To the left... To the left...

Yep! I was there... with Weng and Richard...

It was my first time to watch a live concert of an

international artist...

And WOOOOOOWWWW!!!

BEYONCE EXPERIENCE!!!

The highest ticket price is definitely worth it...

(ahmmm, we we're on Patron B... hehe!)

2hours of nonstop booty shaking and fans screaming...

The crowd is just as crazy as you can imagine...

To the left

To the left

To the left

To the left

To the left

To the left

Everything you own in the box to the left

In the closet that's my stuff - Yes

If I bought it nigga please don't touch

And keep talking that mess, that's fine

But could you walk and talk at the same time

And It's my mine name that is on that Jag

So remove your bags let me call you a cab

Standing in the front yard telling me

How I'm such a fool -

Talking about

How I'll never ever find a man like you

You got me twisted

You must not know about me

You must not know about me

I could have another you in a minute

matter fact he'll be here in a minute - baby

You must not know about me

You must not know about me

I can have another you by tomorrow

So don't you ever for a second get to thinking you're irreplaceable

So go ahead and get gone

And call up on that chick and see if she is home

Oops, I bet ya thought that I didn't know

What did you think I was putting you out for?

Cause you was untrue

Rolling her around in the car that I bought you

Baby you dropped them keys hurry up before your taxi leaves

Standing in the front yard telling me

How I am such a fool -

Talking about

How I'll never ever find a man like you

You got me twisted

......Irreplaceable.... Manila!!!

Spook-spooky...

While most Filipinos have their own spooky tales to tell, well, I don’t. I guess my third, fourth or even fifth eye is blinded and my sixth, seventh, eight sense is senseless…

Refreshing!

"blooming ka! in-love ka noh?!"

Bataan vs Makati

Bataan in Red and Makati in Yellow

Into the unknown

I believed people are given the right opportunities that'll prove themselves, their capabilities, their talents or test their individuality. It is on the choices we make that speaks off the difference.

Shopping... Sad!

I was horrified to hear the news yesterday... Explosion on Glorietta 2 at half past 1.

The mall I most love to shop, dine, to watch movies, meet up with friends, to walk around, to sight-seeing (so many beautiful people around), to night-outs, just about everything...

It was our college tambayan, lunch at Wendys, Burger King or McDonalds or Jollibee. Suki at National Bookstore.

And yesterday, it was sad... thursday morning I was supposed to go home (to my parents house in Muntinlupa) but opted to stay in my apartment here in Bataan since I was not feeling quite well... had I gone home, surely I will be in Glorietta friday afternoon... It is in my itenerary always... before heading back to Bataan to stop by in Ayala and do my grocery, or watch film or just window shop... I guess, it was not yet my time...

My prayers for the victims and their families.

Just About Anything...

1st stop:
Babyface Live in Manila!
October 13, 2007 at The Araneta Coliseum
- Obviously, I won't be able to watch it... waaaaahhhh! I so love his music... abangan ko na lang ang Live CD nito.

2nd stop:
The Beyonce Experience Live!
November 7, 2007, 7pm at The Fort Open Field
- I'm super thrilled about this concert....naman! 20K, SSVIP ticket price... Gosh! parang kelangan kong i-loan yun at bayaran for two years... hahaha! so, next ticket price please... 16k+SVIP, ano ba! next ticket price... 5,665.00 VIP... kahon!.... 2,575.00, Patron A... ahmmmm... ano next price?... 1,030.00, Patron B... ayan, affordable na... waaahhhh ayaw magpa-reserve thru internet... bakit ganon!!!... next price? 618, general patronage, eh hangin na lang ng music ni beyonce ang sagap dito...
- 2,575.00??? mahal pa rin!!! cge, pag-iisipan ko ito?... (sino kaya ang makikilan ko... ?hehehe!)

3rd stop:
Reservation for the Red Mug
- I received an email from a male friend, asking for a reservation with me on The Red Mug. With a note, kahit hindi ako umiinom ng kape.
- It made me smile... why not! I mean... just having coffee together...

4th stop:
Badminton Tournament
- The company's Badminton Tournament for this year had its championship last tuesday. With the Green Team winning on the Mixed Doubles category, (Mark hallar and Juliet Fabella, beating Efren Gualdajara and Lady Cruz of the Yellow team). Yellow Team on Mens Double Category, (Juniel Claro and Rhoy Barrera beating Jayne Jamboy and Joseph Tuazon tandem of the Red Team) and tan...tananan... Red Team on Womens Doubles Cartegory. It's me and our Chemist, Vanessa, grabbed the spot after defeating the Yellow Team, Jem and Irma, with their twice to beat standing...
- The cash price isn't actually the pot we're after, but the prestige, I might say, to go to Makati and play against the company's Makati office people... with the President. (hanep!) (schedule is on Oct.27... can't wait!)

5th stop:
Desktop Computer
- The company had it's Family Day Activity yesterday, with me leaving behind! huhuhu! I was schedule to work from 2pm to 10pm. The activity is from 3pm-7pm. It's an annual activity intended for the employees' family, while single employees can bring their parents or siblings but not their boy/girlfriends. With this year's theme Pirates of the Carribean. The children are encourage to wear costumes according to the theme, complete with props. (I made a treasure chest for Rheena's son, Raj, the night before). Of course, cash prize awaits for the most creative participant.
- Games for children and adults, groceries and raffle prizes are given away... Speaking of raffle prizes, on duty personnel are still included in the raffle (syempre naman!) 2 laptops and 3 desktops are at stake... (these are second hand, company used)
- I was not in the mood for any chit-chat since just right after the turn-over time, I was already working doubly fast, the first 3 hours drained me enough.
- And then, a ring on my phone... it was Rheena... "Uy, Au, nanalo ka ng desktop!", "Ha?! Talaga? ang saya naman!", then text messages follow through... from my Sir Randy, Edward and Mike informing me.
- Huwaw! I was all smile after... and Joan, Joseph. Ryan, Loreto and Tanggas, chorusly said: "Nakakausap na ng matino si Au ngayon, Yehey! hindi na masungit at mainit ang ulo!!! tambakan na ulet ng sample! hahaha!" "yung computer ng FOB dito sa DCS ang ibibigay sa 'yo! hahaha!"
- Whether an old model computer or to be junked, the fact that my name was handpicked in 100 other names of all the employees... I was considered lucky...
- Today, Efren, told me, "Ang swerte mo naman Au, talagang naniniwala na ko sa kasabihan, pag swerte ka sa raffle o carreer hindi ka swerte sa pag-ibig...!", "Hahaha! mukhang may tama ka dyan, pag nanalo pa ko ng grand prize sa Christmas party naten, yun na talaga yun! hahaha!"
- Teka ganun ba talaga yun? (sabay nag-isip tuloy ako...)

6th stop:
Politics or Showbiz
- Whether the ZTE deal issue or Ang Pagbubukas Muli ng Bahay ni Kuya for the Celebrity Edition 2 on sunday, ay naku busy na naman ang TV sa bahay for the 24hr live streaming ng Bataan Cable. (at dahil naka-cable kami, libre na 'to). Pero mas interasado yata ako sa Pampanga Quary Operation Tax collection na napanood ko sa Probe...
- To: Ysay: kay Mito ka na lang... or else akin sya! hehehe!

Case No. 6: Cute Past

It was surprising for me to received a text message from an old friend a week ago... I mean, not that I never expect the person to 'still' reach out to me but I think there's nothing more to talk about other than the plain kamusta ka.

There were things in my past that was left behind the doors of my memory. Not expecting anymore that'll knock in my head in due time. But true enough, after nine years...

The what if question suddenly tricked my mind.

Walked away from the idea of a romantic relationship with him. Not knowing the pain I caused him. Separated after graduation. Established our own careers. and after3 or 4 years, he settled down. Never it bothered me, I was still carefree...

And after all this time, his heart still sings for me...
"How can I tell you... that I love you.... I love you...
And I can't find the right words to say..."


The thing is: it is just bound to be a cute past in my memory.

I quote from a witness friend:
" Alam mo kahit ano pa man dapat wala ng effect ang mga sinasabi natin sa kanya. Cute lang balikan ang nakaraan lalo na those unsolve questions lalo na kung part na ng history na di na mababago pa."

The Red Mug

I never get used to drinking coffee
Eversince I never liked its taste
Its that malt-chocolate drink that perks up my day... always
Until, I guess it goes with aging that... that malt-chocolate drink doesn't perk me up anymore...
It's energizing effect on me lasts only for about 30 minutes...
And so my tastebuds, accepted the bitter taste of coffee
And yes, eventually loved it!!!
Gosh! now I'm getting addicted...
It's not the espresso, frapuccino or cappuccino or whatever ccino...
In Starbucks, Seattles best or Bo's Coffee Club
Just the classic... coffee.


It's nice to share a cup of coffee with a someone...
Be it a friend, parents, or that "someone"
Sharing stories or just simple enjoying the hot coffee drink
That warms and relaxes the body in this cold-rainy season...















But for now, let me enjoy my own coffee moment...

'Til that "someone" share a cup of cofffee with me...

OT: I'll be delighted to have this red mug on Christmas day...

I don't get it!

Friend: “Wow! Aura nice hair!”
Aura: “Thanks!”
Friend: “Alam mo gusto ko rin magpagupit ng maiksi, yung tulad kay Gretchen, kaya lang ayaw ng boyfriend ko…”
….and my eyebrows raised up hiiiigh in the sky…

Aura: “Bakit naman naka-big T-shirt ka dyan sa swimming nyo…? you can wear sando naman o racer back kaya tas shorts, if you can’t wear swimsuit.
Friend: “eh kasi medyo conservative boyfriend ko,ayaw nya masyado sexy na damit.”
Aura: “So kung halimbawa you were in Bora, magpapajama ka sa beach?”
Friend:“Hindi naman, masyado ka naman… T-shirt at shorts, pwede naman dun di ba?!”
….and I gave her a blank look…

Friend: “Uwi na ko, pinauuwi na ko ng boyfriend ko eh!”
Aura: “Whaaaat! Kakadating mo pa lang, wala pa tayong 30minutes nag-chichikahan… hellloww!”
Friend: “Eh kasi, may lakad pa kami eh!”
Aura: “Nyee! Di ba sabi ko sa ‘yo paalam ka na for today na magkakasama tayo... It’s only for today... eh araw-araw naman kayo magkasama ng boyfriend mo..”
Friend: “eh kasi…”
….and I looked far away…

Aura: “Sino yang ka-text mo? Mukhang hindi mo mapigilan magtext ng magtext eh?”
Friend: “Si boyfriend’”
Aura: “Ah ok! Sana sinama mo na lang sya para at least hindi na kayo magtetext-text dyan…tipid pa sa load..”
Friend: “Eh ayaw sumama eh.”
Aura: “Ganun ba?. Eh kasi parang hindi ka rin namin kasama, dyan ka sa cellphone mo naka-concentrate…di ka nga makakwentuhan eh…”
Friend: “Kasi tinatanong nya ko eh…:
Aura: “Can’t you tell him na you are having your time with your friends, tas te-text mo na lang sya later? Mga after 2hrs lang o kahit 1hr na lang para naman makapagkwentuhan tayo ng hindi naiistorbo ng pagtunog ng phone mo”
Friend: “Eh kasi…ano eh…”
….and I just kept my mouth shut …


From sporting a new hairstyle to choosing on what to wear or having curfews at the age of 27… I don’t get it…
Is it really is the norm in a relationship?
Do you have to ask for your SO’s opinion, oh not actually opinion, but permission, if you can have a new hairstyle, or if your can wear this or not, or if you can attend to a little get-together with old friends (of course provided with curfews he set!).

If this is so, then I must say in no time at all you can't hardly tell what is your favorite color…


…. No! I’m too pig-headed to settle on a compromise on these simple things…

Last Friday

Today is the last friday of September... (early payday!)
I am going home (to my parents house) after my shift.
My father is scheduled for CT Scan today...
He's been battling for an unknown skin disease for more than a year now... (tell you more on this on the following entries)
The week has brought old memories and fears back to life...
Paved away by the challenge in the badminton tournament...
Which is of course, temporary only...
Everything shivers at nighttime...
And the thought of having Kuya around calms me...
But the phonecall to a very dear friend kept my sanity...
The weather breathes a gloomy friday...
But I choose to rather be thrilled for the Octoberfest...

Friendster Friends

Have you noticed how many are there in your Friendster Friends List?

Today, I approved 2 friends to be included in my growing Friendster Friends List.
I didn't noticed the number of friends in my account... Gosh! 220 to date.

Wow! so many friendssssss....... Am I that friendly? (ang alam ko suplada ako!)

Hmmmm, then I thought of categorizing them one by one. From my younger-yearning days to growing-maturing years.

Here's the list:

Gradeschool/Highschool - classmates, schoolmates - 41%
(wow! existing pa pala sila, nakakakilala at naaalala pa ang good 'ol times)

College - classmates, peers, friends, teacher - 46%
(hanep! keep in touch pa rin!)

Katekista - 18%
(church friends!)

Work - 69%
(it's like a family!)

Relatives - 10%
(mas madami ang matatanda na sa pamilya)

Stangers/ Acquaintances/ Affiliations - 36%
(expanding my circle of friends)


I know some people even have 500+, (how many is the maximum number of friends in a friendster account?) that I need to check...

Anyway, it's fun to know from which area in your life is your most numbered friends.
Try it yourself! Wink!

Friendly neighbors

Dalawa lang kami ni Weng sa bahay dito sa Bataan, pero lagi kaming may bisita...

Gusto ko ng maniwala na super hospitable kami...

Kagabi pagka-uwi ko ng ala-onse, sinalubong ako ng bisita naming tahimik na nagmamasid sa isang sulok ng bahay... deadma ko lang sya... tumuloy ako sa kwarto at nagbihis. Aba kung hindi ba naman tahimik pero may kakulitan sya ay sinundan ako sa kwarto...

meet insy-winsy spidey....

Kumuha ako ng walis tambo at sinubukang walisin palabas ng bahay...

Ay susme!!! muntik ko ng maitapon yung walis tambo. Aba naman! imbis na lumayo eh kumapit dun sa walis at saka lumapit dun sa may hawakan ng walis...

waaahhhh! si insy-winsy spidey naman hindi na mabiro... welcome to your new home...

(next time na lang ulit tayo mag-sparing...)

Matagal na ring hindi kami binibisita ni Rat-atouille buhat nung lagyan namin ni Weng ng screen yung open canal sa likod... Pasensya na hindi ka namin nami-miss...

mga 2 days before dumating si insy-winsy spidey, naunang dumalaw sa kanya si froggie prince jr.

Kung anong nilaki nitong si insy-winsy spidey eh sya namang niliit nitong si froggie prince jr.

at ang paboritong tambayan nya sa bahay ay sa loob ng comfort room... (dun nya natagpuan ang comfort eh...)

Nakikisabay maligo sa 'min...

'Nak ng tokwa...swerte mo naman... huwag ka lang tatalon papalapit sa kin dahil sigurado mapipisa ka...

After 2days bigla na lang syang nawala... hindi man lang nagpaalam...

And of, course, kung may jr. may sr.

meet froggie prince sr.

Sya ang bisita naming hindi ko nakuhang i-entertain...

'Lumayo ka sa kin... kahit maging prinsipe ka pa... o kaya si derek ramsay...(teka, pwede exception to the rule si derek?) hinding-hindi kita hahalikan.....

At syempre ang aming loyalty award neighbor... ang alaga ni Manong dun sa unang apartment... na laging nag-iiwan ng bakas saaming veranda mapa-umaga, tanghali o gabi....

doggie 1 and doggie 2

Other regular visitors:

Freddie Cockroach and Family

Ms. Mosquito-pakipot

Mr. and Mrs. Black-Red Antz

Mr. Fly High





Sino kaya next visitior namin? can't wait! hehehe!

Smash, Drop, Loop

This year's badminton tournament at work began last September 4. Four color-coded teams vie for points and cash prize, (the event is included in the whole year company employee activities where at the end of the year the accumulated points from all the activities held will identify the grand team champion).

Three categories are lined-up: Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles, where no repetitions of player in categories are allowed, to give chance to other members of the team. For the last two years, I was playing in the Women's Doubles category. Lucky to emerge as champion always, (having a good partner is important! it's always the good teamwork that counts).

As I remember when the badminton mania hit the country like the storm Milenyo. Badminton centers sprouted like mushrooms on dead-wet woods. Here in Bataan, we used to have reservations first before able to play on the badminton court atop of a spa clinic. And we take turns to play on only one court there. After few months, the booming demand for badminton courts is spreading like a wildfire, a bigger badminton center was constructed in a vacant lot beside a bank in the city's capital. There are 6 courts available, but still not enough for hungry badminton players wannabe... from 8am till 10pm it was full... buying the rent for 200/hr for the concrete-semi-finished flooring... The owner had the two courts covered with rubber-flooring (nice!) but with 250/hr rent. Huh! People are still flocking the court...(including me).
After a year, another badminton court was constructed within a subdivision beside the highway. Better court, I must say, with wood parquet flooring and better ventillation. Only that it's not so accessible to ordinary commuters...

It became an addicting hobby... and a good bonding activity for friends and families... yeah! hours spend sweating, laughing, coaching, laughing, scoring, laughing, betting, laughing, posing, laughing... So much to benefit from the sport. But, what I like most when we play badminton is the after badminton... the dining out...haha! all the calories lost in hours gained in only minutes of a good meal with friends sharing endless stories together.

hmmmmm.... I don't play much now... it's quite hard to look for a badminton playmate now unlike before...

Something new... Something old

'Akala ko ngayon na may notebook na ako ay magagawa ko nang mag-email everyday... di rin pala... siguro it doesn't mean na if you have something nor someone you'll get to change your priority in life... still you get to be the person who you were before...'
-This was an email from a former workmate who now works abroad.

We used to exchange emails almost everyday until he bought his own apple macbook and said it'll be easier and often for him to send emails since he will not borrow a laptop from an officemate anymore... but yeah! that's the irony of it...

Something new is what we always wanted: new shoes. new clothes, new mobile phones, new boyfriend/girlfriend (?), new partner in life (??), new work, etc

Accumulating material things, having upgrades in our lifestyle, does not guarantee anything... It may make our life more convenient and all... but what matters at the end of the day?



(OT: Sorry, still I won't erase the macbook in my wishlist! ("o,")

Right Words

I'm currently writing my 6th article in the quarterly issue of our company official newsletter, (I'm assigned in the Featured Department Section).

Finding the right words to describe a person is a tedious task... Haha! don't get me wrong here, I don't write something that is isn't true... that's why the right words in the thesaurus is more often than not missing... Haha! (again)

I haven't finished the heading... and just started describing the first personnel included in the department, that my seemed to be sleepy brain screamed... I needed a little diversion... where my words don't need to be perfectly written, where my words don't need to be grammatically correct, where my words are casual and taglish... (in short, mag-blog muna ako!).

When I'm starting to get exhausted in forming sentences into paragraphs with elaborate adjectives, I stand up and take a walk... back and forth, back and forth in the aisle of QC building... hoping to find the right words in between the walls, doors, windows, and equipment... (I write when I'm alone in the building so no one will suspect that I'm getting insane...).

The readers will either believe in what I write or criticize my descriptions. Either way it will affect the person I described in the article.

"Aura, san mo nakuha yung sculpted body? Sya ba talaga yun?"
"Graduate pala siya ng ...... , eh bakit parang hinde?"
"Ahh! kaya pala ganun sya."
"What! good singing voice? well, haven't heard him sing"
"Ayos 'to ah, women of substance... Magaling talaga 'tong si...."
"Hanep super dad pala 'tong si...."
"Wow! ganda ng descriptions ah!"
"Ah! grabe talented na bata!"

I write from how I knew the person, somehow there should be a level of communication between me and that person not simply knowing the person just by his/her name. And every detail that I write is a labor of love...

Please, excuse me, I shall take a walk again...

Good Riddance

every journey has its new phase...
everyone has a choice to take the step forward
or be idle, or be lazy, or even move backward...

every adventure has its own unique memory...
the place, the food, the activities,
the scenery, the talks, but most of all, the people
you've met, you've entountered, you're with.

Me, James and Weng in Boracay last July 2007


good riddance to my friend, James dela Cruzhappy voyage and good luck to your new journey...
God be with you!


till our next adventure... in our Palawan Getaway...
we'll be waiting for you!!!
Our little despedida party for our good friend, James
last September 07, 2007

Christmas Wishlist

While in the company service going to work, a Christmas song suddenly played on the radio. The silent, sleeping employees aboard woke up with grins in their faces;
‘Merry Christmas na!’ everybody said.
‘Yeah! Right! Sad naman ng song na yan!’ I replied.

…. Christmas won't be the same without you
Christmas won't be the same if you go…

I’m a list person, so every start of the year I make sure that I have my lists: the goals I want to accomplish, the things I want to have, the places I want to visit, my priorities… individually scrutinized and categorized under career, spirituality, finance, family, self and development and yeah, there’s a lovelife listed at the bottom. (couldn’t make it a priority as much as I want to, Gosh!)

Now that it’s –ber month, my Christmas wishlist is tolling. Haha! Whether it’s a wish upon a Santa or a wish upon a wish… I know I’ve been good, really, really good this year… but might as well be humble to expect a little…

Here’s my top ten Christmas wishlist: (in no particular order)
(Disclaimer: The list is solely for my own self-gratification, self-indulgence, self-satisfaction, pleasure-seeking wants. Wishlist ko nga eh! Libre ang mangarap!!!)

++ Digital Camera – my Pentax Digital Camera is still under repair… I don’t think it’ll be repaired… (sob!) (Di naman ako mapili Canon, Olympus or Pentax...)

++ Apple Macbook – ok! I’m quite positive of getting this if I won’t be eating and traveling for a year… Hahaha! Super lait to myself… Hell no! please! don’t lure me on using that plastic card! (A friend promised me he'll buy me this, Naku! Friend, Galingan mo sa interview mo ha... Ipag-nonovena kita ng maka-fly ka na abroad... isa kang tunay na kaibigan...)Wink!


++ LeSportsac Bag – been drooling for this since March… (sana malaki Christmas bonus ngayon…)

++ Legolas - hay!!! My prince ever.... (trivia: I have a big poster of him in my room... pang-alis ng pagod bago matulog...)

++ Zara wardrobe shopping - I’m a girl, need I say more?

++ Christmas greetings from that 'someone'– (Asa pa ko!) (he won’t even bother, I know!).. na-lost mo na nga sya eh.

++ Hall of Famer Award from SMC Club – Haha! Hoping next year it’ll be a Hot Christmas!!!! (wag mong sabihing hindi mo alam ang SMC ha... jologs mo!)

++ Christmas Getaway – hmmmm ok I can spare this one since I’ve been to Singapore and Boracay this year… so, long Christmas vacation at home will do… (still I don’t know my shifting work schedule then).

++Derek Ramsay – Fantasy no. 2: Super papalicious, yum yum!!!! (naman! tulo-laway talaga!!! sayang putol yung picture. hahaha!)(Kahit ikaw lang ang matupad sa wishlist na ito...)

++ And lastly, a wish that I WON'T be singing…

All I need to see standing by my Christmas tree

Christmas won't be the same without you…

Christmas Countdown

As we are now in the –berrr months, Christmas countdown is a broadcast in every nook and canny places. Christmas wishlists, Christmas gift lists, Christmas parties, gift giving, Christmas fruitcakes, bibingka and puto-bumbong… ahhhh…sarap! Oh! I love the Christmas colorful twinkling bright lights hanging in the streets and in every homes, parols, Christmas trees, Christmas carols are now being prepared, and of course, not to miss Santa Claus (how many Christmas words I’ve written here?)

It is the most celebrated time of the year… causing tremendous heavy traffic, shopping malls highest sales, ant-like shoppers, and busiest airport schedule ever as most OFW’s are coming home to celebrate the occassion with their families…

Last years’ Christmas was a lot of firsts: my first time to celebrate it at work. On graveyard duty on Christmas Eve, we had a little feast at work, of course, 6 ulirang manggagawa of us. Sharing our baons and exchanging Christmas stories. Luckily, we had a normal production operation then. It was one quiet Christmas celebration.

It was my first time to religiously attend and complete the nine nights of novena mass of simbang-gabi. (Weeeee!) Literally, I completed the anticipated nine dawn masses. They say if you were able to complete the simbang-gabi your wishes will be granted… hmmmm… was my wish granted? (I only had a wish!) …it’s too early to tell but I think it’s in the process of granting it to me… (Crossing my fingers).

It was my first time too, not able to shop for Christmas presents for my friends… they only got Christmas greetings from me… (haha! Tipid) Crap! I was way tooooo busy that time… being in the production training…it was insane! (okay! So bawi ako this coming Christmas…).

As early as January I already categorically listed in my planner all my inaanaks, (2 dozens of them and still growing…). From relatives, friends, officemates, neighbors. And already printed out their names and prepared the red envelope I usually give them… And last month I listed the names of the people I’m giving presents… (hope your name is in it). And also listed the MUST PAY FIRSTS atop of all my lists… (haha! Obligations here it comes… panghanda ni Mama, Insurance ni Papa, Pamasko nina Mama at Papa... okay, kamot ng ulo muna!)... Alas! The grand total of... Whooooa!!!! (No gimik muna starting this month till the end of the year…Shocks!)…hmmmm mai-Kaizen nga itong lists ko…hindi naman ako si Santa Claus.

Now I’m thrilled making my own Christmas Countdown together with my Christmas wishlist…
1.
2.
3.
4........

Independence Day

I'm celebrating my Independence day this whole month. Been living on my own for the last five years...

Knowing that I'm an unica hija, independence was never included in my vocabulary, (though I'm used to doing things on my own and my self-reliance is at the highest). Yes, I'm the princess at home, I don't do the laundry nor iron the clothes, don't cook, don't wash the dishes, not even fix my bed after waking up... and no one can touch my things (not even my parents)... in its simplest form, I'm a spoiled brat... the one who bullies, the one who reasons out, the one who crosses over the curfews, the one who never runs out of excuses... (haha! maldita me...)

...And when an opportunity came... (a job offer and a relocation is needed) my parents send me off 130+ kilometers away from home...they must be thinking of teaching me a lesson here... (no doubt, they are right!). With all the bilins and pabaons: My bags contained not just clothes and toiletries... but hangers, photo albums, trinkets, steam flat iron, wall fan, television (the latter I brought when I settled in an apartment). (kulang na lang ipabaon nila ang buong kwarto ko at pagdalin ako ng kaldero, sandok at tabo...)

I did not ask for it... I did not beg for it... it was given to me freely... I was anxious yet excited... this could be an adventure, I thought.

The very first night I slept in the company dormitory, I cried a river... (turned to ocean!). Gosh! Where's my excitement? It dawned on me... I was alone!!! I was away from home... (Mama! uwi na ko dyan...)
I stumble over my adjustment period... failing grade on not crying every night, pasang-awa on my laundry, a little over pasang-awa on ironing my clothes and an incomplete on my cooking...(naman! order na lang ng food sa canteen).

After a month of battling against ghost stories in the dormitory, swimming alone in the pool, doing my laundry at 12midnight, a good samaritan accepted me in his home... (ayoz! kasi marunong sya magluto... kahit alien sa kin yung mga niluluto nya... hehehe! peace Tolitz!)

I succumb to my new found 'freedom' so much that I carelessly watch over my being too accomodating... so much of my kindness and wanting to belong... it resulted to misinterpretation of my actions... too liberating for my new environment... creating a wrong impression and a contentious lovelife... (it felt like Gretchen Barreto in the hotseat!).

Five years had passed and looking back always gives me a sense of fulfillment... I did not just surpassed going solo tribulations but I outwitted, outlasted and I survived nasty rumors and gossips. More than the responsibility of taking full charge in my life, it is the daily dealings, building and strengthening true friendships that are more important. It is this opportunity that gives self-knowing and God-dependency training... (and I passed with flying colors).

Five years had passed, and my greatest lessons in life are learned through this experience. I'm still single, independent and loving it!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ME!!!

Case No. 5: Big Girls Don't Cry

Da Da Da Da

The smell of your skin lingers on me now
You're probably on your flight back to your home town
I need some shelter of my own protection baby
To be with myself and center,
clarity, peace, serenity

[CHORUS:]
I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, myself and I
We've got some straightenin' out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry

The path that I'm walking I must go alone
I must take the baby steps 'til I'm full grown, full grown
Fairytales don't always have a happy ending, do they?
And I foresee the dark ahead if I stay

[CHORUS]

Like the little school mate in the school yard
We'll play jacks and uno cards
I'll be your best friend and you'll be my Valentine
Yes you can hold my hand if you want to
'Cause I want to hold yours too
We'll be playmates and lovers and share our secret worlds
But it's time for me to go home
It's getting late, dark outside
I need to be with myself and center,
clarity, peace, serenity

[CHORUS]

La Da Da Da Da Da

*** need I say more?!***

Politician, me?!

I took this Ultimate Personality test on Tickle website (link on the side menu under Tambay dito)...

How You Approach Life

Politician, are forceful, innovative and popular with the masses.
You aggressively pursue your goals and you enjoy impressing people.
You have an unusual ability to read people and situations, which is why it's pretty rare for you to find yourself in compromising positions.
You're very up on the social rules that govern your life and you do your best to uphold them. You are smart and you have a lot to say on a lot of issues. In order to do that, you often find yourself in the middle of the room, educating people about the important matters of the day. And even when you don't have that much to say, people are attracted to your magnetic personality, wit and humor. They just can't help it when you're so charismatic.
You are extraordinarily driven by success and have cultivated a positive image to help propel you towards further excellence.
Your high self-esteem makes a nice match for your desire to look the part.
You know that how you look is a strong reflection of who you are on the inside.
At work, you are aggressive in setting and reaching your goals.
You are not afraid of asserting yourself or your ideas, and people often look to you as a model of how they wish they could be.
You're motivated to do a good job, and people know you're a solid, reliable person who can take the heat.
You're perfect for any work that requires personal interaction with your natural sense of showmanship.
So keep at it, Politician. The world is a stronger place because of you.


That's just the general description. The report is quite long to post in here...
Hmmmm, I'm a Politician?... the descriptions above suits me well... (but don't get the idea of being corrupt and balimbing politician...that I'm not going to be...)

I never wished to be in the office someday...I already have my share in the limelight...

A Love Story

When does a mistress become a wife?
When does a wife become a mistress?

Men from all walks of life: married, single, separated, widow, engaged, or in a relationship... must see the film...
...and realize how painful it is when they go astray in their commitment...
...and what pain they're causing...

Women too...
...and realize the hell that they'll go through choosing between love and righteousness...


When love will ever be enough?

Big Foot!

Hindi yan paa ni Kingkong... at lalong hindi kay Godzilla...

Paa ko yan... at may bukong-bukong (ankle) dyan (hanapin mo!)

Parang isang eksena sa pelikula na kung saan ang bida ay bumababa sa isang sasakyan, kuntodo porma, ganda... napahinto at napatingin ang lahat ng biglang... 'Ay!'

parang isang koro, sabay-sabay ang lahat ng nandoong nakamasid sa kanya. Ang bida nadapa, nahulog o natapilok...

Ako ang bida sa eksena... hindi ako nadapa at lalong hindi ako nahulog... isang pagkatapilok.

Mula sa isang pampasaherong jeep, pumara at ng pababa na... isang baitang na lang... Ayun sigawan ang lahat ng nakatingin... 'Ay Miss!' at ang nasabi ko lang, 'Shocks!' (poise pa rin).

Sa tabi ng kalsada, napaupo at pikit-matang tumayo... buong katawan pinagpawisan ng malamig...tinitigan ang paa, pinilit humakbang papunta sa sidewalk...

Dalawang mama ang lumapit, nakauniporme ng Barangay Tanod; 'Miss, na-sprain ba yung paa mo? Itatawag ka namin ng trycycle'

'Opo! Salamat po!'....

Pasalamat at walang bali sa buto ayon sa resulta ng x-ray... maga, sugat at pasa lang...

ngunit matindi ang sakit... hindi mailakad ng maayos ang paa...

Tatlong araw na hindi makalakad ng maayos...

Apat na araw na naka-bandage ang paa...

Limang araw na nag-sick leave sa trabaho...

At

Hanggang ngayon mataba pa rin ang paa ko... pero madali ng makita yung bukong-bukong...

Salamat sa mga taong tumulong at hindi nakalimot na mangamusta at salamat sa araw-araw na pag-check sa kin ni Kuya...

A little talk

I just had a little talk with someone I really admire... (I will not deny that I had a crush on him from the first time I met him). That crush grew into admiration... but honestly say, it was just like that... plain and simple admiration...

So, what did we talked about?

It's about the changes in my 'career' that'll be going through in the following months.

I was surprised that he was the first person to ask me what made me decide to take the bigger responsibility a day after I talked to my superiors.

No, I wouldn't say that he's a close friend, but he is a friend. True to the adage that you can't judge a book by it's cover. Marked by malicious descriptions by insecure people... the hell I care. He is one misunderstood person. I never heard him ill-speak against those people who mocked him and continuously talk behind his back. The hell he care...

Pity for those people who are blind to see the goodness in every human being.

My Train Moments

Light Rail Transit o LRT ang unang tren kong nasakyan. Naalala ko pa yung kwento sa Pagbasa kong libro noong nasa elementarya pa ko. Ayon sa kwento, nagkakagulo ang mga jeep, trak, bus, kotse at iba pang uri ng sasakyan sa pagtatayo ng isang mahabang tulay na may riles sa itaas. naiinis sila sapagkat abala sa trapiko ang ginagawang tulay na ito. At ng matapos ito lahat ng sasakyan ay nagulat ng may nakitang may tren na umaandar sa ibabaw ng tulay. Sabi ng jeep, 'aba! ang yabang naman nitong bagong sasakyan na ito, akala mo kung sinong matulin tumakbo'. sabi ng bus. 'oo nga at kung makapagsakay ng pasahero ay hindi nagtitira', at lahat ng sasakyan ay.... ah! hindi pala yan ang gusto kong ikwento...

Tuwing pupunta kaming Caloocan ni Mama, LRT ang sinsakyan namin mula Edsa/Pasay hanggang Monumento... at dahil bata pa ko nun, lagi akong nakatayo sa upuan at nakaharap sa salaming bintana, tinitingnan ang lahat ng gusali, daan, puno at karatula ng Jollibee na madaanan. Pero ang lagi kong inaabangan ay ang mga tila malalaking bahay na makulay at magarbo ang disenyo, na may mga buda sa pintuan...sabi ni Mama ko, Chinese Cemetery daw yun... (at oo, hanggang ngayon kapag nasasakay ako sa LRT, inaabangan ko pa ring madaanan iyon...).

Yung malaking orasan na kulay pula... Sabi ni Mama Orasan ng Maynila iyon. Bago dumating doon, yung malawak na lugar na may mapa ng Pilinas na nakalutang sa tubig... Tama, Luneta nga ang tinutukoy ko. Lagi kong sinasabi sa sarili ko noon, sana bumaba kami sa Luneta at mamasyal bago kami dumeterso sa pag-uwi, kaso hindi naman kami bumababa, hanggang tanaw na lang ako.

Laging masaya ang paglalakbay tuwing sumasakay ako ng LRT noon, hindi pa kasi siksikan masyado noon at higit sa lahat bida ako sa kwentuhan naming magpipinsan...

itutuloy....

Idiot Box...

I wonder what keeps you glued in an Idiot Box for hours?
What interests you?
What holds your attention?

I'll share my little delights when glued on the Idiot Box...
**Among the talk shows...foreign: I recently discover Ellen DeGeneres show... gosh! she is so funny, smart and very spontaneous... obviously being a stand-up comedian...Her frankness is not intimidating... and her wittiness is undoubtedly natural... it's very homy watching the show (check her site on the side menu of my blog). and get addicted to her...
**On the local talk show...: uhmmmm.... Teysi ng Tahanan... ay wala na pala ito... why can't they make a talk show like this... sensible and informative...
ahhhhh....Mel and Jay.... shocks! wala na rin pala ito... I love their tandem and the way they deliberate a topic... bakit ba kasi ni-reformat pa... too commercial...
hmmmmm....couldn't think of any... pass

**I watch Fab Five's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy... they are just so cool, very gay, intelligent, funny, outrageous with sense... Their show is inspiring.... seeing those so called straight guy's transformation from worst to best... it gives you hope that men can change...

**such freak shows like:
Mythbusters, Braniac, I didn't know that, How it is made... Ang kulet!!! pero super informative.

**I have Jologs favorites... yes! I watch these shows... Swear!
Totoo TV (ABC 5, Monday 7pm)- it's not your usual interview questions with your guests...anything goes...whatever question pops in Maverick and Ariel's fickle minds. Imagine such prominent guests answering not your T.V. typical questions...

Kay Susan Tayo(GMA 7, Sunday 1030am) - hehehe! I swear I watch this... it is very educational... right?!!! and Susan Enriquez delivers her spiels so well... hilarious, clever, realistic.

John and Shirley(ABS-CBN 2, Saturday after Pedro Penduko) - the comedy is classic. It just relaxes me watching their old antics.

Re-runs of Betty La Fea (Studio 23, Monday to Friday, 12nn) - my all time favorite telenovela period. (^_^)

Hallows...Horcruxes...

I've finished reading the last book of Harry Potter, at 3am last Saturday. I borrowed the book Wednesday from Ana and started reading right away... too excited, I finished reading 7 chapters while waiting for my samples...then thursday, too sleepy to read, so I let Harry wait for me... Friday after my day shift duty... till dawn I was reading...
- Naman!!! First few chapters pa lang, napaiyak na ko... (apektado masyado sa pagkamatay ni Mad-Eye Moody!)
- pero walang tatalo sa pagkaiyak ko ng mamatay si Dobey... waaaaaahhhh! (pag ito hindi ipinakita sa movie...ewan ko na lang... halos lahat kasi ng house-elf story sa book eh cut na pagdating sa movie)...
- pero bakit parang ang eengot ng mga death eaters noh?! kasi mga bata lang kalaban nila pero konting Stupefy!!! Expelliarmus!!! lang eh, lost sila.. oh! blimey...
- dragging lang nung after the wedding nina Billy and Fleur... 'zat chapters took 'zo long...
spending so much time Apparating and Disappirating... while in Grimauld place and other forests... (kaantok!)
- The Prince tales chapter... all the memories of Snape... I really have to munch every detail to fully understand everything...
- The war at Hogwarts excite me most... Imagine Neville Longbottom taking the stand to fight for Harry... and leading the D.A. while Harry was away... this is really inspiring...
and my all time favorite character, Severus Snape... you will appreciate him more than Dumbledore...
- the confrontation between Harry and You-Know-Who... (ayokong banggitin pangalan, baka under Taboo pa name nya kahit dead na sya...) as always more than exciting to read...(my imagination really flew with them...)
- and the other characters whom J.K. Rowling made to be the sacrificial lambs... so so sad... Fred, Lupin and Tonks...
- Harry, Ron and Hermione's adventure in finding the Hallows and Horcruxes is enough to keep my hands sticking to the book and my eyes fixed on every word i read and my brain working creatively more than ever...
- ok so much of my little review here... couldn't wait for the movie...
- the epilogue is so Bitin! that you'll beg for Book 8...

the moral of the story:
- er... do i need to write it up, when we all know what the Harry Potter series is all about...


Expecto Patronum! ( I wonder what will be my patronus...)

Sunset...

Sunset

melo-dramatic...
emotional...
romantic...
mushy...
dreamy...
wistful...
melancholy...
reflective...
pensive...
tender...
passionate...
remisniscing...
loving...
adoring...
longing...

sunset does not just ends the day but keeps the promise of tomorrow.

Monday...

Oh! it's monday today!

Yey!!!

while everybody is having their Monday sickness... I don't... simply because it's not my first day at work... having moving rest days keeps you off track of what day today is... sometimes, my off is Saturday and Sunday, sometimes Monday to Wednesday and sometimes Thursday and Friday...

I've finished reading the book One Hundred Years of Solitude last Saturday... I thought it'll take me one hundred years to do so... the almost same names of the characters confused me; aureliano, jose aureliano, jose arcadio, arcadio, aueliano arcadio, aureliano jose... (hahaha! may shortage yata ng pangalan noon). It is a perennial classic and the author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a Nobel Prize Winner, and the book is included in the Oprah's book club list. (ayan! binasa ko tuloy! pag pinagawa ako ng book report about it, patay na, babasahin ko ulet!). The book is about characters struggle on their madnesses, loves, beliefs, sacrifices... and finding their own solitude. The rise and fall of the town of Macondo based on the life of the Buendia family.... Whoa!!! akalain mo may natandaan ako....

next book....

I promise to read it in two days only....
syempre kasi may work pa ko....

ngayon pa lang, super thank you na kay Ms. Ana Maria Cabaluna sa pagpapahiram ng lahat ng Harry Potter books nya sa kin...

Yahooooo!!!! reading mode na naman ako...

Melay, nabasa mo na ba 'to? walang spoiler ha... kahit na marami na kong nabasang spoiler.... wehehehe!!!

Obedience

"All that Yahweh said we shall do and obey."
Exodus 24:7

This is an excerpt from Didache:
I like the way people in the Old testament saw everything in black and white. Good or bad. Life or death. Obedience and disobedience. Whatever God wanted them to do, it was either they followed it or not.

Right now it's hard to decipher what God wants me to do. Sometimes I wish He'd stop talking in codes and just tell me outright what He wants so I wouldn't be worried about being disobedient.

But then again, maybe God stopped giving me outright signs so that I would take time to seek His will. Maybe it's because He wants me to grow in Him, to know Him better. Maybe he stopped giving these signs so that I would obey Him with my heart, not just because I heard Him say what I should do. I'm pretty sure He hasn't stopped giving instructions yet - He just wants me to seek for it with my heart. Tina M.

DIDACHE (dee-da-ke) - the Greek word for teaching.
- is a quarterly Catholic Daily Bible Reflection Guide. It wishes to encourage the use of Sacred Scriptures among Catholics. It also wishes to reach the entire Christian people.

Fan ako

I already missed a week episode of Ysabella...
too bad for me, since it's the only teleserye I'm hooked now after Maging Sino Ka Man ended (syempre hintay ko ang Book 2 nito)...
I really like Juday's performance here; tough yet light. makulet na malambing, simple na nakakatuwa... and the fact that Juday's really blooming... (mag-fi-fitrum na nga ako!!! hehehe!)

and next week... I'll be missing more episodes bacause of my work schedule.... haaaaayy!!!

I really miss seeing derek....yummy!!! panalo appeal promise!!!

and the most of all...

fan ako ni aiza... wehehehe!
(walang pakialaman blog ko 'to!!!) (^_^)

Crossing the road: decision

when I'm at the brink of deciding whether to take that step forward or backward...
when I'm convincing myself that I'm not a coward...
when I'm choosing what to do next in my life...

I have decided... I'm taking the step forward...
I am convinced that I'm brave enough to take it...
I choose to add spice in my life...
I'm expanding my horizons...

Sunday - light and slow

It's Sunday... when almost everybody is chillin' at home... I'm workin'... Yup! after may 10pm duty last night... I'm now here at work again...at my 6am duty... (Parang hindi ko naramdamang natulog ako...) so, i'll take my sunday light and slow... with Wave 89.1 in the background... it's just soothing...

nothing pops in my mind to talk about right now since obviously all i wanted is to lie down in my bed and finished reading the book I've been reading for three weeks now, while it's raining outside... cool wind...it's just so calming...

ikaw? kwentuhan mo naman ako...

Happy, Sad, Happy

When I got home last night and watched Bandila, I was stuck in front of the T.V., Father Bossi is freed at last... Happy ako!!! (pero naman! timing sa SONA ni PGMA sa monday... magbibida na naman sya... haaaay!!!)

Tas, natulog ako almost 2am na... tas... nag-ring phone ko mga 4am....waaaahhhh!!! call-in sa work... pasok daw ako ng 6am kasi nag-SL yung dapat na nakaduty... Sad!!!

Tas, at work till 10pm pa ko... Sad pa rin...

Tas, buti na lang may internet ngayon dito...tas may nag-text sa kin na (sekwet!)... weeeeee!!! Happy ulet!!!

Crossing the road: deliberation

Been deliberating it for months... go or not... yes or no.. not or go... no or yes...
When I am most comfortably the queen of my workspace...
When I know all the sides of the story in my area...
When everyday seems to be just like yesterday...
When my enthusiasm in my work is slowly fading away...
When the challenge has become physically strenuous...
When there's no room for improvement anymore...

I have to keep on going or else find myself stuck in limbo...
My capability is being challenge...
I still have doubts, not on my ability to fulfill what are the responsibilities
but on something I can't explain...

Harry Pott.....er?

so, the 5th installment of the Harry Potter series is currently showing... Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix...
I watched the film with Zashi 3 days late from its opening date.
and what?
oh well, the film triumphantly executed what my imagination created while reading the book... Umbridge's character was well acted (galing!) and of course my all time favorite, Snape is a kick in the ass...
oh well again, if you are a HP fan, you sure get what the story is, but pity for those who just seem to get by the clamour... (bad trip yung katabi ko, kinukuwentuhan nung katabi nya! di ako nakatiis, nagparinig ako... ayun tumahimik!) naman, kaya nga series eh, dapat nasundan mo yung story... or else you'll be lost...
so the film as expected cut the side stories... (it's impossible to compact the 900+ pages of the book into a 2hr+ movie) to almost extinguished the houseelfs story. I was hoping to see the loveteam of Hagrid and Madame Maxime in their journey to befriending the giants... the Longbottom family in the hospital... Luna Lovegood's story... and the confusion between Harry and Neville as the one who survived the power of the Dark Lord as the prophecy tells...
but the fight scene between Dumbledore and Voldemort is great (kahit medyo bitin!)
and of course, the Weasley twins always marks in the movie...

since the story is getting deeper, I don't think it fits for the children. the long conversion between the characters tires your waiting for the action...

Still, it's harry potter, the boy who made reading for children and adults more interesting...

my POV:
it is more fun, enjoyable and interesting to read the book than watch the film... it is ones imagination that brings life to the story....

At last.... I'm having a date...

I have waited for this for so long...
finally...
I'm going to have a date with Harry...

dream challenge

it tops my wishlist...

from the very first time i've heard, read and seen it...

tinaga ko na sa bato....

gagawin ko talaga... pag-iipunan ko talaga...

and finally, it's my drean challenge come true....

Parasailing in Boracay with Weng and James.... the best water challenge we've ever tried... it's serene up there...it's a wonderful experience... got to do again....

next challenge.... scuba diving.... Wow! Pangarap!!!

Did you say challenges?

I've been exclaiming that I am up for new adventures in my life...

and that would mean taking the risks and making great decisions...

I started the year at peace but with tears...

I was heartbroken...

February, I went to Singapore with my best girlfriend, Zashi, to celebrate my birthday there visiting another dear friend, Melay...

with my hidden intention of covering up my pain...

.... and .... then what?

I still needed more activities to focus my time on...

and it didn't took long enough to get that sigh of relief...

The very first major decision I made...

Cut my 5 year-old long hair....

......everybody was shocked! including myself...

it brought a major change in my lifestyle...

less time in taking a bath...

no need for comb...

a little gel or leave-on will do...

tipid sa shampoo and conditioner...

mas mabilis akong kumilos...

except when i wake up....

I resemble Goku....

with my hair all up!!!

and yes, it was brave, courageous and bold of me to take that 5 minute-haircut.... that changed my whole outlook in life...

Taking my time

It was March when Weng texted me about Cebu Pacific Promo of 1P flight to any domestic destination...



Our long dream vacation to Boracay is a reality at hand...



To make the booking long story short... we were able to get a flight from July 01-04, 2007. With different departure time...(with just a minute difference on booking online...)



And so the excitement grew every single day that passes...

From the outfits, two piece, cover-ups, sunblock, and lots of essentials to browsing the net for activities to do, for the hotels, for everything we need to know about Boracay...



July 01, Day 1

I took 6pm-6am shift at work while Weng, Rheena and Ariel went ahead on their ealier flight. It was a race against my endurance, patience and excitement travelling all the way from Bataan to Muntinlupa (I needed to go home first) then to the Airport...(waited for Efren, James and Tess)...45-minute airplane ride landing to Kalibo Airport then taking 1hr-van ride going to Caticlan then about 8-minute boat ride to Boracay Island and lastly another 5minute trycycle ride to Boracay stations... arriving there at 7pm (with all the kinds of rides, sea, land and air, I was exhausted...)



.....not to mention I was dead hungry...
I was more than 24 hrs awake....



So, Boracay it is...














exhausted who?

Forgotten

it seemed i have forgotten this site....
last blog entry was january....
i have to confess, i did not forgot to write here, i forgot my password... silly me...
so i didn't bother to retrieve it...
until...

so and so...
i decided to stop blogging on my friendster account and start re-blogging here...
whether i'm the only one reading it...
it is more convenient for me...

and for the reason that i needed to refresh...

and be brave to take new challenges in my life....


I am Aura
inviting you to walk with me in my journey.....












sands of time....