Hello, Hello

It was one late Saturday morning -- it's already past lunch time, but I just woke up (just let this vampire have her "mornings", ok?). I had nothing to do. So I started surfing the internet, which I haven't done in a looooong while. It was just Facebook-when-online for me since I got hooked on FB. I remembered and tried to Google my blog again to see if it's still there. And it is! Miss Yuniverse is still here. So I decided to take a quick look. Then I started reading my entries again. Now that I get Comments from friends at Facebook, it felt kind of awkward to be writing to an audience that didn't really react. It was like a monologue. But it's really great to be reading my old entries. Some of those made me laugh, surprisingly. Oh well...could be just vanity. haha! It's just funny when I read my old blogs. I see some things change, some things stay.

...and now I'm trying to remember my older blog. Reminiscing who I was 2 years ago who reminisced who I was another 2 years back. It's kind of cool.

Talk to you later...

Blackhole in the YUniverse?

Where can you find me lately? Not in Friendster. Not in Multiply.

Find me in Facebook -updating my friends with nearly daily status, growing my mob and wealth, getting wordy in Word Challenge, taking fun quizzes, getting fancy gifts from friends, chatting with online friends, checking my friends whereabouts.

Visit me there. =)

Batman Returned, The Mummy Returned...

and finally Miss YUniverse returned.

Was that corny enough for my comeback statement? hehehe. (at may matching picture pa!)

Finally, Multiply-ing and blogging again! In the last 3 months, there was no desire to visit Multiply, no creative juices (nax, as if talagang binabaha ng creativity). I haven't touched my camera for a long time na rin.

Since I turned 28, I lost all motivation to blog. Well, I promised myself in my last blog that I won't be writing again until I have done what I intended to do. But it didn't happen, so I lost all desire to blog. Then, there were new things at work. Then, there was the biggest evil of all - stress.Then, there was my personal life. (Explain, explain)

So, a little update from my universe... Unsa'y naa, yo?

Visited home in Davao...after 1.5 years. Highlights: my mom's birthday, Vin's first visit, my/our first trip to Samal! Really nice to see my friends again. Wished I met more of them.

FLI is nearly over. Yeahh! Relief, relief. Final workshop starts tomorrow. Masaya yung last meeting namin kagabi. Tawanan lang. Maybe because at the back of our minds we know we're finally nearing our destination...after 8 loong months. Cool yung gimmick namin. Looking forward to the workshop. (Hint: We're bringing inside the Sofitel ballroom our electric jeep!)

I'm using my iPod again. For over a year, I haven't been using it. Kaya siguro nawawalan ako creativity. In my hotlist... Across the Universe OST, Mamma Mia OST, David Cook!, Colbie Caillat's Coco, Sara Bareilles' Little Voice, KC's album!! =)

My movie nights weren't as bad. Going to the movies is still one of my stress-relievers. Gwa beh kwa yahi.

Yesss! Gwa ya gaw kong Nanangwe. haha. Di pa ako super galing, pero marami na ako alam na Chinese words, at nakakadaldal na ako konti.

Owki! That's it, pansit. Nuod ako later ng A Very Special Love. yihee! ;-)

Thank You, Danke, Salamat

...goes the song written by our German expat, which easily became an LSS to most of us. =)

My birthday went by. It was not as eventful as I wanted it. But the days before and after were awesome. I took my office friends to Dampa on the Friday. It was fun doing the pamamalengke with Vin. I was beaming with pride when I got praised for my palengke skills. hehe. I can imagine my mom's face in disbelief. Although I seem to have a problem with budgeting. I over-ordered. Pero better than kulang, di ba?

On my birthday, I threw a pizza party for the project. Muntik na sumobra ulit. May umabot pa ng dinner time. =)

The day after, I took my annual reviewees to John and Yoko at Greenbelt 5. No longer related to my birthday, but I loved eating out, so I was still in birthday mode. I ordered. Guess what? I over-ordered again.

Over-ordering, if that's even a term, somehow became a reminder to me of how excessive my blessings are in the past year, in 2008, and in the past 28 years. I know, I am spoiled by God. Naguumapaw ang blessings Nya for me. I am humbled. Nothing I do can ever give back what God has given me or what He has yet to give me. I am but very grateful.

I am also thankful for everyone who remembered and greeted me, and even those who felt they need to explain for greeting me a day later. Just the thought of remembering me was already enough to make me happy. =)

Despite my grateful attitude, I was uninspired since my birthday. Somebody is not around. Hence my late blog entry. Unless something extraordinary happens, I will not post anything here until my Birthday Blog Part 2 later in May. It will be about my next planned birthday party. Sana matuloy. Matagal ko na to ipinagdasal na mangyari. I even prayed na sana I'll have the money to fund it. And God did provide.

Til then. Bis dann. Hanggang sa muli. Au revoir.

Sama Summah

Happy season na naman. LSS: Abs-Cbn's One Team One Summer. =)

Exciting things are coming on my birth month.

...KC's i.am.kc tv program every Saturday in celebration of her birth month

...Pyro Olympics (this year, it's gonna be a pyro-musical competition), every Saturday of April

...Summer na talaga! Nice warm weekend afternoons na ulit. Beautiful sunset views from my office window ulit. May reason na naman akong kumain ng galon-galong ice cream ulit. =D

Remembering my summer opener last year.

Malapascua

To the North, To the North

It was a very long trip. But our trip to La Union, then to Baguio the same morning we arrived, was worth the pain in the butt. =)

We left Manila at 12AM of Maundy Thursday. Traffic was bad, but could be worse if we left earlier. We arrived in La Union at 7AM (yes, that long). After a quick breakfast and nap, we headed for a quick day trip in Baguio. Slept earlier than planned due to exhaustion with a plan to swim by sunrise. Overslept due to exhaustion capped by a bottle of beer (singular for me, plural for the rest of the group). After breakfast, we headed to the dirty-white-sand beach just 10 minutes walk from the house. La Union, indeed, has great beaches to boast. We left for Manila after a sumptuous lunch. The trip back was more fun. It was Good Friday, so we had to take extra care. When we were nearing Makati, we almost hit another car due to this swerve-crazy bus driver along EDSA. Thank God, all of us got home safe and happily reminiscing the trip.

I'm too lazy to write a narrative, so I'll just share some of my fave pics from the trip. More can be found in my latest album.

Baguio Flowers

Ang Model Ko'y 'Kaw

The Kid that Smiled At Me

The Travelling Havai Checks Out La Union Beach

One of My Motion Pictures on The Trip Home

More pictures in my LaUnion-Baguio Album.

Save the Universe

Mother Nature needs saving. When I was younger, being environment-friendly was more like a preferrence, the better choice. Now it's a necessity, the only choice. At least that's how it was for me. The reality about the environment has finally sunk in. Before, I was just mindful about using plastic bags and trying to reuse stuff. Now, I commit myself to living an eco-friendly lifestyle. You know, the serious stuff. Uhm, well, as serious as I can get. I'm not ready to walk my way to the office to reduce my carbon footprint. =) Today, I started using kacha bag for my groceries to reduce plastic consumption. Mga ka-berks, subukan nyo rin. Try with one habit muna. Here are some suggestions.

1. Use reusable kacha bags instead of plastic ones.

2. Bring your own reusable utensils to reduce the use of plastic spoons/forks and styrofoam containers.

3. Rarely throw away plastic bags. Use and reuse as long as you can.

4. Wash wisely. The fewer dishes to wash and the less frequent we wash, the smaller the amount of detergent we use.

5. The next time you go shopping, choose products and suppliers that care for the environment.

6.Reduce paper consumption. At work, use Outlook and OneNote to keep all your notes. (It's a good time and task management system as well.) Print preview before printing.

7. Get informed. Read about global warming, climate change, CO2 emissions, and related topics. Spread the word. Start and share the habits.

Simple lang di ba? It's actually the small habits in our lifestyle that, collectively, damage our environment. Let's start!

Malungkot Ka Ba?

Watch this!

Ken lee...tulibu dibu douchoo...

mwahahaha!!!!!!

Across the Universe

I am not a Beatles fan, but I love Beatles songs. As if that wasn't made obvious enough with my blogspot title. =) I particularly like Beatles songs covered by other artists, like Aerosmith's Come Together, Fiona Apple's Across the Universe, All You Need Is Love from Love Actually OST, and Two of Us from I Am Sam OST.

Today, I have finally seen my much-awaited musical film "Across the Universe". Strictly as a movie, I tried not to notice a few disappointments (i.e. weak story). But heck, I got to sing my fave Beatles songs while following the story of 'Jude and Lucy'. So, I enjoyed it!

My Top 5 Faves:
- Sadie's Helter Skelter
- Lucy's If I Fell
- Jude's Girl
- Gospel rendition of Let It Be
- Max's I Want You

Highly recommended! 5 strawberries. =)

Nakaka-Lerche

One more... =) This is just so nice.

Sondre Lerche

/sauhn-druh lair-kay/. My newest fave artist. It was love at first hear. =)

My lips are bleeding
from kissin you goodbye
from kissin you goodbye every night
- My Hands Are Shaking

Oh, what a world this life would be
Forget all your technicolour dreams
Forget modern nature
This is how it's meant to be
- Modern Nature

When I wrap my arms around you
Every mistake we made crumbles
When I wrap my arms around you
Everything echoes a new song
- To Be Surprised

I will never go, babe, hell no
- Hell No

It's that when I lose my sleep it's you I miss
- You Know So Well

So start the two way monologues that speak your mind
We re talking two way monologues with words that rhyme
- Two Way Monologues

Whenever I put my foot in my mouth and you begin to doubt
That it's you that I'm dreaming about
Do I have to draw you a diagram?
All I ever want is just to fall into your human hands
- Human Hands

Airport Taxi Reception

Phantom Punch

Isn't it Ironic?

"it's like raaaiinn, on your wedding day... it's a free riiide, when you've already paid..."

Kakagigil. Sinusubaybayan ko ang TARA2 sa youtube. Sobrang saya. Kakaproud pa sila Marc and Rov. Now that it's down to the last epi, the finale, the most important of all episodes... pinull out ng Sony Pictures Entertainment lahat ng TARA2 videos sa youtube. ggggrrrrr! lupet!!

Ngayon, di ko alam (and no spoilers, please) kung pano nag-end ang TARA2. Nagkita pa naman kami ni Marc Nelson sa GB3 last night. hahaha, feeling! Nanuod din sya Vantage Point.

Help! Where can I find the finale video of TARA2???

9 Days

It has been a full, fun week...

02.09. 12th Hot Air Balloon Festival at Subic. A weekend of everything that flies. I was in high spirits when we started the road trip at 4AM with a convoy of 4 cars. When we arrived, I got "a bit" cranky because I thought we missed the hot air balloons. Sadly, it was too windy a morning that they decided to cancel the "flying" of the hot air balloons. I was really disappointed. But I found my fun with the other shows like Capt Halili's plane exhibition, picture-taking with 'air force' models, guns, and vehicles. It was also a photo trip. Most of us came armed with DSLR's (and in my case, my fave tripod). =) And of course, it was also a food trip. I brought the group to Rumpa where food (steak!!!) is sumptuous and cheap.

02.10. Buffet. Vin's advance birthday dinner celebration meant lots, no...heaps, of food. I have satisfied all past cravings of my favorite -salmon!!! =D

02.11. Happy Anniv to Me. 6 years in Accenture!

02.12. Happy Birthday Vin! My suprise dinner at GB5 was star-studded. In the other tables were Aimee Marcos, Marvin Agustin, Andrea the sexy star, and Carlo P, former project-mate (celebrity daw ba?). We also met Vicky Belo, JM Rodriguez, and other possible celebrities who may have spotted us. hahaha!!!

02.13. Red Box Night. It was a celebration of sorts. Roger's going-away party (he leaves for Frankfurt on Saturday), my PMP celebration, and our team's team-building.

02.14. Valentine's Day. My first Vday without the usual night out with friends. This year, lahat yata ay may date. =) It was a day of surprises, tulips, John Legend, songs, and almost eating an uod. haha! Long story.

02.15. KC at MMK. It was just ok.

02.16. Jewelry-making class. On the first quarter of my 4-hour class, I realized I don't have the talent for this craft. But since I looove accessories and blings, I enjoyed anyway. Mababait din yung mga katabi ko.

02.17. Happy Walk. Celebration of the Down Syndrome Consciousness Month. Ms Rita introduced us to his son. Ito lang napansin ko sa bawat pamilya na may special child. Masaya. May real joy. Having one appears to be a blessing talaga. :-)

In the afternoon, it was Geno's grooming day. From goat, naging lion sya. Pero lhasa apso talaga sya. =)

Amidst the Jun Lozada-triggered/-inspired activities, I had a fun time in the last 9 days. =)

Pictures to follow. Tinatamad na naman ako mag-upload.

Sayalittleprayer for Yu

Today, I celebrated my 6th year in Accenture. Happy Anniv, mga kabatch!!!

Ganito kami last year...

Ano ang nagbago sa mga naiwan sa Sayalittleprayer berks since last year's celebration?

- Walang Red Box celebration this year. Walang cake din. Wala kasi si Mae. hahahaha.

- Si Mae, mommy na. (Excited na ako makita baby nya.)

- Si Ron, naging hubby na, magiging daddy pa. (Miss ko na to, di na masyado makulit sa AIM.)

- Si Warren, naonshore ulit sa Frankfurt. Bumili ng lote. I-announce ba? hehehe.

- Si Yvonne, naonshore din ulit, with Warren. May boyfriend na ata, ayaw lang aminin. haha!

- Si Gerry, naonshore ulit. Lalong yumaman. Libre naman dyan, Gerry! ;-)

- Si Mau, malapit nang ikasal. Sobrang inlab. May bagong puppy. Baby nila ni Edward.

- Si Rica, proud Mommy. Wala na ako masyado balita. Nakikita ko lang around APC. :-)

- Si Lyn, last kong alam ay masaya with bf. Nag-asawa na rin kaya? ;-)

- Si Eli, nakikita ko sya last year with her bf. Nag-asawa na rin ba?

- Si Ling, nakita ko sa women's volleyball team picture. Curious ako makibalita with her. :-)

- Si Jan, ayun, maganda pa rin. mwahahaha! ...kumukuti-kutitap ang mga mata. nag-happee!

- Si Tin, sya ang huling nagresign. Pero nakakadaldalan ko pa rin. Makulit at masayahin pa rin. Ikakasal na rin. Sexy pa rin. (Tin, libre mo ko ha!)

Dami pa pala namin. Sana walang mang-iwan until next anniv. ;-)

p.s.

'Tis the season of occasions talaga.

...New Year

...Our SLC Anniv

...Our Real Anniv

...New Year ulet
...Anniv ko sa Accenture

...Birthday ni Vin

...Valentine's Day

...First Anniv nung pagkalaglag ko sa stairs sa GT nung fire drill (nicelebrate daw?! hahaha!!!)

So many things to celebrate! :-)

KC Crazy

I am definitely going home early on Friday.

KC in MMK. 'Nuff said.

from www.bayo.com.ph

Kiong Hee Huat Chai!!

Oh yeah, I have finally accepted that 25% part of me after 27 years. =) Beyonce variant... to the roots, to the roots.

Napag-usapan na rin naman... so what's Chinese about me? (First time ko yata makwent0 to.)

- Physically, only my feet. With my shoe size, I can be a Chinese princess! ;-)

- Nung bata ako, maputi pala ako. Kala ko namana ko, di lang pala ako lumalabas ng bahay, di naaarawan. hihi. Wala talaga sa itsura. Proud ko pang sinasabi nuon na apelido lang ang Chinese sa akin.

- 50% Chinese ang tatay ko. Marunong sya magsalita ng isang Chinese dialect, di ko lang alam kung ano. Nag-Chinese high school din sya, kung san ni-claim nya na kabatch nya si Tony Tan Cak Tiong ng Jollibee. Stir!

- Among my father's 7 siblings, dalawa lang ang may Filipino surname. May mga pinsan akong Yulo, Ching, Chua, Lim, at syempre Yu. Karamihan sa kanila ay marunong mag-Chinese, yung iba nananalo pa ng writing contest (yung pag-draw ng characters, di ko alam ano tawag dun). At lahat sila ay halos pare-pareho ang itsura -payat, maputi, singkit. Obviously, ako ang ugly duckling sa family picture. (Alam nyo naman pano nag-end ang story di ba? hahahaha...). Yung tatay nung isa, pangalawang Alfredo Lim na nakilala ko (yung isa yung Manila mayor).

- 100% Chinese ang lolo ko. Co Lao Seh ang pangalan nya. Di ko pa rin maintindihan pano naging Yu ang family name namin.

- 100% Chinese din ang step-lolo ko.

- Our family home when I was growing up was adjacent/connected to my grandmother's house. Normal lang sa akin makakita ng mahjong table, distinctly Chinese dining sets, chopsticks. Pero natuto akong gumamit ng chopsticks nung nagwork na ako.

- My first close (Chinese) friend siguro was my childhood, kindergarten friend (sabi nila, I wouldn't like to go to school pag di nya ako pinupuntahan sa bahay) -si Gamaliel Lo. I never called him that though. I fondly call him Butchoi.

- I grew up with my father telling histories about old Chinese families in our town, including his own. He also made me appreciate Chinese values which I still admire up to now. Yung pagiging matipid at magaling sa pera at business. Yung pagiging masipag. Yung simpleng lifestyle at down-to-earth personality. Yung community spirit. Nagtutulungan talaga. Naaaliw ako dati na kapag nagsasalitang Chinese na ang tatay ko sa tindahan, nakaka-avail kami ng discounts. Ibang klase ang Chinese community!

- While studying History, I was not as amazed with the Romans, the Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Mesopotamians, as I was with the ancient Chinese. For me, they are the most intelligent and advanced race in ancient history. Promise, kakaiba ang pagkamangha ko sa kanila.

- At some point in my childhood nakatanggap din ako ng ang pao kahit papano. Pero akala ko nuon, para lang sya stationery, pula na may design. =)

- Ang pinaka-close kong pinsan sa father's side tinatawag nilang Shobe. Nung bata ako, clueless talaga ako. I called her Ate Shobe. hahaha!

- Nag-aral ako ng Mandarin basic 3 years ago. Ang natira na lang sa memory ko ay "ni nang pang wo ma" tsaka "wo shuo putonghua". For the first time, nagkaron ako ng Chinese name na ginawa ng Mandarin teacher ko. Jia Xin Mei. Something like beautiful flower (parang inimbento ko lang). Pero feeling ko joke lang sya, parang binaliktad lang ang Janice Mae. Joker talaga yung teacher ko na nahihirapang bigkasin ang word na vowel (wo-wel) at province (prow-wens).

- Ever since, di ko talaga masyado naaappreciate ang pagiging Chinese. Kini-claim ko na peke ako o kaya adopted. The first time I was able to appreciate it was when I met one of my college best friends -Junnie Anne Sia. I was like part of their family. We were both accepted as Metrobank scholars. Yung nag-interview sa amin na Metrobank boss ay yung pangatlong Alfredo Lim na nakilala ko. =) May iba pa akong naging kaibigan na Chinese. Si Ajin Ngo. Si FG Wong. Si Paul Chuahua. Humaba konti ang listahan ng mga kaibigan kong maiikli ang apelido.

- In 2005, I got to appreciate once more that Chinese aspect when I met a whole new bunch of Chinese friends thru Maia. They were some of the kindest, sweetest, coolest, most thoughtful people I've met. My Kalaag friends. We all shared that passion for travel, hence the name. They were my sweetest, shortest love affair. I don't get to see them that much anymore. One I'll never be able to see again. I'm remembering Julie Lee, siblings Stan & Sharon Lu, and Joy Yap (they're cousins). From them, I learned to say "lan ta beh kaw lo" (almost there) but with an Italian accent.

- And of course, there's Maia who claims to be Chinese in her past life. Sabay kami nag-Mandarin. =) And Leng Hong na minsan nakakalimutan kong Chinese pala. =)

- Ngayon naman ang pinakama-influence sa lahat. Si Alvin. Chinese din. Nung kumanta sya ng buchikik, sobrang naaliw yata ako. hahaha! Ang unang Fookien natutunan ko sa kanya ay ochi. May pasa kasi ako nun. =)

- After all I said, di talaga ako masyado Chinese. Sakto lang para sa 25% na share ko sa family namin. =)

P.S.
While writing this blog, Josh Groban's To Where You Are is being played in Myx. Reminded me all the more of Julie Lee. =( It's her birthday today. 3 years ago, she died while co-piloting that Beechcraft Baron that crashed in Zamboanga. Josh Groban was sort of our soundtrack for her during that time. I've been thinking about her since this morning. I especially missed her this year. Maybe because I'm going to the Hot Air Balloon Festival this weekend. Brought back memories from that year. I'm not sure if I'll feel sad because people may not miss her as much as we did before. Or if I'll feel happy because people who loved her have finally moved on and can now smile when remembering her. I guess I feel both. :-)

Gugulit

I'm supposed to sleep na (kung si Gerry pa, make meme na) kasi Ash Wednesday tomorrow, early mass. But I just want to share this amazing discovery. :-)

Try to google me -across the yuniverse or miss yuniverse.

I'm Google's #1 result!!!

Naaliw lang ako. hehehe.

Mad with my Tripod

I just loved the new tripod I bought yesterday at the Photo World Manila in Glorietta.

So what happens when I'm alone...

with my new tripod?

This happens. =D

Di halatang addict ako magpicture sa sarili ko. =)

In the Middle

If I had a perfect soundtrack for my days in January, it would be In the Middle by Jimmy Eat World. The music was hurried, like my days. And the lyrics? It was written for me. Oo para sa akin talaga! "it just takes some time, little girl, you're in the middle of the ride, everything will be just fine, everything will be alright" Pano nila nalaman height ko? =P I love this song. When I'll feel down or confused, I'll listen to this song again.

I had the craziest schedule in the past weeks. I knew I reached my peak when I had to run from one very important client meeting, where I did a presentation, to another equally important meeting with my section in the Future Leaders Initiative, where we agreed on a ground rule that no one will be excused from being absent or late. Maybe I didn't discover early enough this conflicting sched because of the 200+ unread emails competing to get my attention. I felt like there was just too many information flying around, too many tasks attempting to knock me out. OA naman... hehe..

Finally, it's weekend. My much-needed, most-awaited breather. The clients had left. 2 more days, and we'll be done with our high-prio efficiency initiatives. There are still action items left from these 2 events. I expect more to do's coming up with my FLI section. But I am able to manage completing some of them already. Thanks to the book I read -The Personal Efficiency Program. Actually, first chapter pa lang ako. Definitely helped me with my procrastination problem. The concept is very simple -just DO-IT-NOW. Sa mga gaya ko, subukan nyo rin. =) I can share with you the book details (found it in books.24x7).

Busy man, nakakaparty pa rin. Prost!

As I expected, it's gonna be a full year. New Year pa lang, nakabook na weekends ko until mid-Feb. The first 2 weekends, I concentrated on my review. And yes! I passed!!! Certified Project Management Professional na ako. This was important for me. It was my first exam after the board exam that I failed 7 years ago. And this is the only exam that I so badly wanted. Gusto ko rin yung topic. Kaya, thank you to all who prayed for me and were very encouraging. To God be the glory!

Last weekend naman, Alvin and I were part of the first workshop of FLI in Tagaytay. Galing din ng timing. A year ago, we were also in Taal Vista. =) Ito pa! Nanalo kami sa casino, together with the kids (yung mga ASE's ng SLC at si Ai). As in, 800% return (kung tama ang math ko). The best part of it was not the money, but the fun we had. Talanga chip-in chip-in kami sa bets. There were about 10 of us. Masaya talaga. Yung isa nakauwi ng 1K+, ang pinusta nya lang ay yung 100 na chip na balato namin sa kanya. Kakaaliw di ba? Simpleng roulette lang to -odd/even, red/black. Beginners luck, unite! Yung mga kasama namin kasi first time pa lang mag-casino. Naki-hitch lang ako. Alam ko naman na malas ako sa sugal. ;-)

This weekend, we'll be celebrating our first anniversary. Isang taon na po! (Fireworks, please!) =)

January was tough for me. But as they say, you need the bitter to appreciate the sweet. Definitely, there were also many things to celebrate and be thankful for. ;-)

Happy New Year!!!

Strangely, I don't have a song in mind for this entry.

Are you as excited as I am for all the possibilities of 2008? I have this strong feeling that it's going to be a great year for everyone (legendary!) ...for the Philippines, and even for the US economy. Bongga! 2008 is like a rare sequel that beats its predecessor, like Bridget Jones's Diary Edge of Reason... arguably. Osya, tama na tong pagpe-premonize (new word: act of making premonitions) ko. Baka magaya pa to sa The Village. Mas maganda pa yung trailer kesa sa actual movie. Again, arguably.

So, what's your resolution? I don't have resolutions, but I have my traditional New Year's Prayer. Wala kaayo ko palihi, pero naka-polka dots ko. mwehehe. Mutuo ko nga maski walay palihi, basta nag-ampo, ma-bless jud ang tuig. I lighted my 2-year old Prosperity Candles, courtesy of Roscef. There are 7 or 8 colored candles, representing health, peace, good spirit, money, love, etc. Sabi duon, you light them for 30 minutes and the candle that remained the tallest will be what's bountiful for you in the coming year. Di ko na pinaabot ng 30 minutes. Weird kasi lahat sila pantay-pantay pa rin ang height. Sana ibig sabihin nito ay lahat ng blessings mag-aabound in 2008.

Sa mga berks, pinagdasal ko kayo. Kaya be hopeful for 2008. Ika nga ni Father nung New Year's eve mass, a grace-filled new year for everyone.

Sleep All Day

In the past days, my sleeping pattern has been going awry. I'm active until 5 in the morning, and sleeping so hard until 3 in the afternoon. I'm having shorter days than the winter season.

Tonight, or shall I say this morning, to make myself busy while I wait for my sleepy self, I read my 2 old blogs. It was an experience I did not expect. I saw a different me that I have almost forgotten. The one who nursed a bad heartbreak, moved on, seized the day and the world, had the best year ever, found her new self, transitioned to new chapters, got tired, got lonely, found answers, got busy, met new people, reflected and realized lessons, started new things, enjoyed company of great friends, and continued to grow up (not physically, of course!).

There was an entry I wrote where I told myself it might not make sense now, but may make sense in the future. Indeed, it does now! There were a few entries that made me ask, 'did I really write this stuff?'. There was a couple of entries where I wrote some stuff that I wanted to read again in the future to be reminded of some important realizations. There were entries with questions or uncertainty to which I have already found the answers. I have grown up.

I looked for those old blogs because I planned to delete them already, now that I have this new blog. But after reading all the entries, I realized they're worth keeping. Some stories are worth reminiscing; lessons worth learning over again; experiences worth reliving.

Kaya, sa mga friendships, I encourage you to read those old entries again. Kakaiba!

Subukan ko na matulog. :)

Ben, Stuart Little, Ratatouille, Mickey Mouse, and their Year

Excited na ako sa 2008! Syempre, tiningnan ko agad kung anong meron sa 2008 base sa Chinese astrology. Year of the Rat daw. Chinese Brown Earth Rat to be specific, oha. :-)

Base sa declarations namin ni Maia, 2008 is going to be my good year. Long story. Basta 2005 was a great year for me, and 2008 is yet another great year. Kaya super excited na ako.

Ito yung mga nadiskubre ko sa internet:

- Ang Chinese astrological sign ko ay Metal Monkey.

- Compatible daw ang Rat sa Monkey at Dragon. Ayus. Monkey ako, Dragon pareho parents ko. Of the 12 signs, The Monkey is the one most likely to have the best year.

- Since this is an Earth year, those people born in a Metal year (ako yun!) will generally fare better than others.

- Rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac and signifies new beginnings. That which is begun now is likely to have long term consequences.

- 2008 will be a year of possibilities, a time of progress. Should add something new to your life.

Kung gusto nyo malaman ang yearly horoscope ng ibang signs, check nyo to: http://chinese.astrology.com/

In the end, it's all about you, your faith, and what you think and do. So, think positive, do good, and God will shower you blessings.

p.s.

Stupid question, what's the difference between a rat and a mouse?

Picture of Yu

For those who haven't seen me for a looong time, check out my 2007 look. =)

After New Year Side View (January)

Our First Trip - Malapascua Trigger Happy Reflection (March)

June Garden Wedding Angle

Disney-Excited Pose (July)

Newscaster Look (October)


Pang Awards Night (October)

Bowling Night with Officemates Look (November)

Christmas Party a la Moulin Rouge Look

Slumber Party Bad-A$$ Look (December)

...and for those i haven't seen in a while, share your photos too. this is fun! ;-)

You Oughta Know

~alanis morissette

Just don't mind the lyrics. Kumusta naman? I have sooo many stories to tell. Some quick updates na lang muna.

You ought to know...

Mae just gave birth to baby David Leu (8.36 lbs) 15 hours ago -Dec. 26, 1230pm. That's our second DB baby, next to Carlo (aka Ian) & Carol's baby John Carl.

Juni gave birth to her second baby -Patrick Gabriel [cute name no? I'd love to call him Gabe.], last Dec. 16. For sure, pogi baby na naman just like his kuya and my inaanak -Nico.

Some of my discoveries lately:
youtube is addictive! If I thought I'm over cable tv, I just found myself a new addiction.

Blogging is fun-ner now with all these new features. Yet another addiction.

Marc Nelson is great! I know he's good-looking and hot. But I've never liked him, until I've watched the first 5 episodes of The Amazing Race Asia Season 2, and found myself seriously rooting for him and Rov (close kami). He seems nice and pleasant. I'm proud to see them as the strongest team. Represent! I think they're the only team who speak English loud and clear. Sakit sa ulo yung iba.

Kaya ko pala lakarin from GT to Greenbelt/Glorietta in 15 minutes lang, along the roofed walkway. Tamad kasi maglakad.

Favorite ko pala talaga ang Beatles. Pansin ko sa mga songs na nasa blog ko so far.


I'm spending the holidays in Makati. My first Christmas break without my family. Several reasons. So far, it's not as bad. But I surely miss all my friends.


Shout-outs: Miss ko na mga friendships! Jazzie, balik ka ulet dito. Gerry, natuwa ako na i get to read your blogs again. Leng, promise I'll write soon, and send your pictures too; hello to Mae. Maia, I know we're housemates, but I missed hanging out with you; labas tayo nila Pia next year...hehe. Juni, excited na ko makita si bb Gabe; tibuon na nako ako regalo kay Nico, hehe. Misyl, sad, wala ko sa dedication ni bb Tickles, kita ta pagbalik nimo diri. Jackie, sorry wa pa kita magkita usab, I'll make up for it soon. Jake, let's do photo tripping when you get back. FG, unta magkita na jud ta pagbalik nimo after Christmas. Corre-Anjel-Jiji, unta maglaag na pud ta usab like our Hongkong trip. Klang, kanus-a kaha ko makavisit sa inyo no? Puhon. Ate Nenen, ka-cute sa imo bb Shawn, artistahon; tnx for sending the pics; mishu. Dee, let's chat again; i sincerely hope you're fine now; love you! To my high school berks, sorry I missed the reunion, yadayun ba? To all my college friends, mingaw na ko ninyo tanan; unsay balita? Orrie, mingaw na ko nimo; kung minyo na ka, ako na lang single sa Arian, hehehe.. ARIAN's, lingaw siguro kung magkita-kita ta no? Kalaag's, I just realized it's almost 3 years since our sweet, short affair; kaka-miss. Keep in touch kayo lahat. Amishu!

# 1

here i go again. my 4th first blog entry.

i like to read blogs. i've been trying to keep one, but i get busy and/or lazy. let's see how long i can keep this one going.

i had fun setting up this blog. i used lines from my favorite songs here as titles to the sections or to entries (which i'll try to list in my juke-blox [pauso]). i also look forward to posting more photos from my album, aside from those posted in flickr.

but really, all i want is to share some stories and keep in touch with all my friends out there.

so, to all my friends: drop a message, share your blogs, and let's keep in touch. =)

welcome to my 2nd blogspot!

syempre may soundtrack. =) Start of Something New (High School Musical)