Major Mission in 2010

The year 2009 has been amazing for me. I graduated on time, had the funnest college life I could ever live, saw lots of good movies, had so much laughter, we were spared from the great flood, friends who were affected by the flood are alive and okay. It was a year filled with blessings.

I will make this 2010 count. It's gonna be more amazing, more fabulous and more meaningful than 2009. Dapat naman ganun eh. Each year must exceed the year before. We must strive to improve ourselves - in general, or at least one aspect of it.

Now I dunno which aspect I should work on. Love life is always on my list but then again waiting and hoping is the best I can do. Social life, yes? Keep in touch with the friends I have. Try to meet new people at random places. But not the pick-up girl sort of meeting ok? The 'common friend' works best for me. It's kinda hard to be comfortable with other people who are total strangers. A common friend kinda dissolves those worries to a certain extent.

Giving back is also on my list. I started 'giving back' last December when I gathered my friends for a little outreach project (as blogged earlier). I thanked those who came and Weng sent a very heartwarming reply. She said it was also her way of giving back for the many blessings she received this 2009- graduating, getting a job she really enjoys, and having the opportunity to work on her dreams.

More than just doing outreach stuff, what I really wanna do, as in MAJOR, is to get a scholar. If there's one thing I appreciate about my horrible application in a certain company, it was meeting this doctor who declined to take part in WWF (World Wildlife Fund). Okay side story...

I was an applicant and we were sent to do field works with their employees. To my horror, we walked around the Makati persuading (pressuring) people to enroll in the WWF program where they charge a certain amount from your credit card each month which serves as your donation to help save the world. Now we entered this beautful modern clinic somewhere in Makati (can't recall actually) and the two employees I was with approached the doctor. The conversation went something like this.

Employee1: Hi Sir! We're from the WWF (not true!) and we're here to do a survey (echos lang!) regarding the Earth hour.

Doctor: Oh, I know this. So basically you're asking me for money?

Employee2: Uuuhm, yes, something like that.

Doctor: I'm sorry but I'm involved in a foundation that sends kids to school. I think the bigger problem we have in this country is that a lot are stupid. I'd rather spend my money in educating people.

And in my mind I wanted to say YOU GO GIRL! (he was kinda gay btw hahaha) But yeah, I wanted to hug him, applaud him and do a fabulous walk out. Of course I didn't. But I did walk out the clinic with an evil grin. HAHAHA

So back to my main story. I talked to mom about enrolling in World Vision but we realized we can just build our own foundation of some sort, and handpick our scholars. (You can't choose a scholar in World Vision. They assign you to a kid.) You may ask why I want to pick my scholar. If I had a choice, I want a scholar from a minority group- an aeta, or whatever minority group.

Because they need to cope up with the times. I know they wanna keep their roots and traditions. That's totally fine. But it wouldn't hurt if they knew how to read or do simple math. It would greatly help them when they trade with lowlanders. With education, they can put into writing whatever traditions they have. Not only will it be preserved but they can also share it with outsiders so others can appreciate their culture more. Basic literacy will also allow them to vote wisely and become a significant influence in their local area. Hindi na sila babalewalain at pagsasamantalahan. In return, they can also give back to their community by teaching their fellow tribesmen what they learned in school.

Then again, I'm not closing my doors to non-indigenous people. As long as the kid has a dream and is really really needy, I'd gladly help.

I'm not earning much right now. SERYOSO. I'm so sure most of my friends (if not all) are earning more than me but I am blessed. And if I can spend a few thousands for bags and shoes, I can definitely shell out a few more for a kid's future.

I hope you do the same too. Not exactly sending a kid to school. Generally, just giving back. It's also for good karma you know.

Cheers to the amazing year that's coming to an end and to the even more amazing year that's about to start!

Will post my other 2010 stuff soon. :)

*photo from lenses.wordpress.com

Another Want

Meet Prada. PHP 33,587.40

And Gucci. PHP 33,345.77

Both at saksfifthavenue.com

KALOKA!

It's fine though. I believe in delayed gratification. At least I try to. hahaha

I still have a lot to work on before I can give myself these bags. All I can afford right now are Longchamp totes. :))

With or without these, (I'm pretty sure it's without haha!), it's still a happy happy Christmas!

Let's see in 2010 k?

My first Christmas Project!

First of all, for the nth time, I'd like to thank everyone who took part in this project. Including those who showed interest even if they weren't able to make it. Your interest really inspired me to push through with the project.

Second, to those who made it- Issa, Andy, Punky and Wenggay. You guys are superb!

Third, to those who donated stuff. Sir Nestle for the five boxes of shampoo, to Claude for the many baby stuff, to Aleli for the diapers, to Punky for the cleaning stuff, to Weng for the Nestle products and to Andy for the cotton goods.

Anyway back to the day of the visit. Imagine my horror when our only carpool backed out that morning. I was panicking but I told my friend it was fine. I really couldn't blame her coz it was for academic reasons. I prayed, prayed so hard that today will be smooth despite the lack of transpo. That we'd find a cab who can take us there.

While getting dressed, another friend said she can't make it but will meet me to drop off her donations. I got sad coz I was hoping we could catch up during the visit but I said it was fine. I was also frantically texting Issa to tell her about the lack of car, and then asked if she could get me lunch at McDo. She then told me she'll try to ask a cab to take us to the orphanage. I told her to offer a maximum of 500 pesos 'kontrata' trip. I was that desperate to get a transpo for us.

Minutes later, Issa messaged me saying she got a cab who agreed to take us there for 250 pesos ONLY! And she didn't have a hard time talking to the driver.

For me it was a miracle. Call me exage but I think my prayers were answered right at that moment.

The four of us- Issa, Weng, Andy and I made our way to the orphanage. The taxi driver was very nice. And he knew where we were going. Amazing.

We arrived at the orphanage on time. The nuns and helpers greeted us happily. And then we started playing with the kids. The kids were very sweet. They kept hugging us. It was very heartwarming.

I chatted with one of the nuns and asked about the kids. They're temporarily staying at the orphanage until they recover from their illness. These kids are from the poorest families in the slums of Manila. Some were abandoned. Some had drug addict parents. The nuns really feels sorry for the kids. Sister said they tried to provide livelihood for the parents of the kids but nothing succeeded. She said the parents were contented in their way of life- begging other people for alms to feed their family. It's really sad to hear because these kids could have a good future if their parents sacrifice a little more.

Anyway, I just really pray that there will be hope for the children.

Here are the photos.

Issa carrying Kim. Leleng hugs her.

Punky and Nina.

us!

I hope you can join us in our next project. yay!

New Wishlist

Yes, I have a new material wishlist hahaha

1. Book: The Tropical House - Cutting edge design in the Philippines

I'm hoping Joop gets me this book but he's hesitant coz it's worth Php1995. haha

2. Book: 100 cities of the World (by Falko Brenner) Php 795 (I think I'll ask this one from Joop instead of the one aforementioned.)

3. Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn books - in original covers (not the movie cover) What better way to feel 'in love' than read and reread the Twilight series? haha

4. Kimmy Dora original DVD - I just loooove Eugene Domingo.

5. Travel with my family (this was in my original list)

SUPER KADUPER LAPIT NA NG PASKO! Merry Christmas everyone!

Bahay kubo...not.

Found out today that the Cullen house in Twilight is different from the Cullen house in in New Moon.

TWILIGHT

This is the Hoke House

NEW MOON

The vampires' living room.

Wala lang. I find myself missing Jacob Black this past few days.

First three photos from nhit-shis.org

Last photo from vulgarmoon.blogspot.com

Crime Scene

If you're following me on twitter, you probably read that a few days ago a bottle of lotion went missing here at home. I concluded it was just one of those 'may nagmumulto sa akin' moments when things go missing and will show up the morning after.

"Been around the house sooo many times and still can't find that huge bottle of lotion."

You also probably read that last night I was crying. Let me tell you why. (Tweets are in bold, to give a clearer picture of the events.)

I decided to pack my stuff for Iloilo because my room is a wreck you can't even walk straight because almost all our stuff is in here. The renovation started yesterday instead of the planned schedule so I had to shove all our office stuff in my room. Anyway, so while packing, I decided to take out the bags I'll be needing then I noticed I was missing one traveling bag.

I tried to clear my bag rack (it's actually the second level of the double deck) to check and recheck if It just fell on the sides or got squished under my pile of bags. But no, it wasn't there. I was crying all night, desperately scouring the house of the possible places where I might have left the bag. Even if in my mind, it has always been in one single location in my room.

"I'm calm now but I can't wait to find the culprit.

Sasabunutan ko, sisigawan at papalayasin. Yes, as in like the teleserye."

"Okay joke lang. Maybe that's too harsh. Pagagalitan ko lang."

I couldn't sleep. I was so mad. (WHO COULD DO THIS TO ME?!) I was angry because I couldn't think of a suspect. Until I remembered that two days ago (when the bottle of lotion went missing) I absentmindedly left the house open when I went to the clubhouse to pay the homeowner's fee. That day it was only my aunt's maid who was here. I didn't want to accuse her of anything. Because she seems like a good person. And it'd be embarrassing to accuse someone and then find out you're wrong diba? I fell asleep around 4 AM maybe because I got so tired of crying. But at 9 am, I heard my aunt supervising the clearing here at home, and the renovation started again so I got up to talk to my aunt (with my bagong gising hair and crappy sleeping clothes). I told her what happened so she decided to do a surveillance. I called my mom to tell her what happened.

Minutes later my aunt was shouting, calling my name. And when I got to their maid's room, THE BAG WAS THERE. The maid tried to defend that she bought in from the palengke. JUSKOLORD PALENGKE?! My auntie continued to scour the maid's stuff, then I found my lotion! NOT JUST ONE BOTTLE, BUT TWO BOTTLES. Then my dad's stash of soaps were there, our stock of shampoos. Lots of stuff. I was...tulala because I cannot believe she could do that. I have been so good to her. I give her merienda when I have pizza delivered here. I treat her well. I don't even order her to do stuff for me coz she's not my maid. She's the maid at the other house. And may pahabol pa. I found one of my dresses under the stack of clothes. WHAT THE HELL DIBA???

But I never got to the point of screaming at her. I was just there standing while my aunt kept asking "Bakit mo nagawa yun?" My hands and feet were cold, my breaths were deep, I was frustrated. I told her "Hindi naman ako galit. Nakakainis lang na pinagkakatiwalaan ka namin. Eh kung karpintero nga pinagkakatiwalaan namin, ikaw pa. Kung kailangan mo ng tulong, humingi ka ng tulong. Pwede mo naman hingin tong mga to."

She was crying. She asked sorry. I've forgiven her. But she can never bring the trust back. I'm disappointed. I trusted her. I didn't even want to accuse her at first. But we all know our actions have consequences. She'll probably lose her job. She will just finish her December term and will be sent back to the province where she came from. It's so frustrating. How I trusted her and treated her right. It's frustrating for that trust to be broken.

I called my mom again to tell her what we found out. I cried on the phone out of frustration. "Nakakainis talaga. Nakakinis." I said to my mom.

Right now I can't even look at her. Not because I'm mad. I can't look at her 'coz I feel that every time we see each other, she will only be reminded of the wrong she has done.