^_^), zigzag road at Kenon, the Grotto- you should see the video, mom and dad kept taking breaks!... we didn't go to Burnham Park, parking was impossible.

We all decided to take trips there at least every year. Just for the weather and the getaway idea. I wouldn't mind doing it every chance we get!

Crazy Nights

I just found out today that my sister passed La Salle; the main one! Ha! No offense to those in Benilde...

I really happy for her that she was able to get into one of the three schools we wanted her to get in. Ateneo hasn't released the ACET results yet. UP's kinda radical for her.

Even though she passed the college entrance exams in DLSU, I wanted her to study in Ateneo.

But in the end, I'm still praying that she gets to be happy and fulfilled wherever she studies.

Random things in December

Wow! I've had 100 posts already!

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I've completed 9 days of Simbang Gabi. With my family, with my friends, with the maid. I told God two wishes so He has a choice. ^__^

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Dad gave me Season 1 of Desperate Housewives and I'm desperate to finish it before school starts. Wanna watch Season 2 and get hooked on Lost and Numb3rs.

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Had a Parking Violation in school. I had to serve 8 hours of community service instead of giving up a piece of Ninoy. One lady in the office was such a beeyatch! She would tell me to send greeting cards (!) all over Loyola Schools... send gifts to other buildings (which, I might add, is NOT near). She makes me walk everywhere! While other offenders get to sit at a desk and sort stuff, type in the PC and other simple desk work. I was glad that in the final hours of my community service, Sir Jong, a really friendly staff told me to just input stuff on the computer.

It was fun really, because I got to tinker with the database of Ateneo. Stalker mode was in full mode that time.

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I've had the most wonderful time on a particular Tuesday night. It was a simple picnic with my college barkada. We took pictures, we discussed summer plans, we gave gifts, we took pictures, we ranted and raved about life in general. God, those angels are heaven sent.

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I felt bad for not going to UP for the Oblation Run. Turns out that I didn't have classes that day and had no reason to go to Quezon City. I spent the afternoon with a certain someone and watched a movie. I guess it was worth it! My friends posted pictures. Sarah, Maria and Carina*** gave a well-documented report of the event (*names have been changed to protect the identities of the individuals).

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On my sister's birthday, we ate lunch at Tony Roma's, had dessert at Max Brenner and looked for my birthday gift at GB3. That night, I went caroling with my fellow lectors and commentators and was able to go home at 11PM. My family waited for me so that we can celebrate my sister's birthday (candle-blowing). I love them so much!!!

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My two best friends, Kim and Jem sent their pictures, their love and regards to me from California. Today, I called them up (thank you, Globe rebates!) and greeted them a wonderful Christmas. I miss the times we spent together. We're all busy with our different agenda but the love and care for each other never fades. I miss them so much.

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My godson, CJ spent Christmas here. He's grown so much! But he's still shy around people. Time flies by so fast. I remember I used to carry him around and play with him...and now, he's going to pre-school.

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My sister and I cleaned our room today. We took out the stuff that we haven't used for 3 years or more and we plan to either, give it away, sell it to the junk shop or throw it. Now, our room looks much brighter and cleaner.

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A Blessed Merry Christmas to ALL!

Death by Chocolate!

I was finally able to eat at Max Brenner!

And I have proof! Hehe!

Today is Leanne's 17th birthday and we went to Makati to eat. We ate at Tony Roma's, our staple food whenever dad's around. Our dog was so happy that we brought him bones from our baby back ribs.

Dad asked where's a really good dessert place and the Chocolate Bar popped into my head immediately.

Then, I finally had the guts to go to GB3...where the designer labels are...just to LOOK and nothing else. I saw this cute bag at Salvatore Ferregamo...*sigh* and I don't wanna type the cost...*shudders as she remembers*

We also went to Prada, DKNY and Louis Vuitton... I'm burning with the urge to own one... hahaha!

I suddenly remember this song: "To dream, the impossible dream..."

As we went inside Max Brenner, we were impressed by the atmosphere and the ambiance. It's really a chocolate heaven. And you can't tell the bald waiters apart except by their name plates. I was so rattled with what I was going to order but I decided to try the Mexican Spicy Chocolate and the Chocolate Truffle Cake.

It was a bad decision to have a chocolate drink AND a chocolate truffle at the same time. I was overloaded with the chocolate! Being a chocolate lover, I never knew that I'd get sick of chocolate that fast! I had this headache after eating there. But I didn't regret the fact that I tried one of their best sellers.

Then dad told us that we need to leave before 5PM so we split up and did our thing. Anne and I went to Powerbooks and drooled at bestsellers. We then picked up her cake before meeting with mom, dad and Pat.

Last Days of School

Our LS long exam was psycho.

All 100 items are identification type. Of course, being the crammer that I am, wasn't able to finish reading all 4 chapters of the book.

And it's a big chunk of the grade.

I'm not a big fan of memorization. I suck at it. Big time. I still have that 5GB capacity in my brain. Never upgraded.

Most of the things that I studied went down the drain.

Then it was our Philo long exam.

One word: Chutzpah

Although I love doing Philosophy in Filipino, I suck at the writing aspect. Can't seem to grasp words, unlike English. Still can't believe I used to be the Filipino editor for our school organ when I was in grade school...

Darn, the school's computer terminals are closing...

Illegal...

Today, I got a parking ticket for illegally parking on the driveway. I first saw it when Iking accompanied me to my car to get my laptop. He was joking that I have a ticket because my parking looked "too much" along the driveway.

As I was arranging my stuff inside the car, he was quiet and told me that I have a ticket. I was mortified but kept my cool. I left the ticket on the windshield, thinking that another guard would put another ticket.

Darn it! Now I have to make a letter of apology and serve 8 hours in ADSA...

I don't know how to make of it... a memorable experience?

Damn, this sucks!

Keeping Tabs

It's exactly a month before my birthday...my 21st birthday. Well, it's not like I'm trying to delay the fact that I'm past my teenage years, nor I'm excited to celebrate my 20s right away.

Right now, I'm thinking of ways to look younger than 21!!!

I wanna make people gush and say, "Huwaaaattt??? You're 21 na?!? Akala ko 18 ka lang!"

Well, you can know right away if they're sincere or they're trying to kiss your a$$.

I read Rach's blog and how she was fuming that the guard at a certain place asked for her ID when clearly we have a younger companion with us and he didn't asked for HER ID. I told her, "dude, I'd feel flattered if the guard asked for MY ID!"

Hehe, I'm not conscious of my age, no! It's the attribute of feeling younger than you age and looking younger than your age that counts!

And the Secret??? Smiling, exercising and loving life, every single day!

Aftermaths

I realized that despite my *status* as a college student, I haven't really had the time to go to parties. The only ones I can remember were with my teammates in my early college sems and now, with my blockmates and barkadas.

Music, food and company. Those are the three things I look for in a good party. I don't mind the place, as long as they satisfy those mentioned. The only thing I hate, which is really unavoidable, is the smoke.

You see, parties aren't parties without the usual smokers... be it the casual or chain smokers. You can't miss them. And wherever you go, it seems to cling to you.

Last Wednesday was a blast. It was nice way to escape the pressures of a senior college student. I went with my friends, of course! And thanks to Rina and aR for letting me take a shower in their dorm. ^_^ Thanks to Abi, Gracie, Kris, Rina and aR again for letting me butt in on their CTK meeting. Kung meron man dun na confidential, nakalimutan ko na lahat yun!

I convoyed with Abi, with Gracie as my patient passenger and went to Pier 1 in Ortigas. Being part of the Promo committee, we helped put up tarps and other materials. After making sure that everything is in place, we went back to the car and dressed up. I donned my "girly" pink sleeveless psychedelic, 2 decades ahead (our party's theme was 50s) blouse, my low-rise, bootleg, button fly Levi's and my 50% off VNC gold wedges, put on some makeup (wow, dalaga na ako! may make up pang nalalaman!) and strutted my stuff (with some pain... I wasn't really used to high heeled shoes).

As expected, the party started late, but it was fun. Iking's band performed first. Then I saw Dino. I never expected him to be there, being busy with UP Law and all. We chatted for a bit outside and he bought me a drink. He started smoking but I didn't mind. I wanted to tolerate smokers, after all. I stayed with him because his batchmates haven't appeared yet. We caught up on stuff until it was my turn to take pictures of the other events.

Luis and Biboy were late, they went to the wrong Pier1... haay naku! At least they were able to get to Ortigas and watched a bit of bands, fashion show and Jake's stand-up comedy. I guess they were really impressed with the beat box duo, Element No. 5. They couldn't stop talking about it even after the party.

I got a surprise that evening too. Hyung sent me an SMS that he was accepted in a US airbase in Korea, where he can do his military service. He told me that there were more benefits/privileges being enlisted in a US airbase in Korea. I called him up and said congratulations! He would leave for Korea on April 10.

After the party, I introduced them to my friends, but I don't think they remembered their names. It was dark and noisy. My teammates, Rach, Chloe, Kim, and Art arrived a minute too late. I introduced them to Luis and Biboy and we decided to go somewhere else.

Well, we ended up in Pier1 at the Fort and ate a bit of food and drank some. Since I was going to drive home, I decided to just have a cocktail. I've decided that my flavor of the season is a cosmopolitan. It's not alcohol-intensive, but really good! We were seated in an airconditioned place but there were people smoking there, including Art. The smoke just went around and clung to us.

Before we knew it, it was already 3am! We went out and chatted some. I think those two guys were disturbed because we were talking about kicking, punching, sparrings and other painful stuff that seemed normal to us taekwondo athletes. The bruises that we have are normal and sometimes, we even consider them battle scars.

I told them I have to go home. I was feeling a bit woozy from the smoke (no, I was not tipsy from the alcohol) and my eyes were a bit watery. Thank God there were no incidents along the way and I got home in about 10 minutes.

I woke up the next day feeling really bad. My throat hurt and my eyes were crying by itself. My body was very heavy and I couldn't breathe normally. I decided to just sleep it away. I woke up by mid-afternoon and the bad feeling would not go away. By then, my throat had become really sore and my voice was raspy. The fact that Leanne was also sick did not relieve me.

Mom told me it was the cigarette smoke. I was allergic to them. Even if I took preventive medicine, my exposure to it should be as minimal as possible. I ended up being sick until Friday. I felt cold that day and my throat just hurts like hell. By afternoon, I felt really heavy and bad that I had to go home. My mom found out I was running a fever and gave me medicine.

Hmm..come to think of it, I've never had a fever since I was in high school.

I had been thinking that if ALL my aftermaths would be like this, then the party should be as worth as the one last Wednesday!!!

Meet Megan

It's a name I got for my newly reformatted laptop. I didn't put a name on it when I got it in my 1st year. A few weeks back, I learned that my laptop/ Megan has 31,000 infected files! A friend of mine told me it's no use even if I hunted all my infected files and deleted them. I did the next best thing: reformat.

It was actually my first time to format my laptop. I'm usually anxious doing those tasks. But now, I needed my laptop, fast, I knew I had to do it on my own.

It was fast actually. Acer had its own recovery and system CD and there were steps to follow so it's really for the common man.

I haven't installed anything yet: MSOffice, Drivers for my mouse and wireless card. I've scanned my old files before putting them back in my hard drive.

I swear, I won't put any P2P program in my laptop anymore. It was Kazaa's fault I got those trojans.

And this'll be an eye opener for me to take care of Megan.

Adeste Fideles

December has come.

It's bringing hope to us Filipinos. That despite the tumoil, the corruption, the pain and the suffering, we refuse to be darkened by our nightmares. Instead, we look beyond the dark. We want to believe that there is a light beyond the nothingness that envelopes us and our country.

That in the end, everything will be alright. It will still be a happy ending. Right?

I feel sad whenever I read the newspapers and watch TV. The leaders we have chosen did not deserve to be there. Not one of the candidates were worth voting for. And we always fall for it. When will we ever learn?

I've been reading Malcolm Gladwell's book and it has been an eye opener for me. The theory of 80/20 is true. 20% of our population are responsible for 80% of what's happening to our country. And everyone is affected. Not everything that they do is for our sake. It's always for their sake. Theirs and theirs alone.

I watched foreign news and I saw a Californian politician resign because of corruption. Here, the ones who have been guilty of corruption deny it with a poker face, infront of hundreds of cameras. And they are proud of it. Here, the ones that resign are the ones who are honest (if ever there is such a word in politics).

But this Yuletide season, the Filipinos would like to turn away from such despair and helplessness and turn to their true savior. We're not asking for much. We want peace and order and happiness. Is it too much to ask?