The Story of my Life

Without counting the previous post, I would admit I have been M.I.A. for more than a year now. Boy do I have a lot of updating to do. Especially since last year was one of the most eventful year of my life.

Been to both record-breaking highs and lows last year, which turned out to be a real test of faith, trust and love--not only for me but also to the people around me. And at the end of it all, only those who have steadfast faith, those who trust and those who love deeply survived.

Before I can let you in on what's current with me, let me fill you in on what you missed last year. This will be a series of updates, so please bear with me.

Pamamanhikan

As you know, Jerome and I got engaged in March. Two weeks after he proposed, Jerome and his family did the traditional "pamamanhikan", with a twist. Instead of them going to our home, we rented out a function room in Serendra where our families met. We also invited some of our closest relatives and friends to join us. First, our families had a "closed-door" meeting where Jerome and I laid down our plans for the wedding. After the family meeting, we had dinner with our relatives and friends, followed by a short program. It was a memorable occasion simply because it was our first big step in letting the whole world know that we love each other this much.

Highlight of the event: This event was considered a dry-run of D-Day. And so we learned that (i) Jerome and I can stay calm even under pressure; (ii) entertaining guests is a tough job; and (iii) my feet would hurt at the end of the night if I didn't get comfy shoes.

Here's a photo of us with our families

Thinking of reviving this blog or creating a new one. Either way, I think I need to go back to writing. Need to find a medium to express my mind.

Watch out.

Men, as explained by Jerome, appreciate a song for their melody or music and less of the lyrics. So whenever I tell him I have a song for him, his initial reaction is "sounds good" followed by "what does it mean?"

The other day, he said, he found a nice song that we can use for the wedding, maybe after the you-may-now-kiss-the-bride part. I didn't think the lyrics meant special to him until last night, when I was teasing him how much he loved taking my picture even when we were still friends. He said he loves the way I smile (aaaawwww...kilig!!!! hahaha), thus the song:

After a Small World, a gondola ride around Walt Disney's creations, Jom encouraged all of us to try the Space Mountain without giving us any background of what it is. The Space Mountain, as I heard, is one of the most enjoyable rides in Disneyland.

The ride will be slow at the start. And you will see nothing but pin lights that appear like stars in outer space. Then suddenly the cart will move fast, up and down. After the uphill and downhill ride will come a deep plunge and a sharp turn. It will all be deep plunges and sharp turns from then on, only faster. At some point, it will also make a loop.

The dome was filled with screams and laughter all throughout the ride. My Iegs were stiff as I was afraid that if I let loose any body part, it would hit somewhere. Sometimes I would laugh at the thought that Jom tricked us into getting in as well as the reactions I hear from other people, but most of the time I would scream for fear of my life. I was screaming up to the last leg of the ride. Thus this hideous picture.

We had a good laugh seeing this photo. It shows who had fun and those who wish they'd never gotten in. Unfortunately for me, I'm one of the latter.

Jerome and I celebrated our first year anniversary last 21 October. Can you believe it's been a year?! I haven't celebrated HAPPY anniversaries for a long time so this is definitely an achievement for me. Yey to us!

These are the things we got from each other...

a bunch of my favorite flowers, caricature, scrapbook (green gift), coffee and cake

... plus kisses, warm hugs and lotsa love.

I’ve been dreaming about something so frequently it’s starting to bother me. Not that it’s a bad dream, but I just wish I would stop dreaming about it. Maybe I should stop thinking about it, too, to help me get rid of it. But damn, the people, the situations and my mind just won’t cooperate.

I want it to stop, NOW. Because the more that I think about it, the more impatient I get. And that's just not me. Because one, I believe that things happen for a reason and, second, things will happen in Jess' perfect time. I don't want to rush things because I know if I did, it will be hilaw or worse, it might not workout right. So, I am now praying to all the angels and saints and Jess, to please grant me patience and shoo away the evil thoughts lurking in the deep recesses of my mind.

As planned, we spent the weekend at La Luz Beach Resort. It was our first time so there were no expectations. All we wanted was to chill in the beach and wait for my birthday. Poker. Drinking. Listening to good music. Chatting. Playing board games ---these filled our weekend. It was definitely a break from work, something that our minds and bodies needed.

We left La Luz the next day around 1pm. We were all in a hurry as we wanted to catch the ADMUvsDLSU game. Don't ask me what happened.

I'm an RX Morning Rush listener. When I'm not listening to my Days CD, I tune in to RX's daily Top Ten for some laugh time. Let me share with you some entries for the Top Ten "Notes" Moment, from Chico's blog.

10. No name - I once left a note to my crush: "Ako ang scientist mo at ikaw ang lab ko!"


9. Kenike - I’m on a jeep right now with a note in fr0nt that says "Fool the string to STOP".


8. Jose de vengenge - Sa sidewalk: "Bawal umihi dito." And near it: "Dito pwede." Another sidewalk: "Bawal omehe deto, mahole potul tete."


7. Jhoy - Notes found in: jeeps & buses: "Before pay, tell were get the on before get the off"; Mandaluyong: "Bawal umehi dito. Ang maholi bog-bog"; Makati: "Don’t parking"; Cubao: "None I.D. nothing entry".

6. Nappy Boy - One day in school we were so noisy, when suddenly a teacher stepped into the room and angrily wrote on the board "QUEIT!"


5. Jacq-jacq - My mom left me a note: "Anak, stay foot. Babalikan ka namin."

4. Bards/Pink Spark - Story from senator Flavier. In the early days of his marriage, his wife noticed that there were droplets on the rim of the toilet bowl every time he pees. One morning, there was a note on the bowl that said, "Go closer my dear, it’s not that long!"


3. Jose de vengenge - Sa FA in U.P.: "God is dead. - Nietzsche" And then one beside it replied: "Nietzsche is gay. - God"


2. ALLEN - Read at the men’s room of the AS Bldg in UP: "Here I sat br0ken-hearted, tried to shit but only farted".

1. McMaki - My officemate came back from a business trip & brought peanuts as pasalubong for us. He left it at the pantry and placed a note on the board saying: "May mani sa panty, kuha na lang kayo!"


I don't have the courage to submit my entries so let me just share with you some of my personal "notes" moments:


4. Written on one of the columns supporting the MRT line along EDSA, across Farmers: "RAF loves FMIC." (True love itu!)


3. My officemate sticks this note on her screen whenever she leaves her desk: "Gone to the light at the end of the tunnel." (Mamimiss ka namin!)

2. Note on my officemate's (same person in number 3...hehe! Wabyu!) penholder: "These pens are cursed. Please return after use or all your hair will fall off." (Sige ka! Baka maka-Mark ka. hehe)

A month ago I wrote about Jom fixing up his rented place. He’s done with the renovation and yesterday, he had the first official housewarming party with his family. Housewarming parties for friends will be held separately as the place cannot accommodate a lot of people.

So if you’re wondering what his place looks like, here are some photos:

Front door Living Room
Dining Room
Mini Bar and Kitchen

I think some got confused with my last blog entry. My apologies for not being clear and accurate. So just to clarify, he's renting the unit. It's at Bonifacio Heights. He can't buy this unit primarily because the place is exclusive for the Military. He's renting it from a military doctor who's assigned somewhere else. He renovated the place nonetheless as he wants it presentable. He and his housemate, business partner Teban, shared in buying the furnitures and appliances. That's he's investment na daw. :-)

More pictures from the housewarming party can be viewed here.

...do you think she will like this?

I don't remember the last time I gave her flowers, so I bought this as a present when we visit her tomorrow.

I love you Mame. :-) Mwah! Mwah!

Thanks Ryah!

When God Made You - Newsong

It's always been a mystery to me
How two hearts can come together
And love can last forever
But now that I have found you, I believe
That a miracle has come
When God sends the perfect one

Now gone are all my questions about why
And I've never been so sure of anything in my life

I wonder what God was thinking
When He created you
I wonder if He knew everything I would need
Because He made all my dreams come true
When God made you
He must have been thinking about me

I promise that wherever you may go
Wherever life may lead you
With all my heart I'll be there too
From this moment on I want you to know
I'll let nothing come between us
I'll love what ever you love

He made the sun He made the moon
to harmonize in perfect tune
One can't move without the other
They just have to be together
And that is why I know it's true
You're for me and I'm for you
Cause my world just can't be right
Without you in my life

I wonder what God was thinking
When He created you
I wonder if He knew everything I would need
Because He made all my dreams come true
He must have heard every prayer I've been praying
Yes, He knew everything I would need
When God made you
When dreams come true
When God made you
He must have been thinking about me

1. What is your favorite word? Love.

2. What is your least favorite word? Pwede “words” or phrase or sentence? Where na you? Here na me? Kainessss….But seriously, DEATH.

3. What turns you on, spiritually or emotionally? Faith, love for family, patience, perseverance, humor, respect.

4. What turns you off, spiritually or emotionally? Selfishness, cowardice, arrogance, hypocrisy.

5. What sound or noise do you love? Clicking sound of a camera; sound of my keyboard. Can’t think of anything else.

6. What sound or noise do you hate? Sound of a breaking glass.

7. What is your favorite curse word? Powtah.

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? A landscape photographer or as an athlete.

9. What profession would you not like to do? Embalmer. hehehe

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Welcome home, my Daughter.

I tag the HBs, Jake, Dyosa.

For the past four months, Jom and I have been going to malls looking for the right furniture that will fit in his condo. That’s what’s keeping us busy. (Yes, Jom will be moving out from his parent’s house to live on his own.) We’ve been through every furniture shop in every mall and depot in Makati, Quezon City and Ortigas, and very few designs caught his attention. But last Sunday, while Typhoon Frank was making his way out of Manila, we (more like “he” -- I was there for second opinion, no financial investment) found and bought the last piece of furniture we need to make the living room more functional (meaning pwedeng kainan, upuan etc.).

Yesterday, his staff started working on the interior of the condo. And today, he said that the dining table and cabinet have been delivered, while the sofa (which was supposed to be due in two weeks) will be delivered on Friday. Soon, he'll be living there full time.

I'm proud of him for this achievement. A couple of years ago, he mentioned this as one of his future plans (over booze), and now he’s almost there. Who would have thought that wasn't usapang lasing?

Great job, Hon! Hope I’ll still get to see you even though you’ll be living at the far end of EDSA.

Joined a team of engineers in their summer outing last weekend at White Coral Beach Resort, Bataan. This is the last in our calendar of summer activities. In the next couple of weeks, I'll be active in sports.

Goodbye, Sunshine! Hello, Rain!

We took a break from all the fun and summer getaways we've been doing the past couple of weekends to spend time and serve Kuya Jess through the Yuppie Days with the Lord.

This is one of the most memorable Weekends I had with Days as I was turned over to being Rector. The highness of all highs. I was dead tired when I got home, but it was all worth it. Being called to serve Jess this way is a great honor that I will forever cherish and be grateful for.

+BIL