Is it to virtually immortalize my existence? Is it to make my humdrum life appear somewhat interesting? Is it to clamor for attention or aspire for literary acclaim?
I write in my blog because I want to be a first-row spectator to my own life. I don’t care if people do not read my blog, or care if my entries are worth commenting on.
I write in my blog because there are moments, which a few years from now will not feel as intense or as important. There are days, which I just need and want to remember.
I write in my blog because there are life lessons I thought I learned but eventually forget. I need to review these learnings, for fear of failing again.
I write in my blog because I want to dedicate some entries to people who have inspired, touched, amused, hurt, moved, taught, angered or cheered me; people who make me experience what being human is all about.
I write in my blog because after days of battling responsibilities, making decisions, making mistakes, winning arguments and everything else, I want to contemplate my own thoughts, feelings and emotions.
Yeah, that’s it. That is why.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Thursday, October 19, 2006
A letter to my sparring partner, little sister, confidante and friend.
“It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure,
to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful.
There is more security in the adventurous and exciting,
for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.”
(Alan Cohen)
It will be almost three years since we first met, I remember you then as a tall, demure and seemingly shy girl when mother introduced you to the rest of the group. And you were! Well for the first few days at least… I also remember the first time you ate at the cafeteria; you were rather uncomfortable with the goings-on around you, like a lost sheep in a lion’s den. Since that time, you never looked back.
Little by little I came to know and appreciate the person that you are. I’ve seen your many moods (from a crying baby because someone told you off, to a hyperactive dance instructor, to a respectable program facilitator, to a dead serious SAP profile attach-er) and realized that one will never really get to know you without experiencing all of them. I’m glad I’ve been privy to most if not all your many sides because you’re one person truly worth having as a friend.
I won’t say goodbye, because this is not the time to do so. 6th floor maybe a few minutes away, but I am sincerely hoping that the distance will not affect what we tulisans have established. I cannot say that things will not change, but on my part, I promise to make the effort to ensure that you will remain in the loop. You will be missed of course; after all, it will just be blank panel now when I look to my left.
I also cannot assure you that things will be better for you this time; I can only pray that your move will allow you to acquire a wider perspective, one which will likewise permit you to know yourself and the role you would want to play in this world. I know you still have a lot of doubts at this point, but I admire your courage to start on that quest. I hope that later on, you’ll get the answers.
However uncertain, taxing or terrifying the road may be, you know where to find me.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
411, 412 and then some
Last Saturday, our group got together at Rex and OT’s soon-to-be house in Cainta. Rex bought the place a few months back and had some renovations made to suit him and OT when they move in after the wedding. Being quite near the place, Lyndon and I were the first to arrive. Soon after, everyone else did. It’s been more than 2 months since we all got together and I could say I missed the group. It was a long night of talking, ribbing and of course drinking (I had only one bottle of beer though). Thank goodness the boys did not have a deck of cards!
Our conversation that night ranged from basketball to my career decision to Tony’s incentives to OT’s selling 101 to Chuck and his truck (of narra) to Rex’s in law issues. I remember that even when we were still in high school, we’ve always preferred hanging out in one’s house to just talk. We were not the typical barkada who would party out, go barhopping, watch concerts or movies… we were content with just… talking. Of course we do go out, but a majority of our get-togethers was simply because, we wanted to see each other. Sometimes we get in each other’s nerves, but we’ve learned to live with each other’s quirks and we know each one’s disposition like the back of our hands.
Sometimes I can’t believe I’ve been friends with them for more than half my life. These are the people I literally grew up with, and through time, while I make friends with other people, they’re still the group I’d consider to keep up to the twilight years.
Our conversation that night ranged from basketball to my career decision to Tony’s incentives to OT’s selling 101 to Chuck and his truck (of narra) to Rex’s in law issues. I remember that even when we were still in high school, we’ve always preferred hanging out in one’s house to just talk. We were not the typical barkada who would party out, go barhopping, watch concerts or movies… we were content with just… talking. Of course we do go out, but a majority of our get-togethers was simply because, we wanted to see each other. Sometimes we get in each other’s nerves, but we’ve learned to live with each other’s quirks and we know each one’s disposition like the back of our hands.
Sometimes I can’t believe I’ve been friends with them for more than half my life. These are the people I literally grew up with, and through time, while I make friends with other people, they’re still the group I’d consider to keep up to the twilight years.
Monday, October 02, 2006
UST Tigers, UAAP Champions!
After a 10-year drought, UST emerged as the 69th UAAP Men's Basketball Champion!
I wanted to watch the games at the Araneta, but of course I had to be in the office, so I just contented myself with the television in our Corporate Library. Of course, I couldn't scream my lungs out, so I almost had a heart attack!
To think, the Tigers had a difficult start in the elims and the semis, and yet they were able to surpass it all. I'm so proud to be a Thomasian!
Viva Sto. Tomas!
Grabbed from Dionne's site
How do you like your eggs?:
with basil and mushrooms, cooked in olive oil
How do you take your coffee/tea:
coffee: brewed or instant, with creamer and a little sugar; tea: hot with muscovado rocks
Favorite breakfast foods:
I don’t usually eat breakfast, a good cup of coffee starts my day right
Peanut butter:
peter pan chunky with marmalade (mega sinful!)
What kind of dressing on your salad?:
creamy garlic or raspberry vinaigrette from goolai
Coke or Pepsi?:
Coca Cola please, light
You’re feeling lazy. What do you make?:
lucky me pancit canton chilimansi
You’re feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order?:
everything on top (except anchovies)
You feel like cooking. What do you make?:
Pasta
Do any foods bring back good memories?:
Oh yes, my family loves to eat, eat and eat!
Do any foods remind you of someone?:
Both my parents are experts in the kitchen, my dad cooks a mean paella and turon, Mommie has a patented leche flan and adobo espanol recipe, My big sister cooks sumptuous pork kaldereta, Mama Pura and Kuya Carlos can concoct a superb laing, Lyndon cooks delicious papaitan, Princess makes great pastries from scratch, and although I haven’t tasted it, I’d like to try Ms. Bong’s oven toasted or rice-steamed hotdogs, hahahaha!
Is there a food you refuse to eat?:
chesa, tastes and looks like crap! And adobong pusit, blech!
What was your favorite food as a child?
Fried chicken, it still is my favorite
Is there a food that you hated as a child but now love?
Okra
Is there a food that you loved as a child but now hate?
I remember I used to eat adobong pusit but I developed a disgust for it now
Favorite fruit & vegetable:
Fruit – ripe mangoes Vegetable - okra
Favorite junk food:
Pringles
Favorite between meal snack:
water?
Do you have any weird food habits:
I cannot eat when my spoon and fork are of different sets.
You’re on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on?
Dahon
How spicy do you order Indian/Thai?
I used to like really spciy dishes, but it’s not good for my stomach (I’m hyperacidic) so I’d say, “mild”
Can I get you a drink?
Ice cold water with meals, San Mig Light with pulutan
Red wine or white?
Red
We only have beer:
San Mig Super Dry please
Favorite dessert?
I don’t usually dig desserts, but if forced, I’ll take mango bravo (conti’s) any day.
with basil and mushrooms, cooked in olive oil
How do you take your coffee/tea:
coffee: brewed or instant, with creamer and a little sugar; tea: hot with muscovado rocks
Favorite breakfast foods:
I don’t usually eat breakfast, a good cup of coffee starts my day right
Peanut butter:
peter pan chunky with marmalade (mega sinful!)
What kind of dressing on your salad?:
creamy garlic or raspberry vinaigrette from goolai
Coke or Pepsi?:
Coca Cola please, light
You’re feeling lazy. What do you make?:
lucky me pancit canton chilimansi
You’re feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order?:
everything on top (except anchovies)
You feel like cooking. What do you make?:
Pasta
Do any foods bring back good memories?:
Oh yes, my family loves to eat, eat and eat!
Do any foods remind you of someone?:
Both my parents are experts in the kitchen, my dad cooks a mean paella and turon, Mommie has a patented leche flan and adobo espanol recipe, My big sister cooks sumptuous pork kaldereta, Mama Pura and Kuya Carlos can concoct a superb laing, Lyndon cooks delicious papaitan, Princess makes great pastries from scratch, and although I haven’t tasted it, I’d like to try Ms. Bong’s oven toasted or rice-steamed hotdogs, hahahaha!
Is there a food you refuse to eat?:
chesa, tastes and looks like crap! And adobong pusit, blech!
What was your favorite food as a child?
Fried chicken, it still is my favorite
Is there a food that you hated as a child but now love?
Okra
Is there a food that you loved as a child but now hate?
I remember I used to eat adobong pusit but I developed a disgust for it now
Favorite fruit & vegetable:
Fruit – ripe mangoes Vegetable - okra
Favorite junk food:
Pringles
Favorite between meal snack:
water?
Do you have any weird food habits:
I cannot eat when my spoon and fork are of different sets.
You’re on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on?
Dahon
How spicy do you order Indian/Thai?
I used to like really spciy dishes, but it’s not good for my stomach (I’m hyperacidic) so I’d say, “mild”
Can I get you a drink?
Ice cold water with meals, San Mig Light with pulutan
Red wine or white?
Red
We only have beer:
San Mig Super Dry please
Favorite dessert?I don’t usually dig desserts, but if forced, I’ll take mango bravo (conti’s) any day.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Saturday Showdown
My Saturday was a truly tiring one, but no regrets because it was filled with adventure from the time I woke up.
6AM, I was off to Barangay Socorro in Quezon City to participate in a medical mission sponsored by the Cuasay family. It was my friend Kat's dad's birthday, and for a different kind of celebration, they decided to organize a medical mission for the residents of their community. The
day started with a holy mass then breakfast, then of course the medical mission.
Our group (friends from SMC composed of Bong, Alvin, John and Jaize) were assigned at the Pediatrics section. While they were assigned at the registration table, I was assigned at the nurses' station where I teamed with two other nursing students from AMA. I was tasked to get the temperature, height and weight measurements of the patients plus do a short interview to verify the patient's illness.
Boy, was it back breaking! Specially when the patients arrived in swarms! I've done a number of volunteer works in the past, especially when I was still in Philippine National Red Cross, but this was the first time that I really got into close contact with that many poor people in half a day. Some looked decent enough but a number came who looked like they haven't eaten anything in days. Some kids looked too malnourished and weak, and didn't have anything decent to wear. There was one who didn't even have footwear.
While I know that there isn't much I can do to alleviate their difficulties, I felt glad that I had the opportunity to do something, however insignificant it may seem. Plus of course I experienced it with the tulisans, and this is something we will remember for a long time.
Right after the medical mission, Lyndon fetched me because we were planning to watch game 2 of the UAAP games. Ms. Bong and Kuya Carlos dropped us off to Araneta coliseum where there was a huge crowd of students, alumni and school officials eagerly waiting for the 4PM game. We got good seats, thanks to Allan and Lyndon's friend Onjan from Araneta.
We were of course rooting for UST, with me being a Thomasian, and because of Allan Evangelista one of the star players of the UST tigers. Lyndon got him into the team many years back, and he has flourished into a very good player over the years. He always tell people how much he owes Lyndon for that opportunity to play with the Tigers. He's graduating next year and will soon be playing for the PBL and I'm sure eventually for the PBA.
During the game, I in m striking yellow shirt, was seated with Jen and Kathy (Lyndon's niece who's also a senior in UST) and other UST professors. It was like I was transported back to the mid 1990's when the UST tigers won championships 4 years in a row. The energy of the crowd was just overwhelming and my head was throbbing from yelling too much. I was on my feet, dancing and screaming at the top of my voice the whole time. Jen and I were also carrying huge placards that said "GO USTe" and we were gyrating to the drumbeat. After the game, we went to see Allan to personally congratulate him. He was so glad to see us there.
We had dinner at Dencio's afterwards and feasted on sinugba, sisig and sinampalukang manok. The dinner was in celebration of UST's victory that night and for Jen's birthday on the 5th. Dinner was of course spent discussing the game and Jen's blossoming friendship with Allan.
We got home at around 11PM and while my feet were killing me, I was exhilarated and smiled myself to sleep. Hopefully, my voice will come back by tomorrow. :-)
Good luck Tigers, go get them in Game 3!
6AM, I was off to Barangay Socorro in Quezon City to participate in a medical mission sponsored by the Cuasay family. It was my friend Kat's dad's birthday, and for a different kind of celebration, they decided to organize a medical mission for the residents of their community. The
day started with a holy mass then breakfast, then of course the medical mission.Our group (friends from SMC composed of Bong, Alvin, John and Jaize) were assigned at the Pediatrics section. While they were assigned at the registration table, I was assigned at the nurses' station where I teamed with two other nursing students from AMA. I was tasked to get the temperature, height and weight measurements of the patients plus do a short interview to verify the patient's illness.
Boy, was it back breaking! Specially when the patients arrived in swarms! I've done a number of volunteer works in the past, especially when I was still in Philippine National Red Cross, but this was the first time that I really got into close contact with that many poor people in half a day. Some looked decent enough but a number came who looked like they haven't eaten anything in days. Some kids looked too malnourished and weak, and didn't have anything decent to wear. There was one who didn't even have footwear.
While I know that there isn't much I can do to alleviate their difficulties, I felt glad that I had the opportunity to do something, however insignificant it may seem. Plus of course I experienced it with the tulisans, and this is something we will remember for a long time.
Right after the medical mission, Lyndon fetched me because we were planning to watch game 2 of the UAAP games. Ms. Bong and Kuya Carlos dropped us off to Araneta coliseum where there was a huge crowd of students, alumni and school officials eagerly waiting for the 4PM game. We got good seats, thanks to Allan and Lyndon's friend Onjan from Araneta.
We were of course rooting for UST, with me being a Thomasian, and because of Allan Evangelista one of the star players of the UST tigers. Lyndon got him into the team many years back, and he has flourished into a very good player over the years. He always tell people how much he owes Lyndon for that opportunity to play with the Tigers. He's graduating next year and will soon be playing for the PBL and I'm sure eventually for the PBA.
During the game, I in m striking yellow shirt, was seated with Jen and Kathy (Lyndon's niece who's also a senior in UST) and other UST professors. It was like I was transported back to the mid 1990's when the UST tigers won championships 4 years in a row. The energy of the crowd was just overwhelming and my head was throbbing from yelling too much. I was on my feet, dancing and screaming at the top of my voice the whole time. Jen and I were also carrying huge placards that said "GO USTe" and we were gyrating to the drumbeat. After the game, we went to see Allan to personally congratulate him. He was so glad to see us there.
We had dinner at Dencio's afterwards and feasted on sinugba, sisig and sinampalukang manok. The dinner was in celebration of UST's victory that night and for Jen's birthday on the 5th. Dinner was of course spent discussing the game and Jen's blossoming friendship with Allan.
We got home at around 11PM and while my feet were killing me, I was exhilarated and smiled myself to sleep. Hopefully, my voice will come back by tomorrow. :-)
Good luck Tigers, go get them in Game 3!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)