The best things in life are free...?

Life is so unpredictable almost to the point that it scares me. Just when you think everything is fine and everything seems to be going your way, something will happen and everything just comes crashing down. It’s almost as if the best things in life are no longer free because you eventually have to pay for all the good times you enjoyed with some really bad days. Sometimes I’m afraid to say I’m happy for fear that it will be taken away from me. There are also times when I feel like I have to work so hard for the things I want to get that when I finally get it, it almost feels as if I had paid for it.

I don’t always feel this way. I really do believe in blessings and I know God is good and He loves me. I just get frustrated and overwhelmed by the things that are out of my control.

Now 100!

Officially a hundred posts!

It surprises me how much I’ve written in a few months.

Why?

Once in awhile someone I love or care about deeply will confide in me about a difficult situation he/she is in and I will sit there and listen and I can’t help but wish I could do something about it. I find it really difficult not to get affected. Many times I’ve found myself crying for friend in trouble and it really bothers me to know that a loved one (be it family, relative, bf, friend…) is suffering. I feel like I should do something but Idon’t know what it is that I can do and most of the time I really can’t do anything about it. Sometimes I feel like listening isn’t enough although often times it is. What hurts me the most is the fact that I know this person has a good heart and deserves nothing short of the best that life has to offer and it seems unfair that he/she has to go through some really ugly stuff. I don’t understand why.

I got stood up!

Ok, after a dozen phone calls it’s official – my client has ditched me. He was scheduled for training and he didn’t show up. I should feel bad because he sort-of wasted my time but I don’t feel bad because I didn’t want to go through it with him anyway. I would have probably needed to stay at work until 6:30 PM had it gone through.

Time for some more software testing… fun, fun, fun! (sarcasm here) But I’d rather do QA than train today. If Steve was making chicken ceasar or briami for lunch this day would be perfect.

waiting...

While writing this, I’m on the phone, trying to reach a client. This is my third phone call to the guy and I keep getting his voicemail. It’s funny he has such a long introduction – one in English and another in Spanish (I think) or something that closely resembles it. It sounds very professional though and quite impressive considering he’s only telling you to leave your name, number and a brief message and he’ll call you back. So, I recorded my message and pressed the review button (I have a habit of reviewing my messages before I send it). Content with the message I recorded, I waited for the machine to tell me which button to press to send and it proceeded to give me a long list of options. It got pretty confusing and tiresome so I hung up. It will send it anyway right? Oh well, I’ll try again in a few minutes.

Happy about it

I must have been super tired yesterday because as soon as I got into bed last night I was fast asleep. Jerry came by my house to have dinner with my family and to ask my dad for help with his new laptop. I must say, I love it when he spends time with my family. As soon as we walked through the front door, Miguel and my dad were waving at him from the living room and my mom was giving him a hug. Jerry went to my brothers’ bedroom and said hi to JR while I was changing in my room. Jerry pretty much ate everything that my parents offered him and I could tell my parents were very pleased (poor Jerry must’ve been really full after dinner!). Of course my mom talked to him the entire time he was there.

I really love that he gets along so well with my family.

An unlikely visitor

I was reading this woman’s blog and one of her posts was about her “unlikely visitor”. She was playing with her daughter when she heard a knock on her front door. She thought it unusual since it was a single knock so she went to see who it was or what it was. She found a bird lying on its back. It apparently knocked itself out on her front door but it was still breathing. She felt sorry for it so she was trying to think of ways to help the poor thing. Of course she didn’t have a clue what to do so she was thinking maybe she should get a toothpick and support the bird’s neck with it and maybe nurse it back to health with milk. She ended up calling a vet’s office and by this point, she was already crying because she was very concerned about the bird. The woman who answered the phone told her they don’t help wild birds and advised her to “let nature have its way”. At a loss, she went back to her front door to check on the bird and to her surprise, it was back on its feet as if nothing had happened.

I don’t know why I’m writing about this but when I was reading her post, I was imagining it happening in my head and I guess I found it amusing. Amusing and touching at the same time. To be honest, I don’t know what I would’ve done if I were in her shoes. My first instinct would have been to call my brothers or my dad and ask them what I should do. For some reason, when it comes to things like this, I always think my brothers or my dad has the answer. Would I have cried? I don’t know.

Apologies to those who might mind

I've been clicking on the Next Blog button and browsing through strangers' blogs. Since I don't know any of them personally and I want to be able to go back to their blogs at some point (when I have the time), I've added a separate link list to keep track of them.

I apologize if I'm linking to yours and you don't want me to. If it helps to know, I'm linking to your blog because I happen to think your blog is very interesting. =P

I don't like you but I don't know why

I don't have any problems being introduced to others or meeting new people. I can be shy at times but I'll smile and talk. If I seem very quiet, it isn't due to anything negative, it's probably because you make me nervous. Just give me sometime to get comfortable, I promise to do better.

Although I find that once in awhile I'll meet someone and I'll feel uneasy towards that person or for some reason I just don't like him/her and I don't know why. It's like my instincts are trying to tell me something even though I don't know what it is. I know it's not right to judge others right away and I do try to get to know the person a little better first before I make up my mind but it's hard for me because my guard automatically goes up. It's like my instincts are screaming and I'm trying to shush it down and I'm trying to convince myself that there is nothing wrong with the person and that I should be extremely nice.

The thing with me is that I can't fake my emotions. If I don't like you, you'll know or atleast get the inkling that I don't like you. I won't be rude to you but I will put some distance between us. I will be helpful when needed, I will listen, and I will respect you but unfortunately I can't force myself to like you... it has to happen on its own. Although most of the time my instincts are right, I have been wrong in a few occasions. I guess I have to let some time pass, see what happens and do a re-assessment. LOL

something on a post-it

The other day I was training a client over the phone and I wrote the following lines on a piece of post-it. I’m very bad at writing poems. I can write essays anytime but I suck at poems.

I am a butterfly
A cloud in the sky
I am here one minute
And gone before you know it
I am hiding in thecupboard
Or sleeping under a tree
Sometimes I am lazy
Othertimes busy as a bee
I am lying on a beach
Gazing at the sea
I am jumping on a puddle
Dancing in the rain

I don’t know why I was writing it or what I was thinking of. Ijust started writing andthis is what came out. It doesn’t make any sense but it’s very rare that I would write something like it (eventhough it’s very bad) so I wanted to keep it here. =P

Panalangin

Panalangin ko sa habang buhay
Makapiling ka Makasama ka
Yan ang panalangin ko

At hindi papayag ang pusong ito
Mawala ka sa 'king piling
Mahal ko iyong dinggin

Wala nang iba pang mas mahalaga
Sa tamis na dulot ng pag-ibig natin dal'wa
At sana nama'y makikinig ka
Kapag aking sabihing minamahal kita

Panalangin ko sa habang buhay
Makapiling ka Makasama ka
Yan ang panalangin ko

At hindi papayag ang pusong ito
Mawala ka sa 'king piling
Mahal ko iyong dinggin

Wala nang iba pang mas mahalaga
Sa tamis na dulot ng pag-ibig natin dal'wa
At sana nama'y makikinig ka
Kapag aking sabihing minamahal kita

Panalangin ko sa habang buhay
Makapiling ka Makasama ka
Yan ang panalangin ko

At hindi papayag ang pusong ito
Mawala ka sa 'king piling
Mahal ko iyong dinggin

Panalangin ko sa habang buhay
Makapiling ka Makasama ka
Yan ang panalangin ko

At hindi papayag ang pusong ito
Mawala ka sa 'king piling
Mahal ko iyong dinggin

Panalangin ko sa habang buhay
Makapiling ka Makasama ka
Yan ang panalangin ko

"Panalangin"

-Apo Hiking Society

some words...

I noticed a lot of us who blog, don’t seem to blog on the weekends… it makes me wonder if most of us are blogging when we’re at work…?

I didn’t sleep too well last night. It’s probably because I slept yesterday afternoon and might have had too much sleep. Jerry called me around 2:30 AM to say goodnight and since I was sleeping so lightly, I actually heard my phone ringing, was able to answer it and consciously talk to him. I normally miss his calls when he calls me past 1 AM and if I do get the chance to answer my cell, I’ll be carrying a conversation with him and have no recollection of it in the morning. Sometimes I’ll even ask him why he forgot to call me when he said he would and he would tell me he did but I just don’t remember. It’s weird. If I were hiding something from him, I think I would’ve blurted it out during one of those conversations. LOL…

I’ve been dreaming a lot about moving. I don’t know why but almost every night I would dream that my family’s moving again. It’s a different house everytime but it’s always a house with so many rooms. I hate moving because of the hassle and I guess it’s probably why I dream of it so much.

My youngest brother, Miguel, was doing his homework last night – again, at the very last minute. I heard my mom reprimanding him again for delaying. I had to smile because he reminded me of myself when I was in highschool. I used to love to wait until the very last minute to do my homework and I don’t know why. My mom used those very same lines to me and I would always tell her not to worry because I would finish it on time. My parents could never be mad at me when it came to my school work because I always managed to get really good grades. I loved going to school. To me, it was a game… a challenge… and I loved it. Hopefully Miguel will learn, just as I did, that starting early really helps. I am not too worried, he’s smart and he’s really, really good in Math (I remember him getting a perfect score in his math exam when he was four… he was so little and he would always cry in school but he some how managed to get a perfect score in his finals. Little brothers… they always surprise me.) Occasionally he’ll slack off a bit but when motivated, he bounces back.

I need to get an eye exam. I keep getting headaches. I obviously don’t have much to write…

more money, no chores?

During lunch, one of my co-workers had brought up the topic of household chores (specifically on the subject of who should do the cooking). She said that her former boyfriend had told her that his mom earns less than his dad so she compensates by cooking and looking after the dad. He then told her he would expect the same from his wife someday. This guy believes that the spouse who earns a lesser amount of money should compensate by doing all the household chores. I can’t wait to see what happens if his spouse earned more than him… (maybe he’ll change his mind then? =P)

I don’t believe that this should be the case. Personally, I think it’s a whole bunch of crap (Sorry if I’ve offend anyone by saying so). I think that each one should do what they can when they can. I could be working as hard as I could and still make less than what my spouse could be making. So does that mean, although I’m dead tired at the end of the day since my spouse is making more, I should be doing all the household chores? What if we had children? Should I do the household chores and at the same time take care of the children while my husband sleeps or watches TV? I would understand if my husband was tired or sick or maybe even stressed. I don’t have anything against men and I certainly don’t have anything against doing household chores. I just think that each person should do what they can to help. Even if I were making more than my spouse, I wouldn’t expect him to do everything at home. I would do as much as I can. I think both spouses should compromise, atleast take turns. Who does the household chores shouldn’t be based on who’s earning more money. It almost seems as if this guy is trying to say that the person who has more money should get the upperhand. Selfish.

Sleep..I want more!

This morning had me struggling to get out of bed. I was sooooo sleepy and all I really wanted to do was stay at home, close my eyes and sleep. Is it just me or does your bed seem so much softer when you need to get out of it? During days like today, I wish the TTC would go on strike, the snow to fall so hard we can’t go anywhere or that I would get a fever just so I have an excuse to stay at home. Like always I talked myself into getting up, taking a shower and before I knew it I was on the train.

a slip of the tongue

Today I was doing Staff training again and in the second class I did this afternoon my trainees were very rude. I’m doing this for their benefit and not mine. It’s not my fault that they have to go through it because it was something that our VP had arranged and not me. It’s not even a full day. All they have to do is sit there for an hour, listen and follow instructions. These are sales guys, tech support guys and QA monitors. The purpose of the training session is get everyone trained so that we are all in the same level of understanding. It is bad enough that when we get a tech support call, the tech people often have to pass the question to me because they don’t know the answer. But for them to be offered the opportunity to learn and instead of participating, they sit there and play games, well, it pisses me off. It’s a waste of my time when I could be doing something else (blogging for example…LOL). The sales guys and tech gys asked me if the can do whatever they want and I was so pissed the time that I just blurted out, “sure you can but if you ask me a question I’ve already covered during the training session, I’m just gonna tell you to f*ck off!” I was surprised I even uttered those words… I don’t really use bad words and I don’t want to develop the habit of using them either but I find that when I’m really upset, sometimes they just fly out. Of course I regret it later on but…sigh...must be PMS too!

"we can always blog about it"

Q: How do you know when you’re browsing way too many blogs?
A: It’s when you finally go back to yours and then telling yourself, “shirtz, my writing is crap!”

I was going through Pao’s blog (I miss you Pao!) and then I clicked on a link to another blog that had a link to another one and so on and so forth…until I came upon a blog that I have to admit is very entertaining (minus all the swearing and vulgar language of course). It amazes me how well some people can write and it’s always surprising to read what goes through their heads. It reminds me of the advertisement on TV with the tag line – “Thankfully we don’t always say what’s on our minds” and I kinda feel like adding “but we can always blog about it!”

It’s fun reading someone else’s post and then finding yourself smiling and nodding in agreement or moving your head from side to side thinking, “I know how that feels!” or “You’re absolutely right” or “Haha! Funny! I can’t believe you said that!” followed by a big sigh. It's also fun to see what other people's blog title says or their blog descriptions. Why can't I be that creative? Some people are so creative and have such talent when it comes to writing that it makes you stop and wonder what it would be like if they wrote a book or had their stuff published.

if your life was a movie, what would the soundtrack be?

So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...

Opening Credits:
My Love is Like Whoa – Mya Feat Missy Elliott (what does this mean?)

Waking Up:
So Sick – Neyo (LOL! I had to decide this morning whether I should call-in sick for work)

First Day At School:
Show Me the Money – Petey Pablo (I WAS told in order to get somewhere I needed to get a good education! HAHA)

Falling In Love:
Just A Little While – Janet Jackson (Gee…I sure hope not)

Fight Song:
Smooth Criminal – Alient Ant Farm (oops! You better watch out!)

Breaking Up:
I hope it’s You – Ntwine (ouch!)

Prom:
Higher – Creed (huh?)

Life is good:
Fall to Pieces – Avril Lavigne (what the?! And here I thought life was great..)

Mental Breakdown:
Dilemma – Nelly Feat Kelly Rowland (it sure would be quite a dilemma wouldn’t it?)

Driving:
Otherside – Red Hot Chili Peppers (otherside of the road? Or I should be on the other side of the driver’s seat? Or maybe it means, “see you on the other side?”)

Flashback:
Wisemen – James Blunt (I sure hope I made some pretty wise decisions… I would hate to look back at my life and have regrets.)

Getting Back Together:
I Miss You – Incubus (I’m sure this would be a reason)

Wedding:
The Distance – Evan and Jaron (I can't take the distance I can't take the miles I can't take the time Until the next time I see you smile I can't take the distance And I'm not ashamed That I can't take a breath whitout saying your name But I can't take the distance…)

Birth of Child:
Hey Ya – Outkast (Oh God I hope these are not the first words I utter towards my first born)

Final Battle:
She Wants to Move – N.E.R.D. (you can count on me making a move.. )

Death Scene:
This is Your Life – Switchfoot (nice… like they say, your life flashes before you when you’re about to die)

Funeral Song:
Millenium – Robbie Williams (uh I don’t get it)

End Credits:
Listen – Beyonce (yeah guys…listen!)

nothing

I want to write but my mind is blank.

I've been in a training session since morning and I'm eager to get it done.

I had a bad dream last night and I'm glad it's just a dream. I wouldn't know what to do if it had been real.

It's pretty quiet today... it's making me want to go home, crawl into bed and sleep.

Eeeeekkkkk!

I’m back at my desk… FYI, I was sitting in the boardroom for close to 3 hours doing nothing. No, correction, I was talking and joking around with our VP, my boss, and the sales guys so it’s not like I was there doing absolutely nothing right? (grin)

I just finished opening an e-mail from Tina. I was too spooked out to watch the video by myself so I coaxed my co-worker into sitting beside me and us watching it together. I would have died had the sound been on. Ha!

I must admit I’m such a baby when it comes to horror films and spooky stuff. I will go to a scary movie and spend half the time looking at everything BUT the screen or burying my face on Jerry’s shoulder and then asking him afterwards what happened (Jerry will attest to this =P). The thing is, my imagination just gets the best of me. When I go home at night and I’m alone in my room trying to fall asleep, I will think of every imaginable horrifying thing that might come out to get me. Or when I’m in the shower I’d be so scared to close my eyes for fear that when I open them I’ll see a ghost or something (I’d be so scared I’d rather risk getting soap in my eyes than close them). Another thing that keeps me up at night is the fear of dreaming about something that I saw in the horror film. I can’t control my dreams so that really scares me (I’m really scared of dreaming about being stuck inside the Silent Hill movie – it’s just way too creepy for me!). I tried watching the Exorcist and I only saw 10 mins of it and then turned it off. I watched The Grudge (the Japanese version) at noontime so it was bright and sunny and I my dad was nearby and that part where the girl was crawling down the stairs had me screaming and running for my dad. Back home I shared my bedroom with my brothers and I used to wake my brother up in the middle of the night because I needed to go to the bathroom and I needed him to wait for me outside the bathroom until I finish (I don’t do this anymore by the way in case you were wondering… I just turn all the lights on! LOL). How embarassing is that?!

It must be in the genes… I mean nobody in my family is brave enough to sit through a scary movie without flinching except for my dad (lame exuse I know).

How do you know?

I’ve come across this quote so many times before… “It is true that you don’t know what you have until you lose it… but it is also true that you don’t know what you’re missing until it arrives…”

I was just thinking, when it comes to certain things in life, how do you know when to let something go and when to hold on to it? If you let it go too soon, then you risk losing something that you didn’t know was valuable. But if you hold on to it too long, then you risk regretting missing another opportunity that you could have otherwise taken had you been open to it. I don’t necessarily mean relationship-wise although the question I had just asked seems to come up more often when it comes to relationships. But isn’t it the same question you ask yourself when you’re trying to decide whether it is time to look for another job? Or when you’re considering moving to another place? Or whenever you are trying to decide whether you should take the next step?

How do you know when you should play safe and when you should take the risk?

In my opinion...

Tina has blogged about it. Suzy has blogged about it. I might as well blog about it too! =P

How do you know when you’ve met ‘the one’ for you?

As I mentioned on Suzy’s blog, as little girls we dream of a prince on a white horse coming to sweep us off our feet. Many of us have our minds set on finding ‘the one’. I have to say, Suzy was right when she mentioned romantic movies depicting lovers who meet and instantly fall in-love with each other and everything else falls into place and they knew right away they were meant for each other is unrealistic. Although the idea of having someone to love and love us back is certainly something we all want, it isn’t right to say that we should all jump on the wagon without looking at it in the right perspective. It is the idea of loving and being loved in return, the idea of having someone you can share your life with and the belief that true love exists in this messed up world is, I guess, the main reason I love watching romantic films. It is not to say that I agree with the concept of a ‘soul mate’ depicted in these films. Another thing that bugs me is the concept of ‘Love at first sight’. How can you possibly say that you love a person when you don’t know anything about him/her? Love takes time. It doesn’t happen in an instant.
I once asked my mom how she knew that my dad was the right man for her and she told me, “You never know sweetie. You can spend your entire life together and die and you still wouldn’t know.” I asked my dad the same question and he told me, “There is no way of knowing… it’s all about the choices you make – who you choose to spend the rest of your life with. It is not always asking yourself who you cannot live without, rather, it is who you see yourself living with – someone who shares and understands what is important to you and helps you grow…”

Suzy wrote, “…I mean I always used to say technically there are so many guys I could have dated for years, sweet, smart loving guys (because I mean it has to be someone I can at least have intellectual convos with otherwise shoot me) – hell I could have been happily married to one of them. Statistically speaking so many of us could have ended up with someone different had the circumstances been different why? Because it all depends on what we thought at the time was a “good relationship”… or if we were “wanting to get with a guy asap” or whatever motivation we might have had…” – I strongly agree with her statement. I’m not yet married but I do know that looking back at the relationships I’ve had (both romantic and friendly), I know for a fact that at that time, I saw myself marrying that guy. I have several close guy friends, guys I’ve shared so many experiences with, and all of whom I must admit I can see myself having a romantic relationship with or even, possibly, marrying. First of all, there is no such thing as a perfect man so to say that there can only be one specific person for you is ridiculous. I’ve stopped looking for signs. You don’t hear bells, there’s no singing, no flashing lights and no flashbacks nor visions of a previous or future life. It just doesn’t happen that way. Period.

As Tina quoted, “…Then let's say God puts two people on Earth and they are lucky enough to find one another. But one of them gets hit by lightning. Well then what? Is that it? Or, perchance, you meet someone new and marry all over again. Is that the lady you're supposed to be with or was it the first? And if so, when the two of them were walking side by side were they both the one for you and you just happened to meet the first one first? Or, was the second one supposed to be first? And is everything just by chance or are some things meant to be…?” My mom used to say, “Lucky are those that find true love twice in their lives…” I am not saying that we should go ahead and have more than one partner just because there can be more that one right person for you. I just think it is best to consider your options. Don’t get caught in the moment and don’t rush into a relationship just because there is a need or a want that needs to be satisfied or because it makes you feel good. However, I am also not saying that you should jump from one relationship to another or refuse to commit because you are constantly looking around.

A lot of us mistake attraction with love. I have to agree with Suzy when she said that maturity plays a part. It takes time to know oneself. Heck, I’m still learning new things about me everyday and the more I discover myself, the more I realize what it is that I need and want and the difference between the two. Every person and every experience I come across with teaches me a thing or two. Each one of us has a picture, an idea of what kind of partner we are looking for but there is no such person who will embody all of the characteristics we want. How often do you hear a woman/man say she/he wants someone who is attractive/handsome, smart, understanding, able to provide, loving, sweet, accomplished, kind… we make the mistake of putting our partners on a pedestal even before we meet them. If you ask the people who are happily married if they married their ‘ideal partner’, they don’t say yes! Just like what Tina is saying, we should learn to ‘negotiate’. Try looking for a partner who loves and respects you and has your love and respect in return, who shares the same values as you, someone you can grow with and who looks at the same direction as you. As my dad puts it, “It is important not only to have love but that you and your partner are willing to make it work, to give it your best shot.” I love hearing my dad tell me, “You must remember that you cannot force your partner to be like you, to think or act like you because he is not you. You are two completely different people, who grew up in two different environments, who have different opinions… but what is important is that the two of you are looking at the same direction.”

There so many people out there who might be just as compatible with you as the person you are with now. Keep an open mind and when you decide to enter into a relationship with someone, give it your best, learn from it and see where it takes you.

Mr. Darcy

Alright, call me a dork and give me that quizzical look. I have to admit, I love watching Pride and Prejudice. No, I don’t have a crush on Keira Knightley!!

My mom rented it last week and I’ve watched it 3 times already. I would’ve watched it several more times had my brothers permitted it. Hmph! (snob)

My mom told me a lot of people preferred the TV series that aired a few years (or maybe several years) before but I never saw it so I can’t really compare. I might look for it though and see which one is better. I haven’t read the book (or maybe I have and might have just forgotten it) but I plan on reading it soon.

I have a crush on Mr. Darcy. There’s always something about mysterious men that never fails to attract me. I can’t fully explain why I love his character but I do. Call me weird… I don’t care!

Old Letters

I was trying out the new yahoo mail beta today and I have to say… I absolutely love it! It works similar to Outlook now and it’s just easier for me to move between e-mails, sort and open them althought I have yet to figure out how to remove the “tips” window on the right side.

Anyhoo, I noticed I had 2 saved drafts. One was a draft of an e-mail I had sent to my cousin and the other was a draft of an e-mail I was composing which I had intended to send out to my friends but had forgotten. I composed it not long after we moved to Canada and I had just had my first winter. I was basically saying hi, telling my friends how much I missed them and describing my first winter. I would post it here but I wrote it mostly in Filipino and it would be hard for everyone to understand.

I always find my old letters funny because it feels like it was a different me who had written it. Some of them I find pretty childish much like how I feel about some of my posts here and some of them I thought were well-written considering how old I was at the time I wrote it. My mom kept all of the letters and cards I made for her when I was young and I can’t help but laugh everytime I read them. There are so many spelling mistakes and grammatical errors and I talk about the silliest things! LOL!

When I read the letters I wrote during my earlier teenage years, I think to myself, “eeww.. so cheesy!” I’m afraid to even mention to you some of the things I wrote! Haha! I would die of embarassment.

The one thing that is cool about reading old letters? It’s like seeing emotions and thoughts on paper. Like catching a glimpse of myself at that moment in time.

Law-Related Funnies

Got this from an e-mail and thought I might share it with you... either the lawyer is good or the judge is...well.........read!

o0o0o0o0o0o0o

You won't believe these!!!!! It's time once again to review the winners of the annual "Stella Awards." The Stellas are named after 81 year-old Stella Liebeck who spilled coffee on herself and successfully sued McDonald's. That case inspired the Stella awards for the most frivolous, ridiculous, successful lawsuits in the United States.

Here are this year's winners:

7th Place: Kathleen Robertson of Austin, Texas, was awarded $780,000 by a jury of her peers after breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who was running inside a furniture store. The owners of the store were understandably surprised at the verdict, considering the misbehaving little toddler was Ms. Robertson's son.

6th Place: 19-year-old Carl Truman of Los Angeles won $74,000 and medical expenses when his neighbor ran over his hand with a Honda Accord. Mr.Truman apparently didn't notice there was someone at the wheel of the car when he was trying to steal his neighbor's hubcaps.


5th Place: Terrence Dickson of Bristol, Pennsylvania, was leaving a house he had just finished robbing by way of the garage. He was not able to get the garage door to go up since the automatic door opener was malfunctioning. He couldn't re-enter the house because the door connecting the house and garage locked when he pulled it shut. The family was on vacation, and Mr. Dickson found himself locked in the garage for eight days. He subsisted on a case of Pepsi he found, and a large bag of dry dog food. He sued the homeowner's insurance claiming the situation caused him undue mental anguish. The jury agreed to the tune of $500,000.


4th Place: Jerry Williams of Little Rock, Arkansas, was awarded $14,500 and medical expenses after being bitten on the buttocks by his next-door neighbor's beagle. The beagle was on a chain in its owner's fenced yard. The award was less than sought because the jury felt the dog might have been just a little provoked at the time by Mr. Williams who had climbed over the fence into the yard and was shooting it repeatedly with a pellet gun.


3rd Place: A Philadelphia restaurant was ordered to pay Amber Carson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, $113,500 after she slipped on a soft drink and broke her coccyx (tail bone). The beverage was on the floor because Ms. Carson had thrown it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument.


2nd Place: Kara Walton of Claymont, Delaware, successfully sued the owner of a nightclub in a neighboring city when she fell from the bathroom window to the floor and knocked out her two front teeth. This occurred while Ms.Walton was trying to sneak through the window in the ladies room to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge. She was awarded $12,000 and dental expenses.


1st Place: This year's run away winner was Mrs. Merv Grazinski of Oklahoma City,Oklahoma. Mrs. Grazinski purchased a brand new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, (from an OU football game), having driven onto the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver's seat to go into the back and make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly, the RV left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Mrs.Grazinski sued Winnebago for not advising her in the owner's manual that she couldn't actually do this. The jury awarded her $1,750,000 plus a new motor home. The company actually changed their manuals on the basis of this suit, just in case there were any other complete morons around.

A Joke for the Day

When Apollo Mission Astronaut Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon, he not only gave his famous one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind statement but followed it by several remarks, usual com traffic between him, the other astronauts and Mission Control. Just before he re-entered the lander, however, he made the enigmatic remark; "Good luck Mr. Gorsky."

Many people at NASA thought it was a casual remark concerning some rival Soviet Cosmonaut. However, upon checking, there was no Mr. Gorsky in either the Russian or American space programs. Over the years many people questioned Armstrong as to what the Good luck Mr. Gorsky statement meant, but Armstrong always just smiled.

Just last year, (on 5 July 1995 in Tampa Bay, FL) while answering questions following a speech, a reporter brought up the 26-year-old question to Armstrong. This time he finally responded. Mr. Gorsky had finally died and so Neil Armstrong felt he could answer the question.

When he was a kid, he was playing baseball with a friend in the backyard. His friend hits a fly ball which landed in the front of his neighbors bedroom windows. His neighbors were Mr. And Mrs. Gorsky.

As he leaned down to pick up the ball, young Armstrong heard Mrs. Gorsky shouting at Mr. Gorsky. "Oral sex! You want oral sex?! You'll get oral sex when the kid next door walks on the moon!"

Meaning?

What do my dreams mean?

Back home I used to dream of this big house with a big pool and a beach nearby. I don’t know why but I would find myself in this house so often and when I go to the pool, my friends are all there and they’re all having fun. Someone’s giving me and my family a tour of the house and it’s all so confusing to me. Another dream I used to have so often is with me and my family going to this resort with either our relatives or some of our neighbors. I used to dream about it so much that I already know what the entrance to the resort looks like and what types of pools they have inside. There are a lot of big swirling slides and my brothers and I are either going down the slides or playing games.

I don’t know why but I would have these dreams so often back home and I don’t what they mean. Most of all I wonder why I stopped having these dreams when I came to Canada. It’s as if I left my dreams behind when I got on the plane.

Now, I find myself dreaming about work (prolly because I stress about it too much), dreaming about my friends back home (prolly because I miss them like crazy) and once in awhile I would have dreams that just don’t make any sense. Sometimes I wake up in the morning confused. Some people say dreams have hidden meanings… I wonder what mine mean?

Hello Sun!

Today I woke up to a beautiful morning. The sun is finally out!

Hello beloved blazer! I was able to wear you again today… it’s been cold out for a week and I’ve been forced to wear my winter jacket.

It’s funny how fast one’s body gets used to the temperature. Early autumn I needed to wear a sweater or a jacket as soon as the temperature started to drop below 15 degrees. Today, however, I found myself standing in the parking lot at a temperature of about 12 degrees withouth a jacket and wasn’t cold at all. How nice! I’m so happy about the weather that I decided I can’t let it pass without writing about it.

Grunt

I’m so stupid. Stubborn! Why oh why do I allow myself to get into situations that I know for a fact will torment me?

2 stars - beginner's level

This morning I was reading the Metro and at the side of the front page was a picture of Nicole Richie with a caption about her and her weight problem. The first thing that came to my mind was, “What’s new?!” Really, everytime there’s an article about her it’s only with regards to 2 things: her weight and her lovelife. It’s always about her lack of pounds and her inability to stick with a guy… oh and don’t forget the constant on-and-off relationship she has with the DJ dude. –sigh- I wish they would stop fussing about the same people regarding the same old things…

Moving on, I have successfully managed to solve several Sudoku puzzles. I have this Sudoku Puzzle book which I bought awhile back so that I could learn how to play the game. After much practice, I am proud to say I can solve a “2 stars – beginner’s level” puzzle. This means I can solve the puzzle that appers on the 24 and that’s about it. Last night, I felt that it was time for me to attempt to solve one that has 3 stars… sad to say, I failed and ended up with a very bad headache – one that forced me to take Advil. I left the partially solved puzzle with my 15 year-old brother who later informed me he was able to finish it… great… (tone of sarcasm here).

Tips anyone? =P

A bunch of fools

I’m sitting on my desk, writing an e-mail and my wings are seriously bothering me.

Yes, I am wearing an angel costume. I don’t recall dressing up for halloween…ever. But since today the office decided to have some fun, I found myself at a store yesterday looking for something interesting to wear. I didn’t want to spend so much money on something that I’m only going to wear once. Most of the really cute costumes they had were close to $100 so it took me a long time to look for one around my budget. It didn’t help that I was there not knowing what it was that I wanted to get to begin with. Anyhow, I finally decided to go as an angel. I even bought a wand because I thought it was cute and I could have so much with it at work. (evil grin)

I can barely sit on my chair because my wings are on the way and I keep having to push my halo because it refuses to stay up. I’m freezing by the way.

Greg decided to go as a cowboy and he has a cowboy doll that he attaches to his belt to make it seem like he’s humping the thing. I believe it is supposed to capture the essence of Brokeback Mountain. LOL! Sinh decided to go as a black dude, Hallie is a cowgirl, Kristin’s Wonderwoman and OMG! Is that Bren dressed with playboy bunny ears, a bunny tail and matching women’s underwear?! I can’t decide whether it’s funny or creepy considering he’s such a big guy and I’ve never seen a bra that big! Eeww. The president called in sick... cheater!

I brought my camera with me but the batteries were dead. –boo hoo- I have to go look for some AA batteries…

Halloween

I need to find a costume to wear to work tomorrow.

If I can't find one, I will wear a bathrobe with a towel on my head, a pair of slippers and a lufa. LOL!

Desiderata

During my brother's highschool graduation, the Desiderata was inside his diploma.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --

Working like a donkey

I’m tired. I think I am, once again, at a point where I begin to consider looking for another job. Everyday I drag myself out of bed to a job that I don’t really like. Everyday I sit on the train watching the people around me, all of us rushing to work, and I wonder how many of us really love what we do?

As children we dream of becoming a teacher, fireman, policeman, doctor, driver, astronaut, scientist, pilot, archeoligist, artist, architect, painter, etc… and as we grow older, our interests change and together with it – our dreams. How many of us pursue our careers because our parents wanted us to? Or because it makes a lot of money and it atleast ensures us of a future? Or maybe because our dreams require too much work and we’ve become lazy and allowed ourselves to be content with what’s easy? Or maybe or dreams cost too much money and we just can’t afford it? Or we’ve found a way to talk ourselves out of our deams and convinced ourselves that another path is the way to go?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the fact that I am employed. But sometimes I feel like it’s taking forever to get to where I eventually want to go. I’m not surpised though…you have to work for almost everything in life. I know hardwork and commitment pay off but how long does it take? And what if it wasn’t meant for me to have? I mean, there are so many people that try and try and try but they never get to where they want to go. Am I one of those people?

I applaud those who pursue their dreams, who strive to reach their goals and those that refuse to negotiate with the world. I just really hope that in the end, all my efforts don’t go to waste.

Yikes!

I seem to attract troubled people. Not in the Sixth-Sense-I-see-dead-people kind of way but I seem to become really good friends with those who are going through some very rough times in their life. Not that I mind, on the contrary I love the thought that my friends share their lives with me. There are those who feel extremely lonely, those who are disappointed in life, those who are losing a loved one, those who are having family problems, financial problems and just about everything. Sometimes I am caught off-guard by some of the things I hear. Just when I'm beginning to think I've heard the worst, I am faced with another heart-wrenching situation. After hearing a friend talk about his/her problems, I take a second look at my life and I can't help but be grateful for the many blessings I have.

Looking at my life and the lives of those around me, sometimes I think my life is pretty easy compared to theirs. I didn't choose the life I was given and neither did my friends or anyone else for that matter... so I'm left wondering how come other people seem to have it easy and some the exact opposite? I have problems of my own - that's true, but I feel like mine is nothing compared to the hardships that other people face. This scares me. I'm afraid that one day it will be my turn.

Maybe my life is the way it is so that I can give my time to those that need it. My mom once said to me, "Sweetie I think maybe God really brings these people to you because maybe your purpose in life is to help them through their times of need." She might be right.

Awkward

Yesterday I was asked to do a “staff training” session. In the one year I’ve been with this company, I haven’t done classroom training for staff members. Not that I mind, it’s just weird that they would wait so long to organize one. One would think they would’ve done this long ago.

Anyhow, the president attended one of the sessions and the funny thing is he kept asking me questions on different things…things he should know. Worst of all, he kept asking me why certain areas of the software are designed that way. Why the hell is he asking me?? He’s the president! He should know! Do I look like the person who designed it?! The vice president was present during the session and she got pissed off that he was asking me questions not related to training at all and when she couldn’t help it anymore, she blurted out, “Karen’s not in development!” and grunted. You should have been there! OMG! The room was dead silent and even I felt sorry for the president. He must’ve been really embarassed!

Sometimes I feel like our president is under our VP…but then again maybe he’s just as scared of her as we are because she can be a real b*atch! LOL!

When God says No

I came across an article that had something to do with what my bf, Jerry, and I were discussing last night over Greek food. We were mostly talking about life, the wonderful coincidences that happen and how God answers prayers. Instead of posting the article here, I decided to link to it: http://www.beliefnet.com/story/174/story_17460_1.html

To sum up the article, there’s five different ways that God answers prayers:

“No, I love you too much.”
“Yes, but you’ll have to wait.”
“Yes, but quite different from how you thought I would answer.”
“Yes and here’s more!”
“Yes, I thought you’d never ask.”

It’s so true what the article is saying. I find that God answers prayers in so many different ways and sometimes not necessarily in the way we want it or when we want it but it always turns out to be what’s best for us. In many occasions in my life I’ve asked God for something and felt that I was not heard because I didn’t get what I asked for. But when I think about it, it’s not really because He wasn’t listening, it was because He had something better in mind or He was just waiting for the right time.

I remember when I was in highschool, I had a huge crush on this guy (let’s call him Guy #1) and I had prayed for him to like me too. It never happened of course and I was bummed to find out he had his eyes set on someone else. But shortly after, I had become good friends with a guy in my class (let’s call him Guy #2) and eventually he became my first boyfriend. Had God granted my prayer in the beginning, I wouldn’t have ended up with Guy #2 if I were with Guy #1. Guy #2 was my boyfriend for more than 3 years and I was happy. I’ve learned so many things from my relationship with him that has helped me grow up as a person. We parted ways in college but we’ve remained good friends since. As for Guy #1, he became my best friend and he’s been there for me, even helping me during my breakup with Guy #2.

At the time my relationship with Guy #2 ended, I was hurt and prayed constantly that God would bring us back together. It didn’t happen of course and again I thought God must hate me for allowing meto get hurt. But you know what, ending my relationship with Guy #2 had allowed me to build close friendships with so many other people. I had been giving all my time to Guy #2 and had not spent a lot of time getting to know my other friends. Because of the breakup, I was able to spend a lot of time being around other people, getting to know them, sharing so many things with them. Since then they’ve become my closest friends and I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people around me. God may not have given me what I had asked for but He certainly gave me so much more!

After I graduated from college, my parents decided to move to Canada. I was suddenly desperate to spend every waking minute with relatives and friends because I knew I was leaving and wouldn’t be seeing them for a long time. Although I understood my parents’ decision to leave the country, I was miserable. I prayed for a miracle, anything to keep us from going. It took months for us to prepare for the big trip but we eventually left and I kept thinking, “Why is God allowing this when He clearly knows how happy I am where I am? Why is he taking me away from all the plans I’ve made?” I was depressed for awhile and I made every effort to remind myself that everything happens for a reason even if I can’t see it yet. It’s been 2 years since we moved to Canada and what do I think now? God definitely knows what He’s doing! Shortly after I left, my friends started working for different I.T. companies and since then they’ve been assigned to work abroad in different countries. So if I had stayed behind, I wouldn’t have been able to see them anyways so what’s the difference right? Since I moved here, I’ve met so many interesting people, I’ve been introduced to so many different cultures, and I can proudly say I’ve learn to appreciate diversity and how much fun it truly is to be able to see and experience the other side of the world. Moving to Canada has forced me to leave my “safety net” behind and learn how to be more open to oppurtunities, how to be more independent and it has helped me grow in so many different ways. Back in the Phils, I was used to having a maid do everything for me but here I have to clean my own room, do dishes, and keep after myself. Experiencing winter has certainly increased my appreciation for the all-year-long warm weather in the Phils. Being here has certainly increased my appreciation for all the other things I used to take for granted. I’m not saying it’s so bad here that it’s making me see all the things I’ve been missing. I’m just saying that I can appreciate the true beauty of the wall now that I’ve seen both sides of it. It’s not saying that the grass is necessarily greener on the other side of the fence either. It’s just being able to appreciate what’s on each side.

What’s the best part about moving to Canada? It has brought me Jerry. It has brought me Jen, Suzy, Steve and all the other wonderful people who I can share wonderful experiences with. And being here has made me realize how much my friends care for me even when I am not around. They’re even thinking of visiting me when they get assigned in the US!

These are just some of those moments when I’ve asked God for something and eventhough he didn’t exactly give me what I wanted or when I wanted it, He has always given me the best.

A Beautiful Song

I'm gonna be here for you baby
I'll be a man of my word
Speak the language in a voice that you have never heard
I wanna sleep with you forever
And I wanna die in your arms
In a cabin by a meadow where the wild bees swarm

And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us

I wanna honor your mother
I wanna learn from your pa
I wanna steal your attention like a bad outlaw
I wanna stand out in a crowd for you
A man among men
I wanna make your world better than it's ever been

And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us

We'll follow the rainbowWherever the four winds blow
And there'll be a new day
Comin' your wayI'm gonna be here for you from now on
This you know somehow
You've been stretched to the limits but it's alright now
And I'm gonna make you this promise
If there's life after thisI'm gonna be there to meet you with a warm, wet kiss

And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us
I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll win your trust making memories of us

"Making Memories Of Us"

Keith Urban

People on the go

People… I swear they can be very smart but sometimes they tend to do things that are just mind-boggling or plain annoying. Here are some of the things I’ve noticed while waiting for a bus amongst the huge crowd and the bus finally arrives…

• You would think people would be courteous and let passengers off the bus first before they get on it but nnoooo! There’s always a guy or a girl somewhere that will insist on pushing their way in. Do you pour water into a cup at the same time you are emptying it? ‘Course not! You empty the cup first and then put water into it. People! Please, same concept applies! Would it kill you to wait?
• Why is everybody trying to fit into one bus when there’s an empty one right behind it? This never fails to make my eyes roll.
• Let the handicapped, the elderly and the women with children on the bus first! One day you’ll be old too and you should remember the golden rule: do unto others what you would like them to do unto you.
• If you can see that someone else needs a seat, please remove your stuff off the seat beside you. Be considerate. I’m sure your bag wouldn’t mind.
• If you have a huge backpack and you are standing, try to consider the people behind you and those that are trying to pass. I’m short and often times I find my head against someones backpack. And please don’t play with your friends when the bus is crowded because everytime you dodge his/her hand, your backpack is hitting me repeatedly (and I am trying real hard not to slap you).
• I always thought as children we learn the magic words: “please and thank you” and “excuse me”. Learn to use them as adults.
• Let’s be nice and let people pass. If there’s space in the back, move to the back. Tell you what, there’s a bonus too – it’s always warmer at the back!

nd of course my favorite: the bus is completely empty except for one man and he’s standing! Mind-boggling but it’s cute!

On the subject of blogging

Yey! I just got the links for Steve and Suzy’s blog! I love reading other people’s blogs. I find it very interesting to see what people write about – their thoughts, dreams, aspirations, the things they find funny and beautiful, their fears and anxieties and just everyday life.

I never used to blog. I’ve heard about it a million times before but never really gave it much thought. That is until I came across a friend’s blog. I’ve known him for years but I was never really close to him so I never really got to see the other side of him. He was always the quiet one…extremely smart, very nice person but he didn’t talk much and it always made me wonder what he was really thinking. Then I came across his blog one day…I don’t really remember how I came across his blog but he’s had it for quite sometime. It was a real eye-opener for me. I was able to see a different side of him -- a side that wasn’t always so serious, funny even and just so normal. I don’t mean to say that he was abnormal in any way… but we all looked up to him like he was a god because he was just so smart! Perfect grades and everything! We used to kid around saying when God rained intelligence on earth, we were holding cups but he was holding a bucket. LOL!

After reading a few of my friends’ blogs, I decided to have one too (it’s also perfect for killing time when there’s nothing much to do at work. Hehe!) I also find that it’s a good tool for keeping in touch with old friends and being able to know what’s going on in their lives (yea, and catch up on some gossip you’ve been missing =P check out my link list for other cool blogs)

The cool thing about having a blog is that no one tells you what to write, when to write and how much you can write. You can put pictures, music, and links to your favorite stuff for all they care. Basically, IT IS YOUR OWN SPACE AND YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH IT (but please don’t put naked pictures of yourself…kidding!)

Ok, enough about blogging… I’m beginning to sound like a blog advertisement. Haha!

Name change

Yes, I decided to change the title of my blog. You can take a guess at what it means… haha!

For those of you who have been following my blog since it was born, you’ve probably seen me change the name…what? 2 or 3 times? I know… I’m the type that can’t quite stick to a name. (Hopefully this won’t be the case when I have children someday. Just kidding!) I change my Friendster layouts so often too. In the beginning it seems so great and then after awhile it just gets boring. Hence, the reason for the constant change. Bear with me people!

Oh and just as a reminder, you might want to update your link list too! Thanks!

Slide.com

The other day I decided to check my Myspace account (I always feel weird using the word “my” before “myspace”.. it almost feels like using double conjunctions or something.) because I realized I’d been paying attention only to my Friendster account and I thought it’s about time I checked those unread messages and invites. Not that I hate Myspace – it just so happens most of my friends are in Friendster which is why I continue to use it. Oh and also because Friendster is more popularly used in the Philippines as opposed to Myspace.

I realize Myspace is more popular in North America and almost all my cousins in the US are on it so I’m using Myspace to keep in touch with them too (I’ve successfully convinced two of them to sign up with Friendster...LOL). Anyway, I came across Aileen’s page on Myspace and she was using a flash player that plays pictures of her. I’ve always wanted to put one on my Friendster page but most of the ones I came across were already being used by a few of my friends and I was trying to avoid having to use the same ones they were using. (yeah, I didn’t want to be told that I was being a copy cat… haha)

I came across Slide.com and Ithought it was pretty cool. Free, easy to use, fast uploading of unlimited pictures (well, I kinda need to verify that it is in fact “unlimited” but so far so good) and I thought the slide transitioning was one-of-a-kind (again, the “one-of-a-kind” comment is yet to be verified). Anyway, I signed up using my e-mail address and assigning myself a password. It didn’t even require me to enter my name or contact info. I uploaded some pictures taken during college and several pictures of me and jerry of course! I have yet to add pictures of me, jerry, steve and suzy but I grabbed a picture of the 4 of us off of Steve's blog (LOL)...

Check out my Friendster page!

I fell in love with a pair of sandals

Have you ever owned a pair of shoes/sandals/runners that you loved wearing so much that you just wish you had bought dozens of them so you could wear them forever?

During the summer, I went shopping for a pair of sandals. It started out with a pair I bought from Sterling (weird name for a shoe store isn’t it?) but they turned out to be uncomfortable for long walks and it felt heavy on my feet. So I decided to buy myself another pair and this time I bought a beautiful pair from Aldo. Big mistake. They were gorgeous but they were the most uncomfortable pair of sandals I’ve worn in my life. (You’re prolly wondering why I bought it in the first place, right? Well, they were fine when I was walking around in the store but that was it.) I wore them only once and back in the box they went. Such a waste of money, I know, but I love my feet more than my shoes and I’m not willing to sacrifice my feet for it. So, now I’ve spent some money on two pairs of sandals and they both suck. Nice… (note of sarcasm here)

I ended up buying another pair from Aldo which turned out great. I was adamant on buying atleast one more pair so I can switch between pairs but looking for a great pair of sandals just isn’t that easy. I was on my way home one day and had decided to pass by the mall and that’s when I saw them – a pair of beautiful sandals from Naturalizer. I was so eager to try to them on and viola! They were perfect! They were so soft, so comfy and get this – they were on sale!! Could a girl ask for more?! I bought them right there and then and they became my favorite pair.

Wearing them felt like I was walking barefoot on a carpeted floor (ok, I know I’m exagerrating but what the heck). They were just so comfortable!

I wore them everywhere – to work, shopping, dates with jerry, to church on Sundays, picking up groceries, festivals, to the movies, etc! I just never got tired of wearing them. I would wear them still, if I could, but it’s too cold outside for sandals so for now they’re sitting in my room. I was looking at them the other day and I was just thinking that I’d be sad to have to throw them away when it gets worn out. Hence, I wish I had bought several pairs of them to begin with. =(

Fear Factor

I came across an article on msn about phobias and here are some that I find quite amusing:

• Papaphobia—fear of the pope.
• Scorodophobia—fear of garlic.
• Pteronophobia—fear of being tickled with feathers.
• Ranidaphobia—fear of frogs.
• Philematophobia—fear of kissing.
• Aulophobia—fear of flutes.
• Ostraconophobia—fear of shellfish.
• Graphophobia—fear of handwriting.
• Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia—fear of long words (seriously).
• Blennophobia—fear of slime.
• Gerontophobia—fear of old people.
• Peladophobia—fear of bald people.
• Geropeladophobia—fear of old, bald people.
• Phobophobia—fear of developing a fear.
  

There is also didaskaleinophobia, the fear of going to school—though you’d have to go if you want to pronounce it. Barophobia is the fear of gravity, which can be very inconvenient if you live on a planet.

Nakakatuwa noh? I had no idea there were so many kinds of phobias and I didn't even know the ones mentioned above existed. Makes you kinda wonder how these people live doesn't it?

Songs I find myself playing over and over again...

I have about 700-850 songs in my iPod and yet I find myself listening to a few songs over and over again. I don't know why but there are some songs that I just never seem to tire of regardless of how often I listen to it. Here are some:

This Love :: Maroon 5
Irreplaceable :: Beyonce
The Reason :: Hoobastank
Everybody's Changing :: Keane
Time of Your Life :: Greenday
Across the Universe :: Fiona Apple
Making Memories of Us :: Keith Urban
Sleep All Day :: Jason Mraz
Drops of Jupiter :: Train
Smells Like Funk :: Black Eyed Peas
You're Beautiful :: James Blunt
Promiscuous :: Nelly Furtado Feat Timberland
Mas Que Nada :: Black Eyed Peas
Are You In :: Incubus
Streetcorner Symphony :: Rob Thomas
For The Love of You :: Boyz II Men
Spend my Life With You :: Eric Benet Feat Tamia
Officially Missing You :: Tamia
When I See You Smile :: Bad English
Walking After You :: The Foo Fighters
Killing Me Softly :: The Fugees Feat Lauren Hill
Time and Tide :: Basia
This is How You Remind Me :: Nickelback
The Way You Look Tonight :: Frank Sinatra
Thank God I found You :: Mariah Carey Feat 98 Degrees
Panalangin :: Nyoy Volante
Sway :: Bic Runga
Summer Samba :: Astrud Gilberto
Suddenly :: Soraya
Sonho Meu :: Paulinho Moska
Something Beautiful :: Robbie Williams
Smooth Criminal :: Alien Ant Farm
Runaway :: Janet Jackson
A Promise I Make :: Dakota Moon
Dancing in the Moonlight :: Toploader
Lost in Space :: Lighthouse Family
Overjoyed :: Stevie Wonder
Our Lives :: The Calling
Only Time :: Enya
One Of Use :: Joan Osborne
What Can I Do/Runaway/One Night :: The Corrs
Ode to my Family :: The Cranberries
No One Else Comes Close :: Joe
Kiss From A Rose :: Seal
As I Lay Me Down :: Sophie B. Hawkins
Knocks Me Off My Feet :: Stevie Wonder
Just The Two Of Us :: Grover Washington Jr.
Jaded :: Aerosmith
Into You :: Fabulous Feat Ashanti
If I Ain’t Got You :: Alicia Keys
If Tomorrow Never Comes :: Ronan Keating
Angel :: Sarah Maclachlan
I Try :: Macy Gray
Life :: Gabrielle
I Think God Can Explain :: Splendor
I Believe In You :: N’Sync
I Love the Nightlife (I can’t remember who sang it)
I Hope It’s You :: Ntwine
I Don’t Ever Wanna See You Again :: Uncle Sam
Stay :: Lisa Loeb
Time and Tide :: Basia
Accidentally In Love :: The Counting Crows
Big Yellow Taxi :: The Counting Crows
Baby You're Mine :: Basia
Time Will Reveal :: Boyz II Men
I Believe in You :: N'Sync
My All :: Mariah Carey
Whenever You Call :: Mariah Carey
Only Time :: Enya
I Believe in You :: Il Divo
Para sa Akin :: Sitti
From This Moment :: Shania Twain
Drive :: Incubus
Don’t Speak :: No Doubt
Deep Inside of You :: Third Eye Blind

I think I never get tired of listening to them over and over again because these songs remind me of something or someone.

Snow in October!

I cannot believe it's snowing...in October.

I knew today was going to be below 10 degrees but I sure wasn't expecting any snow! So much for hoping that the winter would come late!

Backup Files Found!

Eversince I came to Canada, I've been looking for the CD containing all my backup files from our PC back home. When I didn't find it in any of the cds we took with us, I had hoped it was in the box we had left behind and that I would find it when it finally arrives.

The box finally did come about a year later but it wasn't there either. There were a few cds without labels so was hoping one of them would turn out to be my back up cd. I patiently ran them all but still didn't find what I was looking for. It turns out they were my dad's files. I had remembered labelling my cds with my name and the date so I was almost sure they were lost since I couldn't find them.

The other day I was reading a letter my tita had sent my dad and she said they found a few more cds that belonged to us but they had forgotten to send. She made a list of all the titles of each cd and I was so glad when I came across two labelled "Karen back up ". I was grinning from ear to ear and prolly looked like a fool but it was really good to know I didn't lose them. In case you were wondering what was in those cds, they contain a lot of pictures taken during college and some of the important things I wanted to keep. We keep hearing about the advantages of having digital photos but one thing we overlook is the fact that if our hard drive crashes, the cd containing our files gets lost or damaged or we accidentally delete our files, those precious pictures we took are gone and lost forever (unless of course you can find someone who can restore your files for you).

I think I should print them and keep a hard copy.

iTunes frustration

I just logged into iTunes and was so thrilled to find Grey's Anatomy episodes can be purchased for a $1.99 per episode!! Yey!

I was so ready to purchase an episode I had missed only to find that it's only available for purchase for US accounts and not canadian. Gggrrrhhhh! I don't understand why they even have to have a separate account for those residing in the US and those residing in Canada. Is it because of the difference in currency? The stuff that's available in the US version should also be available to the Canadian version. We're paying naman a! Nakakainis naman!

I would have gladly paid for that episode I wanted to download had it been available to me. If they really can't make it the same, they shouldn't let us see the stuff that's available in the US... nakakafrustrate lang!

I should really send them a suggestion just like my brother...better yet, I should complain... ^-^

Nothing like...

...a day full of accomplished tasks.

Nakakapagod but it feels good na ang dami kong nagawa. It was another productive day for me. =P

As Maragaret Thatcher wrote:

Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the
end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; its when you had
everything to do, and you've done it.

Message not sent. Try again later...

Arggghhh! Stupid message won't send!

Don't you just hate it when your phone doesn't want to cooperate? I've been trying to send a short, simple text message to my bf and for some reason my cellphone won't do it. Yes, I have a signal and I have a subscription so it can't be because I don't have any load. I've had to stop myself from banging my phone against my desk but I did try that trick where you hold your phone upside down... it's supposed to help (eventhough I don't know how it helps).

Don't you find it odd that your cellphone will refuse to work at times when you need it the most? Walang signal, low batt na... ay ayaw magsend... bakkeeettt?!

Sige na, send na kasi please....

5° Degrees and Counting

Today's weather forecast: sunny. Low of 5° and a high of 14°.

Looks like fall is finally here. Autumn arrived a couple of weeks ago and it's so depressing to think of the coming of winter. It's the time of the year when the days are getting shorter and the temperature keeps dropping. It's been good so far, moving anywhere between 5° and 24° degrees. On days like today when the sun is out but the temperature is low, it can be very misleading because you are under the impression that the day will be warm due to the sun but when you step out of the house it's actually very cold.

I just recently found out that Canada is actually beside Alaska...no wonder it's so cold! I'm not very good with geography and for some reason I can't recall where countries are located in the globe. If I've never been there and I don't know anyone who lives there, then I don't know where it is. I still find it difficult to love the cold seasons. Whenever someone mentions how much they love the fall, I cringe. Para mo na ring sinabi na gusto mong nasasaktan ka. I've always been the most sensitive in our family. Pag may aircon, ako yung unang nilalamig. Ako yung laging nagrereklamo na mashadong malakas yung aircon. Imagine us now living in a country where it's cold 3/4 of the year!

I've gotten somewhat used to the temperature though. Anything above 20° is warm na for me. Sometimes I worry that a vacation back home will be too hot for me to handle. But then again, I'm sure my body will eventually adjust to the heat just like when it adjusted to the cold here. I just have to make sure I stay somewhere with airconditioning. Haha!

This morning I found myself waiting at the bus stop, praying desperately that the bus would arrive soon because I was freezing. Maybe I should've dressed warmer... I couldn't stop shivering. Minsan pa naman the bus is full so kailangan hintayin ko pa yung susunod na bus. Sa isip ko bahala na kahit puno, isasalpak ko nalang sarili ko kasi di ko na kayang tumayo sa lamig.

I read in the Metro a few weeks ago that this coming winter might be mild...let's sure hope so!

A Toast to an Amazing Couple!

Jerry and I attended the wedding of one of our closest friends last weekend. It was a beautiful ceremony and one that had me fighting back tears of joy. I first met Suzy last year and shortly after, I met Steve. From day one I loved them already. It's so rare that you would befriend someone wonderful and to befriend two is even better. I know they've been together for 2 years but they were friends for some time before they started dating.

Suzy is mixed - half Congolese, half Haitian while Steve is Canadian, part Japanese. It is so heartwarming to see two people find love and happiness in each other and I admire them for seeing past their physical and cultural differences. During the reception, Suzy’s uncle said that he is proud of both Suzy and Steve for being able to love each other despite their cultural differences and because of their love they were able to bring two cultures together. They danced to Keith Urban’s “Making Memories of Us” and the way they held each other and looked at each other, you could really see the love they shared. How often do you see a couple like them?

I’m so proud and so happy for the two of them. I wish them nothing but the best in life.

Beyonce

....was here in Toronto last Sept. 15 and performed at Dundas Square for free to promote the recently opened Best Buy store. I like to think she performed for me since it was my b-day! =)

I knew there would be a lot of people but maaannn!! I was honestly caught off-guard by the amount of people that showed up. Jerry and I were there early and it was already packed! We were going to meet up with some friends but it was so crowded and made it impossible for us to meet up so we all decided we'll watch the concert separately and then just meet up afterwards. I was already in a bad mood even before the concert began because I couldn't see the stage. Ang liit ko kasi, puro likod lang nakikita ko...grrrrr...kainis.. ang dami pang nanunulak -- how rude. I gave up trying to find a good spot since it was a pretty useless effort. I had to watch her from the big screen they had set up.

I was surprised at how beautiful she is in person. Yeah she's beautiful on screen but she's even more beautiful offscreen. You can really see she enjoys performing. She sang some Destiny's Child hits and some songs from her new album. Keep an ear out for her song "Irreplaceable". She had a live band and back up dancers and she performed for about an hour. I was surprised at how good the concert turned out to be considering that it was free. I can only imagine how much Best Buy must have shelled out.

I would post pictures from the concert but I didn't have my camera with me and the ones the Jerry took were mostly blurred. Sayang nga eh...

Article (continued)

Make sure to read the entry before this...

I was browsing through the Female Network and I came across the article below. How true that when we see a beautiful woman, we just naturally assume she doesn't have a head above her shoulders. It's a way of justifying things - beauty = dumb; not so beautiful = smart. Alas, when we think of this equation we can sleep at night knowing that life is indeed fair and that there is justice in the world. God made her prettier than me but at least He made me smarter. Ahhh...there is balance after all! How did this mentality start in the first place? You think maybe it's those dumb blond jokes that started this whole fiasco? I don't know.

I know how it feels... I've walked out of the house feeling like the most beautiful woman in the world and all it takes is for a woman far more beautiful than I will ever be to come into view and I can feel my self-esteem slowly sink. I'm left wishing that I was as beautiful as her. I'm left asking, "why wasn't I born like her?".

Have you caught yourself looking at a couple and thinking, "ang gwapo naman nung guy pero bakit naman ganyan girlfriend nya?". In my brother's own words, it's a classic case of "beauty and the beast". He works at a restaurant part-time and he tells me sometimes how an extremely beautiful girl walks in with her boyfriend who is just "average" or sometimes "pangit as hell" and he can't help but ask himself, "pakshet paano nya nabulag?!" When my brother tells me stories like this, I must admit I can't help but laugh. Natatawa ako kasi kung anu-anu naiisip nya...natatawa ako kasi dumadaan din yan sa isip ko. I know, it's awfully cruel to say it but it's the truth. I can almost guarantee naisip mo na din yan kahit minsan.

But you know what? My brother behaves like a typical guy... he gets attracted to beautiful women but he will never go for someone simply because of her looks. He knows better than that.

Sometimes I do wish I was more beautiful. I think most of us do. But when I think about it, in my life I don't remember the people who are beautiful. Di ko naman pinapansin yon. I wouldn't love my friends any lesser if they were unattractive. Ever since my brothers and I were little our parents would always tell us, "Di bale ng panget basta maganda ang ugali...yung personality ang important." and "don't worry if you don't think you're the prettiest or the most handsome..if you have a good heart people will see beauty in you". My parents may not be the most beautiful or the most handsome but to me, they're perfect. My mom will always be my idol. She'll always be beautiful to me and she'll always be the mom I want to be someday to my kids. My dad will always be the most intelligent man on earth for me. He'll always be the person I come to when it comes to making important decisions. I know now that he doesn't hold all the answers but I will forever value his opinions and regard them with the highest respect. To others they're ordinary...but that's because they don't know my parents like my brothers and I do.

So for that extremely gorgeous guy/girl that has the "average" partner, we ought to keep our mouths shut. She or he may not be drop dead gorgeous but that doesn't mean he or she doesn't have all the qualities we hope to find in a partner. She or he may be all that and way more than we could ever imagine. Like the saying goes, "Don't judge a book by its cover".

One time I overheard a guy friend saying, "you know what? It's sad most girls try too hard... don't they know it's their imperfections that make them perfect?" I was stunned... but damn was he right.

The Ugly Truth of Beauty

Got this article from The Female Network. Read on and I'll post my comments on my next entry since it's long as it is already...

The Ugly Truth of Beauty

Despite what we’ve learned, it’s somehow too easy to fall into the traps that society has set for us. For example, we immediately assume Beauty is dumb, “just a pretty face.” It’s easier to think that a gorgeous girl is self-involved, shallow, or boy-crazy. If she’s successful, we figure she charmed her way into it, as though it were inconceivable that she just might have a brain like the rest of us. Hopefully, we know how irrational that is, but we do it anyway.

And don’t think she doesn’t know it. Supermodel Christy Turlington was
once quoted in Esquire magazine: “I’m constantly being told, ‘Haha, she’s going to school. Maybe she’ll learn to spell.’ There are negative associations…(including) assumptions that you are just completely worthless.”

Says a retired commercial and print model, now the manager of her own business, “I would be introduced to other women and just feel the raise eyebrows: Oh a model. As in, Oh, an airhead.”

On the other hand, there is another no less ugly side to the issue. We women are also guilty of using our looks basically to one-up other women and perhaps give ourselves an ego-boost. It’s unfair particularly when you realize that your beauty or the lack of it was basically handed down to you from a particular gene pool, something you had nothing to do with. When a good-looking guy is walking through the mall with his so-so looking girlfriend, we wonder what he sees in her…as though her looks are all that matters. And to cover up our own weaknesses, how many times have we said to ourselves in a stupid and irrational manner, “Well, at least, I’m prettier, thinner, more fit…than so-and-so.” What’s worse is we actually feel better doing it. When a women succeeds in making the most of her appearance, it’s only other women, and not men, who will undermine her with the utmost cruelty, saying: “She’s special, really” or even, “Mas maganda pa ako diyan eh.”

It must spring from some primal instinct in us, this ugly drive to quell or undermine the beauty of others because somehow it threatens us. For all the flak a girl can get from testosterone, when it comes to narrow vision or downright prejudice, women can be even more hostile, petty and vicious than men, and sadly, very often, the are.

I want The Big Chill

I miss going to Glorietta ang getting an avocado shake from The Big Chill. It’s the best shake I’ve ever had! We first discovered it at The Big Chill in Rockwell. My mom’s office was across the street so sometimes we would pass by Rockwell to grab a bite before heading home. I don’t know if they still have it though… I know it’s seasonal. I told myself it’s one of the things I will surely get when I come home to visit.

Here’s a list of some of the things I want to do when I come home:

• See all my relatives
• Spend time with my friends (note to self: pass by friends’ offices and go out for lunch in the middle of a workday)
• Eat at all my favorite restaurants
• Eat tons of fruit especially Indian Mangoes =P
• Go shopping
• Go to Bacolod
• Go to a resort
• Take lots of pictures
• Try to visit old neighbors in Las Piñas
• Buy a new cell phone (cell phones are way better there)
• Convince friends to get a VISA and come with me to Canada (Haha!)

I hope it doesn’t take me forever to get a chance to visit. Sana makaipon ako ng enough money and be able to stay for atleast a month. Sana din paguwi ko andun lahat ng friends ko kasi kung nasa ibang country sila for business, eh di walang kwenta.

I may like living in Canada but nothing beats the one place I still call home. =)

23 in a Week !

Friday at last! =P

I managed to suvive my first week back from my vacation. I still have to get through my training session today and then I’m off to Suzy’s birthday party. It’s only 9 am and already I can’t wait for 5 pm. Tee-hee!

I’m turning 23 in a week! Grabe, ambilis talaga ng panahon. I still remember my 7th birthday because I had a party in our garden. I remember being a kid and wishing I would grow up faster because I wanted to wear high heels like my mom, wear make up and go to work. It’s funny because when I was a kid, I imagined growing up and being much taller, prettier and a lot smarter. Before I knew it, I was already celebrating my 18th birthday and I realized I didn’t change by much. I still look the same except I’m a little taller and a little wiser (I don’t know about the “prettier” side of it..but atleast I don’t have missing teeth anymore! ^-^). When I turned 18, the years seemed to go by a lot faster every year. It’s true what they say, life is short.

I don’t have any plans yet for my birthday but my brothers seem to be more excited about it (they love going out to eat and they’re trying to convince me to celebrate my birthday at their favorite restaurant). I heard Beyonce and John Mayer are coming to Toronto to perform downtown. It’s a public concert so anyone can go and it’s free. If I recall correctly, they’re performing on my birthday. You think they came to perform for me? Hmmm… I like to think so. Tee-hee!

Funny and Annoying at the same time

Put The Big Red Button on your site

Should I Quit My Job?

Your Job Dissatisfaction Level is 47%

Well, you don't have the worst job in the world, but it's not great.And don't worry, you're not the problem - your company is.Start looking around for another job, even if you're not totally fed up.Because in time, you're going to be dying to quit!

Should You Quit Your Job?

Got this from a friend's blog...kinda proves my point doesn't it? Tee-hee! Told you so!

'Nuff Already

I read the Metro and the 24 almost everyday on my way to work and I almost always stumble on gossip about celebs...celebs who annoy me like Paris Hilton. No, I'm not jealous of her and no, I don't wish I was her. I don't understand what the fuss is all about. So she got caught on a sex tape....so what?!? ok, so she's an heiress... again, so what?!? Plus, the word "Like" seems to flow out from her lips as if it were water... "You know, she's like so dumb! Like there's no other word... you know, like she only knows how to say like.." waaahh! stop it na!

Sorry, just stumbled into another gossip about her and it's just really annoying.

iPod Fun

I've been seeing this survey/game and decided to give it a try just for fun... read on... =)

1. What do you think of me? - Is It Any Wonder (Keane) * Ookkaayy...what the hell does this mean? Pwede ba self-interpretation nalang? O sige, palagay ko it means I'm a wonder...a wonder of the world. Haha! Baliw...

2. Will I have a happy life? - Everytime I Close My Eyes (Babyface) * Ganun? So I have to close my eyes just to be happy?

3. What do my friends really think of me? - I Hope It's You (Ntwine) * Awww...

4. Do people secretly lust after me? - Get Up (Ciara) * No Comment. =P

5. How can I make myself happy? - Cry Me A River (Justin Timberlake) * Doesn't make any sense... kailangan ko pa ba umiyak muna? Unfair!

6. What should I do with my life? - You (Jennifer Love Hewitt) * Me?? Anong me??

7. Why must life be so full of pain? - Say Somethin' (Mariah Carey) * Ok, I'll say somethin'..eh kasi naman kung binibigay nalang lahat ng gusto ko eh di sana wala ng pain. Hmpf.

8. How can I maximize my pleasure during sex? - Between You And I (Jessica Simpson) * Ok, it will be our little secret, hala go!!

9. Will I ever have children? - How Could You (KC & Jojo) * Aray.

10. Will I die happy? - Claire De Lune (Boston Pops Orchestra) * Still a big mystery to me. Thanks iPod...di mo naman sinagot ang tanong.

11. Can you give me some advice? - Control Myself (LL Cool J Feat J Lo) * I think I'm discplined thank you very much! Hmpf.

12. What do you think happiness is? - Mesmerize (Ja Rule) * yeah..happiness is mesmerizing indeed..sigh

13. What's my favorite fetish? - One Minute Man (Missy Elliott) * Hahahaha! I don't... hahahaha! bwiset!

Funny! Hanap pa tayo ng ibang masasagutan... Tee-hee!

Mariah Carey @ Air Canada Centre

As soon as I came back to work, my co-workers asked me where I went during my one week vacation. It seems when you mention the word vacation, people automatically think you’re going somewhere. I didn’t go out of town. Mostly I was at home sleeping or watching TV and sometimes I’m with Jerry (he was on vacation too). Just the fact that I was somewhere else other than work made me so happy.

We did go to the Mariah Carey concert last Tuesday with Jerry’s aunt and uncle. Jerry had bought the tickets well before and I’ve never been to a concert here in Canada (come to think of it, I don’t recall going to a concert in the Philippines either – tsk tsk). Ok, so most people rolled their eyes when I mentioned I was going to a Mariah Carey concert. Not too many people are fond of her but what the heck, I wanted to go anyways! After all, it was at the Air Canada Centre! We decided not to splurge on the tickets since we were saving our money for something else so we got seats way far back but still good enough for me. We had successfully sneaked in a camera but we were too far to take any pictures and the lights weren’t very helpful either.

It lasted a little over an hour but I was really amazed! She sounded exactly like how she sounds when you listen to her on the radio which I thought was pretty amazing since most artists nowadays edit so much (have you heard Linkin Park live on TV? So different from how they sound on the radio isn’t it?). What I loved the most was how well organized everything was. Her set was really beautiful. Have you ever seen those videos were there’s flashing bulbs behind the artist? She had that too when she was performing Shake It Off. I was w-o-w-ed by all the fancy stuff she had on stage – the curtains, the lights, the big screens, flashing bulbs, glitters… She had a staircase on one side and a ramp on the other. I was telling Jerry if she ever tried using the ramp she would fall for sure with the high heels she was wearing. It turns out the ramp wasn’t for her. Buti nalang…

She also had a DJ who took over when she was having her costume changed. The DJ was really good. He played hits from all the way back during the 90’s to current hits. He would play only the first few seconds of a song, just enough to get the crowd excited and then moved to the next song. Jerry and I cheered, screamed, danced and sang. I was a little hesitant since his aunt and uncle were sitting next to us but then what the heck, we were at a concert after all! What do you expect, right? Even his aunt was swaying to the beat.

She sang all her hits and ended the show with We Belong Together. It was really worth the money we spent on the tickets. Not bad for my first concert.

A case of the Ex

“Can you be friends with your ex?” – This is one question that gets thrown at me every now and then. I see it on articles, e-mails, surveys and it almost never fails to pop-up during girl talk. I’m sure you’ve been asked this question atleast once before. While most would answer no, some would answer yes. As for me, I’ve only had 1 ex-boyfriend and we’ve managed to remain good friends. To be honest, it took awhile for both of us to get past everything. Mostly it was me that was having a hard time getting over it. After we broke up, we had a very rough and painful year of getting back together and then breaking up again and a lot of arguing. There were times when we both cried, times when we missed each other, times when we were confused and times when we were sort of glad we were over. In the simplest of words, it was a rollercoaster ride. The one thing I do know is that we were both honest with each other. It helped that we were good friends even before we became a couple and got to know each other very well during the years we spent together. The truth hurt but the fact was we grew up and it was time for us to go our separate ways. Am I bitter about it? I used to be but now I’m not bitter at all. We still chat every now and then (we seldom catch each other online due to our time difference), we crack jokes, give each other advice… we do the things that friends do (except we don’t hang out with each other since I’m in Canada). When I think he’s being a jerk to someone, I tell him. He lends me an ear when I need it.

Do we care for each other? Yes, we do. We are friends. We are both happy with our current relationships and although we both know we prolly won’t be together again as a couple (haha!), we remain good friends.