My stomach used to hurt from laughing
At something random and obscure
I used to rest my head on your shoulder
When the long ride became a bore
I would tell you stories about my family
And how we visited seven churches
And the one about Magnolia Ice Cream house
Was no doubt your favorite
I used to call you in the middle of the night
And ask you to meet you-know-where
That well-lit strip in the middle of the city
Once again it's coffee upstairs
We would walk uphill to have shawarmas
And maybe a beer or two
Blurt out the names of our highschool classmates
Forgetting who was who
We used to roll on the grass and talk nonsense
And never want to go home
You used to say my love life would turn out better
Than that of Bridget Jones
We used to go to the slums and raid a beerhouse
And work the jukebox til dawn
We had coins and a few crumpled bills
Hell yeah, we owned the microphone
And the burlesque queen and the macho men
Were no match to your moves
You did a mean Christina Aguilera
And spun around in your pointed boots
Remember Valentines Day when we were single
We spent it with men in thongs
Watching them dance gave us quite a laugh
Until the Mama San came along
Humming My Humps while scavenging for smokes
And walking all the way home
The jeepneys were alive and the ladies were dancing
But it's time to see our folks
One the beach we dressed our men like skanky hoes
And paraded them around
Remember when we broke up in smaller groups
You guys were nowhere to be found
My face was red from too much beer
And the little boy wanted to talk
So I taught him a lesson, he learned really fast
We kept the door unlocked
I was crying in a place where I didn't belong
There you were, panting like anything
It was vision in life that brought us together
In a place where we could sing
You were speeding on the highway
And you wanted some support
So I slept for two hours straight
I wanted conflict and bitterness
But you said you needed rest
I apologized but it was too late
I found myself having a Martini
In the middle of your graveyard shift
I told you everything that meant nothing
You nodded while I threw a fit
Spilled carbonara on the floor of McDonalds
Right before the big trip
Eight girls in a jacuzzi in colorful bikinis
That's how we wanted it
We were metal band groupies
And Divisoria junkies
Driving down EDSA again
To follow them rockstars
No matter how far
We were morons to our friends
Well I wanted to watch him
Watch my little sister
Scream Agent Orange with all her might
You wanted him to have
That yellow wrist band that you bought
At a bazaar the other night
So I boarded the plane and waved good bye
And you laughed until you cried
Hell yeah we were funny
But this one's pretty serious
It's much longer than good night

Friday

Friday
Crack down on lonely hearts
Get up form under the covers
Take a cold cold shower
Put on your best dress
The one withred flowers on it
Waterproof mascara
Is enough to make you
Smile in the mirror
The warm breeze
Hikes up your skirt
As you hail a cab
And swing your purse
30 minutes of neon lights
Honking and listening
To one hit wonders
The radio excites you
Revolving doors
His, hellos
Blue drinks and crisps
Dim lights
And Elton John
They all go together
On a Friday night
You grab the mic
And clear your throat
And you sing Sheryl Crow
Like there's no tomorrow
Like Simon Cowell
Is watching you
From the disco ball
Cheesy tracks
Blasting the speakers
For the singles and couples
And divorcees to hear
Laughing with acquaintances
Dancing with strangers
The world is yours
Until 3 AM
When you hop into a cab
And you're head's spinning
Blue vomit in the toilet
And toothpaste in the sink
That's how you know
Friday's come to an end

The sun here is rude
Always in my face
Every day on my case
Leaving me dry and thirsty

Ethel's birthday is in 30 minutes, and we're both exhausted.
She just wanted to have peace and quiet tonight, followed by some good movies which she usually watches in isolation in her bed, complete with her massive headphones that helps her shut off the rest of the world.

My birthday is coming up in less than a month, and I am excited.
I know that at 26, I have done things I never thought I could, with the help of angels who disguised themselves as friends, bosses and boyfriends.

Two and a half years in Dubai was not a piece of cake.
I had to survive eviction (not because of non-payment, thank you very much), break ups, rejection and loneliness, and the long, unfriendly oven-hot summers did not help. But I can confidently say that they are all a thing of the past, and now I am entering a a new chapter in my life. It's unfamiliar territory, nevertheless I welcome it, ambiguities and all.

So now after what seemed like forever, I am learning driving. Some people who have been driving forever may get a kick out of this fact, but I am too psyched to think about them. For me it is something that could not have come at a better time.

And I am also planning a few things that involve a lot of hard work, determination, positive thinking and prayers.

I read some of my blog entries in 2005. Wow. I actually thought I would be stuck print scanning every Sunday for the rest of my life. Now I am stil working on Sundays, but I don't mind. I love Sundays and every day of the week.

So my point is, I've changed my attitude. And I now perceive everything as an easy job, maybe because I had already gone through the worst. So at 26, I am confident that I will achieve more and become better. Every single day, I learn something. Every single day I meet someone interesting. Every single day I actually feel alive and ready to live for a hundred more years. And every single day, I am thankful.