Bacolod

One of the provinces that hold a special place in my heart is Bacolod. I've been there countless of times, each one, a different story. The trip to Bacolod for Masskara with my BA friends (and other BA batches) is definitely one of my favorite memories.

Cuties in the plane, everyday inasal galore, hike at Mambukal, Ruins, dinner at Hacienda Javelosa, Mushu nights, trike ride from Mushu to Planta hotel (because walang taxi!), five-peso bibingka at the plaza.

Hong Kong 2011

Second country to visit.

First out of the country trip with my mare, Fa.

Will go back in 2013- with more shopping money. hihi

My Valentine's Post

I've been wanting to post some stuff in January but never got to do it. I just get stuck with an idea that I cannot put into words.

Now it's Valentine's Day and I guess I might as well put my two cents out there.

I came across an article that mentioned something about girls hating Valentine's day because they remember how single they are. My take? I don't need Valentine's day to remind me how single I am. Every waking day reminds me of that. And frankly, I'm perfectly okay with it. :) So I will not defend being single. Because first, it's not a crime. Second, it's not like I'm the only one left without a boyfriend. And third, because I'm happy with what and who I have in my life right now.

That is not to say I can't be happier. I can, of course. But you see, I'm also a believer in perfect timing. And like someone placing a special order of thigh and leg parts only for their fast food meal, I am willing to wait.

Just because I am single, doesn't mean I am without love. I feel the love from friends, and from my family, from Papa God.

I take a stress free work week as love from Papa God. He doesn't want me to have wrinkles. :)

A fun day with friends is love.

Awesome food is love.

Good deeds are love.

A good night message from my mom is love.

A visit from little Julian is love.

A sincere hug is love.

The perfect pair of shoes is love.

A beautiful weather is love.

A slice of that perfectly moist and light cake is love.

A tweet-back from someone you look up to is love.

Freebies are love!

Adam Levine is love. Chos! (Masingit lang? haha)

You see, love doesn't have to be from a single person. Love is how you see it. It's also how you say it. And how you show it.

To the people in my life, I love you! At different levels and different ways but I do. :)

And to the person who has yet to be part of my life, I don't know what's taking you so long but one day I know all this waiting is gonna be so worth it. See you soon! <3

I wish :)

Mother Oprah (lakas maka mother! haha) once said that the biggest adventure you can take it to live the life of your dreams. So let me share mine.

1. I wanna wrap gifts all year! If Santa Claus's branch here in the Philippines has a vacancy, I'd definitely take it. Seriously, I'd take 'taga wrap ng gifts' for a job. If you hate wrapping gifts, I promise, you can afford me! hehe

2. I'd like to put up a cute cafe. Think afternoon coffee and a book. And before you know it, the sun has set, it's time for dinner and I'll serve you a bowl of my mom's awesome mushroom soup and a plate of cheesy gooey meaty lasagna.

3. I also want a multi-use gallery. Something like Mag.Net. I know how hard it is to make music and, it's harder to share it. My brother was part of a band in high school. I have artist friends (painters, photogs, musicians) and I really believe they need all the support they can get especially when they're just starting out. There's too much crap in the mainstream so we, in the "purist/ quality over money" crowd should stick together. Plus I get to hang out with creative people. They're a different crowd, in a good way. :)

4. I love comfortable shoes. And it doesn't hurt that the shoes are pretty too. So let me put them together and produce my own brand of shoes! I want my shoe makers to be like family. I also want to build a school where the kids of my employees would attend. Pretty much like a social enterprise. This won't be happening soon though as I do not have enough money to quit my job and start my brand yet.

5. I want to travel! I dream of frolicking around Europe. Taking the train to different countries, and meeting awesome people along the way. Oha, lakas maka Eat, Pray, Love noh? Basta ganun! But I still need to learn and experience a lot of things because for one, I am not comfortable at the thought of traveling alone, let alone traveling to a foreign country. My biggest (travel) fear is not to be able to communicate properly. May nalalaman pa akong frolicking in Europe, eh Bonjour lang ang kaya kong sabihin. Jusme! haha

So here are my dreams! Help me out, will ya?

*all plans are subject to change. Everything's a work in progress. :)

A funeral

Last Thursday, I watched the latest episode of Vampire Diaries (s03e11). It was Caroline's birthday. However, she wasn't in the mood to celebrate it because it reminds her that she's already dead (she became a vampire last season so technically she's stuck at 17). Instead of a surprise party, they gave her a 'funeral' so she can say goodbye to her old self and start living a new life.

It was, what I'd call a coincidence that Farrah and I were talking yesterday (Saturday) about how it took us two years in the corporate world to finally start making mature life decisions this 2012 (aka start investing).

Our conversation went something like this:

Me: Katawa naman. In fairness two years naman na tayong pabanjing banjing diba.

Fa: Onga eh pero at least umabot tayo sa point na toh. haha

Then I realized that maybe it's time to say goodbye to college. At some point, we'll all be too old to pass as college kids. Even those who call you 'ate' in college have now graduated. Of course, there will be days that you will miss it. But you cannot hold on to your college life. I'm sure you would not want to.

Admit it, you're smarter, richer (hehe), and in general, a much better version of yourself right now. Why would you want to go back to your 'nene' / 'totoy' version, right?

If there's anything I'd like you to take with you, there are three:

Hold on to good memories. It will make you smile.

Hold on to valuable lessons. Remember, you are better because of these.

And finally but most importantly, hold on to your fun self. It will keep you young.

So bury everything else and start celebrating the new you. Cheers!