Murphy's Law

Last May 15th, I thought the universe conspired to prevent me from flying out of the country. Almost everything that could go wrong, did and at the worst time possible.

We were not able to get on the bus as we've planned because a group of people, all 30 of them, decided to take the same bus we're taking. The thing is, the day before, sweetie and I asked one of the "barkers" there if we have to reserve a ticket for the bus. We were told that we can just get tickets when we get there tomorrow. The bus arrived an hour late (12noon), we took a chance but we did not make it, the bus was full in a matter of minutes. We were told that another bus would come by soon. At this point, we did not want to take the chance. So we came up with plan B. We decided to ask tita jo and pia if they can drive us to the airport. This cost us double than what would plan A have cost (coz we have to gas up and pay the driver) but at least, we're comfy (plus sweetie was able to come with us too!). They arrived almost an hour after the second bus arrived due to Makati traffic. We almost wanted to curse ourselves for being impatient. Now we have to get to Clark in 3 hours or we'll miss the flight! But thank God for He made the roads clear at that time and we got to the airport in Clark in a record breaking one hour and a half (I don't know if that's normal, but it's record breaking for me and this is my blog so get over it). Just in time for our 4pm flight.

So we checked our bags, paid for the terminal fee, lined up for the immigration. But just when I thought my luck is starting to change for the better, it suddenly went from bad to worse. Immigration asked the usual questions, but one question got me dumbfounded... she asked, "Ano nangyari sa DOST mo?". Perplexed, I was only able to say, "huh?". She said I am on their watchlist and I cannot leave the country. Then it dawned on me, she's talking about my DOST scholarship. I got qualified in the scholarship examination way back in 2000 and a 5-year service under them is part of the contract. So is a course in bachelor of Science. The whole world knows I took a course in bachelor of Arts. My parents paid for my tuition fee with our own money. PLUS, I was already able to leave the country last year! Evidently, I did not avail of the scholarship grant (I wanted to, but I did not). The Immigration officer is your typical heartless totalitarian who almost always never lets anyone go past him and makes no consideration whatsoever. He is asking me to present a clearance form from DOST no matter how much I try to explain that it's been eight years and I've never heard anything from them since then. He insists. I asked him if there is a phone I could use, he says no. Imagine, an airport with no phone...but they have a fax machine. So I made do with what I have, I got DOST's number from the sample clearance letter the dictator showed me and called them through my low-battery cellphone. Thankfully, God was on my side that day and He sent me a miracle. I was able to ask a certain Dante from DOST to fax the clearance on a long-distance fax number in a truly miraculous and (yet another) record-breaking 30 minutes! When I had it in my hands, I almost want to slap it in his face. But that would be stooping down to his level and very unlady-like of me. I can see he was quite dismayed with the fact that I got what he asked for in such a short time given the circumstances. I gave him the you-just-got-served look while he was talking to me and I know it irritated him coz he resorted to talking to my mom about it even though I'm clearly not a kid anymore. Haha! At that point, I felt I've won the war. With God on your side, who can be against you, right? I got to Singapore as I had planned and He has planned. Watch out for the pix! ;P

Let Go and Let God

--------- Forwarded message ----------


My child,

Give up! Give up those hurts of the past. It's time to move on. satan loves to have you live in the past because that renders you ineffective to live in the present-in the now.

Tell Me, child. What is it that has happened to you? Who hurt you? What mistakes have you made that you regret? Did what happen to you change the fact that Jesus loves you, and He died on the cross for you so you
could live in heaven with Him for all eternity?

Can anything or anyone ever change that fact? You know that nothing can ever nullify what Jesus did for you on the cross. If that's true, and it is, then nothing else matters, does it?

There is nothing that can happen to you, nothing anyone can do to you that can ever change the fact that My Son, Jesus, loves you and died on the cross for you so you gain heaven for all eternity. No one can ever take
that away from you. No One!

Hold on to that thought. Put things in their proper perspective. When you do that, you'll see that being loved unconditionally, attaining salvation and the right to go to heaven is your ultimate goal. Everything else pales
in comparison to that.

Even physical death cannot take heaven away from you, for then the real you-your spirit-just changes abodes. Physical death for Christians is moving from living in the temple of the Holy Spirit, your body, to living in
heaven.

I know, My child, I know. Your mind is often filled with hurtful things that happen to you. Sometimes you even say to people "You don't know how much it hurt Me when such and such happened." Well, I ask you again,
does what happen to you in the past change the fact that Jesus loves you and died for you, and now you can spend eternity with Him in heaven? I don't have to wait for your answer, because I know immediately your mind said, "No!"

Then, child, nothing else matters! Compared to eternity, all problems are nothing. Loving Me, being in My family, gaining the right to live in heaven for eternity-that' s what's important in life. If you lose that, you've
lost it all. Don't hold grudges. forgive! Nothing you can gain on earth can make up for that loss, and nothing can happen to you on earth that can take that away from you- Nothing!


Love,


God



-- Author Unknown

All My Life by Parachute Band

My freedom, my reason
my savior that's what you are to me
You free me, complete me
my Savior that's what You are
There's no other like You
there's no one beside You
You're more than my heart can contain
I will love You all my life
for You are my reason the One that I live for
And I will love You all my life
for You are my reason
You're the one that I live for

Loving Beyond Belief

Loving beyond belief
...is like the bottom of the ocean that's never been explored
...or as mysterious as this feeling that we can't just ignore

Loving beyond belief
...is learning to forgive even though you'll never forget the pain
...or holding each other tight while standing in the rain

Loving beyond belief
...is like seeing you beside me in the darkest part of my life
... or cheering me up & giving me hope when i'm donw & out

Loving beyond belief
...is like knowing that you're here loving me without any commitment
...or loving me - even if I love someone else

Stand to Fight

this pain is more than I can bare
i love you so, but fear is always there
i can't stand up & fight for what i feel
coz there's fear that interferes

i dont wanna let you go & set you free
coz i know im the one you wanna be with
but all i can say, this ain't right
when i can no longer stand up & fight

we knew this day will come
i cant say our love is gone
coz we know deep in our hearts & soul,
this love is worth fighting for

im sorry, this tears me into pieces
that i am left with lots of wishes
but before i go, i wanna tell you the truth
i don't wanna love anybody else - but you

Love Underneath

my heart jumped when you said that you love me
my soul was at ease when you said that you cared
my mind was totally at peace, when you held my hand
but still something behind me tells something's bad
it's been a long time since i heard the song of my heart
a very long time since i know i'm in love
but this is the first time I repel to admit
that something inside me can never be perceived
i want to say, "hey i love you too!"
but i find it so hard to say it to you
i don't know what's in me, to hurt myself
or even cause you pain, though i know it's you
well i guess i can't make my broken heart
to accept love when it's still torn apart,
so i guess, i have to say sorry
this love's ain't meant to be

The Magic of Love

when the heart beats for love
you can never fall out of laughs
coz everything seems so fine
everything seems so right!

you will see a different sparkle
a different glow & joy you can utter
you give everyone an inspiration
by unintentionally sharing your emotion

you'll have the very lightest feeling
as if you are in the moon walking
thought it may change in a blink of an eye
at least, love is worth at try!

that's what's so good in falling in love
you'll learn things when it's gone
but the magic is still in the heart
even thought it was all torn apart

bitter love

they say that love is sweet
and it's a treasure to keep
but our love is not eral
infatuation is all we feel

we were so innocent, so fresh
to distinguish love in flesh.
but there's never a second chance
so i guess, it wouldn't last

but what i feel is for real
i miss you so much it screams
that i cant live without your smile

i cant live without your love
they say that love is sweet
but bitterness is all i keep

why did i see your face again
now im drowned with the pain
why did you let my soul cry
by letting me see your sweet smile

if you only knew how hard i tried
just to forget the feelings inside
maybe you'll be that kind enough
to forget about coming back

how can i lock this heart of mine
when you are stucked in my mind
how can i let my sould love again
when im drowned with all this pain

~santi

Love is the Answer

LOVE IS THE ANSWER - Raymond Hannisian


Intro: (Capo 1) D - A7 - GM7 - A7 (2x)

D A/D GM7 D GM7 A7 D A
1. Morning comes and I must go; day is breaking yonder.

Bm F#m GM7 D GM7 A7 D
After all the places I have been, now Im going home.

D A/C# G D/F# Em A7 D
I have been to seek the sky, to travel on the highway

D/C# Bm F#m GM7 F#m
And the time has come, I dont know why

Em A D
Im going home.


REF1:

D A/C# G/B A7 D A/C# G
Where is the answer to so many questions

D/F# Em A
I dont know, so I begin another journey

D A/C# G/A D7 Bm Bm/A D/F#
Where is the meaning for my world

Em A D
I see the answer now.


2. Though we came by diffrent roads, now we walk together.
Stay besiode me all our days, strangers never more.
Through the cool of summer rains, by the heartside fire
Here Ill be with you when nothing remains
I am home to stay.


REF2:

D A/C# G/B A7 D A/C# G
Love is the answer to so many questions

D/F# Em A
Now I know, and I can stop my endless wandring

D A/C# G/A D7 Bm Bm/A D/F#
Love gives the meaning to my world

Em A D
I see the answer now.

D D/C# GM7 A7 D
Love is the Answer.... Love!

A Text Message Was All It Took

un baller. sn ka? daanan ko ngyn. chaka un pasalubong ko.

-last text message received on my now defunct number a few weeks ago... and it was enough to change that mobile number I've had for almost 9 years. By the way, a baller refers to a white "Jordan" baller ID from Nike... Don't know what or who I'm talking about? go figure...

People have scars, in all sort of unexpected places, like secret roadmaps of their personal histories. Most of these wounds heal, leaving nothing but a scar. But some of them don't. Some wounds we carry with us everywhere and though the cut's long gone, the pain still lingers... - Grey's Anatomy

Yeah, simply put, I got another stitch... I guess I'm starting to be a stitch-junkie... ;P

A Tale of Two Cities (or Countries)

Destination: Malaysia



First thing I observed in Malaysia was their endless stretch of expressways. From above, it looked just like a bunch of christmas lights neatly aligned to form overlapping squares. I would say that Malaysia has a huge land mass, considering that it took us a little over an hour to get to the capital city sans the traffic. They are far from being overpopulated as there's so much land to go around! Anyway, I was able to visit the capital city, Kuala Lumpur where the gleaming glass towers of the 21st century (Petronas Twin Towers) can be found. Unfortunately, I was not able to go up the tower because I was told that around that time (9am), tickets would have already been sold out. Well I guess I'll just have to go back another time then! So I walked off with my tail between my legs and headed to the next big thing, the Kuala Lumpur Tower, which is the fifth tallest tower in the world. This time, I did not pass up the chance to get to the observation deck, even if it cost me RM20. They hand out MP4 players that will serve as your tour guide as you go around the deck. I'd say it was worth it. It's great for tourists like me, who don't have enough time to go on actual tours. The rest of our stay, we dedicated to shopping (Quicksilvr and Roxy brands are cheaper there than here). Malaysia is much like the Philippines. Malay people look no different with Filipinos, except they dress differently because they mostly adapt Muslim clothing. Taxi drivers there don't actually use their meters, but most of them are pleasant (they warned us about snatchers). I wouldn't say the same for bus drivers though. Aside from the native Malay, you'd also see a lot of Chinese and Indian people there. I'd say I haven't seen much of Malaysia (since I've only been there a couple of days) so I would definitely consider revisiting it someday.

Destination: Singapore



It's hard not to fall in love with a place like Singapore. It was just like I always dreamt it to be. First thing I noticed about it (just like what most people said) was that the place looks so clean and organized. I don't believe I saw a single fly or cockroach there (believe it or not!). Their "Carinderias" are known as Hawker centers and the food there are cheap but really delectable. They taste so much like the food served in expensive chinese restaurants here. It's really good food. Even if you eat along the sidewalk, you won't be swarmed with flies. You don't need to worry about transportation because buses and trains abound the place. They are not as crowded and as slow as it is here. Plus the card that you use on the MRT is the same card you can use for the bus. You just tap it in and tap it out, so no need for "kundoktors". It's fun to figure out which bus or train to take to get to your destination (buses are number-coded according to routes while trains are color-coded). It's still fun even if you get lost (I did). I spent more time there than in Malaysia so I was able to go around Singapore river, Merlion Park, Anderson Bridge, Esplanade, Fullerton Hotel, Glutton's bay in one night. One whole day was dedicated to shopping at Bugis Street (cleaner version of Divisoria), Bugis Junction (a small shopping mall), and Sim Lim Square (where there are gadgets-and gizmos-a-plenty at low low prices!). The half of the next day was spent walking around and taking pictures at Sentosa and the other half was spent on shopping at Tampines and at Orchard Road. I really had a fantabulous (fantastic + fabulous) time in Singapore. I like it there, and I hope it likes me to be there too. Hahaha.

It was my grandest vacation so far... and I can hardly wait to take another one! I wish, hope and pray for money to rain down on me so that I can travel a lot lot lot!

"A good traveller has no fixed plan and is not intent on arriving." -Lao Tzu

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. -St. Augustine

"The use of travelling is to regulate imagination by reality.. -Samuel Johnson

". . .travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." -Miriam Beard

"The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it." -Rudyard Kipling

I like this quote best: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance - Unknown

Two Years After

you're still in my heart and mind... and we're still missing you... I guess we always will...

I Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame
Up from a past that's rooted in pain

I rise.

Who I Want to Meet

Who I Want to Meet:

>An angel who comforts me, takes care of me and makes sacrifices to be with me.
>A protector who will keep me safe from any harm.
>A gallant knight who will fight for me.
>A prince charming who makes me feel like I'm the most beautiful princess he ever saw.
>Someone who can understand me when I get complicated, moody and crazy, all at the same time.
>Someone who loves, respects and accepts EVERYTHING about me.
>Someone who truly knows how to love unconditionally and unselfishly.
>Someone who lets me know his innermost feelings and have always been so honest about everything.
>Someone loyal and wants to be with only me and no one else.
>Someone who knows how to say "no" to temptation, a.k.a. other girls.
>Someone who never makes a promise he couldn't keep.
>Someone heaven-sent who will stand by me, no matter what happens.
>Someone who'd probably be one in a million.
>Someone who is worth spending my life with.
>All of these rolled into one, a someone, I may have already met...

I so love Multiply...

...totally love it that from now on, most of my posts will be made there instead of here.

Of course I would still be posting here, this site sort of has sentimental value to me. This is the first blog that I ever had in my entire life! Although, the stuff that I'll be posting here from now on will only discuss general topics about my life, such as the movies I watch, lyrics of songs I listen to, new stuff I download from the net, most recent purchases, what I did for the day or week or month, what I will do the next day or week or month, usual stuff that any stranger can know. Stuff that won't incriminate me in any way. Stuff that you tell people you just met or people who know nothing about me. Stuff that the public can know. Mostly boring stuff.

All other things such as biased/unbiased opinions, random thoughts, incoherent ramblings, confessions, accusations, sentiments, revelations, rants & raves about love, life, people, person, situation, whatever stuff that only my friends can know... will be posted on Multiply and most probably, shared only to either my network or my contacts. That's what I love about Multiply, you can post almost anything and everything without actually losing much of your privacy. You can actually choose who will be able to view what you posted, could be Everyone, Your Network or Your Contacts or to certain Individuals. That way, I can monitor the people who will view my stuff and let my friends know interesting stuff about my life (if there's any!) while filtering out those people who'd be happier not knowing... Now ain't that just perfect?!

So if you have a Multiply site, you can add me as a contact by going to http://aisevs.multiply.com/ so you can view those incriminating stuff I'm telling you about. Of course, your request to be added would still be subject to my approval.

P.S.
My birthday post for 2007 will be there... ;P

Holy Week at Tagaytay

Everyone is out of town during the Holy Week. While everyone's baking themselves under the sun at the beach, we're cooling off at Tagaytay. We were there from Maundy Thursday til Araw ng Kagitingan. five straight days! When we got there, it was raining and I really love it when it rains there. The wind is cool, the trees look greener and the road looks uhm, fresh. Too bad it only lasted for a day or two. It's really relaxing to stay there. I get to jog in the morning and walk in the evening around the village. After a few days, my legs hurt from walking uphill and downhill. It's the only time I get to exercise. We also went to church (Our Lady of Lourdes) on Saturday evening, and attended the Easter Vigil that lasted for two and a half hours (that's from 9-11:30). On that vigil, we also witnessed a baptism wherein the priest dips the baby into a tub of water thrice. The babies were so cute when they wriggle after being dipped into the water. We also roasted marshmallows and hotdogs, went stargazing (for around 5 minutes), went to market to buy junk food (I really love meringue), watched DVDs and Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy and Prison Break, it was really fun and relaxing. Oh and I spent my birthday there as well, but that would be on another post. =P

Fixed it!

Yet another bonding moment for us cousins. But this time we went on a trip.. to the salon. We were both raving to have that "side-swept" bangs since Saturday, so we went to the mall to get 'em today. I also needed to have my hair color fixed because my ex-stylist left the hair coloring product a little too long that the result was too light for my taste and it looked a little uneven. In other words, it looked bad. And this was the same stylist that gave me a really bad hair day last year that I had to spend thousands to rebond my hair. I went back because was hoping he/she will redeem herself but he/she failed me. I've trusted him/her for years, but that's the last time I'll ever let him/her touch my hair.

We went to four salons before we decided on one that's worth our money. My cousin got her pretty side-swept bangs haircut (and she's real happy about it) while I got a bit longer version of it, plus hair color and hot-oil treatment (and I'm real happy about it too). We spent the whole afternoon there and I had a chit-chat with the stylist's assistant (I don't know how they're actually called) in Bicolano dialect (which I haven't spoken in years). It's good to brush up on that sometimes, it might help you score a discount, you know. So anyway, after almost three hours, we both left the salon looking good and feeling great! That's exactly how each salon trip should be. We're soooo going back! She was raving about her cute side-swept bangs all day long and we were continuously praising each other's looks till we get home. I really love doing stuff to my hair. I don't really know why. Even if we all know they're composed of dead cells, i feel relaxed somehow. Check out our summer look:

Bataan Trip!

My cousin and I tagged along with our moms' aero club summer trip to Bataan. We decided to go because we both haven't been to Bataan, and we didn't have to shed a single cent because we're with our moms! Hehehe. Besides, in a week, it will be Araw ng Kagitingan, and what better way to commemorate it than going to the Dambana ng Kagitingan itself! Perfect time to brush up on history! It was actually the highlight of our trip, we didn't enjoy the trip to their friends' farms that much. Isn't it obvious, most of the pix we're taken there! ;P

300

This is a movie I wouldn't mind watching twice. I got engrossed that I got the game on my PSP and it was nothing short of awesome.

The movie is based on Frank Miller's graphic novel of the same title. Basically, the story's as simple as an army of 300 Spartans going to battle against a thousand Persians. Reason for battle is the usual political conflicts and whatnots. It's visually stimulating. I agree with most of the reviews that says it was like watching a video game in a theater. I watched the movie and played the game. The transition between the two was seamless. If you want to watch the movie because of the battle scenes, you won't go home disappointed. There's plenty of it in the movie. Lots of blood, gore, some nudity. Rated R stuff. I would say everything was very artistically done. I really did appreciate what I saw in this movie. I do not know much about King Leonidas, Sparta, Xerxes and all of them hard-to-spell names before I watched the movie. But somehow after watching, it made me want to know more about them and the story behind what I watched. That's why I don't mind watching it again...