myBLOGS

"TALE AS OLD AS TIMES"

[A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY BLOG]

Simple lang ang buhay, bakit mo pa gagawing komplikado. Di na fairy tale ang kuwento, bakit mag-iilusyon ka pa ng mga ideyal kuno. Ewan ko, laos na talaga para sa akin yung nag-ga-gown, cocktail drinks at mga nagsasayaw na mukhang robot naman. Haha. My mind was set, I gave up the Garden party which was offered to me before for my debut. I had many reasons for these but generally speaking, I just don't want to complicate things. It's better to be simple nowadays. Traditional debuts are hard to prepare, tedious, and I've noticed that the celebrant is the only one who fully enjoys the night. Mas hinarap ko ang mga totoong bagay, ayaw ko kasing buksan ang bagong kabanata ng buhay ko nang may mga fairy tale stories pa rin...

So here's my tale of becoming a princess, told beyond 'once-upon-a -times' and 'living-happily-ever-after'.... =)

NOVEMBER 28

Since it was declared holiday, I had no classes. I planned to be with TropaPeepz as a way of celebrating with them. I wasn't so sure if everyone else could come. Many conflicts had come along but I kept my spirits high.

My day started so right and I guess it was a sign. I received a message from Ate Rox, greeting me an advanced happy birthday. Actually I was a bit surprised, because I thought she would not remember my birthday [dahil SEAGAMES]. So we talked on things and I really appreciated it. I even felt happier when Jean and Carol texted me, saying that they're going to come as well. Akala ko kasi hindi makakasama si Jean dahil di pinayagan at si Carol naman, hindi nagpaparamdam. Medyo kumpleto na rin kami, wala lang sina Nika at Rhea. Matagal na namin pinlano ito, buti at natuloy din.

I met with the whole tropa at SM San Lazaro. There at the food court, I raised a good smile at Ate Flo, Ana, Kim and Carol. They said I was blooming [haha] and yeah, perhaps it was because I really felt the essence of a celebrant already. We watched "The Exorcism of Emily Rose". The lead actress, [Jennifer Carpenter as Emily] had a resemblance with Ate Ging! Haha. Naging suspense-comedy tuloy ang panonood namin. It was so fun, first time naming manood ng sine nang magkakasama.

So after watching, we met Jean at KFC. We head straight home to get my badminton gear. My mom had finally met my newly-found friends whom I've been telling her about since then. Nagpahinga kami sandali tapos bandang 2pm, pumunta na kami sa badminton court.

Dahil lahat kami ay sporty talaga, na-enjoy talaga namin ang paglalaro. The 2 hours of play was really filled with laughter and memories. I am not a pro or anything in badminton but I can say that I really loved it. Nung una, nag-doubles game kami [si Jean ang team mate ko]. Kalaban namin sina Carol at Kim, panalo DAW sila [wahaha outside kaya yung huling tira!] ;p So anyways, after that TIGHT 3-set game [haha!], we took a rest and I was with Jean to buy mineral water. Nang makahinga-hinga, eh ibang laro naman pinatulan namin! Nagdala din kasi kami ng volleyball, kaya kinarir namin ni Jean ang paglalaro at kahit nasa gilid lang kami, eh natuwa talaga ko kasi VOLLEYBALL yun!!! Kakapagod. Kaya nung maghamon naman sina Ana at Ate Flo ng badminton, eh hindi na kami nakalaro nang maayos ni Jean. Hehe. Supposedly, we were to stay until 5pm but we got the news that RP team's game was televised live so we hurriedly went back to my house.

Dun kami sa room ko nanood. Pawisan pa man ang lahat, tutok na tutok kami! Sabay-sabay kaming humiyaw sa bawat puntos ng mga kaibigan naming players at parang nasa Bacolod na rin kami. Nakakatuwa talaga, di ko akalaing aabot sa ganitong closeness ang friendship namin. Everything went good, RP won in 4 sets against Indonesia. So after watching, we took a shower for the dinner. Things has just began to be more surprising..

As I dressed up, my mom gave me a special gift for my birthday. She told me to wear the gift - it was a Jade necklace and bracelet, sso luxurious and attractive. How I loved it talaga! >.< Alongside I decided to wear a cute Bohemian skirt, since 18th of age means being a lady already. Hehe! As I stared at myself in front of the mirror, ughh.. 'Is this really me?' Years had gone by and time swept swiftly.

We ate at ChinaTown. It was my choice to introduce my favorite dishes to them and I guess they loved it naman. Yummy. While eating, Ana decided to call Ate Rox. Wahaha, nagulantang na lang ako. Actually surprise pala talaga nina Ana yun sa akin kaso nabuking agad. So anyways, nang makontak na, napatigil na lang ako sa pagkain! Ipinasa sa akin ni Ana yung phone, tawanan ang tropa kasi parang ayaw ko pa kausapin nung una si Ate Rox. As I said hello, uggh Ate Rox started to sing 'Happy Birthday Shelly' for me. Waah talaga! >.< Matagal kaming nakapag-usap kasi Sun Cellular naman. Hay. Parang kasama ko na rin siya ng gabing yun. Nakausap ko din pala si Ate Ging na super kulit [haha]. Nagpa-spa silang apat [with Ate Chelle and Em], kaya pala magkakasama sila. Sosyal!

How I wished the good times didn't end. Soon we bid goodbye as I dropped them at España. I was really thankful for that blistering day and I never regretted that I chose to be with them on the eve of my birthday.

NOVEMBER 29

My mom woke me up and kissed me as she said 'Happy Birthday' to me. I looked forward for a memorable day and in deed, it was. As I dressed up for school, my mom was talking to me. Medyo emotional, kasi kinukwento niya kung paano ako lumaki. Madalas ganun ang mom ko, lalo na kapag may okasyon. Somehow I was able to appreciate the thought of rekindling, so as to personally reminisce on my past events as well. I was awestruck when she said 'Sayang wala na ang daddy mo, di ka na nakitang nag-dalaga.." >.< Hay!

I reached UST just in time. I entered the room and my classmates welcomed me with greetings! They hugged and kissed me. and I felt so touched talaga. It was funny, because they also said that I was blooming. Kakatuwa si Djhay, may mini-gift siya sa akin. Ano kamo? - two pieces of ORANGE Fox candies! Haha. Meanwhile, Dez also gave me a cute ORANGE bracelet. ;p They knew orange would really complete my day!

So anyways, classes went on. Quite typical but what made it smacking was that I received several text messages which I can't help but read. It was from different people - old pals and new friends, greeting me all. Kaka-flatter talaga. Minsan nga naiisip ko, sana araw-araw birthday ko na lang. Naaalala ako ng lahat at ang sarap ng pakiramdam na mahalaga ka. By the way during Bio, Djhay handed me a cute and personalized ORANGE bracelet which my friends crafted with their bear hands! Kaka-touch talaga! >.<

After classes, I planned to treat my college buddies. We ate at Max Restaurant. I was with Chuchie, Djhay, Madie, Dez, Arene, Clara and Mau. Since then, I've been noticing strange acts from them. I knew there was something stored for me as a surprise.

Nauna kami nina Chuchie & Madie sa Max, nag-kuwentuhan muna kami at tinatanong ko kung nasaan na ba yung iba. My questions got answered as they finally came and gave me a mini-cake with a candle on top! They sang happy birthday as I blew the candle and wished [Sana magkatotoo!]. We ate afterwards. Ang tahi-tahimik pa rin nila at tanong ako nang tanong kung bakit ganun! Haha, di pa pala tapos yung surpise nila!!! Waah talaga. They gave me a paper bag and in it, are items ALL IN SHADES OF ORANGE!!! - balloon, earrings, Tropicana [my fave drink], ponytails, foods, Tiger cellphone chain, etc! Uggh, mangiyak-ngiyak na talaga ko sa tuwa! I was trying to stop my tears because I knew they were to laugh at me. Ang weird naman kasing makitang umiyak ang isang payasong tulad ko. They knew me as the cool joker of the group and I got shy to show my real feelings at that time. But truly, I was so touched! At aba, lalo pa kong nagulat nang ibigay sa akin ni Dez yung birthday card kung saan, nag-sign yung 2jrn3 class! Waah talaga. Naalala ko nung 3rd year high school ako, ginawa na rin sa akin yung ganung bday surprise. Hay, memories of the past.

So anyways, dun na rin kami sa Max nagbihis. May PE pa kasi kaming lahat. It was our first time to get into the field [softball PE], and damn it was too hot! We threw and caught the ball under the striking heat of the sun. Arene was my partner and okay naman. Medyo na-enjoy ko nga yung activity kahit nakakapagod. Patapos na ang araw, swerte pa rin talaga ako - ORANGE pa yung jersey shirt ng team! Bwahaha. Ako lang yata natuwa, kasi yung iba eh ayaw ng kulay ;p Oh well, pagbigyan niyo na ko, birthday girl naman eh!

The celebration was still on when I reached home. Super pagod na talaga ko but how I still appreciated everything. I was surpised, Len called me all the way from Dubai! She's one of my good cousins and I was so touched that she remembered me. Hay. >.< Simpleng bagay lang naman ang nagpapasaya sa akin eh at mas gusto ko yun. Kaya nga mas pinili ko ang simpleng pag-cecelebrate ng birthday eh. Anong silbi ng engrandeng celebration kung na-feel mo na umattend lang sila dahil inimbita mo at di dahil sa naalala talaga nilang birthday mo. Mas gugustuhin ko pa talaga ang maliit na salu-salo, simple pero mas tagos sa puso kasi nakakausap mo ang lahat. =)

Sometimes I come to think what if I wasn't Shelly at all - that I have a different name, a different world and dealing with different people. It's funny that when I was young, I got fond of making short stories wherein the tale went through my ideal names, paradigm lifestyle and told the rest of my childish dreams. That was childhood. Life has changed right now definitely. It has been eighteen fruitful years. Swift, immediate, and sometimes I was admitted that I didn't notice how each day elapsed. Some fear to get old. Some fear to wash away with time. As said by the Little Prince, adults keep things complicated though life is just as simple as it may seem. That's what I had proven to myself - life is damn short, keep things simple and never fail to appreciate each moment at all!!!

** Maraming salamat sa mga bumati [in order yan ng pag-greet ahaha!]:

Kristine, Ate Jinkie, Jen, Ate Jin, Kim, Alex, Marge, Kat, Ma'am Tsaby, Kresta, Ate Rox, Rhea, Ate Flo, Jean, Aiza, Arene, Odessa, Dez, Chuchie, Kc, Imee, Ayna, Ate Nancy, Joan, Ate Marivic, Gian, Ate Cy, Diana, Ana, Ate Bhaby, Sarah, Fabulous group, PEx, USTex, Diah, Franchell, Joyce, Jhack, Luvley Mae, Janice, Djhay, Mau, Vet, Kirstie, Angge, Madie, Kristine Liu, Kay, Babsie, Yan, Anne, Scent, Alex, Grace, Shiela, John, Luis, Jai, Clara, Karen, Haoson, Teejay, Charles, Queenie, Ma'am Lintag, Ma'am Rodriguez, Classmates sa PE, Carol, Ate Aileen, Mom, Xianne, Fhadz, Silven, Franz, Len, Schenly, Lira, Tine, Achit, Trina, Pre, Josephine, Emer, Ecinue, Hiyas, Leira, Estoy, Icicle, Ma'am Faith and.. CHING. ^-^

Nothing beats simplicity with impact.

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November 25 2005 | Friday | 07:33pm

"LOST AND FOUND"

[a pre-birthday celebration entry!]

Classes finished a bit earlier than the usual because of Sir Tobias' absence and so, I immediately went home. Instead of allotting the rest of my day to sleep and rest, I decided to go out again. I solely went shopping!

For the past few days, it was as if I have been in search of my birthday essence. My birthday shall be on 29th (Tuesday), yet to some extent I cannot feel it. Perhaps it may be because I had given up the elegant party (the traditional debut), in exchange of an alternative way to celebrate it. A month had gone by when I traveled China and Hong Kong (which was a part of my birthday) and consequently, I kind of feel that there's nothing more to look forward on the 29th since the exciting events had (somehow) happened already. What was left is the upcoming hangout with Tropapeepz (on Monday) and with my college buddies (on the 29th).

The search had been sustained. Awhile ago, through shopping, I was able to find a teardrop essence of my birthday. I shopped as a gift to myself and how I loved it! Ang tagal-tagal ko na rin kasing hindi nakakapunta sa mall nang ang binibili lang ay para sa sarili ko at nakukuha yung mga gusto ko. Masyado akong naging abala para sa iba, nakalimutan kong pasayahin ang sarili ko. Kaya kanina, kahit tanghaling tapat ay naisipan kong pumunta sa SM North Edsa. Pinili ko ang mas malayong mall, siguro kasi mas ginusto ko ding mamasyal. Nag-jeep lang ako - mas mura, mas mahangin at mas maraming puwedeng matanaw. Ang weird kasi palagi ko rin namang nadadaanan ang mga yun pero mas na-appreciate ko kanina. Iba pala talaga ang pagtingin ng mga mata kaysa sa pagmasid ng mga diwa.

Nag-ikut-ikot muna ko sa SM. Kaunti lang ang tao kaya masarap mag-window shop. Maya-maya, nakaramdam ako ng gutom kaya kumain muna ko ng lunch. Sa Pizza Hut ako pumunta at ang sarap kamo ng Bbq Ribs! Ang tagal ko ring hinanap-hanap ang isang masarap na tanghalian. Nung mga nakalipas na araw kasi, kumakain lang ako para di gutumin.

Ang dami kong napamili. It took me time to find the perfect items. I entered one boutique from the other. My feet ached hard and I think walked straightly for 4 hours! I reached a certain point wherein I cannot choose which is which and the saleslady would just blankly stare at me. I can say that I'm quite meticulous when it comes to shopping, that's why I prefer to shop on my own because my companion might get tired of me. Hehe. The search for the 'just right' may be hard but I realized that it was worth it, knowing I got the things which I really wanted. Marami pa sana akong gustong bilhin talaga, kaso nasaid ang pera ko! Isang iglap ang inipon kong pera. Hahaha.

I finished shopping around 4pm na. Pagod na pagod ako. Akala ko tapos na ang araw ko sa pamamasyal, yun pala'y may inihain pa sa aking sorpresang talagang namang di ko malilimutan.....

Quiapo/Kalaw ang biyahe ko pauwi. Dun ako sumakay sa labas ng SM kasi may terminal talaga ng FX dun. Bago sumakay, bumili ako ng Coke kasi nga napagod akong kakalakad. Nakita ko na yung FX na biyaheng Quiapo/Kalaw - maluwag, kaya sabi ko bibili na lang muna ko. Pagbalik ko, iika-ika akong sumakay sa FX. Isang pasahero na lang ang kulang kaya sa likod na ako napaupo. Nagmamadali pa nga akong sumakay eh kasi gusto ko ng maupo't sumandal kaya nauntog pa ko sa pag-akyat! (HAHA) Feeling ko natawa talaga sa akin yung mga kasama ko sa likod, kakahiya talaga! Haha. Matagal-tagal na rin akong hindi nakasakay ng FX kaya clueless ako kung nagtaas na rin ba sila ng pamasahe. Kaya nung siningil ako ng tsuper, di ko na pinansin yung sukling P60 (P100 binayad ko). Anyway sinabi ko namang "Ma, isang Welcome (Rotonda).."

Kulang na lang eh makatulog ako sa FX. Tahimik at malamig. Isang beses, napalinga ako sa labas. Hmm, napansin kong parang naiba yung ruta - Caloocan at Balintawak yung mga nakikita ko sa karatula. Nung una, naisip ko lang na baka iwas-trapik kaya tinuloy ko ang pag-iglip. Maya-maya, nakahalata akong parang ang haba na ng biyahe tapos di naman trapik! Usually kasi, 45 minutes lang ang biyahe. Nagulat na lang ako nang makita ko yung istatwang pang-Monumento!!! (nun ko lang nakita nang aktwal yun) Tinignan ko yung iba pang public vehicles, biyaheng Malanday (Valenzuela) at Malabon lahat!!! Dun na talaga ko nagtaka! Iniisip ko kung paano akong napadpad dun! Siguro mali yung sinakyan kong FX dahil sa sobrang pagod ko! Di ko alam kung nasaan na ba ako at nahihiya naman akong magtanong sa katabi ko kasi nga napahiya na ako nung nauntog ako. Hahaha. Ang layo din nung driver sa puwesto ko kaya kahit gusto kong magtanong, di ko magawa kasi baka lalo pa akong mapahiya. Iisipin nung mga kasama ko na hindi ko alam yung sinasakyan kong FX! Wahaha talaga. I got lost!

Pagkalampas ng Malabon Zoo, pumara na ako't bumaba. Di ko alam kung matatawa ba ako o maaawa sa sinapit ko. Di naman ako nagpanic kasi pinangunahan ako ng thought na kaya kong umuwi nang di nagtatanong. Nakakapagbasa naman ako at dios mio, mag-18 na nga ako sa Martes di ba. Siguro ti-nest lang ako ni God kung deserving na ba talaga kong maging 18 yrs old at kung mature na ba akong humawak ng ganung sitwasyon. So yun, naglakad-lakad ako sa kalyeng unfamiliar talaga sa akin. Binasa ko yung mga route plates ng jeep. Aba, puro Acacia, Molo, Niugan, at Meycuayan! Ang layo na nga yata ng narating ko kasi mala-probinsya na ang dating ng mga lugar. Hahaha.

Matagal ko mang hinanap, nakita din. May jeep na biyaheng LRT Monumento kaya puwede na akong mag-LRT para makarating ng Blumentritt. Nakahinga din nang maluwag, akala ko gagabihin ako sa kalsada. Haha. Habang nasa LRT, tawa ako nang tawa habang ka-text ang mga kaibigan ko. Gumawa ako ng sarili kong adventure at nagkaroon pa lalo ng esensiya ang kaarawan ko.

Sinong mag-aakalang mala-Lost and Found ang Biyernes ko. Ganyan din sa totoong buhay - may nahahanap ka't may nawawala. Minsaan mapaglaro at tuso ang mga pangyayari. Lalo ko tuloy na-feel na malapit na nga ang birthday ko at parang kailan lang... Parang kailan lang din ang mga alaala. Na-realize kong marami ng bagay at taong nawala sa buhay ko dahil sa paglipas ng panahon, pero hayan at dumarating ang mga bagong laman ng kuwento ko. Masakit mang isiping may lumilisan pero nagpapasalamat pa rin ako't patuloy ang pagbuklat ng kabanata.

Sa huli, di ko na inisip na "pagkawala" ang daan ko pauwi. Marami naman akong natutunan at maraming paghahanap ang napagsidlan ng mga kasagutan. Pagkauwi ng bahay, sinukat at tinignan ko yung mga pinamili ko. Hay, napa-"Happy Birthday Shelly" na lang ako sa sarili ko. What a day.

Win or lose, it's the path that we choose.

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November 24 2005 | Thursday | 09:43pm

"PAMBIHIRA"

Can you still remember the Mexican telenovela, "Marimar" which starred Thalia as Marimar and Fernando Carillo as Sergio? Wooh, wag ng mag-malinis, pinanood at alam niyo rin yun. Years back, in deed it was a phenomenal hit. I think I was still in grade school when this soap first aired in primetime. So what's the connection of this soap unto my day? Haha, thanks to Dez, I got hooked to the expression, "Pambihira" which was often said by Marimar's dog, FULGOSO. It's an expression of astonishment, a reaction for the unexpected. Ngayon ko lang din napagtanto na mas matalino pa si Fulgoso kaysa kay Savior (yung winder ng Pinas) kasi marunong magsalita. Hahaha. In deed, my day has been "pambihira".

Pambihira, nagugustuhan ko na talaga si Sir Olivar. Noon kasi parang na-bbwisit ako't wala akong matutunan sa kanya. Di sa cruch ko siya ha, pero naaaliw lang ako kasi madalas niya kong jino-joke (dahil siguro ang gulo-gulo ko pag Bio). Kanina, nasa labas kami ni Imee at papunta siya ng room. Tinawag niya ko. Akala ko naman kung ano, tapos bibiruin lang pala kong ipagbukas ko siya ng pinto kung hindi eh mag-rerecite ako. Haha. Naalala ko lang bigla si Sir Baste (prof ko nung HS sa English). Madalas din kasi kaming magbiruan nang ganun.

Isa pang pambihira, biglang nabuhay si Ate Rox at nagtext kanina. Di ko kasi akalain. Binigay niya yung sched ng SEAGAMES tapos nag-kuwento siya tungkol sa ginagawa nila sa Bacolod. Kakatuwa. Ang tagal na rin naming di nag-usap. Tapos kinamusta din niya ko. Sabi ko may quiz na naman sa Statistics bukas. Eh ang hirap-hirap kaya sabi ko, suotin ko na lang kaya yung lucky earrings niya at baka pumasa. Haha. Na-kuwento ko din na aalis kami sa 28 ng TropaPeepz. Lapit na nga pala ng birthday ko, 5 days to go. What an early gift, I must say. Na-miss ko kasing kausap itong deal sister ko. Tamang-tama - na sa dami ng prino-problema ko ngayon, eh nabuhay at naglaan ng pambihirang alaala.

Pambihira ding nagkita kami ni Ching kanina! Waah. Pauwi kasi ako galing ng Jollibee, niyaya kasi ako nina Ate Aileen na doon na lang mag-dinner. So yun, kumakain pa ako ng Swirly Bitz nang may tumawag sa aking, "Shelly!". Waah. Ang astig ng porma niya, naka-jacket tapos naka-eye glasses pa. Tinanong niya kung saan ako papunta. Pasigaw kong sinabing pauwi na. Di na kami masyadong nakapag-usap kasi nasa kabilang way siya. Kakahiya din kasi, parang may pupuntahan siya at nagmamadali.

Ayoko ng mag-aral! Pambihira't ang dami ko pang gagawin. 10pm na, di pa ko nakakapagbasa ng History at gusto ko pa sanang mag-review ulit ng Statistics. Di pa ko nakakapag-shower, di ko pa naaayos ang mga gamit ko.

Pambihira nga naman.

It is wiser not to EXPECT but to HOPE.. For in expecting, we meet disappointments.. Whereas in hoping, we invite SURPRISES..

and MIRACLES to happen.

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November 22 2005 | Tuesday | 11:06pm

"TEAM MAITIM"

I really had fun a while ago with my classmates. Tuesdays mark a great day for it's PE day. Sports surely boosts my interests and I always make it a point to get into various games.

Last week's trip was Scrabble but this time, we tried another activity. What else? - VOLLEYBALL. Haha. It has been a while since I handled and played with a volleyball that was why playing with Arene, Dez, Djhay, Teejay, Clara and Madie had definitely placed a huge smile on my face! Kahit laru-laro lang talaga, walang net, walang boundary lines, walang spikes, walang set ups, it was still a exuberant game. Magkakampi kami nina Teejay, Clara & Madie. It was so funny! Bukod sa kantayawan (with the other team kuno), eh naisipan pa naming mag-rotation, gumamit ng service line at mag-score kahit puro dayaan lang naman ang inabo!. Haha. Naaalala ko yung "fleeting match-up" between Teejay and Dez wherein they were in front of the so-called "net" and they attacked each other through quick hits. Hahaha! Hiningal ako sa kakatawa.

At saan ka pa, tanghaling tapat eh nakabilad kami sa UST field! Mga aadik-adik kami di ba. Our PE was until 3pm and I think we started to play around 1pm. Hindi pa kami aktwal na nag-PPE, dugyot na kami. Tsk. Ang sakit sa balat, nakakasilaw sa mata at langya, nakaka-ulikba! Haha. In fact I was joking Madie and the rest that we belong to "Team Maitim" already because for Christ's sake, who the heck won't get dark under that striking heat of the sun?! Haha. Despite all, it was so amazing to think that no one gave up among us seven. Walang umayaw, tumuloy ang iskor hanggang 25! Haha. Somehow I saw how everyone seemed to enjoy the volleyball game. We loved we were doing.

Perhaps the same as with real activities in life. No matter how tiring, perspiring or hard-hitting these may be, as long as you're happy doing it, you'll remain on the field. Bigla kong naisip, mga Journalism students kaming nasa iisang "field"; magkaka-"team" din at sama-samang dumidiskubre ng tunay na "laro". Kanya-kanya ng "diskarte", may naka-atas na "position sa loob ng court" at dapat maka-"iskor". Minsan matindi ang sikat ng pagsubok pero sa kabila ng lahat, dapat tanggapin bilang isang hamon. Kung minsan may team building, pero dumarating din ang panahong kelangan "pumalo" mag-isa. Di sa lahat ng pagkakataon mala-volleyball team ang dikta ng laro sapagkat sa tunay na laro ng buhay, di lang bola ang umiikot, tumatalbog, nasa sa iyo ang susi ng tunay na pagkapanalo.

And yeah, talk about winning. After PE class (upstairs in the IPEA), I saw that winning trophy from the Shakey's Vleague which was granted to UST last 2nd season. Cool, noon ko lang yun nakita sa loob ng USTe. It was placed on the floor so I was able to touch it. As I stared at it, memories immediately rushed within my head. Ang dami kong naalala. Ang dami kong naisip na talaga namang 'panalo' ang dating. =)

*Na-LSS pala ko ngayon sa kantang toh: "Ang umasang magmahal muli, ito'y darating sa iyo.." Haha. Hay... <3

It's anybody's ball game because the ball is round, as always.

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November 19 2005 | Saturday | 10:12pm

"I SAW THE SIGNS"

Signs. These are symbolisms. These are significations. These may embed meanings inside. Some may not believe on it. Some may just ignore it. As for me, moments of skepticism simply lead me to depend on the signs.

My day has been full of signs.

As a sign of concern for what had happened to Diah, we decided to visit her at the UST Hospital. It was through Ana that we knew Diah has been confined (since last night) and though TropaPeepz wasn't complete (Jean & Kim were not around), Ate Flo, Ana and Carol went to check on our buddy. By the way, Diah is a Letran volleyball player [jersey 1] who has been our good friend since then. Ka-tropa namin yan simula nung mag-open ulit yung V-league. Di kasi naglaro nung Season 2 ang Letran team kaya palagi naming nakakasama. Mabait at kalog talaga si Diah kaya nung malaman naming may nangyari sa kanya, naisipan naming dalawin. Anyway UST is just nearby and it was another jaunt filled with happiness along with my friends.

I went to UST around 10am. Gumawa muna ko ng assignment sa PE habang hinihintay sina Carol. So I stayed in the library until 11am. Actually when I was doing my paper works, something bothered in my head. I've thought about a friend whom I feel like we're miles apart. Ewan ko. Sinasabi naman nilang di ko na dapat pinag-iisip pa yun pero hanggang ngayon, magulo pa rin ang lahat. Di ko alam kung ano ng gagawin ko at kung paano ko ba maaayos yung pagkakaibigan namin. The situation dictates me to decide and worse, I don't know which choice to pick out. Hay.

So these past few days, I have been sticking with the belief that signs would help me on what to do. How? Minsan umiisip ako ng mga pangyayaring hindi pangkaraniwan at kapag nangyari ang mga yun, pinaniniwalaan kong may bitbit na pahiwatig yun. Para sa akin kasi, ang lahat ng bagay may rason kung bakit nagaganap, dumadating. Minsan sa buhay natin, kapag hirap tayong mag-decide, Siya ang sumasagot at nagbibigay ng mga pahiwatig. God plays Blue's Clues with us sometimes.

I played the game again. I saw many signs already for this dilemma. First was with Ate Flo's text reply [na kapag nagtext siya't sabihin niyang di pala siya galit, totoo yung sign]. Another sign was with the search for a specific surname [na kapag nakita ko yung apelidong yun sa kakaibang paraan, totoo yung sign] Ate Flo did text me, the surname flushed unto my eyes for a couple of times. So far every sign showed its presence. Waah.

Minsan naming napag-usapan kanina yung tungkol sa signs at si Ana din pala, naniniwala dun. Na-kuwento kong ang dami na talagang signs pero honestly, di pa rin ako makapag-decide! Hay, may mga bagay pa rin kasing di nagpapa-kumbinsi sa akin. Ah ewan. Minsan nakakabaliw lang mag-isip kaya nasabi ko na lang sa sariling kong bahala na nga ang mga pangyayaring gumawa ng desisyon para sa akin.

So anyways, tumambay lang talaga kami sa kwarto ni Diah maghapon. Haha. Tama nga si Bob Ong, ang sarap palang gumawa ng wala! Haha. Minsan may mga dumadaang ibang bisita pero kapag umaalis na sila, eh feel at home talaga hitsura namin. Ang saya pa rin kahit ganun kagaan ang araw ko. Lumabas lang kami sandali nung mananghalian sa P. Noval at pumunta ng Mini Stop. The rest of the moments were spent inside that room. We made good laughs, talked about all sorts of stories, and just watched TV, Thanks kay Diah kasi kahit alam kong may nararamdaman talaga siyang sakit, eh accommodating pa rin siya sa pambubulabog namin.

Mga 7pm na kami nagpaalam. Actually, ang sarap pa ng puwesto kasi isipin mo ba naman, naka-aircon na, may TV pa, masaya pang kasama mga kaibigan mo! San ka pa. Nalimutan ko tuloy na marami pa kong gagawin pag-uwi! Haha. So we bid goodbye to Diah's mom [who was so kind to us as in], to Ate Tynes [Diah's team mate] and to patient of course. On our way home, Carlo [Ana's besty] came with us as we took the España route. Dun na rin ako dumaan kasi delikado pa sa Dapitan kasi mag-isa lang ako. Habang naglalakad, eh kulitan mode na naman kami ni Ate Flo! [idinaan ko pa siya kamo sa Arch of the Century! Haha. ;p] We just split ways at Welcome Rotonda. Pagkadating ko sa bahay, inaantok na ko. Kakapagod din pala kahit maghapon lang tambay sa ospital. Haha.

Minsan sa buhay, kailangan PUMILI kung ano, sino, saan at paano ka liligaya. Hindi lahat ng pinili mo ay tama. Minsan, kung ano ang ginive-up mo, yun pala ang magpapaligaya sa iyo..

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November 17 2005 | Thursday | 09:44pm

"KAKAIBA"

Ewan ko ba, kung anu-ano na lang ang mga nararamdaman ko sa katawan these past few days. Ang weird actually. Kung di masakit yung sakong ko [dahil kulang sa Potassium], eh bigla na lang akong lalagnatin. Kanina naman, nakalanghap lang ako ng pintura [sa 1st floor ng AB building], nanakit na nang sobra-sobra yung ulo ko! Itinulog ko na't lahat, di na pa rin nawala. Ah ewan.

Lalo pang sumakit ang ulo ko dahil kay Chuchie. Haha. Patawa mode nanaman kaming dalawa! In between periods where there was no professor yet, we just thought of playing jokes among our classmates as mimes and yeah, it was really funny talaga. Para kaming tanga pero tawang-tawa naman kami! Haha. Nagtaka na nga siguro yung iba naming classmates eh kung anong pinag-gagawa namin pero kami lang talaga ni Chuchie ang lubos na nakaunawaan. Lolz. Diyan kami magka-tropa ni Chuchie eh, sa kalokohan! Wahaha.

Anyways, sasama sana kong manood ng Harry Potter kina Madie pagkatapos ng klase kaso wala akong pera. Naiba ihio ng hangin ngayon, nagtitipid ako hehe. Naisip ko na lang umuwi nang maaga kasi masakit din yung ulo ko. Baka kako kulang lang din sa tulog. Bigla namang nagyaya itong si Chuchie. Tatambay daw siya sa bahay. So yun na nga, sabay kaming umuwi at tawanan na naman. Sa bahay, kumain kami ng lunch [courtesy of BK hehe], nood tv, humiga, nag-kuwentuhan. Halo-halo yung napag-usapan namin, masaya din naman. Kahit masakit talaga ulo ko, eh medyo napawi na rin dahil kay Chuchie. Siguro may mga taong likas kang kayang patawanin kahit pa na may sakit ka. Kanya-kanya lang yan ng kasundo sa iba't ibang trip mo sa buhay. Si Chuchie? Aba, kakaiba yan! Clown in a million yata yan. Haha.

5pm na umuwi si Chuchie. Hinatid ko siya sa kanto tapos pagbalik ko sa bahay, natulog talaga ko. Umiikot yung paningin ko, ang weird talaga! Harhar. So yun, nang magising ako, nagbasa na ko ng History book dahil baka matawag ako bukas. By the way, kanina palang English, natawag na ko para sa Impromptu Speech Okay lang naman. Tungkol sa McDonald's yung topic ko.

* Waah speaking of Mcdo pala, parang gusto ko tuloy ng McSpaghetti ngayon. Yumyum.. Kakaibang pakiramdam na naman, ano ba yan! Haha.

Masarap maging iba.

[ Station I.D. ng ABC 5 ]

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November 15 2005 | Tuesday | 10:28pm

"BEST FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS IN TIME"

These past few days, life had been oh-so typical and gloomy. I did almost the same activities, talk with same people, and dealt with same problems. Hay. Actually there were certain moments of my day wherein I just wanted to cry. Just as that, somehow I want to ease the pains. I can't simply show my woes because if I did so, I might affect the people who are expecting me to be jolly and funny all the time. So yeah, perhaps my friends who are always with me would be surprised of this and it's because as I laugh, as I play jokes, torment was deep inside.

In deed, it was a perfect response from heaven -- Ayna, my long-lost best friend called me up this evening. It's been a while, and how co-incidental that she redeemed her sweet presence just when I needed a real friend by my side! >.< Hay, parang gusto ko talagang maiyak nung marinig ko yung boses niya. I missed my best friend so much! And I guess we were so ridiculous that we didn't communicate for such a time. Nasa iisang unibersidad kaming dalawa pero di man lang namin naisipang magkita o mag-usap. Nagkita na lang kami kanina dahil pareho pala kami ng PE schedule. Nagkaroon kasi ng assembly kanina sa IPEA Annex [na super nakakaantok!] at lahat ng may PE na 3-5pm ay nandun. Buti na lang talaga.

Nabitiwan ko ang nakakaantok na History book habang kausap si Ayna. Malaki pala ang mundo, marami pang puwedeng pag-ikutan. Nakalimutan ko ang problema at nakahanap ako ng kakampi sa lahat ng hinaing ko. Sa lahat ng naging kaibigan ko, si Ayna ang madalas na nakaunawa. Kahit ang tagal na panahong di ko siya na-update tungkol sa buhay ko, isang pasadahan lang, gamay na niya kung anong nasa loob ko. Na-kuwento kong may bago akong barkada sa volleyball kaso nung kailan lang, parang gusto kong mag-lie low dahil nalaman kong may mga taong di ko maabot [hay..]. Dinaan namin sa tawanan, konting seryosong usapan at mga salitang nagpagaan na lang bigla ng loob ko. Hay. Sa tulong ni Ayna, naisip kong ayoko namang mawatak nang ganun na lang ang tropa. Mahinang rason ang problemang yun para i-give up ang pagkakaibigan. Kung sa friendship nga namin ni Ayna eh ilang bagyo na ang dumaan pero nanatiling naka-bantayog pa rin, ito pa kaya. Kagabi ko pa ito pinag-iisipan, kanina ko lang talaga nasagot. Ang gulo-gulo kasi eh, buti dumating si Ayna para unatin ang gusot ng buhay ko.

No doubt we're best friends for seven yearning years, never washed, never strayed by time and distance. Our friendship has become my model for the ideal things in life -- that in order to achieve or reach a certain peak in life, never let easy stumbles go unto your way. God always sends instruments of His aid and yes, a friend is one of which. They come just in time to support your mindsets and decisions. Most of all, real friends are the ones who sincerely and impeccably retrieve you from the abyss of woes.. =)

When you're feeling down and your heart is hurt, you can count on me because you're my best friend.. friend.

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November 10 2005 | Thursday | 08:34pm

"PAST IS PAST.. NO MORE BLASTS"

Patty surprisingly texted me a while ago. She's my kadamate in High School. We lose contact already due to her studies in UP Baguio. Well as for me, I've been up to many things and that, I failed to communicate as well. I think the last time that we saw each other was a year ago na.

Close talaga kami noon ni Patty. Magkahati kami sa lahat ng kuwentong love life pero dahil na rin sa paglipas ng panahon, eh ang dami na naming di alam sa isa't isa. Kanina, tinanong niya ko kung "sino na". Kinuwento ko naman sa kanya kung "sino na ngayon" pero ewan ko ba kung na-gets niya ko. What I mean is that, I'm quite unsure if she had stimulated in her mind that I've gone through the past and I'm dealing with a NEW kind of present. Mahirap sabihin sa text. Mahirap kapag ang tagal niyong di nagkakausap. Mahirap ipaliwanag ang mga pagbabago sa buhay mo kasi di na siya maka-relate dun. Naalala ko nung bago kami gruma-duate, sabi namin, "Magkita-kita pa rin tayo palagi ah! Tipong may 'kada day' para di tayo magkahiwalay.." But look now, we're severely separated. Literally and figuratively. The past had withered promises and so as some of the memories. We didn't mean to forsaken it but time and distance had just affected the beautiful past that we once shared from each other. Still, I'm glad that Patty and I have been communicating once in a while. At least alam kong buhay pa siya at alam pa niyang buhay pa ko. Hehe.

Speaking of 'past' na rin lang, I just got finished and got bored to death reading the Philippine History book. May recitation daw kasi ng Chapter 1. Hay. Bakit ba kapag kuwentong sinauna, nakakantok? At kapag matanda ang nagsasalita sa klase, [tipong mukhang lolo na yung prof], eh nakakaantok din? Haha. Di ko naman nilalahat, pero kadalasan ganun. Sadya bang wala ng lingas ang mga nalantang nakalipas? So anyways, kanina pala sa school, puro lectures na talaga. Natuwa ako sa Philo at Biology kasi na-realize kong gumagana na yung utak ko para mag-isip at mag-recite in class. =) Sana pala dumating na yung totoong prof sa Theo, zzz talaga si Sir Quinabo! Nung last subject naman [Speech class], dumating na sa wakas si Ma'am Filip. As expected, di pa kami nag-lesson haha. Puro ka-ek-ekan lang pinag-usapan namin. Kulam. Albularyo. Kababalaghan. Haha. Quite interesting though, even if the topic was a way outlying. ;p

It's really amazing when two strangers become friends.. but it's sad when friends become two strangers. I hope it won't happen to us kasi di ba, sayang naman?

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November 09 2005 | Wednesday | 07:38pm

"FEELING SICK"

Nanghihina talaga ko ngayon. I still feel quite sick. Kahit halos buong araw na kong tulog para magpahinga, eh feeling pagod pa rin ako. It was too early to be absent a while ago, but I was forced to do so.

Kahapon lang, para kong aadik-adik kasi ang kulit-kulit ko. I wasn't able to create an entry yesterday but what had happened is that we met the TTh profs. Djhay was right, Tth sched is quite dreadful. Boring na yung subjects, gasgas pa yung profs! Naging profs na kasi namin sila. Sir Baccay - Philo x.x [good luck na naman sa grades ko!], Sir Quinabo [as a substitute lang naman] for Theo, Sir Olivar for Biology [na pinagsabihan pa ko kasi ang ingay-ingay ko haha. Baka ako pa unang mag-recite bukas tsktsk] and finally, Ma'am Rodriguez for Speech [but she wasn't around yet]. After class, we ate at Momos. Magkakasama kami nina Arene [si "Hunnybunch"! HAHAHA] kasi PE day. So yun, habang naghintay ng PE, bumili kami ng ice cream at tumambay sa may IPEA. So anyways, wala pa yung prof namin sa Softball [Ma'am De Torres] kaya halos nakatunganga lang din kami. Nag-enjoy na lang ako sa pang-good time. Hehe. Next meeting, doon pa rin kami sa IPEA mag-memeet. Wuhoo. Sana makakita ako ang mga prospects. ;p [Waah, I've never seen Lagar in actual yet. Harhar.]

Nothing much for today talaga. Natuwa na lang ako sa mga ka-text ko. I felt how people cared for me when they knew that I was sick. Sometimes, I come to think what if I'm dying, and what shall be the reactions of my loved ones. Minsan ang sarap din magmuni-muni tungkol sa mga ganyan. Tsk. By the way, kakatuwa itong si Ate Flo. Magka-text kasi sila ni Ate Rox kanina tapos binanggit pala niyang may sakit ako. Nag-reply daw agad at tinanong kung bakit ako may sakit. Dagdag pa ni Ate Rox, baka daw kasi napagod ako. I did mention to Ate Rox kasi last night that I was kinda infuriated coz there were school works already at the dawn of the semester. Siyempre, career mode na naman ako't nag-research magdamag sa internet at kinabukasan, ang sama talaga ng pakiramdam ko. Anyways, nagulat na lang ako kasi tinext din ako ni Ate Rox at nangamusta. Niloko pa kong baka may SARS na ako haha. Ito namang sina Ching, sabi nila baka daw may bird flu na ko lalo pa't galing ako ng China. So yun, basta nakaka-flatter yung mga simpleng mensaheng, "get well soon" o "pagaling ka ha". Titik at mga salita man, nakakapawi ng sakit sa katawan lalo pa't naramdaman mong sinsero ang pagkakabigkas o pagkaka-text. Hay. Sana pala lagi na lang ako may sakit noh, para ramdam ko palaging mahalaga pala ko sa kanila. [Haha, ang drama?!]

There's no immediate remedy for a broken heart.

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November 07 2005 | Monday | 06:19pm

"..SO WHAT IF I'M SINGLE?!"

Classes resumed again. I woke up in an unusual time and went to UST to attend class. Medyo sleepy kaya dumaan pa ako ng Seven Eleven para mag-kape. Haha. In a way I seemed to miss coffee hours. Ilang linggo rin akong lubog sa kama at ngayo'y kulang naman ako sa tulog. So I guess this marks that start of drastic sleepless nights and collecting eye bugs again as Second Semester opens. Another chapter for my college life.

As expected, the first professor came into our room late. It was a Philippine History class. So anyways, I can perceive that he's kinda okay naman. Nagpakilala kami sa isa't isa kanina. By the way he's Sir Coronacion. Feedbacks said that he's slaughtering students when it comes to recitation and that, it's a must to READ before attending his class. I just don't know. Well, some rumors just remain as rumors. I don't want to immediately claim it as factual until I've proven it in front of my face. So a while ago, I was just left with first impressions on him. I hope to enjoy the course.

Stat. was the next class. Ma'am Ledesma just passed by since there was an on-going meeting. The book was already distributed and in fact, I was able to put plastic cover on it already. Waah, hitsura pa lang ng libro mukhang mahirap na ang subject! Ang kapal-kapal. Hay, sana kayanin ko ang Statistics. Hehe.

We were not able to meet Sir Esguerra [News Writing class] and Sir Tobias [Rizal Course]. Nakaka-bore actually. Sana pala umuwi na lang ako't natulog. But anyways, at least I was able to spare time chit chatting with my classmates. How I missed them! Actually upon my arrival in Room 205, I was talking hard and laughing out loud already. Haha. I was sipping my coffee, at the same time sipping a gossip with my buddies. Binigay ko din yung pasalubong ko kina Madie, Dez, Djhay, Chuchie and Arene. I felt glad that they loved it and immediately, they placed those key chains on their phone units. Later, they started to ask about my recent trip in China and Hong Kong. I told a lot of things to them which in deed, they enjoyed hearing as well. And yeah, there was a time when I told them that "How I wished guys, you were also with me there coz it's so nice to travel with friends.." =)

Maya-maya, lumipat naman ako ng lugar at naghanap pa ng ibang kausap. This time, I chuckled with my sporty mates. Haha. Of course we talked about PBL and yeah, Joyce had invited me to watch live! Wuhoo. Sa Harbour Centre team daw si Luanzon eh. Haha. Then again, I got hooked with fafable basketball players. Imee and I were just laughing as we talked about them. May panloko kasi siyang pangalan sa akin [na NAPAKA-IKLI] at nauugnay sa mga ideal people ko. Wahaha. Eto pala yung name ko [copyright by Imee]:

Shelly-Welly-Belly-Jelly-Faune-Luanzon-Del-Rosario-Esguerra-Barcellano-Lagar-Ababou [nyeh!] Duncil?!-[Ooops. Haha ;p]-na-kapatid-ni-Ate-Roxy-daw.

Ah ewan. Natatawa na naman ako! Di pa diyan nagwakas ang kakulitan. I borrowed Arene's phone and started to become a camera whore again. Scent put on her rtistahin-look make-up and yeah, it was so hilarious talaga. Kakaiba talaga ang mga kaklase ko. Daig pa ang mga autistic sa pagka-kenkoy. ;p

Pero ang pinaka na-enjoy ko yatang moment ay nang magka-heart-2-heart talk kami nina Haoson, Shiela and eventually with Jenny & Djhay. Well at first we were just casually talking about things under the sun and yet later on, it turned out to that the topic was about LOVE already. Specifically, we conversed about the pros and cons of being a SINGLE. Haha. Siyempre, talaga namang tagos sa puso ko.

Sabi kasi ni Haoson, minsan pala mahirap ding maging single. Dagdag pa nila, kapag single, malamig ang Valentine's Day [ayon kay Jenny haha], at puro crushes na lang at di makaranas na ma-inlove [ayon naman kay Shiela]. Napaisip din ako dun siyempre. Shiela and the rest exchanged a lot of thoughts on it. As for my own perspective, I told them that, "It really takes time. Maybe, we're just all waiting for the right one to come. It may take some time but it's worth the wait."

So what if I'm single right now, love can wait. At least even though I'm not currently secured with a man beside me or a person who can always say 'I love you Shelly', I do have friends, companions, family, studies to pursue and bunches of great experiences which and who can overcome the feeling of being empty-handed with a boyfriend. It's not a loss but rather an exaltation of freedom. Unlike when you're committed, you can't do some other stuffs which single women can carry out. Just for instance, sometimes you can't freely hangout with friends because there's too much attention with the boyfriend. Also, you can't get through distraction and that, commitments can disturb studies or career. Lastly, when you're in a relationship, you tend to forget about yourself coz you're damn busy taking care of your boyfriend. Tapos sa bandang huli, mag-bbreak lang pala kayo [ang sakit diba]. Di ko naman nilalahat pero kadalasan ganyan ang nangyayari. Pampalubag-loob? Di naman siguro. May punto din naman ang mga single-as-of-now na tulad ko di ba.

* Parang ayoko ng bumalik sa ilusyon ni Ching. Yes, it's true.

Freedom is power.

- [from the movie, "Catwoman"]

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November 06 2005 | Sunday | 08:24pm

"IT HAS BEEN A WHILE"

I went to hear mass a while ago. Honestly, I wasn't able to visit the church these past weeks due to many reasons which I seemed to prioritize first before God. =/ So a while ago, I took time to repent for my sins, thanked Him for all the good things and asked for guidance. It has been a while since I dwell on on my spirituality. Fair enough, I felt much better.

During the Holy Communion, the song "Hesus" was played and sang. I was reminded of someone! So as I fell in line to take the Communion, memories of the past immediately rushed in my head. It was Ms. Faith, my closest high school mentor. I always refer the song "Hesus" to her because she also sang that wonderful song before. She has the golden voice and I guess that was the reason why during Holy Mass in STC [school in Hs], she had usually been given the floor to sing. It's so co-incidental that she's celebrating her 30th birthday today and that, I realized how missed her.

Maybe you'll ask how come she had inspired me. Well, it all started since she was my freshman professor in Filipino. She was in deed a good and approachable teacher. Elementary pa lang ako, paborito ko na ang Filipino subject pero lalo akong natuwa nang maging guro ko siya. She had the unique style of teaching and how I loved her appreciation of my efforts. Kaya talaga namang ang tataas ng grades ko sa Filipino nun. If I was not mistaken, I think a got a grade as high as 95. And yeah, I never thought that our rapport would go far beyond as we still became good friends even if she was not my teacher anymore in 2nd, 3rd & 4th year. Ms. Faith nevertheless helped me especially on my academics. As I joined quiz bees and competitions before, she had always showered me with inspirational words. Nung graduation, binigyan pa niya ako ng regalo at nagbigay ng sulat na iniyakan ko pa talaga. Hay. Halos dalawang taon na pala ang nakararaan.

Right now, despite the restrictive distance, occasionally I am able to think of our memories together. I texted her a while ago and greeted for her birthday. It has been a while but it was never gone in my head that she's one of my greatest inspirations. I hope to see her in the near future. Sa dami na ng napagdaanan ko, para bang ang dami kong gustong i-kuwento sa kanya. Hehe.

It's been quite a while. I must say that I miss our friendship. I miss you, I miss us but what I really miss most is not just you or us, but how it all was.

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November 04 2005 | Friday | 11:45pm

"THE MAGIC OF COMPANIONSHIP"

No man is an island. Whenever distressing moments come, companionship is the surpassing relieve for the howling spirit. Sometimes I come to think how come my family never leaves me, or how come my friends are there for me. A while ago I seem to ponder on these thoughts and yes, I realized that I'll never get through the trials if not because of them.

This day has been molded well and that many things had happened. It has been so long and I was with Tropa_peepz, Kim, Ana, Jean & Ate Flo again. Right away from my Batangas vacation, I rushed through our flee together. Truly, I'm loving their simple yet jolly company. So before telling the twists and turns for this day, let me first tell what had happened in my short vacation in Batangas.

Novermber 2-4 2005 -> Celebrating All Soul's Day in Batangas

November 02 2005 [Wednesday]

The next day after arriving from China [Wednesday], we immediately traveled to Batangas. Actually, we were still tired but we have to visit the cemetery. Siyempre naman noh, dinalaw ko yung dad ko. So anyways, we reached our home in Lipa around 1pm. Nagpahinga lang kami konti at bumiyahe na naman papuntang Bauan Batangas, doon kasi kyung puntod ng dad ko. I was with my mom, sister, cousin [Gabbz], Schenly and the driver. Pagkadating namin doon, konti na lang tao sa sementeryo kaya di na mahirap pumasok.

We lit candles and stayed for awhile. I took a moment to seriously speak with my dad and prayed. Words were in my head but honestly, I was really about to cry. I was solely quiet at one side. I recalled many things and in a way, I told those thoughts to him. Sinabi kong masaya ko dahil DL ako; Sinabi kong masaya yung trip sa ibang bansa; Sinabi kong masaya ko sa takbo ng buhay ko. Halos kumpleto na kasi at nakukuha ko lahat. Pero sa huli, nasabi ko din palang siguro mas nakumpleto ako kung buhay pa siya't harap-harapan kong nasasabing lahat yun. >.< Nakaramdam ako ng konting lakas matapos kong masabi yun kahit sa isipan lang. I felt my dad's presence who would always be proud and happy for me. I believe that I am not alone because he's there, just a breathe away. Perhaps he may be physically gone but I'm very sure, that he never looses grip of watching over me. Still, I offer all my achievements to him because anyway, he's really one of my inspirations to be a better person. =)

Maya-maya, umuwi na rin kami't dumiretso sa Bayan [house of my Lolas]. Dinala namin yung mga pasalubong galing China at saka pinapanood yung videos ng trip. Hehe. Natuwa siyempre ang lahat lalo na yung mga pinsang kong adik sa Disney characters. ;p Later that night, I got fond of texting naman. And yeah, nagulat naman ako nang i-text ako ni Ate Rox! Galing naman silang Japan kaya nagka-kumustahan kami. Nasabi niyang nabasa din pala niyang inaaway ako sa forum ng vleague.tk. Hay ewan. Sabi ko na lang sa kanya, hayaan ko na lang kasi wala naman akong ginagawa at alam naman niyang totoo yung mga sinasabi ko. So yun, inadvice niyang i-ignore ko na lang. Hay, kakatuwa naman. Napatunayan kong nasa panig ko siya at naniniwala siya talaga sa akin. >.<

Novermber 03 2005 [Thursday]

The next day, so-so day lang. Nothing much. Napa-develop na yung photos from the trip at yun ang pinagka-abalahan ko buong araw. Haha. Inayos ko't nilagay sa album. Kulang na lang eh matunaw sa paulit-ulit kong kakatingin. Tsk. Naaliw na lang din akong kakaalaga kay "Kalkal" [a funny nickname for Frances, my god daughter, who's so malikot kaya kalkal haha!]. Ka-text ko din palagi sina Jen at ang iba pang Globe unlimited users. Hehe. Buti na lang di pa na-eexpire ang promo nila dahil sulit na sulit ang load ko dun! =)

So yun na nga, lumuwas kami kanina at nakarating sa bahay ng 1pm. Usapan namin ng Tropa_peepz na magkikita-kita sa Mcdo Harrsion ng 3pm kaya sakto lang sa panahon para makaligo at mag-ayos konti. Hehe. I was a bit late [I arrived 3:30pm] pero haha, mas late pa pala yung iba sa akin! Then again, Kim was the earliest and I followed her. Maya-maya, dumating na rin sina Ana at Ate Flo. Binigay ko yung mga pasalubong nila at nakita ko namang nagustuhan nila. =) As usual, we updated each other's lives. As for me, I shared with them my drastic experiences in China & Hong Kong. It was so nice to share with their sweet and fun-loving company the happiness that I had experienced in my trip.

It was also in the plan to meet with Ate Rox since I also had a pasalubong for her. =) Tinext ko siya kung nasaan na siya pero di agad siya naka-reply. So, Ana did text Ate Monic instead but soon she found out that Ate Monic has been confined in UST Hospital due to high fever. Haha, nadagdagan tuloy yung plano't papunta din kaming ospital para dumalaw. Later, Ate Rox finally texted me saying that she was in the quarters already but she won't take long there. Buti kamo't dumating na si Jean at pumunta na agad kaming quarters. So yun, akala namin umalis na si Ate Rox pero nagkasalisihan lang pala kasi nagpunta lang siyang Shopwise. May dadalawin din pala sila sa ospital bukod kay Ate Monic kaya may binili. So anyways, upon seeing her made me so happy again. Ako ang unang sumalubong sa kanya't nagbeso-beso kami kasi na-miss ko siya talaga. =) Matagal-tagal din kaming nag-kuwentuhan sa labas. Tawanan. Kumustahan. Nabanggit pala niya yung isyu sa forums. HAHAHA. Nung una, parang nahihiya pa kaming pag-usapan yun kasi nga mayroong tungkol sa player sexuality - di namin alam kung paano sila mag-rereact tungkol dun. Yun pala, eh di rin naman nila siniseryoso yun. In fact, she and we just laughed at it. Kung sa bagay, wala naman talagang karapatang manghusga ang sinuman nang nakahihigit pa sa taong na-iinvolve. At kung tutuusin, di na dapat inuungkat pa ang personal na buhay ng isang atleta kasi ang mas mahalagang bigyang-pansin, eh yung kakayahan nila't potensyal sa isport na nilalaro nila. Napag-usapan din yung tungkol sa umaaway sa akin. Kinuwento ko kay Ate Rox lahat at naisip naming baka siya naninira [kung sino man yun], eh dahil sa hindi niya kilalang ako yung gumawa nung vleague.tk. Ah ewan. Lagi na lang akong inaaway dahil sa mga nilalathala ko! Pero sabi nga, "Journalists shouldn't be fearful to express as long as truth is with us.." =) Oh yeah.

Lalo pa kong natuwa nang magyaya si Ate Rox na sabay-sabay kaming mag-dinner!!! Umakyat muna siya at saka tinawag si Ate Chelle. Habang naghihintay, tawanan mode ulit kami sa pangunguna ni Ate Flo nanaman haha. Nakakatuwa kasi sinasabi niyang nababaitan na rin siya talaga kay Ate Rox. Hay, totoo naman eh. ;p So anyways, pagbaba nina Ate Rox, waah may bigay pang pasalubong galing Japan. >.< Dun na kami dumaan sa loob ng PSC at saka lumabas sa Vito Cruz area. We ate at Kenny Rogers. Ililibre sana namin sila kaso tumanggi agad si Ate Rox. Ang down-to-earth niya talaga. So Kim treated us instead [wuhoo] pero nag-contribute din ako nang konti kasi nakakahiya na din sa kanya. Hehe. Lagi na lang kami nagpapalibre kahit di pa niya bday.

So yun, nung kumakain na, siyempre hindi nawala ang kuwentuhan. Katapat ko si Ate Rox kaya ang dami naming napag-chikahan. Palitan kami ng experiences, siya sa Japan, ako sa China. Sinabi kong mahilig talaga kong mag-travel tapos tinanong pa ko kung anong bansa ang next kong target. [which is Greece!] Hehe. Ang saya niya talagang kausap kasi para bang anumang sabihin ko, natutuwa siyang marinig yun. Mas natuwa pa ko nang sinabi ni Ate Rox na, "Chelle, yung website na palagi kong sinasabi ko sa iyong may nakakatuwang basahing forum?! Hayan, [they looked at me straightly as they smiled] ang gumawa, si Shelly.." So ibig sabihin pala, lagi akong na-kukuwento ni Ate Rox. >.< Ka-flatter naman. At dahil napag-usapan na rin lang ang website, eh nabalik na naman yung topic about sa forum [HAHAHA at talaga nga namang intriguing eh noh]. This time, Ate Chelle was the one who was asking questions to us. Sabi niya i-visit na nga din daw niya't babasahin, na-intriga siguro. Haha. ;p Sinabi din kasi naming maraming tungkol sa kanya kaya baka magka-interes talaga siyang mabasa yun. Maya-maya, naisipan ko ring ipakita kina Ate Rox yung photo album ng Hong Kong & China trip ko. Tinabihan ko sila habang tinitignan yun. Ang daming personal na tanong sa akin ni Ate Rox lalo na tungkol sa pamilya ko. Nakakatuwa kasi na-feel kong interesado siyang malaman yun at para bang lalo kaming naging close. Ideal sister talaga hay. >.<

Bandang 8:45pm, umuna na sila kasi nga may pupuntahan pa silang ospital. Pinag-isipan pa din namin kung tutuloy pa ba kaming UST para dalawin si Ate Monic. Natuloy din naman sa huli. Hehe. Nag-taxi kami papuntang Forbes. Akala namin bawal na ang dalaw pero buti na lang at pwede pa. Thanks to Jean [the nurse wuhoo!], she was the one who asked and dealt with the people in the hospital so that we can locate Ate Monic's room. Dun pala siya sa UST Private na-confine [Room 3080]. It's funny but it was my first time to enter UST Hospital though I'm from UST! Haha. So anyways, nasa pintuan na kami at ang tagal pa namin bago kumatok haha. Although Ate Monic knew about that we shall be coming, medyo nakakahiya din pala. Si Jean ang sumalubong sa pagbukas ng pinto at pagpasok namin, nandun ang mga Carolinos [Ate Yeth, Manel & their bro]. So yun, nung una hiya-hiya pa talaga but soon, we started to speak with Ate Monic. Well, she told us that she got sick maybe because of the different weather between Japan & Philippines. They were in Japan [2 weeks] for the training. So besides Ate Monic, I also had the chance to chit chat with Ate Yeth. Katabi ko si Ate Flo dun sa kutchon kung nasaan si Ate Yeth. Mabait din naman siya. We just had minimal talks maybe because it was our first time to talk face to face. Hehe. Medyo tahimik talaga at nanonood na lang kaming lahat ng TV. Naiba na lang bigla ang mood nang may dumating...

Wahaha sino kamong dumating? Aba, akalain mong magkikita pa kami ulit nina Ate Rox at Ate Chelle along with their 'Tita Evelyn'. As we saw each other, we laughed again saying, "Ang tagal nating di nagkita ah!" Haha. So yun, umalis muna kami ni Ate Flo sa kutchon para paupuin sila. Pero waah, tinawag ako ulit ni Ate Rox, "Shelly dito ka, tabi tayo.." =) Ang bait niya talaga hay. Pumunta din si Ana sa tabi naman tapos nag-kuwentuhan kaming tatlo. Kakatuwa talaga. Basta, para bang nasa bahay lang ako't ang casual ng position namin. Naalala ko ngayon yung ilang nakaka-flatter na pinag-usapan namin. Kinuwento ni Ate Rox nun kay Ate Chelle yung tungkol sa LUCKY EARRINGS! Just a recall, the 1st earrings that she gave me got lost and so, she gave another one. One time, I wore that purple earrings during a Math exam wherein I got an 1.0 grade! Haha, so since then I believed already that somehow the earrings has magic and Ate Rox has just been amused at that story of mine. Inupdate ko siya at sinabi kong suot ko din yung earrings nang malaman kong DL ako. =) Hay, sabay sabi nilang "Wow.." >.< Ang sarap pakinggan lalo pa't para bang si Ate Rox pa ang nangungunang magkuwento ng mga achievements ko sa mga kaibigan niya. Tapos eto pa, haha, tinanong niya kasi kung kelan pasukan. Sinabi kong tinatamad pa akong pumasok. Banat naman niya, "Sus di bale, matalino ka naman eh.." >.< Napangiti na lang ako. Anyways, for the Nth time, napag-usapan na naman yung sa forum! LOL! This time, Ate Rox told it to Ate Yeth & their tita. At the end of their conversation, they also got intrigued and said that they shall visit it too. Haha. So besides that, we talked about other hi-tech stuffs. Tungkol sa chat, webcam, mic, etc. May hilig din pala sila dun. Eh di siyempre kami ni Ana, mega tinginan sa isa't isa kasi nakaka-relate talaga kami sa usapan hehe. By the way, Ana graduated as an IT student from Mapua so more or less, we share interests when it comes to computers. =)

Sumabay na kami sa pag-alis nina Ate Chelle, Rox & Tita Evelyn para makapag-pahinga na rin si Ate Monic. Anyway she's still with her best friend, Ate Yeth for company who has been so caring to her. Yes, I've seen how they heed for each other as good friends. Naisip ko tuloy bigla si Ayna [yung besty ko] at kung paano din kami mag-tulungan palagi. So anyways, we went down the elevator [na sing-tanda na ng UST kung mag-function HAHA], at nagpaalam na kami sa 3 dun sa harap ng ospital. Plano pa sana ng Tropa_peepz na pumunta sa bahay para manood ng PBB. Eh ang kaso, masyado ng late. Okay lang naman din sa akin na di natuloy pero nagulat na lang kami nang magtampo si Ate Flo. We were terribly sorry talaga and for a while, there was silence. Nalungkot naman ako bigla, kasi almost perfect na yung araw tapos may tampo siya sa amin. Maya-maya umimik na rin siya. Inakbayan ko siya at saka siya nagsabing ayaw daw niya kasi yung mga ganung instance na planado na tapos biglang hindi itutuloy. In a way we found her point but I guess she had also seen Jean & the rest's reason for going home already. Buti naman di siya galit sa amin at naintindihan din niya kami. In fact, when I got home, we texted each other and everything was back to normal especially on the way we laugh at our petty jokes.

When the crowd brings you down, or when critiques bother you so much, you will see me running close to you and tell you, "Sige kaya mo yan, walang pagsubok na di nalalagpasan!"

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October 28 - November 1 2005

"THE CHINA AND HONG KONG TRAVELOGUE"

They say that there are so many things to put into senses as you travel. You see, you hear, you smell, and you feel. You grasp thoughts which are endless. Memories can go beyond what books can tell. Actual experiences are more than what a tale can share. And yes, picturesque memoirs are for forever; why? because it can be kept in the mind and heart. Thank God for the China-Hong Kong trip because I had the best time of my life. Since then, I keep on saying that I'm a travel-enthusiast and this trip had sustained the best gift ever. I realized that birthday celebrations can be commemorated in many ways and this had been one of which.