Last Saturday, I celebrated 2 birthdays, though their actual birthday was yesterday.

First was Richele's. We had made plans with Ate Sally and Michelle to hang out at Glorietta and watch Dubai. Hahaha, I know, I hardly watch local films, but because they wanted to watch it, I went along with them. Huwaw, I haven't seen Chelley since Beauty and the Beast's press night, and she looked great.

First went around the mall and got our tickets, and eating mini-donuts while we talked. It's nice to see Rich being happy-go-lucky, even for a day. Or normal days, she always dwells on her work and family problems.

After the movie, we went to Shakey's and we all ordered the same thing, the Super Platter. Hahaha, I figured, well, even though I was still going to be eating later that night, there's still time to digest that salad, soup, 1 piece of chicken, 2 slices of pizza, 2 (itty-bitty) pieces of mojo potatoes, and one helping of spaghetti. Holy kamote.

I then hopped on a shuttle to meet Iam in ATC so we can buy a birthday gift for Aris. Hahaha, we settled on this T-shirt that had a freebie in the pocket. Go Aris, celebrate! HAHAHAHA!

Oh yeah, before last Saturday, I got a text from Rosa, saying that one more of our guy friends had lost the bet they still have going on for about 6 years now. I wanted to know beforehand who it was, but she said that "all will be revealed on Saturday." Josh and Mavic, I'm happy for you both!

My goodness, I still managed to eat at Aris' place, and still have room for dessert!

Anyway, it was great to be with the Hogi Hall gang that night. There was Rosa, Iam, Aris (duh), Mike, Seph, PJ, and Josh with new girlfriend Mavic in tow. I always know that I can count on them for laughs. My goodness, Rosa, you weren't the only one whose face was aching from laughter, hahaha. That halter top story is still in my head, hahahaha!

Sometime at the end of last month, I would always pass by this area in Greenbelt 1 where they were setting up an exhibit for PSID students. I wanted to see it once it opened, and I had the opportunity to do so last Tuesday.

I was meeting up with Cris in the area anyway, so I tried to drag her to the exhibit with me, hahaha. It was actually pretty cool. Before we could go inside the actual exhiit, we were invited to answer this personality test in the venue's lobby. Whatever result you get would be the the sort of theme that would go with your personality. The result of mine was "laid-back" while Cris got "urban."

I love the entire exhibit! I specially loved this one booth in the laid-back theme. The living room looked so outdoorsy, and the door had its own porch. And I didn't really say it out loud, but I realized that Cris and I had a thing for elevated areas in a room. And in one booth in the urban area, we were just looking at the entire room and noticed its focal point, which was a fish tank on the wall behind the couch. We were just looking at it when suddenly a hand appeared inside the tank! Hahaha, for a while, Cris thought it was part of the decor until it appeared a couple more times. Oh yeah, I even re-met this girl that I met years ago, when we once shared a dressing room in Meralco theater for Oliver, back when I was in seventh grade and she was in fifth. Nice to see you again, Cara!

Hehehe, I enjoyed the exhibit so much that I wanted to see it again and again. So I did. When we were asked to answer this survey, Cris and I went through all the rooms again. And when I bumped into Arnel later that evening, I got him to check it out as well, because he was researching on how to design a lounge with a golf motif.

Last Wednesday I got to tag along and sit in at Rian and Arman's rehearsal for their thesis. Because they were just reading through then, it was pretty short. But I actually liked the script. Rian, you'd make a pretty good director, actually. You remind me of another director I know.

Oh yeah, while I was with Arnel last Tuesday, he told me of this show he was working at on Thursday (yesterday) at Equitable PCI Tower, and invited me to go. The catch: dress code was business attire. And each invite was good for 2 people. I didn't know much people who enjoyed dressing up, and always ready for it too, so I ended up inviting Drei.

So yesterday, because I didn't want to bring my clothes to work and have more stuff to drag around, I already wore what I was supposed to wear for the evening. I should've taken Ate Sally's advice and borrowed a shirt from the office, because I had rumpled my blouse's sleeves before lunch even came around. Oh well, at least I had my favorite jacket to cover it up with.

Nyak, before I met up with Drei, I was exchanging text messages with Mish, who wanted to see us, so she decided to treat us to Yellow Cab pizza later that night. So I didn't have to bother grabbing a bite before the show, hehehe.

The show featured Tita Menchu, EJ Villacorta, and Jeff Arcilla, with Jaime del Mundo as emcee, in a musical revue called What Makes the World Go Round. Wait, was that the title? I sort of forgot, hahaha. Tita Menchu was dazzling, as usual. She gave every song and her every line with her own flair. Hahaha, Drei couldn't believe she's her age! I've only seen EJ perform once, years ago, and she was great. She's pretty funny, and her presence reminded me of this one Broadway performer. I forgot her name though. And at first glance, Jeff reminded me of Charlie Sheen, in some angles. Oh well, hahaha.

After the show, we went back to Taft for pizza! There was me, Mish, Drei, Miko, Nicco, Mimay, Arni and Lav. Man, as much as I love the last 3 girls, I was so sleepy by then that I looked like I wasn't too thrilled to see them. Lola na ako, hahahaha.

Have any of you seen that episode of Pinoy Big Brother where they have to kiss the person they're talking to before and after speaking? Hahaha, when I saw that, I remembered my friends and I with a lone lollipop at a birthday party.

Log out time. I want a turkey breast Subway sandwich and Holy Kettle Corn.

It's been ages since I did a Friday Five, so here's one... on a Sunday, hahaha.

1. How long have you had your LiveJournal/blog?
Hmmm... I've been blogging since 2001, I've had my LJ since 2002, and Tabulas since late 2003.

2. What do you consider to be the main purpose of your LiveJournal/blog?
Just serves as an outlet, I guess. Keeping an online journal has been therapeutic for me. Plus I get to keep a journal that my mom can't get hold of.

3. If you could change something about your personal blogging style, what would it be?
As of now, I wouldn't change it a bit. My personal blogging style is what makes it me.

4. What are your criteria for adding someone to your friends list/blog roll?
Usually I don't add people that I don't personally know. Unless I particularly like the way they write.

5. Name one thing that you've never before written about in your LJ/blog.
If I never wrote about it before, why would I want to write about it now?

I wanted to do a "back on this day" entry... But after a phone conversation last night, I don't feel like doing so. Rain, of course you know what I'm talking about... well, among other things, hahaha.

Don't mind the title. That's just the condition of my hands right now.

I'll start with a rant so I can get it out of my head.


I try to go out of my way to help you guys, but please consider naman the time I give to y'all. I'm hardly in your area, and most of the time I'm not up to hanging out anymore. Mga chong, I'm doing this because I want to, even though I feel like I do owe you tons for helping me make a dream come true. But remember your share of professionalism (ahahahaha). Don't blame it on other people, because the more you complain instead of thinking of other ways to get around it, you're just wasting more time. Hello, I confirmed this morning about the engagement we talked about last week, and because you cancelled at the last minute, I felt like I wasted the fare.

Let me know when you guys have your schedules straight. I'm still willing to help as soon as now, but let me know at least half a day in advance.

==========

The time I spend sitting in a bus or shuttle is the best time I get for thinking, especially when I'm brooding. So imagine the barrage of thoughts that littered my mind this very evening.

Like Sir Tony had said earlier this afternoon, I also wish that we had computers that can be controlled by thought waves, uploading as easy as conjuring it up in your mind.

==========

Time's up...

... or is it really?

Nix, if you're reading this, you know what I mean. I know na bad trip ka then when I first mentioned this last year, but look at it now. I'm making efforts to keep it together, but whatever I do, it still happens... And it can't be helped. Mind you, you know I'm trying, but I wonder who are those people who had opted to drift away? I know I didn't. I never did.

I just wish it would've happened a couple of months sooner, when I was more prepared for it. When I was too busy to think about anything else. Maybe then the transition would've been easier for me.

Oh well, it's still not too late to tell my teacher-to-be to arrange my schedule for weekday evenings.

But of all the groups I met and loved, you guys have been by far one of the best, if not the best. You shared my eccentric passion, my dreams, and helped me grow a lot as a person.

==========

Bobby came home to Manila this week for a few days. He just flew back to Hong Kong late this afternoon.

Wheee, last Monday, the morning after he had arrived in Manila, he gave us Hong Kong Disneyland shirts. Thanks, Bobby! Hahaha, so as a gag, we all came in the office yesterday wearing them.

When he was in the office yesterday afternoon, it felt awkward at first because I wasn't used to seeing him around for a pretty long time. But when he asked me to go with him to the bank to get money for his dad's DVD player (that he was going to give to him as a birthday present)...

"Come, Hogs..." *turns back around* "You can go with me, but you have to wear the plate," then gestures toward the huge plate costumes that were used in Beauty and the Beast's "Be Our Guest" number.

Wahahahaha...

I got this link from Nikki's blog, and came up with this...



To quote her, "So, who wants to order these for me?" Hahahaha.
*looks around if Kuya's still checking out my blog*

I can't wait for Friday! Ate Sally, Rich and I will be going to Laguna for the lanzones festival, wheee!

I was actually surprised at one of the random things my mom told me this morning. She actually told me to save money to buy my own house? Was that really my mom talking? Hahaha. It's like those couple of times that she quipped if I finally have a boyfriend again.

Anyway, if she was really serious, maybe I will do it soon. Not a house, anyway. I'm too lazy to clean an entire house, hahaha. Maybe just an apartment. And get a roommate to share it with.

Speaking of rooms, I got a huge surprise waiting in my own room when I got home last Friday night. While I was walking down the hall to my room, I noticed that my sofa bed was out there. And when I went inside, the bed that my mom told me about the day before was in its place! It's the bed from my cousin's house, and because she was planning to move to California for good, my mom took advantage of that to ask for the bed. It's the one with the extra pull-out bed, so I don't have to worry about anyone sleeping over on a whim anymore, hahaha.

Oooh, something was just confirmed. "Bigsis" is pregnant. Congratulations!

To quote Claudia's grandmother Mimi in "Claudia and Mean Janine" of the Baby-Sitters Club series, "Time is change."

I spent Monday evening on the phone with a guy friend that I almost hooked up with during the 1st term I changed schools. I haven't talked to him in ages, and the last time I saw him was several months ago, when I ran into him in Taft by accident.

What was weird, though, was that he sort of drastically changed. Or maybe he was just playing with me. If ever he is trying to make a fool out of me, I swear I'm gonna hunt him down and strangle him, nyahahaha.

One of the most interesting things about this guy was that despite the fact that he can be one of the most annoying guys I know, he always senses there was something up.

"So, Hogi, what's up?"
"Nothing much, I just needed a change of routine, I guess."

Now where did that come from? Yeah, that was it. That was what was in the back of my mind this entire month. The right words finally came out. But why in the world did I admit it to him, of all people?

Change of routine... Maybe I just needed a different person to talk to.

==========

Has anyone ever played the old computer game, The Legend of Kyrandia? Hahaha, for some reason, I suddenly remembered it the other day.

I remembered when I first installed it into our PC, thanks to Clive (my gosh, I can still remember who influenced me to play this game!). My brother first got annoyed at me for using up the space, but then we ended up trying to get through the labyrinth in the game together with the help of our cousin. We even drew up this map of the entire thing and spent the entire afternoon doing "trial and error." Well, until I lost the map, hahahaha.

Huwaw, I haven't been here for over a week, so it's time for another serious update.

Thursday evening of last week, I got to talk with a friend over the phone. The one sentence that stuck to my mind was...

"Nakakapagod magtampo."

A few days after that, I realized that my response would be, "I couldn't agree more."

I needed a huge change of scenery (among other things), so I went on a weekend roadtrip last weekend to Laguna with Ate Sally and Rich. It was for the Lanzones festival, woohoo!

We left the office early Friday afternoon (and left it in charge of Kuya Boni for the final hour) and took a bus from Taft Avenue. When we arrived at San Pablo, we still had to take a jeep to Nagcarlan, and a tricycle to Ate Ghie's house. Oh yeah, Ate Ghie is Ate Sally's sister-in-law, who grew up there. It was weird to see really dark places considering it was only 8pm. I like the cool and crisp weather, though. Anyway, we arrived at Ate Ghie's house at around 9pm, and met her kids. Well, Rich and I already knew Gen-gen because she spent the summer hanging out at our office, so we met her two younger siblings, Ghieselle and Gerome.

The following morning, after a quick breakfast, we got to pick lanzones from the trees outside the house! Wheee... There was at least 10kilos sitting in the terrace by the time we were getting ready to go to the nearby resort for a swim. Hahaha, I thought we were going to swim in the river near it. That would've been cool.

In the afternoon, we went to the "bayan" to check out the festival's parade, but because of the huge crowd, we visited the Nagcarlan church instead, where they shoot the Kampanerang Kuba TV series. I loved the church. It looked like the churches we visited once for a field trip before for Miss Dayang's Hisart class. Heck, that was also in Laguna. Ate Ghie took us up this spiral staircase (*gasp* acrophobia kicking in) to the bell tower. Huwaw, coolness. Too bad I didn't get to take any pictures. We were also shown the nuns' bedrooms on the same landing, and they were all donned with fuschia pink bedspreads! And when we got back downstairs (using a different set of stairs, to my relief), we even went into this room labeled as "Kusina ni Imang," HAHAHAHA!

After a long day, we got to purchase our kilos of lanzones from a place near Ate Ghie's house. Whee, I couldn't wait to bring it home then, and it didn't matter how heavy it was, hahaha. Anyway, like the night before, we capped our day by watching Pinoy Big Brother on TV.

The next morning, we got picked up by Ate Sally's other relatives so we can go back home to Manila. As much as I had a blast in Laguna bonding with Ate Sal and Rich, enjoying the cool climate, and pigging out on lanzones (plus those chocolate chip muffins we bought from Gloria Jeans, hahaha), I really couldn't wait to go home.


Last Tuesday, I got together with Rosa and Iam in Glorietta. Well, the main purpose of it was to borrow Rosa's 6th Harry Potter book, but it was a good opportunity to see the 2/3. Like what Iam and I did before, we had dinner at Spaghetti Factory and had dessert at Bizu. Yumm... chocolate overload.

Remember that phrase I wrote in the teeny 3rd paragraph of this entry? I finally let it out last Thursday night. Hahaha, oh well, I'd rather not elaborate on it anymore.

On Friday night, I got to meet up with Nikki and Remus at Glorietta. We hung out and talked at Gloria Jeans, and I swear, every time I get to hang out with Remus, I can't seem to stop laughing, even when he tries to talk with a straight face. Ey, let me know when you guys are gonna rehearse. I want to hear the Bystanders again, specially now that you're gonna be part of an acapella album.

Finally, last Friday, I went with Drei, Nicco and Blonz to Makati. our first stop was at King's Court to check out the venue of their thesis. I've only seen a plan of the entire place, but looking at it through the glass doors (hahaha, the place was locked), it actually looked cool, with a lot of personality built in. I can't wait to see the place when they dress it up later this week.

Then off we went to Glorietta because we were supposed to help Nicco build his costume for their block's Halloween party tonight. He planned to go as Pinocchio, hahaha! Anyway, we opted to look for clothes in Landmark instead... in the kids' section! We built the entire costume there and found the perfect look. Hehe, look at it this way, because of how the polo fits well, he can still use it on ocassion.

By the way, I'd like to welcome the newest addition to the Manalo family. Nicco's baby sister Colyn was born last Tuesday, October 25th. Then again, I'm not sure if that was the exact day because Nicco couldn't get it right.

It's Halloween, and I'm staying home. Time to fire up the DVD player.