Influences

I have had lots of major influences in my life – people who at one time or another influenced how I viewed life.

In truth, I am not an easy person to influence because I can be very stubborn. I have learned to form my own opinions at a young age and that’s how I have always been. But there have been people who sneaked up on me and have become huge influences –

There is my mother – of course – from whom I have learned the value of sacrifice. I’ve always said this and I say this again – if I can be half of a mother that she is, I’d be a very good mother already.

My father taught me religion and faith. As a little girl, I was fond of hanging rosaries on my neck. It was scary how I was getting a bit fanatical about faith and religion. I could recite the rosary (and all its mysteries) when I was 7 years old.

I grew up around my elder cousins who adored Sharon Cuneta and at one point, hated Vina Morales. Oh boy, was I mad at Vina, too. I loved Sharon Cuneta so much I had memorized most of her songs.

And there were teachers in St. Joseph who influenced my way of thinking – Madam Bayani, particularly. I must admit though it was hard to resist her influential gaze lure.

When I was in College, I met Ryan who was a major influence as well. Rye believes in grabbing chances and taking responsibilities of one’s action. But we pursued different paths and over time, I have learned to live life my way – and I have come to realize that I do not agree with a lot of things he believed/believes in. I guess, he doesn’t agree with how I am living my life right now. But that’s alright because – well, to be completely honest, I do not agree with many of the decisions he made as well. But no judgments, no judgments.

I am not a wide-eyed 19-year-old girl anymore. I am not the same girl who readily gave her heart away and had it ripped inside out. No, I am a mother now. And I have to make decisions and take everything into consideration. I am still learning though – and these days, I have been learning from my husband.

Erbe taught me that a person can go through hell and get out of it – not unscathed, but stronger, better and hopeful.

He has taught me a lot about faith and how far one can go riding on his or her faith.

He has taught me kindness because he is incredibly kind.

My husband taught me patience – although I have a long, long way to go before I can be half as patient as he is.

He taught me the meaning of unconditional love – the kind of love that can give you superhuman strength (not literally, of course)

My husband taught me optimism. I loved being cynical and pessimistic. My husband is the complete opposite.

In truth, I can go on and on. Oh no, he is not perfect. After all, he is the husband who can fart his way to hell and back. But that’s okay. That’s okay - sometimes. :)

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This had me giggling...

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Pregnancy Complaints – READ at YOUR OWN PERIL

Just vomited my guts out – yes, that is exactly how I want this post to start.

Vomiting.

It should have ended 5 months ago, but no, no, no. This daughter of mine decided that she likes the idea of her mother vomiting her guts out at 3:44 in the morning. It doesn't matter that I am 8 months pregnant. So, there I was huddling the toilet bowl (like people do in the movies) and retching. At some point, I thought, "Oh, that's my dinner (as I stare at the meat and vegetable concoction floating)! It has been hours! Why isn't it digested yet?!"

This is getting harder by the day. My scoliosis is acting up. The huge stomach weight is taking a huge toll on my poor back.

It's Khristine's fault. I blame her for my condition. No, she didn't get me impregnated – Erbe did.

What she did, however, was cursed me with this scoliosis.

You see, for four years – all throughout High School, we would walk from St. Joseph School all the way to Arana (where my house used to be). And all those years, I would carry her effing bag for her. This is not just any bag, mind you. Any Josephian worth his or her salt knows how heavy a Josephian bag can be. She told me she had scoliosis and that her back hurt, so if I wouldn't mind too much, "Can you please carry my bag for me?" I was such an idiot. A big sucker. I did! I carried her bag for her – and it's only now that I discovered she did not have back problems. She was just too lazy to carry her bag! And now, I have the effing scoliosis. Yeah, great.

Friendship sucks sometimes.

And she's not even apologetic for that. She'd usually laugh her ass off every time I'd remind her. She's the bane of my existence, that woman.

Anyway, I digress – and because I have I'd just better get back to work.

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Hmmm... Pwede! :)

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Pregnancy Post

We have a name for the baby. Finally.

It came to me the other night and I woke Erbe up just to ask him what he thinks of the name. He was able to groggily nod his head and said, "magayun dangugon…" So, we finally agreed to a name.

What is it?

Oh yeah, that's another thing – Erbe and I decided not to tell anyone until after she's born. Everyone has an opinion and this is the reason why it took us a while to settle on a name. What a friend likes, the other wouldn't. What my sister likes, my mother doesn't. And so it goes… We do not want to be dissuaded about this name, so we decided to zip our mouths until it's registered.

I'm 33 weeks pregnant now. My cousin said my stomach is small. Is he effing kidding me?! Small?! I feel like a cow and he said it's small. I think I have gotten so big my husband merely thinks of me as his fat, talkative, pregnant roommate. He just laughed when I told him that. He thinks it's funny. Hah. Erbe is my Saving Grace though. He's the ultimate source of comfort, hugs and kisses. I can't imagine what I'd do without him. I'll probably die of back pain (oh, the drama!) Seriously, I can't imagine what I did right to deserve my saint of a husband. You know, he's a saint, Tinapay.

Anyway, I can't wait for the baby to come out. I have to wait though. I still have four weeks to go until the 37^th week.

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Post It

NOTE TO SELF:
Read and edit blog post before posting. Grammatical errors are painful to read. Ugh.

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32 weeks

I'm 8 months pregnant, exactly 32 weeks and it's getting even more difficult by the day.
I haven't been blogging about my pregnancy except to complain. Uh.huh. Not a good thing, I regretted it the first time with Paige and now I am doing it again.

I swore I'd be documenting my pregnancy all throughout, but after all the vomiting during the first trimester, I just didn't want to dwell so much on how difficult it is.

I had it great with Paige - no vomiting, no nausea, nothing. Riley, however, is not all for that walk-through-the-park type of pregnancy. She means business, and boy does she mean business.

To illustrate what I mean, I have started vomiting AGAIN. The vomiting is usually accompanied by painful heartburn. I have checked it out and apparently, the HCG levels pick up again during the third trimester and some women experience vomiting and heartburn along with the rising HCG levels. That is why after every meal, I feel nauseous and I have the intense urge to vomit my guts out. Pretty. pretty. pretty.

Well, anyway, I have until the first week of October. No, scratch that I have five weeks because the doctor would decide if I am up for normal delivery or VBAC on the 37th, so...

She's worth all the suffering I am going through though. She's worth every difficult moment.

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Grateful

After reading about abruptio placentae – the condition which prompted Che's emergency section, I can only thank God that my friend and the baby survived it unscathed. It could have been much worse.

Please God, do not allow the same thing – or anything far worse – to happen to me and Riley.

Thank you so much for this gift.

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Glimpse

I came across this article. It is supposed to suggest blog topics, but I find the questions interesting. I decided to make a meme out of them. I hope the author wouldn't mind.

1. What was the funniest/nastiest/most memorable prank you ever pulled on someone?

I cut Erbe's armpit hairs. One time, I wasn't careful and he moved and I accidentally cut the skin! Needless to say, he was pissed.

2. Describe your first date/first kiss. Hmm.. did you see stars or you just felt gross?

Amazing. Of course, I didn't know any better, but yeah…'twas great. Second serving, anyone? LOL.

3. What is scariest experience you had?

When my sister and I almost drowned. Yeah, that beats everything else. Seeing ghosts does not even come close to it. I was more scared for her than for me. I was carrying her on my back. I could swim, she couldn't.

4. What kind of games did you play as a kid?

I played a lot of games but I was damn good at Chinese Garter. Give the long legs the credit they deserve! Hurray!

5. What do you miss most about your childhood?

The sheer simplicity of it.

6. What kind of child where you? Shy? A bully? Popular? Loner? Stubborn?

I was a loner. I had friends, but I think I was a loner – this is the reason why I discovered books in the first place. I frequent the library that it didn't take me long to discover Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys.

7. Do you have any phobias? what thing do you fear most?

FIRE – I am really, really scared of it.

8. Who was your celebrity crush during your teens?

Luke Perry of Beverly Hills 90210.

9. What outfit did you wear before that you swore you'd never wear again? If you have photos and the right amount of courage, then post it!

10. Do you have any regrets? What's the biggest mistake you ever made?

No Regrets. That's the rule I live by. One can't live with regrets because they can suck you dry. You make your bed, you lie on it – and that's that.

12. What's the weirdest/hardest/funniest job you ever had?

Being a Mother – it's not easy being one.

13. What's the most embarrassing thing that happened to you?

God! Where do I start?! Oh yeah, I can start with the latest – having my pants ripped off in public. My ass was studiously staring out into the world!

14. What's your wildest dream?

BLEEP! BLEEP! Censored!!!

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10 Things That Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew

I came across this article and I frowned my way through it. The author is a chauvinistic jerk. Seriously! I agree with some of the things he said but I take offense at the whole article. IT reeks of chauvinism. Perhaps, if you have testicles, you will like disagree with me. Perhaps, if you are nitwit, you will likely disagree with me. However, if you know your worth, you will take offense at some of the things written there. It's so freaking backward. Take this sentence for instance, "Submission means being subject to your husband in everything. Wives you can only win your man by submitting to him."

In everything??? Hell no! Thank you, but I have brains too and I can very well think for myself. I can do compromise, but there is no way in friggin' hell I will "submit to my husband in everything". It's the word "everything" that scares me. That's so Stepford wife. Why not switch me on now, Darling, so I can freaking smile? Why not switch me off now, Sweetheart, so I can sit? Why not kill me while you're at it? I need some batteries, Honey, my brain cells are almost gone now.

Well, anyway, not all of you will likely agree with me, but that's where I stand. I never understood the "submission" part. I would though if I live in a cave and I eat raw brains of yolk.

I can relate to this article much better. The writer is less of a chauvinistic pig.

As you can probably surmise I am not a perfect wife. I am far from perfect. If I will rate myself from 1 to 10, I am somewhere between -9 to -10 – that's how awful I am. Yes, I can do sweet, thoughtful and caring, but I am better at being grouchy and bitchy. I snapped, snipped and bite. And God, I am very good at cutting people to pieces with words. I can do mean and I can do nasty really well. So, no, I am not a good wife. However, I have a saint for a husband and that's why this marriage works.

The articles I've read, however, made me think of Things That Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew. So, here goes my list. (Ba, you'd better be reading this!)

1. Even when your wife is mad at you and she screams for you to "get your hands off me", she really means, "I really need a hug." Don't in any circumstances walk away or open the computer to check out your Facebook page while you wait for your wife to simmer down. That's like throwing the gauntlet down at Bin Laden. Of course, there are times when she really means "get your hands off her or she'll bloody rip those things apart". You should know when to tell the difference. Ba, in my case, I rarely mean the latter.
   

   
   

2. When your wife complains of aches and pains, listen. Don't give her a nonchalant, inattentive, "oh yeah?" while you continue to stare intently at some classmate's picture in Facebook. You are inciting her to blow up. You don't want to end up complaining of aches and pains yourself, would you? Pay attention and give her the hugs and kisses she needs – and throw in the best offer you can give – "Would you like a massage, honey?" That will definitely earn you some good loving from her later.
   

   
   

3. Please remember to take off your shoes before you enter the room. You may not think that doesn't matter, but it does. Ignoring her request hurts her. It's not just an issue of dirty floors anymore. It's an issue of respecting her wishes. How difficult is it to take off those bloody shoes anyway?
   

   
   

4. If men/husbands need to be appreciated, women and wives feel the same. Wives need to know that their husbands are still attracted to them. When once upon a time, you can't walk in public without holding her hand, why stop now? You have more right to do so now that she is your wife. Let her know you are proud of her and that you appreciate her by making sure that she is beside you every step of the way.
   

   
   

5. When your wife touches or kisses you, it doesn't mean she wants to have sex. Well, maybe – sometimes, but definitely not all the time. So, down boy! Sometimes, all your wife wants is some good snuggling and kissing.
   

   
   

6. When you ask your wife, "What's wrong?" and she answers you with, "Nothing." Uh.huh. That means something is definitely up. Grab a chair and a cup of coffee and get ready for a long conversation. While you're at it, be ready to admit that "it's all your fault" because trust me, the "nothing" won't end unless you do so. When you're wife exhibits that mood, you can't talk her out of it.
   

   
   

7. Romance. It never goes out of style. Romance means not farting, cleaning your nose or scratching your butt in front of your wife. Do not let romance slip away. Once it does, you'd be left with a cranky, bored wife. And you don't want a cranky, bored wife. Remember, misery loves company.
   

   
   

8. Do not look at other women when you're with your wife. It's disrespectful. Trust me, she knows your type. She'd know who you would be looking at even before you actually turn to look. Wives are sharp that way. No, we don't have superpowers. We just know you too well.
   

   
   

9. Do not dismiss her thoughts and feelings. Even if you think she's wrong, respect her thoughts and feelings. They are hers and these things are real to her. She needs you to respect them. You may not agree with her, but do not commit the mistake of dismissing her thoughts and feelings as valid.
   

   
   

10. Do not forget to say "I love you". Your wife loves to hear it. And no, "I love you's" are definitely not overrated.
    

    
    

There. Now, I think I should link this article to Erbe's facebook wall. That's the only way I can get that husband of mine to read my blog.

And oh, yeah, that reminds me – this one is for my husband

1. Read her blog. You'll never know what you may discover.
   

Meanwhile, I just saw a lizard swallow a huge moth. I'll be damned. It does happen. The moth probably did not see that coming. Of course, the several hundreds of ants I flushed down the toilet a while ago did not see me coming either. If ants can think, that one intelligent ant last thought was, "I never thought my life would end this way – being flushed down the toilet."

I cannot do Buddhism, I take too much pleasure in killing ants (specifically red ones) and mosquitoes. I refuse to believe they're reincarnations of poor human beings. It must suck to be reincaranated as a mosquito.

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23:18 Running Thoughts

• Should remind the boss to forward payment
  
• You're so near yet so far
  
• Diarrhea. Damn it. It's those blasted crabs. I hate crabs. I hate crabs. I hate seafood.
  
• Still haven't gone to the OB
  
• Not decided on what to name the baby yet and how to spell Riley. It's Erbe's fault.
  
• Can't believe how lucky I am to have a saint for a husband. He needs to be one to survive me. Yes, the word is "survive". I am a horrible, horrible pregnant woman. I complain a lot – a lot!
  
• At peace now with the fact that I won't be able to attend my bestfriend's wedding. It sucks. It sucks big time, but I am now resigned to it.
  
• I am loaded with work. I just wish I have the energy to finish them all. I suck.
  
• I wonder how much an NSO birth certificate costs. I read it's P315 if it's notarized. I wonder if it would cost more.
  
• I wonder how long I'd have to wait for the birth certificate. I heard it'd take a whole day to get a copy. My friend owes me for this. she owes me big time! I wouldn't do this for anyone.
  
• My stomach hurts. I have stomach cramps and it doesn't help that the baby' has decided to learn how to dance the Tango tonight. It's kick. Kick. Kick.
  
• I ate a lot of malunggay today. Mommy insists on me eating malunggay. I told her if she makes me eat more, I will probably be able to sell off breast milk on eBay. Yup, that's a disgusting thought. So, stop reading. By the way, that's not an original idea. Someone is already doing that.
  
• I am amazed at how many things are running through my head at this moment.
  
• I wonder how Tinay is doing on our bet. I wonder if she's doing anything about it. Just remember, Tinapay, I NEED PROOFS!
  
• If you hate me, you shouldn't be reading my blog you know? Why torture yourself?! Just proves that you're a friggin' idiot.
  
• If you are reading my blog because you're stalking my friend, Tin. Boo-hoo-hoo for you. She's getting married tomorrow. Why don't you go to Church just in time for the "forever hold your peace" part of the ceremony.
  
• My back hurts. Eff it. Everything hurts. I want to be a trooper but pregnancy is not a walk in the park especially if you have scoliosis. God, I love to complain! I love the massages more.
  
• I miss coffee. I have been thinking about that since this morning. I miss drinking hot coffee. I miss the smell of it. I miss it!
  
• I love the fact that it has been raining for days now. I prefer rain from 10 am to 2 pm. However, I'll take whatever Mother Nature can give me.
  
• This room is hot. We really need a new air conditioner. I think we'll get one before the baby comes.
  
• I really need to have this baby wait for September. She needs to be a September baby – or better yet an October baby. Yeah, I prefer October. October sounds nicer than September – I don't know why.
  
• My sister suggested the name Sinead which is pronounced as Si-neyd. My mother said the local version of that is Zenaida. No offense to all Zenaida's out there, but it's not something I'd want to call my baby. I like Sinead (since the spelling is unique) but I think people would have difficult pronouncing it.
  
• Reilee. Riley. Reilley. Rileigh. Reileigh. Rylee. Reilley. Too many spellings. Erbe and I can't agree on one.
  
• We can't agree on a second name too – sometimes, I think I should just stick with one name. Paige is having difficulty memorizing all the letters in her name. Her last name alone consists of 12 letters. I didn't know Garchitorena is that long until I was teaching Paige how to write it.
  
• Have I exhausted every thought in my head?
  
• 10 years. I just want to write that one. Someone reacts to words like "decade-long obsession" and "10 years" let's not disappoint that favorite reader of mine.
  
• Carpal-effing-tunnel-syndrome sucks.
  
• I love the fact that I have my sister for my sister. Some people are just lucky that way.
  
• I miss Cori. I especially miss her after seeing her "angel" picture.
  
• Luna, you should have said something about the font! LOL
  
• And jinx, sorry about the delayed payment. It's my fault. I should have sent the invoice earlier.
  
• This is pretty long now. I should get some rest. I hurt.
  

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3’s a Crowd

Things can never be boring here. Every day, my mother is involved in all sorts of drama – just like the drama she has been involved in the last couple of days.

So, let me introduce the cast and characters of this particular drama that has amused me these past few days.

• Alma. Mommy's helper. She is a 22-year-old widow. She's about 5'1" in height, slim, brown-skinned, with short black hair. She has a fairly serious demeanor, but she turns fairly pretty when she smiles. She is Boboy's girlfriend.
  
• Boboy. He is one of Mommy's chicken boys. He is 19 years old. He is about 5'3" in height with dark skin and curly hair. He is a bit good looking too. He is Alma's boyfriend – or rather he was before the Great Drama.
  
• Yaya. She used to be Paige's nanny. She's 18 years old. She's about 5'1" in height. She's slim, fair-skinned and pretty. She is Boboy's girlfriend.
  

Okay. I do not mean to confuse you, but you have it right. Alma and Yaya are both Boboy's girlfriends.

Early yesterday morning, Yaya arrived with the intention of visiting Boboy. She's not working with us anymore but she regularly comes here to have sex with visit Boboy. It has been a while though since I saw her because apparently, she was working in Manila. Anyway, she came to visit Boboy yesterday.

At that time, Boboy was not around yet. He and Alma were at her parent's house. They stayed there the previous night.

Mommy welcomed Yaya, but upon learning that she was also Boboy's girlfriend, Mommy spent considerable minutes telling Yaya about Alma. She particularly enjoyed telling Yaya about Alma and Boboy's sex marathons serious relationship. Since Mommy's helpers have their own house, the two have been practically living together as husband and wife. Alma is indispensable to Mommy, so she completely supports Alma's happiness. So, she tortured Yaya about the two. The poor girl started crying like her heart was broken – which it was at this point.

Anyway, when Alma and Boboy arrived, Mommy made Boboy choose between the two. Boboy impliedly chose Alma. This devastated my former nanny. We thought all was right in the world. Until, the two (Boboy and Yaya) decided to go out to have some privacy for their "talk" – or so we thought. So, they left. Alma was left fuming and cursing. They were gone for hours – and you can imagine how Alma was reacting. All these, however, were amusing me. I was giggling over their misery. Yes, I am a bad, bad person.

Anyway, we were surprised at the huge difference those few hours made. Apparently, during the time they were "talking", Boboy decided to choose Yaya instead. When they arrived at about 6 o'clock in the evening, it was obvious to us that Yaya intended to stay the night! And they did proceed to the help's house. Apparently, they intended to sleep together!

Alma was practically homicidal! Boboy (the ass), however, was gracious enough to thanked her for everything – yes, thanked her – before he and Yaya proceeded to the help's house. My mother decided to talk to Yaya and asked her to leave. The girl told her that she'd stay and work here for – get this – for FREE! Seriously! My mother did not insist for her to leave anymore. The only way we could get her to leave was to forcibly drag her out of the house. She turned to alma instead and tried to convince her favorite help to sleep in our house. Alma insisted to torture herself by sleeping in the help's house.

And so it happened in that one fateful night that Boboy slept with Yaya while Alma slept a few feet away. Ironically, they were sleeping together the previous evening.

The next day, alma asked my mom to fire Boboy which my mother did. Again, Alma is indispensable to her. This prompted Boboy to panic, dumped Yaya, asked the latter to leave, begged for Alma's forgiveness and prayed to Mama for his job.

Immediately, Alma (the Great Martyr) took pity on him and asked my mother to reconsider.

You can imagine how my mother was reacting. She was getting a major headache, but she rehired Boboy.

Ah, the drama. It never ends here. It is amusing though. These things – they're the little respite from my otherwise banal life.

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My Mother’s Confession

Tinay and I were talking about first loves and we were marveling about the fact that some people never seem to get over their first loves. In fact, I think people never really get over theirs – truth be told.

When I got home later yesterday evening (yes, this was after I ripped my pants), I told my mother about our conversation. And suddenly, mamu told me that she had a confession to make.

This gave me a pause.

And mother started talking about Fidel.

Ah, Fidel, her first love. The man whom she fell in-love with when she was 13 years old (yes, her puppy love).

I often saw him when we went to Cabusao for a vacation. He was around and his presence reminded me of my mother's life way before I even existed. I didn't hate him, but damn, he irritated the hell out of me. No, I definitely didn't hate him.

I didn't hate him even when he would start dancing Cha-Cha while singing my Mom's name over and over again.

I didn't hate him when he would get drunk and would start crying and calling out my mother's name.

I didn't hate him when he would go around that little barrio exclaiming his love for my mother for everyone to hear. He'd have everyone laughing. He was often a butt of "true love" jokes – and my mother would often get teased by relatives and friends as well. Still, I didn't hate him.

But Jesus H. Christ, he irritated the hell out of me!

He was married and he had kids. He was a painter, a damn good one too. These are the two things I knew about him. But everyone knew something else about Fidel – that he died in-love with my mother.

In fact, his last request was to see my mom.

He was my mother's first love.

My mother was 13 years old and Fidel was 16 years old when he started courting her. He had to dress up as a girl in order to see her. Mommy has fond memories of him and those years. They grew up and eventually parted ways. Mommy eventually found Daddy and fell in-love with my father.

But Fidel… Fidel never got over her. Yesterday, my mother confessed something. She said he always held a special place in her heart. This is definitely a news to me because she never said anything.. never admitted anything all those years when people would tease her about him. Yes, my father is the love of her life, but the sight of Fidel always made her happy.

She also confessed that he wrote her numerous letters while she was working abroad. She said the letters stopped only when she came home.

It's our little secret and yes, it's your secret now too, dear Readers.

My mother said that she believes that it's true – you never really get over your first love. No matter how old you get. No matter whom you're with. No matter where you are. That person will always have a special place in your heart.

I think this is tolerable. One special place for that one person is doable. I can deal with that.

It must be hard, however, for some people who chose to give their whole heart away and never got it back.

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30 Things to Do Before You Turn 30

Tinapay and I have an agreement – no, I gave her a dare. I dare her to complete all the tasks listed below before she turns 30 years old. If she does, I'd give her anything she wants. If she doesn't, she'd give me anything I ask for. We will agree on a price however. This is great because if I win, I'd have a really gorgeous Christmas gift (her birthday is on December 18) and if she wins, I get to give her a Christmas gift.

She imposed certain rules, however.

1. No death-defying stunts.
   
2. No public embarrassments.
   
3. Nothing I wouldn't or couldn't do (which certainly makes rules 1 & 2 void to my way of thinking)
   
4. Ummm… I forgot the 4^th rule. It's probably not that important! lol
   

Here are the dares:

1. Go to Baguio and buy 5 dresses from an ukay-ukay store.
   
2. Watch the sunrise in Boracay.
   
3. Get drunk on champagne.
   
4. Approach a cute (proof needed) stranger and get 30 facts about him.
   
5. Call up a frienemy on his/her birthday.
   
6. Sew yourself a really cute dress
   
7. Write a letter to 5 people telling them how much you love them (you're cringing at the mere thought noh!)
   
8. Eat in a really expensive restaurant without flinching at the price – and I don't mean Gerry's Grill! (Refer to Bossing for expensive restaurants in Manila)
   
9. Date at least 5 different guys. (I'm kind here Tinapay, you get to date one guy a month. You have 5 months 'til December!)
   
10. Learn one amazing cocktail mix
    
11. Learn how to prepare Paella
    
12. Adopt a hobby – something that requires you to get out of your room and your house!
    
13. Ask someone out on a romantic date.
    
14. Go to a club and dance without care.
    
15. Go to a huge sports game and actually enjoy it.
    
16. Create one delicious recipe of your own.
    
17. Talk to a complete stranger in English – and with an accent.
    
18. Kiss someone – no, I don't mean your mother! Remember, you said something I can or would do. There!
    
19. Ride a horse
    
20. Wear red lipstick for a weekend out – you can do this already!
    
21. Learn to walk on three-inch heels.
    
22. Fire a gun (Airsoft gun will do).
    
23. Dye your hair.
    
24. Attend a concert.
    
25. Try at least one extreme sport.
    
26. Eat something really exotic – something you wouldn't normally eat.
    
27. Flirt with someone outrageously.
    
28. Go out wearing a tank top and above-the-knee shorts only.
    
29. Send a postcard to Postsecret.
    
30. Talk to you-know-who for at least 5 minutes.

Ok, Tinapay, you have until the 18th of December. Game!

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Favorite Pictures of the Week

I just like this. :) I was going to SM and was waiting for a trike to bring me there and I was standing in front of this monument, and so I took this picture. I just like it. I used to think that the swirling thing looked like a huge swirling "dump". :)


You can't see it, but it's there. It's this really small pubic-like strand of hair that bugged the hell out of me for hours! Erbe couldn't find it and he kept telling me I was imagining the strand of hair that I kept calling, "pubic hair". I kept saying, "It's there, damn it! I feel it. It's curly and it's irritating!" Until finally, I was able to pluck it off the top of my head. It was such a huge relief that I had to take a picture of it.


This picture bothers the hell out of me. Doesn't it bother you?


Tinapay, this is the picture I was telling you about. The leaf covers the hole that should be there. And look at her, she's grinning like "it" wasn't poking out when I took the picture. My mother is the queen of embarrassing stories. I don't know why she didn't notice that it was poking out. :)

Finally, the pic of the day -


I was on a trike with Tinay and the trike stopped in front of Jollibee. She got off the trike and I followed suit. I heard a RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPPING sound. And I was like, "uh.oh." Tinay's reaction, "Saimo lang talaga nangyayari ang mga ini!"

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30 and Single

One friend said, "If I only have other options, I'd leave him without a thought."

Another friend just left about 30 minutes ago.

It's 3:30 in the morning.

She and her boyfriend didn't have a fight – she was anticipating a fight though so she left in order to avoid it.

Life gets a little bit complicated when you're an adult. No, scratch it. Life is complicated when you are an adult. When I listen to my friends talk about their boyfriends though, their relationships, or search for "the one" – I have to be my 25-year-old self – you know, that girl/woman who was toying with the idea of marriage, but still wondering if she's found "the one" or if she should close the door on someone from her past who could still be "the TARDY one". That woman did not worry about milk, diapers or colic.

Yes, my concerns and worries are entirely different now. I do not feel superior or think myself superior or above the worries of a single woman, but my problems are different now. So, I have to revert back to being my 25-year-old me, so I can remember how it felt to be single and to be playing the field and the game of Hide and Seek. I also have to tell myself to refrain from giving advices like I know better because "I have been there, done that – after all, I'm effing married, am I not?" That'd be complete bullshit.

There is one thing that I don't and wouldn't know – how it feels to be 30 and still be looking for "the elusive effed up asshole who just wouldn't appear". I also wouldn't know how it feels to be 30 and to be once AGAIN looking for "the one who's LOST somewhere in Sahara"

I've noticed though that people tend to make some compromises that they wouldn't normally make if they were 22 and they still had many options available to them.

Age tends to put a lot of pressure on people. Growing old really sucks – and if you are single, growing old feels like a death toll on your dreams of having a family of your own. And it's that same gnawing pressure that compels people to compromise their ideals.

Sometimes, love takes a backseat in exchange for an opportunity to have a family and kids.

And the weird thing about this is that marriage is not what it is crack up to be. It takes a lot of hard work and compromise. And it needs a lot of love to survive – lots and lots of love. Because sometimes, when life takes a huge bite on your asses, all you will have is each other, bitten asses and all. Without it, I doubt if you could even last a year.

But people will continue to make compromises and love will continue to take a backseat over their desire to have a family, to have the white-picket fences and the porch and the swing. Because when you are 30, you feel it. You feel that that is where you should be at. That is what you should be having. But is it really?

It's definitely nice to have someone to cuddle with. It's pure bliss to have someone to give you a massage when your back hurts like hell. But those things come with a lot of hard work. Love should not be compromised.

I think that if you are in a relationship with a person that you can't imagine loving farts and all 50 years from now, then you should seriously reconsider entering into a lifetime commitment with that person. But then again, what do I know? I am married after all and I wouldn't know how it feels to be 30, single and still looking.

This I know though, If I were in that position, I'd continue looking. I will never compromise. I wouldn't mind being single just as long as I stay fabulous. If I were single and waiting for the TARDY one, I'd make sure that I live it – every minute of it, so I'd have a life that is fully lived. I'd make sure that every married woman I know would envy me and would want to have my life. But then again, you can always argue that it's easy for me to say this because I do not know how it's like. Perhaps, you're right. Well, in that case, touche.

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Sigh

Finally, after a long talk without arguments, things were understood and resolved.

Nothing beats an open and honest conversation –

and lots and lots of hugs and kisses.

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