Together

I've been feeling down these past few weeks. Nope, nothing to do with my dear ex. Man, I think I'm moving on :) Anyway, being with my old college buddies (few of my sets of friends from my batchmates from my "first-time-around" college) somehow made me feel enlighted, even for a while.

Our Alma Mater is now celebrating its 80th Foundation Day this month. And, last Friday, the prestigious Miss Campus coronation night was held. Actually, the pageant is called, Miss NTC (National Teachers College-My Alma Mater). Everybody looked forward to that special night, since the said pageant only held every five years. Everybody was so excited, especially those beauty pageant fans, including me :)

In the said night, some of my coolest old college batchmates came to see the show, and so, I had a great day. Or great night :)

NTC-Hotel and Restaurant Management batch 2001-2005. Except me, who just graduated this March :p
Rhea, Miss NTC 2003, Nelda, Denise, Gladys, Marianette.

Miss NTC 2003-Rose Ann P. Cortez, from my department, Hotel and Restaurant Management, who now works as a bartendress somewhere in Singapore. Yup, she just went home to attend and pass the crown to the new Miss Campus.

Miss NTC 2003 Rose Ann, and the 2nd runner-up Miss NTC 2003 Gladys. Both are graduated from Hotel and Restaurant Management, three years ago. Gladys now works as a bank secretary.

Jerome, the one at the center, now works as a linen and laundry supervisor in a four-star hotel. The girl at the left side, Nelda, is extending her school terms due to some reason, and will be graduating next year in March.

It's nice that most of my college buddies are now with stable jobs, and most are applying what they aquired from college, while me, just sitting at home. Actually, I've been trying, but I've been always rejecting.

Anyway, I then realized how good it is to sometimes go out and spend your time with your old friends. It would mean a lot, I thought.

It doesn't matter how far apart we are now

You can add up all the miles in between

If you take a good look all around now

All you see is you and me

When I look at myself in the mirror

I see you standing there smiling at me

And I'm right back at the beginning

Lost inside this memory I won't ever let go, all that I want to hold onto

That we belong together

Like the moon and stars and midnight

We'll be strong forever

Cuz we belong together

Doesn't matter how long that it takes you

Cuz I'll always be right by your side

And even when darkness awaits you

I'll be there to be your light

It's a hard lonely road, when you're standing outside in the cold

Sometimes it's hard to learn to let go

Life always knows the right moments to show you what you needed

Scheduled Delivery

For those who are not aware, I just added a year to my life on Wednesday, August 6th. Thanks to all those who remembered it, btw. Anyway, my birthday did not end in a delighful way. For some reasons, something made my special day a depressing one. I was down up to the next day. I'm not gonna babble about it, don't worry :p

Out from somewhere that 'next day', I got home ten minutes before two in the morning, so technically, it was Friday already, 8th of August. Seemed there was a reason to cheer up again after my depression on my birthday. Well, there was something special about that date and time, 2 A.M.

Just few minutes before 2 A.M., I couldn't make myself at ease; I was so tense and excited at the same time. I can't remember when was the last time I've felt this kind of excitement, with heart beating so fast, feeling so alive in that early dawn. Well, actually, that excitement was not about me or something on me, but about someone else. Nope, not a guy, sorry :p

A good friend from college was scheduled to give birth at around 2 A.M. on August 8th. Yup, "scheduled"! :p It's gotta be their first baby, so there was a lot of pressure. And, oh, isn't it cool to have a baby born on 08-08-08? She was really aiming for that date, because she believes that "8" is a lucky number.

In my room, I was really excited that night. I couldn't sleep, as if it were me giving birth, lol. I'm not sure, though if it is ‘excitement’ that an expectant mum feels when she’s delivering a baby. I think it’s more on nervousness that she feels once lying in the delivery room.

I wanted to be at the hospital along with her family, but ..I chose to just stay at my house because of this fear of hospitals.

Rona Rosario, the new mum, is not the first one to become a mum in our group of friends. We are nine, sometimes ten, in the group. Two are men. Before Rona, we had two who became mummies first. But, unfortunately, I was not able to follow their pregnancies. I just found out that the two had already given birth, in different times. Now that it's Rona's turn, I make sure that I keep myself updated on her condition. And, though, I didn't get to see Rona in her pregnancy, due to fear, (Yeah, I have this weird fear of pregnant women) I always make sure that I check up on her once in a while through SMS. Until the big day came.

Unfortunately, so far, I still haven’t seen the new mum and her baby, since they are still in the hospital recovering. I have to wait for a couple of days till she gets home. I, along with my friends, am so excited to see them :)

Anyway, this special entry is dedicated, of course, to my dear friend, Rona. Congratulations to you and to your man :) Good luck, as you go through the parenthood. Jeez, I’m really envious of you being a mum, and aiming your target birth date, lol.

I Realized All About My Lies

What's up with the month of July?! It's not just when the celebrities and other cool people celebrate their birthdays, but also, the date ...I felt my first heartbreak. I've been single for two years now, and haven't moved on yet. Never will, I think :( I badly miss this guy :'(

Slow down, lie down

Remember it's just you and me

Don't sell out, bow out

Remember how this used to be

I just want you closer

Is that alright?

Baby let's get closer tonight

Grant my last request

And just let me hold you

Don't shrug your shoulders

Lay down beside me

Sure I can accept that we're going nowhere

But one last time just go there

Lay down beside me

Oh, I've found, that I'm bound

To wander down that one way road

And I realise all about my lies

But I'm no wiser than the fool I was before

I just want you closer

Is that alright?

Baby let's get closer tonight

Oh, baby, baby, baby

Tell me how can, how can this be wrong?

Yeah, lay down beside me

One last time let's go there

Lay down beside me

JUSTICE RULED!

Full of smiles. That is how the friends and family of Julia Campbell expressed gratitude as they obtained justice.

Julia Campbell, (hope my lovely readers still remember) was a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer that was “unintentionally” killed somewhere here in my country. Without that incident, though, this Blog would have been impossible.

Yesterday, June 30, was the awaited moment for the final judgment on the killing. The accused, Juan Duntugan, almost in my age, 25, was proven guilty of the murder that is after a year of trial, and sentenced to reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment.

April 9, last year, Julia Campbell was reported missing. Ten days later, her decomposing body was found. The authorities said that the PCV was brutally killed. Weeks later, the suspect surrendered himself and admitted the crime. He claimed that it was “unintentional”. He said, he thought that the American was his neighbor whom he has fought with few days before the slay happened. Then, trial was done, until the final ruling was read.

As the investigation was taking place, the Filipino that she was with were interviewed and said a lot of good things about Julia. By then, I started searching for her Blog, and on her Blog, I found out more good things on her. She inspired me, and helped me put up my own Blog.

I don’t know, but Julia has touched my life, and I know there are others, too. It was a relief. Prayers paid off. What a nice way to end the month. :)

JUSTICE RULED!!

- - - O N T H E O T H E R N E W S - - -

It’s the first day of July, and my favourite singer/songwriter is celebrating her 25th Birthday. OMG! It’s been almost a decade now since I discovered this girl! :)

Marit, hope you’re having a great time wherever you are right now as you turn 25. Good luck in everything; album, awards, love life, anything. I love you. Hope you’re doing good. :)

- - - J U L Y B I R T H D A Y C E L E B R A N T - - -

I wish I was born on this month. Most of my favourite artists were born on this month. Really cool people were born under this month. Talented. Beautiful. Rich. *sigh* I wish I was one of the July celebrant :(

July 1 – Marit Larsen, my favourite singer/songwriter
-Carl Mc Fly, my favourite local jock
-Princess Diana of Wales, I just like her

-Pamela Anderson, she's hot :)

July 2 – Michelle Branch, my second favourite singer/songwriter

July 30 – Hilary Swank, my favourite Hollywood actress.

Bad Luck Comes In Fours

I started my day today by doing non-sense stuff; watching a movie on DVD. Actually, the very first thing I thought as I woke up today was to do my house chores. I thought I was in mood. Our house was a bit messy this morning. I started by sorting things in the kitchen area. While doing so, a butter knife fell behind our rice container. I couldn't reach for it, so I had to move the container. As I was grasping the knife, my head bumped onto our kitchen mirror that is hanging. Its border is made up of hardwood. It hurts. So then, I thought, doing house tasks as early as that time was not a good idea. I was a bit lazy, too, so I have decided to just spend the time to watch a nice film on DVD. I was home alone, by the way. When the film was running, I headed to the kitchen and get something to eat. It was so dark in the kitchen, but I preferred not to turn the lights on, since I’m used to the place. Without knowing that our one-foot glass rice container was in the aisle, (yeah, my bad, I’ve forgotten to put it back to its proper place) my left leg bumped onto it. I was rushing for the food, so it bumped so hard! Bad luck; part of my head is swollen, then I got a bruise 4 inches below my left knee. Actually, by then I didn’t think of those incidents as bad luck.

Earlier this afternoon, I was set to go out with a friend. Before that, I was having my afternoon-snack when I heard my cell phone ringing. It was in my room, so I rushed upstairs, but then I missed it. While standing in my room, I heard somebody was knocking at our gate, so I rushed once again. I was almost downstairs when all of a sudden, I got slipped! My butt was badly hurt. But, that was not the bad thing. As my butt was on the stair, I saw my fone fell, like 5 feet, to the ground, and it was divided into two pieces! Jeez! My fone still works, but it still needs to be fixed. The bad thing is that, the fone I am using was not bought here in my country, its model was not out to sell here, and so, its parts are not available here. I have to import its part. I don’t know if I would do that, but I hate my situation right now. I’m using my fone’s touch pad and stylus, and I’m not used to that! Stylus is giving me a hard time to send SMS. I need a keypad :( I’m still hoping though, that my fone’s company, Nokia, could help me. :(

As my rendezvous with my friend was approaching, I lost the excitement. I was worried about my fone. While thinking as to how I would be able to fix my fone, I recalled those bad things that had happened to me this day. It could be the what they say, ‘the set of bad luck’, but for my case, I got 4, three of them were physical injury. Despite those things, I still went out with my friend, and thank God, nothing bad happened outside.

Anyway, whether it was a bad luck or not, the moral lesson is; finish what you have started, and be careful! LOL :)

As update, my butt has developed a huge lump with a nice colored-bruise :) Good thing is, I can still sit. I can’t lie back, though. It’s killing me, I swear! My bruise on my leg is huge, too. It’s about 1 ½ inches in circumference. My head is quite fine, but still swollen. I know! It’s not even Friday-the-thirteenth yet. Or, what I had was just a pre-Friday-the-thirteenth? No!! *knock on wood*

Prove It!

I'm not the kind of friend who gives good advices. I'm not good in doing so. I'm not good in giving words of sympathy, either. I just give my friends hug and pat whenever I feel they need one.

Earlier this morning as I woke up, I sent one of my good college friends a 'good morning' SMS, which I had not done to her in few months now. After sending her my message, I went downstairs to have my breakfast. After an hour, I went back to my room to check my messages. Gigie, my friend whom I greeted a good morning message thru SMS, has replied, just right after I sent my greetings. She asked me how I was. Then, I replied. Then she sent me an SMS once again, but this time, her mood changed. In her first message, she seemed happy to have an SMS from me. Her message was with a lot of smileys. But, on her second message, she was complaining about something.

Few minutes before my delayed reply, her family from their province called Gigie and told her that something happened to her older brother, and that Gigie and her other siblings that is outside their hometown must get there, ASAP. Their brother was rushed to the hospital and his condition was not good, she told me, as she complains why it had to happen to them. She seemed losing hope, and I didn't know how to uplift her spirit. I couldn't say anything, but "just keep holding on, and keep the faith". I don't know if that helped. I wanted to be at her side to hug her, but she's too far from where I live.

Earlier this evening, I checked up on her and her brother through fone. She sounded cool, I thought everything went fine as they got to their hometown and saw her brother. But then when she clarifies the situation and announces me the bad news, it shocked me. Her big brother did not make it. I couldn't say anything, but sent her my condolences.

I pity Gigie. She and her family have been through rough times. Three years ago, her mum passed away. Last year, her other brother got married, then two months later, his wife, Gigie's sister-in-law, died, and so her brother was in depression. February this year, Gigie and her siblings that live here in Manila were requested to leave the place for some reason, and so they moved to a far place. Then, now it's her big brother.

Gigie has been a very good friend to me ever since we were freshmen back in 2001. She was there when I needed her. She is just one of my FEW friends who I feel the true kindness and concern for me all our college days, until now. Now, it seems she needs me, but then, I can't do anything. Not even nice words to make her feel good. I can't believe it, I can't prove to her that I am a good reliance. She needs me, but I'm too far. I don't know how I could comfort her.



- - - M A K E U P T O - - -

I would like to take this entry as an opportunity to make up to my friends who I feel I neglect this past few months or so. Forgive me, guys, if there were times that I was not there. I’m finding this hard to say, but you guys are in my heart. I will always care for you and love you. I want to tell you, I might not always there physically, but I am thinking of you. Hope you guys wont leave me.




I'm not the easiest person to love
I'm often the one who lets things go unresolved

Yet you choose to be on the side of me
On the side of me

I'm not too proud of some things
I've done in my life
The skeletons in my closet
Are too big for me to hide

Yet you choose to be
On the side of me
On the side of me
Blessed Charity
You're on the side of me

On the side of me
Everyone needs a friend to hold
When it's cold outside
And there's no place to go

Everyone needs a friend to hold
All alone I cried
There was no place to go
I remember when nobody cared
But you
I'm not the easiest person to love
But you, you've opened your heart to show me what I'm worth

More Than Half-A-Decade

Six years ago, May 25, I met this guy named Aaron Yap. The date had significance to the both of us. It is the special day of our then favorite duo, M2M. As Marion Raven was celebrating her birthday in 2002, a lot of fans were greeting her on her online guestbook. So then, I thought of sending them (my fellow fans) an email, too. I introduced myself and wanting to befriend with them. I emailed like 20 or 30 fans, but only half replied, and one of them was Aaron.

I don't know, but once I received his very first message, I felt his warmness. Since then, we always exchange emails, until a nice friendship was developed. Year after year, I could say that our friendship keeps stronger and stronger.

Like a typical friendship, however, ours is not perfect, too. There were times that I didn't like his attitude. (sorry) Sometimes, I think, his concern is out of line. It is exaggerated, I think. I don't know if he is just the over-protective type, or what. Believe me, there were even times that I tried to leave him, but I guess, half-a-decade is too hard to let go.

Other than that, I am happy to report that we are going smoothly.

Today, Marion Raven is no longer in my favorite list, (I still love her, though) but thanks to her. I would not be able to meet Aaron without her. Not even at Marit Larsen's site, I bet.

Every now and then

We find a special friend

Who never lets us down

Who understands it all

Reaches out each time you fall

You're the best friend that i've found

I know that you can't stay

A part of you will never ever go away

Your heart will stay

I'll make a wish for you

And hope it will come true

That life would just be kind

To such a gentle mindIf you lose your way

Think back on yesterday

Remember me this way

I don't need eyes to see

The love you bring to me

No matter where I go

And I know that you'll be there

Forever more a part of me, you're everywhere

I'll always care

I'll be right behind your shoulder watching you

I'll be standing by your side in all you do

And I won't ever leave

As long as you believe

You just believe