Another Super Slow Long Weekend

When: October 30-November 1, 2010 

I suppose this blog is a living document of my daily activities. Well, almost.  It keeps me in check. And so I go. So here's how my recent long weekend fared along. I feel old and young all at once, but mostly young. My "young" feeling comes somewhat from the fact that I am happy to share pictures which made me smile somehow. Or is it the other way around? In real life, I'm old, that's why I took delight in cheap thrills? Geez, I don't know. :)

Our pet cat Tisoy is such a sleepyhead. Here, he seemed so peaceful and comfortable catching some zzz's in my sister's lap. Plans to tickle him at his most vulnerable state were aplenty!

Durian love! FYI, I love durian. It's an acquired taste, really. The whole family loves durian. And I feel sorry for those people who can't stand its smell.

Oh, puh-leez, enough with McDo's Twister Fries craze.  It's time to go back to pizza fries. :)

Gave some TLC to my recent and not-so-recent book haul. A roll of plastic that cost Php 30 covered these thirteen (13) books. Pretty cool and, yes, a nerdy side of me.

 

An impromptu walking tour to Tomas Morato was rewarded with Cherry Garcia! I literally squealed with delight when I saw this yummy pint in Rustan's Supermarket at Il Terrazo. Memories of Ben & Jerry's ice cream parlor in Barracks Road rushed in. It was fun reminiscing how we discovered this ice cream and, since then, it became our mutual favorite.

For a pricey ice cream, I must have a souvenir shot. Hahaha! 

 

When we got home, we stuffed ourselves with Mama's version of spaghetti with (cute) meatballs. I had two platefuls. Argh.

Family, love, food, books, good health and prayers to departed souls. That's my long weekend. I still feel old and young. :)

Summer heat, PMS & more yada yada

Blame the preposterously mad summer heat. You know, that icky feeling you have when you wake up late Saturday morning because folks adhere to some unwritten notice that AC unit should be put off at 6 a.m. Argh. Then you learn that your river-soaked clothes from last weekend's escapade are waiting for laundry rescue from the bottom of your backpack. Worse, they smell bad already. And much worse, my closet looks like it's been hit by a tropical cyclone. I admit, this is just all part of PMS.

Irritability, tension, unhappiness, fears. Screw you, PMS!

Sometimes I have really, really irrational fears that come out of nowhere, and they sort of take over my brain for a while. So today I decided that it might help if I write them down and share them with the entire blogdom. You know, like it might just make me feel a little better to know that everyone who reads my blog knows how I really feel deep down inside, on my worst days.

What if I never achieve anything great in my life?

What if I just think I have something great to offer the world, but really I don't?
What if I spend my whole life doing a job I like, but don't love, just because I want the security of having a job, and then I never make enough art and I forget my passion and I wake up and I'm 40 and I've made nothing significant?
What if I just keep telling myself there's always tomorrow, and I put off all the things I want to do, just because it's easier that way?

It's just one day, one day, one day after another.

What if there's actually no order to the universe, and every action is ultimately devoid of meaning?
What if that lack of order means that it's possible to make just a few mistakes and totally screw up the rest of your life?
What if I've already screwed up my life and I just don't know it yet?

Ugh. I hate when I get like this, and I hate even more when I sound whiny. Then I suddenly remember what Conan said on his last episode. I remember it because I felt so inspired by his positivity. I have to hope that what he says is true, because otherwise I have no idea what to think.

All I ask of you, especially young people, is one thing. Please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism - it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen. I'm telling you, amazing things will happen.

Two thumbs up for the great Conan! I promise I'm not usually this cynical. I'm a really optimistic person, I swear! It's just that I'm human, and I'm honest, and as an honest human I have to say: the future is effin' scary sometimes, *insert ugly adjectives here and how the summer sun engulfs us with its mighty heat* and your late 20s especially suck because it feels like all the decisions you make carry the weight of the entire world. People keep telling me they don't; I can't help but suspect that, secretly, they do.

Perhaps our entire 20s can best be summed up with one singular, rather annoying symbol. Get ready. It's a classic. Here it is.

?

As an afterthought, summer sun can be cute. All with the hope of altering my mood.

                                           

I'll stop my yada yada right now. Mood has been altered already. Merci beaucoup.

St. Pio de Pietrelcina Chapel

[N.B. This was written last March 1, 2010 but I chose not to publish it for fear of preempting one of my requests. Today, I find it proper to publish it as a sign of gratitude to the intercession of Padre Pio. My brother passed his board exam. ~ The Authoress.]

It was one of those days when I felt I had to purge myself of moral errors and to pray for a thousand beautiful things. Yes, I have been contemplating so much about my spiritual health (apart from body health - thanks to Yoh-gurt Froz poster).

Then I remembered my friend Victoria's suggestion to visit St. Pio de Pietrelcina Chapel in Libis.* I have also been curious about the chapel as it was featured in Korina Sanchez's Rated K where Julius Babao revealed that he and his wife Christine Bersola-Babao are devotees of the Italian saint. It was shown in the show segment that the initial shape of Christine's fetus was the same as that of Padre Pio's wound due to stigmata. For more information about St. Pio of Pietrelcina, just click here.

The chapel was a stone's throw away from Citibank-Eastwood. It seems to be a solemn haven for miracle seekers and faithful devotees. I felt an overwhelming feeling of peace and solemnity all over the place. "Silence" markers were plastered all over the chapel, prayer room, candle room and an outdoor area where you can kneel in front of a life-sized Padre Pio statue. Since we arrived an hour late for the mass, we opted to offer prayers instead.

I had this very positive feeling about one particular request to Padre Pio. Such request pertains to the success of my brother Jobo in his board exam which he took last Saturday and Sunday. Yes, the same day I went to the chapel. My brother's real name is Giovanni and I found out that Padre Pio's hometown is San Giovanni Rotondo, a city in southern Italy. In fact, the Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church can be found in said city. Wikipedia tells us: "Built in devotion to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, it can accommodate 6,500 people seated at worship, with standing room for 30,000 people outside." Wow. I don't know whether this may be considered preemptive stuff but my gut feel tells me that my visit to this chapel was very timely.

The whole worship center is way above the normal thing. Inside the chapel, a wall was entirely devoted for the devotees' testimonials of Padre Pio's intercession in their lives. Majority wrote about their miraculous healings from the killer Big C. In the garden area, a statue of Padre Pio was found to have tints of red liquid trickling down its nape and neck, resembling blood. Apart from its innate peace and quiet, there are alcohol pumps outside their comfort rooms and a vendo machine. Their petition form carries a logo upon which you can write all the desires of your heart and drop the same at the petition boxes. Aside from prayer room where you can contemplate on Padre Pio's images while writing petitions and a televised image of an altar, there is also a candle room where candles are neatly arranged. A handy lighter was there too. I do not intend to compare this chapel to others but the desire of the devotees to keep it holy, clean and organized is quite impressive. 

I think I found a new haven for Sunday worship at the St. Pio de Pietrelcina Chapel in Libis.


*Directions: From Ali Mall in Cubao, board a jeepney going to Rosario Pasig. Tell the driver to drop you off at Citibank in Libis. Use the footbridge to go to the other side. Walk till you see Honda Cars-Libis and the chapel's right beside it. Jeepney fare from Ali Mall to Citibank-Libis is Php 9.

Affirmations for Good Luck

Below is a very timely piece I found in my 2001 diary, and I think this is pretty much appropriate for these trying times. I think I imported this from Art Borjal's column in The Philippine Star.

Every day in every way, I am getting luckier and luckier.

Every day in every way, I am getting more and more blessed.

Every day in every way, I am getting more and more fortunate.

Every day in every way, I am getting more and more favored.

Every day in every way, I am getting more and better chances and prospects.

Every day in every way, I am getting better and better at recognizing good opportunities.

Every day in every way, Lady Luck smiles at me.

Every day in every way, good fortune comes my way.

Every day in every way, I am getting better and better at creating my own good luck, realizing that only I can help myself build my own fortune and fulfill my own destiny.

Tuesday Meme Express: Pacman's Vitwater Line

Every Tuesday, The Daily Meme suggests the readers to write a thought provoking meme in honor of the Meme express. On my way to work, I chanced upon a thought-provoking albeit amusing line of our Pambansang Kamao in his Vitwater billboard. Funny, right?

Vitwater and I share a somewhat memorable moment. You know, Vitwater was part of my four (4) Sunday kits last September 2008. Despite the fact that its color made me hesitant to go "bottom's up", I willingly brought a bottle to face the biggest mental battle in my life. So that's the amusing part. And now let's tackle the thought-provoking part. For a few enchanting seconds, I became challenged. With Pacman's face plastered on it and some parallelism*, I think this is part of my baby steps to box** all the imaginary demons along my way and pursue my dream. 

*I dunno what it is really. Peace!

**With the right attitude serving as my gloves

Renewed Faith in the Feast of the Epiphany

Happy Three Kings!*

I remember that one of my goals for 2010 is to renew my relationship with the Almighty. I ought to be punished for not hearing mass on New Year's Eve. My fear of being wounded by firecracker-totting and drunk revelers in the middle of the street while going to church is the culprit. Oh God, when would firecracker zones be clearly established?

So the boyfriend and I went to Monasterio de Sta. Clara in Katipunan Avenue for Three Kings celebration. I was hardly awake during mass since I was deprived of a deep slumber the past few days. Blame my Patterson mania. The boyfriend revealed that everytime he hears mass at Sta. Clara, something good happens to him. I long to experience that also.

Just want to share some pics from Monasterio de Sta. Clara.

 

 The altar

A curious shot, that's all. My father's only sister used to be part of the Poor Clare Monastery in Cebu.

 

St. Clare

I'm slowly making my way to renewed faith, but I'm finding that praying for something big just isn't as fun and exciting anymore the second time around. There's an invisible pop-up which says, "Here we go again!" (nervous laugh)

I hope to discuss my state of renewed faith in a more meaningful manner next time.

* Got this from Wikipedia:

In the Philippines, the Christmas season traditionally ends on this day, known colloquially as "Three Kings" or "Tres Reyes" (Filipino:Tatlong Hari). Filipino children also leave their shoes out, so that the Kings would leave behind gifts like candy or money inside. Most others on this day simply greet one another with the phrase "Happy Three Kings!". In some locales, there is the practice of having three men, dressed as the Tatlong Hari, ride around on horseback, distributing trinkets and candy to the children of the area. The collective name for the group is immortalised as the Filipino surname Tatlonghari, and the Spanish name for the day has survived to the present in masculine given name Epifanio (e.g. Epifanio de los Santos).

When Boredom Strikes

Silent nights like this and knowing that my loved ones are sleeping peacefully make me emotional. Very emotional that I could not stop my tears from brimming in my eyelids. I can feel them now, ready to fall, and I'm not stopping them. They say that tears can literally clean your eyes and soothing for your soul, provided they voluntarily and willingly fall.

I now begin to ask myself why. I feel blessed and I'm truly happy. That's what the tears are all about. I happily blame the spirit of wellness of the holiday season.

I'm happy that my parents are supportive of me all along and even happier that they are both in good health. There were times in the past that I'd bargain with God my share of happiness and success in exchange of my parents' good health. I just couldn't afford to see them sick. It breaks my heart whenever I see my father tired from field work or my mother complaining of her migraine. God knows that, and I'm grateful that He hears this unselfish prayer.

I'm happy that I get to spend time with my siblings, despite our mood swings. We have always been like that way back our younger years. My two younger brothers (one of them is now married) are my loyal allies ever since the three of us outgrew childhood. My youngest brother though is the moody of us all. Back when all my demands/rules were followed by my two younger brothers, my youngest brother represents the axis powers. I never understood the concept that the youngest should be treated well, loved well and that we should all give in to his whims and caprices. Long before he (the youngest brother) came, I felt I was the center of attention. I was the only girl then, and I'm the most behaved one among the pack. And then the only sister was born, and I really felt my entire world was then turned upside down. She's the little princess, and we're at her mercy. When she cries in our arms during her baby days, it will be our fault. Hahaha!

I'm happy that I have a boyfriend whose major goals match with mine. Just when I almost got tired of searching for a partner and at the brink of giving up, God gave him to me. All in all, he's my incentive.

THERE IS SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.

I acknowledge what and who I have and I thank God for that.

I think of the pointless war in Iraq and the millions of lives lost and affected by it, I think of the poverty in this country and the poor people who suffer because of corrupt politicians, I think of the families affected by recent calamities, natural and man-made, I think of those who no longer have the chance to experience pain and happiness and suffering and joy. When I think of these, I realize I'm truly blessed and my own petty worries do not even measure up to the problems of those who literally live in pain and sorrow every day of their lives.

I'll sleep now.

Counting Till I Finally Say Cheers to 2010

San Miguel showing off his balls (no pun intended)

I aim to drink cans of SML when countdown to year 2010 begins. When I say "cans", I mean a minimum of three and a maximum of eight. Peeing is always an option, just to strike a balance between sanity and hallucination. It's my way of bidding goodbye to the Year of the Rat and ushering in the Year of the Tiger. Rawrrr!

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. 

~Oprah Winfrey

Advance cheers to you, Oprah! 

Here I am, imagining things which will make my life meaningful next year. Meaningful in what way? Too vague. Or it's too safe. I'm still imagining things. Rough, few, too much glitter but true. Oh Lord, it's MC's flop movie I remember. I'll rephrase then. Too much images of grandeur. I'm a word player, you see. And I don't apologize for that. It's F-U-N.


First, rough. Needs polishing along the way. It's more realistic that way. Hey, hey, did I just say "Dream big" the other day? Hmmm. Strikethrough rough.

Second, few. Few is better than more, I guess. When you have so many things and plans, some of them might end up in a waste basket.

Third, too much glitter. Substitute "images of grandeur" for "too much glitter". Stand by.

Last, true. Need I say more? Why bother faking it? 


Few, images of grandeur and true. Perfect.


No tinge of sadness, ill feelings, no mean words, no heartaches whatsoever. Shooo!

I love my life too much to let it get sidetracked by heartache, longing, and daydreaming. So let's sleep.