And So This is Christmas

Went to Ayala mall area last Saturday to go grocery shopping with mommy and do a little Christmas shopping…or should I say start with my Christmas shopping since I haven’t gotten anyone anything yet. While I was driving along the longest parking lot that is EDSA, I realized some things about Christmas. Then I realized that in 1997, I wrote a similar entry in my High School journal - a journal we were all forced to fill up with our pensive teenage reflections for English class. And 10 years later, here I am thinking the same thoughts again. Either Christmas in Manila hasn’t changed or my outlook in life is still as childish and glum as that of my scrawny slightly nerdy high school self. These are the things I noted in between my mental curses directed at those g damn taxi and bus drivers who don’t know road courtesy even if it chewed off their friggin’ faces!!!

1. Christmas time in Manila = heavy traffic EVERYwhere

2. It also means = “Time to Exploit the Shoppers” season for taxi drivers as they shift to “Drive Like An Ass” gear while slinking their way around like the vile conniving snakes that they are.

3. I also realized, while staring at the back of a REVO for a full 20 minutes that REVO is actually OVER spelled backwards while TOYOTA is ATOYOT and CIVIC is still CIVIC.

4. I also realized that my mom is still a backseat driver. And she still gets mad when I try to make like a taxi driver and “drive like an ass.”

5. And that sometimes even if you dress up curse words as Crap! Sheet! Fuuuudge! Puch! and wish those drivers would die or crap their pants or die with crap in their pants, your mom will still shush you.

6. When I got to the parking lot, just like in my 1997 journal, people were fighting over parking spaces. There was this guy who was literally screaming his lungs off while cursing this lady who took his spot. And another couple fighting with a teenager, you guessed it, over a parking spot. Which made me sigh. How ironic. Christmas is the time to give and share and the time to be nice and not naughty. But cases like this usually happen only around Christmas time.

7. When I entered the mall I saw what felt like a gazillion kids buying toys and clothes. Christmas is indeed for children. Naughty or nice. And their parents will do everything, to make their children’s Christmas a happy one – fight over parking space, over the last toy in stock, over who goes first at the line at the cashier. Which is good because it’s the only time during the year when parents show their little gremlins how much they care.

8. I also realized that I have 6 godchildren and I still have no gifts for them.

9. Which sent me to a panicked frenzy. So I made a list of gifts to buy and rushed around buying the nicest presents I could find (that fit my budget). So I realized how year after year, I resolve to shop early but I still end up rushing like there was only one week til Christmas. And yes it’s true.

10. Some people (the really dorky ones) who shop one month before Christmas end up floating around the mall like butterflies with all the time in the world. Which totally pissed me off. I actually had a little spat with one of them who looked like she was on dope, staring off into space and holding up the line like her world was in slow mo.

11. That NOT all SM ladies ask you if you have an SM Advantage card. Hah! I finally found one who totally forgot to ask me.

12. That when I badly need to shop, I have trouble finding good stuff to buy but when I window shop I find things that I totally drool over but can’t buy.

13. That some salesladies are just totally blah. They don’t know what the hell they’re selling or just don’t understand what you’re looking for. And some of them are just so inaudible you just want to tell them to get out of the sales industry if they can’t speak up.

14. That I hear Jose Mari Chan during Christmas every single year whenever I see girls and boys selling lanterns on the street…

15. That the kids who sing carols at you doorstep usually sing the same medley you know the one that starts with “Sa May Bahay…” followed by “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and “Thank you..thank you, ang babait ninyo thank you.”

16. That during Christmas I’m usually grumpy. Like the Grinch. Or the grumpy dwarf and the Grumpy Bear that doesn’t care. Or Ebenezer Scrooge. I’m like the Nightmare Before Christmas.

But don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas. It’s my favorite time of the year. And I will rejoice and celebrate the birthday of Jesus. But the rejoicing will not be as jolly or as merry. Not this year. With Chev on the other side of the world, I just don’t feel the spirit of Christmas. I can’t take the distance and I can’t take all this holiday cheer.

I Sent My Heart to San Francisco

It was tough when he left yesterday for San Francisco.

It was tough helping him pack his things. Trying to fit in 2 years worth of clothing and accessories into one giant luggage and wanting to fill it with little things that will remind him of you …knowing that you won’t be able to see each other whenever you want to.

It was tough having lunch with him, talking and laughing and acting like it’s just another normal lunch…knowing it will be a while before you eat together again.

It was tough driving to the airport and asking him to drive faster so he can make it in time…knowing that getting to the airport is the last thing you want to happen.

It was tough talking to his parents at the waiting area when all you want is to spend time with him alone….knowing he’ll be gone in a just a few precious minutes.

It was tough giving him a quick kiss goodbye…knowing that you want nothing but to hug him tight and never let him go.

It was tough wishing him a good trip...knowing that all you want to say is "please don't go...not without me"

It was tough making small talk with his parents before leaving…knowing all you want to do is run to your car so you can break down and cry.

It was tough driving home with all the tears in your eyes...knowing it will take a while before they stop falling.

It was tough talking to him on the phone before he finally boarded the plane…knowing there was nothing any of you could say to make each other feel better.

It was tough saying goodbye.

But it’s tougher waking up and trying to get back into your routine knowing that it will never be the same...…that he won’t be a call away…that he won’t be there at the end of the day

It feels tougher than breaking up with someone because then you do everything to forget...but now you hold on to everything you can remember. And even if the memories make you smile, they also make you cry. Because you know from now on, life will never be the same again. And it will be a while before you can make it right.

I've never missed anyone so much in my life. And it's only our first day apart. Sigh.

Long Lethargic Weekend

This is probably the longest vacation weekend of the year. And no I didn’t do anything special. Didn’t go out of the country, didn’t go out of town, didn’t even go out of Makati. Hahaha. I call it the mother of all lethargic weekends (so far). Here’s how it went.

October 29.

Election day. Nope didn’t vote. I’m not registered in Makati. Didn’t want to vote in BF since I don’t know the people running for office there and what do I care, I don’t live there anymore. Stayed home and played PSP. Then we put up the Christmas tree and then Chev dropped by and we watched That 70’s Show on DVD.

October 30.

Went to work. I was so on holiday mode already but it’s end of the month and it’s the most hectic time so I worked my buns off. Speaking of buns, Bun and I had dinner at Cibo. Haven’t seen her since August. Catch up catch up on each other's lives.

October 31.

Work, work, work. Then Chev and I watched 30 Days of Night on Hallow’s Eve. Eep. Wanted to watch Fright Fest in g4 but you know...stigma, stigma. Slept at around 4AM because I played PSP again. I finished the game The Con already. Hooray.

November 1.

Went to the supermarket to buy food. Junk food. Sugar free soda. Snacks. Baking stuff (I want to try out some sugar free cookies to sell for Christmas...for my charity). Then Chev dropped by the house and we had a Matrix marathon. He also brought a lot of Mafia movies for my dad. We had a street food fest. I cooked squid balls and kikiam. And we played Scrabble with the Christmas tree all lit up.

November 2.

We went to Manila Memorial Park. My bad. I did leave Makati pala. Spent my day there hanging out with relatives, both dead and alive. Played Scrabble with my Mom and Titas like we always do. Then went home. And slept like a log. And woke up at around 10PM and played PSP until 3. This time I was playing Thrillville...where you build nice little theme parks.

November 3.

Chev and I went to the mall and bought DVDs. I got Knocked Up (no, I didn’t actually get knocked up. I got the movie) and Final Destination 3 which i haven’t seen yet. Chev got his Sopranos DVD changed since the last episode doesn’t work. We bought ice cream and pigged out in front of the TV. I watched Knocked Up while Chev played PSP . Then he fell asleep on the couch. He only saw Katherine Heigl’s character getting a pregnancy test then when he woke up, she was already giving birth. When he left I played more Thrillville...I was already on my 3rd theme park.

November 4.

Today. I spent my day playing PSP. I finished Thrillville already. Now there’s nothing else to do. So I’m just posting stuff on Multiply. Tomorrow it’s back to reality. Need to wake up early. That would be soooo difficult.

I was so unproductive the past 4 days. And so anti-social. But it’s only rare that I get the chance to do these things. So there.

Can’t wait for Christmas break. I feel all giddy just thinking about it.

Grateful (not dead) at 27

As of yesterday, I am officially 27 years old!! I am no longer mid-20’s. Belch. It was my friend Steffy Toh who made me realize this. She’s 7 days older than me and we used to have joint celebrations at Nestle every year. So during our exchange of annual birthday SMS, she mentioned how we met when we were only 22 and super nene but now we’re near our 30’s na…marrying/childbearing age. I kinda freaked out a bit. Not about the marrying and childbearing age but with how time just flew by us. I realized I’ve known her for 5 years already. Seems like only yesterday when we first met during our H.R. interviews at the ground floor of the Nestle Center. We were both super young then, dressed in trying hard corporate outfits feeling all mature and trying to make good impressions when in fact we knew so little of the corporate world. Tsk. Time flies.

Then I realized that I’ve known my college friends for 10 years! *gasp*

And my high school friends for 14 years! *nosebleed*

Anyways, after a bit of fretting over my age and after wiping off the blood from under my nose, I took a good look at the wrinkly lines below my eyelids, swore to use my eye cream regularly and let it go. Age? Just a number. I’m still young at heart. Sometimes too young at heart for my own good. Snicker. Snicker. So I decided to treat my aging self to a birthday coffee. I finished work at around 4pm (give me a break, it was my birthday!!) and drove over to Starbucks at Shell Fort. It was raining hard. Which happens every year during my birthday. They say it’s raining blessings daw for me. Sana. I’m hoping those will be career blessings. I’ve had a tough year. Boohoo.When I got to Starbucks, I got my usual non-fat-iced-white-chocolate-mocha and an extra hot grande non-fat-decaf-café-mocha to take home. Kinda drooled a bit over the cakes but decided not to since I’ve been eating nonstop all weekend (Saturday house blessing party, Sunday buffet with family). So I sat there and did a bit of Reflection Time with my lonely birthday coffee as I watched my blessings pound on the misty windows of Starbucks.

I realized that I did have a lot of blessings over the years. And I am grateful for all of them. Thanks to PJ (Papa Jesus).

1. My family. My moody and funny dad, my chatterbox caring mom, my carefree Ate and my OC Diche. I think I’m a mix of all of them. I’m grateful I have them in my life. 27 years with them? Crazy. Fun. Wouldn’t trade for anything else. And I can’t wait for our family to expand as we all eventually get married and have our own little happy families.

2. My fiancé. He’s my rock, my go-to guy. My bodyguard, my doctor, my therapist, my chauffer, my parole officer, my manager, my fan, my best friend, my love, my future, my life. I will love him to death.

3. My friends. All of them. 83 people greeted me through SMS yesterday. Didn’t know I had that much friends. Thanks to Multiply and Friendster for those birthday reminders ☺ But seriously, I am so blessed to have so many great bunch of friends from different eras of my life. I hope I can accommodate everyone on my wedding. That’s almost my share of number of guests. But to all my friends, you’re all great, all fabulous. I’m grateful to each and every one of you for the friendship.

4. My job. Past and present. One: Manila, Nestle and Wyeth. I have learned so much from these 3. Yes I jobhopped a little but I feel like I have made worthy contributions to each before leaving on for greener pastures. I’m at a crossroads now with my career and whatever decision I make, I will be grateful for the 6 years I have spent in those companies. I’m so blessed to have worked for such people and such Filipino, Swiss and American corporations.

5. My health. Glad to say I have never been confined in a hospital since I was a few months old. 27 years of migranes, flus, more migranes, coughs, colds, a bit of chicken pox and measles but nothing deathly serious. So help me God.

6. My worldly possessions. My old car Roxy (the City). My new car Venice (the Vios). My future car Bailey (the BMW) hahaha. They took me places. My workplace away from work, my home away from home. My refuge from the rain…Ever since my bag was stolen, I have learned to treasure my stuff more and to take better care of them. They’ve been good to me. And I’ll try to be their better owner. I don’t have a pet…would like to have one but I’m not sure if I can take care of them…

7. My past. There are things in my past that I wish never took place. Things I want to erase from my memory. But then I realized that if I haven’t gone through what I’ve gone through or I haven’t been with people I’ve been with, I wouldn’t have what I have right now and wouldn’t be who I am right now and for that I am grateful. For every wrong decision. For every mistake. I am making peace with my regrets. All that I have now…all products of what I’ve been through.

It’s been a good solid 27 years. I’ve written resolutions in the past. But I realized I haven’t made any of those things happen. So I just stopped resolving and just started thanking. In the wake of the tragedies happening everywhere (mall blasts, flash floods, wildfire) I just wanted give out my thanks to the world!! I have lived a good life. And am looking forward to living a better one (hopefully a long one if God will permit)…and I hope you all stick around.

Cheers!

XOXO

I Want: Home Stuff

Drooling over stuff that I will add to our wedding registry in the future.
Newlyweds Cookbook
Music Cooks Recipes and CD
Designer servers from Neiman Marcus collection
Vintage Picnic Set
Poker Coffeetable Book

Unique Salad Server Set
Carafe and wine glass set
Mixer
Hot choco and coffee set in pink


Martini maker (mmmm)

Personal Choco Fountain The Margarator (for great maragaritas!)

Rotating wine cooler

Kettle corn popcorn maker

Sensor soap/ lotion dispenser

Faux leather hamper

I Want: Oui Ring

Christian Dior Oui ring.

Drooool...

I Want: Bags Bags Bags

Yes I'm bored. So I'm just surfing the net for good buys and good bag styles just in case I come up with a huge amount of shopping money. But since I'm still recovering from losing my stuff, I'll hold out on these luxuries. So I just drool. And dream. Some of these are really expensive but so what, i'm just window shopping :)

Miu Miu Coffer bag

Marc Jacobs cosmetic pouch

the classic Gucci travel bag.

Coach Bleecker leather duffle bag

and this vintage-looking Coach leather duffle which seems like the perfect go-to-bag. It's classic. It must smell really good. And it's not flashy. And the classic Coach belted leather hobo.

(I like Coach because it's the most affordable)

a Jimmy Choo purplish gray bag.

and since I'm dreaming anyways, throw this Prada luxury tote in :)

Momo Safe Chair

I think I gotta get me one of these. And I'll bring it with me wherever I go and refuse to sit anywhere else but on this chair. Hahaha. Siguro naman they won't steal my bag na from under me *rolls eyes*

They call it a momo safe chair.

I Want: Gadgets

I want. Will save up for all these...unless nice generous people would like to give them to me as a Birthday or Christmas gift!

The new Ipod Classic.

to replace my stolen Ipod.

Nintendo Wii.

to replace my busted, ancient PS2.

Sony PSP

In Tokyo they launched a GPS gadget for PSP. that would be the coolest. Especially for a not-so-street-smart girl like me.

Silver blackberry

to replace my ancient 02 XDA

Ipod portable speakers

to match my classic Ipod

We live in a techie material world. And I am a semi-techie material girl.

Breakfast and Tiffany

September 9 2007.

Chev surprised me with breakfast at The Boutique in Tagaytay like he had never done before.

I felt really bad when he gave me the surprise because I've been giving him a lot of heat about not paying much attention to me since I got back from the States. I rattled on and on about how he didn't even plan anything for us when I got back. It was Low Self Esteem and Bad Career week and he was taking the toll. Poor Chevy.

So imagine my face, when, in the middle of my ranting, he pulled up in front of The Boutique and told me he made reservations.Weeks ago.

I hugged him like a girlfriend would hug her boyfriend in my situation.

We had a normal breakfast. This exact spread.

He was not that normal. Extra sweet and affectionate. Told me the nicest and gushiest things. Barely touched his food.

Then he popped the question of all questions. Like he normally does when we're extra sweet and cuddly. And I said "yes I will...we will..soon" like I always do.

So I turned back to my food and chatted up a storm about how excited I was to taste their breakfast and then I saw this shiny thing near my plate.

And he gave me a ring like he has never done before. A ring I have never received before.

And I hugged him like a girlfriend would hug her boyfriend in my situation.

Only then, at that exact moment, I stopped being a girlfriend. I became a fiance.

And I hugged my fiance like I have never done before.

Highlights of my US Trip 2

Theme Parking Like A Rockstar

Universal Studios: Meme, Anne and JD aka Bombom

Disneyland: Ate Karen, Moin, Ate Weng, Che, Josh and Baby Armaan.

Did the whole Universal Studios theme park in 1 full day (split in 2) where we all got wet in the Jurassic Park ride, where Anne and I screamed our lungs off with eyes shut in the Mummy Ride, oohed and aahed in the Studio Tours and more. All while carrying around miniature Spongebob. Ooh and we ate a lot, taking advantage of our Eat-All-You-Can Tags. We also went around the shops in Universal Citywalk a good hangout place lined with stores, bars and restaurants. Now I know where Eastwood got its name.

Disneyland was super!! Better than the one in HongKong (duh). My fave rides? Finding Nemo (submarine ride), Indiana Jones and The Haunted Mansion. (Not-so) Highlight of the trip: We saw David Hasselhoff (my only star sighting) and glimpses of the Human Torch and (drum roll please) Jojo Lastimosa!!! Hahaha. But seriously, Disneyland was great. I loved the Fantasmic show. It’s always been my dream to become a Disneyland employee. I’d love to be Jasmine and get paid to dance and pose for pictures and just wave at the kids. It’s like working in a whole new world . Going there just brought back my dreams that never quite came true. Sniff.

Viva (Viagra) Las Vegas!

Las Vegas Strip and around Nevada: Meme, Anne, Cecile and JD aka Bombom

In the States, there’s a commercial for Viagra where the jingle goes “Viva Viagra!” instead of “Las Vegas.” Hence, the title. The Three Little Pigs and the piglet go to Vegas. We stayed at the Luxor Hotel (a big pyramid) where the elevator goes side-wards while going up instead of just straight up. We braved the 100 degrees + and walked around the Strip and visited the cool hotels. My favorite was the Venetian. It was cool literally and figuratively. We also went shopping in the Primm Outlets (or was it Chelsea?) and ate Japanese buffet (salmon and crabsticks...yum) and burgers from this popular hamburger place, I don’t know if you’ve heard of it, um McDonald’s? Yes. We ate McDonald’s. I ate chicken selects with ranch dressing. Too bad it’s not available here. We also went to the Stratosphere and Fremont Street Experience and watched the Bellagio fountain show thrice J What was fun though was driving in the Hertz Mazda to, around, and from Vegas and getting rated by Bom on our driving skills. And yes we did a bit of the gambling and drinking. But just a bit. We were too exhausted to gulp.

Baby Love

But the highlight of my trip is really meeting Armaan for the first time. He’s just so adorable. He likes sleeping and drinking milk and staring at lights. He cries occasionally and has just learned how to coo. He also likes it when I dance for him and when we play cycling cycling cycling shorts and the staring game. He also likes to grab handfuls of my hair. He’s only two months old but he’s been around. That little traveler. And not just on his stroller. Car. Tram. Plane. Submarine. Oh and he’s got a fly crib. With the fishy mobile and projected lights and twinkly melody songs. All pimped up. He's gonna be a cool kid someday. Made in Vegas. (Born to rock).

he kinda looks like me doesn't he?

Highlights of my US Trip

From August 3 to 27 I was vacationing in California, USA. I’ve always wanted to go to the States and I was lucky enough to have been given a visa. It was my first time but I know I’ll go back before my visa expires. I believe in traveling while still young and worrying about your savings later. Haha. That may seem wrong to most people but there’s so much of the world to see!! And I think we should all see them now while we still have a strong pair of legs and full control of our bladders.

It was a great vacation. Relaxing, shopping, dining, sightseeing, babysitting and catching up with friends and relatives…unlike other vacations where you catch trains and planes, lug around heavy luggage, take audio tours and get lost in translation. But like other vacations, this made a heavy dent on my life savings. But it’s a dent well spent. This vacation was, as Mastercard tells us, priceless.

Here are the highlights of my trip:

A Bay Bay in L.A.

Artesia/ Cerritos: Ate Karen, Moin, Ate Weng, Che, Josh and the newest bundle of joy Baby Armaan.

My homebase was Ate Karen’s apartment in Cerritos. I spent free time babysitting Armaan with Ate Weng, playing Monopoly and Game of Life with Josh, swimming with Josh (and playing Joshua Airlines where I was the plane and he was the pilot), watching Pinoy horror flicks and late night snacking with Ate Karen and Moin. I also spent a great deal of my time in malls within the vicinity like Cerritos Mall, Town Center, and of course trying out the local restaurants (I especially loved Olive Garden for their salads, Soup Plantation, and the Golden Spoon yogurt). For the shops I loved Ross (hahaha for cheap reasons), Forever 21, Old Navy, Urban Outfitters, Macy’s, Claire’s, and our favorite H&M. But I also loved looking for good buys at Walmart, Target and Walgreens. We also went to two of the nicest malls: The Grove and The Block in Orange County where we ate at the famous Farmer’s Market (where Hollywood stars dine and do a bit of veggie shopping). Armaan and Josh went everywhere with us. Armaan gets really excited when he’s getting strapped in his carseat cause he know’s he’s going out!!! And Josh was just so willing to show me around (with trivia pa). They’re both soooo adorable.

The Hills and Thrills of San Francisco

Milpitas/ San Francisco: Ate Karen, Armaan, Miranda and Capili Families

Flew to San Francisco via Jet Blue Airways (Long Beach-Oakland) with Ate Karen and baby Armaan (his first plane ride). When we got there, we stayed at the Miranda house in Milpitas where I met the adorable dogs Buster, Milo and Rosco. We were there from Saturday-Wednesday. We toured Sta. Ana row and San Jose Area where we grabbed the famous Counter burgers, also went around the bay area and quaint little towns there about. Did all the touristy spots in San Francisco –Golden Gate, Union Square, Lombard Street, Little Italy (where we had the best gelato), and chilled out at home...bonded with cousins over wine&cheese, strawberries&cream, and Wii marathon til the wee hours. It was so fun seeing cousins Tin, Frances and Tommy again. We got to talk about family chismis the whole time J hahaha. Also met Tin’s fiancé Johnny Judo and Frances’s boyfriend Mark. Pretty fly boys J

Getting down(town) with Anne and Meme

Downtown LA and Hollywood: Meme, Anne, Cecile and JD aka Bombom

Stayed in Meme’s fabulous apartment. Anne’s trip from New York was such a hassle. They transferred planes last minute and their luggages were left in NY and delivered the next day. Mental note; Avoid taking Northwest Airlines. So we just went grocery shopping and cooked artichoke dip and munched on cornchips while playing Taboo. We also relived our Dapitan days while playing pool at their rooftop gamehall and just lounged around and chilled out. Stress days included: walking around Las Vegas strip in the heat of the sun, driving around in our rented not-fully-insured Hertz Mazda 6 and freaking out on the freeway. We also dropped by Hollywood where we were not that impressed with the Chinese Theater and Walk of Fame and the teeny Hollywood sign. But we were impressed with the Spongebob mascot who actually spoke like Spongebob. I haven’t seen these girls in a long time. It was so much fun hanging out with them. We haven’t changed much over the years. We’re still the crazy funny people we used to be. But a lil older and with a lil more money (and we talked about our tipid days back in college). But still crazy. Oh and Meme’s better at billiards now and Anne loses to Bombom in table tennis. And they’re both working on their triceps and talking gym talk.

To be continued…

Flying Away

August 3, 2007. 9:10PM.

Philippine Airlines Centennial Airport Gate 6

I think they should make airports more colorful. Put in reds and greens and more plants. More coffee shops with more comfy couches and more boutiques with friendlier prices. Airports are too gray and too concrete and too uncomfortable. Well, at least the new airports are. NAIA still reminds me of the CCP lobby with all the wood and worn out carpets. While we all appreciate all the glass and high ceilings and Duty Free shops, airports still feel so cold. Particularly the departure area. It feels drab and gray.

Or maybe because I feel drab and gray and cold right this moment. And very very anxious.

I hate flying. I really do. Especially really long flights. I flew to London once, 19 hours with a 3 hour stopover, to Paris for 18 hours with a 1 hour stopover and now I'm flying to Los Angeles for 7 hours with no stopover. So this will be a walk in the park compared to my other long flights. Yup a walk in the park indeed. Jurrassic Park.

I'm flying alone. And that in itself explains how Jurassic Park-ly this "short" long flight to the US will be. I will be alone, strapped to a seat for almost 7 hours, elevated hundreds of thousands of miles above ground with metal walls merely separating me from a horrifying plunge to death. I have no one to talk me through the scary take-off, no one to share the bland food with, no one to switch with me when the cramped seats make me feel like i'm getting bedsore, no one to watch my bag when i go to the teeny lavatory with the waterless toilet bowl...and that makes me feel very nervous. Add to my anxiety the feeling of loneliness. Because I'm currently in an airport full of families and friends waiting for a flight. And I'm leaving my boyfriend behind and we'll be celebrating our first year anniversary in different parts of the world. And I'm missing my mom and dad and wishing they were here with me and coming with me on this trip so they can meet my their grandkids and see my sister and cousin. All these thoughts are making me teary eyed. And i don't want to look stupid all over again because I was crying and sniffing all the way from the departure gate to check-in.

So I try to dwell on the positive. My sister. Cousins. Nephews. But right now all feelings of positivity seem to be a thousand miles away. 14 thousand miles away, more or less. And so we board the 10PM flight....

August 4, 2007. 3:15 AM. Flight PR102

So I'm on the plane. And trying to entertain myself with all the stuff I brought with me to keep my mind from remembering all the airline accident specials featured on Discovery Channel. My book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, my Ipod and my travel journal.

I've been drifting in and out of sleep. Catching glimpses of Spiderman 3 and Blades of Glory, the in-flight movie features for tonight. My stomach's upset. My back hurts. I barely ate dinner or snacks and now my stomach is so acidic I can feel it almost boring a hole to the surface of my tummy. I want to call the flight attendant and ask for medical attention because I feel like I will faint anytime soon. But I still write because it occupies me from all the pangs of sadness, anxiety and hunger. And i really don't feel like talking to anyone. Because that means reaching for my gum in my bag which is safely stowed under the seat in front of me. The only words I have spoken during this flight so far are: Chicken, Tea, Water please, Thank you, More water please, and No thanks (to the alcoholic beverages and Duty Free merchandise...I knew I should have said yes to that glass of wine). The guy beside me tries to make small talk. He's a businessman with his power suit and blackberry and laptop. But I just smile politely and give him the I'm-sorry-but-I'm-a-loner look. And he minds his own business. Argh. I'm counting the hours. Painfully counting the hours.

August 4, 2007. 5:25 AM. Flight PR102

I just woke up and realized how planes are actually time machines. When I get to the States it will be 7:40 pm of August 3 once again. Lucky pilots and flight attendants, going back and forth in time. But I wouldn't want their job even if I have the height. That's a tough job, pushing those carts up and down the narrow aisles while the plane's tilted or bouncing from turbulence. And dealing with this airplane smell all the time. My stomach feels queasy all over again. But they'll be earning money while flying to different parts of the world and they won't be strapped to this seat the whole time. And the time traveling's also pretty cool.

August 4, 2007. 9:12 AM. Flight PR102

We're almost there. I just freshened up. And now they're serving breakfast. My body clock is all messed up now. So much for the coolness of time travelling. It's breakfast here on the plane but when we get there it will be dinner and knowing my sister and cousin we'll have dinner or snacks before going home. But I still try to eat anyways....


Ok I ate a little rice and a little corned beef and took the ensaymada for baon. And sit back and wait and think of my family and Chev. And I feel sad and homesick and airsick all over again. And before getting off the plane, I threw up in that waterless toilet bowl and I think for the nth time I hate flying.

August 3, 2007 11:30 PM
I'm now here in California and still dizzy and queasy from the flight. ...but seeing this baby in person just made that horrible flight all worth it.

Artist Chef Birthday Surprise

Last July 1, Chev celebrated his 29th birthday and I surprised him with a romantic dinner arranged by the Artist Chef. I had to work that day (it was a Sunday) so we met up near the office. He asked me where I wanted to eat and I nonchalantly suggested "Serendra, Portico or some other resto there...wherever..."but first I had to drop off something at “my officemate’s condo” near Ayala. “My officemate’s condo” was actually the venue for the surprise dinner and on the way, I was secretly consulting the map to the place. I remember he even asked me what floor her place was and I absentmindedly answered “20th floor” since I was trying so hard to read the map in the dark.

When we got to the condo I almost laughed out loud since the building was only 5-storeys tall! Good thing he didn’t notice. I had to convince him to go up with me since he wanted to stay and wait in the car.

3 floors later I knocked on the door of the Artist Chef’s place. I told him to wait by the hallway while I got in. I said hello to Joanne Manalang, the Artist Chef and checked the arrangements. Everything was just so romantic. The table was set up in the corner. There were candles and rose petals all over the place while instrumental bossa music played. I invited him in saying I’d take a little longer than expected so he stepped inside and got his birthday surprise :)

The dinner was great. The food was delicious. The ambiance was perfect. We had an amazing time. It really beats celebrating dinner for two at an expensive restaurant. We had a four course meal for a very reasonable price. Since Chev loves Spanish food, I chose the Spanish menu with Crema de Mejillones as the soup (mussel soup), Spanish potato salad for entrée, Paella Valenciana for the main course and ended with Crema Catalana or a really rich strawberry topped cream dessert. We also had two non-alcoholic pinacoladas (really yummy). At the end of the dinner we were both so full we could barely move hahaha. After eating, we sat down and chatted with Joanne, who by the way is my sister’s friend from college (also a fellow Thomasian) and talked about the food. She really researches and experiments with different dishes, usually from her favorite international chefs and then she concocts her own. We thanked her and said our goodnights and left her place grinning like Cheshire cats. Big, fat, full Cheshire cats.

Since the night was still young (and so were we...and yes, only God can make a tree) we decided to go to Serendra for a late night stroll (to at least burn off some of the calories) and for some book shopping at Fully Booked. It was a really good dinner. Compliments to the Artist Chef!! I hope Chev enjoyed his birthday. I would have loved to cook him dinner myself but my culinary skills are well, very limited. Happy birthday again Chevy!! xoxo

I recommend the Artist Chef to couples out there who want to try a unique dining experience. It beats eating at the usual places – Serendra, Greenbelt, The Fort… Here, there are no lines, no waiting, no hassle looking for parking, no parking fees, no loud chatter. It’s like a secret romantic hideaway in the city. So the next time you’re celebrating anything, give the Artist Chef a call and schedule dinner at her place. The Artist Chef is available only on Sundays. One friendly tip: try to reserve in advance since a lot of people make reservations. That’s how good her food is ;)

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The Artist Chef

All Grown Up

Last Father's Day, my high school girlfriends and I met up to celebrate the 1st birthday of Chey's son Joaquin Lorenzo or Enzo in Cavite. Jeng and I drove together to the venue, while her boyfriend Eugene convoyed us in another car. Despite having a map, and despite the fact that Jeng grew up and live in Cavite (I was the only non-Cavitenya among us 5), we still got lost. Because (1) we were making chismis in the car nonstop and (2) Chey drew a really lousy map (hehe) After a couple of illegal turns, we found ourselves in Enzo's Blue's Clue's party. It was so much fun seeing Joy and Merv and our cute inaanak Kyle there. We haven't seen him in a long long time and my, my, has he grown. The first words 2 year old Kyle said to me? "Oops I farted!!" He has indeed inherited his mother's charm!!! We all screamed "Joy na Joy!!"

Newborn Kyle. I am innocent

1 year old Kyle with pretty ninang (me)

2 year old Kyle. Super pilyo.

It was a swimming party but unfortunately for Kyle, he had a slight fever and was banned from the pool by mom and dad so he just played and entertained us by farting away all afternoon. Kidding. Kyle side from being sooo cute and funny is really really smart, speaking straight sentences and singing nursery rhymes and songs. He even knows the PCSO jingle! Despite having a fever, he played video games, stepped on ants, sang songs, bounced around, ran to and from the cake (which he wanted to smash with his chubby fingers) and played with balloons while Joy, Jeng and I sat there chatting and Merv chased after him all afternoon (in celebration of Father's Day). Every once in awhile, Joy would shout "Daddy faster!" when Merv would slow down while chasing Kyle and then go back to the juicy gossip we were spilling. Too bad my digicam got lobat (it always fails to take precious Kodak moments) and we weren't able to take much pics of each other (not even the birthday boy who was then so busy entertaining his guests while in the arms of Mommy Chey). But I managed to take some pics of Kyle during his "Lagot ka kay Tito Eugene" behaved moments and a pic of the four of us (we miss you Anne) while reminiscing about the time we posed as Sailor girls back in high school (with Chey as Sailor Moon and the rest of us as the less significant Sailor Planet Girls).

From high school girls to mothers. My, my have we grown up. And I'm so damn proud of my friends. Joy has grown up from the girl who impersonates Marimar in high school to this doting mom who has taught Kyle to be so articulate and smart at such a young age. And Chey who used to spend all her money on clothes and parties to this hostess mom throwing a kiddie birthday bash and giviing away Blues Clues cakes. And Anne, who used to play "Save Save" and "Name the Movie" games, do Brenda (also from Marimar) impersonations, is now raising a handsome binata in Bom and a little doll in Alyssa. It's amazing how they have transformed.

While Jeng and I..uh..um....uh we know how to cook really good spaghetti! And uh...we're good at Tabboo and poker...Don't worry Jeng, you are next in line. I know it.

Good boy. Takot kay Tito Eugene "the policeman"

2006: with Joy and 1 year old Kyle, and Chey and Enzo (still inside his Mommy's tummy)

June 2007: with Jeng (the next in line) Mommy Joy, Mommy Chey sans preggy bump

Though we are all busy with our own lives with almost everyone rearing children and husbands (haha) and we see each other only during weddings, baptisms and birthdays and occasional house parties, I'm so glad we still have that special bond. From Sailor girls to Spice Girls to College girls to Wives to Mothers, I know these girls will be around the many transformations in our lives. And I know underneath the "mommy facade," they will always be the silly girls I grew up with in High School. And we will always laugh at ourselves, no matter how old we will be...