Your 2009 AWARDS for the following categories goes to:

1) BUDDY OF THE YEAR?
- This goes to Reichelle Celorico. It was a rollercoaster year for me and the ride would have been extra scary without her. She’s the one that I immediately contact whenever I feel really bad. And man, I felt a lot of that during the past year! There were many changes and transitions that happened this 2009. Good or bad, I’m glad that she was a part of it.

2) LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD (longest friend)
- Hannah Vaness Almira. Definitely. I wouldn’t say that she’s the “longest” friend I’ve had but in terms of quality, I need not say more. Even though we don’t get to see each other often or even if we just have a brief exchange of SMS, I can really feel the sincerity and understanding on her part. I can tell her about anything and everything- from the movie I saw or the boy I just can’t get over with. She’s like a sister that destiny failed to give me.

3) NEWCOMER AWARD – COOLEST NEWEST FRIEND?
- Acqui! I have known her for a while but I found it easy to share my secrets and rants to her.

4) HIGHEST POINT OF THE YEAR?
- When I made bold decisions. Like, enrolling in a course that’s unfamiliar to me. Breaking free from the place where I didn’t want to be…and being who I really am- weaknesses and confusions included.

5) LOWEST POINT OF THE YEAR?
- The later part of February.

6) YOUR SONG FOR 2009?
- Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.” I know, I know. But the lyrics are good.

7) BEST MOVIE FOR 2009?
- “Up.” I really like that movie.

WHO DID YOU SPEND VALENTINES WITH AND WHERE?
- At home with my mum. It’s her birthday.

9) WHAT WERE YOU FOR HALLOWEEN?
- I was a scarier version of me. Haha. We didn’t wear costumes but as usual, our house was filled with Jack o’Lanterns, scary witches and masks, skulls and monster candles.

10) RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR?
- Tough one. But there’s this new resto in Bay that serves organic food. They have good dessert too.

11) KISS OF THE YEAR?
- With. THE. Boy. Ayayay.

12) BEST DECISION MADE THIS YEAR?
- To go back to Laguna.

13) WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR?
- To take it one decision at a time.

14) MOST STUPID IDEA WHEN DRUNK?
- I try not to get drunk so as to avoid crazy thoughts.

15) TV SHOW OF THE YEAR?
- This goes to Glee.

16) BEST HOLIDAY?
- Christmas!

17) HEARTBREAKER OF THE YEAR?
- Sometime in February.

18) BIGGEST CHANGE OF THE YEAR?
- Myself. The transitions and decisions. The way I see things. The way I feel about people and things.

19) MOST LOYAL FRIEND(s)?
- Always, always. Hannah, Meg, Karms (although I don’t get to see her often), Rosey (I don’t get to see her often but I can easily be myself even when I’m just texting or IMing her), Pearl, Ate Chelle and Joy Fajardo.

20) NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION?
- Someone said it best, and I quote- “To not wait for people, to make my own decisions based on how it would affect me first. If it’s what I want to do, not what others want for me. To expand, to continue growing as a person, professional and friend—but at the same time, to have a core group which I could turn to, ones that know who I really am, and would fight for me the way I’d do in a heart beat for them.” In addition, to be patient and to love myself more. And to minimize the volume of the supergirl inside.

It was a Christmas unlike any other. More than the illuminations and decors, I was greatly overwhelmed by the kind and loving spirit that people showed during the holidays. Such spirit maybe difficult to find after all the tragedies and disasters that bequeathed the Filipinos.

Last December 22, our company opted to share our blessings instead of the usual grand Christmas party. It was our way of “thanksliving.” For three hours, our company entertained and, hopefully, eased the pain of some 30 patients battling the big “C.”

December 24.

The holiday spirit got into me. BIG TIME. And so I became Santa Michi for a day. Yes, I was Ms. Merry and Bright, giving gifts and spreading the love to relatives and acquaintances. The feeling was extraordinary.

December 25.

Christmas Day went by really fast. There was no shortage of kids and, err, adults who were going from one house to another. In one day, the money and coins that we prepared were all gone. And the two plastic bags filled with cookies and chips were rammed in less than an hour. How groovy is that?

Happy Holidays!

Christmas Time!

My cousins, Trish and Julliana, giving some gifts to kids.

This Christmas was probably the most memorable so far…mainly because of the heart and spirit that went with it. Happy Holidays!

The 19°C temperature often wakes me up as I try to savor my not-so-deep slumber. Ah, night and dawn have become colder indeed! So as to counter the chilly daybreak, I always keep a jacket or a sweater at hand. With all the illuminations, decors, and holiday songs everywhere, I can definitely smell the Christmas air!

This is that time of the year when cinnamon smells extra yummy, coffee seems to be perfectly warm, and hot chocolate tastes deliciously blessed. Christmas is my favorite time of the year!

The holiday countdown has begun months ago. But there’s a different feeling when you hear the TV anchors saying that there are only ten days to go before THE BIG DAY. Ten days before Christmas??? Really?? I should have believed it when someone said that she has a feeling that the holidays will be “fast” this year. I chanced upon my GIFT LIST and found that I haven’t really crossed anyone out yet. So on Saturday, after our trip to Gumaca, Mae and I will hit the malls and do our Christmas shopping…finally!

Okay, maybe I’ll be able to share with you the gift list that I prepared. But for now, I havta dash and read, read, read.

Sings: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…

Just sharing with you my “to-do” list:

I hope I can cross each one out...one at a time.

Allow me to contradict myself by saying that I’m not in my merriest state right now. Tonight, I am a wreck, if you must.

Over the years, L and I have developed this habit of telling each other almost everything. Almost. I know that there were screened parts or even things that he didn’t want to share. But for quite some time, we had been each others’ gatekeepers.

Something happened along the way. Things changed. And, yes, the truth is very difficult to handle lately.

Today, he shared a DETAILED story of his recent “escapade.” Few years back, I often manage to shrug those details off. But today is a different story. As I finished reading his messages, I feel an emotion of sort inside me. The tug in my heart, the punches in my stomach, the nearing vomit, and the compounding weight inside.

The funny thing is, he wanted to hear my take on what happened. I told him that I couldn’t say anything. He told me that he didn’t want it and that it was one of the worst experiences he had. I wanted to ask him, “Then why did it happen?” But I no longer had the energy to do that. The strings of emotions already consumed the rest of me- logic, feelings and spirit.

The details were the worst. It left me dumbfounded. It’s 10:23 pm and I couldn’t feel anything inside me but lingering pain, anger and frustration. How do I end this? With a deep breath and a sigh, I suppose.

Oh, hello December!

As I went home the other night, I was greeted by the opening of our barangay’s “Christmas Arc.” The streets were almost closed and fireworks were all set for a brief display. And as I set foot on our garden, I noticed that mum’s Christmas trinkets were already in place. The cool breeze made its presence known and the chimes did its thing. December, you’re here.

Speakers on. Music. Play. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”

Christmas season can be pretty melancholic but I’m still on the “merry” side of things. I believe that there’s a certain atmosphere during this season that allows people to be nicer or extra-giving and loving. Beyond the Christmas shopping and holiday rush is remembering what the Yule season is all about. It’s the time of counting our blessings and giving thanks. Recently, I wrote an editorial for our company’s newsletter about the concept of “thanksliving.” It is basically “gratitude in action” or paying forward. Though its concept transcends beyond seasons or events, I feel that it is a very nice thing to highlight during Christmas time. It just fits right in after all the events that recently happened in our country.

And so for this month, I will highlight the holiday spirit and all things Christmas-y… Filipino-style, definitely! So, there. Cheers for now and Happy December!

No words can express the horror and torment that the Filipinos feel towards the recent mass killing in Mindanao. I am deeply appalled by the reports and stories that I have been hearing. I am one with the Filipino people in condemning the Maguindanao Massacre. May justice be served to the victims and their families.

 

I condemn the massacre in Maguindanao.

 

 

 

 

I am one helluva busy bee!

This best describes my present state. I need to stop and smell the roses. But hey, I still have to schedule that.

I have been trying to squeeze in little activities here and there but free time, or lack thereof, is still an issue that needs tending (which reminds me, I have to fix that Belle de Jour thing).

Okaaaayyyyyyyyy. I just want to stop by here at WordPress land and key in some texts before I hit the sack. I have to wake up really early tomorrow. Thank God for coffee- savior of the zany.

 

 

 

 

No, I am not a workaholic.

It’s just that ever since the internal battle to get rid of “the boy” began, I try to avoid “packets of free time.” Yes, the agonizing minutes and hours of useless musings about the nameless nemesis. For someone like me who’s trying to avoid a certain individual, free time is the greatest enemy. I have a very active mind, and minutes without much action would result in deep pondering and inquiring.

It just so happened that my way of filling these “packets of free time” is income generating as well. My schedule sounds really crazy and the physical stress is truly intense. However, no amount of physical stress could surpass the emotional torture that constant pondering and questioning bring. For now, I’ll go for the latter (physical stress) and hope that weekend massages, exercise, vitamins and other R&R would do the trick.

With what’s happening recently, I’ll actually be forced to rearrange my schedule…probably my life as well (laughs).

I’m a little worried about spontaneity though. Yes, I now have this habit of keeping an eye on time. But I don’t want to think about it. For now, I’ll just roll with the punches and keep everything on the dot.

This always happens.

Let’s rearrange the word THIS, shall we? What do we have?

Shit always happens.

***

Today, he said, “What would I ever do without you?” And just like a kid, my heart jumped with glee. I shouldn’t feel that way. I know. But it’s like an involuntary feeling already.

I often say that I can’t be JUST happy with him. This happy-then-sad moment always happens. Irony never fails me. Just like that, the “kid filled with glee” was snapped back to reality.

He mentioned someone I dislike. This person reminds me of my position in his life. Forgive me for not liking someone just because she slaps the truth on my face. Harsh, I know.

And as if it wasn’t enough, he said this: If I were you, I wouldn’t ask for anything more. You have everything you need.

While it is true that I’m blessed with good family and friends, I feel that he is not in the position to tell me whether I could still ask for anything more. Don’t get me wrong, I am very grateful for these blessings and I do recognize these “gifts” given to me. It’s just that it didn’t came out right from him.

It really irritated me when he said that because I want him to understand me more. I want him to look beyond the obvious and try to see things from a different angle. I do not like being boxed into his perspectives.

I wish that he’ll try to see things my way. I wish that he’ll open his mind and REALLY understand what I mean.