July High

It's nearing the end of July, been pretty busy at work but I think I found my routine. I especially love my prayer time at 10pm. It's a great way to recap the day and thank the Lord for all the blessings He has bestowed or rant all I want about how crappy it was. I still end up thanking Him though.

We have a dog! I thought I didn't have a petting instinct anymore but as soon as I saw this mini schnauzer waiting at the door, not letting herself in..twas too cute to ignore. She's Sashee..I don't know, in an instant I knew that it's gonna be her name.

And I think I have a crush. So my heart is not calloused yet. Faintly. Let's wait and see. I'm a huge wait fan. Ha!

I miss the beach. Just going out of town. I don't have the luxury of time here. Hopefully we won't have Saturdays in the future. Praying...

Mid Year Funk

It's been four months since my last blog. Awesome. I have been busy changing my life, new work and all. Same career but it's more challenging, more upping the ante so to speak. I'm loving it. Everything's new and old after 4 years, been walking around more, my environment has been back to where I've always treated as my home - old Manila and a lot of memories creeping in as days go by.

My Rye is 6 and a gradeschool boy, getting independent by the day. He now eats lunch on his own. Sigh. Sigh. He's also very chatty. If not for him, I would be mute by now. Coz I don't talk much. Haha.

But of course, there are trade offs for a great fulfilling job. That's missing friends, time is always scarce for going out, bonding time is just 1.5 day every weekend. I'm still mastering the time management rationing.

All in all, it's been great. I have a great view of the bay every single day, storms and amazing sunsets. God has given me the gift of having absolutely no regrets in every decision - good or bad. pass or fail. and for that, i give Him all the glory.

1st quarter of 2011

It's been a scary first quarter. Tsunami, earthquakes in the Pacific, wars in MidEast. Is 2011 really 2012? But these are the times to reflect on God and how in a minute, everything can be taken away and there is none left but your faith.

Rye graduated with honor in kindergarten. Glory to God! As always with once in a lifetime events, we had a very comedic-dramatic commencement exercise. I was close to tears when "Farewell" song played in the background. hello grade school!

He's in summer basketball clinic these days with Gab. A hilarious enjoyment for all. Good thing they're related to Kuya Ronnie. :)

Rye will be six this May. To party or to travel. Still thinking. But there's more likelihood to travel. Or to save for one next year when he's seven. Hmm..plans, plans. I'm very organized with travel plans. Tis is all.

Yen and Thelma gave birth to Yliakim and Rovik. Such darlings. Now it's hospital visits instead of coffee dates. Such is the cycle of life. I miss writing. I miss my friends who I have not seen for quite some time. Either I'm busy or they're busy.

My weekends are still sacred. It's still mine. Sunday is for God. Then some for McDreamy, can't get over Meredith and Derek.

Jesus' Age

Jesus' age. Thirty three. He died at this age fulfilling His destiny. I think at this age tomorrow I'm only starting, or just half way there. I have so much to be thankful for and I'm speechless on how or where to begin. I have miracles!

Dayspring - whenever I think of God, I think He really looks like Jim Caviezel. in jeans and white shirt, hanging out at the beach and giving me that sexy lazy grin, that forgiving look everytime I messed up again. Or on a boat in a river like in "The Notebook". My God is a handsome, totally gorgeous guy!

Miracle of Riley - at 5 years old, he's entering a speech contest and quiz bee. He's funny, he's got so much talent I'm actually envious and his charm is infectious.

Miracle of ATM balance - I thought I didn't have enough cash and lo and behold, something is always in it. Praise God.

Miracle of New Experience - I get bored easily, I feel I need to do something new everyday or I'll literally rot and self-destruct. So God gives me some exciting, sometimes scary moments just to make me feel alive.

Miracle of Friends - I have great friends, really good looking, witty, funny ones and importantly, readily available if I need some talk time or coffee time.

Miracle of Family - for two consecutive years, they leave to foreign lands. And I miss them. But as years go by, we actually became friends. I love having them around or in my corner.

I don't know what the year holds for me. I only guarantee wonder, surprise and laughter! In huge doses please..Amen.

Batanes on my mind

Batanes on my mind
Elynor Anne M. Matencio

I wanted to go to Batanes because I've heard so many good things about this place, I don't think it's real. They say there's an Honesty shop where you can go ahead and help yourself without anyone watching, you pay through a coin box. They say there's absolutely zero crime rate and that no one steals your bike when you leave it outside. They say it's like Ireland with just sea, sky and mountain slopes. They say it even has four seasons. It sounds too good to be true.

My fascination with native culture, language and food started when I was young. I have traveled in quite a number of provinces and each one is unique. The Ivatans physically weather the storms. I would like to get to know these people who are so tuned to nature. I might learn a thing or two.

I have seen the movie, surfed many blogs by famous people and read numerous articles of Batanes and I think I'm going insane if I don't go. That is the reason why I'm entering this contest and to make sure that Batanes is not a mythical place in the country.

http://flyseair.com
http://www.facebook.com/flyseair

Wired

We're wired at home starting last weekend. It's weird. I don't really spend much time on the internet when I'm home coz it's my bonding time with Rye. But still the fact that it's there, it's tempting to go online.

The up side is that I got to chat with G in London, Rap and Ayla in Las Pinas and Jundee in Laguna. It was fun with some tech glitches using skype and ym.

Our tv set conked out a month ago. So I haven't seen any soap opera for awhile which is refreshing since I don't particularly like local shows but since there's no choice because we don't have cable (no Skycable allowed, so none at all for me - I
only got it sana for the tennis and Lifestyle channel)..carry na din.

The down side is that I miss my videoke dvd player. I couldn't belt out when I want to.

I also turned to reading for the most part that there's no tv. I got reacquianted with Andrew Greeley and some of the books I purchased that I haven't read. Rye is into books as well. He's fascinated with zoo books and stories.

I love my routine. It's very steady. But I really miss the great outdoors. Nature. Beach. Mountain. Hay, when will I get away from this city?

Christmas is near. Will be kinda sad coz we're two less this year - Dad and G abroad. But there's always skype..

I had a lunch turned merienda turned coffee date with my bestfriend last Saturday. It was fun updating one another after months of not getting together. We're like that. I'm so blessed to have someone like her in my life.

September hurts

Butch Albarracin the President and Founder of Center of Pop passed away last Sept 16. He's my maestro, someone who saw my potential and patiently taught me how to sing well. I and hundreds of popular singers in the country. He was so good and so nice.

CPMP memories flooded my brain. It was magical. I don't know how to describe it.

I now have internet at home. I don't need cable na. Haha. Thank God.

August Already

It's August, It's my bestfriend's birthday, happy bday thelmsky! Love you to bits.
We moved house again. Hopefully this is it. My books are happily displayed on the shelf. Life is good. God is great.

Rye on his exam week - chicken! And he's on a flyer! Mga artista na si Gab and Rye. Cuties. Hunkies in the future.

I miss writing. I just wrote testimonials for Thelma and G-Anne. It's soo touching. at least for me. Hehe. I miss the flow of words and the integration of paragraphs. It's hard to find the time to write but sometimes I just have to let it out.

More of June

Rafa won French Open and Wimbledon. Spain won World Cup. Over the moon sya. Busy with unit fixings and all. Had an enjoyable time with friends, watched Eclipse, spa and food trip. I terribly miss writing. I've finished "Swan", Francis Mayes novel about a family based in Georgia and a setting in Italy. I'm intrigued by these places. Nice. Done with photo shoot.

Rye is obsessed with his yellow frog boots from Ninang Yen. We now established a pattern, we switched watching tv and I read book, him playing gameboy on weekends. He's really my son. We both have our own worlds. Together yet on our own. Great.

June is Back to School

One post a month is lousy for me. But I couldn't help it. I will try to post more. June is here and it's been a great first week. It's the French Open and Rafa won it again and he's number 1 again. Vamos! Thank you God and Skycable for making me watch it live.

Rye's birthday was spent with the Tagumpay streetkids and Splash Island. He's really one happy boy who's going to kindergarten this schoolyear. Proud proud mama.

We will be going to Pangasinan on Independence Day weekend. Yipeedidoodah.

Ate and Dad got a huge scare from burglars but God is good and they are safe. Whew.

Dawson's Weekend

Weekend was checking out the unit since Kuya Jo was here. Malling around the city, I love browsing titles in bookshops. gives me soo much ideas. i miss writing. I haven't written for awhile now. Rye and Gab hanging out in Powerbooks and his loud voice permeating the room.

Sunday and Monday holiday spent watching Dawson's Creek while Rye plays his DS. Grocery filled with fruits and healthy alternatives to my chip deprived life. I lost 5 lbs i think, based on the Mercury Drug health exam. Motivating me to really take my health seriously this time.

It's Rye's bday month. I still have to plan it. Wing it. All I know is I want to give a party to the kids at Ermita. We're going to Manaoag..and the beach.

Weekends of travel. Really really looking forward to that. Pack up and leave. Went to Mt. Banahaw and San Pablo. Love it.

I want to live in DC location - Wilmington North Carolina, near the creek, sea..any clean body of water. Bring it on. Someday soon.

I want to read the classics but I don't know where to start - probably Sense and Sensibility or Jane Eyre..or Bronte..

Happy Bday Ayla

Zac's Bday at Mezza Garden





Today is Ayla's 14th birthday. We had a pre-celebration last Friday by watching my gig over dinner at Kabayan Hotel. I missed performing so much. It was nerve-wracking but really fun too.

Disculpe

This year started soo hectic Iam truly sorry for not updating this blog. What have I been up to?

January
- been to San Fernando La Union, Vigan, Candon, Sinait, Badoc and Laoag

February
- been to Bacolod and Iloilo
- started learning Spanish although it's hard to do it at home
- rehearsals for Sala

March
- photo shoots for 3 hotels and a dorm

Updated Lakbayan

My Lakbayan grade is C-!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Day Off

Work was not an option yesterday. I awoke at 5:00 am and I knew I can't go to work. Started texting my best friends to meet up. One works at the call center and her shift ends at 7:00 am so we set a breakfast date. Another one just gave birth and I traveled all the way to Cavite. It's like Ferris Bueller's Day off. It's smiling inwardly at people rushing to their offices. It's speeding away in EDSA at 1,000 kph a second on a bus. It's getting lost at a once familiar route.

It's talking nonstop. Laughter at every line. Reminiscing. Loving the bond that we have for decades of being together. It's putting a baby to sleep and smelling her newborn scent. The leave day was truly worth it.

October is almost Over

Month's Highlights

Roxas Part Deux


Kuya Jo Arrival


Marcomm Family

The past two weeks were busy doing interviews for the hotels. Guests from all walks of life in all shapes and sizes..I have a weird attitude to all the socializing. Sometimes I wake up with a sick feeling about it. Sometimes I seem to enjoy it. But what I noticed is that I'm comfortable with one on one conversations. There's no awkwardness on the onset for about 15 minutes and it's good that I'm the one who ends it.

It's disorienting to attend corporate board meetings. I'm physically exhausted for sitting 3 to 4 hours straight. My head aches, my stomach is upset..all those mental exercises and the thought that they might asked for my opinion keeps me insane up until its over. And then the next one happens all over again.

Every year since 2005, we're moving houses. That means packing up boxes and boxes of books, cds and my usual life litters. And now since its a commercial space, I get to sell some of the books I don't like anymore. Hopefully someone buys my trash. haha. It's a mixed feeling this moving thing. Exciting because it's going to be new. Sad coz you leave the comfort of your routine. I'll miss my mall, my walks and my park.

But I'm psyched that Christmas is near. And the 15th highschool reunion. Sweet. I love year end celebrations and new year bday seasons. And then February is usually new something month. Can't break tradition.

President Roxas trip

October 9, Friday



Rye's first plane trip was super. He was scared at landing than take off. Ate Mar and Claire picked us up from the airport. We went to Real Voice and Rye had fun with the instruments. Had lunch at Mang Inasal. It rained so we just stayed at the studio. Merienda at Baybay Beach, People's Park. Dinner at Oakwood house.

October 10, Saturday


Early morning trip to Mambusao, about an hour away from the city. I was sorry for not taking photos of the town hall and the church. had fun swimming at the pool. Met with Dad, Kuya Jo and Kuya Jun with Gab at the studio and at church. It was my first time to sing at the Cathedral with Ate Mar. Sister Ana and her congregation were there to facilitate Padre Pio's remains. Dinner at Albasom's in Baybay beach front.

October 11, Sunday


Went to Ibaca, Lutod Lutod - my Dad's hometown. Was late for the Mass but it was ok. Met Lola Gloria, Tito Neneng, Tita Zeny, Tita Janing and other relatives. It was a blast. Rye had so much fun, chasing the chickens, making himself feel at home with Gab. Got dried fish and went back to Roxas at the hotel. Chatted with Ate Elma and the kids. Paid homage to the house of Manuel Roxas, another NHI marker conquered. Hooray! Went to Gaisano for pasalubong shopping. Went to Baia Norte Beach Club and just chilled out. We went swimming for hours. The place is soo cool and we were the only ones there. Very relaxing.


October 12, Monday
Breakfast at Oakwood house and off to Manila. Back to reality. See you again Roxas!

Typhoon Trauma

I was spared from the wrath of "Ondoy". We were about to attend a birthday party in Taytay, Rizal that day. But Dad prevented us (meaning Rye and me) from going out since the skies were ominous that morning. Turned out it was a Genesis type of flood and it was the worst we've seen in Manila.

As we watched the news, I sat feeling helpless and a bit guilty for being safe and kept texting people who I knew lives in those areas. The next morning, it was brown out and my only source of info was my cellphone FM radio, thank God for Jam 88.3. Then Gang played "Here Comes the Sun" as her last song on air, and I cried. It was such a hopeful Beatles song which I love so much.



Monday I went to work but the restlessness persisted. I ought to be doing something to help. It was such a basic human need and I searched for a way and God led me to it. I was checking out Twitter and FB for some volunteer sites. Voila, Les had this really small note (a reply to another friend) that says there's a site nearby, as in walking distance from my workplace. It was perfect! I didn't have any excuse not to go.




So it was two days of Gawad Kalinga sponsored activity (wish granted). I've always admired their Habitat for Humanity work. Such great spirit. Thank you. Thanks to Jackie, Bert, Chel and Ms. Elisa for coming with me. It was such a great experience. It's modern style bayanihan. It's serving at its most basic level.

September Long Weekend

September 19
Went to the park with family. Played football and basketball. Missed the smell of trees and the wonderful sunshine. Got three books from a garage sale. Whopee. Had dinuguan for brunch. Yum! Yen texted she's gonna be admitted to give birth. Went to the hospital and stayed until I saw Yna for the first time. Such a beautiful inaanak. Went to Ayla's and bonded with them. Recorded our own version of "Way Back into Love" and got into the Iphone craze.

September 20
Briefly passed by the church but Rye wanted to go to Mcdo. Went to the hospital again this time with Rye. We rode the bus and had lunch at Mcdo. Chika with Yen and then Thelms the whole day. Rye had fun with Mina and Jasper.

September 21
Briefly watched the Emmy's. Grocery and Timezone with the troops. I think I got tired from walking coz I zonked out right after. Finished Debbie Macomber's novel.

September blur

What?! it's the middle of September and I didn't even noticed. Lotsa things happened to me or to my close circle. G-anne got married to Rap. Changes at work. Rafa lost in the semis of U.S. Open. Long weekends. Jen left to Qatar.