In just a little less than three(!) hours, clocks in my side of the world will strike 12 and we will officially say goodbye to a decade and herald the start of a new beginning.

What is it about new years that make people giddy all over? I mean, I know we have Christmas and birthday blues, but have you ever heard of anything like new year blues? If you're scared to grow one year older maybe, but if you embrace life, then there's nothing like seeing the sky being  lit with beautiful fireworks and hugging your loved ones as you welcome the new  year. Maybe it's the food, the fireworks, the firecrackers. For me, it's the feeling of beginning with a brand new slate, the promise of something NEW, and the feeling of being open to new POSSIBILITIES. People just feel overwhelmingly festive and cheerful and it's a lovely experience!  Ü

Yesterday, I experienced one of the best ways to cap an awesome year. I met with my friends from college (some of whom I haven't seen since we graduated almost three years ago!) for an out-of-town trip to Tagaytay. It is a popular summer tourist destination because of the cold climate due to  its high altitude. So why did we go there in December when it's already very cold even here in the city? That's just how we roll. And it's partly because we wanted to eat bulalo. Ü

We planned to meet up in Glorietta at  2pm and from there we will ride our rented van to our destination. Expected time of arrival is 3pm. Guess what time we left Glorietta? 5pm. Talk about including not being late in your New Year's Resolutions, people! But no one's complaining though, I guess we were already used to plans being changed at the last minute. :D

Anyway, we were not able to reach Picnic Grove in time to see the sunset. Such a shame since I was really looking forward to having my photos taken during daylight :D

I braved the cold in a white eyelet tube dress

I brought a jacket though so no worries :D

The gang

Karlo, Dewi, me, Khel, Lucky, Mines, Ed, and Glen

Ü

Glen and me

Dewi and me

Ed and me

Karlo, Dewi, Glen, Ed and Mines were my classmates. Khel was actually from the lower batch while Lucky is a friend of Ed's. It was a cool coincidence that all of us are Mass Communication graduates. Ü

We ate at Leslie's. I was too full I cannot even begin to describe it :D The food was yummy and very, very satisfying indeed! We ordered Yang Chow, Crispy Pata, Sinigang na Sugpo, Kare-kare, Chop Suey, Dalandan Shakes and Hot Calamansi Juice, and of course, Bulalo. (Too bad we weren't able to take photos of the food. We forgot because we were too hungry x_x)

waiting for our food

with our tummies already satisfied

After eating we took more photos. We passed by a 7-11 to buy Tanduay Ice for them which they drank (as you know, I do not drink) when we parked at a roadside to listen to music and make like we were in a bar, dancing. Fun! :D

them with their drinks :D

It was a night spent singing to songs and changing the lyrics, remembering "celebrities" of our childhood, laughing too much our insides hurt, badgering the driver to park in the nearest fastfood as some of us had to pee, and reminiscing our sweet ol' college days.

I reached the apartment at 1:17am. We could have gone on a farther road trip had I not needed to go to work today. Sucks to be me at these instances, I know, but good thing they understood my predicament and my need to have at least 4 hours of sleep in order to function :D I slept in the van almost half of our way home :D

A photo which encapsulates the night for me:

:D

Memories of this night will stay with me forever. It was a perfect year-ender, indeed!

PS: Thank you Karlo and Ed for your Christmas gifts, you're so sweet!

3 pairs of H&M earrings from Ed's recent Hong Kong trip and a thick(!) journal from Karlo

And so now, I am bidding 2009 the sweetest farewell, and welcoming 2010 with pink, shimmering kisses!!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Let's all rock 2010!

*photos from the Tagaytay trip are all from Karlo. Ü

2009: The Year That Was

I've said this before, and I will say it again: 2009 is one of the BEST years for me, ever! This year has been really awesome for me, and through this survey (I also answered this on 2006 and 2007) I would like to tell you why. Ü

What did you do in 2009 that you've never done before?

This year, on February 21, I attended a cosplay event with the theme Victorian Valentine.

this is what I wore

Michelle, me, Ryan and Recks

It was my first time to attend one and I had lots of fun putting my costume together. It was also amazing to see the costumes of other cosplayers who are really passionate with this craft.

And can you believe it, this is also my first time to go to a beach with friends! My first memory of going to a beach was when I was eight years old, and I hated it! After that it was all pools for me. It all changed though, when I had a Super Summer Escape  with my college friends on April 18 - 20 :D

like a kid frolicking in the sand :D

look at those waves!

sun + sand + sea + friendsss = Super Summer Escape

Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I listed my resolutions for 2009 here. I made good on the pampering and rediscovering my passion for writing parts, and thanks to Facebook I was able to get in touch with my old friends. My newly-discovered passion is the passion for watching TV shows (does it count? I think it does, seeing that I was not a fan of the TV before) and I was able to visit some places I have never been to before. I just don't think I was able to manage my finances wisely though XD

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes. Dianne - one of my best girl friends since high school - gave birth to Kaylee Brent. Ü

my godchild who is as cute as a button

Did anyone close to you die?
No. But I was really affected by the deaths of Francis Magalona, former President Corazon Aquino and Michael Jackson. I don't know about you, but for me, a famous person dying really brings a different perspective to life and death. The Man in Manila -  Francis M. - looked on his way to recovery from leukemia and was even set to perform at the Eraserheads' reunion concert two days after he suddenly surrendered to his sickness. The Man in the Mirror - MJ - on the other hand, was due to perform to a sold out concert. I watched This Is It! and was awed by how he can still perform at that age. He didn't look frail nor weak at those rehearsals, and then suddenly, boom, he was gone.  I had the privilege of meeting Tita Cory personally when I represented my university for the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Leadership Learning Center when I was in college and she is one of the most warm and charming  persons I have ever met. She has been battling with cancer for a couple of years befoe she died but it still came as a shock when she succumbed to her illness. I stayed in line for two hours with my friend and officemate Justin just so I can offer my respects  to her on her public viewing.  And I am a witness to the number of people who love and respect her, judging by the number of people who came.

It was shocking and disorienting, like having a rug pulled out from under you. Now, I know this sounds morbid and all, but if I suddenly die, I have a backup plan. I gave someone special to me instructions when I die to post here in my blog when and how I died. Just so you won't think I suddenly abandoned you.

What countries did you visit?
None this year. In my 19 23 years of living, I've only been to one other country and that is Singapore five years ago. It was an amazing experience and it started to open my eyes to the beauty and joys of traveling. You see, I was not a big fan of traveling before. My Singapore experience in 2004 changed me though, and now I would like to see more stamps in my passport! :)

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A credit card :D

What date from 2009 will remain in your memory, and why?
February 6. It was the day Dane and I reconciled. :)

we became friends again this day :)

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Celebrating my first year of independence! And my pet dragonfins Yin and Yang not dying on me, after five other species of fishes stayed with me for only a maximum of a week. :) And  finishing my 30-Day Blog Challenge, of course! :)

What was your biggest failure?
I am happy with my job, yes, especially as I am with the best officemates a girl who's on her first job can wish for, but somehow I still feel like a failure for still not having enough courage to really go after my dreams.


Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing serious, just the occasional heartburn, hyper acidity, and  terrible bouts with menstrual cramps. I had a skin infection that lasted almost a year though, and it caused three ugly scars in my legs =[ Thank God the scars are fading now and the infection is gone, taking at least a fourth of my half-a-month's salary.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
CNN Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida's! People like him make me proud to be a Filipino. :) On a more personal level. it would have to be Dane. He certainly earned my forgiveness, friendship, trust and affections again. :)

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The perpetrators of the Maguindanao massacre. It sickens me until now how other people can have no conscience and commit this inhumane act.

What songs will remind you of 2009?

Fireflies by Owl City  (such a happy, happy song)

You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift (uhh, Kanye West incident, hello?)

Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon (I blame Good Times with Mo! This song was played every single day for at least two months! :D)

No Boundaries - Kris Allen (another great season for American Idol. Shame about Paula Abdul leaving, though.)
Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
Bad Romance - Lady Gaga

Ang Huling El Bimbo - Eraserheads (This song might have been released when I was 12 years old, but seeing the Eraserheads perform this live on their last and never-to-be-repeated reunion concert? Definitely Song of the Year-material.)

What do you wish you'd done more?
Meet-ups with friends. I miss them! I am happy though because this year I was able to get together with the following people after months/ years of not seeing them:

January 10

my batchmates from High School!

my best friend Jerome

February 5

Ate Cess, one of the best people I met through Seventeen Sigaw

February 14

Ed, my sunshine and serenade-in-a-box

May 2

Recks, my best friend from college

November 2

Niel, Prex, Third, Mane, Jella, Mela, Ric (not in photo is Dianne)

they are my best friends from Elementary and High School

November 15

my Sinister Sister Jinna

Joner, my flamboyantly gay friend from college, also made his presence felt by forcing himself unto Dane and me when we watched Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince. He also attended our Family Day at the office. :D

Life is short! So to all of my friends I don't see anymore, we should meet up again soon! :D

What do you wish you'd done less of?
I wish I did not spend too many lazy afternoons just lounging around the apartment or sitting in my lazy ass  just surfing the web and abusing my unlimited Internet.

What was your favorite tv program?
Oooh I had lots! This year is the year I watched the full six seasons of Sex and the City and also the year I discovered awesome shows How I Met Your Mother and Glee! Of course, oldies but goodies Survivor (Tocantins and Samoa were shown this year), American Idol and Ugly Betty also belong in the list of my favorite shows. :)

What was the best book you read?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I also liked Para Kay B. by Ricky Lee, 12 by Manix Abrera, and the Every Girl's Guide series by Marla Miniano.

What did you want and get?
A netbook! I got one in white, and I named her Lady Fabrize. If you are a new reader,  let me introduce her to you. Click here. :)

What things did you like?

Gladiator sandals. Curls. Facebook apps, most especially Pet Society. Nail art. Lucky Me Mac & Cheez. DVDs. Mineral makeup.

What was your favorite film of the year?
500 Days of Summer. I am seriously in love with this movie. My review (and a little bit more) can be found here. My next favorite is Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince.


What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I celebrated my 19th 23rd birthday this year! I had a Pink Positive Party (I looove alliterations) in our old apartment attended by awesome people.

This is what I wore for my birthday soiree :)

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I think I will keep my answer to this question a secret. :)

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Clothes are an extension of myself. What I am wearing reflect my personality and mood on a specific day. I also like putting my personal stamp on my outfit for the day. There are days I feel lazy so I just wear a simple jeans-top-flats getup but most days I really make the effort to dress up. I am a girly girl and I love wearing skirts and dresses. :)

What kept you sane?
Blogging! And my friends, who are always there for me no matter how insane I get. :)

What political issue stirred you the most?
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announcing she will run in Pampanga. Political analysts stipulated that through this way she can finally rally for the change in Constitution and take the position of  a Prime Minister. How greedy for power and money can you get? Enough with the megalomania already!!


Who did you miss?
My ex-boyfriend Athan. We used to be really good friends.

Who was the best person you met?
I met lots of awesome people in the blogosphere this year, and I am grateful I did! I met Ms Mariel, Marj, Jessica, Nikolett, Kym, Manju, Shirley, Rick, Tiara, Nashe^, Abby, Annie Marie, Leah, and a lot of other bloggers who made my blogging life more colorful. I want to take this opportunity to present to you this:

Thank You For Blogging award

I know most of you have already received this award as well but I still want to present my token of appreciation. This was given to me by the sweetest Andhari (who I met last year). I would also want to give her the award as well. And to Meream. Thank you all, for sharing your stories with me. ♥♥

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
This is an excerpt from the blog post I wrote when Dane and I reconciled:

It was a big risk I took. I soared. I crashed. I got burned. It was indeed a horrible thing he did to me. I thought I would never be able to forgive him. Months passed, animosity grew. But during the last few days I realized reconciliation was inevitable and felt it was coming. I realized that what we had was beautiful and our friendship is important. Whatever he (or I) did (or did not do), it was now a part of the past and there's nothing we can do to change that. The only thing left to do is to look forward. Time has healed the wounds. I might have scars, but they are beautiful scars because they tell beautiful stories.

Let me share a quote by Marla Miniano's Every Girl's Guide to Boys:

"People hurt you, and lie to you, and take you for granted, and treat you badly, but eventually you learn to forgive. You learn to forgive because you have your own shortcomings and imperfections. You learn to forgive because life is too short to be bitter and angry. You learn to forgive because it is the only way you can move forward."

And so now I am moving forward.

It was a beautiful disaster. And I am glad I went through that. The fairy tale might have ended, but friendship does not have to.

The most touching experience you've had this year?
Seeing the Filipinos help one another during the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy. :)

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
This is not a song lyric, but a quote.

I have always loved this quote ever since I received it via text from my good friend Ed.  You may notice that the text has stayed in my sidebar for more than a year now. Last month, notebookdoodles gave the followers of her blog a chance to have their very own quote transformed into a doodle. I have always been fascinated by her talent  so I jumped at the chance, and here is my quote transformed into a notebook doodle. :) You may see the rest of the 99 other doodles here. 

Was 2009 a good year for you?
YES! It is one of the best years for me. :)


What was your favorite moment of the year?
Oh gosh, this is tough as I have lots!

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
During the Typhoon Ondoy. We were stuck in the office and were required to take calls until 8:30 in the evening (our shift starts at 6am and ends at 3pm) because the people for the night shift were not able to go to work. But that's nothing as compared to what other people went through. Lives, houses and properties were lost. It was a terrible disaster for us Filipinos and it is something I wish will never happen again. But if anything, this catastrophe only proved that we are a resilient and nothing can bring us down.

Where were you when 2009 began? Who were you with?
My whole family and I were in my grandparents' house as per our tradition. I had work the next day so what I did was I slept the whole afternoon and then woke up at 10pm - just in time for Media Noche and fireworks. :) And then, after work on January 1, my friends/ officemates and I went to Ruther's house in the island of Babatnin, Bulacan for a spontaneous road trip. :)

Where will you be when 2009 ends? Who will you be with?
The same as how 2008 ended. With my family. :) See my answer above this question. :)


Do you have a new year's resolution for 2010?
This deserves another blog entry. :)

What was your favorite month of 2009?

Can I have three? April, May and November. :)

Did you lose anyone close to you in 2009?

No.

How many concerts did you see in 2009?

Two and a half. I saw  

February 14

 a mall tour by Boyce Avenue with Dane, Ed, Mich and Jonas

 March 9

Eraserheads Live! The Final Set with Ana and my brother Ken

 

May 16

David Cook and David Archuleta Live in Manila with Dane

Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2009?

One of the reasons why 2009 is a milestone year for me is because it is the first time I got drunk. Yep, I'm goody two-shoes in that I don't drink and I don't smoke. But I wanted to know how it feels to get drunk so on February 24 I invited my friends/ teammates to share this experience with me.

After 7 shots of Red Horse Beer...

this is the first and only time I've ever been drunk

You may lose all respect for me after seeing that photo. Can't say I blame you :D


Did anything you are ashamed of this year?
I can't remember anything I did I should be ashamed of. I have been a good girl all year. :)

How much money did you spend in 2009?
I don't even want to know XD


If you could go back in time to change one moment in 2009 what would it be?
I don't think I would want to change anything. I have a No Regrets policy 'round here. :)


What are your plans for 2010?
This deserves another blog entry. But in a gist, I want to be more healthy, more financially-savvy, and finally pursue my dreams of being a writer. :)

What are your wishes for the new year?

Good health, good life, spontaneity, laughter and MORE memories and experiences. :)

Feel free to answer the survey as well! ♥♥

Post-Christmas catching up

How was your Christmas?

I spent mine stuffing myself with delicious food and spending quality time with my family and officemates. I abandoned the apartment for quite a while to go to my parents' house after work everyday and today is just my second night back. My housemate Asther is enjoying a long holiday weekend at her hometown in Laguna so I am stuck here alone with my fishes Yin and Yang. I don't feel lonely though. I spent my free time lounging around and watching DVDs of How I Met Your Mother. I just love Barney :D

Because I am a loser and my rest days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Christmas fell on a Friday this year, I spent half my Christmas at work.

this is what I wore to work on Christmas day

Looking at the bright side, I work only until 3PM so I still have more than enough time to go home and spend half-a-Christmas with my family. Besides, can you hear ka-ching? Double pay baby :D I wasn't able to attend the annual family reunion though, and that sucks a bit. But I spent the day with my immediate family and closest friends at the office, so all in all it was quite a happy day for me despite the inconvenience of having to go to work.

On other news, my college classmates are brewing some plans to go out of town on Wednesday and I'm psyched-excited! :D

So, how was your Christmas? I sure hope it was lovelier than mine!

PS: I can't believe 2010 is almost here! I hope you are all enjoying your holidays! :)

Season's greetings!

I'm just taking a quick moment from the Holi-daze to say a prayer for all of us

This Christmas, may we celebrate with open, generous and kind hearts

And keep in mind that happiness is in giving

That Christmas is not just for kids who wait for Santa Claus year after year

That Christmas is also for us adults, who may not want to admit it all the time, but still believe in its magic.
Amidst the merry-making and abundance of food, 
may we not get lost in the flurry of festivities.
May we remember the Baby who was born in a manger,
and His purpose in doing so.

I wish you and your family a blessed and bountiful Christmas!

May we not forget the reason why we celebrate it.

♥♥

 

Christmas has trickled in!

I believe in giving one's self a reward after a good deed or after achieving something. My room in my parents' house and my nook in the apartment are "cluttered" with stuff I have rewarded myself through the months and years. It may be a small thing like a new tube of lipgloss, a book or DVD, or something a little bit more expensive like a new dress or a new pair of shoes. The point is, I am all for giving myself gifts. There's just something inherently satisfying when you practice your purchasing power and get something you don't really need need (as it's not really one of the basic necessities of life), don't you agree?

But when other people give me gifts, now that's something that gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. It just goes to show that they took the time to figure out what they think I would like, or basically give me something they know I would appreciate. And I think I may be one of the best recipients for gifts ever because I appreciate everything! It just makes me feel special, knowing that they thought of me. :)

A week ago, Marj (who is one of the kindest and sweetest persons I have ever met in the blogosphere) e-mailed me to ask for my mailing address. She sent me this:

with a sweet note from her and her daughter Nia :)

Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

I appreciated the fact that this is actually her own copy. I felt so honored that she has given me something that belonged to her. I mean, I cannot part with my own books, even those which were not really my favorites, but here she is, giving me her copy of one of her favorite books! She is so sweet! That, and the fact that she was seatmates(!) with my biggest local celebrity crush-ever Chito Miranda back in college makes her sooo amazing! :D

On to the next story. Last Sunday our team had our Christmas party at Mich's house. Everyone was there! Even MO Meydy came. :) It was an awesome day filled with food, festivities, laughter, songs, and good cheer. I love my teammates and I couldn't have asked for better people to share my first job with. :)

Asther, our direct supervisor TL Jimmy, me, and Mich

me in my F21 dress, Asther, Sasha

Frank, me, Watcher

So, we had our Secret Santa right? I picked Frank's name from the lot and I gave him a pair of boxer shorts and a bottle of Body Spray. :) And who picked my name?

It was Dane. :) (Read our story here if you haven't yet.) I was actually sweetly asking badgering him to tell me who he picked (since I already told him who I picked and I even asked for his help to pick out a gift for Frank) but the guy was tough and did not budge! Come to think of it, he told me once he picked my name but I didn't know whether to believe him or not because two other people are telling me the same thing. :D

So, what did he give me?

Ü

A very pretty white bag from Marithe Francois Girbaud :)

This is big enough to house all my essentials, and can even fit Lady Fabrize, my white netbook!

I must admit, I was very pleasantly surprised because I didn't know he picked my name, and besides he told me that he will give me a DVD of Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince. More so, the budget for our Secret Santa was only 300php! I do not know the exact cost of this, but it is nowhere near that price limit :D Now, guess what, all our other teammates are lobbying for another Secret Santa and this time, they want their names to be picked by Dane! What a funny bunch! :D

And last but not the least, today I got my package from Tiara! She was assigned by Mel to give me a present for our Blogger Gifts Exchange Program. :)

 This came all the way from Indonesia!

 Girl, you've got my favorite color down pat! :D

The package contains 2 pretty scarves, with one having a detachable floral clip and two beaded necklaces I can also wind around my wrist. Thank you so much, Tiara! :)

I was assigned to send a present to the girl in stiletto, Arlizan, and she has already received my package as well. :) Such a shame they did not let me include the facial masks and the bottle of nail polish (it was a very lovely blue shade, very much like your banner) because creams and liquids were apparently not allowed. The goodies travelled from the Philippines all the way to Dublin, Ireland. Technology is such a wonderful thing, don't you think so? I am so thankful to the blog gods for letting me meet all these wonderful, awesome people I wouldn't have met otherwise. :)

I have also done my part, making like one of Santa's elves and preparing gifts for my friends and family. And, I have already mailed these out last week

Christmas cheer from Krissy!

My friends here in the Philippines have already received them, great! :D I hope they do not get too caught up in the holiday rush... If they do, I guess that's fine anyway so people who requested for them will have something to look forward to even after Christmas :D

So, that's all for now I guess. Thank you for thinking of me this holiday season. :) I hope you all celebrate a wonderful and meaningful Christmas, and may we not forget the reason why we celebrate it. :)