2013 In A Nutshell

I couldn't be any more thankful for this year. Sure there were a few bumps here and there but I'm thankful I have wonderful friends to help me out along the way. This year, I was able to cross out a few things on my bucket list. I met a lot of cool people from different cultures. I learned a lot in school and at work. I swam some waters over the summer and trekked a mountain. Rommel never fails to spoil me with love and sweetness. Biking became a part of our lives this year and if ever I included fitness in my last year's resolution, I'm sure it's a double check on that area.

Going home this Christmas, I realized how long I have not seen some of my high school friends. Some of them are still surprised how much weight I lost. I know I used to be really fat but I lost those humps gradually over the years of laziness. I still don't know what to tell them when they ask me how I actually did it. I think the best and honest to goodness answer is probably because my laziness got the better of me. I only go biking on weekends because it's been a ritual for me and Rommel. But during weekdays, when I'm usually just by myself and while I try to balance work and my academics, sometimes I just get lazy to eat and prefer sleeping instead. Also, my two previous jobs involved a lot of talking wherein during those times, a number of doctors told me I could potentially develop nodes on my vocal cords. So, I started making a habit of laughing without a sound (corny right?) and managed to take care of my sweet tooth. I reduced how much I eat chocolates which I've gotten used to eventually because I was trying to avoid having sore throat. Funny how laziness and procrastination may be the reason how I actually lost weight.

Cinemalaya 2013

It's that time of the year again! Let's go!

Oh July, you fly by so fast

1. After having a cough for three weeks, finally I'm free. Ever since I got sick, I've been religiously taking multivitamins and iron supplement to boot. I have changed meds twice before i finally went to the doctor. Tough times, baby, tough times. I just had the courage to go to Medical City because there was this one time, my cough was so unending that everybody was already asking me if I needed water which is unnecessary because I have been hydrating every two minutes or so. I hurriedly went to the bathroom because i realized i was making a scene already. I tried hard to cough out the phlegm but I couldn't get it out and I end up vomiting what I ate. sorry for the yuckiness. But after that day, I just said, what the heck I have medicard anyway. What is it to be scared about? So the next day, I bravely went to the doctor. The doctor said he couldn't hear any obstruction from my lungs. I had chest xray which turned out to be normal. He advised me to take anti-histamine instead of my usual cough meds. Surprisingly, after two days, my cough is gone. I can breathe clearly now. It was just an allergy. I couldn't be any happier now. 

After several weeks of that tormenting cough, honestly I got to a point where it was so frustrating already because I know I have been living a healthier lifestyle unlike before. An officemate advised me weeks ago to ask the doctor about it because  I had the cough even after a week of taking antibiotics. And she told me about her former officemate who just learned about his illness during their APE because he was not minding his cough and lost of weight. Well, thanks for the pep talk my friend. That got me more scared than ever. I swear I was convinced, I have a serious illness and that I would die soon.  So I got scared of going to the doctor because I don't know how I could act and live normally knowing the fact that I'm dying. I told myself, if I were really dying, I would like to live as normal as possible. I'd rather die not knowing the truth. I was scared because I know I would be really really sad and my loved ones would be sad too. So I'd rather have the unknown than having people get pity about my condition. Well, what was i thinking right? Soooooo dramatic. Too much of being a literature major. Blah! 
Lesson: It's better to know the truth. 

2. I'm juggling things as of the moment. I have classes for my MA and another for learning Spanish. It feels nice knowing you're being productive and making use of your youth wisely. Last weekend, Rommel was asking me what do I really want in life because it seems like I am tiring myself too much. Sweet baby, don't worry because I am really having the time of my life. I'm happy learning! He said something like, (in translation) Yeah, if you weren't enjoying it I know you'd be complaining right now. But I'm not hearing any complains and I can see you working really hard for it. *wink* True, I'm a bit whiny sometimes. 
Lesson: Do something you enjoy. Enjoy what you do. 

Pototoy. In the name of good vibes and cuteness overload. Can't help but smile. 

Annual Eiga Sai

Back in 2008, our professor in Humanities, Sir Laya forwarded an email to me about a Japanese Film Festival. It says free, so I told my classmates we should go ahead and try it. They even used to hold their screening in CCP. This has been a yearly thing for me since then. 

This year, The Japan Foundation  will be holding this annual festival open to more cinemas including Davao, Cebu and here in Manila. So, go ahead and clear your schedules now! 

The Schedule

Those Bump and Bounce

1. I have been sick for weeks because the freakin' flu vaccine triggered a bunch of bacteria hanging out in my system. It was a struggle because it happened just in time when my focus and attention is greatly needed at work. Honestly, I want to pat myself on the back for the good fight. I used to be very stubborn with my medicine but this time, I had to follow the timeline. I even use alarm to make sure i take my meds every four hours. i'm becoming a grown up woman. cheers! 

2. finally, it's back to school program kids! i am so excited to be coming back. i hope everything works out just fine this year. I might still have a problem with my schedule for the second semester but for now, I'll enjoy this sem mingling with the undergrads, feeling like an undergrad myself. Haha! can't wait to pay the jeepney saying "estudyante po!". AND IF someone ever begs to disagree, i have an ID to back it up. (etong sayo, bitch!)

3. Everyday is a hectic day at work. I'm finally done being a trainee. I am now a full-fledged process expert. chos! My shift sucks. the pay sucks. but i like it here and most of the people. 

4. Remember when you were younger and you always tell yourself that once you grow up, you wanted to do this and that. And then one day, you wake up and you're already a grown up. But then you realize you don't really want the things you thought you like. Like what they always say, change is inevitable. But i'm happy with this kind of change. 

5. And just for fun! Here we are in a sort-of-a-family-dinner. 

Visita Iglesia

The view. This is the church near Mall of Asia after the procession. 

Yesterday, I officially turned 24. Yay! Nothing spectacular just love and serenity. 

Since this year, my birthday falls on a Holy Friday, we decided to do Visita Iglesia by biking. Last year, I was at home with my family. Rommel and I went to underground subterranean park. This is the second time we are observing this tradition. 

Literally, Visita Iglesia means church visit. It is a custom of the Roman Catholics to visit seven churches because seven as they say is a significant number to the church. I know that Visita Iglesia is traditionally observed on a Maundy Thursday but since I have work, we chose to do it on a Friday night instead. 

Parked Bikes. We just stayed outside the church. 

I hope we could make this our yearly tradition. Traditions are nice. Somehow it creates a special bond with your partner and it makes the custom itself more meaningful. 

Paco Park. Feeling so brave being able to cross a crowded street. 

Just three weeks ago, I would really panic whenever I hear a car coming. Now, I can can really feel that I am in control of my bike. I can maneuver sporadically. I feel like I'm such a bad-ass. *queue electric guitar* 

Adamson Church. This is sentimental to me because i used to go to this church to hear the mass when I was in college. So, after N years, here I am. 

This is actually an achievement for us both because this route has been the longest we've driven since the bikes were bought. I am so happy and fulfilled. Of course, I have Rommel to thank for that. We had to rush back home because he still has to work afterwards. 

Tired smile. love.love.love. 

Hola España!

You know how tight competition is these days and every single peso you're earning is just not enough. Well, in my company, we do have bilingual "process experts" and soon I'll be handling Spain and Portugal shipments. So, I figured this could pave way for more opportunities for me in the future. And you know what they say about education being an investment. Apparently, it really is literally. 

What if Chuck Norris was my teacher?!

Good thing, I have friends who are really a blessing of some sort (hello Labeee). I was advised of a cheaper way to learn Spanish. In Instituto Cervantes, it costs P3600 per level. So, before I reach level 5, i would have spent P18000 which of course I cannot afford at this time. I also have to think about my tuition fee for my Masters this coming June. With that being said, I thank good heavens for having "Beginners Classes" in Tesda. And did i mention, it's for free! 

One of the few perks is that our teacher is Filipino. So, if we have questions or we really have a hard time grasping the lesson, we can ask away for as long as we want until we understand the lesson. And Señor Pedro is very kind and patient to all of us. 

We have 100 hours to complete the course. That is, 8am-12nn weekdays from March4-April 9. I was lucky enough to be included because when i went to Tesda several weeks ago, they were already starting. I had to beg the administrator to include me in the morning class because otherwise it would be conflicting with my work schedule. In short, I got in because one student suddenly backed out. Yay for me! 

It has been three weeks now of five-hour-sleep. And it's really tiring! I believe I'm doing pretty well. I can ace our seatwork if it's translating spanish to english but if it's the other way around, i still keep forgetting about the masculinity/femininity of their words. LOL! 

Anyway, this month has been really challenging for me. After this course, I promise myself to get a vacation. Beach, please!?

Wonderful Women of the Month

Because i'm all warm and fuzzy today from having ten hours sleep, I might as well post this  now in my blog in line with Women's Month. 


1. Nanay
You know I was never vocal with my feelings. I appreciate all that you are. If it had not been for you, I wouldn't have achieved so much. i love you. 

2. Hot Mommas 
I may not exactly know what you've been through but I'm sure it has been tough. I admire all the courage you muster into all sorts of situation. Kudos to you guys!

3. Sexy Mommy 
You're sexy and you know it. You are one of the coolest mommy I've met. I like your fashion style and I bet all your twitter friends love you as well. 

Merry Christmas!

This is probably the third Christmas I wasn't exactly home. Due to some conflict in schedule, i decided not to come home to Palawan this Christmas Break. I'm not feeling lonely though because i got to spend it with +Rommel Tan. 

I have all the reason to love this season and I hope we are all on the same page. 

Here is a picture of my favorite cupcake. 

Sharing all my love to all of you. Merry Christmas loved ones! :) xoxo