My Last Hurrah

In a couple of hours, we will finally say good-bye to 2010 and hello to 2011.

The Year of the Tiger has been a great and interesting one for me. A lot of blessings came into my way and no words can truly describe how grateful I am. There may be ups and downs and some twists and turns, but I'm glad I survived and carried on. As I look back, I can proudly say that I have learned and gained so much from the things that happened this year.

Tomorrow, on the other hand, is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. It is the perfect time for us to make a fresh start and live anew. After all, it's never too late to start over, right? Let go of the bad things yet bring the good ones with us, to help us keep moving forward in this journey called life.

Happy New Year to all! Let's make 2011 a legendary one. Cheers! :)

Oh, Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is so big, you won’t even notice me. :)) Feeling like a tourist in Eastwood last Tuesday, the 28th day of December 2010. :)

She's so fluffy!

Friends, this is Kisses. She is my first goddaughter. For some reason, she reminds me of Agnes (from Despicable Me, hence the title of this entry) and Strawberry Shortcake. :)

Don't Stop the Pop

What I've been waiting for has finally come! It's DJ Earworm's United State of Pop for 2010. A lot of people who commented on Youtube said that last year's mash-up is better than this year's. What do you think? :)

The Dare

Balut has always been a Christmas staple at home. Our Christmas merienda wouldn't be complete without it. For those who are not familiar with balut, it is a boiled fertilized egg of a duck. It is usually paired with salt or vinegar to make it more tasty. In the Philippines, I think it is considered a delicacy.

(This is how a balut looks like when you open the shell. By the way, I do not own the photo. It is retrieved from Google Images)

An aunt gave a basket of balut for the whole family to enjoy. Nothing was left in the basket as soon as it was served on the table. Yes, that's how we love this food. While I was eating, I didn't notice that a cousin was observing me and then he said, "Try eating the white part (he's pertaining to the chick). Masarap!". I gave him a why-do-you-want-me-to-eat-that-are-you-kidding-me face. His mom also agreed with him and the rest of the cousins encouraged (or should I say, dared) me to eat the chick (I only eat the "soup" and the yellow part). I hesitated at first but... since I wanted some adventure, I gave in to their request and ate it. My smile turned into a frown while chewing it. I can't believe I just ate a baby duck! Yet I realized it's not that bad at all! I actually liked it. I didn't eat the white part because it's as hard as a rock.

Unfortunately, this is the only photo taken of my "balut eating challenge". I consider it as one of the bravest things I have ever done this year. Had I not tried, I wouldn't know how it tastes like. Thanks to my cousins, Christmas 2010 has become more memorable. :)

*P.S. Luisa, Cente and Keithy, we miss the three of you! Looking forward to celebrating Christmas with you soon. :)*

The Greatest Time of Year

Spread more love, peace and happiness this season. Merry Christmas everyone! :)

The Awesome A Capella

I'm totally too lost for words when a colleague showed us this cover of Only Girl (In the World) by Rihanna while having a lunch break some weeks ago. The guy, Mike Tompkins, only used his mouth and voice (no musical instruments at all) and he was able to come up with a cool cover. He is a very talented guy and I think he deserves a spot in the music industry. :)

Tumblring

Have you ever wondered about what's going on in the mind of a person when he or she stares at you? Sometimes, it bothers me because I don't know what he or she is thinking. I wish he or she would be honest enough to tell me so I won't spend the rest of my free time wondering about it. I'm open and willing to listen. :)

And oh, I just want to say it's so fun to blog-hop on Tumblr. It is a haven of interesting stuff. :)

The Better Version

Okay, I know. I posted this one before but I found a better version of this psychological fact while blog-hopping a while ago. I feel the need to post this one. I'm sorry I just can't help it. I guess it still has a big impact on me. ;)

A Meal Like No Other

Last December 10, my best friend Margaret introduced me to Pepper Lunch. Looking for a place to eat has always been our problem and we usually end up at Burger King. I have nothing against this fast food chain because its burgers are one of the bests in town, but we wanted something new to eat. Hence, we entered that humble looking place called Pepper Lunch, located at the second floor of Alabang Town Center.

I ordered Beef Pepper Rice because it caught my attention. Margaret also suggested that I try it because it really tastes good.

(Left: That's my beef pepper rice and my odd geeky look. Right: Margaret and her curry beef pepper rice)

Look at my smile! I had a great time eating this meal. The beef, the rice and the corn are a good combination. Margaret even told me to put the sweet sauce (it's so yummy I forgot the name) too because it will make the meal taste even better. And she was right.

(It's still hot and sizzling!)

Margaret ordered this one. It's called Curry Beef Pepper Rice. According to her, she loved it! She has plans of ordering all of the food in the menu. She is such a Pepper Lunch fan.

What I like about this restaurant is that the diners get to cook the food they ordered. The food is served on a plate, which is not like an ordinary steak plate, because it's a "patented electromagnetic plate that is heated up to 260 degrees Celsius within one minute" (I researched, HAHA). So please avoid touching the plate because it's super hot. ;)

Our dinner at Pepper Lunch was an ultimate dining experience. I will definitely go back there again. :)

By the way, let me take this opportunity to congratulate Margaret because she received an e-mail from the Pepper Lunch team, thanking her for blogging about them. I'm so proud of you!!! :)

*Photos from Margaret's phone. The both of us forgot to bring cameras.*
*credits to http://www.pepperlunch.com.ph*

The Best Movie I Have Ever Seen... Yet

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is definitely the most-anticipated movie of this year. When it hit the theaters last November 16, a lot of people lined up to watch the first part of the final series. Everyone I knew have been talking about it on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. They shared their experiences and how they felt while watching the movie.

Now, it's my turn to share.

Last week, I finally got the chance to see it for myself. I honestly think it gave justice to the book because most of the scenes were how I imagined them to be. David Yates did a great job in this one. This is the best Harry Potter film yet.

One of my favorite scenes was when Hermione and Harry slow-danced one night. Harry may not be the best dancer in the world but he made his friend feel a little bit better. Moving, indeed. The other one was when Ron came back to their tent, explaining how the deluminator brought him to where his friends are. What he said was very sweet and sincere. It was also the moment when I secretly wish I wanted to be like Hermione. :p

I left the movie house with a smile on my face. I'm looking forward to watching the second part of the movie in July next year. It may be the end but its magic will remain forever. :)

The Perfect Match

For some reason, whenever I hear Fix You by Coldplay on my music player, I always feel inspired and encouraged. It uplifts my spirit most especially when I feel sad. I really find it amazing how different kinds of people can relate to the song.

I was surfing my Facebook one day and I came across this video post of my former block mate. It's a nice and touching video of Ron and Hermione. I love this couple and I'm glad they ended up together in the series.

Please watch the video, listen to the song and be inspired too. :)

The Early Christmas Gift

(A day at Serendra: July 4, 2009)

Received the best news ever! My cousins are coming home to celebrate the holiday season with us. We'll have an early Christmas dinner on Wednesday, the 8th day of December. I'm excited to see them again! We may not be together on the actual day (Christmas) but their "early homecoming" really means a lot to me. I'm looking forward to having some fun with them. The Big Guy up there has answered my prayer. What a lovely Christmas gift. :)

Smile!

This year, I learned that looking at the brighter side can help me become a stronger and a much happier person. Our life may take detours and unexpected events may happen, but these should not make us stop from dreaming and achieving our goals. The past three months have taught me to count my blessings and be more grateful for the things that I have. There is no reason for me to be sad because I believe that God has better plans for me. :)

The Magic Still Remains

It was ten years ago when I got introduced to Harry, Ron and Hermione. The film adaptation of The Sorcerer's Stone was a box office hit at the cinemas then and I used to be out of place whenever my classmates talk about it. The ten year old me felt like a loser at that time so I asked my bestfriend, Margaret, to explain to me what's going on because she watched the movie. I also borrowed a classmate's book so I would have a background of Harry Potter. Since that one fateful day, I got hooked on reading the book and started saving my allowance to buy the other volumes. I finished reading all the books and I never get tired of rereading them again. They are one of my most prized-possessions.

I admire J.K. Rowling for her wild imagination. She changed the whole world by simply writing about the adventures of the "boy who lived". Most of us have grown up with Harry, Ron and Hermione and they will be forever a part of us.

I'm 20 now but I'm still looking forward to receiving an acceptance letter from Hogwarts. ;)

P.S. This video gives me goosebumps. The title of the song is Marchin' On by One Republic.

College Life Time Machine

We are all happy to be back in school. Just take a closer look at our photo. It is worth a thousands words. :)

*Photo from Lo's camera*

Crazy Over Peppermint Mocha

Others say it tastes like Colgate but for me it isn't.

I'm talking about Starbucks' Peppermint Mocha. Since the famous coffee shop started its yearly tradition last November 3, I've been dropping by the place just to buy a cup of this popular holiday beverage. I am not a fan of coffee but the combination of espresso, milk, bittersweet chocolate, peppermint flavor and whipped cream makes me appreciate it. It may be too pricey but the happiness I get in return is priceless. On a different note, I can feel the spirit of Christmas whenever there's Peppermint Mocha around.

The baristas give me weird looks for not availing the sticker so I could have the limited edition Starbucks Coffee planner. Unlike the others who are willing to fight tooth and nail to own one, I always say "no, thank you" with a smile. I guess I'm the only customer who does not care about collecting the stickers. A Papemelroti planner is still the best, at least for me.

After working a while ago, I went to Starbucks with my fellow colleague and new friend, Kaye. The day that we've been waiting for has finally come! It was nice talking to someone who can listen and understand what I'm going through. It also feels good to listen, share my thoughts and give friendly advices. I didn't have a dull moment with her because what we talked about was interesting and insightful. Those two and a half hours were not enough, believe it or not. Nevertheless, I enjoyed our short yet meaningful coffee date. Starbucks' theme this Christmas season is right, a cup of Peppermint Mocha (or a Toffee Nut Latte or a Praline Mocha) is a perfect drink to tell stories over. :)

By the way, I'd like to share with you what I discovered while writing this entry:

(Hi, I'm Nana!)

I'm pretty sure I said my name correctly and clearly but look! I have a new name! :p

The Happy Saturday

These are my college friends. You probably know Lo and Icca by now since I blogged about Lo's birthday bash some weeks ago. The girl on the right is Danielle. :)

It was taken last Saturday when the four of us went to La Salle to get our yearbook. Danielle was on the "hot seat" since she didn't make it last October 30. We learned new things from her and she really surprised us with her big news. Lo, Icca and I were kinikilig while she was sharing the big news to us. We're so happy for her! She deserves all the blessings that are coming her way for she's a responsible, obedient and God-fearing friend, sister and daughter. We're undeniably lucky to have her as our friend.

The saying "big things come in small packages" is absolutely true. From our two-hour bonding time, I realized that life surprises us with good things when we least expect them. Ahh, I can't wait to see all of them again in December! :D

Paparazzi, Cars, Carousels and Moving Walls

(A scene from the music video, Overprotected. Photo from Google Images)

Just watched Overprotected from a local music channel. Britney Spears has been a big part of my growing up years! I grew up listening to her songs and she used to be my favorite international singer. At such a young age, she went through a lot of struggles in her life but she was able to overcome all of these. Having said this, no wonder why she's considered as an influential icon in the pop music industry.

Here she is with the music video (I can't put it here because there's no embed). The dance moves are amazing! The song, on the other hand, I believe it's coming from the heart and inspired by her personal experiences. Overprotected is the second single of her third album Britney. :)

If You Ever Loved Somebody, Put Your Hands Up

It was in the year 2002 when I first encountered Nelly in my life. At that time, I was just a simple grade 6 student then who never appreciated rap and rock music. For me, rock and rap music were only played if you wanted to make some noise or annoy some people. I only listened to Mandy Moore, Backstreet Boys, and other artists who's known for singing bubblegum type of music. But when I heard Dilemma and Cleanin' Out My Closet, a song by Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child and Eminem respectively, my view on rap and even rock music changed. I started to memorize the lyrics of these songs, sing my heart out whenever I'm in the shower or my room and the rest, as they say, is history.

I'm glad that Nelly's (also Eminem) back this year with his new single, Just a Dream, from the album 5.0. This one is quite different from his past songs such as Hot in Here and Party People because it's more mellow and heartbreaking. This song probably reflects his softer side since we are more used to his tough image, as shown in his previous music videos. I wish this would put him back to the top of the charts again. Afterall, it's been eight years. :)

Guess Who's Back?

Twister Fries is back in town! Didn't attend my tutorial class because my students don't really come every Friday (they have this so-called "Friday Sickness). So instead of going to Sta. Rosa, I headed towards the newly opened SM here in Calamba and went to McDonald's to buy some Twister Fries and a Coke Float. I missed Twister Fries and I'm so happy that it's back. :)

Mind-Blowing

There are so many what if's and but what if's in my mind right now. If thinking too much was a job, then I'd be a billionaire. *sigh* Who wants to eat ice cream with me? :)

The Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

The night of October 30^th is a memorable one for me. My college friends and I celebrated the 20^th birthday of our beloved friend, Lo Chua. Let me share with you some of the photos taken on this day.

(The Gustavian: Eastwood, Libis)

We started the night by eating a sumptuous dinner at Gustavian’s. I was so glad to see Bethel, Lo’s bestfriend, again. The last time I saw her was when we practiced for our graduation rites last June. On the other hand, I enjoyed listening to my friends’ experiences at work. It’s been four months since we graduated from college and a lot of things have already changed. Haay, time flies so fast. It really does.

(From left to right: Bryan (Lo's boyfriend), Lo, Sab, Maryse, Raymund, Mye, Ocha, Icca, Me and Mau; Lorenz is at the back of Maryse)

While walking around the malls’ outdoor attraction, they decided to go to a bar to dance. It took them a long time to decide because most of the bars don't have dance floors (people were just sitting down, drinking and talking). We ended up in The Manor.

(My lovely college friends: Lo, Sab, Icca, Mau, Mye and Maryse)


(This shot has a striking resemblance to Saab Magalona's photo with Diego Mapa. Check it out and you'll know what I mean)


(Dance the night away! Party! Party!)


(They all look so happy, aren't they? Specially the birthday girl.)


(That's me with my forever groupmate, Maryse)

It was the Manor’s Halloween party as well. Guests should be in their costumes so they could go inside. I don’t know how Lo or Bryan (or Mye or Icca or Sab) did it but the bouncers allowed us to enter the bar even if we’re not wearing a costume. We didn’t even fall in line, unlike the others (maybe, we’re VIP’s?). Well, my friends never fail to do amazing things. ;)

Thank you for this extraordinary treat, Lo. It was indeed an EPIC night. :)

So Long, Farewell

This video reminds me of the Eraserheads’ reunion concert two years ago. Everybody sang with Ely, Raimund, Marcus and Buddy when they played their famous classic, “Ang Huling El Bimbo”. I will miss NU107, the radio station that brought Spongecola and Urbandub, my favorite Filipino bands, to St. Scho when I was still a highschool junior.

Thank you NU107.

When in Doubt...

...ask THE Ramon Bautista. He is the guy from Enervon’s Hapontukin commercial. My fellow Humblebee, Ayeen, inspired me to ask him a question on his Formspring account.

I’ve been looking forward to his answer since I pressed the send button last night. It took me a lot of courage to ask him a question so this is quite an achievement. And I'm glad he answered it. Thank you, Mr. Bautista! :)

PS: Besides being a TV star and a film enthusiast, he is also teaching at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. And he is on the cover of the latest issue of UNO Magazine. Amazing. ;)

Old School

Gemini by Spongecola used to be my favorite song when I was still in highschool. You have no idea about what I did, just to have my CD signed by Yael, Armo, Chris and Gosh. ;)

Because I Cannot Sleep

Some people count sheep when they cannot sleep. I also tried counting sheep before, hoping it would work, but it didn’t. As a matter of fact, when I reached 100, I could still hear the snores of the people around me. I envied them, really. Reading a book didn’t help either. I ended up feeling bored but not sleepy. How tragic.

It’s 1:15 am, past my bedtime.

Today is the first day of November. It’s raining and somewhat cold. It is definitely the perfect time to hop in that soft and comfortable bed of yours, to hug those big pillows and hide under the blanket. Everyone else here at home, except me, is fast asleep and probably having the time of his/her lives in Dreamland. Again, I envy them.

Now, the wind has joined the rain. It’s a little bit creepy because it’s getting colder. And it will be creepier if the winds begin to make sounds. Yes, I’ve started to imagine things. I just remembered the horror movies I watched a while ago. They were not really scary, but I can’t help it. It’s the season of jack-o-lanterns, Halloween parties, you name it. I hope this rain stops.

Oh, the random thoughts keep on flowing in.

Boo!

Happy Halloween! :)

The Big Surprise

My bestfriend, Margaret, surprised me on the day after my birthday. She came all the way from Taft to be with me here in Laguna. She spent two nights and three days here so the both of us could have enough time to bond and catch up. It's been quite a while since the last time we saw each other, after all.

Margaret, you definitely made me the happiest girl in the world. I had a great time! Thank you so much for this big surprise. You are the best! See you soon. :)

Highschool Never Ends

(Vix Verum: October 22, 2010)

My highschool friends and I attended the annual Halloween party at our alma mater, St. Scholastica's College-Westgrove. It was good to see the sisters (the Benedictine nuns who can still remember us), our former teachers like our beloved adviser, Ms. Whenn, our fellow alumni and our younger friends whom we left when we graduated. Now, most of them are in high school, and they are taller than us! And the night wouldn't be complete without our kwentos and jokes. Just like the old times.

Goodness, I miss high school. :)

Twenteen

(The Butterfly: October 17, 2010)

I am no longer a teenager. Most of the people I meet get surprised when they learn that I'm already twenty years old. And I can't believe it either. But I’m thankful because God has given me another year to achieve and fulfill my dreams, and to become a better and wiser person. I wonder what life has in store for me. Let’s wait and see. ;)

*By the way, I would like to thank the people who greeted me on my special day. You made it extra special. God bless you all! :)*

It's Okay to Get Kilig Sometimes

Upon reading this Psychological Fact on Tumblr, I suddenly got kilig for some reason. ;)

John Mayer

You might get surprised if I tell you that I don’t listen to the music of John Mayer. I wondered why a lot of people were so thrilled when he came to the Philippines on the first day of October. Yes, I’ve heard some of this songs before, particularly when I was in high school, but none of them made an impact on me. Wow, I feel like a contravida in a soap opera.

Until I decided to download some of his songs a while ago.

Upon listening to Heartbreak Warfare, Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, Bigger Than My Body, Why Georgia, Neon and Your Body is a Wonderland, now I know why a lot of Filipino love John Mayer. I realized that his songs are so wonderful and relaxing. His albums could be the perfect playlist to play while drinking a cup of hot chocolate on a lazy, rainy afternoon, while doing paperwork at the workplace, while driving your car or while studying for a really big test. And it could also be the playlist of those who are in-love or nursing a broken heart.

I hope you don’t get mad at me, John Mayer fans. I’m one of you now. :)

Buttercup

(Buttercup: August 2010)

Meet our lovely dog, Buttercup. She’s been with us since May this year. We gave her the name Buttercup because we had dogs named Bubbles and Blossom. :)

*Credits to my brother who took this photo*

The Glass and the Lightning Scar

Because Harry Potter will stay in our hearts forever. :)

Like You've Never Seen Her Before

Who would have thought that this actress and in-demand cover girl in the Philippine entertainment industry had thought of dressing as a man? Anne Curtis bid good-bye to her girl-next-door and classy image to say hello to a tougher and fearless manly figure. Well, she did it for the third anniversary issue of The Philippine Star Supreme section. I agree with Anna Canlas, who featured this one yesterday in her article, when she said that “she sort of looks like Johnny Depp”. I honestly think that she really pulled off this look. Stunning and convincing indeed. :)

*Credits to Gene Paulo Bautista*

Because Every Girl is Amazing

A girl is beautiful in a lot of ways. Take it from Bruno Mars who sees the beauty of a girl that is found not only from the outside but also from within. Just the Way You Are is his first single from his debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. :)

P.S. To my beautiful bestfriend, Maggie. I visit your blog whenever I have the chance and I really enjoy reading your entries. You and Danica are so adorable! And regarding the tape on your face with my name on it, I'm still trying to look for it. :))

The Unexpected Good-bye

(University Week Culminight: February 19, 2010)

Meet my friend, Kat Reyes. We met and became friends when we were still in college. She's fun to be with, and I admire her for being so optimistic, wise, thoughtful, friendly and sweet. I also like the way she gives advices to people around her, and how she expresses herself without offending anyone. Because of these qualities, it's no surprise that she has gained a lot of friends.

I never thought that our graduation dinner last June would be our last day together. Just last week, I was surprised to know that she's leaving for Doha. (that's why she invited everyone to come to Batangas, for a weekend getaway... to say good-bye) Our other friends prepared a despedida party for her last Thursday night because it will take such a long time for us to see her again. Lo, Mye, Icca, Tasha and Sab sent me text messages to convince me to come but due to some unexpected circumstance, unfortunately, I did not make it. Kat left yesterday at 10am.

To compensate for my absence, I'm planning to do something which I've never done before.

Kat, I will miss you! Take care and have fun in Doha. See you soon! :)

Down the Memory Lane

Don't Say You Love Me by M2M is one of the songs that brings me back to my good old gradeschool days. I was in third grade when I first heard and watched its music video on MTV. After a decade, I got the chance to listen to this song again. It feels good to be back in the 90's era! If only there's a time machine... :p

And then I realized something.

It's not bad to reminisce. However, we also need to keep moving forward. If we continue to cling onto our past, we wouldn't be able to enjoy what the present has prepared for us. Having said this, moving forward will help us become more open to the world and grow as a better person.

Let me end this entry by quoting what Oogway, the wise tortoise, told Po in the movie Kung Fu Panda, "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is gift. That is why it is called a present". Have a happy Sunday night everyone! :)

Action Speak Louder than Words

My fellow colleagues in the preschool were talking about this video that they've seen on Youtube some days ago over lunch. I was intrigued because they seemed so enthusiastic while sharing their experiences upon watching it. Feeling a little bit left out, I searched it on Youtube to satisfy my curiosity.

Maria Venus Raj was the controversial Miss Universe finalist because she had to face some issues regarding her nationality before representing the Philippines in the glamorous Miss Universe pageant, which was held in Las Vegas two weeks ago. Filipinos all over the world cheered and screamed when she was named as the fourth runner-up. She almost had the crown in her hands but being a fourth runner-up is not bad. After all, she has brought pride and happiness in the country, amidst the hostage drama which somehow changed how the international community sees the Filipinos.

On a much brighter side, Veejay Floresca (a fashion designer who's making a name and waves in the fashion industry), Martin Bautista (a young fashion designer too), Lex Librea (a corporate travel consultant), and Aleq Africa (an employee in a leading real-state firm) were among the Filipinos who went wild and crazy for Venus. The expression on their faces and the way they behaved when they heard Venus' name were definitely an epic and sensational. And did I tell you that these guys were also featured in the different international shows such as The Tonight with John Leno and MTV? Now, that's awesome.

Watch the video and see it for yourself. :)

I Should Prepare My Colored Pens, Paint Brushes and Poster Paints

This is what the President of Cambridge (here in the Philippines) told me when I had my on-the-spot interview with her last Friday. She is definitely a woman of substance and I learned a lot from her. I am looking forward to hearing more inspirational things from her, now that I'm already a part of the Cambridge family. Yes, I’m going to teach at Cambridge. Finally! I feel so happy and blessed at the same time because God has granted my long-time wish. In seven days, I will be a real preschool teacher. :D

By the way, I’m not giving up on my tutorials in the afternoon because for some weird reason, I’m beginning to enjoy teaching algebra, the Asian countries (for Araling Panlipunan), Filipino and English to my second year highschool, grade six and grade two students. Oh, my nerdy self comes back to life. :p

Free Ice Cream, Anyone?

Because the Green Archers beat the Blue Eagles in yesterday's much-anticipated game, Fruits in Ice Cream will be giving away free ice cream! Ah, this piece of good news makes me want to go to school tomorrow. :D

Just Because I Feel Like Posting My Own Picture

(The Graduation Day: June 19, 2010)

Please bear with me, I'm quite vain today. :p

The Last Chapter of Our School Life and the Beginning of Our New Life in the Real World

(My Lovely College Friends: Cheska, Trish, Raymund, myself, Mye, Sab, Icca, Mau, Nikki, Kat, Danielle, Maryse and Lo)

June 19, 2010 was an unforgettable day for all of us, the graduating batch of De La Salle University. After three years of learning about early childhood education (while the others, on the other hand, learned about engineering, business, English language, literature, computers and the like), at last, we marched down the aisles of the Philippine International Conventional Center. Happiness and excitement were all over the place, especially when we went up the stage to get our temporary diplomas and had our hand shake with none other than Brother Armin Luistro, who is now the newest secretary of the Department of Education. We felt we were like the A-List celebrities when photographers and our parents started taking pictures of us to document this wonderful event. It was definitely a “surreal, but nice” experience for all of us. By the way, that quote came from Hugh Grant and Julia Robert’s movie, Notting Hill.

(The Handshake with Brother Armin:"Dana, be an inspiration to your students";with my proud parents )

Graduation, I realized, is a bittersweet ending. It is the day when students feel exceptionally happy because they are finally reaping the fruits of their hard-work. And at the same time, it has become the period of their lives wherein they have to say good-bye to their friends who made their entire stay in school extraordinary. That’s the way it is.

(Happy Preschool Teachers: Dana, Trish, Maryse, Lo, Raymund, Sylvia, Mau, Mye and Cheska)

Now, we are all geared up for our next journey into the real world. Wish us luck. Cheers. :D

Disclaimer: Most of the photos are from my friends' cameras.

Coming Soon

(The View: June 19, 2010. Philippine International Convention Center.)

It is definitely coming soon. I already started writing about the "second part of the epilogue" last week and I might post it some time this week. My work as a part-time teacher in a preschool somewhere here in Laguna keeps me busy recently (Yes, you read it right. I'm working already). I'm active on Facebook and Twitter but that's a different story. Since I'm not using my YM anymore, these two websites serve as my communication tools to get in-touch with my former classmates, friends, and fellow colleagues. I hope you understand. :)

The UAAP Season Has Begun

There are more important things to blog about but I really wanted to post this photo of Enchong Dee, who represented DLSU yesterday for UAAP's season opening. I was able to watch the first half of the Archers' game against the Fighting Maroons (also yesterday) and I'm quite satisfied with the scores. (I honestly think that the latter has improved this season) And then a while ago, my friends from UP informed me that the Archers won the game. Not bad. I hope they make it until the last days of 73rd Season (keeping my fingers crossed). :)

Hi, Zac!

I watched your movie, 17 Again, last Sunday night on HBO. Yes, I did not sleep early just because I wanted to know the reason why millions of girls are so “head over heels in love with you”. Now, I think I know why. Vanessa is one lucky girl. :)

*Note: The second part of the epilogue will be posted soon.*

The First of the Two-Part Epilogue

(Meet my friends from left to right: Trish, Icca, Mye, Nikki, Mau,
Kat and Lo)

This photo is a sneak peek of what happened in school today. We’ve been active participants during the recognition rites, baccalaureate mass, class picture taking and graduation rehearsal. It’s definitely tiring yet fun day. Anyway, in general, the place was filled with an extraordinary level of craziness, because it’s two more days before our much-anticipated graduation! :)

See You Tomorrow

(Yuchengco: February 10, 2009)

This building has been a witness to a number of events that increased the awareness of not only the students, but of other people as well (in the field of politics, arts, literature, business and the like). The auditorium in the seventh floor is the “Araneta Coliseum” or the "CCP" (Cultural Center of the Philippines) of this prestigious university. If you, by any chance, get to perform on its stage, you are indeed lucky. :)

By the way, I'm going back to school tomorrow! We'll be having our academic attire fitting (the toga), class picture taking and recognition rites in the morning, and baccalaureate mass and graduation rehearsals in the afternoon until evening (9pm to be exact). It's going to be a long day but I don't mind. As a matter of fact, my friends, myself and our other common friends in our department are planning to have a mini-pictorial during our free time. It would be fun, I'm sure! I can also imagine that tomorrow will be like our first day of school, without the first day jitters.

Taft, here we come! :p

Surprise!

Look what I found while surfing the internet two nights ago!

Isn’t she pretty? She was born on the 28th day of March 1986. When she was eleven years old, she studied at a private Roman Catholic school somewhere in Manhattan. During her highschool years, she played the lead roles, Adelaide and Philia, from the plays Guys and Dolls and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum respectively. At the age of seventeen, she enrolled at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she learned more about music. Here, she was able to improve her songwriting skills as well.

In 2008, she became one of the successful artists in the field of music. Her music influences include David Bowie, Queen, Madonna and the late Michael Jackson. She fondly calls her fans, “Little Monsters”.

Friends, her name is Stefani Germanotta. Or should I say was.

Does the name ring a bell? Not yet? :p

She won as the Best New Artist in 2009’s MTV Video Music Awards. She also won the Best Dance Recording Award and the Rising Star Award. Recently, she collaborated with Beyonce and their song, “Telephone”, became a hit. Her new music video/song, Alejandro, is in the Top 10 of Billboard Hot 100.

Are you ready? Brace yourselves.

She is none other than THE Lady Gaga. :)

P.S. I was so surprised when I saw this photo. I can’t believe that it was her (if I remember it right, she was 17 years old here) before she started wearing eye-catching clothes. She’s so pretty! :p

Reference: Wikipedia, Billboard.com, Modern-pop-music-suite101.com

The Best Batch

Okay, the school spirit is hitting me. I feel like posting stuff that is related to my college life. Well, I just want to share with you an interesting site which I found while browsing through my Facebook page. It's still "developing" though. Well, I honestly believe that every batch in my alma mater is cool and unique in any way. However, because of this site, I can't help but agree that our batch, the ID 107, is the best among the rest. Do you want to know why? :)

Where Heroes Are Made

The De La Salle University has been chosen to host the 73rd season of the UAAP games this year. I remember the times when my blockmates and I grabbed the opportunities to watch the games of the Green Archers at the Araneta Coliseum during our frosh year. Some of our professors were cool and nice enough about canceling our classes, so we could join the Animo Squad and the other supporters in cheering for our team. It's totally one of my best and most memorable experience in college. And oh, did I mention that I've learned how to ride the LRT and MRT because of this?

I hope to watch another game this coming July and feel the animo burning once again. It's been a long time since I screamed with my college friends to inspire and motivate the players, most specially if they're playing against the Ateneo Blue Eagles. I also miss the over-all craziness inside the big dome. :p

Green Archers, let's bring the crown back. It's our time to shine (again). :D

P.S. I got goosebumps while watching the video. Heehee.

Chocolate Madness

Here's a photo of the "chocolate sauce" that my aunties and not-so-little-brother loved so much. They said that the it tasted better than the one we ordered in this posh Spanish restaurant. They were surprised when I told them that it's just Milo and not cocoa powder, which is usually used for baking. And they gave me two thumbs up. Yay! :)