bits and pieces

just a few hours left, and we'll be saying goodbye to 2008 already. i can't believe that school starts again in less than a week. a lot happened this year.. this is the year where i had my practicum during summer, started my thesis. i knew a lot who passed away too. : ( sad. it only reminded me how fragile life is. this year, i can really feel the financial crisis that has been going around. some says that it'll be worse next year. hay. but despite all that, i believe that these things are but challenges for us which will only make us stronger. and all we have to do is put our trust and hope in the Lord.

yesterday, we had our Kids' Praise and Thanksgiving Program at Sunday School in church. : ) the kids are adorable. they never fail to make me smile. : ) i played the piano for the opening number and for our class. i was so tired when i got home that i didn't made it to the prayer meeting last night.

today, i went to mall with Joy, Erwin, and D. there were only a few people. i heard that they're going to close by 6pm. we tried the frozen yogurt at White Hat. : ) the regular one with two toppings - strawberry and kiwi. yummy. : ) but a bit pricey. the one we ordered costs php120. they say that yogurt is healthy because of its health benefits like it promotes better digestion, stronger bones, reduces the risk of high blood pressure, boosts the immune system, bigger muscle, and weight loss. i don't think i need the last one haha. i need to GAIN weight. : ))

tonight, cousins, aunties, and uncles are coming over for a dinner.

we're going to Fontana tomorrow morning and will be staying for a night. hope to enjoy it. bye! : )

something for us : )

last night, D and i went to Megamall and got ourselves a DSLR. : )

Canon EOS 1000D

i hope that i'll soon learn how to use the features of our new toy, since im just used to point and shoot. we got it from Canon Digital Center at a great deal (i think). they also gave us a 4GB SD card instead of 2GB. : ) but still no camera bag yet! hope to get one soon. : )

Mom & Tina's

Grilled Lamb Chops. I love the mint sauce that comes with this dish. : ) it is also served with mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes. and because im so hungry already, i ordered extra rice haha. ; )


Salisbury Steak. D's order. grilled sirloin burger pattie served with mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, and gravy.


Oreo Cheesecake. one of the best cheesecakes i've tried. : )


Dark Toblerone Walnut Torte. it's like ice cream, with a twist. : )


All smiles. : ) 'twas a great and memorable night. what with the food and the company. : ) every Paskuhan, it has always been the four of us together. : ) XC and Daniel are friends and classmates. they are also in the same band who performs whenever our org has programs. XC sings, while D plays the drums. then Jen and XC knew each other through D and me, and when we took our logic in their class. : ) gone are the days when we are all in the same school, same building, where meeting up between classes is so easy. but distance is no hindrance. : ) you see, after sometime, we are still here. still together, and stronger. : )

i bought some cupcakes before leaving. i got home that night at 1:30am already, but it's all worth it. : )

Christmas : )

Merry Christmas everyone!! : )

Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority. ~W.J. Cameron

Tagaytay Conference

hello everyone! i just came home from the Tagaytay conference. this year was a bit different from the previous years that i attended. this is my sixteenth time haha. ; ) from 1998 onwards.

here are some points from my notes that moved my heart:

• spiritual reality is not just looking at it - but when you truly see it.


• "when God takes away your Isaac, will you still love Him?"


• it doesn't matter how fast we run, but whether or not we'll be able to finish the race set before us.


• we should not run away from problems, we have to face it.


• spiritual things are not cheap. its reward is eternal. like Paul and many others, they gave their life in exchange for it.


• we should walk in a manner worthy of the calling.

• God is in control of everything.

what can i say? You are wonderful. : ) im sorry for being so stubborn and for always hurting Your heart. You know that i cannot do it on my own. but if we have a desire - no matter how small, You'll be the one to fulfill it for us. You also know that i have a lot of things in my heart that i cannot let go of. i don't know how to forgive.. and forget. i love a lot of things too that it hinders me from loving You. and yes, that BOOK (haha). oh well, i guess that it's better to move forward slowly but surely, just like what Koo told Candy. : )

Throne of Praise

I. As long as I have breath
I'll find a way to say that I love You
Everything may change
and the world may pass away
I'll still love You

II. You O Lord deserve the praise of all the earth
And we worship You
A Sacrifice you died now great and glorified
And we worship You

With every song we sing
Every prayer we pray
we'll build You a throne
made from the sound of praise

Chorus:
Jesus, we lift you on our praises
So every eye can see your face your power and grace
Behold you as you really are
Brighter than all the stars of heaven
Our worship is for you alone
We build you this throne of praise


this is my favorite song this conference. : ) 

Paskuhan 08

Main Building

Paskuhan is one of the most anticipated events in UST. for many reasons.. for majority, it's because of the fireworks display. : ) it lasts for a good 10-15 minutes. : ) they're strict this year, if you don't have an ID, you'll have a hard time to go inside.

Classmates : )

i came early at school for our class Christmas party at the annex laboratory (thanks to Mang A!) - which is our second home next to the library. there were so many food! california maki, sushi, barbeque, hotdog sticks, pichi-pichi (not sure with the name), pancit malabon, siomai, and an ice cream cart (!), to name a few. : ) after eating a heavy lunch, we start giving gifts. and take pictures too. : ) it was bittersweet. this will be our last Christmas together as a class.

Fireworks : )

Daniel and i arrived at school again around 6pm. and the program had just started. we found a place at the field and sat there while waiting for the fireworks display to start. it started earlier than expected. we took pictures and a video of it. but it's really different when you're there. : ) too bad Jen, Francine, and Kara didn't catch it because they were stuck in traffic.

after the display, we left and headed to Pasig to have dinner together at Mom and Tina's. : )

4f1

Happy Paskuhan 4F1! : )

'twas a nice year being with you all. im proud to be part of this family. : )

mindless thoughts

i forced myself to finish my lesson plan yesterday, but, my prof didn't arrive to our class. tsk! for our thesis, Kara and i ashed our sample and we were free to go. : )

though nothing really productive happened in school today, i think i did learn something. during our first period, our prof in PGC shared her life story. i like it when she said that you know that you love when you are humble enough to set aside your pride. that there is joy in loving when you are not disappointed.. you are not disappointed when you don't expect. it made me think, do i expect returns when i give love away? we can't love someone if we love ourselves too much. simply because we're so full already. this holiday season, like the song says, why don't you give love on Christmas day. i think it's easier to give gifts rather than give a piece of our heart to others. especially when that someone is not lovable. mind you, many don't really deserve our love. but then again, may we, myself included, learn how to love unselfishly and unconditionally. just like the one who paid the price on the cross for us. : )

i finished packing my bags too, i left it with Grace and she'll be the one to register it for me. we'll be going to Tagaytay for the weekend.. but im not sure if my heart is really prepared for the conference. my heart is in Manila. sometimes i wish that time would go faster so it'll be over already. =/

our friend (former classmate) Ayee, gave birth this morning to a baby boy. we'll be visiting her tomorrow at Chinese General Hospital. : ) Ma'am Hashim too gave birth this Monday, to a healthy baby girl who weighs 7.3lbs. : ) dami babies. : )

i should sleep now. but im still waiting for Joy to come home. and Daniel to get home too. it's their company's Christmas party tonight. : ) and tomorrow will be Paskuhan at UST. : ) im excited. even if im there every year. i love the fireworks! and how the whole UST community gathers together. : ) as of what i know, we are 30,000 all in all in UST. many huh. and yes, who wouldn't love the lights? they're so beautiful. : ) i'll take a picture and i'll show you. : )

anyhow.. im signing off and will prepare my things for tomorrow. goodnight everyone! : )

ciao! :o)

powerbooks

last Friday, i went to Trinoma to finish buying gifts for Christmas. i dropped by my favorite bookstore, Powerbooks, and bought two Belle de Jour planner. : ) one for me, and the other will be a gift for someone. i already have my Starbucks planner, but i find this one very nice, and i know i can't go out the store without buying one for myself too. haha. : ) inside, they have alot of special pages like, daily schedule, errand list, menstrual tracker, health checklist, vacation planner, birthday list, 2009 goals, emergency numbers, expense tracker, and (my most favorite) discount coupons! : ) 60 coupons to be exact. it's php598. is it worth it?

anyway.. i still don't have the Twilight Series. i just borrowed the one i have here from my cousin. and she doesn't want to lend me anymore because, according to some people at church, we shouldn't read it because it's about vampires. tsk! i don't get the point. its just fiction. im still going to finish it, haha. and i think im falling in love with Edward, haha. : )) dreaming is for free, i tell you. : ) he isn't real anyway.. so its okay. when i went to Powerbooks, Fully Booked, and even National Bookstore, they all ran out of stocks. too bad. im hoping that someone will give me a set of it this Christmas, an Aunt maybe? so patiently i'll wait for it. haha. but if it doesn't come, i'll buy one for myself next year. : )

right now, i should be finishing my lesson plan for our assignment tomorrow. and start packing up my luggage for this weekend's conference. but... im so lazy to do anything. : ( i want to sleep. and get rid of these dark circles under my eyes.

more busy days ahead. i know. and i can't avoid it.

2nd mission - accomplished

non-fat toffee nut latte

praline mocha frapuccino blended whip and cinnamon swirl : )

today, i dropped by one of my favorite Starbucks store to proudly hand over my complete sticker card in order to redeem a nice red planner. i finished two sticker cards already. : ) in the spirit of Christmas, i'm passing on the cheer by giving the other planner to my Dad, the black one. : ) i always have a hard time finding gifts for him because, practically, he has everything he needs. for a change, im giving him this planner for Christmas, and dark chocolates. : )

i also finished reading Twilight. : ) finally, haha. i can't wait to start reading New Moon. : )

happy birthday Joy!

Happy 17th Birthday to my dear cousin, Joy. : )

thank you for the fun times, for staying up late with me, having coffee just to add stickers to my sticker card, eating cereals and ice creams, and finishing the whole bottle of grape juice with me! im glad you're staying here with us. : ) may you continue to be a blessing to others, as you continue to serve the Lord. : )

P.S. sleep early!! life is more than paint brushes, pencils, and colors. haha. love you. : )

The Day The Earth Stood Still

If the Earth dies, you die. If you die, the Earth survives.

Colorgenics

according to this site, this is me:

You seem to be trying to sweep aside the situations (and maybe the people) that you feel are standing in your way. You are impulsive and apt to follow these impulses seeking to be involved in special or exciting happenings. In this way you hope to deaden the intensity of your conflicts, but your impulsive behaviour is leading you to take some unnecessary risks. Back down a little and remember 'more haste - less speed'.

You are very self-sufficient and methodical. You presume to know where you are going but need to find a person who will recognise the way you are, not be too demanding and who is, as they say in Italy, 'Simpatico'.

You know what you want and you are very dogmatic and demanding - especially in your emotional demands. You have specific ideas and beliefs and if these beliefs are not realised you can become extremely frustrated. You may not be that perfect but you are looking for perfection with the perfect partner.

Presently, you are experiencing stress because of restriction on your independence. You need and seek respect from other people and it is essential that they appreciate you for yourself and not for what they would like you to be. You have your own beliefs and convictions and you would like to be respected for them. You are anxious to avail yourself of every opportunity that may come your way but nevertheless, come what may, you have the need to control your own destiny without imposed limitations or restrictions.

You don't like authority and you rebel against all forms of limitation. You are your own person and you intend to stay that way and to get on in the world simply by your hard work and determination.


* I've highlighted the ones is true (based on how I see myself).

Click on the link (http://www.paulgoldinresearch.com/cg/) and share what you got.

wonderful colorful

i have always loved colors. of any kind.. watercolors, colored pencils, crayons, paints. name it. i want it. haha. the picture above is my collection. yeah not too many, but i got it since i was a kid. the box with the 112 crayons was a gift that my Dad got me while we were in Subic. : ) my favorite is the Magic Scent crayons, where each crayon releases their scent only when you color. : ) like red for rose, black for leather jacket, white for baby powder, and more. : ) the Watercolor Colored Pencils are also amazing. : ) they blend perfectly when you use it. i remember our practicum days during summer when Kara and i used to go to National Bookstore in Katipunan during our breaktime, i was always at the section where the colors were displayed. they have a lot there! fabric crayons, markers, washable crayons, glitters.. : )

darn sun

yesterday morning, while at the bazaar, D called me using another number and told me that his line was cut by Sun. having it for less than a month, his running bill reached 38K!! how did that happened??!! his limit was only 1,500. no matter how you look at it, it's really impossible. even if you use it the whole day to call anyone abroad. so very irritated as i am, i called their customer service hotline last night and asked them about it. they said it's under investigation and that they already made a report about it. i asked them to give us a bill having a every detail breakdown, but they said that it's still a running bill so they can't release it yet. what's going on??? they cut it already, so it's not running anymore. stupid. i told them to give us a feedback as soon as possible.

as of tonight, i was surprised when D called me using his number again. : ) i think Sun found a mistake somewhere and reconnected his line right away. and like what my friend said, "when they apologize, don't be too forgiving.." hahaha!! :))

***
it's a 9 today! happy! : )

world bazaar

we don't have classes this morning because it's the feast of the Immaculate Conception. so i invited Joy to go to the world bazaar at World Trade Center. its been a routine for me to visit this every year because of great finds. : ) we were there at 9am already. because, as of what i know, it opens at 10. but when we got there, the guard told us that they open at 12noon every Mondays-Wednesdays. tsk! i should've known earlier. so to kill time, we decided to walk around and take pictures. haha : ) 'twas fun. Aileen, Joy's sister, also joined us.. and skipped work haha. : ) and because we were really so hungry already, we crossed the road and found Jollibee. : ) Erwin, another friend, joined us too.

at exactly 12, the doors opened. we were first in line. the line was long already! i thought that because its a Monday today, the people will be fewer. but no.. i heard yesterday was worse. there was an entrance fee of 25 pesos. then we started to shop. i bought mostly gifts that my brother will be giving away. i got cute Disney tumblers, undies, oatmeal cookies, cellphone case, pants, socks, jogging pants, notebooks, polo shirts, dress, and a top. not bad. : ) i also met Sab in her booth - Cherish Closet. : ) she's nice, and looks real young. younger than me? or just the same. : ) i gave her the peanut kisses i bought from Tagaytay last week. : ) Joy also bought a cute white dress from her shop. : )

***
im happy that Candy is finally joining the Tagaytay Conference. : )

happy happy birthday to Ivy!! : )

food and some thoughts

tonight, we went to Tempura at U.N Avenue to have dinner. : )

happy shrimp haha : )

gindara teriyaki
yummy fish! : ) but way too small for us.

tori teriyaki

boneless chicken leg barbeque with sumptuous teriyaki sauce

ebi tempura
always present whenever we visit a Japanese resto.

we also had Sukiyakidon, Gyuniku Teppanyaki, Salmon Sashimi, fried rice, and Coffee Jelly. : ) soo full! the food was good.. and priced reasonably. : )

*shifts mood*

change is in the air. i never used to like change, i always found it unsettling and worrying but along the line i have learned to embrace it, to see it for what it is, something to aspire to, a chance to move on from any ruts we find ourselves in, a chance to refine areas of our lives or ourselves that we have left neglected.

it's the season for change too. it's there every morning when i step outside into the silence, the cool freshness of the air. soon, it will be Christmas already. : )

i can feel and see huge change in myself, not just physical but emotional, mental change. a change in attitude and in outlook and change in looking inwards too. : ) hopefully, we'll all change for the better. : )

***

my BIG little brother. : )

goodnight people! :o)

A - Z. bored.

A. Attached or single ? — attached
B. Best friend? — Francine
C. Cake or pie? — cake
D. Day of choice? — Saturday
E. Essential item? — cellphone, floss and tissue
F. Favorite color? — violet? anything will do actually.
G. Gummy bears or worms - gummy bears : )
H. Hometown? — Manila
I. Favorite indulgence (s)? — shopping, reading and watching movies
J. January or July? — July
K. Kids? — none as of the moment.
L. Life isn’t complete without? — my family
M. Marriage date ? — wala pa! haha.
N. Number of magazine subscriptions? - i don't have subscriptions
O. Orange or apple? — apple
P. Phobias? — having to ride an old elevator. earthquakes.
Q. Quotes? — you are my life now. (Edward?) ; )
R. Reasons to smile? — Daniel and dad
S. Season of choice? — Christmas
T. Tag 5 people - Candy, Ivy, Julienne, Peachy, and Francine
U. Unknown fact about me? - i'm thrifty
V. Vegetable? — eggplant
W. Worst habit? — being makulit
X. X-ray or ultrasound? - ultrasound
Y. Your favorite food(s)? - french fries and pasta!
Z. Zodiac sign — Libra

yey we got 100 for our report this morning! : ) so happy. even though its raining.


i got the package i ordered online yesterday. : ) i ordered two havs. one for me, and i'll be giving the other one to D. : ) what do you think with the design? i really don't know what to choose since they have plenty! yes i know i have small feet.. probably the smallest for my age. my size here is 33/34. ; ) that's why im having a hard time buying footwear.

i came home by lunch and just slept the whole afternoon. saraap. : ) i can't remember the last time i slept for a long time during afternoons. my eyebags are getting puffier. : ( pangit. im researching on how to lessen it. cucumbers? haha. does it work? someone told me that putting the spoon on a freezer then putting it under your eyes may help. i tried it last night. haha! : ) but.. still the same. hmm.. someone help me.

till here. gotta go back reading Twilight. : )

leave comments! thanks. : )

happy weekend!! : )

the signs are everywhere

too obvious to be overlooked...

just follow the signs!

what a great, crazy adventure it will be...


what's YOUR great, crazy adventure story?

hanging out

every Mondays and Wednesdays, i only have one hour class. sometimes i feel like skipping classes because our prof is so boring. haha. this morning after class, Kara and i went to a lab somewhere in Shaw to have our sample analyzed. then we went to Shang. : ) it was 11am when we arrived there but the mall was just opening. we walked around to find gifts for the coming holidays. i bought cards from Humor Post and something from Sleepcare. : )

late afternoon, i invited my cousin Joy, who lives with me, to have coffee at Starbucks. : ) she gave her sticker to me. haha. we talked about the pressures from school, the upcoming conference, and her worries about her younger sister. we dropped by a store in Ongpin and saw some yummy chocolates. they have my favorite Merci Crocant. : ) and many other imported cookies. this is the same place where i buy my favorite Milano Mint. : )

im excited for the bazaar at World Trade Center this weekend. : )

Canyon Cove

early in the morning, we all gathered together and went to Canyon Cove at Batangas. i only heard and have gone to Island Cova and Canyon Woods, but not Canyon Cove haha. but there really is such place. im glad i made it on time because i hate being late. on the other hand, i also hate waiting. good thing everybody came on time and off we went. : )

we had a stop over at McDo where i bought breakfast because i still haven't eaten anything. we had a short and informal meeting at the bus where Tsun Bi Tsi discussed things about Sunday School. on what we should do as teachers, and on how to improve our service. that's what you do when you use time wisely, hehe. then at around 10, we were there already. : )

the place was good, i should say. not too crowded.. which i like. we changed into our swim wear and we went to the beach and got the big banana boat haha. : ) fun! didn't stayed long there. we stayed at the pool the whole time before having lunch. after lunch, i showered already because i had my period at the bus! : ( wrong timing. lucky me i still got the chance to swim. we walked.. talked.. just like the good old times. : ) and of course, we took alot of pictures! : ) see it in my multiply. : )

in my 8 years of being a part of our Sunday School at church, this is our first outing ever. : ) at first i really didn't want to join. because i want to sleep all day.. haha. lazy me, i know. and i don't want to pay haha! but then, im glad i joined. it was so much fun. tiring, but fun. : )

before going home, we stopped by at Rowena's at Tagaytay and bought some goodies. i bought buko pie, uraros, and peanut kisses. : ) on our way home, we also saw the moon and stars smiled at us which was formed by two visible planets and the crescent moon. : ) at around 8ish, we arrived Manila. and D came to see me. : ) i gave him buko pie.

time to sleep now. back to school tomorrow.

happy December everyone! : )