NVSB: No Valentine Since Birth

Yes. Always have but I hope NOT always will.

That tweet of Ramon Bautista gave me the idea to write something about not having a Valentine every 14th of February. There were already several advice written on how to celebrate this so called “Single Awareness Day” so I am not going to write about that. I’m not so sure how this post will go. I will just write away until I finish this. Maybe I will just write about the feeling or the experience (female perspective) and possibly put you readers inside our shoes. Welcome to the “lonely hearts club”!

How does it feel to have lived without a Valentine?

Taking back to the title quoted from Sir RB, “NVSB: No Valentine Since Birth”, I am and I’m not being bitter or sad about it nor being proud for it’s a fact. It’s a reality I’ve been facing not only on Heart’s day but also during Holiday seasons, birthdays and other celebratory occasions. So how does it feel like? Sad? Lonely? Happy? Stressful? Peaceful? There’s no exact feeling. I guess it’s a case to case basis and it’s always  mixture of feelings. I am sure I am not the only one who’s in this phase, so raise your hand if you are NVSB and affirm or negate the following:

1.               While your friends or parents go on a date, you are left to date yourself. It’s lonely because you’re alone as in you have no companion but it’s not “lonely” lonely as in “sad”.  No problem, by now you’re probably used to it anyway. Enjoy independence, woman!

2.               While others stress out on preparing surprises for their loved ones, you are there spending a normal day in school or at work without nothing to worry about. That makes it peaceful.  Your pocket and wallet is worry-free, you've got all the time in the world and your mind is free from stress. Be happy.

3.               While others receive flowers and chocolates from their boyfriend or hubby, you get yours own from friends, colleagues, family members or worst, from your own pocket. Or maybe you just watch the couples with green-eyes as they get their surprises. This is the part where it gets sad but it is all in the mind. It is not required to eat chocolates, have flowers on V-day, chill.  It is not right to be jealous, instead be happy for they are experiencing those.  Don’t sulk. We take it as a regular day.

You see, I inserted positive things in the above-mentioned scenarios because thinking about Valentine’s day as a problem and source of stress and sadness is just wrong. It’s a celebration of love. Not only for lovers but also for life so I wanted everyone to realize that whether you’re single or not, you may celebrate it.  

Hating
Don’t get us wrong, having no Valentine doesn't mean we never fell in love. Some of us may be (as of the moment) broken-hearted,  in love with someone taken, or harboring unrequited feelings, but in one way or another I’m pretty sure we've all experienced love. It’s just that we never had Valentine’s on the 14^th. From personal experience, it sometimes get to the annoying point when people always ask about our love life. On reunions, we dread conversations involving this topic. It’s an irate feeling when relatives/acquaintances ask “Do you have a boyfriend?” and when answered “No” they’d be like “Why?” Like it’s a disease not to have one. On Valentine’s, people ask who’s the date and where’s the date when they already know you’re dateless and single. Imagine if you were in our place and you were bombarded with those questions you never wanted to talk about or you have answers but your answers weren't accepted wouldn't you be annoyed too? I mean it’s alright to ask but sometimes it’s just too much. Again, I’m not being bitter but be reminded that we do not owe you an explanation. That’s why I  understand those who avoid Valentine’s day and the celebratory effects of it. They are probably fed up. It is overrated.

I used to be a Valentine Grinch when I’m much younger or until 2012. I remember my HS/College friends and I have this secret group (I won’t disclose the name) in Facebook where we write our love-hate posts as we were all single and “medyo bitter” then. We even planned to have an I-hate-Valentine’s-day party inspired by the Valentine’s day movie until suddenly things changed to me. From 2013 onwards, I dropped the hate. I realized there’s no point. It won’t change the fact that I am still single and dateless.

I also thought that ignoring the day and ranting about it would not give me any gain. As part of growing up, I realized that we should just acknowledge and accept it as it is.

Photo credits: Business Insider

Here's Jennifer Garner on her famous pinata scene on Valentine's day movie.

100 for 2013

I listed down 100 people, things, events, craze, TV shows, movies and every thing else international or local which determined the year that was. 

They are the noise-makers of 2013 whether in a good or bad way. I did not include personal stuff and the list was made in a random order. I'm sure if you are up to date, most of which will have a recall on you. 

(2013 in collage)

Here goes a recap of the year in 100: 

1. Janet Lim Napoles

2. Obama cares

3. Typhoon Haiyan/ Yolanda

4. Teng Brothers

5.  Selfie

6. Elevator girl

7. Ms. World Megan Young

8. Ryzza Mae Show

9. Don Mariano Bus Accident

10. Bohol, Cebu earthquake

11. Zamboanga siege

12. Royal Baby Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge

13. Catching Fire

14. iOS 7, iphone 5s and 5c, ipad air

15. Nelson Mandela

16. Gentlemen by Psy

17. Wanderland Music Festival

18. Paul Walker

19. NBA Pre-Season Game in Manila Indiana Pacers versus Houston Rockets

20. Ruffy Biazon

21. UST-DLSU UAAP championship

22. 2013 Senatorial and Barangay Elections: Nancy Binay, Dick Gordon, Cynthia Villar

23. Just give me a reason by Pink

24. Be careful with my heart

25. Star Cinema's On the job by Erik Matti

26. Bella Flores

27. Letran-San Beda NCAA championship

28. Charice Pempengco

29. Anderson Cooper

30. Tulong na, Tabang na

31. My husband's lover

32. The Voice of the Philippines

33. Team Kramer

34. Pacquiao-Bradley

35. Justin Bieber in Tacloban

36. NU Pep Squad

37. Game of thrones

38. G2B

39. Wrecking Ball

40. Movie installments: Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Despicable Me 2, Before Midnight, Cloudy with a chance of meatball 2, Kickass 2, Wolverine

41. Instax Mini

42. Million People March

43. 3rd Runner-up Ms. Universe Ariella Arida

44. "Neseye ne eng lehet" -Daniel Padilla

45. My little bossings

46. Scandals: Wally Bayola, Chito Miranda and Neri Naig

47. Ilo-ilo

48. Blurred lines

49. "I can buy you, your friends and this club!"

50. Egypt and Syria

Win a Hello Kitty Instax-mini camera too!

I am not called Ladyluck Gazette for nothing.

So far in my 22 years of existence, I've won several things from different contests be it on a raffle basis or an essay/question and answer type one. My friends even asked me to join Lotto/lottery but I told them I may lose all my luck if I join that. Maybe next time.

Concert tickets, guest lists, home appliances, gadgets and even cash prizes name it. Those are some of the things I've won to name a few. Partly, it's probably because of my guts and will to win, or my creativity and talent maybe, but mostly I think luck always play a big role in all of my winning-streak. I'd like to believe that it's all because of me, but sometimes I just believe in fate because there are instances that no matter how hard you try in life, you just can't seem to get it. If it's not for you, it will never be, they say. As cliche as it may sound, that seems to be 75-90 percent true to me. I don't usually have faith in fate but when all else fail, I just resort to that good old Lenon line: "LET IT BE." For whatever will be will be.

Going back to my winning-streak, in 2013 alone, I've won six contests! Close-up summer solstice ticket (failed to attend), guest list for Bloggers United 5, a magazine subscription from Zinio and Ana Viajera (Nylon, baby!), a mug from ETC and very recently my favorite prize to date, a Hello Kitty instax-mini camera from SM Accessories Kids! How lucky, isn't it? I myself couldn't believe it as well.

When I've learned the contest from Ava Te, I immediately bookmarked the mechanics.

Old mechanics

However, I got preoccupied by a lot of things and failed to attend work due to typhoon Maring that I ended up not remembering it until the deadline came! Good thing my entry got in even if it was just a last minute strike. My friend was laughing at me because it was a contest sponsored by SM Accessories Kids, emphasis on Kids. I don't really think I will win because my essay was a blah made for about 5-10 minutes but I guess stroke of luck really played well, what do we know, this kid at heart won!

After watching a very victorious UAAP game of UST versus FEU, I browsed Facebook for updates and found out that I won.

YAHOO!

I literally jump from joy and squealed because it was so unexpected. I'm a true blue HK fan for as long as I can remember. I even plan to buy it if I don't win but my parents don't approve because they told me I already own digital cameras and phone cameras. You know how I love photos and cameras, so no. But yes to winning!

I claimed my prize at SM Mall of Asia Building C.

Across Sunrise Blvd.

I was so glad people there were so accomodating, special mention to Ms. Rovie. My undertime for work was totally worth it!

Thank you SM Accessories!

I could not thank SM Accessories kids enough! They even took a photo of me for their documentation purposes. Ms. Rovie noticed that my phone strap and wallet was Hello Kitty. I told you I was a fan!

Surely, I went home with a smile on my face. 

Happy Kid!

                   

Later that evening, I bought a film to finally test it. It is quite expensive but of course it's worth buying. The sales lady from SM Department store took a photo of me.

Here's my baby and my selfie:

The prize is right!

I know you want to win this too. You still have a chance. Just follow

Heartless 2012

This is the first time I did not write the traditional New Year's Eve post.

This is the first time I am writing with so much hate and pain on a new year's day. What do they say? There are always first times. (Don't you worry, I will not make you feel like I'm hating because that is an emotional thing going on in my head)

Year 2012 had been one of the toughest I've gone through. It was heartless but also rewarding. In all fairness to it it was a fun-filled year with memories I will still cherish and am grateful for. However, it was bittersweet. There were memories I wish I could really forget. It happens. There were mistakes that could not be undone but there were always lessons gained. Instead of sighing, I could only turn these into positivism by being thankful. Good or bad, THANK YOU, 2012. 

There were several first times in 2012. First time to travel with cousins from mother side outside the country, first time to get so drunk, first time to watch a gig, first time to go to places I did not know (alone), first time to have job interviews, first time to have a work, first time to receive salary, first time to attend a Halloween house party, first time to have sleep overs on cities apart my hometown, first time to perform a solo act (for work Christmas party), first time to miss Paskuhan, first time to have a Company Christmas party... the list goes on. Those were the things I will look back for. And for that I could say 2012 is a year of first times. Who knows what 2013 might turn out to be? I am only excited for the surprises it will bring since 2012 had been really surprising too.

I am thankful for a lot of things: the books I've read, the new people I've met, the people who stuck with me on difficult and happy times, the food I ate (hence a fatter Rosette), entertainment, surprises, Neo-centennial night, thesis defense, Baccalaureate mass, College graduation (I have yet to blog), love which/who made and broke my 2012, friends, family, relatives, concerts, fashion week, events, interviews, work, money, good health, movies I've watched, songs I listened to, BBM, YahooMessenger, Facebook, Globe, interwebs, camera, photographs, gifts, travels, coffee/shopping/lunch/dinner/movie dates, prizes, places visited, TV shows, truth, survival, UST, sleep, rest days, birthday, jokes, stories, hugs, kisses, meaningful and sincere conversations, ideas and all the experiences in between. You can see that my thoughts are unorganized because this is the only time I was able to blog again. A year ago I dreamt of having a project 365 but for the lack of collaboration and time I failed  to do so but here I am blogging. Good start eh? I still owe you stories from 2011 and 2012. I will write about them but for now this blog post will serve as my summary for the year that was. 

I will surely miss 2012 because of school but I can only reminisce the moments with a smile.

I am thankful for all that was. I am proud that despite the tears shed I have remained strong and that I even surpassed the Mayan apocalypse. If you are reading this, congratulations, you also made it! Congratulating one's self by the end of the year should be an annual ritual because you are brave enough to last and surpass 365 days even when I know there were times you thought of giving up. 

There are no expectations for 2013. I could only hope that life would be kind enough and that it will be pain and worry-free. There is only looking forward for all that will be. Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached my birthday month again. Happy New Year! Cheers to continuum! Of life and love, of family and friends, of travels, dreams, career and happy thoughts. May we have a glorious year ahead!

This is my first photo for 2013. I am with our dog Aski. Free hugs from us!

14 years of being THE lord of info

Happy 14th birthday, lord Google! You should know how thankful I am for every bit of information I earn/ still earning and will earn from you. You are amazing beyond what the world has imagined. I still consider you one of the most helpful things I have discovered by far. Do know that you are one of the world's greatest blessings so I hope you will stay the same and keep growing. I owe my knowledge and entertainment from you, as well as this blog and almost every thing else I enjoy on the interwebs because if not for you I would not have find them. Maybe someday I would write a tribute about that, about you. Just maybe. Nevertheless,  stay awesome, you. Don't forget so many people rely on you. Don't crash on us. Don't thank us. Thank you. To me you are not just a search engine but a lord. All hail for we are celebrating your birthday... to infinity and beyond, cheers!

Forever in awe of you,

Rosette

CLOSING TIME

I can still remember the past two December 31s I’ve spent in front of my laptop doing my year-end blog posts and yet here I am again doing another. I guess time passed by so quickly.

We are once again on the last page of the calendar, crossing out the last date of the year, and in a few, we’ll be turning the page and replace our old calendar with a new one to give way for 2-0-1-2.

My 2011 was bittersweet and very challenging. Along the way, it thought me these six words: “You win some, you lose some.”

To reminisce the year that was here’s a recap of the past 12 months, some I wish to forget and some I will always treasure:

January- My month. Good times rolled: My 20th birthday, A start of the new decade, our clan reunion, Quadricentennial celebration of UST. I got a gift: Amazon Kindle. What a great start of the year.

February- Nothing much I can remember except that I counted about 400 people holding bouquet of roses on Valentine’s day. Of course, with a friend. (Lame I know, but entertaining. ;)) P.S. I was able to watch Sugarfree perform live before they disbanded, Yay! Thank you, Arki! I love that band so much. <3

March- End of my 3rd year in UST. This was also the month I started my OJT for broadcast on ABS-CBN foundation. Met new people there, was able to work with them with F-U-N. (I kinda miss ELJ building now! *sobs*) Also the shoots we’ve had for PhotoJRN and Artapp docu.

April- Oh, I love this month! Everyday OJT. Holy week. Swimming. Maginhawa St. foodtrip. My almost-Bruno Mars encounter on our office. And most definitely, The Script concert! <3

May- After some OJT hunting, landed to another internship, this time in print at the Journal group of Publication (People’s Journal and People’s tonight.) I loved my beat CAMANAVA where I met my journmates who eventually became my friends. What’s even more great about the experience was that I got published. Won’t forget our Makati day-outs and the afternoons and evenings I spent at Padre Noval St. as well.

June- SWEET month. Start of the 1st semester which meant it was also the start of my last year in UST. Everything sweet. Can we just replay this month? :)

July- HELLUVAH. Not my month obviously, lost a phone. Something happy? Cinemalaya goes to UP (Edgar Allan :”>), NBA all-star game at the Big Dome and my Galaxy Tab.

August- Rock and roll month! 4JRN3’s Wendy’s Baconator foodtrip. The play William. Viaje Tomasino concert. New Phone. AB Himigsikan. God, the fangirl in me… Kean Cipriano! <3

September- I only remember Ghe’s 20th birthday at The French Baker, MMJ and Belavers’ anniversary.

October- Two dear friends left for the US, Lyka and Maxine (I miss them.) Lost another phone (I guess I failed to prove that I’m not Ladyluckgazette right there.) End of a hellish sem but thankful I passed. :D Sembreak. Mario Maurer’s fancon.

November- Second sem! Thesis face on. 11/11/11. Ocean park and Taft visits. Grad pictorial. Got my BB.<3

December- Christmas spirit! Lovely memories: Gawad Ustetika Awards Night. 3-day retreat at Calaruega, My block’s Christmas party, Pre-paskuhan, Paskuhan and Family’s Christmas plus New year’s eve.

Of course, I may have forgotten to mention a lot more events or I intended not to mention them but it doesn’t matter anymore, I’m all ready to leave them behind. I’m thankful for the people who stayed with me however difficult I was. Those who shared the pains and joy of 2011 with me, a meaningful thank you for you. I really love you! I also experienced a lot of kick-ass moments, most of them first time to happen so it has been an adventurous journey. I’m grateful for the year that was, even if it caused me some pain in the middle. So many things to let go of and I tell you, boy was it hard, but I still learned from it. Like they said, ‘you win some, you lose some.’ All I know is that I, You, We, should be thankful that we’re survivors of 2011. Congrats! Here’s a pat on your back.

Now it’s time to sing this song by Semisonic… ‘Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end…’

Happy new year! Wishing you a better and worry-free 2012. Screw the thought of the world coming to an end this year. 2012 is all about moving forward. Let’s just have fun and let the good times roll for the next 366 days. Cheers to 2012! Cyberhugs everyone! >:D<

(Originally posted: December 31, 2011)

Eyesight

And though it was a sad affair
You just couldn't care
All you could think about was letting go

I wish that I could see the world thru your eyes
I wish that I could see the world thru your eyes
I wish that I could see the world thru your eyes
I wish that I could see

-20/20, Pupil

(Credits to Joanna Conde for the photo)

Mark Twain

Yesterday, November 30, this was on Google as the world celebrates Samuel Langhorne Clemens a.k.a. Mark Twain's birthday. And I am reminded of a friend who's really a big fan of him but no, I'm not going to blog about that.

I just thought that it's cute how Google logo reminds us of events with their artsy tribute or whatnot and it left me wondering who are the people behind those themed logos. Random thoughts. Happy birthday, Mark Twain!

We thank you for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Today is December 1, the end of the year begins. I'd just like you to know. Nothing parallel to Mr. Twain.

Warning: Killer Exams Ahead

Say hello to my review props! These are my reading materials for my Literary Criticism Exam. Actually, aside from this, I got a lot of exams to battle this Prelim week: Ethics. BroadJrn. Land reform and Taxation. So I really need to read, read, read and STUDY. I have to focus and fight with my sleepy head. My brain will be exhausted, I know, but it's all good, even if I'm busy with a lot of things there are still several reasons keeping me sane. There's still writing and you, right?

I just updated this blog to tell you I am busy but this blog is still alive and the 'blogger' is undergoing a lot of pressure right now and will make it up to you next time.

ACK.

FACEPALM.

May 25. FACEPALM DAY. I just usually rant on Twitter but I feel like blogging this so okay, here goes a rant for all my efforts wasted on that Wednesday.

Went to some place alone just because. Gone through a bad weather (a typhoon), heavy traffic and a jam-packed train. Arrived alive. Waited til the evening. But only for nothing. Forced to go home because there's nothing to expect and look forward to. Wasted a day. The end.

Forever alone moment.

Hate the fact that I can't do nothing but facepalm all my feelings for that day. If only.

This is what it feels like.

(On the left corner are the books I've read this year, while on the right corner are book I have yet to read)

I bet this is what it feels like to be unemployed. I just finished my internship for broadcast but I haven't started my On-the Job-training for print yet and I'm aiming to have one after the Holy Week but for now these books will keep me busy.

I. Books I've read: Kiko Machine Blg. 5 Venn Man- Manix Abrera, Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan- Bob Ong, Daddy Long Legs- Jean Webster and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde- Robert Louis Stevenson.

II. Future read-list: To Kill a Mocking Bird- Harper Lee, Great short works of Mark Twain- Mark Twain, The Return of Sherlock Holmes- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes: The complete novels and Stories Volume I- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Me and Mr. Darcy- Alexandra Potter, The Kitchen God's Wife- Amy Town, The Murder in Mesopotamia- Agatha Christie, Portrait of a Lady- Henry James and Where the heart is- Billie Letts

Most of these books were second-hand. I hoarded them intentionally for summer vacay but it turns out that I'd be spending most of my time on my OJT, however, for now that I still have my free time I'd be reading these along with the E-books I downloaded for my Kindle.

What was I thinking really, I can't stop myself from buying books. If I see one that's good enough for my taste and the price is good enough for my pocket I'd go buy them even when my stock of books are still piled up. I know, books are to be read and not just meant to be stocked. My friend always tell me that, but, I still feel like buying them even when I have a lot already. Here goes my impulsive self again. Don't you worry, I promise I will read them when I have time.

P.S. That's the reason why my Twain book's with my friend already. Only because it's been with me for a long time and still haven't read a page of it. My bad. Sorry, my beloved books.


III. Additional to-reads: A million little pieces- James Frey and 4 Archie Comic Digest courtesy of Ate Mary.

So, I bought another book at Booksale and these comic digests arrived from New York. Thank you, Ate Mary!

Oh my, my read-lists are getting longer but I love it. I'll never get bored with a book in hand. For now I will just control myself and stop buying books. Err. But that won't keep me from visiting bookstores.

Whatever happened to A.Y. 2010-2011

...and to everything else in between.

I drafted this blog some days ago thinking of what to write because the school year was just full of emotions that I can't put it into words.

Like every school year, there are a lot of stories to tell with this one. Happy ones, sad ones and undefinable ones. Of course, all of those things are what's keeping it worth remembering. To say the least it has been one of the hardest school years so far for I've got to deal with a lot of things aside from school works. There's a lot of pressure going on especially on the latter part where I have to organize the things needed for my internship this summer. Luckily though, I got over all the hardships and passed the subjects not with flying colors but still just right and something to be thankful for. After all the shoots for PhotoJourn, schedule mishaps, shoots for ArtApp Docu, long hours in front of my laptop editing and transcribing videos, interviews here and there, editing of research papers. it's all done and I'm off to face another one this coming June. A big one, for it'll hopefully be my last year in UST. Oh yes, that fast already. We'll be the official Quadricentennial Senior batch by May 31. I don't know what to feel with that but I'm glad I've overcome six semesters already. So whatever happened to Academic Year 2010-2011 will just stay there. And whatever I will feel this coming school year is something that I am looking forward to.

Dearest reader

This is becoming an unattended blog and for that, I apologize once again.

I don't even know if there are regular readers/followers here or if there are any who's interested with my blog and what goes on with my not-so-boring-plain-life. Heck, I don't even have fans or haters to prove that, but what the hell, I'm still writing anyway.

But you know what? it's good to know that once in a while, someone will approach me and say: "Hey, I've read your blog. Keep writing." I have a good feeling when I get compliments like that, it's like even when I know my writing style is not really exceptional and I usually talk about non-sense random topics and events in my life , there are still few people left who appreciate what I write. I am thankful that they are there because they inspire me to write even when you know, there's really nothing worth writing about.

So... to you who's reading this now, THANKS A LOT! Thank you for using your precious time reading this. Sorry for wasting your time and for not meeting up with your expectations because of my shortcomings, but let that be not a reason to stop reading and following this blog. I may know you personally or not but I love you for giving an f*** and caring about my posts. I hope I can read yours too. Till next time, I promise I will update this once I have a chance. Be still and get happy! :)

Love,
Ladyluckgazette

Surprise, surprise!

In an hour and 5 minutes I will turn 20.

(At least when I drafted this post. January 21)

My college friends love surprising friends who celebrate their birthdays. When I was about to turn 18, some of them attempted to surprise me. You know, just the usual. My crush as their gift, but of course they failed so until now I haven't received any surprise, not even once. Because I warned them that I hate surprises. I have this weird anxiety attack (Which I hate but keep on happening at the most unexpected times of my life, ugh.), even though the thought of seeing my crush on that special day makes me want it more, I just can't. I might get frozen or what. Nearly heart attack perhaps, oh well. My nervousness really is annoying and exaggerated and I don't want that to happen in front of the man of my dreams. Who wants that to happen anyway? It's shameful. But given the chance I listed the 10 surprises I would like to be prepared for me, on my birthday or on Valentine's Day. I know these are really impossible things to ask, but this is just me and my playful imagination. Plus these really are intended to be impossible. Who knows? It might just happen.

1. Wake up and see my love on my bedside holding a bouquet of flowers and a big bear and see trails of roses on my room traced with the sentences "Happy birthday" or "I love you." --Cheesy, I know. But it takes a lot of effort. And I'd surely appreciate anyone who'd be brave enough to do that. But first, you should ask for my parents' permission because it's our house anyway.

2. Be given a book which has a ticket to Paris inside or a concert ticket of my favorite artists would do. --That would be so lovely.

3. Come home from school and have a surprise birthday party with all the people I miss.-- This is cliche, I like it just like in the movies. I just want to know how it feels like if it's happening to me.

4. Enter a roomful of my favorite things and food from my favorite people.

5. A video with all the birthday greetings from my favorite people, crushes etc.

6. Get a call from everyone whom I haven't seen in ages. From my favorite people.

7. Have someone sing me my favorite songs on stage if possible. Like that on TV, whenever they surprise celebrities.

8. Receive tons of love letter from my favorite people.

9. Have a dance with all my crushes. --I sound like I'm 18 here. HAHAHA!

10. Be taken to that lovely place somewhere down south and have a candle lit dinner wit my love. (That place will remain secret, though.)

Some are just impossible. One, I don't have a love. Second, some are just too expensive. And some take serious effort and time. Too golden that you would not want to expect.

P.S. I'd love to have a ride on a hot air balloon with someone. Someone who I don't know yet.

Now make that the 11th surprise.

#2010 was...

(Bring it on 2011!)

I don’t know what word will suit it best but I am still hashtagging the year that was. It has been my tradition to blog every 31st of December so yeah.

Tap tap tap goes my nineteen year-old self blogging on the last day of the year. Last day of the milennium decade. Last year of being a teen. Can you believe it?
That fast. But oh well, 2010 was nevertheless good. Although I ranted, cursed and sobbed almost everyday of my life, 2010 has been considerate enough.
I cannot count the memories I weaved all throughout the year, good or bad, I learned and I am very much thankful for that. The 2000 decade was also good, Thank God! Congratulations, we survived 2010!

(GPOY: I knocked-out 2010!)

Cheers to my teenage years! I am saying goodbye this early so that I won’t see myself in state of denial on the day that I turn 20. I look like a kid, but yeah I am turning 20 this January. You can’t do anything about aging. Nobody can escape, so 20s, I am welcoming you this early. Embracing my oldness if there is such a thing. Hurrah! I’m glad I knocked out 2010 alive and kicking. This goes to the past 19 years of my life as well. I hope we’ll all have a kick-ass year ahead.

For the new people I met, new experiences I’ve had and abundant blessings I received, I am raising my glass! For the people who stayed and cared, I love you! Cheers to you all and thank you for being part of my life in the past 12 months and should I say, 10 years. It was all worth it. We have another year to share with, and I am only hoping the best for all of us. Forget about what’s making us sad and hurt, let’s all be happy, have a heart-ache free, healthy and smooth-sailing year. I’m sending all the good vibes and luck. Let’s make 2011 epic. Be better! You know I love you! Make 2011, mine oh mine.

For now let’s just savour the hours left for 2010, enjoy the Fs: food, fireworks, friends and family! Happy Strong New Year!
Love, peace and happiness for everyone! Attraversiamo this new decade! <3

To God be the Glory!

“Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia.” - Charles Schulz

First sem A.Y. 2010-2011: Photo-blogged

If I were to describe the First Semester I've had, I'll use a line from Eminem and Rihanna's Love the way you lie, "I can't tell you what it really is, I can only tell you what it feels like..".
Exactly that, because it is hard to describe but in five words it is:
1. Sleep-depriving- Sometimes I don't even sleep. Now, my body clock's reversed. Screwed. I'm always alive during the wee hours of the night. Turned zombie. I.need.to.restart.my.bodyclock. Seriously.
2. Too hectic- deadlines here and there, write. write. write. (even when writer's block happen almost every time that I needed it) Juggled three editorial tasks along with quizzes, projects and exams for I was an EIC for a group in Lit, Assoc Ed for a group in Feat and Features Ed for a group in NPM. Tiring but I got through it easily because of good and helpful colleagues,Thank God!
3 and 4.Fun and memorable- I got to meet awesome people, cover events, do things I've never done before, gained a lot of experience with a rollercoaster of emotions and taught me some tough lessons (good or bad), travel, have photoshoots, sleepover, interviews, learn a lot of things, practice them,and get good grades in the process. and I guess that is why it ended as #5. Fulfilling. The word itself says it all.

I think these aren't enough though, in a span of almost 5 months so much has happened and I guess it'd be more vivid if I put them into photos. Let's include the non-school related stuff as well.

June

June 16, 2010.Wednesday. Taken right after Sir Nestor Cuartero's first Feature Writing Class meeting. After this day, so much has happened. A magazine project etc.

July

July 9, 2010. Watched this for free! I'm a sucker for concerts that I joined a contest on radio. Thanks to U92FM for this opportunity. I was hella lucky to win tickets especially that this is THE USHER. Totally made me OMG!

August

Met two Legendary personalities. National Artist for Literature, F. Sionil Jose at the Annual Journalism Seminar and Manix Abrera, my favorite cartoonist!

September

Mona's 18th and Trojan Women shoot for Achaean Lith magazine. I had fun on both.

October

Had a free Walk this way tour, courtesy of the Mr. Carlos Celdran. I was also able to interview him for Halo-Halo magazine and Metro Bullet News blog. He was the man of the hour then because of the Damaso thing and I was lucky he agreed for an interview.

There are several memories to share but those were just some that encapsulated over the past five months. I know second sem will add more to these. I am looking forward to that.

Let it be

"Sometimes it is better to let things happen rather than insisting on how you want them to be done."
I got this message from a friend, didn't realize he sent it twice until I tried deleting messages from my inbox and saw it. He sent it on different months but it only made sense just now.

People say we should not let things happen because we make things happen, I beg to disagree. It's not at all times that we can make things happen, sometimes we try hard to make things work yet it's still not enough. It sucks really. I sometimes wonder if it's only a challenge so one can have what he/she really deserve. But what if you've already done too much? Ain't it a sign that what you want is really not for you? I'm sorry, I don't have the answer either. I'm trying to figure it out as well. I'm currently reading Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist and there's this part which can be related to this. The main character Santiago is in search of his destiny and his dream but life's being too hard on him. The question now is it time for him to give up when he's nearing his destination? or Will he strive hard even when there's no certainty that his dream will come true? It all boils down to risking once again.

It's like he tries everything to make things work, it's been doing good, then when he's finally nearing completion, something happens and ruin things. It's like he's against all odds. It may not be about perfect timing because everyday he try yet it's still busted. Then he decided that' it's about time to surrender and just let things be. Maybe it's a good joke of fate. Nobody knows.

It's still an open-ended question. I'll leave it hanging until I found the right answers.

Random mumblings

My calendar says October 28.

It means today is enrollment day (I just enrolled earlier), Second sem is just around the corner, Semestral break's about to end (Oh no, oh yes!) and there are only three days left before November starts.

Happy Halloween, guys!

I've been MIA for months, and like the usual I'm here again blogging because I have been busy and I felt the urge to write again. Writing not because I need to, but because I want to. There are many things going on in my head right now. It's 11:31 pm on the clock and yet my senses are wide awake. (Probably, slept too much) I just feel like writing. Random. This time it's not about me updating you with my life. I just write whatever comes out from my thoughts which were lately, only in my head. I promise I'm going to post this before 12 midnight, because if not I guess it's not October 28 anymore. And I totally know it didn't made any sense.

It's ironic how my thoughts flow yet I can't put them into words. Maybe this is what they call 'cluttered-brain'. Well, yeah, I'm thinking maybe that's it.

Have you ever felt you think too much? I do. Always. People. Things. Food. Philosophies. Ideas. Dreams. Anything and everything. I actually think I over analyze things, like on simple decisions. I just realize how I think too much. Say for example a simple choice whether what to wear on this and that takes time.

Red? Pink? Black? What color? T-shirt? Dress? Pants or skirt? What if it didn't fit to the occasion? What if someone wears the same? Is it tacky? Do I look good in it?

Questions go on and on and the more questions and answers I have, the more confuse I get. They say life is complicated. I think it is too. But they were right when they said that we're the only ones who complicate things. If we only learn how to not care, then decision-making will be easy. Maybe we're afraid to make certain choices because we are scared of the outcome. Life is always a risk. We'll never know if we'll never try. Sometimes I think that it's better to not risk. You won't get hurt. Wise decision? No. It's just a safe one. You're not bound to get hurt or any but you'll never be happy either. So what am I saying? Ah, I just thought that in risking we may see good and bad. We will. Been there, done that. Whether it's a good thing or a bad thing is not on our control. We just have to savor it, after all it is our decision. Don't regret if your decision fails, it's a good thing that you tried and risked. It made you wiser and gained you experience anyway. Life is always hard. It will never be exciting if it is easy as we want it to be.

Five minutes left before 12 am, so I am ending this now. Don't know if I made any sense or if I helped or tickled your neurons with what I wrote. In all honesty, I'm not sure why I wrote that, because like I said I just let my hands type the words in my head. Let me just say that I am no wise at life, I fall down too, but those are just my realizations that I just felt like sharing.

Today is October 28. And it's been three years since. Three long years. What this means is for me to know and for you to find out.

Last Tango, then Paris

I bet you know what just happened if you are a Gossip Girl addict.

Right, I just watched the Season 3 Finale of the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite. And yes the title is "Last Tango, then Paris". Wild guess on Season 4? Yup yup, Some scenes will be taken in Paris. I.CAN'T.WAIT.TO.SEE.THAT. For real. I mean, really. Okay enough, it's in its nth power exaggeration already, too much hyperbole.

So about the finale, one word: TRAGIC. Everyone ended up heartbroken all because of Little J. And with the jaw-dropping ending, Chuck Bass just can't die. Gossip Girl without Chuck Bass is taboo. I can never imagine that, especially now that Chace Crawford (Nate Archibald) got arrested (in real life). That just can't happen. Will join boycott if ever. Make Chuck Bass alive! After all Chuck Bass is Chuck Bass, and everybody loves him, without a doubt. Kill anyone but not him, they already killed Bart Bass. But on second thought that would be the magic of Season 4, turn things upside down with its shocking twists. I'm hoping it'd be a good one. It should be an exciting one, the return of Georgina Sparks, Single ladies Blair and Serena Jenny leaving, Paris, Dan going to Prague? Death of Chuck Bass? One new spectacular season. If ever Chuck's strong character would be gone, it surely won't be forgotten. So much of the girls who cried for him and who will cry if that happens. September 2010, xoxo Gossip Girl, bring it on!

"And all in the instant everything changes, we leave the past behind and speed toward the unknown, our future. We set out for far off places and try to find ourselves, or try to lose ourselves exploring pleasures closer to home. The problem start when we refuse to let change happen and cling to old habits, but if we hold on to the past too tight the future may never come." -Gossip Girl

*I seriously took an effort on transcribing this parting line of Gossip Girl. I'm that addict. Don't you agree that the quote is so sensible?*

DARIA OVERLOAD

I can't get enough of Daria!!!

(MTV's Daria: Full Cast)

Preview: The people of Lawndale just don't get Daria Morgendorffer. She's cool with that. See, Daria was born alienated, and now she's just trying to make it through high school with as little human contact as possible. Popularity, friends, activities...whatever. Daria lacks enthusiasm, but she makes up for it with sarcasm. Daria is the spin-off of MTV's most sucessful cartoon, BeavisandButt-Head. (http://tv.blinkx.com/show/daria/LzsabYom81YwlFk5pbcnYOA2A1Y#s3)

Why didn't I think of watching this when Summer vacation is only starting? I feel bad I've only thought of watching it today. I should have done this before. Back when I have all the time in the world. Now I'm rushing things since my to-do list is still getting longer yet I am running out of time. Yet again, so many things to do so little time.

This TV show Daria was one of my all-time faves along side with As told by Ginger. Am I a geek? I just love those kind of settings. It's something just about the ordinary life. "Relate-able"actually if there is such a word. Not so much of a fiction although it's a cartoon, it still speaks about reality that's why I like it. And I'm addicted to it right now. Can't stop myself from thinking why only now again??? Didn't know it ran until Season 5 and I didn't know it started airing March,1997. That long? Goodness, it will take a lot of time to catch up. I've heard they would even come up with a DVD this year, awesome indeed. But till then I'll be having classes. Thank you very much swift time.

I'm five seasons behind but so what? That means I can still engage myself on watching this lovely cartoon in case boredom strikes anytime this school year which is most unlikely to happen. It's still all good, for now I have to kill Season 3 of Gossip Girl, Season 1 of Glee, let alone all the crap and sleep myself.

And hey, before I forget, I'd have to greet my Motherland, Happy Independence Day!
If not for Philippine Independence day there would be no entertainment, so Thank You. June 12.
(#ThisIsNotRelatedToDariaAtAll)