A Halloween Serenade with Mr. A-Z

May chill factor talaga ang concert ni Jason Mraz.

I'm so fortunate to attend Mr.A-Z's acoustic concert at the Araneta Coliseum last night. I knew from his previous acoustic album that his songs become more awesome if played sans the full band. I was right.

I didnt really get the Al Qaeda beard he's got going but it grew on me after watching him perform live. He's born to be a hippie---- the barefoot, soulful, tree-hugging hippie.

Mas lalong naging deadly ang combination ni Papa Jason: Insane Guitar Skills- Souful and Impeccable voice- Gyrating/ Silly dance talent, and now, the Kindred Artist vibe. Wala na.

So anyway, in the attempt na mag standout just in case may pagkuha ng audience papunta ng stage moment, nag Fire engine red top ako and red lipstick bilang agaw atensyon lang talaga. Yun nga lang, masyadong malayo ang upuan namin para makita nya ako . UNLESS Meant to be talaga kami. Whatchuthink? huh? Huh?

Maybe due to the popularity of the song I'm Yours, Jason Mraz was able to fill the entire Coliseum (except the portion behind the stage). For an acoustic concert featuring Jason Mraz and Toca Rivera alone, That is considered a huge success by any standard. I just hated the organizers and the venue for not ensuring a better sound system. We barely understood what Jason was saying. Nakikitawa na lang kmai pag may tumatawa sa patron seats. Pero, I firmly believe na wala yan sa pwesto dahil tingin ko, nasulit naman namin ang seats namin sa sobrang pagkainvolved, with the synchronized clapping, swaying and dancing in place.


JASON MRAZ, i think may something tayo. You like walking barefoot, I almost walked barefoot (dahil sa heels ko kahapon), you have an intense beard, I have facial hair with the same intensity. We should get married. I don't think my dad will object bilang naka play on repeat lang ang album mo sa kotse nya.

At ngayon, ibabahagi ko na ang new favorite song ko from his concert. Wag nyo nang itanong kung bakit. Basta.

"I Won't Give Up"

When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
So much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools, the skills we've got yeah we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we didn't tend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I got, and what I'm not
And who I am

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

So easy is our life
What's mine is yours and yours mine
Hardly do we ever fight
We'd rather be kind

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get dark
I'm healing this broken heart
And I know I'm worth it

I won't give up on us
God knows I'm tough, I am love
We got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it

No I won't give up on us
God knows I've had enough
We got a lot to learn
And we're, and we're worth it

No I won't give up

My Epic Weekend

Words cannot express how much I enjoyed the Friday- Saturday northern escapade. It was everything I wanted and needed. The nonstop jokes during the drive, the gasoline stopover pictorials, the dancing in the dark, the swim under the stars (I was stargazing while floating, sooo awesome!), the food trip, the lazy morning chillax under the tree.

This is really one for the books! At dahil narealize natin na sobrang lapit lang nya, what if we do this every month?

Later na ang photo upload. For the meantime, Jason Mraz na. I LOVE THIS WEEKEND.

Long Weekend na!

I love this weekend.

Sorry, pero di ko ma contain ang excitement at kasiyahan ko for this weekend. Parang everything is falling in their right places. For the past couple of years, parang all the good stuff happens during this time of the year. Circa 2005,  baguio. 2006, first month namin ni MTB. 2007, first year anniv. 2010, ang pagbabalik ni MTB sa buhay ko. And now, this.  ;-)

Tapos on Sunday, I’ll be watching a concert with GH. Yahooo, handang handa na akong maharana ni Mr. A to Z himself, the official Geek in the Pink. Pag kinanta nya ang Sleeping To Dream, baka himatayin ako. Grabe lang. Grabe.

Thank you again, Lord, for your love and blessing.

 

 

 

Today's Blessing

Coffee Date

+

My new Baby :-)

Yay! Early Christmas Gift :-)

A Family Affair

Momsy and Popsy: so Happy together

Si Paulo, the quiet one with Ziggy the Bear and some guy on the T.V.

Ronster, the Monster. Boy Genius i.e. valedictorian from Kinder to Grade 6, Pisay Scholar, Oblation Scholar ng UP (top 50 students who took the UPCAT), Board Topnotcher (Number 1) ng Electrical Engineering; World Traveler; Ikaw Na! Awardee

Andeng, the Rockstar/ Engineer/ Chicboy

Elainey, the Baby Girl. Salutatorian from Kinder to HS. Iskolar ng Bayan ng UP, tulad ko.
Foxy Granny, Coolest Lola ever. Still the Number 1 Fan and avid supporter of MTB and AB love team.

Thank you for keeping me grounded and for the great genes, both in the looks and intelligence department.

These people are my life. So anyone who tries to hurt them will experience much more pain that he could ever imagine.

Hello Sunshine

Welcome back to moi! I just got back from business planning, thus, I spared my dear blog and my readers (if any) a day of ranting and raving. 

 

It was a good business review as we did not only discuss the achievements and plans of the department, but the company also threw in an amazing talk on how to care to the Max (a word play at our organization’s name). I’ve already attended a lecture by Sir Pido before, and as usual, yesterday’s seminar was everything I expected it to be; inspirational and refreshing. It wasn’t only applicable to work but also on my personal life (actually, I was thinking about my personal life for the entire duration of the talk). It drives home the lesson that improving oneself will eventually lead to better performance in work, love life, family life etc.

 

So let me share to you his 7 points on how to be your greatest possible self:

 

1.       Say Yes to myself: I accept myself, I love myself as I am right now

2.       I connect to others

3.       I resist less, I accept more

4.       I release my fear of lack, my greed, my entitlement, my attachment and my laziness to God so that I can prosper

5.       I do what I want, I am who I am.

6.       I create balance.

7.       I forgive, even myself.

 

It’s not about being selfish but about finding one’s real source of bliss and achieving it, so that we may be able to provide happiness to others. And this starts with emptying all baggages so that real joy may come in. We have to allow ourselves to do the things that we want to do so we can have the drive perform the things we need to do. If there is something that we don’t like in a person, no matter how hard we try, we can never change them. The only person that we can change is ourselves. Other people are just reflections of how we treat them.  So if you want to find lasting happiness that does not come from the superficial but real joy that actually comes from within, you have to learn to accept yourself, love yourself, and trust that the Lord will grant you that things that are meant to be yours in His perfect time.

 

Finally, he taught us a simple act to disseminate God’s light and positivity. Once a day, pray for someone and tell that person/ the world/ our country that

 

God and I will send nonstop white light to you.

 

I hope, my dear readers (i.e. Sandy and Legolas, dahil kayo lang ang laging bumibisita sa blog ko) that you will send me white light everyday J Good vibes, baby. Good vibes.

 

 

 

Breakfast In Bed

Imagine...

The smell of fresh linen.

The softness of the bed.

The warmth of the sheets.

The chirping of the birds.

The sunrise outside the window.

Fresh flowers on the bedside table.

A kiss to wake you up from sleep.

Sausage. Pancake. Fruits. Coffee.

And ME.  

Someday. J

 

 

♫ Good morning sa Inyooooooo ♫

(I hate this song but I can't help but sing it the entire day)

 

I woke up in a great mood today. Slowly and surely, I am getting my groove back.

Yesterday, I bought some new stuff from SM due to the provocation of JF, my evil friend. Let me tell you something about JF. He is the master of trickery. I don't know how he does it, but he has a way with words that I always end up doing something that I really have no intentions of doing. Case in point: yesterday, I was pissed at him for eating my spaghetti and then telling me that he wasn't able to remember the taste. If there was anything I'm sure I'm good at, it is my ability as a cook. I don't need his spaghetti expertise to validate that. Anyhoo, Imagine how annoyed I was with him because of this.  Add to the fact that he promised to buy me milk tea but forgot to do so that I had to buy one for myself. So he went to my area and looked at me with those droopy eyes that made him look like a sad puppy waiting to be loved. He pinched me, tried to make me laugh, praised my lasagna and all the other cheap shots to bring back my good mood. He was relentless in his pursuit to make me feel better that he said that he'll wait for me no matter how long it would take me to finish my report. Being the King of Persuasion, I agreed. My bad because instead of him waiting for me…

It was I who waited for him. Not 10 minutes, not 15 but for a whole 30 minutes.

How he was able to turn the tables on me, I have no idea.

As a penalty, I asked him to accompany me to the mall so I can buy my face powder. Not only did he prove to be a willing companion, he also proved to be a great salesman. To a fault. He made me buy not only my face powder but blush on and lip gloss as well. Investment ko daw so that I could be pretty all the time. How about that? A very straight guy giving me advice on beauty.

In fairness, I did love his choice of makeup.

After that, we caught up with Legolas, Arwen and their friends at Sumo Sam to have dinner. Considering how frequent I go out to dinners with them, how available their shoulders are for me to cry on, and how often we go home together, it makes me wonder what the hell I should be depressed about. All relationships boil down to companionship and friendship, something I have with them (and the perks / Group Hab and sandy bear). I often tell myself that I have so much love to give but I just don't know where to put it (my favorite line from the movie Magnolia). But with these people alone, I think I got my hands (or heart) full.  

Another reason for me to be happy is the surprise I received when I got to the office. There were two paper bags waiting for me, one is MAC and one is Cotton On. These were Sandy baby's pasalubong from me from HK. Niiice. J It was also sweet of Councilor*, Sandy Bear's brother, to have a hand at choosing a gift for me. I just feel so fortunate to have you, guys. Thank you.

I cannot help but think that the world is conspiring to make me happy. As for the special someone, that's just a minor detail. With the way things are going, everything will fall into their right places before the year ends.

And I can celebrate 2012 with a Big Bang, Boom, Pow!

 

 

 

 

Post-it Note of the Heart

Its so simple. If you want to be with someone, you have got to take that leap. Choose your happiness. Choose love.

Do it now before it's too late.

Goodnight World

Tomorrow, I will love you harder.

I'm piecing my happiness, one dream at a time.

_____ Song

by Vienna Teng

strange how you know inside me
I measure the time and I stand amazed
strange how I know inside you
my hand is outstretched toward the damp of the haze

and of course I forgive
I've seen how you live
like a phoenix you rise from the ashes
you pick up the pieces
and the ghosts in the attic
they never quite leave
and of course I forgive
you've seen how I live
I've got darkness and fears to appease
my voices and analogies
ambitions like ribbons
worn bright on my sleeve

strange how we know each other

strange how I fit into you
there's a distance erased with the greatest of ease
strange how you fit into me
a gentle warmth filling the deepest of needs

and with each passing day
the stories we say
draw us tighter into our addiction
confirm our conviction
that some kind of miracle
passed on our heads
and how I am sure
like never before
of my reasons for defying reason
embracing the seasons
we dance through the colors
both followed and led

strange how we fit each other

strange how certain the journey
time unfolds the petals for our eyes to see
strange how this journey's hurting
in ways we accept as part of fate's decree

so we just hold on fast
acknowledge the past
as lessons exquisitely crafted
painstakingly drafted
to carve us as instruments
that play the music of life
for we don't realize
our faith in the prize
unless it's been somehow elusive
how swiftly we choose it
the sacred simplicity
of you at my side

I wish I had dedicated this song to you when I had the chance. But it's too late now.

I just wanted you to know that this was how you used to make me feel.

Used to.

Nothing Without You

By Vienna Teng

it's the quiet night that breaks me
I cannot stand the sight of this familiar place
it's the quiet night that breaks me
like a dozen papercuts that only I can trace
all my books are lying useless now
all my maps will only show me how to lose my way

oh, call my name - you know my name
and, in that sound, everything will change
tell me it won't always be this hard
I am nothing without you
but I don't know who you are

it's the crowded room that breaks me:
everybody looks so luminous and strangely young
it's the crowded room that's never heard
no one here can say a word of my native tongue
I can't be among them anymore
I fold myself away before it burns me numb

oh, call my name - you know my name
and, in your love, everything will change
tell me it won't always be this hard
I am nothing without you
but I don't know who you are

This song is perfect for me right now.

Intense.

Quoted from the Office Season 6:

(Pam to Erin)

It's not about who you've been with. It's about who you end up with. Sometimes the heart doesn't know what it wants until it finds what it wants.

*Sigh*

Para Kay Ceelo at Ang Tunay Nyang Pag-Ibig

Isang bonggang bonggang pagbati kay Ceelo* who finally found the half of his heart! Group Hab is sending its full support to you and your new love.

This is really a testament of God's kindness. He loves you so much that he saved you from a deceitful relationship and blessed you with someone who will love you for who you are and will not cheat on you despite the distance. I'm so happy that His big plans are finally unraveling. You deserve all the best. We're so excited to meet her when you get back here next month.

We will pray for your continued happiness and success. And I will bank on your last statement,

"Anna Banana, You are Next!"

magdilang anghel ka sana.

Amen.

Paris, J'Adore

Arc de Triomphe


Waiting for Dinner sa dungeon...este, inside a restaurant along Rue St. Honore
]

Jardin De Luxembourg


With my kids. :-) im such a proud momma having helped them get here.


Inside the Louvre, baka dumudukot ako ng biskwit. hehe.

Inside the Louvre

Spring + Paris



At the Eiffel Tower, overlooking the City below.



With the team.


Eiffel Tower.

Pintuan. (why not?)

Picture with the team sa labas ng hotel.

At La Vallee With Strawberry lemon and Juan Miguel


La Vallee

Si JF, ang Batang Spoiled.

Para fair at walang selosan, here are pictures of JF, ang batang spoiled sa akin. My frequent kaaway/ commuting companion/ super friend at taga kain ng lahat ng luto ko, I don't know what I'll do without you. Next time, pag kumakanta ako on top of my voice ng mali mali ang lyrics (teach me how to dance, instead of teach me how to dougie), pwedeng sabihan mo ako para di ako napapahiya? hehe. Legolas has more pictures of us, pero ayaw pa i upload. boo!

Thank you for just being there for me and for giving me honest advices. I'm just so fortunate to have you. :-)

Thank You, Legolas :-)

Dahil healthbuff kami, GPS with green tea extract.


May ka-oily-han ka dito. hahaha :-)




Ang saya. Parang wala akong pinagdadaanan.


I forgot the name of this pasta. Pero masarap siya.


hinahanap ang video na ipapakita sa akin.

and this is how I spent my October 20.

A Date That Superseded The Date

When common sense dictates that today should be a horrible day, God turns it into one of the most beautiful moments of my life. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of great friends.

Legolas, you have no idea how much I appreciate your efforts to make me feel loved. Although the cultural night I was requesting from you and JF did not come into fruition, it was such a kind gesture to take me out to dinner, ensure that I don’t breakdown (the video of the dancing Bollywood kid actually did it) and sing and drink with me for hours even if you were sick because according to you, it was “my day.” JF (even though he pisses me off most of the time because he is a major spoiled brat), Arwen and you are one of the most valuable blessings God gave me after my breakup. I will stay true to my promise of getting myself fixed and as a bonus; I will make your friend happy. ( Hahaha J)

From the bottom of my previously battered heart (but is now beating perfectly), I love you guys.

P.S.

Special thanks to my Sandy Bear (for constantly being my sounding board), Strawberry Lemon (for calling me and making sure that I was out having fun and not moping at home) and of course, the Perks for reminding me that I am NEVER alone.

 

Countdown to Zero

Zero. Nil. Zilch. Walang Wala.



Because you know you could have had me, but you never tried. I hope you were happy with your form of revenge. A suffering to make up for your suffering. But it ends tonight. I'm done with hoping, missing, loving and being miserable without you.

Zero. Nil. Zilch. Walang Wala.

You and Me. Strangers.

Last na talaga to, Promise.

Happy 5^th Anniversary baby ko. I love you so much, it hurts.

 

The word forever belongs to another parallel universe, not ours.

 

Love Letter # ___

My dearest,

 

There are moments when the nights are darker than usual; when this space between you and me seems infinite; when my patience is frayed and loneliness is unbearable.

Tonight is one of those moments.

I pray that if destiny would be kind enough, it would let us meet today, of all days. I need to replace the bittersweet memories of this day with another memory, one that will last not only half a decade, but a lifetime.

If you would look back on this letter sometime in the future, you would know that there is a void within me that only you can fill. I hunger for you. As basal as it may sound, I need you like any human being needs oxygen to breathe, like a drought needs water to flow through the crevices of its parched soil. 

If you ever read this in the future, when God has finally tied your heart to mine, forgive me. Forgive me for allowing memories of another replace my thoughts of you. Forgive me for letting my frailty yearn for someone unworthy of my love. Forgive me for wanting you ahead of God’s plan because I am weak and need I your stable hands to hold me.

I will be better tomorrow, my love.

Stay with me.

 

Love,
Me

 

Countdown to Zero

One...

Ansabe ng Horoscope ko (10/19/2011)

Many pieces are falling into place today -- and while you may not have enough time to go over the finer details, you will be able to see enough of the big picture to get an idea about what you need to do next. Things are looking good! The best part of today will be the fact that you'll finally be able to get rid of a thorn in your side. Take it out quickly -- the relief you feel will carry you through your day and refresh your ideas about what can get done.

(source: yahoo)

 

Ang katotohanan:

Yes, things are indeed falling into their right places. The future looks promising in all aspects of my life. And this thorn on my side will be removed starting October 21, 2011, 12:01am. After tomorrow, I would have already completed one revolution of surviving important events in our lives. My heart is tired from hoping and wishing and missing for nothing. It’s time to give others a chance.  

 

What to Do on Doomsday?

1.       Work the entire day until I collapse in exhaustion

2.       Drink myself to death (probably not)

3.       Have coffee with GH

4.       Go out on an impromptu date

5.       Spend it with my two favorite boys

Anna Banana is still accepting suggestions until 7pm tonight.

 

CanWeSkipToFridayPlease???

The Countdown to Zero

two...



(Source: http://lustwithfeelings.tumblr.com/post/11568772072/fight-for-me-before-we-lose-it-all)

;-(

(source: http://leilockheart.me)

The Countdown to Zero

In three...




(source: http://weheartit.com/entry/15686709)

I'm Learning to...

Breathe… on my own.

Stand… for my right to be accepted.

Fight… regression.

Beat… the odds.

Forget… all the memories.

Let go… because you did.

 

Unlearn… YOU.

Love Letter #1

My dearest,

Tonight, I sit alone in this empty diner writing my first letter to you. The rain is pouring outside, but I am impervious to the angry sound of liquid beating against that hardened concrete. All I can think about is you and the feeling you have sowed in me; the seed of hope that will blossom into reality in time.

You are light-years away from me right now that you cannot hear the depth of my sigh nor feel the warmth of my embrace that I have saved only for you. Between mindight and dawn are sleepless nights wondering when you and I will finally be together. Waiting is the hardest part.

I have spent an ocean’s worth of tears on people I thought would give me love that will last forever, on promises that were so solemnly pronounced but were easily broken. I was a sullen girl, with so much fear of falling into the abyss of loneliness and solitude. I was bruised all over from all the pain and longing to bring back the past. How foolish of me to hang on to somebody who has let go of my hands and left me falling into the ravine. I should have turned the other way and walked towards the light, past the crossroad where you have been waiting for me patiently and unquestioningly.

The rain has stopped pouring. You are still out there, waiting for God’s perfect moment when He will bring us together and let this space between us come to an end. I said waiting is the hardest part. You say,

for you, it was all worth it.

Love,

Me



10/16/2011

Hope. Faith. Love.

Yesterday, I got to read some of my emails from 5 years ago, right when MTB and I were just starting. The exchange of emails transported me back to a period that reminded me how hard I fell for him, hook line and sinker. Funny but instead of feeling sad and bitter, I actually felt at peace and unexpectedly, hopeful for my future.

He had been my dream for almost a year before the Him+ Me became a reality. If there was such a thing as love at first sight, then this was the closest thing. He was the star that was impossible for me to reach and I was the mortal wishing and hoping that this star would fall for me. I loved him without reason, without fear, and without question. He was everything I wanted, prayed for, but never ever thought of having.

But I did.

The man I thought who was severely stoic when it comes to love was falling for me too. I don’t know if it was love that he initially felt or a need that I had been able to fill that made him like me. Whatever it was, I knew that I must have done something right and I just need to know what it was so I may be able to recreate it with my Mr. Right.

Those email exchanges, as distant as they are now, are written reminders that there is no such thing as impossible when it comes to God's plan; that if it is God’s will, no matter how hopeless the situation may seem, it will happen.

Faith is such a beautiful and powerful thing. It gives me the courage to face each day with hope in my heart. It allows me to accept things that are beyond my control. It strengthened my knees to stand and face my battle when the easiest way is to breakdown.

Hope and faith--- I have them. A belief that one day, I’ll find the man who will accept me for who I am. A belief in the idea that everything that took place---the happiness that was cut short, the sadness and pain-- happened for a reason. Belief that God is preparing me for the RIGHT person. Belief that somebody will love me the way I deserved to be loved---  and the simplest way for this to happen is to be open and remove the chains of the past.  

Just one more revolution of hoping, believing, loving and failing, because in the next cycle, it will just be hoping, believing, loving, and finally living my happily ever after.

I am officially throwing away the chains. So help me God.            

Indak by Up Dharma Down

(this sounds so much better when performed live)

 

Tatakbo at gagalaw

Mag-iisip kung dapat bang bumitaw

Kulang na lang, atakihin

Ang pag-hinga’y nabibitin

 

Ang dahilan na alam mo na

Kahit ano pang sabihin nila

Tayong dalawa lamang ang makakaalam

Ngunit ako ngayo’y naguguluhan

 

Makikinig ba ako

Sa aking isip na dati pa namang magulo?

O iindak na lamang

Sa tibok ng puso mo

 

At aasahan ko na lamang na

Hindi mo aapakan ang aking mga paa

Pipikit na lamang at mag-sasayaw

Habang nanonood siya…

 

Paalis at pabalik

May baong yakap at suklian ng halik

Mag-papaalam at mag-sisisi

Habang papiglas ka ako sayo ay tatabi

 

Tayong dalawa lamang ang nakaka-alam

Ngunit hindi na matanto kung sino nga ba ang pag-bibigyan ko

Makikinig nga ba sa isipan na alam ang wasto

Ngunit pipigilan ang pag-ibig nya na totoo

 

Iindak na lamang ba sa tibok ng puso mo

At aasahan ko hindi nya lamang aapakan ang aking mga paa

Pipikit na lamang at mag-sasaya

Habang nalulungkot ka

 

Habang nalulungkot ka, isa nama’y natutuwa

Minsan naman ay lumuluha

Sabi ng Horoscope ko (10/12/11)...

Virgo (8/23-9/22)

When you see a penny pick it up, and all day long you'll have more than just good luck -- you'll have more money. In life, little things add up to big things, so don't pass up an opportunity to put more money in your pocket today. You should already have a budget, but if you don't, today is the day to start making one. The only way to get a handle on your finances is to understand how you spend and save. But resist the urge to be selfish with your money -- doing so could give you a bad rep.-- (from www.yahoo.com)

Ano ba ang equivalent ng penny sa Pilipinas? Kanina, nakakita ako ng 5 piso sa upuan ng shuttle, di ko pinulot dahil isa akong honest person. Ikayayaman ko ko pa naman daw, sabi ng horoscope ko. Pero wala naman akong bulsa ngayong araw na to, pano yun?
#SabawNaSabawSaUmaga

The Ultimate HIMYM Episode

Funny, Bittersweet and Painful. Barney and Robin Forever!


“Chemistry. If you have chemistry, you only need one other thing. Timing.”

Source: http://echofades.tumblr.com/post/10562699515