First Word

I'm soooo ecstatic!

Last night, I witnessed a milestone in one of my babies' lives!

Luisa, my niece, spoke her first word at only Four Months and Three Days Old!!!

And her first words? "Mama!!!"

Wow!

This happened while we (the Philippine-based Corpin Clan) had our Christmas Party at Tita Fides' house. We were all gathered in the Living Room waiting for the games to start. Ate Mhin, Luisa's mom, was holding her while my sister was playing with Luisa. Then, just out of nowhere, Luisa said "Mama!"

We were all surprised! She's just turned 4 Months Old, but she already spoke her first word! She's just so advanced, that kid!

Actually, Luisa can already do things that babies aged 6 to 8 Months are doing! Luisa can already lift and hold her head. She can now roll on her belly, without any help. She's already trying to crawl. And... Most astonishing of all... She can already stand up (with support, of course)!!! Next thing I'll know, she'll be running around with her big brother, Matthew!

Well, I wouldn't really be so surprised if she does her Alphabets before reaching her 1st Birthday. Matthew can already identify the Alphabets and Numbers (from 1-10), imitate animal sounds (horses, monkeys, dogs, cows, cats, etc.), and he already communicates well. And that he can do at only a year old!

Sigh... I'm so proud of my little angels! They're so intelligent and advanced in their mental growth!

And I congratulate my Ate and her husband, Ernest, for feeding their kids with a lot of information and imagination!

I can't wait to see what other developments will happen in these next few days!

Down Memory Lane

My Pretty friend, Tin, tagged me a long time ago, but I had absolutely no time to answer.

So now that I do have time, let me post my reply.

10 Years Ago...
My siblings and I went on our First Trip to the United States... Unaccompanied! Saw and reconnected with our cousins, got to go around the US (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Nevada, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York).

5 Years Ago...
Graduated from College (De La Salle University-Manila) and left for the United States for some R&R and some work on the side.

1 Year Ago...
Started working for American Express-Membership Travel Services. Had my first nephew, Jude Matthew. Started Blogging.

Yesterday...
Woke up. Cooked some Pork Chops. Watched some telly. Called my Mom in the US. Took a bath. Drove my brother to Makati. Drove me and my sister to the Reflections Concert of Regine Velasquez.

Today...
Ate dinner at ChowKing Vito Cruz with some of the RVF. Drove my friends to EDSA-Ayala. Picked-up my brother from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Greenbelt 3. Drove ourselves home. Called my Mom in the US. Called my Cousin Liezl in the US (to ask for Chocolate Truffles! Hahaha!). Blogged. Will go to sleep. Will take a bath. Will pick-up some Meds my Mom was asking for. Will pick up my nephew and niece. Go shopping with my Babies, my Brother, my cousin, and the Nanny. Go to our Family's Christmas Party. Will take another bath. Will take my nephew, niece, cousin and the Nanny home. Will go to work.

Tomorrow...
Will go home and sleep! Bwahahahaha!

Reflections

Just got back from Regine Velasquez's Concert, Reflections, a few hours ago. It was okay. It was one of the few times I had guffawed my arse off! Ai-Ai De Las Alas is really THE BOMB!

I won't say I didn't enjoy it. The music from the '80s was really refreshing. I loved the English songs, since I've grown up hearing them. I did, however, had a ho-hum time during the Filipino Medleys, since I am utterly unfamiliar with them. But, overall, it wasn't bad. Worth the PhP 1,500.00 I shelled out, and then some.

I must admit, I used to be a crazed Regine Velasquez groupie. Yes, my friends, a G-R-O-U-P-I-E. An over-zealous fan. Some of my friends even thought I was obsessed. (Well, they haven't met the RVF! Lol!). I was almost everywhere Regine was. Tapings, shootings, what not.

That was until a year ago. Some things are better left unsaid, but let me just say that it was worth everything I went through. It made me see what other "certified," "zealous," "devoted," and "fervent" fanaticals still refuse to see. They fail, nay, refuse, to realize that Regine Velasquez is just a person... A person, like all of us.

I still admire her tenacity, her drive, her willfulness in her career. She has withstood every single trial in her life, and has taken them in with a grain of salt. She continues to conquer her every endeavor and does not boast about it. Her inner humility is the flicker of light that keeps me in awe of her.

But she is not the only person I admire to have such qualities.

Because of everything that happened to me last year, I was able to see a broader perspective of life. Put focus on my priorities. I was able to develop more as a person.

Steve Green, a Contemporary Christian Artist, who has inspired me and my fellow Youth Ministry members, had a song, which is very appropriate with how I now view all the things, in the past year, that used to burden and hurt me. The song was entitled, The Refiner's Fire, and let me share with you the Chorus of the song that really touched my life.

The Refiner's fire
Has now become my souls desire
Purged and cleansed and purified
That the Lord be glorified
He is consuming my soul
Refining me, making me whole
No matter what I may lose
I choose the Refiner's fire

Maybe you guys are thinking, "What the heck does this have to do with Regine?"

Well folks, let's just say I was burned badly by being myself in the world of fanaticism. That burning, served as my "Refiner's Fire" -- God's Message to me. It made me see everything in a different light, and it gave me the hunger and drive to be a better person... A Better ME, outside of being a Groupie.

Now, I can say that I'm doing a little better at work; Blessed to have beautiful babies (Cousin Izabella, Nephew Matt and Niece Luisa) who I love; At peace with myself; Having personal plans that, with God's help, will soon unfold.

I don't have any regrets at all. I was being myself all the time. But I think, God wants me to be the same person, if not better, to other people. And I know, God will continue to mold and shape me, without removing who I really am.

Because God Loves ME for ME.

Love vs. Need

Last Tuesday night, November 22, while I was forcing myself to sleep, something very trivial, yet almost philosophical, popped into my mind

I do not know what prompted my brain to bring out a dialogue from Claudine Barretto and Piolo Pascual's movie, Milan.

In one of the last sequences, Piolo Pascual bumped into Claudine Barretto on a bridge. Piolo's character begged Claudine's character to take him back because he needs her, then he proceeds to tell her that he loves her.

Claudine's character replied, tearfully, with these words: "Mahal mo ba ako dahil kailangan mo ako? O kailangan mo ako dahil mahal mo ako?" (English: "Do you love me because you need me? Or do you need me because you love me?").

It struck something in my consciousness that I left me wondering 'til the sun slowly rose outside my bedroom window.

Do you love somebody because you need them? Or do you need somebody because you love them? Hmmm...

I've thought long and hard to analyze what those words meant. Petty, I know, but I came to realize that each statement holds different meanings, with different emotional intensities.

When one says that he loves you because he needs you, it seems like that person basically NEEDS you more than he LOVES you. The love he has is based on his desire for you.

To me, it sounds pathetic. It's like the person is playing with your emotions, by consoling you with sweet words that soothes and warms your being, when, in reality, he just wants something from you. He may be getting something beneficial from you: love, material things, sex, whatever. It seems like a last ditch effort to gain your trust and affection, or to get you back. It's a desperate plea, using love as an
excuse.

On the other hand, when one NEEDS you because he LOVES you, it's like life means nothing to him without you. It's your entire being, your presence, that keeps him going. He feels inadequate, incomplete being apart from you. Loving you is what keeps him alive. In essence, his Love outweighs his yearning for you.

Romantic, isn't it?!? Sigh!

Personally, I'd like to find someone who would need me because he loved me. But common sense tells me that neither Love, nor Need, should take precedence over the other. There should be an equinimity between the two.

If you need the other person too much, you lose your sense of self and you would tend to become weak. Whilst excessive love, may lead to obsession, fixation and dependence.

In this world, there really is no such thing as Perfect Love or Perfect Need. However, I still believe that Perfect Love is best described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which states that:

"Love is patient and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not arrogant; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

If we only heed what Perfect Love is, then, I guess we could achieve and find the Love that we all deserve. A love to be shared with someone who neither needs you because he loves you, nor loves you because he needs you.

Pretty Tin & The Case Of Grimace's Galis

Last night, my sister, Pam, and I went to the 25th Birthday Party of our good friend (and fellow Blogger), Tin Racho. It was held at McDonald's St. Francis Square right behind SM Megamall.

As with any other McDonald's Party, it had a cute theme. Tin chose a Disney Princess Theme for her birthday. I don't really know why she chose to have a kiddie party for her 25th Birthday, but it was great fun!

I really loved the party since some of our friends from our BLD Youth days, who I hardly ever see these days, were there! Heck! Even Blog Addict Meggy Jelly was there with her hubby, the Miracle Bus Driver.

Just being with them was great enough. But add in some Parlor Games?!? Pure Riotous Fun! Imagine, grown men and women, scrambbling around like little kids, just for a little piece of goodie-bag item! It was hilarious!

And when Grimace arrived?!? We were like little kids, excited to touch and play with the Purple-Furred Mascot! Everyone whooped out their cameras and started flashing away! Kiddie Bliss!

While we were having fun with Grimace, our friend, MeggyJelly, started joking around the mascot... and she discovered something horrendous!

SI GRIMACE MAY GALIS!!! Hmmm... Has he been infected by the Asian Avian Flu due to his insatiable appetite for Chicken McDo? Que Horror!!! And his backside?!? Must've been a bad case of diarrhea or something! Man! He got brown stains all over thereabouts!

Just kidding! We think the Mascot costume was getting pretty old since there were already a few spots that lost the purple fur. And the material was also tearing up around his mouth and arms. I think it was Anna who told Grimace that she'd give him some Fabric Softener to smoothen and protect his fur!

But, of course, the center of attention was still on the Birthday Girl, Tin. She looked really great! We were quite awed by her look! It was the first time I saw Tin in a backless, plunging neck-line, halter dress! And here I thought she was conservative! Lol!

But hey! She's already 25! She can wear whatever she darn wants! Right, Tin?!? By the way, great singing there!

Just a few shout outs to our friends who were there: MeggyJelly, Marvin, Anna, Caloy, Gorgeous Gwadz, Beng, Richie, Jay... I really had a blast!

Below are just a few of the pics we took of this unforgettably fun event.

Again... Happy Birthday, Tin!

-= o O o =-

The Birthday Girl

Tin Singing...

Wishing For A...

Me and My Boyfriend, Grimace

Pam and Grimace

Grimace is a Chick Magnet!

MeggyJelly and Grimace

Mr. Universe Finalists?!?

Gorgeous Gwadz Showing Her Beautiful Back To Grimace

Baby Beng And Grimace

Grimace With The Kiddies

Ang GALIS Ni Grimace!

Kuliiiitttt!!!

Parlor Game Winners!

Marvin, Jopay & Moi

Anna, Pam & Beng

Me & The Gorgeous... Nurse Gwadz!

Dimsum Crazy!!!

I must admit... I am Dimsum Crazy.

I've loved dimsum, since I could remember. I remember having Sunday Dinners at Maxim's Tea House in T.M. Kalaw and Roxas Boulevard (right across from the US Embassy) when I was a little kid. We'd order different types of dimsum, which would serve as our dinner. Our parents would order their own food, while we feast on Pork Siomai, Shrimp Dumplings and Beef Siomai.

As I grew older, I discovered other types of dimsum that caught my palate's fancy.

My first dibs on another form of dimsum, away from my usual Maxim's Siomai, were Mr. & Mrs. Teo's Boiled Dumplings and Kuchay Pie from my High School Cafeteria. They became my staple food in High School (since I was saving my absurdly small allowance). Though they came cheap, they were really good! Yum!

Then, I discovered Gloria Maris... Probably the Best Dimsum I have ever had! They had those rolling dimsum carts that go around the tables. I'd grab whatever caught my fancy. And their Shrimp Dumplings (Hakaw)?!? WOW! Just the thought makes my mouth water...

Then, my equal fascination with Japanese Food lead me to discover Gyoza, which, right now, makes me realize something... It tastes just like Potstickers!!! But, anyway...

When I went to the States, for a brief vacation, my cousins taught me the art of eating Potstickers! We'd buy frozen Potstickers from Costco and boil them. Mmmm... Good with soy sauce... And Chili... And Lime! Mmmm...!!!

Since I got back to the Philippines, I haven't had Potstickers. I've been looking high and low for frozen Potstickers, and couldn't find them! Then, one night, while contemplating on where to order food for delivery (it was a holiday, so almost everyone's closed), I chanced upon North Park Noodle House. I requested for a copy of their Menu via fax, then... Lo and behold! The most beautiful words popped on their Appetizer Menu... POTSTICKERS!

And I had a choice between Steamed and Fried! Being the steamed dimsum freak that I was, I ordered 6 pieces of Potstickers (along with some steamed rice and North Park's Aniseed Beef Tendon Stew).

When my meal came, I just couldn't control myself... It was love at first bite! I couldn't get enough of my Potstickers! I ended up completely ignoring the rice and Beef Stew! Lol!

Though it kinda hurts my pockets to buy from North Park, I just couldn't help myself. I'd order my Potstickers. Just this afternoon, I shared some with my Sister. We had a North Park Lunch at home.

Now... How can I make myself some??? Hmmm...

All Souls' Day Wish

November 2 is marked as All Souls' Day in Catholic Calendars. It's supposed to be the day when we solemnly celebrate the lives of our departed loved ones. But since time immemorial, we observe this "tradition" during All Saints' Day (November 1).

It is during this season, which has been commercially known as Halloween, that people, continuously, talk about ghouls, ghosts, and those things that come bump in the night. TV Shows would also have specials that were designed to scare the crap out of anybody.

Last night, I got to thinking... If we could make wishes for our birthdays, why not make a wish that concerns our dearly departed?

I have always wished, since I was a kid, to see my Maternal Grandparents just for one day. My Maternal Grandparents died just 10 Months apart, back in 1988. It was quite a traumatic year for us, when they died.

Both of them had sudden deaths. My Grandfather died after suffering from a massive stroke in their house in Malolos, while my Grandmother was visiting us in Manila. After just a mere 10 Months, my Grandmother died at the Light Rail Transit Station, after suffering from a heart attack. Both were declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

I was only 8 years old when my Grandfather died, and 9 years old, when my Grandmother passed. I loved them both very much and I've since longed to see them once again. I want to know how they've been... How they've felt about everything that happened to us... How everything could've been a lot more different had they been alive.

But what I really want to do, most of all, is to hug them and kiss them both. I haven't touched them for 17 years, and life has been really cold and miserable without their touch and presence.

Just writing this entry makes my eyes water. I miss them so much. And celebrating All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day doesn't ease the pain.

If God could just grant me that one wish, I would be happy.

I miss you, Lolo and Lola. I love you. Until we meet again.

Random Facts

I was tagged by my dear friend, Duke, with this pseudo-quiz.

It's actually not a quiz, but more of a means of sharing random facts about yourself that only a number of people know about. For me, it's more of a self-analysis. An introspection, if you will. There are things that even I do not know about myself.

Anyway, according to what Duke wrote, I have to put down 20 Random Facts about myself, then tag the same number of people as the number of minutes that it takes for me to finish this. And since I know I'm gonna take forever, I am tagging everyone on my Email and Blog List! Lol!

Time Start: 10:32 PM

1. I always thought that my blood type was A, until my Annual Physical Exam Result read Type O!

2. People say I am a very good writer. My only problem is, when I write something in English, some of my friends had to whip out a dictionary to understand the words. Same thing goes when I write something in Tagalog.

3. I have an excruciatingly LOW Self-Esteem. So low, that I don't even know if I am good at anything.

4. I have never been in a serious relationship. The only man in my life, right now, is my nephew... Matthew!!!

5. I hate slow drivers. On second thought, make that Filipino Drivers, in particular (save for the very few exceptions... like Myself! Lol!).

6. I get depressed when I think about my old friends who I haven't had a chance to talk with for a long time.

7. I secretly wanted to be an actress/singer.

8. Frogs, rats, bats, insects, ghosts, scary movies, snakes and reptiles scare the bejeezuz out of me!

9. I cover my eyes and ears, and sing as loud as I can, when I watch a scary movie (Much to the annoyance of my Siblings and Friends!)

10. I have always felt Unworthy of God's Love.

11. I'm a Certified Korean Wave Addict!

12. I have absolutely NO Sense of Fashion (ask my siblings about it!).

13. I'm torturously and insufferably shy (Which explains why I refuse to go into things and situations outside my comfort zone, and which explains why people tend to think I am arrogant, snobbish and aloof).

14. I tend to be very particular with grammar and spelling, when it comes to English.

15. Aside from Angelina Jolie, I've had crushes with the same sex, way back in Grade School (Exclusive Schools do that to you...)

16. Like Duke, I am Claustrophobic. I'd often wake up sweating and crying from a severely claustrophobic dreams!

17. I'd rather be in the office than be at home.

18. I always wished (and still do...) that my Maternal Grandparents were still alive.

19. I talk to myself, make little speeches, think about the future and make lists every chance I have alone.

20. I never had a close friend who considered me to be the same.


Time Finished: 11:00 PM (See! I told you it takes long for me!)

Now... For the people I want to tag... Get ready! Mwahahahaha!

1. Meels - My lawyer buddy.
2. Chie B. - My Bespren in the Bay Area
3. Mitzi - The Proud Ilocana
4. Binoy - The Pogi Boy!
5. Ambe - Wifred... loves (to be) Happy!
6. Eric H. - My High School Buddy!
7. Candido - CJ! Kyan Douglas' long lost Brother.
8. Sho - Madaming Hidden Random Facts itong taong ito! Reyna ng MTS!
9. Mona - Isa ka pa!!!
10. Zsazsa - My Manager...
11. Mommy Shee - J-Lo's long lost Sister!
12. Daisy - Ang Certified Heartbreaker ng MTS!
13. Annie - Ang girl na may pinakamahabang buhok sa buong MTS!
14. Aissa - My dear cousin...
15. Ate Candy - My very successful cousin... Libre naman dyan! *wink*
16. Ditch - Hey Ms. Annaliza!
17. Fritz - Aminin mo na... Mahal mo pa rin si Regine!
18. Iris - Bakluuuuurrr!
19. Duke/Kim - Since mahilig ka rin naman sa mga survey-survey...
20. Joremel - My Rocker Fissan! Rock On!!!
21. Melo - Kamusta na kaya ito?
22. Cristy C. - A friend from waaaayyy back in the day.
23. Stels - Ang dakilang addict kay Regine... Watch out for her on QTV!
24. Owen - A dear friend, I've lost touch with.
25. Sweet - One of my favorite singers
26. Vicky S. - My cool cousin from SF.
27. Tito Gene - The coolest Ninong! Ey! Where's my gift?

Okay... I ran out of other people to tag... So sue me! But if you get this, and your name isn't on the list, consider yourself tagged! You can go ahead and answer it and forward to your friends. Don't forget to forward it back to me so that I can also get to know you better.

Anyway, hope you guys get to answer as well. It'll be cool to get to know y'all better.

Take care and Enjoy!

Rainbow Brite

You are Starlite!

You are full of talents that no one else seems to have! A gift of the gab is definitely among them... and an ego the size of Rainbow Land. That's only because really, you're perfect! Just try not to point it out so much. You're definitely a horse of a different color, any way you look at it!

Which Rainbow Brite character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

-= o O o =-

As a kid, I remember loving Raibow Brite. My sister and I even had Raibow Brite Dolls and stuff.

Then, I stumble upon this quiz on Trina's BLOG. I just felt the urge to reminisce about the olden days, and see which Rainbow Brite Character best describes me. I always thought myself as Shy Violet, but it turns out I'm more like Starlite! Some of the Characteristics shown above are quite true, and many can attest to that.

Here's to seeing which of the Rainbow Brite kids represent my Friends...

Venting Out

Since I haven't been blogging the past few weeks, I've acquired some angst and peevishness that's been wanting to explode. But since the site has been blocked by our Office's Servers, I didn't have any means of slowly letting them off.

Anyway, its been bothering me a lot these past few days, and right now it's at the homestretch. I really don't want it to reach the point of no return, so I decided to vent out a bit, despite the time (It's already past 3:00AM!).

I'll get things started with the less irritating up to the downright infuriating.

First off... Don't you just hate it when you're on your day off or on leave, after weeks of hard work and never-ending overtime, then your colleagues call you with some "Urgent" matter, which turns out to be something that they can very well manage themselves? That's just WRONG!

Well, I got 4 Missed Calls on my Mobile this afternoon, while I was taking a much needed nap, from a colleague who asked me to "urgently" call her up. I've kind-of learned my lesson not to make or take that call, especially if it's from that particular colleague. She'd always call on somebody when she receives a call from a client that involves a particular quotation or endorsement that she did not make or could not find. Then, you'd end up miserable for the entire time you're out of the office.

In short, I ignored the call back, and went on with my day.

Another "non-family" thing that's irking me at the moment, is the feeling of being deceived by someone who we have considered as a friend. It's a bit sad that all this time that we've tried to connect with her, being open to her, shared laughs, concerns and little triumphs with her, she wasn't being totally herself with us.

I take it as a personal blow, because I've tried to put myself out there to connect with her in any way I could, trying to befriend her and trying to find a little connection. Then, I find out that she's been putting up a front for about a year or so. Even the person closest to her in our small little group was shocked to find out something that she'd never admitted to him.

Now, she's completely dissociating herself from us, and if that's what she wants, I'd be more than happy to oblige. Whatever floats your boat, dear. It's just a shame to have wasted your year with our existence.

The next event, or should I say, people, that's getting under my skin are 2 of my relatives. My Uncle and my cousin.

I just hate freeloaders, don't you? I know I still live with my parents, but that does not mean I get everything for free. And in no means do I expect to "ride on" my parents' incomes. Well, that's what's ticking me off with these 2. They're practically living off my poor, ailing grandmother's good graces. Actually, not just hers, but almost everyone who'd unwittingly fall for their charms.

It's okay to ask help from your relatives once in a while, but of course, you'd have to prove yourself worthy of that help as well. But alas!

Thank goodness, my immediate family is independent and tough enough not to fall into parasitic relations with them. Though we still regard them as family, we don't give them any opening or opportunity to suck the living daylights out of us.

Though I shouldn't be too affected by their free-loading ways, I just feel so bad for my Grandparents and my Uncle and Aunt who've tried to help them out, but to no avail. If only they'd showed interest in becoming more independent and self-sufficient. But no... They continue to live off of the family. Even their own immediate family is getting pretty frustrated with the lack of enthusiasm and drive that my Uncle and cousin has been exhibiting.

I think the most infuriating thing that's been bothering me this week has been the flagrant exclusion that our relatives have been doing to my family. This isn't the first time it has happened, though. And I suspect that it wouldn't be the last. It's been going on for quite some time now. I don't know if it's a conscious thing, but it's so damn obvious, I wanted to scream!

My Aunt, who has been out of the country for 16 years, came back for a 2 week vacation. At first, a lot of plans were made for this homecoming, then, everything fell apart. Now, everything revolved around what my other Aunt would schedule for my Aunt from the US. Most of which, excluded my family.

If my Aunt and my Grandmother hadn't asked my sister and I for some help in acquiring a Rental Van, we wouldn't have been invited to go to Baguio with my Aunt.

Then, yesterday, there were talks of going to Tagaytay today, to bring my Aunt's best friend around. Though everyone talked about it, even inviting my other cousins, no one said an "inviting" word to us (My Siblings and Myself), even if it was quite obvious that we were free for the weekend.

What really rubbed me the wrong way was when they stopped over our house, just to wait for our other relatives before leaving for Tagaytay. No one even asked if we would be interested to go with them! My Aunt did ask if we were doing anything today, to which I answered to the negative, thinking it would be a subtle enough hint that we would like to go with them. But I think subtlety is ineffective for these people.

If I were the only one affected, I would've let this pass, yet again. But, unfortunately, my Sister was also affected. Since, like I've mentioned, it wasn't the first time they completely excluded my family from something, it prompted my sister to repeat what we always love to say in these occasions... "Sila-sila lang naman talaga ang magkaka-pamilya, eh!" (Translation: "They're the only ones who are related anyway.") But what can we do? I can only nod in agreement to the statement that says, "We cannot choose our Family."

All I can do now is sigh and leave all these things to God. I know it would be un-Christian to retaliate, and the best way to release all these pent up frustrations is by airing them out. I'll try to sleep on them tonight, and maybe it'll be better tomorrow.

Another Test Run

Okay... I made a few adjustments on my Blogger Settings since my last Email Post was not published on my BLOG .

 

So, this is just another Test Post using Blogger Email.

Email To Blog

Alrighty... I'm just testing if this Email-To-Blog Feature of Blogger really works. Checking in after a few minutes...

Blog Addict

I just discovered that a good friend of mine, Josephine, is a BLOG Addict! Lol! She even got her 2 Sisters into the habit now!

So, Jops...

WELCOME TO THE BLOGGING WORLD!!!

So guys, I invite you to check out her BLOG by clicking here! Have fun!

Updates...

Okay, okay... I'm falling back into the habit again. Darnit! I've been procrastinating around making updates to my BLOG lately. I dunno why.

Anyway, let me just start off by gushing over my little angels again. Since my last entry, I've seen my babies 3 more times! First was last September 22, when I went to their house after work.

Matt was just so cute! He showed me how he's become a Big Boy! He'd dance (which was, basically, jumping up and down incessantly) and sing (in gurgles and screams) whenever he'd hear a fast song being played on the TV. He also ran around after his cousins, pulled my hand to go somewhere and behaved himself. He became more familiar and comfortable with me. He'd always try his charm with me (which, always works!) and snuggle up next to me when he wanted attention. Really cute!

Auie, or Luisa, on the other hand, has gained a little more weight. She's no longer as fragile as before, but is still precious, nonetheless. She's definitely showing her personality now. Like her parents, she's very headstrong. If she doesn't get what she wants, she'd scream her head off (not literally, though!). And it's definitely hard to put her down to sleep! But it's still so adorable the way she looks up at you with those big, expressive eyes, as if she's studying your features, down to the last details.

These kids are really worth every trip I make to Cainta (which is quite far from where I live). And I am quite honored and priveleged to be their Godmother. Yes, both Matthew and Luisa are my Godchildren! Luisa has just been dedicated last Saturday, October 1.

Speaking of going to Cainta, I met an accident last September 26 (Monday) on my way to Cainta to interview our prospective maid. My car got pinned between 2 Delivery Trucks along Amang Rodriguez Avenue in Pasig City (which is a shortcut to Marcos Highway).

You see, I was already at a Full Stop before the intersection of Amang Rodriguez and Ligaya Street, when I suddenly heard a BANG and felt my car lurch forward quite violently, which caused me to hit the Delivery Van infront of me. The rear bumper of my car was crushed, the trunk badly dented and damaged (I can't open it anymore), and the tail-lights cracked. That was just the rear-end damage. My front bumpers were forced into the front grills and into the engine from the impact to the metal bumper of the Delivery Van infront of me. Thankfully, I was able to get out of the accident unscathed, just shaken and confused.

We were already in the far side of Amang Rodriguez, towards Cainta, and the Traffic Enforcer who assisted, wanted us to go to the Philsports Arena Compound (ULTRA) where we have to file the Police Report. I was still shaking from the accident and I was very afraid and apprehensive about driving the car all the way to ULTRA, which was quite far from where we were, just to file the Police Report. I was scared that the car couldn't be driven that far after it had been damaged as bad as it had been. With the counsel of my cousin, I just decided to make arrangements with the 2 other drivers with regards to the settlement and payment for the damages. I made sure that the Traffic Enforcer signed all the documents, just in case I would need it.

I was able to get an Estimate for the Damages already, and it's going to cost around PhP 55,00.00 to repair the damages made to the car! My goodness! Fifty-Five G's! Good luck to that Driver who crushed my car!

At the Homefront, everything is far better now. We used to have a maid who was more like a Master than a Household Help! She refused to do the dirty work at home. She'd watch the TV day in and day out! When my Sister and I listed out the things she had to do (just the basics), she panicked and called my Aunt to tell her that she quit! She also had the audacity to shout at my sister and me when my Aunt came over to dismiss her. The nerve of that woman! My goodness! She stayed infront of the TV longer than the time she actually spent cleaning or just plain doing the household chores! Plus, she smoked in her room a lot, that when she left, the room stinked! It was definitely a good riddance to bad rubbish!

Just last Saturday, after Luisa's Dedication, we were able to hire a new maid. A referral from Juliet, the Nanny of Matthew and Auie. So far, I am very pleased with her performance at home. You can never see her idle. She'd find something to do. She'd rearrange things, fix the cupboards in the kitchen, sweep around the garden, wash clothes, anything! And we never had to tell her what to do at all! She had the initiative to clean around! Whenever I'd invite her to rest and watch some TV with me, she'd refuse and prefer to clean up! As a reward, I treated her out to a movie last Monday Night.

Today, I volunteered to do Overtime for a Colleague who is sick. I'm actually in pain at the moment. My lower back, around the hip area, has been experiencing sharp, piercing pain since I got out of bed. I can't walk, bend, or just plain move, without feeling intense pain. I already went to the Company Clinic to have a brief check-up. The Doctor-on-Duty just gave me a Pain Reliever to make things a little more comfortable for me while I work. He also advised me to go to Makati Medical Center tomorrow to have a Urinalysis to find out if I have an infection in my Urinary Tract. Hope I find the time, though.

See, I'm going to bring the car to the shop to have it fixed, and then, go to the Land Transportation Office to have the cars registered for the year. I haven't even gotten enough sleep yet, and I already have a fully packed day! To think I still have to go to work in the evening! Tough luck!

Well, that was essentially what happened during the 15 days that I haven't been updating my BLOG. Hopefully, I wouldn't take that long to update again...

Radio Idol

After being off work for a week, I'm back in the office. I came back just last Friday evening. I was supposed to come back last Thursday night, but because of the heavy rains that flooded our village's streets, I couldn't get to work. So, I had to extend my Vacation Leave.

I did a lot of things during my Leave, but there are only a very few highlights to my week-long hiatus. Some of which I have already posted up here. But what I didn't share was what I did after the Dermatologist appointment!

After my Mom and I went to the Dermatologist on the day before my Birthday, I dropped myself off in Ortigas Center to audition for Radio Idol of Monster Radio RX 93.1. For those who don't know what Radio Idol is, it's the DJ Search of the hottest Radio Station in Manila, RX 93.1.

It was the last day of auditions, and I wanted to try it out, just for kicks. I was a lot apprehensive at first, but with some encouragement from my good friend, Eric, I went ahead.

Although I looked cool and composed on the outside, I was shaking like a Magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the inside. I was THAT scared!

Anyway, there were only 4 people auditioning ahead of me, so all the butterflies in my tummy started to flutter furiously. To alleviate my nervousness, I spoke with my fellow auditionee to pass the time.

When my time came, I wanted to faint! The guy who facilitated my Audition was the RX DJ, Rico Robles. He's just soooo H-O-T! He's definitely my type. And this made me more nervous! Jeeze!

The audition was more like an interview that was recorded. I was asked to introduce myself, where I came from, why I auditioned, etc. Then, Rico asked me to read a whole paragraph filled with tongue twisters! The paragraph was indecipherable! As in, It did not make any sense at all! It was so funny.

I left the audition relieved that I got it over with. And I was still alive and in one piece!

Nobody knew I went to the auditions. Only 2 people knew. My Mom and Eric. I didn't want anybody to know 'coz I felt embarrassed. Hehe!

Last Friday, September 16, a week after I auditioned, the station played my audition thing, along with 25 other auditionees. Although I didn't make the cut for the next stage, I felt relieved nonetheless. I didn't expect to get in anyways! At least, I can say that I tried! Lol!

That morning, before the auditions were played, my cousin, Aissa, found out that I auditioned, through another cousin who heard my name being announced on the radio as one of the auditionees. She totally flipped out when she learned that I auditioned! She listened to my audition, and we both laughed at the outcome ("Not Worthy!!!")! Hehehe! She did say, however, that I sounded quite nice on the radio.

Well, there's still a next year! Lol! Maybe I could muster up more courage to bring out my innate perkiness! Hahaha!

I am Elaine, and I want to be the Next Radio Idol!!!

My Birthday...

It was my birthday last Saturday, September 10, and I really had a blast. It was one of the best birthdays I've had, thus far. Save for some minor irritating events, it was so great!

First, I was able to see and play with my little bundles of joy, Matt and Auie. They're just so special... Awww... I was happy cradling Auie while the whole family was chatting away at the balcony of my Uncle's house. She was so peaceful that it made it a joy just to hold her. She wasn't fussy at all.

Matt was so sweet as well! He just made my day! He was cuddling with everyone and was very entertained by all the airplanes passing overhead. He's such a doll! He also enjoyed giving me butterfly kisses! Sweet! And, what's more heart-warming, was the way he'd kiss his little sister's head when he's near her. Awww...

My birthday lunch was like a feast! I had all my favorite food, thanks to my Uncle and Aunts! They served my Uncle's Paella (my Favorite!), Chicken Balls, Spring Rolls, Clam Soup, Salad, and my other favorite, Dinuguan, which my Aunt commissioned from her neighbor. My Mom and I also ordered some Chicken Cordon Bleu, Meatloaf and Pancit. For dessert, we had Coconut Sherbet, which we also ordered from our favorite caterer. Yum!

When everyone started packing up to go home at around 5:30PM, my brother came and asked me if I had anything planned for the evening. His clients, San Miguel Beer, had an event in Malate and he wanted to see if I'd like to go with him. Of course I wanted to go! It's rare to get into events like that anyways.

So we went home, got dressed and went to Gilligan's Island Grill in Malate, with our cousin, Aissa, in tow.

While at Gilligan's, Aissa and I just sat at the table watching the event start. It was the Enduro San Mig Light Bar Tour. When I looked at the table infront of ours, I noticed this girl. I thought I knew that person from my previous stint at PeopleSupport. She was a close friend, but we lost contact after I left PS. But I had doubts. I didn't want to embarrass myself on my birthday, so I called up my other friend, Karen, to ask for her number. When I got back to our table, the people on the table infront of us were already paying their tab, getting ready to go.

When I got Karen's SMS with our friend's phone number, I called her up immediately, as she and her companions were already walking to their car. I said, "Hey Flora! It's Elaine Corpin! Do you still remember me?" And she says, "Of course! How are you?" I said I was okay. Then, I proceeded to ask her if she was in the Malate area. She said she was, so I told her that I just saw her at Gilligan's and that I was at the table behind theirs! We had a laugh, and she said she'd love to go back , but she's already in the car. A few seconds later, she told me that she was already near the intersection where I was standing! I walked up to her car and we hugged through her window!

It was really nice to see Flora again! It had been a pretty long time since I saw her last. And what a day to see her again, too! On MY Birthday, of all days! WHo would've thought?!? I remember we used to go out for drinks until we got tipsy! Hahaha!

Anyway, my cousin and I were getting pretty bored with the event, so we decided to leave my brother and ask our friend, Patty, out for coffee. We drove from Malate, all the way to Quezon City to pick up Patty. We, then, went to Tomas Morato and settled at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf beside Ratsky's.

It has also been a while since I last saw Patty. We had a blast! We talked about the crazy love life of my cousin, and caught up with each other. We just talked over coffee, tea and chocolates. It was more fun than the time we spent at Gilligan's.

We stayed at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf until about 1:00AM, because Dave, my brother, who joined us after his event in Malate, wanted to go home and take his contacts off already. Since it was already late anyways, we decided to head home.

All in all, I had a great birthday. Except for a few minor problems here and there, it was fantastic! And all these I did with my face peeling all over! Lol!

Just A Little Something...

Okay, this is just a little something that I am doing for one of my favorite cousins, who I have briefly mentioned in my past entries.

She was bugging me a while ago to greet her in my BLOG... So, here it goes...

A Big HELLO to...

AISSA FIDES KRISTA
CORPIN-SOCORRO

There, Aiss, happy now? Lol!

Love you, Fissan!

Vanity... Not My Favorite Sin

Have you guys seen "The Devil's Advocate?" It's the movie with Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino and Charlize Theron. It isn't my most favorite film, but it struck a cord in me. It was something that John Milton (Al Pacino's Character) mentioned.

"Vanity is definitely MY Favorite Sin."

Well, it ain't mine! That's for sure!

If you know me, you'd know that I am not one for washing my face, or putting on moisturizers, toners, creams, sunblock, and what have you. Ack! Not in my lifetime! I hardly even put any perfume on! I'm perfectly happy with the Johnson's Baby Cologne that I use everyday! It seems that I do not have a single drop of vanity in my body.

But today... The Day before my 26th Birthday, I'm forced to learn the ways of vanity. I had to take on a beauty regimen! Que Horror!

Let me tell you how this all happened... It's a very sad story, I tell you! So, read on...

I got up early today. Considering that I'm on leave, getting up at 8:30 AM is already early for me. In fact, way too early! I wanted to sleep until the sun is burning it's hottest, but alas! It was not meant to be.

My Mom woke me up and told me to get ready. We were going to the Dermatologist. Although my Mom is already a Dermatologist, she was being trained by another Doctor on some of the new procedures and services that could help expand my Mom's business. And I was gonna be her Guinea Pig!

So, off we went to the far flung municipality of San Juan to the clinic of the Dermatologist-Mentor of my Mom. After waiting for about 2 hours, my stomach started grumbling. So I went out and grabbed me some grub. (Lol!) When I got back, I had to wait for another hour before my Mom called me into the Treatment Area.

The Doctor started to wash my face with a Cleanser and put some Cucumber slices on my eyes before starting the Steamer. Then, she proceeded to prick the pimples that populated my face. It wasn't as traumatic as I thought. I've gone through traumatic facials before, and it got me so scared. But this particular Doctor was very light-handed. I barely felt anything. Except maybe when she began picking on my 2 "problem pimples." That was... Eeeekkk!!!

Then, after everything, she gave me a skin care regimen that I have to follow for a few weeks. Ack! The horror!

It would've been okay if she told me to just wash my face with a certain soap, or put ice on my face to prevent swelling and to help in the peeling. But NO! She had to give me 3 different creams and 4 different liquid solutions that I have to apply on my face in the morning and in the evening! I can now hear reverberations that sounds eerily like the background music in every horror movie ever made!

Oh! The tragedy of having pimples! Why did I have to develop them at this age?!? I was doing perfectly well with my skin, until this year! Agh! What I have to do to remain pretty! (There goes my modesty, marching out the door!)

Wish me luck, everybody... I hope I can stick to this new routine!

I say... "VANITY... It's Definitely NOT My Favorite Sin!"

Overbreak!

I'm such a schlemiel! What a dork!

Why, you ask? It's funny, actually... Petty, even...

I was 38 minutes overbreak! Aaarrghh!

There goes my Schedule Adherence!

Darned my cellphone! You see, I use my cellphone as my alarm everytime I have a break, so that I could be aware of the time. Unfortunately, my cellphone died on me during my lunch break! Aarrrgghh!

What's worse is that I was asleep during that break, so when I woke up, I was shocked at the time! Jeeze!

Bad, Elaine! Next time, don't sleep when your cellphone is running low on batteries!

Well, there goes my Sched Adherence everyone... Say good-bye to it! Good thing it's my last day for the week. And I'm gonna be on leave! Yipee!!!

High School Life, Oh My High School Life...

A few posts back, I mentioned about having quite a problem connecting or catching up with the people from my past. This means the people from my previous work, from College, and more particularly, those from High School.

Before I begin, let me just forewarn you that the following post is angst-ridden. So please indulge me...

I have never been a very social person. I'm painfully shy and silent when faced with something new. But apparently, my diffidence comes off to people as being indifferent and unfriendly. It is because of this that I've lived a solitary life in High School.

High School at the De La Salle Zobel was the worst 4 years of my entire existence. I barely had any friends in High School, and thanks to my batchmates, I had Zero Self-Esteem. Oh the price I had to pay to transfer schools!

I hated my High School life. I hate it still. I know hate is such a strong word, but it is just the way I feel. I was dissed in all those 4 years, man! I never really felt welcomed in Zobel. Don't get me wrong, I liked my teachers. Yes, even the meanies! They were good to me. Thank goodness!

Why do I feel dissed? Why am I so bitter against these people? Hmmm... Why nga ba?

Well, first off, they were not very accommodating. Yes, I did encounter some friendly people, but some of the people they were friends with, weren't. So... Nothing.

Then, there were the annoying people, who were "Outcasts" of the batch. Though I was also an outcast, I wasn't as annoying as they were. I was more of the silent type. I'd keep to myself, for fear of being ostracized even more. I didn't mingle with them, but I didn't shun them, either.

I remember eating alone on the benches along the walkway to the canteen, or behind the Grade One Classrooms, near the playground.

Whenever Bro. Felix was in his office, I'd be greatly relieved. I'd eat in his office and play Cards with him and all those little kids mulling around his room. At least I wouldn't look like a stupid moron eating alone in full view of everybody.

I also remember being picked last in every group activity. I felt like a good ball-player that none of the teams wanted. I was only picked when they had no choice, and when no other people were available. Just great! Sometimes, I'd end up doing a group activity alone! Nice!

I took these all in stride. I didn't let it eat me alive. I didn't let it bother me much. All I knew was that I had to get through the day, and get on with life. And I did.

I was able to survive these tumultuous times by writing letters to my friends and cousins. Long letters at that. My binders were filled with pages of notes addressed to people outside the school. I wrote about good things and how much I've missed them. I never let them know how much distressed I was at school.

It also helped that I was already with the Bukas Loob Sa Diyos (BLD) Youth Ministry at that time. I was able to turn to God when I felt like giving up. I looked to Him in the silence around me, during those alone times at Lunch. I was living a dejected life, but I did not mind. I found the comfort and friendship I was looking for, from my Schoolmates, in God and in my friends in Community.

But having solace in God didn't come without a price, which I didn't mind paying. I was branded as a Goody-goody. I was the Bible-Bearing "Madre From St. Scho." (Nun from St. Scholastica's). It gave me a harder time in school, but I didn't care. My faith in God held me up.

I thought I would be able to graduate High School without shedding a solitary tear out of desolation. But one event really shook off the last ounce of Self-Esteem I had, and left me in a total mess. I remember the day clearly as if it was only yesterday.

It was our Senior Year Retreat. It was supposedly for the bonding of our Class. It was designed for everyone to make amends with their past and their present, in preparation for our futures.

Since it was an Overnight Event, we were asked to choose a roommate. There would be 2 people in 1 Room. Of course, your roomie has to be of the same sex (duh!). And unfortunately for the girls, there would be a room that would have to be shared by 3 people. During the room assignments, I was absent (due to stress-induced asthma), which left me no choice but to be the odd one out, as usual.

A few days before the Retreat, one of my classmates, let's call her C, approached me and asked if I already had a room to stay at during the retreat. I said no, and C quickly offered to take me in. I was relieved, knowing that I now had somewhere to sleep in during the Retreat. I wouldn't mind sleeping on the floor, as long as I had a room to sleep in.

On the day of the Retreat, we were given the keys to our rooms. C handed me the keys to our room and told me to go on ahead and settle in as they would be hanging out with their friends before they come up. I went to the room, placed my things neatly on the dresser and left enough space for C and our other roommate.

The day wore on with our activities and reflections. After the last activity, we all came up to turn in. Most of the class were still wide awake and jumping between rooms. I stayed in our room beacuse C and the other roomie did not have the keys.

A knock came to the door and it was C. She was already in her sleepwear. I didn't notice that her things and the other roomie's weren't in the dresser. I was in the middle of reading the Retreat Letters that my friends from the community gave me, when C came in.

She sat at the bed across from mine and gently spoke. She told me that they were bunking with our other classmates, a few doors down the hall. She said that some people told them something about me, but C didn't expound on it. It was enough for her and the other roomie to ask their friends if they could bunk with them.

With a calm and composed face, I said it was alright and that I understood. My heart wanted to explode right then and there. C apologized and subsequently left the room. I locked the door just as the tears started to roll down my face.

When I got back to bed, my body was already shaking violently with heavy sobs. Never in my life have I felt so betrayed and so humiliated. I broke down! I felt that no one could ever console me at that point. I wanted to go home badly. I sobbed through the pillows so that no one would hear through the thin walls.

Then, I remembered the letters I got. I mustered all my strength to pull them out and read them. As I read each one, I felt my body rocking the bed as I cried. Each letter, from my friends in Community, expressed the love, affection and appreciation I have never received from any of my Classmates. I cried long and hard, because I was bewildered at how these people, who I only see once a week, knew more about me, appreciated and loved me. And here were the people I spent everyday with, reducing me to such an abominable person, without even bothering to know who I really was.

Suffice it to say, my Senior Retreat did nothing for me but crush my spirits. Thank goodness it was almost the end of the school year when that happened, so I was still able to drag myself through the next few weeks. The love and appreciation of my friends from Community gave me enough strength and will to move on.

When graduation came, I was more than elated... I was relieved! I did not have to see any of my persecutors again and they would not be able to undermine me anymore. I can now start a new life in College.

In all fairness, there were a handful of my Batchmates who were very kind to me and even became my friends. The people from Zobel who made my brief stay bearable, still remain special to me (though they may not know it), and I thank them with all my heart. The least I can do, is to acknowledge their generous spirit and their unconditional friendship. So I say thanks to Frederick Halcon, Janet Guinto, April Yu, Gerrie delos Reyes, Dominique Tuazon, Bjorn Buenaventura, and Clemens Sabitsana. There are some more people who were nice to me in those 4 years, but the names escape me at the moment.

Honestly, if I didn't have a relationship with God at that time, I would have given up a long time before. But the Lord gave me the strength, resolution and courage to face my every day. He held me up, when I felt that I couldn't go through anymore. He shielded and toughed me up, so that I wouldn't get hurt. And I survived a harsh Self-Esteem ravaging, because I had the Lord to back me up.

Now, I am stronger because of all this. I no longer am the passive, mousy outcast who lets everyone sideswipe me. Not anymore. Lol!

Looking Forward

I have so much to look forward to this week.

First, my Birthday is coming up on Saturday. Yipee! On the down-side, though, I'll be adding another year to my age. Honestly, I'd rather stay 25 forever. It's a nice solid number. Easy to remember.

My birthday is worth looking forward to, not only because I'll celebrate it, but because I'll be seeing my babies again! Whoopee!

According to my Ate, Auie has grown a bit since I last saw her. And Matthew lost some weight, too. Aww, poor Matty. I heard he's having some problems adjusting to his new baby sister as the time passes. Note to Self: Remember to shower Matt with more attention.

I'm also looking forward to a nice long break. Starting September 9, the day before my birthday, I will be on Leave from work. I'll be back on September 16. Ahhh... I can almost hear Jason Mraz singing... "And We Sleep All/We Sleep All Day/Sleep All/We Sleep All Day Over..."

But after 6 days off work, I will be going back to face it again. Back to Reality. Not that I dislike work or anything. It's just that it bores me to death sometimes. So, I have to make the most out of my vacation.

Which reminds me... My mom's bringing me to another Cosmetic Dermatologist to have my face cleaned on Friday. Not that I need it much. She's also bringing me in to get a Diamond Peel Treatment! The heck?!? Lol!

A Survey... Yet Again!

I have just logged out of Friendster, where I got this rather interesting Survey from my friend, Duke (or Kim, or smokinflip).

In want of better things to do, since I am awake anyways, I decided to fill it out. And... Read on...

--- o O o ---

01. Your Name? ~ Elaine
02. Hobbies? ~ (At the moment) Sleeping, Surfing the Net, Driving, Discovering New Places to Eat.
03. Gender? ~ Female
04. School? ~ DLSU-Manila
05. Height? ~ 5'4"
06. Zodiac Sign? ~ Virgo

~~ Okay... Where did #7 go?!?
08. Address? ~ Parañaque City
09. Email Address? ~ Ask me personally...
10. Hair? ~ Long, Tied-Back
11. Eye Colour? ~Dark Brown
12. Hair Colour? ~ Naturally Black
13. Right or Left Handed? ~ Righty
14. Status? ~ Single, but Happy.
15. Siblings? ~ 1 Sister, 1 Brother, 1 Half-Brother
16. Last 4 Digits of your Mobile Number? ~ 7748
17. When's your Birthday? ~ September 10 (Hint! Hint!)

=====================
*Have you...*
=====================

~~ Uhh... Where's #18-#20?!?
21. Tried smoking? ~ Yes.
22. Drink alcohol? ~ Yes.
23. Been hurt emotionally? ~ Yes.
24. Kept a secret from anyone? ~ Yes.
25. Been on stage? ~ Yes.

=====================
*Favourites*
=====================

26. Color? ~ Black, Blue, Pink, White, Beige.
27. Food? ~ Japanese, Mexican, American, Italian, Filipino

~~ Once again, another number is missing! Oh well...
29. Number? ~ 7, 13, 25
30. Cartoons? ~ Totally Spies, Kim Possible

~~ What the?!? Can't the Author of this Survey count?
32. Song? ~ My Dream (by Eugene), Byul (by: Yoon Gun), Passion (by: Jewelry), Bring Me To Life (by: Evanescence), Thousand Cranes (by: Hiroshima), My Memory (by: Ryu), Shimnyeoni Jinado (by: Song Seung Hun), All or Nothing (by: O-Town), You Ought To Know By Now (by: Angela Bofill), In The End (by: Linkin' Park), Weak (by: SWV), Tattooed On My Mind (by: D'Sound), Take My Heart Back (by: Jennifer Love Hewitt), My Boo (by: Usher feat. Alicia Keys)

33. Movie? ~ My Sassy Girl, Il Mare, Daddy Long Legs, Everybody Has Secrets, So Close, My Little Bride, Windstruck, Love So Divine
34. Subject? ~ Literature, Debate, Criminal Law, Civil Law, Art, Creative Writing

=====================
*Right Now*
=====================

~~ Jeeze, Louise! Another number gone!
36. Wearing? ~ Blue Tank and Black Shorts
37. Hairstyle? ~ Tied in a Loose Bun
38. Looking At? ~ The growing pile of used tissue infront of me.
39. Thinking Of? ~ If I should cook dinner or not.
40. Listening To? ~ The sound of the rain and the cars passing by.

=====================
*Do You Believe In...*
=====================

41. Love? ~ Maybe.
42. Faith? ~ Yes.
43. Yourself? ~ Sometimes.
44. Ghosts? ~ Nope.
45. Angels? ~ Yes.

=====================
*In The Last 24 Hrs...*
=====================

46. Worn Jeans? ~ No.
47. Cleaned Your Room? ~ No.
48. Cried? ~ No.
49. Met Someone New? ~ Nope.
50. Last Person You Talked To On The Phone? ~ A Client from SG.

=====================
*Love Life*
=====================

51. Do You Believe In Love? ~ Yes.
52. Have A Secret Admirer? ~ I don't know. Isn't that why it's called a "Secret?"
53. Do You Wanna Get Married? ~ Someday.
54. Do You Plan On Having Kids? ~ Yes, of course. If God wills it.
55. How Old Do You Want To Be When You Get Married? ~ You can never say how old you'd be. You may get disappointed when that age passes without getting married. When the right time comes, it will just happen.
56. How Old You Wanna Be When You Have Your Child? ~ Again, you can never tell. Ideally, though, before I hit 35. I still got 9 Years and 5 Days left.
57. How Many Kids Do You Want? ~ At least 2. A Boy and a Girl.
58. Would You Have Kids Before Marriage? ~ It doesn't really matter, but, ideally, I'd like to have them after getting married.
59. Do You Have A Crush? ~ Aren't Crushes for Teens? I've outgrown Crushes, though I still admire gorgeous men!
60. What Do You Want Most In A Relationship? ~ Understanding and Complete Trust.

61. Horror or Action? ~ Action.
62. Kiss or Hug? ~ Both.
63. Summer or Winter? ~ Summer.
64. Sunny or Rainy? ~ Rainy.
65. Chocolate or Vanilla? ~ Vanilla.
66. Hanging Out or Chillin'? ~ Chillin'.
67. Music or TV? ~ Music.
68. Hamburger or Pizza? ~ Big, Fat, Juicy Burgers!
69. Smile or Laughing? ~ Laughing.
70. Sleeping or Eating? ~ Sleeping.
71. McDonald's or KFC? ~ KFC. Finger-lickin' Good!
72. Silver or Gold? ~ Platinum!
73. Sunset or Sunrise? ~ Sunrise.
74. On The Phone or In Person? ~ In Person.
75. Diamonds or Pearls? ~ Diamonds. They're a girl's best friend!
76. Adidas or Puma? ~ Nike.
77. Football or Golf? ~ Football.
78. Local or International Artist? ~ Doesn't Matter.
79. Sneakers or Boots? ~ Sneakers.
80. Jack Daniels or Chivas Regal? ~ Absolut.
81. Dunhill or Marlboro? ~ None.
82. Clubbing or Live Music? ~ Live Music.
83. Johnny Depp or Brad Pitt? ~ Brad Pitt ('coz he's got Angelina Jolie!).
84. Angelina Jolie or Kate Hudson? ~ ANGIE!!! Do you still have to ask me that?!?
85. Epic or Romantic Comedy? ~ Romantic Comedy.
86. Sexy/Naughty or Kind/Plain? ~ Kind/Plain.
87. BMW or Mercedes? ~ Beamer!!!
88. Hiphop or Pop? ~ Pop.
89. Montreal or Toronto? ~ Toronto. Got relatives there!
90. Long Haired or Bald? ~ Bald.
91. Ice Cream or Candies? ~ Ice Cream.
92. Beach or Mountain? ~ Beach.
93. Pepsi or Coke? ~ Coke.
94. DVD or Cinema? ~ DVD.
95. Nokia or Ericsson? ~ Sony Ericsson.
96. 311 or Hoobastank? ~ Hoobastank.
97. Asia or America? ~ US.
98. Tattoo or Piercing? ~ Tattoo.
99. American Idol or Canadian Idol? ~ American Idol (Bo Bice, baby!).
100. Asking or Answering? ~ Answering.

To my friends who are reading this... TAG! You're It! Go ahead and answer the Survey!

UBFHAI Sucks!

For the benefit of those who do not know what UBFHAI means, it's the acronym for United BF Homeowners Association, Inc. It's basically the Group of people running our Village (BF Homes). They, supposedly, take care of the Security, Maintenance, Utilities and the Peace & Order of our community.

Unfortunately, due to the incompetencies and greed of the people running the UBFHAI for the last few years, our community is on the brink of chaos.

Just last week, through the ruling of the Courts, the Parañaque Gates of our Village were opened to the Public. This was the result of a long battle between the Merchants/Business-Owners and the UBFHAI Officers.

You see, the UBFHAI Officers made life and business a living hell for these mere Business-Owners, who line the Commercial Area of BF Homes, by asking exorbitant fees for Stickers and for each Delivery made by their Suppliers! And that was just the tip of the iceberg. More and more non-isolated cases against the UBFHAI Officers emerged, which prompted the majority of Business-Owners to file a complaint with the Office of the Mayor and the Courts as well.

Now that the ruling of the Court has been released, in favor of the Merchants and Entrepreneurs, the Parañaque City Government has taken over the gates of BF Homes, at least the ones under their jurisdiction. To "protect" the interest of the other Homeowners not covered by the Parañaque City's jurisdiction, check-points and guard-rails were put up at the border of the areas under Las Piñas. This meant unnecessary traffic for the streets and areas surrounding these Check-Points. Our street included.

What used to take me just 5 minutes, from the Commercial Hub of BF Homes to our house, now took me 30 minutes because of the traffic. And since our house stands at one of the main thoroughfares in the Village (with 1 of the Check-Points a mere 10 meters from our house), the traffic going home was horrendous! To add insult to injury, some of the annoyed and inconvenienced drivers being held-up by the delays start honking their horns for long periods of time. The noise pollution, that used to be nil in our parts, have filled the air.

Personally, I really find it extremely inconvenient. As most of you know, I work on the Graveyard Shift, and sleep during the day. This meant that my already short and restless sleep, has become far more shorter and more restless, with all the ruckus going on outside. And the dirt that comes through the windows? Terrible!

You'd think that the gates were the only Problem... Think again! The last few days, we've been having a struggle with water. We thought we were the only ones having this problem, since our Pressure Pump and Overhead Tanks had been damaged a few weeks ago, but lo and behold! The WHOLE Village was experiencing the scarcity of the Water Supply! To put it more accurately, the whole village did not have water!

As it turns out, our trusty UBFHAI Officers have not been paying the Electric and Water Bills for the Waterworks of our Village. Now, the Manila Electric Company and the Water Supplier has cut the services provided for the Waterworks, leaving the poor helpless homeowners without water! Now we have to rely on our trusty Water Delivery people to provide us with at least 2 days worth of Water!

I just hope our good Mayor would be able to iron this out for us and make these unscrupulous people of UBFHAI personally responsible for their underhanded ways of running our Village... and FAST!!!

Just One Of Them Days

Below is one of the Entries I have saved to finish at a later date, but, was never able to. This one was dated June 7th. I believe, it was one of those utterly frustrating days at work. But, nevertheless, I'd like to share it.

--- o O o ---

I have, finally, broken MY Record for not updating my BLOG. It's been 4 Months and 5 Days since I last made an update.

I've been pretty much hanging on to my wits' end, constantly dealing with people with rambling accents, and ceaselessly aggravated by irresponsible idiots who still think we do our work haphazardly, when they did not even give us any quality training!

Have you people heard of the quote: "For much has been given, much is required?!?"

You guys gave us shit to work with, yet we give you the best service we could provide. We had to work doubly hard so that we don't look like stupid morons when we deal with your clients! So deal with it!

Next time you want us to do good, give us the training we deserve!

Anyway, enough of the banter. I just had to let it out.

Keeping Touch

I just got off the phone with my Bespren, Chie. It's been a long time since we last spoke or even heard from each other. The last time I spoke to her was when my Mom was in Reno, with Chie's family. And my Mom's been in the Philippines since November 2004!

Anyway, Chie is the ONLY Best Bud in the Bay Area that I have who is not related to me.

"I Came. We Met. We Conquered."

I think that would best describe the times I spent with her. It was like gaining a sister, the same age as I am. It was so cool. I had a really good time in the US because of her.

When I came back to the Philippines, we kept in touch. Usually sending random Text Messages or Emails, and occasional Phone Calls. But, as the time flew by, and work took more of our time, the communication lines between us gradually dissipated.

Although the communication was all but severed, I knew, deep in my heart, that Chie would always be my Bespren. A person who would always be special to me, and would one day be the Godmother of my children.

I have been mulling about calling her for the past few days, but I was worried that we might not have enough things to talk about. I was also anxious that we might not be on the same page as we were before. I don't really know what happened, but I was, for the lack of better terms, "inspired" to call her.

As soon as I got settled, from an Over-Time at the office, I called her on her mobile. At first, she thought I was someone else, but when I told her who I was, she was surprised. Then, the line got cut. Darnit! Lol! What a way to spoil the shock!

So, I called her back. She asked me where I was and did not believe me when I said that I was still in the Philippines, since the number reflecting on her Caller ID was a US Number. (Thanks to Modern Technology, our family has a Land Line with a Legit US Number, which we could use in making and receiving Unlimited Calls from the US.)

It took some time to convince her that I wasn't in the US, but she gave in. We catched up on the relevant things and such. It was quite a relief that things turned out fine, depite my numerous hesitations. I found that though we may not be in the same page, we were still in the same chapter. With a little more catching up, we can offset the space and be on the same page once more.

Here's where the challenge lies. Although I am the type of person who would be thoughful of the present, I find it hard to keep in touch with the past, particularly with the People from my past. Which now inspires me to write another entry... Maybe later... Lol!

Anyway, I just hope that through this newly rekindled communication, we could bring back all the times we've lost.
___________________________

Hey Chie! I really had a blast talking to you. Salamat talaga! You have no idea how much I've missed you and all those times we spent together in Cali. Hopefully, we could see each other soon, and when that day comes, the World ought to be prepared for us! Right, Nikki Baker?!? Lol!

Shelf Workout

Last Monday, August 29, I went to Makro in Las Piñas to avail of the Last Day of the Buy One, Take One Promotion on the Bookshelf that my sister and I were eyeing.

We had previously went there to look at the shelves and get some groceries. To my chagrin, Makro (our local Price Club) does not accept Credit Cards. Well, at least NOT the Internationally accepted ones. Ergo, my MasterCard and Visa, were not of any help. Since I had very little cash at that time, we left Makro with only the essential groceries.

On Monday, since it was Makro's Last Day of selling that 5-Tier Bookshelf with 1 Door on a Buy One, Take One Basis, my sister insisted on lending me the money to buy the shelves. So, with only 3 Hours of Sleep to my credit, off I went to Makro.

My trip to Makro was fine, except for the long delay on the attendants' part and the wrestle to fit the shelves into the car.

I, literally, had to open all the doors, fiddle with the seats, wriggle in the confines of our Compact-sized car (Honda City), just to fit the shelves inside. Thank goodness the car parked next to mine left a few seconds before I got to my Parking Spot! I was able to utilize more space to ease my struggle with putting the Sheves into the car. It was like figuring out how to straighten a tightly jumbled and twisted bundle of wires!

And those shelves were not light, too!. Each box weighed about 32 kgs. (I exaggerate not!). Right after I was able to figure out how the Shelves could fit in the car, I was out of breath and sweating like crazy (and it did not help that it was a very hot day!).

When I got home, same thing. I had to maneuver my way about getting those darned boxes out of the car! And, I had to haul those things to my Second Floor Bedroom! Ack!!!

After I was able to bring the still-boxed-up Shelves to my room, I felt like I worked out extra hard! I plopped into my Mom's treatment bed and caught my breath. Good thing my Mom was going to the mall, so I decided that it would be the best way for me to relax.

Yesterday, after work, my sister and I decided to set-up the sheves and fix our room at the same time. We, practically, turned our room up-side down! We were able to dig up stuff that we didn't even know we had!

While we were successful in assembling the shelves ("Good Carpenters, you are!" - Yoda), I was also successful in cutting my hand and gashing my leg! Of course, let us not forget, the inevitable Asthma Attack! That's why I hate cleaning my room and setting up new furniture!

Anyway, my sister and I were able to settle things down at around 6:30PM. Although we haven't finished clearing everything out, we were content (and tired) enough with the outcome. Also, my sister had to scuttle off with my Mom and Brother to the mall.

After almost 24 hours awake, I was finally able to sleep at 7:00PM, after a very refreshing shower, only to wake up 4 Hours later, to get ready for work...

Presenting... My Babies!!!

Mariel and Izabella

Matt at Mc Donald's

Auie

The kids that appear above are my kids.

No... I did not give birth to them. They're the kids I spoil rotten! Hehehe! Just kidding. They're the babies in our family, so basically they're not solely mine... They're everyone's! I just love calling them my babies, because in a way, they are!

Izabella is our youngest cousin. She was born 15 years after our then youngest cousin, Aissa, was born. So everyone in our generation doted on her. She was the cousins' baby. Now, whenever she couldn't get what she wants from her Ate Aissa, she asks from me, knowing that I can't refuse her. (I'm trying my darnedest to say "NO" now... Trust me!)

Matthew is my First Nephew (Wait! That Rhymes!), and the First Great-Grandchild of my Paternal Grandparents. He's now the Baby Boy everyone is fussing over. Due to the lack of Boys in our family (the ratio is 2 Girls is to 1 Boy), he's a very welcome addition to the Male Population of our family. And, he's also my Godson, so, I am a Parent-in-Waiting, so to speak. Lol!

Anna Luisa, or Auie, is the latest addition to our growing family. She's the baby sister of Matthew. She was born last August 8 (see my last post). I met Little Auie last Tuesday, August 23, when I visited them in their home in Cainta. I spent the whole day with her and Matt, and it was just amazing! I forgot that I didn't get a wink of sleep the whole day! I learned that I was the first in our family to meet Auie! And I'm so happy! I couldn't wait to see her kasi.

Mariel is our adopted cousin. Tito Dave and Tita Mildred are her Foster Parents. It's great because now we have more kids in the family! And, Izabella has a new playmate! Lol!

Anyway, those are my babies, and I can't wait to see them again!

3 New Princesses

This past month and a half, 3 Little Princesses were born within weeks of each other. No, they're not from any Royal Family, but they're Princesses in their own right. Of course, these little girls were born to people who are very close to me, that's why I only counted 3. Otherwise, I know there were thousands of other baby girls born within those weeks.

The first little girl was born to my colleague and friend, Ash Cortez. She named her first baby, Thea Juliana. Thea came into the world on July 22 at around 11:07 AM.

Thea can be considered as a Miracle, since Ash was advised previously by her OB-Gyne that it is highly unlikely that she would get pregnant. You see, Ash has a very irregular cycle. We used to tease her about being pregnant, since it would take months at a time before she would get her next period. Well, our teasing turned out to be true before Ash left for Japan (for Greener Pasteurs). But, of course, she did not know it then. When Ash came back, after just 4 months in Japan, she discovered that she was already 4 1/2 months pregnant! As if it wasn't obvious with the bump on her belly!

It was truly a great blessing for her and her partner, Ronnie. Thea is also Ronnie's first baby girl (he has 2 sons from a previous relationship).

Next in line was Ishke Mikalah Malazarte. Mi-Yu, as she is fondly called, was born to one of my Closest Friends, Iris Malazarte, on July 29 at 7:45 PM. Iris is just 19 years old, but she is a fiercely independent woman.

Mi-Yu is also a very special baby. Besides being the first born of Iris, she is actually giving her mother the will to live and be strong. I wouldn't go into the details of Iris' dilemma, but she has been through a lot. And thank goodness! Mi-Yu is a beautiful, fair-skinned baby, in contrast to Iris' morena complexion! Joke!

Last, but certainly not the least... The MOST Special Little Princess (at least for my family), was born on August 8, via Ceasarean Section, to my cousin, Ate Mhin, and her husband, Ernest. YES... I have a new niece! Her name is Anna Luisa Corpin-Madriaga. She's the baby sister of my very handsome nephew, Jude Matthew.

It just seems like yesterday, when Ate Mhin gave birth to Matthew. Now, he's a year and 2 Months old, and is already a big brother! Wow! Time does fly fast.

The Corpin-Madriaga brood just got back from La Union last Friday, and I can't wait to see my new niece, and my booey, Matthew, who I heard now walks on his own! I might just visit them tomorrow after work. I will post pictures as soon as I have them.

Anyway, I just wanted to welcome these 3 Beautiful Princesses to this Cool and Crazy World that we live in. And I just wish that they would make the most of their lives and be the special little angels they are to their respective parents.

I Dunno...

I've been out of it lately. Actually, I've been out of it for the past few months. You guys must be wondering what's up... Well, I'm in a state of utter discontentment.

I am not contented with my career, with my work, with my LIFE.

I'm so confused with what I want out of life, that it's affecting the way I view my day-to-day experiences. Doubt slowly creeps in everytime I think about what I want to do in my life.

I want to go into further studies, particularly in the Foreign or Diplomatic Affairs arena, but I am unsure of where it would take me. Would I be successful enough? What type of career would I get into, if I go into that particular field?

I'd want to study different languages, particularly Spanish, Korean, French and German. But would I be able to absorb these languages enough to use them?

I want to get my own pad and my own car... But I don't think I can afford it.

I have a lot of things that I want to do and have, but I doubt the possibility of them coming into reality.

Maybe it's the fear of the unknown, or it could just be procrastination. I dunno...

Survey Says...

Another post, from Melissa's BLOG, is about to be personalized by yours truly, once again.

Meels posted her answers to a Survey sent to her by her friend. These kinds of Surveys actually aid in getting to know your friends and yourself. Well, that is unless you just fool around with the answers! Lol!

Anyway, here are my answers to the Survey Questions:

1. hows your heart lately?
** Still good. It's still beating. But if you want to romanticize the question, I think my heart is emitting faint beats.

2. did u ever cheat during exam?
** It's just normal for students to cheat once in a while. So, my answer would be a YES.

3. first boyband that made you go gaga?
** I never really went gaga over a Boyband. I do listen to them, but I don't obsess. I liked New Kids On The Block first. It was way back in 6th Grade. Don't ask me when that was.

4. how many pairs of shoes do u own?
** Right now, I have 3 good pairs of Rubbershoes/Sneakers that I use daily. I also have 1 unused pair of Black Heeled Loafers, 1 pair of Black Leather Ankle-Length Boots, 1 pair of Silver Sandals and 1 pair of Pink Sandals. Most of these are rarely used, as I'm more comfortable in Sneakers.

5. what CD's are u currently listening to?
** It's a mix of K-Pop Songs and MP3s from Meels.

Oddly enough, Question #6 is missing from this survey. Alright then... Moving along...

7. do u buy pirated CD's, VCD's or DVD's?
** CDs, nope. VCDs, I have no choice (Original Hallyu Movies and K-Dramas are extremely rare here in Manila). DVDs, I don't buy.

8. have you ever been suspended to school?
** Nope.

9. how many different faces can you make?
** I don't really count them. But I'd like to think that I have 1 for every emotion.

10. how many times do u brush your teeth in a day?
** At least 2x.

11. what perfume do u use?
** I don't use perfume. I use Baby Cologne because they smell fresher.

12. do u watch chinese shows?
** Chinese Shows, not so much. Korean Shows, mostly.

13. how about asianovelas?
** I love K-Dramas, especially Love Story In Harvard (Kim Rae-Won & Kim Tae-Hee), Loveholic (Kang-Ta & Kim Min Sun), Winter Sonata (Bae Yong-Jun & Choi Ji-Woo), Sweet 18 (Lee Dong-Gun & Han Ji-Hye), Stairway To Heaven (Kwon Sang-Woo & Choi Ji-Woo), and Full House (Rain & Song Hye-Gyo).

14. favorite cartoon character?
** I'd have to say... Eeyore. He's so cute. I also like Spongebob Squarepants!

15. can u drive?
** Yes.

16. favorite streetfood?
** Corn on a Cob (with Butter and lots of salt), and Quail Eggs (the ones covered in Orange-colored batter).

17. describe your room, what can we find inside it?
** I share a room with my sister, so we have 2 beds. There's also an assortment of tables and shelves with all my sister's stuff.

18. do u like to party?
** Sad to say, I don't.

19. do u still ask permission from your parents about stuff?
** Depends on what stuff.

20. how often do u change ur underwear?
** Everyday, at least twice, depending on the weather.

21. favorite radio station?
** Wave 89.1, RX 93.1, Magic 89.9, Joey @ 92.3

23. what song do u sing in the shower?
** I don't usually sing in the shower. I sing while driving.

24. whats the biggest difference you've made in the world?
** None, at the moment.

25. do u keep a diary?
** I find diaries too over-rated.

26. what do u do when u feel low about yourself?
** I sleep it off. I would also watch a movie or listen to Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory with the volume in full blast.

27. can you cook/bake?
** I'm known for cooking...

28. worst gift you had ever received?
** A can of Planter's Cheez Curls for Christmas!

29. are u facing a major problem right now?
** Financial, yes... I have to learn how to ask my brother to pay up the money he owes me!

30. hows your relationship with your parents?
** Don't ask. I've been interrogated enough.

31. are you in love?
** Unfortunately, not.