Girl's night out with Claire. Finally.

I SMS'd Jinky yesterday about a friends gig in Saguijo. Unfortunately, people backed out last minute and we decided to just have dinner in Greenbelt instead.

When we got there, we thought of calling Claire in the hopes that she's in one of the 2 events in the area. True enough, she was at the "Bravo!" event with her boss. We ended up convincing Claire (sort of against her will) to hang out with us that night at Kitchen.

It was a way of catching up with each other. Three girls sharing a cozy table in greenbelt talking, making "ka-ka" over dinner. The always-going-home-early-Claire kept on rushing us to finish our dinner later so I could already take her home. But she also kept on talking.

Yup. The girl couldn't stop talking. This was the first time after a while that she just hung out with her girlfriends. No husband. No baby. She poured her stories of married life and... well, mostly about being married. And that no matter how clingy or how kid-like your husband can be, the best thing about it is having the baby; how Sophia's first word was actually "mamamamamamama" and how she'd always stop crying when she's placed right beside her mommy. Claire would tell us how Sophia likes to squeeze herself beside her in bed... like a dog. (Yeah, that's how you best describe it.) It was a sweet and inspiring story on motherhood... but somewhat a disheartening and uninspiring story of married life... (i'm not sharing that discussion here)

She repeated her advise to me though, this time with Jinky around. "Savor being single." she said. "Dont' rush." Being 26 and single doesn't mean anything. It just means your 26 and the world is your oyster.

- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.

"O"-M-G!!!

I leave end May for what may be the best vacation i'll have this year. Vegas- San Francisco- LA.

What makes it great is that i'll get to spend time with my parents (whole trip) and my bestie Joyce in both Vegas and SF!

What makes it even better are the places we've lined up for the trip, especially the Cirque de Soleil "O" in Vegas. My dad and I are both excited for that one. Really excited.

Can't freakin wait!!!

- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.

the break up story

A new break up story in the office.

Girl was invited to go out of town by boyfriend. Girl didn't want but boyfriend insisted she did. Boyfriend got annoyed at the airport because the girlfriend wasn't feeling the trip. He said "Kung ayaw mo di huwag ka na sumama!". Seeing it as an opportunity to finally leave, girl says "ok". She takes her bags and slowly made her way out. Boyfriend couldn't take the girl's decision to leave, so he decides to throw his iced tea all over her.

Girl leaves boy at the airport. Forever.

Sheesh.

- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.

"I'm happy with the right choice, though the choice wasn't me."

How's that for a letter that was never sent? :)

- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.

Team Shali

Apparently there is one. I guess I shouldn't be surprised by now with people in the office and my friends consoling and rooting for me by saying they're "Team Shali". Who knew my relationship would have brought me to a "Brangelina" level. But then again, "Brangelina" has its counterpart "Brennifer". I wonder if the other girl has one as well. And if the number of people in my team is more than hers... hmmmm...

But Sid gave me the best compliment today. After talking about his gig in "Lakihan mo logo nights", he told me "Lugi ka dun, Sha." You're dabest Sidney!


- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.

That freakin iPhone.

Found out that they're selling the unit separately in Apple stores. Difference is that though it's still under Globe, it's prepaid.

Aiming for the 32G. Currently there's no stock so I have time to save up for this. I really want this one. I'm really getting this one.

- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.

Carrying it out.

Work sometimes can be the best distraction from your screwed up personal life. You're distracted and get paid at the same time! Good thing i'm in advertising too. So far so good.

Jinky told me before that I needed to try being alone. Claire supports it, telling me to savor being single, which meant having alone time with no one to worry about. Being married with a baby, she realizes how much she appreciates having her own space. Loving being single isn't really about the boys or random hook ups (although if it happens it happens...). They want me to know myself again and be comfortable with just being with myself. "There was always some boy" they said. And i'd always end up losing myself with them.

I guess they're right. There are things I really love doing but i'd always end up compromising to the point of neglecting them. I missed writing, sound tripping and dancing among other things. There's a lot of catching up to do with myself and there's no better way to start than now.

Yeah. Being single's not that bad. Steady lang.

- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.

Phases.

Emotions. Always screws things up.

Having to admit to something is always the most difficult thing. I should know. I couldn't even muster up the courage to say it all.

Rina M. told me earlier how she talked to people at the office. About what happened to me and my ex, and how well i'm holding up despite... (I can't believe they talked about it that much behind my back though...) The conversation of course emanated from her own situation-- she recently broke it off with her boyfriend because 1.) She found out that her boyfriend was really worried she was gaining weight and 2.) She found out that her boyfriend was more interested (with the help of his friends) in another girl, who happens to be a triathlete. So i told her a thing or two that i learned and still learning from my experience.

1. Go through the phase. Go out, drink and be stupidly merry. Make out with a complete stranger and numb the pain. A friend once told me, "'do' lang ng 'do' until the pain goes away." lol. That was his philosophy on how to heal a broken heart. I guess it's true in some way. Distractions are always a faster way to get over something.

2. Have fun. I was with my ex right after college, and though it was a painful experience getting dumped for a younger version of myself, I realized that this is actually the first time I get to enjoy being single as a yuppie! Young enough to be stupid and old enough to be responsible and capable of paying for stupid things.

However, every action always results in a reaction. Cause and effect. There was only one thing I warned her about. Emotions.

___________

Phase.

noun. 1 a distinct period or stage in a process of change or forming part of something's development : the final phases of the war | [as adj. ] phase two of the development is in progress.

___________

One goes through a phase for a reason. There comes a turning point wherein in it shifts to another stage, progresses in another phase. In other words, it ends at some point. As to how it progresses depends on a lot of variables. The after-break-up phase happens. I told Rina M. not to fight it and just go with the flow. To enjoy every bit of it and have fun. The only disclaimer is, never get emotions involved. You'll lose. You always lose.

But then, as I told her, before you know it, your phase ends. Whether you like the outcome or not. You wake up one day and realize it's over. It can be the best dream you've ever had, or the worse nightmare.

I knew my phase was too good to be true. I woke up one day and realized that the best dream i've ever had was also the best lie I created for myself.

My phase is definitely done. Unfortunately, I got to the point when I became emotional. Cause and effect. I did it again. To myself.

What I purposely neglected to say tonight though was simple. "I just wished the choice was me."

- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.

Wakeboarding Video

Wakeboarding. Hurts so good.
Russ. Gem. Arj. Shali.
Lago de Oro, Batangas.
April 17, 2010.



- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.

Wakeboarding.

I tried Wakeboarding yesterday with Russ (the one who planned the trip), Glee-fied Argem and birthday boy Arjun! At 5:30am, we were already ready for Russel to pick us up in makati. Unfortunately the 3 of us got home at around 2:30-3am in the morning since it was Merville night for Arjun's birthday...

And so the adventure begins with a very well rested Russ, picking up 3 very delinquent (with matching hangover) bagets in makati.

It was a fast drive to Lago, Batangas. Russel tried wakeboarding before this trip and decided to invite us for his next wakeboarding experience. His goal was simple, graduate from kneeboarding to wakeboarding.

It was the first time the 3 of us (me, Arj and Gem) to try out wakeboarding. Prior to the trip, we've been researching about it. Gem researched more than the rest. Armed with NO Xplode and bottles of Red Bull we tried our very first kneeboarding. Everyone was able to ride it almost immediately without much difficulty. Challenge was, how to stand up for the actual wakeboarding.

After a few attempts, Russ, Gem and Arj were able to get a hang of it. Russ was able to ride the board (finally), Gem has become addicted to it (lining up right after getting back up, again and again) and birthday boy Arj, we found out, is a natural! I, on the other hand, failed miserably. I was already tired after 2 rounds of kneeboarding that my arms gave out. I couldn't get up on the freakin wakeboard!!!I super missed surfing.

I learned though that the difference between wakeboarding and surfing are:
1. Though surfing requires keen sense of timing and balance, wakeboarding requires a lot of upper body strength (especially your dominant arm) and balance.
2. When surfing, your stance is based on your dominant foot which should be at the back whereas wakeboarding is based on your dominant arm. Your dominant foot follows the stance and should be in front.
3. You take your time with surfing, anticipating each wave. Wakeboarding is consistent since you just wait for the pull of the rope. You know you'll get to ride each time.
4. When you surf, you never know the intensity of the ride until you're riding it. With wakeboarding, you know when to anticipate the sudden pulls and you can manipulate which ramps to take.
5. With surfing, you need to to pray to the surfing gods for good waves. In wakeboarding, you talk to the manongs handling the machine.

These are just some of the differences i noticed. Wakeboarding is extremely fun but i did learn to appreciate surfing more. Wakeboarding is too intense for me. It's not as relaxing or as chillax as surfing. With surfing you learn to respect the ocean and her unpredictability. You cherish every wave and that long ride you managed to do on your own. One good ride is enough to make your day. You learn to be patient with surfing and you learn to let go as well.

But then again, maybe im just bitter cause i didn't get to ride the freakin board!!!
Well, there's always a next time. Right now though, it's hard to do anything. My whole body hurts. Ouchie.

- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.

Ageing.

My mom introduced me to our new maid, Cherry pie. Yeah, its really Cherry pie. But more than the name, my mom reiterated that she's only 19. I remember the time when new maids would arrive at the house and they'd be older than me, if not the same age. Now, here's Cherry pie at the age of 19... 8 years younger than me.

I know being 26, turning 27 isn't really a bad deal. It's young enough to be stupid, but old enough to pay for stupid things on your own without being scolded. But i guess it's the idea of getting older. That there are about 26 generation of kids that can be considered younger than me now.

Maybe it was because of the conversation i had earlier about my "freckles" and how what i used to call "sun spots" have evolved into "age spots". Maybe it's the use of eye cream now and talking about which brand is more effective. Maybe my panic is being caused by my sudden need to apply sunblock every morning and moisturizing lotion for fear of my skin looking like a bark of a tree when i get really old. And maybe its also due to the fact that my ex left me for a younger girl. (considering he was already 8 years older than me!)

The thought of ageing can really put a damper on your day. But then what can you do, right? Change IS inevitable. It always boils down to the question, so what the f@k are you gonna do about it? Frankly i'd rather be one of those women who age gracefully.

Ah, f@k it. Live the rock 'n roll lifestyle 'til your 6 feet under.

- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.

What happens in Vegas or The Hangover?

Yes, yes... I'm excited about the Vegas trip. But who wouldn't? How often do you do planning to go to Vegas with your friends? I mean sure, there's Bora and The Fort but Vegas is like the mecca of all gimmiks.
So imagine me getting an email from my good friend Joyce about her itinerary.

I wonder though if my trip will be anything like those movies.

And so my adventure begins...


- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.

Quicksand

The harder you try, the more you drown in it.

There were instances when you think you have it all figured out. You've assessed everything purely rationally and you say to yourself "good job!". And then IT creeps up to you. Before you know it, the shit's up to your nose already and you can't get out. You want to. You try your hardest. But fail miserably each time.

Then you keep still. You let it engulf you. Slowly drowning your entirety. You tell yourself, "yeah, i deserve it." But then, in one swift motion, someone... unknowingly... pulls you out.

And you're swept off your feet once again.

... into another quicksand.

- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.

The good shake down.

"If you have a problem, say something... don't keep it to yourself."

Twice i've been told. Separated by just a couple of days by people I've always held with high regard. It felt like a slap in the face, a good shake down that made me realize how I've always been, how I've always reacted to things or situations.

"You can't do it alone. That's why we're here."


- Live like there's no tomorrow. Love like it's your last.