Why then?

Green Girl, I have finally found the time to finish this blog which is really intended for you.

Remember, you asked me once what could be the reason why you are still single. I told you that I would answer that one some other time and I have given it some thought, so here it is.

Green Girl - you have that wit that can make a guy dumbfounded (I'm not saying this just to flatter you; we both know its true). He better be smart or else, he will bore you to death. And it's not easy to find someone that can come up with smart comebacks when talking you. If you are smart girl, guys are threatened by it, worst, they get insecure by your intelligence. You can be stubborn, and I'm telling you already, Filipino guys often resent that...they want Ms. Submissive, Ms. Yes to all there whims, Ms. Ask Permission if you are going out and all those petty stuff. I will stop here - you know yourself more than I do - I'm just emphasizing the salient points.

Let's go to the things you need to do to land that first date with Mr. Prospect.
1. I really think you should go out a lot. If you are only hanging out with co-workers, friends and family, you won't meet enough guys in that circle. I'm not saying you need to go to parties every week, once or twice a month will do. But don't restrict the crowds that you hang out with.

2. You should not really be in rush but in case you decide to - Be proactive (wink). By that I mean, if you think there is someone that caught your interest - don't be shy to ask him for coffee or have small talks (You're supposed to be my daughter and I wonder why you grow up to be so shy-hehe). Seriously though, I'm not saying that you asked him out for a date just show some form of encouragement. A smile perhaps. By proactive, I mean creating a situation where he will notice you or give you a second look.

I don't think you are worried that you are still single up to now or are you? I can sense that you are just looking for fun, for variety in your life right now. Just be careful - that's what i kept telling the girls. We are not supposed to be beaten in a game that we started. Just date and go out and have fun. If you think you're up for the serious thing - I strongly suggest that you read Ninya's blog, hehe – (http://ninyatippett.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-to-look-for-in-mr-next-when.html). She says it all there and I could not agree with her more.

Clean Slate

No amount of calls and emails can make me change me mind about us...there is no US anymore. "US" ended when you made me wait in vain. Once is enough, giving you another chance is just pure stupidity on my part (Newsflash: I'm not ready to be that stupid).

I suggest you concentrate on your studies. Get that Law degree and for once, stand up for what you really want. I really do appreciate our friendship and I'm sorry if I hurt you - it was not just meant to be. You don't need distraction what you badly need is sense of direction.

Knowing you has been fun but don't be too serious in dealing with life...smell the flowers along the way, I'm telling you - there's more to life than what you think. Oh, I hate it when guys can't take a joke - that's your biggest mistake.

It's sad that she cannot see what kind of man you are. I know she can be genuinely happy with you but time and again she keeps on missing the mark. I wish you well and hope you find that one person for you.

Happily married. It's funny when you come to think about it. Have a great married life ahead!

What happened to the business that I help you set up? Damn... hehe. I know that you are also settled, you don't have to hide that ring on me every time we bumped into each other. Whatever it is - I just want you to know that I was never mad at you.

You never failed to make me smile but it's about time I guess...moved on.

If you think you are one of the person I'm talking about in here - don't be surprise if I don't pick up that call or won't reply to any of your emails - that means I have deleted you in my contacts or listed your addresses as Spam.

You can say I'm being mean but I just want to have a fresh start really.

23rd Wedding Anniversary of My Parents

December 21 – my parents celebrated there 23rd wedding anniversary. Over breakfast before that day, they were already talking and reminiscing how time fly so fast. My father said that it seems like just yesterday when he married my mother; decided that she will be the mother of his kids and will be the only woman on his life.

There story is one of the most beautiful love story I have ever heard. Time and again I have retold it to a different group of audience and it never failed to amaze them.

So here, I’m telling there story one more time. Both of them met in the baptism of my cousin, Desiree – my mom was one of the godmother and by default my father was also a godfather. They are just acquaintances – he was involved by that time with someone else and so did she. The celebrations of my cousin’s baptism finish late and my mom has to stay there for a night. My mom and the older sister of my father are good friends at that time.

The next day, she went home and due to some envious lady (the entire family knows her by the way –thanks to her) who had an apparent crush on my father – some malicious story about my mother’s whereabouts the day before spread. My grandmother was furious like hell and my mom was beaten pretty badly. My grandmother thought that they eloped and she wants my mother to get married. Papa heard about this and he went to my grandmother asking her permission to marry her daughter. Marriage is what they are asking so that’s what my father gave them. In a way he married a strange in the person of my mom.

The start was quite a struggle but they married the same year, short after that alleged eloped thing happened. After the wedding, that’s when my father started courting my mom…hehe. Courtship came later in their case. There’s an unconventional wedding – a marriage out of obligation and in a way of pity to my mom. But the rest of their story was full of love and of dreams.

To the best parents in this world – you have given me so much and for that, I and my sister will always be grateful to the both of you.

2008 - The Year it has been

2009 is just a few days ahead and I'm looking forward to it with much excitement... a new year, a fresh start, another year to conquer greater heights.

But before I go ahead of myself and tell you what my plans are for 2009, I'm taking another look at 2008 - a year that it has been for me.

This year, I finally graduated from college and I did it with flying colors. The late night works, last minute procrastination paid off (hehe). 32 units of workload is no joke but hard work and discipline, I was able to pull it through (so did the rest of the LC gals). I was not a struggling unemployed graduate as well, that's another accomplishment. By the time I graduate I had established myself already as one of the senior analyst. Lastly, I was able to buy my parents a house. This was by far my biggest investment and at some point, I was already broke... hehe. I was a financially struggling brat during the last two quarters of this year (this same brat is learning to pay bills now -hehe). I was have to stop my self from going to places that I wanted to go, stop going out, and I had to limit my purchases to needs and have the wants set aside. I was always been good in managing my finances but still, it's really tough.

This has been a year of first also. I got my heart broken this year. But it was not as horrible as I think it would be (I was not suicidal nor did I beg the person to love me back)...lol. I few nights out did the trick. Again, I have proven that I'm still resilient in the face of adversity (personal aspect at least).

A year of firsts, of accomplishment, of struggles, of learning. But this year ended with a bang - A new guy, a new love. Nuff said.

I feel shitty today -

I don't know if it is just stress or lack of sleep or I'm just preoccupied that I cannot think straight. But for some reason, I'm not in my perky mood at the start of my shift. When I left home, I was actually smiling wide since mama and papa are teasing each other and making plans for their upcoming 23rd wedding anniversary.

Thanks to Jack's chocolates and my sweetie's sense of humor. I know the people in the office would not want to see me all cranky all day. It's one of those days that you feel gloomy for no particular reason. A good friend of mine used to tell me - here you go again, you are having one of those mood swing. I guess Dane is right..this is one of those days when I'm having some mood swing.

But anyway, I'm all good - not feeling shitty already. I'm going out to met the wacky gang now. I love it. Time to have a good laugh.

P.S. Bevs, my blog is not 'impoverish' anymore - see, I've written something already for you to read. I'll write some more, don't worry... wink**

Simbang Gabi (9 Mornings)

Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the “Misa de Gallo” on Christmas.

Among the many traditions that Filipino is known for, this is the one that I liked best. Even from way back, I can vividly remember how much I look forward to December so that I can go with my mother to Simbang gabi. And during my high school days, most of my classmates would go to this morning masses and most of us are sleepy during the day. Our economic teacher – Ms. Maddie, would even tell us to take a nap for a couple of minutes since she cannot really hold a class with a bunch of kids all tired and sleepy, hehe.

But attending this morning masses is no easy task. Aside from the fact that you have to wake up early, just getting out of bed is so hard. It’s all cold outside and how nice it is just to stay in bed and cuddle those pillows. Other than that, the water is so cold that you can hardly touch it (my sister would often tease me, here we go again, she is having fear factor with the cold water).

These are the small things that makes my morning masses such an experience every year. Even though, I'm struggling to wake up each day, it's all worth it when I get to complete the 9 day novena mass for the Blessed Mother.

One down, eight more days to go. By that, I mean, I also need to go home and sleep or else I would be sleepy come tomorrow's mass.

Shop..shop..shop..

It's holidays once more and even if there's crisis, people still go out and buy those gifts for family members and friends. And I am no exception. I realize the severity of how tough life is to some people and even to me but it's no excuse for me not to show some form of appreciation to those people who made this year memorable.

Given that we are in an economic downturn, I figured that it would be best to share some of my holiday practices - shopping for gifts wise:

1. Determine the people you intend to give presents to - Make a list of people who are "must have" so to speak. Don't go out in the mall and just grab anything for anyone. You are going to end up buying two or three gifts to one person. Another scenario is that, you are going to miss out in certain important people and you end up buying last minute. Keep a mental note perhaps if you're doing window shopping but it would be best to jot down names and as you go along - eliminate those you have bought gifts already.

2. Determine your budget - Don't splurge if you cannot afford. Be practical with the gifts that you are going to give. Look for something that is not expensive but very useful. Discipline your self to stick to your budget and not simply swipe that card. If one tries to do this, you'll be push to be creative with your gifts.

3. Look for practical gifts - I think this is pretty self explanatory. Don't fall for the big and expensive stuff and later realize that the person will just put it aside since he/she cannot really use it.

4. Look somewhere else other than the mall - Avoid the mall if you can. Did you know that even if something is on sale, the price is really just the same. Pricing strategy. You think there's a markdown but really there isn't. Go to small boutiques or novelty shop...I'm telling you, there are great finds there.

5. Last but not the least, be creative - if your budget will really constrained you, make cards and some handicrafts. After all, it's really the thoughts that count more than anything.

That's all that I can think for now - I'll add some more on this list if something comes in mind.

Enjoy Christmas shopping everyone!

Gushings -

Aside from February, December is the next most romantic month if I may say. Dubbed as the month of giving and sharing - people are extra nice during this month. Sharing and giving shouldn't only be present during Christmas season but really, the month of December has a different charm.

Anyway, this blog has been long overdue and I was supposed to post this one last Friday but due to certain engagement I totally forgot about this one.

I'm not going to write about how people are extra nice during Holiday season (although it is a good topic) but rather, I'm going to write about how December as a month has never failed to amaze me. December is always full of surprises....and this year is no exception.

Ever told someone that "love was right in front of him/her and he/she failed to notice it"? I I think by now the Meangirls can say that to me. Yes, love has been there all along but "we" choose not to notice it (I'm not gonna deny my part on that one). I guess the best way to preserve oneself and avoid the possible rejection and hurt is to deny the obvious. Well, I did my part of that - I was denying what I was feeling and would rationalize that it is just fondness that he felt for me.

Oh well, looks like the jokes on me. Moral of the whole thing: Be brave to take your chances especially if that something will make you happy. You don't know what your future holds. I have always been bold of the things I want and I think it's good. Life is a risk as they say, so gamble if you can, take your chances, explore the possibilities. If you are going to cry in the end, so be it, don't hold back and learn from it.

For now, I'm so relieve that I took my chance and the best is yet to come.