"To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom."–
Bertrand Russell
Monday, January 08, 2007
Sunday, January 07, 2007
unreserved prose
Last night Guillaume visited me extra early, like 1 AM (Jeeesus). Global Village was quiet, as everyone planned to have an early night in preparation for work today, and so his small crepery had to close down a little earlier. He looked extra fine last night. We went to Crowne Plaza for mojitos and he told me stuff about his teenage years (which weren’t very long ago), and life in Europe. I realized that I still had a lot to learn about the world, and the information he volunteered, while not really useful, was interesting and welcome to my library of trivias.
I like making him pronounce French words, so I can feel like I’m in Paris and so I can secretly laugh at the nasal sounds of them. Take Elizabeth Arden for example. He pronounced it as Eleezabeth Arghhhhden, like he was about to spit, God forbid in my face. Very entertaining.
It’s certainly wise to be wary. But I don’t really know what I’m trying to be wise for. Some things in one’s life are fleeting, and Guillaume may be one of them in my life, but I really want to make the most of it and just go through the whole thing, and it is much better than thinking, “Ok get this over with. What do you want? Stay or scram.” That was me. That’s how I sounded before. Not very pleasant huh? And the thing about Guillaume, he makes an effort to spend time with me. Be with me. Even in unimaginable times. And he’s such a fun guy. He’s always walking around bumping into things and hugging me. And while we hugged I thanked him for the warmth his hug had given me, and he had to ruin the moment by asking what “hug” meant. But it’s ok. I like ruined moments. (Still dream eyed.)
I hope he’s all right and I know I can only hope and not demand or expect, but as long as he is there I will open my doors to him. It makes so much sense. And I am rationalizing my feelings again! But that’s a good sign, because it means I’ve taken off the sign on my forehead that said “Jaded Hag”.
Happiness is not a crime. And this man has never done anything to hurt me. Hallelujah! I am tempted to write another piece entitled “What if it ends tomorrow?”, but I’ve decided to get on with that one if and when it happens.
OK for the second time this gushing has GOT to stop.
Later maybe.
I like making him pronounce French words, so I can feel like I’m in Paris and so I can secretly laugh at the nasal sounds of them. Take Elizabeth Arden for example. He pronounced it as Eleezabeth Arghhhhden, like he was about to spit, God forbid in my face. Very entertaining.
It’s certainly wise to be wary. But I don’t really know what I’m trying to be wise for. Some things in one’s life are fleeting, and Guillaume may be one of them in my life, but I really want to make the most of it and just go through the whole thing, and it is much better than thinking, “Ok get this over with. What do you want? Stay or scram.” That was me. That’s how I sounded before. Not very pleasant huh? And the thing about Guillaume, he makes an effort to spend time with me. Be with me. Even in unimaginable times. And he’s such a fun guy. He’s always walking around bumping into things and hugging me. And while we hugged I thanked him for the warmth his hug had given me, and he had to ruin the moment by asking what “hug” meant. But it’s ok. I like ruined moments. (Still dream eyed.)
I hope he’s all right and I know I can only hope and not demand or expect, but as long as he is there I will open my doors to him. It makes so much sense. And I am rationalizing my feelings again! But that’s a good sign, because it means I’ve taken off the sign on my forehead that said “Jaded Hag”.
Happiness is not a crime. And this man has never done anything to hurt me. Hallelujah! I am tempted to write another piece entitled “What if it ends tomorrow?”, but I’ve decided to get on with that one if and when it happens.
OK for the second time this gushing has GOT to stop.
Later maybe.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
New Year's Eve photos
Here are two photos (taken with Arvin's camera, obviously) all the way form Dubai... New Year's Eve with Obet, Sherry. Mai, Jen and Arvin.
The first picture was taken at Xurness' Bur Dubai flat, which by the way is very classy and spacious. Masks, torotot, champagne, and lotsa party poppers!
The second one was in front of Crowne Plaza, where we waited for Jen and Sherry for ages before going to the party together in full force. Our background? Of course the famous Emirates Towers, where people wine and dine and buy really nice expensive stuff.
Grabbed these photos from Arvin's Friendster. Hehehe.
all the way from manila
Mama and I had a nice chat today.
She sent me some pictures that I would like all of you to see.
My mother and little cousins are lovely.
I miss having fun with them.
Friday, January 05, 2007
shameless and dreamy-eyed
That's right.
Another night of champagne with Guillaume.
We toasted to the 35-dirham bottle Colin got for us (excellent for such a price) and had a fun night.
I can't quite explain his personality.
He's different from other French men I've met because he's a little rugged and clumsy, two traits that I guess are not very French.
He must be a goof in France, because he laughs like a hyena when he wants to and spills champagne all over the villa (kitchen, living room etc etc).
But under normal circumstances is the sweetest man in the world.
Sometimes he says things that really make me want to burst out laughing, but then I realize that he's not joking.
And he handles emergency situations really well.
Like when we went to Fairmont and he didn't expect the bill to be so huge, and even after my contribution we were still short. After failed attempts at the ATM machine he finally convinced the waiter and front duty officer to accept his Euros. It was supposed to be absolutely embarrassing, but too much alcohol caused us to see this as a trivial incident, something we just don't remember after a few laughs.
And that's really what's charming about him.
I like laughing at him and with him and he's just very steady.
I am just so happy to spend time with him.
And sometimes the traffic is bad and it can be a three-hour drive to my place, he still comes to visit. Right after 10 hours of non-stop crepe making.
That's something that really impressed me.
And I don't feel stupid mispronouncing French words with him.
I can learn. He can teach me.
And this embarrassing gushing has really got to end.
Right about now.
Another night of champagne with Guillaume.
We toasted to the 35-dirham bottle Colin got for us (excellent for such a price) and had a fun night.
I can't quite explain his personality.
He's different from other French men I've met because he's a little rugged and clumsy, two traits that I guess are not very French.
He must be a goof in France, because he laughs like a hyena when he wants to and spills champagne all over the villa (kitchen, living room etc etc).
But under normal circumstances is the sweetest man in the world.
Sometimes he says things that really make me want to burst out laughing, but then I realize that he's not joking.
And he handles emergency situations really well.
Like when we went to Fairmont and he didn't expect the bill to be so huge, and even after my contribution we were still short. After failed attempts at the ATM machine he finally convinced the waiter and front duty officer to accept his Euros. It was supposed to be absolutely embarrassing, but too much alcohol caused us to see this as a trivial incident, something we just don't remember after a few laughs.
And that's really what's charming about him.
I like laughing at him and with him and he's just very steady.
I am just so happy to spend time with him.
And sometimes the traffic is bad and it can be a three-hour drive to my place, he still comes to visit. Right after 10 hours of non-stop crepe making.
That's something that really impressed me.
And I don't feel stupid mispronouncing French words with him.
I can learn. He can teach me.
And this embarrassing gushing has really got to end.
Right about now.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
hope
My very first blog entry was all about optimism. By being such an eager beaver, would I end up happy, or was I blindly getting ready to get hurt?
Of course I wanted to be happy, I still do.
So I decided to be an optimist instead of a masochist.
Both are just states of mind, really.
And the former is definitely a better one.
I realized that it is not easy to be optimistic.
It's an aqcuired skill, a talent anyone would be so lucky to possess.
The moment I get scared I try very very hard to brush negative thoughts away.
Most of the time, I just try to forget about my fears and deal with them later.
This non-confrontational attitude is also detrimental to my happiness, because at the back of my mind I always have something to worry about while I try my best to have fun and enjoy the moment.
Now that’s awfully hard, and if I keep on doing that I might end up getting a heart attack or in a mental institution. Or unhappy.
Right now the happiness is just overwhelming, and things are going so fast that I’m having a hard time convincing myself that it’s going to be all right.
Pretty soon things might change for the worse and I wouldn’t know what hit me.
But I’ve made a mistake of being cold and practicing emotional self-censorship in the recent past, and I ended up sad and alone. I didn’t even enjoy each moment of something that could have been good for me. I just dismissed everything, until I realized that my anticipation of the worst actually caused the worst to occur.
So God was kind enough to give me something new this year, and it feels good.
I want to keep on doing this NOW, now that the opportunity is here and someone cares for me and is willing to spend time with me.
I’ve been so open with my feelings, saying things that are taboo in my made-up bible of first-stage dating.
But being open makes me feel good, even if I know it is also the key to getting hurt fast and badly.
But like someone said, the clever know enough to become cynical, but the truly wise are those that are clever enough not to become cynical, no matter what.
I’ve always neglected to mention the feeling I’ve always had inside me, a feeling that goes perfectly well with happiness.
HOPE.
I’ve been on Marlboro Lights all my smoking life that I’ve been keeping Hope in the periphery.
Of course I wanted to be happy, I still do.
So I decided to be an optimist instead of a masochist.
Both are just states of mind, really.
And the former is definitely a better one.
I realized that it is not easy to be optimistic.
It's an aqcuired skill, a talent anyone would be so lucky to possess.
The moment I get scared I try very very hard to brush negative thoughts away.
Most of the time, I just try to forget about my fears and deal with them later.
This non-confrontational attitude is also detrimental to my happiness, because at the back of my mind I always have something to worry about while I try my best to have fun and enjoy the moment.
Now that’s awfully hard, and if I keep on doing that I might end up getting a heart attack or in a mental institution. Or unhappy.
Right now the happiness is just overwhelming, and things are going so fast that I’m having a hard time convincing myself that it’s going to be all right.
Pretty soon things might change for the worse and I wouldn’t know what hit me.
But I’ve made a mistake of being cold and practicing emotional self-censorship in the recent past, and I ended up sad and alone. I didn’t even enjoy each moment of something that could have been good for me. I just dismissed everything, until I realized that my anticipation of the worst actually caused the worst to occur.
So God was kind enough to give me something new this year, and it feels good.
I want to keep on doing this NOW, now that the opportunity is here and someone cares for me and is willing to spend time with me.
I’ve been so open with my feelings, saying things that are taboo in my made-up bible of first-stage dating.
But being open makes me feel good, even if I know it is also the key to getting hurt fast and badly.
But like someone said, the clever know enough to become cynical, but the truly wise are those that are clever enough not to become cynical, no matter what.
I’ve always neglected to mention the feeling I’ve always had inside me, a feeling that goes perfectly well with happiness.
HOPE.
I’ve been on Marlboro Lights all my smoking life that I’ve been keeping Hope in the periphery.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
warm
It was a long night for me.
My New Year's Day exceeded 24 hours.And I'm happy.
I actually didn't sleep, if you can believe that.
Now I have a bad cold and possibly dying.
It's so cold. So cold. So freaking cold.
I'm such a frog.
But it's odd. Deep down I haven't felt so warm in months.
Must be Guillaume and his champagne.
Must be Guillaume alone.
Must be my thoughts of Guillaume.
Or must be my hopes of seeing Guillaume again.
Whatever it is, it keeps me warm at 18 degrees, noontime.
I heard tonight it's dropping to 9 degrees.
Which means I need to feel much warmer later.
Guillaume.
Sigh.
My New Year's Day exceeded 24 hours.And I'm happy.
I actually didn't sleep, if you can believe that.
Now I have a bad cold and possibly dying.
It's so cold. So cold. So freaking cold.
I'm such a frog.
But it's odd. Deep down I haven't felt so warm in months.
Must be Guillaume and his champagne.
Must be Guillaume alone.
Must be my thoughts of Guillaume.
Or must be my hopes of seeing Guillaume again.
Whatever it is, it keeps me warm at 18 degrees, noontime.
I heard tonight it's dropping to 9 degrees.
Which means I need to feel much warmer later.
Guillaume.
Sigh.
Monday, January 01, 2007
nice feeling
I feel like galloping through the crowds on the streets today.
While humming a Japanese pop song.
I just feel so good. So good.
Even better than James Brown did (may he rest in peace).
There's just something in the air. In the sweet-smelling air!
Normally when I feel like this I also want to slap myself for being so happy.
Usually when I feel this great something happens to bring me right into a slump.
But not this time. Everyday is a happy day, remember?
Optimism can do miracles.
Makes you feel productive, and hopeful, and fresh, and lets you sleep peacefully at night with eagerness to wake up the next day.
While humming a Japanese pop song.
I just feel so good. So good.
Even better than James Brown did (may he rest in peace).
There's just something in the air. In the sweet-smelling air!
Normally when I feel like this I also want to slap myself for being so happy.
Usually when I feel this great something happens to bring me right into a slump.
But not this time. Everyday is a happy day, remember?
Optimism can do miracles.
Makes you feel productive, and hopeful, and fresh, and lets you sleep peacefully at night with eagerness to wake up the next day.
no strangers
Jen, Obet, Sherry, Mai, Arvin and I were invited to a New Year's party in a Bur Dubai flat. Xurness, a fellow UP alumnus, and his event were fabulous.
There was unlimited booze, champagne most importantly.
And they gave each of us a mask, a torotot and a party popper, so by midnight we were all making noise and having our pictures taken and shouting happy New Year.
Then there was karaoke. The nice part was, we danced with some people we never ever met.
We'd never even sat down and talked to Xurness before this party.
We were so glad we came. Thanks for this, X!
And then Jen, Sherry and I went to the Fairmont to have tea and freaking creme brulee. They're angels. They kept me company until Guillaume and his friend came.
Jen and Sherry left and the guys were a bit disappointed because there was no champagne or wine. It was 4 AM and Cascades only served drinks til 3.
So I invited them to our place, where ever-dependable Breezers were waiting for us, and we had a nice chat.
They're planning to expand their crepe business, and though I must hate crepe because of its evil calorie content, I like the crepe men (especially Guillaume). And therefore I love their crepe. I don't need to eat them all the time do I?
It was an unusual new year's eve and morning for me.
Aside from my dear friends I spent them with what you would call almost complete strangers, but they were warm and friendly and fun like friends I've known for years.
Do we keep the friendship? Are there more parties to attend? Are there more crepes to eat and nice conversations to look forward to? I guess I'll never know.
But I've proven one thing --- there are no strangers in this world if you choose not to be a stranger yourself. So let me be a friend of everyone, and who knows what's in store for me in 2007?
There was unlimited booze, champagne most importantly.
And they gave each of us a mask, a torotot and a party popper, so by midnight we were all making noise and having our pictures taken and shouting happy New Year.
Then there was karaoke. The nice part was, we danced with some people we never ever met.
We'd never even sat down and talked to Xurness before this party.
We were so glad we came. Thanks for this, X!
And then Jen, Sherry and I went to the Fairmont to have tea and freaking creme brulee. They're angels. They kept me company until Guillaume and his friend came.
Jen and Sherry left and the guys were a bit disappointed because there was no champagne or wine. It was 4 AM and Cascades only served drinks til 3.
So I invited them to our place, where ever-dependable Breezers were waiting for us, and we had a nice chat.
They're planning to expand their crepe business, and though I must hate crepe because of its evil calorie content, I like the crepe men (especially Guillaume). And therefore I love their crepe. I don't need to eat them all the time do I?
It was an unusual new year's eve and morning for me.
Aside from my dear friends I spent them with what you would call almost complete strangers, but they were warm and friendly and fun like friends I've known for years.
Do we keep the friendship? Are there more parties to attend? Are there more crepes to eat and nice conversations to look forward to? I guess I'll never know.
But I've proven one thing --- there are no strangers in this world if you choose not to be a stranger yourself. So let me be a friend of everyone, and who knows what's in store for me in 2007?
Sunday, December 31, 2006
end it with a bang!
How did I spend the last three days of 2006?
I went with my friends to OWWA where we made loads of troubled fellow Filipinas happy by giving them what they needed --- a little fun, entertainment, and stuff to get by.
I went to Global Village and shopped for my friends. Checked out the awesome stalls. Sherry and I danced o the tune of a Japanese pop song and posed with a Sumo wrestler, wore hats from Vietnam, shopped for bags in India, munched on Pinoy snacks, bought a few trinkets in Kenya, and of course I had fun eating crepes at the French stall. Even "crepe-t" to the back of the stall to have a chat with the chef.
Then welcomed Jen (fresh from Manila), and I got pasalubongs from Jel!!! Yahoo!!! Thanks Jel, loved everything, you know what I like! Galing! Kiss Kiss!!!!
Fifi and I had a chat this morning, and now I'm online with Kath and Charm. They're funny, amazing, and we've been friends for what? 14 years already? That's something. Love 'em, love 'em.
Slowly making amends.
I remember making a promise to myself last year, that I would do something big and bold and good, and I did! I did just that!
Now I promise this year is going to be FABULOUS.
I went with my friends to OWWA where we made loads of troubled fellow Filipinas happy by giving them what they needed --- a little fun, entertainment, and stuff to get by.
I went to Global Village and shopped for my friends. Checked out the awesome stalls. Sherry and I danced o the tune of a Japanese pop song and posed with a Sumo wrestler, wore hats from Vietnam, shopped for bags in India, munched on Pinoy snacks, bought a few trinkets in Kenya, and of course I had fun eating crepes at the French stall. Even "crepe-t" to the back of the stall to have a chat with the chef.
Then welcomed Jen (fresh from Manila), and I got pasalubongs from Jel!!! Yahoo!!! Thanks Jel, loved everything, you know what I like! Galing! Kiss Kiss!!!!
Fifi and I had a chat this morning, and now I'm online with Kath and Charm. They're funny, amazing, and we've been friends for what? 14 years already? That's something. Love 'em, love 'em.
Slowly making amends.
I remember making a promise to myself last year, that I would do something big and bold and good, and I did! I did just that!
Now I promise this year is going to be FABULOUS.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
weekend plans
Last day of work. Yahoo!
I’m working again on Tuesday.
Love it.
Unfortunately I feel a bad flu coming. What a bummer.
But knowing myself, I will ward it off in no time.
I must’ve eaten ten mini-oranges today.
That should do the trick.
My program for the weekend?
I’ll kick it off with a movie date with Sherry.
Maybe Apocalypto or something else.
Just an easy Thursday night.
Tomorrow I’ll meet with my fellow alumni to go to the Philippine consulate to visit unfortunate Pinays stuck for a place to stay, jobless and cannot go back home because they can’t buy plane tickets. So we’re giving them phone cards to call home, food and some toiletries to get by.
If we’re really lucky we might even raise money to buy some of them plane tickets.
My former officemates managed to raise more than half of what I need to turn in and that really made me happy. Thanks, guys.
This is me doing charity work, thank you very much.
I can’t remember the last time I did something for my fellow Pinoys.
Well, I used to donate blood regularly in college but that was because I wanted to lose weight, even it meant anemia for me.
Now it’s different. Raising money won’t give me anemia.
I think this is my way of giving back to the people who helped me during my first months here in Dubai. The amount of help extended to me by so many nameless faces pulled me out of a slump I never want myself or other people to experience again.
Chuck the drama out.
Friday night will most probably be a party night for me.
Friends, champagne, dessert, probably karaoke if the bars are opem.
I also plan to do a bit of shopping in the weekend.
A new wallet to replace my ratty old one.
Or perhaps a pair of REAL shoes, or a bag that has a decent handle.
Or a nice gym shirt. Or rubber shoes.
This might never end, so I’ll spare you the rest of the stuff on my list.
Ciao!
I’m working again on Tuesday.
Love it.
Unfortunately I feel a bad flu coming. What a bummer.
But knowing myself, I will ward it off in no time.
I must’ve eaten ten mini-oranges today.
That should do the trick.
My program for the weekend?
I’ll kick it off with a movie date with Sherry.
Maybe Apocalypto or something else.
Just an easy Thursday night.
Tomorrow I’ll meet with my fellow alumni to go to the Philippine consulate to visit unfortunate Pinays stuck for a place to stay, jobless and cannot go back home because they can’t buy plane tickets. So we’re giving them phone cards to call home, food and some toiletries to get by.
If we’re really lucky we might even raise money to buy some of them plane tickets.
My former officemates managed to raise more than half of what I need to turn in and that really made me happy. Thanks, guys.
This is me doing charity work, thank you very much.
I can’t remember the last time I did something for my fellow Pinoys.
Well, I used to donate blood regularly in college but that was because I wanted to lose weight, even it meant anemia for me.
Now it’s different. Raising money won’t give me anemia.
I think this is my way of giving back to the people who helped me during my first months here in Dubai. The amount of help extended to me by so many nameless faces pulled me out of a slump I never want myself or other people to experience again.
Chuck the drama out.
Friday night will most probably be a party night for me.
Friends, champagne, dessert, probably karaoke if the bars are opem.
I also plan to do a bit of shopping in the weekend.
A new wallet to replace my ratty old one.
Or perhaps a pair of REAL shoes, or a bag that has a decent handle.
Or a nice gym shirt. Or rubber shoes.
This might never end, so I’ll spare you the rest of the stuff on my list.
Ciao!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
i hate my hair
I hate my hair!
No character whatsoever.
Just a bundle of long, silky smooth, lovely-to-hold, fragrant black hair.
Hang on, that sounded nice.
But I miss my old hairdo.
The one that made me look unique and even weird.
The short, rockstar-ish ‘do that made me want to take a guitar and write a song.
The one you don’t dare touch.
In January I will have my hair cut.
Something new for the new year.
Maybe I should try something else.
Not the rock star look, not this Maria Clara style either.
If I grew a beard, will people finally remember my name?
No character whatsoever.
Just a bundle of long, silky smooth, lovely-to-hold, fragrant black hair.
Hang on, that sounded nice.
But I miss my old hairdo.
The one that made me look unique and even weird.
The short, rockstar-ish ‘do that made me want to take a guitar and write a song.
The one you don’t dare touch.
In January I will have my hair cut.
Something new for the new year.
Maybe I should try something else.
Not the rock star look, not this Maria Clara style either.
If I grew a beard, will people finally remember my name?
ambivalent
I took an online quiz this morning to find out my relationship style. You can now roll your eyes.
According to them experts, there are three categories that people can fall under when it comes to dealing with relationships:
ISOLATORS
If you are an Isolator, you need a lot of personal space. Isolators minimize emotion, are often guarded and unconsciously push people away, keeping them at a distance.
FUSER
If you are a Fuser, you have an insatiable appetite for closeness and don't like being alone. Fusers crave attention and are sometimes described as clingy.
AMBIVALENT
If you are an Ambivalent, you are a little bit of both. Ambivalents like to pull away, yet they want to feel close at the same time. They can also be confusing and hard to read.
The quiz results say that I am ambivalent, based on my childhood experiences.
This means that I am “uniquely qualified to have a successful relationship with a partner from either category: Fusers or Isolators”. This excited me a lot. I know now that I can end up with a yuppie or a hippie and I’ll be fine.
I’m so ambivalent I can date a plant! Quite relieved, actually.
Better yet, as an ambivalent I can also choose to be temporarily asexual. And not mind relationships yet.
According to them experts, there are three categories that people can fall under when it comes to dealing with relationships:
ISOLATORS
If you are an Isolator, you need a lot of personal space. Isolators minimize emotion, are often guarded and unconsciously push people away, keeping them at a distance.
FUSER
If you are a Fuser, you have an insatiable appetite for closeness and don't like being alone. Fusers crave attention and are sometimes described as clingy.
AMBIVALENT
If you are an Ambivalent, you are a little bit of both. Ambivalents like to pull away, yet they want to feel close at the same time. They can also be confusing and hard to read.
The quiz results say that I am ambivalent, based on my childhood experiences.
This means that I am “uniquely qualified to have a successful relationship with a partner from either category: Fusers or Isolators”. This excited me a lot. I know now that I can end up with a yuppie or a hippie and I’ll be fine.
I’m so ambivalent I can date a plant! Quite relieved, actually.
Better yet, as an ambivalent I can also choose to be temporarily asexual. And not mind relationships yet.
pictures. again.
More... can't help it, sorry!
Here I am alongside the best-dressed nominees. The idiot on the left, explaining why I dressed that way.
A rather candid picture. Did Obet really have to pee in his pants? And did it have to lean to the right?
Another group picture. See my shiny happy face? 
Chatting to myself. And of course listening to them.
Being such an idiot, trying to gues the word on my forehead. I look downright ugly and there was absolutely no excuse for this!
A rather candid picture. Did Obet really have to pee in his pants? And did it have to lean to the right?Another group picture. See my shiny happy face? Chatting to myself. And of course listening to them.Being such an idiot, trying to gues the word on my forehead. I look downright ugly and there was absolutely no excuse for this!optimist with a bad face
Last night I was having a nice evening when an unfortunate incident occurred.
Some old guy did a Zidane on me for no apparent reason.
No, I don’t have inverted breasts now, because he went straight for my face.
He smashed my left eye and broke my nose and I think I know how Bakekang feels.
Now my nose is soooo sore it hurts when I chew, and my left eye has a big red dot. I freaking damaged a vein.
(Long deep breath, remember that I am now an optimist.)
Otherwise yesterday was fabulous! I stayed under my calorie limit and gulped down 2 gallons of water, plus I remembered to take my keys with me in the morning so I wasn’t locked out when I came home in the evening. I wore one of my favorite necklaces and watched a bit of Stewie Griffin on YouTube. Slept peacefully after reading a bit of Yes Man and was once again inspired to be positive and let Yes lead the way, take me wherever it wants.
(Long deep breath again, affirm that I am indeed an optimist.)
Some old guy did a Zidane on me for no apparent reason.
No, I don’t have inverted breasts now, because he went straight for my face.
He smashed my left eye and broke my nose and I think I know how Bakekang feels.
Now my nose is soooo sore it hurts when I chew, and my left eye has a big red dot. I freaking damaged a vein.
(Long deep breath, remember that I am now an optimist.)
Otherwise yesterday was fabulous! I stayed under my calorie limit and gulped down 2 gallons of water, plus I remembered to take my keys with me in the morning so I wasn’t locked out when I came home in the evening. I wore one of my favorite necklaces and watched a bit of Stewie Griffin on YouTube. Slept peacefully after reading a bit of Yes Man and was once again inspired to be positive and let Yes lead the way, take me wherever it wants.
(Long deep breath again, affirm that I am indeed an optimist.)
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
more pictures
A truly Filipino Christmas party.
The titas and titos, the high-pitched shrieking of girls, the fabulous gays, nipa hut in the garden, the never-ending green jokes, the picture-taking til we dropped, and the pride of being truly Pinoy. Amen.
Sir Abet, Sir Obet88 (pun intended), Sherry, and me! Notice the banderitas in the background. Festive and homey!
Making a fool of myself to make up for all the kakanin I devoured in minutes.
The traditional group pic. Most of us came in Filipino costumes. I loooooved the costumes, the people , the pokpok palayok, and of course, the FOOD.
Another group pic. Great!(got the pics from Ria, an alumna)
Monday, December 25, 2006
merry christmas!
Christmas has been ok so far.
I am at work. Beat that.
Then off to Karama Post Office to see if there is a package waiting to be claimed.
Gifts, greeting cards perhaps?
Last night it was a simple noche Buena with Obet, Mye, Arvin, Sherry and their guests.
And then I sent a bunch of happy Christmas messages to my friends in the Philippines, my friends here in Dubai, and called my mother, who was as usual, as evil as me, and we just had a blast talking about other people on the phone.
Talked to my cousins, aunts, grannies, etc etc. Happy.
I am as happy as that Somali boy Madonna adopted.
He knows he should be happy.
Hey, everyone must think so! But he has no idea why.
It’s like he goes, “I’m happy because Madonna adopted me. Madonna. The Madonna.”
And I go, “I’m happy because it’s Christmas day. Christmas. Jesus, three kings, all those smiling camels.”
I like that song by Eraserheads,
All around the world, people make a change
C’mon and have a celebration
All around the world, people make a change
It’s time to have a Christmas party…
And then the songs gets bastardized in a variety show, and it becomes more fun!
OK that’s it for today.
Merry Christmas!
I am at work. Beat that.
Then off to Karama Post Office to see if there is a package waiting to be claimed.
Gifts, greeting cards perhaps?
Last night it was a simple noche Buena with Obet, Mye, Arvin, Sherry and their guests.
And then I sent a bunch of happy Christmas messages to my friends in the Philippines, my friends here in Dubai, and called my mother, who was as usual, as evil as me, and we just had a blast talking about other people on the phone.
Talked to my cousins, aunts, grannies, etc etc. Happy.
I am as happy as that Somali boy Madonna adopted.
He knows he should be happy.
Hey, everyone must think so! But he has no idea why.
It’s like he goes, “I’m happy because Madonna adopted me. Madonna. The Madonna.”
And I go, “I’m happy because it’s Christmas day. Christmas. Jesus, three kings, all those smiling camels.”
I like that song by Eraserheads,
All around the world, people make a change
C’mon and have a celebration
All around the world, people make a change
It’s time to have a Christmas party…
And then the songs gets bastardized in a variety show, and it becomes more fun!
OK that’s it for today.
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 24, 2006
a thank you note
This is a thank you note to all those who have helped me not only survive and eat three times a day, but keep my sanity and actually move forward in such a short period of time.
Just think of this as a long shout-out in a rock album.
- Colin Trees, for being the best landlord in Dubai. For sharing and genuinely caring for Fifi and me, and making my birthday a special one in a place where it could have been one of those forgettable and extremely hot summer days.
- Ayadh, who was a spiritual mentor and an angel to both of us. He was essentially one of the main reasons I didn’t give up trying to look for something better, and I will forever be grateful for his trust and concern.
- Haroon, for being nice and well, nice.
- Mike, for being a cool housemate. He was a little too frank to us, but it all worked out for the best. Hope he’s fine and keeping the faith.
- My former officemates, who never let go of my hand when I was down in the dumps. I hit rock bottom, but it didn’t hurt like hell because they were literally there to catch me, and they were there whenever I needed them.
- Karen, for showing us around and being very helpful. It’s nice to have someone from my high school.
- Richard Hall, for spending some time with me when I hated my job and I needed good company .
- Amir, who has been a big nuisance, but has managed to be there for me in the middle of the night when I need someone to talk to. A nice conversation that doesn’t need brains.
- Peter, who cooked for me and gave me one of the best evenings in my life.
- Friends of friends who have become part of me. Obet’s Mye and Arvin, Jen’s Khashif and Khashif’s Fahad, and so on and so forth.
- The Filipinos I encountered --- the ladies who shared their food with us in Oman, the coffee shop manager who gave us free lattes on our first day in the country, the waitress who gave us more than enough wifi stubs so we could surf to the death, the stranger who showed us how to get to the bus station, and all the other nameless faces who have helped us in one way or another.
- Craig and Yolanda, for being wonderful housemates, and making me feel like a part of a family. They’re a lovely couple and I can’t wait to see them again.
- My present officemates --- Khadijah, Renee, Lorna etc etc for making me feel at home and comfortable in the company and for sharing with me a wonderful work experience that I only dreamed of in the past.
- Of course, my UP friends. Eve, Obet, Jennyn, Sherry and all those who never gave up like me. We have seen the worst, all at the same time, and we were all drowning in a large pool of quicksand. But we managed to pull each other up until every one of us was ok again. More than OK, in fact. More than stable. What’s that word again? Happy. Yes, happy.
CHRISTMAS EVE IN DUBAI
…is irrelevant, really.
We have work today. It’s ok, since I don’t have anything else to do.
After work Sherry and I will fly to Deira (with my prized bottle of champagne of course) to shop for groceries.
I’m in charge of the bloody fruit salad. Hell yeah I’ll make it bloody with some red food coloring.
Can’t wait for our wine glasses to clink and our faces to be stuffed with hamon or morcon or queso de bola or…. Goldilocks polvoron. Whichever is served first.
I called Mama and we had a good 30-minute conversation.
I love her. She’s such a grouch but really funny.
We talked about disgusting people, good people, beautiful people (ourselves).
I love the fact that we get along so well because we’re a thousand miles apart and so it is not possible for her to strangle me or for me to roll my eyes at her.
She’s going on a much needed vacation in the summer and I’m sure she will enjoy it and reaaaaaaally have a blast with my fun aunts in New York.
As for me, the Dubai Shopping Festival is on going. Which only means one thing: I’ll shop ‘til I either drop, or run out of dough.
But one thing I discovered about myself, I’m actually generous by nature.
Yeah, I don’t want to buy a phone card every week, and I can live on canned tuna for weeks, and I just DON’T appreciate it when people ask for change, because every fil adds up and I just don’t want to be a piggy bank.
But last night when I went with Sherry and Ethel to Magrudys and the shopping complex right across it, I saw some stuff and didn’t even think about myself.
I bought nice stuff for my friends, and I was eyeing some stuff for my sister.
Wow. I’m so selfless for a cheapskate.
I apologize to my thighs in advance. They’ll have to make room for more fats.
It’s noche buena time!
We have work today. It’s ok, since I don’t have anything else to do.
After work Sherry and I will fly to Deira (with my prized bottle of champagne of course) to shop for groceries.
I’m in charge of the bloody fruit salad. Hell yeah I’ll make it bloody with some red food coloring.
Can’t wait for our wine glasses to clink and our faces to be stuffed with hamon or morcon or queso de bola or…. Goldilocks polvoron. Whichever is served first.
I called Mama and we had a good 30-minute conversation.
I love her. She’s such a grouch but really funny.
We talked about disgusting people, good people, beautiful people (ourselves).
I love the fact that we get along so well because we’re a thousand miles apart and so it is not possible for her to strangle me or for me to roll my eyes at her.
She’s going on a much needed vacation in the summer and I’m sure she will enjoy it and reaaaaaaally have a blast with my fun aunts in New York.
As for me, the Dubai Shopping Festival is on going. Which only means one thing: I’ll shop ‘til I either drop, or run out of dough.
But one thing I discovered about myself, I’m actually generous by nature.
Yeah, I don’t want to buy a phone card every week, and I can live on canned tuna for weeks, and I just DON’T appreciate it when people ask for change, because every fil adds up and I just don’t want to be a piggy bank.
But last night when I went with Sherry and Ethel to Magrudys and the shopping complex right across it, I saw some stuff and didn’t even think about myself.
I bought nice stuff for my friends, and I was eyeing some stuff for my sister.
Wow. I’m so selfless for a cheapskate.
I apologize to my thighs in advance. They’ll have to make room for more fats.
It’s noche buena time!
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