Yesterday Lauren came over, and we had a little art class / creative day which is always so lovely. We both have Wreck This Journals along with Jess and Monica. We have yet to have a “Wreck This Journal Day” with the four of us, but yesterday it was Lauren and I. After teaching me some basic stuff, we went on and sketched, did some painting, and then before he went home, he left his Journal for me to “destroy.” But I figured that he would’ve wrecked that journal soon enough, so I just drew in pretty things and made a tea party. I haven’t been able to stop drawing teacups, sorry.

If you told my 14 – 18 year old self that she was capable of doing something like this, she would have laughed. I mean, I know it’s not much, but I’m actually pretty proud of this. I’ve always had a hard time putting my ideas on paper, coloring them in, and finally saying that it’s an artwork. Even saying “artwork” out loud is awkward for me, but hey, whatever.

The point is, I like how I’m starting my year. A major goal of mine this year is to be more creative, and really push myself to be just so. That’s why I love being around creative people like Lauren and my other friends. They inspire me to aspire to tap into my creative side. I know I have it in me, it’s just a matter of taking a leap and getting it done. Take some art classes, read books just to learn the basics. I would have never known that I could draw / doodle stuff like this if I didn’t just do it. I guess that’s how I am. Classes are good, they are there to provide structure, but it’s ultimately how you use that skill in the real world. Not that I’m making a career out of this, but it’s just really a priority right now. It’s a big deal for me at the moment. I wanna see what I’m capable of. Sketching, drawing, writing, all that creative stuff.

Speaking of writing, I haven’t actually done any writing in years. Blogging doesn’t count, obviously. I should fix that. I have some notes down, but I haven’t turned them into a proper story yet. I hope I get that one done soon. Ugh, so many things to do! I feel like the world has just finally opened up for me.

With this post I shall now retreat from making my 2011/2012 list. I refuse to do one. I would really like to start living this year.

Nadia and I earlier tonight.

I just got home from visiting Papang’s (Nadia’s grandpa) wake. When I heard about Papang’s death, I was very saddened by it because he kind of was everyone’s Papang. Being very close to his grandpa, I immediately thought about how Nadz was taking it. I was pretty sure she was having a hard time, but knowing Nadz, she would always, always be the strong one and carry on. Everything she’s done with the wake and the whole process, I know Papang would be very proud.

Nadz is one of my very good friends. She’s one of the few people who knows what I’ve been through and who I am without boundaries. Just like I told her before, during her debut, we’ve been through the good, the bad, and the worst.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Nadz. Last time I saw her was about 6-7 months ago. This was probably the longest we’ve gone without taking or seeing each other. She has be laying low and people don’t know much about what’s going on with her lately. We never really had an online thing, she was never really the internet all day type, but whenever we were together, it’s always grounded. We’re back to the way we are and always were, just like the old days. I spent about an hour and a half with her talking about Papang and catching up, making up for lost time, and that was never enough. We really needed to set a dinner date with Tesa very soon.

That one hour of conversation with Nadz made me realize that old friends are very important to keep. Things would have been different if she and I didn’t become friends. I probably wouldn’t learn a few tricks from her. Probably wouldn’t learn to let go once in a while, and probably wouldn’t learn to fight for what I believed in. Old friends are important to keep because they have shaped your life. They helped you become the person you are now, and it’s important to always remember that.

Tonight I was reminded of who she was, a very strong willed person who will do anything for her family, and though she would never admit it, she will always have that soft side that only a very few people have seen. I’m lucky to be one of those people.

So this is for you, Nadz. I’m always here for you. Through the good, the bad, and the worst. I love you!

I now dub my Fridays as “Photo Fridays” in which I share photos
that I took with my iPhone (apps may vary).

For my first ever Photo Friday, I figured some “getting to know you” is in order.
So let me show you around my room! I have a very small room, so there’s not much, really.
But I’ve put together 12 things that might be a bit interesting to share.

1. ‘Free Verse’ go-to notebook. I use this notebook if I have a need to doodle. I got it back in September at a bazaar, but they now have a stall in Archeology in Rockwell. They’re relatively cheap for the quality of the paper. I’m very picky with notebooks, and this is by far my favorite notebook to write or draw on.
2. DLM folder. This is where I keep all my work files. Technical stuff.
3. My wall. I love my wall. I love my shelves, I love my wallpaper. I just love it.
4. Harry Potter books! <3 Yes, those are my Harry Potter books. I covered them with alternate illustrations that I found online. It was a bit of work, but I’m glad I did it. Aren’t they pretty?
5. ME. Meh.
6. Photo wall. This wall has been up for about a year, and it’s still the same. Haven’t added any photos there since the initial printing spree. I might need to forfeit this project and just start on a new one that involves fewer photos. We’ll see.
7. More Free Verse notebooks. One for doodles and the black and white one for writing, (I call them my handy dandy notebooks haha) and my glasses.
8. My Hanson CDs/DVDs. Over and over again I ask people to give Hanson a listen because I hate that they’re stuck in the MMMbop days. I mean, MMMbop was awesome (listen to it carefully and think about the fact that they were 10 when they wrote that), but there is so much more to love now.
9. Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland & Other Stories. This book is HUGE. I have yet to finish it, but if you love Alice as much as I do, it’s a great book to have!
10. My MacBook Pro. I got this last August and never looked back. Apple girl 4evs.
11. Frankie magazines. These have been my source of inspiration since I discovered it a week before Christmas. It is heaven sent! I love every page of it. I’m not a big magazine reader, but this magazine is probably the first ones I’ve read literally from cover to cover. It’s lovely, absolutely lovely.
12. Wreck This Journal. I have a lot more pages to go because I left it with Tim months ago to do one page and he just gave it back on New Years Eve. I’m really hoping I can get a “Wreck This Journal” day with my girlfriends so we can be creative together.

 So that’s about it! I have a couple of photos lined up already and I can’t wait to share them

Apps used: Disposable.

Do yourself a favor and check it out. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite apps. I love that you don’t see the photos until you finish the “roll”, pretty much like an old film camera. It doesn’t make me re-think my photos, I just shoot and hope it comes out great.

So, for “New Year’s Eve Day” this year we went to Clark, Pampanga. We went to visit our lola, Dad’s aunt, because she was rushed to the hospital a couple of weeks ago, but she’s fine now. It’s strange that every year since I could remember, Ninong Jing would always invite us to go with them to Clark for New Year, but we never did until this year. We all knew it, but no one said it out loud. I’m glad we went. Being around my titos and titas (uncles and aunts, Dad’s cousins whom he’s really close with) and my little cousins is one of my favorite things.

In our immediate family, we lack kids. There are only 7 of us cousins, all of whom are boys (except me and Ate), age ranging 14-25 , and one is in Canada. So, there’s no one to really “play with” anymore. We all grew up. Being with this family is like instant happy pill. I’m sure it gets crazy. Kids are everywhere! There were so many shoes when we got in the house they were renting. When we had lunch, it literally felt like I was in Home Alone where they ordered pizza and everyone was just grabbing what they can. Yep, just like that. And I loved it.

Another favorite thing is celebrating New Year with the Sta. Cruz’s. I love/hate saying this every year, but it’s true. That’s me, Tim, Ate Cam (my cousin), and Ate Madine (Tim’s sister). We have this whole best friend/sister/cousin thing going on. Ate Cam and Ate Madine are best friends, and Tim and I are best friends. Both of which are instant friendships and started in Grade 7. Call it coincidence, destiny, serendipity, whatever. It’s pretty cool. I like telling the story haha.

We had started celebrating New Year’s Eve together since 2007, and after that it just became something that we knew would be a ritual. Every year after the countdown, we let the firecrackers die down a bit and then Ate Cam and I go to their place which is 2 mins away by car. We live on opposite ends of the same street, but we always take the car because we’re scared that some leftover firecrackers might go off haha. And then we just hang out. Eat, drink, whatever. It’s nice to just be there as I’m sure any other friends would tell you. I wish everyone would have one of these of a kind friendships.

I forgot to mention Tim’s gift in my last post. I failed to take pictures of it because I was so rushed. The “package” I gave him was probably my favorite gift to make, which included his Steve Jobs shirt. The guy is a total nerd/geek and it was just fitting for me to give him that. I think it turned out pretty well.

I get picked up at around 3:30am so that I could spend the rest of the night with my Molave friends. Which is a good and a bad idea on its own because I get there just before they’re truly hammered, but that’s okay because we stay up until we see the sun.

And that’s how I spent New Year 2012.

I’ll be doing the usual 2011 roundup or 2012 resolution on one of my next posts.
Not quite sure which one to do yet, but we’ll see.

Finally, I can now go ahead and post about my Christmas!

Christmas eve and day. This year was pretty much Christmas as usual for us, but we definitely missed Ninong Jing who died last December 3. It’s still pretty strange to say it out loud because it doesn’t feel like he’s gone; I’ll save this for another post. But the point is, being around family is definitely always a highlight for me. You can never replace good old family time.

The new year is already here and I will be late in doing the obligatory “Best of 2011″ blog entry, but I’m starting the year right by fixing everything first and conquering it head on.

So, I apologize for the state that my blog is in right now, but  I’m on my way to greatness!

Stick around..

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EDIT: So, it’s 3:30 am, January 4th, and I just finished adding stuff here and there, and I think I’m happy with it. Still needs work, but I’ll be able to function without being so fidgety.

Can’t wait to get started this year! New posts tomorrow!

So, that number one thing I mentioned on my last post was as iPhone4s! I’ve been wanting one for a while now and I finally got it! My dad actually fetched it from Globe last Friday while I was at Tim’s place. Tim was so bitter, omg HAHA! His iPhone broke about a month ago, and this is the first time in a long time that he’s using a Nokia phone. He was probably the first one I knew who had an iPhone. He had an iPhone when they didn’t sell it here yet, so his bitterness is pretty understandable haha.

Prior to the release of the iPhone 4s, my mom and I were trying to research nonstop and updating each other since she’s tied up to Smart and I was tied up to Globe. But it all worked out because we both got our phones the same weekend! We are very happy campers, indeed

First ever Christmas present for myself and that makes me proud.

Speaking of Christmas presents, I’ve been wrapping up presents and finishing up packages. I wish I could show you what I’ve been up to lately, but I don’t wanna spoil my friends haha! I’ll post them right before our Christmas Party. I’ve been having so much fun making the presents hihihi. It isn’t much, but it’s very personal and I hope they like it.

I’m also thinking about putting up a video on Tumblr like I did last year. It’s been so long since I’ve really updated my followers there, and I think I owe them one. Probably gonna do a giveaway, too, but I’m saving that for next year. Lots of stuff to do and cram this week, and my game face is on!

Friday

Had a little Christmas dinner/party at Tim’s house with his college friends. It was really fun hanging out and getting to know them. They are so funny! Plus, bonding moments with Tim are always relevant and treasured. I like how even though we’ve been friends for a long time, we still learn new things about each other. I think that’s nice, in general, with friends. I really love the Holidays because that’s when I get to spend time with the Sta. Cruz’s. I feel like I say this every year, but it really is one of the best parts about Christmas and New Year.

I also got the number 1 thing on my list last Friday, but I’ll save that for another post.

Saturday

Had dinner with Tesa in Cibo. It’s so funny that when we eat there she always lets me order and I order too much food! But that’s okay, because she loves to take it home haha!  She was actually feeling a bit ill that night and I thought we weren’t going to push through, but we did. And I’m so glad we did because that girl is going to be so busy and I won’t be able to see her until next year. This photo was posted with the caption “10 years of bestfriendship.”, and I was caught off guard. I couldn’t believe it’s been a decade already! Crazyyy. But just as any relationship, you learn to live with them haha!

Alexandra was also supposed to join us, but plans got mixed up so we decided to meet up after Christmas, instead. Along with Karlos and a couple of friends, hopefully.

So that was how my weekend went. I’m really thankful for the friends I have, and I always make sure I tell them that. Even though we don’t see each other as much as we would like to, whatever happens, we’ll always find time for each other.

Yesterday I asked my dad if we could go and watch Lion King in 3D, so we did! There weren’t much people, really, because it was a weekday. When we got in the theater, the only people there were also a father-daughter tandem. This little girl was about 5 and she was with her Dad. I can’t even explain how that made me feel. It was such an overwhelming, magical feeling that I was also like that with my dad, and actually, even until now! It was really something. I wish I could furthur expound my feelings during that moment, but it was lovely. Even while watching the movie, I could hear the little girl commenting and talking to her Dad. I think there were less than 10 people in the cinema that day, and I think my dad and I sang a bit loud hahaha. I loved it! Lion King will forever have a place in my heart.

I also got the majority of my Christmas shopping done yesterday and I am so happy!! The only thing to do now is get them wrapped which I intend to do all by hand. I wanna surprise my friends. I wanted to spoil them this year just because I can breathe a little bit, and because they are very special to me. I hope they like what I have in mind! I’ll be posting some of the finished products tomorrow.

I have to go and check on my pasta and quesadilla now. Gonna go to a Christmas dinner with the best friend and his blockmates. I’m really excited to meet and get to know them!

Later!

This has been getting a lot of attention since I posted it on February 5, 2011. So far it has 5,119 notes on Tumblr and it’s still getting liked and reblogged! Even though I’d love to take credit for this beautiful beyond beautiful article, I can’t and I won’t. I am merely just a messenger, if you can call it that. Rosemarie Urquico is a friend of a friend. That particular friend had tagged me on her post and I completely fell in love with it as most people have, and I just had to post it on Tumblr.

I am not aware of any blog Rosemarie might have, but you can go send her some love here! Tell her how much you love this article and how much you see yourself in it. I’m sure she’ll really appreciate it as any writer would.

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(In Response to Charles Warnke’s You Should Date An Illiterate Girl.)

Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag.She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent.  Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilightseries.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes.