Baguio with the Yasons =)

WHY I'M ROOTING FOR NOYNOY...IN SPITE OF KRIS

I was politically apathetic, I must admit that with shame. I graduated from UP, a nesting place of activism and political stand, yet I only attended forums and rallies when required. Instead of will, spit and fire, I have with me my umbrella and fan in tow.

I guess a long barrage of disappointments and a sense of helplessness created for me a shell of indifference. I am actually annoyed with elections because aside from almost always coinciding with my birthday, I am perpetually bothered by unintelligent jingles. And the more stupid they sound, the worse LSS you get.

Then I married into a very politically-aware family.

I am forced albeit self-imposed to evaluate and be more aware. My late father-in-law was the Mayor for more than two decades in Roxas. He was in my opinion, a revolutionary leader, who improved the quality of life of non-voting indigineous Mangyans. Some people might say I am biased but the difference is, I have formulated that opinion long before Paolo and I got married. I am from the same place and I say with so much conviction that he was the most-loved Mayor of Roxas, Oriental Mindoro. I see how much that shaped my husband’s attitude regarding politics, governance and leaders.

I am slightly embarassed in family discussions regarding politics. My eyes glazed over on talks about presidentiables, and local showbiz. Two things I don’t really care about.
Then, this election. Why am I rooting for someone with relatively no experience?
First, let me ask you, What experience are you talking about?! In this corrupt government, the lesser experience you have, the more credible you are for me. I would rather start on a blank slate than with a candidate with a flowery resume filled up with “experience” serving from a corrupt institution.

What this country needs at this time is not a business or a technical leader. Maybe in ten years (dreaming?), we become like Malaysia that sprang its way up from a third-world to a developing country we’ll be needing a leader with a good sense of industrial expansion. But for a country that has more than half of its citizens below poverty line, a firm moral stand is much needed than a solid litany of experience. We are still reeling from the 9 years of nightmare we have been subjected to by an intelligent (with so much experience, mind you)...yet very cunning, little woman. What we need more than anything else is resuscitation, rehabilitation…healing. What we need is someone with a strong moral stand.

I am no political connoisseur. I was actually, as I pointed out, politically apathetic. But somehow Noynoy being a candidate stirred a basic patriotic instinct in me, a sense of idealism that I never really saw in recent years. For the last years, we always end up choosing between lesser evils. This time, I believe not just so much on the “Noynoy promise” alone but the great legacy of integrity. A promise is just that: a promise. But I would rather bank on a legacy of change and a new beginning than hold my breath to a Salesman’s talk.

I guess some people might be sick of the last months that we were subjected what others might call a thinly-veiled political schema of Remembering and Honoring the late Aquinos. But the worst that Noynoy can be called is a little unsure bird maybe lacking in fire perched in a great, established heritage. But really, is riding on your parents’ legacy as worse as an all-out in your face corruption or worse, an alliance with a nightmare administration?
I believe that a good leader should have a bit of reluctance with power. It is not a sign of weakness, but a way to audit and evaluate their capability. It is always said, when you think you have arrived, that’s the end of you.

We are voting not just for a person, but what that person represents, what they stand for and all the people behind them. Nine years of exploitation is more than enough.

I’m taking Kris this time, over Gloria. Thank you.

For now, I don't want to wait...

I don't want to struggle anymore for something that should naturally be yours. And I don't want S. and H. to be struggling as well someday. You must know by now, how I am. Maybe someday, when all involved are put in their proper places, you can come back to me and claim it as yours.

But for now, I don't want to wait.

You can't say I'm in charge when I don't even know what's going on and nobody's going to bother telling me what. I hate being the last to know in the going-ons of something that we're "suppousedly" in-charge of.
You can't be in charge when all you do is just "prettify."

*As long you are not stepping up to your natural position, nobody's going to give it to you. As a perfectionist and a go-getter, I get frustrated with dawdling and irresolute. But bear this in mind...I'll make sure S. and H. step up to that position you never really took the effort to take. You should know by now I'm very territorial. I choose my battles carefully because I don't like going down without a good fight.

For now, I'm going to where I really belong. Somewhere I don't have to struggle and always wonder where I stand...

And frankly, I can't stand pinoy shows. I don't really get the humor...

I'm excited... =)

...Heading up north for the long weekend to visit the little Remontes. =)

My birthday is coming up...

I enjoyed birthdays up until I was 21. After that, it comes and goes without much hoopla.

Since I'm the youngest girl and my birthday is during Summer, I always get the best celebrations. When I was little, My papa would order carts of Ice cream to give out in our farm in Roxas during vacations and I loved feeling like a star with my mini fiesta in our ricemill. I remember having a grand 7th birthday; a special last-digit birthday party in Manila on my 9th; celebration at the beach on my 10th; my surprise blow-out on my 13th and of course my grand debut celebration complete with gown changes, a ballroom and all the shebangs on my 18th.

Then, I got older.

For the last 5 years, I'm always in a bad mood during my birthdays. I don't know if its because I'm getting older or it's because I'm torn between celebrating it as I was used to or just letting it pass by without much hoopla since it falls on election day...all the time. There's enough hoopla as it is. I was disappointed with my recent birthdays before I got married. Maybe I'm used to having special ones, I always expect much more. My first birthday as a married woman last year was really nice and special and for the past days, I was anxious with planning a better one if not as exceptional as last year.

Then something happened two days ago and yesterday as well...nothing shakes you up more than an untimely death. I get so affected with the most random things and hearing sad news even from people I don't really know.
I've heard about two unexpected deaths in just two days; one is with a 21-year-old girl who stayed in our house eager to start a new job and one is from a family friend who had a stroke. He was just in our tenant's parlor a few days ago, asking about me, having his haircut. Who could have though he'll be gone after two days?

Death is a part of life, I was heartbroken last year when my grandpa passed away and I still miss him terribly. That made me realize how precious and short life is and it is so much a part of our lives. But things that happenned for the past two days made me realize how fragile it is as well. That although it is certain, it is also unpredictable. I guess the scary part about death is not that it is inevitable, that it is coming...but it is because you don't know when it will finally arrive.

...So with this birthday I'm not planning to have all the shebangs anymore yet I am more grateful, more appreciative than ever.
I realized with a tinge of embarrassment how trivial my trouble was, making my birthday plan such a big concern. I realized I expect too much from a day when I should be thankful for a whole year of getting older and wiser.

Birthday celebrations when you are younger make you look forward to better things, to growing up.
But I realized, birthdays as you get older are so much more special...because they make you thankful of the past, of growing up.
I promise I won't be like those who dread birthdays and who lie about their age.
I will own all my years and look forward to getting older...because it is indeed, a gift.

at Adarna.

Isabel's day. It's a tradition started when we began dating almost 7 years ago. Wednesdays are special. I chose Wednesday since its the middle of the week and sometimes all we could think about is how close it is to the weekends...and I like it more that there are very few people around during our midweek dates. =)

**My first time to try out a Kamias shake.

Quiet Friday with the hubby

White Moon Bar by the HotelH2o in Manila Ocean Park.

Alcoholic Drink, I'm really not a fan and I'll never acquire a taste for it. So there.
I requested for Coke...with very, very few drops of rhum...just so I could call it Coke rhum.

A busy, busy Saturday...

Today felt like a blur.

But we capped it with a nice dinner with the daddy and mommy Espina... All we could talk about was my nephew Rock...


I can't wait to meet you, little big guy... ;)

I'm ok now...

Thanks for all the love. =*

It's just one of those days when you are put in a situation that forces you to grow up. I'm still learning and adjusting...

Some good news...

My Alice in Wonderland line is done and up already! I'm excited to show them off. =)

GOING BACK AND FORTH IS TAKING ITS TOLL ON ME.

I must admit I’m a bit high-maintenance. I lug my essentials in at least three bags. That’s just for one day. That’s because I need to bring everything from the books I’m reading and my jewelry projects as of the moment to useless knick knacks that I think I might need while I’m away; which proves otherwise most of the time. On a daily basis if I want to stay in my parents’ house, I need to cart in three huge bags and drag them back to our house at the end of the day.

I thought having 2 houses is actually an advantage. It is, supposedly. Alternating between two houses, I must admit has its perks like bigger storage; I have two closets, two nice bedrooms, and a break from the routine. But the boon proves to be the bane as well. Sometimes when I need to wear something or use something, it is sadly at the other house. It is not as if I’m not used to this. I used to stay in a dorm when I was in college and go home over the weekends. But still, it’s different when you are talking about two houses which both equally feel like home. I thought at the start of this arrangement, we will have one “base house” and just go check the other house from time to time. I didn’t think this would be possible. The hubby is bent on enforcing that by making us stay more in our house than in my parents’ place but it still feels… confusing. Sometimes, I don’t really know what to write as my address.

I wake up everyday debating where I will be staying for the day. That is tiring. As much as I want to focus on my new home, I am always driven by guilt not staying in my parents’ house. Whenever I’m not there, I worry about having the house looked after by other people, if they are doing things right knowing how much my parents love taking care of their home. I remember during Ondoy and the earthquake, all I could think about was my mother's ridiculously priced Lladró collection, and how much I wanted to go back to check them.But still, it is not ours, it's not our house. As much as I feel that responsibility in taking charge with my parents' house and business, I also know I have to start building my new life with my husband.

I must admit, this is also the reason why I keep on putting off my house projects. Although we stay in two houses, I don’t feel any sort of ownership to any of the two. I feel at home at both houses, but I don't have that sense of control. It is hard enough to plunge into a (relatively) new role. I guess even if it has been a year already since we got married, the transition is still slow. I haven’t been taking charge because of this arrangement. But if I were to concentrate all my efforts in building a home rather than maintaining two houses, I think I’ll be that kind of domesticated diva I’ve always imagined myself to be.

Does that make sense? I’m not sure.

*sigh.

I'm excited for this week.

Last night I was talking with Paolo, trying to review the things we have accomplished over the weekend and I realized apart from stuffing ourselves silly with food, we haven't done anything substantial. Weekends are for that anyway, to dilly dally and just let loose. I can honestly say the hubby deserves to be a sloth during the weekends. I, on the other hand, don't have an excuse other than I'm perpetually off schedule.

So I got into hypermode last night and declared that this week, I'm going to finish all the things that have been sadly sitting on my to do-list for the longest time ever. I'm happy to report, I did have a good start since I was able to able to finish the last three of my Alice. I'll be posting them tomorrow night.

Yay! Off to the other items...

dinner date before the hubby's trip

The hubby is away again for a business trip. I am left to my own devices and I seriously hope to finish my Alice line this time.

Last night was Sushi and Oyster night. I love Red Kimono and we get a maki platter when we are seriously craving for some jap that's how we get our sushi fix. I also love their wasabi oysters.

yum-meeh.

California Berry

I went out for lunch yesterday with one of my best friends, Angelica aka My Maru. After some Jap food, I suddenly had cravings for some frozen yogurt and chanced upon a newly opened store at the mall, California Berry. I found it a bit too tangy or sour for my taste and that coming from somebody who likes her candies sour.

I always order plain yogurt. No toppings or other flavors to really appreciate the taste. I still prefer Red Mango or White Hat. But I still miss my good old Yogen Fruz at Yorktown Mall in Ill. With all the Yogurt shops opening here, I'm wishing, hoping and praying Y.F will open soon in Manille.
*sigh.

a new baby (b-a-g) is coming again.

Dear Logical side of my brain,

I always come up with the best excuses. Saying this time, it will be my last for this year.

I am sorry I am weak when it comes to this.

But I have yet the best excuse...It's for the Summer.

and of course...

I promise this will be my last for this year.

Boracay summer 2010

I realize, I really am an old soul. Bora is too commercialized nowadays. I didn't like the party scene in station 2, good thing we were situated at station 1 at willy's and nigi nigi too. I liked the elegance and the laidback atmosphere. Not to mention the good food.

Looking forward to more trips. That's if I get hold of the very busy hubby.

In the Island...

for three nights...

Will be back here soon.

I'm in love with this little man...

Meet my new nephew, Luigi Ezekiel...



Such a heartbreaker, our little Zekie...I'm coming D.G.! Can't wait to meet my nephews!!!

mmm mondays...

Fresh start. That's what I love about Mondays.

Speaking of fresh starts, I finally got myself a new notebook. I'll be spending a good half of the week, updating my files and transferring them from the old laptop. It's a new beginning for me. I promise myself this time I'll be more organized with my files. No more excuses now that my new one fits well enough in most of my bags, I can update and organize anytime.

It's busy week ahead. Go, go, go!!! =)

I’ve never been a gadget freak, unlike my sister Tiffany who has an enviable gadget collection, mine is just for the basic stuff. I get attached to my stuff and I figured out, with gadgets, you have to replace it within a year or two and I can’t move on that fast. But even the most gadget-challenged person in the world would know when it’s time to move on…

These days, my laptop is my lifeline to the world. Aside from the usual social networking, I use it for my online business and more importantly, I use it to communicate with my whole family in the States. I basically use it more than I use my phone which also has wifi capability. I bring my laptop everywhere. I thought if I get a phone that has wifi, I’ll be able to go without lugging my laptop all the time and it sadly isn’t so. Now, I’m in my quest to find a smaller, more compact laptop that I can take with me anywhere.

This has been my laptop crush for a long time…It’s an old model (last year probably, that’s old in the tech world). But still, the Vivienne Tam print alone, got me. Singlehandedly. I really don’t care about the features, thankyouverymuch.


But sadly, It’s not available anymore in Trinoma. This is my other choice:


A mini notebook for my basic needs. =) Theoretically, a Mac book would be ideal. But since I have to reformat myself by using it and more importantly, I'm not willing to spend that much unless for a bag (which I can use for the rest of my life), I'm sticking with the mini notebook. I haven’t decided yet. Let’s see what the coming days have in store for me, a nice little laptop, hopefully.

I'm back!

We had a nice Holy week. We spent our Holy week cocooned in our house and attending church activities. It was a nice time anyway, our time for spiritual recharging.

Happy Easter everyone! =)