Travel Post: Eurotrip (PARIS)

I have uploaded albums on FaceBook and photo sets on Tumblr that featured our most recent family adventure. It was way back in May, and it was one unforgettable experience. The last time we went out of the country with just us 6 (Ma Pa and siblings) was back in 2005. After that, we always travelled with extended family and friends. As much as I love traveling with a big group, I miss being with just my nuclear family.

It drove my dad crazy to be stuck in one place with his 5 girls, but I'm sure he loved every minute of it. My eldest sister already has a family of her own, and Celine has been living in New York for the past 2 years, so it was on most days just me, Ciara, and my parents. I enjoyed the whole 3 weeks we were away from reality. And in my dream destination, Europe. Ever since I was a kid I've always been fascinated with history. So I was more than ecstatic when we arrived in Paris. The Louvre was just a 15-minute walk from the apartment we rented for a week. The Bourse train station was just a 5-minute walk from our place. It was like I was living in a postcard. I had to pinch myself at one point because I felt like I was in a beautiful dream and I didn't want to wake up from it.

On our first day in Paris, my mom, sisters and I walked to the Louvre (never mind the jet lag) and then went to the Eiffel Tower. My dad stayed at home, since he and Celine just flew in from NYC that morning.

Ciara and I with the pyramid of Louvre at the background

The Mona Lisa behind me

Celine enjoying Paris

Ate and the Eiffel Tower

Of course a trip to Paris wouldn't be complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower, attending mass at the Notre Dame Cathedral, and going to Montmartre... And a day trip to Chateau de Versailles!

Ciara and Papa at the Notre Dame

We were lucky enough to have attended the mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Paris. But a lot happened prior to that. There was a group of young gypsies who surrounded us while on the train. If it weren't for this good French guy who caught the gypsies trying to steal from us, our trip would have probably been ruined. He kicked this gypsy girl from the train and started yelling at her in French. It was horrible, but thank you kind sir. We just laughed about it, but we were definitely more alert about our stuff after that incident.

Versailles

My beautiful parents at the Bourse train station while waiting for our ride

The Eiffel at night

Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile along Champs-Elysees

Shopping in Paris was heavenly. With the GST refund, my mom, sisters and I were going crazy. We did a lot of damage in Italy though, Paris was just for our b-bags, foie gras, and Laduree. :)

Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre

As much as I loved Paris, Rome has captured my heart. It is, for now, my favorite city in the world. New York is a close second. :) Will post about our Italian adventures next time. For now I have to finish my econ paper and my readings for next week's classes.

xoxo

BBM & Skype

I would never have survived my stay here in New York if it weren't for BBM and Skype. My day isn't complete without IMing my family and friends through BlackBerry Messenger. Oh and the wonderful Skype! To see your loved ones face to face and talk to them at the same time. What happiness!! How hard it must've been for people in long distance relationships back when these technologies weren't available then. Imagine, to tell your boyfriend who lives in the Philippines about how you are and stuff would take you at least 2 weeks (snail mail) or would cost you a lot (overseas phone calls). Thank God for internet and RIM :))

How cute is this little boy???

He was watching me while eating chocolates. Awww this was when my mom and I were talking through Skype last night and I asked for my nephew.

Life is tough without the company of your loved ones, but I am so blessed because I have my sister Celine with me. At least I'm not completely alone here. Registration for Spring semester is in two weeks, which means..... I'll be home in a month and a half.

School's been getting tougher, but I know I'll manage because of God. He's the best! Thank You Lord!

xoxo

My first snow

My Ate and I spent Christmas last 2005 at my uncle's place in Baltimore, Maryland. I thought then that I would finally achieve my childhood dream of seeing snow fall from the sky. Of course during the 2 weeks that we were there, it didn't snow. Not once.

Ate, Wacky, Tito Francis, Me and Paolo outside Church (December 2005)

Fast-forward to October 29th 2011. Woke up at noon, and my sister told me to open the blinds because it was snowing. It was such a beautiful sight. Snow falling from the sky. *sigh* I was feeling kind of down the past few days, but what I witnessed this morning was God's testimony of His goodness. I will bounce back, and I am claiming it. No pictures of today though, spent the whole day inside, where it's warm. Next time it snows, I'll make sure to take pictures.

Hope you're all having a great long weekend in the Philippines :)

xoxo

Despedida

Days before I left for my new adventure (August 19th to be exact), my Ate Mae threw a surprise going away party for me (despedida). She invited my closest family and friends to have one big bash before I bid adieu to Manila. Of course my parents and Ciara couldn't be there (Papa had a going away party with his friends too that night, while Mama and Ciara were in Spain for the World Youth Day). It was a night of fun, laughter, and lots of love. I felt the love from people I cared for. And to my other friends who weren't able to come, I still love you guys and I hope to see you this December.

Here are some of the pictures taken by Robert Garcia. I made it into a collage so I only have to upload it once. :)

Miracle Potion!

I know I'm supposed to be studying for my upcoming midterm right now, but I'm too early for my ManEcon make-up class that I'm too bored to start studying. I met up with my Math group mates at 2, and my next class is at 3:40. I already finished the coffee I brought from home (cheapskate that I am), and well I have nothing much to do. Nobody to Skype with, since everyone I know (back home) are probably all tucked in bed, except for Inna, who might be at work right now. Because of that, I decided to blog about this product I am currently in love with.

I have always been a fan of eyeliners. I myself am obsessed with it. I have literally tried at least 5 brands of eyeliner. From liquid, to cream/gel, to pencil liners, I've tried them all. But give it 2 hours on my skin, and it already smudges. Just last week, I bought a Christian Dior waterproof eyeliner at Bloomingdale's because the sales lady told me that it was 100% smudge-free. Well an hour on my skin later, it already smeared, plus I looked like a raccoon. I couldn't throw it away since it was a whooping $29 (+tax), plus I kind of deceived my mom into buying it for me hehe. Same thing goes for eyeshadows and mascara. They couldn't stay still on my eyes, could they?! Well, thank goodness for my sister, Celine, who suggested I buy this miracle product (it is for me!)

Here it is, the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Tube, which I bought in Sephora for only $19. I have been using it for days, and my eye make-up stays on the entire day (and night). It is a must-have for people with oily skin (or just oily eyelids like mine). I'm not sure if they sell this product in the Philippines, but I highly recommend this to all make-up lovers out there. To my friends in Manila who want this, but couldn't find any store offering this product, just let me know and I'll try to bring home a tube or two for you when I fly home in December.

Now will try to study for my next class. :)

Reality bites

My sister, Celine, just bought her own domain. Check out her blog here. She obviously got bored, but she's a great writer. Hope she posts more often. Her recent posts were about our family trips.

**

Getting busier with school, but that's fine by me. I need to keep myself busy, otherwise I'd wallow at the fact that my mom already flew home to Manila last night. Kept crying last night, even while watching Big Bang Theory. I've been so used to my mom being with us here, and remember how I'd always rush home from school to spend time with her. Was making myself a cup of coffee after lunch, and it felt weird drinking it alone. She's my coffee buddy. Now it's just me and my sister in the big city. This is now my reality.

Me and my mom a month ago. I miss her already, and it hasn't even been 24 hours since she left NYC!

**

Would love to post more about the past couple of days, and the adventures I had with Trish (my best friend when she came to visit), but I'm running late. Have a lot to do today. Will have to clean the apartment and rush to church to attend the 5:15 mass, then study for my classes this week. Will be having my Business Law midterm this week, so I need all the luck I can get. It's a very busy week. Have a good week, y'all!

It's about time!!!!

I finally got to revive my blog. It took me months to remember what my email address was. And let me tell you, it was mind-boggling. A piece of advice to all those who have multiple email addreses: KEEP A LIST OF ALL YOUR EMAIL ADDRESSES. I couldn't access my blogger account because I couldn't remember the email address I registered with this. I didn't even remember that I had a globelines webmail account 'til the time I was trying to login to blogger. Talk about memory gap!!

As much as I enjoy my tumblr account, this is my original blog, and I am strongly attached to it. So starting today, I would only use tumblr for what it's originally meant for- to reblog interesting stuff I find there (that's for me, not sure about the rest of you). It is in this blog where I saw how much I've grown. You see, I started blogging in 2005 as an outlet for my nursing school stress. I used to type whatever nonsensical things would pop in my mind. My most-mentioned topic is usually Andy Roddick or Margaux (my niece). I stopped blogging though because first, I got busy with work, second, I got busy with Facebook (HAHA), and lastly, I forgot my username. How smart right. :))

One busy day a few months ago (sarcastic), as I was busy looking at Balenciaga purses online, I remembered this blog from way back and checked if it was still alive. Then I got hooked on reading what I have posted years ago. As I was checking it out (while desperately trying to remember what my username was), I realized how much I've grown from the time I last posted here, which was in 2008. A lot has happened to me since then. From Nursing, I shifted careers, worked for our family business, and am now in business school in New York. I still feel like I'm living a dream. I mean, 3 years ago I thought that by now I'm earning as a Registered Nurse in Maryland (where I'm licensed) or in the Philippines. Either that or I'm in Med School. Both never happened though. I was never able to use my licenses in the Philippines and in MD, nor was I able to go to med school. But I've never been happier.

Glad I'm able to post my ramblings in this journal. Will definitely be posting here more often.

My mom leaves for the Philippines this Saturday, which means more time for school (and internet). Wow how lame. :))

10 Love Lessons from 'Sex and the City'

All girls love Sex and the City, I got this article from Yahoo! Personals, and just wanted to share this to everyone, SATC fan or not hehe :)
*Oana, remembered you while reading this article, I know you're one of the show's biggest fans :) Miss you girls!!

1. Single is Not a Dirty Word

The SATC gals transformed "single"--"spinster"'s more evolved cousin--from being a hole to a presence; they made singledom cool. Even when it hurt.

One of my favorite moments is when Carrie's silver Manolos get swiped from a smug-married's apartment and the friend refuses to reimburse her. She lectures Carrie about spending too much on shoes and not enough on family, playing right in to her singleton's shame.

This, after Carrie has bought engagement, wedding, shower, and baby gifts for her. In a genius move, Carrie registers herself at Manolo Blahnik just for those shoes, single "bride" that she is, forcing the friend to pay up. To me this said the single life is just as valid as the married. We deserve as many gifts and even blessings from our friends and society, regardless of what others might think of our struggles and choices.

2. It's Okay to Expose All to Your Girlfriends

Women talked about sex with their friends long before SATC. But the show gave us permission on a large scale to get graphic and detailed in cathartic and hilarious ways. It was like a six-season long Consciousness Raising group with better outfits.

3. Fate is Not Always Fate

It's so tempting to interpret the tea leaves of love, to decide that fate is (finally) working in our favor. When Trey saved Charlotte from being mowed down by a speeding taxi, she decided it was fate. Not just that he was a nice guy who saved her life, but that he must be the guy to live out her "marry tale" with.

Turns out--not so much, and I think after that divorce, Char developed a very different notion of fate, i.e.-we don't know how the universe works and just because it seems like synchronicity, it doesn't mean you have to marry the dude. A lesson better remembered than re-experienced.

4. Sometimes to Be Real You Have to Get Ugly

When Charlotte first met her handsomely chiseled divorce lawyer, she kept to the prim, nice decorum that defined her. When she realized she needed to be fierce --and ugly-- to battle her Bunny-in-law, she dropped him for sweaty, obnoxious, bald Harry Goldenblatt and then felt free to be as nasty as she wanted to be, fangs and all. Turns out he found her "incredibly sexy" anyway. And once she was able to shatter her preppy, WASPy notion of her ideal man, voila, there he was, right in front of her.

5. Be Vulnerable

More than anyone else on the show, Samantha and her mien of steel taught us that true strength is in opening and trust. She started to get this from her girl-flame Maria ("I've got monogomy, I think I caught it from you people") but mostly from her hot-hot boyfriend Smith Jarrod.

First, he forced on her his "perverse" desire to hold hands, and then, most touchingly, shaved off his golden locks when she lost hers to chemo. We all have an inner Samantha--the part that feigns bravado in the face of pain and trusts no one. Watching her set down her insecurity-as-sword reminded all us tough girls to do the same.

6. There's a Difference Between Childlike and Childish

In perhaps my favorite episode, a guy named Wade had a comic book store, a great record collection, and a scooter. Carrie was justifiably wooed when he drew a cartoon of her telling her to call him. And the girl needed some fun! Mr. Big? Sexy, complicated, but no bag of jacks.

With Wade, she played video games, took a spin on the scooter, got stoned on the balcony of his surprisingly vast Park Avenue apartment. Turned out the guy was living with his parents. And not only that, he lied to his mom that they were smoking Carrie's pot. Lesson? If he seems like a kid, investigate to make sure he's also an adult.

7. Know When to Kiss Goodbye

Miranda asked a date up to her apartment. He declined, claiming to have "an early meeting." Later, she asked Carrie's man of the hour for insight. Berger said, "He's just not that into you," and "When a guy's really into you, he's coming upstairs, meeting or no meeting."

Miranda is instantly liberated, giddy with the blame-free simplicity of it. Of course in real life, sadly, it's not always so simple. But through this and countless other moments, the show taught us that letting go is never easy--even when he's "not into you"--but that if you don't walk away when you know you should, only misery, over-analysis, and disappointment awaits.

8. Don't Mistake Scraps for Jewels

"It was the single most encouraging moment in our relationship." Was Carrie talking about Big sharing his heart with her? Giving her a thoughtful present? Nope. She said this when he gave her the "only" extra pink toothbrush head one night.

Sure, it was the only baby step toward accepting her into his life that he was capable of. But all of us need to love ourselves enough not to mistake glitter for diamonds, scraps for a meal--exactly what that toothbrush head was.

9. Read the Signs

When Carrie got engaged to Aidan, she promptly strung the gorgeous Harry Winston ring around her neck instead of putting it on her finger. Score one for costume designer Patricia Field for the fresh accessory, minus one very big one for the happy future of Carrie and Aidan. Both continued to ignore the signs of doom--like so many of us do--in exchange for hope.

It was a reminder to all of us not to ignore those persistent yet subtle doubts, accumulating red flags--and full-blown panic attacks--no matter how much we want something to work out.

10. Patience and Compromise

Sure, the show was often about taking, and Goddess knows the characters' self-absorption grated horribly sometimes. But as the ladies matured, we saw more and more examples of selfless compromise.

Miranda agreed to have her son Brady baptized even though it conflicted strongly with her beliefs; Charlotte converted to Judaism to be with Harry; and most hilariously, Harry put on underwear to sit on Charlotte's pristine white sofa. As for patience, the girls had a giant Birkin bag full of it for each other. And Carrie, in spite of herself had it big-time with Big.

Accomplished!

I cooked my very first real food just now, and I'm waiting for the rice to be cooked.. Hahaha not the usual heat and eat! I cooked my favorite, Chicken Adobo, mentored by my uncle of course, but I kinda did all the work. :) Yey! :)

Happy birthday Chi, Ninang Adel and Tita Len! :)

Michael Phelps Mania

7 gold medals, and he's not even done yet! Seriously?? :)

I don't have a life anymore. Hahahaha. See.

Claudine Margaret Tayag Montalla, BSN, RN

I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you Lord! Super thank you for everything! I wouldn't have done this without you.. All the heartbreaks I still haven't gotten over (losing Daddy and Tatay) while preparing for the boards kind of motivated me but at the same time kind of made me doubt myself. BUT GOD IS GOOD!!! I did it! Oana, Inna, Krizka, Ate, Kuya and I were on our way home from Tagaytay when news broke out that the results were out. Sir Ori called Oana and told her she passed, then Oana asked him if Krizka and I passed. I couldn't stop screaming when I found out!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!! Party na toh!!! Love you Mama, Papa, my sisters, Kuya, my cousins, my girls, Nanay, my family, and just everyone who prayed for me! Thank you thank you thank you!

This one's for you Lord! And Tatay, and Daddy :)

Losing everything

Losing someone you love is one of the most heartbreaking things that can happen to anyone. Just when I was getting over losing Daddy (Mama's dad), I had to lose another person who is very dear to my heart. My Tatay (Papa's dad). I'm still in shock. I can't believe I lost my 2 grandfathers in just 3 weeks. My heart is broken into pieces I couldn't even describe how I'm feeling right now. I almost hit a post this afternoon while on my way home cos my mind was elsewhere. I am so lost right now. Friends may see me smiling, laughing or cracking a joke once in a while, but really, deep down, I am so depressed.

I feel like the whole world's crashing down on me. I should've gone with my parents when they rushed to the province last Sunday night. But because of review early the next day, I stayed home. Now I regret having stayed home. I didn't even see Tatay before he died. I remember the last time I saw him, which was 3 weeks ago, I went to Chi's room (where he was staying with Nanay here at our place) to kiss him goodnight, not knowing it would be the last time I would ever see him.

On the other hand, being the ever malambing daughter/niece/granddaughter, I'm thankful I hugged and kissed them every chance I got.

I used to think I was strong. Now I think otherwise.
I know God has a better plan for all of us. But I'm at this point where I want to question Him. I know life is harsh, but I never expected it to be mean to me this way.

How in the world am I going to concentrate on the boards when I'm being emotionally tortured?

I miss you Tatay and Daddy.

Hopes of being Mrs. Andy Roddick down the drain

So much for wanting to be Mrs. Andrew Stephen Roddick. He's engaged to Brooklyn Decker, a swimsuit model. The hell?! Grrr

First si Daddy, now this?! My life totally sucks.
I'm gonna be an old maid na cos wala na si Andy.
Tsktsk. I wish they don't end up together forever. Just hope they'd be like one of them hollywood couples whose marriages fail. Sorry for being bad.
I mean, it's kinda superficial of Andy to have gotten to know the girl thru his agent cos he saw her in an issue of Sports Illustrated wearing prolly a skimpy bikini and was mesmerized by her 'beautiful face'. Tsktsk.

I'm in an emotional rollercoaster right now. Words cannot express how crazy life has been. I am in awe at how God just keeps throwing crazy stuff at me. I'm not complaining, let Your will be done, Lord. You know what's best for me and my family. I just wish I could've spent that one day with Daddy. I shouldn't have gone to the grad ball and instead spent last friday with him. I just feel like shit right now. I love you daddy. I know you love Mommy, that's why you went with her when she came for you. We'll try to be strong nalang.

So. gusto ko nalang muna pasahin sarili ko cos I'm tired of crying.


This is how the girl looks like up close
Hahahaha fine, maganda siguro siya in person. Pero naman, Andy, SERIOUSLY?!!

CLEARED

:)

It's almost over!!

I can now say that my collegiate life is almost over. Finals are over and done with. Now I only have to complete the requirements for clearance & boards. I hope I get things done by next week. I'm really itching to get that well-rested sleep I desperately need.

It was my birthday yesterday, and I forgot to do something really important. I forgot to hear mass yesterday because I was too caught up studying for my Rizal and Constitution finals this morning. I only realized that I didn't hear mass yesterday while I was on my way to school. Tsk. So I made up for my neglected obligation and heard mass earlier this evening. :)
Had a great birthday, except for the fact that I studied for most of the day. Had lunch with my loves aka my family last night at Summer Palace (favorite Chinese resto) in Edsa Shang. I'm not done celebrating my 21st birthday yet though. Tomorrow, my family and I will be having a party at the National Children's Hospital through the Kythe Foundation. It's gonna be really exciting. Then later that night, close friends and I will be partying like crazy. Will post pictures soon. We will be enjoying our first weekend of almost freedom. Hahaha if there's such a thing.

After running errands the whole morning, I decided to treat myself and Oana to lunch - and I didn't abstain from meat ha. Bad girl, but hey, I was really hungry. And I felt like I deserved a little treat myself. So I helped myself to not just a scrumptious lunch, but also a well-deserved foot spa, manicure and pedicure at Gloss in Eastwood. My nails haven't been cleaned for a whole month, so I really needed it. Haha I was enjoying myself too much that I even fell asleep while having my nails done.

I can't believe 4 years have passed me by that quickly. Aaaah! I'm graduating na! I'm legal na in the States! Apriiiiiiiil!!! Can't wait for July!!! :)

Still alive

Hello everyone, yep, I'm still alive. These past few months have been crazy and really hectic, and the busy days are not yet over. It's supposed to be our semesteral break, yet I'm in school every single day. I swear I'm not oriented to the the days/dates na. That sounded weird. I keep asking everyone what day it is because I keep forgetting. Sunday doesn't feel like Sunday because I'm in school the whole day. Same with Saturday. I find myself going to school even on Sundays just for the Enrichment classes we're all obliged to attend. I mean, I know the college means well, it's just that it's too much.

Anyway, on a lighter note, I only have one sem left in college. Through my hard work (accompanied by constant whining), I was able to pass first semester with flying colors! Yipee :)

When I got home this evening, I finally got to watch Message in a Bottle, one of my favorite novels from Nicholas Sparks. I knew the storyline by heart (because of the book), but it was my first time to watch the movie even though I've had the VCD (see super antique na) for like the longest time. I sobbed like crazy. Finally got the courage to watch the last episode of Gilmore Girls also the other night, and just like with MIAB, cried during the entire duration of the episode. It's just so sad because GG is my favorite TV series. I mean, I've been watching it religiously since High School. I'm more attached to it than my attachment to Grey's Anatomy and Brothers and Sisters (although now I find bros & sis much nicer than Grey's). Couch potato. This is what I miss sorely, watching all these shows. Got no time to do anything other than schoolwork because of my horrible horrible schedule, yet I still find time to watch PBB. Haha.

Check out my pics nalang in Multiply, it's more updated than my blog. Haha :)

Getting there

I'm really busy right now, but I just went online to post Gogo's video and to check Andy's site. I couldn't really monitor his games, and could not even get myself to watch his games cos I get really nervous just watching and end up hating the player on the other end of the court every time. Haha. He celebrated his 25th birthday last Aug 30th, and got a really great bday gift. His opponent retired in the middle of the game because of an injury I think. So anyway, later, he'll be playing in the 4th round already, hope I catch his game though. I just wanna see him play. Ugh. One day I'll be in his box watching him play. It's free to dream right?

I shouldn't be online. We only have our prelims for two days. Torture, anyone? 6 subjects in two days. (I don't even know how I'll study Bioethics! Kaloka si Father e!) Management seminar on Wed. Quizzes Thursday-Friday. Review Saturday. Pilot study Sunday. Waaaaaah. See, I don't have a life.

Can't wait to graduate.

I'm so tired of whining, yet I couldn't help myself. In the end, it's all worth it. I hope. :)

Loving the rainy season for 2 reasons only

I'm not a big fan of the rain. Seriously, when you're stranded in school (UST, España for that matter) with no way home because your ride's stuck in EDSA, and you don't know how you'll get to the nearest LRT Station half-dry, half-drenched from the rain, you won't love the rain. However, floods in España give way to class suspensions almost all the time. The School Administration of course panics when they see heavy rains pouring like crazy, and suspends classes ASAP, which I love of course, only when I'm home pa and that's the time I find out that classes are suspended. The other reason I love the rain is because I feel like there's nothing I should do but sleep, because the sound of the rain just makes me feel sleepy. I don't like the rain though because it's sort of depressing, don't you think? And I hate it when I get back to class with my dirty legs and dirty shoes from the rain. Eeeck talaga! So thanks to Anna Lo for saving my butt last Wednesday! If I hadn't seen you in the building and got a ride with you, I would've been stuck in UST til 3pm (left the school at 11 something - but classes were suspended at 10)

Chi and I went to Shang yesterday with an agenda. When we got there, we bought tickets to (oo na, haha) A Love Story, then went to the American Eye Center to have our eyes checked. She still has 20-20 vision (good for her!), while my eyes just worsened by .25 and .50 lang naman (OD and OS respectively). The ophthalmologist who checked on me told me that by next year, I could have the LASIK na, which I really really want because glasses and contacts are just plain hassle. On the other hand, I don't want to have it done yet because I'm afraid of the residual grade that I might concur in the coming years or so. She told me naman that growth of the eye and all its structures stop by 20, so I'm a potential candidate na.

Okay, back to what Chi and I did yesterday, after having our eyes checked, we watched the movie. Okay. Movie review. I didn't like how Angelica Panganiban portrayed the character. This is my opinion naman, she seemed (sorry for the word) slutty. Tsk. I don't know. I have high regard for flight attendants and with how she acted on the role, she just seemed, I don't know, cheap? The character lang naman, not the person per se. But Aga Muhlach is just sooo hot. Haaay nako! Haha! But the crazy part about my watching the movie was the couple sitting beside me. I heard them making out making all smoochy noises while the guy kept grabbing the girl pa! I kept nuding Chi and we were sooo grossed out! I wanted to yell at them and tell them, "Get a room!!" but I was too shy. Pero grabe naman. I wasn't ready for that. They were like right beside me talaga. Sana if mga 2 or 3 seats apart from me. But noooo! Yuck. And to think the couple was like in their late 20's or early 30's. Tsktsk. In Shang Cineplex pa ha. Eeeew.

So after the movie, Chi and I had our late lunch/early dinner at Cibo. Diet. I only ate fish. O diba, see, I'm making an effort to lose weight na naman talaga eh. Then after that, we went to Fino to check out the bag I've been wanting since early June! When I got there, I saw it on display, and the lady behind the counter told me they only had 1 item left of that kind and color. I was so torn between buying something I really really liked and saving the money I had. In the end, I got the bag I've been eyeing in forever, because I hate the feeling, knowing I should've gotten something that I could've gotten. I don't want the bag to be something that got away. Haha. Drama, but it's true. In a VMars episode I recently watched, Veronica and Piz said something like, "why settle for anything less? I mean, when you really want something, you go for it." So. I went for it, and now I'm bankrupt. For the first time IN MY LIFE, I splurged on something big and from my own money. I mean my Mama didn't pay for it, I didn't use my Papa's credit card to be able to get that bag I wanted. But I like the feeling. I feel fulfilled, in a way. Pero dang, I don't have money anymore. Good thing no classes today, I won't have to spend a single cent.

In Andy news, I stayed up til past 3 this morning because I caught Andy playing live at the Cincys. He was playing against this newbie Ferrer guy, but unfortunately lost to him. I wasn't disappointed though. (How come I never get disappointed with Andy? ie with his matches - I wouldn't know) I really thought he had a big chance of winning, but I went to sleep after he lost the tie-break in the first set because my eyes just couldn't take it anymore. I love Andy Roddick forever. :)

Great game tonight

It's a Dindin vs. Chichi match tonight.

Andy Roddick will be playing against Novak Djokovic (Chi is totally obsessed with this guy) in the quarterfinals of the Rogers Cup. This is their first meeting on court, and I hope hope hope that Andy marches thru the finals easily. I like Novak because he's just my age and he plays really good, but I love Andy, as simple as that.

I only went to school once for this week, yet I'm dead tired. I hate being sick. Tsk tsk.

Crunch time for thesis. It's gonna be a loooooooong 2 months.. We have to be done with everything by the first week of October. Lord, we need your help BIG TIME. :)

I really hope Andy wins! Go Andy!!! :D I'm gonna stay up late just for you tonight :)

Busy in this drought

I have been nothing but busy these past few weeks. Too busy in fact, that the stress has affected my whole being. I got sick and I wasn't able to take care of my body because I couldn't let the stress get out of my system. I have accepted the fact that the stress won't leave me any time soon. It's a fact. I mean, it's almost crunch time for our thesis. I need my healthy self. And because I don't want to get any much worse than I already am, I have been feeding on skyflakes and soups all week. And I intend to continue this diet until I am fully well. I have absented myself from duty last Monday, and I know it means make-up duty, but it is better to have make-up duty than to aggravate my condition. For the first time, I felt like I did something right (regarding my health). I have been known for hating make-up duty and wasting time, but this time, I wasn't wasting time, this time, I was concerned about my well-being. I hate being the patient. That's the weird part about being sick, I know most of the interventions, yet whenever I'm in pain, I want my Mom to be here. With her by my side, I feel like things are going to be much better. So much for me being a 'young adult'. Haha. I still desperately need my parents.

On a happier note, Papa celebrated his 51st birthday with a big birthday dinner with our family. We had dinner last Saturday (August 4th - his actual birthday) at Heat in Edsa Shang. I have always loved Heat. And am still loving it. I think it's partly the reason why I got sick in the first place. I think I ate too much. Ohwell. It was a sort of dramatic night. We all had birthday messages for Papa, and I cried while I was saying mine. I have always been close to both my Mama and my Papa, and some think that Papa has always spoiled me, but he doesn't spoil me that much naman, I mean normal lang naman eh. And I needed to thank Papa for everything. As in everything. I mean he and Mama have always given me more than what I wanted. More of si Papa, cos Mama doesn't want to spoil us at all. And if it weren't for my Papa, I wouldn't have been enrolled in UST. I would have followed my dream and come next year, I would not know what I would want to do with my life. Because of him, I have direction. Thanks Papa. I love you!

Any blog entry of mine wouldn't be complete without Andy news. :) He won last week in the Legg Mason Classic Tourney in DC. I don't know who he beat since I wasn't able to watch it, but I'm so proud of him. He also won his match yesterday in the 2nd round of the Rogers Cup in Montreal, Canada, beating Arnaud Clement. He's booked himself a seat into the 3rd round. Yipee! My sister was able to watch, but I slept early last night eh. See! I'm still updated even if I'm crazy busy with school.

By the way, before I forget, we had our Grad pictures taken last Tuesday. Yes, I was still sick then (still am now), but I hope I managed to get good pictures. I hope I hope :) I would post the pictures as soon as I get hold of them :) Check out my multiply nalang for the pictures, if you want.

Back to school na naman tomorrow. I just realized, I haven't gone to school in almost a week. Darn I hope I get better na. Was absent once lang naman eh, luck was just on my side the past couple of days :)

God bless everyone :)