I’m not claiming to be an interesting person but new and seemingly interesting things happened lately. Plus, I need more entries for this blog, so here goes.
I knew I should have just rolled this Gov. Gen. and Mati trip into one long blog post. I realized that after coming home late at night from a 2-leg road trip and waking up really early the next day for Easter Sunday service, I'm too drained to churn out something coherent.
I don’t feel so good about myself, and I don’t think my body likes me much. The brain hasn't really been active at night but I'm still fazed how its idleness can still keep me awake at night. I haven't had enough sleep daily for the past month. This isn't new. And usually, when this happens, a quick beach getaway "fixes" everything.
Being in a relationship with Jan taught me that men who are not vocally expressive have surprising and, I would say, better ways of expressing their love.
Situation 1:
Me: Grabe mga nahitabo karong adlawa. Makagawas ka? I need to destress. (Things didn't go well today. Can you go out? I need to destress.)
Jan: *tired from work and not feeling well*
The next thing I know, we are already eating at Tokyo-tokyo, or Tadakuma, or any of my favorite Japanese resto for that matter.
Situation 2:
Me: I don't feel too well.
Jan: Anha ko dira. Unsa gusto nimo? (I'll come over. What do you want?)
Me: Gummy bears.
Otomatik!
Situation 3 (pinakamatindi):
Me: Naay available na H&L units sa Villa C. (There are available H&L units in Villa C.)
Jan: Ooooh.
*insert thorough discussion here*
The next day. Yes, the very next day:
Situation 1:
Me: Grabe mga nahitabo karong adlawa. Makagawas ka? I need to destress. (Things didn't go well today. Can you go out? I need to destress.)
Jan: *tired from work and not feeling well*
The next thing I know, we are already eating at Tokyo-tokyo, or Tadakuma, or any of my favorite Japanese resto for that matter.
Situation 2:
Me: I don't feel too well.
Jan: Anha ko dira. Unsa gusto nimo? (I'll come over. What do you want?)
Me: Gummy bears.
Otomatik!
Situation 3 (pinakamatindi):
Me: Naay available na H&L units sa Villa C. (There are available H&L units in Villa C.)
Jan: Ooooh.
*insert thorough discussion here*
The next day. Yes, the very next day:
One of the reasons why I never wore a ring or a nail polish is because I do not want to draw attention to my ugly man hands. I never really liked my hands.
I've got big knuckles, probably from the knuckle-popping which I am so fond of since fourth grade. I've got big veins that can give any nurse an orgasm, and it sure does make my hands look masculine. I've got wrinkly hands that look ten years older than I really am to which no amount of lotion or moisturizer can help.
Believe it or not, my childhood friend used to envy my thin and lovely fingers; she'd call it kandilaon. And perhaps you are wondering how did they get this way.
I've got big knuckles, probably from the knuckle-popping which I am so fond of since fourth grade. I've got big veins that can give any nurse an orgasm, and it sure does make my hands look masculine. I've got wrinkly hands that look ten years older than I really am to which no amount of lotion or moisturizer can help.
Believe it or not, my childhood friend used to envy my thin and lovely fingers; she'd call it kandilaon. And perhaps you are wondering how did they get this way.
We have more than enough days to enjoy the island but I don't think I'm ready to leave just yet. Not when I know that a shitload of work is waiting for me.
I also worry my friends back home won't be able to recognize me anymore because I am ten times darker. But I would not have it any other way. I think I am born for the ocean. And if the kiss of the ocean breeze meant a sun-kissed skin, then the sun can have me anytime.
And down to the turtle's throat.
I remember the time when I attended one of my close friends' wedding, I was asked to hold one of the dozen balloons that was to be released into the sky. I shook my head frantically and blurted with some diffidence, "Dili ko. Environmentalist ko." (I won't. I'm an environmentalist)
A friend gave me a perplexed look as he walked away holding the balloon after being forced to volunteer.
I remember the time when I attended one of my close friends' wedding, I was asked to hold one of the dozen balloons that was to be released into the sky. I shook my head frantically and blurted with some diffidence, "Dili ko. Environmentalist ko." (I won't. I'm an environmentalist)
A friend gave me a perplexed look as he walked away holding the balloon after being forced to volunteer.
I had an amazing long weekend at my favorite beach in Dahican. But laziness reared its ugly head in and, as usual, I didn’t take any interesting photos.
Well, except for this:
This Mati trip is just the first of my many beach getaways this 2018.
Well, except for this:
Dahican is love. No filter needed. |
I know I've been yapping non-stop about Bill. Well, this is my blog and I will write whatever the hell I want to write since I don't have the nerve to speak elsewhere. You see, I've never posted about Bill on social media. Nobody else on my friends list, aside from a few close friends and those who have actually seen me, knows about Bill.
You see, in social media, everybody can inadvertently see what you have posted. But if you blog, nobody knows what you're up to until they visit and actually read your blog. Here, you enter at your own risk. If my stories get me loyal readers, great! I really appreciate that. If it loses me readers and rakes in haters, I'm not really concerned.
You see, in social media, everybody can inadvertently see what you have posted. But if you blog, nobody knows what you're up to until they visit and actually read your blog. Here, you enter at your own risk. If my stories get me loyal readers, great! I really appreciate that. If it loses me readers and rakes in haters, I'm not really concerned.
Today, I planned on writing a blog post where I tell the world how we had a pretty amazing out-of-town weekend but all that's going through my mind is Bill.
I think I'm obsessed. Not that I'm trying to learn about cars and how it works because I couldn't even get myself to read all the hundred pages of the manual. The word transmission already scares me, much more when introduced to alien words such fuel injection, ignition, or piston. All the mechanic's tips and instructions after the first Preventive Maintenance Schedule (PMS) just slipped through my mind because the brain stopped working the moment I saw the bill, realizing how expensive car maintenance is despite free labor.
I think I'm obsessed. Not that I'm trying to learn about cars and how it works because I couldn't even get myself to read all the hundred pages of the manual. The word transmission already scares me, much more when introduced to alien words such fuel injection, ignition, or piston. All the mechanic's tips and instructions after the first Preventive Maintenance Schedule (PMS) just slipped through my mind because the brain stopped working the moment I saw the bill, realizing how expensive car maintenance is despite free labor.
Yesterday was our baby's string of many firsts.
First, we named our baby, Bill. I know Bill doesn't have anything to do with a car. Unlike others, I didn't name it after its color, it's performance, or whatever's under its hood. I could come up with Silver Bullet, Speed, Sasha (because it is grey haha), Lil Beasty, or even Sasuke because it almost sounds like the car brand. But I like Bill Parish from Meet Joe Black. It doesn't really have to have a significance and I don't need a reason to name it Bill. But Bill sounds good and that's good enough.
I know naming a car is not an uncommon practice. I think, if not all, almost every car owner does it and I think I know why. Mike Wazowski once said, "Once you name it, you start getting attached to it." Once you get attached to it, you take good care of it and I would like to believe that would make you a better driver.
First, we named our baby, Bill. I know Bill doesn't have anything to do with a car. Unlike others, I didn't name it after its color, it's performance, or whatever's under its hood. I could come up with Silver Bullet, Speed, Sasha (because it is grey haha), Lil Beasty, or even Sasuke because it almost sounds like the car brand. But I like Bill Parish from Meet Joe Black. It doesn't really have to have a significance and I don't need a reason to name it Bill. But Bill sounds good and that's good enough.
I know naming a car is not an uncommon practice. I think, if not all, almost every car owner does it and I think I know why. Mike Wazowski once said, "Once you name it, you start getting attached to it." Once you get attached to it, you take good care of it and I would like to believe that would make you a better driver.
Anyway, it was also yesterday when it had its first wash. Bill needs to look good because we had it blessed.
We also took bill on its first out of town trip. We went to Sarangani Province to celebrate my lola's birthday. But before that, we took it on a road trip.
And a rough one at that. I never really intended Bill to go through such an ordeal. I never expected the road to be unforgiving. Since it was a spur of the moment getaway, the lack of research has taken its toll on the car. But it survived the steep and rocky roads just to get us to this:
We also took bill on its first out of town trip. We went to Sarangani Province to celebrate my lola's birthday. But before that, we took it on a road trip.
And a rough one at that. I never really intended Bill to go through such an ordeal. I never expected the road to be unforgiving. Since it was a spur of the moment getaway, the lack of research has taken its toll on the car. But it survived the steep and rocky roads just to get us to this:
I wasn't really a big fan of souvenirs. When Jan and I traveled far and wide, we didn't bring anything home with us but pictures and memories until our first trip in Boracay (emphasis on the word first because we're going back there soon and I hope I'm not jinxing it by prematurely announcing it. lol).
Fridge magnets were everywhere there and they were cheap (around Php 50). Which, I supposed, triggered that fridge magnet nut case in me when a thought occurred that a fridge magnet from every destination might be a good idea. So we bought 3 magnets (for Jan's home, for my parents' home, and our future home). And the rest, as they say, is history.
Fridge magnets were everywhere there and they were cheap (around Php 50). Which, I supposed, triggered that fridge magnet nut case in me when a thought occurred that a fridge magnet from every destination might be a good idea. So we bought 3 magnets (for Jan's home, for my parents' home, and our future home). And the rest, as they say, is history.
I didn't realize that it's already February until I saw quite a lot of bitter Valentine's posts on my newsfeed. LOL. Anyway, February na pala. In a few days Valentine's na naman. Sa mga nagbabalak magbigay sa akin ng gifts, wag nyo na po ako bigyan ng love dahil lunod na lunod na po ako. Hindi nyo din po kailangan na ipagdasal ako dahil kaya ko namang gawin yan para sa sarili ko. Your presence and thoughts do not really count dahil hindi po ako mabubusog nyan. If you really want something that counts, I might as well suggest these:
I've never been this scared my whole life.
I honestly thought that a 50-foot cliff jumping was the scariest thing I've ever done until I had to pass a practical driving exam.
I was certain I knew what to do but I just got cold all over, my heart was beating fast, my breath was short, palms were sweaty, mom's spaghetti.
Apparently, I failed the practical exam. I think I celebrated prematurely when I aced the written exam since everybody said it is difficult. I thought the practical exam is going to be a breeze since I’ve already driven in a highway quite a number of times and I was fine. I expected to show only simple driving skills. Forward, backward, turn left and right. Ganun lang. Instead, I was asked to parallel park. As if simple parking is not hard enough.
I honestly thought that a 50-foot cliff jumping was the scariest thing I've ever done until I had to pass a practical driving exam.
I was certain I knew what to do but I just got cold all over, my heart was beating fast, my breath was short, palms were sweaty, mom's spaghetti.
Apparently, I failed the practical exam. I think I celebrated prematurely when I aced the written exam since everybody said it is difficult. I thought the practical exam is going to be a breeze since I’ve already driven in a highway quite a number of times and I was fine. I expected to show only simple driving skills. Forward, backward, turn left and right. Ganun lang. Instead, I was asked to parallel park. As if simple parking is not hard enough.
I think the examiner saw that I actually know how to drive. I thank the high heavens he didn't cut me entirely. I was given another chance and it was a do or die situation for me.
I was already in distress because I do not want to blow the chance given to me. So kind of stupid as it is, I actually watched videos and practiced online. Hahaha. Oh sure, it was tooooo easy to do in a simulator. But in real life? It’s like you’ve already tried 30 times, wasted 20 minutes, pissed 7 people off, and hit a a tree. And it could get worse.
Jan came to the rescue. He got off early from work to help me with my parking skills. I'm still not confident about parking, but Jan's teachings did help a lot. But if there's one thing I've learned that I am sure is helpful in the future, it had to be this:
How to parallel park:
Step 1. Park somewhere else.
Update: I passed my exam and got my driving license. :)
I was already in distress because I do not want to blow the chance given to me. So kind of stupid as it is, I actually watched videos and practiced online. Hahaha. Oh sure, it was tooooo easy to do in a simulator. But in real life? It’s like you’ve already tried 30 times, wasted 20 minutes, pissed 7 people off, and hit a a tree. And it could get worse.
Jan came to the rescue. He got off early from work to help me with my parking skills. I'm still not confident about parking, but Jan's teachings did help a lot. But if there's one thing I've learned that I am sure is helpful in the future, it had to be this:
How to parallel park:
Step 1. Park somewhere else.
Update: I passed my exam and got my driving license. :)
I've never been to a theme park before. I've never been to Enchanted Kingdom nor Star City. But there are carnivals that come to our city from time to time which made me a sucker for extreme rides. And by extreme, I mean, those dodgy and rusty roller coasters that clank and screech at every turn with the possibility of the safety harness coming loose or, worse, bolts and screws break and go flying around while you hang on to your unsecured over-the-shoulder restraints for dear life. So if you really think about it, any theme park's extreme rides do not come close to that. Haha.
Universal Studios Singapore is the first legit theme park I've ever visited. And it is nothing short of amazing.
Universal Studios Singapore is the first legit theme park I've ever visited. And it is nothing short of amazing.
And a graphic designer at that?
Well, honestly, I've never been under the spotlight for being color blind. Or maybe I am just lucky not to be surrounded with scumbags who point at random objects and ask me what color that thing is the moment I tell them I am color blind.
It was back in college when I found out about it after taking an Ishihara test during one of our lessons in Anatomy and Physiology. I'd usually answer a random number in frustration because I cannot see what my classmates can. Apparently, I was the only one in our class with that defect.
Well, honestly, I've never been under the spotlight for being color blind. Or maybe I am just lucky not to be surrounded with scumbags who point at random objects and ask me what color that thing is the moment I tell them I am color blind.
It was back in college when I found out about it after taking an Ishihara test during one of our lessons in Anatomy and Physiology. I'd usually answer a random number in frustration because I cannot see what my classmates can. Apparently, I was the only one in our class with that defect.