Ms. Santa and Mr. Jester

Xmas party 2003.

Xave is really fun to be with. With all his hilarious gestures & dance steps, funny songs na pang kalma nya sakin lalo na kapag nagiinit na ulo ko at mga kakengkoyans na pang asar nya, I just can't help but laugh & laugh in the middle of our petty quarrels. It's really hard to hide my smiles and laughters kahit na serious at galit na ako. Kainis! As we mature, grow individually and grow as a couple the more we turn out to be "good friends". We feel so lucky that we are not just in a relationship but we're also the BEST OF FRIENDS. I never had qualms telling him what's on my mind and what I'm feeling 'coz I know he listens and talks with his heart and no matter what happens, he would accept me for what and who I am. It's such a happy feeling! This guy is a TRUE FRIEND, lucky are those who are friends with him. He thinks of other people first before himself. Sensitive. Sincere. Sweet. Protective. Loves his friends and family. A metrosexual---we enjoy doing "sort-of-vain things together": footspa, going to the salon, trying out new hair wax, serum, shine control gel, skin care and more other stuffs. I love this person!!! =)

My BEE

meet Xave, my BEE =) you'll get to read more of him here. ;)

here's another one... 

sorry, i'm practicing how to put pics on my blog! 

Secrets to a Blissed-out Bond

I just want to share with you. I could definitely relate!

This is an excerpt from article of Dana Hernandez in the August issue of Cosmopolitan. Read on…

“Deliriously happy couples haven’t been blessed by the love gods---they’ve just adopted certain habits that keep their twosomes tight. Crib their relationship rules.”

“Deeply connected couples aren’t born. They’ve simply mastered certain principles that strengthen their link and maintain that initial magic.

Some women expect their man to posses romantic ESP but unless he’s been tuning in to Oprah, he won’t be able to decipher what’s bugging you and he’ll be pissed off that you’re expecting him to figure it out. Rock-solid couples however, dispense with the guessing games and vocalize exactly what’s eating them. Blissful relationships are built on strong communication, which means telling each other your thoughts and explaining what you want or need without pulling punches. Forcing your guy to read your mind while you brood only breeds resentment.”


I feel so lucky to have Xave in my life. I know he’s the one I prayed for long ago and God’s gift to me. It’s such a great feeling to be friends with you boyfriend and I can really say that the more we are together the more we become best of friends.

Xave and I have these bond-boosting thingy that we enjoy doing together. To name a few:
- foot spa every other Sundays
- going to the salon to groom our locks
- shopping together and we end up having his and hers of anything we buy =)
- playing monopoly
- watching tv/dvds
- surfing the net
- food tripping

- singing our favorite songs
- pictorials *laughs*
- sharing our dreams in starbucks
- beauty and fashion

In the process he became a metrosexual, maybe because of my influence. And I love it!!!

I strongly believe that open communication is the key to have a good quality relationship. Being together everyday is not enough if you neglect talking. Even simple updating with each other can make a difference. Our life is an open book to each one of us. We don’t keep secrets and I don’t regret it. We also encourage each other to have a life of its own---he can go out with his guy friends without me and me hang out with friends. There should be a room for growth. Not just for the both of us (as a couple) but also as individuals. Life is too short to spend it exclusively with one person. It’s not bad to have friends, we love being with our friends. We get to learn things from their experiences at the same time share ours, too.

the gift

It’s been almost four years since I was asking God to give me the ability to forgive people. Especially this one person who has hurt me the most. It never came maybe I wasn’t ready yet.

The golden rule says, “Do to others what you want others to do unto you.” I believe in karma but never wish it to anybody even to the least person I like. Moreover, to the person I hated the most. Never…I’m not evil to do that. I fear God.

Time came that my mind was willing to forgive and forget, but not my heart. It was a long battle.

Thinking back, I realized that you have to go through processes first before forgiveness will be granted to you. I used to be stiff and idealistic. I abhor change in every aspect of it. Maybe that was my personality…

I was brought up by my family that way. All of my memories were good. My childhood was the best. I felt everything was perfect. I felt I was lucky. I had great expectations of life and thought I can be in control of everything that may happen in my life. I bumped into reality when my Daddy passed away and the time I was cheated by Xave. These experiences made a great impact on me. I had the baggage for years. I was in denial. Of all people, why me?

I know life is no bed of roses. You have to step on the thorns from time to time for you to be strong, learn to pick up the pieces and fight. Yes, it was a struggle for me. I felt that I have to overcome it. Faith and acceptance helped me go through the stage. I realized that if I continue to deny the feeling, it will just eat me up and I will be miserable. I’ve learned to go on with my life. To accept things as they come for I believe all things happen for a reason. Whatever it is, a challenge for me to find out.

Time heals all wounds. Not in my time but in God’s time. Finally, it came when both my mind and heart were prepared. Sometimes, you have to deal with the subject face to face. Yep, my worst enemy came face to face with me. The hurt feelings…I can no longer feel! I didn't notice, it was the start of a new beginning.

To make the story short, I’ve became friends with my worst enemy. What a great gift from God. The sad part, she has to deal with the same issue as ours with her present boyfriend---third party. Most terrible, the other woman got pregnant! Honestly, I’m not happy with the things are going with her now. I wanted to help her overcome it. I give opinions but I let her decide what move to take. I can’t help but reckon that it’s her turn to learn lessons…yeah, maybe in a harder way than mine but sooner or later she will be thankful that things happened to her. She will be happier after all these. She just has to get through with it.

The only thing that is constant in this world is CHANGE. If I won’t be flexible enough to embrace change, I’d always be in depression. Why waste time being gloomy wherein I can be blissful? With these experiences, I’ve learned to loosen up, laugh about life wherever it takes me and see how I can help others in any way I can.

Life is so beautiful…we just have to look around and appreciate things.

Cyl

Cyl is getting married tomorrow, August 14. A close friend of mine since college days. She’s also one of my true friends despite the not so good things that happened between us in the past which is a normal occurrence to anybody. Well, everything is forgotten but we never had a chance to talk about it. She’s the type of person who hates confrontations. But still, I love her and will forever be a dear friend to me.

Most of my memories in the past we’re spent with her. We’ve been party goers, dorm mates, officemates…I’ve always been true to my friends and I don’t oblige them to reciprocate the same intensity of honesty I show them. It’s their call. Though I get upset sometimes, of course but I have to accept the imperfections in her because she’s my friend. I also had shortcomings; I’m not a perfect friend, either. I’ve been guilty of not being with her when she needed me most. =( I wanted to make bawi and be in one of her most unforgettable moments in life---her wedding. I cannot attend due to some circumstances and it saddens me. =(

They’ll be leaving for the states afterwards. Yup, I have this separation anxiety. She’s so dear to me, like a sister I never had. I’ll definitely miss her. *sob…*

5 Things I Learned From a Lousy Job

1) Do what you love…and the money will follow.
- Idealistic as it sounds, it’s true. I just about lost my sanity because I wasn’t happy because it wasn’t a job I felt passionate about. It’s nice to get paid for being happy.

2) Listen to your heart.
- I believe in signs. If getting up everyday to go to work seems excruciating, if it seems that you’re PMS-ing all the time, maybe it’s time to reassess your career.

3) Allot some “ME” time.
- Sometimes, no matter how much we love our jobs, the stress and routine of work will get to us. How to kick back from that? Spend some quality time with the most important person in your life: YOU. Sometimes it just feels so good to be alone.

4) All work and no play is just that ---all work.
- When I feel the need to detoxify in the middle of a truly hectic workday, I whip out my kikay kit and put make-up on, or have a cup of coffee or light a cigarette. Make-up, coffee and yosi are all therapeutic and boost my energy for the rest of the day. So I put those breaks to good use. You need it, and you deserve it.

5) It’s all about balance.
- Learn how to juggle family, friends, health, integrity, and work. Wherein the first four are made of glass, while work, is known as being fragile is actually a rubber ball. If something screws up, work will always bounce back. Work is just one aspect of your life. So don’t ever lose yourself in work.

My advice for anyone who is unhappy at her job? When in doubt, leave!

Work to live, not live to work. There’s a big difference between making a living and having a life. Be a lifeaholic…not a workaholic.

think...think...think...

I've been contemplating on going back to work. It was almost a year now since I was employed. Though I have a business to take care of, it's not yet operational. Construction is still on-going and it's like taking forever to finish because of the rainy season. I'm not used on being idle, I easily get bored and I'm beginning to have bore-buster shortage! Suggestions, anyone? =)

I believe in signs and I pray for them. I don't ask for specifics for HE might give it to me even though it's not meant for me (I don't like that...). Going back to work would be a big adjustment for me. Leaving my comfort zone for the nth time. Why not? I've done it once when I left HP---fat pay check, conveniently living in a condo, paying my own bills, and buying anything my heart desires. I was never content. Leaving all these, was a big debate in my mind but I was proud I did it in exchange of finding myself. I never seriously looked for a job. I've some criteria to meet---I wanted to try something new and different. Something I will enjoy doing. Tried going back to HP, had my interview. I knew then, it wasn't for me. Not the one I wanted.

....to be continued

Live And Let Go

Whether it's love or a job, its good to get a grip and just as important to loosen it.

Sure, it's apealing to hold on to something with near-martyr determination. But sometimes the wisest move in the growing up game is to walk away from the board. In my quest to find the best live-life-to-the-fullest strategy, I often resort to techniques I had been trained to use in childhood: try and try until you succeed. Everyone loves a never-say die kind of girl, but how can you even enjoy all the adoration when you've just about killed yourself trying? Whether it's a job, a relationship gone sour, or pants that no longer fit, I keep in mind that I always have the option to turn away from it. In other words, try something else. Something different.

Growing up, I don't remember ever hearing this kind of advice. I don't recall being told to "quit and try something else". But I personally believe that when a door closes, more windows will be opened. True enough, leaving my previous job opened me to more opportunities. One is a chance to start my own business which I never thought would be possible at this early stage of my life. Though I'd still love to go back to the corporate world, I would prefer a consumer industry this time. Again, this is a different story.=)

Applying the same principle to relationships, a friend once confessed that she was no longer happy with her long time boyfriend. When I told her to leave him, she stiffened and reasoned that they had been through so much as a couple and sayang naman if she didn't make it work. I wanted to say that it wasn't working already. But the lessons that stay with me are the ones I learn on my own. If I'm not happy, I don't gag myself with the guilt if I end the relationship. If a guy no longer moves me, why not call it quits and move on?

All this, of course, easier said than done. After all, the whole act of letting go without breaking apart is a dissertation on its own. I always keep in mind that life is not one straight tightrope that I have to keep walking. The more roads I travel, the more divergent they are, the more I experience out of life. It's better to experience as much as you can. Be fearless!(except to God, of course) Saying bye-bye to something or someone may be a bitch, but it can also be the best thing you can do for yourself.