Akon Live in Manila

Me likey!

Goooood Morning!

I met up with a family friend at the airport at four o'clock this morning. She arrived from San Francisco and gave me this loot from my aunt:

I wish all Monday mornings are like this. I wouldn't mind waking up at 3am...

Gotcha!

Yes. I got my Starbucks Limited Edition 2008 Planner today. Special thanks to Kokey! He's truly the best.boss.ever! Heehee! I love that we have a love-hate working relationship because he always makes up with things far better than I could ever hope for. Naks! I act like a total cheeseball......all because of a planner!

No More Cookies!

Call me a bitch or forgetful or lazy or anything but selfish. I dislike people who are selfish and I try in all possible way not to be one. It's one thing to say it to my face and another thing to announce it to the world. So calling me such is an understatement and hurtful. ...all because of a cookie.

Did this ever happen to you?

When was the last time you felt so embarrassed, and I mean naked embarrassed? Nope, I wasn't caught naked by anyone. I just felt like it because what happened is something no amount of cover ups can fix.

Last Saturday I went to the Rockwell Tent during the Urban Bazaar thingy. We left the house at past 3pm then ate at Pancake House before heading to the bazaar. I spent about two hours inside then had coffee at Starbucks before going home.

Guess what I noticed when I got home at around 9PM:
Geez! The irony of it is this is the biggest watch I own. My boss calls it wall clock. I don't know how stupid an impression I made that day to those people who noticed. HAHAHA! I'm sorry. Tao lang! I gotta go replace the g*dda*ned battery!

Payday Loan Quotes

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What are you waiting for? Get it now!

Christmas Rush

39 days before Christmas.

Wow.

Every year I promise myself that I will start shopping for gifts early so I wouldn't go rushing but I always end up doing last minute shopping. I haven't been to a bazaar lately but I do plan to go to the Rockwell Urban Bazaar which will start tomorrow. The thing about hunting for gifts in bazaars, there are so many great items to choose from I always end up buying stuff for myself too, hence my budget dwindles!

Last year, I wanted to give personalized gift items so I did start cross stitching but halfway through, I stopped. I wonder where I placed all those stuff... This year I haven't bought a single item yet which is nothing unusual. I'm at my best when I cram...or not. Hehe. Whatever! I probably have to start soon.

LSS: Better Than You

My last song syndrome at the moment:

BETTER THAN YOU
by Lisa Keith

Mmmm...
Hey baby
It's you I truly adore
I finally found the peace of never wanting more
Singin' a sweet song of who and where I belong
I see a vision of a love that's more than strong
I feel so fine, truly divine
My dream has come to life, hey yeah
You're always there on my mind

'Cause when I need two arms that can hold me tight
A tender loving kiss that can make it right
Someone to chase the darkness into the light
I know it's true
Baby, there's none better than you

'Cause my love is true, ooh

Oh my dear I can't say the way that I feel
You're more than words, you're more than
Pictures can reveal
Sugar is sweet but with you it's hard to believe
There's nothing to compare you're all I want and need
Eternally I'm gonna see all that love can be
Yeah yeah
Heaven has given to me

And I know in time
Our hearts will be together
I see your smile and I see forever
Baby, baby
And our love is true
Ooh! Theres no one better, oh
Theres no one better than you

Coke Ad: Grand Theft Auto

Lions For Lambs

I missed Beyonce's concert for this. Joke. The truth is I wasn't able to buy a ticket. Anyway, about a few days ago Joy's sister gave us tickets to the premiere of Lions for Lambs and so we watched.Lions For Lambs is a film that tells the story of a platoon of soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, a senator, a reporter, and a college professor. It begins after two determined students at a California university follow the inspiration of their idealistic professor and attempt to do something important with their lives. But when the two make the bold decision to join the battle in Afghanistan, their professor (Robert Redford) is both moved and distraught. As the two fight for survival in the field, they become the string that binds together two disparate stories on opposite sides of America. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C. a senator who is a presidential hopeful (Tom Cruise) is about to give a bombshell story to a probing TV journalist (Meryl Streep) that may affect the two students' fates.

The film went on for about 90 minutes and was mostly full of dialogues, more like a talkathon. Basically, it raises a question: What do you stand for? Yes, it sent its message across but honestly it should have gone a little futher than that.

It was directed by Robert Redford, by the way.

Belle de Jour Power Planner

Look here.

Now, I'm torn.

I saw the BDJ planner they made last year but I missed it because I was too busy filling up my Starbucks card with stickers for the ridiculously-overpriced-yet-IMUSTHAVE Starbucks planner. Thanks to my boss for filling up one for me, I was able to get two.

But really now I'm thinking, is the Starbucks planner worth it?

.....
....
...
..
.

Guess what I just did.

I ordered five planners from the Belle de Jour team. One for me and the rest for my kikay friends. I can't wait to get hold of it!

And oh. Since I have already started filling up my Starbucks card (I now have 4. My boss has 4, too which he will give to me! Yay!), I'll just go on with it. If a girl can't have too many shoes, is planner far behind?

Nah.

Starbucks Christmas Traditions 2007

Finally... The long wait is over. Today marks Day 1 of Starbucks Christmas Traditions 2007. I hurried to the nearest Starbucks branch in Makati and tried the newest addition to the featured Christmas beverages --- Praline Mocha. It tastes like toffee nut with a hint of peppermint.

The stickers have a code already.

I took this photo using my mobile. I think this is better than the previous planner.

One Fine Saturday

I spent the whole Saturday all for myself. For over 5 years, I have not gone to the gym so I decided to go and went to Slimmers World in Greenhills. It was my first time to visit that branch and I liked that it wasn't as crowded as the Pasay Road branch where I used to go to. It was actually over-crowded in Pasay Road so I consume half the time of my stay there queuing up just so I can use the treadmill and stairmaster which are seldom unoccupied.

After going to the gym, we dropped by Starbucks not only because I wanted to have a caffeine fix but also because I wanted to see if the Starbucks planners are already available. Much to my disappointment, a sign with the words "3 days to go" is posted by the counter. =( Anyhow, I had a great time consuming my usual order: tall hot caffe latte and banoffee pie. Did I mention that before going to Starbucks, I had an early dinner of Tapa Queen at Tapa King? So there. I gained back all the calories I desperately tried to sweat out. At least I tried!

By the time I reached home, I was exhausted. What better way to feel better than a home service massage! I dialed Green Leaf and booked an appointment late that evening. The masseuse arrived later than expected but it was okay. I prefer a soft massage though but she massaged hard despite my early warning. I should have gone with The Gorgeous One to the spa upon her invitation early that day...

All in all, I had a super fine day!

A Realization

Have you ever realized that when people say you've changed, it is just because you stopped living your life...

...their way?

This made me cry

Got this from my email.

Good day everyone,

I wish I were writing under different circumstances.

I would like to inform you that my wife Leslie Cruz was part of the
casualties in the Glorietta 2 Mall bombing in Makati City, Philippines. She
was supposed to have a minor out patient surgery at Makati Medical Center at
230pm.

I had taken a leave from work to accompany her there. We dropped off our
daughter, Amber, at my parents place in QC to babysit at around 10am. We
then proceeded to Makati and was there at 1230pm. Since she had been fasting
in preparation for her procedure, she wanted to move around and listen to
some music while I grabbed a bite to eat. We parked at the basement of Park
Square 2, and headed for the Glorietta 2 entrance. We parted at the top of
the escalator, she turned right towards Filbar's while I went left towards
the restaurants. That was the last time I would see her.

Around 120pm, she had called me so that we can meet at the Glorietta 2 exit
just in time to make her appointment. As I made my way there from Glorietta
1 through the connecting hallways, and was about to turn the corner, I heard
2 deep thumps and the shock-wave from the blast hit me. At that moment my
heart dropped as I knew that the origin of the blast came from the same
place where we were supposed to meet. I tried getting to where my wife was,
but the dust was too much and it was as if I was staring at a white wall.

I still tried to convince myself that she was able to make it out, and that
after ringing her mobile without a response only meant that she dropped it
in the confusion. After 6 hours of searching from Makati Med. to Ospital ng
Makati, the blast site, and back again to MMC - with the help of all the
people I could get hold of, that I was able to get confirmation in what the
state of my wife was.

My Dad and Uncle signaled me in from the ER of MMC. My Uncle (who's a
doctor) asked me to describe Leslie's appearance to another group of
doctors. I saw in the eyes of one that the description made sense. Instead
of confirming it to me, they huddled together, then brought me to a small
examination room. It was only through a digital camera that I was able to
confirm (and deny) that she was indeed gone.

I have so many regrets. I should have met her sooner. I should have ran
instead of a brisk walk. I should have not chose to park where I did. I
should have braved the dust and went in the blast site. I should have ...

Today's the 4th day. It is still terribly difficult to breathe, let alone
wake up realizing that your source of strength, your best friend doesn't lie
beside you on your bed. That my deepest worry is when Amber starts asking
for her Mama.

I am glad that Amber's too young to understand the loss and pain. In time I
would like to tell her the details of how her mother died, but more
importantly I would like to raise her as how her mother lived - a loving
person, strong willed, decisive, caring, and nurturing. She has always cared
for her family and friends, and sacrfied her career for being a full time
mom and home maker.

As with all couples we had our ups and downs - none of which I regret not
going through. The sweet is never as sweet without the sour. For almost 4
years of marriage, we've finally hit our balance in life only to be taken
away in an instant. I have no regrets about our marriage. She has loved me
and Amber beyond her capacity. I will always love her.

It is my first time to write to egroup as I've lurked and watched emails
being sent to and fro. All I want now is that for each of the couples here
is to cherish each moment that we spend with our loved ones. Pretty simple
to say, very easy to take for granted.

Thank you all for the prayers. I would still like to ask you to please
include Leslie in them until her 40th day so that the path to God's kingdom
is well lit and she is no longer in the dark.

Sincerely,

Carlo Cruz

Let us all pray for Leslie and her departed. It's a sad sad reality that our lives can be taken away from us just like that... so let's make the most out of it.

Teaser...

I can't wait!

A Big Step

Thursday morning... I woke up early and prepared to go to Bulacan. I was initially dreading this day because of a small family issue but realized that I had to make a choice and it is to face them, even if I was all by myself.

Upon entering the doorstep, my lola and uncle were there. I greeted my lola. There was silence. Then my uncle talked to the driver and Deda. He gave them an earful. You see, I wasn't really the one involved in this issue but my cousins who I live with, my aunt in the US and those two I mentioned. I just had myself involved because I felt I had to make a stand and I was the one who first made a "retaliation" in their defense. I was in the kitchen with my other cousins and aunt when my uncle walked towards us. I thought he was going to confront me next. I was nervous but ready. And then I saw the look on his face. It wasn't anger towards me but it was a look that seemed as though he didn't know where to begin and which words to use. He was being careful and he was explaining. Him. That uncle of mine who I fought several fights with before. He.was.explaining.to.me! I felt ashamed and relieved and touched and happy and sad all at the same time. It was a humbling experience. And there, we realized there was a misunderstanding. Still, it wasn't resolved as the other party refuses to make a communication. I sent an SMS to my aunt in the US to give them a call to clear things up but she hasn't.

Just being there to face them may be a simple task but it is A BIG STEP on my part. I am glad I made the right decision. It wasn't easy but it was all worth it. Why? Because they are my family and I love them and I would do anything for them... I hope they resolve the issue immediately.

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,
but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy,
and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,
and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains,
but have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,
and though I give my body to be burned,
but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy;
love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own,
is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails."
-- 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a

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