Melange

2011-08-18T15:09:00.003+08:00

I dread the day I return to work. But I have no choice but to go. GOOD FUTURE doesn't grow on trees. So I'm putting my game face on. Me and these turtles are going places. *Tightens Ponytail.* LEZGO.

2011-08-18T11:14:00.001+08:00

Kris: Kakatawan ko si Paris noh?
Jeff: Oo. Parehas kayong sikxy.
Kris: Wrong spelling ka, Jeff.
Jeff: Tama yun. Sikxy.
Kris: Ows? Parang hindi eh.
Jeff: Tama. Siksik + Sexy.
Kris: Ang sama mo.

2011-08-12T14:45:00.000+08:00

One of my life's source of simple pleasures now comes in this big, yummy package! Calamansi Juice, FTW!

2011-08-12T14:44:00.000+08:00

Kris: Sarap ng Pancit Canton! Kahit ganito pagkain ko everyday, ok lang!
Mama: Masama yan sa health.
Kris: Kahit na. Kakain pa rin ako ng madami nito sa barko.
Mama: Sutil.
Kris: Mmmmmmm...Sarap!

JRS

2011-08-10T13:50:00.007+08:00

(I have more or less 2 weeks of freedom before I go back to the ship life I left for a while and whilst I am still free I’m wasting it by blogging. This is a product of my excessive boredom and...ahhh…my excessive adoration for him. *Hot-cheeked with Embarrassment.* Read on, kids. But please be warned it’s a horribly corny entry.)

To people from Victoria, he is Toto Liit. To people he has worked and still work with, he is Jeffrey, Jeff or Jepoy. To me, he is any of those. However, he’s not just anybody to me because he is my ally, my encourager, my worry-absorber, my good-looking laundryman/ironman (He knows that I’d just murder our clothes so he takes the responsibility.), my wonderful chatmate/textmate, my equally matakaw na pigging-out partner, my missing puzzle piece, my fantasy personified, my love, my boyfriend, and God’s latest great gift to me.

I just came from a disastrous relationship when I went onboard MS1. I thought I’ll have to have therapy for the rest of my life because the experience turned my life upside down. I went onboard with the hopes of saving myself because my life was totally in the toilet. Imagine, one disappointment almost ruled my life. The experience was a blow to my self-esteem. I felt stupid. I felt worthless. I felt defeated. I almost failed to get my life back on track. I was actually the perfect poster girl for dejected singles. I was pathetic. Really, pathetic. But save your pity because I survived. I, later on, realized that he was the best thing I never had. *Big Smile* I got better as time goes by but I had no immediate plans on changing my status. It’s not because I was still holding out for the slime who broke my heart, it’s because I was afraid I might come across another liar. But all doubts have flown out of my mind when I met Jeffrey Sangalang.

Our almost the same pitiable story started our friendship. It was HIM and ME against the adulterous slimes we were once with. During the first few weeks of our sudden connection, I learned that Jeff is more than his good-looks. He has sense. He has principles. He has proved to be cooler than anybody I know. I remember him coming to my station every morning to talk to me and give me that cute smile of his. Suddenly, he became the only company I prefer to my own. And then I started feeling all the classic symptoms: pounding heart, sweaty palms, dreamy lapses, difficulty in sleeping, dressing with a certain man in mind, a certain degree of immaturity, happiness in just about every part of my body. I’d normally eat dirt first before you can make me say corny things. But for Jeffrey I’d say this without hesitation, I think it was major, major, major attraction at first sight for me. And for the first time in a long, long time I felt totally happy.

This kind of blog normally makes me vomit but it is my way of telling the world that I am lucky to be in love with a guy who wants to be my forever. I want everyone to know that he is made from 100% awesomeness. I thank God everyday for sending a guy my way who can respect all the bizarro craps I believe and who sticks around when I am being impossible.

I’m leaving really soon and I don’t know what the future has in store for us. I just know that I am crazy in love with him and I envy the people who see him everyday. I love Jeffrey Rebong Sangalang. Absolutely. Indisputably. Unquestionably. (Confirmed. I‘d become a pervert.) #IHaveTheRightToBeCornyOnceInAWhile

2011-08-09T23:00:00.000+08:00

Erma Bombeck: The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together.

2011-08-08T15:00:00.000+08:00

Last time I opened this memory box I had tears in my eyes. Bitter tears for investing and devoting so much of myself to a lie. This afternoon, after a year, I opened it with no more tears in my eyes to have a last look and say goodbye to it forever. All contents to the trash where they belong.

Happy Birthday To US!

2011-07-23T23:00:00.008+08:00

It's a double celebration! His birthday and our 7th month birthday! Big Fat YAY!

Every Detail of That 5-Day Trip Is Locked In My Memory...

2011-07-19T17:42:00.017+08:00

We were still onboard when we planned this 5-Day Trip. I'd visit Victoria, Laguna and he'd visit Angeles City. North to South love story, huh? I left home Monday morning to meet Jeff in Manila. We spent the whole morning malling in Manila and around noon we started our journey to Victoria, Laguna. I am not a big sleeper when traveling and during the 2-hour journey I watched the road with delight while Jeff dozed off in my shoulder. I became my own “ tourist guide” since my supposed “ tourist guide” fell asleep. In an instant, I have decided that Victoria is the place I needed to get away from it all. Here's what I didn't see when nearing our destination: fastood restaurants, malls, traffic signals, and even souvenir stores. Exactly the place I wanted to visit. Simple, beautiful, fresh, nothing fancy, away from the tourist trail and crazy streets. Victoria, Laguna is pretty and special. So different from Angeles City.

Jeff and I practically did nothing. We just ate, talked freely and easily about plans and stuffs, walked around, rode his bike as if it were the most natural thing in the world. US. Being together, doing things together and enjoying every minute of it.

One of my most unforgettable experiences during my stay in Victoria was our trip in a nearby town called Pila. We went there using his motorbike. Yes kids, a motorbike. For someone who can’t even ride a manual bike, a motorbike will definitely scare the bejeezus out of me. And it did. But since I vowed to start living large and not always on the safe side, I hopped in and enjoyed the ride. We passed by these long road before we reached the center of the town. Along the road, I noticed that there were plenty cemented seats. I asked Jeff why they have them along the road and he said, Pila Road was like a Lovers' Lane. Around 5 in the afternoon, lovers start to come to make lovey-dovey on the seats. The road was surrounded by beautiful mountains, green plains and lush trees. It was simply beautiful. Those are the kind of things people living in the city don’t get to enjoy. I loved Pila Road so much. Jeff and I actually sat for awhile and took pictures…

Me in the fields of green.
Us. (Pila Road)
Before 6 o’clock, we finally arrived in Pila. I loved what I saw from the museum, to the old houses, to the wide park between the old church and the town’s municipal hall. I can’t believe how a place so old can remain so beautiful. I can’t even find the right words to describe how beautiful Pila is. I felt teary with all the beauty that was around me. It is really true that beauty, makes us cry because it’s overwhelming, it goes straight to our hearts. It makes us feel emotions that are locked away inside us. I am so thankful Jeff brought me there. I even jokingly told him that I wanted us to get married there. And the ever game Jeff answered, “Bakit hindi?!”

San Antonio de Padua Church, Pila, Laguna.
One of the old houses surrounding San Antonio de Padua Church and Pila's Municipal Hall.
Pila Museum
And after our 3 lovely days in Laguna, we packed our bags and off we went to Angeles City. We didn’t spend much time in Angeles City because Jeff has to leave right away for his basketball game. But I made sure I fed him enough Sisig, brought him to Didi’s, SM Clark, Holy Rosary Church, Carmelite Monastery and of course around Friendship. The whole purpose of the trip was really to introduce each other to our parents. The relaxation was just secondary and I guess we achieved both.

Victoria's yummy Kinulob na Itik, Itlog na Maalat, Espasol and Buko Pie.
Laguna, the land that boast of Jose Rizal, Itlong na Maalat, Kesong Puti, Mount Makiling, Hot Springs, Kinulob na Itik, Buko Pie, Espasol, marvelous Falls, could actually be my second home. (Angeles City, being my first of course.) I just love LAGUNA! Gahd, I do. And you know what? This weekend, I’m coming back ALONE to surprise my Jepoy because it's his birthday, baby! Madd excited!

2011-07-18T12:02:00.005+08:00

Just Finished...

About to Read...

2011-07-17T13:05:00.006+08:00

♫I turn the music up, I got my records on. I shut the world outside until the lights come on. Maybe the streets alight, maybe the trees are gone. I feel my heart start beating to my favorite song. And all the kids they dance, all the kids dance all night. Until Monday morning feels another life. I turn the music up. I'm on a roll this time. And heaven is in sight.♫

The Best Souvenirs Are In Your Heart

2011-07-16T14:37:00.018+08:00

An Unforgettable First…

It would be my first trip to Rome by taxi. It was a long journey but very worth it. I never thought I’d ever set foot in Rome.

Dream Come True...

When I was a little girl I’ve always been amazed by the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Well, who wouldn’t be amazed at how the tower remains standing that way right? I can remember clearly the little me staring at a picture of the famous tower in my school book. I had no inkling that someday I’d come face to face with it. Imagine, for 60 Euros a dream of mine came true. Cheap but a priceless memory because Jeffrey was with me. May 25, 2011 was epic.

My Favourite City…

It was 2008 when I first set foot in Barcelona. It was followed by weekly trips to this wonderful land in 2010. My latest visit was just this April. It was a first for Jeffrey so I happily showed him around. He loved the place. He enjoyed every single minute of our day tour. He was, like me, infected by the JUST-CAN’T-GET-ENOUGH-OF-BARCELONA sickness. Who wouldn’t love this place that is full of life? Where great minds thrive on the street corners and every nook and cranny is full of surprises? It is one place on Earth that will allow you to be what you want to be. Barcelona, the city made for walking, is synonymous to Freedom. Can’t wait for my next visit.

My Best Birthday Ever…

Madeira, Funchal, Portugal 2010, without a doubt. It was not only my birthday, it was also 2 days away from Christmas plus, it was also Jeffrey and I’s official day as lovers. It was one of the best time of my life. Holding each other’s hands, we hit the city center of Madeira. Visited our favourite church, did some groceries, and strolled around the blossoming park. Everybody was in high spirits then. Seems like everybody was celebrating for me. For another year and for finding my missing puzzle piece. Madeira is sun, sea, fun and just plain LOVE.

I Would Never Want To Return To…

Casablanca, Morocco. I never want to say never but I just consider Casablanca to be unsafe to explore. Cheap buys are everywhere, people are still in touch with their old ways but that doesn’t compensate for the shortcomings of this place. Did I mention that it is not safe to eat at Casablanca? If you’re tummy is a little on the weak side, forget about pigging out.

The Taxi Ride I Will Never Forget…

Dubai. Fast cars are all over that place but I didn’t know that taxis weren’t an exemption. Everybody drives really fast like they’re all in a race track. It’s good if you’re in a rush but what’s the rush when you’re in Dubai? You’ve got to savor the place and enjoy every view. Dubai taxi drivers are hands-down the fastest drivers. Bawat sakay sa taxi feels like ang isang paa mo ay nakabaon sa hukay. Bawat sakay you will never forget for sure.

The Friendliest People…

I find Spanish People very friendly. Maybe because their culture is close to my own country’s but really, the people I met in Spain are gracious. I’ve been around Spain for a long time and the people were never lazy to greet you and give you a smile. Spain feels like home for me.

An Unforgettable Hotel…

I’ve never been to many hotels so I don’t care much about them. But I will never forget this one hotel in Civitavecchia, Italy. Food was superb but the hotel’s spot was the best thing they could offer. It was situated in the heart of Civitavecchia so every place was just walking distance. I have a great view of the sea, the busy street and I’m just 30 minutes away from Rome by train.

My Most Treasured Souvenir…

I love shops. Gahd, I do. I have the habit of buying souvenirs in every place I visit but I don’t let my souvenir-shopping addiction get in the way of my chance of getting acquainted with the place. This contract I got addicted with magnets but my most treasured souvenir is this replica of Nefertiti. Again, it’s a product of my childhood fascination of Nefertiti so I got this one in Safaga, Egypt. It was love at first sight for me plus, it was just $5 so what more could I ask for?

I Never Travel Without…

My camera. I can go on shore leave without a companion. I have done it plenty of times but I just can’t go ashore without my camera.

Best Place to Shop…

I’d say Spain because personally, all the shops I love are around Spain especially in Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Barcelona. But if you dig jewelries for great prices, Kusadasi, Turkey is the place to be.

The Most Dangerous Place I’ve Visited At Night…

Russia. Sure the place has a lot to show but I don’t think it’s safe to stroll around Russia at night. I once went on shore leave in St. Petersburg, Russia at night with two friends. We lost our way. We ended up walking on these scary alleys where not so ordinary people reside.

My All-Time Favourite Holiday Photo…

On a park in Madeira, Portugal with Jeffrey. Our first Christmas together. I think there’s nothing better than spending the holidays with someone you love.

Country With The Best Cuisine…

Definitely, Italy. Their food is so rich and genuine. Italians sure know what good food really is.

Places I’d Like To Discover More…

It would bethe countries in our Scandinavian Cruise before. I’d love to go back to Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Denmark, and Germany. I didn’t have the chance to really go around these countries so I’d like another chance to discover them.

My Dream Trip…

Sand in my toes, sun shining so brightly, beautiful sea in front of me. Say Seychelles or Fiji. Beach bum for a month with Jeffrey.

My Travel Trip…

Don’t waste time on one spot. Devour the place as much as you can. Have an appetite to really know the place. Watch every thing with delight. Enjoy.

The Soundtrack of My Mein Schiff 1 Life (August 2010-June 2011)

2011-07-15T11:20:00.021+08:00

Over the background hum of the aircondition, I can hear my neighbor's radio playing songs relentlessly. A familiar tune hit me with a touch of nostalgia. I grabbed a pen and a paper and listed these songs that reminded me of my glorious 305 days onboard Mein Schiff 1.

1. Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars
(Jeffrey and I's THEME SONG. Yes kids, we have one. I know it's cheesy but let's not liposuction the fun out of this reminiscent blog, yeah?)

2. Memories by Kid Cudi Featuring David Guetta

3. Club Can't Handle Me by Flo Rida Featuring David Guetta
(Ultimate Crew Bar song. Being the frustrated dancers that we are, Jeffrey and I dance to this song when nobody is looking. LOL.)

4. What's My Name? by Rihanna Featuring Drake

5. Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
(Because Jeffrey made me feel like I'm living a Teenage Dream ;p)

6. Fireworks by Katy Perry

7. Love The Way You Lie by Rihanna Featuring Eminem
(Ah, the song that the whole HK Department sing their lungs out whenever it's on MTV Austria or Yavido.)

8. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
(The song played over and over again on the PA System. The song Arvin and I listen to when we're being EMOs.)

In a month or so I'll be going back to the life I left for a while. The difficult life but full of wonderful experiences. The past 305 days weren't easy but I'd go back in a heartbeat to do it all again. I loved the life I've lived in MS1. Ready to start a new beginning in MS1.

2011-07-10T18:59:00.009+08:00

I can’t exactly remember the last time I went up the stage to receive an award. All I remember is that I love making my mama proud so I make sure I always bring home a medal or a ribbon for her. When I went onboard MS1, all I wanted was to finish my contract and put my life back in order. I never expected to get promoted, much more to get an award. I never thought I’d go up the stage again after so many years.

Days before the Monthly Crew Meeting, (Held at the theatre. Hosted by the Ship’s Captain where the Employees of the Month per department are awarded.) Jeffrey insisted on paying for my new work shoes. I thought he wanted me to get new ones because I’ve been whining about my old ones for a long time already. But Jeffrey (And probably the rest of the Housekeeping Department.) knew I was going up the stage to receive an award that's why he got me those shoes. The day finally came and I was still unaware until every crew was gathered in the theatre and the General Manager together with the Captain and Staff Captain called my name. I was super surprised! I don’t know how I managed to walk through the long aisle! All I remember was Jeffrey standing beside me, laughing at my shocked slash embarrased face with his camera on his hand! Up on the stage, our GM read a short note written by my Executive Housekeeper as to why I was chosen as the Employee of the Month for the Housekeeping Department. I don’t recall much of it but it was mentioned that I was helpful, hardworking, and that my smiling never stops. LOL :)) It felt sooo good to be appreciated! It sure is another experience I will never, ever forget for the rest of my life! Here are some shots from the super awesome day!

1.)Me smiling sheepishly with Captain Michael Block and General Manager Rene Peter. 2.) Shaking hands with MS1’s Captain. 3.) The Employees of the Month for February.

I didn’t only get the chance to shake the hands of the Captain, I also got a certificate and the beyond awesome chance to dine at one of the finest restaurants onboard, the Surf & Turf. Jeffrey and I had a blast ordering the most expensive food and drinks on the menu! LOL :))

2011-07-05T13:40:00.003+08:00

For almost every day of my 305 days onboard, I always go to the aft part of the ship to view this beautiful, wonderful and serene sight. This is the time when I pray, think and just stare at the beauty of the sea.

2011-07-04T13:03:00.002+08:00

Me and my sister ate out this afternoon. She asked me what food aside from burger, pasta, pizza, and friend chicken I wanted to eat. I answered INASAL. I missed eating Inasal. Not my favourite food in the world though. But I like eating it so we went to Bacolod's Chicken Inasal. I ordered Deep Fried Crablets together with my Chicken Inasal and Garlic Rice. My food taste like heaven! Sooo yummy! I don't really mind gaining weight because I'll definitely lose it when I go onboard! Ah, so looking forward for more food trips to come!

2011-07-03T11:06:00.002+08:00

Dear Palabok, thank you for making my morning. You don’t know how much I’ve missed you. I’ve waited so long to eat you once again and your yumminess is still unbeatable. I love you so much, Palabok. I could eat you for the rest of my vacation. I’m Addicted to You, Kristina

2011-07-02T11:23:00.005+08:00

I have so much love for these girls!

2011-07-01T22:53:00.004+08:00

Spanish Invaders sold us to the Americans hundreds of years ago and guess what? They’re still selling us up to this day. Yes, you read that right! They’re still making money out of us as these yummy, white chocolate covered cookies! HA-HA-HA. Whenever I do my grocery in any port in Spain, I make sure I buy these yummy cookies! Proud to be a Filipino ;)

2011-07-01T03:00:00.002+08:00

Lucky to have someone who loves me as honestly and as passionately as I love him. Siya na. #IHaveTheRightToBeCornyOnceInAWhile

Ship Life's What You Make It

2011-06-30T23:16:00.006+08:00

10 months ago, I went onboard Mein Schiff 1 as a Cabin Stewardess. My first 2 months were the worst months of my life. I was homesick. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t sleep. Plus, my supervisor was giving me a hard time at work. Kung nakamamatay lang ang mura malamang matagal ng patay ang amo ko na ‘yun. Mean but true, I was silently cursing her to everlasting hell because she was ruining my chance to rebound and put my life back in order again. I cried tons during those months. There were plenty times when I would just cry in my section while working and I would continue the crying over the phone with my mom on the other line after my duty. Those months were so tough I almost gave up. But glad I didn’t because after 4 months I was promoted to GPA#1 HK Admin. Napatunayan ko na totoo nga sabi nila na ikaw ang gagawa ng buhay mo sa barko. Gusto mo umasenso? Seek for opportunities and ye shall find. Seize them when they come your way. Napatunayan ko din na there’s always a rainbow after the rain. My past years were really shitty. But 2010 was my year. Marami akong pangarap na natupad sa taong ‘yan. Of course, made possible by the BEST GUY up there! I hope magtuloy-tuloy ang blessings ‘til my next contract but one thing is for sure, I’d take precious care of what HE has given me!

This is Mein Schiff 1. The ship that gave me my biggest break. The ship that took me to more places I’ve never dreamed of visiting. And the ship that introduced me to Jeffrey Sangalang.

Here are samples of cabins na kinakamahan, binabanyohan, sina-sanitize, dinu-dustingan, at vina-vaccuum ko every morning and evening noong cabinista pa ako. Hate ko ang pagbabanyo, first love ko naman ang pag-be-beddings. Sabihan mo akong pangit mag-beddings, mata lang ang walang latay. I am not the best cabin stewardess but I make nice beds, noh! And that huge corridor down there is my beloved section in Deck 5. Majority of my passengers there are disabled. Bigger cabins, bigger bathrooms, bigger corridor compared to my first section in Deck 4.

This is my Madame Judith Ebner, the person who offered me the position I have never dreamed of. I will never forget that morning when I asked her if she could allow me to apply for an open position onboard in another department. She told me that the position was already taken but I shouldn’t worry because there will be other positions that will open for me. Days after, she went to my section to offer me the biggest break of my life. I am forever indebted to Madame Judith.

This is my Madame Miriam Weber. She is the one who made what Madame Judith offered me possible. She is the coolest boss I’ve ever had. I have so much love and respect for her. She’s one of the reasons why I wanted to be the best in what I do. I owe her big time.

My other BOSSES

The Best Department in the Whole Mein Schiff Fleet

Being GPA #1 HK Admin is not easy though not as difficult as being a Cabin Stewardess. I have paper works, plenty deliveries, calls from the Reception Area, Minibar duties and other tasks assigned to me by my Executive Housekeeper. It is a demanding work but I love it so much. It’s like it isn’t work at all. I get genuinely excited almost each day about my work!

Fruit Plates and Pralines I pick up from the galley and deliver to cabins.

The essentials: my radio and keys. Minibar Items from the pantry.

Sa bawat pagbaba, palaging madami akong storyang baon paguwi. Hindi yung how much ipon meron ako ang sukatan ng yaman para sa akin. Kundi yung lalim at dami ng experiences and learnings na napulot ko sa loob ng 10 months na nilagi ko onboard. :)

2011-06-29T22:41:00.005+08:00

While some people get stone broke from spending excessive amounts of money just to travel different places around the world, Mein Schiff 1 brought me to 35 places for free! Mein Schiff 1 brought me to: Kiel (Germany), Riga (Lettland), Talinn (Estonia), St. Petersburg (Russia), Helsinski (Finland), Stockholm (Sweden), Sassnitz (Rugen), Oslo (Norway), Palma de Mallorca (Spain), La Goulette (Tunisia), Palermo (Sicily), Naples (Italy), Civitavecchia (Italy), Ajaccio (Corsica), Villefrance (France), Barcelona (Spain), Las Palmas (Gran Canaria),(Spain), Cadiz Casablanca (Morroco), Madeira (Portugal), La Palma (Spain), Puerto del Rosario (Spain), Agadir (Morroco), Tenerife (Spain), La Gomera (Spain), Lanzarote (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal), Malaga (Spain), Marseille (France), Valetta (Malta), Monte Carlo (Monaco), Piraeus (Greece), Kusadasi (Turkey), Mykonos, and Livorno (Italy). I was able to visit all of these places in 305 days! And for every place I visit, I make sure I buy something from that place and here are some of my latest treasures!

2011-06-24T10:58:00.001+08:00

After 10 long months, I finally saw my BABE Anie Ordillo! Tacos + Iced Tea + Tsismisan = Fun night at Iguana's!

2010-08-16T09:44:00.000+08:00

Please Don't Watch This Video

2010-08-15T22:07:00.002+08:00

My Home Away from Home Until God-Knows-When

2010-08-12T08:35:00.000+08:00

Thoughts of the Day

2010-08-10T13:59:00.001+08:00

Ready, set, Tuesday.
Not happy. Not sad. Just blah.
I miss the sun.
Tori Amos is amazing.
90s was a great decade. I'd go back to it in a heartbeat.
Wish music still sounded like before.
I need new tunes.
Falling face first in a giant chocolate cake is not a pretty sight but it's going to be a delicious fall.
That day when I first saw him in his desk, scared and nervous, I have lost my heart forever.
We will never see things eye to eye but I love him because he is my friend.
He is my friend and I love him but I won't desert my ideals.
Forgiveness is liberating.
Blogging is healthy.
My fingers are in love when I am typing.
Milklicious.
Am I the only one who's this obsessed with milk?
What was it that I dreamed of doing since I was a kid? Cliched as it may sound but my answer would be: To travel the world.
So maybe, just maybe, I was born to do this.
God reveals His Self in every tiny part of our lives.
I know a guy who's story mirrored my own so well. Meeting him was a blessing.
Do you have paranoid personality traits? I do. My mother is my favorite victim. I always shush her in fear that other people will hear our conversation.
Too many people are unappreciative. Not me. Nosireee.
I want to cut my hair. Like shoulder length. Yay or nay?
I love this Shih Tzu lying beside me.
I don't know if I'll ever love the Cocker Spaniel my sister just bought the way I love this furry dog.
Worrywart. Yeah, that's me.
No one can totally shake the past off. But every one can get on with their lives.
Rich, beautiful, popular. You practically have everything and people kiss your ass. SO? I repeat: SO?
I once said that I'm done with ship life. Well, scratch that. I'm going back to it.
Guten Morgen. Guten Tag. Guten Abend. Gute Nacht. Auf Wiedersehen. Must learn more German phrases. Ugh.
I'm still not entirely decided if I want kids in the future but I know that I have it in me to be a good mother.
I want to be somebody's forever but I don't need someone right now.
I am currently the poster girl for contended singledom.
Most of the time, I am glad to have less. Why? Because if I had everything what will I have left to strive for?
When I feel powerless, this is what I tell myself: I am not a genius but I am not empty-headed either. I should stop worrying. I'm far too great for that. I CAN DO THIS.
Sharted is the grossiest thing I've ever heard.
I love the internet with all my heart. What would I be without it?
It will be helluva lot more fun if there's WIFI Access in every nook and cranny of the world.
Am freer than ever.
The day has finally come to an end.
And finally, I am at a loss for words.

8/9/10 Karaoke Night with the Super Adorable Ordillo Girls!

2010-08-09T11:52:00.002+08:00

2010-08-08T11:09:00.000+08:00

Have you ever been in love? Horrible, isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and opens your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses. You build up this whole armor, for years, so no one can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life. You give them a piece of you. They don't ask for it. They do something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so a simple phrase like 'maybe we should just be friends' turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the mind. It's a soul hurt, a body hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. I hate love.

-Neil Gaiman

2010-08-07T21:58:00.000+08:00

Name: Choco DOB: April 28, 2010 Breed: American Cocker Spaniel

Our newest, super adorable baby!

2010-08-07T14:14:00.006+08:00

MY. FAVORITE. PENDANTS. IN. THE. WHOLE. WORLD. Need I say more? I love these pendants simply because they're from my two precious friends Krystal and Tai :)

2010-08-07T00:06:00.000+08:00

Me too! Me too! Every time I tweet, post my FB status, blog, smile, laugh, step, wink, stick my tongue out etc. I wanna say THAT JUST HAPPENED!

2010-08-06T13:02:00.001+08:00

Renzo Marcus and Gaje Xavier are the boys I love to infinity and beyond! This is one of their recent pictures I took from their mom's Facebook Account. Those tree branches, by the way, are part of their 86-year-old tree which had to come down after the big storm they experienced 2 weeks ago. Anyhoo, I SO MISS THESE BOYS! I miss that skater boi and that brainy little one in orange shirt!

Fun, fun, fun day with my AmityTreeHouse Friends!

2010-08-05T12:24:00.000+08:00

2010-08-04T19:22:00.003+08:00

But don’t forget who you really are. And I’m not talking about your so-called real name. All names are made up by someone else, even the one your parents gave you. You know who you really are. When you’re alone at night, looking up at the stars, or maybe lying in your bed in total darkness, you know that nameless person inside you. Your muscles will toughen. So will your heart and soul. That’s necessary for survival. But don’t lose touch with that person deep inside you, or else you won’t really have survived at all.

-Louis Sachar

The Bible is overflowing with verses about LOVE and this one is the BEST.

2010-08-03T19:20:00.000+08:00

To Risk by William Arthur Ward

2010-08-02T19:07:00.000+08:00

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk revealing your true self.
To place you ideas, your dreams, before a crowd
is to risk rejection.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk disappointment.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard
in life is to risk nothing.
Those who risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing,
And become nothing.
They may avoid present suffering and sorrow, but they
will not learn, feel, change, grow, love, or live.
Chained by their fear, they are slaves who have forfeited
their freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.
The pessimist complains about the wind;
The optimist expects it to change;
And the realist adjusts the sails.

The Girl Effect: Invest in a GIRL and she will do the rest.

2010-07-31T17:22:00.003+08:00

Life's Simple Pleasures

2010-07-24T10:57:00.011+08:00

I got this idea from Bianca Gonzalez. This is a day project wherein you'll list down those little pleasant things that happened to your day amidst all the chaos. I really enjoyed doing this. So here's my version of LIFE'S SIMPLE PLEASURES!

1. Receiving an encouraging quote thru text which says: "Olives are crushed to make the best oil. Grapes are squeezed to make the finest wine. Roses are processed to make the most fragrant perfume. Have you been crushed, squeezed or pressed by life's trials and difficulties? Be glad. God's bringing out the best in you. Have a great day with Jesus!"

2. Visiting one of my favourite churches in the world, Manila Cathedral.

3. Signing a contract with Sir Jullian, my processor. Tentative joining date, tentative joining port and tentative ship assignment. Everything is tentative but I'm surely leaving. Soon. *Crosses fingers, toes and all body parts possible.*

4. Wasting time on one of the best ACCESSORIES HAVEN in Quiapo.

5. Having some tira money to buy my baby sister her favourite Korean noodles on my way home from Manila. (I don't know why she's so crazy about those noodles. I tried to eat those before but damn, my tongue screamed for mercy!)

6. Eating KORNETS the old-school way while watching TV.

7. Drinking my latest addiction: Bear Brand Sterilized Milk.

8. Receiving a message from a blog reader asking why I drink Calamansi Juice every morning. LOL.

9. Learning something new. Learned that Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins I need every day. Just one Cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acide, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. So I asked my Mama to buy me some! Healthy food for the win!

10. Ending my day with ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. Wish music still sounded like before. Love THE BEATLES.

Bella the Giant Bunny

2010-07-23T09:33:00.004+08:00

I am always away from home these days. My feet are actually screaming from abuse. Yesterday, I finally had a daycation from the busy life I’ve been leading lately. I had the chance to just marinate at home and be the lazybones that I am. I was so astonished when I saw Bella yesterday. She was so big and more energetic than I remember. I can’t believe how fast a bunny can grow. Last I checked, she was just a plump, squishy, baby bunny! I still love Bella but I am kind of scared to cuddle her now. Look at her in that picture. SO HUGE.

It's Raining Gifts! Hallelujah!

2010-07-22T09:24:00.001+08:00

I rarely receive gifts. So whenever I receive one I get really excited. It's not even my birthday but these stuffs are given by my best friend Anie Ordillo from her Singapore trip last month. I am so happy to receive all of these! I have another mug and keychain to add to my collection! And yay for my first ever watch ring! I have always wanted one ever since I was a kid! Thank you so much Anie Ordillo! You are the best BABE in the world :)

2010-07-12T14:04:00.000+08:00

Well, Lookie Here!

2010-07-11T09:57:00.003+08:00

This is me at my prep graduation. Months after this, Mt. Pinatubo erupted. Me and my sisters were home-schooled for a year. Mama was our teacher. I learned to read and write at home not in school. Learning truly begins at home. #Scanning Through the Kaleidoscope of Memories

2010-07-09T13:18:00.002+08:00

BUT for others to campaign to not have her on GLEE just because she doesn't have an American accent and is not pretty enough is just MEAN. I don't like her but I am proud that a Filipino will be on GLEE. I hate racism so much. I can't believe how small-minded some people can be. Actually, I heard from my mom just now that racist attacks in Northern Ireland targets Filipinos. Un-freaking-believable. May mga ganyan kasamang tao ba talaga?

Aye, aye Captain!

2010-07-08T09:24:00.000+08:00

Last Tuesday, I started my Crowd Management Training at HTC near Pier 15 in Manila. There were 30 of us and 3 out of those were girls including me. It’s difficult to go through trainings like that wherein, majority of trainees are men. But fortunately, I’m kind of immune to men's kaberdehan. Girly-girls will never make it to the end of the training because men especially seafarers get a kick out by preying on women. You’ll get teased non-stop and it’s a sorry fact of life that men are such fans of green jokes. Kung nun-like ka, mapapasuko ka talaga no matter how badly you need the certificate. Buti na lang di na ako masyado nun-like. *Smiles Sheepishly*

I have gone through many trainings where majority of my co-trainees were men but this one was downright the most crazy training I’ve ever attended. I enjoyed every second of it and I felt like I truly belong in the crowd; a crowd of dreamers who wish to see the world. Our instructor, Capt. R. Baltazar is a wicked clown. He is 74 years old but still as sharp as a 25-year-old man. I could never find a more qualified instructor than him. He is well-travelled, book/street-smart, and a royal green minded and swearer. *Laughs* The prudes’ jaws will definitely drop upon hearing Capt. Baltazar blurt out TANGINA and ULOL in front of the class. But I, on the other hand, loved it! Swearers love each other, you know!

The whole training was very significant. We were taught how to handle a crowd when trouble arises onboard. We also had a practicum at SuperFerry 12. I was so stoked to be the Muster Station Leader. I got the chance to hold an actual radio and act like some boss who commands my crew what to do. It was super fun except for the fact that we experienced a thunderstorm while onboard. I had my first taste of rough sea after a long time and I was mothereffing dizzy in an instant! But all in all, this is another experience that I will never, ever forget.

Capt. R. Baltazar: I manned a cargo ship from Singapore to Peru. Panahon ng amihan at that time. Ang lalaki ng alon. Yung chief cook ko na medyo babakla-bakla lumapit sa akin just to ask me kung babalik ba kami for safety. I said NO. Kapag bumalik na kami doon na kami mayayari. Tuloy kung tuloy. Dapat matapang. Parang ganyan din dapat sa buhay ng tao.

Capt. R. Baltazar: So you’re from Angeles City, Kristina?
Kristina: Yes, Captain.
Capt. R. Baltazar: From the City of Angels, huh? What kind of angel are you?
Kristina: *Shrugs*

Fun Day with The BB Anonymous/My Angelite Co-Editors

2010-07-06T17:10:00.002+08:00

Someone You Want To Give A Second Chance

2010-07-05T14:00:00.000+08:00

Dearest Kenneth Liba,

I know you have been praying for a second chance and I am happy to say that you’re finally getting it. The past 2 years have been heartbreaking for us and I want you to know that you are no longer persona non grata here. Our 15 long years of friendship is too precious to just throw away. Come visit me anytime. We need to catch up on each other. I miss you so much, Kenneth.

Your Sister From Another Mother,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

Person I Miss So Much #2

2010-07-05T12:09:00.002+08:00

Dear Jayson Palomar,

Since I’m a very good friend, I decided to put you in this category instead on the PEOPLE WHO PESTER MY MIND. I figured that even though you annoy the hell out of me, I miss you so much. Whenever I go through our Costa Romantica pictures, I can’t help but smile when I remember you, Ranesa and I running around Deck 3 playing hide and seek. I am blessed to have you as a friend. And I am happy that we are still in touch with each other after all these years. We still share things to each other, advise each other and worst of all, you still call me HAPPY FEET. I don’t know why you get your jollies by calling me that but I have forgiven you a long time ago. I know you normally wear a straitjacket. It just so happen that you forgot to put it in your suitcase when you went there in Canada. I miss you so much, Jay.

Urf, urf, urf,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

Person I Miss So Much #1

2010-07-05T12:03:00.001+08:00

Dear Ranesa Moraca,

You are one of the few real people I am so fortunate to find in a ship filled with hypocrites. I was sad to leave you but I had to save me before the big, bad ship swallows me. There are so many things that I miss about you, Ranesa. I miss visiting different places, hunting cheap clothes, trying different cuisines, laughing, crying and talking with YOU. We were each other’s rock during those tough months away from home. God is really great because He always gives us the right people in our lives. I am so thankful to have you. I know you’re onboard right now and chances are really small that I’ll be able to see you before long. I miss you so much, Ranesa.

May Our Paths Cross Once Again,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

Person Who Never Believed in My Abilities #2

2010-07-05T12:02:00.000+08:00

Eeriest Ex-Editor,

I am sorry if you wanted a blabbermouth for an editor. Unlike you, I only speak when I have something rational to say. My being quiet doesn’t make me stupid. I just don’t have the time for senseless chats about the superficial things you dig so much. I know you hate me for not kissing your ass just like everybody else. I just know your type and I am wary of people like you. You talk like you know everything but the pathetic truth is you don’t.

FU Very Much,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

Person Who Never Believed in My Abilities #1

2010-07-05T12:00:00.001+08:00

Eeriest Ex-Teacher,

Dramatic as it may sound, but you never believed in me. I know you belittle me because I am not one of those rich, foreign kids you love so much. I know you feel that I don’t deserve every effing award I have received because I am just a mere Pinoy, broke kid. Your lack of confidence used to make me sad. I actually hate myself for allowing your unreasonableness and superciliousness to affect me all those years. I will never forget that day my classmates told you I passed the UPCAT examination. I was the only and probably the first student at that time from that mothereffing school to pass that exam but you didn’t even give a shit about it. I have forgiven you a long time ago but I will never ever forget how you treated me.

FU Very Much,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

A Deceased Person I Wish I Could Talk To

2010-07-05T11:58:00.002+08:00

Dearest Nanay Rosita Miras,

I want to talk to you and not really write to you. But what can I do? This is probably the closest thing to being able to talk to you. Losing you was so painful but I know you had a wonderful life. I am not the best granddaughter but I hope I’ve made you proud. It has been 8 years since you’ve left us and you’re still in my thoughts. I really wish you’re still here with us. I’d love to hear more of your stories about life in Bicol during the Japanese Invasion. And I’d love to learn how to sew as good as you are. There are so many things I could still learn from you if only you’re here. All the same, thank you Nanay for all the wisdom that you have imparted in me. Thank you for giving me a wonderful mom. I love you so much, Nanay.

Your Granddaughter Who Misses You So Much,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

People I Don’t Talk to As Much As I’d Like To

2010-07-05T11:58:00.001+08:00

Dearest Janee Belcher, Ronalyn Finez and Ermilyn Finez,

You are the 3 people I don’t talk to as much as I’d like to. It saddens me that it has to be this way but I guess it is for the best. We have all seen each other at our lowest and during the short time I’ve spent with you all, each of you has grown in me. I care for you all like my own sisters. I love you all like I’ve known you for all my life. I wish you girls all the best in life. Be careful always. Remember that mistakes are allowed but don’t commit the ones which you can never undo. Love each other especially your mom. Never turn your backs on each other. You can change your boyfriends and find new friends but your mom and dad will always be irreplaceable. I love you so much Janee, Ronalyn and Ermilyn. I hope to see you all soon. I’m just here for all of you.

I love my Belcher/Finez Girls,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

My Favourite Author at the Moment

2010-07-05T11:52:00.002+08:00

Dearest Charlaine Harris,

It is not a secret that I am obsessed with your Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries. I have confessed over and over again how much I love your characters especially Eric Northman. I thank you for giving me another reason to be happy in this life. I am forever indebted to you, Charlaine.

I heard you signed to write 3 or 4 more books before you’ll end the series. I wish you’d give what majority of your fans want. Please don’t be a killjoy. Kill Bill, take away Sam from the story or turn Claude into a transgender for all I care, just make sure Sookie Stackhouse and Eric Northman will end up with each other. I don’t want to analyse things too much but after reading the tenth book I believe you have just given your readers a hint on how’s it gonna be for Sookie and Eric. Please prove me wrong, Charlaine Harris. Don’t break my heart.

Alcide Herveaux is hot but I believe Eric Northman is still the man for Sookie Stackhouse,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

Someone I Wish I Could Meet

2010-07-05T11:49:00.000+08:00

Dearest Sarah Meier,

You are someone I wish I could meet. I’ve always admired women who do not belong to the stereotypical girl mold. To me, women like you should be emulated or better cloned. I just had enough of women who are flashy, self-assured and brainless. You are a breath of fresh air in this world infested with women whose bra sizes are bigger than their IQs. I know you’ll never change, Sarah. Nothing will ever change that heart and mind of yours. You are an awesome woman.

Thank God for Awesome People,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

Someone from My Childhood

2010-07-05T11:42:00.003+08:00

Dearest William James Powe Jr.,

Odd but true, I’ve been thinking about you lately. I have Googled you many times but failed on finding you. How’s the land down under treating you and your wife, man? Last I heard about you is through Rainier Sarabia. He was telling me about your drunken episode. According to him, you were bawling like a baby and dreading the day you’ll be hopping on the plane back to Australia. I bet you are not sad anymore because you have your wife there already.

Anyway, I am really proud of you, William. I used to be worried that you’d fuck up in life. But gladly, you didn’t. Instead, you made something out of your life. Since we were kids I knew you were something else. You were always interested in things normal kids wouldn’t give a hoot about. I actually envied you because you knew so much for a 4th grader. I just don’t understand what the hell happened to you in high school. Maybe it was the hormones or… I really don’t know, man. You were pretty crazy in high school. But despite that, you are still one of my most favourite people from my childhood. I actually miss you visiting me every afternoon with CDs on hand. I never had the chance to thank you for introducing Arkarna to me. I am really thankful, William. I wish I could see you again so we could catch up on each other. I miss you, Armadong Kulot. I really do.

I Am So Thankful the Land Down Under Didn’t Fuck You Up,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

Someone AWAY that I Care For

2010-07-05T11:10:00.003+08:00

Dearest Geelyn Lacanlale,

We are not the best of friends but I care for you. I get worried when I see you feeling low. I want you to know that I’m here for you even though we’re miles apart. I can’t give you the best advice in the world but I sure know how to listen when all you need is someone to talk to. You are a very wonderful person, Gee. And I want to thank you for not hesitating to share pieces of your life with me. I appreciate your honesty and trust in me. Be always courageous, Gee. Remember that nobody is exempted from pain and suffering. Those two are part of our lives. We cannot steer clear of them but we can always surpass them. Take care of yourself, Gee. I wish you all the best in life!

I Care for You,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

My Favourite Internet Friend

2010-07-05T11:01:00.005+08:00

Dearest Joseph Adrian Tulio,

Well, well, well. Who would have thought that you and I would be internet friends? We never even talked when we were in college, for heaven’s sake! We were almost in the same class every semester but we never had the chance to actually know each other. It’s like we know each other’s name but we don’t know anything other than that until only recently. Well, ain’t Facebook great? If it wasn’t for Facebook, you wouldn’t know that we have the same gloomy experience. If it wasn’t for Facebook, I wouldn’t know that you are one killer writer. If it wasn’t for Facebook, we wouldn’t have the chance to talk. I am really happy to be able to exchange views with you. There’s nothing like a good conversation with a bright person. I am actually guilty of typecasting. I didn’t expect that behind your quiet boy façade is a brilliant mind. Forgive me, man. And before I bawl like a baby here, I just want to remind you na bawal bumigay. You and I have to be the straightest straight people on Earth! *Guffaws* Anyway, I hope to read more of your brain-droppings and to talk to you just about everything under the sun!

May We Remain The Straightest Straight People On Earth,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

My Favourite Neighbour

2010-07-05T10:53:00.006+08:00

Dearest Leo Jan Tuvera,

You are my favourite neighbour because 1. You supply me with awesome movies. and 2. You are the brightest neighbour I’ve ever had! I am lucky to be friends with a top-notch Aeronautics Engineer who is so giving. You actually saved me a lot of money, Jan. I didn’t have to buy pirated DVDs anymore because I get my supplies from you. Yay to you too because you also have good taste in movies! I have never received a crappy movie supply from you. I just wish that you are not that anti-social. I don’t know how I am going to convince you to create your Facebook Account. Please don’t be a pooper, man. It doesn’t hurt to join the mainstreamers once in a while! Anyway, thank you so much Jan! Hoping to receive more movie supplies from you!

I Owe You 12 Bars of Cloud 9,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

My Crush #3

2010-07-05T10:39:00.003+08:00

Dearest Pharrell Williams,

I’ve been a fan ever since the first album of N.E.R.D. was released. You and Chad Hugo are so talented. You brought wicked music arrangements in the music industry. And aside from being so artistic, you are sinfully good-looking too. You are such a babe, man. I’m actually gasping for air every time I see you. I think you are perfect. I love you, Pharrell.

Future Mrs. Williams, (If Alexander Skarsgard and Mark Salling are too dumb to notice me.)

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

My Crush #2

2010-07-05T10:34:00.003+08:00

Dearest Mark Salling,

I absolutely, indisputably and unquestionably love you, Mark! Your thousand watt-smile is gulp-inducing. Your sexy singing voice is knee-weakening. You are exactly what a man should look like. I am shamelessly besotted with you, Mark. Your cover of Sweet Caroline never fails to make me smile. I can be your forever, you know. You and I would make a great couple. Listen to your heart, Babe. I know it says that I’m THE ONE.

Future Mrs. Salling, (If Alexander Skarsgard chooses to be with the Harlot, Tramp, Whore, Jezebel, Ho.)

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

My Crush #1

2010-07-05T10:25:00.004+08:00

Dearest Alexander Skarsgård,

Never in the history of the mankind had there been a better-looking man than you. You are a 10 on my scale of gorgeousness but you are definitely at the bottom of the class when it comes to women! Come on, my Viking Honey! You know better than to get involved with Kate Bosworth! Your numerous pictures together are definitely appetite depressants. Can’t you guys at least hide from the paparazzi? A little consideration for me, at least? I have feelings too, you know. I get hurt when I see that girl feasting on you. I love you so much, Alex. You are my fantasy personified. I’ll let you wander for now. I know I am your forever, anyway. It’s gonna be you and me in the end.

Future Mrs. Skarsgård,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

My Sibling #2

2010-07-05T10:17:00.002+08:00

Dearest Anne,

There are days when I just love being around you. Chatting, laughing and just fooling around with you. But there are days too when I just want to thwack your head, Frisbee a slipper in your direction or give your ears a good hard twist. We have a love and hate relationship. We are like aso’t pusa. Sometimes, Mama can’t do anything but groan in frustration when we’re in an insult-throwing fest. But despite all of these, I love you so much, my baby sister. Thank you so much for everything. Thank you for your influences. I adore David Guetta and Michelle Phan so much. And lastly, be a good girl always, Anne. Remember to always follow you ATEs. I’m your ATE so follow me, ok?

Your Loving Sister Who Wants to Thwack Your Head Sometimes,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

My Sibling #1

2010-07-05T09:59:00.003+08:00

Dearest Ate Lai,

I noticed two sisters strolling around the mall the other day and I remembered our times together. Baduy but true, I miss you so much. I miss hearing you tease me to tears about my badush ex-teammate. I miss your utos. I miss your laugh. I miss your naggings. I miss your silly jokes. I miss receiving meaningless text messages and emails from you. I miss our tsismisan moments. I miss proofreading your articles. I miss lending you my stuffs. I miss your encouragements. I miss your joie de vivre. I miss my ATE. I miss YOU. I hope you’re not working too hard and pag may mabaho, singhot ka lang ng nail polish remover. Isang bote pinadala namin sayo ni Mama. Mabuhay ang mga I***** PANA! I hope to see you soon! By the way, say THANK YOU to Kuya Ghe for me. I love you both so much and thank you for always supporting me. Best of luck to both of you!

Your Loving Sister Who Had a Badush Teammate,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

My Parents

2010-07-05T09:55:00.004+08:00

Dearest Mama and Papa,

Without the two of you, I am nothing. I could repeatedly disappoint my own self but I could never do that to both of you. Sometimes, you guys have a serious power trip going on but that’s ok. I love you both more than life. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me. I am not the best daughter in the world. In fact and according to both of you, although simple girl is written all over my face, I am a very, very weird girl. I don’t know what to make of that but I thank you for loving me unconditionally even if I’m a very, very weird girl. They say that the best thing parents can do for their kids is to love each other and stay together. I am so lucky to receive more than that. Thank you and I love you, Mama and Papa!

Your Very, Very Weird Daughter Who Loves You Very, Very much,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

My Bestfriends #2

2010-07-05T09:49:00.003+08:00

Dearest AmityTreeHouse Friends,

Do you guys realize it was twelve years ago that we were first in front of class all together trying to learn when all we wanted to do is to chat, giggle and play around? TWELVE YEARS. Well, ain’t that impressive? I love you people with all my heart. I have spent the best years of my life which is highschool with all of you, my AmityTreeHouse Friends. All of you are impossible to forget and the best present by far that I could ever receive would be for all of us to be together again. I love you all!

12 YEARS and Still Counting,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

My Bestfriends #1

2010-07-05T09:42:00.005+08:00

Dearest Anie Ordillo and Sheila Marie Soriano,

There is an aphorism that goes something like, “If you put two neurotics in a room of one hundred people, they’d find each other.” In a sea of people, I am very sure we’d effortlessly spot each other. Not that we’re neurotics but I guess it’s our bond that will always draw us to each other. Our friendship has gone so far, far better than I could have imagined. We share many things together aside from our common neuroses on books, movies, TV shows and ahem, men. I couldn’t be any happier to have both of you as my bestfriends. My life would be plain boring without the two of you and bluntly, I couldn’t picture my life without you girls in it. I am very sure we will have many more goodtimes to share and let me thank you girls for the happiness you brought in my lacklustre life. Thank you, thank you, thank you LOVERS! And I love you, I love you, I love you LOVERS! You girls are in my prayers. As always. Cheers to us!

Love, Sinfully Good-looking Vampires, Hot Shape-Shifters, Never-ending Friendship and Happiness,

Kristina “Nang-Nang” Miras de Vera

Letters, letters, letters!

2010-07-03T12:35:00.002+08:00

Don’t you just love letters? I personally love writing and receiving them. I don’t care about the length or its appearance. I am always after its content. Since elementary I’ve been writing and receiving letters from my friends and it is something I badly miss. People nowadays have already turned their backs on what used to be fun and writing letters is one of those. I blame modern life for that.

A few days ago my best friends Anie Ordillo and Sheila Marie Soriano started a TUMBLR project. They've been writing a post per day in letter form for different people in their lives. Brilliant, right? I was so psyched to receive two letters from each and I thought I’d like to do that project too. I don’t know if I am going to follow the per day instruction but I will be writing letters to more or less 30 people in my life. I know better than to stop when I’m on roll so probably I’ll be posting 10 letters per day. Hihi. I will be starting this project very soon. So wait for it guys! Don’t you just want to know who’s that someone I’m willing to give a second chance to? *Grins*

My TA-DA Moment has finally arrived!

2010-07-01T12:21:00.001+08:00

Have you heard some people saying that they just know its right because it’s right? Well, that may appear like some crappy riddle to you but right now I get what that means. I just know it. I just really, really, really know it. God has sent many signs my way and since Tuesday, things have been working out right. God has used many people to deliver the signs. I’m so thankful right now but I won’t bore you people with the details. My smile each morning actually holds more sunshine than the sun shining in the clear, morning sky! Pessimists and a big, nasty zit can’t drag me down right now! I AM GOING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

And the Big, Bad World Got Him

2010-06-30T10:03:00.004+08:00

I hate to see people going to the disastrous. I hate to see people turning their backs on their families and friends. I hate to see people getting sucked up by the big, bad world. I hate to see people like these, especially when they are my friends and I just couldn’t do a thing to stop them. Sometimes I wish I could simply frisbee a slipper in their heads and they would rapidly wake up. But that’s not how things work. We can never help people who don’t want to be helped.

Nothing I could write, would fix things. I lost another friend, whose values and ideals were swallowed by freedom and excess into oblivion. I wish I could understand the psychology of it. I really wish I could. I just don’t get how some people can abandon the true people in their lives. It’s painful to see them turn into a whole new, dismaying person.

I’ve always believed that God has a reason why He brings a certain person in our lives. My optimistic self thinks that it’s because God knows we are the only person who can understand them. I’d waste my breath, swallow my pride and endure embarrassment just to save a friend but I have a limit. I cannot save a person who is too intractable. I cannot do god-like things. Sad but true, some people are just in for a rude awakening. They would never know what they had ‘til it’s gone.

Lucy and Jude across the universe!

2010-06-29T12:56:00.003+08:00

No banal description could do justice to the awesomeness of Across the Universe. It is a movie I regret not watching as soon as it came out. I am like, what in the ever-loving world was I doing at the time Across the Universe was in theatres? This movie kicked-butt and it is a galore of things I love: the 70s era, The Beatles, the you-have-to-wander-first-to-find-where-you-truly-belong kind of story and love, love, love. This movie now topped my list of best movies ever. Yay to you if you have already seen this movie. But to those who haven’t seen this movie, who belong in the music crazy demographic and believes that songs mirror our lives, I have six words for you people: YOU. HAVE. TO. SEE. THIS. MOVIE.

2010-06-12T12:35:00.000+08:00

Fun day with Ayesha and Anie!

2010-06-09T11:02:00.000+08:00

2010-06-02T13:55:00.003+08:00

Proud owner of a hardbound copy of DEAD IN THE FAMILY! *Grins* Thank you 1,000,000x to my lover, Sheila Marie Soriano!

Book Review: Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

2010-06-01T12:15:00.001+08:00

The Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries is a guilty pleasure of mine. I am madly in love with this series and I waited so long for the 10th book to be published. As a matter of fact, I instantly dropped the book I was reading when my Dead in the Family book arrived from New Jersey (Thank you 1,000,000x Sheila Marie Soriano!). As with all the Sookie Stackhouse books, I couldn't put down this novel. I hadn't planned on reading it straight through but the book hooked me although I am quite sad that the plot is too light. I am not saying it's a bad book because it's not. It's just that Book 10 falls short of Charlaine Harris' usual work. It's a good follow up to Book 9 and a good set-up for Book 11 but I am really disappointed with the lack of Sookie and Eric moments. I need more and I wish their few moments were not that yawnish. Well I guess I expected too much from this book. But, I maybe a little disappointed that Dead in the Family is lacking strong plot, my loyalty to Charlaine Harris has no limit so I am willing to waiting another whole year for Book 11. One last thing though, Jason gave blood to Pam right? Ever wonder what that will mean in Book 11? Oh well, until Book 11!

Fun day with my FARTy People!

2010-05-31T11:00:00.002+08:00

LITERARY VALIUMS

2010-05-26T13:22:00.005+08:00

Chick Literature, Romance Novels or what your religious parents would call, Dirty Girl Books, are literary Valiums that have been cheering me up since I first laid my hands on them when I was still a teen. I have fallen in and out of love with lots of heroes from all the books I’ve read and I am so hooked I feel low when I don't get my daily dose. I used to be a closet reader of these books but since I learned that Miriam Defensor-Santiago reads them I decided to come out. So here I am livin' la vida open that I read romance novels! Haha. A month ago, I have devoured all the paperbacks I have in my shelves but grazie mille to all the unselfish community sites for my fresh supplies! Writers and publishers would curse me to everlasting hell if they find out that I’ve been getting my supply of Ebooks illegally but what can I do? I’m poor and I’m not one of those never-had-to-work-up-a-sweat-to-get-everything-they-ever-wanted creatures! So if you’re poor like me and you want some literary Valium, just Google it! Do not underestimate the power of your fingers! *Grinning Like An Idiot*

P.S. If you're having a hard time finding literary Valiums, drop me a message and I'll share with you my 200 plus Ebooks. *Winks*

P.S.S. My lover, Sheila Marie Soriano, holler if you ran out of supplies! Haha.

Lalaban Tayo!

2010-05-16T10:57:00.003+08:00

Six days ago, I participated in the first automated elections. I nearly lost the chance to vote because my name was missing. I patiently went through the piles of voter’s lists in every precinct. I almost gave up but I told my self, I cannot let another dishonest person be my President for the next six years. This is my chance to help elect someone who could clean up the mess and not continue the evil works of their predecessors. After an hour of rummaging around, I finally found my precinct and endured another 4 hours from the holding room to the voting room. It was an excruciating 5 hours but it all paid off because Senator Aquino has won.

Before the elections, I have engaged in many debates with people I know why NOYNOY would make a great President. I’ve been called a blind believer, a follower pathetically swayed by the many celebrities supporting him and worst of all, a fan of her sister Kris Aquino. I got pissed with the insults but my all time answer when Villar, GIBO, Gordon and ERAP supporters pounce on me was: NOYNOY is my president. He may not have Villar’s strong experience, GIBO’s brains, Gordon’s unwavering ability to reach out in times of need and ERAP’s unfailing charm to the ‘masa’ but NOYNOY is the face of hope. Hindi siya ang pinakamagaling na kandidato pero siya lang ang nakitaan ko ng MUKHA NG PAGASA.

The next six years will not be very easy for Mr. Aquino but like the millions of people who voted for him, I have so much faith in him. I know he can fulfil his promises at kaya niyang dalhin ang Pilipinas sa daang matuwid. Many people will oppose him and will try to bring him down but I know he has the courage and will to raise the Philippines from the sticky situation we are in. I love the Philippines so much. I hope for a greater Philippines. I hope he can bring back the lost glory of our country. So our DEAR NOYNOY, please don’t fail us. Lead us sa daang matuwid and we’ll follow.

Teacher Kaye

2010-05-07T10:55:00.006+08:00

People come and go in our lives. Some we forget, some remain in our hearts and Teacher Kaye is among the people I never forgot and have loved through and through. She made a huge difference in my life despite the fact that she has only been my teacher for a year in 4th grade. She is what my friend Anie Ordillo calls, an agent of change, the type of teacher who doesn’t just give you the facts but boosts your morale and pushes you to be the best version of yourself. I was a transferee in L’Altra Montessori School in 1995 when I first met her. I came from Francisco School in Quezon City and being in a new school populated by foreign kids, I was definitely shocked. During my first week in LMSI, I felt so out-of-place. I always felt like 20 pairs of eyes were fixed on me with the kind of deadly fascination you usually give an eerie insect. Going to school was something I didn’t look forward to then but as time progressed, LMSI became my second home and I couldn’t be any happier to belong to Teacher Kaye’s advisory class. Teacher Kaye’s teaching style is different from my previous teachers. She never bored us, she was sincerely interested in us and the smile on her face never seemed to fade all throughout the day. Each of us was special in her eyes and best of all, she understood us. I am forever thankful to Teacher Kaye for making me feel that I have it in me and that I can achieve whatever it is that I want to achieve. I never thought I’d be top 1 of the class and win in quiz bees but Teacher Kaye believed in me and gave me the opportunity to prove myself. Learning through her was a fun experience and it is etched in my mind forever. I’ll never forget our “It’s A Long Walk” game. I’ll never forget the joy of learning dance steps with her. I’ll never forget how much I loved volleyball because of her. I’ll never forget that happy morning when we discovered that our pet fish gave birth to many tiny fishes. I’ll never forget her awesome stories. I’ll never forget how we guffawed at finding out Katrina’s missing Tupperware with rotten food in it. I’ll never forget that day when Kenneth and I helped her to clean the classroom and bought us ice cream. I’ll never forget that FUN DAY when she tasked me to entertain the foreigner parents in our Leap Frog Booth because she wants me to overcome my shyness and learn how to communicate with foreigners. I’ll never forget everything I’ve learned from her. My 4th grade is certainly the highlight of my elementary days, the best year that one way or another made the person that I am today.

Teacher Kaye is still the same pretty and loving teacher I first met 15 years ago. I am happy to be still in touch with her and share things like we’ve never been apart. But more than that, I am so happy and overwhelmingly touched that she is still there, advising me, caring for me and the boy that we’ve always been protective of. I am so lucky to have a Teacher Kaye in my life. I’ve had so many teachers in my whole life but no one has ever replaced her. She is and will always be my favourite teacher.

I LOVE YOU TEACHER KAYE and THANK YOU SO MUCH!

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”-George Bernard Shaw

Who aside from me knows that sneakiness is the best way to learn the truth? It's Cha2x, that's who!

2010-05-06T11:18:00.010+08:00

You are liable to think that I am drunk, undergoing torture or on drugs but I am not. I just feel like blogging about my dear guy friend, Charlene John Ross Pimentel who, aside from me, knows so well that sneakiness is the best way to catch an adulterous slime! *Guffaws* The story of our friendship embarked on 2002. We were in our first year in college taking the same course we half-heartedly took because of our inability to identify what we really wanted to be. He was the class clown. The boy who was so vigorous, always chatting and laughing with classmates while I was the girl in one corner waiting for dismissal when the class hasn’t even began. Cha2x and I instantly clicked. He was one of the few people who made my college life unforgettable because he was fun to be with. He is not pretentious and you can expect so much LOL moments with him. He is also my supplier of the freshest gossip in our college! Well, he might disagree with that one but really, he is. Haha. I remember one time in our Speech Class, we were asked by our Helena Bonham Carter look-alike professor to deliver a speech in front of the class. Cha2x was called and guess what he recited in front of the class? The lyrics of “Where is the Love” by BEP! All attempts at seriousness flew right out of the window! Everyone was laughing except for our professor and I was like, “Siraulo talaga ‘tong lalake na ‘to! Walang katakot-takot!” Cha2x got away with it. I don’t know what grade he got but he is certainly a flat 1 to me for not being afraid of making an ass of himself. There are so many things to admire about Cha2x. You would have to be criminally insane not to admire him for being a self-sufficient person. He was part of the Tae Kwon Do team, he works for a fast-food chain and then he goes to class to spend punishing hours learning. While I was trying to solve an accounting problem I never understood, he was either at gym training for Tae Kwon Do or at work serving crabby customers. Well, ain’t he awesome? But his awesomeness didn’t end there for me. Some time in our freshman year, he decided to be a 'little sweeter' but abruptly stopped because according to him he saw how much my ka-MU and I at that time were so into each other. He said that he didn’t want to ruin something special. And that really touched a chord in me because you just don’t find people like that everyday. People are always putting their selves before anyone else. They don’t respect boundaries and they just go after their selfish desires. Well, going on with my story, Cha2x and I saw less of each other in our third and fourth year. We just bump into each other in corridors, exchange pleasantries like, “Kris, tumataba ka lalo! Pero nabasa ko column mo.” or “Cha, kamusta? Gagong-gupit tayo ah?!” But we're still cool even though we’re not classmates anymore and to prove that, he asked me to be NINANG to his baby Curtis. Then after college, Cha2x went to Canada and I went wherever Costa Romantica took me. And just last year, we saw each other on FB again. Right now, everything is same-same between us. We don’t allow any romantic notions to creep in between us because we are just very good friends. We like to keep it that way and we just want to keep on doing what we’re good at and that is being gago. So there you go, the story of Cha2x and I. Forgive my irritating habit of rambling. I know this is another numbingly long entry.

(Cha, I want you to know that thank you is not enough. I demand payment! JOKE. Cheers to friendship!)

My JACKASS METER says, You Are, Without A Doubt, The Biggest Jackass Ever!

2010-05-04T11:12:00.001+08:00

I recently met someone whom I thought I like. (Just so it's clear, when I said I LIKE I meant I like to be friends with NOT I like to be in a romantic relationship with. Get it? Okay. Let's proceed.) I thought, alas, a thinking male to exchange views with! He gave me the impression that he doesn't belong to the stereotypical male mold. He was opinionated, polite and very friendly. So last Sunday out of boredom, I decided to chat with him and in no more than 15 minutes, I learned the sad truth that he's just one of those critters I strongly dislike. He's not stupid. He doesn't look weird either but what put me off is the fact that he is a slimy, smug bastard. How can I say such thing? Well, listen to this. We were happily talking like some old acquaintances and then out of nowhere, he was asking me if I love him. There was a part in our conversation where he wasn't just insinuating that I love him but he actually believes that I do! Well, spell FRUITCAKE for me! What the f-ck was that? I don't really care if a person is short on the brains. I can tolerate dum-dums just as long as they don't try to sweet talk me. But this dude is just unbelievable! We've only known each other for 3 days! I only replied to him because I was trying to be polite! Grrr. I never want to run across another smug bastard! And please tell me, what's the internet equivalent of a slap on the face? I feel like giving him one!

April Rants and Raves

2010-04-28T22:00:00.001+08:00

GLEEless Depression Over

GLEEless days are finally over! I now get my dose of Puckerman every Wednesday and I couldn’t be any happier! The second half of the season started really great and just last week, Gleeks were treated to an all-Madonna episode. It was downright the best episode I’ve ever seen since Glee kicked off last year. It was really good and really funny. Actually, I could go on forever but I could never put into words exactly how that episode made me happy. I also heard through rumour mill that Glee is cooking up an all-Lady Gaga episode and I am just so thrilled! I am not much of a Lady Gaga fan but hey, her songs are great. I’m so hooked in this TV musical phenomenon and Wednesday has just become my favourite day of the week!

I Smell DISBARMENT.

Sec. Alberto Agra dropped the murder charges against Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan and Vice Gov. Akmad Ampatuan? BULLSHIT. Agra can cry buckets of fake tears for all I care but to me he is nothing but a willing tool used to repay political gratitude. Those two were accused of masterminding the massacre, for heaven’s sake! Present or not, they masterminded the hideous massacre and they should be punished along with the people who executed their plan. Agra should be disbarred. He’s a shame to this country.

My 2010 Elections Vote List

I have spent 3 solid days creating this list and I am not even going to waste time justifying to anyone why I am voting these people. I believe in them and compared to all aspirants I have been considering, konti at mababaw lang ang angal ko sa mga taong ito. Final and irrevocable, boboto ako at eto ang mga iboboto ko.

Senators:
Juan Romeo Nereus Olaivar Acosta
Rozzano Rufino Bunoan Biazon
Miriam Defensor-Santiago
Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel
Teofisto De Lara Guingona III
Jo Aurea Imbong
Pilar Juliana Schramm Cayetano
Yasmin Busran-Lao
Liza Maza
Ralph Gonzalez Recto
Gilbert Cesar Remulla
Vicento C. Sotto III

Vice-President: Manuel A. Roxas
President: Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III

FBless No More

Uh-huh, you read that right! I am FBless no more! Time has finally taken care of my ill feelings against FB and I have rejoined the human race again! This calls for a celebration! Kristina is not antisocial anymore! *Applause* Seriously, I have realized that life is too short to pass up on FB. It is a fun place during those times in the day when you’re getting bored with your own company. But as for me, I get to talk non-stop with Anie and Shie and I get to see JEJEMONS! How fun is that?! So if you know me and I know you, don’t be afraid to add me up. I don’t bite. I just laugh A LOT because I’ve been gifted with the remarkable talent of seeing funny in almost everything (including myself). So there.

Yeah, I’m MAD about Miriam.

One of the many reasons why I love Sunday is because I get to read the information-packed Sunday issue of Manila Bulletin. And one of my favourite sections in the paper is 60 Minutes, the interview done by MB with admired personalities. Two Sundays ago, I got the chance to read the full interview of Shalani Soledad which I unexpectedly enjoyed. She’s so natural and I think she has just swayed me to vote for her boyfriend this coming May 10. Last Sunday, I was treated to a 3-page interview with the feisty, opinionated and fearless senator in the Philippines, Miriam Defensor-Santiago. I have always loved her and having read that interview I think I’m now in-love-aholic with Miriam! Haha. Kidding aside, she is a good and true lawmaker. The Senate would be mega-boring without her that’s why our country needs people like her! We were always entertained by her quotable quotes that have become her trademark and here are some that I have just picked out from the 60 Minutes: Mad About Miriam interview I just read. Enjoy!

“I love Algebra. It’s like a whodunit novel. I got very high grades in Algebra and Geometry, but that didn’t leave me very much time because I had to excel in school, I had to be the editor-in-chief, I had to get high grades in other subjects including the dreaded Math 101 in UP.”

“Our lives are consequences of our moral choices. When you run for president, you should not hope to become a principled president if you are willing to accept huge donations who have no sense of affinity with what you stand for.”

“I would’ve graduated summa cum laude, I’ve never said this before but I graduated only magna cum laude because if you look at my transcript, all my grades are 2.0 from a certain professor that couldn’t get over the fact that in my first week under him, I corrected his spelling!”

“People know I’m bright. I got to put that to use and then I realize only the young people will understand what I’m doing this for, because they’re so idealistic. I also realized if you’re fighting for a good cause, you must not underestimate your public.”

“I became the editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian, the first female editor-in-chief, so it was a big deal. But the biggest deal was when I had the campus beauty title, twice! That was the most amazing of my lovely story!”

“I didn’t have a boyfriend; I didn’t want a boyfriend anyway. I always listen to these horror stories of these girls who have boyfriends. You know they worry about what clothes to wear, what a waste of time. But I always went out on a date because may entertainment ka na, libre pa.”

“I decided I should have only one boyfriend because it’s a waste of life. You’re a serial girlfriend! I mean what’s the point?”

“The meaning of my life is to educate my brain as much as possible. I don’t really have to share it with anybody or I don’t have to do anything with it. Sheer knowledge for me is the meaning of life.”

“I read prize-winners. They deserve it, so I read them. If I’m on an airplane and I don’t want to talk with other people, I bury myself in chick lit.”

“I don’t have a guilty pleasure. I’m quite happy with myself. I dislike the human race but I think I do quite well for a human being.”

“On my first week of classes in America, I didn’t know whether Philippine educational standards were anywhere near. So I stilled myself, glanced around and told myself, I am smarter than anybody here. I don’t want anyone to hear from anyone who wants to dispute this except the physical way.”

“Life is a misery. When you are born, you are programmed to die. Isn’t that miserable? If all of us had the choice, all of us would refuse to be born. Do you want to be born to this life and die? And if you don’t die outright, you get sick! And you get to learn to love all these people you grow up with, and they’ll die before you! That’s miserable!”

“My son, whom I lost, was a dean’s lister. I always tried to dissuade him from copying my life journey, or my career as a student and a professional. I told him that it was just a lot of hard work for nothing. There’s so much better to do, like sex for example, if I’m enjoying it. Sex doesn’t hurt anybody! You just produce replicas of yourself. Now that could be harmful to the environment. I wanted my children to enjoy life, which I never did.”

“Sometimes I’d stare off into space and eat my food and forget about my food, and my husband would, even now, tell me to stop it and eat my food.”

“It’s completely a euphoric dream you know. I wish that we’d go beyond mere success. Sooner or later we’ll reach the level of more or less good governance like in the States. You cannot say that it’s corruption-free, but basically there is accountability which we do not have in our country.”

Happy Halamang-Dagat Day!

2 days ago…
Kris: I think you’re right, Anie. I think we should commemorate April 28 with some kind of plaque, parade or something. So naisip ko, let’s party kaya?!
Anie: I wouldn’t miss this for the world siyempre! Halamang-Dagat Day count down na ako tonight, nyahaha!

Today, April 28…
Kris & Anie: Wish You Were Here SHEILA SORIANO CULLEN-NORTHMAN!

Botanteng wala pang napipili right here!

2010-03-30T13:00:00.001+08:00

42 days before elections and I am still undecided. Kumbaga sa basketball e nasa last quarter na ang mga pulitiko pero eto ako at wala pa ring napipili. I have already heard their redundant answers to redundant questions thrown at them but I still haven't made a decision as to who I should vote. Maybe I should just nix the idea of voting this May 10? Whatchu think? I've recently read Cirilo F. Bautista's weekly column BREAKING SIGNS. That Sunday, he talked about his conversation with a colleague about politics. Their exchange was very impressive. They were right about so many things and like them, I feel the same way about the kind of politics we have here. I don't think this country is hopeless at all, we just need good politicians. I mean, c'mon, corruption is rampant. Madalang ang matinong pulitiko. Pulitikong magaling mangako, ang dami. We know the kind of leader this country is in dire need of but where he's at? I don't know. Eto na lang, gaganahan ka bang bumuto kung owner ng strip club ang tumatakbo as Mayor at ex-priest naman who impregnated two women while he is still a priest as Vice-Mayor? Hindi di ba? Mas gaganahan pa ako sigurong botohin si Pacquiao kumpara sa mga 'to. Pero kung boboto man ako sa May 10 hinding-hindi ko iboboto si _____ na magnanakaw, sinungaling at Botox King, si _____ na hindi pa man naluluklok e nangangako ng tatanaw ng utang na loob sa most hated president in history, si _____ na hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit nakalaya, si _____ na dakilang panggulo, si _____ who made Manila look cheap, si _____ who is nothing but an actor, si _____ who is a f-cking Gestapo kung mamuno at si _____ na balimbing at walang isang salita. You are liable to think that I don't love the Philippines dahil sa mga sinabi ko but you're wrong because I love this country so much. Gusto ko lang makakita ng mabuting pulitiko. Nagsasawa na ako sa mga taong who wanted nothing but to control the seats of power for their own good. Sabi nga ni Cirilo F. Bautista, we need people who will shake the very foundation of our nation and force us to do what we refuse to do for our own good. Tiwala ako na somewhere out there andiyan lang ang mga taong yan. I have hope for this country amid negativism.

TRUEONES

2010-03-25T14:21:00.001+08:00

They say that you'll never know your true friends until you've been friends with everyone else. True, indeed. Facebook can say you have 500 friends but the incredibly sad, pathetic truth is that not even half of them will be there when you f-cking need them. I've learned the hard way not to tag generously everyone I know as FRIENDS. I've been friends with some people I practically grew up with but where are they now? They all left because I have no use to them anymore. Having friends should not suck ass if the people you have are the TRUE ONES. But how do you spot these TRUE ONES? It's pretty goddamn easy. These people don’t always give you the wisest advice but they know how to keep your mind off your aches and pains. They know how to make you laugh even if your whole life is in the toilet. But if they are not the joker type, they only have to own a big damn gun which they can use to hunt down and shoot that person who duped you. Haha. Anyway, this post is really about the two ladies that I truly love, Sheila Marie S. Soriano and Nathanie G. Ordillo. We've been friends since highschool and Eric Northman brought us even closer. Each of us has confessed our undying love for Eric Northman and it's really a miracle we're still friends. Haha. But seriously, having these two ladies as friends is awesome. Words are not enough to express how happy I am to have them. They put a smile in my heart and they make me feel great. I now get it why they say that it is easy to be great when you get around great people!

We All Have Stories We Won't/Can't Tell

2010-03-20T14:04:00.000+08:00

I've been wrestling between keeping and deleting this blog for the past few weeks. I felt like I am sharing too much and that I am just supplying people with potent ammunitions against me. But yesterday, I realized that deleting this blog would be an idiotic thing to do. This blog is my time capsule and whatever moronic nonsense I've posted in here, they are all a part of me. I may feel that I have shared too much but the truth is not everything I have shared is EVERYTHING. There are stories behind these stories that I won't and can't tell because that's the way it is. There are happenings in our lives that we can't put into words. They are just etched in our memories. I know as well that I have an irritating habit of rambling and that most of the things I have written are numbingly long but I don't really care because I don't write for an audience. I just want to write and let my fingers do the talking. It's as simple as that. I've spent weeks trying to evaluate this blog's worth to me. And now I see clearly that this is something I just can't take out of my life. This blog is me. Every post however kitschy is me. I've got to be a frigging idiot to delete this blog. Where else would I go when I want to laugh myself sick and when I want to go on a trip down the memory lane? Here, of course! So my dear cyberworld, this blog is here to stay and you'd have to put up with my junks for as long as we both exist. I have found out along time ago that life outside of you is awesome but since I am not a hypocrite I will tell you straight out that I am a slave for you. I've got to be with you at least 2 hours a day. *Winks*

Book Review: Endless Love by Scott Spencer

2010-03-05T10:28:00.003+08:00

I was in fourth grade when a box full of junk foods, clothes and books arrived from our relatives in Maryland. Majority of the books sent were too mature for me to devour at that time and one of them was a special edition of Endless Love by Scott Spencer printed in 1980. My mother stored the books in a box and told us to retrieve them when we’re old enough to understand them. And being the obedient girl that I am, I waited and read other books that suited my age. Over the years, I have read numerous books to entertain myself and last week, after 15 long years, I came across my forgotten copy of Endless Love and decided to finally read it. The book cover was plain and uninteresting for me. The front cover was white with Endless Love written in large, purple text. The back cover contains a brief synopsis of the book with a picture of a half-naked girl and an equally beautiful boy kissing her neck. The cover gave me the impression that it was just one of those cheap romance pocketbooks you can easily grab but I didn’t think of putting it back to the box. I don’t why I didn’t but maybe it was really time for me to discover one of the most powerful stories ever written about young love. The book was really old and in bad condition. I was worried that it might have missing or ripped pages. But luckily, the book was still intact and so I read it, loved it, got my heart broken and learned the valuable lesson of not judging a book by its cover.

Joyce Carol Oates of Mademoiselle said that “No description of Endless Love can do justice to the rich, startling and always intelligent tenor of his (Scott Spencer) prose.” I absolutely agree with her. No description or review can do justice to this great love story between David Axelrod and Jade Butterfield. I don’t even know how I am going to do this but I will try to tell you as much as I can how I understood it and how it affected and enthralled me.

Endless Love is simply a love story but it is nothing like the other love stories you have ever read. It is not a light romantic story as the title might suggest because this will certainly break your heart and change you. Forget the movie directed by Franco Zeffirelli and the song by Lionel Ritchie and Diana Ross because they are understatements. Don’t mind the silly new cover of the reprints because they make the book look tacky. This book is achingly beautiful. You will never read a more passion-filled love story. Scott Spencer is a master of imagery. He will enthral you from the first page until the end. So people, please read carefully as I give you an introduction to this masterpiece by the great, Scott Spencer.

Endless Love tells the story of David Axelrod’s infinite love for Jade Butterfield and her family. David and Jade had that once in a lifetime kind of love which unfortunately happened when they were too young to handle and understand it. Jade’s family is known in the community for their open lifestyle. They take LSD together and they allow David and Jade to sleep together until their love went to extremes. Jade’s father, Hugh Butterfield, felt that the relationship has gone too far and he then banished David from the Butterfield home for 30 days. Being away from Jade has made David completely obsessed though he is not crazy. He imagined the absolution of Jade’s family by rescuing them as he sets a “perfectly safe” fire to their house. But David’s plan backfired. The house burned and David was sentenced to three years at a psychiatric ward. When he was released, he had a hard time accepting his parole. He was never to leave Chicago and never to contact any of the Butterfields especially Jade. Nevertheless, he went out in search of his endless love, following in full obedience the most urgent commands of his heart. He found the Butterfields again. David and Jade rejoined their love yet again. But later on, Jade learned that David was at fault for her father’s death when Hugh Butterfield was hit by a car after running into the street to chase David. David was sent back to a psychiatric ward again. Jade married another guy in Paris, France. David’s sanity has been put into test many times but Ann Butterfield (Jade’s mother) believes that he doesn’t belong in a nuthouse. While inside the psychiatric ward, David received a letter from Jade telling him that she still believes in the love they have and that she loves him still but she thinks it would be better if they will not see each other again. The ending was genuinely heartbreaking and being a sucker for happy endings, it gave me an upsetting feeling I couldn’t fathom. But anyhow, this is still a book I will re-read year after year because the love David and Jade shared has that inspirational power. Their love is exemplary and this is my favourite book in the whole-wide world.

Endless Love is still widely read ever since its first release in 1979. Reviews were all good and here are some that might push you to go and grab a copy of this riveting and compulsively readable book:

“SATISFYING AND FULLY DRAMATIZED… A GENUINE LOVE STORY. IT REAFFIRMS THOSE FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS OF THE HUMAN HEART: LOVE IS REAL, LOVE IS CONTAGIOUS, LOVE HURTS, LOVE FEELS WONDERFUL, LOVE CHANGES US, LOVE IS LIKE A FIRE IN ITS SPARK AND APPETITE.” –Saturday Review (Tim O’Brien)

"A MOVING STORY OF FIRST LOVE WHEN IT'S SO INTENSE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU MIGHT BREAK. IT'S EVERYTHING A NOVEL SHOULD BE....ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE PIECES OF FICTION IN YEARS." -Chicago Tribune

"FOR A FEW HOURS OF MY LIFE, IT BROKE MY HEART." -Los Angeles Herald Examiner

"THE SEXUAL PASSAGES ARE DAZZINGLY ORIGINAL....AN INCREDIBLY STRONG LOVE STORY, A FABULOUSLY GOOD NOVEL." -Chicago Sun Times

"ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR." -The New York Times

"WONDERFULLY READABLE....NO DESCRIPTION OF ENDLESS LOVE CAN DO JUSTICE TO THE RICH, STARTLING, AND ALWAYS INTELLIGENT TENOR OF HIS PROSE." -Mademoiselle

"SCOTT SPENCER WRITES ABOUT LOVE'S TENACITY WITH SUCH PASSIONATE INTENSITY THAT I WAS FOR A TIME OBLIGED TO SUSPEND ALL POSSIBILITY OF DISBELIEF. FROM HIS REMARKABLE OPENING SENTENCE HE HAD ME IN THRALL!!!" --Newsweek

"BRILLIANT....SPENCER'S TENSELY ENERGETIC PROSE CATCHES PERFECTLY THE LYRICISM OF SINGLE-MINDED PASSION." -Time

"ENDLESS LOVE IS REMARKABLE FOR BEING AN URGENTLY COMPASSIONATE NOVEL THAT NEVER BECOMES A SENTIMENTAL ONE. AND THE SEX--THERE ARE SEVERAL PASSAGES OF COMBUSTIBLE, PULSATING ACTIVITY--IS BOTH QUITE MARVELOUS AND ESSENTIAL." -The Village Voice

"THE TRIUMPH OF THIS ASTOUNDING BOOK LIES IN THE EVOCATION OF PURE PASSION." -Cosmopolitan

To the ABJURED ONE

2010-02-24T10:35:00.001+08:00

To be fair to you, I can start by telling the few good things you've done for me. But apparently, I'm in no mood to be fair to you, though I will do my best to be truthful. For the past months, I kept thinking that I have said all I have to say, that I have beaten the life out of this subject but as it turns out, I haven't so I am speaking about this for the last time. What have I done to make you hate me this much? What have I done to make you shun away to the two people closest to me right now who are your friends as well? What's wrong with you? Wait, wrong question. A lot of things are wrong with you but I don't have the energy to enumerate them all right now. I'm done protecting you. I'm protecting me now so I'll do the talking until I got it all down. One of the worst things about infidelity aside from not getting back your life to where it was before is that it makes you feel stupid. And one of my major disappointments in life has been finding out just how little being smart has to do with relationships. What you did, hurt and embarrassed me. It was the worst time of my life and the part that woke me out of my dead sleep was when I finally saw what you really are. You are a self-centred, pathological liar who doesn't give a flying f-ck about anybody but his self, who lies and cheats to his family and friends, the very people who loves him sincerely just to get what he f-cking wants. That's how f-cked up you are. What you did is completely unacceptable and unforgivable and what made it that is not merely that you ended the almost four-year-old relationship over the email or that you've been f-cking around for a long time already but also this: In college, I was willing to settle with the platonic relationship we have but you wanted more than that. Why did you commit? Why didn't you just leave? Or, settled with the platonic relationship if you were not sure about things? I walked a long with you, completely oblivious of what you really are. You betrayed me. Now look at you, you go around deleting and blocking people who talks to me. How f-cking immature is that? They have nothing to do with the problem we have and quit acting like I'm the bad person here who has caused your inner turmoil. I was the duped party and not you. And if you are really sure with the kind of life you are trying to lead right now, my being around with the same people you interact with won't even matter. But the way I see it, you shun away from them to further avoid me because I am just not good for your rotten conscience. I am not saintly. God knows I have sinned a lot but between us I know I am the lesser evil. Why? Because I so value the people I have in my life. I never f-cked with that. Unlike you, I have not and will never cheat on them because A. I am sure I can't leave with the guilt. B. I've seen the effects of cheating from my own life. I know firsthand what it feels like to be betrayed. and C. I won't make the same mistakes you've made. I hate, hate, hate you right now but guess what? You are still in the list of people I pray for before I go to bed. You don't deserve it but I've figured out that I can never deny that I cared for you and care for you still, even if I don't want to. There is something incredibly painful about saying these things but I'll say it anyway. I wish you heartbreak. God, I really do. May that heartbreak make you realize how stupid you are for letting go the true people who care for you and how pathetic you've become when your IQ and EQ was abruptly swallowed by that god-awful place. Someday, I might regret saying these things but right now, I just want to get these all off my chest and feel better again. So, I am not sorry.

2 months going on 3!

2010-02-23T10:21:00.000+08:00

Ok, ok. Before tsismis spreads, I am not pregnant and I am talking about my Project 365 which is now 2 months old! Awesome, huh?! I am so thrilled I've made this far! So please drop by my Project 365 on Tumblr but take note that I am not a photographer and like what my friend, JBINX, said "I am not an intellectual--I just take pictures." So come to my Project 365 anytime you want! Chunk the deuce!

Other must-see Tumblr sites: Anie, Sheila, and MELANGE.

Movie Review: Valentine's with Nick and Norah

2010-02-14T09:00:00.004+08:00

HBO and Star Movies have lined up tons of flick for suckers for feel-good movies yesterday. And I spent the entire day oohhhing, aahhhing and awwing in front of the tube as I watch 7 wonderful movies I’ve seen a dozen times but never fail to put a smile on my face. I watched My Sassy Girl, Notting Hill, Penelope, What Happens in Vegas, Twilight, 13 Going On 30 and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. But my favourite of them all is Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist because like Nick and Norah I am a dork for music!

The movie is a 2008 comedy film directed by Peter Sollet and distributed by Columbia Pictures. It is based on the novel written by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. It was filmed primarily in Manhattan and Brooklyn, NYC. The movie has attracted positive reviews from critics and received nominations. The movie Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist tells the chaotic and fun story of Nick, Norah, Norah’s drunken bestfriend Caroline, Nicks’ ex-girlfriend Tris, The Jerk-Offs and the publicity-shy indie band, Where’s Fluffy? Nick O’Leary is a heartbroken teenager after his girlfriend Tris, who attends the same school as Norah Silverberg, broke up with him. After the break up, Nick continued to make mix CDs for Tris, which Norah recovers from the trash after Tris discards them. Norah shares Nick’s taste in music and one night, Norah with her bestfriend Caroline went to Arlene’s Grocery and stumbles upon The Jerk-offs, Nick’s band who is playing for the night. Nick and Norah met when Norah asked Nick to pretend to be her boyfriend for five minutes to show Tris. Norah kissed Nick, unaware that Tris was his ex-girlfriend and while all of this is happening, Caroline gets drunk. Norah decided to take Caroline home but Nick’s gay bandmates offered to take Caroline home so Norah and Nick could spend time together looking for their favourite band, Where’s Fluffy? Over the course of the night, many crazy things happened and in the end, they all found Where’s Fluffy? But Nick and Norah decided to miss the concert because they don’t care anymore. Hand in hand, they left together and at the Pennsylvania Station, they kissed on the escalator as the sun rises over NYC. Aww moment! Haha! People, this movie is really good stuff. Watch it and love it. It will make you realize that all we need is a person who will hold our hands and will allow us to be just the way we are! Ah, love! Anyway, Happy V Day suckers! *Winks*

Norah: There's this part of Judaism that I like. Tikun Olam. It said that the world is broken into pieces and everyone has to find them and put them back together.
Nick: Maybe we don't have to find it. Maybe we are the pieces.

TV Show & Book Review: Sinking My Teeth in the Sexiest Vampire Series on Earth!

2010-02-01T13:57:00.022+08:00

My friend’s (Sheila Marie Soriano a.k.a. Sheila Marie Soriano Cullen-Northman) obsession for HBO’s True Blood and Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Mysteries has roused me to watch the show and read about the life of Sookie Stackhouse. For the past few days, I’ve been busy with nothing but adoring the show and the books. I am actually on the edge of worshipping Alan Ball and Charlaine Harris because they made my January a total blast and best of all, they gave me (And the millions of fans out there.) the best characters ever! I never knew I’d react to the show and books the same way my friend, Sheila did. But the story is undeniably beautiful and the characters just grow in you. I am tremendously in love with the people of Bon Temps, the shape-shifters, weres, witches & wiccans, fairies and most especially the vampires! And there is one particular vampire I love 1,000,000 x more than any one else in the book. And he is the H-O-T, gulp-inducing, Viking vampire, Eric Northman! Ah, just mentioning his name makes me giggle! I’m totally smitten with Eric Northman. Sometimes I wish I could find anything ugly about him to help tame (Even a bit.) my love for him but I am not successful in finding any. I am not usually like this but I can’t help it. Eric Northman is so beautiful and he always says the right words! Some people say he is haughty and selfish but I don’t care. They’re free to say whatever they want to say but I’m done with good boys like Bill Compton. (Based on experience, good boys keep ugly secrets and they’re like dormant volcanoes that blow up without warning.) Eric Northman can give the impression that he is not capable of loving any one besides himself but for me, he is the best lover ever. Trust me, I’ve read countless of romance novels (Harlequin, Loveswept, Avon Trade etc.) and Eric Northman stands out among the throng of leading men I’ve stumbled upon! And believe it or not, Eric Northman is more dashing than Bill Compton. He only acts the way he does because his memories of humanity are not as vivid as Bill’s. He has been a vampire for thousands of years and he doesn’t understand what love and real desire feels like anymore. But Sookie Stackhouse will change everything for him. She will remind him how good LOVE is and Eric will soon sort out his feelings and realize that he is still capable of loving. I am SOOKIE and ERIC Forever! So now that I have bombarded you with blurbs about Eric Northman and Sookie Stackhouse, maybe you want to sink your teeth too in the sexiest vampire series on Earth?! If YES, read on and let me be your guide from HBO’s critically-acclaimed True Blood to Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Mysteries!

TRUE BLOOD

True Blood is the sizzling hot American television series created by Alan Ball (Creator of Six Feet Under). It is based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series written by Charlaine Harris. It details the vampires’ progress from legendary monsters to fellow citizens since humans have been removed from the menu because a Japanese scientist has invented a synthetic blood drink called True Blood.The story centers on Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a telepathic waitress at Merlotte’s, who falls in love with the 173-year old vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). And as Sookie is drawn into the mysteries surrounding the arrival of Bill Compton in her life, the series shows off more insane vampire action and introduces more fascinating characters like Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgard). True Blood is produced by HBO in association with Alan Ball's production company. The first season premiered on September 7, 2008 and since then, the show has received several awards, including one Golden Globe and an Emmy. The show's second season premiered on June 14, 2009. And on July 30, 2009, HBO confirmed that True Blood would be renewed for a third season, which began shooting on December 3, 2009 and is expected to be shown Summer 2010. Recently, Alan Ball confirmed that there will be a fourth season of True Blood which made the millions of fans of True Blood truly happy. True Blood has now become HBO’s most watched series since The Sopranos.

Season 1
Premiered on: September 7, 2008
Concluded on: November 23, 2008
Number of Episodes: 12 episodes, each running approximately 55 minutes in length

For the most part, it is based on the novel Dead Until Dark which is the first book in The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris. The story takes place in the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps, two years after vampires have made their presence known to mankind. The main mystery of the first season revolves around the murders of women connected to Sookie’s brother, Jason. Maudette Pickens, Dawn Green and Jason and Sookie's grandmother were murdered. And at the end of the season it is revealed that Arlene Fowler's fiancé, Rene Lenier, is the killer. First season also focuses on Sookie’s relationship with Bill.

Episode 1= Strange Love, Episode 2= The First Taste, Episode 3= Mine, Episode 4= Escape from Dragon House, Episode 5= Sparks Fly Out, Episode 6= Cold Ground, Episode 7= Burning House of Love, Episode 8= The Fourth Man in the Fire, Episode 9= Plaisir d’Amour, Episode 10= I Don’t Wanna Know, Episode 11= To Love is to Bury, Episode 12= You’ll Be the Death of Me

Season 2
Premiered on: June 14, 2009
Concluded on: September 13, 2009
Number of Episodes: 12 episodes, each running approximately 55 minutes in length

Season two is loosely based on Living Dead in Dallas, which is the second book in The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris. In this season, Bill and Sookie are making their relationship work even with Jessica, the whiny 17-year-old vampire, staying in Bill’s house. Tara and the rest of the people of Bon Temps continue to be corrupted by Maryann, who has a mysterious past with Sam. Jason is off seeking a religious experience with the vampire-hating Fellowship of the Sun. And Lafayette is alive after being taken and held in a dungeon by Eric Northman for crimes against vampires. Also in this season, Sookie and Bill travel to Dallas to help Eric find his maker, Godric, who has been kidnapped by the Fellowship of the Sun.

Episode 1= Nothing But the Blood, Episode 2= Keep This Party Going, Episode 3= Scratches, Episode 4= Shake and Fingerpop, Episode 5= Never Let Me Go, Episode 6= Hard-Hearted Hannah, Episode 7= Release me, Episode 8= Timebomb, Episode 9= I Will Rise Up, Episode 10= New World in My View, Episode 11= Frenzy. Episode 12= Beyond Here Lies Nothin’

Watch True Blood Season 1 and 2 Here: http://ch131.com/

THE SOUTHERN VAMPIRE SERIES

The Southern Vampire Series is a series of books written by the bestselling author Charlaine Harris. The books are narrated in first person perspective by Sookie Stackhouse. Harris is contracted to write at least 10 books, the next being Dead in the Family, expected in May 2010. But at Comic Con 2009, Charlaine Harris revealed that she has signed a contract for three additional books.

Book 1 Dead Until Dark= Sookie begins a romantic relationship with her neighbour vampire, Bill Compton and is faced with a series of murders in town.

Book 2 Living Dead in Dallas= Lafayette dies. Sookie is attacked by a maenad as a way to get Eric’s attention. Sookie goes to Dallas to use her telepathy in finding Stan Davis’ brother Farrell. She encounters for the first time the anti-vampire organization The Fellowship of the Sun. Sookie also learns about the existence of werewolves.

Book 3 Club Dead= Bill Compton is kidnapped. With the help of Alcide Herveaux, Eric Northman and Bubba, Sookie sets out to save him only to be shattered by the revelation of Bill’s infidelity with his vampire mistress, Lorena.

Book 4 Dead to the World= Bill Compton goes to Peru to do research. Sookie finds Eric Northman running down in a road shirtless, shoeless and with no memory. Sookie’s brother Jason goes missing.

Book 5 Dead as a Doornail= Sookie learns about the existence of Were-Creatures, Shifters and Fairies.

Book 6 Definitely Dead= Sookie has a new man, named Quinn who is a were-tiger. She inherits her cousin Hadley’s apartment. She went to New Orleans and uncovers the mysterious death of her cousin.

Book 7 All Together Dead= Sookie attends the U.S. Vampire Summit as a human Geiger counter for Sophie-Anne Leclerq. Sookie’s bond with Eric Northman gets closer and she discovers Quinn’s past.

Book 8 From Dead to Worse= Quinn is missing. Sookie learns about Niall Brigant, his Fairy great-grandfather. Eric Northman surrenders to the Vegas Vampires’ regime.

Book 9 Dead and Gone= Sookie’s great-grandfather, Niall, who is a fairy brings her in a battle between fairies.

Main Characters
Sookie Stackhouse= A telepathic human waitress.
Bill Compton= A vampire and a Civil War veteran. He is Sookie’s first romantic interest.
Eric Northman= The Vampire Sheriff of Area Five. He is romantically involved with Sookie.
Sam Merlotte= Sookie’s boss and owner of Merlotte’s bar. He is a shapershifter.

Vampire Characters
Andre= Queen Sophie-Anne’s second in command.
Bubba= Elvis Presley in vampire form.
Chow= Asian. Member of Louisiana’s Are Five vampire district.
Godric (Godfrey)= He allied with human radicals and committed suicide by meeting the sun.
Felipe de Castro= King of Nevada.
Lorena=Bill Compton’s maker.
Sophie-Anne Leclerq= Queen of Louisiana
Hadley Delahussaye= Sookie’s only cousin and was turned by Queen Sophie-Anne into vampire.
Pam= Eric Northman’s second in command and child.
Peter Threadgill= King of Arkansas and husband of Queen Sophie-Anne Leclerq.
Russel Edgington= King of Mississippi.
Sigebert and Wybert= Two vampire brothers who are bodyguards to Queen Sophie-Anne Leclerq.
Stan Davis= Vampire Sheriff of Dallas.

Human Characters
Adele Stackhouse= Sookie and Jason’s grandmother.
Andy Bellefleur= Detective in Bon Temps.
Arlene Fowler= Sookie’s friend and fellow barmaid at Merlotte’s.
Barry The Bellboy= A telepath like Sookie.
Jason Stackhouse= Sookie’s older brother who becomes a bitten werepanther.
Hoyt Fortenberry= Jason’s childhood friend.
Lafayette Reynolds= Gay cook of Merlotte’s.
Selah Pumphrey= Bill Compton’s girlfriend after Sookie Stackhouse.
Steve and Sarah Newlin= Fellowship of the Sun leaders.
Tara Thornton= Sookie’s childhood friend.

Shapeshifters and Weres
Alcide Herveaux= Full-blooded werewolf who owns a surveying company.
Calvin Norris= Full-blooded werepanther and leader of Hotshot.
Colonel John Flood= Full-blooded werewolf and packmaster of Shreveport.
Crystal Norris= Niece of Calvin Norris who becomes Jason’s wife.
Debbie Pelt= A werelynx. Girlfriend of Alcide Herveaux.
Luna Garza= Shapeshifts into a bat.
Maria Star Cooper= Full-blooded werewolf and packmember of the Shreveport pack.
Mel Hart= Full-blooded werepanther who becomes Jason’s good friend.
John Quinn= Full-blooded weretiger who becomes Sookie’s romantic interest.
Tray Dawson= Full-blooded werewolf who dated Sookie’s roomamate, Amelia Broadway.

Fairies
Claude= Sookie’s cousin and Claudine’s twin brother.
Claudine= Sookie’s fairy godmother and cousin.
Niall Brigant= Sookie’s fairy prince great-grandfather.

Witches and Wiccans
Amelia Broadway= Landlady of Hadley who later becomes Sookie’s roommate.
Holly Cleary= Fellow barmaid of Sookie.
Octavia Fant= Amelia’s mentor.

Download The Southern Vampire Mysteries Here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=53LX42E3

#2

2010-01-26T13:30:00.001+08:00

A Life Cut So Short

2010-01-25T10:14:00.000+08:00

I wasn’t shocked when Robin didn’t become a priest. I wasn’t shocked when he chose to get tattoos and start his own family. But I was shocked and deeply hurt when he was mistakenly killed by a group of men last week. Tears and anger towards his killers won’t bring him back. It saddens me to say this but his young life was stolen forever. Please join me in prayer for Robin C. Sagmit. Let us all pray that he gets the justice he truly deserves. RIP Robin.

#1

2010-01-11T11:03:00.010+08:00

Panata sa Mahal na Itim na Nazareno

2010-01-09T16:00:00.010+08:00

Wala pa ako sa 10 taon ng ako’y imulat ng aking mga magulang sa Mahal na Itim na Nazareno sa Quiapo. Tandang-tanda ko ang unang beses kong mapanuod ang pagpapasan ng mga milyon-milyong namamanata sa imahe. Manghang-mangha ako sa dami nila. Maroon o yellow ang karaniwang kulay ng kanilang mga t-shirt, sila’y mga nakayapak at may mga bitbit na tuwalya/panyo na kanilang winawagayway at ipinupunas sa Poon. Ang Pista ng Itim na Nazareno ay isang taunang kaugalian na dinadaluhan ng maraming Pilipino from all walks of life. Ito ay re-enactment ng paglipat ng imahe mula Intramuros patungong Quiapo Church mahigit 400 years ago. Ito ay isang napakagandang kaugalian at ang masilayan ito will surely make you want to want the Black Nazarene like the sea of those barefoot devotees enduring long hours of pushing and shoving para lang sa Poon.

Mahigit 30 taong namata ang aking tatay. Siya ay labing-anim na taong gulang ng magsimula. Ang kahanga-hangang debosyon niya ay aking naging inspirasyon para dumaan sa Quiapo sa tuwing ako’y nasa Maynila. At sa palagian kong pagdaan sa Quiapo, natuklasan ko ang dating Niya sa buhay ko at umusbong ang aking lubos na pagmamahal di lang para sa Kanya maging sa lahat ng Nazareno saan mang simbahan ako mapunta. Ang Itim na Nazareno ay malaking parte ng buhay ng aking tatay. Sinimulan niya ang kanyang panata out of love at hindi para humiling ng milagro. Pero ng isilang ang aking nakatatandang kapatid at natuklasan na siya’y may congenital heart disease, saka pa lang nangailangan ng milagro ang aking tatay. At para makuha ang milagrong inaasam, pinagsikapan niyang mahawakan ang Poon habang nagpru-prusisyon. Bumitaw sa lubid, hinakbangan ang mga katabing tao at nagawa niyang mahawakan ang imahe ng Itim na Nazareno. Naging matagumpay ang operasyon ng ate ko at siya’y tuluyang gumaling.

Marahil para sa ibang relihiyon, idolatry ang kaugalian na ito ng mga Katolikong deboto ng Itim na Nazareno. Pero para sa akin, hindi idolatry kundi pagmamahal ang tawag sa debosyon ng mga Pilipino sa life-size wooden statue na ito ni Jesus Christ.

Pasalubong na panyo at scapular mula sa tatay ko.

Facts about the Black Nazarene: 1.) Parts of the original statue are now in two different images of the Nazarene. The original body is the one being brought out for the annual procession while the original head of the image is resting on the main altar. 2.) The Nazarene sports real hair. Some of the Chinese women parishioners would grow their hair and donate strands to be fashioned into the image’s wig. 3.) The image’s hair is washed regularly and the body, anointed with rose oil. 4.) The garment of the Nazarene is changed every month. The image’s robes are sponsored by His devotees. (PDI)

Photos from Manila Bulletin

Spell BLAME

2010-01-08T09:43:00.002+08:00

I like people watching. But recently, I have discovered a better pastime—Facebook Profile Watching. (How is it possible that I do Facebook Profile Watching when I don’t have an active personal account? Well, I use my sister’s account and I moderate the Facebook account of the AmityTreeHouse Group. Any more questions?) I enjoy going through profiles on Facebook. I get amazed at how a Facebook-er can impress or make an ass out of himself by simply posting a picture, a comment or a shoutout. No wonder politicians are Facebook-ing now. Facebook is just the perfect venue for them to impress when really, they are nothing but pack of lies and phony promises. Anyway, in one of my Facebook Profile Watching, I saw my former classmate’s profile. I haven’t heard of her in ages so seeing her profile really delighted me. I remember her for being stuck-up. She has the brains but she thinks that being brainy gives her the bragging right to contradict every one. She never contradicted me. But our teachers and classmates, yes. I went through her photos and I was glad to see that her life has improved although she’s still the same blathering stuck-up girl I know. As my profile watching went on, I found a conversation where she was talking trash about our school with a friend. She babbled about the teachers and not learning anything from the school. The things she said surprised me because as far as I can remember, she was always absent. She comes to school late, she cuts classes and was always too busy to submit assignments and projects. Now tell me, is the school to be blamed why she did not learn anything? Big NO. Isa sa mga kinaiinisan kong tao ay yung mga sinisisi ang ka-lechehan ng buhay nila sa iba. Para sa akin, ikaw lang at wala ng iba ang responsable sa buhay mo. Tanggapin mo mga kapalpakan. Di mo puwede isisi sa teacher mo, sa walang kwenta mong iskuwela o magulang mong walang pakialam ang bawat pangyayari sa buhay mo. At sa lagay ng babaeng ito, di niya puwede isisi na wala siyang natutunan sa iskwela o sa mga teachers. Sino bang tamad pumasok? Siya, hindi ba? Oh, humans! *Rolls Eyes*

The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny. -Albert Ellis

Unleashing My Inner B-tch

2010-01-07T09:11:00.000+08:00

There are 2 people/things that I would kill for and they are my loved ones (Includes not only my immediate family but some worthy relatives and friends.) and my box of letters/pictures. Anybody who messes with them can expect me to hunt them down and shot them with a big damn gun! (All right, all right. I can’t kill but I, sure as hell, can punch, kick and God knows what else.) You are probably asking why I sound like an infuriated psycho. Well, let me tell you why. I thought I was doing an admirable job of keeping my cool by not giving a hoot over our neighbour who for a year now has been spreading false stories about my family. But right now, I am on the brink of beating this neighbour because she and her cronies have already crossed the line. They have said so much and it seems to me that they are provoking us. I am a peaceful person and I know hurting these people would be so beneath me so, I will try stretching my already stretched patience for them. I will give them the chance to stop now so we can all relax and peacefully coexist. Pero kung hindi sila titigil, ano ginagawa ng baranggay di ba? Sino ba kakampihan, ang bagong salta na bad to the bone o ang peaceful na pamilya na nakatira sa street na ito for more than 20 years now? Obviously, US. So isa pang tira, we’ll see you guys sa baranggay! *Smiles Smugly* *Raises An Eyebrow*

Adieu '09! NEXT!

2010-01-01T09:45:00.005+08:00

2009 was by-far my most difficult year. More than half of it, I wanted nothing but to stay in bed and go into a coma until all the complicated bullshits are resolved. Given the hurt I was going through then, my anger to life seemed legitimate. I was bankrupt in the happiness department. I didn't want to mingle with people. I just want to know where God was while I was crying out in pain. The entire year was full of downs and the ups rarely come. It was a very difficult year. A year I would definitely remember for as long as I live. I could relentlessly gripe about the miseries I have experienced in 2009 but I don’t want to waste energy on them anymore. I just want to move forward and be continually reintroduced to my loving creator. I know God is at work. He knows the secret hopes that keep me up at night. So this 2010: I will patiently wait for His will to happen. I will work on loving myself more. And I will strive to take on God’s mind-set, attitude and ability to love, care, and forgive. So, adieu ’09! Come 2010 and show me what you got :))

HAPPY 2010 Everyone!

GLEEFUL

2009-12-28T11:55:00.008+08:00

I am guilty of owning a pirated copy of Glee’s Season 1 DVD and I am also guilty of spending my entire afternoon yesterday watching the Glee Marathon on Jack TV. I am not proud of the pirated copy I own but I don’t know what else can cure my Gleeless Depression until Season 2 comes in April 13, 2010. I can’t wait to see what will happen to Mr. Shu’s marriage, Finn and Rachel, Quinn and Puck, and the PMS-ing bitch, Sue Sylvester. I hope for more great performances from New Directions. And I also hope Finn and Rachel end up together! Yay! Glee is just the best show I have ever seen. I am gleeful because of it!

By its very definition, GLEE is about opening yourself up to joy.

Am I the only one who's this uneasy with Facebook?

2009-12-27T11:50:00.001+08:00

I have 2 Facebook accounts and they’re both deactivated. I realized just recently that Facebook is not for me. FB left a bad taste in my mouth and the interaction there is just too much for me. Some comments and messages I have received are cool but some are not. Some photos tagged at me are cool too but some of them I don’t really like. No matter what changes FB has made on the privacy aspect, I am still not comfortable posting my every picture and thought there. Right now, I am on FB again moderating my AmityTreeHouse’s account because I don’t want to be dubbed as a pooper. My sisters, cousins and some friends are pretty disappointed when I deactivated my personal accounts but I really can’t force myself to be in a “place” I don’t really like. My reasons seem silly but this is how I really feel right now. So for now, I’m FBless until God-knows-when.

SOTD: Open Happiness

2009-12-25T09:08:00.006+08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

XOXO,