I’ve been tagged, so I’m hitching a ride in the bandwagon as I try to hit these two blog memes with one stone, este, post.
So okay, I know I’m weird, but do you really have to make me highlight my weirdness by tagging me, Marc? Hehe. And Joni, I know this is long overdue already, but last night I had a grand time counting blessings and thinking about the great things that are happening in my life right now, so hehe, let me do this, late as it may be.
Tonight, my friends and I were having our usual talk over coffee (and siopao, and mais con hielo, and whatever finger food was available) with Pastor Dave (who happens to be my Ninong too) and his lovely wife, Ninang Nory. Being about 20 years older than we are, I sometimes feel as if they’re in a constant lookout for ways to “connect” with our generation. And I have to say, as far as the generation gap is concerned, they are pretty much successful bridging it in. They’re definitely the coolest forty*bleep* yearolds in the planet.
There are, however, some bloopers here and there. And here’s the winning moment tonight:
Pastor Dave: “What’s that site you were talking about again..? Uh, pantyhose.com?”
The rest of us, staring at him, confused.
Pastor Dave: “The one with those videos you were all laughing about..?”
And then it dawned on her.
Normi: “Ohhh you mean happyslip.com!!
All: Oooohhhh!!
It was, of course, followed by an endless round of laughter. Pantyhose.com pala ha. :P
I guess there’s still generation gap, after all. :)
The night went on like that. But on top of all the laughter were insightful views about life, and relationships, and faith, and God, and family, and making the right choices, and just about anything under the sun. From as serious as spirituality and Bible doctrines to as trivial as pantyhose.com, er, happyslip.com, we all had our triple dose of self-reflections and realizations (more like reminders) that somehow fueled us up to face the world again.
My happy thoughts for the day: Faith. Friends. Laughter. And love everywhere. I’m stuffed. ♥
Oh, and Ninong Dave, if you’re reading this, it’s hap-py-slip, ok? :)
As if reading old blog posts was not enough, I found myself reading random pages from my old journals too. And then I found this one journal entry I wrote 2 years ago, on May 1, 2005. It was my Mom and Dad’s 31st anniversary then, and apparently, it was a few days after Dad was released from the hospital following his heart surgery.
Thirty one years of being together, whoa. I can only imagine their joy now that their love was able to survive a series of trials, and tears, and fears, and tests. Today was indeed a time to celebrate as their 31-year-old vow — the one which says, “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health..” — was made real right before their and everyone else’s eyes.
Dad’s heart surgery (and our fear that we could lose him anytime) is surely a part of a plan grander than anything we could think of. Perhaps, God, the Great Author of love and romance, planned to make this year’s anniversary more memorable, sweeter even.
Someday, if God wills, I’ll get to make that vow too.. and perhaps, a time will come when God will make that vow real before my eyes as well.. And if that happens, I shall look back to Mommy and Daddy’s love story, knowing full well that God has been the One writing the script and orchestrating the plot.
Someday, I’ll have my own love story to tell too.
There goes your 21 year old Rhiz. (Eek!) A lot has changed since then, of course (I must have become bitter and cynical along the way hehe), but one cannot deny that in a world where breakups, and failed marriages, and broken families are staple, you still hope of a love story worth telling your grandchildren of.
I thought of blogging bout this but my frustration got the best of me. So hey, just read his blog. I’m not mourning about it anymore. I realize there must be a bright side to this somewhere. Life is too short to be spent whining. By the way, thanks, Marc, for telling the story for me. ;)
* * *
On another note, I’m not sure if this is the best time to do this. I know I’ve always projected myself to be this tough-chic-slash-hard-core-guitarist-wannabe who doesn’t have a care in the world but, well, so much for an overstatement. I’m coming out in the open.
Confession #1.
I had four straight nights of greasy Burger Mcdo Happy Meals just to get all four Strawberry Shortcake characters the past week. I am such a loser. But I luuuurve them. (Why o why didn’t we have these toys back our time? Pfft.) Right now, the friggin dolls are sitting comfortably on my office desk, hoarding all sorts of (positive and negative) attention. Congrats naman. :P
So hey, meet the gang. Angel Cake, Orange Blossom, Ginger Snap, and Strawberry Shortcake. No touching, please. They’re ALL MINE. Wahaha. :P
Confession #2.
My mom has been feeding me all sorts of cough medications and vitamins the past few days. She’s been texting me, nagging me, and reminding me every so often to take my meds. Lately, however, she’s starting to worry why I still haven’t made it to recovery. What she doesn’t know is, her little spoiled brat of a daughter is feasting on endorphins when the cat is away. So hey, if I die at the age of 24, it’s all my fault. My parents did their best. :P
High on antibiotics.
And double doses of endorphins.
And triple doses of YOU.
Confession #3.
At night, I sleep with a bear. Ohh and I don’t just squish her, I don’t just talk to her. Sometimes, I take her out to shopping and buy her clothes too. And she has a bank account (haha, riiiight). I really intend to keep this one a secret but today is a day of honesty.
So guys, meet Vanie (yes, she’s/it’s a girl, mind you), the absorber of all my stress at the end of the day. She keeps me sane, she makes me laugh. She’s the closest thing I have to a family especially when the roommates are bitching on me (haha).
So imagine my fright when I found my baby in bloodshed on the eve of All Saints Day. Trick or treat??
At this point I’d like to thank my psycho roommates for proving once again how annoyingly sweet they are. You raaaak girlfriends. I’m soooo touched. And because of that I give you loadsful of sour candies, my very own virus, and a filthy dirty room courtesy of yours trully. May you cough all year round. LOL :P
Then again, I know these lovely ladies mean well (??!!). So thanks be to them, for remembering me this All Saints Day. Besides, I had my revenge. Bwahaha. :P
* * *
Ayt, confession’s over. Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day passed in a blur, I almost didn’t notice it. (*conscience* Coz you’re glued to One Tree Hill almost every chance you get, silly.)
I’ve never really enjoyed Trick or Treats, and Halloween parties, and going to the cemetery whenever this season comes by. This year, just like the past years, my family spent the whole day at home, pigging out. And watching One Tree Hill (I got them hooked too haha). And discussing scary stories and what the Bible says about them. Of course we remembered Lolo, but mostly, we just spent quality time together as a family.
If I had it my way, I’d rather we celebrate Thanksgiving Day whenever November comes (how come Filipinos don’t have Thanksgivings?). You know, have a whole day devoted to thanking God for the blessings, the unexpected people He allowed to come our way, and other beautiful beautiful things. After all, it’s almost the end of the year, and what better way to usher the Christmas season than simply being thankful. After all, God has been so good, and faithful, inspite of us.
Right. I never thought I’d see Novembers this way again–full of faith, and hope, and love. *ngiti hanggang tenga* (Yooonnn. Showbiz!)
Hay. Napagod ako magblog (at ngumiti). Next time ulit. :p
PS. A lot of things are happening over there.
Just a thought. Sometimes I wish my bloglife is not as public as it is now. I mean, yes, I’d hoard site traffic anytime. Being exposed to Internet Marketing the whole of this year (and beyond), I think I’ve managed to grasp the idea.. of Google, and search engines, and the internet, and websites, and links, and web blogs, etc, etc.
Then again, I hate it that my blog, so it seems, has also become a subject of unsolicited criticisms. And inasmuch as I want to say
Then again, SO AM I (entitled to my own opinion). So, please, please, people, haay, please. Just.. respect. That’s all I ask. I guarantee you, I’m aware of the things I post here, even the words I use. I do not wish or intend to stumble anybody. Yes, even you.
* * *
On to the lighter side of things, this I blog in between piles of articles to proofread at work (coupled with short breaths towards a looming deadline by the end of the week). Gaaah. Petiks Mode used to be a way of life in my previous job. Now, it’s luxury. I’d hoard any chance to get away from my tasks, seriously. BUT it’s not like I’m complaining. This is what I want anyway. To be more productive, to lessen idle moments, to focus on developing my career, blahblah. Haha. Go pep talk. :P
But really now. Take me away from here.
Take me, I’ll come with you. Anywhere.
It’s nearing the end of the year, but just the same, I’m making a set of new years resolutions to salvage whatever’s left of MY 2006. It’s (almost) always never too late for resolutions, after all. Right? Right.
So just because Jasper chose to celebrate his birthday (last night) at some Brazilian resto at Metrowalk that serves a sinful oh-so-sinful menu of about 17 types of meat (eat all you can, mind you); and I’m nearing broke because I’ve maxed out my credit card limit the past three months; and I’ve been overspending on food, fashion, and vanity; and it’s the BER-months already and I haven’t started my Christmas shopping yet; here’s what I resolved to do:
Well, that’s all for now. My brain’s gone home already and is not really in the mood to cooperate.
* * *
And then at the back of my head I start hearing my ever favorite ONE DESIRE by Hillsong. It was soooo hard singing it last Saturday, during the band practice. It breaks my heart to sing the lines, “this is my ONE desire”, “just to be where you are Lord”, “the one thing I ask is to be with You”– when I’m aware that God sees my heart and that He knows full well that it’s a mesh of desires that is apart from Him. *bugtong hinga na malalim abot hanggang dulo ng pacific ocean*
Work in progress, I am.
Then again, all of us are.
Maybe we just have to strive to be more cooperative each day to make the work an easier toll. Maybe this is what life is about.
So let me add that one to my growing list of year-end resolutions.
So there. I’m off now. Someone’s waiting.
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