taking a new step

These past few days, I've been nostalgic. I even scanned all the pictures of my close friends in my computer. Duh! emo mode. The days that I spent alone in my apartment especially during afternoons made me feel a little bit lonely and made me wish that we would be sitting in one of our favorite coffee shops, sipping coffee and talking about anything under the sun.


Less than a month from now, I'll be leaving Manila. I don't know if I'll leave for good or temporarily. Who knows, I might be back in May.  This is the first time that I don't have a definite plan on what I'm going to do. The only thing that I'm sure of is I'm going to have one hell of a summer fun. I'm looking forward to start my summer but then a part of me a little bit hesitant because I know I'll miss Manila and the things it bring and of course, my friends.


It's not quite easy to say goodbye. It makes me a little bit emotional and it makes me feel that anytime soon my eyes will be filled with tears. I always have this feeling when it comes to my friends. Maybe because my life always evolves with them. I can sometimes say that I'm more attached to them than to my own family. Funny thing, right? I even figured out why. 

weekend getaway

Last Friday, we decided to go to La Union. It was an unplanned trip. I had my overnight bag with me 'coz I was planning to have a long weekend in Batangas, at my lola's house specifically. Then suddenly an idea popped up from my mind--why don't we [angels] have a long weekend together in La Union since we planned to go there before I'll leave Manila this April 11. Plus, it will be a three-day weekend which rarely happens to us since we work in different Korean companies that follows Korean holidays.I got my overnight bag already so I was ready to go anywhere. I texted the angels if they liked to have a weekend in La Union and we would be staying at Ayka's house. I waited for their confirmation and they all said YES except for Grace since she got her weekend all planned out already. It was fine but it would have been better if she went with us *wink*. Ayka, Nancy and I went to La Union at Saturday dawn and Weng followed us on the afternoon of that same day. We planned to have a maximum of P1500 trip and I think we only spent less than 1500 except for Weng 'coz she had dinner in one of the small hotels in La union--hahaha!.

AT LA UNION--February 29--March 1, 2010


Saturday


The three of us arrived at La Union at around 9am. We directly went to Ayka's place, had breakfast and slept until early that afternoon . As usual, we always wanted to take a rest before hitting the spots in San Fernando, La Union.


Around 3 pm

We went to Ayka's favorite Chinese restaurant and elementary school, the city's cathedral, Pagoda and the city's capitol. We couldn't decide where to go since we were still waiting for Weng to arrive. We didn't really want to explore the place without her. When we went to the Pagoda. It seemed like we were somewhere in China. The view from the Pagoda was breath taking. We could see the whole city and the blue sea. It was a little bit sad though that there were a lot of vandals on it and it was not well taken care of. We also went to the city's capitol since someone invited us to go there when we were about to go home. We saw the different governors of the city and we we went to the capitol's ground and watched the sunset.


Saturday night

Weng would arrive at around 10pm so we went to the city's plaza where she should get off. We waited for her and when she arrived we went to one of the hotels in the city for her to have a late dinner. I had coffee as usual and cookies. When we went back to Ayka's place, we watched American Idol 'coz Ayka wanted to show us Casey James, one of the contestants of American Idol and her crush. Before the program ended, all of us had a crush on him to. WAY TO GO Casey James!


Sunday morning

We planned to go to Ma-cho temple and to the different beaches in La Union.  We started our day a little bit late already as usual. We were a little bit slow in getting ready for the day. First, we went to two different beach resorts somewhere on the northern part of La Union. Since nobody wanted to swim, so we didn't bring clothes for swimming. The beaches were beautiful but then it was so hot to swim. Then we went to Ma-cho temple. Again, it was like we were somewhere in China and when we went there, there were a lot of Chinese who were offering so we weren't able to burn incense and other chinese stuff to do in a Chinese temple--hahaha!


early afternoon
We went to the beach resorts somewhere down south. It was like we were beach hopping. We hanged out in one of the resorts there and had fruit shakes. It was so refreshing to have a shake in a very hot day. I could feel that summer was already starting here in the Philipines.


late afternoon

We went to Ayka's brother's house to see his nephews and niece. Her sister-in-law asked us if we went to Greece. We were like dumbfounded since we didn't know what she was asking us. Until Nancy told us, " there is a resort featured on TV with a Greek theme".Late that afternoon, we went to this "Greece" resort. We found out that the name of this resort was "Thunderbird" and we were like, "what the heck? An awesome resort with a name THUNDERBIRD?". The place made us feel that we were in Greece, maybe somewhere in Santorini but we could not get over with its name. They could have given it a name that makes you think of Greece or paradise and not make you think of a rooster for cockfighting. It was really funny. Until now, I'm still thinking about what made the owner of that hotel or the company think of that name. Everything would have been perfect for that resort except for its name.


at night
We went to the city's night market to buy the famous "Ilocos empanada". We bought different kinds of food and we went back at Ayka's place to have dinner instead of going to the beach due to some reasons..thinking about it..I don't know why? hahaha!


Monday--
going back to Manila
back to reality


Hope we will have another weekend escape despite the problems that each of us have. It might just be temporary but it helps us to keep sane. Sometimes we just need to get away from all the dramas in life.

Escape with my forever friends!!

Roomates, schoolmates and girlfriends roll into one--my forever friends. I last saw them months ago except for Koren who I last saw like around 5 years ago. Being with them was unexplainable. It was wonderfully fun and amusing--the simple talks and the "kakulitan". We took a walk down memory lane. We reminisced about the funny and crazy things that we did back then. We talked about our future plans and it was so amazing to find out that some of us planned to find a new job and relocate.

The past few days were quite tiring but it was worth it. DJ who just came back from Canada have her vacation in P.I. She had plan a lot of things to do here in Manila. It seemed like her schedule was always fully booked. She painted the city red. Good thing that our friends took turns in going out with her since I could not accompany her everywhere since I have to work She was so full of energy that it sometimes made me wonder where got it all. . I think I would die in tiredness if I were in her place. She went out everyday--shopping, partying and hanging out with friends.Oh! one of the highlights these past few days was Koren's visit here in Manila. So, all the girls got together and  went out of town last weekend to celebrate our valentines day. The valentines day of the single ladies with one exception (BTW, Koren is the only one who is in a relationship. *wink*). We went to Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas and there we stayed for one night. The place was superb though we didn't have much time to stroll and use their facilities. Our escape from the city was indeed worth remembering not just because of this beautiful place but because of the laughters that we shared, the hilarious things that we did and the weird imaginations that we had every time we talked about something. How I wish we could travel again and have a get together even though we live in different places.


Feb 16, 2010--Kitchen, Greenbelt 3


Last night, we had dinner with some of our high school batch mates. It was Koren and DJ's last night here in Manila though DJ would be coming back next week since her flight would from Manila to Vancouver [I think]. Time flew so fast that I realized we didn't have a chance to have serious talks. It was a little bit disappointing because I realized that I didn't actually know much about their lives these past few years. Yeah, we hanged out and chilled out but then I think the most important thing is to know more about them. We might be the same person as before but some things changed. In a way, we are different.


Anyway, I'm glad that after all these years, we remain as friends even though we have separate lives. We are still familiar with each other despite the fact that we seldom see each other. It's so amazing how we easily blend even though we don't see each other as often as we want to. It's like chemistry. How fortunate I am to meet these people in my journey of life.

Graduate studies

Yes.. I always rant or complain about how difficult grad studies are. My friends who are always with me might be deaf by now--hahaha! Well, most of them understand me anyway. I think it's not really that bad. It's just that my hands are always full. I do things at the same time that sometimes being alone in my crib doing nothing is a heaven already. It's been months since I experienced cramming and I quite miss it. Yeah! I think I'm falling in love with pressure. Funny, isn't it? Several months ago, I wished that my grad studies would be over and now that I officially graduated, I feel like there's something missing. I want more. I think I'm one of those people who always seek headaches and pain in the ass--hahaha! 

Graduate studies--one of the most memorable parts of my life. I met a lot of people and I gained friends. Without my friends in grad school, I think it will be a lot challenging for me to pursue my masters. I can still remember those days where all of us had to help each other out just to pass the courses and the exams that we had to go through. These are the people who understand me well. They know how hard it is to be in grad school. Because of the common ground that we have, our friendship blooms and it makes our life in grad school more bearable. Also, I can say that we are so lucky to have professors who encourage their students to dream and to chase it. I can't believe that they are so approachable and humble. They don't think highly of themselves and they always make us feel that we can seek advice from them all the time. I'm so glad that they make our lives easier by giving us all the things that we needed in order for us to do the requirements that they expected us to do. The only thing that I can say to these people is THANK YOU for everything. 

Year 2010

I chose to be HAPPY. Whatever happens, my days will be lovely. They say that happiness is a choice and it is indeed a choice. We face a lot of challenges but then who doesn't. All of us are. It's just a matter of how we are going to handle it. Instead of counting the mishaps that are happening and might going to happen, I will now count the reasons why I have to continue enjoying life and be happy.


1.I have a very nice family and relatives.
2.I have a lot of friends who love me.
3. My future is bright. (That is how I see it.) 
4. I only live once


HAPPY HAPPY ME!

Christmas Wish list!

Books

I love reading books and everyone knows that I can't live without one but  these past few years were quite different. My high school friends might be shocked if they're reading this. Yes, it's true. I couldn't find time or the urge to read books with the exception of few renowned books like Twilight Saga and The Alchemist. It's been months since I told myself that I would read again. It's my dream to read as many books as I can but then I think it will always remain as a dream. It's quite expensive to buy books which I'll only read for a day or two if I want to but then the satisfaction that I get after reading can't be paid off. Maybe someday this will come true, if I'll marry someone who runs a bookstore or something. *wink* 


One afternoon, I went to a mall with one of my friends and she wanted to go to a bookstore to buy something. I went with her and we went to the different sections of the store. As usual, I ended up browsing some books in the literary works section. I saw the books of Paulo Coelho on a shelf then something caught my eye, the book that I had been longing to read--One hundred years of solitude. As my eyes roamed, I saw a lot of books that I wanted to read. I picked them out from the shelves and the last thing I noticed was my hands were full of them already, I could barely hold them. I was overwhelmed that I forgot to consider that books are expensive. One by one, I chose which book to buy and finally I settled on buying the book of Paulo Coelho and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I kept on telling myself that I should not be greedy. I had to stick with these two books and buy for more if I am done reading. 


Now, I'm starting to read 'Like the Flowing River'.  I get teary-eyed and smiles while reading it. I'm halfway through and I try to read it slowly for I think it will be better that way. The book is a collection of short stories and reflections. Before I read this book, I always think of Paolo Coelho as someone who is extraordinary but then I realize that he is just like any other person here on earth. He's so real. He did a lot of funny things that others might think of it as stupid.  This book let me have a fascinating glimpse inside the life of P. Coelho. A must read!

2009 is almost over

2009--not a best year for me. It's one of my most challenging years in life. I always think that once 2009 will be over my life will be better. I hope I'm right. Oh!I think I am. My intuition says so. Twenty-0-nine, the year that I don't mind saying goodbye. It's not that bad though. There are a lot of good things happened to me. Quite a lot if I'm going to think about it. I just recent the fact that this year I wasn't able to make decision freely because there were a lot of things to consider and I felt my hands were somewhat tied. This year is kind of a breaking point to me. I have had enough. What I want is to be free but then I have OBLIGATIONS. The thing that I'm not so fond of. Obligations and how to face it in an optimistic manner are part of growing up. Knowing that I don't handle obligations well and big responsibilities scare a hell out of me makes me say that there are a lot of things that I have to learn for the years to come.


Twenty-one days from now and twenty-0-nine will be over. I scanned my long-ago blog posts and I stumbled on my christmas wish lists and sort of New Year's resolution blogs. I found out that more than half of my list and resolution did not happen. Too bad, right?


One of the things that I remember writing is to travel. What the heck..I can't even go to Baguio or to a beach somewhere in Batangas. Oh! There's one thing--spend less and something like about having savings? So funny! I don't even have a single centavo in my account. Yeah, yeah, yeah..I get it. I was so busy these past few months. I could hardly breathe. I also had a lot of payables. Excuses? Well, it's a good thing that I stumbled on them just to make me realize how useless my list and resolution are. I guess I just have to include these things in my list/resolution/plan again for next year. BTW, so excited to make one.


At the end of the year, we always question our self, "Did I live my life or Did life simply pass me by?".

Things I'll miss in grad studies..

There are things that I love and like to do. These past few days were great for me. I was able to do the things that I want and like. I'm just so glad that for once I'm not rushing and beating a deadline. Yes, it's fun to be this way but then there are things that I'm sure I'm going to miss. This is life. We cannot have everything we want.

1. I'll surely miss my classmates/friends especially the things that we do during Saturdays..After class dinner and drinking. LOL!

--For so many terms that I've stayed in school, I think last term was the best term despite the fact that there were a lot of papers to do. Friendships blossom and I get closer and closer to my classmates. We finally get to know each other well. Why is it when you only have limited time to be really together is also the time where you have to depart? hahaha!

2. I'll miss the adrenaline rush when there's a paper due and the feeling when you've beaten the red light.

3. I'll miss Andrew Building and my professors who made our life miserable..;-) kidding!

This is just one chapter of my life and it's almost time to end this chapter. This journey is so memorable to me--the tears, stress, challenges and laughters. I feel so great that I've reach one of my goals but the most interesting part is the steps that I took and the process that I've been through. It taught me a lot and it made me a better person.

Until then...looking forward to my next goal in life!

Crazy about HITMAN REBORN

YES! I'm crazy about Hitman Reborn these past few days and since I don't have any school stuff to do anymore, I fill my afternoons by watching this anime. It's quite fun to watch this due to the wild actions they have and the family values they show. They reiterate that our friends are our family. Family is not all about having same blood running through our veins. It's how we regard each other than bind us. It may be so cheesy but then I think it's true. There are reasons why we meet people that we later on called friends. Either we bring some changes on them or the other way around. Friends coming in our life has always have a purpose. We may not have realize what we are doing in their life and what they can do to us.

Friends--Some of them may stay and some of them may leave. Others accompany us in our journey and others are a mere passer by but having them around even in just a few minutes, hours, days and years make this world a better place to stay.

What male Katekyo Hitman Reborn character are you

YourResult

You are...Takeshi!You're outgoing, adventurous, and friendly. You're very loyal and you'd do anything for your friends. As a good person at heart, or all around nice guy, you'd rather get hurt yourself then let anyone else come to harm. You might act absent minded sometimes but you know when it's time to get serious. Go you, you're the nicest guy in the worldThere are things that I love and like to do.

These past few weeks and months

This term is my last term in school. Finally last Friday, my oral comprehensive exam was done and I am now qualified to apply for graduation. YAHOO!

These past few weeks or let's say months were so hectic. So after our oral exam, we hanged out in one of our classmates house. I will really miss Andrew Bldg, DEAL office and my classmates. OH! my professors too. After all the tears and laughters, everything is almost over. We are just waiting for our graduation day. I feel so glad these past few days because I don't have to worry about deadlines and research papers anymore. This kind of thing seems so new to me. It's so funny that I don't really know what to do after my work. Since I'm now done with my studies, I can certainly do the things that I've been planning for quite some time. I hope almost all of my plans will be pushed through. I'm so excited for 2010. I feel like it will be an awesome year because many things will surely change. SO EXCITED and HAPPY!

Here are the pictures we took after our exams...